My Profile

@frederika.villacarlos

Walnut Creek, CA Raving since 2016 Marathon Maniacs, Half Fanatics Active 4 years, 3 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    Weeple Army

  • Rave race:

    New York City Marathon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Gorge 50K

  • I run because:

    It is my happy place.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (5)

Race Distance Location Date Result
12 hr San Pablo, CA Jul 8, 2017 51 mi
102K Rotorua, New Zealand Feb 11, 2017 19:33:53
50K Avalon, CA Jan 20, 2018 7:27:52
28.4 Miler Mill Valley, CA Nov 30, 2019 8:25:18
1st Half Marathon San Francisco, CA Jul 29, 2018 2:29:40

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (13)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
28.4 Miler Mill Valley, CA Nov 30, 2019 8:25:18
1st Half Marathon San Francisco, CA Jul 29, 2018 2:29:40
50K Avalon, CA Jan 20, 2018 7:27:52
50 Miler San Francisco, CA Nov 18, 2017
Half Marathon San Ramon, CA Sep 30, 2017 3:40:44
53K Orsieres, Switzerland Aug 31, 2017
Marathon San Francisco, CA Jul 23, 2017
12 hr San Pablo, CA Jul 8, 2017 51 mi
50K San Jose, CA May 13, 2017
50K Foresthill, CA Apr 29, 2017 9:07:48
Half Marathon Livermore, CA Mar 26, 2017 2:46:36
102K Lynmore, New Zealand Feb 11, 2017 19:33:53
12 hr San Pablo, CA Jul 9, 2016 48.49 mi

My Raves

This has been on my bucket list for several years, but the idea of running a double Double Dipsea was very intimidating. This year, I finally summoned the courage to … MORE

This has been on my bucket list for several years, but the idea of running a double Double Dipsea was very intimidating. This year, I finally summoned the courage to register and toe the line, despite weather forecasts that included flash floods, rain, and strong winds.

Lap 1 – Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. 7:30am start. Overcast and cool with hardly a breeze. Perfect running weather! So much fun!!! Bottleneck on the stairs right off the bat. But hey, that’s smart pacing. Had a great time leapfrogging and chatting with Janeth, Tony, Mike, Candice, Norma, David, and Erica. And cheered for all the runners who were already heading back. This is why they call this a party on trails! Got to Stinson Beach in under 2 hours and saw Todd. Excellent!

Lap 2 – Stinson Beach to Mill Valley. A soft drizzle started. I felt warm so decided to not put on my rain jacket yet. High-fived and fist bumped with so many friends running the race. Cheered again for runners who were now in their third lap. Arrived at the start/finish in 3:51, almost 40 minutes under the 4hr30min cutoff. Yay! I had time to run to the restroom and grab more fuel from my drop bag.

Lap 3 – Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. As I was heading out for my 3rd lap, the eventual winner, coach and author David Roche, was coming in fast. When I gave him a cheer, he stopped, gave me a hug, and said some words of encouragement. This is what makes ultra running so great and awesome!!! I continued on towards Cardiac, the rain falling a little more steadily now. I got to enjoy some miles with Darlene. She’s so steady and pulled me right along. I finally donned my jacket after Cardiac. The ridge towards Stinson Beach is very exposed, and the forecasted strong winds had now materialized. It took me 22 minutes more to complete this lap vs. my first time, but still well under the 6hr45min cutoff.

Lap 4 – Stinson Beach to Mill Valley. Rain fell in sheets and the wind blew strongly as we headed back to Cardiac. I hiked to Cardiac with Jose and I got very cold. I tried to use some hand warmers but it didn’t quite work because my gloves were soaked. I couldn’t stay warm enough. The only thing I could do was move as quickly as I could. Thankfully, my legs were still there and my knees held up from the thousands of stairs. I finally got to the finish in 8:25:18. Cutoff is 9 hours.

This was my 40th lifetime and 1st sub-50K ultramarathon. Also my first Quad Dipsea. I can’t wait to earn my 10-year jacket! 😍

This truly is a party on trails, a fitting celebration of the trail running community at the end of another wonderful year. Huge thanks to the RD John Catts, and the many volunteers who selflessly stood in the cold and rain for hours to make sure runners were safe and cared for. Thank you, Leigh-Ann, Kristy, Shannon, Ed, Mark, Errol, Charlene, Joyce, Jay, Victor and Max, and so many others. We couldn’t have done it without you!

#HappinessOfPursuit

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2018 SAN FRANCISCO FIRST HALF MARATHON RACE RECAP San Francisco First Half Marathon was a blast! I had back-to-back long runs scheduled for this weekend. This was the perfect run … MORE

2018 SAN FRANCISCO FIRST HALF MARATHON RACE RECAP

San Francisco First Half Marathon was a blast! I had back-to-back long runs scheduled for this weekend. This was the perfect run to complement the Pacifica 30K trail race yesterday. It’s hilly by road race standards. This year, due to permitting issues, the first half marathoners did not get to run on the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead we ran under the bridge and onto the California Coastal Trail. I did not mind this one bit.

It stayed cool and overcast all morning — perfect running weather. I got to see some friends on the course. As soon as I finished, I hurried back to Embarcadero via a shuttle so I could cheer for my son as he finished. I jogged about a mile on the marathon course and found him. He was hurting, but he pushed himself hard to get that sweet finish. So happy I got to run with him in the final mile.

Congratulations to everyone who toed the line and ran any of the SFM races!

Having run the SFM multiples times (at least 3 consecutive times), I also got a loyal runner pint glass, and my special hashtag printed on my long-sleeved tech shirt.

Medal at the finish line and free beer at Embarcadero was a great way to cap the day.

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The Avalon 50K/50M is a benefit run on Catalina Island in Southern California. It benefits the Avalon Lions Club and the many programs they support. The course is mostly on … MORE

The Avalon 50K/50M is a benefit run on Catalina Island in Southern California. It benefits the Avalon Lions Club and the many programs they support. The course is mostly on fire roads with about 10 miles of paved road (5 miles on the ridge and the last 3 miles descending to the finish). The 50K has about 4500 ft in elevation gain, and is quite runnable. It’s quite exposed (not much shade), but the breeze from the ocean kept things cool in the morning. It got a little warm later in the day when we were running in the interior. This is a great way to explore the island. The potential to see buffalo and foxes is there but, sadly, I did not see them. The aid stations had the usual trail race food (oranges, bananas, baked potatoes & salt; one aid station had bison burger) and drinks (water, electrolytes, Coke, ginger ale, etc). It’s a cupless race (great for the environment!); they sell reusable cups during bib pick up. The views are spectacular! Race swag includes a woodallion medal and a long-sleeved tech shirt (unisex). We suggested to the Lions Club that maybe they should have gear for sale next time (like Catalina Island branded merchandise). Finish line food was like the aid station fare (no beer), but there are lots of restaurants in Avalon to go to after the race for food and drinks. Race finishes by the pier.

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Rocky Ridge Half Marathon is the final (and arguably toughest) half marathon in the Brazen Racing Ultra Half Series. It's held in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon - … MORE

Rocky Ridge Half Marathon is the final (and arguably toughest) half marathon in the Brazen Racing Ultra Half Series. It’s held in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon – so just a hop and a skip from my house. But it packs a punch — to the tune of almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain. That’s roughly 1,000 feet of climbing per 5K!

This is my second time running this race. I remember last year being tough and really warm. This year, the weather stayed relatively cool (high 70s) and I felt pretty good throughout — even on the dreaded 1,000-foot climb on pavement at Mile 9.5. I didn’t push too hard. Rather, my goal was to keep a steady, easy pace on the climbs; and run the downhills without getting injured. It feels so good to run downhill when your knee is in a good mood. 😊

About a mile before the finish, I caught up to Amer and we ran in together. Then we saw Candice, and we invited her to run with us. We finished together. Yay! Saw a bunch of my buddies at the finish – always a highlight of running these races.

As always, Brazen Racing delivered an amazing race experience- from start to finish. Aid stations had everything we needed. Volunteers were incredibly supportive. Finisher’s medal and shirt were high quality – just what you’ve come to expect from a Brazen Race. Ultra Half Series finishers also got a coaster and option to purchase hoodie, etc. And free photos on course. Yay!!!

As a nice bonus, I managed to finish the race in 3:40:44, a course PR by 8:23. It was a good day!

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The race is at the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline and consists of running as many big loops (3.37 miles) as you can in 12 hours. In the final hour, they … MORE

The race is at the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline and consists of running as many big loops (3.37 miles) as you can in 12 hours. In the final hour, they open a small loop (0.6 mile).

The course is pretty — you start under the Brazen Racing arch, running down Dirty Dozen Alley — a long row of runners’ pop up tents, then by the shoreline (warmest and most exposed section), then some small hills to get to Aid Station 2, then through eucalyptus groves, then downhill through a prairie, then back to the finish line/arch and Aid Station 1. The volunteers at the aid stations were amazing!

By ultramarathon standards, the course is relatively flat and very runnable. There are a few inclines, but they seem to get steeper and longer with each loop.

I took advantage of the aid stations — AS1 was at the festival area and AS2 was about halfway around the big loop. AS1 served all kinds of goodies throughout the day, including pancakes, bacon, nutella-and-banana crepes, bacon cheese quesadillas, and pizza, besides the usual aid station fare. Aid Station 2 had more standard fare.

It was warm when we started at 7am. I believe it got up to the low 90s. Thankfully, there was a cool breeze for most of the day. At both aid stations, I took advantage of buckets of water and sponges and doused myself.

Each time you complete a loop and pass through the arch, Sam would call out your name. The whole race has a warm and festive feel to it. When you are done, you receive a finishers medal (Brazen Racing always gives out beautiful medals). There are also special age group medals given to the top 3 men and women in each age group. Finally, the 6- and 12-Hour finishers receive a really nice hoodie. Cool swag for everyone! Oh, and a complimentary BBQ!

This is such a great and safe place to test your limits, try for a distance PR, or just hang out and have fun with the trail running community. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

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Fresh from Lake Sonoma 50, I considered the Canyons 50K as the start of my training block for OCC (55K mountain race in the Swiss Alps in August). The Canyons … MORE

Fresh from Lake Sonoma 50, I considered the Canyons 50K as the start of my training block for OCC (55K mountain race in the Swiss Alps in August). The Canyons Endurance Runs includes a 10K, 25K, 50K, and 100K. The 50K had a 13-hour cutoff, but I decided to target the 9.5-hour cutoff that the 100K runners were given to complete their first 50K.

A 13-hour or even 9.5-hour cutoff for a 50K is uncommon. That should have clued me in on how brutal this was gonna be.

The day started out great with cool temps. But by 10am, it was warm. And the temps kept going up, especially in the canyons and sections that were exposed. Fortunately, there were some creek crossings that provided relief (one had water that was thigh-high but there was a slack line), shaded sections of trail, and lots of ice and cold water to douse ourselves with at aid stations. I stuffed ice in my arm warmers and sports bra.

Hydration and nutrition were on point. I ate and drank a combination of aid station fare (bananas, PB&J sandwiches, watermelons, oranges, M&Ms, Coke) and also things I packed (Tailwind, salt sticks, hazelnut wafers, suman, and potato shoe strings.) I was constantly eating!

The course was entirely on the historic Western States trail, starting at Foresthill, across Volcano Creek to Michigan Bluff, to Eldorado Creek, to The Pump and all the way down toward the Swinging Bridge at the turnaround, then back to Foresthill via the reverse route. Because this is an out-and-back course, every incline has an equal descent. In fact, about 9000 feet of each!!! Holy moly! And as if that weren’t enough, a good third of the course was technical – meaning the trail was littered with rocks that kept trying to trip you up and roll your ankle. I did roll my ankle at M20 but after walking it off, I was able to continue running.

The best part of this race was seeing many of my running friends before, during, and after the race; and making new acquaintances with some really cool people.

I felt good most of the race – I think I’m starting to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I ran the descents and flats and power walked the ascents. I managed to finish in 9:07:48 (42 out of 61) — my worst 50K time but also the most elevation gain of almost 9000 ft. I was welcomed at the finish line by my Weeple family. They really are the best!

As with Lake Sonoma, this race did not have a medal. (Seems to be a trend among ultras.) But, we got so much more swag, including a choice between a tech shirt, necklace, or trucker hat; a pint glass; a Victory Design drawstring bag; a Hoka One One buff and hair tie; Squirrel’s Nut Butter (anti-chaffing); and Darn Tough socks. Score!!! (The 100K runners also got a necklace for the ladies and leather belt for the men.)

There was free hot food after the race – I loaded up a plate with rice, carne asada, guacamole, vegetables, and fruits. Then My friends and I headed to the Ruck A Chucky aid station to wait for other friends who were running the 100K. That was their turnaround point for their second 50K. We had a great time hanging out!

It was awesome to switch to “crew” and “cheer squad” mode after having finished my own race. There are few things that are as satisfying as helping your friends accomplish big, hairy, audacious goals!

One by one, our 100K runners made it to Ruck A Chucky. They were in good spirits despite the heat and brutal terrain. We helped them refill their water bottles and fuel up, then they were off again to take care of the last 15 miles (mostly uphill).

Three of them finished under 18 hours and earned their Western States qualifiers. One friend finished just 30 seconds past 18 hours in an all-out sprint up Foresthill Drive to the finish line where he collapsed after giving everything he had. (He’s okay.)

My heart is still full of elation (or maybe it’s the endorphins) from such an outstanding day! As challenging as this experience was, I can’t wait to sign up for next year’s race! If you are considering a challenging race, I highly recommend Canyons.

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What I liked - the scenery when we were running on the paved trails: the hills and vineyards. I normally run on trails, so I also really liked that there … MORE

What I liked – the scenery when we were running on the paved trails: the hills and vineyards. I normally run on trails, so I also really liked that there was a dirt strip next to the paved trail. I liked the stuffed mountain lion on display around Mile 6. That was a nice surprise. And I liked the medal that works as a wine bottle stopper and bottle opener, and the wine glass. Banana and chocolate milk at finish hit the spot. Volunteers were great.

What needs to be improved – more porta potties!!! The lines for the porta potties at the start were so long. I had to start a few minutes later than 7 because I was waiting in line. And yes, I got to the race early. When I got to the second aid station, the line was 20 deep. I was there for at least 12-15 minutes! Fortunately, I wasn’t trying to PR. I also ordered a women’s small shirt. But the shirts were unisex and they gave me a medium. ?And where was the wine? Nowhere near the wine glasses. Didn’t have the time to look for it.

I paid full price for this race because this was a last-minute decision. But with all the choices we have, I would think this race should have provided a better value. This is probably a one and done for me.

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The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from … MORE

The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from listening to Ultra Runner Podcast interviews. It’s very prestigious, being the second stage in the Ultra-Trail World Tour. And the videos I found online showed a spectacular course — with trails running through forests, and beside lakes and waterfalls!!!

It is summertime in New Zealand in February, with temps in the 50-75F range. On the day before the race, we attended a Powhiri Welcome at Te Puia — admission for TUM runners and family was free. In the afternoon, we picked up our bibs, dropped off our drop bags, attended a race briefing, and listened to a panel interview of elite athletes. I got to meet a few of them during these events.

The race started at 6am on Saturday. I started conservatively; by mile 20, I started feeling fatigued; the middle miles with the super technical trails and nonstop rollers pretty much sucked the life out of me; and I had to dig deep the last 25 miles just to get through it. I crossed the finish line after 1:30am. Kudos to the organizers and volunteers for staying so late until the very last runner crossed the finish line. After the race, we were given a beautiful wooden medallion.

The aid stations had plenty of food, much of which were familiar — bananas, apples, peaches, grapes, watermelons, oranges, potato chips, sweet snacks, and PB&J sandwiches. The aid stations were themed; the ones I saw at night had lights and music. All the volunteers were most helpful and encouraging.

This was my first 100K race, the longest distance I’ve ever run and, by far, the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, physically and mentally. It was hard being so far away from home and friends — I had no pacers, but I had my husband as my crew chief. I am so grateful for his steadfast support and belief in me.

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You run as many times as you can/want around a 3.37-mile loop. Only 150 ft elevation gain per loop. In the 11th hour, a 0.6-mile loop opens. Scenic view of … MORE

You run as many times as you can/want around a 3.37-mile loop. Only 150 ft elevation gain per loop. In the 11th hour, a 0.6-mile loop opens. Scenic view of the bay and heady scent of eucalyptus characterize the course. Two aid stations that are well stocked and manned by awesome volunteers. And you get a hoodie and a coaster medal when you finish. This is a safe and fun place to try for a PR distance. I absolutely recommend it!

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