Pacing on the PCT

The PCT 50 was two weeks ago today and a bunch of my friends where running it. Its 25 miles up the PCT starting near campo and then 25 rolling kinda down. My plan was to volunteer but instead I ended up pacing my friend. 

We arrived really early. Runners love the early morning thing. I still have a hard time with it. My runner had to run 25 miles up hill before I could pace her so since we had time to spare a couple of my fellow Trail Crashers and I went for a short 8 mile run. We ran through the meadows and it was lovely. Then I just hung out watching all the front runners come in and out.

It is always exciting to See the people in charge specially because I never get to see them run. If the race is an out an back I do but being a spectator is like having a front row ticket to your favorite show. (to me) 

My runner came in and off we went . I have not paced much so I was excited to be able to help a friend out and keep her company. I had a great time. My friend never complained she just kept going and talking bout stuff.

It has been really awesome watching my friend take on such hard races train her butt of and finish strong. Today was no different . 

Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
John Wooden

The Old West 50k race recap

I woke up at 4am so I could be in my car and on my way to pick up Phillip (my friend ) by 4:30am. When it comes to race day you should always plan on being there an hour early. We arrived at      6 am and I had plenty of time to check in and get dressed and have a cup of coffee. The race started right on time and off we went at 7am. 

This race is through Anza Borrego Desert in the spring. I never really thought I loved the desert but when I ran this race for the first time I feel in love. My pictures do not do it justice there is so much purple and the weather this year was what they call "perfect running weather".  

Throughout the entire 50k course there is only 2500 feet of elevation gain and loss. That makes running 31 miles a-lot easier.

I was so excited to run this year because last year the race was canceled. Lucky for us Pinnacle Endurance brought it back this year and did a wonderful job.
This is the best I have ever felt for 31 miles. I know the weather and sand helped. I really like running in sand I am not sure why but I really do. I have been trying to run everyday for the last 6 weeks I missed a day but what I have been trying to do is get used to running even when I feel like crap and when I do not want too. My reason for that is this. I am going  to run the San Diego 100 miler in June and I want to be a stronger runner. That for me means I do not want to chase cut offs. Chasing cut offs makes the race so intense for me and to be honest I would like to know what it is like to run 100 miles with out feeling like I am going to time out...I also figured out my nutrition and that really helps. 

I felt oddly strong the entire time. I was so happy too. I listened to the Gypsy Kings and sang the whole time. I chased a girl I knew I wouldn't catch but I loved trying. I finished in 5:21 that's my 50k PR and  26 minutes faster than my last 50k. Good Times !!

I feel really lucky and blessed to be healthy enough to run and to have such awesome friends to do it with.

Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't .

Volunteering at Mount Laguna Marathon

I was lucky enough to be able to volunteer at The Mount Laguna Trail Marathon with my crazy fun friends. I chose not to run this year because I am still recovering from Tahoe 200. ( I am tired ) We had a blast just helping and encouraging runners to keep going. The Mount Laguna marathon is actually 27.3 miles so our job was to stand at mile 26 and clap and yell and keep runners moving along. Oh and maybe offer up some candy or a shot of something !!! The mountains where showing of there beautiful color. Fall is my favorite time of year. 

Noble Canyon race report 2016

Race day arrived just as planned. My friend Daniel picked me up at 4 am and I was grateful to have a ride. We arrived around 5:30 am and it was so so cold and it got colder. I got my number 122 and I got some coffee went to the potty and waited for 6:30am. 

before you know it the race started.
OK I am going to be honest here. I have been really tired lately and even though I am getting my miles in I just have not been feeling it. You know the happy freedom you usually feel when you run and you find your happy place. Its been missing but soon to return I am sure.
For this race I decided my game plan would be this. I wanted to have a good time and just try to be in the moment and take in the course. I thought to myself lets just look at it as a 31 mile day. I started in the back and hung out with some awesome runners. They told me cool stories and this runner right behind me was wearing sandals and the guy in front of me was 72 years young. That's what it is all about for me. I love the stories and I love the people I meet. A huge part of the  trail running community is meeting super interesting people. I ran in the near the back about  12 miles and then I felt like I was ready to run a bit faster. 

It was getting warmer and this was not an easy course but I just kept thinking baby steps forward  G. The aid stations where so awesome. The volunteers took great care of us and they had everything you could ask for. I had amazing cantaloupe and water melon and some bananas and potatoes. They had ice for us and filled my water bottles on the spot.  Arriving at every aid station was a relief was such a nice break. There ready to help you and I always felt better leaving than coming in.  

I started feeling really good at like 14 and like crap at 22. Gotta love the range of feeling you get to experience during an ultra. I saw a couple of my friends and got some hugs. I saw the awesome Scott Mills then my thoughts went to how lucky I am. I will always envision him at Western States calling me into Michigan Bluff looking at me and telling what I needed to do to keep going. Then he patted me on the shoulder and said you can do this. It was one of those moments that just stays with you because he is a legend in this sport. You know the man.
I was tired and hot but just kept taking baby steps said hi to everyone and just enjoyed the myself. 

I knew my friends would be waiting for me and I was anxious to see them and ready to be done. This is a tough course it descends Noble Canyon and then Pine Mountain and Indian Creek Trails. You definitely earn your medal at this race. My time was 7:29 and I am happy with that. Happy I got to meet so many new runners and hear so many inspiring stories. Happy to see my Trail Crasher friends. It is always such a nice reunion to see each other after knowing we where all out there doing our best getting out ass kicked somehow.
 I met a girl named Stormy and she was all sunshine. I would say that it was a great day and a tough race and I can't wait until year.

Finding what makes you come alive is what it is all about and for some of us its getting to kiss a rat after a long day !!! Good Times

Noble Canyon 2016

Tomorrow is Noble Canyon 2016. This will be my 4th year running it. It is a really fun 50k that is challenging for sure. The awesome part is there will be so many familiar faces there. Running is always better with friends. I don't think it will get to hot that is always a plus. This is a race I highly recommend. I will let you know how it goes..Happy Weekend.