Ran the SOB 50K this morning. Had a blast. 12 minute improvement from 2012 after learning from my previous experience. Will write more when I get home.
I ran this race in 2012 as a 'bucket-list' type of run. It was my first ultra and while I enjoyed it, I never seriously considered running it again, especially after leaving the area nearly 1 year ago. However, when a work trip to Southern Oregon became a reality the same week as the race, I decided to sign up and run it again.
Training has been so-so, and my pre-race trail running was essentially 1 long run last weekend, so my pre-race expectations were pretty low. Three nights in a hotel prior to the race contributed to horrible sleep (as usual) so I wasn't sure what to expect. I got to Mt. Ashland just a bit after 6 AM, grabbed my race number and after a few bathroom stops, I was ready to roll. I started a touch faster than in 2012, but not by much. I was in 20-25th place after 1 mile and 6 miles into the race my legs were feeling shot. Not a good sign. I kept plugging away, getting passed in the downhill portions like usual, until the aid station at mile 8. This is where we began the 3 mile climb to over 7,000 ft elevation... Perfect. I caught quite a few guys during this stretch (5-6?) and then ran solo for much of the next 10 miles.
Just as I remember from 2012, the course is absolutely stunning. The views are incredible and breathtaking at the same time. I hit the aid station at 21ish feeling pretty good. Last time I hit the wall pretty hard after leaving this section with the 4 mile climb, so I made sure to hydrate well (coke!) and ensure my water bottle was full (ran out last time). Immedietly after leaving the aid station, I put ear buds in and cranked Blink-182. That, along with the coke and plenty of water, I cruised up the hills. It was such a difference from before. In the next 10 miles I passed 10-12 people--just cruising past them on the uphill. However, that left me pretty spent for the final 4 miles where the course is exposed to the elements and the sun beats down something fierce. I managed to hold it together though, and finished in a bit of a sprint (like 2012) to beat the first female who was right there as well.
I learned a lot two years ago and was able to utilize those lessons today (visor, coke pre-hills, M&M's, etc) which paid off. I guess that's what happens when you run the same race twice... For some reason I rarely run a race more than 1 time, so usually this doesn't matter. Anywho, I had a great time and could easily see myself running this race on a yearly (or semi-yearly) basis if the schedule allows.
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