Ursula Rains Balboa Boogie 5k XC October 8, 2016

Ursula Rains Balboa Boogie 5K  is the 5th race of the USATF San Diego-Imperial Association's Dirt Dogs Cross Country Series. The race is held at Morley Field, at the north end of Balboa Park in San Diego, and shares some of the same paths on which the Footlocker Cross Country Nationals are run. There is a 1k Kids race, as well, that supports the Second Recess Program.

The race is run and held in honor and memory of Ursula Rains, a standout San Diego Runner.

 Aptly named, the course rolls up and down through the park over the 3.1 miles and consists of some two dozen left and/or right turns that includes a course drop of about 50 feet over the first .85 miles, then begins a climb of 50 feet until 1.15 miles, followed by a drop of 25 feet until 1.3 miles followed by a climb of 30 feet until 1.5 miles followed by a drop a drop of 50 feet until mile 1.65, followed by a climb of 60 feet until 2 miles, followed by a drop of about 35 feet until 2.5 miles, with a gradual rise of about 20 feet to the finish line. How hard can it be?

The master's race was scheduled to start at 8:00 and I wanted to arrive by 6:30 to preview the course. We had guests, my brother and his wife, visiting from NM and found them ready to take the drive to San Diego. We had our customary 3 cups of espresso and jumped in the car at 5:30. Arriving about 6:40 we grabbed a parking spot. The lot was already filling and I was surprised to see runners already prepping for the race. We walked over to the bib pick-up area and was soon ready to preview the course. I spoke briefly with Amy Halseth(PRT), the current series leading female master, about the course layout. Then I headed out and found the course marked with arrows in a somewhat confusing directional arrangement. I jogged what I hoped would be the actual course. It was beginning to warm as I returned to the start area. I had the chance to chat briefly with Dave Spinler(SDTC) and Scott McEntee(PRT) We were called to the start line at the top of a long grassy field. A few instructions and we were off.



Balboa Boogie Masters Start

I was not feeling great, I've found that I don't like running on grass, and was glad when we made the 180 degree turn around some trees and transitioned onto a dirt path. I was around a few familiar faces and they looked way better than I felt. Anyway, Scott passed me at about a half mile in and Amy followed soon after. I could see Sheldon Subith just ahead and tried to keep him in sight. I clocked Mile 1 in just under 6 minutes. It wasn't too quick but I knew the next mile would be a struggle. We entered the desert loop which had ruts from water runoff and lots of round rocks in and out of the trail. Dust was everywhere and on a short uphill the trail narrowed, crowding everyone, and it was difficult to see footing. This was followed by a very sandy section which took the rest of the steam out of my legs. After a circle around the dog park and then the swimming pool Mile 2 arrived. I was sucking wind and was passed by teammate Dave, then a Jamul runner. I repassed Dave and eventually the Jamul runner.

Mile 2

Mile 3 was just a hang on fest. I had nothing and could not respond when I was passed on the final stretch. I got him 2 weeks ago at Escondido, today was his.

 

Final stretch

Despite the fact that I struggled a bit, I did manage to squeeze out 2nd place in the 55-59 year old age group which earned me a bottle of Talmage Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon!

Yummy!
Photo Credit: Doreen Karp-SDTC

 The Gory Details:
Finish Time 20:08
Mile 1: 5:55
Mile 2: 6:29
Mile 3: 6:30
Mile .21: 1:15 (My Garmin had the course long, most runners agreed on .17-.2)
24th of 109 Masters
4th 50-59 AG
2nd 55-59 AG

The awards ceremony was wrapping up so we headed out to Old Town San Diego for some breakfast and refreshments at Fiesta de Reyes.

The next stop in the Dirt Dog Series is the Cougar Challenge at UC San Marcos on October 15th. The race is held on the Sam Marcos campus and is directed by the Cougars XC Coach Steve Scott. Yes, that Steve Scott!

Bonita Stampede 8K September 10, 2016

@ Sweetwater Regional Park, Bonita CA is described as "... a challenging European style race through scenic Bonita trails. Includes rolling hills, hay bales and cheering support along the way!

Uh... I clocked the first mile at a comfortable 6:08 pace. Then the fun began....

We woke early and enjoyed a couple of espressos in the warm Murrieta morning. The drive down took over an hour, including some wait time due to an auto accident on I15. We luckily grabbed a parking spot close to the start area. Running a bit late I jogged over to the registration tent and picked up my bib. It was 35 minutes to the start, so I quickly laced up my spikes and headed out for a warm-up. This was a single start race, both masters and open in the same race, and everyone was on the trails. It was low 60's with overcast skies, a perfect morning.

I headed back to the start area and found a spot on the left outside of the crowd as the first turn was a hard right about 50 meters out. The starter gave the instructions "if you miss a turn...it's your own fault." Then we were off and running.



Bonita Stampede 8K Start

Mile 1 was comfortable although I was breathing dust from the front runners. The course was a mix of sand, and loose dirt. About a quarter mile in was a wash created to control rain runoff. It was a bit shaky as everyone was stuffed through the short and narrow dip in the trail. At mile 2 an almost imperceptible rise began. At 1.9 miles it was "welcome" to the sandy zig-zaggy uphill. I clocked mile 2 at about 6:35. From mile 1.9 to 2.15 was a climb of about 100 feet. At the top of the rise I could see the leaders climbing a second hill and I knew this was going to be fun. The first climb was followed by a drop of 40 or so feet followed by another 90 or so foot climb. Cheering HS age kids were providing support along the way. Mile 3 was a 7:15ish, and I was ok with that!  Mile 4 was a rolling down-hillish run that I covered in 6:36 and I gathered myself enough to finish mile 5 in 6:22! I almost forgot...somewhere between mile 4 and 5 was the last of 3 hay bale jumps, I hurdled the 1st with grace, stepped on the 2nd, and cursed on the 3rd. Feeling pretty good overall I held the last mile together. This XC stuff takes some getting used to, and I feel stronger running on sandy trails.



Finish Line In Sight

The gory details...: 
Overall 53 of 154
6th in 50-59 year old age group
4th in 55-59 year old age group

We, SDTC, had enough runners to score in the Dirt Dog CX Series but the standings have not yet been posted. And I think(hope) my position (currently 3rd) in the 50-59AG will not change.

JoAnne and I then took a short drive over to old town San Diego for brunch and refreshments.

Refreshments at Old Town Mexican Café

Next stop Crazy 8's 5k at Rancho Bernardo Park on September 24, 2016