Way to Cool - Run

On the first loop, Mike and I kept up with Cindy for 2.4 seconds. The first mile or so was on the road--and there was a lot of positioning by runner. During this part I think we paced pretty well. Then we hit the single track for the next six miles. We ended up running with a pack--which was nice. We had one river crossing, where I got my feet wet. Not the best thing.

We got back Cool and I hit the porta-potties and the first aid station. Then is was a long downhill down past highway 49 by the American River. It was spectacular. I reloaded water and continued onward. The next section Mike and were with the pacers of the MOPers. They were really funny. Then, we started the incline up. I met up with a local, Karen, who was pointing out some of the former trails and where the course headed along the Western States Trail. I passed that group on the uphill. Then we ran along the top of the mountain for a while. That was a lot of fun. As we started to head downhill, I could feel a little tightnes in my left calf--but I worked it out. Then, it was up goat hill--which was tough. There were great cheerer on that hill. It flattened out for a while, and we grinded along the way. At one point, I started to look around and slipped into a bush! Mike and the guy behind him, thought it was the funniest thing--and it was. Then it happened. I hit a patch of mud--my left calf completely cramped up. I was hurting. I walked/run for a while. I asked Mike to take off--but he stuck around waiting for me to catch up. At the Highway 49 crossing I asked him to take off--and make an effort to complete the race in 7 hours. He reluctantly took off. My quads started to cramp up too. I was surprised as I had been popping salt tabs from about mile 15 on. I decided that today was not my day and I wasn't going to be able pull it out, so I walked the rest of the way in! There were a ton of people cheering me on. I walked all the way back into the finish, not my proudest moment--but I got it done. Mike and Cindy were at the finish to wish me congratulations.

I ran a great marathon--it was a shame this was a 50K!

My training up until a month ago was pretty solid. Then between work and home, I ended up skipping much of the millage. This was the core problem for this race.

We headed over to get the post race meal--which was pulled pork and vegetable soup.


Training


An amazing race--solid race director. I would recommend this and any of her other races. A++++++.