HURT 100 Race Report

Photo Peter Daspit

I usually thank my my pacers and crew at the end but they did such a great job and I am so thankful for there help I think they deserve to be ahead of my race report. Erik and Christian were both invaluable to my finish time and overall making the run way more enjoyable than it would have been with out them. Erik helped me reach my goal of running a 6 hour fourth loop and Christian got my through the last loop that seemed so slow. A big thanks to both, I am sure they were worth 1-2 hours on my finish time. My wife Marge did a great job crewing for me again. I wanted for nothing and was completely taken care of. She even drove to a aid station that she was not scheduled to because she thought she had shorted me some gels. She literally went the extra mile to make sure I had the best possible race. I can't thank her enough.

Loop 1

I was nervous at the start, I was not fully trained for a 100 mile race let alone a race like the HURT. I was hoping that I had enough fitness left over from the summer that I could at least finish the race and hopefully go under 30 hours. I knew to get a finish and a decent time I couldn't make mistakes. I was determined to stay on course, stay hydrated, fueled and not go out too fast.

Just before the start the R.D said something about having a nice little climb to start. He wasn't kidding, about 5 min. later we were headed up a fairly steep climb, nothing to bad but it did seemed to go on and on and it was overrun with roots and rocks. I noticed allot of people already seemed to be working way to hard so early in the race. I am always tempted to tell these people to slow down, but I know it would come across wrong and people should run their own race anyway. After climbing a total of 40 min from the start you cross over a guardrail and you get to run a nice road for 100 yards and then its back to the trails, though at least now it was a really nice trail, very runnable for a mile or so. The weather was nice, a bit muggy for me but there was nice breeze on the ridges. This would be the pattern for the rest of the race. Muggy in and around the aid stations a nice breeze on the ridges. Completely different than Wasatch where the aid stations always seem cold.

As I descended toward the first aid station called Paradise I saw the first place runner, it was a women which I thought was cool and unique to see, turns out it was Tracy Garneau the eventual winner of the women's race. I was around 20 min behind the first place runners and figured I was somewhere in the top fifteen plus I knew some of these people were running the 100k. I had no crew at the first aid because they don't allow it which is fine as your only 7 miles into the race. I had a quick turn around and headed back up. I really enjoyed the bamboo forest section at the top of the climb, when the wind blew all the bamboo stalks whack into each other and makes a really loud sounds, I kept looking up expecting to get clubbed by a bamboo stalk.

I made it to the second aid station no problem. I was finding the course to be very well marked and I followed the advice of the race pamphlet that you just follow the color your on to the next aid station, I was now on green so I just kept repeating stay on green stay, on green. It sounds easy but more than one person in the past have blown it at this race by going to the wrong aid station. I met Marge at the 2nd aid station Jackass Ginger and headed back toward the start finish line. You cross a really nice river just before and after this aid station, they had a rope set up to help you cross it and you could make it with out getting your feet wet. The climb out of the second aid station is very hard and there are even ropes in certain sections to help you get up or down and it has a real kicker write at the very top just to rub it in. There is a bench at the very top and it was very tempting to stop and take a quick rest. Soon after you go through a nasty root section in the middle of the course and then its really nice trails all the way back to the start finish. I ran into a racer that had taken a wrong turn and had to tell him he probably lost at least two hours going the wrong direction. I felt so bad for him he was obviously a back of the pack runner and now he had just made a huge mistake. I made it back to the start finish in 4:30 right on target. Christian and Marge were both there and had me in and out within 3-4 minutes. I told them my plan was to slow down a bit,it was getting warm so I was aiming for a 5 hour loop.

Lap 2

Nice and easy was the theme for this loop, my legs still felt great and I knew I could do a 5 hour loop with out pushing hard at all. Turns out I was right, the miles passed quickly and I had a chance to really get to know the course. I tried to get time markers on the climbs so later I could judge my pace. There was only one section I had problems on, somebody had stripped a short section of the course of all the ribbons so I waited for another runner, luckily he had run the race before and helped keep me on course through a few critical intersections. Other than that I chatted with a few people but mostly just ran to some good tunes and just tried to make decent pace. Marge and Christian met me at the Paradise aid station took care of me and sent me on my way. Marge ended up driving over to the next aid station Jackass Ginger to give me some extra gu, because she had shorted me a few at the previous aid station. I thought to myself how lucky I was to have such a dedicated wife. I finished up this lap in close to 5 hours so at 40 miles I was on pace.

Photo Peter Daspit

Lap 3

I knew this was going to be a hard loop, the legs were just starting to feel the miles, I was getting sick of the humidity and heat and I was finding one of the mentally tough parts about this race is after you leave every aid stations you get to climb one of the three major climbs. I was also starting to feel a little nausea, nothing terrible, just enough to remind me to not push the climbs too hard. Part of this loop was also going to be in the dark so I expected a slower time. My goal was to just get through the loop to the safety of my pacers and hopefully slightly cooler temperatures of the night. When I made it to the first aid station after talking to Marge a bit I could tell she didn't think I looked very good, she asked me if I had been peeing and that I needed to drink more and take in more gels. I made it through the rest of the loop with no drama, I was still climbing well but noticed my downhill speed was getting slower and I was really looking forward to the company of a pacer.

Lap 4

Erik was going to be my pacer for the 4^th loop. I explained the ribbons to him so he could help me stay on course in case I got nutty later in the race, I also told him I wanted to do a 6 hour loop. It had been a goal of mine to stay under six hours for any of the five loops. We climbed strong out of the start finish area and soon after we were on the shallow climb up to the road and Erik started his first request that I try to run, I remember thinking perfect this is what I need someone who can read the trail well enough to know when I should be running and when I should be walking. He was also throwing in some really bad jokes. They did help pass the time and the were so bad I couldn't help laugh a little. We made decent time and Erik kept prodding me to run the easy part of the climbs when needed and most of the time I could oblige at least for a little while. Between Erik, Marge and the volunteers I didn't need to do anything in the aid stations but sip some broth or coke, they would get my Nathan packed filled and off we would go. Erik got me back to the start finish line in just 2 min over my goal in 6:02.

Lap 5

I have to admit at this point I was getting pretty tired of going over the same terrain, not only do you do five loops but there is two out and back sections per loop so some sections I had already covered eight times. I was ready to say good bye to this course. Christian was my pacer for my last loop. Before I left the start finish line Erik was trying to convince me I could do a 5.5 hour loop but I was just hoping to stay under 6 hours. I didn't trust my legs on the descent anymore. I was getting really paranoid about pitching over in the dark and falling on rocks. This is one of my weak points in a hundred, but it was just worse than normal because I just didn't have the good miles in my legs like I do in the summer. I was climbing okay but just really crawled on the descents. I also didn't realize that my headlamp had been slowly dimming and I found myself struggling to see the trail. Christian did a great job of helping light the way and keeping my spirits up, every time I tried to wallow into some low point Christian would snap my out of it tell me I was doing fine and to just keep moving. I got fresh batteries at the first aid station which helped allot. Erik had stuck around to make sure Christian's knee was good so he helped out to get me out of the aid station. This was one stop were it really took allot of will power to get my tired butt out of the chair. I was even getting tired of the climbs. I was a little better descending into the next aid station, the light was coming up I could smell the end and I really like the last part of the loop. Made it in out of the last aid station and just kept on moving though slowly. It was already warming up as Christian and I hit the last big climb, Christian asked if I had anything say to this last hill. I did but I kept it to myself and certainly can't repeat it here. I did a slow ultra shuffle on the long descent back to the finish line only checking over my shoulder in the last half mile to make sure no one would pass me. I finished in 27:48 good enough for 8^th place.

Just after touching the sign for a finish

Christian and I at the finish

I have been thinking over the race and comparing it to Wasatch. I think it is as hard especially if the course is wet which lucky for me it wasn't. What makes it so hard? The footing is truly terrible though there is some sections of really nice runnable terrain. The relentless climbs wear you down, Wasatch has a little more gain but it comes in longer more sustained climbs, most the climbs at the HURT felt like going up a longer version of the Grunt just past Ant knolls aid station over and over again. The race is in January when most of us are not as well trained as in September and you are doing freaking loops! I liked the race and would recommend it to anyone but I don't see me ever going back for another go, too many other great point to point races out there on the list to do. I believe Christian is going to do a post on the 100k option at the race which should be good for some discussion. One last comment, Gary Robbins tore this course up with a course record of 20:12, I don't care if the course was dry or not I am sure he will be nominated for performance of the year. It was a fun to cheer him on out on the course as he blew past me. You can see full results here

HURT Finish

As you probably know by now Greg finished just under 28 hours and took 8th at the HURT 100. Erik had pacing honors on the 4th loop, while I had the honor of running with him to the finish.
Gnarly trail period. Anyone finishing 100 miles on that deserves respect.
Full report to follow.

HURT update

I saw Greg at the end of his first loop and again at the following aid, Paradise. I'm happy to report that he looked great both times despite the heat and humidity. Both times I hiked up the trail a couple of miles and ran down with him, he was flying over the technical terrain with ease.
I'm very excited for my pacing duties that I'll share with Erik. We have yet to decide who's doing which lap, either 4 or 5, but either way it will be good time running through the jungle at night.
Next post I'll try including a picture or two (I'm posting from the phone).

HURT

There are many great things about running, but the characters and the scenery are the top of my list. Though lately the scenery has been muted by despicable air, and most of the characters are off to Hawaii for a change of scenery. Greg is pictured above on top of Grandeur Peak, after pulling my tired sorry ass to the top.

Greg, Best of luck at the HURT!

Christian, may you have a quick recovery with your knee, and a great vacation.

Erik, have a great all-nighter pacing Greg, and a great vacation.

May you all enjoy some fresh air!

Big Cottonwood to Millcreek

I woke up this morning with an itch to run from Big Cottonwood Canyon to Millcreek Canyon. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it was because my right hamstring is feeling better. Maybe it was the forecast for sunny and warm. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that there has been no significant snow in weeks and the skiing sucks. I Knew I needed some alone time. And I had a desire to test my new winter running shoes – Montrail Hardrocks + sheet metal screws.

First, a bit about the shoes… I consider myself fortunate to be friends with Christian Johnson. You see, Christian is the uber-expert and authority on all things ultra running related. Gear, nutrition, training, routes. If I have a question, Christian has done the research and has an answer. So when I asked Christian what kind of shoes he recommended for running on snow-packed trails, he told me to take one of my old pairs of heavy trail shoes and screw 3/8” sheet metal screws into the bottom. He advised me as to where the screws should be placed for maximum traction and comfort.

I figured the perfect test run would be up the Mill D luge run to Dog Lake, down to Big Water, follow Millcreek Canyon to Elbow Fork and take the Pipeline Trail to Rattlesnake Gulch. My test route was 14-15 miles – all snow covered.

For those of you in a winter slump, experiencing doubts and concerns about your level of fitness and conditioning, needing a little confidence boost and some steroids for your ego, then you MUST run the Mill D luge run on a weekend morning. From the get go, I was passing skiers in tele and AT gear chugging up the trail. On multiple occasions I almost read-ended snowshoeers that seemed like they were not even moving. I moved like a sports car on the autobahn. I felt fast! This was fun!

But the autobahn came to an end at Dog Lake. Within several hundred yards of the lake the tracks of backcountry skiers dispersed upward, in search of powder covered slopes, and I found the trail down to Big Water to have only been traveled by what seemed to be two, inexperienced skiers on very skinny skis. I began dropping through the snow, up to my knees and sometimes my thighs. What so far had been a most pleasant run, quickly turned into a trudge. Each plunge was a small defeat. After several thousand defeats - I was feeling pity for moose – slogging for months through deeps snows. I cursed the inexperienced skiers who created these lame tracks. I hoped to hell I didn’t come back in a future life as a moose. This sucked!

Finally I reached the road at Big Water. The groomed surface was frozen hard and made for a great running surface. I made good time down to Elbow Fork where I connected to the Pipeline Trail for the final dash down to Rattlesnake Gulch. The Pipeline is my favorite winter running trail. It is almost always well compacted due to the heavy traffic of snowshoers, runners and hikers. The southern exposure makes it feel a good 10-20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature. And, it is a quick and easy escape from winter inversions – just 6 minutes from my home in the City.

Report Card. Definitely an “A” for the shoes. They provided excellent traction up the Mill D luge run as well as down Rattlesnake Gulch, which was very icy. I’ve now got a fabulous pair of winter shoes for just a buck-fifty in screws. Thanks Christian! “C-“ for the hamstring. Plunging through the snow seemed to do a number on it. I’m icing it while I type. Fingers crossed it will feel better come morning. “A” for being in the sun. If by chance you are one of the people who saw me running in my underwear (with my shirts and tights tied around my waist) along Pipeline – my apologies, I know it wasn’t pretty. And lastly, an “F” for being a moose.

Stay tuned for a HURT report from Hawaii next week from Greg and Christian. Good luck Greg. And Christian, get better soon – we miss running with you!

Too Much of a Good Thing

First off, I want to say that this last year was truly amazing and I'm thankful to have shared the trail with great friends.  I'm not going to recap every race and epic run from the past year but I will say that by the end of November I started to feel as though I may have cashed in all of my good running karma.

During the Zion Traverse with Jared and Jay I felt a dull ache develop in my left knee.  After the run it wasn't terribly painful so I just applied some R.I.C.E. therapy for a few days and got back to training for the HURT 100 coming up in January.  Well, the pain didn't go away and in fact got worse, so after a few visits to the Dr. and an MRI (thanks Betsy!) we had it pretty well figured out.  A small tear in the meniscus, a cyst behind the patella, severe tendinitis and a little frayed cartilage just for good measure.  The Dr. believes it is the tendinitis and cartilage that is causing the pain and the tear is just minor, which is why I've decided to try resting it instead letting a surgeon "take a look around" in there.  I withdrew from HURT, which was extremely disappointing, but we're still going to have a great vacation and cheer on Greg (I may even try some pacing duties).  

What caused it?  At this point I believe it is an overuse injury.  I ended up with nearly 1,000 miles more than last year and 40% more vertical, perhaps a little more than the recommended increase.  So, as far as running goes there's a big question mark hanging over 2010, but I'm trying to remain optimistic as I signed up for the Pocatello 50 and sent off my Wasatch 100 application. More than likely I'm going to have to be flexible this year by incorporating some different activities like cycling and mountain biking to help things heal, which probably isn't a bad thing since I tend to get too focused sometimes.  For now I wait and heal...

Alexander Ridge to Lambs Canyon

Yesterday was an adventure! The short version goes as follows: Elk-1 Me- a big gash on the leg.

Long version is as follows:

I have a tag for a late season cow elk hunt that ironically encompasses the first 50 miles of the Wasatch 100 Course, the south-eastern boundary being I-80(Parleys Canyon) and a mile above the Lambs Canyon exit. So... to spend some off season time on the Course, and because that's where the elk are commonly found during the winter, Rich and I headed over to Alexander Springs to see what we could find.The elk were in abundance, but unfortunately, so were the hunters and all the elk we saw were running and miles away. That was no deterrent and we kept following the elk up canyon along the Wasatch course from Alexander to Lambs. As fit as we think we are, two legs with a 20 lb pack and a rifle in 18 inches of snow is no match for 4 legs and we didn't get remotely close. Regardless, it was a beautiful morning and just good to be outside.

Admitting defeat, Rich and I started our way back to the truck. There is a spot on the Course where the Lambs aid station is in sight and looks oh so close. You can see the volunteers bustling around, hear the occasional shout and cowbell as you come into sight and the adrenaline kicks in. A newcomer to the Course may think it's only 1/2 mile, but in reality the trail takes a hairpin turn back up canyon and takes you another 3/4 of a mile up canyon before turning back down to the aid station.

Rich and I were feeling a bit pooped, so at the hairpin turn, we just walked off the berm with the intent of cutting cross country through the snow and scrub oak, and avoiding the extra 1 1/2 miles of trail. Bad Decision. 5 feet down the hillside, my right leg started sliding on the 40 degree slope, my left leg bent so I could squat back and not pitch head first into the scrub, and I felt my left knee scrape over some snow covered rocks. Just a scratch and maybe a bruise I thought...until I looked down at the surgical style slice in my pant leg. Oh oh, probably more than just a scrape. I scrambled back up to the trail to assess the damage and this is what I found:

Oddly enough, it didn't hurt, and since we still had an hours walk to the truck, I rummaged through my first aid kit, pulled out my leatherman and 3/0 gut suture and went to work. Rich was offering all sorts of encouraging advice like "What the Hell? Oohhhh, I think I'm going to puke. You can't do that to yourself! I gotta call Lisa (his wife) to come pick us up cuz there's no way you're walking out on that", etc.Well, we made it out in fine form, I was only 1/2 hour late for family pictures (the last family pictures we had I crashed snowboarding 2 hours before and smashed my nose. At least this one wasn't visible) and I even managed to get a short run in today and the sutures held.

I hope that come Sept 10, 2010, things go a little smoother from Alexander to Lambs.

New Balance UNICEF “Magic” Shoes – Your Vote Needed

I love surprises! And this week, I had the most amazing surprise – I received a pair of UNICEF branded New Balance MT100 racing flats. What, UNICEF partnering with New Balance you ask?? No, these are a one-of-a-kind, hand painted shoes by shoe artist YK.

First, some context. Then, what I need from you.

Several months ago my running friend Christian offhandedly suggested that I should try to run a sub four-hour, 50K trail race. He went on to advise that the perfect course for this would be the Goblin Valley 50K. Knowing that I would need every advantage to break four hours, I purchased a pair of 7.8oz New Balance MT100 racing flats. While I couldn’t quite get under four hours (4:05), I found the shoes magical.

I found the shoes so magical that I couldn’t help showing people at work. For the most part colleagues were polite and compliant when I said, “Hold them! See how light they are!!” Though, something about their facial expressions and how they held the shoes with extended arms suggested they didn’t fully appreciate the magic.

After four years with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF I’m moving to a new opportunity that will give me more time for family, running and skiing. This past week my team held a going away party for me.

You’ve been there. It’s the requisite work good-bye party with gift. You know the moment is coming where you get the gift and that you can’t let your face reveal how you feel about the wall plaque that you will never hang, that crystal something that you will never take out of its box, or the book of quotes and sentiments that you know just aren’t real (I find these books are problematic in that they raise the question, “if they really felt this way about me – why were they such a&&holes to me??”)

So it’s that moment, and I’m handed a wrapped gift the size of a shoebox. On top, a Barbie doll has been tied down with gold ribbon. I release Barbie from her bondage, remove the wrapping paper, and open the box. Brilliantly branded UNICEF shoes in cyan blue!! OMG? But how? From where? What does Barbie have to do with anything?? So many questions race through my mind.
We’ll the story is this… My brilliant colleagues wanted to give me something that represented my passions; running + UNICEF. “Magic” shoes adorned with the UNICEF branding work that has been so much of my life the past four years - simply f’n brilliant!! To do this, they commissioned YK to create a one-of-a-kind UNICEF shoe just for me! Definitely check out this link www.yoakustoms.com

But here’s my dilemma – and what I need from you. Should the UNICEF “Magic” shoes be displayed in my new office, a timeless icon that will remind me of the great people I worked with at the U.S. Fund. Or, should I race in the shoes, and feel that those with whom I worked so closely are right there with me on the trail, literally experiencing in a down and dirty way the joy that running brings me. What is your vote?

Thank you to all of my colleagues at UNICEF and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. The past four years have been the best four years of my professional career – largely in part because of you. It has been a privilege to work with you to create a world where no child dies of a preventable cause. Know that I, Jay Aldous, Believe in Zero www.unicefusa.org

North Face Endurance Challenge; Last – and best - race of the year

Being married, like ultra-running has its is challenges. Being married for 25 years… Well, let’s just go straight to an ultra-running cliché – there are highs and lows.

This past weekend I had one of those highs – being able to have the honor and privilege of running with my wife Adrienne in the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K Championships in the Marin Headlands.

But first a little history… My return to ultra-running after 25 years can partly be attributed to marital tension and strife. It started a little over a year ago with the spousal nags. “Aren’t you ashamed of that spare tire around your waist? You wouldn’t be out of breath buckling your ski boots if you exercised occasionally! You used to be so much more attractive when you were fit!! Please don’t take your shirt off!!! Perhaps if you did something besides work you wouldn’t be such a grouch!!!!” So on September 6th, 2008 - I declared - “Enough!” I started running again.

Since then some cool stuff has happened. The spare tire disappeared. I can buckle my ski boots with ease. Shirts come off in the summer. I’m much more pleasant to be with. And, I have the pleasure of spending time with Adrienne running.

Over the past year we’ve done a lot of running and races together. The North Face Endurance Challenge Bear Mountain 50 mile in New York. Jared Campbell’s Pocatello 50, Goblin Valley 50K, Moab Extreme XC 50K and the North Face Endurance Challenge in San Francisco. Together we’ve had fun – and along the way we both have been getting faster.

So for our final race of the year, I asked Adrienne if I could pace her in an effort to place in the women’s masters’ category. Few people know this, but pre Jay, Adrienne was an accomplished marathoner winning in Las Vegas and placing in Athens (Greece – not Georgia) and Phoenix. Beneath the veneer of running for health, pleasure and socializing – there is a competitive Adrienne.

As the starting time approached, spousal differences began to surface. I like to get to a race 30 minutes before the start. Adrienne likes to arrive 5 minutes early. I’m all about a hearty breakfast. Adrienne has a sensitive stomach. I like to run light. If there is something she might need, she likes to carry it. I LOVE my Armani running shirts. Adrienne thinks I look like an idiot. I say go out fast and hang on. She likes to go out slow and bring it on. My philosophy is that the pacer is in charge. She thinks the one being paced is in charge. The beginning of a 50K, when you will be spending the next six hours together, is not the time or place for disagreements of this import and significance!

At the sound off the horn we were off. Each of us trying to show our point of view was correct; the pride behind our beliefs driving us along at a blistering pace. Aid station #1 at 4 miles – 32 minutes. Aid Station #2 at 8.2 miles – 1:08. Who was going to be the first to suggest we slow down and follow our plan to run 11:30 miles that would give us a sub six hour finish and a good shot at being the top women’s master?

As we brought down the pace and reconciled our differences, we shared the agreement that the Marin Headlands are a magical place to run; sweeping ocean vistas, lush forest with redwoods and ferns, flora and smells that are new to us. As we got into a steady pace we enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated how fortunate we are to be together - and running together.

At Aid Station #4 at 19.1 miles we started down the backside of the curve of euphoria and optimism that occurs early in a race. Adrienne began to feel the effects of having gone out too fast. My right leg, which has been troubling me for the past several months, began to go numb. It would take both of us working together to finish this race with dignity in the time that we had planned

I was impressed at how strong Adrienne was on the down hills. She would drop me and pass a number of people on each descent. I would slowly catch-up with her on the ascents and pull her up to the top before she would drop me again on the next downhill. We were a good team. With three miles to go we crested the last hill and knew that a first place Masters finish was hers if we could maintain our pace. She surged towards the finish as I dug deep to keep my right leg, which somewhere around mile 20 I had named ‘Pete, the peg-legged pirate’ turning. No way in hell was she going to drop me. Marital AND male pride was now on the line!

We finished in 5:50 with Adrienne taking first place in the Masters category and fifth overall. Adrienne bettered her time from the previous year by 1:10! Even peg-legged Pete beat his time from last year by 15 minutes. Our good running friend (and relative) Debra Scott, scooted along for an impressive 8:12 and her daughter Isabel, finished first in her age in the 10K component. A great day for all.

As Adrienne and I celebrated the race and the day – we acknowledged that we are a mighty fine team – both on the course and in life. Congratulations Adrienne on running a great race. And thank you Adrienne for being such a wonderful companion – both on the trail and in life….

Black Ice

This morning, Rich (aka Snuffy-as in the elusive Snuffleupagus. Much talked about but seldom seen) and I set off on another beloved Grandeur loop. The temp at the start was a refreshing 20 degrees. Add the lovely Parleys Canyon early morning gale force wind and the tears in the corner of my eyes were frozen in about 3.7 seconds. We took it easy to the top by the light of an almost full moon. Descending into Church Fork we prudently donned Yaktrax to help with the footing. Last weeks loop proved to be treacherous with long stretches of ice and I figured we'd need a little traction. The ice was so hard and so slick that we still shuffled our slow way down slipping and sliding through some sections. A couple falls, a bruised and bloody hip and a broken Yaktrax later, and I've decided my renewed weekly forays up Grandeur Peak will stop at week two until there is fresh snow or the temperature hits 65 degrees. I'd strongly advise anyone else to do the same.