The G Running Diary

What More Could You Ask For?: 2/10/03

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Saturday Don and I ran the Purisima 50K, another fine event from Pacific Coast Trail Runs. It was crowded! I think the news has spread about these runs, and many people sign up for the shorter distances, working their way up to 50Ks. We often see first-time 50Kers out there. This race we met a first time 30Ker who ended up doing 50K with his running friend. Some people have a nice, easy way of talking on the trails. I usually run ahead or behind and listen to conversations. Or at least that was how it worked out during this race.

The weather was great. It was a crisp, cold morning, but so sunny and clear. At the start runners were warming up by standing on the sunny hillside. There were so many runners that there was a line of cars just to get into Huddart Park. Wendell and Sarah were really busy at the hectic registration area, but we still managed to start almost on time at 8:30-ish. They started the short race, a 14K, half an hour later. Eventually those speedy runners caught up to us, but they didn't get to go over Skyline Boulevard. They stayed on a loop within Huddart park. The rest of us crossed the road and went down into Purisima. This area, after a long downhill, has a trail I found last year and really liked.

Of course, it wasn't just down into Purisima. It was down and then up and then more up and down. My legs just aren't used to this anymore. Hill training fades fast. That's probably one of the big ultrarunner laments at this time of year. Downhill running was still easy, but I was more nervous that I would come down too fast and not have any muscles left to come back up the hills. These trails were not very technical. There was enough variation to keep it interesting, but nothing to worry about. You could easily enjoy all the scenery, including the great views out to the ocean, and still keep moving forward. The aid station on the Purisima side of the course was at the top of a switchback. This was fine the first time, but when I realized we had to go up there again, I was not thrilled. The only good thing about the aid station was that Suki was working there--it is always good to see her.