Monday, March 25, 2013

100 Mile Mission Accomplished!

Over the weekend I was able to complete my third 100 mile race at the Antelope Island Buffalo Run. Aside from weather which at times resembled a nightmare, my race could not have gone better. I was able to get my fastest 100 miler ever, a PR of 27 hours and 44 minutes.

I'll have a race report and pictures tomorrow, but before then I want to thank everyone who made this great race possible.

The race volunteers: these guys braved snow storms, bitter cold wind chill of 8 degrees, strong and biting wind, and downright miserable conditions to help us runners. Just to be nice and support the sport. People like Mark Kreuzer from www.trailandultrarunning.com were a huge help.

My mom who helped crew for the race. She drove to the different aid stations and helped with supplies and moral support. She has never seen one these ultra races before and thought they were crazy. But I think she has a new perspective after this weekend. She said she loved the race environment. She loved helping runners, and was amazed how supportive, happy, and friendly everyone was. She basically rules.

My sister Hollie who helped crew and paced me from miles 50 through 68. I can't describe how brutal those 18 miles were. She started running with me at 1:00am as the weather worsened and we couldn't hardly hear each other talk because it was so windy. These are also the hardest, most technical miles with the most climbing and descending. She helped get me through some dark times.


My friend Jared Thorley who was my pacer from miles 68 through 100. Jared challenged me more than I could have pushed myself. His style of pacing was perfect. He didn't say much (which is good since my brain resembled scrambled eggs), he just kept a steady tempo ahead of me and I tried to follow.

I ran with some absolutely incredible runners during those 27 hours. You see the raw emotion and all defenses are stripped down to nothing after that many hours of running. Unparalleled bonds and friendships develop. I felt like many runners helped carry me in times when I started questioning myself. Runners like Marty and my friend Christy who I spent countless hours with.

All of you guys here on the blog have been a huge support for me also. I truly appreciate all the encouragement you guys have given. I want to buy each of you a cinnamon roll. I've met so many awesome people through the blog like Ryan who ran an amazing 21 hours at the race.

My family is my biggest support. My incredible wife Mel has never once questioned any of my silly ideas like trying to run 100 miles. Instead of saying something like "Chinese Checkers sounds like a better hobby" she says "Go for it!" I love her so much. I also have the most supportive, awesome kids ever.

I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and the body I've been given. There were more than a few times where I muttered a silent prayer to help get me through some difficult times. I'm sure God looked down on people in the middle of the night getting blown around a mountain and just smiled and shook his head and said "Chinese Checkers sounds like a better hobby." Despite my choice of hobbies, I think he still helped me out.

So there you have it. My scrawny chicken legs carried me 100 miles but it was a completely team effort. I couldn't have done it without everything I mentioned here. I feel so blessed and so thankful that I was able to make it to the finish line. I'll have the whole story tomorrow.
 

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independent of logic." ~ Tim Noakes

20 comments:

  1. Great job! What an amazing feat, I can't imagine how awesome it must feel to know that YOU did that. Especially in the crazy weather we had going on in this crazy state. Congratulations...chinese checkers sounds like a better hobbie, just kidding!!! So amazing :)

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  2. Congratulations! I'm so glad you have excellent people around you who can encourage and support you to be excellent! Great job on the new PR too! That's so exciting! Can't wait for the full race recap!

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  3. WOW!! I do not know how you do it. I'm guessing that since you love these races enough, the good Lord gets you there. Congrats is such a small word for such a huge race! You've earned a truck load of Twinkies!

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  4. Congrats Cory! You rocked it! I am going to have to do a 50 miler someday now. You've inspired me!

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  5. Can't wait to hear the story (stories!)! Congrats and kudos to you and your team!

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  6. WOOHOOO!!! WE were thinking about you and cheering you on all weekend. Congrats!!!!!

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  7. I'm so impressed once again. You are simply amazing that's all there is to it. There is something to be said about having moral support and physical helpers out there with you. One thing I've learned is doing something alone like this is not a good idea. I still have a lot to learn myself. Good job Cory! Looking forward to the full write-up.

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  8. Wow. Just amazing - can't wait to read all about it.

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  9. AMAZING!! Looking forward to reading the write-up. As always, you are a motivating factor to all of us runners who deep down would like to attempt an Ultra. I especially love your sock monkey hat that you wore in the race.

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  10. Congratulations!! That is such an amazing, super impressive thing to accomplish... and you've done it 3 times now! Inspiring.

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  11. Congrats, Cory! Great race, and I can't wait to see the pictures and hear the full story! Enjoy the recovery.

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  12. What an incredible example of strength, heart, and true grit you are to me Cory. Congratulations and thank you so much for just being you.

    I cannot wait to hear more!

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  13. It was great to meet you and be there when you finished! Next time I will bring a spare Red Bull with me! Great job toughing it out in less than ideal conditions! I said a few prayers myself during that snow storm. I got to the Ranch in the middle of it and there were 7 or 8 camp chairs with an inch of snow in the seat surrounding the fire. I told Vince that was working the aid station that was a sweet trick to make sure people didn't sit and hang out! So I got my stuff and headed out!

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  14. I can not wait to hear the details. Congratulations on another huge accomplishment! Very inspiring.

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  15. Congratulations. 100 miles means that you're totally insane - but in a good way.

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  16. Congrats on completing the race and getting a new PR. VERY impressive!

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  17. Ah man, I am so stinking happy for you!!! I was checking FB hourly trying to get updates (thanks to your family for doing so). Looking forward for the full report and can't wait to get a cinnamon roll from you next month - woohoo!! Congratulations, sir - you did well!

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  18. Congrats On finishing your third 100 and the PR! The amount of support you have is impressive as is your appreciation for it. Nice to see someone going for it, having people help you achieve it, then being so grateful for the opportunity.

    Keep it up Cory!

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