I never wrote a WTC race report. TL:DR version = I ran my first 50k. Had a great time; will run more in the future. However, my husband ended up in the ER within hours of me finishing the race for an unrelated medical condition. He could have died. My 50k was overshadowed by the scare of losing my husband. I ran strong and did well. But it's just another dumb race that is just a stupid hobby. WTC is a great course, and not very hard. Highly recommend. Will run again.
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Saturday, April 26, 2014
Pre Big Sur Marathon
Big Sur is in less than 48 hours! I am very excited - I need a vacation, and Big Sur is perfect. An ocean view run, away from family and responsibilities!
I booked a dorm room at Monterey HI for $27 a night. Best deal in town! And the hostel is 1.6 miles from the Expo center/bus depot to the start. I scored!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I booked a dorm room at Monterey HI for $27 a night. Best deal in town! And the hostel is 1.6 miles from the Expo center/bus depot to the start. I scored!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Pierce St,Albany,United States
Thursday, March 6, 2014
WTC countdown
Only 48 hours until my first ultra marathon, Way Too Cool. Since this race is only a 50K, it is just 5 miles longer than a marathon. Which means I know I am ready. Just 5 extra miles. My training has been solid, and I have no injuries. I will be eating my lucky food - pizza - the night before. The weather may be a bit iffy - soggy, muddy trails. But I have been training on soggy, muddy trails, so no biggy.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Golden Gate trail race
48 hours before the Saturday afternoon race, I convinced two of my running buddies that it would be a great training run to run the 30k option of the Coastal Trails Golden Gate trail race, even though a huge storm front was on its way. What a better way to train for a 50k than to do a 30k in a storm.
We three had a blast. The Golden Gate trail race in February uses one of my favorite training routes. Adding some wind and rain would spice it up, make it EPIC. We would feel the extremes that crash ships into Pirates Cove, cling to the cliff face with sideways rain battering the eucalyptus trees, and cower from the sound to the wind in the trees, screaming at us from above.
The start of the race is at Rodeo Beach, and follows the coastal trail clockwise, up to the WWII bunkers. Then the route heads down Wolf ridge (I would recommend a quick detour to the top of Hill 88 to see the creepy abandoned military base), with a short sprint on Miwok. Then the race heads down Old Springs, one of my very favorite runs. On a sunny day you can see the Pacific Ocean, rolling hills, raptors flying above looking for snacks.
Then the race dips down into Tennessee Valley, where it then takes Fox trail counter clockwise to Pirates Cove. This is when the storm hit us. The ran and fog hid all other runners from us, and since one of my running buddies did not know the route, we made a plan to stay somewhat together. No man left behind!
The route down to Pirates Cove was now a flood, and a slick mudslide. This section of single track is a bit isolated, so caution on a sunny day is recommended. On a stormy day, well, double caution. But this section is why I recommend the 30k (or the 50k). The marathon and the half do not get to see this EPIC piece of trail.
On the return the three of us trudged up Marincello trail, a section of trail I hate, because on a sunny day it's where mountain bikes bomb down a wide fire trail, and I am trudging up a 15% grade in the sun, baking. But now, in a storm, Marincello is amazing; the trees screaming so loudly I cannot here my trail mates. And only four super crazy cyclists out there, probably cycle crossers. Nutters!
Bombing down the SCA trail was unreal. The wind was pushing me against the hill, the rain coming down in sheets. I could not see a single other runner out there. The marathoners and half marathoners had finished two hours earlier - we were alone out there except for a handful of slow 50k runners. We were DFL - dead fucking last.
As soon as we hit Conzelman road the weather started to clear up. We finally saw an aid station - a lone volunteer with a Tupperware of mixed crackers, soaking wet. The evidence was everywhere - a hurricane had hit the poor aid station, goldfish were scattered all over the trail and hill. We all had hydration packs with snacks, so we just thanked the poor wet volunteer for being there.
We finished in 5:15:00 - DFL!!! Epic is the only word for a run/hike in a winter storm.
We three had a blast. The Golden Gate trail race in February uses one of my favorite training routes. Adding some wind and rain would spice it up, make it EPIC. We would feel the extremes that crash ships into Pirates Cove, cling to the cliff face with sideways rain battering the eucalyptus trees, and cower from the sound to the wind in the trees, screaming at us from above.
The start of the race is at Rodeo Beach, and follows the coastal trail clockwise, up to the WWII bunkers. Then the route heads down Wolf ridge (I would recommend a quick detour to the top of Hill 88 to see the creepy abandoned military base), with a short sprint on Miwok. Then the race heads down Old Springs, one of my very favorite runs. On a sunny day you can see the Pacific Ocean, rolling hills, raptors flying above looking for snacks.
Then the race dips down into Tennessee Valley, where it then takes Fox trail counter clockwise to Pirates Cove. This is when the storm hit us. The ran and fog hid all other runners from us, and since one of my running buddies did not know the route, we made a plan to stay somewhat together. No man left behind!
The route down to Pirates Cove was now a flood, and a slick mudslide. This section of single track is a bit isolated, so caution on a sunny day is recommended. On a stormy day, well, double caution. But this section is why I recommend the 30k (or the 50k). The marathon and the half do not get to see this EPIC piece of trail.
On the return the three of us trudged up Marincello trail, a section of trail I hate, because on a sunny day it's where mountain bikes bomb down a wide fire trail, and I am trudging up a 15% grade in the sun, baking. But now, in a storm, Marincello is amazing; the trees screaming so loudly I cannot here my trail mates. And only four super crazy cyclists out there, probably cycle crossers. Nutters!
Bombing down the SCA trail was unreal. The wind was pushing me against the hill, the rain coming down in sheets. I could not see a single other runner out there. The marathoners and half marathoners had finished two hours earlier - we were alone out there except for a handful of slow 50k runners. We were DFL - dead fucking last.
As soon as we hit Conzelman road the weather started to clear up. We finally saw an aid station - a lone volunteer with a Tupperware of mixed crackers, soaking wet. The evidence was everywhere - a hurricane had hit the poor aid station, goldfish were scattered all over the trail and hill. We all had hydration packs with snacks, so we just thanked the poor wet volunteer for being there.
We finished in 5:15:00 - DFL!!! Epic is the only word for a run/hike in a winter storm.
Location:Marin Headlands
Thursday, February 6, 2014
WTC 50K pre-run
Way Too Cool 50K will be my first 50K. It has been highly recommended by all my running friends, many who have run this course 10+ times, and are done with it. (They will be out there BBQing at the end.) I went up two weeks ago to get a preview run of the "new" course (not the same course from 5 years ago). The course for this year starts in Cool, CA and includes a drops down to the American river, follows the river, pass Quarries, and heads back up to "Goat Hill" and then back down over some super fun rolling hills. At the start there is an 8 mile loop I have yet to see, but rumor from the old times is this stretch is flat. My 23 mile sample was very fun. The following is some pictures of the sample run:
Monday, January 20, 2014
Steep Ravine 25K
In a last minute whim I signed up for the Steep Ravine 25K, and I am so glad I did!
This may have been one of the best runs I have ever had. Not just race, but best runs. When I say this, I do not mean fastest, longest, or best effort. I mean that this run represented why I run. This run was enjoyable, fun, rollicking, with rolling hills, and views of the Farralon Islands in the distance. It was not an easy run; there was over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, and no flats in the course. But I did not want the run to end; I wanted to keep going and going and going. Except that at the end there was the Pacific Ocean to dip my feet and a cold beer to drink with friends.
This may have been one of the best runs I have ever had. Not just race, but best runs. When I say this, I do not mean fastest, longest, or best effort. I mean that this run represented why I run. This run was enjoyable, fun, rollicking, with rolling hills, and views of the Farralon Islands in the distance. It was not an easy run; there was over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, and no flats in the course. But I did not want the run to end; I wanted to keep going and going and going. Except that at the end there was the Pacific Ocean to dip my feet and a cold beer to drink with friends.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
2014 Plans
2014 is shaping up to be a stellar year. The first race on calendar is March 8th - Way Too Cool, my first 50K. Apparently everyone got into the lottery to run this race this year, and it will be a mad house. But that is fine with me. Over 15 of my running buddies will be there with me, running and eating fantastic picnic after the race.
Next on calendar, at the end of April is Big Sur marathon. WTC will have me ready for this hilly race.
After the Spring events I have not signed up for anything specific, but will most likely run the Double Dipsea. And in the summer, I will be joining my friends training for the Tahoe Rim Trail, and get some running and camping in.
Lastly, I will be tramping New Zealand in December with my brother. Still picking out routes.
Next on calendar, at the end of April is Big Sur marathon. WTC will have me ready for this hilly race.
After the Spring events I have not signed up for anything specific, but will most likely run the Double Dipsea. And in the summer, I will be joining my friends training for the Tahoe Rim Trail, and get some running and camping in.
Lastly, I will be tramping New Zealand in December with my brother. Still picking out routes.
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