Well, another SpeedGoat passes with the dragon winning again. Make no mistake, this truly is the hardest 50K around. Packing this much climb, descent, rough terrain, and general abuse into 32 miles is pretty much unique in the Ultra-running world. However, this year I decided to really make it hard by effectively negating any possibility of maintaining electrolytes and fueling capability.
This wasn't an intentional handicapping of the race. I started the race with full intention of fueling normally and maintaining my electrolyte balance. However, I had changed from Hammer Nutrition products to Elyte Tablytes, DCG protein, and ISO 100 Carbohydrate supplements. Yes, I know... NEVER switch anything on race day... and I normally follow this principle. However, I let several factors influence me to disregard this bit of "running gospel".
First, I was a bit pressured, as I let my supply of Hammer products dwindle and really didn't have enough time to order more before the race. Second, I entertained the idea of trying different products as they were significantly less expensive than the Hammer products. And lastly, I chose to ignore my intuition which continually warned me that this could turn out badly.
So... race day: I forget to take an electrolyte tab until right before the gun sounds, so I pop one and take a few sips of my protein/carb mix (100g of carbs and 25g of protein). I head out and am feeling strong, so the climb to Hidden peak feels pretty good... except for a nagging pain in my stomach. About 1/2 way to hidden peak, the pain in the stomach becomes nagging, and each sip of my fuel results in an increase of the pain.
At the Hidden Peak aid station, I've only finished half of my fuel bottle, so I choose to dilute my fuel with water in in the hopes that it will be less irritating in dilute concentration. I also pop another electrolyte tablet... and it creates a very significant nausea. I run up to Mt. Baldy with this nagging nausea, and then down to "Larry's Hole" aid station at the bottom of Mineral Basin. I've been unable to take any supplementation at all at this point, so I just put more water in my Nathan pack, and head out to the descent into Dutch Flat, and the next aid station. This descent is pounding, tough running, primarily descending a dry creek bed/4x4 trail, but being a descent, my actual physical exertion is minimized and I'm able to stave off the desire to hurl.
After arriving at the aid station, I enjoyed their "ice-water towels" immensely, which helped drop my body temperature, and the grape Popsicle actually felt good on my stomach. I actually thought this might be the turning point, so I ate some watermelon, and a piece of boiled potato. I topped off my water, and headed for the most sustained climb of the run. This is where I realized that a complete lack of electrolyte supplementation, and very minimal glycogen replacement can create a self-perpetuating downward spiral.
The nausea finally got to me and I gave up the little I was able to take in at the aid station. This now becomes the recurring theme... hurl, feel somewhat "better", keep hammering up the climb... hurl, feel somewhat "better", keep hammering up the climb, repeat, repeat, repeat. I finally make it to Larry's Hole for the second time, but I'm toast. I'm totally glycogen starved, and my electrolyte balance is toast. I'm getting muscle cramps and twitches, and I'm becoming increasingly uncoordinated. I express my situation to the crew at the aid station, and one of the ladies asks what electrolyte supplements I normally used. I told her Hammer Endurolytes, and she tells me she has a small packet in her bag.
I pop two endurolytes, and within minutes that nagging pain in my stomach starts to abate. I take two more 15 minutes into my agonizingly slow progress towards the Tunnel Aid Station, and my coordination starts to come back. The only "take along" carbs they had at Larry's Hole was a small ziplock bag of corn chips, and I try to nibble on those, and manage to get two or three of them down without immediate nausea. I have to stop several times to avoid active nausea, and with completely glycogen-starved muscles, I'm moving incredibly slowly.
I pop two more endurolytes as I get to the "avalanche gun" in mineral basin, which continues to improve how I "feel", but I'm still incredibly weak. I finally get to the Tunnel Aid Station, but I'm about 10 minutes late. I don't make the cut-off, and my number is pulled... I'm out of the race. At this point, I'm not sad... I feel shaky and weak, and it's highly unlikely that I'd recover during the next 10 miles to the finish. I take the ski-lift down to the Tram Plaza. Chriss meets me there, and once at the car, I have my Hammer "Recoverite", adn I start to drink it slowly to test out my system. Slightly more balanced due to the Endurolytes, my system takes the Recoverite well, and by the time I get home, I actually feel fine, just a bit tired.
A day later, I'm not sore or stiff, with the exception of my shins due to the constant climbing. I have no residual stomach distress, and I essentially don't have any negative effect at all. I think I now have a text-book example of how the human body can be VERY selective when it's pushed to extremes. I'm apparently ONLY a Hammer Nutrition athlete. Lesson Learned.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Decisions of a Mad-Man
Well, the SpeedGoat is only two weeks away, and I'm definitely excited to tackle this "most difficult 50K in America". The SpeedGoat's topo is pretty telling -
It's either up, or down, and steep either way. Last year I took a long slider on a steep section of trail and had to bail out after only 14 miles. Bailing required another 3 miles of walking back out, so I spent a couple of weeks limping around and being frustrated with my performance. So, with that wonderfully gnarly race pending, I found myself with the opportunity to run the BEAR 100 in September as my first 100-miler... and yes, I'm going to do it. Steve, Allen, and Dan from my office have already committed to pace me after mile 37, and my wonderful wife has agreed to be crew chief. :) I'm going to have to hammer the mileage at altitude after the SpeedGoat to prepare for this monster run. I'm already planning several Timpanogos runs in the 20-24 mile range, and of course dragging Steve, Allen, and Dan along for the fun ;) The best part is that I've finally committed to do a 100. It's almost cathartic to have that commitment behind me, and now it's just perparation. As always, I'll be blogging from the courses where possible (not an option at SpeedGoat due to the fact that only the first 9 miles and last 6 miles have any reception at all), so stay tuned in for notifications and videos of my next epic adventure!
It's either up, or down, and steep either way. Last year I took a long slider on a steep section of trail and had to bail out after only 14 miles. Bailing required another 3 miles of walking back out, so I spent a couple of weeks limping around and being frustrated with my performance. So, with that wonderfully gnarly race pending, I found myself with the opportunity to run the BEAR 100 in September as my first 100-miler... and yes, I'm going to do it. Steve, Allen, and Dan from my office have already committed to pace me after mile 37, and my wonderful wife has agreed to be crew chief. :) I'm going to have to hammer the mileage at altitude after the SpeedGoat to prepare for this monster run. I'm already planning several Timpanogos runs in the 20-24 mile range, and of course dragging Steve, Allen, and Dan along for the fun ;) The best part is that I've finally committed to do a 100. It's almost cathartic to have that commitment behind me, and now it's just perparation. As always, I'll be blogging from the courses where possible (not an option at SpeedGoat due to the fact that only the first 9 miles and last 6 miles have any reception at all), so stay tuned in for notifications and videos of my next epic adventure!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Squaw Peak 50 Mile Trail Run Wrap-up
Well, John got the results up for the Squaw Peak 50 miler, and as a relatively mediocre ultra-runner I was reasonably pleased with my result. First off, I FINISHED… Always a good concept with an ultra-marathon. In talking with several more accomplished runners, the Squaw Peak is a fairly tough run due to the elevation changes, so I’ll take “finished” as a key accomplishment. My time was 13:26:51, which put me 105th out of 220 Overall, 89th out of 173 Male, 46th out of 103 Masters Category, and 33rd out of 59 for Age Group 40-49. Long live Mediocrity! ;)
In reality, I had a great time. This was one of the most enjoyable runs I’ve had since starting ultra-marathons. The terrain was amazing, both in visual beauty and how it ran as a course. John did a great job linking up some great trails for the course, and the volunteers at the Aid Stations were awesome! Arriving at Aid 7 and seeing Karl Meltzer there handing out S-tabs and slices of salted potatoes was an extra bonus. Many thanks to all those volunteers who spent their Saturday manning the aid stations and supporting those of us nutty enough to participate in this event.
I also succeeded in keeping the blisters to almost NONE! I changed out socks at Aid 8 (mile 33), and re-applied Aquaphor between my toes, and despite some hideous terrain over the 50 miles, I ended up with only one small blister on my left big toe. I’ll call that a major success! My La Sportiva Wildcats performed perfectly as well. One side note here… I used a Brand New pair for the race. This is a testament to finding a pair of shoes that fit perfectly, and sticking with them. The Wildcat in a 42.5 fits perfectly, and I simply slipped in my orthotics and ran. It’s a great feeling to know I’ve finally found “the shoe” for me.
Recovery has been interesting. During the final few miles of descent down to the finish, I kicked up some rocks and tagged one with the top of my right foot. Initially, I was concerned I might have chipped a bone in my foot, but it’s finally healing and I can “flex” my foot again. Otherwise, I was just sore, and took it pretty easy for two weeks, only doing light runs and weights. Now that I’m back on my normal training program, definitely feeling good and am excited to see how the Speedgoat goes!
In reality, I had a great time. This was one of the most enjoyable runs I’ve had since starting ultra-marathons. The terrain was amazing, both in visual beauty and how it ran as a course. John did a great job linking up some great trails for the course, and the volunteers at the Aid Stations were awesome! Arriving at Aid 7 and seeing Karl Meltzer there handing out S-tabs and slices of salted potatoes was an extra bonus. Many thanks to all those volunteers who spent their Saturday manning the aid stations and supporting those of us nutty enough to participate in this event.
I also succeeded in keeping the blisters to almost NONE! I changed out socks at Aid 8 (mile 33), and re-applied Aquaphor between my toes, and despite some hideous terrain over the 50 miles, I ended up with only one small blister on my left big toe. I’ll call that a major success! My La Sportiva Wildcats performed perfectly as well. One side note here… I used a Brand New pair for the race. This is a testament to finding a pair of shoes that fit perfectly, and sticking with them. The Wildcat in a 42.5 fits perfectly, and I simply slipped in my orthotics and ran. It’s a great feeling to know I’ve finally found “the shoe” for me.
Recovery has been interesting. During the final few miles of descent down to the finish, I kicked up some rocks and tagged one with the top of my right foot. Initially, I was concerned I might have chipped a bone in my foot, but it’s finally healing and I can “flex” my foot again. Otherwise, I was just sore, and took it pretty easy for two weeks, only doing light runs and weights. Now that I’m back on my normal training program, definitely feeling good and am excited to see how the Speedgoat goes!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Finish!!!!
Wow! What a race! It was a truly amazing experience, wrapped up with a great finish line, enthusiastic folks cheering as I entered the last 200 yards, and coolers full of COLD COKES! Wooohooo! Having Allen as my pacer for the last 16.4 miles was great, and made a huge difference in my mental state going up that crazy Windy Pass climb! Looking forward to next year's race!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
