“You’re starting out way too fast.”
“You can’t keep this up.”
“You need to stop.”
“Just walk for a while.”
…thoughts that inevitably run through my head during an ultra race. The longer the race the more mental it becomes. The mind, with the best of intentions, can be the enemy to the body.
“Yes I Can!” was my mantra for the day. When those voices started in on me with “you can’t keep this up,” I would say to myself “yes I can”…and I did.
I’ve worked hard this year. I’ve put in more miles and run more races. I’ve been building for something that wasn’t on the calendar and almost didn’t happen.
I didn’t get into Wasatch this year. (Pay-back will have to wait yet another year.) I didn’t sign-up for the Bear in September. So, it’s October and for several weeks I’ve been thinking that I need to get something on the calendar. The clock was ticking and I felt pretty good—I didn’t want to waste the training and effort. I started thinking about the Pony Express and kept going back to the web site. I noticed that the field was growing and some competitive runner’s had signed on. Finally, on Tuesday night (3 days before the race), I signed up and started planning. Davy (race organizer) was kind enough to share some of his split times with me. I set my sights on a 21 hour goal (hoping for 20) and me and my crew and our little trailer headed for the west desert Thursday evening.
Perfect day out on the Pony Express trail. I actually missed the start by a few seconds still messing around with what to wear. I chose wisely and headed out. Almost immediately I settled into a sub 8 mm pace, going downhill, and fell in-line with Craig Lloyd. As it turned out, I ran the next 30+/- miles with Craig. I can’t remember a time where the miles passed so quickly, due in part to interesting conversation. Craig moved ahead for a spell as I hit the marathon mark at 3:53. Rejoining each other, we ran a good pace all the way to Dugway pass where Craig stopped, assisted by his crew (brother Brent), and I stopped a short distance later with my own crew. From this point on, I ran solo.
I missed the company of running with Craig (terrific guy) because the miles passed so quickly, but then relaxed into my own groove and pace. I motored up Dugway—surprised by the steep and abrupt climb and descended into the next valley. I wasn’t able to run the steep downhill section as fast as I thought I might and it was actually good to get back on a more flat or at least a gradual downhill to get to cruising speed again.
After a few miles I saw Phil Lowery up ahead. I passed him as he stopped with his crew, fully expecting him to pass me back. I’ve never passed Phil—and the thought of him behind me provided great incentive and motivation to push my pace for practically the remainder of the race.
I moved in and out of Blackrock (50 mile finish) quickly. I hit the 50 mile mark at 8 hours 2 minutes (PR). I loved the next flat smooth section to Fish Springs. Shortly I saw race leader Jay (Aldous) coming toward me. He was killing it. Jay (finished in 15:06) was more than 10 miles ahead at this point and moving well. I understand he had some issues at Blackrock but beyond that he lit-it-up.
I got to the turn-around at Fish Springs (58.5) refueled and headed out after a short stop. Phil came in a short time later—shuffling badly and not looking so good. A short while later came Craig with Brent pacing him. Davy was just entering the Fish Springs split (road) as I hit the main road and headed back to Blackrock.
Again, I hit Blackrock and moved on out of there. There were a lot of 50 mile finishers there and too many people and too much going on to linger. If I had a low point it was this next section from Blackrock to the Dugway Pass. This 11 mile section starts flat (as most of the race is) with a gradual uphill, increasing in steepness and difficulty until reaching Dugway Pass. It was getting dark, colder, dustier, and the miles just seemed to drag. I had to fight the urge to walk and just kept running. My crew was great. They helped me with warm clothes, headlamp, warm soup and everything I needed. I was glad when we reached the top. Dugway Pass meant a nice downhill section coming up and a sort of “heading for home” feeling.
Back at mile 70 I was having a tough time coming to terms with the fact that I had another 30 miles ahead of me. 70 miles down seems like a lot but “30 to go” is still a long, long way to go. Mentally, I decided to divide the “30 to go” into 15 mile chunks—it was easier to wrap my head around 15 mile pieces instead of looking at the entire distance. If I could make it to mile 85 (only 15 miles) that’s practically 90, which is almost 95…you get the picture.
Well I made it to 85 thankfully and then the ghosts started appearing. As I ran the 18 mile flat section after Dugway Pass, I started seeing headlamps behind me—and a few times heard footsteps. (None of which actually existed—at least not the headlamps and footsteps. The lights in hind-sight were most likely cars a great distance away.) Davy spoke of the allusion of distance on this section. Cars that seem to be very close are actually many miles away. Around mile 87 the “headlamp” that I was seeing behind me continued to gain on me. I asked a passing car how close the next runner was behind me. They replied that Phil was only a few miles away and looking very strong. (As it turns out it was actually Craig running who was now running in third place—passing Phil just before Dugway Pass). Craig was actually 40 minutes behind me at Dugway, but whoever I thought I saw behind me was much closer.
At one point the “light” was so close I pulled off to say hello and to allow them pass…no one was there. I kept running. At mile 92 (Riverbed) I motored up the hill and now knew I was close—8 miles to go. I crested the hill and ran for about a mile or so when two “headlamps” popped up and began chasing. Slowly the lights were gaining on me. I had been running the last 8-10 miles in the 9-10 mm pace range, but now pushed into a 8-9 min mile and even dipping down into the 7mm range (uphill) trying to lose my pursuers. I pushed myself hard up that last sloping hill convinced I was going to be caught. At mile 94, I stopped one last time, had a drink, quick bite of soup, some jell-o and muscle milk and got out of there with only the finish in mind.
A few quick nutrition notes: As it usually does, my nutrition plan unraveled at about mile 75. Couldn’t do the GU anymore; the Perpetuem wasn’t cooperating and even water was tough to choke down. The chicken noodle soup worked somewhat—still a chore to chew and swallow. I may try Bean & Bacon next time—it sounded good that night. BUT, the muscle milk at mile 85 worked like magic. Next time, I’ll take it around mile 70. The protein picked me up and I felt good--amazing. Secondly, Jell-o is one of my new favorite race treats. Never had it before but those little containers of jell-o tasted so good and went down so easy—it’ll be a staple from now on.
With about a 10K to go I was moving fast and still the lights were closing the gap. I kept looking over my shoulder and asking Traci how far back they were. I even said, “they’re going to pass me…I can’t go any faster.” Nonetheless, I kept driving the pace harder and harder…even changed out my I-pod for some more upbeat fast moving motivation music. Finally, I hit the split in the road presumably leading to the finish—a bit confused. There were no markers signaling that the finish was in fact down this road that we had come up earlier in the day. In fact, there was only a small light down below and I stopped in my tracks, shouting out “shoot!”—or something close to it, not knowing where to go. Convinced that I was going to be caught at any moment, suddenly a light kicked on down below and I tore down the hill. I immediately twisted my ankle but kept cruising until finally crossing the finish line.
17 hours and 52 minutes, 100 miles—done. I immediately looked behind me to see how far back the others were and once again no one was there--nothing but darkness. In fact, the next runner (Craig) crossed the finish-line 1 hour and 26 minutes later. I’m still confused as to whom or what I thought was chasing me but certainly I would not have broken 18 hours without them—thank you!
Several PR's on this course, Marathon (3:53--have never run a road marathon); 50 mile (8:02), 100K, 100 mile all PR's--the course is that fast! My highest finish, 2nd overall. Broke the course record by 3 hours, 1 min--Jay did much better! Nonetheless, we had a good day.
Official Results: http://ponyexpress100.org/
Thanks to Davy Crockett for the idea, the research and preparations for the event. No doubt this race will continue to gain in popularity. While I liked having crew access pretty much anytime I needed it, I’m concerned that as the race grows, so too will the number of cars and dust. At some point in the near future, I would imagine that a discussion for the possible addition of aid stations will need to be had.
Finally, a BIG FAT thank you to my crew—and to all the crews out there on race day(s)—“s” = ultra humor. These crews were so upbeat, motivational and such great company out on the trail. But my crew in particular was on it. This crew of mine (Traci, Sadie and Sage-10 yr old twins) is really getting this racing stuff down. I could not have done it without them. They were there when I needed them and anticipated my every need—thanks guys, we did good huh!?
I am not an athlete.
I am relentless.
I am determined.
I will not fail.
