American River 50 miles Endurance Run - 2014

This year it was Shavi's 3rd AR50 race. I can only remember the first year he was going to do this one and I was so freaked out. Thinking about the distance was killing me! And this year it was nothing to worry about for me. I am glad that racing is going well for both of us :)

AR50 is a great race, great course and very well organized. Another good race by NorCalUltras. It is generally on the first weekend (Saturday) of April. They changed the course this year, making it all trails. Earlier it used to be half road and half trails. So, the timings of last year and this year could not be compared. It was hotter than last year but Shavi did good. He was again taking it easy to prevent injuries and be in shape for his big one coming up - WS 100 miles in June.

Another training run in the books for him.

Way Too Cool 50K - 2014

The first ultra marathon (50K) of the year is in the books for Shavi. He did it as a slow training run. He had a better time than his first Way Too Cool race but not as good as last year. It was hot this year. He had a fun run though. Way Too Cool is a good course and a very well organized race by NorCalUltras. Shavi has been enjoying it since the last 2 years. This was his 3rd WTC race.

Western States 100-miler: Here comes Shavi!

We had been waiting for this and it is going to happen this year!!! Shavi will be running yet another 100-miler which he has been dreaming of since a few years: Western States on June 28-29, 2014. It is going to be exciting. With the newborn at home, training hasn't been easy for him but it is now time to be pumped up since he has a lot races lined up (as training runs) before the big one. This time, it will not be as easy as it was for his last 100-miler but we will get through this together with all the enthusiasm:)

The first big race is this weekend. It is only 50K (now I say "only" with 50K), equivalent to 31 miles: Way Too Cool. The list of his races has been growing:

1. Way Too Cool 50K on March 8, 2014
2. AR 50M on April 5, 2014
3. Mokelumne River 50M on April 19, 2014 (his first time doing this)
4. Miners Revenge 26.2M on April 28, 2014 (his first time doing this - the race is new as well)
5. Canyons 50K on May 3, 2014 (his first time doing this)
6. Gold Rush 100K on May 2014
7. Silver State 50M on May 17, 2014
8. Western States training runs from May 24-26, 2014

And from here on will start his taper weeks for the big race. Getting anxious and excited already!!

Sometimes RICE is what is needed and it sucks!

Injury? Ankle injury! Not fun. I had hardly got back into running after the baby and the ankle injury stuck me. I started running after 3 months of having our little boy and in the 4th month, while I had already reached 9-mile distance, I twisted my ankle. The ankle got swollen and I could barely walk. I have to admit that it was all my fault. Even when it was hurting, I kept running and I crossed that fine line between normal pain/cramps and injury:-( I had been feeling the pain but I kept ignoring it, thinking it is because I have got back into distance running after a long time. After that 9-mile run, I made it worse and had to sit back for a few weeks.

I had to follow the advise of my doctor - Dr. Shavi ;-) whom I trust so well, especially when it comes to running. I was advised not to run, ice it like crazy, elevate it, compress it and have ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. It took long 3 weeks of no running and RICE (Rest, Icing, Compression and Elevation) before the swelling reduced. It is frustrating but you got to take care if you do not want permanent damage. I tried everything and the healing process was slow but it was working. I even tried crepe bandage and anti-inflammatory ointments. I started running in the 4th week, wearing ankle strap. Ankle strap is a great thing - it holds on to the ankle muscles and doesn't let it move much. The pain is still there but it is getting better. I have been doing slow 4-5 miles every other day and it feels better every day. The bad thing about injuries and rest is that you have to start all over again. Training for my first half marathon after pregnancy is fun and I am loving it. Go away ankle pain!

Lessons learned: Do not ignore pains. If injured, follow RICE and have ibuprofen. Take it slow and easy once the pain is getting better and use straps like ankle straps etc.

Run On the Sly - Shavi's birthday race, August 2013

How can Shavi not run this race! It is a perfect birthday gift for him since it falls close to his birthday every year. Last year, it was on his the day of his birthday (Aug 19) and I threw him a surprise birthday party after the race (20-miles). It was lot of fun!

Within the last one year, he has run so many big races and I have accompanied him in all races. But this time it was different. This was the first race, I could not go with him or be with him after the finish. He ran 20-miles and improved his time from last year by 20 minutes, even though he was taking it easy and had not been training for it. His time was around 4 hours. This year, the race was one day before his birthday, on August 18, Sunday. Run on the Sly is run in Sly Park in El Dorado county, close to Placerville.

Last year, Shavi had run the 20 miles just after his terrible back spasm due to which he had landed in ER and so had taken it easy. And this year, he had not yet recovered from his 100-mile race. Last year, I had run the shorter course of 12K but this year, I did not even go there:) This race has various course: 12K, half marathon, 20 miles and 50K. Last year some people got lost on the 50K course. So, we figured that it might not be a good race for 50K. Probably the trails weren't well marked.

Like Blood, Sweat and Beers, this race is also organized by Fleet Feet, Sacramento. Parking at the venue is sufficient and there is a burrito bar at the end of the race for runners. The 12K course is nice, half marathon course is even better and 20 mile course is great with great views of Jenkinson lake. The aid stations are well equipped. Maybe next year, if Shavi plans to do the 50K, then I can talk about the 50K course as well :-)

Blood Sweat and Beers - July 2013

Even before his legs could get some rest after his big TRT 100-miles, Shavi ran another race the following weekend on July 28, 2013. This one was for my sister, Anu. He was pacing her, so running at a slower pace than his normal. They both did the shorter course which is around 6 miles on trails with elevation of course. This race is organized by Fleet Feet Sacramento around the same time every year. I did the short course last year and Shavi had then done the longer course which is 10.5 miles. Both Anu and Shavi were tired after organizing and throwing me a lavish baby shower just the day before. Sleeping late and waking up early for the race did not stop them from going slow in the race. Anu's flight back to her home was that evening. I am so proud of my runners. It teaches you so much discipline in life, determination and tests your will power.

The race which is run in Auburn (parking is close to Auburn dam overlook) is true to its name. You run, you sweat a lot due to hills and then get a couple of free beers after the race. It is a party kind of thing after race. This race has become a trend among Sacramento runners. People like the course and of course the beers after! The aid stations are pretty good. Shavi and I like their race shirts - good colors and look great. The race gets filled up pretty soon.

TRT - 100 miles - Detailed race report by Shavi coming soon!

What a brutal race it was on July 20-21, 2013 - Tahoe Rim Trail 100 miles! Temperatures crossed 100 deg F. 100 deg at that altitude was insane. The UV index was +12. I was at mere 7000 ft altitude and the sun was pricking me like crazy. I am sure it was worse for Shavi who went higher in the mountains. With an altitude change of almost 42,000 ft and with a rate of less than 60% finishers, Shavi finished the brutal race in less than 32.5 hours. He struggled with stomach issues, blisters and high altitude issues during the race but he made it to the finish line with his strong will-power and determination, much before the 35-hour cut-off.

He was walking just fine after the race and there was more excitement in his eyes rather than fatigue just after the race. It took couple of days for his body to get back to normal and he ran a 10K trail race (Blood, Sweat and Beers) with my sister at a slower pace, the weekend after!!

His first 100-miler race was a success and I am super-proud of him! Can't wait to crew him in his second 100-miler, whenever that happens:)