pre 'race' jitters

 the night before Run the Juan.
half of my team is on the way over to my place as i write this and i will meet the other half between 11am - 1pm on Sombrio Beach after i have already run 29 km. i have spent my day alternating between getting ready and relaxing.





 i was reading blogs on the internet this afternoon and i stumbled across an entry on a Merrell site that really spoke to me.  Robyn Benincasa represents Merrel in their new 'Pack' in addition to being a full-time fire fighter, adventure racer, motivational speaker and author. In her first blog she writes about taking risks.



Taking Risks

How many times in our lives have we put something off because we're not ready, we need more time, we don't feel comfortable, etc etc.  I've completed 10 Ironman Triathlons and over 40 10 day non-stop Eco-Challenge Adventure Races through the most remote places on earth, and here's a secret:  I didn't feel 'ready' for any of them.  There was always more I could have done to train, something I needed more time to prepare, or I wished I could delay the start until a day when I felt stronger.  Truth be told, I would most likely never have approached a start line or undertaken those "risks" to journey into the unknown physically, emotionally, interpersonally if there wasn't a specific date on the calendar and someone with a megaphone saying "go!".  But I am ever so glad I did.  I wouldn't give back those moments, memories, and lessons for anything on earth.  Because it is in those moments of risk, where we are forced to rise to a challenge, that we add another brick to the foundation of our character, confidence and strength. So how do we stop "wishing" we had more guts and inspire ourselves to ditch the vanilla life for a big, satisfying scoop of Rocky Road less Traveled?

• Step Into Character--Nobody knows what's going on inside your head but you.  Remember that to the outside world you appear 100% to be the businessperson,  triathlete, writer, (enter your dream here).  Try to see yourself the way your colleagues and friends see you--confident, smart, talented--and BE that person.  For example, I'm the biggest introvert on earth, and I'm a speaker for a living. How? Right before I go on stage, I think about the person that everyone in the audience is expecting to meet (vs. little scared me!), and the moment they invite me onto the stage, I become her.

• Do It Anyway-- How you feel is far less important than what you DO.  Feeling scared, nervous and uncomfortable when you're rappelling off that symbolic cliff is just a GIVEN.  It's the price of admission for an exceptional life!  The only difference between you and the person who is living their dream is that he/she felt the fear and 'did it anyway'.  Whenever I told my judo coach I was scared before a big tournament, his response was always the same "yeah... aaaand...so what?”  Fear will always be there when we face risks.  In fact, I've come to embrace fear as the vigilant guardian and trusted friend that gives me a "heads up" to be at my best.  But we just can't let our emotions affect our locomotion. 

• Focus on How It Will Feel to Succeed (instead of obsessing about failure)--When you're driving your car or riding your bike, where is your focus? On where you WANT to go, right? Where we get into the most trouble is when we start focusing on where we DON'T want to go (the ditch, the puddle, the loose gravel, etc)--because that's inevitably where we will end up! So why, when we're analyzing our risks, do we get so obsessed with what we don't want to have happen instead of envisioning what success will look like? Top athletes are masters of visualization.  They envision themselves performing the perfect routine, victoriously crossing the finish line, etc, and suffuse the feeling of that success into their mind and heart with the hope of achieving peak performance.  We can do that, too! What will it look like, feel like, smell like, and who will be there cheering when you achieve that goal? Use that image to guide you on your mission as well as inspire you through the rough patches along the way.

I see you at that finish line, victorious! Don't you?  The capable, talented, smart, driven person who let fear whisper in their ear but let courage rule their heart?  Yep.  That's you!


Adventure Always (and happy Rocky Road Ice Cream Life!)
~ XO Robyn




this  was exactly what i needed to read today.

tomorrow starts at 3:30 am and i am ready.

meet the team

finally....after organizing and re-organizing....it is with great excitement that i introduce to you....

The Run the Juan Team!!

Support Crew



Mark

what is your greatest accomplishment:

Having Christine and Dan as my daughter and son. The greatest athletic goal I have achieved is traveling around Vancouver Island and to Alaska by canoe/kayak, a trip each year for 20 years.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

Paddling, running, cycling, hiking, volleyball, soccer...


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Running myself completely out of energy, and knowing that next time I will be able to go even further.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

A sub 40 Grouse Grind, (this will be the year!).


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Because I support everything Christine does.

what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


The ability to fight off a grizzly bear with my spork. And a little bit of outdoor experience.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


I am looking forward to sharing the pain, the triumph, and being with a bunch of very cool people!


what are you least looking forward to:


There is no least, it's all good.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I will have no regrets when I leave this world. None.

Caitlin



what is your greatest accomplishment:


I can't say that I have a greatest accomplishment...yet...I feel every challenge that I try and every experience I have is an accomplishment, so I guess I could say when I die I will look back and say life was my greatest accomplishment



what is one of your favorite physical activities:

My favorite activities include kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, climbing, skiing, dog sledding, red wagoning (a sport I made up as a kid) and igloo making... and many more.



on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Frolicking outdoors or recovering by rolling out and drinking tea.



a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:
Competing in the Crossfit Regionals!



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Other then wanting to make sure that Teen makes it out alive, I am excited to be putting my training to use.



what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

Hopefully my first aid kit will be my asset as well as my athletic training experience.



what are you most looking forward to about the event:


I would say I am most looking forward to seeing Mark fight off a bear with a spork!



what are you least looking forward to:

I might be least looking forward to having to actually use my first aid kit! Lets avoid any injury.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I am always inspired by those that are passionate and driven to be active outdoors, and I hope to one day be able to help those people keep playing outdoors.







Dan


what is your greatest accomplishment:


my greatest accomplishment actually hasn't happened yet but I will keep you posted.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

competitive eating.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

sitting on my couch elevating my leg.

(ust to give this some context, my brother recently broke his ankle...which is also why he is a support crew member and no longer a runner).

a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

to accomplish a goal that I set for myself.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

the thought of being an administrator of a facebook group really appeals to me.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

I would say my greatest asset might be that I am really good at hopping on one foot.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

I am looking forward to secretly doubling the amount of m&ms in the trail mix when teen's not looking.


what are you least looking forward to:

Least looking forward to teen finding out that I secretly doubled the amount of m&ms in the trail mix when she wasn't looking.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:


I would like the world to know that I have the coolest, most fun, determined, awesome, inspiring, strong, sweet sister in the whole world and I love her very much and that I will re-write this bio if it is not serious enough.





Colin


what is your greatest accomplishment:

Loving.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

hockey, working out, surfing.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

relaxing in the sun with Christine and coffee.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

to travel more of the world, and to push my fitness to new levels.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

to support Christine during an amazing physical challenge of course, but also simply for my own enjoyment, and to spend time on a beautiful trail.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

support, encouragement, and the ability to fight off angry bears.




what are you most looking forward to about the event:

the look on Christine’s face when she crosses the “finish line”.



what are you least looking forward to:

nothing.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:
I’m Batman !!

Runners

Christine



what is your greatest accomplishment:

Graduating university with my BA in Recreation and Health Education, over coming depression, or creating MOVEment. I'm proud of all these things!


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

I have a few on my list: running, CrossFit, kayaking, surfing, hiking...


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

Walking along the waterfront with a coffee in hand, running the back trails of Thetis Lake, or journaling/daydreaming at Willows Beach.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

Continue to build a rewarding career in the recreation, fitness, and health industry.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

Personal reasons: it has been a goal of mine for a long time, believe it or not! i really want to see if my body can handle something this challenging and if my mind could commit to not only the event, but all the training and preparation during the months prior as well.
Other reasons: to try and show people that you can pick a goal (even if it seems out of your reach), work towards it, and with the support of others, achieve it! if i can inspire one person to tackle one of their life goals, then all this work has been worth it. i truly believe that.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

The ability to organize and motivate and inspire people. perhaps my training knowledge as well.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

The moments of pure bliss running along the trail. i'm not sure how to describe it other than bliss. it's those moments when you are completing a meaningful task that is so engaging, time seems to not exist, worries and stress disappear, and you become completely absorbed in the beauty around you. Those moments become memories that last a lifetime. i am also looking forward to the last stretch of the run when some of my crew and supporters will start running from the finish to meet me along the trail. we will all run the last couple kilometers together. i can't wait to see their faces and realize i have accomplished my goal.


what are you least looking forward to:

The fear of the unknown. how will my body react? physical pain. emotional anguish....i know i will be over emotional through out the run and i am fearing the low moments. what will keep me going? what if i can't complete this challenge? will people be disappointed? how will i deal with my own disappointment?


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:
I am trying to live true to myself and with passion in everything I do.






AllStar

what is your greatest accomplishment:


I’m not too sure yet. I have a tendency to alter my goals as soon as I accomplish them so I’m never really satisfied, haha.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:

Running, riding my bike, ultimate frisbee.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

On my bike somewhere.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

I want to run a Boston qualifying time, and complete the Leadville 100, or Sinister 7 race. I would love to one day become a sponsored athlete.


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

For fun!!


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

Experience with the trail, and motivation. I’m stubborn enough to never give up and I’ll make sure you don’t either!


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

I love the Juan de Fuca trail! It’s so beautiful.



what are you least looking forward to:

Walking around the next day.



what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I am mysterious




Jude Ultra

what is your greatest accomplishment:


running- finishing Sinister7 (148km race in 2010 and wining 1st female) only one year after running my first marathon. personal- carrying and naturally birthing (68hrs of labour) a strong and healthy 8lb boy.



what is one of your favorite physical activities:

running.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...

running and drinking coffee.



a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:

I will run for the Salomon International running team.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':

In response and support of a passionate heart. To help demonstrate that all things are possible and that the human spirit is much stronger then we ever give it opportunity to be.



what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:

experience in running long distance; fueling/hydration needs monitoring, pack horse & friendly pacing.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:

eating thousands of calories.


what are you least looking forward to:

the possibility that i may not be fully recovered (even worst, injured) from the 100miler i run 2 weeks prior.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

i make mistakes. however, i try to always learn from them.


(you can learn more about Jude's ultra running adventures through her blog.)






Saskia




what is your greatest accomplishment:

Setting a goal for myself and achieving it... whether its moving across the country or competing in my first triathlon.


what is one of your favorite physical activities:


Volleyball, hiking,triathlons, playing outside.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...


with family/friends doing some sort of exercise.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:


Competing in more triathlons and training for an Ironman


why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':


Always up for a challenge and to support Christine in her goals.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


Appreciation.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


Being in such a beautiful environment with wonderful people.


what are you least looking forward to:


Potential IT band problems...


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I have 2 middle names





The Rabbitt



what is your greatest accomplishment:


good friendships? love of life? tough to say...


what is one of your favorite physical activities:


long distance running.


on a day off work you could most likely be found...


reading, watching movies, relaxing, running/cycling, hanging with friends.


a personal goal of yours (physical or otherwise) that you hope to accomplish within the next five years is:


live without fear.



why are you participating in 'Run the Juan':


because I LOVE running with christine, and the JDF trail is absolutely stunning. Also, I like that Christine has picked a big goal...i want to help her achieve it, enjoy it as much as possible, and I love how she tries to use her experiences to inspire others.


what is your greatest asset that you bring to the team:


a little experience and a positive attitude focused on enjoying the experience as much as possible.


what are you most looking forward to about the event:


just being a part of it and supporting my friend. It's an act of friendship.


what are you least looking forward to:


running a tough trail (even just a section) only 5 days after running the West Coast Trail...easily my longest run to date.


what is one thing you would like the world to know about you:

I think we're all in this life thing together, so let's work together to enjoy it and have fun!



So there you have it: the team!
there could still be changes....some of the support may become runners or runners may become support as many of us deal with injuries and test out the limitations of our bodies at this period of time.


each one of these people has made sacrifices to help me accomplish my goal of running the juan de fuca trail and i am amazed at the support i have received from everyone.


there are still many details to work out, but currently the plan is for AllStar, Jude and I to begin our run from the China Beach trail head at 05:00am. Mark and Caitlin, as our first responder support crew, will be there to send us off.



AllStar, Jude and I will run straight to Sombrio, a 29 km run that I am anticipating taking about 6 or 7 hours. There we will meet our support crew again for water, food, and a medical check over. AllStar, Jude and I will continue the next 8 km with Saskia until the next check point at Parkinson Creek Trailhead. We will meet our support crew again for a check over and re-fuel and pick up our final runner, The Rabbitt. Our runners will then complete the final 10km and end at Botanical Beach.

I am anticiapting the run to take at least 12 hours in total, putting us at Botanical Beach around 05:00pm,

but it could easily be anywhere from 05:00 - 08:00pm. My plan is to run slow, likely walking up most of the hills. I want to try my best to just keep moving. Sips of water (with electrolite tablets) every 10-15 minutes and fuel (i have been experimenting with different fuel sources) every 30 min will hopefully keep me from crashing.

I know I will need to motivation from my team and from the rest of the MOVEment members where ever you are. It will seriously make the difference for me. I have never completed anything like this before, so there are so many worries and uncertainties...but also no real expectations. I don't have a time limit I must finish in and I am not qualifying for any other race by doing this. This is for me...to know what I am capable of and to inspire other people to tackle their own goals. We are also hoping to make a short video to commemorate the experience which I will share here and on the MOVEment facebook page as soon as it's ready.

now all I can do is wait. jog, stretch, massage, recover, drink water, and wait.

...the challenge approaches.

Starbucks and Tan Lines

...and the rest of my jog back...

is coffee a good post run recovery drink? i'm kidding....kind of. my runs often seem to end at a Starbucks (pure coincidence, i'm sure!!). anyways....i sit here drinking my coffee after a short 20min jog along the Victoria waterfront in the evening sunshine. spectacular! i should run more often to keep loose, i'm told. to make sure my body remembers how to turn my legs quickly and keep nimble feet. yesterday i walked/ran 02:30:00 (20km) along the road and felt pretty good. my hips and knees were tight today but no real muscle pain. my body is learning to recover well. this is good! so tonight's jog was just for fun, to keep my muscles soft....and to sweat in the sunshine and work on my tan lines. i have a multitude of tan lines, mostly across my back where various sports bras and tanks have left their mark, branding my skin as i run in the sunshine. i am ok with this. it makes me feel like an authentic runner, as if this is proof that i do get out there.

Mud and Sweat

The past few weeks have been incredible as far as training goes. I was concerned about my experience (or more like 'lack of') for my upcoming 'Run the Juan' event in mid July, so I have been trying to focus more on my running. I have been fortunate to make it out to the Juan de Fuca trail twice in the past few weeks to run with my own team as well as some amazing trail runners from Mountain Equipment Co-op in Victoria! My team and I logged a solid 10 km in 02:11:00 hours on our first JdF exploration and I completed 24 km in 06:18:00 with the MEC crew! I had never run that far in distance or time before and I felt like I had really broken through a barrier during that run especially. I was also able to run about 12 km while lapping Thetis Lake and about 16 or 17 km in 03:12:00 around the Diez Vista Trails at Bunzen Lake in the lower mainland.

I know I am not a very fast runner, but I have been feeling better and better about my endurance abilities as my training progresses. I still have to walk up many (if not all) the hills I encounter on my runs, as I find my power and strength are relatively weak. This has been very discouraging at times, but if my goal remains to simply finish the 47 kilometers of the JdF, then I have to be satisfied with where I am at. I won't be setting any speed records on this attempt...but that is OK! My recent 6 hour run on the JdF was at a very sustainable pace for me. There was lots of power hiking and food and water breaks. At the end of the run I did not feel defeated or exhausted, but still strong...despite being a little tired. This is GOOD news! If that pace is sustainable than unless there is any injury, I may be looking at 12 hours for Run the Juan. I am anticipating anywhere between 10-15 hours, so this would be more than acceptable to me!






I am also testing out more gear, such as types of clothing for comfort, breathibility, and chafe, and food sources for energy, ease of carrying, and compatibility with my stomach! There is still a lot to experiment with and i have not made any final decisions about the gear or food I will take yet.

As this is a team event, we are also testing out the compatibility of our personalities! My team mates are comprised of my brother and several friends of mine, and although they are forming their own connections, I am a common denominator between most of them. Team mates are interesting as I truly believe they can make or break a trip. I have been extremely lucky as the people I am running with have been incredibly supportive and they are putting themselves through some pretty rigorous training in order to help me achieve my goals. I couldn't be more grateful. I will profile my team mates soon, in an upcoming entry, so you know who I will be with and you can get a sense of our dynamics.

I'm sure the next month will reveal more realizations, strengths, and weaknesses, as I continue running and increasing both my distance and the time spent on the trail. This adventure is becoming quite a process and I'm sure I will have learned just as much through my training as I will during the actual run.

Thank you for all the support and encouragement I have already received from the MOVEment community! That is truly an amazing advantage and I could not be tackling this challenge with out it!

running and surfing in april

There are so many things to write about in these past few weeks.....so i might break it up a bit.

THE MEC LOCHSIDE LEGWARMER

refueling...on apple turnover.

working on my sunburn after the run.

this was mec victoria's first foot race and it was a beautiful event! we started our run at the lochside elementary school close to broadmead and ran an out and back route along the lochside trail. i was not in my top running form so i just jogged along at a comfortable pace with a good friend of mine (and i wore my MOVEment t of course) ...but my performance is really besides the point. what was so spectacular about this event was the variety of people who came to participate! there were clearly some elite runners, seniors,  mothers with strollers, kids and youth, groups of friends trying to push each other to meet goals, and people running their first race ever! the run featured something for everyone at every level and runners were well supported by mec staff at every turn, cheering people on. the race ended with food, drinks, draw prizes, and a chance to lay on the grass in the sunshine and catch up with old friends. the race truly embodied what a community event should be and i look forward to their next one, hopefully in august.

Tried, tested, and true....my favorite trail runners.

TOFINO

ah, the pacific rim....the place i dream about. i spent a lovely few days resting, running, and surfing, as i celebrated finishing my last university exam. let me remind you that i am not a great surfer...but i can almost guarantee you i have more fun than anyone else out there. my surfing is accompanied by embarrassing wipe outs and hysterical laughter! but something else happened this trip....countless beautiful rides! my summer in ucluelet must have paid off. i had one perfect moment where as i was surfing a wave into the beach, i felt so relaxed that i crouched to drag my finger tips through the water......and i thought, this is the moment i have truly become a surfer.

RTJ: Training Week One

So my first official week of training for 'Run the Juan' was terrible. actually terrible. my proposed trainnig schedule and my actual training schedule are as follows:

The first run i did on tues was in my minus shoes. I KNOW NOT TOO RUN TOO MUCH IN THEM AND TO ADVANCE SLOWLY!! but do you think i could take my own advice??! apparently not. i have been doing some minimal (barefoot style) running for quite some time now, but due to other commitments i had not been consistently running in a month. so to run 6.5km (for some reason i thought 6.5 was better than my proposed 5km....so many mistakes...) at once in that style of shoe was way too much for my little legs. i felt great on the run but the rest of the week was spent in a surprising amount of pain and stiffness. it wasn't until saturday that i felt i could walk normally again. so i made it to my crossfit workouts but i did little else that really contributed to my training.

so i am feeling completely discouraged and frustrated. and quite upset with myself for making such rookie mistakes on such a tight training timeline. some days i eel like i will be able to conquer this run...but today i feel like there will be no way my body will be ready in time. i feel stuck in an emotional and physical low......

but i must remember....

Run the Juan Announcement

The Juan de Fuca trail is a spectacular hiking trail, stretching 47 kilometers along the winding coastline of Vancouver Island. Hikers typically complete the trail in three to six days, taking time to enjoy the scenery along the coast.

The Capital Regional District states that

 "the most difficult section of the trail is found at the midpoint, between Chin Beach and Bear Beach. Aptly named the 11 hills, the trail ascends and descends hundreds of metres over seventeen small headlands before arriving at Bear Beach. Chin, Mystic and Sombrio Beaches have long stretches of sandy foreshore, perfect for beach walking and camping. Sombrio presents opportunities to watch surfers, especially during the shoulder season when ocean swells are higher. Glimpses of seals, sea lions and orcas are common along the oceanfront sections of the trail. Botanical beach is perhaps the most stunning section of the trail. Arriving here at low tide allows for exploration of hundreds of tide pools, thick with marine life, carved by water into wide sandstone ledges safe from the surf. The last few kilometres of the trail can be walked along these ledges, a natural platform between sea and land" (CRD, 2012).

I have completed several sections of the trail, but never the trail in its entirety. But instead of hiking the trail...I actually have a slightly different goal. For two years I have wanted to run the Juan de Fuca trail. I'm not sure exactly why...

I am in love with our B.C. coast, for one. The scenery is stunning and spending time along the ocean gives me the greatest sense of peace I have ever known. I also love trail running. This too excites my senses and calms my soul. I also find I am looking more and more to push myself in ways I have not done before. As an athlete (oooh, dare I use that word?! I feel like I am hardly an athlete.....athletic though?) I am growing and discovering there are challenges I can set and meet.

It was my brother who truly instigated this challenge. One day he announced he wanted to run the trail this summer. "So, are we doing this? Are you in?"
At first I was so resistant. I thought there is no way I could possibly be ready in time! I can't train as much as I need to while I'm finishing my degree. I was completely overwhelmed and I viewed this challenge as impossible. But if I can be more pessimistic, my brother is definitely more optimistic, and he fought my resistance with a wonderful analogy. "This is the same as MOVEment X 100 Days. 100 days seems like such a long time and that can be overwhelming, but there is no real failure, because even if you don't complete it, what are you losing? Lets just train for this thing. Take it one step at a time. If we can't finish the trail, at least we'll be in the best shape of our lives! What have we got to lose?" He concluded with "I'd rather try and fail. I'd rather live a life of oh wells than a life of what ifs."
.......and i was hooked. 

We have a lot of planning to do in the coming months. We need to pick our running crew, set our timeline, and test our gear. We will also have a support crew to aid us along the way. And I need to get training!! I have never taken on a physical goal so large or so scary in my mind. But I know I have the most incredible support network around me, including accomplished ultra runners to guide my preparation, friends and family to inspire and support me, and a brother to motivate and believe in me. I also have the MOVEment community! What better way to map my journey than through MOVEment.

So, yes, I have another adventure...and I am not anticipating this to be an easy one.
But....