The buildup towards the Bay Area 100M in June continues. Post Diablo 50K, I was able to get out and run back-to-back 18-milers in Sierra Azul, possibly the hardest and most exposed sections of Quicksilver 100K (in early May). Conveniently, the Bay Area 100M training run weekend came right along with two weeks to go before the 100K. I chose the Sunday run, as the sections out in EPMUD trails to Las Trampas were net new to me. I’ve run most other sections through Berekely Challenge 50K, Skyline 50K, Dick Collins 50M, etc. Here’s my Strava activity:

Bay Area 100M Training Run

Adam Ray, the race director, had organized a shuttle to get us from the Lake Chabot marina to Chabot science center. I was planning to run just 31 miles back to Lake Chabot, while some folks were running the entire 44 miles. I think I only recognized Orly Liba in the small group that was running this day. After a quick briefing we started running around 8am. The first section bought back memories as we were on the West Ridge trail along the Redwood regional park. I’ve done the turnaround at Skyline Gate so many times! Weather was cooperating and even later in the day, was in the low 70s.

After a short roller on East Ridge trail, we went through an EPMUD watershed gate for a gorgeous descent through the redwods – fern everywhere, lush, sound of the creek – all magical! A short climb out and we were on the Rocky Ridge trail, hugging the San Leandro Reservoir for a while, through a series of rollers. By this time, I was running with Rob and Joseph and we would stay together for quite a few miles. Stan Jensen was waiting for us at the Rancho Laguna park. I brought along a couple of high carb Carbs Fuel (new for me) and slurped one down before the next aid up at Las Trampas. With 200 calories and 50g of carbs, they went down pretty smooth. Between this and the GU liquid energy, I’m feeling like I can prolly live off these for a whole race, will have to see how it goes at Quicksilver 100K.

This next section of Rocky Ridge trail was pretty overgrown and I suppose there was some rerouting as the GPX file and the actual course marking were different at one point. But we were able to wayfind and reconnect back to the firetrail leading us up and up. Arguably, this is the crux of the 100M course, a steep climb (not unlike Dogmeat or Kennedy at Quciksilver, but a little later in the day with tired legs). The views were simply incredible! On the long descent towards the car aid station, ran into Brian Mulholand again (saw him at Diablo 50K). He was with Andrea (shared a few miles with her at Marin Ultra Chalenge 50M) and Noe (sp?) all training for different 100Ms, but training on this course. One more Carbs Fuel and began the climb out.

The single track had poppies lined up on both ways (like a runway), with views of Mt. Diablo on one side and Berkeley & Oakland hills on the other. It felt truly remote and brutiful! I heard a family chirping at the top and the Merlin app id’d it as the Lazuli Bunting! I could hear them all around, but couldn’t spot one. I had to Facetime my wife to share both the views and the bird sighting!

The next aid was 10 miles away and this downhill section once again, was overgrown, pot holes from hoof prints everywhere, not to mention, my friends poison oak (and ivy dangling from trees). I really had to watch my footing the entire way back. It was slow going for a while. In addition to Carbs Fuel, I was also trying out Rabbit’s Ice Bandana – a huge help in keeping me cool! The slow evaporation was amazing and as long as I tucked in the ice bag under the top of the running vest, it wasn’t bouncing around too much.

Eventually made it out to the Chabot staging area, met up with Stan Jensen once more and worked my way back to the Marina in around 6:55. That was about 6,000ft of vertical. Saw Joseph briefly there, connected him with Adam, and now looks like he’s running Bay Area 100M too! More familiar faces on the trails!

A few observations and learnings from the training run:

• Most of the steep, long climbs will be done after Las Trampas – definitely hoping to get through that section before sundown
• This section from Las Trampas to Chabot staging was so filled with Poison Oak, that I’ll need to add Tecnu wipes to my dropbag at Bort Meadow aid station (mile 68.5)
• Assuming it’s about 14 – 15 hours (maybe more?) to get to Bort Meadow, I’ll need to carry a small flashlight to navigate the 5-6 miles in the dark, before I pick up headlamps. Sunset is 8:30pm in June, so that helps
• Maybe add a thin, long sleeve for the night as well
• Since I’ll be passing through that aid three times, better to leave two change shirts there as well
• Also chuck the running vest and use a handheld for the very last home stretch

Anyways, that was a great training run and definitely helped to get a little familiar with the course! On to Quicksilver 100K in just a couple of weeks!