Helen Klein 50K Classic- Race Report

I remember the 'ding' of my text message a little after 10pm. Mom sent a picture of Tommy & Linds arriving in Sacramento. I thought (er, hoped) I would be asleep by 9 the night before the race. It wasn't meant to be. Once I did get to sleep, I slept soundly until the alarm sounded at 4:30. I had prepared as much of my outfit and necessities the night before and the morning followed along fairly smooth. I did however try something new, (which by the way they say NEVER to do, but hey...I threw caution to the wind) , I drank ~8 ounces of black coffee. To my utter excitement....it was a good choice. I left home confident that my one fear would not be a problem on this day. Chris backed out of the driveway and took a different route out of the neighborhood. I didn't question it, but was a little curious why he had gone this way. I was thoroughly surprised to see Larry, Tina and Walter at the end of the street. They had made this amazing sign and came out at 5'something in the morning to send me off with a bang. I knew then this had the making of an amazing day. The reality of what wonderful support and friends I had cheering me on starting sinking in and I was feeling so lucky.

The amazing sign from Larry & Tina

I ate my bagel on the way to the school and Chris made a pit-stop for Starbucks while I played 80's music and danced in the car. We pulled up and I spotted Ma & Pa's truck and the 4 familiar outlines of Ma, Pa, Bubba and Linds. After greeting and hugging everyone I gathered my things and headed into the gym as I had been warned, "Do NOT be late". I entered the gym to see a few familiar faces which I had seen on the trail in the past months. I found a spot on the floor near the back wall, threw down a towel and sat quietly. There was sure a lot of energy, but it was different from the mania I am used to at big races. It was an energetic calm. The race director, Norm Klein started his speech promptly at 6:20 am. He delivered information about the altered race course and we were SO happy to hear we could cross the Hazel Bridge. He also announced he and his wife would be retiring from race directing. Kinda cool for me as my first would be their last. As the discussion continued it dawned on us that I would be going straight to the start line from the gym. Chris hustled back to the car and after darting into the restroom line and seeing it was long enough to give me time to go off to the car I carefully (it was SO dark) made my way to the car to get the last of my things. I also grabbed the beloved headlamp as it would likely come in handy until the sun showed up. My one worry was heat, so I dressed light and planned for water bottle swaps with Chris along the way.

After saying goodbye to the family I headed off to the start line. I met a wonderful woman named Eldrith who is 69 years old and was running her 20th 50 mile race. At that moment I knew I was amongst a special group of runners. A few minutes later we were all off into the darkness to start our day promptly at 7am along the levee.

I was surprised at the number of people who were, in my opinion, going out fast. I really tried to keep myself in the 9-ish minute mile range in hopes to stay comfortable and stay consistent. It was really interesting to talk to other runners and the talk was mostly about Western States 100 as today was the last day to run a qualifying race for the 2011 lottery. I met several people and ended up meeting a Deputy who knew Kristi's boyfriend, Dan....small world! Actually, it was this nice man who ended up giving me advice and helping me. He kept telling me, "EAT!"

We ran near each other for much of miles 15-25 and each time we were close enough he reminded me to, "EAT!" It was his prompting that caused me to go with pretzels and potatoes earlier than I had planned. I was delayed getting my Endurolytes down as the first 5 miles past SO fast I simply forgot. I tried getting back on target and stuck with my 30 minute Endurolyte and 60 minute GU plan as long as possible.

Part of my 'crew', Mom, Tommy & Linds

After seeing Mom, Dad, Chris, Tommy, Lindsey & Bella at Beale's Point and Negro Bar I was ready to see them again at the Aquatic Center. Coming down over Hazel Bridge I remembered thinking, this downhill is cool but it's gonna suck on the way back. I got to see some salmon jumping in the river which distracted me enough to let it go.

Coming off the bridge I first saw Larry and Chris and then a hoard of faces I did not expect. My Grandpa was there, my friends from out of town and even some of my Mom's co-workers all holding signs, cheering, ringing cowbells and generally putting the pep in my step. It was a critical time to see them as I was about 11 miles in and had a long out and back ahead of me on a portion with some rolling hills. Before I knew it Dad was next to me on his bike and accompanied me through a large section that I generally don't enjoy, but his presence made it bearable.

I was feeling pretty amazing at that point knowing SO many people were there to cheer me and I would see them again soon.

The end of this section allowed me to see the people who were already on their way back at that point I saw three other females and started thinking I was doing okay. Getting back to the aquatic center I had more friends arrive and it made for a loud section and it was really exciting to get pumped up as I headed back over the Hazel Bridge after seeing them. At this point Dad could not cross so I lost him and didn't get to say thanks before he was gone.

Throughout this whole time I was still running with the nice guy who was 'coaching' my eating, actually he had left me in the dust but I ended up near him again at an aid station, we ran together again after filling up our handheld water bottles and downing some potatoes and pretzels. Somewhere along this stretch I caught up to a woman who had long been ahead of me. She was walking when I passed and within minutes I heard her footsteps behind me. I held my pace (knowing a big uphill was coming) and she passed me. I kept on my pace and let her go and caught her again as she walked up the gnarly hill out of Lake Natoma. Somewhere in that area I also tripped over a large rock and avoided a fall.

As we came into the aid station I glanced back and the woman and my eating coach were nowhere to be seen. I allowed my water bottle to be filled again, grabbed some potatoes and pretzels and off I went again. It wasn't long before I spotted Tommy on the bike and he would join me for a hard stretch of the race. Sharing those moments with him and Dad were great and I was really happy deep in my heart. The course got rough and again I knew these trails and found myself mentally ready for the challenge ahead. One last cheering section and I would not see them again until the finish. It was just before this that Dad saw me and noticed, "you aren't by any of the same people anymore" and it dawned on me that I was having a decent second half. No, not a negative split but I was passing people this late into it (~mile 25).

Tommy kept me company and we chatted, I walked a little and before I knew it the next aid station was in sight. There were sadly no potatoes and I even had to fill my own water bottle (gasp!). Luckily I had saved 6 Endurolytes, 2 for miles 23, 26 and 29. They came in beyond handy and I think this could have been the decision that allowed me to finish running and not cramping. It was hot by this time and those tabs were clutch.

Chris steps in with me, around 6 miles from the finish

At Beale's Point Lindsey and Chris sat at the the top, Tommy rode ahead to trade positions with Chris and he would join me to the end over the levee's I had grown to love....and hate. There is no shade, you are forced on cement part of the time and the sun reflecting off the water....well, its' warm up there. Reality was setting in that I was getting close. I looked down to see I had 12 minutes to traverse just over a mile and figured I better do my best to try. Chris broke off to get to the finish and I ran along the last stretch alone. I felt myself getting emotional. I mumbled to myself on many occasions, "This is not Boston Erin". I went into this run so scared of a crash, a let down like I had in Boston. Aside from the friends and family already there a dear friend from high school surprised me as well and I took Bella's leash from Chris as I came into the gym to cross in 5 hours and 2 minutes.

Shortly thereafter I learned I was first female in my age group and 2nd overall female finisher.

I was so proud and in disbelief, I still hardly believe it.

All of it.

I ran 31 miles.