Ruth Anderson, a local and international legend who has made a special contribution to honoring women long-distance running. Historian extraordinaire Davy Crockett did just that A captivating story about Ruthis very much worth reading, and I won’t try to summarize it here (I’ve shared some anecdotes in previous posts about this race, and this was my 16th participation since 2007, while the event actually started 21 years ago, Per Stan Jensen Your precious website ws100.com). Next year will be the 40th anniversary of that!

However, and the fact that I had already won my age group this year, combined with the stress of work and exhaustion after returning from a 6-day conference in Orlando, I chose the 50k with three main goals.

I arrived at the parking lot at 5:50 a.m., and there weren’t many runners there yet. Well, there would have been many registrants, it has been difficult to build interest in the crowded ultramarathon market, despite such a good event and course that has seen several national records set, a couple of international records too, and even a world record over the 50K in 2003 by CJ Albertson (who I hear will set another record at the Chicago Marathon tomorrow). Above us is a clear sky full of stars and the still shining half moon.

I missed the pre-race briefing and super volunteer Stan Jensen had to tell me twice to get to the distance start line While I was still setting up my bag, it was past 6:50 (with a start at 7). Well, I still had a few minutes to chat with others at the start line, seeing half a dozen carbon shoes among the runners at the front. I’ve upset RD Anil’s assistant, I wonder what Ruth will think…at least it means this will be another quick release! Here are some pics from Sheeran, including pics of me messing around:

I certainly lost track of the top five runners quickly, and felt strong enough to maintain a straight 7:15 min/mile pace (as I get older, and also after my first Covid infection in early 2020, I find that I now need at least a mile to get the engine up to speed and fully roaring). While I was trying to balance pushing and achieving a sustainable pace, Excelsior’s Oliver Chan accompanied me and I couldn’t believe how high his shoes were as he plowed the asphalt. It must have been another pair of carbon plates. Fortunately, I was able to put it away before the end of the first episode, so I could focus on my breathing and rhythm.

Because of the undulations of the course, the first 10 miles oscillated between 7:02 and 7:24 and I was able to keep the average pace under 7:15. Then I started getting really excited as I beat the tail of the herd and clocked 6:52 at mile 11, oops!

I covered the first three episodes in 1:37:30. I miss the days when I would run loops in 30 minutes over 50 miles, but Agnes always reminds me to stop comparing to the past… The fourth loop felt a little harder, yet I was in such a great mood that I managed to cover it in 32:15 which would end up being the fastest of the seven laps. I was still not ready to give up this wonderful pace, but I wondered when I would explode.

At the end of lap 4, at about mile 17.5, I made my first stop to drink a bag of Vespa and pick up my second bottle of GU2O/Brew. I was drinking GU2O consistently, but never finished my other 50k+ water bottle, which was on the low side of hydration.

Another action shot from Sheeran:

I was still going strong on lap five and was starting to wonder when the leaders would hug me. He lost 6 seconds on the fourth lap with a time of 32:21.

Lap 6 started strong, but I felt a sharp pain under my foot, as if my sock was slipping and folding. I initially thought I would do it until the end but the pain was really annoying. I stopped at the aid station halfway through – which ended up not being a water station because someone stole my water jugs in the morning – to untie my shoe, check my sock and re-tie the width very tightly. Lost time: 1 minute, botched F1 stop…resulting in the only mile above 8, at 8:07 (mile 25). However, it was worth it because I still had 10km to run. But with those extra 60 seconds, I was overtaken and passed by the winner of the 50K before I even finished lap six. That lap was 33:12.

I started to feel a little crampy at mile 27 and eased up a little, and ran the final miles between 7:08 and 7:34. My average pace rose to 7:14 min/mile although I was clocked at 7:18 min/mile overall as my Coros GPS finished with 31.33 miles.

I crossed the finish line in a time of 3:46:35, I was happy with what I had accomplished but needed some space and time to recover from the effort. Which I made even more difficult by only taking 2 GU Energy gels. As much as the Vespa (and the fat) does most of the fueling for me now — and I’m not powered anymore, this year — that was on the very low and risky side of (under)strategic carbs. But I survived and was able to check off all my goals this time. Improving the M60 course record by over 9 minutes, and lowering my 50k time from 3:51:19 at Nationals in April and 4:04:17 at Jed Smith in February. progress!

Sheeran captures my personal sanctuary after the race for 10 minutes…

Anthony Fagundez (35 years old) won with a time of 3:12:44. At 56 years old, James Scanlan finished 4th overall and 1st in the Masters with a time of 3:35:44. Knowing James, he was probably gunning for my M50 course record which I would hold for another year at 3:25:19 (in 2017, I was 53). I ended up placing 6th overall and 3rd for the Masters in a small field.

I got to see the first three women finish the race in under 10 minutes: Brooke Bray (Impala, 49, 4:05), Zoe Rae (26, 4:12), and the indefatigable Verity Breen (Tamalba, 58, 4:14).

All results have been done Available online and livethanks to Wendell’s chip timing, as well as the help of Stan and a few other volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers, there are quite a few of them behind the aid station counter, serving up drinks and fresh food. And I loved the fresh pizza that RD Shiran’s partner brought us.

As for the third co-driver, Rajeev, among other racing duties, he was busy distributing pole medals, first place trophies and age group plaques. And enhance the exciting atmosphere too!

I’m still in awe of the great design of the shirt, thank you for that too, Sheeran!

I remained for two and a half hours more, recovering first, and conversing with many; What a wonderful, close-knit community came together in Ruth’s memory, she must have been happy to see that! Oh, and I finally handed the 2024 Grand Prix M60 Age Group winner’s plaque to Charles, making him pause for 30 seconds on his way to another successful 60-mile run. That was my new age group last year but I couldn’t compete due to a torn meniscus.

I didn’t mention the weather but you can see in the photo, the cloudy forecast we received from the race directors did not come true and the skies were blue all day! Better to err in this direction! 😉 So that ended a particularly hot afternoon for a 50 mile run.

Big tanks and kudos to Anil, Sheeran and Rajeev for perpetuating this tradition, despite waning enthusiasm and tough competition on the running circuit. Respect to the Pamakids for another impressive showing with 19 runners! It was great to see other clubs represented as well: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Tamalpa, Excelsior, Impala and of course Quicksilver. Maybe we’ll miss a pair, we’ll see on the record.

Here’s Luciano at the end (4:42). Steve also completed the 50K in 7:19. And Charles the 50-miler in 9:47.

Belated thanks to Ruth for bringing us together in her memory; This is a treasured Bay Area ultra running tradition that I hope will continue beyond its 40th anniversary! Long live the spirit of Ruth then!

Note: All this analysis going on in the Coros app… is mind boggling!