Blustery Fun At The 2016 Big Sur Marathon

Just six days after the 2016 Boston Marathon, I had the great pleasure of joining 4,000 runners for the 31st running of the Big Sur Marathon near Carmel, CA. This was the second leg in the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge (B2B), one of my favorite road marathon doubles that combines two marathons on two coasts in just six days. It's also just a great excuse to head down to Big Sur and enjoy this wild and amazing stretch of California coast. Don't have to twist my arm hard for that!

(Sophie at 9, Quinn at 5)

My girls came with me on this trip, eager to revisit Carmel Beach, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Expo that inevitably fills their pockets with snacks galore. I was still nursing a sore hamstring, but hoping I would find the right gear to get through the race like I had in Boston (2:55). We took it easy through the race weekend, and before I knew it, I was at the start catching up with runners from all over the world as the sun rose through the redwoods. Once again, the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge had sold out their 400 spots, and I was amazed at how many runners go for it. It was just five years ago it was a bet among locals!

(Magda, Mary, and Julia are ready to roll)

(Neil Pearson goes old school with his sponsor logos)

I jumped into the Elite corral just as Dean Karnazes was finishing the first half of his annual Big Sur double and joining us. We also had local defending champion Adam Roach, Boston 2 Big Sur front runner Neil Pearson, first time Big Sur runners Magdelena Boulet and Tyler Stewart, ultra runner Chris Eide and his pal Sean Curry, and Oswaldo Lopez up from Jalisco, Mexico. Another 5,000 runners would be on the course running 20-, 10-, and 6-mile segments so we would have plenty of company! The weather report said wind, and lots of it, so we would certainly be making friends.

(Black arm photobomb!)

(And we're off!)

As the gun went off, I took it easy in hopes my sore hamstring wouldn't get too angry. It didn't feel much worse after Boston, but definitely wasn't better. I tucked in with a group pulling the lead Women, and by mile 3 we were pushing into a headwind that wouldn't leave us for 20 miles. Magda said she was just out to enjoy the course today, but as we all know, her casual pace is still pretty amazing so it was a solid effort to stick with her. Magda, Tyler, and Julia Stamps stayed close to some tall wind-blocking runners...knowing the usual pace of the lead Women, that headwind was slowing us about 15 seconds/mile to a 6:55 min/mile pace.

(Among the redwoods)

(Here comes that headwind!)

(Taking over Hwy 1, photo courtesy of Jay Dunn)

At mile 10, the great Hurricane Hill came into sight and the wind really started to throw us around. I lost my cap, and in turning around to get it, permanently lost my little peloton. No worries, I hung with Kyle Petty from Sacramento, who would go onto be one of the few runners to negative split the B2B Challenge. We got a rhythm from the drummers, and pounded up the hill.

(the mad drummers!)

Across the Bixby Bridge (mile 13), the wind was so crazy, everyone was just trying to stay focused. An ambulance was picking up one runner right on the bridge - wow! Michael Martinez was once again playing his grand piano in full formal tails right on the cliff. Nothing stops that guy!

(Michael Martinez back again!)

By mile 18, I began realizing the hamstring is a very important muscle when fighting headwinds! My stride shortened significantly, but it wasn't too painful, so I just cruised along. My mind drifted to my previous six Big Sur Marathons, and how my 9-year-old was just an infant the first time I was here. The waves and mountains were gloriously distracting.

(Sean Curry cruises the highlands)

(The strawberry aid station....soooo good!)

Sean Curry and his glitter shorts caught me at mile 21, and it was fun to keep him in sight as we cruised through the Carmel Highlands (mile 22-24), weaving through the many hikers and walkers. I got a handful of strawberries for the final push, and knowing I was just under a 3:10 finish time, kept my head up to finish in 3:09:45 for 30th place and 9th in the B2B Challenge. Hamstring held up once again!

(Adam Roach for the win, photo courtesy of Jay Dunn)

(Magda Boulet adds one more win to her trophy case, photo courtesy of Jay Dunn)

The beer flowed plentifully at the B2B tent, and we learned that Adam Roach (2:35) had repeated his win, a solid eight minutes slower than last year. Magda (3:01) held on to win the Women's group, while Neil Pearson won the B2B Challenge (2:39 + 2:45 = 5:25). I got second in my age group to...Sean Curry! Guess I should have stuck closer to him. (all results) There were a few PR's in the group, but most of us had to add 5-10 minutes thanks to that headwind. Still, lots of smiles to go around!

My thanks to the brave volunteers, race directors, and fellow runners on another fantastic run. My eighth Big Sur Marathon and I can't wait to come back!

- SD

Happy Headwinds at the 2015 Big Sur Marathon

Last Sunday, I had the great pleasure of joining 4,500+ runners for the 30th annual Big Sur Marathon in Carmel, CA. This was my 6th time running this beautiful race down Highway 1, and the 6th time completing the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge. It was a windy one this year, but also produced the sun and ocean views that keeps us all coming back. All in all, a fantastic race!

 My girls joined on this trip, eager to help Daddy ring in his 46th birthday with cupcakes at every possible meal. Sophie, now 8 years old, is our bookworm, citing weird-but-true facts at every corner and greeting every dog with breed specific historical highlights. Quinn, now 4, is a whirlwind of laughter and drama, equally adept at eliciting smiles and ruining romantic meals in any public forum. I splurged for a room at the Cypress Inn, the Doris Day-owned hotel that is dog headquarters for Carmel, knowing they would relish a hotel where runners and dogs are at every turn, and Mommy can enjoy a daily complimentary glass of champagne. By race morning, I easily packed on a delicious and worthy extra 2-3 pounds. It’s not the hills that slow your Big Sur times, it’s the curves!

(Quinn helps me pick dessert of the day at The Forge In The Forest)

(Bart Yasso, didn't I just see you in Boston?)

 Race morning was surprisingly warm, with a clear forecast that would be a welcome change from the rainy headwind insanity of Boston six days previous. I had a chance to catch up with a few of the 400 runners doing the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge (B2B), which just a few years ago was not much more than a dare, but now included trophies, jackets, special finish tents, and the bond of those crazy enough to pony up for the latest bragging rights. Everyone was happy for the sun, but correctly feared the wind could be troublesome. Local Brian Rowlett felt the same, and he tends to predict these perfectly.

(The color guard sets us up)

(Hangin' with the cool kids!)

  I got called out as one of the elites by the announcer at the start, which was super fun. The greatest of all B2B runners, Michael Wardian, was back this year to defend his record-setting overall win that also set Masters (2:27:45) and B2B (4:51:17!) course records. Wardian also ran the Lake Sonoma 50m the week before Boston this year because, you know, he needed a bigger challenge. ;-) Local speedster and 2013 winner Adam Roach was his biggest competition today for sure, being one of the few at the starting line capable of a sub-2:30 on this hilly course. Three time Women’s defending champion Nuta Olaru was not returning this year, which meant that Colorado’s Malia Crouse, locals Christine Taranto and Elizabeth Mueller, and Australia’s Veronica Tysseland would be contending for the crown. I had a 2:48:33 under my belt from Boston, and had hoped to score a combined time under 5:50, weather permitting, so sub-3 sounded pretty good for a goal.

(Michael Wardian and Adam Roach step up to the start)

(Here we come!)

 As the gun went off at 6:45am, we sailed down the first couple of miles of downhill and quickly found a headwind coming off the coast. This headwind, it turns out, would be strong and present for the NEXT 18 MILES. And we thought Boston was bad! Luckily I found a group of runners around the lead women to work with, and we plowed our way through to Hurricane Hill (mile 11) on a 6:45 min/mile pace. About half of the pack were first time Big Sur competitors, smiling at the enormous views that open up at every corner, and yelling their enthusiasm back through the wind to the rest of us. This truly is a magical place that brings out the child in all of us.

(All downhill to start)

(Working with my pack)

(The safety cycle leads us up to Hurricane Hill)

 Hurricane Hill was oddly calm given the crazy headwind, but when we headed down to Bixby Bridge (mile 13) we were forced to work together again as the wind stirred up more than ever. I took a short bio break and lost my pack, slowing necessarily to 7 min/miles to battle the wind solo through to the Carmel Highlands (mile 20).

(The amazing Bixby Bridge)

(Making our way up Hurricane)

(Bixby Bridge at Mile 12)

(Uh, oh...too much cake)

(That view never gets old!)

At this point my legs were good and thrashed, so I just hung on through the hills and ate as much as possible. The strawberry stand at Mile 22 did not disappoint, handing me a baseball size nugget that took a half mile to eat. YUM!

(There's that finish line!)

 I picked up six more spots on the final two miles, recognizing the faces and strides of weary runners ahead of me, only to loose steam in the last 500 yards and give one spot back. Headwinds are funny how they drain you! I crossed the finish in 3:01:57, good enough for 29th place, 3rd AG, and 7th overall for the B2B (5:50:53). Not my best here, but a solid effort given the conditions. (all results) Adam Roach (2:30:48) held off Michael Wardian (2:33:04) for the win, but Wardian cleaned up in the B2B competition with a combined time of 5:00:24! Malia Crouse (2:57) prevailed for the Women's division, beating Christine Taranto (2:59) by just a few minutes. All in all, it looked like the headwind was worth an extra 3-6 minutes for everyone.

(Beach time!)

(Phew! Another fun double)

 As I settled in at Carmel Beach, barefoot and beer-clad in the sand with my girls dancing around me, I marveled at my blessings. I had always suspected that the 40’s could be the best years of one’s life. The 20’s are just too confusing, drowning in a need for purpose that can’t be filled with anything but experience; something you don’t understand until you are in your 30’s and already worried that the easy path has passed. But in your 40’s you chill out, revel in the simplicity of your passions, young enough to breath the ocean air deeply, and old enough to appreciate its rarity. Yeah, 46 years old feels pretty damn awesome.

 My thanks to the incredible race directors, volunteers, and fellow runners of Big Sur. Congrats on making the 30th year a classic, and I hope to see you again! SD

Planning My 2013 Race Season

I finally had time to finish up one my favorite annual rituals - planning the race season on the new calendar for 2013 (see '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12). A cup of coffee, a lazy Sunday on the couch, and a list of 500+ races that need to fit into ~40 weekends. Well, maybe not all of them. But we can try! ;-)

For a few moments I like to peruse the list in its entirety and imagine the number of new friends, great pictures, and blog-worthy stories that await us in the miles to come. So much adventure! We choose to live IN this world instead of ON it, my friends, and that's what makes the ride worthwhile.  Adventure is just a few entry fees away!

So, how to start? Reflecting on my 2012 season, it was the variety and unexpectedness that kept the trail running fresh and inspiring. A few of those experiences affected me deeply, more so than I would have guessed, and reminiscing about them continues to make me smile and swoon as if I had just crossed the finish line. I love how memories like these become an embered hearth deep in my soul, warming my everyday smiles for friends, family, and co-workers. Best to double down on any race that can bring that kind of magic! It's also nice to have some races on the calendar where you expect to go fast, and others where you can just relax, be present, and take it all in. If it's all about racing and PR's, my assholism starts to spike, and then I have to attend those god-awful AA meetings ("Hello, I'm Scott, and I'm an asshole"..."Hi, Scott!").

I am longing to get back to the steep alpine back country of Europe and share more experiences with mountain people of other cultures. This time, however, I would like to actually SEE the mountains instead of slogging through a night of mud and rain (a la UTMB) so perhaps a shorter distance and different time of year. There are still a solid 10 races on my bucket list (it never seems to get shorter!), so I would like to try and knock a few of those off too. Plus I find the more time I book for recovery, the better my season goes as a Masters athlete, and if I switch up the schedule with running, cycling, trails, and roads, the training never seems tedious.

So with that, I give you my 2013 season:

Crystal Springs Trail Marathon, Woodside, CA, 1/5 - Pure fun right in my backyard. A good way to kick off 2013!

Fort Ord 50k, Monterey, CA, 2/8 - When I see a brand new race pop up on the calendar, I'm always excited to check it out. Inside Trail Racing added the Fort Ord 50k, the first ultra in the expanse of trails just behind the Laguna Seca race track, and promised to deliver hills, sand, and gorgeous views. And it indeed delivered!

Nueces 50m, Rocksprings, TX, 3/2 - The USATF 50-mile trail championship is at Nueces this year, deep in the Texas hill country. I have heard a lot of great things about the Tejas Trail races, and I haven't quite dialed the 50-mile distance, so what better than to target an "A" 50-mile race early in the season that can do both. Fort Ord 50k can be my test "B" race on the way.

Boston Marathon, 4/15 - At my first Boston, I made a promise to myself to try and streak it 10 times. Why? I have no idea. I'm pretty sure beer was involved. But this historic race, flooded with eager first time runners who have earned their slots, never seems to get old for me. This will be #9!

Big Sur Marathon, Carmel, CA, 4/28 - I can't seem to go more than 2 years without longing to run this gorgeous stretch of Hwy 1. The coastal town of Carmel is super kid- (and dog-) friendly, so we'll take the family down to celebrate my 44th birthday. I am signed up for the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge (fastest combined time of the two marathons), but likely will be cruising for fun. If I feel good, I'll throw in the Presidio 10-mile in between to keep the tempo up.

Miwok 100k, San Francisco, CA, 5/4 - The Lottery Gods granted me one race this year, and it's one of my favorites! The course is amazing, the race is always polished, and everyone seems to be in good shape as they prepare for the big races of summer. Every race I've had at Miwok has been crazy epic with all kinds of weather extremes.  Let's do it again!

San Francisco Marathon, 6/16 - My broken toe forced me to bow out last year, so I'm (hopefully) back to redeem in 2013. A fun race all around, and one that I feel us locals should frequent if anything just to remind us how lucky we are.

Mont Blanc Trail Marathon, Chamonix, France, 6/30 - Back to Chamonix! Man, I love this place. This time I'm going to tackle a fast and steep race, the Mont Blanc Marathon. It will also be one of three races I will be doing in the Skyrunning World Series, so I hope to get some points on the board. I also just love to tell people I'm on the "European circuit" this year. It sounds so bad ass!

Death Ride, Markleeville, CA, 7/13 - Each year I take at least one century ride with my regular group of dudes, and this year it's back to the 5 peaks/16,000' feet of climbing in the Death Ride. This race continues to have the best shwag around, plus it's a good excuse to pick up the bike training for what is coming in September.

Pikes Peak Marathon, CO, 8/18 - This one is on the bucket list, plus it turns out to be a Skyrunning Series race, the USATF Trail Marathon championship, and one that fellow teammate Gary Gellin is going to crush this year. I have a nice block of time prior to this date for race-specific training (like scaling cliffs while breathing through a straw), so I'm hoping to give it a solid effort. We'll see what running at 14,000' feels like!

Matterhorn Ultraks, Zermatt, Switzerland, 8/24 - I'll head from Pikes Peak right to Zermatt for a Skyrunning trail marathon double-header. How crazy will that be? Crazy AWESOME, that is. When I asked trail runners in Chamonix where else to go for a unique mountain experience, Zermatt was most often the first race off their lips.  I've got the frequent flyer miles, so let's do it.

Ironman Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, CA, 9/22 - After a bit of rest and transition, I'll be slowing it down for the inaugural Ironman Lake Tahoe. This one made my bucket list the second it was announced. A 2.4 mile swim at altitude, a 2x hill climb to 7,400 feet on the bike, and a marathon down the scenic Truckee River that ends at Squaw Valley for a party? Insanity! Gotta be a part of that.

Bootlegger 50k, Henderson, NV, 11/9 - One last fast race to cap off the year, the Bootlegger 50k is the USATF 50K trail national championship and is set in the red hills of Nevada. I suspect this one will draw a great field (particularly given that the Race Director is Team Adidas Coach Ian Torrence), and there's always Vega$ for post-race celebrations. It rounds out my USATF national championship races to the 26m/50k/50m "middle distances", which sounds fun. DO IT.

As always, I will fit in other races/rides where the calendar permits, and will play it by ear as nature and my body allows. But this calendar is a full dance card, for sure. No 100-milers this year...after the Lottery Gods had ushered their will, there weren't any left that fit the social schedule, so we shall have to leave the hundy for another year. It can't stop me from volunteering!

I hope to see y'all out there. Let me know where you're going to be so we can get some pics!

- SD

Epic Views of the Big Sur Marathon

Last Sunday, I had the great pleasure of joining 7,000 eager runners for the 25th Big Sur Marathon near Carmel, CA. This was the second leg of the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, two marathons in 6 days, and a great way to ring in my 41st birthday. Thanks to great weather and the incredible organization of the volunteers and race team, it was a weekend to remember.

The race weekend started with a Sophie-led tour through Cannery Row, the amazing Monterey Aquarium, and the beach at Carmel. It was such a delight to see this all through the perpetually curious eyes of a 3-year-old. Who knew seahorses were so cool? And the males give birth! Ouch. I pretended not to notice that I was already limping as I chased her around, still healing from the bike accident a few weeks ago, and now amplified by running a beer-soaked Boston Marathon just days earlier. But I so, so wanted to experience that feeling of having Highway 1 all to ourselves, drifting up the rugged Big Sur coast. It called me like a siren song.

 (The ridiculously cool Monterey Bay Aquarium)

(Sophie takes flight at the beach)

At 3am on race day, I chased a handful of ibuprofen with a cup of coffee and hoped for the best. Taking meds before a race is like watching a traffic accident about to happen - ya know it ain't gonna end well. I may not be much wiser at age 41, but I'm as stubborn as ever! The bus ride to the start was an eager mix of first timers and grizzled vets, all citing that the projected 60 degree weather couldn't be better. Among the runners were 372 crazy enough to tackle the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge. The things we do for shwag...

I got off the bus and sat with Loretta and Pam from Denver, CO, as we let the sun slowly warm us up in the starting area. Pam was hoping for a Boston qualifier, but got nervous enough a few weeks earlier to drive to another marathon and qualify to "get it out of the way". I think she's going to do just fine! Loretta was a lifelong runner who only recently began doing marathons, and loved the fact that she was nearly as fit as her two sons in the Marines. We chatted with a nice couple from Kansas City who looked for any excuse to spend time in Carmel. We learned that all 50 states were represented here, as well as 21 foreign countries. This race attracts the coolest people!

(Loretta Ulibarri and Pam Gewinner from Denver, CO)

(I love this shot of Michael Wardian saying hi mid-conversation)

 (Posing with Melinda Schwartz from Buffalo, NY, in the starting corral)

(The doves are released, and we were off!)

We made our way to the start, just in time to hear the national anthem and see the doves released (much to the liking of the circling turkey vultures). I said a quick hi to Michael Wardian, a sure favorite here today even after running a 2:25 at Boston. He had some tough competition though, including Big Sur regular Jesus Campos, local masters demi-god Rich Hanna, and seeded runners Daniel Tapia and Chris Mocko. I didn't see defending Women's champion Mary Coordt, but there were plenty of new faces here who looked pretty fit. Melinda Schwartz from Buffalo, NY, was fresh off a 3:03 at the Athens Marathon and was looking forward to the challenging hills. As the gun went off, she said "good luck!" and dropped me like a sack of potatoes.

 (Joyce Forier joins Steve Campbell heading down Highway 1)

We descended out of the redwoods to the live soundtrack of local bands who braved the early morning to be set up for us. Thanks, guys! Within a few miles we were spread out along Highway 1, hearing only the popcorn sounds of our footsteps against the crashing waves. Ah, so peaceful...

My stride was quickly whittled down to a shuffle, roughly an 8:30 min/mile pace, which was about as much as my sore tailbone could handle. Hang in there, body! It's not like we use our tails for anything, right? Oh, yeah - except for holding yourself upright. Oops. Luckily I found plenty of new friends to help pass the time. Joyce Forier, a Race Director from Henderson, NV, shared plenty of stories of charting/planning/executing new 100-mile races, tours through Red Rocks, and her upcoming debut to run Comrades. If her passion for running is any indication, I bet her races are spectacular!

(A fellow runner gets a pic of me - thanks random runner!)

 (Russell Willner can't stop smiling)

 The aid station volunteers were amazing, per usual, and the mile marker signs were hilarious. Everyone was chatting away and having a great time. I continued to be surprised by how many Boston 2 Big Sur runners there were - and they were doing great!

(The fog slowly melts away)

At mile 10, we got to my favorite part - Hurricane Point. This two mile climb never seems to end, but rewards you with the best views of the course. Fresh legs from the relay teams and the 21-milers helped pace us up the hill.

(The drum squad gives is a tempo as we tackle Hurricane)

 (Moises Mitrani from Florida paces up Hurricane with ease)

 I joked with the Boston 2 Big Sur runners at the top - which is tougher, Heartbreak or Hurricane? No contest, they said. Hurricane is 5x the heartbreak of Heartbreak.

The descent after Hurricane was quick, and we soon found ourselves crossing the halfway point at Bixby Bridge. The photo shooting session next to the piano player was so popular, I couldn't get in! It's definitely a great spot. My watch read 1:53...this was on track to be my slowest marathon of all time, but it didn't seem to matter. I was just glad to be hear to share the experience.

(So many great views, it almost gets boring....almost!)

(Pose with the leprechaun for good luck!)

The weather held up nicely, and started to get downright hot. I cruised along with Kathryn Hazzard who came all the way from Maine, and told me about a lot of great races in her area. We were moving along with the 10.6-mile runners and making plenty of new friends.

 (Kathryn Hazzard from Freeport, ME, cruises the downhill)

(The smiling Samba dancer, here every year!)

As the ibuprofen wore off, I found yo-yo'ing between 7 and 10 min/miles as I slowly climbed into the Carmel Highlands. I ran with Matthew, whom I've now met at four different races (not counting Boston, which he also did), and he pulled me up to mile 22 before stopping for the fresh strawberry aid station. He could tell by my stride that the Miwok 100k next weekend was definitely out of the picture, and he advised to enjoy every last minute of this race. Well said, my friend.

(Matthew and I get a quick photo)

With that, I pulled into the finish in 3:53 and thanked my body for holding up for one last race. That'll do, pig...that'll do. My good friend John Heltzel had finished a few minutes ahead of me, clocking a PR 3:50 on a tough course, and I got to bask in his glow as we greeted our respective families. Michael Wardian had gotten 2nd place (2:27), just a minute behind winner Daniel Tapia (2:26). New Yorker Veronica Clemens won the Women's division in 2:55, with Melinda Schwartz taking 2nd in 3:08. Mike Nutall, doing his umpteenth Big Sur, entered the 60-64 age group with a respectable 3:23 and won his age group again. All in all, some incredible performances.

 (Chilling with John Heltzel at the finish to hear about his marathon PR)

(Best part about the Boston 2 Big Sur tent? All the beer you can drink at 10am)

 (Sophie shows off our two medals and gives me tips on how to make the best monster face)

Within minutes I had retreated to the Boston 2 Big Sur tent for a couple of beers and another dose of ibuprofen. Normally I would be stressing about it, but my heart was still overflowing from all the beauty, friendly faces, and inviting community that put on an amazing day. It's hard to imagine a better setting for a marathon, and I looked forward to taking a snooze on the beach before hitting The Forge in the Forest for some grub.

 (Me and my crew)

My thanks to the Big Sur Marathon Committee, all their great sponsors and volunteers, for putting on another epic race. You keep this up, and Runner's World's #3 destination marathon will claim the place it holds in our memories - #1.

- SD