Eva Runs Through It

2012 Race Calendar (God Willing) B east of Burden 50 Miler                         January 21, 2012             This race was originally a 24-hour race where I hoped to run 75 miles.  Alas, that distance was dropped.  No worries, this will be a great ‘tune-up’ race.  From the race director, to fellow runners to volunteers and timers, this race has an amazing family feel.  The blizzards and windstorms of the past two years only add to the camaraderie.                                                North Coast Endurance 24 Hour             May 5-6, 2012 ...

Rather obnoxiously, I enter each bedroom, loudly singing my version of Adam Sandler’s Thanksgiving song.  “Turkey for you, and Tofu for me….” I’ve done my 10-mile warm up and it’s time to wake ‘Team Basehart’ for the 116 th Annual Turkey Trot.  It is an understatement to say they do not share my enthusiasm this morning.             For the past several years, “Team Basehart” has consisted of me, my son Noah, my brother-in-law Mike, and his son Alec.  (There is a Diane Basehart who runs, but she’s adjunct to the core team.) This year, as per my birthday request, Mark has begrudgingly joined the team.  I remind him of his commitment as he lies in bed. He grumbles something about skipping it and buying me a sweater.             After all are awake, I face another protest.  No one will dress up with me.  Even my ever-obliging son refuses to wear the tu...

  Oh no…. Some one has sought me out to tell me that they saw me out running.  This is not good, as I know where this is going.  Although I long to hear “you were flying” or “dang, you looked good”, experience tells me that this is not the turn this conversation is going to take. I know what is next.  My sanity is about to be questioned and I’ll be spoken to like I’m a four year old.  Didn’t I see the traffic, hills, weather, etc. that should have kept me pursuing something in doors?  I’ll smile politely and say something like “that’s what makes it fun”; fully aware I’ve just confirmed my sanity in their eyes. I was thinking about this typical conversation that I’ve had with MANY people over the years.  I assume that they are simply concerned for my safety, and I am appreciative of their regard.   However, I wonder what they actually SEE when the look at me running?  When I drive past a runner, I’m looking at stride, pace, gear. ...

I'm 44.   I'm not a big "birthday" person.  I don't want a fuss.  I prefer simple to extravagant.  Surprises drive me crazy.   I usually take the day off from work, go for a great long run, and call it a day. This year was different.  My family each promised to go for a run with me.  It was not a cop out gift, it was honestly the most touching and thoughtful gift I have ever received.  Each promised to give me 1:1 time, for a run of my choosing. PERFECT!   It makes me smile, just thinking about it. Today, is Natalie's turn.  She and I will run the Lindsay's Legacy 5k.  She is involved in a program called "Girls on the Run".  As such, Natalie has handed over her Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to a couple of amazing coaches who have taken her from zero to 5k ready.  This program builds up girls running stamina at the same time it builds their self-esteem.  It's a tweeners paradise-- as there are no princesses her...

My day started early.  5:30 am to be exact.  My husband's extreme dislike of Saturday morning alarm clocks resulted in a literal  kick in the butt that got me moving.  It's time to race.  I know this drill:  re-think what I'm going to wear, put the things in my pockets that I ALWAYS forget,  grab my running backpack, ultra tackle box, breakfast and head out the door.  I'll use the drive time to fine tune my race strategy and supply needs. I arrive 20 minutes before the start.  I see hills and frost, better get the gloves and the light coat.  I grab my timing chip and race number and huddle at the start.  I scan the field.  No newbie's here.  People know each other, they are in mis-matched clothing, and they are lean.   Many wear shirts from the Sehgahunda trail marathon.  One lady said it was tougher than Ironman.  I make a mental note, I'm running Sehgahunda. Without fanfare, the race director tells u...

I found running (or running found me?) about 5 years ago.  I was having a hard time dealing with a new diagnosis that came my son's way.  Some family friends invited us on a trip to the ocean.  A chance to be near the ocean is a no-brainer for me, so I jumped at the opportunity.  I soon found out that a few of my persistent vacation-mates were runners.  Next thing I knew, I found myself on the sand at 6 am for a "run". That first day was rough, but the next was better.  By the end of the week, I was hooked and bugging THEM to get up to see the sun rise.  I also discovered that running gave me time to think and work out my parental concerns.  I was amazed that I had found something that would settle my mind AND make my pants fit better. From that point on, I was a runner. Fast forward five years.  Running has become a form of meditation for me.  I crave it.  It has been said that you can't run away from your problems.  I h...