The short of it all. I got pulled at the Mt. Werner aid station due to some pretty bad hydration.
Before getting into any race details, I have to say that this race is a must do. Beautiful course. Tough but runnable course. Great volunteers and organized by a group of folks whole truly love the sport of ultra running.
Michele and I arrived into Steamboat Springs around 3pm Friday afternoon. The blue skies, blazing fall colors and extremely warm temps accompanied our whole drive from Denver.
(Condo's view of the ski hill)
I awoke Saturday morning to very comfortable temps. Gear for the day was thankfully going to be minimal. Lots of nervous energy as I got ready race day morning and I just had a feeling that I was going to have a strong day. Times below are when I left an aid station (w/splits).
Start - 0:00 (0hr 00min):
Mt Werner A.S. - 1:20 (1hr 20min):
Long Lake A.S. - 2:30 (1hr 10min):
Base Camp A.S. - 3:31 (1hr 01min):
From the get go, my pace was easy and comfortable. Rarely during the 3 plus hours did I truly pick up the pace. On occasion I'd catch myself running faster while with others but these stretches were short lived. For a majority of this stretch I ran all alone just soaking in the ridiculously beautiful views.
I honestly forgot I was in a race early on. During the early climb, the morning glow and wakening colors along the ski face kept me distracted. And on occasion I'd catch a glimpse of the sun rising over the western horizon. The drop into some fantastic single track after Mt Wener A.S. would have been epic on its own. Mix in the morning sun rays which fired up the landscape made the next few miles memorable. The sparkling sun off Long Lake simply added yet another flavor to the fall colors.
These first 13 plus miles had me smiling the whole stretch and it's no shock I ran all but a few steps of them. The running continued on thru Rabbit Ears A.S.. I did get the pleasure to slow down and chat with Jim P for a short stretch. His blog is one of the few I regularly read and he's just been crushing it. No surprise he broke the 9hour mark that day.
To note, my hydration and fuel were spot on during this stretch with the following intake:
:15 min = 4/5 Ounces of Gatoraide
:30 min = Gel/Block and 4/5 Ounces of Water
:45 min = 4/5 Ounces of Gatoraide
:60 min = Gel/Block, S-Cap and 4/5 Ounces of Water.
Old Rabbit Ears A.S. - 4:10 (0hr 39min):
Rabbit Ears Peak - 4:56 (0hr 46min):
Old Rabbit Ears A.S. - 5:28 (0hr 32min):
Base Camp A.S. - 6:22 (0hr 54min):
Michele was hoping to meet me here but arrived 5 minutes later. Not a concern as I had all I needed. Why I even stopped at the aid station was beyond me and in hindsight was probably the dumbest thing I could have done.
I walked into the aid station and looked around not needing a damn thing. Nothing. However I grabbed 3 pieces of watermelon. The temps by now were starting to warm up and some real food looked appealing. As noted, my fuel and hydration were great and ZERO signs of stomach distress.
So I take in some watermelon and began my ascent of Rabbit Ears Peak. Minutes after leaving the aid station I was forced to stop as I proceeded to heave all the watermelon I just ingested. 3 solid vomits got out every piece of watermelon that was in my system. Fucking watermelon. It was watermelon I ate at mile 40 at Lake City that led to my vomiting. Here it just happened 17 miles earlier. It literally just came out of no where and I was pissed!
Spent a good few minutes hunched over and proceeded on with my run. The grunt up to the peaks were insanely steep but short enough that it never sucked. I was actually able to run a good chunk of the climb except for the steepest parts.
Under 5 hours and I was at the half way point. All was going perfect but I knew the vomiting from the watermelon intake had to be taken seriously. I started my decent and tried taking in water but it wasn't feeling right. But I kept at it soaking in what I could and stomaching a few blocks. By now I had sub-10 hours in my mind and made quick work of the decent to Rabbit Ears.
I ran the whole section without much issue. Pulled into the Rabbit Ears A.S. and found Michele rather quickly. Along side was her mother, sister, brother in law and there 1 year old twin monsters. It was awesome to see such support from my new extended family. I spent a few minutes here with the goal of trying to get some liquids in me. I got in a few cups of water which I was excited about. Got in a few pretzels too. The I grabbed a cup of their energy drinking think it was something like Gatoride. One sip and how I didn't vomit in front of everyone was beyond me. Again, out of no where this feeling to gag just came out of the woods. Michele had a few tums for me and off I went hoping for the best. I was able to run a good chunk of the next section but I had no desire to drink or eat anything.
Long Lake A.S. - 8:21 (1hr 59min):
Mt Werner A.S. - 10:41 (2hr 20min):
I wasn't able to stomach an ounce since leaving Old Rabbit Ears. I had tried and just spit out whatever I took in. At Base, I grabbed a quick coke with the hopes of it calming down my stomach and off I went. Right off the bat my motor skills were leaving me. I tripped like 3 times within seconds of running downhill. So I just accepted that walking a mile would be in my best interest if I wanted any hopes of sub 10 hours. Right when I though I was getting better I would start to run and quickly get thirsty and quickly vomit out the liquids I just consumed. Repeat this numerous times. I pretty much walked all but 1 mile to Long Lake. Good bye sub 10.
As much as my legs and mind wanted to run, my body wouldn't allow it. Legs felt great still. I was beyond extremely frustrated. Upon arrival to Long Lake, I decided to take a seat with the hopes of getting my stomach back. I'd wait 5 minutes, drink some soda and throw up. I'd wait another 5 minutes, eat some chips and throw up. Finally I just waited without taking in anything. 20 more minutes to be exact. Then out of frustration I just got up and left. The volunteers were extremely geeked and did a shot of something in my honor. The next 7 or so miles were just slow and stupid. Couldn't run much less walk. Somehow I just shuffled along getting passed by way to many folks.
At Mt Werner, I sat down next to an EMT. He asked when was the last time I drank anything. Over 4 hours ago. Then he went on to say he wouldn't let me proceed unless I could eat a few slices of orange and drink some Ginger Ale.
I placed my head down between my legs and thought what next. Could I make it to the bottom within the cut off? Probably. Would I be in a world of hurt? No doubt. 3 plus years ago, as a single guy, I would have proceeded. Now, with a wife who I love dearly, the decision to move on is much tougher to make. With our first little one ready to enter our lives in a few months, well the decision was easy. My first DNF ever.
The race director the night before said we all would be tired and that it would hurt but these aren't reasons to drop out. Regardless of distance I couldn't agree more with his rational. On the verge of severe dehydration I hope is a reason to quit. A ride to the gondola followed by a ride to the ER from the wife led to a 3 plus hour visit hooked up to two separate IVs and numerous blood tests. All the tests came back normal but the nurse indicated a few more hours out there in my condition may have left my kidneys in bad shape.
I type this a few days after the race and I still can't figure out what exactly went wrong. What I do know is dropping out really, really sucked. Stings actually. Even more so that I feel really good today. So now what? Well I might have to sign up for something soon with the goal of completing something I started. Not that it's going to ease the pain of this failed race. Only thing that will fix that pain is coming back next year.
