Waldo 100k Race Report 2013

Better late than never. Mission Accomplished. Finished the race under 12hrs, ranked in the top 15 and didn't get seriously injured. All in all, I call this an outstanding success!

Kerrie, my father and I arrived at Willamette Pass about halfway through the pre-race briefing. Luckily I didn’t miss too much and was able to eat some spaghetti before everyone started retiring to their respective campsite/car sites. Like us, lots of people opted to campout in their cars or in tents off the side of the parking lot. I tossed and turned most of the night, but became too excited when the turned on all the night skiing lights for the early starters. After they banged the gong, I knew I would get much more sleep.

I finally decided to get up an hour later and prepared for the day’s adventure. Kerrie and my dad were planning on meeting me at 4 places and my mom and sister were going to meet me at Aid 8.  They each had a pack filled with all sorts of backup equipment, meds and food should something start falling apart.

Eventually the gong sounded and I was off. My plan for the day was to try to hang out in the top 20 and then see if I could pick anyone off towards the end. The race starts straight up a blue square ski run called Perseverance. Enough said. I walked here and there and tried to take it easy. I was in the top 10 till the top when some people really started pulling away. No worries.  It cool to look back and see all the headlight bobbing up and down up the slope.

Ready, set, go!

The run down hill on the skyline trail toward Gold Lake trail went fine. I tried to stay light on my feet, but the trail was kind of hard to see in the early morning light. Not light enough for no headlight, but just light enough to see. Eventually I turned it off and felt my way to the bottom. I was trying to stick to 2 gels and some blocks per hour in an effort to keep the calories coming in. I knew this might be too much but I felt I could manage it to the point that I could pull back if need be.

I went through Gold Lake aid without stopping and headed up to the road to see Kerrie and my dad for the first time. I got re-supplied and began the march up Fuji. I knew this climb was going to take a toll on me so I opted to take it as easy as possible. I had done the climb about a month prior after about 15 miles and it definitely worked me then. I ran what I could and power hiked the rest. About halfway up I started feeling a little nauseous and knew that I needed to back off the gels. Eventually I passed the aid station, then saw the leader fly by me, then made it to the top. I was tired, but not to a concerning level.

The stretch from the top of Fuji to the bottom would really test my durability in regards to the pounding my quads and glutes would experience. At the aid station, I still wasn’t feeling too great, but was able to put down a bunch of watermelon, which would eventually become my favorite food of the day. Eventually, I lost track of my place as I started to pass the early starters. I was looking forward to Pothole Meadows as it would be beautiful in the early morning light, and it meant I was almost done with the descent.

Coming through Pothole Meadows

By the time I reached the bottom and met up with Kerrie and my dad my glutes were feeling pretty worked. The distance was just under a marathon if I remember correctly, and it was at this point that I knew that I’d be having a long day. My tummy still wasn’t agreeing with me, and I now had to carry my hydration pack which I remember feeling very heavy. Low point number 1 of the day. I didn’t feel like running and the smallest inclines seemed tough. From Aid 3 to Aid 4, I just trudged along. Talked to a few people and tried to press on as much as I could considering most of this section was all gradual uphill.

Photo thanks to Long Run Picture Co.

At Aid 4, I regrouped and refilled. Ate a bunch of watermelon as the volunteer forced more and more watermelon into my hands. I was kind of hoping to see Kerrie or my dad, but in the end, it just pushed me out quicker. I had ran this section before so I knew what I was in store for and knew that it shouldn’t be too hard. I just jogged along trying to ignore the fatigue in my hips and glutes.

Aid 5 at Charlton Lake seemed like a circus when I got there. People everywhere, tents, booze, cheering children.  There were so many different tables and people offering to help that I didn’t know where the real aid station was. I kept looking for my dad or Kerrie and finally found them at the end. I felt very flustered and was pretty tired. I fumbled with gels and couldn’t really decide or remember what I needed. Luckily I had told Kerrie beforehand what I would probably need. I ditched the pack and went with handhelds instead. Leaving the aid station I started to feel confident because I passed a few strong runners that werent doing too well.  I passed a buddy named Rob who appeared to be in bad shape. I wished him the best of luck and told him things would get better. Unfortunately, I learned at the finishe that he decided to drop. Sorry Rob!

Around this time I caught back up to another buddy named Rick who I often run with in the Trailfactor group out of portland. He had cruised by me earilier in the day so I was surprised to catch up with him.  We motored along for while moving at a quick pace. I asked him about the upcoming sections and noticed a change of shoes from earlier in the day. It was at this point that he informed me that he was competing for the Wet Waldo award, where the first person to jump in all 5 lakes and finish wins. He had jumped into Charlton Lake, which explains why I caught up to him.

Around this time, I started to get a few twinges of calf cramps. Not good. I didn’t have any margarita clif bloks or any salt tabs because I didn’t have my pack. I drank a bunch more nuun but didn’t want to overfill my stomach. Not 10 mins later, my prayers were answered when I came across a little plastic baggy in the middle of the trail filled with white capsules. Not sure if this was divine intervention or Irish luck, but I was super surprised and happy to come across a baggy of Electrolytes or S caps when I needed them most. Now I don’t know for sure if they were salt tabs and I was a little hesitant about popping these pills into my mouth, but considering how many were in the bag, I was pretty confident they were some sort of salt pills, and not Race Cap Supremes or something. So whoever dropped these, THANK YOU! Hopefully it didn’t ruin your day.

Keep on keeping on

Coming into Aid 6 I was very flustered and out of it. My dad and kerrie were there, as well as, another friend Jason Leman. I wanted to get out really fast because there were a few people right in front of me and a few behind me. I got refueled, but tried to leave without my pack (bad idea). Luckily Kerrie reminded me that I told her to make sure that I took it because it would be a long stretch before I refueled or saw any other people. I took off out of the aid station intent on catching the few people right in front of me. I just cranked up the iPod shuffle and went to work. This would be a hard stretch with another good, steady climb. I passed a group of people, but was on my own for the most part. At this time, I started worrying about people catching me and trying to maintain my place. Not sure what I was in terms of place, but I thought I was in the top 15 at least.

I crested the Fuji saddle and took my second pee of the day. Not a good sign, but the color wasn’t that dark so I was too alarmed. Just needed to stay on top of fluid for awhile. The descent down into Aid 7 definitely took its toll on me. I was pretty beat up when I came into the aid station. They told me what place I was in. I think 13 or 14. Cant really remember. Didn’t talk much with Kerrie or my dad as I was pretty worked mentally as well as physically. One good-bye kiss and I was on my way. See ya at the finished I yelled. Little did I know that I’d only see one of them at the finish…

Time to go climb Maiden Peak. Just need to find Aid 8 and meet up with my mom and sister. At the time, I didn’t know if they’d actually make it because they were leaving portland later because they had to drop off my other sister to go to training camp at Carrol College. During this stretch, I ran into Amy Sproston who was out volunterring for the day. She pointed me in the right direction and I was off. However, I zoned out for a while before I realize that I hadn’t seen a ribbon marker in a while. I passed a bunch of backpackers, but still no ribbon. I stopped to see if any runners were coming behind me. Nope. Shit. Did I take a wrong turn? No way! But where is everyone? Damn, time to back track. I ran a few hundred yards before seeing another runner who assured me we were on track. This delay was a big letdown for me, but I just cranked up the tunes and kept going.

Coming into Aid 8

Eventually I stumbled into Aid 8 with the other runner. My mom and sister were there yelling great job Bryan, etc. The other runner, also named Bryan, was so surprised that everyone was rooting for him. We laughed and refueled. I probably spent the longest time in this station. Eating and drinking and talking with Lauren and my mom. Maybe 5 mins or so before starting the ardous 3mile, 3,000ft climb up Maiden Peak at mile 50. At first, it wasn’t so bad. I kept up with Bryan 2, a multi time finisher at Waldo. But eventually he pulled away. Farther and farther ahead. My jog became a power hike, then hike, the crawl. The incline was insane. I felt like runners would catch me in no time. The climb when on forever. Steeper and steeper.

After an eternity, I popped out at the saddle and a volunteer took my number and ushered me up the final pitch to the summit. The trail became a talus field of sharp rock. "How do they expect me to run down this," I thought? 

Ah the summit of Maiden Peak! 8,000ft. 53.3 miles! Wahoo! The volunteer at the top walks over to me and says, "You don't look good man!" "When was the last time you peed?" "Did it look like coffee?" "You're very pale." "Whoa dude, quit psyching me out," I thought. I told him it'd been a little while, but no it wasn't dark. He told me to see the medic at the bottom if I could make it to the end! I collected myself and started down the mountain. "Do you know what bib number you are," he yelled out. "89," I yelled back! "Good just wanted to make sure you are still mentally with it!" I know he was looking out for my best interest, but he really freaked me out!

Well that psyche out combine with the 4 or 5 runners I passed on the way back down to the saddle really took it out of me. My quad were dead, my glutes were shot and my hips hurt a bad one. Was a really falling apart? Am I going to run myself right into the hospital? Don't think about it. Drink some water and keep going.

The section right after the saddle is called Leap of Faith. It can't really be called a trail. It's super rugged, hard to follow and incredibly steep. Remind you that my downhill muscles were basically shot at this point. Felt like anything would just give out at any moment. I basically stumbled downhill as fast as I could because I had people right on my tail. This motivated me and scared me.

I got to Aid 8 barely in one piece. I vest was taken from me and refueled. Watermelon stuffed in my mouth and gels crammed into pockets. A waterfall of sponges rained over me and my iPod. My vest found its way back to me and was re-attached. I dont think I stopped moving while all of this was happening. It was as if I had my own pit crew waiting for me at the aid station. It was incredible! Thanks again to all the volunteers!!

Just as I left another runner came bounding into the station and it was long before he passed me. Shit! Here it comes. Waves of runner were about to pass me I thought. I struggled up the uphills and fell haphazardly down the downhills. Where the hell are Rosary Lake? How has anyone not passed me yet? My grandma walks faster than this! Yay a lake! Wait where's the other one? Shit wrong lake, its Maiden Lake. Keep moving damn it!

About this time, the calf cramps finally caught up with me, and I was forced into a routine of jog and bit then stretch on a tree. Repeat and repeat to the finish. Still no one has caught me. I can run through cramps. It will just hurt. Wrong. Doesn't work like that. Let's see. How can I run without using my calves...? Ah run like Forrest Gump with leg braces! This seems to work.

Finally Rosary Lakes! Wow were they pretty. Wish I could have stayed longer and just hung out with all the campers. Okay only a few miles left. Need to get to the highway. I turned off my music so I could strain my ears for. Finally, I heard the rush of semi-trucks barreling down Hwy 58. Wahoo I'm done. Finish is right around this corner. Or this corner. Or this corner. Shit where is it? Oh okay I see buildings. Now a ski lift. I'm almost there. Ah there it is! I see the finish! Boom calf cramp! Damn I don't want to limp into the finish! 50 yards from the finish. Maybe I'll just dip behind this tree and stretch real quick. Shit they've spotted me. Cant stop now. Dont limp. Dont limp. Ah success! Waldo 100k finisher. Under 12hrs and top 15!

I shook hands with Craig, told him that he has a wonderful race and picked out my visor. I hugged Kerrie and my sister Lauren and sat down.      

Worked, but owner of a new visor!

Ah success! Wait, where's mom and dad? "Oh they're at the hospital in Eugene," says Lauren. "What!?!" I was informed that earlier in the day my dad had gotten stung by a bee in the calf. Hours later after they sent me on my way after Aid 7, my dad became very lightheaded and his lips and throat began to swell up. Mind you they were 3 miles out from the trailhead. Kerrie started down trail to get help and miraculously ran into a volunteer medic just around the corner. She gave my dad some Benadryl and began walking down the trail. By the time he got to the trailhead, he was in worse shape. Popped more Benadryl. Kerrie called my mom and Lauren and they began running down the trail. The proceeding events involved vomiting, dizzyness, IVs, a high speed forest road races,  police cars, and ambulances. In the end, he had just had a very bad allergic reaction and was fine. But it definitely added a lot of adrenaline to the day. And this all happened right after I left Aid 8.

Recovery in Sunriver

Pulling the Plug

Mountain Biking Mt Hood. Still Creek Road/Pioneer Bridle Trail

Made a tough decision about three weeks ago, and I'm finally getting around to writing about it. Decided to pull the plug on running Waldo 100k this year and make a substantial donation to the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. My body just hasnt been holding up since Sun Mountain and even before that. in the end, I concluded that rather than pushing through injuries and running the risk of hurting myself more seriously and ruin the remainder of the summer, I'd call it quits now, regroup and come back stronger in a few months.

Injury list so far this year:

1. Strained left hamstring
2. Posterior Tibial Inflammation/Strain right foot/ankle
3. Peroneal Tendon Strain left foot (Originally diagnosed as a potential stress fracture)
4. Some sort of tendon inflammation, inside/center right knee

This is all since about March 1st.

I've wanted to run Waldo since I began running ultras almost 2 years ago. Its a great event and an Oregon classic. AND this year the Western States Winner, Timothy Olson and the Hardrock winner, Hal Koerner, are running the race!! The best of the best will be there. Both Ashland boys. Both in top form. Both familiar with the course and both aiming to bring down the CR.

But alas, this is not the year for me. Slight set back, but the race isnt going anywhere. Just got to stay on top of the registration next year.

The future....

Thinking about running Mt. Spokane 50k, Orcas Island 50k, and other exciting adventures like circumnavigating Mt. St. Helens, bikepacking trip either the Deschutes River Trail or Klickitat River Trail or North Umpqua River Trail or Barlow Rd (Mt. Hood), kayak camping, fly fishing, whitewater kayaking, backpacking trip. ride my road bike to the beach, Crown-Zellerbach trail, climb a down, snowshoe, ski more, winter camping, brewing tasty beer. Lots of options. Lots of time.

So in the mean time, Ive done some of these things...

Kerrie tearing down Leif Erikson Dr!

Kerrie's first time fishing and she got the hang of it pretty quick, minus losing two lures...

Trying a little fly fishing. It was probably like 85 degree. Didnt need waders, but wanted to try them out. Lifejacket so I didnt get swamped and float away. Cousin's setup. Need my own!

Rogue River. Timeout Ranch

Lovers

Sun Mountain 50 Miler

North Cascades National Park

Wow what a whirlwind trip. Kerrie and I headed up to Seattle after work on Friday to spend the night with her family in order to break the drive up a little. The next morning we headed out for Hwy 20 and North Cascades National Park as we wanted to take the scenic route over since I don’t know when we’d ever be up in that area again. The drive over was pretty amazing. We had perfect weather, little tourist traffic and wonderful views of Ross Lake and many other rugged mountain peaks.

Washington Pass

We pulled into Winthrop, WA around 4pm, and we’re shocked to see how packed the little western themed town was. If you’ve been to Sisters, OR, this is another level of western themed flair and architecture. Definitely worth spending some time in sometime in the future when we can really check it out.

After picking up my race number and t-shirt, Kerrie and I took some time driving around to all the different Aid Station, as Kerrie was going to be acting as my solo crew member for this adventure. She had to pilot the Green Machine to a few somewhat remote Aid Stations, get all my water bottles ready and mixed, distribute gels, perform minor first aid if necessary and generally keep me in a good head space. Definitely a tall order for only one person, but she did amazingly well for her first time! Couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks a billion.

In case you don't know where Winthrop is

We then headed to our campsite for the night at Pearrygin Lake State Park, which was pretty pretty, although our actual campsite was less than ideal as it had its own overflowing pond and creek (or Crick, if you’re from Montana) running through our campsite. Only a slight inconvenience as we were able to find some dry land and get everything set up. I briefed Kerrie in on the plan of attack for the race, prepared my kit, ate some spaghetti and sat around the campfire before heading to bed.

This is all I got for the campsite. Kerrie reading her book.

Woke up around 5am on race morning, packed up the tent and sleeping bags, threw them in the back of the car and headed over to the starting line, which was around 30 mins from our campsite. Note to self: find closer campgrounds in the future.

Here is the race course

Elevation Profile

When we got to the starting line, people were just arriving, waking up, getting ready, visiting the blue boxes, etc. I prepared for the race, while Kerrie catnapped in the car. Once prepared, I did a very short warm up jog then chatted with Amy and Marta, my fellow Portland Trailfactor peeps, before making my way over to the start/finish line.

Me: Red Shirt, White Visor

A few words from RD James Varner and we were off! In the wrong direction! Quick backtrack and we were off in the right direction! After the mix up, people were jumbled in terms of positions. Some people found themselves in the front and didn’t want to be so they pulled over, some found themselves in the back and pushed their way to the front. I settled in quickly with a group who had ran the course before. Perfect I’ll get some local knowledge and just cruise with them for awhile. Well this was definitely a slow group. I wanted to start out conservatively, but this was slow going, but I settled in and just trotted along.

Patterson Lake

Around mile 5 we headed out into some private prairie land which was teeming with wildflowers, I broke off from this group and came through Aid 1 by myself, refilled with nuun and headed out. I was feeling great and happy to be running in such a unique and beautiful landscape. A nice change from the greenery of Portland. I passed a few people coming into Aid 2 at approx mile 13 before starting a monster climb right out of the aid station. It was super steep so I began power hiking up and up and up. I was still feeling good, like I was holding back, so I pushed a little harder to catch a few people. (In hindsight, prob don’t need to be hunting ppl down at mile 14 of a 50 mile race.) Any way finally got to the top, began running on the ridge for a bit before the trail turned straight down and I did my best to conserve my quads and knees, but by this time they were beginning to feel it. I popped out on the dirt road and headed 3 miles back to Aid 3, where Kerrie was waiting.

Trail ran through areas like this

We had a nice quick exchange, and I was out in no time. Another 2ish miles before the 50mile course united with the 50k and 25k course. By the time I hit the trail/road up to Thompson Pass Aid 4, I was beginning to hit a wall physically. My knees were shot  and my hips were super tight. “Really!” I thought, “Mile 23 and I already feeling this shitty!” Not a good sign. I hadn’t felt this bad since the end of Gorge Waterfall 50k last year. I never even felt close to this bad in any of the training that I did this past year. Why, all of a sudden, were my knees giving out on my after only 22ish miles!

Oh well, this climb is steep enough that I’d probably be walking anyway. I’ll just trudge along and see what happens. And Trudge along I did! All the way to the top. I jogged here and there, but basically felt like crap. Kerrie had made me a 1hr bottle of perpetuem, but I had never had just a 1hr bottle before and it tasted horrible. Way too watery! I ended up dumping it out half way up the climb and re sorted to gels. During this climb, however, I was getting passed all the time, but surprisingly not by any 50 milers. Tons of 25k and 50k runner blew by me, but not until the very top did a few 50 milers trot past me. “Well, at least that’s a good sign,” I thought to myself.

This was the darkest part of the race for me though. Not even half way through and I can barely run. I never thought about quitting, but the thought of having to walk the rest and potentially getting dead last put me in a bad place mentally. I tried to console myself with the thought that this was a long race, and it will have many ups and downs. This was just one of the down sections and it will get better.

 

Eventually, I made it up to Aid 4, but I couldn’t even run in. I saw Kerrie and told her that I wasn’t doing well. I had run out of both food and water on this section so I pounded a few Dixie cups of plain water, took two Succeed Caps, popped two Vitamin I, grabbed my new bottles, attached my iPod shuffle and pushed on down the road towards Aid 5, approximately 7 miles away, almost all downhill! Great! My knees are going to love this!

Coming up to Thompson Pass Aid

I got passed by a number of 50milers both at Aid 4 and shortly after. I alternated walking and running when it was flat or uphill, but was able to painfully run downhill for the time being. My music was able to get me in a better mood and I was once again happy to be out running in such a beautiful place. The trail leveled out around mile 33 and I started to feel good. Surprisingly good. Almost all my knee pain went away and I was able to start consistently running for the first time in a few hours. My music was pumping me up and I pushed on to Aid 5 feeling great.

At Aid 5, Kerrie was surprised to see me so soon and feeling so great. She scrambled to get everything ready, while I down some plain water, succeed pills, vitamin I and for the first time in a race, two Dixie cups of Coke! Tasted soo good! And I knew I needed the caffeine! All geared up, I headed off after Kerrie warned me that the next section had a tough climb.

Most of thing section was nice rolling singletrack so I was able to keep a good pace, still riding out my second wind. I caught up to a few 50m people at this and point and just tucked in behind them. Eventually, we came to the loop section where they sent me straight up on a trail to Sun Mountain Lodge. I switched to power hike mode and started to reel a few people in as best I could. This section was hot and exposed. I put my hands on my knees and carried on. I grabbed some water at the top near when it started to drizzle briefly. The drizzle and slight breeze felt good and powered me on to finish the OAB loop section.

Sun Mountain Lodge, courtesy of Sun Mountain

 At this point, I knew that I was going to finish, but I was unsure of my time or place. I was only 8 miles away from the finish. According to my watch, I was relatively close to being on pace, but I knew that I still had a giant climb with around 5 miles left. I knew that if I could pass a few people between now and the start of the climb that they wouldn’t have the legs to out climb or descend me so I began pushing it pretty hard. The next 3 miles until Aid 6 felt like I was just on a tempo run in Forest Park. Things were clicking, and I blew by probably five 50 milers. I was running up hills and pushing maybe a 7 min pace at times.

Coming into Aid 6

I came into Aid Station 6 still feeling pretty good. My plan was to only take a bottle of Nuun and a gel with caffeine. No need to take another handheld for only 5 miles. I believe that I also took one Vitamin I and maybe some Coke. Then headed off down towards the hill.

This was a big climb, but especially big for this late in the race. The trail went straight up Patterson Mountain. I got into power hiking mode and quickly passed one runner. I downed my gel and started running where I could. I was making pretty good time and was slowly picking off 50 mile runners. With each person behind me, it only made me work harder to find the next person. How many people could I pick off on this climb? I ran past a group of 3 50 milers slowly hiking up. I could see the disbelief in their eyes that I was running up this steep incline so late in the race.

View from the top of Patterson Mountain. Sun Mountain Lodge is right behind the tree in the middle.

Eventually I got to the top. Let out a Hooray! Then switched to my downhill gears. This was going to hurt! Down I went. Shuffling down the steep parts and running the somewhat flat parts. Running form deteriorated to basic instincts. The pounding continued all the way to the bottom. I looked behind me. I could see almost all the way back up the mountain. None of the people I had passed were close enough to catch me. I wouldn’t have let them if they were close enough.

I pushed onto the road and crossed onto the final section. I asked one of the course marshals how much father. She told me 3k. Translate: Farther than I thought. Damn!

Onto the fireroad. Why was the course still going uphill? Jog Jog Jog. Turned iPod off. I have to be able to hear the finish by now! Jog jog jog. Ah! They’re cheering! Im so close. Ah! Stupid hill. I’ll take a quick walk break. Walk Walk Walk. Sucked it up and run! Ouch! Motherf&^%!*! What was that!?! Damn my foot hurts. So close. Ah there it is!

Through the finish line, High Five Varner, Kerrie hug, plop into chair. Where’s my beer? Don’t Move. I smell pizza!

8:30:28. 13^th overall. 2^nd in my age group.

Very proud of this accomplishment. My goal was top 20 so very happy with 13^th. Congrats to Amy and Marta who both beat me. Fast chicks! Time to rest! Probably more than I want (foreshadowing...)

UNT

Bryan

Sleepy girl