2012 Speedgoat 50K

I know how tough this race is because I ran it two years ago.  I wasn't very pleased with that performance and felt like I'd made too many mistakes.  That was my main motivation in running it again this year; I wanted to go back and redeem myself.  My training has been sub-par this year though.  After being injured from January thru mid-June I was afraid I may not even be able to run this race.  The few weeks leading up to it however, were positive so I decided that worst case, this would be a great tune-up for Wasatch.

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.