PCT 50 Mile

Preparation is the key. Friday night we dropped the kids off at grandma's and headed up to Timothy Lake. A night of sleeping in the back of the truck on the side of the road, was the plan. The mosquitos were out and starving for blood! We jumped in the back quickly and made sure that no misquitos had made it into the canopy. It took me about an hour to fall asleep and 4:30 was going to come way too early.

In the morning we made our standard cup of coffee on the tailgate (Peet's!). We rummaged around to get things together for drop bags and handhelds filled with water, etc. We headed to the start to get our share of use of the porta pottys. Just as the race was about to start Gary remembered that he left his number in the truck...He had to run and get it then catch up.

The beginning was nice and cool and the group headed onto a "dusty" singletrack. We made it to Little Crater and I was a little too fast. Then up toward Frog Lake. The climb wasn't too steep so I ran most of it only walking a small section. Once I made it to the top up by Frog Lake, Gary, was gone and running his own race. I was so happy on the downhill - I totally get excited!! I ran into Frog Lake filled up with water and headed back out. Knowing the next section downhill was very soon, I fueled a little early and had an S-cap and cranked the music and "flew" down the hill!

I spotted Gary at Hwy 58, he was walking! We arrived at the same time to fill with water. I slid in beside him asking for water too...He looked over and saw that it was me and hurried and put his cap on and then took off like a bullet!! I laughed, and continued on with my pace. I caught him again at Little Crater Aidstation and once again, he saw me and took off! I had to use the bathroom, so away he went.

I tried to keep consistant on the flats and just push myself into the start/finish line which was only mile 29, I filled with water, had a coke & banana and headed out. A gal was sitting talking about her achilles freezing up on her. I told her to punch it and it will release, at least that works for mine. I was sad to see later...she didn't finish, she dropped.

Now, I had some work to do..approx. 10 mile section out and back. We hit this "LONG" 2.5 gravel road and ran and ran. I could now see Gary in the distance. I just kept working on catching him and little by little I was getting closer. Then we finally got off the gravel road and headed up a single trail toward Red Bluff, 2 miles. It started with a decent climb but, runnable (thanks Micheal). Once again, I could see Gary...I walked/ran a small section until he got really close, then I continued to run without walking. I yelled, "She's catching you!" He was walking again and I caught up. We decided to hang together and finish out the race. I pushed him on the uphills and we had a good groove going. I had my sections were I was lacking and his where his quad froze up for a 4 min. section. It took me a little time to find my downhill legs but, once again I did. I turned the tunes up and ran fast! We finally hit the dirty long gravel road for the 2.5 miles return to finish. This leg of the race was the hardest!, I was getting fatigued and I wanted my shoes off! I'm sure if I had to run farther I could have found a second wind. I finished strong and didn't feel too bad! I was a little dizzy but Coke and a burger helped (Thanks Trisha for serving me! you such a great friend!!)

Waldo 100K is around the corner and I am so excited and scared! I am already getting excited for NEXT years running season! It sounds weird but, I have been feeling so strong and seeing a huge changing in my running.