About a week ago I had the good fortune to run the oldest trail race in America – the Dipsea Race. Compared to what I’ve been running recently, the Dipsea was a very short run: 7.4 miles. Short, but certainly not easy.

Having run part of the Dipsea course last November in the Stinson Beach 50K, I knew that the Dipsea could be no worse. And, I thought it would be fun to run the oldest trail race in America and experience its tradition and history.

Getting in the Dipsea is not easy for someone who does not live in the San Francisco/Mill Valley/Stinson Beach area. Admittedly, the race director makes it clear that they favor locals as the entries, other than the invitational runners, are on a first-come, first-served basis. However, they do accept “bribes” in the form of a donation, over and above the amount of the entry fee, to a scholarship fund. Making a donation enters you into a silent auction from which the top 100 “donors” receive an entry into the Dipsea. Another way to get in is to tell a “sob story,” or a really good reason, why you should be granted entry.

The difficulty of getting into Dipsea makes it even more desirable to enter.

So, I decided that in between my 100K and my 24-hour race, I would apply to run the Dipsea. I have to admit that I did donate to the scholarship fund, and I did inform them that the “reason” I should be granted an entry was a no-brainer: my last name is Stinson and the race ends in Stinson Beach. There you have it. They let me in.

The race is a wacky event. 1500 runners are allowed in, and all ages are included. This year the youngest Dipsea runner was 6 years old, the oldest in his 80s. The unique thing about this race is the handicapped start, and I don’t mean the wheelchair, as is common in road races. Runners get a head start based on their age. For example, a 6-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman may have a 30-min head start over an 18-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man.

And, to make it even more fun, the person with the fastest time does not necessarily win the race – the winner is the first person to cross the finish line…and the runners are allowed to take shortcuts through the forest trails. So, the victory can go to anyone.

This year the victor was a 52-year-old … with a 13-year-old finishing in 4th place overall.

Needless to say, I came in much later…but that is another story…to be continued.

25 years and going strong … another successful Shaffer Butte 50-Mile Endurance Run. Race Director Frank Hanson put on a terrific 25th anniversary event despite his broken collar bone.

This was my first year to be involved with the run, and I started by being a volunteer crew member. Last weekend, my husband Mark crewed for me for 14+ hours at the Blackfoot Ultra 100K, and I figured it was my turn to do the same for some other runners.

The day started early with runners gathering for a 5 a.m. start. It was raining and chilly, and the rain continued for about half the day. It was totally foggy driving up to Deer Point where we were setting up our aid station. It was probably a good thing it was so foggy because I couldn’t see the dropoff on the side of the mountain in the dark and pouring rain. One after another the runners made their way to the Deer Point aid station, soaking wet … but all of them came up the road with smiles on their faces.

I was so inspired by this hardcore group of ultrarunners. Undaunted by the rainy, muddy conditions, they all were cheerful and having a great time…doing what they love to do…running the trails and hills.

I might have been new to this group of super ultrarunners, but they graciously welcomed me. Runners are like that…and ultrarunners even more so. Although I would have really loved to have been running with them, I think it’s good for all of us every now and then to volunteer for an event in order to fully appreciate the support crews that help us in our races.

Congratulations to all the Shaffer Butte runners! Next year, I’ll be out there running with them.

Getting started…getting finished. Both ends of a journey require dedication and passion.

Two days ago, I ran all day – 13 hours, 42 minutes – to complete my first 100K (62 miles) trail race. Forty-five people were signed up for the race; 32 finished – 26 men, 6 women. The weather was perfect, the course was beautiful (plus extremely challenging), the volunteers were spectacular…and 62 miles is a long way to run.

The race consisted of 4 loops of 15.5 miles (25K) each. Although each loop was run over the same trail, no two loops were the same. There were very few flat sections on the course – you were either running up or down the whole time. And, when there was a short flat, the next hill was in sight. It was anything but boring.

The two elevation maps taken from my GPS are typical examples of the terrain – each is a one-mile segment of the course.

Although none of the individual climbs were brutal, total ascent for all 62 miles was about 12,000 feet. The total descent was about the same. We had to work the whole time – not too much relaxing and getting into a running rhythm.

But flat, easy paths do not build muscle. Flat, easy paths do not build character. Flat, easy paths do not challenge us. Flat, easy paths do not teach us life lessons.

Between us and anything significant, giants will be in our path. And each loop, the same hills seemed to get bigger. But there’s no going “around” the hills to avoid them – they have to be taken head on.

There was never a point in the race where I wanted to stop. That’s not to say there were not rough patches – there were many, and especially in the 4th loop, I could have sworn the number of hills doubled in both number and size.

I didn’t sign up for this race thinking it would be easy. And, it wasn’t easy. And, I didn’t go all the way to Canada to not finish what I set out to do. I was dedicated and passionate about reaching this milestone in my quest to run 100 miles this September.

Passion is what helps you when you have a great dream. Passion breeds conviction and commitment.  Passion is what motivates others to join you in your pursuit of your dream.

Thanks to all of you who have been with me in my pursuit with your good thoughts, good energy, and support. Thanks for helping me finish what I start.