Hot, Hot, Heat!

It's been 3 months since my last entry. Babies and school have gotten the best of me. As I dig myself out of from under the pile of diapers and ungraded 5th grade projects, I find that I'm in greatly in need of the kind of self reflection found only in the blogosphere, or perhaps 3 hours into a run on a 100 degree late summer day. This is where I found myself on Sunday, as I had the pleasure to join 25 fellow ultra nuts on a jaunt over 2/3 of this years inaugural SB Red Rocks 40 Miler. The brain child of one Luis Escobar, forced once again to find an alternative to our beloved 9 Trails, the Red Rocks 40 takes you from the Red Rocks camp ground/swimmin' hole to Romero Canyon and back via the Gibraltar Mine, Forbush, and Cold Spring Trails.

Starting at 7:00 AM we headed off up the fire trail turning quickly onto the first of many miles of exquisite single track. One group quickly became 2, and than 3 as folks stretched out their legs. "It's not as hot as I thought it would be!" was heard often as we caught our first view of the reservoir and then wrapped around the water towards the "straight out of Knotts Berry Farm" looking Gibraltar Mine. At mile 7 we pass a rather unnerving sight-an abandoned camper swallowed up by forest just a few feet of the trail. The conversation immediately turns to Into the Wild, and the prospects of finding a skeleton and the final words of a lost backpacker, or marijuana grower somewhere in the vehicles rusting shell. Thoughts than turned to wilderness survival, and then back to how relieved we were to still be hidden from the direct sun. More about survival later...

Climbing past the lush riparian trail section know as the grotto, past the marvelous display of marine fossils and on to the final Forbush section on the ascent to Camino Cielo, I marveled at how good I felt given my pathetic weekly mileage. My spirits were lifted further in the last few hundred meters before the summit as ran into our front runners Erik, Guillermo, Topher and Ben claiming to have left plenty of water up top as they race back to the cars 12 miles away.

Luis, Jonathan, Rocky and I topped of our packs and bottles with cool water, dropped a few S Caps and launched into our speedy return-an obvious net downhill, a 12-mile glide, surely a negative split!

Soon things got hot! Really f**king hot! Our 24 mile out and back was going to become a mini epic-maybe not Outside Magazine epic, but certainly a good story to embellish over beers for months to come. Our fairly quick pace slowed to a trot and than a shuffle and than a crawl in little over an hour. My 40 oz of H2O was down to 4 oz, and my breathing was labored. As we passed the Gibralter Mine, Luis and started talking survival again-not that we worried or anything. This is when Luis stated, rather calmly, that the "at least at the Badwater, you're prepared for the heat!" Great! As we approached the ranger's house near the reservoir, our thoughts turned to water. Nobody home! While we only had about 4 miles left to go, I was starting to feel the early affects of heat stroke. Luis and I decided that we would be remiss if we didn't disobey the NO TRESPASSING signs and lower ourselves immediately into the cool reservoir waters. The cool water reinvigorated me, and minutes later we were back on trail and dry as bone in the 100 degree heat. At least it was dry heat!

An immediate wrong turn put us face to face wild dogs-far too hot and tired to be bothered by this. Reunited with Jonathan and Rocky, we also caught up with Maria Petzle. She had also ran out water and had decided to stay put until her husband-some distance behind us-caught up to her. The final few miles were miserable. Jonathan and Luis talked photography, and admonished twice for winging about our lack of fluids.

At the final stretch of single track to the parking lot, we were greeted by Ben the Magnanimous, trudging up the trail with a backpack full of cool beverages. Done for well over the hour, he and the other early arrivals had suspected that the heat had got to some of us.

Back at the car, more cold beverages in hand, our selective memory quickly kicked in as our thoughts returned to the beautiful trail we had just experienced and family responsibilities.

I can't wait to do it again!

On a cooler note. Ken Hughes is a stud!! Sub 30 at The Bear 100. Ken you're a bear! Hope to see you on trail soon!

Bombs in Jakarta or Bombing Down Trails

Just when I thought running wasn’t hard enough as it is in Jakarta comes a very serious sounding message from my brother about bombs exploding near his house. I’ll settle for humidity and traffic any day!

Closer to home…Santa Barbara trails have a different look and feel lately due to 2008 and 2009 fires. The new Romero super highway has an exciting Baja 1000 feel to it. As I ran up and down last month, I kept looking over my shoulder half expecting to see a few 1000cc enduros and a monster truck bearing down on me at 60 mph. Last week, the curiosity got the better of me and I returned to my beloved Jesusita trail. Against my better judgment, I stepped over the yellow tape and took my first look at the completely naked Upper Steven’s Creek area. The contrast of charred earth leading to unscathed green sections was mesmerizing. It’s neat seeing sections of exposed sections of switchbacks for the and thinking to myself “Oh, so that’s what that looks like!” I commented to one hiker that I encountered as I climbed up the second switchback section and looked out towards the Arroyo Burro that it looked like a huge open pit mine that you might find in West Virginia.

Jesusita, along with the rest of the front trails are now open. This will hopefully open up new dialogue about the future of the legendary 9 Trails run. RD Luis Escobar is close to putting the final touches on a 50k/50miler at Montana de Oro slated for that same post Thanksgiving weekend. He sent me a copy of the proposed trail map. It looks very cool!

Newsworthy locals: Patty Bryant completed what is arguably the most challenging 100-miler in North America earlier this month in Colorado. The Hardrock 100 has a total elevation gain of approximately 33,000' and an average elevation at near tree line of 11,186' with climbs above 14,000’. GO PATTY!

Always impressive mild mannered family man Garret Headly (#211), completed the venerable Western States 100 in late June in blistering hot temperatures. Kenny Hughes continues to tear up the local trails with and without his dog as he prepares for Southern California’s main 100-mile event Angles Crest. Last but not least, SBAA Blogstar George Williams will be running his first 50 miler in the shadow of Mount Rainier next weekend in Washington's classic White River Endurance Run. After his witnessing his outstanding efforts at last month's Blue Canyon Ultra, I'm sure he will have a great day! I raise a glass of Goleta homebrew courtesy of Scott C., potter, brewer and dare I say distiller, to all of you!

New ultras are heading to our area! More news later!

The Jakarta Treadmill 5k

Where does one run in Jakarta? This a big city-we're talking 8 million people big. Jakarta is a food city. A local food writer publishes a 600-page food tome called Good Food Jakarta each year laying out a detailed review of every known food establishment in the greater metropolitan area. There's lip smacking street food, nasi goreng and fried snacks galore! All of Asia is represented on the culinary palate, including a fair smattering of European cuisine prepared by top chefs in fancy hats. The call to prayer five times a day soothes like a distant train, and the tallest buildings serve as the only landmarks for pedestrians lost in the labyrinth of tiny streets going every which way below. Sidewalks?? Parks?? Convenient public transportation? These features are conspicuously absent, leading back to my original question. Where is one to run? The traffic is horrendous. The number of scooters and cute mini SUVS on every street at every time is staggering and certainly not conducive to running. At the moment, my little running oasis is the gym at my brother's apartment. While I don't look forward to jumping on the treadmill each day, it's not often that I get to watch CNN while turning over sub 7 minute miles! We're off to the beach tomorrow, and an opportunity to run outside.
Sunday morning there is a 10k in downtown Jakarta. For one hour, feet will rule the street! I'll read about it in the Jakarta Post.

Blue Canyon Ultra

 On Saturday, June 6^th, I had the pleasure of joining more than 50 runners from all over California at Rancho Oso in Santa Barbara’s backcountry for the inaugural Blue Canyon Ultra.  100k runners had already taken off at 5 AM, leaving the 10 or so 50-milers and 40 + 50K runners rearing to go.  The race started promptly at 7:00 AM, and an easy conversation pace pushed me, George Williams, and Gary Wang off through the meandering horse camp.  The first aid station came quickly, leading to some of the most beautiful, undulating, and very tight single track I have run in some time.  I’ve never seen such rich shades of poison oak.  At this time George had already sprinted off to catch Guillermo Medina, and I settled in for what would become a long day indeed.

The quick summary has me bombing down a 6-mile hill to the 50k turn around, only to find out that I have another 3 miles to the Gibralter Mine Aid Station.  The math just didn’t add up, but I proceeded.  Seeing the front runners Guillermo and George coming back about 15 minutes in front of me helped boost my confidence.  Upon returning to the previous aid station, I found out that many of had run too far, and the turn around was at mile 15 where I most of us had thought it was.  All in all, probably 10 runners, took the “long cut”.   I was out of my mental game, and about to drop, were it not for a local runner called Dean who talked me into continuing.  We  walked and talked for a good 45 minutes back up the hill.  Feeling rejuvenated and with spirits lifted, I ran the last few miles up and then bombed down the single track. 

At this point, I realized that I would be gone more than 7 hours-the absolute maximum time allotted me by my wife.  My solution was to short cut the end, and skip a final 3 up and down on Arroyo Burro trail.  I finished unofficially in 3^rd place in 7 hours, with Guillermo and George already safe inside (race results).  I immediately told them to put many *** next to my name as I didn’t really complete the course, even though I ran longer than the official distance..

5 minutes later I was driving down Paradise Road and my wife and family were happy I was coming home.

I've Seen the Fire and the Damage Done...

As I sat on my porch Wednesday the 6th of May watching the fire consume Inspiration Point, I felt overwhelmed by emotion.  My thoughts first raced to those with homes in the area, and second, selfishly to the loss of one of my favorite trails.  Perhaps "loss" suggests too much permanence.  I know Jesusita and Tunnel will be back, and reinsert themselves vigorously into the local trail lexicon, and even offer a few new curves, twists, and turns.  I can't wait.  I did run into a local runner on San Ysidro the other day who ran the first mile of Jesusita the last week. She ran into a group of mountain bikers who had made their up and over from Tunnel.  The bikers said it was difficult finding the trail, while the runner spoke of tromping through waste deep ash. Maybe a few health and safety concerns here.  

Sadly, Santa Barbara Nine Trails will once again have to find a new home this year.  RD Luis Escobar is investigating the possibility of running a 50k/50 miler at Montaña de Oro on that same Thanksgiving Day weekend.  Good luck Luis.  That said, I have some thoughts about a 9 Trails alternative on another weekend-The Five Trails 50k.  This idea came to me on last Sunday while running the 5 remaining front trails: Cold Spring, Hot Spring, San Ysidro, Buena Vista and Romero.  Let me know if anyone is interested in pursuing this with me as a race or a "fun run". 

Anyone running next weekend's Blue Canyon Ultra?  I just looked at the entrants list and saw very few local names-Patty Bryant, and Kevin Steele, and asphalt speedster George Williams among the few.  I'm looking forward to running some new trail.  There is a great deal of elevation gain in this race, so I will be moving slowly enough to really take in my new surroundings.

While I'm not running in Western States this year, I do know Garret Headly.  Garret, after being shut down last year due to fire, will be returning to Lake Tahoe to test his mettle against this storied 100-mile race course.  I wish him the best of luck!  Last month I was talking to Scott Jurek (gratuitous name dropping) at Santa Barbara Running about the relatively easy entry qualifications for Western States-one sub 11 hour 50 mile result.    Western States, like  many other events, has become seriously impacted, with only about 15 percent of the qualified race applicants being chosen in the December lottery in 2007.  As  a member of the 85 percent unchosen community, I was disappointed but also a bit relieved.   I know many Western States veterans are advocating changes, including the running of 100-miler as a prerequisite.  I would support that change, even though it would remove me from the playing field.  Another suggestion would be to return the 50-mile qualifying time to sub 10 hour.  Hey, this is the Boston of ultra marathons after all.  Scott Dunlap's very excellent blog devoted an entry to this very topic.  I look forward to following the progress of Scott Jurek (7-time winner), Scott Dunlap, Garret Headly and Gary Wang on the Western States live webcast next month.

When 50k is just tough enough

On Saturday morning, I felt truly privileged to be a runner.  One could not ask for a better day to take a crack at 100k.  The energy level was high and spirits lively as we assembled ourselves at the starting line at 4:30 AM.  While a few solo entrants had to drop due to injury, the group assembled, if you include the two who left at 3AM, made up a large contingent by Tough Enough standards.  While I couldn't see anyone too clearly in the dark, I did hear the voices of Kenny and Scott, and some where in the moonshadows, the reassuring voice of  Johnnie Shields.  With barely moments notice and little ceremony, our most gracious RD Jim Kornell had us lined up and off we went!  Scott immediately set off on a pace I was unable to answer, 

but Jennifer Paludi surrounded by her adoring, and very responsive crew-2 in a truck, and one on a bike-made for enjoyable conversation for the first couple miles.  

I entered an almost dreamlike state as I ambled down Mountain Dr. towards the foot of Gilbralter.  The bright three quarter moon was mesmerizing, casting enough light to see wildflowers on the side of the road, and taking my mind of the and eyes, literally, off the road ahead.  

About ten minutes before "No Shooting" on Gilbralter, and one of my many scenic bathroom brakes, I was passed by a very smooth, confident, and supportive Kenny Ardouin.  We chatted for a bit, knowing that this would very likely be our last human contact for some time-4 1/2 hours in my case.  Every time I commended myself for not overdressing for the run, a chilly headwind would blow mercilessly down the canyon causing my fingers to lose sensation and the grip on my water bottle.  I was ecstatic to arrive at my first aid station, a plastic bag of goodies across from the La Cumbre Peak gate.  While I mixed a batch of liquid brunch in the middle of the road, the sky temporarily opened up, and I was bathed in golden rays of sunlight.  Feeling rejuvenated and almost warm, I started running again for what would be my only downhill section of the day.  I was soon enveloped in a blanket of fog that kept me wrapped up all the way to the 154.

In my very selective and wishful memory, the only thing that keeps me running ultras, the stretch from Kiniven and then along West Camino to the Gun Club is mostly flat with a few gentle climbs.  In reality, it mostly climbing with a few gentle flat sections.  I think that I already knew I wouldn't continue past the Gun Club at about Painted Cave.  As soon as I accepted my DNF, I was able to focus on the pleasures of course and the views, and the exhilaration of running for 6 hours and really feeling like I had covered some ground.  As I approached the end, I was greeted by the cheers of Kenny's family, my family being a few minutes late, and the view of Kenny and pacer John Shields disappearing onto the dirt track ahead.  

While my family would have surely supported me continuing, my wife even brought me my favorite snack-boiled potato and salt, I know they cheered inside when I said they could take me home.  Excuses?? I've got many, from cumulative sleep deprivation and other maladies related to parenting to simply not putting in the miles and wanting to avoid injury.  There was also the show I wanted to see at SOHO that night.  The bottom line is that I had six hours alone with my thoughts on a beautiful day!  That's more than any father of 5 month twins can ask for!

Gibralter Speed Play

With a robust imagination, fartlek training can be like a spirited drinking game. Substitute the beer with sports drink and inane coed chatter for  your own internal dialogue, and you're in business.  After all, fartlek does mean "speed play."  I hate running up Gibralter, but I like to play.  Here are the rules:  turn right off of Mountain Drive, and start cranking slowly up El Cielito.  The sound in your head is that of an old wooden roller coaster crawling up the first climb.  Don't panic, or forget to breathe as you turn onto Gilbralter.  The game hasn't begun yet.  When you reach the site of the old Calvary Chapel, put your game face on.  Start looking for your first bridge(metal barrier wall) and/or stretch of new asphalt.  This is where you pick up the pace.  Maintain the intensity for the duration of this relatively short expanse.   Then return to your previous pace.  Continue this way until you reach Camino Cielo or expire from over exertion.  Don't forget to look around.  The views are impressive