Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Miwok 100K

The Miwok 100K was a great time all around. I traveled down with Sunsweet teammate and friend Meghan Arbogast, We stayed with Rob Cain in Ashland, and Tim and Diana Fitzpatric in California. I have heard so many great things about Miwok over the years and I have always wanted to be a part of it. I really lucked out getting into the race given how popular it is.

The race was everything I had pictured, views of the golden gate and city, open meadows plunging down to the ocean, redwood forests, a well-marked course with great volunteers. Miwok still has the feel of well used local ultra, but has attracted some of the best talent in the nation.

My race shaped up well in the end. I stayed with the lead pack up to the 33 mile turn around. I was feeling within my comfort zone and a little surprised to be with such talented runners so far into the race. Things changed quickly at the turnaround however. I was probably working harder than I realized. I had been taking gel about every 20 min. and a total of maybe 6-7 S! Caps. At the Randall Trail aid station I grabbed a bit of banana, potatoes & salt. I thought I was doing a good job of taking care of myself but soon I was feeling dizzy and lagging behind the pack. I didn’t want to mess around with trying to push through the dizziness so shut down the race for a while. I decided to stop with the gel because it didn’t sound good any longer and for some reason it became my prime suspect. Other than some coke at Bolinas ridge (mile 41.1) I didn’t take any calories in for about 2 hours. I did a fair amount of walking needless to say. When I got into Pan Toll (mile 47.8) I decided I was going to just sit down and get myself straight before continuing on. After a nice picnic with one of the aid station volunteers, 6 cups of coke, a whole PB&J, two granola bars, and two handfuls of chips I was feeling much better. Sometime during the granola bars Scott Jamie passed through followed shortly by Yassien. I was off again, this time feeling much better. I think I may have taken only one more gel between 47.8 and the finish, so I was bonking pretty good again by the end. I also took 3 S! Caps to fight off some minor cramping that was starting to creek up. With 2 miles to go, I saw my folks waiting to cheer for me. Mom and Dad (Carol & Jeff) live in Sunnyvale where I grew up so this was not to long of a drive for them. They had other obligations so I didn’t think I’d see them but there they were with a big sign that said “DAN RUN FOR FUN! Love Mom & Dad”. I finished 7th with a time of 8:48.

On the drive home I was swimming in the tide of emotions that always floods in after a big day of racing. At the end of a strong day, I’m a mountain. I love everyone, and no problem in my life seems like it should take longer than an afternoon to sort out. When things don’t work out and I’m reduced to a puddle, my entire ego vanishes and I feel deeply connected to everyone supporting me and sharing in the experience. As far as post-race emotions go, they are both wonderful. I got a little of both from Miwok.