Raptor Ridge Run
I bought a new pair of shoes at Fairhaven Runners and Walkers while visiting my home of Bellingham, Washington, from L.A., California. I picked out a pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.0 shoes. My mom and I ran a marathon on Saturday, but Tuesday morning we changed into injinji socks and put our shoes on...
I parked at my favorite part of Bellingham, at Arroyo Park. This trail drops down into a canyon and crosses a wooden bridge before a set of switchbacks bring you up to a junction where you choose your own adventure. We went left. This took us to the Hemlock Trail. It was misty and dark from thick cloud cover, and with how thick the trees are here in the Chuckanut Mountains very little light gets in as it is. It is a mossy fern filled forest. We weren't a mile in and climbing. I said, jokingly, "What trail just keeps going up? Oh, we must be on Hemlock."
I wish I had taken pictures, but I had no camera. It was in the low '60's, but felt warm once you started moving. From below your feet was deep dark brown soil that was bouncy and solid, with a thick layer of broke up maple leaf detritus padding your steps. The path was wide enough for two people, with the occasional fern or felled tree in the pathway. You kick pine cones about as you kick your feet forward. It smells like wood turning into soil. Fresh dirt. It's a beautiful natural smell. You can only see a few feet either way into the woods, as the trail twists and turns. On either side of you are giant boulders with sheer faces and large sheets of moss growing up and hanging off of them. Sometimes, you have to climb over a set of boulders. The canopy cover today seems like 90%, but it's the gray clouds keeping it dark. You get to the top of the trial and choose which adventure you want today. You read the wooden post sign with trail names etched into the sign and little arrows and distances on it. You go left again, up to the Raptor Ridge Viewpoint. It gets a little steeper, and every two feet you turn and twist around another tree trunk until you step into a small opening that looks as if it just takes you running off a cliff. Past the door made of Doug Fir needles is a giant rockface you find yourself on. Hundreds of feet down past the rocks you see treetops below. Looking out you see the Trees move up and down on Chuckanut Mountain and are mesmerized by the arbor topography.
Then you turn around.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
The Innagural Beat the Blerch Marathon
I'm a big fan of The Oatmeal and his comics. When he released the comic The Terrible and Wonderful Reason Why I Run Long Distances I was over the moon, and an instant fan of the comic and of the star of it - The Blerch. If you haven't read the comic, check it out here: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running
When the comic came out, the Oatmeal said if he got enough positive feedback he'd sell shirts based on it. I e-mailed him and told him if they were tech shirts I'd be in it for two. He e-mailed me back telling me they'd be tech shirts and available soon. I bonded with my friend Chris Taylor over our understanding and bitterness towards the Blerch. We dubbed ourselves Team Blerch Killers. In December of 2013 we ran the Bellingham Trail Marathon together. Chris, my Mom, and me, in our Blerch tech shirts. But this is not a race report about that marathon. A few months ago the Oatmeal announced he'd be throwing a physical race. Thankfully, the Oatmeal is an ultrarunner from my home state, and runs on many of the trails I do when I'm home. The race was slated to be in Carnation, Washington, in September. The day registration came I sat at my computer with my credit card in hand, ready to register. I was on the phone to my mom, and we both barely made it in. It filled up in minutes.
A few months later the Oatmeal announced due to demand that he opened up a Saturday race. My mom and I were able to transfer our registration to that day. I booked flights via Virgin America and counted down the days to Beat the Blerch.
Friday morning my husband dropped me off at LAX at 5am. I hadn't slept well and the coffee was not strong enough, but it was a delight to see my mother pick me up. I got in the car and drove us to Greenlake and Road Runner Sports. There was a line out the door to pick up our packets, but while my mom waited in line I looked around. I grabbed a water bottle, a calandar, and 4 of the Oatmeal's new book. My mom and I picked up our packets, and got in line to have our books signed by the Oatmeal himself. We made friends with a marathoner from New York ahead of us, named Vladimir, who was also going to run the full marathon. When we got to the Oatmeal we told him about our friend Chris and his quest for a buckle, so he drew our friend in his book. He signed the book for my mom and my friend Freddy, and he drew me a demon bunny. We talked to him about trail running a little bit, and the trail the race is on, since we've all ran it before. He wished us luck and we thanked him for putting on the race.
Mom and I had fish tacos for lunch, and then I went out for Bellingham Beer Week and celebrated at La Fiamma and Elizabeth Station, having too much dark beers. I carbo loaded a wee bit too much. My mom picked me up and took me home to get a few hours of drunken sleep.
Four A.M. came too soon. I drove us down I-5 to Monroe, where I pointed out where the wheel fell off my '90 Jetta going over the railroad tracks, and when we got into Duvall and on highway 2 I was driving through soupy fog. Staying awake with a bit of a hangover and malty stomach was difficult, but my mom needed rest more. She'd recently suffered an allergic reaction to bactrim, so we were probably on the same level at that point of feeling like ass.
Carnation, Washington, is a very small town. I mumbled "we all float down here" and spooked my mother as we pulled into the grass field of a parking lot. She put a sweater over her head and took a nap as I put my Hokas on.
It's so great being from Washington, and having so many running friends in the PNW. I instantly ran into my friend Carrie, and some others.
The start was very foggy, but I found gear check and lined up to start. My mom and I stick together when we run races together. We pick races we want to run alone, and ones we run together we run to enjoy together. This one was one she just wanted to finish after being really sick, so I told her to set the pace. She hadn't been running, so the Garmin was going at a 3:1 run:walk ration. Chris B was with us and felt good at our pace, so he stuck with us for a few miles.
The first mile was paved, then it went onto a packed crushed gravel out and back. The trail was surrounded with fields, frisbee golf, and blackberry bushes. I stopped and ate a few blackberries. The course was lined with maple trees, and I got a great satisfaction crunching orange leaves on the run.
Around mile 5 or so Chris turned off to make a pitstop with another runner, and we kept going. There was another out and back, which I believe was next to the Snoqualmie River, but it was so damn foggy I could barely see it. This few miles was river dirt with smooth rocks jutting out. The fog was starting to lighten up as we ran up a slight hill and merged with the 10k runners. The merge was difficult since we'd already ran 6 miles and they were just starting, and faster, but we moved into the middle of the bridge we were running across and found out place. Finally, after a few water stops with just electrolytes, we found cake. I stopped and ate a piece of cake, and it was glorious. I never thought cake during a marathon would be a good idea, but this was the first of many pieces.
At the turnaround for the 10k we found beautiful blerches demotivating us, and a couch. A couch! Nutella sandwhiches... purple grape drink. It was just amazing.
There was Sasquatch in the bushes too. It felt good to see the 10k runners turn around as we kept running. The path cleared up a bit giving us more room, and it was a bit quieter, which was enjoyed.
The Snoqalmie river trail is an amazing place to run. I last ran there in July from Snoqalmie pass to North Bend, and this time we were running from Carnation to Snoqualmie Falls. The trail was foggy, and lined with doug firs, cedar, maple, and birch trees. The light filtering through the trees was a beautiful green, and sunbreaks through the branches would occasionaly break through and warm your eyelids. The smell of moss, wet soil, ferns and stinging nettles, and almost-too-ripe blackberries took turns overwhelming the senses. The crushed gravel under foot offered a good bounce, but was still... crunchy.
We came across an aid station that had a tunnel past it. We ran through the tunnel, and there was a small stretch of single track soft dirt lined with ferns that we ran down, and the turnaround was so anti-climatic with a volunteer sitting in the woods on a folding chair telling us "turn around". Very strange. We went back to the aid station where I ate yet another piece of cake. My mother commented on it, and I told her that I was hungry.
Most marathons start around 6 or 7am. This marathon started at 9 am. Around mile 15 it was lunchtime. I was so hungry. How blerchy. So, deadpool served me my cake lunch. So many amazing volunteers at this race supported us and cheered us on.
By mile 18 we were well on our way to the finish. My mom and I were talking about everything from our upcoming races we have, to shoes and shirts, and other secret marathon things. She started to feel bad, so I had her switch the Garmin to a 2:1 run:walk ratio. I told her she should have ran the half, but she got mad and said "I'll finish!" Of course, finishing wasn't an issue, duh, but she did not feel well. I started thinking "Shit, I should have brought a phone in case something happened." but she was fine. By mile 20 I said "Hey, just a 10k left!" "Hey, pft, 5 miles! Easy." "Lets stop and eat more cake." A boy at the aid station was wearing a shirt that said it was his birthday, so we stopped and everyone there sang happy birthday to Eric. I saw Sasquatch chillin' on a couch with a blerch. I went over and asked him if he preferred Sasquatch or Quatchi, and he said Quatchi. I asked if we could cuddle for a minute, because I was tired. He patted the couch and I plopped down. He was very soft.
I ate more cake.
We ran.
People cheered us on.
I love running. I love running in the woods. I love running with my mom. I just love it all.
We ran across a bridge, down a little slope that gave us some ommpfh. We were a mile away, and the road was paved. People started cheering us on. We kept running. We saw the finish line. We crossed the finish line. It was great.
At the finish line they had cake, bananas, nutella sandwhiches, and plenty of water, but we were both so beat we filled up our blender bottles with our recoverite and water and were on our merry way.
Thank you to the Oatmeal for throwing a great race. I'm thrilled it was a trail marathon in the woods of rural Washington. The swag bag was great with stickers, and the shirt provided - a long sleeved partial zip collared shirt - is really nice. Some people lamented the price, but I think for what we got it was worth it. When I first signed up I said I'd be happy just running it once, but after running it I want to do it again. Perhaps next year when the run comes to Southern California or Portland I'll run it again.
Strava data: http://www.strava.com/activities/199269080
When the comic came out, the Oatmeal said if he got enough positive feedback he'd sell shirts based on it. I e-mailed him and told him if they were tech shirts I'd be in it for two. He e-mailed me back telling me they'd be tech shirts and available soon. I bonded with my friend Chris Taylor over our understanding and bitterness towards the Blerch. We dubbed ourselves Team Blerch Killers. In December of 2013 we ran the Bellingham Trail Marathon together. Chris, my Mom, and me, in our Blerch tech shirts. But this is not a race report about that marathon. A few months ago the Oatmeal announced he'd be throwing a physical race. Thankfully, the Oatmeal is an ultrarunner from my home state, and runs on many of the trails I do when I'm home. The race was slated to be in Carnation, Washington, in September. The day registration came I sat at my computer with my credit card in hand, ready to register. I was on the phone to my mom, and we both barely made it in. It filled up in minutes.
A few months later the Oatmeal announced due to demand that he opened up a Saturday race. My mom and I were able to transfer our registration to that day. I booked flights via Virgin America and counted down the days to Beat the Blerch.
Friday morning my husband dropped me off at LAX at 5am. I hadn't slept well and the coffee was not strong enough, but it was a delight to see my mother pick me up. I got in the car and drove us to Greenlake and Road Runner Sports. There was a line out the door to pick up our packets, but while my mom waited in line I looked around. I grabbed a water bottle, a calandar, and 4 of the Oatmeal's new book. My mom and I picked up our packets, and got in line to have our books signed by the Oatmeal himself. We made friends with a marathoner from New York ahead of us, named Vladimir, who was also going to run the full marathon. When we got to the Oatmeal we told him about our friend Chris and his quest for a buckle, so he drew our friend in his book. He signed the book for my mom and my friend Freddy, and he drew me a demon bunny. We talked to him about trail running a little bit, and the trail the race is on, since we've all ran it before. He wished us luck and we thanked him for putting on the race.
Mom and I had fish tacos for lunch, and then I went out for Bellingham Beer Week and celebrated at La Fiamma and Elizabeth Station, having too much dark beers. I carbo loaded a wee bit too much. My mom picked me up and took me home to get a few hours of drunken sleep.
Four A.M. came too soon. I drove us down I-5 to Monroe, where I pointed out where the wheel fell off my '90 Jetta going over the railroad tracks, and when we got into Duvall and on highway 2 I was driving through soupy fog. Staying awake with a bit of a hangover and malty stomach was difficult, but my mom needed rest more. She'd recently suffered an allergic reaction to bactrim, so we were probably on the same level at that point of feeling like ass.
Carnation, Washington, is a very small town. I mumbled "we all float down here" and spooked my mother as we pulled into the grass field of a parking lot. She put a sweater over her head and took a nap as I put my Hokas on.
It's so great being from Washington, and having so many running friends in the PNW. I instantly ran into my friend Carrie, and some others.
The first mile was paved, then it went onto a packed crushed gravel out and back. The trail was surrounded with fields, frisbee golf, and blackberry bushes. I stopped and ate a few blackberries. The course was lined with maple trees, and I got a great satisfaction crunching orange leaves on the run.
Around mile 5 or so Chris turned off to make a pitstop with another runner, and we kept going. There was another out and back, which I believe was next to the Snoqualmie River, but it was so damn foggy I could barely see it. This few miles was river dirt with smooth rocks jutting out. The fog was starting to lighten up as we ran up a slight hill and merged with the 10k runners. The merge was difficult since we'd already ran 6 miles and they were just starting, and faster, but we moved into the middle of the bridge we were running across and found out place. Finally, after a few water stops with just electrolytes, we found cake. I stopped and ate a piece of cake, and it was glorious. I never thought cake during a marathon would be a good idea, but this was the first of many pieces.
At the turnaround for the 10k we found beautiful blerches demotivating us, and a couch. A couch! Nutella sandwhiches... purple grape drink. It was just amazing.
There was Sasquatch in the bushes too. It felt good to see the 10k runners turn around as we kept running. The path cleared up a bit giving us more room, and it was a bit quieter, which was enjoyed.
The Snoqalmie river trail is an amazing place to run. I last ran there in July from Snoqalmie pass to North Bend, and this time we were running from Carnation to Snoqualmie Falls. The trail was foggy, and lined with doug firs, cedar, maple, and birch trees. The light filtering through the trees was a beautiful green, and sunbreaks through the branches would occasionaly break through and warm your eyelids. The smell of moss, wet soil, ferns and stinging nettles, and almost-too-ripe blackberries took turns overwhelming the senses. The crushed gravel under foot offered a good bounce, but was still... crunchy.
after the half-marathon turnaround we had the trail to ourselves. A lot of runners were faster than us that day, so we cheered on those running back, and worked our way to the end. It was so peaceful, so quiet, and so pretty. We saw more cake, and I ate way more cake. I put nutella sandwhiches in my pocket for later.
We came across an aid station that had a tunnel past it. We ran through the tunnel, and there was a small stretch of single track soft dirt lined with ferns that we ran down, and the turnaround was so anti-climatic with a volunteer sitting in the woods on a folding chair telling us "turn around". Very strange. We went back to the aid station where I ate yet another piece of cake. My mother commented on it, and I told her that I was hungry.
Most marathons start around 6 or 7am. This marathon started at 9 am. Around mile 15 it was lunchtime. I was so hungry. How blerchy. So, deadpool served me my cake lunch. So many amazing volunteers at this race supported us and cheered us on.
By mile 18 we were well on our way to the finish. My mom and I were talking about everything from our upcoming races we have, to shoes and shirts, and other secret marathon things. She started to feel bad, so I had her switch the Garmin to a 2:1 run:walk ratio. I told her she should have ran the half, but she got mad and said "I'll finish!" Of course, finishing wasn't an issue, duh, but she did not feel well. I started thinking "Shit, I should have brought a phone in case something happened." but she was fine. By mile 20 I said "Hey, just a 10k left!" "Hey, pft, 5 miles! Easy." "Lets stop and eat more cake." A boy at the aid station was wearing a shirt that said it was his birthday, so we stopped and everyone there sang happy birthday to Eric. I saw Sasquatch chillin' on a couch with a blerch. I went over and asked him if he preferred Sasquatch or Quatchi, and he said Quatchi. I asked if we could cuddle for a minute, because I was tired. He patted the couch and I plopped down. He was very soft.
I ate more cake.
We ran.
People cheered us on.
I love running. I love running in the woods. I love running with my mom. I just love it all.
We ran across a bridge, down a little slope that gave us some ommpfh. We were a mile away, and the road was paved. People started cheering us on. We kept running. We saw the finish line. We crossed the finish line. It was great.
Thank you to the Oatmeal for throwing a great race. I'm thrilled it was a trail marathon in the woods of rural Washington. The swag bag was great with stickers, and the shirt provided - a long sleeved partial zip collared shirt - is really nice. Some people lamented the price, but I think for what we got it was worth it. When I first signed up I said I'd be happy just running it once, but after running it I want to do it again. Perhaps next year when the run comes to Southern California or Portland I'll run it again.
Strava data: http://www.strava.com/activities/199269080
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Ventura Marathon
I wasn't really prepared for this race, as I had forgotten I'd deferred last year's entry for this year. The day before I packed up as if I were doing a long run, put everything in the car, and drove 2 hours north to Ventura to packet pickup at the expo.
I was lucky to find free street parking, and walked down below the Ventura Pier. The organization was unclear and I had to ask twice where to pick up the packets. When I picked up my friend Ryan's and my bib I asked where the start was and they told me the wrong place. It was a little confusing. I had time to kill so I went to the "beer garden" which was the expo booths surrounded by a fence where people could drink. It was windy and chilly, but they were serving Firestone Walker, so I was able to have a wacky jack IPA while I chilled. I saw Luke and Nancypants so I got to visit with them for a little while, and had another beer with them, before I went to go get dinner and head to the hotel for the night.
I got up at 4am, ate my Inari for breakfast, and popped in the car to find parking. Because the Marathon started before the half there was plenty of free parking downtown and a short walk to the start. When I got to the area I thought was the start I learned the start was actually on the pier, so I went up and down the stairs a few extra times. Warmup I suppose.
Then it started. I was in the back of the pack, and the Boston runners took off. A little over 800 people ran the Marathon, and a mile in there weren't many people ahead of or behind me as we'd all spread out. It was very peaceful in the morning, which was nice, and I just went my pace. On occasion I'd get irritated when I could hear footsteps throwing off my own cadence. I took my salt every hour, and at mile 5.5 I took my honey stingers. There were water stops about every 1.5 miles, so I'd just run to them and slow down as I went through. I listened to my friend Liz' advice and held out my water bottle for them to pour water in so I wouldn't have to stop running but just slow down.
I felt like I was flying the first 13 miles, so flat, and quiet. One of the people I run with at the Griffith Park Night Runners ran a 2:59 full marathon. It's crazy to think that he was finishing the race right as I started to get bored. I realized "Crap, I have to do that all over again." and tried to maintain my speedy pace. I was able to power up what tiny little hills there were when others walked, and called out to so many of my friends running.
There were no real spectators. There was a woman holding a sign I remember, and the aid station workers cheered us on, but that was about it. One girl had a rolling cheer station following her, and I was so thankful to be close to her pace to reap the benefits, but really it was just you, the road, a runner or two, the Ventura PD directs traffic, and the folks at the aid stations. It was a very quiet race.
At mile 20 it because a mind game. Things started to hurt. The flat road started to hurt my feet and my back. I wanted dirt. I wanted rolling hills. I wanted people yelling at me. I wanted something different. I was over it. I was 4 hours in and told myself "one more hour... oh God..." I really slowed down my pace, but I didn't want to stop running. I think I hobblewalked a few times through the aid stations. When I hit mile 24 I cussed and halted to a walk, swearing away at my feet aching and being tired and over it. I was bored and things hurt and I just wanted to stop, but I knew I had a bit more than a mile to go. When I hit mile 25 I did a pathetic run walk but managed to keep my walking to a minimum as much as it hurt. I was yelling at myself inside with irritation for letting the pain get the better of me. Sometimes your body just says no more though.
I could hear the finish line, so I picked up my pace, eager to stop. I saw the finish line and just held my pace to keep from throwing up. Then it was over. I Finished the marathon with my fastest time ever of 5:18:04. I was happy I did so well, relieved it was over, and in a bit of pain in my hamstrings and calves.
The medal was huge, and a bottle opener. I almost walked into Luke at the finish line so I visited with him and Nancy and Mitch, and got to meet my online friend Roadkill Bill. Sorry I was so tired Roadkill Bill!
After sitting down for a few minutes my friend Danny texted me that he'd buy me a beer if I showed up to where they were, and it turned out I was sitting right outside. I'm glad I went because they're a bunch of amazing people and really inspiring runners. We went and got shots after lunch, and hung out, and then it was all a memory and a PR.
I don't know if I'll run Ventura again. If you want to BQ I hear it's great because it's flat and there are so few runners no one gets in your way or slows you down, and you have a lot of runners your pace. If you're not a BQ runner it might get boring, and it's very flat and lonely out there. But heck, that's what friends at the finish are for.
I was lucky to find free street parking, and walked down below the Ventura Pier. The organization was unclear and I had to ask twice where to pick up the packets. When I picked up my friend Ryan's and my bib I asked where the start was and they told me the wrong place. It was a little confusing. I had time to kill so I went to the "beer garden" which was the expo booths surrounded by a fence where people could drink. It was windy and chilly, but they were serving Firestone Walker, so I was able to have a wacky jack IPA while I chilled. I saw Luke and Nancypants so I got to visit with them for a little while, and had another beer with them, before I went to go get dinner and head to the hotel for the night.
I got up at 4am, ate my Inari for breakfast, and popped in the car to find parking. Because the Marathon started before the half there was plenty of free parking downtown and a short walk to the start. When I got to the area I thought was the start I learned the start was actually on the pier, so I went up and down the stairs a few extra times. Warmup I suppose.
Then it started. I was in the back of the pack, and the Boston runners took off. A little over 800 people ran the Marathon, and a mile in there weren't many people ahead of or behind me as we'd all spread out. It was very peaceful in the morning, which was nice, and I just went my pace. On occasion I'd get irritated when I could hear footsteps throwing off my own cadence. I took my salt every hour, and at mile 5.5 I took my honey stingers. There were water stops about every 1.5 miles, so I'd just run to them and slow down as I went through. I listened to my friend Liz' advice and held out my water bottle for them to pour water in so I wouldn't have to stop running but just slow down.
 |
| A few miles in the race, warming up at a nice pace. |
I felt like I was flying the first 13 miles, so flat, and quiet. One of the people I run with at the Griffith Park Night Runners ran a 2:59 full marathon. It's crazy to think that he was finishing the race right as I started to get bored. I realized "Crap, I have to do that all over again." and tried to maintain my speedy pace. I was able to power up what tiny little hills there were when others walked, and called out to so many of my friends running.
There were no real spectators. There was a woman holding a sign I remember, and the aid station workers cheered us on, but that was about it. One girl had a rolling cheer station following her, and I was so thankful to be close to her pace to reap the benefits, but really it was just you, the road, a runner or two, the Ventura PD directs traffic, and the folks at the aid stations. It was a very quiet race.
At mile 20 it because a mind game. Things started to hurt. The flat road started to hurt my feet and my back. I wanted dirt. I wanted rolling hills. I wanted people yelling at me. I wanted something different. I was over it. I was 4 hours in and told myself "one more hour... oh God..." I really slowed down my pace, but I didn't want to stop running. I think I hobblewalked a few times through the aid stations. When I hit mile 24 I cussed and halted to a walk, swearing away at my feet aching and being tired and over it. I was bored and things hurt and I just wanted to stop, but I knew I had a bit more than a mile to go. When I hit mile 25 I did a pathetic run walk but managed to keep my walking to a minimum as much as it hurt. I was yelling at myself inside with irritation for letting the pain get the better of me. Sometimes your body just says no more though.
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| I had the finish in my sight, and was so happy to be done! |
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| YAY all OW done OW |
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| The end! |
After sitting down for a few minutes my friend Danny texted me that he'd buy me a beer if I showed up to where they were, and it turned out I was sitting right outside. I'm glad I went because they're a bunch of amazing people and really inspiring runners. We went and got shots after lunch, and hung out, and then it was all a memory and a PR.
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| A great lunch with some really inspiring runners! |
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| Liz had the best idea with these breakfast shots. Yes, that's a shot of OJ with a piece of bacon |
I don't know if I'll run Ventura again. If you want to BQ I hear it's great because it's flat and there are so few runners no one gets in your way or slows you down, and you have a lot of runners your pace. If you're not a BQ runner it might get boring, and it's very flat and lonely out there. But heck, that's what friends at the finish are for.
20 Mile Training Run on the Backbone Trail
It was hot. Coach K knew it was going to be, so the alarm was set for 3:30am... yes, that's right... 3:30am wake up call. The night before I got everything ready, including as much ice as I could, and went to bed early. In the morning I filled my pack with ice and at 4:30am I crept out of the house and traversed the empty Los Angeles freeways in the dark up to PCH. I saw plenty of highway patrol out, most likely looking for people still awake from the night before. Thankfully, they were all pulled over when I blew by with my trusty stick shift. I turned up Kanan Dune road and carefully watched for the trailhead. I drove past it and had to turn around before the tunnel through the mountains.
Maria and Elizabeth were already there. It was just after 5am. There is no speed limit when there is no traffic in Los Angeles... until you get pulled over. *knock on wood*
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| Keira's Dirt Divas waking up to get dirty on the trails. Photo compliments of Kasia Gondek |
Maria braided my hair for me, and I cuddled with my trail wife, May, to keep her skinny body warm. Coach Keira showed up to rally us ladies, and as the sun kinda lit up the trails we were off. I tripped and caught myself, and Keira was running right behind and yelled out as I recovered. I felt bad for scaring her, but then I was like "hell yeah, I am running with Keria, this is awesome."
The first 2.5 miles of the backbone trail are single track and rolling. Lots of fun and very runable. We crossed a fireroad I don't remember the name of back onto the backbone trail. I was sucking up words of wisdom from the runners ahead of me. How great, that I can finally kinda run uphill. I told Keira how happy I was to be able to stick with better runners as I powered up some baby hills.
Watching the sun rise over the Santa Monica Mountains is a beautiful and peaceful experience. The heat from the day before radiates below your feet and your face gets warm, things glisten and little bug eyes twinkle at you.
Single track is a trail runner’s heaven. It’s windy rolly path, often with sharp rocks jutting out of the soft dirt, or tree roots sneaking up through the packed soil, or bumpy slipery sandstone making a sandy squishy path. The backbone trail on this particular day was dusty dark brown soil, and there was sagebrush on either side growing into the path, that would rustle as you ran through it. There were a few spots where the single track opened to double track, and I would share a few moments alongside a friend. We crossed a few bridges going over dry creekbeds. It started to warm up as the sun rose.
At mile six we came to Sarah Rudd and her magical water stop. When you’re running 20 miles you just can’t possibly take enough water with you to make it out and back. Our coach K had a water stop at mile 6, which we’d be able to hit twice, once on the way out and again on the way back. I had a 70oz hydration pack still mostly full, and had emptied out my two 22oz handheld bottles, so I topped off, and after thanking Sarah for being out there for us we continued onward. There was a bit of climbing up to the end of the backbone trail. We were almost to mile 9, when Coach K told us to go up the fire road a mile and a half to the gate to turn around.
The fire road was hot and a steep uphill, then a steep downhill to the gate. When I got to the gate my Garmin GPS beeped 10 miles, and I paused in the shade with Maria and Maureen, waiting for Elizabeth and Kathy who showed up like champs. After a cooldown break of a minute or two, and sucking down some honey stickers and saltstick, we made the climb back.
Sarah was at mile 14, and we were mostly feeling pretty good, but we could tell it was well into the 90’s at that point, if not hotter. Most of the single track was exposed so we had no shade but for a few special spots under the trees. When we got to Sarah one of my friends was really not feeling well from the heat, so we told her that it was only going to get worse and that we wanted her to stay and get a ride back to the start. She’s a tough cookie, but when it gets into triple digits it because a safety concern and can be dangerous if you don’t feel fantastic. We ate more, visited with our hero Sarah the provider of sacred water, filled our packs, and continued onward.
Then it got hot. One of my friends got sick, and I was worried about another, so we all decided to slow down and take it easy and keep our heart rates low so no one fainted in the heat. We had 6 miles of heat radiating off the ground and pounding down on us from the sky, with little to no reprieve. We started pouring water on our heads, but it was hot. Lots of sunscreen, but it was melting. We all plopped on our butts twice under a tree and laughed about how it was probably a cool high-80’s where we were cooling off. It got rough out there, but we all stuck together.
When we were about a mile from the car I ran ahead, as two of the girls were sticking together. My darling trial wife May brought me cold water, and I held it up to my heart and neck to cool my blood down, then told her to please take it to the girls behind me. I plopped down with my ladies and one of them put ice down my shirt (which is amazing when you’re hot, as it cools down your heart), Elizabeth brought me my sandals, and people were feeding me watermelon (thanks Kathy and Maria).
Our running trek on the Backbone trail this day was not fast by any means at all, but we cranked out 20 miles ending in extreme heat, without passing out, and only a few people getting sick. I will use this pace as my worst-case scenario. All the women I run with are so amazing and inspiring, and there is no way we could have done that on our own.
Single track is a trail runner’s heaven. It’s windy rolly path, often with sharp rocks jutting out of the soft dirt, or tree roots sneaking up through the packed soil, or bumpy slipery sandstone making a sandy squishy path. The backbone trail on this particular day was dusty dark brown soil, and there was sagebrush on either side growing into the path, that would rustle as you ran through it. There were a few spots where the single track opened to double track, and I would share a few moments alongside a friend. We crossed a few bridges going over dry creekbeds. It started to warm up as the sun rose.
At mile six we came to Sarah Rudd and her magical water stop. When you’re running 20 miles you just can’t possibly take enough water with you to make it out and back. Our coach K had a water stop at mile 6, which we’d be able to hit twice, once on the way out and again on the way back. I had a 70oz hydration pack still mostly full, and had emptied out my two 22oz handheld bottles, so I topped off, and after thanking Sarah for being out there for us we continued onward. There was a bit of climbing up to the end of the backbone trail. We were almost to mile 9, when Coach K told us to go up the fire road a mile and a half to the gate to turn around.
The fire road was hot and a steep uphill, then a steep downhill to the gate. When I got to the gate my Garmin GPS beeped 10 miles, and I paused in the shade with Maria and Maureen, waiting for Elizabeth and Kathy who showed up like champs. After a cooldown break of a minute or two, and sucking down some honey stickers and saltstick, we made the climb back.
Sarah was at mile 14, and we were mostly feeling pretty good, but we could tell it was well into the 90’s at that point, if not hotter. Most of the single track was exposed so we had no shade but for a few special spots under the trees. When we got to Sarah one of my friends was really not feeling well from the heat, so we told her that it was only going to get worse and that we wanted her to stay and get a ride back to the start. She’s a tough cookie, but when it gets into triple digits it because a safety concern and can be dangerous if you don’t feel fantastic. We ate more, visited with our hero Sarah the provider of sacred water, filled our packs, and continued onward.
Then it got hot. One of my friends got sick, and I was worried about another, so we all decided to slow down and take it easy and keep our heart rates low so no one fainted in the heat. We had 6 miles of heat radiating off the ground and pounding down on us from the sky, with little to no reprieve. We started pouring water on our heads, but it was hot. Lots of sunscreen, but it was melting. We all plopped on our butts twice under a tree and laughed about how it was probably a cool high-80’s where we were cooling off. It got rough out there, but we all stuck together.
When we were about a mile from the car I ran ahead, as two of the girls were sticking together. My darling trial wife May brought me cold water, and I held it up to my heart and neck to cool my blood down, then told her to please take it to the girls behind me. I plopped down with my ladies and one of them put ice down my shirt (which is amazing when you’re hot, as it cools down your heart), Elizabeth brought me my sandals, and people were feeding me watermelon (thanks Kathy and Maria).
 |
| May and I expressing our feelings about the heat |
Our running trek on the Backbone trail this day was not fast by any means at all, but we cranked out 20 miles ending in extreme heat, without passing out, and only a few people getting sick. I will use this pace as my worst-case scenario. All the women I run with are so amazing and inspiring, and there is no way we could have done that on our own.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Before the Ventura Marathon
This weekend I'm running the Ventura Marathon, cold willing. Planning ahead eating nutrient dense foods, lots of carbs, and hydrating well.
The last road marathon I ran was the San Francisco Marathon in July, and there was a mid-race bonk and a 5:37 finish time. Currently my 42k PR is 5:24:01. Since this summer I've went from running 15-20 miles a week to averaging over 30 miles a week, and continuing my training for the Whoo's in El Moro 50k this October.
Last year I deferred my entry to the Ventura Marathon to this year, so I'm going to be driving to Ventura on Saturday to go to the expo and pick up my race bib, timing chip, shirt, and goody bag. I am not sure where I'll be having dinner yet, but more than likely I'll be taking some food with me as well.
For now, here is the packing list:
Comfy clothes for the expo on Saturday and walking shoes. Pajamas so as not to disturb my hotelmate.
Inari for breakfast on Sunday, and a can of cofee so I can get my caffeine.
Hoka One One Bondi B road shoes
Injinji toe socks
Patagonia women's active hipster underoos
Under Armour Protegee Sports Bra
Lululemon Dart and Dash run shorts
Ink N Burn shirt
Prescription Sunglasses
Buff
Hat TBD
Garmin 310xt
Nathan 22oz Water Bottle
Honey Stinger Chews
Dates
Hammer Endurolytes
Hammer Perpetuem
I'm still trying to figure out how much fuel to take with me. When I ran the SF marathon I didn't eat breakfast, or take any gels with me. I did have Hammer Perpetuem in my botttle, but it wasn't enough and I bonked at mile 17. This time I will eat Inari for breakfast... yes, Japanese food. Sushi rice tucked into tofu bags. It sounds strange, perhaps, but it is delicious and easy on the stomach. I need to experiment with how much to eat how soon before a run. I also discovered that I really like Honey Stinger Chews, but again, need to work out the formula with that and Perpetuem for a 5hr marathon (that's the eventual goal, anyway).
The last road marathon I ran was the San Francisco Marathon in July, and there was a mid-race bonk and a 5:37 finish time. Currently my 42k PR is 5:24:01. Since this summer I've went from running 15-20 miles a week to averaging over 30 miles a week, and continuing my training for the Whoo's in El Moro 50k this October.
Last year I deferred my entry to the Ventura Marathon to this year, so I'm going to be driving to Ventura on Saturday to go to the expo and pick up my race bib, timing chip, shirt, and goody bag. I am not sure where I'll be having dinner yet, but more than likely I'll be taking some food with me as well.
For now, here is the packing list:
Comfy clothes for the expo on Saturday and walking shoes. Pajamas so as not to disturb my hotelmate.
Inari for breakfast on Sunday, and a can of cofee so I can get my caffeine.
Hoka One One Bondi B road shoes
Injinji toe socks
Patagonia women's active hipster underoos
Under Armour Protegee Sports Bra
Lululemon Dart and Dash run shorts
Ink N Burn shirt
Prescription Sunglasses
Buff
Hat TBD
Garmin 310xt
Nathan 22oz Water Bottle
Honey Stinger Chews
Dates
Hammer Endurolytes
Hammer Perpetuem
I'm still trying to figure out how much fuel to take with me. When I ran the SF marathon I didn't eat breakfast, or take any gels with me. I did have Hammer Perpetuem in my botttle, but it wasn't enough and I bonked at mile 17. This time I will eat Inari for breakfast... yes, Japanese food. Sushi rice tucked into tofu bags. It sounds strange, perhaps, but it is delicious and easy on the stomach. I need to experiment with how much to eat how soon before a run. I also discovered that I really like Honey Stinger Chews, but again, need to work out the formula with that and Perpetuem for a 5hr marathon (that's the eventual goal, anyway).
For after:
Hammer Recoverite and unsweetened alkali free Cocoa Powder in a Blender Bottle
Vita Coco
Water
A dry shirt
A towel for the seat of the car.
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