FAQs

Why do you run for so long? Short answer: Because I can. Long answer: read my post: Why I Run

Do you take breaks? Just short ones to get some food and refill water bottles.

You eat while you run? Yes, I used to eat salty carbs, sugary drinks and sport gels. I have switched to a no grain and low sugar diet though. I mostly eat dried and fresh fruit, nuts, potatoes, and juice mixed with chia seeds on my runs.

Are you on a special diet? Sort of, but not a weight loss diet. I’ve been diagnosed with Gilbert’s Syndrome, a condition that prevents my liver from processing all the bilirubin (dead red blood cells) in my blood. It’s a benign condition, but there can be uncomfortable symptoms like jaundice, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, feeling cold (especially after eating), digestion issues, food sensitivities, asthma and adverse reactions to medicines. Eating a clean lower carb diet (no grain and less sugar) has helped me feel better and continue running. 

How much do you drink? I drink when I'm thirsty. Be very careful with your fluids because people have died by over hydrating and guidelines have changed. For years I would get a splitting headache after a long run, so I kept drinking more water thinking I was dehydrated. I was actually over drinking. There is a fine line between dehydration and over-hydration (hyponatremia). Be very careful not to over drink especially in cooler weather marathons.

How do you train in the heat? I sometimes leave my house at 3:00 am to ensure I’m finished by 9:00 or 10:00. I've been known to run all night long from sun-down to sun-up. (Read post: The All Night Training Run) I also do shorter runs (6-8 miles) in the middle of the day (90-105 degrees) to acclimate to the heat.

You run in the dark? Yes, I wear a headlamp which is good training for the longer races that require running after dark. This is especially challenging on rugged, rocky trails, but I enjoy seeing wildlife at night. I’ve encountered, skunks, opossums, armadillos, deer, coyotes and could swear a mountain lion was growling at me one night. (I may have been hearing things.)

You frequently run in the back country all alone. Isn’t that dangerous? Yep, extremely. In fact, I’ll probably get eaten by a large carnivore someday, but I’m over it.

Do you really run with scissors? Yes

Do you ever run on paved roads? Just early in the morning during election season when I like to switch all the Republican and Democrat yard signs.

Do you ever walk? Yes, especially on mountain trails. I fast walk the steep uphill sections and run the flat and downhill parts.

How do you train for a 50-100 mile race? I do at least one long run each weekend with 5-6 mile runs during the week. Starting four months before the race I build up mileage and do long runs in the 25-50 mile range several times per month. I try to get in one 50 miler a month before a 100 mile race so I have the last month to taper. I also do back-to-back  long runs of 25-15 miles on the weekends. My very long runs are a “dress rehearsal” for race day. On these runs I try out various foods and drinks and, if possible, run on the type of terrain that I will experience on race day.

I'm running my first ultra marathon trail race; any last minute advice? Keep your ass clean, your feet dry and don't forget to duct tape your nips unless you wear a sports bra. Um...oh yeah, bring your sense of humor, you're going to need it.

Do you run every day? No, I take off at least one or two days per week. 

Do you workout at the gym? No

How are your knees? See my post, How Are Your Knees?

You run some really gnarly rocky trails. How do you keep from falling all the time? How does a helicopter fly? No one knows how it works, it just does. I don't know how I keep from falling, I just do...usually.

Photo: Leslie Jones

(Digital commonwealth, Massachusetts  Collections Online)

Indeed, the aviation unit was unable to explain how the autogyro flew at all, because they had proved by all the laws of aerodynamics that, with a full load of gas and emergency gear, the plane had a cruising range of minus 25 miles. —Richard E.Byrd, Discovery: The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition

Aren't you addicted to running? I don't know what you are talking about, I can quit any time.

Have you ever won a race? No, but I've lost plenty.

What kind of shoes do you recommend? Ones that fit.

Do you get blisters? Not usually. I’m fortunate that I haven’t had too many blister problems or any lost toenails. I don't always get blisters but when I do, I take Rebecca Rushton's advice: Blisterprevention.com.au 

How many pairs of shoes do you go through? About 4-5 pair per year. I bargain hunt online and buy previous models. If I find a shoe that works well, I’ll buy two pair. If a shoe doesn’t work out I’ll use it for shorter runs.

Why do you wear those goofy looking gaiters? Dirty Girl Gaiters keep rocks and grit out of my shoes when I run trails. The last thing I want while running long is rocks in my shoes; besides, they look so cool. The color I prefer is “Lime Gaiterade Hurl”.

“Dirty Girl Gaiters…run like a dirty girl”

See you on the trail.