The day started at 3AM PST when the alarm rang and I arose from a very light sleep. I had all of my gear prepared and i headed out the door to meet Daley and Nichole about 10 city blocks from my hotel. It was a chilly morning in SF - temps in the 50's but damp. We made it to the race check in around 4AM, about 1 hour before the start. After checking in, which was simple, we grabbed some hot coffee, made small talk with other participants. Ran into a couple of guys that did LT 100 - they finished - I didn't. There was a very little drizzle as we waited under the heating lamps. I gave my extra pair of gloves to the young bull. I was in my under armor pants and had a NF tee shirt on with a NF pull over. I was also sporting a Under Armor stocking cap which came in pretty handy thru the first 15-20 miles.
So the start of the race.... it was down hill for the first mile......which I commented to Daley.....remember this because we'll be running back up this on mile 49. We started in the back quartile of the group in the dark at a 5:07AM start. As we climbed the first few miles we had a great view of the headlamps in front and behind us - in silence - it was cool - literally and figuratively.
At about mlle 4 we hit the crest of the climb and had a 2 mile descent on Rodeo drive, a part of the course that we'd see again on our return. I was sporting 3 lights - 2 around my waist and one on my head. This was the plan. I needed lots of light as I had planned on running the first descent hard to see if the young bull would follow. A little cat n mouse early in the race. I actually thought he took the bait and followed my lead. Only at about mile 8 did I realize that he wasn't behind me. Keep in mind at the start of the race it's actually congested before you spend the back half in virtual isolation. As I ran the descent at a sub 7 minute mile I could only think that this might hurt me later in the race.
The advice that I have been given and I have subsequently gave....always walk up hills....no matter the incline in an endurance race. As Daley and I walked, fast, up the initial ascent others jogged past and all I could think was...they'll be paying for it later, which most did. Well, after I realized that Daley wasn't behind me at mile 8 I made the decision to begin running the hills, actually jogging them. Only the steepest of hills did I walk in the first 30 miles of the race. I did pay for this strategy late in the race as I couldn't run a down hill if my life had depended on it or if Daley was catching me.
The day was long, as I went through the various aid stations I wolfed down red potatoes, potato chips, hot chicken broth, M&M's, cookies, Brownies and other goodies. I would see Nichole and ask her the whereabouts of Daley. I picked up about 1.5 hours thru mile 27 which I maintained throughout the finish of the race. I must say though I actually thought that he was gaining time on me so I pushed hard thru mile 46 and struggled to get to mile 49...a long 3 miles. I made friends with a gynecologist and a young dude from Vancouver from mile 44 thru 46. It is very important to find somebody late in the race to talk to and "run", which gets your mind off of the pain and make the time go by faster. If you are alone - it's becomes a struggle.
As I made my way down the final descent on Rodeo trail the sun actually came out. It was still raining and a rainbow had formed off in the distance near the finish line. It was 4:45PM and the sun sets at 5PM. Ironic, it only came out just to set. The temperatures dropped which made for chilly finish. Total time was 11 hours and 48 minutes. It was a very long day and super challenging. Arguably the toughest event that I've done to date......
Daley finished the race about 45 minutes before the 14 hour cutoff. These races are always interesting and the experience that you gain is pretty valuable. I'm betting that it never entered Daley's mind that he may not finish in under the 14 hour cutoff. When I was somewhere between mile 60 - 72 in Leadville as I struggled to breathe and keep my forward momentum it hit me hard that I may not be able to finish the race. A thought that had never entered my mind. As a result you have to approach these races with a lot of respect and a game plan.
This was the last race of the season for me and I am pleased to have another 50 mile trail run under my belt. As I look at entering 2011 I will reflect back on 2010 accomplishments. It was a good year.
Cheers!
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