Some races just happen to become a tradition… Heading back for the fourth time to Noble Canyon 50k was going to be special, just three weeks ago my wife and I were at the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc UTMB. This Saturday, we were just going to meet a few friends and I really wanted to enjoy this run as much as I could.
Noble Canyon 2011 was like gambling in Vegas, the course was a “turnaround” it seemed to be a simple plan: 12 miles down and 12 miles up and some flat ground to cover to make up the 50K. I though that the only chance I had in this race was to work the downhill the best I could.
I started the first two miles pushing the pace with Dean Doberteen, winner of last year’s race, and Chris Price , who was right behind us. We flew by the first aid station and Chris was charging and pass me. I tried to keep up with them, it was intense, I fell down but I kept on going. The day did not start so well, but that’s life, I kept on going trying to be more careful, after all I was in third place.
Around mile 10 another runner joined me and we carried on to Pine Valley at the “turnaround.” No time spent at the aid station and now was time to push the pace, I was about five minutes behind Chris and Dean. My legs were still very sore from UTMB and to be truthful, I did not think I was going to be able to run this hill very fast....
With the “turnaround” - and making my way back to close this race’s loop, I was running by all the runners who were on their way downhill, so many were cheering me on and that gave me a big boost! I kept on believing that if I was running up to the end, third place was going to be mine. I reached Penny Pine, mile 24, and Coach Anita told me that Dean was close, wasting no time I went on. Mt. Laguna, mile 25, I could see Dean in the horizon. Each year I have passed runners in this precise area of the race.
I was going strong really eager to get into second place. Dean and I reached the top of Mt. Laguna together and I hammered down to the next aid station. Mile 27, I came to the "Rat Hole" aid station alone. The last four miles were passing by quick, this was the same part of the San Diego 100 were I paced my buddy Jay Greenfield in June of this year. The end was close!!! I got to the finish line in 4:18 Second Place . . . I could not believe it.
Big Congrats to everyone and a special Thumbs Up to Chris Price finishing this race in 4:04, new course record!
Anita Pics:
www.anitapics.com/Noblecanyon50k
All Results:
