My how times have changed. First off, just to get into this raceI had to sit up and wait for the stroke of midnight on November 1st then rush to sign up. Yes, I had been warned that this race now closes in several hours. Are you kidding me!? It used to be you could sign up a day or two before the race. I do have to say,that this overall trend of lotteries and rush rush to sign up for more and more races in general is really getting frustrating. It makes it really hard to plan a season. Turns out that this race has gotten quite popular and now even attracts out- of -staters. No kidding! So, after staying up, I did get in! I've actually followed this race online over the years from Moscow. The course has changed several times since I last did it in 2005.
When I did this race in 2004 and in 2005, I was still living in Wasilla and living about 20 minutes from the course. I used to spend weekends out training on the trails where I'd be racing may of those weekends were with one of my close friends and training partners Julie Udchachon. She has been on three US 100k teams and is an awesome ultrarunner. We would go out and "play" on those trails for hours regardless of the conditions. She's now out of state but we are still in touch and I do have to admit that she is by far the best training partner I have ever had or ever will have for that matter. Bricks could be falling from the sky, but we'd get out there and get the job done. Those are the memories I have of the trails in these parts.
I really wish I had that kind of company now especially for safety reasons because most of what I run is pretty remote, Some has cell coverage, some does not. Then there is the wildlife factor. It's been a warm winter and the bears aren't necessarily sleeping. I've been "delayed" by moose on a regular basis which at night can be scary because I can't always see the moose's ears and getsures to determine if it may or may not be aggressive. It may be a cow with a calf or two nearby and the last thing I need is to end up between them! I know there are wolves and coyotes on my routes and have heard howling some evenings. The alternative is to sit home on the couch all winter, but that's not really an option.
So, this race would serve as my mid- winter motivator to fill the too large of a void between now and early May. That's another entire topic of discussion, but let's just say that I am unimpressed with the running calendar or more accurately put, the complete lack thereof one for pretty much the entire Kenai Peninsula from October-May. I had thought there would be an event in the area in March, but it turns out ...not. I really need to be training now and then do some stepping stone races in April-May to be in top shape for the summer season. I'll be on the lookout if anything gets added. I was able to do Little Su 50 only because it fell on a 4 day weekend where we had both Friday and Monday off school for holy days. It was a SATURDAY race some 300 miles away! Driving up the night before right after school was not going to happen! At the very least, if I have a Saturday race in Anchorage, I need to do it when we have a holy Friday off so I can have a rest day after the drive which is usually Thursday after school.
I did take a sleep/ rest day this time the Friday before the 50k. On Saturday, I had to be up at O-Dark-Early for the hour and a half or so drive to Big Lake just out of Wasilla from Anchorage. Sure, it was an 11AM start, but it's a good idea to get there early unless you want to park in Siberia :) I figured getting there 9 ish would be ok. The 100 milers start at 9 and the 50k goes at 11. The start/finish was at Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennels. He is an Iditarod stud! it was actually really nice and there was a nice building to keep warm in. So, I arrived and checked in. I got to see the 100milers start. Two hours later, we were off. Now, you can either run,ski, or bike this course. You declare your category when you check in. One of the ladies who was running, noticed me before the start and remembered me from the 49k in August. She had finished third.
So off we were and I was joined by a teacher from Palmer (my old school district before leaving for Moscow in 2005). About 10k in, Two other ladies joined us. One of them was the lady who ran the 49k with me. I was not going out hard and quite preferred to lollygag in the beginning because I needed my strength for later on. I knew I'd probably be pushing loose snow on hills later in the race and needed to conserve energy. We were all running the same pace and it was nice company. I did notice it seemed a bit on the fast side for this course and surface-finish pace just over 5 hours. Now, in 2004 I ran my best time of 5:05 which was actually a CR then. The first and last 10k ran across Big Lake and you could get some speed on the ice road in those spots. A year later, I ran 6:04 on a course that was nothing but loose snow! It really depends so much on conditions year to year. This year, the river and lake crossings were pretty good. There was just enough snow on the ice to give good footing. However, when things weren't on the flats, they rolled and rolled and this is where the loose snow (kind of like running in sand) was in waiting. The course is run on mushing and snowmachine trails. Our group ran together the first 19km. Then, as more rollers came along, they began to fall back. I really didn't want to take the lead this early on, but if I lollygag at a pace slower than I should be running, my calves get really grumpy. I need to run my comfort zone. I was just running a consistent effort on the hills. I actually found the surfaces on the trail so much easier to run than the mess of ice and snice I've been relegated to training on most of the winter. This is what mushing and snowmachine trails are supposed to be-runnable! The snow around Homer has just been sucktastic. We sometimes get nice big dumps and I begin to drool over the thought of hitting the mushing and snowmachine trails out here....only to have it all crashed by rain and or thawing a few days later. The result has been nasty post-holey snow save for some good stuff I found around 2000ft and above the treeline on the snowmachine trails in January (albeit after climbing through about 4km of post holey crunchy stuff to get there).
So I was enjoying the course:) Happy feet!!! I was just out running my pace and gradually, the other three ladies fell further back. Oh dear, 30k left.....if I end up alone I really need to make sure not to GET LOST!. The course was very very well marked though. At 25k, I came through in 2:32 and change. Ok, yes if it were a road time that would be sad, but this is a whole different kettle of fish. The one and only aid station was just before about 27k. I stopped to get some eats and fluids. I decided to risk not filling my 2l bladder. I had about half left. I drank more at the aid station and took about 2 min there making sure eats and drinks were in. They had a place for trash too (no littering on the trails so carry your trash til there is a trash to put it in). I could see the 3 ladies appearing in the distance again just as I took off. After 20k or so I gradually started picking up just a little. After the aid station, I hit a flat section and the snowpack was good and I was running this between 4:45-5min/km pace. Again, I was running a consistent effort on whatever surface I had to deal with. At about 30k, things headed for more rollers and loose sandy snow. I came out at a powerline trail on top of a hill and checked back after about 6 min and could not see anyone. I understand I was totally on my own most likely the rest of the day. DON'T GET LOST!
out around 33-34k and all alone
At the aid station they told me there was one guy ahead of me about 2 miles. He left nice footprints to follow! I just kept going. My pace was still consistent 35k 40k.....This section was pretty with the views of the mountains. This was the area Julie and I used to stomp around in.The view was awesome and the sun peeked in and out. 8k or so to go and I hit the turn off to head back to the start. 45k....almost home. I was actually feeling pretty good , still consistent in pacing. My feet were getting a little tired on the harder icier sections from the hard surface, but aside from that, I still felt fine. I had been munching all day, drinking, got in plenty of Vitargo loading before the race and hydrating before the start. There it was....the last HILL to the finish. I finished in 5:04 beating my time from 12 years ago (aaaahhh when I was 29 and fast....). I actually did negative split along the way. The top guy was 4:57 so probably less than a mile up on me. Next lady(who was 3rd at the 49k last summer) was 14+min back and the other 2 from our group were 40+ back. At the aid station, that group was only about three minutes behind me.
To be honest, I was surprised I felt so good the whole day. I wasn't sure how I'd do because the only racing I've done since last fall was what I did in Moscow over winter break.I just figured I'd go out and run ans it would be whatever it would be. I had been training on hilly hard terrain all winter, but not sure how much I was getting out of it with no stepping stone races to check my actual fitness.I think all that hill training on some really crummy surfaces(ie BARE ICE...but in Icebugs) helped me. Long runs have been split between hilly gnarly trails of snow and ice and then hitting the Homer Spit on weekends for fast pavment 30-35km. I did all my long runs with the camelbak loaded to get used to running with the weight. This is a race where you must carry. There is only one aid station for refilling water if need be. No crew or outside help is allowed. Most importanly, I had fun. I just wish there were more things like this happening that are not a seven hour drive to get to!
When I did this race in 2004 and in 2005, I was still living in Wasilla and living about 20 minutes from the course. I used to spend weekends out training on the trails where I'd be racing may of those weekends were with one of my close friends and training partners Julie Udchachon. She has been on three US 100k teams and is an awesome ultrarunner. We would go out and "play" on those trails for hours regardless of the conditions. She's now out of state but we are still in touch and I do have to admit that she is by far the best training partner I have ever had or ever will have for that matter. Bricks could be falling from the sky, but we'd get out there and get the job done. Those are the memories I have of the trails in these parts.
I really wish I had that kind of company now especially for safety reasons because most of what I run is pretty remote, Some has cell coverage, some does not. Then there is the wildlife factor. It's been a warm winter and the bears aren't necessarily sleeping. I've been "delayed" by moose on a regular basis which at night can be scary because I can't always see the moose's ears and getsures to determine if it may or may not be aggressive. It may be a cow with a calf or two nearby and the last thing I need is to end up between them! I know there are wolves and coyotes on my routes and have heard howling some evenings. The alternative is to sit home on the couch all winter, but that's not really an option.
So, this race would serve as my mid- winter motivator to fill the too large of a void between now and early May. That's another entire topic of discussion, but let's just say that I am unimpressed with the running calendar or more accurately put, the complete lack thereof one for pretty much the entire Kenai Peninsula from October-May. I had thought there would be an event in the area in March, but it turns out ...not. I really need to be training now and then do some stepping stone races in April-May to be in top shape for the summer season. I'll be on the lookout if anything gets added. I was able to do Little Su 50 only because it fell on a 4 day weekend where we had both Friday and Monday off school for holy days. It was a SATURDAY race some 300 miles away! Driving up the night before right after school was not going to happen! At the very least, if I have a Saturday race in Anchorage, I need to do it when we have a holy Friday off so I can have a rest day after the drive which is usually Thursday after school.
I did take a sleep/ rest day this time the Friday before the 50k. On Saturday, I had to be up at O-Dark-Early for the hour and a half or so drive to Big Lake just out of Wasilla from Anchorage. Sure, it was an 11AM start, but it's a good idea to get there early unless you want to park in Siberia :) I figured getting there 9 ish would be ok. The 100 milers start at 9 and the 50k goes at 11. The start/finish was at Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennels. He is an Iditarod stud! it was actually really nice and there was a nice building to keep warm in. So, I arrived and checked in. I got to see the 100milers start. Two hours later, we were off. Now, you can either run,ski, or bike this course. You declare your category when you check in. One of the ladies who was running, noticed me before the start and remembered me from the 49k in August. She had finished third.
photo from susitna100.com
So off we were and I was joined by a teacher from Palmer (my old school district before leaving for Moscow in 2005). About 10k in, Two other ladies joined us. One of them was the lady who ran the 49k with me. I was not going out hard and quite preferred to lollygag in the beginning because I needed my strength for later on. I knew I'd probably be pushing loose snow on hills later in the race and needed to conserve energy. We were all running the same pace and it was nice company. I did notice it seemed a bit on the fast side for this course and surface-finish pace just over 5 hours. Now, in 2004 I ran my best time of 5:05 which was actually a CR then. The first and last 10k ran across Big Lake and you could get some speed on the ice road in those spots. A year later, I ran 6:04 on a course that was nothing but loose snow! It really depends so much on conditions year to year. This year, the river and lake crossings were pretty good. There was just enough snow on the ice to give good footing. However, when things weren't on the flats, they rolled and rolled and this is where the loose snow (kind of like running in sand) was in waiting. The course is run on mushing and snowmachine trails. Our group ran together the first 19km. Then, as more rollers came along, they began to fall back. I really didn't want to take the lead this early on, but if I lollygag at a pace slower than I should be running, my calves get really grumpy. I need to run my comfort zone. I was just running a consistent effort on the hills. I actually found the surfaces on the trail so much easier to run than the mess of ice and snice I've been relegated to training on most of the winter. This is what mushing and snowmachine trails are supposed to be-runnable! The snow around Homer has just been sucktastic. We sometimes get nice big dumps and I begin to drool over the thought of hitting the mushing and snowmachine trails out here....only to have it all crashed by rain and or thawing a few days later. The result has been nasty post-holey snow save for some good stuff I found around 2000ft and above the treeline on the snowmachine trails in January (albeit after climbing through about 4km of post holey crunchy stuff to get there).
Taking a drink at bout 15k
So I was enjoying the course:) Happy feet!!! I was just out running my pace and gradually, the other three ladies fell further back. Oh dear, 30k left.....if I end up alone I really need to make sure not to GET LOST!. The course was very very well marked though. At 25k, I came through in 2:32 and change. Ok, yes if it were a road time that would be sad, but this is a whole different kettle of fish. The one and only aid station was just before about 27k. I stopped to get some eats and fluids. I decided to risk not filling my 2l bladder. I had about half left. I drank more at the aid station and took about 2 min there making sure eats and drinks were in. They had a place for trash too (no littering on the trails so carry your trash til there is a trash to put it in). I could see the 3 ladies appearing in the distance again just as I took off. After 20k or so I gradually started picking up just a little. After the aid station, I hit a flat section and the snowpack was good and I was running this between 4:45-5min/km pace. Again, I was running a consistent effort on whatever surface I had to deal with. At about 30k, things headed for more rollers and loose sandy snow. I came out at a powerline trail on top of a hill and checked back after about 6 min and could not see anyone. I understand I was totally on my own most likely the rest of the day. DON'T GET LOST!
To be honest, I was surprised I felt so good the whole day. I wasn't sure how I'd do because the only racing I've done since last fall was what I did in Moscow over winter break.I just figured I'd go out and run ans it would be whatever it would be. I had been training on hilly hard terrain all winter, but not sure how much I was getting out of it with no stepping stone races to check my actual fitness.I think all that hill training on some really crummy surfaces(ie BARE ICE...but in Icebugs) helped me. Long runs have been split between hilly gnarly trails of snow and ice and then hitting the Homer Spit on weekends for fast pavment 30-35km. I did all my long runs with the camelbak loaded to get used to running with the weight. This is a race where you must carry. There is only one aid station for refilling water if need be. No crew or outside help is allowed. Most importanly, I had fun. I just wish there were more things like this happening that are not a seven hour drive to get to!
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