01 August 2008
hard-CORE
As if I haven'd had enough activity for the week (a road century on Saturday and an offroad metric century + 15% on Wednesday - both which at least 10,500 feet of climbing), I participated in an event that is a fundraiser for CORE (an organization by the kids for the kids, which gets kids involved in fun, adventurous after-school activities such as surfing, junior life-guards, etc). This event started at the Santa Cruz wharf and ended 6 miles away at the Capitola Village wharf. While there is a road that travels between the two, this race travels along the sand and shore. And all you need is a swimsuit (and a pair of goggles) and you are good to go! Oh, and you also had to start at 6am.
The sun was just coming up, but not long enough to provide much warmth to the sand or air. Minutes before the race, we all got our crash course in "dolphin-diving" past the breakers. This was a great reminder for the shore break we were about to encounter. I felt sorry for any competitors that did not feel comfortable in big swell. We all lined up at the Santa Cruz wharf, and at 6am we were off and running down the beach, chasing after that sun that was just peaking up over the horizon. We would be chasing the sun for the remaining hour or so. The first leg was probably about a 1.5 mile run. Despite the miles of cycling I had done over the past few days, I was feeling good and started passing people towards the end of the first leg (I started way in the back of the line up).
Next, we had to jump in the water - my body was pretty warm by then, so it wasnt a big deal cold-wise, but there were sets of waves that were by no means "ankle-biters". The waves were crashing onshore and overhead, so we had to be careful when entering and exiting the water. There were many junior lifegaurds competing who were great to model oneself after, as well as lifegaurds that were on the course to guide us past the breakers. Their knowledge of the ocean was extremely valued during this time and throughout the entire race. Every time I looked up, I seemed to see a guard which made me feel very safe throughout the whole event. After a 300-400 yard swim, I got into shore safely and started the next leg of the run
The next run leg was probably another 1.5 miles. It was so beautiful galloping along the sand and in the sun! However, as soon as we hit the shade of the cliffs I started to get cold again. I couldnt feel my feet! I think they were moving beneath my legs, but those were kinda hard to feel too!! Then it was the second swim leg - probably around 800 yards long. There were bigger waves to navigate and a longer swim during which to withstand the cold - and the body was cooling down. So I just kicked harder to warm up. I also realized that I was continuing to pass people, and even caught up to the men, who started few minutes ahead of us! Getting back into shore was a bit hairier than the previous time. A big set was coming through so I tread water just behind the breakers until the set cleared and then swam as hard as I could to get into shore and hopefully beat the next set of waves. I got caught by one last breaker just as I was almost out of the zone. I was shook up a bit but no biggie. I needed to start running to warm back up!
It was probably less than a mile to the third and final swim so I ran as fast as my sorry tired legs could take me. At this point I caught up to Alex (my neighbor) and we entered the water together at the last swim leg. Not as hairy at the last entrance but you still had to have your wits about you. I followed a hard-core lifegaurd/competitor who tied her dreadlocks back with the dreadlocks themselves and then dived into the surf without goggles! Following her really helped me to navigate past the breakers, as it was obvious that she knew what she was doing. During the swim, I passed her, and a few others, and then I came to shore a bit shy of the actual place we were supposed to get out. This was unfortunate, as it was directly over this really rocky reef. I cut myself up a bit trying to get out, as there were tons of holes and rock to stumble over, and waves that kept pushing me all over the reef. It took me a while to get out of this mess. Meanwhile Marta caught up to me and we ran up on the beach to throw our shoes on and run the last 2 miles on road. It was too rocky to run on the beach, which was real bummer, as the road was so rock hard compared to the sand. Another difficulty was running RIGHT past my street. I was so cold I couldnt feel my feet - running past a nice hot shower that was less than a block away was almost as challenging as finishing the race!! But I pressed on, and then ran past Erin who came out on her cruiser bike to give me support as I ran along the cliffs. It was so great to see her! This is the second time she has come out to offer support during an event! She offered water and warm clothes but I just wanted to keep moving so I could finish. One more mile to go, mostly downhill. I was starting to warm up. Finally, I could see the blue flags indicating the end of the race - I crossed the finish line along with Alex and Marta - it was SO fun! We were freezing so we put all our warm clothes back on (the organizers of the race transported them from the start to the finish for us) and drank lots of hot chocolate and coffee and ate yummy burritos! SUCH a fun event. I cant wait for the next one! But this time, I am going to get into running shape before I do it. I have a feeling that I could be a bit sore tomorrow?! Perhaps the 1 and 2 mile roughwater swims I am competing in this weekend will help shake out the lactic acid (or at least numb my body from the aches and pains!).
The sun was just coming up, but not long enough to provide much warmth to the sand or air. Minutes before the race, we all got our crash course in "dolphin-diving" past the breakers. This was a great reminder for the shore break we were about to encounter. I felt sorry for any competitors that did not feel comfortable in big swell. We all lined up at the Santa Cruz wharf, and at 6am we were off and running down the beach, chasing after that sun that was just peaking up over the horizon. We would be chasing the sun for the remaining hour or so. The first leg was probably about a 1.5 mile run. Despite the miles of cycling I had done over the past few days, I was feeling good and started passing people towards the end of the first leg (I started way in the back of the line up).
Next, we had to jump in the water - my body was pretty warm by then, so it wasnt a big deal cold-wise, but there were sets of waves that were by no means "ankle-biters". The waves were crashing onshore and overhead, so we had to be careful when entering and exiting the water. There were many junior lifegaurds competing who were great to model oneself after, as well as lifegaurds that were on the course to guide us past the breakers. Their knowledge of the ocean was extremely valued during this time and throughout the entire race. Every time I looked up, I seemed to see a guard which made me feel very safe throughout the whole event. After a 300-400 yard swim, I got into shore safely and started the next leg of the run
The next run leg was probably another 1.5 miles. It was so beautiful galloping along the sand and in the sun! However, as soon as we hit the shade of the cliffs I started to get cold again. I couldnt feel my feet! I think they were moving beneath my legs, but those were kinda hard to feel too!! Then it was the second swim leg - probably around 800 yards long. There were bigger waves to navigate and a longer swim during which to withstand the cold - and the body was cooling down. So I just kicked harder to warm up. I also realized that I was continuing to pass people, and even caught up to the men, who started few minutes ahead of us! Getting back into shore was a bit hairier than the previous time. A big set was coming through so I tread water just behind the breakers until the set cleared and then swam as hard as I could to get into shore and hopefully beat the next set of waves. I got caught by one last breaker just as I was almost out of the zone. I was shook up a bit but no biggie. I needed to start running to warm back up!
It was probably less than a mile to the third and final swim so I ran as fast as my sorry tired legs could take me. At this point I caught up to Alex (my neighbor) and we entered the water together at the last swim leg. Not as hairy at the last entrance but you still had to have your wits about you. I followed a hard-core lifegaurd/competitor who tied her dreadlocks back with the dreadlocks themselves and then dived into the surf without goggles! Following her really helped me to navigate past the breakers, as it was obvious that she knew what she was doing. During the swim, I passed her, and a few others, and then I came to shore a bit shy of the actual place we were supposed to get out. This was unfortunate, as it was directly over this really rocky reef. I cut myself up a bit trying to get out, as there were tons of holes and rock to stumble over, and waves that kept pushing me all over the reef. It took me a while to get out of this mess. Meanwhile Marta caught up to me and we ran up on the beach to throw our shoes on and run the last 2 miles on road. It was too rocky to run on the beach, which was real bummer, as the road was so rock hard compared to the sand. Another difficulty was running RIGHT past my street. I was so cold I couldnt feel my feet - running past a nice hot shower that was less than a block away was almost as challenging as finishing the race!! But I pressed on, and then ran past Erin who came out on her cruiser bike to give me support as I ran along the cliffs. It was so great to see her! This is the second time she has come out to offer support during an event! She offered water and warm clothes but I just wanted to keep moving so I could finish. One more mile to go, mostly downhill. I was starting to warm up. Finally, I could see the blue flags indicating the end of the race - I crossed the finish line along with Alex and Marta - it was SO fun! We were freezing so we put all our warm clothes back on (the organizers of the race transported them from the start to the finish for us) and drank lots of hot chocolate and coffee and ate yummy burritos! SUCH a fun event. I cant wait for the next one! But this time, I am going to get into running shape before I do it. I have a feeling that I could be a bit sore tomorrow?! Perhaps the 1 and 2 mile roughwater swims I am competing in this weekend will help shake out the lactic acid (or at least numb my body from the aches and pains!).
# posted by Nicole @ 12:11 PM
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