Bear100 - 23 hours 37 mins
Second time's the charm (see last year's DNF). It was hard fought and I nearly dropped, but I fought back and got the sub 24 buckle. Lots of awesome pics courtesy of Bethany Draper (crew chief and most awesome person in the world).
The drawn out details....
Race day dawned with light snow and lots of clouds. It was going to be cold all day long.
Section 1 - Start to Leatham Hollow (~20 miles)
The initial climb up Dry Canyon felt very relaxed and easy. The lead pack eased away from me and I found myself in roughly 15th. I was at the tail end of a long train and content to sit in and zone out. The snowline was about at 8000'. Basically, it was pretty uneventful until we hit the Welches Jeep trail doubletrack. Once we hit that, the pace picked up. I passed a bunch in my train. Cruised the downhill and then basically maintained position on the climb into the aid at mile 10.5. I caught Andy Dorias on the climb and we ended up chatting and passing the time until Leatham. We were in roughly 10th at the aid and I hit the split in the exact same time as last year. It felt easier this year though. One thing to note was that I saw maybe 3 course markings from the start to this point. Luckily, I knew the route and those behind could follow mud and snow prints. Someone dropped the ball on the first 12 miles of the course with regard to markings. Things improved once onto the descent and for most of the rest of the course.
The main thing to note was the immediate pain I felt in my back, hamstring, butt, groin etc on the descent to Leatham Hollow. I slowed up and made sure to take care of it best I could. It would not improve for hours....
Section 2 - Leatham Hollow to Right Hand Fork (~17 miles)
My running companions Andy and Ryan Chase would blow through Leatham and I stopped to refuel. They would slowly pull away. Andy ran 22:28 and Ryan finished in 23:15. I was becoming quite worried with my leg. I figured out it was my nerve pain from my bulging disk acting up. Perhaps the cold weather, combined with the steep climbs/descents was causing the pain. It was severely limiting my power. On the climb up Richards Hollow I was passed by a handful of runners. I had energy, but no pushoff. Even though it felt really slow, I only lost 6 mins on my last year's splits from Richards to Cowley and another 8 minutes from Cowley to Right Hand Fork. Not terrible, but worrisome. I knew I had a long day ahead so was optimistic the pain would go away somehow.
This section was the warmest all day long. Maybe in the 40's even. I wore a short sleeve shirt, "arm panties", gloves, shorts. I think I even saw the sun too. A far cry from the hot day we had last year.
Section 3 - Right Hand Fork to Tony Grove (~15 miles)
My awesome crew was in full-force at RHF. I had my wife (crew chief) who helped me all day and all night. My Parents were taking care of the kids who had made cool signs and everything. Tim's girlfriend was there. And of course, Joe and Mike were there. Mike would start his pacing duties from RHF. It was great to have the boost from friends and family.
The back/leg issues seemed to get worse with every step. Every uphill would be harder and harder to even hike let alone run. Every downhill caused pain and would be really slow until things loosened up. My M.O. was to walk the uphills and most the flats but run the downhills at a decent pace. It was something.
I took a while at Temple Fork to regroup and change shoes. I was thinking maybe the shoes could be contributing to the back pain. I was trying everything. Mike was trying so hard to be a good pacer and help me out. He suggested running while hunched over (like I was touching my toes), laughing, crying, dancing, singing, peeing, basically anything. Good man!
The climb up Blind Hollow was the most miserable hike of my life. Thick mud, extreme pain, no energy, cold weather, snow, everyone passing me like I was standing still. It is tough to watch someone hike past you and be out of sight in 30 seconds. While Hiking! Ouch. I couldn't move. Did I mention the soul-sucking mud? I did the math and figured I was lucky to be doing 2 mph. I could finish in 25 hours. Did I really want to do that? Would I do further damage to my body by continuing? We FINALLY made it to the top of the climb and tried to get things rolling on the downhill. The pain was extreme. It was very slow at first until things loosened up a bit. I finally bit my lips and grunted my way down the hill. I figured it hurt to go slow or fast so might as well go fast. It actually worked. I was able to loosen up and actually get going. I actually felt reasonable pulling into Tony Grove.
Section 4 - Tony Grove to Beaver Mountain (24 miles)
A long stop at TG to regroup and try and revive was in-order. I could have easily justified stopping there. I almost did. But, I couldn't yet. I knew I could make it to the next aid. I had my wife rub my spine and try and separate my vertebra. Some icy hot and a tylenol and off I went. I got about a quarter mile up the trail and froze. The wind was whipping, the snow was falling. I was cold. I decided to get some pants on. Yep, pants. I made pacer Mike go back and get them. While he was gone, I tried running. Uphill. Amazing. I could do it! My body was working again. The back/leg pain was gone. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't running fast, but I was running. Mike was shocked when he returned. I had to take off shoes to get my pants on so lost a few mins but before long I was back running. We met up with Brian from SLC who would stay within 5 mins of us all the way to the finish. I ran the whole way nearly into franklin basin only losing 12 mins from last year. Most of that was probably putting on my pants.
I was so happy to be back! My wife was happier. I thought she was going to blow a gasket worrying about me. She couldn't sit around the aid so she hiked up a mile or so up the trail to meet me. She was surprised by how soon I arrived. Amazing recovery.
At Franklin I ditched Mike and picked up Joe for the final 40. Mike would continue on with Tim who was only 60 mins behind at Tony Grove. The climb up Steam Mill was not as brutal as last year. I had some of my power back and could actually power hike. I did forget my light and had to send back Joe to get it. Luckily it wasn't too far out of the aid. Thanks Joe. I ran this stretch in the same time as last year. It felt like I was flying even if I wasn't going all that fast. It was relative.
I actually started passing people back. I could manage a walk/run routine for the climb up Petersen Hollow and could actually run the descent into Beaver Mountain. Life was good again. I did run the section from Logan River to Beaver Mountain slower than last year, but I don't care.
I actually didn't have a watch since Temple Fork. I had no idea how I was doing until I hit the aid stations and asked the time of day. I then compared it to my 24 hour pace chart. I actually had a chance to break 24 hours. I couldn't believe it. I could do it!
Section 5 - Beaver Mountain to Finish (~24 miles)
So far, no signs of 'Rhabdo'. I am confident that I will not have the issues from last year. My wife was not so confident. I was feeling 'good' last year at Beaver Mountain just like this year. I took another Tylenol (final one) and pressed on. I was soon joined by Brian (again) and Shane Martin (Mr. Rocky Mountain Slam). Shane would move ahead eventually and I would pull ahead of Brian by a few mins. The climb up Gibson was brutal as ever and I didn't even try to run it. I was in conserve mode. Trying not to blow up. Feeling like I could very easily I opted to stick to a slower pace. I lost 5 mins on last year's splits but couldn't care less. I wasn't pooping blood. My insides were staying on my inside this time. I could touch my stomach and back without crying in pain. Success!
The snowy descent into Beaver Creek was a celebration this year. I was running and having a great time. I was absolutely miserable, but loving it! I was going to finish. I picked up 4 mins per mile over last year's splits here.
The climb out of the aid and up to Ranger Dip was demoralizing. I could not climb. I was weak and my breathing was through the roof. Barely moving I eventually made it to Ranger Dip. Only 8 miles to go. One short, steep climb then the longest nastiest descent to the finish. The climb about killed me. I had to stop and stare at my feet for a few seconds contemplating how I could pull off a double homicide. First kill my pacer who while he has good intentions of helping I am convinced is trying to kill me. Then end the misery somehow. Maybe I could shove my gel flask down his throat and he would choke. Ok, fine I will keep going. You win Joe.
The descent was steep and pain-inducing. My quads were toast. We were moving pretty well though. Picked off another guy and were on the hunt for Brian. We wouldn't catch him even with our 7(ish) min miles on the final stretch. The finish line was glorious! I immediately asked what my finish time was. He said 23:57. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was so close. Either he or I were hallucinating though because my actual time was 23:37. That's better. Done! Satisfied. Could I run it faster? Absolutely. Will I? Maybe. I got my sub 24 and showed all those people who told me I couldn't/shouldn't that I could. Ha! Ok, I'm done gloating. I was satisfied.
Special Thanks to my crew and family and friends. Never could have done it without you. Thanks for being so selfless in such a selfish sport! Love you!
Now the pics -
Leatham Hollow
Cowley canyon
(crew) - Grandma and the girls
The road to Temple Fork
Joe "on watch"
At Temple Fork
My boy at Tony Grove
Tony Grove
The kiddos at TG
Leaving Tony Grove
Franklin Basin
Joe's and Tim's significant other(s)
Joe's Jenny - She was waiting patiently for him all night...usually asleep.
Mike and Azusa
Beaver Creek Campground
THE CREW!
The pain!
My personal favorites - Ranger Dip
The Finish!
The Celebration Burger at A&W
The Buckle
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