Sometimes, you have to make a call to reset your expectations because the training isn't there.  This happened to me this weekend as I decided to drop from 50K to 25K in two weeks. Life has gotten in the way and I'm afraid of reigniting old injuries by not training properly.

Some people can gut it out and my hat is off to them. That's just not me.

And earlier this year, I attempted a 100-miler. That didn't go as planned. But it was a good experience for learning.

The photo is me, Kathy and Seresa putting in the miles at Snowdrop.

I have managed to get lost trying to find the start of a race, to adding miles to a race, to getting lost on a 1,000-acre ranch. Somehow, I've lived to tell about it.

My first attempt at a 50-miler ended disastrously and with my quickest DNF in history. It included a trip to the ER with a super-caffeinated, fast-talking crazy man and four stitches.

The next time, a few weeks later, things ended much better, even though I had wet feet the entire time and got really cranky.

*There are a couple of curse words in this episode, which is why I flagged it as explicit.

This episode chronicles my first three ultras: each one an epic mudfest.

The first was just a beginner's stupidity. The second one got VERY personal and emotional. The third, I wanted to quit but was inspired by a couple of guys who'd never run more than 6 miles. Yeah, they jumped from 6 to 31 miles and lived to tell about it.

Since then, I've had some "normal" races and am training for my next one in a month.

Being on the other side of the table is almost as much fun as the race. This is a three-parter about some of my experiences providing assistance to sweaty, muddy, dirty trail runners. Many cameo appearances in this one! The episode photo is of Joel Olivares, David Zuniga, Bella Olivares, Victoria Olivares (no relation), Cris Guerra and me. We had a few others helping that day at the first J&J race, who aren't pictured. Grab a cup of Coke, Tailwind or a shot of Fireball and give it a listen!

There are times when the DNF FaIry appears during a race and you have to ignore her/him. Had it not been for a new friend dressed like an elf, I probably wouldn't have made it through my second 50-miler.

The DNF (did not finish) fairy was whispering to me hard at a tough weekend race....I had a couple of people inspiring me and I finished.

Running would seem like an inexpensive sport...until you factor in the extras.

Also, if you're high maintenance, running is probably not for you.

I attempt to strike a lopsided balance between being a girl who loves Sephora and one who becomes a sodden mess after a few miles.

I have no idea why people cheat at races, but they do. It's not  a good idea.

A handful of doctors said my thyroid had to go. I felt fine, but it was going to start affecting my ability to swallow, so I had to have surgery.

I was worried about what would happen to me afterward: would I be lethargic, gain weight, unable to run? As someone with a borderline eating disorder as a teenager, the weight gain part terrified me.

The episode title is from a Wilco song, "Pot Kettle Black." I take the refrain to mean don't put off what you can do today because tomorrow isn't guaranteed. It's one of my life's mantras.