Standhope 60K AKA "The Higher I Get, the Higher I Get, the worse my altitude head ache gets" AKA "To Find the Trail Just Look for the Rocks"

The quick version of this report is as follows. Standhope 60K was an amazing race, it was very technical, incredibly steep, somewhat runnable, the views were like no other race I have ever done, I made the first cut off by a mere two minutes and I missed the final cut off by 38 minutes. I ran and hiked in beautiful country and despite my "late" finish I did it -- every single step. No excuses! Now for the details....

In the days leading up to the race I was apprehensive, everything that had been written about the race made me feel like this was a little out of my league. To be perfectly honest, I was not excited about running Standhope -- however I was FULLY committed to running all the races in the series so I gave myself no choice. I made the lovely 278.8 mile drive to Wild Horse Creek Ranch. The drive was amazing, I drove solo so I had time to think, sing at the top of my lungs and follow my own bliss -- I felt like I was on vacation with a nifty little run nestled in the middle. The Ranch was awesome, secluded and very comfortable. Shortly after I rolled in my good buddy Rachael showed up, we had planning on sticking together for this race since we both felt a little uneasy about the course. The evening flew by with a very brief race briefing, a yummy spaghetti dinner, lots of laughter and some excellent "zzzz". As always I opted for the early start, the morning was very pleasant at around 30 degrees. The anticipation of the day was palpable, I was finally feeling excited. We were on our way. It took most of the runners a little time to settle into a good pace and into the elevation. As we traversed up the trail the scenery began to unfold into what would turn out to be the most rugged terrain I have ever run.

Traveling in a nice little group of three made for a fun run early in the day. We got off course before reaching the first aid station -- which is never a good feeling. Luckily the three of us had a good deal of experience, we made some great decisions and were only off course for a few minutes. The trail was fairly runnable to the first aid station. And boy the first aid station was a doozy. We found a lone shoe at the AS that left all of us a little confused and disheartened... What the heck was a lone running shoe doing at the first aid station? We may never know :)

I have always loved to split my races up into sections, this race was no different. "I just have to get the the next aid station." is a statement I have told myself may times. With Standhope Rachael and I often went from one boulder to another boulder a few yards up. The air was thin and stopping frequently was part of our plan -- catch my breath, slow my heart rate -- run a happier, healthier race. The first two climbs were nothing compared to the third -- but we did not truly know this yet. The second climb was lush compared to the third. So many beautiful trees and shrubs and a wonderful trail up to the top, though it took my breath away and at times made me feel like it was very possible I could fall off the mountain I fully enjoyed all the climbing -- I am often at my best when I am climbing hard -- there are runs when I feel like I can eat the mountains up and at times on the first two climbs I felt my own power. Cresting the second climb was awesome!

Coming off of IMTUF 100 just three weeks prior to Standhope brought with it a new and different attitude and a recovering body. I had put a great deal of time into studying the course for IMTUF, I had pace charts and I knew to the best of my ability what to expect. For Standhope I was winging it, yes I knew what the elevation profile looked like, I read the description but I had ZERO expectation on myself or the race. Honestly, I just wanted to get it done...

I was determined to finish and honestly after the first two climbs I was certain I would finish with enough time in the day to enjoy the company of other Ultra runners,have a beer and a good dinner. My body felt strong and my mind was solid. What was to follow did not in fact provide me with an "early" finish. A point came in the race when we were slapped in the face with time, Fall Creek AS had a cut off of 1:45, when we realized we were cutting it very close we put the pedal to the metal. I can honestly say, if I can help it, I will NEVER EVER run cuts offs again, the stress is not fun. We hit Fall Creek with two tiny minutes to spare -- we were rushed in and out so quickly that I did not have time to get enough food -- soon I would be looking at the biggest climb of the day and the longest slowest miles to the finish and I was feel demoralized by the close call and the rushing. We stomped up the hill and munched on what we had. It was here that I questioned my race "What the hell am I doing out here and why the hell is it taking so long." I cleared my head and pushed on -- RESET! We have plenty of time, no worries enjoy this! The little baby climb out of mile 20 was fun and forested, I felt better and was looking forward to seeing some alpine lakes and felt a nervous excitement about the big climb. We ran deep down into the basin -- which I will add is at roughly 7000 feet so down is not truly what it is comparably to my 1803 at home. We ran the flats and power hiked the steep parts, we found boulder mountain sides and alpine lakes. One thing can be said for this course -- it was breathtakingly beautiful! As I said I break races down into baby bites and this next bite for Betty Lake and she was very elusive! At some point to follow both Rachael and I fell apart, at separate times thankfully. It was the falling apart that I treasure the most out of this racing experience. Holding another runner up when she has lost her mojo, is feeling broken, cannot believe we are in the bottom of a basin with no portal is nothing short of empowering, it is essential, it builds deep bonds and ignites a fire within both runners. We were in it together. The only way we were gonna get home was to go UP UP UP and OVER! The only way out was UP. Step by step, boulder to boulder, tree to tree, breath to breath, the slow slog up. At one point I sat down on a rock with my head in my hands declaring it would most certainly take us two and a half effing hours to get to the top -- the words power and hike were in a fight at this point. "Get up Mariah we gotta get out of here." She was right... We pressed on. As we moved up the vegetation disappeared and it was the steepest rock field I had ever been this close to. All I could think was that there was no possible way we were going up and over "that" point. We could not see the trail from out vantage and when we finally did I was honestly afraid to stop for fear of falling backwards. I got very good at the turn around stabilizing stop to catch my breath move. It only took us 45 minutes... Once we crested, I spotted Betty Lake and boy howdy she was really far down there! Steep, Steep, Steep! We rolled in, thankfully we did not technically roll in, I am fairly certain they were very happy to see us --but not as happy as we were to see them. We had known since Fall Creek that we were dead last since we were the last to make the cutoff. I might add at this point that the very best part about being last was the fact that in this inaugural race we would always hold the title of being "the first to be last." Ahh yes no one can ever take that title!

With a little more than 6 miles to the finish we had to kick it into gear, Rachael was struggling with a bad altitude headache and some nausea. We were instructed that we had to go UP again, we were not impressed but again -- we are strong minded ultra runners and we pressed on. I was ready to eat that mountain for dinner, I felt my power! I had to search for flags, not a wonderful feeling. I went ahead as Rachael took some time to get herself settled. After finding the flag I yelled down to her "Come on girl we gotta go, get up here!!!". The next two mile section was technical but runnable, it felt great to stretch my legs after climbing for so long. The air changed. The trail soften beneath my feet and Rachael caught up taking the lead in her strong suit -- the downhill. We ran and soon found the forest again and it was time for headlamps. A few of the flags to the finish had been removed, we had learned that if we did not see a flag for a certain period we must be off track -- we turned around thinking we had taken a wrong turn in the dark; only to find out we were inside of a mile from the finish. Our dreams of finishing before the cut off had faded 20 minutes before. For the first time this year I ran face to face with the "Sweep". Mike Blessing was a sight for sore eyes, he hugged me and turned us around and pushed us to the finish line-- he saw "that look" in my eye and reminded me "Mariah you are awesome you got it." It was the darkest most anticlimactic finish of the year... of my racing life. I was deeply disappointed, at that moment, and the tears poured out of my eyes-- I could not stop them. I was bummed.... It will never cease to amaze me how the mind works, we had an hour drive back the Wild Horse Creek Ranch. I was quiet for the first half, then I started to settle into the fact that I finished -- I DID IT! Yes it was 38 minutes past the friggin cut off but I finished, I did not quit, I did not get pulled -- I FINISHED! Soon I was smiling about the experience. I hit many highs and many lows on that day-- before, during and after the race. My take away.... Ultra friendships are amazingly strong, I will not do this race again, I learned a great deal, I grew as a runner and as a person while I was out there. I am happy I did it, I would not have it any other way. NO EXCUSES! Seven down one to go!

The Crew and the Pacers

Again my thoughts return to the fact that these lofty goals that we set for ourselves as long distance runners -- cannot and would not come to such amazing fruition without powerful, driven, loving supports! They say that all things happen for a reason, that people come into your life because it is meant to be -- not only for you but also for them. The crew and pacers that came together to help me achieve a great and happy finish at IMTUF was nothing short of "right on radical". As "the runner" it is difficult to know all that goes into driving all over the mountains logging far more than 100 miles, waiting for my arrival and being prepared for anything that I might request, and offering me everything under the sun and moon in selfless style, with kindness, seriousness and humor. The crew must have one main goal -- get the runner to the finish line healthy and in the time the runner has in mind; this sounds simple-- but no. Imagine standing the cold at 4 am waiting for your runner to appear at the Aid Station -- not knowing what she will be feeling or needing and knowing that she is so close -- well over half way, she is nearly home, the excitement and exhaustion equally potent, as a group you are hoping that she feels strong and that she is not injured -- and still you must wait. As the runner comes into the A.S joy, elation, tears, love, exhaustion.... Feed her, hug her encourage her, keep her moving, it is not time to celebrate yet -- four minutes of hustle and she is gone, you know you will not see her again for hours,and those hours... well they are always unknown. The role of crew is so powerful, as a runner words cannot express my admiration for "The Crew". The space in-between crewing the runner, can ,I am sure, be long and at times grueling -- if that is true my crew never wavered, not in my presence. While I spent less than 30 minutes with my crew over the 33 hours and 28 minutes of running -- there is one thing I know for sure, these people bonded. A bond that happens with hours of going here and there, with hours of staying awake when sleep was needed, with being pushed to the limit and with one goal in mind -- the runners success. Pretty powerful stuff right there! My crews had unique dynamic -- I had a few friends that had never crewed a runner but knew me well, and I had a few that have crewed several runners over the years, everyone took it seriously with a fabulous infusion of humor, assertiveness and kindness. I am fairly certain my crew created memories they will not soon forget. The bond woven together with raw emotion and focus! I have heard stores of their journey and it makes my heart sing that they laughed hard, cried hard and felt like they had purpose.

As with all big endeavors, I had a plan. I would pick up my first pacer at mile 44 and at this time I would also see my crew. Meeting up with Mike Blessing was great! His role was to get me through the night, his goal was to push me and get me a strong finish-- sounds simple, nope not so. Again, this whole thing is based on the runner -- but I will say without a shadow of a doubt the pacer can easily set the race in motion and if they are good... well -- GREAT things happen. Pacers, like the crew are selfless, if they hurt to bad, it is not their race, if they are struggling, to bad it is not their race -- Pacing can be grueling (I have yet to pace but I sure hope I get the opportunity next year). As Mike said to me shortly after I picked him up -- "I am doing this for you, this race is not about me... This is your race and I am honored you asked me to help.. now let's go." Traipsing up and down mountains in the dark, leading a runner to the dawn is nothing short of awesome. With every reflective marking and "glowie" Mike would say -- "Look there it is, you know what that is a sign of??? HOPE." Even when it was grueling, even when a mile felt like ten -- Mike saw hope and he saw the finish -- my finish.

I would pick up my second pacer (my finish line pacer)at mile 86, I would also see my crew for the last time until we were near the end. Randy Benthin came in with a good deal of experience. Again, the goal -- get the runner to the finish in the time she is looking for. Randy was clear setting pacing goals, and making sure I took in enough calories. It was a slug fest -- I will say that not knowing your pacer can work to your advantage -- I mean who wants to bitch and moan and whine in front of a person they have only just met! Randy took me up and down the trail telling stories to get my mind off my feet and asking questions to make sure I was in "good shape", again great pacer qualities. There are so many awesome things that happen out there on the trail hours pass by in the "real world", but for the runner and her crew and pacers things are different bonds are made, a job gets done -- forgive me but I have to say "shit changes out there."

At the risk of sounding redundant here WOW WOW WOW -- best crew, best plan, best pacers EVER, they say that when things can line up on race day great finishes happen! It was so great I am already ready to do it again. Buckle bound 2014!

Celebration time with the crew! Oh YEAH!!!!

As it turns out I am TUF enough

The gathering started at Burgdorf Campground on Thursday as my crew and I set up for the epic weekend we had all been planning for, for so many months. Our camp was off the hook amazing! We had everything we needed and more thanks to Hannah, the Clooch Crumpster crew boss! After getting the details for the Clooch 4's aid station set, we relaxed at camp until the pre-race meeting. I felt great as we headed over to get signed in, then Jeremy started talking about the course -- I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. My thoughts swirling -- rugged, epic, back country, wolves, steep climbs, water drops, limited aid, bear bags, we do not want lost runners, long nights, hot days -- the meeting was woven with excitement and seriousness. In closing we took a few group photos and headed back to camp to study the map -- thank goodness for Jim and Jane -- map masters and Ultra grounders!

I slowly started to settle in and get my head in the game. I was ready for the night to pass and for the morning to come. I slept well, running in my dreams so when I woke up at 4:00am I was warmed up and ready to roll. This was the best race day morning I have ever had - surrounded by my crew, my husband and Gage. I felt ready and settled. 6:00am struck and we were off, the climb up to Cloochman was swift -- time moved quickly, as the sun rose we were traveling up, up, up, in a small wonderful pack of runners -- I felt at home. Reaching Cloochman was in a word -- AWESOME! It was ten months ago in that very spot that I fell in love with Ultra running and made the lofty commitment to run IMTUF 100 2013. It was blue sky day with a chance of rad with a capital "R"! I left Cloochman with some food and a smile -- seeing my crew for the first time was sweet, they ran a great aid station at mile 9.5 -- "I was Clooched!" I moved on down the trail feeling strong and steady. I had committed to power hiking all the big hills and keeping a super smart and steady pace -- I wanted a finish after all. I had the honor of running the first 44 miles with a beautiful Ultra runner -- Rachael Bazzett. We fully enjoyed the miles as they ticked off. The Crestline Trail was wicked rad and had its tough moments -- it was many, many miles between aid stations, it was rugged! Moving up and up and up we soon came to a seriously technical downhill, loose rock, steep descent into the green lushness near mile 44.

It was here that I would see my crew again and hook up with my pacer Mike Blessing -- who would take me through the night and a good portion of the following morning. Rolling into 44 I was happy and on fire from seeing "my people". I was ready to run it out and enter into the unknown that the night would certainly hold -- Mike was ready to help me chase down some runners and that is exactly what we did. Mike pushed me in ways I am sure would not and could not have done for myself -- in a word he was "Awesome!". As the night sky surrounded us -- moonless with billions of stars we ran on, passed a few runners and came upon a few that were mixed up on the trails direction -- we picked up a two runners on the ascent to Snowslide. It was very dark and very steep, Up and down we went running, shuffling and scooting to the sound of Moe's voice -- one of the most committed and excited volunteers of the race. Her hoots and hollers were welcome sounds and the warm embrace was pretty perfect too! Soon we would hit Duck Lake and mile 60 -- a celebration I was now well over half way. The Duck Lake volunteers were kind and familiar faces -- I LOVE THAT! I ate well (maybe too well) and moved ever forward. Heading for mile 70.1 -- somehow hitting mile 70 meant I was home free in my mind and that I would most certainly finish this bad boy! I was extremely pleased that I have been running about an hour ahead of schedule the entire race -- super consistent. I got to see my team again and again I was pumped! Upper Payette Lake meant 70.1 miles I ran in happy and so excited to see my crew -- Jim and Jane asked questions to make sure I was warm enough, they got me food and set me straight for what to expect the in final 30 or so miles. When I heard I would not see another full aid station for 16 miles I broke just slightly. Paul Lind came to me and said "It is time for you to go, you are too happy to be hanging around here. Get it! Get to the finish line! Time for you to go!!" Or something to that effect. I lost it, shed a few tears into the shoulder and neck of Hannah.

The last thing I remember as I turned to leave the aid station was the amazing encouragement of my crew and the awesome aid station volunteers. Now, this does not mean I was not doing a "Mad Stomp" up the hill and out of the A.S -- I was a little pissed; to the amusement of my pacer and the the benefit of my finish time. It turns out that the "Mad Stomp" is pretty fast and very efficient! Anger can be an asset late in the race. Victor Creek was a crusher at over 2000 feet elevation gain over a few rough miles. Daylight came and the new day gave me hope, the light was a welcome sight. The miles between Upper Payette and Chinook Campground were in a word "Brutal"-- was it the miles, the time on my feet, the dust, the fact that is felt longer than it should, the space between aid, my own exhaustion -- I have no idea but it was hard. It was between Victor Creek and Willow Basket that I saw cars and tents that did not exist, I hear voices and felt the miles slow. When we finally made it to Willow Basket it was a long 3 miles to my crew and my next pacer Randy -- I was ready to get a boost and I know that my pacer was ready to sit down and have a beer -- a WELL DESERVED beer! As we approached the bridge to the Aid Station and my crew I was on a mission.

I needed to change my shoes and socks and I needed Jim to fix my feet. In a word my feet were "trashed" -- I had been lucky enough to keep my feet mostly dry until about mile 80. My feet were soaked and not happy, I had hot spots and wicked rubbing. I was all business at this point -- I said something to the effect of "I need Jim, I need new shoes and socks , I know they are bad -- please do not say a word about exactly how bad they are, I don't want to know..."

A quick good fix and I was on my way a short 16 miles to go -- yeah that 16 felt like 30 miles! Randy and I hit the trail and slowly made our way home. The first few steps into the final miles -- Pacer asks Runner "How do you want to finish?" "What do you have left?" "Can you run the down hills?" Runner to Pacer "I want 33 hours but I do not know if I have it in me." I want to run as much as possible and power hike the hills." "Randy I want this! Bad!"

What would follow in the coming miles was a few ups and several downs. To put it blunt my feet hurt and I was bonking!! Everything else was great but my feet got the best of my mind several times. Randy bossed me, pushed me and let me lag behind -- he has a gift. The final miles are wildly vivid and at the same time a total blur. The on going joke was that I had 10 miles or so to go -- no matter how far we had gone. I have seldom passed other runners in the end of a race -- it just so happens that the pacers I had looked at this event as a race -- therefore I passed people and this gave me an odd unfamiliar strength, thanks to my pacer I found a little extra energy in the tank to run strong at the very end of a long day, night and day. I was emotional -- I was both full and empty. Oddly I hesitated as we made the run to the finish line. So much planning, training, such a fast track to my fist 100 mile race and now the finish line.

I crossed over with a smile, gave myself a few steps and turned around to see the most amazing people I know, my crew, my family, my fellow Ultra runners all ready to congratulate me. Hugs, tears, relief, gratitude, elation, and a cold beer! Boy that beer tasted great!

27 starters 19 finishers, 3rd women and 11th overall but very very very best of all I did it and I did it my way on a fast track from IMTUF 2012 -- this was my 8th ultra and my first hundred all in less than a year. I ran this bad boy 33 hours and 28 minutes...

Pretty cool -- no.... pretty friggin RAD! Shoes off time to celebrate!

Next up Standhope 60K