Local Runner Finishes 9th in 100 Mile Race

When Rafael Raceo ran his 9th Angeles Crest 100 hundred-mile ultra-marathon on July 23rd, 2011 he was a lean 147 pounds after 24 weeks of training. Twenty one pounds below his off-season weight, this 5’11” runner was ready to compete with the “tough guys”—runners twenty years younger. Only 71 racers finished this grueling race that starts in Wrightwood, CA and ends in Pasadena following the Pacific Crest Trail. The 43-year-old runner finished 9th out of 123 starters even after taking a spill at Chantry Flats that forced him to walk the last 23 miles, and in spite of this had his best race time ever. 

Have you always been a runner? How did you get started?

I’ve been running for 12 years. I used to play soccer in high school and I ran track and field for two years, but I was always more of a short distance runner. The idea of going one or two laps, that was just crazy. I couldn’t see myself doing it.

After I got married I was just too busy, and I needed to find something to do early in the morning, so I started jogging. Also, on my father’s side of the family there’s a history of heart attacks. My great grandfather passed away of a heart attack at age 61, my grandfather passed away of a heart attack at age 59, so did my father at age 58. And I am the oldest in the family, and so I’m the next person in line.

Tell me about your first ultra-marathon.

My first ultra running competition was a 50k (San Juan 50k). It was the longest run I had ever done. The race was challenging and brutal. I was not ready for it nor did I have any idea of what I was getting myself into. I finished the race in one piece, but was in pain for the next 2-3 weeks. But mentally I didn’t lose it, and even though I was going through a lot of pain, after I got home I realized that I really liked it.  Not the pain much, but the environment itself—being around so many amazing people. And for some unknown reason, I went ahead and registered for a 50-mile race that same night. During the race I met Francisco Fabian, an experienced ultra-runner, and I began training with him. And eventually I ran my first 50m, 100k, and 100m.

Why do you do these extreme races? What do you get out of it?

I think you keep coming back to races like this because of the changes that it makes in you as a person.  It’s important to be able to recognize what it is in life that makes you feel good. And this is one of the things that makes me feel amazing. It’s definitely made me a more positive person overall. Especially when you’re a role model for a lot of students, because I’m a teacher, coming out here just gives me the balance that I need in my life. And people feel that—you pass on that positive energy that you get out of running. This is just the best drug naturally that I can consume. And it’s for free!

What do you think about when you’re running?

Most people think that when we’re running we’re like zombies, just completely spaced out, but it’s completely the opposite – we are engaged in many thoughts. I solve a lot of problems in my head; think over mistakes I’ve made, so in the end I think it makes me a better person. Of course in the AC100 you have lots of time to think—about food, a cold beer, and my family.

What does it take to compete in the AC100?

A lot of factors come in to play when it comes to running a 100-miler—training, mental, weather, hydration, eating, pacers, pacing and luck! Even with the proper training, you need to have that very lucky day in order to do okay in the AC100.

How much of the race is physical and how much is mental?

If I had to take a wild guess, I’d say it’s about 30% physical and 70% mental. But they go hand in hand. You can’t just say ‘I’m going to run a race and I’m going to give it 100%, and I have the right attitude,’ because if you have not trained, believe me, those feelings will disappear in five miles and after that you’re done.

Tell me about the AC100 this past July.

I was in third place at Chantry Flats at mile 75, but on a section right before the climb to Mt. Wilson, it was dark and I slipped and took a nasty fall at mile 77. I reinjured the knee I had sprained during training 5 weeks earlier, so I had to walk the last 23 miles. It is so frustrating when you want to run, especially when you have the energy, but you just cannot run. This year was my best time and best race so far. I finished in 24:21, and not once did I feel tired or sick.

What do you think it will take for you to win the AC100 in 2012?

I’m coming to an age that if I train, and have a decent day, I hope I will do well. I’ll need a good 12 weeks of building up on my running base, and then 12 weeks of hard work—I’m talking 130 to 160 miles weekly on tough terrain. And combine that with a good day, a lucky day, I think I’ll be able to compete with the tough guys. Hopefully I’ll be in the top three this year.