Race Report: Coldwater Rumble 31k – 2012

Coldwater Rumble 2012- 31k Trail Race at Estrella Mnt Park, Goodyear Az.

In my previous blog post I had mentioned taking a nap on a rock, perhaps some foreshadowing of what this day would hold in store, but I’ll get to that later….

Leading up to the Coldwater Rumble I had really been struggling with my long runs, basically any run longer then 10 miles or time-wise somewhere around the hour and a half mark. You would think that having completed a hundred mile ultra, distances over 10 miles would be cake at this point.  Apparently not

I was so concerned that I e-mailed Jamil Coury the race director (who along with his brother Nick run some of the best trail running events in AZ or anywhere else for that matter) and asked if I could move down to the shorter distance for the Coldwater Rumble, from 50k to 31k which is still close to 20 miles (My GPS had it at 19.71 miles).  As race day approached I realized even the shorter distance (which wasn’t all that short) might be a struggle for me to complete as my longest training run since the JJ100 had been a 14 mile epic struggle a few weeks back.

I figured I’d go for it and in the worse case scenario the race would force me to run a 20 mile long run.  My mindset was to go out at a comfortable pace, run hard but most of all enjoy the day out on the trail.

Ruchi, Atreyu and I arrived about an hour before the start to check-in and get situated.  Noticeable absent were Coach Phantom and my training partner Sterling.  Both are doing well but the supportive wife felt keeping track of Phantom, Sterling and the child prodigy all by her lonesome would be to much to handle alone.  We certainly missed them but if anyone has ever had to handle Phantom and Sterling when they get into a “mood”, they would completely understand why they had to sit this one out.

The race started on time at 8:00 am sharp, and we were off.  A small group consisting of Perry Edinger, Megan Wagner and Van Patterson led us of the gate and set the early pace. I was running just behind the three leaders, trying to find a rhythm to fall into.

As the first mile approached, Perry began to pull away from the lead pack and the way he was moving it looked like he might open up a significant gap.  I felt comfortable and strong at this point, put all my doubts aside about the distance or holding the pace and decided to go with him as he broke away.

As we turned off the Coldwater trail onto a more rugged single track path, Perry really began to hammer the pace.  I followed him through the twisty trail that climbed and dipped through a series of sandy washes for the next couple of miles.

When the trailed broadened, Perry and I ran side by side and spoke a little.  I introduced myself and told him he was setting a great pace.  He confided that he was early in his training and that he was going to slow down soon.  Shortly after he waved me by and suddenly I was alone in the lead.  Normally this would be a good thing but for me it was a little troubling.  I already had doubts about the distance and now I was growing more concerned with the fast pace we had set.  Plus I hadn’t previewed the course and I have been known to suffer from tunnel vision which makes it easy to miss a trail marker and end up off the trail in at a local gas station asking directions. Luckily the course was well marked and I didn’t have any off course adventures.

As I approached the first water station, a little over six miles into the race, I was all alone.  I looked back and didn’t see anyone so decided to fill my hand held water bottle which was about half empty, take off my hat and change out of my long sleeve shirt.  At this point in the race an extra minute here might save me five down the line.  Just as I headed back onto the trail, Van and a runner I did not recognized pulled into the aid station.

I considered taking it slow and running with them but they also stopped to refill and I was enjoying being out in front.

A few miles passed before I heard the first footfalls behind me signalling the  approach of another runner.  I was in a nice running rhythm now and didn’t alter my stride to try and maintain or increase the gap.  If they wanted to catch me at this pace I wouldn’t fight them on it and if they wanted to pass, I would have to decide if I wanted to pick the pace up to stay with them or if I wanted to remain in the rhythm I had found.

As the trail broadened and flattened out again, the new runner pulled up beside me.  At this point he seemed content with running at my current pace.  I introduced myself and he told me his name was Jake (Jake Carlson).  We kept a strong pace but at the same time, we were both running comfortably. We ended up talking for the next mile or so.  I found out he was from Peoria, and that he had moved here from Va.

Shortly after, another set of foot steps came up behind us and Van Petterson joined our little group.  Soon all three of us were running together and talking.

Now if your reading this and thinking to yourself “WTF, why are they chit chatting away during a race?” Your probably a road runner   In trail races and particularly in ultra’s its not uncommon to talk to people, even it its just a few encouraging words.  In this particular case it may have been more excessive then the norm but I always introduce myself when running alongside people and will take cues as to whether they are interested in continuing the conversation or if I am being a nuisance (hopefully I pick up on those clues – LOL).

As the three of us approached the second and last aid station,  we fell into a three person line with Jake taking command of the race, followed by me and then Van.  The gaps between us were only about 10 seconds but the speed at which Jake pulled away let me know he had both speed and legs left.

As the aid station came into view I had already decided I was going to run right through (a decision I would later regret) as I figured I still had a half a bottle of water and it was only 10k to the finish.

I saw Jake hit the aid station and grab some water,  I took back the lead and Jake fell in right behind me.  I wasn’t sure if Van stopped or how far behind he he was at this point.  Its always tempting to look back but its something I try never to do.

Here is where things got a little strange, after about a mile of running from the last aid station, I realized I was just back in the lead and  was once again all alone again.  I wasn’t sure if I had subconsciously picked up the pace or if Jake had dropped back.  The significant climbs were coming up and perhaps he was gathering his strength to make a push on the hills.

My time alone at the front was short lived as I heard the familiar sound of Van who had passed Jake at this point came up behind me.  With less then 5 miles left in the race I decided to pick things up and try to keep the lead.

At this point I began to fade and even though I was picking up my effort, I can’t say for sure if I was actually picking up the pace.  This section of trail was rocky and technical which made the going that much harder.   We made it through the first climb together and with me still holding the lead.  As we descended the hill and the second climb loomed ahead, it was a big one.  I  prepared myself mentally to run strong until I hit the steepest sections of the hill and then planned to power walk to get myself over the hump and begin running again once I crested the top.

It was a great mental plan and exactly what I would have to do to remain competitive but my body had plans of its own.  Heading into the first part of the climb I started to get light headed and dizzy.  I stopped running and started walking earlier then I had planned.  Van passed me and continued up the hill. In my mind,  I tried to stay relaxed, breathe deep and get air. I walked a few seconds, get my bearings and started to follow Van up the hill.  But the dizziness didn’t fade and I had to start walking again almost immediately.  I started sweating profusally and I couldn’t tell if I had my eyes open or close because everything had gone black. I kept blinking and told myself to keep breathing and keep moving.  I probable looked like I was walking home from the pub rather then involved in a trail race.  I don’t really remember to much of what happened other then I made it close to the top before I became dizzy to continue and had to lay down.

I went for my water bottle and found I was completely out.  Not refilling at the last aid station turned out to be a serious mistake. Luckily I had a few jelly beans stashed away which I shoved in my mouth as I was laying on the side of the trail.  People began to pass me.  I knew I needed water and felt like I was on the verge of passing out.  A women gave me some water (I don’t know who you were but thank you so much you saved me out there) and I slowly began to feel better.

Lying on the side of the trail in a semi conscious state always gets the brain thinking in interesting directions.  The first thing that was going through my head was the last song I listened to before the start of the race – “Blackout” by Breathe Carolina.  Basically the song repeatedly says “I won’t black out”.  I was hoping that the lyric would hold for me.

Then I started thinking about my blog and how in my last post I mentioned finding enjoyment in racing even if that meant taking a nap on a rock, and yes, despite my predicament I was loving the race and even the low of the moment.

My dazed thinking was interrupted for a second as Jake passed me while I was laying on the ground day dreaming.  He asked if I was okay and I told him I was fine and that I just needed some time to recover.  I wished him luck and put my head back down and closed my eyes.  Shortly after a stream of 31k runners began to pass me including Sarah Wagner, Buck Jones, and Laren Besenfelder.  I was still a little out of it and I don’t actually remember them passing me, but that is what the standings report .

I wasn’t sure how long I had been laying on the ground or how many runners had passed me before I felt stable enough to stand. I got up slowly, and started to walk.  As I started heading down the hill I spied the race director Jamil Coury coming up the hill.  He told me he heard someone out on the course was in bad shape and needed water.  I admitted it was me and that I had gotten some water form a passing runner and felt recovered enough to continue (Thanks Jamil for coming out there to get me, I’m not sure how many race directors would do that).

Eventually I got myself from a walk to a slow jog.  I was now slowly working my way down the hill to the finish which was probable only a mile from where I took my nap.

A runner then came flying down the hill and passed me.  I saw that he was in my race and he encouraged me to finish strong.  I decided to try and go with him.  I had led most of the race and I didn’t feel like limping across the finish line.  So I began the chase.

It took a little time and a lot of effort to get my body running back into a higher gear but once I got moving again I could tell my legs were still strong and I would have a good kick at the end.  As we came down the hill flying towards the finish, I had caught up to the runner but was still trailing.  With about 100 meteres to go I kicked it in and I just barely edged him at the finish (something like .04 seconds).

Win or lose it was just a nice feeling to have recovered enough to finish strong.

In the end, I was able to recover enough for a 6th place finish with a time of 2:48:01. not bad considering my GPS had me at 30+ minutes for the last mile and a half .

Thanks again to Jamil and Nick Coury for putting on such great trail running events in the Valley.  I’m already looking forward to next year.

The Aspiring Ultra Runner,

Alex Kaine