Behind The Scenes // Fall Shoe Review // Hardrock

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
$8 U.S./$10 CAN

LIVE LONG. ®
 Jason Halladay shares the Hardrock
experience with some sheep on the
beautiful alpine tundra slopes of Green
Mountain. (Every year there are a few
thousand sheep that are grazing on the
course during the race in this area.)
HOWIE STERN

CONTENTS S E P T E M B E R /O CTO B E R 2 0 21

6 Moving Forward Ultrageek 28 FACES OF THE Ultralife

THE VALUES OF ULTRARUNNING
ULTRARUNNING 14 Ultrarunning Science COMMUNITY 65 Reese’s Pieces
YOUR LIVER IS AWESOME Ryan Montgomery explores the 7 ULTRA SECRETS YOU
8 News & Notes (AT PREVENTING lives of ultrarunners across the DON’T WANT YOUR KIDS
Olson Gets PCT FKT, New JOGLE HYPOGLYCEMIA) country. TO KNOW
FKT, Sabbe Gets Via Alpina FKT,
2022 Western States Golden 16 Pete’s Perspective 32 RUNNING THROUGH 66 One Step Beyond
Ticket Races, 50K US Trail Champs, OVERCOMING MENTAL GRIEF DNF. NOW WHAT?
In Memoriam HURDLES
67 Destination Unknown
17 Ultra Doc Ultraraces AMEN CORNER
TRANSGENDER ATHLETES
Ultracoach AND COMPETITION 40 HARDROCK 100 // 68 Running Down Under
WHAT WE DON’T SEE
10 From The Coach COLORADO
20 Ultra Mindset
CHOOSING ACTIVE 69 Sarah’s Stories
A TRIBUTE TO EMMA ROCA 46 NIGHT HAWK 50K //
RECOVERY MANAGING YOUR NERVES
KANSAS
21 View From the Open Road BEFORE RACE DAY
11 Ultra Life Balance
DIMINISHING RETURNS 54 TAHOE RIM TRAIL //
KNEE KNACKERING 70 I Am an Ultrarunner
NORTH SHORE TRAIL RUN NEVADA
Heat didn’t stop the fierce KATIE TRENT
Ellie Greenwood dives into the
heart and soul of one of Canada’s Features competition at this year’s Tahoe
oldest and largest ultras. Rim Trail Endurance Runs.
22 FALL SHOE REVIEW
12 Movin’ On Up 60 BADWATER 135// ON THE COVER: Scotty Mills grinds his

BEHIND THE SCENES OF CALIFORNIA way up the exceptionally steep and loose
final pitch of Grant Swamp Pass on his way
AN ULTRA to his 10th Hardrock finish. HOWIE STERN

UltraRunning (ISSN 0744-3609), Volume 41, Issue 4. ©2020 by UltraRunning, all rights reserved. UltraRunning is a trademark of UltraRunning Media Group, LLC. ©2020 UltraRunning Media Group, LLC. UltraRunning is published 9 times a year by UltraRunning,
P.O. Box 6509, Bend, OR 97708. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION Rates for one year (9 issues): US $3999 per year automatic renewal/$4999 manual renewal; CAN/Mexico $7499/$8499 per year (US funds);
outside North America $8999/$9999 (US funds). POSTMASTER Send address changes to UltraRunning, P.O. Box 6509, Bend, OR 97708. Disclaimer: Although ultrarunning is a wonderful activity that we fully encourage as part of a vigorous and healthy lifestyle, the
activities described in UltraRunning magazine can entail significant health risks, including significant injury or death. Do not engage in ultrarunning unless you are knowledgeable about all the risks and assume full responsibility for them. Use of and reliance upon
the information contained in this magazine and on its website and other digital platforms, is at your own risk. The information, recommendations and opinions of our writers and advertisers reflects their views, and is not necessarily the opinion or view of the
magazine or its ownership. UltraRunning Media Group makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or in its other media, and further disclaims any responsibility for injuries or death incurred
by any person engaging in ultrarunning or relying upon content contained herein.
 MOVING FORWARD

PO Box 6509
Bend, OR 97708
ultrarunning.com

JOE MCCLADDIE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Laura Kantor
[email protected]
ADVERTISING SALES
Heather Pola
[email protected]

The Values of Ultrarunning PUBLISHER

Karl Hoagland
[email protected]
UltraRunning Magazine reports the recently emerged after rebuilding the orga-
EDITOR
overall number of ultra finishes each nization from the bottom up during COVID. Amy Clark
February in our annual UltraRunners of And once UTMB announced its partnership [email protected]
the Year (UROY) issue. Due to last year’s with Ironman, ITRA pivoted to a new CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
drop in participation because of race cancel- purpose as the global organization respon- Donald Buraglio
lations, we had very limited data to report sible for maintaining the values in the sport. DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT
which made the year pretty insignificant In a recent report published on their website AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Cory Smith
in terms of reviewing growth across the itra.run, the organization explained its
sport. However, if we look at the previous current status: ART DIRECTOR
Carly Koerner
years, the number of ultra finishes continue ITRA is the only organization dedicated
COPY EDITOR
to grow, and not a year has passed that we to preserving our values. As a sport evolves Hayley Pollack
haven’t seen an upward trend. What does from culture to community to mainstream, SOCIAL MEDIA
this mean? It means more runners are the preponderance of attention is paid to Courtney Drewsen
interested in joining our community and competition, records, gear, technique, nutrition, EDITORS EMERITUS
running ultras. But how do we welcome training, recovery, etc. We aspire to and admire Peter Gagarin, Fred Pilon, Stan Wagon,
newbies with open arms while also helping our elite athletes, test ourselves against the clock Don Allison, Tia Bodington,
to show them our values? and each other, discover challenges that moti- Karl Hoagland
I’ll never forget my first 50k and the vate, inspire and transform. COLUMNISTS
Lucy Bartholomew, Donald Buraglio,
connection I felt with my fellow runners. In our pursuit of the above, we might be
Meghan Canfield, Gary Cantrell,
We helped one another through the mud, unaware of the accompanying community that Gary Dudney, Clare Gallagher, Ellie
up the hills and down slick, rooty single exists within the sport and furthermore, be Greenwood, Erika Hoagland, Dr. Tracy
track. Instantaneously, I felt like I was part unfamiliar with its values. Left unchecked, the Høeg, Dean Karnazes, Jason Koop,
of a community and I knew I wanted more. sport will eventually lose its values and without Pete Kostelnick, Jeff Kozak, Matt Laye,
Travis Macy, John Medinger, Sean
My fellow runners led by example –instead which there is no foundation for a community. Meissner, Cory Reese, Amy Rusiecki,
of passing by when I was in a time of need, That’s where ITRA comes in. We exist to help Ian Sharman, Sarah Lavender Smith,
they stopped to help. the community of trail running safeguard its Meredith Terranova, John Trent,
In 2015, Joe Uhan wrote an article for values as it grows. Tim Tollefson, Coree Woltering
UltraRunning titled, “Modeling Values in the As we continue through this year that CONTRIBUTORS
Wesley Baker, Austin Meyer, Ryan
Ultrarunning Community.” Uhan stated, is evolving in real time, let’s not forget Montgomery, George Ruiz, Jeffrey
“Veteran runners should model and promote that our sport is being impacted by not Stern, Jodi Weiss
positive behaviors in the local community. just growth, but environmental hazards, a CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
This means everything from being friendly pandemic and more. The one thing we can Paul Nelson, Gary Wang, Let’s Wander
and helpful to runners and non-runners hold close is our community and the values Photography, Joe McCladdie, Luis
alike, to picking up litter and clearing trail we represent. We witnessed many acts of Escobar, Paul Encarcion, Geoff Baker
Photography, Keith Facchino, Mile 90
debris. It means volunteering at races and at generosity and self lessness in the early Photography, Glenn Tachiyama, Matt
trail work events, or offering to crew or pace months of COVID – let’s continue to pull Trappe, Scott Rokis, Howie Stern
another runner.” together and show others how much this PHOTOGRAPHERS
As Uhan wrote, it’s essential that experi- sport truly means to us. Donald Buraglio, Adventure Corps,
enced ultrarunners model these core values Keep Moving, Jeff Kozak, Herman Kwong, Antelope
for first timers. But where can we direct new Media, Austin Meyer, Dirk Renner, Cory
Rich, George Ruiz, Annie Trent, Joe
ultrarunners to for more guidance when it Viger
comes to these values that are the founda-
PRINTING AND CIRCULATION
tion of our community? The International Publication Printers, Denver, CO
Trail Running Association (ITRA) has

SUBMISSIONS Articles, race reports and results, humor and photos should be submitted via email to
[email protected]. Unsolicited material is welcome, and will be used as space permits. Photo
submissions are very welcome. Photographs should be available in high-resolution files (at least 1Mb,
over 3Mb is better). Please label each photograph with: name of race/runners’ names/photographer’s
name. Photos that depict effort, emotion, particularly unusual or difficult terrain or scenic courses, are
especially welcome. Of course, the runners are the most important feature of an ultra, so remember to
include them in scenic pictures, too! See ultrarunning.com for more examples of race reports.
 KINABALU ULTRA RC

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ULTRA RC
T R AC T I O N M AT T E R S

Designed for Ultra trail marathons, the Kinabalu

Ultra RC is our fastest ultra-shoe. With a HYBRID
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© SCOTT SPORTS USA 2021 | Photo: Damien Rosso
NEWS & NOTES

Olson Gets PCT FKT

After 51d 16hr 55min,
Timothy Olson secured
the supported FKT on the
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) as
the world watched (or so it
seemed). The trail begins on
California’s southern border
with Mexico and stretches
2,655 miles through California,
Oregon and Washington to
Washington’s northern border
with Canada. Terrain includes
the Sierra Nevada and Cascade
mountain ranges, and Sonoran
and Mojave deserts. Olson beat
previous FKT holder, Karel
Sabbe, who finished the trail in
52d 8hr 25min in 2016.

New JOGLE + 3 Summits

FKT
Rhys Jenkins of Penarth,
South Wales, set a new
supported FKT from John
O’Groats to Land’s End
(JOGLE) + 3 Summits in 23d
7hr 19min. The route begins in
northern Scotland and ends in
the furthest southwest point of
England, stretching across the
length of Great Britain. Adam
Kimble and Kris King previ-
ously completed the same route
as a self-supported FKT in 30d
8hr 18min in 2018.

Sabbe Gets Via

Alpina FKT
Karel Sabbe, 31, set an FKT
on Via Alpina, a trail that
begins in Italy and crosses
through Slovenia, Switzerland,
Lichtenstein, Germany and
France, and finishes in Monaco.
He finished in 30d 8hr 57 min.
The trail is 2,650k (1,646.6
miles) long and traverses the
entire European Alps.
The previous record holder
was Guillaume Arthus who
finished in 44d 9hr 58 min.
However, Guillaume was
self-supported and Karel had
a crew. Karel decided to go for
his own time and aimed to
finish within a month.

8 UltraRunning.com
 Fred Zalokar,61, of Reno,
In Memoriam NV, died in Yosemite National
Park in July. He is survived by
his wife, Deb and son, Ian.
Zalokar completed Leadville,
Western States, Wasatch and

LEFT TOP: David Sinclair

and Kimber Mattox became
USATF 50K trail champs at
the Ragged 50K in NH.
JOE VIGER

LEFT BELOW: Rhys Jenkins

completes a new supported
FKT for the JOGLE (John
O’Groats to Land’s End) + 3
Summits across the length
of Great Britain. Philip Kreycik, 37, of
ANTELOPE MEDIA Berkley, CA, died in Pleasanton
Ridge Regional Park. He
previously went missing on
July 10 while out on a trail
run. Kreycik is survived by his Old Dominion all in under
wife, Jennifer, and their two 24 hours in 1996, along with
young children. To support other ultra and road running
Kreycik’s family, please visit accomplishments.
the GoFundMe page: https:// He was also a climber and
www.gofundme.com/f/ mountaineer and summited 185
support-philip-kreyciks-family peaks, many over 14,000 feet.

2022 Western States 50K US Trail Champs

Kimber Mattox and
Golden Ticket Races David Sinclair came away
Western States announced
with wins at the Ragged 50K
HOKA Golden Ticket races
in Danbury, NH, just 100
for the 2022 Western States
miles north of Boston.
Endurance Run. The top two
The point-to-point course
females and top two males
includes technical trails
in each race will qualify for
around Mount Sunapee (2,743
entry into the 2022 edition
feet), Mount Keasarge (2,936
of Western States. The series
feet) and Ragged Mountain
includes:
(2,296 feet). After 33 miles,
• UTMB 171k (France)
runners cross the finish line
• Endurance Trail des
at Ragged Mountain Resort.
Templiers 108k (France)
Sinclair finished in 4:26:25,
• Javelina Jundred presented
with Ben Robinson coming
by HOKA 100m (Arizona)
in second in 4:41:11 and Pier
• HOKA Bandera 100k (Texas)
Pennoyer finishing in third
• Tarawera 102k (New
in 4:54:45.
Zealand)
On the women’s side,
• Black Canyon presented by
Kimber Mattox ran for the
HOKA 100k (Arizona)
win in 5:19:47, with Britta
• The Canyons presented by
Clark and Abby Levene
HOKA 100k (California)
finishing second and third,
in 5:47:01 and 5:52:03,
respectively.

September/October 2021 9
ULTRACOACH FROM THE COACH

Choosing Active Recovery

BY IAN SHARMAN

Most athletes are familiar It’s better to err on the side of on the body than running, but a good way to squeeze in
with the main concept behind caution, but almost everyone especially once you get used to extra, sustainable mileage is
training where once a stress is will go over that red line occa- it. This also gives you a chance to go for a walk. This could be
placed on the body, the body sionally and (hopefully) learn to practice both the physical a fast walk, could include hills
then rebuilds and improves from it. and psychological sides of or even include a weight vest
during a recovery period. The harder and higher power-hiking to make it more as long as the sliding scale of
However, there’s a lot of room impact the workout, the longer effort doesn’t get too hard, as
for interpretation on what’s the recovery required, and discussed in point three.
best for maximizing adapta- muscle soreness or fatigue are The aim isn’t to do as
tions. Should you include cross- the main factors to consider. When choosing much hard exercise as
training, walking or something But there’s a fine line between possible. Instead, it’s to allow
else? How long and hard something that aids recovery
what form of an increase in volume that the
should it be? Below are some and something too hard that exercise to do for body can benefit from without
key things to bear in mind, but can lead to overtraining or active recovery, overloading.
there’s plenty of trial and error injury. The ideal phrase to use
when learning how your body here is: active recovery. it’s good to have SPECIFICITY
reacts and what works best. variety and to When choosing what form
WHAT IS ACTIVE pick things you of exercise to do for active
PURPOSE RECOVERY? recovery, it’s good to have
The first question to address Complete rest by laying enjoy doing. variety and to pick things you
when doing any training in bed usually isn’t needed enjoy doing. Walking may fit in
session is: what’s the purpose? unless injury or overtraining better if you do it with family,
Is it to provide a stimulus for requires it. Active recovery friends or pets, or do errands
sustainable, even when you’re
speed, hills or endurance, or means doing an easy enough on foot instead of driving. This
tired and sore at mile 80 of a
an easier effort to build miles effort, not necessarily a run, has the benefit of sneaking
100-miler.
sustainably? After a harder that keeps the body moving, in training without having to
Using a weight vest can add
session, it’s important to allow reduces stiffness or tightness carve out additional time.
some extra, sustainable diffi-
the body to build back stronger in the muscles and is genuinely Power-hiking is the most
culty, but keep it to something
without undertaking another low intensity. A good guide specific to what you’ll do in a
that isn’t incredibly heavy. I
harder session. is to keep your heart rate in race, and therefore the most
recommend around 10-15%
Easier runs should make up zone one or to be able to have useful. After that comes the
of your body weight at the
a significant proportion of time a normal conversation without elliptical (like walking but
most, but build up to it. If this
spent running, ideally around having to use short sentences without impact forces), then
makes the session genuinely
80%. But one notch lower in and catch your breath in cycling (sitting upright) and
hard, then it’s no longer active
intensity is light cross-training between. Aim for zero impact then swimming (lying prone).
recovery and you need to back
or any form of walking, so (such as swimming) or low Other sports will have an
off. The same applies to how
impact (such as walking or overlap with ultrarunning but
long you hike. But it allows an
cycling) exercise so the active are usually too intense to count
easy way to boost volume above
recovery doesn’t cause more as active recovery and would
Easier runs muscle damage and turn into
what you could sustain from
be more equivalent to a harder
100% of your exercise time
should make a normal training session that
spent running.
run – except maybe golf.
up a significant needs its own recovery.
proportion SLIDING SCALE OF
VOLUME IAN SHARMAN is the head coach at
One of the biggest determi- Sharman Ultra and a podcast host. He
of time spent INTENSITY
nants of success in endurance has over 50 wins from 200 marathons
Walking will almost always
running, ideally fit in well as active recovery, but
sports is consistent volume and ultras, including four Leadville Trail
100 wins and nine consecutive top 10s
around 80%. and, all other things being
there’s a sliding scale between at Western States 100.
equal, more is better. This is
doing nothing at all and all-out
relative to what your body is
effort. So, active recovery could
used to and for most people,
these can potentially be added include anything easy, such as
there are time constraints too.
on in addition to the easy a light bike ride, hilly hiking or
That means many people could
runs. The volume and type of other exercise as long as your
do more training if they had
easy effort depends on how muscles are already used to it. I
time to both do the sessions
exhausting your last run was, prefer the term “power-hiking”
and to fit in more sleep to aid
how sore you are, previous to walking since ultras require
recovery. Runs require extra
experience in training, your a strong hiking speed and even
time for showering afterward,
age and how sustainable it feels. a fast and hilly hike is easier

10 UltraRunning.com
 ULTRACOACH ULTRA LIFE BALANCE

Knee Knackering
North Shore Trail Run
BY ELLIE GREENWOOD

Vancouver is a city famed trail community Runners climb up Eagle

not only for its oceanfront shows up in force Bluffs at the Knee Knacker.
HERMAN KWONG
promenades, easily accessible to help runners
beaches and towering high navigate their
rises jammed into downtown, way from the
put the safety of one year’s race
but also for its backdrop of start line near
seriously into question. This
magnificent mountain peaks. Horseshoe Bay
is to add to the more mundane
The North Shore Mountains to the oceanside
broken bones, twisted limbs
rise sharply up from the ocean, finish at Deep
and concussions, which can
so it’s easy to see the unob- Cove – there’s an
all too easily occur with a fall –
structed mountain silhouette impressive ratio
something that is very common
and pick out the profile of the of 1:1 volunteer
on this technical terrain.
three local ski areas that carve to runner. So
Everyone has their favorite
across the sky from west to east while Kelsy
race and the Knee Knacker
– Cypress, Grouse and Seymour. Trigg might be
truly is one of mine – a favorite
And it’s easy to see why in 1989, the race director
for the course and for the
a group of eight hardy trail (since 2005), she
competition, but most of all,
runners concocted the idea is always eager
for the camaraderie and the
of running the entire length to highlight that
community. This is a race
of the Baden Powell Trail that it takes a team
by trail runners and for trail
moves like a snake across those effort to put
runners, with countless hours
three mountains – a neat 30 on the race. A
put in by many dedicated
miles and some 8,300 feet of hard-working
volunteers to ensure the perfect
ascent and descent. Throw and experienced
balance of a race that somehow
in a jumble of boulder fields, race committee
feels like a family reunion. But
gnarled roots and jagged rocks, (many of whom have a decade Being a not-for-profit is some-
if you’re tempted to put your
and one can see why there or more of experience) are thing that Kelsy said made
name in the hat for the next
might be legitimate concern the ones who truly make the it a little easier in the deci-
Knee Knacker lottery, you
for the state of runners’ knees event happen. In fact, Kelsy sion-making process of having
might want to come join one of
once they reach the finish line. has such an experienced team to cancel both the 2020 and
the volunteer-led, free of charge,
The Knee Knacker is one behind her that most years she 2021 events due to the ongoing
open to all, twice-weekly
of the oldest and largest trail actually manages to race her pandemic (participant experi-
training runs held from May to
races in Canada, and since own race. The race committee ence always trumps making a
July each year. It’s not that I’m
its inception more than 30 and friendly volunteers are profit). That said, bring on July
doubting your trail running
years ago, the field size has critical in ensuring the Knee 9, 2022 – the next scheduled
ability, but let’s just say that
grown from eight to a cap of Knacker has wide community race date.
while the community will give
262, which means a lottery support. While many trail The Knee Knacker is a
you a warm Canadian welcome,
has been required for many races go off into the woods far strong supporter of North
the trails themselves are a little
years. Each July, it’s truly a away from the general public, Shore Rescue (NSR) – one
harsher and less forgiving until
mix of trail newbies (there’s the Knee Knacker is quite of North America’s busiest
they get to know you. And once
no qualifying requirement to unique in that even though search and rescue teams
you know every root and rock
enter the lottery) and grizzled the trails are rugged, most are (more than 145 callouts in
on the course, they’re like old
veterans who toe the start line not remote. Vancouver is an 2020), encouraging racers to
friends that welcome you back
– more than 60 runners have outdoors city with easily acces- raise funds for the volunteer
each spring when the snow
completed the race more than sible and heavily used trails, so operation. In turn, NSR helps
begins to melt.
10 times. Enzo Federico, one managing excellent commu- keep racers safe on race day
of the very first eight runners, nity engagement is key for the itself – a vital role when some
is still heavily involved in the event’s success. of the unique challenges over ELLIE GREENWOOD is an online coach at
race management, and former The Knee Knacker is a the years have included an sharmanultra.com. She is the current
men’s course record holder, not-for-profit, and a well-oiled armed gunman roaming the Western States course record holder,
two-time IAU World 100k champ and
Peter Findlay (1991), is still and professionally run event, course, a bear forcing real time
has also won the Comrades Marathon
racing three decades later. but one that invests practically course re-routing, significant in South Africa. A Scot turned Canadian,
But aside from the actual all the funds gained from entry snowpack in the high country Ellie lives and trains on the trails and
racers, the entire Vancouver fees back into the event itself. and unprecedented rainfall that tarmac of North Vancouver, BC.

September/October 2021 11
ULTRACOACH MOVIN’ ON UP

Behind the Scenes of an Ultra

BY MEGHAN CANFIELD

Throughout the months food come from? Going to a trail sweepers (volunteers prepared in advance, not to
of training for your first ultra, warehouse grocery store with who follow the final runner mention a place for finishers
your race director was also hard several volunteers makes the and pick up course markings). to relax and rehydrate. While
at work putting together the job a “divide and conquer” task. The data is primarily used race organizers wait for the
pieces in order to make a great And then there are volunteers to post times to live tracking final finishers to arrive, there is
race. All that goes into making to help divide supplies and software so those who aren’t often equipment that must be
a runner’s experience the very arrange for pickup. on the course can virtually taken apart and hauled away. A
best possible isn’t something How about getting the aid track runners. There are times race director’s job doesn’t end
I fully anticipated until I took station set up? The easiest when the number of runners until well after the race is over.
on the role as a race director locations are roadside, but many coming through the aid station So, while my wish for you is
myself. I had volunteered at aid aid stations are remote. At the falls short. In any case, with to have the best experience at
stations, but I never understood Waldo 100K, one aid station has communication, course knowl- your first ultra, I also hope
the full extent of all the moving supplies carried in by horses edge and information gathering, you are enlightened and
parts when it comes to race day. while another has to have they will be found. If they encouraged to participate
Once a race director has supplies carried in by backpack have become injured, a good behind the scenes of a race
created a course, they must get for two miles, with the water race director will have a plan someday soon.
permission to hold the event being filtered from a nearby lake. in place for search and rescue,
by the landowners. More than Another important part of along with qualified medical
MEGHAN “THE QUEEN” CANFIELD and
likely it is on county, state or any ultra is the trail markings. professionals on hand. her farm animals live in Cool, CA,
federal land which requires Depending on the number of When your race is over, where she works as a virtual coach at
permitting and can involve volunteers that have signed up, that doesn’t mean the work is coachmeghan.com. She’s a four-time
extensive paperwork with course marking can be done finished. Many races provide Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier
guidelines and rules that must the day before a race, or up to food that volunteers have and has 10 top-10 finishes at Western
a week ahead of time. There States 100.
are a lot of supplies to carry
Volunteers are the including ribbons, signs, posts
and pin flags, and the longer
heart and soul of the markings are up, the greater
ultramarathons. the risk they’ll be disturbed
by nature, eaten by wildlife
or picked up by innocent
be followed. The race must bystanders trying to “clean up.”
convince the entities that they In the best races, the markings
are good stewards of the land, are well thought out, placed and
and that the event will benefit analyzed for visibility and logic.
them in some capacity. Many Keeping track of all the
natural areas require extensive runners is paramount, but
trail work every year to clean with a solid plan it doesn’t have
up seasonal debris, and having to be hard. That’s not to say
race volunteers donate their having runners go missing is
sweat equity to make the completely avoidable, but with
trail usable by all parties is a the following players set up, the
win-win. likelihood is diminished. First
Volunteers are the heart of all, aid stations don’t always
and soul of ultramarathons. have chip timing mats – it
They generally outnumber the isn’t practical and not always
runners by a ratio of 3-1. For possible — so volunteers
example, Western States has catch your bib number when
less than 400 runners and over you come in and as you leave.
1,500 volunteers. Consider that Those bib numbers are given
there are aid stations every 3-10 to another set of indispensable
miles in a typical ultra. Multiply volunteers: the ham radio oper-
the number of aid stations by ators. Many of these remote
the number of runners and areas have zero cell coverage,
you can see how the number while ham radio operators can
of volunteers quickly adds up. set up and send information
And what about aid station back to race headquarters,
supplies? Where does all the between aid stations or to the

12 UltraRunning.com
 ®

WESTERN STATES
100-MILE ENDURANCE RUN
49TH ANNUAL RUN: JUNE 25 - 26, 2022 • PRESENTED BY:

The words from Western States Endurance Run and living in Spain, was third woman and tenth
champion Beth Pascall say it all. overall and recorded the eight-fastest women’s
WLPHHYHU,WZDVWKH˃UVWWLPHWKDWWKUHH
The women’s race on June 26-27, 2021 at
ZRPHQKDGHYHU˃QLVKHGLQWKHWRSWHQ
WSER was one of the greatest races ever held.
And that wasn’t all.
Pascall, of England, led the way.
All of the top ten women broke 20 hours. Half
On a 101-degree day, Beth’s time of 17:10 was
RIWKHWRS˃QLVKHUVZHUHZRPHQ
the second-fastest women’s time in Western
States history. She placed seventh overall. On one of Western States’ most challenging
Women’s runner-up Ruth Croft of New Zealand days, the women of Western States rose to the
DQGQLQWKRYHUDOOKDGWKH˃IWKIDVWHVWZRPHQɗV challenge in historic fashion.
time ever. Ragna Debats, of the Netherlands
It was a proud moment for all of us.

www.WSER.org Race Director: Craig Thornley, [email protected]

September/October 2021 13
ULTRAGEEK ULTRARUNNING SCIENCE

Your Liver is Awesome

(at Preventing Hypoglycemia)
BY MATT LAYE

When I teach my students is also being removed by the which in turn is associated levels. The next year, they gave
about carbohydrate use for skeletal muscle for use rather with fatigue consistently in the the runners candy and, low
energy production during than storage, and we must scientific literature. The first and behold, they looked better
exercise, the discussion try to maintain blood glucose and had normal blood glucose
always starts with where, how levels, preventing them from levels (3). Our understanding
much and what form carbo- becoming critically low. The The organ of the relative importance of
hydrate is stored in the body. organ responsible for main- various organs and how they
Carbohydrate is stored in three tenance of blood glucose is responsible for work together during exercise
locations: as glucose in the the liver. The reason for this maintenance of has come a long way since then.
blood (about 4-5 grams in total is that skeletal muscle lacks a blood glucose is Scientists’ overly simplified
during fasting conditions of necessary enzyme which allows model during prolonged exer-
90 – 100 mg/dL of blood), as glycogen to be converted to an the liver. cise in the fasted condition is
many glucose molecules linked exportable form of glucose in typically muscle glycogen is
together to form glycogen as addition to the muscle wanting depleted, then liver glycogen,
muscle glycogen (~400 grams) to hold onto that glucose for its study identifying this phenom- resulting in hypoglycemia and
and liver glycogen (~100 grams). own use. Thus, once glucose enon was from the Harvard a subsequent fatigue (1). How
If we then convert the grams to enters the skeletal muscle cell, Fatigue lab in 1924 in which quickly one moves through
calories (~4 calories per 1 gram it’s stuck there. Two important they found that finishers of the these steps depends on how
of carbohydrate), we have 20-24 consequences of this are: 1) Boston Marathon who “looked” much muscle glycogen is stored,
calories worth in the blood, muscle glycogen does not fatigued had low blood glucose the intensity of exercise and
1,600 calories in muscle and (directly) contribute to blood
400 calories in the liver worth glucose, making the liver the
of stored carbohydrate. The most important organ and
amount is surprisingly little 2) muscle glycogen stored in
considering approximately 100 muscle groups not used during

Essential after every

calories are needed for a mile of exercise is not used and not
running. Indeed, carbohydrate available for use. So, the liver
stores are miniscule (2,000 is the king of blood glucose
calories) when compared to maintenance, both as breaking
what an average human has
stored as fat in adipose tissue
(10,000 – 100,000 calories). If
down stored liver glycogen
into glucose (a process called
glycogenolysis) for the blood,
hard effort
-Traci Falbo, Champion Ultra Runner
we only used carbohydrates for but also in making new blood
energy (we don’t), we would not glucose (a process called gluco-
make it more than 20 miles, neogenesis) from a variety of
and while the use of fat is precursor molecules like amino
critically important, I’m going acids, lactate, glycerol and fruc-
to focus on blood glucose, its tose. The breakdown of liver
relationship to the liver and glycogen is around 0.5 grams/
why it’s also so important for minute in the fasted state, a rate
ultrarunning. that will deplete liver glycogen
Blood glucose is maintained (4), which will then lead to only
tightly in healthy individuals. gluconeogenesis as the way to
As an example, a high carbo- maintain blood glucose. Two
hydrate meal may take us from takeaways are that: 1) we want
90 mg/dL up to 180 mg/dL, but to prevent liver glycogen loss
we quickly restore homeostasis as much as possible and 2) we
and return blood glucose to want the liver to have high rates
somewhat normal levels via the of gluconeogenesis when neces-
release of the hormone insulin sary to maintain blood glucose
which increases the uptake levels. $OOWKHEHQHȴWVRIDQ(SVRPVDOWEDWKZLWKRXWWKHWXE
or removal of blood glucose The major consequence of
into muscle, liver or adipose depletion of liver glycogen is the Use: ULTRA15 WRVDYH
tissue (where it’s converted to
fat). During exercise, glucose
eventual accompanying lower
blood glucose (hypoglycemia),
Epsomit.com
14 UltraRunning.com
ULTRAGEEK PETE’S PERSPECTIVE

Overcoming Mental Hurdles

BY PETE KOSTELNICK

Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi not do this race. I’m not going tracking weekly mileage and it was a positive or negative
Berra said it best, “Baseball is to be ready in time.” I’ve also effort closely, but to be honest, experience. This is a mental
90% mental. The other half probably never had a training I sometimes move around hurdle that I don’t think you
is physical.” In ultrarunning, cycle where I didn’t think at my daily runs like a National necessarily conquer, but I’ve
we know it takes much more some point, “I’m going to League baseball manager found ways I like to deal with
than physical fitness to do well absolutely crush this race.” moves players in and out of the it. If I can get the time away
in races. Rooted even deeper Ultrarunning takes a lot out lineup late in the game. from work, I love to incorporate
than critical components of of you if you’re doing it right, some sort of vacation or activity
the sport like nutrition and sometimes more mentally RACING following a big race that can
experience are mental check- than physically. I’ve had days I’ll admit that I can’t redirect my attention from
points and how we use them to wait until 14 days out from running. I’ve found this to
our advantage. These mental a race to start looking at the enrich my entire race experi-
hurdles scatter from the time weather forecast so I can begin ence and help me remember
you decide you want to take I don’t think I’ve preparing as early as possible. it in a more positive light. I
on an ultra distance to the ever gone through Unfortunately, it usually might write a few things down
second you succeed (or fail) in a training cycle ends up being the opposite of on what I did and didn’t do well,
completing it. what’s in the weather forecast. but otherwise, I try to avoid
where I didn’t Ultramarathons are notorious thinking too much about the
DECISION POINT have at least for drama, and then you actu- race. If I had a good race, it can
Whether it’s running ally get to run the race. From be fun to dream about what’s
your first 50k or deciding to
one day where I floods changing the course at next on the horizon, but I try
attempt a 100-miler, going thought, “I should the last second, to small towns to keep all of that in my head
to that next big thing should just not do this becoming overwhelmed and until I’m fully recovered. If it
always feel scary, but also campgrounds overcrowded, was a bad race that I expected
excite you. The same goes if race. I’m not nothing will ever be perfect. would go better, eventually I
you’ve already tackled every going to be ready I’ve stayed up far too late the like to retrace my steps back to
distance you’ve ever wanted to in time.” I’ve also night before a race trying to when I decided to run the race
do, and are looking for new and make sure all my gear was and determine which mental
exciting challenges. It’s okay probably never perfect and everything was hurdle tripped me up. That way,
to come back to the races and had a training in its place, when I would the next time I approach the
community that feel like family have been better off just hurdle, I’ll leap right over it.
reunions (I know I do), but
cycle where going straight to bed next to a
I’ve found running to feel like I didn’t think backpack with just my shoes,
PETE KOSTELNICK is a numbers guy from
somewhat of a daily chore if at some point, singlet and shorts. I’ve found northeast Ohio who finds balance as
all I have to look forward to are that nowadays I’m usually the
races and distances I’ve already “I’m going to one at the race with the least
a HOKA ONE ONE and Squirrel’s Nut
Butter athlete, specializing in races
done. And sometimes when absolutely crush amount of gear, which also of over 100 miles and occasionally
I sign up for a new challenge, this race.” means I have the least to think finding time to cross continents on
I just click the registration about once the race starts. It’s foot. He is also a coach with the Chaski
Endurance Collective.
button and let the prospect of smart to always show up ready
running the race sit in space to roll with everything you
where I’ve woken up at 4 a.m.,
until the week of the event. need, but I’ve also found that
got in my car, and right as I
But whenever I’ve made the if I bring all of the junk I could
was about to run, decided that
attempt to really read through possibly want, I’d have to have
a day off and more sleep was
the race content, reports and a terrible race to need it all
more important. I’ve had other
course details, and get involved anyway. At that point, nothing
days where I woke up feeling
in discussions about it on is helping. Also, if I bring a
terrible and “tricked” myself
social media, I often gain crew to a race, I put my whole
into starting my run and by the
more respect for the race, find race plan on paper for them.
end, was mixing in some solid
confidence in my training and In some ways, I’m mentally
and unexpected progression.
become more motivated to be turning over the keys to them
When I get too rigid about
my best on race day. knowing that I’ll probably be a
my training, I can often get
zombie by the later stages.
overwhelmed, especially when
TRAINING
I feel there aren’t enough hours
I don’t think I’ve ever gone POST-RACE
in the day to balance a full-
through a training cycle where We’ve all heard of the post-
time job with this supposed
I didn’t have at least one day race blues where we feel low
“hobby.” I’ve always believed in
where I thought, “I should just coming off a big run, whether

16 UltraRunning.com
ULTRAGEEK ULTRA DOC

Transgender Athletes and

Competition
BY TRACY BETH HØEG, MD, PHD

Ultrarunning is a sport that I also highly respect

prides itself on welcoming female athletes who seek a
all runners into competition,
regardless of their background,
fair playing field. Previously,
I wrote on the consistent FIGURE 1. RUNNING
religion, nationality, age, sex advantages that the fastest
or political beliefs. I suspect males have been shown to 10
that part of the reason is we all have over the fastest females

GENDER DIFFERENCE (%)

share this very unique hobby (on average) in long-distance
of running long distances running (Høeg, 2018). This 8
and, let’s face it, most people is why we (appropriately)
think we’re not normal. While have male and female
being different can be fun, podiums. Fairness in sport is
it is also nice to belong to a also something most athletes 6
community. Ultrarunners are seek out and find welcoming. =.995
some of the best I know at But what does the science RUNNING
ED 50 =13.9y
creating a community without tell us about the difference 4 FITTED CURVE
ED 20 =12.4y
discrimination. between sexes in running
So, what about transgender performance, and what
participation in running? On might someone transitioning
2
the surface, it simply feels from one sex to another
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
like a no-brainer: everyone is expect to happen to their
welcome. But as participation performance once gender- AGE (YEARS)
in ultrarunning increases and affirming hormone
competition for podium posi- treatment is started?
tions and prize money grows, Furthermore, what are the Figure 1. Handelsman et al. 2018. Percentage difference in
it’s inevitable that this issue innate sex differences in running performance between boys and girls by age.
will surface as it has in the rest running performance, and
of the competitive sports world. when might trans men and
women be expected to be able girls (Handelsman, 2018). The
In the international running
to compete on equal footing biological reason for this is
arena, transgender females
with the gender they have tran- attributed almost entirely to the
(born males), have gained an 0.6% of all sitioned to? effects of testosterone.
uncomfortable and contro-
versial reputation as having a people identify Contrary to common belief, Testosterone affects sports
research does not indicate that performance predominantly
biological advantage over their as transgender women are equally as good as through its effects on muscle
fellow female competitors. and this number men at running long distances. —specifically, the strength
As a sports medicine physi-
appears to be A good rule of thumb is that of muscle. Women are esti-
cian, I find it frustrating to
the fastest men finish essen- mated to be about 60-80%
think of a transgender woman growing. To tially all running distances as strong as men in the legs
finally feeling comfortable
in her own gender only to
put this into about 10% faster than the and 40-50% as strong in their
perspective, if fastest women (Høeg, 2018). arms (Handelsman, 2018).
be uncomfortable in the
There is about a 9% difference More unique to endurance (or
competitive sports world. you hold a race for the 100-mile world records aerobic) sports performance
And if you think this is an
esoteric problem, you may
with 400 people, set by Camille Herron and is another factor, though
statistically Aleksandr Sorokin respec- likely less important than
be surprised to know that
tively, a 9% difference for the strength: the amount of
0.6% of all people identify as speaking, 2-3 200-meter, and just over a 10% oxygen a person carries in
transgender (Meerwijk, 2017),
and this number appears to participants difference for the marathon. their blood (via hemoglobin).
This performance difference Higher hemoglobin directly
be growing. To put this into would be between boys and girls affects a person’s VO2
perspective, if you hold a race expected to emerges around or just before max (Handelsman, 2018).
with 400 people, statistically
identify as puberty (Figure 1) and, by age Biologically, there is about a
speaking, 2-3 participants
15, boys are expected to have 10-15% increased level of hemo-
would be expected to identify transsexual. achieved the 9-10% increased globin in the blood between
as transsexual.
running ability compared to men and women, and this has

September/October 2021 17
ULTRAGEEK ULTRA DOC

FIGURE 2.
a major impact in sports such PUSH-UPS PERFORMED IN 1-MINUTE
as running, cycling and cross-
70
country skiing.
The reason testosterone is

PUSH-UPS (MEAN, 95% CI)

so germane to this topic is both 60
children and adults receiving
gender-affirming medical treat- 50
Male Controls
ment can be expected to receive
Female Controls
medications that allow them to 40
Transmen
have the appropriate testosterone
Transwomen
levels for the sex they transition to. 30
Trans boys or men receive testos-
terone and trans girls and women 20
receive estrogen and testosterone None 0-1 1-2 2+
blocking medications. Most
changes in body composition due YEARS ON CROSS-SEX HORMONE THERAPY
to these medications will occur
in the first year, and then slow to
more gradual changes after that
(Gooren, 2004). In line with this,
World Athletics (IAAF) and the
International Olympic Committee
SIT-UPS PERFORMED IN 1-MINUTE
(IOC) currently have guidelines 65
requiring females to have testos-
terone <5-10nml/L for 12 months 60
SIT-UPS (MEAN, 95% CI)

prior to competing in women’s

events. 55
Until recently, it was not well
50
understood how long it takes for
trans women to be able to compete Male Controls
45
on equal footing in running Female Controls

within their sex. A recent ground- 40 Transmen

breaking study in the British Transwomen

Journal of Sports Medicine (Roberts, 35

2021) helped shed some light on None 0-1 1-2 2+
this topic. The study involved 29
trans men and 46 trans women YEARS ON CROSS-SEX HORMONE THERAPY
who began receiving gender-
affirming hormones while in the
United States Air Force. Looking
at the changes in athletic perfor-
mance over time (lower Figure 2), 1.5-MILE RUN
by two years, trans men approxi-
mate the male control run times, 900
and could be expected to be able to
850
SECONDS (MEAN, 95% CI)

compete with other males without

biological disadvantage. However, 800
the trans women appeared to still
have a statistical advantage over 750
their female competitors still by
about 11-12% (lower times being 700
faster) two years after the start Male Controls

of their transition. The authors 650 Female Controls

hypothesize that this may be Transmen

600
due to differences in skeletal Transwomen
None 0-1 1-2 2+
architecture achieved during
puberty which continue to provide YEARS ON CROSS-SEX HORMONE THERAPY
lasting advantage in running.
The finding was in contrast to
what was seen with sit-ups and
push-ups where trans women Figure 2. Roberts et al, 2021. Performance in different athletic
approximated the abilities of tasks following gender-affirming hormone treatment by year,
female controls after two years compared with controls.

18 UltraRunning.com
 Gooren LJG, Bunck MCM. Transsexuals
This study raises unan- wrong, unless they break rules considering gender-affirming and competitive sports. Eur J
swered questions about how or put others in danger. At the medical treatment, I hope you Endocrinol 2004;151:4259.
long it actually takes for trans same time, allowing systematic find this article enlightening.
Handelsman DJ, Hirschberg AL, Bermon
women to be biologically equal unfair advantage for highly If you have no personal expe- S. Circulating Testosterone as the
in running events. And would competitive events is also rience with this topic, please Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences
children who receive gender-af- wrong. This is demonstrated consider having this thought in Athletic Performance. Endocr
Rev. 2018;39(5):803-829. doi:10.1210/
firming hormone treatment well by the advantage certain in the back of your mind: if er.2018-00020
prior to puberty not have the prosthetic limbs have been you were transitioning or had
same lasting differences in found to give in running. In transitioned to a new sex, how Høeg TB. Female Physiology in
running performance? It also the case of prosthetic limbs, it would you want to be treated, or Endurance Running. 9/18/18. https://
www.irunfar.com/women-rule-fe-
highlights the need for further was a more straightforward even, how would you not want male-physiology-in-endurance-running
research with a larger sample (albeit also difficult) solution to be treated?
size (confidence intervals are to ban the prosthesis from Meerwijk EL, Sevelius JM. Transgender
Population Size in the United States: a
large at the two-year mark, open competition, rather than Meta-Regression of Population-Based
TRACY BETH HØEG, MD, PHD, practices
presumably due to study banning the athlete. For recre- Sports, Spine and Regenerative Probability Samples. Am J Public
dropout). More studies are ational events, it is neither prac- Medicine in Northern California. She
Health. 2017;107(2):e1-e8. doi:10.2105/
AJPH.2016.303578
needed to examine whether tical nor appropriate to require is affiliated with the University of
this group’s results are repro- genetic testing for participation. California-Davis and has a passion Roberts TA, Smalley J, Ahrendt D.
ducible and should include a For international competition, for ultramarathon and regenera- Effect of gender affirming hormones
greater than two-year follow-up. the right answer for running tive medicine research. She is a Danish- on athletic performance in trans-
American double citizen, married to women and transmen: implications
It would also be wrong events is more complicated for sporting organisations and
Rasmus Høeg, MD, and they have four
to discuss this topic without than meets the eye. I hope this children. Tracy has run for the US Trail legislators. British Journal of Sports
mentioning that there are article inspires more research Ultramarathon Team and the Danish Medicine 2021;55:577-583.
rare genetic disorders where in this important but highly Long Distance Mountain Running Team.
women who appear female and understudied topic. Guidelines
References
were raised as females have that are simultaneously fair
circulating testosterone levels and non-discriminatory are Bermon S, Garnier PY, Hirschberg AL,
considered normal for men. worth striving for and stand to Robinson N, Giraud S, Nicoli R, Baume
The three most common of benefit all athletic participants. N, Saugy M, Fénichel P, Bruce SJ, Henry
H, Dollé G, Ritzen M. Serum androgen
these conditions are 140 times Author’s note: If you levels in elite female athletes. J Clin
more prevalent among elite or someone you love is Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(11):4328–4335
female athletes than in the
general population (Bermon,
2014) and comprise about 0.7%
of these athletes. Whatever
regulations apply to these
women should, for biological
and ethical reasons, also apply
to trans females. Individual
circumstances may vary,
however, depending on actual
levels of circulating testos-
terone in women with different
genetic conditions. Individual
circumstances may certainly
also apply to trans athletes as
well. You can probably see by
now why simple solutions to
this topic have not been easy to
come by.
I suspect most people
reading this have the goal
of wanting all athletes of all
ages to be able to compete at
recreational and competitive
levels. My own bias is that
I wrote this to promote this
very ideal. I do not want to
see anyone being discouraged
from participating in sports.
For many of us, competition
is the icing on the cake for our
training. Excluding anyone is

September/October 2021 19
ULTRAGEEK ULTRA MINDSET

A Tribute to Emma Roca

BY TRAVIS MACY

She loved hunting for mush- her male teammate on a bungee Emma radiated contagious calls Emma “our Renaissance
rooms and harvesting rosehips. cord while carrying his bike as enthusiasm, motivation and woman.” 
She was a firefighter who they passed us again. mental toughness for the Emma began seeing gyne-
earned a PhD in biochemistry. Emma’s strength and people around her—and even cologists in January 2020.
She paved the way for women endurance became legendary for a stubborn camel in Abu Misdiagnoses and COVID-
around the world by speaking in adventure racing as she Dhabi that was scared of its generated delays preceded the
with conviction, leading with led her team to the World male teammates but very agree- summer diagnosis of vulvar
courage and pushing into Championship in 2010 before able to her comforting chatter. carcinoma. Radiation, chemo-
male-dominated fields with shifting focus to ultrarunning In Scotland she encouraged therapy and a vulvectomy had
a “never give up” mindset. She so she could spend more time me to keep hanging in there Emma feeling strong and all
would race you on the course, of us optimistic this February.
and then hug you after the She even told me of her plans
race. Her attention to detail in to write an informative and
pre-race planning (and then
executing the plan) was second
to none. She was one of the best If a lifetime can
in the world at ultrarunning, be judged by the
adventure racing and ski moun-
taineering. She let you know positive impact
that she was from Catalunya— it leaves on those
not Espana. She loved her dog
and her dog loved her. She ran
who live on, then
faster on the downhills after 97 Emma’s is just as
miles than most of us can run she was on the
during our first mile. She was a Emma Roca chats with Bear
reliable friend to me, and loving Grylls at the top of a ropes race course: one
wife and mother to David, course at World’s Toughest
Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji 2019,
in a million.
Irina, Marti and Mariona. where she captained Team
Emma Roca packed more full, Summit from Catalunya.
passionate and adventurous COREY RICH/AMAZON STUDIOS empowering book on this
living into her 47 years than unique type of cancer. Things
most of us can hope for in twice quickly turned for the worse
that amount of time. We are with her kids. She finished as I shivered in the rain, even when the cancer went systemic,
mourning her loss after cancer third at UTMB in 2012 and though I was on another team. and she passed on June 18.
took her way too soon. 2013 and then focused on And later in Leadville, she If a lifetime can be judged
I’ll never forget my intro- events in the US: Run Rabbit waited for me (her pacer) to by the positive impact it leaves
duction to Emma. During Run (first, second), Leadville finish vomiting, even though on those who live on, then
an adventure race through (first), Hardrock (second), she was in the lead on the Emma’s is just as she was
a Mexican desert in 2005, I Western States (fifth). Emma homestretch with second place on the race course: one in a
pushed my bike up a steep hill was at these races to compete, just behind. At Hardrock, she million. Emma’s spirit lives on
with teammates Dave Mackey but the summer trips were wasn’t too sucked into the race through thousands across the
and Danelle Ballengee. We all about family and friends for the win to pause for a couple globe who have been inspired
were all strong athletes, but we as she shared her knowledge, minutes when we saw a lynx by her energy and example.
were barely making it up this company and contagious enthu- out hunting at sunrise. In Fiji We love you, Emma, and
thing. Out of nowhere, a female siasm with many of us around for the Eco-Challenge (with we’ll never forget you. If you
racer approached from behind, the country who were fortunate no sense that this could be her feel so compelled, please
carrying a bike on her shoulders enough to befriend her. We last race), she spread love to the keep Emma’s family in your
as she strode past us at a quick trained together, discussing life, locals and showed courage that thoughts and prayers.
pace and then moved ahead, out culture and exercise science; was seen by millions on TV.
of sight. Shortly thereafter, she shared kids’ birthdays with Shortly after that race, in the
TRAVIS MACY is the author of The Ultra
came running back down the vibrant, multi-lingual parties; fall of 2019, Emma completed Mindset, and he lives in Colorado with
hill without the bike. We could supported her husband, David, and defended her PhD his wife, kids and Juniper, the Mini
now see she was the feared when he mountain biked the dissertation, which she had Aussie. Macy Endurance Coaching
competitor, Emma Roca, known Colorado Trail; and relaxed on somehow pursued while racing, works with runners (ultra, trail, moun-
well on the circuit as the bullet- river rafting trips, enjoying firefighting, raising three kids tain, road), cyclists, and multisport
proof captain of Spain’s Team the Colorado sun and views. It and running two small compa- athletes around the world through
comprehensive, high-communication
Buff. Sometime later, Emma seemed the good times with nies. My wife affectionately coaching. travismacy.com.
returned from behind, towing Emma would go on for decades.

20 UltraRunning.com
ULTRAGEEK VIEW FROM THE OPEN ROAD

Diminishing Returns
BY GARY CANTRELL

The Last Annual Vol State where the runner next to me Whatever benefit accrues from nothing is less likely to achieve
road race is a 314-mile race had the equivalent of a small the final choice is more than the best result.
across Tennessee. Although running store in his van next exceeded by the time lost in Use your time wisely, and
it has no aid stations, runners to my personal race station. I shopping. avoid being convicted of
can enter it with or without a had a chair, a spare pair of The wise runner learns ignoring the law of dimin-
crew, and logic would dictate shoes, some Vaseline and duct to pare down the choices ishing returns.
that the runners with crews tape. and eliminate time wasting
enjoy a significant advantage. “Runner A” ran faster than off-course activity. However,
GARY CANTRELL has spent over 50 years
Yet, after 15 years on the me throughout the entire not stopping at all can have its as a runner, race director and writer,
current course, the course race. In the early going, he own diminishing return. If and is currently the race director for
record is currently held by a disappeared and the next time I you are still moving, but more the Barkley Marathons and Big’s
runner who did not have a crew. saw him, he lapped me. But, as slowly than if you had eaten, Backyard Ultra.
Admittedly, that is an the race got deeper and deeper, fixed that blister or changed
anomaly. By and large, having shoes, even maximizing the
a crew to supply you would time on course can have a
beat having to stop at stores to The wise runner diminishing return.
buy supplies. However, a crew The key to getting the best
in a regular ultra is only an
learns to pare result in terms of race time
advantage if they allow you to down the choices requires that you perform
spend more time running and and eliminate the calculations to find the
less time at the aid station. A optimum balance. Nothing
crew that regularly provides too time wasting off- is as simple as trying to
much service ends up being a course activity. maximize a single factor, and
detriment, not an advantage.
As defined on Wikipedia.
com, “In economics, dimin- he started stopping at his
ishing returns is the decrease mobile running store. I would
in marginal output of a pass him sorting through the Modularly
production process as the racks and shelves of supplies
amount of a single factor of and shortly after, he would organized,
production is incrementally complete whatever he was
increased, holding all other doing, get back on track and everything
factors of production equal.” pass me back. in its place.
Applied to running, the law Despite having everything
would indicate that, as a single well organized, just fiddling
factor (in this case, crewing) is with it all took time. I began
increased, the output (running to pass him nearly every lap,
in terms of miles per unit of while he was in the back of his
time) increases at a lower and van getting some vital supply.
lower rate. For this part of the And he began passing me back
equation, the absolute output later and later in the lap, until
always increases, just at a I finally never saw him again
smaller and smaller return. For (until I lapped him in his van).
the entire equation, taking the Eventually I caught and passed The best
combined time being crewed
and time spent running vs.
him, handily beating a runner
who ran faster than me the
gear bag
the total distance covered, entire race. to use
and there does come a time Even aid stations can
when the increased output is become counterproductive, a as an
less than the time required to
produce it. Overcrewing makes
study in the law of diminishing
returns. In the effort to supply
Ultra
your actual race time longer, any food that a runner might Drop Bag.
not shorter. And that pivot possibly desire, some aid
point comes sooner than most
runners realize.
Gear has the same dimin-
ishing return. I remember
stations become food courts.
And runners become shoppers,
browsing through the selection,
trying to find the exact item
VICTORY BAGS
www.VICTORYSPORTDESIGN.com
running in a 24-hour race that best matches their desires.

September/October 2021 21
FALL
SHOE
REVIEW
BY DONALD BURAGLIO
 BEST NEW MODEL BEST UPDATE

HOKA ZINAL TOPO MTN RACER 2

Heel/forefoot Best for fast training Heel/forefoot Best for mountain
MSRP: 8.5 oz M heights: runs and race days MSRP: 10.0 oz M heights: 100-milers,
$160 7.0 oz W 22/18 mm M up to 50K on $145 8.0 oz W 30/25 mm long efforts on
21/17 mm W moderate terrain technical terrain

Fans of HOKA’s lightweight Torrent shoes will be The debut version of this shoe was a favorite of our
equally drawn to this new model that is even more test team, and updates to the second edition have done
slimmed down and lightweight, while delivering an nothing to diminish our praise. The new mesh upper is
increased amount of responsiveness and agility. They’re more breathable and faster draining than the previous
simply built for speed, with a low profile that feels fast version, with similar durability. Overlays in the forefoot
and light, and snappy responsiveness that facilitates quick are decreased, but there is more structure in the rearfoot
leg turnover. A secure fit in the heel and midfoot gives a with an expanded TPU heel counter. The standard Topo
strong sense of support while the forefoot allows enough fit is unchanged, with an anatomic last that transitions
room for toe splay or swelling on long runs. from a snug rearfoot to a roomy toe box. We also found
Uppers on the Zinal are made from 100% vegan mate- the lacing system keeps the uppers locked in place on
rial including recycled yarn, with highly breathable mesh sketchy or steep terrain.
and a gusseted tongue to keep debris out. Dual density Other significant updates are seen underfoot,
midsole construction combines an ultralight top foam primarily with the addition of a full-length performance
layer above a firmer and more responsive rubberized EVA Zipfoam midsole compound that has higher rebound
layer. One interesting point of comparison is that while and more resilience than the previous EVA. The midsole
the weight and stack heights of the Zinal are lower than has a triple-density design for light guidance and perfor-
the Torrent 2, the overall volume of foam in the midsole mance benefit, built softer in the heel for cushioned
is actually greater. Part of this difference is thanks to the impact, with a firmer medial post area. The Vibram
Vibram Litebase outsole compound that provides depend- Megagrip outsole has more expanded coverage than the
able traction with a fraction of the thickness and weight of original version, providing increased durability with a
standard Vibram layers. The tread isn’t as grippy on steep, slight increase in weight. Several testers were impressed
gravelly downhills or highly technical terrain, but in all by how well this shoe combines lightweight construc-
other conditions it shines tion elements with aggressive and durable performance
aspects that can handle the most extreme mountain
conditions.

24 UltraRunning.com
NIKE PEGASUS TRAIL 3 BROOKS CASCADIA 16
Best for everyday high Heel/forefoot Best for technical trail
Heel/forefoot MSRP: 10.5 oz M running, long efforts
MSRP: 11.3 oz M mileage training, heights:
$130 10.1 oz W heights: long outings on $130 9.5oz W on changing terrain,
24/15 mm 33/25 mm
mixed terrain 100-milers or beyond

Last year’s Pegasus Trail 2 marked a significant In recent release cycles, Brooks has increased the stack
overhaul for the trail iteration of this iconic Nike model. heights of its established trail models, and this is the case
By comparison, updates to the Trail 3 are relatively with the Cascadia 16, which sees a significant increase
minor and mostly focused on the upper. The shoe loses of 7mm in overall stack height compared to the previous
a small amount of weight, thanks mostly to reconfigu- edition. The heel-toe drop differential is the same and
ration of the uppers, which replaces the previous gaiter- remarkably, the overall weight is actually decreased from
style collar in favor of a traditional ankle, and the large version 15, thanks largely to the use of a new lightweight
pull band at the heel with a much smaller version that DNA Loft v2 midsole compound. Other prominent changes
is equally functional. Overlays are reinforced around are in place from top to bottom, starting with new upper
the lace eyelets for increased midfoot support, and the mesh and more grippy laces that hold their tension much
overall fit is relatively snug through the midfoot but better than the previous version, along with an expanded
opens up in the forefoot to accommodate toe splay. toe bumper that provides additional big toe protection.
From the midsole down, most of the Pegasus Brooks re-engineered the four-post midsole stability
Trail 2 construction carries forward to version 3. Full system seen on previous Cascadias in favor of a sidewall
length React foam provides an ideal combination of release design that allows the medial and lateral sides to
cushioning, responsiveness and durability, maintaining compress and release independently from one another.
comfort on long trail days, with a wide base for stability The intent is to maintain a stable platform over irregular
on foot strike. Multidirectional outsole lugs are solid on terrain—we found that it works very effectively in this
moderate terrain, and are extremely smooth for road regard—and this shoe was particularly useful for one tester
to trail runs, but lose a bit of traction on steep gravel recovering from an injury. Comfort on rocky terrain is
descents. Although this is the heaviest shoe in our further enhanced by an updated Ballistic Rock Shield with
test group, our testers commented that it feels lighter vertical grooves to accommodate side-to-side adjustments
than expected thanks to the smooth ride and dynamic while protecting from sharp impacts. Outsole thickness
midsole performance. increases somewhat on the Cascadia 16, and the aggressive
lugs were able to handle any kind of terrain we threw at
them. This is an excellent all-around shoe for any conceiv-
able trail environment, and it also proved surprisingly
smooth during a road marathon by one of our testers.

September/October 2021 25
 VJ ULTRA ALTRA SUPERIOR 5
9.3 oz Heel/forefoot Best for mountain Heel/forefoot Best for moderate
MSRP: unisex heights: 100-milers, high MSRP: 8.8 oz M heights: terrain, training and
$170 (spec weight
33/27 mm volume training blocks $120 7.5 oz W 21/21 mm racing up to 50M for
is men’s 8.5) on all terrain minimalists

VJ is a prominent player in the skyrunning and OCR A longstanding favorite of minimalist runners, the
markets, and over the past year they’ve expanded their Superior 5 maintains its low profile and lightweight
focus to attract dedicated distance runners into the overall construction for a sensation of being barely
fold. All of their shoes have exceptionally durable build noticeable on your foot. The uppers see significant
quality, primarily through Kevlar infused uppers that updates, with the use of a softer and thinner mesh
simply refuse to tear, and Butyl rubber outsoles that material that has fewer forefoot overlays for decreased
offer outstanding grip in all conditions. To this point, bunching, while maintaining durability in rough brush.
most of the VJ lineup trended toward narrower profiles An added eyehole at the top of the burrito-style lacing
and lower cushioning, but the Ultra changes both of system improves security of the uppers on top of the
those dynamics to create a model that is highly comfort- Footshape last, and our reviewers gave this shoe top
able for all-day outings on any terrain. The increased marks for the overall fit from heel to toe. This was espe-
roominess in the toe box is immediately noticeable, cially appreciated on long downhill segments where the
but a secure Fitlock system in the midfoot and padded uppers and lacing system kept our toes from banging
heel collar in the rear create a similar locked-in fit as a into the front of the shoe.
narrower race shoe. In the midsole, the Superior 5 stays lightweight with
Stack heights on the Ultra are the highest in the the Quantic compound that is slightly firmer than the
VJ lineup and the EVA midsole compound has a EGO compound added to the Lone Peak model; this
relatively firm feel upon impact, which is good for makes sense for improved comfort and responsiveness
energy transfer but lacks the comfort of some softer in a low stack height. The removable StoneGuard with
compounds we’ve tested. There’s enough cushioning to the Superior 5 has been updated to use less material
offset the lack of a rock plate, and the midsole has just and is therefore lighter weight, but increased density
enough flexibility to support natural foot flexion and in higher impact areas ensure a comparable level of
an easy push-off. The Ultra’s standout feature is the protection. Grid-like grooves in the midsole optimize
outsole rubber grippiness, as our testers raved about its flexibility for maximal ground feel and agility. Lugging
traction on all surfaces we tested, wet or dry. Angled on the MaxTrac outsole has been retooled somewhat,
lugs assist with stability on loose or steep trails, but we but the functional performance is essentially the same,
also notice that these lugs tend to lose their height rela- with strong traction on technical rocky terrain and loose
tively quickly on harder surfaces. gravel or scree.

26 UltraRunning.com
 HOW
WE TEST
OUR SHOES:
MERRELL AGILITY PEAK 4 UltraRunning Magazine’s shoe reviews
are coordinated in conjunction with The
MSRP: 10.9 oz M Heel/forefoot Best for high mileage Treadmill running store in Carmel, CA.
$130 10.2 oz W heights: on technical trails, Multiple testers wear each shoe for 100 to
30/24 mm long cruising efforts
200 miles in wet, dry, flat, steep, smooth
and rocky conditions before feedback
Significant updates to this model reflect an ambi-
is submitted. This season’s testing took
tious goal of making a high-cushioned mountain
running shoe that maintains a minimalist perfor- place in Central Oregon and the Cascades,
mance feel. Merrell added 5mm of stack height to the Rocky Mountains outside Boulder and
this version of the Agility Peak, which is built on the
Colorado Springs, CO, Coastal California,
company’s barefoot last that is slightly built up in the
midsole for a contoured fit. The FloatPro midsole is a Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks,
dual density combination that is softer in the rearfoot South Carolina and Georgia and large
for a comfortable foot strike, and firmer in the fore-
segments of the Tahoe Rim and Western
foot for improved propulsion. Flexibility zones in the
midfoot and forefoot are decoupled, allowing natural States Trails. Our testers range from trail
foot mechanics through the stance phase. The midsole marathoners and recreational trekkers
provides a smooth ride, but some testers felt like this
to competitive 100-mile runners and
comes at the expense of a quick turnover or rapid
acceleration. multi-day adventurers.
Protective elements for mountain running include
a forefoot rock plate, a generous toe bumper in front,
and a super dependable Vibram MegaGrip outsole that
has solid traction in wet and dry conditions. The lacing
system is unorthodox in a good way, with perpendic-
ular anchor straps that lock down the midfoot when
the laces are pulled, for a secure fit on technical terrain,
particularly on descents. The midfoot fit proved too
snug for some of our testers during high mileage
outings, and the jacquard mesh uppers retained heat
more noticeably than other shoes in our test group.

September/October 2021 27
 Faces of e
Ultraruing
Cunity
BY RYAN MONTGOMERY

Sofia Carolina Flores Garcia

runs where she feels most at
home: on trails.
COURTESY SOFIA CAROLINA
FLORES GARCIA
 It’s no secret that ultra-
running participation is on
the rise—exponentially so. A
recent report by runrepeat.
com found that ultrarunning
has grown 1,676% in the
last 23 years, meanwhile,
Sofia Carolina Flores Garcia
sub-ultra-distance races Sofia, a resident of Mammoth Lakes, one of few brown people, especially in trail
have flatlined. You may California, identifies as a cisgender, queer running. “I feel lucky because I was able
have personally noticed this and Mexican woman. to develop a feeling of normalcy by being
change in your local commu- “I got into distance running back in high the only brown person on the trails. It feels
nity as well. There are more school. My friends at the time told me, ‘You intimidating to ask other people questions
races. More running clubs. can’t do that,’ because I was more curvy sometimes, especially if you are the only one
More applicants trying to win than them. I never got over this perception that looks like you.”
their spot in race lotteries, issue in running until I ran my first mara- “As a running community, in general,
like the Western States thon in 2015. It was during that race that I we are moving in the right direction. But it
Endurance Run (WSER) got to see others running in all shapes and would be wrong of me to not acknowledge
which saw a whopping 6,664 sizes. I saw others like myself and realized that we need to do more. I still think, ‘What
applicants in 2020 (unfortu- that it’s normal for curvy people to run do race ads look like? What do the marketing
nately, the race was canceled long-distance races.” images look like? What do brand ads and
that year due to COVID). It Sofia mentioned that it is difficult to do athletes look like?’”
is important to note that a sport when you do not see yourself in the “I recently volunteered my time in a
whenever there is an influx other athletes. She suggests that this is a running shoot for a brand and I was the
of participants in a sport, the huge barrier for people of color getting into only brown person—and the clothes didn’t
demographics of the athletes running, especially ultrarunning. “If you really fit me. I think brands and partners in
change too. don’t have a community or connections [in our sport need to act with intention when
For years, I thought I was ultrarunning], then you don’t even know thinking about how they’re engaging our
one of a few queer gay ultra- where to start.” diverse community.”
runners until I became more As a brown person, Sofia mentioned that
explicit about my identity growing up in Mammoth Lakes, she was
online. Since then, I have
received countless messages
on social media and emails
saying, “I am so pleased to
see other queers out on the
trail,” or “I want to find other Audrey Peterson
queer running communities
Audrey is no stranger to ultrarunning.
… where and how can I find
She is two-time finisher of the gnarly
them?”
Speedgoat 50K in Utah. Audrey also recently
It’s quite clear: ultrarun-
came out as a trans woman.
ning—it’s demographics and
Audrey mentioned to me that she is in
community—has changed.
a very exciting period of her life but also a
It is no longer a sport of
quite stressful one. She is not on hormone
cisgender, straight and white
therapy yet, nor does she have plans for
athletes. But as our athlete
surgery.
population shifts in ultrarun-
“Sometimes I feel for the world to see me
ning, more diverse athletes
and my gender, I need to be on hormones or
come to the table with inter-
have had gender-conforming surgery. Right
esting, unique stories from
now, I present as female in my day-to-day,
which we can listen and learn.
but I sometimes present as male if I don’t
I recently interviewed four
feel safe or comfortable.”
athletes who are making our
Audrey mentioned that all trans people
ultra community better with
begin on a journey of self-discovery and
their stories and diversity.
overcoming societal pressures to feel more
Here are their stories.
comfortable in their own body. “I wish
people would recognize it’s not as easy as
drawing a line in the sand when it comes to
AUDREY PETERSON

gender—male or female. Society doesn’t not

recognize me while I am in this ‘in-between’
stage during this transition to female.”
She says, “I will eventually go on
hormones so that I can race competitively in

September/October 2021 29
 RACHAEL NORFLEET

other races down the road. But for now, I running when not pregnant. We all carry Rachael mentioned that she’s enjoying
am trying to simply manage my fear as I stress day-to-day. For me, it’s all about her time running while pregnant because
present myself as female—step one.” recognizing that some days my body does it’s changing the narrative that pregnancy
not feel good, so I don’t run. Other days, is not a limitation for women—it’s an
I feel amazing, so I run. Approaching accelerator. However, not everyone thinks
my pregnancy and training this way has that way. “Recently in Bozeman, I ran by
made me not make pregnancy an excuse.” a woman on her porch, and she yelled out
Rachael Norfleet Pregnancy, she says, “is an empowering to me as I passed ‘Honey, you sure you
time for women.” should be doing that?’ It is funny because
Rachael, a recent transparent to
“When I was 13 weeks pregnant, I ran all my doctors have told me that if you feel
Bozeman, Montana, has a long history
a 50k. I think everyone is going to have comfortable and hydrated while running,
of accomplishments that range from
different levels of comfort for what and then your baby will feel the same.”
semi-professional triathlete to ultrarunner
what not to do. I say this because before I “While I don’t have the physical ability
and now, expecting mother.
was pregnant, I ran a lot of trails, so I felt to chase my running goals right now, I do
“It does not feel limiting,” Rachael said
comfortable doing the race. My pregnancy, feel more driven—as I am about to have a
as she explained what it’s like running
at that point, didn’t make me feel unbal- little one, it makes me want to be my best
while pregnant. “I’ve learned that running
anced, so I said, ‘Why not!’ to racing.” self, including the best athlete.”
while pregnant is not all that different than
She won her 50k race.

30 UltraRunning.com
 Marcus FrayedKnot
“I’ve been in the outdoors for a ultrarunning, comes as a defensive
while.” mechanism. “Not long ago, Black
Los Angeles-area resident people did not feel safe to travel
Marcus FrayedKnot has been outdoors, let alone be by themselves
running ultras for six years, but outdoors.” This feeling still exists
he’s been in the mountains for today among many Black commu-
much longer. “I have been snow- nities. Marcus makes the point that
boarding for 20 years and rock generationally, Black people have
climbing for 10. I just love the not felt welcomed in the outdoors,
outdoors and going on adventures.” and there are many barriers to
Marcus’s family hasn’t always entry we still need to work on.”
welcomed his mountain lifestyle, “Financially, having the proper
though. “I have family members attire for snow or mountain
MARCUS FRAYEDKNOT

that say my ultrarunning is crazy climates to simply having a vehicle

and that I am ‘doing white people that can get you into the mountains
activities.’” to race entries and GPS watches,
Marcus mentioned that this there is a lot that is holding people
rhetoric from his family toward of color back from getting into
mountain sports, especially mountain sports.”
Marcus said he feels guilty at
races when he sees he is the only
Black person on the start line. To
help change that, he started a
non-profit called Trail Folx (trailfolx.
org) which helps inner city youth
experience the outdoors.
“When you look at people at races
today, it is pretty homogeneous. I
felt like I needed to do something
to give back and bring more people
into the outdoors.”
We all receive so much joy when
we see others like ourselves at races,
toeing that start line or crossing
the finish line. My hope is that
everyone will eventually see others
like themselves in ultrarunning
so they, too, can feel that sense of
belonging and joy in this crazy,
wonderful sport.

September/October 2021 31
 RunNing
Through
Grief STORY AND PHOTOS BY AUSTIN MEYER

The calL came

at 12:30
a.m. on June 18, 2019. It was
from the sun waiting for the
night to come.”
One mile turned to two,
Then suddenly he was
screaming. “Gina. What the
fuck happened?” His friend
so sudden, yet Eddie Gieda had turned to three, turned to four, Gina trembled on the other end
felt something was off all day. as thoughts drifted toward of the call. “A traffic accident. It
That morning, before his his love for his wife, Amanda doesn’t look good. There is a lot
run, he made a melancholy Medina. She was opening of blood.”
playlist. Reflecting on his the yoga studio she always When he sprinted into
marriage and the blessings dreamed of. She had helped Temple University Hospital,
it had brought to his life, the him get sober. On the brink of doctors didn’t know of an
lyrics of “Tender” by the band their second anniversary, they Amanda Medina. No one knew
Blur marked the cadence of were forging a life together — of a beautiful, 26-year-old
each step: one that felt infinite within the woman with long brown hair.
“Tender is the ghost, the confines of their 320-square- They just handed him a photo.
ghost I love the most. Hiding foot Philadelphia apartment. “Can you identify this woman?”
As he ran, he cried.

32 UltraRunning.com
 She was on the ninth floor. “I laid there in bed thinking, ‘If
A neck brace held together her I can just put those sneakers on
5-foot 7-inch frame. Bandages and run around the block, it will
covered her tattoos. Tubes give me some sense of normalcy,’”
entered her body through bright Eddie remembers.
red lips, holding her life in the Running had always been a
liminal space connecting life and refuge for Eddie ever since he left
death. Between deciding where his hometown of Wilkes-Barre,
to donate her organs and calling Pennsylvania, when he was 20
family with the news, Eddie knelt years old, to pursue a career
by her side. in music. With his hometown
He remembered the first time friends, Eddie started a hardcore
he took her drink order at The punk band named An Albatross
Barbary. She looked like a movie and toured across North America
star. He remembered the first and Europe. He spent his
time he put his arm around her. nights in dark cavernous clubs,
She nestled in. He remembered surrounded by drugs and alcohol.
the clerk at Philadelphia’s City In the mornings, he woke up
Hall declaring them husband early to run. Alone on the city
and wife. They celebrated with sidewalks of America, he found a
Ethiopian food. wholesome counterbalance to the
Then, at 3 a.m., he held her debauchery of his underworld.
hand and said goodbye. “It was like being at my first
For the first 72 hours after punk show or getting my first
Amanda’s death, Eddie lay in tattoo,” Eddie recalls of his first
bed for 13-hour stretches. He runs. “It was a metaphysical
screamed. He cried. He wished experience that resonated deeply.”
he had a terminal illness to What started as 5k distances in
numb the pain. Then, from his 2001 led to marathons by 2013.
pillow, he found himself staring Running became a consistent
at the running shoes he’d kicked practice — a mindful supplement
off his feet after getting home to his daily meditation.
from the hospital.

September/October 2021 33
 Amanda always supported spirituality, Marxism and the
his running. She believed in metaphysical.
Eddie more than he believed in In the first six months after
himself. One night, as they sat Amanda died, Eddie leaned on
in their apartment, Amanda the healing nature of running.
asked him, “What would you do Short jogs gave way to daily half
if money were no object?” “Run,” marathons, and in the last four
Eddie responded. “Become a months of 2019, he competed in
10 marathons and his first ultra-
marathon at the Loopy Looper
“Running allowed 12-hour race in New Jersey.
“I just wanted to run as much
me, for a few as I could, and as I did, I felt
moments, to progress. I was getting fitter and
stronger, and that empowered
detach from the me, because even though I was
pain of losing my grieving and had depression, I
soulmate.” knew it was possible to move
forward.”
Eddie also used running
to heal his relationship with
badass runner.” “Then why
Philadelphia, the city he called
don’t you do that now?” she
home. In the wake of Amanda’s
asked.
Laying in bed a new
widower, staring at his
running shoes, that conver-
sation echoed in his mind.
“Then why don’t you do that
now?” He sat up, grabbed
his shoes, stepped out the
door, and ran six miles.
When he returned to the
house, he could drink water.
He could shower. He could
take a bite of food.
“Running allowed me, for
a few moments, to detach
from the pain of losing
my soulmate. Instead of
reflecting on this horrible
loss, I could just be Eddie
for a couple of minutes.”
The feeling of presence
that running offered was
something Amanda and
Eddie centered their lives on.
When they first met, they
connected over a shared
spirituality. Both practiced
a branch of the Hindu faith
called Hare Krishna. They
death, Eddie compared finished the run at their apart-
meditated, did yoga and held
Philadelphia to Chernobyl. “The ment building, staring up to
sacred the positive karmic ener-
city was a living phantom,” he their window on the eighth floor.
gies of a vegan lifestyle. They
said. But he was determined “All those places terrified me.
were minimalists and gave away
to not lose his life in the city to I had nightmares about them,”
most of their material posses-
the ghosts he constructed in his said Eddie. “But when I ran
sions. They didn’t have a tele-
mind, so Eddie established a up and down those streets and
vision or computers, and their
new route. He ran to the bar that confronted those places head
apartment furniture consisted
she was at before the accident. on, it took the power away from
of two chairs. The empty space
From there he ran to the crash those spaces. It’s like showing
was filled by conversation about
site and then to the hospital up for a race. The first races you
where she died. Finally, he run you are really nervous. But

34 UltraRunning.com
 During the day, Eddie
works for the temple’s
ayurvedic skin care and well-
ness product line. At night, he
runs. He glides through dimly
lit alleyways, past historical
landmarks and through crowds
of strangers complimenting
his full body tattoos. He also
gets the occasional phone call.
“Hello.”
“Yo Eddie, do you want to do
some mushrooms?”
“I’m out on a run right now
man. I’m already getting high.”
“Ah, enjoy! How many days
in a row is this?”
“406 days.”
Eddie started his run streak
in February of 2020 while
journeying through India to
if you keep showing up to races, Hindu temple named the of Amanda, a crystal she kept return Amanda to the Ganges
you can take the fear out of Temple of the Lotus. He owns close, pins from her memorial River at Varanasi. The Ganges
them." two pairs of pants, six t-shirts, service, his wedding ring, is the most sacred river to
Eddie still lives in six pairs of shorts, two track prayer beads and running Hindus, and for those who die,
Philadelphia — a simple and jackets, two hats, a sleeping medals. A fan on the ground it is considered the vehicle of
stripped down life designed to bag, one pair of dress shoes blows cool air away from his ascent from Earth to Heaven.
maximize the time he spends and five pairs of running bed, acting as a makeshift Before her death, Amanda told
on his spiritual practices. He shoes. Next to his mattress on heater in the winter months. Eddie it was where she wished
lives in the basement of a the floor he has baby pictures to return when she died. So,
at sunrise, Eddie, alongside a
Brahman priest, boarded a boat
on the Ganges and chanted
mantras as he poured her
ashes into the water.
“I didn’t consciously pursue
this run streak until I was
close to 50 days in and recog-
nized I had been consistently
doing 10-mile days since I got
to India,” Eddie says. “Upon
returning to the US, I was
glowing from a spiritual buzz
harnessed from the trip, so I
just decided to keep the streak
alive as a way to tie me back to
Amanda and that awakening.”
As of June 8, 2021, Eddie
had run an average of 11.5
miles each day for 471 days, a
total of 5,434 miles. But he

September/October 2021 35
 MY LIGHT
MY NIGHT RUN
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“I was glowing about it will only serve to
benefit society.”
from a spiritual Eddie gets a message from
buzz harnessed someone around the world who
has lost a loved one nearly every
from the trip, so day. He is asked questions
I just decided to about grief and how he uses
keep the streak running as a therapy. And
though he responds by saying
alive as a way to everyone processes it differ-
tie me back to ently, he offers his own story of
Amanda and that healing through maintaining
physiological health: getting
awakening.” sunlight, sleep, time to medi-
tate and exercise.
“When she died, I was so
doesn’t run for exercise. Nor
dispossessed. I thought I would
does he run to improve his race
never experience joy again,”
times.
said Eddie. “But today I feel joy
“I believe I redefined and
because, every day I run, I get
recalibrated running to become
to honor my wife. She pushed
an integral part of my connec-
me to be my fully realized self,
tion to a higher source,” he
and running is a big part of
wrote on his Instagram page.
that self.”
Eddie shares his journey on
When Eddie finishes his
social media as a way to express
nightly run through the streets
himself and lend empathy to
of Philadelphia, he returns to
those who have lost a loved
the temple. Pink light from
one. He shares his runs, stories
the ashram floats down the
about Amanda, and reflections
stairwell. Strings of sequins
on his process of grieving. It is
hang from the ceiling. Running
his effort to destigmatize death.
shoes line the wall of the
“When I lost Amanda, I
entryway and he descends to
felt like I had this scarlet
the dark basement.
letter on me walking around
“I feel like in the first half
Philadelphia,” he said. “In
year of Amanda being gone,
our culture, it is taboo to talk
I was running to stay alive. Now
about death. We try to compart-
I am running because I feel
mentalize it and push it in a
alive.”
backroom. But death is such
a natural part of life. Talking

September/October 2021 39
ULTRARACES HARDROCK 100 // COLORADO

BACK
HOM
AT
E
HARDROCK BY JEFFREY STERN

40 UltraRunning.com
 SILVERTON, CO
5,4* // 100 MILE
Elevation gain:
32,992 feet
This is a loop course
passing through the
majestic and rugged
San Juan Mountains in
SW Colorado. Elevation
changes range from 7,680
to 14,048 feet above sea
level. Runners cross above
12,000 feet 13 times. The
course was designed to
showcase the various
types of terrain in the area
from high mountain valleys
to nearly vertical cliffs
Francois D’haene makes his with trails blasted along
way to the win in 21:45:50, the faces.
securing the Hardrock
course record.
HOWIE STERN
ULTRARACES HARDROCK 100 // COLORADO

AFter three is a huge step forward in for her third, second-place Sentiments were shared
years of waiting, increasing the number of Hardrock finish. by ultrarunning legend Scotty
Hardrock 100 fans were not to women competitors at arguably In the 25th 100-mile finish Mills who completed his first
be disappointed as 2021 proved one of the most challenging of her career, and having expe- Hardock in 1996 and finished
to be one of the most memo- races to gain a bib number for, rienced the most challenging his 10th this year. While it was
rable of the 26 editions of the as this year saw only 15 women 100-milers, from The Bear his slowest time on the course,
race. Francois D'haene set a starting the race compared to to Wasatch, UTMB, Western at age 70, Mills ran an unoffi-
new course record in 21:45:50, 131 men. States, HURT and more, she cial age group record by more
Sabrina Stanely ran the second- “Hardrock is doing what it relished in the fact that she than two hours. “I love the
fastest time ever, becoming the can to create more opportuni- was back at her favorite. “More people, I love the sport, I love
second woman to break the ties and hopefully, there will be than anything it was really nice being out there and I accept
28-hour mark in 27:21:48, and more to come. We’re starting to be back in that community, the fact that no, I can’t run as

Dylan Bowman ran the third- to see that growth happen and back in the San Juans, and have
fastest men's time on the fabled I think that’s exciting,” said that experience of a race again. Anticipation builds moments
before the 6 a.m. start of the
course through the San Juan eight-time finisher and this Right up there with the beauty 26th Hardrock 100.
Mountains of Colorado. year’s second-place woman, and toughness of Hardrock is HOWIE STERN
While good weather and Darcy Piceu. the community that it draws
fast times may have been Although her slowest — the people that keep going
the lead storylines for most, finish to date, Piceu is proud back year after year. They are fast as I used to, but I still want
the 2021 Hardrock may just of how she battled the whole like-minded individuals that to do it. I’m really happy with
as well be remembered for way, noting she was incredibly really love the race. It’s equally how my body has held up. I feel
their pre-race announcement nauseous from Ouray (mile 56) meaningful to everyone.” From really good,” he said just a week
aimed at increasing women’s to the finish. For her, the race how race director Dale Garland after the race. “Yeah it was my
participation in 2022 and was “a balancing act of keeping welcomes everyone to the finish slowest, but one of my most
beyond: starting next year, the myself moving forward without to the way the awards ceremony gratifying finishes.”
percentage of women entrants getting really sick.” Albeit works (from the back of the Chris Twiggs, who finished
will be no less than the total slower than she wanted, she pack to the front), all these with Mills, completed his 15th
percentage of women’s lottery kept getting in calories and was nuances make it hard to sum it Hardrock. Betsy Kalmeyer
applicants in the event. This able to keep moving forward up into one or two little things. finished her 20th and Kirk Apt

42 UltraRunning.com
 finished his 25th. They were when you were younger, you’re
called up together at the awards not going to stay in the sport.”
ceremony, which was special For him, it’s less about time at
for Mills. “Time marches on the finish and more about time
and it gets harder with age, but on trail: you get more quality
they all keep coming back,” time in the mountains the
Mills said, clearly more elated longer you spend out there.
by his peers' accomplishments “I really do think about how
than his own. It’s a testament many people want to get into
to his character that makes the race, and I know that when
him one of the most respected I toe the line that I’m going to
legends in the sport. do whatever I can to complete
As a 45-year veteran of ultra- that circle,” Piceu said about
running, Mills not only avoids what it means to be in Silverton.
comparing himself to others, She’s not ever going to go so far
but also his younger self, as to injure herself, “But I really
“When you start comparing do hold that (finishing) close to
yourself to how well you did my heart. There’s always going
to be suffering at Hardrock,
but I do think that no matter
what, even if I’m not having a
TOP: 72-year-old 14-time great day, I’m still going to try
finisher Rick Hodges takes and finish it.”
a moment to ponder the While both Mills and Piceu
day before ascending the
have grown in the sport, they
arduous moraines that
guard the final steep scree have also become hallmarks
pitch of Grant Swamp Pass, of consistency. Choosing races
approximately 85 miles and that have greater gravitational
38 hours into the race. pulls on their heart strings,
HOWIE STERN
and less of them, has been
MIDDLE: Having just come their approach.
off of 14,048-foot Handies “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve
Peak, the high point of the raced less,” Mills admitted. “I
course, Darcy Piceu is all
smiles as she approaches
pick a 100-miler, a 50-miler
Grouse Gulch in third place and a couple 50ks.” He also
at mile 42. HOWIE STERN tries to run them more evenly
paced, but he still makes
BOTTOM: Darcy Piceu and
mistakes, like going out too
her daughter approach the
finish together as Darcy nabs fast at the Tillamook Burn
her third, second-place finish in the spring which he paid
at Hardrock. PAUL NELSON

September/October 2021 43
ULTRARACES HARDROCK 100 // COLORADO

for dearly. He kept that at the

forefront of his mind on the
start line in Silverton. Staying
mostly disciplined with his
tactics and focusing on yoga to
keep a strong core, as well as
helping to keep his back, knees
and hips nimble, are the things
he believes can be the key to
his longevity.
He’s also adopted what he
calls the “IV principle,” which
consists of a continuous flow
of calories and liquids during
races to sustain his energy
through the day and night,
instead of what he did when
he was younger: eat larger
amounts of food at aid stations
and delay the dreaded slosh.
For Piceu, it’s “trying to stay
as consistent as I can in terms
of getting out on a regular basis
and training the best I can with
work, family and other priori-
ties. Not ever losing too much
fitness and I think, mentally,
I just have an ability to push
through things.”
She keeps positive mantras
in her head at all times and
leans on her wisdom. “I know
that I'm not as fast as the
Sabrina Stanley approaches 20-something-year-olds in the
the finish as the female sport, but I have a lot of experi-
champ. She finished with ence. There’s another element
the second-fastest time in
27:21:48. PAUL NELSON
that kind of creeps in that is
more mental and pushes you

Hardrock 100 25
26
Anders Wood, 36, CO
Michael Wardian, 47, VA
35:13:41
36:00:25
56
57
Stan Ferguson, 57, AR
Andrew Ewing, 43, CA
40:52:00
41:10:00
87
88
Scotty Mills, 70, CA
Chris Twiggs, 50, FL
45:10:03
45:10:03
Endurance Run 27
28
Adam Hewey, 53, WA
Benn Dunn, 48, CO
36:01:15
36:26:50
58
59
Jon Barker, 39, CO
Robert Wehner, 58, WI
41:12:00
41:31:00
89
90
Marta Fisher, 46, OR
Ryan Martin, 51, CO
45:21:47
45:27:45
Silverton, CO // July 16 29 Trevor Baine, 39, DC 36:29:25 60 Kevin Davis, 50, MT 41:31:00 91 Paul Schoenlaub, 62, MO 45:36:48
5,4* // 100 MILES 30 Sean Greaney, 40, WA 36:34:10 61 Joshua Mietz, 42, WY 41:36:00 92 Roger Kane, 63, CO 45:39:22
31 Olga Nevtrinos, 39, WA 36:35:26 62 Nick Ferrara, 48, PA 41:39:00 93 Scott Olmer, 50, CO 45:40:38
1 Francois Dhaene, 35 21:45:50 32 Ken Zemach, 52 36:53:00 63 Pam Reed, 60, WY 41:56:00 94 Betsy Kalmeyer, 60, CO 45:47:17
2 Dylan Bowman, 35, OR 22:45:50 33 Jason Halladay, 46, NM 36:57:00 64 Drew Gunn, 47, CO 42:15:00 95 Todd Salzer, 47, CO 45:50:28
3 Ryan Smith, 42, CO 23:24:29 34 Jay Hunt, 41, CO 37:26:00 65 Bobby Collin, 37, WA 42:16:00 96 Will Thomas, 43, WA 45:52:53
4 Julien Chorier, 40 25:56:57 35 Nate Swanberg, 41, CO 37:27:00 66 Jeff List, 62, WA 42:18:00 97 Ron Ely, 50, MD 46:07:16
5 Jeff Browning, 49, AZ 26:58:16 36 Jack Anderson, 38, CO 37:29:00 67 Miguel Peña, 48, TX 42:25:00 98 Garett Graubins, 48, MN 46:07:52
6 Sabrina Stanley, 31, CO 27:21:48 37 Dan Benhammou, 40, CO 37:37:00 68 Jack Kurisky, 54, VA 42:32:00 99 Andrew Reiff, 48, WA 46:10:06
7 Nick Pedatella, 36, CO 28:27:47 38 Aaron Saft, 43, NC 38:06:00 69 Allen Hadley, 64, CO 42:36:00 100 David Bushroe, 56, OH 46:19:47
8 Troy Howard, 48, CO 28:33:51 39 Kent Ryhorchuk, 46, CA 38:07:00 70 Bogie Dumitrescu, 46, CO 42:47:00 101 Larry Pearson, 60, TX 46:20:55
9 Trevor Fuchs, 39, UT 29:19:42 40 Heather Brooks, 33, MT 38:09:00 71 Jeremy Achter, 46, UT 43:07:00 102 Joel Meredith, 47, TN 46:23:35
10 Kevin Shilling, 53, UT 30:33:20 41 Steve Barge, 54, VA 38:10:00 72 Greg Salvesen, 34, NM 43:09:00 103 Neal Taylor, 58, CO 46:50:57
11 Mick Jurynec, 43, UT 30:33:20 42 Jon Davis, 41, CO 38:14:00 73 John Sharp, 43, TX 43:15:00 104 Kirk Apt, 59, CO 46:53:28
12 Dominic Grossman, 34, CA 31:37:04 43 David Pease, 58, UT 38:28:00 74 Barbara Olmer, 45, CO 43:22:00 105 Greg Redding, 55, IN 46:56:20
13 Brian Hopton-Jones, 34, PA 31:58:17 44 Keith Knipling, 45, VA 38:51:00 75 Alan Smith, 52, CO 43:27:00 106 Justin McMillan, 47, CA 46:59:07
14 Darcy Piceu, 46, CO 32:08:17 45 Vlad Henzl, 42, NM 38:53:00 76 Johnny Clemons, 44, TN 43:33:00 107 Steve Collins, 50, CO 47:10:08
15 Bryan Williams, 46, CO 32:59:21 46 David Miller, 40, NV 38:53:00 77 Nick Peterson, 40, CO 43:34:00 108 Miles Lilly, 54, OR 47:23:00
16 Meghan Hicks, 42, UT 33:04:59 47 Jamil Coury, 36, AZ 39:02:00 78 Benjamin Hawes, 35, OH 43:43:00 109 Danny Speros, 44, AZ 47:23:43
17 Jon Robinson, 42, WA 33:14:21 48 Mark Tiedens, 52, CA 39:06:00 79 Alex Robertson, 47, CO 43:46:00 110 Rick Hodges, 72, CO 47:31:13
18 Ben Wyrick, 44, VA 33:43:59 49 Chad Piala, 44, CO 39:10:00 80 Mike Weigand, 47, VT 43:46:00 111 Deby Kumasaka, 57, WA 47:41:48
19 Eric Lee, 39, CO 33:52:27 50 Betsy Nye, 56, CA 39:36:00 81 Clifford Matthews, 58, NM 43:50:00 112 Terry Miller, 49, CO 47:47:39
20 Brian Oestrike, 42, NY 34:17:20 51 Paul Sweeney, 55, CA 39:36:00 82 Dima Feinhaus, 58, MA 44:03:00 *
See page 50 for key
21 Kyle Fulmer, 40, CO 34:18:07 52 Jeff Davis, 39, MA 39:37:00 83 Rob Ulm, 45, IL 44:06:00
22 Ian Farris, 39, UT 34:56:22 53 Brian Westphal, 57, ID 40:20:33 84 Jared Vanderhook, 37, MN 44:34:00
23 Andy Blatecky, 38, CO 35:10:55 54 Franco Soriano, 50, CA 40:30:00 85 Edward Sandor, 39, MN 44:39:05
24 Gavin McKenzie, 37, CO 35:11:41 55 Andrew Barney, 48, UT 40:47:00 86 Mike Ehredt, 60, ID 44:55:36

44 UltraRunning.com
 to the finish line; that part is such a family with camara-
strong for me.” derie. When you come into
As a therapist and mind- the aid station and you see
fulness training expert, she these people that are out there
guides others through their 15, 20, 25 hours to help you,
own life struggles and in a way, the time they spend and their
that helps her own training. hands-on help to get you to the
“My work sometimes can be finish is what really is the most
really draining and taxing, rewarding part of the sport for
sometimes running and racing me. Over the 45 years I’ve been
is a vacation for me.” It’s nice in the sport, my best friends,
for her to be able to check out my closest friends, the people
for 24 hours during events like that we do things with and
Hardrock. “I’ve listened to a hang out with, have been met
lot of really hard stories and I through the sport of ultrarun-
remind myself a lot that this ning. The times and places and
is a sport we choose and that I number of events you’ve done,
want to be out there. There’s a how well you’ve done—a lot of
reason that I’m doing the sport: that fades. What doesn’t fade
because I love it. I chose to do it are the relationships.”
and I’m going to keep doing it
for as long as I can.”
Mills echoes this sentiment, Pam Reed feels the blue hour
“For me it’s been a big part of magic while cresting 13,000-
my life because of the people foot Grouse-American Pass,
I’ve met and the friends I’ve with the first day crux of
course highpoint Handies
met, the experiences and the Peak happily behind her.
volunteers. Hardrock is just HOWIE STERN

September/October 20211 45
ULTRARACES NIGHT HAWK // KANSAS

46 UltraRunning.com
 BY W E S L E Y B A K E R

LAWRENCE, KS
2,3* // 50K
Elevation gain:
1,845 feet
This race is a three-loop
course (10.3-mile loops)
with each loop consisting
of mostly rugged trails
through the trees.

Jill Brockman Sigman of

Republic, Missourii, smiles
bright on Bunker Hill.
KRISTI MAYO / MILE 90
PHOTOGRAPHY
ULTRARACES NIGHT HAWK // KANSAS

ABOVE: Third-place Michael

Humston of Greenwood,
Missouri shows off the

Th
he Nigh ht Hawk k 50 0K in L awre encce, Kaansas, is finisher’s award for the 50K.
KRISTI MAYO / MILE 90
PHOTOGRAPHY

a parrty—
—pla ain and d simple.. Held d annuually on ABOVE LEFT: Michael Miley

th
he la
ast Satu urdayy inn June sta artiing at 8 p.m., it’s a (center, white Ghostbusters
shirt) is acknowledged at the
pre-race briefing for running
ch
hancce for our lo oca al tra
aill run
nning comm munities to the Night Hawk every year
since its inception in 2015.

co
ome e to
ogether and d be re eminded off wh hy we go the KRISTI MAYO / MILE 90
PHOTOGRAPHY

ex
xtraa miile fo
or thiis sport..

This year in particular was the increased the already difficult Murray Hicks were quick to all the bugs had gone to sleep
first chance most of us had to nature of the course. We do mark the new course and by the second and third loops.
see old friends and running not speak of 2020, the year that communicate the changes, and Runners received a
buddies without the need for a does not exist. all the runners arrived with wonderful tour of Clinton State
mask. We also had abundant their proper shoes and gear. Park as they made their way
In past years, the race has rain leading up to this year’s The Night Hawk 50K course to and from the aid station,
had its share of unique condi- event, and the timing was just this year offered, on the surface, positioned approximately
tions. In 2018, we experienced incredibly terrible (those who a slog on 31 miles of concrete. half way on the 10-mile loop.
a sudden severe thunderstorm live in the Midwest are used But the actual experience Though we missed old Night
in the middle of the night and to this phenomenon). Our soil was much better. Part of the Hawk course favorites such
runners were pulled from contains a significant amount 10-mile loop was the infamous as Sanders Mound and Lake
the course temporarily for of clay, which causes it to Bunker Hill—a grassy knoll Henry, we were instead treated
safety. In 2019, excessive rain recover very slowly from a good that the Lawrence Trail Hawks to sections of the park most
throughout the summer left soak. As such, the race had to use for training, as well as part of us had never seen before.
most of the trails underwater, be rerouted to the road at the of the Hawk Hundred race in Weaving in and out of camp-
and a reroute was neces- last minute. Race directors September. While the first loop grounds, obscure shelters and
sary that most would agree Mary Ann Frevert and Shari was rife with swarms of gnats, boat docks where a view of the

48 UltraRunning.com
 A volunteer pours a pitcher of
water over Chris Greer’s head
at 1 a.m., about five miles
from the finish of his 50K.
KRISTI MAYO / MILE 90
PHOTOGRAPHY

Reach
Your
Peak

New Fall Arrivals Available at Injinji.com

ULTRARACES NIGHT HAWK // KANSAS

ELEVATION &
SURFACE
4, 4 So, what does that
little symbol mean? The
lake was always welcome, it consummate trail runner: a cannot be missed. Good times, first number is the elevation
was a fantastic trek around the new personal record. good friends and an amazing profile, the second is the
park. Plus, perhaps the most The Night Hawk this year community will ensure this quality of the surface. Both
exciting and often forgotten proved once again that no stays in my race rotation for are on a 1 – 5 scale, with 5
perk of a road race for the matter the circumstances or many years to come. being the most difficult.
the conditions, it is a race that
ELEVATION PROFILE
1 Flat or nearly flat
2 Rolling; total climb up
Night Hawk 32
33
Dennis Cannell, 62, MO
Christopher Foster, 29, MO
6:08:45
6:16:05
ABOVE: Stephen Losey of
to 50' per mile (2,500’
Lawrence, KS // June 26 34 Jill Brockman Sigman, 51, MO 6:17:18 Pleasant Hill, Missouri runs
the ridge on Bunker Hill as
in 50 miles)
2,3* // 50K 35 Ashley Shaw, 38, KS 6:18:02
3 Hilly; total climb
36 Tony Brown, 60, KS 6:19:15 the sun sets in the 50K race.
1 Michael Hinterberg, 42, CO 3:52:28 37 Sara Wilcox, 47, KS 6:19:38 KRISTI MAYO / MILE 90 between 50'-150' per
2 Cameron Gee, 37, MO 3:59:24 38 Nathan Anderson, 38, KS 6:22:21
3 Michael Humston, 49, MO 4:04:42 39 Dawson Neir, 21, MO 6:22:39
PHOTOGRAPHY mile (2,500'–7,500' in
4 Mattthew Metz, 35, KS 4:27:29 40 Mickey McLaughlin, 55, KS 6:24:00 50 miles)
5 Dillon Ruble, 20, MO 4:28:38 41 Tiffany Clements, 29, KS 6:26:19 OPPOASITE: Jeremiah
4 Very hilly; total climb
6 Matthew De Ruyter, 28, KS 4:29:25 42 John Scott, 40, KS 6:26:20 Nemechek (left) and
7 Jeremiah Nemechek, 34, MO 4:30:25 43 Kenneth Russell, 30, KS 6:29:38 Matthew De Ruyter (right) between 150'-250' per
8 Timothy Garvey, 54, MO 4:45:42 44 Jordan Dollar, 27, MO 6:34:55 race the setting sun on their mile (7,500'–12,500' in
9 Jackie Young, 38, MO 4:46:22 45 Melanie Linderer, 44, MO 6:35:00
46 Rachel Grabow, 37, TX 6:37:43
first loop of the 50K race. 50 miles)
10 Aaron Parker, 38, KS 4:48:06
JOHN KNEPPER / MILE 90 5 Mountainous; total
11 Brian Hall, 43, WI 4:50:11 47 Justin Ensign, 36, MO 6:54:53
48 Chad Pfister, 39, KS 6:54:54 PHOTOGRAPHY
12 Jeremy Walker, 40, MO 4:54:40 climb more than 250'
13 Stephanie Cundith, 46, KS 4:56:06 49 Chris Greer, 46, KS 6:56:05
14 Stephen Losey, 44, MO 5:06:31 50 Josh Garrison, 45, MO 6:59:33 per mile
15 Jenni Sherman, 32, MO 5:12:29 51 Dink Sommer, 45, MO 6:59:33
16 Matt Detamore, 42, CO 5:20:49 52 Blake Rather, 53, MO 6:59:34
53 Dezert Abrams, 42, KS 6:59:48
SURFACE
17 Eric Mcmillan, 43, TX 5:22:55
18 Thaius Boyd, 25, KS 5:23:32 54 Jordan Shrack, 37, KS 6:59:49 1 Paved or very smooth
19 Chris Hines, 41, MO 5:24:06 55 Trudi Chavez, 44, KS 6:59:50 2 Mostly groomed trail
20 Nick Foster, 37, MO 5:27:12 56 Allan Benjamin, 65, MO 7:02:52
21 Joshua Ellis, 41, KS 5:33:29 57 Stuart Johnson, 61, KS 7:02:52 or dirt roads
22 Nick Sturiale, 32, KS 5:34:58 58 David Murphy, 48, MO 7:14:05 3 Trail or dirt road with
23 Jon Fye, 38, NE 5:37:12 59 Kristoffer Singer, 34, KS 7:19:30
60 Chris Stauffer, 48, MO 7:25:37
some rocks, roots
24 Abigail Kroll, 38, KS 5:40:08
25 Jay Hawks, 51, KS 5:41:42 61 Sam Reinhardt, 26, NE 7:45:02 and/or ruts
26 Patrick Burkett, 34, MO 5:41:45 62 John Crum, 48, KS 8:27:20 4 Trail or dirt road with
27 Michael Miley, 57, KS 5:42:40 63 Eric Deeter, 63, KS 8:45:40
28 Melissa Bland, 33, MO 5:44:58
*
See page 50 for key substantial rocks,
29 Paul Conry, 40, KS 5:53:31 roots and/or ruts
30 James Kenney, 35, OK 5:55:04 5 Very rough trail
31 Wesley Baker, 44, KS 5:59:41

50 UltraRunning.com
 6WDUWZLWK
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September/October 2021 51
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ULTRARACES TAHOE RIM TRAIL // NEVADA

A glimpse of heaven
and

54 UltraRunning.com
d a taste
CARSON CITY,
NEVADA
4,3* // 100 MILES, 50
MILES, 55K
Elevation gain: 10,000
feet per 50-mile loop
This looped course is on
single-track trails and dirt
roads and takes place on
high elevation alpine and

of Hell
sub-alpine forest in the
BY GEORGE RUIZ, RD
Carson Spur of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains. The
event is located on the east
side of Lake Tahoe and the
100-mile race is the 50-mile
course run twice.

The sun rises over Lake Tahoe

during the Tahoe Rim Trail
Endurance Run.
DONALD BURAGLIO

September/October 2021 55
ULTRARACES TAHOE RIM TRAIL // NEVADA

The Tahoe Rim Trail

Endurance Runs came back
to host its 20th edition with
DQHZVWDUWDQGƜQLVKYHQXH
LQ&DUVRQ&LW\1HYDGD
The race start features a 80 to pass second-
9-mile, 4,200-foot climb from place finisher Bree
the start venue at 4,800 feet Lambert-Sanders for
in Western Nevada College, up the lead just 5 miles
Ash Canyon to Snow Valley from the finish.
Peak (9,000 feet), opening up Potvin won in
breathtaking views of Lake 26:34:09 (this was
Tahoe. her sixth TRTER
In the 100-mile race, the 100-mile race).
new course totaled 102 miles Lambert-Sanders
and 21,000 feet of elevation gain, followed just a few minutes
and 144 brave individuals took behind in 26:49. The women
the start, with 98 crossing the of Truckee, CA, dominated as
finish line for a 68% finish rate. Gretchen Brugman followed
Grant Hotaling from
Healdsburg, CA, executed
a perfect race with patience
during his first attempt at the ABOVE: The Tahoe Rim Trail glows
100-mile distance. Holding as runners traverse the single
track at sunrise. DIRK RENNER
back until the first descent
to Diamond Peak, 40 miles RIGHT: Jenelle Potvin crosses the
into the race, he pressed into finish, winning the Tahoe Rim Trail
the lead and extended it to a 100-mile in 26:34. GEORGE RUIZ

convincing win in 20:51:50.

“Two or three of the guys
ahead of me went up the
in third in 28:00. Susan Oh of
initial climb crazy fast. I just
Bend, OR, ran in the top two
kept them in sight and stayed
and led the women’s race at the
conservative until the Tyrolean
80-mile split by 10 minutes
Downhill. I felt comfortable,
before succumbing to a foot
took the lead and ran my
injury in the final 10 miles of
own pace the rest of the way,” and glided past to take the lead knowledge and Ryan Peel (also
the race.
Hotaling said. only 5 miles from the finish. of Reno, NV) rolled home in
Potvin used her pacers for a
Dennis Boic of Redding, CA, “Jeff, did we just take the lead?” second in 9:38. Brian Miller of
perfect blend of keeping it light
held an early lead and hung on she asked. Her pacer’s response El Dorado Hills, CA, ran steady
and fun in the middle miles
to claim a well-earned second was, “I believe in you, and that’s in third all day to claim third
after the first Diamond Peak
place in 22:20:28, while also why we are surging now. It’s place in 9:59.
climb. At the second Diamond
earning a hand-tooled, 5-year, time to break the elastic.” She Similar to the men’s
Peak ascent, seeing friends and
500-mile belt. Dirk Renner of did indeed as she stretched her race, Katy Pieri-McCaffrey
family and picking up a fresh
Bend, OR, executed a fine race lead to finish with a 15-minute of Oakland, CA, dominated
pacer, she was off in third place,
to claim third place with a time margin. the women’s 50-mile. She
feeling strong but an hour
of 23:50:35. Also earning 5-year, In the 50-mile men’s race, was in the lead the entire
behind then leader, Susan Oh.
500-mile belts were Nevadans local fast man, Ben Tedore of race and came away with a
Potivn caught Oh and passed
Chris Barber of Reno and Alex Reno, NV, ran unchallenged, win in 10:44:29. Caroline
her at the final Hobart Aid
Danner of Nevada City. building a 50-minute lead Barichievich of South Lake
Station visit. Now in second
The women’s race for the by the Diamond Peak aid Tahoe has run all distances at
place and running comfortably
100-mile victory was more station (mile 30) and rolled to a the TRTER many times and
on the long dirt road to the
dramatic as Jenelle Potvin scorching win in 8:18:28. The had a great day. She ran to
finish, she caught a glimpse of
of Truckee, CA, overcame local boys definitely had an an 11:05 second-place finish.
Lambert-Sanders with her pacer
a 50-minute deficit at mile advantage with their course Rachael Banton of Paso Robles,

56 UltraRunning.com
CA, also ran strong to finish “I like running uphill, so in the mix with the men as Tahoe Rim Trail
in 11:19. the start climb was perfect,” she out-sprinted the men’s Carson City, NV // July 17
In all, 147 took the start and MacNaulty said. third place finish to win the 4,3* // 100 MILES,
130 finished (88% finish rate) Cyril Garcia of New York, women’s race in 6:18:09. Amy 50 MILES, 55K
100 MILES
the challenging 52-mile course NY, came from sea level to McCracken came all the way
1 Grant Hotaling, 38, CA 20:51:50
with 11,000 feet of elevation gain. finish in second place in 5:44. from Lincoln, NE, to claim 2 Dennis Boic, 45, CA 22:20:28
In the 55K race, Charles Joseph Bouchey of Reno, NV, second place in 7:50. Nedis 3 Dirk Renner, 47, OR 23:50:35
4 Todd Vogel, 57, CA 25:18:44
MacNulty of Grass Valley, CA, battled to third place in the Della Chiesa of Truckee used 5 Alexander Kramer, 41, CA 25:24:17
treated the 55K course like a men’s race in 6:19. her local training to claim third 6 Hynek Hoblik, 27, NV 25:28:27
7 Brent Konvalin, 51, CA 25:38:43
sprint and cruised to a 5:28:57 Erica Sonnenberg of place in 7:58. In all, there were 8 David Miao, 56, NY 26:17:51
finish. Carnelian Bay, CA, was right 109 finishers in the 55K. 9 Chris Barber, 45, NV 26:32:34
It was a great rebirth of the 10 Jenelle Potvin, 42, CA 26:34:09
11 Josh Kivi, 38, NV 26:40:42
Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance 12 Bree Lambert-Sanders, 53, CA 26:49:23
Runs with a new start / finish 13 Tim Tubra, 38, CA 26:58:38
14 Alexander Humenetskyj, 41, CA 27:59:57
venue and old and new friends 15 Gretchen Brugman, 47, CA 28:00:40
celebrating the ultrarunning 16 Roman Gratteri, 45, OR 28:23:41
17 Ashley Clinthorne, 34, CO 28:31:29
family in the mountains high 18 Gang Qin, 57, CA 28:32:04
above beautiful Lake Tahoe. It 19 Brandon Hurd, 35, CA 28:56:00
20 Max Kam, 35, CA 29:01:14
just plain felt good to be back. 21 Jeffrey Egolf, 49, CA 29:03:46
22 Roxanne Woodhouse, 58, CA 29:07:12
23 Martin Sengo, 40, CA 29:15:47
24 Robert Lalus, 47, WA 29:19:43
25 Dmytro Sokolovskyy, 32, CA 29:28:14
26 Harry Persaud, 28, CA 29:31:49
27 Upton Bowden, 51, MI 29:32:24
28 Sam Patterson, 47, CA 29:33:36
LEFT: Tahoe Rim Trail aid 29 David Welch, 52, MD 29:35:48
30 Francesca Conte, 49, VA 29:48:50
stations are festive as much
31 Christy Baker, 49, CA 30:13:52
as they are fun. 32 Matt Elam, 29, TX 30:15:15
DONALD BURAGLIO 33 Katherine Thompson, 33, WV 30:17:54
34 Yu-Yen Mo, 51, CA 30:32:22
BELOW: Third-place finisher 35 Trevor White, 52, OR 30:34:18
Dirk Renner smiles alongside 36 Tim Larsen, 49, CA 30:45:54
37 Ian Pope, 37, CA 30:47:35
race director George Ruiz.
38 Gang Chen, 50, CA 30:56:12
DIRK RENNER 39 Trey Simcik, 33, TX 31:05:31
40 Shannon Ono, 42, NV 31:08:42
41 Doug Brown, 47, CA 31:09:24
42 Adrian Olivares, 36, CA 31:19:38
43 Sankalp Shiva, 35, TX 31:23:30
44 Paul Phillips, 54, NV 31:52:02
45 David Leeke, 44, CA 31:55:11
46 Haiyan Jia, 52, CA 31:55:48
47 Tami Sari, 43, PA 31:56:04
48 Kevin Westover, 53, AZ 31:58:14
49 Ryan Eggers, 35, UT 32:06:03
50 Dujin Kim, 34, WA 32:27:22
51 Shane Teragawa, 45, CA 32:38:59
52 Roger Pynappel, 61, CA 32:47:51
53 Micah Bevins, 44, OK 32:57:15
54 Helen Huang, 51, NY 32:58:26
55 Darrin Rice, 45, NV 33:11:09
56 Patrick Zdunek, 26, CO 33:15:50
57 Eric Mork, 51, CA 33:20:32
58 Donald Buraglio, 50, CA 33:31:27
59 Stefan Tampe, 54, NV 33:32:45
60 Jonathan Strack, 40, CA 33:35:46
61 Itao Tsai, 49, CA 33:36:46
62 Brian Schreiber, 62, NV 33:42:40
63 Loc Tran, 47, GA 33:44:05
64 Sundaram Kartik Iyer, 39, CA 33:45:33
65 Lisa Buzzeo, 39, AZ 33:46:17
66 Kam Chan, 62, CA 33:47:04
67 Thomas Preute, 55, CA 33:59:52
68 Clark Mower, 54, UT 34:16:42
69 Shane Robinson, 44, PA 34:23:56
70 Steve Klang, 53, CA 34:23:57
71 Joe Marson, 33, CA 34:26:49
72 Jim Ryan, 60, WA 34:27:08
73 Robert Pardy, 61, CA 34:29:18
74 Mansour Monem, 62, CA 34:31:03
75 Alex Danner, 64, CA 34:37:58
76 Edgar Macbean, 51, CA 34:46:45
77 Evan Bennett, 22, OH 34:47:04
78 John Lesniak, 49, IL 34:47:28
79 Bruce Nguyen, 46, CA 34:48:43
80 Adrian Ramirez, 60, CA 34:49:28
81 Charles Ventosa, 45, CA 34:51:12
82 Jenny Weaver, 38, CA 34:57:16
83 Neil Haley, 30, NV 35:08:55
84 Maria Barton, 55, MN 35:10:56

September/October 2021 57
ULTRARACES TAHOE RIM TRAIL // NEVADA

Views of Lake Tahoe abound

on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
DIRK RENNER

35 Darren Dobson, 42, NV 9:29:25

36 Jennifer Ross, 46, NV 9:37:27
37 Kathy Hess Slocum, 59, NV 9:38:13
38 David Tearpak, 43, CA 9:39:07
39 Heather Burror, 48, CA 9:40:30
40 Molly Krantz, 39, OR 9:40:33
41 Solmaz Chandler, 45, CA 9:45:33
42 Joshua Restori, 42, NV 9:56:16
43 Johnna Chism, 40, NV 9:56:21
44 Sean Delaney, 40, PA 9:56:31
45 Julia Mulnick, 49, NC 9:57:11
46 Tina Dina, 54, NC 9:57:14
47 Kim Dollins, 43, CA 9:57:44
48 Nicholas Sarris, 41, CA 9:58:27
49 Gary Cook, 52, NV 10:06:45
50 Marco Pontes, 55, AZ 10:18:22
85 Christopher Broering, 47, VA 35:12:10 106 Griselda Skeehan, 45, CA 17:10:38 51 Veronika Spalekova, 38, CA 10:25:38
46 Larry McDonald, 48, NV 13:46:04
86 Daniel McKenzie, 42, AL 35:18:13 107 Leslie Smith, 48, NV 17:15:02 52 Paul Statz, 33, MN 10:27:17
47 Maylin Falke, 39, CA 13:52:47
87 Rose Asquith, 61, CA 35:19:39 108 Christina Baxter, 44, OR 17:21:02 53 Alexandra Dronkers, 69, CA 10:40:55
48 Jeff Reifers, 58, CA 13:56:51
88 Jennifer Wilson, 43, CA 35:20:28 109 Sherri Twedt, 56, NV 17:21:30 54 Mary Ann Flemmer, 61, CA 10:41:28
49 Cheri Winter, 48, CA 14:00:58
89 Timothy Borden, 32, CA 35:22:16 110 Leslie Scott, 36, CA 17:26:07 55 Courtney Anderson, 46, AZ 10:48:43
50 Francie Hamer, 46, OK 14:01:28
90 Stuart Clemow, 32, MT 35:22:33 111 George Greco, 73, CA 17:51:22 56 Paul Diflo, 61, NV 10:49:41
51 Tony Moore, 59, NV 14:01:31
91 Christopher Cabbat, 39, CA 35:27:47 112 Kristen Klink, 46, CA 17:52:15 57 John Feeney, 61, CA 10:55:31
52 Jay Wnuk, 53, WI 14:01:53
92 Peter Henricks, 46, MN 35:28:21 113 Steve Lancaster, 51, CA 17:54:31 58 Becky Schreibfeder, 50, CA 10:58:03
53 David Botha, 40, CA 14:07:29
93 Elijah Hall, 48, CA 35:29:23 114 Jim Buckley, 64, CA 18:05:22 59 Doug Rowand, 73, CA 11:02:27
54 Patrick Jeffs, 41, NC 14:07:35
94 Aryn Yancher, 35, CA 35:31:59 115 Carla Campbell, 40, CA 18:07:23 60 Phil Spicci, 48, CA 11:03:13
55 Susan Truong, 52, CA 14:09:06
95 Kelly Vuletic, 52, OR 35:32:22 116 Norma Faubert, 46, CA 18:16:42 61 Tim Ruiz, 54, CA 11:19:51
56 Kim Kortz, 56, CA 14:10:18
96 Lisa Dewitt, 58, OR 35:32:24 117 Leslie Astle, 61, CA 18:21:42 62 Tyler Standish, 31, TX 11:23:31
57 Brittany Burtner, 37, FL 14:16:48
97 Scott Kennedy, 46, CA 35:32:31 118 Linda Mcfadden, 58, CA 18:28:28 63 Philip Cote, 43, NV 11:25:01
58 Brian Daly, 48, CA 14:22:52
98 Jeff Kosbie, 37, CA 35:42:48 119 Jennifer Berjikian, 31, UT 18:31:31 64 William Crimmins, 28, DC 11:26:40
59 Roland Burgmann, 58, CA 14:36:26
50 MILES 60 Kristin Ethier, 32, CA 14:36:49
120 Alvin Lubrino, 50, CA 18:31:50 65 Gary Duran, 62, CA 11:27:06
121 Dan Weiser, 63, MD 18:59:22 66 Diane Thein, 55, WI 11:28:25
1 Ben Tedore, 42, NV 8:18:28 61 Ryan McLaughlin, 28, LA 14:37:21
122 Leigh-Ann Wendling, 53, CA 19:11:34 67 Eric Kajiwara, 74, CA 11:34:36
2 Ryan Peel, 42, NV 9:38:16 62 Michelle Petrillo, 55, CA 14:42:21
123 Caryn Berger, 49, AZ 19:11:40 68 Danielle Casteel, 31, CA 11:41:37
3 Brian Miller, 45, CA 9:59:29 63 Brandon Shaw, 37, IN 14:43:40
124 Heidi Garner, 42, CA 19:12:51 69 Ian Manzano, 39, CA 11:42:47
4 Bhushan Suresh, 31, NC 10:15:28 64 Shaun Ingram, 41, CA 14:45:12
125 Nate Garner, 41, CA 19:12:52 70 Jeff Wieland, 58, GA 11:45:51
5 Matthew Perkins, 35, NV 10:15:40 65 Brian Ramirez, 43, CA 14:46:22
126 Jeremy Remillard, 36, CA 19:25:25 71 Brian Kajiwara, 39, CA 12:05:26
6 Henry Rubenstein, 29, CA 10:43:40 66 Barbara Pinkerton, 46, OK 14:51:29
127 Martin Mercado, 27, CA 19:36:35 72 Elaina McMahon, 64, NV 12:05:33
7 Katy Pieri-Mccaffrey, 41, CA 10:44:29 67 Patricia Lorenzi, 49, CA 14:51:33
128 Ling Leong, 46, CA 19:36:49 73 Karen Smallcomb, 44, NV 12:07:47
8 Jadd Martinez, 39, CA 11:00:20 68 Clare Davison, 22, NV 14:52:12
129 Srinivasan Sridharan, 45, CA 19:38:28 74 Chris Smallcomb, 44, NV 12:07:50
9 Trey Fitzsimmons, 18, NV 11:01:22 69 Abigail Drake, 49, NV 14:54:35
130 Susan Abele, 50, NV 23:52:01 75 Lucy Cheng, 56, NV 12:10:21
10 Caroline Barichievich, 49, CA 11:05:30 70 Jay Robertson, 36, CA 15:05:09
11 Jordan Carr, 36, CA 11:18:37 71 Sam Loveless, 53, AZ 15:08:46
55K 76 Lauren Cooper, 64, CA 12:11:29
12 Ernesto Fuentes, 40 11:18:39 72 Stacie Riddle, 42, CA 15:15:41 1 Charles MacNulty, 47, CA 5:28:57 77 Waishun Ng, 55, CA 12:11:50
13 Rachael Banton, 31, CA 11:19:09 73 Jeff Jones, 55, CA 15:15:46 2 Cyril Garcia, 25, NY 5:44:28 78 Risto Puhakka, 56, CA 12:16:20
14 Heather Stadnisky, 39, OR 11:32:36 74 Stephanie Nistler, 45, CA 15:17:08 3 Erica Sonnenberg, 44, CA 6:18:09 79 Yomi Kukoyi, 69, CA 12:17:54
15 Meghan Tanel, 23, CA 11:32:40 75 Kristen Kercher, 50, NH 15:22:43 4 Joseph Bouchey, 32, NV 6:19:44 80 Steve White, 70, CA 12:21:39
16 Alex Kamages, 44, CA 11:37:24 76 Angie Cooper, 37, NV 15:22:46 5 Jack Macy, 52, CA 6:34:10 81 Janet Pucci, 72, CA 12:26:08
17 Joselio Ramirez, 55, NV 11:40:36 77 Steve Oliphant, 60, CA 15:28:33 6 Alan Denadel, 30, MA 6:41:25 82 Rich Eimers, 76, CA 12:29:57
18 Samuel Bedolla, 39, CA 11:42:23 78 Sofia Flores, 28, CA 15:28:37 7 Alan Barichievich, 54, CA 6:53:14 83 Melina Massetti, 49, CA 12:30:23
19 Tyler Schwab, 52, NV 11:44:53 79 Kelli McCarthy, 36, CO 15:34:15 8 Jeff Limpert, 44, NV 7:21:58 84 Irish Chapman, 47, CA 12:30:25
20 Lyndsey Taylor, 38, CA 11:53:52 80 David Skeehan, 45, CA 15:36:14 9 Joseph Chick, 44, OR 7:29:37 85 Marisol Pastor-Cabrera, 40, CA 12:37:29
21 Julie Lyons, 43, TX 11:56:55 81 Dale Pauly, 35, CA 15:36:17 10 Alexander Shvedoff, 45, WY 7:33:16 86 Denise Angst, 50, NV 12:38:46
22 Samantha Bear, 34, CA 11:57:50 82 Grae Van Hooser, 61, NV 15:37:36 11 Amy McCracken, 47, NE 7:50:55 87 Whitney Dinubilo, 38, CA 12:39:16
23 Dan Brounstein, 47, CA 11:58:04 83 Tom Melton, 37, CA 15:39:14 12 David Birdsell, 53, CA 7:51:29 88 Jason Dinubilo, 40, CA 12:39:19
24 Juan De Oliva, 39, NV 12:09:26 84 Bryan Selby, 59, CA 15:47:49 13 Nedis Della Chiesa, 53, CA 7:58:48 89 Dave Lampert, 63, NV 12:42:42
25 Michael Lesniak, 38, IL 12:10:42 85 Christine Horton, 40, CA 15:50:03 14 Kirstin Gunderson, 40, CA 8:04:06 90 Sharon Vickers, 50, TN 13:03:40
26 Matthew Glibbery, 31, CA 12:11:04 86 Lorelei Phillips, 51, OR 15:54:59 15 Vanessa Jones, 59, CA 8:04:44 91 Glenn Sapsford, 48, TN 13:03:44
27 Daniel Simonds, 29, CA 12:14:45 87 Magdalena Cruz, 47 15:55:31 16 Jason Tollmann, 51, NV 8:07:52 92 Bill Marweg, 58, CA 13:13:54
28 Chuck Coxe, 48, NV 12:14:50 88 Derk Pinkerton, 40, OK 15:56:39 17 Whit Rambach, 54, CA 8:10:50 93 Tim Schultz, 62, CA 13:13:56
29 Helen Payne, 24, CA 12:33:59 89 Ellie Lane, 31, MO 15:56:41 18 Michele Van Ornum, 52, CA 8:19:12 94 Roy Anderozzi, 53, NV 13:18:50
30 Brady Haugh, 30, CA 12:34:37 90 Kathie Maestas, 56, NV 15:58:11 19 Thomas Meyer, 50, CA 8:22:45 95 Ayn Loehr, 51, CA 13:48:33
31 Ted Jacka, 57, CA 12:50:46 91 Natalia Amezcua, 38, CA 16:07:52 20 Erin Vancellette, 46, CA 8:31:54 96 Cassandra Cisneros, 49, CA 13:48:35
32 Kat Seeba, 31, CA 12:50:48 92 Peggy Alfred, 62, CA 16:15:48 21 Bryna Stevenson, 22, NJ 8:33:58 97 Jill Sorbera, 55, CA 14:13:46
33 Reginald White, 39, CA 13:01:44 93 John Appert, 42, NV 16:18:36 22 David Keane, 58, CA 8:39:04 98 Serena Kosta, 38, NV 14:29:24
34 Joe Thornburg, 46, NV 13:02:47 94 Keith Pronske, 61, CA 16:18:40 23 Francesca Stone, 59, CA 8:40:44 99 James Kosta, 46, NV 14:29:30
35 Fengling Liu, 55, NY 13:10:23 95 David Denison, 59, CA 16:24:24 24 Darren Lisle, 33, CA 8:49:27 100 Chad Foster, 50, NV 14:29:35
36 Ben Quillinan, 47, AZ 13:11:11 96 Lindsey Siebert, 36, CA 16:29:03 25 Alycia Otte, 46, CA 8:50:17 101 Tania Henderson, 50, CA 14:48:22
37 Amy Pistone, 35, WA 13:15:39 97 Norbert Leinfellner, 54, CA 16:29:15 26 Nancy Davison, 49, NV 8:51:36 102 Celeste Decker, 52, CA 15:37:04
38 Anthony Olivero, 38, NV 13:16:04 98 Jack Meyer, 57, CA 16:29:30 27 Maurice Banks, 59, NV 8:59:28 103 Della Delanda, 70, TX 16:37:32
39 Matthew Macfarlane, 26, WA 13:18:00 99 Lina McCain, 55, CA 16:30:17 28 Lauren Warkentin, 31, CO 9:04:22 104 Alice Pontes, 51, AZ 17:16:06
40 Jeff Buennagel, 41, CA 13:19:02 100 Sandy Baker, 59, CA 16:36:47 29 Veronica Dawson, 40, CA 9:05:01 105 Carol Patterson, 77, NV 17:41:19
41 Jon Grindy, 38, CA 13:25:49 101 Kristin Simonson, 42, CA 16:36:50 30 Anais Ta, 26, NY 9:09:41 106 Helen Pelster, 48, CA 19:01:29
42 Paul Barnes, 40, CA 13:26:10 102 Matthew Guthaus, 45, CA 16:36:53 31 Ken Brunt, 57, CA 9:09:49 107 Janice Lisle, 62, CA 19:01:29
43 Beth Lang, 53, CA 13:29:24 103 Sahil Deshpande, 29, CA 16:42:35 32 Richard Flowers, 49, NV 9:12:11 108 Eric Bruce, 59, NC 19:23:07
44 Andrew Renner, 29, CA 13:32:24 104 Bo Elgby, 71, NV 16:43:08 33 Luis León, 47 9:15:00 109 Bill Hunter, 56, CA 26:22:14
45 Pavan Kulkarni, 32, CA 13:45:12 105 Stalin Subbiah, 46, CA 17:06:30 34 William Mavity, 40, CA 9:27:01 *
See page 50 for key

58 UltraRunning.com
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ULTRARACES BADWATER 135 // CALIFORNIA

60 UltraRunning.com
Badwater
Brings the
Heat
BY JODI WEISS
DEATH VALLEY, CA
3,1* // 135 MILES
Elevation gain/loss:
13,000 feet/4,700 feet
The course runs along the
road starting in Badwater,
Death Valley, which marks
the lowest point in North
America at 280 feet below
sea level. The race finishes
at Mt. Whitney Portal at
8,360 feet.

Badwater 135 begins at

the Badwater Basin in
Death Valley.
ADVENTURE CORPS

September/October 2021 61
ULTRARACES BADWATER 135 // CALIFORNIA

With the last-minute cancelation of the

2020 Badwater 135, the anticipation and
excitement for the 2021 race was palpable.
Racers and their crew 2014 race champion, Harvey
members from 17 countries Lewis, fighting his way to
and 29 states once again the front. In third place was
prepared for the 44th edition Russian Sergey Ionov. Lewis
of the race, optimistic that pushed past Gotsuliak by
the pandemic wouldn’t create mile 122, coming into the
additional hurdles. Under the Dow Villa checkpoint nearly
tireless efforts of race director, an hour ahead of Gostsuliak,
Chris Kostman, and his race and making his way up the
staff, in conjunction with the final 13-mile climb to Mount
National Park Service, on July Whitney Portal Road, securing
19, 2021, all waves of runners – his 10th Badwater 135 finish
84 in total – were on their way and second overall win in
from Badwater Basin, begin- 25:50:23.
ning their long-anticipated Gotsuliak and Ionov
journey across Death Valley claimed second and third place,
with a single goal in mind: to respectively, with times of
cross the finish line at Mount 26:35:08 and 26:49:06. After
Whitney Portal Road before the his second Badwater 135 finish,
48- hour cut off. Ionov didn’t stop smiling at
While gaining entry into the the post-race pizza party. He
race is a huge accomplishment noted that his race “was all
for racers, it’s only the first step about camaraderie and team-
in the adventure. Race day for work,” and he enjoyed the “cat
most is a jumble of resolve and and mouse game” that he and
panic as runners count down Gotsuliak played over the last
the evening race starts. Having few hours.
toed the start line five times, I Former male winners in
can share firsthand that the the field of racers included
anxiety leading up to the race Michele Graglia (2018), Pete passion and drive radiates,
doesn’t dissipate with experi- Kostelnick (2015, 2016) and “Badwater is a family reunion.” ABOVE TOP: Festive shoes
ence. Death Valley is humbling. Oswaldo Lopez (2011). This Ed Ettinghausen, known make the long miles at
The depth of the heat and year, Kostelnick, who was as The Jester, tied the world Badwater a little less long.
ADVENTURE CORPS
expanse of the road with its cruising along past mile best for the most lifetime
mountainous and winding 90, eventually dropped, and 100-mile finishes (207!) when ABOVE: Views from the
miles is powerful. The course Graglia was also a DNF due to he crossed the Badwater 135 Badwater course are
breeds a unique sense of drive medical issues. Lopez began finish line for the 10th time. breathtaking.
ADVENTURE CORPS
and desperation for runners the race serenading the 11 But perhaps one of the most
and crews alike. p.m. wave of runners with impressive race finishes went
This year, the race included his trumpet rendition of “The to last-place finisher Jonathan
a three-man battle at the front, Star Spangled Banner,” and Reid, who hobbled across the
with Ukrainian Igor Gotsuliak came in 10th overall in a time finish line in 47:18:53.
in the lead up to mile 95 and of 31:46:04. For Lopez, whose

62 UltraRunning.com
TOP: A runner and her pacer
traverse the asphalt using all
methods possible to keep cool.
ADVENTURE CORPS

MIDDLE: Champ Harvey Lewis

congratulates the last finisher of
the race, Jonathan Reid.
ADVENTURE CORPS

LEFT: Ed “The Jester”

Ettinghausen poses with his
10th Badwater buckle after his
10th finish.
ADVENTURE CORPS

September/October 2021 63
 34 Oscar Hernandez, 39 38:25:13
On the women’s side, Sally an amazing accomplishment. Badwater 135 35 Michelle West, 49 38:31:01
McRae won the women’s race Not because I hit my goals or Death Valley, CA // July 19 36 Brian Hamilton, 51 38:35:05
37 Ed Ettinghausen, 58 38:45:16
in a time of 30:48:47, passing had a great run, but because I 3,1* // 135 MILES 38 Gabe Peterson, 47 38:52:22
Suzi Swinehart, who held fought through every issue and 1 Harvey Lewis, 45 25:50:23
39 Joshua Holmes, 43 38:59:57
40 Danny Westergaard, 63 39:05:46
the lead for some time, and decided no excuses would keep 2 Igor Gotsuliak, 32 26:35:08 41 Scott Waldrop, 45 39:06:57
3 Sergey lonov, 33 26:49:06
finishing hours ahead of the me from finishing.” 4 Kenneth Ringled, 40 28:56:37
42 Nate Dirvin, 39 39:49:20
43 David Jones, 69 39:58:27
second-place finisher, rookie Whether or not you cross 5 Mark Wooten, 41 29:39:02 44 Richard Yelverton, 63 40:15:16
6 Dion Leonard, 46 30:00:12
Norma Roberts of Canada, who the finish line, being out in 7 Sally McRae, 42 30:48:47
45 Peggy Ward, 57 40:25:24
46 Brian Medley, 47 40:34:35
captured the age group record Death Valley for Badwater 8 Eric Tadt, 34 31:12:08 47 Gerald Tabios, 51 40:50:59
for 60+ with a time of 33:37:49. 135 changes you. The desert 9 Jonathan Gunderson, 43 31:33:08 48 Meili Mathuren, 46 40:52:17
10 Oswaldo Lopez, 49 31:46:04 49 Lisa Devona, 45 41:02:50
Swinehart came in third in teaches silence, space, survival 11 Timothy Deer, 56 32:03:22 50 Amy Costa, 56 41:08:58
34:24:33. and helps humans realize our 12 Adam Monke, 34 32:43:40 51 Emilio Martinez, 51 41:23:02
13 Joao Andrade, 39 32:56:52
Across the women’s race, small place on this Earth, and 14 Todd Nott, 57 33:01:28
52 Karla Kent, 58 41:23:34
53 Leslie Carboni, 47 42:10:36
there were a host of other the endless possibilities that 15 Dan McHugh, 50 33:11:10 54 Scott Jenkins, 40 42:42:31
16 Sean Nakamura, 42 33:26:36
success stories: Karla Kent surround us. 17 Norma Roberts, 62 33:37:49
55 John Corey, 53 42:56:21
56 Sandy Geisel, 57 43:10:32
crossed the Badwater 135 18 Daniel Kroeger, 43 34:18:09 57 Todd Baum, 63 43:36:51
19 Lee Whitaker, 47 34:20:25
finish line for the ninth time, 20 Suzi Swinehart, 49 34:24:33
58 Trevin Fugere, 47 43:56:32
59 Mollie Melton Yonker, 38 44:07:16
while a grateful Kim Budzik 21 Caryn Lubetsky, 50 34:56:11 60 Telma Ghazarian Altoon, 46 44:47:17
22 Jessica Hardy, 39 35:56:47
finished her eighth Badwater 23 Nicola Placucci, 38 36:10:47
61 Kimberlie Budzik, 61 45:04:16
62 Lori Mitchener, 44 45:14:07
135, and Amy Costa finished 24 Andy Nazworth, 57 36:13:11 63 Will Litwin, 52 45:30:02
her seventh. Lisa DeVona, 2019 25 Kevin Delk, 38 36:20:44 64 Peter Matus, 54 45:48:33
26 Ray Sanchez, 54 36:23:39 65 Bethany Cazenave, 58 45:51:17
third-place finisher, struggled 27 Kelaine Conochan, 38 37:37:38 66 Jackie Brown, 59 45:57:42
severely with dehydration 28 Ryan Fecteau, 28 37:40:26 67 Hans Siemelink, 60 46:13:25
29 Aneta Zeppettella, 49 37:40:38
issues this year. “Crossing the 30 Nancy Levene, 53 37:45:41
68 Jonathan Reid, 42
*
47:18:53
See page 50 for key
finish line this year for my 31 Joshua Kline, 45 37:46:05
32 Olov Berg, 50 38:02:19
second Badwater finish was 33 Bob Brashear, 62 38:07:28

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ornerymuleracing.com
ULTRALIFE REESE’S PIECES

7 Ultra Secrets You Don’t Want

Your Kids to Know
BY CORY REESE

I’ve been keeping With something as

some secrets. Let’s face Herculean as an ultra-
it, we all have. marathon, there is no
My kids are 20, 18 way to predict exactly
and 17 years old. Over what will happen
the years, they’ve been between the start line
kind enough to meet and the finish. We just
me at the finish line of hang on for dear life
many ultramarathons. and hope for the best.
There is absolutely 7) These shoes
nothing better than were made for walking.
being welcomed at the I vividly remember
finish by the people my first ultramar-
who love you in spite athon. I was with a
of the fact that you big group of runners
smell worse than a when we hit our first
truck stop bathroom. gentle incline. It was
My kids have been barely a hill. But
first-hand witnesses to everyone around

CORY REESE
many of my highs and me started walking,
plenty of my lows. knowing the value of
Yet even with the conserving energy for
most supportive of later. I immediately
families, there are still knew I had found my
some secrets we prefer sport when I realized
ultra aid station looked like. If Once a beautiful baby is
to keep to ourselves. Allow me that in ultrarunning, it is okay
I’m being completely honest, put into their mother’s arms,
to discuss seven things you to walk. But I wasn’t about to
80% of the reason I even run she may forget about the
don’t want your kids to know reveal this dirty little secret to
ultramarathons is because I difficulty of her nine-month
about ultramarathons. my kids. For as long as possible,
have the guilt-free opportunity pregnancy. We do the same
1) Ultramarathons may I let them maintain their illu-
to stuff my mouth with Skittles, thing with ultramarathons. At
involve nudity. sion that their dad could run
potato chips and Mountain the finish line, we relish in the
Sometimes, nature calls. 100 miles straight.
Dew every 7-10 miles. glory of accomplishment. That
And sometimes, nature I hope that my three kids
3) Ultramarathons can turn immense sense of satisfaction
screams through a bull horn. Jackson, Dani and Ky, never
you into an emotional basket can make you numb to just
There are times during an find this article. If your kids
case. how much adversity it took to
ultra when nature demands happen to come across these
What do you get when you get there. Within a matter of
that you take a bathroom break, secrets, please accept my
combine sleep deprivation, days, we often find ourselves
STAT. There isn’t always a sincere apologies for blowing
blisters, electrolyte imbalances, back on Ultrasignup scanning
discreet place to pull off the our cover.
nausea and the overwhelming for the next adventure.
trail, so you do the best you
despair that you still have 30 6) We doubt ourselves, too.
can. Occasionally, you may
more miles to go? Let’s just Kids have the miscon- CORY REESE is the author of the books
see someone’s white rear end
say that I’ve seen more than ception that people gain Nowhere Near First, Into The Furnace
glowing like the beam of a and Stronger Than the Dark to the end.
my share of grown men crying confidence and outgrow their
lighthouse on the side of the He uses running to help balance out
during a race who have never insecurities as they get older.
trail. It’s really no big deal. a well-developed sweet tooth. When
shed a single tear in front of As any adult can attest, we have
Usually, we’re too exhausted he’s not running, Cory stays busy as
their children. insecurities, doubts and fears, a husband, father and medical social
to care that we’ve just been
4) You can run ultramara- too. Nowhere is this observed worker. His adventures can be found at
mooned.
thons, or you can help pay for more than at the start line of fastcory.com.
2) Ultramarathon runners
your child’s education. an ultramarathon. No matter
are hypocrites.
I mean, have you bought how much training you have
Our kids may believe that
a new pair of running shoes done, no matter how in shape
because we don’t have a lot of
lately? you are, no matter how rested
junk food around the house,
5) We have selective memory. your body is, there is still more
we must have a fairly healthy
than enough room for doubt.
diet. If only they knew what an

September/October 2021 65
ULTRALIFE ONE STEP BEYOND

DNF. Now What?

BY DEAN KARNAZES

There are two kinds of work through it on your own. understanding that ultras have months of disciplined training
racers: those who have DNF’d Knowing how others approach endless variables and no guar- were capped off with a week
and those who have never such a setback can provide antees. “It comes with the terri- at altitude and good sleep.
signed up for an ultra. Simply strategies and mindsets that tory,” he stated. “If the process When the gun went off, her
put, you cannot know where are helpful for navigating is too painful and unrewarding, hopes were high. Her pace was
the edge is unless you go over through the emotional tumult find something else to do with comfortable and measured,
it. To race to your full potential of falling short. The athletes perhaps too much so. Running
means taking risks, experi- profiled below are all different, by feel and without a watch,
menting and striving beyond yet they have similarities in the When you’re at the second aid station she
your ability. Inevitably, it also ways they’ve coped with the was surprised to learn that
means contending with failure. disappointment of a DNF. All toeing the line of she was only 20 minutes
By its very nature, ultrarun- of them pulled out of the 2021 a 50 or 100-mile ahead of the cutoff time. Now
ning is a sport built on uncer- Western States 100—a diffi- footrace, there is she was racing against the
tainty. When you’re toeing the cult race with above normal relentlessly persistent cutoff
line of a 50 or 100-mile footrace, temperatures and a higher little assurance horns. She was the last runner
there is little assurance you’ll than average dropout rate. you’ll cross the to ford the Rucky Chucky river
cross the finish line no matter Here’s what they had to say: crossing (mile 78) before the
how fit you are. Still, that doesn’t
finish line no cutoff. Undeterred, Verity kept
lessen the sting of not finishing GEOFF VAUGHAN, 56 matter how fit striving. She arrived at the
a race. Months and years of A seasoned and accom- you are. Auburn Lakes Trail checkpoint
preparation go into it—not to plished ultrarunner, Geoff first (mile 85.2) a mere 45 seconds
mention the amount of time ran Western States back in 1997. after the cutoff. Her mood was
and sacrifice—and when you He finished again in 1998 and your time,” he added. Geoff’s stoic; she exited with grace.
come up short it can be devas- 2012. In 2013, he suffered a got several more ultras sched- This was only her third DNF
uled later this year, and has set in 32 years of racing, and the
his ultimate sights on putting aftermath was more reflective
in for Western States 2022. Yes, than previous non-finishes.
redemption is in order. She tried to keep the disap-
pointment in perspective with
NICOLE BITTER, 39 other painful life events. She
An elite ultramarathoner replayed the race in her head,
and top contender, Nicole scrolling through the thoughts
experienced health issues and feelings she encountered
during the race that she wasn’t along the way, and experienced
comfortable running through. little bouts of “DNF grief” as
Despite a seemingly legitimate she gently let go. Eventually,
reason to stop, she still says the like the others, Verity turned
DNF has been rough. “DNF’s her attention to the future. “I
take a greater toll on me than have an amazing base fitness
I would like to admit,” Nicole right now and I’m not about to
confesses. To help her cope, she waste an ounce of it.” Her fall
dove right back into a big work racing calendar is packed.
project; the distraction helped By our very nature, ultra-
prevent protracted dwelling marathoners don’t like coming
on the matter. Once the up short. But as these athletes
downtrodden feelings abated, have demonstrated, what
she turned her attention to matters most is being in it for
the future. “There is always the long run.
Nicole Bitter climbs to the DNF. Geoff hadn’t run the race another ultra to focus on,” she
escarpment at Western since then, so this year was a concluded buoyantly.
DEAN KARNAZES is a 12x finisher of
States. LUIS ESCOBAR chance at redemption. It wasn’t Western States. His newest book is A
meant to be and he dropped VERITY BREEN, 54 Runner’s High.
at the Rucky Chucky aid Given this was her first
tating, especially when many
station at mile 78. Geoff’s still Western States, Verity did not
marquee ultras are so difficult
piecing together where things skimp in preparation. Standing
to get into in the first place.
went wrong, and he admits it at the starting line she felt
If you’ve ever experienced
stings. Still, he maintains a confident, both physically and
a DNF, you’ve probably tried to
healthy attitude on the matter, mentally. The previous six

66 UltraRunning.com
ULTRALIFE DESTINATION UNKNOWN

Amen Corner
BY JEFF KOZAK

Considering the entirety of In each of the three years I I jokingly asked aid station Wind claimed that he had been
the Western States 100 course, have volunteered at the Quarry captain, Rob Cain, how much searching for a moniker for
the left turn off of Finley onto Road aid station (mile 91), the time had to pass before he years that would sufficiently
Stadium Way never registered energy has largely followed a radioed net control to see if the and succinctly describe the
as being particularly symbolic. similar trajectory. The excitable race was still going. One thing beauty of the surroundings and
Robinson Flat. Last Chance. passion for assisting runners was certain, the Golden Hour the golfer’s need “for a little
Devil’s Thumb. Michigan Bluff. on their personal journeys was going to be a rush hour of hope, faith and divine inspira-
Foresthill. Rucky Chucky. No from Olympic Valley to Auburn epic proportions. tion” in successfully negotiating
Hands Bridge. These land- quickly transforms into an equally Hurrying from a distant this section of the course.
marks along the course prac- intense desire to break down the parking space to the finish, I If a professional golfer
stopped short of the track, needed these mystical inter-
viscerally caught in the web of ventions to avoid disaster, what
emotional energy emanating then of the ordinary, average
from Stadium Way. I turned to ultrarunner attempting to
watch, momentarily forgetting pull off a feat of endurance
the actual finish line. From shockingly unrepresentative
my vantage point I could hear, of our sedentary society? For
but not see, the steady stream every athlete toeing the line in
of runners, accompanied by Olympic Valley, but especially
raucous entourages of pacers, for those fighting to stay ahead
crews, coaches, family, friends of cutoffs, every aid station was
and random well-wishers, an “Amen Corner” of sorts,
desperately summoning every with the stakes magnifying
last ounce of energy as they exponentially as the remaining
made their way down intermi- miles dwindled, while the
nable Finley Street. effort required to continue
When they turned the distorted the distance.
corner, I witnessed their facial Rounding that final pre-
expressions morph as they track corner, the faces all betrayed
saw the track for the first time. an ultrarunning truth, sagely
What had felt infinitely distant expressed by a previous Western
for over 29 hours was now States champion and current
finite and tangible. If a picture Quarry Road guru, Hal Koerner:
is worth a thousand words, a “Your feet will only take you so
facial expression is worth a far. It is the belief in community
thousand stories. I had seen that allows us to rise above the
these same faces just a few limits our mind sets for us.”
hours earlier at Quarry Road, Outside of Augusta, as it
Golden Hour finisher, Kara station after the 8:40 a.m. cutoff the track still nothing more turns out, the phrase “Amen
Teklinski, accompanied by swiftly enough to make it to the than a mental mirage shim- Corner” refers to “a group of
pacer and crew, makes her track for the “Golden Hour,” mering in the rapidly rising people that give unwavering
way to Amen Corner. the last hour of the race. heat of the second sunrise. support.” Be it at the intersec-
JEFF KOZAK
This year’s extraordinarily Now, 10 miles of stories later, tion of Finley and Stadium Way
hot conditions created a flash tenuous success had metamor- on the last Sunday in June, or
mob-like effect of cutoff phosed into imminent reality. any number of other race course
tically shout Western States chasers unlike any I had ever This was Western States’ locales, there can hardly be a
with a mere mention. But witnessed. More runners came “Amen Corner,” or at least the more apropos description of the
what about this inconspicuous through in the final three tail end of it. The phrase was ultrarunning experience.
intersection of two Auburn hours than in the half day we famously used in 1958 by sports
streets, one of which runners had been operating since Jim writer Herbert Warren Wind
JEFF KOZAK discovered the magic of
are on for just a handful of Walmsley’s arrival. If most of to describe the 11th, 12th and the mountain life as a kid at the family
strides? It wasn’t until I found the top runners looked cooked, 13th holes at Augusta National, Eastern Sierra summer cabin, the trans-
myself at this very spot with the rest of the field largely host to the Masters, one of formative power of running in high
30 minutes remaining before appeared as though it had the most iconic tournaments school cross country, and combined
the 30-hour horn of the final discovered another circle in in golf – a trio of challenging the two passions with trail ultrarunning
cutoff sounded that I realized Dante’s Inferno. At one point, holes that never failed to deliver as a twenty-something. He can be
reached at jeff[email protected].
the sanctity of the scene that around midnight, when an drama and often determined
surrounded me. hour went by between runners, the outcome of the final round.

September/October 2021 67
ULTRALIFE RUNNING DOWN UNDER

What We Don’t See

BY LUCY BARTHOLOMEW

Mental health isn’t a sexy Meditation, breathing, know someone’s story. Like an strong, not only in the scenes
topic. It comes with some journaling, therapy and sleep iceberg, we might only see a but behind the scenes.
murkiness and it brings up have been huge for me to find glimpse of what is happening
emotions in everyone—athlete balance again, and this all above the surface or behind the
LUCY BARTHOLOMEW is a 24-year-old
or not. I can only talk from happens behind the scenes. scenes. If someone is winning Australian who travels to follow the
my own experience, but I have all the races it doesn’t mean sun and fuels her life with plants. After
appreciated the openness and they are happy; if an athlete running her first 100k at 15 years old,
vulnerability that people are changes their body shape it she has been hooked on the sport, the
starting to share with the wider Like an iceberg, doesn’t mean they are any community and smiling through the
challenges.
community. It’s given me a we might only more healthy or unhealthy;
sense that I am not alone in and if an athlete posts sunny
facing my own demons, and
see a glimpse of pictures all the time, it doesn’t
that continuing to sweep it what is happening mean that it never rains.
under the carpet is only leading above the surface From my own personal
to a very lumpy path being experience, I feel that these
paved for future athletes. or behind the moments and times of dark-
Social media. Love it or hate scenes. ness have made me appreciate
it, it’s here to stay. As an athlete, that light even more. It also
I know how important it is to means that I can write an
engage on social media to meet article like this and hopefully
There is no tracking it on
sponsor demands, interact with reach out to someone to say,
Strava, and no mock photos
the community and share what “You’re not alone,” and advocate
taken to post on social media.
you’re doing. Those squares for looking after your mental
What I think is important
that form a grid generally show health as much as your phys-
moving forward in this sport
the sunny days, the smiling ical health so that you can be
is that we don’t make assump-
athlete, the finish lines, the
tions and we don’t think we
well-presented plate of food,
the alpine views and the good
times.
(I know this because that is
what my grid looks like.)
Until things started to
THE ULTIMATE ULTR A-RUNNING COMBO
unravel for me. Not only was
my physical health struggling,
but my mental health was also
in a dark place.
It’s possible to post a smile, T-30 ENDURANCE FORMUL A TERMINUS RECOVERY FORMULA
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but accepting that I have • Vegan BCAA’s
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Treating it like a sprained ankle, KSM-66 Ashwagandha • Electrolytes
taking the time to give grace • Rhodiola Rosea Extract • Zinc
and rest to my mind, seeing a
professional and continuing
to devote time and energy
to my head space has been
paramount to moving forward.
However, this stuff doesn’t ultraversesupplements.com
really make my grid.

68 UltraRunning.com
 ULTRALIFE SARAH’S STORIES

Managing Your Nerves

Before Race Day
BY SARAH LAVENDER SMITH

My goal 100-miler for the Secondly, I remind myself you care about and appreciate
summer is just a couple of We invest months, what it feels like to be a traveler the day-to-day training as
weeks away, which means my and I try to view the buildup much as you do about race day,
head is spinning with details
sometimes a to the ultra as a journey to be you’ll increase your chances
and my stomach feels jumpy year or longer, savored. A decade ago, I had of meeting your goal because
when I re-read the course of physical and the life-altering experience of you’ll be well-trained. Then, if
description for the umpteenth traveling nomadically around something happens to sabotage
time. I’m revising lists for my
mental energy for the world for a year, and the race day, you will still feel the
drop bags and trying not to performance on a day-to-day process of getting effort was worthwhile, not a
second-guess my training. single day, so it’s from one place to the next— waste, because you valued all of
Thinking about all the talking to people and seeing those weeks of training.
“what ifs” for what could unfold understandable sights along the way—felt
during the High Lonesome that race day more meaningful and memo-
SARAH LAVENDER SMITH was the 2019
100 in the Sawatch mountains can loom rable than visiting any famous female champ of the Grand to Grand
of Colorado, I found myself tourist attraction. Ultra self-supported stage race. She
reflecting on the suffering with outsized The day-to-day training is the author of the book, The Trail
and dashed dreams at the importance. for an ultra shapes your life Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-
prior month’s Western States as much or more than what Step Guide to Trail Running and
100. So many strong runners happens on race day, so savor Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras. Follow her
blog TheRunnersTrip.com.
at Western States who had the day can loom with outsized the training. It’s a win-win: if
capability to finish under 24 importance.
hours on a good day, instead How should we manage all
completed the race hours later the hopes, expectations, nerves
or DNF’d. Will that be me, and worries leading to that all The
suffering in high altitude heat
and chasing cutoffs? From that
important day? I use a couple
of coping skills to help me, and
mOUnTaiNBACK 50
question, my mind jumped to they might help you, too.
a litany of potential problems First, I tell myself it’s There’s not
that could slow me to the point normal and even a good thing a more
of dropping, such as a sprained to experience worry, nervous-
ankle or wheezy, fluid-filled ness and other strong feelings. gorgeous race!
– Dani Filipek
lungs. As a notable leader, Ellen
Worse, something could Johnson Sirleaf (Africa’s first
happen between now and then female president), famously A great mix
to keep me from even getting wrote, “If your dreams don’t of terrain!
to the race. A pre-race accident scare you, they are not big – Matt Flaherty,
from 2019 often haunts me. enough.” CR holder
After spending the first half Your worry and fear mixed Ultra challenge
of that year training for the with hope mean you care 50 forest miles Relay option
Bighorn 100, I foolishly hopped deeply and really want to 1+ mi elev gain
on a green horse a week before achieve your goal. This level of Costumes
1 amazing day welcome!
Photo: Heather Weikel

the race. The horse bucked care and desire is essential for
like a wild bronc and sent success in ultrarunning. You
me flying, and I landed hard need to remember and draw
enough to fracture a vertebra. on those feelings mid-ultra
Poof, the 100-mile goal for the
year vanished.
I know I’m not alone in
when ambivalence creeps in
as you suffer discomfort. If
your desire to achieve your goal
10.31.2021
catastrophizing when thinking starts to become overpowered
about the biggest goal race of
the year. We invest months,
by the more immediate desire
to reduce discomfort, then
tusseymountainback.com
sometimes a year or longer, of your race could devolve into a Just for the
physical and mental energy for discouraged, half-hearted effort,
performance on a single day, or worse, DNF’ing, which you hill of it.®
so it’s understandable that race almost certainly will regret.

September/October 2021 69
ULTRALIFE I AM AN ULTRARUNNER

Katie Trent
BY ERIKA HOAGLAND

Age: 28 art, so I did not have much What has been the highlight friends, walking my crazy dogs
Where do you live currently? time to mentally prepare for of your running career thus and watching bad reality TV.
Reno, Nevada the summer. For most of the far? I think running Old Which three tangible items
Where did you grow up? spring semester I was too Dominion with my sister and do you cherish the most? My
Reno, Nevada stressed with school, so my breaking 24 hours to get that wedding ring, my Adventure
Occupation: Merchandise training for the Slam was my buckle. It was such a beautiful Time t-shirt, my Dad’s old
processor at the Patagonia outlet to relax and unwind. So, course and the volunteers were London Calling vinyl that skips
Distribution Center in Reno, I was excited for the summer amazing. through “Rudie Can’t Fail”
with a little side hustle at What is your biggest pet
Eclipse Pizza Company peeve? When you’re eating
Family (kids, spouse, pets)? a popsicle and it falls off the
Married to my husband, Jon stick prematurely. It brings me
Kruper, with no children, just rage!
fur babies: Early the pitbull, Do you listen to music or
Jebs the Chihuahua and Glitzy podcasts? If so, what are
the cat you listening to these days?
# of ultras run: 49 I use headphones at work, so
What is your first ultrarun- I listen to everything. “Last
ning memory? My first ultra- Podcast on the Left” is my
running memory is watching favorite and the music podcast
my dad run Silver State 50 in “No Dogs in Space” is also great
Reno, NV, in the early 90s. My which focused on the punk
mom would take my sister and genre with bands like The
I to a dirt lot next to Boomtown Stooges, The Misfits and The
Casino to cheer on my dad at Cramps.
mile 30 as he started the long What is something people
ANNIE TRENT

climb into the Carson Range. would be surprised to know

You and your dad are both about you? I’m married to a
running the Grand Slam of tattoo artist who loves metal
Ultrarunning this year (Old music and pre-pandemic we
Dominion 100, Western went to a lot of metal shows
States 100, Leadville 100, together. The experiences were
and ready to take a break from What has been your most
Wasatch 100). Did you make very rowdy and fun. Last show
studying and focus on running challenging race expe-
that decision together or did we saw in Reno was Cannibal
and traveling. rience? Running my first
one of you spark the idea? Corpse. Another perk of being
Your whole family (mom, 100-miler at Western States
We are both bad influences married to a tattoo artist is
dad and sister) participates in 2015. I was chasing cutoffs
on each other and will say yes getting free tattoos.
in ultrarunning. What have all day long and I had no time
to any race and any distance Where do you see yourself
you learned from each of to relax. It was an extremely
the other one suggests. It in 10 years? Hopefully, I will
them about the sport? stressful day, but I got it done.
was probably my dad’s idea finally be done with school and
My dad has taught me to be What is your ultimate goal
because he wanted to do it in teaching art at a high school
disciplined in my training and in ultrarunning? I would
the mid-2000s and my mom in either Reno or Northern
how to pace and fuel through like to be a 10-time finisher
would always talk him out of California. I hope to also be
an ultra successfully, as well as at Western States. I think I
it. I told my dad after finishing healthy and happy, and still
how to respect the history and started young enough that if
Wasatch in 2019 and seeing running ultras and training
community that surrounds I get a qualifier every year, I
the awards ceremony for the with my family and friends.
each race. My mom has taught might be able to get it done by
Grand Slam runners that if
me how to put my head down, the time I’m 60.
I got picked in the Western
muscle through and keep What race is on your bucket ERIKA HOAGLAND, an Oregon native
States lottery, I would do the
moving when you’re tired. And list? UTMB. I’ve never been now living in Marin County, CA, is a
Grand Slam with him. I got former assistant editor of UltraRunning
my sister has taught me how to out of the country and going
lucky and was drawn, so we Magazine and physical therapist. She
balance life and running. Like on a European vacation would
decided to go for it. currently spends most of her time
it’s OK to miss a long run and be amazing. chasing around a future ultrarunner,
How did you prepare
go grab drinks with friends or What are your hobbies her two-year-old daughter. Erika
mentally and physically
go camping, you’ll still be just outside of running? I enjoy has run over 50 ultras and favors the
for such a huge summer
as prepared for your race if you fishing with my husband, 100-mile distance.
of running? I’m working
miss a few runs in order to painting, mountain biking
on my masters of secondary
have fun. (badly), drinking beer with
education in social studies and

70 UltraRunning.com
 Athlete: Patrick Reagan
Photo: Luis Escobar

D R Y M A X S P O R T S . C O M