Random Thoughts - LJC50K

As always...one post wasn't enough for my race. So here's a few...no a lot of random thoughts about the LJC50K. ;)

***
Racing
*I forgot what poison oak looks like. They'd warned us that there would be some on the trail but I forgot to refresh my memory. I probably wouldn't have recognized it anyway. Luckily, I didn't land in any.

*There was a bunch of boy scouts out there on an overnight camp trip. I almost asked them for a lesson but didn't want to stop. I felt safer that they were out there though. In case anything happened.

*When I got to the top of the stick of the pink lollipop, there was a group of runners standing there debating which way they were supposed to go on the loop. I pulled out my map, checked, and then took off the way we were supposed to go. The others eventually followed me. Score one for me! :)

*I decided that it's a good thing that I'm a terrible judge of distance. When we were on the orange loop the first time and I could see runners at the top and they were tiny, tiny little ants…I was glad I didn't know how much farther I had to climb!

(This photo wasn't even taken from the top! Can you see the tiny, tiny runners behind me on the trail?)

*When I was out on the orange loop and feeling a little depressed because of the hamstring cramp, I got some very nice visitors. I ran/hiked with butterflies flitting around me for a lot of the climb. My very own trail guides. They made me smile.

*When I was on the last out-and-back, I kept looking at the ocean and wishing I could wade into it waist deep. But when I got back down to the car after I finished, I was moving so slowly, I didn't think I could make it across PCH without getting flattened like Wile E. Coyote.

*My Garmin data said 7:58 and 31.97 miles when I finished. I was really sad when I hit the top of the turn around and realized I’d be running more than 31 miles. Not fair. But that's okay. More miles for my buck.

Clothing
*I wore my NB WT110s again. I finally figured out how to tie them so the laces wouldn't loosen. They were good all day.

*I had a hot spot on the bottom of my left foot that I thought would get a blister but it didn't. No blisters at all. Woo!

*My Athleta skirt was like a utility vest. I had all kinds of stuff stashed in it. Like the map I mentioned above. Totally awesome and comfortable. I highly recommend it.

*Really loving my tech Ts from Run It Fast (@RunItFast). I wore the Jackson Jackass 50K shirt and it was soft and really comfortable. No chafing. Also highly recommend it. Hey, did you know you get a tech T when you become a member of the Run It Fast Running Club? Check it out here.

*My Moving Comfort Vixen bra rubbed me raw on my back though. :(

*There was a guy on the trail wearing a cool Arrogant Bastard Ale shirt. I said “Hey, you have a bastard on your shirt and I have a jackass on mine.” He said “I'm sensing an irreverent theme here with trail runners.” I thought “damn straight”. That's why I like them. ;)

Food/Drink
*The aid stations for the Coastal Trail Runs are awesome. They have everything from salt to sweet to sour. They have gummy bears, Swedish fish, M&Ms, and candy bars. They have cookies, pretzels, peanut butter pretzels, brownies, cinnamon buns, trail mix and animal crackers. They had bananas, oranges, watermelon, and cantaloupe. They had peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, boiled potatoes, and two soups. They had coke, sprite, Cliff stuff, cliff shots, and water.

*Except for when I finished, I had no problem eating anything and everything and I was very happy about that.

*Their volunteers were awesome too. Always helpful and making sure I had what I needed. They get an A+++

*I should have taken my 20oz bottle instead of my 10oz but I was expecting a marine layer all day. Next time…big bottle. One of the volunteers offered me his 20oz but I declined. I was good for all but the second orange loop. I ran out of water then and that probably contributed to the noodley legs.

Girl Stuff (fair warning...)
*There were lots of cute shorts and skirts there. I really liked the lulelemon shorts. I wish I could wear them. Alas, I need a little more coverage. Unless I wear them with tights. Hmmm...

*I started my period during the race. Luckily I was wearing a black skirt w/black shorts underneath so no one could tell. I'd actually worried about starting on Sunday but when I checked I thought I should be okay by a couple of days. But I guess not.

*So...the Old Goat 50 Mile is in one month and I'm usually very regular and that means I'll be dealing with it then too. Just flipping great. As if I won't have enough to worry about. Sheesh. I have to say Mother Nature is one cruel b!tch. Why I have to go thru this every month when I didn't/won't have kids is beyond me. I'd almost wish I could be late next month but with my luck it would mean I was pregnant.
***

Uh, sorry about that last one. :) So that's it. I can't think of anything else. Well, there was something but I can't remember what it was so you lucked out. Have a great Leap Day! Use your extra day wisely and run! Me? I plan to run commute.