Cinderella 50k

This past weekend I decided to race the Cinderella 50k just outside San Francisco in Joaquin Miller Park. I have always wanted to visit an old redwood forest and running through this type of landscape has been a dream of mine. There is something about giant trees that feel magical and powerful. How can a tree grow from a tiny little seed to something of that stature? I still don't know but I wanted to go check them out and see what it felt like to run though them.

The magical California Redwoods

I drove from my new home in Carson City, NV to the Anthony Charbot Park in Oakland, CA which was located just 20 miles south of the race start. I awoke early the next morning, not from the sound of my alarm,but from a group of wild turkeys that were roaming through my campsite. I packed up my tent threw down a bagel and a 'nanner and drove up to the race. I knew the race was going to be pretty small but I also knew that the Bay Area does have some pretty talented athletes so I didn't know who was going to show up. 

I picked up my race number and headed back up to my car to finish my coffee and top of my water bottle. On the way back down to the start I saw the speedy Ian Sharman at the registration table. Ian Sharman is a talented runner who holds the North American record for 100 mile trail race in 12hr44min!! This means he ran 100 miles at 7:38per/mile!!! Crazy you might say? So I was excited to say the least that I would be running with Ian. 

Oakland Hills 

Before the race I was still blowing snot rockets and my head was a bit heavy but I told myself to just go with the flow and CLEAR THAT HEAD UP!! The race went out fast with some of the 10k,1/2 marry and marathon runners going up front. My goal was to try and keep Ian in sight for as long as I could. This lasted for about 8 miles and then I lost him through the giant trees. At this point I was in second place and I held on to that position to the finish. Ian was walking most of the hills that I could see him on and then he would blast off downhill like a goat and I would lose him. The course was nothing like I have run on before with some nice roller coaster single track that meandered through rich fern forest with giant redwoods that let just 

enough sunlight through. 

Streams of sunlight through the trees 

I stuck with my usual 50 mile and under nutrition plan of a Hammer Gel every 25min with two Endurolytes salt tabs every hour as well. It got hot (86deg+ humidity) as the the day ticked and the one major climb of the day was on what seemed like the only exposed area of the course. My Altice Wrapids were perfect for this exposed section and did just the trick to make this 1,800 ft climb hurt just a little less. 

Cruisey single track through lush fern forest

I started to slow after this climb but just kept that PMA ( positive mental attitude) and kept ticking along. After coming through the finish area and the 26.2 mile mark they took the 50kers out on one last loop. I left this point ready to be done and just wanted to get to the next aid so I could have some coke. After making the turn to head back for the home stretch I ran into none other than Kara Dewalt. Kara and I went to U of Montana together. Kara is training for the steeple chase with a very talented group of runners who all live just down the road from the park. Kara was just out on a training run and I just happened to run into her. Weird! At this point I thought I was hallucinating! Kara ended up pushing me into the finish line for 2nd place and a time of 4:38:40. Full results here . 

I was happy about the race considering how I felt leading up to it. It was also cool to run with Ian ( even if it was only him just up ahead of me) and to only finish 22 min behind him. After the race I got a tour of Kara house that overlooked Oakland and San Fran and enjoyed a giant burger and fries before heading back up Carson City and my new home.

Good weekend on the trails!!