I ran the Burning River 100 in Northeast Ohio, this past weekend. It was my first 100 mile attempt in 5 years; my first attempt since dropping out at the same race in 2010. More importantly: my first attempt as a father. Here are some lessoned learned:
1) Bring multiple pairs of shoes to wear – Even if you never use them, you’ll have the option to switch. More importantly: you’ll be able to look forward to switching at certain points later in the race.
At mile 22, my knee starting bugging me; a pain similar to an injury I had last year. I hadn’t felt any twinges in that MCL area for over a year, but all of a sudden, after I left the comfort of an Aid Station: TWINGE! I panicked–briefly–but then ran through my options: drop out…walk it in…oh, switch shoes! I tried a second pair at mile 31…same pain! Well…let’s try my third pair. By the time I figured out that the shoe didn’t matter, I was closer to the mid-way point of the race, and more importantly, I knew that whatever mess my knee and me were in, there was no easy answer sitting in my shoe pile at home.
Later in the race, I started to dream about switching to the most padded option of my trio. That daydream got me to mile 90–where I switched shoes for the last time. Once you’re that far, you got it in the bank.
2) A good crew and pacer(s) is key – I know some people like to “take it up a notch,” by trying to do ultras unsupported–no crew; no pacers–and just use the Aid Stations. That’s fine if you need the extra challenge, but if you have the chance at a support system: take it!!
Pacers, at the very least, give you something to look forward to down the line. Mile 53 was where we could pick up a pacer at BR100; so that became the number I was fixated on. Not 100; just 53. I knew there at Stanford House, I’d start to run with Mark. I wasn’t worried about what came after–I was just focused on getting there. I was lucky enough to have two pacers. Connie ran about 30 miles with me; Mark 17. That variation kept it fresh: Mark had some cool stories; Connie and some other cool stories. Favorite anecdote: when running a bit with Scott Jurek during his recent record-breaking Appalachian Trail Fastest Known Time, Mark recalled that Scott pointed out a house up ahead on hill saying, “Mark, see that house? That’s where we’re going.” Mark’s, reply: “Scott, that’s the moon.”
With a crew, obviously you don’t have to worry about carrying as much, but you also turn your ultra into more of a team sport. It’s not just you out there; it’s your Dad and sister and brother-in-law, too. If you stop, not only are you bummed; they’re bummed. It’s added incentive to persevere through tough times.
3) Cross-training is key – Twice weekly Bootcamps at Ian Fitness had me in the best all around shape I’ve been in since baby #1. They were easy to fit in (40-45 minutes total including warmup) and they added a little spice to my weekly recipe of miles, miles, miles. As I neared the later stages of the race, I felt confident in the strength of my legs, core and upper body.
4) Have a goal – I raced Burning River 100 to get my name in the Western States 100 lottery. I never forgot it. Not at mile 22 when the twinge came; not at mile 80 when a little tickle at the back of my throat become my first ever race-day vomit-fest; not at mile 84 when it got dark in the woods.
5) Gels might not be all that – I had two energy gels over the course of 19 1/2 hours. My crew lugged around about 22 all day. I enjoyed not relying on these like they are a must every 30 minutes. Sometimes, you just have to try new things! (Grapes, watermelon, Coke, Tailwind)
6) Going back to past failures is the only way to forget the failure – I was really worried about getting through the spot where I dropped out of this race in 2010; lucky for me I had to do it twice. Where I dropped out in 2010 was the mile 70 and the mile 75 Aid Station. The exhilaration of getting through that point in the race catapulted me through the next section with renewed energy and pride. I faced my fear; it felt great!
7) There’s no fool-proof plan for a 100 – Not matter how you strategize and visualize…you’ll be wrong. At some point, you just have to run. Forget the plan and how you are now deviating from it and just run! Just run to the next Aid Station. Just run to see your crew. Just run to get to your pacer. Just run to get to your extra cushy shoes.
Shoes worn:
Hoka Huaka
Merrell All-out Peak
Hoka Mafate Speed
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