Notes
I only made it to Kern's cow camp. Was going great taking it easy and felt great up to foot bridge. I got there 30 minutes ahead of cut off. I knew it was going to get hot so up to that point I was running by heart rate which up to that point was easy since it was mostly downhill. That climb out from foot bridge was something else. My legs felt ok but I was sucking wind big time! I was going as fast as the people around me even passing a few other 50 milers. But it was super slow moving. Kept myself moving at a pace ahead of cutoffs through Bear Camp AS but it was getting way tougher and I was getting hotter. Kept taking s caps and water. When I hit the exposed portion ahead of Kern's cow camp I just lost my head and could barely even walk. Alan Lagon was nursing a hurt ankle from MMT and we walked together into Kern's. I really wanted to finish this one for Grindstone. I think my plan now is to pull out of Grindstone and just do Masochist and target MMT next year. I think I may need a little more training before attempting 100 miles.
What worked:
Gear all around was great. Houdini worked great to keep me warm at the chilly start. Very happy with the Altra Lone Peaks.
Diet. I went low carb and ate at every aid station. I could have had a bonk at the end but I don't think that was it. I ate lots of beef jerky, eggs and lots of potatoes with salt. Never felt hungry or sick. I really think it was a combination of the altitude, heat, and probably a little under trained.
What didn't work:
Altitude Only got to Sheridan a few days before and I had never run at this altitude before. This was the biggest factor in my DNF.