SpeedGoat 50K - Mark

Speedgoat re-cap

What a day! I am a day later and still not sure exactly what happened.  No matter what happened, I have a finisher’s medal hanging in my bathroom and a bright yellow race shirt to be worn. The Speedgoat is a 50K (31 Mile) race that is held at Snowbird ski resort in Utah. This has been widely promoted as the toughest 50K in the US as it has 11,420 vertical feet of climbing the lowest of which is over 7,000 feet with the majority of the race being over 9,000 and reaching as high as 11,000 in some places. Hoka, a shoe company, who sponsored the race said it best…”Welcome to sufferfest 2012”.

There was a lot of buzz surrounding the goat this year as it was bringing in one of the best fields in any ultra. The likes of Killian Jornet, Max King, Joe Grant, Tony Krupicka and on and on were all in attendance. Probably 10 of the top 20 trail runners in the world toed the line. It was very cool to see them all and for a brief moment witness their greatness. I joked with people throughout the day that I probably would have won if Killian didn’t cut me off. They are freaks of nature and I have nothing but the utmost respect for their abilities.

Luke and I stayed at Snowbird on Friday night after some pizza we basically stressed over the next day’s events for the majority of the night. We waffled back and forth that the course was doable and that it was impossible. We finally decided on possible and went to sleep.

What's to stress?

At 4:15 AM the alarm sounded and we slowly fueled and got ready. I felt good and was happy that I was able to get some sleep the night before my first ultra with a bib on. We made our way to registration. We were given our bibs, a Patagonia t-shirt and a pair of Dry Max socks. Pretty cool swag! The elites started to roll in and all I could think is that these guys are tiny! Killian was maybe 5’6” 120 pounds.  After a quick debriefing from ultra-legend Karl Meltzer we made our way to the start and a day of mayhem.

The race starts with 8 miles of back and forth climbing of the resort eventually reaching Hidden Peak. I felt quite strong and very in control through the first 8. I filled both of my bottles at the water only aid station at 4 and “punched” two stinger waffles on my ascent. Once I reached Hidden I was very happy to see my oldest brother Greg and a few other running friends that were feeding me nothing but positivity. Greg would prove to be a breath of fresh air several times throughout the day. A quick fuel at the aid station and I was on my way down into Mineral Basin.

Mile 8. The first of two Hidden Peak Summits on the day.

As I made my descent I felt strong and passed several people all while keeping my heart rate in line. The wild flowers in Mineral Basin were AMAZING! I could not believe them. Had I not been in a nice little rhythm I would have stopped for pictures. The reds, blues and purples accented with a few yellows were breathtaking. I felt bad kicking those that had overgrown on the trail. I made my way into Larry’s Hole aid station still on top of my game.

After Larry’s Hole I ran into an intersection with the Top 5 runners. They blew by me on their way back up the hill. It was amazing to see these elite athletes giving the mountain all they had. I was inspired. After another short climb, I began the long, rocky descent into the Pacific Mine aid station. In route, I rolled my ankle. After about 100 yard of a pronounced limp the pain left and I was back into a run. The human body amazes me! The Pacific Mine aid station is situated at the back side of a mile out and back. As I am coming in, I see other runners going out. They all had smiles on their face and seemed generally refreshed. Upon my arrival I found out why. ICE!! The day had been so hot that anything cold was welcome. The aid station volunteers were amazing. While a lady was refilling my bottles a man was toweling my head, neck and shoulders with an ice towel. At this aid station I met ginger ale. This beverage may have saved my day. It was so good and so refreshing. I swallowed a few pieces of whole ice to cool my stomach and make digesting Gu easier. Roch Horton the aid station captain and ultra running stud told me with a maniacal tone that there was a hill coming up. With that in mind I was back on the trail and wrapping my mind around what was about to happen.

Tony Krupicka tearing up the trail. He would eventually take 3rd.

Straight up was the name of the game for the next 7 miles. I am not joking, it didn’t end. I went through both of my bottles with about 2 miles to go to Larry’s Hole an aid station that you hit twice. The trail was saturated with water and I thought it had to be coming from a spring. About 500 yards later there was the spring. I topped both bottles and thanked the good Lord above. Had it not been for that spring this report would be much different. I made my way to Larry’s Hole and refueled trying to avoid looking at the group of 5 or so runners that had dropped waiting for a lift back to the start. I avoided looking at them as I did not want to join them and they looked relieved to be done.

The climb from Larry’s Hole to the top of Baldy is straight up. Slow and steady was the name of the game. I came to the base of the most significant climb and was met by a trail guide who told me that I had a mile to go to the Tunnel aid station and 55 minutes to do so before cut-off. After an absolute dog fight with that mountain I arrived at the tunnel aid station with 12 minutes to spare. You read that right, a 43 minute mile. And I passed people!

Greg was at the tunnel aid station and got me pumped up for the last 8 miles that included one more monumental climb. I ate a Popsicle as I walked through the tunnel and was totally refreshed and ready to go.   After a bomber downhill the trail turned upward for the final climb to Hidden Peak for the second time. It was slow and steady. Pulling into that aid station was a huge relief. I knew that it was all downhill from there. More Ginger Ale and a bit of fruit and a brief moment to enjoy the view from the top was just what I needed to bang out the last 5.

This tunnel has a moving sidewalk that skiers and boarders can stand on and go from back mountain to front and back. It was cool and I felt that I could have stayed in there all day.

On the descent to the finish I felt alive. I was making good time and passing people. I ended up passing 6 down the hill. The last mile seemed to take forever. I finally rounded the last corner and made my way across the line. I completed the toughest 50K out there. Yes!!!

Me and the fam.

It was so cool to cross the finish line and hug my wife and kids. Then it was Luke’s turn. We maybe hugged each other a little too tight. I think it was because we both knew what we had just been through. Then I hugged Greg, who had pumped me up all day. I cannot say enough how much these people mean to me and to have them there was HUGE.

Luke and Greg. Both mountain men in every sense of the world. Two of my biggest heroes.

This race was very well organized. The course marking was flawless. The aid stations and volunteers were amazing. The scenery was second to none.

As a side note Killian Jornet  (Spain)crossed the finish line first but accidentally cut the course. From what I was told, European trail racing allows cutting switchbacks if you are able to run straight downhill which Killian did. For a re-cap visit www.irunfar.com

This was a great day and I am happy with the finish. At one point during the race I felt like the Wasatch was out of reach. It was a low point. After a quick check myself moment I regained my confidence and desire to do it all over again in September.

Thanks to all who cheered me on and sent positive vibes my way.