Saturday, April 10, 2010

Diez Vista 50K on a Beautiful Day

GR gps
50K- FULL CIRCLE

5-7 years ago I stood at the DV finish line and watched with awe  a 'ripped'  Suzanne Evans cross it in record time. People do this?? 50 Km trail runs?? I was inspired.  Today I got to meet Suzanne Evans and thank her for her inspiration- I am here today because of her.

2 years ago, still a fan of DV, but scared to run it.  I came across the male record holder's blog; Gary Robbins.http://garyrobbins.blogspot.com/2010/04/training-through-it-diez-vista-50k.html I have learned so much from his blog to help me be a better trail runner. Plus, many a time his inspiring runs got my a$$ off the couch. Today, I got to meet Gary, his gf Tamsin, and of course the Famous dog Roxy.  Oh, by the way,  I think he broke the record again.. on what he calls his 'training run' !

Last year I met up with some great running friends to train with. This year many of them were there to
cheer me on! What great friends! And isn't that what its all about- Fun and Friends!

RACE REPORT- I see it as 3 parts;
1.Diez/Buntzen
Run around Sasamat, nice warmup as I listen to some guy tell me how he went out too hard last year and blew up at the end. Freaked me out so I took it easy up first climb. Walk/ran Diez Vista. I finally caught up with Jim 1 1/2 hrs in.  We cruised down diez together, and around Buntzen.

First first 3 hrs of the run I felt woosy and unsure about my future performance.  It was nice to run with Jim.  He was having issues with a bone contusion on his foot. He toughed it out for 4 hrs but the Rocky powerline did him in...he just limped home from there.  Good decision, its not worth losing the entire summer of running and having pain at work just for a race at the start of the season.

2.Powerlines
Long, rocky, hilly out and back. Today it was sunny, so I want thru the water faster than usual.  Thanks for the great aid station at the end!  The metal plate in my tibia complained a bit on this rocky secion.  I only fell once, dropped my potato chips and actually picked them up off the ground to eat them cuz I was so hungry! 10 second rule!

3.Little Diez and home
4-5 hours into a run, I don't know what happens to me, but I become very 'clear'.  My legs fell limber and I get a 'new gear' .  All woozieness goes away and I actually feel 'hyper'...and really start to enjoy myself! I sprinted down powerhouse road, powerwalked up little diez and ran as fast as my legs could carry me back to Sasamat Lake.
The Finish Line !!!
I was aiming for under 6 hrs, but that passed, so I repeat to myself "6:02 will do"..that passed, um "6:03 it will be"...nope, "6:04 thats even more" grrr.... finally  "6:05, I'm still alive!!"


Finish line, friends, a great soak in the lake, a contortioned change in the outhouse and back to watch the awards.  It was a pleasant suprise to see I finished 6th overall F , and first in my age group!! ...but really, how many 40 + yr old women do this sort of thing. Tee hee .  Oh well, I'll take what I can get.

Great day. Glad to come home to see that Jim is kinda OK with his DNF.   I was worried he would quit with frustration. We had a good talk about finding your 'niche'.  He kicks my butt  for the first 3.5 hrs  then I do his 4-6 hrs.  He may change to shorter races or even triathalons. Jim isn't a quitter.  Besides, its just all about being 'fit and healthy' isn't it!

We shall see what the future brings...
Heather

(Oh, gotta record my STATS  for my future reference: )
Calories: Breakfast Bagel-300 Carbopro- 200, GelsX5-500, Chips-100  =11-1200 Cals. Most Ever!
Thermolytes=7
Water=3 liters + some coke
Falls= 1
Shoes= Montrail Streaks- fell apart in the race... but I was pushing past the 300 mile mark on them. Tried to hold em together with epoxy - diddn't work.  I still love them. Maybe time to try another pair.
Time=6:05
Place= 6 overall, 1st age.
By the way, Suzanne Evans, my first inspiration, finished, like, an hour ahead of me !! Totally different level!

3 comments:

garobbins said...

Heather it was GREAT to finally officially meet you today!
Congrats on an amazing run, sorry we didn't get to chat after the race, I didn't see you around?
Thanks so much for the kind words BTW, happy to play a very, very small part in your DV success! Come by NSA sometime & we'll get ya set up with a new pair of Montrails:)

GR

EricG said...

Way to go Heather. You are amazing. We all have our moments of inspiration and its wonderful to thank those who create those moments for us doing what they do. Just remember though...YOU DID IT!!!
Peace

S said...

You are amazing! I really have nothing else to add! YOU DID IT! 6 05 and you're still ALIVE! WOO HOO!