Pony Express Trail 50 Mile Endurance Race 

Alrighty...those of you that know me, know that I am very long winded with my writing, so read this in bits, or get comfy with a good snack (or sack lunch).

I didn't want to worry about getting up and driving the morning of the race, so I decided that I'd camp out the night before at the starting line, so I could just get up and go. Jun was doing the same, so my crew agreed to come out as well and make a night of it. We chatted around the camps for a bit, Craig used his banana hands to fish Maurines keys out of her jeep, and then we pretty much just spent the evening hanging out at the campfire chatting, laughing and telling stories. Finally, as the fire was dying down and the boys were getting rowdy, we decided to turn in and try and get a little rest before the race. 

I borrowed my mother in laws van, which was nice - I didn't have to worry about setting up and taking down a tent. I didn't sleep well, which wasn't too surprising. I didn't really feel nervous or anxious, just not sleepy. Probably a little excited. It also didn't help that I was on a slight hill (Craig and his brother were smart enough to move-though I don't know that they slept much better), so it took me a little while to get comfy. Got a couple hours of sleep in overall, usually I would dream about running and then wake up. I seemed to wake up just a minute or two before both 5am and 6am early starters - so it was fun to hear the countdown and start for those. 

Finally I decided to get up, not needing the 6:45 alarm that I had set. I wanted to be up to see the 100 milers start, and it would give me time to get my stuff together. I got dressed and got out to see Jun getting amped up and ready to go. He was actually just leaving one of the tent POPs, unable to figure out quite how to use them, luckily he didn't need to go too badly. We cheered the 100 milers on their way, and then went about starting to get ready for our own start. 

As it started to get light and people started to show up, I started to get excited about running. My crew would consist of a co-worker Steve, his buddy Vince, and unfortunately due to his dad not being able to run, Josh was able to join along for the fun with my crew, for which I was grateful. Steves two dogs, Shredder and Marvo (?) would also tag along for the ride. Hopefully they were OK company for Josh in the van. Steve volunteered his van for the race, which was fantastic. We put all of the food in the stow-n-go area for the front seats, which made them accessible for the crew, but not for the dogs!

My Crew Steve, Vince and Josh, talking to Scott Wesemann 

Threw all my stuff into his van, tried to give a few instructions on what I would need, and hoped I wouldn't forget anything. Scott Wesemann showed up to crew Matt Van Horn, Kelli was there with her Scott, so we all kind of gathered at the start area to chat and then listen to the race directions (which was pretty much "stay on the road for 50 miles, except at Simpson where you drop down and back for a minute"). No need to worry about course directions out here!! It wasn't long before the 5-4-3-2-1 GO and we were off. 

The start 

I didn't want to start off super fast, since this was a long race, but kind of settled in with a group of about 5 people (including Britta, the eventual female winner), but after a 7:59 first mile, I pulled back a little bit, not wanting to overdo it too early (although mile 2 was 8:02...who knows). Matt jumped out to the front quickly with eventual winner Seth Wold, and I was a little worried that he was going to blow up with such a fast start (which wasn't the case!). 

Several people had early stops, some at about the two mile mark, I had told my group to go to mile 5, couldn't imagine needing anything I didn't already have by then. Kelli passed me in her car and commented that Scott needed binoculars to see me, but I knew that it wouldn't be long before he caught up with me. Sure enough, probably at about mile 8, I heard footsteps come clip-clopping behind me, and there was Scott by my side. It was nice to have someone to run with, since letting the front group go, I had been running solo from then on out. We chatted for a few miles and enjoyed the sunshine beginning to warm the air. Scott was kind enough to hold my water bottle while I took my long sleeve shirt off. 

Running with Scott, about mile 8 - Photo courtesy of Kelli 

At about mile 11 our crews stopped a little ways apart, so I left Scott as he stopped, and then I had my crew pull a little more ahead and have my luggable loo ready, since it seemed that breakfast (or maybe dinner) was starting to hit. Made a relatively brief stop (still had a 10:28 on that mile) - that loo was worth its weight in gold! It was very nice not to have to worry about where, when or how you were going to take care of business! Scott passed me while I was on the throne, and didn't stop even when I asked if he could spare a square. Once back on the road he was just a little ways ahead of me, but I never could quite catch up to him, and then, it seemed like he was just gone! It would be several hours before I would see him again. 

I then picked up Tyler, a young runner who I had run with at the Buffalo Run, and ran into again at the Legacy Duathlon - he had looked like he was struggling just a little, and as I ran up to him at his car, I called out his name and he just jumped over from the car and started running with me. We chatted for a while, he mentioned that on both of our other races I had helped him pull through and finish the Buffalo Run, and then at the duathlon I helped him pass a guy to get him the 1st place AG. We talked about how he won the Wasatch Back Marathon, and that he is Lilys cousin! Cool kid - very cool to see a 17 year old out doing stuff like this! Ran into Kelli who offered me a cold towel, which was very nice! We ran for a couple of miles, but just as the hill starts to climb to Simpson Springs, he latched on to another runner that was passing and kept on moving. I would try for quite a while to catch him again, got close a few times, but could never pull it off. He stayed strong and ended up finishing in 5th place!

Running down into Simpson Springs - lots to look at... 

Coming out of Simpson Springs, with Josh 

Thus far I had made no stops, just exchanging bottles and gels with my crew and moving on. At the top of Simpson I walked for a bit and drank a Coke (I ended up drinking a lot of Coke!), then made the turn onto what I called "the treadmill"...the 18 mile straight as an arrow stretch of road that just folds out in front of you as far as you can see. The next 10 or so miles just seemed to fly by without incident. I hit the marathon at about 4:20, a little slower than I had hoped for, but close enough.

This is about mile 20 - can't quite catch Tyler 

Shortly therafter, around about mile 27, I went to take a gel, and the second that hit my stomach it tried to come right back out! Yikes - so there it was. Felt really nauseas, hot, a little dizzy, and a lot of tired. I decided to walk it out for a bit to get over it. I could see the runners I had been chasing for the last 4 hours fade off into the distance, and what had been an empty desert behind me, seemed to fill with a flood of runners who would soon overtake me. It was here that I had to assure myself that I just needed to run my race, stick to my plan, and not worry about placing or ranking - you can't control who shows up to a race - you can only control how you perform. I gave myself nearly a full mile of walking - I had worked in a few minute walk breaks every now and then, but that was it - this was by far the longest I had, and would walk. The worst part about walking is that it takes SO much longer!! When the car that I had thought had been my crew car drove off ahead, I finally kicked it back into a running gear and ran another half mile or so to the car. My goal had been not to stop at all for at least 50K. I was at 28.5 here. I took a quick sit on the loo, then told my crew to meet me at the 50K point where I would take an actual pit stop. I was starting to feel very overheated and hungry, so I hoped a stop would help. I felt much stronger as I ran to the 50K mark where my crew was waiting. I had them soak my hat and bandanna in the ice water in the cooler while I draped a cold towel over my head and around my neck (thanks Kelli!!), stretched, ate a sandwich, drank a ginger ale, ate some chips and then decided to move on. It took 10 minutes - much longer than I wanted, but I felt like I really needed it.

Mile 32 or so - who really knows? :) 

Shortly after leaving, I noticed a green shirt up ahead of me - could that be Scott? I hadn't seen him in hours. It looked he was having a rough time, and when I caught up to my crew car, Josh confirmed it was Scott (with pacer). I gained a little more on them, and as I got closer they took a walking break on a little incline. I told myself if I could catch them, I could walk with them for a bit. As I caught up and started to walk with them, Scott tried to urge me on, but I just said "No way man, I earned this walk!" We chatted for a minute, taking a look back at where we had just come from (we were just coming to the end of the 18 mile stretch). Jarom was just behind us at this point as well. Finally I decided it was time to roll and I bid them goodbye. Scott told me to go get 'em (thats probably not what he said, but it was something like that!:)) and I pushed on ahead. 

Finally caught up to Scott at about 33 - his pacer is trying to run me down!- Pic by Kelli

At mile 35, just as you start the initial approach to Dugway Pass, Josh jumped out to pace me. It wasn't too exciting of a pacing job to start, since we did a fair amount of walking up the pass. At the top we caught a 100 mile runner, who looked like he was having a really hard time (he was wearing Merrel tough gloves, which probably aren't tough enough for a race like this) and was just picking his way up the hill. I stopped for a brief fuel stop at the top here, Kelli offering me more food, water, fruit, whatever I needed - what a good person to have around! I think I ate more of a sandwich and then we left just as Scott was getting to the top. I was glad to see that he was still moving pretty well. 

Getting to the top of Dugway with Kelli checking on us 

I was actually a little excited for the stretch from Dugway on, and I just let my legs roll as we hit the downhill. It felt great to be running at a decent pace again, and Josh and I just started cruisin'. Steve had said he was going to run with us for a while, but I hadn't seen him, so I thought he was going to ride the van down and then hop out. I noticed, though, that Josh kept looking back every now and then, and finally it dawned on me that Steve was trying to catch up! I walked for a minute (to let Steve catch up, of course :)) and as we continued on he commented he was running at like 190 BPM and 90% of max on his HR! It was fun to run along with a friend on both sides of me - I felt like I was someone important with my bodyguards alongside! Ha. I think Steve ran for about three miles with us, and then Vince jumped in for a few miles of running. He just cruised along wearing cargo shorts and sandals! We caught up to Smooth along here and didn't have much time to chat, but they did catch a picture of me and my posse and we ran along. They were all smiles and looked like they were just out for a jog in the desert - not 45 miles into a run! So fun. 

Me and my gang - about mile 42 - pic by Kelli 

We dropped Vince at the van and really tried to pick up the pace. I had had some cramping earlier, but now it hit me hard. We would be cruising along and then my hamstring would seize up and I couldn't move. So I'd stop, stretch it, walk (make sure it worked) then we'd go back to running. Then a calf would take a turn, then the other hammy. Josh was great, he'd stop and wait and then when we'd run he'd get right back at it. I had him just run right in front of me and I would just try and keep up! I was feeling really tired, but was also happy with how we were running (9:28 for mile 48!), we talked about how nice it is to be this close and smell the finish and think about just sitting down!! The only sitting down I had allowed myself was on the edge of the van (or on the loo). So the thought of just sitting seemed mighty nice!
It was great at about mile 47 to just tell the boys to drive to the finish! Was happy to see Matt VH somewhere around here, and was elated to hear his time (8:30!). We continued to run and as we got towards Blackrock, I told Josh to just keep running, no stopping, that I didn't even want to LOOK at the finish line yet. So we ran on the far side of the road and I just kept my eyes focused forward and kept moving.

Slow Children at play indeed - this is as I run passed the finish line towards the out and back.  

I had no idea how far ahead the turnaround was, but we just kept running. We saw Kevin Crockett on his way back from the turn around, and there was a guy in Red running that we were determined to pass. I saw the sign up ahead, and could make out the 5 on it, and for some reason I was thinking it was saying something like "500 yards to go" to the turnaround, or something. So I was actually quite please when I realized that WAS the turn around point! As we made the turn Josh said "You know what we have to do right?" What? I said. "Catch that guy"! So Josh turned on the jets (at least they were jets for me, I think he was taking a nap) and pulled me hard as we reeled the guy in closer and closer. As you get close to the finish there is a slight incline that takes you up to the finish. We passed Kevin here, and then the guy in red started to walk - as we got to the hill Josh said "you love hills, lets hit this thing" and we picked up the pace as we ran up the 'hill', even getting a comment from the guy in red, something to the effect of not being able to imagine running that right now. I may have cursed Josh a little at this point, but he and I both knew this is what I wanted and needed. I was going to finish this race pushing hard and leaving it all right there.

The finish!! 9:37:01 

What a sight to turn into that finish line and realize that you just completed 50 miles! 9:37:01 I high fived my crew and immediately went and peed - it had been nearly 7 hours, so I was glad that I finally needed to. At that point I knew that I was really quite dehydrated and needed to get some fluids in me. I went and sat by the monument and had my crew bring me some water and a burger. For some reason they brought me a random warm jug of water, that I just chugged...I don't know if it was the warmth, amount, flavor was off, or what, but the second that hit my stomach I was immediately (again) nauseas and thought I was going to puke. I hate throwing up and my body doesn't seem to want to allow it, even though it was going through the motions! My crew moved me away from the women and children, and it finally subsided - though my appetite was now gone...

Juns crew and brother, Brent showed up right at that point to chat with us for a minute, and to see if we could drive their other crew members car back to the 100 finish, as he had come late and they didn't want to have to leap frog two cars the whole way (especially if one of them wanted to run!). I was glad they were able to catch us so we could help. I wanted to stay around for Craig to get back to Blackrock, but didn't know how long that would be, likely about an hour, and I knew I needed to get myself and my crew back, but I was glad I saw Brent so we could at least pass on our support. 

Josh and I hopped (OK, Josh hopped, I hobbled) into Juns friends car and headed back towards Simpson Springs. We passed Kelli and Scott as he was getting close to the finish - I was happy to see them still moving along, but I knew it had been a hard day, and wish there was more you could do to help. We gave them a high five and cheers of support and then drove on our way. 

If theres one downside to this race, its the drive back across the course! I guess the advantage to the 100 is that you just run back most of the way! :) Josh and I cruised along and had some good conversation while we wondered if the car we were given to drive would actually make it - since we noticed that we were now riding on the "E" of the gas gage! We finally made it to Simpson, and the second I hopped out of the car to get in the van I was hit with chills and became freezing cold! I climbed in the van and cranked the heat up to get warm - then got really hot. I think my body was still in a bit of shock and having a hard time regulating itself. We arrived at the starting line (after searching for a bit) chucked what stuff I could from their van to mine, and then set off.

The drive home was rough. I was by myself, super tired (though not sleepy), dehydrated, calorie deficient, dirty, smelly and would soon be very hungry - yet I still had a nearly 2 hour drive home! I was very tempted to just grab a hotel in Tooele or someplace, but something in me just wanted to get home. I was also supposed to be picking up my son (my wife was away with her mom and sisters for a girls weekend) from my sisters, but when I called my sister to let her know I was on my way she was kind enough to offer to keep him overnight, which I was SO thankful for. Once I got home I ordered a pizza, and then just laid on the floor while I waited for it to come! Ha. I must have been quite the sight! I ate some, took a bath, then went to bed, only to wake up dripping wet an hour later, then wide awake at about 2:30. I was thinking about the 100 milers out there, and wondering if Craig was done by then (turns out, he was!). Since I couldn't sleep I went back downstairs and grabbed some more pizza and put on a movie, which I finally fell asleep to. It was a rough night - certainly would have been helpful to have someone around! :)

I can't thank my crew enough for the time and support they gave me - it's not anyone that will come out and let you boss them around all day while you punish yourself! They did an amazing job and were more than I could have asked for. Josh (jsh) was a complete stud for pacing me and pushed me hard to get the job done. It was just what I needed and helped immensely! Kelli was great to have around too - even though she wasn't on my crew! So many other great crews and runners made this event an absolute blast to be a part of. Congratulations to all my friends and fellow runners who were out there!

What an amazing experience. It truly is hard to put into words the things that you go through and endure in an event like this. You come home and try and tell people about it, and they just don't seem to understand! I guess thats why we have things like this - a place to tell your story and share your events with each other so we can all be a part of those experiences! 

If you would have asked me just two years ago if I wanted to (or even could) run a 5K, I would have told you no way! A marathon? In your dreams! 50 miles? Nobody does that! Wow, incredible what you can do with a little bit of dedication and hard work (and a lot of fun!). Can't wait for more to come! Wanna come along?   :)