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Saturday, August 17, 2024

AC100

AC100

A Lil' Southern California Classic Mountain Ultra | Ultramarathon #117

00:45 | Santa Barbara -- my alarm goes off. Get up, get dressed, and make coffee for the drive.

01:00 | Santa Barbara -- left my In-Laws house heading for the startline. I drove, Katie slept.

03:40 | Wrightwood -- arrived at start area in town. Bathroom stop & then a quick 20-minute nap in the vehicle.

04:00 | Wrightwood -- runner check-in for race. Final check over of all my gear in my pack.

 

04:30 | Wrightwood -- photo taken by Katie under the start arch in the community square. Katie wished me luck and headed back to her mom's to take care of the littles. My family would meet me in Altadena finish the next day.

05:00 | Wrightwood -- AC100 begins as runners started our journey from Wrightwood down to Altadena.

As the run started we left Wrightwood the large pack of lead runners headed out of town and led us up to the Acorn trail ascending the first 2,685 feet up into the high country. Firstly, the 0.8Mi or so was on the paved town roads before actually reaching the trailhead, but this was a neat part as a bunch of the local residents were out with their morning coffees standing there cheering and encouraging everyone one up the road. Great to see the community support for the race, especially since the point-to-point versions had not occurred since 2019. The run began with this steep ascent which was honestly a good thing as it forced me to hike and settle into the day. There was definitely very little running until we crested at the top of the Blue Ridge 5.5 Mi into the adventure, and by that time the sun was had risen for the day gracing us with warmth through the trees. It was somewhere around this peak where the route joined and ran on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I absolutely love the PCT, as this was maybe my third (or fourth) time on sections of the PCT. Running up here in the high country was beautiful and the morning glow was not overwhelming yet. The scenes were vast and immense in all directions. I simply took in the breathtaking views and just enjoyed simply being there in the mountains on this run. 

enjoying the PCT sections in Angeles Forest high country.

The first marathon or so flew by as I was having a blast out there on the PCT portion of the route. Combination of the adrenalin from the race atmosphere and the fact it was not fully cooking out there just yet. The second big climb (3.8 Mi out of Vincent Gap) didn't even seem that bad because I was having such a good time out there getting up above 9,200 ft+ at Mt. Baden-Powell.

I would come look forward to the aid stations as the atmosphere at each one was so uplifting. The volunteer teams out here on AC100 were awesome. I would get a ice soak down as I came in each time to keep cool, then get all my snacks and coke I needed, while someone was inevitably filling my bottles, and another was refilling my rabbit ice RAD-dana for me. As I headed out of the aid stations I would get one last sponge bath on my head and/or back as I headed back on the trail. The aid station gatherings from the crews and spectators began to be quite large once we got to Islip Saddle. This made these experiences quite uplifting to run in and out of, which of course provided a nice boost for miles down the trail in turn.

The sun was out and there was no clouds anywhere in the sky at all, even in the distant California horizon. The day was heating up fast and the fell-like temperatures were warm up there in the higher altitudes. constant hydration was a key to this day. I intestinally kept a small constant drip of fluid going in.

Running down Highway 2 shoulder coming on the PCT heading to another portion of the singletrack trail. Photo: Paksit Photos.

Eagles Roost climb (around 28 Mile or so). Photo: Paksit Photos.

views from Newcomb Saddle.

One of the biggest sections of the course came in the middle of the day going from Shortcut to Newcomb aid stations. We were warned about this section during the pre-race brief due to the fact it was one of the longest sections without aid and also was exposed most likely in the heat of the day for the front-middle pack runners. There was a creek at the bottom of the initial 5 Mile(ish) Edison Road descent into this part of the course. I had passed a couple runners on the down but I stopped at the bottom in the creek (WF San Gabriel River) and dipped my one empty bottle in and filled it up as backup - I would drink from it as needed if my other bottles ran out. I also sat down in this flowing creek and submerged my legs taking advantage of nature's cooling. As I was sitting there three runners caught up to me and joined in the creek festivities. We left in a small group and headed up another 3 Mile limb out of this river valley which mirrored the descent we just did. It was a grind and I was definitely glad to have taken 5 minutes and cool my legs before heading out. The day was coming to a close as the sun was low but still blazing and there was no breeze at all. I finally reached the top of the climb and then it was the one out & back section of the course where we had to run up to a holepunch to mark our bibs as a sign we had made it there. I vaguely recall this in the pre-race talk being a "short" part, but it turned out to be 1.5 Mi each way, so I was a little bummed constantly starring at my watch wondering where that stupid punch was. I got there right at the point where I now absolutely needed to put my lights on. Punching my bib and headed back towards the route again, only a short distance now to the aid station. Time to get through the night. Standing there at Newcomb Saddle aid station one of the volunteers pointed way over to Red Box lights which you could see across the vast dark canyon below. They said "that is where you are headed next". It sure did look a far ways out.

The next sections were large net uphill and I spent a lot of the portion of the night miles grinding in a hike mode just pushing forward. I did take my time at the aid taking 15-20 minutes at least which certainly added to my overall time. A long 5.4 Mi push up to Red Box and then another 4.4 Mi climb all the way up the backside of Mt. Wilson took awhile. Getting up there provided some cool views of the LA metropolis in the distance below and its glowing lights. The contrast of being up high (still at 6,000 ft+ on Mt. Wilson summit) with the city lights below knowing that where the race led was pretty neat.

My 24 hour hopes had come and gone. I can't recall where but daylight finally broke again as it was "all" downhill into the finish. I soaked in the views of the city below as it slowly became closer and closer. There was more and more family hikers, runners, and mountain bikers out for their morning moves as the trail slowly grew in activity. Society was near, I could feel it as I followed the El Prieto Trail winding down into Altadena. Only a couple turns remained as I cruised down the streets. I could here the cheering and see all the vehicles parked around the Loma Alta Park. Crossing up onto the grass lawn and running the last 100 meters or so while everyone cheered and clapped up to the AC100 arch banner. I had did it.... number 41....what a journey!

Finishing AC100.
Photo: unknown from Facebook. 

Results & Data
T.Meding AC100 STRAVA map. Wrightwood to Altadena.


source: STRAVA.
a well earned t-shirt.

Post race nap awaiting the awards presentation with daughter 5. Photo: Katie Meding.

Buckle presentation with all 5 daughters & the RDs. Photo: Katie Meding.

Gear Used

  • Shirts - rabbit SS rabbitELITEtrail team kit
  • Shorts - rabbit 5" FKT 2.0
  • Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
  • EyeWear - goodr
  • Shoes - ACSIS Fuji Speed 4
  • Socks - rnnr rabbitELITEtrail team kit
  • Hydration - NATHAN Trailmix 12L pack with (x2) 20oz soft flasks and x2 NATHAN 18oz soft insulated handhelds.
  • Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
  • Anti-Friction Lube - Squirrels Nut Butter
  • Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
  • Other - rabbit ice RAD-dana
  • Other Backup - (carried in pack // not used) rabbit HAWKS swish pullover & rabbit LS deflector 2.0 with hood


Source: Ultrarunning Magazine, 1988.
Final Thoughts

AC100 is a great race and I highly recommend it this 100 Mi point-to-point race if you can get in. Being one of the original 100 Milers in the United States it has that old school feel along with all the excitement of the route and history of the event. Put this one on your race bucket list. If you can swing it I'd recommend entering via the "SOLO" division as it increases your odds of getting in, but then of course you cannot have any crews nor spectators on course - this is the whole value of the SOLO division to reduce the traffic and congestion on these back roads and high country trailheads.

I think the best part of this race looking back is probably the volunteers out there. I have been to many races and not many would compare to the personal service I got treated to at nearly every single stop out here on AC. From the time I entered the aid area there was always someone coming right up to me and taking my bottles to fill them for me without hesitation while usually another person would be taking my food order. Of course, the water service, be it sponges or ice packing, or simple spray downs were also huge throughout the day to assist in topical cooling. It was just truly first-class service from fellow ultrarunner volunteers in the community, so thank you to anyone who was out there helping out that day.

My updated buckle collection. Holding my AC100 engraved finishers plaque (very unique and personalized for a 100 Mile finish). Customized buckle display built by my dad.
Photo: Katie Meding.


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Thanks for checking out my race report on AC100.


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