The 2008 Palo Duro 50k is in the books. Team Pearl Izumi-Smith’s very own Paul DeWitt finished 4th in a time of 7:42.32. A great result and a good prep for his assault on the JFK. Below is Paul’s recap.

Palo Duro 50M Race Report

Palo Duro Canyon, TX

Oct 18, 2008

My local running group, called CRUD (Coloradans Running Ultra Distances) tries to pick one event per year that is out of town for a road trip. This year we decided to go down to Palo Duro Canyon, which is about 30 miles south of Amarillo, for the Palo Duro 50KM/50M event. While I had never run it, several CRUDers had run it over the years, including 2 of our members who are former 50M winners. Both those guys, Ted Bidwell and Rick Hessek, along with about 6 other runners, a volunteer, and numerous family and friends headed down for the weekend. As an added bonus, one of our runners now living in Texas was meeting us for the race and was celebrating his 40^th birthday.

The canyon is quite impressive, particularly considering the drab flatlands you drive through in the panhandle of west Texasto get there. The canyon is a state park and most of us camped and enjoyed a very nice weekend of eating and drinking, interrupted by a 50 mile jaunt through the canyon. The longtime RD of the race, Red Spicer, died earlier this year but many of the same volunteers who had been involved over the past 20 years kept the race going and dedicated the event to Red. For the 50 Miler, the course consists of 4 x 12.5 mile loops which are gently rolling and all on single track.

We started in the dark, which lasted for about the first 30 minutes, but enjoyed a great sunrise shining on the red cliffs of the canyon. I had only run about 10 times since the Leadville 100 where I paced Rick Hessek to a sub 20 hour finish, so was just going to try to keep up with him as long as possible. He won the race 3 years ago so knew the course well. In the dark, I lost him and got just a bit ahead of him where I settled in with the leaders of the race. There were several guys and it seemed like they all were fairly young and new to ultras, which is always nice to see. There is a short out and back at 6 miles and Rick was just 30 seconds back so I knew he’d catch up before too long. At the end of the first lap, I was with the 2 leaders and we came through in 1:46. I was shooting for sub 8:00 so that was a bit faster than I should have run, but I still felt very comfortable. On the 2^nd lap, things started heating up a bit and I let the 2 guys go ahead. I finished the 2^nd lap in the exact same 1:46 so now had a big cushion on 8 hours. Which was good because the grim reality of running 50 miles when not in shape was catching up with me! I took a few walking breaks on this lap, and Rick caught up and passed me at 32 miles. I also passed one of the early leaders so was still in 3^rdplace, and then right before the end of the lap was passed by Scott Eppelman to put me in 4^th. I did the 3^rd lap in 2:01 so I knew I’d break 8:00 but it was not a fun 4^th lap. I was expecting to be caught by more people but stayed in 4^th the whole way to finish in 7:42. Scott was about 5 minutes ahead of me for 3^rd, Rick was 2^nd in 7:32, and the winner ran about 7:25 but I didn’t catch his name. I believe it was his first ultra so he did a great job obviously.

All the CRUD runners finished, including 3 first time ultra runners so it was a great weekend all-around. The low-key, friendly atmosphere of the Texasultrarunners who hosted the race makes it one I’ll be back for again.

Take care,

Paul

As the 2008 season winds down, there are still a few solid races left on the calendar. This weekend in Boulder City, NV, expect the dust to fly at the World Of Hurt 50k. This is a great race and has a little prize money to boot. There is a 50k and a 25k for a little variety.

 Our very own Josh Brimhall will be there and after a 2nd place finish last year, he is hungry for more. Looking at the other runners-there is no shortage of solid athletes. We have a few legends in Scott Jurek, Hal Koerner and Ian Torrence. There is also some very recognizable names Susannah Beck, Jenn Shelton and Justin Ricks to name a few. It is sure to be an exciting race with some pretty fast times. The race is sponosored by Pearl Izumi too……

Good Luck to all and for some of us, a great time to rest up after a long year and watch these runners torch the course.

If you’ve ever read Kirk Johnson’s book “To the Edge” about his experience running Badwater, you’ll see that he calls Lisa “The Sphynx of Badwater”.

Now she’s off to the Furnace Creek 508, also known as the Toughest 48 Hours in Sports. It’s an apt title. The course has a total elevation gain of over 35,000′, crosses ten mountain passes, and stretches from Santa Clarita (just north of Los Angeles), across the Mojave Desert, through Death Valley, to Twenty Nine Palms. Though she’ll be officially running as the “Empress Penguin” we’re sure “The Sphynx of the 508″ will be featured when a book about the 508 comes around.

Joining her at the 508 will be the mega-mile man, Joe DeSena. Afflicted with the same disorder as Lisa, he seems unable to be content with the race director’s decision of the starting line. So he’s decided to do a little warm-up ride from New York to the Furnace Creek 508 start. Just under 2,800 miles, it took him 14 days. You can read about it on his friend Chris Mitchell’s blog. He too is raising money for AIDS Orphans Rising, and you can donate at www.active.com/donate/USAjoe

To date, Lisa’s 810 has brought in $435,000 since May 1st; our goal is $500,000. You can donate here.

Way to go Lisa, now got get those 508 miles! Good Luck and Gods speed!

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. 

Our very own Josh Brimhall ran away with the Grand Teton 100 mile race in 19:59. Way to go Josh!

Keep checking back for a race report from Josh on his win in the Tetons!

GTR is on tap for Labor Day weekend. Located in the beautiful Teton mountains, GTR has a distance for everyone from 100 mile, 50 mile, a trail marathon and of course the kids runs (1/4 to 1/2 mile).

This race is family friendly and how can you beat the Tetons. Lisa and Jay Batchen RD the race so you know you are in for a treat. With proceeds going to great causes and guest speakers such as Sister Mary Beth, this is a race you can’t miss.

Our very own Josh Brimhall will be there to run in the 100 miler..Go get em Josh and good luck.

Visit GTR @ http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/gtr/index.htm

It is with great pleasure that we cover Lisa’s 810. I encourage you to take a look at her site and get involved. This is truly a remarkable event. Follow Lisa all along the way. Just click HERE.

Good Luck Lisa and we are all proud of you!