2011 Northface Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championship – San Francisco Report

2011 was my 4^th trip to this race, having done the 50K twice and 50 miler once. Unlike the other years, I feel that I specifically trained for this race with long runs and 50Ks, all with this race in mind. My goal going into the race was to focus on pace and run most of the hills and set a PR.

The race began at 5:00 a.m. with a clear dark sky, a modest wind, and a very deep field of the best ultra runners in the country. I lined up in the middle of the 300+ person field avoiding the front end track meet. After ¾ mile on the road, we got on the fire road for our first climb up Bobcat. With it being dark, I would look back to see a long stream of headlamps winding its way up the road. In front, I could still see the leaders as they were make it over the top. The route then loop back around and down Rodeo Valley to the 5.9-mile aid-station.

The soon to be leaders

Trail of Lights looking down Bobcat

The next climb joins the same route as the 50K going up the Miwok trail for 3 miles to the Tennessee Valley aid-station (mile 8.7). On a personal level this was the first year I ran this climb. On the way up, I passed many runners who flew past me on the previous downhill. This would be a theme through much of the race going back-and-forth with runners yet in most cases, I eventually left them behind. Part of my pace goal was to remain constant and avoid blowing myself up by running too fast on the downhills.

Sunrise

Leaving Tennessee Valley was a quick climb to cliffs overlooking the Pacific. This is perhaps the most scenic section, especially for a guy from Colorado. I enjoyed the company with a few runners as we watched the sunrise and the waves crash below. After 4 miles, I made it to the Muir Beach aid-station (mile 12.7) and refilled my camelback bladder and grabbed some GU Chompers.

Looking toward San Francisco

Muir Beach

Following a flat section of pavement and single track, the race began its longest climb. It began as a very runnable switchback climb up the Heather cutoff. After a few more miles of gradual climbing we made our way up to the Cardiac aid-station (mile 18). Again, the 50 milers would be on their own for the next 15 miles.

Heather Switchbacks

The climb continues

At Cardiac, the winds were very strong yet we quickly moved into the trees, which served as a good wind block. All over the ground were many limbs and leaves from the previous few days where California had been beaten by the strongest winds in 10 years.

Cardiac aid-station

one of the many bridges - on the 50 mile out-and-back

another view of the out-and-back section

Point Reyes

A car that someone drove off the road from above many years ago

The next 4 miles, the race followed rolling single-track that was part of an out-and-back section. If I had one complaint about the race it would be this section. Every runner had to manage getting out of the way of others who were retuning, so every few seconds I found myself stopping to the right to let the faster runners go by.

After 4.8 miles, I finally reached the far McKennan aid-station (mile 22.8). I ate a few oranges and refilled my bladder and put on some Vaseline in few strategic areas that had started to chafe and I was off – minus one of my gloves. When I realized my mistake, I made the quarter mile trek back. After searching a few minutes I finally found it in the trash.

Now it was my turn to be a fast runner and have everyone move out of my way and I would say thanks and good job to everyone along the way. After two miles of dodging other runners, I began a thick-forested downhill along the Mark Davis trail to Stinson Beach. For the first time in my running career, I smashed my head into a low hanging tree (being 5’5” this usually is not a problem). Luckily it was not too bad and I kept going to the Stinson Beach aid-station (mile 28.2) for a quick refill.

The next 4.7 miles was steep railroad tie stepped section up the Dipsea trail. This was the first time in the race where I fast hiked yet I found the last 1.5 miles as being runnable back to Cardiac (mile 32.9). At Cardiac, I refilled my bladder and had a few quick bites of food and I was off on the trail that would be shared with the 50K runners for the remainder of the race.

Still climbing on Dipsea

approaching Cardiac

This 6-mile section was slightly modified from previous races yet very similar in conditions and very scenic. My advice for individuals trying to decide between the marathon or the 50k, the scenery makes the case for the longer route. 90% of this section was single track in through the Muir Woods along the Ben Jonson and Redwood trails with a brief ½ miles section on the road to the Old Inn aid-station (mile 38.9).

Bridge on the Ben Johnson trail

After a quick climb leaving Old Inn, the race was mainly downhill and flat along the Frank Valley trail back to the Muir Beach (mile 42.6). After another bladder refill, I began the 2^nd steepest climb of the race fast hiking up Coyote Ridge with a final 1-mile downhill to Tennessee Valley (mile 45.5).

Back to Muir Beach

The next 2.7 miles would be the last climb of the race. I began by fast hiking the Marincello road and then I was able run again on the last part of the climb to the Alta aid-station (mile 48.2), which I skipped to begin the final descent.

Top of the 2nd steepest climb looking at the last climb in the distance

The last 3 miles going down, I kept my constant pace to the finish line at mile 51.2 (yea, it is longer then 50 miles). My finish time was 10:17:25 beating my last Northface 50 mile appearance by 50 minutes and placed 144^th overall. My pervious 50 mile PR was 10:06 on a flat wooded course outside of Houston. Since this was 1.2 miles longer, I would guess I beat that too.

Top Men finishers

A video of the race

In summary, Northface puts on a well-organized race in amazing locations and this is truly their capstone race that fits well for a late year event. I highly recommend the Northface San Francisco and to also enjoy the city afterwards.

Palo Duro Canyon 50K Trail Race

Driving down I-40 across high plains of the Texas Panhandle one might miss a true gem. 25 miles south of Amarillo lies Palo Duro Canyon. It is 20 miles wide, 120 miles long, and 800 feet deep. It has multiple layers of gypsum and sandstone appearing red and gold with patches of mesquite trees and small streams that act as the headwaters to the Red River.

The course is 99% on the floor of the canyon rolling up and down on two loops. There is a 6 mile loop and then a 12.5 mile that is repeated twice (1x for the 25k race and 4x for the 50 mile). Along the course, there are four well supported aid stations at the beginning/return, mile 3/10, mile 6, and mile 8.5.

The race began in the dark at 7:00am with a shared start with the 50k and 50m runners. I started behind the main group to avoid going out too fast which appeared to be a smart move when I noticed a group of runners turned left off the main trail. Running at a normal pace with my eyes open, I was able to lead a group of runners on the correct trail following the flags and chalk arrows along the Juniper Trail.

By the time I was at the 3 mile aid station there was enough sunlight to turnoff the headlamp and track along the Rojo and Sunflower trails back to the starting area where I was able to drop off my headlamp and sleeves.

The second lap followed the first 3 miles of the Juniper trail before connecting with the Lighthouse trail which was a gradual rolling uphill. The biggest challenge is the large crowd of 25k runners. Most were polite and would move out of the way when I got behind them and yelled runner left. Those who ran with their headphones that were turned up too high, they would never move, thus forcing faster runners to go off the trail to pass.

After a few miles, the race joined the Cottonwood Flats trails which is a flat mostly exposed section with few dry creek sections. Near the back of the trail was a well equipped aid-station where I refilled my bottles.

Soon the race joined the Givens, Spicer & Lowry Running trail which was the most scenic because it would run along some ledges and next to some cliffs. It provided many up and down sections and by this point I had finally passed most of the slow 25k runners. At this point in the race I was set for my finishing position for the race. I was never passed again by any other 50k runners. At mile 15, I came off steep decline and ran past the aid-station for flat run on the Del Rio trail before I rejoined the back half of the 1st loop to get back to the starting area.

At the starting area, I gave Fred my running vest and camera to lighten my load for the 3rd and final loop. The difference on this loop was the lack of runners, which in some ways is good if they are going slow yet I did not have people to challenge myself against.

My goal for this last loop was to remain consistent with my pace and run every inch. I made it a point to take a SportsLeg salt/electrolyte pill every 30 minutes and drink every 5 minutes. This was designed to avoid cramps as the temperatures began to rise.

As I made my way around the course, I was able to pass a few slow 50 milers and at mile 27, I was passed by the lead 50 miler. For the most part it was my own race.

In the end, I ran the entire course and finished 7th overall and 1st place male master division. The remainder of the day was focused on enjoying some craft beers as we waited for Kelly to finish. As for Kelly she finished 3rd place female master.

In conclusion, this is a great Texas race that is convent for runners from New Mexico, Colorado, and certainly Texas.