Since finishing Squaw Peak in June, my focus has been solely on Wasatch. I’ve logged some great runs and put in the miles necessary to be successful. However, about a week before the Speedgoat, I realized that I was overlooking this race entirely. I wasn’t giving it the respect it deserved. So I went into the race with only a few days of tapering. Mistake? Probably. But I also tried to find out as much about the course as possible so I could come to terms with what I was facing. Turns out this was exactly what I needed! Had I gone into this race completely overlooking it, the consequences could have been magnified.
Race day comes around and everyone’s gathered up at Snowbird. After a short briefing from the RD Karl, we line up and head out at 6:30am sharp. The first few miles are a fairly gradual uphill where I was able to keep a decent running pace. That pace soon came to a stop however, and a power hike was needed as we made our way up towards Hidden Peak which stands at 11,000’ elevation. There was a bit of scrambling over some large boulders, a few small snow crossings, then the rocky trudge up to the peak. After hitting the Hidden Peak aid station, I felt pretty good. I was maintaining my pace and trying not to run too hard just yet.
I made my way across the ridgeline and over to Mt Baldy, the highest point of the course. From there, it’s a steep descent down into the next basin. So steep in fact, there was some rope assistance for a short segment. Pretty gnarly! I maintained a perfect pace through the basin and eventually hit the next aid station. Here I had to empty my shoes since I had a few pebbles in there, grab some fuel and water, then I was off.
The next section was maybe my favorite of the course. It was super rocky, technical, and made me focus on my footing the whole way. I felt like I could have gone much faster here, but I held off just a bit trying to save my legs for damages to come later on. Through this section I talked with a couple people and just maintained my relaxed pace. I wasn’t here to break any records after all. Finally, I made my way to the intersection at the bottom of the canyon and headed out on the out-and-back section where the aid station was. This section is nice and flat for about a mile. It was a nice relief! I was also able to see the others that had already hit the aid station, coming back towards me. I reached the aid and grabbed some orange slices, got a nice cold towel to wipe my face off, a cup of Coke, then I headed back.
I was feeling great on the flat and picked up the pace slightly. Once I got to the intersection however, I took a right (I came down the mountain from the left) and slowly began to ascend and was forced into a power hike once again. This was absolutely my least favorite section of the day! I was basically alone, my back was starting hurt, and the climbing never stopped. It was just several miles of the same grade of ascent, twisting and turning my way through the forest. I had to keep reminding myself that I was lucky to be able to enjoy these views; Lucky to be able to have legs strong enough to power through this crappy terrain. Eventually though, I reached the short descent just before the aid station. I was beat! I spent a little bit longer at this aid than I would have liked, but I was trying to get back on my game.
As I head out, I realize that I can nearly see my next destination. Around 2 miles away, but very near the top of the mountain that stands in front of me is The Tunnel. I begin my climb and start feeling a little better about things. Before I know it, I’m at the aid station and refueling again. The aid station volunteer gets word that the winner has just finished. I’m 5 hours and 45 minutes into my run, with at least another 10 miles to go I would guess. How I would love to be done right now! I pushed these thoughts out of my head and ran through the tunnel.
Once I come out the other side and back into the light of day, I begin my descent down to the bottom of the basin. I was feeling great! I pushed the pace slightly, but not too hard knowing that I still had one more climb and one more descent in front of me. I worked my way through the bottom of the canyon, then over to the opposite side where I begin the last ascent up to Hidden Peak. This ascent took us along the ridgeline and it was epic! The scenery was outstanding. My body was beat. The trudge was relentless. I even stopped a couple of times to catch my breath. Eventually however, I reached Hidden Peak again. I refueled with more oranges, ginger ale, and some red bull, then made my way down to the finish.
From the peak, it’s about a 5 mile descent. I’d been saving my legs for this descent all day so I was gonna let it rip! I ended up passing 5 people on the way down. However, just before I reached the last person, I started to feel some tightness in my lungs. So I slowed down slightly, but then my blood pressure dropped. Not good! I actually ended up passing the guy but I was not in a good place. I slowed down after a few hundred yards and tried to maintain a steady pace. My body was not having it, though. I started feeling slightly dizzy and knew I had to do something. I pulled out a gel and sucked it down, but it did absolutely nothing! I eventually had to walk for short spurts, and was subsequently passed by the last runner I went by earlier. I could hear the finish, but we were winding away from it. I was getting frustrated! Eventually, the trail began heading in the right direction. When I was about 200 yards away I could see the finish, so I started to run hard again (though my body was screaming to stop) so I could “look strong” when I crossed the line. I finished in 7:43.09 officially.
As I stopped, I was greeted and given a finishers medal. I bent over so they could put it around my neck, but I was not feeling well. I was happy when I saw my parents and my wife (wasn’t expecting them to be there), said hi, then told them I had to go puke. I trotted clumsily through some bushes, bent over and puked 3 times. So much for looking strong! The aftermath was apparent on this day; I had worked my body over! Turns out I hadn’t taken any salt caps since The Tunnel aid station, where I had taken one every 40 minutes or so prior to that. Two full hours of ignoring my electrolytes turned out to be the reason for my demise! Guess that’s what happens when you get too caught up in finishing fast. I tend to learn my lessons the hard way, though! Overall, it was a great race put on by a fantastic group!
And the few pics at the finish where I don't look like death...
Finishing "strong"
Immediately following the puke-fest
Feelin' better
