Navajo Mountain is remote. Runners needing assistance only had a few options to get off the trail. Either get taken out on a mule, or a helicopter. Alternatively if they made it to Rainbow Bridge, but simply could not go on, Park Rangers could take them out on a boat on Lake Powell and back around on the roads to the High School. At the prerace meeting the afternoon prior to the race runners were supplied with GPS trackers to summon such help should it be required. We were also wowed by an appearance and extensive wide ranging talk from Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills. He is the real deal, and worth all the hype. It was an honor. The night before we all camped around the edges of the Naatsis'aan Chapter House. I've heard that it is difficult to sleep before an ultra. This would not have been true for me...except for the fact that my beloved dog would not stop barking at the coyotes or strays or her impression of their presence.
I have changed in the three some years since i have taken the sport of distance running seriously. Three years ago I had averaged nearly 80 miles a week for 4 months in preparation for my first planned Ultra. A massive injury, Masters Degree and teaching career later, I had run only around 60 miles a week for the previous four months and had done only one Ultra specific workout. A back to back set of 20 milers Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning a month prior to the race. I wanted to continue exploring Diné Biyeah and to finally dip my toes into the outrageous world of ultra marathons. The result was a nearly perfect day. One of those days filled with numerous moments which I'll never forget.
I have changed in the three some years since i have taken the sport of distance running seriously. Three years ago I had averaged nearly 80 miles a week for 4 months in preparation for my first planned Ultra. A massive injury, Masters Degree and teaching career later, I had run only around 60 miles a week for the previous four months and had done only one Ultra specific workout. A back to back set of 20 milers Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning a month prior to the race. I wanted to continue exploring Diné Biyeah and to finally dip my toes into the outrageous world of ultra marathons. The result was a nearly perfect day. One of those days filled with numerous moments which I'll never forget.
This was a small gathering, even for sub-culture of ultras. With just shy of 30 runners, the freezing temperature and brilliant early morning sky. A prayer in Din'e Bizaad was given by an elder wrapped in many blankets. It was a unique start. Leaving Navajo Mountain High School we carefully shuffled over a cattle card in the night before really opening up our stride on the paved road. A lot of people say that they start running their first Ultra too fast. Although you might say I was guilty of that by my mile splits, I would disagree. The first five miles of the race was the only easy downhill running of the race. The first 6 minute mile was well within myself as we costed down the only paved mile of the race, headlamps bobbing along in the brisk late October morning in southeastern Utah. We quickly turned onto dirt road as dust from the white Nissan pickup lead vehicle was kicked up and I used my bandana to cover my nose and mouth. I heard the footsteps and saw the headlamps of two others guys who were running not far behind me. Epic.
We arrived at Bald canyon in the early dawn light and had the pleasure of ringing a bell in the early morning light before heading down a massive drop into the Canyon and first trail aid station. A fire was smoldering in the campsite/aid station and thanked the volunteers but did not break stride.
The trail continued and it was soon apparent that the landscape would not permit anyone to develop an easy rhythm. As you may be able to deduce from the pictures, this course was stunning and technical. It was not one in which you could get into a consistent rhythm. The trail and landscape required far too much attention for that.
A runner who I later learned to be Jedediah who briefly closed to within inches of me close to the turn around point both beat the volunteers to the turnaround point near Rainbow Bridge National Monument. On most of the return trip I was predominantly power hiking the significant inclines. Once returning to Bald Canyon I had a tough sunny climb up awaiting me. Getting to the top I turned and screamed into the wilderness. I would not have enough breath or energy to scream in only a few miles. I still couldn't see my competitor and at that point I knew it was going to be my race to lose. My father and my dog who had hiked in were there to meet me and we traded out water bottles.
The next landmark was the trailhead aid station/finish of the ten mile race. The group of volunteers, EMS, runners and the race director's presence provided a brief surge of adrenaline only to be met by the reality of a lonely and primarily uphill return to the finish line. At this point the effort to run even a slight incline had increased so exponentially that I seriously worried that after leading the race for 37 miles I would be past in the home stretch. Nonetheless I was doing everything that I could and moving forward with walking breaks which were often longer than my running sections became my new reality. Just before returning to the pavement the RD and my father passed me in their cars and I was able to muster enough sheer will power to "run"the final mile of the race. You can see below the flexibility with which I am using the word "run".
The trail continued and it was soon apparent that the landscape would not permit anyone to develop an easy rhythm. As you may be able to deduce from the pictures, this course was stunning and technical. It was not one in which you could get into a consistent rhythm. The trail and landscape required far too much attention for that.
A runner who I later learned to be Jedediah who briefly closed to within inches of me close to the turn around point both beat the volunteers to the turnaround point near Rainbow Bridge National Monument. On most of the return trip I was predominantly power hiking the significant inclines. Once returning to Bald Canyon I had a tough sunny climb up awaiting me. Getting to the top I turned and screamed into the wilderness. I would not have enough breath or energy to scream in only a few miles. I still couldn't see my competitor and at that point I knew it was going to be my race to lose. My father and my dog who had hiked in were there to meet me and we traded out water bottles.
The next landmark was the trailhead aid station/finish of the ten mile race. The group of volunteers, EMS, runners and the race director's presence provided a brief surge of adrenaline only to be met by the reality of a lonely and primarily uphill return to the finish line. At this point the effort to run even a slight incline had increased so exponentially that I seriously worried that after leading the race for 37 miles I would be past in the home stretch. Nonetheless I was doing everything that I could and moving forward with walking breaks which were often longer than my running sections became my new reality. Just before returning to the pavement the RD and my father passed me in their cars and I was able to muster enough sheer will power to "run"the final mile of the race. You can see below the flexibility with which I am using the word "run".
Photos courtesy of Peter Genn & The Navajo Nation VP
I estimate that I consumed about 800 calories throughout my nearly 8 hour odyssey through a combination of liquids and Honey Stinger chews. I'd never had the chews before, so logically I used them on race day without ever trying them out in training! I also ran the race with a slow leak in my camelback blatter. My hydration and salt balance were good throughout the day. I was probably bonking to a certain extent but it was hard to tell because my legs were so incredibly heavy at that point. It would have been a challenge to take in many more calories, and I was elated to avoid any gastrointestinal issues in my first ultra. As you can see from the above video, not exactly a fast finish, but what can you expect when the final 20 miles is uphill?
I'm not sure if I'll be back to defend my title, however I know I'll backpack that trail in order to appreciate the landscape at a more leisurely pace! It is tempting because I'm almost certain that I could improve my time with a little more specific training. I am however committed to taking one goal at a time for the moment.
I'm not sure if I'll be back to defend my title, however I know I'll backpack that trail in order to appreciate the landscape at a more leisurely pace! It is tempting because I'm almost certain that I could improve my time with a little more specific training. I am however committed to taking one goal at a time for the moment.
People are few and far between in The Navajo Nation and it was amazing to have friends willing to drive 3 hours to welcome me into the finish line. I'd also like to give a shout out to Honey Stinger for supporting me and these awesome races across The Navjao Nation! Although life goes on, I feel the my limitations are defined primarily by my goals. If I decide that something is important enough, it is going to happen. Like education, ultra finishes are something no one can ever take from you. Even though I really can't wrap my brain around the distance, I know I can cover the distance