Lucky 13 - Leona Divide 50 miler, April 15th, 2000

The Leona Divide 50 miler starts up by Lake Hughes, north of Magic Mountain.
The initial portion is on fire roads but the majority is on the Pacific Crest
Trail.  The surface of the roads and trail ranges from sand and dirt to dirt.
I'm guessing that there is somewhere between 4000 and 5000 feet of climb on
the course.  The elevation on this course tops out a little over 5000 feet.
In short, this is a fast 50 mile course as ultras go.

This race was the 6th and last race of my first year running ultras.  With the 
exception of the Angeles Crest 100, I had improved my average speed in every
race I had run and I was hoping to improve in this race as well.  My goal was
to break 9 hours.  I also had a secret goal to hit 8:20 or 10 minutes/mile.

Since I live in Orange County, I decided to drive up there in the morning
instead of staying overnight.  I figured out the night before that I would
have to wake up at about 2:30 am and leave at about 3 am to make it on time.
This schedule worked out well as I got there at about 4:45 in spite of heavy
fog.

Although I didn't partake, they had some hot drinks at check-in.  I got bib
number 13 which I immediately declared as "Lucky 13".  I spent the rest of the
time preparing for the race, meeting old friends and making new ones, shivering,
and just generally having a good time.

As it started getting light, we were summoned to the starting line by the clang
of a saw blade.  They started us with another clang and we were off on a gentle
uphill climb.  It was cold enough at the start that I wore a wind breaker over
my shirt.  The weather was to remain cool to temperate for most of the race,
ideal conditions as far as I was concerned.  The wind was blowing but never
seemed to slow me much, perhaps because of the terrain.

My strategy (such as it was) was to only stop at aid stations 4 and 10 (the same
location, once outbound - 21 miles and once inbound - 41.8 miles).  I was
carrying a 50 oz Camelbak with a sports drink from Kevin Setnes at Ultrafit.
I also was carrying salt pills, Tums, Power Gel, and paper towels (guess why).

I shed the jacket after the first aid station.  A long downhill led to aid
station 4, allowing me to pick up speed.  2 guys who I had passed on the
downhill passed me while I was refilling my Camelbak with the assistance of the
aid station personnel.  Several people asked me what number I was.  Finally,
a little boy (about 3) asked me what my number was.  "Lucky 13", I boomed.
Anyway, this was the last time anyone would pass me in the race.

The turnaround was at mile 31.5.  Prior to that, I got to see the leaders
coming back down the trail.  It's great to be able to see the race at this
point, both for tactical purposes and as a spectator of the other races.  The
women's race at this point looked very competitive.  Anne Langstaff was in the
lead but looking very tired.  June Gessner was close behind, looking relaxed
and rested.  Sena Hoodman was close to June, also looking good.  Sena went on
to win the women's race.  As for the men's race, Scott Jurek passed me about
4 minutes before I met Tom Nielsen.  Anyway, you get to cheer for all of the
other racers and they cheer for you too.

I passed at least 3 people in the next 10 miles.  The terrain in this area
starts as gentle rolling and eventually becomes a downhill.  I stopped and
refilled my Camelbak at aid station 10 (41.8 miles).  As I downed a cup of 
water and a cup of Coke, the last guy I had passed (Charles Park) pulled into 
the aid station and started taking off his shoe.  I left quickly.  I saw 
Rick Miller, lounging just outside of the aid station, presumably waiting for
his wife Barb to pass through.  This was the start of an uphill section into
the last aid station.  All of the way up this section, I was trying to catch
a guy (Michael Soltesz) about 400 meters in front of me and trying to hold off
Charles about 400 meters behind me.  I couldn't see any change though as we all
walked and ran up this section.  As the trail got less steep, I think I started
pulling away from Charles but really couldn't tell as we couldn't see each
other as well.  Finally, as I neared the last aid station, nature called.  I
kept an eye down the trail as I fertilized the flora.  No Charles!  I took off
and made it into the last aid station without seeing anyone behind me.  At the
aid station, I downed a couple of cups of fluid and chatted a little with John
Davis (RD for Baldy Peaks 50k) as I passed through.  I then tried to stretch
out and push the pace on the last segment.

I soon found that Charles Park was closer than ever, maybe 200 meters back.
Form! Stretch out!  Move those arms!  The race was on!  Now I could see
buildings.  That looks like the clubhouse.  When do we start going downhill?
Here's the turn-off, now a downhill.  Push the downhill!  Where is the next
turn?  He's close to 100 meters now!  Here's the turn - time to sprint - 6
minute mile pace.  Turn left - there's the finish line - it's over!  I try
to catch my breath and try to calm down.  Then Al Val Verde says "You won
a pair of shoes."  Really?  Yes, a pair on Montrail Vitesse shoes (as
a door prize, not an award).  Finally, I got 13th place (Lucky 13) in a time
of 8:42:15, just 19 seconds ahead of Charles Park.  Of course, I thanked 
Charles and Michael for pushing and pulling me to my time.  We all sat around
and chatted and congratulated others in the race.

Anyway, I ran my best race yet, due in part to the competition.  The race course
was great, I got to see a lot of friends out on the course, and just plain had
a good time.  After the race, I drove home, ate, showered, and went to a 
wedding reception.  Finally got home after 11.  What a day!

Jay Anderson