San Bruno Mountain 50 Mile Ultra Endurance Run

Pictures of the race can be seen here

More  Race Pictures here (from SBM facebook page)


It was mid-December 2012 when I found this group San Bruno Mountain Ultramarathons. The training for triathlon got me to ultra-endurance. I planned what to do for 2013 and that includes running 100 mile in Tahoe. 

A week before the San Bruno event, I had not really paid attention to the course outlined by the Race Director. I never really get to look at it except its googled image parking lot. On its facebook group page, someone commented that the revised course has close to 10000 feet of elevation gain. That to me is a lot but have not sink in how strenuous the run can be. Giving myself crossed fingers that a good weather and hydration, I should be able to finish the course.

Overall - the training runs I did that would prepare me for the 50 mile endurance were:

- Way Too Cool Training run 31 miles in Cool, CA (run the whole course unsupported)

- Mathis Memorial Run 18 or 20 miles in Auburn, CA (run the whole course + extra unsupported)

- The hilly Confluence Tour 14.5 miles with over 3500 ft elev gain in Auburn, CA (part of 70.3 training for the day)

- Folsom, Lake Natoma to Granite Bay close to 37 miles (last long run before tapering)

- Early morning runs with the Norcal Runagades in Sacramento (this run, particularly the Thursday run start from Guy West Bridge of CSUS, start in 9 min pace and on the return back to the bridge, everyone just fartlek or speeding)

- Hiking the steep hills in Auburn, CA (includes Training Hill and Kick-ass Hill)

Apart from these training runs, I had road biking event like 70 miles in Davis, CA and 50 miles in Auburn few times. 

Swimming was done as well, specially within 7 days prior to the event. During the tapering period, Ive done less run but I swam the pool hours and hours. I don't know if its helped me conquered the San Bruno Mountain endurance but all the training I did was part of my upcoming triathlon events.

Sometime in December I asked Bill to run but he was hesitant at first. Bill have had races schedule from Jan to March. But I called him a whimp - that was enough  convincing that he registered for the 50 mile endurance. Bill also posted the event in FTR's meetup group. As a result, six more runners participated.

At 2:30AM on Feb 24, I and Bill left for the Bay Area to run San Bruno Mountain Ultra Endurance 50 mile course. We arrived at the parking lot 4:45AM, collected our goodies and bibs from the organizer. By 5:08AM I started my run. Bill start time was 6AM.

It was dark in the trail but the moon was shining. I opted to use my bright bike light and left the headlamp to reduce weight that I have to carry later on. I don't know really where exactly I was (following the pink ribbon I can spot) but the sky was clear, tranquil surrounding and view of the Bay Area lights, as far as my eyes can see. It was just everywhere. It was overwhelmingly spectacular to see, like I was above clouds overlooking the entire Bay Area. Its the view you could see like going up the highest skyscraper there is.

I kept on saying "wow, wow and wow" and more "wow".

The 50 mile course is 10 mile loop to be run 5x by the 50 mile participants. I could not see the ground that well because I was overwhelmed with the great views in front of me, particularly as I was approaching mile 5 - these are rolling hills and the last hill was a steep descent. The views were the best at night, you can see San Francisco's urban lights!

Soon enough the sunrise approaching, two runners told me that the turn around is after the "big bush" but looking at sight, I couldn't really tell where is the big bush. Mountaineers do not have markers this way. Normally on the trail, there is what's called cairns or "ducks-head". I and few runners kept running but we couldn't tell where was the turn-around that I finally decided, to check my gpx to locate exactly where that turn-around is.

This particularly descent is the most steepest that even if you are running, the pace was a lot slower and could easily fall due to its pointed rocks terrain. At the same time, this is the hardest of going back-up, its easier to power hike here.

Just as suspected, I ran too much that I missed the turn-around, approx just less than 0.5 mile. So what comes down would have to go back up. That's an extra effort for an already strenuous miles ahead. Few runners could thank me for this checking of my gps - that save them the effort of running extra that is not part of the course.

Amazingly the rolling hills are just as hard going back to the main aid station. The only part of the course where runners can cruise is the "orange ribbons trail" for a good 2 miles of downhill. By the time I reached the main aid station to report, it logged 9.95 miles. I remember though that I switched on my garmin after I pass the trail sign-board. 

Off to my second loop, I hydrated, gels, and eating more bananas. Other runners does not really eat that much banana but I do. In fact, the most important fueling for me are bananas and coco-water, though a night before the race, I've got to have fresh steamed clams.

The third and fourth loop were the same, enjoying the Bay Area vistas were my sort of entertainment. I wish I could stop running to appreciate all that vista but because the event is timed and with a cut-off, I could not do frequent stop.

Everyone is nice in this event particularly the volunteers, just running and more running. By the fifth loop, it was already 2:50PM, with only 5 minute stop at the aid station for fueling and lighten the load of my pack. I carried only enough water and assumed that the mini-station up the hill has some water left. 

Unfortunately, there was no water left, not even a tiny bit of banana. I continued on - hoping that I have enough water til the end of 50 mile but as I was ascending from the turn-around point, the last sip became air and bubbles. I had no more water left.

A double whammy - the wind gust pick up. I was wearing the thinnest Brooks clothing REI has. Even power hiking up, I was still cold and got so cold that I just couldn't wait to get back to the car. Cold winds burned more calories to my already petite frame. There was a runner who told me that I did not do the exact diamond loop, so I said - Ive seen runners doing the same way going up with my last ascent and he said that its not right, because its not the course.

Well - the RD said I could recover the extra less than 0.5 mile, so I guess this is how I am going to get that extra run I did at the first loop. That extra run should be more than enough paying for the deficit run on my last loop :)

Half a mile before the turn to the orange ribbon trail, another runner was not moving. He was just sitting on the ground. I asked him if he is okay, he responded that he's so hungry. I shared my left-over Oreos, 3 for him and 3 for me. That 3 pieces of cookies was a boost of sugar to hike up the last hill. Soon I was already in the cruising 2 mile trail. I estimated that I could complete the loop in 2 hours or less but because of no water, I was slowing down and feeling lethargic. I can't let myself down, after all its only 2 mile downhill. My typical pace here is around 7 to 9 min pace but I was moving as slow as 11 or even slower. 

The END of the 50 MILE COURSE

And yahoooohoooo, I made it! I completed the 50 mile course with over 10000 ft of elevation gain in over 12 hours. It may not be my target finish time but the elevation gain was more than anticipated. I remember while running the loop, few runners I chatted that as a first time 50 mile, this event is difficult.

Oh well, I guess I could have chosen the easy 50 miles but that won't be happening til April. It doesn't really matter now, the views were amazing, spectacular, awesome and what else. It was the best run and course I've ever done so far.

Fourteenth months (one year and two months) since I started running, a 50 mile race is finally achieved. Thanks to the organizer and the volunteers. I highly recommend this event, it may be tough as San Brutal ultra, but as mountaineers common saying - "the vistas" are your rewards!