Since Pony Express, I have reached that 100 mile finish at the Buffalo Run out on Antelope Island in March. That was quite the adventure in itself. 100 miles is HARD! Since I can't leave a course unfinished, I just had to come back out to complete the Pony Express. I had to conquer what I originally set out to do a year ago. 2015 has been an interesting year of racing. I have struggled with knee pain (tripping and smacking it against a rock, a few times, equals one unhappy knee). Training and racing have been painful and healing a slow process. It is getting better and hopefully good enough to withstand 100 miles.
My inspiration for the race, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." -Isaiah 40:31
And the journey begins . . . .
The course - Start out at Lookout Campground and run the dirt road to Fish Springs, only 58 miles away, and then turnaround and run 42 miles back to Simpson Springs.
Friday - Race day
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| Arrived at the start around 7 a.m. You know you are in the right place when you see the rows of green lights. |
Oh the butterflies, nerves, and excitement of racing! This year I was assigned the 8 a.m. start time, same as last year. Runners started at 5, 6, and 7 a.m. as well. The race director assigned start times based on how fast he thought you could finish the course. Runners that needed more time started in earlier waves. Each wave included runners that were participating in the 50 and 100 miler. My pace plan was to try to hit around the same splits as I did last
year. That would put me in a good position to go under 20 hours. 100
miles is a LONG way and a lot can happen. I figure that I should always shoot
for what seems just out of reach and then if I have to go to plan B, C
or even D it's okay. After a quick pre-race meeting it was time to line up behind the starting line, the line drawn in the dirt with a stick, and begin this thing! Right at 8 a.m. we were off. The temperature was nice and cool. I knew I should enjoy it when I could since it was going to warm up quickly. There were 3 other girls - Stacy, Tara, and Kirsten, that were starting at 8 a.m. as well. I decided to hang back and run with them.
All of them were taking on 50 miles for the first time. How exciting! I loved hearing about some of their racing adventures. Stacy had completed Ironman Texas and it was fun to hear about her experience. At mile 2, they started their walk/run strategy and so I said good-bye, wished them luck, and continued on. (By the way, Tara ended up taking 1st overall female in the 50 and Stacy and Kirsten followed with 2nd and 3rd - amazing!) 
On my way to Simpson Springs, I ran at a comfortable pace, which felt nice and easy because it was downhill. I didn't want to go out too fast, but wanted to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and the downhill. It wasn't too long before it started warming up and then the downhill was gone. The course was dusty! Every time a vehicle passed, even if they were going slowly, they would kick up dust. I was literally eating people's dust all day and all night. :) A mile or so before the checkpoint the course was uphill. Soon enough the course passed by the monument and then runners were directed down a quick detour off the main road down to the Corral to check in at Simpson Springs. 1st checkpoint: 16.4 miles - 2 hours and 27 minutes (A few minutes faster than last year - about right where I wanted to be)
Simpson Springs to Dugway Well - 16.9 mile stretch
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| Kelly Olsen |
Plugging away to Dugway, it started to really warm up!!! Chad said that the temperature gauge in the car read 91 degrees outside - blech! I knew that I had to be smart and stay hydrated and not push too hard in the heat. I also knew that I had to stay on top of taking salt tablets and electrolytes. My little crew was great at switching out my water bottles to make sure I always had nice cold water. Chad had bought me a few cooling towels and head wrap which helped as well. I also dumped ice down my sports bra, ah yes! Running along that all too familiar pain in my left knee came to the surface. It was a dull ache and luckily something I could run through. It wasn't long after my knee started aching that my left hamstring and IT band began to feel really tight. I stopped and stretched a minute and then continued on. I was starting to struggle, so Chad sent out the reinforcements. My little crew became my pacers. Even though it was a low point, I knew I couldn't focus on the negative. I was going to find a way to enjoy this running journey and have fun with my kids! 
Dugway Well to Blackrock - 15.2 mile stretch
After passing the 2nd checkpoint, it was a few miles before Dugway Pass. Lexi and Elise joined me a mile before the pass and wanted to go up it with me. Once we got to the bottom, Elise exclaimed, "we have to go up that!?" I reminded her that she went up it with me last year and that it wasn't too bad. Plus once we got to the top there was a good downhill on the backside to run. About 2/3's the way up, Elise was lagging behind. There was a car at the bottom coming up and I told her that we should try to beat it to the top. That was enough motivation to pick up her pace. We celebrated when we made it to the top and then had a little fun running back down!
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| Top of Dugway Pass |
Soon the girls jumped back into the car, and I continued towards Blackrock. Unfortunately, I had a side ache which was slowing me down. I think it came from being water logged. It lasted for a few miles and then finally went away. I counted down the miles to Blackrock, which seemed forever to reach. Finally I made it! 3rd checkpoint: 48.5 miles - 8 hours and 57 minutes. Almost halfway done! At Blackrock they had a BBQ for the runners, crews, and pacers. There was no way I could stomach any of it so I headed on out towards Fish Springs. Blackrock was also the 50 mile finish. To get the full 50 miles, the runners had to continue pass Blackrock for a short out and back. Almost to the turnaround point for the 50, I saw Kelly on his way back to the finish. I cheered him on. He ended up winning the 50 mile race. Great race Kelly! Between Simpsons Springs and Blackrock, I had passed a lot of the runners from the earlier waves. What an inspiration each of these athletes are! Some were there to compete and others just to survive to the finish. It didn't matter how fast or slow they were going, they had the same destination. I have respect and admiration for each of these runners. They were on their own individual journeys with their own personal motivations behind why they run. Some of them may not even reach the finish line, but it doesn't matter. It takes courage just to make it to the start line of an ultramarathon. I am lifted by their drive, determination, and spirit!
Blackrock to Fish Springs (TURNAROUND point) - 9.7 mile stretch
When will the sun go down? I couldn't wait to run at night because I knew temperatures would be cooler. I would have to wait a little longer. On this stretch, I could get an idea of what runners were in front of me. A few miles in, Curtis Eppley came flying back down the road. He was leading the 100 mile race and looking strong. I yelled out and cheered him on. (Curtis ended up winning the 100 in under 20 hours. This was his first 100 - stellar race!)
All of a sudden my stomach didn't feel too well and pretty soon I was off to the side of the road throwing up. Stephen passed and asked if I was okay. I told him that I was and that it actually felt good to clear the gut. He said that he wished he could do the same. As I continued on, my IT band and hamstring started to get a lot tighter. I stopped and Chad tried to tape my leg. Stopping also gave me a chance to put on a dry shirt and sports bra. It's the little things that make you feel good. After starting again, the tape didn't seem to help and eventually I pulled it off. About 2 miles from the turnaround, I saw Hope coming down the road with her pacer. She had started in an earlier wave and was looking pretty good. I shouted out some words of encouragement as she passed by. About a mile from Fish Springs, Lexi jumped out of the car to run with me to the turnaround. Not soon after I passed by a familiar face, Michael Rice. Michael was in the group that I ran Grand Canyon R2R2R earlier this year with. He was pacing Tiffiny on the 100. It was good to see him out on the course.  |
| Tiffiny and Michael / Me and Lexi headed to the turnaround |
Fish Springs to Blackrock - 9.7 mile stretch
On my way back to Blackrock, I was a little worried because my left leg was in pain, but luckily I kept moving forward. One mile at a time! Even though things weren't perfect, I was getting excited because I knew my friends were coming to run with me. The sun finally gave in and went down. Yes! About 3 or so miles before Blackrock, a car flashed their lights and I knew the party had arrived (Heidi, Liz, Connie, Betsy and Chris). My heart did a little dance and maybe my arms and legs too. Chris jumped out of the car to join me. It was good to have someone to talk to. My music that I had listened to off and on was getting old. As we were running, another great thing happened. A car stopped and out jumped Wan! I ran and gave him a big stinky hug. He was coming out to help pace/crew Tiffiny and said that he would run a few miles with me as well after he went and checked on Tiffiny. I kept thinking how blessed I am by my friends, my pacers. Each of them have an incredible positive energy and it is amazing the strength I can draw from them. They are awesome!
A mile or so before Blackrock, Heidi joined me as well. I kept telling myself that it was just like a normal Saturday training run with friends. :) Before I knew it, I was back at Blackrock. Checkpoint 5: 67.9 miles - 13 hrs and 35 minutes. After I checked in, I asked Heidi if she would grab me some soup so I could keep moving. I was afraid of stopping and having my left leg lock up. Soup broth always tastes good even though I couldn't down too much of it.
Blackrock to Dugway Well - 15.3 mile stretch
The next stretch I was a little afraid of. This is where my body freaked out last year. I tried to keep my mind positive and was determined that this year I would make it to the end. A few miles in, a pacer switch. Connie and Betsy were now up! Again, it was nice to have people to talk to. Moving along my stomach became really upset and a few minutes later I was off to the side puking. Chad was a little worried, but I told him that it was just to get rid of the upset stomach and that it wasn't the miserable feeling inside that something else was wrong like last year. First it was my stomach and then my muscles in my left leg were curling up into a tight ball. It was too painful to run so I had to stop. Heidi came out and massaged out the leg muscles with some Icy Hot. Holy crap it hurt, but I knew if I was going to keep moving forward the muscles had to be worked out. A few miles before going up Dugway Pass, Michael came by to drop off Wan. Wan said that he would join me the rest of the way to the finish line. Really?! Sweet! He told me that Tiffiny was struggling and having a hard time, but had someone with her. I felt really bad. I know how it feels to struggle and go through lows. That's the bipolarity of the Ultramarathon - you have the highs and you have the lows and it can swing back and forth in an instant. I was hoping for the best for her.
With Wan and Liz in pacer position, we headed up Dugway Pass. The wind picked up a bit and it was a little chilly, but it wasn't windy for too long. Just a short jaunt and we were at the top. I was excited to run down! My stomach was upset and every step was painful, but I didn't care. I wanted to take advantage and run at a good pace down the hill - well a good pace for being 80 miles in. ;) Running down the pass, I turned on my i-Pod so I could have something to sing to. My singing talent is lacking - okay it is really, really bad, but it usually doesn't stop me from belting out a tune (sorry Wan and Liz!).
So what does one sing while flying down a hill? You start with a little "Soar" by Meredith Andrews, followed by "You Carry Me" by Moriah Peters and finish it off with "Fight Song" which became the most lovely duet with Liz along! I was pumped because I knew that I was almost 80 miles in. This was the point last year where I had passed out (luckily friends were by my side), Chad carried me off the course and my race was done. As I hit mile 80, we all cheered and celebrated. Heck ya, still moving forward!!! Only 3 miles to the next checkpoint! With the good feelings starting to disappear, we made it to Dugway Well. Checkpoint 6: 83.1 miles - 17 hrs and 38 minutes.Dugway Well to Simpson Springs "THE FINISH"- 16.9 mile stretch
Good feelings GONE! My muscles in my left leg were getting progressively worse. Heidi was my on call massage therapist that would aid me in a good, quick rub down every few miles. My stomach felt awful. Every once in awhile I would puke and then my stomach would feel better. The more I got out the better I felt. I remember Wan telling me after one of my trips to the side of the road, "Good job! That was a good one!" :D The more I puked, the less energy I had. I had no fuel in the tank. I had to stop and sit in a camp chair by the crew car and try to keep something down. Nothing sounded good and my stomach rejected anything that I tried to eat. As I sat, Wan massaged my leg with oils - OUCH! It hurt so bad, but helped so much! I dragged myself out of the chair and kept going. And so the ugly, cruel cycle began and continued to repeat itself. Massage legs. Puke. Yay! I can run! Stomach becomes sick again and legs tighten up. Walk. And then back to the chair.
Then came the lowest point in the race - mile 90.5. 9.5 miles left. I was sitting in the camp chair and told Chad that I didn't want to go another 9.5 miles. He looked at me and was concerned. I quickly followed with, "I will go another 9.5 miles, but I don't want to." I was tired, had no fuel in my system, and the pain coming from my left leg was awful. I have raced on empty before and knew how hard it was going to be. Deep breath. Up again! I wanted that finish line and I wasn't getting any closer to it by sitting down. |
| At the finish! |
Why run 100 miles?! When you run 100 miles, you learn a lot about yourself. It goes way beyond seeing what you are physically capable of. It reveals what's in your head and what is in your heart. Running both humbles and uplifts me. The biggest challenge, for me, is to discover the joy while enduring the journey. Where does the joy come?! For me, it doesn't come from placing or even in a finishing time. While both of these can be fun and exciting, the real joy comes from the journey in itself. It comes when you embrace the highs and feel like you can run forever. It comes when you dig deep to overcome the lows and conquer your inner demons. It comes when you recognize that you are surrounded by people who love you and that believe in you. It comes when you can lift and encourage others on their journey. It comes when you realize you are watched over by someone on high and that you are never alone. It comes when you recognize the Lord is your strength and with His grace anything is possible.
Is another 100 in my future . . . .nope . . . . . probably . . . . .most likely . . . .um, yes!
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| My biggest supporter. I LOVE this guy!!! |
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| Reenacting what really happened on the race |
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