Race report will be coming.
Cool temperatures in the day were great for fast running. I fell behind my PR pace in the morning because of mud and slick trails from snow. I was pretty tentative on the downhills. But on the sections that usually are hot, I was able to push the pace hard. For the first time I reached Big Water in Millcreek Canyon before dusk. I was ahead of my schedule to finish in 27:30.
But as has happened my other times here, during the climb to Dog Lake and Desolation Lake, I bonked, low energy. I was still on schedule, but runners were passing me for the first time in many miles. Up on the ridges in Scotts, the temperature took a dive and I didn't have enough warm clothes on, so that sapped the energy. However, coming down into Brighton, I found the speed again and passed several runners. My stay at Brighton was too long, but I recovered well and had warmer clothes on. During the night it would dip into the 20s in places.
By mile 80, I was still very close to my schedule, but during the section to Rock Spring, I slowed and lost my motivation to really post a great time. I was just happy to continue on to the finish. When dawn came, I was further along the course than ever, just a mile or so from Pot Bottom, but just plodding along.
With about three miles to go, I looked at my watch and noticed that I could still PR if I stopped being lazy and started pushing the pace. So I did. My goal now was to reach the pavement, one mile to go, by 28:20. I did, and then I clocked a mile of about 8 minutes or better to make sure I beat my PR. I did by about five minutes. A small victory, but a good time. However, the guys I ran with earlier in the day finished around 27 hours. So that is what I could have done with a perfect race.
Wasatch 100 is very, very tough. Thankfully the cool temperatures made it just a little bit easier this year. Because of that I will recover very fast and be ready for Bear 100. I have some added motivation to perform better, not be so lazy, and hang in there to the very end. | 