TRAIL RUNNING Archives ~ Page 2 of 28 ~ TRAILMOMMA

November 12, 2023November 13, 2023

RIO DEL LAGO 100 Mile Endurance Run (Race Report)

“I think we missed some ribbons. We are off course.” Not what you want to hear at mile 66 of a 100 mile race as it is starting to drizzle but the only thing you can do, is turn around and keep moving.

RIO DEL LAGO

First, we have to start at the beginning and the beginning of this adventure really began in December of 2022 when I broke my fibula snowboarding and had to miss out on running Canyons 100k, which was to be my 2024 Western States qualifier.

With the new Western States rules, I could just save the tickets I already have and qualified again next year but I really wanted to qualify this year, for personal reasons.

Having only just started really running again in May, it was a lofty goal to run a 100 mile race by November. I was not even sure it was possible, so much so, that I did not even register for Rio, until a month before the race. Then three weeks later, I injured my ankle so badly that running was not even possible the week before the race.

I even tried cryotherapy! I had never done that before but I figured out quickly that localized cryo, made the ankle feel better. So with that, I continued prepping all week for the race as planned. I was getting to that start line no matter what.

When Friday packet pick up came, I was feeling ok. The ankle mobility was much better than it had been. I still lacked a lot of dorsiflexion, but overall, I could finally walk without a lot of pain.

While at packet pick up, Shawn and I chatted with Kirk from Fleet Feet. This was going to be Shawn’s first 100 mile race and he is 100% a data man. He likes to plan and he was trying to figure out what the first 21 miles would look like for us. We had agreed to run together for the entire race. Shawn already had his qualifier, but he wanted to run a 100 mile race and I just needed to finish to get my qualifier so we made a plan to get each other through it.

Needing answers, Shawn asked Kirk how long that first loop should take us. I was adamant on the ride over with Shawn that we needed to take that first loop cautiously. I have had numerous friends tell me not to take it too fast and risk blowing up later in the race.

Kirk told Shawn, “You want to be able to run the first 20 the way you plan to run the last 20, slow and steady. I would run the first loop in no less than four hours.” That seemed to appease Shawn.

My pre race breakfast and a note from Vans. 🙂

I woke up at 2:50 am without even needing my alarm. I had a weird dream that startled me awake and I just stayed awake. Michele, my one and only crew person was going to be at my house to take me the start at 4 am, the race started at 5 am.

Shawn and I at the start! Let’s do this!

Shawn and I both were excited and a bit nervous to watch the day unfold. When the gun went off, we started in the dark and settled into a nice steady run.

Most of the first 21 miles are on pavement. You start at Beal’s Point and run all the way down to Hazel Bridge via the Johnny Cash Trail. Around mile 5 we arrived in Folsom near the Rainbow Bridge. We run under the bridge to the bike trail section on the other side. This tiny bit of an embankment set my ankle on fire all of a sudden.

Excruciating pain radiated throughout my leg. I was hobbling. Once I got into a rhythm, the pain would ease until I hit another uphill or stopped to walk. Stopping and starting was unbearable. I kept it all to myself but it was obvious I was limping. I always carry some Advil in my pack but I didn’t want to take it 5 miles into a 100 mile race, that just seemed too soon.

The sun was finally starting to rise and we ended up right at the perfect spot for it. The sunrise from the Hazel bluff trails is always stunning.

We both were in good spirits and chatting the whole way. I was keeping the ankle talk as minimal as possible. I could not go there yet in my brain but I knew there was no way I was going to be able to do 100 miles if my ankle stayed like this. I promised myself that when I got to the crew at mile 21, I would take an Advil. I had no choice.

When we finally made it back to Beal’s (mile 21 at about 4 hours and 1 minute) I was thrilled as Vans and the girls were all there with our crew.

I was so excited to see them all! Vans had even told some of his friends who biked over to see me. Such an incredible boost.

Just as I had promised myself, I took two Advil here and put some topical cream on my ankle to try and ease the pain. Things were not great.

Shawn and I left the Beal’s aid-station with me hobbling up to the levee. I made another promise with myself and that was to give myself an hour to see how much the Advil helped. It is never good to take Advil for an entire race but if that’s what it took for the ankle pain to subside, I’d do it.

After about 45 minutes, the pain in my ankle went from a 9 on the pain scale to about a 5. A 5 I figured I could manage.

Then something crazy happened. Somewhere, shortly before mile 35, I rolled my ankle pretty bad on a downhill. I immediately thought to myself, “Crap! That can’t be good.” Instead of terrible pain however, I felt a huge relief! It is like whatever was impinging my ankle from flexing, had been moved when I rolled it! I was all of a sudden 100% pain free and I remained pain free for the entire race! It was a miracle but one I kept to myself. I did not share it with anyone until after the race. I did not want to risk jinxing myself.

Shawn and I came into Rattlesnake aid-station (mile 35.75) in pretty good spirits. We both felt that we’d been fueling fairly well even perhaps a little more than what we had planned on. When at the aid-stations with my crew, I would eat solid food but between aid-stations out on the trail, I used my Tailwind and Spring Energy which seemed to be working.

When we left Rattlesnake, we knew we were really approaching the “fun” part of the race. We were officially headed to Auburn! The Overlook we knew would be a huge aid-station and a major stopping point for us as we’d need to change and grab headlamps to go into the night. We could not wait to get there.

The climb to the Overlook however is never fun. It is a 3 mile solid climb up but we filled the time and miles just chatting away and we ran any little flat parts we came across.

Michele and I at the Overlook Mile 44.93

I was feeling pretty good. I had waves of good energy and waves of fatigue. My fueling would get a little off each time I would stop at an aid-station with crew and eat solid food. Then when we’d start running again, I wasn’t hungry but also had energy so I would run but not refuel while running and put myself into a deficit I think. Something to work on.

Shawn had his own battles but I think was feeling pretty good when we got to the Overlook.

I quickly changed out of my tank top and into a t-shirt. I grabbed my night time headlamp and toyed with taking a jacket. It was just so warm and the night before was warm too. In the end, I left without the jacket and decided that was a good call.

We made our way from the Overlook down the 4 miles to No Hands Bridge. While at No Hands, I heard one of the volunteers talking and recognized her voice and face as Melissa Johnson. She encouraged us to try the veggie broth which was absolutely amazing! It was the perfect amount of saltiness. I also really appreciated the racing having veggie broth over chicken broth.

Melissa wished us luck and told us she’d see us on the return much MUCH later. We were headed towards Quarry and Cool next.

While Quarry Road is one of my least favorite places to run, it does lend itself to some nice views of the river. Shawn and I took the gravel road easy. Running and walking until we entered the single track and by then, it was dark.

The distance from the No Hands aid-station to the next aid-station (ALT) was over 10 miles and it was over 20 miles before we would see our crew again. I would say (for me) this was probably the hardest section overall.

Although you would not have known it by the way Shawn and I were motoring some of the runnable sections. Shawn took the lead and we were passing some runners. I was starting to fade and feel a little fatigued when I think Shawn was hitting his second wind. I was able to keep up but I think it drained me a little more than I care for and the ALT aid-station (mile 59.35) seemed a million miles away.

When we finally reached the aid-station our watches had the distance at over 60 miles. I quickly had some broth and it felt good to refill my pack. I was feeling better. This aid-station also had a lot of carnage and negativity with exhausted runners talking to the amazing volunteers about dropping. I wanted out of there quickly.

Shawn and I took off down the trail not eagerly awaiting the infamous Goat Hill but excited to know that we were headed to Cool where we would see our crew.

Goat Hill was rough. My quads were pretty tired. I determined that the early miles (5-35) in an effort to not use my bad ankle, I had been running up hills using mostly my quads instead of hamstrings so my quads felt shot. I was still unsure if the ankle pain would return so even going up Goat Hill, I wasn’t climbing the way I normally would.

Throughout this section it was sprinkling a little, although never a full on rain and not cold at all. The trail however was just so rocky and with loose rocks which Shawn and I kept finding ourselves kicking over and over. The tips of my toes felt mutilated on any rocky downhill.

We were pretty quiet for a while trying to navigate down hill sections. The last thing I wanted to do was fall. His feet were bugging him too so we both were just focused on our headlights shining on the ground so as not to kick anymore rocks.

We broke ultra runner rule #1 – keeping your head down. After running downhill for a good stretch, at mile 66-ish we realized we had missed some ribbons and essentially a big turn. We had run about a half mile off course, downhill. We had to turn around and go back uphill to find where we had gone wrong.

No one wants to get lost. Shawn felt awful but I refused to let him think that this was his fault. We are two people each with our own set of eyes. We just both had been looking down and consequently missed our lights shining on the reflective ribbons.

In my mind, there was nothing else to do but turn around, forget about it and get ourselves back on track.

Getting ourselves to Cool and seeing our crew was all we wanted and needed at this point. It was past midnight.

Our crew had a nice little set up. Vans was there too which was a huge boost for me. He’s never done the middle of the night crewing aid-station thing. I was excited for him to experience it.

It was here I decided to ditch my hydration bladder. I had been having back spasms and pain almost all day. My pack is normally pretty heavy and I train with a heavy pack but for whatever reason, it was killing me this time. I also stopped drinking my Tailwind here. I had Michele removed my Tailwind flasks and replace them with a flask of all water and a small bottle of Coke. I never drink soda except for late miles of a race. I needed the liquid calories and the caffeine.

As we were leaving Cool, in my head I was thinking that all the long stretches were done. No Hands Bridge was the next aid-station and was only 3.61 miles away!

We got to No Hands and true to her word, Melissa Johnson was there and so was Miss P! I had paced Miss P at this very race in 2017. Their smiling and welcoming faces were a beacon!

As we were crossing No Hands Bridge, making our way back to the Overlook, Shawn started doing some math. He was figuring that if we kept our pace at 20 minute miles (walking – as we were both walking a lot the last few stretches), that we might not finish in time. We went from having a cushion to not much of a cushion.

Shawn texted the crew and did more math, daylight savings was also not helping our cause (the race does not abide by day light savings so we had to keep that factor in mind the whole time).

Finally, he came to the conclusion that we’d have an hour buffer … or, we’ll be the Golden Hour finishers.

When it comes to ultra running and 100 mile races, I don’t like “an hour” as a buffer. So many things can go wrong. We could get lost again. One of us could fall or start having digestive issues. Internally, I was not settling for an hour.

When we got to the Overlook (mile 76.84) and saw our crew, Shawn used the restroom. I told Michele about our hour buffer and that I would prefer if we could keep him from hanging out in the aid-stations now for too long. Shawn admittedly loves to hang out with the crew who has devoted so much time to us whereas I am the opposite typically but I was taking the time this race more so than I had at my last 100.

However, now we needed to make up some time. I didn’t want to finish in 29 hours or 29 hours and 59 minutes. Our original goal had been 27 hours and that was out the window. I was happy just to finish, but I wanted to finish strong and running, not walking. Shawn I think (I don’t want to speak for him) was in the pain cave at this moment and not a fan of my wanting to move it and not a fan of me not wanting to finish in 29 hours. I think I had even said to him, “You won’t be happy with that later.” LOL

Shawn and I agreed to run part of the paved section down to the river. That quickly went out the window after a few yards. The quads were not having the pounding. It didn’t help that a whole group of runners ran by us or that we made yet another wrong turn, but luckily we only made it two steps before some other runners told us they’d also gone the wrong way and to turn around.

For the first time ever in my life, I was actually falling asleep while running down hill. I think my body relaxed enough because it was pavement and I didn’t have to focus that I would literally drift off for a few second at a time as I was walking.

Once we hit the river single track, I was in the lead and I was on a mission. My second wind had kicked in and I ran every downhill bit of trail we came across. I could feel the daggers in the back of my head from Shawn but he was quiet and he was still behind me. I knew he’d hate me now, but would appreciate it later … maybe much later, but I knew he could dig himself out of that hole and find his second wind.

We passed a ton of runners on our way to the Rattlesnake aid-station (mile 86.02). This was our last spot to see the crew before the finish. We also knew that the trails that lay ahead were a bit of a pain with a lot of smaller ups and downs, rocks, and steps. Again, not the most runnable of sections but one we’ve trained on many times.

It was less than 3 miles to the next aid-station (Horseshoe bar) and this was the aid-station I have volunteered at for the 4 years I think. It had changed crew hands this year so I was bummed knowing that I wouldn’t see Monica and Eric there but I knew there was a porta potty and that was what I needed. While I used that, Shawn sat (uh oh). He said he napped like 5 seconds while I was in there but I think that’s what he needed too.

After we left Horseshoe, Shawn came back to life and just in time too. We had 7 miles to the last and final aid-station before the finish and my burst of energy, was finally starting to wane just a little.

Granite Beach aid-station literally took forever to arrive but I passed the time by pointing out my silly landmarks to Shawn (Meat Grinder, Stripper Pole and Yoga Rock). The aid-station was a virtual ghost town minus the volunteers. Shawn and I both stopped briefly and then we were on our way, excited to be headed to the finish. We were going to do this!

Normally the gravel road back to Beals seems like it lasts forever but I think I trained well enough on that section recently that we were able to run all the downs which made it pass so much quicker and before we knew it, we found ourselves on the levees headed to the finish!

I texted Michele and Vans that we were on the first levee and would be getting there soon. We walked and ran but made the agreement that we’d run that final levee and into the finish.

When we finally got to the last levee, I could see Vans and my girls with a cowbell cheering for us!

My face!! I was hooping and hollering NOT crying. LOL

No one I would rather have done this with!

We did it! Shawn has his 100 mile buckle and I have my Western States qualifier and a second hundred under my belt after having had a bone fracture earlier in the year.

Best crew and friend! We did it Michele!

This adventure will go down as one of my most memorable. Oddly, I finished in almost the same amount of time it took me to run Pine 2 Palm in 2019 which had way more elevation but this time, I was able to run with Shawn from mile 1 to mile 101! 🙂 LOL!! We’re in that special 101 club now. 😉

We learned a lot about each other and I think we can both agree, we each have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to running 100 miles, but we even each other out. Yin and Yang. Shawn is an incredible runner and a fantastic training partner and I am so happy to have been a part of his first 100 mile journey the way he was for mine.

Trail friends make some of the best friends. Now, we are both enjoying some down time looking forward to lottery day with fingers crossed that we both get called.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

Gear Used:

Shoes: Topoathletic Ultraventure 3 (one pair the whole race)

Socks: Injini (one pair the whole race)

Watch: Garmin

Pack: Salomon

Fuel: Tailwind and Spring Energy

Extra Photos 🙂

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023

Marlette Lake 50k

I signed up for this race in February with a cast on my leg and crutches at my side because I wanted a goal, I needed a goal that would challenge me and this race did not disappoint.

In hindsight, I probably should have navigated my race week a little better but in all honesty, I would not change a thing.

A few days prior to race day I went with our basketball team (12 year olds) to a water obstacle course for some team building and bonding.

While incredibly fun, it did leave my upper body sore and my lower body a weee bit fatigued although I am beyond proud that I was able to do the entire course and was more than likely the oldest person out there. 🙂

The day before the race, we had four basketball games back to back to back to back (2 teams 2 games each). When the basketball games were over, we drove home, I ate and then literally hopped in the car and drove two hours to Tahoe.

I was pretty tired when I got to my hotel room and unpacked. I ate some more and tried to (re)hydrate myself as best as I could but my body just felt super heavy.

Despite feeling utterly exhausted, I did not sleep well at all. When I woke the next morning I believe my Garmin actually said I had had terrible sleep and was well below a racing fitness level.

Morning came too quickly and I headed to Spooner Lake where the race starts and ends.

I love Big Blue Adventure races because everything is so organized. I arrived, got my bib and shirt and then had plenty of time to use the restrooms before the race started.

The race starts right next to the lake. There is a 50k and a 10 miler and the 50k started about 10 minutes before the 10 mile race did.

No frills, no bells and whistles when it comes to starting this race. It was “ready, set, go!” and we were off. The trail is wide enough at the start that you can adjust your position. I found myself some what near the back of the pack and that was totally okay.

The race start is at an elevation of ~6956 (maxes at ~8974) and I had spent the weekend prior at a soccer tournament that was pretty much at sea level. Again, not the wisest of choices but still would not miss my kid’s games for anything.

I also knew that no matter what, the first seven miles of this race was going to be tough as it was an uphill climb. I wasn’t wrong.

The elevation hit my lungs immediately and my legs felt absolutely trashed within the first two miles. This sent my mind in a little bit of a spiral at first but I just adjusted my breathing and focused instead on power hiking.

I let people pass and tried not to worry about it remembering that my goal was just to finish and enjoy the day and to just love racing again!

The course is absolutely breath taking both literally and figuratively. 🙂 I have paced a friend to her TRT 100 finish a few years ago and this seemed like the same route I ran with her but in reverse.

It was hot. To put it into perspective, I was in a tank top as it was 60 degrees at 6 am … in Tahoe! That’s hot! The race started at 7:30 and I swear it was even warmer by then. I was drenched as soon as I started running. The early miles are pretty much the the only tree coverage you get, after that, you pay the price on an exposed course but with the most spectacular views.

I tried desperately not to face plant while running as I was also trying to take in all the views and take photos.

At one point, we hit a spot that showcased both Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe. It was incredible.

I was literally smiling the entire time even when I was struggling. It was impossible not to smile when you’re on top of the world.

The first aid-station came at around mile 7 or so and it was a sight for sore eyes. I didn’t really need anything but it was my mental hurdle. After that, the course was more rolling. The second aid-station, I asked for iced and filled my neck bandana which really made a difference.

At one vista, I stopped to take a photo and another runner offered to take my photo and vice versa.

Leaving the first aid-station – Carson City views ahead

It took quite some time for me to find (part of) my legs but I was able to move more consistently whether running or hiking after the first two aid-stations.

When we got somewhere near miles 19 and 20, I knew exactly where I was. The Tunnel Creek Aid-Station from TRT is a spot I have spent many hours cheering, crewing and spectating. The aid-station for this race was pretty near this but after mile 20, the rest of the course was entirely new terrain for me and hands down my most favorite part of the course.

The trail sign said Marlette Lake Trail but I know it more as the Flume Trail from my husband who bikes on this section. Bikes were definitely a presence in the mid miles but every single biker that I ran into was polite, encouraging and most stopped to let me by first.

I did stop to use the restroom shortly after the aid-station near Tunnel Creek and because of that, I had separated myself from the few runners I had been near most of the race. This left me 100% alone on the most glorious section of trail I have ever seen.

Smooth single track trail with a cliff and the lake to your right. It was breathtaking.

It was also super populated with hikers and bikers at times but I wasn’t bummed that I had to slow down and play the passing game. Most everyone stopped to let me run by which was really nice. The trail narrows in sections so someone did have to stop.

The other awesome piece of this race is that they have race photographers stationed at all the epic view spots.

I was in my happy place and motoring at this point. I actually picked up some speed here and felt like a normal runner. Only took 23 miles for it to happen! haha

A nice mountain biker gave me a heads up as to where the next aid-station was which I appreciated. I knew how high up we were which meant at some point, we’d have to come back down.

Sure enough, the trail started having some down hill. I made it to that aid-station but did not stay long.

Soon I found myself on a fire road that was sitting right next to Marlette Lake.

I saw one runner swimming in the lake so I took the time to climb down and really soak my bandana and buff. I thought about getting in but I was worried about my feet getting wet and having blisters. The lake was so pretty and refreshing that next time, I will definitely get in.

After that, there was another aid-station. I could practically smell the finish line by this point so once again, I didn’t stop for very long.

The trail leaves the gravel road and makes a sharp right turn up and onto some single track. The uphills were still rough on my tired legs so I power hiked.

As I was hiking, I saw a guy sitting on a rock at the top of the climb. He kind of looked like a runner who had to stopped to take a breather.

As I got closer, he pulled out a big camera. “Oh you ARE a race photographer!?” I said. He smiled, [click click click] “I AM a race photographer,” he said. I laughed and replied, “Well I would have run the climb if I had known!” He pulled the camera away from his face and said with a huge smile, “You are more than welcome to do it again if you’d like?” hahahaha! I laughed so hard, “No no, that’s okay!” I heard him laughing as I hiked the rest of the way. That had me giggling for a quite a few miles after that.

Used with permission from LeFrak Photography

The above photo is the result of that exchange. He reminded me as I continued on that the “best photos are on top of the climbs” and he wasn’t wrong. Had he not pointed it out, I would not have turned around and saw that. Wow.

As soon as the single track dumped me back onto a fire road, I knew that I was only a mile or so from the finish. I could hear the announcer and I knew that it was uphill all the way to end. I vowed to myself that I would run the entire way.

And I did! It was most definitely not my best 50k but probably one that I am pretty darn proud of. As my friend reminded me, I have only been back running consistently since May and to run 31 miles at elevation with close to 5,000 feet of climbing accomplishment.

I wanted a challenge and that is exactly what I got and even though my legs and lungs were burning at times, I enjoyed every minute. I needed this to remind myself the biggest rule when it comes to running ultra marathons, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Problem solve along the way and just keep moving forward. That is exactly what I did.

I had one of these post race. Not something I think I would like normally, but after running 31 miles on a really dry hot day, this actually hit the spot and it has quite a bit of potassium in it. I was grateful that I did not have any cramping issues during the race. Near the end, I passed quite a few runners whose muscles were seizing because it was so dry and so hot out.

I cleaned up, ate a little and then hopped in the car and drove 2 hours back home to the family. I am already figuring out how I can do this race again next near. I would love a better finish time, I know I am capable of that but I also just loved everything about this race. August in Tahoe is notoriously hot so there is no getting around that really and I don’t mind the heat so long as I am prepared. I just need to work on that 7 mile climb at the start and maybe not do a crazy obstacle course a few days before the race. 😉

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

Race Details

Shoes: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3’s

Watch: Garmin

Socks: Injinji

Fuel: Spring Energy gels and Tailwind Nutrition

Full Disclaimer: I am not associated with Big Blue Adventure at all and was not paid or compensated for writing this report. I would also like to thank LeFrak Photography for permission and use of their photo.

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022

2022 CIM (California International Marathon)

The tradition lives on, even if things were a little bit different this year. One thing is for sure, there is no lack of “activity” for me or for my family the first weekend in December. Buckle in and grab a snack. If you like reading race reports, you are in the right place. If you don’t, you are probably way younger than I am! 🙂

The craziness starts with Friday and the California International Marathon (CIM) Expo and packet pickup in downtown Sacramento. For the first time in a very long time, Vans came with me.

The whole packet pickup process at CIM is super easy. They have kept the “airport line” method from 2021 which actually runs super seamless. Within a few minutes, I had my race bib, my race shirt and was checking out the expo.

After the expo, we hit up Pushkins Bakery (another tradition) for a gluten free vegan sandwich and headed back home.

Friday night we had basketball practice and then bright and early on Saturday morning, I left for Auburn for the Western State 100 Mile Lottery draw.

Despite having 16 tickets in the lottery, my name was not pulled this year but it was fun to watch friends get called and to hang out with S and C who were also there. Fingers crossed for next year!

With the new electronic name pull for Western States this year, the lottery moved pretty quickly and I was able to jet out of Auburn and head to Rocklin to catch game 2 of Squeaker’s basketball tournament.

The rest of the day was spent prepping for CIM the next morning.

I woke up at 4 am (more like 3:30 since I just could not stay asleep) and got ready with the help of my furry friend Jersey the cat. Both cats were actually quite interested in me being up that early. 🙂

I ate my usual breakfast of Picky Bars Can’t Beet Chocolate Oatmeal and a cup of coffee then sat with my legs up the wall.

I was not alone though ….

My other cat was keeping me company and wondering just what the heck I was doing!

Soon 5:30 rolled around and Vans was up (without me having to tell him!) and we were on our way to the race start.

For the last few years I have hitched a ride with TiggerT to the start but she decided not to run the race. Time for a new tradition!

Vans dropped me off at our usual spot and I stopped to use the bathroom and ran into Hassan who I see almost every year at this bathroom so it sort of felt like “old times” seeing him and getting a joyous “Hello!”

I quickly hopped the bus to stay dry and keep warm. It was misty and drizzly at the start but not really too cold (it has been way colder in past years).

Once the bus dropped us off, I made my way to what I thought was the shortest porta potty line. Some traditions never stop.

I had almost an hour before the race was going to start so I listened to the race announcements and tried to keep warm doing some activation exercises. I was also figuring out where I wanted to start.

Soon it was time to line up with 9,000 of my closest friends. I was actually quite a bit nervous this year mostly because I had not fully trained. The farthest I had run before lining up at the start was 15 miles the month before. Last year I actually trained for CIM and like a lot of runners, race week this year I started feeling all kinds of aches and pains which did not help calm my nerves.

I decided to just go with the flow and run conservatively. I had no real game plan other than I wanted to finish at a decent time (not race time, more like time of day) because my soccer team was down in Modesto playing game 1 of their State Cup game. I was SO bummed to miss watching these girls play in their first game but if they won, they were guaranteed a game 2 and I wanted to be there.

Promptly at 7 am the race started and I was moving. I felt pretty good and decided not to shed my layers just yet because I usually am still cold once we make the turn onto Oak Street.

I decided to run this year in my Rabbit Smashems because they have a lot of storage space to hold things. In hind sight and proven by my race photos, they are not the most flattering shorts when they are filled with all kinds of stuff. 🙂 They ARE quite useful though as they held ALL of my fuel which consisted of Unived Drink Mix and Spring Energy Gels as well as my ID and a credit card. I carried my phone in my left hand and my water bottle in my right.

Once I passed the timing mat, it felt like those 9,000 “friends” were just flying right by me but I paid them no mind and just kept doing my own thing …. which turned out to be running quite a bit faster than I planned on. My first mile clocked in at 8:15! Ooops. Miles 2 through 6 were all about 8:30 so I was moving (for me).

Some where in these early miles I ran into Mark who like me, is a glutton for punishment and tradition and runs this race every year no matter what. We chatted for a bit and then he was off.

At mile 6.5 I saw an open porta potty and decided to take it. The porta potty situation at CIM this year was perfect! I really try not to stop if I can manage, but I really needed to and since it was open, I was in and out in no time. After that, I still hovered around the 8:30 minute per mile range

After Mark, I ran into Maren who I used to work with. We ran and chatted for a bit. This was her first CIM and she looked amazing. I told her to just keep breathing. She was looking forward to seeing her family at mile 16.

I was still feeling pretty good for the most part but my pace by mile 13 had slowed to about a 9 minute mile and I was having a weird stomach issue that made me want to stop and use the porta potties again. I went back and forth mentally as to whether I really needed to when I came upon a set at mile 15.5 and saw Miss P in line and took that as a sign to stop too. I reminded myself that I was running faster than I had intended to. I only waited maybe 30 to 45 seconds before one opened and I was in and out.

From 15.5 on I slowed considerably and was between a 9 and a 9:30 mile which was fine. I was (crazy enough) still on track for close to a sub 4 hour marathon which was NOT my goal but once that thought settled in my brain, I could not let it go.

At mile 21 I let myself check my phone and received some texts from Vans on the game status. At mile 22, I really started to fade. The sun had come out early in the race and it was HOT. I saw people dropping like flies on the side trying to stretch out cramps or just walk. I became one of them. I never stopped, I kept moving but my legs were feeling super heavy and they also felt like they might cramp. I took two salt tablets during those final miles.

Around 22/23 I thought I heard my name and I looked over and saw my neighbor waving. That gave me a nice boost.

One thing that was bizarre to me, was the fact that during 26.2 miles, I never heard one Bon Jovi song! This was my 13th CIM (15th if you count the years I ran the relay) and I have always heard Bon Jovi being blasted on course. Ah well.

The final two miles to finish always seem like the LONGEST two miles of any race but I do love the crowds cheering and the guy dressed like Jesus with “The End is Near” sign. Cracks me up every year.

I crossed the finish line in 4:11. Not my fastest CIM and not my slowest CIM. I am actually quite proud of that time considering my lack of training. I also thought it was great Ultra Running practice to get comfortable being uncomfortable because I was definitely uncomfortable those last four miles or so. 🙂

This was my 13th CIM and my 19th marathon and for the first time ever, I had no one at the finish line waiting for me.

So I walked about 5 blocks and called an Uber to come pick me up and take me home. By then, I had heard that the soccer team had won their first game at 11 am and were going to play again at 5 pm in Modesto and I was going to make sure I was there.

Super grateful that Uber now exists. I got home, showered, did some recovery stuff, ate and then drove 2 hours to Modesto to make it in time for game 2 of our State Cup. Unfortunately, the outcome was not what we had hoped for but I was glad that I made it. The girls were excited to tell me all about game 1 and asked how many miles I had run. 🙂

All in all, it was a successful CIM considering all the new changes. Recovery is going well and I am looking forward to getting back onto the dirt and trails soon.

Happy ~~Trails~~ Road Running!

~Trailmomma

RACE DETAILS

Shoes : Topo Athletic Phantoms

Clothes : Rabbit

Watch : Garmin

Fuel : Unived Drink Mix and Spring Energy Canaberry gels

Socks : Injinji

Breakfast : Picky Bars Oatmeal

May 17, 2022May 18, 2022

QUICKSILVER 100k (Race Report)

I finally saw the infamous ultra “pain cave” that everyone talks about looming in front of me. I took a few steps inside, looked around but I refused to stay knowing that if I went in, I might not get back out.

Like a lot of runners who toed the line at the 2022 Quicksilver 100k this past weekend, this was supposed to be our 2020 race. Some chose to run the bonus race in September of 2021 (hindsight – it is way cooler in September than in May), but others, like myself, bumped it to May of 2022. A new course or really, just a new finish was the biggest change. For me, it was the farthest I have run since my 100 miler at Pine to Palm in September of 2019. There were many mental and physical hurdles between then and now which made my stomach a ball of nerves when race week arrived.

All throughout the week I would organize my race gear on my dining room table. Another big change between previous Quicksilver 100k races and the new course is the number of drop bags allowed. When I ran it in 2016 and 2018, there were 5 different spots you could potentially leave a drop bag. Now, there are two with the last one being at mile 44.1 of the race. Mentally, that threw me for a loop since I knew that in prior years, some of the aid-stations later in the race (namely the second to last) are so remote, they run out of ice and other items.

I worked a half day on Friday and took the afternoon off to drive to San Jose. I actually made great time and was there well before packet pick up was open. I swung by Whole Foods and got what I needed for my post-race meal and then drove over to Sports Basement (this place is incredible – I just love it) and wandered around the store until I could grab my race bib.

“Shopping” – I should have bought this. 🙂

As I was leaving with my race schwag and bib, I ran into S who was also running. He’d run the bonus race in September of 2021 as well so he knew the new course. Seeing him always makes me smile and got me more excited for race day.

This race is a tough one because it starts at 4:30 am. Yes, 4:30 … check-in is at 3:30 am. So that means waking around 2:00 am to start getting packed, fed and ready. Sleep did not come super easy. I went to bed as early as I could, I ate as early as I could but I still tossed and turned quite a bit with my brain overthinking everything.

Start line – that’s Miss P with the pony tail

I got to the starting area just fine. S and C arrived two seconds behind me. I checked in, then had to move my car and then used the porta potties about three or four times before it was time to line up. A headlamp is required to start this race and one of my goals was to NOT need the headlamp again for the finish.

Miss P my dear friend who I met when I first started doing ultras in 2010 was running as well. I helped pace her at her first 100 quite a few years ago, and I know, she is a super strong runner. She makes it look so easy. She is fierce and fast.

When the “gun” went off, the crowd started the run/march uphill. S took off, wanting to get ahead of the big crowd. After a while, I could not get footing myself, so I started to run uphill bobbing and weaving around a lot of people until I could get a nice spot. It is not super steep, and I felt it was runnable but I also wanted to make sure I did not trip as it was also quite rocky.

The temperatures were predicted to be somewhere between 85 and 90 degrees. That’s not really abnormal for a May Quicksilver BUT the week leading up to the race was downright chilly and rainy making the transition from cool temps one day to squelching hot unbearable temps another, a tough one. It was hot at 4:30 am! I just told myself to keep running as much as I could, comfortably so that I could get a lot of miles out of the way while it was dark and cool(er).

That was the last photo I took for a while because I decided I needed to focus on running.

Hicks #1 Mile 6.1 (6.4 to the next AS)

I ran through the first aid-station, not really needing anything here. I carry a lot in my pack because I try and rely on mostly what I carry with me until I no longer can.

When I started the race my stomach did not feel “awesome” … it wasn’t bad, more like a nervous pit kind of feeling so that is what I chalked it up to be. By mile 7 or so, it was making itself known that it wasn’t disappearing. It wasn’t getting worse, but it was making running uncomfortable at times.

Woods Road #1 Mile 12.5 (5.4 to the next AS)

Refilled my water bottle here. In and out.

Lexington Mile 17.9 (7.9 to the next AS)

Lexington is just off a paved road. I knew that the next aid station was quite a ways out and that we had some killer hills coming up. I just made sure I had water in my bottles and I started soaking my bandana to keep my neck and face cool.

Mile 20.7 – the start of some serious climbing

It was around mile 20 that things started to change. I looked down at my hands and noticed that my fingers looked huge. I could barely bend them they were so swollen. I also had “tried” to go to the bathroom a few times along the course with no luck. Something wasn’t right.

This section of the course is pretty gnarly. You have the Kennedy Rollers (photo above) followed directly into Dog Meat (photo below).

I was lucky enough to be with Miss P during quite a bit of this section or rather behind her watching her just cruise and crush every runner hiking up these hills. She just has the most steady, consistent and powerful uphill hike. She was blowing by runners with poles even.

All I could do was hike. It was hot. It was sunny. I was swelling a ton in my hands. Every step I took up, I felt like I slid back a few inches the gravel was so dry. I focused on my form and what I tell the kids I coach “hands follow feet – move your hands and your feet will follow.” So that is what I did until we got to the top and had to turn and go way way way way down.

On this crazy 3 mile-ish downhill stretch you pass runners hiking back up so you know, once you hit the bottom, you have to turn and hike back up. I was using gravity to just pull me knowing that perhaps this may come back to bite me later if I blow out my quads but my power hike I felt ate up so much time.

I passed S hiking his way up. He looked hot but smiley and it was nice to see his face.

Kennedy Road Mile 25.8 (5.5 to the next aid-station)

When I got here I had to make a decision. I tried (again) to use the restroom (no luck) so I switched from what I had been consuming to just plain water. I was hopeful that maybe I could flush out the sodium I was clearly retaining in my hands. I also grabbed a Coke which is rare for me this early in a race (if at all) but I was hoping it would act as a diuretic.

Luckily, I was still able to consume the Spring Energy gels I had on me, even if they were warm.

The climb back up is long, hot, brutal and when you get to the top, you still have to go even farther before you get to the aid-station.

Woods Road #2 Mile 31.3 (6.5 to the next aid-station)

This aid-station is always a site for sore eyes because by now you’re dying for an ice cold refuel, shade and the awareness that you are half way done with the race! The volunteers (at all the aid-stations) are awesome but these guys are great because you are SO happy to see them.

Hicks Road #2 Mile 37.8 (3.6 miles to the next aid-station)

I am not entirely sure, but I think it was in this stretch that I accidentally kicked a rock with my LEFT foot. I immediately felt my toenail sort of dislodge a bit. I have been blessed in my ultra career to not have any foot issues. That was all about to change in this race.

The stretch here was uplifting for me because we were heading back to the start (and finish) area. This is where I had my only drop bag and I was ready to dump what I had been carrying, that wasn’t working and pick up some new gels and items to see if I could continue to make progress in my hand swelling and stomach discomfort.

Hacienda Mile 41.4 (3.1 miles to the next aid-station)

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This was a downhill stretch coming in and so I ran it and then my drop bag. I was starting to worry about the lack of electrolytes. I didn’t want too much sodium, but it was just so hot. I changed one of my soft flasks to the fuel being handed out at the aid-stations (Skratch Pink Lemonade). At first sip, it made me nauseous but then, it really started to help make me feel better. I would continue to fill one bottle with that.

The rough part here is that you have to walk/run past the finish line and head back out for another 20 something miles while watching 50k finishers run into the finish, see the food trucks and everyone chilling in the shade. Mind battles!

The stretch to the next aid-station is only 3.1 miles but for me, it has always been a struggle. It is up hill. Paula was with me for a bit and then in Paula fashion, she blazed ahead uphill like a machine. I struggled to just keep hiking, focusing on my form, fueling and ignoring the weird feeling in my stomach and in my left foot (didn’t hurt but I could feel the toe nail).

Mockingbird Mile 44.5 (3.9 to the next aid-station)

Another aid-station – same ritual. Ice down the sports bra, water in one bottle at all times.

From here, you climb some shaded (finally) single track but it’s rocky and uphill. Paula and I were once again together. We caught up a lot here. She said she was struggling a bit but she looked amazing. Most of the runners around us had pacers with them so it was nice to have someone to chat with and pass some miles with here. I was feeling pretty low, like I wasn’t going to qualify for Western States. I knew I could finish this race, but would I qualify? I realized I didn’t care whether I did or didn’t (that’s what I was telling myself). I even texted C to tell her that I didn’t think I would qualify but that I would finish. I told her about my sodium issues and my struggle with my stomach.

On the way to the next aid-station, there was some downhill and I separated from Paula because I started to feel really good. Maybe it was the Scratch kicking in (yay electrolytes) but I got a second wind. I also decided that it was ok not to qualify for WS but I’ll be damned if I miss it by just few minutes.

I ran into a runner and her pacer here as well. I learned that it was her first 100k and she was struggling a bit. I told her to put ice in her sports bra when we go to the aid-station and to start counting down the miles. My jedi mind trick. Helping her, in turn helped give me a boost.

Bull Run #1 Mile 48.4 (5.7 to the next aid-station)

I love this aid-station because they are usually so fun and loud and energetic and best of all, fully stocked. I arrived, grabbed ice for my sports bra, some fuel and headed out.

To add some mileage, you have to veer right onto what I’ve always called the Lollipop loop. You run out around a tree and then back and someone is at the entrance marking when you entered and when you come back to ensure all runners honestly do this loop and do not bypass it.

It was on this loop that kicked (hard) a rock with my RIGHT foot. Earlier it was with my left. This one was SO hard that expletives came flying out and I hopped a little bit. Like my right, I felt the toe nail dislodge. What in the world was happening with my feet today???!!!!

I made the right turn out of the lollipop trail and knew instantly what was coming … my favorite section of the course, Tina’s Den (no longer called that I don’t think). This is a single track shaded downhill section that in 2016 and 2018 I just FLEW down. I have always had the energy and the power here … except this year.

I’d let gravity pull me and then have to hike some, let it pull, then hike again. My toes were killing me, my quads were finally starting to protest all of those earlier hills I bombed. My second wind, my second life, was slowly deflating.

This used to be the “fastest” section in my head but this year, it went on forever and ever and ever. I was mostly alone. A few runners passed me, I passed one or two who were struggling.

Finally we are dumped off the single track and onto the fire road, I knew that the second to last aid-station was coming. I knew when I got to that aid-station, I had to look at my watch to see what my time was to see if I was still within range to qualify for Western States.

McAbee Mile 54.1 (4.9 miles to the next aid-station)

I arrived at McAbee and there was some carnage like there is every year. There was no ice so I refilled with warm water. I looked at my watch and saw that I had 45 minutes before the cutoff for a Western States qualifying time. Dang it, that’s too close in my math challenged head. Realistically, I probably had TONS of time but I am bad at math and luckily in the right direction so it pushed me forward.

Lots of uphill here again. At mile 55 I suddenly had to pee! Oh my gosh! I had to pee, FINALLY! There is pretty much no where to pee on a lot of these trails so I scrambled up a side hill and ducked behind some trees. Finally! My flush with water plan was working. My fingers were slowly reducing in size too.

Hiking toward what would be the last and final aid-station of the day (and again, my favorite) I ran into a guy who reminded me that this aid-station had otter pops! I had completely missed it on my first stop but I was hoping they had some left because that sounded amazing.

Bull Run #2 Mile 59 (3 miles to the FINISH)

When I arrived at the aid-station it was mellow, not too many runners at one time. I had one volunteer take one bottle and fill with water and ice (just in case), another pulled the trash out of my pocket and another got me an Otter Pop. Seriously could not love these volunteers more!

Otter pop heaven. Ready to be done with this.

They told me it was 3 miles down hill to the finish. I asked if it was REALLY downhill … because on the previous course, it was touted as downhill but there were a few sneaky rollers in there.

Once I got my legs under me, I took off. Sure enough it was down freaking hill! I inhaled the otter pop and just flew. You know when you feel like you’re just sprinting and flying and then you look at your splits and you so are not? 🙂 That is what this felt like. Mile 60 was 13:41 and mile 61 was 10:05 … but I felt like I was doing 7 minute miles. 🙂

I heard the finish and tried to run even harder. I crossed the finish line and the crowd went crazy. I guess I ran in faster than anyone had in a while. I just want to be done!

When I finished, a nice volunteer handed me my finishers medal and a second one handed that above medal, “Nice job Pamela! That was some finish!” he said. I looked at the medal and replied, “You must be mistaken. This can’t be right.” He said, “Nope, you got third in your age group! Congratulations!”

My finish time was 14:46. I qualified for Western States and while technically, this is a new course (the finish was the only difference), I ran faster than I had in 2018. However, I was toast.

I still couldn’t believe I had gotten 3rd AG. Not going to lie, it gave me that feel good boost to get my body in the car and drive all the way back to my hotel. It was a nice thing to text the family too who had been cheering for me.

Later when I checked the results, I saw I was actually 5th. I felt horrible. I emailed the race directors and told them I’d be happy to mail the medal to the appropriate owner. They said that I DID earn it. The two ladies who placed first and second, placed first and second OVERALL (my age bracket is a tough one) and since they don’t provide second sets of medals, I got 3rd via 5th. 🙂 I did get 12th female overall. None of that actually matters to me though, it’s all bonus and glory and great for a blog story (and to impress the kiddos). 🙂

What matters most is that I finished. I overcame some serious pain in my feet (which by the way look horrendous and are super painful). I also discovered the largest (and only) blister I have ever had on my big toe when I got back to my hotel (seriously, this is all new to me!). I had problem solved whatever was going on with my sodium intake and stomach. I stepped inside the pain cave, but I did not let myself stay there. I refused to let myself stay there.

My A-race for the year is over. Mentally, I have jumped that distance hurdle. The one that was nagging at me for the last two years. I felt so behind, so out of the ultra running loop. Now it is time to recover and heal and figure out what I need to tweak.

If you’re still reading (which I think no one does – but these are great for me to look back on), thank you. Thank you to S and C for being out there even if I never saw you. Thank you to Miss P for those miles and inspiring me to up my power hiking game. Thank you to Sandi and Higher Runner for your continued support, guidance and for always being a proponent of mind over matter and positive talk.

I fully believe: If the mind breaks, the body will follow.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmoma

EDITED TO ADD:

I do not think, that I really had a (dangerous) sodium issue during this race. What I DO think happened here for this race is that it was my first 100k back since 2019 and a really hot and difficult race with over 13,000 ft of climbing, 90 degree temps after a week of 50 degrees and rain and a course with very little shade. That’s my explanation for the finger swelling, it was hot and truly the first hot run of the year. Mentally, I had forgotten how difficult running 62 miles really is perhaps as well (I know I did).

As for my feet, that is me being super clumsy I guess and fatigued hitting those rocks. The blister can again be explained by perhaps my toes were swelling due to the heat. The lucky part about that, is that I never felt the blister. I did not know I even had one until after the race.

I am not done with racing or doing difficult races. I just now know taking a year or or even two year long breaks makes coming back a lot harder. 🙂

April 28, 2022April 28, 2022

2022 Mendocino Coast 50k – (Race Report)

“Well, that did not suck!” Those were the first thoughts that ran through my head as I crossed the finish line. I was ear to ear smiling as I heard my name announced and was given a fist bump by the race director. What a beautiful race!

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First, we need to back up just a little. I registered to do this race in April of 2020 but much like a lot of races, it was postponed. When April of 2021 came around, things were still not in the clear enough to have the event.

I always say things happen for a reason in life and having this event in 2022 meant that I was able and ready to run it even if my instructions were to, “Have fun, treat it as a training run and take lots of photos!” 🙂

I love a good road trip and Mendocino turns out to be the perfect distance from home (roughly 3.5 hours) and the drive was beautiful.

I had never been to Mendocino before and it did not disappoint! The weather was spot on perfect with sunshine, a breeze and temps that were perfect for running.

First things first. I drove straight to the Stanford Inn (by the sea) for packet pick-up. I was greeted by the wonderful and creative Lynda Layng who I “met” through social media years ago. She greeted me with the biggest smile ever. We chatted and caught up and she recommended a place to stop for lunch.

Good Life Cafe Mendocino – SO DELICIOUS!

After my late lunch, I wandered to the start/finish line area and then eventually back to my place to get my gear ready for the race.

I’ve been drinking Unived’s drink mix for the last 3 years I think. I love it, my stomach loves it and it has been working great. I am not sponsored at all and I promise to post a review and my thoughts on the stuff sometime soon (especially their new product) – but that is what was in my pack along with some gels for this race.

Once my pack was ready, I went to bed eager to explore the trails I have heard so much about.

The race starts at 7:30 am (a perfect time in my opinion) and I specifically picked my lodging so that I could walk to the start. It was probably a little more than half a mile to the starting line. door to door.

Over cast but setting up to be a stellar day

I made sure to have a bag with me that could dump my warm jacket into and stash at the finish line. I knew post race near the water, it might be a chilly walk back.

The race starts and ends at Big River State Beach. This place is so cool as it is where the river actually intersects with the Pacific Ocean. It’s crazy to see the calm water run right into waves.

At the starting line they had warm coffee and scones for all. Not many races can do this, I grabbed a half a cup of coffee just to keep my hands warm. There were quite a few restroom options. 😉 The morning was cool but it eventually warmed up.

Soon it was ready to line up and have Sid, the RD count us down to go time. Seriously, look at that photo, easily one of the most beautiful starting lines ever.

The first four miles or so are on this beautiful path that meanders past the redwood trees. It is wide enough for everyone to space out. It is also flat and perfect for getting a rhythm.

The first aid-station comes around mile 4.33 or so and then you take a sharp left then veer upward.

The course was very well marked with blue ribbons. We were given strict instructions that red ribbons were “bad” … however, a group of us at one point did run into a bunch of red ribbons. Thinking we’d missed a turn, we turned around as a group. Turns out, those red ribbons were either park ribbons or logging ribbons and we were on the right trail after-all. Basically, if a turn was happening, the course ribbons were VERY obvious both on the trees and on the ground. No chance of missing any.

If I could stop a million times and take a million photos I totally would have. Almost every turn I’d stop and go, “Woah! Look at that!” I was grateful and blessed to be in a small pack of strong women who were having a great time.

Those first three bumps or climbs on the map, were not that bad. I felt the climbing was gradual and manageable. I even had the power to run quite a bit of them. Those smaller “bumps” near the end of the race? Those are the suckers that were vertical.

The downhill in this race though is outstanding! Soft dirt, very few obstacles, just a beautiful trail that pulls you so easily. At one point I came upon a group and they asked if I wanted to pass and as much as my body was like “Yes!” my brain was smarter and said, “Still a lot of race left Pam. Your quads are going to hate you later.” I pretty much responded with that to the group and they all agreed. They all wanted to fly but were keeping a steady pace and so I took up the caboose of our train.

Aid-station 2 was around mile 7.35 or so. Like the first one, I ran right through it. I knew that aid-station 3 was the important one.

At some point, I lost the girl group (aid-station I think) and began running with Greg from Sacramento. Funny to meet and run with someone who lives near where I do at a destination race.

Greg was so nice. He had a lot of knowledge about the redwoods. He pointed out a redwood cathedral which is where a bunch of younger redwoods grow in a complete circle around an older one. It was so cool but no, I did not take a photo.

The night before the race, we received an email from Sid the race director with a link to a video of him crossing a river. It was more like, “Hey! So there is a river crossing around mile 13 or so. It looks deep but isn’t that deep but there is a rope for you, please use it and this is how you cross.” It made me laugh but I am SO glad he sent that as it did make crossing this a lot easier.

The water was cold but it actually felt really good. I say that about all water crossings I know.

Aid-Station 3 came around 13.24 miles in and was the aid-station I had been waiting for as the distance between 3 and 4 was almost 8 miles apart. I knew that I had to refill here.

I mean … come on!? How cool are these trees?

Still in my happy place, still feeling amazing, I thanked the outstanding volunteers and was on my way.

The rest of the race I was mostly by myself. I ran with two other ladies who I think were locals and then a downhill came and I was off again like a kid in a candy store.

Sacramento Dan ran by me at one point and said “Hi!” he looked strong and motored his way up a hill.

Mile 21-ish I distinctly remember hitting one of those vertical hills I mentioned earlier. It was on the way to aid-station 4 but it was a doozy of a climb.

The race is a mix of fire roads and single track for the majority of the miles. All very runnable and beautiful.

After some time though, you do get dumped onto some pavement. We were running through Russian Gulch State Park and while there were quite a few people out hiking and enjoying their Saturday, I will say they were all super nice and eager to move to the side of the trail if they heard me running behind them. Some even said good luck!

The 5th and final aid-station came at mile 26.13 and at a place that had me stop in my tracks and ask, “Is this for real?”

I was in awe. I was also alone so no one was around (probably better) to hear me say how insanely beautiful this all was!

I probably lost quite a bit of time on this section but I reminded myself that I wasn’t running for a time, I was running for joy and this was it.

While this section of the race is breath taking, there is a section coming up that I knew would take my breath away … the rope climb.

Yea, I said a rope climb. Once you leave this beautiful sea side spot … you run along highway one until you come to a really nice volunteer who tells you that you should grab the rope and head down the side of the bridge to the bottom.

Keep in mind, this is mile 27 of the race and that rope extends straight down after that edge along a watery little path to the bottom where another lovely volunteer helps you navigate. My legs were laughing at me but luckily, my hands had a tight enough grip on the rope.

Once you’re at the bottom you have to cross the water and climb straight back up the other side. Now, you’re on your way to the Mendocino Headlands State Park and eventually the finish.

This section is more pavement-ish but I caught a glimpse of a familiar van in one of the parking lots and the silhouette of two of the sweetest people I know. Then I heard my name being yelled and someone waving! S (my old running partner) and his beautiful wife C had made the drive up and were cheering for me! Huge boost. He high-fived me as I passed and said he’d see me at the finish.

The finish came after running through this huge stretch of sand!!!! My mental nemesis is sand but I was so elated to have seen S and C that I did not mind one bit. I was honestly a little bit sad as I knew the race was ending soon.

So I suck and didn’t get very many photos of the finish. Maybe I will leave that a mystery so you can run it for yourself and experience it but please know that the finish is like one big party at the end. Everyone was enjoying food (lasagna and salad) and cheering for runners as they came in.

For what was supposed to be a training run, I ended up finishing 7th female overall and 4th in my age group. Not too shabby! Imagine if I didn’t stop to take a bunch of photos!? 🙂

After I finished, I found Lynda and she gave me the biggest hug ever! So nice especially since I was so smelly.

S and C where there as well. We hung around for a bit but they wanted to go eat at their favorite place, Fog Eater Cafe and I was starving.

The food here was outstanding especially if you are plant-based and gluten free. Our server was SO awesome at making sure I was okay and safe from gluten. 🙂

After fully refilling my body with all the calories it needed post 50k, I went for a walk along the coast line.

Post race I was feeling pretty good which made my mind relax. It meant that training is going well and I was ready. I am ready, for whatever lies ahead.

Like I said, things happen for a reason and the fact that I ran this in 2022 instead of 2020 was meant to be. I was meant to have the adventure that I did and meet the wonderful people that I met and run the race the way I wanted to feeling pretty amazing the entire way.

Thank you to Sid and all the volunteers for this outstanding event! I know they were short on volunteers but they made it happen seamlessly from a runner’s perspective.

Thank you to Lynda as well! For the hugs and for everything!!! So happy we finally got to meet face to face!