Zane Grey was one of those races that was affected by weather. A blizzard crashed the party and the race was called at 33 miles..
For some reason people started blaming the poor weather on me because I was always there. I've been called a curse or bad luck. Like I control the weather or something.. Crazy. Just plain crazy.
So when I decided to jump into Zane Grey about a month prior to race day, the hecklers came out swinging!
"Oh, great. Sion's doing the race now, better pack your rain gear!!"
or
"I'm gonna lock you in the trunk of a car if the weather is bad."
C'mon!
But the curse was over. If it was ever an actual curse. Three races in the book thus far, all free from torrential rainstorms or freak blizzards. Old Pueblo had the best weather in the four years that I've run it. We can all move on. Curse over.
Then it happened. Five days to the race. Just a nonchalant glance at the Facebook feed was enough to send me into a state of shock and disbelief. The weather reports for Zane Grey were now predicting RAIN.
"This has to be some kind of cruel joke.." I thought to myself.
But after checking a few different sources, it was confirmed. It was indeed supposed to rain.
"Maybe... Maybe I am cursed." I said in a laugh peppered with sadness.
I clung on to the hope that it would be cloudy and cool, but that the rain would hold off. At least until I finish the race..
"I've been punished enough. Give me a pass!" I exclaimed while shaking my fist in the air!!
For those unfamiliar with the Zane Grey 50, it's not for the faint of heart. The course runs 51 miles along the Highline Trail from Pine to Christopher Creek. Rocks upon rocks blanket the trail, forcing all attention to be paid, or you pay.
It's been described as one of the hardest 50 milers in North America. It's slogan is percolating; "The toughest, roughest, most beautiful 50 mile trail run in the country."
I am drawn to challenges. I want to be tested. I crave the agony. I daydream about gasping for breath on the steepest of climbs. I was once completely lost, now I get lost to feel complete.
I trained my ass off for this wonderful punishment. I was ready, rain or shine. I figured if I ran a smart race, I could finish under 10 hours.. I was hoping to go under 9:30.
On a cloudy Friday afternoon, Kristi and I stuffed our car like a Thanksgiving turkey and made a beeline on the Beeline for Payson.
We arrived in Payson around six and were greeted by cool and cloudy conditions.
"If it's like this tomorrow, that would be spectacular.." I thought.
After picking up my bib and a quick stop for dinner with some friends, Kristi and I settled into our hotel room for the night.
I managed to get a few winks of sleep and morning arrived right on time. We got ourselves in order, I choked down my mandatory bowl of oatmeal and off we went.
We arrived at the Pine Trailhead with about a half hour to spare. The conditions were perfect. It was cloudy and cool. No rain to speak of. A touch of moisture in the air. I breathed in the freshness. I thought about the adventure that awaits.
I am so fortunate that I get to do this stuff. People think it's "insane" that I enjoy spending all day running in the mountains. I think it's insane to not see the freedom in it!
I've been a prisoner within myself. I've locked myself in a decrepit apartment for days wishing for an escape. Fearing the outside. Hoping for an intervention.
I've had my intervention. I've made my escape.
Time quickly evaporated and a group of like-minded adventurers lined up for the start. I said bye to Kristi and made my way to the front.
I was fully aware that there would be a large group that would take off at a completely unreasonable pace. While a few would probably be able to hang onto the pace, the majority would not. I am finally beginning to understand how I must run my races. I need to let the lead pack go. It has been one of the hardest things to teach myself.
"Let 'em go.." I mumbled under my breath.
The countdown ensued and off we went!!
I assumed several runners would bolt off, but I didn't expect over twenty runners to imitate the start of a 5k..
"Damn, that's a little over ambitious.." I thought.
But I remained disciplined.
"You'll see 'em later on, Sion.." I told myself.
The race starts out with a substantial climb. I eased into my run, hiking a few of the steeper parts. A few more runners passed by me, their breathing already labored.
I crested the initial climb and the sun poked underneath a thick blanket of clouds on the horizon. The view was magnificent. I felt really loose and shockingly relaxed.
After several detours to water the shrubs, I figured I was in around 25th place. As much as I wanted to freak out about that, I reminded myself that I had 45 miles to catch up!
"Just run your race and they'll come back to you."
Eight miles into the race I reached the Camp Geronimo aid station with a few other runners. I didn't need anything, so I didn't skip a beat. I cruised up some switchbacks and began to catch up with another runner.
I followed the other runner up an extremely steep section when all of a sudden I realized he was leading me off course. I did the same thing at Black Canyon and lost about 30 minutes in the process! This time I realized it right away.
"Hey, you're going the wrong way!!" I yelled to him.
"Oh.. I just wanted to do this climb!" He cynically responded.
We both got back on course and I began to pull away from him. I eventually caught up with another runner who had an interesting sense of style. He was wearing Luna Sandals and a half shirt.
"Bringing back the 80's with the half shirt!" I jokingly quipped.
"It's all I could find." He responded with what was un-mistakingly seriousness.
"Alright.." I mumbled.
Not sure if it was the awkward conversation, but I got energized and pulled away from him.
"That was interesting.."
I soon caught up with another runner. He seemed to be running a good pace and I settled in behind him. We cruised together, talking about the race and what position we were in. What our goals were and how we got into ultra running. He introduced himself as Jesse Scott.
Jesse and I clicked off several miles together before I let him pull away. The pace had become a bit strenuous and I felt like it was beginning to feel forced. I took a quick breather and sucked down a Honey Stinger gel.
"Run your race." I reminded myself.
I soon neared the Washington Park aid station at 17 miles. I was excited to see Kristi and was in need of a mental boost. Last year, I was already losing feeling in all my extremities by the time I made it to Washington Park. Fortunately, the weather had remained perfect on this day.
I came rumbling into the aid station feeling quite optimistic. Kristi and Dallas helped me get refueled and I was on my way. Those brief moments can really give you a shot of adrenaline!
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| Washington Park ~17 miles |
I felt really good as I climbed out of Washington Park. I soon caught back up with Jesse and eventually passed him. The trail constantly changes. The next section was filled with tall grass, making it impossible to see where your feet are actually landing.
I saw a runner ahead of me looking like he was struggling with the grassy trail.
"Hey, man. How are you doing?" I asked.
He completely ignored me.
I guess I'll try again!
"Twenty miles into the race, How do you feel?" I asked.
"Umm, I am really hungry.." He said in a voice void of emotion.
"Ya know, so am I.." I added.
And I was. I had an insatiable appetite and this guy just made me fully aware of it. I was constantly eating but nothing was making a dent in my hunger pains.
"I shouldn't have asked. Now I realize how hungry I am!!"
I quickly pulled away and spent the next few miles running solo. The views were astounding and the trail relentless. Up and down. Rocks. Grass. Logs. Rocks. And Rocks.
Overall, I felt solid. My attitude remained positive and I enjoyed the scenery and surroundings. I soon made it to the Hell's Gate Canyon aid station at 23.5 miles. Another runner was on his way out as I arrived.
"How's everyone doing!?" I shouted.
I felt good. I was chipping away. Slowly but surely. I refueled, chomped on a pretzel or two and took off.
There was a nice steep climb out of Hell's Gate. I power hiked all of it and topped out. I stopped to soak in the scenery. I was breathing hard, so I allowed myself to catch my breath.
I hit 25 miles at 4:45.
"There is no way I'm going under 10 hours.." I sadly thought. "I would need an almost even split to achieve that.. That's not gonna happen."
I shook myself out of the disappointment and refocused on the race. I caught up with the runner I had seen at Hell's Gate and we cruised together for the next couple miles. I got to meet Andy Pearson, a solid runner from California. We both agreed that the weather was absolutely perfect and that the course was challenging and breathtaking.
I let Andy lead the way for awhile, but eventually felt the urge to pull away.
"Hey, I'm going to push it a little bit." I said as I passed by him.
"That's cool. Go ahead." He replied.
"I'll probably see you in a few minutes!" I shouted as I put the gas pedal down.
While I hoped I wasn't going to see him, I knew there was a chance I was making a mistake. This was that point in the race that I had to take a chance. I had to take a risk. It was time.
My pace picked up and I was willing to see what I was capable of. I passed another runner or two before making it to the Fish Hatchery aid station at 33 miles. This is where the race was called last year. I was excited to see the rest of the course!
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| Fish Hatchery ~33 miles |
Kristi helped me get loaded up and on track and I was quickly on my way. The next stretch was crucial. It would be over eleven miles to the next aid station. I knew it was important to push the pain aside and remember that I train for this. This next stretch would define my race.
I was warned about the climb coming out of Fish Hatchery. I kept waiting for it, but it was pretty much more of the same. I passed another runner. Then another one. I was in cruise control.
Soon a familiar face appeared coming in my direction. It was fellow Tucson Trail Runner, Bob Bachani!
"That's what I'm taking about!" Bob screamed at me.
"Hey, man! Good to see you!" I yelled back.
"Nate's about a minute ahead of you, you're doing great!" He informed me.
"Thanks!" On I went.
I'm not sure if he was just trying to give me a boost, telling me that Nate (Polaske) was a minute ahead. Or was he really just a minute ahead? Either way, I put the hammer down trying to catch my Aravaipa Racing teammate!!
I passed another runner on what was probably the most grueling climb of the entire race. He looked shot, like he could hardly move.
"Nice climb, isn't it?.." I said as I moved ahead of him.
All I got in response was a grunt.
He looked like hell. I was feeling more and more energized.
A few guys working communications were up ahead at a split in the trail.
"Five miles to aid." One of them said pointing me in the right direction. "How do you feel?"
"Time of my life!" I shouted.
Five more miles to aid seemed like an eternity. This was going to be a long grind. I knew if I could get to the last aid station at 44 miles, I would be almost done. So I pushed the pain deeper inside of me. The nagging voice telling me to stop, to take a break, kept barking in my ear.
I maintained my pace. No sign of Nate.
"Dang, it would have been nice to catch him.." I muttered.
Pretty soon someone running toward me yelled "One mile to the aid station, all smooth downhill from here!"
That shook me out of my lethargy and I picked up my pace. I knew that I was getting toward the end of the race and that I was going to finish strong.
I cruised down the rest of the descent and made it to See Canyon aid station at 44 miles.
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| See Canyon ~44 miles |
"How are you doing?" Kristi asked.
"I'm ready to be done.." I said.
And I was. I was gassed. I hadn't paid much attention to my time since the halfway mark, but realized I was only a little over 8 hours in and only had six or seven miles to go.. I could go under 10! As I became enveloped in this moment of clarity, I heard cheering for another runner coming. I looked up and sure enough, another runner was barreling down the trail toward the aid station.
"Okay, babe. Gotta go.." Kristi said while nudging me.
I listened and took off for the homestretch!!
I didn't want to be passed. Hell, I hadn't been passed all damn day. I dug deep and found some spirit inside of me.
All of a sudden I noticed another runner ahead, struggling up the steep. I recognized this guy. It was my local training buddy and good friend, Charlie Ware! I quickly caught up.
"Hey, man!" I shouted.
"Hey.." He replied.
"How's it going?" I asked.
"I'm gonna finish." He reassured me.
"Brutal, isn't it?" I quipped as I pulled ahead. "Keep it up!"
On I went. If I didn't say that gave me an added boost, I would be lying. Charlie and I train together. We are both very competitive and have battled several times in races. Of course it gave me a boost!!
The last few miles were a blur. I was running a faster pace than I had ran the entire day. I turned a corner and I saw the finish.
I bolted full speed ahead through the finish line! I looked up at the timer and realized I had gone under 9:30!!
I gave Kristi a long hug. I had done exactly what I set out to do and had ran a negative split on a really tough course to do it. I finished in 9:23:44, good for 8th place.
The moment I finished the race, the rain began to fall. It was as if I got that pass I so desperately wanted! Apparently, it got pretty soggy out there.. Sorry guys!
I feel like I am just beginning to understand what I am capable of. I haven't been passed by a runner in the last two races I've ran. Only once in the last three. I must say, it's far more entertaining to pass the carnage, than to be the carnage!!
I loved the course and plan to return next year with a goal time of under 9 hours.
I want to thank Aravaipa Running, Pearl Izumi, Ultraspire, Honey Stinger and Feetures! for the support! And Kristi for crewing and helping me live out my dream!
Big congrats to our Tucson runners that represented! I would like to personally name all of you, but I would also like to stop writing.. You know who you are!!
Until next time...
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| Finish line festivities with my homeboys! Nate Polaske (6th place) and Charlie Ware (10th place) |
~ All photographs courtesy of Kristina McCauley
