50 miles 7 minutes and one shot blok at a time
My basic race strategy was a 7:1 "Gallowalk" and one Cliff Shot Blok per mile. This tedious routine got me through though. I finished in 10 hours and 10-15 minutes (I really don't know for sure).
Shoes: Montrail Hardrocks (1-36) and Mizuno Wave Creation (36-50)
Background: after DNFing the Ice Age 50 at mile 37 in May 2006, I've had my heart set on completing a 50 miler. I'm not sure when I decided to do this particular race but I do know that I was one of the very first people to register.
Ironically, I was one of the very last people to make it to the race. My girlfriend Leanne picked me up early and we headed towards the race start. Somewhere in Columbia Falls on Highway 2, which is a major 4-lane highway, there was a very large animal running down the middle of the road. It was a large donkey!!! We stopped to find help - the donkey seemed frightened and I was afraid someone would hit it (and frankly, the car would fare worse than the donkey). We made various efforts to find help but without success. The donkey eventually left the road and we gave up. I'm sure the donkey found its way home.
It was still dark as we made our way to the start. The sun was beginning to barely show itself behind the craggy mountains of Glacier and the smoother profile of the mountains in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. As we turned one corner, we saw a shooting star.
Finally, we made it to "Area 51" where the race would start (mile 51 on the Forest Service mileposts). The race director was in his car coming the other way and said "you must be Danielle." I was the last person to arrive and would have to get my number from him at the starting line. This was no trouble at all. I even had time to introduce myself to Kendra Borgmann, who would place second overall (she was only a few minutes behind the winner dude) and first among the women and very nearly smash the course record. The starting line was at a Canadian flag and there was a sign for "seeded runners." This was amusing since there were 91 people or so who started the race.
Pat Caffrey, the longtime race director, gave last minute announcements including instructions to think positive thoughts during a mile that would be marked "Ann's mile" - Ann was the wife of a local man who ran this race last year at age 80. She passed in June. We were reminded that our loved ones are the only reason we're able to do this stuff. He said we could feel sorry for ourselves during the other 49 miles. Then, rather suddenly, he held up this enormous rifle and with the look of a madman fired a very loud shot. OMG what have I gotten myself into this time????
Miles 1-10 - these miles flew by. Leanne jumped in around mile 5 and ran with me until about mile 16. I felt a little stressed though because I was tired from the beginning. However, I was lucid enough this early to know that I ran the first ten miles in 1:45. That's about all I know about pace for the whole race I tried to stay in the moment and enjoy the spectacular scenery but I was nervous. I had a lot of running ahead of me.
Miles 10-25 - these were the hardest miles for me during this whole race. I wanted to cry just thinking about how far I had to run. In addition, my hip flexors were already cramping and I was tired HOW pray tell was I going to do this??? Deb jumped in around mile 10 and ran until around mile 20 and I was just sort of cranky. I tried to stay in the moment and enjoy the scenery but all I felt was stress. I just needed to make it to mile 25 and then at least I knew it was ok if it started to hurt.
Miles 25-30 - I started to feel better. Rebecca, the founder of our running club, ran miles 20-30 with me and was at one point talking about other ultras we were going to run later. I think I might have informed her of my planned retirement from running. Meanwhile, Leanna hooked me up with water and V-8 juice or whatever struck my fancy every 3-4 miles. Each five miles I got an S-cap and I greatly looked forward to those. Oh and the Tylenol. I love me some Tylenol. At mile 30, I think I was already somehow behind my goal time by 15-20 minutes but didn't care anymore. I just needed to finish. I tried not to dilly dally during aid stops but I always do.
Miles 30-36 - Ruth jumped in at mile 30 and was a very calming influence. She is very sweet and encouraging. She told me about her new puppy and I dragged myself along. These miles were fairly calm and I was finally able to genuinely enjoy the scenery and be in the moment. I love how she says "good hill good hill" at every hill. It makes me smile.
Mile 36 - this is where we hit pavement. The remainder of the race is on pavement sauf the bushwhack at the end. I change shoes and sock and grab my iPod. I was going to have to be rude but I needed music. Somewhere Tom had hopped in, who would run the rest of the race with me. He was the perfect person for this job. We took off and between the music and shoes that weighed less than half (it seemed) than my trail shoes, I started flying. Tom and Ruth were both with me at this point and remarked that I had really started running faster. It's funny how when you're exhausted (or intoxicated) song lyrics take on new special meaning.
Listen, listen: This is mark I cannot place This is the wish I dare not leave Time uncovers what is keeping still I unaware move against my will
Simon says, "pass on by" Passions wane, stragglers weep Hungers fight Here, things are We'll never get that far Close enough to die a time or two or three
Who needs pain to survive? I need pain to change my life
I fly with the aid of my music. I think to myself "this music tastes soooooo good." Hmmm guess I'm a little delirious.
Mile 38 - I believe this was Ann's mile. Somewhere around here. I thought about loved ones and how good life is and then had to stop because it was making me weepy. Weepy and running don't mix.
Mile 40 - Yeah!!! At this point, I'm just knocking off single digits. Happy day! I made it! I keep flying. . .
Mile 43 - Leanne looks very worried. "Are you feeling ok?" "Yeah I feel fine! Do I look bad?" "Yeah you look really pale." Well, I don't have that much further so who cares.
Mile 47 - At this point in the race, we cross the Hungry Horse Dam. Tom and I stop to check it out and hang over the edge. Bad idea. I get total vertigo. I feel very dizzy and want to throw up. Suddenly the "highlight" of the race becomes what feels like a scary swinging bridge suspended thousands of feet up. I just need to get across. I do and I don't throw up.
Mile 48 - all my friends join me. Deb, Tom, Ruth, Rebecca and Leanne are all running with me. We see John drive by -- who graciously volunteered his day to serve as Grizz Patrol. I'm oblivious listening to my iPod, which at this point has become my life support.
Mile 49.something - there's this bushwhack straight up a dirt hill (no trail) where I have to grab trees and pull myself up. Luckily, Leanne was behind me (I think?) to catch me when I nearly fell backwards and gently push me up.
Mile 50 - my friends ran ahead and made an arch with their arms for me to run through. I was laughing so hard it's ridiculous. Only they could make it so funny. I'm done!!!
I guess it sounds like I didn't really enjoy myself and I guess I can't lie and say it was fun. It was hard and it was far. I'm glad I did it and I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Most of all I feel so honored to have received so much help from my friends. I've only been here ten months and have already made the kind of friends you hope to make in a lifetime. I am so blessed.
I wrote this yesterday. Now, Monday, I'm already excited to run another one. And it seemed more fun in hindsight than I thought yesterday. Next summer I'd like to work on my trail running skillz and attempt Devil's Backbone and Elkhorn. In 2009, maybe 100??? We shall see. ;)
