Volunteering at Skyline to Sea 50k
(Brian, Dana, Tina, and Cheyenne at the start)Cheyenne, Rick, Tina and I met up early for coffee and carpooling Sunday morning and made it down to the race start early to find Dana checking in (for her first 50k!) and a slew of Endurables getting out of the shuttle bus. It was awesome to be around the energy of a race start without actually having to race. It was cold and overcast as we took pictures, gave last minute encouragement, laughed, hugged and jumped back into a warm car as the race began.
(Rick cheering while Nathan, Greg and Ken check in)
We drove out to the first aid station at Mile 6 and helped set things up. It was at an intersection tucked in the woods that I instantly recognized as part of a looong day spent on the bike with my Irongirl peeps back in 2006 when we did 100+ miles and 10,000+ feet of climbing...somewhat unexpectedly. Ah, memories. Anyway, soon enough the lead male appeared with no one in sight behind him. It was maybe another 3-4 minutes before Nathan came flying through in 2nd with a smile, looking relaxed. It was great to cheer everyone on as they came by, some stopping to refuel, others pushing past. Rick introduced us to the many trail friends he's made along the way as we noted the considerable amount of sculpted legs on display (Rick's not withstanding) and ate the aid station snacks. :)
(Nathan running through the first 10k)
(Cheyenne and Tina manning the goods)
(Ken on the heels of the Mt. Diablo 50 Miler)
With the last runners past us, we made it down to the finish line to set up the finish line food and wait for Dana. Unfortunately, we missed the top 3 finishers who each came in under 4 hours - Nathan taking 3rd overall with a smoking 3:59:33 - but there were 160+ more to go. A lot of Rick's friends came in quickly, with the Endurables' Brett PR'ing at 4:14, taking 3rd in his AG, and Larissa taking a top 5 female spot along with numero uno in her age group. I mean, seriously, I run with these people on Saturdays. Okay, we start out together on Saturdays, shooting the breeze for a few hundred yards or so before Nathan disappears, then Brett, then Larissa. You'd think some of that might rub off.
(Nathan, Brett and Rick)
(Cheyenne, Brian, Velcha and Chance looking for Dana)
We milled about listening to tales from the trails, keeping an eye on the clock for Dana who'd thought she might come in around 6 hours. Rob Coons, representing GGTC, came into the finish line looking strong and happy. (He'll be out on the Tahoe Rim Trail for the 50-miler.) More of Rick's friends. Then Dana came into view and we sprang into wild ovation as she came towards the finish line, all smiles, to collect the PCTR's "first ultramarathon" coaster they hand out to first-time ultra finishers. 6:14:53, top TEN in her age group, no wrong turns, no spills, cute running skirt. She looked no worse for the wear. Too bad Cheyenne and I couldn't say the same having lived off the aid station food for most of the day - pop tarts, m&m's, goldfish, cookies. Not our best day.
(Just after Dana crossed the finish line!)
But it was not our day to claim, it was Dana's and everyone else's who raced. Both Greg and Edie, more Endurables runners, came in with new PRs and finally, Ken, who'd survived the Mt. Diablo 50 miler the weekend before in 90 degree temps, finishing Skyline to Sea in just under 8, a bottom 10 performance, as he pointed out, not without a sense of humor. 
It was an awesome day, it was a long day. While it felt great not to have to start the race when we were hanging around at 8am that morning, the buzz, the energy and the story-telling around the finish area was a different story. It was impossible not to think - hell yes, I'm doing this race next year.
To see all the photos go here.
Comments
And did you make sure to eat candy corn at the Aid Station? That's my favorite aid station food at the PCTR races :D. Sarah does a great job of getting the freshest candy corn....