Author: Patricia

The extent of my southern quest in the Americas was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 1998, to celebrate the 50th birthday of my husband, Ken Winiecki. Europe and the Middle East continually beckoned afterward.

In spite of this, the lure of photographing the world-renowned cloud forest and immersing myself in the jungle sparked my interest in journeying to Costa Rica and Pura Vida. The extensive skills and knowledge of Luis Escobar, #allwedoisrun #allwedoisphoto, and Gerhard Linner, Setir Costa Rica, brought this fantasy to life.

I quickly fell in love with the beautiful people, flora and fauna of Costa Rica. On our first morning, Ken and I ventured out on our own. We were immediately blessed when a tour group materialized and invited us to join them on a 4-hour river walk. The tour was organized to educate people in conserving Costa Rica’s priceless resources, particularly its waterways. We were not prepared with food or water, but the beautiful people willingly and lovingly opened their bags, serving us all the delicious food and drink we could handle.

We had a wonderful first day!

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Journey On!

I greatly enjoyed studying the different portrayals of women in various mediums over time.

Journey On!

I am honored to appear in the Paramount Pulse Beat, December 2018,  p. 9, running for women, seniors and charities.

This year, 2018, has been a spectacular whirlwind, chock full of surprises and blessings. My cup is truly running over! I never foresaw in my wildest dreams that my 67th year on this planet would hold these life-affirming experiences. Sometimes, if you just wait long enough, great things appear. All along the way, I met wonderful, loving people. I made lifelong friendships across the country and the world. Some of my blessings included:

261Fearless
Charity Teams
The Boston Marathon
The 60-mile Born To Run Ultra Marathon
The Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon
Finding my Boone and Wall heritage and induction into the Daughters of the American Revolution
The Falmouth Road Race for Mission One
The Nevada and California State Championships resulting in qualifying entries for the 2019 Senior Olympics in Albuquerque, NM
Certification as a 261Fearless Coach, Team Leader and Club Director
Photography trips to Oceana, San Luis Obispo and Costa Rica with Luis Escobar
Working on the election campaign and attending the victory party of a US Senator

2019 Awaits! I can’t wait to see what it has in store!

Journey On!

  

Video Virtual San Antonio

I was honored and privileged to support #261Fearless Team San Antonio, TX, by running the worldwide virtual 5K with them on December 1, 2018. The race started at 7:30 am San Antonio time, so I took off at 5:30 am in Los Angeles. Women from India, Austria, UK, Malaysia and USA joined us. It’s wonderful seeing women all over the world running together in support of one great cause, #261Fearless. We are sisters, we are united and we are #261Fearless #261Friends!

Quest On! Together!

On Thursday, October 25, 2018, my husband, Ken, and I flew from Los Angeles, CA, to Portland, OR. I was to experience the opportunity of a lifetime, participating in the highly prized, 261 Fearless Train the Trainer Course. 

The three-day course was broad, deep and intensive. It was also well-planned, well-paced, serious while enjoyable. As with all other 261 Fearless events I have had the pleasure of attending, including the Boston Marathon, Team 261 Fearless 2018, this course provided us with everything needed to succeed. Theory, facts, discussion and practice provided the well-rounded, balanced, complete curriculum. The program was visionary, challenging motivating and exciting.

I was blessed to receive the enormous honor of becoming a 261 Fearless Coach, Group Leader and Club Director. This amazing journey was in itself an opportunity beyond my imagination, filling my heart with joy. It also had a highly personal component. On October 27, 2007, my beloved Mother and Best Friend, passed away. I was with her to the Finish Line and felt her last 3 breaths on my cheek. Exactly eleven years later, on October 27, 2018, she was with me to the Finish Line, as I coached my first 261 Fearless Run Meet.

Currently, I am reviewing and pouring through the material. I will attack and complete these assignments with all my strength, exuberance and enthusiasm, without delay.

Keep Questing!

 

I was born in Denver, Colorado in 1951. I spent the first eight years of my life leaning the culture of the Colorado Rocky Mountain people. Weekend trips to the Rocky Mountains, breathtaking scenery, fantastic wild and domestic animals, Field Day events, and books fill my earliest memories.

When I was eight years old, my parents moved the family to Los Angeles, California. I have remained here to the present day. With my last glimpse of the breath-taking beauty of the Rocky Mountains, I vowed to return some day.

I quickly learned the Los Angeles culture was very different. I dove into books and spent plenty of time at the beach. I loved swimming and lounging around in the sun. I danced my heart out to the tunes of the 1960s all through high school, during lunch and every weekend. I won dance contests and loved it.

I was blessed with a daughter and son, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. Throughout this time, I continually exercised about 20 minutes a day, doing floor stretches, tai chi, swimming and walking on the treadmill.

In 2012, I was on a winning team for LA County Library in an LA countywide physical fitness challenge, Race Around the World. Our LA County Library Head of Human Resources was a marathoner and member of the LA Road Runners. We spoke during our victory lap. She asked if I had ever considered a marathon. I jumped at the question. This quest had inhabited my mind for as long as I could remember. Game On!

I immediately joined LA RoadRunners and began walking/running at 60 years old. I wanted to lose 50 pounds and complete a marathon. I accomplished both and have since completed 13 marathons, including Bhutan 2017, New York City 2016 and 2017, and Boston 2018 with Team 261 Fearless. I have completed 32 additional, shorter races, ranging from 5Ks to half-marathons. I won my age division or placed on the podium in 14. I have also completed 3 ultramarathons, including the Born to Run 60-mile ultra in 2018. I won my age division for the 60-mile ultra and am currently training for the 100-mile Born to Run ultra. I won gold medals in the Nevada State Championships, Senior Olympics, for both the 5K and 10K, qualifying for the 2019 National Senior Olympics. I plan to race a variety of shorter distances, including 50, 100, 200, 400 meter dashes, as well as 800 and 1500 meter runs.

In 2017, I was blessed to join 261 Fearless Friends and in 2018, I became a 261 Fearless Influencer. I continue to work full-time at LA County Library in Library Administration. My love for running and books has spanned nearly 70 years and is only increasing. I see a great future ahead!

Patricia Carleen Winiecki
October 23, 2018
http://PatQuests.com

On October 16, 2018, at about 3:10 p.m., without warning, I suddenly felt the whole world spinning at warp speed. I could not move. I could not even open my eyes. Nonstop nausea and vomiting followed immediately along with profuse sweating. Spinning at a level 15.

This just had to happen at work, in my office, in front of all my terrified coworkers! I was able to get the trashcan, hold it upright and warn my coworkers bad things were coming.

Paramedics transported me from LA County Library Headquarters to Downey Hospital. I was followed in the ER, stabilized and released at about 8:40 p.m.

The attack was so severe and disabling, it felt like all of my marathons, fractured bones and illnesses thrown together and on steroids. Zofran and Meclizine helped a little, but took hours to stop the attack, This spinning continued this morning, but only at a level 1 – 2.

I plan on getting to the bottom of this. I  think it is related to the occasional leaning problem I have experienced in long races. I believe this is a swelling in the brain or ear. I’m on this. It will stop. I won’t .

11/10/18: Feeling much better! Was able to fly to Portland, OR (11/2/18-11/4/18), New York City (11/8/18-11/9/18), Stanford University (11/10/18-11/11/18) and Houston, TX (11/6/18-11/7/18). 11/10/18: No pressure in left (or right) ear, spinning less than 1%. No meds.

11/12/18: No ear pressure for 2 days! 1 slight spinning spell for a couple of seconds while climbing in a very confined area in the Cost Rica rain forest. No meds.

12/27/18: Very little left ear pressure, only a few minutes a day. Muffled left ear seems related to to severe mental stress, but does not always occur. On 12/5/18, I had an audio test, and an on 12/21/18, an MRI. I will receive further information today.

12/27/18: I visited the ENT, the MRI showed normal results. No pathology, even at my age. The ENT seemed highly impressed, veering on disbelief.

Journey On!

2019 Senior Olympics Road Race Minimum Standards for women 65-69, 5K: 28:09 and 10K: 59:33, 2019 NSG Rulebook Updated(5.2.18)-2.pdf.

10/13 – 10/14/18 Nevada Senior OIympics – State Championships – Results

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9/10/18: Tough run today! Fair attitude. Had to push last 1.5 miles. Heart rate high. Good progression run. Not bad, but not fast enough to qualify.

9/11/18: Good attitude, legs felt good. Had to push last 1.5 miles. Good progression run. Heart rate high.

9/12/18: Fair attitude. Had to push last 1.5 miles. Good progression run. Heart rate high.

9/13/18: Fair attitude. Did not feel the high heart rate. Good progression run.

9/14/18: Fair attitude. Did not feel the high heart rate. Good progression run. Still short of qualifying time.

9/15/18: Did not feel like doing a long run, but felt it was time and I needed it. Fatigued at mile 5. Struggled from mile 15. Began walking the flats and running up and down the hills. Ended walking the hills, up and down. I actually did 20 miles. I started the Strava app on my Apple watch after starting the Activity app. Strava kept telling me to flush water. I finally deleted the run, which appears also to have deleted the first 3/4 mile logged by Activity. Tough day! Lost 4 pounds. (Sore muscles thorough Wednesday, 9/19/18).

9/16/18: Still fatigued from yesterday. Had to really push it.

9/17/18: Struggled. Really had to push it.

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9/18/18: A little easier today. Did not feel the high heart rate. Fairly good progression run.

9/19/18: A little easier. Did not feel the high heart rate. Fairly consistent.

9/20/18: Consistent. Struggled the last 2 miles. Did not feel the high heart rate.

9/21/18: Struggled the last 5K. Hard getting breath.

9/22/18: A little easier than the last 20-miler. Took it very easy. Feeling a little weak and moderately fatigued. Struggled at mile 10,  wanted an ice, cold coke. I don’t even drink cokes! High humidity, intense sun. I am quite sunburned. Lost 6 pounds between last 20-miler a week ago and this 20-miler, despite drinking 6 glasses of water on both days. Endurance definitely needs work. Lost 2 pounds.

9/23/18: Not bad for the day after a 5-hr endurance walk. Felt OK. Walked whenever I felt like it.

9/24/18: Felt good first 5K, struggled with last 5K. Felt weak, exhausted.

9/25/18: Still struggling. Not looking like I will make the cut-off for the trials. Times are getting slower with increased effort.

9/26/18: Tough run again, especially the last 5K. Feel weak, fatigued, weary attitude.

9/27/18: Took it easy. Did not want to train today, but was blessed with finishing another 10K. Good progression run. Not even close to Olympic time.

9/28.18: Good outdoor run. Felt stronger.

9/29/18: Watch failed about a mile out. Unable to determine why. Walked the flats, ran the hills up and down. Felt a little better. Went out for distance. Third consecutive 20-miler Saturday. Less swelling in the fingers and calf muscle twitching. No sore muscles. Lost 2 pounds.

9/30/18:

10/1/18:

10/2/18:

10:3/18:

10/4/18: Felt stronger past few days.

10/5/18: Felt strong. Took it easy, ran the entire distance.

10/6/18: Felt strong. Took it easy, ran the entire distance.

10/7/18: Felt strong most of the distance. Took it easy. Ran the hills down and at least half-way up. Walked the flats. Thought the time was 5 hours. Was surprised it was less. Mild, intermittent pain middle back, left. Moderate intermittent pain, when running up hills, after mile 17. Mild, intermittent mid-back pain. Lost 2 pounds.

10/8/18: Kept it easy, but pushed a little harder. Thought I was faster than actual time. Pain in back and ankle basically gone.

10/9/18: Tough run this morning. Had to push it. Slower time with more effort. No pain. Recovering fast.

9/10/18: Good progression run. Felt strong. Three days out from the Senior Olympics.

10/11/18: Excellent progression run. Felt strong enough to push the last mile. Heart rate good. Cadence good. Just need this to be <59 minutes for the Olympics. Last training run before the Olympics on Saturday and Sunday. Looking for a good experience, lots of learning. 🙂

10/15/18:

On October 13 and 14, 2018, I took the start lines for the 5K and 10K events in Las Vegas, UNLV, at the Nevada State Senior Olympics. These were qualifying events for the 2019 National Senior Olympics, to be held June 14-25, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I fueled for both events the nights before with Hammer Whey Protein and a variety of Hammer supplements taken with a half glass of whole milk. The morning before the 5K, I fueled with with coffee, Fully Charged, Anti-Fatigue caps and a variety of Hammer supplements with a glass of whole milk. I slowly dissolved a Perpetuem Solid in my mouth during the race. I repeated the routine for the 10K the next day, adding a Hammer Energy bar before the race and another Perpetuem solid during the race.

Living in Los Angeles, my training was all at sea level. I had some difficulty catching air pushing the 5K. I did not realize Las Vegas was at 2,100 feet. I did not experience this discomfort during the 10K, although I did not push as hard.

I won gold medals for my age group in both events, qualifying for both for the National Senior Olympics 2019. Participating in the Nevada State Senior Olympics 2018 was one of the highlights of my life. I had a wonderful time meeting and spending time with these wonderful athletes. I am now blessed with many new friends and learned many new things. Unforeseen, exciting opportunities and visions opened up. This was a thrilling surprise for this 67 year-old female who only went to the Games for the experience and to honor my Mom, who passed away in La Vegas in 2007, and my Dad and coach, who lost the love of his life there at the same time. I had not returned to Las Vegas until this weekend. It was a joyous, life-enriching and life-changing experience. i am so glad I was there.

10/16/18: Continuing the Quest. Eureka Senior Olympics, 5K, Stanford University, 11/4/18.

10/16/18, 3:10 p.m.: Most severe Meniere attack of my life, resulted in transport by paramedics to hospital, ER unit 8:30 p.m. Extreme, uncontrollable spinning, nonstop vomiting.

10/17/18: Still having Meniere symptoms, slight spinning, heaviness in left ear. Felt better after 5K, then back to bed.

10/18/18: Still having Meniere symptoms, slight spinning, heaviness in left ear. Felt better after 5K, then back to bed.

10/19/18: Still having Meniere symptoms, slight spinning, heaviness in left ear. Felt better after 5K, then back to bed.

10/20/18: Still having Meniere symptoms, slight spinning, heaviness in left ear. Felt better after 5K, then back to bed.

10/21/18: Missed my long run. Wanted to do my regular 20-mile walk/run. Still having Meniere symptoms, slight spinning, heaviness in left ear, fatigue. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort.

10/22/18: First day will return to work since last Tuesday, taken to the ER with severe Meniere attack. Still having symptoms, very slight spinning, heaviness in left ear, fatigue. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort. Would like to reestablish my regular training schedule of 10Ks Mon-Fri, 20 miles on Saturday, 5K on Sunday, but think it best to go very easy. Will run 5Ks at maximum speed for the foreseeable future.

10/23/18: Still having symptoms, heaviness in left ear, fatigue. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort. Looking forward to the CA State Championships!

10/24/18:vMeniere symptoms are better today. Less heaviness in the left ear,  almost none in the right ear. Still fatigued, but not as severe. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort. Still looking forward to the CA State Championships!  The 2017 National Senior Games Women’s 5K 65-69 gold medalist ran 27:23. The gold medalist 10K ran 57:47. Quest On!

10/25/18: Good pace, good heart rate, good cadence. Feeling less fatigued running, still having dizziness, stuffy ear, fear of another drop attack of Meniere.

10/26/18: Good pace, good heart rate, good cadence. Feeling better running, still having dizziness, stuffy ear, fear of another drop attack of Meniere. Focusing on trying to sub 9-minute pace.

10/27-10/28/18: Strength training. Portland, OR.

10/29/18: Back in Los Angeles. Still having symptoms, heaviness in left ear, less fatigue. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort. Looking forward to the CA State Championships!

10/30/18: Still having symptoms, slight heaviness in left ear, slight fatigue. Felt better after 5K. Happy with time, perceived effort. Looking forward to the CA State Championships!

10/31/18: Intermittent, slight heaviness in left ear, increased fatigue. Fair attitude.  A little slower, increased perceived effort. Looking forward to the CA State Championships!

18TH ANNUAL RACE AGAINST PH

11/4/18: CA State Championships, Encore Senior Games, Stanford University

5th place 60-69 F Patricia Winiecki Bib 639 F 67 BayArea Senior Games 31:07 (gun) 30:48.78 (chip) 9:56 pace. 2nd place for the Senior Games in age group. Had a wonderful time reuniting with Senior Olympians from Las Vegas, and meeting new athletes, race officials and supporters. A young girl lost her shirt in the race. I was happy to give her mine. She flung herself into my arms to thank me, saying this was her first race. I was highly moved and touched as I was leaving the venue and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” blasted over the sound system. This was my Dad’s song. I felt as if he was there with me, still coaching me, every step of the way. A wonderful, enchanting, life-affirming day!

Now the wait is on for the invitation from the National Senior Olympics, Albuquerque, NM, 2019!

Stanford Senior Olympics 11-4-2018

Journey On!