Pemberton Trail. Runnable desert. Sandy wash and decomposed granite. White granite sand reflects the sun. No shade. Five loops off Javelina Headquarters. Low near 1,601 feet. High near 2,477. Trail 95 percent, jeep 5. The course looks easy on paper. Heat makes the loops unequal.
The Work
You run. Almost no hike. Heat is the work. Dry air, high sweat rate, heart rate up all day. Sauna or midday runs. Test your sweat rate. Dial sodium and fluid before you toe the line. Practice night running when the desert finally cools.
Kit
All-white UV kit. Lightweight sun hoody. Breathable gaiters. Decomposed granite is sharp and it fills a shoe. Vest at 2.5 liters or more. Ice it at every pass through Headquarters.
Race Day
Walk every uphill on Pemberton. Even Loop 1. Washes are recovery. Walk when the sun is worst. Run the night. Loops 3 and 4 are the oven: white granite, no shade, GI shutdown if you went out hot. Headquarters is a carnival. Do not linger. Fresh bottles, ice sleeves, go. Pacer for the night loops.