Spring Energy Archives ~ TRAILMOMMA

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

2024 CANYONS 100k (Race Report)

I first ran the Canyons 100k in 2017. It was my second ever 100k. You can read that race report here. Back then it was a whole different race in a way. Smaller but still crowded, still tough but way less hoopla and a different starting location and course. It had become a Western States qualifying race in 2016 so the fire was lit for many to run an awesome local race when there were not many local qualifiers in the immediate area.

I ran Canyons 100k again in 2019 (you can read that race report here). That year I came back from the dead but the course was “easier” in the sense that we did not have to deal with Devil’s Thumb, but it was still crowded with sections of two way traffic.

Then in 2023 I decided to run Canyons again. I registered for the race in the spring of 2022 before they partnered with UTMB and then in December of that year I broke my fibula snowboarding. There was no way I was toeing the line but luckily, they let me defer my entry to April of 2024. Then all the UTMB drama happened. I was not about to just hand over my entry fee or waste my chance at qualifying for Western States (again). I planned on running however, this was now a whole new race compared to my previous years.

In preparation for the race, I was surprised by the “lower” 12,295 of gain posted when in prior years, it was around 16,000+. The qualifying time for Western States was also 20 hours which seemed generous to me since 2017 and 2019 the qualifying cut off was 18 hours (with more elevation gain). I think because of all of this, I did not give this race, the respect it fully deserved. Don’t get me wrong, I trained and I ran and I prepared. I just was not nervous come race morning which is not like me. I usually have jitters the entire race week.

RACE START – CHINA WALL

One thing to note about this race is that they alternate the directions (or are supposed to) each year. This year it was starting at China Wall and finishing in Downtown Auburn. Next year, I believe it will start in Downtown Auburn and finish at China Wall. Last year (2023), due to the fires and trail conditions, it started and ended in Downtown Auburn.

The China Wall start, sucks. Plain and simple, it sucks. I woke up at 1:00 am, drank some coffee and got dressed and ready. Shawn picked me up at 2:00 am and we drove to the Auburn Overlook where we had to catch a bus (required – no way around it) that was driving all runners to the China Wall start. Fueling and prepping for this time of day just totally threw me off. Instead of eating my usual oatmeal at home, I ate a bar on the bus.

When us 586 100k runners arrived at China Wall, we were greeted with about 4 porta potties that had an incredibly long line. There were people still in line when the race started.

The race started at 5:00 am, in the dark. It had dumped rain the day before so the fire road we were starting on was wet and muddy and it was just crowded. Very crowded with people trying to jump over puddles, slipping in the mud and trying to just get comfortable.

I immediately noticed that the headlamp that I had charged seemed dim and I was struggling to see the trail/road in front of me. I turned my hat backwards hoping that would help, and it didn’t. Even Shawn mentioned that my headlamp was looking like it was dying.

My watched buzzed when we reached mile 2 and I immediately stepped on something I could not see and rolled my left ankle so hard that I slammed to the ground. My hat and headlamp went flying off me and I had yelled in pain. Not wanting to be trampled, I jumped up as quick as I could. Shawn was near me and asked if I was okay. My ankle was throbbing and I was basically limp running. In my head I just kept telling myself to keep moving. This has happened in a training run and it eventually works itself out. I didn’t want to stop but the pain was pretty terrible. I could not keep up with Shawn and I let him go but tried to keep the back of his head in my sights.

My right knee felt like it was covered in mud, it just felt wet and cold. When we eventually turned and started to climb, I used my right hand to try and wipe the mud off but when I looked at my hand, it was covered in blood. I had apparently banged my right knee too when I fell and blood was just pouring down my shin. I grabbed a tissue and tried to clean my hand off. There really wasn’t anywhere on the trail that I could pull off and stop. It was conga line after conga line the entire first 10 miles. Also, my stomach had finally “woken up” and needed a place to stop but unfortunately, there is no where to duck off the trail easily so I just stuck it out knowing there would be a bathroom at the first aid-station.

DEADWOOD 1 (Mile 10.1)

The minute I arrived to the top of Deadwood two volunteers there declared, “Oh my god, your knee! Are you okay?” That was the first time Shawn even noticed my knee and he looked concerned. I told the volunteers that I was fine and that I just needed the porta potties … which consisted of two and also had an incredibly long line of runners waiting to use them. Frustrated that I was wasting too much time, I ducked off into the woods to take care of business.

When I came back to the aid-station, Shawn insisted that someone clean out my knee. So we stopped and I asked what I thought was a medic to clean out my knee.

Bless his heart, he took forever to find what he needed and to put on his gloves and then declared that he was just going to clean off the dripping part on my shin because he was too afraid to rub the wound as it looked to have finally stopped bleeding (because it had mud in it – when I stopped in the woods a few minutes earlier, my knee hit the ground and was caked in mud).

While I was grateful that I looked a little better, I was not feeling all that great. My left ankle was still pretty darn sore but my right quad was really starting to ache. I wondered if maybe I had hit it on a rock when I fell but more likely, my compensating for the left ankle pain put a lot (and I mean a lot) of stress on my right quad. We were at mile 10 and my right quad felt like it was fried.

We left the aid-station together and headed towards Devil’s Thumb.

Devils Thumb 1 (Mile 12)

Now I have done the Devil’s Thumb Canyons “thing” back in 2017. In 2019, they removed the Devil’s Thumb section because of trail conditions (fire I think). In 2017, I absolutely hated this part. I love Devil’s Thumb. It is a historic part of the Western States trail (with 36 switch backs) but for this race, like in 2017, you had to run down to Swinging Bridge (Mile 13.5) , get your bib marked by a volunteer and immediately turn around and hike back up. The problem with this is that there is two way traffic on a very very narrow trail.

In 2017 it was at least dry, so while frustrating to stop and let runners up, you at least did not have to worry about slipping and sliding. At one point while going down, I slipped so bad that I almost went over the edge of the cliff! The guy behind me was like, “Holy cow! That was close! Are you okay? You almost beat us all down there.”

The runners hiking back up were a mix of good mood cheering for you runners and some that were so angry that they shouldered you hard as you passed causing you to lose balance. Just not fun.

The climb out, I was toast. I had very little energy, my quad was killing me and I had been passed by quite a few runners.

Devils Thumb 2 (Mile 15.1)

When I reached the top of Devil’s Thumb I was greeted by Shawn who had waited for me at the top. I felt awful, like I was slowing him down so much.

At the top of Devil’s Thumb was a water only aid-station but I just needed a breather and as luck would have it, I was greeted by Jack Meyer! It was nice to see such a smiling happy and familiar face.

After a quick stop, Shawn and I started running again. I had never been on the trails they had us running that routed us back to Deadwood, it was very pretty but as luck would have it, my stomach was still off and I had to find yet another place to stop.

Deadwood 2 (Mile 18.3)

As we came into Deadwood 2, I headed to the aid-station to see if there was anything that would turn my energy around. It was too early to start drinking Coke but I was desperate. My stomach was off and I could not eat or drink the fuel I had on me without having to stop.

As we left Deadwood 2 and were about to bomb the nice downhill that I normally love, I overhead the volunteer tell one of the runners coming into the aid-station to be mindful of the cut off time.

Shawn and I ran most of the downhill trails that lead to El Dorado Creek. This is a section that I have loved in the past but my quad and my ankle (not to mention my stomach) were making it difficult to run smoothly. I ran but I am sure I looked pretty funny.

Michigan Bluff (Mile 24.0)

The climb up to Michigan Bluff was as brutal as Devil’s but luckily not as steep. It was also super duper warm out. I was slowing Shawn down.

Michigan Bluff was the first crew accessible location but I had told Vans that I didn’t need him there because it would just be easier for him to meet me at Foresthill which was the next aid-station.

I do kind of regret that now, had he been there, I could have fueled up on the stuff he had with him which would have helped a ton.

While Shawn was getting help from Courtney and Cody, I just sat down and wiped my face with an ice cold cloth that Courtney had given me (omg, amazing).

I needed a restroom yet again but they said they didn’t think the aid-station had any which I thought was odd because when I had checked that morning, I knew every aid-station had them (or most did).

Finally, someone who overheard me came over to tell me there were restrooms on the other side of the aid-station. I was kicking myself for wasting time and not going to see for myself because when I found them, there was of course, a line.

I heard my name and I got a nice wave and a “Hi Pam!” from Christine who was working the aid-station. I wanted to go back and say hello but the dang line at the porta potties was going to take a while.

More time wasted then I wanted and Shawn waited for me but informed me that we needed to motor so as not to get too close to the Foresthill cutoff. I didn’t think we were that close but watching the clock was the last thing on my mind.

The descent down into Volcano Canyon I knew would be brutal but I also know that we had an opportunity to get wet and cool off and that truly felt amazing in that heat. I wish I had tucked some ice in my sports bra back at Michigan Bluff but I had waves of being hot and being cold at various times so it wasn’t on my brain to do that.

The climb out Bath Road was its usual brutal self but on pavement I could at least power hike with purpose and not have my quad feel so weak.

In my head, I just wanted to get to the next aid-station and see Vans and also know that I was almost half way done with the race.

Foresthill (Mile 30.0)

Upon entering Foresthill, we immediately saw Vans with his phone. I didn’t think to text him to hook up with Courtney wherever she was situated. I thought they may have prearranged that. I was wrong.

I saw the Peanut. She was waving me over but we had to enter the aid-station and exit from two different points and where they were situated would have had me back tracking so I called over the fence/barricade for them to find Courtney down the road who had a nice shady spot.

I was SO happy to see Vans and the Peanut and to have my fuel that I told them to bring. I wanted to eat something, anything, other than what I had on me at that point.

I immediately had a Pellegrino Limonata which was a last minute toss in my cart at the grocery store purchase but man oh man, did that stuff hit the spot. One can has 110 calories to it and about 31 grams of carbs and is carbonated. It was SO refreshing in the heat! I also took a Tums too in order to settle my stomach but when I went to chew it, my tooth just screamed in pain. Ugh, what else could possible go wrong?!

Shawn ducked down the road to use the bathroom so I had to go and find him and finish this thing. 30 hellish miles down.

This next section was pretty fun but also pretty hot. There was no Cal 1 aid-station this year as was in years past which is a bummer. Would have been nice.

It was 8.2 miles to the next aid-station but it was about here, that we noticed the mileage was really starting not to match up with what was on our watches.

Eventually you do dip into shaded trails and a nice smooth single track.

Cal 2 (Mile 38.2)

This aid-station had a lot going on. There were a LOT of people sitting and looking not so great. The mosquitos were vicious. I was literally attacked the minute I stepped under the aid-station tent. Three bites right on my face in seconds! It was crazy.

I quickly ducked out after grabbing some food. A volunteer kept wanting to stick ice down my shirt or in my hat but I kept saying no thank you. I was actually quite cold at that aid-station.

Shawn and I left Cal 2 and the carnage that was there. We knew that at the next aid-station we’d see Courtney and Vans again but it was almost 10 miles away.

Vans and Peanut enjoying the views between aid-stations

The trails from Cal 2 to Drivers I know pretty well from previous Canyons races and from running Ruck-a-Chuck 50k a few times. There is one or two steep climbs here. Again, I had to stop and duck off the trail. Shawn waited. Darn stomach.

We did run into a runner who told us that it was called “4 minute hill” because the elites at Western States can run it in 4 minutes … yet the lady behind him said she calls it “7 minute hill” because it takes her 7 minutes.

I think it took me 10 minutes.

The fire road leading toward Driver’s Flat is a mental one for me. I always think it is shorter than it is. It DID however, have a park restroom vs a porta potty which was a gift from heaven and thus, I stopped yet again. Pretty sure anything I fueled with was immediately removed.

Drivers Flat (Mile 47.5)

This aid-station was not where I pictured it in my head. Like previous Canyons, I thought it was down by the water but that’s called Rucky Chucky (or was in past races). Shawn told me that the actual aid-station was at the top of huge hill and was the Driver’s Flat staging area where Ruck-a-Chuck 50k used to start and finish. I remembered that climb, it was not fun, it never seemed to end.

When we finally reached the top, seeing everyone there was a site for sore eyes. I was thrilled to see Vans and the Peanut again but also sad as this was the last crew stop before the finish. I was however a little excited as I had never been on the trails that led us to the next aid-station before so I was excited for the unknown.

Again, I drank another Limonata which gave me a rush of carbs, calories and sugar! I used the massage gun on my quad which hurt like hell and I ate my sandwich that I made as another last minute “why not” the day before. This was a lot of food, probably more food than I have had all day!

My girl lugging all my gear out of Driver’s Flat

The Foresthill Divide trails and the trails surrounding Driver’s Flat were absolutely gorgeous. The sun was slowly setting too so that really made everything look so pretty. I would really like to run out there again and explore more it was that pretty.

What wasn’t pretty was the runner puking on the side of the trail. Poor guy. We encouraged him along and eventually came back to life and caught up to us and we chatted for a bit. He was from Squamish.

It quickly got dark and luckily I had tossed my lame headlamp from the start at Foresthill and replaced with two mini lights that I use for emergencies. I totally did not plan lighting well for this race at all which is hilarious because having just run Rio 100 in November, that race is almost entirely in the dark and I had it dialed in.

I pulled out one of my mini lights hoping to save the other one as I knew this one would not last until the finish. Spoiler, it didn’t.

The next aid-station was Mammoth Bar which is an area I know well but had never actually been to the spot where the aid-station was located. The other sucky news was it was almost 8 miles away but we were ready to get this done.

Mammoth Bar (Mile 55.5)

This aid-station was happening. Lights and super energized volunteers. Kids yelling in the dark. It was definitely a welcome stop. So were the porta potties that they had (I believe this was like stop #6 for me now, I lost track). I believe it was here that we were encouraged to have some veggie broth. I tried to nibble on whatever I could find and sipped the broth but it wasn’t helping my stomach much.

We overheard a volunteer saying that this race was actually 64 miles, not a typical 100k at 62.1 (great to hear) and that we had a “700 foot climb out of the aid-station.”

I don’t know what that guy was smoking but to us, that climb was like 7,000 feet. We almost got lost leaving the aid-station trying to find the climb. One runner went off course and we tried to call him back as we saw the sign at the very last minute. For the most part, the race was incredibly well marked with signs for wrong way and and signs for critical turns. This was the only spot I would say they could have done better. The runners who went off course were not happy but at least they figured it out quick enough.

I run in this area a lot but I have not been on these particular trails. That 700 foot climb was hands on knees, bent over steep. Both of us felt like puking at various times it was that steep. Then we started seeing the puke of other runners who I guess felt the same way we did.

Finally we made it to the Short Cut Trail which I am familiar with which leads us to the Confluence Trail which again, I am familiar with but was semi dreading running in the dark. It has some rocks and stuff that can easily trip any runner let alone running it at night in the dark (after switching out yet again my head lights).

Confluence (59.1)

This aid-station was a joy to get to because we knew it was the last one before the finish. We had 4 miles to finish this thing. While we had missed our goal of wanting to finish in the day light (Shawn’s goal), we were totally fine time wise to get our Western States qualifier which was good because neither one of us was running much at this point.

Shawn was being plagued by something in his feet and ankles and was awful quiet. I apologize for slowing him down but he said he’s not sure where he’d be if he had kept running so fast based on how he was feeling now.

This was definitely an odd moment because 99% of the time, when one of us is down, the other is on a high and we can encourage and motivate each other enough to run walk run walk. For the first time in I think forever, we were both on a semi negative wave. Neither one of us was ever contemplating quitting but we both agreed this race will not be in our near future again. 🙂

Of course once we neared No Hands Bridge, the course had us routed around the bridge bordering highway 49 instead of just simply running over the bridge. That would have been a lot easier on the legs but I guess logistically there was less highway patrol needed the way we went. I will give kudos to the highway patrol out there. They had it dialed in for us runners to safely cross the highway twice.

To Downtown Auburn (Finish – Mile 64)

From No Hands to Robie Point is familiar terrain for almost every local runner. It can be easy or it can be a huge pain in the butt. After 60 something miles, it was a pain but I felt like since we ran Rattlesnake Dick 50k in March, the trails had been smoothed out and were flat. Even the quagmire spot had been smoothed out despite 100 mile racers, 100k racers, 50k and 25k racers all traipsing through it. It was pretty easy to get across mud wise.

When we reached the top of Robie Point, we only had pavement to go. In my head I was happy for the pavement, less rocks to trip over and stuff but dang, pavement hurts.

We power hiked and talked the entire time. Our spirits were lifting because we were finishing this thing.

The closer we got to downtown, the more we tried to run and then realized we were not as close as we thought. Then finally, we saw the cones and the turn and we ran.

Shawn wanted to sprint, I told him “I don’t think I have it in me to sprint,” but then I tried to sneak attack by him at the very end but he caught me. We finished!!!! 18 hours and 26 minutes. Longest Canyons ever for us.

While the race boasted “only” 12,295 feet of climbing it had 16,381 feet of descending which completely blew out my legs. It was the downhills and the inability to run them because of my ankle, my quad and my stomach, a trifecta of problems that plagued me the whole entire race.

So happy we finished. I am happy that we both persevered through all the adversity thrown our way (or really just my adversity haha).

As I was telling my coach post race, this was my 29th ultra distance race and 28 of them have been pretty awesome. Of course I had issues in other races (stomach, falls, aches and pains) but in all those other races, I was able to turn it around and run. This was the first and only race I can honestly say, was a struggle from start to finish but in finishing, I have found new strength. I’ve been “lucky” through the years and this time, lady luck was no where to be found. I had to do it on my own. I am proud of that (though I much prefer not having to go through it again). 🙂

To top things off, having Vans and the Peanut as my crew, was great. This was their very first time every doing something like this and it was a race that I was struggling in. That had to be hard to watch I am sure. They brought me back to life and knowing I would see them really kept me going a lot of the time.

I am so grateful to them for spending their entire day running around Foresthill seeing broken down beat up runners and saving me time and time again.

We got our Western States qualifier so mission accomplished there but I will be working on figuring out what made my stomach so unhappy the entire race.

I was on antibiotics weeks ago for a spider bite so maybe that messed up my gut flora so terribly that I did not recover? Maybe it was something that I ate in the days leading up to race? Or maybe my level of electrolytes going into the race? Perhaps it is part of perimenopause because honestly, no one knows enough about it to pin point some of things us women go through when we are dealing with it. I will figure it out.

Enjoying a bit of a break for now though. Thanks for reading this monstrosity of a race report. 🙂

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

Shoes: TopoAthletic Ultraventure 3

Pack: Camelbak

Shorts/Shirt: Oiselle

Socks: Injinji

Fuel: PELLIGRINO LIMONATA!!!!!!

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024

FOURmidable 50k Race Report

I have run this race in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022. I was registered for 2023 but broke my fibula snowboarding a month or so before the race and was left cheering at No Hands Bridge instead. I was determined to be at the start line this year, healthy.

Running this 50k is always an adventure. It is early enough in the year that I never quite feel prepared or fit enough but at the same time, I think that is exactly why I love to do this race; to figure out where I am and where I need to go.

This year was the first time I drove myself to the start, alone. Mentally I was going into this with the attitude that it would be a nice long training run with a couple hundred of my closest friends. What also makes this race exciting, is the weather. Mid-February you never quite know what you will get weather wise. 2022 was the first really warm day of the month and many suffered. 2017 was the “mud year” with mud and water just about everywhere – No Hands Bridge was completely under water, it was insane.

This year the temperature was about 45 degrees at the start. I second guessed myself and went with a t-shirt instead of a tank top and I regretted it all day. The forecast was calling for rain but if we ran “fast enough,” we might be lucky to miss most of it, the wind is another story.

I got to ADO at about 7 am. I parked and picked up my race bib and chatted with friends and used the facilities (a few times). Soon it was time to line up. Much like last year, I went with just a pack and my flasks (no hydration bladder) with the plan to stay consistently fueled throughout the race. That was my primary goal. Stick with the fuel plan no matter what and see how I feel the second half of the race. Speed was not the focus.

The start was like normal, Paulo got us off and running right on the dot. The first few miles this year of the course were new to me. I guess last year the race changed and no longer reached the top of Cardiac. Instead, we dumped back onto the road and ran the pavement back towards the Overlook. I’ve run the road before, just not in this race.

When we got near the Overlook, I could hear Paulo starting the next and I think the last of the four races of the day. I knew that the trails leading to No Hands would be muddy and crowded with all the distances combining on these narrow sections.

Luckily, everyone that runs this race is aware and were so kind. The runners of the other distances all ran single file and to one side making it easy/easier for us 50k runners to pass on their left. I tried to cheer everyone on that I passed and I even got to see TiggerT as I ran and Java Joggers David and Tiffany! Which was such a fun and exciting boost to my day to see their smiling faces. 🙂

I really felt like I was flying down to the No Hands Bridge aid-station (mile 9.6) but when I look back at my stats, flying is definitely a stretch! 🙂

Smiling yes, flying…not so much
Photo : Facchino Photography

The climb up K2 was uneventful. I do feel lit was a bit more crowded than years past but again, everyone just moved to the side and let runners pass, cheering them on as they went.

I felt pretty strong going up K2 and my shoes were still dry and not super slippery yet so that helped keep me moving.

One thing I did notice this year is that I think there were more runners with poles than without. Maybe it was the fear of mud and wet that made everyone decide to use poles? It was just something I noticed a lot more of than previous years. I would probably trip myself and everyone around me if I carried them.

I reached Knickerbocker Aid-Station 1 (mile 13.4) and was greeted by the awesome volunteers. I didn’t fill my bottles at No Hands so I took a minute to fill them up here before I headed out.

I have run this race so many times I almost feel like I can do it blind folded. I settled in to what would be a nice steady downhill run to bottom of the dam before making the trek up the switchbacks to head back to Knickerbocker.

Salt Creek was low so I didn’t fall in or get wet as in previous years. 🙂 I was also oddly solo on the climb up the dam I didn’t mind as it was perfect running weather.

Once I got back to Knickerbocker 2 (mile 18) I was ready to get my feet wet. We had been so lucky for most of the race as the course was near perfect with minimal mud and water but crossing Knickerbocker Creek was next and I knew that dry feet would be a luxury from this point forward.

The creek was high but not terrible. The water was about shin level. A few runners were pausing to try and figure out how to hop on the rocks to get across. I have been there and done that and it ended poorly with me soaking wet all over, not just my feet so this time, I just went straight through the creek and embraced the freezing cold water.

This portion of the course is where I will always remember most of the mud and water from 2017. I was feeling pretty good and I felt like I was moving strong. I was alone but I did see runners ahead of me so I just let them pull me forward.

At one point, I looked up and saw the snow capped mountains of Tahoe. It took my breath away so I stopped to take a photo.

I have struggled on this section in prior years and I think mainly it is when the race has been hot because this section is quite exposed and generally if it is hot, it is one of the first hot days of the season so you are just not quite prepared for it. This year it was cool and overcast and I felt really good.

Mile 23.4 brings you to the Cool Aid-Station and mentally what I think of as “heading home.” I stopped to use the facilities here and filled my flasks and then just kept moving.

I love the stretch that leads you back to No Hands Bridge and the final aid-station of the race before the finish.

All smiles all the time.
Facchino Photography

The run down rollercoaster back to No Hands was wet and slippery but again, I felt like I was continuously moving. I was no where near as fast as I have been years past. Having rolled my ankle a few times the last few months I think has made me quite gun-shy on the downhills these days.

Once back at No Hands I took my phone out and texted the family like I do every year. “Four miles to go!” I say and then they text back making me smile.

I will say the last 3 miles I started to feel a little bit tired and depleted. I was ready to be done. The rain had held off but was slowly starting to spit little drops here and there. The worst part was the wind had arrived and when I say “wind,” I mean the kind where you have to hold your hat from blowing away.

I just kept moving, keeping the two runners who I had been piggy backing with some of the race in front of me. They were a power duo and super cute. I just tried to keep them in my sights the last few miles to keep me moving.

I finally reached the infamous fourth and final “FOURmidable” climb and as luck would have it, legendary Tim Tweitmeyer was standing half way up the hill with another guy. “Looks like you made it before the rain came! Good job!” said the one guy. “Man that course can be muddy when it rains.” said Tim. “It had its share of mud.” I said. The guy said, “Well you’re not muddy so you didn’t fall, that’s good!” I smiled and then Tim said, “Well she has a little bit to go yet give it time.” 🙂 That made me laugh out lout. But I did not fall but the wind was relentless as I was climbing ( and trying to run ) to the finish.

The wind was so bad that I crossed the finish and no one was there! The tent had blown away right before I got there and race photographer was helping catch it. hahaha He had me cross the finish line so he could get some photos of me. 🙂

Always smile, it hurts less when you smile.

https://facchinophotography.zenfolio.com/

The storm was definitely on its way. There were very few people hanging around at the finish and for the first time ever, I had no one waiting for me so I cleaned up, grabbed my post race swag and headed home.

Poster and a water bottle. Time to head home.

Overall, this was my slowest FOURmidable time wise but it was a new (to me) course and time wasn’t my main focus. I do feel like I consistently fueled throughout the race. In hindsight, I wish I had carried one more gel near the end for the last few miles just to see if it would have given me a bigger boost. My legs were toast by the end. My hamstrings were tired and my calves were tired I think from trying to stabilize in all the mud.

Super stoked to have a solid 50k under my belt as the first race of 2024. I am beyond grateful to have been able to run it at all this year after sitting on the sidelines last year. I would most definitely rather run slow, than not at all.

The best part was I got to see some friends out there too. It was so good to see you Kim, Jon, Jessica, Roxie, Cathy, David, Tiffany and Paula! 🙂

Not sure if I will be back next year or if I will try something else. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. 😉

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

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. 🙂

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021

2021 CIM (CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🙂

Happy (back to the) Trails!

~Trailmomma

Shoes: Topo Athletic Phantoms

Hydration: Unived Elite Drink Mix

Pre-Race: Picky Bars Oatmeal

Extra Fuel & training fuel: Spring Energy

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