Ray Miller 50K Recap

Late last year, I decided I wanted to try running an ultra race.  I ran a marathon in February 2016 and frankly, I didn’t enjoy the experience.  Once I started trail running, the idea of running a 50K (or longer distance) was much more appealing.  My original plan was to run Leona Divide in April but life happened and I had to postpone my first 50K, so I signed up for the Ray Miller 50K.

In October, I had a last minute opportunity to run the Lake Hodges 50K and I am so glad that I did.  During that race, I was able to learn some opportunities that I have with hydration and find out how my body would handle the 50K distance.  During that race, I also made plans with Jenn and Vanessa for Ray Miller.  They were both also signed up for it, along with Alexis, so we decided to carpool and room together.

Traffic Views

The race was on a Saturday (I love Saturday races!) so we headed up to Malibu on Friday afternoon.  The traffic wasn’t great but it wasn’t awful either.  (You never know what you’re going to get with traffic in the Los Angeles area)  The company was great and the views were amazing so the trip went by rather quickly.  After checking into the hotel and getting dinner, it was back to the hotel to get some sleep for the early wake up on Saturday morning. 

#FlatJenn and all her essentials

The Ray Miller 50/50/30 offered a 50 mile race, a 50K race and a 30K race.  We were all running the 50K which started at 6:30am.  We arrived around 5:30am to check-in, get our bibs and do all the last minute race stuff. 

Let's Do This!

Starting at the Ray Miller trailhead in Point Mugu State Park, the 50K promised a lot of hills with amazing views.  It did not disappoint.  I stayed with Jenn, Vanessa and Alexis for about the first ten miles of the race as we sang and entertained our way through the course.  At one point, I heard someone refer to us as “Team Rocket” because of our Orange Mud hydration packs.  As much as I was having with them, I knew eventually I would fall behind and start running my own race.  During the Lake Hodges race, I dealt with some bad leg cramping issues so I was focused on upping my hydration and listening to my body.  This course was also a lot more technical and challenging than any trail I’ve run before—I knew that listening to my body would become the most important thing.  

Elevation! (They call it "Hell Hill" for a reason!)

When I run longer distances, I try not to think about how many miles I have left.  Instead I try to think about how much longer to the next aide station.  This is the second Keira Henninger race that I’ve run and she runs a very organized, put together event.  Every aide station was fully stocked and the volunteers were amazing!  The course is very well marked, with either signs or ribbons leading the way.  I never once felt like I might be going the wrong way.

The pink ribbon meant I was going the right way

This course is one of the prettiest I have run—with views of the ocean or mountains, no matter where you looked, you were surrounded by beauty.  It was also challenging, with a lot of single track and brush to deal with.  The elevation was no joke and my legs are definitely feeling it the next day.   Although I did have some leg cramps, they were easily walked off and I know as I continue to run the longer distances, I can try to figure out what is causing that.  My overall time was not what I had hoped for, but I am happy with my race.  I felt strong; stronger than I did at the 50K I ran in October.  Looking back, there were parts that I hiked that I probably could have run but I know at the time, I gave it everything I had in me in the moment.  I listened to my body, I stopped to enjoy the views, made friends along the way, cursed my way up “Hell Hill,” and ran the race I had in me. 

In awe. So pretty!

 At the end of it, the Ray Miller 50K is one of those races that I said, “I liked that race.  I want to do it again.” Overall, I’d call that a win.  Sometimes the race is more than the time on your race—this was one of those races for me and I loved every second of it.

Running with friends is better!

 What has been one of your best races, regardless of time?

 

Until next time, happy running.

Jenn13.1

My Ultra Training Essentials

As week nine of my ultra training nears its finish, I am about a third of the way through my training.  During this time, I’ve discovered a few things that I can’t live without in this new adventure.  Some of these things are things that I’ve used all along, just now with a better appreciation for them.  Some are things I never tried before and am wondering why I waited so long.  I know as I progress in my training, some things will be added to my list of essentials and everyone’s training essentials are different, but right now these are a few of mine.

A Plan
I’ve never trained with a plan and I learned the hard way that having a plan is better.  I ran my first marathon in February and although I did a couple long runs, I didn’t give it the dedication it deserved.  When I decided I wanted to run a 50K, I decided to get a running coach and am working with Jenn from Sole Health and Wellness.  Part of the coaching experience is having a plan—I have a calendar that tells me what mileage to run each day and what type of runs they should be.  It was hard to adjust from being a no-plan runner to running with one, but now I love it!  Yes, there are times that I deviate from my plan—I may run a little more or a little less on some days than scheduled, but by the end of my week, my weekly mileage is pretty consistent to what's been planned.  

Hydration
I used to be one of those runners who didn’t drink until they felt thirsty.  If you’ve ever done this, you know that by the time you feel thirsty it’s usually “too late.”  I’ve been working on hydrating before, during and after my runs to maintain a good level of hydration—over hydrating can be just as bad as under hydrating and I don’t want to do either.  The two things that have definitely helped with my hydration are my Orange Mud HydraQuiver and Nuun hydration.  My Orange Mud vest has two bottles which allows me to fill one with water and one with Nuun—my general rule is to take sips every mile or so.   Even as the weather has turned colder and it sometimes doesn’t feel like I need to hydrate as much, I still stick to this rule.  (I love my Orange Mud so much, I added a one barrel vest to my running wardrobe to use on my shorter runs when I don't need both bottles worth of hydration)

Compression Socks
If you follow me on social media, you know that I love my ProCompression socks.  As I am running more mileage, I am definitely noticing a difference.  I am not only training for my first 50K, but I am also on a Run Streak so I am running everyday.  My ProCompression socks are helping my legs feel less tired and definitely help the recovery process.  I wear them during my runs and after for recovery. And now that it’s boot season, I’m wearing them more with everyday wear too!  

The Right Shoes
As much as I love to feel the dirt beneath my feet, I knew that I needed the right pair of shoes between me and the dirt.  After doing some research (i.e. Asking my friends) I went to a local running store to try on some trail shoes—after trying on several pairs, I decided on the Altra Lone Peak 3.0 and it has been love from the first mile.  So far in my training, about half of it has been out on the trails and the shoes have been amazing.  There wasn’t a “breaking in” period—they were just the right shoe for me.  

The Elements
When you’re training for an event, the weather doesn’t turn to “perfect” for every run just because you want it to.  My little disclaimer is that I live in Southern California so the elements I need to be ready for are no where similar to what other runners run in.  (A big “You’re Awesome”  to everyone who runs in extreme weather!). But we have had a few weather changes lately and it’s definitely impacted what I wear when I’m running.  I’ve had to run in the rain a few times and am grateful for the rain jacket I randomly purchased a couple years ago.  It’s also been a lot colder lately and that’s been the biggest adjustments for this tank & skirt runner.  So I’ve added gloves, a Buff and arm warmers to my running wardrobe.  I’ve also added more trucker hats and sunglasses to my collection so that I can protect myself during my runs. My 50K is in April and in Southern California, you don’t know what you’re going to get in April weather-wise—I’m hoping to be prepared for anything.

My Friends
I love to run and though the journey is my own, it is definitely fun with other people along the way.  Honestly, not everyone in my life understands why I would want to run a 50K, but they support me anyway.  Whether it’s from going on runs with me or little messages of encouragement and support, I am blessed to have the people in my life that I do. 

What are some of the things you can’t live without when you’re training for a race?

Until next time, happy running.
Jenn13.1

Ultra Training: Week Nine

Another week!  I hope you had a wonderful  holiday and am looking forward to the new year.  I’m excited for week ten of my ultra training—registration for the race I will be running opens up on January 1st!  I feel like once I officially register, all this training stuff will get real.  

Here’s how week nine went:

Sunday
On Sunday, I ran my final half marathon of the year.  You can read about it here.  Spoiler alert—I got a 5 minute PR!

Monday
Mondays are an easy run day for me—I have long runs over the weekend, so I use Monday as a recovery run.  My plan was to run early but I slept through my alarms.  I headed to the lake in the afternoon, got in three miles and did some stretching.  

Tuesday
On Tuesday morning, I had an appointment and an errand that took me north of San Diego, which meant I would be near the coast.  I love running in the Del Mar area so took advantage of it and got my six miles in.  The views are gorgeous and it’s one of my favorite places to run.

Wednesday
Another gloomy day lurked on San Diego and I headed out before the rain.  It was a “rest day” so I got in a couple easy miles and some more stretching.
  

Thursday
Another rainy day in San Diego—where is it coming from?!  I put on my rain gear and headed out.  This time I got lucky—it stopped raining when I got to my running spot and didn’t rain long enough for me to get my run in.  

Friday
Another fun week at the #RUN619.  It was red & green themed and everyone came out in festive spirit!  It was a fun four miles with a great group of people. (And the biggest turnout yet!) If you’re ever in San Diego and need to run on a Friday, join us!  Every Friday at 6:19am.  

Saturday
Saturdays are my long run day and to be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it.  It was supposed to rain and I was tired.  I had some errands to run in the morning, so I headed out to the lake early afternoon to get the miles in.  Round trip, the lake is a little over six miles so I knew I’d need to run out and back then out and back again to get my mileage in for the day.  About two miles in, I started to feel some cramping in my right leg—it had happened during Friday’s run too so I thought I could run it out.  I continued another quarter of a mile and the cramp was now becoming painful beyond just a little discomfort.  I stopped and did some stretches hoping it would help and it didn’t.  I made the decision to turn around and ended up with just under five miles for the day.  It wasn’t the long run I was supposed to have and honestly, I may have taken the easy way out because I wasn’t in the mood to run.  But I also didn’t want to risk an injury which could interrupt my training plan and run streak.  

Total Weekly Mileage: 39.09

Until next time, happy running!
Jenn13.1