You don’t know how far you can go unless you try.

 

I’ve been fascinated with ultrarunning since I started running over 10 years ago. I followed live races online and watched as runners endured ultradistances through trails and woods around the world with a longing that I wanted to do that someday! My ultimate goal will be to run the 100.. miles of Western States Trail Ultra. Don’t know when but it will.

Yesterday I got my yaya’s out and set out to run 55 miles for my 55^th year around the sun. It has been raining  and classic Pacific NW weather for the past couple of weeks. The day I had set to run for my birthday was totally opposite! Crisp and cool in the morning with a little fog then sunny all day long! Lots of people got out on the Centennial Trail enjoying every bit of the beautiful day!

The trail head did not open till 7 or 8 am so I parked across the street at a church. Machias Park has an indoor heated bathroom and a great location to have base for my aid station, my car. My plan was to run from the trailhead north for 5 miles then back then south 5 miles and back till I had 50 miles then a 2.5 out and back for 55. I had my hydration vest and food on my but would restock if needed at my car and sit for a bit each 10 miles.

I started my watch  at 6:23 am and took off from my car with my headlamp and headed north in the dark. Something about running it the dark always has me feeling badass ( even in my tutu!) and I was secretly looking forward to finishing in the dark as well. No one on the trail, slightly foggy and quiet. Loved it!

A couple miles later a person walking their bike passed me going south! WTF!! Hi, I said and they replied back nicely and no threat. Then a lady with her dog walked by! No lights on them so they saw me before I saw them. Kinda creepy. As I went on I look behind me every so often and then saw a light on the trail. I wasn’t sure if it was a streetlight or someone on the trail with a light but I was not going to stop running to see. It was pretty dark outside and no moon for light. I had realized 2 miles in that I forgot to tag one of  my teams, Purple Patch Fitness, on my last post so I stopped and updated my social media. Right when I finished I heard my name and a voice in the dark came up to me and I was Carsten! He was running a 50K for Marine Corps – MCM Trifecta – and we happened to be there at the same time! So weird! I mutual friend and I had run with him part way last year at a totally different location to support him.

Carsten and I ran together till I got to my 5 mile mark and he went on farther up the trail to his turnaround. We knew we would meet again later on and we did! Just that little bit of running together helped us both to keep going.  

The sun was rising and the fog burning off made for a beautiful morning! Mount Pilchuck with a little bit of snow was gorgeous! Got back to my car at 10 miles and was feeling good. Legs were doing well and my energy fantastic.

I moved my car to the trailhead parking area since the gate was unlocked now. The parking lot had lots of cars already at 8:30! I had seen a sign a couple miles till the trailhead that wasn’t there earlier which said it was the designated spot for a turn-a-round for a 5k spooky run. The sign had a Spartan sticker on it and I immediately knew the run was put on by Grace and Arnie from Run 2 Be Fit. They were setting up as I got there. Nice people and I was grateful I was running the other way and not in the mist of the event runners and hoping they would done when I got back to my car at mile 20 after running south. (Later… Yes they were almost all gone. No crowds!)

I Headed south to Snohomish on the trail. Feeling good I kept up my plan of 2 minute walk on the one mile lap then run the rest of the mile. (I did this mostly till 25 miles.) On the way I saw the F3 Running group, an older couple getting their morning walk in. I see them lots on the weekends enjoying the trail and they always wave and say hi. Sometimes she would be 10 to 20 paces ahead of him, but today they walked together. There were lots of walkers, runners, cyclists and skate boarders. Any way to get along on the trail was out and moving. Loved it! People were friendly and loved my tutu and it made them smile!

Back to my car at mile 20. Quick potty break, change of shoes and stuffed my face with Power Bar chews then off I go.

I was a mile out to the north when I got a call from Alfredo that he had parked at the next trailhead 2 miles ahead! He had brought his electric bike and came to see how I was doing. So good to see him out there. He needed to get out into some sun just like anyone! So cool to see him out there. He rode with me till the 25 miles mark and turnaround. He needed to go and set off fast on he bike! He was so cute fly down the trail like a kid out of school! Couple miles later at the parking area where his truck was, he was just strapping down his bike in the back. He’s still here! I ran up to him and got a kiss. He had been chatting with a lady for the past 15 minutes. He find friends everywhere!

Heading back north, I was having issues. Since after the turnaround my walk/run plan was turning into more walk breaks in each mile. Taking a check of my body, I was breaking down. My hips especially. My feet were ok but I could tell I needed to put my other shoes back on because these were not as comfortable and I had different niggles in my feet starting to pop up. I looked up on my phone how many miles was a 55k and what joy when I saw it was 34+ miles and I was so close to that. I was at 28 and I knew I could do that! Not fast but doable.

 By the time I got back to my car I was walking more than running. I changed my shoes to the first ones, ate a Picky Bar, drank some Nuun and off I went. Run, run, run. No wait. Lets walk a little more. I only needed 2.1 miles north then turn around and head back. The longest I have ever gone, run and/or walk, was a 50k (31 miles) and I was so close to surpass that. 2.1 more and turn around and head back for success. I had called Alfredo, who was home by now, and let him know that I would be done in less than an hour. He was relieved! He would be worried about me running after dark.

That 2 mile walk/sorta run back to my car was long. I wanted to run a little because it was faster, I told myself, but my whole lower half of my body did not want to. If I walked my hips screamed at me. One half mile to car. Oh, a big rock! Perfect for a little sit down. (I think I’m going to thank that rock each time here after that I go by it on the trail)

The Centennial Trail crossed the road at a light and with lots of bikes crossing and several cars stopped, and there I was in my tutu walking across the road. Smile on my face because I was so close to a goal.

I had planned on 55 miles and I ended up with more than that. I did a 55k and a record run and I had the best day! I Ran with friends. Saw the sunrise and a couple eagles. Lots of bunnies along the trail and dogs with their masters. It was a great day. I learned what my body can do at this moment. I was hopeful it could take me farther but I’m happy with how far I have come and would not change a thing. If you wonder how far you can go, stop thinking about it and plan on doing it! You never know how strong you can be unless you try.

Thanks for reading and coming along on my journeys.

Sheryl Perales

 

 

 

2021 Lake Stevens Triathlon Race Report

 

 

Lake Stevens Olympic Triathlon Race Report

Swim: .93 miles- Bike: 24.8 miles -Run: 6.2 miles

 

I love going to events like this right in my backyard! Lake Stevens Triathlon is one of my favorites since I get to see and race with lot a people and friends I know.  So fun to be able to race on the same course that I have been training on for years.

I got to North Cove downtown Lake Stevens  and got my bike into transition area early to be able to pick my position on the bike rack with the prime spot on the end so to give plenty of room to spread out my stuff and easy to get my bike off and on. The atmosphere today was great! People are excited to race and happy to be there. The weather is good and with high clouds and sunshine starting to come in with the morning air.

The swim is two loops in North Cove with a deep water start. (Which means that you are at the start just floating in the water then GO! vs from shore and run in) It takes me 5-10 minutes to feel comfortable with the mayhem of the start of a race. My heart rate sores. My arms feel heavy and my breathing feels hard. I tell myself, “This is normal”. I can feel the panic starting. “This is normal Sheryl”,  I tell myself again. I need to let it do its thing and just swim. I say my mantra over and over. Then, all is fine and I can race. One loop then two and out of the water and to transition to my bike. The swim felt good and I felt fast.

Running to get my bike, one of my teammates placed a pan of fresh water out to step in to clear the sand from your feet. Great idea Bob!! Thanks! At my bike, wetsuit is half off already. Goggles off. Swim cap off. Rest of suit off but having trouble with getting my feet out! I sit down and tug them free. I take a towel and dry my feet, sorta, and put on socks. They didn’t go on well and were a bit bunched up in places! Bike shoes on. Sunglasses on. Helmet on. Standing up and away I go!

I hear cheering from people yelling my name! Thanks! I see a couple I used to go to CrossFit with who are now rowers and volunteering with the LS Rowing Club. Thanks for helping out guys! Out on the road I take a wrong turn out of downtown but end up in same place a couple blocks later. Bummer but no big deal. (Note to self: DO NOT FOLLOW OTHERS) When I turn left towards where I should come out, I ride by a police officer directing traffic and mentioned that I should have come from that way. He says, “Yup!” No worries and no more wrong turns. I was just excited!

The ride was great! Beautiful day in the Pacific NW and mild temperatures. It’s an out and back course heading to my house! I anticipate all the hills as well as the declines where I can rest my legs for a bit after pushing so hard.  There are some folks outside on their driveway cheering us on about 10 miles in and before the turn around. Way out there. So nice to hear cowbells!

I have been talking to a health coach who has helped me to get passed the hard effort on the bike where I feel I can not ride hard anymore and let up on myself. It worked! I pushed passed the thing in my head telling me that I was riding too hard and I needed to slow down and take it easy. No way! I needed push myself and see what I can do. I kept telling myself that this feeling was normal and I am stronger than I think.

Back in town and transition, I get my run gear on and off I go. I was going to see what my legs thought of the ride. I ran and did not stop till the aid station 1.5 miles later. I ended up running pretty much the whole thing except short 10-20 walking steps to reset. That same teammate, Bob, ran with me the first loop and kept me motivated. What a funny guy!

I  lungs and heart felt strong on the run but my body, especially my hips, were telling me otherwise but I did not stop. The last half mile was tough. A gal ran by me and could hear me pushing myself and gave me encouragement. That made me push harder and not stop. Finish Line! I ended up 2^nd out of 2 of us in my age group. She was only 4 minutes ahead of me. Woohoo! Happy with my time but realizing that age is making me slower. On that another day.

I have one more triathlon next weekend then a nice break. Oh, wait. I signed up for a trail run next month. A marathon. No,  an ultra, 31 miles. But it's beautiful going over Deception Pass and running in the woods and along the water. I can’t wait to JUST run.

 

 (Photo Credit: Danielle J.)

 (Photo Credit: Louise S.)

(That's Bob!)

(Photo Credit: Louise S.)

 

2021 Black Diamond Race Report

 

Black Diamond Triathlon 70.3 Race Report

 

August 14^th, 2021. This was my sixth official half distance race. I did my own 70.3 race back in 2018 and would make this my 7^th OA. Black Diamond Triathlon was my third race of this year and I’m not done yet!

The air quality leading up to the race was not good due to wildfires and the smoke coming into the region. The race director was praying she would not have to cancel the race but on race morning the air was clearer and the race went on!

The swim was two diamond shaped loops for the half in Deep Lake at Nolte Park. Water was cooler than up north and lower elevation and they advised wetsuits, which was fine by me. At the start I let everyone go and start at the back so not to get run over. Nothing is worse than trying to swim with adrenaline and having someone swim over you and your head goes under more than you like! So, I start at the back now with one of the lessons that have been learned in my years of racing. At least for me who does not consider myself as a very strong swimmer.

Before getting to the far end of the lake to circle back to staging area, I felt great! I seem to not push myself as much as I should when swimming so I told myself to push harder this time. I came out of the water at 41:13 for the 1.2 miles. My average moving pace was 1:58/100yd. Very happy with this especially since I have not been doing any pool work with speed sessions. Only open water distance.

Always happy to get on my bike I tried to calm my heart rate down from the excitement and settle for 10 minutes prior to eating anything. My plan for nutrition was like CDA IM. Every 10 minutes drink. Every 20 minutes eat. I felt well nourished hydrated in the hot weather. It really didn’t get to hot yet by the time I was on the second biking loop. I made a biking friend who we would for the first 10  miles pass each other on a hill or downhill. After that she pulled ahead and we would cheer each other on at passing after she did a turn-a-round a mile a head of me. I never saw her again after the last turn-a-round thinking she was only doing the aqua-bike and did not run.

I tried to be conservative on the first loop and pushed it a little more on the second. There was over 2300 feet of elevation and I have some work to do to get better on hills. My legs and hamstrings did start to get sore towards the end and keeping in mind I still had to run, I tried to be smart and not kill myself on those hill. Time was 3:16 for 56 miles.  Not the under 3:00 that I have as a goal but I’m good with it with how my body felt.

Then off the bike and onto the run. I was going to see if my legs could run after that and walk if needed. I ran out of transition and keep going. I wasn’t sure of the elevation of the 13.1 miles but keeping in mind to run the downhills and walk if needed on the ups. It was getting hot! It was in the mid to upper 80’s at the end.

Their was a guy who ran out of transition ahead of me and we seemed to have the same pace. He was a chatty guy. He even chatted and made funny comments on the bike segment too. I saw that he and another guy had the same top on and saw that it was a countdown to a world record. His name is Sam and his brother is Billy. They are doing 25 half distance, 70.3’s, in one year! (1.2 mile swim. 56 mile bike. 13.1 mile run) They were flying down to Arizona that night to race in another the next day! Follow them at @iron.fam on Instagram!

We ran and walked together for the first 6 miles then he had to walk more and I had a pace that I could not stop. With three porta potty stops and a little walking on hills, I kept up that pace and chugged on like a little engine. The first half was on road and then we came back to the park for four loops around the lake on gravel/packed dirt. A little hilly but had the trees to keep use all shaded.  Elevation gain for the run as 585 ft. The first loop around the lake was hard  and took forever searching for the start of the next loop. Then each one got easier and faster. I don’t think I have ever stopped that much at aid station and porta-potties at a race that much, with the exception of CDA IM. Run time was 2:41:17. One of my slowest half marathons. Thinking as I was driving home, I may have eaten too much on the bike. Another lesson learned.

Final time was 6:45 and average HR was 158. I have some work to do for the next 5 weeks leading up to Ironman 70.3 Washington on September 19^th.

My feet did great! I wore different socks than I had been wearing and I’m happy I did. I’m going back to my socks I wore for my first races. And I Never Got My Feet Wet! The only mishap was the small sponge they gave us with ice to carry or place in hat/kit/bra or wherever. I put it right in my bra and it chaffed me terribly! Don’t know if it was the sponge itself or when it dried and the friction gave me the rash! I still love the wet sponge for hot days though! 

The Raise The Bar Team that put on Black Diamond Triathlon was fantastic. Great volunteers! Some of them raced AND volunteered while cheering on everyone! I recommend this race to anyone, from beginner to seasoned athlete. They had a sprint, Olympic and the long course, which I did. Even Aquabike (no run) or Duathlon (no swim) and relay.

I had so much fun doing this race. I came down to an unfamiliar area alone without anyone with me and made some friends and raced in pretty country. I took away some things that I can build from for my next adventures and a learning experience for my own life. I am strong and can do hard things. I know that I have more in me and am on the course to find the way to tap into that.

Thanks for reading and following me on my adventures! Next two races are in September!

Stronger Every Day!

Sheryl Perales.