Eat Drink Run Woman

Considering I returned to the scene of the crime yesterday for the first time since the race, I figured it’s about time I write up my report.  The Carkeek 12-hour is advertised as “The hardest 12-hour out there.  Period.”  Boy howdy, they ain’t kidding.  Actually, I have nothing else to base that on — after all I haven’t run another 12-hour — but given how much this race whipped my patootie I’m going to take them at their word.

The race is held in Carkeek Park just northwest of Seattle.  Although it’s a trail run, it’s not particularly technical.  However, the elevation gain/loss for each 1.93-mile loop is 430 feet.  You run as many loops as you can within a 12-hour period.  Many folks opt to stop after they reach a certain distance (14 loops for just over a marathon, 16 loops for a 50K), although a couple of diehards go the full 12 hours.  Me?  I wanted to run at least a marathon distance, although I was hoping for a 50K depending on how I felt.

Given the dire warnings, I decided I needed to get some practice on the trail before race day.  After signing up in early August my darling and I ran it a couple of times.  But when we saw so many of our friends were signed up we decided to meet every Wednesday evening for as many laps as people wanted to run.  We even met on our 9-year wedding anniversary where we celebrated afterwards with snacks and champagne (shhh… don’t tell the Seattle Parks Department).

I typically could get in 2-3 loops before it got too dark, however, I found some days the trail would chew me up and spit me out, especially if I had had a particularly long cook day.  (One day I couldn’t even finish an entire loop).  I averaged 26-27 minutes for most loops; my best time was 23:46, my worst was 28:13.  I had hoped to run at least 7 laps at once before the race, but only managed to get in 5 before I cried “uncle.”

While I was beginning to get somewhat anxious about the race — would I be able to reach my goal? — I began to notice how much stronger I was getting on hills.  As I mentioned in my Nike Womens Marathon report, while others were struggling up many of the hills, I sailed up them with ease.  HUZZAH!  I kept my fingers crossed this strength would stay with me come race day.

Since the race was held on Halloween costumes were encouraged.  I figured I wouldn’t mess with success, so I hauled out my zebra get-up from my very first marathon, adding a long-sleeved shirt to keep out the cold.  While previous years brought some of the worst conditions possible, we were blessed with clear, cool skies (the RD kept apologizing for the nice weather).  Because race start was at 6 a.m., headlamps were required for the first couple of loops.

While I didn’t have a time goal in mind, I decided my strategy would be to break up the race into four 4-loop sections.  I’d take short breaks every two loops to refuel, then take a slightly longer one after every four where I’d check my feet for hot spots, refuel, change shoes, if necessary, etc.  Again, I hoped to finish 16 loops for a 50K, but gave myself permission to stop at 14 if the going got too rough.

Knowing I’d need to take it slow in order to go the distance I lined up toward the very back of the pack.  After a few hundred feet the trail goes up a very steep section (which includes several stairs); I’ve always had to walk much of this section and race day was no exception.  However, it became clear many of the runners in front of me were running the loop for the first time, so they were surprised how steep this section was.  (Perhaps they missed the memo about being the hardest 12-hour out there).  I didn’t mind going so slow, but when the trail opened up at the halfway mark I decided to speed up a tad and pass folks.  I finished the first loop in 29:47 and stopped at the aid station only long enough to give them my number (they kept track of our loops with pieces of Halloween candy).

Although I ran the first section of the second loop faster, I slowed on the other portions, finishing in 29:53.  By then nature called, so I took a quick potty break (and ended up peeing on my zebra tail.  GRRRR.)  Still, the break was only 2 1/2 minutes.  My next two laps were considerably faster — 27:47 and 27:27 — however, I had to take a 7-minute break afterwards to change my shoes (my Brooks Cascadia trail shoes were rubbing my big toe, so I switched to my Vasque Blurs with the larger toe box).

My next few loops were in the 28-30 minute range, plus I pretty much threw out my strategy to limit my breaks in between.  A few were still in the 2-3 minute range, but others were 6-8 minutes.  I figured my No. 1 priority would be to get enough food in me, plus the break was a good mental boost.

The first test of my mettle was loop 7.  Just as I was heading up that first steep portion my darling and my friend Jessica passed me, which meant they were a full loop ahead.  While I was struggling Jessica seemed to fly right on up (the angel wings she was wearing probably helped).  I was on the verge of tears and was in no mood to talk.  Halfway through that loop the tears came; it was a welcome release.  By then I questioned whether I could finish 10 loops, let along 14 or 16.  I allowed myself to have a pity party for several minutes, but I then forced myself to get in a better mood.  I knew from experience one has rough spots during a marathon, but often that passes.  Sure enough, as I finished that loop I felt much better.

At this point I decided to do whatever it took to finish, even if it meant I had to walk the whole damn way.  Fortunately it didn’t come down to that, although I logged in a couple of 30+ minute loops.  I also extended my breaks in between.  I had another low point during loop 12 (I got lapped again by Jessica and my darling), but this one was sans tears.  After my 13th loop my friend Katie yells out, “Only 2 more to go!”  Ummm, no.  I had 3 to go.  sniff.

Since I wanted to finish relatively strong I decided to take loop 15 easy; at 32:18, it was my slowest.  However, I took a quick 3-minute break and headed out on my last loop, running that in 28 minutes.  HALLELUJAH!  I finished in just over 9 hours (about 7 1/2 of which was running), but I did it.

Even though it was indeed the toughest race I’ve ever run, I still managed to muster up a smile at the end.  (I’m sure the beer helped).