Sunday, December 04, 2011

Non-Jogging and the Hardrock 100

Andrew and I spent our Thanksgiving weekend this year in Portland in the company of good friends, and excessive amounts of excellent food. I made it a point to get out on a few solid runs and was blessed with some great weather. (If it's not raining, Portlanders always walk out the door and declare it to be a beautiful day, even if it's overcast and gloomy. A beautiful perspective requiring many rainy days to cultivate, I'm sure.)

A beautiful day for running in the Columbia River Gorge


I also had the pleasure of joining Russ, Gary, and Carl for a guest stint on their podcast, 3 Non Joggers. I have to admit, it was pretty fun. 



If you're interested in listening to some running talk and quite a bit of goofing around, you can take a listen to episode #51 here in iTunes

And lastly: the Hardrock 100 lottery was today. Oh wow.

I GOT IN!!

It's still kind of sinking in because truthfully, I never expected to get in. I actually had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to take things a bit easier this year after all the intense training for Western States last year. 

During my experience pacing Betsy at Hardrock, I kept telling myself the race was insane (And it is!) because even in the midst of it all I could feel my hidden desires to run it. It's like being attracted to the bad boy at school - you know he's trouble, but you just can't stop thinking about him!

I hesitated quite a bit over entering the lottery because I wasn't sure if I was really ready for this race. Then I realized that adventure is about doing things that hold a bit of uncertainty, and let's face it, Hardrock for me is more of an adventure than a race.

Besides, if I waited until I thought I was ready, I'd probably never sign up.

One of my most powerful motivators is fear, and I think it's safe to say that I will have no shortage of motivation for training this winter. The excitement is slowly growing already, and I am certain this will turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Colorado, here I come! 

With Olga and Meghan in Silverton last summer.







 

13 comments:

  1. Hi Gretchen, I'm an old friend of Andy's from Prescott College. I was so looking forward to this announcement - congrats!! My friend Darcy Africa also got in so it will be a great spectator event for me. I really enjoy following your adventures on here. I listened to the podcast yesterday while enduring the treadmill for an hour - it was quite funny and you're a great sport. Good luck with training! Brooke

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  2. Olga - Oh I'm so sorry you didn't get in!! I hope you will be out there again this year anyway - would be great to see you. (I'll let you know if I'm in need of a pacer.)

    Brooke - Awesome! Thanks for reading, and for listening to the podcast. I met Darcy briefly at Hardrock this year and she is super cool - not to mention a total badass! I think Andy will be coming out with me for the race, so we'll have to make it a point to hook up while in Silverton.

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  3. Seems like this might be a case of your destiny choosing you rather than the other way around. At least a little bit. Very cool!

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  4. Gretchen, I won't be coming. I am sure you'll find a whole bunch of people wanting to pace you out there! That was my last shot at HR:)

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  5. I should clarify that I will only be an online spectator for Hardrock. Though I would love to meet you and hang out with Andy again someday. Best of luck!

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  6. Gretchen, I lived in Portland for years. Everyone there is in denial about the weather. Love the attitude!

    Hardrock, Baby!!!!

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  7. Yayayayayay! Hardrock! You live in a perfect place to train for this race, snow running, higher altitude, wicked vert accessible nearby. I can't wait to watch you have a go at The Beast.

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  8. Congrats on getting into Hardrock, Gretchen! Very exciting!

    On the off-chance you might be interested in my race report from last summer:
    http://www.kipley.com/marcy/hardrock/index.html

    Have a fabulous time in the San Juans next July!

    -Marcy

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  9. Fan-freakin'-tastic! Can't wait to follow the build up. Get those Khatoola's dusted off for some winter miles.

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  10. Stacy - That is more true than you know!

    Brooke - Ah well, online is fun too. :)

    Pam and Meghan - Thanks!!

    Marcy - I did read your Hardrock report last summer. Congrats, btw! I will probably be going back to reread details as part of my race prep.

    Hank - I will definitely be altering my training a bit this winter. Less driving down to the Western States Trail, more miles off trail up here at altitude. Should be fun!

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  11. Belated congrats on getting into Hardrock!

    And it's always beautiful in Portland! :D

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  12. Sarah - That's why you live in Portland and I don't. ;)

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