Headlands 100

Finishing up a training run in my favorite parking lot.

Headlands 100 

Review

Training for my first one hundred began around the beginning of the new year during a vacation with my family to Long Beach Washington.  I mention this moment not because I specifically started to run or have a training plan for a 100 miler at this time,  but it was when I attempted my first long run.  I had been building up to it, and since I was vacationing at the touted "Worlds Longest Beach," I thought to give it a try and run the whole beach.  I started at the Discovery Trail in Ilwaco and ran through the headlands first before embarking on a northerly route up the beach.  A brisk tailwind from the southwest at about 25 knots was expected with heavy rain. The run through the wooded headlands was a bit unnerving because the wind was up and debris from above began to fall.  I made my way to the beach and continued to run on the mostly flat and hard sandy low tidal zone.  The miles ticked away on my new Garmin watch I had received for Christmas.  I soon surpassed my furthest distance.  The goal of was to get to 26.2. Run a marathon of my own doing.  I averaged a pretty good pace on the beach, running in full rain gear and carrying a pack containing extra layers.  At around 17 miles I exited the beach and began down a road that would eventually deliver me to a state park at the end of the Long Beach Peninsula.  At 24 miles my legs started to lock up. From this moment I can't remember what was ailing, but it was enough to force me to stop running. I had brought my phone to call for a ride.  Liza came within a half hour and picked me up with the car.  I remember she brought a tub full of bacon my dad cooked for breakfast.  We got back to the rental house and I spent the rest of the day with a 20 lb bag of ice on my legs drinking beer from the North Jetty Brewery.  The next day I felt pretty tore up.  I had not yet experienced post running soreness in this intensity.  Mostly my calves were so tight I could barely walk.  I hobbled around, and my parents wondered why I was being so intense with my physical exploits.  Overall I was pleased with the run and felt the pain was earned more than anything.  It took about a week to recover to normal form.

The gate to the Discovery trail.  

I kept running through the winter. Lots of road running starting from our house, with some elevation.  It rained and snowed a lot, and I ran through it.  Mt. Rose on the south eastern portion of the Olympic Mountain range became my favorite climbs to train on.  The Mt. Rose trail ascends to the summit and is around 3 miles to the top with about 4000' of vertical gain.  During the winter there was snow on the summit loop and most of the trail is marked by triangle blazes high up on the trees.  I felt pretty satisfied with the climb, and always wanted to do a double dose but have yet to get two done in a day.

I ran the Marin Ultra Challenge 50 miler early March of this year, my longest run before attempting the Headlands 100.  I felt tore up again after this run, and It took me almost a week before being able to walk normally, and about two weeks before being able to run again.  The experience made a strong impression, and I wrote about it in more length in my last blog post.

I got excited about racing after the MUC, seeing a modest success. I signed up for two races at the same time- The Ridge 60k, and the Headlands 100.  Both PCTR events

I trained for The Ridge and ran a lot of the course, and I felt it gave me a home field advantage.  I learned the hard parts and knew when to expect them. 

After running the Ridge in June, I took a week or so to recover.  My feet were blistered and I lost a couple of toenails.  When I was healed enough I began to set my sights on training for the 100 miler I would be attempting in September.  I averaged 50 miles a week for most of the summer and then ramped up later in July and into August.  I didn't follow a training plan, but tried to structure my runs around when I wasn't working.  My schedule is reverse from the usual Monday-Friday 9-5 as I captain a charter sailing vessel.  Usually my hours are towards the later part of the day , and also grouped near the weekend. Many of my long runs were completed in the middle of the day-middle of the week.  Most training plans are made to have the longer runs over the weekend with Monday being a main rest day.  I also wanted to keep a fluid regiment and run when it felt right for my body and mind.  I tried to keep an emphasis on consistency,  back to back long runs, and as much vert I could cram in without injury or burnout.   Although I was running the 100 miler in the Marin Headlands many of my training runs were completed on Mt. Tamalpias.  I usually would start at the Mt. Home Inn and would piece together something with 4k to 5k of vert and in the 20 mile range.  I tried to combine steeper ascents with some longer flowing descents where I could pick up my speed and cadence.  Grinding up hillsides all day would help prepare for the Headlands race without a doubt. However, maintaining speed on downhills and some of the flats would come in handy.   Variety seems key in training,  and keeping it interesting.  The Headlands course has various terrain, with downhill and uphill being dominant.  Obviously speed in a running race has a lot of importance.  I tried to embody the notion of "speed work"  although I don't think I have nailed a proper speed work routine to date.   I did specifically go out hard on a couple runs in the half marathon range, one of which encircled a 2.1 mile loop in the 360 Key Pen Park near my home in Washington State. On this run I was able to set a half marathon PR of 1:26 with around 1k of climbing.  The other 13.1 was a loop around Wolfback Ridge, starting and ending in Sausalito. I kept the time around 1:35.  I was keeping up with speed training in a sense but not real speed work coaches and elites talk about.   

Overall training went well.  Towards the end of training burnout was lingering.  Luckily I did not injure myself because of overuse, and I may attribute some of it to putting collagen in my coffee each morning.  There was once a slight strain on my left lower calf to achilles, but I was able to iron it out pretty easily.  Put simply I didn't have to take a week off here or there because a "hiccup" type injury. #Winning...

Crappy flip phone photo

Crappy photo #2 - "Junk In the Truck" or "My Life for the Last Months"

Later I focussed on the Marin Headlands course itself, but couldn't do the full 25 mile loop because the PG&E Bobcat connector trail closure.  I wondered "What is he (Greg Lanctot-PCTR Race Director) going to do if they don't open that part of the course in time for the race?"  Later I would find a new course would be drawn! A better and more difficult course!  I had chosen to do the climb up to Hill 88 from Rodeo Beach many times, and I usually did it as an out and back. Included was the descent and ascent of the coastal trail on the north side of 88 that takes you into Tennessee Valley.  This out and back is about 5.5 miles and 1600' elevation gain/loss.  I didn't know at the time it would be part of the new loop.  Later I was pleased to have done it a number of times. If I had known how I would feel during the race with power hiking, I probably would have been doing repeats on the north side of 88.

September rolled around and I felt ready as I could ever be.  Without having done a 100 mile run yet, I had not set a bench mark to see if my training was adequate.  I simply did my best, didn't get hurt, and tried to enjoy it.  Most of my days this summer revolved around running, resting, working.  Repeat. Repeat.  

As the race week approached I was worried about one thing.  My work had scheduled me to captain a full moon sail Friday night before the race.  I had requested at least the night off but somehow my hopes for a free night were lost somewhere in the mix.  Tuesday leading into pre race week my wonderful boss was able to reschedule me for a charter running "Cimba" during the day ending at 3:00pm instead of 10:00pm.  A group of camera enthusiasts were to shoot photos of the largest sailing regatta this year on San Francisco Bay.  There turned out to be no wind and the temperature was in the upper 90's.  We drove around the bay looking for action. All the races were basically cancelled or delayed.  I drove from the flybridge in the open sun, but managed to stay covered up with my Patagonia sun hoodie and gloves, and tried to stay hydrated. I got my charter back to the harbor and put the boat to bed.  I had enough time to jump in the car and head over to the San Francisco Running Company.  

The Run co. was hosting bib pick up for the Headlands 100 Endurance Run.  There was to be a required meeting with the race director to make sure we were ready for the next day's endeavor.  Greg was eventually not able to attend the briefing because he was still out marking the course on one of the hottest days this year for our area.  Jorge Maravilla and Dean Karnazes, local running gurus, took on the task and gave the group insight about how to keep it together for 100 miles in the Headlands. At one moment Dean asked the crowd how many people were nervous about the run tomorrow, most raised their hands.  I felt like not raising mine, it might have been an ego thing halfway, but I also didn't want to tell myself or let myself be nervous.   I had been working a lot the last few days taking 40+ people sailing on the Schooner Freda B.  I had taken my mind off the race to focus on getting the job done.  Wind conditions were challenging per usual and the calm I tried to maintain when maneuvering in tight quarters or addressing a boat load of people seemed to be paying off.   I don't mean to say I was a completely zen about the race, but I was trying.   The rest of the briefing at the running company was uplifting and camaraderie was at its core.  A common theme of "we're in it together," reoccurs at all the ultra trail races I have done so far, and I love it!

We broke from the briefing and I headed back to the car, and dropped off all the nutrition I bought at the store.  I walked into Good Earth Grocery and filled up a box of food at the salad bar. I scooped up a whole bunch of kale, roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, cucumbers, etc.  I paid at the quick checkout and walked to a picnic table in the middle of the parking lot.  I ate and focused on what the food would be doing for me the next day.  Dean was walking through the lot and recognized me from  the bib pickup.  I told him I thought the salad bar was my best bet to get things rolling for tomorrow. He nodded and said "get some sleep!"  

Back to the harbor I swapped out stuff from Liza's car, and put in things I thought we would need for the race.  Two pairs of Evo Mofate's and a pair of oversized Altra Timp 1.5's if my feet got swollen.  I have been mostly running in Hokas One One's, and the Evo Mofate's were my go to for the race.  I had purchased two pairs on sale, and saved one pair in the trunk of my car.  I just barely broke them in for ten miles so they would be race ready.  The other pair already racked up 250 miles, but I figured an old standby may come in handy.  I also spread out a sleeping pad for Liza if she got tired and wanted to sleep.  For nutrition there were a bunch of options.  I splurged on the expensive Spring Energy gels that resemble pureed food, with some kind of sprinkle in them to make the mixture more potent. I also had baby food packs of real food to go to later in the race.  I even bought Red Bull should things get real bad!   The car was stocked, I was fed,  and all that was needed was to get to sleep.  

I didn't have too much of a problem laying down to get rest in the night.  From working in the hot sun most of the day, I was tired.  I set an alarm for 4:15am, and awoke at 4:10 able to turn off the alarm before it sounded.  Coffee was in order, and there was some instant freeze dried sitting on the counter.  I added my collagen and some ghee.  I ate two Perfect Bars, two bananas, and an avocado.  The coffee ended up being potent! I dumped it from the jar without measuring.  I was jacked up and ready to drive over the hill to Rodeo Beach so we could snag a good parking spot. 

Pre Race Prep and Hype

We were probably one of the first ten cars to get there, arriving at 5:30am.  We kept the seat heaters cranked and sat in the car for a moment while waiting for my sister Sara to show up. She arrived just past 6:00 as I was starting to get shoes on and getting pumped up in my usual fashion.  I get a little wacky before races as Liza always notices.  Super talkative and jovial amongst passerby’s, and wacky.  I made sure to put lots of Squirrel Nut Butter on my toes, but not too much in the region for  preventing butt chafe.  Last time I put a little too much between there, and it looked like I already had an accident in my teal colored shorts. I was forced to change into my black shorts that day, and learned a lesson.  I wore a hand cut tank top fashioned from a Master Mariners shirt I found on the free bench at my harbor.  Sara told me "cotton kills" and I figured once I sweated the shirt out I would just take it off.  I decided on carrying one handheld soft flask with .6 liter capacity. It wasn't hot yet and I didn't want to strain myself to carry two bottles- one in each hand. I also had a Patagonia hydration vest ready for later in the race, when I may need to carry more or have to use poles due to fatigue.  Early on I wanted to focus speed and simplicity.  There are a lot of awesome well designed products out there for trail runners, and I love to stay up on the latest ways to carry things while running.  However, since there were aid stations every 5 miles carrying extra gear didn't seem necessary.  Normally in the Headlands I bring two handhelds for a 10- 12 mile run and usually have some left over.  I only wanted the essentials; socks, shoes, shorts, hat, water bottle.  We smeared a bunch of Badger brand thick zinc sunscreen on my body.  I planned on going shirtless for a while and didn't want sunburn.  

Doin a little jog toward the start

The minutes ticked away and soon it was time for a pre race brief with the race director Greg Lanctot.  This time he didn't stand in the back of his truck with a megaphone, but did the briefing with his naturally loud voice.  Greg gets pumped up before a race and you can tell he loves the moment. He went over the new course and how he marked it.  There was reflective tape at trail junctions for later in the night.  I learned for the first time the single track cutoff coming down from Coyote ridge on Miwok was now part of the course.  He introduced Chikara Omine who has the course record holder.  Soon we made our way to the start gate.  I made sure to stand next to Chikara.  Greg counted down from 30 to 20, 10 and got us pumped up, I let out a loud warrior cry and ten seconds counted down.  GO!!

Loop One

We trotted out from the start line.  This 100 mile race did not start with a sprint like you may see at UTMB or fast like Western States.  I knew I would cue off of the record holder, and let him take the lead up the hill.  The better part of the first two miles of the loop are a climb up to Hill 88 with 800' of climbing.  He was going pretty conservative and I wondered if it was part of his strategy.  I knew his record for the older and faster course was 16:56:31, about a 10:10 pace. During training I tried to maintain this speed in longer runs of similar terrain.  It was a doable pace but represented a good effort to accomplish.  I stayed behind Chikara until reaching the stone steps in the middle of the climb.  I figured he must have a lot of restraint to go out so easy.  Later I learned Chikara dropped out and was sick with the flu.  Another runner Ammon Skidmore was up in front with us.  I climbed up the first set of steps and walked pulling myself upwards on the railing.  I settled back into a good climbing pace the rest of the hill, except for when more steps were encountered. At the turnoff to the descent into Tennessee Valley I turned and looked behind me.  A steady stream of runners stretched out on the trail below.  Smart runners biding their time and precious energy for the long hours ahead.  One foot in front of the other.

Morning sun climb up Hill 88-   Pen Perez photo

Ammon stayed pretty close for the climbing back up Coastal that doesn't wait for long to exit T-Valley.  The trail leads you to single track for one of the best views in the area.  I have hiked and run this trail many hundreds of times.  It takes you down into a ravine where Pirates Cove is located.  There is a hideaway beach at the bottom, popular to weekend hikers.  The trail has a lot of rolling terrain and some technical sections which slow down the pace. In another 2 miles it connects to a coastal fire road and goes down to Muir beach aid station. I finished up the single track and conservatively descended.  My legs felt fine and no pains were developing.  I ran over the marsh bridge and to the aid station.

Is that a crop top?

      Chasqui Runner photo 

I quickly filled water and left to retrace my steps back to where I could go strait towards Green Gulch Farm and the climb up Middle Green Gulch trail.  There was fog at lower elevation extending from the beach.  As I ran up the trail where it connects to Coyote Ridge I could feel the heat rising.  Partially it could have been from the previous day, but I could recognize this area being a hot spot on the course.  I kept a good climbing pace up the hill and ran down to T-Valley aid via Miwok.  I was holding the lead and had not seen 2nd place earlier on the short out and back at Muir Beach.  I grabbed a half banana, refilled my one water bottle,  and headed on up the hill on Marincello trail.  The course turned right to go up to the FAA fenced in area, and connected again to Miwok at the beginning of the next descent. The sharp turn to the right is a divergence from the old course that continued south on the Bobcat connector trail. It was the the area where PG&E had previously been working to replace power line poles.  The new course goes down the long winding road of Miwok to Gerbode/Rodeo valley bottom.  From there is a left turn back up to SCA Trail via Rodeo Valley Trail.  This is where the new course lended extra elevation to the old, and Rodeo Valley trail is a pretty solid climb.  The fog was settled nicely in this area and the temperature was lower.  I was feeling pretty satisfied with my uphill efforts, but walked in short spurts to conserve energy on the Rodeo climb.  Once at the top SCA begins a net down hill towards the Golden Gate Aid station.  There is a left turn off SCA and about a mile of out and back to the aid station. It takes you through a popular tourist area near several lookout points to the Golden Gate Bridge. At the aid station I got more water, drank some ginger ale and spent a minute or two resting and taking in some gels.  Back at the top of the climb to Slacker ridge I ran into Ammon and he seemed to be moving swiftly.  I saw a few of the other guys rushing down SCA, and I made haste towards Julian Trail and my way back to Rodeo valley turnaround.  Part of the redesigned course zig zags up and down the last few hills on the south side of Rodeo Valley.  This part of the course is essentially the beginning of the Coastal trail. It goes past the some horse stables, a housing area, and the visitor center.  It then links you up with the Lagoon trail and back home past the cars parked along the lagoon and Fort Cronkite.  I knew I would be running past our car first and and check-in to the aid station was further ahead.  I would be reversing the course in a "washing machine" fashion and would run back past the car to start the next loop.  When I got to the start/finish mat I had to get everyone's attention and tell them I was the first 100 miler done with loop one.  Nobody noticed at first as I crossed the mat.  Somebody asked if I was one of the marathoners which were also currently out on the course.  I guess I was not expected yet.  My first loop time was 3:49:04 which was the second fastest loop of the race series.  The 50 mile winner Skip Crockett ran almost the same with a first loop of 3:49:39.  The fastest loop of the day went to marathon winner Nick Handel with a time of 3:13:48- super fast on a course with 5700' elevation and an extra 1.2 miles.  I verified that they wrote down my bib number and got out so I could stop by the car/crew stop along way.  I was shirtless at the time because I had thrown away my cotton tank top at the Golden Gate aid station trash can.  I wasn't sun burnt and I asked Liza to smear more sunscreen on my torso.   I grabbed my "bronco billy" Patagonia tank top and tucked it into the waistband of my shorts.  I took in more gels and stuffed others in my pockets.  A decision was made to roll with the one water bottle- a mistake.  My feeling was that I wanted to be light and get loop two completed as fast as possible.   I was crazed for sure, talking a mile a minute and trying to get back out as fast as possible.  I finally took off looking like a ghost with all the zinc sunscreen, and ran up the valley.

More sunscreen, no shirt, not enough water carry.  Sara Dierck photo

Loop Two

Within memory I was feeling relatively fresh after the first loop.  I worried I had gone out too fast but was happy with the lead I established from the top ten runners.  Soon my reverse loop would reveal their position.  I saw Ammon in second on Coastal just before the horse stables.  I had about a half an hour on him,  depending on how much time he spent at Rodeo aid.  The rest of the pack was not far behind and were vibing off the first place runner of the marathon Nick Handel. He was was jamming down the hill.  They looked fast, and had smiles on their faces.  Damn! Best to push on and keep the speed going but my edge was wearing off.   I climbed back up Julian once again and back to Golden Gate aid.  I ate some bananas and potatoes and continued on my way.  More of the middle pack 100 milers, the marathon group,  and lots of 50 milers stretched out on SCA and Rodeo trails.   There were also lots of tourists on the trail.  Somewhere along the way I caught a rock with my right foot and went down as I tried to pass around some tourists.  Half of my Spring energy gels were in my left hip pocket and once again they burst open when my hip hit the ground.  I heard a pop! and there was a bunch of pinkish pureed food on my shorts and down my leg.  My left elbow was bloody but not too bad. I got up and tried not to cramp out too badly on the ground.  Cramping was probably part of the cause of the fall, and the uneven dodge of trying to go around people on single track.  I did it again! popped my nutrition.  Luckily I wasn't even close to being bruised or hurt from the fall, just scrapped up.  The gels cushioned the blow!  I kept moving and got down the hill to the water only aid stop in Rodeo valley. The guy running the water stop was named Sam.  He had great energy every time I passed through, and luckily had some paper towels I could use to wipe up the mess on the side of my shorts and leg.  Back up Miwok, down Marincello- I tried to keep good pace on the downhills.   Looking back at the Strava data I can see a reflection of those efforts.  My downhill miles usually averaged in the low 8:00 range during this part of the race, sometimes making it into 7:00 range.  My efforts were to even out the score with the hills.  The climbs were slower but I still had it for the descents.  It started to get hotter as I ran into the middle of the day.  Each aid station I needed to fill my bottle once or twice before leaving with a full bottle for the the road.  I was getting dehydrated.  I was pleased to be going down Middle Green Gulch this time of day instead of up.  Temps were probably in the upper 80's.  At Muir I did the same routine with water, trying to drink as much as possible.  I drank a ginger ale with ice as well.  I also filled my hat with Ice and put it on my head so the ice would melt down.  This probably saved me.  From what I heard the counter-clockwise loop was considered the hardest by most runners. Mainly because the climb out of Muir Beach/Pirates Cove, and the Coast trail climb up to Hill 88 were back to back.  I had not really thought of it being harder throughout the race but considered it to be harder because of the heat and my lack of water.  I ran out of water before climbing all of Hill 88.  During the grind up to 88 I sat down for the first time.  One of the wood retaining timbers on a steep section looked great, so I took a minute and rested.  It was nice but didn't help the fact that I was extremely thirsty.  I got up the hill and down the hill (the mantra of the day). I ran into the aid station at the start finish turn around and made sure they got my bib number.  I didn't want to go back to the car at the end of this loop because it would essentially be out of the way.  Liza and Sara were nowhere in sight, however a previous race competitor Justin Brandt was hanging around after his 2nd place finish in the marathon distance.  Justin said something like "you need to keep going man."  I also saw Greg and he observed my condition and wanted to make sure I was ok.  I reassured him I was fine, I just needed to drink some water.  I was standing right next to the drinking fountain, and Justin urged me to start drinking.  I must have been in a crazed state.  I laid back in a chair, and decided I was going to wait for my crew.  Luckily they showed up not soon after, and I explained my mistake with the lack of water carry.  I asked for my vest and decided I would take three .6 liter flasks along to help get rehydrated.  It was good to see Justin, and we had some banter like we always do.  He ran a 4:07: on his marathon and didn't seem totally happy. I told him I was proud of him.  I also decided to bring my headlamp along for the third loop because I knew the sun would be setting towards the end.  I said goodbye to Liza and Sara.  Sara said she would meet me at the water only stop this time around which was easily assessable, so she could support me with some real food and a quick sit in a chair.  It was super awesome to hear. 

Loop Three

Keeping it real. Yes I want that. Time to carry a pack and recover from my mistake. Headlamp with plenty of food and water.
Sara Dierck photo

Back atop 88 I saw the first place runner of the 50 mile Skip Krockett just cresting the hill and bombing down for his last descent.  It looked really nice.  I could tell he was ready to finish.  He had a relieved and satisfied expression on his face.  One last descent.  The moment wasn't totally demoralizing but it did put some of what I was dealing with in perspective.  No genius mathematics were needed to see I was only half way done with achieving my goal.  I got my ass through the single track of Coastal to Muir beach.  While talking with the aid station guys I could see they were having a blast and were starting to grill up fresh quesadillas.  It was basically a chill day at the beach! 

  I opted for more boiled potatoes and salt, more ginger ale, and thats about it.  I worried about my caloric intake.  As long as I didn't begin to feel the empty pit in my stomach, or an overflowing ready to vomit sensation- I figured I was on track for success.     The temperature had moderated and the climb back to Coyote Ridge was bearable. I ran sections, and power hiked others,  and descended to Tennesee Valley.  

Tennesee aid station!! Thank you!!
Pen Perez Photo

I made my usual anticlimactic departure, and once again got back up to the top of the hill on the Miwok trail.  I pounded hard down the steeper sections, grunting...   I found Sara at the water only stop and she was wearing her Verts Not Real hat. She had some of the pureed baby food for me, a chair, and another watch.  The one I was carrying was low on batteries, we stopped it and saved the activity.  I was about 65 miles into the race.  Just a little over a 50k to go!!  I also got rid of one soft flask since it was cooling down.  We unloaded some of the gels I wasn't eating much of.  I muttered about wanting to "get rid of some of this shit!"  Going up Rodeo trail was just one more climb, and I did it mostly walking because of the steep grade. Back at the top I turned onto SCA and ran again.  The sun was setting, and the scenery was beautiful.  In the shadow of Slacker hill I strapped on my headlamp.  Things would change after this moment.  I started to calm down, and felt the stillness of the night settling over me.  More potatoes and bananas at GG aid.  I made my way back down to the start finish turnaround.  I had run 75 miles.  In some sadistic way 25 miles were seeming less of an undertaking.  We gathered at the car and decided to change my socks for the first time.  My aid station antics were in full effect.  The chair my sister had near the water only aid station somehow was all messed up.  I sat in it and bottomed out, almost falling over.  "Where's my good chair?!!"  I sat down in another and was happy, that one was just right...  Liza got my shoes and socks off.  My feet were not too grotesque considering what I put them through.  There was no swelling, but they had blisters in all the usual locations.  I was going to loose a toenail again.  It was fine.  I didn't even like that toenail, it never grew back right.   My shoes were hard for Liza to slide back over my feet, so I just gritted and pulled them on while I cramped up. We changed my shirt to another tank top and decided it would be sufficient enough for the mild temperature of the night. If I kept moving I would stay warm. The air was still and temps were in the low 50's.  My friends Jonathan and Mary were there and Jonathan said he could pace me from the water only aid station to T-Valley, or maybe all the way to Muir Beach if he was feeling up to it.  Jonathan ran the New York Marathon a few years ago, but has't run a lot lately and he wanted to see how he faired.  I told him I would mostly be walking the uphills, and the downhills would be where the running would be happening. He and Mary are avid hikers and have done Mt. Whitney recently.  At that point I also requested to have my poles available, to help with the last bit of climbing.  Liza also decided she would pace me for a few miles from the car and up towards Slacker Hill.  

Squirrel's Nut Butter on toes.  First change of socks at 75?!!

Liza and Jonathan take a look at the 25 mile loop. Mary photographs. My crew was instructed to wear only black Patagonia Jackets.  JK

Loop Four

We got me all ready, and Liza and I headed out. I started to get a little emotional with a few tears welling up.  It felt good to let it go.  I was talking about how I just needed to accept that if the guys behind me were going to catch up it was ok.  Liza tried to get the point across that she didn’t think it would happen.  We hadn't seen any sign of 2nd place at the car or earlier on the last loop.  I think I blurred out all the runners on last loop as we passed each other.  Everyone was incredibly supportive of each other during the race and almost everyone said good job when passing each other.  My response to encouragement waned, later on.  I wanted to say "thanks, you too!" It just became harder to respond with a murmur.  The overall pain in my legs and fatigue took a forefront in my mind, with thoughts of ending it. 

Liza turned back about 3 miles into the climbs towards Julian trail.  We kissed goodbye and she reminded me that everyone would be at the water only aid station where Jonathan would meet and pace.  I ran and walked up Julian and crossed the road near the round about.  I climbed up to the pass near Slacker Hill.  As I was power hiking up the steep dirt road 2nd place ran by with his pacer.  I probably should have been nicer but all I said was "what distance?"  he responded "100, and you?"  "100."   That was it.  I should have been a little more encouraging.  It seemed like I still had an hour or so on him but it was probably closer to two.  He would have to run all the way down to Rodeo Beach, meet his crew, and get back out.  Later I saw the rest of the pack pretty tightly spaced, and they seemed to be doing a lot of running.  I mixed in with them at the aid station and I doubt any of them except for Ammon knew I was the leader. I talked to him as we sat on a plastic bench at GG aid.  He had dropped back and looked to be hurting.  I passed him on the climb out, and took a right on Slacker Ridge.  It felt great to be doing all the trails the last time. My final loop was in motion.  Down Rodeo trail to the water only stop I passed much of the 100 milers and maybe some of the 50's and 75's still out there.  I think they all recognized me, it was the fourth time we passed each other.  I navigated the trail and jumping over a washed out rut many times as I descended into the valley.  

Before picking up my pacer.  Water aid station

The lights of the water only stop appeared.  My crew was there, Alejandro keeping time, Sara, Liza, Mary, and Jonathan.  I picked up my poles and squeezed a packet of baby food in my mouth.  I sat for a moment, and then we departed. "See you guys at the finish!"  Mary went to get the car so she could pick up Jonathan at Muir beach.  We mostly walked up Miwok to the FAA area. We started running when at Marincello.  I was still able to hold 8:00'ish  pace on down hills.  It was nice to talk to someone and get the miles in.  We got to T-Valley for the last time.  We caught Carol the aid station captain just before she left for the night.  They had dressed up the aid station with cool battery powered light strings.  The strings of light led into and out of the aid station.  They had music on and were enjoying a party.  They had lots of food available but I still could have none of it.  I went for the potatoes once again.  We didn't linger, and got out on Miwok.  I could count down the climbs now.  Just a couple left to go- the harder ones.  We passed the Ginger Runner- Ethan Newberry on his climb up Green Gulch, he told me I was "fricken killing it!" Later I learned from watching his GR-Live podcast that he dropped after making it to T-Valley.  He had been experiencing a lot of pain in his quads and had nothing left to give to the race.  He managed a 100k distance.  Along the way we saw a woman sleeping on the side of the trail.  I asked her if she was ok,  and she said she was just taking a cat nap.  I found it to be pretty hardcore.  I told her to take care and make sure she didn't get too cold.  We arrived at Muir Beach for the last time.  Luckily the bathrooms were open.  Apparently they had been closed for a better part of the evening.  I told Jonathan if that if they were closed I would be forced to go dig a hole.  After doing my business Jonathan made sure I didn't stay to long.  I gave him a hug and thanked him for turning out.  The moon was bright and illuminated the hillsides.  On the rise of out the beach the coyotes went crazy.  Howling and yipping.  I yipped and howled back, and they kept at it for a few minutes.  I felt their energy.  They were probably stoked to eat so many mice and rabbits in the almost full moonlight.  I felt like they were telling me they approved of my performance out in the Headlands all day.  I have felt like my spirit animal was a fox in the past years, and now I am not sure, I think I am coyote.  I cried a little bit.  Mostly elated about the days events and efforts.  I was worn thin, everything in me felt stripped down and simplified. 

My friend the coyote.  Mary Rutz photo

I got into the Coastal single track and plugged away. I passed Pirates cove turnoff and got going on the steps leading into the uphill.  I sat for a moment and had a Spring Energy gel-hill Aid version.  The rest of the incline didn't seem to take too long and I set my sites on the last big daddy climb up to Hill 88.  As I ascended 88 I could feel it was in the bag.  I could see out for miles and there were no lights coming, just moonlit bushy hillsides.  I crested the hill and felt a huge relief.  I ran.  The lights of the finish line near the bottom of the valley nestled in next to the beach.  I flashed my headlamp to alert my presence and yipped like a coyote.  Liza was at the gate and ran the last few strides next to me.  I crossed the line and dropped my gear.  Finished!!!  So glad to be done.

I think everyone at the aid station was surprised once again.  The race had become spread out, and they waited long periods for runners to come through.  My sister made sure to let them all know I was the 100 mile 1st finisher.  Liza and Sara got a chair and gave me a space blanket to put over my legs.  It was 2:37am Sunday morning and I had been running since 7:00am Saturday.  My time across the line was 19:37:11.  I was really happy to have kept the time under 20 hrs.  A volunteer gave me a tallboy beer and I sipped at it.  Greg the race director woke up and congratulated me.  He gave me my first belt buckle.  He has two different buckles, one that is bronze plated and one platinum.  A platinum buckle goes to finishers under 24hrs.  

In my chair

Greg Lanctot presents my trophy

Solid efforts!

As I sat in the chair talking to Greg I cramped up pretty bad in my upper abdominal muscles. I just need to straighten them out.  I wanted to stay and watch for the other guys.  Liza kept trying to tell me they wouldn't be in for a while.  I started to get cold.  Sara headed off to her car to sleep, and Liza circled around with our car so I could get in with the seat heaters.  A nice volunteer walked me to the car to make sure I didn't collapse.  I was a little wobbly, and he seemed accustomed to seeing lots of finish line carnage.  Liza was tired and convinced me it would be good to get back to the harbor and take a hot shower.  My core temp drops rapidly after extreme exertion, and it was a really good idea.  The shower was amazing. We went down the the boat to sleep.  I wasn't too stiff yet, but was expecting the worse.  We climbed into bed and I was able to sleep about and hour and a half.  My legs were throbbing and I need to move just enough to shift back and forth. I awoke before sunrise and drank a beer on the settee.  We decided to go back to Rodeo to meet up with Sara and Alejandro, and to see if the other finishers were there.  Greg wanted to do a podium photo which we talked about before we left the finish line earlier.  We learned that 2nd and 3rd had also headed home shortly after finishing.  Both were suffering from stomach issues.  We took some photos of me on the #1 box alone. It felt kind of anti climatic to not have the other guys there, but I think thats sometimes the nature of a 100 miler.  Sometimes people just need to go home afterwards.  I was drained in all ways possible, and my stomach was feeling extremely sensitive. We met up with my cousins Dave and Tash and their baby Remi for breakfast. Sara and Alejandro came as well. I had to get up and go to the bathroom every ten minutes.  I managed to get down a couple pieces of bacon, and sourdough bread. Remi sat next to me 4x4ing his matchbox car in my potatoes.  I ate some of them too but didn't have an appetite yet.  I wouldn't regain my will to eat until the next day.  

Overall the experience seems blurred.  It is good to write it out because I have remembered more of what happened.  I was worried about forgetting the experience.  Since the race was compromised of loops, events have blended together.  Mental fatigue also played a role in forgetting.  I am currently feeling 50% back to normal as of Thursday.  I was able to jog lightly last night with some pain in my left calves and hamstring.  

What will I do next in running?  I don't know yet.  Maybe another 100, maybe something shorter..  

I have had my eyes on the Orcas Island 100, but have not signed up.  I am buying a JDM Toyota 4wd van, and plan on fitting it out as a camper for running exploits.  Liza will be running the Death Valley Marathon on December 7th.  It is a point to point race on Titus Canyon road with net downhill.  I plan on encouraging her during her training.  It will not be too hot in Death Valley in December so don't worry!    

Thank you for reading, and have a great day! Much love to you!