BIG SUR TRAIL MARATHON, Big Sur, CA - October 7, 2006

At 9:00 AM on a crisp, sunny Saturday, nearly 300 runners hoofed off the start line for the 17th Annual Big Sur Trail Marathon, half-marathon, and 5-miler in Andrew Molera State Park in southern California. www.envirosports.com. I was one of the forty-three marathoners taking on the seven hamstring-hounding climbs and quad-pounding descents, packed into the 5,700 feet of elevation along the out and back course. Known for its beastly climbs; some over two-miles long, I was excited for the beautiful panoramic views of the Big Sur coastline, twisty switchbacks, and leg-turning flatter sections weaving though fragrant Oak Forests and Redwood Groves – and to run my guts out for the prized rubber chicken awarded to the first woman and man finisher.

Race director Dave Honig, puts on some of the hardest running races around the country, yet as hard as we may train and race, he wants his events to be fun. A rubber chicken is a brilliant reward.

With chicken on the brain, the morning air warmed quickly as our snappy pace off the starting line slowed to a breath-pulsing trot up the first of several steep ascents. Steve Bremner, 51, a seasoned distance runner from Manitou Springs, CO, led the foot-stomping pack. He has run 79 marathons, in 41 states over the past 16 years and “was feeling really good and figured I’d push hard to see what kind of a lead I could open.” He said.

I lost site of Steve early-on and battled for third place with Eric Edelson, 27, from Stanford, CA, most of the time. He outran me on the sun-beating climbs, but I could hustle past him on the steep, sweeping downhills shaded by giant Redwood trees. It was a beautiful course and every so often we were treated to stunning views of the sun-kissed craggy coastline.

The demanding terrain took its toll. By mile 22, my legs felt as rubbery as Gummy Bears left in the sun and I lost climbing steam. Eric extended his lead on each hill and eventually ran away from me. I was relieved to reach the final peak and chug the final two-mile plunge to finish. Steve Bremner, the early leader, could not hold on, and Mark Matayzic, 43, from Irvine, CA won the overall race in 3:36:12. I crossed about 15 minutes back in 3:51:31, to take fourth overall and win the women’s division - and a coveted rubber chicken. The full story will appear in the March issue of Trail Runner Magazine.

The next day, I headed off to Paso Robles to taste my way through their terrific wine country. But that is a story for another time.