2011 Buffalo Run Race Report

Now that I've had a few days to let everything sink in, I thought I'd write up a race report. Based on my training, I thought I had a good chance to finish in 8 hours and told myself I'd be happy with anything under 8:30. Going into these races you always have to factor in the unknown. It's such a long time to be out there on your feet and so many things can happen that are out of your control. You just do the best you can to keep your head up and keep on pushin'!

My friend Scott picked me up at about 4:45 and we drove to the start line. This was his first ultra and I was really excited for him to experience it. We arrived at the parking lot with about 20 minutes ‘til the start, so we grabbed our gear and made our way to the starting line. I wandered around for a few minutes and tried to gather my thoughts. Suddenly we're lining up and after a quick countdown we're off!

I fell in behind the guys up front and stayed just off their pace. The climb felt easy and effortless... Exactly how it should feel this early in a race. As I approached the top of the climb I heard Jun and his friend Kelli coming up behind me. We all ran the next few miles across the White Rock valley together and were only passed by a few of the top runners who had apparently missed a turn earlier. Finally, we came upon the steep hill at Lone Tree. As much fun as it would be to run this 400-ish foot climb, I was not about to kill my legs this early on, so we walked it. We hit the aid station just after the climb at about the 50 minute mark, then continued on to do the Split Rock loop first.

The loop starts on an immediate downhill that's just steep enough to go too fast if you're not careful. Jun and I held back a bit (running 6:30/mi according to his watch) and Kelli fell back just a minute or two by the time we hit the bottom. Here, the last of the runners who missed the early turn passed us. It was Duncan Callahan, last year's Leadville 100 winner. We all exchanged hellos and he passed us as we made our way toward the switchbacks. Jun and I kept a good, steady pace through the switchbacks - running the entire stretch - and made our way back up to the aid station around the 1:37 mark.

We ran through the aid station and did the out-and-back section. Jun led the way and was yelling "slap hands" to all the slower runners who did the out-and-back first. It was a good laugh! I was holding a water bottle in each hand and one guy just about ripped my bottle off my hand during our high five. I joked that he must have been thirsty! The rest of the out-and-back went off with no problems. I saw Scott on the way back and asked how he was doing as he took a couple pictures of me running by. I was glad to see he was taking in the whole experience! At the aid station Jun stopped to grab his drop bag and I continued on towards the start-finish area. This would be the last time I'd run with him, only seeing him on the few out-and-backs where we crossed paths. He went on to finish in a great time of 8:02:39.

I ran the next 3.5 mile section by myself. I just focused on trying to keep a steady, even pace. Several times, I caught myself trying to go a little too fast and had to reel it back in. I was not gonna blow up this early! Just before I came around the mountain where the Start-Finish area comes into view, I dropped a gel and had to pick it up, then decided I should pee quickly. I was passed by one guy here, who I re-passed later on (and later heard he dropped out of the race). When my pit-stop was done, I saw Jun maybe 150 yards or so back, but I decided to push on by myself. I arrived at mile 19 at the 2:41 mark; 10 to 15 minutes faster than I had planned, but I felt good. I met my crew here (my wife, sister, and parents) and got a new bottle, new gels, my ipod, and dropped my headlamp. What an awesome boost to see them!

I headed over to the east side of the island and thoughts of last year began creeping into my mind. This was by far, the worst section for me last year! I tried to push the negative feelings out of my head and think positively. The ipod certainly helped for awhile, but my back slowly began to hurt. Interesting that this is exactly what happened last year, in exactly the same spot! Stupid brain! By the time I hit the Lower Frary aid station (mile 27.5) at the 4 hour mark, I needed a break. I sat down in a chair, emptied the rocks from my shoe and took a few food items from the aid station table. I also downed a few baby aspirin to help my back. It worked miracles last year, but not this time around. I had officially psyched myself out!

The section from Lower Frary to the turnaround at The Ranch was miserable. I forgot to drop my jacket at Lower Frary and I was getting hot. Then just as I’m thinking about how warm it’s getting, a headwind picks up... Jacket's staying on. My back is absolutely killing me though, and I get really excited when The Ranch comes into sight! I rolled in at the 4:57 mark. I took another seat to down two ibuprofen, drink some Mt. Dew, and eat a couple cookies. Before I know it, I’m back at it and grateful to have the wind at my back. Finally!

Then it got hot. Again. I took my jacket off and tied it around my waist. Looking back on it, I should have worn a lighter jacket on this day. I went through way too much salt and liquid, all because I’m a baby about being cold. Oh well, hindsight’s always 20-20, right?! With all these thoughts running through my head, I rallied and knocked this section out with ease. No more back pain. No more cooking in my jacket. I just put my head down and got it done. I arrived back at Lower Frary in 5:50. As I was getting rid of my jacket and changing into a longsleeve, the runner behind me blew through the aid station (with his lady pacer friend in tow) without stopping. I was focused and missed the drama, but apparently she was like a drill sergeant, just yelling at him to keep pushing. Whatever it takes I guess!

I headed out for the last 11 miles and I was on a high. Then about 100 yards out of the aid station, I kicked a rock and ate dirt. I guess I was a little too giddy and forgot to watch where I was going. Oops! I shook it off and walked away with only a slight strain in my neck that went away after about 10 minutes. From here to the aid station at the turnoff where the short climb begins, I was struggling. My stomach was in a funk and I was having a moment. I kept moving though, constantly telling myself that it’s better to run 11 or 12 minute miles than to stop and walk. So that’s what I did, with a “grin and bear it” attitude. I finally made it to the aid station at the 6:39 mark and downed some Ginger Ale. It was a lifesaver! I also grabbed a few cookies for the road. I did the short climb back up to the road and felt totally revived.

I had about an hour and twenty minutes to do the last 6 miles for an 8 hour finish and I felt great, so I pushed it. I made my way down to the Bridger Bay aid station and just stopped briefly to grab a cookie. I hopped, bounded, and juked my way through the technical loop on the north end of the island, feeling like a new person. Before I know it, the finish comes into view. It's still a long way off, but I charged this last mile and a half or so around a 7:30 pace and ended up crossing the finish line in 7:39:55, besting last year's time by about 2 hours 12 minutes!  My time was good enough for 9th place overall and I even got a little plaque for 3rd place in the 30-39 age group.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything, but I'm certainly pleased with how the day went. Big thanks to everyone involved with putting on the race. Also, my crew deserves huge thanks for supporting me and encouraging me throughout! You're the best! Also, big congrats to Scott on finishing his first ultra... He pushed through it and finished in 10:48:19. Way to go!

I've got a lot more to say, but I think I'll stop here and save it for another post. Lucky you :)

Tapering And Racing

After stringing together a good training cycle, I feel ready to run a great race out on the island this coming weekend.  With this being a focus race and all, I'm faced with the dreaded tapering period.  I've been in tapering mode for a little over a week and frankly, it's no fun. Interesting how I can struggle to get the mileage in during training, but while tapering, feel so anxious.  I think that's the point of tapering: to be well rested so that you're anxious to run hard on race day.  It was all I could do this last week to take a few days off.  It was all I could do to keep my mileage down.  It was all I could do to keep my pace down for my Saturday long run (which I failed at doing, btw). 

Now that I'm tapering though, I've been thinking about a few things...

I'm looking forward to a brand new experience with this upcoming race: actually racing.  Go figure!  In reality though, I've gone into all my previous races with only the goal of finishing.  First marathon... check.  First 50... check.  First 100... check.  The only exception last year was Speedgoat, which I didn't taper at all for and which I used as a training run, rather than a focus race. 

I learned a lot through experience last year.  Those lessons have helped me progress to where I am now.  It's also been fun sharing my newfound knowledge with my dad (training for his first 50 in June), and my friend Scott (who's running his first 50 this weekend).  I've done several runs with each of them this year and they've really helped me maintain my focus and stay consistent, which is something I struggle with.

So this time around I've got no excuses.  I'll be running to test my ability and to learn how hard I can push myself.  I still plan on enjoying the scenery and camaraderie, but I also plan on testing my limits.  I understand that it will certainly be uncomfortable.  As crazy as it sounds, that might be what I'm looking forward to most! It should make for an interesting day come Saturday.  Good luck to all those running, and hopefully I'll have a PR to report next week.

Another Great Day on the Island

As planned, I was able to get out on Saturday for the group training run out at Antelope Island. It was an absolute blast! We met up at 8:00 am and after some chatting and a quick bathroom break, the group started right around 8:30.

First, we headed to the north end of the island to run the campground loop which makes up the last 6 or so miles of the race. I ran with my friend Scott and we took it really easy on this loop. The views were amazing and this part of the trail is one of my favorite! It consists of lots of technical trail and seems to have endless rocks to dance your way around. As much as I love smooth single track, technical trail is where I feel at home.

After completing the loop, Scott continued on the trail to tackle the next section which is the first 19 miles of the race. I went back to the car to refill my water bottle and to grab my other bottle as well (knowing I had 3 hours or so in front of me with no place to refill). I didn't want to let him get too far ahead of me. In my rush to get back on the trail, I forgot to grab my waist pack. Not a big deal since the only reason I wanted to carry it was for my camera. Come to find out later though, I left my salt pills in there as well... Oops! Scott saved me and hooked me up with a few later on.

I pushed it hard to make up some ground and finally caught Scott just before the top of the ridge. We then kept a nice, easy pace up to the location of the Elephant Head aid station. Upon arrival, we decided to do the loop first.

Scott's knee had been bothering him a bit, but he wanted to see this section so we pushed on. After descending down to White Rock Bay, we made over way over to climb the switchbacks. I could tell Scott wasn't doing too well, and at the top of the switchbacks he told me to go ahead so I could get the out-and-back section done. He would head back to the parking lot.

I pushed it hard on the out-and-back and did it in under 30 minutes. When I got back to Elephant Head, I saw Jun there and stopped to talked with him and his group for a few minutes. They started the descent back to the parking lot and I tagged along with them. They pushed it pretty consistently the whole way and it felt great opening things up!

We finally arrived at the parking lot and chatted for a few minutes. I couldn't see Scott, so I went over to the truck and there he was, slouched in his seat. He had finished about 40 minutes ahead of me! His knee was giving him fits so he took the shortcut back to the car. I felt bad! He was pretty bummed about his knee situation. Looking back on his splits though, he was right on his mph target even though his knee was not in a great place.

All in all, it was a good day out on the trails. Ran the 25 miles in just over 4 hours, which included all the stops. Really encouraging results for me! Saw lots of familiar faces and got to spend time running with others, which is always enjoyable! I left my camera at the car, but Jun has some pics of his group over on his blog if you need some visual stimulation :)