After months of training, the weekend of June 7th was upon us. Weekend at Wentworth had arrived and my first 100 Miler was soon to start.
I opted to go up the day before to set up my tent and grab a prime spot for my aid station. Many of the BLT Runners were already on site, kicking back and relaxing. We had a huge group show up.
I opted to go up the day before to set up my tent and grab a prime spot for my aid station. Many of the BLT Runners were already on site, kicking back and relaxing. We had a huge group show up.
Little did I know I chose the high ground for my little tent.
You can't run an ultra with carbs and calories. My choice for this event was a selection of things from Naak. Gels, purees, waffles, high calorie drink mix were my main go to options. As a pallet cleanser I had some Pringles.
My shoes for the bulk of the run were the On Cloud Surfer Trail. I have loved these shoes since they came out. Cushioned, light weight, grippy but with a forgiving toe box. I knew they would be my friend. I also relied on All Good Sun Screen to keep me from burning and Anchor Soap's Anti-Chaffe balm. I caan't imagine running long distances with that anti-chaffe balm.
Chilling in the BLT zone on Friday.
We decided since the weather on Friday was so good, to pop out and explore the course. 4.5 km in length with gentle rolling terrain and a few bigger hills in one section, it also offered a variety of terrain. Grassy single track, beaten down hard pack single track, wide open areas, and small section of asphalt and some gravel road.
That sun looks nice.
The course preview gang.
I hadn't slept in a tent in awhile and frankly, it was kind of nice. To bed early and then up long before race start. I had loads of time to prep my race day nutrition zone, including getting a bunch of my drinks ready ahead of time. The Naak Boost drink dissolves fast, but the Ultra drink with added protein is a little slower to dissolve.
All shoe choices ready to go. Orange and purple ended up being the go to friends for the day.
New socks? Something new on race day is the saying right? I love the Darntough Run series, and honestly, I though this was the regular one, but it ended up being the ultra light. I was not disappointed. This pair got me through 120km and came out alive on the other side.
A quick group shot from behind the truck before the BLT Runners headed over for the Race Director's preamble.
Look at us all as John tells us how awesome the day will be. And then we were off.
So my goal for all of my training was to get a sub 24 hour 100 miler (161km). I had a cushion of 32 hours to actually get it done, so I knew that a few risks would be okay as ultimately I could drag my butt around for an extra 8 hours if needed to get that buckle.
It had rained a little over night, but the weather was now decent. The forecast showed rain over night. I made the race day choice to push a little harder than I should during the day when the weather was good, as I had no clue what would happen at night and I didn't want to lose out on my goal from external forces.
Off we went, many opting to walk early on, or go straight to a run walk strategy. I chose to run for awhile to see how things felt. Nice and easy pace, easier than normal. Lap after lap I would stop and grab a gel or puree. While I had banked on eating the Naak waffles, after 1 I just decided they were not for me that day. They are so good, but chewing and running or walking was just too much at that point. I had them if needed, but I switched to all gels, drinks and purees.
As the day went on, the sun warmed things up quite a bit, not super hot, but with the moisture the humidity made it feels much warmer. Eventually the gels were tougher to get down. I switched to the Naak drink, and went from stopping each lap, to carrying the bottle and drinking it each laps. After about 60km, I switched to a run lap, then a run/power hike lap to get different muscles involved.
I was so happy to note that my power hiking training paid off well. I was often "walking"past runners.
It had rained a little over night, but the weather was now decent. The forecast showed rain over night. I made the race day choice to push a little harder than I should during the day when the weather was good, as I had no clue what would happen at night and I didn't want to lose out on my goal from external forces.
Off we went, many opting to walk early on, or go straight to a run walk strategy. I chose to run for awhile to see how things felt. Nice and easy pace, easier than normal. Lap after lap I would stop and grab a gel or puree. While I had banked on eating the Naak waffles, after 1 I just decided they were not for me that day. They are so good, but chewing and running or walking was just too much at that point. I had them if needed, but I switched to all gels, drinks and purees.
As the day went on, the sun warmed things up quite a bit, not super hot, but with the moisture the humidity made it feels much warmer. Eventually the gels were tougher to get down. I switched to the Naak drink, and went from stopping each lap, to carrying the bottle and drinking it each laps. After about 60km, I switched to a run lap, then a run/power hike lap to get different muscles involved.
I was so happy to note that my power hiking training paid off well. I was often "walking"past runners.
I did switch to a singlet to mitigate the heat better. It helped. The switch to mostly liquids with an occasional gel wasn't too bad. I had plenty of energy still.
As the day progressed the laps kept coming. Soon 2 marathons were done, only 2 more to go! Then I looked down and the 100km mark was upon me. I threw down to fast kilometers to get in under 12 hours for that, which felt nice to do as I got to stretch a few new muscles. The big part was done, 12 hours down, 12 to go and 60km. I knew I would be slowing, but then the rain came.
At first it was a light rain. No need for a jacket. Then a jacket made sense. Then it was time to switch shoes as the mud began to build. THe on Cloud Ultras have way more grip with more aggressive lugs. I switched socks as well, some dry socks and shoes would feel good for even a brief period of time.
At first it was a light rain. No need for a jacket. Then a jacket made sense. Then it was time to switch shoes as the mud began to build. THe on Cloud Ultras have way more grip with more aggressive lugs. I switched socks as well, some dry socks and shoes would feel good for even a brief period of time.
The rain did not stop. Many of the others called it a day, achieving their personal distance goals. Only a few of us decided to brave the rain. And rain it did, hard, fast and a lot. The little bit of mud turned into big thick soupy puddles, areas were muddy enough that your shoe would disappear.
What was initially a small section of mud grew and grew, until maybe 1 km of the course was mud free. I was only able to really run in that one section. By 2 or 3 in the morning my feet started to hurt. I knew it was blisters. But I planned for this. A stop at the tent was tough as my legs were not happy about crawling on the ground. But I got out my foot kit and cleaned things up, took care of the blisters, taped the areas, added new lube and got back out. The mud and water were creating an abrasive paste that I would just have to accept.
What was initially a small section of mud grew and grew, until maybe 1 km of the course was mud free. I was only able to really run in that one section. By 2 or 3 in the morning my feet started to hurt. I knew it was blisters. But I planned for this. A stop at the tent was tough as my legs were not happy about crawling on the ground. But I got out my foot kit and cleaned things up, took care of the blisters, taped the areas, added new lube and got back out. The mud and water were creating an abrasive paste that I would just have to accept.
I saw frogs and small rodents, but not the bear. I got a tick on my hand of all places. I went slower after 140 km as myu muscles were so exhausted from slipping in the mud. I still got into a bit of a run in the clear section.
And then the sky brightened. I could turn off my headlamp. The rain lessened. I kept doing laps. As I looked down to realize that the next lap would be my last to get to 100 miles, many of the campers had awakened. They left their tents to giant puddles (for some it got in their tents).
Through the night the temperature dropped. Add in my overall exhaustion, and I was pretty cold. I added rain pants to my attire, even though underneath I was soaked. For my final lap, I had to add another layer, which helped. Stacey H jumped onto the lap with me and we walked and jogged our way to the finishing straight. From there I knew I had to run to the finish and we did.
And then the sky brightened. I could turn off my headlamp. The rain lessened. I kept doing laps. As I looked down to realize that the next lap would be my last to get to 100 miles, many of the campers had awakened. They left their tents to giant puddles (for some it got in their tents).
Through the night the temperature dropped. Add in my overall exhaustion, and I was pretty cold. I added rain pants to my attire, even though underneath I was soaked. For my final lap, I had to add another layer, which helped. Stacey H jumped onto the lap with me and we walked and jogged our way to the finishing straight. From there I knew I had to run to the finish and we did.
Time on the clock at 161km was 23:30:27. I made it. those 60 km were tough and took a long time compared to the first 100km. Yes, if the weather was perfect it might not have been as rough, but as it stands I had a great night. No matter what was thrown at me, I was prepared for it. My stomach never had any issues, the switch to drinks alone for awhile stopping anything bad. My blisters were not a thing that took me out, I was ready. I didn't run with music and even at the darkest part of the night I didn't get into a mental slump. I remained committed to the goal the whole way.
John was there at the end to hand me my buckle.
Totally worth it.
These socks did their best. Always choose wool people! At least my feet were actually warm.
My step count was skewed that weekend, making days of 15K steps appear as nothing.
So there it is, 100 Miles. Goal accomplished. I worked pretty hard for that and no matter how crappy the weather was at points, it was a day to remember and one I wouldn't do differently. Why is next? Well a little recovery and then onto....well I have no idea. Let's wait and see.
So there it is, 100 Miles. Goal accomplished. I worked pretty hard for that and no matter how crappy the weather was at points, it was a day to remember and one I wouldn't do differently. Why is next? Well a little recovery and then onto....well I have no idea. Let's wait and see.
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