Inside Trail 30k+I want to be a surfer.

On my way up to the turnaround point at the north peak of Montara Mountain, I looked up to see Caitlin Smith cruising back down.

Well, there goes my chance for an age group win today, I thought.
(that's a joke)

Someone should hire me to write course descriptions. 

Inside Trail celebrated its one year anniversary with a return to Pacifica, the site of their inaugural event. Last year I ran the half marathon distance, but this year my training for Way Too Cool called for an 18 miler. The past few trail races I've run have had a good amount of climbing, but for the most part, the entire second half has been downhill. I was super excited to challenge my legs to some late in the race uphill. (spoiler alert: legs were not super excited to accept the challenge)

I'm very familiar and comfortable with the first loop up the mountain. It's the longest and highest climb, but it's also the first three miles of the race when everybody's legs are fresh and rarin' to go. I tried to tuck in and keep a steady pace because the last five mile loop was what I was really focused on.

I hit the turnaround at the top with nothing but downhill ahead of me to the first aid station. I love out and backs because you get to actually watch the race you're running...you get to see the leaders and who's behind you. Having a stretch where you can give and get encouragement from other runners is always fun because trail running isn't really a spectator sport, and you can go for miles running completely alone.

Returning from the yellow loop. Photo Credit: Allen 

I only downed about a third of the water in my handheld on the mountain loop, so I opted to blow through the first aid station. At the start of the first climb of the pink loop I checked my Garmin  to note the time and distance. I remembered parts of this loop from last year being a big mental downer because of switchbacks that seemed to go on forever, so I figured I could occupy my mind the first time out by mapping the climbs and having some points of reference for the second loop out.

The first climb was about a mile up and a mile down...a little rough on tired legs and with hot sun over the exposed trail (January in California everybody) which led to the second climb. The second climb was 1.7 miles of switchbacks. 1.7 miles of switchbacks where every turn looks exactly like the turn you just made. 1.7 miles where about halfway through you start to question whether or not you're actually getting somewhere or maybe you traveled through some sort of wormhole where you just keep repeating the same half mile over and over again.

Like Groundhog Day, or that episode of the X Files "Monday"
but nobody would get that, so Groundhog Day. 

I noted the top of the second climb and flew downhill to the aid station where I intended to refill my handheld because I had drained it.

Coming back off of the first pink loop. Photo Credit: Allen

I walked out of the aid station to mentally regroup and focus on the goal I had set for myself: No one would pass me on this last loop. Basically, this meant I wouldn't wuss out or give up on this last five miles of climbing.

Going out for a second loop means you know exactly how much it's going to suck and how long it's going to suck for. I was prepared. I broke it down into the four sections of uphill and downhill. I knew the distances I was up against for each, and I powered through. It was awful. I thought my legs were going to just give up and fall off of my body a couple of times. If you were out there and heard someone yell "YES THANK YOU" that might have been me when I finally got to the top of the second climb with only downhill ahead of me to the finish.

Coming back off the second pink loop for the finish.
This might be the coolest shot ever.  Photo Credit: Allen

Finally realizing it was Allen behind the camera the entire race saying,
 "Heyyyy, it's Allen" Also, he managed to catch me mid air. 

Uh, pretty sure I touch the ground when I run. 

There it is. 

I hit the finish at 3:36. 6th in my age group. 10th female. 16th overall. Caitlin Smith did win the 30-39 age group. She was first female finisher. 2nd overall.

Coke. Sit down. That's all I want. 

I felt great about my run. Last year I finished the half at 3:00:48. This year I came into the aid station at the half mark at 2:24. My legs are sore, but it's a good sore...like I know I worked hard and mentally got through some tough spots, so I feel like training is on track.

swag: tech shirt and anniversary glass. sweet. 

I took off the next morning for a run along the coast. Tired legs, sore knees, but THIS...

I'm. Having. THE TIME OF MY LIFE. 

So also happening this weekend was the Mavericks Surf Competition down near Half Moon Bay. The call went out that conditions were right and surfers came from all over the world on a moment's notice. We didn't go down there, but the waves in Pacifica were huge, so I got to drool over surfers because I want to be one but I'm terrified...I'm from Indiana. Are you allowed to be a surfer if you're from Indiana? I'm not sure.

Take me with you!

The weekend was perfect. It was good running, and it was good ocean.