Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Race Report 2013

It was 4:14 am On Sunday July 21 and I had just completed 67.5 miles of the TRT 100, my second loop of the red house in my first attempt at the 100 mile distance. As I approached the aid station I could see the volunteers patiently waiting for me. I already knew what they were going to say even before I had arrived. As they told me that I had missed the cut, I told them it was OK, I know. It’s Ok, all the while smiling just as I had started.

The cut for Tunnel Creek #5 was 4:05am and I had just missed it by 9 minutes. I slowly made my way into the aid station as the volunteers removed my bib. It hit me as soon as my bib was removed, I was done. I would not be finishing my first 100 miler. I slowly sat down and it all sunk in…..the realization that my journey was done….with a heavy heart I just looked around trying not to make eye contact as I knew if I did the tears would start streaming and I needed to be strong right now, I needed to keep it together…All I could do was reflect on the past 23 hours and 14 minute while I waited seeing other runners coming through and pushing on……….

Start To Hobart:

The time had finally arrived; I was toeing the line of the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 miler. I was feeling calm and confident in my training. I was about to embark on one of my biggest journey’s. In 3…2…1… and we were off. I slowly fell into a nice rhythm, slowly making my way to first climb of what would be many for the day. The single track trail came quickly and I immediately transitioned into my power hike, along with 226 other 100 milers. I knew that I needed to be conservative, because it wasn’t about how fast I completed the first loop, it was about being smart in the first loop, being conservative and consistent, finding my pace and not the pace of the runner in front of me or behind me. This was about me.

The climb to Hobart aid station wasn’t that bad, I was fueling with perpetuem and I was also taking in gels. I needed to stay on top of my nutrition. During the descent I didn’t open it up but I remained calm and collective, very relaxed. As I neared the fire road I just thought, wow I am actually doing this! Hobart aid station arrived, I was 6 miles into the race and I was feeling good, but who wouldn’t be feeling good at 6 miles? I knew that my pace was conservative and I wasn’t pushing it. I quickly grabbed some PB&J and I used the restroom, I was very excited at this and I took a mental note to tell Trailmomma (Pam) about the restroom stop when I saw her at Tunnel Creek aid station in 5 miles.

Hobart To Tunnel Creek:

I was slowly approaching on one of the many beautiful views on the day and I was excited. I was feeling good, my fueling was on point and I was focused. The view when I crested the top and rounded the corner was breath taking. I knew this section of trail and I knew that I would have about a nice 4 mile descent into Tunnel Creek with some very runnable switch backs. I was looking forward to it. I hit the switch backs and just enjoyed them, not hammering the pace but staying focused on my nutrition and staying relaxed. I was nearing Tunnel Creek and I quickly assessed my situation and what I needed from my drop bag. I was 11 miles in.

Tunnel Creek to Red House back to Tunnel Creek:

I arrived at Tunnel Creek and the volunteers grabbed my drop bag, I quickly  grabbed a small zip lock bag of perpetuem and refilled my bottle. I was in and out of this aid station and now making way down to the red house or “The taste of Hell.” This was a 3 mile descent, that could potential destroy my quads and my spirits. I took the descent nice and easy keeping everything under control. As I hit the bottom and started the climb to the red house I took in a gel, and continued to remind myself to keep drinking both my water and my perpetuem. The day was warming up and I could already feel the power of the sun just beating down on me.

As I neared the red house I remained focused on my day and not what others were doing. I power hiked the steep hill and slowly transitioned into a run during the flats. I hit the red house and grabbed some chips and continued on my way. Both of my bottles of perpetuem were doing fine and I had enough water. I power hiked the climb and continued on my way. Again, I could feel the heat of the sun and made a mental note to get wet at the aid station. I was now nearing the steepest climb thus far and just put my head down and kept my arms pumping and legs hiking. It was during this climb I noticed a weakness in my legs and dryness in my mouth, like cotton mouth. I didn’t think anything of it besides I am at elevation, that is the dry air causing the cotton mouth. I was nearing the steepest section of this climb and weakness was slowly traveling up my body, I kept moving forward. When the grade wasn’t too steep, but gradual I took out a MOJO bar and began enjoying some MOJO! Maybe I just needed a little bit of fuel, even though I had been fueling.

I was nearing Tunnel Creek, and I again assessed my situation, mentally I was fine. It was just the sudden onset of weakness in my legs and the cotton mouth, but as I got closer to Tunnel Creek that all became a after thought as there was Trailmomma (Pam) my crew. She quickly started firing questions at me, when did you Pee? How do you feel? What do you need? Are you drinking? I was excited to see her as I had just missed her on my first time through. I told her I had peed at Hobart, and yes it was clear. I was going to get more perpetuem and use the bath room but other than that I am feeling good. She couldn’t come into the aid station with me so I was on my own but that was OK as the volunteers were amazing. I weighed in for the first time and my weight was spot on. I then refilled my bottles, my pack grabbed some jerky another MOJO bar and the volunteers took my bandana and filled it with ice and put it around my neck. I was like a pit stop at nascar, everything happened so quickly. It was here that I also took my shoes off and emptied out the little grains of sand that were in my shoes. Once I was done with that I walked over and used the bathroom and happily reported to Trailmomma that I had gone #1 and #2 and that I am happy about that and plan on taking the next section easy to allow my stomach to digest the calories I had been putting in. Trailmomma thought that was a great idea and quickly took a picture and I was on my way. Oh the things ultra runners talk about with their crew.

Tunnel Creek To Bull Wheel:

I was now on my way to Bull Wheel which was 3 miles from Tunnel Creek and 9 miles to Diamond Peek. This section was exposed and super hot. I was maybe at mile 18 when a huge wave of nausea came upon me. Before I knew what was going on I was vomiting, ugh this is not good. Hmm maybe that is way I felt weakness and cotton mouth not too long ago. Great, not what I needed is all I could think about. After getting sick, I thought it was best to slow my pace down even more. I needed to recover from this as well as try and push the liquids and calories back in me. But I needed to wait to make sure I was done being sick. I kept moving forward and could feel the nausea and unsettling feeling in my stomach. I was hoping this would pass. In time, I slowly and I mean slowly tested my stomach by sipping on some perpetuem. Ok, seems to be staying down…..ugh I can feel it coming back up….stay down….stay down…ok, it stayed down. Or not….I knew at this point I was going to have to trick my system, I needed calories. I took an even smaller sip. This time it stayed down. Ok, good. Big sigh of relief. Maybe that is all and I am good to go. By this point I thought I would take a gel in. Bad idea as this did not sit well with my system. I then thought maybe some solid food would help, but nope not working either. The only thing I could do was keep moving and keep sipping on my water and perpetuem to try and get some calories in me. This was a long 3 three miles. I arrived at Bull Wheel and decided to take my time here. I nibbled on some cashews knowing that they had a ton of energy and the salt tasted good and it stayed down. Good, maybe I am done????

Bull Wheel to Diamond Peak: 

I continued on my way and tried to remain positive, but a little seed was being planted I tried not to water that seed and remain focused on the task at hand which was to get to Diamond Peak. I slowly started running again and was feeling ok, not great, but not nauseas. I enjoyed the views and kept the calories coming in. At this point I knew that I was behind on calories but I also knew I needed to be very careful and not overload and ultimately upset my stomach again. I took calories in when I could and got sick when I couldn’t. It was a vicious cycle. But I was still moving, I was still clear mentally and I was still moving forward. I was running and slowly approaching the downhill. I hit the downhill and let me tell you what happened. I started feeling a lot better, I mean I was feeling so much better I started pounding the liquid calories and let my legs go. It felt so good to be running again, and it was such a huge mental boost to be running again. It was during this section I put my plan together, I needed to spend a little bit of time at Diamond to take in calories, change my socks, ect…but the most important thing to do was get calories in. Because at this point I was playing catch up and would be feeling great and then crash. I hit the pavement and made my way to the resort.

I could see Trailmomma and Rachel (my fiancée) approaching. I immediately told them I haven’t been feeling good and I left some on the trail and that I needed calories in me before I left. I quickly was ushered to the scale to weigh in and surprise surprise I was only down 1 pound. Which was pretty surprising to me, but hey I will take any small victory that I can take right now. I then used the restroom as Rachel tried to refill my pack, but the aid station was out of ice and water. I came out of the bath room and sat down. Daisy and Kuni were there and were a huge help. I took my shoes and socks off and sat there. Someone gave me an ensure (this was a last minute purchase and was in all my drop bags, thank goodness) I slowly drank it and I also ate some blueberries and grapes and I even nibbled on a PB&J sandwich. Wow this is great. I am getting calories in. Kuni jumps in and I tell him that my heel has been hurting. He looks and there is no blister, in fact I don’t have one blister and I am 30 miles in. Kuni dries my feet and changes my socks and I retie my shoes. At this point I am getting ancy and need to go; only I can’t find Rachel. Rachel was filling my pack with our ice and getting water from the hose. Pam filled my bottles one with water for getting me wet as I climbed up Diamond and the other with perpetuem. I also took some fruit with as this tasted very good and I carried/ate half a PB&J sandwich. I was ready to go. Daisy offered me some soda and I said sure, I gave Rachel a kiss and thanked my crew and I was off. Ready to take on this beast.

Diamond Peak back to Bull Wheel:

Such a big improvement from a few miles ago. I started hiking and I was feeling strong and focused. I rounded the first right turn and all of a sudden I was vomiting. Agh all those calories gone…SHIT….As I was getting sick a runner behind me told me she had some Tums and offered them to me. I gladly took them and she told me to take it nice and easy on this climb. I thanked her and we both continued on our way only I was now moving pretty slow. The wave of nausea was back and I was doing all I could to keep everything down. Slowly but surely I was making my way up the beast. Right, left, right left, one, two, three, four, five….I was doing anything to keep my mind occupied and off the fact that I was about to vomit again. I leaned over and dry heaved and kept moving. That is all I could do, keep moving. I have to keep moving. I knew back at Tunnel I had ensure and that was about 250 calories, but I also knew that I was playing catch up and it was going to be vicious roller coaster.

I neared a shade tree and I did what I thought I wouldn’t do, I went to the shade tree and sat down for a minute. It seemed to help my stomach and I took this opportunity to take in some perpetuem. I think I took in half the bottle. I knew I needed the calories. I also took in a salt tab. I sat here for another minute or two and slowly got up and continued hiking. I was getting close only a few more false summits and I would be at the top. I hit the top and ran down the few hundred yards to bull wheel, with a huge smile on face knowing I was a bit closer.

Bull Wheel back to Tunnel Creek:

I was once again back at bull wheel, I knew I was behind on calories and took in some cashews and they tasted great. I also ate some oranges and refilled my water bottle as I had used the water to keep me cool. I was hot, that climb took a lot out of me and I began to question how much longer I could keep this up. I quickly dismissed that thought and put a smile back on my face and thanked the volunteers and made my way to Tunnel Creek.

This section is a nice 3 mile single track completely run able section, only I was having to walk some here and there. I would put together a small section of running and then I would have to walk. I just didn’t have the energy and I feared taking in a gel as the last time I did I didn’t keep it down. I did what I could and I dug deep and shuffled along. I wasn’t about to have a pity party, I was still moving, I was still focused, and I was still able to shuffle/run forward. I knew that once I reached Tunnel I would need calories and it seemed that the only thing that was working was liquids. I made my way down, switch back after switch back and slowly arrived at Tunnel Creek.

Here I weighed in before doing anything else and I was still down one pound I think. I than was ushered to a chair as my drop bag was retrieved by the amazing volunteers at this aid station. It seemed that every time I turned around a volunteer was by side asking what I needed, if I was ok. It was here that Tina H. caught up to me as we were within shouting distance on the trail a few miles back. She knew I was having some stomach issues and offered me some pedialite.  I thanked her and was able to drink it all. I also managed to choke down an ensure. I also refilled my bottles, one with perpetuem and another with coke. I knew that the coke would help, but for how long I was not sure. I knew that the next section was going to challenging as it was a climb back to Hobart with very few down hills.

Tunnel Creek Back To Hobart:

I was 35.3 miles in on my 100 mile journey. I kept telling myself to keep putting calories in no matter what happens. I needed them. I thought that the waves of nausea and vomiting would stop, but it didn’t. I left Tunnel Creek knowing I had no other choice. I had to keep moving, I had put some calories in me and I knew that this low would pass eventually. I ran out of Tunnel Creek with one goal in mind to get to Hobart.

I power hiked a lot during this stretch of trail. At least I could still do that, but the nausea and vomiting where still with me. Tina caught up to me and together we continued on our way. We talked and power hiked and then an incredible thing happened….my energy level increased and I was able to increase my power hike as well as run some sections. I took full advantage of this and shouted out to Tina that we needed to run here, now let’s run to that rock, keep going just a bit farther and together we made up some ground. It is amazing how one second I am feeling like total crap and the next I am as high as a kite. Just like earlier though I knew that a crash was coming and sure enough it happened, but the good news was I was near Hobart. I arrived into the Hobart aid station and the energy from the volunteers was contagious. They grabbed my drop bag, and I enjoyed another ensure, this time not choking it down. I was starting to feel better and I left Hobart knowing I had 3 miles to Snow Valley and an amazing view ahead of me.

Hobart To Snow Valley:

I had about 10 miles until I saw my crew again and that sparked me. I was off, power hiking and pushing it up to Snow Valley. I was actually feeling good and getting use to the nausea and vomiting. It was an interesting cycle, I could feel it coming on in waves so when I felt I backed down a bit and when it passed I would push. I wasn’t done and this wasn’t going to stop me.

The climb to snow valley is challenging but I have had worse climbs today compared to this. I think the hardest part was seeing the signs and knowing I had still about 1.5 miles to go and then 1 mile and then .5 is when the juices really started to run. I arrived at Snow Valley, and refilled my coke bottle, took in some broth which tasted great and also another ensure. I knew once again that I needed the calories and I was hopeful that they would stay down.

Snow Valley to Start/Finish:

From here it was all downhill so to speak. The first mile or so I couldn’t put anything together and it was frustrating. But I knew it would open up and I would be running soon. When it opened up I ran knowing that I had less than 5 miles to go in this first loop. I started to put a plan together for when I saw my crew and what I needed. I knew I needed my feet fixed, I could feel the blisters. I also knew that just like every other stop I needed calories only I wasn’t tolerating solid foods and it was getting challenging taking in perpetuem. But I had no choice I had to get calories in me. The hard part about this section for me is when I hit the bottom, I could see where I needed to be, but I still had at least 1.5 miles to go. I just put my head down and remained focused and calm.

As I rounded the corner and saw the bridge I knew I was close. I saw my crew and though I may have looked unsure I knew that I was going to continue on in hopes that the cooler weather with the night will bring me back.

I saw my crew and they quickly ushered me to the scale in which by some miracle my weight was spot on. Either I wasn’t processing my calories or I am just lucky. I then immediately sat down and told them I needed calories but I didn’t know what I could keep down. Rachel went to work on my blisters, I had blister on the inside of my toes (pretty much each toe) and the back of both heels. Trailmomma (Pam) focused on refilling my pack and bottles and my safety runner Jenn also focused on blister repair. My feet were in bad shape. I changed my shirt as well as cleaned my face off and I took in an ensure and attempted to eat some fruit. My crew was awesome, all I did was sit down and they went into action. Mentally I was fine; I wasn’t loopy or confused I was focused on what I needed to do so that I could get back at it. By now I knew that this second loop was going to even more challenging and that I might be racing the cuts.

In what felt like no time, but in reality was longer then I remember I was ready to go. I hugged and said thank you to Trailmomma as she had to get back home, and I thanked and kissed Rachel telling her I will see her at Diamond Peak. I didn’t know how long it would take but I was determined.

Start/Finish to Hobart:

Jenn and I left the start/finish area and I was in great spirits. I was talking up a storm as the cooler temperatures felt great; I was having a huge runner high. As we started on the single track trail I told Jenn that this is the farthest I have run ever. She was amazed that I was power hiking so strong. I still had legs which was great now all I needed was for my stomach to settle down. At that thought a huge wave of nausea came over me and I dry heaved stopping me in my tracks. Ugh I wasn’t feeling good, but I had to keep moving. Just keep moving is all that was on my mind, well that and the Klondike song somehow managed to get stuck and loop through my brain.

We passed a few runners here and there and not once was I passed which was a huge morale boost for me. The nausea and dry heaves were still present. We hit the descent and I took it nice and easy. Still having legs was great. We arrived at the fire road and this climb took forever. Just when I thought we were near the top surprise we weren’t. It was during this section that my dry heaves became more violent. So violent that tears came to my eyes after each incident. The fire road took a lot of out of me, but we crested the top and arrived at the aid station.

Jenn did a fantastic job keeping my mind occupied and she stayed real positive even when the violent dry heaves hit me. I was concerned, but Jenn wasn’t. At the aid station, I immediately sat down, I was spent I was running on fumes. I took in some broth as well as a bottle of ensure. Only this time it took awhile to get the ensure in me. Every time I took a sip I thought it was going to come back up. I used the restroom before moving on and Jenn and I were off to Tunnel Creek.

Hobart To Tunnel Creek:

I was 56.2 miles in and just doing whatever I could to keep moving forward. I remained focused on getting to the downhill section as I knew I still had legs and I could let the trail take me. The climb up to peak was brutal, it was long and each step forward was tough. I was again running on fumes. I was just hoping that the ensure would kick in soon. We arrived at the peak and I just dropped my bottles and told Jenn I am spent. This is where I wanted to throw the towel in. I was empty. Jenn wouldn’t let me though. She told me to try and take a gel in, let’s see if that works. I listened and managed to choke the gel down. I picked up my bottles and we continued on our way.

We were still moving forward but the demons were in my head and I knew that I couldn’t keep going like this for 40 more miles. It was time to talk about what we as in I was going to do at Tunnel that is if I even reached Tunnel. Not the greatest attitude to have right now, but I was empty, I had been nauseas and vomiting most of the day and I was just physically spent. Jenn of course would not hear of it and talked me into chocking down another gel. Hmm, she may be on to something here. I managed to keep both gels down, a good sign and also a small much needed mental boost.

Soon we arrived at the downhill section. I actually started running/shuffling. Again, I still had legs I was moving really Jenn commented so well in fact she had to put her light on the brightest setting. Amazing what a few gels can do and some positive motivation. I was digging deep, deeper than I have before. I even started to think that I can do this. I am coming back, I am keeping gels down this is a great sign. Then ever so slowly the wheels slowly came off the bus. I was once again empty. I could hear the aid station and that motivated me to keep moving.

We arrived at Tunnel Creek and I sat down. A volunteer grabbed my drop bag and I can’t remember if I was able to get an ensure in me or not. I did manage to eat 2 triangles of quesadilla and I didn’t have to choke them down. Then I hear a volunteer shouting if you are going on you have 5 minutes to depart the aid station. They had a hard cut. Crap!!! I looked at Jenn and asked her if I could complete the red house loop before the cut which was at 4:05? She said wouldn’t it better to try instead of giving up? Wow, those are fighting words. As I am reaching into my drop bag and looking at here I say something to the point of 2 hours to do this loop seems not doable. She looked at me chuckled a bit and said; well it looks like you are ready as I shove some gels into my pack. I stand up and am ready to go.

Tunnel Creek to Red House back to Tunnel Creek:

I had about 2 hours to complete this loop which is challenging especially in the dark. We hit the descent and my quads are yelling but not screaming at me. I kept going, knowing I had to get down. We arrived at the bottom and start the climb to red house. I took in a gel and am power hiking like it is the beginning instead of 61.2 miles in. I am feeling great; hey I just might do this.

We arrived at the red house I refill my bottle with coke and we are off. Only the next climb drains me and I find myself walking the flat section. My legs are getting really stiff, so I take in a salt and keep moving. At this point I have maybe 25 minutes to get back to the aid station. I hit the climb and just power hike my little heart out. I knew it was going to be close. If I made it I would be fighting cuts all day, and Jenn just kept reminding me that it will get better with the sunlight. We kept moving and as I see the aid station I look down and it’s 4:05am, and I still had a bit to go.

As I approached the aid station I could see the volunteers patiently waiting for me. I already knew what they were going to say even before I had arrived. As they told me that I had missed the cut, I told them it was OK, I know. It’s Ok, all the while smiling just as I had started.

The cut for Tunnel Creek #5 was 4:05am and I had just missed it by 9 minutes. I slowly made my way into the aid station as the volunteers removed my bib. It hit me as soon as my bib was removed, I was done. I would not be finishing my first 100 miler. I slowly sat down and it all sunk in…..the realization that my journey was done….with a heavy heart I just looked around trying not to make eye contact as I knew if I did the tears would start streaming and I needed to be strong right now, I needed to keep it together…All I could do was reflect on the past 23 hours and 14 minute while I waited seeing other runners coming through and pushing on……….

As I am writing this I don’t have any doubt that I did what I could even when the elements were fighting against me. It isn’t a journey that ends when I cross finish line but a journey that is only beginning. Every step I took that day was a step into the unknown. The unknown of endless possibilities. It is amazing what the body can do, the body’s ability to rebound. It was a roller coaster of emotions all day, but this I know….I completed my farthest run to date and with that is the victory.

As my good friend told me “Your victory was in the fight you gave, not the outcome.”

Well, I be back you might ask? Yes I will be back; I have redemption on my mind.

I send a great big thank you to my fiancée Rachel, who supported me during training and the race. She always has confidence in me. Thank you for making me pancakes, eggs, and sausage before each long run. Thank you for your patience during training and for your understanding when I would leave and not return many hours later. Thank you for your support during all my races leading up to this.

Thank you to Trailmomma (Pam) who gave up her weekend to support me. Thank you for hiking into Tunnel Creek and for your support and energy all day. I look forward to training with you once again in 2014. 

And thank you to my safety runner Jenn. You were calm, motivating, and pushed me when I thought I had nothing left to give. I enjoyed every minute we spent together.  Thank you to my friends and family who believed in me and supported me. 

My journey is not finished and I will be back. 

Sierra Nevada Endurance Run Race Report 2011

I wanted this so bad, but it was a battle right from the start………

I was sitting at the table in the little gymnasium when I had this feeling that I needed to use the bathroom. I headed to the bathroom and as I was there my stomach was torn up. I dry heaved and gagged a bit trying really hard not to lose my breakfast. I came out and I felt a bit pale and clammy. I headed to the start with everyone else and told myself it was just my race nerves really taking over and that things would settle down.

I headed out and slowly and easily found my rhythm on the fire road. I knew that I had a long day ahead of me and that I didn’t need to fight for position. I hit the climb up Mooney ridge and power walked it and took the descent pretty conservatively. It seemed that things were settling in and I was nice and relaxed. I took in some GU and I was focused on my hydration. I knew that hydrating was going to be a key factor in today’s outcome. As I hit the single track and made my way to the first aid station my stomach started feeling a bit funky. It wasn’t bloated but it didn’t feel settled. I arrived at the aid station and grabbed a PB&J Square ate it and used the bathroom hoping that would help my stomach. Only it didn’t. I knew that I shouldn’t push too hard, I would need to slow things down if I wanted to finish.

My stomach pain would come and go and with it I would run and hike. Run and hike. I arrived at horseshoe and again tried to use the bathroom there hoping that that would help the situation. Nope nothing only a little bit of pee. At least I peed. I grabbed another PB&J square and slowly ate it, hoping that if I ate it slowly it would settle better. I made my way down the trail with a really upset stomach on my way to Rattlesnake and the first time I would see my crew, Dustin. I kept feeling like I “needed to reset my stomach” but nothing. My stomach was really upset and wasn’t settling down. I took in some GU knowing I needed the fuel, but that only upset my stomach further. I kept thinking that this was going to be a long day and if I was even going to finish with the way I was feeling.

I arrived at Rattlesnake, told Dustin I needed some water and ice in my pack and he switched out my sort of empty flask for a full one of GU. I also slowly sipped down 2 ginger ales hoping that would help settle my stomach. I told him my situation and he calmly told me to keep eating, during this next stretch try and snack on a waffle anything solid but to keep eating as I needed the calories. It was great to see him and he helped lift my spirits and he even managed to calm me with his words. Sometimes it is just the simple words from a friend that helped encourage me. He told me it was 3 miles to the next aid and to eat during this stretch, the next aid only had water and was self service. All very valuable information and information I retained. He would be at the top of the overlook for me. And with that I was off. I was maybe a few minutes there, but not much.

I left rattlesnake, I don’t think I ate anything but managed to get the 2 ginger ales in me. I ran and hiked when my stomach became too upset. I was focused on hydrating and took a salt every hour. It seemed that I arrived at Avery’s pond really fast and was a bit surprised to see it. Avery’s pond means much more to me. It brought a smile to my face and a brief memory of my friend Pam asking Anthony one day “so how will I know when I reach Avery’s Pond?” I chuckled a bit and ran around it. The trail wasn’t marked so I took the right because that is the way I usually go. This was the only area I noticed during the race that wasn’t marked, but whichever way you go you will get there.

During this stretch I slowly ate a honey stinger waffle because the last time I felt nausea it helped. It took a good 10 minutes for me to get it down. But I ate the entire thing, and a few minutes later I felt like I was going to get sick. Nothing was working, my usual fuel wasn’t working and I knew that I needed to keep eating. I was thinking that I would need to switch to liquid calories and that I would be picking up my hand held and drinking coke. But I had to get their intake first.

I breezed through the water aid station and made my way to Cardiac. I was hiking faster than some runners were running and I just kept my forward movement hiking when needed and running when things felt settled. It was working as I was slowly making my way to cardiac. I passed a few runners which really lifted my spirits and once at cardiac I downed some coke and started the grueling climb up cardiac.

I didn’t push too hard, I just kept it nice and steady, one foot in front of the other, remembering to breath and to just keep moving. Cardiac is called cardiac for a reason. I could feel my heart beat beating against my chest, I could feel my legs burning with each step up I went, but I never stopped I kept going until I reached the top. Once at the top I slowly transitioned to a run. I took in some GU knowing I had used precious reserve energy and that I was already behind on my calories. I was almost to the overlook and another chance to see Dustin plus my Fleet Feet friends. I just kept thinking about that and pushed out any negative thoughts and how uncomfortable my stomach was making things. I passed a few runners during this stretch and just kept on moving.

I hit the pavement and my steps became lighter and quicker. I was close. I was moving know. I was thinking of what I needed once I arrived. I rounded the corner and I waved to Dustin. He came running along with Anthony. Then out of nowhere Pam is by my side. A huge smile comes over my face and I hug her. I am so happy to have seen her as my time at this point was way off what I originally predicted. I quickly started telling everyone what I needed. I needed to use the bathroom; I need water and ice in my pack and both of my flask switched and water downed some more as it was still too thick. I also wanted coke in my hand held and my stomach was still upset. I handed everything off and made my way to the port a potty, only it was being occupied. I did the unthinkable and quickly squatted behind the horse trailer and Anthony and Pam were my look outs. After that Anthony gave me 2 Tums for my stomach and I ate them both and then I had to spit them out as it became too chalky.

 Anthony soaked me and that really woke me. Dustin and Pam worked on my pack. I was ready to move. Anthony walked me down he reassured me that I had plenty of time as I was beginning to worry about the cut offs. I vaguely remember him telling me take it easy I knew how long this should take and to not push it too hard.

I was off with that. My entire crew did a fantastic job with this stop. I knew what I needed and what wasn’t working which made the transition easier. I was making my way down to no hands bridge. I was bombing the descent. I had a new found energy from the aid station. I didn’t eat anything there so I was running on everyone else’s energy.  It felt really good flying down and passing other runners. It was like a new life had come upon me. I hiked the small hills and drank my coke. I knew I needed to finish my bottle so that I could refill it at the bridge. Calories in, calories in was my mantra and my calories right now was coke. I knew coke would quickly burn off but it was better than nothing.

I was now running down Robbie on my way to the single track when all of a sudden I had to stop; I had just gotten sick in my mouth. It was little bit, but just enough to completely stop me in my tracks as I feared more was to follow. Luckily nothing else did and I washed my mouth out and continued on my way. I hit the single track and found myself all alone but moving at a nice clip. I suddenly heard what sounded like a very loud drunk person crashing through the woods above me. I stopped and looked really hard, and then I remembered what Jenny told me. This is what a bear sounds like. I quickly took off running harder knowing that I didn’t want to get stopped by a bear, one I didn’t know what to do and two, I was alone. I hit the fire road and as runners passed me I forgot to warn them about the bear, why I am not sure it had actually left my mind.

I hit no hands bridge and the volunteers there filled my bottle with coke, I ate 1 square of PB&J and was ready for my return. It took me 6 hours to hit the turn around.

I headed back and as I was hitting the single track some runners told me they had just scared a bear off the trail and to be careful. I told them “ohh that was what that noise was.” I am not sure what they thought of me. But they said it held them up for about 10-15 minutes. I started to make my climb when another came around the bend and told me she just saw the bear cub. I asked her where the momma bear was because I was sure that mamma bear wasn’t too far behind. And then I heard the bear right above me. The runner heading down took off and left me. I stood there for a second and then started hiking up hoping that when I rounded the corner I wouldn’t see the bear. The bear made so much noise but I could never see it. I never saw it, but trust me it was very near.

A runner passed me looking really fresh and I tried to tag along, but her pace was just too fast. I settled back in and continued hiking knowing how grueling this climb really was. As I was nearing the top I heard my best friend Anthony. He had come down to check on me. His booming laughter and voice are not hard to notice. That really lifted my spirits. I told him about my bear encounter and was really excited to see him. He asked me how I was feeling and I told him I was feeling pretty good, just tired. I had no cramping. He was pretty excited with my answers. He said that tired was doable and he could work on that. Cramping and having no quads would have been a totally different story.

We ran together for a bit and hiked the bigger hills. I told him what I think I needed when I arrived back at the overlook. I wanted more coke, I needed my GU even more diluted than what it was as it was still way too thick and very hard to get down my sensitive stomach. I was drinking my water and I had just taken a salt not too long ago. Things were on point. He ran ahead of me to get things ready. Before he left he told me he thought I was doing the smart thing and taking it smart on the return to the overlook. Most runners that came back looked like they had cracked and I wasn’t one of them. All good things to hear especially since I had still had a long ways to go.

Back at the overlook there was again a huge abundance of energy; the Fleet Feet Team was there. Kirk and Jenny came down to walk me back up, Dustin was by my side and taking my pack. I used the bathroom, but I was having a problem. It felt like I had to pee but nothing happened. Anthony told me not to worry, it was better to have the urge than no urge at all.

 I sat down and emptied the tiny pebbles out of my shoe, Jenny helped me with that, I than ran over to the canal and soaked myself and washed all the salt off of my face. That was very refreshing. It was almost like I was rinsing away everything that happened earlier and starting fresh. After my “cleansing” I needed more body glide.

My rear end was chaffing. It was a pretty quick stop everyone was helping and I was ready to go in no time. Anthony and I were ready and off we went.

Anthony’s main concern was calories. I needed calories as I was really behind since I hadn’t been able to eat much all day. He became my voice in my head, “drink coke, ok now some water, how about my spizz” Calories in was our mantra, coke, water salt, coke, water, salt and repeat. At one point on top of the canal I had to stop as my stomach really was upset and I had just gotten sick a bit and we walked for a bit until my stomach calmed down. We hit cardiac and I ran down it remembering not to blow up my quads. Running down is so much easier than coming up. We hit the aid station at the base, filled our bottles, soaked and were off to the sweet runnable single track.

The section of trail is very runnable and it will pull you if you let. Well, I did just that. It pulled me with ease and I even ran a few of the shorter hills without any extra effort. Anthony kept telling me how good I looked, keep it easy don’t push. We even were catching up to all those runners that had passed me earlier in the day. We would run on by and keep going and never see them again. What a huge lift to be running so well at this stage of the race. I stayed in front of Anthony and ever so often I would hear “ok keep drinking, are your legs ok?” and then I would drink more coke and take some more salt. He even had me taking 2 salts an hour and wow what a difference that made.

The single track pulled us all the way to the outpost where we refilled our packs with ice and enjoyed some more coke. My stomach was pretty upset and I grabbed 4 saltines and Anthony grabbed some as well. It was really tough to get the saltines down, but I did. We even gave my extra saltines to a runner who was getting sick on the side of the trail.

We hit the water pump and then not to long Avery’s Pond, which this time was marked. I had to walk a bit here because my stomach did not like the saltines and I was ready to get sick all over the trail. I was bent over and Anthony told me to keep moving, it was better to move while being sick than stand there as that surely would cause me to lose everything. I listened and kept moving.

We were quickly approaching Rattlesnake and were discussing what I needed. I wanted more coke, no ice as it was getting watered down too much and I needed more ice and water in my pack. I was drinking up my water like it was going out of style. As we neared Anthony took the lead and increased the pace as this section was completely runnable. I just focused on his feet and when his feet moved mine did as well. We ran the short little hills ran over the bridge and then hiked the big hill but we transitioned back to a run very quickly. It felt like I was doing 9 minute miles but I am not sure, I was just focused on Anthony’s feet and that was all.

Anthony pulled ahead of me to the aid station and I followed a few minutes later. He had my bottles filled and Dustin worked on filling my pack and the Ultra Runner Podcast team cooled me off. Anthony applied some Vaseline to my neck as it was chaffing from my pack and then we were ready to run. Only 10 miles to go. But first I had to get through the grinder.

My legs were still feeling really good, I would occasionally shake them out and when I did that Anthony would suggest another salt and more coke. I made really good time through the grinder, even running some of it and some of the hills. I was on auto pilot just keep moving, just keep moving, keep drinking and taking salt, keep moving. I hiked when the hill became too steep or the terrain became too rocky. But I was running just as soon as I could. I made it through the grinder in one piece and even managed to pass a couple of runners who I never saw again.

It was 5:30 now with only maybe 5ish miles to go. I told Anthony I really wanted to be in by 6:30, that would be a 6 hour second half. He said it would be close and I pushed the pace even faster. I picked the pace up knowing how close I was, but I also knew that could crack myself if I went to hard and then really struggle the few miles. I was running, pushing myself and the entire time my voice in my head keeps me on track with fuel and water and salt.

As I neared twin rocks the spot where I had to drop last year I became very chocked up as I said to Anthony “That is where I dropped last year.” I ran by it in seconds. I was running further than I have previously gone in this race. I was running from my heart I was doing whatever I could to keep the pain barrier at bay for a bit longer. In my mind I knew I only had a little over 3 miles to go. 3 miles that is all, and earlier today I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I thought it was going to be a slug fest just to finish. And then just like that excruciating pain ripped from my foot.

The pain was overwhelming the fiery burning sensation as the blister on the bottom of my pinky toe exploded. It was all that I could do just to keep moving. It was so painful, I hadn’t been in this much pain all day and then slowly the pain started to work its way up my toes to my ankles to my legs and into my groin. Ohh no the pain was slowly making its way up my body. The fire pain ripping through my toe caused me to walk. I was hobbling, with less than 3 miles to go. I hobbled into the Granit Bay aid station downed some coke and continued hobbling. I had about 2.8 miles to go.

Anthony calmly asked me to push past the pain barrier for a bit longer. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was hobbling so slowly and then a runner came blazing past me. I tried to run and slowly I began running. Calmness had come over my entire body and I told myself I was going to push hard the last bit no matter what. The pain went away within a step, it was like nothing had happened and I was out for a 2 mile run. I had managed to block out the pain, I was going to finish strong.

I was running and I was slowly catching up to the runner who had passed me. As I was rounded the corner getting ready to climb Mooney ridge the one last big hill of the day I heard Dustin. That brought forth another gear. Anthony quickly stopped to get me some coke and I just kept on motoring. I was 1.5 miles from the finish. I ran half way up Mooney Ridge and overtook the runner who had passed me. I heard Anthony yell up to me “don’t crack” I quickly transitioned into a power hike and continued to gain ground on the runner. Anthony quickly caught back up to me and I took a few swigs of coke. We hit the top and continued running. I wasn’t going to slow down I was so close to the finish. We hit the descent and I just kept on moving.

Now we were on Cavitt road only a few more rollers to go. I was running 10 minute miles and it felt like I was only getting faster. I ran up the hills, Anthony being the calm steady voice in my head like he had been all day, “now run to that ribbon” I would do just that and keep going. He blocked the wind for me as there was pretty decent breeze coming off the lake. Anthony calmly told only two more rollers and then it is all downhill. I ran those rollers and as I crested the second roller I spotted off in the distance Dustin. He had come out; I ran faster, my legs pumping.

Then I saw Julie Fingar; no that couldn’t be her? But it was. She had come out to run me in. She knew that this race was about redemption for me. That brought another gear I didn’t know I had. I heard Anthony say I was running 6:30 pace. Julie called out to me “Great job Melisa, this is all for you!” and with that another gear was found, I quickly sprinted past her and she had to work to keep up. She pushed ahead of me and said “We can race to the finish?” and with that another gear was found. I was moving, my breathing was really labored and I was just focused on the finish. I heard Julie say “relax Melisa, relax” I rounded the corner and heard the cheers from the spectators at the finish.

Just a bit longer, keep pushing, I was running as fast I could, I hit the pavement with Julie right by my side, only a bit longer and the announcer called out “Melisa Mahon #41, redemption is complete!” I crossed the finish line and took a few steps before my legs buckled; I almost went down from the effort I had put in. I quickly zeroed in on Michaela and then Lily was by my side. I heard Anthony call out “Don’t lie down, whatever you do don’t lie down” I was pale and having trouble catching my breath but it was all worth it as Redemption was mine today!

Redemption never felt better. I did it, I overcame stomach issues that lasted all day and I ran the last 25 miles or so on coke and 3 GU’s. My last real food was at No Hands Bridge a small PB&J square, besides the 4 saltines at the outpost. No other runners passed me from the overlook until Granit bay, but I passed that runner on Mooney Ridge. I still to this day have a huge smile on my face and when I think about the race and the effort it took to get the finish I am just amazed. What a way to end this season.

Thank you to Dustin for crewing me and being there when I needed you. Seeing you on the course throughout the day was awesome. Thank you to the Fleet Feet Team at the overlook. Knowing they were there made me push on and keep going. Thank you to my pacer Anthony, the voice in my head. You kept me moving and helped me that a thank you is not enough for what you did. Thank you to all my friends at the finish who were there when I came in. Thank you Lily for taking care of me while my body shut down and for believing in me when I called you that Thursday in tears and in a panic. Thank you to race director Julie Fingar for coming out and running the last ½ mile with me to the finish. That really made my day and allowed me to find another gear that I didn’t know I had. What a day!!!

 REDEMPTION IS COMPLETE!!!!

Turnaround: 6hours
Finish: 6:20:19
Total Time: 12:20:19