For those of you who don’t know where Cool is, it is about 5 miles east of Auburn on Highway 49. I joined 30 other runners who participated in either the 12 hour day run, 12 hour night run, or full 24 hour event. I signed up for the day run before realizing that it was going to reach close to 100°F.
The race consisted of an approximately 9 mile loop on the Olmstead Loop trail. With a timed event, there is no finish line, so you just run as long as you can for the duration of the event. The day started at 8 AM and you could tell right away it was going to be hot. I think it was just under 80° at the start. I ran the first few miles with Aaron Summerhays and Brad Lael. Aaron had marked the course the day before (thanks Aaron), so he gave us early pointers on directions. I soon decided that I wanted to pick up the pace to get in as many miles as possible before it really started to heat up. I completed the first lap in 1:11 and had completed two laps in 2:32 – which was just about my goal for the first two loops.
I began to feel the strain of the heat and hills during the third lap. At the end of lap #3 (completed in 4:12) it was just after 12pm and I could tell already that I was dehydrated and my stomach was not feeling great. It is nearly impossible to drink enough fluids to stay fully hydrated and drinking all those fluids takes a toll on your stomach. I spent more time at the aid station before loop #4 trying to get refueled and recover. I put on the homemade ice wrap that Rachel helped me create the night before using an old pair of her tights. Rachel cutoff the leg of a pair of tights and I then stuffed it with ice and wrapped it around my neck. Some people use bandanas for the same purpose, but I think the tights work better (lighter weight and doesn’t hold the water). Needless to say, lap #4 was a struggle – a lot of walking and slow jogging. There were 3 significant hills on the course (with many smaller rolling hills) and I was definitely walking up those. I was able to jog the downhills and most of the flat sections. I completed loop #4 (36 miles) in 6:20.
Fortunately, the slow pace during loop #4 allowed my stomach to recover, and I was definitely feeling better toward the end of the loop. I was still taking a decent amount of time at the aid stations to recover – including refilling the water bottles, refilling the ice wrap, and using the sponges to dump ice water on my head – but it was much needed. It was amazing how quickly the ice melted after leaving the aid stations. I probably didn’t make it 30 minutes before all the ice in my bottles and around my neck had melted. Although I felt better during most of loop #5, my pace didn’t greatly improve and I completed the loop #5 (45 miles) in 8:22.
After loop #5 it was just after 4:00 and I was close to being done (or cooked). I had planned on completing at least six loops, but had underestimated the effect the heat takes on your body. I decided to go out for another loop, but asked the race director if I could cut the loop short if necessary. He agreed to this request and I set off one last time. I actually felt ok at the start of the loop. There is a decent amount of downhill during the first part of the loop and I was moving ok – until I came to the biggest hill of the course. I managed to drag myself up that hill for the sixth and last time. At this point though I had checked out of the race knowing I would only be doing half the loop. I ended up completing just under 50 miles in 9:44.
The most interesting aspect of this event for me was that there was no finish line. With a set finish line you know how much further to go. For me, once I checked out on that last loop, that was it. I was done. After the race was over, I realized that physically I could have gone several more miles. But mentally I was done and that was it.
I was fairly satisfied with my effort on the day, even if I didn’t complete my sixth loop. It was a good day on the trails and good practice running in the heat. The good part about not being completely satisfied is that it leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next race, which will be another 12-hour run. The name of the race is the Hotter than Hell in Cameron Park on August 14th!
After the race
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