but I said yes, Yes, YES! (and do you accept my insurance?)
https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Oakland/CinderellaTrailRun
The last trail ultra I ran (all due respect to Fear and Loathing) was the Sean OBrien 50K on 2/3/2018. Hey, I think there’s a link on the right hand side!
Unfortunately, after this race I was put through a series of hamstring and calf injuries that sidelined me for some time.
Early in the process, I took the nuclear option: stopping running entirely for a period of time. I figured I’d either decide this crazy sport just wasn’t for me, or I’d get inspired to put in the time and effort required to figure out how to run sustainably.
Thankfully, it was the latter. Cue the training montage of two different PT houses for rehab, with long breaks for the pandemic, house renovations, getting a puppy, etc.
I also made some serious changes to my running routine. Now I’m foam rolling every day (ugh), doing dynamic warmups (also ugh) and regularly doing strength work (actually, I kind of appreciate this one)
With these changes, I’ve been able to get all the way up to about 20-30 miles a week (with plenty of road cycling mixed in as cross training) Once I was able to put down 20 trail miles at a time, I knew that I had a shot at finishing a 50K. Yes, I realize that this would be a hilariously high percentage of my normal weekly mileage. But I figured I could always walk (even) more and would have a shot at finishing before the cutoff.
We are so “#blessed” in the Bay Area to have our choice of local awesome 50Ks! With the Cinderella Trail Run with Coastal Trail Running, I could have a 2.5 loop supported 50K in Joaquin Miller park for the ridiculously low price of $80. Take that, inflation! My lead up to the race was a little aggressive. I followed a long bike ride weekend with a 19 mile run up the Four Peaks, and then fell into a much needed taper. Going into this race, my calves were a bit sore but manageable with KT tape and calf sleeves.
I woke up the day of the race in my own bed (love you, Bay Area) and was able to drop my dog off at daycare on the way to the race. The prerace area was organized and had just the right amount of excitement. I was too busy sorting through my gear for much jitters and before long we were off.
Loop 1:
The half marathon, marathon, and 50K all started at the same time. It wasn’t quite the Waldo “hey let’s go straight up a ski lift hill” but we immediately got jammed into a 100+ person conga line heading up switchbacks out of the start line. I decided to keep my usual bad quip to myself (“Am I still going to be able to BQ?”) and concentrated on enjoying being out in nature with some good company.
Dear reader, I tried not to chase the half marathoners. I really did. But it was so nice to be with happy folks moving down the trail. It was hard not to be excited at the smooth single track and the cool temperatures as we headed out along the first lap. After the first aid station, the trail had a few more technical descents as we bobbed and weaved our way down the French trail. It was here that we started seeing steeper sustained climbs. I deployed my trekking poles and started click-click-clicking my way up while trying to keep my heart rate down.
As I was heading into the second aid station at 8 or so miles, I passed an older gentleman with streaks of dirt on his shirt who was cradling his arm. It turns out he had taken a tumble and dislocated his shoulder. Still in high spirits, he assured everyone he was going to continue on and finish. More power to you, sir!
The climb up to the West Ridge trail felt like climbing out of Tennessee Valley towards Pirates Cove. Sustained, relatively steep, but not super technical climbs. In other words, perfect for trekking pole power hiking. I “gave em the stick” and immediately was passed by a runner with a full windbreaker, headphones, and big ole pack. About 30 seconds later, I could hear his consternation as he realized that the first hill was maybe 10% of the upcoming climbs. I metronomed my way past him and kept up a steady powerhiking pace.
It was smooth sailing back down to the start line. On the downhills, I kept trading positions with the half marathoners as we tried to navigate the more technical footing down the Cinderella/Sunset trails. I came into the start/finish at 2:50. I grabbed a couple coconut waters from my drop bag, refreshed my hot shots, and headed out in high spirits.
Loop 2:
I really enjoyed the first part of this loop. With clear trails and lighter traffic, I could slip into that elusive flow state. Finally, I could clear my mind and just appreciate the present moment. I took in the sunlight on the trails, enjoyed the birdsong, and relaxed into the breeze. It was great! And then I started to get fatigued and nearly rolled my ankle a couple times on the trail. That brought me right back to reality. My legs started to complain, but thankfully with nothing acute and the poles were a great way to spread the load. At this point, I was able to pass 5-10 folks who looked like they were entering the pain cave.
About at mile 20, the heat (and the spicy Hot Shots) started to get to my stomach. I’d been doing well so far on standard trail fare (pb & j’s, pretzels, oreos, skratch, etc.), but I started to get what felt like acid reflux. Things started to slosh around in my stomach, but thankfully I was able to get back to the start/finish and pop a few Tums. Yay loop course!
Loop 3:
I thought the act of leaving on the same loop start for the third time would be challenging. Nope, leaving was easy. Slogging through the technical sections, however, was getting to be a drag. I was pretty fatigued and lifting my feet up for the rocks started to become a chore. Fortunately, with the small out and back sections I could see I was entering a cluster of folks. Pride (and smelling the barn) pushed me to run a blistering 13:01 final mile!
I loved the usual fanfare at the end of the 50K! A little cowbell, maybe 2-3 people cheering, and my name over the loudspeaker. I celebrated in the usual way by hunching over my poles and trying not to throw up.
To my delight, I was in a small enough race/age group to squeak by with a 3rd place AG. It was a nice bonus to the actual award: being healthy and trained enough to finally complete an ultra again. I felt so, so grateful to be out there and able to participate. And then I felt grateful a couple hours later for pizza and beer.
Kudos to Coastal for putting on a phenomenally marked trail race. I had 0 doubt about where I was or needed to be and there were so many potential wrong turns during that race.
Takeaways:
At this point in my life, there’s never going to be a perfect time to race. There will always be stress, lingering injuries, bad weather, smoke, etc.
I always want to ask whether I get out from the sport more than I put in, and so far it’s been a resounding yes
I’m not sure if it was the heat or the hot shots that soured my stomach. I definitely needed more training or more heat acclimation, but oh well. That’s part of the fun.
I wonder if dislocated shoulder dude finished? He’s the hero that we need right now.
