"PCTR's Salt Point Trail Race - August 13, 2011"

Or the Alternative Title, "Amazing People, Amazing Location, Amazing...Okay, Time To Use Other Adjectives"

I've written dozens of race reports but unfortunately they've all been written in my head while I've been running and I've never managed to actually commit them to writing.  I don't know if that has to do with the fact that I'm usually exhausted and in need of a shower, food, and a nap post-race but today my motivation likely has to do with the fact that I had a Diet Coke at the finish line table at Pacific Coast Trail Runs Salt Point 11k/26k/50k. 

Other than the Go!St. Louis Half Marathon and the Eye-Q Fresno Half Marathon, this is the farthest I've traveled for a race.  It was well worth the drive.  After finally figuring out where the start was because it was 1/2 mile from the parking lot, we assembled in a small parking area looking out over the coast.  Despite the fog, or perhaps as a result of the fog, it was a beautiful race start.  We immediately started a climb that seemed to last forever, and the first two or three miles really felt like I was on a hiking adventure more than participating in a race.  But I settled in with the hiking portion of the program keeping in mind that I do these races not for the speed but for the healthful benefits, the joy of being on trails, and the overall experience.

The first portion of the race was interesting with some very limited single-track trails including bees that apparently went after some of the runners.  For once I managed to dodge that bullet although I did nail my left knee on a huge log while climbing over it, and I'm now sporting a nice goose-egg on my right shin from while hurdling (okay, crawling over) a medium-sized log.  Forgetting my newly acquired boo-boos, the next 6 or 7 miles were beautiful and also oddly unmemorable.  It was all forest-lined trails that I love so much.  That changed after we crossed back over Highway 1.

Suddenly we were running down a dozen or so stairs onto a small beach and then back up the other side to reveal grand cliffs and a spectacular Pacific Ocean in front of us.  I have to say that in terms of the course, from here to the Gerstle Visitor Center parking lot was my favorite part of the course.  I'm happy that I was able to take these pictures before my iPhone battery died.

And that brings me to best part of writing a race report which is reflecting on things that happened before, during and after the race.  Sure, scenery and the accurate course markings and details like that are important.  But the true measure for me of a successful race are the people I met that day.  The best evidence of that today was when I was in my car on the way home when, after driving for about an hour, I finally thought 'huh, I wonder what my official time was?'  I measure the success of a race by the people I met before, during and after the race, not by time or place finished.  If I made a new friend at a race, then no matter what my time was, I came in first.

I think this is because there's a bond on the trails that just can't be found anywhere else, or with anyone else.  I've said it dozens of times and I still believe it; it's a bond between trail runners only.  I presume that many of us found a love of hiking and a joy of running and at some point we found the perfect combination in trail running.  The elevation gains can cause us to walk when we want to run, and the downhill can wreak havoc on our knees, ankles, feet and toes.  We don't shoot for a PR, even against the time we had if we ran this race before; there are too many variables like weather and fallen trees from race to race.  Our pace times for some races can be laughable especially when compared to those from road races.  Coming in last is not something we hope happens, but we sometimes do and it makes no difference because our one true goal was to just to finish.  We don't mind getting dirty or even muddy and in fact, we expect it.  We'll take whatever weather has been dealt us, including the occasional torrential downpour, or hail, or gale force winds.  We prefer not to fall down, but we know it's just a matter of time before we take our first tumble and the road rash (or in this case, the trail rash) is almost considered a badge of honor.  Bee/wasp/hornet stings happen, and getting lost is always in the cards.  And although many may wonder why with all of these negatives we still run trail races, we view these possible pitfalls as the events that make the races interesting and challenging.  We don't view others as competitors but as fellow races.

So to all of the people I met today at PCTR's Salt Point 11k/26k/50k, I have to say thank you.  It was an immense pleasure to run with you even if for just a bit.  And to specific individuals, I have the following to say:

To Lucy - I'm very glad you're okay and I'm really glad you declined my offer to walk back with you to the start.  Your perseverance reminds me that women can be so amazingly tough and I love seeing a young woman with such strong-willed determination.  You rock.

To Daniel - You are an inspiration and I like to think that I'm better person for having met you today.  I love that you've decided to live life 100% and I hope I have half your energy and spirit when I turn 70.  Keep on living the way you do because you fought and earned the right to do so.  I look forward to running with you again and kick ass in Kansas!

To Charles - I was sad when I realized I wouldn't be able to catch up with you at the finish line, but please keep doing what you're doing and remember that in the end you have to do this for yourself and no one else.  If you ever need encouragement in the form of supportive/optimistic words, or even in the form of pessimistic negativity like telling you that you can't do it so you get pissed off and want to prove me wrong, just let me know.  Both methods have their time and place.  I too have been down this road and it sucks.  You've taken the first step and I'm happy to help you continue. 

So, while I slightly digressed from a traditional race report, my overall review of this race was that it rocked.  It was well worth the crazy-long drive and I'm sad that the park will be closing because of the budget.  But when it re-opens, and if PCTR holds this race again, I'll be there.  Why wouldn't I be since today I won this race.

Reflections On A Decade

or the alternative title, "Welcome 40s, We’ve Got A Lot Planned So You Might Wanna Hang On!"

I'm 40 years old. There, I said it.

Most don't know it, but turning 40 was tougher than I was wiling to admit and I spent a few days in what I can only describe as a depression. I did discuss this with one friend and told her that it feels almost like a break-up and so I was only going to allow my melancholic mood to last four days; one for each decade now behind me. And sure enough, I was back to my sarcastic, mostly chipper mood on day five.

So now that that's over, I can look back at my 30s with a combination of pride, satisfaction, great joy, great sadness, and most important of all, with a chuckle for some of the uniquely nutty/dumb things I've done that can only be described as Classic Christy. My reflections on the last decade of my life are provided here for your reading pleasure in no a bulleted summary in no particular order.

- After seven years, I left my job at Morgan Stanley, a company from which I never thought I'd leave.
- I started a job at Howard Rice where I thought I'd be for two to three years max. I stayed almost nine.
- I added a person to my platinum circle which anyone who really knows me knows that you’d be more likely to win the lotto than get added to this circle. I hope Gail finds Meghan and Jessica to be good company because this is an honored position. Anyone who can call Gail their friend should consider themselves one of the luckiest people to ever walk this Earth. Trust me, it’s the truth.
- I graduated from both law school and business school although I didn't attend either of the graduation ceremonies.
- I bought a condo and found out that it can be both stressful and expensive to be a homeowner while it can also provide an comforting sense of home.
- Along the same line, I spent the first couple of years remodeling during which I managed to paint the teeny-tiny bathroom 11 times and the bedroom 8 times.
- I've painted every wall (including the 12-foot ceilings), stripped a wall worth of horrible grasscloth wallpaper, and ripped off 80% of the baseboards. I’ve replaced most of the baseboards and hope to finish the rest sometime before I turn 50.
- I've killed countless plants.
- I’ve learned a lot about landscaping.
- I bought my fourth car and it lasted me longer than all the cars before. I loved my VW Passat and I still miss it.
- I bought a shitty new car. What car you ask? A 2009 Toyota Camry. I’d write more, but I’m still completely pissed that I didn’t go with my instinct and buy another Volkswagen. I’ll never buy anything but a German car again.
- I bought my shitty Camry from an even shittier dealership in Redwood City. Toyota 101 is so sleazy that I’m shocked they can do business the way they do. I hope they go bankrupt.
- I learned cake decorating.
- I painted/created the artwork hanging in my house.

Barbara, my rock.

- I was adopted by an amazing woman who I proudly consider as a second mother. If, on the scale of 1 to 100 measuring how much she means to me, my own biological Mom ranks a 100, then Barbara ranks a 99.5. She’s just as much of a cheerleading and friend and support system as my mom. I can’t remember what my life was before here and I most definitely don’t want to think about what it will be like after she’s gone.

My wonderful monsters,
Lola and Gigi

- I became a mom!! Okay, I became a mom to two obnoxious, untrained, spoiled rotten little dogs. God I love them! Just like with Barbara, I can’t remember what life was like before them and I try everything not to think about what it’ll be like after their gone. They’re my heart and my soul.


- In the last 10 years, I was blessed with a total of five four new nephews and one beautiful little niece. While two of the nephews were gained through marriage, they are still 100% my nephews. Tyler, Trevor, Jack, Thomas and Olivia, I love them with all my heart and while we aren’t often physically near to each other, they are always close in my heart.
- I was also super-duper blessed with five godchildren, three of which are included in the niece/nephew count from the previous bullet, but all of which were born within eight days of each other. Jack, Kayleigh, Alexandra, Thomas and Olivia are my heart.
- Although a bit of a surprise and coming in under the 40th birthday wire, I was blessed again with two adorable great-nephews. I look forward to getting to know them better in the coming years.
- I said good-bye to one the most important people in my life, and even now, more than six years later, I still miss my Dad. In my head I’ve written volumes ready to pour all of them into this post. But as I sit here trying to write this, I think less is more. I love you Daddy; I always will.

Daddy and his little girl

- For the second time since high school, I fell in love. Together we were perfect, but being together was also the problem. He is, and always will be, a free spirit that can’t settle in one place and nothing that can change that. Unfortunately, loving him finally proved to me that love truly can’t conquer all. And don’t ask; I’m not going to discuss it. Move on.

Yep, I have this much fun at every race...
well, almost every race

- In the fall of 2009, I started running again after many, many years except this time I discovered the zany world of racing and kept running races until I ran a 38 races for a total of 422.375 miles until my 40th birthday in May 2011. I ran each of those 38 races with three main goals: (1) don’t get lost; (2) don’t come in last; and (3) don’t fall down. I ran one race and got lost. I ran another race and came in last. I ran yet another race and fell down. At least I didn’t fail all of my goals in the same race, and I still had fun during every one of those races.
- I completed a marathon. It may have taken me almost 5-1/2 hours, but I got it done. Yay for me.
- I made a new friend who loves running races although I met Jenni on a camping trip with a local hiking group. Just goes to show that you never know what’s gonna happen.
- I had the brilliant idea to lighten my hair to see what I would look like as a blond. After 6 hours sitting in the stylist’s chair, my hair was a medium red/brown and was on the verge of falling out because of excessive damage. I had very thin, fine hair to begin with and after this, I thought I was going to have to start researching either implants, extensions, or wigs. Seriously.

Obviously the above is not even close to an exhaustive list, but the highlights above all lead to the most important event that came out of my 30s. Over those 10 years, the above events combined with every other thing that I experienced helped me learn and grow and become who I am today. The greatest realization I had when I turned 40 (following my 4 days of mourning) was that I am the most confident, most self-assured that I have ever been in my life. I’m happy with who I am as a person and as a woman, and that was probably the best gift I could have gotten for my birthday. Do I wish I had had this confidence when I was growing up?  Oh hell yeah! But I also know that I couldn’t have that kind of confidence because that can only be realized after having the experiences I’ve had; it’s the result of everything I’ve done and everyone that has come into my life. I’m the way I am now because of who I was during my first 30 years on this earth.

And as I sit here on B-Day plus 42, the mourning of my 30s past is slowly but surely starting to be replaced with looking to the future and planning my next wild and most definitely wacky adventures. Skydiving, here I come!


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