The course description says that there is almost six thousand feet of ascending and descending for the 50k, which is quite a lot now that I've run the thing. But when I was signing up all I could see was running on great trails with fantastic views, and that is exactly what I got.
I'm not going to go into a detailed course description other then to say that the first climb is neither the longest or the hardest. Nope this course is all about going up hill or down hill, with a few sections of flat thrown in to connect you to the next hill.
Running ultras is all about finding out what you can do, learning, and applying that knowledge to the moment. All day I had been dealing with a low grade fatigue that I just could not over come. So when I hit the 30K mark I was feeling pretty bad. I knew what was ahead, so I just put my head down and motored on. Then at the top of the first climb my left calf started to twitch and seize. Oh no you don't, I thought, and started sucking down water, and backed it up with another salt tab. I vowed to drink a bottle of water before the next aid station, and to fuel up once there. The down hill to Tennessee Valley aid station was really painful, but once there I threw down a couple of salted potatoes, a couple of orange slices, a bit of cola, filled my bottle, and started the long climb - I had a plan.
I knew that if I could relax, rehydrate and fuel before I got to the next aid station at Conzelman that I could then take advantage of the gentle down hill back to the finish. My plan went pretty well, but the last steep down hill to the aid station told me just how worn out my quads really were - they were yelping like a couple of tired puppies. Once at the aid station I fueled up, washed down a cliff shot, and set my sights on the finish line. I told myself, don't stop running! The quicks way home is to keep running.
From the Conzelman aid station the trail is a perfect pitch for fast running. My left calf had stopped twitching, apparently I was right I just needed water and electrolytes, and I started running at a decent pace, not fast, but I was moving steady. As I got close to the finish Margaret snapped a picture of me. You can't tell from the photo but my legs are ready to burst into flames, and my face is covered in snot and drool, hiding a grimace.
The Rodeo Beach Ultra is a beautiful race, with great views, and some steep trails. I would definitely do it again. And what did I learn...hydrate, hydrate. 1) It was a cool day so I completely forgot to drink enough and paid the price. 2) I live and do most of my running at four thousand to five thousand foot elevation, so I thought that I would do great here at sea level, but the hills on this course were much steeper and that really slowed me down. 3) And this is the biggest lesson, and the one that I feel the best about - deal with what your given. All day I had been running on low energy, not sure why, or what caused it, but from the first few steps of the day I knew that my game was off. I told myself that it would turn around, but by kilometer thirty I knew that it was all about determination only, and I have to say that I'm happy with the out come.
Thanks to John Brooks and his staff for putting on this race, you guys did a great job.
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