2011 Ragnar Relay - Wasatch Back

I told myself I'd only sign up for this if I was feeling good after Squaw Peak.  Since two weeks isn't necessarily ample time to recover, I didn't want to waste my money by signing up in advance.  Turns out my legs were ready to run again two days after Squaw, but my feet were not.  I had a couple blisters that I wanted to make sure were healed over before I started running again.  So I took 6 days off.  After a few runs I could tell that my legs were still quite tired, but felt like I could run a few easy relay legs.  So I began my search.

One week before the race I found an ultra team that needed a runner.  It was a co-ed team consisting of several out of state runners.  I was excited for the opportunity so I emailed them and told them I'd take the spot.  I was also excited when I found out I had a choice in which leg I was going to run.  I chose to be Runner 5 for two reasons: the 17 mile 2nd leg, but more so for the 3,000 foot climb on the 3rd leg.

Friday morning came and I met up with the group.  The team consisted of: the captain, George, who completed an Ironman last year and regularly competes in half Ironman events; Dennis, who also does triathlon events; Hana, also into triathlons, is a regular age group placer; Ken, an avid runner, ran 4 different Ragnar events last year and was previously CEO of Ragnar; And finally Marianne, who ran a sub-4 hour marathon last year.  Our team seemed to be pretty solid.

My first leg was scheduled to be just over 7 miles on relatively flat terrain.  On an ultra team, you run two normal legs back-to-back.  So Runner 1 would run legs 1 & 2, then Runner 2 would run 3 & 4, etc.  Well, the runner before me, Marianne, was struggling on her first leg and asked me to run the second half of that leg for her.  She obviously hadn't trained much since her marathon last year, but I know she was also working on no sleep the night before due to a graveyard shift at work.  This turned into the theme for the day, where she'd run the first part of her leg and someone else would run the second. 

So my 7 turned into 10.5.  I tried to keep it at a moderate pace and not get too caught up in catching people.  Things basically went according to plan and I finished it in 1:16:32, or a 7:17/mile pace.  A little bit faster than I'd wanted to go, but it felt good so I went with it.

My second leg started at 3:07 in the morning.  I knew it would be a slog, especially since I hadn't slept yet and since it was in the dark.  The conditions were nearly perfect though and most of the run was on a graded trail, so it was just what I needed.  The first portion of the leg, 9.3 miles, went well.  I felt good and was alert.  At the transition to the second portion, I had George grab me a pancake since they were serving them at this station.  It tasted amazing and I just kept taking little bites for about 25 minutes while I was running.  But I started having doubts about running.  What was I thinking?  Can you really do this?  Then my brain kept telling me it was ok to walk and to just stop for a minute.  It was a constant battle for nearly an hour and my tired brain just wanted to quit.  But my body kept moving.  I didn't stop but kept the pace really easy.  I finished the leg just as it was getting light out.  Total leg was 16.9 miles, 2:28:19, or a 8:46/mile pace.  I passed the baton to George and went to the van.

I arrived at the van to find everyone asleep.  Looks like I'm driving!  I ended up driving for awhile til I was finally relieved of my duty.  I tried to sleep, but it just wouldn't come.  I didn't end up sleeping til 12:30 Saturday afternoon, and it was only for about 45 minutes.  I felt much better after I slept though.

My "final" leg was 7.2 miles up Guardsman Pass.  Over 3,100 feet of climb.  I was excited.  My legs felt fatigued, though (as you can imagine.)  Two weeks isn't enough time for me to recover in order to put forth a hard effort.  So I stayed at a steady pace.  Based on how I felt, my goal was to do the climb in 90 minutes.  I also wanted to attempt to run the whole thing.  The first portion went well, but I found that it was quicker to power hike in some places, so that's what I did.  I passed a lot of people while I was doing this!  I ran through the transition and about halfway through the second portion I had nothing left in the tank.  I wasn't bonking, but my energy was low and my legs were fatigued.  I powered through it though, and even had a few moments where I was able to run hard, trying to give myself some motivation.  I finished the leg in 1:22:54, or a 11:31/mile pace.

Man, it felt good to be "done."  However, George ended up getting "dead quads" on his 2,000 foot descent coming down Guardsman.  He ran through transition, but then we pulled up to him walking about a quarter mile out.  He was done.  So naturally, I pulled off my jacket and jumped out to finish his final leg.  I was slow though!  I gutted it out and came through the finish with my team waiting.  We ran it in together for a finishing time of 28:36:46.  I forgot to start my watch since I had to get out so suddenly on this last leg, but I would guess I was right around a 9:15/mile pace or so.  Like I said, really slow but I had nothing in the tank so I just had to gut it out.

Overall it was a fun experience!  Not sure if I'll do it again, though.  Not enough bang for the buck when it all comes down to it.  I ended up forking out about $300 to run 41.5 miles.  In contrast, I paid about $240 last year to run 100 miles at Wasatch.  You do the math.

2011 Squaw Peak 50

I'd been geared up for this race all year.  I knew I could blow last year's time from Squaw Peak out of the water, so that was the goal all along.  As race day was slowing approaching though, things began to fall apart on the training front.  Events in my personal life began taking their toll and I was having a hard time getting out the door to run.  My desire was kaput!  I wasn't eating right either and lost about 8 pounds.  Then the week before the race, I find out we're doing an alternate "snow course" instead of the standard route.  Overall I was just pretty bummed.

On Memorial Day I hit a turning point, though.  A switch in my head just turned on and I actually wanted to put forth some effort for the first time in weeks.  Did a couple short runs outside in full winter gear.  Yeah, it was over 70 out on both days, so great heat training.  I was also back on my eating schedule.  Things were starting to look up, but I wondered if it was too little, too late.

I slept a full 5 hours before waking up to get ready for the race.  Had my usual bowl of cereal, a few slices of toast, and a Z Bar on the way to the race.  I got there early to check in then ran back to my car to hang out before the start.  It was in the mid-40's at the start, so I had no desire to stand out in the cold any longer than I had to.  With 5 minutes to go I made my way to the start and after a quick countdown we were off.

I stayed up in the top 30 or so for the first few miles on the pavement, then we hit the single track and I felt really comfortable where I was at.  I continued to climb and fell in behind Davy.  Pretty soon though, we're not seeing any markings and heading in the wrong direction.  A group of about 6 of us decided to turn around and sure enough, a string of about 50 runners were coming behind us, also off course.  We eventually found the turn off, but probably lost 10-12 minutes on our detour.  The worst part was now I was bottlenecked behind slower runners on the climb up to Hope Campground.  It was slow going, passing where I could, but mostly just hanging tight.  I arrived at Hope Campground 15 minutes behind schedule and 9 minutes slower than last year.  The theme of the day: You guessed it... Chasing that 15 minutes all the way to the finish line!

The descent into Rock Canyon was a lot of fun.  The trail was more technical than I had imagined, but it worked out to my benefit.  It was also between Hope and Rock Canyon that I started making a number of passes.  After a quick stop at the aid station at the bottom of the canyon, I made my way onto the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and would follow this trail for the next 9 miles or so.  It was a relentless rollercoaster, but I tried to keep a steady pace, reeling in a few more runners.  I also saw my parents for the first time on the day.  I told them I didn't want them to crew me, but they were there for support and were taking pictures anyways.  I have a great family!  After some more annoying ups and downs, I finally came into the Spring Creek aid station.  Fellow FRB'er Kelli was there at the aid station and she hooked me up with what I needed, along with some motivation, and had me on my way.

I settled into a nice pace behind Phil Lowry and matched his pace on the climb out of the canyon.  It was super rocky, but lots of fun.  Once we hit the top, I put things into my downhill gear and picked off several more runners.  It was also here that the leaders were on their way back from the turnaround.  I figured I was in about 19th place at this point.  I knew people would be camping out at this aid station and resupplying, but I didn't need anything but water.  I refilled my water, thanked the volunteers and was out in about 20 seconds.  I probably passed several more people with this move alone, then passed 3 more on the way to the next aid station.  It was also a lot of fun seeing all the runners through here and wishing everyone luck.

I had a longer stop when I arrived back at Spring Creek since I had to resupply.  Then it was off to face the heat.  Luckily the sun was at my back, but the 9 mile stretch of the BST was right in my face!  I just tried to keep things slow and steady and was able to pick off 5 more runners on this stretch.  I was going through S-Caps like mad though.  Probably averaged 3 per hour on this stretch.  Yikes!  I even had to break a few open to get the immediate release so I wouldn't get dizzy.  But, I made it back to Rock Canyon feeling pretty good.  My friend Scott and his family came up to greet me here, along with my parents, and it was a much needed boost.  My dad told me here that the next runner was 9 minutes ahead and was the "guy in yellow."  I had him in my sights all day long up to this point, but was never able to catch him so I had no expectations whatsoever.

The climb out of Rock Canyon was great!  There were a number of people out hiking so there was plenty to distract my mind, but my body kept pushing forward.  Sure enough, I eventually caught the "guy in yellow."  Turns out it was Shane Martin who took 3rd last year.  He said he wasn't really feeling it on the climb.  I stuck with him for a bit because my stomach was giving me fits and I needed a distraction.  We talked for a bit, but being fatigued and distracted isn't a good thing as we ended up missing a turn.  Not again!  We backtracked about 200 yards and finally found the turnoff, but we were greeted by the runner that was behind us.  Oh well!  The three of us worked together to get to the top of the climb, then Shane took off downhill.  I knew there was no way I could match that pace with my stomach in an uproar, so I followed as fast as I could.

I came into the aid station as Shane was taking off.  I also caught a glimpse of another fellow FRB'er, Bryce.  He was obviously having a good day out there as I know he'd been dealing with some injuries.  I refilled 1 & 1/2 bottles and took off in pursuit.  I didn't think I could catch either of them, but didn't want to lose my placing which was 9th at the time, I believe.  Unfortunately, this section was an oven and I was already feeling dehydrated.  I downed all 30 ounces within a little over 2 miles and was left to suffer the last few miles.  I was completely disoriented.  I missed 2 more turns as well.  One I recognized after about 20 seconds, but the other took me about 3 minutes to figure out before I turned around.  The funny thing is, I remember seeing the flagging but my mind completely dismissed it and I continued forward instead of turning off!  It was an absolute circus!

The final two miles were horrible.  I was reduced to trotting, then bending over with massive stomach pains and being forced to a walk.  It went on and off like this til the finish, during which I was passed.  It was a bummer.  Finally I saw the Vivian Park sign and decided I had to run it in from there.  Finished in 10:13:28 which was good enough for 12th overall and 3rd in my age group.  I guess I got passed twice on my miscues coming down the mountain, even though I never saw the runners.  Haha!  All I can do is laugh about it.

Aside from going off course multiple times, I feel like I had a pretty good day out there.  I ran well for basically 45 miles, then was left to suffer during the last 5.  That's what ultras are all about though, and that's probably why I continually come back for more.  Thanks to everyone for the support and congrats to the finishers.  It was a tough day out there!

Derailed On The Zion Train

The forecast was not looking good.  Weeks ago when we decided to head down to Zion National Park to try our hands - or more appropriately, our feet - at the Zion Train (aka Zion Traverse, Trans Zion, etc.) the timing looked to be perfect for the 48 mile run across the park.  We chose to go mid-week when there were less crowds, and in the middle of May before the weather started getting too hot.  I'm sure any of us would've chosen hot over the conditions that stared us in the face.

We met up Tuesday night after work.  Those running the train were Craig, Scott, Matt, and myself.  Scott's nephews, whom Craig dubbed Ed & Frank, also came along to drop us off at the start and pick us up at the finish.  After sharing some laughs and stories on the road down to Zion, we stopped just outside the park and found a place to set up some tents.  We quickly set up camp and got to bed.  I don't think any of us slept well as we were intermittently being hit by showers and heavy wind gusts all night.  When do you really sleep well before a big event like this anyway?  If it's not rain and wind, it's excitement.

After a long night, we were awoken not by alarms, but to Ed repeatedly barking "my stuff's all wet!"  Turns out he failed to zip up his tent all the way.  That'll do it!  After quickly breaking down camp and getting dressed, we headed into the park and arrived at the trailhead where our adventure would begin.

From left to right - me, Craig, Matt, Scott


Finally, we were all aboard the Zion Train and ready for an epic adventure.  We started at the East Rim Trailhead and would be making our way west.  The first several miles are a gentle climb and went off without any problems.  Those first few miles also involve a lot of sand which keeps you honest.  In any race or adventure run, the adrenaline is flowing in the early stages and while it may feel easy, it's always good to hold back a bit or you'll usually regret it later.  The sand certainly helped keep me honest early on.  Plus, who wants sand all over in their shoes when they're running?!

The miles were absolutely ticking off.  We were running through some of the most unbelievable scenery.  And the fact that it was constantly changing, left me entertained literally every step of the way!  I honestly cannot describe it.  Atop the East Rim Trail, the park opened up and we were shown some of the breaktaking scenery that lay ahead.

After our quick jaunt around the East Rim, the first significant descent of the day began.  We took the opportunity to let out some "whoops" and "yeehaws" as we absolutely bombed it down the technical trail!  It was incredible.  The scenery again changed from beautiful canopies of pines, to sandstone slabs with cairns to guide us along our path.  Once the slabs ended, we found ourselves on a slightly paved trail and we knew what was coming up.  A little bit of this...

And some of this...

All while surrounded by this...

We eventually made our way down to the Echo Canyon trailhead and ran the 1.5 miles down to The Grotto where we'd meet up with Ed & Frank to refuel and drop any gear we felt we didn't need.  After we left, they were headed to hike a few of the trails in this canyon themselves. 

We'd been blessed with great weather up to this point; slightly overcast, cool, and a few short sections of hailstorm.  But it was here that it started raining for the first time.  We weren't excited about the prospects of rain and had been crossing our fingers the whole trip.  We topped off our water bladders then started the big ascent up Angel's Landing en-route to the West Rim Trail. 

I pulled out my green jacket that I'd put away after about mile 1 and put it back on to help combat the rain.  The other three pulled out their trash bags and we climbed.  And we climbed some more.  Then some more.

Matt was crashing a bit through here so I decided to hold back with him while the other two went ahead.  I told myself before the run even started that I was gonna be the caboose on this day.  I had no desire to burn out my legs two weeks before Squaw Peak. Scott and Craig never got more than a hundred yards or so ahead of us, though.  For as terrible as Matt was feeling, he sure was staying steady!

Matt pluggin' along with the other two just ahead

Eventually the rain turned into snow.  From a runner's standpoint, snow is much better than rain.  Snow doesn't soak you to the bone!  So I was really optimistic at this point that we'd be able to continue our journey, all while snow lightly fell down around us.  But my hopes were short lived.  As we climbed higher and higher, the conditions got worse and worse.  After reaching the West Rim Spring, we took a quick break so Matt could refill his water.  The snow was coming down hard at this point, but we decided to continue on for at least a few more miles to see if things might clear up.  My hands were starting to get a bit cold so I began putting them down my shorts to keep them warm!  Hahaha.  My feet were starting to get a bit cold as well, but along I trudged.

Craig and Scott truckin' along in the storm

We started gathering opinions from everyone at this point.  No one wanted to stop, but we felt like we had to explore our options.  We could continue on for another 20 miles to Hop Valley, not knowing what to expect.  The weather was getting increasingly worse by the minute and there were no bailout points between the two places.  Or, we could turn around and get out of this mess.  No one was offering opinions.  I know I was being stubborn and wanting to finish what I started.  I'm sure everyone else felt the same.  Finally, the train was officially DERAILED after a few hundred yards of this...

Realizing that we were looking at 30 miles to finish the journey, if we had to go through mile after mile of this, we wouldn't finish for a very long time. That's if we didn't die out on the trail! So with some regret, we made the smart move and turned around.  I think there was a sense of relief from everyone; myself included.  Now we could just enjoy the journey to the Visitor's Center without the fear of the unknown hovering around us.  We all took off our rain gear and headed back.

We hooted and hollered all the way back down the trail.  At this point there were quite a few tourists out.  Craig and I were flying down the path, hoping people would move aside when they hear us crashing down the mountain.  Most of them did, but some were just oblivious.  On the switchbacks, people aren't moving at all so Craig starts hopping the barriers between them!  He jumped off one, not knowing what was below... Turns out it was about an 8 foot drop!  Nice work.  Then less than a mile from the bottom a natural waterfall was literally falling over the trail.  You had to run through it to get by.  And so we did, screaming our lungs out as we're flying underneath it!

We arrived at the Grotto absolutely drenched!  We had the biggest smiles on our faces though.  There were about 15 people waiting for the shuttle to arrive when we came through.  They had to be wondering what in the world was wrong with us; we were soaked, but laughing and joking around.  We probably looked like the biggest idiots!

From here we ran the 5 or so miles of road down to the Visitor's Center, dodging shuttles along the way.  It was awesome though.  We were all relieved to almost be done and were excited about getting dry.  The only question that remained was whether or not Ed & Frank would still be at the Visitor's Center when we arrived.  We were relieved to find them there upon our arrival!  We quickly got into dry clothes and headed home.  It was nice knowing we'd made it out alive and would be getting home early also!

What an amazing adventure!  Even though we didn't end up running the 48 miles we'd planned, we still ended up with 29 miles or so on the day and 5,000+ feet of vertical ascent.  It was everything I'd hoped for and then some.  I certainly see myself going back to finish the entire thing sometime in the future.  Hopefully that ends up being sooner rather than later!

Onto more adventures!

Winter Is Coming

Recently I've been glued to my TV on Sunday nights watching HBO's new series, "Game Of Thrones."  It's based on the A Song Of Ice And Fire series by George R.R. Martin that I've been reading.  We're only two episodes into the season and I've been very pleased thus far.  It's fun watching the characters come to life.  And it's strange knowing what's going to happen, but fun watching it play out in front of my eyes.

Try wearing Ned's gear on a run!

One of the oft-quoted lines is that of House Stark; their words are "Winter Is Coming."  As I sit here and watch the snow fly out the window, it feels like winter is coming.  I realize we're nearly into May and winter is passing, though with the Squaw Peak 50 on the horizon, it looks like I'll be dealing with winter on race day.  So winter is definitely coming for me!

I'm not looking forward to slogging through mile after mile of white stuff in June.  What happened to the four seasons?  Instead I get 8 months of winter?  What a crappy tradeoff.  I'm especially done with snow covered trails, and post-holing up to my knees in snow.  It was fun for a few months, but this is getting ridiculous!  I want to be in the thin air, gasping for breath as I climb higher up a mountain face.  I want to go on a run with my wife (she doesn't do cold).  I want to feel the warmth of the sun shining down on my back.  I want salt caked on my face.  Mostly I just want it to be summer!

Since Squaw Peak looks to have plenty of snow however, I have no choice but to embrace the winter.  Looks like I'll need to keep up on my winter running skills.  So here's to one more month of cold, wet fun!  Winter is coming June 4th, whether I like it or not.

Life's Little Lessons

I meant to sit down and write out this post about a week ago.  Sometimes life gets in the way though, but I'm ok with that.  My family and close friends know that my grandfather passed away just over a week ago.  He was a shining example of what a role model should be.  He was constantly serving and helping others, and always supported those he loved in their endeavors.  In recent years, he showed a lot of interest in my running adventures and always inquired as to how races and training had gone.  I feel lucky to have had such a great person in my life.  I'll definitely miss him, but look forward to seeing him again someday.

This event provided me with some time to deeply ponder what's really important in my life, and for that I'm grateful.  I've become more cognizant of the fact that running is nowhere near the top of that list.  At the end of the day, running - and particularly ultrarunning - is a self-indulgent activity.  No one but me benefits from the hours I spend running.  While it helps me maintain balance in my life, it does not serve to uplift others in any way.  Life frequently finds ways of reminding me to schedule running into my life, and not vice versa.
 
With all that said, recovery has gone well in the last two weeks.  I was only sore for about 2 days after, but took 5 full days off just to give my body some rest.  I've been running about every other day since and I'm looking forward to getting back on schedule this week.  I've got about 8 weeks until the Squaw Peak 50 and - based on the snowpack we're experiencing here in Utah - it looks like I'll need every bit of training I can fit into my schedule.

The lessons I learned from this last race will also aid in my ability to find success.  Actually racing an event taught me more than I learned in any other event last year; and last year was my "rookie" year!  This most recent event taught me valuable lessons about nutrition, water/salt balance, the value of a great crew, mental toughness, gear, and how training mileage relates to races.  That's the short list.  I could ramble about how each of these items pertain to me, but I won't.  It's sufficient to say that I feel much more prepared going into the summer than I thought possible.  And the importance of being prepared - both physically and mentally - cannot be overstated.

Today I have a happy outlook on life and look forward to my upcoming adventures in running!

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.