Gu energy — All Posts — With Every Mile

I can’t believe I just typed those words but alas ‘tis true. In my effort to not fall asleep during my races this summer, I’ve decided to cut caffeine out of my diet. Let me tell you, I drink a lot of coffee, consume tons of caffeine daily- this decision was far from easy. Now, 10 days later I’m starting to believe I was slightly addicted. Coffee taste amazing, no doubt about that, but mostly I found that I really enjoyed the morning ritual of grinding, pouring and sipping my daily brew. I find now that I have a bit more free time in the morning and surprisingly more energy throughout the day instead of the usual afternoon crash.

In past races, Fatdog 120 and Cascade Crest 100 to be exact, I’ve found myself feeling overly vulnerable late at night, surpassing any point where caffeine would aid in any alertness. I have fallen asleep while running, standing, and a second into sitting on a log. That feeling, where you are unbearably tired to the point where it aches to keep you’re eyelids open isn’t something I’d like to repeat- yet I’m always so quick at ultrasignup race registrations.

My training has been less than ideal these last few months, between two dogs, moving to a different state and the stress of finding new employment, I’ve found little time and really not much enthusiasm in getting out and doing any sort of workouts. Moving from Bend to Boulder has definitely relit a spark of adventure and I plan to hold onto that excitement for as long as it lasts. Exploration has been my new side hustle and I look forward to adventuring around Colorado more.

This weekend I have the opportunity to explore the Tushar Mountain ranger while “running” Tushars 70k. The Tushar Mountains are located east of Beaver, Utah, about 190 miles south of Salt Lake City. Rising to over 12,000 feet in elevation, the Tushars are the third-highest mountain range in Utah. While I’m attempting my best to have fun during the race, Kelly and Howie will be running Ouray 100 and Tara will be running Highlonsome here in CO. Cheer them on virtually, in person, whatever you can to send some good vibes their way!

Many wonderful and terrible things have happened since my last post. Although there are probably close to two dozen half written posts on cue, I decided to put those aside for now and keep it lighthearted and casual. 2020 was filled with the most incredible adventures and yet heartbreak and death. I hope, for all of you, that 2021 has shown you more kindness than sorrow, adventure than staying static, hope rather than loss.

My rambling will now cease, now time to plan these adventures.

Peace, love and happiness,

Sawna

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”

— Joyce Meyer

Riding up to Crystal Lake with my dad in tow on the motorcycle. FYI the restaurant at the top that’s always open is, in fact, closed on Tuesday.Taken about 5 or so years ago. — Riding up to Crystal Lake with my dad in tow on the motorcycle. FYI the restaurant at the top that’s always open is, in fact, closed on Tuesday.
Taken about 5 or so years ago.

Its been almost seven weeks since my ankle rolled and I heard that ever so troubling POP one mile into a race in St George, UTAH. Since then I have been practicing my patience during its snails pace recovery. A couple weeks ago my ankle was healed enough to be able to start cycling again.

This isn’t my first rodeo, let me tell you, but it sure feels like it is.

My first cycling adventure was around the local neighborhood and as I was climbing up I felt as though I would just tip over from lack of momentum- I was slow, my heart was beating right through my chest and I almost choked on my buff covering my face as I was gasping for air and it was a mere ant hill. Since that initial wake up call I’ve been finding my groove again, taking it step by step.

Last week I began riding on the San Gabriel Riverbed again. Stumbling onto the entrance of the trail I was flooded with memories of the exact trail from over 10 years ago with my dad. We rode a ton back then as he was training to cycle his first century race in Lake Tahoe. I can’t tell you if I really enjoyed cycling back then but what I can tell you is that I really enjoyed sharing the miles with my dad. Those many- many moons ago I didn’t know of Strava- did it even exsist? I didn’t have a data collector gps Suunto watch on my wrist. All I had was my dad to tell me “We are going straight” and when I’d ask for how long his reply would be “Until I say it’s time to turn around”. I had no idea where we were going but I was always up for the ride.

Taking this selfie was when my dad noticed my first tattoo- whoops!

Before heading up to Crystal Lake

Rosarito to Ensenada 50 mile fun bike ride

I am my fathers daughter, funny faces and all

Since stumbling onto the riverbed last week, I somehow convinced my dad to dust off the bike and share a few miles with me. After years of begging him, all it took was a few weeks of COVID-19 shelter in place with my mom and sisters to jump at the opportunity to get out of the house, mask included of course. We’ve ridden twice together so far and I couldn’t be more proud of his enthusiasm to get back on the saddle even on days that I do not ride with him- 75 years young and all. A couple of decades since first riding together, we spun down the San Gabriel riverbed once again. On our first ride we visited my Abuelito and said hello from a safe distance. My Abuelito will be turning 100 years young in less than two months and I can’t wait to be able to safely celebrate his birthday sometime soon-ish.

Patience.

Oh how I’ve practice my patience. After almost 7 weeks (this Saturday) of being off my foot(literally not being able to walk the first two weeks), I’m ready to get back to running. With first spraining my ankle and then the safer at home quarantine, I’ve been going quite stir crazy. The first couple of weeks were spent feeling rather helpless, not being able to do a simple task like walking Juniper or walk normal period. The pity party didn’t last too long and I began to seek out things I could manage until my foot regained mobility. Unfortunately feet stink, literally and figuratively. It’ll take time to build again using strength, mobility and balance exercises. I’m thankful to even have a bike to ride! My road bike was my dad’s old bike he gave to me when I was 18, and I also have a somewhat new gravel bike. Cycling is expensive, no doubt, but thankful to have most of the gear necessary to just be outside. I struggle with comparing my running ability to my cycling strengths, or lack of. Something that’s been a constant challenge is learning to be kind to myself as I embark in a new sport, or re introducing a sport I have been inactive in for sometime.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Any tips, tricks or words of encouragement are always welcome.

Walking the dog

My dad practicing walking the dog YEARS before I adopted Juniper. All that practice has come to good use for when his granddoggie comes to visit while I’m out of town.
Photo taken October 13th 2010

The Summer of Caffeine Freedom

For the love of cycling