Buffalo Run 100

Antelope Island - Buffalo Run 100 miles - my 2nd attempt at the 100.

My first 100 attempt was at Pony Express last October which ended with a "DNF" at mile 80.  Come to find out, my kidneys don't mix well with ibuprofen when I am running ultras.  To me that was an easy fix!  Everything else at Pony Express went fairly well (hydration, nutrition, etc.), so I was going to stick to the same game plan and go with it.  My goal for this race was simply to make it to the finish line and if I could do it under 24 hours that would be a bonus.   

The weeks leading up to the race, I could feel the anxiety building.  For months the "DNF" at Pony Express had haunted me.  I so desperately wanted to reach the finish line.  I had a lot of fear, but was trying to replace it with excitement and hope.  You know how they say you can worry yourself sick.  Well that is exactly what happened.  The week leading up to the race the "butterflies" turned into a knot building up in my stomach.  No big deal.  Just race anxiety and nerves.  The night before the race, I didn't sleep well at all.  I kept waking up with a pain in my stomach.  Race morning, Chad went bought some ginger ale to help settle my stomach.  I really thought I would be fine once I started running.  

The race was scheduled to start at noon on Friday.  I chose the Buffalo Run since I ran my first 50 miler out at Antelope Island last year and loved the course and race organization.  For the 100 mile race, you basically run the 50 mile course twice. The first 19 mile loop has the most climbing then the second half is relatively flat.  Then you repeat!

After a brief pre-race meeting, the race director marked the starting line by dragging a stick through the dirt road and it was go time.

There was the countdown, and then a send off from the race director, "run you fools!" It was already warm outside and not a cloud in the sky, so I carried plenty of fluids in my hydration pack.   It felt good to be running.  The first few miles were uphill.  I just kept reminding myself to take it nice and easy and keep at a comfortable pace where I am not exerting too much energy.  I joined up with Leslie Howlett and started running with her since we were keeping the same pace.  It was good to have someone to talk to.  The first aid station was about 5.5 miles in.  I didn't need anything, so we headed out on the Elephant Head trail (a quick out and back totaling about 3 miles).  On the way out, a runner warned us of a few snakes up at the top of a hill.  Luckily we didn't see any.  On the way back on the Elephant Head trail, I tripped and fell.  It was not very graceful, but my hands took the brunt of the fall and I knicked my left knee.  I got some good looking bruises on my hands and knee, but no major damage.  Press forward.  After the Elephant Head trail was completed, the next section was 5.5 miles on the Split Rock loop.  The knot in my stomach, which was supposed to go away didn't and as I was running down the trail my stomach starting turning.  Just before the switchbacks, I told Leslie that I was going to run/walk up them and to go ahead.  (By the way, she had an amazing race and ended up with the female course record - AWESOME!)  By the time I finished the Split Rock loop, I started to worry since the pain in my stomach was getting worse.  I headed back down to the Start/Finish area to complete my first 19 miles. 

Finishing up the first 19 miles

As I ran into the aid station, I downed some ginger ale.  I told Chad that I didn't feel good at all.  I kept on running to the next aid station, hoping and praying that things would turn around.  I had made sure that I was staying well hydrated, but nothing I seemed to do or eat would settle my stomach.  I hit the Mountain View trail aid station.  There is a short out and back and then you run 11 miles down to the ranch.  Coming back from the out and back I started to walk and debated whether to stop and sit for awhile.  I figured that the next aid station, Lower Frary, was only 5.5 miles away, and I could see Chad and sit there if I needed to.  This ended up being the lowest point in the race for me.  A half mile in and my stomach was in full rebellion, which meant I was puking my guts out every quarter of a mile.  I stopped running and was at a dreadful slow walk.  I felt miserable.  Each runner that passed by could tell something was wrong and stopped to help.  How incredible and supportive each of these runners were!  Each runner offered a solution.  I tried Tums, salt pills, and ginger chews.  It didn't matter what I took, it came up within a matter of minutes.  4 more miles to the aid station.  I wasn't even a marathon into the race and I felt completely spent of energy.  And then I hit rock bottom.  I sat down on the ground just off the trail and as I was dry heaving I felt like wanted to crawl under a rock and just be done.  And then the negative thoughts began to flow.   I was failing, AGAIN.  I was not strong enough to take on this distance.  How pathetic to drop out of a race only a 1/4 of the way in.  I completely sucked as a runner.   I got up and continued walking to the aid station.  3 miles.  2 miles.  1 mile and finally the aid station.  Mile 28. 

Coming down to Lower Frary

Chad already knew as I came into the aid station that I was not alright.  A few runners had come in and reported a "vomiting girl" that was not doing so good and Chad was hoping that it wasn't me, but knew I should have been at the aid station a long time ago.  I laid out on a sleeping bag on the ground in the shade trying to get my stomach to settle. I was on empty.  I was afraid Chad was going to tell me I was done, but he didn't.   After awhile of laying down,  I tried little sips of this and that a few bites of this and that and it all ended up in the nearby bushes.  I had been at the aid station for quite some time.  Several runners had come in and out.  I finally sat up.  A decision had to be made.  I thought Chad would try to convince me to drop and race another day, but he didn't.  He told me that I had friends who knew I was struggling and that were praying for me and that loved me.  He knew how much finishing this race meant to me and said that I could do it.  I remembered my blessing he gave me the night before the race (it's tradition to have a blessing before all my races) and in it he said multiple times that I would be strengthened and that I would finish.  I got up and grabbed my handheld water bottle.  I told Chad that I would head to the next aid station just to see what happens.  I was on fumes and even though I nothing left in my stomach, I was refilled with the desire to make it to the finish.  As I ran out, Chris Pope (who was volunteering at the aid station, he was racing the next day and may I just add -an amazing ultra runner) yelled out, "Go get it, Melissa!"  At this point, I turned to powers beyond my own and remember praying, I'm in your hands now, give me the strength.  I made it to the next aid station at the Ranch.

2 things to celebrate.  I was running again AND I could keep down water.  I still didn't feel great, but I was moving forward.  I had a few sips of Heed and then headed back to Lower Frary. 
At about mile 38, I finally had to pee.  Burnt orange isn't what you would like to see.  My goal was to try to get hydrated, which was tricky because I couldn't take in too much fluids at once or it would come right back up.  My stomach would start to turn with just the opening of a gel packet so I had to go without for the rest of the race.  Luckily the sun was going down, and it was cooling off.  At Lower Frary, I grabbed my headlamp and had a few sips of Heed.  Now I could down water and Heed.  Things were looking up!  My stomach was sore the entire race, but I wasn't throwing up, and it was a pain that I could deal with and keep moving.  Off to the next aid station!  Mentally I just focused on the distance to the next aid station.   I loved running at night!  It seemed like I was starting a new race, even though my legs and stomach wouldn't agree, but my mind was starting out fresh.  Mountain View aid station.  Check!  And then just over 6 miles to loop around the other side of the island and end up back at the start/finish for my second go around.  It took me about 10 1/2 hours to complete the first 50.  As I came into the tent to check in, Jen Richards came up and gave me a big hug.  It was great to see her.  I met Jen a few months ago at the Revolution Run.  She is an incredible ultra runner and person.  A volunteer handed me a cup of broth.  I had a few sips and then headed out.  For the 19 mile loop, Chad was my pacer.  It was nice to have company.  Even though my legs were starting to feel it and the hills seemed steeper than the first time around, this was my most favorite section because I had my best friend with me.  There was part of the trail that had a lot of loose dirt and dirt had gotten into my sock and was rubbing the back of my heels raw.  I stopped and dumped the dirt out.  I should have worn my gaiters.  By the time we hit the aid station I was getting tired.  We completed the Elephant Head trail and then hit the aid station again.  I needed something to wake me up so I drank some Mountain Dew and managed to eat part of an orange slice.  Heading down on the Split Rock loop, I could really feel the soreness in my stomach.  My legs were getting heavy and tired, but at this point the soreness in my stomach trumped anything else I was feeling.  All that mattered to me is that I was moving forward, one mile after another with the determination to reach the finish line.  Up the switch backs and then back around to the aid station.  At this point, Chad was getting tired.  He likes to run, but long distances aren't his favorite.  As we headed back towards the Start/Finish aid station I would turn around every once in awhile to check to see if he was okay since he would fall back a little bit.  He would catch up and then I would tell him how many miles were left until the aid station.  He is such a good sport and an amazing supporter.  I loved that he was willing to have a "date night" in the middle of the night climbing hills and running long distances.  As I came back to the tent to check in I was in for a surprise.  My good friends Tami, Caroline, and Kylie came out to check on me and cheer me on.  I gave them a big, sweaty, stinky hug.  It was so great to see them!  I had a few sips of broth and headed out.  Only a 50k left!   

At this point, I was getting really tired.  I headed out to the Mountain View trail following the course markings (by the way the course was very well marked).  I went up a hill and then the course turned onto a road.  In my mind, I told myself that I hadn't crossed the road the first time to get to the trail and that this must be the direction to the final loop of the course, so I ran back down the hill to check the course markings.  Come to find out, I was on the right course.  So back up the hill I went.  I had to laugh at myself - here I was throwing in hill work at mile 70. :)  I checked in at the aid station completed the short out and back and headed to the ranch.  At this point, I could hear squealing in the distance.  I wanted to make sure I wasn't just delirious and asked another runner that happened to be close by if he heard it too.  Yes he did!  At the pre-race meeting, the race director warned us of a wild boar out on the island.  I am pretty sure that was him squealing and I was hoping he would keep his distance.  As far as other night wildlife, I saw a lot of mice, rabbits, and birds.  At one point, I looked out and wondered why there were runners with their headlamps in the field.  As my eyes adjusted, I figured out that I was seeing the eyes of bison that were glowing.  And speaking of bison, as I was running I turned to the side because I heard a noise and there was a buffalo and his glowy eyes about 6 feet away from me.  It scared the crap out of me!  I hurried and covered my headlamp, thinking this would make me invisible or something (yes I was tired), and then bolted down the trail.  At Lower Frary, about mile 78, I met up with Chad.  I told him that I would head to the ranch and come back and that would give him a couple of hours to sleep.  He reminded me that by the time I hit the ranch I will have passed mile 80 (the point where I dropped at Pony Express).  That was exciting to me!  I was going to finish this race.  Heading down to the Ranch, I started getting cold.  I wasn't moving as fast, but being cold kept me awake.  Checking into the Ranch I knew I only had 17 miles left.  From that point I started counting down with each mile I completed. 16, 15, 14, only a half marathon left!  On my way back to Lower Frary, the sun came up.  It was sweet!  With 11 1/2 miles left I checked in at the aid station and gave Chad my headlamp.  I was getting closer.  I kept trying to do the math in my head to make sure I could finish under 24 hours.  Let's just say doing math is tough towards the end of an ultra.  I finally figured out what pace I needed to keep and realized I could easily go under 23 hours if I kept my pace. 

Heading into the Mountain View aid station, the volunteer asked my number.  I had been giving my number the entire race and at mile 94, I couldn't remember and had to look on my bib attached to my shirt.  I was tired and just had to laugh and the volunteer laughed with me.  Heading out of this aid station there were 50 mile racers (their race started at 6 a.m. on Saturday) coming down the trail.  I had the pleasure of seeing Ben Kroff and gave him a sweaty, sticky high 5 as we passed each other.  As I went down to Bridger Bay, I yelled out my number at the final aid station and didn't stop.  I was so close to the finish line.  Just over 4 miles to go.  I picked up my pace and started tearing up thinking about the finish line.  In this moment, I turned in gratitude for the strength that I was blessed with.  With less than 2 miles to go, I could see the finishing area.  I was exhausted, but anticipated that long awaited finish line, I picked up my pace down the dirt road. 

 

Crossing that line I had so many emotions.  I fought with everything that I had in me to get to this point and I crossed feeling victorious!  I ran into Chad's arms and didn't want to leave.  There is so many reasons why I love this guy and him being there throughout the race and at the finish made it perfect!  22 hours 22 minutes.  I had conquered 100 miles!  

2nd overall female

Post race stuff:
*That moment when you pull off your socks to access the damage.  I just have to say I love, love my Injinji socks and Altra shoes! Not a single blister!  A few black toenails, but that was from stubbing my toes on rocks.

*There were many motivating people that uplifted me out on the trail.  Thank you Kelli Rogers and Janice Cook for your encouragement.  You 2 are AWESOME!



 

*My wonderful young women and leaders has this sign on my garage door when I came home.  

*Is there another 100 miler in my future or do I check it off the bucket list and be done?  There is a part of me that says I need to go finish what I started out at Pony Express - I am guessing that part of me will be signing up in the near future.  :)

Reese's Run

Reese's Run - the most rewarding run you will ever participate in!  As a runner you are the "legs" for those with disabilities to assist them in reaching the finish line.  I had the privilege of pushing 3 amazing kids, Bryan, Emylie, and Conductor Mike.  This event was held at the Olympic Oval.  Paul was my speedy push partner and we would switch off every 4 laps or so.   By the time we were done, we had completed a half marathon with these 3 wonderful kids.  I loved seeing the smiles, hearing the cheers, racking up the high 5's, and blowing our train whistles.  What a GREAT race!!  Proceeds from this run were donated to Team Kid Courage to purchase adaptive running strollers.  I can't wait to be a part of the next Reese's Run!  Thank you Jared Eborn and Extra Mile Racing for putting on an incredible event! 

New Year's Revolution Run 2015

My first race of 2015!  New Year's Revolution Run!  Get out of the cold and race inside the Olympic Oval on their 442 meter running track.  The challenge is to see how many laps you can complete in 5 hours.  You can run for however long you would like and whatever distance.  A marathon is 95.5 laps.  It is a big running party!  There was also the option to bring your bike and a trainer and cycle however long you would like OR you could bike/run.  I do like to bike, but I LOVE to run and I wanted to see how many laps I could complete in 5 hours.  The record was set at 127 laps last year.  I figured I would target that goal and see what my legs wanted to do.  There was a timing chip on the back of your bib, so as you completed each lap you crossed a timing mat and your lap count was displayed on a monitor.  I wore my watch and hit the lap button each time I went around so I could see my lap split times.  I was shooting for under 2:20 per lap and was hoping I could stay somewhat consistent the entire 5 hours.

I was a little worried about running in circles for hours on end.  I had completed a 20 mile long run in the Oval before and the day after my left side of my leg ached from running in one direction.  I was talking with Kim Wilkey before the race.  He had run this race before and he suggested that I lean a little to the right as I turned each corner.  What great advice!  I didn't have the issues the day after the race that I had before.  Thanks Kim!

There was one aid station set up, but I had my backpack with some gels, shot bloks, bananas, and a electrolyte drink that I could use as well.  I put my backpack on the bleachers which was easy to access.  My plan was to go over 30 miles and I wanted to make sure I had the right nutrition.  At 8 a.m. the race started! 

There were 360 runners that signed up.   You could start whenever you would like.  Some came a few hours after the 8 a.m. start.  Even though there was a lot of people running, it didn't seem too crowded.  For the most part, the slower runners/walkers stayed to the outside and the faster runners took the inner lanes.  Everyone was good about moving over when you wanted to pass and I didn't mind weaving every once in awhile.  I was worried about the monotony of running in circles, but it wasn't too bad.  It was fun to see people that I knew.  As we would pass, we could cheer each other on.  I loved seeing people I knew at the aid stations as well.  It was motivating as they supported and cheered you along!

For the first 2-3 hours it was easy to keep my lap time under 2:20.  About 2 1/2 hours in, I ran and grabbed my i-Pod to mix it up.  3 hours in and I had to work for it a little more, but was still keeping a pretty consistent pace.  I was ahead of my targeted lap count at this point and just kept plugging along.  I hit the marathon mark about 3 1/2 hours into the race.   A few laps later, I hit 100 laps and just had to cheer out loud.   A few people looked at me funny, but I am used to that.

Heading into the last hour, I knew if I could keep my pace I could easily break 127 laps.  Even though my pace was slower than when I had first started, I still felt pretty good.  There was a nice blister forming on my right pinky toe, which made running a little more painful, but I only had 1 hour left.  With 10-15 minutes left, I hit 127 laps.  I had reached my goal and was excited to add a few more laps. 

Kim Wilkey finishing up!

Just under a minute before 5 hours I had completed 132 laps!  I knew I didn't have enough time to complete another lap under 5 hours, but decided to do one more lap to run the entire 5 hours.  My official race results:, 132 laps, 4:49:18, 36.3 miles, 8:15 min/mile average. 

1st female, 4th overall.   Since I placed 1st, I received a sweet trophy, a box of gels, and a certificate for a free pair of Altra shoes - woot, woot!! I ended up liking this race a lot more than I thought I would.  I will definitely be back to run in circles!!

Kimberly Hunt - 3rd (109 laps), Me!, Camie Draxler - 2nd (116 laps)

HITS Palm Springs Championship 140.6

Ironman #4.  I originally didn't have this race on my schedule for this year.  Chad signed up for his first half Ironman in Palm Springs and my plan was to go down to cheer and support.  Chad encouraged me to sign up for the full.  I was hesitant knowing that HITS Palm Springs was only 6 weeks after Pony Express and my bike and swim training in the past few months had been merely cross training and not the volume I would need to finish an Ironman.  Chad said I should just go for it and so I finally signed up.  After Pony Express, I took a recovery week (reduced my weekly miles), and then wrote a training plan that had a quick build and then a quick taper.  5 weeks to be Ironman ready!

By the way, I love HITS races!  They aren't the big name Ironman brand races, BUT they are well run, won't break the race budget, and the race director Mark Wilson is awesome!  I love their transition area as well.  Plenty of room to set up, a box area to put your additional gear, and a stool.  Pretty sweet!

Friday - the day before the race.  Chad and I went out to the race site (Lake Cahuilla Park in La Quinta) for packet pick up and the athlete's meeting.  At packet pick up, the full athletes received an Xterra wetsuit dry bag, pretty cool!  Before leaving, we made sure to check out the water temps in the lake.  Not too bad!  We decided to leave our bikes overnight.  One less thing to haul down to transition in the morning.  If Chad and I are both racing, who is taking care of all our kids?!  Our amazing friends Heidi and Julio and their family came down with us!  It was GREAT having their support ALL day long!

Saturday - Race day!!!!

We arrived at the race site a little before 6 a.m.  We had 40 minutes before transition closed, plenty of time to set up.  I noticed that the velcro on my timing chip strap wasn't sticking very well, so I put a safety pin in to make sure that it wouldn't come off.  What a bummer if that happened!  I went and found Chad in transition and he had the same idea.
I was excited for Chad!  His first 70.3!  I made sure to take him on a few long bike/run bricks in training and knew that he was well prepared to take the distance on.  What were my expectations?  I had the lingering feeling of disappointment from my last race and I would be crushed if this race ended up in a DNF.  With an expedited training schedule, I knew not to expect too much.  But deep down, I have the drive to push to see what I can do.  I was going to go for a PR and if I wasn't feeling it, then I would back off and be satisfied with just finishing another 140.6.  Let's go for it and see what happens!

After setting up transition, we headed to the water to take a little dip and test out the water.  It was cold, but I knew once I started to swim it would be just fine.  A little before 7 a.m., all athletes exited the water for a few final race instructions and then those who wanted to huddled up for a prayer. Then everyone headed back in the water. 

SWIM -
The swim would be one mass start which included all athletes, full, half, and aquabike.  Full athletes would complete 4 rectangular loops, getting out of the water for a quick run on the beach to give the race director a high 5 and then back in for another loop.  Since Lake Cahuilla doesn't allow watercraft out on the water, there were lifeguards on the shore and rescue divers in the water.  If in trouble, float on your back and wait to be rescued by a diver or swim a little towards shore and sure enough it is shallow enough to stand up.

Time for the countdown.  I always get butterflies!!!  And before I knew it the wonderful chaos of the swim commenced!

Luckily it was cloudy so when I sited the buoys I didn't have to deal with the sun in my eyes.  I remembered how cold I was swimming at Grand Junction earlier this year.  Chad bought me a thermal swim cap to wear for this race and it worked like a charm!  1 loop down and then another.  Finishing my 2nd loop, my timing chip strap felt a little loose.  I reached down to adjust it and thought it would be okay since it had a safety pin through it.  As I dived back in the water for my 3rd loop, my goggles came loose and for the next 2 loops my right side leaked the entire time.

I tried to fix it, but it wasn't happening.  No big deal!  I just swam with one eye closed!  The last 2 loops were nice since most of the half distance athletes had finished their swim which meant less people to battle with in the water.  I am not a fast swimmer, but the swim did feel good!  - 1:26:08 - As I headed towards transition, I saw Julio helping out as a wetsuit stripper.  He had my wetsuit off in no time.  He has some skills!

T1 - 2:47.   As I was putting on my biking shoes in transition, my timing chip fell off.  Apparently the safety pin didn't go all the way through both layers of the strap and the velcro wasn't strong enough to keep it on.  I quickly strapped it back on.  I am so lucky it didn't come off in the swim!  And now for the bike!

BIKE
After exiting the park, the bike course was 4 out and backs on country roads. It was flat and had some rough roads.  The first jaunt out to the turn around, I was cruising!  By the time I finished my first lap, I was on pace to finish the bike around 6 hours.  As I headed back out for my 2nd lap, I could see and hear my kids and the Aguirre family cheering me on.  Definitely lifted my spirits!  It wasn't a mile into my second lap, that I noticed that I had a bloody nose.  Not again!!  I started having flashbacks from Rage 70.3 this year when this exact same thing happened.  This time it was worse!  I had blood all over my arms, hands, and face.  I tried my best to clean up with the water on my bike and keep pedaling at the same time.  Heading back to finish my 2nd lap, the wind picked up and I could see my bike average slowly go down.  What a bummer!  All I could do is start singing in my head, "don't stop believing!"  And of course, I had to change the lyrics after awhile to, "please stop bleeding!" (you have to entertain yourself since you are out on the bike for a long time)  By the time I headed out for my 3rd lap, my nose finally stopped bleeding.  Yay!  I figured Chad was done with his bike and probably on the run.  I was so jealous!  50 or so more miles on the bike and then I would finally get to run.  I knew Chad would be finished with his race well before I was done with the bike.  I wish I could have been there to see him cross the finish line.  Thankfully, Heidi taped it for me. 

I plugged away and slowly chipped away on the miles on my bike.  There was one lady that I kept leap frogging with.  Since you can't ride side by side or draft, I quickly asked her in passing if she had done this course before.  She said that it was her first Ironman.  I told her that she was doing awesome.  I LOVE seeing people take on this distance for the first time.  It is inspiring to me.
As I was finishing up the final bike miles, I knew that this would be my slowest bike split ever - 6:37:21, which I was totally okay with.  I threw out the goal of an overall PR since it seemed unrealistic and just wanted to have a good run!  Heading into transition, I could see Chad and the crew.  As I was gearing up for the run, I asked Chad how his race went.  He said that he finished under his goal time and was glad to be done.  Sweet!!  And all I had left was a marathon!  T-2 -1:49.  2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking and now I can finally run!! 

RUN

The run course was 4 out and backs and pretty much flat.  Breaking it down mentally it was a little over a 5k out and back.  In my mind, I wasn't running a marathon, but just over four 10k's.  No problem!  Heading out on the run, it was warm!  The first mile of the run is always interesting.   It is like you are retraining your legs how to run.  After a mile or so in I usually lock into my pace, pushing it just out of my comfort zone and then put it on cruise control.  The aid stations on the run were around 1 1/2 miles in and then at the turnaround 3.3 miles out.   After a few miles in, I looked down at my watch and noticed I forgot to start it after I switched it to run mode after the bike.  I hit the start button and continued on.  Coming back from my first lap, I saw the CEO on the run.  The challenge offered by HITS was that if you beat the CEO's time, you would get a free race entry for next year.   I just needed to stay ahead of him.  As I completed my first lap, my wonderful family and friends were there cheering me on.  That was motivation for me knowing that after each lap they would be there to celebrate a lap completed and give me the boost I needed to start another.  

Since I can't have my i-Pod on the run, I sing songs in my head.  I would sing these songs out loud, but I don't think others would appreciate my singing voice.  There is also a lot of self talk going on in my head.  Racing is definitely mental - and luckily I am a little crazy!
Finishing my 2nd lap, I knew shortly the sun would be going down and it would cool off a little as well.  I checked my watch and figured if I could keep my pace and if I had estimated in correctly the time I had forgot to start my watch, that I may be able to get a PR run split.  2 more laps to go!  The sun went down around 5 p.m. and it was dark.  The course was well coned off and away from traffic, but I wish I had my headlamp that I had left in transition.  I don't mind running in the dark though especially when it is cooler.  1 more lap!  I was starting to really feel it!  Instead of focusing on it being a 10k, I broke it down into smaller segments and kept telling myself to just make it to the next aid station.   Focusing on the mile you are in is much easier than looking at the entire distance you have left.   I can talk myself into pushing just one more mile, over and over again.  Hitting the last aid station and with less than 2 miles to go, I knew I could PR on the run if I just kept running.  The last miles of my race I always turn in gratitude to my Father in Heaven for being with me during the race.  I rely on Him for that final strength I need to finish.  Of course I am tired and my body wants me to stop to walk, but the faster I run the faster I will be done!  I knew the finish was just around the corner and it was a welcoming sight!  Crossing the finish line is always the best!  I love seeing my family and friends! 

As I crossed, Chad shouted, "PR!"  I thought he meant on the run.  3:21:01 (14 minute PR) - woot, woot!   He said by his watch I had come in just under 11 1/2 hours.  He was right!  My total time was 11:29:08, a 7 minute overall PR.  I wasn't even thinking this was possible because my bike was so slow, but I had a great run and finished with an overall PR.  A sweet ending for my 140.6 journey! I ended up placing 4th overall female, and 1st in my age group.  I beat the CEO's time so I get to come back next year and race for free!  What a year 2014 has been - 4 ultras, 6 marathons, 1 half Ironman, and 2 full Ironmans!  What a fantastic way to close out my race season for 2014 and I can't wait for 2015!

Pony Express Trail 100

Why run a 100 miles?  Before this year if you asked me if I would ever even attempt 100 miles, I would say that I didn't have any interest.  I was quite happy and content with the "shorter" distances of marathons and 50k's.  Plus, I thought what would be the fun in putting your body through that much torture.  But then again running and I have an interesting relationship.  It is like we get each other.  There are highs and lows, moments where you are flying high and others where you feel you need to be scraped off the side of the road.  Running is kind of like my empathetic friend.  It has gotten me through a lot of crap that I struggle with on a daily basis.  Running uplifts, humbles, and challenges me.  There are so many life parallels you can draw from running.  I love it!  So why 100 miles?  I guess I was ready to take our relationship to a whole new level - a level I wanted to only go once and check it off.  To prepare for this feat, I planned this year to build up and train for the race.  I completed the Moab 55k, Buffalo Run 50 miler, back-to-back marathons at Bear Lake, and the Kat'cina Mosa 100k all in preparation and threw in a few other races to mix it up. I had a few long back to back to back training runs (the longest being a half marathon, followed by a marathon the next day, and then a 50k to complete the third day).  Physically, I felt prepared to take 100 miles on and while training focused on mentally preparing as well which is equally if not more important when it comes to ultras. 

The race I chose was the Pony Express 100 miler.  It is a flatter and faster course than most 100's, but with this comes it's own set of challenges.  The strategy to complete an ultra is to run the downhills, jog the flats, and walk the uphills.  Most trail races have parts where you have to walk or climb, which breaks it up.  The majority of Pony Express is runnable.  And whereas mountain ultras have the challenge of climbs, they come with the beautiful views.  And then you have the Pony Express which is long, dirt roads where you can see for miles on end and there is not much to look at, an added mental challenge.   The main reason why I chose this race was so that my family could experience it with me.  This race required you to have a crew for the entire race.  Since this race was on a dirt road (58 miles out and then 42 miles back), Chad and the kids would be my crew, my mobile aid station.  They could jump out of the car and run with me anytime they wanted, which really isn't a possibility for an ultra in the mountains.

Race week came and I had crazy race anxiety and the self-doubt began creeping in.  I kept telling myself that I needed to stay positive and everything would be fine once I started running.  I was assigned a race start of 8 a.m. on Friday.  There were different start times, beginning at 5 a.m. and every hour until 8 a.m.  You were assigned by the race director a start time, based on what time he thought you could complete the distance in.  Those who would need more time to complete the distance started in the earlier waves.  Starting at 8 a.m. was intimidating.  There were 2 other 100 miler females starting at this time.  Lori from Canada and Sherry from Idaho.  Both were experienced ultra runners, Lori having ran over 200 ultras!!!  Yes, this lady was 55, running ultras and could keep a competitive pace.   Sherry, was 50, and had an impressive ultra background as well.   I was inspired by both!!  I hope I can be an awesome runner like these ladies when I am in my 50's and beyond.



 Before I knew it, the countdown began and then we were off.  I held back and ran with Sherry at the back of the pack.

100 miles is a long way, and you definitely have to start out slow and pace smart.  And even though we were at the back, we were still averaging below a 9 minute mile which after the first few miles, we both agreed was too fast and slowed it down.  About mile 4 we separated when Sherry briefly stopped for a moment and I ran a little ahead.  I caught up to Lori, the other lady who was in our group and talked with her a bit and then as she stopped to walk with the guy she was with, I kept going.  I tried to stay at a manageable pace and came into the first checkpoint, Simpson Springs (mile 16), in 2 1/2 hours.

I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going too fast and pacing smart, so the next section to Dugway Well I slowed my pace a little.  I talked with this guy for a bit who had completed the Leadville 100 twice.  He was going just the right pace so I fell slightly behind him and let him lead the way. 
On this section, there were some wild horses, pretty cool!   Something interesting to look at amongst the sagebrush.  There were drivers (not part of the race) that would drive by real fast on the dirt roads kicking up a ton of dust.  Running through dust clouds and trying to breathe definitely adds a interesting element to the race.  I hit the 2nd checkpoint, mile 33, 5 1/2 hours into the race.  15 miles to the next checkpoint, Blackrock.  I divided the race in my mind in sections and just focused on completing the section I was on.  It is easier to manage a long distance race this way.

A few miles from Dugway Pass, I started feeling it.  I was surprised that I was already having a low and I wasn't even a third of the way in.  Even though it was only in the lower 70's, there were no clouds and the sun was beating down.  My sweet Elise jumped out and walked up Dugway Pass with me (the only real climb in the race and it isn't too long).  This definitely boosted my spirits.  She ran down the backside with me and then my kids traded off running different stretches with me.  I loved that they could run with me.   The kids came in turns for a second round of running with me and I plugged my way to Blackrock.

8 1/2 hours and I was almost halfway done.  At Blackrock (mile 48.5), they had a huge BBQ for the runners, pacers, and crews.  This was also the finish line for the 50 mile race.  There was no way I could stomach anything they were grilling so I headed out to Fish Springs the turning point.  Chad stayed behind with the kids to get something to eat and then quickly caught back up to where I was at.  All day long, I was on top of my nutrition. 
I was well hydrated (my pee was the perfect color) and feeling pretty good all things considering.  The stretch out to Fish Springs I caught up to a lot of the runners who had started in the earlier waves.  I could see who was in front of me as I saw runners coming back from the turnaround point - there were 3 ahead of me all of which had started at the earlier times.  At this point I could feel that I had a huge blister on my big toe and knew I needed to pop it to relieve the pressure.  Chad stopped, I propped my foot on the back of the car and he quickly drained it, put some Neosporin on it and a bandaid and I was off again.  Ahhh much better!  Just before the checkpoint at Fish Springs there was a cattleguard (there were a few on the course).  It is quite the task to cross a cattleguard on wobbly legs.  I was extra careful!   I checked into Fish Springs (58 miles) only 42 miles left!




The sun was going down and so the temperatures were cooler - perfect for running.  This was my favorite stretch back to Blackrock.  I felt at my best at this part.  My pace picked up a little and I was thoroughly enjoying it!  As I was running back, I saw Sherry not too far behind, maybe 3 miles.  We yelled back and forth words of encouragement to each other.  I love the support that runners give each in these races!  Not too far behind her was Lori.  Both of these ladies were having a great run!   

I was looking forward to coming back to Blackrock because I knew my friends, Heidi, Liz, and Betsy would be meeting up with me shortly to pace me.   I came into Blackrock, mile 68, in just over 12 hours and 10 minutes.  They had soups waiting, so I downed a little and continued on.   2 more sections left!  A 15 mile section and then the final 17.  I knew what pace I had to keep for the next 2 sections to break 20 hours, which totally felt manageable.  I was leading the race and my legs were still feeling pretty good.  I was in good spirits, and then my stomach instantly became upset.  At mile 71, I was puking on the side of the road.  Initially, I felt a lot better after I threw up.  I knew I would have to start refueling quickly.  The moment after I downed a gel, I was sick to my stomach again.  A little ways down the road another visit to the side of the road.  And then I had other issues in which I won't get into, but let's just say I was definitely feeling depleted.  At about mile 73, my friends found me!  Yay!!  I was excited, thinking the overwhelming nauseous feeling would pass and I could keep plugging forward and this would be a minor setback.  For the next 6 miles, I did a lot of walking and a lot of puking.   Nothing would stay down.  This reminded me of my Ironman I did this year when I had the stomach flu the week leading up to the race and then puked a ton on the run.  But for some reason, I felt worse than I did in that race.  I felt really light headed.  It was suggested that I lay down to see if I could get my stomach to settle.  I jumped in Heidi's car and laid there for what seemed like forever, but was just a few minutes.  My legs started to cramp up and I was worried that I would not be able to get moving again.  So I jumped out and started walking again and puking again.  Walking up Dugway Pass, Chad was with me for a bit.  I told him that I didn't think I would be able to finish. He was surprised to hear me say it.  He knows that I can push through pain and that I am not one to easily give up.  I didn't have anything left and at that point still had just over 20 miles to go.  My friends knew that if I called it quits that I would have a hard time with it when it was over.  At that point, Sherry came by.  I told her what was going on and she offered suggestions, which we had already tried.  She said she was so sorry and I told her to keep on going.  She was looking good!   In fact, she ended up winning the race in just over 20 hours.  Impressive!!!  I finally decided to lay down in the car again.  I was way ahead of any cutoff point and if I needed to sleep for a few hours and give time for my stomach to settle than that's what I would do.  I still had that desire to finish even though I had that gut wrenching feeling that it just may not happen.  I laid down in the car and my nausea was overwhelming.  Even laying down I felt so sick and then it wasn't long before I was outside the car puking again.  Laying down, sitting up, walking - it didn't make a difference.    My body was rebelling and I had not control over it.  I was praying for a miracle, but sometimes things play out for a reason.  I was so frustrated and so discouraged.  My legs could go, but my stomach put any movement to a stop.   After a total emotional breakdown in the car, I told Chad I wanted to start walking again.  Liz and Heidi walked with me.  I felt extremely dizzy and then the next thing I knew it I was sitting in my car.  I had passed out and Chad told me that I was done.   Calling it quits was hard!  I was at mile 80.  Only 20 more miles left!!!  My body felt awful and I knew it was the right thing to do, but it totally sucked.  I felt horrible that my friends had come all the way out and I couldn't go on.  We were 3 miles from the next checkpoint.  Chad let them know that I was dropping and we headed back on the road to civilization, stopping every 5 minutes for me to get out of the car to throw up.  I just wanted to be home and at this rate is was going to take forever!  Heidi had a Big Gulp cup that became my throw up collector so we could keep moving.  There was nothing left in my stomach, and I was just dry heaving.  It took us hours to get to the Riverton Hospital.  The worse ride ever!  Finally, I got an IV of fluids and Zofran and started feeling a little better.  My blood work came back and my blood had high amounts of salt, electrolytes, and other crap.  The doctor said that I had became severely dehydrated because of the vomiting which was causing my kidneys to start to shut down.  Bottom line - the ibuprofen I was taking didn't mix well with my kidneys and caused my body to react horribly.  She said that it was a good thing that I stopped when I did or it could have gotten a lot worse fast.  After a lecture on how running long distances is bad for the body, in which I was too tired to share my perspective, I convinced her to let me go home.  I was so tired and stinky and just wanted to shower and go to bed.

And the aftermath!  I can handle the physical yuckiness, it is the emotional aftermath that is hard to overcome.   To be completely honest, I felt like I had totally failed and I was angry and frustrated with myself.  These feelings could easily swallow me whole, but I know deep down that I need to look at the positive.  80 miles is a long way to run!  That is an incredible feat in itself.  I am blessed that Chad and friends were looking out for my safety so things didn't end up worse.  It is important to listen to my body and take care of myself.  So the question is, will I be satisfied with 80 miles and check it off or will I attempt another 100 miler?  Right after the race, I said never again!  A little time has passed and there is no doubt in my mind that I will try again.