Are You Born to Run?
Are You Born to Run?
Greetings, running friends!
This running trip is all about an annual 50 miles or so ultra race that began in 2005 in Urique, Mexico, home of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon. It's fame has increased for many reasons, one of which is the popularity of the book by Chris McDougal, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, And, if you read the book and were also googling away at words like Raramuri, kurami, corn beer, Caballo Blanco, and pinole, this trip is for you!
Let's run! The start, finish, and pass throughs at miles 20 and 40, are all at the center of the little village of Urique. Urique is located in the base of one of the majestic canyons of the Sierra Madres a vast mountain region where the Native American Raramuri have lived caring for the land and themselves for hundreds of years. The running is about half rolling dirt roads, and the other half is 4 climbs up the canyons in different directions. 2 of the climbs are robust, and the total climbing is about 9300 feet. The weather is typically in the 80s in Mexican sun. The course also treats you to thrashing across the cool waters of the Urique River 4 times.
The Copper Canyon is the largest canyon in the Americas. True Story. Think Grand Canyon- plus a little more depth (really!), and a lot more connecting canyons, mountains, and chasms. You can check it out on the internet and satellite maps. In person, the views will be with you forever. It is (was) a secret natural wonder of the world.
Urique is a lot harder to get to than the Grand Canyon. How hard? The most comfortable, and fastest way to get there is take a regular American Airlines flight to Chihuahua, then the famous El Chepe passenger train west for 8 hours, and then hire a local vehicle or bus for the final 3 hours and 30 miles of single lane canyon road south to Urique at a steady crawl. (There is some good youtube out there on this ride). The rule is to take the last 3 hours by daylight, no fear. 2 days travel from Baltimore each way, and about a thousand dollars round trip for transportation is about right.
The race has grown to have significant prize money of about $10,000 that is shared 10 deep, 500 pounds of corn for each finisher, and much more corn for the leaders. Hundreds of Raramuri arrive by foot or hitchhike in hopes of returning to their communities with bounty. What a great idea! And, it is no secret that this part of the world- an area that has outlived the trouble that outsiders have brought for hundreds of years is troubled again with lawlessness and development that have greatly limited the local ways and their famous fleet travel by foot. For this one weekend, the little canyon town of Urique was the center of the world for over 300 Raramuri, 60 international runners, politicians, press, film crews, and scores of interested families and fans, all celebrating and sharing the common joy of running. Know this: The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon is a great celebration, making a small, but very meaningful difference, sustaining the wonderful legends of the great running people and their way of life.
The Race: This year's race was the greatest! The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon has found it's legs in new fame, prizes, and pride. When we started at 6:30AM, I was running plenty fast for a mountain 50 miler. I started at a smooth and rested pace, cruising out of town, splashing across the river, and up 5 rather difficult and hot early morning miles, just to watch the leaders coming back. And, was I back! Maybe 100th from last! These runners rock! Running valiantly, going for the win, not wanting to be first loser, the Comrades way. But 50 miles is a long way to go in the Mexican sun on mountain trails. The day wore on, and on, with runners succumbing to heat, cramps, bonking, and inevitable human limitations.
In the end, the course record of 7 hours and 12 minutes was set, and the locals ran the table, taking all but 6th place of the top 10! Yes, most in huaraches, and many in traditional Raramuri dress. One more notch for the greatest runners in the world. The legend lives on.
Btw, I gave the pinole a good go, and although it is excellent road food, it is not pixie dust. There is no substitute for passion and aptitude! My day was great, full of challenges with hydration, heat, and hills. From early morning until the end, I was drinking 50 ozs an hour from my excellent fuel belt, sucking down countless Gringo gels and S Caps, vitamin I's, in my cool Innov 295s. I was full of myself, knocking off tough miles, running, cheering, smiling. No fair? Hardly, I was still slower than many locals who amazingly took in only water and pinole, without fancy running shoes, running bottles, or synthetic anything. I am thrilled to acknowledge that I am the one that is still going to school.
Kindly, we should think about this great run and the pure life of the Raramuri. We spend trillions of dollars on caring for and curing our bodies and we can barely compete here? I recommend awarding more corn at our races.
And what of Caballo Blanco? Micah True does indeed exist and is the race director and the oracle, literally reaching us as you read this. But don't be misled into thinking that he would expect thanks for the great work that he is doing here. Caballo is fully assimilated into many of the great Raramuri ways, one of which is acting for no good reason but for the act itself. There is no place to give credit or thanks to be given. It is all about the running people and the canyon.
So I ran with the Raramuri, and a posse of passionate Gringos, in the greatest Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon. I got what I came for, and brought home some kurami. Yippie-ki-yay! A great day, a great way, and definitely born to run.
Henry Peck
30th of 367 Starters and 160 finishers, 9 hours and 6 minutes
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/sports/caballo-blancos-last-run-the-micah-true-story.html?_r=2&utm_campaign=Feed:%20nyt/rss/Sports%20%28NYT%20%3E%20Sports%29&utm_medium=feed&adxnnl=1&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports&utm_source=feedburner&adxnnlx=1337560229-NNTh72e2yEO6HC9OvdSkOw
Greetings, running friends!
This running trip is all about an annual 50 miles or so ultra race that began in 2005 in Urique, Mexico, home of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon. It's fame has increased for many reasons, one of which is the popularity of the book by Chris McDougal, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, And, if you read the book and were also googling away at words like Raramuri, kurami, corn beer, Caballo Blanco, and pinole, this trip is for you!
Let's run! The start, finish, and pass throughs at miles 20 and 40, are all at the center of the little village of Urique. Urique is located in the base of one of the majestic canyons of the Sierra Madres a vast mountain region where the Native American Raramuri have lived caring for the land and themselves for hundreds of years. The running is about half rolling dirt roads, and the other half is 4 climbs up the canyons in different directions. 2 of the climbs are robust, and the total climbing is about 9300 feet. The weather is typically in the 80s in Mexican sun. The course also treats you to thrashing across the cool waters of the Urique River 4 times.
The Copper Canyon is the largest canyon in the Americas. True Story. Think Grand Canyon- plus a little more depth (really!), and a lot more connecting canyons, mountains, and chasms. You can check it out on the internet and satellite maps. In person, the views will be with you forever. It is (was) a secret natural wonder of the world.
Urique is a lot harder to get to than the Grand Canyon. How hard? The most comfortable, and fastest way to get there is take a regular American Airlines flight to Chihuahua, then the famous El Chepe passenger train west for 8 hours, and then hire a local vehicle or bus for the final 3 hours and 30 miles of single lane canyon road south to Urique at a steady crawl. (There is some good youtube out there on this ride). The rule is to take the last 3 hours by daylight, no fear. 2 days travel from Baltimore each way, and about a thousand dollars round trip for transportation is about right.
The race has grown to have significant prize money of about $10,000 that is shared 10 deep, 500 pounds of corn for each finisher, and much more corn for the leaders. Hundreds of Raramuri arrive by foot or hitchhike in hopes of returning to their communities with bounty. What a great idea! And, it is no secret that this part of the world- an area that has outlived the trouble that outsiders have brought for hundreds of years is troubled again with lawlessness and development that have greatly limited the local ways and their famous fleet travel by foot. For this one weekend, the little canyon town of Urique was the center of the world for over 300 Raramuri, 60 international runners, politicians, press, film crews, and scores of interested families and fans, all celebrating and sharing the common joy of running. Know this: The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon is a great celebration, making a small, but very meaningful difference, sustaining the wonderful legends of the great running people and their way of life.
The Race: This year's race was the greatest! The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon has found it's legs in new fame, prizes, and pride. When we started at 6:30AM, I was running plenty fast for a mountain 50 miler. I started at a smooth and rested pace, cruising out of town, splashing across the river, and up 5 rather difficult and hot early morning miles, just to watch the leaders coming back. And, was I back! Maybe 100th from last! These runners rock! Running valiantly, going for the win, not wanting to be first loser, the Comrades way. But 50 miles is a long way to go in the Mexican sun on mountain trails. The day wore on, and on, with runners succumbing to heat, cramps, bonking, and inevitable human limitations.
In the end, the course record of 7 hours and 12 minutes was set, and the locals ran the table, taking all but 6th place of the top 10! Yes, most in huaraches, and many in traditional Raramuri dress. One more notch for the greatest runners in the world. The legend lives on.
Btw, I gave the pinole a good go, and although it is excellent road food, it is not pixie dust. There is no substitute for passion and aptitude! My day was great, full of challenges with hydration, heat, and hills. From early morning until the end, I was drinking 50 ozs an hour from my excellent fuel belt, sucking down countless Gringo gels and S Caps, vitamin I's, in my cool Innov 295s. I was full of myself, knocking off tough miles, running, cheering, smiling. No fair? Hardly, I was still slower than many locals who amazingly took in only water and pinole, without fancy running shoes, running bottles, or synthetic anything. I am thrilled to acknowledge that I am the one that is still going to school.
Kindly, we should think about this great run and the pure life of the Raramuri. We spend trillions of dollars on caring for and curing our bodies and we can barely compete here? I recommend awarding more corn at our races.
And what of Caballo Blanco? Micah True does indeed exist and is the race director and the oracle, literally reaching us as you read this. But don't be misled into thinking that he would expect thanks for the great work that he is doing here. Caballo is fully assimilated into many of the great Raramuri ways, one of which is acting for no good reason but for the act itself. There is no place to give credit or thanks to be given. It is all about the running people and the canyon.
So I ran with the Raramuri, and a posse of passionate Gringos, in the greatest Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon. I got what I came for, and brought home some kurami. Yippie-ki-yay! A great day, a great way, and definitely born to run.
Henry Peck
30th of 367 Starters and 160 finishers, 9 hours and 6 minutes
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/sports/caballo-blancos-last-run-the-micah-true-story.html?_r=2&utm_campaign=Feed:%20nyt/rss/Sports%20%28NYT%20%3E%20Sports%29&utm_medium=feed&adxnnl=1&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports&utm_source=feedburner&adxnnlx=1337560229-NNTh72e2yEO6HC9OvdSkOw
Rim to Rim to Rim
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19841
Mt. Whitney / Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Trail Runs, Summer 2009 PART
Flashback to 2001: It was November, 2001, and my family was staying at El Tovar on the rim of the Grand Canyon. My 12 year old son, Graham and I, had committed to the classic, Rim to Rim run. That would be running down the south rim to the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch and back to the south rim. Being the totally in charge and responsible Dad, I had done the homework needed to know this was doable for us.
Right to plan, my son and I left in the cool predawn with a single overloaded backpack on me with the clothes, food, and drink needed for both of us, ready for whatever unfolds. It went great. The run down was a long 2 hours, and the run up was a long 3 hours. We pretty much jogged the whole wonderful adventure. And, predictably, Graham was beyond sore like only a 12 year old can get. But what a trip! After all, it is THE Grand Canyon. Let's just throw it out there: RTR, 5 hours and 25 minutes, 12 years old. Hahh!
Early, on the way down on that trip, coming up the other way was a single runner. A woman, dressed out in the tell tale dirty trail running garb, moving with that great ultra running patter, and wearing that unmistakeable look. No words spoken, nor need be. I knew. She was finishing a solo RTRTR. RTRTR: It's less than 50 miles, and only 2 hills to climb. Tee, hee. Boy, I wanted a piece of that, someday.
Back to 2009:
So in February of 2009, when my cousin Ed claimed the coveted August 30th passes to hike on Mt Whitney, my head was already into seeing if this could be The ticket for a RTRTR. After all, the Grand Canyon is only 400 miles away from Mount Whitney, right? But, it wasn't going to be an easy negotiation to convince the team to consider a trip to the Grand Canyon, much less run across it, and back. There is much written that just hustling to the summit of Mt Whitney is over the top, not a good plan. Blah, blah, altitude sickness, falling accidents, and it's supposed to take like 3 days. Heck, I might be doing this RTRTR by myself, which would be fine, if that's the way it goes. But I knew for sure where Whitney was going. Summiting And Running. In fact, I knew then, that if the team doesn’t get it’s legs and plan to Run Whitney, we are wasting our time asking for the RTRTR.
Word got around! Henry has lost his mind (again or is it still?), but no one will get hurt (he says).
How do you get 50 year old men with limited running experience to join a first time team running to the highest summit in the continental 48, immediately followed by a summer RTRTR run? You make it their idea, of course!
Very long story short: Sometime between June and August, Bill and Ed, the 2 cowboys, became running addicts. Ultrarunners, you know what I mean! Two more cowboys become ultrarunners, joining Rachel and me on the team. Before the awakening, we had 4 people hiking Mount Whitney. Now we have a Team of 4 runners. That was a breakthrough. Yippee! THE Grand Canyon was in, and we are a Team of ultrarunners. Bring it on, let’s go get it!
It is well known that ultrarunners go RTRTR in the spring and fall. The fall dates are especially popular, as the running conditions are most favorable then. Best practice says: be very prepared, be very safe and ultrarunners can make it a 10(stud)-20(mortal) hours roundtrip, barring surprises. But this was September 1, a summer date. I still haven't met or read of others making a summer RTRTR. The day before our RTRTR run the high was 108F at Phantom Ranch. Not so good for running, or even surviving. So with due respect for the magnitude of the mission, we laid out a simple and very conservative plan. Take lots of food, drink, essentials, and completely avoid the sun and heat. No doubt, this is going to be awesome!
Just like in 2001, we stayed right to plan. We left the magnificent south rim in the late afternoon, fortunate to be running in a brief rain shower. A long 2 hours later we are in the steamy evening of Phantom Ranch which was cooler than average, maybe 90 F.
I dropped about half my fat ass mule load for the breakfast return, including a six pack of ensure, Starbucks coffees, and stuff like that. Then, off to the north rim. We protected our strength and power and walked most of that 6k ft climb. At about midnight, we reached the north rim and it was cold and windy, as expected. And, out of respect to avoid banging into overhangs, or falling off trail to a hard to explain death, we ran carefully, most of the way back down to Phantom Ranch, reaching there at about 4 AM. We saw not a soul all night. Mountain goats, bats, snakes, lizards, but no rangers, runners, or hikers. It was an easy and grand trip, so far. What a natural wonder! The great Grand Canyon will not be denied, even in the darkness of night, it has special glory.
After breakfast and a short break at Phantom, it was time for the final assault up the magnificent south side, while we enjoyed sunrise, and escaped the bottom of the Canyon and the heat of the day. The team was tagged, and we obliged the Canyon Gods with power walking that last climb.
So, in 17 hours, a rare SUMMER RTRTR quietly happens. Ain’t the beer cold?!! And along the way, two 50 year olds celebrate their birthdays as new born ultrarunners, a team of 4 make a bond that will endure their lifetimes, and I get my RTRTR. What a deal!
For PART 1 go to: http://www.athlinks.com/myContentDisplay.aspx?itemid=190265
Early, on the way down on that trip, coming up the other way was a single runner. A woman, dressed out in the tell tale dirty trail running garb, moving with that great ultra running patter, and wearing that unmistakeable look. No words spoken, nor need be. I knew. She was finishing a solo RTRTR. RTRTR: It's less than 50 miles, and only 2 hills to climb. Tee, hee. Boy, I wanted a piece of that, someday.
Back to 2009:
So in February of 2009, when my cousin Ed claimed the coveted August 30th passes to hike on Mt Whitney, my head was already into seeing if this could be The ticket for a RTRTR. After all, the Grand Canyon is only 400 miles away from Mount Whitney, right? But, it wasn't going to be an easy negotiation to convince the team to consider a trip to the Grand Canyon, much less run across it, and back. There is much written that just hustling to the summit of Mt Whitney is over the top, not a good plan. Blah, blah, altitude sickness, falling accidents, and it's supposed to take like 3 days. Heck, I might be doing this RTRTR by myself, which would be fine, if that's the way it goes. But I knew for sure where Whitney was going. Summiting And Running. In fact, I knew then, that if the team doesn’t get it’s legs and plan to Run Whitney, we are wasting our time asking for the RTRTR.
Word got around! Henry has lost his mind (again or is it still?), but no one will get hurt (he says).
How do you get 50 year old men with limited running experience to join a first time team running to the highest summit in the continental 48, immediately followed by a summer RTRTR run? You make it their idea, of course!
Very long story short: Sometime between June and August, Bill and Ed, the 2 cowboys, became running addicts. Ultrarunners, you know what I mean! Two more cowboys become ultrarunners, joining Rachel and me on the team. Before the awakening, we had 4 people hiking Mount Whitney. Now we have a Team of 4 runners. That was a breakthrough. Yippee! THE Grand Canyon was in, and we are a Team of ultrarunners. Bring it on, let’s go get it!
It is well known that ultrarunners go RTRTR in the spring and fall. The fall dates are especially popular, as the running conditions are most favorable then. Best practice says: be very prepared, be very safe and ultrarunners can make it a 10(stud)-20(mortal) hours roundtrip, barring surprises. But this was September 1, a summer date. I still haven't met or read of others making a summer RTRTR. The day before our RTRTR run the high was 108F at Phantom Ranch. Not so good for running, or even surviving. So with due respect for the magnitude of the mission, we laid out a simple and very conservative plan. Take lots of food, drink, essentials, and completely avoid the sun and heat. No doubt, this is going to be awesome!
Just like in 2001, we stayed right to plan. We left the magnificent south rim in the late afternoon, fortunate to be running in a brief rain shower. A long 2 hours later we are in the steamy evening of Phantom Ranch which was cooler than average, maybe 90 F.
I dropped about half my fat ass mule load for the breakfast return, including a six pack of ensure, Starbucks coffees, and stuff like that. Then, off to the north rim. We protected our strength and power and walked most of that 6k ft climb. At about midnight, we reached the north rim and it was cold and windy, as expected. And, out of respect to avoid banging into overhangs, or falling off trail to a hard to explain death, we ran carefully, most of the way back down to Phantom Ranch, reaching there at about 4 AM. We saw not a soul all night. Mountain goats, bats, snakes, lizards, but no rangers, runners, or hikers. It was an easy and grand trip, so far. What a natural wonder! The great Grand Canyon will not be denied, even in the darkness of night, it has special glory.
After breakfast and a short break at Phantom, it was time for the final assault up the magnificent south side, while we enjoyed sunrise, and escaped the bottom of the Canyon and the heat of the day. The team was tagged, and we obliged the Canyon Gods with power walking that last climb.
So, in 17 hours, a rare SUMMER RTRTR quietly happens. Ain’t the beer cold?!! And along the way, two 50 year olds celebrate their birthdays as new born ultrarunners, a team of 4 make a bond that will endure their lifetimes, and I get my RTRTR. What a deal!
For PART 1 go to: http://www.athlinks.com/myContentDisplay.aspx?itemid=190265
Wasatch 100
Why Would You Want to Run the Wasatch 100?
Greetings, running friends!
Have you ever been asked why you would want to punish yourself running a marathon, or the like? If you are like me, your sanity is questioned for just running our training runs, much less our ultramarathons and running adventures. You know what I mean. So, running friends, hopeful of your understanding and your reading interest, I offer here why I would go to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah to run a rugged, high altitude, 100 miler:
-I have never run a great western 100, and I really wanted to bag one.
-I am not getting any younger. In fact, I have set a PW (personal worst) at nearly every distance this year. Maybe time is of the essence………… maybe- probably not, but maybe. As the great BRRC veterans Stan Neumann and Jim Harrsion both have wisely advised me, "Henry, you are wise to go get those 100s now, while you still can." It will be painful for me to give it up some day, I am so not looking forward to that.
-And finally, having not won a lottery entry at Western States, that leaves the 2 other Grand Slam 100s, Leadville and Wasatch, as the most royal on my wish list. So I entered the Wasatch lottery, won a spot, and there you go!
The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run is more appropriately called "One Hundred Miles of Heaven and Hell", and is run the first weekend after Labor Day. It is a point to point race through the majestic Wasatch Mountains, in ski country near Salt Lake City. Despite the growth in ultrarunning and Wasatch being one of the largest and most recognized 100s, it seemed to me that Wasatch has not changed much over the years. For example, at the very short prerace meeting, the race director makes a matter of fact statement that goes something like: “…we have another great crowd on hand, including a who's who of great runners, and interested volunteers; and, as it is our tradition, we will recognize none of them today”. I laughed to myself, but there were many more just nodding, knowingly. Way to go! Fittingly, Wasatch is also the last of the Grand Slam 100 mile races, and the awards for those few accomplishing all 4 races in one summer, are presented there.
This is a tough race. There are plenty of mountains and canyons, over 26,000 feet of ups and downs. That is about 100 x's the Boston Marathon's elevation change. Some of the runners, leaders and pack, use poles on the race. I used poles for about 20 miles, during the zombie all nighter time. There are not a lot of aid stations. You start in the dark, bagging a windy summit, including a 5000 foot climb, before arriving at the first aid station. The first aid station is about 19 miles out, or about 4 hours self supported time for the swift, and more than 5 hours away if you hustle at my pace. The going is so slow, that the race accommodates a Friday predawn start (you may need 2 days) instead of the traditional Saturday start. That's bragging rights.
History will note that the 2010 weather was especially cool and cooperative. We had icy footing with a little wet snow at the summits on the first day. The mud and ice on the first morning meant some extra exposure, and I was using my hands plenty for getting up and staying secure. The cold weather was a positive tradeoff for having only 80 degree high altitude sun in the desert of Lamb's Canyon later in the day. Usually, the heat and sun in the mid race desert section takes many out of the race. I did run out of water in that section, and had a bout of muscle cramps from dehydration. No worries, I have been there countless times, that was just a minor bad patch. I walked and trotted for a few miles to the next aid station, pounded some extra drinks and salt, and hup, hup, back at it.
I know that my technical running skills are a little weak compared to my peer group. But my technical running skills are WAY off the pace compared to those stellar mountain Utes at Wasatch. There are parts of Wasatch that seem like running down a ditch on the side of a road at night. And, more importantly, there is the challenge of running in altitude. Ouch! My breathing is more like a steam engine even at sea level in Baltimore. Nope, there was not a glimmer of hope for any age group placing here for me. Sorry, to let you down, BRRC. This was not a fast run. But, lucky me, at least I had the best running team there!
One of our team was our BRRC Board member, Brian Flowers. Brian has been dipping his toes into trail and ultrarunning. When he found out about my Wasatch trip, he was enamored with the crackpot idea, and joined us on a mission to find out firsthand what that was all about. Brian was a great pacer- spirited, and mildly misbehaving. We shared a good run. One of our best moments came somewhere around mile 55, where we bagged a summit and a spectacular sunset, along with a lone runner who was unsuccessfully holding down a PBJ. I guess you had to be there. And, when my coughing and vocal wheezing started creeping in about mile 60, the good doctor diagnosed it as just a mild case of HAPE. Mild is the correct answer. Way to go, Brian! Welcome to ultrarunning.
Another pair on our team were the Hamricks. Bless the Hamricks! In March 2010, I first met Ruthanne and Dan Hamrick in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico, at the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon, where Ruthanne finished as the second woman. The Hamricks graciously fed and boarded me for a few days before the Wasatch race, acclimating with their family in the high altitude mountains of Northern New Mexico. If it was not for the days with the Hamricks, the cutoff times would have been creeping in. During the run, Ruthanne was there pacing for us in the darkest time. About mile 70, we arrived at the aptly named Desolation Lake, an unmanned aid station with a kerosene heated tent and one extra empty cot. I was tempted to take a power nap next to a rather collapsed and gaunt looking soul. But chatty, positive, reserved Ruthanne was there- yes, suddenly and clearly, all there! The competitive spirit of the great runner that she is surfaced on demand. She was there to make it clear that there is no fountain of youth and no place to feel sorry for yourself at Desolation Lake. What was I thinking?? We said a little prayer for that gaunt soul, and hup, hup, back at it.
And rounding out our team we were most fortunate to have my dear running friend, great pacer and writer, Rachel Toor. I hope you all know encouraging and knowledgeable runners like Rachel. The sun came up, and we stepped it up. 25 more miles could just have well been 100, no problems. I was down to wheezing half breaths, and the tendons in my left ankle were starting to give into wretching inward. But when you have your pacer just in sight up ahead, looking back, with an encouraging cheer, "cowboy up!", you just put your sunglasses on to hide the tears of happiness. This was a great running vacation.
So this was a running vacation with running friends, and that is why I ran Wasatch. If you would like to know more about this race or need a pacer for yours, please let me know. Happy Trails!
2010 Wasatch
31 hours, 37 minutes
94th Place, 244 Starters
Greetings, running friends!
Have you ever been asked why you would want to punish yourself running a marathon, or the like? If you are like me, your sanity is questioned for just running our training runs, much less our ultramarathons and running adventures. You know what I mean. So, running friends, hopeful of your understanding and your reading interest, I offer here why I would go to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah to run a rugged, high altitude, 100 miler:
-I have never run a great western 100, and I really wanted to bag one.
-I am not getting any younger. In fact, I have set a PW (personal worst) at nearly every distance this year. Maybe time is of the essence………… maybe- probably not, but maybe. As the great BRRC veterans Stan Neumann and Jim Harrsion both have wisely advised me, "Henry, you are wise to go get those 100s now, while you still can." It will be painful for me to give it up some day, I am so not looking forward to that.
-And finally, having not won a lottery entry at Western States, that leaves the 2 other Grand Slam 100s, Leadville and Wasatch, as the most royal on my wish list. So I entered the Wasatch lottery, won a spot, and there you go!
The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run is more appropriately called "One Hundred Miles of Heaven and Hell", and is run the first weekend after Labor Day. It is a point to point race through the majestic Wasatch Mountains, in ski country near Salt Lake City. Despite the growth in ultrarunning and Wasatch being one of the largest and most recognized 100s, it seemed to me that Wasatch has not changed much over the years. For example, at the very short prerace meeting, the race director makes a matter of fact statement that goes something like: “…we have another great crowd on hand, including a who's who of great runners, and interested volunteers; and, as it is our tradition, we will recognize none of them today”. I laughed to myself, but there were many more just nodding, knowingly. Way to go! Fittingly, Wasatch is also the last of the Grand Slam 100 mile races, and the awards for those few accomplishing all 4 races in one summer, are presented there.
This is a tough race. There are plenty of mountains and canyons, over 26,000 feet of ups and downs. That is about 100 x's the Boston Marathon's elevation change. Some of the runners, leaders and pack, use poles on the race. I used poles for about 20 miles, during the zombie all nighter time. There are not a lot of aid stations. You start in the dark, bagging a windy summit, including a 5000 foot climb, before arriving at the first aid station. The first aid station is about 19 miles out, or about 4 hours self supported time for the swift, and more than 5 hours away if you hustle at my pace. The going is so slow, that the race accommodates a Friday predawn start (you may need 2 days) instead of the traditional Saturday start. That's bragging rights.
History will note that the 2010 weather was especially cool and cooperative. We had icy footing with a little wet snow at the summits on the first day. The mud and ice on the first morning meant some extra exposure, and I was using my hands plenty for getting up and staying secure. The cold weather was a positive tradeoff for having only 80 degree high altitude sun in the desert of Lamb's Canyon later in the day. Usually, the heat and sun in the mid race desert section takes many out of the race. I did run out of water in that section, and had a bout of muscle cramps from dehydration. No worries, I have been there countless times, that was just a minor bad patch. I walked and trotted for a few miles to the next aid station, pounded some extra drinks and salt, and hup, hup, back at it.
I know that my technical running skills are a little weak compared to my peer group. But my technical running skills are WAY off the pace compared to those stellar mountain Utes at Wasatch. There are parts of Wasatch that seem like running down a ditch on the side of a road at night. And, more importantly, there is the challenge of running in altitude. Ouch! My breathing is more like a steam engine even at sea level in Baltimore. Nope, there was not a glimmer of hope for any age group placing here for me. Sorry, to let you down, BRRC. This was not a fast run. But, lucky me, at least I had the best running team there!
One of our team was our BRRC Board member, Brian Flowers. Brian has been dipping his toes into trail and ultrarunning. When he found out about my Wasatch trip, he was enamored with the crackpot idea, and joined us on a mission to find out firsthand what that was all about. Brian was a great pacer- spirited, and mildly misbehaving. We shared a good run. One of our best moments came somewhere around mile 55, where we bagged a summit and a spectacular sunset, along with a lone runner who was unsuccessfully holding down a PBJ. I guess you had to be there. And, when my coughing and vocal wheezing started creeping in about mile 60, the good doctor diagnosed it as just a mild case of HAPE. Mild is the correct answer. Way to go, Brian! Welcome to ultrarunning.
Another pair on our team were the Hamricks. Bless the Hamricks! In March 2010, I first met Ruthanne and Dan Hamrick in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico, at the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon, where Ruthanne finished as the second woman. The Hamricks graciously fed and boarded me for a few days before the Wasatch race, acclimating with their family in the high altitude mountains of Northern New Mexico. If it was not for the days with the Hamricks, the cutoff times would have been creeping in. During the run, Ruthanne was there pacing for us in the darkest time. About mile 70, we arrived at the aptly named Desolation Lake, an unmanned aid station with a kerosene heated tent and one extra empty cot. I was tempted to take a power nap next to a rather collapsed and gaunt looking soul. But chatty, positive, reserved Ruthanne was there- yes, suddenly and clearly, all there! The competitive spirit of the great runner that she is surfaced on demand. She was there to make it clear that there is no fountain of youth and no place to feel sorry for yourself at Desolation Lake. What was I thinking?? We said a little prayer for that gaunt soul, and hup, hup, back at it.
And rounding out our team we were most fortunate to have my dear running friend, great pacer and writer, Rachel Toor. I hope you all know encouraging and knowledgeable runners like Rachel. The sun came up, and we stepped it up. 25 more miles could just have well been 100, no problems. I was down to wheezing half breaths, and the tendons in my left ankle were starting to give into wretching inward. But when you have your pacer just in sight up ahead, looking back, with an encouraging cheer, "cowboy up!", you just put your sunglasses on to hide the tears of happiness. This was a great running vacation.
So this was a running vacation with running friends, and that is why I ran Wasatch. If you would like to know more about this race or need a pacer for yours, please let me know. Happy Trails!
2010 Wasatch
31 hours, 37 minutes
94th Place, 244 Starters
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BRRC 2010 Awards & Picnic
