Bighorn 100- 2010

“Always in the big woods when you leave the familiar ground and step off alone into a new path, there will be, along with feelings of curiosity and excitement, a little nagging dread. It is the ancient fear of the Unknown, and it is your first bond with the wilderness you are going into. What you are doing is exploring. You are undertaking the first experience, not of place, but of yourself in that place….” – Wendell Berry

A few months ago, one of my spin instructors handed us this quote at the beginning of class. I think he had planned a killer workout, and was bracing us for the pain or something. It immediately made me think of hundred milers. No matter how many I run, I continue to have that little nagging sense of dread at the beginning; the worry of the course, the distance, of how my body will handle everything. But, along with that dread, is the excitement of what I am about to undertake. However the race unfolds, the good, the bad, and the really bad, it is an amazing thing to be able to say that I ran 100 miles.

If I were to have written a Bighorn race report last week, all I would have been able to conjure up would be the agony of my stomach. That was the relentless issue for me this year, probably making it the hardest race to finish. Now, with a week gone, I am able to remember more positives from the experience. I saw a herd of elk at dusk racing through one of the Aspen meadows. I actually remember hearing the birds as the sun just started to come up again, and thought to myself at the time, “It can’t be that bad if I am able to appreciate the birds. ” I was able to laugh when Josh and I both, within seconds of each other, slipped and fell into one of the huge mud bogs, covering our clothes and gear completely with mud. And, I got a time and place that I am super happy with, despite the struggles.

Race Highlights (what went well, was enjoyed, and stayed down)-

• The people- When isn’t this a highlight of ultras? I am guessing many would agree that the people at these races are what make the events so amazing. The volunteers at Bighorn are simply incredible. They endure freezing weather, remote aid stations, and long nights, just to keep us moving. Many of the aid stations at Bighorn are inaccessible by vehicle, so volunteers horseback or hike supplies in. Who would have thought runners would get apple and carrot smoothies operated by a generator in the middle of the woods? Two guys even hauled in chairs to a spring and sat there through the night filling water jugs to make it easier for us to fill our bottles.  I ran back and forth with several runners throughout the whole race, so seeing people like Geoff Donovan, a new friend from Oregon, and Tom Remkes (again!), from Utah, helped keep me going when all I wanted to do was lay down in the trail. Even when we weren’t chatting, it made such a difference to be running near others.
• My pacer- If Josh had not been pacing me, I don’t know that I would have finished. He’s seen me through enough of these that he knows he can push me hard, and eventually I will get up off the ground and keep moving. He pretended not to be worried when I was throwing up black gook, reminded me even if I refused to eat I better be drinking, and raised his voice just enough to get me to quit walking on the dirt road so I could get in under 24 hours.
• The course- This race course simply rocks! It’s so technical and crazy with the mud, snow, rocks, creeks, etc. that you just have to embrace it. The scenery and wildlife aren’t half bad either!!
• Post race venue- How can you not love a huge party after running a 100 miles?  It was extra fun to be able to share it with such a fantastic group from Oregon, especially the Corvallis gang, the Brownings, and Yassine. If only I could have actually eaten the great food they were making.
• EFS drink- When my plan of getting a lot of my calories from gel backfired, the only thing I could get down was the EFS drink Josh had brought for himself. I actually don’t ever use it in training, but after mile 50, its pretty much all I consumed. Although not very calorie dense, it had enough electrolytes and some calories to keep me going.
• Sub 24 hours

Race Lowlights-

• My stomach- It started feeling weird by mile 17, was nauseous by mile 35, throwing up by mile 50, and it never turned around. Nothing would stay down, so in addition to feeling crummy, my energy went south too. My stomach is always my issue in 100s, but I have never before had to battle it for 70 miles. Won’t go into the gory details, but I have some things to figure out with it before I take on another 100. So frustrating when the legs feel ready to run!
• My planning- For how long in advance I started packing, I should have been more than prepared for this race. Don’t know why I thought three gel flasks (12 gels worth) would be enough to get me 100 miles. In addition, didn’t start making adjustments quickly enough when I couldn’t keep Succeed caps down- mainly because I didn’t think to carry nuun up from the Footbridge, and had run out of my ONE gel flask I packed for the first 48 miles. I think becoming low on electrolytes might have contributed to my stomach issues.

Like all other hundreds I have run, my resolve of “never again!!” is already dissolving. Especially after following WS 100 on-line, how can you not get excited for the next 100 mile adventure!

Gear used- Pearl Izumi Fuel XC trail shoes, Nathan Insulated Quick Draw hand bottles, Nathan Krissy vest first half, then Nathan Hydration Pack the second half, carried my super light weight PI fly jacket and PI armbands the whole race.

In the San Juan Mountains of Colorado times were fast- I’m talking sick fast! Dakota Jones ripped off a time (8:13) that is got to be in consideration for a top performance of an early 2010. Scott Jaime ran a good race and set his own PR on the course which placed him 5th in a time of 9.28:07. Darcy Africa was on her game and finished 1st Female and 11th overall with a time of 10.13. Both Darcy and Scott are now set for Hardrock on July 9th. (Scott officially got in today!) See Scott’s race report HERE!

In Wyoming at the Bighorn 100- Ashley Nordell was once again 1st Female and finished 12th overall with a sub 24 time of 23.49:10. That’s back to back wins here for Ashley.

Great job gang! Stayed tuned for a big one this weekend in Auburn- Western States 100, the grand daddy of em all!

Sheridan, Wyoming is the home to an unforgettable race venue- Bighorn Trail Races. Team Pearl Izumi-Smith’s  Ashley Nordell will take on the 100. She is running strong and has to be a favorite in any race.

In the breath-taking San Juan mountains, Darcy Africa and Scott Jaime will be running the San Juan Solstice 50 as they continue their training for the mighty Hardrock in July. What a better place then at SJS 50.

Good Luck to everyone this weekend and have fun!!!!

Ashley Nordell was in Oregon for the Peterson Rumble Ridge 60k and came away with  1st place female honors in a tome of 5:01. There is no stopping this tough as nails athlete!

Matt Lonergan also had a fine run by finishing 1st overall at the Shotgun Creek 50k. Read about Matt’s race HERE.

                When I first ran Three Days of Syllamo four years ago, I never anticipated it would become an annual event. However, after the first year of experiencing Steve Kirk’s unique race, I was hooked.  Now I don’t even consider other venues in March because I know I will be off in Arkansas running through the Ozarks. I love every aspect of the race- the three days of hard running, the gnarly and technical trails, the surprise courses (they change every year), and most of all, the people. I am not the only one who returns annually. The headquarters at Blanchard Springs Campground is like a mini-reunion grounds. It’s amazing how a few days of challenging running brings friends together.  The start of the 50k feels more like a social get-together than a race. If we haven’t had enough time to catch up before the run begins, the stories just continue as we take off and make our way up the rocky single track trails. Runners who are new to the event quickly become members of the Syllamo clique, and I don’t think it takes them long to realize why Steve has such a loyal following to his race. After each day of racing, runners hang around to eat, cheer on other runners, and socialize. There is such a camaraderie that builds up over the three days; it almost feels like we are one big team, rather than individuals racing each other. It’s common to see groups of runners crossing the finish line together in packs. This year I had two friends from California out for the race, so it was also nice to be able to catch up on what I had missed since moving to Oregon. I also had the opportunity to meet some new runners to the race like Alyssa Godesky (and her dad) from Maryland, and 20 year old Sarah Woerner (and her dad) from Tennessee.                

Day One-about 32 miles of rocky, technical single track with several creek crossings

                I always struggle a bit at the start of the first day. I think the 12+ hours of traveling the day before takes a toll, but after about 10 miles I started to feel better. You really have to watch the trail on this course, not only due to the technical surface, but because there are so many intersecting mountain bike trails and dirt roads, it’s easy to get lost- many people did. For fuel, I was using EFS liquid shot mixed with water in an 8 oz. Nathan bottle, and was surprised how my energy remained stable the entire day. I probably only took in 300 calories, and I never felt like I was bonking. This was the first time I have used the liquid shot. I always found it too sweet, but mixing it with water worked really well, and I just took sips throughout the run. I normally do NOT like gel- I never use it in training runs because I can’t stand the consistency and taste, but in races, it’s usually all I can get down. Of all gels I have used (and I think I have tried every brand and flavor there is), the EFS liquid shot was by far the smoothest and easiest to ingest.  FINAL TIME- 5:23:33, 1^st W, 4^th OA

                Day Two- 50 miles of Syllamore Creek Trail and Ozark Highlands Trail, as much elevation gain as Steve could find (his words)

                I am sure it would be entertaining for anyone to watch the start of the second day. Over 50 tired, sore runners trying to RUN. It’s amazing, though, how quickly the legs do come back. The first nine miles I ran mostly with Dave, Leif, and Paul. It helped to have company and not think about how far we had to go that day. I was surprised how strong I felt, and kept waiting to hit that inevitable low that seems to always come at some point in the longer races, but it never really did.  I ran out of liquid shot before the turn around, so I was resorting to gels I had stored in my drop bags. I couldn’t seem to get them down, and I know I didn’t take in enough calories.  Because the course is an out and back, the first couple miles of the return trip were invigorating because you get to see the other runners. By this point I was running behind Leif. I would catch him on the downhills, but he pulled ahead on the climbs and flats. At around mile 40, I caught up to him during a rough patch. He was out of food and probably low on sugar or calories. I had a half eaten gel in my hand, so I passed it off to Leif, saying, “I know this is gross, but it’s all I have left.” He took it gratefully. We were only a mile out from the final aid station, so I figured he would get some coke or food and come back for the final stretch. I kept expecting him to fly by me the final miles, but I never saw him again. All I could think about the last hour was Cook Cal’s grilled cheese sandwich he always makes me after the 50 miler. My second half of the race ended up being only one minute slower than my first half, so I was happy to have run it consistently. It’s always a relief to finish the second day, because you know all that’s left is “just” a 20k.  

FINAL TIME- 9:27:35, 1^st OA

                Day Three- Search and Rescue

                Upon arriving back at the campground/race headquarters for the final stage, we were told there was still a runner missing from the 50 miler. It turned out to be a guy I had run with a couple miles at the end of the 50k. He had gone through the final manned aid station at mile 41, but had never made it to the finish. It was scary news to hear because the night before had been extremely cold, and there were several steep cliffs over the final nine miles of the 50 mile course. Instead of running the final stage, runners opted to wait around for word that search and rescue needed more volunteers. I doubt anyone would have wanted to race knowing there was a missing runner, and it reinforced why ultra runners are such a unique and close knit group. By the time I had to leave for my flight, the runner had still not been found, but I learned later he was located around 2:30, wandering one of the dirt roads. He had missed the trail out of the aid station, and was thought to have traveled over 70 miles that day trying to get back to the campground.  He did not have a long sleeve shirt or light, so I am sure it was a very long night. Thankfully, he was OK when they found him, though I am sure extremely tired and cold.

                Thank you to Steve, Liz, and Courtney Kirk for putting on such a top notch event, and to Cal for cooking the best food for so many hungry and tired runners, and to all the volunteers who make coming into an aid station the highlight of the runs! I am sure I will see everyone again next year.

FINAL TWO DAYs OF SYLLAMO TIME- 14:51:08

                Gear Used- 20 oz. Nathan Insulated Quick Draw and 8 oz. Nathan hand held bottles, EFS Liquid Shot, Pearl Izumi XC Fuel Trail Shoes, PI Infinity shorts, PI sleeves, and new PI fly short sleeve shirt. Despite several creek crossings both days, I had no feet/blister issues.

Here is a little video taken on a team run during the summit.  It was tricky taking video because of the slick trails so sorry for being so shaky.

Ashley kicked everything off in Arkansas on Friday by placing 1st female and 4th overall in the 50k (5:23) during Day 1 of 3 Days of Syllamo. Her lead was 35 minutes heading into Day2 and the 50 miler. She rocked Day 2 coming away with 1st overall (9:27) and her lead at 27 minutes heading to Day 3. Unfortunately, a runner got lost on Day 2 so Day 3 turned into a Search and Rescue event. GREAT NEWS- the runner was found!- that indeed is great news. Great running Ash! Total time 14:50 and we hear that was good enough for 1st Overall!!!! Full results and report to follow.

In a strong field at Way To Cool in California, Darcy finished 3rd female with a time of 4:37! Rumors have it the course was kinda sloppy. Great work Darcy. Leor Pantilat took 1st with a time of 3:41 followed by Max King and Geoff Roes. For the women- Joelle Vaught (4:13) placed 1st followed by Bev-Anderson Abbs and Darcy.

Nick Clark was in Salida for the Salida Marathon where he took 3rd place with a time of 3:19. Timmy Parr placed 1st followed by Andy Henshaw. With 14 weeks to go before some race called Western States, Nick is looking strong and focused!

Saturday, Darcy Africa will be in Cali for the Way To Cool 50k. Fast course with some top talent. Keep an eye on this race! Good Luck Darcy!

Nick Clark will be in Salida for the Salida Marathon on Saturday as well. After taking a well deserved break in February, Nick’s looking forward to push his buddy Ryan Burch here.

Good Luck everyone, run hard and have fun!

Good Luck to you both!

Darcy is off to the islands of Hawaii for the HURT 100. Aloha and Good Luck! Ashley is in Oregon running in the MLK 50k. Scott Jaime will be testing his road legs in the Rock-n-Roll marathon down in Phoenix and fresh off a course record at Bandera, Nick Clark will be in New Mexico for the Ghost Town 38.5.

Good Luck to you all and have fun!!