Uncategorized – Fat2FastRunner

Just inches away from the start/finish line, I find myself leading 2 steps in front of ultra legend Tim Olson… Of course this is at the start of the race…

And he takes the lead…

My race strategy for the first half of 2016 is to focus on fewer, quality races and spread them out so they progress as “training” runs into the next race. In 2015 I ran way too many races, too close together. I felt I was always tapering or recovering and while I pulled out a few good finishes I had too many bad races. The plan is to do a 50K about 6 weeks before my 100K (Gorge Waterfalls) in April, then a 50 miler (PCT50) in May 8 weeks out from my 100 miler (Angeles Crest). Since my chances of winning at Gorge or AC are nil, I searched for a local 50K I could be competitive at.

I signed up for the Sean O’Brien 50K. I love Keira’s races and the community her races attract. Most of the competitive folks were doing the 50 mile or 100K option, and looking at the entry list I liked my chances. Except for that Tim Olson guy. Maybe he was just making an appearance for his sponsor, or just wanted to do a fun run in the California sun as a break from his Oregon winter. Maybe I had a chance. I knew after 1 mile this was not the case.

We lined up along with the marathoners at 7am (the 100Kers and 50 milers started before us). I ran the first 2 miles in the front chatting with Tim (he is the nicest guy by the way) until we hit the first climb and I realized I cannot keep his conversational pace and let him go. The biggest climb of the race started at mile 2 and ascended 1700 feet in 4 miles. The pack spread out quickly. I found myself running alone and taking in the breathtaking views of the pacific along the ridges of the Malibu hills. The mind started to zone out so I don’t know how long my first competitor was tailing me. How quickly I was reminded I was supposed to be racing. I would put some distance on him but he would catch me when the climb got steep. I realized he was just fine staying behind me and wasn’t going to pass, so I took the opportunity to turn around and say hi. I learned his name is Anthony and he is from Delaware (how about this heat? Do you have hills in Delaware?). When I turned around I saw two things. The first thing I saw was his BIB numbers were in black (red numbers were 50K, black were marathon; I learned this “working” the check-in table in exchange for Hand-Brewed Beer the night before). The other thing I saw one switchback below us was a charging female runner (wearing a red number BIB). I said hey Anthony, how about we work together. I help you get your first place in the marathon, and you keep me ahead of her—we both looked back; and I’m pretty sure Emily smiled.

Racing Emily: Sean O’Brien 50K recap

Racing Emily (photo cred my man Ulysses Chan at Paksit Photos)

Anthony and I ran into Corral Canyon aid station together. Sarah Mista was there and said good job Matt you are in second and Tim is only 4 minutes ahead. While that sounded nice I knew the real race I had in front of me was from this young and lean smiling machine behind me. I refilled half my bottle ate a potato and got out of there. (I also may have got out of there quickly when I noticed it was a Star Wars themed aid station and ever since my infamous Facebook spoiler post I am not well liked amongst Star Wars fanatical trail runners).

The trail merged onto the backbone trail, beautiful rolling singletrack that would be the backdrop for my pain-filled redlining for the next 9 miles until the turnaround. I put some distance on both Anthony and Emily. I passed some 50milers but other than that they were lonely trail racing miles. The mile 13 Kanan aid station was almost a repeat of the last—another message I’m just 4 minutes behind Tim, water refill, coca cola, potatoes and I was off.

The next “stop” was the 15.5 turnaround. I knew at some point I would see Tim and all the emotion that could go along with seeing the leader (always deflating no matter how big a smile or good job you get). When the watch hit 15.5 miles a new emotion took over—Where the heck is the turnaround? At least I haven’t seen Tim yet. A tenth of a mile, and there he is and now I was like REALLY WHERE IS THE TURNAROUND? I got to it at mile 16, gave Claire a high five and turned it around. I was looking at my watching trying to do some math when I passed Emily in the other direction. I’d say maybe a 30 second lead…

I originally signed up for this race because I thought I had a chance of winning (besides the Tim thing, like if he didn’t show up or something). But I didn’t actually imagine I’d have to work for it. I thought I’d just cruise at my own pace and then collect some accolades. Now I find myself having to race harder than I ever had just to stay in second. Darn arrogance! NOTHING GOOD EVER COMES EASY!!!

Emily caught me in mile 19. I was walking up a hill and as she approached I turned and said there you are. I’ve been waiting for this. We exchanged names and she informed me this is her first 50K. Where are you from what made you want to do a 50K blah blah futile attempts to get her to slow down and talk to me. She started running up the hill and gave me a proper passing.

In the 23^rd mile we had a big downhill. I figured if she was running uphill and it was her first ultramarathon she didn’t have her proper balance of save your stuff on the ups and make it up on the downs. So I ran an 8 and passed her with some reckless downhill agility. It worked until we hit the next up and there she was again. Emily smiled while passing me again.

About mile 25 we hit some rollers where I could catch Emily on the downs and make up some distance on the flats only to have her catch up on the ups. She asked me where that big downhill is and I said not until 26. We caught up to a marathoner who gave me very valuable information. He said 2 more ups and then it is the 4 miles of downhill. This gave me enough time to lay back, relax, and store some energy up for the final descent. When it started, I clicked off a 6 and then a 7 and when the downhill was over I hoped I put enough of a gap to hold me to the finish.

I made the last turn onto the pavement and approached the finish line. I called out to the crowd they were being way too quiet for all the work I just did and then received the appropriate level of applause. I crossed the line with a weird mixture of relief (the race was over), excitement (it was my first ultra podium) and displeasure (racing hurts). I got a very warm and enthusiastic hug and kiss from Jenn but then she asked what’s wrong. Oh you’ll see in about 90 seconds.

Hmm. (photo cred: Stephanie Plomarity)

Emily Kraus finished her first ultramarathon first female and third place overall. Huge congrats to Emily, she really made me work. Harder than I ever planned on. I finished 76 seconds in front of her for a 2^nd place finish, which made for way more of an exciting race than the 21 minutes I finished behind Tim. Yay, racing.

I accepted my finisher’s mug and settled in with the crowd for beer, food and recovery. I connected with many loved ones in my ultra family and congratulated the rest of the finishers from all distances. Maybe someday I’ll win one of these things, but for the time I was content spending time with Jenn and enjoying a beautiful day in the sun.