In 2005, I ran my first trail race which was the Malibu Creek 6k. Very few people ran trails back then and my only experience on the trails was a little bit of hiking that felt like a monumental task. When I did the 6k, it seemed like I had just accomplished a something great but about 20 minutes after, the fast runners who had run the 22k race started to cross the finish line. When I saw a guy cross the finish line with only one arm, I realized though the 6k was a tough race, I had done nothing and felt pretty small at that moment yet I still had no real desire to run the 22k. People always say things like “you’ve run a marathon so you should be fine” which shows just how little people know about trails and the extreme difficulty of the race. I decided in 2011 that I could longer just run the 6k at Malibu and that it was time to try the 22k. I guess it was the fear of the unknown that kept from running it but I figured how hard could it really be? I mean after all, I could run 26 miles and 14 miles seems like nothing but I found out in 2011 that this race, this trail, and all its challenges were more than I could have imagined in terms of difficulty and yesterday I lined up again to run this race that had just about took everything I had to just make it 6 miles.
What is the big deal about the Malibu race? One word; Bulldog! Bulldog is the climb at mile 3 of the race that seems like you are running with a piano strapped to your back that is if you can run it. If you manage to make it to the top around mile 5.6 or so then you get some downhill relief to mile 7 until you have to run back up for another mile. This up and down sequence continues until mile 9 where you feel like you can run up no more and thank God because you start an insane downhill run until hitting mile 12 where you exit out of Malibu Creek State park to run along the highway for a minute then enter back into the park. You would think, “cool, if I can just hang on, I will be at the finish in no time”. Sorry, because mile 13 is back up and nasty incline where you need every ounce of strength and energy to just move your legs and feet. When you reach the top, you go back down a series of switchbacks until you reach the roach where you have a nice 4 minute run to the finish.
2011, I sucked, 2012 I was no better, and yesterday may have been my worst performance at the race. I think I was toast about 10 minutes into the climb up Bulldog. You things are bad when you can’t pass people twice your age or better yet, they are passing you. I chatted with this guy Spencer who said it was his first time running the race but he had hike Kilamanjaro but none of that matter yesterday because he was crawling his way up bulldog like everyone else. If the incline wasn’t enough, the sun came out and it felt like it was a 102 degrees. I knew I was in trouble because I was drenched. I lost way too many fluids and I had another two miles until the top. I felt my spirit say this is it. I am not going to make it up this trail today. My legs ached, my back ached, and I just wanted to stop. I kept pushing and pushing and when we hit the top and I began to run downhill, I felt my calve twinge and if you have ever felt that twinge in your muscles then you know that it is only a matter of time before the real cramps start. From mile 6 until the finish line, I cramped up but I just tried to run through it. When we started the crazy run downhill from mile 9 I thought I would be able to make up ground but the cramps kept coming. I ignored them and ran hard but when it was time to run back up before exiting the park, my legs locked and I looked like Frankenstein running from a mob. When I eventually crossed the finish line, I could care less about time, medals, or anything. I just wanted a beer and off to the beer garden I went where there were an assortment of runners chilling and relaxing and equally sharing their war stories from the race.
I left this race once again just humbled and understanding that I have a ton of work to do. I came to the race hoping to knock off 30 minutes form my previous time but I ended up adding to my time. Trails are work and to be successful on the trails you have to put in the time and you have to want to run the hills. It is the only way to get better. I have a long way to go but I am up to the challenge.
Back to the drawing board.
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