My first few really long runs took a lot out of me as it took some time to get a handle on hydration and energy needs for such long runs(4h at 5-6mph). As an intermediate step in my training I participated in the La Jolla Half Marathon. This would be my first official race longer than 5K. I was a little nervous, as I have never paced myself in a race of this length, and was unsure if I could maintain my training paces during a race setting. On April 23rd, 2006 I toed the line with 3000 other hungry runners, 13 miles North of our finish line in La Jolla. The gun sounded, the herd slowly moved forward until it thinned enough for the lead packs to take off. I started at a steady 7-7:15min/mile pace and was feeling solid. The first 5 miles flew by, I found myself somewhere in the top 150, which I was stoked about. Then at mile 5.5 came “the big hill”, which by my standards was a minor ant hill. I'd been training at 2000-4000ft of elev gain a run, so 400ft was nothing. I cruised through the hill, and hit the top feeling stronger than ever, so I upped the pace to 6:30-6:45min/mile. I started to fly past those who had exhausted themselves on the hill, first slowly, then in groups of 5-10. After the final downhill at mile 12 I was told I was in 103rd place, no way was I finishing out of the top 100 now. I poured on the pace as I was still feeling good, finishing the last mile in 6:15min, and the race in a time of 1:30:38 in 78th place, much better than I ever thought I would do. What made me the most proud was that I felt good at the end, as if I could go the extra 37 miles!!!!
I spent two more weeks training at long mileage, then eased off the week before my big race. On the morning of May 19th myself and the 3 McNew's headed for Bishop to do a little climbing and to prepare for my race. We spent Friday afternoon bouldering near Bishop, and I went for a small jog to get my breathing and pacing down for the elevation. After a massive pasta dinner with the other race participants in Bishop I headed back to camp to unwind and prepare for the next day.
Then off on the final 1400ft climb to the race's pinnacle at 9400ft. The next 3 miles uphill were mostly walking as the elevation was finally taking it's toll on this low lander. This section was nicely shaded and a welcome relief from the sun that would be relentless all day. At 1030a I reached the Overlook at 9400ft and the high point of the race, relieved I could finally head downhill. I began to slowly jog down across a few snow patches when I started to feel a slight ache in my right knee, not good being that it was only mile 20. I returned to the Edison Loop aid station, and stopped to rest for 10min. Taking some Ibuprofen and icing my knee. I decided to continue on and just take it easy on my knee for the next few miles. A short uphill section then down down to Intake 2 and Highway 168, mile 26.5 at 12pm. This was the final loop of the race, a 6 mile mixed road/trail section at 8400ft. By far one of the most tiring sections; as the distance, elevation, and heat were starting to hit me. I jogged/walked the next 6 miles, returning to Intake 2 at 130p. I made my final shoe and sock change, ate part of a burrito and some fruit, and took more Ibuprofen. I was starting to wear down, that's when I got some much needed encouragement. One of the older gentlemen manning the aid station came over and told me I was still looking good. He also mentioned that I was keeping pace with one of the sponsored teams in the race(Team Vasque). This is all the competitive fire I needed to push me on.
After my break I speed walked up the next 500ft hill and then began the long downhill back to Mills Pond. I pushed on through the upper elevations where I was still feeling fatigued. At mile 37.5 I took down some Red Bull, fruit, and HEED electrolyte drink which did the trick. I hit my second wind at mile 40, just when I needed it. I cruised back down to the Buttermilk aid station at mile 41 arriving at 3pm ready to roll. I grabbed some more fruit and HEED and took off at my 6mph pace. I passed up two single runners who were slowing down as I jogged downhill. The heat was starting to become a major factor, 90 degrees and sunny at 6100ft. I packed ice into my hat at the next aid station and diluted down the energy drink in my camelbak. Down down down, Team Vasque was still running ahead of me, but on a long straight away I saw them, less than a 1/4mile ahead. I poured on the pace, picking it up to 7mph. Just after the final aid station with less than 2 miles to go I passed the two I had been chasing for the past 18 miles. They were slowing down while I was speeding up, almost there, almost done. I sped down toward Mill Pond, with a huge relief hitting me as I reached the outskirts of the park. The final 1/2mile through the park was exciting, knowing that I had done it, I had completed my first 50miler.
Results found at www.LaJollaHalfMarathon.com and www.bhs50.com