We Love 2 Run

November 10, 2012
Pass Mountain 50K

I did the 25k distance at Pass Mountain last year, so I knew what I was in for. This time I just needed to go up and around the mountain twice.

The 50K was to start at 7:00 am. I was late. In the dark of morning I followed the wrong cars into the wrong event. My event was just across the street. But I followed traffic into the Shooting Range. Then I noticed that everyone had guns....hmmmm,  wrong event. So I asked my phone navigation to take me to Pass Mountain. My phone navigation took me to a different park entrance 20 minutes away. The wrong one. And then my phone died and my gas light came on. Well....I considered just going home. But I knew that if I could find my race that I could still have a good run. Going home to run 31 miles around the neighborhood didn't sound like the right option.

I found my race and could've started 45 minutes late. At that point I decided to wait and start with the 25k'ers at 8:00. So I wouldn't be alone. I liked running with the 25k group. I found a spot amongst runners who were running a pace that felt conservative for me. This group kept me at a good pace for what I needed to do. I didn't want to push things today because this event was a step toward me doing a 50 miler in December. So I needed to recover fast. I needed to run conservatively. My goal was 6-6.5 hours.

I was behind red short girl for a long time. She had a good rhythm and was easy to follow. But then she took a spill. I helped her up and made sure she was okay, but then continued on ahead of her. I saw allot of people lurch and almost fall. I did allot of lurching myself! There were allot of rocks to catch my toe.

Time seemed to pass quickly and once you come up over the mountain you are rewarded with a spectacular view. Worth the climb.

This whole race seems runnable to me. I wondered if I should walk up the first climb to save energy for the second time. But I went with what felt right. I stayed at a "run". On the other side of the mountain I caught my toe and fell. I didn't go all the way down because I took a body slam against a big rock on the side of the trail. Minor scabbing and bruise. The guy behind of me said "be careful" and I had to bight my tongue to not reply with some rude sarcastic response. My initial response to getting hurt is a little surge of anger...oops...he meant well!

A girl in back of him said "keep going, you are almost done now!". The 25k'ers assumed that I was a 25k'er too. I didn't tell them that I was only almost half done.

I was sad when the 25k'ers left me around 15 miles and then I was alone until after 20 or 22 miles. I felt a little lonely for a while, but my mantra of the day became "This is my reality now". Meaning - don't think about how I could've been done an hour earlier in the day if I had started on time!

It was nice when I started to catch up with a few of the 50k'ers. At the beginning of the race I told Nick and Jamil (race directors) that I was still intending to do the 50K, even though Id be starting late. Nick asked me if Id have a problem with the cut-off time. So when i started to catch up with some of the other 50K'ers then I felt safe that I was fine with my time. I felt reasonably safe anyway, but this gave me added security. Its always nice to catch up with other racers because then you know you are on track. I never felt lost on this course. It was well marked and not complicated at all.

It was a boost every time I passed through an aide station. The station workers were really helpful and friendly.

I only carried one bottle of water and one of the stretches between Aid was 8 miles. I ran out of water 2 miles before Aid and that hastened my step. I was getting anxious to get to water. After I made it the second time up the mountain I knew that I didn't need to hold back anymore. But I also didn't have a lofty time goal so I just did the pace that felt right.

After I passed 26.2 I kept marvelling at how fast the race had passed. Time and miles had passed quickly and enjoyably.

I finished to a fun surprise! Noah and the girls were at the finish line! I hadn't expected them at all. What a beautiful sight! I told Noah that I had started an hour late. He said good thing I had or they would've missed me. He knew my goal for the day was 6-6.5 hours and he had planned according to that. He told me to go look at the computer monitor with the results. He pointed out that I was 2nd girl to finish. The computer was reflecting chip time, lucky for me! I was only about 4 minutes behind the Female winner! And I beat my previous 50k time from last year on San Tan!

I gobbled down bagels and coke and then took off with Noah and the girls to go get Firehouse Subs.

It was a really great day. And now I look forward to further testing my endurance on the McDowell Mountain December 8th. 50 miles, here I come!!! I hope I'm ready for you!!!