Two weeks after I had run the Pony Express Marathon, I ran Folsom Gold Rush 50K, my very first ultra marathon. Although experts recommend about 30 days before running another race after a marathon, I refused to accept this wise advice. Instead, I chose to view my marathon race and big PR (personal record) as a perfect training for my first 50K race (31 miles). Besides, one of my trail mix friends John Bressan made the perfect point when he cheered for me at the marathon finish line: “Remember, all you need to do is finish your first 50K, as it will be a PR, for sure. Your goal is to qualify for Boston, so you don’t want to injure yourself. ”
THE WEEK OF MY ULTRA MARATHON- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PREPARATION
Another Trail Mix friend Sharon Hampton who has been running races for over 30 years offered me the best advice that I would pass onto other runners who wonder whether they should rest the week of the big race, or whether they should run lightly. Sharon urged me to do the following:
- Rest the whole week of the race and let your body fully recover from running so that you can have enough stamina for your big race.
- Fuel, hydrate well, and eat some extra carbs, as your body will need it and use it.
- Last, but not least, my favorite advice she offered: do not even think of the total distance. Instead, focus on running from one aid station to another (fuel at each aid station) to break miles into smaller increments and finish the run strong.
With most trail races being on Saturday, I was glad to run my biggest and longest race I have done in my life one day earlier than road races, which happen mostly on Sundays. I did not run at all the week of the race and I just gobbled up my carbs. Even though I viewed my taper as being lazy and not working hard enough, deep down the voice of reason kept me honest. I had to acknowledge the hills, the rocks, and uneven terrain, the heat, and the long distance. Moreover, I had to trust that a rested body would find more strength and energy than a tired body. I continued to load up on brown rice and Quinoa pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables, some salmon, and my vegan pancakes that I made with almond milk.
As to the mental preparation, I did the following:
- I kept my entire week on a positive note, avoiding any negative interactions or situations.
- I visualized myself running with a big smile while my sweet husband and our kids were waiting and cheering for me at the finish line.
- Buoyed by my recent marathon and quick recovery, I had total faith and trusted that I could complete my first ultra, as long as I did not get injured and kept my focus on the breath and positive mental images of crossing the finish line strong.
- The big d-word DOUBT was banished from my mind and vocabulary and replaced with BELIEVE.
THE DAY OF THE RACE
After a good night rest, a hearty pancake and banana breakfast, and careful preparation for my 50k race the night before, my sweet husband dropped me off at Skunk Hollow in El Dorado Hills from where our race started on the Darrington Trail.
My husband parked and stuck around for a few minutes to make sure I had everything I needed. To our surprise, we met Shawn, one of our soccer friends who works with my husband. He congratulated me for upgrading my running. My husband beamed with pride and joked around with his friend, while I thought to myself: “Isn’t what our lives are all about? Upgrading our old selves to newer and better ones?”
My husband gave me a big hug and a kiss. He wished me good luck and said we would keep in touch so that he knew when to wait for me with the kids at the finish line. I spent time talking to other runners and was happy to get some great advice from Karyn Hoffman, an amazing runner, pacer for marathons, tremendous athlete, and an icon in our Sacramento running community. She advised me to start slower and then pick up my pace and pass people. She knew my rabbit style of running fast from the beginning, which was not conducive to the length of the course.
THE FIRST HALF OF MY ULTRA
I did not start slowly at the beginning of the race, as I knew my engines would slow down later and wanted to make sure that I would make good times for all the aid stations, but Karyn was right. Starting slower ensures more strength later. The first 8 miles of the race were technical and the rocks seemed to bare their sharp edges like sharks. I almost fell at least five times, but managed to catch myself. I kept running to make a good time for our first big aid station at Skunk Hollow, where I ate banana, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and used the restrooms.
After this quick stop, I ran strong and passed a few runners heading towards Salmon Falls on winding trails flanked by exquisite views of the Folsom Lake. The lupine, vetch, and golden California poppies crowned the meadows and reminded me why I fell in love with trail running: nature at its best, as well as my desire to match nature’s outer beauty with my inner beauty. During my run, I constantly reveled in nature’s sheer magnitude and stopped to take pictures while power hiking a steep hill, taking a short break, and thinking of a little poem about the trails that I wrote after the race.
The Song of the Trails
The trails enchant and attract
the runner’s soles into their deep forests
like a siren’s song – inimitable and unforgettable.
Lined with rocks, protruding roots,
multicolored wild flowers, and poison oak
the trails chirp the song of the wild at heart.
THE SECOND HALF OF MY ULTRA
After 15 miles of running, I kept my focus on avoiding falling by all means, as well as looked forward to hitting all the aid stations. At mile 16.1, I reached New York Creek aid station and made sure I ate bananas, pretzels, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. At this point, my mind started to show up signs of fatigue, or was it my body getting tired? Having a black belt in Taekwondo, I knew that I had to use my mind to control my body, so I told myself that I needed to run steady to hit mile 20 strong. From there on, I had to keep running a meager 11 miles- ha!ha!
The views of Folsom Lake kept me company and comfort. The blue sky and water, peaceful and tranquil images, followed my strides and gave me renewed hope and energy. Yet, the hills seemed to multiply at every corner, leaving me breathless while climbing them.
At mile 22.9, I crawled to Brown’s Ravine aid station and felt every muscle in my body having something to say to me, but I was not interested in listening. However, I felt a little lonely running by myself and only talking to people at aid stations, so God probably heard my prayers and sent Leslie Niels my way around mile 23, or so.
A young woman with a happy and steady stride, Leslie seemed to be especially strong on hills, so I followed her. We started to talk about our running problems, as well as curse the endless hills. Leslie was doing the relay and running the second half of the race, which was music to my ears, since her legs were not as tired and she could propel me to finish a race that was the most challenging event I have ever done in my life so far. I am sure harder events would come along, but this was my first.
Leslie, a super athletic and fun person to hang around, pointed out that after this race, we can definitely call each other “bad ass” ultra marathon runners. Yeah! We both repeated those words that had become the running leitmotif of the day. The “bad ass” mantra empowered and emboldened us to keep running, while joking and commiserating with each other.
At mile 28.9, Leslie and I reached Folsom crossing by the American River bike trail. I texted my hubby to tell him that I was 3 miles away. To my great delight, the last three miles were all on flat and fast surface, so I powered through with Leslie running right behind me a little slower, as by now her blisters gave her trouble. I could tell that every stride Leslie took hurt her, but she continued to maintain her joviality and positive attitude. I also felt that we both functioned as perfect crutches for each other and that really made our finish smoother and stronger.
As we turned on Sutter Street in Old Folsom, I knew the finish line on 200 Wool St. was around the corner, so I felt a strong surge in my cadence and pace. Clip-clop, clip-clop! Just like during Pony Express, our daughter Sophia joined me and ran with me towards the finish line, making my day. Our sweet son Alex was again the race photographer taking great shots of me. My hubby was beaming with pride. He hugged and kissed me right after I crossed the finish line. Wow! I did it! I ran my first 50K in 7:11 and felt pretty good. I could walk, so that was a good sign.
Leslie finished seconds behind me. We both hugged and congratulated each other, as well as promised to keep in touch with each other.
In the end, resilience and perseverance shone through, reminding me that there is always more I can give and that human nature is just as resplendent as nature.
For more info on ultra marathons, please check out these links:
http://marathons.ahotu.com/calendar/ultramarathon/california
http://www.ultramarathonrunning.com/races/usa.html
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During our run, we came across horse riders and mountain bikers, as well as a dead gopher snake and a bobcat that ran in front of us and disappeared into the thick bushes and trees. Once we reached Cronan Ranch, we could really feel the sun’s heat on our necks, bodies, and legs. We joked around about our run and my birthday celebration in 100 degree weather. Holly said to me: “I think it’s hot enough, so you can blow out that candle, Carmen.”
