I've been wanting to get out to Santa Barbara to run the trails out there for years. The rugged trails, beautiful views and the amazingly talented runners that come from Santa Barbara add to it's allure. When Jefferey Stern mentioned that I should give Nine Trails a shot I jumped right in without hesitation. At first it was Eric Senseman on the list of front runners, so I thought maybe I could actually do well there. With each passing day I would check Ultrasignup again there would be more and more big names added to the list, pretty soon it was the whole Coconino Cowboy squad, along with the big boys from Santa Barbara and all over the US, holy crap! The more I looked, the less confident I got. The 11,000ft of gain, the insanely technical trails and the most stacked field of 2019, added in with the recent foot issues I've been dealing with and Boston a couple weeks away, and I changed my goals from placing well to just finishing while having fun!
While I was bummed to be missing the elite racer panel at Santa Barbara Running Company the night before the race, I was super grateful for Ryan Hogan opening up his home to let me crash on his couch the night before. In doing so I forgot to bring my normal beer the night before, breakfast or coffee the morning of, a little out of routine but no biggie. Drove up to the race start in Santa Barbara where we parked a half mile away with plenty of time. We had a good warm up walk to the starting area, checked in, pinned my bib and, set off to the port-o-potty. Small talk with all the So Cal local crushers like Jerry Garcia and Ben Atkins and was good to finally meet Christopher Thomas. Finally, pre race announcements and pledge from Louis Escobar... "if I die its my own damn fault".. Count down and were off!
I thought lining up right behind the elite fellows was a great idea but I instead got caught in the corner of the masses and forced to the side of the road and into the mid-pack of runners as we make our way off the pavement and onto single track. Crap I forgot a headlamp.. I guess I will tuck in behind someone with a light and hope for the best. The first 2-3 miles of climb was all done in the dark while tripping over rocks and roots, not the start of the race I had hoped for, oh well I will make the best of it as there was a ton of race left. As we continue to ascend I start picking off people one by one, I notice Joe Devreese in front of me and make some small talk with him as we make it to the top of the first climb and descend down the steep tunnel connector trail. I do my best to keep up as I gingerly make my way down the technical terrain. All I could see is my Boston Marathon goals going out the window if I trip or twist an ankle. This was the theme of the race; Power the ups and be very careful on the downs, not how I want to race, I am usually a good downhill runner but I had to choose my battles and Boston was the battle I was most focused on.
We soon hit a 1-2 mile descent down a paved road. I put on the burners as I flew down the road making up some lost time. It was a short lived moment of speed as we hit the aid station; in retrospect I should of passed up this aid station as I was in a good flow but I stopped anyways and refueled instead. Back to single track, but this section was a lot more runable than the last and I was enjoying the flow all the way down to the creek crossing. Back uphill we go, but this was gentle up following the contour of the creek. Making great time running up this ascent as I come upon a group of strong runners including Cat Bradley, I tuck in behind them for awhile but soon passed the group as I was feeling good on the climb. Again, short lived victory as the group passed me right back up as we hit a very technical descent, I was in awe at the way Cat and friends danced down the technical descent like it was paved..
This was the same pattern I followed all the way through to the turn around point at mile 17.5, Passing people going hard on the ups, everyone passes me back on the technical descents. Was super cool watching all the elite runners coming the other direction as I got closer to the turn around, just how far ahead they were and how good they looked doing it was super inspirational and humbling! I felt really good coming into the halfway point and was great to be greeted with cheers from the amazing rabbit running crew. Fueled up and headed out for the return trip. As soon as I started heading back across the first creek crossing I hit my first real low of the race as I struggled to run a good pace and used the opportunity to walk up the next big ascent. On and on, up and down, trend continued all the way back, really good pushes up the ascents and slow technical downhills, passed a few people and a few people passed me, realized sub 7 was out the door so I was extra careful down the descents as to not injure myself. Last 3-4 miles downhill to the finish got runable and I felt really good, so I pushed it hard and had a great last few miles into the finish, probably my favorite part of the race!
Came through the finishing chute in 7:27:36 and was greeted with the biggest hug from Pat Dorsey, some high fives and a post race beer! Stuck around at the finish line for a few hours as I watched many friends and amazing runners cross the finish line before I headed out to my hotel room in Santa Barbara for the night. Desirae and the kiddos met me at the hotel room at few moments later and we headed off to the post race taco and award ceremony. Was great hanging out in Santa Barbara the next day as we enjoyed the beach and the Moxi museum before heading home.
Maybe not the results I was hoping for or the performance I know I'm capable of but, I had an amazing time in Santa Barbara and the race was awesome. Great weather, great people and amazing views. I have many other great races to look forward to this year, so its time to move on.. until then a beer to celebrate and another trail to run..
