June 11
 |
| Ready for the start |
My
training this year has gone very well after I had Covid in January. I feel as ready for this race as ever, and if
everything goes right, I think I can finish in about 27 hours or less. Of course, on an ultra, patience is the key,
especially on a 100 miler. The motto is
to start off slow and taper off. I have
a rookie crew, but I have no doubt that he will do great. Brandon works with me at Lockheed, and I
think he is up for the challenge. I
start the race with a shirt on, but I do not plan to have it on the whole day.
Mile
5.1 55:23 (10:52 avg./mile) Tamarack
There
are 199 runners in this race today with another couple hundred spread between
the 100k, 50k, and 38 mile night fun run.
I ease into a comfortable pace and make sure I am walking all of the
uphill portions. This first section has
a lot of PUDs (pointless up and downs).
To finish in about 27 hours requires about a 16-minute per mile average. Obviously, the early miles will be a little
quicker than the later miles. The
temperature is around 57 degrees, but it is 100% humidity. My shirt and shorts are drenched by the time
I pass through the first aid station without getting anything.
The field settles out
(photo credit: Jenny Thorsen/@luoyunghwa)
Mile
7.4 33:00 (14:21 avg./mile) Bluff
My
legs don’t feel as fresh and springy as I would have hoped, so I will start my
relaxed, not pushing it pace. I ran with
a guy in these early miles, who says he is running Western in two weeks. I am not really sure why he is even running
in this race, but he says he is only going to run 30 or so miles. I believe he told me his name was Jason, but
I cannot find any Jasons on the results page that includes those that didn’t
finish. I roll into this aid station
where I see Brandon for the first time, and I drink a little chocolate milk and
take half of a bagel with me to munch on while I maintain forward progress.
Mile
12.3 1:04:24 (13:09 avg./mile)
Horseriders
Leaving
Bluff I continue to settle into a very nice pace. The trail doesn’t seem to be as crowded this
year as it was last year. I am able to
keep my own pace, but I do follow other people when their pace suits me. I am so relaxed about my time and pace this
year that I don’t even know the splits between aid stations. This section is one example: when I complete this section in a little over
an hour, I really have no idea if that is faster or slower than a 15-minute per
mile pace. I am thinking that I am still
going faster than 15-minutes per mile, but how much faster, I do not know. The group of runners that was around me stops
at the aid station while I walk straight through it since this is a non-crew
one.
Mile
15.5 38:51 (12:08 avg./mile) Natalie’s
New Station
I
pick the pace up slightly after I pass through Horseriders. There were about four of us together before
the aid station, and I want to leave them behind. I am also feeling good as my legs aren’t any
springier, but they have warmed up nicely, and I feel like stretching them out
a little. I get to Natalie’s, which is
another non-crew aid station, but they have sandwich quarters, so I grab one of
them. They didn’t have any jelly, so the
sandwich quarter is just peanut butter.
Mile
19.5 52:19 (13:05 avg./mile) McMiller
This
loop, which culminates at the McMiller aid station, was put in last year since
they needed to move from the previous location of the aid station that was at
Emma Carlin. A benefit is that this adds
enough additional miles so that the Scuppernong loop is only run once at the
north end of the course. There is one
big tree across the trail as we start the climb up into the loop. They mentioned this tree before the race, but
it doesn’t slow me down much as I am able to straddle over it. On this climb there are several ladies that
at first appear that they are running together, but then they separate. I talk with a couple of the ladies. One of them has run another 100-miler and the
other is attempting her first. They both
are more motivated than me at this point of the race, and I let them proceed on
ahead. At the aid station, Brandon is
waiting with some Tailwind and another half of a bagel. My total time is 4:03, and I know this aid
station is just less than 20 miles. So,
quick math tells me I am running a little slower than 12 minutes per mile.
Mile
23.8 58:21 (13:34 avg./mile) Wilton
Road
I
am happy with my time to this point. I
try to limit thinking about how 20 miles in four hours can equate to a 20ish
hour finish as that would get me excited, and I would probably start running
faster due to my excitement. Instead, I
relax, make a point of running slowly, and walk all of the uphill
portions. On this section I meet Ann for
the first time. My first thought is that
I read on the website about Ann Scholl being the race ambassador. She is quoted as saying that she would rather
run 100 miles than drive 100 miles. So,
I wonder if this Ann is Ann Scholl. Well
before too long another runner passes us and says hi to Ann, and I figure out
that it is indeed Ann Scholl. Wow, I am
running with Kettle Moraine royalty! We
run into Wilton Road aid station together, and we each pass through rather
quickly only grabbing a little bit of food.
In my case, I grabbed a handful of potato chips.
Mile
27.1 52:29 (15:54 avg./mile) Highway 67
Ann
and I introduce ourselves to the other.
This process will repeat for me several times throughout the race. I usually start it off with, so have you done
this race before? However, since I now
know it is Ann, I skip that question and move right to the how many of these
have you run? She has finished three of
the 100-mile race, but has done several other races on these trails. She is also trying to finish her 10th
100-mile race. It seems like everybody
in the race or at the aid stations knows Ann, so we usually have company while
we make our way past the first quarter mark.
At the aid station, I find Brandon, take off my shirt, and then head to
the port-a-john. This race is great in
that almost every aid station has port-a-johns, but the problem is that the two
at this aid station are both currently occupied. I have to wait about a minute for one of them
to open up, and then I jump in and do my business. When I come out, I go back to Brandon and sit
down to eat about half of the grilled ham and cheese sandwich he has cooked for
me. I had planned to wash it down with
chocolate milk, but decide that Tailwind sounds better. As you can see, my time was slower, but I
really didn’t run any slower as this time includes the time I spent in this aid
station.
On the boardwalk with Ann following close behind
(photo credit: Jenny Thorsen/@luoyunghwa)
Mile
29.4 28:39 (12:27 avg./mile) County
Road ZZ
Given
the time I spent in the last aid station, Ann is long gone when I get back to
running. I mostly run by myself for this
section which I enjoy. I think this
section is a little more downhill than up, and I jog into the aid station
feeling good and ready to start the Scuppernong loop. At the aid station, I eat a pickle a grab a
handful of potato chips.
Mile
34.3 1:16:06 (15:32 avg./mile)
Scuppernong
I
begin this loop at the northern end of the course feeling good and motivated,
but I still try to hold myself back as there are still about 70 miles to
go. I pass a runner or two on the
technical trail portion of this section, which has plenty of PUDs. Just as I am almost through the technical
single track, a lady catches up to me.
So, we start the wide trail portion running mostly together. Her name is Jessica, and she is a software
programmer. When she finds out that I
work for Lockheed on mostly a software program, she asks if we use Jira. So, we spend about a mile or two comparing
experiences with using Jira and working for programs that are trying to be more
Agile. About a half mile or so before
the aid station, I catch back up to Ann.
As can be seen in the picture, I lead the group into the aid station. Here I drink some more Tailwind and eat
another half bagel. It is now time to
head south, finally!
Leading a group into Scuppernong
Mile 36.8 34:17 (13:43 avg./mile) Highway 67
Andy Garza has linked up with me and Ann after we leave the Scuppernong aid station. Of course, Ann had to stop and talk to a few people at the County Road ZZ aid station, which is just across the street from Scuppernong. After that the three of us stick together for quite a while. The joke becomes that I am running with Raggedy Ann and Andy. We are setting a nice pace, and Andy mentions that we are walking quite a bit, which is very good at this point in the race. I get to this aid station again in great shape, enjoying the company and making good time. Brandon has another half of a bagel for me, and I drink some Tailwind.
Mile
40.1 44:20 (13:26 avg./mile) Wilton
Road
(photo credit: Jenny Thorsen/@luoyunghwa)
I am not sure when exactly it happened, but Ann and Andy gap me before we start to cross the prairie again. I see them several times on the prairie, but they are almost a quarter of a mile ahead of me. I need to remain patient and not push too hard to catch up to them. As you can see from the split, my pace is a little quick, if anything. I pass through the aid station without getting anything.
Mile
44.4 1:13:59 (17:12 avg./mile) McMiller
On the way to McMiller, I catch back up to Ann and Andy. The climb up the hill to the aid station probably made this section a little slower. I think my effort remained about the same, and I come into the aid station ready to eat. Brandon has a perfectly made grilled ham and cheese sandwich, which I practically devour leaving only a small slice of the bottom. I drink more Tailwind to wash it down and trade out the Camelbak, hoping I can make it to Bluff without having to refill the Camelbak.
Mile
48.4 59:02 (14:46 avg./mile) Natalie’s
New Station
I continue to make good time, mostly running with Ann and Andy. I learn that Ann has four girls in their 20s, and two of them are married. It is neat running out here with another person who is a grandparent as we attempt to hold off Father Time as long as possible. At this aid station, I grab a handful of potato chips before pressing forward.
Mile
51.6 49:19 (15:25 avg./mile)
Horseriders
It is after 5pm when I leave Natalie’s. I am confident I can get into Bluff before dark, but the question is can I get to Nordic before dark. In 2018, I got to Nordic before 9pm. I am not sure I am moving that fast this year. Mostly, I lead the group as we make our way back towards the south. Between the three of us, we have quite the credentials. Ann is going for her 10th 100-mile finish. Andy has never finished a 100-miler, but has some fast times at the marathon through 50-mile distances. In fact, he qualified for Boston with a sub 3-hour marathon, and then ran Boston at 3-flat. Impressive, and unlike my best marathon times, they were in the last decade as opposed to my best marathon times that were in the last century. We arrive at Horseriders, and I grab some Fritos, and then ask what is in the Crockpot. The answer is pasta. Oh, why yes, I will take some of that. They hand me a small cup with pasta covered with sauce. I basically pour it into my mouth.
Mile
56.5 1:27:41 (17:54 avg./mile) Bluff
For the first few miles after Horseriders, Ann, Andy, and I remain close together. But then I feel the need to press on ahead. As I leave them, I hear Andy saying that I am looking really strong. Do I have enough to really start pushing? Is it too early? I like this section as there are a few good views, and the trail has a couple of rocks to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, I run out of water in my Camelbak about 25 minutes before I get to the aid station—but this is nothing to worry as it isn’t very warm today. I roll into the aid station thinking that I am due for Ramen as I saw another runner eating some back at McMiller. Unfortunately, this is not what I had planned, and Brandon is standing there with a bagel in his hand. I sit down to take a quick break and drink copious amounts of Tailwind, and there in front of me and Brandon is an aid station volunteer asking me what I want. She runs down through a list of food items, which includes a cheese burger. I voice my desire, and Brandon and her go over to the aid station table to retrieve a quarter of a cheese burger for me. It is delicious and hits the spot. I still take the half of bagel with me along with a full Camelbak and a small headlamp.
Mile
58.8 44:18 (19:16 avg./mile) Tamarack
Ann leaves Bluff before me, and she is only about
100 yards in front of me. However, she
quickly pulls away from me on this section.
Andy and his pacer catch up to me with in the first mile. We chat enough for me to learn that Andy’s
pacer is also a running coach like Andy.
We stick together into the aid station, but never again catch sight of
Ann. At this aid station, I grab some
potato chips, but move through it rather quickly. It is about 7:30pm, and Andy’s pacer is
encouraging us to run as clearly we have slowed our pace a little bit.
Night fall is coming soon
(photo credit: Jenny Thorsen/@luoyunghwa)
Mile
63.9 1:35:20 (18:42 avg./mile) Nordic
We leave Tamarack, and Andy says something about finishing in 24 hours. I tell him that this is very ambitious given that while we might be on that pace (if we continue to run the next 40+ miles as fast as we have run the first 59 miles), we are bound to slow down due to darkness and fatigue. He sounds optimistic that he can avoid slowing down during the night. I then tell him that Ann is shooting for a 26.5 hour finish, and she is well ahead of us. To which he responds that she is planning on slowing down and he isn’t. Okay, it is time for me to let you and your pacer push on ahead. About 30 minutes out from the aid station, I turn on my headlamp. It isn’t completely dark yet, but the gullies are getting rather dim, and I don’t want to miss a rock in one of them. I arrive at the start/finish feeling good with motivating thoughts to get in and get out of this aid station. Brandon has the Ramen and hash browns for me. I sit a bit and eat quite a bit of them, while I trade out my Camelbak, rig up my good headlamp for the night, and get the iPod ready for the tunes.
Mile
69.0 1:22:54 (16:15 avg./mile) Tamarack
I didn’t see Andy in the aid station, but as soon as I leave Nordic, I see Andy and his pacer walking ahead of me. I pass them quickly, telling them that the warmup is over, and it is time to go finish this thing. I have the music pumping in my ears, and I drank my first bit of Coke at Nordic since I was starting to get sleepy. It seems a little early to go to the caffeine, but I do what I have to do. About an hour out of Nordic, I pop my first NoDoz pill to keep the caffeine in my veins. I get to this aid station in great shape and feeling pretty good. If I can maintain 20-minute miles (or better) during the night, I will have a very good finish time.
Mile
71.3 1:07:39 (29:25 avg./mile) Bluff
My time on this section obviously slowed down, but I also visited the port-a-john again in the dark at this aid station. After finishing my business, I get back to Brandon and the oatmeal he has fixed for me. I eat at least half of the oatmeal and drink some Coke before deciding it is time to press forward as I am not going to finish sitting in this chair. I haven’t seen Ann or Andy, and I won’t see them again during the race. It is just me and the night.
Mile
73.8 1:02:43 (25:05 avg./mile) Duffin
Road
I continue to keep the caffeine flowing by popping another NoDoz pill on my way to this aid station. It is strange that there aren’t more runners out here at this time. The 38-mile fun run runners seem to be well ahead of me, and the other runners in the 100-mile race must be moving about as slowly as I am. When I get to the aid station, the volunteer tries his darnedest to get me to take an S-cap or at least some pickle juice. To placate him, I dig out another salt tablet to take. I used to take salt tablets every hour or so, but now I only take one every couple of hours. It has been a few hours since I took one so I am probably due anyway. The volunteer was telling me that my face had lost some of its color (as if he knows what I normally look like). My stomach is sour, and despite my efforts to keep caffeine in my veins, I am not totally awake.
Mile
77.9 2:02:50 (29:58 avg./mile) Highway
12
The salt tablet had no effect on my sour stomach, but at least it doesn’t appear that it is making it worse. I am now looking for the next bench along the trail to sit down and possibly take a little nap. There are a couple of benches on this section, but I never am able to fall asleep. Instead the process goes like this: I sit down, close my eyes, and almost doze off when another runner or pacer comes by, shines their light in my face, and asks if I am okay. By this point, I have been sitting on the bench for about four minutes and decide that I should get up and keep moving. When I finally get to this aid station, Brandon is patiently waiting on me with Ramen and hash browns. I sit down, eat about three spoonsful of Ramen and then go use the porta john. I sit back down; drink a cup of Coke and a small cup of pickle juice. I know that I need to turn this thing around, but I am not sure I can. Dropping is definitely a thought in my mind, but I push that to the back recesses of my mind and decide to press forward. I will either finish this thing, or throw-up trying.
Mile
82.2 2:02:43 (28:32 avg./mile) Rice
Lake
Leaving Highway 12, it dawns on me that there is something I haven’t tried yet. That something is what I used at the Indiana Trail race in 2017 and that is, stop putting more stuff in my body. It is cool out, and I am still peeing regularly, so I can’t be dehydrated. I decide that I will only take a sip or two of water every 15 minutes. After about 30 minutes of this strategy, my stomach starts to turn around. It isn’t like I am peeing copious amounts, but I did pee twice on this section. When I arrive at the aid station, dawn is here. Brandon has an egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich for me. I eat half of it, saving the other half for later. I drop off my headlamp and iPod, and hit the trail for the return towards Nordic and the finish line. I need to pick up the pace a little bit if I am going to make the cut-offs.
Mile
86.5 1:28:27 (20:34 avg./mile) Highway
12
Daylight and a better stomach, along with only one quick sit on a park bench, allow me to make much better time on the return trip of this section. If I can continue to average about 20 minutes per mile, I should be in great shape. Brandon says the cut-off at Bluff is 10am, but that would leave no margin for the last 7.5 miles. When I see Brandon at the aid station, he notices the change in my demeanor. I eat the other half of the egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich and wash it down with some more Coke.
Mile
90.6 1:31:15 (22:15 avg./mile) Duffin
Road
Focus on the cut-offs and daylight are great motivators for me. I stay focused on making good time, and start to run the numbers in my head for what time I want to get into Bluff. The 10am cut-off is not going to cut it. I want to be there by at least 9:30am at the latest. My legs still feel good, and I think I could run hard if I have to, but running hard at mile 95 equates to about a 15 minute mile, not the 10 minute mile it would have been at the start. I get back to this non-crew aid station, and get a couple of pancakes to eat. I also get a cup of coffee with cream and sugar. It may be daylight, but I still need the caffeine to keep the heart rate from falling. It is 8:26am when I leave this aid station, so I don’t have much margin to play with.
Mile
93.1 47:22 (18:57 avg./mile) Bluff
The coffee helps, and I continue to drink my water sparingly. I can almost smell the finish line at this point, but it isn’t quite time to go crazy yet. I am power hiking the uphill sections and able to trot the other portions of the trail. I pass a couple of other runners on this section, and that is always a motivator to me. It is about 9:10am when I get to the aid station. I eat some salt and vinegar potato chips and drink some more Coke. I am holding off taking another NoDoz tablet until I reach the next aid station. It is 9:13am when I leave this aid station. That gives me over two and a half hours to cover the last 7.4 miles. I think I might get this done in time.
Mile
95.4 46:04 (20:02 avg./mile) Tamarack
There are a few runners right in front of me as I leave Bluff aid station and start on this penultimate section. I pass a couple of them, and then there is a group of four people, which I pass, but cannot pull away from. They may all be fun run runners, or one of them might be in the 100-mile race. Either way, they are carrying on a spirited conversation, but it is nothing that interests me, and I would like to just get ahead of them so that I can’t hear their conversation anymore. Just as the aid station comes into view, I manage to gap them. At the aid station, I grab only a handful of potato chips only slowing down enough to thank the wonderful volunteers. It is 10am, and I have two hours for the last five miles.
Mile
100.5 1:23:29 (16:22 avg./mile)
FINISH—Nordic
 |
| Mission accomplished! |
Official
Finishing Time 29:23:14
117th
out of 199 starters (133 finishers under 30 hours)
As far as I
can tell there were 199 runners that started the 100 mile race. At one point, the results page was showing
270 starters, but this has since been refined to 199. So, in the end with near perfect weather, the
finishing rate was almost 67%.
Unfortunately, Andy Garza is not one of the finishers. Ann Scholl is though, as she finishes in 26
hours and change. It was great to run
with both of them from several hours on Saturday afternoon and evening. I was hoping for a faster time given the
conditions, but I achieved my primary goal, which was a finish. I now have my qualifier for this year’s
Western States lottery in December. I
will have 16 tickets in the lottery, which should push my odds of getting into
the race to about 10%.
I cannot
thank Brandon enough for the outstanding support he provided me throughout this
race! He was right on point and never
missed a beat. It was an excellent job,
especially for his first time crewing for me.
I will recover from this effort, and then look to my next event in
July. James (another co-worker) has
tempted me to run the Last at the Lake with him on July 23 in LaGrange,
Georgia. This is a last man standing
event, where we run a 5k loop every hour.
Until then…
Never stop
running,
