We began the drive at 5:00am, well closer to 5:30 actually from Los Gatos. Either way it was "Oh-Dark-Hundred" hours. Our spirits were high. We pulled into the Andrew Molera parking lot in Big Sur around 7:30 and wondered if we were in the right place. The lot was basically empty, and devoid of anyone that looked like an athlete (apologies to any hikers that might have been there). Jud & I commented that we expected to see more hardcore fanatical athlete types lingering around. Little did we know that they all just timed their entrance a little better (the start was 9am).

We parked and registered. I like this run already, when you register they hand you a photocopy of a topo map. Cool. We set up pre-race prep on the tailgate of my pickup, just like I did at the XTerra. I like the ritual. People start arriving. Jud starts getting whiplash from all the fit ponytail-clad female runners that appear. As a happily married man, I of course am immune to such things. We pack Camelbaks, fill Gu flasks, pre-measure drink mix into ziploc bags, the works.

We're already having fun. We have pre-race photos taken, talk to other runners, etc. We meet this psycho-fit runner that does these all the time. He's done the Western States 100 (in 22 hrs) among others. We chat with him briefly and some other folks that parked next to us. People have come from all over for this run. The start time approaches. I'm not really nervous, since I have no idea what I'm in for (a good thing). To date, I've never really hit any physical limits on runs/hikes. I mean, I've gotten tired or been super winded or even in agony from pushing 100% for a while, but my body has never really been close to stopping outright against my will in 15 years of running. This would change today.

Jud finds his buddy from college. We hang out and warm up. We also chat with the 2 gals that parked next to us. They called us "Overprepared Guys" and needed to borrow chapstick. From then on, Jud & I were Team Overprepared Guys (Team OPG for short). Henceforth, the one that approached us (ponytail-clad, of course :-) will be known as Ms. Greenshorts, since they were responsible for breaking Jud's 'laser focus' concentration. Focus Jud Focus!

Our goals on the day were simple enough, (i) finish, and (ii) don't stop moving (other than to refill water). This means no voluntary stops to catch your breath (a big no-no) and no involuntary stops to quiver, bonk or otherwise shake uncontrollably (a somewhat less big no-no, but distasteful nonetheless).

We gather for the pre-race instructions. The guy does a few questions - where are people from, who's a first timer, etc. For first time Enviro Sports participants he cautions us that he'd like to see us all back today preferably. This is a trail marathon, and if that's not what you expected then you have until next April to train for the road runs. haha. He asks who's running which race (there are 5mi, 8, 13, 21 & 26 lengths available). Only about 25 of the 150+ people hold up their hands for the full-length marathon. Yikes! He then singles out some guy from Pennsylvania and volunteers him to lead the national anthem. We do a crowd-led song and we march off to the starting point. Once there, he begins a crowd-led countdown, 10, 9, 8, ... 1, GO!

The start feels just like the Hash back in Indonesia. A little crowded at first, then single file up the steeps. On-On! The superfit gal Jud was admiring in the parking lot comments on my happy face socks as she breezes by. I think Jud's going to consider following my fashion lead (credit my wife Paige, actually, since she bought the socks for me). We don't follow her, since I'm adhering to the strategy of running my own pace (sorry Jud).

The climb is long and stunning with its views. The summit offers views of the Pacific. One of the more light-hearted runners began a rendition of "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music..." That's just my speed. We were cracking jokes and laughing the whole time. Jud never loses sight of Ms. Greenshorts, either. The descent is STEEP and rough. Many off-camber pitches, gullies and loose rocks tax the ankles and knees. However, the view all along the route is stunning here as well. We pause at points along the way to snap some shots with the disposable camera we got back in Carmel. (photos to appear soon!)

We're feeling good at this point so we pick up the pace (mental note - don't do this again). We eventually catch and overtake Ms. Greenshorts and her friend, so Team OPG is on the scene once again! This lap finishes with a couple miles of bluff top ridge running along the ocean, followed by an interminable 1.5 mile flat road. This concludes the 8 mile first lap, and we arrive back in the parking lot. We refill H2O and cram in some 'nanners and hit it again (no stopping remember!) This lap was done in 1:30, with about 1800 vert. Pace was about 11 min/mile, which is fast for this kind of thing (for us). This loop is followed by a 5 mile out and back along the last 2.5 miles of the first loop. Thus we repeat the flat road and bluff running 2 more times to complete the 1/2 marathon distance. That flat road will haunt me for years.

I started to feel the fatigue at the end of the first 1/2 marathon. This point, 2:29hrs, was reaching the upper limit of what I'd run uninterrupted before. I knew I'd be tired, but I didn't think the fatigue would be so sudden and so sharp. At the end of the exit of the parking lot we see Ms. Greenshorts and friend on their way in to complete their 1/2 marathon. Team OPG cheers them on and then we're off.

At about mile 14 or so the climb begins again. I feel the tank near empty and tell Jud "I'm running on fumes." I tone down the pace and 'power hike' the steeps rather than run. This keeps my heart rate down in the 170s (I ran the first 1/2 primarily in the 180s, a semi-bright approach - duh). We continue the Gu shots every 30 minutes religiously and the every 5 minutes fluid intake. At least we're disciplined about the calories & hydration.

The climb is again long but not too bad. Near the top we begin to REALLY suffer. Our legs tighten and our strides shorten. We modify our pace and move ahead. At the summit we encounter a guy & 2 gals. They plead with us for extra fuel. I have an extra Gu and hand it over. We begin the descent and they follow. Descending with stiff knees hurts. We tread lightly and keep enjoying the scenery, only a little less so this lap. The trail seems to require more focus now then before, as does my stride. I have to concentrate on how I run too, since my normal stride is too difficult.

We hit the "2.5 miles from home post" (the marker for the 5 mile out and back) indicating that 7.5 miles remain (and 18.7 done). "Hey only a Bay to Breakers left from here" I tell Jud. Woo-hoo, bring it on! We shuffle on. We finish the bluff section and hit the flats, all the while thinking "I'll have to tread this track 2 more times to finish." Each step seems a bit more painful with that thought. The gals & guy from the summit are still with us. The gal I gave the Gu to starts singing pop songs, a bit off-key but made up for with enthusiasm. I tell her she's too peppy and I want my Gu back.

We plod into the parking lot, finishing 21.1 miles at this point in 4:22hrs. We keep moving because we know we can't stop or our legs will seize. I refill my Camelbak, pour in Gatorade powder mix, and we're off again. Every step hurts at this point. Never before have I hurt this bad for this long. We still joke & kid, but a bit more slowly now. Eventually we both move into our own heads for the final battles of will required to finish. Step. Step. Step. We finish the flat and start the bluffs trail. I see more footfalls than sea views at this point but we love it anyway. After a really long trek we finally reach the Post and rejoice. 23.5 miles down! (23.7 really). I stop to pee and have to do knee bends continuously so my quads don't cramp.

We shuffle on. Still taking Gu shots and water at regular intervals. No signs of overheating or bonking, just legs that are running out of fuel and losing the ability to refuel. I guess that's something of a 'localized bonk', I just thought of bonking as more of a whole body thing, with shaking and all that. I was never close to that. We finish the bluffs section again and feel like it's finally close. The flats are interminable. I expect the Big Tree that marks the turn-off to the parking lot around like 5 bends but to no avail (akin to false summits). But then it appears! Only another 200 yards to go!

We lumber across the foot bridge and into the parking lot - 5:37hrs! I have to keep moving. My HR stays above 150. I walk the lot until I'm in the 130s, then 120s. I finally feel ok to stop. We talk to psycho-fit man and he ran it in 3:29 and won the race! whoa. That's an 8min/mile pace over mountains! ouch. Jud talks to superfit woman than ran by us and finds out she ran 21 miles in 3:30. Impressive. I wonder why she stopped. She didn't notice my happy face socks this time.

Net Result: We met our goals - finished, never stopped moving, never had to walk. :-)

Changing clothes was painful. It felt so good to just sit on the tailgate and not move. Lifting a leg to change a sock was a big deal. Eventually we hit the road, but not until we thank the race director and tell him it was a good way to do a first marathon. Elation sinks in as we realize we've actually done it. We devour a jar of dry roasted peanuts on the drive back. Strangely I can't put any water down at the moment. I don't seem to like it all of a sudden. I have some coffee for the drive back instead, which does the trick.

You can send mail to/harrass the author at devinerob@aol.com (Rob), or the hapless Judster at judless@yahoo.com, or you could visit our official 'Team' site at Team "Got No Game".