Griffith Park Aid Station Fun! 11/12/16

November 13, 2016 by Tam Leave a Comment

A big part of ultra running is volunteering and giving back. Races can’t happen without volunteers. I think about all of the races I’ve done and all of the volunteers who show up to hand out water and I know giving back a few hours of time is the least I can do.

My coach is the race director for the Griffith Park Trail Half and 10k. I volunteered to help and was made captain for the Mt. Hollywood aid station. I decided to make our aid station a Western theme! Yeehaw! I had to make it fun!

I had Western decorations and posters to cheer on the runners. We had a nice group with veteran aid station volunteers and my teammates, the Dirt Divas and Dudes!

We got everything ready for the runners…water, electrolyte drink, soda, oranges, pb & j sandwiches…the works!

Kathy and I went to man a tricky spot on the course where runners need to turn but might miss the ribbons. We directed the runners and even with us there, some of the runners were so focused, they almost missed the turn! We had fun cheering them on and making sure they were going the right way! I’d say, “Giddy up, runners! Yeeehawww!!!”

We all had fun with the Western theme and the props! So much fun!

It was great to see friends on the course!

After volunteering, I got on the race course and did my own run.

The views from Griffith Park are truly amazing.

I decided to take a path I hadn’t run on before. It’s always fun to explore! I ended up at the Pony/Trail Rides area! Perfect for my outfit today! It was a great day! I got to give back to my ultra community, see my running fam, hang out with runners and then run and explore. Good stuff! Next week I get to run my third 50k at Ray Miller!!!

Your path, your pace, Tam

Dirt Divas and Dudes, Season 7, First Practice! 11/5/16

November 6, 2016 by Tam Leave a Comment

Dirt Divas and Dudes, Season 7! I’m so proud to be a Dirt Diva and run with Coach Keira Henninger. I’ve run with the Dirt Divas for two seasons and have seen a lot of improvement. Last year at this time, I ran my first 50k, Ray Miller in 10:39. I joined the Dirt Divas right after Ray Miller and worked hard that season for my second 50k, Leona Divide. I improved so much and ran that race in 9:16. The second season began after Leona in May 2016. I trained hard again, putting in lots of miles including eight 20+ milers and ran Ray Miller 50k again in 8:50. I thank my success to my coach, Keira, and my teammates!!!

I sported my new Altra Olympus 2.0 trail shoes to commemorate my third season.

The new team, Dirt Divas and Dudes, Season 7! We introduced ourselves and Coach Keira talked to us about how her team works–we have practices on two Saturdays and one Sunday and one weekend off. We get the schedule on Team Snap. You get out of it what you put in. All the good stuff.

Coach Keira really surprised me when she spent some time talking about me to the group. I was embarrassed to have so much attention! Eek! She told the new group that I really helped her last season even though I didn’t even know it. (Which I didn’t.) She suffered from copper poisoning and was very sick, a lot, last season. She sometimes couldn’t make it to practice and I would start the runs. I also helped organize runs on off weekends. It really wasn’t a big deal to me–I had to run anyway and I like helping! She said I would be a mentor for everyone and help guide. She named me Dirt Diva of the Season!!!!!!! She said I would have comped entries to all of her races! Wowww, just wowwww!!!

I was so touched by her kind words. I really didn’t realize I helped that much. Really, it’s an honor to just have her as my coach and be on the team. I’m always happy to help. I was on such a high after that. I think back to how I just started trail running about a year and 8 months ago and how far I’ve come. This is one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had and I’m so moved. Thank you, Coach Keira!

After the talk, we got to running! We ran at Griffith Park, starting at the Merry-Go-Round side to the Compost Center.

I got to run with new teammates and chat with them on the run. Super fun!

At the turn-around, my new teammate, Ken was sitting there! We asked him what he was doing and he was signing up for the Tahoe 200!!! Lol!!! Hilarious! We were cracking up. That’s what it’s like to be on an ultrarunning team! Lol.

It was a great first run with the Season 7 Dirt Divas and Dudes team! We’re going to have another great season and I look forward to getting to know everyone! Go DDDs!

Your path, your pace, Tam

Ultra Training: Griffith Park, 7/10/16

July 12, 2016 by Tam Leave a Comment

I can’t believe I did it but after running the Mt. Disappointment 25k, I got up the next day to go to Dirt Divas and Dudes practice. It had been a while since I had gotten in back-to-back weekend long runs so I knew it’d be good for me.

It was a dreary, humid morning and it warmed up pretty fast.

Coach Keira and Sarah came all the way from the OC to start the run for us, mark the trail and have an aid station. I was so appreciative! And Coach Keira ran the Mt. D 50 miler, too! She’s really amazing.

I got to run with Laura and we took it nice and easy. Laura spotted this and made us explore! Lol. I am always exploring when I run with Laura.

We climbed, stood, jumped…crazy stuff I wouldn’t normally do!

We had a lot of fun!

I had my Orange Mud Vest Pack 2, of course! Even for a short run, I have to carry water. I was going to run 8 but since I ran 2 miles extra at Mt. D, Coach Keira said I could just run 6!

Laura, Holly and I went to Atwater Village since I recommended we go to Kaldi Coffee for something different. I had gone there on one of my Tour de Coffee stops!

I told Laura about the Love Lock Bridge nearby so we found it and went! She loved it! There are so many different, cool locks and some are painted or have decorations on them.

I was happy I got out there even though I was tired. I never regret a run. 6.25 miles with 1,059 feet of climbing. It was a tough recovery run but I know I’ll be stronger because of it!

Your path, your pace, Tam

Race Recap: Griffith Park Trail Half, 3/5/16

March 8, 2016 by Tam Leave a Comment

I ran the Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon on Saturday, March 5, 2016 as part of my training for my 50k in April. It was my coach’s race so I was excited to participate in another of her awesome races.

I parked near the merry-go-round and it was a quick walk to bib pick-up. I had never been on this side of Griffith Park so it was cool to see another part of it and run on different trails.

I got to see many friends before the race!

Keira gave us instructions and we were off! The early start marathoners started an hour before us.

The course was very runnable which I suppose is good except I like to power hike sometimes! We ran along the 5 freeway which wasn’t my favorite section but the other parts made up for it!

The turn-around!

Pretty!

The great part was I got to run the whole race with Heather (@sloluckyruns) who I had only met through social media. It was great to meet her in person and get to know her! We chatted the entire time and found that we had a lot in common. I love that social media and running can bring people together!

We ran a nice, comfy pace and I felt strong!

Photo credit: Howie Stern

On the way back, we encountered a snake!!!!!!

Photo Credit: Howie Stern

We pushed at the finish and I felt great! I came in at 2:58, with 1,608 feet of elevation gain. I ran it about 21 minutes faster than my last trail half at Paramount Ranch Trails in December.

My coach and RD was at the finish, waiting to hand me my medal. I could tell she was very proud of me!

I got some snacks, cheered people on and waited for my friends, Joyce and Kara to finish!

We debriefed our races and then hung out more to cheer on the runners!

It was amazing to see so many friends, fellow Orange Mud ambassadors, fellow INKnBURN ambassadors and meet new friends! The running community is very special!

Keira puts on the best races. They’re well organized, well marked and have lots of awesome swag. I got a nice Patagonia tank and beautiful mug!

The bling was sweet, too!

Overall, it was a great race. I felt good and continue to build strength, endurance and confidence for my 50k in April!

Your path, your pace, Tam

Hollywood Sign Run! 1/23/16

January 26, 2016 by Tam Leave a Comment

My Long Beach running club, AREC (A Running Experience Club), had our annual run to the Hollywood Sign!

We had a great turn-out!

We started near the Greek Theater and ran toward the Griffith Observatory.

My Dirt Diva teammate, Joyce, joined us! It was her first time running to the Hollywood Sign, too!

We found our way, as there are many ways to get to the sign, and I was so excited since last year I didn’t make it to the sign. I was still very new to trail running and got scared on a more technical trail and turned around. Course I ended up getting lost going back and was on the other side of the mountain and ended up running 10 miles anyway! It was quite an adventure.

It was so cool running there and seeing it finally! The trail we took wasn’t too technical and it was fun to see so many people out on the trails.

We soaked in the views for a while and then ran back.

Selfie with the Observatory behind us!

We got in 10.50 miles and it was so much fun! Afterward, everyone went to Golden Road Brewery and hung out. It was a great day and I can’t wait to do it again!

Your path, your pace, Tam

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