The Buffalo 100 Mile Endurance Run

Time to catch up! I never realized how totally absorbing being the Race Director for an event was! Before I get into that, time to recap the Buffalo 100 Mile Endurance Run. First off, Jim Skaggs puts on a first-class event! Loved every minute of it! The start was at 12:00 Noon on Friday, and about 40 of us formed up for the start. Karl Meltzer was in attendance, and I knew I'd likely see him hammering back from his first 50 mile loop as I was heading out to the Ranch Aid Station.

The weather was cool and windy, so I was definitely feeling good and headed out at a good pace for the Elephant Head loop. Aid 1 (also Aid 2, 3, 12,13,and 14) came about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, but feeling good so I kept the pressure on for the loop out to the rock formation and after passing Aid 1 again, headed for the steep descent to the West shoreline of Antelope Island. The trail heads South parallel to the shoreline and then starts to climb back up to the summit via some very punishing switchbacks. I kept the pressure on, and by the time I hit Aid 1 again I was over an hour ahead of my goal pace. However, I was feeling like crap, and actually wasn't sure I'd be able to continue. That seems to be the cycle in a 100 miler for me. Run well, feel crappy, then feel good, then feel crappy, then feel good ;) Maybe that's what makes it so attractive?! I hit Aid 4 at Mile 22 and checked in, got some melon in me, and continued on to Aid 5. At this point I was starting to feel a little better as I'd backed off the pace a little. I was still 45 minutes ahead of schedule, but feeling good again so I decided to enjoy the run through the great single track on the east side of the island out to Aid 6 and 7. Aid 6 was managed by Black Diamond Equipment, so it was good to see a few folks I recognized in addition to my wife. I did the classic in/out at 6 and cooked it out to 7. By the time I hit 7, I was starting to "feel" it, partially because I'd been texting the executive staff I work for trying to help solve a breakdown in part of our reporting applications, and I was paying less attention to technique and more to the phone. Finally, on my way back from 7 I was able to call it "good" and put the phone away. Aid 8 (Black Diamond again) came with me maintaining that 45 minute ahead of pace time, and I grabbed my headlamp and headed out knowing nightfall was fast approaching and I'd need this for the "torn up" part of the course, and the rocky single track on the north loop. I love night running, and so I definitely enjoyed the next 15 miles. I came into the start/finish area for my 50 mile aid station, and picked up my first pacer.

Tim Shupe (on my left) would take me for the next 22 miles on the Elephant Head loop, and then Dan Eastman (on my right) would pick me up at this location for the last 28. Tim kept me on a good pace, despite a recurring "feel like crap, feeling good" cycle that continued most of the night. We arrived back at the start/finish aid station and I swapped out pacers and we headed into the pre-dawn light to finish out the last 28 miles. Dan kept me on a solid pace despite my whining and protesting, and we made good time out to the Ranch aid station. The return from ranch became less and less enjoyable as my left calf started to complain, at first quietly, but then loudly. By mile 89, I was in significant "hurt", and was doing my best "gimp hop" to move along.

At the Black Diamond aid station, a nurse from IHC did her best to release the muscle with some pressure point massage. The muscle would act like it was relaxing, but as soon as I stood up on it, it would tighten up worse than before. Dan convinced me to give it a shot, so we headed out at a snails pace. After another mile, I called it a day as I was basically hopping on my right leg to make progress. 91 miles in, I DNF'd rather than push it any further and risk a tear.

My feet were definitely ok with the idea of calling it a day too. I'd developed a few good blisters in in the process, so I need to re-think my shoes! The Buffalo is a fun run, with great support. The buffalo (Bison) do offer a unique element to the event, as they roam the island and in some cases get in the way of runners, requiring the runners to wait for them to pass, or even take WIDE detours. Bison are not known for beign fluffy and cuddly to runners getting too near them. Jim was very gracious when I came into the finish and told him I was a DNF at 91 miles, and he offered up a 50 mile finisher's mug as my consolation prize ;) I will display it proudly!