Squaw Peak 50 9:48 Turned out to be such a bummer race - probably the biggest disappointment for racing in my recent running. I've learned that having too big of goals can set you up for a big fall as well, but I know that going into this race I was in the best ultra shape of my life, had really worked on some of my weaker spots (ascent/descent) and was ready to get a great run in. So what happened? My best answer was in the form of two mistakes I made: 1) Zion was just too close. I had hoped that I had Zion easy enough to not have it zap me like it did. But obviously not. This one really bums me out because Squaw was the race that I really cared about. 2) bad choice in shoes. I wasn't sure about the 110's, but after Zion I felt totally fine and I love the lower profile and lighter weight for control and quickness on the trail. But it was just to rocky and my feet were killing me part way through the run. So anyway here's the report: The race started off much slower than in 2009. So there was no need to kill it at first. And Logan, Scott Jamie, Jody Benson and I just settled into a good pace and settled in. Up the first climb to Squaw, I fell in behind Jamie and stayed a step or two behind him for longer than we had last time. Logan was a little behind and I didnt want to distance him too much so I tried to split the difference a little. Jamie is a great climber and I didn't stress about being behind him at this point. Got through the first aid station and then I met up with my dad a few miles later and felt like it was time to start closing on Scott. For a few brief minutes I felt great and started closing the gap - I got it down to about a minute and then had to stop and go to the bathroom. From here the lead just grew. I could see Jamie across the top of the course, but had to go to the bathroom again and just couldn't get closer anymore. Around 10 my hips really started hurting, I tried to say it was just the climbing, but it was a sign of things to come. I noticed that I couldn't push any pace, but through 20 I was still on pace to go under 8:00 and hit my goal, but the wheels were already off. I struggled up Hobble (where I had switched shoes for the road, which was good even though it took a few seconds - because my feet were in a major state of pain). Jody passed me and I decided to just chill at the aid station until Logan caught up, hoping the rest would do me good and being with Logan would get me going again. It didn't. Back into the hills I continued to really struggle. The top woman passed us and Logan worked to go regain the spot. I on the other hand began The Long Walk. Between late 20's and 33 I pretty much just walked the whole time. I was pretty bummed about life. I was mad at myself for not dropping out and so mad that I hated running. So I just walked. And as I walked no one passed me. And it was making more mad that no one was passing me. Eventually I got caught and then a few more people passed me and I made it to the aid station. I finally got the will to get going again and just kind of struggled for the next 6-7 miles. But at least I was running and moving along. Just before the big climb a few more people caught me, but I hiked up right with them. At the top I had to stop and work on my feet. I was surre they were covered in blisters and I didn't want to look, but figured I had better address them before the descent. The aid station was very limited (it is pretty remote), but I got some mole skin on my feet and started out. Just before leaving I heard the radio say that the leader was about to finish - I looked at my watch and it said 8:15, I thought about how I should be done... Blah. So I started the descent and set a goal of breaking 10:00 - if I had made a list of my goals for the race breaking ten would have been so far done the list I wouldn't have even numbered it, but today... At least it was something to run for. I pushed pretty good down the hill until my feet started hurting so bad I was just about to quit. I finally hit the aid station at the bottom and switched y shoes again and started on the road. Pushed pretty good to catch four guys, but I was mad again thinking I should have been catching the leader here not where I was. Looking back at the splits I did actually make it down the mountain just a minute slower than Jamie. So the race was finally over - even though it was over about 5 miles into it. Logan and I crawled to the river and got in. My feet were destroyed and I was cramping all over. But it was over. Like I said, such a bummer. I really know that I could have done very well had I played this out smarter. Can't do anything about it now though - live and learn and move on. At least i had almost ten hours out in the beautiful mountains. | 