Bear Redemption Photos

Most years, I look forward to The Bear 100 almost as much as Cody does. This being the fourth time around for me, I felt I had already "done that." I have scouted the trails, found awesome spots to shoot and have had a few turn out really well. My heart was more on helping Cody along the way, really making his aid stops quick and efficient. Cuz I am cool like that.

Most of the shots from this year were set up quickly, done more on a whim. Documenting more the course and it's beauty. However, near the end, I decided to experiment with some light trails, since every runner had a headlamp. That is when I started getting excited, as conditions were totally in my favor. To my dismay, that is also when Cody picked up the pace. 

The trail coming in to Leatham

 A few spectators waiting for the first wave of runners in to Leatham Aid

 Yeah. Lots of scenery shots while we wait. This part of the course had some amazing color. The middle section ahead (at least the aid stations) are usually a bit more brown, so we were soaking it in.

The last of the color at Cowley Aid.

 A runner leaving Cowley Aid Station

 Tony Grove Aid Station

 Chasing the boys as they ran in to Tony Grove aid

 Another shot of them leaving Tony Grove Aid. Cody appropriated my best shots for his post, so this is another view I loved.

 Cody says I sounds like I am whining, so to whine a bit more, I was sad to see quite a few trees down at Franklin Basin. This has been one of my favorite aids in past year as it is usually the golden hour time frame and awesome trees in their full fall splendor. Below shows the most color I saw along the trail.

 The fields out of Franklin, however, were stunning in the setting sun. I took a few deep breaths at this point and enjoyed the solitude. I knew a frantic night was ahead.

 Beaver Mountain Aid. It was such a warm night, we sat on the lawn to watch for runners. A blanket on the lap was all the warmth I needed.

 Cody and Erik coming in!

 The trail/road coming in to Ranger Dip Aid. The moon was so bright I could get quite a bit of scenery in the shot. This is the road at 1:00 am.

 I happened to be queue-ing up another shot like the one above when a runner ran right through my long exposure. I had no idea he was coming, so I got a less smooth- but still cool light trail...on accident. I think this was Jesse.

Ranger Dip Aid. These guys rock. They are so friendly, so patient and so nice for it being 1:00 in the morning! Most of those cars have sleepers in them.

Another runner leaving the aid. The light is his headlamp lighting up the trail. The light just above the longer one is his headlamp itself as he looked up.

 Cody and Erik coming in to Ranger Dip. I meant to do this one, ha

 Waiting at the Finish line. Quite the crowd here. Six or seven people is the most I have ever seen milling around.

 And the shot before the one Cody posted of them running in for the finish.  I love how fast it makes them look like they are running.

So, overall, Daytime was focused solely on keeping Cody cool then getting ahead of the pack of cars for a good parking spot at the next aid. The nighttime went by too fast. Odd saying that, really. A nice, smooth race with the least hiccups we have ever had! I call that a win. But now I lose traction on any arguments against future 100s. I don't like losing footing.

Keep scrolling down to read Cody's summary. 

Bear Redemption

Third time's the charm...

The first was in 2012.  That didn't end well.  I am trying to put that nightmare behind me.

The second was much better (2013).  I got a sub 24 hour finish.  I still had an off day and thought I could do much better.

2014 was another injury year (6 weeks with Mono) and I wasn't able to make it to the starting line (I was actually drawn for Wasatch 100 and had to withdraw).  I was happy to pace Mike though at The Bear that year.

This year, it was meant to be my year.  A few years wiser and more importantly, I was healthy.  

** Spoiler Alert - 4th Place in 21:05:30 (PR by 2 hours and 32 mins)

I spent my last long run pacing Mike at Wasatch 100 from Big Mountain to Brighton as he went on to nearly break 24 hours.  Ohh so close.  A good taper and I was all set to go.  I lined up a dream team of pacers which included a few inexperienced at ultras (but energetic) runners, Keegan and Corey.  My anchor was one of my main training partners Erik.  I had heckled Erik during his battle with the Bear 100 last year and he was anxious to put the hurt on me as revenge.  More on that later.  Included in my dream team was my awesome crew (Beth and the kids) who would follow me all day and all night and my Sister and Mom who would take the kids home.  It takes an army to run one of these things (for me at least).  They helped save me hours I'm sure.

The Race

Instead of telling a blow by blow I want to share the highlights and lowlights.

Highlights

• Seeing the crew at Miles 20, 30, 37, 45, 52, 61, 76, 85, 92, and 100.  Yep, they were pretty busy all day 'waiting' on me hand and foot.
• Running a few hours early on with Zac before he got stuck behind some cows or something in Richards Hollow.
• Making Keegan (my pacer) squirt water on me and fill my bottles.  It's fun bossing people around.  Thanks for putting up with me.
• Sitting in the creek at mile 41.  That was heaven.
• No blisters or black toenails (Thanks Altra!)
• Climbing up Blind Hollow with Corey to escape the heat and feeling half decent at that point in the race (that never happens).
• I didn't turn on my headlamp until Logan River Aid (Mile 69)
• I felt strong on the shallow climbs the second half of the race.  Usually the downhills are my strength, but for once I could run the climbs late in the race.
• Smart pacing.  I was in 21st at the first aid station.  6th by halfway.  4th by the end.
• Having the legs to run the split from Beaver Creek Campground to Ranger Dip in 1:35.  

Mick (1st place) did it in 1:23!  Dom (2nd place) did it in 1:43.  Jesse (3rd place) did it in 1:40

• Crossing the finish line within 5 mins of my 'A' goal of 21 hours and an hour ahead of my more realistic 'B' goal of 22 hours.
• Hardrock and Western Qualifier - done
• September on the Bear Course!  It is a spectacular, totally under-rated race.  The Bear River Range is an amazing place to live!  - Shhh don't tell anyone!

Lowlights

• Doing a superman impression while running down the steep hill off Millville peak saddle.  Guy (Ben Hauschulz I think) I was running with was like "Dude, you slid like 20 feet!"  That one hurt.
• Hottest Bear Year Ever!
• Massive stomach cramps right before Tony Grove causing me to walk the downhill.  This would plague me for the next 2 hours until I could flush the system.  My guess was a sugar overdose mixed with dehydration from the heat.
• IT band pain kicked in at mile 50 or so.  That was seriously bad news.  This caused me some serious grief for the rest of the race.  It got progressively worse.  Miles 72-75 were the worst as the downhill hurt it more than the uphill.  We tried an emergency tape job on the trail with some Duct Tape.  Not recommended.  Ouch.
• Too much stomach cramping and leg pain to hammer the final section (I did it in 1:35) .  Perfectly normal to feel like that at this point in the race though.

Mick (1st place) did the last 8 miles in 1:13.  Dom (2nd place) did it in 1:21.  Jesse (3rd place) did it in 1:13 - Great job guys, amazing!

• Having Erik pace me by running 50-100 feet in front of me.  That is the worst "one step" technique ever.  I hated him for his energy and incessant in-ability to be satisfied by my pace.  Always demanding more (while managing to encourage).  He managed to get every last bit of effort out of me.  Well done.  I guess I don't hate you after-all.  I lost count how many times I mumbled "I hate you" and then picked up the pace.

Overall, I am satisfied finally with my favorite race!  I have been either running an aid station, pacing or racing this race every year for the last 8 years.  I love it!  I can't say I am done with it as I would love to be back someday, but I am hoping to try something new next year.

Strava Data

Here are some awesome pics Bethany took - she will post more soon...

THE KIDS/CREW/SECRET WEAPON

Coming into Leatham (Mile 20)

 Coming into Cowley (Mile 30)

 The Crew found some shade!

 Not a bad spot for a game of Head/Shoulders/Knees...

 Kids pacing me into Tony Grove

Wow, just wow!

 Corey and I leaving Tony Grove

And coming into Franklin Basin (it's still light out!)

 The Hundred Mile Stare

My personal favorite!  We were that fast!

 And finally, the obligatory finish line pic (at 3am)

Speedgoat 50k 2015 Edition

How do you follow up something like Hardrock and the San Juan's of Colorado? (I still dream about them...) With Speedgoat and the incredible beauty of our own local Snowbird Ski Resort in the Wasatch range, of course!
This was Cody's third official spin around Karl Meltzer's Speedgoat, but together, our fourth time coming to cheer and enjoy the spectacle. Last year Cody had broken his body too badly to actually run this beast. Needless to say, I was glad to see him out there again this year.

This year, I invited the family to accompany me up the tram. I have had guilt for the past four years as we leave Cody's parents to watch the kids all day while I we frolic in the mountains, so instead of just taking the kids up all on my own, I made the in laws come with me. ;) Still babysitting all day but this time in the mountains. With no easy access to bathrooms or diversions; packing up food, drinks, and children alike as we follow Cody on one of the hardest 50k around, I am sure they are blessing my name at this very moment. It was so much better than watching the kids in the comfort of their own home, they are saying...

Cheek aside, I am so relieved they agreed to this adventure. They saved the day and my sanity in one 8 hour span.

My goal this go around was to capture a few different angles of the same (term used loosely at a Karl Meltzer race) course. I ended up only really getting a few yards off of my usual haunts, but I am still pleased with the overall results.

This is the course as it climbs up the last hundred yards to Hidden Peak from the valley floor.

 The awesome in laws that saved the day and kept all of us entertained, fed and watered. Thank You!

The kiddos as they huddle against the hill for warmth. This was our goal for the first 30 minutes on the mountain. Find my three offspring a place to settle in and wait out the morning chill until the sun came up to warm (roast) them. Joys of mountain races.

 But then again, there is this, that you don't get at those road races....or after 8 in the morning.

 Or this..........

 I might have had some time to kill before any runners showed up. The flowers were a fantastic diversion.

 Sage Canaday as he shows up a ridiculous amount of time before the next runner. Spoiler alert: Sage ended up winning the day. But that wasn't really a shock. Let's be honest.

 Alex Nichols from far, far away. I just loved the whole scene, I couldnt crop any of it. OR any of the following...

 The runners are hard to distinguish from the rock. Shows how steep this section is. Not the steepest of the race, by far, but still respectable.

 There's the man.

 So...I took a lot of shots at this particular spot. Kids were huddled in misery, why not take advantage of their lack of mischief and movement in general?

My son, waiting on me to take more shots of the flowers. Headed to Mt Baldy.

 

 Top of Baldy and then down the otherside a bit. This course boasts SUCH views.

The view as you hike the course up the back side of Baldy.

 Runners slogging their way up. This climb is murder. Check out the elevation profile from KarlMeltzer.com This climb is coming up from that gaping hole in the middle of the course. But hey...they signed up for this....

 Tired but not too tired for a fist bump.

 We raced Cody back to Hidden Peak. We were confident we would beat him since we just had to go back down Baldy and back up Hidden, while he ran around the entire world then back up like 700 vertical miles. I may be off on my numbers a bit...but not much. Cody will clarify I am sure.
This is standing on the tram loading dock, hoping to see the first glimpse of our favorite runners.

 Managed a smile as he topped out on Hidden for the last time. One little climb left on the way down.

 This sweet man let the runner ahead of him take off so he could run in the finish with his kids.

 And finish! Soaking up the moment with a fellow friend and runner, Erik.

Im sure Cody will fill his race report with how awful he felt, how slow he was, how often he was watching Erik's backside and he hauled up the inclines and finally, how he pulled it out under 7 hours. To the rest of us laymen he killed it. He rocked it. And still had time to run in to the finish with his youngsters.This may be our last hoorah at Speedgoat and in my opinion, it was one to remember.