50K Training Run Like No Other

This was the second weekend in the Canyons on my journey to not only train the body to suffer but hopefully absorb some more knowledge from the sage runners who have frequented this trail for years.
I entered the morning with a bit of trepidation. I had recently increased my mileage with more trail days, longer runs and three days of running back to back. The recipe resulted in some left lateral knee inflammation towards the end of the week that I have been nursing with some ice, E stim and occasional ibuprofen. To my surprise I thought I might get a bit of a taper in my long run this weekend since Miwok 100K was the following Saturday but Julie seemed to shift gears on me and said I should try for 8hrs in the Canyons! The morning started out with Amy in Michigan Bluff with some recognizable cars already emptied so friendly faces would be up ahead.

Within the first downhill mile I had turned my ankle twice, a feat I have pretty much managed to avoid all season, so I wondered which of the two new parts of the equation were to blame. I was breaking in my second pair of Cascadias today (still a bit stiff) and I was wearing my hydration pack for fuel muling instead of my typical two hand helds. One of these or my tentative knee concerns had to be the responsible party. Anyway, when Amy and I got to the bottom of the canyon we parted ways with a plan to meet up towards the summit depending on other runners we came across. I decided to run as much of this 4.5mile climb as possible but was a bit disappointed at first that much still needed to be hiked. Not sure why I felt this way since similar terrain would certainly be hiked come 6/26. About half way up I came upon Tony Lafferty and we chatted a bit and told him that Amy was just behind me and for him to keep her honest with her effort to keep them both healthy with their respective ailments. Mine was surprisingly non existent to this point in the day. Tony told me a big group of locals were about 4-5min ahead so I made the surge to try to catch for company and more hopeful instruction!

Prior to Deadwood Cemetery I was able to catch the posse of local runners (Matt K, Derek S, Ryan R, Karalee, Stephen I, John N, Marty H, Bob C. and Chops) I hung towards to back of this strong hiking group and chatted a bit with Steve until we all rolled into The Pump. I introduced myself to the new faces and we ate a bit before they took off and I said we would catch them on return trip as I waited for Amy. The transition was a quick one as Amy and Tony arrived just as the others headed to Devils Thumb. The three of us continued up to DT with Tony offering up some trail history before he decided to return in hopes of being healthy for Miwok next weekend. Amy and I marched down DT to Swinging Bridge and then up through the switchbacks towards Last Chance. This is a tough long hike up and am thankful that on race day this is done the other direction for a fast descent. We managed to catch the group just 4min outside of LC and decided to turn around as they came down and spent the remainder of our run with all of them.

Many of them were running all the way to Drivers Flat for about 47miles today and I was amazed at that amount of time on their feet in mid/late April! I thought a return back to MB might be enough but if I felt good I might try to carry on with them to FH. Much of the downs were spent picking every one's brains especially Matt who ran along with me a good portion of the day. Each time that I had an opportunity to run with a new runner I was all ears if they were willing to share their perspective on WS and they all were! When we returned to the cars at MB I had put in 6hours on my feet and about 25miles. We all refueled and Amy was ready to take her winnings and call it a day as she creeps back in from her injury. She was willing to drive my car to FH and await our arrival while she had a Corona and read her book. I realized at this point that the hydration pack is just not going to work for me. I felt I had under hydrated with its less convenient access as well as its added weight was not helping. So, when we headed out through Volcano Canyon I would go minimalistic with a simple bottle in my hand.

I remembered this portion of the course vaguely as being unpleasurable with a lot of exposed areas and some decent fire roads to hike along with a steep climb out onto Bath road. My memory was correct but I was pleased to be reminded of the fast downs and a pleasant and swift Volcano creek that made for a nice soaking on the first warm day of the training year. Lots of good conversation was had and I felt like I was starting to earn my keep and integrate into this great group of locals who I match up well with in fitness and personality; even if lacking in the experience they all have.

In the end we ran into Forresthill at the high school with a 50K on my feet and 7.5hours completed. Wow I never thought a 50K would take 7.5 hours but it was exactly the type of day I needed to grasp the concept of a day during WS! We hung around for an hour or so socializing and sharing up a few beers as a thank you for all the knowledge and new friendships made. Next week, a nice diversion as I head to Marin for my longest run to date; Miwok 100K.