Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Race Report

The second running of the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon also served as US Track and Field Marathon Trail Championships. It was a who's-who of trail runners. It's like watching celebrities walking on the red carpet to an awards show. Only these people are dressed the in the finest polyester, lycra and spandex.

The Lithia Loop Trail is a monster. A beautiful, green and scenic monster. The trail offers 21 miles of dirt trail, 3.5 miles of single track and 4,700 feet of elevation gain. WHAT? 4,700 feet of elevation? I know this might be considered a mole hill to more experienced runners, but yamma-hamma that is a gain.

I got to the start line at 7:50. Everyone was breathing a sigh of relief that it was not raining. Hal Koerner and Ian Torrence greeted us at the start line and gave us helpful advice about the trail.

They counted us down from 10 to 1 and we were off.

I was wearing a yellow jelly bracelet from my daughter and a livestrong wrist band in honor of my dad who has cancer. I kissed them both and my wedding ring.

I decided that I was not going to push it too hard in this race. I wanted to have a comfortable pace and energy to enjoy to last six miles. After blowing up at Bizz Johnson just a few weeks ago, I didn't want a repeat.

UP, UP AND AWAY

The first eight miles is a 3,000 foot+ elevation gain and then some. The trail went up for the first 9 to 10 miles. It was really important for me to scale it back and run a slower pace. Running on the fire road was a nice way to warm up. At mile 7 we departed the fire road and proceeded on single track. I was running in a line of 6 runners. We all seemed pretty jazzed to be running on the dirt and in the trees. I know I was. One of the runners ahead of me let out a mighty YALP! It was nice to be in a line because it keep me from running too fast. I was power hiking from time to time. I didn't mind. I was keeping pace and enjoying the scenery of lush forest.

We popped out of the single track and met our second aid station. Erik Skaggs was there helping out parched runners. The volunteer's enthusiasm was tremendous. I really appreciated their spirit. They loaded me up and sent me on my way.

IS THIS THING EVER GOING TO GO DOWN?

For some reason I thought that once we finished our monster climb the trail would level off. It didn't. We just kept going up. This really killed my spirit. And just as my spirit was getting low, it got even lower. A very steady drizzle began to fall. BLAH. The forecast lied to me this morning. It said it was going to be partly cloudy. Good thing I was wearing my new Sugoi racing vest. You saved me today running vest. I love you.

The trail started to descend and I was happy. But the cold was really getting to me. It must have been in the mid to upper 30's. My hands were numb, swollen and blue. I couldn't rip open my Gu packets. I had to use my teeth. It was as if I had dipped my hands in novocain. I recall a movie starring Sinbad, where he was impersonating a dentist and had to pull a patient's tooth while both his hands were numb. The simple task of tucking my empty Gu packet into a pouch was a comedy. My hands were so cold, while I was at an aid station I was unable to peel a banana. So I bit through the peel and sucked out the slimy goodness.

I must admit, despite the cold and wet conditions, I was happy as a clam. I'll take that over 90 degree + weather any day.

I appreciate the race organizer's sense of humor. At mile 20 they marked the fire road with chalk. It read "THE WALL." I felt good. I kept waiting for my body to go into convulsions or something. Nothing happened. The mystique of the 20 mile marker lives on.

CATERPILLARS ARE NOT CUTE

An employee at Rogue Valley Runners warned me about the Caterpillar Hill Trail at the 21 mile mark. She said that it looks innocent enough because it's incline isn't fierce. She said that it was the place where people cramp up. To help avoid this I had taken an S-Cap 15 minutes earlier. It didn't work. I cramped up on my first hill. Oh, I was so mad. "Not today calves." I thought to myself. I scaled back on my pace. Every now and then my calves would cramp, but it wasn't severe. Caterpillar Hill can suck it. I mean it. I will never look at a caterpillar the same again. Even those ginormous trucks made my Caterpillar. You get the same distain too.

LET'S GET DOWN, BABY

The last few miles of single track were fast. The trail was ripped apart in some sections. I think the mountain bikers have taking certain liberties with the trail and it shows. Treacherous for runners. Swaths of uneven earth carved into corners and switchbacks. Just when your mind wants to do nothing but go on autopilot, you are forced to focus. This would be a bad place to trip. I don't know how the health services are in Ashland, but I didn't want to find out.

We left the trail for the final time and were running on pavement. People were coming up the trail to root us on. I smiled and thanked each and every one of them. Lithia Park was now to our right and I was recognizing some of the landmarks from the start line. I started thinking about my family waiting for me at the finish line and I couldn't help but get overcome from my emotions. My eyes began to well up. I focused on the road. I looked down at my watch with less than a mile to go, I was going to come under the 4 hour mark. My two goals today were to finish with a smile and under 4 hours.

I began to pass houses. "I hope my family is there." (They missed me at the finish of my last race). I began to pass parked cars. "I hope I can run with my daughter at the finish line." A young buck wander out into the street ahead of me. It looked and me and walked away. There was my friend Jerry, smiling with his had extended. We high-fived. There was my wife and daughter! My wife said, "Emma wants to run with you." I was so happy. I held Emma's hand and we ran for a couple of yards. She was so excited. I was so excited. Tammy grabbed Emma back and I ran up to the finish line.

Go Emma, Go!

I was done. My friend Anne was there taking pictures. I got my cool wooden medal and headed back to meet the family.

Me and my new best friend, the running vest.

I felt great. I wasn't in pain. I didn't need to go off and walk alone. I wanted to be surrounded by my friends and family.

My cheering section.

We went over to a sushi restaurant and then over to Pioneer Hall to check race results. I noticed that people had beer. I wanted a beer. I found a bottle of Rogue beer and poured some into a Starbucks cup and headed back to the car.

I'll take this over a medal any day.

A special thank you to the race organizers. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your courtesy, thoughtfulness and generosity. You over delivered. Next year is going to be quite the happening. See you next year.

MY OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:

TIME: 3:55:27

OVERALL: 55th

MALE DIVISION: 45th

AGE GROUP: 17th

http://connect.garmin.com/player/18243571

See you on the trail.

Good, Bad, I'm the Guy With the Gu

This is my pre-race report for the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon. To say that it has been a great two days here in Ashland would be an understatement. I am here with my wife, daughter and close friends, Anne, Jerry and their daughter.

Here are couple of highlights from our time here.

Yesterday, while walking around downtown a bunch of runners past us. I recognized three of the. They were Hal Koener, Jenn Shelton and Erik Skaggs. We said hello and wished them well. I know I am a total goober, but I got all nervous being around them. Me! Nervous? WTH? I work with celebrities, political heavy weights, famous dignitaries, etc. It was kinda funny. I realize that running is such a niche, but I couldn't help but be a little giddy about seeing these people together. What a neat life. To have buddies with the same passion at such an extraordinary level. Cool beans.

We ate chow at the Black Sheep. I had a great pint of amber from a local brewery. Tasty.

Today we started off the morning with breakfast at Morning Glory. One of my all time favorite restaurants. I walked in and low and behold, Bruce Campbell is there eating his breakfast along side Ted Raimi (Brother of Sam Raimi, director of Spiderman). Who is Bruce Campbell, you say? If you have to ask, you don't need to know. I wanted to say hello, but I hate it people recognize me when I am in a public place, especially when I am with my family. GRRRR. It rarely happens, but it does. So I refrained from extending out my hand while he had a mouthful of chicken sausage omelet.

This, is my BOOM stick!

The six of us descended upon Rogue Valley Runners. I got my race packet. As I was rifling through my swag bag another runner checked in. The sales rep asked, "What's your name?" The man replied, "Scott Dunlap."

Holy smokes, there is Scott Dunlap. Okay, who is Scott Dunlap? He is another runner. I came across his trail running blog some time ago. You can check it out here. I knew he would be up here and was hoping I would get a chance to say hello. I really like how he writes. He is an honest and creative writer. His blog was my inspiration for starting this one. I introduced myself. We ended up having a nice chat. A very friendly fellow.

Our caravan pulled stakes from Rogue Valley Runners and went down to Lithia Park to let the kids run crazy. I was able to take a short walk with the family. Quite possibly my favorite moment here.

My favorite part of the trip.

Later in the day I headed over to Lithia Park for a 2 mile jog with my friend Anne. Lithia Park is so beautiful this time of year. We were blown away from the scenery. The local runners are so lucky to be blessed with this park. After .75 miles we the trail climbed up. In no time at all we were running above Ashland Creek. The park was quiet, with exception of the creek below, our shoes stomping in mud, our lungs working oxygen in and out and rain falling all around us.

I can't wait to climb up 8 miles tomorrow.

After the run Anne and I headed back to RVR to buy shoes. I bought a pair of the New Balance MT100s. It's a minimalist shoe. I probably have no business wearing them, but I am a sucker for lightweight shoes. It could be the worst buying decision ever, but who knows, I might surprise myself. Erik Skaggs designed the shoe with a fellow ultrarunner. Since Erik was there I asked him to sign my shoe. He was very cool about it. Thanks Erik. I can't wait to slip them on.

So I am back in the hotel room enjoying the creature comforts. I will have my second race report tomorrow.

See you on the trail.

All In The (Active) Family

Maybe Archie Bunker wouldn't have been such a grouch if he threw on a pair of running shoes once in awhile. Or maybe Edith would have dumped Archie on his fat ass if she was more empowered by joining some sort of athletic organization. Well, at least for our family, if we didn't exercise we'd go from the Cosby family to the Manson family. That is a fact. You should see our 3 year old toddler sing "BAAAAAAAABE-BAAAAAAY!!" It's hilarious.

"Awwe. Put a running sock in it, would ya, Edith?"

One problem with our Modern Days exercising family is TIME. Especially on the weekends. I have decided to run my first ultra run on December 19th at the Rodeo Beach 50K. This means that I have to run on Saturday and Sunday. My wife is a competitive rower. To say she is competitive is putting it mildly. My sweet, sweet wife who has grace and a positive frame of mind, yelled at two of her own teammates today. She was totally in the right. "If you are able to talk in the boat during a race, you are not rowing hard enough."

My wife had a rowing regatta today at Lake Natoma. I needed to go on a 14 mile run. I really prefer to run in the morning. I like to get it over and done with. Since we live 14 miles from Lake Natoma I decided to run from our house to meet my wife and daughter at the boat house. We could exchange parental duties and then my daughter and I could stick around and cheer Mommy on as she crossed the finish line.

She needed me to be at the boat house by 8am. I left the house this morning at 5:50. And then I came back home because I forgot my watch. I left my house at 5:52. And then I came back home because I forgot my water bottle. I left the house, AGAIN, at 5:55. I ran two miles to the American River Bike Trail and continued on my way. I had two hours and ten minutes to finish my training run. Plenty of time.

It was about 52 degrees outside. I had on shorts, patagonia short sleeve shirt, gloves, my fav skull cap, head lamp, water bottle, nathan pack, ipod shuffle, two packs of shot blocks, one lime gu and my new injinji socks.


It's a glove, for your foot.

Heck, it was still night time when I left my house. I liked it. I love running at night and I love running in the morning. I got to enjoy the best of both worlds. I find so much peace while running alone. To run with a clear mind and not being able to focus on any one thing is nirvana. I passed by a cyclist. I passed by a group of three runners after 5 miles. It was still dark out. I said "Hello" and a faceless woman said "We thought you were a cyclist." I took that as a very nice compliment.

I want to thank the California State Parks for putting port-a-potties on the trail. You deserve a pay raise.

I know this is going to sound cheesy, but I love it when a song you are listening to describes what you are experiencing. When the sun began to rise at mile 8, Fleet Foxes' "Sun It Rises" began to play. It was perfect timing. If you haven't listened to their work, I would strongly recommend it. If their music doesn't touch you, you don't have a soul. Yeah, I said it.



The American River Trail is always abundant with wildlife. The only wildlife I saw today were a dozen jack rabbit bunnies scampering in front of me with their little cotton ball tails bobbing up and down. Very cute.

As the sun came out from behind the Sierra Nevadas the trail began to reveal layers of mist off to the side.


Sun rises over the American River Trail.

Pictures don't do the scenery justice.

My run felt really good. I didn't feel like I was slacking off, but I didn't feel like I was putting out too much either. I wanted to stay at a 8 min mile pace to make sure I was going to meet my family in time. I really didn't want to disappoint my wife or her teammates by holding them up. By mile 12 I began to worry. The pace time on my watch was indicating I would arrive on time, but the actual time was telling me that I had 14 minutes to get there on time. I had not accounted for the pit stops I had taken. Apparently, they took longer than I thought they would. I dug down deep and was gunning for it. Runners were giving me funny looks on the trail because I was running really fast. I felt like Jack Bauer in tense episode of 24, where I had to meet a certain goal time or a nerve gas would be released onto Lake Natoma, turning all the Canadian Geese into flesh eating monsters, attacking rowing shells and proud mom and dads wearing sweat shirts that read "My money and my kid go to Cal." Run faster. Faster. FASTER. Stop the Canadian Geese from attacking.

"HOW DO I STOP THE FLESH EATING GEESE?!"

I got to my destination with 5 minutes to spare. Guess what? You guessed it, oh wise one. My family wasn't even there!! HAHAHHA!! What a running fool I am. We eventually got together and my daughter and I got to watch my wife race.


My wife is stroking the boat. "GO MOMMY!"

Here are my timing results for the 14 mile run:
Time:01:46:41
Avg Pace:07:37 min/mi
Best Pace:04:40 min/mi

So yeah, it all worked out. I got my distance in. My wife got her regatta in. Everyone is in their happy place. I like the happy place. I wonder what Archie would have preferred more, trail or road.

See you on the trail.

Scott

Recap: Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon

Sunday, I joined 359 other runners in the Lassen National Forest in Westwood, California for the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon. The trail marathon follows an old Southern Pacific Railroad route into Susanville. The trail climbs 280 feet for the first 6 miles and then descends 1,300 feet to the finish. It hails 10 water crossings and two tunnels that would make the tunnel to the batcave envious.

My only goal was to finish the race. I had never run a marathon before...not even a half marathon. I'd been training with my neighbor Scott since May, when he put the idea in my head. I'd logged 500 plus miles, joined a trail running group and was on my third pair of running shoes. I felt strong and I felt ready. It was nice to have the butterflies back in my stomach again. The kind I used to get when I competed in sports in high school and college.

I had the ultimate blessing of being invited to stay at my neighbor's inlaw's cabin at Lake Almanor. As it turned out, the cabin was only 15 minutes from the start. 15 MINUTES!!! Consider that 95% of the runners met at the finish line in Susanville at 7:45am to ride in a bus for 45 minutes to the start. I'm sure riding with the other runners was a cool experience and something I missed out on. But my wife's Subaru with seat warmers and Old Crow Medicine Show playing might as well have been a limo.

C-c-c-c-c-old. I'm on the left. Scott on the right.

"34 degrees" read the temp gauge inside my wife's car was we climbed out. We massed around the start line. The race director asked everyone trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon please come up to the start line. We hung back. We couldn't hear the race director on his bullhorn, but the herd of runners began to move forward. My first marathon has begun.

The problem with not hearing the race director is that you don't know that the first .7 of the race is out and back. "Holy crap! There are runners headed back right for me!" It was an odd way to start the race. I was told that a couple of runners fell down at the orange cone turn around. It was a rather tight spot.

The first 2 miles was slow and a matter of pulling away from the middle of the pack. Scott and I were running together by mile 3. We agreed that it was everyman for himself and that we would not stop or slow down the pace for the other. Something that came back to bite me. (More on that later).

We picked up the pace...8:30 mile pace, 8:15, 8:00, 7:50, 7:40. We felt good and were cruising. It was nice to have a comfortable pace and look around and enjoy the scenery. The trail was beautiful. It was a mix of dense trees, open fields and the fall taking hold of Lassen Park, turning green leaves into a golden yellow.

Away we go. Scott is with me step for step.

After 6 miles I was ready for steady incline to stop. I wanted to see what sort of downhill roller coaster this trail was going to be.

Not much of roller coaster, as it turned out. The trail felt very flat, even through we were going down.

At mile 14 Scott peeled off to stretch and load up on nutrients. I kept going. I also kept blowing past aid stations, not taking water or food.

At mile 15 I came up on a two runners. A man was following close behind a woman. I thought they were running together because they were so tight. I made my pass and the man tailed me, as if he wanted to draft. "???" Really? This trail is as wide as a fire road and you want to draft? I would understand if this was a single track, but if I take a tumble, he is coming with me and making things much worse. I ran on the left side on the road, he followed. I ran on the right side of the road, he followed. We came up on the mile 16 aid station, he stopped. I kept going.

I promised myself I could put on my ipod shuffle at mile 16 for the last 10 miles. I was still feeling great. I was still passing runners and not being passed by anyone. 10 miles to go!! Woo Hoo. I was still feeling great. I was smiling. Actually smiling.

Aid station well stocked with grub and very friendly peeps.

At mile 19 I ran with two other people They had a good pace and I thought it would be nice to steady the pace. I knew that there would be an incline coming up. We were approaching mile 20 and there it was. A very steep incline with a bevy of spectators cheering us on. The two guys I was with began walking the hill. For whatever reason I decided that this would be a good place to pass them. I was wrong. As I ran up the hill both my calves cramped up. I got to the top of the hill and made way to the 20 mile aid station. I didn't know if I had pulled both muscles or what.

I stopped to stretch. Just then, my buddy Scott ran by me and gave me a word of encouragement. I should have asked for help. I didn't know what was happening or what to do. I started running again and calves cramped up. This time the pain was more intense and I screamed. I stopped and walked. I realized that my run was in serious jeopardy. I jogged, walked, and stopped for the next two miles. I finally remembered to pop an SCAP. At the mile 22 aid station I loaded up on electrolite water.

The next two miles were slow. This was going to be on of the more beautiful parts of the race, and I couldn't enjoy it. I was miserable. Runners were passing by me left and right. At the mile 24 aid station I loaded up on more electrolite and for whatever reason so jelly beans. The nice man at the aid station offered me a banana. My body was telling him "Yes: but my mind told him "No." Not the best idea.

The next mile was brutal. By this time I was fighting a side stitch that would not go away. The cramping had stopped but the side stitch and tired legs were taking a toll.

I trotted up to the mile 25 marker and I stopped. I stared at the ground and told myself the following.

You are tired. You are not running your race. But this is your first marathon so don't be so hard on yourself. Your family is waiting. They are waiting for you at the finish line. They are only a mile away. One small mile. They are waiting to cheer you home. You are not running your race, but you can finish strong.

I took my left foot and dragged a line in the ground. This was my new start line. "Do it! Finish it! Go! Go! Go!"

Off I went. With the side stitch still in place I ran as hard as I could. I passed by a couple of runners. "I'm going to make it.", I thought. I approached more and more spectators. I was getting closer. The wide road turned into a single track. I could hear people. I could see the finish. My pain disappeared. My disappointment disappeared. I was elated and on top of the world. My buddy Scott was there to cheer me on. I raised my arms up as I crossed the finish line.

I was done.

Here are the results:

FINISH TIME: 3:39:39

PACE TIME: 8:21

OVERALL PLACE: 60th

AGE/GROUP: 11th

My family wasn't at the finish line, much to my disappointment. But they eventually showed up and I was happy. My wife and daughter made me a beautiful sign. It's wonderful. I prize it more than the medal I was given.

With the kids and holding my trophy sign!

So I ran a very good 20 miles but was overcome up horrible cramps and side stitch. I had dehydrated myself and had not taken in enough fuel. I know I can run faster. I know I will run faster.

Thank you to all of the people (and there are many of you) that encouraged me on, helped me along and took the time to aid a total stranger. I hope to see you all again next year.

See you on the trail.

Hooray! It's over! Lets go eat!!!