On a fine Saturday afternoon, I drove up to the Santa Barbara area for a trail marathon that would take place on Sunday. After picking up some last minute supplies at the local Albertson's, I hopped on the freeway. I took the 210 freeway to the 134 to the 101 just so I could avoid driving through Downtown LA. As I was well into my car trip, I thought to myself, "how in the heck did I used to drive this far early in the morning to make it for the start of the old Santa Barbara Half Marathon?" I was pooped! Since I knew that there was no way I could make the drive up on race morning, I booked a room at the Motel 6 in Carpinteria on Via Real. When I checked in, the girl asked if I was okay with a room facing the freeway. I said that it wouldn't bother me so that's where she put me. I went up to my room to use the restroom. I noticed that my room did not have any bath towels, so I went to get some from the front desk. After taking care of that, I went back out to get some food.
For food, I decided to check out Padaro Beach Grill on the other side of the freeway on Santa Claus Lane. I found the place tucked away on the beach side of the small street. It would appear that a lot of people park here to access the beach. I was fortunate enough to find a spot just in front of the restaurant. I ordered the Prime Burger and added cheddar cheese. I also ordered their shrimp tacos. The tacos came with some chips. I ordered my food to go. They gave me a pager while I waited for my food. It was a pretty short wait. I took it back to my motel room to devour. The burger was pretty good but on the small side. I liked the shrimp tacos better than the burger. Those tacos were good! Both items were good enough that I will definitely make a return trip if I'm ever in the area again.
Shrimp tacos
Prime burger with cheddar
I got my gear ready for tomorrow and watched a little TV before turning in for the night. I went to sleep pretty early since I had to get up at very dark o'clock to get to the starting area in time for pre-race check-in.
11/30 Sunday
The final instructions email said to make it to Rancho Oso prior to 5 am. Google Maps said it would take about 40 minutes to get there. I budgeted an hour just to be on the safe side. I left at about 3:30 am and got there about 20 minutes after 4 am. It was a pretty dark drive after getting off of the 154 at Paradise Road. Once I got there, I paid $10 at the gatehouse to enter. I was directed to park in a lot just to the left of the gatehouse.
After parking the car, I walked over to the screen room, the only building besides the restrooms that had the lights on. I picked up my bib and the race shirt. There was a trailer selling coffee and whatnot, but I don't drink coffee. So I went back to my car to take a little cat nap.
Shirt and bib
As the start of the race approached, I got my stuff ready and headed for the restroom. While waiting in line to use the restroom, a girl in front of me was telling her friends that she's a road runner and has no real desire to run an ultra. It was more of a duration issue for her. She doesn't like running anything that'll take more than 3 hrs to complete. Looks like she's a sub 3 road marathoner. I'm pretty sure she was racing the half marathon. It was interesting to hear someone else declare that they'd rather run road races versus trail races. I just prefer sure footing where I can zone out running miles after miles. But you really can't beat the views of a trail race, so you'll find me from time to time running a trail race.
After some last minute instructions by the race director in the screen room, it was time to run some trails! The start for the 3 distances was staggered. Those running the 50 miler were sent out first, followed by the marathoners, then the half marathoners.
Just as the marathoners were about to be sent out, the rain started coming down. First it was just a sprinkle then it became a steady light rain. The intensity of the rain would fluctuate for most of the race. Fortunately the course never got too muddy. The race only had two aid stations, so the runners needed to bring enough nutrition and fluids. While it was still dark, I stumbled here and there as I couldn't really see the terrain. I had to stop and move aside for some runners. Once there was light and the faster runners had disappeared into the distance, everything was a bit more enjoyable. There was a mile or so on some asphalt after reaching the first aid station.
While chugging along on a nice fire road section, Fred, a Vietnam veteran came up to me and talked to me because of the Team RWB shirt that I had on. There was a bit of climbing but the views were pretty nice as I headed to the second aid station.
After leaving the aid station, I made my way up to the halfway point. We were to report the color of something on the ground that would signify that we had actually reached the turnaround point. Near the mine, a couple of us saw something on the ground that looked like what could be a turnaround marker. Good thing a runner ahead of us told us to keep going. After a little bit of climbing, we reached the red flag on the ground. Yay! Time to head back to the finish line!
Nope, not the turnaround marker
Turnaround flag
1: 1:25:13
2: 1:06:14
3: 0:37:15
Halfway: 3:08:42
When I made it back to the aid station, I reported the color of the flag to the volunteers. They gave me a finisher's amulet necklace to wear back to the finish line. I pretty much leapfrogged with a girl named Summer for the entire race. I was running a very even race until the very last leg from the last aid station. On some of the climbs, I had to stop just to catch my breath. The sun had also come out and it had gotten a little warm for my taste. I had a huge bonk that cost me about 30 minutes. It was hard to get my legs to move even on the flat and downhill sections!
Nice bench! Can a sit a spell?
Once I saw the horses, I knew that the finish line was getting closer. I sucked it up as best I could and made as strong a push that I could muster up on my way to the screen room. I was happy just to finish under 7 hours.
4: 0:38:46
5: 1:04:39
6: 1:56:29
2nd half: 3:39:56
Finish: 6:48:38
After crossing the finish line in the screen room, I was able to score a post race PBR and found a place to sit down. I enjoyed the beer while chatting with Jay and waiting for some of my friends to finish.
PBR at the finish line
Thanks to my generous friends, I was able to shower at their cabin. After getting cleaned up, we went back to the finish area to hang out and cheer on the finishers of the 50 miler. When I sat down at the picnic table, there was an empty bottle of Stone Enjoy By 12-26-14 IPA. I guess I had to run faster to enjoy the better beer! Instead I got to drink a can of Tecate! :) It still hit the spot after a romp through the trails of Santa Barbara.
No Stone for the slow runners
Beer for the slower folks :)
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