It certainly wasn’t my intention to post 11 days after my last write-up, but here I am. Honestly I can’t say I’m too surprised since life has been a bit busy.
Going into the previous week I knew training would be taking a hit, but while it made me a bit nervous, I kept reiterating to myself it was a recovery week and I needed it. I was hoping my recovery week still included a double digit run, but it did not. However, it did include a birthday celebration for my mom, a Red Sox-Dodgers baseball game with my dad to see David Ortiz play one last time, and a day spent volunteering at the Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run.
Just as I did at last year’s race, I showed up bright and early at the Millard Campground aid station, nestled between miles 95 and 96 where I helped fill up hydration packs with ice and water, poured cups with Coke or Ginger Ale or Pepsi or Gatorade, doused chilled water with a sponge over heads, and sent runners and pacers on their way towards the finish line. And just as I did in 2015, I loved it!
At times it was pretty quiet on our end, but at other times so chaotic. It was awesome! I made a short video of the day to get a glimpse of some runners and the action that day.
One thing I know for sure is, I’ll definitely be back next year.
Last week, I thought maybe I’d be returning as a participant, but knowing what I know about this race, especially hearing about it from people who have ran it, and were running it that day, I have much respect for this beast of a course and deep in my heart, mind, and spirit, I know I wouldn’t be ready for it in 2017.
AC100 is notably one of the toughest 100 mile races out there and I can see why. Yes, I know there is no easy 100 mile race. One guy who ran the Leadville 100 last year (he was wearing the shirt) told me, “This race is way tougher than Leadville.”
I was surprised. And so I asked him why he said so. He said “because of all the ups and downs this race [Angeles Crest] has.” Basically it can wreck your legs early on. He said at Leadville, “All I had to contend with was the altitude, and I just went slower.”
I’m sure both races have their share of challenges for every runner.
The key to Angeles Crest, and I’m sure many other 100 mile races, if not all, is to train on the course. I’ve already trained on some of the course when I trekked up a part of Mt. Wilson and most recently, Mt. Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap, and that section was no joke. Since this race is practically in my backyard – okay it isn’t too close to my backyard – it’s no wonder it’s been on my radar for a couple of years now.
Fun facts: I had the Angeles Crest 100 listed as my first 100 mile race I wanted to do, even before I thought about doing Javelina Jundred! When I talked to Jimmy Dean Freeman in March 2015 I told him I wanted to do AC100 and I even took a photo of his buckle he was sporting that day to put on my vision board. Is that creepy? Of course, I didn’t end up adding it, but I have another Angeles Crest photo pasted to the board. And in April 2015, one of the things I mentioned to Scott Jurek when I got to meet him was, “My goal is to run Angeles Crest as my first 100 mile race.” He looked at me and said excitingly, “That was my first 100 mile race!”
Of course, that’s Scott Jurek with Scott Jurek speed and talent. None of which I have.
I know the Angeles Crest 100 will be there when I’m ready to tackle it. And I’m giving myself a couple of years to prepare for it. Although, who knows what could happen after Javelina Jundred? I could retire my trail running shoes for good.
Until then, I’ll be looking forward to volunteering and helping those runners at next year’s race. I’m pretty confident with my water refilling skills.
Thank you for reading!