Headlands 100

[dennislauritzen]

I'm new to the Message Board, so please forgive this post if it has been thoroughly discussed. I have run a number of 50k races and three 50 milers. This year I want to do a hundred mile run and am considering Headlands 100. I'll be doing AR 50 in April and Miwok 100k in May if I can get in. I'm not sure what else really fits as a good training run between Miwok and Headlands, but I'd love to hear suggestions. In addition, do Headland's vets from the first run in August think this is a reasonable first 100 miler, or should I look else where? I know Rio del Lagos in September is easier. I've run the Sierra Nevada 53 mile Endurance Run which covers much the same course, but I'm looking for a cooler run.

Thanks,

Dennis

[chrisoconnor]

If you're looking for a good training race between Miwok and HH, you might look at the TRT 50M in July. You've got a lot of climbing and descending there. There's also the Silver State 50, but that's very soon after Miwok.

While you're waiting for an HH veteran to respond, here's my two cents:

I worked an aid station at HH this past August (Pantoll). Folks coming through in both directions were full of enthusiasm for the event, including a couple first timers, if I recall correctly. The stock response about "easy" vs. "hard" 100s is that there aren't any easy ones. To be politically correct about it, I use the euphemisms "fast course" versus "slow course." I haven't run HH, but I've run almost every mile of the course in one event or another. Based on that experience and with a few 100s under my belt, my opinion is that HH is a wonderful compromise between the two ends of the spectrum. I wouldn't hesitate to make it my first 100.

[Jon]

chrisoconnor said:

If you're looking for a good training race between Miwok and HH, you might look at the TRT 50M in July. You've got a lot of climbing and descending there. There's also the Silver State 50, but that's very soon after Miwok.

While you're waiting for an HH veteran to respond, here's my two cents:

I worked an aid station at HH this past August (Pantoll). Folks coming through in both directions were full of enthusiasm for the event, including a couple first timers, if I recall correctly. The stock response about "easy" vs. "hard" 100s is that there aren't any easy ones. To be politically correct about it, I use the euphemisms "fast course" versus "slow course." I haven't run HH, but I've run almost every mile of the course in one event or another. Based on that experience and with a few 100s under my belt, my opinion is that HH is a wonderful compromise between the two ends of the spectrum. I wouldn't hesitate to make it my first 100.

I think Chris captured it perfectly. I was in a similar position as you at the beginning of last year, evaluating whether to run my first hundred. I chose HH because it's run on my favorite bay area trails and it's PCTR which means it's got to be good.

I unequivocally recommend HH as a great first 100 miler. Good luck. I hope to see you there.

[thr3ee]

dennislauritzen said:

I'm new to the Message Board, so please forgive this post if it has been thoroughly discussed. I have run a number of 50k races and three 50 milers. This year I want to do a hundred mile run and am considering Headlands 100. I'll be doing AR 50 in April and Miwok 100k in May if I can get in. I'm not sure what else really fits as a good training run between Miwok and Headlands, but I'd love to hear suggestions. In addition, do Headland's vets from the first run in August think this is a reasonable first 100 miler, or should I look else where? I know Rio del Lagos in September is easier. I've run the Sierra Nevada 53 mile Endurance Run which covers much the same course, but I'm looking for a cooler run.

Thanks,

Dennis

This is pretty much exactly what I did last year when I ran Headlands as my first 100. You can't get better training than Miwok for Headlands.As Chris suggests, I did the Tahoe Rim Trail 50M which was exactly 3 weeks before Headlands and was the perfect last long run. I had trouble with the elevation which made it my slowest 50 miler which was even better as it ended up being close the same time as my 50 mile split at HH.

I could wax on (and on) about Headlands. I think it is a great first 100 as long as you are prepared. There are easier 100s, but I think finishing one that is a bigger challenge is more fun. Besides, having lots of hills helps to make sure you take walk breaks early on. Just remember to repeat this mantra "I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs, I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs..." :-)

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Just remember to repeat this mantra "I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs, I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs..."

But can't one repeat that just once TOO often?!

Sarah

[thr3ee]

admin said:

Just remember to repeat this mantra "I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs, I love the Pirate's Cove Stairs..."

But can't one repeat that just once TOO often?!

Sarah

Hey, at least I didn't go UP the stairs that extra time, just took an extra trip to the bottom of them. Besides, what's a 100-miler without some bonus miles ;D

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

That's true - and Pirate's Cove Trail is SO beautiful that there aren't many prettier ones to 'add on' with!!

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

And, Jon & Steve, didn't you both do it as your first hundred AND pacerless this year?

I had a friend who has run a bunch of hundreds ask me how it would be to do pacerless, since she really prefers to run alone, whether it would be 'creepy' and stuff, and I told her that it seemed as if a bunch of you all were out there without pacers this year. Since none of the night parts are wooded or forested, I don't find the Headlands creepy at night at all. Did you guys?

[Jon]

admin said:

And, Jon & Steve, didn't you both do it as your first hundred AND pacerless this year?

I had a friend who has run a bunch of hundreds ask me how it would be to do pacerless, since she really prefers to run alone, whether it would be 'creepy' and stuff, and I told her that it seemed as if a bunch of you all were out there without pacers this year. Since none of the night parts are wooded or forested, I don't find the Headlands creepy at night at all. Did you guys?

No not creepy, but my shadow did scare the $#@! out of me a half dozen times or more.

I was supposed to have a pacer from mile 83 on, but he bailed out at the last minute (literaly sent a text to me at 11 pm to say he wouldn't be coming). In retrospect, I'm so glad to have finished without a pacer. It made the accomplish feel that much more special.

[thr3ee]

admin said:

And, Jon & Steve, didn't you both do it as your first hundred AND pacerless this year?

I had a friend who has run a bunch of hundreds ask me how it would be to do pacerless, since she really prefers to run alone, whether it would be 'creepy' and stuff, and I told her that it seemed as if a bunch of you all were out there without pacers this year. Since none of the night parts are wooded or forested, I don't find the Headlands creepy at night at all. Did you guys?

Well, I'm probably the wrong person to ask as I don't really believe in pacers.

Yep, that's right. I don't think they exist, pure imagination And, given their imaginary status I always run with a Pooka. Being shape-shifters they can be a bit scary, but only to other runners with lesser imaginations who might wonder what I am talking to at 3am out there on the trail.

Seriously, no I don't find that trail at all scary. In fact it was its non-scariness that led me astray in the middle of the night as I was simply enjoying it too much and not paying attention to the markers.

[fredx]

thr3ee said:

Well, I'm probably the wrong person to ask as I don't really believe in pacers.

Yep, that's right. I don't think they exist, pure imagination And, given their imaginary status I always run with a Pooka. Being shape-shifters they can be a bit scary, but only to other runners with lesser imaginations who might wonder what I am talking to at 3am out there on the trail.

That explains quite a lot there, Steve! :-)

I really enjoyed chatting with you (though I'm no Pooka) until you dusted me...

- Fred, whose thoughts wandered until a fellow runner warned him of a rattlesnake across the trail in the middle of the night at Javelina

[Jon]

Ahhh, I just received a save the date for a wedding August 9th.

Please pray for temporary cold feet so it delays the wedding a week or two.

[dennislauritzen]

Thanks for the advice everyone! The suggestions were very helpful, and I am going to look into the Tahoe Rim Trail 50 mile. Three weeks before Headlands sounds like a perfect last long run.

[thr3ee]

dennislauritzen said:

Thanks for the advice everyone! The suggestions were very helpful, and I am going to look into the Tahoe Rim Trail 50 mile. Three weeks before Headlands sounds like a perfect last long run.

Very cool. I can attest that the 3 weeks between these two is perfect timing. Just focus on "time on your feet" rather than speed at TRT. I am considering the TRT100 this year which is why I most likely won't be doing Headlands (that and Cascade Crest). Good luck and I hope to see you out there at one of these races.

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Congrats, Dennis, on being the third person to sign up for HH!