When we pulled into the McDowell Mountain Regional Park just before 6am it was a brisk 44 degrees and it was still dark. The Race Director was giving the pre-race meeting to the handful of runners that opted for the early start for the 50k distance. Steve was also running this race so we made our way over to packet pick-up and grabbed our bib and shirt. Although they ran big they were a nice quality sleeveless shirt from Sporthill.
The sound of Coyotes in the distance added to the flutter in my stomach as I anxiously awaited our 7am start time.
At 7am the sun was not up yet but it was bright enough to see without a headlamp. The 50k and the 25k both started at the same time but with only 130 total runners there were no issues with overcrowding.
Soon after starting we were graced with a gorgeous sunrise. It was predicted to be a cloudy day but I thought maybe we would get lucky and the sun would burn the clouds away but the sun lasted only a short time before the heavier clouds took control of the sky. There was no cover along the trail so having the clouds protect us from the sun was probably just what my Chicago February skin needed.
The race site states that this was a rolling course which was true but there were some big rollers! My watch shows an ascent and descent of 899 feet. Most of the course was very runnable for this girl that does not get to train on this type of course. There were some ruts and loose rocks in sections but overall it was not a concern. The first half of the race had more climbing and more technical spots and the second half had more fun fast downhills, Yippee!! I love downhills.
I had reached out to the RD prior to race day inquiring about the location of bathrooms or porta-potties out on the course. That is one detail that always weighs heavy on my mind so when he told me the only location was at the start/middle/finish line I freaked out a little bit. At the Elephant Mountain race a few years before I was attacked by a jumping cactus when I stepped off the trail to find a suitable place to “go”. I had also watched some videos by mountain bikers on Youtube riding the course so I had an idea of what the coverage options were out there for when the need arose. Let’s just say I did not feel like I would be covered all that well. Let’s face it girls we have to expose a little more than the guys. I did some research and stumbled across a product that changed my anxiety about this. The Gotta Go skirt by Skirt Sports http://www.skirtsports.com is a game changer for me. It has built in compression shorts with a velcro flap enabling you some privacy when you need it. I felt like Shalane Flanagan when she won the New York Marathon because the first time out on the course when I had to use it I think I actually said “F**K Yeah!” All my worries of exposure were gone and now all I had to do was watch out for the killer cactus!
It was suggested to carry hydration on this course as it is a 25k loop and there are only 2 aid stations out on the loop with a 3rd at the finish line/half way point. The aid stations were well stocked for the most part and both had very friendly volunteers. Although somehow by the time I reached the 2nd aid station they only had 4 gu’s left for the rest of the day and I was only on the first loop. Hmm, maybe someone was heavy handed and took a few extra? Oh well, I always carry my own so this was a non-issue for me.
Shortly after leaving the 1st aid station something caught my eye. I saw movement off course and at first I did not know what it was but then I saw it again when it ran across the trail. A coyote! My mind started racing trying to find some hidden information on what to do if I come face to face with one of these bad boys but there was nothing up there. He looked pretty healthy and well fed not like the poor scrawny guys we have back home so I was hopeful that he was not hungry enough to chase down a slow runner.
When I got to the 2nd aid station another runner said that a mountain lion was spotted in the same location I saw the coyote! My first thought was that was the reason the coyote was running, he was being chased by the mountain lion. So now all I had to worry about was a mountain lion! Yikes!!
Some of you know that I have been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis for the past month or two so I was not sure how this race would unfold for me. The first 10 miles felt good, actually really good but then PF showed up to hitch a ride. By mile 12 it was pretty evident that my day would end early and that I would only run the 25k. I was ok with this as I had mentally prepared 3 weeks ago for this exact outcome. The plan had been for this to be a “training race” for the bigger goal I have later in the year so the smart thing to do is to sacrifice this so I can get healthy and continue to strive to meet that goal.
Knowing that my day might end early I made sure to enjoy every view and every rolling hill since I may not have a second chance to do that on loop 2. This was a beautiful course that I look forward to returning to sometime in the future to complete.
This trail is used by the Javelina Jundred race. This is the famous “Jackass Junction”
This was a very low key relaxed event put on by some great people. After registering there was no contact from the RD with any further details and the only packet pick-up is on race morning. The site itself is very minimal and does not offer too much info. If you are looking for a chance to get out in the desert without a lot of distractions this would be a great race to consider.
Please follow my adventures and share with anyone you think might enjoy!