I arrived at Malibu Creek State Park a little after 5am. The final instructions said that it would cost $8 to park, but they collected $5. This year I was directed to park in the lot right next to the starting line. Spots were available because cars were leaving after the start of the 100k race. I tried to pick up my race packet, but those running the 50k and marathon were not allowed to pick up anything until after 6am. They wanted to make sure that those running the 50 miler were given their packet first. I walked over to the starting line and waited for the start of the 50 miler. After the runners were sent off, I picked up my packet, used the portapotty, and went back to my car to take a little nap.
Start of the 50 miler
Keira the RD
As it got closer to 7am, I got ready and positioned myself in the starting area. One nice thing about trail racing is that the start is very casual, definitely not as stressful as a road race. My right calf was getting better, but I knew that it was not 100%. I just wanted to get the race done, go home, and rest.
Starting line
The race started promptly at 7am. The weather was pretty good for running, overcast and threatening to rain. It's my kind of weather. Within the first mile, I knew that it was going to be a very long day. I wasn't getting much power from the right leg. I quickly dropped back and every time there was a steep climb, a bunch of runners would hike right past me. After about an hour, I made it to the picnic table that I saw last year. There was some nice views from here. After climbing up and getting over a very steep climb, I finally got to the first aid station.
Not a picnic
Nice views
Steep climb
Just as I had remembered the stretch from Latigo to Kanan was nice and shaded. It was cool to see a lot of familiar faces that had already reached the turnaround and were headed home.
1:45:06 Corral Canyon
1:00:07 Latigo
0:32:01 Kanan
It was a serious pain in the butt climbing back out of the Kanan aid station. Lots of loose rocks everywhere. Most of the return trip was one long struggle where I just couldn't push very hard with the right leg. Thank goodness it was a gloomy day where it drizzled on and off.
Almost 5hrs into the race, I came across a log where the end had been carved into the shape of a heart. At this point I had been leapfrogging with a guy named Leo. We were struggling at about the same pace so we stuck together for some long stretches.
It was cool to see my friends newborn as I was approaching the final aid station before the finish line. The stream crossing was actually pretty nice as the water was nice and cold. Luckily I had no problem with running in wet socks and shoes. Once I got on the flat terrain, I felt more at home and it was a sign that I was approaching the finish line.
Trail love
Headed to the finish
0:42:18 Latigo
1:11:05 Corral Canyon
2:02:22 Malibu Creek
Finish: 7:13:02
After "running" with pebbles and rocks in one of my shoes for most of the race, I think I'm done wearing those cheap not so effective gaiters.
I was pretty unhappy with finishing over 7 hrs, but that was the best that I could muster up on this day. I really need to be in better shape before running these trail races. They're not as forgiving as road races, especially those long climbs. I made a promise to myself not to put myself through that kind of torture again. Despite the struggle, it was still pretty nice to spend a better part of the day hiking through nature.
Finished
I stuck around to talk with some of my friends and waited for some of those running in the longer distances to finish their race. One of my friends had McDonald's waiting for him at the finish line. It was pretty nice of him to give me one of his cheeseburgers. I had some hot chili before heading on home.
McD's!
Medal and race shirt
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