Run Rabbit Run 100

09/24/12 - Run Rabbit Run 100 Race Report

Well I purposely waited just over a week to write this up. One, because I have been sick as a dog all week long and just now am having the mental capacity to put words down. And two, I needed a few days to go by so raw emotions, frustrations and expectations did not dictate my thoughts on the race as a whole.

Well, long story short --- I DNF'd....I didnt want to, it was the last thing on my agenda for the day, and at just 22 miles in ---- really hurt.

The start of the race went off fine.  I felt pretty good for the first 2-3 hours. I briefly chatted with Pete S and ended up hiking along-side Arnulfo Quimare, one of the Tarahumara barefoot dudes, during the early stages of the run. That was pretty cool.

Power hiked up a ridiculous steep climb to the Gondola in about 40 minutes even, hopped on the short dirt road traverse (in which a few of us had to ask local hikers if they had seen any runners come by...as the course markings were pathetic in places --- and thats putting it nicely)  over to a handful of uphill switchbacks and climbed my way to the top of Mt.Werner in 1:20 even..(at one of the high points of the course, 10,500 ft)  5 miles in. I filled up one my bottles and was on my way over to Long Lake, about 6.8 miles down the trail.  This section of trail was beautiful, fall colors were in full bloom and parts of the trail reminded me of the Mill Creek trail in Horsetooth Park.  Still feeling pretty good, I kept reminding myself that 100 miles is a really long way to go...so I backed off the pace, stopped behind a bush for a quick pee break...and continued on my way to the Long Lake aid station at about 11.8 miles in.  During this section of the course I ran with the top 2-4 women overall.
I got to the Long Lake aid station in 20th place, at 2:33. Still feeling good, taking it easy.  Basically just relaxing and preparing myself for a really long day...and night of running.
Filled up my bottles, downed some calories...and was on my way.

It was on this stretch of beautiful (and rugged...) section of trail that I noticed two things:

One, there was a handful of the top runners in the field running towards me, heading back up to the Long Lake aid station...as I was heading down the trail. This would soon be a common place occurrence throughout the remaining miles I had ahead.  Runners --- from the front of the pack, all the way to the back of the pack --- taking wrong turns, going off course, getting lost, having to drop out...etc  Apparently that would be the theme of the day...for most.

Secondly, after running for 3 hours I noticed that I had not broke a sweat yet even though I was consuming water (and electrolytes) by the bottle full at each aid station, and consuming plenty of calories as well.  I thought this was a little odd.  I still felt fine but the lack of having one drop of sweat on my brow this far into the race had me slighlty confused.

Once I made my way back down off the mountain and onto pavement I started to feel ---- off.  And by off, I mean nauseous, weak, dizzy ....basically having no desire to be standing up....let alone running.
One thing I remember about this section, besides the poorly marked road leading us to the high school, was how long it felt.  For some reason I thought we would be getting off the mountain and then boom, the high school was right there.  But running on this poorly marked road, I couldnt help but check every intersection that I crossed to make sure I didnt miss a turn off.  Thankfully I didnt miss a turn off, but this section felt more like 3 miles of running, than the "right around the corner" thought I had going on in my head. Plus, at this point in the race I was feeling pretty awful all of a sudden.  I stopped to walk a few times...not out of exhaustion or cramping...but because I just felt sick to my stomach.  A few runners in the tortoise heat were running towards me and I asked how much further to the high school.  They yelled back "just over a mile".  Ugh!  One more mile before I can try to collect myself and figure out what the heck is going on here.  Just not feeling well at all.
The next aid station was just over 20 miles into the race, and I should NOT be feeling this bad...this early in the race.  I could cover this distance easily in training with minimal fluids and a couple of GU's and feel fine, thirsty and hungry...but fine.  But here I was, hobbling into the High School aid station feeling like my body want nothing to do with this running thing.
Got to the aid station and drank some water, had a piece of watermelon...which I had to force into my mouth, the thought of eating or even drinking water made me sick to my stomach.  It was at this point, after trying to collect myself for about 5 minutes, that I could feel all the liquid and calories I had consumed up to this point just sloshing around my stomach. My stomach was not absorbing a single thing --- still had not broke a sweat yet.
I knew my crew was waiting a mile away (why they have two aid stations within a mile of each other is beside me..) and so I picked myself off the ground and shuffled and walked through town.  I used this time to do a head to toe check on myself so I could not only try to figure out what was going on, but so I could relay any useful intel to my crew when I got there. I also noticed that my lungs felt heavy and getting  in a deep breathe took effort.  I felt like my lung capacity was cut in half and had to resort to a semi deep-huffing for each breathe...even when at rest.  What the heck was going on?!

Rolled into the Olympian Hall aid station and was glad to see my crew.  I plopped down onto the chair and just sat there for a few minutes.  My breathing was labored and felt like I only had one good lung in my chest. Still nauseous, and could feel all the food and water sloshing around my gut.  I had a hard time trying to focus on something and any effort to take in calories by way of food, or soda was minimal.
I knew I had to eat and drink, but lets just say that it sounds a whole lot easier than it did in the moment.
After a solid 15 minutes of walking around the food table trying to get a grip on my condition, I started to feel ever so slightly better.  I threw on a long sleeve, grabbed my headlamp and headed out of the aid station and up the steep, knee high grassy climb up to the dirt road at the top.  I had to stop a few times, when even a power hike...more like a pathetic drunken hike, had my gasping for air.   Now I had run a handful of times WAY higher in elevation than this, over the summer, and I never had these issues, nothing remotely close to this....so I didnt think the elevation in this race had much to do with how I was feeling.

I finally crawled my way up to the top of this thing, looked back down into town and knew that it would be about 19 miles before I would see my crew again.  Ugh.

The thought of moving in a forward direction was more than I could stomach.  I walked the first 1/4 mile (which was mostly rolling dirt road).... not good this early in the race.  With my fingers holding my water bottles through the loop with my arms at my side.  Walking in a drunken stupor ----- this was nearing the end for me.  Both hand and feet were now tingling, the trail was spinning before me.  I made my way to the edge of the trail and tried throwing up.  But just dry heaving and feeling worse. After fighting with myself for about 15 minutes I decided to commit to dropping out.  The sky was beginning to get dark, and there was no way I could make it 19 more miles like this.

I turned around  and headed back to the aid station and on the steep downhill that I just climbed up my feet came out from under me twice, and fell on my back. First time hurt, second time I just sat there for a minute (as I already committed to dropping out) before getting up and sliding back down the hill...into the aid station.

My crew had left to grab some dinner for themselves and check out where they were planning on meeting me later in the night. And so I had some time to myself, hands between my knees, trying to focus on people talking to me and just holding a basic conversation. My ribs on the right side hurt, and they hurt bad. A few volunteers thought I might have cracked a rib when I fell.  Anything more than a mouthful puff of air when I inhaled hurt like the most painful stabbing feeling I have ever felt under my right rib cage.  This pain forced me to take short shallow breathes......for the rest of my night.  I managed, after about 20 minutes of sitting down and throwing on some warm clothes from my bag, to make my way to the bathroom.  The toilet bowl was spinning in front of me and I knew at this point that I was gonna puke -- and puke big time!
It didnt take long before all the food and water I drank up to this point in the race was splattered all over the place -- projectile vomit!  The first time ever during a race.

Not much else to say about the race.  After getting back to our condo and seeing my family (who were all happy to see I was alive and ok), I wanted to crawl in a hole for having so many issues and complications through a distance I cover just about each and every weekend in training....all without any issues.

Spent 2 hours hovering over my best friend for the night....Mr Toilet bowl, could not keep down crackers, soup, soda...or anything.  Threw up 2 more times that night.  Dehydrated and hungry....and exhausted.  Tired more so from dealing with all the vomiting and painful stabbing in my rib cage with every breathe, then from the running itself.

Ended up falling asleep on the couch, wheezing and wincing in pain.
Woke up the next morning and felt fine again.  Gone was the rib pain (for the most part), I was able to eat and drink and keep things down -- thank God, as I was beyond hungry at this point!
And my legs felt fresh and ready to go for another run...no signs of running for 22 miles the previous day.

Confused and frustrated I sat there trying to figure out why a 22 mile trail run felt more like I got my arse handed to me in a back alley bar fight, then a trail run in the mountains.

Looking back on it, and after waiting a week to write this up so that I could get a better perspective on things a few things make more sense now...then they did that day.

The following Monday after the race I got sick...and sick for a good 6 days in a row (still recovering as I write this...9 days post race).  Fatigue, muscle aches, a bad cough, chest congestion, nasal drip.

I drank more tea and honey, along with more bottles of Nyquil and Dayquiil, and took more anti-histamine pills this past week than I have in a really long time.  I was not feeling well for about 2 weeks before the race and after making every attempt to try and get better before race day, I believe I was still dealing with some of that during the race, and my body basically shut down to try and get me better. I felt fine on race day, but I am positive something under the hood was working against me from the get-go....and judging by how I felt just 20 miles into the race along with the illness that overcame me in the days afterwards is enough to convince me.

9 days later and still taking cough syrup to help with a nasty cough and some chest congestion and still feeling slightly "under water". Not planning to take another step of running until I am 100% positive I am healthy again.

Outside of how I was feeling, there were a few other issues I (and many others) had with the race itself:

1- It was unmarked, or poorly marked at every intersection. I eluded to this earlier when just 4 miles into the race myself and the runners around me were asking hikers which way the runners ahead went. This should never happen or be an issue. I mean, with taxes...paying $290 for a race entry fee, and to see a 5 inch dangling yellow string attached to a yellow tree (against the autumn colors) seemed ridiculous and value on course markings appeared to not be on the top of the priority list for the RD.  There are enough of things to look out for on the trail...having to look at every branch at an intersection, hoping to see a flag, is a complete waste of time and energy. If anything, marking the course with a handful of LONG flags waving in the breeze along with flour arrows should be the bare minimum when it comes to running 100 miles (or more!) in the mountains. One tiny flag absorbed by the background colors is not gonna cut it. Getting lost because someone didnt put the time and effort into marking a course properly is ashame and extremely frustrating.

2- It was long! My goodness, 100 miles is long enough, but when the race says it is 101.9 miles, well ok its a little long.  But I heard that Karl Melzer, the overall winner, clocked it at 110 miles!  Thats 8 miles too long!  I understand it might not be that easy...but cmon, 8 miles long --- sloppy.  But then again this is coming from me, and I get upset when a 5k is 100m too long, or short...throwing off everyone's time.  This either needs to be fixed to display an accurate distance too and from aid station so the runners can better plan food and water with their crew, OR keep it at 110 miles or whatever it is, and just come out and say..its secretly a 110 mile race, labeled as a 100 miler.  I will keep that second option noted the next time I register for and race a 3.5 mile 5k.

3 - This one didnt affect me any, but it affected someone else for sure and kinda bugs me so I will add it to the list. Nick P took a wrong turn fairly early in race and decided to drop out at mile 19 or so.  After contacting the RD about his mishap and essentially asking for a re-do, he was allowed into the 50 miler (which has been filled for a few months now I believe). Even though there is a no transfer option, according to the website. He ran well enough the next day in the 50 miler to nab a spot for an auto entry into Western States.  However, if I was the guy who missed out by one spot for the auto entry because someone took a wrong turn, complained about it, was offered a re-do into a different race that has been filled up for while ---- I would be pretty ticked.  If this was the case, everyone who took a wrong turn in the race could have done this. Heck I should have complained that I wasn't feeling good and asked the RD if I can get my re-do attempt the next morning in the 50 miler.  He probably would have laughed and said, " Sorry no transfers, hope you feel better." --- No one brought this up, so I am probably in the minority here, but that decision cost someone else their western states auto spot.  Just saying.

Hopefully next year the race committee decides to invest our $290 into a few more arrows or flags for course markings. And chop off 10 miles of the course to make it a 100 miles...or advertise it for what it is, 110 miles.  At least one things for sure, next time if I take a wrong turn in the 100, I can  have the 50 miler the next morning as my re-do race!

Run Rabbit Run 100 - Preview

INTRO 

100 miles, actually according to the Run Rabbit Run website more like 101.9 miles.  That is the distance that I hope to cover by foot (via running, walking...perhaps even crawling) this upcoming weekend.  This will be my first stab at the 100 mile distance and I am anxiously nervous and excited at the same time. With about 21,000' vertical feet of uphill climbing and 21,000' of downhill running, its not gonna be a walk in the park.  A lot of planning, more so than any other race I have ever run, is going into this race. Trying to find a few people to take time off work and drive up to the mountains for a few days, stay up all night and help crew me -- has not been an easy task.   However, my two brother in laws have graciously stepped up to help me out and be my crew. I am very thankful for the support of my family and friends as I embark on this crazy 100 mile all day and all night adventure!

GOALS

Well,  in terms of goals I have several and they range anything from finishing the race by limping across the finish line on one leg with vomit on my shirt, pulling up the rear -- barely under the time cutoff, dazed and confused, hungry, tired, thirsty, in a half sleep deprived stupor -- stumbling with every step I take. Wishing I hadn't taken the wrong turn during the night and spending several hours walking in circles... completely lost in the woods. Day dreaming of milk and cookies.

......all the way to setting off on a scorching hot pace, hammering the downhills and hauling tail up the climbs. Pulling away from the field on a blistering pace. Not breaking a sweat until mile 70.  Digging deep and throwing any pain or discomfort off to the side and be completely focused and winning by a few miles. Flying down from the top of Mt Werner to the finish in an effortless 100 mile debut. Performing the moonwalk and throwing in a few back flips as I cross the finish line.   Getting a running sponsorship on the spot and still have enough in the tank for a 10 mile cool down.  :-)

ahhh, to dream! ---  Actually my goals fit somewhere in the middle of those...

GOALS:

1) Finish :-)

2) Finish under 24 hours

3) Finish under 20 hours

4) Top 10

5) Top 5

6) Top 3

7) See example number 2 above :-)

A few other side goals would include:

- Not getting lost at night

- Avoiding severe stomach issues/muscle cramps

- Eat and drink consistently throughout

PREDICTIONS

There is a pretty stacked field, and so with the thought of anything can happen during a 100 mile run, making predictions is tough.  Although there are a few runners I believe will be chasing the podium spots most of the way.

-Tim Olsen 

- Mike Wolf

- Dylan Bowman

Then there are a few dark horses in the field. Arnulfo Quimare and Miguel Lara --- both Tarahumara, making their debut on America soil.  For those that dont know these guys are the stars of the little known book called "Born to Run".  Its gonna be interesting to see how they perform against some of the top US runners.

There are few others: Karl Melzer and Duncan Callahan who will be running hard all day as well.

I am looking forward to see how it pans out throughout the run!

THOUGHTS

I have heard all sorts of advice leading up to this run.---  "eat early and often", "walk every uphill", "dont take too much time at the aid stations", "dont hurry through the aid stations"," try not to sit down", "be sure to sit down and let your legs recover", " get in 300 calories an hour", "take salt tabs", "eat several meals along the way", "dont worry about things", "patience is the key" ----- etc etc.....

Some of that advice I will most definitely use!

I honestly have no idea how I will do...or feel during the run.  I have been sick for about 2 weeks (on and off) and hoping that doesnt come into play later in the run. I have never ran for 100 miles before so there is a huge x-factor or the unknown that has captivated me.

This race will be different for all runners for a few reasons:

- There are actually two "heats", a tortoise and hare.  The Tortoise starts at 8am (I believe) and the Hare a few hours later at 1pm on Friday. I will be in the Hare group. (although at times running more like a tortoise most likely). Despite there being a  "slower" and "faster" heat, I am confident that although the top times will be in the Hare group, there will be much over laping in overall times between the two groups.

- The 1pm group is not allowed pacers!  This is going to require a mental focus of steel to get through the night running portions without someone there to guide you, motivate you and lift your spirits as you proceed to slog your way up and over mountains.  How will some of the elites handle this?  Most, if not all 100 milers, are used to having pacers along side them in the later stages of the race. This aspect alone might help weed out the top 3 overall finishers. Should be interesting.

- The final spot along the course that allows crew access is around mile 70 (or so), which means the final 30 miles will be run without the aid of your crew AND without the aid of a pacer!  Yikes!

I am excited to get going and am looking forward to getting in a good run this weekend!

For those that want to follow my suffering...errr running, from the comfort of your couch....you can follow my progress on the website:

http://runrabbitrunsteamboat.com/athlete-tracking

Click on the 100 mile Hare link and click on my name. As I enter and exit the aid stations along the way they will update the site to my overall place, aid station splits, pace...etc   Its actually really cool!

The site will be active and my name added to the list once the races begins.

1pm - Mountain time!

I will write up an aid station to aid station Race Report in the days following the run.

Thanks and wish me luck!

RECAP : Sept 3 - Sept 9

--- Monday - 09/03/12 ---

OFF

Labor Day.  Felt pretty lousy as the afternoon wore on.  Definitely caught some sort of bug over the weekend. Zero energy, sore throat, muscle and joint aches, and felt like my head was under water. Ughh!


--- Tuesday - 09/04/12 ---

PM - easy running.  Ran 4 laps around Troutman park from home - 28 minutes

Started at about 8pm. super easy jogging on grass. Felt pretty lousy with this head cold.  Zero energy again. 
Worked a half day at work, came home and crashed.


--- Wednesday - 09/05/12 ---

OFF
  
Took the day off work and stayed home with Elli (who is still not 100% herself).  Napped for a little over 2 hours, during Elli's nap.  
Still feeling pretty lousy.  Stuffed up, zero energy -- just the thought of running 10 miles makes me want to curl up on the couch and sleep all day.  Not exactly how I want to feel 10 days before a 100 miler.
But I have 10 days to get back on the horse and back to a strong and healthy body.


--- Thursday - 09/06/12 ---

Pineridge - 34:02

My body wanted to skip this easy run, my brain wanted to get in some sort of a half-way pathetically easy run during the week.
Still not feeling well....60%, if I had to put a number on it.  
Lungs felt way too labored for this easy jog effort.
Chugging the vitamin C, sucking zinc lozenges, and pounding the day-quil --- all day today.    


--- Friday - 09/07/12 ---

OFF

Today is Andreas birthday and have a fun evening planned for us.  Took off the last few hours of work and slept for an hour or so before waking up and picking up Elli from daycare.
Feeling about 70% (at best).
Gone are the muscle aches and overall feeling of having my head under water, but the ridiculously low energy levels are still in full effect. Walking to and from our department break room from my office leaves me wanting to crash on a couch for a few hours.   
Took the day off from running and decided a well needed nap would be a better option based on my current health status.  And with the 100 miler being just exactly 1 week away, any extra training I get in from here on out will be far less important than the needed rest and recovery I need to be 100% when I toe the line next Friday.
Had my folks watch Elli for a few hours while I took Andrea out to a dinner and movie in the evening for her birthday.  Fun evening.
I think I downed about 15 Emergen-C  packets today.


--- Saturday - 09/08/12 ---

Pineridge - 1/2 lap through Pineridge - 32 minutes

My amazing wife let me sleep in this morning, while her and Elli spent the morning at the farmers market.  I got a solid 11 hours of sleep last night, plus an additional 2 hour nap in the afternoon during Ellis naptime.

Starting from the Dog park I ran a 1/2 lap around pineridge.  The extra rest this morning felt great!  
Felt better today, not 100% -- but spent this short run trying to get my legs back under me.  Easy effort all the way. 
.....almost there!


--- Sunday - 09/08/12 ---

Foothills Trail (short loop) - 33:50

First run in about a week that I started to feel better. Legs and energy felt good.  Still stuffed up, slighty congested.  Took some anti-histamine in the afternoon and that seemed to work.
Easy effort.

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Well, its not how I pictured it, but it is what it is.  I was planning on tapering but I wasnt planning on feeling like crud the entire week. I tried to ride the thin line of tapering and still getting in a handful of easy miles, with getting healthy and back to 100%. Ideally, I would have needed to take off the entire week I think to get back to full health sooner. But I still wanted to keep my legs moving a little and not allow too much time off. There is a fine line between healthy tapering and losing fitness and possibly even gain a couple of pounds with too much rest or complete down time.
Nonetheless, the week is behind me and my first 100 miler is right around the corner. Planning, preparation, and logistics for race day are in the works.

I will write up a race preview the day or two before the race and jot down some of my thoughts, ideas, concerns, predictions, goals.....etc  about running 100 miles through mountains (mostly).

   

RECAP : August 27 - Sept 2

--- Monday - 08/27/12 ---

Foothill Trail (long loop) - 48:31

Felt great. easy effort.


--- Tuesday - 08/28/12 ---

Horsetooth Rock Summit - 1hr 10 min

Felt good.  Rock trail up, South ridge down.


--- Wednesday - 08/29/12 ---

Pineridge - 33:23

Started from Maxwell TH.   


--- Thursday - 08/30/12 ---

Foothills Trail (short loop) - 34:38

Super easy effort. 


--- Friday - 08/31/12 ---

PM - Pineridge loop - 42:10

Started this run at 10pm.  Wanted to test out some easy night running with a light, since I will be running many hours in the darkness of the night in a couple of weeks -- during the Steamboat 100 miler.

Started from the dog park and ran one lap around Pineridge.  The moon tonight was bright and for at least half the run I ran with the light turned off, as there was plenty of moon light shining down on the trail ahead.

I love running at night...cooler temps, nice calm breeze, quiet and peaceful...ahhh, love each and every step of it!


--- Saturday - 09/01/12 ---

Horsetooth Park - 1hr 33 min    

 Started from the Horsetooth liquor store.  When I got to the main trail-head I got stopped by the lady checking for parking permits. Apparently, I am supposed to carry my parking permit with me when running into the park.  I guess this rule has been around for sometime, according to her.  But this was the  first time ever that I had been asked to see my permit....while running into the park.  

Anyway --- workout went like this:

Main TH  > Falls > Spring Creek > up Wathan > down Rock trail > Soderberg > Spring Creek > Stout > down Towers > Swan Johnson > Soderberg TH > Inlet Bay > back to truck

Felt really good.  Ran the ups and downs at a consistent effort, nothing hard....but comfortable effort.


--- Sunday - 09/02/12 ---

OFF 

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Started to feel...off, starting on Sunday.  Elli was sick with a cough and runny nose all Saturday, and so I am guessing I caught a little of what she had.  Not exactly what I want 2 weeks out of running my first 100 miler in the mountains.  So I took Sunday off to rest.  

The Next 2 weeks I will be in taper mode, so easy running and cutting back mileage.