My last 50K was the California Classic 55K, just 16 weeks after rotator-cuff surgery. Since then I’ve been slowly but surely building up toward the Bay Area 100M this June. The Skyline Ridge 50K (a fundraiser for the Bay Area Ridge Trail organization) was the first of a series of “races” over the next couple of months, increasing in distance. I feel it’s just a lot easier and more fun to run these distances supported with aid stations instead of carrying water and food (though, I did that too when I ran 50 ultras in one year). That said, this is probably one of the most consistent training block I’ve ever had. Quite a few 20-milers with 4K+ vert. Here’s my Strava activity from the run:

Skyline Ridge 50K

I’ve come to realize lately that I don’t really like to wear a running vest on long runs – I sweat a lot more with it, and I feel that it constricts my lungs when running uphill. I’ve been experimenting with other options and lately have settled into using a Fitbelt, a waist belt that holds about 6 to 8 gels, my car key and a zipped pocket in the back, large enough for the iPhone 6. With the heavy stuff lower to the ground, I feel less sloshing and juggling and certainly opens up my chest to breathe! That plus a Nathan quick squeeze 22oz seems to be enough hydration for 8-10 miles.

Skyline Ridge start line was just a short drive from my home and I got there a little early. It was looking like a really awesome day – not too hot, with a pleasant breeze on the ridge lines. After a quick briefing by Anil, we headed north towards Russian Ridge on an out and back. The pace and the climbs felt easy, though had to throttle back to not go into zone 5.

There were only about 40 of us runners in the 50K distance and we spread out early. After returning to the start line from the out and back, we headed down to Canyon trail and then the slow and steady ascent up Bella Vista trail towards Black Mountain summit. I chugged along this section chatting with Bradley Krack, who was training for his 100K.

Another short out and back along Montebello road, stashed a few gels, filled up water and headed down into the canyon again. This was a long 9-mile stretch to the top of Table Mountain, with a 2,000ft climb in just a few miles. Luckily the canyon wasn’t super hot and there was a flowing creek to cool off right before the long climb. Yun-Yi Pai ran with me on this stretch, but fell behind a little on the climb. I must’ve gone through 5 gels and 3 salt chewables on this section. With just mile+ to go to get to the aid station, I was running out of water and felt a bonk coming. Thankfully Kiran (co-RD) and Richard (volunteer) had hiked down the hill with a multi-gallon water container. So grateful they did this!

I was famished when I got to this last aid station – loaded up on pb&j, chips, coke, potatoes, watermelon – all of the ultra aid-station goodness. With just 4ish miles to go, ran with Sean Newman who was running his first ultra and building up to run American River 50M in April. We stayed together almost till the end, until he asked me to go ahead in the last 1/2 mile downhill around another pond. Pulled into the finish 5th overall in 6:10! Super happy with how the whole run played out – especially with a 5,500ft vertical! Mostly a rest week and then Marin Ultra Challenge 50M next weekend! Onward!