Hi from a new member

trlrnrgrl

Hi,
Just thought I'd introduce myself, as I'm new to this website. I've been a trail runner for several years now and a runner off and on most of my life. I'm in the central Texas area and mostly stay at home with our young son. I've lost 20 pounds over the last several years, but hit a plateau all of last year - didn't gain weight but didn't lose any either. I injured my lower back, developed asthma, and our son was firmly into his terrible 2s. But now, lower back is doing much better, asthma is getting under control, and our son is in a mom's day out program. I have two goals - one is to get closer to my goal weight of losing 20 more pounds and the other is running my first 50k, which, if training goes well this year, will be next January.

Btw, if anyone is so inclined, I'd love to know what other people's goals and trail running interests are!

trail_rnr

I'm new-ish also, just kind of exploring the forums.

I've been running for 20+ years and trail running for about 10. I hear you about the back problems! I was born crooked :-) and finally had mine fixed in 2010. I ran up until the surgery because running is the only thing I could do in the year or so leading up to it (although I couldn't run very far or long). The same year I had the surgery (spinal fusion) I ran Imogene Pass Run for the first time (~ 7 mos post surgery). O-M-G, totally worth the trip from your neck of the woods! The prettiest run I've ever done in my life. I run in the Wasatch and we have some pretty awesome places but I really fell in love with the San Juan Mountains. So much so that I committed to being part of a 2-person team for Trans Rockies this year. I'm still wrapping my head around running across the Rockies for 6 days straight (from Buena Vista to Vail, CO). Sometimes I think it's kind of nutso.

I gained about 10 lbs in the fall of 2011 because I backed off on running due to a nagging hip injury, so I joined MFP to (hopefully) help me stay on track to get the weight off. I've been diligently logging and keeping close to or under my goal for a couple of weeks now but am not seeing much change. It's disappointing, to say the least. But I keep telling myself that it will be too hard to haul that extra weight up the mountains. My first event for 2012 is a 50k in March, then a 50m in June, then Trans Rockies in August. I really want to feel lighter!

Which 50k are you planning to do? I've never run in that part of the world.

trlrnrgrl

Hi! Wow, the Imogene Pass race sounds magnificent! I just put it on my race bucket list. I've only been to the San Juans once, but it was amazing, so I'm sure it would be an incredible race. You are in the Utah area? I've never been to Utah, but am thinking of getting there in the next year or two to check out the 4 corners area.

That's interesting about your back. I have heard about spinal fusion - I'm so glad you are still able to run, and run far at that!

Wow, the Trans Rockies! Yeah, I can imagine that the idea of running 6 days straight in the mountains would be intense! Sounds like a fun challenge. You'll have to post a race report afterward!

The 50k I'm going for is the Big Bend 50k. I've been wanting to run it for years, but it has been one thing after another (couldn't afford the travel when I was in grad school, then back injury, then asthma). But I'm feeling really positive about this year's training. Back's doing much better and the allergy doc said my asthma should go away once the allergy shots kick in (Texas is awful for allergies). It's early yet, but I feel so positive, I'm going ahead with my lodging reservations!

I can relate to gaining weight when you're trying to dial down your training. That happened recently to me, too, which is also why I signed up for MFP. I'm making some good progress, but have recently have been at a standstill. But I'm pretty sure it's because I'm gaining muscle weight, so I'm not fretting it too much.

Which 50k and 50m are you doing in March and June?

Thanks for posting!

trail_rnr

Just make the reservations and commit to it. You'll make it happen! I looked at the photos from this year's race. It looks beautiful! I love running in the desert. We're planning a trip to Zion in May and I am looking forward to running there. We go every spring to run and bicycle. I haven't spent a lot of time in Four Corners, but that isn't far from Arches and Canyonlands. Get there when you can. It is stunning!

The 50k is out on an island in the Great Salt Lake (called Antelope Island, and yes, it does have antelope [pronghorn] as well as bison!), the Buffalo Run. They have a 25k, 50k, 50m, and 100m. My hubby is doing the 25k. It will be his first running race ever. I am so proud of him; he's been working very hard. The 50m is also in Utah, in the Wasatch Mountains above Provo, called Squaw Peak 50. I did this 50 last year and ended up walking the last 11 miles because of peroneal tendonitis. It sucked, but at least I finished. Last year's course had to be altered because of the excessive snow pack. Hopefully this year we'll get to run the real mountain course.

trlrnrgrl

Thanks for the encouragement! It comes at a good time - my back (bulging disc) has been flaring up this week, so I've been feeling annoyed. It seems like every time I start getting good momentum in my training, my back starts acting up. The only thing I can think of is that I'm just pushing it too hard too quickly (even though it seems like I'm taking it so slowly). Anyway, I'm just going to dial it back a notch and try to help my back out. That's the beauty of taking a whole year to train! If something gets snagged up, I have enough time to work on it and still stay on track.

Wow, how cool to run on an island in the Gt. Salt Lake! Antelope and bison, no less! And what fun to get to run the race together with your hubby, too! We have a young son, and running races together has become a rare commodity. We do try to run a couple of races a year together, and then we each end up running separate races while the other watches our son. He also likes trail running, but mostly trains on the road. I, on the other hand, almost never run on roads.

That's cool you like running in the desert! I do, too, and most people think I'm crazy! But I just love it, and I like the heat, too, which is good, living in Texas. Oh man, Zion - that's on my bucket list. I'm hoping to get there in the next couple of years with our son. Maybe we'll just have to do a big trip to the 4 corners and Zion and places in between.

That's amazing you finished the Squaw Peak even having to walk the last 11 because of an injury! What an accomplishment. Was it your first 50 or have you been doing them for a while? I've not run anything longer than a 25k before, but it was a super tough 25k, so that gives me confidence that I can do longer as long as my training goes well.