Are You Afraid of the Dark, 12 Hour Fun Run
Friday 8/31/07 - Saturday 9/1/07
This past Friday Night I had attended the anaugral running of the AYAOTD, 12 Hr Fun Run in Oakland, California. The RD, Brad Niess, had mentioned his run while we conversed after the Headlands 50k the weekend prior. The premise of the run was a 12 hour training run for the the Rio Del Lago which we both signed up for at the end of September. AYAOTD was to start at 9PM on Friday after spending an entire day awake and at work and good and tired, therefore simulating the tiredness of RDL. Then we could work out the logistics of running at night; flashlights, battery changes, clothing, etc.
In attendace for the AYAOTD fun run in addition to Brad and myself was Don (last name escapes me,) a local marathon runner. Don's goal was to run his furthest distance. The course was rather interesting. It consisted of 3 locations which we reached in Brad's car which also served as our aid station. At around 9:10 PM (the run started late,) we drove from Brad's home in Oakland to Lake Chabot Park, part of the Skyline 50k trail. We parked on the side of the road which Brad had deemed legal ahead of time. We did various loops which averaged around 3 miles each time reaching the aid station. Usually when we reached the highway again we turned off the flashlights as it was legal to park on the road, but the park was closed therefore the trail was off limits.
The Skyline trail was fun. It was the darkest part of the AYAOTD and the only area which we really needed our flashlights. Within a mile of the start, all 3 of us encountered the invisible spider webs which just stuck to our exposed skin. Then when I shined the light on the ground, I saw one of the homesteaders in action and found that the little buggers actually fly and skip along the ground! We also passed a trailer parked somewhere along the trail and a dog barked. Our cover was blown! We shut off the lights and I swear I heard someone playing the theme to Deliverance! We figured the trailer belonged to the goat herder and was more interested in his goats. Eventually we did see the goats and they kind of stared us down as we passed: weird.
By midnight, we loaded back into the aid station and headed for Lake Merrit in Oakland. The course here would consist of 3.2 mile loops around the lake. It was well lit and we no longer needed our flashlights. We all ran the first loop and were feeling pretty energetic. It was not long before we realized we were not alone. Also running the course were rats! Every once and a while they would run in front of us and stop like a deer in the headlights before they took off and found shelter. After a couple of loops we were joined by another friend of Brad's. The four of us ran another loop when all of a sudden we heard gun shots! In sounded like someone unloaded an entire clip and several of the shots ricocheted. Wow, Brad sure knows how to organize a run! We then modified the loop to get back on lighted portion of the street. Funny, we never heard the sounds of sirens or screams. Just another night in Oakland.
After 4 hours of fun around Lake Merrit, we again loaded ourselves in Brad's car and headed to Bay Farm Island (AKA Alameda.) We then enjoyed 6 mile loops as described in Brad's email as "cross over the pedestrian bridge, go underthe bridge, along the bay to the beach, along the Shoreline Dr. to CrownMemorial State Beach and back." By 6 o'clock we were joined by a hungover Fred and his dog. At this point Brad decided that he would try some Ensure. Sure, I'd like one also. We headed back on the trail and within a mile, Brad's GI tract was upset and he started vomiting. I felt bad but he kept his spirits and we found the whole experience rather funny. Soon Brad and I split from Fred and Don (the other guy bailed before we left Lake Merrit) and Brad and I met a guy named John who brought us some coffee! Just what the RD ordered. Brad, John and I made our way back to the SUV/ aid station and picked up Don again (the hungover Fred had a date) and set out for one more out and back.
At 9 AM Saturday morning after 12 hours, Brad, Don and I completed the first Are You Afraid of the Dark 12 Hour Fun Run. Our distance, a mere 38 miles was Don's furthest distance to date. Brad had tricked him into completing his first Ultra. Brad and I are one step closed to Rio Del Lago and our first 100 mile finish.
Stay tuned as I post further udates on the road to RDL and a race report.
Friday 8/31/07 - Saturday 9/1/07
This past Friday Night I had attended the anaugral running of the AYAOTD, 12 Hr Fun Run in Oakland, California. The RD, Brad Niess, had mentioned his run while we conversed after the Headlands 50k the weekend prior. The premise of the run was a 12 hour training run for the the Rio Del Lago which we both signed up for at the end of September. AYAOTD was to start at 9PM on Friday after spending an entire day awake and at work and good and tired, therefore simulating the tiredness of RDL. Then we could work out the logistics of running at night; flashlights, battery changes, clothing, etc.
In attendace for the AYAOTD fun run in addition to Brad and myself was Don (last name escapes me,) a local marathon runner. Don's goal was to run his furthest distance. The course was rather interesting. It consisted of 3 locations which we reached in Brad's car which also served as our aid station. At around 9:10 PM (the run started late,) we drove from Brad's home in Oakland to Lake Chabot Park, part of the Skyline 50k trail. We parked on the side of the road which Brad had deemed legal ahead of time. We did various loops which averaged around 3 miles each time reaching the aid station. Usually when we reached the highway again we turned off the flashlights as it was legal to park on the road, but the park was closed therefore the trail was off limits.
The Skyline trail was fun. It was the darkest part of the AYAOTD and the only area which we really needed our flashlights. Within a mile of the start, all 3 of us encountered the invisible spider webs which just stuck to our exposed skin. Then when I shined the light on the ground, I saw one of the homesteaders in action and found that the little buggers actually fly and skip along the ground! We also passed a trailer parked somewhere along the trail and a dog barked. Our cover was blown! We shut off the lights and I swear I heard someone playing the theme to Deliverance! We figured the trailer belonged to the goat herder and was more interested in his goats. Eventually we did see the goats and they kind of stared us down as we passed: weird.
By midnight, we loaded back into the aid station and headed for Lake Merrit in Oakland. The course here would consist of 3.2 mile loops around the lake. It was well lit and we no longer needed our flashlights. We all ran the first loop and were feeling pretty energetic. It was not long before we realized we were not alone. Also running the course were rats! Every once and a while they would run in front of us and stop like a deer in the headlights before they took off and found shelter. After a couple of loops we were joined by another friend of Brad's. The four of us ran another loop when all of a sudden we heard gun shots! In sounded like someone unloaded an entire clip and several of the shots ricocheted. Wow, Brad sure knows how to organize a run! We then modified the loop to get back on lighted portion of the street. Funny, we never heard the sounds of sirens or screams. Just another night in Oakland.
After 4 hours of fun around Lake Merrit, we again loaded ourselves in Brad's car and headed to Bay Farm Island (AKA Alameda.) We then enjoyed 6 mile loops as described in Brad's email as "cross over the pedestrian bridge, go underthe bridge, along the bay to the beach, along the Shoreline Dr. to CrownMemorial State Beach and back." By 6 o'clock we were joined by a hungover Fred and his dog. At this point Brad decided that he would try some Ensure. Sure, I'd like one also. We headed back on the trail and within a mile, Brad's GI tract was upset and he started vomiting. I felt bad but he kept his spirits and we found the whole experience rather funny. Soon Brad and I split from Fred and Don (the other guy bailed before we left Lake Merrit) and Brad and I met a guy named John who brought us some coffee! Just what the RD ordered. Brad, John and I made our way back to the SUV/ aid station and picked up Don again (the hungover Fred had a date) and set out for one more out and back.
At 9 AM Saturday morning after 12 hours, Brad, Don and I completed the first Are You Afraid of the Dark 12 Hour Fun Run. Our distance, a mere 38 miles was Don's furthest distance to date. Brad had tricked him into completing his first Ultra. Brad and I are one step closed to Rio Del Lago and our first 100 mile finish.
Stay tuned as I post further udates on the road to RDL and a race report.
2 comments:
Hi "Ocean Beach" Jeff!
I had a great time and really enjoyed your run report!
Oh My! indeed!
Hey,
This sounds like so much fun. Maybe I'll get there someday! Meanwhile, happy trails. You guys are gonna ace RdL. I can tell.
Barb
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