On the valley floor at the start of the race, heading towards our first climb.
So these ultras? What's the pace like on these? Well it varies widely depending on where it is, what the weather is like, how hilly it is and how technical the trails are. Take this race for instance. Climbing up our first big hill on our way to the summit.
You know how a puppy would chew on a toy, rough house with it a little bit. Some chewing, mauling and shaking around. The toy gets tossed, picked up and tossed around some more, there may be some parts torn off. Well I feel like that toy right now; I was shaken, tossed, smacked around, picked back up then smacked around some more and I am missing something. Something got left on that mountain today. That mountain, it is so wicked, wicked hard when the temps get hot like that. Supposedly it was hotter than last year but at least we had a breeze out there today. Well at least I wasn't the only one who looked and felt like this. There was a finish line full of us beat down runners. Well those training for Western States got their money's worth. I'll post a more detailed race report later along with pictures.
I ran a really good race today. It kind of fell apart on the last 6 miles when I ran out of food but overall it was still a well executed race. I ran hard, chased after a few folks. It felt brutal though; hot, lots big climbs and big descents and technical trails. I'll be fine in the next couple of days.
Well as I type this it's 2 minutes to 11PM, the cut off for the 50-mile race. There were a 100 entrants on the marathon and 150 for the 50-mile. We will know later this week how it all turned out. My unofficial stats.
Mt. Diablo 50-miler
13,340 ft. (4066 meters) of total elevation gain / Same for loss
High 80's maybe even 90F / 32C
10:45, 9th overall, 6th male.
You looked strong when I saw you at Rock City Rick. Unfortunately, I was not, and ended up dropping at the 37 mile mark. Truthfully, I was so exhausted and beat up by the heat and climbs (and descents!) I would have dropped at 31 if they had let me! Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a great performance!
Cynthia
Yahoo! All your efforts, the heat training, etc. paid off. It must have been brutal out there. To think, you even have plantar fascitis! 9th overall, 6th male. You're the man.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS for a stunning performance!
I was right, I was right, I was the closest to end result!!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Rick! That was an awesome time considering the plantar fascitis, the difficult terrain and the heat. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. Looks like a tough race...and yoiu have become an ultra runner to be noticed. can't wait to hear the ugly brutal details
ReplyDeleteit is a hard mountain! I ran the marathon there last year- so hot, and the last 8 miles are brutal. GOOD job on the 50, Rick!
ReplyDeleteYippee! 6th boy? 9th overall? I'm thrilled to hear you ran such a good race. It was so hot! Did you take advantage of the creek at mile 47 (23 for me)? I did and it gave me new life.
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't stick around for my donut but I was really craving a bean and cheese burrito so I wanted to get home. ;)
Nice result! It looks like Skaden & Cooper were blocking the trail so you couldn't pass! If you're doing MiWok, remember to to rest and only run short. Probably would help to climb on the road bike for some easy spinning. But you probably already know this. Again, nice work out there!
ReplyDeleteGood golly, that was brutal. I'm impressed that you were able to chase people down through the final miles - I was just trying to survive.
ReplyDeleteMy pictures of you came out pretty well - I'll e-mail them tonight.
Damn Bro...Wow, Left it on the course...
ReplyDeleteSounds like u said it could possibly be a few days earlier when we spoke, one tough ass Course!!
HUGE Congrats Rick on a top 10 finish, Very Awesome!!
Call me when u get a chance.
TOP 10 on a brutal day. WOW. you're in a whole new league this year, Rick! i can't wait to read all the details from Diablo and to see you on Miwok in a few weeks. what wine goes well with a 50-mile body thrashing?
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! Top ten???!! Amazing, Rick!! Way to go! I should have flown out there and run it with you since I only got 12 miles in at my race! ha Oh, well! Again, great job! Peace!
ReplyDeleteMark
Great job Rick! Couldn't believe how hot it was yesterday, but even with that you ran a great race, and top ten!!! Way to go.
ReplyDeleteWow ! Well done my friend, well done !
ReplyDeleteGreat job Rick, you killed it!
ReplyDeleteRick, you are absolutely amazing. A top 10 on that course? That is incredible! What an awesome race! Your training and dedication are paying off huge dividends. Keep it up, thanks so much for the inspiration, and much continued success to you!
ReplyDeletewow amazing feat Rick...those pictures were fantastic, hoping to see more.
ReplyDeleteNow, you deserve some rest and I salute you for your accomplishment.
Thanks for your advises. That will be of big help for my next ultra. You do the talk; you're a credible adviser!
God bless.
I think Jasper & Graham did the Devil Mountain Double. They did it last year too. I didn't know skaden was in to the road bike? 200 miles on a road bike, how boring and painful! Graham does the Davis Double in May also!
ReplyDeleteGreat job out there, Rick-- it was so hot yesterday I was tired just from volunteering! You are definitely tearing it up this year-- congrats on another great race!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job!!! Great performance...hate the pictures - in the kind of envious, I wish I was there way :)...can't wait for San Diego!!
ReplyDeletegreat time especially given the heat. even if Graham and Eric were just training, that close to them is awesome. nice job!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Superstar! It looks like you had a big improvement from last year. Nice work out there! You can NOT possibly imagine how hot and melty this Canadian girl was out there, I feel like I've been on a 3 day drinking bender, complete with bar brawl. Good to meet you and look forward to the report!
ReplyDeleteNew to the blog.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous. I wanted to run that race so bad but scheduling conflicts made it impossible. My friend Suzanna called me and told me that there was carnage all over the course.
Anyways I saw you are signed up for SD 100 so I look forward to meeting you. I just sent off my registration for it today.
Just found your blog. Wondering if you were doing skyline this weekend but it doesn't sound like it...I am going and it will be my first time. Just did Boston on Monday and my friend talked me into Skyline.
ReplyDeleterick, ang lakas mo talaga! saludo ako sa iyo. at your age and dedication to ultra trail running, you will make it to the top. hope to meet you in person someday. good luck on your next race!
ReplyDelete