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Disarmingly beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the old-growth redwoods tease me with their grandeur, but I must keep my eyes on the trail. Certain terrain is easier on this knee. Going uphill is good, downhill is bad. I ignore the pain as I freewheel downhill.
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In the wake of a series of severe storms that struck the Independence, Kansas area the week of the race, the rocky, technical, and rather remote FlatRock 101K course was left muddy, slick, and scattered with downed trees. A quarter-mile section around mile 14 had been particularly devastated by what appeared to be straight-line winds. Normally a flatter, less technical area where runners hope to make up time, this section resembled a recently bulldozed rainforest.
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Ozark Foothills is a gem of a race, taking place in forested Greensfelder County Park just 25 minutes from St. Louis. Along with a scenic and challenging course, two distinctions make it a special opportunity for trail runners from across the country: it was recently named a USATF Ozark Mountain Ultra Trail Championship race, and it is also a part of the 50K MASHUP Series.
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This is going to sound corny, but running FTPR this weekend felt like an old-timey ultra race. I really felt the sense of community and it renewed my faith that we are all for one and one for all. I worried that we were losing that, and it’s a massive relief to know that I was wrong. Let’s please all vow to never ever settle for less than that spirit!
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I always mean to write race reports for my own races, but all I end up with are drafts. I thought writing one for my girlfriend Stephanie’s race might go better. There are no pacers or crewing allowed for Canyons 100K, but I decided to join Stephanie for the trip north so that I could support her for the 30 seconds I’d see her at mile 32 before she went out for the next loop.
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The inaugural Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 13 Hour Race in Seattle, Washington, started at 6:02 a.m. with first light, rain and wind of the day. Undeterred, the runners set off into the weather and the long trail ahead of them while lap counters wrapped themselves in blankets and fired up the camp stove for hot drinks, and set up refreshment tables.