Race Report: Javalina 12 Hour Night Run

I survived my 2nd nighttime trail run last weekend at the Javalina 12 Hour Night Run!

The event ran from 6pm on Saturday through 6 am Sunday at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Last year, my goal was to complete 1 loop (25K). I completed the loop but sustained a pretty bad tendon injury that plagued me for several months afterward. This year my goal was to complete 2 loops (50K) - uninjured. Injury was a concern as my calf strain from a trail run a few weeks prior had just healed and I intended to start my marathon training 1 week after the event.

Saturday reminded me how much a night time race can really throw off my schedule. Most of my pre-race prep was done the night before. I got up early Saturday morning for the usual taking kids to their sports events. I postponed my usual afternoon errands so I can "rest" the afternoon. Despite my best intentions, I could not sleep. So I lounged. I lounged on the sofa. I lounged on the bed. Lounging and sipping electrolyte drink the whole time. When it was time to leave I realized that with all that lounging around that I forgot to get my hydration vest filled. I took care of it and drove to the venue, arriving 15 minutes later than planned. I still got there in time for bib pick up before the start and got to catch up  briefly with  RunningLaur and other friends from the local trail running scene before we had to gather at the start line for pre-race instructions.

Adjusting My Headlamp While Catching Up With Friends
Photo from Aravaipa Photo Gallery

Before you knew it, we were off! The sun was already starting to set behind the mountains when we headed out on the Pemberton Trail clockwise for the first loop. Once the sun went down, I was reminded of how different trails can look at night compared to the daytime. This means a bit slower pace for me as well. Remembering the critters on the trail last year, I was on the lookout for them. Every twig was a potential snake, but no snakes this year.  My strategy was to power hike the inclines, run the straightaways and downhills and minimize the time spent at aid stations to 5 minutes or less. Things were going well until somewhere between miles 12 and 15. It was then when I started seeing squiggly lines in one quadrant of my visual field. Usually that means an occular migraine headache was coming on.  That triggered a cascade of self doubt. Will this be a bad headache? Can I complete a 2nd loop before the headache sets in? Should I stop after this lap? Will I regret it if I don't do another lap?

After the 1st loop, I ate and hydrated a bit at the aid station as I pondered my options. After about ten minutes of internal debate, I decided to use the restroom when two friends approached me and  asked if I was going to run another lap.
"I'm not sure," I replied.
"Well, I'm going to go slow, " said one.
"Come with us!" said the other. They knew I intended to run 2 laps.
I finally decided."Okay." I forgot about the restroom and headed out with them for the 2nd loop which was counterclockwise.

Changing Batteries at Aid Station next to the Trash Bag
Photo from Aravaipa Photo Gallery

After some initial walking, one buddy started running but the other had just completed a 50 miler the weekend before and decided to power hike the incline. That sounded good to me. We saw RunningLaur who was looking strong, smiling as she went past. After the initial 7 mile  incline my right foot started to hurt. But, hey, I'm a runner, I'm used to pain! My head lamp started to dim after 5 hours, so I changed my head lamp's batteries at the next aid station. My running buddy had initially thought of running 3 laps, but knew meeting the cut off time of 8 hours to start the 3rd loop was not in the cards that night.  Instead, we caught up on each other's lives and cheered on others as we power hiked the majority of the 2nd lap and shuffled through the finish line.
Lap 1 (15.53 Miles): 3:18
Finish (31.06 Miles): 8:21
I managed to sustain a blister on the bottom of one foot, but no other serious injury, so it was a successful run. Thanks to my friends, for encouraging me before-during-and after the run. Thank you, Aravaipa Running, for another outstanding event. The volunteers were awesome, anticipating my needs before I could decide what I needed.