Up, Up and Away! Rattler 50k Race Report
The Rattler covers 3838 feet of gain in 31 miles. Yes, I have done other races similar and I have even completed Bears Ears 50k which had almost 7000 ft of gain. The problem is, I like to tell people that I am “emotionally allergic” to climbing. Often I will break out in cries about make-believe hives while going uphill. Well December Erica, who we will now refer to as BERICA, decided it would be a good idea to tackle climbing this year. So there I was all February, March and April turning down fun runs with friends because I needed to spend my miles on trails with elevation gain. (I curse you BERICA!) So training was mostly lonely and took forever because I basically have to hike all the uphills.
But I made it through my last couple peak week long training runs and I made it to race week. I did not take any days off of work before the race because it was just 2 hours south on Saturday and I made plans to go Friday and spend the weekend with my sister and her family. Friday after school I quickly loaded up the car and headed straight down to the Springs hitting packet pickup on the way to her house. That night I ate my pre-planned dinner and laid out my race day kit. It didn’t feel like a race weekend at all which was weird.
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| Obligatory Selfie Pic in the First Mile |
Kirsten and Marissa set their alarms to cheer me off in the morning. It was super sweet and made me feel good. I arrived about 25 minutes before the start. I left my drop bag at the halfway aide station and headed to the port-o-potties. I quickly realized that it was already too warm for two layers; so, I removed one and left it in the car. The 50k and 25k runners all gathered around the start area. Some were warming up, some were half-assed warming up and the rest were standing around chatting with friends. In case you were wondering, I did not know anyone at this event; so, I was the part of the crowd that was sorta moving the legs around as if I was warming up. (Better than nothing, right?!?)
And just like that we were off; we made our way through the starting chute and took a hard left in between the ballfields to head up into the trails. In this first quarter mile we narrowed to 2 across and then turned again to head up the first hill. We weaved our way through the trails and trees up to the first overlook. It had beautiful views of the morning sun and showed us how quickly we had gained in elevation. At the start of all my events, I always have to settle myself in and remind myself that the first miles are lying and I am okay and to just relax. After all of these ultras, I still think the best advice I ever got was before my first. It was, “don’t think of it as the full distance. Just run to the next aide station.” So so so soooooooo helpful in keeping me more in the moment and away from trying to math my way into insanity.
Section two was my favorite of the three. After a short gradual climb, there was this long gradual downhill trail that had us running the outer north edge of the park. The temps were warming but not bad and I was rocking out to My Shot, The Story of Tonight and You’ll be Back. It was kind of perfect. We turned back into the park to switchbacks and lots of forest shade. I was happily surprised and grateful to be hidden from the sun for much of the rest of the lap. We looped and swooped through the trails back to the aide station. I paused for only a moment to grab a large blue sour patch kid. I headed out eating that delicacy and on the first bit started to choke, so I coughed and the little piece went straight up the back of my nose…yup, I snarfed the kid. So what did I do? Naturally I snorted and the little jerk went right back to choking me! What a punk! Yes, I did laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The last section in the park started out rather cruelly. The trail led us directly to rock stairs that went straight up reminiscent of Mt. Sanitas in Boulder. When you got to the top, you turned and there was more… and when you got to the top of that you turned again and there was more! About 2/3 the way up, a guy finally caught up to me and he was panting, as was I, and he said, “this was a bit harsh!” I laughed and said, “I concur.” It was sometime during this section that I realized I had to do it a second time near the end of the 50k. Who’s idea was this???? (Damn you, BERICA!) Eventually we made it to the top of a rocky area and turned the corner literally and figuratively. We were back into the woods looping and swooping until we reached this unpaved top road. There were lots of people with off leash dogs walking and enjoying the day. I got so many puppy power ups! After a while, we dropped off the top and did lots of technical trails with mostly net downhill. Then we popped out of the trees to see the finish line and the 50k halfway aide station.
As I was running down the field to loop around the baseball field to the aide station, I heard a cheer followed by a loud whistle. I immediately knew exactly who had come to surprise me. Kirsten had been out on a run with my dog, Tonks, and decided to come see me when she saw my text that I had left the last aide station. She helped with my transition, snapped a pic and sent me back out so efficiently. (She has gotten SO good crewing!!!)
Out of all the “What If” stuff in my drop bag:
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| Just before heading out on 2nd loop |
I switched into my short sleeved shirt.
Kirsten replenished my vest pockets with Honey Stinger fuel.
Aide station volunteer filled my reservoir with water and Kirsten added my electrolyte powder.
I reapplied sunscreen and Kirsten got the hard to reach spots.
UNUSED:
Run short skirt
Poles
Extra extra fuels
Chaffing cream
KT Tape
Socks
Kirsten and Tonks was such a fun surprise that the first section back out there I was feeling strong again. I had needed to use the port-o-potty when I was getting to the halfway point but the bathrooms were located too far out of the way. I had remembered there was a park bathroom only a mile or so along the course; so, I had not bothered to stop. (big mistake) So feeling strong I headed back out. I was super happy with my midway time that I was just trying to keep a similar pace to how I started the day. When I saw the park bathroom I got excited and headed that way. My heart sank when the doors were all locked. I headed back out with growing discomfort but found solace in the fact that I was sure they'd be bathrooms at the Aid Station. So I refocused my attention to just making it to the aid station. Apart from my digestive system, the rest of me was feeling strong. I powered through the last of the Hamilton soundtrack and turned on a more traditional playlist of hype music.
There was a super fun section right before the aide station of a perfect non technical gentle downhill. I had a great time on it but it turned my bathroom situation from uncomfortable to an emergency. When the aide station came into view, I got so excited. I was greeted by a volunteer who asked what I needed. I said I needed a bathroom and asked if theirs were unlocked. He looked so sad to tell me that no, they were locked. I was stunned. I said, wow this situation is now dire as I had not used a bathroom in well over 4 hours.
Heading out trying not to panic, I was desperately and constantly scanning to find an appropriate place to relieve myself. The previously amazing gradually downhill was now painful because I wanted to run faster but the discomfort was now serious. It took about 20-30 minutes to find a place but I managed. It was a HUGE relief.
The views were pretty spectacular!
I made the turn back into the woods and used the hype music to its fullest potential. I was getting tired around mile 24 and kept telling myself that I would be disappointed if I let up. So I kept pushing those ups and running the downs (there really were no flat sections to speak of on this course). It was during this section that I was on a rocky uphill when I saw a horse making its way down the trail. I think horses are so amazing. They are big and powerful and beautiful. Now the man must have noticed my goofy grin because I felt like I was glowing. When we came shoulder to shoulder he paused and turned the horse towards me. He told me his name but I can’t remember it- I swear I think I blacked out with excitement. I asked if I could pet the horse and he said yes. I let the horse sniff my hand and then he let me pet his nose and his…what do you call the bridge of a horse’s nose?? …let me go google it….ok that was not exactly helpful. It might actually be called the bridge of his nose…or maybe his face. Well, you get the idea. We shared a moment. I thanked the man and headed up the trail feeling energized again.
One last stop at the Stables Aide Station. I filled my water this time as I had run out during the last loop. I did not want this to happen again. My stomach had been off for about the last 90 minutes or so feeling bloated and just upset. So, I skipped the aide station food and decided to stick with my Honey Stinger chews. I was determined to use them as treats for the Stairs of Death. Yep, that’s what I nicknamed them on this second time through. I put on a particularly fierce song and started to power hike up them. This section significantly slowed me down but I eventually made it to the top.
Through the trees and back to the gravel road up top (the unofficial dog park area). I met a puppy up there. This nugget must have been about 7 months old and some sort of collie mix. I was tempted to turn to a life of crime and steal this piece of heaven. It was so cute and wanted to run with me. It’s owner called it back and I about died- its name was CHEESECAKE!!! I kid you not!!! Ahhhhh-mazing.
These last few miles after the top mesa was a battle of wills. I was totally confused on how far I needed to go or the accuracy of my old Garmin. I knew I was getting close to my goal time. It was like a Gollem/Shmeigel battle in my head, wanting to logic my chances to my “A” goal and knowing that math is not allowed after 15 miles. Plus this course is technical and there were sections that were very technical. There were some parts that had some big rock drops and what I had previously put my hand down to jump down, I now did not have the confidence in my legs. I fully sat down to jump down the trail. Little by little I made my way.
Cool Rock Formations
Coming out of the trees into the field to finish, I realized if I pushed there was a chance I could make my goal. Then I heard Kirsten’s cheering and it had that super excited vibe to it. So, I pushed harder believing that maybe I could do it. The last 100 yards were on an uphill. I pushed harder. I crossed the finish line with a time of 7 hours and 57 minutes…juuuuust under 8 hours which was my “A” goal. I was so excited. Kirsten hugged me and helped me down off the adrenaline spike. I was so happy.
We took a few pics and headed over to the goodies. Famous Amos cookies for the win and a fun blast from the past. As we were heading to the car, I saw a guy finishing that I had leapfrogged a few times, so I congratulated him. (Love the trail running community.) We headed over to Brass Brewing for a few celebratory brews.
That was a really good challenge for me. It totally kicked my butt. So naturally I signed up for another Mad Moose 50k in six weeks…it has 400 more feet of climbing. (insert forehead slap here.)
TAKE AWAYS:
Climbing is hard but I can do it if I really want to.
Never skip a port-o-potty when you need one.
Figure out whether the bloating is a nutrition problem or just the way my body works after so many hours on the trail.
Gurney Goo is a non chaffing game changer! Thank you Paula!
UCanOutdoors on Instagram says, “Friendly Reminder: People are never obligated to be there for you, so you better start appreciating those who choose to be.” Thank you to all the people who go out of their way to support me and my poor choices. I appreciate your early alarms, bacon on trails, crew support, puppy love, finish line cheers and positive sentiments.
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| Tonks, the Wondermutt |
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| Finish Line Vibes with Kirsten |
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