Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Juniperwood Ranch 50: Part 1



I am having difficult time writing about this race. The news right now is displaying nothing but the death of Bin Laden as of yesterday, 01May2011, and I am hard pressed to even talk about something that has become so personal that only the few who have experienced anything similar truly appreciate my accomplishment. Sounds arrogant, I know, but it isn’t meant to be. That statement was nothing more than an observation based on the events that have transpired in the last 48 hours. On Saturday, 30APR2011, I ran 50 miles.

What started out as an effort to silence a critic evolved into something of a personal substance somewhere along the way. Thus, in January of this year, four months ago almost to the day I began my training program specifically designed for a 50mile race. The amount of time I have spent on the road combines to equal more than I spent doing anything else in comparison to extra-curricular activities. I worked, I slept, I ran, I ate….those were the activities that took up the majority of my time.

My goal race was set: Labor of Love through Calico Racing.  I have competed in this race before so I knew the course and I support the race director. Everything was planned to the hour and even taking into account the unexpected things looked good. But the unexpected happened and two strained hip flexors eliminated my chance at finishing. It was a blow to my ego and its effects had a lasting impact, as I was about to find out.

My options? Continue training and wait for the next close opportunity, which didn’t look very promising. All the road races were either too far away to drive or too far in the future for me to continue training. Or…make the choice between two trail runs: Leona Divide in CA or Aravaipa in AZ. Either way I knew it was going to be a significant change from road to trail, but after discussing both, Leona presented the most hazard course of action simply due to the out-and-back course. If I injure myself out there, help will be a long time coming. So, Arizona would be the race.

Funny the assumptions we make. Without actually making a physical appearance on the course itself, my review of the area included its location, the weather, the terrain, and factors that went into making the decision to move into the arena of camping as opposed to hotels. The terrain didn’t look that bad. I knew it would be a trail run, so what more could one expect? The weather called for a nice day with a high near 70deg. Hotels? In Ash Fork? Possibly, but as I approach my time of no more paychecks coming in, Debbie and I decided to cut costs and do something we both enjoy. So it is we are moving into the realm of camping for my out of town races. With a new tent and a decent plan laid out for food and equipment, we left Friday with a pick-up load of stuff.

Turning south off I-40 near Ash Fork, AZ we bounced around for a couple miles until we found Juniperwood Ranch. Like something taken out of the old west, the structure were no bigger than what could hold 10 people at a time, if that. The complex had a drive leading to the cluster of buildings from the main road to a circular parking area surrounding a sunken cemented-in fire pit. Aligning the drive were flag from each of the fifty states. And they were horizontal thanks to the wind.


The race tent had been set up and on the course were the 6 48-hour runners well into their 6th hour of the race. We located the owner who directed us to the south end of the complex, and upon moving around the fence line we found a couple vehicles parked in the back marking our spot. We found a nice little space between three Juniper Trees, backed right up to the course, and set up camp. Not to put too much of a touch on things, I think we did a very fine job indeed, this being our first time camping together and it having been many years since either one of us enjoyed this nature quest. It looked like things were going to work out quite well. Oh…the assumptions we make.

Once we set up camp we made our way to the timing area at the start/finish where we met our race director, Nick. He had a huge array of food set-up for the runners, enough to feed a Rock and Roll marathon. Quite impressive. I found out later he and his staff were in the business of cooking too, as I savored a grilled ham and cheese at mile 50.01. We also took a walk around the campus with the owner, Frank, who showed us some homemade wine that he brewed from Prickly Pear Cactus and a variety of other flavors. Also on display that we didn’t have a chance to enjoy were the two outdoor bathtubs facing north into the sunset. We missed that photo opportunity, much to our dismay, simply out of weather conditions.
Back at camp and somewhere around 5p.m. we lit up the camp stove and within an hour were enjoying a dinner of chicken and raviolis with pesto sauce. A fire was started in our portable fire pit using a fir log and a few dried branched of nearby Juniperwood. Occasionally runners would trot by and receive a cheer or two. Eventually we broke out the marshmallows and I made my last communications check with my coach. We reviewed my race plan, pace plan, fueling plan. He bid me a good night and I settle in next to the fire with roasted marshmallows and coffee, both of which we were more than happy to share with the runners still out on the course. All in all, the evening became an adventure Debbie and I love to share together, a night of making memories while meeting some really great people. So ended the day of excitement and anticipation. We were not expecting anything like what happened in the next 24 hours.

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