[Click-to-enlarge] The 2nd approach down to Muir Beach — note the mud slide behind me.
Race Distance: 50 miles — changed to 47 miles due to weather.
Elevation Gain: 10,059 feet — changed to 9,077 feet due to weather.
Finish Time: 12 hours 5 minutes 43 seconds
First Half: 6 hours, 4 minutes, 55 seconds
Second Half: 6 hours, 48 seconds
As you can see, there was a change to the course due to a really bad storm that hit the Bay Area leading up to race weekend. The new course was announced less than 24 hours before the start of the race and we were re-routed to do a single loop of 23.5 miles twice.
I was running with two of my really good friends, Lori and Chris, and going in we knew it was going to be an adventure, hence me saying “we” a lot.
5:00 a.m., pitch black
This was my favorite part of the race. It was raining, it was cold, it was muddy and it was EPIC. For the first couple hours, all you could see was what was directly in front of you based off the light of your headlamp. It was raining so you could see the rain drops coming straight towards you (or from the side) hitting you in the face. The cool thing about this was that as you reached an elevated portion of the course, you could look behind you and see a string of lights curving up the road. It was hundreds of other runners’ headlamps coming up the trails. If you looked off into the distance, you could see other runners headed up a mountain. It looked like someone placed Christmas lights on the side of a mountain. To say it was beautiful is an understatement.
[Screen Grab] Weather Channel’s AMAZING course photos. Click below for more!
Click here to view 20 photos of race day and the course from Weather Channel.
Amazing — but come back to finish reading.
Safety
I couldn’t help but think that this was not safe, for any of us. I’m thankful that I am a conservative trail runner and my only goal was to finish injury-free and not face plant. It was pitch black, muddy, rainy and we were on the side of a mountain climbing steep elevations. Thankfully, it wasn’t single track and there was plenty of room for error, but still. You know those cartoons where all the animals are following one another and they go off the side of a mountain one-by-one? I’m glad the runners in front of me didn’t decide to do that because I would have likely followed them.
This is the after, and this is probably the cleanest they looked. The farthest I had run in these were 13 miles. I ran all 47 miles without any issues. Talk about having a “mezamashii” run.
Sunrise
After the first couple hours, the sun started to come up and we were able to see the conditions of the trail and our surroundings. It was wet, muddy and making an extremely technical course, even more difficult. Most of the trails gave you two options: slippery mud or a giant puddle. My shoes were already soaked and caked in mud and I could feel the water sloshing around inside of my shoe. I tried to avoid the puddles when possible mostly because you don’t know what’s at the bottom and if it’s flat. A sprained ankle would be nightmare and end my day immediately. As for navigating the slippery sections, I tried my best to maintain my balance and move forward as quickly as possible.
Muir Beach
As we headed down to Muir Beach after (one of) our 1,000 ft. climbs, it was almost comical to try to run down it. Some people flew down recklessly, while others did their best to stay vertical. I’d say I was somewhere in the middle, but on the safe side. Again, trying to finish injury-free and not face plant. Oh ya, the best thing about this? After navigating down the mud slide, you had to come back up it. Ever tried to climb UP a mud slide? Much easier on the way down.
I placed a purple bow on my North Face hydration pack. Thinking of the First Lady helps me stay strong and motivates me to keep pushing forward. (you can see it in photos above/below as well)
Lap One: Complete, the Half-way Point
Sadly, Lori had to call it a day at this point. Her ITB was acting up and it was best for her not to push it any further. She was already battling the flu during the week, nursing her achilles and in order for her to “call it” means it was a big deal. I just listed two things that would have sidelined most runners for a shorter race. This was an extremely difficult 50-miler and she showed up to start it. TOUGH.
We finished the first lap (23.5 miles) in just over 6 hours. Since it was two loops, it helped to know what to expect on the second time around. As we started the 2nd lap, a friend, Larry joined us and the weather was reasonably nice. I started to get a little warm actually, but I knew it would be short-lived as we still had another 6-hours of running to do.
We tackled the 2nd lap the same as we did the first. Walked up the steep climbs, ran where we could, trekked where we needed to. We were flying on the downhills, but not being reckless. We were also having fun with Larry telling him “you haven’t reached the bad part yet.”
At mile 31, I decided to stick with what I was wearing. Putting on new socks and changing clothes seemed like too much effort. My super fancy poncho was keeping me dry and breaking the wind nicely, keeping me from getting cold. Best $1.29 I ever spent. I did however, ditch my beanie/ear warmers for a dry hat.
One of the few runnable sections. The shoes are supposed to be blue.
Muir Beach Round Two
If we thought it was bad the first time, we didn’t know how much worse it could get. We were pretty much sliding down. Any traction that was there the first time had been trampled. Every runner that had made it this far had gone down and up TWICE before us. I almost fell a couple times and the soles of my shoes had pancakes of mud about a half-inch thick. Thankfully, I didn’t fall or hurt myself.
Furthest Personal Distance
As we approached mile 41, I knew wifey would be there along with the Lori, “Mannimal” and our 2nd pacer, Gard. Everyone was there with smiling faces and cheering loudly. Larry was happy to be done with his pacing segment and everyone commented on how “good” we looked — all things considered. The rain was starting to pick up again and we were on the home stretch. I had stashed a 2nd beanie in my drop bag and decided to put it on as the hat wasn’t keeping my head warm at all. When I slid that dry beanie over my head, it was a little bit of heaven, I’m not gonna lie.
Sunset
The last few miles (6) went by pretty quickly. Half way through, it was getting dark and we were approaching the finish. I decided to ditch the poncho for the final 10 minutes and embrace the rain as it was getting heavier. I was soaked in 30 seconds. That poncho saved my day. I know I looked like a combination between the Kool-Aid guy and a trash bag, but that thing worked.
I finished with a smile on my face and surrounded by friends and family. I was happy to be done and happy to have survived and conquered the weekend and weather. It never crossed my mind to stop and I felt strong the majority of the day.
Me and Chris at the finish line… we look so happy!
What am I taking away from this adventure?
- 12 hours is a long time to be running. But when you are with friends and surrounded by magnificent views of nature, it’s wonderful.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are delicious! But if you try to eat one at 41 miles and your throat is dry/parched, you might choke and make funny faces. Just saying.
- Hearing your pacer laugh joyously behind you as you fly down a muddy mountain is fun.
- Negative splits! I’ve never had negative splits in my entire running career. Apparently it takes me a 50-mile race to slow down in the beginning. Noted.
- I couldn’t have done it without my friends and family. From training, to social media, to pacing, to just being there.. thank you from the bottom of this little runner’s heart.
If you have any questions about my experience, ask in the comments and I’ll answer them in the next post.
Ask away and I’ll answer.
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You are incredible…even for just showing up to run 50 miles on trails in those conditions!!!! I heard that Sundays races were cancelled because of the weather and condition of the trails! So what’s next for you?? 100 miler?!? =)
Incredible. Inspiring. You are awesome! I can’t imagine how much mental strength it must have taken. And I loved the pbj comment- how funny!! Congratulations!!!!
congrats! that’s incredible!
You look like one badass runner in your poncho!!! Congrats!
Question: Could you eat a PB and J sandwich now or does it make you want to gag? :)
Badass is all I can say!!! Amazing job finishing and looking so happy!!! What are your plans for your shoes….frame them??
Yay so proud of you homie! How were the feet after being wet and muddy?!
YOU.ARE.A.ROCKSTAR!!!! Seriously unbelievable!!
Dude – you’re seriously freaking amazing. I cannot even fathom! And I love that you had that purple bow ;-) So sweet. Way to go!
Awesome job! Great recap too!
Wow, just wow. So very impressed that under these conditions you pulled it off and with a smile on your face. A 50 miler is a long term goal for me, so yes I will have a million questions for you…eventually. Way to go stud!
Unreal. That’s all I can say. I have total goosebumps after reading this — you are SO amazing, such an inspiration, and real proof that ANYTHING is possible if you work for it and trust your body to do the work you KNOW it’s capable of. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME.
Well if reading this recap isn’t inspiring, I don’t know what is! Such an amazing achievement, and your attitude is incredible! I haven’t even done my first marathon yet, and you have me dreaming of doing a 50 miler! ;) CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are amazing!
No questions… just wanted to let you know how SUPER PROUD I AM of YOU!! You are a machine!! Way to go!
And wouldn’t you know… your FIRST 50 miler would be during one of the crazies storms this winter!
THat just means the NEXT time you run an ultra.. y you will do even better :)
You rock! I knew you were going to have a good one at this one. No, you had a great one! Really, really happy for you. What an awesome day!
Wow! So inspiring and so happy for you! You can definitely see the joy in your face.
And the next ultra will be easy-peasy compared to this race!
You ROCK!!! I love the “blue” shoes!
Amazing. Awesome job!
So proud of you!!! What you did is amazing!
Congrats! You just rock. That’s all I can say!
did you hear me cheering? I was!! and i knew you could do it! i had chills reading this. Well one because you looked wet and cold but two because you are inspiring!
Congrats, Pavey! Well-executed in trying conditions. Proud of you!
I am beyond inspired! Congratulations what an amazing achievement!!!
Really puts things in perspective- next time I want to whine or complain about running on paved asphalt in a slight drizzle, I’ll think of this! Thank you for the motivation and inspiration!!!
Awesome awesome awesome! I am in awe of how you battled all those crazy elements throughout the race!
Holy cow!!! Amazing – negative splits? Total rock star. I’m so happy for you – showing up in those conditions and finishing strong and injury free. Congrats congrats congrats!
you amaze me!
Just awesome! Congratulations!
What an amazing race!!! You are awesome, congratulations!!!!
You are seriously amazing!!!! Congrats!
Dude, those splits!! Talk about consistent! LOVE IT!!! Great job.. those conditions were so tough!!! Killer ob!
Fabulous race report! Very inspiring run. congratulations!
What an incredible recap. Sounds amazing. Congrats to you!! Completely inspiring.
Wow, man. You are so badass. 30 miles into my 50k I was so glad I didn’t have another 20 to go. What a great accomplishment and a great finish time! I tip my running hat to you, sir. Well done.
ballllller status. For real, during that ridiculous storm y’all got hit with this past weekend??? I know several people who simply didnt even consider toeing the line at CIM this weekend because of the rain, and you pretty much DOUBLED their mileage. awesome awesome job.
well done goor sir, welllll done.
This was a great recap, and I’m so excited that this race went so well for you. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment. I can’t even imagine running 50 miles, but to be doing it in these conditions makes it even more amazing. I ran 13 miles on Saturday morning and remembered that you were doing this; I kept thinking to myself that if there are people that can run 50 miles then I could absolutely run 13 without the need for any mental struggle. Congrats again! Will you do it again!?
How amazing that you toughed out your first 50 miler in conditions like THAT! Wow…hardcore, memorable, difficult but even fun – sounds like an amazing experience! A great recap and read – I like how you broke it down. WAY TO GO! (and, along with others, I’m wondering if there are more in the works for you!) :D
This is amazing. You never considered stopping to walk? Negative splits? You were made to be an ultra runner!
I’d love to hear more about fueling… do you carry some on you? Do you rely on what they provide? Did you actually eat an entire pb&j at one time while running?
I hope you got my shout out on Twitter but I wanted to leave a comment here too. YOU RAN A 50-MILER!! That’s incredible. And negative splits, too?! You’re unstoppable, Pavey!
Unreal, amazing, fabulous, incredible, GO YOU! Seriously you beat the odds, slim as they were that it would rain in Cali. You didn’t let something that seemed quite ridiculous (rain in CA? Really?!) drag you down or take it as a sign that this wasn’t meant to be. Instead it drove you to push harder. Love the pink bow for the First Lady. You’re such a great guy! #50mileinspiration indeed!
Congrats Brian! I don’t know how you do these crazy things, but it’s amazing that you do:) Hope you are taking a little time to relax and eat lots of holiday treats!
47 miles! I dread only on the mere thought…
It’s incredible you made it! On a second thought, it’s not so incredible given your determination and extraordinary training all these years.
Here is a question I have for you: Does all this running hurt your knees at all?
Awesome read! Awesome running in those conditions! Massive well done!