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Leadville 2007 100 Miler Race Report
"You're better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can." These words proved to be my motivation to complete my third Leadville 100 miler. I suffered through dehydration, falls, rain, and muscle cramps to see that beautiful finish line. But this race showed how important my wife (my crew) and my pacers are in bringing me to end. Here is my aid station-to-aid station of the race.
Start to May Queen (13.5 miles): I wanted to set a good pace and arrive at May Queen before the two hour mark. I felt pretty good and this year was not as cold as 2006. This is time to see which muscles are tight and calm myself down. Arrive at May Queen at 1:56 Elevation range: ~ 9,600-10,200 feet
May Queen to Fish Hatchery (10 miles/23.5 miles cum): As the sun rose, I started to head to Sugarloaf Pass. Time to head up to 11,000 feet so walking was in order. Temperature was starting to rise I looked forward to getting some of my warm clothes off at the aid station. Arrived at Fish Hatchery at 3:42. Elevation range: ~10,000-11,200 feet
Fish Hatchery to Halfmoon (7 miles/30.5 miles cum): Ah the short flat section it is time to pick up the pace. It was very sunny and I was sweating a lot for high altitude this would come to get me in the later miles. I should have taken some electro tabs at the time but didnt. Arrived at Halfmoon at 4:50. Elevation range: ~9,400-9,900 feet
Halfmoon to Twin Lakes (9 miles/39.5 miles cum): This is a difficult section to follow, because of the number of intersecting trails and roads. I started to cramp up in my calves so I try to taken more fluids but it was too late. Arrived at Twin Lake at 6:36. Elevation range ~9,300-10,400 feet
Twin Lakes to Winfield (10.5 miles/50 miles cum): Crossing the cold water sections after the getting out of the Twin Lakes aid stations was a welcome relief to my cramps. Leadville had received rain for the last few weeks the water sections were as high I have seen in two years. This section is a constant climb up and up to Hope Pass. I was still sweating profusely without peeing so trouble was coming. Arrived at Winfield 9:40. Elevation range: ~9,300-12,600 feet
Winfield to Twin Lakes (10.5 miles/60.5 miles cum): Finally pacers to help me out. My friend Clint joined me for the 10.5 mile trip back to Twin Lakes. Out the aid station is a nice flat, slightly downhill section before heading back to Hope Pass. I felt pretty strong on this section running the whole thing. As we began the climb all my muscles in my lower body began to cramp. I have never had an experience like that. I told Clint I needed to stop and sit. As I sat my right calf began to muscle spasm wildly. All the dehydration issues earlier had finally got me. Lucky a runner that passed me had some electro tablets to give me. I took 5 of them and the cramping lessen and we starting back up to Hope Pass. It started to rain as we headed down from Hope Pass. The trail became muddy and slippery. I fell about 3-4 times and Clint was there to help me up. Finally I limped into Twin Lakes at 12:56. Elevation range: ~9,300-12,600 feet.
Twin Lakes to Halfmoon (9 miles/69.5 miles cum): Feeling like I just got hit by truck it was time to be joined by my next pacer and friend Sherri. This section has some downhills which was hell on my Quads. I felt very unstable and fell about 5 times. Dave Goggins passed me check to see how it was going. I said not well and Dave provided me two aspirin. Thanks Dave! Arrived at Halfmoon 15:17. Elevation range ~9,300-10,400 feet
Halfmoon to Fish Hatchery (7 miles/76.5 miles cum): Flat and pavement I hate to say it but it was a welcome site. Alison joined me and made me run the whole thing. I started to feel a little better and I able to keep a good pace because of Alison. Arrived at Fish Hatchery at 16:46 Elevation range: ~9,400-9,900 feet
Fish Hatchery to May Queen (10 miles/86.5 miles cum): My new pacer Pam joined for a section that has the last of the big climbs. It was a moonless night so it was very dark. Pam just kept me moving up the hills even if I did not want to. Arrived at May Queen at 19:40. Elevation range: ~10,000-11,200 feet
May Queen to Finish (13.5 miles/100 miles cum): Clint returned for another round of pacing. This section is always a problem for me and this year was no exception. I could not run at all. My legs said go screw yourself! As people passed us I felt depressed as if each runner took a piece of my heart. I was able to at least run the last mile to finish arriving at 22:56:32! Elevation range: ~ 9,600-10,200 feet
2007 McNaughton 150 Miler Race Report
Coming into the 150 miler I had some serious doubts about myself. My training in my new home state of Colorado had not been the greatest. But my wife, Pres Posse, and family would be there to motivate me to an overall victory.
McNaughton Park Trails Runs is one of my favorite races and this would be the fourth year I have been there. I know the course very well and I believe RD Andy does a wonderful job putting on the races. Below is a lap-to-lap account of my experience at McNaughton.
0-10 Mile Lap 1: Starting at 6 pm on Friday us not my favorite time to run. I felt very tight so I took it easy and ended up about a 1:41 loop time. The time a little fast but OK. The course was in good shape and the two water crossing were ankle deep. There were some muddy spots but I actually enjoy dirty, muddy and hilly courses.
10-20 Miles Lap 2: Night time so that means head lamp time. I still was feeling tight and little tired but the water always wakes me up. I slow down this lap to 2:02.
20-30 Miles Lap 3: Ran with some people at times then by myself. Started to loosen up and get into a comfortable run. I see the leaders of the 150 miler and I think they are out too fast. It is very early in the race and you must respect the course. Conditions will change and you can pay for it later in the race.
30-40 Miles Lap 4: I use my first pacer Dustin on this lap. It was great to have the company and to keep me focused. Dustin is a member of our Pres Posse running group. He kept me running the flats and power walking the up hills. Lap time 2:12
40-50 Miles Lap 5: Back to running without a pacer. I try to keep focused. I have been eating mostly fig newtons and taking in liquids constantly. The water crossings are beginning to numbing my feet for a mile or two. Lap time about 2:10
50-60 Miles Lap 6: My second pacer of day joins me on this lap. Sommer brought much needed company and laughs. This race has proven the value of pacers and I am very happy to have them here. I am more in the zone now. Sunrise is coming and I look forward to it. I have been getting very tired on this lap. Lap time 2:14
60-70 Miles Lap 7: Sunrise has brought me back to life. The mud is very caked up on my body and some of it washes away in the water crossing. But it returns each section I run through. This lap I was back on my own. I have limited number of pacers now but more will arrive this afternoon. Lap time 2:15
70-80 Miles Lap 8: Here comes the rain and this trail get very sloppy when wet. Dustin is back for another lap. I was praying the rain would stop but alas it did not listen. The rain causes problems for me and Dustin on the steep down hills. I landed on butt many times and this reminded me when it down poured the last two laps of last year 100 miler. My shoes were pretty nasty looking but I dare not take them off. Lap time 2:24
80-90 Miles Lap 9: My friend Scott decided to come out and pacer me this lap. I have run with Scott before but he has never paced me. He did a great job of keeping me focused and leading me through messy spots along the course. The rain had stopped and the wind was picking up. The sun popped out a few times. The trail was started to dry out a little by mile 85. I was eating and drinking very well. Felt pretty good. Lap Time 2:30
90-100 Miles Lap 10: My friend Carensa was the pacer for this lap. I had heard people were dropping out or dropping to a shorter distance. But I have no doubt in my mind I would finish what's another 50 miles. Right? About mile 93 I caught up with the leaders Dave and Ryan. I wish them the best and passed them. It was a great emotional boost. Lap time 2:17. My total time for the race was 21:40 about an hour faster than my winning time in the 100 last year.
100-110 Miles Lap 11: This lap was uncharted territory for me. My long run ever was about 105 miles. Scott was joining me for his second lap. I thought I would be very tired and talking crazy but I wasnt. I thought to myself to keep moving and that all. I made sure not to stay at the aid stations longer than 2-3 minutes. Get in get out. Lap time 2:24
110-120 Miles Lap 12: Are we there yet? This lap I brought to pacers Ben and Christa. The felt slower and mud was getting old. In some sections the mud was shoe sucking and had an interesting smell. Lap time 2:20
120-130 Miles Lap 13: I was looking forward to hot shower and bath at this time. My crew found a pacer for me at the start/finish area. My pacers were getting injured and beat up out there. 16 years old Eric joined me for lap 13. My mind was getting a little fuzzy but at least I was seeing anything. I felt old this lap running with a 16 years old but he was doing a great job. Lap time 2:41
130-140 Miles Lap 14: Carensa was back and Bruce (RD Andys college roommate) joined the fun on lap 14. Bruce had helped mark the course the week before. The only thing I kept thinking is one lap after this one. I was a little cold at this time and I was a little I felt this good. But I was slowing down. Lap time 3:02
140-150 Miles Lap 15: HOLY CRAP!! This is it! Sommer and Ben joined me for my last lap. I just wanted this thing over with. I think my crew was thinking the same thing. Day was coming in a few hours and I think I need some sleep. Sommer and Ben kept me moving and brought me home. Finish time 35 hours 22 minutes |
Copyright © 2008 Paul Stofko. All Rights Reserved.
