The Epiphany!

Well, this was the first Fat Ass event that I've attended, other than my own. Fat Asses are low-key runs, generally (always?) put on by runners, and typically involve no entry fee, and hence no awards, and minimal aid. It's quite the epiphany, for someone who got involved in racing, simply for the swag (the allure of race medals).

When discussed on the Ultraholics mailing list, Mark Tanaka, and Chihping Fu had the bright idea to start around 4am from Lake Chabot, and run to the start at Skyline Gate in Redwood Park. I mentioned this to my wife, who said something like "Well, it would be nice for you not to be gone all day." Hmm. And good night-running experience, and perhaps I can stop being lazy and run into work starting at 4am, instead of waiting until 8am and riding my bicycle when the opportunity arises. Well, it was a fitful sleep. I woke up every couple of hours, and my wife was apparently reading into the wee hours. A couple of times I thought I should just get up and run and get it over with. But I did wait until 4am, and with much putzing around, especially after realizing it was cold and running inside to grab more clothes, finally started running at 5:30.

Needless to say it was dark. But on top of that, it was foggy. You know how your highbeams don't work in the fog? Imagine a headlamp above your eyes, and perhaps you can envision the dancing water droplets that your field of vision, that look like something out of the Blair Witch Project. The trail is monochromatic in the dim light, and the recent rain makes the footing slippery. I note that my last minute grab of more layers was a mistake, as I tie my extra windbreaker to my pack.

I was carrying the race map, but didn't grab a trail map despite thinking I should. When I ended up at a dead end, I sure wish I did. I ran around the area, looking for possible continuations of the trail, but eventually gave up and turned back. There I noticed I misinterpreted the direction of a "no trespassing sign", and picked up a trail, although I was hoping to have the assurance of a trail mark, assume that I'm now on Goldenrod Trail. I chug up and down hills, and as I clear the trees, I see some bright falling stars streak the sky. The sun gets higher, and I can make out the lake to the south. It doesn't make for a great photo, but I attempt it anyways.



Eventually it becomes light enough for me to put away the headlamp. I've only run the length of Goldenrod once before, and I'm glad to hit landmarks (water fountain with dog bowl) that are familiar. I find Jackson Grade, and continue along Brandon Trail. Then I start hearing voices, which I follow to find Bort Meadow. There I find Mark talking to Steve Holman. Mark is on his return trip.



After a brief chat, we continue on our way, him towards the lake, and me along MacDonald trail. My left knee starts to really bother me, and my legs are already tiring. My watch tells me it's been about 9.5 miles, and it's taken about 2 hours. Not very speedy. As I continue, the views now that I can see them are really spectacular in the morning light. I start meeting up with runners who left from the start, and try to snap pics of them as they pass. I don't get everyone, but I get quite a few. Be sure to check my photo album for your pics if you ran!

The trail climbs somewhat before plunging down towards Redwood Rd. My knee doesn't hold up to much downhill running, though. A brief stint along Redwood Rd, I make it to Bridle trail, and am really surprised to come across the spot where rainbow trout were first identified. Probably because I grew up fishing for rainbow trout, thousands of miles away.



The trail is shaded by redwood trees. It's truly spectacular, flat, and the ground is soft.



But the trail is long. I remember Bridle and Stream being on the PCTR Sequoia course, and distinctly remember they didn't feel as short as they are. I get lost as I don't cross the stream when I should, and continue until my current trail dead ends. Actually I hop a few barriers until it becomes obvious it isn't it. I turn around, find the bridge, and continue. I've eaten my only granola bar, and about 3 gels up to this point. I start wishing I brought more solid food.

The trail still feels long, and gets longer, as I hit an uphill. I finally make it to the Skyline Gate, put my email on the clipboard, and turn around. My knee is particularly tender heading down the hill. I run when I can, but mostly try to work on my power-walk, and see if I can keep it around 17 min/miles. That works on the flats/downhills, but not so well on the uphills.

I think the return trip to Redwood Rd is faster, and I'm happy to have the excuse of a hill to hike as I make way up MacDonald trail again. I start to see return runners, and they look strong!! I get to see Steve Holman again, and I tell him that I've been thinking about his PB&Js for hours. I eat about 2 sandwiches while talking to him. He's a natural aid station worker, it's like talking to a bartender.



I make some pretty good time walking, and I'm glad to see the lake again. My watch beeps at me at 6.5 hours to say it's low on battery. I hope I can make it back before it runs out. Somewhere, I take a turn too early, or too late, and I end up on Bass Cove, which probably shaves a couple of miles off. The last couple of miles are frustratingly slow. I can see the marina, but it's taking time. A friendly Australian Shepherd introduces herself, and I talk to the owner about my dog. He looks at me puzzled and asks why I wouldn't bring my dog out for a walk. I say I'm at mile 27, and not sure Cub would be good for it.

Seven hours thirty seven minutes later, I make it back to my car for a total mileage of 28.5. My watch runs out of battery on the drive home. It was a fantastic day to be out on the trails, and the weather was perfect! My epiphanies include finding out that I cannot expect to go from a 9 mile long run (if I'm lucky) to a ~30 mile run without some difficulty. This was actually my first run since my birthday run too, so that's back to back ultras! It can be frustrating going so slow. It seems astonishing that in 2008 I did a 9:15 50 mile run, or a 3:43 SF marathon, or a 1:33 half marathon. I have a lot of work to do if I'm going to do a 100 mile run in 2009. But it's best to find that out in January! Another epiphany is that Fat Asses rock. It's helpful to have a run solidify a goal, and to have company on the trails. With the price of organized races these days, I'll try to take advantage of these as they come up.

Happy birthday, John! Thank you for the race!