From: poninv@sl.geis.com Date: Mon, 13 Oct 97 15:07:00 GMT Subject: Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Hi everyone, I ran the Dick Collins Firetrail 50 on Saturday. The race takes place in Northern California near San Francisco, covering three regional parks (Chabot, Redwood, and Tilden) and two preserves (Sibley and Huckleberry). Once again I had some problems, but was able to overcome them and had a wonderful time. I arrived at Anthony Chabot Regional Park at 5:40am, got my race packet/number, changed, and walked over to the start area. In the darkness before the start of the race the RD, John Buenfil, spoke of Dick Collins who past away ealier this year. Dick was a major influence in ultra running here in Northern California. The race began at about 6:40am. What a glorious morning ... the air was still and cold, and I could see my breath as I exhaled. Fall is definitely in the air. There was a mist hovering over the lake and the first hint of the sunrise was still 15 minutes away, however there was enough light to see the bike trail we were running on. It was fun talking to runners, catching up with friends and making new acquaintances. I finally got to meet Pete Petri after communicating with him for over a year by e-mail. I ran along with Pete and Clement Choy, exchanging running stories, not unlike fishermen swapping stories. We ran the first 17 miles together and then we split up, running our own race after Sibley aid station. Pete went ahead, looking very strong and Clement followed closely behind him. The views from the peaks were beautiful. The air was crisp and clear from the the recent rains. There was some mud in one or two spots, just enough to turn your running shoes into 2 inch platform shoes. On the other hand, there wasn't as much dust as there usually is. ;-) A few miles later at around mile 19 my stomach started churning and I realized I would be unwise for me to continue without a stop for a off trail "break". I slowed my pace and I felt ok for a few miles, but it started again and my stomach demanded that I take another break coming down the hill to Lone Oak (the turn around at mile 25). At that point, I thought that if I had to stop every two miles to take additional five minute off trail breaks for the next 27 miles, it would indeed be a *very* long day. :-( Last year, I arrived at the start 40 minutes late (it's a long story) and got lost at around mile 40 with Earl Looney when we were talking and not paying attention to the trail markers, and this year I seemed destined to stop every two miles to placate my stomach. Oh, well. The course is an out and back, and the nice thing about that is, it gives you a chance to see the front runners. As I was just coming down Vollmer Peak I saw the 1st place runner, Brian Purcell coming up, he looked strong, with a good lead on the next runner coming up the hill. Great job Brian! I ran easily down the hill to the turn around and saw Pete running up the hill and about 1/4 mile behind him, Clement. I arrived at the turn around still on pace for a good day, as far as a finish time, but I was uncertain as how long my stomach would allow me to run before another break was required. I cut back on my intake of food to allow my stomach to settle down a little. As I walked/ran up the hill on the return trip to the top of Vollmer Peak, I felt better and started to run down the other side of the peak to Steam Trains aid station. It was good to see Jane Colman and the other volunteers at that aid station. I caught up with Clement just before Sibley aid station at about mile 31 and we talked for a while. The course through Sibley and Huckberry Preserves is all single track and beautiful. The trail is soft and dry, and the shade provided by the forest refreshing. My stomach had calmed down, so I pressed on. A mile or two latter I caught up with Pete and we ran together for the next 6 miles. When we arrived at Skyline Gate aid station, Dave Combs greeted us with a smile and a much needed helpful hand. At the entrance to Redwood Regional Park I told Pete I was *not* going to talk to him for the next mile or two, because we were near the point where Earl and I missed the trail last year and I did not want to go off course again. :-) My legs started to tighten and I felt my quads starting to cramp, I had not only loss a lot of fluids/electrolytes from sweating but also from my trail side breaks. I had also cut back on eating and drinking to quiet my stomach, but now I had another problem, cramping. My stomach felt better, so I started to aggressively drink and eat ... took my salt tablets, ate gu, and chewed tums .... in the process I discovered a new food "treat". I usually carry a small plastic bag to load up on goodies at aid stations and then eat as I walk up the hills. At a earlier aid station, I put into the bag some cut up power bars and a hand full of peanuts, in the heat the peanuts got melted into the power bar and were imbedded into the soft putty-like power bar ... it actually tasted pretty good. The cramping eased and I was able to push myself a little harder. It's always good to see other runners and aid volunteers you know, and those you don't know, offering words of encourgement. At the Marciel Road aid station at mile 47, I was greeted by Ken Reed (who I run with, when I can, on Mt. Tamalpais) and his crew. Thanks guys ... it was great seeing Wally and Reid on the way back (and Kate Spencer on the way out) and others ... my memory of who was there is not good. I checked my watch and was surprised to find that I was only 2 minutes behind my estimated best split time for that aid station! It was down hill from here, so I decided to give it a good effort and try to make up those 2 minutes. I did it. I finished under my estimated best finish time and over 1:10 faster than last year. :-) The aid station people were, once again, great. They not only filled my bottles for me, they also put the bottles back into my pack. At the finish area there was plenty of food and drink. And as soon as we crossed the finish line, a volunteer asked what we needed to eat or drink, and she got it for us. The hot dogs and chili sure hit the spot! Thank you to John Buenfil (the RD) and all the volunteers. I really appreciate the effort. If you are looking for a small race (about 100 runners, usually less) that is well managed; run on a beautiful, challenging, and well marked course; with wonderful volunteers, then Dick Collins Firetrails 50 should be on your list of ultras to do. Regards, Richard __________________ Richard Pon San Francisco, CA poninv@sl.geis.com