070520 Ohlone 50K - 20th Anniversary of the Epic Running

Me at a break in the mid of uphill. Thanks Marc Dube.

Date: May 20, 2007
Race: Ohlone Wilderness 50K
Location: Ohlone Wilderness Trail, from Fremont to Livermore
Distance: 50K
Profile: 7,800ft gain, 7,440ft loss, highest: 3,817 ft, lowest: 390ft, start: 390ft, finish: 750ft (image/data courtesy of Ohlone Wilderness 50K)

Result: 5hr 53min 9sec, 21/139 overall, 1 drop, Complete Results

Photo: 070520 Ohlone Wilderness 50K (206 pictures!!!)

Volunteering

When the RD Rob Byrne sent an email for the volunteering, I figured that perhaps my family can help at the easy race checkin at the start area. It's close to my home and a nice chance for them to experience the race is about.

I told my two kids about this volunteering and they were excited. I woke up my family by 6am so we could get there at 6:30am. After my family completed the first assignment by setting up the banner, they were really into the job. They helped on the checkin table with Pat Wellington.

Patt Wellington and my Family help at checkin table

Our Ultraholics Padma Subbaraya, Kiran Karadi, and Viswanath Vinod arrived by 7am. They are ready for the early start. Off they go. Anil Rao also comes. Yuki Negoro comes with Miho.

Me and Yuki Negoro (my WS100 runner). Courtesy of Yuki Negoro.

Soon a lot of runners arrive at about the same time. They are from the finish area taken by three unprecedented Limo. This is only for the anniversary run today. I just live too close to the start and miss the Limo.

The start area

A few minutes before the 8am race start, Rob Byrne gives a briefing about the run. He mentions that several past year winners are in the race and also a few who ran the first year 19 years ago. Then Kap'n Kirk Boisseree, the course marking captain, talks about the course.

Facing the coming Mission Peak climb bathing in the light morning sunshine, all of us are excited and chatting with friends. Most of us live and work far apart. We see each other only in races, where there is full of camaraderie!

Start => Laurel Loop: 5.43 mile, 1:08:00, last year: 1:13:29

Off we go! The trail starts a slow climb and goes all the way 2200 ft up for 4 miles. We will get to the top of Mission Peak at 2517ft. I am proud to see my Fremont folks, Will Gotthardt and his training partner Ryan Commons, lead the front pack.

Off we go! The front runners. Courtesy of Yuki Negoro.

The course basically follow the main trail shared with park visitors. I run with a few ultrarunners around such as Rena Schumann and Yuki Negoro. Erik/Tera Dube I met in Quicksilver 50M last week. Greg Nacco I meet for the first time. I know Greg from the PAUSATF ultra standing. This is the first time I introduce myself before he passes me forever. Brian Koo who I met every time in Ohlone Wilderness 50K for three years. I also run with Nobert Leinfellner for a while, who gave me a ride to Diablo 50M. I don't know if I am pushing my pace, but I take a lot of pictures to capture the steepness of the hill that most of us are walking.

Up and steep!

At mile 1.5, we switch to less crowded Horse Heaven trail. We encounter some cows and they probably wonder why there are so many people running. I follow Joe Swensen, who seems to know how to deal with them. So does Don Hogue who knows about running with cows.

This is shady part with a view of the Fremont city among the trees. It's a little downhill. There is a meadow at the other side of it and leads to a switchback. Over the switchback, I can see runners ahead and behind me moving harder. Following the switchback is a very steep straight up climb. Only at the tougher trail, can we get a better view. Me legs are fine and I am just keep following runners in front of me and pass them once in a while.

Joe Swensen and Don Hogue on the climb

At the top of the steep climb, we open a gate and get to a nice muddy spot, which is fed from the free flowing water above. It is drinkable and looks like a self-service aid station. It's too early to drink water, so most of us just pass it.

On a mud pit - one of many technical parts on the course

Then we get to the ridge for the last climb to the top of Mission Peak. Erik/Tera Dube are 20 yards ahead of us. I run with Harry Walther for a while. It is interesting that Harry and I summit Mt. Diablo together when we did Diablo 50M three weeks ago. Now we seem to summit Mission Peak together now.

Catra Corbett at the top greeting us

Catra Corbett, aka Dirt Diva, a famous ultrarunner from my town Fremont, and her friends are already there at the top greeting us. Catra used to do 100 miles when we ran 50K in this race. This is a tough course that I can not imagine how we can run the course three times and more, but Catra did it every year. I think I have to do such a training this year for my target race at Wasatch Front 100M. According to its distance and course profile, Wasatch Front 100M is like what Catra did running Ohlone 50K course three times. And Catra has done Wasatch Front 100M five times as well (she can be exempted from the "selection process" in future)!

It take me 53 min to get to the top. This is 6 min faster than the previous two years. I wonder if this is due to the course change or I have been running with fast runners.

I am not fast, but I has trained at Mission Peak for years. This is the time that I like to show off my downhill speed/skill from the Mission Peak top. This 150 yard section is very steep and full of loose rocks. Unlike I passed about ten runners last year, I pass fewer runners now, including Tera/Erik Dube. I think I run faster so far this year, so there are fewer runners in such a faster pace group.

Leaving the loose rock section, the trail keep going down steep on the dirt path. I also pass a few. Then it connects to a rolling single track. Lee Jebian, who is early start, kindly lets me pass. He has run the course since the first time 19 years ago, and still enjoys it at the age of 65.

Single track trail down from Mission Peak to the first aid station at Laurel Loop

The single track continues only a quarter mile. The course becomes rolling for another half mile to the aid station. When the trail turns lower, there are shady spot as it's the place for water to accumulates and plants to grow. I run with David Rhodes for a while until the aid station.

Laurel Loop => Sunol: 3.68/9.11 miles, 24:00, last year: 27:33

Laurel Loop aid station. Marissa Walker is writing down our number.

Marrisa Walker is helping at the aid station and puts down our bib numbers. I decide to pass the aid station as I think I can keep running without drinking or eating until Sunol at mile 9. I pass Mario Jackson who stops at the aid station. Not far ahead is Vladmir Gusiatnikov. I catch up and have a chat with him for the first time although I have seen his name a lot in other races. He carries a set of maps and seems to continue his orienteering hobby.

From Laurel Loop, it's a mostly downhill for 3 more miles to Sunol with nearly 2,000 ft elevation loss. I run faster, but do not push hard. Therefore, a couple of runners behind now pass me, including the Dube trio, Tera/Erik/Marc Dube.

The Dube trio - Marc, Tera, and Erik.

It still a nice downhill. It's partially shady and we are able to see the Sunol Valley, who is getting closer as we are going down. The wonderful but gentle sunshine ahead greets us, but seems to show us the warm condition ahead. We enjoy the speed and have a chance to relax our legs after the Mission Peak climb and get ready for the coming long climb after Sunol.

The shady trail to Sunol

Quarter mile before the aid station is a short switch back across the hill with some trees. When we finish it, we pass the stable, where people come to Sunol for horse ride. Aid station is just over there.

Sunol => Backpacker Camp: 3.37/12.48 miles, 41:00, last year: 40:18

Sunol aid station at mile 9.11

Amy Burton, the co-RD of Ruth Anderson, is helping at the aid station. My bottle is filled. I also drink enough because this section is uphill and exposed.

Adam Blum and I cross a nice bridge immediately. We run on a flat section for a minute or two and turn left to start the steep climb. It is very steep that I have to power walk, but I can see Beth Vatalis running behind and Adam Blum running ahead. Beth was women champion of this race a few years before. She focus on having this run as her 100K training instead of winning it. I can run this section only when I did my training run. Not now because I have 20 hilly miles ahead.

The ultra couple - Padma Subbaraya and Kiran Karadi (7am start).
Mark Williams is behind.

I pass Vinod, Kiran and Padma. They start an hour early. They walk on the hill but are great. I can see they'll have great time and get to the finish!

Marc Dube, Beth, and her pacer are getting closer. They are moving fast and I am surprised that Beth starts with such a speed and plan to run 100K today, i.e. double Ohlone 50K. I can't believe this, but this is the beauty of ultrarunning. Ultrarunners are only ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things. We just keep exploring our limits. Perhaps someday, I'll feel surprised (but my running friends) and do the same. They kindly take a picture for me. They and Adam pass me.

On a right turn, we get to an area of mostly downhill with some rolling hills. After a few minutes, the aid station is seen down below under a tree. I quickly get ready for my camera because the ultra legends Ann Trason and Carl Anderson are there helping.

Backpacker Camp => Goat Rock: 2.48/14.96 miles, 41:00

The ultra legend - Ann Trason

My kids have watched "A Race for the Soul" many times with me. They know the Western States 100M 12 times women champion Ann Trason well. I promised my kids that I'll take pictures with Ann. Another Ultra Legend Carl Anderson is also helping there.

The aid station is crowded and everyone is very busy. Marc Dube and Vladmir Gusiatnikov are there. I quickly take a few pictures without interrupting everyone. I tell Ann that I'll see her at Firetrails 50M this year since I have signed it up right away when the registration is opened early this year.

Leaving the aid station is a steep uphill immediately. I catch up Mark Williams and pass him. He and I have mostly run nearby since the Laurel Loop aid station.

Beth Vitalis and another runner working hard on the climb.

About 100 yards ahead are Beth Vitalis and Miles Welze. I first met Miles at Quad Dipsea in 2005. Behind are Mark Williams and Marc Dube working hard on the hill. Then I catch up with Miles but still have some distance from Beth. Beth now runs by herself. I imagine that she some how fired all her pacer as she wants to run at fast pace. Denise Basso is also there taking a break on the long uphill and enjoys the view.

I'm getting closer to Beth and have a chance to run together for a while. She is doing 100K today as a training for Bighorn 100M on 6/15. This reminds me that another fellow blogger and endurance athlete Rick Gaston will also run that race. I wish her has great time at Bighorn 100M and wins it. When we talk about our works, I somehow trip my feet and nearly fall down on four. I guess my work is not comparable with running at such a pretty place. I pass Beth later as she decides to slow down to wait for her pacer.

I run by myself now. Now I have a chance to look back and see how far I have gone through after leaving Mission Peak for two hours. I remember Scott Dunlap and I talked about this last year at the same place. In the absence of Scott, I have to take more pictures :-)

I spot Mario Jackson not far ahead. I feel great even after a great amount of hills. I guess I can catch up with him as I'm getting closer from behind. After the last hill before the aid station, I pass him.

Goat Rock => Maggie's Half Acre: 4.74/19.7 miles, 55:00, 1:36:00, last year: 1:27:03

Goat Rock aid station (mile 14.96)

At the aid station, there is a volunteer taking pictures. I have my bottle filled and get everything ready for the coming climb to the highest of the course - Rose Peak. This is a tough section by thinking about the Rose Peak climb at this nearly 5 mile section. The trail is mostly exposed.

Even it's hilly, the trail is still mostly runnable. As we go higher the view becomes wonderful. We seem to be at the top of San Francisco Bay Area. Mission Peak becomes lower and we feel like getting to the same height of Mt. Diablo (3,849ft or 1,173m) and Mt. Hamilton (4,360ft or 1,330m), two highest mountains here.

"I spy" a runner behind me - Matt Anderson in blue....
Mission Peak is far away with Santa Cruz Mountain even farther.

I move farther away from the runners behind, but I notice Matt Anderson is catching up from far away. He is very strong and finally catching me before the last quarter mile to the Rose Peak summit (3,817ft or 1,163m). With the performance in today and past races early this year, I believe he will run his best in Western States 100M.

The final climb to the summit is steep. We'll do a loop to the summit and come back. We see fast runners coming back from the summit - Suzie Lister, Mark/Tera Dube, Lee McKinley, and Jeff Bell. Both Suzie and Tera won women group before.

We patiently walk toward the summit. At the summit, Ryan Commons is there for me to take a picture.

Matt Anderson (and I) seems on the trail to the sky!

We go down from the summit to complete the loop and meet more other runners. Don Hogue heading for the summit. Behind are Beth Vitalis and her pacer. Mario Jackson is happy to get the final climb to the summit following with David Rhodes. Miles Welze also arrives to start the loop.

A few minutes after I finish the loop, I can see the aid station ahead. It's great after this nearly 5 miles climb!

Maggie's Half Acre => Stewart's Camp: 3.9/23.6 miles, last year: 48:44

Arriving Maggie's Half Acre aid station

I stop at the aid station and have enough supply because I want to skip the next aid station. Here is 3,500 elevation. There are some steep rolling hills coming. This is a beautiful part with some shady primitive trail. There are fallen trees/branches, water spot, pond, etc. They look unmaintained like our civil trail, but, actually, maintained by Nature and it's pretty!

On a downhill, I twist my ankle badly. I slow down and patiently get to the coming uphill. Walking for a while, my ankle pain becomes better.

A scenic downhill

It's very nice to run alone without seeing any one for a while at such a pretty trail. After a while, I spot a runner ahead. It is John Burton, the Ruth Anderson RD. He has some muscle issue. We start to run together. He seems to get better so he picks up the pace.

Stewart's Camp => Schlieper Rock: 2.05/25.65 miles, 1:09:00, last year: 1:13:00 (24:18)

The self service Stewart's Camp aid station at mile 23.6

I'm still running with John. We decide to skip the self service Stewart's Camp aid station. The trail becomes a climb and we are happy to take a walk break. As we climb higher, we are happy to see the Del Valle valley for the first time. It is the finish and we know it's only one more hour.

John Burton runs with smile

John is getting better on his muscle, so I can find out his smile with his solid running. He is kindly take a picture of me. I try to smile to hide my exhaust body, but it may not look working when I check my picture.

Me, a little tired, producing smiles

John an I are happy to take some walk break on some long steep climb. We finally spot the aid station at the other side of the hill.

Schlieper Rock => Stromer Spring: 3.35/29 miles, 40:00, last year: 33:16

Great volunteers at Schlieper Rock aid station (mile 25.65)

I make sure to drink enough and go because I plan to skip the next aid station at Stromer Spring, two miles to the finish.

Thanks Larry England (co-RD) for the event and being here taking pictures.

It's a single track steep switchback downhill from the aid station. The co-RD Larry England is there taking pictures. This downhill leads all the way to William Gulch where there is a nice shady creek. Then the scary Rocky Ridge climb comes after it. It was wet last year and the trail was full of Poison Oak. It caused me itchy for a week when I came home. It is dry so I hope there will be no Poison Oak.

John Burton is in front of me at fast pace and I follow him closely. We are all the way down. The pace is fine, but near the bottom, John let me pass. At the bottom, we cross the creek. There seem always some hikers enjoying the creek every time I got here. I have a desire to try the cool water there - sprinkle my heated body. It seems that I have no spare energy for doing so in face of the scary climb.

When I get to the other side of the creek, my legs somehow nearly stop working even at the relatively flat beginning. The coming Rocky Ridge trail is so steep and exposed that even walking is difficult. I remember when I got here for the first time in my Ohlone hike. I had to walk up in the zig zag way. Like switching to the lowest gear before a climb when riding a bike, I quickly take one Gel. I power walk with all my strength. I don't even have anything left for taking pictures. Now I regret this after a few days when writing the report. Next time I should take some pictures there.

The lake is our finish!

It's good to have been here for a few times that I know the climb is not long. I only need to push myself for some short time, I'll get to the top meaning the finish. Finally, I get to the top. The trail becomes flat, but my legs are sore that I can not pick up my speed right away. I slowly increase my pace at seeing the entire view of the Del Valle valley. The lake down below 2000 ft is the finish. I expect such a downhill speeding, but it does not come right away. At the top here, there is half mile flat trail with strong head wind. I think the breeze at the noon becomes windy as we get to the afternoon. This will be great for other runners who have to stay at exposed trail later.

With no one around, I'm happily to set up my pace. The welcome downhill is coming. It's steep and I enjoy it with the finish line image in mind. Not far ahead is the Stromger Spring aid station.

Stromer Spring => Finish: 2/31 miles, 11:09, last year: 13:57

Arriving Stromer Spring aid station at mile 29 after surviving the William Gulch switch back downhill and brutal Rocky Ridge climb.
2 miles to go!

Since there is only two miles to the finish, I decided to skip this aid station. It's all down hill from now. My speed is not as fast as last year because I don't want to get more ankle twists.

Perhaps due to my desire to make it finish, the two miles seem longer than I expect. In addition, there are two slow hills that I'm familiar with. I planned to run all over them, but have to power walk for one minute or so in order to save energy and maintain my speed after the hill.

The final short climb before the finish

After the hills, it's a half mile to the finish. In no time, I finish the run just under 6 hr, although slower than last year by 5 min. I'm very satisfied with this given I have ankle issues bothering for months. I also had some good timing in the beginning. These give me confidence that I'll make some progress next year. On the other hand, I'm happy to set a short period of my intense series of ultra's so far this year. It's time to fix my issues and take a month break until WS100 safety patrol and pacing.

Finish Area

Me and Rob Bryne greeting other finishers. Courtesy of Yuki Negoro.

At the finish area, need to mention about the food not available in the run. There is a long table of all kinds of food. Even after two bottles of water and a can of Mountain dew, I am still so thirsty and missing of sweet to swallow a lot of watermelon slices and strawberry. Sorry for not helping cut those watermelons, but I won't forget to help while taking so much great food.

Rob Byrne (RD) and John Vonhof (the race founder) working at the finish timing tent.

The fourth place Mark Tanaka and his family have great time even he has finished 4th place, nearly one hour than me. So are Jean Pommier, the new Ohlone 50K winner, and his family. They all play around the big nice green field at the finish area. Catra Corbet also walks with her adorable Rocky.

Thanks for grilling my burger!

Joe Swensen arrives without any issues like last time he had in Diablo 50M. Yuki Negoro gets to finish when I finish the fruit meal. His wife Miho arrives in a few minutes, we go ahead to the grill area. I normally don't eat burgers so often, or just grab a small $1 burger from a fast food restaurant with my family at weekend. Only after a race did I feel deserved to get ready for a big juicy burger. Onlone 50K and Quicksilver 50M are two races I'm looking for.

Thanks all the volunteer to make this event so great every year. In particular, this race runs through such a remote area so we can enjoy the places that are unseen by average people. I am very touched that the volunteers have to work much harder at such areas to cater us runners. In particular, some of the volunteer (like the RD Rob Byrne) have to sacrifice their joy of running to help the event succeed. Right now, I don't know how I will not run this race in future, but I will definitely join the volunteer when I "retired".

Other Reports/Photos

Yuki Negoro - 2007/5/20 Ohlone 50K

Jean Pommier (the winner) - Ohlone Wilderness 50K: Chasing... myself!, Ohlone 50K 2007

Jurek Zarzycki - 2007 Ohlone 50K - Almost every runner at Maggie's Half Acre

Jurek Zarzycki - 2007 Ohlone 50K Maggie's crew - the volunteer crew at Maggie’s Half Acre

Jurek Zarzycki - Sunol, California - Beautiful course at Sunol the day before

Chris Marolf - Ohlone 50k 5/20/07 - A slide show

Larry England, Ian McFaden, Ken Howell, and Bob Hallam - Photo Album from Schlieper Rock, Stromer Spring, etc.

070512 Quicksilver 50M - Love the Never Flat Course

Looking Fresh at the top of the climb. Thanks Alan

Date: May 12, 2007
Race: Quicksilver 50M
Location: Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Distance: 50 miles
Profile: 8,530ft gain/loss, highest: 2,000 ft, lowest: 360ft, start/finish: 5400ft (image/data courtesy of Stan Jensen's Run 100s and Quicksilver 50M)

Result: 9hr 8min, 22/76 overall, 17 drop, Complete Results
Photo: 070512 Quicksilver 25K/50K/50M, 2007/05/12 QuickSilver (Yuki Negoro)


Love Quicksilver

Quicksilver 50M has a special meaning to some of our Ultraholics. It is the third anniversary of ultrarunning to me and Yuki Negoro when both of us did the 50K in 2004. It is the second anniversary of ultrarunning to Rajeev Patel, who did the 50K in 2005. It is the first 50 mile trailrunning to our fast Ironman Alan Geraldi today.

Besides, why I love Quicksilver 50M run? I somehow like its Cytomax drink provided at the aid station - tasty but not too sweet. The juicy burger at the finish is also a motivation for me to get to the finish with all my best. How about its very affordable entry fee and convenient location with 45 min easy drive? I also want to mention its excellent course design to have a grand tour at every piece of the park. It may look like going back and forth from the course map, but they mostly on different trail or opposite direction of the same trail. I never feel bored. The infamous roller coaster hills near the start/finish shows its personality of ultrarunning. I first hate and fear it. Now I think I love it because it means that I can almost smell those perks at the finish.

I have been thinking coming back to Quicksilver 50M every year. I think maybe some years I can not go. This is because I found that Massanutten Mountain Trails 100, high in my wish list, happens to be on the same weekend as Quicksilver 50M. Hope there'll be better arrangement in future and I'll be happy to do both. Anyway, knowing there is a mining award for those done 10 times in Quicksilver 50M, I guess I need to wait for a few years until I get the same award before taking a leave to try Massanutten Mountain Trails 100.

Pre-Race

I had a couple of hard ankle twists in Miwok 100K a week before. This is basically continued from those ankle issues in races early this year (see 070203 Woodside 50K - A Stumble Farewell PR and so on). Unlike the muscle soreness after running Diablo 50M, I don't know how to relieve the pains on my ankles and other joints in my legs. I guess I had to take rest. OK. No running for another week since I did not run a whole week a week before.

I was actually busy at writing Miwok 100K race report. It's kind of pressure because I don't have much time in writing. I need the time exclusive belonging to me so that I can bring up my recollections and every details in the race. I also had to give up thinking about the excitement of going back to Quicksilver 50M - just focus on finishing the Miwok 100K race report. I was happy to finally finish it (see 070505 Miwok 100K - Enjoy the Run among Ankle Twists and Missing a Turn) on Thursday so that I had less than two days to enjoy thinking to study the course and profile, which is part of the fun before a race!

On the other hand, I seemed a little tired in the race morning after weeks of tough ultra's. I almost slept through my alarm set at 3:30am until a few minutes later when I figured out I have a race today. Going through what I need to do for the usual race morning, I soon forgot all the nervous feeling but get ready for the whole day running.

Having been there for years, I was familiar with the highways to the race start. The traffic was always great in such an early morning. I thought maybe I left home too early and I could have more sleep. However, if I get there early, I'll have a nice parking spot near the finish. Yes, I did. The checkin tent is only 30 yards away.

Me at the checkin tent in the chilly morning. Thanks Anil.

I headed to the checkin tents to pick up my bib number. It was chilly but I knew it'd become warmer later in a day at south San Jose area. I met Rajeev Patel there. He looks so fresh and did not show any fatigue sign from his PR finish in Miwok 100K a week ago. Then I know later at the finish that he makes a PR again in 50K today. So is Anil Rao nearby. He made a Miwok 100K debut - a kind of PR. Now he comes for 50K and has another PR in Quicksilver 50K today. They have been making amazing progress these days!

When I get back to my car for some precious rest, I find out Chau Pham and Mylinh Nguyen just parked next to my car. They are a great ultra couple. They nearly ran every ultra together. They'll head for the great Tour du Mont-Blanc in summer. Yuki Negoro also parked close by. I can see his wife Miho still sleeping in the car. Miho always comes with Yuki in every race even she always feels sleepy in the morning.

Our Ultraholics - Me, Yuuki, and Rajeev

Alan Geraldi, an Ironman and sub 2:50 marathon runner, just arrives for the 50 miles as his first trail ultra after he finished the same in San Francisco One Day last year. Today will be his training for his first 100 miler - Tahoe Rim Trail 100M. He'll experiment all kinds of ultra varieties during the run.

Rick Gaston is there too. He has run a lot of ultra's but today is his first appearance in Quicksilver. He has a camera, so are a few other runners. Today there are many more runners willing to carry a camera on the run. Rick and I agreed that it is < href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584" target="qs50m">Scott Dunlap who first popularize running with a camera and it brings us so much fun! Thanks Scott!

Mockingbird (Start) => Webb Canyon:6.4 miles , 1:01:49, 10:43 min/mile

The minutes before the race start is now getting shorter since I know more ultrarunners. There is hardly enough time to talk with everyone I know. As the race start, we will have to become more serious and focus on our running.

Race starts! Me, Alan, Yuki, and other ultra friends

Off we go. It begins with a steep downhill. Everyone is excited and is willing to run fast with fresh legs. Perhaps I forget my ankle issues among the excitement. I have a few very hard twists on my ankle within a minute. This is a bad sign, but I need to slow down and run in a gentle way. It's hurting, but the coming steep climb helps a bit because walking relieves the pain. Now I remember I planned to run with care on the first 6.4 mile section. It is single track with a lot of technical parts. But it's too late. I have to work on my ankle to avoid more twists and get away with the pain.

I pass a few friends - Wally Hesseltine, Rob Bryne. They are wise enough to run conservatively in the beginning. I just want to test my limit so I try to push myself a little. Yuki Negoro is not far behind. I also pass Michael Kanning, a nice young 15 year old ultrarunner. Very few teenagers are willing to spend long time in running. I love to see such a great young man there enjoy the run.

Wally Hesseltine (with a WS100 waist pack), Rob Bryne (in blue)

The course has very steep rolling hill, which I call "roller coaster", in the beginning. After a mile or so, we'll make a left turn where volunteer block the trail to show us the turn. I know going straight is the way to get to the start/finish when coming back. I'll get there twice a few hours later and finish....

As I feel better with my ankle, I speed up a little carefully on the single track. I run with Haiming Yu and we exchange our places a few times. He looks like a triathlete and is running 50K today. Since he can run better than his 5 hr 15 min training run on the same course, I let him go without burning myself too much.

Along the trail, I can see clearly how the trail work weeks before has made the trail easily runnable. I planned to join them, but decided to do the trail work at Mt. Diablo (see Trail Work at Mt. Diablo - Knowing Ultrarunning Friends and Poison Oaks) because I found a way to get there without driving. I always want to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas. They remove a lot of overgrown plants.

We are running in beautiful shade, but we can see the city on the right hand side. The daylight just come in and is not enough to for the day. Under such a dim light, the city looks like sleeping but is going to wake up in any minutes.

The trail is rolling, but stays going down. It does not take much time before I feel the first aid station is just ahead. It is right at the lowest in the canyon, as it is called "Web Canyon".

Webb Canyon => Dam Overlook:3.3/9.7 miles , 31:22/1:33:12, 10:10 min/mile

Web Canyon aid station. Courtesy of Yuki Negoro

I was very hydrated in the beginning, so I figure I might be able to run a few more miles without drink. I skip the Web Canyon aid station and say "Thank you".

Leaving the canyon means the climb coming ahead. It will go all the way to the next aid station at Dam Overlook, where we'll visit three times in the run.

It still single track trail. It seems that Alan Geraldi running strong 20 yards ahead of me, but I'm not sure if it is Alan. I don't want to distract him here where there are some technical, so I do not call him. The trail becomes wide open and there are early volunteer standing there showing us the route. Thanks for coming here. We need to make a left turn and continue the climb. It becomes a fireroad, so I call Alan. We run together, well sometimes walk, as we have to save our legs in the beginning.

Alan heads for the Dam Overlook aid station

At the end of climb, we are able to see Mt. Umunhum (3486 ft) bathing in the daylights. The artificial structure at the top is very shiny by the early sun light. This will a wonderful day to come.

We get to the Dam at the corner and the aid station is on out left with a 100 yard climb.

Dam Overlook => Capehorn: 4.8/14.5 miles , 46:55/2:20:07, 10:24 min/mile

Dam Overlook aid station

This is my first stop at the aid station after running 9.7 miles. I have my empty bottle filled up and leave. Alan wants to put some stuff back to his drop bag.

The course is a rolling hills slight climb to the next aid station Capehorn. Without wasting much time, I eat a Gel while leaving the aid station. I plan to eat another one near Capehorn.

Although there are some runners on the trail, I feel running by myself but it is nice to enjoy the trail without any pressure from peer runners. Maybe this is more single track in the beginning and runners have thinned out after 10 miles.

When the course becomes a little open, the city can be seen at the left hand side down below. The course runs along the mountain at the right hand side. It also gets to our first mining relic - Buena Vista Shaft. I know the aid station is not far.

Alan is catching up after dropping 2 pound stuff into a drop bag

Maybe my legs are still fresh after 10 miles, this 4.8 mile section goes so easy with nice view of the city and trails. Near Capehorn, I can see Alan is catching up from behind. He looks like running his fast road race (sub 1:20 half marathon) after dropping a lot of extra stuff at Dam Overlook - 2 pounds worth. He easily passes me right before the aid station.

Capehorn => Dam Overlook: 4.5/19 miles , 45:54/3:06:00, 10:36 min/mile

Here the 25K runner will make a left turn back to Mockingbird and the job is done. We'll turn right and continue on the hill. I feel lucky to always run the longest distance in an event to get all the best of it.

Alan at Capehorn aid station

I stay longer after Alan Geraldi leaves. I'd like to make sure my food and drink are enough for me to skip the next aid station. This will be a 9.2 mile section for me. Bob Bryne also comes in when I leave.

It starts with climb so all of us are walking. I remember I ran this part last year, so I try to run as much as possible. The trail then goes down after a mile or so until the mining relic Power House. After that, we need to run on a steep uphill all the way to the top to enjoy the long downhill to the next aid station. And great views there!

I run most on the second climb, but Rob Bryne and another 50K runner are even faster. They pass me over there. A great volunteer (an ultrarunner) standing near the top of trail show the route and cheer for us. This is also the place when we come back from the Dam Overlook and need to make a turn to Englishtown aid station. He is also ready for the front runners arriving in any minutes.

A great volunteer showing us the routes with cheers

It's great to get to the top and start to enjoy the speed and the famous view of Guadalupe Reservoir. I speed up but not too fast to hurt my ankles. The front runners are coming with Graham Cooper leading the 50 miles and the other one for the 50K. They both look great and have over 6 miles ahead of me.

A grand view of Guadalupe Reservoir

Dam Overlook => Dam Overlook: 4.7/24.7 miles, forget to press the lap button

As planned, I skip the second visit to the Dam Overlook aid station. I'll stop at the next and last visit after I finish the 4.7 mile Dam Overlook loop. Immediately the second place 50 mile runner Jeff Riley is coming - 4.7 miles ahead of me. I also spot Alan Geraldi 20 yards ahead of me, so I am able to catch up with him. I am surprise that he has run without a water bottle, but he said he somehow does not need a lot of water. Amazing!

Alan Geraldi

The course continue the downhill and Alan and I are running with nice speed together. Rick Gaston also flies by. He usually gets stronger as more miles. This has been proved in my experience last year when he passed me in Miwok at the turnaround and he passed me at the last few miles in Firetrails.

Runners come for the nice climb

At the end of downhill, there is a steep quarter mile climb. It is so steep that there is no way to see where is the top of the climb. Alan and I simply power walk with patience and we finally get to the top. Now it becomes a quarter mile steep downhill to the mining relic Senador Mine. Alan needs to do some stretch, so I just keep running with gravity pull.

Then the course stretch another 300 yards on a nice flat dirt path all the way to another park entrance at McAbee Road. Since this is near the entrance, there are more visitors and better facility with a water fountain and a bathroom.

The course turns right to an over two miles long climb back to the Dam Overlook. It is shady in the beginning and I am still running. After a quarter mile, it becomes steeper and exposed. I start to power walk and know it is close to the place where we ran in the beginning on our way from Web Canyon to Dam Overlook. I run with Sean Lang for a while and know he has run a few other PCTR 50K.

Again Alan comes closer from behind. He seems lighter on his legs after his stretch. We arrive the Dam Overlook together. I'll stop at the aid station for refuel as my bottle is almost empty after this 9.2 mile section.

Dam Overlook => Englishtown: 3.3/27 miles (8.0 mile, 1:32:24/4:38:24, 11:37 min/mile)

Since I skipped the previous visit of this aid station, I am very thirsty after finishing this 9.2 mile section. I'm glad that I am fine right now. Alan seems to stay here for longer time to work on his stuff. I leave the aid station after I make sure I have had enough drink and have enough water in my bottle. I plan to skip the next aid station.

From here, I have to run back on the hill and climb back to the highest. Last year I was able to run all the way and meet Rajeev Patel and Anil Rao there. This year I don't see them. This means they have run much faster than last year. They eventually set their PR's at the finish!

Since there are more runners coming down, I have my camera ready. Thanks to Dave Combs telling me names of some famous runners - 10th finisher Dan Marinsik and Carol Cuminale, ever-present Barbara Elia, and Christina Brownsen. Dave, managing the Ultrarunning List, is running his first 50K after a few years.

I have tried to take a picture for every runner, but later I seem to have some issue with my camera. This is first time to use it. I don't have time to figure it out. I think it's about battery, so I just put my camera back to the pocket and hope the battery will recover later (just like our running needs some breaks).

Rena Schumann and a 50K runners take a walk break after a long climb

As I work hard on the climb by patiently running it. Rena Schumann and another 50K runner catch up. Rena is running her 10th Quicksilver and receives the mining award at the finish. It's almost the top of the hill, so I am glad to switch to walk break when they also walk ahead of me. Shuffling between run and walk, I catch up and have a chat. I am pleased when Rena told me that the pictures I shot for Miwok 100K was put in Planet Ultramarathon. They run strongly, so I let them go and I just follow my pace.

When I get to a wide fireroad, I know it's about the marathon distance and the Englishtown aid station at mile 27 is not far. There are lots of pretty wildflower along the trail.

The wildflower lane at the marathon mark

Englishtown => Mockingbird (50K Finish): 4.5/31.5 miles , 42:58/5:21:23, 10:30 min/mile

Englishtown aid station

Since I have enough water in the bottle, so I just skip the Englishtown aid station. This is a bold move as I still have 4.5 miles to go, including some scary hills, and it'll getting warmer. Anyway, I want to give it a try about my thirsty limit.

It begins a downhill. Within minutes, the front runners coming and they already finished 50K! Jeff Riley leads the pace and Graham Cooper is only 1 minute behind. Mark Tanaka is about 5 minutes behind. They all working very hard on the exposed climb.

Mark Tanaka working hard on the climb. His 33 miles and my 29 miles.

Along the way I run mostly with 50K runners, including Erik Dube. I catch up with him at the roller coaster hill. I heard about his name for a while, but never saw him. It's kind of amazement that I can run with such a fast guy. Perhaps he is doing a training run for the Ohlone Wilderness 50K eight days later.

I catch up with Rena Schumann nearby. However, we can chat only a little at the roller coaster hill because we want to be more careful about running at such a steep hill. I remember I fell down over here when I ran Quicksilver for the first time. Now with trail shoes and good at downhill, I carefully speed up with gravity pull. Rena is more careful, so I pass her.

After passing a few other runners, I get to the place that we turn left in the morning, but we need to go straight. It is still downhill, but I know it's close to the 50K Mockingbird aid station. After easily run over a small uphill, the aid station is there. Some runners are happy to finish their run today. We 50 mile runners will stop the aid station for a while to continue the rest of 50 miles.

Mockingbird => Englishtown: 4.0/35.5 miles , 52:12/6:13:35, 13:43 min/mile

I think I'm slower than last year by about 10 minutes when I get to the 50K, but I feel better. I guess it is mostly because I have been running conservatively due to the ankle issue. I should be able to make it up later.

Rob Bryne has been there , so he is ready to leave. Kermit Curt Jr. is there too. I am excited to see him. He is very kind to help me a few things at the aid station. He is going to pace Linda McFadden and waiting for her. What intrigues me is that there is a free massage at the finish, as he said. I'm going to try it so I need to make my 50 miles finish. After drinking a can of Sprite and other fluid. Off I go. Rena Schumann just comes in when I take off.

The course re-trace the beginning run for a while - steep downhill followed by steep climb, i.e. pre roller coaster. I run carefully on the downhill, still remembering how I twisted my ankle in the morning.

I work hard on the climb. Rob Bryne and the other guy are about 20 yards in front of me, but I am getting closer. Different from the beginning that we made a right turn at the top of the trail, we turn left to re-visit the roller-coaster hills that we got there less than 30 minutes ago!

It's now a little bit crowded. We are going out after 50K, while there are runners coming back for 25K/50K finish or looking for the Mockingbird aid station at 50K to continue their 50 mile journey. Anil Rao is there, and he looks great and ready to finish around 6 hours and set his PR. I briefly check with him about Rajeev Patel, but he has no idea. Rajeev must be even faster and actually finishes under 6 hours - another PR! Amazing both guys keep making their leaping PR's in these weekly ultra's - American River 50, Miwok 100K, and today!

Obviously, a lot of runners are become very careful on the roller coaster hill. I no long fear about it, so I pass through it without any problem. It's noon time and Sun has come out high to greet us at the exposed trail. I pass a few runners, including Rob Bryne at the start of the last climb before the next aid station.

The triathelet Nan Nguyen takes it easy on her first ultra (50miles!) with her pacer

Since I feel better than last year right now, I keep pushing myself. Nan Nguyen is not far ahead running her first ultra (and 50 miles!) with her pacer. I catch up later and have a nice chat with her. She is a triathelet and would like to try some trail ultra's. This section is one of the toughest, but She looks amazingly great with smiles. We run together and arrive at the aid station.

Englishtown => Hicks Road: 2.0/37.5 miles , 24:10/6:37:45, 12:01 min/mile

I planned to skip Englishtown aid station but stop at the next at another 2 miles away. However, I have been a little torched by the climb from the 50K and wonder if I can keep the same strength for the next two miles, which is mostly exposed. I decide to stop and drink enough fluid.

Nan Nguyen and her pacer are gone, so is Rob Bryne. I soon follow them after I finish a can of Sprite. The course starts with a single track for less than a quarter mile. Within a minute, Jeff Riley just comes back fast. He has another 2.5 miles to go before the finish!

Jeff Riley comes back strong for his second place finish. 2.5 miles to go!

After the single track is an exposed wide fireroad. Mark Tanaka also comes back, but I am not able to take a picture this time as I had some technical issue with my camera (first time used). I hope I can meet him at the finish, but he is always fast and ready to go home at the finish.

I catch up with Rob and can see Nan at about quarter mile ahead of us. I run with Rob together till the quarter mile shady trail before the next aid station. Then he moves ahead. Rob and I arrive the Hicks Road aid station about the same time.

Hicks Road => Sierra Azul: 4.0/41.5 miles (3.61 miles, 44:27/7:22:12, 12:19 min/mile, No Battery!)

I quickly drink another can of Sprite so that I'll have better chance to complete the 4 mile climb to the turnaround. Rob Bryne is already gone and soon speeds away from me. I just stay with my pace instead of chasing him.

The course enter the trail once we cross the road and a small parking area. It is nice and shady with rolling hill and downhill from time to time. However, I know I need to face the exposed climb later on the trail. I can hear runners getting closer from behind. Rena Schumann and another runner pass me in minutes.

The trail slowly becomes climbing and I'm getting tired. I can tell by the fact that I mostly think about finishing the run instead of speeding up. In the mean time, faster runners keep coming down from the turnaround. I can tell the distance to the aid station at the turnaround by how fresh and happy they look.

Smiling after replenish at the Sierra Azul aid station

I envy them a little, but I'll be the same fresh when I finish the climb and get to the aid station. That's my hope. I also roughly count the number of them and think I probably at 20 something place, not better than the 10th place last year. I don't really care as long as I have always tried my best. All these thoughts bring me the image of finish area that I'll get to in an hour - icy drinks, chair, juicy burger, medal, going home, etc!

The trail is now totally uphill and exposed. Somehow my Forerunner watch has gone dead. It ran out of battery after 7 and half hours into the run. My previous experience is it can last over 12 hours, so I turned it on when I left home at 4:30am. This means the battery lasts only 9 hours today. I remember I fully charged it the day before. Anyway, I'll find out why; otherwise I'd rather carry my 150 laps Timex watch next time.

On the other hand, I can only counting the runners in front of me as an estimate of the distance. As I keep counting, I excitedly spot the aid station.

Sierra Azul => Hicks Road: 4.0/45.5 miles

Sierra Azul aid station

The aid station is the turnaround of the 8 mile out-and-back course. It's at such a nice and shady spot. It's kind of reward to take a break after 4 mile climb in the afternoon. Runners are stretching or fixing the feet.

I feel fine, so I take off after quickly finishing a sprite and have my bottle filled. It's great to turn around and enjoy the downhill. When going out to the turnaround, I did not feel how it will be so nice on the coming back. Perhaps I was suffering, or perhaps I was still in good shape to feel it like a rolling hill. Anyway, it is true that it's downhill right now and I am enjoying the speed.

One good thing about this nice out-and-back section is that not only can you enjoy seeing the speed of front runners, you can cheer the rest of runners when coming back. I can see runners coming up and happily tell them the distance to the aid station. Alan Geraldi also comes in a pack of three with Lon Monroe and Mario Jackson. Lon is in the film "A Race for the Soul". He claims stretching in the creek under the Deadwood Canyon before the dreadful Devil's Thumb climb is "better than sex" and it's worthy to lose 5 minutes (to stretch) in a long run. I am glad to see Alan get to this point. It is tough but I have confidence that he's going to finish it no matter how. Yes, he finishes his first 50 miles trail ultra. I have not seen Yuki Negoro and worry if he got some issues. I know later that he had to stop at 50K to avoid more injuries.

At the end of the long downhill, I expect a creek, but there is a small water flowing across. After this, it is a slow uphill. I am actually happy to see this because I know the aid station is not far.

David Jordan catches up and asks me how far it is to the aid station. My Forerunner is dead, but I have some memory about this trail. I say "half mile to go". He passes me. Within a minute, I can see the road and the entrance only 100 feet ahead. Hope he is not mad my wrong answer, but more glad to see the aid station not far away. Although I was wrong in telling the distance, I guess both of us should be happy to know the aid station is far less than "half mile".

Hicks Road => Englishtown: 2.0/47.5 miles

David Jordan prepares himself for the last few miles to the finish at Hicks Road aid station

I arrive the aid station seconds after David Jordan. He seems very tired and is grabbing food. I take a picture of the aid station. They are surprised and excited about me carrying a camera in running. Anyway, all of us have fun!

While David keeps staying the aid station, I decide not to stop because I have enough water for the next 2 miles. I know it'll be mostly exposed and uphill in the next 2 miles except the last 200 yards single track trail. Right now, I seem to have recovered and been "Running Through the Wall". I am able to run all the hills. Within a minute, Mylinh Nguyen comes strong and seems ready for the 8 mile Sierra Azul out-and-back. I see a few other 50 mile runners coming over the hills, including Barbara Elia, Carol Cuminale, etc.

I patiently run all the hills and feel fine. I am glad to get to the single track downhill and know the aid station is only 200 yards away. Suddenly, there is an engine noise roaring behind. There is actually a truck forcing through the single track from behind. With more fun over scare, I run faster and imagine that a truck is chasing me. Perhaps this is an easy way to maintain the single track trail from plant overgrowth.

Roaring truck forcing me to run faster from behind

Englishtown => Mockingbird (50M Finish): 2.5/50 miles

I could have passed the last aid station at Englishtown as it's only 2.5 miles to go and I have some water left in my bottle. But there is no hurt to have a quick stop and get myself ready for the coming roller coaster hills and run strong to the finish. Again, I ask for a can of cold Sprite to make sure I'll deliver my best where most of the next 2.5 miles is exposed and warm, although I can finish only half of it.

My Forerunner 305 is dead, so I check the time with a volunteer - 2:56pm. I am a little disappointed that I can not break 9 hours, but I am happier to get to this point and ready to finish the run.

Off I go with a victorious shout. One nice thing about Quicksilver run is 50 mile runners come back to the start/finish twice but on different route, so we never get bored but feel better that the finish is not far. The second time is shorter with said with breathtaking downhill. This motivates us a lot. However, newcomers may be fooled with this but forget some heartbreaking climbs. With four years in the run, I have mindset for this. Since I am going to finish, I'm not scared and ready to take whatever difficult trails ahead.

It starts with a nice shady downhill right after the aid station. After about than half mile on this Mine Hill trail, it gets to Capehorn Pass with the exposed climb that can be seen some distance away. I'm not scared and nor upset, but to run or power walk on it with patience. It's time to take one Gel to get some power.

There are no other runners around. I can run without pressure. I simply cover the climb with patience since my legs are not sore. I need to only be careful on the steep and slippery downhill for fear of ankle twists.

Imagine this roller-coaster hill. Or come to see it next year!

I take a picture of a climb, but my picture is still not good at showing the steepness of the climb. You have to be there to be awed by the climb.

It's great that I'm familiar with every scene along the way in the last stretch to the finish. I know how far it is. I finally pass the place we made the right turn in the beginning of the run. I am excited to know there are no more climbs.

Since I have run slowly, I expect that I'll spend 20 minutes on this 2.5 mile, 2 minutes slower than last year and my finish time will be like 9hr 15min based on the time given at the Englishtown aid station. No pressure on 9 hours, I run gently with gravity pull. With joy, I don't feel the time passing by and I get to the place we made the left turn to a single track trail in the beginning. I know it's a quarter mile steep downhill to the finish.

There is a final small climb before the finish. I don't push myself and easily pass it. Yuki Negoro is waiting there

I'm done and, most importantly, smiling! Courtesy of Yuki.

Other Reports

Rajeev Patel - Quicksilver 50K, Quicksilver 50K (May 13, 2006). Both have a poem each.
Dave Comb - Quicksilver 50K race report (need Ultrarunning List subscription)
Rick Gaston - Quickie at Quicksilver 50M
Scott Dunlap - Racing the 2007 Quicksliver 50k