….and My Story Runs On….

I have a love/hate relationship with this race!  It’s my 3rd year in a row and for some reason, that evil hills keeps calling me back.  Last year,  Aravaipa Running had a Women’s Ultra Training Program for the race and I was lucky enough to be the coach…unfortunately I never wrote a blog for last year but I did write one for my first time in 2016.

If you have not done this race and are reading this report to make that decision, here are some of my keys pieces of advice (check link on 2016 race above as well).

• This is a point to point race so make sure you figure out your plans. There is an option to take a shuttle back to Lake Pleasant (start line) but I recommend spending the night.
• Wear a buff around your neck.  The race is on a forest road and they can’t shut it down.  There will be ATVs, 4 wheelers and motorcycles passing you. They will kick up some dust which is where the buff comes in…you also catch the smell of diesel once in awhile.
• Look at the elevation profile and train on hills.  The course is mostly uphill. The first 15ish miles are not as steep so pretty runnable as you get a few downhills too.  But get ready for some steep uphill the rest of the way…until you get to the last 2 miles, literally all downhill from there!
• Make sure you know where the aid stations are, the cutoffs and plan accordingly. I knew this from previous years but the first few aid stations are further apart.
• It’s easy to run out of steam on this race if you go out too fast at the beginning
• Turn around every once in awhile; not only see how far you’ve come, but the scenery is breathtaking and the pictures don’t do it justice.

• The Fort Misery Aid Station at mile 22ish is a must stop.  Hash House Harriers man this every year and let’s just say, stopping here is part of the experience. (all aid stations and volunteers rock though!)
• Spending the night is part of the experience!  Crown King is an old mining town and runners pretty much take over that weekend. Saturday evening is spent at the Crown King Saloon and there is now a potluck breakfast tradition started by Chris.
• The following day, on your way out, you have to stop at the Cleator Bar and Yacht Club.

My experience this year

I did a facebook live the night before contemplating PRing this race. I decided that when I’m in PR mode, it’s an entire different experience and I didn’t want to be tied to my GPS.  I knew I would not have any where near as much fun if I was in that mind set and I am glad I didn’t.  I was 1 minute faster than last year but 30 minutes slower than the first year.  But who cares? 😉

This year there was no early start (instead of  having slower runners start an hour early, they gave everyone an extra hour to complete the race which I think was genius on their end).  I got there with plenty of time to pick up my packet and see several friends.

I started with my trail wife and one of my best friends, Lori, who was doing her first trail 50K.  She is faster than me but we stayed together for a bit.  I have no problem running alone (if you ever start training for ultras, this is something you need to get used). I had podcasts, ChiSchool audios, audio books, music for back up just in case.

Another reason I am glad that I didn’t try to PR as I got to chat and meet some new friends on the course!  I was alone for awhile listening to music but ran into Josh and we got to catch up for a bit.  Met some new friends along the way and we went from talking incessantly to leap frogging when we needed a break from talking.  I got side tracked at Fort Misery for awhile (go figure) and found some new friends there too.

Somehow between talking to new friends and focusing on my ChiRunning hill technique we  got to the last 2 miles which is all downhill.  My legs felt pretty good and at this point I was ready to get it done.

Nothing like crossing the finish line and being greeted by many friends! You get a BBQ lunch as part of your race and enjoyed that with a cold beer and friends.

A tradition that happens often at some of these (if Erica is there) is the Beer Mile. This is actually a real event but basically, you chug a beer and then run 1/4 of a mile, then you chug another and run another 1/4 of mile and repeat 2 more times. I almost did this at Across the Years this year but wasn’t feeling 100% so I didn’t (good call!).  Lori must’ve been so excited about her first 50K that somehow I get roped into it…thankfully we weren’t officially competing with the others and decided to relay it so only had to chug one beer and run 1/4 mile.  It was fun and maybe some day I’ll work up to the real thing!

That night at the Crown King Saloon, we had a blast.  There was a great musician who was playing some great music so we danced most of the evening (Justin Hitson from Southbound).  Moving that night made it so I was barely sore the next day so maybe dancing after a LONG run is a great way to recover!  However I had one beer too many because I got sick that night but thankfully not too bad….enough not to be that hungry for the Potluck Breakfast. This is a 2 year tradition started by Chris.  Another great time hanging out with friends!  No beer or Blood Mary’s for me that morning.

On the way out, you have to experience the Creator Bar & Yacht Club.  I’ll share a few pictures but you just have to check it out.  I did a facebook live from there, hang out with friends and called it a weekend.

In case you haven’t noticed, I run for fun and the pure enjoyment of it all!  Will I do it again next year?  Of course I will!  This race is not just about the race but the entire weekend experience.  I will always have some friends crazy enough to do it.  I heard the record is someone who has done it 18 years in a row…not sure that I want to beat that record but I do have it already marked on my calendar for 3/30/19…probably likely there will be a Ladies Training Program for this one next year too!

Some more pics:

 

From My Running Story to Yours….
(if you feel inspired to share your comments, do so below…I want to hear your story too!)