Santa Monica Mountains - 30k - Run30k

This was to be my first trail race of any kind, so I went into it with no expectations other than finishing and having a good time on the trails.
The course was basically a big figure eight. Start with a 3 mile climb clockwise up and around a mountain then 5 miles back around the other side for a total of eight or so miles, then another 10 miles counter clockwise loop of the peak to the south. I spent most of that first climb trying to pass slower runners, which is hard on narrow rocky single track. One you crested the hill though, holy shit what a view. You could see all the way to Santa Barabara to the north and way the hell out to see. It was a little cloudy from the storm we'd just had, but the sun was out and the temps were perfect. I was feeling really good till miles 4 and 5 where we hit this valley that was like the Swamp of Infinite Sorrow. It wasnt deep mud, and the trail was flat, but this stuff just stuck to your shoes and it felt like you were hauling 20 pounds weights on each foot. That was my only low point of the whole race, and luckily it didn't last too long. We had a couple miles of really fun, super technical single track back to the start, an the start of the second half of the course. No sign of Ampsman though. I hit the aid station, filled my handheld water bottle, grabbed a handful of chips and m&m's and started out on the second loop. This one sent you south up a few miles to the top of the next peak, way down into the next canyon (Sycamore Canyon for the locals) then back up to the same peak (via an extremely steep half mile or so climb that was a total bitch) then back down to the finish.
I started that first climb doing a mix l of a run/power hike shuffle that seemed to work. I was watching my pace on my Garmin and ran the numbers and thought I could come in at 3:00 hours if all went well. I had no idea where this would place me in the rankings, but it was a nice even number.
So the climb went pretty well, and the trails were in fantastic shape. Once I hit the top, it was a really long fire road down to the bottom of the canyon. I picked up some good time here, but didn't goe all out for fear of catching a toe and eating shit.Got to the bottom where there was an aid station and I filled up on flat Coke (shits like rocket fuel) water for my bottle and a handful of pretzels. I was feeling really good nutrition wise, so I just ate what looked tasty.

Started the return leg via a flat dirt road along the base of the canyon, which then turned into a bunch of switchbacks that lead to that bitch of a climb. I basically power hiked it with my hands on my knees, cussing the whole way. Once at the top we joined up with the fire road we'd come down earlier, and it was a decent hike back to the summit. Once I was at the top, I knew we had a little over 2 miles to the finish, and my watch read 2:45 I think, so I decided to go balls out and try to get that 3:00. This was my favorite part of the whole race. It was beautifull sweeping downhill single track with awesome views for the millisecond I could take my eyes off the trail, lol. It was like being on a roller coaster. I was hauling ass...just letting my legs go hoping the rest of my body could keep up. I think I averaged a 6:40 pace for those last 2 miles. Hit the finish line at 3:00:22.
Turns out I placed third in my 35-39 age group. I was beat to shit, but felt fantastic. For my first trail race, I couldn't be happier.


Nothing. I think I can do really well at these races with a little more training than the one trail run I did prior. Loved it!

Fantastic race on a spectacular course! The RD (husband and wife team) were great and so was the community of runners.