Thank you for sharing the emotional side of your experience! We all read the race reports that talk about the terrain and triumphs, but I'll take the real stuff any day!
Nice running with you the first few miles, good luck on the hardrock lottery. I knew you'd finish ahead of me, but wasn't thinking it would be 5 hours... See you for the early start next year? It's nice having the course to ourselves. -Bill
Congratulations on your strong finish! I was there for the 50 and thought that I might see you running by me, although we've never met. lol. I also experienced puking for my first time in the last 12 miles. I've been fairly inactive these past two week and heading to Virginia for the Yeti 100 tomorrow. Yikes! I'm going to just keep moving, no matter what, but hopefully blissfully for most of the race. I'm running with my good friend who just turned 60! - Liz
Sarah, I've been reading so many other people's experiences and taking any little nuggets that resonate as I prepare for Moab. Great telling of your race! You made a comment that perhaps letting go of splits and taking the race in as a journey may be a strategy worth considering for your next 100. I'd be curious to see if that makes a significant difference in how you feel about 100's. So, I guess that means you'd better do another one!
Congratulations on gutting it out for the finish (and on punching the the HRH ticket for another couple years)! I recognize that questioning about how long to keep running hundreds. Next year I'll run my tenth (I'm one behind you, but several years older than you) and I'd love for it to be Hardrock. If not, I'll choose a different race, because I have to get to that symbolic 10, but after that, who knows...
Hardrock or not, if you have the chance to run Kerry Way, you absolutely should do it. I did it in 2018 and it was a such a beautiful race, such a novel feeling to the land and the terrain - loved it there. (I'm also certain that for several hours in the overnight, I was the coldest and most miserable I've ever been in a race, but the good parts more than made up for that.)
As usual Sarah, such wonderful writing and storytelling. Reading this has not deterred me from running my first 100! Congrats on #10 and whatever you decide is next....
I had been signed up for the Vermont 100 this past July but with our historic flooding here the race was cancelled. I will most likely sign up again for that next year.... but I am also open to suggestions for a not too technical (really bad eyesight !), generous cutoff (old and slow), not flat (I'm a great power hiker)! My biggest concern is my stomach which is super sensitive so have been working on eating in my shorter distance races! Reading your story was a good reminder :)
I think VT may be challenging due to its humidity & flatness. are you over 50? I've heard good things about Grand Masters in February in the southwest desert for 50+ runners, with generous cutoffs & support. https://grandmasterultras.com/ There are other smoother ultras (non-technical) but they tend to be pretty flat, like rails-to-trails routes. I've also hear Scott Kummer's Badger 100 from IL > WS is very beginner friendly, but also mostly flat. https://urultra.com/races/badger-trail-races-by-ten-junk-miles/#raceoverview
I've also heard good things about Mountain Lakes 100 in Oregon which just happened last weekend.
Vermont is definitely NOT flat... LOL (I live here so I know the course too). But the humidity is real.... I am over 50 and thought about grandmaster. it is also my birthday week usually! thanks for your ideas.... I'll keep looking!
Loved this detailed report, Sarah. You described those feelings so well (I’ve been there often!). I suspect your mental dip was almost entirely due to lack of calories, but how to solve the stomach shutdown problem in the first place? That’s been a big problem for me lately too. I’ve been looking for a good source of liquid calories for nighttime because nothing else seems to work! I’m glad you mentioned the Roctane recovery drink. I have some of that and will give it a try!
Thanks Jennifer. I think in hindsight I should've rested a bit more at aid stations if I could've managed to stay warm. I wish I had brought a dehydrated backpacker meal (I always find those tasty) that my crew could've prepared with boiling water, and I could've had some at the first stop, more at the second stop. The mile 70 puking was likely due to a combo of stress plus nighttime cold (drawing more blood away from my stomach, so the gastric emptying from stomach to small intestines shut down and I had food and liquid that wouldn't digest in my stomach). When I think about the possibility of Hardrock someday, I take comfort in the fact their aid stations are set up to really keep runners warm and allow them to rest for an extended period. For whatever reason, the Rocktane drink mix did work well!
Billy, it means a lot to me that you took the time to read my long story. Big congrats on getting through Wasatch on the heels of so much demanding travel and work!
Billy, I was pacing at Wasatch and saw you leave Brighton when I was stuck there waiting to get a ride out. Way to get the job done there! (My 24-year-old daughter is a huge fan of your videos, so I got to score big points with her for being briefly in your presence. 😅)
Sarah, what an enormous psychological accomplishment. Scott Jurek has written about the moments you describe. And your description of your experience really brings home the mixed emotions in doing such a demanding race. I know I "only" hike now, but I also know what it feels like to be utterly fatigued and have to descend 4000 feet on exhausted legs. You're a champ!
Kitty, I am so touched you read my race report. We're almost at the 20th anniversary of meeting each other and you helping to save me and my marriage with your job offer. I always will value your mentorship!
Hi, Sarah, I love reading your articles. They drill down to the real experience of any ultra runner, no matter what distance, what elevation gain, what terrain. And also show how often athletics mimics life. And you're honest about the good and the bad, which I truly appreciate. I love seeing pictures of your family and your life in Colorado. Having spent a week hiking the Colorado Trail this summer, I can safely say that if I had been born in that state, I never would have left! We're thinking of renting a place next year for a week with a bunch of women hikers (or maybe a mixed group) and doing some 14ers. We'll see. There's always the Dolomites. You had so much talent, and you've taken it to the limit with your amazing perseverance. I have been working all these years, and unable to be outdoors as much as you have (envy, yes), but I get out when I can. We're doing another peak down here this weekend. Might be hot; might be cold. We did San Gorgonio a couple of weeks ago and froze our little behinds off. I'm just trying to stave off aging and find adventure. It's interesting when you start getting to that point. I was glad you pointed out that other runners' pride might have prevented them from doing the early start. CRAZY! Take good care of yourself. We did have a good ride...You're an inspiration to me!
Thank you Kitty! Let me know if/when you make it to southwest CO, I’d love to connect with you and show you some of the peaks around here. Thank you so much for what you wrote.
Thank you for sharing the emotional side of your experience! We all read the race reports that talk about the terrain and triumphs, but I'll take the real stuff any day!
Nice running with you the first few miles, good luck on the hardrock lottery. I knew you'd finish ahead of me, but wasn't thinking it would be 5 hours... See you for the early start next year? It's nice having the course to ourselves. -Bill
Congratulations on your strong finish! I was there for the 50 and thought that I might see you running by me, although we've never met. lol. I also experienced puking for my first time in the last 12 miles. I've been fairly inactive these past two week and heading to Virginia for the Yeti 100 tomorrow. Yikes! I'm going to just keep moving, no matter what, but hopefully blissfully for most of the race. I'm running with my good friend who just turned 60! - Liz
Best wishes to you at the Yeti! Be strong!
Super strong! Thank you!
Sarah, I've been reading so many other people's experiences and taking any little nuggets that resonate as I prepare for Moab. Great telling of your race! You made a comment that perhaps letting go of splits and taking the race in as a journey may be a strategy worth considering for your next 100. I'd be curious to see if that makes a significant difference in how you feel about 100's. So, I guess that means you'd better do another one!
You are a totally awesome badass !!! Great job sister💪❤️
Congratulations on gutting it out for the finish (and on punching the the HRH ticket for another couple years)! I recognize that questioning about how long to keep running hundreds. Next year I'll run my tenth (I'm one behind you, but several years older than you) and I'd love for it to be Hardrock. If not, I'll choose a different race, because I have to get to that symbolic 10, but after that, who knows...
Hardrock or not, if you have the chance to run Kerry Way, you absolutely should do it. I did it in 2018 and it was a such a beautiful race, such a novel feeling to the land and the terrain - loved it there. (I'm also certain that for several hours in the overnight, I was the coldest and most miserable I've ever been in a race, but the good parts more than made up for that.)
Thank you! Kerry Way is tempting:-)
As usual Sarah, such wonderful writing and storytelling. Reading this has not deterred me from running my first 100! Congrats on #10 and whatever you decide is next....
thank you so much! remind me, what will your first 100 be? have you signed up for one?
I had been signed up for the Vermont 100 this past July but with our historic flooding here the race was cancelled. I will most likely sign up again for that next year.... but I am also open to suggestions for a not too technical (really bad eyesight !), generous cutoff (old and slow), not flat (I'm a great power hiker)! My biggest concern is my stomach which is super sensitive so have been working on eating in my shorter distance races! Reading your story was a good reminder :)
I think VT may be challenging due to its humidity & flatness. are you over 50? I've heard good things about Grand Masters in February in the southwest desert for 50+ runners, with generous cutoffs & support. https://grandmasterultras.com/ There are other smoother ultras (non-technical) but they tend to be pretty flat, like rails-to-trails routes. I've also hear Scott Kummer's Badger 100 from IL > WS is very beginner friendly, but also mostly flat. https://urultra.com/races/badger-trail-races-by-ten-junk-miles/#raceoverview
I've also heard good things about Mountain Lakes 100 in Oregon which just happened last weekend.
Vermont is definitely NOT flat... LOL (I live here so I know the course too). But the humidity is real.... I am over 50 and thought about grandmaster. it is also my birthday week usually! thanks for your ideas.... I'll keep looking!
Raw. Honest. Emotional. Real.
This race report was like watching the first Rocky all over again. I couldn't stop reading.
You got out of the chair and back in fight at every aid station - So very inspiring!
Thank you for the personal tour of your pain cave.
Well done on this Sarah - Hoping for a kinder #11.
That’s a great comment to start my day--thank you!
Loved this detailed report, Sarah. You described those feelings so well (I’ve been there often!). I suspect your mental dip was almost entirely due to lack of calories, but how to solve the stomach shutdown problem in the first place? That’s been a big problem for me lately too. I’ve been looking for a good source of liquid calories for nighttime because nothing else seems to work! I’m glad you mentioned the Roctane recovery drink. I have some of that and will give it a try!
Thanks Jennifer. I think in hindsight I should've rested a bit more at aid stations if I could've managed to stay warm. I wish I had brought a dehydrated backpacker meal (I always find those tasty) that my crew could've prepared with boiling water, and I could've had some at the first stop, more at the second stop. The mile 70 puking was likely due to a combo of stress plus nighttime cold (drawing more blood away from my stomach, so the gastric emptying from stomach to small intestines shut down and I had food and liquid that wouldn't digest in my stomach). When I think about the possibility of Hardrock someday, I take comfort in the fact their aid stations are set up to really keep runners warm and allow them to rest for an extended period. For whatever reason, the Rocktane drink mix did work well!
Way to go Sarah! Congrats on #10, I can relate on so many levels....haha. Here's hoping #11 will happen for you come next July!
Billy, it means a lot to me that you took the time to read my long story. Big congrats on getting through Wasatch on the heels of so much demanding travel and work!
Billy, I was pacing at Wasatch and saw you leave Brighton when I was stuck there waiting to get a ride out. Way to get the job done there! (My 24-year-old daughter is a huge fan of your videos, so I got to score big points with her for being briefly in your presence. 😅)
Sarah, what an enormous psychological accomplishment. Scott Jurek has written about the moments you describe. And your description of your experience really brings home the mixed emotions in doing such a demanding race. I know I "only" hike now, but I also know what it feels like to be utterly fatigued and have to descend 4000 feet on exhausted legs. You're a champ!
Kitty, I am so touched you read my race report. We're almost at the 20th anniversary of meeting each other and you helping to save me and my marriage with your job offer. I always will value your mentorship!
Hi, Sarah, I love reading your articles. They drill down to the real experience of any ultra runner, no matter what distance, what elevation gain, what terrain. And also show how often athletics mimics life. And you're honest about the good and the bad, which I truly appreciate. I love seeing pictures of your family and your life in Colorado. Having spent a week hiking the Colorado Trail this summer, I can safely say that if I had been born in that state, I never would have left! We're thinking of renting a place next year for a week with a bunch of women hikers (or maybe a mixed group) and doing some 14ers. We'll see. There's always the Dolomites. You had so much talent, and you've taken it to the limit with your amazing perseverance. I have been working all these years, and unable to be outdoors as much as you have (envy, yes), but I get out when I can. We're doing another peak down here this weekend. Might be hot; might be cold. We did San Gorgonio a couple of weeks ago and froze our little behinds off. I'm just trying to stave off aging and find adventure. It's interesting when you start getting to that point. I was glad you pointed out that other runners' pride might have prevented them from doing the early start. CRAZY! Take good care of yourself. We did have a good ride...You're an inspiration to me!
Thank you Kitty! Let me know if/when you make it to southwest CO, I’d love to connect with you and show you some of the peaks around here. Thank you so much for what you wrote.