The post race euphoria has gone by now and the tired muscles are slowly recovering...in fact I ventured out for my first post Vancouver New Year's Day 50km run this morning. Time to reflect on an epic day.
After an intense taper because of a pre Christmas stomach flu, I feared I forgot how to run, lost all my training and was in general sandbagging mode. The weather forecast of torrential rains and gale force winds did not raise my mood. 50km...what was I thinking?
The first day of 2006 dawned gray and mild, but almost dry. The forecast was upgraded to showers (which Vancouverites know to mean there may or may not be dry spells in between downpours). I had difficulties deciding what to wear. Would it be better to be hot and dry or comfortable, but soaked. In the end I opted for a long sleeve technical shirt and my MEC burly weather jacket, with a short sleeve shirt and vest in a drop bag for the turn-around. The hydration pack was filled with an electrolyte concoction, enough gels to survive a couple of days, some granola bars, money, an emergency blanket and a flashlight.
The starting area at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park was one busy place. We had close to 100 preregistered runners all eager to start the year with a 50km run. When Ean sent the field off (I swear his watch was a few minutes early), I discovered that I had forgotten to put my post race bag into Michelle's car. By the time I had things organized (thanks for waiting, Pat and Michelle - sorry for the confusion Cheryl, Rhonda and Faith) we were dead last. At least no pressure to keep up with the fast guys ;-)
All pre race jitters were forgotten. I felt pumped and we had to make an effort to keep our pace down. Winding through the trails in Stanley Park Doug Keir and Baldwin Lee, who must have slept in, passed us. Both were somewhat familiar with the course and didn't slow down to read the course instructions (the worst combination and a sure way to get lost...) After rescuing them 3 times from a wrong turn, they finally decided it was prudent to stay with us through the park. Not sure how they fared for the remainder of the run?
Pat, who missed some of our long training runs because of sickness, decided that a 25km run was probably enough for her, turned around at Kits Beach. Michelle and I ventured on, now seriously trying to catch up to Faith and Cheryl.
I don't know about you, but 10km into the run I was still not sure what the best clothes were for the day. Long sleeve tech shirt and vest started to be too hot. Off went the jacket, but once we turned west, the winds started to pick up and rain was pelting us, I needed more. Off went the shirt and on went the jacket. That kept me happy for a while, although I was concerned about chafing around the neck from the hydration pack - the shirt had provided a layer between pack and skin that the jacket didn't.
At Jericho Beach we passed the 8km Resolution Runners just assembling for an 11:00 am start. Cheryl and Faith still were nowhere to be seen. Jordan and John's aid station just before the course veers off into Pacific Spirit Park was a welcome reason for a short break, gummy worms and a chocolate chip cookie.
My hips started to get sore on the long flat area and both Michelle and I were happy to be back on soft trails and varied terrain in Pacific Spirit Park. The 7+km to the turn-around seemed easy and fast. High fiving all the runners already on the return leg certainly was a mood buster (not that we were suffering). Thanks for all those lies centered around "Looking good".
We picked up Cheryl just before crossing 16th Ave, but still no sight of Faith...did she get lost on the trails? The rains were still holding back and the woods protected us from the gale force winds on the beach. Approaching the turn-around we even spotted some blue sky and I felt almost giddy. 
What a good surprise it was to find a fully staffed aid station with smiling, happy folks including my husband, at the turn-around. I guess this is were we spent the 4 minutes that were missing for an under 7h finish time in the end...Thanks John and Sarah.
The Coquitlam group set out for the return trip with us, but we could not keep up with their 10/1 rhythm of running and walking, no matter how severely Pete was bonking ;-) Eventually, we lost sight of them and continued through the mud alone. I have no recollection of loosing Cheryl, but somewhere she stayed behind and despite a wait at the aid station, did not catch up again. We did however catch a glimpse of Faith before driving rain and winds made us put our heads down and just focus on each single step getting us closer to the more protected area of Point Grey Road. Mercifully, the elements had pity and by the time we hit Kits Beach, we had roped in Faith and Roy. One by one we passed more runners and despite starting to get tired, were riding a endorphin high.
Our pace was perfect. Michelle seemed to have exactly the same speed and was able to keep up when we started to see the end of a very long 50km (I heard some GPS owners talk about measuring 54km) and increased our speed slightly. Seemed like a whole bunch of lost lambs relied on our navigational skills through Stanley Park. The harder the wind whipped through the old trees the faster we got. We heard at least one tree fall near by and came across another one that blocked the trail. Thankfully, the fire hydrant, aka finish line was near.
As for the "Freeze your Ass Swim" at the end...we tried! The meter high waves crashing into the seawall prevented us to get in. Roy, Michelle and I did sit down on the stairs leading down and got a full body soak instead ;-)
Comments
For the record, I had not sle
For the record, I had not slept in. I had a wardrobe malfunction at the start of the run, where my foot pod for my GPS was low on batteries. And I wasn't lost, I was just adding on, yeah that's the ticket. I was really worried about my performance, it was two weeks to the day that I had rolled on my ankle and I heard the dreaded "pop".
Let's see... We (Doug and I) left you at Prospect Point, from there we headed down to the seawall where we hooked up with Ean who was making sure we were being honest. Past Third, Second Beach, then it was too hot for my jacket so wardrobe change was required. Being the nice guys they are, Doug and Ean continued on their merry way, leaving me behind in mid-struggle. I tried to catch up, until I realized, they're only doing 25K, and technically they're only going as far as 12.5K!
Knowing there was no way I could maintain that pace for 50K, I backed off quite a bit. I decided on conserving my energy for when I really needed it...on the last 3K. Road running was good for my ankle, but I knew it wouldn't last. And here we are at Spanish Banks...break out the chicken noodle and garlic soup! Surprisingly it was untouched, so I immediately had two cups and burned a bit of my tongue in the process. Swapped my Asics for my Hardrocks and slipped on an ankle brace for good measure. Really should've eaten more here. I was burning close to 1000 cal an hour but only put in 300 back, it was going to cost me. From the parking lot to Pacific Spirit park, studied the map and knew the way to go was hard right after the short uphill onto Admirality. Unfortunately some continued on the uphill...oops. Was passed by a couple of Coquitlam FAers. Somewhere on this trail, lost my Hammer gel flask, that sucked. Never caught sight of the main Coq group again, the trail was fine, but lack of nutrition really hurt me. I was cramping pretty bad (quads) and was only able to regain some form after a tasty nugget potato rolled in salt (thank you turnaround volunteers) The return was much easier, ate more soup, still didn't eat at Spanish banks. Rough part past Jericho parking lot, the wind was whipping from the water, rain for the sky was steady, my shoes were soaked from the waterlogged grass and I screamed at the heavens "Is this the best you got?" In response the rain and wind just picked up. Ask a stupid question...I was bonking at this point, somehow made it past Point Grey Rd, and was ready to quit. I stopped and went to a seaside cafe, had a coffee and scone and just sat in front of the fire. Suddenly a pack of runners was on the path, the Coquitlam group who had a support vehicle on a side street at the 25k mark was making its return. Well, if they're going to do it, I might as well go for it. (Note to self, coffee cups are not good running cups, and must resist urge to pour over head) Back on the seawall, concession stands are open for the Polar bear swimmers, order a basket of fries. 2 stands later, go for a snickers bar. Energy levels are better. Make my way back through Prospect Point, don't recognize any of the trails cause of all the downed trees, finished in 6:55. Yay! I also didn't go for the swim, because I didn't want to be sucked out to the ocean. Great run, major confidence booster and I didn't do my ankle any further damage.
Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get something to eat.
So much food ;-)
Sour Stomach Syndrome
Tums
I do make an exception for pre and post race ibuprofen, which prevents my customary post long run headaches and helps to keep my heel injuries in check...
Does anybody know if the calcium in Tums actually is absorbed? I fed Ean some the other night when he was cramping up majorly...and amazingly, the cramping stopped. Could have been a fluke ;-)
Re my sour stomach...it's actually less the acid that bothers me than the collection of processed junk that I am not used to. I believe if I would stay with bananas and potoatoes, I would have no problems - gels are just easier to carry!