May 2009
(There are a few photos at the end)
Perhaps I should
have known... Jared and Ryan (the race directors) are well known as
connoisseurs de pain and I should have expected the worst. Halfway through the race I felt like I was
jammed within Jared’s Rubix Cube of Trauma, each
twist of his wrist bringing me deeper into his evil plan. In reality, it’s clear I was just
undertrained and had trouble sorting out my nutrition in the heat. The race was incredible, and although several
sections left me craving a mental amputation, countless other sections left me craving
more trauma and enjoying southern
The first leg
was beautiful and fast. Five miles in,
as the sun slowly rose I had to literally myself to stop, stretch, and take in
the views of southern
When I finally
rolled down the slope nearing City Creek Aid (mile 16?) with my poor eyesight I
saw a couple of guys smoking alongside the trail. It ended up being Ryan and a buddy smoking
the radio. He offered some needed encouragement
and I dropped into the aid station feeling slightly better than before. I was hoping to meet Heather there, but my
poor directions had gotten her lost somewhere in
The climb up
City Creek was mellow, but trippy as I was passed by several “leg only”
runners. Finally, as the grade
steepened, my thighs slid into low gear and despite the muck and short snow of
upper City Creek I finally topped out on the upper ridgeline. The climb was tough, but very
survivable. The rest of the leg was fast
(I was trashed), and I loved the final few miles into Mink Creek as I spied
various historic water features along the trail. Perfect single track- fantastic.
Heather met me
at the Mink Creek Aid (mile 32) and provided me with some much needed love and
support. With two legs down, I knew I
could suffer through another 20 miles. But Leg Three turned out to be brutal
and I cursed ultrarunning for nearly its entire length. In reality it isn’t that hard of a route, a
long continuous grade- but with the surprising heat, I was suffering from
significant dehydration and struggled to get fluids down. I’d crank for a hundred feet, then be forced to stop and double over in exhaustion. Gaining only 3000 feet in 10 miles, the climb
up to
But as I left
the final aid station (mile 48) and shuffled down the road towards the finish
line I knew the chuds were finally hitting me. I doubled over just out of sight from a
couple of campers and let the chudlets fly. Into my second thrutch
I glanced down the road and saw Jared slowly driving up. Of all the timing! He was kind enough to see me through the last
of the chuds and hearten me on my way. Four miles left. Four tough miles on an
empty stomach and near empty legs.
But, as I turned the final corners heading into the finish I remembered
why I run (which I can’t remember now…).
The gathered crowd was generous to cheer me in and I soon shuffled over
the line and into the arms of Heather.
Respite at last. Finally I could
focus on getting food down instead of keeping food down. Heather was a great support.
As I look back
it is clear I was undertrained and not entirely mentally prepared for some of
the climbs. They were far bigger than I
had expected and I had forgotten how far 50 miles really is (!). Despite the numerous cursings,
several thrutches, and piling heat I had a great
time.
Here’s how I
would break it down:
Leg one- (Easiest)
mostly chill besides the rough climb up
Leg two- (2nd
easiest) initially the climb up City Creek is mellow, but as you near the
summit, expect some very steep, muddy trail.
The rest of the section is decent downhill and a short climb out of the
mile 26 aid.
Leg three-
(tough) with the heat on, this is a hot, difficult leg. The climb up
Full shuffle mode- empty
stomach and near empty legs. Crossing the finish line at mie 52 (?).
Jared,
myself, and Ryan.
Both proud architects of the rubix cube of
trauma.
And
Heather, ever patient and supportive. A treat to have her along
for the adventure.
© All Content 2009 Arie Leeflang Collection