Zion 100 - Get done before the mud!

Zion 100 - 2016

All photo credits to Bethany Draper

Try and finish before it gets really muddy!  That was the motto of this race.  We were warned that the weather was going to turn ugly Friday Night sometime and boy they weren't kidding.  All I have to do is finish in under 18 hours and I'm home free.  Just.  Ok, that is a pretty tall order.  Only 4 people had ever broke 18 hours before but how hard could it be?  

It was hard.

I forgot how bad slickrock beats you up.  Your legs are trashed, your feet are trashed, your will is trashed.  It is impossible to get into any kind of rythmn.  Let alone the challenge of finding the next marker in the craziest zig zag pattern ever conceived.  

Nope, I didn't break 18 hours.  Not even close.

I mostly beat the rain.  Mostly.

The day started out perfect.  Overcast, reasonably cool.  Good company.  I was running stride for stride with Mike McKnight (my #1 training buddy).  It was to be a glorious day out on the trails.  And it was.  Mostly.

We ran together through the sweet first loop up the flying monkey trail.  We kept the pace chill and let the rabbits take off.  We spent plenty of time fueling up at the awesome 1st and 2nd Aid station manned by Steve and Kendra from the St. George Running Center before heading back down the flying monkey trail.  

We quickly made our way over to the first crew-accessible aid station at Dalton Wash.  We were happy to see them and I took time to jam more food down the hatch.

The crew did a good job staying busy while Mike and I went up to the Guacamole slickrock section for a fun loop before heading back to see them.  

"powerline" trail heading out to guac

Interesting story during this loop.  Mike and I were hiking up a steep section of road chatting and conserving our energy when a fellow racer passed us while maintaining a steady (running) gear.  We commented that we were amazed by his ability to run even the steep stuff.  However, it wasn't much later during the very challenging slickrock section we caught back up to him and noticed his noticeable fatigued body struggling on the slickrock.  We were commenting about how hard it is to run on slickrock when 'wham' he tripped and crashed hard.  He was bloodied up and had serious wrist pain.  He managed to shake it off pretty well though and after taking some Tylenol was back moving again.  I do believe he did later drop though.  Bummer for him for sure.  Needless to say, we were careful to moderate our pace and energy so we didn't take a misstep and get hurt as well. 

Watch your step, beautiful but painful (look close for a hummingbird)

On the descent off of Guacamole Loop (Mile 27), Mike started to feel ill and fell back.  I waited for him but grew impatient as it appeared he stopped to try and get his stomach right.  I moved on ahead and wouldn't see him again until much later in the night.  Now mostly on my own, it was just me and my thoughts for many miles to go.

Next up was the nasty climb up to Gooseberry Mesa.  It climbs 1000 feet in about 2/3 a mile.  Luckily for me, I met up with Aaron Williams who was running the aid station (Goosebump) at the top.  He joined me for some friendly banter as the hot sun was baking us.

p.c. Aaron Williams

Some bacon and avocado from the aid station at the top revived me and I was off onto the long nasty Gooseberry Slickrock section.  I think this is the most challenging section of the race.  Navigation challenges, rough terrain, high(er) altitude, never ending twists and turns, thinking you are about done at the windmill only to go another mile to the aid station.  This section I also encountered the first rain of the day.  I was unprepared as my rain gear was at Grafton.  Within an hour, it went from HOT to COLD and windy as the rain hit.  Luckily, it didn't last long and I was on my way to Grafton with only a few sprinkles the rest of the way.  

Grafton Aid

My awesome crew was ready like a pit crew to get me in and out.  I tried to eat but things were turning south for me.  That seems to happen around the 50 mile mark every time.  I guess a single 50K long run as prep in the last 6 months is not sufficient to overcome that...

Crew Chief Extraordinaire!

I ran down to the Grafton Cemetary (still in good weather!), ate and turned around heading back up. 

While I was gone my crew tried to 'help' make the course better (or so she says...)

They also had some fun playing "hit the cactus with a pinecone for a dollar"

On the descent I saw the 2nd place runner heading back up.  Wow, I had worked my way from about 10th? to 3rd (for the time being).  The climb up the mesa was pretty rough.  I had my first real extended low patch.  Nauseous and low energy.  I lost quite a bit of time here and about 30 seconds after entering Grafton Aid again I was caught and passed by 2 guys.  

My crew and pacers escorted me out of the aid and made me get moving.

(look at those pacers!!)

I moved back into 4th quickly but 3rd place guy (Sam Reed) was long gone - and ended up passing Andrew Knapik for 2nd place.

Back to Gooseberry Mesa.  This time, the storm was pushing me down the road.  I had my jacket on and was getting pelted with sleet and rain.  Luckily, I was right on the front so I enjoyed a tailwind and had the rain at my back.  I pushed as hard as I could and got to the Goosebump Aid RIGHT as a huge downpour hit.  I ducked into the tent and took a breather for a few mins until it passed.  Good timing as I was not feeling well.  Major stomach issues hit hard as I tried to run down the now very slick trail off the mesa.  I would like to blame the mud and rain for my slow descent but it was my stomach and very sore liver keeping me from running.

Definitely the low point of the race.  The long desert traverse from Goosebump to Virgin Desert AS.  Only 8 miles but felt like 30.  A fair amount of mud from the recent downpour (that now stopped) kept the shoes very heavy.  Beth and the crew (minus Grandma and the kids now) were waiting anxiously at Virgin Desert AS for a long time as I was way behind schedule now.  It seemed like I was walking most of the time, trying to get my body to bounce back.

(the rain is coming...)

(not me but a cool shot either way)

Plan B was in full effect.  I needed a qualifier for Western States 100 Mile and this was the ticket.  I had to at least finish.  Just keep moving, take care of myself and things will turn around.  

Three loops from the Virgin Desert Aid, then a long traverse to the finish.  That's it.  Just one more marathon.  I took them one loop at a time.  The first loop (red loop) was the shortest but it was very challenging for me as I was still feeling horrible.  It finally get better with a Tylenol and and S-Cap.  Once those took hold, I was back.  

Heading out onto my white loop, I was back in the game.  Amazingly, no one had passed me (in 4th) but I knew there were a few running the red lap so they weren't too far behind me.  I felt like I was flying through the white loop but was only running 12 min miles.  Progress.

Mike and his better half (Sarah)

At the end of the White Loop, I saw Mike in the aid station working to get his own struggles under control about to head out onto the White Lap.  

I headed out onto my final lap (Blue, yes they were Red, White and Blue) ready to get this thing done.  So far, the rain had held off other than what I mentioned earlier so the trail was ok.  The problem was mostly my feet.  I learned that the Altra Superior is a great shoe for about 50 miles (for me) but beyond that, every little pebble was trying to stab my foot to death.  I was convinced I had a stress fracture (but I didn't).  Lesson learned there...Ouch.  Still hurts pretty bad 1 week later.

Final lap done and headed to the finish 8 long miles later.  About this time the skies opened up and it began to rain in earnest.  For the rest of the night.  Oh how sorry I felt for the rest of the runners.  It was going to get ugly.  As it was, the trail to the finish was turning very quickly into a slop fest.  Muddy shoes, slipping all over the place.  I was so so so happy to be almost done.  Once I crossed the highway, I had it in my mind it would be 2-3 miles more.  I was wrong.  It was about 4.  The lights of the finish line couldn't come soon enough.  I slipped and slid literally into the finish line.  Well over an hour (basically 2 hours) behind schedule but I couldn't be happier.  I mostly beat the rain and even cracked 20 hours when I figured I would be walking 25 miles.  Success!  

4th Place and a hard earned PR of 19:48:12.  3rd 100 mile finish.  Beautiful race and for the most part, a great day. 

STRAVA DATA 

Results

I found out later (after a few hour rest at the hotel) that the 100 mile race was eventually shortened to eliminate some of the Virgin Desert Loops.  The rain was not letting up all night long.  The runners were causing damage to the trails and so they were sent to the finish line early.  For some it was 7 miles short.  For others it was more.  That would be rough to get to mile 75 and be sent to the finish line and 'only' get to run 83 miles total instead of 100.  I suppose its better than suffering in the mud fest any longer.  Props to those who managed to finish this one, however many miles it was!

Sweet Buckle!

Post Script from the Crew on the Zion 100

A few photos from the Crew's side of the day.

Our morning began not-as-early-as-Cody's-but-still-early-enough in the morning. I love driving into the sunrise over the mesa country. 

I am glad we got n earlier than planned start because the first aid station Dalton Wash, was not where it was anticipated to be. We drove nearly to Guacamole aid station (closed to crew) before stopping a few fellow crew caravans and finding our way to the actual location. Upside, we got to see this awesome little side canyon in all it's springtime glory.

 As Cody was scanning through photos to post with his race report, he started to complain at the vast amount of flower photos I took as compared to the photos I got of him running. I tried to prove him wrong but had to give up quickly since he is right. In my defense, I have visited this area many many times and never have I seen it so alive with color and vibrance. This race is perfectly timed with the seasons.

 These critters were everywhere. My youngest decided she had a mission to destroy them all. She carried a big stick for an hour or so just to whomp them with.

See, flowers.

This was a new road for me. It is the road headed from Grafton up onto the mesa to Grafton Mesa Aid. I was super happy I had my truck and a second crew car at my back. It was a blast but with the wet, sticky mud, I had a mild adrenaline rush. Very rocky. But man, look at that view!

I SO hoped that Cody would come in to Virgin Aid before dark, but alas, it wasnt to be. I sat right here, waiting to see his red shirt and distinguishable gait. But at least I had a decent view.

I also managed to lose the truck keys at this aid. Cody has stated that he missed most of the rain all day. I wish I could say the same. Mid frantic search for the lost keys, the heavens opened and we

got drenched. Roads turned to rivers, washes turned to lakes and my hope of finding those keys just laying on the road vanished. Thankfully, I finally found them swimming in the cooler. And the aid station rejoiced.

Due to the solid drenching we received, the evening became quite cool for us. Most people at the aid sat in quiet reflection as we wished for more fire and swifter racers. Some even wrapped in hotel towels. But I wouldnt trade it in. This is all part of the experience and man, did we experience!
The rest is history. Cody ran hard and saved us an even longer night in even more rain. He is an animal and I am so lucky to join him on these adventures. Heaven knows, I would be indoors with a book if it werent for him.