Holcomb Valley 33

The Holcomb Valley 33 Mile Trail Run is a great local race put on by my neighbor Tom Speigle of Team Big Bear. This race is in it's 17th year and has a long history of being a stellar run. Being in my backyard I have been itching to get to the start line and after pulling out last year due to a bum knee and running all winter with the thoughts of this race in my mind I was ready on race day.

The course heads up the Cougar Crest trail in the first couple of miles and while I knew the best plan was to take it easy and save for the other 30 miles when the gun went off that plan went out the window. I ran with the eventual overall winner Guillaume Calmettes for the first 6 miles and was definitely pushing my comfort limits. At the top of Delmar Mountain rd I was passed by two guys from the wave behind me. It was at this point that I told myself to just settle down and run my own race. I had a goal of going sub 5 hours and knew that would take some consistent running to achieve.

This long stretch of PCT all the way to Holcomb Valley Road was supposed to be the bread and butter part of the race for me. At least that is how I imagined it. Instead it was a tough battle to stay cool and keep moving. I wasn't running with a watch so had no idea how my time was but I didn't get passed during this long section which was a good sign. As I approached the aid station at the end of the PCT I spotted 3rd place in front of me. At the aid station it was pretty obvious he was having a rough go. It was HOT! I took some cold water and dumped some ice on the head and then started up the hill back towards the finish.

I expected this hill to be rough. Its hot. You have already ran 20+ miles to get there. And there is no shade. Suprisingly I felt pretty good on the way up and before I knew it I was on more level ground and running fast. The next aid station gave me a big boost when they said that 2nd was not too far in front of me and fading. I grabbed some watermelon and cold fluids and was off. I was pretty determined to keep my podium spot at this point and the thought of moving into 2nd was a real possibility. Approaching the next aid station at mile 27.5 I spotted 2nd place and he was in the same shape as the previous guy. A quick hello and goodby and I was off and running toward the finish.

The last few miles were a blast. It was the first time I have ever been able to run hard for more than 20 miles or so and not feel really beat up during the end. All the running this past winter was paying off!

I crossed the finish line at Meadows Edge in 4 hours and 57 minutes in 2nd place overall! Definitely one of my best races to date. It was definitely the decision to hold back at mile 8 that let me finish strong on a hotter than normal day in Big Bear. I'll be back next year for sure...hopefully for the win.