Going the Distance

"If you start to feel good during an ultra, don't worry you will get over it. - Gene Thibeault"

Karl and I enjoy a cool, foggy day at the Golden Gate 50K, Rodeo Beach

Karl and I toed the line at the Golden Gate 50K to get in a long training run July 23rd. Put on by Coastal Trail runs, the race was very well attended, but most ran the shorter distances. I started in no mood for a run, feeling sore from recent training, just hoping to finish the distance and log a solid training run. It was great to catch up with Erika at the starting line, who ran the 30K, just days after her 85 mile adventure on the Tahoe Rim Trail. I took it easy, thankful for the cool, foggy day that made the run much more enjoyable. Ok, honestly my mood was not exactly thankful but then I thought about runners across the nation in 100+ degree heat, like my friend Libby in Texas training for her first marathon and my friend Jonathan in New York City, and stopped feeling sorry for myself! After 6 or 7 miles, I sent Karl ahead as I knew I would have plenty of folks to run with along the way. The views of the Pacific Ocean, including Pirate's Cove, Muir Beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Pt Bonita were stunning,  improving my mood considerably, but for the first few hours I was still just plain tired and wondering a little if I'd be able to finish the 50K. The course was a mix of beautiful singletrack, wider trails, steep stairs, and gradual, runnable hills. The second time up the steep Coastal trail I realized I was pulling away from runners I had just passed, and started to feel more confident about the last 13 miles. I continued to maintain a steady, even effort and passed many in the last 9 miles of the race.  

Karl had a strong race, making up quite a bit of time after the slow miles with me to finish in 5th place in 5:05:12. I finished the 31.4 miles and 6378' ascent in 5:46:04. I was pretty surprised to hear my name announced as top woman (12th overall). This is the first year of this particular course, so my training run time is also the new course record. How funny! Now that I'm a sponsored runner (chuckle) I guess I've got to make GU proud.

 

Look Mom, I won a mug! Jagged elevation profile shows the course. 

Special thanks to Ajith and Rachel for making an awesome grill party come together at my place post-race. Food and friendship is so important to proper recovery! Another weekend discovery- pie is pretty fantastic pre and post race! But you probably already knew that. I love long summer days and nights!