Spooner’s Cove Trail Run

Chrysa’s Take

So this was one of two trail runs I signed up for. I had such high hopes for this run. It was held at Spooner’s Cove in Montana de Oro State Park in Los Osos, CA. It is a beautiful location. Jesse and I got up early, but thankfully not too early since the run started at 8am. We had a 1.5 hour drive nice and early on a Sunday so there was no traffic and we got to see the sky change colors as the sun came up. It was great … until we got to the park. Then the rain started, slowly at first and then much harder. It was also cold, about 45 degrees and we were just not dressed for it. This was the only day of rain in the forecast, go figure. Jesse signed up for the 5 mile run and I signed up for the 25K. There was also an 8 mile and a 50K. The 5 mile was advertised as pretty flat with only 800 feet of elevation gain, the 8 mile had 1670 feet, the 25K had 3200 feet and the 50K had 6400 feet of elevation gain. To say I was undertrained for this run would be an understatement. I ran a good 9 miles with a few hills at the La Purisima Mission in Lompoc. It was a great training run but nothing compared to what the Spooner’s Cove run had in store for me.

Due to the incredible rain and my lack of any appropriate gear, I opted to drop down to the 8 mile run. I didn’t want Jesse hanging out cold and wet for hours while he waited for me to finish plus I only had a short sleeve shirt, a cotton long sleeve (which I ended up wearing) and a very light windbreaker which does not block rain. I was cold and soaked before the race even started. When the little shelter over the registration desk blew over I knew I would not survive 25K. I decided to take this as a learning experience and invest in a better water proof rain coat (if you have any suggestions let me know!). The lack of appropriate clothes was my first mistake.

Since I was only running 8 miles I decided I didn’t need to wear my hydration vest. I brought my two Honey Stinger wafers and a pack of Gu chomps. This was mistake number two; I really should have carried some water and maybe different snacks. I have to remember that for me trail running is much more taxing. I am still learning what works best for me and I have a lot of strength to build. I should have treated the 8 mile trail run like a 16 mile road run. Again lesson learned.

This was a beautiful run; we started out running on the bluffs with the Pacific Ocean crashing into the beaches to our right. We then turned away and began climbing. The race director stressed that we had to go to the very tippy top of Valencia Peak and grab a rubber band. The 5 mile and 8 mile kept the same course for much of the way, the split came right before it got really steep. I knew Jesse was probably doing awesome since he is really good at climbing hills, me less so but I figure you only get better at hills by doing them. So I started the up part of the course. It was beautiful and I stopped a few times to just look out at the ocean and catch my breath. There was a trick peak that you thought was the top but you actually had to keep going along the ridge and then up some more. There were lots of switchbacks and as you climbed you could see miles of other trails all through this park. I need to make sure I spend more time there running and hiking. As I got closer to the top it got much colder and started raining again. At the peak though it was all worth it, I got my rubber bands and had one of my wafers while talking with another guy that was also at the top. Then there was the downhill. I am still learning and sometimes the down scares me more than the up, I am afraid of falling. But this was great! It was fun and fast and felt so good. Even though it had rained it was not super muddy so it was not overly slippery. I felt good. It was all downhill to the finish line and as I crossed I saw Jesse taking picks and waiting for me.

I got my medal and some water. I changed out of my wet clothes since now it had stopped raining but I was still cold and my fingers were blue. It was a stunning course and a great run. Jesse and I even found someone that knew of and ran with the Big Boss Run Club back in Raleigh, NC. She had moved to CA with her hubby after they vacationed there and fell in love with the central coast. I could see why. It is pretty great here and we still have so much to explore.

This was a great run and a good learning experience for me. I have a long way to go before I consider myself good at trail running but the only way to get better is practice. And let me tell you this a great place to do it!

Jesse’s Take

As Chrysa Mentioned above, I also Ran the Spooner’s Cove Trail Run. I did the 5 mile option. I have to give my amazing wife all the credit in the world. She is able to grind through a marathon or longer. She has endurance and mental stamina that I just can’t match. I much prefer the shorter distances. Give me a 5K or 10K with beer at the end and I am happy as a clam.

I have to say that I was really ready for the Spooner’s Cove run. I had been hill training, and really focusing on the 5 mile distance. I’d like to say that I was good at budgeting my time and making room in my busy schedule for race training. That would be a lie though. Really, I was just unemployed. Joblessness does lead to physical fitness…I had a really good run at Spooner’s Cove.

For me the race really started the day before. In order to get some last minute training, Chrysa and I went to Gaviota to hike a couple of the trails. We decided to hike up to the hot spring that is in the park, and even went about 2/3’s of the way up Gaviota peak. It was a really nice morning. We did end up hiking farther than either of us expected. We were both worried that we would be burnt out for the race the following day.

As Chrysa mentioned, the weather didn’t really cooperate with us. It was soggy and cold. I suppose I will be nice and call it…character building. Although it was wet, and much hillier than I expected, the race did feature an amazing downhill section. By the time I reached the turnoff, my quads were burnt, and crying for relief. The relief came at just the right time. I thundered down the hill and through the switchbacks. I could tell by the number of shoe prints that I was near the front of the pack. When I crossed the finish line I was told that I had placed 4^th overall! A little while later I found out I won 1^st in my age group!

Despite the obstacles I really liked this race. I even got to meet up with a fellow North Carolina transplant with friends and run clubs in common. It was really great to have someone to talk to about old times while waiting for Chrysa to finish up. I am always amazed just how small a world it is.

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