It turns out to be a good decision, as there was some pretty good rain that started coming down around 3pm, we'll get to that later.
the weather was very favorable prior to the rain (which started around 3pm), cool and overcast. we started at 6am, my goal was to head out at a comfortable pace to daisy hollow (the turn around and 25 mile mark), and try to come back at the same pace.
I met up with Scott, whom i met in Geoff Roes' Alaska Ultra Mountain Running Camp, in 2012, and had the pleasure of running with him again this year at the camp. The first 5 miles into the gravel pit went pretty well and comfortably. The course was suprisingly dry, probably the driest i've seen this course.
I pulled off the course for a quick bathroom break, and when i got back on course, i soon came up on Scott, and we ran together a bit before i took off again. I came into mile 9.5, the lift house aid station feeling good, and ready to embark on the toughest section of course (the Alpine loop), which entails running up and down the slopes of Greek Peak ski resort (some very steep, though shorter climbs).
Finishing up the alpine loop, i came back into the lift house aid station (mile 14), went through quickly, and was onto the section out to daisy hollow, probably the funnest section of the course. we run down the road for a little more than 1/4 mile, then climb up a bit. Just before the climb, there's a small step over a rock wall and a creek crossing, i managed to slip while crossing the wall, and banged my knee pretty good.
fortunately, the pain subsided after 5 minutes or so, and i had full range of motion. i hiked up to the top of the climb and began jogging again moving into the Rockpile. at this point i was moving pretty comfortable, and doing all right through 20 miles. I was holding pretty steady at a 10 hour pace (slated to hit the daisy hollow turn around in 5 hours).
On the way into rockpile, i was greeted by Ed and his son, we hiked up a bit together, and soon I saw Rebecca (Ed's wife). A pleasant suprise. at Rockpile, i ate a bit, reloaded my gels, and ate 1 on the way out. Unfortunately i did not refill my hydration pack, and would run out of water before i got to daisy hollow.
i realized this oversight shortly after i left rockpile, and opted to slow the pace slightly to account for my limited water supply. I was still feeling good, and jogging pretty consistently. The trail seemed to be cleaned up a bit and in better shape than previous years, as the climbing felt easier, and the footing wasn't as technical. Plus the sections that had rope seemed far easier to get up.
I came into Daisy Hollow, filled my hydration pack, grabbed several gels, and a drink box of chocolate milk. I felt pretty good leaving Daisy Hollow, and was able to make decent time back to rockpile, being a little conservative on the climbs, and running well on the descents. It felt like i was a little slower on the way back. I saw Scott, earlier than i was expecting to see him, and unfortunately he was having some difficulty with his stomach. I wished him the best and continued on.
when i got into rockpile, i ate a gel, and restocked my pile. I was starting to feel pretty good about making it back to hope lake, hoping to have a return split within 30 minutes of my time from hope lake to daisy hollow. I ate a bit and headed out.
Just a little before starting to descend down towards lifthouse, my right hamstring started to feel as though it would cramp at any minute. i immediately slowed to a walk, and did what i could to try to prevent what seemed to be inevitable. I walked down much of the descent, favoring my right leg and hoping i could avoid the cramp.
it was tough going, down the rooted muddy section, as i popped out on the road, i started jogging again, and was able to jog all the way into the aid station without issue. though i was starting to feel a bit worse for the wear.
i was pleasantly surprised to see Melissa and my Dad waiting for me there. I was a bit gruff with my requests, though they didn't seem to mind, and quickly filled my hydration pack, and got me some food and extra gels before sending me on my way for the final alpine loop.
I managed to miss a turn on the loop, fortunately i wound up following a parallel path, not too far from the actual route. i had a hard time with the climbs, going very slowly on this loop, and was running the descents pretty slowly as well. as i said, i was definitely starting to feel the days mileage adding up. after what seemed way too long a time, i caught a glimpse of the aid station and was all too happy to be approaching another refueling opportunity.
I slowly jogged down the descent into the aid station, hit the port a potty, and got some food, and refilled my gel stash before heading out, hoping to get as far along the course as i could before the rain started. it had been threatening all day, but was actually starting to feel like the rain was on it's way.
I jogged down the pavement, until the short climb up carson rd, which i walked, and continued walking until the trail turned down again, at which point i was able to muster a decent jog, doing all right even in the technical sections. about 2.5 miles from gravel pit, the rain started, and it came down pretty good.
I was actually pretty happy to be running in the rain, the weather was still comfortable, so the rain wasn't bad. I started to pick up the pace a bit, as i was anxious to get to gravel pit and be onto the final section.
i got into the gravel pit aid station, ate 3 or 4 potato pieces, 1 gel, and added 2 to my pack for good measure. i drank 2 cups of water and 1 cup of coke, and was on my way again. i was super excited to be on the final section, and the rain was coming down pretty hard, making the course even more muddy and slippery.
fortunately much of the final section is downhill, and i was able to jog through it, feeling pretty tired and ready to be done. I walked the few short climbs that i encountered on the way back to hope lake, and jogged the flats and descents. finally i was on the paved path working my way around the lake. i could see the pavilion and finish area on the other side of the lake, and was all too ready to be there.
I jogged it in, and was greated by both my sisters, Melissa and Tracy, and my Dad. All waiting for me to arrive under the shelter of the pavilion. i sat down got some dry warm clothes on and had a bit of food.
we all sat around for a bit, talking and visiting, I wanted to wait for Scott to finish. After a little while, my Dad decided it was time to head home, so Tracy and he left, while Melissa and i continued to wait for Scott.
Shortly after my Dad and Tracy left, i went out, and could see Scott out on the other side of the lake making his way towards the pavilion and finish line. The volunteers were commenting on how quickly the runner in the red rain jacket was moving (Scott must have been very ready to finish as well). He came across the line extremely happy to have finished his first official 50 miler.
Scott had some definite issues on the course, from nutrition to some problems with his knee, so he wasn't able to fully enjoy the course, which i think is suited for his running style: it's rocky, rooted, muddy, and pretty technical throughout.
all in all a great day, and a fun wrap up to my summer (so it may have been the first day of fall, but i'm calling it a summer wrap up). now back to Colorado for some house work, and a couple easy runs, then the grand canyon in the middle of october.
there have been several ridgelines i've been eyeing around leadville, that i think would be a lot of fun to traverse, we shall see if i've got the ambition and time to get across them before winter fully grabs a hold of them.
and of course i got some cool swag:
an extremely warm and much appreciated sweatshirt:
and a nice technical long sleeve with the same comparison.
