Some people ask, “What is an ultra?” Well, an ultra is considered anything past the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. I suppose walking a mile to the car after having run a marathon would be considered an ultra, but not officially. My very first ultra distance attempt was to be at the 2013 Ray Miller 50K. When a little thing called injury happened, I wasn’t able to sufficiently train for it. Then I decided to run the Leona Divide 50K instead. When a little thing called heat and the onset of heat exhaustion popped up for me somewhere around mile 18, I wasn’t able to complete the race and received my first DNF. So I figured, well maybe I was supposed to run the Ray Miller 50K after all? Well, when a big thing called the Springs Fire happened last May, the Ray Miller course was pretty much destroyed. But what arose out of it was the Sean O’Brien 50K. This, I knew, was the race I needed to do.
All week leading up to the race, I had a hard time sleeping. I started to get very nervous and
excited about it. I read the course description, and tried to look at YouTube videos of the trail; a trail I’m not familiar with it. Not sure if it helped ease, or just increased my anxiety. I began to have flashbacks of Leona Divide and remembering how I felt in those later miles just before I called it quits. I didn’t want to feel the same way this time around.
excited about it. I read the course description, and tried to look at YouTube videos of the trail; a trail I’m not familiar with it. Not sure if it helped ease, or just increased my anxiety. I began to have flashbacks of Leona Divide and remembering how I felt in those later miles just before I called it quits. I didn’t want to feel the same way this time around.
One thing helping to ease the anxiety was by keeping updated on race day weather conditions. Some great news! There was going to be a chilly start with a low around 40 degrees and a high in the 60s for the day. Sounds perfect! Arriving at the Malibu Creek State Park at 6AM, the temperature was 29 degrees!! I was freeeezing!! Could someone please deliver my bib to me in the parking lot? I didn’t want to get out of the warm car.
Sometimes it does get cold in L.A.
My mom and I were bundled up at the start. I struggled so hard not to snag this blanket away from her and run with it. But she probably knew that might happen and made sure she glued it to herself.
Sh-sh-sh-sh-shivering
I was finally able to pry myself away from the car and make my way down to the starting area to check in. Trail races are usually fairly small anyways, but I gave myself 30 minutes to get my bib, use the restroom one last time, and stand around a bit before the 5 minute warning. If you ever do one of Keira Henninger’s races, know that she does not start the race a second past the designated start time. If her race is to start at 7AM, the race starts at 7AM! For Leona, I was rushing to get on the other side of the start line. My 5 minute warning was more like 1 minute, but for the Sean O’Brien 50K, I was well ahead of the 5 minute warning.
When 7AM hit, we took off. I tried to keep calm and relaxed but I kept thinking about this creek that I was about to face in a couple of miles. After making my way up a climb, and then down the first section, I finally came upon the creek. The thought of falling in and getting my feet wet really wasn’t too enticing for me. And considering how cold it was, I would’ve paid someone to carry me over the rocks. But I was alone. And I had no money on me. Good thing I found my balance and made it across unscathed. I packed an extra pair of socks in my hydration pack just in case.
Speaking of my hydration pack – I get asked all the time what I carry with me. Ok, that’s not true. I’ve never been asked that question. But in case you’re wondering…I always carry my staples: water (obviously, helloooo, hydration), tissue, my phone, and iPod (in case I get sick of hearing myself and I need to hear someone else). These things I make sure I always have. However, fuel tends to change a bit.
The fuel I carried with me this time around, were some dates and a few Jolly Ranchers. I loved the dates! They work really well with me. But I did eat other stuff to get me through this event. At the first water station I ate some watermelon and took a few sips of Coca Cola. I just had to. The second water station I ate the best tasting piece of peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever (it really was one heck of a PB&J square), a piece of watermelon, and a little bit of Coca Cola. Yeah, I had to again. I got to the third water station and I went for another PB & J, watermelon and strawberries, potato chips and yes, took a few sips of Coke. This time the PB & J this time wasn’t as great, but still very delicious. Magic. This food was pure magic. I definitely don’t eat like this in marathons and I was also very cautious not to take off running right after eating because, I for one, am not blessed with a stomach of steel, unlike some people. Water was a priority and I learned that lesson from Leona Divide. See, I knew something good would come out of the Leona experience! I didn’t refill my hydration pack until the very last station, which was 6.5 miles until the finish line. So I was pretty well fed and fueled which allowed me to take in and enjoy the views of the race. And what views they were!
Good morning mountain!
Good morning ocean!
Me, taking a photo with the ocean in the background! Trust me, it’s there.
After enjoying the views for a bit, it was time that I came upon the first challenging area for me. I’m not very comfortable on technical terrain. Part of it is due to the fact that I don’t run a whole lot on technical terrain and well, that’s pretty much the whole part. It scares me. The steepness. The instability of the surface. The fear I have about stepping wrong and either turning an ankle, or stepping wrong and plunging face first into some giant gnarly rocks. Those rocks were definitely there. But I try not to let that fear get to me, even though it’s always there, just beneath the surface.
What? We’ve got to go up that thing?
After getting past these rock formations, I came to the first (and eventually, last) water station where I had a piece of watermelon and took some sips of Coke. In the past, I’ve made the mistake of going out too fast right after eating, so I made a conscious effort to take my time and let food digest a little bit before taking off. I’m glad I did because it made all the difference in how I felt this day. Not once did I feel the urge to toss my cookies at any point during the race. Besides, I didn’t even eat any cookies this day.Just before reaching the third water station, there was some very technical and rocky terrain. Going down the slope, I kept in mind the fact that I had to go back up it. Right after, and right before was the very last water station with food. This is where I grabbed another peanut butter and jelly square, took some sips of Coke, and ate a potato chip. I also took some salt tabs and this is the first time I’ve actually taken them in a race. What is that saying? Never try anything new just before, or during a race. Oopsie. I did. I broke the cardinal rule of running. It’s not the first time. One time I wore brand new shoes for a half marathon and my feet felt great! I guess at times I can be a rebel.
Just before and after the 3rd water station.
I was definitely not smiling.
I made my way along more single track until I got to the 50K turn around where there were only water jugs waiting for me. They didn’t even give me a high five. I just thought to myself, “if I had known nobody was there, I would’ve turned around a mile, or two, or 3 miles ago!” I didn’t though. I made my way back and found myself again at the third water station. I ate a strawberry and took a salt tab. One of the volunteers gave me an extra two salt tabs and told me “take these in an hour and these will get you up that last hill.” He was very nice. But not sure which last hill he was referring to because it certainly took me longer than an hour to get there. Of course in an hour I took one salt tab because clumsy me dropped one. Does the three second rule apply on trails? After saying thank you to the nice volunteer, I slowly trekked my way back up that rocky terrain. This time I noticed the posters that were hung up. “The Time is Meow. Greatness is Yours” and “Smile if you’re having G.I. issues.” I wasn’t smiling. Thank goodness!
Much of this second half was a blur. I didn’t take any photos because my phone was running out of juice very quickly and I made sure to keep it turned off most of the time. I got up to the next water station and was hoping they still had more of those delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but they were all finished. Noooo!!! I miss you already PB & J. Good times.
I got to the very last water station until the finish line. I was 6.5 miles away from home. And those 6.5 miles took forever! At least for me they did. Time seemed to have stalled. Was my Garmin even on?
Hello again ocean! Almost home.
There were times between miles 28 and 31, I just wanted to cry. I wanted to be done. However, there was one section I wasn’t looking forward to and it was waiting for me — the creek. Alas, we meet again. This time I struggled. My legs were tired and wobbly. I sent a request out into the Universe to help me through it and the Universe sent me a very kind fellow runner who helped me to cross. I honestly don’t think I would’ve made it across with dry feet had she not been there. And I’m so thankful that my feet were dry because I still had a couple more miles to go before finishing. When I saw 31 miles on my Garmin, I had a glimmer of hope of finishing. But the trail kept going. Isn’t a 50K only around 31 miles? I just had the final section of uphill and flat, then uphill and flat. This section just wouldn’t end! Finally, I made it downhill, to the street, and saw my sister and my mom waiting and cheering me on. I stopped to hug them for a minute before making that final right turn and across the finish line. I got my medal and my first 50K was in the books!
I couldn’t have been more happier, excited, joyful, and grateful for having been able to complete this race! It was a brutal course and that makes me even more proud of myself for this accomplishment. The final mileage on my Garmin showed 32.64 miles and even though I had tough times towards the end, and wanted this race to just end, never did I thinking about quitting at any point. I was going to finish this thing no matter what, and I did. Yes, I’ll probably do another 50K at some point, but I’m going to enjoy this one for awhile.
Thanks for reading and Happy Running!