Race Report: Bandera 100k

Shaking it out with Fernando!

Texas, where everything bites, stings and burns. How true is that statement! To start out, I’d like to say I went into this race with a fat ego, thinking it would be pancake flat, fast and I’d get my MUC spot to Western States. I’d had a great TNF50 race while feeling oh so casual. Very early into this race would my ego meet it’s match…

 Following TNF50, December was all about maintaining fitness and recovering. Sliding around in the mud in the Marin Headlands for 50 miles had caused the posterior tendon on my ankle to give me some issues as well as that calf felt pretty tight, thus resulting in mild footpain whenever I hit technical trails. This gave me some cause of concern because all I had heard about Bandera was that it was very rocky and technical. I trusted in my abilities to maneuver such terrain, but spent most of December running on roads, fire roads or smooth singletrack. I had also been doing several runs at midday to prepare for the Texas heat…

Prerace: clean, a little warm, & confident

 Fast forward to days before the race, while in SLO I casually pulled up the weather forecast for Bandera on Saturday. The high was predicted to be 32 degrees with a chance of snow. What?! Race history has typically been in the 60s-70s with humidity. All of a sudden I had no idea what I would wear, what I would do for nutrition and what would happen. I kinda panicked a bit…

"Multicolored nails are the secrets to success"- Rory Bosio

 

Thursday Jan 8^th, I flew to San Antonio and met up with Fernando, a great friend from SF. We drove to Bandera and stayed the night just outside of town. I wore a single long sleeve, two different types of gloves and shorts on our Friday shakeout to test how cold it really was. My mom flew into Texas that night as she would crew for me all Saturday. Pretty soon it was race morning and I was sitting nervously sipping coffee. HERE is the women’s race preview.

I had to put my age group bib on my butt....

The gun went off and we went racing up the trail. The sun had just risen and it was still very, very cold. We immediately began climbing up the first hill. It was short, but the rocks were like stairs and the previous day’s rainfall had given them a nice fresh coat of ice. I settled with a couple women: Aliza and I think Nicole, but then they moved up and I joined another couple women: Leslie, Ashley & Traci. We were talking casually and getting to know each other. One of the funnier moments of the day was, I think it was Leslie and Ashley, were talking about how many/how old their kids were. They then asked me if I had any kids, to which I frantically responded “No! I’m twenty!!” Then they asked me if I was married! Haha! Not even close!

Where do I put these gels? (PC Victor B.)

This was the start- as none of us were covered in blood...

The first 15 miles or so were uneventful. Traci and I were rolling along and chatting some. The sotol was alive and well on the trail, which quickly bloodied up our legs pretty good. (She had pants so she didn’t really feel it). In these first 17 or so miles I was running relatively well, but it wasn’t with the ease I felt at TNF50. The trail was rocky, covered in ice, slick mud, or clay-like mud that sticks to your shoes, making them feel like bricks. Traci pulled away from me and I soon got into a rhythm with another guy, who happened to be from the Bay Area. We chatted some, but around mile 26, I started to feel really really crappy. My legs were hurting on the brutally steep, rocky downhills and the climbs were very steep as well. I was losing it mentally and I was cold. I really wanted to drop at the 50k. I had been thinking about it all those miles leading up to it. But I was also thinking about all the people back home cheering me on and supporting me. Also, I though about calling my coach Meghan post-drop and trying to explain to her why I had to DNF. None of my reasons were good enough and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to let anyone down and I didn’t have any physical ailment hindering me other than it just sucked and I was tired. (My foot pain- didn’t feel it once!) Once I got to 50k, my mom and Victor Ballesteros were there. I grabbed two advil, more Gu, a Clif Double Shot Espresso and was turned around so quickly I didn’t have a chance to drop. So I figured I might as well finish it…

Heading up the first hill, I was greeted with more & more Sotol. I learned I was in 7^th place and Leslie and Traci were hot on my tail. I had passed Traci heading up to the climbs towards the 50k mark and Leslie ran into the start/finish as I was headed out for the second loop. I saw a woman in all Buff gear climbing up. This further gave me motivation and I used a burst of speed to pass her. On the downhill, I smoked her; she was daintily avoiding the rocks whereas I just hurdled them. Soon, I couldn’t see her behind me and relaxed a bit. The game plan was to take the first 50k conservatively, use the second loop to move and give it my all on the last 10 miles especially. Pretty soon, I was running by myself with nobody to be seen and along rolling, gray, boring terrain. That part was tough. I had my ipod to keep me company.

Coming into Last chance at mi 26.

I came into the aid station at mile 42 and asked what place I was and how far ahead the others were. They didn’t know how far ahead they were, but I was now in 5^th place as Melanie had just dropped. I knew 5^th and 4^th were together at the 50k, so I figured she couldn’t be much farther ahead. I tried running faster and making up lost time, but I was so depleted and the mud and ice didn’t allow for very fast running. I had a glimmer of hope that I may be able to get the MUC spot. I kept repeating my mantras: Meghan had told me to “Be F**king Tough” and I kept telling myself “C’mon, you want this more than anything, where’s your hunger & fire?” The sotol stopped burning and I just didn’t give a sh*t anymore that I was going through a forest of razor blades.

I got to the first Cross Roads aid station a little out of sorts and was a bit rough with my mom and short of patience. I took off on the next, rockier part of that little loop and noticed my water tasted really funny. I couldn’t quite understand why: was I hungry? Was it just bad tap water? Will I get sick from it? I kept sipping it regardless to stay hydrated. Later, I found out when I asked my mom to put salt caps in my bottle (I meant the holder pocket), she had put a handful of them in the actual bottle with the water; I was basically drinking clean ocean water. Ha!

The snow-rain had washed most of it off...

I soon, finished that loop and before I knew it I was back at cross roads. I grabbed my headlamp and headed out for the last ten miles. Game time. I “sped” up (it’s all relative at this point) and kept trying to push myself up and over the climbs. It was really hard at that point. My quads were toast, but I had no idea how far ahead the other women were. My next goal, when I realized I wouldn’t get the MUC spot (I tried not to let this derail me) was to break 11 hours, I was borderline on pace for it, but it was definitely going to be a push. When I hit Last Chance with 5 miles to go and the two worst climbs of the course, I was gunning it. I took another Double Shot espresso and ran as hard as I could. I couldn’t even stop to pee really quickly because I was so focused on finishing. I was so so close! The minutes ticked by even closer to 11 hours and I was still a bit farther out. It was pure anguish at that point. Three of my favorite songs came on, by chance, to take me in: Santana’s “Smooth”, Madonna’s “4 minutes” (fitting for the time frame), and Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”. The final descent came and I was sprinting (again, relatively) at that point. I didn’t care if I was stubbing my toes on the rocks; I just had to get over them as fast as I could possibly muster. I wasn’t even on the homestretch before tears came unknowingly. I ran across the line right into my mom’s arms. (No fetal position with Victor to console me this time!) The race director, Joe Prusaitis, asked how old I was and then remarked to the crowd how he needs to start carding at his races (a 19 yr old ran to 3^rd place). I was given my awards and we drove to the best and only taqueria in Bandera (my mom, Fernando and I).

Looking a little Traumatized

I had finished 13^th overall, 5^th woman (4^th USATF woman), with a time of 11:01.50. (Oh so close). It’s bitingly disappointing to not achieve my goals and not get a spot to Western States 100 (Especially when it was 34 minutes away), but given the conditions and tough as nails competition, I am happy with this accomplishment. I guess I ran a 100k & 50 mi PR, my 2^nd fastest 50k & 4^th fastest 50k… (5:20 & 5:41). I’m pretty humbled and glad to have overcome mental canyons. This blog post was pretty hard to write; I am still feeling upset and down. Most people are asking what is next, and I have no idea. Maybe pursue a spot to WS somewhere else? It’s a tough call. Five weeks between a 50miler and this was hard to do, I don’t know if I can do it again. I am definitely aiming to do a 100 this summer, it’s just difficult to know at the moment. So, I guess stay tuned…

His name is "Waffles"

As always, I am oh so grateful to my supportive family, friends, and community. My mom came to crew me and did a fabulous job of putting up with me and keeping me decently happy for 11 hours, then taking on the mom role of taking care of me post race. All my friends supporting and encouraging me back home was really motivating and I definitely wouldn’t have the strength to finish without thoughts of all of you. Fernando is truly an amazing travel companion and I’d be so lost without him pretty much organizing the trip. World’s best coach award goes to Meghan Arbogast; her advice, knowledge, and friendship means the world to me and I’m so happy to have The Queen as a role model to learn from. Huge shoutout to The North Face for creating amazing gear that kept me warm and content all day long. I’d also like to say I’m super excited to be a part of Julbo’s family for 2015, repping the sickest shades on the market. (They matched perfectly with my outfit) As well as on Petzl’s regional team; I’d be crawling blindly through the hills without the RXP headlamp.

For all those curious, data-analyzing folks out there, HERE is my strava data. Also, HERE is the post race interview with Victor Ballesteros & UltraSportsLive.tv (Note: I am not all “there”, as I literally had JUST finished…)

Gear Used:

Garmin 910xt

Julbo sunglasses- Access

SFRC buff

TNF Ultra Cardiac shoes

TNF rain jacket, light windbreaker, arm sleeves, T shirt, skirt, gloves, Stow N Go Bra

Stance mid-calf compression socks

Petzl Tikka RXP

 

Nutrition:

4 dixie cups of coke

Water

S! Caps (1 every hour plus the ones mixed in my water…)

Gu Energy Gel & Clif Double Shot Espresso (1 gel every 30 minutes)

Onto The Next One

December is an exciting time. The holidays are around us, surrounded by friends, family & cheer. Excitement is in the air for the coming of a new year. However, there is also sadness at the passing of the old one- perhaps unfulfilled resolutions, regrets, devastation...

On The Long Trail (of Life?) with mary

Post WTC 50k Cool Kids Crew

I feel so fortunate and grateful to be able to say that this year has been amazing; one of my best, really. Looking back, I have taken myself to new places, distances, mental reserves with great success and a smile. I set a personal best in the 50k by over an hour; traveled to the French Alps to run one of the hardest 100k races in the world, while experiencing living in a foreign country; I set a PR in the mile after a 10 mile workout in the am; I hiked about 100 miles of The Long Trail with one of my best friends & mentors; I ran my first 50 miler as a training race, and have trained harder than I ever have before. I still hold a sense of disbelief that I could do all of these things, but it just further supports my desire to set lofty goals and KNOW that I can achieve them. It also fuels my 20-year old ego that anything is possible... ;)

The Queen & I on Coastal

I cannot take all the credit, though. All of these dreams have been realized largely by the unending support I have received. My family cares so much about my athletic career and have been so selfless in helping me in any way they can. They genuinely desire to know how I am doing on a daily basis, what my sights are set on, and how they can fit in the picture. My mom, grandma and aunt flew to Europe to crew for me and be present to share in the experience of a lifetime. Most family members have been to almost all of my races, and I am so grateful for that. My coach, Meghan, and I started working together in March, and I am SO fortunate for her expert guidance, advice, and friendship. She pushes me hard in just the right way and I trust her 110%. Her workouts and training get me so excited to run each day and I always want to do my best. However, on the days when running sucks and I feel discouraged, she can pick me up and stop my whining. ;)

Quality Friends & Quality Badasses.

Finally, the running community I adore so much has taken me to great heights. With the love and encouragement from old friends, new friends, and everybody in between. I am always taken aback by the level of commitment and care exemplified by all the people involved in this wonderful sport. Volunteers at aid stations make them seem like parties & make all the difference in the world as we all chase PRs. Supporters and an ever-increasing fan base of this sport such as IRunFar make running-nerds like myself on top of the whos-who and what's being done happenings around the world. It's really quite amazing this culture we have, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

This picture can't have words-Not even 1000

With all that said, we can put 2014 in the past and start looking ahead to 2015. It's been said often that it's not about the destination, but the journey. However, 2015 is looking to have several awesome destinations.  First, Bandera 100k is just around the corner; starting the year off with a bang. I am hoping to earn a ticket to Western States 100 mile through the Montrail Ultra Cup. This race is a big deciding factor in how the rest of the year will pan out. If not, I am still setting my sights on 100 miles. Perhaps Cascade Crest or Pine to Palm? Meghan and I will pick races accordingly to fill the gaps until then. There's still so much up in the air, but I am still excited and eager to see what the future holds & where my running will take me next (literally & figuratively!)

Mont Blanc in all her glory

One of the ways I define myself is that I am always making goals and trying to achieve them. Though this time of year reminds us to venture out and try new things or improve upon the old, I will always be creating new dreams regardless of the day-month-year. With that being said, I also just want to keep on doing what I love: dancing on trails, laughing with friends, exploring, and pushing myself farther & faster, through new life experiences. I am so excited to see what 2015 brings. I feel as if I have really defined myself and found my identity and I cannot wait to show who I am to the world. Plus, I turn 21 in June so I will soon be able to enjoy post race beers legally. ;)

Lastly, I'm so happy that The North Face, Julbo eyewear, & Petzl have taken a chance on me. I'm so excited to be a part of their families and represent trail running through them. They have given me the confidence and enthusiasm to pursue my absolute best & beyond.

And with that, we're Onto The Next One.

Sup.

Before the shenanigans... Heading into TNFECS 50miler.

Wowie. Is it already December?!
This quarter flew by. It seemed that just the other day I was admiring the chamois on Brevent and sipping espressos in Italy... Then again, the days have been dragging on at school while I've been away in dreamland...

Though who could complain with these trails?!

I can't believe I'm already at raceweek for my "first" 50 miler. I haven't really given it that much thought other than occasional panic attacks and general dreading of how slow it could potentially be. This quarter, post CCC, has gotten off to a rocky and less ideal start with Mono and Lyme disease, but I believe I have an iron horse of an immune system and beat them both into submission. This garnered me at least one solid month or so of consistent training. I trust in it 100%. however this is also not a goal race. Bandera 100k is what I am thinking about on my long runs and before bed when I'm doing core staring up at the ceiling... I want that ticket to WS100!! Let's hope I can curb back my competitive spirit!



I am super excited to see what happens in the next month, at TNF50 and Bandera. Each week, I've been building my miles, putting in some vert, while also dropping my times in my workouts. My workouts have been fabulous. Its the one day of the week I truly look forward to. I am so excited to be running faster, negative splitting, feeling confident-free-strong-relaxed while consistently surprising myself. (I think the best part is that now I also don't need to take a two hour nap after!)

See you at mile 30. Muir Woods via Dipsea Trail

The only downside to the past couple weeks is that I've been running, for the most part, solo. Most ultra runners swear by running solo and they "truly" enjoy it. Yeah, that's good and all sometimes, but I love talking, playing, sharing my adventures! I can be a pansy sometimes and need someone with me to help keep me sane and away from doubtful thoughts, too. Because of my training, work and school schedule, running with friends is typically the only real "social" outlet I have. However, my training partners have been tapering/recovering from awesome performances, so that is inspiring me to work hard just to keep up!

I love my friends. PC Tera Dube

So, it's the end of the quarter, TNF50 is here, and I am in a completely unproductive, uncontrollable, state of high energy craziness. Cheers to a fabulous weekend of mud, miles, friends & lots of shenanigans!

PS On another note, I am in the IrunFar women's preview!!!! Though my name is just a footnote, watch out, maybe soon it will be under the headline! ;)

Pre TNF10k 2010. My 1st trail race

USATF National 50k Champs- Bootlegger

11/9/13

After the Headlands 50k, I was pretty jazzed about ultra running and excited to be jumping in. I soon after signed up for the Bootlegger 50k.  My attraction to this particular race was because it had less elevation, was in a desert canyon outside of Vegas, and was the USATF National Championship race for 50k.  Pretty great incentives, right? I pitched the idea to my roommates to see if anyone was down to road trip to Vegas and split gas money, two of my friends even signed up for the 25k.

Training for this race was a little less than ideal. After headlands, I had huge notions of training even harder and longer and doing more.  I guess I didn't really take into consideration how time consuming school would be.  After all, I was literally just studying to get my A's in 18 units of hard science, sleeping a decent amount, spending some time with friends (not much), and getting in some runs.  I thought I'd be running so much more, but I only really had time to average 50 miles a week.  There were some weeks I had a stellar workout or tempo, a great long run (22-23 miles was my max unfortunately), or I got some more mileage.  One such example was when I went up North back to the bay. I ran with the SFRC crew and added on to get 23 hard trail miles on Saturday and then double with a hard, but somewhat conserved NWM 1/2 marathon effort on Sunday.  However, there  were also the not so stellar times that comes with training, no matter what level you are on.  There were the weeks I only got 40 miles, was very tired on a lot of runs, didn't get a quality workout, or just plain didn't have the time to run because of studying and class. Another example was about three-four weeks ago. I was very very sick for a couple days and felt awful on the (probably) 9 miles I got out of that week.  Nonetheless, I did what I could and tried my best. I now know how to manage my time better and commit for the next one.

Ian Torrence counting down

Pre race chit chat!

On Friday the 8th, we all packed into my car and drove the 7 hours to Henderson.  I ate the dinner I had pre made and pretty much went straight to sleep.  I woke up at 5:15 to get ready and check out of our hotel.  We arrived at the start at 6:15 and got my bib. I was just relieved to get to the start after stressing about traveling and worrying about the logistics.  It was fabulous to see Alex Varner and Dylan Bowman at the start and I got to chat it up with several others.  When the race finally started, everybody started very fast, but I kept with my pace and bided my time.  I didn't need to run 6:30s at the beginning of a hot, desert 50k.  I was in 7th place through the first climb, which was pretty challenging, but very cool.  The red rocks were incredible, 

and climbing up to a ridge just after the sunrise was amazing.  I passed the 4 mile, first aid station and had a pretty good clip going. After that aid station, the course meandered through the desert for a couple miles.  There were a couple steep pitches, but it was pretty manageable and even fun.  It was very rocky and technical though.  That part was a bit unexpected and added a lot of difficulty to the course.  After the second aid station it started to get pretty hot out.  We were running back and forth on these really sharp-turned canyons up and down.  The out and back to the last aid station on the loop felt decent at that point, but I was starting to feel tired and dehydrated. I hadn't gone to the bathroom at all that first loop which seemed concerning since I filled up my 18oz bottle twice and had two cups of water or heed.  When I was two miles out, I could see the cars lined up next to the start in the distance and that was such a relief. Just the thought of being halfway done and seeing Taylor and Ashley was pulling me onwards.

Taylor, my fabulous crew!

Off on the next lap!

I ran through the start line, Taylor squirted her water into mine (I was halfway done and it had only been two miles since the last one). She smeared Aquaphor on my face and everybody cheered me onto the second lap. I had passed one woman and moved into sixth place at that point.  A highlight was having Hal Koerner cheer me on! I settled into pace next to a man named Andy, who I found out is from Marin as well! It was great talking to him for a mile, but I felt good and pulled ahead.  The first climb the second time around was pretty brutal. It was so so so hot and there were tons of tourists watching me suffer.  At one point I pulled down my pants to pee, pretty sure 20 people saw my ass, and noticed that the little that came out was dark brown. (shit). Sorry if thats TMI, but this is my account of what happened during the race, and that includes all the nitty gritty gross details.  Once over the climb and down in the back area, where I before felt fast and strong, I felt flat and tired and dead.  I only saw one man in that stretch and I passed him at the mile 19 first aid station.  Heading towards the second aid station was probably the worst part of the race.  I had to climb and meander through canyons and sketchy turnoffs.  It was hot, I was dehydrated, out of water, and just wanted to be done. I knew I wouldn't have the time I had hoped for as the course was a lot harder than expected, but I just kept telling myself to be "ultra tough" and finish and set an age group CR and have two ultra finishes under my belt.  Also, quitting was not an option for me, so just finishing as fast as I could muster was my only goal for moving forward.  However, finding that second aid station was exasperating.  I kept thinking it would be around the next turn and when it wouldn't, I felt like crying (but I didn't; because I was trying to be "ultra tough"). When I finally got to them, I had passed another man and was so thankful to finally see people.

Desert Sunrise!

I started towards the last aid station much happier and had a better pep in my very slow step.  I finally got to the third and my legs and feet were sooo exhausted and beat up from all the sharp rocks.  The volunteers were all very excited to see me and were incredulous that I was 19 years old.  They also told me they thought I was in third place because some women dropped out. This was the caffeine boost I needed and I eagerly grabbed my water bottle and booked it out of there. I only had 2.5 miles left and was ready to be done. Also the prospect of getting third place and making my first podium at A. a race. B. an ultra race. and C. a national championship ultra race.  It felt fast compared to my previous miles but I was still pretty beat and tired on those last 2.5 miles. I pushed forward though and gave it everything I had.  I passed one more man that was not having a good day and about 1/4 mile away I stepped on a rock and felt like I split my foot open.  When I got onto that downhill homestretch… no emotion could describe how excited and happy I was. Everybody was cheering and my friends were lining the way screaming. I dropped my water bottle and flew.  I was high on emotion and finishing that I powered over the line.  I sat down and was immediately surrounded by DBo, Alex and my friends, which I couldn't be more content to be surrounded by.  I ended up getting 5th place and a very cool medal to show for it! I don't think they did age group awards, or they did it later but we had already left since it was getting pretty late to be hanging around the finish.  However, I am now the youngest finisher ever for that race and hold an AG CR for the course.  I set a new PR by only a minute, but hey, it's a PR in unexpectedly tough conditions.  I was told that it was over 100 degrees at various places along the course, which is just unfathomable.

Clearly giving everything I've got towards that finish

As far as nutrition goes, I think I had a pretty good handle on it. I never experienced any cramps or feeling sick. I had a tropical punch shot block every half hour and a salt cap every hour for the first four hours, then I took one every half hour after that.  I took heed at the aid stations and coke the last lap.  Right before the second lap I took a double espresso shot GU, too. I filled my water bottle every station except the very, very first one.  I would like to blame my "bonking" (was it even a bonk?) or just my tiredness and slowness on the middle part of the second lap on lack of hard training and dehydration, which I couldn't have really helped.  I felt like maybe I could've eaten more and I would've had more fuel, but I don't think that was the solution, especially because I felt like I was eating a lot.  However, it was only 46 calories per hour and 16g of carbs.  I will have to learn to either eat more or figure our my exact caloric needs.

"That area over there was hell"

In terms of the competition, it was definitely faster and tougher than Headlands, as it was the national championships. However, there were several females who took it out fast and raced each other way ahead of me.  I saw that one woman that I passed on the first loop maybe twice in a three mile span.  In that sense, I felt like I was only competing against the clock and the elements.  I barely saw anybody out there; it was a very lonely race.  One reason for getting to the next level is that I'd have more competition and can challenge myself in that sense. At Headlands I was constantly leapfrogging with women and chasing them down.  I felt like Bootlegger was almost like a well supported very long run that had others than a competitive race.  

Glad to be done!

After this, I am looking forward to putting my feet up and resting for a week and taking it easy before gearing up for the next one! I just want to say Thank you to EVERYBODY who supported me in this and my endeavors: My family and zealously caring friends, Ian Torrance & USATF for putting on a fabulous race with great volunteers and definitive course markings, SFRC and Red Rock Running Co, and everybody else cheering me on- you all inspire me to push further and explore the physical, mental, emotional, and geographic limits.

5th Place medal!

Photo creds: Ashley Fisher