My race can be summarized into four sections:
Section 1. Miles 1 - 8
My legs felt well-rested the morning of the race, but as we began making our way up the first climb, I felt like I was putting in way too much effort for the speed I was moving. By the first mile I knew it wasn't going to be my day. As I crested the first climb at mile 8, I was right on my goal target of two hours. However, my legs were done and I was feeling spent. Basically, not the way you should feel a quarter of the way into a race.
Section 2. Miles 8 - 15
I thought I'd see if I could turn things around on the descent into Mineral Basin, which I did. I kept a moderate pace and basically just followed the guy in front of me. Then we hit Mary Ellen Gulch and I took off. This is one place where people take it pretty easy due to the nasty terrain, but I knew that with the upcoming climb I'd need to find some time wherever I could. I hit the Pacific Mine aid station feeling well, grabbed a popsicle then started the climb out of American Fork Canyon.
Section 3. Miles 15 - 23
The climb out of American Fork itself is several miles long and just plain miserable. To make matters worse, I still wasn't able to find my uphill gear. I got passed at least 5 times in this section, one of the passers was good friend Matt Van Horn who went on to finish in 8:11. He hung and talked with me for a minute, but then motored on ahead to catch some people. I wish I could've joined him, but I just didn't have it in my legs. Frustrating! After topping off with water at Larry's Hole, I continued onto the climb up Baldy. This was so steep and took every thing I had outta me. My uphill gear was weak, but my steep uphill gear was almost non-existent! Then just as I'm coming off the top I felt my IT Band tighten up. One more thing to add to my list of problems. Now I couldn't go fast uphill or downhill.
Section 4. Miles 23 - Mile 32
I was getting close. From the Tunnel at mile 23 I ran the downhill as fast as I could, but then my stomach started acting up so I slowed down, which was also good for my knee. I eventually hit the next climb to Hidden Peak. No one passed me on the climb, but I did stop at one point when I spotted Mark and Andrea behind me. I waited for them and we climbed to the top, basically together. After one last refill, I started my slow decent to the finish. My knee was really starting to bother me, but it wasn't worth risking a long-term injury again. I took my sweet time to the finish and was passed by at least 8 other runners (including Mark and Andrea). When the finish line came around I was just happy to see it and happy to see my family and my girlfriend there waiting for me.
I learned a lot out there. Most importantly I learned that you can't expect to have what you don't work for. I worked plenty hard over the last few weeks to have a good race. The problem though, is that ultrarunning requires hard work over a long period of time... We're talking months and years here; not days and weeks. Luckily, I have a six week block to work with prior to Wasatch. Even with that amount of time though, I'm being realistic with myself and I'm adjusting my "finish time goal" to just a "finish" goal at Wasatch.
A few thoughts that went through my mind while running out there.
- Lining up next to some of the best mountain runners in the world is inspiring!
- 5 weeks of consistent running (after 5 months of injury) is not long enough to get ready to RACE a tough race like the Speedgoat 50K. It's just not.
- Don't blow out your legs at the beginning of the race just because you're in a position you think you SHOULD be in. Your legs will tell you where you should be.
- Running with a waist pack and one handheld is the most efficient way (for me) to run an ultra.
- Having good friends working the aid stops can be a huge benefit. Thanks Bryce, Lynette, Larry, Mike, and Shane.
- When you know you don't have an uphill gear, pass as many people as you can on the downhills.
- When you do have to climb a hill, climb as hard as you can.
- Just talking to friends (even as they pass you) can be uplifting. Congrats to all of you that finished!
- This year's course is at least 30 minutes slower than the course I ran two years ago.
- Don't get frustrated when old injuries flare up. Just stay positive and keep moving forward.
- Once you realize your goal is out of reach, just enjoy the moment. Take it all in because you won't be out there much longer.
- Be thankful for those who support you. That includes volunteers, friends, family, and fellow runners.
