Dick Collins 50 Miler

Ok I learned something today. Careful on making time goals on races over 50k in length when you don't really know what you are thinking. I made an unrealistic goal of 9 hours and 30 minutes which I assumed I could do....well let me get back to that.

I got to Lake Chabot, the start of the race, with about 20 minutes till start time. I headed straight to the bathroom...where there was a line out the door 15 people deep. I had no choice but to wait...trust me I had to wait. I still had to register, go back to my car, take off my jacket, apply sunscreen...lets just cut to the chase and say I made it to the start line with no seconds to spare.

Everything seem to be going great. The course was not that steep in the beginning. Aid stations were numerous and well stocked. Life was good. Until about mile 22 or so. I started to get tired and the turn-around aid station at Tilden park seemed like it was taking forever to appear. I had never run in this area so I never knew where I was.

It was at this time that a dark cloud began to hover over me. (This is where you play a sad tune on your little violin). This dark cloud of negativity, exhaustion, and depression I believe happened because I knew there was no way that I was going to reach my time goal AND I was supposed to go on a date with my wife (and I only had a 3 hour window when the kids were being watched) AND I just plain hated life, wanted to quit, wished I could go home AND (violin gets sadder) I had 25 MILES TO GO and at my pace at that time I was looking at 12 or 13 hours AND I had an uphill from Hell that I swear was 25,000 feet tall. OK maybe not that tall. Seriously though I was not in a good place. for the next 15 long slow miles.

Then after a nice unexpected bowl of soup at an aid station and the realization that I was only 10 miles away, and the course was getting easier...my spirits lifted..but I was still slow...like a grandmother with a walker slow. Old men and ladies were passing me as I shuffled along on the flat trail. Then after a pizza and more soup...a song on my IPOD came on...from Daughtry...called "There and Back Again"...It has this amazing energy and the lyrics were just what I needed to hear...I got a rush of endorphins and adrenaline and I was amped. I went from a 12:30-15:00 pace to a 7:45-8:30 pace for the last 8 miles....which is a long time....I passed a ton of people and charged up hill, it was awesome..

I finished at 10:43 or something like that....not a great time but a 50 miler pr...but more importantly a great finish....Yes it IS 90 percent mental 10 percent in your head...

Replace, replace that line

that spoke to you

But showed no signs to be alive.

So are you living or dead?

You have made a choice to hear your voice

Or hold on to what they said.

Now shine. Here is your moment to shine. Shine.

Headlands 50M

I had a hard time sleeping the night before the Headlands 50m. After DNF'ing on my first 50m attempt, I was anxious and worried if I could do it. Besides, I didnt feel that my training was ideal. It had been 4 months since my last 50k, and only one short Double Dipsea race in between. I had a few training days that approached 20 miles, some weeks of 40-50 miles, but nothing that resembled like a typical 50 mile training plan.

It was a foggy and drizzly day...I was happy that it wasnt going to be hot. I met Dan, Clif, and Jarod at Starbucks and we carpooled down to the start line by 6:30. Clearly this was a different crowd. The runners appeared to be more experienced, and fit than other races. At the starting line the announce asked how many people were running their first 50 miler...I raised my hand along with maybe 5 others. That was a little intimidating.

We were off. It was hard not to run up the climb up Wolf Ridge on my fresh legs. I was amped, full of energy, trying hard to pace myself. I was aiming for a 11 hour 30 minute finish (13:44 avg pace) based on the middle of the pack results of the previous year. I find that its important for me to have a goal.

I cruised into Tenesse Valley in about 42 minutes (almost 15 minutes ahead of schedule). I know this was a little fast, but I took it easy on the climbs and tried to run effortlessly yet efficient..I tried to eat as much Pay day bars, chips, cookies, and gummy bears as I could. I felt good as I headed to Muir Beach through the Pirates cove trail. The mist was so heavy at this point that my hat was dripping of moisture and the trail was muddy and sticking to my shoes. I had to constantly scrape them off to keep them from being 10 pound weights.

I fuled up at Muir beach then turned around back up the Muir Beach slog toward Coyotte Ridge. My legs began to get fatigued as I made my way back into Tennese Valley the second time. I slowly made my way up Marincello then down to the Golden Gate bridge, then back to Rodeo...I completed my first loop! I stopped for a few minutes, drank a Red Bull and slowly shuffled back towards the Golden Gate. Halfway up the Miwok trail, I saw Clifton descening down to the end of his Marathon. He told me about how Jarod was doing, how he had sprained his ankle but wasnt far behind him. We exchanged hi fives and moved on. I saw Jarod about 20 minutes later. He looked tired physically but was in amazing spirits...He knew he was giving it his all despite his sprained ankle (at mile 7!) and that he was about to complete his first marathon. Jarod passed towards his descent to the finish and I continued on.

I was feeling exhausted coming out of Golden Gate for the second time. Flies and bees were crawling all over the food at the aid station, and everything was wet from the hours of mist. But I pressed on. When I finally made it to the top near Marincello going down to Tennesse Valley, I caught a second wind and picked up my pace. I was feeling great and I knew I would be able to bag this race. I cruised through Tennesse Valley then Muir Beach...I was slowing down. It was gruling going up Muir Beach and the Pirates Cove stairs, but I managed to run from the top of Pirates cove back to Tennesse Valley without walking.

I was surprised to be greeted by my family. Ethan and Kirstin ran to me and hugged me. I was encouraged and excited. By this time, it was 10 hours into the race. I had an hour and a half to make it back to Rodeo Valley. By this time I was hoping to make it by the 11 hour mark, which meant I had less than an hour to make it back. On fresh legs, this would be easy, but my legs were shot. I made it to the top of Wolf Ridge and there was 15 minutes left! And I had a hard time running down hill. When I got toward the bottom, still 200 yards away, I heard the megaphone say you have 3o seconds. Somthing came over me...I felt a ton of emotion, joy, and determination. I had to do it. I just had to. I sprinted for the 200 yards, everyone was watching and chearing me on...I did it, 10 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds. People gave me high fives, it was awesome....I will never forget that time.

Increasing Mileage

In December I completed the Northface Challenge (50k + a little extra) in 6:59. I was pretty much toast after that challenging course with an elevation gain of 6,606. I decided to run the Rodeo Beach 50k two weeks later (elevation gain of 5980). I was afraid that I would struggle since I was so worn out from my last race, but I ended up PR'ing at 6:11.

I ran 35 mile weeks more or less for two weeks and then the second week in January I ran 68 miles with over 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Definitely an all time weekly high for me. Yesterday while running 23 miles, I never felt as good as I did on a run. Towards the end I was running 8-9 minute miles and some smaller hills. I could have gone on easily if I had the time.

Having consistent 2-2.5 hr running days seems to be the key. My plan is to eventually increase intensity and include hill training. Also I will do some two-a-days. Of course I need to listen to my body to prevent burnout and over training.

I have found that the body will adapt to a rigorous training schedule and that with good nutrition, stretching, massage, and trigger point therapy, you can be renewed by the next morning. My typical training diet is a large bowl of granola cereal with almond milk and a large cup of coffee. Then after the run I eat a granola bar, apple, orange, and banana. I then eat some cookies or donuts at work (OK scratch the good nutrition comment). Then I eat a large lunch (800 - 1000 calories) then I eat a moderate dinner followed by a 16 oz glass of fresh vegetable juice (carrot, celery, apple and greens). I also take 2,000 mg of Vitamin C, Omega 3 pills, and Glutamine. So I guess that's 2,500 to 3,000 calories. Currently I am stable at 158lbs with 8 percent body fat. I sleep around 9:30.

3 more weeks until the Steep Ravine trail run. I wish they had an elevation profile so I could make a prediction on my finish time but I am aiming for 5:50...but I might surprise myself. Then again...running from Sea level to Pan Toll 3 times wont be easy so we will see...