The first section of the report about the San Diego 50 mile race mainly covered the course. When I reached the halfway point, describing the course in reverse seems kind of worthless. Seeing that I was suffering to the point of quitting, I am going to go over what was happening in the second half and what I had to do to get through this race. I will still go over the course and the obstacles, but I will make this part far more personal than the last entry. 

The Race 

I just climbed that jacked-up hill. Three quarters of a mile of straight up walking on asphalt and 85 degree heat. Every little bit, there was a tree and I would stop for a few seconds to cool off. Once at the top of the hill, I stopped and talked to a woman who was giving directions. She was sitting under a tree and I decided to cool off and be social for about thirty seconds and off I went.  

A few hundred yards of flat trail and I was back on the switchbacks. But I was really in a good place. I ran down and passed four people. Not fast but steady. When I got to the bottom, I was feeling good. I started running up the switchbacks, but this proved to be in vain. I walked up after the first set. When I got to the top, I started running again. The trail was flat with some moderately rough trail. But I was able to run it.  

My attitude was improving. I began thinking about how I was going to pace this out to the end. I really had little idea where I was. There were no mile markers, no one to tell me my progress. Just the aid stations. I began to calculate the distances and think of the course. I had four more aid stations before the finish. I knew that between the fourth and third would be the worst. I thought if I could just get to the third aid station (mile 35), I would have a good chance to finish.  

By the time I figured out what my plan was, I had good news: I made it to the forth aid station (mile 30). I had plenty of time. I decided to eat. Watermelon, cookies, M&Ms and oranges. I also had two bottles of water and sat for about five minutes. I then took off. I wanted to finish and sitting around only wasted time. It really was not going to make anything better. 

Again, mile 30 to 35 were going to be brutal. It was 1 PM and hot. The first part of the trail (about a mile) was going to be flat. Me legs were good but dirt had been getting into my shoes and I was feeling a couple of hot spots on my heels. But my legs were good and I ran. I passed two more people. This was important. I kept pushing myself. I did not want to be passed anymore. After about a mile, things got rough (as I knew they would). Around the Lake Hodges Dam, there were long hills and nothing to shade us from the sun. I say us because there were two people in front of me who were walking (on had trekking poles, stay tuned). They held a steady pace. When I passed them several times but they passed me when I slowed down. It was back and forth. Once we got through the hills, the rest of the way to the aid station at mile 35 was flat and there were enough trees to make some shade.  

At the mile 35 aid station, I felt relief. The hardest part of the course was behind me and I heard those words that made me think I could finish the last time I raced on this course: “There are only 15 miles left”. I drank a couple of bottles of water and sat. I ate some watermelon and M&Ms but then got up not to waste any more time. Before I left, I was soaked down by one of the volunteers. I mean soaked. It felt so good even though I do not like getting that wet. 

I started walking away and was joined by the two men I was following. It turned out that one (the guy with the trekking poles) actually had a problem with his ankle. The poles belonged with his wife. The two were going to have to walk to finish. I decided to hang out with these guys because I was entertained and wanted to talk to someone. It turned out to be a good idea for a few reasons. First, this part of the course was fairly flat but the footing was not great. Walking through this section would ensure that I would not fall. Next, I needed the rest. Walking would prepare me for the last ten miles (which was a fairly easy run). Finally, these guys were fun to talk to. I liked the company. At mile 39, we ran into someone who was on the ground. Luckily, he was not hurt but he was suffering from bad cramps. He rejected any help but we said we would report him when we got to the aid station. 

At the aid station at mile 40, I did not waste much time. I filled my water bottle and had a few pretzels. And now, it was time to run. My only goal was to get to the next aid station and the route would be very nice trail. I started out with a cadence to get my legs going (by the way, my legs NEVER felt bad for the entire race). I started at a cadence; running for 200 paces and walking for 25 paces. It was working. I felt great and was passing people. Before I knew it, I saw the aid station at mile 45. I did not waste any time. I joked with the volunteers and just took off. 

I knew mile 45 through 50 was going to be brutal. Mile 45 involved a climb up to Raptor Ridge. I am not sure how long this section is but it felt like at least a mile. It never seemed like it would end. Half way through, the sun sank and it was time to turn on my headlamp. When I reached the top, the rest of the race was downhill and flat. I had some issues. I had problems finding the trail markings. I thought I had gotten lost a couple of times and would walk until I found one. I was also startled a few times by debris. Not quite a hallucination but close. I blame that on my lack of food intake. With two miles left, I got excited. I was close to finishing and started running. I had a couple of blisters but my legs were fine. I passed about five people before the finish line. I was running much faster than I thought. 

I crossed the finish line and there was Josie with her two daughters (I actually did not see them). I just sat down and, it was at that point, I really felt tired. I even forgot to get my medal. It was a very well-organized race. The volunteers were awesome. It was time for three McDonald’s cheeseburgers, a shower and a beer (in that order)!

My last part will be lessons learned from my experience. All ultramarathons are different and I certainly learned some things. 

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