Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day tp everyone out there...

For the love of plant based metaphors: I am an apple that fell not far from the tree, if I may be so bold as to claim that my better traits are genetic.  My pops often jokes in amazement if people asked if I am his daughter with things like, hell, I hope so if people are asking in a running or riding context.  It is a staple of my dad's dry humor but also of his humility.

If I learned anything about work ethic or treating people fairly or that life isn't fair and you just have to get through it sometimes, I probably learned it from my pops.  If I ever got the idea in my head to hop on a bike and ride for 100+ miles, that seed wasn't born in my head like inception.  That is a genetically bad idea.  My dad has plenty of stories of hopping on a bike and eating up the miles in New England as he struck out on adventures fueled at coke machines with mountain dew and grit.  If there is a love of adventure in me it's because it's in my blood.  I grew up with Nepali art and used to watch slide shows (the kind with a projector and screen) of my parents' days near Everest.

My pops has lead the way in all my arenas of my life.  I watched him run his first marathon a year before I finished my first and started my distance running love affair.  I went to sea to become a sailor and he still knows way more knots than I do.  My dad skated maybe 6 miles a day back in Delaware way before it was cool.  He was also always really secure wearing a fanny pack, which likewise has seen a revival recently.  While I may not brave fanny packs, I hope to climb big mountains and ride across big states.  Fanny packs, trans-state bike rides, and mountains are all just some of his accomplishments.

I need not look far or get very creative for my next big stunt.  I can ask my dad to fire up the projector, break out the fanny pack, and rehash his many adventures.  Most importantly though is the subtle endurance and summits of daily life.  He works hard, stays optimistic in the face of enormous opportunity for cynicism, can play a mean game of chess and knows Where the Wild Things Are by heart.  My pops rocks.

Here's to you poppy.  I love you tons and miss you especially when the waves are big.

That's my pops

Badwater Crew Member Interview: Michele

As editor and writer of an endurance blog, I get to sit down on occasion with some ultra amazing people to talk ultras.  Nothing brings out my personality faster than discussions of environmental sustainability, bicyclists' rights, plant recipes, or Badwater.  It's the most wonderful time of the year when crews and runners are in the final stages of preps and logistics to make the race of a lifetime happen.  Run Sea Legs Run is proud to present the first in a series of Badwater interviews.  In the ensuing interview, H is me, M is Michele.

Crew Member: Michele Vinbury
Team and Position: Crew Member on Doug Long's team, Mixed Nuts
Badwater experience: 1 year veteran as my crew captain at last year's Badwater
Hailing from: Columbus, Ohio
Totem Nut: Acorn
Totem Animal: TBD
What's in the cooler for Michele: Fizzy water, Muscle Milk, Granola Raw Organic Bars, Aromatherapy
SPF: 100
Special Talent:  Reiki capable.  She'll be sending out wicked mega amounts of energy, pretty much to all the runners, but Doug especially, and is even capable to reiki through walkie talkies if required.
Power Song: Ellie Golding's Lights

H: Aloha Shell, it's good to see you!
M: Jyes, how cool is video chatting?  I mean seriously.
H: You're the newest confirmed for-sure member of Mixed Nuts!  We're all stoked to have you.  What's the favorite part of the race you're looking forward to seeing again?
M: I loved the mesquite sand dunes before Stovepipe because last year there was a twister above them and it was really amazing to see.  The section that sticks in my mind the most however is that long, nasty, scraggly, hot, flat section before Lone Pine.  One of the most striking visuals happened there when a crew member (name omitted for lots of really good reasons) just pooped with no cover at all!  I couldn't tell if I was hallucinating or not....it was amazing that [name omitted] just did it--there were like 3 other crew cars right behind us.  Mostly I hope that someday I too can be that cool as to poop with nary a sagebrush around.  It was hilarious.
H: Likewise I think that image will be with me for life, thank you.  What else are you looking forward to?
M: The starry night sky.  It was beautiful last year and I can't wait to take some great photographs this year.  I'm excited to do some sweet yoga poses all over the place with the beauty of the desert as a backdrop.
H: What's the Death Valley myth you're most looking forward to debunking or proving?
M: I want to fry an egg on the car.
H: Very appropriate for the vegan team
M: Hahaha, yes.  Maybe we'll see if I can cook my oatmeal and hippy protein powder and chia seed power breakfast instead.
H: Are there any foods you're particularly keen on for this adventure?
M: It's hard to say what you'll be excited to eat.  We planned and had all sorts of guesses as to what you'd want out there but when it comes down to it, that plan went out the window and really strange combinations happen.  We were down to a rye, peanut butter, pretzel and agave sandwich last year.  You ate about half of it and gave up and stranger still is that I ate a bite.  Weird..
H: Are there any runners you're especially looking forward to meeting or seeing this year?
M: The big names are exciting but really I can't wait to see OUR people, our Mixed Nuts, and Mosi Smith who I'm including in the Caldarella sister ultra family.  He rocks.
H: Concur.
M: Yeah, I'm most excited about Mixed Nuts.  I wanna keep it in the crew car.
H: One thing I loved about last year was the team spirit of the entire race field.  I never felt slighted or competitive with any other crew and often times they took good care of me.  I was really excited to see you guys help out other runners in turn as well.
M: Oh absolutely.  Once that first crew sprayed us down as we ran by it was kinda just what we did from then on.  Everyone helped each other out and it was neat to see.  I definitely plan on doing it again this year and spray people down as they cruise by.  It's too bad there are so many allergies out there--I was just thinking it'd be cool to flavor that spray.
H: Or dye.
M: Yeah! Like a Death Valley Badwater color run....
H: What are some of your concerns headed in to this last month before the race?
M: It's always a scramble to finalize logistics but I'm thinking about the organization of the crew car and while we did well for the first 24 hours or so last year. Everything was in its labeled place and organized and we all knew where things were... I get this flashback of when Sara Davidson (military times reporter) was about to hop in and run with you up Mt Whitney got a glimpse of the back of the crew van and it was like a complete shit storm!  Everything was just thrown in there and it looked like a complete disaster.  She asked if she could take a picture and all of us crew just hopped in front of her to block the camera screaming OMG NO!!!  So, I'd like to stay a little more organized later in the race.
Also, I'd like to know how we;re going to find a Doug-sized cooler to dip him in.  How do we opt test those pre-race dunks?
H: Insightful.  This is obviously not your first rodeo.  What are you doing to train for the heat this year?
M: I teach a lot a lot a lot of hot yoga and my own practice is in a heated room.  My next phase will be a lot more sauna work but I'm certainly getting my hours in sweating it out in a hot room.  Ohio isn't blessed with mountains so I find stairs and dams and such as to climb to get strong.  I'm SUP boarding...dabbling with kettlebell swings, and being active with my young wild things.
H: We hit a critical flaw last year...namely the denial of the existance of a post race.  We didn't even have underwear for after the race.  What is your preferred post race outfit?
M: Holy shiz any underwear I don't have to wash in the hostel sink with a bar of soap will be awesome.  I guess since we have the opportunity to climb Mount Whitney it'll be warm clothes, a trucker hat, puffy jacket... Mostly anything clean and warm.
H: What worries you more about crewing from a personal physical perspective: the heat or the duration of the event?
M: I handled the heat pretty well last year and with the experiences I've had at your other races and volunteering, I feel like I'm pretty good at the 24 hour mark.  I'm a little loopy but certainly able to function and not pulling my hair out.  Around that 28-30 hour point, dude, I just want you to let me end it.  Seriously get on a skateboard, let me carry you, let's be done and freaking sleep.  That is the hardest physical part really.
H: What were your tricks to stay cool?
M: Our whole team adopted your frog girl trick and it felt so good to just get your clothes wet.  The ice bandanas were clutch...ice in my hat...drinking a lot.  I'll definitely be pulling those tricks again this year.  Interestingly enough, I don't really ever like poweraid or any of those things but somewhere along the line I pounded a liter of that ruby red, obnoxious, chemical filled drank and damn did I feel refreshed.  That's such a relief and a good feeling, I'm looking forward to that too.
H: Ok there's only enough room in the crew car for one hygenic item.  Do you take deodorant or baby wipes?
M: Tough...Ha, on second thought, baby wipes no doubt.  After the first night, no one cares how you smell.  It's not pretty no matter what.  My lipstick is definitely staying home, I'll for sure bring the Badwater and HURT edition chapsticks (because at $6 we're not getting another one) but yeah, baby wipes are essential.
Seriously, baby wipes change the mental game.   If you're hot and sweaty and have the gronk and grime and gross layered on you and then that all becomes symbolic of the mental angst...and then imagine you're able to wipe it all away.  I've seen it translate almost immediately in your races in your physical state, mental attitutde and perspective.  They're a game changer, man.  Such as.
H: Dude such as indeed.  That's very pragmatic and smart of you.  How much less pressure do you feel this year without an environmental behavioral charity attached to this?
M: Yeah, being able to use paper towels might be nice.  I'll still like to pick up any trash we see but while you may have freaked out about shuttle car mileage with your Car Vs Hannah project, we got over that quickly and shuttled freely. It's also nice to abandon any plans about dry ice.  I remember we thought about using it for last year but the price and logistics just made it ridiculous.  We know that going in this time and didn't even give it any attention or worry.  I'm also excited to not have to worry about a kidney stone potentially acting up.  Plus I know a little more of what to expect.
H: What SPF do you plan on bringing?
M: Max SPF.   And a lot of that spray sunscreen...that stuff was clutch and we ran out.  Also I'd like for mixed nuts to use zinc oxide as a team.
H: I agree, that is stoke worthy.  I'm on it.  What else are you excited about for this year's race?
M: I'm really excited to see Doug do this race.  Last year it was so obvious he was just dreaming of running this race one year and it's going to be so cool to be a part of someone fulfilling their dream.  I know his heart is 110% in this race so it's such an honor.  It may be cliche but it's so true that it's an honor and a privilege when you're entrusted to help get him to that finish line.  I'm so excited to see him run, to see him just go out there and do it.  It'll be amazing to see him finish but it's the process that's the prize.  I'm very excited for him and to be there and do get to be on this team again. 
H: Michele, thanks for your candid answers.  I cannot wait to get out there and crew with you at this amazing race.  I love you, sister.

There's nothing quite as entertaining or enlightening as swapping Badwater stories.  The time spent hashing out our goof ups and prized goofball moments was really helpful to focus our energy, funds, and attention in order to best prepare our runner, Doug "the Fruitbat" Long, for the race of a lifetime.  Likewise, for me it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of his crew and I am excited not only to repay my ultra karma, but to help my friend run this race.  I fell in love with Badwater last year and am grateful to be involved in any capacity.  My hope is if you read this interview, you can get just a glimpse of how powerfully positive and amazing this event is.  The scale of the challenge and the often surreal situations of running 135 miles through Death Valley in the summer that runners and crew find themselves in are extremely memorable and intoxicating.  I don't think I speak only for myself that I'll continue to make the yearly pilgrimage back like strange moths to that flame of community, challenge, and organized chaos.

This May Come as a Shock, But I Love to Run

No but seriously.  I love running. 

You may say, listen, we get it, you maintain a blog about endurance running with the moniker sea legs...what a novel concept that you love to run.  Yeah, well, a lot of times I forget. 

A lot of times it just ain't so. 

Thank you, Michele, for inadvertently reiki-ing some prana, motivation, and good vibes my way.  Often it is hard to hear criticism or concern, and I took this conversation to heart and needed to hear it. 

Shell: Hannah, promise me you'll run.  Not sprinting--but miles.  Like a real run.  And not just two miles-- more, maybe at least five.  No more than 20 though.
Me: Holy shit I can't believe we've come to this.  Is this conversation real?
Shell: For seriously.  Running is an important part of training to be an ultra runner. 
Me: Ya know I think you're on to something

Today I set out after that swift kick in the sacrum from my sister via cellular communications for my first honest-to-blog run in ages.  Sure I sprinted at crossfit and did Murph (1 mile with stuff in between and then 1 mile) and kept Allidillo busy but it has been a long time since I've run long or for the helluvit. 


Sometimes running just isn't the sport for me.  All that time in my own head can either help ground me and find such peace but sometimes my mind is a bad neighborhood not safe to be hanging around.  Today, I shucked the watch, any plans, any doubts, any excuses, and just went for it.   I hadn't even approached that bad neighborhood in a long time and so I set out with morbid curiosity to see if my socio-economic efforts and trickle-down effects of mental rehabilitation, rest, and the wonderful benefits afforded to me by military health care have finally helped to clean up the streets, keep my inner demons in school and occupied, and keep teen demons off hard drugs and from having babies.   

I am happy to report that there were bike lanes and kids playing and a community garden.  Things weren't booming or extremely prosperous, but as I passed through I knew I wasn't going to get mugged of my energy, motivation, passion, or self esteem. 

This much I know to be true: I love to run.  I ran hard and for a little over an hour and a half.  I was grateful to be out there, good company for my own self, and felt strong in mind and leg.  I am happy to see that the work at crossfit at least got me to the 90 minute mark and when I finished it was so that I could end high and happy and share the stoke, not because I didn't have more miles in me or the motivation.  I started out dubious but finished up happy.


Here is to the stoke and afterglow of a beautiful run.  I'm excited and inspired to go do it again.

What I Saw of Crossfit Elements

I've said it and always believed it that the road to the starting line is longer and harder than the trail to the finish.  I sure hope those words are plant based because it has been the day of reckoning when I must eat those words, walk the walk, and pursue another metaphor.  While much has seriously kicked my ass of late, I am still kicking and am stoked to have completed my Crossfit Elements course at Crossfit Oahu.

My elements class graduated on the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay's historic first ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. Our culminating WOD was "Fight Gone Bad," which delivered just as the name implies.  Over the course of the three rounds, I had to dig deep and though I forgot to channel my mountaineering heroes' energy, I was reminded at the end that oxygen is wonderful and felt akin and aglow to the aforementioned BAMFs.

Over the eight sessions we learned basic lifts and gymnastic movements that flow in wonderfully masochistic combinations in daily crossfit WODs.  I loved being a formal student of crossfit as I've been a fringe gypsy rouge crossfitter over the years and definitely felt intimidated by the olympic lifts and pullups for their technical prerequisites and demand on my lats.  My lats and legs are not friends I've learned and they have a long way to go before harmony is reached and pullups are cake (vegan/gluten free/paleo friendly cake).  Anyway, it was good to get personal instruction and then incorporate all that into my morning routines before work and just day to day life in between trail runs, rides, and someday, races.

It's all very humbling how quickly I can be smoked and sad doing simple body weight movements or throwing up lighter weights and dreaming of Rx.  Where I do well in some aspects, I have so much room to grow and improve in others and I'm legitimately excited to get to Rx.  There are some amazing athletes in this world, and an extraordinarily high concentration at crossfit.  I'm stoked to get to be a part of the community and look forward to bringing back some of this to my ultra life.

Granted, I trained for my 1st 100 on crossfit and crossfit endurance and blew up around mile 60 and it took me weeks on crutches to recover.  While it might seem ridiculous to abandon the higher volume LSD style training regimine I've come to know and love for the method that proved disastrous for my patella and sub 30 hour dream finish at Grindstone, I'm a different athlete and head case than five years ago.  I think I am due for a change in the ultra routine and also have a confident base of experience and muscle memory that oughta still be available to me next time I endeavor to cover 100 miles by foot.

I love the gut check crossfit presents within minutes of a WOD and I love that in a group setting that's communally competitive and supportive (aka someone's success does not translate to my failure and we can all be stoked for each other) I'm pushed to be better and expel self doubt and display my characteristic work ethic I honestly feared was long behind me.  If you're doing it right, there is no room for self doubt or demons in your inner monologue during crossfit because you don't freaking have time.  Your brain gets to worry about more reps, faster, and keeping good form.  There isn't time immediately to carry any bullshit into it.

Where that road to the starting line is long, technical, dimly lit, over grown, steep as hell, uneven, not marked, and full of things you're allergic to, the principles of getting through the day's workout make the gnarliest of traverses possible.  Hillary and Norgay climbed Everest a step at a time.  I am confident I get one day closer to my next race start (very much TBD) everyday, and each WOD I go through is further evidence that forward progress is made with just that first rep...as hard, fast, and perfectly executed as possible.  Then repeat. 

Here's to celebrating the achievement of a Mount Everest ascent (which really is the starting line for a deadly decent), the achievement of commiting to a daily starting line, the trend line and gradual shifts that deliver us to opportunities to be great, and the gratitude and awareness that not all starts to endeavors are facebook moment worthy.  Each day is tough but each day so am I.  

What I Saw of FIGHT GONE BAD.  My scores were for wall ball (12#), sumo deadlift high pull (Rx @ 55#), box jump (Rx @ 20'), push press (Rx), and row for calories: Round 1: 25/17/24/14/11  Round 2: 26/14/20/13/11 Round 3: 22/13/19/12/11.  Total: 248. 

Mother's Day

It has been a long time since I've had much to write about, but the events between races make up life in a more substantial way than race days anyway. More sea stories are forthcoming; inspired by big life changes, a few big athletic efforts, and my mom's urgings that she wants to read more on the blog.

Ok momma, this post is for you.

I have a SWO-momma, ultra sisters, ultra moms, an ultra daddy, an ultra brother, but I am lucky to have the blood family that shaped me and supported me to be where I am today. While I love the people in the ultra community with whom I share the good and bad miles, this is dedicated to my momma.

My mom can be described as intrepid, intelligent, tough, adventurous, ambitious, and quirky. Who do you know that's started a now nationwide non-profit for veterans to heal from war? Who do you know that has the cajones to try her hand at new careers and damn the preconceived notions that she may be too old/a woman/not formally trained? My mom is a renaissance woman of the modern day and will literally crush limits and glass ceilings.

My mom one time hopped in to pace me at the end of the 2nd 100 miler. That last 8 mile leg across exposed desert terrain featured stretches called "Rattlesnake Alley" also complete with scorching heat and bees aplenty. I'm not sure my mom had ever run 8 miles straight before, but that didn't stop her. Better than earning my belt buckle was to watch my mom run in and sit down exhausted but proud of me and her feat.

Her current tricks include film school, photography (go check out Washinton Trail Association's 2013 calendar--she won 2nd place in a pretty big competition and is featured on the June page), and now returning to her long time profession of midwifery. I'm grateful she's decided against Somaliland as her base of operations for this re-certifying adventure because, well, that's my mom in freaking Somalia. A friend pointed out that a precursory google of Somalia reveals a dangerous, violent, and unstable environment. Sure if you keep googling you find Edna Hospital, the prospective home and hospital my mom looked at to complete 1,000 hours of clinical work. That's my mom though...ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes not quite easy to understand. Why go to Somalia to do this when we live in the US and you can safely bet on returning safely home at the end of a day's work? "Well, in Somalia they'd definitely do old school midwifery, just like I like it." Gotcha, ma. Instead she's in Arizona and is still willing to upset her routine and abandon the comfort of home and her independent schedule in order to stay sharp, help people, and see the world again like only the uninhibited dare to do so.

Thanks, ma, for these things in my life:
-Tempeh revival
-British comedians
-solar powered fortune cats
-love of Bollywood
-my siblings
-my gypsy nature
-my pops
-your work ethic
-NPR
-carotene awareness
-we are morning people
-singing/yowling abilities

While I won't emulate every trait of hers and we've certainly butted heads during our years, I've only got one mom and she's been supportive of every ultra and the lows between the highs. So momma, this is for you. I'm proud of you, confident in your abilities in Arizona, and love you tons. Happy Mother's Day to my mom.

that's my mom on Mount Everest

Badwater 2013

It is 2013, year of the Fruit Bat.

I am stoked to report that I am on Doug Long's crew for his first Badwater race.  If you recall, Doug crewed me from Badwater to Mount Whitney on our amazing team "Mixed Nuts."  We are assembling a really solid cast of characters and many repeat offenders from last year.  For me personally, I am really excited for the opportunity to be at this race again and to restore some of my ultra karma as I return the favor.  Doug is also going for the Desert Cup, which means as soon as he's finished with Badwater, he's got to turn around and get his bike legs for the Furnace Creek 508 in October.  Only a few people have ever completed this challenge, and each of them are immortalized with their 508 totem animal.  Doug chose the Fruit Bat.  Good choice for a vegan BAMF, and I can attest that power animal saw me through 10,000 kettle bell swings amidst an ulcer and an engineering assessment.  Doug, it'll serve you well.

On his end, high mileage and heat training are in full swing.  On my end, planning and google docs are in full swing.  Badwater I found to be a little bit of a circus and didn't understand it until I got there and forgave it for every ounce of a circus show event.  There's a reason for that and it's because the event is beautiful, challenging, and in one of the most extreme and remote environments you can host a race.  It deserves respect as you push your body and car(s) to physical limits.  My goal is to kinda be a lion tamer for his circus act and really let him show up to the pre-race brief with only the runner-specific worries: where's the SPF chapstick? how many scoops of HEED do I tell my crew to mix? I wonder if that sweet potato will bake on the dashboard this year? how awesome it this?!

Hell yeah friend.  2013.  Year of the Fruit Bat.

Guest Blog: Melanie Bowen

Melanie Bowen recently reached out to me to get her message out and I was happy to oblige as it fits in line with the Run Sea Legs Run mentality of health, wellness, and their pursuit even during tough times.  My sister sent me a great quote a while ago that says 100 milers aren't tough.  Cancer is tough.  That usually comes to mind during ugly miles of an event or training run.  I've never fought cancer or serious illness but I admire those who've gone through the fight and are still fighting and staying positive.  In that regard and with no further introduction, here is Melanie Bowen's piece:

Fitness During and After Cancer

While physical fitness is important for everyone, those who have received a cancer diagnosis need to take extra care to incorporate exercise into their routines. Whether you have undergone treatment for breast cancer, recently received a diagnosis of mesothelioma or ever been treated for any type of cancer at all, your chances of recovery and remaining cancer-free may be directly related to how regularly you exercise.
Anyone who regularly exercises for at least 30 minutes a day receives certain benefits. The activity releases endorphins that result in an elevated mood. Increases in physical activity also lower high blood pressure and decrease cholesterol levels. Furthermore, those who exercise regularly also report a decrease in symptoms of fatigue. While these perks are great for everyone, to a cancer patient, these advantages offer a sense of hope as well as stamina for enduring difficult treatments.
Several studies indicate that regular physical exercise greatly increases the chances for survival among cancer patients. Following treatment, those who remain active also have a lower recurrence rate.
If you were active prior to your cancer diagnosis, it is vital to remain so throughout treatment. In some cases, during difficult treatments, you may need to cut back on some of your physical exercise, but do everything you can to continue getting at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. If you have not regularly participated in physical activities, you need to get started immediately. It may take a while to work up to a healthy fitness level, but you need to do all you can to give your body the energy and strength necessary to survive.
As with any exercise, check with your doctor before making big changes. If you are uncertain as to how your diagnosis will affect your physical abilities, ask your doctor or oncology staff. They will help you develop an exercise routine or get in touch with resources that will help. Rather than simply falling inactive if regular activities become difficult, look for accommodations that can help you carry on. For example, if chemotherapy treatments leave you particularly weak, take your daily walk in a park or other area where plenty of benches or other resting places are available. Then set out as usual and take the time to rest when you begin to feel winded or uncomfortable. Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile! 

You can follow Melanie's posts at The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance's Google + page (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113728328125576889617/posts). Her goal in blogging is to help others going through their battle with cancer.