Santa Barbara 9 Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run

Below you will find the race report from Kathryn Costello of Santa Barbara. Kathryn is 26 years old, new to distance running and this was her first ultra experience. The Santa Barbara 9 Trails has a very profound and positive effect on people, Kathryn's excited report seems to capture that feeling. She finished the run in 9 hours and 38 minutes, 44 out of 95 starters. 

2005 race report by

 Kathryn Costello

Preface:

Let me preface this report by stating that 2005 has been a year of endurance running firsts for me. I started with my first 5-mile jog (no walking), progressed to my first 5K (Nite Moves), then my first long run (7-8 miles), my first ½ Marathon (Pier-2-Peak), first Marathon (Nike Women’s – SF), and finally my first Ultra Marathon, the Santa Barbara 9 Trails.

Winning a pair of trail running shoes at the 9 Trails informational meeting convinced me to give the training run a shot. Completing the training run gave me the confidence to consider the event. That darn 9 Trails map magnet on my fridge would not allow me to let this event pass. Every time I entered the kitchen I would eye it wondering if I really could be a finisher. I had this brand-new marathon body and I didn’t know if I’d ever be in this good of shape again. I didn’t want to miss my opportunity to do 9 Trails, knees be damned. I also reasoned that someday I might lose my knees and my health so I may as well enjoy them now.

I mentally prepared by reading every 9-Trails story posted on the SBAA web site. I accepted that I would be in pain and that I would be uncomfortable. I even accepted that I’d probably run through poison oak and fall at some point on the run. I trained on the course and marked it with rock piles and stick arrows. One trick that helped me come to terms with my commitment to 9 Trails was to think of it as an event, not a race. That view helped me to get me to the starting line four weeks after my marathon.

As a relatively new runner I had no idea what I was doing most of the time. This was especially apparent at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning when I mentioned to Amy that I still hadn’t figured out my water strategy. I had two different camelbacks in my car and several water bottles. Fortunately, she gave me the perfect compromise – carry one water bottle and wear the camelback I’d used on my training runs. Perfect! Thank you Amy for helping me out.

I was amazed at how relaxed we were at the start. It really did feel more like a run than a race. Evidently there were quite a few of us who just wanted to finish. We started up the hill chatting amongst ourselves. Wow, conversation – it was too good to be true. I was making new friends left and right. When does that happen in a race?

Once we got to single track on Jesusita the conversation dulled. I focused on keeping my feet dry. According to Luis there are no extra socks in ultra running and I certainly hadn’t packed any. The sun was up as we crested Inspiration Point. One of the Moms in Motion stopped at a vista and took a picture. Wow, you can actually carry a camera on these things. I hadn’t even considered the possibility. It seemed too heavy.

Heading up the Tunnel trail another runner and I decided that it was far better for us to have a long day than a short day because a short day would indicate a DNF. A second thought was Luis’ advice to be patient with this course because it’s completely runable if you run within yourself. His encouragement echoed in my mind throughout the day.

Meeting Margie and Bill at Gibraltar was encouraging. Here we were at 9:00 in the morning and we’d already traveled a quarter of the course. If we all held this pace we’d finish in the late afternoon. Encountering Stu on Cold Springs was an eye-opener. It seemed impossible that the Stu Sherman, Angeles Crest 100 Elite Finisher, had fallen. How could that have happened – wasn’t he immortal or something? He advised us to run smart. I listened.

It was around this time that I found myself alone in the race. The runner ahead of me was taking the hill while I was looking out for my knees. I got to the bottom of the Cold Springs Trail and was met by a couple of volunteers who directed me to the best route across the creek. It was nice to know they were looking out for us. I found more volunteers at the turn-off to the Hot Springs – they took down our numbers and made certain we turned right. How sweet of them to have hiked out there for us. No naked people were to be found in the hot springs. I was sorely disappointed. I had hoped to wave hello on my way through the bamboo tunnel to the fire burn.

The fire burn is my least favorite part of the race. It’s steep and exposed. Fortunately I caught up to another runner and we traversed the decent together. I promised myself I’d leave my camelback at San Ysidro. Taking that thing off felt wonderful. Stepping off the fire burn onto the Buena Vista Trail felt even better. It was here that I encountered the first runners on their way back. I couldn’t believe how fast they were. That’s incredible. We exchanged words of encouragement.

Reaching the Romero Canyon aid station was a relief. It was wonderful to have arrived just in time to talk with Patsy and Luis. They asked about my knees and I replied that the knees were hanging in there. Then I turned around. I knew I needed to get going if I wanted to finish.

I was all by myself when I returned to the Buena Vista Trail. The knowledge that other runners weren’t far behind comforted me. My quads were starting to tire, especially after I retrieved my camelback at San Ysidro. Between San Ysidro and Gibraltar the term RFP, "Relentless Forward Progress," echoed through my mind. I thought, "Luis said I could do this." I was doing my best to get to Gibraltar in the early afternoon. The chilly wind gusted up and nearly stole my hat. The hikers aside, I really was all alone.

Applying the "RFP" chant and an iron will I climbed out of the canyon to Gibraltar. It was thrilling. I ditched my camelback again. The release felt wonderful. Then it was time for a power walk/shuffle up Gibraltar with John. He’s this ambitious 52-year old from Utah who’s running 52 marathons in one year. I’m a wimp compared to him.

The wind was cruel here. According to Luis, a successful race strategy is to run within oneself until Gibraltar. If there is anything left at Gibraltar then it can be applied over the last 9 miles. I didn’t know what was left but I knew I wanted to escape this wind and get to the finish line.

I took the hill at Rattlesnake, tentatively at first but more assertively as I got closer to the creek. I power walked the last long ascent up the connector to Tunnel. I took the steep decent down Tunnel as quickly as I dared. Fortunately there was a fellow runner ahead of me and I did my best to keep up with her. I reached the Tunnel aid station in the late afternoon. I was pretty sure I could make it to the finish with some daylight to spare. The thought was comforting as I grabbed my flashlight. It was go time.

I charged Inspiration. I felt fatigued but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to keep Patsy waiting. I wanted my hug, I needed my hug, and gosh darn it, I was going to get my hug.

The Moms in Motion were ahead of me and they were awesome. Throughout the race I’d had the energy to give smiles and encouragement freely. Now, as I passed them, they patted me on the back and cheered me on. It was just what I needed, a little bit of motherly encouragement. They were wonderful.

After Inspiration I gave it all I had, knees be damned. I wanted my finish and I wanted it to be strong. I did slow down and wave to the horses, Dudley and Prima, on my way past the corral. The water crossings were tricky but at least wet feet were no longer a concern. I emerged from the Jesusita Trailhead with a strong kick and held on until I was in Patsy’s arms.

I am so thankful to all who contributed to this fine event. The trails were well-marked, the aid stations well-stocked, the race was well-organized, and the volunteers were the most supportive I’ve ever encountered. I am especially grateful to Luis for ending his 15-year 9 Trails streak so that the rest of us could share the experience. I’m thankful to Patsy for her encouragement, her suggestions on how to keep things simple, and her enormous hug accompanied by cheers at the end of the race. She and Luis told me I could do this run and I believed them.

Someday I’ll learn to accept a DNF, but I’m glad that it wasn’t on my first 9 Trails.

P.S. The race dinner was delicious and definitely worth the $10.00. Thank you to Savoy Truffles for taking good care of all of us.

Kathryn Costello - Santa Barbara 9 Trails - FINISHER!