| The Final 25Miles: Todd's Cabin to Lake Morena |
| Page 6 |
| Leaving Todd�s we looked forward to seeing other runners on the trail coming up from other direction� soon we saw Hans, Sammy and Catra, other runners, then Joe and his pacer (sans Mike) , and two other runners. The numbers were lower than before, indicating that there must have been some runners drop since the 50mi turnaround. We reached DK again around 4:15 am. There was no need to go inside the camper. We stayed only a few minutes. Philip sat down briefly and the volunteer named Linda helped him investigate the cause of a discomfort he was feeling on top of one of his feet.. the discomfort was due to a minor problem with the lacing . I commented to the �Lookout� volunteer that it was less than 2 hours until sunrise, and we would not quite make it to Cibbetts before daylight occurred. I told him I was looking forward to the sunrise. As Philip and I departed, the volunteer said he hoped we would enjoy the sunrise. Down the trail we went. Overall, we were making good time considering the rockiness of the trail and darkness. The winds had died down in this section, and temperature did not feel as cold. We were much more talkative and energetic, and found it easier to open packages of food. Somehow we ventured on to the topic of �Pacer DNFs�. Since this was Philip�s first time to pace, he had been overly concerned about making mistakes and �DNF�ing as a pacer. So, I told him about the Bonus Point system� that he had not realized it, but he had accumulated some bonus points that he could use to offset any negative points he might get for making mistakes. (I did not know what he was so concerned about, because so far he had performed marvelously as a pacer). I explained he had gotten a full point for liking Math & Science (we had plenty stuff to talk about during the long journey), he had gotten a half-point for wearing both gloves and headlamp by Black Diamond, and some fractions of points for other various things. In reply, he informed me that at an earlier aidstation he had swapped his Black Diamond Gloves for a different brand. So I told him he could not have the 0.5 bonus point anymore , he could only have 0.25 point for the headlamp. He thought this unfair, and wanted the full 0.5 point back . I thought about it, and told him that 0.35 point was my best offer. He then reminded me that he gave me the last mini Snickers to eat when we had run out of food, then he shared the full-size Snickers with me that he had found on the ground between DK and TC, and that ought to be worth some points. I was having difficulty keeping a straight face. The conversation was making me feel like I was the �Ogre of the Point Meisters� . I then replied � you can�t just get points for anything and everything. It simply does not work that way� . I told him I would take his �Snicker Charity� into consideration when I finished the race and had a chance to tally up the points with a clear mind. Fortunately about that time, Hans came zipping by from behind us which shifted our focus away from the �Bonus Point/Pacer Redemption� conversation.. Hans said that he dropped his pacer, and his pacer and a dog should be coming by shortly. Daylight was beginning to appear. The pacer and dog passed by. We were now in the section that reminded me of Franklin Mountains. Philip broke into singing the words from �Here Comes the Sun� . The headlamps and flashlights had finished their night watch jobs, and were turned off. Soon we approached �Larry�s Point� from which Sammy had earlier yodeled. We could look down and see Cibbetts. But we still had to follow behind the backside of a hill, during which we were reminded there were still some goats in the area and to not let our guard down! After another 5 minutes or so, we were to the top of the dirt road that led down to Cibbetts. We ran-walked down the road. Hans was just leaving Cibbetts as Philip and I approached. Hans likes to hug all the women on the trail. Every time I had seen Hans on the trail during SD100, I received a nice hug. When I saw Hans approaching , I jokingly told Philip maybe Hans would give him a hug too this time. So Philip, taking it as a joke, ran up to Hans with open arms asking for a hug. Hans got a very serious look on his face, and in his German accent he muttered � Hugs are only for the ladies� . Hans then gave me a hug. As Hans departed up the hill, I told Philip in a voice loud enough for Hans to hear �I�ll give you a hug Philip�... At which point, Hans turned around and said �No. No. No!�. All of three of us got a good laugh from it! Any mental diversion or humor this late in the race is welcomed. Entering Cibbetts, I knew I was being whittled down to the lower set of notches. It was the 87mile mark, and I was entering Stubby Nub Land. The spring was going from my legs . The aidstation had been moved entirely inside the RV (apparently the tent canopy had self-destructed in the high winds during the night). . I never considering quitting during this race, but I hit my mental low point sitting in the camper at Cibbetts. With 13 miles to go, I could tell that some of the miles would be ugly miles. It was 7am, so I had 6 hours to complete the remaining 13 miles. Knowing I could walk it in from this point and still make the 31 hour cut-off, brought me comfort. But I still had some running in me. I drank my remaining Boost from the drop bag, and placed my headlamps and flashlights in the dropbags. Knowing that the Windy Bandito Ridge was awaiting us, I refused to give up any of my layers. Philip was equally as stubborn. We feared the "Revenge of the Goats" on Windy Bandito Ridge. As we departed Cibbetts, I made the mistake of letting my my mind drift into the details of the remaining sections and started dreading them and felt a cloud of negativity engulf my mind. I snapped out of it, and told Philip that I needed to keep focused on one section at a time , to remain positive. We continued up the hill. Almost to the top, we encountered Catra on her way down, and shortly after Catra we ran into Sammy. Both were grinning ear-to ear! It was nice to finally be done with that dirt road to Cibbetts� the fourth and final time to go up and down it was now done. We made a right turn on to PCT . When we reached the Windy Bandito Ridge, the goats were gone to our surprise ! It was a wonderful trail again, and Philip had a chance to see the dramatic scenery (as well as the dramatic steep drop-off ) in the daylight. We ran-walked this trail and soon we reached Kitchen Creek Rd. The air temperature was warming up now. Crossing Kitchen Creek Rd, we stopped briefly to remove layers and tie them around our waists� there were several gallon jugs of water there, so I took the opportunity to cap off my bottle. Given the miles on my legs, the section between Kitchen Creek Rd and BO aidstation was not as bad as I had anticipated it might be , but it still took effort. There were some brisk windy spots in this section, which were offset by the warmth of the sunlight. As we passed by the granite that resembled Yosemite granite, I pointed it out to Philip. BO was only 6.2miles from the Finish, I remarked to Philip that I was looking forward to being a �10K girl�!. Once we crossed the asphalt road and then could see the entrance to BO Campground, Philip ran ahead to the aidstation. Reaching BO a little later, I got rid of more layers and drank my Boost. I told the volunteer to let Philip know I was leaving (Philip was in the campground restroom) , and for Philip to catch up to me. As I left the aidstation, I saw the reporter who had been at the Friday night dinner. She asked me how the night was, and I replied �Windy�. . Walking down the trail, I looked at my watch , did some calculations, and I anticipated a finish around 29hours, or 11:00AM. About a tenth of a mile or so down the trail, Philip caught up with me again. The next 2 miles were my ugly miles. I did not feel well. I told Philip I just wanted to walk until I felt better, and he obliged. I told him there would be some smooth downhill sections coming up in about 2 miles or so once we reached the top of rocky boulder terrain, and that I would run those. But at this particular time, I was fighting bouts of light-headedness. My only guess was that my blood pressure was low (This happened to me in the last 1-1.5mi at WS too). . So I tried drinking more water, I took an electrolyte, and ate a mini Cliff Bar then hoped for the best. Philip told me some jokes, including Robin William�s golfing story from his 2002 tour. A group of three Sunday morning runners went by us�. A reminder of what it was like to have fresh legs . Up ahead I thought I saw two people with a horse, but my mind was playing tricks on me. Under the bridge, by the graffiti and through the sand we went, and then started the final climbing section with about 4 miles to go. I thought I was hearing voices in the wind� Philip said that he heard nothing, but that his hearing was not very good� the blind was leading the blind at this point. By the time we reached the top of this rocky terrain, I was pulling out of my slump. I kept looking at my watch and still felt I would finish around 11am. My mind was in a one-track rut for the finish line. I ran the smooth downhill sections with frequent walking breaks .. keep shuffling down the trail. It seemed like forever to reach the point where the single track gives way to a jeep trail/dirt road� but finally we saw the houses and trailers in the remote campsites, and then the jeep trail. Philip told me he wanted to sprint in to the finish for his 50mile race. I only asked that he stay with me until we were within sight of the finish line�.. then he could sprint the last 0.5mi or so . Soon the finish line was in sight, and Philip took off. I continued my shuffle. After Philip sprinted in, he turned around and ran back out to meet me, to run the remaining distance with me. I made the final turn, and suddenly I wanted the finish line immediately� so much that I started running at a good clip. The finish line was a sight for sore eyes. I crossed at 11:02AM. The BASIC plan had been met; I was satisfied. |
| T H E E N D |
| RD Paul and his wife Kathleen were at the finish line to greet us. Mike and Margo were there also, along with some people that I did not know. I received many congratulatory hugs. Quickly I was ushered inside a nearby building, where there was food available. It felt good to be done . It felt good to sit down and know I did not have to get back up again if I did not want to. About 20 minutes after I finished, Sammy and Catra reached the finish line and then came into the building. Two other runners would finish after them. The race had taken its fair share of victims, only 11 runners of the 27 starters finished the SD100. Soon I would find out that Joe missed the cutoff at 75mile mark by a few minutes and was pulled from the race along with another runner. That was unfortunate, because Joe is a monster downhill runner and would have torn up the last 25miles of the course. Philip then ran back to the cabin where car was parked to get my finishline dropbag. I did not cripple up as bad after this 100miler , as I have after the other two. I think I am beginning to handle the stress of the 100mi distance better. I want to first thank Philip for all of his help at SD100. He did a wonderful job crewing for me during the day on Saturday, and then pacing me the last 50miles on Saturday night and Sunday morning. I was happy not to have to deal with the windy cold trails by myself. We had fun despite the goats. I believe that Philip received the ultrarunning experience that he originally sought when he offered to crew and pace me. I also want to thank RD Paul Schmidt , his wife , and the volunteers for a wonderful race. They went through much effort and frustration to hold this race, despite the great loss caused by the Cedar Fire in late October and early November. RD�s have no control over the weather�. For the record, we had wonderful weather during the day on Saturday. The bad weather conditions during the night made crossing the finish line on Sunday morning even sweeter ! I hope Paul will continue to hold this race in the future. Paul published a report and results for the race. One of my favorite John Muir quotes reads: "But in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks." This was true of SD100. |
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| Photo: Linda and Philip approaching Finish Line (photo by Ammon McNeeley) |