Kamikaze - Black Canyon 100k Race Recap
I went for it and paid the price. But I had to. I told my husband as I prepared for this race I would likely be a kamikaze in my attempt to go out hard and hang on. But that was my only shot as the the Black Canyon 100k women’s field cumulatively covered nearly every accolade in the ultra world.
Sharing a moment with my oldest daughter moments after crossing the finish line.
Front runner
I have to admit it was pretty cool being at the front of a loaded field - I came into mile 20 just minutes behind the world record holder in 100 miles, 24 hours, AND 12 hours. I was leading others with credentials on the world stage including wins in the most prestigious races in the ultra world such as Western States and Marathon des Sables.
For weeks prior to the race, I had studied splits and determined if I was going to put it out there for a Golden Ticket, I need to average 7.5 min/mile for the first 20 miles – which I did. Reflecting on my last race, Bandera 100k, I had gone out at a conservative pace and felt strong the entire race, meaning that I could have went faster. Now that I have these two data points, going forward, I need to run a smart race and then push the second half. I have one Golden Ticket race remaining, The Canyons 100k to put this method to the test.
Execution (pun intended)
This was the largest 100k race in North America last year. This was the most people I shared the starting line with among the hundreds of races I have done. As I wiggled to the start line (with only 2 minutes to spare) no one questioned me near the front since the race director was announcing she wanted to see equal women at the start – something we will be doing at our IRONBULL Ultra Trail as part of Trail Sisters. The race opened on the high school track which allowed me to eye up where the top women were. I was in 2nd – exactly where I needed to be. I was able to get in a great rhythm with a couple of other runners. I was on cloud nine all the way up to the third aid station. The entire course had been downhill and was effortless. I had nailed my planned pace and felt great.
Flying into Bumble Bee aid station in 2nd place. Photo courtesy @AravaipaRunning
However, immediately exiting Bumble Bee aid station at mile 19.6, I lost my rhythm. I opted to walk the short steep uphill and was passed. I was surprised how much time this runner put on me in such a short distance. This would be the theme of the rest of the day for me. I kept him in my sights but wouldn’t be able to reel him in as we rounded bends. Soon one woman then a few miles later another woman and another passed me. Each time I told myself I should hang onto them but found the pace difference was too substantial. I shook it off though knowing these were world-class ultrarunners.
Falling back to earth
I realized as one woman after another passed me, that I would not gain a Golden Ticket. Nonetheless, I continued on. From 60k on, the disparity between paces was unbelievable – either people left me in the dust like they just started the race or I flew by walkers. I’d usually try to hang with someone that passed me but would quickly fall off their pace. I won’t lie - this was discouraging.
Not as dire as it seemed
Now that I look at the results, the situation was not nearly as dire as I perceived. I still finished in the top 5% of the entire field – 26th out of the sold-out 700 runner field! Also, even though I fell on the women’s results, I still moved up in the overall results.
My husband i.e. superdad even snuck a visit at the park during the race while crewing for me!
Low point
My low point literally and figuratively were the river crossings – particularly after falling in up to my neck in a major attempt to keep my feet dry. Being an adventure racer, I nearly always get my feet wet in adventure races but for some reason this race was harder on my feet. I changed shoes three times plus stopped on the trail to shake out my socks as I could not bare 10 miles before my next opportunity to change shoes. None of the other top women changed shoes. I’m thinking gaiters may be a good investment. In adventure races, I just shake out my shoes and easily catch back up. Here, every second I stopped was time lost.
Superdad
Having to pack all sorts of gear for the trip / race, I forgot some race gear.
My husband had crewed for me WHILE watching our three children. This superdad even squeezed in a stop at the park! But his biggest challenge of the day was fending them off the food he’d lay out for me at each aid station. My middle daughter announced to me during a shoe change “I’m hungry.”
New gear
A cardinal sin of newbie racers is to use new gear during the race. Luckily, the three (out of seven!) pieces of gear I wore for the first time in a race worked out.
This was the first time I ever raced with a cap. As I ran a couple miles of the course earlier in the week I was nearly blinded the entire time by the bright low winter sun despite running just before noon. I told my husband how horrible it will be running into the sun the entire day (since the point-to-point race travels south) the night before the race. He suggested I wear a cap and I’m grateful I heeded his advice and grabbed the only cap I had with me morning of the race. (So add wise coach to my husband’s roles as superdad and crew!)
Sharing the finish line with my children was thrilling. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Paige
Having to pack camping gear, all my family’s clothes for a 12-day road trip, and my race gear, I wasn’t shocked when I realized I forgot to pack a an extra pair of running shoes and my race shorts. Luckily I had brought a brand new pair of running shoes to break in during the trip that served as my second pair.
Bringing it home
I was surprised at the welcome I received at the finish line considering everyone had to be shuttled to the finish. It felt like everyone there was cheering me on. It helped that I had some extended family that snowbird in the area also cheering me on. But it was especially meaningful as this was the first time my children had been a part of the entire race experience. Despite being disappointed with my overall time and place, I was thrilled to see my children at the finish line.
Banner photo: My daughter trying to put my finisher buckle on me at the finish. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Paige