TALES FROM THE TRAIL (AND SOMETIMES THE ROAD TOO)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Big Baz WTRS 21k

Rain poured down upon us all night, waking me every couple of hours.  I said out loud, “Boy am I in trouble.”

2:55 AM, I lay in bed, wide awake.  Finally, I made it out to the couch where I slept until 5:45.  Thankfully, the rain had ceased.  First thing I did (after brewing coffee) was check weather.com.  The website reported rain all day, except for partly cloudy skies between 8:00 AM and noon.  Exactly what I needed.

I will try to make a long story short (because I did after all, make a video).  The weather was cold in Blue Jay Campground.  Runners bundled up in winter running gear.  I couldn’t decide:  wear or pack?  After much debate, I finally decided to pack warmth in my hydration pack, because I figured I would rather put on than take off during the race.

I saw quite a few running friends, and some running friends were absent.  I was especially happy to see Lori, whom I haven’t seen in so long (unfortunately, the photo I snapped of us, didn’t turn out, but she’s the girl wearing back in front of me in a portion of the video).

Oh yes, I wrote that I’d make this short.  Well, in short, Horse Thief Trail was hell.  PURE HELL.  I kept up pretty well with “my” group up until nearly the top of that trail.  My energy temporarily drained, that’s when I lost them.  I was utterly wiped out at the top of Horse Thief that I had to stop at the aid station there.  The guys at the station asked how I liked Horse Thief.  I told them, I didn’t much like it at all (though the views were gorgeous.)  The ranger said I had just missed the snow flurries (bummer) as I stood there gulping down their cold, cold water.  I got brain freeze drinking their supply before taking off again. 

I can’t tell you the relief I felt passing the last aid station with only 2.5 miles remaining.  I was quite cold, but didn’t want to stop to take out a warm shirt.  I thought to myself, just easy-going from here (mistake – never think that!)  And then out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her!  There was a woman gaining on me.  And behind her, another woman.  Where did they come from?  I hadn’t seen anyone for a long time.

“SH**!” I said.  And I had enough energy to kick it in, keeping my pace at around a 9 minute mile for the remainder of the way.  My motivation:  I had already accepted my place in the race.  (Races with about 100 runners, basically all trail races, I have a pretty good idea how many runners are behind me).  Anyway, if these two women passed me, or even one of them, well – heck, I suppose I don’t have to explain.  I was a little disappointed for lollygagging it back when I was all by myself.  

Well, I made sure the two women didn’t pass me by focusing hard on the trail (didn’t want to fall) and focusing on the garmin.  And I crossed the finish line smiling. Smile

Conserving Energy Going Up San Juan Trail

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Going Up Horse Thief Trail

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Aid at Top of Horse Thief

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Lake Elsinore View from Main Divide

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Baz’s Raffle

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Elevation Profile:  + 3051 ft. & Video Below

My Activities Big Baz 21k 2-19-2011, Elevation - Distance

Cleveland National Forest

Upon reaching home, it pretty much rained the remainder of the day.

p.s.  I kept up with my target a good long while, almost to the top of Horse Thief, then he took off like a thief in the night!

6 comments:

  1. Hey Lauren way to go! That is an awesome race to do and glad you dropped those 2 women at the end!
    I also see you hung out a little bit with Doug Malewicki (1st pic). That guy is great and helped me through my first trail race ever up there with Baz...
    Happy to see you finish strong!

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  2. Nice to meet you Lauren on Saturday. Wish I could have kept up with you and Doug. I need to do Horse Thief a few more times. Thanks for doing the videos. See you again.

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  3. I did this race last year and *loved it*!!! Finishing is quite the accomplishment. If anyone gives you grief, just send them up Horsethief!

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  4. Hi Rich! Long time no see : ) Thanks for reading. That race was a blast. But I really gotta make it back to Horsethief again. It nearly did me in!

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  5. Nice to meet you too Jeremy. You look a lot younger in person (that's why I didn't recognize you, because I had read your blog). I lost Doug at mile 7 (or rather he lost me : ). I need to do Horsethief a lot more times. I thought nothing could compare to Holy Jim, but now I know! Are you running Baz's 50k next week?

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  6. Tell me about it Glenn! I died of a broken heart a thousand times (my husband's words), because so many times I thought each turn in that switch-back was near the end. But I was so, so far. Then when I could finally see the top! I couldn't believe it. When Doug came up behind me and said "Twelve minutes to go," I wanted to collapse on the spot!

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