Returning to the 100 at the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Races

What had to have been one of the busiest aid station decks in US ultra running had turned into one of the quietest. It was my second trip through the base lodge of Diamond Peak ski area, on lap two of the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 miler, and the throngs of cheering family, friends, crew, and aid station volunteers that had been there at high noon on my first time through had vanished, distilled down to a couple volunteers, one other runner, and me.

It was 2:50 am.

Continue on Medium...

Warming Up at the Red Hot 55k (Plus Photos)

Thirty-four miles on the striking red earth and slickrock of the Red Hot 55k seemed like a great reason to end the too-long hiatus from posting to Run Junkie.  I don't have any great excuse for the sustained void, except for some ping-ponging moderate injuries (left knee, right knee, Achilles, hamstrings, and back again) that sent me for yet another season largely into the arms of racing mountain bikes - an at-times fun but not passionate pursuit.

But this fall, things started to come around for my running, so much so that I signed up for a Valentine's Day trip to Moab to test my mettle on the deceptively tough Red Hot parcours.  Training wasn't perfect, but I felt I had enough miles to toe the line for a solid training run.

I ran Red Hot once before back in 2009, memorable because I both broke my camera (dropped in the Martian Moab dust) and wound up on the masters podium.  This year, I didn't expect it to be quite as eventful.  I had too many cycling miles and less than half of the weekly running miles I did the first time.  

And things played out pretty much as I thought - a challenging but largely enjoyable 34 mile run. The toughest part was trying not to race against my 2009 self, a goal I did not meet and a race I definitely did not win.  It caused me to go out too fast and finish too slow.  But it sure felt great to be back in the game, to toe the line at a great season opener, and to start to think about the possibilities of 2014.

2011 Foothills 50K Frenzy

Brad Mitchell (Scott) and Joelle Vaught (Montrail) took the top men's and women's spots, respectively, in Saturday's inaugural Foothills 50k Frenzy in Boise.  Mitchell covered the challenging (6,000 ft of vert), largely singletrack course though the Boise foothills in a quick 4:13, with Vaught coming home in 4:32 to also claim second overall.  Vaught kept Mitchell in her sights through the mile 14 turnaround on Ridge Road, but by the mile 18 Orchard Canyon aid station, he was able to gain some separation - and a couple broken ribs from a hard tumble - and hold his lead through to the finish.  Full results.

For me, the race was a bit of a triumph, as it marked my return (if just) to ultrarunning following a two year hiatus after a rough fall on my knee just before Wasatch in 2009.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to toe the line again at marathon-distance, let alone anything beyond. But, as my injury was kept at bay by a very conservative approach this season, I was able to stitch together just enough long-run miles to make a hard 50k both possible and enjoyable.  And that's exactly how it turned out.  It wasn't a barn burner, but I was able to come through the finish feeling strong in 18th (5:23).

Though the Frenzy was a first year event, it came off with the clockwork precision that many seasoned races could only hope to have, and it's a great addition to the fall racing schedule in the west.

Some photos:

6:00 am start.

First 90 minutes or so via headlamp on pretty buffed out trail.

The Run Junkie at the high point - Ridge Road turnaround.

Descending Ridge Road, making the way toward top of Robie Creek.

Idaho traffic jam.

Hard to beat open country in the last third of race.

Joelle Vaught - First (2nd overall).

Brad Mitchell - First Overall.

Results: Jones-Wilkins takes 2010 Grand Teton 100 in Record Time

At the 2010 Grand Teton 100, Andy Jones-Wilkins (Patagonia, La Sportiva) showed his typical closing ability, finishing first in 18:35:23 and demolishing the course record of 19:19:51 set last year.  

Despite small numbers toeing the line, the lead end of the race featured two big guns, Andy Jones-Wilkins (AJW), winner of the 2010 Vermont 100 and perennial top 10 at the Western States 100, and Duncan Callahan (Vasque), winner of the Leadville Trail 100 in 2010 and 2008.  The two basically stayed head to head through halfway, with some small lead changes after that.  The final selection took place on the fourth-lap climb and descent of Fred's Mountain between miles 75 and 81.  AJW took the lead and never gave it back. Callahan finished a strong second in 19:03:58, also under the 2009 course record set by Ty Draney. (results)

Keri Wheeler of Jackson, WY took the women's race in 27:20:40.

This year is the swan song for the Grand Teton 100, though the other distances will continue.  The GT100 races over a 25 mile clover leaf course in and around the Grand Targhee Resort, with about 5,000 vertical feet per lap.

2010 Grand Teton 100 - Top 5 Overall 

1. Andy Jones-Wilkins 18:35:23 (cr)
2. Duncan Callahan 19:03:58
3. John Carroll 23:52:43
4. Steve Bremner 27:05:11
5. Kerri Wheeler 27:20:40 (first female)

Thanks to DC's crew for the Twitter updates @DuncanCallahan

Mid-Race Results (Mile 50): 2010 Grand Teton 100

Update (9-5-10):  Report on final results

In what is the swan song for the Grand Teton 100 (the other distances will continue), 2010 Leadville 100 winner, Duncan Callahan, and 2010 Vermont 100 winner, Andy Jones-Wilkins, have run to a near draw halfway through, with Callahan taking a slight lead heading out for the closing 50 miles (live results, lagged).

Ty Draney's 2009 course record of 19:19:51 is on the line (as are eternal GT100 CR bragging rights) on what is turning out to be a warm day at the Grand Targhee Resort.

The GT100 races over a 25 mile clover leaf course, with about 5,000 vertical feet per lap.

Mile 50
1. Duncan Callahan 8:30
2. Andy Jones-Wilkins 8:31:30

Thanks to DC's crew for the Twitter updates @DuncanCallahan

Race Results: Nationwide 2010 Titus Van Rijn (TVR) One Hour Run

Nationwide results for the Titus Van Rijn One Hour Distance Classic are in, and the Sun Valley Edition shined. While furthest distance overall, with 15,602 meters, went to 38 year old Washingtonian, Erik Brooks, Sun Valley runners Brad Mitchell (15,500 meters) and Andy Jones-Wilkins (14, 850 meters) took second and third respectively, as well as first and second in the Masters division.  Your truly (Hank Dart, 14,750 meters) came in seventh overall, giving Sun Valley three runners in the top ten.

Women's overall went to 35 year old defending champion Pam Smith of Oregon, with 14,578 meters, furthering the female record she set last year.  Sun Valley's Liv Jensen (12,960 meters) came through fourth woman; Julie Cord (12,429) sixth (second Masters), and EJ Harpham (12030 meters) seventh.

Race directors yet again did a great job organizing the event and compiling results and reports.

What is the TVR One Hour Run?

It's basically a festival of local one-hour running events, now in its 12th year. See the specifics here, but the "rules" are really quite simple. Grab some friends and hit the track sometime in May, record how far you go in 60 minutes, and send the results to the event director.

For more, see the new TVR blog.

Previous TVR posts on Run Junkie.


Overall Top 10

2010 TVR One Hour Run
First	Last	Gender	Age	Meters	Year	Site
Erik	Brooks	M	38	15,602	2010	WA
Brad	Mitchell	M	40	15,500	2010	ID
Andy	Jones-Wilkins	M	42	14,850	2010	ID
Ben	Blessing	M		14,800	2010	ID
Dan	Kuperberg	M	46	14,800	2010	WA
Brad	Smythe	M	31	14,780	2010	NC
Hank	Dart	M	42	14,750	2010	ID
James	Umbanhowar	M	37	14,720	2010	NC
Pam	Smith	F	35	14,578	2010	OR
Stephanie	Snyder	F	40	14,415	2010	OR

2010 Pocatello 50 Miler Scuttled Mid-Race by Nasty Weather

A brutal weather system that brought freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, and white out conditions caused the Pocatello 50 miler to be stopped mid-race today, as many runners from the lead end to the tail end of the pack found themselves lost. The race started under decent but threatening conditions, which turned about 90 minutes into the race into challenging, and ultimately dangerous, conditions when course flagging in the upper elevations became buried under many inches of snow or difficult to see because of white out. 

Lead runners were pulled at the mile 32 Mink Creek aid station, while others were pulled at the mile 17 City Creek aid.  Reports from the field were that some groups of runners went well off course and had to make their way as best they could back to the closest aid station. Race directors were accounting for all runners.

Under the best of conditions - last year's inaugural race was run under sunny skies and 80 degree temps - the Pocatello 50, with its challenging terrain and 14,000 feet of climbing, is one of the harder races on the ultra calendar.  Today it met the only thing that could best the course itself - the weather.

Many thanks to Brad Mitchell and AJW for first hand reports from the field. 

See all Pocatello 50-related posts

2010 Titus Van Rijn (TVR) One Hour Distance Classic - Sun Valley Edition

The turnout alone was spectacular, add in sunshine, temps in the 60s, and relatively calm conditions, and it set up to be a great day on the Wood River High School track for the 2010 running of the Titus Van Rijn One Hour Distance Classic - Sun Valley Edition.  Nineteen stalwart runners toed the line in the 60 minute timed test, nearly doubling the combined number for the previous three years.

The early running played out pretty much as it does every year.  Jokes on the line and around the first corner. A little talking over the first mile or so, then just a silent dance with one's aerobic threshold for the remaining fifty minutes.

Brad Mitchell (La Sportiva) took top distance honors making it 15,500 meters (9.63 miles).  Andy Jones-Wilkins took runner up (14,850 meters; 9.23 miles) in his now-storied fish shorts, the wearing of which caused Patagonia and La Sportiva to disavow any sponsorship ties (photos below).

On the women's side, Liv Jensen took top distance with 12,960 meters (8.05 miles), which currently places her third on the all-time TVR list.  Julie Cord took second spot on the day, with a solid 12,429 (7.72). Full results below.

In the end, no dreams were shattered, some PRs were set, and there was much rejoicing with Black Cherry Soda and lite beer.  A great time all around.

(click to enlarge photos) (more photos here)

HURT 100 - Top Three Through Mile 53

Update (1-17-10):  Gary Robbins takes 2010 HURT 100 in a course record time of 20:12.  Thanks for the update, Derrick.  Online live results are still down but check out Gary's Twitter feed.

Midway through the HURT 100 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Gary Robbins and Tracy Garneau lead the men's and women's fields, respectively (race site). Run on a 20 mile technical loop course with approximately 5,000 feet of elevation  per lap, the HURT 100 is an arduous gem on the 100 mile circuit, looked to longingly by those just beginning a long winter of running on ice and snow.

Top 3 Overall Through Mile 53 (Nu'uanu 3)
Gary Robbins (M) 10:00 hrs
Nathan Yanko (M) 10:35 hrs
Tracy Garneau (F) 10:49 hrs

Official ongoing updates.

Report: 2009 Elephant's Perch Backcountry Run and a Look Back at a Big Year

Shortly after passing through a sea of chest-high purple wildflowers near the fire-scorched crest of the Fox Creek climb of the 2009 Elephant's Perch Backcountry Run, I allowed myself a bit of reflection. Yes, I still had five miles to go on the sixteen mile race and was doing all I could to stay in contact with Montrail runner, Joelle Vaught, while also trying to stay ahead of the two runners who'd been nipping at my heals at the base of the final climb, but as I started down the short, buffed-out descent, I couldn't help but think back to last year's race.

Fox Creek flowers (photo: Laurie Wertich)

Twelve months ago, I'd used the the Backcountry Run as a final tune-up ahead the White River 50, my first ever ultra, which would then set me out on a journey through other undiscovered countries over the next year: my first DNF, an inglorious drop at mile 45 of the Grand Teton 50, which folks still enjoy reminding of; my first winter of big mileage running in the high mountains (with only a single indoor workout); my first 100k and first run through the night, both at the staggered-start Coyote Two Moon in March; and finally, starting (and actually finishing) my first 100 miler at Bighorn in June.

It's really been an amazing year and for the briefest of moments all the feelings that marked all that training and racing came rushing forward--excitement, joy, fatigue, a bit of melancholy, a bit of boredom, and lots and lots of hunger (for food, miles, and experiences). And for about a 100 meter section of that descent, it was as if each foot strike was stamping into my psyche a reminder of the physical, emotional, and nutritional barriers I'd broken through to get to this point--a gift from the trail to take with me as I tackle other adventures in the coming months and years.

...Which brings me back to the 2009 Backcountry Run.

Coming off the descent, it was clear the runners behind me had faded on the final climb, so I could relax a bit and really just focus on a good hard rhythm on the slightly downhill four mile run-in to the finish and see if I could keep Joelle in sight and possibly even gain some ground. On the first mile, running at what seemed like 6:30 pace, she built an even greater lead, but after that, I started slowly (and I mean slowly) gaining. With about one and half miles to go, she and I came together right as we passed another runner, and as one would expect from a podium finisher at Way Too Cool, she sounded quite chipper when we exchanged a few words--a worrying sign for someone whose legs were beginning to feel pretty heavy. I tried to spout a few light hearted words myself to mask how tired I was starting to feel, then took the lead and just tried to keep up some momentum on the mile-long paved section to the finish. We came in about 30 seconds apart, and she grabbed the well-deserved women's crown in 2:12:15.

For me, I came in seventh overall and nabbed a PR by close to three minutes (2:11:45)--my fourth in a row since my first Backcountry Run in 2005. Just as important, I got a sense that I'm just about recovered from Bighorn and ready to start working on another big year with a go at the Wasatch Front 100, now just seven weeks nigh.

Backcountry Run full results

Related Run Junkie race reports

Video: 2009 Hardrock 100 - A Pacer's View

I don't recall exactly how I came across this video the other day, but after the first viewing I knew I had to post a link on my Twitter feed. After a couple more viewings, it entranced me, so I had to get it up on Run Junkie proper as well.

As I said on Twitter:

"Nice video by Kim Holak's pacer at Hardrock. You can feel the fatigue but see the relentless forward motion."

Reflections on the 2009 Bighorn 100

Twilight dissolved into full darkness as I made my way across the boggy meadows to the turn-around at the Porcupine Ridge aid station at mile 48. It's the time in a race I've really come to enjoy. And Friday's Bighorn 100 was no exception. The harshness of the day softened; the maddening crowd of the early going dispersed; and the questions starting to be answered.

How do I feel? How's my pace? And most importantly for my first 100 mile attempt: How are things looking for a finish?

Until this point, I really had no answers. The warm, 11am start at the Tongue River Canyon, while wondrously beautiful, made the day already feel long even before the gun. But it gave me a chance to chat with a couple great Fort Collins guys I'd only met via blogs and attackpoint.org, who would both go on to very strong finishes: Nick Clark (2nd) and Pete Stevenson (7th).

At the gun, it was up the canyon on the gravel road a couple miles; then on to some undulating, singletrack for another couple; then, the first extended climb that would be surprisingly crowded until the next aid station. It certainly challenged me mentally. My legs didn't feel particularly spry; my stomach felt bloated from mishandling the late start, and the tailwind up the canyon kept things feeling warmer than they should have.

The Upper Sheep Creek aid was great to see (mile 8.5). A chance to fill bottles and shake off the climb. Things began to spread out a bit as well, and I got to run on and off for a number of miles with Steve Kirk (RD of 3 Days of Syllama, who'd have to eventually drop at the turn-around with an offline stomach), Ashley Nordell (who'd soon drop me and go on to win the women's race in 24:51), and Trevor Hostetler (who'd finish after some hiccups on the way).

Aid stations came and went, I ate my PB & J's, drank my Nuun and Succeed products, and took many photos of the amazing scenery. The climbing kept going, the mud kept getting deeper, darker, and less avoidable. Night began to fall, and I finally had some early answers.

Nearing the mile 48 highpoint of the out/back course: My stomach was feeling good; my pace felt good; and knowing there was a long way to go, I was beginning to sense that a finish was possible if I kept positive and to my plan.

After the turn-around at Porcupine Ridge ranger station around 10:30pm, I headed into full darkness and crossed paths with runners heading up (some feeling better than others). This part of the course was marked by wide, watery (often trail-less) meadows and expansive views of the milky way. I'd just mark the next glowstick and slurp my way along to it -- sometimes quickly realizing I was heading for a low-slung star instead. Of all the memories of this day, those from this section are the most vivid.

Creek crossing not far from Porcupine Ridge

From here, I passed through a couple aid stations -- passing a couple bonked runners on the way -- and got back to the major Footbridge station (mile 66) around 3:30am, still feeling good.

After a quick weigh-in, the real run for home then began. Out of Footbridge is a big, nasty and often muddy 2500 foot climb over 3.5 miles. It was slow going, and as the day began to dawn, my energy began to drain. I was able to keep up a good steady pace up until Cow Camp aid (mile 76), but from there on, I picked my way home, trading leads with Ogden runner, Tom Remkes (who'd eventually get me by six minutes).

Cow Camp aid station

Although I could keep taking gel after gel up to the finish, my legs just couldn't seem to muster any energy, and my quads screamed on anything but the slightest downward pitch (of which there are very few in the closing miles). Seeing my hubristic goal of a 24ish time slip away, I grew a bit despondent, but kept picking my way home.

When I finally hit the Tongue River Canyon road aid station (mile 94), I figured out that if I ran 90 percent of the closing miles, I could come in under 26 hours. So I filled my bottles, pounded four more gels, and shuffled for home in the now hot mid-day sun, crossing the line in 25:35 -- good enough for 11th place.

Into the finish at Scott Park (photo by Michael Powers)

While I may have wanted a bit more, I'm extremely happy with the result. Eleven months after my first ultra (the White River 50), I was able to toe the line and finish a challenging 100 miler -- and most importantly live to tell about it. I can't thank my much more accomplished training partners enough for sharing their tricks of the trade that really made it all possible.

Still, I've got a lot of work to do, a lot of troubleshooting to perform. But for the time being, I'm going to put my feet up for a while and just enjoy the moment.

Don't tell my Wasatch pacer.

(Complete photo album)

(Official results)

Early Results: Meltzer, Nordell Win at the 2009 Bighorn Trail 100

Update: Full results now available on the Bighorn site.

Karl Meltzer sloughed off an encounter with an angry moose and took a handy victory in record time on Saturday at the stunningly picturesque and challenging 2009 Bighorn Trail 100 in Dayton, Wyoming. Women's winner, Ashley Nordell, went unchallenged from start to finish. (Click on finishers' list to enlarge).

Bighorn Trail 100: 10-Day Forecast

Now ten days out from the start of the Bighorn Trail 100, here's the first look at race day conditions. High of 80 with showers -- better Nikwax my Houdini.

For my brief thoughts on the 10-day forecast as race prep milestone, check out this post.

My Pocatello 50 Mile Trail Run: 60-Second Report

With lawns going to seed, children neglected, and pets striking lonesome poses, it must mean one thing: training for early-summer ultras is reaching fever pitch. So, with time quite precious, here's my 60-second race report from the Pocatello 50 Mile Trail Run.

Overall summary

Time: 10:34. Place: 7th. Fabulous experience. Really happy with my time and effort. Nutrition went much better than I expected. A really lonesome trail at times. A great, great race.

Full official results

Photos by Greg Norrander (yours truly the first two slides)

Photos by Olga

Photos by Larry

Leg 1 (17 miles) Mink Creek to City Creek

Highlight

Brutal bushwhacking climb (watch the cacti!) up to boulder-strewn ridge

Nadir

Missed turn to second aid station, lost about 10 minutes or so

Other thoughts

Beautiful morning. Warmed up fast. Really great singletrack first 8 miles. Stomach just not right from step one. Perennial wonder: am I starting too fast or too slow?

Leg 2 (15 miles) City Creek to Mink Creek (different route)

Highlight

Tough climb up off-trail muddy, snowy, slippery draw with running water.

Nadir

Same

Other thoughts

Nice temperature on the peak, pretty warm in the valley heading to mile 31 aid. Legs felt pretty tired but just kept turning them over. Stomach felt much better after mile 25. Fell around mile 29 (soft landing). Kept running out of water.

Leg 3 (20 miles) Mink Creek to Scout Peak to Finish

Highlight

Great singletrack descent from mile 44 to the aid station at mile 47.

Nadir

Thinking I missed a turn on mile 40 when I hadn't spotted a flag for a long time. Back-tracked and lost some more time.

Other thoughts

Shared a few minute's conversation with one of the Bend guys. Much of the climb to the top of Scout Peak pretty tough because of soft snow and mud. Passed by two relayers. Passed one back on the descent. Final "small" climb at mile 48 was in fact the final climb, but it was not in fact small. Finished up feeling strong, happy with my time, and queasy from my final gel.

(photos courtesy of gnorrander)

Early Results: 2009 Pocatello 50 Mile Trail Run

Update 2009:
Full official results
Run Junkie 60-second race report
Photos by Greg Norrander (yours truly the first two slides)

The inaugural Pocatello 50 lived up to its billing as a savage and great course. Snow, mud, rock-strewn ridges, bushwhacking, cacti, and 13,500 feet of climbing made for finishing times that left racers feeling they'd definitely earned their t-shirts. Dave James and Krissy Moehl took top honors in 9:16:49 and 10:13:23, respectively. (Click photo for larger image).

Results and Report: 2009 Coyote Two Moon 100

The 2009 edition of the Coyote Two Moon 100 festival of running and unrelated activities finished up Sunday as runners weary from putt-putt golf, bowling, and general frivolity actually tackled the challenging 100m and 100k courses. In the 100k, it was an exact replay of this year's Rocky Raccoon 50, as Rocky winners Kevin Sullivan and Meredith Tarranova took top honors in times of 13:10 and 15:47, respectively. 100 mile results pending.

Of course, any results to date are unofficial, as race director Chris Scott assigns "bonus" and "boner" minutes, which can significantly affect official finishing times. Do things that anger the director -- don't answer emails, don't show up at the awards breakfast, don't wear your leader's beanie -- and you'll see your winning time slip down to mid-pack. Do things that please the director -- send him a pound of coffee each week, participate in pre-event festivities -- and you can launch from the bottom of the pack to the winner's circle. Final results will be posted when they're available.

Unlike most events, runners at Coyote leave at staggered starts based on projected finishing times, with the goal of bringing everyone home in a four hour window Sunday morning. This means things group together toward the end of the race (rather than becoming mind-numbingly bleak), and the 100k runners, often free from running in the dark, spend most of their run-time with their headlamps and flashlights.

A few photos from 2009.

On the start line with the last 100k start group--leader beanies donned


From the front

Race director, Chris Scott, reminding folks who's in charge at the pre-event briefing

Above the clouds on the climb up from from Rose Valley

The sign to Gridley Top out of Rose Valley in waning light


Meredith Tarranova (and I) into Cozy Dell AS (mile 30)

See my other C2M postings.

(Start (front view) and Cozy Dell photos courtesy of Bob MacGillivray/DryMax)

Race Prep Milestone: The 10-Day Forecast

There are many waypoints and milestones on the way to a big race: the first double, the first 6 x 1200, the last long run, the beginning of the taper. For me, one of the best milestones is the posting of the 10-day weather forecast for race day. Coming as it does in the middle of the first taper week, when you're a bit burnt out but still have to get some decent miles, it not only tells you you're getting pretty close to toeing the line, but it also provides a welcome distraction and (false?) sense of empowerment as you begin to pull together the race day quiver and drop bags.

Coming off a long winter of snowy runs in the Rockies, things are looking great in Ojai, CA for the start of the Coyote Two Moon 100 ten days' hence: Sunny. Hi 72. Low 45.

Results: Mackey, Ortiz Win 2009 Red Hot 50k+

Despite dire weather forecasts calling for rain and snow and highs in the 30's, the Red Hot 50k+ went off without a hitch yesterday under largely clear skies and temperatures in the mid-40's, with Dave Mackey coming up first in 3:58:50, followed by Tim Parr less than a minute behind. Karl Meltzer crossed third. Anita Ortiz won the women's race in 4:48:27. Full results.

Men
Top Overall
1. Dave Mackey 3:58:50
2. Tim Parr 3:59:33
3. Karl Meltzer 4:13:14

Top Masters
1. Kevin Shilling 4:38:51
2. Hank Dart 5:21:48
3. Morgan Murri 5:23:27

Women
Top Overall
1. Anita Ortiz 4:48:27
2. Samantha Sigle 5:07:40
3. Helen Cospolich 5:10:12

Top Masters
1. Marie-Helene Faurie 6:17:26
2. Tammy Stone 6:17:59
3. Cindy Stonesmith 6:17:59

With abundant loose-dirt trail and long sections of off-camber slab rock, the Red Hot 50k+ (actual distance approx. 34 miles) is a challenging course set in some spectacular red desert scenery.