PCTR Pacifica Race on 2/25 NOT HAPPENING - Pass It On...

This Tuesday, an e-mail was sent out to participants of the Pacific Coast Trail Runs Pacifica 9k/21k/30k/50k scheduled for this Saturday, 2/25, saying the event would not be happening, and instead rescheduled for March 17th. Reprint of that message below.

On Facebook, it appears some entrants for the sold out race had not received the e-mail, so I'm hoping we can help get the word out to those who had signed up so they don't make the early AM drive to Pacifica. For those interested in racing this Saturday, Inside Trail Racing is hosting the Chabot 10k/21k/30k/50k and still has a few openings. Otherwise, it appears your entry is now set for Pacifica on St. Patrick's Day, 3/17, unless you ask for a refund.

Here is the note on Facebook from PCTR Race Director Sarah Spelt:

"I just learned that we can't hold the rescheduled Pacifica race this Saturday, February 25th, due to a technical glitch in our online reservation. This is not the park’s fault - something misfired when we entered the reservation weeks ago and it apparently did not "take" and, since then, a conflicting event was scheduled for this weekend by another party. I am very disappointed, as I know that you are (especially after MdO went so perfectly just 10 days ago). I've spoken with my contact at the San Mateo County Parks, as well as the Park Superintendent, about other dates. I've reserved Saturday, March 17th for this event. No other races, including those on July 7th in Pacifica/San Pedro Valley Park, are affected by this situation. I am very sorry for the inconvenience – just like you, I was all set for and really looking forward to this event – and I thank you for your patience with the Pacifica event.

Sarah
Pacific Coast Trail Runs"

I'll leave the debate on "collecting entry fees for races where you don't have permits" to other posts...please pass on the news to anyone you think might have signed up.

- SD

Scenes from the 2011 Rodeo Beach 50k

Just a few photos from yesterday's Rodeo Beach 8k/20k/30k/50k (results), which I'm pleased to say did happen thanks to Inside Trails Racing (ITR). Over 400 people came out to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach, and aside from a few inquiries about refunds for cancelled Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR) events*, most runners were unaware of the back drama. They were just out to have fun! A good reminder as we look forward to the new year.

It was a kick to volunteer at the event and see so many familiar faces. One forgets how hard it is to organize and feed 400 people! The folks at Philz Coffee were kind enough to set me up with coffee for 40 to "add some good karma" (man, that coffee is good). Unfortunately, somebody did steal an entire aid station within the 20 minute window between when the items were dropped off and the volunteers arrived to arrange them. ITR was ready, however, and set up another aid station before runners arrived. Wow, you seriously have to be on your toes to put these races on.

The t-shirt is certain to be a collector, since it has neither PCTR nor ITR logos. Only us insiders will know the truth! Based on the conversations I had, I'm certain the next event will have one logo or the other.

Happy New Years, all. Start it off right! GO RUN!!!

- SD

* As noted in the comments of the previous blog post, be sure to send any requests for refunds for PCTR events to PCTRrefunds@gmail.com.

(A gorgeous California morning! Photo courtesy of Footfeathers)

(And they are off!)

(Only 100 ft to the first climb!)

(Up, up, up...)

(Can't ask for a better day)

(8k runners take off fast!)

(Angela Wagner came all the way from Provo, UT, to place third overall in the 8k)

(Sarah Lavender Smith still has enough energy for a cart wheel on her way to winning the 50k in a new 32-mile PR, photo courtesy of Footfeathers)

(Post-race fun with Tim Long, Brian Wyatt, me, 20k winner Victor Ballesteros, and Dave Mackey, photo by Andy Belk)

(10-year-old Kyra Carney is all smiles after edging out Mom for 5th Female in the 8k, while their crew takes a breather)

The Delicate Fate of Pacific Coast Trail Runs - Will It Survive?

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” – Hamlet

It was Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR) who first introduced me to ultramarathons in 2001, helping me rediscover a passion for the outdoors with their unique trail events up and down the West Coast.  PCTR's fun and low-key “runs but not races” have been a big part of the California trail running community for over a decade (beautifully chronicled here by Sarah Lavender Smith for UltraRunning Magazine in March, 2009). Rarely a month goes by that I don’t recall the fateful day I met PCTR Race Director and co-founder Sarah Spelt managing an aid station for the Purisima Creek 50k near my house, and watched her help a runner finish vomiting, pull him up, and say, “you only have 5 miles to go…so get out of that chair and keep moving forward”. Wow! Runners and volunteers alike were friendly, tough, courageous…a group of passionate people creating adventure just for the hell of it. Like many, I was drawn in by the PCTR aura.

Lately, that aura has had to shine through some dark times. To say that 2011 has been a tough year for PCTR would be an understatement of ultra proportions – cancelled races, a no show for an event, tens of thousands of dollars in refunds in limbo, a rotating door of co-RD’s, and more - any one of these would be enough to set the tombstone on even the best event management company. But just when you count them out, PCTR comes back with dogged persistence.  As 2011 comes to a close, they face their toughest challenge yet, and all eyes are on the Rodeo Beach 50k on Dec 31^st to see if the race will occur, and more importantly, if PCTR will survive.

I was lucky enough to be a regular participant in the Golden Age of PCTR, where they held 20+ races annually through 2000-2010, ranging from 10k’s to 24-Hour events, and even birthing the heralded Headlands Hundred. Those who ran knew exactly what to expect – a well-marked course, plenty of happy volunteers, lots of food, and a sense of humility that made even the craziest races (and racers) feel approachable. By 2008, nearly every race was selling out, with a solid mix of regular runners and first-timers motivated by the Dean Karnazes/Born To Run surge. The 10-20k distances seemed to be the cash cow, drawing hundreds each weekend, while the ultras were clearly a labor of love that Sarah and then-husband/PCTR co-founder Wendell Doman both shared with the community they helped build.

The Golden Age got its first shake up in mid-2010, when a “Dear Jane letter" from Wendell to Sarah split the personal relationship that was the genesis of PCTR. Some feared the worst in the face of a divorce among co-founders, but they continued to do an amazing job keeping everything going smoothly. Wendell soon after started Coastal Trail Runs with a roster of even more races that conveniently did not occur on the same weekends as PCTR events. Like the child of divorced parents who now gets two weekly allowances, the trail running community was getting a best case scenario from a challenging personal situation.

2011 started ambitiously for PCTR, with a new co-owner and Race Director Michael Popov, new logos and web site, and a plan to expand into a whole new series of races in the Lake Tahoe area. A newly minted PCTR Race Team was spotted everywhere, with runners like Ian Sharman making headlines with his American Record-setting 12:44 at the Rocky Raccoon 100 trail run. Races continued to sell out through the summer, many in record time, although the Lake Tahoe races had to be postponed due to long permit timelines. Still, they forged ahead, and for most of us, the Golden Age was as bright as ever.

Then in September, 2011, the "train came off the rails", so to speak.

On September 16^th, less than 24 hours before the San Francisco One Day event at Crissy Field, an e-mail went out from Sarah saying the event would be cancelled due to a “personal emergency”. Some runners were aghast, having trained and flown out to be at the event, but most just offered their help and condolences. PCTR does races in rain or shine, so surely they wouldn’t cancel an event unless it was serious? The PCTR Facebook page lit up with concern, personal outreach, anger, and lots of questions.

The following Monday, Michael Popov announced on Facebook that he would no longer be associated with PCTR “due to personal issues and other numerous issues with the co-owner”. Like many, I was shocked, and began asking around with the PCTR runner/volunteer regulars about what might have happened. Many felt it was a shame that Michael had left, saying he had lifted up PCTR with his enthusiasm and attention to detail. Others were much more direct, implying that Michael’s involvement created a precarious financial situation for PCTR, and his personal style had driven regular volunteers away. Whatever it was, the cancellation of the San Francisco One Day, and now this, was evidence that something deeper was amiss.

Then, the unspeakable happened. When racers arrived at the Santa Cruz Mountains 10k/20k/50k the following weekend, PCTR was nowhere to be found. La Sportiva was there to demo their shoes, and a couple of volunteers were eagerly awaiting aid station supplies, so it was clear that no notification of a cancellation had gone out. After hours of waiting, runners disbanded and went right to the Facebook page to express their shock and outrage. Just when you thought a last minute cancellation was the worst cardinal sin of race directing, a no-show reset expectations at a whole new level.

Refund requests poured in by the hundreds, which unfortunately resulted in PCTR's credit card processing company freezing their account and making it impossible to issue refunds. The PCTR web site posted cancellations for the next two races (Montana de Oro and Redwood Park), exacerbating the refund/frozen account situation, but still processed entry fees for future events through PayPal. This confused many, and while some ultrarunners just rolled with it and asked for credits for future events, the short course masses were extremely vocal about their missing funds and took to the Internet. Runners like Oregon’s Casey Hennig blasted PCTR on Yelp, Facebook, and even filed a complaint to the Better Business Bureau, permanently damaging the PCTR brand. Runner Christine Jenior Gorby said on Facebook she was engaging her lawyer, which as we all know means that PCTR would have to be very careful about any public dialogue (ie, there will be little, if any). Another slighted runner, Greg Monaghan, continues to post to Facebook regularly to call PCTR “scam artists”, "criminals", calling Sarah “a thief”, and encourage runners to go to competitive events. Hell hath no fury like a runner feeling ripped off, and with a lack of frequent two-way communication, they let their voices be heard. It was hard to imagine how PCTR would survive.

Then, in mid-October, signs of life. In fact, it was more than signs, it was a comeback in the making. Sarah came out of silence to publicly comment on the frozen credit account scenario, promising refunds to all involved and replying to many personally. A new team was hired, run by Tim Long and Tim Stahler (“the Tims”), two individuals with a deep passion for running and hosting events. Tim Long had even relocated from Colorado, and as soon as he hit the ground, the races were back on. The Santa Monica Mountain event on Nov 20^th happened, followed by the Woodside event on Dec 3^rd, in an impressive display of last minute organization and high integrity communication about the race directing experience. I ran the 25k at Woodside, and it felt like the good ‘ole days were coming back, with ample course markings, food, and happy volunteers. A new PCTR Race Team was announced, and I joined up to help in the comeback story. Like an ultrarunner who refused to drop, PCTR was taking flight once again.

Then as fast as the comeback was on, it stumbled. On Dec 17^th, the Tims posted a blog entry saying they would no longer be involved with PCTR, citing the inability to address the confusion and frustration around refunds and money owed. They did promise to host the Rodeo Beach event on Dec 31^st, and assured everyone that food and supplies were ordered. After Rodeo Beach, the blog entry went on to say, the Tims would be creating races under a new event management group called Inside Trail Racing. Yup, that just happened.

A few days later, they updated their post saying they had been contacted by PCTR’s lawyer to stay away from the Rodeo Beach event. Lawyers are involved? Uh, oh. Suddenly, everything seems up the air.

Will the Rodeo Beach event take place on Dec 31^st? 

Are refunds coming, or does involvement by lawyers signal signs of bankruptcy?  

Will PCTR survive?  

All eyes are on Dec 31^st.

One thing for sure, you can't knock the players in this story for a lack of passion about their sport and community. While Sarah and the PCTR crew find their footing, Michael Popov went on to tackle 140+ mile adventures of his own, Wendell created Coastal Trail Runs, and the Tim's launched Inside Trail Racing. In the face of a DNF, they each found within themselves the strength to press on and flourish in their own way. Their persistence is admirable, and for what it's worth, the trail running community continues to reap the benefits.

There is a special place in my heart for PCTR, and I sincerely hope that they will persevere through these tough times.  I am ever the optimist, much in thanks to ultrarunning, and can easily picture racing a PCTR event in full PCTR Team gear soon, taking about how glad we are all that refund nonsense is over.  It would be yet another epic story of persistence and courage in the face of adversity that our sport creates with welcome regularity.

Keep moving forward, people. Try to be positive for those that are struggling through the race. The finish line is closer than you think.

Peace and courage...

- SD

[Ed. Update - On Christmas Day, PCTR and Inside Trails announced on Facebook that they reached a contract agreement for the Inside Trails team to manage the Rodeo Beach event on Dec 31st. This arrangement is only for this event. It's nice to see they worked something out. Also, I should note that Jeff Makoff, the legal counsel donating his time to PCTR to help them through their current challenges, offered the following official statement in an e-mail to me:

"The trail running community is aware of the difficulties PCTR has faced recently.  We appreciate the extraordinary patience of our loyal friends and followers.  PCTR has retained professionals to work through the immediate issues and help formulate a strategic plan for the future.  Among the urgent issues are the processing of all refunds for past cancelled races.  Please look on our Facebook page for real-time updates and further instructions for refunds.  This process is well-underway and we will keep you posted.  We wish everyone a great 2012 - and we sincerely apologize for the recent difficulties!" 

Jeff went on to mention how they are in sorting out who still needs refunds, and who has already received them through their credit card companies, and how best to process them efficiently. It sounds very positive to me.

I'm hoping to volunteer at Rodeo Beach on the 31st to lend my support. Hope you are all doing well, and I look forward to seeing you.]

Race Ready at the 2011 Sequoia 50k

Every weekend I've been looking for hills to run in preparation for the Wasatch 100m (and its 57,000' of vertical change, yikes!), and last Sunday I had a chance to squeeze in the Sequoia 50k in Oakland, CA, as part of a big mileage training weekend. Here I thought California was hill country, but if you're looking for a climb of 3,000'+, you ain't gonna find it around here. 250+ other trail runners also joined in for this local favorite put on by Pacific Coast Trail Runs, with 10k/20k/30k/50k loop options to choose from. It was a beautiful warm day to test my race ready fitness for W100!

(Best part of the Sequoia 50k - the French Trail!)

"Race ready" was what I was shooting for, so I brought all the gear I was planning to use at Wasatch, did a pre-race hill workout to beat up my legs, and planned to stay aerobic the whole 50k, eating and drinking as if I had be ready for 70 more miles.  I definitely got a few stares as I packed my new Salomon Advanced Skin X-Lab Hydration Pack with a jacket, gloves, hat, and enough food for the weekend in the 70 degree morning.

One thing for sure is that I was relaxed. Just two weeks ago, Christi and I were seriously contemplating moving the family to Washington, DC, or Austin, TX, in pursuit of some fascinating career opportunities, and I thought for sure my life of California trails would be over within the month. But a Silicon Valley company swooped in at the last minute and the match was good, so we're staying. Phew! I start my new job on September 12th...two days after Wasatch...ensuring the first day faux pas of Frankenstein posture in flop flops. But it also leaves me with a rare few weeks to focus on training and getting Sophie Jane into kindergarten. The trails feel brand new to me again, and I swear with every step that I won't take them for granted!

(Hanging with ultra God Marshall Ulrich, photo courtesy of Sarah Lavender Smith)

Ultra legend Marshall Ulrich was here for the 50k, and also to sign copies of his great new book, Running on Empty. After running across America and climbing the Eiger for his 60th b-day, I'm sure this 50k is just a warm up jaunt! It was also great to meet Marshall's wife, Heather, one of my heroes from the book, and see that her enthusiasm was as contagious in person as it was in print. Before we knew it, we were called to the 8:30am start (30k and 50k runners first), and headed up beyond the cloud cover.

("know your ribbon colors, getting lost is half the fun...")

(Up we go!)

A group of eight went out fast, led by past 50k winner David La Duc (training for the Bear 100 and easily capable of a sub 4 hr 30 min finish time). My self-imposed heart rate governor had me walking within the first half mile, chatting with fellow 50k runner Chris "call me Granger" Granger as we settled into a rhythm under the redwood canopy. It was warming up quickly, but would likely cap out in the high 80's, and we had some nice deep wooded canyons ahead to keep the sun off our shoulders.

Thanks to the hydropack and packed food, I skipped the first aid station and went straight to dessert - the gorgeous French Trail tucked along the back of Joaquin Miller Park and into Redwood Regional Park. This trail never ceases to amaze me with its runnable single track and deep redwood gulch. We tackled the climbs with Rachel Niehuus and Sharon Medina, two female front runners in the 30k, leading the way.

(Granger gettin' it done)

(Rachel Niehuus sets the pace)

It was a long way to the second aid station (mile 11), and most folks were out of water by the time they arrived. David La Duc was in front with two others about ten minutes ahead of me, and I found myself in about sixth place. I refilled the hydration pack, plus filled an extra water bottle that I would use as a shower for the exposed climb back out. It was sweaty hot now, but I was feeling good at cruising speed.

(Sharon Medina still smiling at the turnaround)

(Barry Smith joins in on the refueling for the climb back)

Rachel Niehuus and I reached the ridge together and began picking our way through the 20k runners who had started later. The rising temperature was taking its toll on many, and with 10-12k between aid stations, there was little room for error for those not keeping up on water intake or sunscreen. I handed my shower bottle to a few runners along the way, happy to be the only one insane enough to bring "too much" water. The mini-showers felt great, but unfortunately some of it got in my camera and it went kaput. Darn. Well, good to know.

(Cody Hanson runs the ridge)

(Niveen Ismail bombs the downhill)

(Eureka's Karen Kidwell charges the single track)

(Look out! Passing on the single track is always fun...)

(Sarah Tantillo enjoys a bit of shade)

(Aaahhh...isn't that canopy nice?)

(Gravity is good!)

We hit the aid station again (25k), where dirt diva Catra Corbett and friends were happy to give some Wasatch pointers (bring Gore-Tex, it gets cold!) as I gulped down some Coke and PB&J. I was in a good place, and the miles were flying by.

As I finished up the first loop (30k), I suddenly found myself all alone on the course as the 30k runners finished up and chilled in the shade. I slipped on the headphones and cranked up Soundgarden and Dead Weather, staying in that 150 bpm groove. Why 150 bpm? I had tested myself at the Stanford Human Performance Lab and found out that my aerobic zone goes to about 154 bpm, and I naturally feel a quickening of my breath at exactly 150 bpm, so it's easy to regulate without a heart rate monitor. It's also surprising how smooth a run can feel when you stay in this zone! I was all smiles.

As I zoomed through the aid station again (35k), Brian Callejas from Fremont caught up to me and we tackled the French Trail together. This was Brian's second 50k ever, and he was doing great! Clearly his cycling and short course running was keeping him very fit. He meticulously asked me about anything he could learn, and was happy to ease up the pace if a long answer was required. I loved that he had so much energy!

(More French Trail!)

(Another great "mistake" shot! I think that's Shiran Kochavi)

(Heading down from the aid station to the French Trail)

(I'll take a double double French Trail, please)

At one point I got caught up in a story (who, me?) and tripped on a root, going down in the dirt enough to create a nice little cloud. I learned there is one drawback to carrying water bottles on your chest, and that is they will try to dig into your rib cage if you face plant! Brian helped me up and walked a few steps with me as I caught my breath, and within a few minutes we were chugging along again. Ah yes, the story...now, where was I?

The last 10k was very hot and exposed, and Brian and I caught a few runners along the way as we picked up the pace to get to the shady parts. Shiran Kochavi was still looking good, but in need of water, as was Oakland's Barry Smith. Barry had just run the Pikes Peak Marathon LAST SUNDAY, and Brian and I were very impressed this 52-year-old was running at all! He let us know there had been a few drops, as well as few people kicking down to 30k once the heat started, and we were likely in 2nd and 3rd place. David La Duc was certainly out of reach at this point, but the rest of the podium was empty! Go as fast as you can without exceeding 150 bpm! The perfect 100-miler training.

(Trail trolls planted these waist-high bastards everywhere)

Brian smartly took his time at the last aid station (45k) to catch up on liquids, so I descended down to the finish alone in 5:00:18 for 2nd place. David La Duc had won in 4:50:30, with Brian coming in 2 minutes behind me and Barry Smith hanging on to finish just a few minutes behind Brian. Seaside's Anna Komitov had picked her way through the pack to win the Women's division in 6th overall (5:14:00). Zephyr Cove's Steve Rodriguez (2:36:43) and Christa-Lynn Vampola (2:50:57) from Mountain View won the 30k. Marshall Ulrich cranked out a 6 hr finish in the 50k for 12th place! What a stud. (results) All in all, great performances by all of these runners on a hot day.

I felt great at the finish, knowing I could go all day at this pace. I have more mountains to climb this week before the big day in Utah, but my confidence is up. On top of it all, I have a solid foundation of gratitude knowing that our roots will continue to deepen in Woodside, CA. These are the very same trails where I ran my first casual exploratory one mile trail run in 2001, my first trail race in 2002, and my first ultra in 2005. Deep roots allow you to reach for the skies, yes? And so to the skies we shall run...

Thanks to Sarah and the PCTR crew for a great day!

- SD

Pacific Coast Trail Runs Announces New Team for 2011

Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR), known for hosting over 25 ultra distance events annually on the US West coast such as the Headlands 100 and the Skyline to the Sea 50k, announced they will be sponsoring a race team for 2011. This is the first year for Team PCTR, but given who is on their roster, you're going to see a lot of them!

The 2011 Team PCTR includes:

When Kermit Cuff isn't helping inner city kids through a 500-mile relay, you can find him at the closest super-long ultramarathon such as the Angeles Crest 100, Headlands 100, Bishop 100k, Moab 100, or crewing at Badwater. He's starting off 2011 with a bang at the 24-hour New Year's Eve run.

Zachary Landman is a fast-rising star in the California ultra community, after being drawn to the sport to raise money for a 4th grade science class and orphanage he had taught prior to coming to medical school in San Francisco. After clawing and scraping his way to a sub-24hr finish at Tahoe Rim Trail 100m, he vowed never to run ultras again upon crossing the finish line. Well, a couple marathons later, he was back on the trails eventually winning Avalon 50 Mile (6:30), Quicksilver 50 Mile (6:50), and setting the course record at Big Basin 50K (4:39), all good preparation for his first Western States in June (which he was able to finish w/ a fast final 20 miles in 16th overall - 18:48.)
 

Originally from Washington, DC, Charles Lantz began trail running out east and took it to a whole new level once I moved to the Bay Area. Accolades include being a regional champion and attending the National Championships for the XTERRA Trail Run Series in 2009, finishing 3rd overall for his age group in the PCTR Trail Run Series of 2008, and placing at the top of his age group (21-29) in all of his PCTR events.

Joel Lanz specializes in the 50k and 50-mile distances, and is looking forward to upping the ante at Miwok this year. He's pictured here at The North Face 50.

Marla Moresi-Valdes races 50k's most, and has been going even farther this year to feed a passion for fitness that knows no bounds. Don't let the professional mug shot throw you off (it's the only one I could find online) - she's not afraid to tackle the dirt at races like Miwok, Lake Sonoma 50m, The North Face Challenge, and the Headlands.

Larissa Polischuk jumped head first into distance runnning, having logged over 30 races at the marathon distance or further in just three short years.  She has lived in California for five years and has been a trail runner ever since her first Dipsea practice run in early 2006.  2010 highlights include: 2nd place HURT 100K, 2nd place Quicksilver 50 miler, 1st place Angel Island 50K and in 2009 was 1st in her age group and 2nd in overall female PCTR standings.

Brett Rivers lives in San Francisco, CA and trains with a crew of trail ninjas that lurk throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  He completed three 100 milers in 2010 (HURT 24:40/4th, Tahoe Rim 18:53/2nd, Pine2Palm 22:24/5th).  2011 will bring the Boston Marathon, Western States 100, numerous PCTR races, and weekend adventures in the Sierras for backcountry runs, climbing, and backpacking with friends.

Ian Sharman has yet to meet an ultra or marathon he doesn't like. He posted numerous top ultra finishes in 2010, including a spectacular double at Western States (8th) and Comrades (6:01). winning the Tahoe Triple Marathon, and 26 other distance runs. He has another crazy schedule for 2011, including returning to both States and Comrades, Rocky Raccoon 100, and representing Great Britain at the 100k World Championships.

Caren Spore has been one of the top female ultrarunners in the US for years, having multiple top finishes at Western States, and recently setting the course record at the Quad Dipsea. You will likely find her running anything and everything that is steep, hot, or fast. Reach the peak of a mountain with her (like I did at the Diablo 50m), and you will hear her lion roar!

Smiling Through the Woodside Trail Marathon

On Saturday, I had the great pleasure of joining 120 runners for the Woodside Trail Marathon in Woodside, CA, put on by Coastal Trail Runs. This 5k/11 mile/22 mile/marathon race was a great way to share my stomping grounds with some new trail runners and enjoy a day of perfect winter running before a weeklong storm.

Coastal Trail Runs is the sister organization of Pacific Coast Trail Runs, focusing on marathon-and-under distances to attract new recruits to the wonderful world of trails. Based on the number of hands that shot up in the air when RD’s Brian Wyatt and Marissa Walker asked “how many are running their first trail run?”, they are certainly succeeding. But what could be more attractive than a crystal clear winter day in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a perfectly marked course, and buffet aid stations? They will all be hooked for sure.

(Babysitter sick? No problem - let's make it a family hike!)

At 9am, they sent us off into early morning shadows of the redwood canopy of Huddart Park. The 5k runners blazed down the single track, slowing only when Richards Road (mile 2) started to climb. I was about 10 people back, running along with Daryl Hultquist, who had taken advantage of a business trip to run some trails far from his home in Maryland. “Our hills are about 200 feet tall”, he said, pacing himself up the first 2,000 foot climb. He was certainly going to enjoy this marathon! After this climb, we would run 5.5 miles of the Skyline Trail to Wunderlich Park and do a down-and-up loop before returning.

(Taking the single track)

(The redwood canopy gives us plenty of cover)

Being my home turf, my feet fit the grooves of the trail like a comfortable pair of slippers. Honestly, it was a bit unfair to the others to know every nook and cranny, and I quickly picked my way through all but the first three 5k runners. I sang along with my steps (Kelly Clarkson…I know, pretty corny) and absorbed the sun-sprinkled warmth through the swaying tree branches. Winter running in California is truly marvelous! I hit the first aid station (mile 6) in 50 minutes, and Sarah Spelt and Aaron Doman let me know that I was the first of the marathon/22-milers to arrive. Probably a bit too fast this early in the season, but I was having a blast so I took the refill and ran.

(Not sure how I got this effect, but pretty cool!)

 I couldn’t see anyone behind me, so I cranked Wolfmother on the iPod and made my way down the Skyline Trail. It’s funny how a trail you have run 100+ times can look so different if you just slap on a number and have some ribbons to follow. I ran fartlek style, staying in my aerobic zone until just the right hill or guitar solo demanded a surge. I reached aid station #2 (mile 11) in 1:30, finding the brave volunteers manning the “high altitude” aid station and staying warm against the growing breeze. They filled me up with a smile and sent me down into Wunderlich Park.

(The storm provided a few obstacles, photo courtesy of Dan)

(The awesome volunteers at Aid Station #2)

No matter how many times I do the loop through Wunderlich, the climb out just messes with my head with all the false summits and long fire roads. I figured some comedy could assist and switched the tunes to They Might Be Giants “Science is Real”, a hilarious kids album to learn about cells, gravity, and the Kelvin scale. I giggled my way back up the summit, much to the delight of the many hikers out enjoying the morning.

(Gene Weddle goes the full marathon)

(67-year-old Lynnard Phipps leads through the marathon course)

Back at the aid station (mile 16), the 22-milers were getting their grub on. I was still just on water (thank you, Vespa) so I did a quick refill before joining them on the return trip. It was great to have some company! There were lots of smiling faces still working their way towards us, and each graciously made room for passing while shouting words of encouragement. The PCTR/Coastal Trail Runs community overflows with optimism!

(Marie Lanka tackles the Skyline Trail)

(Jodene Laramy cruising through the 22-miler)

I flew through the next section, my legs on autopilot and (falsely) thinking we were almost done since our driveway was near. The consolation prize was seeing my family waiting for me at the last aid station (mile 21), dogs and all! Martha (the Bernese Mountain Dog) tackled me while Rocky (the Pug) got to work on the salt in my knee pits. Sophie was all smiles, and Christi was packing her .44 Magnum Canon camera. I didn’t want to stay too long since this was a race after all, but Sarah let me know I was well ahead of the rest and gaining on the first few folks in the 22-miler. I guess the home field has its advantages! We snapped a few pics, and I was on my way to the last long descent..

(Crossing Kings Mountain to meet my crew!)

(Sarah Spelt hangs out with Christi, Sophie, and the dogs)

A light rain kicked in, hinting at storms to come (prediction was 20” of rain in 6 days), but for now it was blissful. I am one lucky soul to call this my backyard. With one quick huff up to the Crystal Springs Trail (that part is always hard), I eased up and enjoyed the final two miles of single track and fire road.

(Jason Chan coming down the Chinquapin Trail)

("Look out, I'm not stopping!" says Marie Lanka as she comes in the finish)

I breezed into the finish in 3:36:04, good enough for 1st place and an awesome coffee mug trophy. The 22-mile winners had arrived about 10 minutes ahead of me, and Daryl (4:01:54) took second in the marathon with Rachel Rodriguez (4:05:08) just a few minutes behind to win the Women's division. Finland's Mikko Valimaki (1:17:52) and local Caitlin Roake (1:30:37) took honors in the 11 mile, and Michael Popov (32:32) and Lisa Penzel (37:35) won the 5-miler (all results). We relaxed in the winter sun, eating snacks and sharing stories of our favorite sections of the race. It was so fulfilling to hear their perspective and experience the trails through fresh eyes. My hike home found me seeing once-familiar trails brighter and more vivid, noticing details with a childlike curiosity. First time trail runners, you are welcome any time, my friends!

(Daryl takes 2nd place, then heads out to catch a red eye to go skiing with his kids)

(Laura Guest and Scott Lucchesi, our 22-mile winners!)

My thanks to the RD’s and volunteers of Coastal Trail Runs for a great race, and congratulations to all the runners (especially you first timers!). I hope to see you all again soon, and look forward to seeing more smiling faces in my backyard. For those interested, Pacific Coast Trail Runs will be back in Woodside on February 6th – come check it out!
- SD