~Brad and I in the gymnasium. Brad has just arrived and I've had time to shower.~
I finished. Let me get that out of the way and say that it took me 26 hours and 53 minutes to get back to Cavitt School and complete my first 100 mile endurance run. My emotions got the best of me as I ran by the timer and into the gymnasium. I immediately looked for a place to sit away from the people crowded there and I was literally pulled over to sit by the doc. I collapsed in a folding chair and when asked how I felt, I sobbed. This doctor said something like “look you finished 33rd out of 98 starters, how does this compare to previous ones?” I told him this was my first. I remember my partner Carroll standing there and Pete, a friend I met a week before. Pete was beaming telling me how proud Eldrith would be of my finish.
I met Eldrith back in January of this year. I was overcoming ITBS and not sure if I could run an ultra. After a disappointing run at the Ghost Town 38.5, I ran with Eldrith and several others including Buzz Higgins almost every weekend. I learned a lot and started hearing more names as they introduced me to people. All the time I was emailing Eldrith for advice. As I prepared to run AR50, I got injured again. I took 6 weeks off. I had signed up for the Ohlone Wilderness 50k and ran it against the advice of Eldrith. One thing I did learn was to believe in myself. I also learned “Do as I do, not as I say!” Wink.
I met Eldrith back in January of this year. I was overcoming ITBS and not sure if I could run an ultra. After a disappointing run at the Ghost Town 38.5, I ran with Eldrith and several others including Buzz Higgins almost every weekend. I learned a lot and started hearing more names as they introduced me to people. All the time I was emailing Eldrith for advice. As I prepared to run AR50, I got injured again. I took 6 weeks off. I had signed up for the Ohlone Wilderness 50k and ran it against the advice of Eldrith. One thing I did learn was to believe in myself. I also learned “Do as I do, not as I say!” Wink.
I can sum up this part by saying that 2 months ago I wasn’t sure I could do 100 miles. I did my first 50 at Mt. Hood in July. I took on the attitude of, “ready or not, here I come.” As for training, well a week after Mt. Hood I ran the Skyline 50k and then paced Barbara Freedman for the last 50 miles of her finish at this year’s Headlands 100 (PC Trail Runs.) Considering my history of injuries this was a lot of miles, but I believed I could do it.
So this differs from my previous race summaries. The blow by blow goes like this:
The weather decided to cooperate the weekend of the annual Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Endurance Run held in Granite Bay, with partly cloudy skies, light rain and temperatures in the mid 60’s during the day. A month prior I met up with Lee and Wini Jebian at Cavitt School, the start and finishing lines of the RDL, to learn the beginning of the course. It was blazing hot that weekend, as is the norm for this run. A record 98 runners started the 100 miler with 75 finishers. Jon Olsen smashed the course record by 59 minutes en route to his 3rd consecutive RDL win, finishing in 15 hours and 31 minutes. Other standout performances were 15 year-old finisher Michael Kanning (27:47) and 71 year-old Dieter Walz (29:53.)
Carroll and I arrived on Friday in Granite Bay. We drove by Cavitt School and the first couple of aid stations to map out a plan for the morning. Along the way I pointed out certain key restaurants like Round Table Pizza and Subway, commenting how nice it would be to have food at certain hours during the run. By 4PM we were at the hotel to check in. From there we would return to the school to pick up my packet, and weigh in. Once weighed in, a medical personnel wrote my weight on my bib. This would be my starting weight for the race. Certain aid stations in the run were designated medical stations were I would again hop on the scale. A drop in weight of a few pounds was expected but more than 7% of starting body weight could be the symptoms of dehydration or something more serious. The serious part was never explained to me. I just knew to watch my water, electrolyte and caloric intake.
I awoke Saturday morning at 3:45AM, ate breakfast and after some brief stress relieving stretching, I was downstairs to meet Eldrith Gosney and Buzz Higgins. The 3 of us drove to Cavitt School. Once at the school I also met up with Brad Niess who along with Buzz would by my running partners for the first 55 miles.
After some brief announcements by Race Director Norm Klein, the run starts promptly at 6AM. It’s dark for the first hour so we’re running with flashlights. I’m sticking close to Brad and Buzz as I said for the first 55 miles or so. We kept a conservative pace, aiming for 12 hours to complete the first 50 miles. I do tend to pee more than the other guys for some reason so I had a strategy of running ahead, peeing, and getting back in line with the guys. The first aid station where crew was allowed was Rattlesnake Bar at mile 12. We arrived roughly 20 minutes ahead of our projected time, perhaps a little fast but we were feeling pretty good. After leaving Rattlesnake Bar, the next aid was 7.1 miles and it was water only. Actually, it was self-service as vehicles were prohibited at the Power Plant. After Power Plant, it was another 1.5 miles until Maidu, the next full service aid station. With a total of almost 9 miles between aid, I grabbed an extra water bottle in my drop bag at Rattlesnake Bar.
Where’s Buzz?
The last 2 miles before the Maidu aid station we reached the first major climb in the run. It’s called Cardiac Hill and it’s about 1.5 miles to the top (Cardiac: think steep!) After getting to the top is a short sprint to the Maidu aid station. From there is a short 1.5 miles to Auburn Dam Overlook, the first medical checkpoint and the first of nine cutoffs. We arrive at 11:00 beating the cutoff by a comfortable hour and 40 minutes. Eldrith is somewhere behind us and I’m worried about her. I know she started with an injury. She’s tough and won’t just drop. She’ll have to miss a cut off before leaving the course. I hop on the scale and I’m down 2 pounds! I think Buzz and Brad both gained a few pounds. Where? How? Things get crazy here as I see Brad but where is Buzz? Buzz takes off without us! My first thought is that he’s feeling good. Then Buzz picks up the pace and is just gone. I’m thinking he’s either mad at something or he wants to turn it into a race. So Brad and I continue on and as we are crossing No Hands Bridge around mile 25, we get passed by frontrunner Jon Olsen who just left mile 44 on the way back! Whew, perhaps Buzz is trying to catch him??
I’m a Mountain Goat, I Love Hills, Bring It On!
Brad and I reach the aid station at No Hands Bridge and finally catch up with Buzz. OK, it was a misunderstanding and he thought we were in front of him. Brad’s crew is waiting for him and Carroll’s there. We leave No Hands Bridge and almost immediately begin the climb up the most brutal climb of the run, K2. K2 is a series of 7 climbs each with a false summit. So at least one can count the number of times they don’t reach the top. Huh? A question I’m often asked is “Do you run the whole 100 miles?” Well, the answer for me is “No.” Now Jon Olsen back at mile 25 probably ran up K2. My attack is going to be different. I decide that I’m now a mountain goat, that I love hills. Bring it on! As I ascend K2 I repeat this mantra. At each summit I’m getting more and more confident and I’m getting a little faster. At around the 4th hill I pass a fellow runner (fellow mountain goat?) We exchange phrases like “Keep it up, looking good,” In no time I’m at the top. I’ve banked a little time so I walk a bit to let Brad and Buzz catch up. Right when I’m thinking that they should be right behind me I realize that it’s me that’s off course. I tell Brad I’m going for 101 miles.
Pizza Anyone?
Did I mention that Carroll timed my arrivals perfectly? When Brad, Buzz and I arrived at the Cool Fire Station (mile 30) he was seconds behind with a piping hot pizza! No, I’m not pulling a DK but pizza is my comfort food and I was ecstatic! Remembering those two pounds I’m down, I take a couple slices and without stopping I’m off. The course after leaving Cool loops around for 5.5 miles, climbing another hill before arriving at another liquid only aid station. The Knickerbocker Hill aid station is like a lemon aid stand on the side of highway in the middle of nowhere. From there it’s 2 miles back to Cool and another slice of pizza. Mountain goats love pizza! The second time at Cool is another cut off. We needed to arrive at 5PM and I believe it was 2:30 when we got there. More importantly though is that Carroll informed us that Eldrith checked in the first time at 1:30. She was only a half hour behind us and she was still on the course. That’s our Eldrith!
After leaving Cool our spirits are high. We are ahead of schedule, the major hills are behind us and we are heading back to Cavitt School. Buzz tells us that the trail back to No Hands Bridge is where Eldrith and He got off course last year for an hour. It felt good when we successfully stayed on the trail the whole way and made it in great time. Soon we were back at the Auburn Dam Overlook still beating the cut off by over 2 hours. It was another medical check point and when I stepped on the scale I was now down 4 pounds! Of course Brad gained another pound. I was cautioned to keep drinking water. Did I mention that I was peeing more often than those two? Maybe if I didn’t pee so much I would be gaining weight also.
Night Fall
At the Auburn Dam Overlook we picked up another member of our party: Brad’s first pacer, Paula joined us. Paula was a welcome addition with her smiling face and fresh legs! She joined us just in time to descend Cardiac Hill. After Cardiac it was roughly 6 miles back to the Power Plant. It was during this stretch that a fellow runner and her pacer passed us and I stayed on their heels. Meanwhile, Buzz, Brad and Paula remained back a little way. I would have to pee sooner or later and I knew they would catch up, probably at the Power Plant. We reach the Power Plant and sure enough I have to pee. Upon leaving I’m now running with Buzz. Actually I would no longer be running with Brad during the run. We are just past mile 52, it’s been 12.25 hours and the longest that either of us have ever run. Darkness would be arriving shortly. Brad has a pacer and I’ve got Buzz. I still have the flashlight I used in the morning, which would give me enough light until we reach Rattlesnake Bar, where I stashed another flashlight and my headlight.
They Mostly Come Out at Night
Just before arriving at Rattlesnake Bar, I can hear a few cowbells and some spectators are offering up greetings on the course. Then through a clearing and we’re at the aid station. Jeff Barbier who has just flown in from Tuscon and will be taking over crewing duties for Brad immediately greets me. Someone offers to fill my bottles and ask if I need anything. I ask about the drop bags and I’m frustrated when looking inside I can’t find spare batteries. I’ve located my headlight and extra flashlight though. Buzz looks ready to go and we’re off.
In what seems like a mile down the trail, Buzz mentioned something about his weight on the scale. “Was I supposed to get weighed back there?” I asked. When Buzz answered yes I panicked. Now what? I missed the medical check. Buzz suggested I just keep going. It’s less than two miles to the Horseshoe Bar and it’s dark by this time. I see Jeff Barbier at Horseshoe Bar and tell him about the medical check and ask his advice. He goes over to tell the volunteer who then uses the radio to call over to Rattlesnake Bar. I heard them say #42 checked in. I explain that they got my number but never asked for me to step on the scale. “Just go,” the volunteer told me. “You are clear to go.” I can’t remember getting anything in the way of water or food there as I was so spun. Again, Buzz and I are off.
We are not a tenth of a mile down the trail when my flashlight goes out. No problem as I grabbed a spare back at Rattlesnake Bar. I pull it out of my pack and it’s dead also. It’s a good idea to put fresh batteries in before packing it, I suppose. Since I didn’t find my batteries though I’m down to my headlight. The next 6 miles into Twin Rocks are a rolling section of extremely technical trails. It’s slow going as my eyes are watching my footing and occasionally I’ll turn to locate a flag. The rustling in the bushes indicate the nocturnal wildlife is looking for food. I can make out the musty odor of skunk, which is similar in character to the ripening bud of sensimilla. I doubt anyone out here is partaking. The good news at Twin Rocks is that someone’s crew offers me a couple of double A’s. The family of ultrarunners are some of the nicest people around and I thank you! With light again I leave Twin Rocks. For the next 37 miles, I’m essentially running alone as Buzz begins conserving energy.
It’s a Small World After All
I’m feeling really strong as I arrive back at Cavitt School. There is the more people assembled here than I have seen in a while. The first order of business is to hop on the scale. I’m down 7 pounds. I’m asked if I wouldn’t mind hanging out for a bit, trying to down some soup and fluids. I turn and someone asks, “Jeff? From San Francisco?” Yeah that’s me. It’s David from Eugene, OR who I ran back and forth with at Mt. Hood; small world.
Buzz arrives as soon as I leave Cavitt School and just before I turn off the trail to head down the levy into the darkness, I pass Brad and Paula. Then I catch up to David from Eugene and for the next 4 miles we say very little but run together. We catch up with another runner from Folsom whose name I didn’t get. Once we pass through the Negro Bar aid station I’m now on my own. Several runners are passing now in the other direction on the way to the finish. Two runners are in complete darkness with no light source. I pass one runner just before Hazel Bluff who is wrenching badly, his pacer hopelessly watching.
In My Element
When I get to Hazel Bluff I decide to ditch the extra clothes I added at Cavitt School. It doesn’t really cool down enough to warrant them. Besides the next six miles are along the river and I feel more in my comfort zone. I’m used to getting up at five in the morning and running along Ocean Beach with the wind blowing salty air over the water. The only thing missing is the symphonic foghorns (and the fog) serenading the ships. I find it incredibly peaceful.
I’m a little confused at the trail once I cross the river and Jeff Jones catches up to me. Sometimes the most obvious route is misleading so I need to learn to trust the flags. The trail is also pretty flat at this point. Running is becoming difficult, so as long as I’m walking faster than I run, that’s my plan. On the way to Willow Creek I pass Chihping Fu who is walking really slow but he gives me a “Good job.” Gordie Ainsleigh is heading back in the opposite direction and appears to be in a Zen-like state. I pass Jeff Jones again and once more I’m alone.
A Familiar Face
I finally arrive at Willow Creek and it’s 80 miles into the run. I’m feeling the effects of being up for 21 hours. I thought this was the turn around though and I’m informed I’ve got almost 3 miles to go. Just don’t make me get on a scale, I thought, and they don’t. Then I hear my name called. I look and hear, “It’s me, Heather.” Oh a familiar face. It’s Heather Perry who it turns out is actually pacing. Her runner and her are looking strong and the three of us start off towards Mountain Lion Knoll. Heather appears a bit surprised I’m without a pacer. We pass through a rather noisy underpass and see what appears to be a TV monitor but it turns out to be nothing but a sign. The crowd there reminds me of the beach crowd at night and once again I’m home. I tell myself to just keep doing what I’m doing. This is what I’ve been doing practically every night for weeks, which is walking in the park at night. Runners are no longer passing us in the opposite direction so the turnaround is near. Once at Mountain Lion Knoll I take a few minutes to enjoy some hot soup and melon. Cavitt School is 16 miles away.
A New Day
As I leave the turnaround I’m just determined to maintain a steady pace in a forward direction. I remember passing Michael Kanning and his dad, walking but looking strong. Back at Willow Creek I have to jump on the scale and I’m fighting for a couple of pounds. My starting weight was 154 and he sees 148. I see 150 and he gives it to me. I briefly check my feet for blisters but the dirt is so thick I decide against doing anything. On the way out of Willow Creek I run into a confused Heather who is going in the opposite direction with her runner. We get back on the trail and I won’t get passed for another 10 miles. I cross the river and head up the hill back to Hazel Bluff. Carroll hands me an iced coffee and I suck it down and I’m off. I’m halfway to Negro Bar when the sun comes up. The new day hits me hard. I have my first meltdown and pull it together before running in the Negro Bar aid station. They tell me I’m looking good. I think they learn that at orientation! I’ve since forgotten about trying to focus on what I’ll need at the aid stations. I’m filling my bottle with water and I’ve got enough Endurolytes. The thought of drinking Gatorade is disgusting. The volunteer hands me a cup of potato soup and I chase it with more iced coffee and I’m off.
The new day has brought out the Sunday morning runners. How pathetic I must look to them at this point as they run on by. It’s up one last creek bed littered with rocks and I pass another runner with his pacer. Just before Folsom Dam Park, the last aid station, someone is coming up behind me looking awfully fresh. It’s David from Eugene, OR who’s gotten a new set of legs. By this time the balls of my feet are aching so bad I’m sure that my socks have bunched up and caused major blisters. When I get to Folsom Dam Park waiting for me along side Carroll is Eldrith! My dearest friend made it to Cavitt School before dropping. I check my feet and other than the fact that they are in pain, there’s nothing wrong. My voice is nearly gone. I give Eldrith the Reader’s Digest version of the night. I’m 3 miles away from finishing my first 100. I tell her I could walk to the finish and still make it. She reminds me that there is nothing wrong with that. She tells me she’s seen more runners drop in the final miles for pushing themselves. But I’m so close I want to finish in under 27 hours. She stays at the aid station to pace Buzz to the finish and I take off trying to pick up the pace. Finally, I see the levy and know the school is near and I’ve got a half hour to get there. Not knowing how long it would take, I try to run. It feels awkward and painful but 26 hours and 53 minutes since the race started, I rounded the corner of field at Cavitt School and finished.
I can’t thank enough those that got me to the finish. In addition to Carroll, Buzz Higgins, Brad Niess, Barbara Freedman and Jeff Barbier, I should mention the numerous volunteers, Norm and Helen Klein, all the runners at RDL and host of colorful characters like the guys that sleep in the park. Everyone has a unique story that’s full of inspiration, so thanks.
Thank you Eldrith Gosney for helping me believe that I could do it.
The weather decided to cooperate the weekend of the annual Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Endurance Run held in Granite Bay, with partly cloudy skies, light rain and temperatures in the mid 60’s during the day. A month prior I met up with Lee and Wini Jebian at Cavitt School, the start and finishing lines of the RDL, to learn the beginning of the course. It was blazing hot that weekend, as is the norm for this run. A record 98 runners started the 100 miler with 75 finishers. Jon Olsen smashed the course record by 59 minutes en route to his 3rd consecutive RDL win, finishing in 15 hours and 31 minutes. Other standout performances were 15 year-old finisher Michael Kanning (27:47) and 71 year-old Dieter Walz (29:53.)
Carroll and I arrived on Friday in Granite Bay. We drove by Cavitt School and the first couple of aid stations to map out a plan for the morning. Along the way I pointed out certain key restaurants like Round Table Pizza and Subway, commenting how nice it would be to have food at certain hours during the run. By 4PM we were at the hotel to check in. From there we would return to the school to pick up my packet, and weigh in. Once weighed in, a medical personnel wrote my weight on my bib. This would be my starting weight for the race. Certain aid stations in the run were designated medical stations were I would again hop on the scale. A drop in weight of a few pounds was expected but more than 7% of starting body weight could be the symptoms of dehydration or something more serious. The serious part was never explained to me. I just knew to watch my water, electrolyte and caloric intake.
I awoke Saturday morning at 3:45AM, ate breakfast and after some brief stress relieving stretching, I was downstairs to meet Eldrith Gosney and Buzz Higgins. The 3 of us drove to Cavitt School. Once at the school I also met up with Brad Niess who along with Buzz would by my running partners for the first 55 miles.
After some brief announcements by Race Director Norm Klein, the run starts promptly at 6AM. It’s dark for the first hour so we’re running with flashlights. I’m sticking close to Brad and Buzz as I said for the first 55 miles or so. We kept a conservative pace, aiming for 12 hours to complete the first 50 miles. I do tend to pee more than the other guys for some reason so I had a strategy of running ahead, peeing, and getting back in line with the guys. The first aid station where crew was allowed was Rattlesnake Bar at mile 12. We arrived roughly 20 minutes ahead of our projected time, perhaps a little fast but we were feeling pretty good. After leaving Rattlesnake Bar, the next aid was 7.1 miles and it was water only. Actually, it was self-service as vehicles were prohibited at the Power Plant. After Power Plant, it was another 1.5 miles until Maidu, the next full service aid station. With a total of almost 9 miles between aid, I grabbed an extra water bottle in my drop bag at Rattlesnake Bar.
Where’s Buzz?
The last 2 miles before the Maidu aid station we reached the first major climb in the run. It’s called Cardiac Hill and it’s about 1.5 miles to the top (Cardiac: think steep!) After getting to the top is a short sprint to the Maidu aid station. From there is a short 1.5 miles to Auburn Dam Overlook, the first medical checkpoint and the first of nine cutoffs. We arrive at 11:00 beating the cutoff by a comfortable hour and 40 minutes. Eldrith is somewhere behind us and I’m worried about her. I know she started with an injury. She’s tough and won’t just drop. She’ll have to miss a cut off before leaving the course. I hop on the scale and I’m down 2 pounds! I think Buzz and Brad both gained a few pounds. Where? How? Things get crazy here as I see Brad but where is Buzz? Buzz takes off without us! My first thought is that he’s feeling good. Then Buzz picks up the pace and is just gone. I’m thinking he’s either mad at something or he wants to turn it into a race. So Brad and I continue on and as we are crossing No Hands Bridge around mile 25, we get passed by frontrunner Jon Olsen who just left mile 44 on the way back! Whew, perhaps Buzz is trying to catch him??
I’m a Mountain Goat, I Love Hills, Bring It On!
Brad and I reach the aid station at No Hands Bridge and finally catch up with Buzz. OK, it was a misunderstanding and he thought we were in front of him. Brad’s crew is waiting for him and Carroll’s there. We leave No Hands Bridge and almost immediately begin the climb up the most brutal climb of the run, K2. K2 is a series of 7 climbs each with a false summit. So at least one can count the number of times they don’t reach the top. Huh? A question I’m often asked is “Do you run the whole 100 miles?” Well, the answer for me is “No.” Now Jon Olsen back at mile 25 probably ran up K2. My attack is going to be different. I decide that I’m now a mountain goat, that I love hills. Bring it on! As I ascend K2 I repeat this mantra. At each summit I’m getting more and more confident and I’m getting a little faster. At around the 4th hill I pass a fellow runner (fellow mountain goat?) We exchange phrases like “Keep it up, looking good,” In no time I’m at the top. I’ve banked a little time so I walk a bit to let Brad and Buzz catch up. Right when I’m thinking that they should be right behind me I realize that it’s me that’s off course. I tell Brad I’m going for 101 miles.
Pizza Anyone?
Did I mention that Carroll timed my arrivals perfectly? When Brad, Buzz and I arrived at the Cool Fire Station (mile 30) he was seconds behind with a piping hot pizza! No, I’m not pulling a DK but pizza is my comfort food and I was ecstatic! Remembering those two pounds I’m down, I take a couple slices and without stopping I’m off. The course after leaving Cool loops around for 5.5 miles, climbing another hill before arriving at another liquid only aid station. The Knickerbocker Hill aid station is like a lemon aid stand on the side of highway in the middle of nowhere. From there it’s 2 miles back to Cool and another slice of pizza. Mountain goats love pizza! The second time at Cool is another cut off. We needed to arrive at 5PM and I believe it was 2:30 when we got there. More importantly though is that Carroll informed us that Eldrith checked in the first time at 1:30. She was only a half hour behind us and she was still on the course. That’s our Eldrith!
After leaving Cool our spirits are high. We are ahead of schedule, the major hills are behind us and we are heading back to Cavitt School. Buzz tells us that the trail back to No Hands Bridge is where Eldrith and He got off course last year for an hour. It felt good when we successfully stayed on the trail the whole way and made it in great time. Soon we were back at the Auburn Dam Overlook still beating the cut off by over 2 hours. It was another medical check point and when I stepped on the scale I was now down 4 pounds! Of course Brad gained another pound. I was cautioned to keep drinking water. Did I mention that I was peeing more often than those two? Maybe if I didn’t pee so much I would be gaining weight also.
Night Fall
At the Auburn Dam Overlook we picked up another member of our party: Brad’s first pacer, Paula joined us. Paula was a welcome addition with her smiling face and fresh legs! She joined us just in time to descend Cardiac Hill. After Cardiac it was roughly 6 miles back to the Power Plant. It was during this stretch that a fellow runner and her pacer passed us and I stayed on their heels. Meanwhile, Buzz, Brad and Paula remained back a little way. I would have to pee sooner or later and I knew they would catch up, probably at the Power Plant. We reach the Power Plant and sure enough I have to pee. Upon leaving I’m now running with Buzz. Actually I would no longer be running with Brad during the run. We are just past mile 52, it’s been 12.25 hours and the longest that either of us have ever run. Darkness would be arriving shortly. Brad has a pacer and I’ve got Buzz. I still have the flashlight I used in the morning, which would give me enough light until we reach Rattlesnake Bar, where I stashed another flashlight and my headlight.
They Mostly Come Out at Night
Just before arriving at Rattlesnake Bar, I can hear a few cowbells and some spectators are offering up greetings on the course. Then through a clearing and we’re at the aid station. Jeff Barbier who has just flown in from Tuscon and will be taking over crewing duties for Brad immediately greets me. Someone offers to fill my bottles and ask if I need anything. I ask about the drop bags and I’m frustrated when looking inside I can’t find spare batteries. I’ve located my headlight and extra flashlight though. Buzz looks ready to go and we’re off.
In what seems like a mile down the trail, Buzz mentioned something about his weight on the scale. “Was I supposed to get weighed back there?” I asked. When Buzz answered yes I panicked. Now what? I missed the medical check. Buzz suggested I just keep going. It’s less than two miles to the Horseshoe Bar and it’s dark by this time. I see Jeff Barbier at Horseshoe Bar and tell him about the medical check and ask his advice. He goes over to tell the volunteer who then uses the radio to call over to Rattlesnake Bar. I heard them say #42 checked in. I explain that they got my number but never asked for me to step on the scale. “Just go,” the volunteer told me. “You are clear to go.” I can’t remember getting anything in the way of water or food there as I was so spun. Again, Buzz and I are off.
We are not a tenth of a mile down the trail when my flashlight goes out. No problem as I grabbed a spare back at Rattlesnake Bar. I pull it out of my pack and it’s dead also. It’s a good idea to put fresh batteries in before packing it, I suppose. Since I didn’t find my batteries though I’m down to my headlight. The next 6 miles into Twin Rocks are a rolling section of extremely technical trails. It’s slow going as my eyes are watching my footing and occasionally I’ll turn to locate a flag. The rustling in the bushes indicate the nocturnal wildlife is looking for food. I can make out the musty odor of skunk, which is similar in character to the ripening bud of sensimilla. I doubt anyone out here is partaking. The good news at Twin Rocks is that someone’s crew offers me a couple of double A’s. The family of ultrarunners are some of the nicest people around and I thank you! With light again I leave Twin Rocks. For the next 37 miles, I’m essentially running alone as Buzz begins conserving energy.
It’s a Small World After All
I’m feeling really strong as I arrive back at Cavitt School. There is the more people assembled here than I have seen in a while. The first order of business is to hop on the scale. I’m down 7 pounds. I’m asked if I wouldn’t mind hanging out for a bit, trying to down some soup and fluids. I turn and someone asks, “Jeff? From San Francisco?” Yeah that’s me. It’s David from Eugene, OR who I ran back and forth with at Mt. Hood; small world.
Buzz arrives as soon as I leave Cavitt School and just before I turn off the trail to head down the levy into the darkness, I pass Brad and Paula. Then I catch up to David from Eugene and for the next 4 miles we say very little but run together. We catch up with another runner from Folsom whose name I didn’t get. Once we pass through the Negro Bar aid station I’m now on my own. Several runners are passing now in the other direction on the way to the finish. Two runners are in complete darkness with no light source. I pass one runner just before Hazel Bluff who is wrenching badly, his pacer hopelessly watching.
In My Element
When I get to Hazel Bluff I decide to ditch the extra clothes I added at Cavitt School. It doesn’t really cool down enough to warrant them. Besides the next six miles are along the river and I feel more in my comfort zone. I’m used to getting up at five in the morning and running along Ocean Beach with the wind blowing salty air over the water. The only thing missing is the symphonic foghorns (and the fog) serenading the ships. I find it incredibly peaceful.
I’m a little confused at the trail once I cross the river and Jeff Jones catches up to me. Sometimes the most obvious route is misleading so I need to learn to trust the flags. The trail is also pretty flat at this point. Running is becoming difficult, so as long as I’m walking faster than I run, that’s my plan. On the way to Willow Creek I pass Chihping Fu who is walking really slow but he gives me a “Good job.” Gordie Ainsleigh is heading back in the opposite direction and appears to be in a Zen-like state. I pass Jeff Jones again and once more I’m alone.
A Familiar Face
I finally arrive at Willow Creek and it’s 80 miles into the run. I’m feeling the effects of being up for 21 hours. I thought this was the turn around though and I’m informed I’ve got almost 3 miles to go. Just don’t make me get on a scale, I thought, and they don’t. Then I hear my name called. I look and hear, “It’s me, Heather.” Oh a familiar face. It’s Heather Perry who it turns out is actually pacing. Her runner and her are looking strong and the three of us start off towards Mountain Lion Knoll. Heather appears a bit surprised I’m without a pacer. We pass through a rather noisy underpass and see what appears to be a TV monitor but it turns out to be nothing but a sign. The crowd there reminds me of the beach crowd at night and once again I’m home. I tell myself to just keep doing what I’m doing. This is what I’ve been doing practically every night for weeks, which is walking in the park at night. Runners are no longer passing us in the opposite direction so the turnaround is near. Once at Mountain Lion Knoll I take a few minutes to enjoy some hot soup and melon. Cavitt School is 16 miles away.
A New Day
As I leave the turnaround I’m just determined to maintain a steady pace in a forward direction. I remember passing Michael Kanning and his dad, walking but looking strong. Back at Willow Creek I have to jump on the scale and I’m fighting for a couple of pounds. My starting weight was 154 and he sees 148. I see 150 and he gives it to me. I briefly check my feet for blisters but the dirt is so thick I decide against doing anything. On the way out of Willow Creek I run into a confused Heather who is going in the opposite direction with her runner. We get back on the trail and I won’t get passed for another 10 miles. I cross the river and head up the hill back to Hazel Bluff. Carroll hands me an iced coffee and I suck it down and I’m off. I’m halfway to Negro Bar when the sun comes up. The new day hits me hard. I have my first meltdown and pull it together before running in the Negro Bar aid station. They tell me I’m looking good. I think they learn that at orientation! I’ve since forgotten about trying to focus on what I’ll need at the aid stations. I’m filling my bottle with water and I’ve got enough Endurolytes. The thought of drinking Gatorade is disgusting. The volunteer hands me a cup of potato soup and I chase it with more iced coffee and I’m off.
The new day has brought out the Sunday morning runners. How pathetic I must look to them at this point as they run on by. It’s up one last creek bed littered with rocks and I pass another runner with his pacer. Just before Folsom Dam Park, the last aid station, someone is coming up behind me looking awfully fresh. It’s David from Eugene, OR who’s gotten a new set of legs. By this time the balls of my feet are aching so bad I’m sure that my socks have bunched up and caused major blisters. When I get to Folsom Dam Park waiting for me along side Carroll is Eldrith! My dearest friend made it to Cavitt School before dropping. I check my feet and other than the fact that they are in pain, there’s nothing wrong. My voice is nearly gone. I give Eldrith the Reader’s Digest version of the night. I’m 3 miles away from finishing my first 100. I tell her I could walk to the finish and still make it. She reminds me that there is nothing wrong with that. She tells me she’s seen more runners drop in the final miles for pushing themselves. But I’m so close I want to finish in under 27 hours. She stays at the aid station to pace Buzz to the finish and I take off trying to pick up the pace. Finally, I see the levy and know the school is near and I’ve got a half hour to get there. Not knowing how long it would take, I try to run. It feels awkward and painful but 26 hours and 53 minutes since the race started, I rounded the corner of field at Cavitt School and finished.
I can’t thank enough those that got me to the finish. In addition to Carroll, Buzz Higgins, Brad Niess, Barbara Freedman and Jeff Barbier, I should mention the numerous volunteers, Norm and Helen Klein, all the runners at RDL and host of colorful characters like the guys that sleep in the park. Everyone has a unique story that’s full of inspiration, so thanks.
Thank you Eldrith Gosney for helping me believe that I could do it.
