Catching Up with Sarah Lavender Smith and Ultrarunning Magazine (How Tech Has...and Hasn't...Changed The Sport)

I had a wonderful opportunity last month to catch up with Sarah Lavender Smith, a fellow ultrarunner, and one of the great original voices of our sport. She compiled our chat into this article for Ultrarunning Magazine, a publication I continue to read cover-to-cover every month (a subscription is a great gift idea!). 

It's fun to look back at those past predictions of how technology and trail running might intersect. The wearables industry (watches and other products with body sensors) continues to grow 25%+ annually, shaping how tens of millions of athletes enter and continue their fitness journeys. I've seen some self-driving car demos that would indicate it won't be long until the day your car comes and finds you at whatever trailhead you pop out of. It will be interesting what that means for FKT's and point-to-point running. I'll be doing it, for sure!

But in conclusion, there's still nothing quite like a "naked run" (naked of tech, or naked of everything) to connect your soul to nature. I'm so happy to see the trail running culture retain this, on both sides of the Atlantic, and beyond. 

Full Circle at the 2018 Quicksilver 100k

3am has a special stillness in the mountains. It's as if the earth itself takes a breather from its perpetual spin to float in the dark expanse, and as gravity eases for just a moment, we all get a bit closer to the cosmos above. I had forgotten what that felt like - that connection to nature and the universe all at once. But its one of the many unexpected gifts that await us when we shake up our world with an adventure like the Quicksilver 100k near Los Gatos, CA. As the world sleeps, we are gearing up for a full day romp in this wonderful playground. I hadn't taken a single step yet, but was already happy and humbled!

(Boss says it's time to roll!)

(We are crazy, we are ultrarunners!)

(Plenty of smiles at the start)

Those first few steps could go either way today, honestly. I hadn't run a step in two weeks after a gravity-assisted marathon PR that reduced my quads to hamburger. But the QS100k wasn't on the agenda to race, it was just to finish, nab a Western States qualifier and some UTMB points, and share a sunny day in the mountains with ~200 fellow warriors. Another ~180 runners would tackle the 50k a bit later, and tempt us to drop as they dished out the world famous BBQ at the finish (aka, mile 41 and 62 for us 100k runners). All in all, a great excuse to enjoy every minute of this day.

(Catching up with my friend, TJ)

As retiring Race Director Greg Lanctot and Co-RD Stuart Taylor assembled us at the start, I could see there were plenty here ready to race. This is a perfect check point for Western States in June, with 12,000' of climbing and plenty of long hikes and downhills on exposed terrain in Almaden Quicksilver Park and the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Defending Western States champion Cat Bradley was here, as was 100k Road Masters champion Thomas Reiss, Lake Tahoe Triple champ Gaspar Mora Porta, perennial favorite Jean Pommier, and a handful of 20-somethings that look like they could crush this course before lunch time. The 50k had legend Rob Krar up against Team inov-8's Coree Woltering, Chris Denucci, Montana's Rhea Black, the never-aging Cliff Lentz, and Helen Galarakis from Flagstaff...that race was going to be fast for sure! We all flipped on our headlights, and at 4:45am the 100k runners headed into the indigo hills.

(The sunrise glow greets us at the top)

The air was already warm (~65F), so it didn't take long for us to shed all of our gloves and sleeves. I paced along with Mark Tanaka and Ray Sanchez, joking that between the two of them and Jean Pommier up ahead, they had over 650 ultra finishes on ultrasignup. How do they do it?!? Well, they just race all the time...in fact, all three had finished the equally challenging Miwok 100k the previous Saturday. Mark did point out to me this would be my 100th ultrasignup result, so perhaps I am no slouch. Thanks, Mark!

(A few more minutes of shade!)

(Chris Eide and I get a smile boost)

(Feeling good!)

The trails were immaculately marked, so it was easy to go on cruise control and enjoy the scenery and company. There would be five big climbs today, and the first one went down easy like a nice lemonade. As the sun crested the hill, we could see bunnies and quail darting back and forth between the shrubs. We were a bit more cooked on the second climb, where the aptly named "Dog Meat" brought most of us to a hike. My quads seemed to be holding up well as long as I took it easy.

(Dog Meat cooks us up!)

On the next descent, we saw the leaders coming back, with local Ben Eysenbach and Jean Pommier a few minutes ahead of a group of five. Cat Bradley looked good around 10th place, and all were running the climbs with ease. I got to the aid station at the bottom (mile 25), likely around 35th place, and fast hiked the return.

(Cat Bradley is all smiles)

San Jose's Qi Song was my trail mate as we covered the rolling hills back to the Wood Road aid stations (mile 31). We compared stories of the crazy Boston Marathon this year, running life in our late 40's, and admired the rattlesnake sunning just off the trail. She was a much faster climber than me, but I had one more gear than her on the flats. We had two or three others with us, all trading off and giving high fives.

(Chihping Fu!)

(Chihping and I have been dueling cameras for over a decade...this time we draw at high noon!)

(Wise hat choice)

At Hicks Road (mile 38), I noticed I was already trying to catch up on hydration. It was in the mid-70's now, but more so than the heat was the reality that I hadn't spent much time training for these super long runs. Reaching for the water bottles was a reminded thing, not an instinctual thing, and I had fallen behind by 30-40 ounces. My new pal Eduardo Nunez (we had met at the Marin Ultra Challenge 50k earlier this year) seemed to be a similar state, regrouping but not giving up yet.  I chugged down as much as my stomach would handle, and headed out.

(Second half excitement!)

(Watch your step!)

We passed through the finish chute (mile 41 for us, but we'll be back!) and I got a selfie with Coree who helped me refill my bottles. He had taken a fall at mile 8 of the 50k, but rallied to get 2nd behind Rob Krar. Amazing! The BBQ smell was tempting, so I just hustled out to commit to the last third of the race, knowing it would be waiting for me.

(Coree helps me out after getting 2nd in the 50k!)

My form was getting sloppy as I warded off twitchy calves, and just as I worried about my shuffle on the single track, I caught a toe and took a digger that left my hands bleeding. Whoops! Well, not much to do about it now, so I pressed on solo for the next 90 minutes. By the time I reached the 4th peak (Bull Run aid station, mile 48), my quads were in way worse shape than my hands. Luckily there were plenty of Quicksilver Club runners to get me seated, eating, washed, and sucking down popsicles. Eduardo joined me for a break, and with an inspiring calf-cramping dance, got us off on that last loop.

(Still smiling!)

(Last loop means lots of smiles)

The turkey/avocado sandwiches were just the trick for both Eduardo and me, and we had enough energy to run and walk our way to McAbee (mile 54). I tried the same recipe there, but it didn't stay down, so it would have to be the zombie climb back up the hill. The scenery was a nice distraction though, as the Lexington reservoir shimmered below us. In the suffering, I found that calm that reminded me that yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn't here...best to make the most of right here, right now. I could see runners dotting the hills in front and behind me...I was solo, but not alone!

(The hills are filled with runners)

(Keep it moving...)

(Gravity is good!)

(Super volunteers get me rolling again)

Eduardo rallied me one more time at Bull Run (mile 59...almost there!), and we shuffled our way through the relentless up and down to the finish. So many runners passed me, but it was inspiring to see how they had so much energy and words of encouragement. I soon found the finish in 14:04, good enough for 58th place.

(BBQ time)

(Sport that buckle all day!)

(Excellent swag includes a glass, reusable cup, Patagonia shirt and hat, and buckle with frame!)

Once my stomach returned, we enjoyed some great BBQ and shared stories as the sun went down. Ben Eysenbach (9:53) had led end-to-end for the win, with Jean Pommier (10:22) and Ian Driver (10:54) filling out the podium. Cat Bradley (11:15, 7th OA) handily won the Women's division, with Wendy Staniker (12:11), and Ken Huang (12:35) finishing soon after. Overall, 166 runners (75%) made it under the cutoff. (all results) One other runner reminded me I was here for the 50k in 2007...11 years ago! I had come full circle.

I donned the excellent swag, and let out one last cheer as I headed home. My mind was clear and present, and my body was happy to sink into a week long break. Happiness earned is the best kind!

My thanks to the RD's and fabulous volunteers for such a great race!

Fun In the Fog at the 2018 Marin Ultra Challenge 50k

It was a calm and foggy morning at the start of the 2018 Marin Ultra Challenge (MUC) 50k - great conditions for running, not so much for sight seeing. This was my 4th consecutive year at this headline race from Inside Trail Racing, and I know we can have anything from hot and steamy to cold and windy in the Marin Headlands this time of year. The trails were in great condition, so it would likely be an epic day!

(Lining up at the start for the sold out race)

(Headlights line the ridge of the first climb!)

I had no specific goals for this race, aside from wanting to run a consistent pace from start to finish, up and down the 5,000' vertical of climbing. If I could get a few pics along the way, even better! As we prepared for the 6am send off, I shed my last few layers, opting for gloves, a hat, and a tank top, and said a little thanks to Mother Nature for (hopefully) holding off the storm for a few hours.

The course this year went straight up Hill 88 (groan), but that didn't stop Franz Van Der Groen, Chris Jackson, Lon Freeman (in the 50-mile!), and Jeff Mogavero from setting a blistering pace up front. I slotted about 30 spots back, looking for good picture spots as we climbed above the clouds.

(Getting above the clouds, then turning around to jump back in!)

I recognized the back of the head of Lucas Shuman just ahead of me, a deja vu moment as I had just chased him through Purisima OSP at the Whistle Punk Half just a few weeks ago. He was once again my likely competition for the Masters, and once again descending like a madman! I cruised along with Katie Asmuth (50m), up from Culver City for her first trip to the Marin Headlands, and I tried to point out where the views will be as soon as the fog burns off. She was thrilled to be here, and looked forward to seeing ALL of the Headlands today.

(Cruising with Katie)

(Charging the climb, photo courtesy of ChasquaRunner)

Matt Ward and Ian Grettenburger (both 50m) were all laughs heading up the next climb, so I joined them as we ascended out of the fog. The Golden Gate Bridge was poking through the fast moving clouds like a shark fin...it was wonderful! As we ran along the ridge, the fog pushed up to us like crashing waves.

(Matt and Ian in good spirits)

(These climbs get steep!)

(There's the Golden Gate Bridge!)

It was a pleasure to descend Marincello (so often the courses go up this section), plunging into the clouds again, and Chris Denucci got me filled up (with a solid selfie to boot) at Tennessee Valley (mile 10). I was feeling really good thanks to the cool weather, so allowed myself to pick up the pace for the second third of the race, heading towards the beach.

(Chris Denucci gets me filled up)

(The clouds wash up to the trail)

(We climb the ridge)

(Hold your breath, we are going back in!)

(Above the clouds, photo courtesy of ChaquaRunner)

I teamed up with 23-year-old Eduardo Nunez, a recent transplant to San Francisco from Minnesota, and we quickly figured out he was faster on the descents and I was quicker on the climbs. We got down into Pirate's Cove, but could only hear the crashing waves in the distance before turning back up to Muir Beach. I lightened my load at the aid station (at a real bathroom, what a treat!), then chased Ed and Truckee's Peter Bromhall down the street and towards the climb up Miwok.

(Ed is in there somewhere!) 

(Peter enjoys the greenery)

(Ed pulls out of the clouds)

Peter is the Assistant Race Director for the Canyons 100k in Auburn, CA, a race he is planning to do this year, so MUC was a good warm up race for him. As soon as we hit the climb, I peeled off to catch Ed, then later Bryon Powell (the other Bryon Powell), and didn't see a soul until I pulled back into Muir Beach (mile 20) and high-fived waves of 50m runners. Everyone was having a great time!

(Having fun, photo courtesy of ITR)

(50-milers getting it done!)

I charged up the steep climb of Middle Green Gate, recalling this is the climb that broke Lance Armstrong when he ran this race with us in 2016 (he regrouped and got a solid 7th). Oakland's Sam Demello was fast hiking, and was thrilled when he asked if we were half way yet, and I said "mile 22...two more climbs and you are done!". I kept pushing, allowing myself to red line as we got close to the top.

(Sam in getting it done!)

(Fast downhills, photo courtesy of ITR)

Back at Tennessee Valley (mile 25), they let me know Lucas was less than a minute ahead of me, so I leaned into the hill to try and catch him. After 30 minutes of pushing hard, I saw him tearing into the final descent and knew I wouldn't quite match his downhill prowess. I finished in 7th place (4:29), 2nd Master behind Lucas (4:28). Maybe I shouldn't have taken so many pictures! Still, a great day.
I felt like I could have gone another 10 miles at this pace, so clearly my fitness is going well this year.

(The final stretch, photo courtesy of ChasquaRunner)

(Find that finish, whoop, whoop!)

(Race Director Tim Stahler taking care of us) 

(Enjoying some post-race beers)

(Happy volunteers keep us fed!)

It's such a blessing to have good health, and even more so to enjoy it to the fullest in this beautiful playground. The post-race glow was marvelous, so I changed my clothes and got ready for a few hours of chillin'. We shared a few beers while cheering in the other 25k and 50k runners, and heard that Fort Bragg's Jeff Mogavero (3:42) had won the 50k with a new course record! It's hard to imagine going 1 minute/km faster on that course, as fast as I was going....that guy is amazing. Mill Valley's Jenny Comiskey came in soon after me (4:36, 9th OA) to win the Women's division, a solid 20 minutes ahead of her competition. (all results)

Another perfectly executed MUC by Inside Trail Racing, another beautiful day in the mountains. I can't wait for the next one!