Wow, I’m glad that’s over. I ran the Wasatch Front 100 Mile endurance Run over the weekend and it was an endurance run/walk/death march. I did manage to finish and even finished a couple of hours ahead of my previous best time for this course.
Here it is by the numbers:
Start – Saturday 5:00 am
My Finish – Sunday 1:22 pm
Winning Time - 20:01
Highest elevation reached – 10,540’
Calories expended – approximately 15,000
Calories taken in – about 5000
What I ate – 12 Ensures @ 250 calories each, about 12-15 Gu’s at 100 calories each, numerous cups of Ramen noodles, some watermelon and cantelope.
Number of blisters – 6
Number of toenails I’ll loose – 1, I think
The race went really well up thru the 75 mile point at Brighton Ski Area. I actually made it to Elbow Fork in Millcreek Canyon before the sunset and I’ve never been able to do that, so I was thrilled. I got to the 75 mile point at Brighton Ski area feeling good, but once I left there at started up the mountainside, the same thing happened as happened two years ago. I couldn’t breathe. Let me clarify, I got a case of exercised induced asthma, plus a little pulmonary edema. When I would take deep breaths, I could hear the wheezing. Anyway, I managed to go the final 25 miles in about 11 hours. In contrast, I did the first 25 in just under 6 hours.
What did I like about the race? The aid stations and volunteers were wonderful as usual. I was thrilled to be running as well as I was up to the 75 mile point. The weather was perfect, warm sun with a cool breeze up in the mountains, the night didn’t get too cold, around 38-39 degrees. The beautiful scenery that most people never get to see because it’s too difficult to get to. Watching the sun rise on the mountains Sunday morning. What didn’t I like? Getting chafed and blistered, but I’ll get over that. Wishing I could have done the last 25 miles faster, I really kind of wanted to go under 30 hours. The lack of sleep. I took about a half hour nap and one of the aidstations. It was enough to revive me and get me going again. Will I do this race again? I’m thinking not. I’ve done it three times now and finished twice. If I could figure out how to get rid of the breathing problems, I would try it again. Besides, I told my wife I wouldn't do it again. I’m sure I will be involved with the race, either pacing friends, volunteering, or what ever. It seems as though once you get some of that Wasatch Mountain dirt in your blood, it doesn’t go away. | 