I'll may write a more detailed report later. The Squaw Peak 50 is a very tough 50-mile race held in the mountains above Provo, Utah. It has huge climbs and decents. This was my sixth finish in six years. I have never run it faster than 11 hours. That was my goal this year. Conditions were good. The snow really melted fast last week on the course. It probably slowed my down only about 10 minutes or so compared to dryer years. It was a little hot for my tastes, but I reached Hobble Creek canyon road a little earlier than usual, so it wasn't too hot.
Here's my results and split times compared to my goal pace. Pretty sick how close I was to my goal.
| |
miles |
Goal |
2010 |
| Start |
0 |
0:00 |
|
| Hope CG |
5.6 |
1:04 |
1:01 |
| Rock Canyon |
8.5 |
2:04 |
1:58 |
| Kolob Overlook |
14.6 |
3:04 |
3:01 |
| Pole Haven |
20.9 |
4:04 |
3:58 |
| Top Hobble Crk |
26.1 |
4:55 |
4:45 |
| Sheep Cyn |
30 |
5:50 |
5:44 |
| Little Valley |
33.5 |
6:45 |
6:40 |
| Windy Pass |
41.5 |
9:20 |
9:15 |
| Big Spring |
46.5 |
10:25 |
10:25 |
| Finish |
50.9 |
11:00 |
10:56:59 |
So I did it! I really don't think I can run that course much faster. Today was a near perfect day. I had no issues at all. The ankle held up well and didn't really slow me down much. I knew that I had a little time cushion when I arrived at Little Valley, that my goal was still real. The toughest section of the course to Windy Pass would be the decider. Two runners ahead of me were in my sights and they had a nice strong pace, so instead of trying to catch and pass them, I just hung with them. I set a milestone in my mind. Reach the bottom of the huge climb by 8:15 mark to give me an hour to get up and over the hill.
I beat that and then quickly caught up with runners ahead pushing up the steep hill. I did compression breathing to find some extra oxygen. One of the runners noticed I was doing that and did the same and later thanked me. I was stuck behind another runner who was holding me up a little, but I didn't ask to pass, because I wasn't sure I could hold the lead.
I did try scooting up the snow portion, but that didn't seem to be much faster, but it did get me by all the other runners. I then kicked it in gear and after I reached to top of the first ridge, I couldn't see anyone on my tail, so I ran harder. Once I reached the very top, I was pleased that I had left the string of other runners pretty far behind.
Once at Windy Pass I had a bunch of friends running the aid station there. They all cheered me. I was the only one there and they took care of me fast. I stayed one minute and told them I needed to try to break 11 hours. I knew it would be very hard. I had to cover the last 8.5 miles in 1:45. I knew a course PR was in the bag, no problem, but beating 11 hours was going to require some fast running.
There was a bunch of deep snow to go through for a half mile, but after that I cranking up the pace. I saw LuzyLew with about 6.5 miles to go. About a mile later, it happened. I went down with a bad face plant. My left leg cramped up and I could hardly walk. But after about 3-4 minutes delay I was off running again. Now my goal was in big jeapordy.
I hit the last aid station with 35 minutes to go. Could I run the paved road down the South Fork of Provo in 35 minutes, 3.4 miles? I've done it before to finsh this race, so I would try hard. At the aid station I ran through it and only took an ice cold drenched towel that I used to cool me down. It was very hot. I tried to visualize that I was just finishing up a Marthon. All my crazy marathon experience this year payed off. I ran that stretch in 32 minutes. ran the entire way on the road, no walking. I almost caught up to the runner ahead of me, but when he saw me, he started running. His pace was good. I had no desire to race, just to wanted to beat the clock. I did it! I finished in 28th place overall in a very competitive field of about 250 runner.
I beat my previous course PR (Personal record) by 43 minutes. A huge improvement.
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