The Long, Long Trail

The proposal.

Over my winter break in December, Mary had asked me if I wanted to join her on a 270, 11 day fast packing trip across the length of Vermont on The Long Trail. I naively agreed.

The Views!!

I had not done much research and just assumed it would be a cool training trip for CCC in terms of testing nutrition, time on my feet and having a pack on. I would use every piece of gear I needed for CCC. I had been to Vermont twice before to pace her and a friend in the VT100 mile race. I thought, it's just hiking, how hard could it be?

Starting the journey

Being 20 years old, training harder than I ever had, I was thinking I could pretty much do anything; 270 miles in 11 days would not be a problem. I did not think much about the trip until I finished school mid June and all of a sudden I was to fly out in 6 days. Mary had been texting me all week telling me everything I should and probably needed.  Hmm, the list was more extensive than I thought, which led to many last minute trips to REI and SFRC. Even to Jorge's doorstep a half hour before I was to leave to borrow a sleeping pad!

I flew to Vermont Saturday night on a red-eye, planning to have most of Sunday to relax and get ready for the trek. Unfortunately, due to a United fiasco I was delayed and spent all of Sunday in the Newark airport. I arrived in Vermont at midnight. Obviously I was not going to start at the Canadian border with Mary at 6 am the next morning, so I would meet her later in the evening.

Climbing up a ladder in Devil's Gulch

One of the shelter's we slept in!

I arrived on the trail to meet Mary for the last 5 miles of the night. I had my borrowed pack all set to go and ate a quick on the go dinner before we set off. My energy was high and my excitement uncontrollable (despite carrying a 30lb pack!) I hopped and skipped and pranced through the gorgeous greenery and chatting wildly with enthusiasm. Mary had already done 18 miles so she was not as keen to be jumping about.  That evening I had my first taste of what was to come. We hiked two miles an hour, impossibly slow compared to even a tired day while running. We climbed up steep hills with no switchbacks and hiked down equally steep descents.  We arrived to the shelter we were to camp at and quickly set up our sleeping bags. We wanted to get as much shut eye as possible before a long, big day.  The shelters are scattered along the trail and often have fantastic views of the landscape you ordinarily cannot see through the dense forest. A trickling brook nearby supplied our water for the next day.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place

Yup.

Going to sleep was very interesting that night. We heard little mice crawling about and had to rearrange and hang our food several times. Mary and I ended up sharing a bunk to quell our nighttime fears.  Before shutting my eyes I caught sight of a flashing light in the corner of the cabin. I frantically told mary that I was going crazy already and was scared. Turns, out, I had just seen my first firefly. I had a restless night and was woken up around 3 am by two hikers coming in for the night.

Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

GREEN!

In the morning we awoke to a gorgeous sunrise, ate a quick breakfast and were on our way! The best idea I had was to put my instant espresso into a Salomon soft flask and slowly sip all day; it was wonderfully welcomed. The hours go by so slowly but also so fast it is incredible. Every time we got to a shelter we stopped to consult the map and eat a quick snack. We hiked through several different types of forests. We would be traipsing through ferns up to our waists and sloshing through some thick mud. It was unclear whether the mud was thick enough to support our weight or if we would sink down into it.  The trees changed from aspens to birch to everything in between.  We climbed several steep uphills and struggled down the descents, 1000' per mile sometimes for 3 or more miles. It was tricky because a lot of the trail seemed to not be a trail at all; the only way it seemed to exist was purely by the hikers coming through. The trail was never smooth or easy. It was always hopping over the mud, balancing on the logs that were sometimes laid down, or literally rock climbing up or lowering yourself down. I felt like it was a game of the ultimate trust fall every time we descended as we had to grab ahold of the rocks, roots and trees to go down or pull yourself up.  Devil's Gulch was kind of crazy. We had to climb up a ladder, go "bouldering", and walk across slick, treacherous wet rock. I am more surprised than proud that I did not take any tumbles that day. After 10 hours of hiking, we met Mary's husband Mark at the road crossing.  He took our packs, refilled our water bottles and fed our ravenous stomachs with some food.  I ate some salami, Fritos chips, french fries and maybe something else. It was incredibly delicious.  We would then hike the next 6 miles without our packs and only water bottles to meet him again.

Starting again at Sunset.

Peaked.

Mary taking it all in

Mary's feet were killing her and starting to blister; ours both had been wet all day, so I'm sure mine were starting to blister as well.  At that road crossing, I felt fine and eager to continue into the night. However, as soon as we started, I started to feel the fatigue and weight of the previous 10 hours. I wandered like a zombie behind Mary. I felt as though I had tunnel vision, only seeing where her feet meandered around the trail.  I felt somewhere between drunk and sleepwalking. I wasn't very talkative and my feet started to really kill me. They were so sore and tired! I stumbled along the trail not caring if I stepped in mud or hit a brach with my arm. After 12 hours and 47 minutes we reached mark again at the next road crossing. He picked us up and took us back to their camp, as we were very close by, for the night. I don't even remember falling asleep.

Top of the World

The next morning we awoke to a classic Vermont downpour. We gathered a light pack of just necessary food and water as we would see Mark again that evening, We started hiking up the road and soon came to a river crossing. Knowing we would get our feet wet all day we just hiked through it, not caring. the trail continued up and up, we soon found ourselves bushwacking up a flowing river. We did not doubt it was the trail as the trail was ridiculously crazy, but we did not see the white vertical rectangles painted on trees along the way for quite some time.  We were soon frantic and turned around. We found the trail again and saw where we had made a wrong turn. However, we lost an hour and a half and added 3ish miles of hiking! It was so disheartening and just added mental discomfort to the bleary day.  The trail of course, wasn't any different from what we had been doing off trail, but it was harder.  We hiked up and down waterfalls. The rocks were wet and water oftentimes flowed over them in small rivers.  It was tough, even with a light pack, to haul yourself up and over the obstacles.  Going down was even worse as it was uncertain every time you put your body weight down over one foot if it would be supported or slip out from under you. We were also paranoid looking for the white blazes indicating we were not lost.  You would start to wonder, "has it been too long? where could we have gotten off course? We are definitely lost!", but then moments later one would appear.  The previous day was filled with talking and stories and occasionally singing. Today, there was nothing. We hiked in near silence, concentrating on our footing and finding the trail, but I think it was also due to exhaustion.  Hours came and went. The rain continued on. A small respite from the unforgiving trail was a short hike up a downhill ski run. Haha! that is a break!  Mary accurately described the trail as "The trail that keeps on giving!"Soon (9 hours later), we met Mark on the road. We were tired, wet, hungry and mentally drained. We decided that after 18 miles in the pouring rain and over that crazy, course, we were done. We would not attempt to ascend and descend the highest peak in Vermont: Mt Mansfield, which loomed before us through the fog.  We went home to a welcomed hot shower and food and rest.

I would not continue with Mary the next day as my feet were killing me and I was so exhausted. I did not want to push myself over the edge before CCC. Mary had a tough day climbing Mt Mansfield in the clouds and crazy rocks at the top. I soon joined her the next evening. I even took a shakeout run on Thursday up the mountain behind Lake Elmore. Thursday night we had some pizza and then hiked straight up a ski mountain, of course not on the groomed open downhill, but on the technical side trail. We had to climb ladders drilled into the rock faces because it was so steep.  We finally reached Stark's nest, a warming hut, on top of Mad River Glen ski slope. We woke up to another lovely sunrise and went on our way. This time, our day was cheerfully welcomed.  It is hard to describe in more detail the days and the trail, but it was more hours and hours. I soon grew weary and my feet started to hurt.  The hours and miles dragged by and we began to feel desperate; where was this shelter we were staying at? We eventually reached it, ate, and fell fast asleep, sorta. At Skyline Lodge, there were several other hikers, both for the night and through hikers, so it was a tight squeeze and not much sleep amongst the snorers.  In the morning we packed up quickly and started hiking. Mark would meet us 5.5 miles at the next road crossing and I would end my journey and he would hike with Mary for the rest of the day and night. Mary ended her journey the next day because her quad and knees were killing her.  The words I have for describing this trail and adventure are as follows: deceptive, rugged, rural, relentless, beautiful, degrading, giving, green, fun, technical, and interesting.

Done.

And Done.

It's hard to think that you couldn't finish something. It's much easier to mentally make yourself feel better about losing in a race. Okay, maybe I didn't have their experience, didn't know the course, didn't put the miles they did. But to lose to a trail is a whole other story. It's a bit disappointing knowing you didn't have it in you to complete a goal or to even keep up with Mary. It is incredibly humbling to have to stop because your body just cannot handle the terrain and the long hours. Even though I am 20, I have a long way to go; I am not indestructible nor immortal.

chicken nuggets anyone?

This past week, after TLT, I have resumed running and enjoyed Vermont with Mary and her family. We went to Shelburne farms, hung out by the lake, and I even raced a 5:50 mile road race in Montpelier an hour after eating at Ben & Jerry's (very lactose intolerant...)

5:50 ain't too shabby!

Big thanks to Mary & her amazing family for inviting and taking care of me on this awesome adventure. Also thanks to my family for supporting me in my crazy ideas of fun... Onwards to CCC!

Ben & Jerry's! Just had to indulge... 

The destruction.

In terms of gear used: S-Lab light jacket, Salomon Bonatti Jacket, Sense Ultra SG, 2XU calf sleeves, TNF Better than Naked Shorts, Tech T shirts, Arcteryx pack, Marmut sleeping bag, S-Lab 12 set pack, Black Diamond Z poles, Mammoth & NuGo bars, Tailwind, SFRC buff, WS100 visor, Black Diamond Headlamp, Injinji socks, Salomon long sleeve.

Best way to end the school year: Run a 50k!

Rodeo Valley Inside Trail 50k

June 8 I raced the Dipsea as a tune up for another training race, Inside Trail's Rodeo Valley 50k.  Meghan suggested mid May that I sign up for a 50k to practice racing, hydration, and etc for a faster long run.  We chose this race as it was in the Marin Headlands so I knew the trails, it had a good amount of vert, and it was easily accessible from SLO.  Unfortunately, it was the day after finals week.  Finals week was filled with studying & stress as well as the labor of moving my things into a storage locker for the summer.  Not the best pre race events, as I didn't think much about the race until 5 pm Friday night when I was driving up from SLO.

I had zero expectations for the race. I just wanted to get in a good long run of 50k distance after surviving finals week and maybe get competitive with the other women. (side note: I hadn't even looked to see who was running or what the competition was like).

My gameplan was similar to how I have approached my 50ks in the past: survive the first 15 miles and just run how I normally run for long runs. Stay on top of nutrition and hydration and sing some tune in my head or chat with others to stay calm and relaxed.  Then the second half, assess how I am doing mentally, physically and competitively and then go after it. When I get to the 15 mile mark, depending on the race, I'll fixate my goal onto something- a place, a time, or whatever.

Saturday morning raceday came. I ate my usual oatmeal and coffee with almond milk two hours before the projected 8:30 am start and arrived at the line at 8 am. I chatted with a few folks and learned where the loops went.

The Crazy Awesome Course!

The race went off and everybody started out super fast. I held back the reins and chugged up Coastal, the first major climb, at a decent pace. It was probably a little faster than I should've started out at but I let the crowd carry me.  I power walked the steep part as it would be stupid to run it and run it hard that early in a race.  On SCA and Miwok, I made an effort to not bomb the downhills to save my legs for later.  It was already hot out and getting hotter.  I had a bladder in my pack so I continually sipped on my water every so often and made sure I was taking in my gels every 40 minutes.  Every twenty minutes I would alternate with gels and salt caps.  The course took us through a small loop in Tennessee Valley and the climb up Miwok and over wolf ridge just killed me. It was the worst part of the day. I felt slow and tired and hot and exhausted.  I didn't feel like I could do well or anything. I knew quitting is never even an option for me, so I didn't quite know what to do with myself. So I just kept running.  I felt better on the rolling hills along the Coast- wow what a view! When I got back to the Tennessee Valley aid station I had a sip of coke and put some ice in my sports bra. The race had turned around for me mentally and I was feeling more energized.

I charged up the Old Springs climb feeling really good. That climb felt like nothing! We headed up the steeper climb right after to hill 88, which was tough but the wildflowers made it all worthwhile.  With sweeping views of the hills and ocean just over thick bushes of multicolored pea flowers, it was hard not to feel inspired.

Finishing the first 30k loop

At the top of Hill 88 I knew it was a rough and treacherous downhill back to the start/finish area; perfect training for unknown European trails! I took them as fast as I could- not quite dipsea status as I still had another 20k loop to do, but fast enough to feel the exhilaration and near-danger from flying over rock slides and on the edge of cliffs. When I got down to the road it was 2.5 miles left of relatively flat until the Coastal climb again.  I did not realize how much I was moving until I looked down at my watch pace- 8:30s or faster! Hmm... I felt really good at mile 18 and was dropping those times? The last 20k should be a cinch and I should not stop for anything other than water! I found out at the aid station that one of the leaders got off track of the course and there were maybe one or two other women in front of me.

The excitement that I could podium or potentially win got to me and I quickly fell into race competition mode. I was constantly looking ahead, scouring the trail for a female that I could pick off.

I didn't see the next woman until we were heading down Marincello around mile 21. Boy was it hard not to run screaming down the hill to get in front of her. I knew that if I did, I might not have the legs to stay in front of her and potentially get whoever else was in front of us.  I raced through the aid station, getting ice in the sportsbra again and filling up my 16 oz soft flask, which was faster than my empty bladder.  I had caught up to her at the aid station and took off up Old Springs before she finished filling her pack.  I kept a steady effort up and up and up to hill 88, occasionally looking over my shoulder to gauge how far back she was.  Going down hill I knew I could turn a corner to get myself out of her sight and make her think I was way farther ahead than I actually was.  A somewhat bad thought I had too was that she was much older than I was and I could most definitely go screaming down the hill no problem, while she might have some trouble with footing or the impact on her quads.  So I took off, flying faster and faster downhill, not looking uphill for fear of falling, all the while running scared thinking she was on my tail.  I got to the bottom at the aid station and asked what place I was in. The woman who took the course wrong was in front of me and had probably already finished but I was in "second"!! I looked up and couldn't see her on the trail so I knew I had secured a considerable gap over her.  I did not know how much time I would have since I could not see up the trail very far.  With two miles left I ran as hard as I could on the flats to the finish. I sprinted my heart out fueled by the idea of possibly winning (by default somewhat). I was so excited I was grinning ear to ear.  I rounded the corner to see my Dad and grandparents waiting for me and the cheers of the other runners at the finish.

You can't see it but I had been grinning the last four miles...

Wow. So exhilarating! I ran 5:27 and earned second place female and 14th overall.  The woman who "won" had run the course incorrectly. She did the full pink loop first and then the pink and orange loop.  They gave her the first place win though instead of me.  She also ended up beating me by just over an hour. Even though I have no idea what kind of pace she runs at and what she is capable of, I cannot help but doubt she even ran the full course.  She had explained to me trail by trail the course two minutes before the start- how could she have missed the tennessee valley loop unless on purpose? I am not bitter she took the win from me, just questionable. I had heard she wasn't the most gracious racer at aid stations and with the race director after she had made the mistake, so I assume she needed the title more than I did.  Afterall, it is just a local trail race that happens almost every weekend. There were no high stakes or press or anything.  I had never placed better than top 5 in a race before, so taking second was definitely awesome.  I am super excited for what's to come and my recovery since the race was very quick- I am itching to get in more miles! It is so hard to hold back the reins sometimes!

Happy to be done!

Another Dipsea in the Books

I seem to have some sort of subconscious streak of signing up for races the weekend before finals week every quarter, so naturally, a trip up to a Bay for the Dipsea cost valuable time in terms of studying for my 7 am Ochem final on Monday.

Liz Gill & I at the start acting Touristy!

I love the Dipsea. It's a fabulous race that really celebrates the community and the trails. I have done it every year the past four years. This year I had finally earned my invitational spot; I was allowed to bypass the ridiculous entry lottery.

Since I had a race a 50k the next weekend, I did not want to push the pace- my only goal was to earn invitational status again by placing in the top 450.  The morning of the race I met up with a friend Liz Gill at the start and we warmed up and chatted with the other racers.

The race started off fast as I was in the biggest, fastest woman's group of the invitational section. I power hiked the stairs two at a time as I always did and just kept running uphill. I didn't stop running and just kept passing people. I kept steady, not wanting to push too hard.

Cresting cardiac and seeing everybody and all my friends got me super jazzed up. if I was already smiling, I was grinning then.

Up Up and Up!

The volunteers and cheerleaders at the top pushed me to run faster and "gun" it down towards Stinson. I didn't want to injure myself on the stairs so I took them one at a time while being as cautious as possible.  Several runners went down hard in front of me and it looked pretty grim.

That is the one thing that I do not understand. Unless all it takes to get a black shirt or invitational status is to red line it Mill Valley to Stinson, why be so aggressive? In years past, including this one, I have been shoved aside into the bushes countless times or nearly mauled by people running their hearts out and doing anything / everything to get ahead of me.  Maybe because I am never truly competitive in this race or have another one coming up that I am not so aggressive, but I do not see the point in sacrificing the next 3 weeks-6 months in one bad turn or fall from wanting to be 234th instead of 236th.

Top of Cardiac! What a relief to start downhill!

  

With that being said, I arrived in Stinson beach, healthy, smiling, and happy with a good hard effort. I ran my way to 274th place in a time of 1:14. Considering that my PR was set last year at 1:13 in the fog and felt like a redlining effort, and this was a tempo effort in the heat, I think it was a great indicator to how much I have grown as a runner and the strength I have acquired from ultra running. I am also pleased that even with all the miles, I can still maintain my speed. Last year I had PRed in the 5K and done a lot of road and track races leading up to the dipsea. A part of me is curious as to what I can do with a 5k or mile on the track, but I know that is not something worth going after, as trail running and long distances are my true passion and newlyfound strengths.

My very supportive mom

My Best friend & best "crew" cheering me on at the finish

CCC Race Prep

In January, I discovered I had been victorious in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc lottery; I gained a spot in the famous 100 miler's sister race: CCC 100k.

It will be my first race of that distance, and it will by no means be a gentle testing of the waters. I'm jumping headfirst into the cold and dark unknown.

As one of the hardest 100ks in the world, I will be running partly around Mont Blanc from Courmayeur, Italy to Champex, Switzerland and finishing in Chamonix, France. I will have gained 18,000 vertical feet while touring the impressive and picturesque Alps.

Yes, I am scared shitless. But I am also out of my mind excited. My first 100k (REAL ultra!), international race, hard vertical, and many more all rolled into one exciting event. I feel as if I can really do well in this race and debut my name/face in the ultra running world!

Right now I am trying my absolute best to get to the start line trained, prepared mentally, and geared up correctly for this adventure. Meghan "Queen" Arboghast is my coach, which I am super psyched about having her in my back pocket for advice, training, and etc!

So far, I have Black Diamond trekking poles and a S-lab Salomon 12 set pack. I am still finding other parts for the intense, required gear list in terms of apparel and how to sustain myself nutritionally.

If you know of any hostels in Chamonix, France for beginning of August, please let me know! Also, if you have any advice on gear, training, etc please also feel free to share!

I look forward to sharing my progress and this great adventure!!

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

Call Me Ultra

The headlands 50k. 8.24.13.

Last July I was sitting in an airport, bored, flying home after pacing Jon in the vt100. I was googling random things, mostly races. He had mentioned the Headlands 50k, which I had heard about before. Then after meticulously reading through the website, I found there was no age group record for females 20 & under. It immediately sparked my attention. I texted Mary and Liz right away and asked "what if?" The race was a month away and I was training to try and make D1 XC team at cal poly. No way was I in any shape to run a hard 50k race. So I let it go. 

Fast forward through the school year. I got injured and didn't make the D1 time standard the coach had, but rehabed my severely sprained ankle and ran club XC. In the spring I continuously increased my long runs and ran more hills, despite it being track season. I still had headlands on my mind and knew I'd run it this year. 

As soon as registration opened, I signed up. Two weeks later I also decided maybe I should run a marathon first in prep and signed up for a road one as well. That's a different race report though... :)

After track season and school got out, I came back home to work at SFRC and train on the course. With the great running community established at the store, I found many supporters and received a lot of advice. I also had some quality training runs on the course. 

Race morning I felt sharp, eager, excited, and springy. It was awesome socializing and knowing almost everybody there.

I lined up in front, behind Varner and next to the top ladies. I chased Bree from the beginning and held on for the first two miles. But going up coastal out of muir beach I fell back and decided it was smarter to race after the first half. So I kept running and enjoyed the scenery. I was still in about 6-7th place going up wolf ridge and I listened to a couple people's conversations. Coming down into rodeo beach was awesome. I had the folks on the sfrc group long run cheering me on as well as my grandpa on his bike. 

Going up miwok to Tennessee valley I felt confident. I just kept repeating my mantra: relax, be strong, be smart, be fun, be fluid. Once I hit Tennessee valley and started going up miwok from that side, I started feeling sick from all the sugars I was eating in the Gu and electrolyte drink. It was too much for me and I felt terrible miles 11-16. I just kept telling myself I'd see Mary at hwy 1, mile 14.5. Once there I switched to plain water in my bottle, which helped, and it was relieving just to see her and my friends there volunteering.

I had felt like puking up to that aid station and after down to muir woods. Strangely, I felt way better running up cardiac. It was hot and hard, but I ran most of the way up and passed several people suffering in the heat. It was like I had come back from the dead; a feeling unknown to me in my short running career. I got to the cardiac aid station and was welcomed by my friends there. They took care of me by filling my water bottle and giving me a cup of water to drink and half a cup of coke. I stayed for maybe less than two minutes and continued on to pantoll, welcoming the shade. I felt significantly better coming off of cardiac and one of the men I passed exclaimed I had, "come back alive". I felt like I was leaping and bounding down Matt Davis, which I always run with joy, towards Stinson because it is one of my favorite stretches of trail. And because I knew I just had one more big hill and a fast downhill to go. 

I passed a woman and apparently moved into 7th place according to a man who was counting on the side of the trail. She passed me again and I lost sight of her. I got to Stinson and I could feel what felt like a small rock in my shoe. I ignored it and headed through the aid station. I filled up my bottle and got some water splashed on my back. It must have taken all of 30 seconds; I don't even think I stopped! Then I started the long last trek up Stinson and steel ravine. It was hot, I was tired, and it felt hard. I power walked the hills on the moors with Andrea, a woman I had helped at the store and caught up to.  We chit chatted in between huffs and puffs. She told me I was like a little mountain fairy and would soon pass her. She pulled ahead for a little bit and I lost her in the switchbacks up Steep Ravine, but I caught up with a man and charged up the trail. I pulled him along with me and he talked to me, keeping me sane and present with my mind.  Thank goodness for that; I was starting to lose my racing mind! I caught up to Andrea and passed her soon after the ladder as if she were standing still. This did wonders to my self-esteem and confidence. I soon passed another woman at Pantoll who cheered me on. I was on fire at that point. I was ripping up the trail at sub7 min pace, anxious she'd catch me again as I had moved into 5th place.

As I approached the 27.5 mile, last aid station at Cardiac, I thought, I'll finish in 22 minutes, it's not that far, she's right behind me, I don't need to refill my bottle or get anything! Wrong. Half a mile later, I stopped dead in my tracks as if I had been hit by a wrecking ball. I was hot and dehydrated. I continued running because then i'd finish sooner and get water and just be done. I wanted to cry I was so tired and dehydrated.  I painfully made my way down the switchbacks of Heather Cutoff with the finish line in sight. Two men were hounding me right behind, but wouldn't pass, so I felt pressured and even more anxious.  Moreover, the woman passed me in that last mile.  I almost cried when I saw Mary at the end of the switchbacks as she cheered me on to the finish. I ran 60 more yards to the finish.  I had absolutely nothing left. No finishing kick, no more motivation, nothing.  I didn't even have the strength to stand. I collapsed at the line and was half-crying, half-laughing.  My mom, friends and the race director, Tim, crowded around me congratulating me and asking me if I was okay.  I was carried over to the medical tent and examined by the EMT.  I was force fed a bagel, coke, water, and grapes.  But I was so incredibly happy to be done and beamed with joy.  Afterwards I enjoyed firetrails pizza (despite being gluten and dairy intolerant), and two huge chocolate chip cookies.

In just 5:45 hours, I had finished 6th female, 52 overall, and set a new CR in the 20& under age group as the youngest to ever finish the Headlands 50k.  I am beyond happy and glad of my experience. I would definitely have changed a lot of things and have a lot of "could have, should have, what ifs", but I chalk it all up to learning experiences. I can't wait to improve and get after my next ultra!

Western States 100 Pseudo Race Report

I had the absolute honor of accompanying my high school coach, mentor, best friend, and inspiration for the rest of the week to partake in her adventures as one of her crew and pacers.

Jorge's inspiration. A quote of mine

The week was awesome. When we got up there Wednesday night, Mary and I went for a short jaunt on the bike path to get accustomed to that mountain air; it was so unbelievably beautiful! We took some action shots in front of the Olympic Rings and picked flowers by the Truckee River.

Thursday morning I hiked up with many to the top of Escarpment, the highest point of the WS course at nearly 10,000’! We went up there as part of a long tradition for the flag ceremony. Along the hike up, I met many amazing athletes! Ian Sharman, a couple from Denmark, other racers, pacers and crew. My most exciting celeb moment was meeting and talking to Ellie Greenwood, last years champ and CR holder!! Wow. My heart is still racing; it was so exciting.

The Escarpment

The Champ and I!

After the ceremony, I went out for a “long run” out and back on the course. It only ended up being around 14 just because how tough it was! It was hot, high, and tough terrain. But man! The views!

Friday morning was the traditional Montrail “hill” climb “fun run”.  3 miles up that same mountain route. Racing.  I gunned it at the start, was right behind Stephanie Howes in F2 for the first mile. But then Ellie Greenwood passed me, and then some more women… I half ran/ half hiked basically the next mile and a half. But then I learned that it was only 3 miles and not all the way up to the top, so I sprinted the last ½ mi in. I think I was F10 or F9? Holy goodness; that was a tough one.

I spy a Girl with Green Spanx... Someday I'll start for 100 miles...

The rest of Friday was spent hanging out with Mary and her family, planning out the crewing, and getting a good meal in before the race.

I found a four leaf clover at the pre race meeting. Good Omen?

The morning came after no sleep whatsoever on my part. I was too excited! Mark, Mary’s husband, and I took her to the start. Mark and I raced up the hill before the gun went off and cheered her on. We started our journey soon after to the Dusty Corners (mile 38) aid station as it was four hours away and we had to bring the kids (Mary’s 6 mo old and 3 yr old).  It was a SCORCHER out! Once there, we sat around in the heat playing the waiting game. Mary ended up dropping there, but boy, was she tough! I am so inspired by her and her achievements! She is exactly what I want to be in the future.  It was a bit disappointing not getting to pace or fully crew, but that is selfish.  I really wanted to see her finish the race more than ever, as she has wanted to run this for a very long time and has waited patiently and sacrificed much to get in the lottery/necessary training.  She will have her day soon though!

Jorge, my coworker and Salomon International athlete, went on to tough it out and conquer the course after succumbing to the second hottest race day in history. Mad props. Huge respect and admiration for finishing!

We left for home soon after.  Liz and I drove home together and we decided we wanted to have a sweet ending to an epic morning; we were going to run my mile PR.  We picked a great road course, mapped out exactly a mile, warmed up lightly, then set off! I came away shattering my PR and building confidence for summer training.