Carolyn
This was an inaugural event, the Tommyknocker Ultras (50k & 100k) in Woodland Park, Colorado. My friend John Lacroix has been hosting a fun series of Fat Ass runs in Colorado for several years, and when he got laid off twice in a year, he decided to start his own ultra business, called Human Potential Running Series. The Tommyknocker was his first official race.
His goal is to run old-school ultras, with generous cut-off times, no prize money or special awards for winners, good food, and camaraderie. This race started with a pasta dinner the night before, free to runners, so people could make friends and socialize. Quite a few runners camped at the starting line or, like me, slept in their cars.
The 100k started at 2am, and the 50k started at 8 am, with both races ending at 8pm. Unfortunately the 100k course was not well marked, so several folks got lost. One woman made her way back to her car after 15 miles, and after a nap, she lined up again with the 50k runners.
We started promptly at 8, under sunny blue skies, but with rain in the forecast in the afternoon. Here's the starting line:
The course was all on dirt forest service roads - John tried to make it a trail run but the Forest Service would only give him a permit if he used roads - they said it was "safer." His permit also had a condition that all runners had to wear something blaze orange, or at least tie orange flagging on somewhere, because it was bow hunting season. Here are some runners sporting the latest in blaze orange fall fashions:
The volunteers were awesome. They were all ultra runners, and I knew many of them from the Fat Ass runs. This is coming into the Hayman aid station. This is where the huge Hayman fire was a few years back - you can see the burned trees.
Unfortunately, some a-hat local tried to sabotage the race by moving course markings, so almost everyone got off course. This same guy also fired a warning shot over the head of one of the 100k runners in the wee hours, and told her she only gets one warning shot! So at about mile 16.7, I started down a long series of switchbacks, following the orange survey tape, but after 1.7 miles and 400 ft down the hill I saw a group of about 6 runners hiking up toward me. They said the course was mis-marked, so I turned around and started back up the hill with them. We picked up about 6 more runners on our way up. We pulled the flagging off the trees, and remarked the course when we got back to where we should have turned. The fastest runners added the most "bonus miles" since they got much farther before turning around. The slowest runners, who came through after we fixed the markings, didn't add any extra mileage.
Some of the runners went in a big circle and came back out at the 8 mile aid station, so the race staff knew about the mix-up, and they sent volunteers out in trucks to bring water and food to the runners who had added extra miles and were running low on supplies. It was supposed to be 8 miles to the next aid station, but turned into 12+ miles for most of us. The volunteers handled it really well, and the runners all pitched in to get the course marked right and help each other out. I made several new friends on the hike back up the hill.
There were about 4 creek crossings - nothing too deep, but I had wet feet most of the day.
There was a brief hailstorm at about mile 28, and I took shelter under a ponderosa with one of my new friends, Othman. It passed quickly and we got on our way again.
I finally passed the last aid station at mile 33.5 and thought I was on the home stretch. Then a huge thunderstorm came through. Like an idiot, I hadn't picked up my raincoat out of my drop bag at the 21 mile Aid Station (that I reached at mile 24.5) because the weather wasn't bad yet. But at least I had an emergency poncho in my pack, which I was thankful for, otherwise I would have been really wet and cold. So I kept running downhill, and got to a Y in the road, with no flagging to tell which way to go. So I picked the left fork, but after about 0.7 miles, once again I saw runners walking up the hill toward me. NOT AGAIN!!! I turned around with them and started walking back up hill, and we picked up two more runners coming down toward us. This wasn't a case of vandalism, just not enough flagging on the course to mark the turn. Once back on track, it was only 1.5 miles downhill to the finish. There was a fun finish line party and it felt like everyone was friends. Almost everyone had run a different distance, so the finishing results are going to be pretty meaningless, but no one seemed upset. I ended up with 38.2 miles, on what was supposed to be a 33 mile course. Some of my fast friends, who finished well after I did, said they'd run 44 miles.
One of the highlights of the race: at the pre-race briefing, John (the RD) said he was going to put a large rock, painted orange, out on the course, and if anyone carried it to the finish, he'd give them $250. Well, my friend Othman did it! We saw him taking a rest break with the rock, at the junction where we went off course the last time, and we told him which way to go. Carrying that rock the wrong way downhill would have been such a bummer! Anyway, by the time he got to the finish line he had a police escort with flashing lights - it was awesome! A bunch of us ran out to walk him in:
That's me with a beer in my hand, walking next to Othman.
An epic race, and a fun time with my ultra tribe.
I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.
MM #5615
That's really cool, wild. You sure did make a lot of friends. I really admire your attitudes. I have gone off course in races and I let it ruin my whole day...I wish I didn't take these things so seriously. Anyway--awesome job and great report.
How far did that guy have to carry that rock? That's a big rock!
Awesome, well done under difficult conditions. Who moves markers and shoots at runners? To what end? Geez.... love the way you guys all pulled together to make it work. Sounds like a really fun race!
Holy Tough Conditions! I hope the a-hat does time.
SteveP
wild, you did well in tough conditions. It's a shame there are jerks out there who try to mess things up.
TomS
Marathon Maniac #957
"Unfortunately, some a-hat local tried to sabotage the race by moving course markings, so almost everyone got off course. This same guy also fired a warning shot over the head of one of the 100k runners in the wee hours, and told her she only gets one warning shot! "
I just can't believe that - what a real jerk! And that could have really been dangerous for some folks getting lost out there. What is great though is that everyone pitched in to help remark the trail and help each other out. Trail runners are really awesome, aren't they?
Great job in super tough conditions!!
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
Here are a few more pictures that friends posted over at FB:
Start line (wave 1, corral 1) John hit a rock with a pickaxe to start us. That's me in the neon yellow shirt in the middle (I don't have anything blaze orange.)
This is at the 13 mile aid station:
This is at the finish line. John encouraged folks to take a swing at the rock.
Here's another picture of Othman with his $250 rock! He carried it about 3.5 miles!
Well, another interesting ultra report!
Terrible about the yahoo that changed the markings and shot off a rifle. Glad you could be so upbeat about it still
And I think carrying a rock the last 3.5 miles would be the last thing anyone would want to do after running how far???
You guys are all nuts! Good nuts though!
"During a marathon, I run about two-thirds of the time. That's plenty." - Margaret Davis, 85 Ed Whitlock regarding his 2:54:48 marathon at age 73, "That was a good day. It was never a struggle."
Awesome Wild! Love the photos.
"He conquers who endures" - Persius "Every workout should have a purpose. Every purpose should link back to achieving a training objective." - Spaniel
http://ncstake.blogspot.com/
What stood out to me was the can of PBR at the mile 13 aid station.
Slo, you sure have an eye for detail! I had a sip of beer at mile 13. There was also a jug of moonshine at the 29-mile aid station!
LOL at the PBR - I never would have noticed that!
What a jerk of a guy who tried to sabotage the race! does he just live up there somewhere and didn't want any kids on his lawn or what?
Great attitudes by the runners though - helping out, not letting the negative ruin anything, etc.
congratulations on your 61.47K ultra!
Tammy
Trails are hard!
I realize you're in the Wild West, but are people allowed to use firearms in a park? Hope they can do something about (to) him.
But on your part, that was a great run--loved the informality of the whole thing. And the way everyone just goes with the flow.
Need a fast half for late fall. Then I need to actually train for it.
BlazinCajun
Thanks for sharing your race report with us. Sounds like a fun time even with the race disruptions. Enjoyed the photographs and the cool weather. You have a great attitude. Nice!
Andrew------------------God, my Lord, is my strength;he makes my feet swift as those of hindsand enables me to go upon the heights.Hb 3:19
Thanks for a fantastic report, Carolyn. And how wonderful that everyone had such a great attitude, considering all the trail marking issues. Trail Bandits - . They should be flogged and made to run 100 miles without the benefit of aid stations.
Hope John keeps pushing forward with his ultra runs, despite the issues this first race. And I liked the attitude of the lady who was supposed to run the 100k, got lost, and came back to run the 50k. How's that for being in for the fun!
Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance