End of the Season

 

I rested and recovered after the marathon in early November. Thanksgiving was wonderful and I used the time off to try and get some training on trails. I'd signed up for a 50k mid-december. It was never a goal race but I'd hoped to finish the race and enjoy the wonderful trails. However, a touch of ankle tendonitis and trail shoe issues meant that I was going into the 50k race woefully undertrained on trails and unsure the ankle would hold up to the rigors of trail running. 

The ankle had felt fine on roads so the issue on trails was a bit of a surprise. I'd run longer on trails in shoes that hadn't worked and probably contributed to the ankle pain. I started some self care for the ankle and also added in some more days off than I planned. After frantically trying out different shoes, I had finally found a pair of trail shoes that would do well enough and prepared just go out there and have some fun.  

We went up to Whidbey for the Deception Pass 25k and 50k. These races are on separate days and we knew people running both days. A friend has a house on whidbey so we had easy and very relaxing accommodations. I'd had a very stressful week at work so really was looking forward to the weekend away. I'd been tapering again for the race and was dismayed to find the ankle really bothered after a couple easy midweek runs. I'd had a massage the monday before the race and I think possibly she went a bit deep on the tender areas. And then saturday i woke with teh beginnings of a cold. That decided it. I had thought I'd have a chance of finishing before the cut off for the 50k IF the ankle held up. Now with a developing cold, I knew I'd just have to plan for a nice and much shorter easy trail run. Maybe I could make it 10 miles but I would be happy with 7 or so which would give me the best views of the course.  

It's a great course for spectating and the weather was wonderful for the 25k. Runners did get rained on but they were brief showers and overall it was very comfortable temps for running. Coach Lesley was racing strong (despite her usual claim that she was just running for fun) and it was really fun getting to different areas to cheer.  

After the race, we headed back to the farm and got a grand tour of the property. I took a lovely nap and spent some quality time knitting and reading. Ah the joys of the occasional unplugging. There was no wifi! The R2D2 hat is ready! 

I prepared all my stuff to get ready to run the next morning. And barely slept because i had such a sore throat and felt so achy. Ok. No way. No running for this sickie.  That is a DNS (did not start) and no doubt in my mind that was the right decision. I felt awful later in the day and was working towards spiking a high fever. We still went out and cheered for the friend running in teh 50k. Turns out he was way undertrained as well and had a planned drop at mile 14.  

Nope, it's not quite the weekend i wanted running-wise but it was a really fun weekend overall with beautiful scenery. Meanwhile I guess the ankle is better. it's had a lot of rest!

Deception Pass 25k

I ran this race in 2011 in it's first year.
Then I was so blown away by the trails and scenery that I stopped and took a fair number of photos during the race and just marveled over the variety of trails and the stunning scenery. I wouldn't say I dawdled during the race but I was more concerned with staying upright on the technical trails and staying strong all the way through to the finish.  In 2011 I finished the race in 3:28 and I knew I'd have to come back.

In July, registration opened for this race and I signed up immediately. For further fun, a few other friends signed up for the 25k and a couple friends signed up for the 50k which is the next day. I think 8 of us total were signed up and I was looking forward to a very fun weekend. Life got in the way however, and on race day just two of us lined up to start. It still ended up being a fun weekend but I would've been even happier had all race plans happened but such is running. 

K and I drove up to Oak Harbor the evening before the race after work. It is doable driving up the morning for this race but much more pleasant and relaxing to sleep overnight closer to the race start. Oak Harbor is ten minutes away from Deception Pass State Park. I knew I wouldn't sleep well at home either so I might as well be in a hotel!

This became more of an issue though as I had some sort of reaction and developed some lung irritation which left me coughing and makes my lungs feel itchy. This happened before a race before when staying at a hotel. Something must trigger the reaction and I knew I'd have to stay on top of inhalers. I typically do not like taking allergy medication as it dries me out and makes getting in enough liquids challenging (and I struggle with this anyway). I might experiment with OTC allergy medicines and see if one would be better if I had to take something and run.  Breathing is better than not! 

I slept poorly but that was not unexpected. We were up promptly and I was happy to get going. Race weather promised to be perfect. Although there was a chance of showers, it never rained. The temps were mid to high 40s with only a bit of a breeze in certain sections.  Certain trails on this course can be very exposed so I was most concerned with the wind but there was only a few times where I felt chilled because of that.  What a relief considering the cold temps and serious winds we'd had just a week earlier.

There is that bridge.

I met up with running friend and her family. Everyone was excited and enjoyed the happy anticipatory atmosphere. We listened to the usual warnings of not falling off cliff trails and bridges and were off only a bit late. As my coach and friend, we run together once or twice a week but even with some chronic injury issues which limit her running, she will always be faster and stronger runner than I am. I vowed at the start to run my own race especially early on the uphills and did not expect to stay together. It was fun to be lined up at the start ready to go and ready for the challenge. 

Deception Pass Bridge from below.

The race start takes off uphill on a road which is always a bit torturous.  With 200+ runners, this is the only way to get people strung out a bit before we hit single track.  It was still quite a traffic jam when we first turned onto a trail at almost mile 1. This was fine with me. My lungs were itchy, i was still coughing and I knew it would take a few miles to feel warmed up.  By mile 2, i was already lagging behind friend a bit on the uphills and at 3 after a climb up to Deception Pass Bridge, running friend was waiting for me.  I made sure to tell her that I didn't expect us to stay together. She, however, wanted to run across the bridge together and then would keep to her own pace. Perfect.

Deception Pass Bridge is spectacular, of course.  It's a narrow span over a steep pass with swirling water below. I've run across this bridge twice before in the dark during Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay and it's always a thrill. It's a little more scary in the light when you can see just how far up you are and how narrow the pedestrian walkway is!

We crossed the bridge, hopped over the highway railing and were back onto technical trails for the next series of "lollipops" which is how this course is conceived.  There are 6 out and back sections in all. The course is well marked but it helps to remember which lollipop you are on so you can follow signage to the next lollipop.  However as each section of the race is a lollipop with a portion that is out and back, you are always crossing paths with runners coming towards you. Faster runners (those ahead of you on the course) have the right of way but it is just prudence to slow down and be mindful of allowing enough room for passing especially on rocky, slippery sections. 

There was another guy running who I knew through a mutual friend. This would be his longest run ever but he had done a trail running series over the summer so was experienced on trails.  Newbie Runner and I chatted the first few miles until he was ready to move ahead of my cautious pace. I figured I'd not see him again but once we hit the only aid station at mile 5.5 and then again at 7.5, I'd move ahead of him again and he'd catch back up to me.  I was following my nutrition plan which was basically 1 gel every 30 minutes with a supplemental rice muffin. I carried all my food and water and had no need to stop. I did stop at the aid station at 7.5 for a couple ounces of coca cola as a treat (I'm not a soda drinker normally). I ended up having 5 gels, 3 rice muffins (about 50 calories each), 1 electrolyte capsule and a couple ounces of coke and 35 ounces of water during the course of the race.

We started on lollipop number 5 and I was looking forward to this 4 mile loop. I remembered it as being fairly peaceful without a lot of other runners and good trails. Newbie runner was behind me with a chatty canadian runner. Chatty Canada runner had run this race the year before in 4 hours and was hoping to PR as well.  I offered to let her go ahead of me (she was really chatty) but she liked my pace.  So much for peaceful but at the same time it was companionable chatting a bit with newbie runner and chatty canada.  newbie runner once ahead moved passed me and I wished him well and secretly wondered if he'd be able to hold pace as he got tired at the end of the race.

We were gradually climbing to the high point of the course. I started to feel the lungs in here again and got out the rescue inhaler to help. I ate and drank and just kept a steady pace and wondered if I'd really had enough training to hold this race until the end. I comfortably have been running about 30 miles a week and had wanted to run more per week. It just didn't happen. I had the trail miles but no run longer than 13 miles.  The thing that scares me about these longer trail races is pushing too hard in the beginning and taking a severe tumble later in the race when your legs (and mind) are tired. This is where the doubts I have about long distance running (marathon distance on roads) come into play as I don't have a good sense of effort for pace. I do know trails though. Oh well. Best laid plans and all and such is running. It never pays to feed those doubts and I just focused on staying to plan and moving forward. 

At mile 9, we hit the high point and turned onto a new rocked logging access road. Uck! I hate it when a trail goes over these sorts of roads. The rocks they put down to stabilize the mucky road are large and sharp and almost impossible to run over especially when covered with slick leaves, slick mud and one section of ice left over from the cold we'd had last week.  Then we hit the short section which had been logged.  It's a working forest but it still makes me sad to see the wreck left over when logging happens to a beautiful, peaceful forest.  This was a shock to Chatty Canada too as this logging was recent.

Once past this, we were back onto lovely running trails with a gradual downhill. YES! This is my strength and I picked up the pace eventually catching and passing Newbie Runner. Chatty Canada felt inspired by my pace still and kept up with me.  It was fun running in here and lungs, legs and mind were happy. Shoelace!  Dangit. I had to stop and tie shoes again at the end of the loop and got passed by a lot of people including Chatty Canada.

We crossed the Deception Pass Bridge a second time and I pushed the pace on this flat bit until i was right behind a gal who let me go ahead as soon as we hit the stairs down to the trail.  Oh this was Chatty Canada! I hadn't really seen what she looked like as she had always been running behind me but she recognized my bright orange shirt.  I thought maybe she'd stay with me on this next easier trail but she never did. I did look up her results at the finish and was happy to see she'd come out with a 30 minute + PR.  Good for her! 

We were approaching the last tough climb of the race. We'd climb to almost the same height as the previous climb but instead of taking 1.5 miles, we'd go straight up in under a mile. I'd remembered this climb as being a total calf burner and passing a lot of people with my fast(ish) hike.  It went on and on and my calves burned and I kept on climbing and made it to the top with just under 3 miles to go. 

At mile 12.7, the race was beginning. It's slick on top of Goose Rock so I was very careful picking my way over strange sloping rocks. The downhill was steep and brutal and I passed a gal who was obviously dealing with severe calf cramps.  I offered electrolytes and she took me up on the offer. I gave her 2 and took one myself.  Oh yeah. I'd realized my fingers were swelling a bit the last couple miles and thought I probably needed more electrolytes.

I was running by myself here and gradually picking people off. There was a large log down across teh trail at just the height where it was tough to go under and tough to go over. I chose to clamber over it and as I prepared to jump the foot or so to get off the log, my calf cramped on the right. Uh oh. i just flexed the foot and started running meaning to take in more water and food. And then i realized i was out of water.  I'd carried 35 ounces in my pack and couldn't believe i'd drank it all.

We hit an easier slightly downhill trail and my left calf cramped hard enough so that I could see my foot pull in of it's own volition. I was really shocked by this and as I watched my foot roll in I took a little half step realizing I'd land on my ankle and go down. I stopped to stand and flex the foot and calf a bit and got going again gingerly. It didn't particularly hurt but i was not in control of my leg anymore and knew the last mile was on technical trails where I'd need good control.  I'd hit the top of the last hill in 2:45 at mile 12.75 (the first time I'd looked at my watch at all for pace) and thought maybe I could come in between 3 and 3:15 as I was pretty sure i had 3 miles to go still. That number went down the cliff as I just carefully walked a bit to make sure I could run without falling.

Finally we hit the trail which goes under the main highway and I knew that while my watch read 14 miles, i was less than 2 miles from the finish. Again it was technical and rooty with lots of little ups and downs. I ran when i could and hiked fast when needed up hills and through rocky sections. I passed a few more people in here including one guy who was limping very, very badly.  I hit the beach, yelled cheers at K waiting for me and managed a sub 9 pace to the finish.  I thought overall that 3:15 was a reasonable goal and i worked to finish at 3:14:54.

Running friend finished about 10 minutes ahead of me. Newbie Runner finished 4 minutes behind. I'd be 4th in AG if they did the smaller age groupings and that is just about typical for me and a good indicator that I ran well and smartly. My lungs felt irritated and worked the whole day and I was thankful they hadn't been any more of a bother!

This event really has trails of every variety. There steep climbs, difficult descents, sand, algae beach running (really), rocks and roots and lush forests as well as just fine running. The vistas demand quick peeks when you aren't keeping your attention strictly on the trail in an effort to stay upright.  I'd do this one again at any time.

K and went for a short hike in another state park to the south of Deception Pass.  A hike? After that? It was really just short walk along some flat trails but we were impressed by the dense forest and well signed trail system in Ft Ebey. We'll have to go back.

And then K had never been across Deception Pass in daylight so we drove back that way and stopped to get out to look around.  I found stairs!  The bridge and environs are impressive and I've never had the leisure to stop. (Day 120)

Deception Pass 25k interlude

In 2011, i finished this course in 3:28 with lots of stops to take photos, tie shoes, pee and marvel at the scenery.

In 2013, I finished this course in 3:15 with one stop to take a photo, one stop to tie shoes and use rescue inhaler (lungs do not like cheap hotels evidently) and dealt with some amazing calf cramping the last couple of miles. And yes, i still marveled at the scenery and the incredible variety of trails. It feels like a huge accomplishment to finish an event such as this and both a pleasure and a privilege. I'm delighted to cap my running year with the Deception Pass 25k and a big fat PR. 

Mile 6.5 After Rosario Head along Sharpe Cove. Bald Eagle on the wing. Dark photo as it was just a dark day. The weather was perfect with no rain but we are close to the solstice. At times it was so dark on the trails that a flashlight would've been a possibility!

Deception Pass 25k

It's been a busy holiday season so far.  Vacation, holidays, fun parties, christmas lights, basement cleaning.  Why not add a trail running event and take a quick night and day out of the city? 

JT had been interested in Rainshadow Running's newest event.  The Deception Pass 25k was a great way to end the end the trail running year after starting it with the Orcas Island 25k.  It was a great gift of trails.

JT picked me up after work Friday evening and we made the quick drive to Oak Harbor and a hotel just about 15 minutes from the park where we'd start in the morning.  Yes, we could've just driven in that morning before the race but this was a nice leisurely way to do it and I'd do it again.  We were out of the hotel by 7 am and onto North Beach at Deception Pass State Park with a whole bunch of other excited trail runners. 

The talk beforehand was amusing.  "be careful" was repeated multiple times. Falling off of cliffs was not allowed nor was falling off bridges. no passing people on the bridge as it is too narrow and if there are any tourists walking or stopped, we must walk around them. This course was a series of lollipops, this meant we'd see runners coming and going quite a bit.  faster runners had the right of way.

and we are off only a little late.  1 mile on the road by cranberry lake.  very pretty.  I had to stop and tie my shoe.  Then onto a trail back towards the beach we started from. hey, i could drop my mittens here so perfect.  Soon we got onto the north beach trail which was pretty rooty/up and down rollercoastery and very technical.  and it had the most amazing views. 

oh screw this.  I stop to take photos and that is how it went.  as we were doing the series of lollipops you could see all the faster 50k/25k runners and would really have to wait since the trails were so narrow.  no biggie.  I stopped to take more photos.  the bridge was fun to run across.  JT caught up to me around mile 3.5 because i was stopping so much.  so we were together for a mile or so in here and then i pulled away again.  really gorgeous trails once in the woods although i really cannot get enough of those trails that go along the water.  so beautiful. 

on to mile 5.5 (mile 5 by my watch) and you hit the aid station the first time.  out to rosario head which had the most windswept remote feel.  some very rough trail over there too.  then back to that same aid station (mile 7.3 by their measurement, mile 6.6 by my watch) and i was feeling quite good in here and just steadily running.  eating a gel every 3 miles.  At the aid station teh second time i had half a peanut butter sammich and a couple of pieces of boiled potato dipped in salt and some coke.  i knew my watch was reading short so i kept nutrition/gels every 3 miles.  So 3, 6, 9, 12 plus the stuff from the aid station. 

JT had been in mexico for a few weeks and didn't run at all in november as there was just no way to get it in.  she went out and ran 10 miles last week and decided to come start this race but she did decide to drop at the aid station at mile 7.3. good choice as all the bigger hills came after that. 

It was a very long loop out to Pass Lake with a very long climb in here. It seemed to go up and up and then by this point i was completely alone. I never saw anyone coming back and no one behind me.  I kept trotting along.  the downhill then off this was pretty runnable so i enjoyed that.  but i did  manage to slightly roll that ankle again dammit.  my current trail shoes (Saucony ProGrid Peregrine) come loose plus they are slightly wider so i have to wear thicker socks.  That combined with a lower heel and more minimal feel means I want to roll an ankle.  Sadly I think these shoes are off my list.  I dislike that they have no rock protection either.  I had to stop 2 and 3 times for each shoe to retie.  I finally double knotted and it stayed but that does start to give me some numb toes.  i think the ankle is fine though.  a bit crunchy feeling when i rolled it.

Finally as i'm coming back towards the pass i start seeing and passing people.  i stopped to get some good shots of the bridge. we run across it again and then take a trail which takes us under it.  It's a very pretty forested along the pass (it's goose rock perimeter trail).  I pass a couple more people and then start the goose rock summit trail.  This is straight UP and I'm not kidding.  calf burner.  i pass some more people and really wonder if the leaders can actually run this?  I cannot!  we finally come to the top where it is bald/meadowy and there are these strange flat sloping smooth rocks.  it's flat and think i should be running. Wrong!  the rocks up here are not wet but my shoes do not grip on those rocks. And down i go. grrr.  One bruised hand and bruised front of one leg.  It could've been worse.  we start then some very significant downhill which hurts at this point.  My legs are aching. hmm.  I must need more food and how did I already make it to 12 miles by my garmin?!  These miles are going so quick.  so i take another gel.  that helps.

I come to the turn off for 25k runners. Phew!  I do NOT want to run the 50k today!  :D  it's pretty good running in here although slightly uphill on a wide trail.  i pass a few more people in here who are walking.  Finally we duck back under this little trail which takes us under SR 20 (sneaky trails all through this area) and we are back on the north beach  trail which is significantly harder now on tired legs. It's not as bad as those last couple miles finishing at orcas but it was still pretty technical.  no falling!  and finally back to the beach, i pass a couple gals coming in and I'm done! 

JT had already gotten a ride back to the finish and is happy.  they had an amazing spread of food and i realize i'm quite hungry. eat and chat a bit and we are on the road by about 12:30.  she knew this little coffee shop/store on a different bypass road around mount vernon.  They had very tasty coffee.  I was home by about 2:30 which was much sooner than i expected and ready for the big holiday party that evening. 

I would totally do this one again.  Really the variety of trails/scenery was amazing.  Single track springy forested trails,  the beach, road, grass, cliff hugging trails.  awesome. 

The day after, I am tight from a long run but that is all.  A fun run was the right way to approach this run and it makes me really happy that at any point I feel ready to tackle a 15 mile technical trail with significant elevation changes.