Week in Review (March 29 - April 4)

Tuesday (25,300 steps) - 5ish miles in the morning. I was really surprised at how much snow and ice there still was on the sidewalks. Glad I didn't slip and fall and break my neck, especially since it was pretty dark still when I was out.

A got her team soccer jersey!

After work A had her last archery class and I did a lower body video.
Wednesday (25,060 steps) - Air was very chilly on my run, another 5ish miles. Still icy, but not as bad as the day before. Man, when we get a blizzard it really takes a long time to melt! Remembered to stretch after my run.

I had to run early because I had my LASIK consult at 8. Good news, I'm a candidate! Now I just have to wait a few more months to have enough money in my HSA account to fund it. Excited!! A and I went to run club, but decided not to run. It was very windy and lightly snowing, and well, we just didn't feel like it. I finally had collected all the goodies I wanted to give A as a "things you might want when running your first ultra." Special thanks to Runner's Roost, not only for helping me get the items, but for stealthily ringing everything up so A didn't see. Fun times!

Thursday (24,179 steps) - "Taper" time! Only a 3 mile run (no ice), and then I did a pilates/yoga video after.

A had her first "real" gymnastics lesson and seemed to enjoy it. Finally finished packing for our Moab trip!
Friday (19,613 steps) - Up early (AGAIN) so we could be on the road early. We left the house just after 6, with a stop at Dunkin' for coffee and donuts. Drive to Glenwood Springs wasn't bad, although we hit a little bit of snow on the west side of the tunnel. Part of the reason for our early departure is that I was dying to hike Hanging Lake, and every other time I've been in the area the lot has been full (it's pretty inaccessible), so I was hoping with it being a weekday and chilly, that we would be able to hike it.

We arrived at the lot and it was practically empty. Score! It was, however, super chilly. I was wearing two shirts, a hoodie and a jacket, plus a beanie and gloves. A was wearing similar. The first 1/4 of a mile or so is a paved sidewalk along the river. The hike to the lake itself is only a mile. I figured round trip it would take about 2 hours. Immediately there is some decent climbing, but nothing technical.

About 1/4 of a mile in, we came across an incredibly icy section. There was nothing just snow-packed to get footing, no rocks to step on, nor anything to grab onto to get up. We spent a few minutes slipping and sliding to get to the next section. If only that had been the sketchiest section! The remainder of the trail was super slippery and I kept thinking... "probably not the best idea to be doing this the day before a 50K..." We had a great time and took a ton of pictures. And Hanging Lake was totally worth the climb. After getting our pictures we hiked the remainder to Spouting Rock.

We were able to run a teeny tiny section that wasn't icy

I've already printed this one!

Behind Spouting Rock

Now for the hard part... getting down. If I thought it was slick on the way up, the way down was insane. A was in front and her shoes had much better traction than mine. We crab-walked down a lot of it and every time I though "hey, this is fiiiiine..." my feet would slip out from under me. The trail was literally a sheet of ice and we "bobsledded" down most of the way. So amazed neither of us felt into the creek or hurt ourselves. We laughed and laughed and laughed and had a great time. So happy we did this!

After we got to the bottom we had a snack and then drove into Grand Junction, where we stopped at Chili's for lunch. From Grand Junction, it was only about a 90 minute drive into Moab - and we took the scenic route through the canyon to get there.

Had to pull over for this one!

We arrive at the Gonzo Inn just minutes before Heather arrived. After checking in to our room I went to move my car and the check engine light was on. NOT GOOD! I kept turning it off and restarting it, but it was still on. Dang! Don't want to get stuck in Moab (as much as I love it). Figured we would deal with it later, and headed to get our packets. Pick up was totally low key, just got a bib, timing chip, tee shirt and trucker hat. Stopped at a service station, as they were closing, and they said I could come by on Saturday and they would be able to read the code to see what was going on with my car.

We headed to the Moab Brewery for dinner, and surprisingly, there was no wait. By the time we left it was PACKED though. Quick stop at Walker Drugstore to get some drinks, and then we were in for the night. Our friend Ben was coming in from Denver and was going to crash on the floor of our hotel room. We went to the pool with A for a bit, had some beers, and in bed by 10:30ish(?)
Saturday (75,984 steps) - Behind the Rocks 50K.

I hadn't been hungry immediately after finishing, which was weird. After finishing my beer we headed back to the hotel. I met up with Heather and A at the pool. While Ben and I were running, Heather and A had done some hiking.

After cleaning up, we were STARVING. A was a bit exhausted and said she was full from lunch, tired, and didn't want to eat. We ended up going to the Mexican restaurant across the street. Delicious! A few more beers and I'm pretty sure I was in bed even earlier.
Sunday (21,301 steps) - Did NOT sleep well. A was super fidgety and I woke up at least eleventy-billion times. So much for "sleeping in." We wen to the hotel lobby for breakfast, packed up our stuff and then headed out to Negro Bill canyon to do the hike to Morning Glory bridge. This was A's request, as we had hiked it a few years ago when we came out and she remembered/loved the water crossings (all 18 of them!). As the hike progressed, it was obvious that A wasn't feeling well. I wasn't carrying any food on me since we had just eaten breakfast, but she took a caffeine free GU and seemed to get some energy back. Beautiful day for a hike!

By the time we had finished it was already after 12. Packed up the car, and then went to Zak's for the pizza buffet. Man. I haven't had pizza in ages, and it was delicious. By the time we finished lunch it was 2:00, and it was time to head back. A slept most of the way back to Denver and we made fantastic time, getting back around 7:45. So crazy not to hit any traffic or weather, AND I drove the speed limit the whole time. A went to bed really early and I stayed up to watch the season finale of the Walking Dead.
Monday (18,152 steps) - Yoga/Pilates video before work. Quick jog by the lake, just to get the juices flowing.

Stats:

• 209,589 steps
• 49.2 miles run
• About 5 hours of cross training - between the two hikes
• 77 minutes of strength/stretching

Everything Else:

• Gas light went off before we did the drive back (thankfully). I still have an appointment this week to get it looked at. I know I need a new air filter, so maybe that was part of it. Also finally getting my windshield replaced.
• Last week of #alltheactivites - A will still be doing soccer two days a week after school, but as for "evening" activities, we are down to just run club and one night of gymnastics. The last month or so has felt very overwhelming.
• Finally got a pay raise! 2%, and it was retroactive to the first of the year. Exciting stuff!

Behind the Rocks 50k (Race Recap)

Saturday, April 2
Moab, UT
Ultra Marathon #16
Weather - Sunny

I was SO BUMMED when I learned that the 24 Hours of Utah race was no more. I love Moab so much, and I was desperate to find another race to replace my beloved race. It didn't take long for me to find the Behind the Rocks 50k, only a week later in the year than my other race. Put on by Mad Moose Events, the event was affordable - using a promo, I paid just over $70, having signed up on August 1.

Race Day

I set my alarm for 5:05, with plans to be out the door by 5:30. Ben and I were the only ones running, and we apparently are both low maintenance, as we were out the door on time. I had my honey stinger waffle ready for breakfast, but Ben wanted to stop and get something (I also wanted coffee). NOTHING is open at that hour in Moab, except the gas station. I was really glad that Ben was driving since I would NEVER have been able to find the turn off.

The start line was about 13 miles south of town, off a two lane road in pitch blackness, and then a mile or two on dirt road that would have devastated Bee Rad. So thankfully, I didn't drive. I had already picked up my packet, so I had no plans other than to use the bathroom before the start. We arrived just after 6 am. There were lots of folks camping and we had missed the start of the 50 mile race by minutes.

We ended up starting just a few minutes late because Ben was still pinning on his bib and getting his fluids ready - not late because of the race itself. I planned on wearing my YMX top all day under my Roost tee because I remember how blazing hot the desert sun gets and I didn't want to 1). have to worry about applying sunscreen and/or 2). getting burned on my shoulders.

Starting in the very back is not brand new to me. I've crossed the line last plenty of times, and I don't mind. I kind of like seeing who my competition is for "the bottom 10%." It was at least a mile, maybe two, before I passed my first runner. I felt like I was barely moving, yet even taking it easy, my pace wasn't too appalling. My calves ached a bit, as did my right heel/foot. I was hoping it wasn't going to be "one of those days."

Sun coming up and warming up fast!

I had NOT looked at the course/aid stations at ALL prior to the event, so I really had no idea what was happening. After 3-4 miles everything started to loosen up and I felt pretty good. I had to "go" on the side of the trail somewhere around 5 or so miles, then I really felt a lot better. Came into the first aid station around mile 6(?). The guy at the aid station mumbled something about the next aid station - I spent the next few hours wondering if he said "AT about 10 or IN about 10." FYI - IN about 10...

Free race pic!

Another free race pic!

Nothing sounded good so I just grabbed some coke and a few chips and headed out. I think by this point I had passed three people.  First big climb of the day, but I actually managed to jog some of it. The course was very well marked with blue flags and signage. There was a pretty big drop and I was thinking "this is going to be AWFUL on the way back" (thankfully, since I hadn't looked at the course, I didn't know I would NOT be going back that same way). Anyway, running pretty good. 30K course split off and then the 50M and 50K headed to the right (north?).

I was following one other runner, and this was the only confusing marking of the course. Straight ahead it said wrong way, but both to the left and right it had arrows... thankfully, he chose correctly (eek, I should really read course maps).

Jackson Hole

This next section had quite a bit of climbing, but I still think I ran up 2/3 to 3/4 of it. I was around mile 13 on my watch when I saw Ben heading down towards me. I was wondering... when is all the climbing going to happen?? There was a nice section of single track that felt like a gradual downhill to me. As time ticked by, there seemed to be more scrambling, more sliding down rocks... and then I realized where I was... I the aid station was going to be in the valley. F@&^. There was a SUPER SKETCHY section where I really had to watch my step, and a few rock sections that were pretty scary. Finally got to the bottom, checked in, had some coke and a pickle, and then headed back up the terrible-ness. That whole section totally killed my running mojo!

Yes, we scrambled DOWN this and then back UP - it's called "Jacob's Ladder"

There were some sections that I had to climb back up that I could barely get my leg up high enough to get to the next rock and no real hand-holds to get up. So happy I didn't fall and die! Got back up to the rim/crest and I was thinking to myself... "this section should be slightly downhill" - it's like I for real have amnesia. My foot was hurting more, I was SO HOT, and I felt slightly light-headed. It did NOT seem slightly downhill.

Arrived at the fork in the right and went straight - and there was SO MUCH MORE CLIMBING. So hot.

Slick rock for dayyyys

Isn't the desert BEAUTIFUL???

I passed a few more people and then got to aid station 3, somewhere around mile 24? Put coke in one of my bottles, and then ran a few miles with a man and woman from Blanding, UT. Made the time go by a bit faster. Wasn't expected another aid station, but there ended up being one about 4 miles from the finish.

I ran the remainder of miles by myself. My foot was really hurting, and it was so hot (did I mention that?) The one thing that I did remember from the website was that the course would be long (32.9 miles, supposedly), so I wasn't super upset when my watch hit the 31 mile mark and kept going...

I was able to see the finish area for quite a while, and really wanted to run in strong. I was just exhausted. Started jogging maybe 100 yards from the finish line, and Ben ran up to get some pictures of me crossing. Pretty happy to be done with this one!

Ben had some camping chairs set up under a tent and handed me a beer while I did some unwinding. What a great way to end the day!

Official Time - 8:16:41
Official Place - 87/103
Garmin Time - 8:15:23
Garmin Distance - 32.44 miles
Garmin Pace - 15:22
Elevation Gain - 3,606 ft
Miles 1-5 - 12:17, 14:12, 13:12, 12:42, 12:16
Miles 6-10 - 13:43, 16:12, 13:48, 19:09, 12:50
Miles 11-15 - 12:54, 13:22, 14:04, 12:46, 17:01
Miles 16-20 - 25:21, 20:37, 16:17, 16:18, 16:55
Miles 21-25 - 18:28, 18:48, 18:19, 18:43, 13:35
Miles 26-30 - 14:21, 15:29, 16:57, 17:04, 13:19
Miles 31-32.4 - 12:41, 14:23, 13:50

Thoughts:

• I probably should have looked at the profile, although it would not have really mattered. I had my Ultimate Direction Jenny pack on, which housed my 2L bladder (although I never filled it all the way), and one 10 oz. bottle. I carried 5 gels on me (used 4), salt tabs (took 4 or 5), peanut butter filled pretzels, candied nuts and sour patch kids (which I actually didn't eat). I drank coke at every aid station, and a handful of chips and 2 pickles. Otherwise, I only used what I carried. I wasn't expecting aid stations to be so sparse, but then again, I didn't read any of that info.
• The course was AMAZING. One of the places I had NOT run out in Moab before and it did NOT disappoint. Spectacular natural bridges, caves, red rocks, cactus, and of course, views of the snow-covered La Sal mountains. GORGEOUS. I miss the desert.
• Of course... where there is desert/Moab, there is SAND (this course had lots of it), and slick rock. The slick rock was not bad on this course. I was really happy to have remembered to wear my gaiters, as I would likely have been dumping sand out of my shoes otherwise. Brooks Pure Grits were fine for this course, but the traction was a little slick on some of those steeper rock climbs. No foot issues.
• A bit bummed for no medal, but most 50k's that I have run don't give them out, so wasn't a huge surprise - and I *did* get another cowbell...
• Like the hat and shirt that I got, and also liked that we didn't get a bunch of other weird random junk.
• There was some food at the finish (enchiladas) and Noosa yogurt. Not sure what else because I wasn't super hungry when I got done.
• Aid stations were well-stocked, although one did run out of cups. I think most folks had at least one bottle, so it wasn't an issue.
• Free race pics!
• I will totally run this again. I loved it. My winter training was way more on point this year, so I didn't go into this feeling unprepared, although I really need to up my "hill climbing" game.