It's been a while since I ran a 100 mile race. I was signed up for Western States last year, when it was canceled. I then proceeded to drop out at Leadville, which meant I was out of luck for 2008 as far as 100 mile races went. I find 100 mile races more daunting and intimidating than any other race, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, standing on the starting line at the Coyote 2 Moon 100 miler in Ojai, California, it was not intimidation I was feeling, but only excitement.
This will develop into one of those magical races where almost everything feels easy, and even the harder moments are not as bad. Knowing how hard the race was (25,000+ feet of elevation), I decided to take it really easy from the very beginning; combined with the fairly cool weather and perfect conditions, this might have contributed to how smoothly my day went.
On my feet I had a brand new pair of Mountain Masochist, and I was sporting the new Mountain Hardwear running shorts and short sleeve wicking shirt. The shoes were perfect the whole way, dry and wet, and the cushioning was extremely comfortable. The laces never came undone (something I had noticed about the Streak). The Mountain Hardwear shorts were incredibly comfortable and light. I never had any chafing, and the shorts had plenty of room for my aid station list and all my trash.
The course was one-of-a-kind, and simply breathtaking. As soon as the sun came up (we started at 3AM, so it took a while), we climbed to the top of a mountain (the tallest on the course at about 5600 ft), from where I could see all the way to the ocean and Ventura, where the marine layer blanketed the whole valley below. I took a few minutes on top, wishing I could share it with Gill.
Like I said, I felt strong the whole way, watching my downhill to save my quads for the last 20 miles, and jogging the uphills whenever I could. The aid stations were a blast, and the loooong ups and downs were keeping my brain always occupied. On the out and backs, I saw the runners ahead and behind me, plus some of the runners who had started earlier. At the aid stations, I saw familiar faces, such as Luis Escobar.
When night came again, I found myself a bit ill prepared for the weather. On the last ridge line, the wind was so cold I could not feel my fingers. Having opted for not carrying gloves or a hat, I can't really complain. The though of being found after the next ice age did cross my mind, especially because, by then, I was not moving fast enough or eating enough to keep warm.
The first clue that things were going very well came from the last aid station, where one of the nice volunteers told me I was on pace to break the course record. Being blissfully uninformed, I did not know what the course record was, but I knew I was going to finish around 26:30.
Despite the last trail being so steep and technical it made me cry (my quads are still crying today), I finished in 26:23, first woman and third overall.
Now, I said everything I could for how wonderful the race is. The course is hard but breathtaking, the aid stations are perfect, and everyone was just incredible. I would recommend Coyote 2 Moon to anyone, and will definitely go back. With that said, I, for one, do not understand the fun in changing the final results. The race director is famous for adding and subtracting time from runners depending on their participation in various extra-curricular activities, such as bowling. Time is also added for other infractions. The race director has all rights to do with his race as he pleases, and it is my understanding the majority of runners love this time adding/deleting policy. Like I said, I don't get it. The official results had me second woman and 6th (instead of first woman and third), with no mention of the course record. Now, these are the OFFICIAL results, and the only ones posted on the race website.
Why time the race, then?
Am I a bad person because I care? Do I not understand the true spirit of the sport? That is up to you to decide. I was elated with my win, and I am spreading the news to the four corners as such. Sorry if that makes me uncool...
7 comments:
you won a very hard race. and you are proud of it. that certainly doesn't make you uncool. way to go.
Frannie,
It is clear the RD has the right to do whatever he wants to for his race. He makes it fairly clear in the promo...yet I surely understand your position and I know I would be frustrated too! You are a VERY cool, professional and competitive runner and I am glad you are broadcasting about your finishing place. You worked hard and I for one want to help you celebrate your race!
congratulations on your cr. last year both sets of results, raw and official, were published in ultrarunning mag. so don't despair. it's not like any other ultrarunning event, definitely not ws, and you need to go into it with an open mind. it's about all the prerun stuff as well as the run, all in fun. you know what you did. kudos to the rd for trying some different things.
a c2m runner
Who care what place you were? It should be about the running.
I would be upset about added on time and misplacing due to bad bowling skills and not dancing at AS (or what not). Even though it advertised and forewarned.
you get bonus minues for PARTICIPATING IN bowling and all the other extracuricular activities. you don't get time added for being a bad bowler. nor do you have to dance at aid stations (where did that one come from?). before passing judgement, you should do the event yourself.
here's what i don't get: if you are forewarned thru the website about all of this but are still upset, it seems you have only yourself to blame for being upset. if you don't like how the race is "run," then don't enter.
that c2m runner again
Sounds like a really good run! Although the race website does kind of say: "So, here are the 'official' results (if you're in 'em, and don't like 'em, well, it's your log book, and your story to tell...)"
So its looks like nobody will be upset by you telling your story. Which was a good read!
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