Endure the Bear... its all about the people you meet...

Big Bear California is a special place nestled at 7000 feet and surrounded by San Bernardino National Forest, it was first occupied by the Serrano Indians around 3,000 years ago! Then in 1845 Benjamin D Wilson discovered and named it Bear Valley while in pursuit of Indians!! But in 1860 when William Holcomb was hunting bears he discovered GOLD! and that turned into Southern California's largest gold rush!!
Roll forward to September 7th 2013 and a female race director by the name of Karen Lundgren is staging a grass roots trail run to all levels of capabilities. A 5km, 10km, 15km, 30km and a 50km. This is now the 4th year and Karen changed the route to become more scenic and to include more single track mountain bike trails with names such as Coyote, Skyline and Knickerbocker it was a success....

My husband Al, Karen and I after the 30km journey.

Big Bear is home to some fantastic out door enthusiasts and Karen is certainly a World Class adventure racer as well as being one of the few women ever to climb all 7 summits (yes that includes Mount Everest) yet is warm and approachable and does a lot for the community of Big Bear as well as being a ski instructor and organizing many Big Bear events for children too!

The Race
At 8 am the 30km run began with a nice uphill which certainly seemed for ever but in actual fact may have been only 5km! it took the wind out of your sails not because of the steepness more so the altitude... 

There was plenty of aid stations 6 in total, and there was no way you could get lost as orange ribbon marked the course for the 30km and pink ribbon for the 50km etc..

 The course was breathtaking, once at the top of the climb it immediately gave out to incredibly well kept single track which was curvy and looped back and forth it was actually fun as I really had to concentrate on my footing  as I was snaking around another female runner had caught up with me (which is not hard to do when the slope goes downhill!) We began talking and I was amazed that I was running with a mother of 7 children! It almost stopped me in my tracks I said you have to be kidding! any twins or triplets in that grouping ....nope was the answer youngest is 8 months and oldest is 19 years old. Whoa that is ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

Kim mother of 7 children!

 
We were at around 7 km and the whole run was to be a friendly exchange of uphills and down hills between Kim and I. Made the run feel a little more fun and I was in awe at this Mother with all these children one of which is a pro mountain biker!!

breathe taking views

The new course was a little longer but really nice and I wore my fuel belt for the 18 miles. I had Montana Huckleberry Hammer gel in one flask and a mixture of Endurolytes, Endurance Aminos and Anti Fatigue caps in a small pocket and a Vegan protein bar just in case....Plenty water on the course I was a Run Happy runner with my blue Brooks Cascadias!

The single track downhills were nightmares but that is just me..... then the fun began I felt a huge drop of water land on my shoulder I thought no it cannot be rain... another drop and I realize that maybe rain might be on its way, which would be a good thing in one way as it would pack the ground and easier to run on but I hope it would not be cold....

The sky turned black and the rain began to pour and with the rain came loud thunder cracks and hail stones! Oh my 10km to go and it was raining....good time to learn to dance in the rain! I slipped and fell going uphill bruised my hip but nothing new I always fall at least once on a trail! The rain cleaned all the trail dirt and sweat from my clothes and skin! it was like running in the shower! The last climb out of the trees I thought would never end as the thunder was really deafening and I worried about the lightening...with 8km to go on fire roads which are my favorite I took off rolling hills and the last 3km downhill. There was rivers of water pouring across the trail I had to put my Rudy Project glasses on my Visor as I could not see anything I was absolutely soaked! All I wanted to do was get warm!

The last km is asphalt to the village and finish line, I see umbrellas and people standing under 10x10s! I am finished it is crazy 101 F where I live and high 40s with rain at Big Bear!

Kurt Madden Ultraman Champion 1983

At the finish line I saw Kurt Madden I could not resist a picture as this is another Big Bear resident and an unbelievable athlete in 1983 at 28 years old he won the first Ultraman Hawaii World Championships and this year 30 years later is going back to race again!!!He also gives a lot to the community of Big Bear for the children too.

The rain is torrential I run to the truck were Al, Montana, Hammer & Cookie are nice and dry and watching the Goonies!!We all hug and congrats and we all go back to the staging area for the awards.....

With Kim in the rain at the finish line!

 The 2013 Endure the Bear was a wrap at least for the 30km I kinda felt sorry for the 50km peeps the course was water logged and I would not have wanted to run an extra 20km!  But when Mother Nature intervenes there is nothing much you can do about it! I wish I had had mittens and beanie! At the finish my Ocean Potion lips were a shade of blue and funny so were Kims too!! Karen was great and let all the runners have dry Keen t shirts to wear!

Kim and I were very Happy we were 2nd and 3rd over all and then I was first overall in 40-49 and Kim was second in 40-49! A blessing to be on the podium!

Sheri Mursick was on hand to give out awards and help with the event. I also saw Susan Maya too!
 Both amazing Big Bear athletes!

Kim and I on the Podium.

Podium time 40-49 was pretty cool to stand up on the podium you really have to count your blessing when that happens and savor the moment as not often moments like that happen! 

It took me 90 minutes before I could feel my finger tips! and stop shivering! made me realize how quickly things can change in the Mountains...

New race bling, new friends and as always a well run event.




Big Thank you to Karen, and to Hammer Nutrition, Brooks Running, Polar USA, Rudy Project USA, Ocean Potion suncare, Kool n Fit, Fuel belt for their support. And most of all to Al and his daughter Montana for taking me to Big Bear and sharing my race experience with my two dogs too! That is a priceless moment...

Here is my racing data from my Polar RCX3 I really love the map print out! 
https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=b9a252080a39f2f9409880c01132a7e1

New race bling

 

After the race Hammer made sure I relaxed!

Harding Hustle 50km beat the heat!

Its going to be a HOT ONE! that is what I remember thinking when I saw the weather forecast for Modjeska Canyon. But that did not phase me too much as heat and humidity are something I am familiar with it would be about making good race choices on race day.

Race briefing

The race began at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, and some of the proceeds of the race would go towards this amazing facility check it out at

 http://tuckerwildlife.org/default.asp

It was already pretty toasty at 6.20am and there was quite a climb waiting for me to tackle! I had sprayed my feet and insoles with Kool n Fit, had a light breakfast and I had opted for a hydration pac so I could keep hydrated even though there was well stacked aid stations every 4 miles I just did not want to chance getting a heat related ma-lardy resulting in an expensive air evacuation!

With Thomas as mile 5 just after leaving the Laurel Aid station

I really enjoyed running with Michele.

To reach the 2nd aid station at Maple Springs I followed quite a nice fire road, a few little rocks but nothing too technical at all and the grade really was not that steep BUT the heat was a factor, I checked my Polar Monitor as I wanted to keep my heart rate at a steady zone 3 to 4, as always the beginning of a race the adrenaline races but after a few miles the body gets into a Rhythm. I stuck to my plan and had 3 endurolytes every hour with race Cap supreme, Anti Fatigue cap, Endurance Amino 2 of those and every 30 minutes an expresso Hammer gel. 

Maple Springs 9.40 miles 4500 feet

Heading up to Aid station 3 only 1.60 miles away but all up hill.

Maple Springs I would see this aid station twice and there was plenty of ice to refill my pac too.















It is amazing that 1.60 miles can be so beautiful and then to see a mirage called aid station 3 was priceless.

The views were amazing!

Aid station 3 was pretty important as I would use that station 4 times!!

At this aid station there is a wee climb to Modjeska Peak my heart dropped I had done this climb once before and I knew this would be a dig deep and keep smiling effort! The good news was it was only 2 miles round trip the bad news is I would have to do this twice!!!

I put my best game face on a BIG smile I had a nice cold cup of defizzed Ginger Ale to help keep my stomach in check and set off up the single track rocky trail. Going up I was fine, I enjoyed the views and shouted out words of encouragement to the runners already on their way down, a few dirt bikes passed and kicked up the loose dirt and the smell of gasoline hit my nostrils but at least if I wanted to bail I could hitch a lift back!!! I smiled all the way to the peak at 5,384ft! 

Modjeska Peak 5,384ft with Lake Matthews in Corona in the back ground.

 On the turnaround I felt anxious as did I mention I have two left feet when descending downhill on a trail which I had no clue were to put my feet. There was a photographer on the corner less than 20 feet from the summit as I went past him in very slow motion I said high and something like I know I am slow, and 10 feet later I ended up on the rocky declivity doing a face plant worthy of a TV role only my face missed the rocks and I just grazed my knee but it really took the wind out of my sails! A little trail rash never hurt any one no bones broken my spirit a little shaken I descended that mile slower than I had climbed it!

A very modest amount of graze !

After descending and getting to the aid station and checking in I was informed I had 3 miles of climbing to Santiago Peak which is the highest point in Orange County and then 3 miles back at which point I would re climb Modjeska peak! I thought are you KIDDING ME!!!

Santiago Peak Aid station 5,689 feet 

That 3 mile climb was HOT HOT HOT and dusty too I saw only two mountain bikers pass me and as it was out n back was able to keep my spirits high by clapping and smiling at the other runners already on their descent. I was so happy to see the Aid station with my friends Daniel and Barbara manning the station.
 My pac was refilled and ice added, I took my Hammer Nutrition endurolytes and ate half a hammer bar washed it down with water. I felt a little headachy and I decided to walk a little and really hydrate I avoided the salt tablets and greasy potato chips I knew my body needed fluid and I needed to slow my pace and recover as at Altitude there is less air pressure to drive valuable O2 in to my lungs and my heart has to work harder to deliver the O2 to my working muscles!

All smiles as I near the base of the one mile out n back again!

I get to the dreaded one mile climb again, there is no use in complaining every one has to climb it twice, so I jogged and power walked back up to the peak and came back cautiously but did not fall a second time. Then I was all smiles it was all downhill from here!

I headed towards Maple Springs my smile a mile wide the worst was over and did I mention it was HOT! 

Just 9.40 miles left!!

With just 9 miles and some change left to run I can almost jump for joy it is all down hill from this point well except about 1.5 miles of two little climbs combined. I felt good and played catch up as I liked the company to run with other runners so that really motivated me to run faster!

My friend Ray was helping at the final aid station

3 miles and modeling the latest in Buff fashion!

The final 4 miles was like running in a furnace, but I kept it together with my electrolytes, and not over taxing my energy, I knew I was near the finish and kept visualizing 4 laps around the track for 1500! At around two miles to go the course went up hill again just about half a mile but it felt good to use different muscles and it was just hot!  Soon I was running all the way down a descent towards a road I was so happy I was going to finish this wee run and was almost skipping the final few meters!

Jessica Race Director of Dirty Feet Productions.

A Yorkshire lass, and Irish Lad and a Scottish Gal! We just needed some one from Wales to complete the quartet.

My friends Juan and Tina who did a great race too.

Paul and I help with a bit of sponsor time!

RECOVERITE!

The Finish shot!

Nuff Said.

 Below is a link to the map and my out put for the 32 mile trail run. The temperatures on the trail were 107 degrees!!

 https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=7a839177e028688aad1d95f94e0d660f

Below is some interesting info when the weather gets HOT!

KEEP HYDRATED fail to keep up dated on getting fluid into your body and your blood volume with decrease and if your body runs low on fluids it will not be able to create a cooling affect ..dehydration will follow and that is never good. and your heart rate will begin to get rapid..

I took my hammer gels every half hour and plenty of water to dilute the gels as the gels are complex Carbohydrates the body burns more Carbs when under intensity and you need fat and protein for energy production but if I did not keep putting in my gels I would start to BONK ( feel out of energy)
 I can tell if this is happening as I think I am going harder on the trail and my heart rate is getting slower!!! SO I made sure I kept well hydrated and on top of my nutrition. Below is an excellent article from Hammer Nutrition it also has a link to electrolyte replacement I highly recommend to read.
http://www.hammernutrition.com/blog/hydration-what-you-need-to-know/
 Heat and Humidity can cause your heart rate to elevate as it tries to cool down the body as with intense exercise the body forms a lot of energy on the form of heat so the body must sweat to dissipate the heat! When the body gets hot the heart rate will rise up to 10 beats faster!

There were a few runners on Saturday that I saw with swollen fingers and dizziness at the finish line, some were walking and spaced...if its hot begin hydrating early and slow your roll! Listen to your Body and fuel it right, In hot weather it is bet to keep to a liquid diet to help the body fuel the muscles required to do the work and cool you down instead of digesting solid food! Slowing the pace and enjoying the race and scenery.

BIG thank you to Polar USA for sponsoring the trail running series and for sponsoring the Harding Hustle, Ocean Potion for all the suncare they gave to the racers, HAMMER NUTRITION for keeping my body healthy and fueling it correctly , Rudy Project USA for my Pink Fluros, Brooks Running for great Trail Cascadia shoes, Kool n Fit for their conditioning spray,  Juan and Tina for the lift to and from the race venue and all the awesome Volunteers of the Harding Hustle who suffered in that intense heat making sure we the runners were well looked after.

I had a blast and loved making new friends on the course!!

Billy Goat...It ain't but one hill....

Well on 5 hours sleep, 3 scuba dives and Catalina Island adventures beneath the water, I found myself on route to Billy Goat trail run organized by the Biggest and baddest goat there is Steve Harvey and his wife Annie.

My husband Al took me to the race venue Indians Trucker Trail.

I was super excited to run this event as I had not ran since the Triathlon 2 weeks ago due to an injured foot. I had rested gone insane from not running or cycling, on Thursday I had been given the blessing to run by my sport doc, I jogged an easy 3 miles...mmmm

Race swag extraordinaire

,

I turned up with Al my foot was not hurting I was super excited to be at the Indian Trucker Trail...I knew there was a long 6.5 climb I was more afraid about the 6.5 mile downhill and busting all the good I had done for my foot in one nano second.

Hammer told me to be careful sprayed my feet with Kool n Fit

The race began at 8am ish...the sun was already out Steve shared some words of wisdom and we were off....un beknown to me and much to the amusement of spectators and other runners my little dog Hammer barked up a super storm as he did not get to run too!!

finding my groove (photo thanks Chase)

Steve Harvey that Old Goat was not joking it was up hill and the sun was nice and toasty. I tried to keep an even pace all the way to the 3 mile aid station, grabbed a cup of Heed and continued to the 6.5 mile turnaround station. I opted to run with my fuel belt so I had my nutrition all dialed in at a moments notice.
 Breathe taking scenery and I was careful with my foot. At the turnaround I took an Apple cinnamon Hammer gel washed it down with 4 Endurolytes and then it was all down hill.

Sunbeams

Great Vista

Hammer giving me doggy energy

That descent was brutal I tried just to jog and keep it together there was no negative split on this event I was slower going down the hill but at least I kept my foot centered and tried not to land hard on my heel.

I cannot lie I was so grateful to see the finish line, I had 5 runners over take me on the down hill and had there been another mile descent that list would have been doubled or even tripled!!

Jean and Naomi

Shannon & Naomi

Amazing Steve Fry!

Hammer with Chase

Always nice to see Michelle.

Hammer resting he was bitten on his paws by red ants!

The finish line was rewarding and I can add another Goat Medal to my collection. I finished a respectable 4th Female overall, and my foot is okay at mile 9 I hit the trail wrong did a few hops and skips and remembered to land lightly! 2 hours 21 mins and a few seconds I will take that below is my data and map from the run as saved by my Polar RCX5.

https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=a849b90e5efdfd74cfe9ebcf4e4feea0


For more information about the Old Goat Races here is the link.

http://www.oldgoatrunners.com/


 A huge thank you to Hammer Nutrition, Brooks Running, Rudy Project, Polar Heart rate monitors, Ocean Potion, Kool n Fit, Fuel belt and my Husband for taking me out there!

Cascadias got the job done!

The Bling.