Beaverhead 100K

Beaverhead 100K started at 5:00 am on Bannock Pass on the border between Idaho and Montana.  I was thinking that I wouldn’t need a headlight to start the race because 5:00 am was pretty light back in Corvallis.  But as 5:00 am approached it became clear that I would need a light.  Fortunately, we brought a few lights for the race, so Dad gave me a handheld light just before I took off.

The start
Photo: Jacob Miller

We counted down the last ten seconds, then took off up the road.  Less than a quarter mile up the road we turned off onto the trail and headed into the sagebrush.  I was first onto the trail with a few other runners close behind, but it didn’t take us too long to start to spread out.  There were a few places in the dark early miles where I had to look twice to see which way to go as the trail was a little rough and overgrown in spots.  However, that was a small price to pay for the views you get at the front of the line.  Before the first aid station I saw a deer and two pairs of elk.

Around 30 or 40 minutes into the race, we had all started to spread out a little bit more.  There was one runner maybe 30 seconds behind me and maybe a few other about that far back from him, but it was a little hard to tell.  It was still a bit dark and the trail didn’t make too many turns where I could look back.

I ran through the first aid station because it was only 4.5 miles in, and I started with a liter of water.  By the first aid station I had turned out my light but was surprised that I had needed to light for the first 30 minutes.

We climbed a little more after the first aid station, then began descending down to a big open meadow.  I think this meadow was the prettiest part of the course.  We traversed across the meadow then began ascending some switchback on the other side.  Just before we started climbing, Jakub Galczynski was maybe 30 seconds behind me, but it seemed like I was pulling away as we ascended.  I looked back across the meadow but couldn’t see anyone else coming.  I lost sight of Jakub as we entered some trees and I didn’t see him when the trail opened up into another meadow.  I knew that I was gaining a little ground going uphill but didn’t want to be giving it back on the downhill, so I was glad no to see him as we started the next climb.

After following a trail for the entire race, the course turned onto an ATV track.  The ATV track made a steep ascent along the ridge before it levelled off and rolled into the second aid station.  Here I refilled my bottles then headed out.  I looked back as I left the aid station to see if anyone was coming but no one was in sight.  I figured I could see about a minute back and that it would probably take a minute to fill up at the aid station giving me at least a 1-2 minute lead.

The next few miles were on fairly smooth ATV track.  Most of the time I was focused on giving a solid effort without pushing too hard early on.  There were a couple hills where I hiked for 20 or 30 seconds, but mainly I was able to keep running along at a pretty steady effort.  This section was mostly small climbs and descents which made it easy to keep a relatively constant effort.  There were also two short patches of rock-hard snow here.

I ran through aid station 3 and without stopping to fill my bottles.  Like aid station 1, I had planned to skip it because I thought I’d have plenty of water.  Seeing no need to change my plan, I kept running down the ATV track.

On the descent down to aid station 4 there were a few rough sections of ATV track, but also some smooth sections.  At bottom of the hill, the race turned off onto some overgrown single-track.  We climbed around a hillside, descended down a brushy trail then continued on.  We climbed around another hillside then headed into an open meadow where the trail was little more than an elk track.  After traversing the meadow, the course turned onto a road.  For some reason I was expecting the aid station to be much closer to the bottom of the descent, so this section seemed to be taking a long time.  After hitting the road, I followed it for a few minutes then climbed up the trail to aid station 4, Lemhi Pass.  Dad and Jacob were able to crew me at this aid station, so I got an ice bandana, some gels, and two new water bottles.

Climbing up to Lemhi Pass
Photo: Jacob Miller

Still going up
Photo: Jacob Miller

Leaving the aid station, the trail climbed up pretty steeply.  I ran all this section and once I reached the trees the trail levelled off a bit.  There were a few rocky sections where the trees opened up a little more, but there wasn’t really any chance to look out and get a view on this climb.  Once I reached the top of the climb, there were a few more rollers before the trail dropped down to aid station 5, Warm Springs Road.  This downhill had some rocky sections but there was enough smoother trail I could run the downhill pretty fast.

On the 100 yards of road at Lemhi Pass aid station
Photo: Jacob Miller

Dad and Jacob were able to crew at aid station 5 as well, so I got water bottles, more gels, and another ice bandana before taking off down the trail.  There were a few gradual climbs and descents leaving the aid station, but none of the climbs were very steep so I was able to keep a faster pace through this section.  Between here and Cutout, aid station 6, the course was all in the trees except for a few burns.  The trail was mostly gradual, so I was able to make good time this whole section.  At Cutout, Jacob gave me another ice bandana, two more bottles, and a bunch of gels.  Dad and Jacob had split up at this point and Dad had gone back to Lemhi Pass to crew Mom.

Coming into Cutout aid station I was starting to pass some 55K runners but leaving Cutout I really started to pass a lot of people.  I like running by myself, especially later in races as I usually have built a good rhythm.  When I’m out there on my own I can run each section of trail exactly how I want to.  With other people, you can’t because you have to get their attention and find a way to get around them.  A couple people is no problem, but I ended up having to pass quite a few.

Outside of more runners, the trail was a bit rockier and the trees were a bit thinner.  I felt like I was running well, but there were a few grinding climbs that were starting to feel pretty tough.  Still I felt like I was moving along well.  At least until I hit the snow.  That when things started to slow down a bit.  Unlike the rock-hard snow of the early morning, this snow was soft snow.  I don’t think I was ever on snow for more than a minute at a time, but there were quite a few small patches and even 10 or 15 steps sinking into the snow slows me down a bit.  Some sections were just a bit slick and I didn’t sink in too much, but there were a lot of sections where I’d sink in at least 8 inches.  Not great for speed, but since I couldn’t change it, I just tried my best to keep moving fast.

As I neared Goldstone Pass aid station, the trail climbs up to the ridge and follows it right on the crest.  The trail got pretty rocky here and the ascents and descents were a bit steeper and rougher.  There were probably a lot of nice views here, but I was pretty focused on the trail, so I didn’t look out much.  I finished up my water a little bit before I reached Goldstone Pass, but fortunately I wasn’t thirsty when I got there.  I hurried through the aid station and headed out to Janke Lake which I was told was just 4.7 miles away.

From Goldstone Pass to Janke Lake, the trail was still rocky and rough, but there was a couple section of ATV track which were a little easier to run.  Most of this terrain was still running for me, but there were a few times I had to hike.  I’d like to think this was because the terrain was steep or snowy, but it was probably because I was getting tired.  I really don’t remember too much about this section other than working pretty hard, passing a lot of people, and wondering what the scree field would be like.

From Janke Lake, we started down which surprised me.  I thought we were just going to head straight up the ridge and hop along the talus for a while.  Soon enough though the trail started up toward the ridge and back into a little bit of snow.  I can’t remember the climb up to the talus too specifically other than trying to run a bit of it, then giving up and hiking; initially because it was tough to run on the snow or through the scrubby trees and rocks around the snow, and later because the footing on the rocks got so bad it was easier to walk.

On the talus I hiked up, shuffled down, and looked for flags.  There wasn’t a lot of places for flagging and I was looking approximately 3 feet ahead which made it difficult to spot any flags.  Of course, it was pretty clear to just stay on the ridge, but my fear was that when the course turns left and leaves the the ridge, I might miss the turnoff and keep trucking along through the talus.  The turnoff was completely obvious, so I had nothing to worry about.

Once we left the talus, we got on a rough old road which climbed up gradually.  At this point, I was glad to be running again as the talus was a bit tedious.  After a little bit of up, we headed down the hill down a steep, loose trail.  I much preferred this section to the talus since I could actually run.  After leaving the trail we hit a rocky road and descended a few minutes before reaching the final aid station.  I filled one bottle and took off.

The road out of the aid station was pretty rocky to begin with.  I was told I’d cross the creek twice before the finish so I was looking for it.  It wasn’t long before I splashed through the creek the first time and only a minute or so later before the second time.  The second time it was knee deep for me which felt pretty good as it was getting warm out.  After the creek, the road was a little smoother as there was a bit of grass on the road which covered some of the rocks and help keep the dirt in place.  There were a couple sections where there was a bit of water flowing down the road and a few sections where the road got a bit rockier but overall it got smoother and faster as I descended.

We left the road and headed on to a trail into the sagebrush.  Now that we were at the bottom of the valley and in the direct sunlight it started to feel warm.  I knew I was close to the end though so I ran as fast as I could.  I knew there was a few short hills before the finish but wasn’t sure how many.  It ended up being three, but after each one, I was hopeful that it would be the last one.  After the last hill, we headed down a trail which looked like it was halfway between a cow trail and a real trail.  Fortunately, all the sagebrush had been cut back, so it was pretty easy smooth running.  After just a few minutes of downhill, I crossed a creek and then could see the finish line less than a minute out.  I finished in 9:31 which was good enough for the win and course record.  I was pretty pumped about that because the extra snow on the course probably made it a little slower than previous years.

We descended down the valley between the open hill and the treed hill behind me.  Then we crossed over the open hill doing a few small climb in the process before descending to the creek (where the close trees are) and finishing
Photo: Jacob Miller

Masks required at the Start, Finish, and Aid Stations
Photo: Jacob Miller

Photo: Jacob Miller

Thanks to Dad and Jacob for crewing for me all day.  Being able to have crew at Lemhi Pass, Warm Springs Road, and Cutout definitely was great.  Also, that to Injinji, which kept my feet comfortable all day, SNB, I had no chafing (although sunburn was a different story), and VFuel as I had no stomach issues all day.

Yeah, this spring was a little weird with so many races being cancelled so I was happy to be able to race.  I was feeling strong all spring so I was excited to see what I could do at a race.  Race day is a lot different than training though, so I was glad to see that not only was I feeling good, but I could race fast too!

Mom ran Beaverhead 100K too, but unfortunately, she missed the cutoff at Goldstone Pass at mile 47.5 by 2 minutes.  This was especially unlucky because her watch got paused early on in the race (probably climbing over some blowdown – there was only a little bit but two or three trees right away), so she wasn’t sure of the exact race time.  I’m sure she would have got it done had she known the time more accurately, especially since the last cutoff at Janke Lake, 4.7 miles later, was extended from 7:30 pm to 7:45 pm.

I really enjoyed Beaverhead and I think I’ll go back some day soon.  It was a fun, tough course with some amazing views.  The race directors did a good job putting on the race so I should give them a big thank you!  And thanks to all the volunteers out there!  There are a lot of aid station that are tough to get to which makes it tough to put on the race.  But having those remote aid station sure leads to a beautiful course!  Thanks everyone...I hope to be back soon.

Memorial Day Backpacking

DAY 1

The drive to Pole Creek trailhead seemed to have a lot more washboards than previous years, but that certainly did not deter people this Memorial Day weekend.  In fact, there were more cars than ever.  I'd guess 2 or 3 times as many as usual.

After putting on sunscreen in the parking lot, we started up the trail and encountered quite a few people along the way.  One other change from previous years was the blowdown.  This year there was a lot.  I guess the trees that burned in Pole Creek fire a few years ago have finally got weak enough they started falling.  Or it may be that no trail crews had been able to get up to Pole Creek yet because of the COVID-19.  However, we usually don't see many fresh-cut trees so I'm guessing it was just a bad year for blowdown.  This made going a little tedious as we ended up slowing down to step over a lot of trees.

Broken Top - we are still climbing and haven't put the skis on yet

South Sister

Once we hit the snow, we hiked for a little bit, but then opted for skis.  Hiking in the snow can get slow, but if the snow is patchy or too steep, it's easier to be walking than trying to ski.  This year we put the skis on early which was a good call as there snow was pretty deep right away and we didn't hit any bare patches.

South Sister ahead - skis on now!

We made pretty good headway skiing up through the snow and were able to follow some track of people heading toward Chambers Lakes.  We typically camp in the same spot each year, so that was our aim for this year as well.  This time I took us on a little detour that took us a little ways past our intended camp site then dropped back down to reach the site.  The intent was to avoid going straight up the hill and instead take a gentler route.  Unfortunately this lead to some steeper side slopes which were not too popular with the rest of the group.

Some afternoon clouds by South Sister

South Sister

DAY 2

We began the climb up to Middle Sister Saddle with a grey sky.  Not dark at all, but a thin layer of high clouds which would burn off later.  However this lighting made it very hard to see the undulations in the snow making skiing downhill a little tricky.

Dad climbing toward Middle Sister

North Sister - we are climbing toward the Middle Sister Saddle

On the climb up to Middle Sister Saddle, we didn't see too many people.  I'd say fewer people than usual which was interesting because there were so many cars in the parking lot.  The climb up to the saddle is fairly long and by the time we reached the saddle the snow was starting to get a bit heavy.  We did see a few people who were heading down as we reached the saddle.  I guess they were trying to get up earlier to have better snow conditions.

Broken Top and South Sister

Three Fingered Jack sticking up in the pass

Prouty Point

Middle Sister

Fresh snow on Prouty Point

We intended to have a quick snack at the saddle, but it was pretty windy so we decided to eat on the move.  We left our skis at the saddle as all the terrain above that is far too steep for us to ski.  This year there was a pretty good set of boot tracks leading toward Middle Sister so we were optimistic that we'd make it to the top.  There was also quite a bit more snow than usual and some fresh snow as well.  On the way up to the saddle, we saw many more avalanches come off Middle Sister than every before because of the recent snow.

The boot tracks made the initial climb easier and looked promising on the steepest pitch as well.  However, when we reached the steep pitch the tracks were not very deep and were often sloping outward from the mountain.  I started up kicking in better steps, but the snow underneath was pretty hard so it was slow going.  After a little while of slow ascending we decided to turn back and head down.  The snow was a little hard, the steps weren't great, and it looked like everyone else who had gone up was using crampons.  However, this opened up another opportunity for us as we now had a little more time than usual.

Looking west - somewhere on the horizon is Mary's Peak

Snow blasted onto the rocks

The Cascade volcanoes all lined up

Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor, and South Sister

Middle Sister

Middle Sister

With the extra time, we skied down from Middle Sister then headed toward Chambers Lakes to get a good view of South Sister.  We have headed this way in previous years instead of trying to go up Middle Sister, but more recently we've just been going up Middle and heading down.  Getting around toward South Sister and Chambers Lakes was fun.  The terrain was a bit flatter which was good because the snow was heavy and getting tough to ski in.  After overlooking Chambers Lakes, we headed back to the tent.

South Sister

Dad disappearing over the hill

Middle Sister and North Sister

Dad with North Sister in the background

 DAY 3

Dad and I woke up with sunburns today.  For me it was just my forehead because I didn't put any sunscreen there.  I hate sunscreen in my eyes and decided to risk it which was not a good move on the snow.  Dad put on sunscreen all over, but he still got toasted.  Fortunately Mom's darker skin helped her.

Anyhow, after packing up some of our gear we make a quick trip up toward North Sister.  There a nice snowfield below North which we skied up.  We left the skis and hiked up the ridge a little ways to get a better view.  The ridge was a little windy so we didn't stay too long.  After getting back to the skis we enjoyed a nice downhill back to the tent.  The snow was pretty good as it was still fairly early in the morning.

A cloud cap on Middle Sister

North Sister

Black Butte farthest to the right

Clouds building by Broken Top and South Sister

Middle Sister

North Sister

After packing up the tent we skied down toward the trail.  This year we were able to follow a few sets of tracks which took to pretty near the trail.  Typically the ski tracks from just a few days earlier are already getting melted out and we end up carrying our skis through the snow for a while before reaching the trail.  This year we were lucky and didn't have to pack the skis too long before we were back on dirt.  The day clouded up a little bit and what looked to be a hot hike out ended up being pretty cool and overcast.  This was appreciated because it can get pretty warm in the burn as there's no shade from the sun.

The hike back to the car was pretty uneventful.  We hopped over the same logs we crossed on the way out and didn't see too many people.  There were still quite a few cars at the trailhead when we got back, but a lot less than when we arrived.  After a quick march across the parking lot, we threw the packs in the car and headed home.

A few shooting stars

Condor 25K

The Start

I think we are starting out slower than UTMB...seriously, people go out like crazy.  Nice to be back on my home trails with the usual crowd around.

Mile 1

This is fun just cruising along...but there's 4 guys in front of me...who are actually pulling away.  I guess I'd better get rolling...these things are so short there's no time to ease into it.

Mile 3

Up to second, I didn't have to work too hard to catch up to there, but where's the guy in first?  Maybe I'll catch sight of him on one of the straightaways with a longer sightline.  Hopefully I can make up some time going up Peavy Peak.

Just a few miles in

One step further

Mile 5

Ugh, that climb was tough.  I think I lost some ground.  I just don't have any uphill legs today.  That's okay, maybe I can catch up on the downhills.

Mile 6

"10 seconds back!"  Yeah...I wish.  I know its at least 20 or 30 because I can see that far ahead.  Still, that's encouraging because it could be a minute or more and I'd be none the wiser.  Dave's trail is a little easier grade, maybe I'll feel better on this climb.

Mile 7

51 seconds, I took that split so its spot on.  Hopefully I can make up some time by the time I can get another split.  Maybe on the switchbacks up ahead.  I should be able to see him up there.

Mile 7.5

There's Dad, why's he stopped, does he want to give me a split?  He's smart enough to know a split isn't worth squat if he's still running.  Seems silly to stop.

"Just keep going, it's okay, just keep going."  Who's down...that's...Eb!  That's not good.  That's not good at all.  Dad said its okay, keep going.  Still, laying down on the trail...but there was already a few people there, not much more I could add.

Mile 8

"Eb's down! Eb's down...about a half mile back on Dave's!"  Gaby's already on her phone, maybe she already heard.  Regardless, she's the RD so I'm sure she's got contact with CMRU (Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit).  If no one is coming up from the saddle by the time I get there, I'll tell them they need to get up there.  Not sure what's up with Eb but I don't think it was good.

Mile 9

A motorcycle.  That's got to be CMRU...that's good.  They should be able to sort things out.  Oh, there's a car too, good.

Mile 10

Gotta keep pushing, this is the last real climb on the course, just a short climb up Vineyard.  I can't get rolling.  It's a pretty easy grade, but my legs just won't go.  Hang in there, maybe on the downhills.

Mile 12

Eb's still there, but there's a group there too.  Looks like some guys from CMRU.  Dad's still there too.  Not sure what happened.  Keep rolling, keep pushing hard.  There's no time to let off the gas, just give it all I got.

Mile 13

No sign of him.  I'm flying down Dave's so I'm sure I'm making up some time, but maybe he's just too far out.  If I could just catch sight of him.  Some idea how much time I need to make up.

Mile 14

Ugh, this last little pitch up Powderhouse felt so much better last year.  I feel like I'm crawling.  Maybe that last downhill, but I'm sure I'm losing ground here.  Go hard, there's nothing to save it for.

Finish

Phew....."any news on Eb?"  It feel good to stop, but I hope Eb's doing okay.  I wonder what happened.  1:50, a minute faster than last year....2nd place...I'm happy with that.

Hanging out at the finish

Eb:

So, what did happen to Eb and who is he?

Well, Eb is local legend.  He's 77 years old and still running trail races.  This spring Eb ran the Mac 50K at age 77.  If that's not impressive enough, Eb's 2019 finish meant that Eb has finished 21 Macs!  He also holds the 70+ course record at the Mac in 6:43.  Eb's done a few other ultras as well.  He's done 220 ultras and has 92 marathon finishes as well.  And most importantly, Eb's a great person.  Eb is a very positive presence out on the trails and is very supportive of other runners.  He truly embodies the spirit of trail running.

At the Condor, Eb suffered a heart attack out on the trail.  He was taken to the Corvallis hospital and kept there for a few days.  He is now making a speedy recovery.  Thank goodness!

UTMB

Chamonix, August 30th, 6pm

I focus on staying calm, although the blaring music and excitement around me is almost overwhelming.  Yet, I feel calm.  It's almost too easy to stay calm, as if there's no excitement, no adrenaline inside me.  And then we're running through the streets of Chamonix.  I focus on my breathing to help me meter out a reasonable effort.  No need to go flying through the first 8k to Les Houches.

Les Houches, 6:33pm

I've checked my watch a few times along the road to Les Houches, but with no landmarks I have no clue how fast I'm going.  I shouldn't really care how long it takes me to get to Les Houches as its barely even the start of the race, but having competitive intentions I don't want to fall too far back early on.  The pace felt quite manageable, I was never breathing hard, and I even hiked a very short uphill section where the road got a little crowded.  35 minutes would be solid.  I'll probably be 37 or 38.  I really don't want to be over 40.

7:00pm

Around me trekking poles clack along as I alternate between hiking and running.  The pitch of the first climb is in between a good hiking grade and a good running grade.  I don't want to work too hard so I alternate between hiking and running.  Neither feels very good.  I wish it was steeper, or gentler, then I could settle in to a better gear.

Le Deleveret, 7:30pm

I can barely run downhill because a stitch in my side.  What's going on, the race has barely started.  Deep breaths, solve my problems.  Its low in my stomach so maybe my waist-light is bothersome.  I didn't train with the waist-light much although it was fine at Cruel Jewel and Angeles Crest.  I can't take off the light, I'll need it soon, but I can shift it to my chest.  Wedge it between the clips on my pack to keep if from falling down.  Walk a few steps, I think I'm good.  Start running, my stomach still hurts but its a little better.

Saint-Gervais, 7:55pm

I want to drop.  I'm ready to be done.  I haven't felt good.  I haven't had fun.  I can't stop, gotta keep going.  I won't even see my parents for another hour.  I can't stop before that.  Just keep moving, get some energy from the crowds.  It feels like an annoying circus around me.  Kristi Pote...a familiar face from Corvallis...funny I even saw her at all.  Stay positive.

8:30pm

I have to get around someone on nearly every up or down.  Then I get passed on the flats.  I want the race to spread out.  There's no rhythm.  I want to run without all these people around.

Les Contamines Montjoie, 8:57pm

There's Dad.  The aid station is crazy, so many people.  No more Tailwind, its too salty.  Give me on package of Shot Bloks to replace each bottle of Tailwind...next time, in Courmayeur.  How do I get out of here?  Oh, that way...thanks Dad.  Back into the dark.

9:10pm

Water.  There's a water spout pouring into a trough of water.  Best to fill up that bottle that had Tailwind.  It could be a little while until La Balme.  Good move.  It's finally starting to space out.  I'm on my own...I prefer it this way.  I'm a little tired of all the road running.  I'm ready for some steep terrain where I can do some hiking.  Something were I can settle into a steady uphill gear.  It's just felt hectic so far.

La Balme, 9:57pm

Hiking, finally.  It feels good.  I'm faster than the other runners around me.  No poles for me, and it seems fine.  Certainly not slowing me down at all.  Here's the aid station.  Make sure to fill both bottles.  And, I'll get a drink of water in the aid station too.  My stomach is still bothersome, that side stitch.  But as always its better on the uphills.  I think the water if helping.  Keep drinking, maybe I have too much salt from the Tailwind and the water will dilute it.  Just get is sorted out by the downhill to Les Chapieux.

10:30pm

More running that I thought.  I was expecting the climbs to be mostly hiking.  That's okay, my running legs feel pretty good.  It's easy to settle into a solid gear and grind away on the uphills.  Plus some hiking too, when its steeper or just to change it up.  Lights up ahead on the mountain.  I wonder how many people are ahead of me.  I wonder where the leader is...and who it is.  Is his light in sight?

Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, 11:00pm

My downhill legs feel good.  The descent to Les Chapieux shouldn't take long.  Ooo, its a little technical and a bit tough to follow the rutted, braided single-track.  Flag to flag, but shoot, it feels like I'm not taking the best path.  Sometimes my track gets really rough or take the long way.  Keep moving.  Shoot!  I can feel that side stitch again, gotta slow down.  I can barely run, deep breaths.  Keep moving, maybe it will be a blessing.  It might save my quads for the final downs.  But they feel so strong now, I wish I could just run.

Les Chapieux, 11:27pm

Feeling fair, just keep moving.  Frustrating to not be able to run downhill.  Get water, try some baguette, I'm already tired of gels and they make my stomach hurt more.  Long uphill ahead, keep moving.

12:00am

Why am I here?  Why am I running?  I haven't felt good all day.  It hasn't felt easy at all.  I haven't really cared at all.  Frankly, I wouldn't care if I just stopped right now.  Gotta keep moving though.  Think about my friends in Corvallis, it'll be good to run with them when I get home.  Smile.  Think about every one in detail.  The Thursday night hike, friends, stories, smiles...keep moving.  Stay positive, smile, I will feel better.  Focus on the positive, my friends...keep moving.

Col de la Seigne, 1:00am

Another pass down.  I'm just ticking off the miles so quickly.  It seems like they are just passing by, never feeling like much from one to the next.  But I don't really care.  I just not in it.  Maybe the night is making me tired, but I've not been feeling it all day.  Keep moving, there's so much race left.

Lac Combal, 1:52am

Less of a side stitch on that downhill.  Probably because the trail was so technical by the Pyramids its was hard to go very fast at all.  My stomach does feel better.  Eat a little less frequently, that seems to help, but make sure to get enough.  I shouldn't think this, but I've never had a side stitch to away during a run.  But this will be the time I fix that.  I'll figure it out.  With so much time and miles ahead, I'll get it sorted.

Arete du Mont-Favre, 2:37am

Not feeling as strong uphill.  It feels like I need to pee, but I can't.  I stopped a couple times on the uphill to try because my bladder feels full, but I can't really pee at all.

Gentle downhill, my side still hurts so I've got to go slow.  I wish I could run a little more freely downhill.  Keep at it, things will get better.

Col Checrouit Maison Vieille, 3:04am

Oof, my side stitch is especially bad right now, walk a few steeps, keep moving.  There's the lights of Courmayeur.  Pretty.  The downhill is supposed to be steeper here so that usually better for my side stitch.

Steeper and not too technical.  Running down feels good.  My quads feel great and the descent is going by quickly.  A little choppy with some steps and tight turns.  Deep breaths, breath through my nose.  Maybe my side will be good to go in a while.  If I get it sorted out by Col Ferret, I should be good.  Pretty much all up til there.  But the downhill off Col Ferret will make or break the race.  I will need to be able to run...we'll see.  I think I'll be good.

Courmayeur, 3:30am

Winding through street, more streets, more streets, where's the aid station?  Oh, here into the gym, that's why I couldn't see it.  Mom yells at me coming into the aid station.  I can't see her, but I know its her above on the bridge.  Dad's in the aid station, he's got bottles and gels.  29 minutes, is that the leader?  No, Xavier Thevenard, Pau Capell is going to smash it.  A quick transition and I'm heading out.  Wait, I need to put a tracker in my pack, I'm now in the top 10.  Okay.  I leave with Andrew Symonds, he's says we're 6 and 7.  Whoa, I'm actually doing pretty well.

Refuge Bertone, 4:31am

There's the aid station, it just a little hut...I guess a Refuge.  Dang, no bread.  I was hoping to have some for change from gels.  The last climb felt good, but I could feel my side stitch a bit.  Fill my bottles, keep going.

5:00am

Lights from behind.  Just do the best I can.  My side has been bothersome, but I can keep moving.  Not as fast as I'd like, but better than walking.  I might get passed now, but I'll have a chance to catch up later.  The last 3 climbs should be good for me.  Hiking uphills and steep downhills.  My side should be good enough for that.  I just need to be good to go for The descent to La Fouly and on to the base of the climb to Champex-Lac.  Is that Andrew Symonds, no, someone else.  Maybe Andrew Symonds isn't far behind either.  Keep moving, I don't want to drop too many spots.  It seems like my side is worse after a hard uphill, not sure what to do about that since the uphills are the only place I can go fast.

Refuge Bonatti, 5:31am

Coke?  No, no really, but I'll humor him and give it a try.  He seems insistent.  Thanks.  Actually, it's pretty good.  Much better than gels, maybe I can keep fueling with coke.  I'll grab a banana too, that actually tastes good.

Arnouvaz, 6:11am

I ran that downhill.  Not super fast, but a bit better than I have been.  My stomach didn't hurt so much. Maybe the banana helped.  Its seemed easy on my stomach.  No more gels.  Maybe banana, bread, and some coke.  That might keep me going.  I grab a few bananas in the aid station and get a bottle filled with coke.  Shoot the coke's getting all shaken up and fizzy so I'd best drink it right now.  I'm feeling okay.  Maybe things will turn around.

6:45am

Wrrrrrrr!  Whoa, a helicopter.  Must be filming the lead men and women.  This top men must be over the pass and heading down the backside.  Turn off my headlight, no more use for that.  Finally a view.  Big mountains in every direction.  Truly beautiful.

Col Ferret, 7:08am

I have to stop and pee.  Finally.  Pull over after the Col and take a pit stop.  I'm breathing pretty hard, must be the elevation.  Time to get going, it's pretty smooth trail.  Just can't get rolling.  My side is okay, just winded, must be the elevation.

7:30am

Moving a bit better on the downhill.  I guess I needed to get down from the high elevation.  My side isn't prefect, but its pretty good.  Keep moving.  Just down to La Fouly.  I can't see where it is but its got to be down in the valley somewhere.

La Fouly, 8:08am

Just keep breathing, deep breaths.  I can't run the rollers.  I just get winded running anything uphill.  Stay positive.

There's Mom and Dad.  No crewing but they can see me.  I'm doing okay...just okay.  "I just can't catch my breath on any of the ups.  I don't know what's up."   I grab a bunch of food in the aid station.  Maybe that will help.

8:30am

Time to run again.  The 10 minute walking break is done.  Really struggling, but time to run again.  Downhill, but I'm getting winded.  Keep moving, just 10 minutes of running.  Deep breaths.  I'm barely moving.  Keep breathing, deep breaths.

10:00am

All uphill to Champex-Lac.  Keep hiking.  Keep breathing.  Not sure what I can do.  Unbuckle my pack, maybe I'll be able to get a deeper breath.  Just out of breath.  I'm barely moving.  Gels?  Water? I don't think they'll help, but I'll try.  I'm just out of breath, not sure what's going on.

Champex-Lac, 11:12am

There's Mom.  I guess she walked down from the aid station.  Hopefully it isn't far.  "I think I'm done"

UTMB Tracking

I will be running UTMB starting next Friday, August 30th, at 6pm local time in France.  That'd be Friday at 9 am PST, for those on the west coast and Friday at 12 pm EST for those on the east coast.

Here's a link to the tracking: https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/live/utmb

Almost every year the course is a little different, as in, another climb was added, so the course has gotten a little bit longer of the years.  Regardless, here's a link to previous year's results: https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/349/results.html

2017 and 2018 had a very similar course to 2019, but they skipped the climb up the Pyramids Calcaires around kilometer 65 and the climb up Tete aux Vent at kilometer 160.  These section of the course were eliminated due to bad weather which could happen again in 2019, but I hope not.  The Pyramids climbs looks like it'd add about 25-30 minutes and the Tete aux Vent climbs less than that.  The 2017 and 2018 courses are probably 30-45 minutes faster than the proposed 2019 course, but that just my guess.

Here's the elevation profile for 2017/2018 and 2019 if you really want to dive into the course.

2017/2018 course

2019 course (weather permitting)