I ran the 2018 Black Canyon 60K ultra about two weeks ago and now have given enough time to let the experience sink in. Our family planned a vacation to the Phoenix area for a warm weather getaway and I checked into the possibility of doing a group run with the Aravaipa Running Company while we would be there. I found out that weekend was their Black Canyon Ultra races so naturally I signed up for the 60K. I am a fan of Jamil Coury's videos on YouTube so have been eager to run some Arizona trails myself someday.
Training went well, as well as I could have hoped for a Minnesota winter. I was able to stay consistent and avoid injury while modestly building to a max of a 45 mile week with a long run of 18 miles. I did way more treadmill running than I usually do (and would want to do) but weather and convenience was a big factor for that. Also, finding time to run among work, personal, and parental schedules was challenging at times. Overall, I was happy with my fitness level coming into the race and hoping it would translate into a solid race day performance.
Highlights:
-Beautiful scenery and landscapes of the Arizona Desert
Seeing the sunrise and being surrounded all around by mountains in the distance created a scene that I'll never forget. The desert is truly beautiful. My only regret was not being able to look up more to take in the landscapes while negotiating technical trails.
-Nearly perfect weather
When the race started I believe the temperature was in the high 30's, sunny, and breezy which was only chilly when standing around. Once we started moving it felt very comfortable to run in. As the day went on it warmed up to the mid 60's and eventually clouded up.
-A fast day
I refused to look at my splits for the first 8 miles and just went off of feel. I was rolling. It was easy running and stayed that way until I started grinding a bit before the Bumble Bee Ranch aid station (19.2 miles). I ran PRs for the "trail" marathon (4:03) and 50K (5:02) distances, which sums up my relative pace. In general, my energy levels felt good though the whole race.
-A well organized event
The folks at Aravaipa did a first rate job with this race. Everything was well thought out and flawlessly executed. There was no questioning the course markings. The aid stations where stocked with anything I would need. All in all, there were great people working at the race and I enjoyed my experience.
-Freak Brothers Pizza
I was looking forward to this free perk days before and during the race. It did not disappoint. These guys make great pizza, and do it fast. After hanging out at the finish area rehydrating and relaxing for awhile I got my complimentary pizza and bought one for the kids. We feasted on the car trip back to the hotel.
Lowlights:
-Getting uncomfortably dehydrated
I never felt overheated but I was startled to find that less than halfway through the race I had some serious salt accumulation on my face. I carried one 18 ounce handheld and was consistently sipping but it was not enough. I should have been chugging fluids at the early aid stations. A pre-race goal of mine was to be faster through the aid stations, which I was, until the last two (especially the last one). I got desperately thirsty between the Gloriana Mine (23.7 miles) and Soap Creek (31.2 miles) aid stations. I had to spend a lot of time rehydrating at Soap Creek and that significantly impacted my race. I wish I could have that last 10K to do over again. The dehydration also contributed to my legs being trashed at the end. The lesson was learned: stay ahead of hydration.
-Downhills then technical single track strategically destroyed my legs
The race went from track to asphalt to dirt road to rocky road to single track trail and the first 19 miles drops from about 4000 feet to 2500 feet in elevation. It's easy to get into a fast rhythm and not notice much effect of the time and distance on your legs. It was silently shredding my quads, hip flexors, and calves. I welcomed the climb after the Bumble Bee aid station (19.2 miles) just for the variation in incline. But it was the rocky, curvy, in and out of gulches technical running that did me in. My legs just couldn't negotiate through this terrain in any manner other than slow, which was frustrating because my energy level was good. This may speak to my preparation for and hydration during the race more than anything else. It took twice as long for my legs to recover from this race than The Back 40 in December. They were wrecked.
Also worth noting was that even though the 100K runners started an hour earlier we were catching and needing to pass the slower ones. This was the case even as early as before the second aid station. Most people were very courteous and stepped off the trail to allow faster runners to pass. There were points, especially in the second half of the race, that the single track trail was crowded and nearly impossible to pass when a long conga line of slower runners had formed. I realize that this is what happens at popular races on single track trails and only mention it as another factor in the second half slow down of my race.
-That nagging feeling that I could have done better
Without doubt, I could have better prepared my legs for this race (but maybe not, considering time constraints and the frozen MN tundra in which I train). More runs with long downhill stretches and more technical trail runs would have certainly helped to get ready for this course ahead of time. And I definitely could have had a better race day strategy regarding hydration that would have directly translated to a better race. But this is only my second ultra so I am just starting to learn the ropes. I will just learn from this and move forward with the knowledge.
I have to remind myself at times that just being able to run is blessing that should not be overlooked. About a year ago I was struggling with chronic injury that I've now been able to move past. During this race I was able to personally thank Joe Uhan for the stride analysis and coaching that he provided me. With his help I was able to get running consistently pain-free and achieve some of my goals. Unfortunately, he was dropping at Soap Creek, citing that it was not his day. It was great to finally meet him in person and I hope for better days ahead for him.
-No photo of me on www.howiestern.com
I have looked on the website multiple times and I am not on there. During the race I heard the sound of the camera's shutter as I passed, worried it was a rattle snake or something. When I looked over I saw him photographing runners behind me as I was passing by. I promise that I covered every step of that course. He must have just missed me. Luckily, my wife got a few photos at the end of the race so I have something to remember it by.
Conclusion:
This is my family (minus my youngest daughter, who refused to be in the picture). They deserve a big thank you for their support and encouragement for my running adventures!
