Climbergirl completing the Way Too Cool!
With 4 months of intensive training, I was ready to run the Way Too Cool 50K! I had heard the hardest part to running an ultramarathon is showing up to the starting line healthy. So, my training program and coach were focused and determined to accomplish this very task!
The Way Too Cool 50K Map
Unfortunately, no amount of training can prevent a person from contracting a viral upper respiratory infection! About 4 days prior to my race I was having a rough time. Seeking respite from the constant coughing and hoping for a good nights sleep, I went to urgent care. I was informed, by a doctor named Claire!, I didn’t have bronchitis or pneumonia. Yay, I was “cleared” to run the race, but would I be able to do it?
Dr. Claire cautioned me, “Be prepared to either not run or not finish; as these are entirely likely outcomes.”.
In desperation, I responded, “Is there anything you can give me to help me before the race? I can’t stop coughing and if I could just control it and get a good night’s sleep, I think there is hope.”
She prescribed a 5 day regimen of steroids, to give my body a boost, and a heavy barbiturate cough syrup, to help me sleep at night. She also said I could add a sleeping pill on top, if I still couldn’t sleep! Armed with an artillery of drugs, I packed for CA.
Dennis was worried about me. I told him to watch me during the race and if my condition deteriorated to the point where I was hacking constantly, then I gave him permission to tell me the bad news.
In hindsight, there was probably very little he could do since I was so hell bent to finish the race! However, I’m just thankful the conflict never arose!
The alarm went off early in the morning. I didn’t really hear it, all the meds had me completely in a haze. I felt like my head was detached from my body. In a fog, I went through the ritual of getting ready for the race. Sunblock, taping, choking down breakfast, and taking the regimen of drugs commenced. Every now and then Dennis would catch me staring into space or not doing something I needed to be doing. He was great at motivating me, in my drug induced stupor, to keep moving.
Dennis drove me to the race and I was trying to finish my oatmeal as we drove on the mountain road. Out of Auburn and heading towards Cool, we drove over the American River. It’s a gorgeous scenic drive, but this morning it was all I could do to keep that oatmeal down and stay awake.
We finally arrived in the little town of Cool. We parked in the racer’s lot and then we walked over to the starting line area. Racers and family members were loitering. The race is limited to 1000 runners, so it’s a very friendly crowd.
I popped the first of 10 cough drops in my mouth. It tasted awful juxtaposed to the oatmeal. Disgusting, actually! Here I am at the starting line, getting psyched to run!
All of a sudden, people started crowding the starting line. I hung back with Dennis. I knew I’d be starting slow, so I didn’t even bother congregating. Some sort of signal went off and I gave him a hug. I’d be seeing him again at mile 8, so I promised to take the first 8 miles slow. I needed to give my sickly lungs a long slow warm up.
Dennis took this awesome picture of me running, just as I passed the starting line.
I ran the first few miles at around a 13 min/mile pace. I borrowed my friend Dan’s GPS forerunner, so I could track my pace. (Thanks, Dan!).
Eventually, I made it to the start of the single track and caught up to an older fellow with a knee brace. He was super nice. We ran for about 6 miles together and we were chatting the whole way. I honestly don’t remember what we talked about, and by the end of the race I had completely forgotten even talking to him-because I think the sleeping pill was still in effect for the first hour of the race!
Facchino Photography took a picture of me running just prior to the aid station at mile 8. The single track for these first few miles was really pretty, almost all of it was forested and rolling hills.
I saw Dennis at the end of mile 8 and dropped off some things with him. He took a cool picture of me running.
Along the way, the race course crossed several creeks. The crossings were usually dotted with rocks one could jump across. Some runners chose to run right through the creeks, but I was leery of getting my feet wet. Hopping across the creeks was actually fun and I’m pretty coordinated, so I enjoyed the challenge.
Facchino Photography captured one of the many creek crossings!
Around mile 10, I caught up to a super nice brunette gal in her mid 50s. She has a daughter my age, who she normally runs the Ultra races with, but not this time. I noticed she was running really smart, so I asked if I could run behind her. She was flattered and said no problem. Ultimate people along the whole race were super duper nice, and she was just one of the many I encountered who were supportive and encouraging. We traded the lead. She was faster downhill than me and I was faster uphill.
At mile 16, the course crosses a highway and runs parallel to the American River. I really enjoyed this part of the run. It was in the shade and I passed a few climbers on their way to the Auburn Quarry crag. I actually wrote letters on behalf of the Access Fund initiatives to get this crag open, so I was very happy local climbers were enjoying the climbing there! I hope to someday go back and climb there. It seems like nice rock in a very scenic location.
Around mile 18, the course started climbing and it got sunny and hot as it climbed up the side of a ridge. The trail mellowed out and then dipped down before climbing steadily up to the Auburn Lake Trails intersection. Thankfully, Dennis was there and he gave me dehydrated fruit to gnaw on…the fruit was a nice change from the peanut butter filled pretzels!
I met another really nice runner, also in her early 50s. Her name was Vivian. I ran with Vivian for about 7 miles. Vivian, like the brunette from earlier, was also an expert at running long Ultras. I spoke with Vivian after the race and she was very encouraging. She told me I should continue to run Ultras and she said she thought I did awesome.
At the intersection of the Auburn Lake Trails and Western States Trail. Vivian, in red, next to me!
Around mile 23, there was a very long stretch of south facing and relatively tree less uphill. It lasted for several miles and a lot of runners were walking. I saw one person with their shoes off, massaging their feet. I also passed a group of college aged girls who were all dressed very girly, wearing crowns or pink pigtails. They were having a lot of fun, so I stole some of their happy vibes and carried onwards!
At the Goat Hill aid station, at mile 26, they fed us chicken noodle soup and a smorgasbord of goodies. I couldn’t believe the morsels of awesomeness. I downed some of the soup, some M&Ms, and a couple banana bites (to go!). I’m glad I did, because the hill that was coming sure was a doozy!
This hill would be challenging even if one were totally fresh! It was so steep that I decided to pull up on the tree trunks and mantle off them to propel myself uphill. It felt really good to be using my arms! When I started doing this, so did some of the guys behind me and they thanked me for the idea.
At the top of the hill, there was a crazy guy in a banana costume and another guy in a gorilla costume who were ringing cowbells. One other dude was shouting encouraging comments to us as we ascended. IT was the MOST ridiculous thing I had seen all day. But, those crazy do-good hecklers made that horrible hill disappear in the blink of an eye.
After that ridiculous uphill, there was a very steep downhill. I decided to just let loose. At one point, I looked at the Garmin and it said 6 min 30 second pace! I never thought I could go that fast after running for 29 miles!
About 1.4 miles from the finish line, Victory is all Mine!
In the picture above, I am approaching the last aid station. There was coca cola and water. Of course I took the former, which tasted delicious. Dennis was also there, and I snagged a container of ice cold carrot and celery sticks. Dennis ran with me for about 1/3 of a mile and then broke off to beat me to the finish line!
Courtesy of Facchino Photography! Oh the joy! I can take my backpack and shoes off now! Yay!
Climbergirl is now an Ultramarathon runner!
My Just Rewards…the best frog cupcakes EVER!
Tags: 50K, Auburn, CA, Single Track, Trail Running, Ultramarathon, Way Too Cool