Loco again!

It’s been over a week since my latest Loco adventure. Fun was had. Friendships were created and renewed. Muscles were strained. Mental and physical toughness was tested.

A brief history lesson for those unaware (or who would like to review):

Somewhere around 490 BC, Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens (a distance of 40km) to give a battle report and promptly died. It didn’t take too long for people to start commemorating that event by running the same distance and seeing how fast they could complete it. The race distance was altered for the 1908 Olympics so the runners could finish in front of the Royal Box and has been 42.195 km since then. the record for this distance is now approaching 2 hours. And they don’t die!

At some point, people decided a marathon wasn’t long enough and started pushing themselves to see how far they could run. The earliest efforts were time races to see who could run the furthest in 6, 12, or 24 hours. In 1977, Gordon Ansleigh toed the line at the start of the 100 mile Teva Cup horse race, sans horse, and completed the 100-mile race on foot within 24 hours. Over the next several years the Western Stated Endurance Run evolved into its own event and ultra marathon running grew in popularity.

Since then people run for varying reasons with varying goals. Some toe the line with the intent of winning, or setting a personal best. Some test themselves to see if they can finish. Some are just there to see how far they can go. In my three attempts at the 100k distance, I have learned that 40-50 miles is as far as I can go. I have completed several 50-mile races and numerous 50k races, but 62 miles is out of reach for me at my current level of training.

I am convinced that the human body is capable of miraculous feats, given proper training and preparation. I am in absolute awe of my friends that run these distances regularly and compete for personal bests or podium positions. At LOCO, Mike won the men’s 100k, Genna won the women’s (4th overall), Jason hung back in the beginning and finished strong, Kiley completed a 50k with no training (coming off an injury), and Jacqui bested her 100k from last year. I’m glad I was at the finish line to see them all.

Great moments of my race include the amazing scenery, the awesome volunteers, and race director (Karey). The best part is always seeing my friends on the course and hanging out with them before and after the race.

I started out a little slower than I wanted to, but ended up at Jonesville about the same time as last year. I stayed too long at that aid station (again) and cramped up a little. I was able to get moving through the canyon and across the water, but not as fast as I had hoped. The heat and gravel road got to me a little bit heading into Humbug, but I was still well ahead of cutoff at that point. On the way there I was able to see the leaders and say ‘hi’ to Mike and to Genna.

The Coon Hollow Loop was longer and tougher than I expected with a really tough, rock slide covered, climb at the beginning. By the time I got back to Humbug aid station, I was feeling my finish slip away. Up the gravel road toward Cold Springs and my pacer, Youa, The gravel road started really hurting my feet. I was fairly pleased with my Hoka Speed Instinct 2s on the dirt, but not so much on the gravel. They dried quickly after the water crossings, as I had hoped, but my feet were feeling every piece of gravel. Still, if I could make it to Snakemouth and to my shoe change, I could finish the race.

Heading out of Cold Springs 1, I needed four consecutive 17-18 minute miles to meet the hard cutoff. One mile in, however, it was 25 minutes later and I was done. Rather than push through the loop, I, dejectedly, staggered back to the aid station and took the ride of shame back to the finish line to wait for my friends.

I know there is no real shame in stopping when I have given everything I possibly could, but, truth be told, there is no glory in it either. Maybe that’s not what it’s about for me.

Watching my friends finish strong and with big smiles on their faces is inspiring, but not inspiring enough to sign up for this distance again… maybe… someday.