This run was not about time given I'd run a marathon (a 5+ hour marathon, but a marathon nevertheless) the night before.

Loop 1 I held back and ran with a Jennifer (Soccersandi00) that I introduced to trail runs a short 2 months ago. She ran a loop of the marathon last night too. As we head down the first hill, I hear someone yell for "Anne" to stop so I ask, and it's Abake (from Springfield) doing her first trail run. It's crowded, so no time to stop and chat. Legs are doing OK given the abuse of the night before, but Jennifer kept me in check (Thanks Jennifer!!) I chat with a few other runners while we're mostly together and the miles pass quickly. Jennifer is worried that she's holding me back (Hah) and I tell her I'll probably run at least 1 2:15+ loop, and would even consider stringing 3 of those together to be a pretty good day. We pass Totem Pole and the creek and she knows the hill is coming. We get up the hill and cross the 5-mile bridge at 1:10. We stop at the aid station before climbing towards Heaven's Gate. We catch up to her friend, Roger, and run together for a bit. After the creek crossing, I run with Roger so I can hit the latrine while Jenn lags behind. Roger and I come through the finish and Jenn is about a minute behind. I stop to top off my water and grab some food, give Jenn a hug to congratulate her, and start down the hill again.

Second loop is similar, but not nearly as many people around. Just keep moving forward...As I come up to totem pole, I catch up to some other friends running a bonus loop (they did the 10-mile race and are doing a second loop). The three of us run together past the 5-mile bridge and I get ahead of them at the aid station. Below Heaven's Gate, I stop to retie my shoes because my feet are sliding around on decents, jamming my big toe. Mike and Christy pass me and ask if I'm OK. Yea...we leapfrog from Heaven's Gate really to the finish line. One of the tri-hotties (a lady named Beth) is there to greet me. She ran a leg of the marathon last night and the 10-mile run this morning and was hanging around with friends enjoying a beautiful October day. She tells me my wife (Beth) had to leave and that I'd just missed her by about 3 minutes. Oh well...a bit more food and water and it's time to start the third loop. An APO'er was going to join me for the last loop, but I didn't see her so I asked. She wasn't feeling well, so I'd be on my own. By now, my knees are starting to hurt, but I have lots of time to make the last loop and not keep Mike from hanging around too long.

I manage to run the to the totem pole, but then walk the middle part. My knees are screaming at me, and my right forearm is cramped. When I say "run" that really means run the flat/downhill portions and walk anything remotely resembling a climb. I pass a runner before reaching totem pole. I walk from the totem pole past the aid station (telling them thanks again and wishing the volunteer a successful 100-miler next weekend) and on to Heaven's Gate. I catch up and walk for 5-10 minutes with a young lady on her second loop. As we get into Heaven's Gate, another runner passes me, but I'm in no condition to chase so it's a net zero on placing. I walk out of Heaven's Gate and commit to "run" from the creek to the finish. After crossing the creek, I start to make good on my commitment, and manage to shuffle in the last 2 miles. I'm about an hour slower than last year, and at least a half-hour later than I'd hoped, but still moving forward under my own power.

Not run a marathon the night before? The first two loops were very consistent. Part of this was to see if I'd be up for a 100-miler or the Tahoe Triple, or any other such foolishness, and the answer is "maybe..."

Nothing. My HR at the end was probably 140 (usually running HR is 160-170), so nothing more than a few minutes of stretching. Got a bowl of chili and a piece of a wrap and switched from shoes to flip-flops.

Rode home, took a shower and an ice bath and a 2-hour nap.


Marathon and limited long runs.


This is a low-key run. The race director, Mike, is part of the local club, and he's the reason I do these kinds of things (I ran my first trail run pacing him a couple years ago). Ultras are personal challenges.