Advice for an East coast runner.

[slwrunner]

Hello All,
I came across PCTR website some time ago and have now made the decision to run some of there races. Specifically Mt. Diablo 50Km and the Santa Cruz Mtns 50Km.

I was hoping some veteran PCTR runners could give me some friendly advice about the races.

I did email Wendell and Sarah about some basic questions, (thanks for the quick response W and S!!!) but I was hoping I could get some more feedback about the runs from past runners..

Thanks!!!
Tony (Atlanta, GA.)

leinfellner said:

So if you want to fly over, just pick one (you can't go wrong) and have fun in pain! ;D
Norbert

I have signed up for both of these!!!

[leinfellner]

Hi slwrunner (what's your name?),
I'm not a veteran, but used to be an East Coast Runner too, and when I moved to California, I entered the great world of trail runs and have run some of the PCTR races since. All of them are worth the flight coast-to-coast. They are very different, but what they have in common is the great organization, the great vistas (especially on the coast located runs) and the nice community.
My favorites are the Rodeo Beach/Pirates Cove runs in the Marin Headlands (unbeatable vistas and diverse trails), followed by the Stinson Beach/Muir Woods runs (forest/mountain wonderland), then perhaps Pacifica (vista!), Big Basin (Redwood Trees and cushy trails), and definitely: Salt Point (beautiful and very diverse! ).
All of the above have "runnable climbs" in common, that is you don't need to walk/hike a lot. Mount Diablo is the opposite, I wouldn't be able to run all the time (very steep, very exposed trails) and Diablo has this reverse height/termperature phenomena (the higher you climb the warmer it gets). For the ultimate challenge I therefore recommend the Mt. Diablo runs (50k and 50M events) and, as you can see on the message board, they trigger many emotions and shared memories from the entire community.
Personally I haven't run the Santa Cruz Mtns race, but it's next on my agenda (I'm attracted by the location), perhaps someone else in this forum has an opinion on that one.
So if you want to fly over, just pick one (you can't go wrong) and have fun in pain! ;D
Norbert

[slwrunner]

Thanks Norbert!!!
Hope to see you there on June 2nd.

[thr3ee]

Tony,

I ran Santa Cruz Mtns last year and had my 50K PR (at the time) there. It is a great course that runs deep in the woods above Santa Cruz. it really only has one "really steep" climb coming up from the turnaround at Henry Cowell aid station. However, the 7K loop seems a lot stepper than it is because it is covered with soft, white sand. How that beach sand got up on that mountain is anyones guess. We had the added excitement last year of discovering that some campers had removed a bunch of the ribbons from the course. Luckily a bunch of us did reconnaissance up at the fire lookout and avoided getting lost like the guy I met at the end who somehow ended up downtown. Anyway, the very best part of the Santa Cruz course is the famous river crossing. You get to cross this 4 times in the 50K course and if it is warm out (which it usually is) it is the BEST! Just don't hang out too long as it is very tempting on the last crossing to just sit and let your legs soak.

Mt. Diablo is a very different course. I have never run the race (though I plan to this year since I have to drop Ohlone), but I know the course fairly well as I grew up out there and have trained on those trails. The 50K course is a little different than the 50M that you have been reading about recently. There is not much of the technical single-track on this one. The 50K is mostly slogging up exposed fireroad that, while maybe not the steepest trail around, is one of the most sustained climbs you'll find as it is almost all uphill to the top of the peak at just under 3900ft. Not only that, but you get to do it twice! And, remember, the devil doesn't like shade.

As for race environments, I think PCTR is the best. They are definitely low key, but there is plenty of support where it's needed the most. Sarah and Wendell run so many of these that they are like professionals, except for the fact that they will also make you feel like you are part of a small, close-knit family. Come out and enjoy! Hope to see you out there.

-Steve
mountain-man-steve.blogspot.com/

[slwrunner]

Thanks Steve!!!!
This really helps. Hopefully I can get in some training runs on the Blue Ridge Mountains. I fly into SFO on Friday, still deciding on whether to stay in San Mateo or closer......any suggestions anyone? I did see the hotels/motels recommended but wasn't sure if there maybe a get together the night before or not.

Anyways, thanks and I like the blog.

[leinfellner]

Steve,
why are you dropping Ohlone? (I missed that part)
I'll do Ohlone AND Diablo - and nobody should feel sorry for me ;-)
Later
Norbert

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Not to worry - nobody does.

Sarah

PS Is Rob Byrne, Ohlone RD, buying you bagels?

[leinfellner]

Sarah,
not sure about the bagels, but if the catering is as half as good as PCTR's I'm happy! (Who needs to eat 3 servings of Chili anyway?)

Norbert

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Hey, I meant to tell you - I may make a few bagels part of the 'regular' stuff at the finish line. I can't TELL you what a big hit those cheese bagels were at Diablo!!

Thanks for whining...I mean, thanks for suggesting them!!

Sarah

[leinfellner]

That's how kids get their stuff - they whine long enough!
So, they liked the bagels, huh? Well, good for them I was too tired to eat!
Bagels are a good thing because they have rather high-quality carbs - they sure rock!
Norbert

[thr3ee]

Norbert,

I'm dropping Ohlone due to family obligations. My son plays basketball on a competitive AAU team and our team is hosting a tournament that weekend. I need to help out at the tournament.

-Steve

leinfellner said:

Steve,
why are you dropping Ohlone? (I missed that part)
I'll do Ohlone AND Diablo - and nobody should feel sorry for me ;-)
Later
Norbert

[Jon]

admin said:

Hey, I meant to tell you - I may make a few bagels part of the 'regular' stuff at the finish line. I can't TELL you what a big hit those cheese bagels were at Diablo!!

Thanks for whining...I mean, thanks for suggesting them!!

Sarah

Make sure to hide a few bagels so the slowpokes can enjoy the bagels too.

[thr3ee]

Tony,

As far as places to stay, I really can't offer any advice close to the Diablo course since I grew up over there and my family still lives nearby (my sister's house is 2.5 miles from the start), I know pretty much nothing about local hotels :-). One good thing about PCTR events is that they don't start too gawd-awful early. However, getting to Clayton from San Mateo will take you over an hour so if you want to be some close I would recommend anywhere in the East Bay. As far as cities near the race, Clayton is nothing pretty much pure residential suburban life. Concord is a largish suburb with lots of shopping and business, but very little personality. Walnut Creek is smaller, more upscale with nicer shops and a bit more personality.

It all depends on what you are looking for in your stay. Even staying in downtown SF will get you a closer commute and you cant beat Frisco in terms of locale. Other larger non-suburban options that are reasonably close are Oakland and Berkeley, both with their own very unique personalities.

-Steve
mountain-man-steve.blogspot.com/