Old West Trail Marathon in Anza Borrego Desert
26.2 miles
2,224 ft ⛰️
Time: 5:34
This marathon was a training run for the Costa Brava 120k. I had run the same distance 2 weeks prior so there was no question about the distance or the the climbing. It was to practice in a warmer temp on a supported course. This was the hardest course I could find so I figured it was perfect.
22 out of 26 miles were through sand which was a challenge for my legs and took 4 miles to get into it and not feel like I was fighting it. But I fell in line with a runner to chat with for a while, had fields of purple wild flowers and beautiful scenery.
We all make mistakes and this was mine: drinking the on course electrolyte drink. It was warm and I was worried I didn't have enough on me so I drank from the first aid station It was Tail Wind which I have had before and has never sat well with me. Those 2 ounces of the drink led to my dry heaving into cactuses for miles 14 & 15, but I never had to stop running. Just take a second to picture that…. Then I climbed up and over a mountain and through a valley to an aid station at mile 18 that had just what I needed: ginger ale! That was what I needed to come back to life.
When I hiked up that mountain again and ran down the other side I was in a big open area and the headwinds had picked up to 40mph. My legs felt great but the winds made it hard to breathe. I felt like it was ripping the breath right out of my lungs. I could run with my head dipped to block the wind for short bursts but there was a lot of walking just to get enough air into my lungs. I wanted so badly to run and run so I could get out of the winds but those last few miles were a slog.
This was a serious mental challenge. I never considered stopping, but I really wanted it to be over. It felt like I had to walk to be able to catch a breath but like I would be out in those conditions for years if I kept walking. I was thirsty and sipping on the last of my water and lower on calories because of my bad aid station choice. Getting down my food I had to chew bites, swish, and gulp because it was dry in my mouth and my stomach was still sensitive. So I power hiked/ran because I knew I was only going to get deeper into a calorie deficit. I was racing that, not the clock.
I successfully avoided hitting a wall but I had never been happier to see a finish line in my life! It proved something about myself: I am not the fastest person on any course but I can withstand more punishment than most and on this day that ability helped me finish strong. Strong enough to claim the 1st place female overall award.