This year, the California International Marathon (CIM), fell just 4 weeks after I crossed the Rio 100 finish line. I wasn’t sure if I was even going to be able to run it, until marathon week arrived.
After a few short runs, I decided to go for it. So on race morning, I woke up at 3:30 am to get ready for the day and miles ahead.
Legs up the wall pre race
Much like last year, I had my oatmeal and coffee and waited for Vans to wake up so we could hit the road at 5:30 am to get to the starting line.
My usual routine once I get to the starting area is like the 10,000 other runners, line up for the porta potties. This year though was a little different.
The distance between the next person in line and the actual porta potty is a few week. As I exited the porta potty and held the door open for the next person in line, a rogue runner tried to cut the line and jump into my porta potty!! I had to hold him back a little and told him, “Hell no buddy, you have to wait in line like everyone else. ” He turned and went to the back of the line and the whole line cheered me on. 🙂 One girl said “Thank you,” to me.
Heading to the starting corral
The race start is divided into a few different corrals. This year, I started on right when I really meant to start on the left but it was fine, I had made a deal with myself pre race.
Before the race, I told myself that I needed to run slow and easy because I really want to get back out on the trails and pavement, really just hits my body hard and requires a much longer recovery period.
Let’s get this going!
For the first time in my 14 CIM starts, the race was delayed by 10 minutes. They never told us why, but I did find that to be very odd.
Once the race started, I tried not to get caught up in the early mile sprinting that always occurs.
My first few miles were sub 9 even though I didn’t feel like they were. I kept telling myself to slow down.
Around mile 10 or so, my stomach started to turn and not feel the best. I must have stopped at two different times on course. I hate stopping during the race but I told myself that I might as well, I had no one waiting at the finish line and it would give me a nice break.
Mile 12 or so, my ankle started to ache. The same ankle that I had issues with at Rio. It wasn’t unbearable but it did slow me down a little.
Eventually by mile 16, I started to feel good. My plan became, walk at the aid-stations (even though I don’t use the race aid-stations) and then run to the next one.
I met a nice man who was running his 20th CIM. He liked my pace so we chatted for a bit and then we lost each other at one of the aid-stations.
My mind did wander this year. I was bored at times. Not that the race is boring or the spectators, they are what truly make the race fun (I’ve run the race in the early years where some of those middle miles were quiet and boring because there were no spectators).
I just missed running with someone. This is the third year in a row that I have run it solo. I was going to bring headphones which is so unlike me, I never run with headphones but I really wish I had for a few of those miles.
Soon enough, I was at mile 20. I was getting texts from Vans who was at Squeaker’s soccer game. He was following me virtually online. That was a nice boost.
I texted my aunt who lives in East Sac to see if she was out there and I totally thought she was and waived very enthusiastically at someone I thought was her, only to find out post race, that she never made it out there.
The final miles for once ticked by much quicker than in years past. I kept my head down and just kept willing my legs to run.
I crossed the finish line which was entirely different this year. There are normally male and female shoots but they just had everyone finish under one arch this year which made the name announcing kind of funny.
The finish set up was different too. This was the 40th anniversary of CIM. The race shirt and the race poster I thought were super lame this year but all made sense when I crossed the finish line. We were handed really nice wind breakers and back packs!
Super sweet post race swag.
I wandered around the finish area looking for the Information tent because someone mid race told me there are now buses that can take you back to Folsom. Last year I took an Uber that cost me a small fortune.
Since I wasn’t racing off to a soccer game like I was last year, I decided to take the bus. It took me a while to find it and we had to sit on there for a while until the bus was full but it was great!
I had a great conversation on the bus with a woman from San Jose. I decided to take the first bus drop off location because Vans had called and said he wasn’t far from that spot so I only had to wait about 5 minutes.
Overall, I am thrilled with my CIM for 2023. I wanted to run 10 minute miles and I hit that number right on the nose.
This wasn’t my fast CIM by a long stretch but it wasn’t my slowest. I will say I am quite proud having been able to run it 4 weeks post 100 mile. I even wore my Rio shirt for the race which was awesome because some of the spectators knew what Rio was and would yell out “Awesome Rio! Well done!” 🙂 That felt good.
It wouldn’t be December with out CIM. Not sure how many I have left in me. I really love and appreciate trails so much more but running a marathon gives you a different kind of mental toughness. I will never be a speedy marathoner, but that’s okay. Sometimes it is more fun to enjoy the ride. 🙂
Post Race Smiles AND sunshine!
Congrats to everyone that ran the 40th annual CIM! It was my 14th CIM and my 20th marathon total.
“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.
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.
Dining Room Table = Race Week prep zone
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.
Hazel Bridge
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.
Look at that sunrise!
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.
My Peanut!
My Squeaker!
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.
Crew spot
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.
Getting ready to head out!
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.
Still smiling no matter what!
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.
Checking in at the aid-station first
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.
Fantastic set up !
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.
Leaving Cool. Let’s get this done!
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!
No Hands Bridge
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!
Hi!! My face!! I was hooping and hollering NOT crying. LOLHere we come!We did it!!!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!Love that they were there to watch it.
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.
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.
Rising above the Bay Area fog
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.
Mile 21.21
This section of the course is pretty gnarly. You have the Kennedy Rollers (photo above) followed directly into Dog Meat (photo below).
Dog Meat – it goes on and on and on
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!
What the???
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. 🙂
They called it the, “Comeback Year” and while it was a little different than prior California International Marathons, it still went off without a hitch and thousands finished, BQ’d or just had a blast. For me, it was my 12th CIM and my 18th marathon finish. It is also the ONLY road race I do and my goal this year was to finish strong, uninjured (after being sidelined by a calf tear) and to be able to walk and not feel destroyed at the end.
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PRE RACE: Why fix what isn’t broken right? So like my 2019 CIM, I woke up at 4:30 am, had my bowl of Picky Bars Can’t BEET Chocolate oats, a half a cup of coffee and water. This combo has seemed to work for me the last few races so I am sticking with it.
2021 start
At 5:45 TiggerT my friend and ride to the start arrived and we laughed our way over to Folsom. We hopped on the shuttle buses that took us to the start and the minute I got off the bus, I realized that I had to pee …. like right then. I sort of rushed off from the group to get in the mile long porta potty line.
I almost ditched being in line when I saw that the race was starting in a minute. I was IN the porta potty when the announcer said, “We have 40 seconds until the race starts!” Even though I knew my plan was to start with a pace group and that all the groups start in timed waves, I was a little stressed and panicked. I made it though. When the “gun” went off I was standing with my pace group … and 9 minutes later I crossed the starting line with my wave. So yea, I stressed for nothing really.
Me not being stressed. 🙂
I will say, that even though this is the only pavement race I do all year long, I did train more on pavement this year than I did in 2019. I ran all of my long runs on a bike trail and kept shorter distances or speed work on dirt (for my sanity). So truly, one run a week was on some form of pavement in an effort to get my body prepared for the pounding that pavement brings and also the mental aspect. Nothing is more boring for me mentally, than running on pavement and the same loop or bike trail over and over (which is what I did each week).
My last few long key training runs where a struggle though because I’d received some awful news that a friend’s 12 year old son had passed. Dylan Flinchum is the grandson, son and nephew of a family that I grew up next door to my entire childhood. They have been like my second family to me my entire life, so when I heard that Dylan lost his battle with MLD (metachromatic leukodystrophy) after 10 long years on the morning of my first real long run … I almost bailed on it entirely. However, I know that Dylan and his family never gave up during his 10 years battling this disease so I laced up and headed out running in between tears but running with Dylan and his family in my heart every single mile. I thought of them often during the race as well.
My final last long run happened to be during Dylan’s funeral which was held virtually because he’s touched so many lives and it truly would have been a packed church back in Jersey. Another long run met with tears but I found strength in listening to his service and all who loved him.
So when race day neared, my coach and I discussed pacing. One piece of CIM that was different this year than prior years, was the lack of lots different pace groups. Typically in years past, there were pace groups every 5 minutes. This year, they were intermittent. As I said earlier, my goal was to finish strong, uninjured, not destroyed and as close to 4 hours as I could manage. My CIM PR is from 2015 with a time or 3:54. That year I ran many many road races as CIM prep.
This year, my coach and I were deciding whether to run with the 4 hour group or the 4:05 group because after that, it jumped to 4:20. We decided to start conservatively and start with the 4:05 group. I found them and started with them but quickly was finding myself very frustrated. Pace groups tend to be crowded. No one wants to lose their pacer. The pacers in this group however were not holding up the 4:05 sign (I don’t envy that job at all – running 26 miles holding a wooden sign takes a lot of endurance and strength). Not seeing the sign every once in a while though frustrated me as I couldn’t find them at times and kept losing them in the crowd. Instead, I decided to run just in front of the 4:05 group and this led to me eventually pulling ahead of them.
The entire run I just focused on my breathing and keeping it even and steady: in through my nose and out my mouth. Basically, I just ran. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone really but I saw Todd and Nicole just before crossing the starting line, I saw Diane Hanes who ran out and gave me a hug (thank you Diane!) as I ran by and I saw April in Old Fair Oaks who screamed my name SO loud the runner next to me said, “Man! That’s cool! She’s SO happy to see you!” 🙂 And I saw got a boost from Jen from Fueled by Frosting IG fame near Watt Ave. All of those faces helped propel me.
Also while running through Old Fair Oaks, I heard a volunteer/spectator yell, “Don’t worry! It’s all downhill from here! I promise!” I turned and looked and it was Deirdre … a fellow trail runner. I chuckled and yelled back, “You lie!” and all the runners around me including Deirdre laughed. When it is your 12th time on this course, you know it well.
The weather was decent. It was foggy and cool. I prefer hotter temps but overall it wasn’t bad. I never took off my long sleeve. I could have but just decided I did not want to carry it. My calves and hamstrings were tight and I think in warmer weather they might not have been but they never got to the point where I was overly worried they’d cramp.
My nutrition was going perfect. I carried Unived in my handheld and sipped on that the entire first 11 miles. I refilled it at mile 12 and continued to sip and run. I had zero stomach issues the entire race and I never once stopped to use a porta potty (rare for me in this race).
Most of the race was uneventful. I was just running, keeping my pace steady each and every mile and focusing on my breath. Around mile 21 or so another spectator yelled, “It’s all downhill hill from here!” Wherein I sort of said out loud, “Except for that one hill up ahead. ”
The runner next to me goes: “I heard you tell another person they were lying for saying it was all downhill. How many of these have you run?“
Me: “This is my 12th CIM.”
Runner: “Oh! Wow! So you do know this course! You have looked solid and steady this entire race. You look really good. So is there another hill?“
Me: “Thank you!Yes, around between 21 and 22 there is the J Street bridge. It’s the last “hill” and then from there, it really is downhill or flat to the finish.”
She thanked me and I gave her some extra advice for when she was ran down L Street. Hint: Ignore the numbered street signs, they’ll mess with your head. 🙂
At the start of the race, I had decided that miles 24 and 25 is when I’d leave the pace group and try and push ahead but at this point, I was already ahead of the 4:05 group. I did however, look down at my watch at mile 24 and noticed the time … I was close to a PR. Dang it!
I started to slowly pick up the pace a little bit. My calves, hamstrings and quads were not loving this spontaneous decision but I just kept breathing.
Mile 25-26 – Photo: Vans
I just focused on the road ahead. At mile 25 I looked at my watch again and realized a PR was out of the question but sub 4 wasn’t if I pushed it. I heard my name and glanced to my right and saw Vans and Squeaker smiling and cheering me on! They made it!!!! They’d spent the morning at some basketball tournaments in Rocklin and I thought for sure they’d miss the finish.
Squeaker racing to the street to try and catch me. Photo: Vans
I made the final left turn and tried so hard to sprint. My finish line photo is of me smiling I am sure as I was ear to ear with a goofy grin when I saw that my watch said 3:58. I’d done it, sub 4, I was walking (not hobbling) and I felt uninjured. Mission accomplished.
Squeaker always gets my medal
Best of all, my family, minus the Peanut (she had her own basketball tournament) were there at the finish.
Vans and Squeaker – her 10th CIM finish photo (she’s only 10) and Van’s 12th CIM finish photo (minus any relays we’ve done).
Super grateful to my family for being there, to TiggerT for the ride and laughs before the start of almost all of my CIMs and to my Coach for her continued support, direction, advice and encouragement.
It is a few days later as I write this, and I am feeling good. I am mobile and walking. Stiff and tired but no lingering issues that I can tell. I am taking the necessary recovery time and just enjoying the holiday season with my family.
And yes, I’ve already signed up for CIM 2022 … it is tradition. I can’t help myself. 🙂
Pretty steady pacing – but that finish sprint … ouch! 🙂
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Everyone: “You’re going all the way to Colorado … for a HALF marathon?!”
Me: “You betcha! I am not going to miss the Trail Sisters inaugural race! Besides, who doesn’t want to go adventure in Colorado!?” 🙂
With that, I boarded a plane on a Thursday and flew two hours to Denver ready to have my own little momventure in the mountains.
I have been supporting and following Trail Sisters since it started in 2016. Gina, the founder, is one of the most motivating and encouraging people on the planet. She has inspired so many women to get out on the trails and run.
I was fortunate enough to meet Gina for the first time at Western States a few years back and then again the following year. She’s pretty incredible. It was a no brainer when I saw that this dream of hers was about to come to fruition. I was going to make the trek and be part of it.
The flight from NorCal to Denver was about two hours. It was uneventful (minus the airborne pacifier that hit me in the head from a kid who was terribly unhappy on the plane).
Once I landed, I navigated my way to my rental car and made the 2.5 to 3 hour drive to Buena Vista, Colorado.
Had to stop on the drive and capture this amazing sunset.
Buena Vista sits at about 8,000 feet, something that will come into play later during the race.
It is a beautiful little town situated between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River in south central Colorado. I had never been there before this trip.
East Main Street, BV
The drive started out with some Denver rush-hour traffic but luckily, I think I caught the tail end of it. Once I left the Denver area, it was smooth sailing until I reached my tiny AirBnB studio.
I grabbed some dinner from House Rock, which came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. I actually ate there twice during my visit I enjoyed it that much.
House Rock Salad
Friday morning I woke up bright and early (despite the 1 hour time difference). I had been given some hiking/running recommendations as a “must see” pre-race adventure, so I hopped in my little Jeep Compass rental and headed 20 minutes or so out of Buena Vista.
Hello 12,000 feet of elevation! Words cannot express how incredible these views were. I am inclined to let the photos do the talking. I hiked a total of 5 miles here. I would have gone more but I kept reminding myself that I had a race the next morning.
There were a few people on the trail at the start but other than that, I was pretty much solo my entire hike out and back.
Solitude on the single track
If you are ever in the area, this is definitely 100% worth the stop. The altitude wasn’t really bothering me too much either but I also wasn’t running a ton. I was hiking because I was afraid I would trip as I was trying to soak up all that was around me.
Seriously incredible.
When I finally got to the top of the mountain, or one of the many mountains there, I decided I should probably call it a day so as not to tire myself out too much.
Just a tad bit happy here.
One thing I did not take into consideration however, was the sun and how close I was to it and how powerful it is. I wore a hat, but typical Pam, I wore it mostly backwards. So be warned, the sun is strong up here … my red face later that day was evidence enough.
Repping one of the original TS tanks.
After the hike, it was time to head to packet pickup and grab my race schwag which, as you’ll see was pretty awesome.
The packet pickup was located at this park in an area called South Main. I walked there from my studio. It is also the location of the start and finish. I am glad that I walked as it made me realize that the next morning, I should definitely drive to the start vs walking as it was a tad farther than I realized.
Gina, founder and race director extraordinaire, was handing out the race packets and bibs. She was excited to see me and was happy I was in her town. I grabbed my sweet canvas Trail Sisters bag and headed over to this adorable little spot in the park and just relaxed and watched the women interact with Gina as they picked up their bags.
To say Gina has touched a lot of women is an understatement. Just hearing the joy emanating from the women she greeted was amazing.
As I was sitting there, I received a text from my coach (and friend) Sandi. She had headed into town from her home 2.5 hours away, just to see me! I’ve “known” Sandi since 2017 but I had never met her in person.
We agreed to meet for dinner and for her to play tour guide around Buena Vista (she lived here quite a few years ago).
Mount Antero
She drove to a trail head where we could see Mount Antero and the Chalk Cliffs and then we hiked a little bit to see the Agnes Vaille Waterfall. Sandi is a great tour guide. She explained that Agnes Vaille was a mountain climber/expolorer in the 1920’s who attempted the ascent of the east face of Long’s Peak (in 1925). Apparently she summited but on the descent, she fell and died and her training partner named the waterfall after her.
Ignore my goofy grin. I was beyond excited to meet this woman.
We had dinner at the Simple Eatery on East Main Street. We both had the Carrot Coconut Soup. It was too dark to take a photo but believe me when I say it was delicious and ended up being the perfect (for me) pre race meal.
She dropped me off at my AirBnB and the activity of the day hit me, I was ready for bed and excited to run the Trail Sisters Half Marathon, the very next morning.
I drove to the start and parked in the super convenient dirt lot just steps away from the starting line.
Being that this was an all women’s race … I was worried the porta potty lines would be long but nope, all was good! Everyone was smiling and in good spirits. It was chilly but not cold and it was predicted to warm up mid race. I went with shorts and a tank top and I was really glad that I did.
Since the race fell on September 11th, the 20th anniversary of the Twin Tower attacks, we had a moment of silence at the start, followed by the National Anthem.
Everyone was super polite. No one wanted to start too close to the starting line or get in anyone’s way.
Gina counted us down and we were off!
Only the first few yards were on pavement and then we turned onto this bridge and headed towards the hills and mountains.
The course was uphill after you crossed the bridge. Everyone was super excited and running at a pretty good pace. One woman behind me yelled, “Um, this is typically a walking hill!” Which created a wave of laughter … but yet no one stopped to walk!
My legs, despite my marathon of hiking and walking the day before, felt great but it was my lungs that hit me. It immediately felt like I was breathing through a straw. Never mind the fact, that having come from northern California, my lungs had been inundated with smoke from the local fires we’ve been facing. I had not run much leading up to this race either because of our terrible and dangerous air quality. Boy, I felt it.
View during the early miles
I did power hike my way up quite a bit trying to get my breathing under control. For me, it really helps to breathe in through my nose and out my mouth and just focus on calming myself and my breath down. Sorry to those women around me who must have thought I was going through labor! 🙂
It worked though and I was able to sort of regulate myself to a pace that allowed me to run more than hike.
The trails were gorgeous. There were a lot of rollers up and down, some climbing over boulders and some amazing single track. The course was also really well marked with orange ribbons and yellow flags. I would say, that there were only a few times where I had to pause and look for the ribbon/flag and most of those times, it was up and over a rock.
single track heaven
All the runners eventually spread out pretty well that I did find myself running alone or just slightly behind one or two runners. It was fun to hear some of the stories. For quite a few, this was their first trail race and first half!
My favorite story of the race is one woman apparently dropped her phone on course. Another runner not only picked it up and brought it to the finish, they took PHOTOS for this person of the course along the way so she’d have a memory of the race! How sweet is that? Only in an all women’s race do I think that would happen.
I was feeling pretty good and it was getting quite warm. The entire race I had been sipping on Unived’s Elite Wild Watermelon drink mix. It’s my favorite and tends sit well in my stomach.
Around mile 6 or so I took a Spring Energy Awesome Sauce gel. I will say, I’ve never been a gel person having really ruined my stomach years ago when gels first hit the running scene. I had never even taken a Spring Energy gel in a race before this.
This (and no, I am not sponsored) was really good! I think if I had the forethought to toss it in the freezer before the race, it would have been even better. This gel tasted great but also had a texture that I could handle (one of my issues with gels). Best of all, it never upset my stomach, not even post race (my other issue with gels – um hello gu poo!) Definitely a fan so far and look forward to longer miles/races to see if it continues to work for me. At some point (I forget when), I also took a salt tab.
This was my favorite section of the race!
With some new found energy (thanks to some fuel), I started running a bit faster and passed a few people here and there. Most times, they caught up with me again later but always pleasant, always cheering and encouraging myself or the other runners. I am pretty sure that almost everyone, despite how they were feeling in the heat and altitude, were smiling while they were running.
Finally we hit the long dirt road stretch that Gina had warned us about. I was actually excited to get here so that I could finally find a stride. The course really is a bit technical with a lot of up and down that finding a smooth stride was hard for me. Prior to this race, I’ve recovered from a calf tear and then more recently, an ankle sprain just the week before. This nice gravel road made it so that could run more evenly and consistently. It lasted about a mile and a quarter before we turned left and headed down towards the finish.
I was really excited thinking that the final miles were mostly downhill. There were a few rollers but not enough to kick the wind out of my sail knowing that I would be crossing that finish line in a short while.
Photo credit : Sandi
The finish was perfect. You crossed a bridge, made a right turn and had lots of people cheering you towards that finish line where Gina, the race director and founder of Trail Sisters greeted every.single.finisher with a high-five or a hug.
Photo Credit : Sandi – ALSO, the look on my face says it all! Darn altitude! 🙂
What a race! What an adventure! Seriously could not have asked for a more beautiful day either.
Because she is awesome and the sweetest, Sandi came to watch me finish and we sat near the finish chatting and cheering on the runners as they came in.
Even though this is the first time we’ve met in person, I feel like I’ve known Sandi forever. We have a lot of similarities and both really enjoy being outside, adventuring and most of all we both love animals.
I am so grateful that she came to meet up with me and cheer me on during the race. Truly, the core of the meaning behind Trail Sisters. Thank you Sandi!
Gina thanking her other half and trail Mister for all his help with Trail Sisters
After the race, right near the finish, we had an awards ceremony and a raffle! I am the worst when it comes to raffles and in classic Pam style, didn’t win a darn thing. It’s okay, my heart was already full. Nothing could have taken away from that.
After the raffle, I made sure to refuel and stopped yet again to get the House Rock Salad with a side of quinoa.
The final piece of Gina’s dream for this event, was a post race social. She made it happen.
We gathered at a place near her home, in front of a nice fire pit and enjoyed some snacks and drinks. It was perfect. Gina was glowing, as she should be. She had just put on a stellar event, one that I think will only get bigger and better next year.
Gina chatting with everyone
Thank you Gina and thank you Trail Sisters! And ladies, if you are looking for an adventure or a momventure, this race is it! It was all parts exciting, relaxing, breath taking and fun. Keep an eye out for the race in 2022 and mark your calendars, believe me, you won’t want to miss it!
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