If you are going to place in the top 10 of a race, you have to put in time. You can either train for hours with total dedication to the goal of becoming faster and faster. Or you can put in hours on the internet finding a dinky race with only 10 people. I chose the latter and so on May 10, I lined up with Laura Chaides along with only 60 other people at the California Off Road Marathon in Temecula.
The course was mostly trails, consisted of 4 loops each of different lengths. But every loop overlapped with the others and branched off and then joined back. Add to that the fact that there was a relay marathon, half marathon, 5K and 10K that started at later times and ran different parts of the same course. Confusing? Sure, but what are the chances of someone getting lost during a race? (More on Laura later.)
After an a cappella rendition of the little known fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner, we began our run. About 100 feet later, we found out we were going the wrong way. So we turned back around, running into the people at the back who were still coming forward. Then someone noticed a trail branching off to the side, so as a mass, we headed in that direction. And with that less than spectacular start, we were off.
The first lap was 3.1 miles on the White course (each loop had a color name). At a crucial fork (that I would pass 4 times), there was a water stop right at the top of a short steep down hill. I grabbed water and ran down the hill. At the bottom my cup was empty, as all the water had bounced out. (This was probably a very funny joke to the people at the water stop.) There were some quick short bumps in the trail, and then I was back at the start where I could have sworn I saw Colleen Callin. A bit early to be hallucinating, I thought. Then I carefully crossed over the fake rocky stream of a miniature golf course and it was time to head back out. Where was that little side trail again?
This time it was the Blue loop of 6.2 miles. Up, down, up, down. Nothing long, but some of it pretty steep. We had all fallen into our places by now and I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of the race. But I ran into the back end of the half marathoners. Many of them would jump out of my way as I caught up, which was pretty nice considering we were all racing. Then I was back at the water stop where I lost all my water again, up the 3 bumps, across a field and the fake stream and another lap done.
Now it was time for the Orange loop of 10.8 miles. This had the one big hill that peaked at around mile 15 with a wonderful view of Vail Lake. I descended as the lake seemed to surround me on all sides. It was wonderful. The weather was perfect, the view was great and I was having fun. Then by the waterless water stop, 3 hills, field and I say good bye to the half marathoners.
Now I am all alone again, and I head out for the final 6.8 mile Yellow loop (which I thought was only 6 miles). As I start, I get a final "looking good" from someone, but I can tell by the tone in their voice that they are thinking the opposite. It was pretty good loop, even with the somewhat scary steep down hills - that were fortunately short. It was fun to be running across great trails all by myself on a sunny day. Then by the no-water waterstop, 3 mountains, long field and I am finally back. I cross the finish line and there is one nice lady there all by herself to take my number. Everybody else was in the beer garden.
After some water I went and parked myself by the fake stream to wait for Laura. She came flying down the hill so fast I didn't recognize her at first. (That and she was a bit dirty from an encounter with the ground.) As it turned out she had gotten misdirected on the trails by someone, and the race officials later estimated she had probably gone about 29 miles. Still, she was first in her age and the third woman overall with a time of 4:39.43. Laura went off to take a shower while I checked the race results. I was 5th overall with a time of 3:42.57. (I love small races.)
My next goal is to break 3 hrs in the marathon. Let’s see, should I train hard or maybe just look for a short race? Hmmmm…….