A lot has happened since my last race report in December. I have toyed with just letting this blog go. No one reads blogs anymore really. I admit I use it as a way to look back at things I did for certain races but I have sort of just lost the momentum of maintaining this let alone finding the time. Which is ironic, given that after CIM 2022, I had loads of time.
The day after Christmas 2022, I went snowboarding with some friends at a new to me resort. The last run of the day I had a fluke accident as I exited one of the chair lifts. The tip of my board got stuck in some snow/ice but the rest of my body’s momentum did not stop. Long story short, I broke my fibula. Luckily it was a clean break but it was the first real broken bone I have ever sustained and it required a full blown cast.
Green with blue sparkles
Five weeks in a cast followed by some time in a boot followed by tons of time trying to gain back strength and mobility in both my ankle and my foot.
Fast forward to May of 2023 when I found myself on an 11 hour road trip with my friend Michele headed to my first trail race since CIM! The Bryce Canyon Ultras!
I was in no way ready for an ultra (any distance over 26.2 miles) as I had only run up to 8 miles prior to the race but I was excited to get back to any start line. Dusting off my gear, packing and looking at the race course alone made me happy. Running a 30k would be just perfect.
Michele and I left on Thursday morning and drove all the way to Panguitch, Utah. We crashed hard at the hotel that night and woke up bright and early Friday to see Bryce Canyon.
We got to the park early and did the most beautiful hike. This is definitely worth a trip and a stop as the rock formations are just incredible.
After our hike, we headed to Hatch, Utah for packet pick up. We ate lunch in the back of the car while we waited for it to open. As with all Vacation Races events, everything ran seamless.
They wanted us to color the sign. My contribution
After packet pick up, we explored around the area more before we founds ourselves back at the hotel making dinner and getting race ready.
Race morning
Race morning was beautiful. The race this year held a few distances all starting 30 minutes apart. Our 30k was the last starting at 7:30 am.
Another seamless part of this race is that there are plenty of porta potties, plenty of parking spaces and plenty of wonderful volunteers!
They counted us down and we were off! The first 3 or so miles is on a fire road that is slightly uphill (at almost 7000 feet above sea level). It is the perfect opportunity for everyone to spread out.
Eventually you dip onto a single track climb. Michele and I separated somewhere in the first mile both ready to run our own races and catch up later with lots of stories to tell.
I was all smiles the entire time. The ankle/leg was holding up great even with the off camber trails, rocks and sandy sections.
I kept my long sleeve on for probably the first four or five miles. It wasn’t until we reached this significant uphill that was on some sketchy trail that I wish I had taken it off earlier.
The above photo does not do the trail justice. There was this one section, before the second aid-station where it was super loose gravel and a steep drop into nothing. You are pretty high up and I was stuck in a conga line of people. Luckily for me, most were okay with heights but the same could not be said for Michele.
She had a girl near her that was petrified of heights and was clinging to a rock unable to move. Michele offered help but the girl refused. Just a warning if you do have a fear of heights as this is not mentioned in their race guide.
After this, we started reaching some areas that had snow! It was so cool!
My note to Michele
I stopped to write Michele a note hoping she’d see it when she passed (she didn’t) but the guys I was running with stopped to watch me and then hollered “GO MICHELE!” 🙂
When we got to the top of one of the mountains, I noticed I had cell service so I texted the family and Coach of my daughters’ basketball teams and wished them luck in their huge tournament happening back at home.
My favorite section!
When my watched buzzed at mile 9, I did an internal cheer for myself. Longest mileage run since I had broken my leg!
As I was running down one of the rockiest terrains I have run in a long while, I started a conversation with a girl who was running strong. We chatted briefly about my leg and then she revealed that a few weeks ago, she and 19 others had been trapped in an avalanche in the Himalayas! They all survived but she said they were out there for a while, some without shoes until the Indian government finally met them. Wow! I love this community and what you learn about someone during a race. She even found me after the race to see how I held up.
I do not have much else to say about the race. It was well run, beautiful, extremely challenging and I am so incredibly happy that I decided to do it. The photos from the course pretty much speak for themselves.
You ran through all sorts of terrain over the course of these 19.5 miles.
There was even some snow running – not just by it but on it which was another spot that some people freaked out and went down on their butts!
The final miles were on this amazingly beautiful single track where I was oddly alone for many miles. It was just perfect.
When you get to the final aid-station you have to run the 3 miles back to the finish line on the same gravel sandy road you started. The difference is that this time, you are mostly running downhill.
I was alone on this section almost the entire time and the way the mountains work, you really can’t see or hear the finish line much at all. There were a few times where I doubted myself but eventually I heard the announcer.
I rounded the corner and made my way through the finish line!
Finished!
If I am being honest, the smile did not leave my face the entire time. I am not a social person by nature but I was probably the most social person out there because I was just SO excited to be back out there running again and feeling GOOD!
That was the best part, I really did feel good. I felt like I had surpassed a mental hurdle I had made in my head afraid to go farther.
To make things even sweeter, I finished second in my age group! I was not trying for a AG placement at all but it helps make for a great end to my first race back of the year.
I didn’t have to wait long for Michele to finish either. She rocked that course. It is a pretty fun finish line to chill at as well. Lots of post race food options and it seemed everyone was just hanging out ready to cheer runners past the finish line.
Overall, I would highly recommend Vacation Race’s Bryce Canyon Ultras. There were 315 runners doing the 30k distance, for many, it was their first time at that distance. This was not an easy course, add in elevation and they had a few DNFs but for the most part, it was gorgeous.
The elevation did not affect me as much as I thought it would given that where I live and run it is only 768 feet above sea level and this race started at almost 7000 and we ran up to almost 10,000. I am happy that I chose to do the 30k and didn’t get too cocky and attempt to do the 50k or 60k or 50 mile.
After Michele finished, we recovered a bit, ate and then hopped in the car and drove 5 hours back towards home and got a hotel in an effort to shorten our drive time on Sunday.
For being my first race of 2023 and my first road trip, I am beyond happy and grateful.
The tradition lives on, even if things were a little bit different this year. One thing is for sure, there is no lack of “activity” for me or for my family the first weekend in December. Buckle in and grab a snack. If you like reading race reports, you are in the right place. If you don’t, you are probably way younger than I am! 🙂
The craziness starts with Friday and the California International Marathon (CIM) Expo and packet pickup in downtown Sacramento. For the first time in a very long time, Vans came with me.
Photo by Vans
The whole packet pickup process at CIM is super easy. They have kept the “airport line” method from 2021 which actually runs super seamless. Within a few minutes, I had my race bib, my race shirt and was checking out the expo.
After the expo, we hit up Pushkins Bakery (another tradition) for a gluten free vegan sandwich and headed back home.
Friday night we had basketball practice and then bright and early on Saturday morning, I left for Auburn for the Western State 100 Mile Lottery draw.
Despite having 16 tickets in the lottery, my name was not pulled this year but it was fun to watch friends get called and to hang out with S and C who were also there. Fingers crossed for next year!
With the new electronic name pull for Western States this year, the lottery moved pretty quickly and I was able to jet out of Auburn and head to Rocklin to catch game 2 of Squeaker’s basketball tournament.
They won!
The rest of the day was spent prepping for CIM the next morning.
I woke up at 4 am (more like 3:30 since I just could not stay asleep) and got ready with the help of my furry friend Jersey the cat. Both cats were actually quite interested in me being up that early. 🙂
Jersey the cat
I ate my usual breakfast of Picky Bars Can’t Beet Chocolate Oatmeal and a cup of coffee then sat with my legs up the wall.
Helps circulation
I was not alone though ….
Regan the cat
My other cat was keeping me company and wondering just what the heck I was doing!
Soon 5:30 rolled around and Vans was up (without me having to tell him!) and we were on our way to the race start.
For the last few years I have hitched a ride with TiggerT to the start but she decided not to run the race. Time for a new tradition!
Vans dropped me off at our usual spot and I stopped to use the bathroom and ran into Hassan who I see almost every year at this bathroom so it sort of felt like “old times” seeing him and getting a joyous “Hello!”
I quickly hopped the bus to stay dry and keep warm. It was misty and drizzly at the start but not really too cold (it has been way colder in past years).
Once the bus dropped us off, I made my way to what I thought was the shortest porta potty line. Some traditions never stop.
I had almost an hour before the race was going to start so I listened to the race announcements and tried to keep warm doing some activation exercises. I was also figuring out where I wanted to start.
Ready to go!
Soon it was time to line up with 9,000 of my closest friends. I was actually quite a bit nervous this year mostly because I had not fully trained. The farthest I had run before lining up at the start was 15 miles the month before. Last year I actually trained for CIM and like a lot of runners, race week this year I started feeling all kinds of aches and pains which did not help calm my nerves.
I decided to just go with the flow and run conservatively. I had no real game plan other than I wanted to finish at a decent time (not race time, more like time of day) because my soccer team was down in Modesto playing game 1 of their State Cup game. I was SO bummed to miss watching these girls play in their first game but if they won, they were guaranteed a game 2 and I wanted to be there.
Love these girls.
Promptly at 7 am the race started and I was moving. I felt pretty good and decided not to shed my layers just yet because I usually am still cold once we make the turn onto Oak Street.
I decided to run this year in my Rabbit Smashems because they have a lot of storage space to hold things. In hind sight and proven by my race photos, they are not the most flattering shorts when they are filled with all kinds of stuff. 🙂 They ARE quite useful though as they held ALL of my fuel which consisted of Unived Drink Mix and Spring Energy Gels as well as my ID and a credit card. I carried my phone in my left hand and my water bottle in my right.
Once I passed the timing mat, it felt like those 9,000 “friends” were just flying right by me but I paid them no mind and just kept doing my own thing …. which turned out to be running quite a bit faster than I planned on. My first mile clocked in at 8:15! Ooops. Miles 2 through 6 were all about 8:30 so I was moving (for me).
Some where in these early miles I ran into Mark who like me, is a glutton for punishment and tradition and runs this race every year no matter what. We chatted for a bit and then he was off.
At mile 6.5 I saw an open porta potty and decided to take it. The porta potty situation at CIM this year was perfect! I really try not to stop if I can manage, but I really needed to and since it was open, I was in and out in no time. After that, I still hovered around the 8:30 minute per mile range
After Mark, I ran into Maren who I used to work with. We ran and chatted for a bit. This was her first CIM and she looked amazing. I told her to just keep breathing. She was looking forward to seeing her family at mile 16.
I was still feeling pretty good for the most part but my pace by mile 13 had slowed to about a 9 minute mile and I was having a weird stomach issue that made me want to stop and use the porta potties again. I went back and forth mentally as to whether I really needed to when I came upon a set at mile 15.5 and saw Miss P in line and took that as a sign to stop too. I reminded myself that I was running faster than I had intended to. I only waited maybe 30 to 45 seconds before one opened and I was in and out.
From 15.5 on I slowed considerably and was between a 9 and a 9:30 mile which was fine. I was (crazy enough) still on track for close to a sub 4 hour marathon which was NOT my goal but once that thought settled in my brain, I could not let it go.
At mile 21 I let myself check my phone and received some texts from Vans on the game status. At mile 22, I really started to fade. The sun had come out early in the race and it was HOT. I saw people dropping like flies on the side trying to stretch out cramps or just walk. I became one of them. I never stopped, I kept moving but my legs were feeling super heavy and they also felt like they might cramp. I took two salt tablets during those final miles.
Around 22/23 I thought I heard my name and I looked over and saw my neighbor waving. That gave me a nice boost.
One thing that was bizarre to me, was the fact that during 26.2 miles, I never heard one Bon Jovi song! This was my 13th CIM (15th if you count the years I ran the relay) and I have always heard Bon Jovi being blasted on course. Ah well.
The final two miles to finish always seem like the LONGEST two miles of any race but I do love the crowds cheering and the guy dressed like Jesus with “The End is Near” sign. Cracks me up every year.
I crossed the finish line in 4:11. Not my fastest CIM and not my slowest CIM. I am actually quite proud of that time considering my lack of training. I also thought it was great Ultra Running practice to get comfortable being uncomfortable because I was definitely uncomfortable those last four miles or so. 🙂
This was my 13th CIM and my 19th marathon and for the first time ever, I had no one at the finish line waiting for me.
Post Race Photo
So I walked about 5 blocks and called an Uber to come pick me up and take me home. By then, I had heard that the soccer team had won their first game at 11 am and were going to play again at 5 pm in Modesto and I was going to make sure I was there.
Sitting in my Uber
Super grateful that Uber now exists. I got home, showered, did some recovery stuff, ate and then drove 2 hours to Modesto to make it in time for game 2 of our State Cup. Unfortunately, the outcome was not what we had hoped for but I was glad that I made it. The girls were excited to tell me all about game 1 and asked how many miles I had run. 🙂
All in all, it was a successful CIM considering all the new changes. Recovery is going well and I am looking forward to getting back onto the dirt and trails soon.
I finally saw the infamous ultra “pain cave” that everyone talks about looming in front of me. I took a few steps inside, looked around but I refused to stay knowing that if I went in, I might not get back out.
Like a lot of runners who toed the line at the 2022 Quicksilver 100k this past weekend, this was supposed to be our 2020 race. Some chose to run the bonus race in September of 2021 (hindsight – it is way cooler in September than in May), but others, like myself, bumped it to May of 2022. A new course or really, just a new finish was the biggest change. For me, it was the farthest I have run since my 100 miler at Pine to Palm in September of 2019. There were many mental and physical hurdles between then and now which made my stomach a ball of nerves when race week arrived.
All throughout the week I would organize my race gear on my dining room table. Another big change between previous Quicksilver 100k races and the new course is the number of drop bags allowed. When I ran it in 2016 and 2018, there were 5 different spots you could potentially leave a drop bag. Now, there are two with the last one being at mile 44.1 of the race. Mentally, that threw me for a loop since I knew that in prior years, some of the aid-stations later in the race (namely the second to last) are so remote, they run out of ice and other items.
I worked a half day on Friday and took the afternoon off to drive to San Jose. I actually made great time and was there well before packet pick up was open. I swung by Whole Foods and got what I needed for my post-race meal and then drove over to Sports Basement (this place is incredible – I just love it) and wandered around the store until I could grab my race bib.
“Shopping” – I should have bought this. 🙂
As I was leaving with my race schwag and bib, I ran into S who was also running. He’d run the bonus race in September of 2021 as well so he knew the new course. Seeing him always makes me smile and got me more excited for race day.
This race is a tough one because it starts at 4:30 am. Yes, 4:30 … check-in is at 3:30 am. So that means waking around 2:00 am to start getting packed, fed and ready. Sleep did not come super easy. I went to bed as early as I could, I ate as early as I could but I still tossed and turned quite a bit with my brain overthinking everything.
Start line – that’s Miss P with the pony tail
I got to the starting area just fine. S and C arrived two seconds behind me. I checked in, then had to move my car and then used the porta potties about three or four times before it was time to line up. A headlamp is required to start this race and one of my goals was to NOT need the headlamp again for the finish.
Miss P my dear friend who I met when I first started doing ultras in 2010 was running as well. I helped pace her at her first 100 quite a few years ago, and I know, she is a super strong runner. She makes it look so easy. She is fierce and fast.
When the “gun” went off, the crowd started the run/march uphill. S took off, wanting to get ahead of the big crowd. After a while, I could not get footing myself, so I started to run uphill bobbing and weaving around a lot of people until I could get a nice spot. It is not super steep, and I felt it was runnable but I also wanted to make sure I did not trip as it was also quite rocky.
Rising above the Bay Area fog
The temperatures were predicted to be somewhere between 85 and 90 degrees. That’s not really abnormal for a May Quicksilver BUT the week leading up to the race was downright chilly and rainy making the transition from cool temps one day to squelching hot unbearable temps another, a tough one. It was hot at 4:30 am! I just told myself to keep running as much as I could, comfortably so that I could get a lot of miles out of the way while it was dark and cool(er).
That was the last photo I took for a while because I decided I needed to focus on running.
Hicks #1 Mile 6.1 (6.4 to the next AS)
I ran through the first aid-station, not really needing anything here. I carry a lot in my pack because I try and rely on mostly what I carry with me until I no longer can.
When I started the race my stomach did not feel “awesome” … it wasn’t bad, more like a nervous pit kind of feeling so that is what I chalked it up to be. By mile 7 or so, it was making itself known that it wasn’t disappearing. It wasn’t getting worse, but it was making running uncomfortable at times.
Woods Road #1 Mile 12.5 (5.4 to the next AS)
Refilled my water bottle here. In and out.
Lexington Mile 17.9 (7.9 to the next AS)
Lexington is just off a paved road. I knew that the next aid station was quite a ways out and that we had some killer hills coming up. I just made sure I had water in my bottles and I started soaking my bandana to keep my neck and face cool.
Mile 20.7 – the start of some serious climbing
It was around mile 20 that things started to change. I looked down at my hands and noticed that my fingers looked huge. I could barely bend them they were so swollen. I also had “tried” to go to the bathroom a few times along the course with no luck. Something wasn’t right.
Mile 21.21
This section of the course is pretty gnarly. You have the Kennedy Rollers (photo above) followed directly into Dog Meat (photo below).
Dog Meat – it goes on and on and on
I was lucky enough to be with Miss P during quite a bit of this section or rather behind her watching her just cruise and crush every runner hiking up these hills. She just has the most steady, consistent and powerful uphill hike. She was blowing by runners with poles even.
All I could do was hike. It was hot. It was sunny. I was swelling a ton in my hands. Every step I took up, I felt like I slid back a few inches the gravel was so dry. I focused on my form and what I tell the kids I coach “hands follow feet – move your hands and your feet will follow.” So that is what I did until we got to the top and had to turn and go way way way way down.
On this crazy 3 mile-ish downhill stretch you pass runners hiking back up so you know, once you hit the bottom, you have to turn and hike back up. I was using gravity to just pull me knowing that perhaps this may come back to bite me later if I blow out my quads but my power hike I felt ate up so much time.
I passed S hiking his way up. He looked hot but smiley and it was nice to see his face.
Kennedy Road Mile 25.8 (5.5 to the next aid-station)
When I got here I had to make a decision. I tried (again) to use the restroom (no luck) so I switched from what I had been consuming to just plain water. I was hopeful that maybe I could flush out the sodium I was clearly retaining in my hands. I also grabbed a Coke which is rare for me this early in a race (if at all) but I was hoping it would act as a diuretic.
Luckily, I was still able to consume the Spring Energy gels I had on me, even if they were warm.
The climb back up is long, hot, brutal and when you get to the top, you still have to go even farther before you get to the aid-station.
Woods Road #2 Mile 31.3 (6.5 to the next aid-station)
This aid-station is always a site for sore eyes because by now you’re dying for an ice cold refuel, shade and the awareness that you are half way done with the race! The volunteers (at all the aid-stations) are awesome but these guys are great because you are SO happy to see them.
Hicks Road #2 Mile 37.8 (3.6 miles to the next aid-station)
I am not entirely sure, but I think it was in this stretch that I accidentally kicked a rock with my LEFT foot. I immediately felt my toenail sort of dislodge a bit. I have been blessed in my ultra career to not have any foot issues. That was all about to change in this race.
The stretch here was uplifting for me because we were heading back to the start (and finish) area. This is where I had my only drop bag and I was ready to dump what I had been carrying, that wasn’t working and pick up some new gels and items to see if I could continue to make progress in my hand swelling and stomach discomfort.
Hacienda Mile 41.4 (3.1 miles to the next aid-station)
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This was a downhill stretch coming in and so I ran it and then my drop bag. I was starting to worry about the lack of electrolytes. I didn’t want too much sodium, but it was just so hot. I changed one of my soft flasks to the fuel being handed out at the aid-stations (Skratch Pink Lemonade). At first sip, it made me nauseous but then, it really started to help make me feel better. I would continue to fill one bottle with that.
The rough part here is that you have to walk/run past the finish line and head back out for another 20 something miles while watching 50k finishers run into the finish, see the food trucks and everyone chilling in the shade. Mind battles!
The stretch to the next aid-station is only 3.1 miles but for me, it has always been a struggle. It is up hill. Paula was with me for a bit and then in Paula fashion, she blazed ahead uphill like a machine. I struggled to just keep hiking, focusing on my form, fueling and ignoring the weird feeling in my stomach and in my left foot (didn’t hurt but I could feel the toe nail).
Mockingbird Mile 44.5 (3.9 to the next aid-station)
Another aid-station – same ritual. Ice down the sports bra, water in one bottle at all times.
From here, you climb some shaded (finally) single track but it’s rocky and uphill. Paula and I were once again together. We caught up a lot here. She said she was struggling a bit but she looked amazing. Most of the runners around us had pacers with them so it was nice to have someone to chat with and pass some miles with here. I was feeling pretty low, like I wasn’t going to qualify for Western States. I knew I could finish this race, but would I qualify? I realized I didn’t care whether I did or didn’t (that’s what I was telling myself). I even texted C to tell her that I didn’t think I would qualify but that I would finish. I told her about my sodium issues and my struggle with my stomach.
On the way to the next aid-station, there was some downhill and I separated from Paula because I started to feel really good. Maybe it was the Scratch kicking in (yay electrolytes) but I got a second wind. I also decided that it was ok not to qualify for WS but I’ll be damned if I miss it by just few minutes.
I ran into a runner and her pacer here as well. I learned that it was her first 100k and she was struggling a bit. I told her to put ice in her sports bra when we go to the aid-station and to start counting down the miles. My jedi mind trick. Helping her, in turn helped give me a boost.
Bull Run #1 Mile 48.4 (5.7 to the next aid-station)
I love this aid-station because they are usually so fun and loud and energetic and best of all, fully stocked. I arrived, grabbed ice for my sports bra, some fuel and headed out.
To add some mileage, you have to veer right onto what I’ve always called the Lollipop loop. You run out around a tree and then back and someone is at the entrance marking when you entered and when you come back to ensure all runners honestly do this loop and do not bypass it.
It was on this loop that kicked (hard) a rock with my RIGHT foot. Earlier it was with my left. This one was SO hard that expletives came flying out and I hopped a little bit. Like my right, I felt the toe nail dislodge. What in the world was happening with my feet today???!!!!
I made the right turn out of the lollipop trail and knew instantly what was coming … my favorite section of the course, Tina’s Den (no longer called that I don’t think). This is a single track shaded downhill section that in 2016 and 2018 I just FLEW down. I have always had the energy and the power here … except this year.
I’d let gravity pull me and then have to hike some, let it pull, then hike again. My toes were killing me, my quads were finally starting to protest all of those earlier hills I bombed. My second wind, my second life, was slowly deflating.
This used to be the “fastest” section in my head but this year, it went on forever and ever and ever. I was mostly alone. A few runners passed me, I passed one or two who were struggling.
Finally we are dumped off the single track and onto the fire road, I knew that the second to last aid-station was coming. I knew when I got to that aid-station, I had to look at my watch to see what my time was to see if I was still within range to qualify for Western States.
McAbee Mile 54.1 (4.9 miles to the next aid-station)
I arrived at McAbee and there was some carnage like there is every year. There was no ice so I refilled with warm water. I looked at my watch and saw that I had 45 minutes before the cutoff for a Western States qualifying time. Dang it, that’s too close in my math challenged head. Realistically, I probably had TONS of time but I am bad at math and luckily in the right direction so it pushed me forward.
Lots of uphill here again. At mile 55 I suddenly had to pee! Oh my gosh! I had to pee, FINALLY! There is pretty much no where to pee on a lot of these trails so I scrambled up a side hill and ducked behind some trees. Finally! My flush with water plan was working. My fingers were slowly reducing in size too.
Hiking toward what would be the last and final aid-station of the day (and again, my favorite) I ran into a guy who reminded me that this aid-station had otter pops! I had completely missed it on my first stop but I was hoping they had some left because that sounded amazing.
Bull Run #2 Mile 59 (3 miles to the FINISH)
When I arrived at the aid-station it was mellow, not too many runners at one time. I had one volunteer take one bottle and fill with water and ice (just in case), another pulled the trash out of my pocket and another got me an Otter Pop. Seriously could not love these volunteers more!
Otter pop heaven. Ready to be done with this.
They told me it was 3 miles down hill to the finish. I asked if it was REALLY downhill … because on the previous course, it was touted as downhill but there were a few sneaky rollers in there.
Once I got my legs under me, I took off. Sure enough it was down freaking hill! I inhaled the otter pop and just flew. You know when you feel like you’re just sprinting and flying and then you look at your splits and you so are not? 🙂 That is what this felt like. Mile 60 was 13:41 and mile 61 was 10:05 … but I felt like I was doing 7 minute miles. 🙂
I heard the finish and tried to run even harder. I crossed the finish line and the crowd went crazy. I guess I ran in faster than anyone had in a while. I just want to be done!
What the???
When I finished, a nice volunteer handed me my finishers medal and a second one handed that above medal, “Nice job Pamela! That was some finish!” he said. I looked at the medal and replied, “You must be mistaken. This can’t be right.” He said, “Nope, you got third in your age group! Congratulations!”
My finish time was 14:46. I qualified for Western States and while technically, this is a new course (the finish was the only difference), I ran faster than I had in 2018. However, I was toast.
I still couldn’t believe I had gotten 3rd AG. Not going to lie, it gave me that feel good boost to get my body in the car and drive all the way back to my hotel. It was a nice thing to text the family too who had been cheering for me.
Later when I checked the results, I saw I was actually 5th. I felt horrible. I emailed the race directors and told them I’d be happy to mail the medal to the appropriate owner. They said that I DID earn it. The two ladies who placed first and second, placed first and second OVERALL (my age bracket is a tough one) and since they don’t provide second sets of medals, I got 3rd via 5th. 🙂 I did get 12th female overall. None of that actually matters to me though, it’s all bonus and glory and great for a blog story (and to impress the kiddos). 🙂
What matters most is that I finished. I overcame some serious pain in my feet (which by the way look horrendous and are super painful). I also discovered the largest (and only) blister I have ever had on my big toe when I got back to my hotel (seriously, this is all new to me!). I had problem solved whatever was going on with my sodium intake and stomach. I stepped inside the pain cave, but I did not let myself stay there. I refused to let myself stay there.
My A-race for the year is over. Mentally, I have jumped that distance hurdle. The one that was nagging at me for the last two years. I felt so behind, so out of the ultra running loop. Now it is time to recover and heal and figure out what I need to tweak.
If you’re still reading (which I think no one does – but these are great for me to look back on), thank you. Thank you to S and C for being out there even if I never saw you. Thank you to Miss P for those miles and inspiring me to up my power hiking game. Thank you to Sandi and Higher Runner for your continued support, guidance and for always being a proponent of mind over matter and positive talk.
I fully believe: If the mind breaks, the body will follow.
Happy Trails!
~Trailmoma
EDITED TO ADD:
I do not think, that I really had a (dangerous) sodium issue during this race. What I DO think happened here for this race is that it was my first 100k back since 2019 and a really hot and difficult race with over 13,000 ft of climbing, 90 degree temps after a week of 50 degrees and rain and a course with very little shade. That’s my explanation for the finger swelling, it was hot and truly the first hot run of the year. Mentally, I had forgotten how difficult running 62 miles really is perhaps as well (I know I did).
As for my feet, that is me being super clumsy I guess and fatigued hitting those rocks. The blister can again be explained by perhaps my toes were swelling due to the heat. The lucky part about that, is that I never felt the blister. I did not know I even had one until after the race.
I am not done with racing or doing difficult races. I just now know taking a year or or even two year long breaks makes coming back a lot harder. 🙂
“Well, that did not suck!” Those were the first thoughts that ran through my head as I crossed the finish line. I was ear to ear smiling as I heard my name announced and was given a fist bump by the race director. What a beautiful race!
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First, we need to back up just a little. I registered to do this race in April of 2020 but much like a lot of races, it was postponed. When April of 2021 came around, things were still not in the clear enough to have the event.
I always say things happen for a reason in life and having this event in 2022 meant that I was able and ready to run it even if my instructions were to, “Have fun, treat it as a training run and take lots of photos!” 🙂
ROAD TRIP!
I love a good road trip and Mendocino turns out to be the perfect distance from home (roughly 3.5 hours) and the drive was beautiful.
I had never been to Mendocino before and it did not disappoint! The weather was spot on perfect with sunshine, a breeze and temps that were perfect for running.
First things first. I drove straight to the Stanford Inn (by the sea) for packet pick-up. I was greeted by the wonderful and creative Lynda Layng who I “met” through social media years ago. She greeted me with the biggest smile ever. We chatted and caught up and she recommended a place to stop for lunch.
I’ve been drinking Unived’s drink mix for the last 3 years I think. I love it, my stomach loves it and it has been working great. I am not sponsored at all and I promise to post a review and my thoughts on the stuff sometime soon (especially their new product) – but that is what was in my pack along with some gels for this race.
Once my pack was ready, I went to bed eager to explore the trails I have heard so much about.
Good morning!
The race starts at 7:30 am (a perfect time in my opinion) and I specifically picked my lodging so that I could walk to the start. It was probably a little more than half a mile to the starting line. door to door.
Over cast but setting up to be a stellar day
I made sure to have a bag with me that could dump my warm jacket into and stash at the finish line. I knew post race near the water, it might be a chilly walk back.
The race starts and ends at Big River State Beach. This place is so cool as it is where the river actually intersects with the Pacific Ocean. It’s crazy to see the calm water run right into waves.
At the starting line they had warm coffee and scones for all. Not many races can do this, I grabbed a half a cup of coffee just to keep my hands warm. There were quite a few restroom options. 😉 The morning was cool but it eventually warmed up.
Let’s go!
Soon it was ready to line up and have Sid, the RD count us down to go time. Seriously, look at that photo, easily one of the most beautiful starting lines ever.
The first four miles or so are on this beautiful path that meanders past the redwood trees. It is wide enough for everyone to space out. It is also flat and perfect for getting a rhythm.
The first aid-station comes around mile 4.33 or so and then you take a sharp left then veer upward.
The course was very well marked with blue ribbons. We were given strict instructions that red ribbons were “bad” … however, a group of us at one point did run into a bunch of red ribbons. Thinking we’d missed a turn, we turned around as a group. Turns out, those red ribbons were either park ribbons or logging ribbons and we were on the right trail after-all. Basically, if a turn was happening, the course ribbons were VERY obvious both on the trees and on the ground. No chance of missing any.
If I could stop a million times and take a million photos I totally would have. Almost every turn I’d stop and go, “Woah! Look at that!” I was grateful and blessed to be in a small pack of strong women who were having a great time.
Those first three bumps or climbs on the map, were not that bad. I felt the climbing was gradual and manageable. I even had the power to run quite a bit of them. Those smaller “bumps” near the end of the race? Those are the suckers that were vertical.
The downhill in this race though is outstanding! Soft dirt, very few obstacles, just a beautiful trail that pulls you so easily. At one point I came upon a group and they asked if I wanted to pass and as much as my body was like “Yes!” my brain was smarter and said, “Still a lot of race left Pam. Your quads are going to hate you later.” I pretty much responded with that to the group and they all agreed. They all wanted to fly but were keeping a steady pace and so I took up the caboose of our train.
Look at the size of that tree stump!
Aid-station 2 was around mile 7.35 or so. Like the first one, I ran right through it. I knew that aid-station 3 was the important one.
At some point, I lost the girl group (aid-station I think) and began running with Greg from Sacramento. Funny to meet and run with someone who lives near where I do at a destination race.
Greg was so nice. He had a lot of knowledge about the redwoods. He pointed out a redwood cathedral which is where a bunch of younger redwoods grow in a complete circle around an older one. It was so cool but no, I did not take a photo.
The night before the race, we received an email from Sid the race director with a link to a video of him crossing a river. It was more like, “Hey! So there is a river crossing around mile 13 or so. It looks deep but isn’t that deep but there is a rope for you, please use it and this is how you cross.” It made me laugh but I am SO glad he sent that as it did make crossing this a lot easier.
The water was cold but it actually felt really good. I say that about all water crossings I know.
Aid-Station 3 came around 13.24 miles in and was the aid-station I had been waiting for as the distance between 3 and 4 was almost 8 miles apart. I knew that I had to refill here.
I mean … come on!? How cool are these trees?
Still in my happy place, still feeling amazing, I thanked the outstanding volunteers and was on my way.
The rest of the race I was mostly by myself. I ran with two other ladies who I think were locals and then a downhill came and I was off again like a kid in a candy store.
Sacramento Dan ran by me at one point and said “Hi!” he looked strong and motored his way up a hill.
Mile 21-ish I distinctly remember hitting one of those vertical hills I mentioned earlier. It was on the way to aid-station 4 but it was a doozy of a climb.
The race is a mix of fire roads and single track for the majority of the miles. All very runnable and beautiful.
Smiling at mile 20 something.
After some time though, you do get dumped onto some pavement. We were running through Russian Gulch State Park and while there were quite a few people out hiking and enjoying their Saturday, I will say they were all super nice and eager to move to the side of the trail if they heard me running behind them. Some even said good luck!
The 5th and final aid-station came at mile 26.13 and at a place that had me stop in my tracks and ask, “Is this for real?”
I was in awe. I was also alone so no one was around (probably better) to hear me say how insanely beautiful this all was!
I probably lost quite a bit of time on this section but I reminded myself that I wasn’t running for a time, I was running for joy and this was it.
While this section of the race is breath taking, there is a section coming up that I knew would take my breath away … the rope climb.
Yea, I said a rope climb. Once you leave this beautiful sea side spot … you run along highway one until you come to a really nice volunteer who tells you that you should grab the rope and head down the side of the bridge to the bottom.
Mile 27
Keep in mind, this is mile 27 of the race and that rope extends straight down after that edge along a watery little path to the bottom where another lovely volunteer helps you navigate. My legs were laughing at me but luckily, my hands had a tight enough grip on the rope.
Once you’re at the bottom you have to cross the water and climb straight back up the other side. Now, you’re on your way to the Mendocino Headlands State Park and eventually the finish.
This section is more pavement-ish but I caught a glimpse of a familiar van in one of the parking lots and the silhouette of two of the sweetest people I know. Then I heard my name being yelled and someone waving! S (my old running partner) and his beautiful wife C had made the drive up and were cheering for me! Huge boost. He high-fived me as I passed and said he’d see me at the finish.
The finish came after running through this huge stretch of sand!!!! My mental nemesis is sand but I was so elated to have seen S and C that I did not mind one bit. I was honestly a little bit sad as I knew the race was ending soon.
So I suck and didn’t get very many photos of the finish. Maybe I will leave that a mystery so you can run it for yourself and experience it but please know that the finish is like one big party at the end. Everyone was enjoying food (lasagna and salad) and cheering for runners as they came in.
Finisher’s gift
For what was supposed to be a training run, I ended up finishing 7th female overall and 4th in my age group. Not too shabby! Imagine if I didn’t stop to take a bunch of photos!? 🙂
After I finished, I found Lynda and she gave me the biggest hug ever! So nice especially since I was so smelly.
S and C where there as well. We hung around for a bit but they wanted to go eat at their favorite place, Fog Eater Cafe and I was starving.
C and S
The food here was outstanding especially if you are plant-based and gluten free. Our server was SO awesome at making sure I was okay and safe from gluten. 🙂
After fully refilling my body with all the calories it needed post 50k, I went for a walk along the coast line.
My belly and heart are so full here.
Post race I was feeling pretty good which made my mind relax. It meant that training is going well and I was ready. I am ready, for whatever lies ahead.
Best race swag ever!
Like I said, things happen for a reason and the fact that I ran this in 2022 instead of 2020 was meant to be. I was meant to have the adventure that I did and meet the wonderful people that I met and run the race the way I wanted to feeling pretty amazing the entire way.
Thank you to Sid and all the volunteers for this outstanding event! I know they were short on volunteers but they made it happen seamlessly from a runner’s perspective.
Thank you to Lynda as well! For the hugs and for everything!!! So happy we finally got to meet face to face!
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2020 was not a total bust, I did manage to run the FOURmidable 50k before the world shut down but that was about it in terms of races. Instead I did what everyone did, I ran, played with my kiddos, found other hobbies and let my body heal from a really full and challenging 2019 year of racing (for me).
Then 2021 came along and I started the year with a calf tear that took quite some time to get over. I could have run a 100k but I decided to defer to ensure that my body was 100% and instead focused on some pretty nice trail half marathons that were destination races (my favorite) and then started back with training and racing CIM in December.
VANS at the starting line
VANS drove me to the start which was great. Also great? The start was at 8:00 am which means he did not have to wake up at 0’dark thirty to drive me.
This year, the race held all four events (50k, 35k, half-marathon and 13k) all in one day which meant I would be able to see my friend John before he started his race!
It was a nice boost to see and laugh with him before my race because for the first time in probably forever, especially in Auburn, I did not see anyone else that I knew. In a way, this was nice as I needed the mental time to think about what I wanted from the day. Finish time was not my priority at all. I had other things I wanted to work on … like trying to remember how to run an ultra!
Pre Race Meeting
Race Director Paulo gathered us at the starting arch and went over the race details (course ribbons, cupless race etc). The energy was pretty palpable as I think a lot of people were excited to be back running and racing again. It was also windy and chilly at the start (about 43 degrees) but the “veteran” in me knew that I would not need anything more than a tank top because it would warm up quick and believe me, it did!
The first three or so miles are basically downhill to the river and the base of Cardiac (the first of the “four”-midable climbs). In past years, I’ve been caught up here and would always “fly” super fast (again, for me 😉 ) down hill totally exhausting myself so that by the time I got to Cardiac, I was already tired.
This time, I had a plan. First and foremost, I trained quite a bit on this hill in preparation. I ran down and up quite a few times in training. Second, I did not go all out at the start. I kept my pace pretty steady the entire time. Looking at my stats, I ran almost the same pace for each mile and I was not out of breath.
Another thing to note, the course start was different than it was in 2020. In 2020 we ran the fire road after the single track portion all the way down to the base of Cardiac but this year, we meandered through some more single track trails staying off the gravel road which was nice and kept us spaced out a bit more.
When it came time to climb Cardiac, I felt good! There was no conga line of people, we were spaced out nicely and I just power hiked. I was between a nice group of men who I think were from out of town (or at least one or two were) who joked about the climb. I ran the flatter sections when I could and before I knew it, Cardiac was over!
The first aid-station (Gate 142) is at mile 5.4 and is essentially back near the starting area. I had every thing that I needed so I did not stop. I could hear Paulo on the loud speaker starting the runners for the 13k race which I knew would intersect with us 50k runners soon.
Sure enough as we were running down the single track, I heard the pitter patter of super fast feet and it was the lead runners of the 13k. I yelled, “Runner back!” and the 50k runner in front of me waved a thank you as we both moved over letting the 13k leaders pass. Trail etiquette at its finest. The leaders all said or waved thanks.
When I made it to the No Hands Aid-Station (mile 9.6), I was feeling pretty good. In previous races I’d have to stop to use the restroom here but my stomach felt great. I did not stop at the aid-station, instead taking a sip of some fuel and made my way towards the second of the “four”-midable hills, K2 (aka Training Hill).
Another one of my favorite hills to train on and climb. Again, everyone was pretty spaced out despite there being four different races happening at once. When I got to the top of K2, I was all alone so I ducked off the trail and used mother nature. My first and only pee stop of the race, which is a new record for me. 🙂
Mile 13.4 brings you to Knickerbocker Aid-Station #1. I did stop and refill a bottle here with water and dumped another packet of Unived drink mix in. For the first time ever, I ran without my hydration bladder and instead relied on water bottles which was something new for me.
Back on the trail I started running and realized there were some runners close behind me, it kind of made me pick up the pace a little. Then we came to a mini-stream/creek crossing and in classic Pam fashion, instead of going slow and just hopping on the rocks that were there to get across, I panicked I would slow those behind me and totally tripped and bam, my left foot submerged into the water. 🙂 Newbie move! I laughed, the runners behind me laughed but they stayed dry. 🙂
The gravel road down to the third “four”-midable hill, the Old Auburn Dam was rough on my legs. It was here that I started to feel like my legs were heavy and not turning over well. It was also getting pretty warm and the climb is in some sun.
Up until this point, I had been fueling pretty well using a new-to-me method and new(er) fuel that I’ve started in training runs. However, on this climb after taking in some fuel, I felt a twinge of nausea which is not something I experience typically in races. I didn’t panic, I just continued to climb and think about what I had done so far.
It was then I realized that I had not been taking in any extra sodium. This was definitely the first warm run in a long time and I am sure my body was thinking, “WTF?!” I dug through my pack, found some salt tabs and took one.
Still smiling though!
After a little while, I started to feel better. I made a mental note of the time and decided that I would do better at keeping track of sodium intake in addition to my regular fueling.
I was excited to be back at Knickerbocker Aid-Station #2 (mile 18). I cannot recall but I do not think I refilled my bottles here. I grabbed some aid-station fuel, thanked the volunteers and headed down toward the creek.
This creek was fresh in my brain from my 2020 race. It was here that I fell into the creek by accident. Like FELL IN! 🙂 This time, I knew better. I figured out the best way across and stayed dry. I saw other runners sitting in the creek which was a smart move in this heat! By now, my left foot had dried completely and ironically, getting it went in that creek earlier actually made what I thought was a blister forming, totally disappear so yay!
Cool, CA
I rarely train on this side of Cool and I often wonder why when I am out here during this race. It is absolutely beautiful. It’s warm, sunny and exposed a lot of the time, but the trails are gorgeous.
The distance was longer than I realized though. In my head I miscalculated the next aid-station but luckily, all the aid-stations are imprinted on your race bib, so really, I have no excuses. 🙂
Mile 23.4 brings you to the Cool Aid-Station. When I came through the gates the volunteer checking bib numbers told me to grab some ice and stuff it down my shirt. How have I forgotten that piece of amazing advice!? Hello newbie!
I got to the aid-station and filled up both of my bottles with water and then fought stuffing them into my vest. I know it is easier to stuff them back in with the vest off, but I hate doing that so instead, I stood there stuffing, fighting and shoving them in. While I was doing that however, I did ask the volunteer about ice down my shirt!
She whisked me aside and totally made life amazing. I overheard another runner who looked like she was having a rough time say, “Can I also have ice down my shirt?” I am hoping it brought her back to life too.
When I was back on the trail I decided to add another Unived drink mix packet to my now newly filled water bottle that was IN my pack. Too stubborn to remove the bottle, I thought I would be amazing and just unscrew the lid and dump the mix in. Any guesses on what happened? 🙂
A geyser of water and drink mix shot up and out of my bottle and straight into my face! Drenching me from head to toe and because of the pressure of the pack on my body, it did not-would not stop. I could not stop laughing at myself. I finally got everything under control but was a pretty sticky wet mess from that point on. Ah, the newbie lives on!
The miles down rollercoaster are some of my favorite in all of Auburn/Cool. In previous races I have bombed this section, feeling invincible, feeling like air, feeling like I could fly to the moon! This year? I felt like I was wearing cemented moonboots trying to run through quick sand.
I did pass a few runners so I was actually running but I flat out laughed at myself, out loud too at how awkward I felt, how just impossible it seemed to make my legs turn over.
It took a good couple of miles for me to feel like I was running normal down this section and before I knew it, I was arriving at the No Hands Aid-Station #2 (Mile 27). I came down the trail and the volunteer said I had one of the biggest smiles yet.
No Hands Bridge
There were only four miles to the finish and my bottles were (almost) full so I just grabbed some fuel from the station and walked myself across No Hands taking in fuel and texting Vans that I had four miles left and that more than likely, it would take me about an hour.
That is when I found out that he’d gone to the hospital to get x-rays of his shoulder (minor biking incident earlier in the week) and that he was trying to make it to the finish. I knew once he was at the hospital, there was no way he would make it in time.
Despite doing a great job on fueling and a mediocre job at taking in additional sodium, I was feeling the miles on my legs but my head was in a good place. I saw some female runners up ahead running strong and they were in good spirits so I just kept running.
When we were in the final miles before the finish and the last and fourth, “four”-midable climb (Overlook Hill), I noticed a runner up ahead that looked like she was struggling.
To be honest, the only runners I could see between me and the miles ahead were all female! It was a flock of strong running females and it was awesome. When I got to the girl who was struggling, I stopped and gave her some salt tabs. She was drenched in sweat but in good spirits.
When it came time to go up Overlook Hill, I just channeled all the time I have spent training on this hill. I passed two ladies and encouraged them to keep going, one step in front of the other. When I could see the finish arches in sight, I started to run (the term run is used loosely here as it probably didn’t look like running to those watching). I heard some cheers and from the looks of it, all the women I encouraged followed suit and were right behind me pushing it on that climb! I love it!!!
I crossed the finish line with a huge smile. After two years and lots of ups and downs, I had finally finished an ultra and a tough one too.
I had accomplished all the things I had set out to do. I wanted to finish ignoring the clock, I wanted to try some new fueling techniques and I wanted to remember what it feels like to be comfortable being uncomfortable and to problem solve along the way. For me, I succeeded in all of it.
Vans and Squeaker eventually showed up to the finish. Vans did not break any bones (yay) and Squeaker had a blast building little villages in the dirt. 🙂
This kid cracks me up.
Overall, I am happy with how things transpired out there. I need to work on sodium intake I guess or maybe my legs were just not remembering how to work properly in races like this. 🙂
Her shirt!!!! It was a hit at the hospital with the doctors. 🙂
Grateful to my family for being there for me and to Higher Running for getting me to the starting line.
Now, to rest and recover so I can get back out there. It feels good, normal almost, to be back doing things like running ultra races and trails again.
Happy Trails!
~Trailmomma
I’d like to thank the companies that continue to support me and whose products I stand behind and use:
Topo Athletic – I ran this race in their Ultraventure model. I love the company and this shoe and I was super stoked to see a lot of runners wearing Topos on the course.
Unived – The Wild Watermelon drink mix is my absolute favorite but I do use and enjoy all of their drink mix flavors and I used their Salt Tabs as well. I also really love their Recovery Mixes – Chocolate Turmeric being my number one favorite.
Picky Bars – Their Fudge Nut Bars save me so many times when I am running to coach practice after a long run or race. My kids also love them and usually eat them before I can get to them.
Spring Energy – new to the line up, their Awesome Sauce (vegan) gel is pretty darn good (and I am not a gel person typically).
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