The G Running Diary

O my Quads: 12/1/03

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The Quad Dipsea is a tradition for many ultrarunners. It has been around for 21 years. I guess it is a tradition for me--this was my third in a row. Don tried pretty hard the day before to convince me to run extra Dipseas before the race, but I didn't feel up to it. Last year we went out at 3 am and ran an extra double before the race. It was fun and it got people talking. That was what sparked the idea of running a quadruple quad Dipsea last May. Don completed the full distance, Bob Akka, our partner in crime, ran 12 Dipseas, and I stopped after 10. Many people commented on this accomplishment during the race, and it was funny to me how mixed up the story got.

Leading up to the Quad, all eyes were on the weather. Two years ago was the storm year, with the weather so bad that the trails were slop and the exposed ridges let the runners experience high winds and hail coming down sideways. We weren't looking forward to a repeat of that. Luckily, the forecasted storm held off, and there wasn't even any rain except for maybe a couple drops. I was cold enough to wear a long sleeve and keep my jacket on for the second half of the race, but that was just fine.

We saw so many friends at the start, it was like an extension of Thanksgiving, sharing the weekend with people we cared about. Steve Jaber was happy to see us, because he always knows if he sticks with us he'll finish in good shape. Besides, he needed someone to talk to! Bob Metzger and his wife Chris and family were there. Bob and Chris ended up running a very similar pace with us, only slowing down a little at the end. They were out there for a good time, just like we were.

The start was a bit of a cattle chute. The very first part of the trail is the famous stairs, three sets of them, so everyone is crowded together. Apart from the lead runners, the rest of us know that there is no need to rush. We'll be going up those stairs again soon enough. And pacing is important in this run. A fast first leg can mean a lot of pain later.

Even with the cloudy skies, the views were great of the ocean and the bay. The trail was in fine condition and I chatted away for a lot of the first section. Most of it was over before I knew it. Coming into Stinson Beach, we saw Stan and Glen volunteering. All the volunteers were so cheerful, even though those weather conditions must have been no fun for them. Back at the Cardiac aid station, Chuck and Steve were there to greet us. I loved how there were so many volunteers, all waiting to help with jugs of water and GU2O, and cups of coke. I think it was one of the most well-staffed aid stations I have ever seen.

The downhills were fun and reminded me why I liked running on the Dipsea trail so much. The uphills were more painful than usual, and reminded me that I should have been doing some hill training. But suffering is only temporary. Don and I realized that the race would soon be over, and on the last leg, you don't get to see all the runners again, because they are all finished. That is one of the nice things about the Quad. Although it can be awkward to keep passing each other on the trail, it is neat to get a chance to see all the other runners, from the leaders to the back of the pack, three times. Almost everyone says "good job" "keep it up" or "looking good" as they pass. I like that.

When we finished the race, with Martin (my Badwater crew!) and Dave Combs tracking the times, Tropical John made a point of setting the record straight about the multiple Dipseas. He announced that Don Lundell was the one who had completed 16 Dipseas in 40 hours just this year. I think he was throwing down the gauntlet. We might just have some takers for the challenge.