This race report could be long, but anyone that knows me won’t be surprised! I will try and include items for runners and non-runners alike.

I have wanted to do a 50 miler before I turn 50 years old. In 2013, I had conceptual plans to the Lean Horse Ultra (50M) in 2013. But I went for a PR (Personal Record) in May 2013 Fargo marathon and I blew up, falling far short of my goal. My physical recovery from that race was slow, which vaporized any thoughts of training during the heat of summer for a 50 mile race.

 

The Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail Run in Dayton Wyoming. What a place for my first 50 mile run. This event takes place in the Bighorn Mountains. The event actually is composed of four different races. 30K, 50K, 50 miles, and 100 miles. The race perennially takes place on the 3^rd Saturday of June. This start date is typically coincides with the snow melt in the mountains. So trail conditions can vary from year to year. But some things are consistent year to year. A tough and technical trail in altitude, with plenty of mud and water. The race start will be cool (~ 40 degrees) with temperatures reaching 70+ degrees in the canyon and lower altitudes. But this race is run is some of the most beautiful country anyone can ever visit. Towering canyon walls, alpine meadows with expanses of wild flowers, and indescribable vistas are just a few of the scenery features. I have run the 50K here in 2009-2011. Each race I progressively ran smarter and placed higher. But I am now older! And I am still a flatlander!

Fast forward to June 20^th, 2014.

After a visit to the Little Bighorn National Monument, the family and I arrived in Sheridan WY midafternoon on Friday to pick up my race packet. We stayed overnight at a cabin in the mountains. I have stayed at elevation overnight in the past, as an attempt to acclimate to altitude. We were also much closer to the race start. This move would save me from catching the 4 AM Bus in Dayton. (Any extra sleep is a good thing!) All clothing and race items are set out the night before. I woke up before my alarm and started getting ready. Morning temps were in the 40’s but that is typical for this time of year at 7K elevation. It was a 25 minute drive to the race start. My daughter graciously offered to come with me to the race start and drive the truck back to the rest of the family at the cabin.

We arrived at the Jaws Trailhead with plenty of time to spare. It was closer to 40 degrees at the TH, but with an elevation of 8800’, nothing unusual. There were ample snow fields, but plenty of open ground. I wasn’t worried about running through snow. I knew the 100 mile racers would have already been through the trail and pack any remaining snow. There are aid stations every 6-8 miles or so. At two aid stations, I can leave drop bags containing my own vital personal items, which I took advantage of.

 

As an additional insult, the race is almost 52 miles. The course has slightly more than 4 miles of elevation change. (21,548’). I anticipated burning approximately 7000 calories for the race. I calculated ~ 1K of calories in my body, ability to eat and additional 1K from the aid stations. This left me with the need to carry/take in ~ 5K in calories on the course. I mixed ~ 18 ounces of homemade gel/fuel for every 17 miles or so, with additional fuel in my drop bags. I also had a 20 oz water bottle for hydration.

 The course peaks out at 9K in elevation and then has a general descent to Footbridge Aide Station at ~ 17 mile mark. This section is infamous for the mud from swamps and snow melt. In anticipation of the extensive mud, I had a second pair of shoes and socks in my Footbridge drop bag, along with replacement fuel. My family would be waiting to see me at the Dry Fork Aid Station/34 mile mark. In the final stretch, my daughter and her boyfriend were going to pace me in to the finish from the Tongue River Aid Station at ~ 46.5 mile mark. The trail is primarily single track, with some ATV trail and forest service road. Final 5 miles are gravel road and short section of pavement as race enters Dayton.

 

Runners were mingling and attempting to rid themselves of the pre-race nervousness. My daughter looked over to see a cow moose ~ 70 yards away. The moose ambled off, oblivious or ignoring the runners. I confided in my daughter that I was very nervous. My heart rate was sky high, averaging over 100 BPM and I had not even started running! (My normal at rest HR is in the 40’s-50 BPM). My plan was to start conservative. Although I felt I could run much of the early downhill section, I needed to conserve energy for the balance of the race.

We got the green light and we were off. The first couple of miles had relatively flat terrain. We then entered the trees which contained some snow and plenty of water and mud. The water and mud were pretty consistent as we passed through any vegetation, some of the mud ankle deep.

My heart rate would not settle down. As I glanced down, I would see HR in the 140’s to over 150 BPM. Although I didn’t feel like I was running hard or fast, my body was working hard. Too hard. I knew this exertion level was unsustainable, but my pace was what I wanted albeit conservative. I couldn’t/wouldn’t slow my pace.

As I reached the Footbridge Aid Station at M17, I knew I was in trouble. I was tired and race was 1/3^rd done. The next 1/3^rd of the race are the most difficult, IMHO. I changed my socks/shoes, refilled my water bottle/ grabbed some food and hit the trail.

After crossing the log footbridge over the raging Little Bighorn River, the trail immediately begins reclaiming elevation lost over the first 17 miles. Hint, when a race names geographic features on the course, it is generally NOT a good thing. The next 3.5 miles regain 2500’ in vertical elevation. This section is called the Wall. Very little running was involved in this section. The sun was beating down, no wind and temps climbing well into the 60’s. I was lathered up and not covering ground quickly.

I arrived at the Bear Camp Aid Station (~M21) spent. My stomach was turning and my legs were absent of energy. I refilled my water bottle and popped a salt pill. I grabbed some more food and found myself lingering to try and recover.

 

I am now running aid station to aid station. Far too early in a long race to be in this position, but it is what it is. I trudge to Cow Camp Aid station. I run when the terrain allows, but walk almost all inclines. No improvement in my physical state. Once I enter the aid station, I plop down into a chair. I am sitting next to a 100 miler who cannot/will not speak. I don’t blame her. I grab another salt pill and more water. I am going through far more water than I anticipated. I eat some fruit and bacon, along with choking down some warm 7 up. Whatever I had done until this point, I need to change because it wasn’t working.

The next section is a rolling section, with an ever increasing climb to the Dry Fork Aid station at M34 where my family will be waiting. If the terrain was downhill or semi-level, I could run. But if the incline was more than 10 degrees, I was walking. This made for plenty of 13-14 minute miles. Finally I can see the aid station, but it is almost 2 miles away and a hefty climb. I walked up to the aid station with my family cheering me on and supporting me. I grabbed more food and we chatted. I wasn’t injured, but I was exhausted. I had no leg energy. I told them I would finish, even if I had to walk. In theory, I thought I could reach this particular aid station ~5.5-6.5 hours. Reality, I came in over 7 hours. And I still had 18 more miles to go.

 

Immediately out of aid station is another climb of ~ 1.5 miles. I don’t think I ran any of it. I was familiar with this section from previous 50K’s. Once I crested the hill, I thought I could run. It sucked to start with, but managed to run and keep it up. I actually surprised myself. I was clicking off some 10-12 minute miles! But it was in this section that my ever building blister on my right heel finally “erupted”. Once it did, I hobbled for 20-25 minutes until the pain subsided. The race goes on!

The skies had begun to cloud up and scattered storms were building. As I approached the Upper Sheep Creek Aid Station, a bolt of lightning hits the ridge ~ ½ mile off to my right. A fellow runner tells me “I guess that is our cue!” I replied back “Absolutely! Get our asses over that ridge!” Unfortunately, that ridge has a name, “The Haul”. It is a short (~1/2 mile) but steep climb. (~ 45 degree). The trails runs parallel to the ridge before the climb. Also unfortunately, it now begins to rain. As I begin to climb, the trail is now greasy and traction is elusive. I step off to the side to use the grass to aid in traction. As I reach the ridge peak, the rain lightens briefly. A few large drops begin to fall and now it begins to hail. Although the hail was dime sized and brief, I manage to get plunked a few times! Once I crest the ridge, the rain and hail have stopped, but the trail now descends significantly. I begin running, but once I reach the steep sections, the pain is too great. Between the fried quads and knees, along with the slippery trail, I cannot trust my legs. I am walking downhill slower than I can walk uphill. I seriously contemplate trying to walk backwards down the steep declines. There are sections of slimy mud where I can only inch my way though. This section is very rocky also. Throughout the race, I must have kicked 25-30 rocks.

 

 

Although I never crashed, my hand came within inches of the ground multiple times after total body jarring stumbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have an aid station at M44 before I meet up with Kelsey and Ethan at M46.5 aid station. They were there waiting for me. We take off running. We run for a couple of miles and walk some. We have some time to chat. As we arrive at the Homestretch Aid Station at ~ M49.5, I am relieved to see the aid workers with freezy pops. One of the girls offers me one and I happily accept. I tell them “Thanks for being here! You are angels!” The freezy was nectar from the gods!

My plan was to start running once we hit pavement. But my daughter tells me the guy who I passed earlier is coming up. I started running again. We enter Dayton and Scott Park (Finish). As we are running past the spectators, out of nowhere I sprint. At least it was a sprint in my mind! I have no idea where that came from. I cross the finish line and my family is there to meet me. The volunteer hands me my finishing sweatshirt and I immediately enter the Tongue River to soak my sore feet and legs. My wife hands me an ice cold beer.

 

I finished in 12:19:56. I finished in the top 50% of finishers, but nowhere near my primary goals. It was a relief to finish. I have never suffered so much for so long in my entire life. 

 

Post race analysis. The Garmin stats don’t lie. The heart doesn’t lie. My heart rate was too high for too long too early in the race. My heart rate was close to marathon PR effort for the 1^st third of the race. I don’t know for sure why. Likely a combination of factors. Altitude, insufficient vertical training runs, anxiety, not conservative enough early pacing, anxiety. It is possible I could have been suffering from overtraining or other health issue.

I have been asked “Why would anyone run 50 miles?” It is hard to put into words. I can tell you the race is conducted in some of the prettiest country in the USA.  Who wouldn’t want to spend more time in the high country?