“I didn’t realize there would be so much critical thinking during this race!” I said to the runners behind me as I eyed the rocks in the second creek, trying to figure out the best way to cross without getting my feet soaked. “That’s why I chose running so I wouldn’t have to think!” I got a few chuckles and nods of agreement.
I was on the first loop of my first 50k in about 3 years. The Sycamore Canyon trail race is a loop course that looks like a figure 8 and takes place within the Goodman Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve near San Diego. As I was running the 50K, I was required to do a total of 4 loops with each loop consisting of about 8 miles. The even loops were to be run clockwise on the bottom of the figure 8 with the odd loops being run counterclockwise. The top half of the figure 8 were to be run clockwise only. Sounds confusing, right?? This meant you always had to pay attention to the signs and the loop number you were on, in addition to the pink ribbons on the trail. For someone who suffers from anxiety, I had nightmares of getting lost and ending up running 50 miles in lieu of a 50K! If anyone can get lost on a trail race, it would be directionally challenged me!
We started at 7am on Saturday, February 23, 2019. It was freezing. As such, I decided to wear my running pants, putting my shorts in my drop bag in case I decided to change later on. The first part was a steep downhill. It was windy and my hands felt numb from the chill and lack of gloves. My nose kept running too and I silently cursed myself for forgetting my gloves and my hankerchief. I could see Chris ahead of me but I didn’t want to try to keep up. Due to the rain, I was unable to run the trails as much as I should have so I didn’t know what to expect performance wise. The last long run I did was only 22 miles and that was on the street. Much flatter than this muddy terrain. I reminded myself that this was merely a training run for AR50 so I didn’t feel pressure to race it, but I also didn’t want to be the last one in. I watched people pass me, flying by as if the mud was nothing and I felt my anxiety creep back in. This was just the beginning of the race and my self-confidence was already deteriorating.
During my long runs on the street I practiced the run/walk method to prevent injury, which means I would run one mile and then walk one minute, but that was an impractical method to employ during this race due to the elevation gains and losses. Each loop was said to contain about 1400 feet of elevation gain, therefore, my strategy was to just run the downhill and flat areas and power hike the uphills. However, I was not prepared for the slippery mud and creeks. This reminded me of the trail conditions at Paramount 30K and Sean O’Brien Marathon, which I “ran” about 3 years ago. I slipped a few times in the mud there too. I managed to avoid getting wet for the first few creeks by jumping on rocks. However, I learned that would not be the case with all of them and running in wet socks and shoes would be the norm. The race director warned us that we would have to run through a “lake” and I realized she was not kidding when I saw the muddy pond that I would have to trample through 4 times! It gives a new meaning to mud bath. I had brought extra socks to change into but that is a pointless strategy when you constantly have to run through the same creeks and mud pools. You quickly learn that being dry would not be an option.
At the aid stations, I drank pickle juice and coke and ate fruit and vegetable bites. Most of the food was cookies and I was a little disappointed to not see my go-to peanut butter sandwiches. I ate my gels, but I knew I wasn’t eating enough. This would hurt me in the end. During the first loop, Chris would wait for me at various spots to make sure that I was doing alright. I could see him waiting for me as I was power hiking up the hill that would take us back to the start line before turning back and going down the same hill I just hiked up. “This is tough!” I said to him. I was exhausted, hungry, and wet and I had only ran for about eight miles. He agreed and took off to run his second loop. I envied the ease at which he approached the race and wish I was in better running condition. I finally got to the top and searched for the porta-potty. At the beginning of the race there was only one. Thank goodness there were now three. Time to start the second loop, which meant I would be running the bottom half clockwise now.
My strategy was to run the second loop in just under four hours, so I could possibly finish in 8 hours. Therefore, I picked up my speed a little bit, running through the creeks with more confidence since I knew that dry feet were not an option. I saw one girl eyeing the mud bath with trepidation, desperately searching for a way out. “There is no other way,” I said. “You just have to jump in and get your legs soaked. Is this your first loop?” She nodded yes and proceeded to walk through the brown water as I jumped in after her. The next few miles would be nothing but mud and creeks and desperately trying not to slip and fall.
I finished the second loop in the time I wanted. I passed Chris again towards the end. He was running down the hill while I was hiking up. Every loop ended with a major hill. Not fun. The third and fourth loop, though, were the toughest for me. At this point it became a harsh mental game. I silently chastised my decision to run a 50K, thinking that I’d be done if I had registered for the half marathon. My pace got slower and slower. I did meet new people. Tina was running slightly behind me and it was her first ultra. Therefore, I ran with her some and made sure she was doing alright. We got separated, but I did see her fly past me on one loop that I was slowly working on. I was happy to see that! One guy and I walked a bit and discussed the different races we had done. Regarding Sycamore Ultra, he said, “I’m tired but I’m going to finish this think whether I’m crawling or not.” Ahh…the running spirit!
I eventually stayed with another runner from San Diego who was doing her first ultra. I remembered talking to her when Chris and I first drove up to the race start. She was nice and, at that moment, we were both so exhausted from the loops and the constant elevation gains. I credit her for getting me through those final miles and she thanked me for getting her through them! We’d run, we’d walk, we’d linger through the aid stations, drinking coke and pickle juice and eating cookies. At one point I started running ahead and looked back, realizing she wasn’t next to me. I saw her at the aid station, filling up on water. I didn’t want to leave her behind so I waited for her to catch up to me on the trail and we moved towards the finish.
The last mile was the toughest for me. Of course, we had to finish on a hill. Every time I thought we were done, we turned a corner to run up another hill. I was exhausted. My new friend was exhausted. We stopped talking and moved silently towards the top, listening to the voices in the distance that served as a beacon of hope for runners. When we got to the top our pace quickened as we knew the finish line was within our grasp and this time we could actually stop in lieu of running past it to do another loop. I saw Chris at the top, which made me happy. I silently gestured to him that I was done and I was tired. My new friend saw some friends of hers, going crazy that she was almost done. As we became near the finish line, I shouted, “This is her first ultra. She’s an ultra runner now!” While I was glad to be done, I was also excited to have helped someone on her first ultra.
This was my first ultra in a long time. It was also my worst ultra in regards to time. I finished in 9 hours and 9 minutes when I was hoping to finish in 8 hours. Granted, I had to deal with a lot of mud and water, which challenged me on every loop, slowing down my pace. Nevertheless, I was happy I did it. I decided to text my cardiologist, Dr. Simon Cheung. I wrote, “Good evening Dr. Cheung!! This is Kendra your favorite cardiac patient and running nurse. Just wanted to let my cardiologist know I finished my 50K…32 miles in 9 hours with 5000 elevation gain. They have a hill called cardiac hill and I had to do it 4 times. How’s that for someone with a systolic murmur.” His response, “You shame me.” Then, “You are also a model tele nurse at FVRH. I hope you are not end up coming to work with crutches.”
You have to love a cardiologist with a sense of humor! On to the next adventure!