Maliboo-yea

Today's run at the Malibu Canyon Trail Race was great. There were surprises as well as things to be expected. When I arrived to the state park around 7:30 this morning, the temperature was a chilly 47 degrees. 47. That is the coldest I have experienced thus far this fall. I was so happy because I could totally justify my purchase at TJ Maxx yesterday: a black running fleece with thumbholes. The thumbholes are perfect for covering the top half of the hands during chilly weather and came in handy this morning.

After a quick check in and stretch, we watched the marathoners and halfers take off promptly at 8. Us 10K runners gave them an ample 10 minute head start as to avoid any mix up during the first turn-off as the 10k was to turn in a different direction. Once the race began, I was ready. The first mile was fairly easy although I was maintaing an easy stride in anticipation for the hills to come. Once we hit the first big climb, the pack thinned out with the faster runners leading the way and the walkers trailing behind. While each runner established their own unique pace, one thing that happened almost in unison was the removal of the fleeces. Like clockwork, in the middle of the first climb, at least 4 fleeces took up residence around their runner's waist. As this happened, I too felt the heat building up and followed suit.

Around the second climb, I had to drop to a speed walking pace. The incline was so steep and the terrain was rough. I continued a mix of speed walking and running throughout the middle two miles. Maintaing a consistent speed was tough. As I was running, I realized that one of the most difficult things about trail running is the mental exhaustion. In a road race or road run, I tend to look ahead in a way you would while driving. On the trail, I was hyper focused and constantly scanning the ground beneath to avoid loose patches of gravel, roots and rocks. I couldn't zone out the way I normally do when I run so there was a physical AND mental challenge with this run. There were portions where the trail was single track so I had to either speed up or slow down depending on who was in front or behind me. There were times were I was running far faster than I would have liked to (on the downhill single track portions) knowing the chances of tripping and falling and possibly going face first into a rock. Luckily, that didn't happen.

I finally reached a point in the race where I was in the 2 mile home stretch....on fire roads and asphalt! Knowing how much I walked, I figured I was going to get a pretty crappy time. A PR course this aint! However, I took full advantage of the more familiar running surfaces and hauled it to the finish line. Lucky for me right as I was coming to the fire road, this song popped up on the ole iPod:

(I really need to figure out the beats per minute of this song because considering I crossed the line at 1:17, I must have been back to better than road race pacing time to make up for my super crappy time in the hills. )
With The Cult as my soundtrack, I sprinted to pass this woman who was what appeared to be light years ahead of me and eventually caught back up to two guys who I was pacing myself behind. I was so inspired, I hit my back button and listened to it again. I kept The Cult pace up and then Jay-Z helped me finish the race.

At the finish line, Coastal Trail Runs had us covered! Cinnamon rolls, brownies, candy, Cliff bars, PBand J sandwiches, fruit, waters, sports mix....everything that one could possible dream about eating after a run like theirs. I decompressed, had some PB and J and Cliff Bar Sports Drink Mix (not bad) and walked to my car feeling pretty good.

I arrived home to have some freshly made Chemex coffee. I took a shower, went to work and my client wanted to go on a mile hike......uphill. Go figure. I did and while it was painful on the legs, it was nothing compared to the course this morning.

Verdict? Coastal Trail Runs rock!