a giant weekend with a lil bit of rock n roll

It's Wednesday, and I went on my last run this morning--a Whiting Ranch 5-miler--before this weekend's Shadow of the Giants 50K and San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon.

“It's Magic!” as Baz would say. The Shadow, another one of his events, will be my 2nd ultra race. It’s set to happen at Fish Camp in the Sierra National Forest which is just at the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Giant redwood trees, pine-covered trails, fresh mountain air, and 31 miles (more or less) of calorie-burning, quad-burning and endorphin-yielding running await me and at least 3 of my compatriots from OCTR. Tri-geek and Ironman finisher Pete is renting the van which will transport us from Irvine. Also joining us are Paul A., a 2-time ultra finisher and sub 2-minute 800m runner, and Jennifer F. who just recently finished her first 50-miler in less than 10 hours. I'm basically the newbie in this bunch. Chaz, who is unable to run will be driving up with his kids and reporting on the race.

I’m not too sure how I’m going to do in this race. The cutoff time is 8 hours which is at least my goal. Mild weather seems to be in store for us so if that prevails, I'm hoping to set a 50K PR which means coming in at 7:12:49 or less. Judging from the course map it doesn't seem as hilly as the San Juan Trail 50K. Someone also told me too that it's “easier” than SJT so I’m staying optimistic. However, my tendonitis on my left ankle is acting up today, and both my knees were pretty sore this morning. I'm hoping that they'll all feel better by Saturday morning. If not, I'll have to rely on Vitamin I to help me get through the day.

Soon after the race, we’re heading back to OC, but my drive won’t be done. I’ll continue on down to Solana Beach to Skip's chill crib where several other OCTR runners are staying for the evening. Skip, Wendy, and Alexa are running their first marathon the following morning at the San Diego Rock N Roll. Other runners are Addy, Mary, Maz, Mari, Kim, and Eric KP. I’ll be there for support with Jess and Abbie. I’m scheduled to meet up with Skip at around mile 21 to “bring him home” for the last 5 miles to the finish. I suppose I can look at that as my recovery run after the Shadow. Hopefully I’ll be up to the task.

The Shadow and the RnR promise to make a great weekend, but by Sunday afternoon I would've logged in about 36 miles on my feet and about 800 miles on wheels. I'll be way ready for a different kind of R and R by then.