I guess I should start with, 30 is the new 50. My second Squaw didn't go quite as I expected...
Felt pretty dang good going into the race. Training hasn't been excellent or anything, but solid I think. Headed down to the prerace briefing with Gdoc (his first Ultra and 50) and Shane billy goat gruff. Ate some Hampton Inn spaghetti and rolls listened to John carry-on and the next thing I knew it was 4:00 AM and we were headed up the canyon for the 5:00 AM race start.
Planned on running with G' until one of us bonked out or one felt the need for speed. So, we started off heading down the paved trail towards bridal veil falls until we turned left on the single track at Nunn’s park. This starts a pretty big climb up the back side of Squaw peak to Hope campground (aid station #2) about 6 miles in. Then you climb up. and up to hit the squaw trail that connects to the Rock Canyon trail - with the course change we dropped down rock canyon on the BoSHO (mile 11) headed south to Spring Creek Canyon (mile 20) and UPUP spring canyon, this section up to the jeep trail heading into Pole Haven (mile 25) was a beast. Pole Haven was the turn around point.
At mile 7-8ish just heading into Rock Canyon I had taken a gu along with an enduralyte. Let's just say within about 10 minutes is when my pain and suffering started. My stomach cramped really bad and then I lost my cookies mid-stride really without any notice. I think the sight scared G' a little bit. The down fall of this I was unable to drink or eat anything to maintain energy and the essential minerals, every time I would try and eat something I'd get nauseated and a little light headed. As I tend to sweat a lot - the lower trail conditions and the temps were sucking me dry. I convinced G right heading into Spring about mile 19 that I was going to drop or take a while at the aid station, so go make us proud. I ended up sitting at Spring creek for about 20 minutes trying to relax and get the breathing better which I did so, I decided to start the ou-n-back to Pole Haven. About 10 minutes into the climb, I felt pretty horrible again, but decided I needed to get to the the Turn and back to Spring and reevaluate.. Coming back down into Spring I knew I was in trouble.. So, I decided instead of walking for another 20 miles it was time to call it a day.
Props to G' he gutted out a nice finish! Billy goat gruff took 6th and Bryce took 7th overall. This course is tough!! Those guys are super studs.
Peace.
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