December 9, 2023
I first ran this race in 2002 and have had some of my best results here, including my 5:47:09 PR for a 50K and a 6:05:14 at age 45 (which, accounting for age, surpasses my PR). Like a few other long lasting ultras, they present special awards for multiple finishes. In 2015, I received my 5 time finisher sweatshirt, and in 2021, I expected to receive my 10 time finisher jacket. However, due to my ultra tall status, they did not have a jacket in my size, but promised to provide me with a jacket in 2022.
In 2022, I left the afternoon of the race for a Middle East trip with my family (I knew I could not run the 50K in under 4 hours in order to make it back to LAX in time), so figured I would wait another year. I contacted the new RD to find out if they might have a jacket for me. If they did, I could be convinced to come out and do the race again (though I kinda wanted to go, regardless, just to see if I was “back” in shape). She communicated with me that she was looking into it, and a few days later, she confirmed that they had my jacket and that I could pick it up at packet pickup (if I went) or they would mail it to me.
By this time, I had already decided that I was going to run the race regardless. I booked a “nice” hotel room for the night (see the 2021 post for my problems with a cheaper hotel) and planned to drive up around noon on Friday.
Drive was not great due to Hwy 14 being reduced to one lane for about 10 miles between Lancaster and Rosamond. They always seem to be doing construction here and at the worst times (and I have no idea what they are accomplishing). The rest of the drive was uneventful. I got into town around 3:30pm, checked into my hotel room. It was nice, clean, and had a big bed. It probably cost twice as much as my room in 2021, but not having an issue was worth the price difference.
Around 5:30pm, I drove out to the pickup location. It is a different church than I went to previously, but the same set-up. A number of my friends were helping with check-in. I paid my entrance fee, got my bib, and was told if they had extra shirts, I could get one at the finish tomorrow. The church was doing a spaghetti dinner and the charge was by donation. I gave $10 and got a nice plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, bread, and a couple of cookies (they had non-chocolate). I sat at a table with a few people I knew (and a few people that knew me but I did not remember).
Most notably was Darrell, who I had run part of the race with many years ago, and also, for many years, had stayed in his place in Ridgecrest (about a 1/4 mile from the start). I had reached out to him earlier in the week to see where he was staying, as he has moved to Palm Springs. He didn’t have space available, which is why I booked my own place. It was nice seeing him and my other ultra running friends. I hoped I would also see them tomorrow.
On the way back to the hotel, I stopped in at Grocery Outlet and picked up a few snacks and some Propel. A little something to tide me over and to overhydrate in this dry climate.
I went back to my hotel room, got my gear together (what kids nowadays call “flat Emmett”), and then tried to go to sleep. I was not really successful at this, so I ended up listening to podcasts on my cell phone with the lights off.
I woke up about 5:00am, used the bathroom, took a quick shower, charged up my phone and watch, dressed, and packed everything up. I walked my room key over to the office and then got in the car and drove up to the start. Even though I have gone to the start many times, the drive seemed somewhat unfamiliar. (It’s easier when you are staying 1/4 mile away!)
There were a few people at the start and as usual, most were hanging out in the gymnasium because it was a bit cold out. Looked like there were about a dozen early starters, including Laura. I had thought I would see some other friends at the early start but maybe they were discouraged by the fact they would not be eligible for age group awards (no chance for me on that!).
It was chilly out (maybe 45 degrees) but not as cold as it has been in the past. We set out jogging through the parking lot and then turned left up the road and within 1/4 mile, we were on the trail, heading uphill (therefore, I am walking). Laura surged ahead and I maintained my pedantic pace.
I was going to try to jog the flats and run the downhills but as it was still dark out, I decided to wait until it got lighter so as not to trip and fall on my face. A few “older” guys passed me on the downhill and a few of the earlier starters remained behind me.
At the bottom of the hill, we turned onto a paved street. I seem to remember that little of this street was paved, but the pavement went on for a lot longer. Either I remember incorrectly or they paved some more of the street. It’s mostly uphill so I mostly walked. Eventually, it became trail again. A runner behind me caught up and asked if he could run with me because I had a good pace. I told him my usual which is, yes, but I won’t ever wait for you, because I do my own race.
We talked for a bit and he said that he had done 80 marathons but regretted that he had never tried an ultra. I asked how old he was and he said that he was 81 years old. (Wow!) At times, he had to jog to keep up with my walk pace, but I assured him that we were both well ahead of pace as long as we kept moving. I start early so I don’t stress.
At the first aid station, I got a little ahead of him as I really didn’t stop but to let them know my number. This will be my fastest pace all day because of the amount of downhill at the early part of the course (downhill at the end but more tired and sore) – 12:30/mile.
Robert (81 year old) caught back up to me on the straightaway by the telephone poles, where he convinced me to run a bit more, probably not realizing that I can maintain a brisk walk on flats AND uphills. By the third aid station, he had faded off my pace, but I knew he was good to go.
In the lead-up to fourth aid station (Called Highway crossing), the course is a bit rollercoaster. It is quite annoying because you can’t get into any kind of rhythm. I heard my name called out from behind me, and it was Jakob Herrmann. I had also reached out to him about carpooling or sharing a hotel room, but he decided to drive up morning of with his wife and youngest daughter. (I think he also intended to start early but showed up 10 minutes late for that start, so probably started then.) He and I stayed together for a spell, almost all of the rest of the way to the highway crossing. Nice company.
After crossing the highway, I got a little confused. I was somewhat following someone but pulled off into the little boys’ powder room. When I reemerged, I noticed that I no longer saw the person ahead of me (or she was WAY ahead of me (like a mile!)). After a bit, I noticed some runners to my left, on a different trail. Argh! I missed the turn. Probably, I should go back to the intersection, but I haven’t really shaved off any difference as long as I cut straight across to the trail. The trails here don’t have heavy plants or cactus, so it is easy enough to cut straight across. Phew.
Now a long long uphill. Several runners pass me here, running up the hill, but I do catch up a bit when they stop to walk (because I maintain). At the top, it’s the highest point on the course, and will be mostly downhill to the finish.
I see Chris “Undercover” Spenker here. He is doing the 30K, which veers in a different direction twice. He says he saw Laura some time ago. (She shouldn’t really start first because she has a real chance to place in her age group.) We don’t really run together as his pace is much slower than mine.
On the next extended uphill section, I see a pair of gents who were early starters a little bit ahead of me. I get close to them, but then fade when the downhill happens. Eventually, there’s enough uphill for me to overtake them. I feel like I recognize one of them. It turns out it’s Eric Kajiwara (who has done a lot of Bishop Ultra races) and his 40-something son. (What a good son!)
They say that they are looking forward to seeing their extended family at the very next aid station. I hear a young lady call out, “Here comes Grandpa,” so I ask her if that’s her dad coming too. Yep. Grandma is working the aid station. She has also done a bunch of Bishop 20 milers. The whole family is involved!
Some more rolling hills takes me into Gracie’s Mansion, mile 25.7. I keep looking out for Darrell. I know that he didn’t start early, but feel like he should have passed me by now. I guess I’ll see him at the finish. My feet don’t feel really great. Feel like I get sore feet between 15 and 20 miles no matter what the surface. I’m fairly certain that I have blisters but won’t take off my shoes until I get to the finish. No reason to take off my shoes since there’s zero I can do about it.
The downhill here feels bad but I know I’m on the homestretch and there should be a beer waiting for me at the next aid station (I hope).
When I finally pull into the final aid station, Santa comes out to greet me. I say, “Santa, you got something for me?” He says, “Yeah, buddy, is Modelo OK?” Of course! ”Santa” is Christopher Rios, former race director of this race and also race marker on Wild Wild West marathon and ultra. We have split a few beers at both of these races, but Chris is almost always at this aid station with some kind of beer. I know I will stay here a bit and enjoy my beer because my chance of breaking 7:30 is pretty much nil and sub-10 hours, well, I could crabwalk in.
Chris tells me he is 81 years old now (same as that other guy!) but I think he looks damn good. Hope he will continue to do this as long as he can.
The last stretch basically runs all around the community college and the trail is really runnable, so I run what I can. Just as I exit the trail section and get back onto the road, I notice Chris “Undercover” Spenker, who is just about to finish the 30K. He seems a bit perturbed that I am passing him again, right at the finish.
I do my rounds of the parking lot and come in at 7:46:00. Jakob, who finished 45 minutes ago tells me “Nice job,” considering you basically walked the whole course (yeah, mostly). The Kajiwaras come in 20 minutes later and Robert (81 year old first timer) about 45 minutes later (but with plenty of time to spare).
Meanwhile, the RD offers me a shirt (large, but turns out to be female large which doesn’t really fit), and says that when the jacket comes back from the embroiderers, they will send it to me (OK, e-mailed me while I was driving yesterday). I get some pizza and June Lake beer. I check out the free stuff drawing and I won a package of Skratch drink mix.
While I am waiting for Darrell to come in, I change into my Tevas and check out my feet. Big blister on my right big toe. A few small hot spots on my heel. It feels OK. It’s not bad enough that I need to lance it… yet.
Race director says if I want, I can take some of the leftover pizza with me. I end up with 4 pieces. I watch part of the awards. Second overall is Todd Vogel, race director of Bishop Ultras (and 60 years old). He won this race a few years ago. Chris Spenker enquires if he won anything. The top age group was M70-79. Chris is 83. After the RD gives out all the awards, she tells him that since all the age groups were not covered, she has an award for him for M80+. Awesome.
Where is Darrell? I find I cannot wait any longer because I still have a 3 hour drive back and I am trying to avoid driving down 14 into Santa Clarita in the dark. OK, I will e-mail you later to find out what happened. As I am pulling out of the lot, I spot him coming down the road. Phew! He told me later that he had a leg problem so had to walk a lot of it. Hmm.
I will come back again on this race when my friends do their first 50K next year and I look forward to getting my 10 year finisher jacket BEFORE I run my 12th Ridgecrest. I’m definitely happy with my result, the fastest of my three 50Ks this year. I’m definitely getting slower but the time limit is sufficient enough for just about anyone who can push forward for 31 miles (or 30.5).
ultratallultrarunner 