Sophie, Peter and I packed up the Eurovan and headed southwest to Bishop, California. Bishop is nestled in mountains with the Sierras west of town. We stayed at the Millpond campground, which worked great because that is where the race started and finished. As we headed to CA, the temperatures rose along with the gas prices ($3.49 in SLC and $4.07 in Bishop). We joined Colleen and her daughter Megan at the campsite. I met Colleen early on in my Ultra years. She is the one to whom I made the aforementioned comment "I will run the Wasatch 100 course once". We had the typical scheming and planning session. I found it much easier to pack for a race that starts in daylight and has one expected temperature, HOT.
Colleen and I discussing race strategy
We then headed into town for the pre-race dinner. It was held at a local restaurant, and they had quite a delicious pasta dinner. The most amazing phenomena was free beer, yes, a free beer station. Quickly, Colleen and I remembered that we were not in Utah. Proceeds from the race benefit the local Bishop hospital. There are three races starting simultaneously (20 mile, 50K, and 50 mile) and next year they will add a 100K. The beginning of the course would be the same for all and then at certain points, the 20 miler and 50K runners turn around.
Race Start 6am
The course was essentially on jeep roads, no single track, in the lower foothills of the Sierras. Albeit, we climbed to the highest point at Overlook 9385 ft., up to the lower edge of the snow. The majestic peaks above us reached 13,000+ ft and had tempting trails, but they were probably off limits for an organized event (the Forest Service permit thing). It took us nearly 20 miles to make the 5000 ft climb to Overlook. This somewhat low angle climb had very run-able sections.... however the terrain was tough. The first ten or more miles was this sandy yuck soil, 1 step forward and 1/4 step slide back. I spent a lot of time zigzagging and jumping to the islands of packed soil, maybe I did run a 100K?
Somewhere in the first few miles I had an overwhelming sense of fatigue. I nibbled on Goldfish, an orange slice and a bit of banana at an early aid station (which I now am suspicious that only made things worse) though I did pass up the chocolate dipped strawberries. I had no giddyup and the powerfood wasn't kicking in.
We went thru a marshy area and I stopped to enoy this
beautiful iris, which helped to ease my pain.
So I trudged on at a Frankenstein pace, bumming out because I typically do better on the climb. I thought there was no way I would finish before nightfall, let alone cross the finish line. When I started drinking Perpetuem things started to get better, though I still had waves of fatigue. The first of three times at Edison Loop Aid Station (AS) is at Mile 17. Here you are greeted by a guy dressed as a Pirate and armed with a weed sprayer full of water. There is nothing like a Pirate misting your cooked body to improve your attitude. We then did a loop up to the Overlook and then back to Edison Loop. The Overlook AS had quite a spectacular view. Right above was a ski-able slide path.... tempting. They were making fresh potato and cheese Piroges, also tempting but I didn't partake.
The fourth, and last wave of death happened enroute to the Intake 2 AS, mile 23.8. Close to the aid station a guy caught up with me and asked “how are you doing?”. Now I am a pretty happy runner and times are real tough when I have a bad attitude, especially to a stranger. I think my response scared the guy, and this was his first Ultra. We crossed the highway and I saw the Eurovan in the distance. Peter and the girls were just arriving. I dropped down from the highway to the aid station and panicked waved to them. Peter came over and I buried my head into his warm shoulder and had a meltdown. I think I was speaking in tongues with fatalistic comments. Pretty much scared Peter and Sophie. They calmed me down, offered me an ice cold Red Bull, and encouraged me to go for the next aid station, they would check on me there. Big hugs and kisses and off I went, aaaahhh cured by the love and support of my family. The Red Bull worked too, my attitude had a powerful come back.
Getting my groove back
As I neared the Bishop Creek Lodge AS, mile 29, I saw Colleen on the return. She is great, always cheerful and encouraging. My second time thru the Intake 2 AS, mile 32, I downed the second Red Bull and took off for the last big climb. I motored on the climb and really started to enjoy this run. It was now midafternoon and the heat was cranking. During my last stop at Edison Loop the Pirate not only misted me but slathered my arms in sunscreen. Ultra runners have long hours of sun exposure and should always have that in consideration. The return back to the start was much more enjoyable than the first, I snapped a few photos:
I felt that we ran thru the land of the giant pinecones.
10 miles from the finish, I guess I just dream of real food at the end. Four miles from the finish I was running out of Perpetuem. I took a Power Bar Double Latte Gel and Whammo, I was on fire. I had been comfortably cruising, but all of a sudden I just had to get the job done. I had a strong finish, Sophie met me for the last 100ft. and ran me in.
1 comment:
Congratulations! You are incredible!
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