Notices tagged with ecsca
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Tantek ()'s status on Sunday, 16-Oct-2022 23:42:00 EDT Tantek 10w ago: 9:29:05 50k PR, hot #trailRace @ScenaPerform #Skyline50k
Thanks @bryanting @aeables @dtran320 @vivekgowri pics&support, @corrinemalcolm training me back to an ultra start+finish 3y after #ECSCA.
#run #trailRun #trailRunning #ultraRunning #trailRunner #ultraRunner #50k #50kTrailRace #50kFinish #50kFinisher #ultraMarathon #2022_219 #20220807 #WorkHardDreamBigDoCoolShit #latergram #nofilter
This was my second ultra race finish, and sixth ultra-distance run. Since last year’s Rodeo Valley 30k (https://tantek.com/t5E81), I signed-up for seven races, started six, and finished five (including this one). I’m behind on a year of race posting so for now here’s a mini-report and story of a 50k in 10 photos.
Mini race-report: decent fueling, very good hydration, hottest race I’ve ever run, first time using ice in a neck buff & under my cap, left knee-pain (IT band) struggle in the last 7-8mi, had to fast-walk the last 4mi. Thankful for Vivek Gowri crewing me at the Skyline Gate aid station (17.2mi) making sure I had/got what I needed (no sunburns!), Amanda’s so thoughtful mini cheer sign (📷5) she snuck into my dropbag, and the two of them plus David Tran for running me in the last mile-ish which helped push me to a sub-9h30m time. Thanks also to Bryan Ting for both recommending this race to me and being at so many spots on the course to take race photos. Seeing friends along the way turned a hot & hard race into a fun time.
Photos in time order:
📷2: There’s a certain calm in the ritual of arranging all your race gear & fuel the night before. This was my second race where I packed a drop bag, with extra water & gels I might need if temperatures rose higher, or I took longer than expected. Having trained with nearly everything in that pile at some point, and run the course trails over a couple of days a few weeks beforehand, I went to bed knowing I was prepared.
📷3 by Bryan: Knowing I’d be close to the course limit, I opted for the early start option, an hour before the normal start, just ineligible for any competitive medals. It was dark when we arrived, but you can see how much it lightened up (even with cloud cover) for the 6am early start.
📷1 by Bryan: I kept a steady pace up to the second aid station, stopping only briefly at mile 4 to use the bathroom at the golf course next to the first aid station which wasn’t set up yet. Right before the second aid station, Bryan Ting was camped out taking race photos, and captured me focused on my run.
📷5: From there on it was steady work making it up and down various trails as it warmed up in the first half of the race. Made it up to the Skyline Gate station where Vivek was waiting with my drop bag, and handed me a surprise race sign card that Amanda had made for me.
📷6 by Vivek: It was 85F+ at Skyline Gate, so I sat for a few minutes and took time to calmly hydrate some more. I grabbed a couple of spare gels from my drop bag, and after Vivek helped me re-apply sunscreen, I stood for a moment before jumping back on the trails.
📷7 by Bryan: The push up to the last aid station was a tough hike in the open sun. I saw Bryan again taking photos and focused on a steady run-shuffle up the trail.
📷8 by Vivek: Vivek, David Tran, and Amanda found me on the paved path around Lake Chabot with ~1.5mi to go and captured my determined struggle. Plenty of energy left, I was more annoyed by the pace-limiting knee-pain that started in mile 25 and became too painful to run at mile 28. They chatted with me to keep me distrated, and told me I looked good (amazing how much that helps). I kept a steady fast-walk, gently run-shuffling on the rolling downhills as pictured.
📷9 by David Tran: Running ahead, David took photos & video of me. With the finish area in sight, I swung my arms and pushed past the knee-pain into a run, first on the remaining asphalt then across the lawn through the orange cones toward the finish.
📷4 by Bryan: Stopping my watch as I lept over the finish line, eyes on the finisher’s medal offered by a volunteer. Happiness and relief as I completed my first ultramarathon race since 2019.
📷10 by Bryan: @ScenaPerform’s Skyline 50k brought friends & community together like no other race since @TheNorthFaceECS races. A bunch of us 50k finishers recalled our adventures during the race while rehydrating & snacking on Impossible burgers at the finish area picnic. Bryan saw us gathered and we lined up for a group photo which perfectly captured the moment.
I’ll be back to run this race again. -
Tantek ()'s status on Monday, 23-Nov-2020 03:07:00 EST Tantek One year & one week ago, I finished my first #ultramarathon race @theNorthFaceECS #ECSCA 50k (actually 53km), my second-to-last race before everything was canceled (last: #TNFECS #halfmarathon the next day).
https://tantek.com/2019/323/t1/did-ecsca-50k-ultramarathon
https://twitter.com/t/status/1196740536201297925 -
Tantek ()'s status on Sunday, 05-Jan-2020 02:58:00 EST Tantek ⛰🏃🏻♂️ First #SFRC of the year today, 13.5 miles ✅ Finished first full route since #ECSCA, and longest run since too! It was a struggle TBH, leg muscles still tired from Tuesday’s Tam PR (tantek.com/t54M2), and an intense Thursday Baptiste yoga class. Thanks to #running pal Whitney for keeping us going!
Beautiful day, mostly blue sky, brilliant #sunshine lighting up a clear sky(2). Ran up Fox trail to views of the Pacific Ocean among green Marin hills on either side of Tennessee Valley(1).
Almost missed a pretty purple salamander on Coastal Fire road(3) on the way down toward Muir Beach with a mix of blue & green waters(4). It was quite muddy on the descent, thick, sticky mud which we had to carefully step through & around(5).
The climb up Dias Ridge was quite a slog, alternating running and walking. Whitney waited for me at the top of the ridge line where we captured photos of dramatic clouds above and passing in front of Mount Tam(6 📷 Whitney). I looked back to take in one more view of the Pacific Ocean(7) before continuing eventually onto Miwok, back to Tennessee valley and to our start.
#trail #runner #runners #trailRunner #trailRun #ultraRunner #Marin #MarinHeadlands #MtTam #MountTam #MtTamalpais #MountTamalpais #50mileTraining #optoutside #fromWhereIRun #NeverStopExploring #InstaRunner #noFilter -
Tantek ()'s status on Friday, 22-Nov-2019 17:45:00 EST Tantek 🏅🏅🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️We did it. 3:22:19 @thenorthfaceECS #TNFECS #ECSCA #halfmarathon #Sunday
Dad’s first #halfmarathon #trailrace. My first the day after a 50k.
Clear sky, sunrise start(2). My dad and I jumped into start wave 8. We started in the middle of the pack, passed through the arch, and the struggle began. After a brief jog out of the field and part way up the Marin City suburb street, my legs dropped to a walk before even reaching the first trail.
I power-hiked off to the right as best as I could, letting all the eager runners pass. My dad started to pull ahead. I encouraged him, just reminded him to look behind him every 30 seconds or so and keep me in sight.
Pacing dad become chasing dad.
We reached the Alta Bobcat intersection and saw a friendly group cheering us. Among them one of them recognized me from yesterday, and asked didn’t she see me yesterday, I said yeah I did the 50k, and am pacing my dad today, motioning in front of me with a grin. This seemed to catch her attention, and she ran up to catch us.
She ran up ahead to my dad and asked if she could interview him. He had just taken a photo of me(3). After her interview she ran back to me and introduced herself, Brianna (who I’d later find out was @brisacksy from LA, mutual friends with @jussnessinaround! Small world indeed).
The race leaders, having finished their down-and-up loop, passed us on the way to the first aid station. We reached the shady forest at the top of Alta trail and I almost caught my dad again.
At the Alta station we topped off our waters, and headed down the moderately steep Rodeo trail. Memories came flashing back from ECSCA 2014 where this very trail was the long downhill of the marathon relay, my first 10k trail race.
Passed a few runners on the way down. Started to close the gap with my dad a few times, yet he kept pulling away. Finally caught up at the second aid station at the bottom of the downhill, and we started power hiking our way up the Bobcat trail.
I hadn’t felt hungry until then, and since this was the last big uphill I tore open a Simple Energy packet and ate it.
Finished our Rodeo Bobcat trails loop, once again hiking up to the top of Alta trail and down through its shady forest. My dad once again turned to take a photo of me(4).
Topped off my water at the Alta aid station where one of the station volunteers warned us that we were behind pace for the cut-off.
Even though technically we were about 5 minutes behind that cut-off checkpoint, I was a little annoyed at being told (hoping my dad didn’t hear it and get discouraged), as having just ran the mostly downhill subsequent six miles the day before, I knew we would easily make it to the finish before the four hour cut-off.
Onto SCA trail we went. Single-track and a bit rocky, it’s the most technical part of the ECSCA half marathon course. Being more familiar I took the lead and my dad followed, til he caught up to me on the brief uphill where you get a great view of San Francisco, the bridge, the bay, and the 101 Freeway. Back to the rocky descent I started to close in on him again.
A race volunteer directed him down the left turn towards the bridge. I’d almost caught up and he took off down those stairs, opening up a bit of a lead again. This was it, my last chance to actually catch him before the Golden Gate Bridge. I focused as I had the day before and started leaping downward as quickly and deftly I could, passing others in pursuit of my dad who had somehow also picked up speed. Caught him on the last switch back, and we crossed the road together onto the brief bit of trail before the bridge.
Apparently there were enough of us running the half marathon that The North Face was able to reserve the West side sidewalk on the bridge just for racers. It was pleasantly warmer than the day before, with a nicer Pacific Ocean view. Once again the concrete path was no fun to run on, so dropped down to a power-walk, swinging my arms forcefully for extra forward momentum. My dad pulled away again, and took another photo(5).
Only near the end of the bridge did I start running with another racer who wasn’t sure where she was going. We realized we needed to cloverleaf under the bridge back towards the finish. Race volunteers where there to direct us yet again. I had my whistle ready, the warm sun had really brought out the toursts.
No need to use the whistle, we were able to get past the tourists with some kind requests or yelling out “on your left!”. I saw my dad enter the sweeping downhill path toward The Warming Hut. Last chance to catch him, so I pushed extra hard. He paused briefly and whistled for me, seeing me approaching he kept going. By the time he reached the steps I was mere feet behind him. As he hestitated for the tourists, I launched down them as I had the day before.
Last chance to build up a lead before he’d catch me again on the flats. At the bottom of the steps, race volunteers were once again stopping traffic so we could crass. Dad caught up to me on the gravel path to the field, and we stuck together for the remainder. Tight right turn from the gravel onto the Crissy field green to the finishing chute. Told my dad to step carefully and look out for the gopher holes.
With mere yards to go we grabbed hands and raised them up as we crossed the finish line(6) under bright blue skies.
We finished in 3:22:19 with almost 13 miles, and just over 2000' climbed. Easily beat the four hour time limit. Walk in the park. Like a typical Saturday morning SFRC run. Sore feet but otherwise I felt fine. Nothing else hurt.
My #50miletraining has begun.
Epilogue: Afterwards we walked around, loosening up our legs. My dad grabbed a seat and elevated his legs. I walked a bit more to round up my total distance to an actual 13.1 miles half marathon (We’d only ran ~12.8 miles at the finish line), and also just to savor a moment reflecting on back-to-back race days(7).
We picked up our drop bag with clean clothes and extra layers, though we’d already dried off in the warm sunshine. I decided to check The North Face merchandise tent, felt I’d achieved enough of a feat to pick up something to commemorate. They had a nice “coordinates shirt” with the latitude longitude of the race finish, however were out of medium and large sizes.
I found a plain medium blue sports shirt and asked them to add the coordinates, as well as 50k & 13.1 Finisher heat decals on it. While they were preparing it I pulled out my second red ECSCA t-shirt from packet pick-up and asked for the same double finisher decals. Took a shot the next morning with my #ECSCA2019 #medals for #medalmonday(8).
Still feels surreal that I finished both races, and felt fine. I can only imagine how unfamiliar it might feel in the future, when the memories fade.
I know I have a long hard training cycle ahead for my first 50 miler, with its own ups and downs. When I'm feeling down or having doubts, I’ll be putting on one of these shirts to remind myself of what’s possible.
#runner #WorkHardDreamBigDoCoolShit #InstaRunner #TrailRunner #UltraRunner #GrassRootsGear #NovemberProject #NPSF #LetsDoThis #2019_321 #20191117 #latergram #nofilter -
Tantek ()'s status on Saturday, 16-Nov-2019 00:30:00 EST Tantek ⛰🏃🏻♂️ This is it. #50ktraining & waiting just under a year for tomorrow’s 2nd chance @thenorthfaceECS #ECSCA 50k #trailrace. Good luck to everyone #trailrunning #TNFECS 50mi 50k marathon & relay!
Canceled last year due to smoke, I ran the course a week later (https://tantek.com/t4xf1 after rains cleaned the air) unsupported and it was the hardest thing I’d ever done.
Fitter & a bit lighter this year, I feel trained, though not as much as I’d like to be (September & October travel made it tough). Yet I know these trails, and I know my body. The air is clean this year, and the weather is looking good.
I’m focusing on finishing healthy in the course time limit to make it official. Going for smoothness over speed. Looking forward to starting with so many friends from near & far and seeing even more at Crissy field.
#ultra #ultramarathon #runner #running #workharddreambigdocoolshit #instarunner #trailrunner #ultrarunner #grassrootsgear #novemberproject #NPSF #letsdothis #nofilter
Previoulsy: my most recent (22 mile) long run: https://tantek.com/2019/307/t1/sunbeams-glitter-fern-creek-footbridge -
Tantek ()'s status on Thursday, 29-Nov-2018 17:08:00 EST Tantek #TBT to last Saturday at Sausalito Ball Field, excited and anxious at the start of the #ECSCA 50k course 📷 @BryanTing. A few more from that day:
2 Running up Alta, the sun cresting up ahead
3 Looking down Marincello, blue sky and fog ahead
4 Cardiac hill above the clouds
5 Alice Eastwood trail lit by sunbeams
6 SCA trailhead, Golden Gate Bridge in the distance
7 SCA descent, Golden Gate Bridge at golden hour
8 Twilight at the bridge north side
9 The bridge at night from the south side
10 Crissy field looking back at the bridge
#2018_328 #latergram #nofilter -
Tantek ()'s status on Saturday, 24-Nov-2018 09:10:00 EST Tantek I’m running the #ECSCA 50k course today, one week later than expected, thanks especially to @BryanTing, in solidarity and support of @JWLevitt’s fundraiser.
Feel free to donate directly (see his profile), or tantek.com/pay and note "TNF fire donation". $1/km $2/km whatever you can. Thank you! -
Tantek ()'s status on Thursday, 01-Nov-2018 13:25:00 EDT Tantek Beautiful #TamoweenTam summit (#5) yesterday morning! Got a head start in front of pals Bryan, Vivek, Krissi. Headlamp died. Bryan noticed when he caught up and gave me his spare! (which he happened to be running with!). Mostly solo ascent, only one brief detour right before the Temelpa trailhead. I saw the sunrise light-up the rocks as I was halfway up the last steep scramble, catching sunbeams at the top.
Super clear skies from the start, watching the sky get lighter, then turn orange and light-up a few streaking clouds.
9.3 miles & 2700+' climbed. Last midweek #ECSCA#50ktrainingsession done!
#mounttamalpais#mounttam#mttam#summit#run#trailrun#runner#trailrunners#trailrunning#powerhike#searchforvert#teamextravert#runners#tamsummit#riseandrun#sendit#optoutside#getoutside#neverstopexploring#weatherproof#sunrise#wakeupthesun#npsf#fromwhereirun#marin#latergram#2018_305#nofilter
Previously:tantek.com/2018/290/t1/tam-summit-4 -
Tantek ()'s status on Thursday, 18-Oct-2018 01:05:00 EDT Tantek Tam summit (#4) this morning. Chased @BryanTing once again to an uphill PR (sub-90min!), just made the 7:22 sunrise and sat on the rocks(1). Clear skies(2) from the start, faint streaks of orange before sunrise(3). Clear gradients 11 minutes before(4) sunrise, a leading orange glow 7 minutes before(5). Finally, sunrise from the door of the hut at the top(6), and a view from the rocks of the green hills below(7).
8.5 miles before 9 (2500+' climbed). Midweek #ECSCA #50ktraining session done.
#mounttamalpais #mounttam #mttam #summit #run #trailrun #runner #trailrunners #trailrunning #powerhike #searchforvert #teamextravert #runners #tamsummit #riseandrun #sendit #optoutside #getoutside #neverstopexploring #weatherproof #sunrise #wakeupthesun #npsf #fromwhereirun #runwild #marin #latergram #nofilter
Previously: tantek.com/2018/280/t1/tam-summit-3 -
Tantek ()'s status on Sunday, 14-Oct-2018 20:25:00 EDT Tantek Longer Farther Higher Faster. Yesterday’s #ECSCA#50ktrainingrun was the longest time I’ve spent running, the farthest trail distance traversed (22 miles), the most elevation climbed (4800'+), and my fastest on several segments.
I started my run at dawn, watched the sun rise over the Marin Headlands(1), longer shadows on familiar trails(2). Descended through low clouds(3 pano) to Muir Beach, ran along a hillside to a fog shrouded meadow(4), a lone blue heron watching my stride. Ascended up switchbacks under a cooling cloud cover(5), halfway up my friend Morgan caught me(6), having started her run a half hour after me.
Met up again at the top of the ridge and ran above the clouds once again(7) to the top of Cardiac(8 pano) where I stopped to eat a Gu stroopwafel, and drink & refill at the water fountain. Ran so many new trails downhill through Muir Woods, carefully checking turn by turn directions at each junction. Crossed a metal bridge placed over a log(9) before starting a long ascent up to a trail above the trees(10). Running later than expected, I sped back down Dipsea to Muir Road, Redwood Creek, Coastal Fire road, Fox to Tennesee Valley.
ECSCA 50k training has been one of the harder things I have pursued. The physical training, beyond sleep and proper fueling (water, electrolytes, food), requires discipline to make time to train and then to actually get out the door and do it, often by yourself. Training can bring a different kind of loneliness, that makes you appreciate every person you see out there, and especially grateful when you see friends. Much more to say on mental & emotional challenges, learning to drink & eat, etc. This will do for now.
1. Fox Trail looking back at the sunrise
2. Coastal Fire Road at Fox looking West
3. Coastal Fire Road looking out over the Pacific
4. Santos Meadow
5. Heather Cutoff Trail switchbacks
6. 📷 Morgan selfie of us on Heather Cutoff
7. Sunlit climb to Cardiac
8. Cardiac Hill pano looking South East to West
9. Fern Creek Trail bridge
10. Sun Trail looking back
#sunrise#run#trailrun#runner#trailrunners#trailrunning#powerhike#searchforvert#teamextravert#runners#optoutside#getoutside#neverstopexploring#tnfecs#npsf#fromwhereirun#runwild#marin#marinheadlands#latergram#nofilter#2018_286 -
Tantek ()'s status on Monday, 08-Oct-2018 12:54:00 EDT Tantek Beautiful day at #SFRC this past Saturday. Practiced a few #ECSCA 50k trails: Fox, Coastal Fire, Marincello, Bobcat.
1. Up Fox taking in a westward view
2. Down Coastal Fire Road looking south, a low hanging cloud with a surreal reflection on the ocean
3. Muir Beach
4. Touching the surf
5. A furry caterpillar seen going back up Coastal Fire Road
6. Top of Fox trail before sprinting down to Tennessee Valley
7. Up Marincello looking East
8. Down Bobcat toward Alta (saw a baby snake!) with glimpses of downtown San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sutro tower on the distant horizon.
~14.3 miles, 2900'+. Legs felt pretty good despite climbing 1000'+ at #NPSF Friday hills the day before. Finally broke 100+ miles in the past 30 days. Six weeks til my first 50k.
#run #trailrun #runner #trailrunners #trailrunning #powerhike #searchforvert #teamextravert #runners #optoutside #getoutside #neverstopexploring #tnfecs #npsf #fromwhereirun #runwild #marin #marinheadlands #latergram #nofilter #2018_279 -
Tantek ()'s status on Saturday, 18-Nov-2017 01:32:00 EST Tantek went to Drink for our National Parks! tonight with@DesignNatalie@StefanViragh. The calm before #ECSCA. And thanks@CorePowerYoga! -
Tantek ()'s status on Monday, 09-Jan-2017 00:43:45 EST Tantek Finished #HotChocolate15k 5.9mi in 1:00:52. 10:19/mi pace, my fastest measured race pace since late 2015! Previous year’s race paces for comparison:
* 2016-338 11:51/mi ~1/4 marathon North Face #ECSCA tantek.com/2016/359/t2/weeks-ago-ecsca-colder-start
* 2016-213 11:16/mi 1/2 marathon SF Marathon 1st half tantek.com/2016/221/t4/finished-eighth-half-marathon
* 2016-135 10:50/mi 7.46 mi (12km) Bay to Breakers tantek.com/2016/181/t1/npsf-pr-wednesday-faster
Very different races, and all longer (and more vertical climb).
Looking back further, only the second half of 2015 (pre-injury) had faster race paces. Before that, my 2015 Bay to Breakers pace was a slower 10:27/mi. And before that, my only faster race pace was at Bay to Breakers 2014.
In addition, my running watch recorded my fastest mile today at 9:02, just three seconds off my recent timed track mile of 8:59.
It was sprinkling as we filed into the Hot Chocolate 15k corrals. Soon after they announced the course had been shortened, to 9.82 kilometers (if I heard correctly) because sea water from the Pacific Ocean had flooded the Great Highway, the middle out & back portion of the 15k course!
After crossing the start, we wound our way around various twists and turns in Golden Gate Park. All the roads were familiar, however the rain and energetic crowd made it quite a different experience.
I had never run in the rain when I ran my first half marathon nearly three years ago (Kaiser 2014), where there was rain, wind, and wind chill. I was stubborn more than resilient. I had set my mind on running the race, despite the discomfort. Still, that didn’t stop me from complaining afterwards, and my sore swollen knees made me question whether it was a good idea in the first place.
In over three years of working out with November Project, whether in pouring rain here @Nov_Project_SF in Alamo Square, or running up Harvard Stadium Steps in sub-freezing temperatures with @Nov_Project_BOS, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and adapt to working out in more and more extreme weather conditions.
Rain was expected today, and yet the forecast kept changing, even as I went to sleep last night. I double-checked this morning, plenty of rain expected, low 50s F temperatures. From all my NovermberProject rain running experiences, I knew shorts and a tanktop would be fine, as long as I started with a longsleeve for the first 10-15 minutes while I warmed up, wrapping it around my waist for the remainder of the race.
Aside from a brief walk to take off my longsleeve, and another to grab a water cup at the first fuel station, I ran the entire 5.9 miles non-stop.
It felt great. Yes it was humid, which perhaps posed the biggest breathing challenge. In spite of which, I felt strong, and felt good pushing myself to that limit. Whenever the rain picked up, I just smiled, because I was ready for this.
At two different spots on the course, I spotted fellow NPSF friends Tony and Krissi, getting a boost from their smiles, cheering, and encouragements. With less than two miles to go, Krissi jumped in and helped run me and another NPSF runner, Cara, up the last big hill.
As we crested that final big hill, I got another boost knowing the finish wasn’t far, and sprinted downhill past quite a few in the crowd. At the end of the downhill I could see the lights of the finish line, just a short uphill away.
The elapsed time on my watch read just under an hour. I pushed a little harder up that last hill, and could tell I wasn’t quite going to make it before the hour turned over. However, it did help, and I could tell I was close enough to push and finish before another minute went by. Finished at 1:00:52, and kept running a bit to extend my distance.
I grabbed a bottled water near the end of the finish chute, and realized I somehow missed getting a medal! I ran back through the flow of finishers, picked up my medal, and then saw NP friends Ava, Holly, and Stephanie running alongside the course (having completed their race a while ago).
I dodged back out through the crowd and sprinted to catch up to them. Apparently they were finishing out their total 15k! I joined them for a bit, finished 6ish miles myself, and returned to the Golde Gate Park Music Concourse, finding more friends.
We picked up our finishers chocolate kits which were amazing. A cup of hot chocolate, with optional marshmellow. The rain was falling harder and colder, so we took refuge near the concourse’s underground parking area. The finisher’s large plastic chocolate mug included a receptacle of chocolate fondue, into which I dipped the included chocolate cookies, a rice crispy treat, and a banana. Delicious.
All in all, a good start to the 2017 racing season.
Next: Surf City Half Marathon, Huntington Beach, California, in four weeks. -
Tantek ()'s status on Sunday, 25-Dec-2016 02:51:35 EST Tantek 3 weeks ago: my last race of 2016, 2nd #ECSCA, cut 12 sec despite a colder start. #latergram#nofilter
2016 has been a challenging recovery year, in more ways than one. This was the first race this year where I finally felt I could trust my knees post-injury recovery.
The air was cold enough for me (high 40s F) that I had to breathe through a buff for about the first half (left photo), having learned that hard lesson days before at an #NPSFPR Wednesday DNF from inhaling too much cold air. (tantek.com/t4ka1)
I was first in my marathon relay team and started out at a fairly moderate pace (for me), getting passed by lots of friends on the 1 mile flat leading up to the climb.
I felt surprisingly strong on the hill, miles 1-3.7 (~900' of the total 1348' elevation gain). The passing slowed then stopped. In the second half of the hill, as it got steeper and I alternated running / power-hiking, I started gaining on some runners, and by the time I reached the aid station at the peak, had passed ~3-4. Having brought my own electrolytes, I didn't stop, slowing just enough to high five@LindsayMclaughsat the top.
On the downhill I opened up and picked up speed, passing many more, as I tried to focus on one brief stable foothold after another. It felt more like a barely controlled fall than a run. Only one misstep where I almost twisted an ankle.
The end of the downhill abruptly turned flat, slightly uphill and I could tell I had raced those 2 downhill miles perhaps a bit too hard.
I felt uncoordinated on the remaining slightly uphill flat, having lost nearly any sense of rhythm in my pace. I tried to focus on consistent breathing, and was able to show a good solid push for the photographer (photo on the right), kicking hard to keep the pace up.
The trail eventually returned to the asphalt road with about half a mile left, and steepened a bit too. Somehow that was just enough to knock out any momentum I had left. I had to run/walk nearly one for one minute. Got passed by my pal@bifflesbolt, and no matter how hard I pushed I couldn’t quite catch her.
As I reached the final minor peak before the slight downhill to the finish, I could hear friends shouting my name which was just enough to get me to dig a little deeper and push to run up that last hill.
I caught my breath briefly on the turn onto the final straight, feeling my legs moving on autopilot at this point. Then I saw a full height ninja turtle shouting my name.
@BradenEngel, dressed in a Leonardo onesie, was full on jumping & cheering and started running next to me, just as my muscles felt like they could seize any moment. I did my best to put on a good face and just keep the pace I had.
He peeled off just before the downhill to the relay switching area. Seeing my teammate waiting, I sprinted the last downhill and came to an abrupt stop right next to her.@SallyKalletdeftly pulled the ankle bracelet tracker off me, velcroed it on and took off like a lightning bolt.
I stood there hunched over hands on knees still catching my breath for maybe 10 more seconds, got up, and finished walking to the finishers area, picking up my medal, and accepting any and all hugs before filling up with complimentary electrolytes and snacks.
I was sure I’d beaten my previous time (from the same race two years ago), and only much later found out it was only by 12 seconds! (tantek.com/t4kd2) Still, this was the first race post-recovery where I actually set a personal course record and that was a huge confidence boost. Just months before, this past July I ran the first half of the SF Marathon about four minutes slower than I did two years ago. (tantek.com/t4ig4)
@TheNorthFaceEndurance Challenge Series (@TheNorthFaceECS) California (#ECSCA) felt like a solid finish to my 2016 racing season, going reasonable well despite what felt like an awkward struggle at the end.
2017 races are coming up quickly. My next race is a 15k road race (my first) in two weeks, and then after that I’m looking at running the Surf City Half Marathon in February, which I last ran in 2015. Just enough time to train up to half marathon (or slightly farther) distance by mid to late January.
Taking it easy this weekend resting, reflecting, and being grateful that careful & patient training this past year has brought me to a place where I can train & race harder, stronger, and hopefully faster in the coming year.