I saw the Race Director, Tony, with a bullhorn so I knew the start was close. I gave Tallie a kiss just like I have done at the beginning of every race I have run, except for one because she had to work. There were a lot of runners because of the three races, 50K, 50 Miler, and 100 Miler. The course was a double loop almost a figure 8 but not quite. The first loop was 13 miles and the second was 7 miles. We would run these loops 5 times each. Tony lined us up at the start line and said a few things over the bullhorn, which I had no idea what he was saying because all I was thinking about was the race ahead and my strategy. My strategy for this race was the same for all my races. Run out hard at the start and build up some cushion in my time and then slow to a steady, hard pace and hope I have enough to finish strong at the end.
At the start line, I was standing next to Heidi (WRR) and would not see her for another 80 miles. Tony started the race and we were off into the rainy darkness. The trails were not too bad at this point. I was in second place overall until the first major hill climb around mile 4 or 5 and then started to get passed by some 50K and 50 Mile runners as I climbed the hill. I hit the green trail and knew my favorite part of the race was coming up. It is a series of switch backs that were banked like a race track. I flew down the trail to a small creek crossing, which would later be close to knee level. As I left the single track trail, I took a right turn on a jeep trail that was completely muddy all the way up to the next aid station. This section would end up being one of the worst after hours and hours of rain. Once I reached the aid station, I noticed Margaret (WRR) who was volunteering and said hello. I refilled my bottle and then turned left on to the orange trail. There were a few big mud puddles, but this was a pretty good section of the race. Next up was the blue trail which was again very muddy with a slick down hill leading to a gravel road on the pink trail. After running about a mile on the gravel road, the single track trail shot up to the right up a hill back up to the blue trail. Now, I was heading back to the start/finish line at 13 miles. I stopped for a few minutes to talk to Tallie and grabbed a few GU’s and then was off for the 7 mile loop. I checked in at the timing station and then headed out. The first mile or so was mainly on a gravel road and then a single track. I knew there were two big climbs, one right after the single track started and the biggest one leading up to the power lines. After the power lines was another one of my most hated sections which was actually a slight downhill but the deepest red clay mud I have ever ran or walked in. After collecting a few pounds of mud on my shoes, there was a gravel road leading to the next aid station. When I about ¼ mile from the aid station, I starting hearing cheering and clapping and figured out it was Jason Rogers who was volunteering. I had met Jason a few weeks before at a 12-Hour event and have never seen him without a big smile on his face. I would see Jason several times throughout the race and he always lifted my spirits. After the aid station, it was back into the woods on a single track trail that took me back to the gravel road that lead to the start/finish. The gravel road was a great place to pick up some speed and pocket a little more time, which I would need later on. I was moving along at a good pace, at least until I hit the short power lines section that was very muddy. Power lines suck! After the power lines, I had a short but steep mud climb to the start/finish. I checked in at the timing station and had finished the first 20 miles in about 3:15. I stopped at the base camp and asked how everyone was doing. Tallie helped me get resupplied; I then gave Tallie a quick kiss and headed out for the second 20 miles. Before I reached the first aid station, I noticed a red truck heading my way on the gravel road and knew it was Chris (WRR) who was volunteering at the aid station. I think I asked for a ride and to ask Tallie to bring another rainproof jacket and then continued on. The next 20 miles were pretty uneventful, just more mud since it was still raining. I finished the second 20 miles a little slower than the first.
During the third 20 mile lap I reached the half way point (actually 53 miles) at the start/finish in just a little over 10 hours. This confirmed that there was no way in hell I was going to get a sub-20 finish with the trail and weather conditions continuing to worsen and of course I was getting tired and moving much slower. At base camp, I changed my socks and shoes for the first time and grabbed my headlamp knowing it would be dark soon and headed out on the 7 mile loop. The forth lap is where it started to get really hard. It was dark now and getting colder; and yes it was still raining. During the 13 mile loop, I missed the turn onto the green trail and went for about ¼ mile until I realized what I had done. I turned around and found the green trail and then noticed 2 lights heading my way. These 2 runners had done the same thing, but didn’t realize it until a mile or two down the gravel road. Remember, this is one of my favorite parts of the race with the banked switchbacks, but it was so muddy at this point I couldn’t even run down this section. When I got to the creek crossing, the logs that had been used earlier to avoid getting wet were floating in the knee high water. When I got back to the base camp I was feeling OK, but during the next 7 miles I would reach my breaking point. When I had changed shoes earlier, I had put on an old pair with worn out tread. I was having a very hard time getting traction on the steep climbs and burned out my calf muscles. I could barely run at this point.
I was at a new all time low when I reached the 80 mile point at the start/finish. When I got back to the base camp I noticed Heidi was sitting under her canopy. Heidi and her pacer, Candy (WRR), had just finished the 13 mile loop to reach the 73 mile mark. Heidi was talking about how hard it was, but there was no way she wasn’t finishing. I really needed to hear that because I was seriously thinking about quitting. Samantha (WRR) who was volunteering at the aid station grabbed me some Ramen noodles. They were the best noodles I have ever eaten, at least at that moment they were. I decided to rest in the canopy for a while and maybe even lay down for a bit. I changed into some dry cloths and new socks and shoes. After about 20 minutes of sitting (lying down would have been a really bad idea), I looked at my watch and knew I had plenty of time to walk the last 20 miles. My plan was to not run at all in hopes of not injuring myself so I could continue to walk to the finish. When I came out of the canopy, Heidi and Candy had already left out on the 7 mile loop. Samantha asked if I wanted a pacer because there was someone looking for a runner to pace. I probably should have taken her up on the offer, but didn’t want the guy to be bored out of his mind with me walking the whole 20 miles. So, I headed back out into the darkness for a long power walk. The temperature was dropping and it was getting foggy; and yes it was still raining. Since I was walking, I wasn’t producing as much body heat and I was still wearing shorts so I was starting to get cold. During the 13 mile loop, I got passed by a guy wearing a rainbow colored umbrella hat which looked very funny in the dark with his headlamp on. I really needed a laugh and now think that was a pretty good idea. When I got back to base camp, Tallie and Candy were in the canopy. I was confused to find that Heidi’s canopy was gone. Unfortunately, she had decided to drop at 80 miles which left Kevin and me representing the WRR’s. Kevin had picked up Margaret as his pacer for the last 20 miles. I sat around at the base camp for a while talking with Tallie and Candy. Candy was drinking wine and offered me some. It’s a good thing she didn’t have beer because I would have taken one or two for sure, maybe more. Now was the time for pants but we had no idea on how to put them on over my muddy as hell shoes without getting mud all up the inside of the legs. Candy, I think with the help of the wine, came up with a brilliant idea to put my feet with shoes on in a plastic bag and then pull each leg of the pants over them. I was now in warm and dry cloths ready to finish this damn race. I had over six hours to complete the last 7 miles. I walked over to the timing station to check in and told them my race number. The lady didn’t even look up and said “He’s been out there for a long time.” I explained that I was number 143 and ready to finish this thing. As I walked the 4.5 miles to the aid station, the rain finally stopped and the sun was actually coming out. The guys at the aid station had already packed a lot of their stuff up. I’m sure they were ready to go home just like I was. During the last 2.5 miles to the finish, I kept hearing people talking which made me think someone was catching up with me. No one ever did so I’m not sure what was going on there. On the last mile, I passed a guy heading out on his final loop and told him he had plenty of time to finish and was looking good. As I was wading through to muddy power line section, the only female left in the race passed me heading out on her final loop. I gave her some encouragement and then pushed on to the finish. I did look back to see if anyone was coming up behind me and it was clear as far as I could see. I was really dreading the last steep, muddy climb but just pulled myself up with some of the bushes on the side of the trail and then there it was, the FINISH LINE. I only had 100 yards or so and really wanted to run it out, but my legs were finished. I could hear some yelling and then saw Chris running out. Chris and I walked in together. I went to the timing station and checked in at 27:00 (8th place). Thank God it was over! Tallie was waiting at the finish line and we took some pictures. I got my buckle and finisher shirt and I was very happy. Thank you Tallie, Candy and Lurene for packing up the base camp. I could barely walk anymore and could not imagine having to do that.
I’m sure most everyone who started this race left with some level of disappointment. I didn’t finish nearly as fast as I wanted to and I wish I could have finished stronger at the end, but I think everyone who started the 100 miler should be very proud. It took a lot of courage to toe that starting line. I think these are the correct stats for the 100 miler: 71 signed up, 54 started and 17 finished. 24% didn’t even show up for the start and only 31% finished. Those are crazy stats!
Thanks to Tallie, the WRR’s, race volunteers and Tony the Race Director.
