Near China Beach

Mission District Mural

Santa a Socailist?

Done! (I would have hugged Geoff if I thought it would make me faster!)

Done!

& Done!

No speed limits being broken here

Andi & I @ the Golden Gate Bridge

Way back last summer, NUUN offered to pick up my entry into the NF 50 at the Marin Headlands. I had always wanted to run Miwok but have found it difficult to make it happen due to work. Andi quickly consented and we decided to make it a quick mini-vacation. Tough, snowy weather made training difficult for the last 3 weeks but I was anxious to be a part of what some people were calling “the most competitive trail-ultra ever.” With $10k on the line it did bring out many of the best runners out there. I may be dumb but I’m not stupid. I knew I was not competing for $$$ but did hope that I could run a decent time and maybe make the top 15 or 20.

As expected the race started out fast….way too fast. I kept pulling back and when we hit the first aid station at 5.8 miles I was probably in 60th place and I went through in 44 minutes! The torrid pace continued and even I was caught up in it all for about the first 20 miles, then reality set in. I had hoped to run an evenly paced race and reeling a few people in during the second half. By the time we hit the out-and-back section of the race I knew I was on a death march to the finish. Too much rest, too much pie, and not enough long-runs were catching up with me fast. I was climbing well but my downhill (usually my strength) and the flats (not that there were many) just weren’t jiving. I had a few run-ins with the “drop-out” demons but I decided the shame of telling my kids that I quit was greater than having my worst finish ever. I chatted with some of the competitors around me, enjoyed the views of the ocean, the amazing single track, and just the fact that I was on dirt (winters are long in Wyoming).

Like most things it wasn’t so bad once I got over my lack-luster performance…it was fun to see and rub shoulders with the big dogs. It has been a great season. I have spent a bunch of time with new and old friends, I saw lots of new trail from Wisconsin, to Virginia, to California. Thanks to my sponsors, NUUN, Patagonia, Black Diamond, my parents and my sister Cally who watched our kids while we vacationed in Cally. Most of all thanks to my beautiful wife who tolerates this madness we call fun. Thanks babe!