GTR report from Josh

The Grand Teton Races take place in Alta, Wyoming, just over the border of Idaho.  After spending 6 days visiting family in Salt Lake City and adjusting to some higher altitude in preparation for the race, I made the 4-½ hour drive up.  Going into the race I felt relaxed and comfortable with my training. 

            The 100-mile race begins on Saturday morning, with the 50-mile race commencing just 1 hour later on the same course.  The scenic course consists of four, 25-mile loops through the Targhee Forest.  The course has its ups and downs literally and figuratively.  Each loop contains long, steep climbs and descents along with some short, stumpy hills for good measure.  As with any loop course, you are constantly seeing other runners.  Sometimes I was unsure if I was passing a 50 mile runner or a 100 mile runner, which made the race both exciting and frustrating at times. 

            It was great to see such wonderful aid station placement.  The longest distance between each station was a mere 3.8 miles.  In hindsight I would have probably been just fine carrying only one bottle.  Three times per loop the runners would pass the “main” aid station, where there would be a massage table, bathrooms and ample food and beverages to consume.  Thankfully, two very professional ultra runners Jay and Lisa Smith Batchen organize the race.  The Batchens are two of the nicest people that I have had the pleasure of meeting and accomplished runners in their own right.

            As the day wore on and the temperatures increased to 88 degrees, some runners slowed in anticipation of cooler weather to come later.  Unfortunately, it came in buckets of water.  I was lucky enough to finish before the torrential rains came sometime in the early Sunday morning hours.  I was pleased with my overall time and win, but I still have a lot to learn at the 100-mile distances.  I look forward to the next one with an ample amount of respect for the distance.

            As for some of the equipment that I used during the race:  1 pair of Pearl Izumi Peak X/C’s with no blisters-most likely due to ample amounts of Body Glide used on my feet, about 20-25 Vanilla Hammer Gels, about 200oz. of Heed electrolyte drink, Smith Haven sunglasses, two Nathan Hydration handheld bottles.