Mt Evans and Western States
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| Action pose when I came up on Shaun during the descent. That thin line to my right is the road way below - it's switches back and forth like that for about the last 4 miles to the top. |
We arrived at the base of the mountain and got started around 7:40am. I left while he was still adjusting his hydration pack, since we weren't planning on running together anyway. The climb was relaxed and easy. I only broke into a walk when eating or taking in a particularly nice view and reached the summit in around 2:40. I stopped just long enough to eat some clif bloks and chat with a couple people who were surprized I ran up and planned to run down (we were the only two running on the mountain amidst a parade of cyclists) and I was on my way.
After descending about 3.5 miles, I bumped into Shaun and he decided to head back at that point. Gravity pulled me on much of the run down but there are many sections of flat and even incline, so there was still work to be done. I was out of water just after starting the descent and only ate about 300 cals total, so I was sort of loping and groggy for portions of the descent. I was happy to be done, for sure.
My goals for this last longer effort before Hardrock were:
Run at higher elevation (14,270 feet with A LOT of running with all the switchbacks between 13k-14k)
Get in a long, sustained climb (15 miles to the summit)
Beat up my quads a bit on a long descent (15 miles down, all on pavement)
Accomplished them all. Elevation has never seemed to phase me, for which I'm grateful. The maintained slight drop in weight since San Diego 100 two weeks ago helped with the climbing; I felt light and energetic. Quads feel good this morning even after the sustained pounding descent. Shaun and I then nearly put Bojeau's Pizza out of business with a couple of stacked pizzas and relay laps of the salad bar. Great way to spend the day.
Wore the prototype Cross-Compression shorts by McDavid, along with my MD calf sleeves. These really helped stabilize the muscle shaking and vibration on the descent and probably, at least partially, why my legs feel just fine this morning. Finishing the week with:
64 miles running (11,000+ feet climb)
16 miles speed walking
22 miles road ride at 20mph
By the time I got home, the Western States leaders were just past the half way point. I followed the race the rest of the day, barely able to stay awake for Kilian's finish in 15:34.
There'll be enough digestion of the race on blogs, both amateur and knowledgeable over the next few days but my initial standout thoughts are:
- 14 guys under 17 hrs
- Ellie Greenwood's monster surge and win
- AJW running probably the best race of his life
- Just 1 American in the top 5
What thoughts do you (the 3 readers of this site) have?
According to the WS blog Ellie's late surge was aided by a bear on the course!
ReplyDeleteAJW top ten again!
I noticed Kami and Nikki had the same time (well, at least to the minute). Will be interesting to hear how that went down.
ReplyDeleteThere is already a video posted of Kilian's last mile.
Mike Wolfe, Nick Clark...some amazingly tough bastards out there.
I too noticed 14 men under 17 - shit!
AJW figured it would be that way and set up splits for a 16h45m...did 5 minutes faster and did it again. He is like Geoff Roes at 100 miles, Mackey under 100 miles, and Matt Carpenter on Pikes Peak - you just should never count him out on his home course.
Sounded like Ellie would've won even without Kami's bear delay.
ReplyDeleteAgree on AJW, never would've predicted another top-10 against that field.
Big run by Tim Olson.
What happened to Kaburaki? He was in 5th with like 15 miles to go and then finishes in in 23 something?
I too thought that Ellie was out of it early on.
Be interested to hear from Geoff post-race. Sounded like he was a bit half-hearted about WS100 going in. Wonder if he'll still go to UTMB.
Sounded like Nick may have blown up his quads, hope he heals up in time (Ias much as possible) for Hardrock.
After running 85 miles, I'd kick a bear in the balls to get to the finish.
ReplyDeleteThat video of Kilan's last mile is very cool, especially when he stops to accept congratulations from Geoff.
Justin, Kaburaki came in 5th in 16:04. Yeah, I'm interested to hear what happened to Geoff. I think an interesting topic would be whether people feel the high-end guys drop out if they feel they're out of contention. With that in mind, my hat is off to Scott Jaime, who continues to show what kind of character he has by picking up the shattered pieces and finishing proud.
>whether people feel the high-end guys drop out if they feel they're out of contention
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought, race expert that I am.
I prefer your approach: near-hospitalization, followed by a surge and finish. (disclaimer: I'm not advocating ignoring real medical problems. In fact it creeps me out when I read about people running through injuries that could damage them permanently, i.e. bad meniscus, kidneys, etc.)
In the men's race I waiting for the leaders to falter and few did. Very impressive. Kilian certainly learned his lesson. Huge talent there.
Gotta run that Evans road some time. 30 miles would be a PR in distance for me though.
Yeah, just looked again at Kaburaki.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying Geoff, or Hal for that matter, dropped only because they were faltering. Just saying that it brings it to mind. Even if they did drop because they felt out of contention, that's their choice and not really anyone else's business. It does crop up in my mind when I look at Ultrasignup.com and view the results of folks. DNFs don't show up. I think they should count as 0%. My ranking would be down too (dnf miwok last year and antelope 100 this year). At least the rankings would be more accurate.
ReplyDeleteEh, just screw ultrasignup.
ReplyDeleteBut if one does care, that means a guy like Tony gets a zero? Or does that only count if one DNFs (versus DNS)?
AJW - yes, serious ass props to him. I guess I should not be surprised but I thought the field was way too deep this year for him to get that spot.
I think Scott Jaime went out hard for the CR at Hardrock last year, cracked, thought about dropping, but didn't and drag himself over the finish line if I recall.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is powering through that nasty ass last 10 hours at Hardrock helped immensely in making it through a tough day at the office Saturday.
That guy is one tough bastard.
Nice run - you had way better weather than they had for the race last week!! Out "trolling" in the McDavid prototypes, eh????
ReplyDeleteWhen running is at least part of what pays the bills, bailing with other key races on the horizon is totally their call.
The only difference on Evans was that it was warmer, still windy as heck.
ReplyDelete...or, when an ego can't absorb a 40th or 50th place finish. There, I said it.
Was that a personal revelation or did I miss something.... ;-) And I think there is only one day a year on Mt Evans with no wind, but no one ever catches it!
ReplyDeleteSo when is the HR100 or Bust train leavin town?
Leave for hardrock wed the 6th. Hope to get off the waitlist before then.
ReplyDeleteOnce Darren and the Forest Hill crew started escorting runners into the aid station on Saturday afternoon, I watched and cheered in amazement as each one or two hit Mile 62. It was cool to see the few leaders, but the rest simply amazed me.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to this, having mostly observed from a respectful distance by listening to Darren's stories of Antelope and other ultra exploits (your SD story, for one!). I've set foot on trails as a climber, biker, skier, but only recently as runner. I can hardly call it that yet, but I'm beginning to understand.
I thought I was tired and happy from our 14 miles that morning, but seeing the relative calm, strength, and focus of the WS men and women while fighting all the demons that only such efforts bring, motivated me to look forward to many more miles. I have no idea why, but there seems to be something out there you guys/gals find. I'm in.
Here's to Kilian, Ellie, and everyone who lined up early Saturday not knowing when (or where) it might end.
And, yo, what's with you and running out of water? Have a good go at HR100! I'll keep chasing Darren up the hills toward Leadville.
PS. Always enjoy your blog; and my apologies to your other readers for hogging comment space!
Hey Tim - I'm hoping that you get into HR. You're chances, as you know, are excellent. In 2005, I was 3rd on the waitlist on Thursday before the race. I went there and got in (the last one admitted that day ... there was still one more person allowed in the next morning). So, there's a precedent. Good luck! - Garett Graubins
ReplyDeleteHi Craig! Thanks for the super thoughtful comment. I think you'll find that people do 100s for many many different reasons. Some to fill and insecurity and trying to say "hey, look at me. Look what I can do!" and others with a deeply introverted missing link they hope to connect.
ReplyDeleteThe common thread is summed up in your words: "I have no idea why, but there seems to be something out there you guys/gals find. I'm in." We are all looking to find something.
Running out of water on Evans was silly. There are plenty of places to get natural water. I just didn't bother because of the mass of humanity on the mountain and that I knew the exact distance and approximate time to get to the bottom, I wasn't concerned.
Looking forward to getting in a run with you soon.
Hey Garett! I've latched onto the mindset that I'm already in HR. It's the only way for me to be mentally ready when I do get in. Thanks for the insight. It definitely helps me, knowing you got in from a similar situation.