After finishing 2nd at the 2009 Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile run from Leadville to Winfield, CO and back, this past weekend was somewhat a bittersweet end to the 2009 year. I had a hard spring and summer of training and racing, but kind of hit the wall a little bit during the two weeks prior to the US Trail Marathon.
A little less than a month ago, I decided to make the move from Memphis, TN to Ashland, OR to live in a better training environment that is also a lot closer to a majority of the ultrarunning events that take place from year to year. Not quite acclimated to the amount of uphill and downhill running Ashland provides, I began having a nagging knee issue that did not allow the proper amount of training heading into the day. Nevertheless, I was registered and somewhat confident I could still put forth a good effort and be in the top 5.
The first 8 miles of the race climbs just about 3,000 ft vertical before transitioning to more of a rolling terrain for about 12 miles, then comes a gnarly descent back into Ashland, to the tune of 26.2 miles. Race morning was a bit chilly, in the low 40s, so we all knew it was going to be cool 3,000 feet higher. I also knew that at some point it was going to be wet, whether that be rain or snow. I came prepared, however, with a fresh pair of Swiftwick’s Olefin Ones on my feet, as well as a pair of arm warmers to help fight the elements.
[Sidenote: To you ultrarunners and cyclists out there, you can create a very convenient stash point for your salt pills and gels by rolling up the cuff of the arm warmers and sliding them between the fold or between your skin and the warmers]
As I began the climb with the lead pack, I found myself pretty relaxed and my legs felt amazing. At about mile 5, however, I started having stomach problems and began throwing up.
Throwing up while running is not a new concept to me, so it was not that problematic. What was problematic, though, is the fact that it continued so long as I pressed the pace hard enough. This makes running uphill all the more laborious and, well…just not fun at all. What made the situation most difficult to swallow is the fact that when Scott Jurek was in town a few weeks ago, I ran a slight variation of the course with Ian, Hal, EP, Jenn Shelton, Erik Roy, and Tim Olson. Hal, Scott and I hammered a decent section faster than I was capable of running on race day because of my stomach. I had one solid mile in there - a 5:37, and gracefully followed it up with about an 8:10 from being doubled over puking up a lung on the side of the trail.
Anyway, when I finally crested the top of the climb I tried, without any success, to calm my stomach. Somewhat demoralized, I threw in the towel and accepted the fact that even though it simply wasn’t my day, I was determined to finish the race. So, I chugged along in 5th place for a while. 5th became 6th. 6th became 7th. 7th became 9th and, finally, the finish line was in sight.
The ’20 mile wall’ in a marathon exists for a lot of reasons. I do not highly recommend attempting to break through that barrier having only eaten one energy gel. When I hit the finish line I could barely stand I was so weak, but my time at the office was over so things were only going to get better. Despite having such a ‘bad day,’ I humbly accepted the fact that I was still able to manage fighting my way to a 9th place finish (overall) in 3 hours 50 seconds, which translated to a 7th place finish among the USATF registered runners.
It was an 'okay' way to end the 2009 year. It was a year of 'firsts' for me. My first trail race was this past January, my first 25k. My first 50k followed not too long after in February, coupling with it the first time I broke a toe in a race. Then my first 1st came in April when I won the Ouachita 50 miler. While not a 'first' I did finish 1st at the Full Moon Midnight 50k and lobbed I think somewhere near 30 minutes off the course record (now 3:47). Then I ran my first 100 mile race in August in Leadville, Colorado. Finally, my first marathon, this past weekend. I still think that a 100 mile race is way tougher than a marathon, and will fight any of you roadies to the death on this one. A marathon is physical. An ultramarathon is mental and physical. If you don't have the mental fortitude, it doesn't matter how 'fit' you are.
Keep checking back for what seems like it will be an even more exciting 2010. For now, I plan on putting on a nice layer of winter insulation compliments of way too many good local microbrews. Yum!
Until next time,
NL
