About 3 weeks ago, I did something that changed the course of my life. It was just a little thing. Something I thought was no big deal. My friend, Laura M., asked if I wanted to join her on a run. She was training for the Pier to Peak Half Marathon that would happen on September 5th. Being the nut-job I am, always up for a challenge, I said yes. Did I mention her run was 6 miles of the half marathon course. 6 of the hardest miles – all climbing up, up, up.
I figured it would be an interesting challenge. I really had no interest in signing up for the event. I just wanted to see how I would do for 6 miles of running up that mountain. Well, to make a long intro short, I ended up running just over 7 miles that day. Then I joined her again the next week and ran 8.5. On that last run, I got all the way to the spot where the Pier to Peak would finish. The feeling was pretty amazing and that got me wondering.
What would it feel like to run all 13.1 miles of this super-challenging course and stand there at the top of La Cumbre Peak knowing what I had done??
That thought ate at me. Suddenly I had an interest in this crazy race. That interest grew and became bigger and bigger. My other friend, Laura G. insisted we just had to sign up. I told her I would run the bottom half of the course and if I felt “it,” I would try to sign up.
I did run those first 4 miles and I did feel “it.”
When I went to sign up, it said it was SOLD OUT! So the question was how do you get into race when registration is closed? You email the race organizer, apparently. Turns out there were a handful of spots left – ones that had been reserved for some group but were not being used after all. So I wrote my check for $100 (double the regular entry fee), rode my bike to the organizer’s house and dropped off my payment.
The next question was how do you train for an all uphill half marathon in only 2 ½ weeks? Here’s what I did to prepare (after finishing out the week with my normal runs and workouts).
- 13 days before – Did 20 minutes of my WOW using strength portions only, then ran for 3 miles with some hills.
- 12 days before – Ran 12 miles, one-way, mostly flat with a lunch at the end. (This is my favorite approach to a long run.)
- 11 days before – No running. Strength and Jump Rope workout from WOWs.
- 10 days before – 6 mile run with 3 good sized hills to climb
- 9 days before – 7 mile run with 4 pretty long, steep hills.
- 8 days before – Went on 4 hour hike
- 7 days before – Active Rest
- 6 days before – 10.2 mile run with only mild hills. Hydration focus: 1 extra glass of water everyday. For my friend Laura G., break time from beer begins.
- 5 days before – Do strength portion of the WOWs for the day for 20 minutes then an easy 4 mile run. Recovery was the aim.
- 4 days before – No running. Did strength exercises from WOW along with exercises to strengthen hips and legs.
- 3 days before – 6 mile run, mostly flat. Negative splits – run the second half faster than the first.
- 2 days before – Do strength exercises from WOWs and same easy 4 mile run.
- 1 day before – Though I planned on doing yoga and maybe some stand up paddling, I ended up going on an easy 2 hour hike. Stop the extra hydrating.
Now I know what you’re wondering. How did it all turn out?
Well, I’m glad that you asked. It was a total success. Since I was already running and in good shape, I could prepare in two weeks. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who isn’t already running 15-20 miles a week though.
As usual, I slept terribly the night before. That happens a lot, so I just focus on sleeping well for the week leading up to the race. I eat vegan, so healthy-carb loading isn’t really a big concern.
Here’s how race day went.
4:30 a.m. Wake up and make Pumpkin Waffles. These are my favorite pre-race meal. I eat two of them at least 1 ½ hours before the start. Gotta leave time for about 4 bathroom visits.
3 Packets of Vega Sport
5:00-6:00 Final prep. Dressed in my favorite running outfit. It’s my favorite because of comfort not looks. I put on my Cho-Pat compression sleeves, lubed my feet and below the boobs with Bag Balm (and I never get blisters or raw spots), applied sunscreen and load up my fuel. I made 2 packets of Vega Sport. I put a half scoops of this vegan energy optimizing powder in plastic wrap squares and closed them with twist ties. Those go in my Spi Belt so I can use them on the course (at about miles 7 and 11). Finally I take 2 ibuprofen (for my knees) and rub down my quads with Mineral Ice.
6:10 Arrive at the start and warm up gently and slowly in place. Meet up with Laura M., Laura G, and Dawn, my friends also running this race.
6:30 Start.
Here are the highlights.
- On this race I used my Vega in a new way. I poured the powder into my mouth and added water from the volunteers instead of mixing it in the cup. That worked out well.
- My friend Dolores doused me with water 3 times on the course. Damn it got hot up there.
About midway into the race.
- There were moments when my legs were screaming at me. There were so many people mixing walking with running, but that wasn’t my goal. My thoughts when things got tough:
- I’m not going to stop until I reach the very top
- Rachel, you’ve never been a quitter and you aren’t going to start today.
- I ran the entire race, every single step of it. That was my first goal.
Making my final push to the finish.
- I finished in 2 hours 32 minutes. That was my second goal.
2 Hours and 32 Minutes later
Just a few more steps.
I ran to her and asked her if she wanted help. Laura and I each got under an arm and helped this woman finish her race. I don’t know who she was and we didn’t even speak after she crossed. It felt great to do some good out there.
What a great day. I felt as if I had really done something big. Sure it was my slowest half marathon time ever. It was also 13.1 of the most challenging, draining miles I’ve ever run. To cross that finish line was just as amazing as I thought it would be. To stand at the very top of the highest point in Santa Barbara and look down toward the ocean 3998 feet below and know that I ran that whole thing made me feel pretty much . . . invincible.
Laura G., me, Laura M. and some free beer.
One little run three weeks ago got me all inspired to do something not even on my Life List. I’m so glad I was open to it. I’m so glad I let that inspiration build. I’m so glad I did it.
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