Well the last race of the season had finally come up: the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 mile race near Madison, Wisconsin in Kettle Moraine State Park. I flew into Chicago Friday afternoon after a flight cancelation debacle and drove the 100 miles to the park. It rained the entire drive. On the drive I thought of the past 2 months since Leadville. My training volume has been much different than prior to Leadville. I’ve only been running about 50 miles a week with no long runs compared with 125 miles per week this summer. This race was to be the end of my season. I need a break from racing for a few months. I found a nice parking place about 50 yards from the start and went to sleep about 11:00 p.m. in the nice cozy car. It sprinkled all night and the early morning hours were cold with a wet humid mist, a light sprinkle, and a chilly wind all in the air. I opted for shorts and a dryfit SportHill shirt, then a long sleeve SportHill shirt and then finally a light rain jacket and hat. This was the perfect combination. About 2 miles into the race I found myself in the lead with Andy Holak and Josh Estep. They were the eventual 4th and 7th place finishers. They were talking about the competition and mentioned that Sal Bautista (he won NFEC Bellingham race I was second in) and a fast guy from Colorado was there. Andy asked me where I was from. I told him Colorado. He asked if I had won Leadville. I told him yes. It was rather fun, and interesting.
We ran along and chatted. At 90 minutes to 2 hours into the race I took the lead from Andy (Josh had dropped back to a solid 3d or 4th by this point. I did not push the race just kept a solid pace going. The terrain and views were beautiful. The trees were losing their leaves and well past their peak brilliance yet it was still beautiful running along on fallen leaves and tree covered rolling hills. I went through the half (25 miles in about 3:08). There was an out and back at Miles 21 through 35 in which miles 28 through 35 were backwards of miles 21 through 28. This allowed me to see how much of a lead I had. I had about a 9 minute lead on Sal Bautista the eventual race winner. He average about 7 flat pace for his last 25 miles… solid. Soon after hitting mile 32 I knew I was in for a death march. My spring was gone and maintaining pace was difficult. I felt like puke and all I had to do to feel better was to slow down and stop… I could not. I trudged on eating, drinking, and maintaining. It had stopped raining about mile 30 so I had tied the jacket to my waist. I held off Sal until mile 37. Sal looked solid. I knew I was most likely racing for second.
At least unlike the previous North Face race in Washington I was not too delusional. I still saw dancing gummy bears but the Ewoks had all gone into hiding or hibernation thanks to the multitude of hunters that we were running around. Often enough I’d hear the boom from a Shotgun and a forest creature or Ewok keel over with a yelp. I have no problem with hunting and wish to do some myself, I just found it awkward and dangerous for 500+ runners to be running around 100+ hunters, in dense forest, on a muted, muggy, and opaque day. I was thankful for the bright red that I was wearing that stood out considerably.
The death march wound down and I finally finished in 2nd place in 6:29:33 or 7:48 average pace per mile. It has been a long season. I’m going to take the next 2 months easy getting back into this passion of running that I love and do because I want to and not because I have to. I will enjoy my time off getting ready for and making plans to marry the love of my life, my wonderful fiancé Lynnette. To all my readers out there: Fare thee well for a few months… It is time for some much needed time off. Tim
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Cow Harbor 10K, Northport, on Long Island, New York
Well, the fastest race I’ve done in a while was today. It was the Great Cow Harbor 10K. The race directors do a fantastic job of putting on a wonderful small town personal race. I’ve only just got back into training after the last month of races and wanted to run a consistent time. I went out planning on running 5 flat pace and if feeling good I’d pick it up. At mile 1. I was tied with 7 others in 7th to 14th place. We went through the second mile in 9:56 so I was right on pace. At the 5K mark I was in 13th or 14th place in a time of 15:30 give or take a few seconds. So far the pacing had been impeccable, I just needed to maintain. I felt lethargic, like I was running as slow as a snail behind the lead pack. That’s what happens when I have little speed work under me. I kept expecting a few guys in front of me to fall back but they were running well, not showing signs of breaking. I managed to maintain my mileage pace to the end and ran a solid 13th place in 31:14 or an average of 5:02 per mile. I can’t complain here… then again… I’m always happy with how I run. I don’t allow me to run in such a way as to be disappointed with the race. That would be a waist, and uncalled for. So, solid race, I know where my fitness level is and where I need to take it.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Imogene Pass Run 2009
I ended up driving down early to Ouray Saturday morning for the race. My plan was to go out, run solid, and not push the pace too much. I wanted an honest race but I also wanted to rest up a bit from the previous month of nonstop racing. The race started and the front group went out quickly. I just sat on the front waiting to see how it would unfold. Bernie Boettcher, Zach Crandall, Scott Drum, Michael Smith, and a few others made up the lead group. After a mile in I set an up-tempo pace and waited for the drama to unfold. Surprisingly I found Michael Smith going with me and reciprocating with the lead pacing. By 2 miles in it was evident that we would be dog fighting. I kept the up-tempo pace going rarely relinquishing the lead but only maintaining a short lead. At 4 miles we were still neck and neck but I could feel the tension mounting. I knew at mile 5 the terrain got rougher and therefore planned on dropping the hammer once I got there.
I took the lead and slowly inched my way forward. I still felt drained from Leadville and Italy but knew my body could handle it. By Upper Camp Bird I had a 49 second lead and by the summit I still only had a 52 second lead. I started the decent intending to make up some time and distance. I figured I had only had about a minute lead and knew I need to improve on that. Then about 1 mile down I started cramping up in my left calve. I knew instantly it was because I had not been taking enough electrolytes during the run. Luckily I had just taken some Gatorade at the last aid station. I quickly downed the 2 goos I had on me jogged to the next aid station (which was another mile down the road) and got even more Gatorade. I was finally feeling like I could race again and slowly picked up the pace. I figured I lost 2 minutes because of this debacle yet I still could not see Smith so I assumed he was just behind the previous bend. I kept the pace going and surprising, to me at least, I finished in 2:15:06 a solid 3 minutes faster than last year and 2 minutes in front of Smith.
4 Races in 5 weeks: 138 miles raced, 3 first places, 5 countries… tiring, but good season so far.
I took the lead and slowly inched my way forward. I still felt drained from Leadville and Italy but knew my body could handle it. By Upper Camp Bird I had a 49 second lead and by the summit I still only had a 52 second lead. I started the decent intending to make up some time and distance. I figured I had only had about a minute lead and knew I need to improve on that. Then about 1 mile down I started cramping up in my left calve. I knew instantly it was because I had not been taking enough electrolytes during the run. Luckily I had just taken some Gatorade at the last aid station. I quickly downed the 2 goos I had on me jogged to the next aid station (which was another mile down the road) and got even more Gatorade. I was finally feeling like I could race again and slowly picked up the pace. I figured I lost 2 minutes because of this debacle yet I still could not see Smith so I assumed he was just behind the previous bend. I kept the pace going and surprising, to me at least, I finished in 2:15:06 a solid 3 minutes faster than last year and 2 minutes in front of Smith.
4 Races in 5 weeks: 138 miles raced, 3 first places, 5 countries… tiring, but good season so far.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
World Mountain Running Championships
Hosted by Campodolcino, Madeisimo, and Chiavenna, Italy:
Been quite busy as of late so I’ve had no time to update this. I thought I would give a slightly better update on Italy. Results are here: http://www.wmrc2009.org/results/File_Iaaf_SM.pdf
Indeed I was 48th. The race consisted of 3 loops of about a 4.33 K loop. I went out solid but not overly hard as I knew I’d be running for about an hour. Actually my time was 1:01:38. Sometime after the first lap I knew I was about in 55th place. By the second lap I had dropped to 61st place. This was simply because a few people went too hard on the second lap and as I anticipated they came back on the 3d and last lap. For the 3d lap while others were dying out there I was starting to feel in my element and I started passing people. I moved up to 48th. Coming into the last ¼ mile of the run I started dry heaving. Yes! If you are out competing at this level you better enjoy pain and dry heaving… one of these days I’ll explain why it is PIVITAL.
For any interested in how I felt overall after running with only a 2 week break from Leadville: Overall, my body does feel drained from all the travelling and racing I’ve had in the past month. I know I ran well as I was with 3 other Americans who I’ve raced periodically. So the question could I have raced better if I did not run Leadville? Well, I suppose if I had put all my eggs into one basket and trained only with worlds on my mind and I had a good day and… that is way too many variables. It was a solid race either way. I’m looking forward to getting back into a set schedule for training. Sorry for the short synopsis but I’ve got a lot of work to do, so until next week after Imogene…
Been quite busy as of late so I’ve had no time to update this. I thought I would give a slightly better update on Italy. Results are here: http://www.wmrc2009.org/results/File_Iaaf_SM.pdf
Indeed I was 48th. The race consisted of 3 loops of about a 4.33 K loop. I went out solid but not overly hard as I knew I’d be running for about an hour. Actually my time was 1:01:38. Sometime after the first lap I knew I was about in 55th place. By the second lap I had dropped to 61st place. This was simply because a few people went too hard on the second lap and as I anticipated they came back on the 3d and last lap. For the 3d lap while others were dying out there I was starting to feel in my element and I started passing people. I moved up to 48th. Coming into the last ¼ mile of the run I started dry heaving. Yes! If you are out competing at this level you better enjoy pain and dry heaving… one of these days I’ll explain why it is PIVITAL.
For any interested in how I felt overall after running with only a 2 week break from Leadville: Overall, my body does feel drained from all the travelling and racing I’ve had in the past month. I know I ran well as I was with 3 other Americans who I’ve raced periodically. So the question could I have raced better if I did not run Leadville? Well, I suppose if I had put all my eggs into one basket and trained only with worlds on my mind and I had a good day and… that is way too many variables. It was a solid race either way. I’m looking forward to getting back into a set schedule for training. Sorry for the short synopsis but I’ve got a lot of work to do, so until next week after Imogene…
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Preliminary Results 25th World Mountain Championships
For all you die hards out there that may be wondering about results for the 25th World Mountain Championships here are some unofficial results from the top of my head. Andrew Benford was 13th and ran solid, well done! Joe Gray was 16th, also solid. Then our pack came in: Matt Byrne was 44, Zac Frudenberg was 46, Ricky Gates was 47th, and then i finished up the team in 48th. I ran all three loops fairly consistent. Can't complain here as i did not die yet was dry heaving with 1/4 mile to go. Thats good! Well, it at least means it was a solid pace. I'll write a full review when i get the chance... hopefully later today.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Arrived at last
I finally made it to my destination in Italy. 37 hours of travelling. And one more life long dream acomplished... I hitchhiked here in Italy!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Leadville 100: 2009
Tony and I on Hagerman Pass Road about 6:00 am.
I got to Twin Lakes in 2nd place in 9:45? knowing I had to keep running my race. I was about 23 minutes back from Tony. There was still 40 miles… a long way. Mark Stenbeck jumped in to pace. I power hiked up out of Twin Lakes to the well needed shade on the Colorado Trail. I was drained and at another low point in the race. Mark kept encouraging me and made sure I was eating and drinking. My vigor returned and soon we were rolling along flying past the trees and forest creatures. We hit the reroute. I was now a just a wee bit tired, but felt solid. The next hill was Sugarloaf, I could cruise from here. So I thought. About a ½ mile before the Box Creek aid station the sun started getting to me. I was getting severely dehydrated and overheated, even though I’d been drinking like a drowning man. I jogged through Box Creek in 11:24. Then almost instantly ½ mile later out in the direct sun, I stopped. I tried running and could only get out a few steps before being forced back into a walk. I did my first logical thinking of the day and came to the profound conclusion that I was dehydrated, overheating, and in need of more food.
Mark and I walked along with me sipping water. I was at the emotionally lowest point in the race. I could not even jog. Could I even finish the race? I blocked out the thought. I had to focus on the here and now. What was most important was getting liquid and food in me and mentally getting it back together. It was blazing hot and Mark did everything to help out. He walked so as to keep his shadow on my while holding up his shirt above his head to give me added shade. I was grumpy, tired, and wanted to do the unthinkable: quit. It was unthinkable: therefore, I did not think it. Finally after walking about 45 minutes (I was at the end of Pipeline by this time) I was ready. I started with a slow painful hobble, then it turned into a slow job. Duncan caught up here (about ½ mile from the pavement). He said a few kind words, and soon was only a shadow of things to be in front. He looked solid.
I ran on autopilot to Fish Hatchery (13:15). I was refueled and ready. I got over to the base of Sugarloaf where I found Tony at the side of the road, sitting down, cramping, and done. The heat had got to us all. Incidentally, from Winfield on every hour I was taking about 2 salt caps (700 mg). I had 20 (7000mg) thought out the day). That’s might be a pr for salt intake in a single day. Yeah!
I power hiked and jogged up Sugarloaf with my new pacer Jerry. Every minute I was feeling more solid. The sun was no longer as intense. I was well hydrated and nourished, and I remembered that Duncan only had about 5 minutes on me. Jerry and I summited Sugarloaf. I was ready to fly. I ran down picking up speed. I caught up to Duncan around mile 85. I made a joke to my dear friend and left.
I soon rolled into Mayqueen (15:13) feeling strong; I was going to win this race. I would not let anything stand in my way. Well, not pain at least.
My friend Scott jumped into to pace. As always Scott knew what to say. The words running through our heads where inspiration and robot. He told me I had to run consistent like a robot. I concurred and ran on at monotonous pace hearing his inspirational words echo through the fading light.
Soon, well a couple hours later… I crossed the finish in 17:27:23. It had been a fantastic day of racing filled with action and lead changes. This drama played out over hours and hours only highlights ones appreciation for it. Nick Lewis had a fantastic race and finished 2nd in 17:44, Duncan was 3d in 18:26.
Currently, I’m resting up and preparing for the World Mountain Running Championships, in Italy next week. I’ll be ready.
I have a FULL race recap here:
A Wonderful Weekend… Aren’t They All?
Friday’s Race:
Duncan Callahan, http://www.duncancallahanrunning.com/ my training partner and 2008 Leadville 100 Champ, called me Friday morning the day prior to the race. He informed me that there was an official weigh in for Leadville that I needed to make. This valuable information which I had been oblivious to was somewhere in the inch thick Leadville packet… alas, I had missed it. I was still in Gunnison and had yet to pack. I threw everything I thought I would need into my car in a hurried 10 minutes and left town at 9:50 am. The weigh in would close at 11:45. On a good day the drive to Leadville takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes. Darn, I’d have to race to get there in time.
I set a quick safe tempo in my car making sure not to speed… too much. The minutes raced on, the sweat metaphorically dripped from the forehead, doddlers where passed, and pacing was impeccable. I arrived in Leadville at 11:40: 1hour 50 minutes to drive there. This was a fantastic PR. May I note here that I normally don’t drive in the same manner of how I race. I was the last person to weigh in. I jokingly thought perhaps that I should drive back to Gunnison to rest up. The added pressure of getting to Leadville on time had not been draining, on the contrary it wet my appetite for competition. I was ready. I stayed with Leadville resident and ultra runner Bill Dooper. He ensured I was comfortable and ready to roll the next day.
Saturday: Race Day:
2:08 am. My alarm went off. I needed no prodding, I was up.
3:58 am. 2 minutes prior to the start. I made a last minute decision to drop the long sleeve (what was I thinking; it was already almost 50 out) and go with the short sleeve.
The race plan: It was pretty simple… well when it comes to running 100 miles the idea of a simple plan may be a bit relative but I wanted to go out with the leaders, or rather leader. I knew Anton Krupicka http://www.antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/ would be setting the pace in an attempt for the record. I wanted to hang, and be able to compete. Simple plan really… in theory.
I took glances at my watch here and there but for the most part was pretty oblivious to the time throughout the day. For the first hour and a half I just jogged along paying attention to other runner nuances: running rhythm, posture, changes in cadence on hills breathing patterns, muscle tightness, etc. Tony looked strong, confident, and had a desire to set the pace. This was good. It was my first 100 and there was no way I wanted to set the pace. I’d run the course (first 40 miles) this summer with Duncan, so I had an idea of what pace I wanted to hit, but was content to let Tony lead.
We got to Mayqueen in 1:42. Our pack of 6 runners had been running strong and comfortable in a solid pack, but at Mayqueen the pack fell apart. The trail heads up a technical single track up to Hagerman Pass Road. Gustavo Reyes held the lead here tailed immediately by Josh Meitz, Tony, and I. It was evident the first two runners pace was being pushed and they were a bit uncomfortable at the pace on the trail. As soon as we hit the Hagerman Pass Road I finally felt fully relaxed, running comfortably in my element. Tony and I quickly dropped the others up Sugarloaf. I felt like the pace was fine and not being pushed… too much. The sky was brightening, giving an eerie surreal feeling to the morning. Today, was a good day to race. Tony had to stop a few times for pit stops giving me the lead. I’d consciously slow the pace expecting Tony to catch back up in a minute or two. I did not want to run alone this early in the race.
We went through Fish Hatchery in 3:06. I felt smooth and fluid and opted to go shirtless a while. I could feel it was warming up and knew I’d get a jersey later in the race. By this point I guess we had a 7-8 minute lead over Duncan and Nick (eventually 2nd place finisher). Tony and I just started clicking off the miles on the pavement following the Fish Hatchery. The pace was a tad quick but I figured that mentally it would be good for me. We got over to the Pipeline Turn off and I knew it was going to be a hot day. The reroute here (a black hawk had crashed near the Colorado Trail only days before forcing a reroute) was bare and desolate with little shade. It would be hot coming back through here later. Tony had to stop again for another pit stop putting me in the lead again. I did not want the lead this early. I mentally slowed the pace to a better controlled manner and waited for Tony yet he did not come, so I just kept on rollin.
I went through Box Creek (31 miles in) in 4:09 about 2 minutes in front of Tony. I was feeling smooth, yet a little concerned about being in the lead so soon. I stopped after Box Creek for a quick pit stop and kept on rolling. I soon rejoined the Colorado Trail surprised that there really was no major hill up to it on the reroute. From the Colorado Trail I kept a controlled pace expecting Tony to Catch up any second. I deliberately power hiked the steepest sections of the trail and finally Tony caught up with about 2-3 miles prior to Twin Lakes. He looked rejuvenated, wanted the lead, and set a blistering downhill pace to Twin Lakes. I let him go, knowing that I did not want to kill my legs just yet, I still had 100K to run. I went through Twin Lakes in 5:15 about 3 minutes back from Tony. The time was about an hour faster than the training run during the summer. Wow. I ignored the time and focused on more important things: the next mile.
I headed up Hope Pass, blocking out all negative thoughts: namely how I was running poorly. Of course I was not running poorly but the thoughts creep in just the same. Around every few bends I would see Tony only about 2-3 minutes in front of me. How was this possible? I thought he had a greater lead mostly because I felt like I was going so slow, after all I was power hiking the steeper sections. At the Hopeless Aid Station (6:24) near the top of Hope Pass I could see Tony nearing the pass. He was about 5 minutes in front. At this point I started cramping a bit from the heat and lack of salt. I had not been taking enough salt caps and I was starting to feel it. I resolved to not push it and just get over the pass down to Winfield and get some salt in me. I was craving it.
I ran down the South Side of Hope. Oh boy, almost halfway. I was looking forward to the return. At the bottom of the Hope Pass Single track I hit the road up to Winfield this part of the run was the only part I did not do my homework on. I really had no idea how long the dirt road up to Winfield would be. I ran up the sun beaten dirt road in a slow methodical manner. I was feeling drained and in desperate need of salt and some food. I kept expecting to see Tony on his return. At last I did and estimated he had about a 10 minute lead on me.
Getting to Winfield was mentally everything I needed. My crew informed me I’d have a pacer back over Hope. I had been unsure if I would have one or not. I sat down and took about a 5 minute break eating mostly Fritos. I was craving them; they were my choice food throughout the day. Those 5 minutes were well needed. I got up and left, the watch read about 7:30, 8 hours even would have been much better, but this was a race, you take what you have and you run with it.
A Wonderful Weekend… Aren’t They All?
Friday’s Race:
Duncan Callahan, http://www.duncancallahanrunning.com/ my training partner and 2008 Leadville 100 Champ, called me Friday morning the day prior to the race. He informed me that there was an official weigh in for Leadville that I needed to make. This valuable information which I had been oblivious to was somewhere in the inch thick Leadville packet… alas, I had missed it. I was still in Gunnison and had yet to pack. I threw everything I thought I would need into my car in a hurried 10 minutes and left town at 9:50 am. The weigh in would close at 11:45. On a good day the drive to Leadville takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes. Darn, I’d have to race to get there in time.
I set a quick safe tempo in my car making sure not to speed… too much. The minutes raced on, the sweat metaphorically dripped from the forehead, doddlers where passed, and pacing was impeccable. I arrived in Leadville at 11:40: 1hour 50 minutes to drive there. This was a fantastic PR. May I note here that I normally don’t drive in the same manner of how I race. I was the last person to weigh in. I jokingly thought perhaps that I should drive back to Gunnison to rest up. The added pressure of getting to Leadville on time had not been draining, on the contrary it wet my appetite for competition. I was ready. I stayed with Leadville resident and ultra runner Bill Dooper. He ensured I was comfortable and ready to roll the next day.
Saturday: Race Day:
2:08 am. My alarm went off. I needed no prodding, I was up.
3:58 am. 2 minutes prior to the start. I made a last minute decision to drop the long sleeve (what was I thinking; it was already almost 50 out) and go with the short sleeve.
The race plan: It was pretty simple… well when it comes to running 100 miles the idea of a simple plan may be a bit relative but I wanted to go out with the leaders, or rather leader. I knew Anton Krupicka http://www.antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/ would be setting the pace in an attempt for the record. I wanted to hang, and be able to compete. Simple plan really… in theory.
I took glances at my watch here and there but for the most part was pretty oblivious to the time throughout the day. For the first hour and a half I just jogged along paying attention to other runner nuances: running rhythm, posture, changes in cadence on hills breathing patterns, muscle tightness, etc. Tony looked strong, confident, and had a desire to set the pace. This was good. It was my first 100 and there was no way I wanted to set the pace. I’d run the course (first 40 miles) this summer with Duncan, so I had an idea of what pace I wanted to hit, but was content to let Tony lead.
We got to Mayqueen in 1:42. Our pack of 6 runners had been running strong and comfortable in a solid pack, but at Mayqueen the pack fell apart. The trail heads up a technical single track up to Hagerman Pass Road. Gustavo Reyes held the lead here tailed immediately by Josh Meitz, Tony, and I. It was evident the first two runners pace was being pushed and they were a bit uncomfortable at the pace on the trail. As soon as we hit the Hagerman Pass Road I finally felt fully relaxed, running comfortably in my element. Tony and I quickly dropped the others up Sugarloaf. I felt like the pace was fine and not being pushed… too much. The sky was brightening, giving an eerie surreal feeling to the morning. Today, was a good day to race. Tony had to stop a few times for pit stops giving me the lead. I’d consciously slow the pace expecting Tony to catch back up in a minute or two. I did not want to run alone this early in the race.
We went through Fish Hatchery in 3:06. I felt smooth and fluid and opted to go shirtless a while. I could feel it was warming up and knew I’d get a jersey later in the race. By this point I guess we had a 7-8 minute lead over Duncan and Nick (eventually 2nd place finisher). Tony and I just started clicking off the miles on the pavement following the Fish Hatchery. The pace was a tad quick but I figured that mentally it would be good for me. We got over to the Pipeline Turn off and I knew it was going to be a hot day. The reroute here (a black hawk had crashed near the Colorado Trail only days before forcing a reroute) was bare and desolate with little shade. It would be hot coming back through here later. Tony had to stop again for another pit stop putting me in the lead again. I did not want the lead this early. I mentally slowed the pace to a better controlled manner and waited for Tony yet he did not come, so I just kept on rollin.
I went through Box Creek (31 miles in) in 4:09 about 2 minutes in front of Tony. I was feeling smooth, yet a little concerned about being in the lead so soon. I stopped after Box Creek for a quick pit stop and kept on rolling. I soon rejoined the Colorado Trail surprised that there really was no major hill up to it on the reroute. From the Colorado Trail I kept a controlled pace expecting Tony to Catch up any second. I deliberately power hiked the steepest sections of the trail and finally Tony caught up with about 2-3 miles prior to Twin Lakes. He looked rejuvenated, wanted the lead, and set a blistering downhill pace to Twin Lakes. I let him go, knowing that I did not want to kill my legs just yet, I still had 100K to run. I went through Twin Lakes in 5:15 about 3 minutes back from Tony. The time was about an hour faster than the training run during the summer. Wow. I ignored the time and focused on more important things: the next mile.
I headed up Hope Pass, blocking out all negative thoughts: namely how I was running poorly. Of course I was not running poorly but the thoughts creep in just the same. Around every few bends I would see Tony only about 2-3 minutes in front of me. How was this possible? I thought he had a greater lead mostly because I felt like I was going so slow, after all I was power hiking the steeper sections. At the Hopeless Aid Station (6:24) near the top of Hope Pass I could see Tony nearing the pass. He was about 5 minutes in front. At this point I started cramping a bit from the heat and lack of salt. I had not been taking enough salt caps and I was starting to feel it. I resolved to not push it and just get over the pass down to Winfield and get some salt in me. I was craving it.
I ran down the South Side of Hope. Oh boy, almost halfway. I was looking forward to the return. At the bottom of the Hope Pass Single track I hit the road up to Winfield this part of the run was the only part I did not do my homework on. I really had no idea how long the dirt road up to Winfield would be. I ran up the sun beaten dirt road in a slow methodical manner. I was feeling drained and in desperate need of salt and some food. I kept expecting to see Tony on his return. At last I did and estimated he had about a 10 minute lead on me.
Getting to Winfield was mentally everything I needed. My crew informed me I’d have a pacer back over Hope. I had been unsure if I would have one or not. I sat down and took about a 5 minute break eating mostly Fritos. I was craving them; they were my choice food throughout the day. Those 5 minutes were well needed. I got up and left, the watch read about 7:30, 8 hours even would have been much better, but this was a race, you take what you have and you run with it.
Coming into Winfield
Andy Richmond paced me back over Hope Pass constantly encouraging me. I was still feeling drained as I power hiked and jogged over the pass. Andy’s constant praise was well needed. Finally, about 5 minutes from the top of the pass, my strength was renewed. I rose up and flew like an eagle over the pass. I summited and started the decent with a renewed vigor, I was here to race and puke out my guts if need be. Remember if you are puking, you are running well. I could not see Tony but knew the race was just beginning, I yelled out with a wild yalp, “I’m a Timmy.” Translation: I’m out running in God’s creation, what more can I ask for. The race had finally started; it was 45 miles to go.
Andy Richmond paced me back over Hope Pass constantly encouraging me. I was still feeling drained as I power hiked and jogged over the pass. Andy’s constant praise was well needed. Finally, about 5 minutes from the top of the pass, my strength was renewed. I rose up and flew like an eagle over the pass. I summited and started the decent with a renewed vigor, I was here to race and puke out my guts if need be. Remember if you are puking, you are running well. I could not see Tony but knew the race was just beginning, I yelled out with a wild yalp, “I’m a Timmy.” Translation: I’m out running in God’s creation, what more can I ask for. The race had finally started; it was 45 miles to go.
At Twin Lakes
I got to Twin Lakes in 2nd place in 9:45? knowing I had to keep running my race. I was about 23 minutes back from Tony. There was still 40 miles… a long way. Mark Stenbeck jumped in to pace. I power hiked up out of Twin Lakes to the well needed shade on the Colorado Trail. I was drained and at another low point in the race. Mark kept encouraging me and made sure I was eating and drinking. My vigor returned and soon we were rolling along flying past the trees and forest creatures. We hit the reroute. I was now a just a wee bit tired, but felt solid. The next hill was Sugarloaf, I could cruise from here. So I thought. About a ½ mile before the Box Creek aid station the sun started getting to me. I was getting severely dehydrated and overheated, even though I’d been drinking like a drowning man. I jogged through Box Creek in 11:24. Then almost instantly ½ mile later out in the direct sun, I stopped. I tried running and could only get out a few steps before being forced back into a walk. I did my first logical thinking of the day and came to the profound conclusion that I was dehydrated, overheating, and in need of more food.
Near the end of Pipeline, still walking
Mark and I walked along with me sipping water. I was at the emotionally lowest point in the race. I could not even jog. Could I even finish the race? I blocked out the thought. I had to focus on the here and now. What was most important was getting liquid and food in me and mentally getting it back together. It was blazing hot and Mark did everything to help out. He walked so as to keep his shadow on my while holding up his shirt above his head to give me added shade. I was grumpy, tired, and wanted to do the unthinkable: quit. It was unthinkable: therefore, I did not think it. Finally after walking about 45 minutes (I was at the end of Pipeline by this time) I was ready. I started with a slow painful hobble, then it turned into a slow job. Duncan caught up here (about ½ mile from the pavement). He said a few kind words, and soon was only a shadow of things to be in front. He looked solid.
Back running
I ran on autopilot to Fish Hatchery (13:15). I was refueled and ready. I got over to the base of Sugarloaf where I found Tony at the side of the road, sitting down, cramping, and done. The heat had got to us all. Incidentally, from Winfield on every hour I was taking about 2 salt caps (700 mg). I had 20 (7000mg) thought out the day). That’s might be a pr for salt intake in a single day. Yeah!
Leaving Fish Hatchery
I power hiked and jogged up Sugarloaf with my new pacer Jerry. Every minute I was feeling more solid. The sun was no longer as intense. I was well hydrated and nourished, and I remembered that Duncan only had about 5 minutes on me. Jerry and I summited Sugarloaf. I was ready to fly. I ran down picking up speed. I caught up to Duncan around mile 85. I made a joke to my dear friend and left.
I soon rolled into Mayqueen (15:13) feeling strong; I was going to win this race. I would not let anything stand in my way. Well, not pain at least.
Coming into Mayqueen
My friend Scott jumped into to pace. As always Scott knew what to say. The words running through our heads where inspiration and robot. He told me I had to run consistent like a robot. I concurred and ran on at monotonous pace hearing his inspirational words echo through the fading light.
Soon, well a couple hours later… I crossed the finish in 17:27:23. It had been a fantastic day of racing filled with action and lead changes. This drama played out over hours and hours only highlights ones appreciation for it. Nick Lewis had a fantastic race and finished 2nd in 17:44, Duncan was 3d in 18:26.
Currently, I’m resting up and preparing for the World Mountain Running Championships, in Italy next week. I’ll be ready.
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