Today was the day. The Bear 100. I didn't sleep that well the night before. But I was still stoked and ready for the race. We started heading up Dry Canyon. So, for the first 10 miles I had my normal morning sickness....stomach hurt and I had no energy at all. But, by the time I got to the top of Leatham Hollow, I felt great and cruised down the canyon. I got to the bottom and was greeted by my parents, Cody, Steve and Carson. It was cool seeing everyone. Plus, I was only 5 minutes off of the pace chart Cody set up for me. I decided to base my race off of my heart rate. I never looked at time or mileage. Just my heart rate. I tried to keep it around 150.
After, Leatham, I headed to Richard's Hollow. That was a pretty hot section. Again, I just looked at my heart rate...so I felt that I was going to slow since I didn't look at the time. But, by the time I got to Cowley, I found out that I was practically right on time. Beth and Josh were now with everyone. I quickly ate everything then headed out.
Eventually Ricks Canyon appeared. I started heading down but was much slower compared to Leatham. My quad was a little tight so I decided to take it easy. But, I guess I still wasn't too slow cause I showed up when expected. At this point Josh joined me.
We headed towards Temple. It was great having someone to talk to. Josh was doing excellent work. He would dump water out of his camelback on me. He was super positive. Excellent work. During this section, my knee started to hurt a little. But, I was able to keep going.
After Temple Fork, Josh and I headed up Blind Hollow. Man, it was so much better than last year. Last year was so muddy and slippery. But, we were cruising. We were passing quite a bit of people. I felt so good. But as soon as we started to descend down into Tony Grove, my knee was KILLING me. I had to wobble in. But I still had hope cause I was still on time.
After eating, changing shoes and getting mentally ready, Josh and I headed out of Tony Grove. Going down into White Pine DESTROYED my knee. Definitely had to go super slow. Going down Bunchgrass wasn't better. I had to walk most of it. I was very pissed. Josh was so nice...he was trying so hard to help me stay positive. Erik eventually passed us and gave me Ibuprofen. That helped out a lot. I was able to start moving quickly again. We got to Franklin Basin eventually.
I said goodbye to Josh and took Cody on. We headed towards Logan River. At the start, we were actually moving pretty quick. But, as soon as it started to have some descents, my knee acted up. Boy it was hard. We passed erik and his pacer. He was having some struggles. But eventually he caught up and passed us.
After Logan River aide, we took off...at a good pace again...cause it was uphill. But, as soon as the descent to Beaver came, my knee started KILLING. It was terrible. I was very very negative. Cody was a champ. I feel bad he had to put up with me. But Beaver came...and Nano, Austin and Colby were there with my parents. It was great seeing them. I didn't want to leave.
But, eventually we took off...I limped off. The next section was pretty terrible. It was uphill, but very long and never-ending. I was very tired. And it rained a little. But we got to Beaver Creek.
I was pretty cold. I put on two jackets and took off...slowly and not very excited about leaving. The next section was hard again....I was falling asleep while running. Cody gave me mtn dew...I drank skittles....nothing was helping. I was literally tripping over rocks and running all over the trail. Cody gave me his poles...and I was able to start moving again. We then rolled into Ranger Dip.
This place was pretty hard. I was tired, sore and cold. I did not want to leave. But, we did.
The climb out of Ranger Dip was terrible. So steep and muddy. As we were getting towrads the top, it started raining and lightening like crazy. It was pretty cool. But then, the nasty began. Going down the Mtn. towards the finish line was AWFUL. It was muddy, slippery, rainy, windy, cold...my knee was in so much pain. After what seemed like forever, Cody told me we've only gone two miles...that got me pissed at myself. So I tried picking the pace up. But it still went slow. The wind during the rain was terrible.
But, after lot's of complaining, and misery....we got to the bottom. And slowly jogged to the finish. Nano and Austin were there with my parents and Beth. It was great having support. I crossed the line with Cody and laid down immediately in the grass. 26 hours and 19 minutes.
I'm very disappointed I was on track for 23 hours and didn't get it cause of my knee...but, for my first 100...and being the youngest person to do the race this year, I'll take it. It was fun. Time to prepare for Hardrock or Wasatch...in like two weeks...I need a break.
Time- 26 hours and 19 minutes
Pace- ?
Elevation- 22,000 ft or so
Calories- 15,000+
| 