Black Canyons 100k: Rising Out of Darkness

I'm not having fun.  Why should I go on? Where are all these rocks coming from? Damn it these shrubs don't move.  I miss my trails.  I should just drop. Three letter facebook status update: DNF.

Just keep moving.  I wish I could see my crew. I wonder how Megan is holding up.  What was I thinking a 100k in the desert. Who put that Cactus there?

Volunteer: "You're halfway done it's all downhill from here." 

Me: Down down down like a burning ring of fire. Crap this race gets harder in the 2nd half.  I'm not cut out for this.  5k's are more fun.  I can't wait to run a road marathon.  I don't want to go on... 

Well just get to Black Canyon City to see your crew.

What a way to conclude the 2015 racing season!  I had intended to take the conventional end of season break after completing the North Face Challenge 50 Miler in the Marin Headlands.  However, if you know me you know I don't tend to follow what the flock is doing. 

A couple of weeks before TNF50 my friend, co-worker, and pacer for TNF50 was like "Hey Isaac.  You want to a Western States Qualifier with me in February?" The logic made sense.  I had a solid build up into TNF50. All I had to was recover and then pick up the McMillan Race Plan from RunClub that matched the course profile.  McMillan Coach Ian Torrence posted a great read in my training log that helped me put together race day.  McMillan Coach Jacob Puzey (blog link) lent me some great insights and shared Micheal Carson's blog post: Tips for Finishing the Black Canyons Ultras.

Back to the task at hand....If I listened to my body, focused on quantity over quality, then I'd be ready to toe the line.  I even finished TNF50 with the thought I could go for another 12 miles or two hours.  The icing on the training cake was going to be a mixture of Orange Theory Fitness, core session with Alison Corcoran of Glodilock's Training on Thursday at A Runner's Mind, and a little zumba near the end of the training block.

About every eight to ten days I would jump online and consume as much info about the race as I could.  All the downhill worried me.  I mean my quads were sore for 4 days after Ann Trason's Overlook 50k back in October and there was a ton of downhill starting at mile 5 dipping into the canyon just as the day was going to get hotter. The one element I did not work in was allowing my mind to recover and it reared its ugly face shortly after the leaving the Gloriana Mine A.S. at mile 24.

The Course: Vegetation, Asteroid fields, Gulches, River Washes, and Detours

The Black Canyons 100k was the most challenging race I've ever had the pleasure to toe the line.   

The technicality of the Black Canyon Trail is not to be underestimated for it's a different type of technical.

Every type of vegetation is armed and dangerous! Some of the quills on these desert plants feel like they release a minor toxin upon breaking the skin.  You might think they are easy enough to avoid but some these bad boys are the curve of a downhill switch back or you graze them as you dance over the asteroid fields.

I almost named this report kicking rocks because some of the longer segments between aid stations only gave you about 5-10m of runnable terrain before you entering another asteroid field.

If the ready for war vegetation and asteroid fields didn't serve up enough spice for you then maybe the Gulches, River Washes, and semi-out-of-sight marking on the detour are more your forte! These just sucked. The rocks turned to boulders, the dirt to sand, and you had to climb back out of these.

My advice to you should you be seeking to run the Black Canyons 100k is this... unless you have the talent and base to get after a golden ticket, have finished Squamish 50/50, HURT 100, or have completed the course before and addressed your weaknesses, then throw time goals out of the window.  Your goal is to finish.

Note: If you train and race in Vancouver, love the roots of the HURT 100 then you will move faster over the asteroid fields.  Additionally, if you consider yourself a bosu ball champion or have a nickname of twinkle toes then you should add this race to your list.

Miles 1- 4.5: 

The start of the race is sweet from the High School track in Mayer, AZ you are released onto the asphalt stretch that takes you onto the trail with long slithering stretches of almost buttery terrain. You get introduced to the tiny versions of the asteroid field of rocks you will encounter in frequent stretches as you day moves forward.

Starting in the wee moments before the sun rises is picturesque but once the sun rose it came with an intensity I was not expecting an hour into the race.

The cactus will draw your attention and the nopales look sweet and innocent. The rest of the desert plant life you will encounter along the course literally fights back, snaps back at you or straight pokes you through your clothing.

After reading Charles Klinger's Race Report from 2015. I gleamed the importance of drinking at least 16-20 oz before the first aid station.  I took one step further and even sipped from my bladder as I emptied my bio bladder.

Miles 5-24: Descending into the Canyon

In this section I needed to hold back as the canyon feels like it drawing you in like a magnet.  It is all too easy to let it fly and smash up your quads as the mercury intensifies.  The first two aid stations were pretty sweet.  I saw my crew at the second and third aid station which was awesome as I kept finding myself in stretches of no man's land and being hyper vigilant about my footing.  The moment you drew your focus away from the line you were navigating was inviting an ankle roll or a rock would push your foot inward.  Needless to say my brain was working overtime!

Miles 24-37.9: Demons tearing up the mind

One the last things I remember leaving the Gloriana Mine AS was a runner dropping out of the race. He entered the race with a torn knee ligament that needed surgery and the technicality of the descents kept attacking his knee's integrity.  The sun was getting hotter and hotter and I was starting to hate the experience.  

My stomach started to turn on me and the thought of drinking fluids was starting to make my nauseous and my pace slowed way down.  The voice telling me to drop from the race kept getting louder and louder.  Reason was not working.  I questioned what the hell I was doing in AZ (AZ and I have an intense history) again.  I started to beat myself up internally.  I started to rehearse telling Deb and Rach that I was going to drop.  I questioned what I was thinking signing up for ultras.  What am I trying to prove?  

Despite all the heat management I had a headache over my right eye since the second hour of the race.  Things got so bad runners kept asking me if I was ok. "How you doing?" On occasion my misery brought company.  One gentlemen shared with me the exact location where he mentally quit, sat on the sand, and started checking his voice mails missing the cutoff at Black Canyon City.  He regretted it everyday for year until he came back and finished the course in 2015. "You don't want that feeling."  My negative mindset turned that into I don't want to come back here again and I needed to find the magic mantra. I started to go over a check list to justify dropping:

• Are you hurt? No
• Are legs done? No
• Have you thrown up? No 
• Is anything broken? No
• Is your pee black or bloody? No

I had no justification to drop. My ego was getting in the way.  Ego is no reason for me to drop. Meb wouldn't drop.  I couldn't let my crew down. I had to at least make it to Black Canyon City.  Then I found it! My pacing chart had me planning to run for 12-13 hours or into 7pm to 8pm.  I came to run for at least 12 hours therefore I could not drop before 12 hours.  Then I needed to get to 13 hours. I searched for every bit of motivation to step forward.  The last uphills before the Aid Station were a godsend because I knew what to do here....grind!  

The Amazing Crew: Christian, Rachel, Deb, Megan, and Moi.
Not pictured: Puppy Dog!

Finally, I descended into the Aid Station and I saw Megan there.  Her race was done.  I understood and it made me angry at the course. This run just turned into heavyweight fight and I was sick and tired of taking all her blows.  The clouds covered the sun and it became my time.  I changed socks, shoes, singlet, switched electrolytes, switched salt tabs,  repacked my bandana, drank some ginger ale and some coke. The only option was to finish this off and bringing this buckle back home to A Runner's Mind!!!

Miles 37.9-62.4: Fighting Back

I walked out of the aid station thanking the volunteers and wishing a great night.  I started having flashbacks of the last 10 miles at North Face. One by one I caught runners that had passed me, held a little conversation, passed them, and surged ahead cross country style. There two good climbs and descents that allowed me to plow, plow, plow. My brain was back the sun was setting. I thanked the heavens for the overcast clouds.  Thanked the earth for the hills and marshaled forward into Cottonwood Gulch (mile 46.6).

The terrain to Table Mesa (mile 51.2 and my crew) got technical real quick.  I started run-hiking the more technical parts and surged on the longer more runnable stretches.  Nightfall increased the technicality of the asteroid fields.  I was entering the longest climb as approached Table Mesa were I changed my socks one last time, drop my hydration pack, picked up my handheld, and UD Groove waist belt with a 15oz body bottle.  I had some more coke, cracked a few jokes, drank a little ramen broth, thanked my crew and volunteers.  The night had set, the coyotes were howling. I mentally transported myself to the NYE night time Marin Headlands 20 mile fun run and it was time to deliver the knock out blow!  

Getting to Doe Spring (mile 58.7) sucked.  Rocks everywhere.  I could feel 4-5 rocks kicking up as I toed off.  I started cursing them underneath my breath, shoving some of them off to the side especially if they were in a dangerous spot.  I made a quick in and out of Doe Spring.  Did some quick math and figured that if I hustled I could still break 16 hours.  A mile and a half out I could see the silhouette of the finish tents.  Passing, surging, and the final .6 miles were very runnable and I hammered dropping a final sprint at 5:48 min/mi. pace, and slammed down my Nathan Handheld as I crossed the finish in 15 hours, 56 minutes, and 10 seconds.

Reflection: The Sun Sets in California 

I could not have finished this race with our amazing crew also known as the Rieger Family.  

Deb: thank you for being steadfast with problem solving, asking questions, driving, rolling up the ice in the bandana, and being a beacon of mindfulness.  

Rachel: Thank you for mixing my electrolytes, filling up my bottles, your laughter, and your hustle.  

Christian:  Thank you for the food, camaraderie, and bringing joy to us all.  

Megan: Thank you for inspiring me to sign up for BC100K, jumping and translating my sound effects into english, and prepping my bottles in between aid stations.  

Jack: Thank you for the ritual you provided for us upon our return and sending us off caffeinated.  

This was the first time I entered into the darkness.  It forced me to dig deep into the netherworlds of my brain.  What more can one expect from a race directed by Jamil Coury who took on the slam of damed in 2015 then a tough race that will morph your soul.

I am almost fearful of the person resides in that world.  In 2010 I left Arizona and started my departure from politics that sent me on this path to redefine Isaac Medrano.  By the time the sun rose on Feb 14th I was thankful for the challenge for there is a certain level of toughness required of surviving in the desert.  

I now have a greater sense of my weaknesses and confirms the level of strength training I need to add to my training, and that I need to practice hiking technical terrain.

Thank you for taking the time to read Black Canyons 100k: Rising Out Of Darkness.

PR weekly mileage: 77.2

First 100k Finish.  

100k PR: 15:56:10. 

First Buckle 

The FUN of the FIDDY

PC: Bernson Photography

"Because in the end.you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing you lawn.
Climb that goddamn mountain." -Jack Kerouac

Thanks to a little Mozart in the Jungle here comes a rather late tale of a first time fifty mile finish inspired to become a repeat offender. First, let's take a flashback to where this whole journey began...the yoga mat.  I laid there in savasana parting the sea of ideas, thoughts seeking to distract peace.  Faces, sounds, passion, and then clarity.  Change is the reward.  Adventure is the path.  Passion is the music that plays cresting the summit.  All this carried me to the finish line on Boylston St. and into a deeper meditation on life and running. Most of this race reflection is going to be on the movement that led to the event and I'll highlight a few of the cornerstone moments that really brought the experience together.


While volunteering at Bull Run Aid Station for the Quicksilver 100k with the Stevens Creek Striders I was asked your typical question: "What's next for you?"  A few moments late the universe spoke to me.  I ask Peggy if I should do the 50 Miler. She replied: "Go ahead and Do It! You want to.  I see it in your eyes."

"Never limit where running can take you." Is the inscription that Bart Yasso signed my copy of his book and a mantra I hold dear.  The whole build up to December 5th was filled with love and signs affirming the decision. All truth be told my entire community was behind me including the my running store, A Runner's Mind, whom allowed me to tweak my schedule so I can spend 4, 5, or even 6 hours training in the Headlands and geek out on the course like Karl Hoagland advised me during a few miles we shared at Overlook 50k.

PC: Lady Cyclist; Carnales en Training

I debated whether or not to have a pacer.  My approach to this event was an experiment. I've never ran that far before in one bout.  My goal was to be in and around 10 hours. Outside of working Get Out the Vote efforts when I was in politics. I've never had to put in that amount of time to complete a race.  Low and behold here comes the universe again.  One of our new hires at a Runner's Mind in July was an ultrarunner and a speedy one (confirmed via ultrasignup.com) at that.  Her name is Megan. She asked me if I needed a pacer.  She gave me the weekend to think about it.  I replied and she responded: "you're in luck the 50k sold out.  So I'll pace you at North Face!" Megan's husband David would join us and serve as my crew. Thank you David for crewing for me on your BIRTHDAY! I'll elaborate on pacing in a few.

Bare with me if you're not into astrology but I am and I am proud to be a July 30th Leo. Megan as it turns out also happens to be a Leo; August 18th to be exact.  I had to take a step back because August 18th is the birth date of my late grandmother Elena Lopez (hint: this is another sign).  My grandmother was taken from us by breast cancer.  In reflecting back upon her history, Grandma was a fighter.  She spear headed my families move to the United States around the time of revolution. A revolution that split families and pinned kin against each other on the battle field.

Megan and I coordinated training around our work schedules and we had some good outings with delicious meals afterwards.  These runs helped shape how I would approach the last 23 miles of the race.  After our first run I knew that a) Megan has positive energy, b) she races to win, and c) she can crush the downhills. During our meals she peppered me with questions like:

"Do you want to run along side, in front, or behind you?

"How do you like to be motivated?"

"What do you go for at aid stations?"

Well those are the ones I remember.  Most of my responses were unclear except for the motivation one which was simple tell it like it is.  The most important part of these runs is that she got to experience me having a good day, low mental moments, a fatigued day, and a day we had to improvise our way back to the cars.  This was crucial on race day when you must be ready to face the good, the bad, or the ugly.

The night before the race I prepped Megan and David with the plan, anticipated time frames per aid station, what I had in my drop bags, and gave them the Oh Shit bag.  In the Oh Shit bag I prepped for two scenarios. Scenario #1: Oh Shit we have to problem solve included change of shoes, first aid kit, back up power charger, rain poncho, and additional hydration and nutritional items.  Scenario #2: Oh Shit we are having a good day had a flip belt with a Chocolate Seasalt GU in my flipbelt and a Simple Hydration bottle with electrolytes.

PC: Michele Sun. Prepping the dropbags.

From the get go I planned to start the day conservatively which was really easy to do because of all the friends I had running in the race, working the aid stations, and lining the course to cheer.  Early
on I knew my friend Sablle was also doing North Face as her first 50 miler.  We hit the trails together on a few training runs and planned to run to Stinson Beach together.  We kept each other in check with hydration, power hiking, and geeked out on the gear we observed in the mid and back of the pack.

Arriving at Stinson Beach felt awesome. I picked up Megan, shared some plesantries, planned for not seeing David til Tennessee Valley and we were on our way.  The first half of the race my aid stations stops ate up a bit of time as I had to use the portos hydration was on point but in hindsight I was running deficient in electrolytes but I remedied that later on...

Reaching Cardiac AS for part deux was another swift AS visit. There I dropped my UD AK vest, downed the rest of my bottle, refilled it, thanked the volunteers, said "Hi!" to Pen, Paulette, and Marcia.  The section that followed worried me a little because the downhill has some technical aspects and lots of places where gravity could inflict carnage on the quads.  However, I felt great so Megan headed down ahead of me clearing the path and dashed down behind her.  I definitely used up more calories than expected so I dipped into my stash of Justin's Almond butter and later on my wheat bread with almond butter.  Megan made sure to note that since we started running at Stinson that no runners had passed me and I was passing hella people.  While I did not keep a tally at the end of the day only two runners passed me in the last twenty three miles.

Highs and Lows go hand in hand in running especially ultras.  One great high was seeing my friend Emily Gordon and her boyfriend Ryan at Old Inn AS.  Totally unexpected and exceptionally awesome!  Thanks for coming out Emily! The aforementioned low happened climbing out of Muir Woods.  This climb sucked!  It was also the only part of the course I did not train on.  After getting through that is when my hip flexor started to flare up especially on the descents.  It was suck it up butter cup time.

In my mind I kept counting down the miles to 40.  Once I got to 40 it was on regardless of my condition. Why? I had spent so much time running those last 10 miles and visualizing them every moment possible.  Rolling into Muir Beach was spectacular that stretch leading into the aid station allowed my stride to open up and get into a nice rhythm and the hip flexor issue went away for the time being.  The gremlin in the hip flexor resurfaced on the descents heading towards Tennessee Valley (Mile 44ish).

PC: Chad Su; Entering Tennessee Valley AS

The fresh scent of the eucalyptus is what I looked forward towards.  I grew up drinking eucalyptus tea that my grandma would make. It always takes me back to those beautiful early years of childhood and today it would sound the horn of a triumphant finish. First, I dumped my flipbelt, simple hydration bottle, and grab my Nathan handheld while downing coke with  3 salt tabs, eating two chips, some water, and thanking the volunteers.  Robert & Shannon, so great to see you both. Dan thanks for coming out and volunteering! And just like that we were off.

Oh to spend more time on these heavenly trails. To feel the rhythm of the leaves rustling in the wind. To become one with each subtle bend. To know the way each pebble sways when bustled by its maker.  Exquisite it is.

Exquisite is how I'd describe the last 10km of The North Face Challenge.  How could it not be!  The best hill of the course awaited us the magnificent Marincello where I shift into 2nd gear and grind. How did 50 miles go by so quickly? My mind began to drift and the eyes would swell with emotion. Thankfully, a new crazy venture is already planned.

This crazy idea was in the final chapter I had to take in some deep breaths and turn sightly away from Megan.  I mean I couldn't let her see passion in liquid form there was work to be done.  We approached the last aid station.  Megan asked me several questions. Each one was answered with No. Then she asked: "Ya wanna just run right through it?" Ohh ho ho....Did I ever say YES to that one!!!
We applauded and thanked the volunteers to which they responded with cheering and clapping. The Energy was so great that my hip flexor ceased to hurt.

Being a nerd when it comes to running has its advantages.  Seeing friends exit the event area and recognizing ultra luminaries with festive smiles.  Then choir of boisterous men were going nuts for the runner behind me that about to pass me up in the last 200m.  Soon as he passed I turned to Megan and like a pacer gave me her last instructions. "Go get him!!!" I caught up to him. Stared in his eyes and dropped the hammer. 10 hours. 28 minutes. 33 seconds. FIDDY's are FUN.

PC: Lucien; Coastal 50k Training Partners

"We lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies." - Jack Kerouac

Black Canyons 100k anyone? See you in AZ!