I was supposed to race the Calico 50K Trail Run on this day of this attempt, but it was cancelled due to flash flood concerns. I decided on Saturday (the day before this run) to pivot and run the entire San Gabriel River Bikeway. I studied this FKT page and noticed the back and forth about the trail vs the bike path. I decided just to go for the bike path, and see if I could get it added as an alternate route! I chose to do this because in a former life I was a triathlete and rode these river trails all the time.
I parked at the rest stop station 0.6mi from the start, purchased the $5 pass (not sure if needed), and then walked to the start as a warmup. I was carrying 2.5L of Skratch and 12 gels. The temperature was in the high 40s. I got going around 8am and fell into a groove that I held pretty much until the 50K mark. It started to get hard at around mile 22 or so, and I decided just to hang on until the 50K mark to try and set a good PR at that distance for myself, which I did with a 4:27 50K. I then slowed down for the last 7 miles to the finish.
There was pretty heavy rain for about 20 minutes in the middle of the run, and then again for the last hour or so. By the time I finished I was soaking wet and getting pretty cold. I never had to stop for water, that 2.5L was more than enough due to the temperatures. I ran the entire time in a long sleeve shirt and jacket. I ate 11 of the 12 gels. Overall very happy with my effort! I think this made up for not being able to race Calico!