Westchester 50K – turned 25K

Race Report: Westchester 50k run (25k – 5k jog, 10k run, 10k walk)

Westchester, CA

Today was one of those rare occasions where I started out with a plan to head out on an ultra-event and situations turned and I ended up decided on a much shorter day… This year I’m planning on completing 20 ultras leading up to Uberman in October. I have 7 completed so far and 13 to go and gave myself room to have “issues” like today on three races and make them up later.

I woke up at o dark 30 as planned and had my plan all set. I was going to head out the door by 4:30am, jog/walk at 10-minute mile pace for 2 hours and meet up with my friend Jeff in Redondo beach and run 7 miles or so together at social distancing space and then head back home. I spent the early morning getting ready, supplying in my light running pack with plenty to keep me supplied with no refuel for the 31-mile journey ahead of me, had my headlight charged, my bright yellow shirt on, and all the necessary components for a successful experience.

Last night I had received a notice that LA city is tightening up the “Safer at home” policies going forward partially because people are still crowding to public spaces. I had thought through my plan as best possible with the early start, staying on the roads and not the bike paths to avoid people and having enough supplies so I wouldn’t have to restock and felt comfortable about my decision leading up to the day. A good friend of mine had sent a video with a very catchy melody encouraging each of us to do our part and not roam but stay at home. Another cyclist that I’ve been following their journey to Race Across America this year Jen Orr is doing a 24 hour cycling ride indoors on her trainer which with the mileage she’s putting on might be a World Record if not a first ever for being on the trainer that long and covering the amount of distance she is. The mental fortitude to tackle that challenge is mind-bending even for most of the top competitors in the ultra-endurance world. Her decision to stay indoors with all that is going on speaks volumes to the community about how serious this is playing out and that we each need to do our part.

As I started jogging my first mile and getting into my pacing getting my mind into a good headspace it just didn’t feel right… I spent about 20 minutes wrestling with weather I was being fearful, overreactive, or if there was a leading in my heart telling me to call it a day. I’m a major safety guy and as I pondered the thoughts going through my mind I decided that I was going to treat myself as if I was currently sick and what behavior would I exhibit to ensure that I didn’t spread it to anyone in my or other communities. As I ran through scenarios I decided that for now I am going to still train outside at social distance guidelines but will stay within five miles of my house. The idea of running through multiple small ocean communities felt like roaming to far for the current situation and I just couldn’t bring myself to keep going on the current path.

I decided to turn around and make my morning run a 5K instead of a 50k. I texted my friend I was going to meet and told him I had changed my mind and would catch up with him later. When I got home I spent the morning with my family and then before lunch I took the opportunity to run a 10K at pace which seemed like a nice substitute for the day. I ran the first 5K at just under 25 minutes and the second 5k at just under 30 minutes in the heat of the day. Then I had lunch and took the two munchkins out for a couple of hours and covered the same 10k route I had taken earlier in the day.

I’ve learned to trust my instincts and feel good about my decision today. I can understand why others would make decisions to not go out at all or to cover the ground anyways deciding the risks were low enough, but for today my conscious and mental state told me to stay close to home. It’s very interesting times in the world and we’ll see how training closer to home and indoors plays out in the weeks and months ahead.

Stay safe and cherish the time with those closest to you!