The big one is finally here…the Wasatch100. This is the race that I have been looking forward to since I started this crazy ultra marathon running. I remember Bj showing me the elevation profile of the race from an article in Runner’s World magazine a few years ago. At that point I had run one road marathon(Ogden) and was (kinda)preparing for a second. After I had read through the article and checked out the elevation profile I told Bj he was insane and there was NO frickin’ way I would ever attempt this race, NEVER. As you have already figured out we can never really predict our future or what we will do with it until it is here. So now I am sitting in my living room with my body recovering at a much faster pace than any of the 4 road marathons I have run reliving the events that took place a few days ago. I will do my best to accurately describe my experience along this journey known as the Wasatch100.
The 2012 running of the Wasatch100 was held on September 7th and 8th, but really started many months if not years ago for me. All the training runs and other races have been leading me up to this. The first step was to apply and get “drawn out” during the selection process in February, which I did. Now the real work begins. I started the year off slowly after having IT band issues at the Bear100 and not having the issue resolved until the first part of February. My first race of the year wasn’t until the Squaw Peak 50 miler in early June with the San Juan Solstice 50 miler three weeks later. I knew this would be good gauge of my fitness doing two tough 50 milers three weeks apart. I did well at both along with a strong showing at the Speedgoat 50k in late July. Doing well at these races gave me the confidence I needed for Wasatch. After Speedgoat I tried to get in a good three weeks of training, but as usual I felt that I should have done more…
Race Day
The alarm goes off at 3:15a.m. and I feel like I haven’t slept a wink. Sami and I drag ourselves out of bed, feed the dogs, load the car and get ready for the next 36 hours. My body feels like there is electricity flowing through it as I think about the journey I am about to embark on. We drive out to the start, park the car and head for check-in. Almost there and I remember I forgot my handheld water bottle, crap! Luckily we had packed a spare along with some Hammer Nutrition Sustained Energy powder. Sami ran back to the car to grab my handheld for me(thanks Sami!) as I got checked in. I started seeing familiar faces as I waited for the race to begin. Lori, Harrison and Dan came out to see us off along with our spouses or significant others. Sami and I hugged and said our goodbyes for now, knowing I wouldn’t see her for at least eight hours. Later on I used seeing her as my motivation to get to aid stations faster. Aric and I ended up towards the back half of the 290 runners at the start line. I was hoping I could start further towards the front so I knew I had some work to do right out of the gate.
Start Line - Photo by Lori Burlison
BANG!!! We’re off…kinda. It’s a slow walk for about 50 yards through the bottleneck of a start. I am able to find a clear path on the left side of the pack and I take off passing a huge group of runners. I pushed a little harder at the beginning so that I could get in a good position on the climb up to Chinscraper and not get stuck behind a long line of runners. The course cruises along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for about 3.6 miles over past Fernwood picnic grounds before meeting up with the Great Western Trail. Around mile 5.5 I roll my left ankle trying to avoid some horse crap and step off the edge of the trail. Fantastic. As if 100 miles isn’t enough, I have to give my ankle another reason to hurt. I hobble down the trail for a bit and my ankle loosens back up. Now the real climbing begins and I just settle into a comfortable pace behind a group of 3 other runners. The climb goes by quickly and is uneventful. After Chinscraper the trail kinda rolls along and I find a nice running groove. I take a quick stop at Landis Springs to refill my handheld water bottle then get back to enjoying the beautiful morning. The air is crisp and the sun is just starting to shine on the tops of the mountains around me. Mornings like this are one of the many reasons why I run. The climb continues until we reach the Francis Peak radar towers then we get to enjoy a little over 4 miles of downhill on a service road to the AS#1(Maintenance sheds - Francis Peak, mile 18.76). I came into this race with a goal to run a sub-27 hour race so I looked up some splits from last year and found Emily Judd’s results. She ran a 26:40 so I figured her splits were good to pace off of. On all of my drop bags I wrote down the time that she came into each aid station just so I could gauge how my run was going. I rolled into Francis Peak at 8:59, right on time for her first split. The aid station personnel were stellar all day. As soon as I ran in they had my drop bag ready to go and started refilling my Nathan race vest and my water bottle right away. It took me a little longer than I wanted to trying to get the Hammer Sustained Energy powder out of the plastic baggie and into the water bottle but not a bad pit stop. Time In: 08:59 Time Out: 09:04
It’s amazing how something that happened 3-4 days ago could seem like it happened months ago. That’s how these next few sections feel to me so I don’t know if I will be able to describe them as accurately as I want to but I will give it a shot. I remember the course heading back out on the service road for a couple miles or so. Then the course heads off the road onto some singletrack that resembles more of a game trail at times disappearing in the tall brush and bushes. The trail has quite a few downed trees for the runners to navigate over along with a few stream crossings. I remember 2 or 3 short but steep climbs through this beautiful wooded section. Then before I know it I pass someone walking towards me down the trail and he lets me know the aid station is about a half mile away. I’m usually pretty skeptical when people give me distances during a race but he turned out to be right. I popped out of the trees, climbed up a small hill then ducked through a wooden fence to AS#2(Bountiful B, mile 23.95). I was handed a cold towel to wipe off my face and cool down a bit. I saw Shane Martin at the food table getting down some calories. I drank some Coke as my pack and bottle were refilled then I left with Shane and Seth Hales. Time In: 10:13 Time Out: 10:14
We start walking up the service road and Shane and I are joking around. Shane asks me if I want to race to the top of the road but neither of us felt like throwing up so we decide against it. Seth left the AS a little behind us and all of a sudden I hear him yelling to the aid station volunteers. Seth was looking back to check on a friend of his still in the aid station and I guess he saw him faint in some shrubs where he said he was going to rest for a while. Seth and 3 volunteers ran over to check on him. Shane and I figured that there wasn’t anything more we could do for him that the volunteers couldn’t so we kept moving along as we could see he was taken care of. Shane and I hung together during this section between Bountiful B to Sessions Lift Off. This whole section takes place on a dirt service road. We kept the pace very easy, walking all the hills and running the flats and downhills. It was nice to have someone to talk to after being alone for most of the race up to this point. Seth caught back up to us in 2 or 3 miles and let us know his friend was okay. Seth and Shane were thinking that he pushed a little too hard at the beginning and also may have had some flu symptoms and not know it. The last part of the section before AS#3(Sessions Lift Off, mile 28.23) is downhill and I push the pace a little and get into the aid station a minute or so before Shane and Seth. Again the aid station volunteers are great. The volunteers top off my vest and water bottle with cold water and ice as I grab what supplies I need for the next section. I’m only in the aid station for a couple minutes then I am on my way again. Time In: 11:05 Time Out11:07
I head out of the aid station and before long the course has me climbing some more switchbacks heading up to Sessions Pass. It’s starting to get hot so I make sure that I am keeping up with my hydration and fueling properly like I have been to this point. This section didn’t have much of an impression on me. All I really can remember is running the last mile or so along the mountainside being able to see AS#4(Swallow Rocks, mile 31.94) not too far off. I enjoyed a popsicle in the shade of a tent as my water was being refilled and sat down for a few minutes. My pack was bouncing around a lot on the downhills so I readjusted the straps then I was off. Time In: 12:42 Time Out: 12:47
Okay, 7.5 miles to the next aid station and the first time that I get to see my crew, yipee! I know the mental boost that I get from seeing my friends and family at these races and all I want to do is get to Big Mountain. By now I have had thoughts of doubt, asking myself why I am even doing this crazy race. It’s hot, dusty and lonely on this section. The miles seem to drag on and all I want to do is get there faster. I go back to some of the quotes Aric has posted on Motivational Mondays to get myself out of this funk. The one that resonates with me the most at this point is one from the Ryan & Lindsay Lauck. BE HERE NOW…I look up from the trail and take in the beautiful view that I have the opportunity to enjoy. I’m back in a good state of mind knowing that being able to do this is a privilege that not everyone is able to experience. I cruise along again just feeling good to be in the mountains on a beautiful day. Before I know it I can hear the cowbells and loud cheering of the Big Mountain aid station. Down a few switchbacks and I see Lori with a big smile taking pictures of me running down the mountain. It’s always nice to see Lori and I appreciate her pictures. They let me see my race from a different point of view. Thanks Lori! Not much further and I run out of the trees to a big roar of cheers and cowbells just for me. I run into AS#5(Big Mountain, mile 39.4) with a giant smile on my face. Sami, Bj, Forrest, Britta and Nick are there leading the cheers. A volunteer takes my pack and water bottle from me so they can check my weight to make sure I am hydrating and eating properly. I weigh in at 139 lbs. Two pounds more than at the pre race briefing the day before. I didn’t have my shoes on at the pre race weigh in so I was really closer to only a pound over. So good news. I hop off the scale and another volunteer hands me my drop back as I head over to my crew. Britta brought me a Slurpee and it was delicious. Thanks again Britta! Bj and Forrest asked me if I needed anything as the volunteers refilled my race vest. I could see it on Sami’s face that she was a little worried about me. I was feeling pretty good considering I had just finished 39 miles. I gathered my supplies for the next section, put on my race vest, got some more encouraging words from Sami and the rest of the gang and headed out with Forrest towards Lambs Canyon. Time In: 1:39 Time Out: 1:45
Running into Big Mountain - Photo by Lori Burlison
Forrest and I took it a easier on this section. This was the first time that I heard Aric had dropped. Forrest told me he hurt his leg and had to drop at Bountiful B. For some reason I thought he was just joking around so I didn’t believe him. Aric ended up pulling his right hamstring and did have to drop. I feel bad for him, he trained really hard this year and had set himself up to have an awesome Wasatch100. Heal up quick buddy, I know you’ll be back soon stronger than ever. It was starting to get really hot and I didn’t want to put myself in a bad position working too hard in the heat. We had more of a survival approach. There wasn’t anything really exciting on our way to Alexander Ridge. It was just nice to have Forrest there to talk too. Thanks Forrest! At one point I tripped over a root sticking up in the trail but it had to be the nicest fall I have ever taken. I landed in a bed of pine needles 5 or 6 inches deep. I really wanted to just lay there but Forrest wouldn’t let me so I got up and we kept moving forward. After we topped out at Bald Mountain the course took us down a steep and rocky single track trail. Not my favorite section. Eventually we made it to AS#6(Alexander Ridge, mile 47.44). Tom Remkes was here fueling up. He looked a little beat down by the heat but you can never count Tom out. I was feeling overheated so I sat down under the tent the volunteers had set up and asked for some ice. I put the ice in my hat and rubbed some more on my face, neck and arms. I drank some Coke and ate some watermelon as the volunteers filled my vest with water and ice. I readjusted my shoes a bit then I was ready to go chase after Tom again. Time In: 3:36 Time Out: 3:43
We headed out on a service road which (felt like) it lasted for 20 miles. It was really only about 2.5 miles. There was little cover from the sun so we trudged up the road roasting like Thanksgiving turkeys. We caught up to Tom and fell in line behind him. Finally we reached a trail heading off into the trees but the cover didn’t last for long but at least the rest of the way to Lambs Canyon would be downhill or flat. We were still following Tom when I saw him kick something and stumble. He pulled off the side of the trail and let us pass(by now we had a few other runners in line behind us). Forrest picked up the pace a bit for the last 3 miles into the aid station. It felt good to do some actual running for a change. I could feel some energy come back into my body as we neared the aid station where Sami and the rest of the crew were. I hiked up the last hill to AS#7(Lambs Canyon, mile 53.13) welcomed by crews from my friends, family and strangers alike. This is the second location that I had to weigh in. This time I was 132 lbs. I had lost 7 pounds since I was at Big Mountain. A little concerning but not too bad. I felt like I was drinking too much water before I got to Big Mountain so I guess I cut back on my water intake and overcorrected too much. Matt Connors was sitting in a chair in the aid station when I got there and I joked that he couldn’t leave until I was ready to go too. He didn’t listen and that was the last time that I saw Matt until after the race was over. He ran a great race this year. I sat down and my crew swarmed around me. Sami helped me change out my socks and brought me a new shirt to change into. Britta grabbed me a plate of food and gave me the rest of the Slurpee she had brought me at Big Mountain. Harrison and Bj were helping me get my supplies ready for the next section. Ryan was there to cheer me on and Karen was there volunteering at the aid station. It’s always good to see some friendly faces during these journeys. Tom had come in after me but left a few minutes before me. I ate some potatoes, mac n cheese and almost finished off my Slurpee then it was time to be on my way. Thanks Forrest for pacing me through that tough section, you helped set me up to finish the race the way that I wanted to. Time In: 4:59 Time Out: 5:16
Coming into Lamb's Canyon - Photo by Sami Dennis
Now it was Harrisons turn to pace me. We headed up the road walking for a while to let the food in my stomach settle then we would jog and walk on and off for a while. We caught back up to Tom who was going through a rough patch. I guess he was 10lbs. down at Lambs. The 3 of us walked the rest of the way up to Lambs trail together then Harrison and I pushed ahead once we hit the single track. From the bottom of Lambs trail we have a 2.1 mile 1500 ft climb to the top of Bear Ass Pass. Harrison kindly brought some trekking poles for me to use the second half of the race. This was the first time I had used trekking poles and I got to say I really liked them. They helped relieve my legs from doing all of the work and kept me moving strong. We hiked all the uphills but there were quite a few flat sections on the switchbacks that Harrison would coax me into running. Not far from the top we ran into Lori taking more pictures. She commented on how we looked like synchronized runners because of our matching outfits, but I have no idea what she is talking about :)
Climbing to Bear Ass Pass - Photo by Lori Burlison
We soldiered on up the hill fueling mostly on gummy bears and licorice that Harrison brought for me. At this point the Powerbar energy chews and Honey Stinger waffles were not sounding good at all. We made it to the top of Bear Ass Pass and took a moment to soak in the beautiful scenery around us. It felt good(and bad) to be able to run some downhill for a while. After about 2 miles the trail spills out onto the road heading up to Upper Big Water. We weren’t on the road longer than a minute or two when I look over my shoulder to see Tom right behind us. This guy is tough and never quits. So we hike another road together joking around with one another. Tom was hiking stronger than me so he would get out in front of me a few hundred feet than Harrison and I would jog to catch back up to him. A little ways from the aid station we ran into Davy Crockett and he hiked with us back to the aid station. Just before the we reached AS#8(Millcreek, mile 61.68) I ran past Tom telling him to stay behind me so I could at least beat him to the aid station. He said “okay” but then he sprinted past me and beat me there. Once again the volunteers were amazing and had my drop bag ready for me promptly. I sat down in a chair as Harrison grabbed me some chicken noodle soup and some ginger ale. I put on my warm clothes and headlamp for the night and finished my soup and ginger ale. I could tell that Tom was feeling a little better as he refueled and got out of the aid station a few minutes before me. That would be the last time that I saw Tom until the finish. Harrison and I made sure we had everything we needed for the night and headed out. Time In: 7:27 Time Out: 7:35
More climbing. I was tired of the heat and ready to welcome the night. We pushed on upwards to Dog Lake, slow but steady. It was still really warm and I wished that I hadn’t put on my arm sleeves and my jacket but I didn’t want to stop to take them off. I just pushed up the sleeves on my jacket and pulled down my arm sleeves around my wrists. My stomach wasn’t having the best time at this point but I was able to keep eating as long as I didn’t take in too many calories all at once. So less food, more often. I was still fueling mainly on gummy bears and licorice with some Hammer Sustained Energy mixed in. There wasn’t anything really exciting on this section just slogging away up to Dog Lake. Then from there we headed down for a little over half a mile and I was able to run this section without much effort. After the downhill ended we had another hike that lasted for about 2 miles. Not too long and we rolled into AS#9(Desolation Lake, mile 66.93). There was a nice fire going and a few runners sitting around it looking tired and worn down. I sat down on a log facing away from the fire so that I didn’t get sucked into the trap of coziness. A volunteer refilled my race vest as Harrison got me some chicken broth and ginger ale, my go to fueling at this point. We didn’t stay long but the check out time on the splits page has me there for 25 minutes. I’m sure it was 8 minutes or less. Time In: 9:07 Time Out: ?
We leave Desolation Lake and guess what, more climbing. I actually feel really good for being 67 miles into the race. I have to credit the trekking poles, calf sleeves and the SportLegs supplement that I had been taking every 3 hours during the race. The pills claim to keep lactic acid from building up in your legs and I am a believer that they work. From Desolation Lake we hike up over 700 ft in about three quarters of a mile. Part of my goal throughout this race was to not stop moving unless I was at an aid station. For the most part I succeeded and moving even if it was slow. Once we topped out at Red Lovers Ridge we had about 3 miles of rolling single track that we were able to run fairly consistently except for walk breaks every so often to let my lungs recover. Before I knew it we were at AS#10(Scotts Pass, mile 70.79). I still had enough water to make it to the next aid station so all we stopped for here was some more chicken broth and ginger ale then we were on our way to Brighton Lodge. Time In: 10:22 Time Out: 10:24
I could feel that we were close to Brighton Lodge and all I wanted to do was get there. The course led us down a service road for a couple miles then we ended up on road road. Most of the time I would hate running on road but I knew that it meant I was getting close and it was kind of a nice break not having to watch every footstep carefully. We kept up a decent running pace which wasn’t fast but we were running. This section thankfully went by quick. Just before we got to the lodge 2 little deer jumped out of the brush and almost gave Harrison a heart attack. That made me laugh and lightened my mood a bit. We reached AS#11(Brighton Lodge, mile 75.61) a little after 11:20. We walked through the doors to the lodge and were greeted by cheers. A volunteer took my pack so that I could get weighed in for the last time. 137 lbs. back to my starting weight. I threw my arms into the air for a little victory knowing that it was the last time I would be weighed and I was cleared to finish the race. My crew had a table towards the back set up for me with my running supplies. I had a grilled cheese sandwich that was delicious and drank some more ginger ale. Breein, Shawn, Forrest, Lori and Bj were there and gave me some encouraging words. Sami worked on my feet to prepare them for the last 25 miles to the finish. I was worried about the batteries in my headlamp so Forrest swapped them out for me went and brushed my teeth for the first time since 4 in the morning. I put on some new socks, laced up my shoes and gathered my supplies. I spent a little extra time at Brighton to make sure I was ready for the brutal last 25 miles that lay ahead of me. A few more encouraging words from the crew and I was ready to go. Thank you Harrison for keeping me moving strong. You are an awesome pacer and I hope to return the favor for you sometime. Time In: 11:23 Time Out: 11:49
Bj would be my pacer for the last 25 miles. We start hiking away from the lodge and part of me just wants to go back and snuggle up in a warm sleeping back but the stronger part of me wants to keep moving forward. From the lodge we have a stout climb ahead of us. 1450 ft of vertical gain in the next 2.85 miles. When you think about it that isn’t too bad of a climb but at mile 76 it felt like I was climbing in pudding. It probably didn’t help that I didn’t get enough calories in my system back at the lodge and hadn’t been eating any of my Powerbar chews for a long time. Bj did a good job getting me back on track. Half way up the climb I started feeling very sleepy so I took my first PreRace capsule for the race. It perked me back up along with the Powerbar chews and I was back to moving better again. After we topped out of the tough climb we were treated to some nasty downhill to the next aid station. Rocky, dusty and steep. We powered through. My headlamp was noticeably dimmer than it was before I had the batteries changed. I remembered that I had put the old batteries back in the same box as the new ones and must have pulled them out when I had Forrest change them for me back at the lodge. Luckily the batteries lasted long enough to get to AS#12(Ant Knolls, mile 80.27) where they had some replacements for me. I sat down as the volunteers refilled my race vest and Bj got me some chicken noodle soup and ginger ale. We replaced the batteries and were back out on the trail. Time In: 1:31 Time Out: 1:36
Next up? You guessed it, more steep climbing up to Grunt Pass. The name is fitting. After we reached the pass we were treated to a runable section of flat and downhill. This section is only a little over 3 miles but felt much longer. My downhill legs weren’t cooperating as well as I would have liked but I was able to move at a decent pace considering how far I had come already. Soon we can hear the chatter of people at the aid station and Bj lets out some whoops to let them know we are coming in. We have reached AS#13(Poll Line Pass, mile 83.39). More of the same as far as fueling goes…chicken noodle soup and ginger ale but this time I added a piece of bacon. DELICIOUS! Refueled and we are back on our way. Time In: 2:36 Time Out: 2:45
This next section felt like it just kept going on FOREVER. It probably didn’t help that I was starting to check out mentally and getting pretty cranky. My left foot was bothering me pretty bad at this point and I had to keep popping PreRace to stop myself from falling asleep. I wasn’t wearing a watch anymore so I didn’t have anything to judge the time or the miles with. Bj kept me moving forward the best I could and eventually we made it to AS#14(Rock Springs, mile 87.39). This aid station has to pack everything in so it is pretty bare bones. They did have some chicken broth so I had some of that along with a cup of Coke. I sat on the ground for a while trying to regroup. I grabbed a handful of Skittles and ate them but Bj didn’t think they were good enough fuel so he made me eat some sports chews. While sitting there a woman and her pacer stopped shortly and left before me. It was a little bit of a blow to have someone pass me this late in the race. I used it as motivation and picked myself up off my ass and headed back out. Time In: 4:10 Time Out: 4:17
I hate the next section, HATE it. We get to enjoy Serenity Point then everything starts to suck from there. First up, the Dive. Rocky, dusty, steep and nasty. Everything I want to be dealing with after being on my feet for 88 miles. The dust covers the rocks so I can’t see them. I step on the rocks and fall down cursing. Repeat. We get through that section, sweet, now onto the Plunge. This is the point in the race where I kinda snap. My body hurts, I’m exhausted, I want to go to sleep and my mind is starting to turn on me. Why am I here? Why the hell did I sign up for this? This is frickin’ stupid. This mentality lasts until about a half mile before Bj and I reach the last aid station. Bj has his Garmin watch on and lets me know that I have gained ground on Emily’s splits for last year. Saaaaaay what! This snaps me out of my funk and it’s game on again. We get into AS#15(Pot Bottom, mile 93.13) and Bj tells me I have about one hour and forty-five minutes left if I want to go under 27 hours. Bj grabs me some chicken noodle soup and some ginger ale as I take a few minutes to clean out all the dirt in my shoes from the Dive and Plunge. With a renewed attitude we head out for the final 7 miles. Time In: 6:21 Time Out: 6:27
After leaving Pot Bottom we head up a service road. We are still chasing down the woman and her pacer that passed us at Rock Springs but now we are gaining ground. We cross a few streams and are running anything that is downhill or flat. On the uphills I use the trekking poles that Harrison let me borrow to dig hard into the dirt and propel myself forward. I am determined to get up to the top of the hill as fast as I possibly can. We catch and pass the woman and her pacer and keep pressing on. I can feel the adrenaline give power to my legs that hasn’t been there for hours. Bj and I reach the turn off that will lead us down to the Homestead. He tells me that I have to run a decent pace to have a chance so I give it everything that I can muster. The service road is very rocky and my left foot that has been hurting for the last 50 miles is really getting cranky. Shut up foot. I know that my foot will hurt going at a fast pace just the same as at a slow pace. So we might as well finish as fast as we can. We reach the Y in the road and keep running until we get to some uphill and slow to a power hike. The downhill is beating me up and I am starting to doubt that I can make it under 27 hours. The road heads back down again and it gets really rocky. Awesome. Bj leads the way and I move slowly, making sure not to roll my ankle this close to the finish. The rocky road(mmmmmm…ice cream) doesn’t last very long and before I know it we are on some sweet single track moving fast(at least it felt fast to me). We cruise through the scrub oak trees knowing that every step gets us that much closer to the finish. Bj pulls over to water the trees and I pick up my pace as I run by. I don’t know why but passing Bj gave me a boost. I pushed harder. I am giving everything that I have left. Bj caught back up to me and I remember mentioning to him that I was feeling weak. Bj’s response was “No you don’t.” Okay. I’ll keep pushing then. Towards the end of the single track there are a few switchbacks. I can hear people on the trail below us. We are catching someone and I get another adrenaline boost. I know that I’m really only competing against myself but catching runners at the end of a race just gets me trying that much harder. We finally spill out onto the road and pass the runner at the same time. Bj checks his watch. We only have 8 minutes and neither of us are sure how far it is to the finish. Looks like were going to have to keep pushing. Bj leads the way and I try my best to keep up. Another mental battle ensues. I don’t want to run anymore but the stronger part of me wins again. There are only 5 minutes to go until 27 hours. I have suffered for so long, why not 5 more? Aric’s quote pops into my head, “Bring it home empty.” I feel a little extra energy make its way into my legs and my mind says, let’s go. Bj and I are running side by side now cresting the last little hill before the finish line comes into view. We still have around 3 minutes, I am going to make it under 27 hours. A massive wave of emotion and energy flow over me. I sprint the rest of the way in not knowing exactly how much time I have. I run through the finish to the sound of my friends and family cheering me on. There is no way to describe the feeling that I get after completing such a challenging journey. Especially one that I came within 18 minutes of my goal time. Sami runs up and gives me a hug. This is why I run. This amazing, indescribable feeling I get when I accomplish my goal.
Running to the finish line - Photo by Lori Burlison
The Wasatch100 was a huge success. I finished in 26 hours 58 minutes and 21 seconds. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my family and friends. Thank you. My friends and family are the source of my inspiration and keep me going when I want to quit. A special shout out for my pacers. Forrest, Harrison and Bj. I couldn’t have done it without you guys and am truly grateful that you took time out of your lives to help me complete this journey. Thanks to the HUMR’s that were there and cheered me on, HUMR’s rock! And of course, thank you Sami for being there for me through all of it. The training runs, putting up with my crankyness during the tapering process and being there every step of the way. Last but not least I want to thank God. Thank You for watching over me and giving me the strength that I needed to finish this journey safely. The quote that sums up Wasatch the best for me is: The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength inside of you. Now…on to the next one.
Finished! - Photo by Lori Burlison
