Blue Canyon Trail Race Report

My first Ultramarathon, first 50K. Blue Canyon trail race in the hills behind Santa Barbara, 50k++, 8500'++ climb (more on the ++ later). I really really decided to run this race on the news that my family would be moving out of Santa Barbara for a year. I had signed up a while back, since it was in the bacyard of SB, but then started having doubts. The climb was listed as 11k', pretty much the most I've seen for any 50k, so I was thinking of backing out and trying something easier. When we decided to move, I decided to go for it again, a kind of last hurrah race for SB.

Of course, I started talking it up with my running buddy Dave who did Catalina and. RUTE with me. He wasn't sure but thought he would do it. We trained together and separate all over the SB mountain trails with pals Kary and Nancy. The tragedy of the Jesusita fire was pretty grim for a while, a bunch of homes lost and Dave and my families had to evacuate. Lots of running trails were lost too and another local Ultra was cancelled (SB 9 trails).

Dave crisis of faith, but I never gave up hope. Overheard him tell others.

Poison oak dance to plow on through.

Jen p solo rute, stretching on gib, saw at end.

Fashion tights gaiters ice skate blades of glory, chaz.

Nancy fashion police on kary, we'll pass your azzes later to 3 guys who passed, sure she did too.

50k turn around, Dave overhear me water tank here water tank there. Go on anyway, run same race as pals. Knew I was right on way back, got confirm. Worried didn't see any 50kers coming back knew there was prob. Didn't see return until GR. 123 (dave 3rd).

Top ramen?

Depresessed on MP return, turned out to be hunger, best gummi evah.

Time goal night before, joke!

Knew 4 miles more so survival mode, can push more.

Good to bring map. For turn around and other runners.

Chatty cathy, pass and talk or get passsed talk.

Weather.

Ran with nancy for 16, bio breaks, hang out at aid station, slower pace.

Last 12 miles was a machine no dnf, no shortcut, next time faster on downhill (was being protective), run more of the up, shave off an hour.

Nancy hoo goo before and after 16.

Time goal out the window but new goal to pass 50kers who did the right turn around (4 miles less).

Devon HI some story being awake many hours marathon in hi on lava.

Guilermo Ventura did an marathon last year was 50k sb marathon.

50 miler caught us at lower, coils tell because he looked fresher! Front leader.

Saw someone walking down on AB gave up? Shorter route confused. Wanted to yelll to not give up, but didn't know what was going on.

Bushwhacking.

Took time change socks bag drop, gab.

Great finish with family felt good fresh pain free can push more and will race walk vs race stroll.


Fam support training, next is speed work support Celine an marathon.


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