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Cuyamaca 100k Endurance Run – Race Wrap

Many say that anything can and will typically happen during the course of an ultramarathon. I’ve said it myself before most races and usually it is reference to what can occur within our body, mind, and spirit during the hours of a race. During this chapter of our journey, we problemed solved something that doesn’t come to the surface, or at least we hear about them 😊. Last weekend, my lovely crew chief and wife, Robin and I hit the road Friday morning on our way to the mountains east of San Diego for the Cuyamaca 100k. Earlier this year, being empty nesters now, we wanted to have that “A race” this year to be something different. We also wanted to have it serve as our potential lottery qualifying race for the 2025 Western States Endurance Run. We researched a number of events this summer and decided on this one because it was well after we moved our daughters into college and gave ample time to prepare following that hectic time. Having never officially run an ultra in CA, we felt this was an exciting adventure to tackle next. We were fortunate to get a cabin about 5 minutes from the start/finish & main staging area in Cuyamaca Stat Park months prior and felt we are all prepared and ready to go. Having no familiarity with the area from a trail perspective, this added a bit of unknown and uncertainty to the mix, which always creates some fun for a race and the temps were to be unseasonable warm (mid 90’s) for early October. The race director actually sent out an email making all participants and crews aware of the heat that was to come. Living in AZ didn’t concern us too much and considering our temps have still been in the six digits, heat training was still happening.

As we left Phoenix for our 4.5 hour drive, on our empty nest adventure 😊, all things were good until about 60 miles outside of Yuma, AZ and the CA boarder. Our low tire sensor came on for a back right tire. It said it was at 26 psi. We had a few hours left and my mind was thinking about tomorrow with Robin crewing me and us potentially waking up to a flat tire. We pulled over at the next gas station (this stretch is in the middle of the AZ desert.) and topped it off with air. Five minutes into the drive, the sensor came back on however, so we cruised at a much slower speed to Yuma and went directly to a Discount Tire. Unfortunately a shard of glass entered the side wall so it was two new back tires and a detour in Yuma. Fortunately we left earlier than planned and the folks at Discount Tire were exceptional. They got us in and out of there within 45 minutes and we were back on the road, feeling much safer than before. In all honesty, we were going to need new tires soon anyway and now my mind was at ease for Robin and the next day. That being said, not something you think about heading out to a race or any type of traveling for that matter. Problem solving is what ultrarunning (and life) is all about! As we entered the sleepy mountain town of Descanso, CA we headed to the race headquarters to check it out. We wanted to have some familiarity with the set up prior to us going over the details later. We then checked into our cabin, cool little place and thankfully it had A/C cause it was warm and grabbed some dinner. The rest of the night we went over the race plan and details then it was night nights!

Sleeping the night before a race, at least for me, is fleeting but I felt rested enough to get this done. We got moving and all packed up ready to go and when we started the car……. yes, the low tire sensor went on this time for the front tires. It was a short ride to the start, so we made a plan for Robin to head to the closest gas station and check things out after the start. Fortunately, it was an issue with the sensor and thank you to the nice gentleman that helped her check things out for her. We got our spot picked out, set things up and got the final registration taken care of and then we were off. The first loop, the longest and arguably the most challenging is a 32 mile trek that ascends the highest point of the course, Cuyamaca Peak, and then loops back down to the start finish. Approximately half of the races 8,000’ of climbing is completed in this loop. Robin met me at the 2nd aid station, just prior to making the climb and although she had to hike ½ mile to the aid station from the car, she was prepared. It was starting to get warm but not too hot. She had coconut water and pickles ready to go. I got my bandana all iced up and soaked the body in ice cold water. Many had said the climb up is what breaks many but the higher we got the more covered the course was and the temps remained bearable. It was a nonstop ascent and very manageable until the last ½ mile when you hit the access road, and it was a strong incline the rest of the way. Once at the top however, the views were endless, the aid station volunteers were top notch and the decent, I had a feeling, was going to be a quad buster. The next 9 miles were essentially all downhill until we hit the end of the first loop.

Upon arriving at the start finish and seeing Robin, I was feeling very good. However, I did feel I may have gone out too hard on that loop. Loop 2, although 13 miles, was all exposed and during the hottest parts of the day. Robin had another t-shirt for me, soaked in ice water and sitting in the cooler. That combined with ice in my hat and bandana, plenty of water and snack, we felt prepared. We left and hit a good climb less than a ½ mile into the loop that seemed to last a few miles. We then opened up to an endless open field that just stretched with the sun beating down on us. The aid station on this loop was 8 miles in and it came to me right on time. I was beginning to go into a dark spot and the questions were coming to mind…..why, what, etc.? Once again, these aid station volunteers shined and got me moving. After some coke, water, electros and an orange I was well on my way to see Robin again. Those dark thoughts behind me and about 5 miles out I decided to house down a rice crispy bar that I’d been carrying with me all day and although it was sweet and tasty, it was getting more and more difficult to get nutrition in me. This is something I wanted to keep on top of all day and to this point I had, it was just getting more difficult because of the hot temps. After just under 5 miles, I pulled into the start/finish area and Robin was ready to go. Feeling much better than 8 miles back, we went to work. I changed out my socks and took care of my feet (one tiny hot spot all day 😊) and she worked on feeding me…. more pickles, electros, cheese quesadilla, watermelon, grapes and some salt tablets). We popped on the headlamp since it was going to be dark soon, gave my crew chief a kiss on was out for the last, 18 mile loop in what was to be darkness.

My body felt mostly well at this point, but my quads were a bit trashed. Uphill and the flats were good, it was going downhill that caused major discomfort. However, my stomach was in good shape, I was moving at a good clip, and we were getting close to that finish line. The last loop was a bit uneventful honestly, other than one of the volunteers at the last aid station asking if I wanted a shot of tequila for the last 6 miles – I adamantly declined! There were two aid stations in the last loop, and just like the others, the volunteers were fantastic. At this stage of 100k, people are hurting and just wanting to get things done. The volunteers need to take on a bit of counselor and medic in some instances but all those that I came into contact with did it with smiles. I had a number of laughs with some of the folks and they likely thought I was delusional at this point, which is highly likely. There was a great moon out and the stars were visible. The trail overall was a bit technical, specially in the last stretch but once I hit mile 60, I was on a stretch that was familiar, even at night and was able to pick up my pace. It is at this time that I head all sorts of “creatures” scurrying in the woods (bunnies and squirrels likely) but for some reason I prompted me to run faster. 😊 The last ½ mile is a straight, concrete stretch to the finish line and motored it in crossing and getting a big hug from Robin. Even the volunteers handing out awards and greeting us there were super excited and happy to see us. Can’t say enough about these folks.

Robin was awesome and had all our gear packed up and had moved the car to a very manageable walking distance for me. We spent about 30 minutes cleaning up before the quick ride to the cabin. I don’t think my legs were ever this dirty from a race. With the heat, dry climate, and all the dust, my entire leg below my calf was coated with dust and grime. We made it back to the cabin and got all situated, showered up and spent about an hour on the couch reflecting on the day. What we learned and who we became. I believe you are always a different person from the moment you start a race and when you finish. Robin was amazing and knew what I felt I needed and when I needed it, even if I didn’t want it. I was really proud of our nutritional intake. I wanted to make a point to be eating a couple hundred calories every 60-90 minutes. This was the first time I was truly disciplined with it, and it showed with no stomach issues. We hydrated well throughout the day even though the temps were higher than normal, and we kept cool. Grateful to have Robin with me at these events and much appreciated to the volunteers and staff of the race, as well as the other competitors, I was fortunate to share some miles with. It was a long, hot, difficult race but very satisfied with the effort. It seems that these longer races are getting harder to prepare for and I am getting slower, but we still toe the line, and we continue to get them done.

The 2025 schedule already has some commits for early in the year so we will take some down time and pick things back up soon.