Burning River 100 Miler

Yup.....gonna attempt in 2009 to do the 100 miler! Oh my.....now I really have to train! LOL

Ultimate XC - Moab Edition - T-Minus 1 Day

November 14, 2008

Well, I am continuing this journal on the advice of Pam. And, she is right - I need to get this down on "paper" before I forget the details of the two days.

This is Friday, the 14th. I stayed on East Coast time, so my day began at 3 a.m. After lounging around for a few hours while drinking about six cups of DD coffee, I decided it was time to look at what I wanted to do to spend the day. After all, I had all of Friday to motor around if I wished.

I went online - looked through the travel guides, even read through the local Moab papers. Helpful? Nope. The first task of the day was to find where the Kane Creek parking lot was. So, out the door (finally) I went at about 8:30 a.m. But, prior to that, I found a very fortunate recent post from Dan the Race Director instructing us that we could check out the first six to eight miles of the course if we wished - that it had already been marked.

So, out the door to find the lot. After a few miles of searching, I was lucky to find the right road that led to the lot. There were two gentlemen setting up the "Home Base" for the next day. In the moment, I didn't realize that one of the two was Dan, the Race Director. And, straight from Canada and very much helpful.

After advising me where to park, he came back up and began to discuss the trail with me. No sooner had he started, then a couple from Canada pulled up. Dan knew them - it seems like he knows all the runners in Canada!

Well, to the four of us, he began to describe the trail. He spoke of peaks and valleys and the challenges that the runners would face the next day. When he finished, I felt a bit of trepidation as to his description of the course. I could see clearly that my original thought of "this is going to be easier than Jay…" quickly fell away.

The four of us walked down to the start. At that point, I realized I was in the wrong shoes and wasn't prepared to run the trail. I had even forgotten my Garmin. So, being completely unprepared, but awestruck by the beauty of the place, I decided to head back to town to purchase a digital camera.

I had no idea which camera to get, but I was happy with the choice I did make. Then, I had to return to the hotel to charge the battery. This was also very opportunistic as I had two unrelated tasks that I had to complete for home.

Back at the hotel it took about an hour and a half for the battery to charge. I ate a light lunch and then began to prepare to return to the trailhead.
As I left out, I was excited about the adventure that awaited each of us for tomorrow. Who would finish? Would someone seriously hurt themselves? Would I have the strength and willpower to finish? I decided the only way to know was to get a sample of the trail.

Off to the trail, I took several pictures of the beauty that surrounds this place. Moab is an absolute jewel of a place. The rock formations and the majesty of the place takes one's breath away. It is difficult to describe, and even having taken the pictures, it doesn't do it justice. But, I was so thrilled that I purchased the camera.

The Trail



The beginning of the trail starts out with about a mile of sand. If you've never run through sand, you can't. The secret, which I would perfect the next day, was to take small "hops" rather than run. Running simply tired the legs out - again, another thing I'd learn the next day.

I ran the two miles into the trail and thought, "Well, this isn't too bad." I was easily deceived the next day as well when I ran the first 10 miles in just over an hour and a half. I thought, as my video said, "On pace…doing well….look to finish in six." Was I ever wrong.

The Day of the Race




Race day. Up at 3 a.m. Difficulty sleeping the night before. Too excited. Nervous. Worried. Concerned that I'd either not be able to finish or even start.

As morning approached, I became more and more nervous. But, at 7:00 a.m. it was time to head out. The drive to the start was filled with anticipation. The air was cold - about 27 degrees at the start.

Arriving at the designated parking area, I met a man from Ohio. His name was Mike, and the first thing he said after introducing himself was, "Why am I here?" He was filled with dread. One look and it was pretty sure he wasn't going to finish. Unfortunately for him, I passed him coming down the 1,400 foot cliff as he was going up. He was going to run out of time.

The race started at 8:30 - on time and we were soon to find out that it would be longer than expected. Very few runners heeded the advice given out by Dan to "take it easy over the first six to eight miles" - myself included. The first out was relatively flat, fast and smooth. As a point of reference - the first ten miles was run in just over 90 minutes. The next 24 miles took over six.

The First Ten



The highlight of the first ten miles was as we came around a bend of rock. We had been climbing for about two miles through miles 7 and 8. As we came around the bend, we realized that we were at the top of a cliff. A literal cliff. The route down was about 18 inches wide, and if anyone tripped, they'd fall surely to grave injury or death. There was even one point on the cliff that the runners had to hold on to a rope to help themselves along. This was fast, furious and adrenaline pumping running. It was intense.



I don't know if you've ever run down a cliff. There surely is a technique - but I am not the one to ask. I, along with many others, pounded down. I'd later learn that my body would tell me this wasn't a good idea. But for now, fortunately as far as I am aware, no one was injured or fell.

At the end of this first 10 miles, we made it to Aid Station 2. A short time for a rest and celebration.

The Next Twenty-Four

At mile 13, we had a one-mile run through the sand. As I had mentioned, there really is no good way to move through sand. I thought I was doing well, but was already slowing down and had seen enough sand. I 'd learn later that there was much more sand to come.

At the beginning of mile 14, we began a climb up the side of a cliff - yes, a cliff. It was one mile to the top.



At this point - mile 14 - my legs began to cramp. I had serious thoughts of dropping out when I would get along to the next aid station (mile 17). After what just went on and on, I finally arrived at the top. I was now on top of the world - literally. I began running lightly only to be slowed by cramping in my legs. It began in my calf muscles but later became both legs.

Running on Rock

Dan called this an Ultra. I'd call it an Ultra Adventure. The word "trail" is used very loosly here. After climbing the mountain, we continued along on a flat pathway of stone/rock. And, as the saying goes, what goes up (us) must eventually come down (us, again!).

We came to a pass that was roped with about 200 feet of single track. This section you had to hold onto the rope as you made your way at about a 30 degree angle. Should you lose your grip or trip, an elegant 150 foot drop awaited you. This was technical, and I have to tell you - scary. Much of this race involved fear. More on that later.

At the end of this area we made our way to mile 17.75 and the next aid station. More Heed; more electrolytes and my legs were still hurting - big. I was now considering bowing out at mile 20. I still didn't know that mile 20 was really going to be mile 22.75.

Onward from there, we continued down the side of the mountain on a single track trail that resembles a run on Wolf Rock back home. It really wasn't a trail - more loose rock, gravel, stone (and not level stone) and more sand. Imagine that.

Getting to the "half-way" point - Mile 22.75




At mile 22 the thought of bowing out - while still a thought, once I met up with Dan, he assured us it was "only 9 more.

Conclusion

Little did I know that some of the most difficult running was still ahead of us. At mile 26 we climbed the side of a cliff - yes, a cliff - using a 1 inch nylon rope. Yes, a rope. At mile 26! Do you have any idea how tired the legs and muscles are at this point? I didn't think I was going to make it up.

From there, we continued through the desert to the road. Flat. Flat road. Cool. It looks like the last part of this Ultra would be easy. At mile 27, we came to the base of a 1,400 foot rock cliff at a 9% grade. Straight up. Aching quads, calves, body, mind. But, a mere 50 minutes later we saw this:



Moab Utah!

A final run through the sand pit (1 mile) and the descent down the same 1,400 foot rock wall and alas…it was back to the ROPE! Climbing down! This was the best part as the finish was now a half-mile away.

Finish

Finished! 8:17:34.



Made the cutoff time of nine hours. This was the most difficult run; the most difficult endeavor I have completed to this point.

What I learned:

You are only limited by what your mind says you cannot do.

You are able to overcome all obstacles.

You can endure much more physical pain that you believe you can.

Completing this Ultra made me believe I am capable of anything.

Completing this Ultra makes me want to run the next.

Ultimate XC - Moab!

November 13, 2008

Well, the day started at 3:45 a.m. That was when the alarm clock went off and I actually did get up and pour a cup of coffee!! LOL

One of the things I didn't do when I ran the Jay Challenge in July 2007 was a daily diary of the adventure. Jenny and I had some interesting times...especially crossing the border that year into Canada...and our run in with Inga the Canadian Mountie!

So, this trip I am going to attempt to do just that.

Tomorrow I'll be looking for a small digital camera I can take with me on the run. But first...I digress...let's go back to the beginning...

Chronology of the day:

4:08 a.m. - Hit the road for BWI

7:00 a.m. - Moved down the runway at a whopping speed of 200 miles per hour (takeoff speed for a 737 jet - and it can actually take off at 185 - but at 180 takeoff it falls out of the sky!)

Note on the flight: Sat next to a mom and her daughter. Mom was 71 years old and the daughter tried to tell me a.) she was single and b.) she was 37. I ended all conversation down that line when I said I was 82! But, I did find out they were staying in Vegas for five days and planned to spend (lose) $10,000! Yikes!

Seems like such a waste to me...but, they were going to have fun.

12:15 p.m. EST - Landed in Vegas and was re-indoctrinated into all the slots bells - no jackpot winners while I was there though.....

1:35 p.m. - Movin down the runway again on our way up to Salt Lake City.

Note on flight to SLC...well, actually...just the hairpin turn we took over the lake....the one that looked like we were going INTO the lake......

I didn't realize Salt Lake was such a scenic city. The mountains had snow at about 7,000 feet and up. Plus...the highlight of driving through the city on my way to Provo and then Moab.....yup...there was a Mormon church on every street corner. I counted 17 Mormon churches and one church of Christ. No Catholic churches.

After the wonderful 9.5 hour flight time including the hour layover, it was time to drive.....for FOUR hours......Yeah! The highlight of the drive: beautiful rock cliffs; viewings I am certain of the Jurrasic age in the sediment stone...and about seven ICBM sites left over from the "cold war." Oh, and the Rocky Mountains just before turning off of I-70 to head down 191.

So, at what amounted to 8:30 p.m. EST I pulled into this humble abode - The Arches Inn.

If you want to see the terrain....I learned tonight that the course will be run through Arches National Forest.

Went and got groceries....and TSA nor Southwest stole my Dunkin Donuts coffee...so I am SET! And, a bit excited for Saturday morning.

Tomorrow I am going to do a bit of exploring, but not too much I don’t want to be fatigued for the run Saturday.

More to come tomorrow - with some pictures too I hope!