Having no expectations can really lift a burden off of one's shoulders. Even though the Skyline 50K would be a "training run", it's been a while since I actually tapered and prepared for something I cared about. The Memorial Day 10K taught me to not take anything for granted. Over the past month or so, my mileage has dipped below expectations but I have also put in more quality tempo runs and core workouts. I have mentioned in previous posts that the long training runs have eluded me. The Skyline 50K would be a test on my endurance.
On the morning of the race day, I prepared two bagels with Nutella and did a little bit of some core exercises to loosen up at 4AM. I had two days off from running so I was fully rested and ambitious for Skyline. My primary goal was to just run even effort/even pace and not fixate myself on finishing time.
Arriving in Castro Valley, I met up with my teammates who almost missed the start; we needed three team members to complete a team for points. But they made it and we were ready to race in the gentle fog. Ed wanted to do it in sub-5 hours, and after thinking about how realistic it could also be for me, I convinced myself that it I would tag along. If we could manage a 10K in an hour, it was possible. After 2 hours and 14 miles in, we were well ahead of schedule! The midpoint of the race was really awesome (as is 80% of the race). I felt great at one point that I even skipped an aid station because I still had electrolytes and GU on hand. Between mile 15-17, you dip to probably the biggest net elevation drop in the entire course (or what felt like it) and into what seemed like the middle of the forest. Obviously, if you go that far down, you must go back up the steep way. But I was glad that this was a portion that I was forced to walk as I engaged myself in its endless beauty of silence amongst the trees. I think what was also impressive and a little bewildering was that throughout the first 25 miles, I pretty much ran the whole race alone with Ed! I hadn't seen any other runners for miles! Were we that far ahead or that far behind the "real ultrarunners?"
After 17 miles, the competitive nature of Ed took off as he saw a guy in the far distance he wanted to pass. I decided that I didn't want to jeoparadize my race by going too hard that soon. So I hung back and ran by myself for the next 8-10 miles; it's definitely harder to push yourself when there's no one close in front or behind.
It was a great day representing the Pamakid Runners team. As Ed and I arrived at each of the aid stations in the first half of the race, the following were remarks by volunteers, "Boy, I haven't seen that jersey in decades/years! I thought that team was gone!" "The coach for that team has a runner in the Olympics, I hear." Then they would reminisce on races that Pamakids had done in the 80s but are now defunct. A few have even asked me during the race on how they could become a member; I gave them the website address as I quickly left the aid station...I still had a race to finish!
Problem occurred around mile 21. My body wanted to keep running; my legs, arms, mind, lungs all felt great. Unfortunately, the bottom of my right foot was having a stabbing pain--the possible beginning of plantar fascilitis. It had to be the shoes. Even though my trail running shoes had a little over 200 miles, the shoes probably weren't the best fit for me. It was disappointing since I walked a lot in the last 4-5 miles. I was still on track for a sub-5 hour finish....but barely, just barely. Then the demoralizing began to kick in. After the last downhill section on the trail, you run around half of the lake that is 2 miles on a bike path. Oh the pain seared and I had to walk and hobble most of the way.
Nevertheless, I am still happy to come in at ~5:12 in 28th place. I'm definitely sure I could've done a sub 5 or even better if it weren't for that dreaded foot pain, but I'm not disappointed with getting 2nd place in my age group and the cool polyester embroidered vest that mentions it. Not losing focus, I'm building on this fitness and continuing with the Twin Cities training. At least something seems to be going in the right direction. I will post pictures soon.
**BTW, if you have a race report on a recent event such as the SF Marathon and you'd like to share your experience, send them to adidassfurbanrun@hotmail.com and I will post it!
-Adrian
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