It’s All Fun and Games ’til You Fall Down the Stairs….

Posted on September 12, 2015 by knevinger

Two posts in two days, this must be some sort of new record….

But, you know, there’s never a dull moment and since I’m confined to the couch for awhile (again), I thought I might as well write about it.

The day started out normal enough….enjoyed sleeping in, confirmed that I could keep the rental car while they take a mont to repair Slimer (still waiting to find out who pays for that one…), made plans with a friend to go run…typical Saturday.

Brian and I headed over to the parking lot on the other side of the bridge to meet our friend Ann and run the ninja loop. I’d heard plenty about the ninja loop, but had never actually run it (this will be important later). As soon as we got there, we realized there were a lot of people heading up the trail….apparently we chose the same day as the Headlands 100 (and 50 and 75 and marathon). Go figure, I never run from over there. We decided to share the trails, everyone was pretty spread out, and we’d be turning off their course shortly.

So, up the hill we went. I ran into one of the guys I see a lot at the Coastal races – (running the 100 mile, of course!). I wished him luck and continued along my way up the hill. I’d forgotten how long that hill actually was. And then I came to a ‘T’…..hmmmm…..wish I knew the trails that made up the ninja loop. I’m slow, so of course Brian and Ann were ahead of me. haha. I remembered when we were chatting about the trails, someone mentioned SCA. The sign said SCA was to the right, so I took a guess and off I went.

Of course, I quickly realized I either made a wrong decision or was way behind. I figured it was the former, and luckily had cell service, so sent off a quick text to let Brian and Ann know I’d see them back at the car in a few hours. I continued to follow along the race course, getting asked direction at some point. Really? You’re going to ask me? haha….I did have the course map on my phone, but another runner came along that knew the course, so they were all set.

At that point, I googled a map of the ninja loop and realized I was pretty much doing a reverse ninja loop. I decided to eliminate the portion that drops in to Tennessee Valley so I could make it back to the car before everyone left. I stayed high and then took Miwok down into Rodeo Valley….from there, I headed over to Rodeo Valley trail and eventually back up to SCA trail (one of my favorites!). SCA would eventually take me back over to the parking lot and back to the car.

And I love running on SCA….it’s not really uphill, it’s not really downhill….very rolling. And the views, the views are spectacular. It was everything I had missed about running and more. I was also back on the race course, so was having fun cheering on the runners as they passed….of course a good number of them told me what a good job I was doing too….haha. I, of course, didn’t have a bib, but didn’t have time to explain, so smiled, waved, wished them luck, and went with it.

I ran a lot of SCA….so great!! And then came to some stairs pretty close to where SCA would meet the trail to go back to the bridge. I’ve marked this area twice, run it far more than that….I KNOW to watch my footing. I usually walk it…because, well, falling down the stairs would suck. A LOT. Today, I ran them. Maybe because I could…maybe because I want to get over my fear of the technical terrain. I don’t know. I remember thinking it would really suck to fall here and I should be careful. And then….

Trip…SNAP.

Oh…well….ouch. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I guess luckily there were ropes on the stairs that I could grab on to, so I didn’t completely bust my ass. But, something snapped. My good ankle….awesome. I mean, I had the bad one in a brace. Barring anything super crazy, that one wasn’t going anywhere. I just stopped for a minute….held on to the ropes in my little crouched position as I had fallen….and similar to this day, I bounced my foot up and down to make sure it still worked. Thankfully, it did. As I got up, I overheard a group of hikers talking….one of them said….’oh look…one fell….’ Yup, yup, I did. Thanks for noticing. And I’m good….thanks for asking. For those who are wondering, yes, I did get up and pass them.

I sent another text to Brian and Ann….’one mile out….fell….walking in’. And that’s what I did. Passed multiple hikers (really guys, the busted foot girl is passing you??). And received a lot of encouragement from passing racers. You guys rock…and I hope you all have a fabulous race! I only hope I was half as encouraging to you – especially since you may still be running now, as I sit on my couch with my foot up, enjoying some wine.

I met Brian and Ann at the parking lot and we headed for home. I mean, it all makes sense….last year, I bust my foot the weekend before we leave for Nepal….this year, I bust my foot the weekend before Tahoe. Good times…..

At this point, I don’t think there’s anything seriously wrong. However, I have sprained the other ankle multiple times and this feels…different. It’s not crazy swollen, but the actual ankle (malleolus) is really sore to the touch and starting to bruise. It also doesn’t really hurt unless I stand on it, move it, or touch it, which I remember the sprains just throbbing. Again, it’s just different. I’m not sure if that means good or bad different, but I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday, so will just add this to the list.

Like I said….never a dull moment….and I really just need to live in that bubble Erica suggested last weekend. But, it was a pretty amazing run before I tanked. Ugh…stupid stairs.

Thought of the day – I should have just stayed home and drank beer.

Until next time, over and out….

Who Ya Gonna Call…..

Posted on September 11, 2015 by knevinger

So, don’t ever have anyone hit your car….it’s a pain. Figuratively and literally…..anyway, poor Slimer.

After much back and forth (and a little bit of yelling at the right people), I was able to take Slimer to a shop in the city on Tuesday. Somehow, I managed to get out of work at the last minute to drop off the car, which was good since it was either that or the week of the 20th. Which, as I told multiple people at Progressive, was unacceptable. No, I didn’t know if the car was drivable. Yes, it did run….however, no, I wasn’t sure that it SHOULD run.

When I got to German Motor Cars, the Progressive Rep met me at the entrance, and I was reminded why I love Progressive. She was comforting and checked to make sure I was ok, and we walked the car together…..she helped me figure out a rental, the deductible, the other driver – basically all the things I’d been wondering. She called in a rental while I waited for the German Motor Cars rep. For the first time in several days, I actually felt ok about the whole thing.

The German Motor Cars rep was fabulous as well. She checked the car, explained the process, and let me know when I could expect to hear from her. Then the guy from the rental car place came to get me….it was right around the corner, and I totally could have walked, but I had four different bags and it had to be 85 in the city, which is unheard of. haha….and he had a full gold mouth grille. Of course he did…why wouldn’t he. Keep it classy San Francisco….

I get my rental and I’m on my way. Great. Since then, its been radio silence – they told me it might take until Thursday at the latest. Of course, Thursday I get two messages – one from the mechanic saying I’ll get an email with the repair estimate by the end of the day, and a second from the German Motor Cars rep stating that Progressive is still working on it. Now, what good is going to come from that?? Ugh…..

Luckily, I heard from them today and they’re able to fix it. It’s only going to take a month. REALLY?? Hopefully I can keep the rental that long….or become really good at walking to Redwood City……

In the midst of all this, I headed out on my first work trip – 24 hours in Vegas. It was….an experience. On so many levels. Apparently the conference has changed over the years, and this year was…..a new low? I don’t know….according to the people who had been before, it was one or two trade show booths that were worth visiting and a bunch of cellphone accessory booths. Yeah…..I have no words. Or maybe lots of them. I don’t know. Again, it was an experience. It was good to get to know my coworkers a little better, great to attend a meeting with some of them, and also nice to see the dinner we’d been working on come to life.

The best part of it all? I had a few minutes to go back to my room and get ready for dinner…..I only had the one outfit – a black business dress and a jacket (remember this for a few seconds), so it was pretty much adding some jewelry, re-curling my hair, and touching up my make-up. So, I do that and head out for the restaurant. I checked the map of the casino before I left the room so I’d have a fighting chance of getting where I was going (let’s remember how good I am at direction….), and I was in good shape. Literally, I got off the elevator, stepped into the casino, and had some random dude ask me if I ‘worked’ there. It took me a minute to understand exactly what was going on, but then…really? REALLY?? I’m in a business outfit…..god knows I’ve been in Vegas in far more ‘appropriate’ attire, but this is when I’m going to get propositioned….seriously?? Although, if I need to pay for a month of a car rental, I know where I can find a third job….ha!

In better news, Dr. Hal (highly recommend Chiro Medical), taped up what was my good knee and adjusted/cracked everything from my hips up to my shoulders. Ahhh….best feeling ever. I’m so excited to get back out on the trails tomorrow. He thinks he can have me up and running in time for North Face, which is fabulous….so tomorrow, I’m planning to get back out on to those trails for the first time in a long time. I’ve enjoyed learning about other trails and parks all summer, but the headlands will always be home. Its been too long since I’ve planned running routes while drinking wine on a Friday…haha….

Ok…until next time….over and out…..

Tales of a Platelet Injection

Posted on July 30, 2015 by knevinger

So, the saga of the busted knee continues….at the time of this update, I was hoping that once I had crossed prolotherapy and ozone off my bucket list, my knee would be fixed. Unfortunately, after an additional round of both prolo and ozone, the knee still wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I didn’t have too many problems hiking…or running (after I decided to see what would happen if I just went out and did it).

I spent some more time in PT and the doctor continued to check it with the ultrasound. The good news, the strain went away for the most part, other than in the quad. The bad news, there was still a dark spot on the meniscus, which could be a tear after all. Awesome. Maybe that run wasn’t the best idea. So, I tried some more PT…and continued to hike without issue….unless I stepped sideways (think trying to catch a door and hold it open with your foot or kicking a soccer ball). And for some reason, the doctor was always able to mimic that….haha.

Anyway, after two rounds of prolo, I was left with two options – surgery or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. Since I was nowhere near ready to let someone operate on it (I’d have to pretty much be unable to walk before that happens), I opted for the PRP injections. Since there was still some strain in my quad and a couple of other places, my doctor also recommended some additional prolo injections at the same time.

I scheduled the procedure for later that week – a day after my in person interview, two days before I had to get on a place to New York, and in plenty of time to heal before working the next trail race. Due to the timing (injections two days away), I had to start preparing right away. Drink lots of water (two nalgene bottles on the day of)….no alcohol for two days before or five days after. No OTC pain relievers (NSAIDS). Ok, I can do that……I may or may not have snuck a cup of spiked tea in there somewhere…..

I was told (and read) that I would be more sore after these injections and I wouldn’t be able drive after these injections (not that I tried to drive after the last ones either). Due to that, I took the bus over to the office. Shorts on Muni….ewww….should have planned that one better.

While the prolo injections were a sugar water-type substance, PRP is an injection of your own platelets into the joint, so I had to come in an hour early for the blood draw. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the plasma and red blood cells. The drawing was done with a giant syringe, which was a creepy thought, especially when I saw the syringe. However, it was quite painless in reality. I didn’t watch, just read and re-read the diploma on the wall. haha. The nurses asked if I needed anything or wanted water once it was done. I had some with me, so drank the rest of that and munched on some cookies while I waited for the platelets to be spun out.

Similar to the prolo injections, the procedure was pretty easy and painless for the twelvish injections. He started with the prolo (after the anesthetic) and then moved on to the platelets. It felt a lot like the first two rounds….pressure and fullness. He had the ultrasound facing me, so I could watch the stuff going in, but after seeing that once decided it was weird and just looked at the ceiling. He had to tap the bone(s) to get the platelets to activate….weird….and ouch. At some point, the platelets clotted, so he had to stop, fix the shot, and then carry on. That was weird…and then something (meniscus maybe) did some weird vibrating thing – apparently that was supposed to happen.

Knee was once again full and all sorts of swollen. Not nearly as numb as the first two times, unfortunately. This one started to ache almost immediately. However, I was able to hobble out, pay my bill, and call an Uber. I think my Uber ride may have been a more harrowing experience than the injections. Driver spent the entire ride talking about how careful he needed to be….never mind the red light he ran. He was also really pre-occupied with picking up someone else, even though they had canceled the request. Luckily, we arrived at Walgreens without issue.

I filled my prescription….hooray for the good drugs. haha. And had a friend pick me up, since I decided walking the quarter mile home would be a bad idea. By the time I got home, it had already started to bruise, along with swell. Ouch, and gross, but that meant it was working, right? It also made a far more disgusting liquidy, squishing, sound when it was bent.

The next morning (and subsequent couple of days) it was far more sore than it had been with the past injections, I was pretty much hobbling…as long as it didn’t bend, it was ok. Which was fine, as long as I wasn’t trying to walk. So, I kept that to a minimum, and spent most of the day resting….and took a doctor’s ordered nap. Flying wasn’t too bad, I wore running pants and took the meds and got more rest. As the days wore on, the swelling went down and the bruising is just about gone now. Here’s to hoping it worked and I’ll be back to running ASAP.

Over and out, until next time….

New Year’s One Day – Race Report

Posted on January 2, 2015 by knevinger

So, I was writing this in my head as I made multiple laps around Crissy Field – of course, now that I sit down to write it, I can’t really remember what I wanted to say…

Let’s start with the race itself and how I got there. After the stomach issues at North Face, I needed to find another race to get in 50 miles prior to the Umstead 100 in March. Googling local races, I found out that coastal trails had a twenty four hour race from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day – laps around Crissy field….not my idea thought on how to spend New Year’s, but it seemed easy enough.

The race was set up like your typical ultra….show up, get your bib and t-shirt, run the race. This was a little different, since it consisted of one mile laps, there was a kind of camp set-up….start/finish, aid station, and tents….a bunch of the people brought tents for resting/hanging out. There were others who brought chairs and coolers, and were set up for an all day group event. I set my bags down and made the decision to leave my pack with them, why carry it if I would literally pass by it every lap.

We ran in some serious wind for the first three hours….it wasn’t too bad on the stretch by the street, but the stretch by the bay was brutal. However, the other runners were nice, sharing stories of races past and advice. I decided to pick up my shuffle around lap three…I had twelve hours of serial podcasts that would keep me busy….unfortunately, they didn’t download for some reason. So, I had a two hour loop of music that I hadnt listened to in ages…a close second, I guess.

Sometime around lap three or four, I heard someone calling my name. I looked up to see my friend, Zena, from bootcamp. She was there to do a few laps with her friend doing the six hour. It was great to see her at the start for a couple of laps, and then out on the course at one point.

I easily made my way through the first fifteen or so miles, felt good and made sure to stop and eat every five miles or so. The course had two paths by the aid station, and the veer right to the aid station was called ‘pit’. I thought that was cool. I had a good plan going thanks to some strategically placed cone markers….run parts of the pavement stretch (though, this stopped at mile 15 due to the tough terrain), run the first curve to the first cone marker, walk to the next cone, then run the next two….repeat to the aid station.

I stopped at some point to find out why my toe was hurting…turns out there was no reason for it, but I did find a blister on a different toe to wrap. Hopefully I dont lose a toenail in the near future. By the time I hit 25, I was ready for some fresh clothes….I had dressed warmly for the morning chill, but was now sweaty and not warming up.

By the time I hit mile 30, I was far more sore than I wanted to be for only being at 30 miles. I was also bored and getting tired of laps. It was pretty bleak until about mile 35, where I think the Advil kicked in. However, my friend Joseph came down to say hello and do a couple of laps with me. It was great to catch up and have some company to pass the time. He also said something about the messages people had sent via email. I hadn’t gotten any, so I assumed I didn’t have any yet. He said that he had sent one…and that people on Facebook had mentioned they were sending them too. I was surprised no one from the race had mentioned where to find them, but after stopping and asking, I was directed to a filing box holding messages. And I had a bunch – very thankful for all of the hellos from friends and family. A friend and some nice messages, great way to get through some tough miles.

Once I hit 35, I started to feel pretty good again. Still sore, but I was able to take up my running plan again on the trail pieces of the course. Loved getting the sudden burst of energy….it really made miles 35 to about 42 pretty bearable. I checked my messages again and had a bunch more…many thanks – those made my run :). I talked to the guy about the 100 miler I had planned and he asked why I wasn’t doing coastal’s….haha…maybe next year. It might be fun to volunteer at this year though or get in another 50. Somewhere in there the aid station had pizza…nothing like walking a mile and munching on a slice of cheese and pepperoni. haha…

At 42, I was pretty much done…I hit 12 hours right around that point, despite having been shooting to get the full 50 in 12. Stupid miles 30-35 or whatever they were. I had been ahead of pace until then, but good learnings for next time. Hopefully that will still be ok for the 100 miler. I was also getting cold, despite having on one of my everest wool tops and hood. It was warm when I was walking, but the clothes underneath not so much after sweating. I told myself I needed to get to 50 before I stopped again….it would be a great reward in a couple of laps….clean clothes, bathroom stop, aid station break.

A lot of people seemed to disappear at this point…either to tents or cars or where ever to rest. But, I was going to get my 50. I ran into a guy dressed in flame print shorts and a shirt, who told me he was facing his feet forward, because one day, they would all be pointing towards the sky….well, that was one way to look at it. haha. I did various parts of 47-49 with a guy visiting from Dallas, specifically for the New Year’s race. He had accepted the fact that he was going to walk the rest of the night, and had changed into hiking boots. My right knee had been pretty sore since about 45, so hiking boots seemed like they would have been a good call at that point. I was thankful for the company, as I was also really bored….give me the hills in the headlands any day…..

I finally got to my last lap, and I had originally planned on changing some, eating some, maybe having some soup, maybe a rest in the car, and coming back out for some more laps. But, I think on some level, I knew I was done. I bid farewell to the pavement that was destroying my shins, to the slight hill on the first curve, the deep sand right before the first curve, and the sharp turn to the timing mat. I stopped to snap a photo of my garmin once it hit 50….on the back straight-away that had been insanely windy during the early part of the race.

I crossed the lap mat post-50 miles and hobbled over to the aid station, desperate for some soup. Somehow, I managed to hit it just as they ran out and they were making more. Ugh…how do you run out of soup? I wanted to stop and get any additional messages that had been sent, but I was so cold and sore and desperate for a few minutes of warmth and dry clothes, so I hobbled over to my stuff, grabbed it, and began a treacherous walk through the grass to my car. In reality, it was probably 100 feet, but it was grass and not flat, and wow did my knee hurt. I did notice multiple people sleeping in their cars as I passed by….I apologize for the headlamp I probably flashed directly at them….

Once I got in the car, I realized how cold I was and how sore my knee really was. I wasnt sure what was worse, trying to stop shaking or having to push the seat in my car back and pull my leg in with hands because my knee wouldnt bend. Once I got a better look at it, I realized it was swollen, and there was a weird swelling just above my knee on the side of my quad. Gross….did I break my leg and miss it? #ultrarunnerproblems. At that point, I realized two things: one, I really didnt feel good and two, I was done for the night. I opened the car door to get some air….to think a few minutes ago all I wanted was some heat. Once I felt a little better, I pulled off my timing chip, put my headlamp back on and hobbled over to camp. I asked the race director if I should give it to him and he pointed me in the direction of the check-in tent. He asked if I was done, and I told him I got to the 50 I wanted and my knee was shot, he congratulated me on the 50 and wished me a happy new year.

I hobbled over to the check-in tent where she took my chip and gave me a medal. It would have been fun to make it to midnight, to share champagne with my fellow 24 hour runners, and to walk through the night with the people I’d me throughout the day. However, there is something to say for knowing when it’s time to be done.

After turning everything in, I hobbled back over to the car where I proceeded to wait until I stopped shaking and was able to drive home. Luckily, traffic was minimal and I got home pretty quickly. It took me at least ten minutes to gather the strength to get out of my car….of course in that time, I found the slug that hitched a ride to the car on my bag. Awesome.

Somehow, I got up the stairs to my apartment – perhaps the adrenaline was still flowing. Once Brian greeted me at the door with some wine and I sat down at the kitchen table, trying to get up was a different story. Literally hanging on to walls to get to the stairs and then using the railing to climb up the stairs…..I have no idea how I managed to shower and get back downstairs without falling and breaking something. Super thankful for grubhub and their ability to let me order Sparky’s on my phone and have it delivered to my house.

After a brief New Year’s celebration and my Sparky’s dinner, I was ready to call it a night. Another race in the books. 50 mile distance achieved. Kudos to Wendell and Coastal Trails for putting on another great race. And, what did I learn? There are a lot of long runs in my future….double days are one thing, but I really need to work on staying stronger longer….pushing that wall out from now mile 30. And, while this race was an experience, the ultras in the headlands were much more fun….so I see more of those in my future too :).

so, thats it for now….over and out for now. hopefully a new years/2015 entry coming soon :).

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree….

Posted on December 7, 2014 by knevinger

On Saturday, December 6th, North Face gave to me….

Six days of rain…
Five aid stations…
Four course changes…
Three washed out trails…
Two course sweepers…
One adventure on the trails

In all seriousness, What. A. Day. Really. In retrospect, I should have known. Either the six days of rain, or the four course changes that came down yesterday and today should have been my first clue. If not that, then the no more than an hour of sleep I got last night (stupid stress) or the pepto I was choking down at 3:30am.

But, I figured the course updates would make it easier and I didnt have to do my least favorite trails. And I figured the lack of sleep and sick were due to nerves. I went to bed early all week in preparation, so I actually wasnt completely exhausted race morning.

We were up at three and out the door by 3:45. Out the door and into the pouring rain…what a nightmare this is going to be…can’t it be a dry nightmare? We were parked and shuttled by 4:45. The nerves were back, so luckily I was able to make a pit stop at the visitor’s center bathroom – can you say auto-flush toilet? Delicacy in the wilderness.

The race started shortly after we arrived, luckily, there was no rain in Marin. After a couple of announcements, including another course change, we were off. Dean Karnazes was just inside the start line, he patted my shoulder and said, “yeah, go get it”. At that point, I felt great…I was going to own this race.

The first ten miles were pretty uneventful…some running, some walking, some run/walking. I felt great, and was a half mile to a mile ahead of my goal pace. Then I got to the end of the second loop and stopped at the aid station. And, something just felt off. I thought it was the ankle brace throwing off my body mechanics, and made a mental note to pull it off when I changed my socks at the next aid station.

After a climb up Miwok and a descent into Tennessee Valley, where we were suddenly overrun by 50k runners, I was at the next aid station where Glenn and Adrienne were waiting to crew with clean socks. I saw my friend Toby running the 50k shortly before I reached my crew. I also ditched the ankle brace and my headlamp…but for some reason I was insistent on keeping it with me. Perhaps I was already delirious. Nonetheless, I headed out towards Pirates Cove at a run/walk. That lasted about a mile before I was just walking….it seemed as if my stomach chose that moment to say, “yeah…about those nerves…it’s not nerves”. And “you should walk, or bad things will happen”. Awesome, taken down by the one thing you can’t plan for.

The lone other 50 miler chose that moment to tell me that the sweepers were right behind us, even though we were way ahead of the cutoff time. So, I took a breath, continued up the hill, and tried to chat with the 50k runner next to me. Who told me what a great day it was and how he had changed his race from the marathon, cause what’s five extra miles? A little too peppy for someone trying to talk their stomach down.

I got to the top quicker than I thought I would, and still ahead of my goal. But, then I met Pirates Cove, which can be sketchy on a good day. After almost a week of rain, it was a mud bath. Think slip and slide minus the pool at the end. Well, there was a cliff and the ocean was past it, so maybe it was the same. I was pretty sure I was going to fly off the cliff and into the ocean. At one point, I decided to take the grass on the side rather than the mud, tried to crawl across a rock and end up falling. Great. Whatever was hurting in my knee just got worse.

At that point, the sweepers let me know that they were there if I needed anything, but not to worry, I had plenty of time. I told them I was having a rough day, but was going to walk it out. I also started thinking about what plan b was going to be. At that point, I figured I would either make it to Stinson Beach and stop there, or see if I could turn at the 50k and finish the race with them. Not what I wanted, but better than not finishing at all.

I decided to press on and see what happened. The sweepers were nice and alternated between checking on me and keeping me company. I heard at one point via a radio that I had gotten too slow, so I power walked as best I could – out of muir beach, on to redwood creek trail, over to heather cutoff. Which is where the craziness began….picture this – washed out trail, think a river running down it – nearly single track trail, with people going up and down. Suddenly, the hills I didnt think would be a huge deal to run/walk up and jog down were a mud-filled nightmare.

Going up the hill, there were mid/back of the pack 50kers….and two 50 milers that I hiked past. No matter what happened, I was no longer last. I cautiously proceeded up the switch-backs with a group of 50kers….occasionally grabbing on to one another as we jumped out of the way for the in-it-to-win it 50 milers and fast 50kers came down the hill at mach 50. Really guys? The leaders passed by several hours ago – I promise, you wont catch them. Can you slow down so we can all get through the mud bath safely? At this point, I had lost my sweeper friends to two of the guys I passed.

Shortly into Heather Cutoff, the first trail, a guy came flying down the switch-back above, had zero traction on the curve, and flew off the trail, off the hill, into the brush below. We all held our breath as he climbed out of the bushes, righted himself, held up his hands and said, “I’m good”. One of the ladies in our group called out, “sir, you have just won the race’. Countless slips, slides, and crashes later, we were moved on to Coastal trail.

Now, Coastal is a similar trail, but more exposed, so I hoped in better condition. However, after 1000 people run up and down a wet trail, it’s a mess no matter what. But this trail brought an added challenge – bikes! Now, really, who rides their bike down a hill through several feet of mud….and a race course. Apparently several people…including a dad and a kid. Really? You couldnt find a trail without 1000 people on it to ride on today? We continued our journey up the hill, at some point I stepped in what I’ll call pot holes and ended up in ankle deep mud. awesome….I think at some point in all of that, I ran into my friend Toby again and Dr. Hal, both on their way down.

Finally, I get to Cardiac…with time to spare. Decision time. A- see if I could quickly change out of my soaked socks, grab a sandwich, cross my fingers, and see if I could make it to the next cutoff….or B – realize it wasnt my day, see if I could change my race, head back down the hill and have a chance to finish a race, even if it wasnt the one I wanted. I had been thinking about it for awhile, and had decided to go with option b. I couldnt control the fact that I had to have pepto for breakfast and not much else since then, but what I could control was my reaction to it.

I had some PB&J and water, and looked around for someone to ask about changing races. The aid station captain didnt seem to know, and was too busy force feeding M&M’s and telling a 50 miler who was on his way back down that he wasn’t allowed to quit because he was tired. One of the sweepers from earlier found me at the aid station…”there you are! we completely lost you…we stopped with the other guys and then you were just gone.” A testament to my training that even feeling awful I can still hike myself up a hill just fine. He helped me find the right person to switch my race, so I found my drop bag and changed out of my wet shirt and singlet into dry ones, and took the dry socks out and stashed them in my pack for a change at Muir Beach, and was on my way.

Going down was just as much of an adventure as going up. I had a guy pass me who was fiddling with his coat and ipod, holding a water-bottle, and navigating the mud. I watched him slish and slosh from left to right and knew it was only a matter of time. A couple more sloshes and down he went. I asked if he was ok, he told me he was, just shouldnt mess with his stuff while running. Yeah…probably a good idea. As I made my way down, I started to think that if these were the trails deemed safe for 1000 people to go up and down, I dont want to see the ones that were unsafe…

I got down and back to Muir Beach, thankful for the aid station. The people there were so friendly – they helped me get my gross shoes off so I could change my socks and gave me chicken broth since they thought I was cold, and helped me wash my hands. After that, I was ready to go up one of the toughest climbs on the course. My game plan…just keep moving (looking at the stats afterwords, I did get my third best time going up that set of hills. Haha.

About halfway up the hills, Ksenya (who was going to pace me from Stinson, where I never made it to) and Adrienne my other running buddy yelled up the hill to me. So exciting to have friends to share the journey with! It didnt take them too long to catch up, and it made the time down to Tennessee Valley pass pretty quickly. At TV, I got to see the rest of the crew, but I wanted to keep moving, so headed up Marincello after grabbing another PB&J. It was great to have Ksenya to share the journey with (Adrienne had to move her car at TV). She kept me going, and before I knew it, we were near the finish line. I was able to run the last few feet through the finish line and go hang out with my crew.

All things said and done, I got in a 50k (+ ended up being 37 miles)….I went further than I ever have before…I crossed the finish line. And yesterday, that was enough. Today, I wish I could have made the 50 happen, but there will be other races. Either this one next year…or another before then, since I think I was supposed to do something before the 100 miler. We’ll see….Thank you to the sweepers, for helping me salvage something out of what could have been a disaster of a day. Huge thanks to our crew, pacers, and friends that came out to the event – could not have done it without you. And congrats to Brian, who had a great 50 mile race!

Pre-Race Jitters

Posted on December 4, 2014 by knevinger

Wow…it has been awhile. So much for hoping to update this weekly….then monthly….then who knows what happened. Haha…looking back, I feel like I didnt have much interesting to say, but at the same time, there is a ton going on. Anyway….

The race that for a year has only been a date on the calendar and a far off thought in my imagination, will be here in two days. The year of training, from the 8 mile pirates cove loop countless times before Nepal to a windy 4th of July run to my first 50k to my last training run on Thanksgiving, will all be put to the test. Time cutoffs and rain and dark….lots to contend with….and then I thought I was getting sick earlier this week.

I would love to say that I’m really excited and cant wait, but I think I’m more cautiously optimistic than anything. I’ve put in the training, but I’m still concerned about the time cutoffs. I wish I had been able to get in more long days, but I know I did plenty of 20-milers. I have two 50k races and one 50k training run under my belt, but I still wish I had been able to get to 40. I have to be at the first cutoff by 11:20…23 miles. I should be ok for that, at almost six and a half hours, I should be at 26 miles by that point. I’m more worried about the second one…3:15 and 36 miles. Granted, I should be at mile 40 by then, but I tend to slow down around mile 20-25. Add to that, those miles will most likely be my least favorite – the descent that scares me the most followed by some tough, but not the toughest climbing. Ugh…the rest of its not that bad…at least that’s what I tell myself. The third cut-off is the end…after a pretty tough climb (the toughest in my opinion, cause it just keeps going….and going…and going….) up Coyote Ridge. But from there, it’s a downhill I’m pretty familiar with, the uphill I’m really good at hiking, and downhill to the finish. Easy as that, right?

And there’s the fact that its been raining all week. ALL WEEK. Seriously? I know we need the rain, but really, this week? Ugh….as of right now, there’s no rain in Saturday’s forecast, but that keeps changing and I’m pretty sure it will be wet anyway. Hopefully I dont crash out….and it doesnt slow me down too much. I need all the help I can get.

But, on some level I’m still excited. I packed my bags for the crew and the drop bag station, and it was kind of fun….thinking about what I would need and the most efficient way to pack things. It’s going to be all about keeping moving, even at the aid stations. I need to finish this for my 100 miler in March.

Its been a crazy week, well…crazy few weeks. But, I’m enjoying what’s probably my last glass of wine until Sunday (provided I want a glass of wine on Sunday…haha) and chatting about the race with Brian. No matter what happens, it will be an adventure. I hiked to Everest while sick….I can do this…at least that’s what I tell myself.

Until next time….over and out.

Coyote Ridge 50k(ish) Race Report

Posted on October 18, 2014 by knevinger

So it was a day of the three times I thought about quitting and the one time I didnt…

The first was just before the .9 mile mark, coming through pirate’s cove the wrong way (well, according to me…it’s just different than how I usually do it). I rolled my ankle, and it was pretty sore. I spent sometime walking it out, and just decided to get to the aid station in Tennessee Valley, and reassess. I got there, and it was actually feeling ok. So, I continued up Marincello, and out towards the Bonita Cove turn around. Such beautiful views along the way.

The second time was around mile 10, and I was feeling pretty good…I was actually ahead of the pace I wanted, legs felt good, and I was running down a gentle slope towards bunker road. I got to the road, and didnt see any pink ribbons. I looked down the road, across the road, and still didnt see anything. The course had been really well marked, so I couldnt believe that there wouldnt be ribbons here….come to think of it, I couldnt remember the last time I saw a ribbon. I knew where I was…..I just didnt know where the course went. And of course it was the one area I didnt know very well. But, I did know that the trail across the street would meet up with Miwok, which would take me to Old Springs, which is how I was supposed to get back to Tennessee Valley. I confirmed with a cyclist, and was on my way…kind of like choose your own adventure, except it was choose your own course. And really, who doesnt love an unnecessary climb up a hill over a mile long….

I got back down to Tennessee Valley and let them know what happened – I didnt really care about the distance, let’s be honest, it’s not like I was in it to win it or I had cut enough of the mileage to impact how I would finish. But, I was concerned that there was some sort of check-in at the Point Bonita aid station, and they’d send out the emergency crews to find me if I didnt check in. Of course, they had no idea if anyone was checking…just that they were not checking. But I could ask when I got back to Muir Beach.

Then came the hot, slow, hike up Fox Trail…really slow. Ugh…but, at that point, after rolling an ankle and getting lost, I was really just trying to get mileage in. Hopefully I can work on the pace for the next two months and still be ok for North Face.

After Fox Trail came the long, steep, descent into Muir Beach…..pretty terrifying for some reason. I’m not sure if I’ve always been afraid of that descent, or if this is a new development. It got better towards the end, and I was able to run out to the bridge and across it, over to the aid station. I asked the volunteer who was helping me about checking in at the aid station I missed….she didnt know either, but said I could work with the race director to figure out the distance when I was done. I told her I wasnt as worried about that (my watch would give me the distance), I was more worried about being reported missing.

Then, began the long climb up and out of Muir Beach, and the reverse trek through Pirate’s Cove….and it was so hot…ugh. There were three of us, and we all kept stopping and taking breaks. But, one foot in front of the other does the trick, and I was on my way down into Tennessee Valley again. The last time I thought about quitting would have been somewhere in Pirate’s Cove, when I realized that was technically another turn-around point.

But, I decided the miles were more important, and after a sandwich and a ton of liquids, began making my way up Marincello, around some random airport thing, and down a steep descent to Old Springs trail. I felt pretty good on Old Springs and decided to jog….until I tripped down a step, and rolled my ankle again…..ok, maybe no jogging. And then a second trip up Fox Trail….just as tough since I was tired, but it was far cooler and there was a bit of a breeze. The trip back down into Muir beach seemed less treacherous the second time around, and I feel like I was able to run more of it. Before I knew it, I was down and dodging people as I crossed the bridge to the finish line…..the time I didnt quit….

I had some water and animal crackers at the finish line, followed by a beer (amazing…), and hung out with the people there for a bit, before walking the mile and a half back to the car. I opted for that instead of the shuttle since I lost some distance when I messed up the course.

And, now I’m enjoying a really bad horror movie and my favorite owl beer while my body contemplates exactly what I did to it today. Though, I was able to enjoy some dinner, so I think I did better with the hydration since the roof of my mouth doesnt feel like sandpaper. Other than that, I’ll be reevaluating the rest of my training plan….maybe look to spend an equal amount of time getting better at what I’m already good at and trying to get better at the stuff I’m not….and do some more long runs….

Animal-Palooza

Posted on October 11, 2014 by knevinger

I love trail running….always an adventure. I set out today to get in 25 miles, as a warm-up for my second 50k next weekend. Adrienne was planning to join me for the first ten or so through pirate’s cove.

We set out towards the first hill to Pirate’s Cove, and come across a group of people – mainly kids, looking at something in a meadow. We slow down and Adrienne asks if it’s a coyote…the group told us there was a baby. As they’re oohing and ahhing over its cuteness, my first question was – where’s mom….but then I figured, it was a coyote (not terribly dangerous) and I was pretty sure I could outrun at least one person in the mass of people…haha. It was pretty cute and seemed pretty oblivious to the fact that anyone was watching it.

Coming through Pirate’s cove was more gnarly than I remember, but then again, I haven’t been there since the end of August. It was pretty foggy, but still a great view. We descended down the massive hill into Muir Beach, and at the bottom, we had a couple of hikers with dogs tell us they ran into a women in front of us that had seen a large mountain lion, with pointy black ears. Awesome…exactly what I want to find on the trail. But, since it sounded like it was headed in the direction we came from, we figured we’d head up the route we planned.

We start up Middle Green Gulch, and at some point come across somewhat fresh mountain lion poo…we hope it’s from when it was heading away from us, and decide if we keep talking, we’ll scare it away if there is anything there. We go up a little further, and find pee….at that point, I’m walking up the trail with my arms above my head, yelling “roar”, “roar”. Of course we’re on a brush-filled, pretty much single track, trail. I’m just waiting for something to jump out and eat me. I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved to be at the top of a hill.

As we made our way back down to Tennessee Valley, we ran into a couple with their dogs, we warned them about the mountain lion, and they told us about one they had seen too. They did tell us that the thing with pointy black ears was a bob cat, because they have pointy black ears. That’s relieving….

As we ran down the last bit of trail, we heard some god-awful animal noises…we of course asked what it was, and someone passing by told us it was a mountain lion eating someone. Really?? Who says that??

We get back, Adrienne heads off on her way, and I head out towards fox trail. I end up coming back to fill my water, but got a glimpse of the steepness I will encounter next week. Then I head over towards the visitor’s center….having decided to stay in populated areas for the rest of the day. At that point, I was feeling pretty tired….being sick all week was starting to set in. I got to the top of marincello and made my way down bobcat. I stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the air-show and get some photos of the blue angels as they popped up above the hills. Half way down bobcat, my lungs started to burn….kind of like a cramp, but more of a burn. Stupid congestion…..but I had to get to 20, or I really wouldn’t be able to do the race next weekend.

I crawled up miwok, noticing all of the people perched on the peaks watching the air show. At this point, I was pretty much walking, but was glad for the downhill brought by Old Springs. I was able to pick up the pace, but the lungs were still burning. At some point, I looked up and saw something up on the ridge above me….at first I thought maybe a person, but then I realized it was an animal. My first thought was coyote, but it was pacing and I found out later that coyotes don’t pace….only mountain lions do. My first thought was to bomb down the hill as fast as possible, but then I realized I was sick, and I’d probably fall…and if whatever it was did see me running, it might decide to chase me. So I backed away….and kept turning around. Watching it pace…..a mile from Tennessee Valley….a mile never seemed so far away.

At one point there were four people coming up the trail towards me….I warned them about what I thought was the coyote, and one of the guys asks, “only one”? Ummm….yeah….I don’t know, I didn’t stop and ask his party size.

I got down and got the rest of my 20 miles in….I’m still concerned about next week’s race, but, I did get to the 20. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better and have more energy in another week. I need that to go well.

Once I began the drive home, I thought the adventure was over. But, not yet…..I drive over the bridge and end up pretty much in gridlock….but then my lane and the one to the left were moving….the one on the right – pretty much at a standstill. As I near the end of the bridge, I see the issue….more deer on the bridge? Nope. A super slow car? Thought so, but no. Wait for it…..there’s someone riding a bike….across the bridge…..in the traffic lane. Seriously?? I mean, I’ve done some stupid stuff on my bike and ended up places I shouldn’t. But how do you mess that up? How do you end up on 101?

I continue making my way into the city, now stuck in some air show traffic, when I notice there’s still a United 737 flying through the bay, putting on a show as best as it can. Then I look over to the other side of the road and realize there are cars pulled off the road, on the approach to the bridge, so the people could get out and watch the united plane….I’m imagining how the conversation in that car went….’honey, honey, pull over on 101 so we can get out and watch the 737, because, well, we can’t see that at the airport’.

Then, when I’m finally on divisidero, heading home….and it’s bumper to bumper traffic all the way up. Of course, the car doesn’t like that and is all sorts of beeping at me. Transmission hot….speed up. Awesome….ok car, I know you don’t like this….I don’t like this, but unless you’re going to turbo charge through the SUV in front of us, you’re just going to have to deal.

And….finally home. Showered, fed, and ready to enjoy some wine. Over and out until next time…..

Trail Runner Problems…

Posted on September 20, 2014 by knevinger

I set out today to run 20 miles and see the rest of the North Face course. Unfortunately the crazy busy-ness of franchise work and holiday work over the past two weeks and being sick caught up with me. I felt so sluggish and tired…ugh. But, on the plus side, I learned so much and had so much fun over the past two weeks, I wouldn’t change it. I can handle a slow run….haha….

Going up the first two trails…way, way up, I was able to actually try some of the strategies I’ve been thinking about with those hills. Went pretty well in a lot of places and was the fastest I’ve climbed some parts of the trail. I didnt know that while I was running, and I still felt sluggish. I figured I’d get to Cardiac, and go from there.

I got up to Cardiac, and decided to head down Dipsea, rather than do the extra Matt Davis/Dipsea loop. I was still feeling pretty tired, and I still hadn’t figured out where the course went between Oceanview and Muir woods, so thought I would figure that out. So, down Dipsea I went….almost literally…stupid mud…and, that’s where the adventure began….

I get to the Ben Johnson trail, which I’ve done one other time, that I can remember. It was the one I thought maybe I could run down last week and rolled both ankles several times – lots of fun. So this week, I thought I would take it slow…maybe last week was a fluke or something. After I got through the part that was real crazy, I started to jog again…unfortunately, it didn’t take long to roll my left ankle again….awesome. It was then that I realized something….I’m terrified of this trail.

After I rolled it and walked it out a bit, I realized I didnt want to run anymore and roll it again….at least until I was off this particular trail. So, I walked (really awesome, since I already felt slow and sluggish)….and made sure I was watching where I was going. Of course, I watched the ground so closely that I didnt see the tree branch I ran into….fabulous….stupid trail, I hate you…..and I hate it more that I’m afraid of you….especially since I don’t really know how to get over it. I’m just hoping if I do it enough, eventually I won’t be afraid anymore. I can handle the scary steps in Pirates Cove now, so I don’t think it’s impossible….I hope.

That terrible trail ended at Muir Woods, and picked up another trail that wouldnt have been so bad, if I wasn’t so exhausted. I tried to run as much as possible, since I really wanted to get away from Muir Woods and all of the tourists. As I was running up part of it, I’m pretty sure I came across a couple who had just gotten engaged…

I got up to Alice Springs camp (not sure if that’s what it’s actually called, but it makes me think of Outback and Cheese Fries, so let’s go with it) and began the descent on Fern Trail. I really liked this one…easily runnable and very few spots that the trail could try to kill me. This went down and met the Lost trail, except this time, I wasn’t lost. Unfortunately then it headed up…and up…and up. Hope you like stairs….I finally got to the top, and thankfully, the sign wasn’t broken, so I knew exactly where to head for the next part…..

Unfortunately, more up. And some lady in wedge flip flops and an outfit fit for an office. She looked relatively miserable….but looked at me like I was the crazy one, probably because I was covered in sweat and mud….it’s a trail…you’re supposed to be covered in mud…haha. Anyway, once I got up, the view was beautiful. And some how my foggy day had turned beautiful and sunny. I went the wrong way on the next trail (why would the intersection have a sign…that would be too easy)….luckily, there was one not too far ahead and I quickly righted myself. I found some more trails that I really liked….relatively flat, some slight descents…..and really interesting people.

The first guys were more annoying than anything. Heard me come up behind them, and rather than share the trail like normal people they stepped into the middle of it so I really had no way around them. Annoying, but it was so pretty and they headed up towards the road pretty quick, so I didn’t really care.

Next, I came across a lady who thought I was a mountain lion coming up behind her….yeah…..nope…just me. But, thanks, I think….

At this point, I was having a lovely time on the trail, but was a little worried about getting back on Dipsea. I knew I still had to go down to get back to the beach, but who knows how Dipsea will get you there…..generally with a lot of up in between….At the meeting of Dipsea and Sun, I had a lady ask me where a bathroom was…..ummmm….yeah….so not the one to ask, let’s be honest. I’m pretty sure most of the bathrooms I used in Nepal changed my opinion of what’s defined as a bathroom. haha….well, that and the random port-a-potty I used at the meadow earlier. Really, it’s the woods….there arent bathrooms….but, I was nice and told her there would be some at Muir Woods and Muir Beach, but I didnt know how far it was to either. It was kind of fun to pull out my strava route and show her where we were and when those places were in relation.

The rest of Dipsea down to Muir Woods was pretty easy and pretty uneventful. To the guy I almost blew my nose on, I’m sorry….

Of course, I get to the bottom, and expect it to be flat between Muir Woods and Muir beach…it was when I made up my own way last weekend. But of course, this is the North Face course…and nothing is flat. I pull out my strava and check the route….yup…cross the road and up Dipsea…..and up and up. As I climbed and climbed, way more tired than I should have been, I thought about what might be waiting at the top…another good view maybe?

Or not….the trail literally t-boned into a fire road….a fire road that I was coincidentally heading back down. Really?? Thanks North Face….I can’t wait to do this at mile 38….but, had I not climbed up, I would have missed the lady asking me for directions:

Her: Do you know which way to go
Me: Where are you going
Her: We thought maybe Stinson beach….
My Thought….well, that’s a nice thought, but based on the sign I passed a half mile ago, it’s five miles to Stinson, ten round trip…and it’s 3:30…that sounds like a long walk in the dark….
Me: Well, I’m not sure, but let me look at my route.
In the meantime, she shows me her map and points over way to the left (Muir Beach is in the bottom right)
Me: um….well, no….we’re here…by Muir Woods….and I show her the dot on my phone.

In the end, she thought maybe they would head down towards Muir Woods….hopefully that’s what they did. Or the guy she was with (pretty sure it was the guy I passed who was peeing in the woods…) has a better sense of direction or knows how to read a map…

I make it back to the car, grabbed some water….had I not been completely out, I may have continued to torture myself and climb up Coyote Ridge, but instead just walked over to where I had seen a water stop for a race earlier. Was curious what the race was, but it was gone. In the end, the run was about 16.5 miles. Not too bad, and maybe if I schedule an early oil change next week, I can get out and get in a 20 miler…..and see the rest of the North Face course.

Speaking of North Face, they posted the course tonight….luckily, it’s what I thought it would be based on some strava courses. Which means after next week, I will have hopefully seen the entire thing. Unfortunately, I’m a little worried. I dont move fast enough to be afraid of the Ben Johnson downhill….and I need to be faster overall….hopefully the additional day of running will help with that….and maybe I’ll add another…..we’ll see. Hopefully there’s enough time to get as good at the muir beach/stinson part as I am at Pirate’s Cover, Marincello, and Miwok….well, good for me that is….and, I guess it’s a good thing I know those trails well, based on the course notes I’ll be covering bob cat, miwok, and coming down old springs in the dark (with a headlamp) on race day….eeeek….I feel like I should practice that…..

I think that’s it for now….over and out…

Sick + Lost = Long Walk

Posted on September 13, 2014 by knevinger

Well, the headlands and Mt. Tam are always an adventure. I set out today to hike or walk, since I was still fighting the head cold from Wednesday, but still wanted to get out there. I mapped the part of the north face past Muir Beach last week, along with a bunch of other pieces so I can get in the rest of my long runs on parts of the course I don’t know as well (and parts I do for the really, really long runs). I had mapped a 20 miler that did most of the North Face course once you pass Muir Beach. My thought was I could walk 10 of that – Muir to Cardio, down Dipsea to Ben Johnson to Fern to Lost trail (fitting name 😉 to several others, before heading back to Muir Beach.

But, of course nothing ever goes according to plan, hence the adventure. It starts out easy enough, parking was way easier than I thought it would be, despite the late start. I tossed on some sun screen, pulled out the water, put on the headphones, and I was off. I’m pretty used to Redwood Creek and Heather cutoff at this point, and I have a plan to run them, of course today I only planned to hike, so I continued to plan and look for where I would run during the race as I hiked. I hit Coastal and continued to do the same thing….now I just need to run it. haha.

Then I hit Cardiac, which is where I should have called it a day, turned around, and headed home for what would have been a ten mile hike. But instead, I really, really wanted to see some new trails. So I headed down Dipsea, the same way I came up during the 50k. Much, much easier going down. I hit Ben Johnson pretty quickly, and it was actually a lot of fun. At some point I crossed a log bridge, stepped in water, and ducked under a log all at once. My foot was wet, my hands were dirty, and I was in heaven. I had to stop and turn around and just enjoy the fact that this was my playground.

Then I went flying…and went flying again. Some lady I passed told me I had a really good pace going…if only I had any control…haha. Then I rolled my ankle…again. So thankful for the rock tape….I roll the good one, and it doesnt really care, but the bad one…well, it still feels bruised hours later.

I took that trail down into Muir Woods….at some point I passed a couple hiking with Bud Light and a cooler….they had to be mid-50’s which made them that much cooler. Though, while hiking with beer might be fun, let’s be honest, I have enough issues staying on my feet – I definitely don’t need the help of a few beers. haha. Of course I got turned around in Muir Woods and ended up doing some sort of lap which got me back to the same trailhead I came in at…stupid Muir Woods. So, I went back up and tried a different way (and stopped to take a picture for a family), and found a hill…up to a campground….and then I found Fern trail. Nice trail….a lot of it runable if it’s the one I’m thinking of. Overall, a lot of what I found was either very runable or will kill me if I try – not too much middle ground.

I took that to the Lost trail, which was a good name, since I was feeling kind of lost. The hill and stairs on that make what I’ve seen of the Dipsea look like a pancake. Good God, I thought the stairs would never end…and then there were more. Finally I reached the top and asked someone coming down what trail they were coming from, and it was the one I needed. But, shortly in, the directional sign was broken and someone told me the trail only went one way. I had the Strava route on my phone, and tried to figure it out, but it was too tough to tell….nothing really looked right, but I knew the way they were pointing, back to Muir Woods, wasn’t right. But, rather than actually get lost, I took that way….asked someone coming up again where they were coming from, and they said Muir Woods. It was a nice trail….would have been a great run had I not been sick and beat up.

I got to Muir Woods, and found myself in a sea of tourists and children and pets and people and ugh….how do I get back to my car? I got to the exit, wandered through the store, and finally found a ranger. Of course, I had to wait for the guy with the cigarette hanging out of his mouth to finish telling the ranger about the deers in the woods to find out how to get back, but ok….I’d made it this far.

After expressing his shock that cigarette guy and I weren’t together – yes, me in my running gear and him with his cigarette, we look like travel companions….I ask him how to get back to Muir Beach. He asks if I’m driving…..and had somewhat of a look of shock when I told him I’d wandered down from Cardiac. He told me I was about 3 miles from the beach, and that I could pick up Redwood Creek Trail past the second parking lot. I thanked him, and headed off on my way.

I dont think I had ever been so glad to see Redwood Creek trail….I knew where I was :). I was so happy, I started to jog, despite the sick and the overall wanting to be done. See I do really well on my trails…haha.

I hated losing my 20 miler today, but there’s still time before North Face, and that 50k in October…

In other news, I made sure the adventure would continue past North Face, and signed up for the Umstead 100 mile endurance run in NC in March. Sometimes I think I’m completely crazy…other times, I think it’s totally doable. It’s a bunch of 12.5 mile loops….ugh. But, I’m guaranteed to see my family and friends at least that many times, more if they’re in different locations around the course. It’s also flat, which eliminates the ability to have a break on the downhill, it also removes all of the crazy uphill. I think the biggest hill is 150 feet over the span of a mile and a half…basically the bootcamp hill over three or four times the distance. My first climb today went from 600 feet to 1800 feet in just over that distance. I can do it….I still have plenty of time, right??

I think that’s it for now…over and out, until next time….

Adventurous Wanderer

Ramblings of an Adventurous Wanderer

Tag Archives: 50 miler