Old Pueblo 50 report- Josh Brimhall
10. Mar, 2010 
14 Comments
This past weekend, I was able to get down to Tucson, Arizona for the Old Pueblo 50 Miler. Before I get on with my race write-up, I’m going to go off on a tangent regarding the state of ultrarunning. The 1/2 dozen or so of you that read this blog, know that I ran the Pemberton 50K three weeks ago. While Pemberton is “only” a 50K, it took its toll and I seriously considered not running Old Pueblo. However, OP is a race that I’ve wanted to run for years, but just haven’t fit it in. Unfortunately, like many, many other ultras, I had to sign-up for OP in January because it sells out within hours. Checks are cashed, flights are arranged, and hotels and cars are reserved. So here’s my issue. Why can’t RD’s collectively or individually come up with a system that would allow for a higher, even significantly so, race fees to runners who don’t like to decide in November, December, or January of the previous year, whether or not they will run a particular race?
While I don’t consider myself a full-fledged ultra veteran yet, I can recall a time not all that long ago, that you could actually register for a race the day before, or in some instances the day of! Times have changed. I realize that some of these races only have so many spots available, thus theoretically, 150 spots are filled fast. But why not set aside say, 15-20? These spots would be the “premium” spots for runners who would be willing to pony-up the larger race entry fee in exchange for not arranging their entire racing schedule a year in advance. Detractors might claim, “What if those 20 spots don’t fill? Then the RD is out some cash money.” Seriously? Have you seen the numbers with some of these wait lists? They are in the hundreds in some races.
Maybe I’m just a big complainer. After all, there’s more ultras than ever out there now, and I could just go run the Gator Crossing 50 Mile somewhere in Florida, or the Tornado Alley 50K in Oklahoma. No thanks. Thoughts?
So…the OP 50 is one the “classics.” I’ve wanted to run it for years and finally penciled it in the schedule. The race takes place in the Santa Rita Mountain region, about 50 miles southeast of Tucson. Unless you want to roadside camp at the race headquarters the most practical place to stay is in Tucson. This meant about an hour and twenty minute drive to the start at 4:00 AM. Early race start times will be reserved for another post.
The race unfolded with myself, Todd Braje, and Zachary Thomas running stride for stride for the first 10-12 miles. After some climbing and descending, we strung out with Zach up 10 minutes on me, and me up 10 minutes on Todd. I have to admit, I had no idea who Zach was, so I eagerly allowed him to take off on CR pace. This is common in ultras and guys/gals usually come back to you. Not this guy. I earnestly attempted to real him in a couple times, only to learn from aid station personnel (who were excellent), that he was putting more time on me!
By mile 34, Zach was well out of my vision and Todd had dropped well off the pace in back (he may have taken a spill on one of the technical downhill sections, but I’m not sure). By mile 40, I was starting to get that deep, deep muscle pain that is typically associated with overdoing in training or racing (see Pemberton write-up). Whatever. 10 miles to go, I pushed as hard as I could and rolled into the finish in 7:16, which is actually one of the faster times run on the course. Zach Thomas broke the CR, and finished in 6:58. We chatted for some time waiting for 3rd place to arrive, but after about an hour, nobody. As I write this up, results are not yet posted, but will be soon for anyone curious about such things.
For those interested in OP, it’s a lot of dirt roads. Not necessarily my favorite, but the sections of single-track on the Arizona Trail served as a salvo for the long, hot road climbs. Again, I used the “new and improved” EFS Electrolyte drink from First Endurance, and again it worked wonders (aside from a leaky Nathan bottle, which will also be discussed in a future post). I really love not having to carry any sodium capsules (this is due to the much higher than average amount of NaCl in EFS). Additionally, anyone looking for some truly high-end running apparel should check out the new Pro Series Line from Pearl Izumi. Their new Fly Split Short is a real throwback to simple, split-leg racing shorts, but with upgraded fabric features. I do want to clarify, they are truly split-leg and have a very short inseam. You’ll see.
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Nice work Josh. I raced Zach on Pikes last year. He went out hard with the lead group, then blew up pretty spectacularly above treeline. I passed him with a mile or so to go. He was walking and not looking like he was in a good place.
Guess he’s been working hard this winter. That’s an impressive time at a well-established race, as by the way is your time, which would have been a winning time more times than not in years past.
No comment on the races-selling-out thing. I think everyone is frustrated at having to commit to races so far in advance. Not quite sure what the best solution might be though.
Josh, nice race and an interesting thought on the premium spot idea. I’ve had the same issue this year with the races I want to run. I know with my race (Antelope Island Buffalo Run) the park has said I can have as many runners as I want. I know that’s unusual for most trail races that take place in a park or national forest. I used to have a limit imposed on me and the race would fill in a matter of three weeks five months before race day. Now I just have a self imposed cutoff of six weeks prior to race day. gives me time to order shirts, etc. Still, I get e-mails daily asking if someone can get in even though the race is closed. Usually I succumb to the begging and pleading and let them in. Perhaps I should go the route of really jacking the price up after the six week mark and see what happens. The only problem I have with closing my race as soon as I do is that if I didn’t I would get way more than the almost 600 runners signed up this year. Do I really want 1000 runners on some of my favorite trails? I’m not sure and it gets to what do we really want out of a trail race. Food for thought. Enough rambling. Nick, I’ll get to meet you out here in Ootah in a couple weeks.
Nick,
Thanks for the words. Zach was hurting pretty hard the last 7-8 miles (according to him), just not enough for me to catch him. You never know these days. It’s getting to the point that you can’t let anyone out of your sight.
Jim,
That’s great you have such a good rapport with park service. I realize that as an RD, you have to weigh multiple options and contingencies in order to make everyone happy. It’s a thankless job in many respects. However, I think there’s a market out there for a more individualized race entry fee. Some (myself included), would gladly pay more for late entry, or in some instances pay less for not getting a shirt/schwag bag. Obviously, this is more work for RD’s to keep track of, but since we’re theorizing here….
Looking forward to it Jim, and thanks for squeezing me in.
Josh- nice race, and nice write up. 2nd place is awesome. I’d be curious to hear what problems you were having with your leaky Nathan bottle. And do you have any idea when the improved EFS will be on the market? Do they plan to improve the gel, too?
Jim- I know TOU marathon really jacks up the price the last few weeks. You could leave your race in but triple your price, so that people can still run (but relatively few late-sign uppers). And you could enjoy a few nice dinners with your wife with that extra money!
Jon,
The main issue that I (and others) are having with the Nathan Handhelds are the poor threads used to screw the bottle top on, thus allowing for leaking to occur, or in extreme cases not being able to ever get the top back on. Nathan is aware of the issue and is working hard to make the necessary corrections. As for the EFS improvement, it has been done for a couple months now. The new version is much improved in taste, consistency, and most importantly, potency. The gel, in my opinion is great taste-wise. However, I would love to see them offer packaging options like other major companies. This would mean flask OR disposable packaging. Were you referring to specifics with the Gel Flask?
Josh,
long time no see! Nice races the past month! good to see you still getting out there.
I heard about Pemberton from RD Brian Wieck, as he lives in Helena, MT, where I currently reside.
Decided I needed to reconnect.
take care and be in touch,
Mike W.
Mike,
Great to hear from you too. Are you practicing law in Helena? I would assume you’re pretty busy, as you’ve been off the US racing circuit for a bit.
Take care,
Josh
Hey josh my buddy told me you were a pretty tough ultra runner. So i looked you up and here you are. Oh how the internet allows us to infringe on others privacy haha. Good race last week. I wish i could have chatted with you a little more but I wasnt feeling it. I will look you up if im in vegas and we can run. I live about 3.5 hours away. Is there good trail running around there?
I do agree that these races fill up fast. Its tough to plan a racing season around it.
Nick- Oh yea i remember you. You were the dude with long hair/beard who blew by me with a mile to go. I remember you were just joking around up there at 13000 feet saying something like you were ready for a beer or maybe i guy handed you a beer i dont remember. haha. The altitude destroyed me and yes i wasnt in a happy place and yes i had trouble seeing and maintaining balance above 12k. I have a lot to learn about that race.
Good to hear from you guys. I posted a report for old pueblo here: bagdaddy.blogspot.com
Josh,
Yeah, living in Helena doing the law thing. I wasn’t racing much at all last season due to injury. tore my hip flexor and I was out all summer and part of the fall. back in the game now and hoping to enjoy some good races this year!
hope to see you out there somewhere!
Mike
Josh- No, no specifics, just wondering. I have used the EFS gel for a while, just wanted to know what to expect.
Hey Josh,
Great chatting with you at the Quicksilver race today. Drop me a line at g2h2 at earthlink dot net.
Best Regards,
Gary Gellin
I am considering your late entry idea for the Mt Ashland Hill Climb run. It is a conundrum. The obvious problem of allowing late entires for larger sums of money is that it discriminates against those for whom that extra $ really hurts.
I remember when a certain ski area decided if you paid extra, you wouldn’t have to wait in the normal lift line. You can’t imagine the outcry.
hey josh,
im going to be in las vegas this weekend. thought i would shoot you a message to see if you would be around or if you could maybe give me some direction on where to run. I know this is short notice but thought i would give it try. talk to you later
zach