Friday, August 14, 2015

Wasatch 100 in One Month - Am I Going To Die?

The Wasatch 100 is in less than a month. It is the hardest race I've ever entered. And after last weekend I've accepted the reality that the race might kill me.

On Saturday I had my very first experience running a section of the course. We ran Big Mountain to Elbow Fork (around 19 miles). I know those names mean nothing to you. They mean nothing to me too. I don't know anything about the logistics of the race. So when veterans start telling me about certain parts of the course I notice myself zoning out and thinking about how Kenny G gets his hair so curly.

What I CAN tell you is that the section we ran was really, really difficult. And pretty beautiful too.

I was joined by my good friends Jared and Catherine. For the life of me I truly can't understand why, but both of them are eager to pace me at the Wasatch 100. I think they must be wanting to see my inevitable brokenness and trail-side sobbing. Regardless of their reasons, I am infinitely appreciative of their willingness.

My sister Hollie also joined in on the run. This was her longest run in years and she tackled it like a champ. When people see my muscles they often mistake me for Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jared has run the Wasatch 100 so I am putting our friendship in his hands with the expectation that he won't get me lost in the middle of the race.

The section we ran was really technical with a heavy dose of steep, relentless climbing. We only hit an occasional section that really felt runnable.

My favorite part of the trail was climbing to the top of a mountain and then having this beautiful single track weave us through aspens down to the bottom.

While on the trail we happened to come across our friends Mike and Francesco. I wanted to punch Mike right in the kisser when I asked how that section of the trail compared to the race course in general. He said "That section is probably a little easier." It took all the self control I possess to not unleash my inner Arnold Schwarzenegger. And Francesco, well, that guy has the cutest kid that has ever been spotted on a trail.

It was like an Altra family reunion out on the trail.

I admit, those 19 miles made me more excited for the race. It helps to get a taste of what I'm in for. Those 19 miles also made me really, really scared.

7 comments:

  1. Just checked out the race page for Wasatch 100 - cumulative elevation gain and loss of approximately 25,763 feet would scare me just a little, too!

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  2. I can tell you exactly why people want to pace you. They too are fascinated by Kenny G's curls and want to be there when you work out the mystery of their curliness.

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  3. Oh hell, Cory. I ran it 4 times, how hard can it be?

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