I often ask myself, why do I punish myself with some of these races? So many questions go through my head when I am out there. Should I be playing with my kids? Am I going to have a heart-attack? Is this my mid-life crisis? That 60 year old lady just passed me like I was standing still! What is my heart rate? What will be my time if I do ____? Am I last? After every race I think two things:
- It feels so good to finish
- It is so much easier to lazy, but you really don't accomplish anything.
ABOUT THE MARATHON
The Saddleback Marathon is considered "The Toughest Marathon in California." It is put on by Big Baz, a very respected Brit who is one nicest man you will ever meet. You start at Blue Jay campground behind chalk start line. It includes 5100 feet of climbing and peaks at about 4500 feet.
GOING INTO THE RACE
Was I looking forward to this race? No I wasn't. I was very nervous about it and but knew I could finish. An ultra runner who I very much look up too as a person and a younger version of my father, Tony convinced me to attempt the mountain trail race.
Was I looking forward to this race? No I wasn't. I was very nervous about it and but knew I could finish. An ultra runner who I very much look up too as a person and a younger version of my father, Tony convinced me to attempt the mountain trail race.
Since I had never been there before, Tony wanted me to see the few of the hills before the race. This would include going up Horse Thief Trail. We decided to go up the weekend before. Friday comes up and the weather forecast is rain. I am up for the challenge. It rained all night. Once I get all my stuff together and get in my truck, Tony called. He wanted to double check with me about going. The trail we were going to go on was technical and there were some dangerous points on it. "Lets do it." I said. We started out and it was raining pretty hard. Then the first hill... "OMG" I thought. What have I got myself into. Needless to say I had tough time that day and we ended up not going up Horse Thief, but did get in over 11 miles.
THE RACE ITSELF
Race morning I was fairly clam. Tony was introducing me to all the people he knew who frequent Baz's races. One of the highlights of Baz's races is the pre-race meeting. He is such a genuine person. No matter who you are he will give you a hug. The race meeting is so fun. It is like watching a stand-up comic. Great stuff.
I broke down the race into sections
- Up San Juan Trail (don't go to fast and don't stop)
- Down Trabuco Trail (enjoy this as it should be)
- Holy Jim Trail (just make it up with out dying)
- Main Divide (run all downhills)
- Down San Juan Trail (use whats left in the tank)
After almost running downhill on a technical trail for about 5 miles, I made it to the next aid station at the bottom of Trabuco. Refilled my water bottles, grabbed a hand full of cookies, then started up "The Grind" of Holy Jim Trail. This trail is 5 miles with about 2500 feet of climbing. This was the hardest physical thing I have ever done. A lot of emotions ran through me while hiking up that trail. I tried to think about my kids most of the time. I have learn the hard way that "switchbacks" are not cool.
Finally made it to the aid station at the top of Holy Jim. Once I left that station is where the emotions changed really fast. It went from happiness to anger to complete sadness in just minutes. I still have a few choice words for that trail. Now running again and taking it slow because there is another steep hill coming up.
The picture below is of Tony after leaving the aid station at the top of Holy Jim. At this time I was probably just start to go up it.
The of the race is a blur to me. The Main Divide was cool because there are many points if you look parallel to the left and to the right you only see blue sky. Very cool stuff. I was able to eat a little bit but could not get my legs going again. Don't know if I was just spent or it was the attitude which I am not use to. I had not seen anyone for quite a while except for some rangers. There was suppose to be a fourth aid station, but they had packed up and left. Thankfully I had enough water.
The last hill was nice because the race directory for Old Goats Trail Races, Steve Harvey was waiting for me. There was a couple of runners/walkers behind me and there was a gap between me and the runner in front of me. Steve walked up that last hill with me. It was nice to chat was him.
At the last aid station, while looking at the table it was moving in a circle. "Shit" thinking to myself, I needed to start moving again. Its all downhill from there. I made it just over 7 hours which I accept. I know I can do better, just need a little more focus and determination.
MY THOUGHTS AFTERWARDS
This a great achievement for me, but it did leave me with some questions
- Could I do this again? Maybe or maybe not.
- Should I do it again? Probably not in my current running shape.
- Will I do it again? Probably
This is a very hard race, but enjoy the people who do it. The only thing I don't like about Baz's races is that there is no finishing medals, which I value.
I want to do this race again, but I need to train up there. Its hard to find someone who likes my pace and is willing to go up there. You don't want to go up there by yourself. Especially if you don't want to be cougar food.
