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On August 15, 2018, I received the most wonderful and welcome opportunity to to boost my contributions and continue serving women’s running through the newly formed 261 Fearless Influencers project. I will join a team of amazing athletes and women who will spread the message of 261 Fearless to woman in every community around the world.

We have received so many life-enriching benefits though #261Fearless. We want to make sure women around the world can have the opportunity to share these blessings. These precious gifts include “giving us ourselves,” as Kathrine Switzer so wisely notes, new friends everywhere-forever, opportunities to play and run, and increased wellness.

I happily look forward to this journey and hope you will join me in this quest!

#261Fearless #261BeFearlessBeFree #261Friends

261 Fearless Promo 9-14-18 3

261 Fearless Friends

9/23/18

261 Fearless has given me a well-defined mission, with multiple strategic goals to accomplish along the way. The mission is to give women the gift of running/walking/physical activity. When all else fails, running/walking/physical activity is always there for me. I treasure it and look forward to it. It has sustained me through cancer and multiple losses. It is a grounding and stabilizing force. Goals are participating in 261 Fearless events, sharing the hope, friendship and opportunities, and contributing all I can, whenever I can. This is wonderful network of powerful and loving women. I am so blessed 261 Fearless is in my life.

Keep Questing!

Kathrine Switzer, Marathon Woman, #261Fearless, #261FearlessBeFree, #261Friends, inspired my husband, Ken, 69 years old and me, 67 years old, to train and try out for the Humana Senior Olympics. They will be held June 14-25, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We are participating in the tryouts in Las Vegas, NV, October 13 (5K) and 14 (10K) https://nevada.fusesport.com. We have a second chance at the 5K, Stanford Campus, CA, November 4, http://www.encoregames.org.

Road Race Minimum Standards for Ken: Men, 70-74 (he will be 70 in December 2018), 5K: 23:42 and 10K: 53:22. For Women 65-69, 5K: 28:09 and 10K: 59:33, 2019 NSG Rulebook Updated(5.2.18)-2.pdf.

We have hit these times, except for the 5K for men, but it was 3 years ago. We decided to try out anyway for the fun, experience, networking and education.

I train most mornings on my treadmill before I go to work at my full-time job at LA County Library. I run 5K-10K most days, focusing on speed, rather than distance. I need to shave off several minutes from both my 5K and 10K. Regrettably, I have not been able to fit in a long run for a couple of weeks because of other engagements. I am doing the best I can and hoping for the best! Qualify or not, I will be glad I did this. 

We have hit these times, except for the 5K for men, but it was 3 years ago. We decided to try out anyway for the fun, experience, networking and education.

I train most mornings on my treadmill before I go to work at my full-time job at LA County Library. I run 5K-10K most days, focusing on speed, rather than distance. I need to shave off several minutes from both my 5K and 10K. Regrettably, I have not been able to fit in a long run for a couple of weeks because of other engagements. I am doing the best I can and hoping for the best! Qualify or not, I will be glad I did this.

2019 NSG Rulebook Updated(5.2.18)-2

Ha! Didn’t know we were staying at one of the most haunted hotels in the world. I had an experience here before I found out! I was alone in the fitness center, Floor 2, on June 15, 2018,  at about 5 a.m. I was on the treadmill. Other interesting experiences started as soon as we arrived and continued inside and outside our room on Floor 14 (13)  until we left.

In the winter of 2017, I started an aggressive quest to learn of my ancestry. I had paid my membership at Ancestry.com year-after-year, but never made the time to pursue a serious quest. The winter of 2017 was on.

I searched during most of my free time from work and training for the Boston Marathon 2018,  seemingly round-the-clock. I began to encounter interesting applications from possible ancestors to the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. I was intrigued, wondering if I might be a Daughter of the American Revolution.

On January 18, 2018, I took the plunge and applied to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On January 29, 2018, I received an email from National Membership Chair, DAR. I was amazed by the rapid response.

On January 30, 2018, I received an email from the Registrar,  Western Shores Chapter, NSDAR, to meet and begin submitting and reviewing my application.

On February 4, 2018, my husband and I met with the Registrar and her husband at their home. We had a wonderful time together searching, discussing, planning and reviewing.

On March 3, 2018, I attended my first DAR meeting. I was deeply moved by the women, their stories, the history and the pageantry of the DAR. I felt like coming home. I continue to attend every meeting and look forward to the next time we will be together.

On July 9, 2018, I received the most welcome news that both my daughter and I were verified by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. We will receive our National Numbers on August 5, 2018. My husband, daughter and I were ecstatic, as were the members and leadership of the Western Shores Chapter. I kept thinking that the women in my family who never knew but were so fearless would have been so happy.

On September 1, 2018, my daughter, Patricia Jean Winiecki, and I were installed as new members at the Western Shores Chapter of the DAR. 

On September 2, 2018, I placed 2 DARRC orders for the supporting document and application copy of our patriot, Captain John Wall. To my delight, I confirmed my own genealogical quest. My 4th great grandmother is probably Eleanor Boone. I have suspected this for months, but have never been able to confirm. Both DNA and genealogical records point in this direction.

On September 17, 2018, we received our beautiful insignia pins from Hamilton jewelers.

Journey On!

On June 8, 2018, my husband, Ken, and I drove from Los Angeles to Oceano, CA to attend Luis Escobar’s first ever photography class. We arrived knowing only how to point and click our iPhone Xs. We knew we needed to gain more skill as photographers, as we are runners and frequently find ourselves running with iconic runners in iconic places, like Katherine Switzer’s #261Fearless Team Niagara Falls 2018 and #261runsboston.

Luis’s powerful 2-day course thoroughly covered all of the essential camera skills: Exposure, including shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensor sensitivity and metering light, as well as depth of field, focal length, focus, color temperature and elements of a powerful image. Handouts, discussions, presentations, practical experience, interactions with other students and fabulous settings were of the highest quality and proved priceless. The fourteen students included iconic ultra runners, gifted photographers, race photographers and directors, and world-renowned travelers and photographers. The price of admission was an amazing bargain – worth every cent and more.

Since my husband and I were unable to book the Pacific Dunes Ranch & RV Resort, 1205 Silver Spur Place, Oceano, CA 93445, where the class was being held, we reserved the Plaza Hotel, 444 Pier Ave., Oceano, CA 93445. We checked in on Friday afternoon, June 8, 2018. The hotel was within a couple of blocks of the beach and within a few yards of a park with a lake full of waterfowl. It was a pleasant, quiet, clean, small room with that special feeling of staying at the beach.

On the morning of June 9, 2018, we drove to the Pacific Dunes Ranch to check out the digs before the class. We had the good fortune of spying Luis Escobar walking along the road. Luis invited us to walk with him to the dunes, only a block away. We were in for a treat beyond our imagination. We spent some quality and rare time with Luis that morning gazing at the pristine, ethereal dunes.

The class began later that day. Luis is a gifted, humble, patient photography coach for newbies like my husband and me, as well as a respected and trusted instructor for talented photographers like Tyler Tomasello.

We spent the early afternoon wrapping our minds around how to get that special shot. We then left the classroom and set out on our own to employ the lessons we just learned. Luis kindly lent my husband and me his cameras. The students, armed with cameras and a mission, set out like scouts, scouring the ranch for that perfect shot.

I found myself alone walking down a flowered trail. I was applying Luis’s techniques on a beautiful, yellow-flowered bush, when, to my amazement, a glorious butterfly flew right into my view and landed. I was mesmerized, feeling as if it was a visit from my Dad. The butterfly remained, slowly furling and unfurling its wings, right in front of me. Out of all the places on the ranch, it landed there. I was with it for the rest of the session. It never left. I finally, reluctantly returned to the classroom. It was still there.

That evening, Luis presented us with the most amazing gift of the opportunity to photograph a magnificent rider and horse in the surf at sunset. The venue was exquisite. The photos shot at this magical scene superb. It could not have been more perfect.

The next day, June 10, 2018, we walked together, single-file, to the awaiting dunes, silently showing off their glory at sunrise. Again, the students attacked this rare opportunity to capture this unparalleled scene, fanning out, committed warriors on a calling. Even a newbie like me would have had a hard time failing to capture a beautiful photo of this magnificent display on this magnificent morning. The photos Luis and the students later shared on social media stunned and dazzled those who were blessed with the good fortune of having seen them.

That afternoon, we debriefed, exhausted and still glowing from the unrivaled sunset and sunrise we experienced together and captured forever. This was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. I will always treasure it.

Our next adventure promises to surpass even this magical time. Luis Escobar is hosting Adventure Photography Tour of Costa Rica, Sunday, November 11, 2018 – Sunday, November 18, 2018. Please do not miss this exquisite opportunity to join us! Visit #allwedoisphoto.

Keep Questing!

 

On April 5, 2018, I received a most-welcome email from 261 Fearless Friends announcing their Special 261 Fearless promotion, the Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon. I was in my last days of training for the 2018 Boston Marathon with Team 261 Fearless. I was overjoyed and immediately placed this on my Must Do List. I had always wanted to visit the Falls. It was time, and what could be better than running them with Kathrine’s 261 Fearless! This was an opportunity of a lifetime. It helped having this wonderful treat to look forward to beyond the Boston Marathon.

On April 6, 2018, I contacted my 261 Fearless Friends and Sisters and let them know I was IN! I emailed my daughter, Patty, and told her I had signed up for the Half Marathon. She was recovering from an injury, so I let her know there was also a 5K. She jumped on it and signed up.

Gayle McMurry, Event Coordinator, 261 Fearless, emailed the details to us and supported Team 261 Fearless Niagara Falls throughout the weeks leading up to the event.

As part of the Boston Marathon festivities, on April 13, 2018, Kathrine interviewed Kirsty Bullis and me at her AT&T Eat & Run book-signing. Without hesitation, I touted the coming Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon. Kathrine cracked up.

Throughout April, May and June, 261 Fearless Sisters Team Boston worked out the details to reunite at the Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon. We chatted almost nonstop on our beloved chat group, 261 Runs Boston Sisters WhatsApp.

On Thursday, May 31, 2018, my husband, Ken, and I flew from Los Angeles to Toronto. We rented a car, drove to Niagara Falls and checked into the Courtyard Marriott Niagara Falls, the hotel Gayle had arranged for 261 Fearless. Our daughter, Patty, joined us.

On Friday, June 1, 2018, a glorious sunrise over Niagara Falls greeted us. The spray from the Falls was visible from our hotel. We walked to the Falls. There is no description for their beauty and power. Afterward, we visited the Gayle Center for Packet Pickup. We were overjoyed with the wonderful opportunity to buy Kathrine’s and Roger’s books, speak with Kathrine and have our photos taken with her. Later that night, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Kathrine at Zappis’ Pizza. After dinner and loads of great companionship, Katherine and the team tailgated past the Falls, spectacularly lit up in all their nighttime splendor. It was a beautiful, glorious, 261 Fearless day!

On Saturday June 2, 2018, 261 Fearless Team Niagara Falls had the enormous pleasure of dining with Kathrine and Roger at Betty’s Restaurant, honoring cancer survivor, Julianne Miszk. Julianne’s fearless image graced this year’s medals. Attendees included friends, family, supporters, athletes and organizers, guaranteeing an enriching, inspiring and memorable event.

On Sunday, June 3, 2018, 261 Fearless Team Niagara Falls tailgated from the Courtyard Marriott in 3 vehicles to the Women’s Half Marathon. We were on for FUN! We parked together in the event parking lot and exchanged jokes and coffee. Seventeen year-old Mia Flavin tatted Rosy and me with our fantastic “Be Fearless 261” tats. At 67 years old, this was my first tat and I loved it! We had a ball taking pictures, joking and laughing, all the way to the restroom and, finally, to the Start Line.

Kathrine met us at the Start Line. We exchanged love and best wishes for a great race, chanted “261Fearless!” and were off! Other runners and well-wishers watching the race recognized our 261Fearless tank tops. I was happy to be able to recruit for 261 Fearless while running the race! At the Finish Line, Kathrine met us and placed our medals around our necks. What a joyous occasion! We concluded the happy day by filming a video with Kathrine and Team 261 Fearless Niagara Falls for our new 261 Fearless Club DC Metro. We are so happy and proud to have them!

My daughter, Patty, left Niagara Falls in the late afternoon on Monday, June 4, 2018, to return to California. On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, my husband, Ken, and I flew back to Los Angeles. We are still glowing over the magical, enchanting time we had with Kathrine Switzer, Team 261 Fearless Friends and the spectacular Niagara Falls. This is a treasured memory the three of us will hold close in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Thank you, 261 Fearless Friends. We salute you! #261Fearless

Born to Run Ultra Marathon https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=48902. Below is a quote from the website:

Course
Fast 20 mile loops of single and double track trail 100% dirt. Gentle rolling hills with approximately 2300 feet of vertical gain per loop. Minimal but adequate aid approximately every five miles. Extremely easy crew access every ten miles. This relatively non-technical PR course is perfect for the advanced or novice distance runner. No qualifying standards, everyone is welcome.

60 Mile
The 2019 Born To Run 60 Mile Endurance Run with start at 6:00am on Saturday, May 18. The course will be closed at 12:00pm noon on Sunday, May 19. Cut off time is 30 hours.

The course is comprised of 20 mile loops all within a fenced cattle ranch. the course will be well marked, you will not get lost. The course is 100% dirt road and trail. There is approximately 2,300 feet of gain per each 20 mile loop.

There will be basic aid approximately every 5 miles. You will pass the Main Camp and your personal vehicle every 10 miles. You are welcome to self crew from your personal vehicle. No pacers.”

Fueling, Clothing, Resting – QUESTING!
I am a 115 pound, 5’3” 67 year-old female. I have been questing after the 60 mile ultra marathon for 3 years. Over the last 6 years, on several long runs, I experienced devastating leans to the right, left, front and back after reaching 13 miles, usually after going out too fast. These horrors haunt me on every distance run. No one seems to know what happens or how to handle it. The consensus is it may be related to muscle fatigue.

To mitigate the problem on this attempt, I demanded to stay as light as possible. I did not wear a fuel belt or CamelBack. I used my zipped pockets to carry 2 full Hammer dispensers of strawberry-vanilla Perpetuem solids, a small bottle of water, received at the aid stations, and 1 to 2 almond cacao vegan protein or peanut butter chocolate whey protein bars.

I wore Black Diamond headlamps, Altra Zero-Drop The Ones, Injinji socks, changed at 30 miles, a light North Face Hyvent jacket, 1970s Adidas windbreaker bell bottom pants, a Nike warm long-sleeved Pro Dry-Fit shirt, Nike and Adidas lightweight tights and, of course, my 2018 261 Fearless Team Boston shirt. Three layers of clothes at night, one in the day.

At the end of each 10 miles, I arrived at the base camp. This consisted of our car and Mary and Tello Perez’s tent, which we parked next to. Mary and Tello Perez are ultra coaches and supporters extraordinaire! Mary completed her first 60 miler about 2 hours and 46 minutes before I did on 5/19/18. Tello completed his first 100-miler at Born to Run 2017.

Mary and I were together for the first 40 miles. At base camp, mile 40, I told Mary I was staying behind to rest a bit longer. I run by heart rate. Mine was a little too fast and thready for my liking. Tello agreed, but never let my dream of finishing the 60 miles die. While I was recovering, Tello coached another 100-miler through a low point. Tello was absolutely essential in bringing it home for two 100-miler ultra marathoners and one 60-miler, me. I can never thank him enough! This is no easy job coaching ultra marathoners when they are having a low!! For me, it takes someone who has been there and conquered it to even gain my attention, respect and belief.

I kept a Perpetuem solid dissolving in my mouth for most of the 60 miles. I drank water and had a Hammer bar whenever I felt like it, on the trail or at the base station. At each 10-mile base camp stop, I fueled with 2 scoops of chocolate Recoverite and 2 scoops of Fully Charged. Over the course of the six 10-mile stops at base camp, I took 4 Endurolytes Extremes and 4 Anti-Fatigue Caps. I drank about 20 ounces each of Trader Joe’s To the Power of 7 and Whole Foods’ organic apple juice. I also drank 3 bottles of Starbucks mocha frappuccino. Tello cooked me a cheese quesadilla at mile 40 and I ate all of that. At mile 45, I stopped at the aid station, feeling a little weak. The attendants were magnificently kind and helpful, assessing me, putting my feet up, cutting up an orange for me, and serving me cups of melons and strawberries, gatorade and coke. They suggested Pickle Juice, but we agreed to pass on this until I have had some experience with it.

The last 15 miles in the late afternoon sunshine were comparatively uneventful and actually happy times. I was completely alone, saw a large snake sunning itself across the road and a deer crossing the road. A killer descent comes up at about mile 55. I was a little distrustful of how my 55-mile legs would handle this load. When I reached the bottom of the descent, I knew, “I HAVE THIS!” After chasing the dream for three years, I was only a few miles and a couple of hours from VICTORY. My speed and strength increased the closer I got to base camp. Still, I was prepared to spend the night out there in an aid station, if that’s what it took. Quitting was not an option. Ii would have felt so much worse than anything I had experienced so far, if I quit.

During the race, I experienced 4 of the 12 common problems ultra marathoners face, thankfully only in minor forms https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/health/ultramarathon/?noredirect=on. Blisters, bleary eyes, heart “problems” and GI issues.They did not appear until after mile 40. I am always leery of the lean. I was also concerned about the cold and being out in the dark. The cold was not a problem after finishing the 2018 Boston Marathon. And I loved being out all night on the ranch. It was a different and magical world. The people out there that night were a hoot! The lean, to the left this time, began to appear at about mile 53. I slowed down, shortened my stride, prayed and monitored it.

My husband, Ken, met me carrying my jacket about 1/2 mile from base camp. When I came in to base camp, I yelled, “Done! 60 miles for a 67 year-old!” I had a little parade of kids and young people pacing me to the finish chute. I grabbed and hugged Luis Escobar just outside of the chute. The little kids ran through it with me. They seemed amazed at my age and the distance. They said, “You are awesome!” It was. And they were.

My husband and I now have our sights on the Born to Run Ultra 100 belt buckle! Let the Quest Live On!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. I was 40 years old. I had been married 23 years. My husband, Ken, and were raising our 22 year-old daughter and 16 year-old son and looking forward to our Silver Anniversary. I had a Bachelor’s Degree and was working at LA County Library, where I still work 27 years later.

I found the lump near the center of my chest myself. It felt like a very hard BB and was visible by the time the diagnosis was changed from cyst to aggressive breast cancer in a rapid S-pase 6 months later. The tumor was missed on a mammogram. I did not fit any of the profiles. No family history, thin, healthy, always the dedicated exerciser.

To say my family and I were shocked at the terrifying, unexpected diagnosis is a complete and total understatement. In one sentence, I heard, “Modified Radical Mastectomy, Chemo, Radiation, Drugs, Possibly in the Lungs.” I asked how much time I had. The doctor couldn’t even extend my life for TWO WEEKS!

After fainting and coming to, I came back swinging. My husband was crying so hard, I actually got us to a pharmacy, bought a box of tissues,  drove us home and called my family.

As a global thinker who operates 20 years in the future, one of the hardest tasks I had was to learn to live minute-by-minute. My head felt like it was cut off and replaced facing backward. I refused to subscribe to even a magazine, thinking I might not be here. I loved hearing my family laughing when I was in another room, knowing they were happy and would be fine when I was gone.

I was warned I would have an issue with swelling of my arm, lymphedema, for the rest of my life. After surgery, I was given an extensive list of things to avoid. I was blessed to have never experienced this issue, but every woman I knew at the time came down with it.

As an avid believer in exercise, I asked my doctor about physical restrictions. He told me to do whatever I felt like. And I did. I pushed myself from the first day from surgery and continue to do so to this day. Kathrine Switzer says, “Running gave me myself.” Yes, Kathrine, it does. After breast cancer had robbed me of so much, It was not going to take another thing from me without a fight. Also, after hearing those dreaded words at diagnosis, there is very little, especially the word, “No,” that can rile me.

I drove myself to chemo, administered by IV, twice a month, for six months. I was treated with CMF, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5 flourouracil. I drove home as quickly as I could, knowing the severe nausea would grip me at any time, without warning. Injectable Zofran helped, but required another trip to the doctor.

I had hair below my waist, which began falling out, clogging the drain and looking completely fried about two weeks after the start of chemo. I went to the hair dresser, who scolded me for using the wrong product. I never told her what was going on. I just told her to cut it all off. Made exercising all that easier.

I have an inkling of what these littlest of our cancer VICTORS and their families will go through in their first minutes, hours, days and weeks. So does One Mission.

Please see their heroic, life-giving plan of attack below and contribute to this cause. We will all feel better and benefit. THANK YOU!

Pat Winiecki

One Mission is a pediatric cancer foundation that does whatever it takes to help kids get through cancer. We just do it in a different way. Rather than fund long-term solutions like research, One Mission funds programs and services that provide immediate relief from the relentless wrath cancer unleashes every single day. Programs and services that lift the spirits of patients and their families, help the healing and recovery process and make life a little easier during treatment and hospitalization. All of the programs we fund directly benefit children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, the families who support them, and the medical community who compassionately cares for them.

The inspiration behind One Mission came from the founders’ own personal journey with pediatric cancer. They spent six months living at Boston Children’s Hospital while their infant son underwent treatment. During their journey, they identified many ways life could be improved for both patients and their families. Their experience inspired them to start a foundation that would help to ease the devastating toll this disease takes on both patients and their families.

Please help! Visit https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/PatWiniecki/Falmouth-Road-Race-20181 and donate. Thank you!

 

Getting ready to head out to the ranch in Los Olivos for Luis Escobar’s world-famous Born to Run Ultra.

Today is the birth of this blog site. It is also my birthday.