2008
By Steve Wilkinson
I first contacted Carl at his home in February of this
year. I told him about my 30 year quest to participate in a 100 mile
race. He advised me that the race had been run in 2007 and was generally
held every other year. I advised him that I would be there in 2009.
He commented that my interest was such that he thought he could accommodate me
by holding the race September 20th 2008. I told him that I would be
there. He provided info and assistance to include taking me out on the
trail portion of the course 3 weeks prior to the event. He also
offered me a tent space in his yard to help decrease the cost of the
event. I would have been offered a room in the house but all spaces had
been previously been given to other participants. I did attend a warm and
calm pre-race dinner celebration at Carl's house. This allowed me to meet
some interesting experienced participants who had some great insight into a
distance I had yet to experience.
That night I had 3 broken hours of sleep. I arrived on
time for the start. I ran the first 18 miles at the back of an
experienced group. After the first trail loop I was on my own. I
managed to get off the trail portion with bruised toes and mild blisters.
My success was a reasonable time and no falls. I then returned to the
house for warm Italian food and the brief love of visiting family and
friends. My nutrition prior to this had consisted of GU Roctane, Ensure,
Smarty candy, water, electrolyte tabs, and home baked goodies at the aid
station. My strategy was simple. I ran/jogged all level and
downhill areas and power walked any steeper grades. My times remained
consistent. My crew never missed a chance to replace any thing I was
missing.
There were two pivotal points in my evening.
Number one was when Carl advised me that it was too cold for my outfit.
He advised me that I would waste too much energy trying to stay warm and to put
some clothes on right away. I reached my team and put on an insulated
jacket just after I experienced severe shaking whole body chills. These
stopped and I kept going. The second instance was at the 89 mile check
point. My mind was wondering badly and I was ready to sit and
talk. Like some of my former drill sergeants Carl told me to stop talking
and start running. I took that order and advised my team that due to the
fact I was urinating and close to the end of the race that I was not going to
carry any gear. I also decided to run harder every time I hurt
knowing that this was my one and only 100 mile race. I really wanted to
get back to the garage. I gave the last 11 miles every bit of speed I
could muster.
I felt really fast and was tickled to finish in under 26
hours. I got to celebrate briefly and left