Jed Smith Marathon
February 1, 2025
Whose idea is it to slip a marathon into our training before our big race at Mt. Charleston. Oh, I guess that is my brilliant idea. I still haven't learned to think quietly to myself. Once something is muttered to my husband there are only two options will we run Ventura or the Jed Smith Trail Marathon which includes a 50 mile option as our training run in February. With the idea put out into the universe, it is not a matter of if we will be running, but which one with it be.
After discussing the options we choose the Jed Smith. It has been going on for many years 47 to be exact and takes place in the Sacramento area where my husband attended college and he votes for nostalgia. It is a small no frills race, but it includes a shirt and medal. The course consists of an out and back section followed by FIVE loops of the America River Parkway. We did twelve out and backs in Erwin, TN once to get an official marathon race for the 50 states challenge. A redo of Tennessee was required to make up for the Chattanooga Marathon that was deemed short by half a mile due to a misplaced mile marker. That out and back didn't seem too bad at least that is the way I remember it. Five loops sounds doable, plus it is a road and trail race and we have never completed that type of marathon. Who knew it would be a wet and rainy slog on February 1st. As we drove to Sacramento the day before the race, we encountered rain. The weather forecast for race day is heavy rain with flood warnings for the area. After what turned into a long drive we check into to our hotel and eat some dinner before hunkering down for the evening. Rain and dark skies makes for an ominous adventure. One of the good things about this race is a late start for the marathon. The 50 miler which is TEN loops of the same course we will do starts at 7:30 and our race begins at 8:30. The good thing about race morning is getting there early to snag a parking spot close to the start line. We pick up our shirts and sit in the car waiting for the run to begin. Thankfully, one of the potties is close to the car.
Expectations for the race are up in the air. Training has been slow going following our run in early November. We have not fully ramped up our training following the holidays and the last marathon. It is a good way to get in a forced long run with the added bonus of wind and rain to keep it interesting. With little fanfare we line up with 28 other runners and the race begins. We start with the out and back section that quickly turns into a gravel road with mud puddles, my favorite. Dodging rocks and mud will become the theme of the day. On our way back to begin the first loop I ditch one of the jackets, I was layered up with, into the car. I will pass our vehicle five more times before I can finally get in the car and dry out.
The first loop allows each runner to get a feel for the course that we will eventually become very familiar with as the loops pile up. It is advertised as a fast and flat course. No, it is not flat. It includes some climbs and a steep descent at the end of each loop. Usually, I can tear down a hill and take off seconds, but this downhill is so steep that major brakes must be applied in order to stay in control. Being a small race and also a Fifty miler there are only two aid stations and it is self serve. When stopping and filling a cup with water the seconds tick by. I am used to grabbing a water and drinking on the run. They do offer soup and hot dogs which may come in handy for the the fifty miler, but not ideal for the marathon. I feel pretty good through the first half, but by the third loop the fatigue sets in. Each loop gets wetter and wetter and the rocks and trail becomes more burdensome to navigate. By the end of the third loop a BQ is out of the question and just getting through the final two loops is the focus. It becomes a mind game on the fourth loop, I start telling myself I only have to run that hill one more time and cross the bridge one more time. There are good course monitors on the course who try to be positive and encouraging. The second aid station is staffed by a family who helps out the runners with nutrients and encouragement. I have never been so excited to begin a final loop and knowing every inch of the course makes it painstaking. The last two miles are the worst with the rocks and sticks. In the last mile I trip over a branch and fling in the air, but am able to catch myself and stay on my feet. That slows me down even more. I definitely do not want to take a spill in the home stretch.
The fatigue set in long ago and now the final loop takes some real motivation to keep moving. After I reach the downhill and the run through the parking lot, that finish line can't come soon enough. Crossing that finish line and stopping instead of continuing with another loop is a glorious feeling. I can't imagine having to run an additional FIVE loops. The Fifty milers have my complete respect.
I take my wooden medal and head straight to the car to warm up and get out of my wet clothes. My husband runs by shortly after and we regale about our experience. The plan is to celebrate with burgers and fries and even a beer. Every year after running the Modesto Marathon we would hit up the Red Robin in Turlock. After a five year hiatus the burgers were better than I remember and the beers were ice cold. It is our only transgressions on the road to qualify for Boston. Now it is back to healthy eating and no alcohol. Hopefully we will celebrate my brother's 60th birthday in April with a couple of Boston qualifying times after we tear down the mountain in Nevada.