Plain Jane Plain Talk
Journals from the road, trails and at sea
Category: Trail Running
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The organizers of the Grand TrailFest brimmed with positivity. We survived trail running days 1 and 2 and through their words dreamed about our final treat — running on Navajo land viewing the Grand Canyon at Horseshoe Bend before dropping into the Slot Canyon. It’s day 3 on legs that no longer bend and who’s…
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Any pains from weary legs and tenderized feet melted away thanks to temps in the 40s, half the elevation of Bryce, and anticipation of views along the Mesa’s of Zion. Today’s course would start with a 3+ mile descent, a 7ish mile loop around the rim of the Mesa — a mountain that is wider…
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There is a certain excitement that takes over when you are about to embark in something that is completely beyond your comprehension — and skill level. How can we possibly climb these cliffs?, and what exactly did the race organizers mean by steep descents — is that code for free fall? — and why must…
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We departed Kansas City at 5:30 am and drove an entire hour before finding coffee a few miles east of Topeka. It was a lucky find. After Topeka there was no chance of waking up for 400 miles. Wiki refers to Kansas topography as having 2 sections — the Osage Plains and Flint Hills —…
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We put Ruby Red Lips to bed, sipping juice on a charging station in front of the hotel just west of Columbus, Ohio. I crashed from a long day of driving, and Ms Mario could not let go of racing Ruby in her dreams, so she lay awake the night. I opened my eyes at…
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Ruby Red Lips had her favorite driver behind the wheel, the one who tested the outer bounds of every speed limit, the one with no fear of jamming the accelerator to the floorboard, watching all objects appear further in the rear view and a co-pilot riding fetal. Her tires barely touched the road and she…
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Sign-on for 3 days of trail running in remote Utah because it sounded cool – 9 months back. Begin altitude training without the altitude – 4 months ago. Plan juice stops for a x-country ride in an electric car – 3 weeks deep. Pat ourselves on the back for our superb organization, packing & food…
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The morning alarm blared far too early and this time coffee was not strong enough to loosen my fog but that was OK as Jill was driving us today to our simulation run of the Utah Canyons — via downtown Washington, DC. Our Thelma and Louise cross-country road-trip for The Grandfest is less than 2…
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Blog Post: by Jill We are 5 weeks in and I am just leaning in to contribute to our Grand Trailfest training journal. The challenges of the training go beyond the quick steps on hot pavement; out maneuvering the invisible spider webs in the early morning hours; avoiding prickly, clinging bushes as we trail-blaze through…
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The best discovery of surviving 3 days of running in excessive heat — is learning that training in heat is a handy substitute for training in higher altitudes. According to research, if your training lacks altitude, just run in an oven. Grand Trailfest, here we come! Given this news, we’ve considered adjusting our attitude. Maybe…
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The weather forecast is filled with phrases such as “Excessive Heat”, and recommendations to stay inside, find air conditioning, avoid exercise, and I thought about heeding those warnings.
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When the FitBit reads oh-four-thirty-ish, running gear includes headlamps and the thick wet morning air belongs in a sauna — you can stake claim to the label: Sleep-deprived East Coast runner. Or, simply someone who has lost their sensibilities. Yes, the Grand Trailfest is under 3 months away. Yes, we are still searching for replica-trails…
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Three back-to-back training days included a 13 mile jog/walk on the 4th of July (with fireworks detours), an 11 mile run the day after with less than 1/2 mile of actual trail running, and a final day of 6 miles that included 2 miles running home-runs over-n-over on the local baseball field. Here is where…
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Jill insisted we take to the trails of Patapsco Park near Ellicott City at 0600 and I was not one to argue when her mind is made. So off we went, first along delightful pavement of which I am familiar, then over to a rocky trail surface filled with stones 3 inch in size, millions…
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The sistahood (sister-in-law’s Jane and Jill) are bonded by more than family, same age (within months), and hours and hours of training and partaking in exercise events that sometimes requires kicking and fussing (think open water swimming) to get to the start line. The sistas are bonded by a twinge of madness that includes never…
Plain Jane Plain Talk 