It was hot. Mid 70's doesn't sound all that hot, but for November when we're not used to those temps, it felt hot. As much as I hate saying it, heat seems to be an issue for me.
The day started with a 2 hour bus ride to the start at 3:30 in the morning. The start went well. All runable, some rocky stuff but no big deal. The aid stations we're kinda for apart. 6-9 miles. 2 bottles was not enough between stations and ran out of water more than once.
The trail was nice. Single track all the way with some long climbs and a lot of obstacles from fallen trees from a bad storm earlier in the year. Even had some stream crossings.
The fist 40 went well. Found out that I was in the top 20. But when the wheels fall off they fall off and roll into the next town.
Covered in salt and seriously dehydrated I limped into the 44 mile aid station and took a chair. Sat there for about an hour watching all these people coming though and could have cared less. Even had a few try to get me to come with them. It just wasn't happening.
You guys are very familiar with the bus drive after Masochist, well that was exactly how the ride back to the resort was. Not far into the drive we had to pull over. Thankfully I was able to get out of this guys brand new truck to unleash the waterfall of fluids that came from my stomach. Fun stuff.
So come Sunday, after another sleepless night, I decided to pack up and head for home. There are all kinds of woulda, shoulda, coulda's, but every race seems to be a learning experience. Hopefully I'll get it right one of these days.
Well there's always the JM 50K to redeem myself with... Brad.
Note: This was Brad's 18th race of the year, 11 of which were Ultras. His schedule for the rest of the year still includes the Funk Rd. 50K and Hellgate 100K.
Beth Simpson Hall posted a 30:31 to finish as the 5th female. This was her 5th 100 miler of the year! Awesome!
Beth Simpson Hall posted a 30:31 to finish as the 5th female. This was her 5th 100 miler of the year! Awesome!
Official Results will be posted at: http://www.stlouisultrarunnersgroup.net/results.html
Brad, you're an animal. Will you sign my shirt?
ReplyDeleteCrawford