Race Report: choosing a first 50k with 9,000 vertical gain was gnarly and very humbling. It involved hiking 40% of the time, jogging 40%, and actually running (anything around 10 min pace) 10% of the time. The course included three of the iconic peaks at Palisades – KT-22 (8,070 ft), Snow King (7,552 ft), and Squaw Peak (8,885 ft). Running with poles was essential since they can offload your quads and help you balance in the rocks. The race started at 33 degrees and got warmer, then started snowing on us. ❄️ I had to deck change three times to take off a merino wool base layer and running pants at different points – definitely lost some time there, but the cameraman liked it since I ended up on the official instragram of suffering athletes. Ultrarunning seems like half trouble shooting and half athletics – the weather, calories, your stomach, hydration all become factors to think about as much as your training. My low point was starting the second loop, emerging from the trees and looking out over the three mountain tops that you had to climb for the second time. 🏔 You could see people climbing like ants up the mountainside and realized you had to get your butt kicked again on the second loop. Some lady got altitude sickness right in front of me and started puking everywhere – cursing her drive up only the day before. 🤮
My high point was running a ridge line and feeling like you’re in a Salomon / Kilian Jornet highlight video. Climbing the ladder aptly named “Stairway to Heaven” over a cliff with poles in hand was also awesome, as well as the scrambling on all fours to get there. Running the last three miles into the valley was a highlight, and I actually got emotional knowing after the last aid station I would be able to finish. Having crew was so important – it provides a real emotional boost to have someone to speak to and help with nutrition! Seeing a familiar face after being in your head was huge – shout out to my wife Nicole and bluetick hound Jack! It really lifts your spirits in ways that cannot be quantified to have a crew member. All in all it seemed like a different class of event from a road or trail race – more akin to part mountaineering and part running. I suppose that’s why they call it a Skyrace modeled in the European alpine fashion. All I know is that it was sweet to be out in the mountains exploring even if I got my butt handed to me for most of it! 😂
Gear
Leki Ultra Trail Poles
HOKA Speedgoat 4
Salomon ADV Skin 5 Vest