Photo Credit: Jeremy Swanson & Harrison Buck - Aspen/Snowmass Facebook
Photo Credit: Jeremy Swanson & Harrison Buck - Aspen/Snowmass Facebook
The Power of Four 50k in Aspen, CO was the site of this year's North American Skyrunning Continental Championships. The top finishers would receive big points for both the US and World Skyrunning points series', both of which I set my sights on this season. Given my track record of blow ups in 50k - 50mi distance races, especially those with a highly competitive field like this one, I've been putting special attention on racing smarter. If you've been following my adventures over the past year you probably noticed that I now sometimes train and always race with a HR monitor. It's taken some time, but I think I've finally found the sweet spot for this distance. Finishing 2nd to my Altra teammate Paul Hamilton by a mere 2 min 27 sec and beating out the likes of Rickey Gates (3rd), Dakota Jones (4th), & Cody Lind (5th) can only confirm it.
Last year I realized something had to change, every time I felt fit and thought I could race at the front I "blew up". I could easily hang for the first 20 miles, then somewhere around mile 22 my legs would feel like lead on the most gradual climbs. This would last for about 7-10 miles then miraculously they would come back to life towards the end of the race. (these races being 50 milers). It happened at the SJS 50, JFK 50, SOB 50, Transvulcania, and then again at the TNF 50. It wasn't until I raced that final one, the TNF 50 that I wore my HR monitor and afterwards realized what was going wrong. I was running at or above my aerobic marathon effort and at times pushing into a threshold effort (which can only be sustained for about an hour max...). No wonder my legs felt like lead 3 hrs into an ultra.
Last year I realized something had to change, every time I felt fit and thought I could race at the front I "blew up". I could easily hang for the first 20 miles, then somewhere around mile 22 my legs would feel like lead on the most gradual climbs. This would last for about 7-10 miles then miraculously they would come back to life towards the end of the race. (these races being 50 milers). It happened at the SJS 50, JFK 50, SOB 50, Transvulcania, and then again at the TNF 50. It wasn't until I raced that final one, the TNF 50 that I wore my HR monitor and afterwards realized what was going wrong. I was running at or above my aerobic marathon effort and at times pushing into a threshold effort (which can only be sustained for about an hour max...). No wonder my legs felt like lead 3 hrs into an ultra.
My plan for this race was simple, keep my HR below 150 and if possible in the mid 140's. Even lower than that on the descents while still moving quickly. It feels like a very casual pedestrian pace at times which is probably why I was continuously being told that I was looking fresh. I find that if I can stick to that plan though, I have the legs to compete and truly race hard the last 10-15k. Which in this race and other competitive races is essential.
The race started off under the glow of a rising sun and went up, way up. Those first few miles were the same as the Vertical K from the day before. As we continued to climb I quickly got into a groove at the back end of the lead pack and proceeded to follow just behind them chatting with Rickey Gates. Having scouted the course (prior to its changes) two weeks before, I knew what the first descent looked like and once we crested the top I quickly picked up my pace and moved up with the leaders. The first part of the descent is a mellow dirt road which I took advantage of to make up some time. The second half of it gets steeper and I tried my best to hold back and save my legs.
The second climb was not as steep but sticking to my HR plan meant that I was power hiking a lot of the sections that some of the other guys like Paul & Rickey were running. I'm curious how much time I actually lost to them on that second climb. Not that it matters, I had my plan and I was determined to stick to it. With the changes to the course, the climb took a different turn and went up again instead of down. This made the uphill grind nearly twice as long and near the top was an out & back which allowed us to get a feel for how the race was playing out. Paul had taken the lead, Timmy Parr was 2nd, Ricky 3rd, and I hit the turn around in 4th.
The race started off under the glow of a rising sun and went up, way up. Those first few miles were the same as the Vertical K from the day before. As we continued to climb I quickly got into a groove at the back end of the lead pack and proceeded to follow just behind them chatting with Rickey Gates. Having scouted the course (prior to its changes) two weeks before, I knew what the first descent looked like and once we crested the top I quickly picked up my pace and moved up with the leaders. The first part of the descent is a mellow dirt road which I took advantage of to make up some time. The second half of it gets steeper and I tried my best to hold back and save my legs.
The second climb was not as steep but sticking to my HR plan meant that I was power hiking a lot of the sections that some of the other guys like Paul & Rickey were running. I'm curious how much time I actually lost to them on that second climb. Not that it matters, I had my plan and I was determined to stick to it. With the changes to the course, the climb took a different turn and went up again instead of down. This made the uphill grind nearly twice as long and near the top was an out & back which allowed us to get a feel for how the race was playing out. Paul had taken the lead, Timmy Parr was 2nd, Ricky 3rd, and I hit the turn around in 4th.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Swanson & Harrison Buck - Aspen/Snowmass Facebook
This descent was originally going to be all service road and bomber, but with the addition 4k of vert and modified course, there was some distance that needed to be removed. As a result, we dropped directly down the slopes and straight lined it to the base. Instead of reeling the leaders in I'm pretty sure they opened up even more ground on me. When I hit the aid station at the bottom though I was told that the lead guys didn't look so good. Paul I was told had taken a long stop and Timmy looked rough. Rickey... well he just looked like Rickey. (Note: Rickey had just finished a week long 100+ mile adventure and should have been tired... yeah, right.) The third and final major climb was under way and I was still in 4th, feeling fresh and in control.
As I climbed I noticed that my legs felt much better than they had during the first two. I was also in a very cheerful mood, talking to spectators as I passed them and just enjoying being out on the trails. As I neared the top of the climb I caught a glimpse of Timmy Parr. He appeared to be moving a little slower and after pulling away from me on the first two climbs I was a little surprised to catch him so easily on this one. Turns out he raced the day before, placing 2nd to Sage at the Sky race in Silverton, CO. After a quick exchange I continued on. Now that I was finished with most of the climbing, sitting in 3rd, and within 10 miles of the finish I decided to kick it up a notch. This next section was slightly rolling through Aspen & Pine groves on soft, relatively non technical trail. Let the chase begin!
As I climbed I noticed that my legs felt much better than they had during the first two. I was also in a very cheerful mood, talking to spectators as I passed them and just enjoying being out on the trails. As I neared the top of the climb I caught a glimpse of Timmy Parr. He appeared to be moving a little slower and after pulling away from me on the first two climbs I was a little surprised to catch him so easily on this one. Turns out he raced the day before, placing 2nd to Sage at the Sky race in Silverton, CO. After a quick exchange I continued on. Now that I was finished with most of the climbing, sitting in 3rd, and within 10 miles of the finish I decided to kick it up a notch. This next section was slightly rolling through Aspen & Pine groves on soft, relatively non technical trail. Let the chase begin!
Photo Credit: Jeremy Swanson & Harrison Buck - Aspen/Snowmass Facebook Rolling through the trees and wild flowers, though pushing the pace a bit now I continued to keep my HR in check. Relax, relax I continually told myself. As this went on for a few miles I was also wondering, where's Rickey?? He should be tired from last week and I know I'm moving pretty well.
When I saw a trail marker pointing up a ski slope, which was slightly different than the previous course I didn't think much of it. That's how the vert has been added earlier in the race and by looking at the grass I could tell someone else had gone this way as well. I contemplated the turn for a second then went up. About a minute after that I saw Rickey coming back down the slope with his arms up asking if we were on course or not? Hmm.. the trail sign clearly pointed up and the only places that were marked with arrows thus far showed turns. After taking a minute to look around we concluded we should just continue. We eventually merged back onto the course and soon hit the small aid station where we explained the mishap. Apparently they found Paul wandering randomly as well so they said not to worry about it and keep racing, phew! Hainvg a bad course marking cause a DQ is the last thing I wanted to deal with after having such a good day so far.
With less than 5 miles to go, Rickey & I rolled on and eventually passed Ian Sharmin who was out taking photos. He informed us that Paul was 7 minutes ahead and looking good... damn. Thats a lot to make up in under 5 miles running down hill. Never the less I slipped by Rickey, threw my HR to the wind, and let fly. I made those final miles hurt and knowing that it was mostly mellow descent allowed me to push harder than I otherwise would have. With the rain still coming down and the pace heating up my eyes burned with from the sweat that was dripping down into them. As the miles ticked by I looked back and could no longer see Rickey behind me. I knew that I had 2nd locked up unless I did something stupid like falling, but my focus was still in the distance. Oh how I wanted to catch a glimpse of Paul. Something to give me hope and a shot. When I hit the final winding switchbacks to the finish I could look up and he was nowhere in sight. Bummer.. I though, but I pushed on and finished strong. I had closed that 7 minute gap down to 2:27.
This was by far my best race performance to date, I would rank it above last years 2nd place at the RRR100. I am very happy with it, but continuously getting 2nd and 3rd is starting to get old... I'm hungry for a W. Having placed 2nd here and 3rd and Quest for the Crest I am now leading the US Skyrunning Ultra points series. Angels Staircase is coming up in just a few weeks and I'm looking forward to hopefully extending that lead. My goal going into the season was to with this series, so far so goo!
When I saw a trail marker pointing up a ski slope, which was slightly different than the previous course I didn't think much of it. That's how the vert has been added earlier in the race and by looking at the grass I could tell someone else had gone this way as well. I contemplated the turn for a second then went up. About a minute after that I saw Rickey coming back down the slope with his arms up asking if we were on course or not? Hmm.. the trail sign clearly pointed up and the only places that were marked with arrows thus far showed turns. After taking a minute to look around we concluded we should just continue. We eventually merged back onto the course and soon hit the small aid station where we explained the mishap. Apparently they found Paul wandering randomly as well so they said not to worry about it and keep racing, phew! Hainvg a bad course marking cause a DQ is the last thing I wanted to deal with after having such a good day so far.
With less than 5 miles to go, Rickey & I rolled on and eventually passed Ian Sharmin who was out taking photos. He informed us that Paul was 7 minutes ahead and looking good... damn. Thats a lot to make up in under 5 miles running down hill. Never the less I slipped by Rickey, threw my HR to the wind, and let fly. I made those final miles hurt and knowing that it was mostly mellow descent allowed me to push harder than I otherwise would have. With the rain still coming down and the pace heating up my eyes burned with from the sweat that was dripping down into them. As the miles ticked by I looked back and could no longer see Rickey behind me. I knew that I had 2nd locked up unless I did something stupid like falling, but my focus was still in the distance. Oh how I wanted to catch a glimpse of Paul. Something to give me hope and a shot. When I hit the final winding switchbacks to the finish I could look up and he was nowhere in sight. Bummer.. I though, but I pushed on and finished strong. I had closed that 7 minute gap down to 2:27.
This was by far my best race performance to date, I would rank it above last years 2nd place at the RRR100. I am very happy with it, but continuously getting 2nd and 3rd is starting to get old... I'm hungry for a W. Having placed 2nd here and 3rd and Quest for the Crest I am now leading the US Skyrunning Ultra points series. Angels Staircase is coming up in just a few weeks and I'm looking forward to hopefully extending that lead. My goal going into the season was to with this series, so far so goo!
Photo Credit: Jeremy Swanson & Harrison Buck - Aspen/Snowmass Facebook
What a great race and I'm excited to feel some fitness back in my legs. Paul had a great race and its always exciting to share the podium with a teammate (Altra & VFuel). As well as with Rickey who put on a spectacular show after a big week last week. Congrats to everyone who raced and huge thanks to those who support this crazy ride: Altra, VFuel, Ultimate Direction, Injinji, & Zeal Optics. Also a shoutout to Ashley who took the win on the women's side! Now time for some recovery and then back to the mountains for more adventures. Cheers.
Race Links: Strava - Results
Race Links: Strava - Results
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