Race Report: 2012 Bandit 50K

This race came into my radar when a certain someone (who didn't end up running it) suggested we run it together a couple of weeks back. Once the idea was implanted into my thick skull, the only question became which distance to run...the 30 or 50K. I wouldn't have considered making the 45 minute drive for "just" the 30K if it were not for my lack of long distance training (to that point, longest run was ~17 miles). Of course when I asked any ultrarunning friends for suggestions, the short answer I got was to "man up" and do the 50K. So there you go.

I arrived early Sunday morning and forked over the $100 race day registration fee. Making my way into the small crowd, I saw several familiar faces that I chatted up before the 7am start. My goals were simple yet still daunting to me: A) FINISH B) ..if possible, under 6 hours. My mantra for the day would be something Jimmy Dean posted on Facebook: "in the first half of the race, don't be an idiot. In the second half of the race, don't be a wimp."

The Bandit 50K runners. Photo by: Chris Price

Reverse photo bomb: look normal while others mug.

As such, I started near the back of the pack and started off as conservatively as my legs would allow. The route is essentially the same as the 30K only we'd be running the round part of the lollipop course twice. The 50K-ers did a loop around Corraganville Park before we started our first mini-climb up rocky switchbacks.

In blue waaay back. Photo: Chris Price

When we hit the fire road, we veered right for a short out-and-back down to a turnaround point which was fun as we got to see and slap hands with friends on the course. Then came a long climb up that would be our 1st of 3 that day. Since it was still early in the race, I alternately ran and hiked up the fire road. While the pack had spread out pretty good, there was one annoying guy that was running right around my pace and was playing his crappy music out loud. Since I didn't want to either push or fall back too much, I just kept moving forward within earshot while feeling bad for hikers who came out to enjoy the "peace" and "quiet" of the trails. 

We hit our first major aid station right before we began my favorite section of the day: a long, snaking single-track descent down super scenic mountains of Simi Valley. It was somewhat reminiscent of Ray Miller only more technical and rocky. I loved every second of it. 

Downhill + single track? Yes please. Photo: Pedro

At the base of the descent, I saw my bud and last year's winner Chris Price again who was out cheering his wife Elissa on. He ran into the next aid station with me which was set up in a residential neighborhood. We chatted a bit in what was no doubt a very pedestrian pace for him. I was still feeling good though and at the next aid station, went through my routine of getting my one handheld filled with water while I grabbed a handful of gels and maybe popping in a boiled potato or two with salt. All under a minute before setting off again.

Getting in + out quickly. Photo: Chris Price

The next section brought on some gradually ascending fire roads which while not very stimulating, were wholly runnable. It was somewhat nice to have most of this section to myself (and the occasional recreational mountain biker). I think I managed to pass a couple of runners here while still running at a conservative but consistent pace. After about 3 miles, the next big climb started and I think I hiked probably 75% of it but hoofed it pretty good. Passed a couple more guys and saw what I thought was Chris' wife Elissa several yards ahead. That gal was running in a moderate but consistent pace all the way up and I marveled at her effort. 

I was on the verge of catching up to her just as we were coming up on the aid station where we first turned came into view but I needed to refuel while she jumped right down the single track. Another refill of water, some more gels and I was on my way. The long descent down my favorite part of the course was again welcomed but I remained cautious about not thrashing my quads on the road down. I dutifully took in my gels/bloks about one every half hour and S-caps every hour to hour and a half.

The hills are alive...my legs, not so much. Photo: Chris Price

Once I reached the bottom, I saw Pedro of the Coyotes who has been running around supporting his mates. This time, he started running with me as we hit the short little stretch of the residential area. We caught up to Chris who was running next to his wife Elissa and the 4 of us ran the remaining stretch to the aid station. Another refill, some gels and Elissa and I left together out of there and started running together. It certainly helped pass the time as we ran the next 3-4 miles together chatting towards the next and final big climb. 

When things started getting vertical, I encouraged her to run ahead thinking my overrun and undertrained legs couldn't keep up. Sure enough, I was reduced to an all-out power hike for the majority of this section. Still I put in a good effort putting hands on thighs and keeping the heart rate up while managing to pass a couple of runners here too. Near the top of the climb though, my calves and hamstrings started cramping. Uh oh...damage control time. For no other reason than to try anything to stave off the contractions, I started sucking down gels + salt with greater frequency and kept my fingers crossed.

Once we hit the same (and last) aid station near the top of the climb, I searched the table for some boiled potatoes + salt for sodium but they were out. I opted for a cup of cold chicken broth which tasted awful so instead took a swig of coke. I thanked the volunteers once again and headed back towards the finish. There was still a little bit of climbing left and the occasional misstep netted painful cramps on the back of my legs. With probably 3-4 miles to go, I got passed by a guy which only made me upset because I was now giving it my all (which probably wasn't that fast anyway). I did pass a few lower distance runners and they were all super supportive offering "good jobs" to which I returned the favor.

The descent was rocky and technical most of the way down but my MT110s gripped the rocks really well giving me confidence in each step. I did glance a couple of times behind me but thankfully didn't see anyone else chasing me down. Good cause I was in no shape to really fend them off. Once at the bottom, I took it nice and easy through the park and once I heard the folks gathered at the finish I was all smiles.

All smiles now that I'm done. Photo: Pedro

I believe my overall time was something like 5:22, although I recall my watch showing the course a bit short. Unfortunately I don't have the exact stats as my Garmin erased the data when I tried uploading them at home later in the day.

I saw and congratulated Elissa, Kevin, Trey and everyone else that ran fine races that day. Randy and the folks who organized Bandit Trail Races did a remarkable job. Only negative was the lack of Coke at the finish (which I desperately craved). So I said goodbye and started walking away when I heard my name over the loudspeakers. I walked back out of curiosity and they informed me that I placed 2nd in my age group (30-39). What the...?

My 2nd AG award. Neato.

I got a nice mug as my award and hobbled back to my car where I promptly changed into my recovery tights and hunted down a large cup of ice cold Coke. Overall it was a good day and a good training run on a challenging yet beautiful course. I'll likely be back next year!

Race Report: Surf City Half Marathon 2012

My race goals for 2012 were to start off the first 3 months focusing on improving speed and doing road races. The rest of the year would be dedicated to trail/ultra races. Sounded good on paper but it quickly got to the point where I was sick of the pounding of the man-made stuff and longed for only the steeps and dirt of the Santa Monica Mountains + beyond. With entries for road races for Jan-Mar already paid however (and they were pricey), I had little choice but to follow through. Oh well.

So here we were, Super Bowl Sunday and I was to run the 1st race I ever participated in back in 2007 (then called Pacific Shoreline). Was I looking forward to it? Not really. Was I going to run a hard and honest race despite a lack of focused training for these kinds of races? Absolutely. 

I got up at 5am grumbling and groggy from a full day the day prior. It was work, a baby shower in the valley, a screening of Unbreakable in Santa Monica then my mom's birthday dinner in Koreatown. Eventually hit the sack around midnight. My drive down to Huntington Beach was serene although I found myself stealing glances towards the east of the San Gabriel Mountain range and the sun that was rising behind it.

Tony K, JB Benna, Scott Mills, Jimmy Dean.

Thanks to my friend Danica, I procured a spot not too far from the start/finish. We met up and made the walk down together before I hopped into Corral 1. National anthem done and at about 7:45am, the half marathoners were off. 

I did my very best to not get caught up in the sea of fast starters and be diligent about not taking off too quickly. Almost off the bat, I felt a curious tightness in my inner right calf and had difficulty getting into a comfortable breathing vs. stride rate. In fact, I wouldn't feel "comfortable" for a long time into the race.

Mile 1 - 7:02
Mile 2 - 7:08
Mile 3 - 7:12

The course itself is pretty flat and fast. There comes a point after about mile 3 when you encounter a minor hill but it's something most trail runners would laugh at. While I wasn't laughing, I did ease up to keep my heart rate and breathing steady.

How is that thing in yellow beating me??

There are two long out-and-backs for the 1/2 so it was a welcomed distraction to keep my eyes on the other side of the course to see if I could recognize and cheer on fellow runners and friends. On the first I spotted my gal Lori and then shortly after saw Emil and Shacky, all 3 of whom were running the full.

Mile 4 - 7:25
Mile 5 - 7:12

Once we rounded out of the hills and neighborhood of the first few miles, the course spills back out onto the main stretch of Pacific Coast Highway. I was starting to warm up and feel better as the miles progressed but still had difficulty finding that sweet spot.

Leg muscles bitch. What. 

Nothing worth noting about the next few miles as it is basically one long out-and-back on PCH with coastline and lagoon views. So instead, my gaze was either to the other side of the course or directly 5 or so yards in front of me. Around the 7 mile mark, I took in my one and only gel. Rest of the time, I was either drinking water from the aid stations or a nasty concoction called "Vita-Lyte" (gross). Calf was still tight and I was getting a hot spot on the inside of my left foot. Great.

Mile 6 - 7:18
Mile 7 - 7:20
Mile 8 - 7:23
Mile 9 - 7:20
Mile 10 - 7:25

With about 5K remaining, I was just ready to be done. However, I knew I didn't have it in me to sprint it in yet. Crowds were getting larger and larger as I approached the finish but despite that long stretch of road, it was still nowhere in sight. As tired as I felt, I at least took some comfort in that I wasn't one of those poor souls who were running the marathon that had to veer right about a mile away from home.

Mile 11 - 7:24
Mile 12 - 7:09

Mouth Breather.

With about a mile left, I finally decided to expend whatever energy I had left and give it a go. While I made a conscious effort to not look at my watch during the race other than at the mile splits, I finally decided to sneak a peek at my overall time with about a 1/4 mile left. It read something like 1:33:30. Shit, I couldn't believe I was only about a minute or so off of my 1/2 marathon PR. I was in an all-out sprint at that point (for me anyway).

Mile 13 - 6:54
Mile 13.15 - 6:01

Watch clicked as I crossed the finish line. Final time = 1:34:57.

Chick'd + Utility Belt'd. 

About 20-30 seconds off my PR. Drats. Oh well, given how low my expectations were, I'll definitely take it!

As I made my way out of the finish chute, I decided to tack on some cooldown miles and ran back up the course. I saw Lori again and ran with her for a few seconds but she was hauling at that point so I decided to back off. After a couple of miles, I ran back to the finish, met up with Danica again (who ran a solid race herself) and grabbed some post-race iced coffee before saying goodbye.

Good times, great weather and my last road race before the LA Marathon next month. Bring it.