I signed up for the Zane Grey 50 mile race for 2 reasons. One. I know that I have a reputation as being a good fire road runner, but not a “real” trail runner. Two. I want to run Mogollon Monster as a Hardrock qualifier and I thought this would be a good test. After my surprise trouble at Crown King, I was worried about racing Zane. After a 35 mile fun run a couple weeks ago I felt confident about toeing the line. I ran for 8 and a half hours and had no pain. I was feeling good so I made 2 aggressive race plans. One for breaking the course record and one for a 10 hour finish. We knew they were both tough goals, but I would rather give myself a hard goal and reevaluate as the race progresses.
I took off work on Friday so we could leave early. Unfortunately Norm was running late getting home. An athlete that I coach, Hayley, was riding up with us. While we waited for Norm we discussed the fear of rain on the course. We had been checking the weather constantly for days. Although we really did not believe there would be rain until 3pm or so we decided to go look at rain jackets at REI. After not finding anything we loved, we decided to take our chances. Stupidly overly confident I just thought I would be done by 3:00 or 3:30. The rain wouldn’t really be a problem for me. (Go ahead and laugh at me.)
Finally we get to Payson. We took Hayley to pick up her bib number, went to the grocery store for dinner and dropped her at her hotel. Back at our hotel I was able to meet up with Jamil and get my new Aravaipa racing kit. It’s pretty awesome! I was feeling tired, hungry and annoyed. We would be getting up at 3am. I didn’t want to be organizing race day items at 8 am. I have 2 UltraSpire packs so Norm can just hand me a new pack at each aid station instead of having to refill a pack. The goal was to be in and out of aid stations in 30 seconds. We knew Fish Hatchery might take a little longer if I needed to change shoes. I had already been over the directions for my pack with Norm earlier in the week so I just had to get all my supplies organized and do one more run down with him.
I did not sleep well and suddenly it was 3 am. We picked up Hayley at 4 am and made our way to the start. I knew from the year I had gone with Paulette that the start line can be a bit of a cluster. I wanted to make sure we got there to get a space that Norm could get out of quickly after the start, even if it meant sitting in the car for a while. At 4:45 we headed to the check in and the start line. I had been worried about being cold and chose to wear my jacket. Big mistake. It wasn’t long before I had to pull off the trail to take off my jacket. The other problem was my headlamp was not emitting enough light. I was struggling to see the course. I knew I only had about 20 minutes until it was light, but I was annoyed that in the mean time my pace was off. As the sun rose I was able to pick up my pace and make good time. Other than being annoyed going into Geronimo AS I was feeling good. I threw down my headlamp and water bottle and took my pack.
I took off work on Friday so we could leave early. Unfortunately Norm was running late getting home. An athlete that I coach, Hayley, was riding up with us. While we waited for Norm we discussed the fear of rain on the course. We had been checking the weather constantly for days. Although we really did not believe there would be rain until 3pm or so we decided to go look at rain jackets at REI. After not finding anything we loved, we decided to take our chances. Stupidly overly confident I just thought I would be done by 3:00 or 3:30. The rain wouldn’t really be a problem for me. (Go ahead and laugh at me.)
Finally we get to Payson. We took Hayley to pick up her bib number, went to the grocery store for dinner and dropped her at her hotel. Back at our hotel I was able to meet up with Jamil and get my new Aravaipa racing kit. It’s pretty awesome! I was feeling tired, hungry and annoyed. We would be getting up at 3am. I didn’t want to be organizing race day items at 8 am. I have 2 UltraSpire packs so Norm can just hand me a new pack at each aid station instead of having to refill a pack. The goal was to be in and out of aid stations in 30 seconds. We knew Fish Hatchery might take a little longer if I needed to change shoes. I had already been over the directions for my pack with Norm earlier in the week so I just had to get all my supplies organized and do one more run down with him.
I did not sleep well and suddenly it was 3 am. We picked up Hayley at 4 am and made our way to the start. I knew from the year I had gone with Paulette that the start line can be a bit of a cluster. I wanted to make sure we got there to get a space that Norm could get out of quickly after the start, even if it meant sitting in the car for a while. At 4:45 we headed to the check in and the start line. I had been worried about being cold and chose to wear my jacket. Big mistake. It wasn’t long before I had to pull off the trail to take off my jacket. The other problem was my headlamp was not emitting enough light. I was struggling to see the course. I knew I only had about 20 minutes until it was light, but I was annoyed that in the mean time my pace was off. As the sun rose I was able to pick up my pace and make good time. Other than being annoyed going into Geronimo AS I was feeling good. I threw down my headlamp and water bottle and took my pack.
Coming into Geronimo Aid Station
I had run this section before and it was nice to be on familiar territory. I made good time to Washington Park. I was off pace to break the course record, but still on pace for a 10 hour finish. I did a bit of cursing at Norm because he couldn’t get my pack fastened. I decided to just leave and fasten it myself. James Bonnet told me to smile because I was winning. “I feel good!” I said. Total lie. I am a big believer in telling lies to your crew unless it is a major problem. It’s an effort to convince myself that I’m okay even if I don’t feel it.
The real story is that I was experiencing really bad stomach pain. After leaving Washington Park it would sometimes be so bad I would be doubled over. For the days leading into the race I had told myself I would push through any problem. For the love of God, some guy finished with a broken thumb one year and finished with a good time! So even though my stomach had been hurting since about mile 5, I made myself keep running fast and try to ignore it. It was fine, except I wasn’t taking in nutrition. Normally I drink Skratch which has some calories. I did have it in my bottle for the first 7 miles, but after the first aid station I only had water and would be drinking concentrated Skratch at aid stations. By the time I got to Washington Park (mile 17) I was behind on my nutrition and I knew it was going to get ugly. I drank some Mountain Dew and took a sandwich with me from the table, but I dropped my sandwich trying to get my pack fastened.
The real story is that I was experiencing really bad stomach pain. After leaving Washington Park it would sometimes be so bad I would be doubled over. For the days leading into the race I had told myself I would push through any problem. For the love of God, some guy finished with a broken thumb one year and finished with a good time! So even though my stomach had been hurting since about mile 5, I made myself keep running fast and try to ignore it. It was fine, except I wasn’t taking in nutrition. Normally I drink Skratch which has some calories. I did have it in my bottle for the first 7 miles, but after the first aid station I only had water and would be drinking concentrated Skratch at aid stations. By the time I got to Washington Park (mile 17) I was behind on my nutrition and I knew it was going to get ugly. I drank some Mountain Dew and took a sandwich with me from the table, but I dropped my sandwich trying to get my pack fastened.
I got this picture of me leaving the Washington Park Aid station at the finish line. What cool thing for the race to do! Photo: Courtesy of Joe Galope
At Hell’s Gate there is no crew, just an aid station. And a fabulous aid station. I asked for Mountain Dew and the lady says, you don’t want that small cup, let me fill it up. Yes! I drink my Mountain Dew and ate a sandwhich. Another lady came into the aid station and right after we left the aid station I went from first to second. No worries, still lots of time. I let out a large and loud burp and instantly I felt better. TMI alert, I also started farting and suddenly the stomach pains were gone. Unfortunately, almost at the exact same time my knee started hurting. At first it was making downhills difficult, but quickly it started slowing my pace. Forced to alternate between walk and run, I was passed by 2 more women. By the time I came into Fish Hatchery I knew that this was race was just about finishing. I was crying as I told Norm what was going on. I told him I was going to finish, but it was going to take a while.
I had already made up my mind earlier in the day. No matter what happened, I was finishing the race. I have never finished a 50 mile race. My first attempt at Leona Divide I was pulled off the course by medical because my kidneys were shutting down. My second attempt at Leona Divide I DNF’d due to a problem with my hip flexor. I ate my world famous Jamil Coury mashed potato burrito – those things are life changing! I told Norm to empty my pack and only leave the M&M’s. I though he said he was putting in another mashed potato burrito so when I was hungry a few hours later I was pretty sad not to find one.
Downhill was the most painful so coming into See Canyon aid station I was crying and in a pretty low place. Before the race, I had told Norm that he had to be mean to me if that was what it took to keep me out on the course. Cheryl Miller was at the aid station. (She’s a great coach and coached me when I took a year to try triathlon.) I did a bit of crying on her shoulder. I was really sad about the turn my day had taken, but I was planning to go back out on the course. Some very nice stranger put her blanket around me when I came into the aid station. Norm had to go get my warm clothes from the car. Then he had to go back to get my headlamp. I ate my mashed potato burrito and waited. Tom Feore came into the aid station and we decided we would go out together. The thought of limping for 2.5 hours all by myself in the rain did not really appeal to me, but I wanted to finish this race. Not sure how long I was in the aid station, maybe 15 minutes or so, but in that time everything in my right leg tightened up to the point that I could barely move it. As I tried to leave the ham radio operator told me I couldn’t leave. “Can I try and I can always come back” I asked? Tom was stopped waiting for me and Cheryl was coming up behind me. The guy looked at Cheryl and said, “she is not leaving”. I told Tom to go ahead and I started crying to Cheryl. She kindly walked me back to the aid station and said I should find some one to massage it, get it warm and I would be good to go. Norm was still there packing up my stuff. He rubbed my leg and I was walking a little better. I did a little walking around to see if I could actually move. It seemed a bit better. Norm offered to go out with me. “You can’t, you need a pacer bib, I said.” At this point Wendy, who had been watching and chatting with us a bit offered to go with me. She was supposed to pace Ben, but he took someone else. This time as I left the radio operator seemed happier with my walking ability. I started out pretty slow and unsteady, but as I warmed up we were trucking along. I am a good power hiker. I know I can average high 17 to right at 18 min miles. My Garmin was dead at this point, but I felt like we were hitting that pace. I was actually enjoying myself as we chatted and moved along. Then it started raining, then it started hailing, then there was lightning striking all around. Good times! As the rain started to really come down, the temps dropped and the wind picked up. We stopped so I could put my jacket on and this proved to be my downfall. Everything tightened up and I was barely moving. We thought we were close to the finish. We asked a runner, but his Garmin was dead. He guessed 3 miles. That was a lot further than we thought. I really struggled not to breakdown at this point. I didn’t think I could make it 3 miles and I didn’t have a choice. The next runner we asked had no idea. The third runner was Jon Roig. I’m not sure we have ever met in person, but we know all the same people and are friends on Facbeook and Twitter. We asked how far he turned and said, “I know you.” He must have a Suunto because his watch was still working! He said we were already at mile 50 so it had to be close. At this point I informed him I wanted to kiss him. Sorry Jon and sorry to your lovely bride. But if I could have caught you, I might would have kissed you.
I had already made up my mind earlier in the day. No matter what happened, I was finishing the race. I have never finished a 50 mile race. My first attempt at Leona Divide I was pulled off the course by medical because my kidneys were shutting down. My second attempt at Leona Divide I DNF’d due to a problem with my hip flexor. I ate my world famous Jamil Coury mashed potato burrito – those things are life changing! I told Norm to empty my pack and only leave the M&M’s. I though he said he was putting in another mashed potato burrito so when I was hungry a few hours later I was pretty sad not to find one.
Downhill was the most painful so coming into See Canyon aid station I was crying and in a pretty low place. Before the race, I had told Norm that he had to be mean to me if that was what it took to keep me out on the course. Cheryl Miller was at the aid station. (She’s a great coach and coached me when I took a year to try triathlon.) I did a bit of crying on her shoulder. I was really sad about the turn my day had taken, but I was planning to go back out on the course. Some very nice stranger put her blanket around me when I came into the aid station. Norm had to go get my warm clothes from the car. Then he had to go back to get my headlamp. I ate my mashed potato burrito and waited. Tom Feore came into the aid station and we decided we would go out together. The thought of limping for 2.5 hours all by myself in the rain did not really appeal to me, but I wanted to finish this race. Not sure how long I was in the aid station, maybe 15 minutes or so, but in that time everything in my right leg tightened up to the point that I could barely move it. As I tried to leave the ham radio operator told me I couldn’t leave. “Can I try and I can always come back” I asked? Tom was stopped waiting for me and Cheryl was coming up behind me. The guy looked at Cheryl and said, “she is not leaving”. I told Tom to go ahead and I started crying to Cheryl. She kindly walked me back to the aid station and said I should find some one to massage it, get it warm and I would be good to go. Norm was still there packing up my stuff. He rubbed my leg and I was walking a little better. I did a little walking around to see if I could actually move. It seemed a bit better. Norm offered to go out with me. “You can’t, you need a pacer bib, I said.” At this point Wendy, who had been watching and chatting with us a bit offered to go with me. She was supposed to pace Ben, but he took someone else. This time as I left the radio operator seemed happier with my walking ability. I started out pretty slow and unsteady, but as I warmed up we were trucking along. I am a good power hiker. I know I can average high 17 to right at 18 min miles. My Garmin was dead at this point, but I felt like we were hitting that pace. I was actually enjoying myself as we chatted and moved along. Then it started raining, then it started hailing, then there was lightning striking all around. Good times! As the rain started to really come down, the temps dropped and the wind picked up. We stopped so I could put my jacket on and this proved to be my downfall. Everything tightened up and I was barely moving. We thought we were close to the finish. We asked a runner, but his Garmin was dead. He guessed 3 miles. That was a lot further than we thought. I really struggled not to breakdown at this point. I didn’t think I could make it 3 miles and I didn’t have a choice. The next runner we asked had no idea. The third runner was Jon Roig. I’m not sure we have ever met in person, but we know all the same people and are friends on Facbeook and Twitter. We asked how far he turned and said, “I know you.” He must have a Suunto because his watch was still working! He said we were already at mile 50 so it had to be close. At this point I informed him I wanted to kiss him. Sorry Jon and sorry to your lovely bride. But if I could have caught you, I might would have kissed you.
Tom Feore and I at See Canyon. He was feeling a lot happier than I was. Photo courtesy of Tom Feore
Finally we see lights. And then I see the timing clock! I even exclaimed, “I see the timing clock!” For about the last half-mile or more I had been barely moving and grunting in pain with every step of my right leg. I’m not sure I have ever been so happy to finish a race. I got my jacket, my picture and my googly-eye rock. Then promptly got into a fight with Norm in the parking lot about my inability to walk to the car. Finally in the car I told Norm we should see if we could arrange for the kids to stay with our friends another night and go back to the hotel. (If you plan to run Zane Grey in the future, get a hotel for 2 nights!) Luckily our friends agreed to help. Norm’s car doesn’t have a working heater so soaking wet I wasn’t warming up. Driving down the highway I say that’s Wendy running down the road – stop the car! We stop in the middle of the highway and I yell out, get in the car! It was pouring rain and she was planning to run to See Canyon. As we drove, she said “I didn’t realize how far this was.” Silly girl! I am so glad that we saw her. No rain gear, no headlamp and really far, that would have sucked for her!
Luckily the hotel had one room. I don’t know how I got up the stairs. I stripped everything off, easier said than done, because my hypothermic body was not cooperating. I wrapped in a blanket like a swaddled baby and waited for the shaking to stop. In the mean time, I had to figure out how to get ahold of Hayley’s husband because we had all of her stuff including her phone. The original plan was I would wait for her at the finish, but that was when we thought I would finish in 10 hours or so and she would finish in 12 hours. In this plan, no one was soaking wet and hypothermic. They came to the hotel so Hayley could warm up and change clothes. She looked like death. After they left I said to Norm, “I didn’t look that bad.” “Uhm, yeah you did,” he said. Ha!
I don’t typically find myself in the position of needing a lot of help at a race, emotional or physical. It was very moving to me yesterday the way every person at See Canyon jumped in to help me and get me back on the course. Even people that didn’t know me jumped up to help and anticipate what I would need. I would not have finished this race if not for all those people. I cannot say thank you enough!
I have to give a very special and huge thank you to Wendy! She was ridiculously upbeat and happy despite the shit show going on around us. She was an amazing pacer! She had great ideas and did everything she could to help keep me moving. She bossed me around in helpful, but kind ways. She should definitely be nominated for Saint Hood! If there were more people like her in the world, it would be a much better place. The good news is that the ultra world is full of these selfless people.
As for me, my racing is done until July when the US Sky Series starts. My first race will be Kendall Mountain. Norm and I are looking for jobs in Colorado for the summer so I can train at altitude all summer. Also, because I teach I need a job for the summer to be able to fund my Sky Series racing. If I don’t find a job my racing might be done until September.
Luckily the hotel had one room. I don’t know how I got up the stairs. I stripped everything off, easier said than done, because my hypothermic body was not cooperating. I wrapped in a blanket like a swaddled baby and waited for the shaking to stop. In the mean time, I had to figure out how to get ahold of Hayley’s husband because we had all of her stuff including her phone. The original plan was I would wait for her at the finish, but that was when we thought I would finish in 10 hours or so and she would finish in 12 hours. In this plan, no one was soaking wet and hypothermic. They came to the hotel so Hayley could warm up and change clothes. She looked like death. After they left I said to Norm, “I didn’t look that bad.” “Uhm, yeah you did,” he said. Ha!
I don’t typically find myself in the position of needing a lot of help at a race, emotional or physical. It was very moving to me yesterday the way every person at See Canyon jumped in to help me and get me back on the course. Even people that didn’t know me jumped up to help and anticipate what I would need. I would not have finished this race if not for all those people. I cannot say thank you enough!
I have to give a very special and huge thank you to Wendy! She was ridiculously upbeat and happy despite the shit show going on around us. She was an amazing pacer! She had great ideas and did everything she could to help keep me moving. She bossed me around in helpful, but kind ways. She should definitely be nominated for Saint Hood! If there were more people like her in the world, it would be a much better place. The good news is that the ultra world is full of these selfless people.
As for me, my racing is done until July when the US Sky Series starts. My first race will be Kendall Mountain. Norm and I are looking for jobs in Colorado for the summer so I can train at altitude all summer. Also, because I teach I need a job for the summer to be able to fund my Sky Series racing. If I don’t find a job my racing might be done until September.
Happy to be wearing my finishers jacket!
I guess crewing is harder than grinding out a 14 hour day at Zane Grey because Norm has slept more than I have!
Thank you to Charlie Boyenik at Cadence Physical Therapy, Mark Cosmas at iRun, Scratch Labs and the support of Aravaipa Running! Some of my Aravaipa Running teammates had a great day! Without these people I wouldn't be out on the trails. Thanks to Salomon! I love my Speedcross for technical trail! Thanks to UltraSpire! The Astral is an awesome pack! Thank you to Joe Galope and everyone that made Zane Grey possible. The race is tough, but beautiful. It should definitely be on your to do list!
