Monday, January 11, 2010

PCTR Angel Island 16K (10.2 miles)

I signed up to do this event with a friend from down south but unfortunately, she had to cancel just a few days before she was supposed to come up. So, since she also knows Aron, she wanted to know if Aron would be interested in taking her entry. Yippee, she said she could!! This would be Aron's second PCTR event in less than a month. Read here for her report of the day: runner's rambles: race report: PCTR angel island 16k trail race

The last time I ran on Angel Island was my 50k last June. On that day I did six loops around the island. Yesterday was only two loops - the middle and summit loops. We took the ferry from Tiburon and were on the island by 10:00. Our race wasn't to start until 10:35. It was SO cold and windy. We walked around and hid behind buildings until after the 25k runners took off.

As we were waiting for the 16k runners to start, I asked Aron if she wanted to run this race her own way or hang with me. She said she wasn't sure but as she was answering me, I could tell she was thinking she wanted to RUN this race.

Each loop starts off with a steep climb up stairs that a lot of people walk. After that, I can say the rest of the course is runnable for most people. I started running when I could and hiking when I needed to. Finally I had to stop and re-tie my shoes. When I put them on originally, I had my gloves on. A little bit later I came upon Aron, standing on the side of the trail, waiting for me. I told her not to wait for me, I wasn't going to run the entire thing. She looked at me for a second and said "okay" and took off. I told her to "go get 'em!"


this is NOT Aron




In the midst of all this beautiful single track, there was quite a bit of rolling fire roads. As soon as I saw this part, I was happy Aron had ran ahead of me. She is so fast on the road and I figured she would be doing well.
Being as slow as I am, I began worrying about how long Aron would be waiting for me at the finish line, in the cold. I will say though, for me, I was running very well. I walked much less than I usually do. But, when I looked at my pace running on the flatter sections, it was anywhere from 10:00 to 10:50/min. I know I'm good on the downhill portions but not good enough to make up the time I knew Aron would do. I was actually considering stopping after the first loop and waiting for her to finish. I was starting to think of excuses I could use. I completed the first loop (5.0 miles) in 54 minutes. Oh! That's not bad! Okay, I'll do the second loop. Thank God I did. Look at this beauty I would have missed!!

It was super foggy but the trails looked SO cool on the summit loop!







I thought I did a lot better on the summit loop but actually I was slower. But, on a high note, I did get some gorgeous photos, right?
When I came down the last portion of dirt trail, onto the short paved section, I could see Aron waiting for me by the finish line, holding both of our green bags with our extra clothes. She had changed into her dry clothes and greeted me with a HUGE smile and a wave. She looked very happy. I could tell she had a great run and that she had FUN.
I finished in 2:16, averaging 13:something/mile. Aron finished in 1:40something, averaging a 10 minute mile. Yup, she smoked it and she didn't really push it hard or make a great effort from the very beginning. I am very happy with my performance. I ran more sections than I normally would. I didn't hurt myself AND my knee was PAIN FREE once again! Whoot! I think these shorter distance races are good for me. Look at this, I can still get out and do PCTR events and see old friends. With a new friend. Who knew?
Life is good. Real good. ;)
Until later.............




13 comments:

Shannon said...

Beautiful Pictures....Beautiful Smile....the Beauty in PAIN FREE runs.....

Missy said...

Gorgeous pictures, really and truly. I'm very envious. That's great that Aron came, how fun. I'm so glad to hear that the knee is cooperating. I just KNEW that NOT running, walking, hiking wasn't thee answer...

Unknown said...

painfree knee, single track race with a friend, beautiful pictures

what's not to love?

Lily on the Road said...

Way to go girl, and thanks for the pictorial...lovely, lovely photo's.

A pain free knee is a great way to start 2010...good stuff.

Dave said...

Pain free...outstanding....and I hear that PCTR events are outstanding....Rick Gaston is trying to get me to come up for one of those....

Glenn Jones said...

Gorgeous pictures JoLynn! Thanks for sharing them. You guys are dressed up like it's cold outside!

Aron said...

YAY FOR PAIN FREE!!! I am soooo happy your knees are feeling so great. I really liked that distance too!

I would have been mad at you if you would have stopped after the first loop! So don't do it ever :)

THANK YOU again so much for the invitation and for introducing me to it all... sooo much fun!

and thank you for the pics, my blog now is prettier :) my vest is coming so I should be able to carry a camera now too!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

You take the BEST trail pics!!! SO SO happy that you're running pain free, that's amazing! YAY!

Dan said...

You sure do have some sweet single-track out there!

trailturtle said...

Great that your knee is handling the middle distances...so...I'll expect to see you at Woodside ;). Have fun, Ann

Lisa said...

It looks like a gorgeous place to run. I am glad you had a good race!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I am INSPIRED!! I know there are trails around here. If/When I do find one to run it will be dedicated to you.

Love the picture of you and Aron.. AWESOME!

Stuart said...

Gorgeous pictures and even better to be pain free! Woot!