By Rick Rodriguez
Assume nothing. Sacrifice Everything. Super challenging Burner of a trail run. This one felt like a 26.2 mile marathon when in fact it was only half the distance. Yet, it was right up there with Andrew Molera State Park's Big Sur Trail Half Marathon (Carmel area), and the Lake Chabot Trail Challenge (13.1) in Castro Valley, California in degree of difficulty. This one was harder, though!
The Marin Headlands Trail Run featured an extreme trail course traversing up and down valleys of the Golden Gate National Park! It starts off mildly but straight up a paved road that delivered a fine view once I arrived at the top. In the background of this photograph is our starting point, Rodeo Beach and the adjacent parking lot. So, as I climbed, the tax on my lungs was coming due, and then, once I reached the top of this point, a set of steps ensued and we climbed over these to reach the first valley. From here, I moved quickly up and down the rolling apex but found my lungs grabbing for available oxygen!
As I adjusted to my surroundings, I'd gaze over at the Pacific admiring the incredible view, but only briefly avoiding injury on the rocky surfaces. Soon thereafter, a descent into one of the valleys occurred and I found myself getting into a pretty even pace. This ended at about Mile 5 and from there until about Mile 9 there were two massive climbs that just went on forever. Sandwiched between these "mini Alps" was a brief thank god I'm still breathing moment, but they were not enough to recover from the present work at hand.
While I had some clue of what was to come, my preparation for the massive inclines was inadequate. I simply was not prepared for the degree of difficulty and the steepness of the hills despite my workouts on Mount Diablo. These inclines were longer and steeper than my training ground; nonetheless, I was captured by the work and the discovery of a new running experience for me!
As we moved onto the 3rd massive climb, I could see what lay before me and while I could see the runners ahead; I could not see the trail's difficulty. As I approached Mile 8, my camera actually felt a bit heavy, and my quads and calves were getting blasted. I thought about how my LDL's were getting crushed by my HDL's. In that moment, I reasoned that had to be a good thing despite the restricting muscle fibers. Once we descended that hill, I overheard a fellow runner mention the difficulty of the final ascent--that sparked my interest unenthusiastically!
I made it down to the final water stop, chugged some gatorade and water, and headed alone into a relatively flat area adjacent a hillside. After crossing a wooden bridge, I made my way up a weeded trail area and started up Wolf Ridge, and the most difficult part of this run; a 1 mile climb up this Jurassic type wilderness. The climb was so steep that the trail designer cut in steps to give those daring souls a boost up the mountain. I slugged at the steps until I reached the top. As the sun beat down on me; the freshness of the air and Mother Earth refreshed me. But, I struggled all the way up; in fact, I had to catch my breath several times up the ridge. This tactic worked. As I reached the top, I knew a descent would follow and as soon as I peaked the ridge, I was on a mission to get down as soon as I could.
I turned right hitting the coastal trail, traversed a rocky grade and then began the descent over loose rocky outcroppings smothered by gravel like formations. I could hear my feet pounding against the gravel, my eyes darting across the terrain seeking a striking point for each foot! I soon made it out of this portion of the trail unscathed and came, once again, to the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Now, I could see the starting area and my final destination. I winced with each step downhill, my quads reminding me of the work I had just endured and the recovery ahead. Once I negotiated the trail head, I re-entered the paved road that began our initial ascent, and I tried to gather some speed. Despite the forward momentum, and sanctuary of being seated some where near the finish line, my quads were tender; as I neared conclusion one runner was ahead of me but I didn't want to challenge him. I reasoned that if I caught him naturally, then okay, I would move ahead. In the last hundred yards, I passed him but not expressively. I knew his experience had been analogous to mine and out of a unmentioned "runners respect" passing him would do little for either of us. In the end, my thrust toward the end was natural and I finished at a good pace.
After resting briefly, I gathered myself and headed over to Sam's in Tiburon for a post race meal and a nice beverage! I had a crab salad sandwich while admiring the harbor and San Francisco views. The Stella Atois didn't hurt too much, either. The place was crowded despite a windy but balmy Saturday afternoon. Sam's is long established spot in Marin County with dock space located adjacent to patrons dining at the restaurant. It's truly a marvelous spot!
Overall, I'd rate this a good 1st experience for me in the Xterra trail series. This was the series inaugural race in the Marin Headlands. Save for the A S S Burner I mentioned above, and the brutal final ascent, it was a fun run. I'd recommend it for experienced trail runners but novice's might want to stay away. It is hard work; more climbing than running; remote in some spots, and somewhat terrain dangerous. Un-careful runners could easily come away with a severe injury! Yet despite these admonitions, the scenery is spectacular; the trails are mostly discernible, and the organization was excellent!
My experience was certainly memorable. I need more difficult training to improve my weaknesses and continue to ready myself for further challenges. In this, the Marin Headlands Trail Run, succeeded in furthering me down the path to my next challenge, and exposing those things I need to work on!
