Based on my last post, it was quite apparent I was very nervous going into the Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon and 10K weekend. I didn’t know how my right foot was going to feel (even though I was able to run pain-free that week). I was scared of rolling any ankles. I was afraid my lack of fitness and endurance were really going to take a toll. Five weeks is a long time in your running life to be away from running and then have not just one, but two races, immediately after coming back from injury. Hell yeah, I was nervous.
The day before the race my stomach was in complete knots. My butterflies just couldn’t calm down. But after conversing with a friend of mine who was also running the half marathon,
I was able to relax a bit. I just kept trying to think of the race as a fun power hike with some running mixed in. That seemed to help and that’s how the race pretty much panned out.
I woke up early on Saturday morning and ate my banana with peanut butter. I taped up my right ankle with loads of KT Tape and decided to wear my friend’s ankle support sock
for added mental comfort. Initially I was debating about wearing it because I didn’t want it to get dirty, but she was very understanding about it, so I went ahead and wore it. (And yes I did wash it a couple of times. It’s sparkling clean now).
My friend picked me up early before the start on race morning. Parking can get pretty
filled up, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t have to trek that far after finishing. The weather was already warm but it wasn’t too bad. However, there were no clouds in sight. The sky was a clear blue, and that just spelled trouble for all of us. The sun was going to be out in full force, and the heat was going to be turned on.
8 minutes before starting, we were all told to get to the start line for final words from Keira
Henninger. “This race is not meant to be easy.” That’s what she said. I’ve run Griffith Park many times and she’s right, it’s hilly and tough. What made the race even tougher were the conditions we were about to be under.
After we made our way up the most technical portion of the course known as Hogback, we wound our way around the mountain and over to the trail that took us towards the Hollywood Sign. We didn’t go all the way up to the sign but we were very close.
After the first turnaround, which was around 3.5 miles, we made our way down the Brush Canyon Trail towards the Bronson Canyon Bat Caves. I could see the people coming back from there looking a bit tired and haggard. I was soon going to join them.
I really wanted to take a photo in the bat caves but it was really dark. There were a lot of rocks and I really needed to keep my eyes on the ground. A selfie with the cave is all you get. Inside the bat caves was by far the coolest portion of the whole race. Not as in ooh this is cool, but ahh this is coooool — as in relief from the heat. I wanted to just stay in there or have the cave travel with me. That wouldn’t happen. I made my way through the second turnaround.
seconds, but they were enough to help keep me moving slowly. I made it to the aid station and got my hydration pack filled up with ice and water. Ice in my shirt. Ice under my cap. As I was eating some pretzels, I heard a girl ask for Ginger Ale. She was not feeling well at all. The heat was making her nauseous. I knew that feeling. It’s the same feeling I had in Leona Divide last year when I called it quits after 18 miles. I don’t think I’ll be doing Badwater anytime soon.
right? Well Keira knows that and she makes you earn that medal.
certainly enjoyed this nice long easy downhill. I made it to the Observatory and again filled my cap with ice at the final turnaround. I ate a piece of an orange and set off towards the long uphill. Only a couple more miles. Once I hit Dante’s View on my return, I was sort
of relieved I had downhill again. However, this portion is the tricky technical portion of Hogback. It’s steep and it’s really dry, which can cause slippery footing and a potential spill down the trail. More advanced fearless trail runners can zoom down with much ease. I am not one of those runners. I took my time.
and seeing my friend C waiting there was so awesome. Besides, I knew she wouldn’t leave me because I had her car key. Thank you C!!
Next up: Griffith Park Trail 10K recap
Thanks for reading and Happy Running!