"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or
brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."

~ Anonymous
(taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Race Report: Woodside 35K Trail Run

Woodside Trail Run 35k (22 miles) - February 7, 2009
Time: 5:18:41


I am going to start this report with the elevation profile for the run because seeing it made me feel IMMENSELY better about the piss poor attitude I had for the first 9 miles of this run.



The first time I checked my Garmin to see how far I had gone and how fucking far was left, was at 1.57 miles, then again at 1.84 miles, then again at.... well, you get the picture.

Not a good sign for a 22 mile run.

It was a gorgeous trail and perfect running weather, so here are some pictures from the day:


Everything was moss covered and so pretty


I always have to 'pet' it I can't help myself!


A local celebrity, a California Banana Slug!


Here is the first picture where me and Mr. Slug almost got squashed by a fast moving 50K'er that did not find the flora and fauna as photo worthy as I.


Umm, this little area saw more of me than I would like to admit.


Beautiful manzanita wood lined trail


How the hell do I hit and get mud over half way up my calf ?!



Run paraphernalia and race schwag


According to USGS analysis of GPS data this run had 4734 ft of climb. This was probably a bit much after the week I have had and the 50 mile ride I have tomorrow, but I am pretty proud of myself for not quitting when I really had no idea how I was going to make it though.

Sorry, I guess I am still not chipper.

19 comments:

Tina Mickelson said...

OMG I would be wondering how far I'd gone too! lol. ok so I soooo want to do this trail run next year. You did great!

Jo Lynn said...

Hey, what do you know - you rocked it! Atta girl. I love the photos (and the pink hat). Wendell does love to make us suffer, doesn't he? LOL

Southbaygirl said...

was that a PCTR race? No wonder the elevation climb was torture!!! I wish there were more of those races down here...damn you northern californians!!

But you rocked it and saw a banana slug...I've never seen a banana slug!!!

EatRantRun said...

I was there today, but I only did the 10k, my first trail run! I had this weird experience with mile 3...I thought of it as the dog years mile, where that 1 mile really equaled 7 miles. I kept starting at my Garmin, thinking it must have shut off, right?? But no, it was on. When it finally flipped to 4, I nearly wept with joy. 4 miles ahs never taken me so long, i couldnt' imagine doign the 35 k right now, but maybe next year! Great job!

It was gorgeous though.

Unknown said...

Soooo pretty. Once again, you make me want to start doing trail races. Except that trails out here don't look anything like that.

Carly said...

That elevation is crazy. I cringe when the treadmill is bumped up to level one incline.

Nice job on the run. The photos are great.

kristen said...

Damn bitch - go on wit your bad self! That did NOT look easy. Your quads are going to be rock solid after 4000+ ft of incline and a 50mile bike ride weekend.

Sweeet.

Diana said...

Nice pics! Love the slug....I think that's what's living in my stomach these days! Battling a bad infection in my intestines and this is NOT fun by any means, I'm finally getting caught up on reading some blogs. I can't even sit here long enough to read more than 2 at a time...shit, no literally, shit, shit and more shit. I can't wait till they identify the bug and fix me.

Carolina John said...

are you suggesting with the photo that "saw more of you than you would admit" that you took a dump in the woods? cause that's what it sounds like. hey, we've all been there sometime.

Calyx Meredith said...

Oral surgery, a full week of workouts - including Masters Swim (and a Parents Night!!) - AND you did this amazing trail run? You know I love you but now I hate you too. You have shot yourself right out of Rockstar orbit and into Tri Goddess status. You are soooooo out of my league. Must begin worshipping from afar. Oh wait - I was already doing that. Dang. Now what?

IronWaddler said...

You are my hero. What an elevation profile! I love the photos. You did great.

IronSnoopy said...

Ok, anyone else wondered out loud if the Manzanita photo is a "real" photo or a "painting" you threw in there to test your blog audience?!

I had no idea there were races in paintings. Who knew?!

Awesome job on toughing that one out! Hills are hard enough. The term elevation causes me to break out in a cold sweat and become nauseous.

You simply rule!

Your training is going so well. :)

Aron said...

WOW awesome job!!! those trail runs dont mess around :)

Aileen said...

This was an AWESOME post.

Except the slug. Good God...whyyyyyyyyyy!

Lindsay said...

great pics! love them. race sounds like fun, well except for that lovely climb in the beginning. way to go!

ShirleyPerly said...

Holy crap, that is a LOT of climbing!!

You should be VERY proud of yourself for completing that run. And I haven't seen any banana slugs or Manzanita trees since I left California. Thanks for the photos!!!

Stef0115 said...

GREAT job Rockstar!!!

I'm tempted to come out there for a trail run -- maybe next year . . .

Hopefully Monday is your rest day? You sure deserve one after the week you had.

Go Mom Go said...

You photos are the best!

Thank you for sharing, I am so living vicariously through you...we have no scenery here!

With all this training, adversity, and you sticking through it all...you will so rock the Ironman! When you get out there you will just be laughing...what is this?

Peace!

Bootchez said...

Congratulations on finishing what sounds like Hellweek -- you are one tough mama!