Robin is not a true runner. We met in 1984 while we were both training for our first triathlon. She was a swimmer and I was a runner. She is still a much better swimmer than me and I'm still a much better runner than her. That being said this was going to be a true test for her. The only previous marathon experience for Robin was the inaugural Los Angeles Marathon in 1986. This would be her second. Along the way, over the years she has accomplished some other great athletic feats such as the Alcatraz Triathalon and giving birth to and raising our two children. Enough of the reminiscing, let's talk about the race.
We all drove to Lone Pine on Star Wars Day, Friday, May 4th, and checked into the historic and world-famous Dow Villa Motel. The rooms come with a refrigerator and microwave so Robin and I brought our favorite and proven pasta dish to eat the night before. After checking in and watching Ray, Melissa, Trevor, and Andrea eat dinner we headed down the street towards the check-in and stopped off at the bar at Seasons for a quick beer. When we got to Lone Pine School for the check-in we were in for a huge surprise. This year was the largest turnout for the races ever. The line wrapped around the inside of the building. We waited patiently, got our gear minus shirts, and waited for the last minute instructions. Our shirts would be mailed to us. There was nothing new that concerned us so we headed back to the room for dinner and sleep.
Race day came quickly. We got up, made our bagels and avocado for breakfast and got dressed. We were riding with Trevor who was doing the 10-mile race. The 10 mile and marathon started promptly at 6:00 AM so we were headed away from the Dow Villa about 5:15. Melissa was with us also as she also was running the 10-mile race. Ray rode along but stayed with the truck to make sure everything left behind would still be there when we returned sometime that afternoon(beer and snacks).
Our pre-race selfie before heading to the start of the race
Robin and I were rocking the Nike Terra Kiger 4 Trail Shoes and Gaiters for the race.
We all headed to the start line. This race is cool in the fact that there is still no chip timing, the distances and time are approximate, the entry fees are reasonable, and we get cool finisher medals. That being said the start line is literally a line in the sand of the parking lot the race director drew with her shoe.
The five of us before the start, and yes, Trevor is standing on a rise in the ground.
Andrea, Robin, and I pinky swore to stay together no matter what during the race.
The horn went off, we all started our watches, and off we went for a 26-mile adventure. The first 2 3/4 miles are uphill, mostly in sand. I have run this part in the past, but today we all walked uphill, but with a purpose. This is the part of the race that's still fun. We all had adrenaline running through us and the weather was perfect.
A sunrise selfie during the beginning of the race.
Shortly before we hit the 3-mile mark we finally got to go downhill to the first creek crossing. The water wasn't near as high as last year but the steep downhill with hurting legs made the crossing treacherous none the less.
The first uphill was tough
Waiting our turn at the first creek crossing.
After crossing the creek we headed up a short uphill before heading downhill to refresh our legs. During this part of the race, we passed the first aid station which was also the turnoff for the 10-mile run. Now we were mostly alone and were soon heading uphill again. I always thought this was the toughest part of the course for me in years past and I did everything I could to help Robin and Andrea up the hill to Whitney Portal Road.
Robin and Andrea heading uphill at the Wild Wild West Marathon.
Looking back on the beautiful view as we headed uphill.
More uphill
Soon we got to the highest point of the marathon. We crossed Whitney Portal Road and were joined by runners that had started earlier and were doing the 50k and 50 miles. They had taken the trail up to Whitney Portal Campground as part of their route. For the next 7 miles we would be going downhill on Hogback. Even though it was downhill we stuck to the run/walk plan so as to make the race as enjoyable as possible for Robin and Andrea.
This was about the high point of the race before heading down Hogback.
Down Hogback we went.
As we headed down Hogback we talked to a lot of people who were doing the longer races. It seemed like many of them welcomed the chance to walk or run slow for a bit just to have someone to talk to. In my younger days I had always hammered this part, but not this year. I was eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, jelly beans, Picky Bars, plus whatever the aid stations had handy. It wasn't long before our watches said we had reached the 13.1 point so we stopped for a quick selfie.
The halfway selfie and we were still married and friends.
Soon after halfway and the Badwater aid station we crossed the last creek of the race and headed towards mother hill. This is a significant point of the race because soon the miles remaining would be single digits and visions of cold beers waiting at Jake's Saloon would be dancing in our heads. The weather began to warm but the wind was nonexistent which was a welcome change from the previous year. After we crested mother hill we continued snacking and heading into the Alabama Hills portion of the event. I kept an eye out for the course markings and we made all of the turns but it was interesting to see people go right on by them. I'm not sure if it's the music they listen to(I don't) or what but some people have a tough time following the course in this race.
This year the Alabama Hills portion of the course took us through a section that was really cool and a part of the course I had not run before. The area was narrow and it felt like we were in a Star Trek episode.
Heading through the cool rock formations of the Alabama Hills.
Robin and I in the Alabama Hills.
While the Alabama Hills were cool to look at and fun to run through the next few miles would be tough. There was a single track trail that took us up and over the last set of hills before dropping us down into Lone Pine for the finish. The hills were tough and steep, and somewhere Andrea made the comment that for her birthday we were going to Disneyland. We continued our walk and jog pace but it was getting tough on Robin. I knew there was going to be one last aid station at the top of a single track. The guy manning the aid station was actually the son of the guy that did it the first time I ran the course.
Andrea and Robin running the single track at about mile 23.
Yes, we had to go up this.
And this.
After we hit the last aid station before heading into town, Robin morphed into the power walker from hell. She didn't talk much, but she was on a mission to finish. She didn't run anymore, but her walk was so fast Andrea and I couldn't keep up walking so we would let her get ahead and then run to catch up to her.
Robin power walking away from us on the downhill into Lone Pine.
After we got out of the hills and into town we knew we would make it. It had been a long day but Robin's birthday wish had come true, she was going to do the Wild Wild West Marathon. As we headed into town and could hear the people in the park Robin suddenly stopped and said she couldn't go any farther. I guess the shock on our faces was too much as she said just kidding and we ran the last few hundred yards to the finish.
Andrea, myself, and Robin finishing the Wild Wild West Marathon
We went across the finish line together in about 8 hours and 45 minutes, upholding our pinky swear we made before the start. The funny thing was awards were going on, and as they added Robin's name to the results it was found out that she had placed second in her age group so she got an award along with our finishers medals.
Ray, Melissa, and Trevor were waiting for us at the park and we all headed back to the motel, but first, a stop at Jake's Saloon was in order. It was a short walk, and one worth taking.
Robin with her age group award.
Jake's Saloon was full of runners when we stopped in on our walk back to the Dow Villa.
We had some cold drinks, watched the Kentucky Derby, then headed back to the Dow Villa for a shower and jacuzzi. That night we all hit season's and the food was fantastic. Needless to say, we all slept great, got up early and headed to the Alabama Hills Cafe for a great breakfast. We met a lot of great people there, we are all still talking, Robin and I are still married, and we can't wait to get back. Robin already said she wants to do it again. Our reservations for next year are made and the training has started.
