The Angeles Crest 100 - My First DNF! Beautiful!

I grew up and currently reside in the San Gabriel Valley.

To the North are The San Gabriel Mountains. These mountains hold within memories, wonder and discovery for me. I've been stomping around in these mountains by ski, bike, and foot since I was a kid.

It was never a question to me that if I ever ran a 100 mile trail race that the AC100 would be my first crack at the distance. I first learned of the Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2006 as my Team in Training friend/mentor/coach Jimmy Freeman was training to tackle this event. I watched him at various points along the AC course that year and saw him finish. "Amazing", I thought to myself. At the time I was focusing more on the roads and the marathon distance. I never considered going after 100 miles. Every year since I have been drawn to this race to spectate what most would call irrational, unreasonable, pointless. There's something very inspiring about watching people push their limits physically, emotionally, and in some cases I'm sure spiritually. The AC100 is considered to be one of the more difficult 100 milers around. "It's supposed to be hard!"

Above - Chantry Flats AC100 2010 spectator (Mile 75ish - inspired by runners who have a marathon to go - over mountains!) 

The race was filling up quickly this year and with a leap into the unknown I took the plunge and registered for the 2012 AC100. Why not? Are we ever ready to take on something big or a task/goal that we perceive as impossible? I don't think we are. If we wait until we are 100% confident to take things on we will often find ourselves waiting and twiddling our thumbs. We stay stagnant and I'm tired of being that way. The training,  the journey to the start of AC100 was a mixed bag of emotions and motivation. There were days when I wanted to get out there and days where I wished I never signed up for the race. Training for this event was a struggle on many occasions and I had to force myself to get out the door and run. There were other moments though that re-affirmed my love for training and running and most of those were because of the friends that came out to share the trails with me and the beauty of the mountains and trails.

Above - training adventures

Pre- Race Travels- I arrived in Wrightwood, CA mid morning the day before the race. I checked in to my cabin and went over to the community center for the medical evaluation (weight and blood pressure) and bib pick up. I was happy to be there!

Above - The day before. 

My crew (crew - friends who would be supporting me throughout 100 miles) arrived later in the evening. The hours waiting from them were lonely and the mind wandered from positives thoughts of success to "what the hell am I doing? Can I get out of here." As I waited I mixed fuels and prepared gear for my crew and the race.

At one point I turned on the television (Dish music - acoustic station) and Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" played. I cranked it up and laughed to myself. ..."Leave your stepping stones behind something calls for you..."

Also had moments imagining I was operating a drug den as I mixed my race fuel :D

Above - Should I cut this with more Carb Powder? Are the cops coming? Are they onto me?

My crew arrived, we got things situated then it was time for "sleep". I wish I banked more hours of sleep leading into this race as I only got two hours that Friday night. My mind was all over the place as I sat in bed. Mini panic attacks in bed followed by peaceful mantras to get the SandMan to visit. Somehow I got a few hours of shut eye. The alarm rings at 3:30AM! I'm up and moving and getting ready. The race is at hand and there isn't too much time to dilly dally. My crew of friends are pretty much all business aside from some comments about snoring and they usher me out the door. My cabin is a few short blocks away from the starting line and I walk to the starting line alone in the darkness. I appreciated the moment to be alone and soak in the situation. "This is happening!"

Waiting For the Gun to Go Off - I see many familiar faces of the ultra community at the Wrightwood Community Center. I check in and sit down. There's Louis, Andy, Summer, Kate, Jimmy , Mark,  Anibal, my crew, Andy K, Catra, Hal, and Kam. I'm sure I missed some.

Above - My Crew (Cup, Think Blue TB. The Hawk and Me - not pictured The Dog Runner & Bandito)

I then see my friends Van and Virginia who drove up the mountain to see myself and the others runners on. These two amazing, genuine, kind people are life thrivers and cancer survivors. I am linked with them through Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Along with this adventure I chose to add a fundraising component. If I can step up to the starting line of a 100 mile run over mountains WE can raise money to end cancers: Cancers that Virgina and Van have survived / endured and cancer that took my Dad and many others away from us.

Tick Tock Time To Start! 

It's now time to step up to the line. Am I ready? No choice. Here it was! I took my place under the start banner, shook some hands and embraced in a few hugs. Not knowing what to do I got off my feet and sat for a few minutes against a dumpster. I stood up, took a calming breath and recited a childhood Jr All American Football prayer that I recalled from back "in the day": Adapted for running:

"God our Father Hear me pray
As I prepare to run this day
Give me strength and courage too
To do the best in all I do
Protect us as we run this day
This much I ask in Thy name"

Above - grass field and San Gabriel Mountains in the background

 I'm not Catholic, but I did the sign off the cross. Hoots Howls Hollers and the Gun Goes OFF!
It was a relief to hear the start call! The first step and I now have less than 100 miles! I'm making headway!

Mile 0 to Mile 9.3 (Wrightwood to Inspiration Point) The race starts with a climb up along the Acorn Trail to Blue Ridge. Heeding the advice the AC100 vets I take it easy here and enjoy, for a moment, the sunrise.  I pass from the San Bernadino Mountains into the Angles National Forest and smile as I high five the "Welcome, Entering ANF" sign. "This is awesome..."

I'm successful here to not get sucked into the adrenaline of the early race and stick with an easy pace. I get up to Blue Ridge, run the flats and downs (a lie - I peck my way along a section of down because it is very technical and steep) and pull into Inspiration Point aid where my Indy 500 worthy crew awaits. Time is of the essence. I'm a mid to back of the pack ultra runner (at the moment) and I need all the time I can get. I'm in and out in less than five minutes.

(left - sunrise in the San Gabriels)


Mile 9.3 to Mile 13.85 (Inspiration Point to Vincent Gap) Feeling good here. I see new friend Summer on the trail and she is in good spirits, but struggling a bit with some breathing issues. The higher altitude doesn't help. I realize that she is struggling mainly because she is a stronger runner than me and under "normal" situations she is a good distance ahead of me.      Good thoughts on this section as I feel I'm making good headway, but alas...

Mile 13.85 to Mile 25.91 (Vincent Gap to Islip Saddle) I arrived at Islip feeling pretty good. My energy is fine. My crew goes to work as they switch me to a flap (sun/neck protective) hat, give me an iced filled bandanna, and stock my pack with fuels. There's a long climb to near the summit of Mt Baden Powell ahead and a shade more than a half marathon to the next aid. Mt Baden Powell peaks at 9407 ft (we don't go quite that high)and pushing at a faster pace makes one hear their heart beat in their ears. In past training ruins (I meant runs mot "ruins" because "ruins" is somewhat accurate :D  ) this climb was tough for me, but on AC100 day I was feeling great!. As I climbed I was was able to pass four runners. I attribute that to my training, rest (taper, and staying easy/calm the first part of the race. I was not racing these runners, but it still felt good to pass them. Once you climb to near the summit of BP the runner has some ridge running to do.

Some ups and downs to do over beautiful country. On the ridge at mile 18 my right ankle buckled once and I fell to the trail. I got up, limped for about 20 yards, then realized I could keep going. More running and the twisted trail popped my ankle again. This time I did not fall, but questioned my selection of shoes for this race. I had similar ankle rolling issues in these shoes during my training runs, but opted for them due to their great cushion. "Settle down!", I thought to myself.

I ran some more along that ridge. My ankle gave way once again. I yelped in temporary pain. I fell to the trail. "I can quit now", I thought. "I'll pull into the next aid and drop". Makes sense right?

"Bullshit!", I told myself. Sometimes when I roll an ankle there is initial pain. I'll limp on it for a bit then realize I can safely go on without doing permanent damage. "ONWARD!"  POP goes the ankle, "F*C#!" another twist on the same ankle and a return trip to the earth below. I made my way to the next aid station somewhat dejected, but that feeling of dejection would not last too long.

Mile 25.91 to Mile 29.98 (Islip Saddle to Eagles Roost) On the way down the trail to Eagles Roost I knew I needed to switch out my shoes. Again, my crew was greased lightening. They fixed me up and sent me on my way (fresh shoes and all). I had another section to conquer. At Islip the runners cross Angeles Crest Highway and climb up an exposed trail to near the summit of Mt Williamson. My energy was still pretty darned good and I passed two runners along the way. As I passed these two struggling athletes I reminded myself that "I am not competing against you. I am competing with you" Still, in the face of my rolls and falls it gave me a boost. My climbing that day felt strong. I got to the top of that section and now for the downhill. The issue now was that the downhills were difficult on my ankle. I ran, fast, hiked and ran.. On the downhill of Williamson I pulled out my i-pod and turned on the tunes. I never listened to music during my runs, training or races, but I was experimenting to see how the tunes would effect my running. My i-pod was loaded with reggae music. I was alone on the trail and soon was singing aloud. I felt alive in the moment. I was having a blast! At some point heading down Mt Williamson I had a flash of who I am and who I want to be. I thought to myself, "This is me! I'm doing this! I'm going to get to that finish!" I felt joy, satisfaction and 100% alive in that moment along that trail!

 Mile 29.98 to Mile 37.54 (Eagle's Roost to Cloudburst Summit) I pulled into Eagles Roost feeling charged despite my ankle. Once again, my crew greeted me with smiles and and a fresh set of fuels. We shared some humor and I grabbed a chilled coconut water for the section ahead. The section ahead covered some miles on pavement (due to an endangered yellow legged frog habitat) and then a section that takes one into Cooper Canyon. The flat road was a welcome relief to my ankle. I was able to run on the road for stretches and passed a few others who were suffering. Again, we are not competing with each other. We are competing with our "inner goonies" as my friend Juan would say. We are in this together. I left the road for Cooper Canyon and was feeling pretty good despite the adversity. Unfortunately time was running fast. Go go go! Near the stream bed I came across a strong runner sitting on a rock. "Are you ok?" I asked. "I'm done" he said. "Can I help?"... "Nah, I rolled my ankle... I'm done. I was still in familiar territory at this point and felt good about making the next time cutoff. "Move move move" I was looking forward to seeing my friends and pacers Matt and The Bandito who would be meeting me at miles 50ish and 75ish respectively I ran this section once before on a training run and it was marked differently, We ran a different route during the training run. The race directors mentioned this change and it did not register in my mind that there may be a change in trail. Turns out this section was a good half mile longer than advertised in the training run. Oh well... no whining. Maybe I just did. That said, the clock ticked closer to the Cloudburst Aid cutoff. Being on unfamiliar terrain I didn't have a feel for how far until to the next checkpoint. "It's gotta be close." I thought to myself. The clock ticked away closer to the cutoff time and soon my race was over.

I was probably about three or so minutes from making the cutoff. My friends (crew) came down the trail to meet me and we made our way up to Cloudburst Summit.

 The AC100 was my first DNF (Did Not Finish), yet it was one of my most rewarding running, "racing" experiences. I'm not a fast runner, yet I did race this event. I raced against the clock, my doubts and fears. I did not race my fellow runners, but ran with them.

 I'm ok with my efforts and accomplished two out of three goals.
-Finish without major damage to my health
-Do not shrink from adversity -Give the race my best.

Icing on the cake is that together we raised almost $5500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. These funds will go to fight cancers! I would still like to raise more life saving dollars. Want to reach the ultimate finish line, a cure!
http://los.lls.llsevent.org/kileyakers

The Day After - 

I ventured down to the AC100 finish line to see some of my fellow runners cross the line.  To see friends and those who I had a chance to train with cross the line was great.  I didn't feel like I was missing out because I didn't finish this one race, but felt inspired to become a stronger runner and come and give the AC100 a crack in 2013. Here's a an AC100 finisher. Permission to use courtesy Larry Gassan Photography.

Above - And the last shall be first. The last finisher of AC100 2012. check out Larry Gassan's photography/design here: http://larrygassan.com/

Notes:

I met many great people during my training and got to know others a bit better. Special shout out to Louis for being that extra spark that inspired me to take this on and kept me going. Thanks to Jimmy for being a great mentor and for getting this idea in my head a few years back. I enjoyed my training runs with JZ and not knowing exactly where we were going as well as the tough training run /rattle snake encounter with Coach Manny. The Bandito's midnight singing in the canyon was a treat too. Grateful for the friendship and mountain trails.

Thanks to Team in Training. I would not have taken this on without TNT.

Thank you to all of you who supported the spirit of my adventure and to those who donated to LLS. So many people are touched by this cancers. I will continue to do what I can to help be a part of the cure. 

Special thank to the people who came out and gave me extra support on race day (aka my crew). You guys were like an INDY 500 pit Crew  and Pacers that day and I looked forward to seeing you at all the aid stations. I wish I made more.

SEE YOU AT THE AC100 2013 Starting Line!