Jemez Springs 50 write up
First of all I really appreciate the couple of comments left about my lack of nerves. Super encouraging and right on the mark in terms of realizing that we can get by without all of those practiced pieces.
Synopsis of Jemez:
Of any race to pick to be unprepared for, this is the one (not that I'm recommending anyone show up unprepared). Jemez Springs is organized by a group of scientists and veteran ultrarunners and not one detail is left unattended. The maps were beautiful, the course outline (elevation gain and loss between each aid station & mileage) and elevation profile were right on. The aid stations came at just the right time and were well stocked with helpful people and plenty of eats. It was a great day, we lucked out with cool weather (a little warmer in the afternoon and we narrowly missed a storm) and I teamed up with two gentlemen making for an entertaining and well run race for each of us.
A great run, a tough course, lots of variety in the terrain, spectacular views, something for everyone, challenging... were all comments I heard about the race course at the finish line. I totally agree with all of these claims. Multiple times throughout the day I was reminded of other courses - there were parts where I felt like I was at Zane Grey 50, or on the Wasatch course, or coming over Hope Pass at Leadville (maybe that is because Ken Chlouber was there). There are places to cruise, climbs that get your attention and technical trail that requires focus and good footing. This is a great run and a perfect Hardrock trainer.
I'm not going to give a play by play, but just hit on a few of the highlights from the day.
Blake and Rebecca were kind enough to host Roch and I for the two nights on either side of the race. Blake hiked in to the aid station he was captaining Friday night with his high school XC/track kids and Rebecca left the house before we were awake to join them. It felt like nearly everyone in town got behind this race... in fact there is a 3 page article in the local paper today, complete with pictures and results (the online version doesn't show everything).
Roch and I made our way to the Posse Shack (start/finish) just in time to check in, drop off our drop bags and head over to the start. Kyle Skaggs led the way from the get go and the rest of us fell in behind. I watched Darcy's ponytail quickly move away as I settled in behind a group of guys. The course touts 11,000 ft of climbing and from the profile you can see that the gain comes in large chunks. The first time over 10k is an out and back (mile 11-15... see the course map), so you get to check in with the rest of the field. Kyle came flying down the hill, literally flying. I watched him take a switchback by swinging around a tree rather than slowing down... didn't even break stride. No wonder the guy ran 8:09!
It was during this climb and descent that I met up with Steve of Santa Fe, NM. Turns out (after spending the next 7 hours with him I learned a lot) Steve is rejoining the ultrarunning world after a 16 years hiatus. He won Leadville in 1988, and sometime around there won Old Dominion as well. He also competed in long distance road racing and at one point posted a 5:17 50 miler. Funny thing was that it was very apparent that Steve (he even said so himself) has not tuned in to all of the technolgy that the sport now has to offer. Wearing a cotton T, and hat, he borrowed water bottles with handstraps from Nate (RD) and was trying Clif Shot for only the second time. He had lots of stories to help pass the hours as well as lots of questions about ultrarunning.
About 30 miles into the run we caught up to Charles of Boulder, CO (who I also met at my birthday run) who then stayed with us the remainder of the race and with 6 miles to go we decided to finish together. I didn't have to turn my music on all day (okay that I didn't charge my iPod). We shared typical trail talk and gave each other a hard time. For example: at the 35 mile aid station I grabbed a fig newton, then a quarter turkey sandwich, then another, then chips and as we were walking out of the aid station I stated (with my hands and mouth full of food) - guys I think I was hungry. Charles said I was eating them out of house and home. I also managed to belch (not just burp) after downing a glass of coke... they didn't think that was very feminine. Maybe it was them giving me a hard time...
The views we enjoyed and the terrain we covered were spectacular, ever changing with climbs & descents that took your breath away. Just when you might be tired of running downhill the terrain would change. We were on mostly single-track and I got the feeling this course was pieced together to share someone's favorite training grounds. I could go on and on, but check out the pictures taken last year and put this one on your calendar.
Synopsis of Jemez:
Of any race to pick to be unprepared for, this is the one (not that I'm recommending anyone show up unprepared). Jemez Springs is organized by a group of scientists and veteran ultrarunners and not one detail is left unattended. The maps were beautiful, the course outline (elevation gain and loss between each aid station & mileage) and elevation profile were right on. The aid stations came at just the right time and were well stocked with helpful people and plenty of eats. It was a great day, we lucked out with cool weather (a little warmer in the afternoon and we narrowly missed a storm) and I teamed up with two gentlemen making for an entertaining and well run race for each of us.
A great run, a tough course, lots of variety in the terrain, spectacular views, something for everyone, challenging... were all comments I heard about the race course at the finish line. I totally agree with all of these claims. Multiple times throughout the day I was reminded of other courses - there were parts where I felt like I was at Zane Grey 50, or on the Wasatch course, or coming over Hope Pass at Leadville (maybe that is because Ken Chlouber was there). There are places to cruise, climbs that get your attention and technical trail that requires focus and good footing. This is a great run and a perfect Hardrock trainer.
I'm not going to give a play by play, but just hit on a few of the highlights from the day.
Blake and Rebecca were kind enough to host Roch and I for the two nights on either side of the race. Blake hiked in to the aid station he was captaining Friday night with his high school XC/track kids and Rebecca left the house before we were awake to join them. It felt like nearly everyone in town got behind this race... in fact there is a 3 page article in the local paper today, complete with pictures and results (the online version doesn't show everything).
Roch and I made our way to the Posse Shack (start/finish) just in time to check in, drop off our drop bags and head over to the start. Kyle Skaggs led the way from the get go and the rest of us fell in behind. I watched Darcy's ponytail quickly move away as I settled in behind a group of guys. The course touts 11,000 ft of climbing and from the profile you can see that the gain comes in large chunks. The first time over 10k is an out and back (mile 11-15... see the course map), so you get to check in with the rest of the field. Kyle came flying down the hill, literally flying. I watched him take a switchback by swinging around a tree rather than slowing down... didn't even break stride. No wonder the guy ran 8:09!
It was during this climb and descent that I met up with Steve of Santa Fe, NM. Turns out (after spending the next 7 hours with him I learned a lot) Steve is rejoining the ultrarunning world after a 16 years hiatus. He won Leadville in 1988, and sometime around there won Old Dominion as well. He also competed in long distance road racing and at one point posted a 5:17 50 miler. Funny thing was that it was very apparent that Steve (he even said so himself) has not tuned in to all of the technolgy that the sport now has to offer. Wearing a cotton T, and hat, he borrowed water bottles with handstraps from Nate (RD) and was trying Clif Shot for only the second time. He had lots of stories to help pass the hours as well as lots of questions about ultrarunning.
About 30 miles into the run we caught up to Charles of Boulder, CO (who I also met at my birthday run) who then stayed with us the remainder of the race and with 6 miles to go we decided to finish together. I didn't have to turn my music on all day (okay that I didn't charge my iPod). We shared typical trail talk and gave each other a hard time. For example: at the 35 mile aid station I grabbed a fig newton, then a quarter turkey sandwich, then another, then chips and as we were walking out of the aid station I stated (with my hands and mouth full of food) - guys I think I was hungry. Charles said I was eating them out of house and home. I also managed to belch (not just burp) after downing a glass of coke... they didn't think that was very feminine. Maybe it was them giving me a hard time...
The views we enjoyed and the terrain we covered were spectacular, ever changing with climbs & descents that took your breath away. Just when you might be tired of running downhill the terrain would change. We were on mostly single-track and I got the feeling this course was pieced together to share someone's favorite training grounds. I could go on and on, but check out the pictures taken last year and put this one on your calendar.
posted by Krissy Moehl at 9:33 PM
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