Skyline to Sea - Year Two of Ultra-ing

Ok let's start with waking up at 4:30 am. Yucky. Although I do have to say, when it means a day of fun on the trails, just name a time and I'd be up. And that's crazy for me. I'm a 9 hour a night sleeper plus a napper in the afternoon when I can. Yes, I like to sleep. But, I think I like to run more. So up and at up on Sunday and down to the lovely Big Basin area.

It was awesome. Perfect day. Amazing people. Log jumping. Mud splashing. Sunshine. Redwoods galore. Ok so you probably want more details. So lets see. In the beginning of the race, Peter Duyan and I ran along, chit chatting. We came up behind a few guys and eventually passed by. Kevin Swisher was leading the train and told me to go get them. "Go get who, Leor?" I joked. In my dreams, I'd be that fast (Note to self: have more of those dreams). About an hour in, Peter told me he was feeling like shit and told me to keep doing my thing. There was another guy right behind me, but we only exchanged hellos and good jobs when he passed me after the mid-point at Gazo's Creek. I tried to keep him in eye site, but trails can make that a bit challenging.

I felt strong, smooth, and just plain happy. I managed to find every mud puddle that I possibly could. Even when I came through Gazo's Creek the second time someone noted that I was rather muddy. It was sunny, but those redwoods saved a few mud puddles for me, so I made a point of enjoying them. The last ten miles gave me plenty of more opportunities for log jumping. One tree even allowed me the opportunity to creatively hurl myself over it. Glad nobody saw that graceful move. Anyhow totally happy listening to my breath. Then I hit the dirt road, with a few miles left, no water left, and boom dehydrated, tired, and hot. If there is one thing I don't love running in, it is the heat. Just not my thing. But I sucked it up. I was grateful for the aide station that arrived with a mile to go. I took down a few cups of sports drink. And then I kept thinking sub 4 hours let's go! I rounded the corner and finished in 4:00:48. My 50k PR by 9 minutes and 17 minutes off my time from last year!

I spent the next few hours socializing with folks and enjoying the shade. Thanks PCTR, Sarah for all your positivity, and all the volunteers for creating a great day.