S.O.F.A. aka Southern Oregon Fat Bottom!

I haven't wrote on my blog for quite some time. On Jan. 24th we ran - S.O.F.A.

Well, we arrive late. No shocker since we were driving down from McMinnville. We were off on the time by 10 min. We could see the Ashland crowd from a distance and that is how it stayed for most of the time until they headed back. We met a few new people and saw many faces from running magazines! I pointed all of them out to Gary.

My whole focus of the run was to practice fueling and enjoy the scenery. Gary started the run out thinking we were going to catch the Ashland group. Once, he realized that, that wasn't going to happen we set into a comfortable pace. I worked on a breathing technique that Mike Burke had given me, for the uphills. It was almost like "in labor" breathing or practicing Lamaze all over again. Which is fitting because I see so many connections between Ultrarunning and Childbirth!

The views were incredible! I was somewhat getting an idea for the Grand Canyon, the cliffs were quite high and crumbly rock under foot. On the way out I was really concerned with the heights and edges, but no so much on the way back. I just wanted to get back to the truck.

For the first 15 miles I felt pretty good and continued to run up every hill! I impressed myself. My fueling was going great. At the turn around (15+ miles), I started munching on food every 30 min., which I feel probably wasn't that good of an idea. I still felt stronger although, not a lot faster. I'm not quite sure if that makes sense?

Ok, now the Gary part! He is my Hercules.....here is a man that can run 31 miles with 2 very large kidney stones and peeing blood! He kept himself well hydrated and didn't complain once. I was very impressed. He's "all Man"! - Let's see if he gets in to Cascade Crest this year?? He is sent in his entry.