"This is about limits. Reaching them, exploring them, exceeding what you thought yours were. Then coming to the conclusion that there aren't any limits."
An elevation gain of 7,700′ doesn’t sound so bad when you’re sitting at home planning your next race. It’s just a number. And certainly, I’ve done nearly the same amount last year, so what’s the big deal, right?
Well, numbers don’t tell you just how fast you change altitude. A smooth gradual change is far less brutal than an abrupt climb followed by an equally abrupt descent.
The Golden Gate Half Marathon, by Coastal Trail Runs, was held on February 11, 2012, after a night of rain and wind on the Marin Headlands. Fortunately, the rain stopped by the beginning of the race. To my surprise, the trails weren’t that muddy, but for My Girl – running her first ever 1/2 marathon – it was the worst conditions she ever attempted to do anything outdoors. And, for a first half marathon, most people pick something flat. Not for her.
Off into the rain!
As if getting soaked during the Spartan Race wasn’t enough, Pacific Coast Trail Runs, @pctr, had many Spartans joining them for their Santa Monica 9k, 18k, 30k, and 50k run on November 20, 2011 at Point Mugu State Park. It was a good thing, too, because a Spartan attitude was needed to overcome rain and vandals who tried to steal ribbons and signs.
Every race you learn something. During @PCTR ‘s (Pacific Coast Trail Runs) 30km Sequoia Trail Run, I learned that getting faster in 10k and 5k distances doesn’t necessarily translate into faster 30k times. In fact, although I did initiate a slower pace at the start of the race, I actually went out too hard too fast too soon, and jogged up several hills that I should have walked. I actually hate being passed in the second half of a race, because it tells me that I didn’t pace well: And most of the time I do the passing during the second half.
On March 26, 2011, Pacific Coast Trail Runs (@pctr) hosted the Woodside Trail Run, including distances from 10km to 50km. My best friend, Nat, joined me for her first ever Ultra-marathon, and she couldn’t have picked worse weather to attempt her first 50km (31.07mile) distance. The weather in San Francisco had been raining for about a week, and on the day of the race the weather was supposed to improve – after we finished the race.