Saturday, October 3, 2015

Big Horn 100


GangGreen before the Start
Wait until the hottest part of the day to start the race
Data:
My 10th ultramarathon, 2nd 100 mile race
30:59:17, 93rd place overall, 19th female
279 Starters, 167 finishers, 55% men finished, 77% women finished



Yes to Wildflowers


The Only Shade in the First Canyon



Touchy Feely stuff:
I was reading a book on the way to Wyoming that was written by a lady who had lived and studied with Buddhist monks. A few thoughts were stuck in my head from that book.

Things are either coming together or they are falling apart. Nothing is ever resolved. Nothing is bad, nothing is good. You should try to acknowledge all emotions with a loving and open heart and ride the waves. 

Being present and in the moment was a new challenge for me. Zoning out on a run and ignoring my surroundings is easy to do. By staying in the moment I ran the risk of experiencing pain. A risk worth taking to explore a different mental state during 100 miles.




Running into Mile 17 Aid

Course:
Gorgeous. Hot. Gorgeous. Death by dirt road the last 5 miles. Yep.


Legs:
Held together perfectly. No bonk and no 
pain (no pain that was noticeable over the feet. RE: next section)


Hats are Just for Holding Ice
All the Ice in Place Pose
Feet:
My feet feel apart. Mile 30ish I felt the whole ball of my left foot shift funny and the callus now had a blister under it. By mile 75 all hell had broken loose. Trench foot and large areas of blister on both balls and both heels. 3 toenails went on strike with blood blisters under them. (See the end of this post for the detailed foot pictures)

Trenchfoot examination immediately after finishing

Finally a Break from the Sun
Lungs:
The heat and foot pain did a number on my asthma. The more tense I became from taking careful, painful steps, the more restricted my airways became. The last 10 miles I was fighting off an asthma attack and stupidly didn't stop to use my inhaler. So...the finish line included a combo asthma attack/balling like a baby event. It was ugly.




Stomach:
The Sun Setting Somewhere in Wyoming
Only got UCAN and fruit down during the heat of the first day. Finally started working on solid food at mile 30 and then ate well the rest of the race.
I ate a quesadilla at the turn around. I put the one I didn't eat in a paper towel and into sports bra storage. I remembered it 20 miles later. Retrieved it. It was delightfully warm and soft still. Ate it. Don't regret that.






5 Miles of Gravel Left
RMRs:
The biggest highlight was the amazing people. I feel like every other face I saw on the course was a familiar one. Sharing the course with all those green shirts was a great motivation. Aid stations were a party (of course). As I made my way up the large climb to the turnaround, each and every RMR said hi or gave me a hug as they were descending (even when they are winning the race....thanks Silke). Doug paced me overnight and was more delusional than me by the time he was finished. Quite entertaining, so thanks for that. Matt kept me and the blisters company for the last (very long) 18 miles. I brought up the rear, but I finished that beast of a course and that is always goal #1.

Typical RMR Armpit Tunnel


Doug kept his distance because I smelled bad
And Time for the Asthma Attack

Blister Exorcism
The Hardware:
This race had a 53% finish rate. Lucky for me, everyone in the 20-29 age group DNFd except for me. So they have me a sweet rock.
Prize Rocks
'Merica Belt for my Buckle

The Feet - Aftermath:
Sweet mother of blisters. 
Took several days to drain this one and keep it from filling up again
Buh-bye calluses
Blisters Everywhere
Sausage toes