The Goofy's Race And A Half Challenge
1 Half Marathon - 1 Full Marathon - 2 Days - 4 Disney Theme Parks
Combined Mileage: 39.3 Miles
Combined Time: 5 Hours 59 Minutes
One Hell Of A Time! - One Long Report
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Dedicated to Moe and Mr. Walt Disney
In Honor of diabetics everywhere including Sarah Chretien
And young Sophie Carloni (18 Months Old - Newly Type 1) as well as
The undying spirit of Hans Bern Bauer (Run With Scissors!)
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Friday, January 5, 2007
I worked half a day at the high school and then rushed to my future in-laws house for a ride to the airport. I flew Southwest out of Manchester, NH and found myself in Orlando, Fla by 5 PM. It was a hot muggy night in Orlando, weather that I personally love and running my best in, especially so with 90% humidity. We headed to Disney's Wide World of Sports where I needed to pick up my Goofy's Race and a Half bracelet. A small plastic wrist band that signified Disney owned me for the next 2 days as I ran through their properties. Annoying as the band was to have on all weekend, the thoguths of what was to come made it worth while. After dinner with my father and step mom, I spent a little time in the Vacation Village pool and hot tub relazing under the stars while watching the fire works fly from Kissimmee's "Old Town" area. The scent of a BBQ wafted through the air and I sipped on a lemonade. It's Januray and I miss summer.
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Saturday, January 6, 2007
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
The Magic Kingdom and Epcot
13.1 Miles - 2 Hours 6 Minutes
1,821st place out of 12,282 Finishers (top 14%)
1,199th out of 4,826 Men - 98th out of 395 men ages 25-29
The alarm went off at 3 AM. I woke up to grab a quick rinse, put on my gear (including a pair of Dirty Girl Gaitors, running with scissors, to honor my buddy Hans) and then eat a bagel before heading over to Epcot's parking area. This area was the staging area for the races start and finish. After parking in the mass sea of cars, my father, step mother Helen and I all made our way to the "holding tank." Runners were all about, stretching, filling water bottles, sharing war stories and fixing their numbers to their shirts or shorts. The porta-john lines were immensely long as they usually are before a race. On a stage near the back of the area was a band playing some great music of all genre's, followed by music videos of various "fun" artists like Weird Al and MC Hammer.
Runners were then ushered through the back check tent and into a second holding area before they released you to walk the mile or more to the corals at the starting area. My father was in Coral B and Helen in C. I found myself in A-1. This shocked me because I never thought of myself as that kind of runner… to be placed up front in the starting group. As they made their way into the second area and towards the start, I waited for a new friend of mine. Jeff Genova is from Arkansas and is an Ultra-Marathon runner having completed various races including at least two runs of 100 miles that I know of.
As he arrived with his brother Ken, and a few other friends of which included Glen. Glen is a proud marine veteran from New Mexico who has been travelling the world to run in marathons from Russia, to Poland to Sri Lanka, it's amazing hearing of the places he has been. Jeff, Glen and I made our way quickly through the 2nd staging area and jogged a bit to our starting coral of which seemed like 2 miles away. There we stood patiently preparing for a great time on a humid January morning. The temp was all ready at 81 degrees with 100% humidity. I was loving it while the moans and groans could be heard through the crowd.
The pre-race ceremony sent chills up my spine. As the thousands of runners hurried into their starting areas, a wonderful rendition of our National Anthem was sung followed by Fire Works. We then counted down the start for the wheel chair division and then counted down to our start. 3,2,1 BOOM! Fireworks shot up from the starting line in a colorful display in the dark morning air. Enough glitz to make everyone smile with childish excitement. We were off!
The race ran along the public access roads from outside Epcot Center, around the Disney Race Way and towards The Magic Kingdom. These road sections were a great time to yuck it up with various other runners who had made the trip to Disney. We all talked and laughed and shared stories of the lack of winter in places like Ontario and New England. We ran relaxed along the way, Glen sang old military songs "Woke up in the mornin' for a 2 mile run.." and told us more about the countries he's been to. At Mile 3 we ran past The Richard Petty Experience and Disney's race way then past the Wilderness lodge and the Contemporary Resort. Not long after, Cinerella's castle could be seen in the distance as well as space mountain (I knew there were mountains here somewhere). The best part was seeing the many who had come out to cheer us on, and all of the characters were giving high fives "HEY GOOFY!" What a great way to reconnect with childhood after many many years.
As we rounded the corner under the monorail and through a tunnel, we ran back up to level ground and headed through the backstage area's of The Magic Kingdom. We then ran down Main Street USA, through Tomorrow Land, through the gates of Cinderella's Castle, down through Frontier land and Splash Mountain. Then back behind the scenes past where they store the parade floats and back out onto access roads. We had run a short mile through the kingdom and were now back on the access roads heading for Epcot. We ran the access roads past some golf courses and back to The Richard Petty Experience. It was here that I saw Helen trying her best and with a smile and a high five we continued on our way. Somewhere around here Jeff had stomach issues and needed to stop and walk while Glen and I carried on.
We soon ran through the backstage area's of Epcot, right past the giant ball and past fols dressed in the various attires of the countries represented at Epcot. After running past the choir and through a shaded area, there was a huge crowd cheering us to the words (FINISH). I gave it my hardest effort at the end for a comfortable finishing time. I received my Donald Duck Medal and traded my orange goofy wristband for a blue one. Jeff treated Glen and I to 7 minutes of magical post race massage. We ate food and then sat in the parking lot traffic for an hour. We then went and played 9 holes of golf at an Orlando Area Golfcourse called Wedgewood. A truly "Magical" Saturday. To bed early I went as I had to do it all over again tomorrow.
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Sunday, January 7, 2007
Walt Disney World Marathon
The Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios and Epcot
26.2 Miles - 3 Hours 53 Minutes 28 Seconds
937th place out of 10,936 Finishers (top 8%)
742nd out of 5,780 Men - 81st out of 538 men ages 25-29
I woke up feeling great but knew it wouldn't last for long. Even though I had run the half marathon yesterday easy.. then played 9 holes of golf… there was still a great level of physical exertion put on my body given the elements. I still had a goal for this race and that goal was to run my personal best which currently sits at 3 Hours 40 Minutes at the 2006 Vermont City Marathon. Yesterday Jeff told me there was no way to PR at Disney given the crowds, nevermind having run a half marathon the day before. Either way, today I was going to run my best possible race and leave it al out there for those I am running in honor of.
Sophie Carloni is an 18 month old girl who fell very hill recently. The daughter of a co-worker, they took her to the hospital to discover she has Type-1 diabetes. A terrible disease for someone at such a young age. I learned of the news on Thursday after her daddy was out of work all week. My heart and prayers are with them as I continue on my mission for Diabetes Research.
The race started the same as the day before. I stood in the first coral talking to a few folks from New Hampshire. As the race started I ran off to the side of the road in the grass, giving my legs and feet a breaks from the horrible pavement and to stay out fo the crowd and motor along. We made a huge loop around the outside of Epcot and at one point saw Judy. We had been staying in Judy's time share in Kissimmee and she is also going to be the JP for Sarah and I's wedding in July. On the second rounding of this loop I made sure to say hello once again, she was so excited.
The course then follows the same route at the half marathon except once you reach the Disney Race track for the 2nd time, you bear right instead and head for the animal kingdom. I had my GPS watch on and closely monitored my pace at 7.2 MPH. Around mile 5 I was feeling terrible. The foggy morning air was thick, humid and hot once again which I liked… but it was the rock stiff sore quads that was what took the biggest mental challenge to overcome along the way. For what it was worth, it was worth good tolerance training.
The Animal Kingdom is a park I hope to return to. I ran past a White Rhino, Llama and Blue Parrot. I laughed as I ran into a town designed to look like Nepal where a man dressed as a sherpa dance outside his area. I stopped to give him a high five as I wore my "Team Sherpa" shirt. It was great to feel like I was running through a tropical rain forest while the fog finally began to lift. Soon the sun came out and started to bake the runners. I was glad to have finished more than half the race before this happened as my pace began to slow to 7.1 then 7 MPH.
After the AK, I ran into an aid station handing out Banana's. I grabbed one and dropped it on accident. I picked it up and started to eat it at which point I chomped down hard on a large pebble. CRUNCH! OUCH! I'll never do that again! At this point in the race, many of the runners were feeling the heat as the sides of the course began to look like a war scene. Runners to the left and right were leaying on the ground, stretching, crying in pain and some receiving medical attention. I even saw one guy leaning on the safari's electric fence while stretching… I mean… THINK!
Outside the AK we wound our way through the parking lot and headed back out on the access roads. My quads still tight I managed to maintain my 7 MPH pace. I ran past the gates to the Disney Property and to the turn around near Wide World of Sports. The sun was roasting us as I struggled up the many long, drawn out hills and overpasses. We then ran into MGM studios where we ran behind the scenes once more and then into the park. I saw Darth Vader and some storm troopers. We ran down through some movie set areas and then around Mikey's big magic hat. Out into the parking lot and towards the many resorts. The sun beating down on me and my quads getting tighter and tighter with each step, I knew I needed to finish the race soon. My PR pace was falling off as I had now dropped to 6.9 MPH. My goal was now to complete my secondary target of under 4 hours.
I plodded along through the various resorts surrounding The Swan and Dolphin as well as the Boardwalk Inn. The water looked perfect as guests sun bathed on the beaches of white sand. Through the shopping areas and past many applauding by standers. I couldn't help but get choked up thinking of my childhood and coming to Disney (a total of 9 times). I never thought I would have run all this way through these parks, behind the scenes, high fiving characters and just being a kid. It was by far one of my favorite running experiences.
Too bad I was getting a bit slower in my steps as I entered Epcot. I looked at my watch and I has passed by PR by a few minutes but knew I had my other goal in hand. As I ran by the choir, they swayed back and brothed clapping hands in unison. I pumped my fist in the air to thank them and they gave a huge applause and cheer. Around the final corner and there was the crowd. In excitement I screamed loudly and raised my arms in the air. I had done it again… 2 days and 40 miles. 4 Theme Parks. Re-connected with my childhood. Made some new and great friends and one heck of experience I would suggest anyone do. My step mom was so excited for me as was I. She took my picture and reached over the fence for a high five. My legs locked up and I could barely walk as my hamstringshad knotted up. What pain… I LOVE IT! I then received my Mikey Mouse Medal, was ushered into the Goofy tent and received my Goofy Challenge Medal.
I had a blast during this entire weekend. Many thanks to Jeff and his brother for their friendship and extended hospitality. Many thanks to Judy for giving us a place to stay and dad and Helen for one kick butt weekend in Florida. Life is all about experiences like this and the ability to have fun and perform is a feeling like no other. Thanks Walt Disney, because of you, we'll forever be Children.
Goofy's Race And A Half Challenge
39.3 Miles - Combined Time of 5 Hours 59 Minutes
I was 259 out of 2,480 Goofy Finishers (520 DNF)
194 out of 1,392 Men
11 out of 86 Men Ages 25-29
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
RR: 2007 Pittsfield Peaks Ultra
Saturday, June 9, 2007
1st Annual Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge
50 Some Miles with 14,000'+ Elevation Gain
Toughest 50 Miler East Of The Mississippi
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My cell phone alarm went off at 4AM on the dot and simultaneously the lights to the pool house and sauna turned on. Drew let us stay at his house in Pittsfield, VT and feeling bad about rolling into town to use his home as a base statin, Sarah, Marla and myself opted to take up quarters in the pool house sleeping on the floor and marla in the sauna. Marla is an extraordinary ultra-runner from Champlain, IL who I had convinced to fly out here to test herself on some "real" hills, unlike the ones they claimed to have at McNaughton Park in Pekin, IL. It was there that Marla was the 1st place female in the 50 Miler and its in Illinois she trains with other Ultra greats such as Tracy Thomas and Cristie Crawford.
The weekend before this race, Marla ran 38 miles at night in Michigain at Kettle Moraine. Still tired and unprepared for what lie ahead of her, she woke up to retrieve her pre-race coffee. While I showered, ate coffee cakes and banana's we headed to the start at Aimee Farm to observe the start of the Death Division Race.
12 signed up for the death division and only 7 showed up on race day. Some obviously knew it may not be a good idea to come and some knew it wasn't a good idea but came anyway. One competitor showed up thinking he was going to run a 10 mile trail trail run harder than most. Little did he know he would weave his way through 19 stations each with a specific task. They started by either hauling buckets loaded with dirt and huge chunks of stone, or carrying tree's to saw into 7 pieces.. one becoming their race bib, and splittling the rest into quarters. It was obvious these folks were going to have a long day... and so were we.
After final pre-race prep, the racers all dawned kilts and gathered round for a pre-race photo. Some 37 runners were toeing the starting line, many not knowing what lie ahead. I marked 15 of the most rugged miles on the course the weekend before... knew what was ahead of us there and honestly couldn't fathom having to do it 18 Miles into the race or running 16 miles more after it. I thought I was pre-pared but standing at the starting line with Marla in the crisp muggy Vermont Morning air, with the fog rising from the valley to slowly crawl over these peaks as the sun shone its pink spectacle.. I knew I may NOT be ready for this challenge.
As a member of the race committee we set out with a few simple goals. 1.) Try to make the death race so difficult that almost no one will finish. 2.) Create a race that is tougher than the Jay Challenge
3.) Create a race that is the toughest 50 miler in the country.
I'm not sure at this time if we succeeded in #1 or 3 but many racers who have complete the Jay Challenge recalled over breakfast this morning that the Jay Challenge is now and forever a "cake walk."
I shook Leigh Schmidt's hand, David Goggins, and many many others... Gary Bennington, Roly Berard, Laura Bleakley, on and on... wished them luck. I was elated in the feeling of how tight this racing community is. We d not stand on the starting line sizing each other up... we laugh, we make sure we're all OK and we unite as one. Today.. we're all in this together... and off we were on one long amazing adventure.
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The first part of the run took us up and around various parts of the contest trail on the North end of the course, winding back down towards the start and then up to the summit area of Mount Wilcox. The fog lifted but the drizzle started and soon a very light rain fell. We passed a few aid stations, some just water out of an SUV on the road and some at Deer Camps. The foggy morning and the light patter of rain on the leaves made for a very surreal running experience in these bug infested woods. We came upon a home on Wilcox where we had to run around their pond before heading back towards the 1st MAIN aid station. But here at this house was an added game. If we so chose we could stop and take a sht at either Hillary Clinton or George W. Bush with a .22. If you it the picture you'd get it later. And as llama's nibbled on trees and grass, we shot the rifles. Marla hit her photo dead on and I missed entirely... opting to walk up and draw a red circle around W's face before leaving the station and heading for Drop Area #1.
At the first Drop Station we refilled and took a recount of ourselves before heading out on th Hayes Brook Loop. We ran up the road and took a hard right onto a mountain biking trail. We wound our way uo the hill and crested out in what appeared to be a nasty mud bit, we headed around a bend and enjoyed a long long long downhill run back out onto the road and to the Drop Station fo the 2nd Time. All along the way, at various spots we'd hear the roving aid station... Mtn Drew. Equipped with an ATV with cooler strapped on the back. Drew offered aid to many of the race participants and when the needed it most... avoiding many dangerous situations.
At the aid station Marla loaded up with a waste pack I let her borrow so she could carry more gear on what would be the longest stretch of course without reasonable aid, the longest amount of climb, the most bugs, the most mud and the most missery. We were just 18 Miles into the course and all ready feeling a bit tired but enjoying ourselves none the less. Theres no better way t get to know someone than to spend an entire day together with similar goals. Marla wanted to finish in the top 3 female's and I was hoping for top 10 overall. We did our best.
As we left the aid station we knew we sat in 13th and 14th places. We'd done a great job at keeping distance from runners behind us and gaining ground on runners ahead. But what happened next would change the race for not only us.. but MANY runners. As we left the aid station we take a left and head downhill into the area around Thousand Acre Hill. We enter a small field where it appeared many had run right yet the pink ribbon was in a tree to the left. We followed to the ribbon, ran down the logging road and found a 2nd ribbon. We ran under a blow down and came to a stream.. crossed the stream and followed a herd path up hill.
Up and up we went and soon the herd path with footprints we were following was disappearing. I looked down and noticed the human prints turned into moose prints, the brush grew thicker and I knew the inevitable.. we were off course. Marla has a nickname... "Wrong way" and it was now rubbing off on me. We weren't "lost" but I knew my new job was to remain calm, keep Marla Calm and find a trail... ANY trail. We stumbled onto many different logging roads and marched through tons and tons of stinging nettle. When we'd have enough of those we'd head back into the woods. I led us on an epic bushwhack uphill and to the right, uphill and to the right... The woods always getting thicker with pucker bush, hobblebush and nettle. Huge rocks, small streams, moose and deer beds and bear droppings.. we were getting tense and upset.
We started yelling, "Heeeeyyyy!!!" as loud and often as we could. The more we walked the louder we'd yell. Marla knew I was getting more nervous with each yell as I pushed more air out to make myself louder. Our legs were scratched, bloody and torn. Nettle was causing an itch like that of chemical war-fare. We stopped.... for pictures. We sat and laughed a bit and told Marla stories of bushwhacking for fun in New Hampshire... and pretty soon we sumbled out onto the main snowmobile trail.. yelled Hey.. and FINALLY.. someone replied. Two other racers had been lost for 2 hours... we only managed an hour and a half... and they were heading down hill after finding nothing UPhill. I opted to hike up and try to find the Long Trail. It was at the top of this hill that I realized we were far from where I had hoped. My vision of bushwhacking, finding the long trail and running to the aid station on Blood root were gone... we had wasted an hour and a half, walked 2 extra miles through the nastiest woods only to be a half mile off course.
We ran down the snowmobile trail where I heard a howl. I howled back and saw Drew... he was glad to see us and we just as glad to see him. His ATV was parked next to some pink ribbon and we were back on course. I asked where we were and the answer was not good. We were some 5 miles from the top of blood root which means we were only 2 miles from where we left him last. Marla wanted to quit and I was thinking about it as well. How could we possibly finish this race having not only lost 1:30, but having torn our legs to shreds, wasted energy and fuel as well as now having hiked one extra peak?? As stubborn as I am.. I agreed to take it easy for a while as Marla and I started walking. Joe Desena, one of the RD's, was walking uptrail to which I offered some choice criticism... the course had been sabotaged by locale's leading many runners into the wilderness and off course. 2 more hopped out of the woods behind us.. and stories would ring through the course that many many others had been lost as well.
Marla and I continued up the trail towards Blood Root. The courses longest climb to its highest elevation is in front of us. Behind us, another racer named Cory was trying to slow me down to talk to me. I knew he wanted to catch us... we got a good chuckle out of the game we were playing with each other later.. Marla and I took off. Marla, from the plain state of Illinois walked these hills like a woman possessed, stronger than the strongest women hikers I know and with driven purpose. I am beyond impressed with her abilities and forever humbled by her grace.
At the top fo Blood Root was a small aid station. I munched down some nacho chips, 2 brownies and an oatmeal raisin cookie. I put Heed in my gatorade bottle to create a nasty mix and then refilled the other bottle filled with Heed. I wasn't aware of it now, still angry form being lost, but I was setting myself up to be in some sad shape. We descended Blood Root slowly, running some and walking some trying to save our quads from the pounding. At the bottom of the mountain we took a sharp left and our patience paid off as we passed 2 runners.
The backside of the course is rugged and a mess. Miles upon miles of stinging nettle. Every section you knew you could run you couldn't because of mud, ruts, ditches and rock. Forced to hike fast we were getting nowhere fast and running out fo aid again as the sun was finally shining and the forest heating up. Not only were we hungry but so where the bugs. When we stopped for a break, flies would stick to us like (instert analogy here) and mosquitos and blackflies had a feast. We did our best picking our way through this rolle coaster of muck and misery before climbing another hill. I was spent, Marla was putting major distance on me but I could always see her. She motivated me, gave me purpose.. I pushed on to catch her. I was tired and hungry.
We finally came out on logging roads and dirt roads making things easier to run in single track. I was staggering along, shuffling my feet. I knew I was hardly running and walking was even slower. I evaluated my situation and found my problem. Here I was some 28 miles into this race and I haven't eaten much. Half a clif bar, 2 brownies, a cookie, 2 nacho chips and 2 hand full of craisins.. this was NOT the right mixture. That and I kept watering down my electrolyte drinks. We strolled into the 31 Mile aid station.. 2 slovakians who didn't spea english.. 3 sheets to the wind and dancing about. I noticed a guy sitting in a chair with a beer, "You look like a runner," I said. "I am.. but I dropped." "Really? Thats too bad.. where did you drop??" "Here!" It was quite a scene out here in the middle of now where. I at a grilled sausage on some wonder bread, and Marla and I chugged some Urquel Pilsner Czech beer with our "race volunteers" after some more chuckles we noticed the runners we passed and decided to take off.
We ran around the south of the course, back up and over the long trail, up another ridge crest to where we finally found Drew again. He offered me some laughs, us and many racers more aid and Marla, who was finally in a funk, something to eat. We has passed Jeff Cristian who seemed to be cooling off in a stream some time back. We had just run some of the most amazing forest where rocks are lined with moss and the ground cover flows across the forest floor like a green ocean tide. We said goodbye to Drew and headed back for Drop Station #1. When we arrived.. we took stock again.. we were now 38 Miles into the course and only 3 peaks done. How the hell is anyone supposed to finish this nightmare??
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We sat in camp chairs and I removed my socks and shoes. Sarah walked over with the vaseline and a rubber glove at which point I smothered my wrinkled and blistered feet with some aid, changed socks, restrapped on the shoes and let Jeff Cristians cute daughter hook my gaiters on. After a much needed re-supply, some smiles and friends... Marla and I were off running down a dirt road. In some pain, tired yet happy to finally be done with the hell of this end of the course. Word was out that even David Goggins got lost and was so for over 3 hours!
We reached Hayden's House and began to climb peak #4, Mount Hedgehog. As we wound our way up this steep terrain, I heard Marla talking up ahead with another woman. I rounded the corner and spotted her... and it was amazing.. she was carrying a huge truck tire up the mountain. It was the only female athlete in the Death Division. What was SICK.. was she was smiling. She was a LONG way from where we left them this morning. I told her she was crazy to which she replied with similar sentiment. I caught up with Marla finally and was feeling much better after having left Coke and Red Bull kick in from the last aid station. We ran out of the wood to where we saw a white care, "Did you see a woman carrying a truck tire?" asked the driver... you don't hear that everyday.
Down this hill, across the street, we run through a covered bridge and onto Riverside Farm. The sun is setting and a BBQ is about to take place. We run into the main area where the RD, Andy Weinberg, announces our entrance to the show. We run to the aid area where I finally ditch my larger hand held bottle and fill my smaller bottle up with some red bull and nothing BUT red bull. I forced myself to finally eat some more and we headed out across the field to get our 2nd to last peak.
As we ran across the field we slowly worked our way up the switch backs behind Riverside Farm that not only serve as part of the VAST Snowmobile Network, but part of this past March's Snowshoe Marathon Course. As we crest the hill we see a few runners coming back down, Laura Bleakley, David Goggins and a guy we passed before we went on our bushwhack. We made it to South Hill Road where we walked briskly to the top. We passed the old town cemetary and made it to the Sable Mountain Aid Station where Kevin had played in a tuxedo all day. Drew, Sarah, Sam and his mom had all met us there. We refilled our red bull stash and headed out on a nasty buchwhack up through some gnarly woods to near Sable Peak. There was a green cone where we had to remember the number on it to report to Kevin at the Station. We even saw a Deer.
After reporting we hurried back onto the road. Marla was starting to get tired and nervous about running in the dark. We had our headlamps and we ran a little and walked a little down the road. We turned onto the snowmobile trail and made our way back to Riverside. The bonfire was blazing, people eating and drinking beer and Laura Bleakley had just finished. She offered us her gels and Ensure and told us of what lie ahead on the last peak. It was night now.. dak, tired, shredded and ready to be done... I was fed a chunk of italian bread. As I munched it down, out of nowhere appears David Goggins... "Sherpa John! WHY ARE YOU HERE BOY!? GET OUT OF HERE! I'M DONE LOOKIN AT YOU!" As I tried to replied, he cut me off and looked as if he was hungry enough to eat me. I wasn't about to argue with a Navy Seal.. so we took off running. As we left.. the awards presentation began... how nice.
We got to the intersection and let our light pierce the darkness. The trail went straight up as the sign read. STRAIGHT UP and not on an actual trail. I led the way.. slowly... we took 10 steps and rested... 10 more and rested.. inching our way up this.. Evilest... and steepest hill of the entire day. The race.. was only getting worse yet it was only getting DONE. Soon the trail pitched so steep that we were actually on our hands and knees climbing to the top. Marla asked, "Do your heels hurt." With a wince I said, "I was trying to forget about them thanks" referring to the monster blisters on my heels that I'd had since after mile 18 when we were lost. They were now the size of half dollars and so tender that tears welled up in my eyes.
We reached the top of Joe's Mountain... South Hill...the LAST dang peak, turned off our headlights, and starred off into the unknown. As the sun set, its golden glow was lightly present.. .enough to leave the black mountain silhouette of peaks we had visited much earlier today. Places we were lost on and places we carried each other through pain, and REAL blood sweat and tears. And as the wind blew across our faces, and cooled off our overheating bodies.. we stood silently and took vigil of what our souls had endured the most.
We found the logging road and headed downhill to the dirt road that led back to Riverside. Halfway down we saw a spot light and heard Drew yelling and clapping as well as Joe's Wife Courtney who so graciously lets us use their property. The dirt road seemed neverending.. but it was so magical. All we heard was our feet, and barred owls in the distance. I turned my headlamp off and ran the road in the dark. I followed the lights from Riverside and the noise from partiers. Emotion took over as we ran onto the grass of the farm heading for home. We picked up the pace and ran side by side.. as team.. just as we had all day. We finished... we finished.
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Official results are not up yet but our time was 15 hours and 18 Minutes or there abouts. We ended up running 58 Miles (including the 2 mile bushwhack) and over 14,000' of elevation gain (38,000' of change).
This was by far THE SINGLE TOUGHEST RACE I have ever been in.. and the toughest thing I have ever done in my entire life. Yet... it was some of the best 16 hours I ever spent with a stranger.
Special thanks to Marla, Drew and Judy, Sarah for her help at the aid stations and her pictures, and all the other great runners out there. Thanks to the others in my fellow Race committee.. can't wait for next years race.
About 37 Runners Started... Only 19 finished. The last one coming in at 1AM. First place was Leigh Schmidt with a time of 10:30something.
I asked a few folks who had run the Jay Challenge how they compared the two races to which they replied... "You can't. Pick ANY 31 miles here in PIttsfield and it's Tougher than Hay." Well... I guess we now have THE toughest race in New England.. and perhaps the toughest 50 around.
Congrats Everyone!
Pictures HERE
And Death Race Photos Here
1st Annual Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge
50 Some Miles with 14,000'+ Elevation Gain
Toughest 50 Miler East Of The Mississippi
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My cell phone alarm went off at 4AM on the dot and simultaneously the lights to the pool house and sauna turned on. Drew let us stay at his house in Pittsfield, VT and feeling bad about rolling into town to use his home as a base statin, Sarah, Marla and myself opted to take up quarters in the pool house sleeping on the floor and marla in the sauna. Marla is an extraordinary ultra-runner from Champlain, IL who I had convinced to fly out here to test herself on some "real" hills, unlike the ones they claimed to have at McNaughton Park in Pekin, IL. It was there that Marla was the 1st place female in the 50 Miler and its in Illinois she trains with other Ultra greats such as Tracy Thomas and Cristie Crawford.
The weekend before this race, Marla ran 38 miles at night in Michigain at Kettle Moraine. Still tired and unprepared for what lie ahead of her, she woke up to retrieve her pre-race coffee. While I showered, ate coffee cakes and banana's we headed to the start at Aimee Farm to observe the start of the Death Division Race.
12 signed up for the death division and only 7 showed up on race day. Some obviously knew it may not be a good idea to come and some knew it wasn't a good idea but came anyway. One competitor showed up thinking he was going to run a 10 mile trail trail run harder than most. Little did he know he would weave his way through 19 stations each with a specific task. They started by either hauling buckets loaded with dirt and huge chunks of stone, or carrying tree's to saw into 7 pieces.. one becoming their race bib, and splittling the rest into quarters. It was obvious these folks were going to have a long day... and so were we.
After final pre-race prep, the racers all dawned kilts and gathered round for a pre-race photo. Some 37 runners were toeing the starting line, many not knowing what lie ahead. I marked 15 of the most rugged miles on the course the weekend before... knew what was ahead of us there and honestly couldn't fathom having to do it 18 Miles into the race or running 16 miles more after it. I thought I was pre-pared but standing at the starting line with Marla in the crisp muggy Vermont Morning air, with the fog rising from the valley to slowly crawl over these peaks as the sun shone its pink spectacle.. I knew I may NOT be ready for this challenge.
As a member of the race committee we set out with a few simple goals. 1.) Try to make the death race so difficult that almost no one will finish. 2.) Create a race that is tougher than the Jay Challenge
3.) Create a race that is the toughest 50 miler in the country.
I'm not sure at this time if we succeeded in #1 or 3 but many racers who have complete the Jay Challenge recalled over breakfast this morning that the Jay Challenge is now and forever a "cake walk."
I shook Leigh Schmidt's hand, David Goggins, and many many others... Gary Bennington, Roly Berard, Laura Bleakley, on and on... wished them luck. I was elated in the feeling of how tight this racing community is. We d not stand on the starting line sizing each other up... we laugh, we make sure we're all OK and we unite as one. Today.. we're all in this together... and off we were on one long amazing adventure.
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The first part of the run took us up and around various parts of the contest trail on the North end of the course, winding back down towards the start and then up to the summit area of Mount Wilcox. The fog lifted but the drizzle started and soon a very light rain fell. We passed a few aid stations, some just water out of an SUV on the road and some at Deer Camps. The foggy morning and the light patter of rain on the leaves made for a very surreal running experience in these bug infested woods. We came upon a home on Wilcox where we had to run around their pond before heading back towards the 1st MAIN aid station. But here at this house was an added game. If we so chose we could stop and take a sht at either Hillary Clinton or George W. Bush with a .22. If you it the picture you'd get it later. And as llama's nibbled on trees and grass, we shot the rifles. Marla hit her photo dead on and I missed entirely... opting to walk up and draw a red circle around W's face before leaving the station and heading for Drop Area #1.
At the first Drop Station we refilled and took a recount of ourselves before heading out on th Hayes Brook Loop. We ran up the road and took a hard right onto a mountain biking trail. We wound our way uo the hill and crested out in what appeared to be a nasty mud bit, we headed around a bend and enjoyed a long long long downhill run back out onto the road and to the Drop Station fo the 2nd Time. All along the way, at various spots we'd hear the roving aid station... Mtn Drew. Equipped with an ATV with cooler strapped on the back. Drew offered aid to many of the race participants and when the needed it most... avoiding many dangerous situations.
At the aid station Marla loaded up with a waste pack I let her borrow so she could carry more gear on what would be the longest stretch of course without reasonable aid, the longest amount of climb, the most bugs, the most mud and the most missery. We were just 18 Miles into the course and all ready feeling a bit tired but enjoying ourselves none the less. Theres no better way t get to know someone than to spend an entire day together with similar goals. Marla wanted to finish in the top 3 female's and I was hoping for top 10 overall. We did our best.
As we left the aid station we knew we sat in 13th and 14th places. We'd done a great job at keeping distance from runners behind us and gaining ground on runners ahead. But what happened next would change the race for not only us.. but MANY runners. As we left the aid station we take a left and head downhill into the area around Thousand Acre Hill. We enter a small field where it appeared many had run right yet the pink ribbon was in a tree to the left. We followed to the ribbon, ran down the logging road and found a 2nd ribbon. We ran under a blow down and came to a stream.. crossed the stream and followed a herd path up hill.
Up and up we went and soon the herd path with footprints we were following was disappearing. I looked down and noticed the human prints turned into moose prints, the brush grew thicker and I knew the inevitable.. we were off course. Marla has a nickname... "Wrong way" and it was now rubbing off on me. We weren't "lost" but I knew my new job was to remain calm, keep Marla Calm and find a trail... ANY trail. We stumbled onto many different logging roads and marched through tons and tons of stinging nettle. When we'd have enough of those we'd head back into the woods. I led us on an epic bushwhack uphill and to the right, uphill and to the right... The woods always getting thicker with pucker bush, hobblebush and nettle. Huge rocks, small streams, moose and deer beds and bear droppings.. we were getting tense and upset.
We started yelling, "Heeeeyyyy!!!" as loud and often as we could. The more we walked the louder we'd yell. Marla knew I was getting more nervous with each yell as I pushed more air out to make myself louder. Our legs were scratched, bloody and torn. Nettle was causing an itch like that of chemical war-fare. We stopped.... for pictures. We sat and laughed a bit and told Marla stories of bushwhacking for fun in New Hampshire... and pretty soon we sumbled out onto the main snowmobile trail.. yelled Hey.. and FINALLY.. someone replied. Two other racers had been lost for 2 hours... we only managed an hour and a half... and they were heading down hill after finding nothing UPhill. I opted to hike up and try to find the Long Trail. It was at the top of this hill that I realized we were far from where I had hoped. My vision of bushwhacking, finding the long trail and running to the aid station on Blood root were gone... we had wasted an hour and a half, walked 2 extra miles through the nastiest woods only to be a half mile off course.
We ran down the snowmobile trail where I heard a howl. I howled back and saw Drew... he was glad to see us and we just as glad to see him. His ATV was parked next to some pink ribbon and we were back on course. I asked where we were and the answer was not good. We were some 5 miles from the top of blood root which means we were only 2 miles from where we left him last. Marla wanted to quit and I was thinking about it as well. How could we possibly finish this race having not only lost 1:30, but having torn our legs to shreds, wasted energy and fuel as well as now having hiked one extra peak?? As stubborn as I am.. I agreed to take it easy for a while as Marla and I started walking. Joe Desena, one of the RD's, was walking uptrail to which I offered some choice criticism... the course had been sabotaged by locale's leading many runners into the wilderness and off course. 2 more hopped out of the woods behind us.. and stories would ring through the course that many many others had been lost as well.
Marla and I continued up the trail towards Blood Root. The courses longest climb to its highest elevation is in front of us. Behind us, another racer named Cory was trying to slow me down to talk to me. I knew he wanted to catch us... we got a good chuckle out of the game we were playing with each other later.. Marla and I took off. Marla, from the plain state of Illinois walked these hills like a woman possessed, stronger than the strongest women hikers I know and with driven purpose. I am beyond impressed with her abilities and forever humbled by her grace.
At the top fo Blood Root was a small aid station. I munched down some nacho chips, 2 brownies and an oatmeal raisin cookie. I put Heed in my gatorade bottle to create a nasty mix and then refilled the other bottle filled with Heed. I wasn't aware of it now, still angry form being lost, but I was setting myself up to be in some sad shape. We descended Blood Root slowly, running some and walking some trying to save our quads from the pounding. At the bottom of the mountain we took a sharp left and our patience paid off as we passed 2 runners.
The backside of the course is rugged and a mess. Miles upon miles of stinging nettle. Every section you knew you could run you couldn't because of mud, ruts, ditches and rock. Forced to hike fast we were getting nowhere fast and running out fo aid again as the sun was finally shining and the forest heating up. Not only were we hungry but so where the bugs. When we stopped for a break, flies would stick to us like (instert analogy here) and mosquitos and blackflies had a feast. We did our best picking our way through this rolle coaster of muck and misery before climbing another hill. I was spent, Marla was putting major distance on me but I could always see her. She motivated me, gave me purpose.. I pushed on to catch her. I was tired and hungry.
We finally came out on logging roads and dirt roads making things easier to run in single track. I was staggering along, shuffling my feet. I knew I was hardly running and walking was even slower. I evaluated my situation and found my problem. Here I was some 28 miles into this race and I haven't eaten much. Half a clif bar, 2 brownies, a cookie, 2 nacho chips and 2 hand full of craisins.. this was NOT the right mixture. That and I kept watering down my electrolyte drinks. We strolled into the 31 Mile aid station.. 2 slovakians who didn't spea english.. 3 sheets to the wind and dancing about. I noticed a guy sitting in a chair with a beer, "You look like a runner," I said. "I am.. but I dropped." "Really? Thats too bad.. where did you drop??" "Here!" It was quite a scene out here in the middle of now where. I at a grilled sausage on some wonder bread, and Marla and I chugged some Urquel Pilsner Czech beer with our "race volunteers" after some more chuckles we noticed the runners we passed and decided to take off.
We ran around the south of the course, back up and over the long trail, up another ridge crest to where we finally found Drew again. He offered me some laughs, us and many racers more aid and Marla, who was finally in a funk, something to eat. We has passed Jeff Cristian who seemed to be cooling off in a stream some time back. We had just run some of the most amazing forest where rocks are lined with moss and the ground cover flows across the forest floor like a green ocean tide. We said goodbye to Drew and headed back for Drop Station #1. When we arrived.. we took stock again.. we were now 38 Miles into the course and only 3 peaks done. How the hell is anyone supposed to finish this nightmare??
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We sat in camp chairs and I removed my socks and shoes. Sarah walked over with the vaseline and a rubber glove at which point I smothered my wrinkled and blistered feet with some aid, changed socks, restrapped on the shoes and let Jeff Cristians cute daughter hook my gaiters on. After a much needed re-supply, some smiles and friends... Marla and I were off running down a dirt road. In some pain, tired yet happy to finally be done with the hell of this end of the course. Word was out that even David Goggins got lost and was so for over 3 hours!
We reached Hayden's House and began to climb peak #4, Mount Hedgehog. As we wound our way up this steep terrain, I heard Marla talking up ahead with another woman. I rounded the corner and spotted her... and it was amazing.. she was carrying a huge truck tire up the mountain. It was the only female athlete in the Death Division. What was SICK.. was she was smiling. She was a LONG way from where we left them this morning. I told her she was crazy to which she replied with similar sentiment. I caught up with Marla finally and was feeling much better after having left Coke and Red Bull kick in from the last aid station. We ran out of the wood to where we saw a white care, "Did you see a woman carrying a truck tire?" asked the driver... you don't hear that everyday.
Down this hill, across the street, we run through a covered bridge and onto Riverside Farm. The sun is setting and a BBQ is about to take place. We run into the main area where the RD, Andy Weinberg, announces our entrance to the show. We run to the aid area where I finally ditch my larger hand held bottle and fill my smaller bottle up with some red bull and nothing BUT red bull. I forced myself to finally eat some more and we headed out across the field to get our 2nd to last peak.
As we ran across the field we slowly worked our way up the switch backs behind Riverside Farm that not only serve as part of the VAST Snowmobile Network, but part of this past March's Snowshoe Marathon Course. As we crest the hill we see a few runners coming back down, Laura Bleakley, David Goggins and a guy we passed before we went on our bushwhack. We made it to South Hill Road where we walked briskly to the top. We passed the old town cemetary and made it to the Sable Mountain Aid Station where Kevin had played in a tuxedo all day. Drew, Sarah, Sam and his mom had all met us there. We refilled our red bull stash and headed out on a nasty buchwhack up through some gnarly woods to near Sable Peak. There was a green cone where we had to remember the number on it to report to Kevin at the Station. We even saw a Deer.
After reporting we hurried back onto the road. Marla was starting to get tired and nervous about running in the dark. We had our headlamps and we ran a little and walked a little down the road. We turned onto the snowmobile trail and made our way back to Riverside. The bonfire was blazing, people eating and drinking beer and Laura Bleakley had just finished. She offered us her gels and Ensure and told us of what lie ahead on the last peak. It was night now.. dak, tired, shredded and ready to be done... I was fed a chunk of italian bread. As I munched it down, out of nowhere appears David Goggins... "Sherpa John! WHY ARE YOU HERE BOY!? GET OUT OF HERE! I'M DONE LOOKIN AT YOU!" As I tried to replied, he cut me off and looked as if he was hungry enough to eat me. I wasn't about to argue with a Navy Seal.. so we took off running. As we left.. the awards presentation began... how nice.
We got to the intersection and let our light pierce the darkness. The trail went straight up as the sign read. STRAIGHT UP and not on an actual trail. I led the way.. slowly... we took 10 steps and rested... 10 more and rested.. inching our way up this.. Evilest... and steepest hill of the entire day. The race.. was only getting worse yet it was only getting DONE. Soon the trail pitched so steep that we were actually on our hands and knees climbing to the top. Marla asked, "Do your heels hurt." With a wince I said, "I was trying to forget about them thanks" referring to the monster blisters on my heels that I'd had since after mile 18 when we were lost. They were now the size of half dollars and so tender that tears welled up in my eyes.
We reached the top of Joe's Mountain... South Hill...the LAST dang peak, turned off our headlights, and starred off into the unknown. As the sun set, its golden glow was lightly present.. .enough to leave the black mountain silhouette of peaks we had visited much earlier today. Places we were lost on and places we carried each other through pain, and REAL blood sweat and tears. And as the wind blew across our faces, and cooled off our overheating bodies.. we stood silently and took vigil of what our souls had endured the most.
We found the logging road and headed downhill to the dirt road that led back to Riverside. Halfway down we saw a spot light and heard Drew yelling and clapping as well as Joe's Wife Courtney who so graciously lets us use their property. The dirt road seemed neverending.. but it was so magical. All we heard was our feet, and barred owls in the distance. I turned my headlamp off and ran the road in the dark. I followed the lights from Riverside and the noise from partiers. Emotion took over as we ran onto the grass of the farm heading for home. We picked up the pace and ran side by side.. as team.. just as we had all day. We finished... we finished.
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Official results are not up yet but our time was 15 hours and 18 Minutes or there abouts. We ended up running 58 Miles (including the 2 mile bushwhack) and over 14,000' of elevation gain (38,000' of change).
This was by far THE SINGLE TOUGHEST RACE I have ever been in.. and the toughest thing I have ever done in my entire life. Yet... it was some of the best 16 hours I ever spent with a stranger.
Special thanks to Marla, Drew and Judy, Sarah for her help at the aid stations and her pictures, and all the other great runners out there. Thanks to the others in my fellow Race committee.. can't wait for next years race.
About 37 Runners Started... Only 19 finished. The last one coming in at 1AM. First place was Leigh Schmidt with a time of 10:30something.
I asked a few folks who had run the Jay Challenge how they compared the two races to which they replied... "You can't. Pick ANY 31 miles here in PIttsfield and it's Tougher than Hay." Well... I guess we now have THE toughest race in New England.. and perhaps the toughest 50 around.
Congrats Everyone!
Pictures HERE
And Death Race Photos Here
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September 11
On September 11th, 2001, unthinkable events took place on our great nation. These events became a catalist for battles later fought.
At 8:46 a.m. local time, American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 wide-body aircraft, crashed into the northern side of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767, crashed into the South Tower at 9:02:59 a.m. local time, an event covered live by television broadcasters and amateur filmers from around the world who had their cameras trained on the buildings after the earlier crash.
American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757, crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37:46 a.m. local time.
United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757, crashed in a field in southwest Pennsylvania just outside of Shanksville, about 150 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., at 10:03:11 a.m. local time. The crash in Pennsylvania resulted from the passengers of the airliner attempting to regain control from the hijackers.
There were 2,974 fatalities, not including the 19 hijackers: 246 on the four planes (no one on board any of the hijacked aircraft survived), 2,603 in New York City in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon. Among the fatalities were 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters, 23 New York City Police Department officers, and 37 Port Authority Police Department officers. Lieutenant General Timothy Maude was the highest ranking person killed at the Pentagon and John P. O'Neill was a former assistant director of the FBI who assisted in the capture of Ramzi Yousef and was the head of security at the World Trade Center when he was killed trying to rescue people from the South Tower. An additional 24 people remain listed as missing.
On Saturday, September 9, 2007; I remain a proud american provided with the freedom to fly an American flag in honor of those whose lives were lost. My flag flew proudly from the summit of Mount Bond 4,698 feet above sea level.
I also flew a second flag below Old Glory, a flag signifying Global Unity. Many nations were affected by the events on 9/11/01 and they should all be remembered and recognized. This event's purpose it to remember those whose lives were lost. I didn't take a "trip" this weekend... I remembered.
God Bless.
www.flagsonthe48.org
(see Gallery/Bond for Photos)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
RR: Grand Tetons 100
I DID IT!!
Grand Teton 100 Mile
September 1-2, 2007
Alta, Wy
Results:
30 hours 44 Minutes
16th out of 31 Finishers
(39 Started)
3rd of 4 in my Division (Males 20-29)
Officially and forever the youngest Finisher of the 2007 Grand Teton 100
It’s dark and a touch cold this morning as I stand in the starting line cloud. I know a few names and had just met a few faces yesterday. It’s not what I’m used to. I have no crew, no pacer and though I know a few folks it’s not like the typical Ultra Party I’ve come to love out east. However as with any race, tie will change this I’m sure as each one of us tends to lean on one another for support on this Grande adventure we are about to share in such a small way.
I’m pretty warm, it’s warmer than I thought it would be and my arm warmers are enough to cover my fat-deprived body. I weighed in at 145 pounds yesterday, a number at which I was shocked. With my head light on and the fog from 39 exhales rising to the heavens above, we heard the command start and the game had begun.
Section A: Fred’s Mountain
5.6 Miles
1,840ft Elevation Gain and Loss
As we started up the access road I didn’t see very many lights in front of me. I looked back and saw too many behind me, I was going too fast but feeling good nonetheless. I hooked up with Clem Izurieta from Fort Collins, Co; we talked and talked as we made our way up the access road. The road traveled parallel to a gorgeous mountain with many unique geographical features created through thousands of years of erosion. We turned sharp left and made the final ascent to the top of Freds (elevation 9,840’).
At the top of Fred’s was an aid station and two EMT’s. Augie and Steve were awesome guys with TONS of energy. They almost made you WANT to go to Fred’s to start every loop. I appreciated their volunteerism and motivation throughout the race. I checked in and right out and made a quick side trip to the observation platform where I saw the glowing orange from the sun rising up from over the Grand Teton mountain range. Turning back around afforded a grand view of Idaho and its various ranges, The Big Hole Mountains and the Snake River Range.
As the access road snaked back around the top, I said hi to as many runners as I could even giving a “Good Morning” to a few as it was indeed an amazing morning. But as I continued on down the road, there it was… rising up before me in probably the most majestic display of godly works, was the Grand Teton’s. I was super excited and began to yell and hoot even pumping my fists in the air. It was the single most magnificent view I had ever seen in my life. I stopped so a fellow runner could take a few photos for me and as we did so, the sun continued to rise. A cloud shrouded the Grand Teton’s summit and as the sun rose and hit the underside of the grey matter, what appeared to be a golden rain was falling on the mountain range. For those who don’t associate themselves with a religion.. I feel for you because this place, this day and this scene was work only a god could create.
I carefully ran down the access road stopping to walk all of the steeper sections in order to save my quads from the pounding they would have otherwise received. With over 90 miles to go… I knew this journey would be tough and I had a long way to go. Just above the base area, the 50-Milers had started their race and they were no passing us. The sun, now raised enough to afford manageable daylight, I turned my lamp off and wished them all luck as they passed by. Including Bob Gentile, from Florida, who had bit off a monster piece by making this his first Ultra (or anything over a 10K in his life) distance race.
After checking back in at the Base Aid station, I ditched my headlamp and carried on with my arm warmers on. I was a complete mess in the station without my crew. Deep down I had planned to run this race as a fun adventure… a sub 28 time goal I knew was out of reach and over the top.. but sub 30 was do-able. I needed to be in and out of these stations but it just wasn’t happening. Typically my races are won there.. but this one I knew was going to have to be won with my legs and my mind.
Section B – Mill Creek (Aka. Hell On Earth)
14.4 Miles
1,270’+ of Elevation Loss
1,300’+ of Elevation Gain
I left the base area and began to walk quickly up the road which leads towards “Lightning Ridge” and places further down the mountain side. After much power walking up hill through a fabulous drainage area, we emerge near a ridge where the course dumps us off the service road and onto some single track. As we traverse the area we are afforded with great views into Idaho, seeing the valley far below. We could even see the patch of land marking the farm which was home of our “Rock Bottom” aid station.
Up and over the ridgeline, we were back on the service road and wound our way down into the Mill Creek Canyon. But before we really got into it again, there was a Water Only Aid station called Cat Ski Platform. I was now alone and the field had spread out quite a bit in just the short while we’ve been on the course. I step onto the platform and pour some water into my bottle. I looked down through the grate below my feet and noticed a creature. I froze in fright and prayed to not spook the bugger… because if I had spooked this monster Porcupine… my race was sure to have ended. I took a break from the running to watch him waddle out from underneath the platform and crawl up an evergreen. Such a cool experience.
I carried on down through the valley running into occasional runners and enjoying some conversation with them. Mostly I ran with Ernie Stolen from Ancourage, AK. He kind of reminded me of an old western prospector searching for gold. This guy could sure pound out some miles, moving a bit fast for me so I backed off a bit. We were too far away from each other to really talk as we wound through the glades of Aspen, but that was ok.. it was a gorgeous morning.
As we reached the bottom of the hill, we come out onto a gravel road. A quick look to the left and we saw one of the better views of the tetons that we had all weekend. The course turned right, running past some campsites before approaching the Ski Hill Road Aid Station. I was warm now and the day was getting hot. I reached into my drop bag which they had sitting out in the sun.. I wished another tarp or tent had been over these to keep things cool. Ever drank a warm boost or slurped down a lava hot gel pack? I did.. and it was early.
As I left the aid station we then began a 4 mile long uphill walk to the Cold Springs aid station which sat 725’ higher elevation. The terrain around us is all sage brush and open range. The sun beat down on us from above and the heat from the pavement beat us from below. It was HOT. My stomach started to do flips from the warm aid I gave myself… but I pushed on running some of the uphill for a time. I caught back up to Clem and we talked each other into Cold Springs.
After checking in and out of cold springs, we headed back into the woods where we went what seemed to be up and over 2 ridges before we met back up with the trail we had run down on earlier. From here we turned left and ran back up out of the canyon area and past the Cat ski platform, to the top of Lightning Ridge. This single climb out of the Mill Creek section was the toughest climb of the day both physically and mentally. It was the race maker for sure.
As I wound my way down towards the Base area, I mentioned to Mike Evans my stomachache. He offered some “TP” but I declined thinking I’d make it back to base. Thing was… I couldn’t. I bounded off into the woods to answer nature’s call and I used a leaf foreign to me for obvious reasons. As I got back on course and started to run, it started to BURN. I’m not sure what it was but it burned and burned bad. I checked into the Base Area station and then ran into the main lodge to wash. Thankfully this helped and I avoided another disaster. The way the day was going, I knew I needed to just take it easy and enjoy the ride.
Section C: Rick’s Basin
5 Miles – Rolling Terrain
Rick’s Basin was the one section of the course I really looked forward too each time around. A collection of service roads and single track the wound it’s way up and over various pointless ups and downs, yet gave runners a chance to stretch out and actually RUN. There was no walking down hill here, a few power hikes but nothing over exerting. I really enjoyed the basin and it helped me speed things up and maybe even make up a little time I had lost on the course at aid stations.
Before long I had finished all three sections of the course loop. All 25 Miles in 5 Hours and 46 Minutes. My target time for the loop was 7 hours at the most. I knew I needed to slow down. I took my arm warmers off and put them in my bag. I got what aid I needed and headed back up Freds… yes.. to do it all over again.
Remaining Highlights/lowlights:
Loop 2:
After descending from Fred’s I was welcomed into the base area aid station by Danielle. She is a good friend with my former personal trainer. It was nice to have a friendly face at the aid tent. I sat down to re-fuel myself as a young child started to chew on my camera. This was the child of Barb Lundquist, Olympic Gold Medalist who was also a pleasure to have met.
Had to rinse my hat off with the water from a nearby stream at the bottom of Mill Creek. It was insanely hot in the afternoon and very dry. Dust from the trail was in every place I could think of and getting uncomfortable. I felt like I was in a dust storm. But very cool none the less. Danielle met me at Ski Hill Rd as well and walked me into and out of the aid station. I appreciated her assistance since I had now been running alone.
At Cold Springs one of the aid volunteers asked me if I was “starting high school this week.” She obviously thought I was 16 and not 26!
Loop 3:
I made it to the top of Fred’s in time to watch the sun set out in the Idaho side of the scene. It was beautiful I got a little choked up. Now that the sun was down it got REAL tough out there. Over 55 miles into the race and I was all by myself. No crew, no pacer. As the night wore on I grew increasingly frustrated with those who did have a pacer as they seemed to just whiz by me on the trail and out of sight.
When I reached the bottom of Mill Creek I had finally caught up with the 2 sisters who were running together. The Pyle’s from Denver. They left Ski Hill Rd before me and it took me quite a while to catch them on the road. It was neat because even though we were mid-packers we were obviously racing. Just before cold springs I caught Holly who was starting to tail off from her sister and their pacer rather quickly. When Laura saw me behind her I noticed she kicked it up a bit and her sister fell even further back.
I reached Cold Springs at 2AM where I asked if I could take a nap. I lay down but it was too noisey. Becky Clements from Salt Lake was lying down and they got her up and pushed her out. I followed as quickly as I could. Holly Pyle tried to drop at the aid station and they encouraged her on. I caught up to them not far down the trail, Holly had her shoe and sock off as she examined a blister in the night. It was 2am… and I heard her pacer say, “If you continue to run on that you won’t be walking for a week.” This annoyed me because he just cost her the race. She dropped right there and ended it walking back to Cold Springs.
As I was coming OUT of Mill Creek and back onto Lightnin Ridge I ran into Al Kader who was pacing the ridgeline. He wanted nothing to do with heading back down in there and it was comical as we both tried to laugh at how much this section of the course sucked. But he carried on. I laid down and tried to sleep back at the base Station. I slumped down in a chair and Lisa the RD covered me up. I sat there for 13 Minutes before they got me up with some soup down my throat.
I headed out into Rick’s basin where I fell asleep while running. I crashed to the ground, got up, ran to base to finish loop 3 and laid back down on the ground. Lisa yelled at me to get up and follow Becky up Fred’s. I rushed and followed but Becky was a machine (with her pacer of course) while I trailed behind. On my way up the mountain, I remember looking up to see the moon illuminating the clouds. I remembered being a child again, staring up at the clouds trying to determine what they resembled and what I saw was the PERFECT cloud Giraffe and Hippo… obviously a hallucination but it sure was fun to see these puffy creatures floating across the night sky. On Fred’s I watched the sun-rise again before heading down the mountain.
Loop 4:
The sun was out again and I was trying my best to run in the morning heat. I caught up to a runner down at the bottom of mill creek who was suffering from an asthma attack. He asked that I not tell anyone so he wouldn’t get pulled. I knew better and I told the EMT’s at the next aid station. They gave him oxygen and he ended up pulling through good enough to finish the race.
After checking in at Base, I ran the final 5 Miles in 1 Hour 21 Minutes… which I thought was fantastic. I even passed a few folks running in the trail marathon. “Is this your first trail marathon buddy??” “Nope.. I’m actually 98 miles into my third 100.” And then to see them get frustrated and pick up the pace was fun. I finished in 30 Hours 44 Minutes… just over my time goal. I’ll take it.. only next time I won’t spend so much time in the aid stations telling jokes and trying to sleep. As I ran down the final hill to the finish line, I began to cry and sream. I raised my arms in the air, ran across and jumped into the air pumping my fist. I lept into the arms of Lisa Batchen and she cried with me. Such an amazing experience.
The course was marked to perfection. How anyone got lost is beyond me… I think a few of us could have run it with our eyes closed. Jay Batchen, Zach and Lisa Smith-Batchen are top-notch race directors. Everything was perfect. Fully stocked aid stations, mental support everything. If there was ever a 100 miler to run again and again, this is it.
I want to especially thank Lisa Smith-Batchen. Her guidance, enthusiasm and motivation throughout the race is what helped me make it through. Her publicist Colleen as well, who in a moment at night where I was home-sick, tired and on the verge of tears, lifted me up and gave me the strength to get back out there. Olga Varlamova from the Montrail Ultra-Running team was amazing support as well. She got every run in and out of the base area with what they needed.
My hats off to the other east coasters, Tony who ran his 1st 100 and Merigayle from Pennsylvania who was solid from start to finish. Al who didn’t finish in under 36 hours but still had the passion to finish none the less. And Ira, who went to bed after running a night loop with lanced feet, only to wake up and return to the course Sunday and finish the race himself. All of these folks put on magnificent performances as did my new friends Lee and George and the 2 Lori’s (Lauries?).
Race photos HERE
Area photos HERE
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