Driving to Rancho Bernardo where my friend Daniel, his wife Maria, two of their friends and I will spend the night before the race. I only hit a bit of traffic on the 91 freeway but the 15 was clear all the way.
Enjoying some time at the Jacuzzi while I wait for my friends. Daniel's car broke down and he eventually arrived around 9 PM.
Daniel, who's my co-worker and his wife Maria are setting up an air bed for me. I feel like a king!
Daniel is checking into the race. This is his first 50 miler. He will do very well finishing in a fast 9:57:52 or 3 hours ahead of me :)
We're having a good time. This is a harder 50 miler with an elevation gain of 7,500 feet.
Runners are getting ready to have fun. It's 6 minutes prior the start.
My friend Levi is ready to do this thing finishing in 9:36:17. Amazing Ted came out to see us runners while he's still healing a knee injury.
Sharp at 6 AM we're off. The first 13 miles are mostly uphill.
This day promises to be very beautiful, which it was. Along the course the sun was out with a nice cold breeze of wind. Perfect conditions.
Beiyi is having a good time and finished in 12:21:39. She signed up for the Full Vineman! Rockstar girl!
At this race I met Rawda. Her husband Todd finished last year's San Diego 100 miler in 21:26:32 placing 10th overall! Behind her is Jeffrey, which I met at the 2008 San Diego 100 miler. It was great seeing him again. He also signed up for Angeles Crest 100 miler like me.
This year I felt better than in 2008. Back then I only slept 2 hours and I felt very tired as you can see here.
PCT50 is such an incredible beautiful run!
Good times.
Shelli and Rachael navigating their way through the trail.
Better don't slip and take a dive LOL
I'm on my way down to the first aid station 6.8 miles into the run and Levi is already coming up from that aid station.
Shortly after that Daniel is coming up too. This guy's looking strong and he's having a good time!
It was great seeing many friends and runners out there.
After 1 hour and 37 minutes I arrive at the Cibbets Flat Campground aid station.
On the course I meet up with my friend Jeanette.
Unfortunately, I forgot his name but this guy finished Hardrock 100 a whopping 5 (!) times.
(sing:) Let's go all to the cabin! Let's go all to the cabin!
Yen in action: again! She ran two races last weekend. And she'll run Bishop next weekend.
While leaving the Todd's Cabin aid station at mile 19.8 some runners, like him, already are on their way back to the finish line at mile 30.2.
Levi having a good time and running fast and strong. This is 5 hours and 20 minutes into the race and I am at mile 21. He already is on his way back at mile 29.
Seven minutes after Levi Daniel is already coming back too. He looks awesome and tells me that he feels great!
I'm just out there enjoying the day :)
Rachael arrives just a few minutes after me at the turn around aid station at mile 25.
Jeffrey on his way to the turn around point. The 6,000' altitude gave him some troubles out there.
I'm on way way back and despite looking strong in this picture I definitely was not.
Rachael catching up on my slow butt and she asks me why we do this? My answer? "Because we love it!"
Just before 15 minutes before the cut-off time I find myself at the last aid station. I wanted to stay there because those aid station volunteers were so darn funny! Only 6.8 miles to go.
Fred Pollard running down to the last aid station missing the cut-off time by minutes only :(. He is the oldest runner in this race which is absolutely amazing! I hope to be able to do half marathons when I am his age.
On my way to the finish line. I'm listening to stand-up comedy on my iPod which made me laugh so hard.
PCT50 #4 is in the bag! I was the 2nd last finisher but that's OK.
