Running, raining and reading

Running, raining and reading!

The week of September 27th was our Fall vacation week.

Our vacation started with a trip to VT as G was running the VT50, a 50 mile run at Ascutney Mountain. We left the house a little earlier than planned, so we had plenty of time to make a few little trips (for Annie!) along the way. G was a good sport about this, maybe because he convinced me to sign up for 50K when we got to Ascutney ...but more of that later.

The day was absolutely beautiful, sunny and warm for the end of September. Along the way, I spotted a quilt shop. G turned around and I quickly ran in, $20's in hand! I had seen the shop advertised in NH Country Register, so I was excited to check it out. The shop was Checkerberries Quilt Shop and so cute and sweet. I quickly checked it out, so many fun things to look at and managed to purchase a Halloween Panel and some really neat fabric for stitching. A great prim/quilt fix!

As we traveled some more, the day continued to be just beautiful and we talked about what the weather forcast for tomorrow. We couldn't imagine, the prediction for the next day was rain...ummm how could that be, it was so beautiful out today!

We stumbled upon the Dorr Mill Store. I had no idea what this was, but a saw a sheep logo, so I assumed it 'may be' a wool shop. What a wonderful surprise this was as the Dorr Mill Store had some wonderful wools...I just walked through the store touching all the wonderful wool. I bought a bag of scraps with visions of all the stitcheries I could embelish and alot of white, maybe some prim snowman. Last stop, we were on to Ascutney.

We arrived at the mountain with no problems, parked and went in to register at the base of the mountain. G picked up his number while I registered. I initially got a number with an "8" in it and thought to myself, my favorite number, this is going to be good! But then the woman handing out the numbers realized she had given me a number for the 50 miler, not the 50K...oh well. The T-shirts were cool, 100% Organic Cotten and they had size small! Things were looking good, along with the beautiful weather. We had brought our own food for supper, so looking for some place to eat eliminated any hassles, so we drove to our hotel and checked in. Sleep was no problem for either of us, we woke up to the alarm and looked out the window. Too bad, it was raining and a tad chilly, but we though maybe it will clear as it was early morning. Needless to say, that never happened. The day was chilly, rainy and most of all muddier than could even be imagined. I can't complain as miraculously I did manage to finish, 31 miles of pure slip and slide. Took a few tumbles, but plugged along. At some point while running away from bikes on the single tracks, I had made up my mind at Mile 22, that was going to be the end of the race for me. I knew what those last 9 miles were like because I ran them with G last year. I remember last year saying to myself, I cannot imagine running this after running 41 miles as G did last year. Little did I know, I would be presented with this after 22miles a year later. My knee had become stiff, I was cold and wet as the the race photographer took my picture...I said to myself, 'when I look at this picture, I'll know, I was thinking, take my picture now, because I dropping out as soon as I reach Dugdale's aid station.



I arrived at the Dugdale's and of course, I was afraid to tell anyone I wanted to drop out. I weighed my options, and then decided oh well 9 miles, I might as well go for it. Heading down the trail, the mud was horrendous, so I slipped my way back uphill, asked someone what time it was...as I was thinking...geez maybe G will be coming up the hill shortly and we can run in together...that would be fun! The thought then left my mind and I asked someone when the pacer van was coming back as I wanted to drop. This is the point in the race, pacer's can meet 50 mile runners to pace them in to the finish. They said they could call it if I wanted and then one of the volunteer men I recognized from last year, asked me if I was sure and wanted to make it official. Wierd, I felt quite emotional and almost started crying (I don't think he noticed), but I was then undecided what to do. He was incredibly nice and said why don't you eat something and think about it. A young girl said to me, that she could run me in if I wanted. She had on those rubber I think polka dot boots and one of the bikers remarked that she had the right foot gear on to do it. I thought to myself, how cool was that for an offer. In the meantime, the aid station got crazy...some girl small and in all black came in and she was frantic saying she had gotten lost and needed to make up time. I saw Chuck and Katie also looking frantic and heading out. I guess I sort of got inspired and caught up in all the excitement and said what the heck. Needless to say, I slipped slided my way to the next aid station which was 6 miles away and was pleased I had not given up. At this aid station, I got a nice chuckle to myself when a biker looked at me and said to me, 'nice job ma'm'. That in a nutshell was my best memory of the day. As I am a real back of the packer plugger, I thought it was pretty cool to see some peeps who are 'real' ultra runners. Along the way, I don't remember where milage wise, I thought it was pretty neat to see Devon Crosby Helms pass me. She went on to win the 50 miler. I don't know her, but read her blog and just knew it was her from the back. I also saw the men's winner. So amazing, it seemed effortlessly, he ran past me and said 'nice job'. I saw other real runners whose blogs I read and thought it was cool to be 'running' with them. So I ended up finishing in what I can only describe as a day at the office with some overtime and tons of mud!

I then ended up getting a really bad cold that lasted a good 3 weeks. We spent a few days home and then headed off for Baxter State Park. We enjoyed a couple great days in a wilderness cabin at Daicey Pond. The weather continued to be rainy, rainy, however with a woodstove cranking and our LL Bean rockers, we enjoyed our time reading, did a bit of hiking and plenty of eating.

My cold got worse, but I was signed up for the Maine Half Marathon, so I ran the half and it, along with a pretty dissapointing time, it was pure torture. I started out great. G had decided he would pace me, which I was thrilled about before the cold, but towards around mile 8 or so, I totally lost it and the rest was pure misery. Poor G, I was quite a grump and upon finishing went right to the car and we drove home. I am glad I did the run (I guess) as in many ways it was great for mental toughness. I felt so lousy, but still kept plugging. I also decided, that I really have no love for street running, trails are really what I enjoy and love.

Well, I have procrastinated publishing this post, so I might as well, press publish and will hopefully very shortly write my recap of Stone Cat.

Keep dreaming!

Annie

Happy Fall!

Fall, Fall!

I love the Fall and I love this cooler weather for running!

We did the Bradbury Bruiser last weekend and although a bottom of the pack finish, I finished! G sort of made me do this race to overcome the fear of the "O" trail. I had gotten lost on it in 2007, opted out last year and decided it was time to face my fear. I was pleased to have finished, too bad I wasn't able to hold with the peeps I was running with up until the "O". As usual, in this race series, great time, challenging workout and totally awesome people. Trail races and Trail runners are the best!

On the crafting front, still lots of dreaming going on. Some dolls in the works, as well as stitcheries. I've promised to do a Craft Fair with Toni, so I best get going. Maybe I should start with a list...ummmm.

Fun, busy weekend...5K today and 5 miler tomorrow in North Conway. I hope to fit in the Bonny Eagle Flea Market today either before or after the 5K. I have many fall decorations out already and would like to change up my bedroom curtains and put out some of my other Fall things. The cutest Fall cutie came in the mail from Toni. I have to find the perfect spot for 'him'.

Well off and running...literally!

Keep dreaming!

Annie

Summer is full of running, crafting and dreaming

Summer is full of running, crafting and dreaming!

I will try to be better about posting. I have my finished 4th of July stitchery to post for my (1) loyal reader...'Hi Toni!' Toni, I promise a pic soon as I will need G's help...I think.

I ran the 50K at Pinelands over Memorial Day weekend. Fun day, nice people every where. It is always a great time!

Toni and Gus visited. Toni and I stitched and had a great time.

I've been dreaming mostly of rag dolls...I made (1) for a friend at work. As I try to clean out closets..I keep dreaming of what a great rag doll I can make from old dish towels, G's old shirts and anything tattered and torn. I managed to get rid of a few things for the church fair as I cleaned...but I few things didn't escape the second thought.

Oh life is fun.

Keep dreaming!

Annie

A Fun Spring Day

A Fun Spring Day!

Susie's had her Spring Open House today. Toni traveled up from MA and Jill and I met her. It's been a tough week, so it was nice to have the day off and be with friends. Susie's was fun, but seeing Toni was the best part. She's probably still out there shopping, as Jill and I left her with a shopping cart that still had plenty of room for purchases.

I ran a quick up and around before leaving to pick Jill up. This weekend we will be running. G 20 miles and me 13.2. Weather prediction for Sunday is drenching rain...oh fun spring running!

Keep Dreaming!

Annie