San Lorenzo River Trail Run

I have a very ballsy sister.

She was the one who decided this run would be a half marathon, not me. I like to say I didn't pressure her, that I was completely open to the 10k or the Half, and that she was the one who made the ultimate decision. When we were about four or five weeks out from race day, she made the call and we were signed up before the registration discount period ended.

I didn't do much training (at all) for this race - a few hard hikes and mountain bike rides while we were in Jackson, and then three or four runs around 6-10 miles in the 14 days leading up to the race (I think). But I was soothed by the knowledge that it would be her first half, and that there was a lot of uphills we would be walking, and that neither one of us was that well trained.

The start was a cluster-fuck as the huge mass of people standing around in the park had to funnel onto a single track trail. It was a mile or so before the trail opened up enough to allow passing. We climbed through redwood forests and up to some high open headlands. We hit a fire road that was relatively flat before merging back onto single track through redwoods. Up and down, and then down to the river.

Crossing the river was a hoot. We decided at the start that we would stop for both crossings and take off our shoes to prevent blisters. I'm really glad we did. Since we were racing to finish, and not for time, we weren't concerned with the lost minutes from shoe-removal.

Another big up and down, and then a long flat slog along the river to the turnaround. I could tell Manda was getting tired, and the aid station came just in time. I proceeded to stuff my face and the pocket of my handheld with m&m's, gummy bears, oreos, etc., while she just sipped her water. "Free Candy, Manda!" I exclaimed. Being a novice at trail running, and half marathons for that matter, her stomach wasn't so sure that candy and running go hand in hand. I assured her they did, and after about five minutes we started the 6.5-ish miles back to the start.

We crossed the river again, and this time the water felt AMAZING. People were just swimming across the river to cool off. Not a bad idea. I learned here that my favorite go-to brown Athleta shorts are not exactly quickdry material. Oh well - it's not like I'm a triathlete or anything.

The long flat fire road at the top of the second hill proved to be an absolute bi-atch on the way back. We were both feeling it. Normally I'm slogging through races solo, internalizing the pain and discomfort. But not Manda. She openly expressed her pain and discomfort. "F! This hurts so fucking bad! F! Frick! My legs feel like CRAP! Fuck! Where is the downhill!?" I was also in great pain, which prevented me from actually laughing outloud, but internally I was busting a nut. Hilarious.

I'm a pretty laid back runner when it comes to trail races. I easily pass and am passed tons of times during a race. Not Manda. Turns out, she's a beast, and gets quite competitive, especially when there's only a mile left to run. We passed a ton of people at the end, and crossed the finish line in 3:01:04! Holy crap - we're awesome!

We beat my worst-case scenario time by an hour, and were just one minute and four seconds away from beating my best-case scenario time!

Yay! We're done!

Post-run streeeeeeetch

Manda, you must refuel after all that running!

What is wrong with my face?

 Congratulations to Manda for running her first half marathon! 

Sunday Run

I'm currently planning on running only once per week. I know this isn't very much running for a "runner", but I want to be able to really enjoy that one run. I'm going to rekindle my love affair with being on the trail and covering ground. So Sunday is my running day, and I'm planning on an hour, or if things go well after that hour, until I feel like stopping.

Only once a week?!

 Yesterday was so gorgeous - warm and sunny - finally. I ran for an hour, just like I'd planned and I didn't have any negative thoughts, headaches, or desire to quit. When I felt like walking, which was at the half-way point, I walked for a good five minutes. I ran over 10 wooden bridges that spanned the creek, through redwoods and fern gullies.

Photo credit

The end of my beautiful run through Fern Canyon put me out at the beach where I laid in the sand for another hour overwhelmed at my bliss: warm sun, tired body, ocean waves crashing at my feet. The only thing that got me up was the thought of enchiladas for dinner. 

Photo Credit

 

One Wrong Turn

... or, How 7 Miles Became a Half Marathon!
... or, My 30th Birthday!

In honor of my 30th year, I decided to participate in the Steep Ravine trail run in Stinson Beach, a small coastal town just 3 hours from Mendocino, and about an hour north of San Francisco.  I originally set my sights on it because of the 30K, which I decided is the perfect distance (since I crapped out at about 18 miles during my marathon), and because I'd be turning... 30!  November and December passed by and I still hadn't managed a run longer than 6 miles, so in my heart of hearts I downgraded my expectations to the half marathon, and eventually, the 7 mile run.  Still an awesome and memorable way to turn 30, right?

We camped in an RV park in Olema - arrived after dark and left the next morning in the dark!  It happened to drop below FREEZING temperature, and I shivered all night and hardly slept at all.  Then, my iTouch crapped out and my alarm didn't go off!  Luckily, my seester was on it and we made it to the start line in time.  The day donned sunny and bright and clear.  I couldn't have asked for better weather. 

Where's Waldo? Me, awaiting the start, in customary orange visor and red shirt.

We took off at 8:20 a.m. (no official clock or timing chips) and began the long climb up the Dipsea Trail and eventually the Steep Ravine Trail.

This is a ladder on the Steep Ravine Trail.  We hiked the trail years ago in preparation for climbing 14,000 ft. Mt. Shasta!

The way was absolutely beautiful, with moss covered bridges, waterfalls and clear pools all alongside the trail.  I didn't have a camera, but wished I had. 

I was running well, and only walked one or two times on the really steep uphill, and obviously on the ladder.  Almost at the top of the climb, and somewhere around the 3 mile mark, my "peloton" of runners veered off the trail marked for the 7mi. course and entered the second loop designed for half marathoners.  Probably 10 minutes later we realized the folly and somehow a group of us decided to keep going.  It was a decision I eventually was really glad I made, but anger at the group, and at myself for following so blindly, boiled up.  I didn't sign up for 13.1!  I know my body's capabilities and I only trained for 3 miles of climbing, not 7!  But somehow I knew I could do it.

We kept on running through a beautiful section of forest with undulating-but-mostly-downhill trail, and then hit a steep downhill section.  We were met by Muir Woods and lots and lots of tourists on the trail!  The trees were absolutely gigantic and the air was cold and wet.  Since Muir Woods is practically back down at sea level, I knew I had another 1000+ ft. climb ahead.  I was out of water at this point, and forced myself to choke down the mini Cliff Bar I brought along.

The second climb was challenging, to say the least.  I walked a large portion of it, and almost stopped a few times because my climbing muscles were giving out, which has never happened before!  The trail continued to be slightly confusing, and we stopped many times to deliberate our course.  After finally coming out of the trees and cresting the open headland fields a final time I was elated!  The aid station finally appeared ahead, and I loaded up on water, gummy bears and M&Ms.  The next three miles were downhill.

Returning to Stinson Beach via the Dipsea Trail

My support crew actually drove up onto the headlands to look for me - after 2.5 hours of missing-Lindsey they were worried! 

I finished totally happy and stoked, despite my wrong turn and failing quads.  I psuedo-showered at the beach shanty, and we then indulged in breakfast burritos and coffee in the early afternoon sun.  Because we accidentally ran the Half Marathon course backwards we supposedly missed out on some mileage, for which the race director added 8 minutes to our time.  My stats are as follows:

103

Lindsey Bontecou

Mendocino CA

13

29

16 F 20-29

3:04:06

14:03/M

103/172 Total Half Marathoners
16/30 Female Age Group 20-29
43/79 Total Females