Bighorn is still one of my all time favorite events. The scenery on the trail is incredible and the race organization and support is fantastic. This year with record snow levels in the Bighorn mountains, the original course had to be re-routed but the race organizers did an excellent job pulling together a final runnable route just days before the race. The modified route included an extra out and back spur from Dry Fork, started in Dayton instead of up the road near the Tongue river trailhead, and turned around 2 stations below Porcupine at the Spring Marsh aid station. This made crew access a bit trickier with accessible points only at Dry Fork and Footbridge. But they managed to preserve the majority of the original 100 mile route and still managed to offer the same outstanding aid station support.

Victoria had medical approval to have a pacer for the full 100 miles of the race and after her second pacer dropped out with an injury, I was going to have to pace her for 75 miles from the second Dry Fork stop through to the finish. We figured she would be safe enough running with Kristel and other friends for the first 24.5 miles until she met me at Dry Fork.

In hind sight, I probably should have rested more for such a long stretch of pacing. But there just didn’t seem to be any time between the start of the race in Dayton, driving up to Dry Fork, meeting and helping other runners coming into and out of Dry Fork. The morning and afternoon flew by and I spent the day caught up in the commotion at the aid station. This really caught up with me later in the evening. And as a word of warning, if anyone decides to pace Victoria, make sure you show up well rested and bring your A game. She set the pace the entire time I ran with her and just kept moving relentlessly. She powered up the wall to Bear Camp in the dark like it was nothing. And even when she got tired, she still kept up a determined hiking pace. Unfortunately I turned out to be the worst pacer ever. After warning Victoria about the hazards of stopping and sitting at comfortable aid stations, I was the first to say hell yes to a nice chair by the fire at Spring Marsh. Somewhere in the dark between Bear Camp and Cow Camp, I got really drowsy and started getting tunnel vision in the beam of my headlamp. Reflective trail markers on the trees started to melt and drip down the tree trunks. I dropped back behind Victoria several times and finally told her I needed to take a minute to just stop and close my eyes to refocus again. Asking Victoria to stop when she was still trucking along over 65 miles into her run when I had only gone about 40 miles qualifies me as the absolute worst pacer ever.

We managed to make it through the night and arrived at Cow Camp for a brief breakfast break. On the way back to Dry Fork, we crossed paths with the 50 mile runners. The re-routed 50 mile course started at Dry Fork and went out and back to Footbridge. On the normal race route, the different race distances usually merge together at the mid to back of the pack closer to the finish. This year it was really nice to see the full 50 mile field. They were only about 2 miles into their race and the front runners were flying. It was great to see the rest of our Fort Collins friends charge by us and it helped give both Victoria and I an energy boost to push the final miles in to the Dry Fork aid station.

On the way to the Twin Buttes aid station at the end of the spur from Dry Fork, Victoria started to get really dizzy with bad tunnel vision and spots. She was able to walk the last tenth of a mile into the aid station and stopped for an extended break to warm up, drink some fluids, and try to recover. Unfortunately she wasn’t snapping out of it and with her condition, it wasn’t safe to push through this. So she made the smart decision to drop. It’s really too bad that it ended this way since she was doing so well right up to the end. But she made it home safe and healthy and is already coming around to start considering another 100 miler.

And despite getting my but kicked on the overnight out on the trail, I really had a great time. We had a huge group of friends out there from Fort Collins and Boulder with a lot of firsts and PR’s in all events. This is definitely an event that I’d like to make an annual tradition.

Here’s a link to Alex’s 50 mile report. After resting up at the park, I jogged up the road and ran the last mile in with him.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

[Show as slideshow]

So I figured it would be easier to organize and post all of my info in one place here.

I’ve posted the full 100 mile map and elevation profile here.

For current snow levels, check the Bald Mtn Snotel site. It’s a few hundred feet higher than Porcupine but it’ll give you a rough idea of what to expect at the high end of the course.

Jim O’Neil and Sue Norwood are regulars at Bighorn and they might be up in the area to train a few weeks before the race. They posted a bunch of photos before the 2009 race. These were really helpful to see what the trail conditions were like leading up to the race.

Some additional reading:

My 2009 100 mile race report and photos.

Rob’s 2010 race report.

Nick’s 2009 race report.

Alex’s 2010 50 mile race report.

A lot of other locals have run the Bighorn 50k, 50 mile, and 100 mile races. If you come out and join any of our FCTR group runs, there’s a good chance that you’ll meet at least 2 or 3 people who have experience out on the course.

Given the circumstances of the day, I had a great run. From the start I was feeling like my effort level was unusually high even at a very slow pace. I should have at least been able to breeze through the first 15 miles of the day. It seemed pretty clear that I was starting out over trained which didn’t really surprise me after what I did to myself in May. May was a separate personal challenge in itself so I really don’t have any regrets in hindsight. And since I wasn’t challenging Karl for the course record, running a bit short of optimal performance wasn’t much of a big deal.

The section from Dry Fork to Footbridge was rougher than expected and I had a hard time getting a comfortable rhythm going. And the decent down the Wall was brutal. Early in the day the mud was shin deep in several areas and the dry sections were painfully steep. After a quick sock change at Footbridge, I headed out for the 18 mile uphill climb to the Porcupine ranger station turn around. I finally started to feel good on this section and kept up a steady pace passing several other runners along the way. I guess I just needed a good 30 mile warm up to get going.

The last few miles from Elk Camp to Porcupine were pretty nasty with long sections of muddy boggy marsh, several small streams, and then about a mile of alternating snow piles and mud pits. I paused at one small stream looking for an easy way across and noticed a course flag set about 15 feet to the left at a very narrow section. I thought that was nice of them to point out where it would be an easy one step through instead of the 8 foot crossing at the trail. So I stepped in right over the flag marker and immediately sunk hip deep into freezing water.

Fortunately it didn’t take long to get to Porcupine where Eric and Victoria helped me with my gear while I warmed up next to the wood stove. From here to the finish, I doubt I would have made it without Eric pacing me. I frequently have problems with blurred vision on long runs. I’m not sure what the exact problem is, but guess that it’s salt in my eyes. Shortly before making it to the turn around, my right eye was completely blurred over so I was having a lot of trouble seeing course flags and my depth perception was way off. So for almost every step of single track trail back to Dayton, Eric ran about 2 steps ahead of me to spot course markers and call out rocks, mud, or holes right and left. We actually got a pretty good rhythm going with this system. Going up the Wall after footbridge was a breeze …actually it was quite a relief after 18 miles downhill. We caught Ashley on the hill and by sunrise she was no where in sight behind us.

We kept up with a good steady pace from Bear Camp and caught up with Bryan Goding just before Cow Camp. He wasn’t moving very fast and at the aid station, Eric and I stopped for quick water refills and kept charging ahead. Bryan stayed behind at the aid station to eat. I probably should have done the same because about 20 minutes later, Bryan came flying by us remarking about how good the bacon was. My legs were starting to stiffen up and there was no way I could keep up.

We finally made it to Dry Fork after a long uphill trudge. I changed into a fresh pair of socks, saw Shana and Paul, and left the aid station with cheers from the 50k runners who had just arrived for their race start. This was a great boost of energy and Eric and I left the aid station running and kept on going right up the hill and about half a mile around the corner ….where my left knee broke down and completely locked up. Eric helped me to stretch out and I tied a moeben sleeve around it for support and managed to start moving slowing down the trail to Sheep Creek. I stopped to refill water at Sheep Creek and after just a brief stand still my right knee locked up. Perfect timing for the huge final downhill. We had one tiny little hill climb left that actually felt good and as soon as we started down the other side, Eric moved out ahead and set a blistering pace down through the meadow. It hurt like hell but it would hurt worse to try to stop.

Unfortunately I needed to top off my water at the next aid station and couldn’t get my legs moving again. Somewhere around mile 93 I tried stretching and ended up sitting down. Once I sat down, everything started to shut down and I just laid out on my back wondering if I was going to be able to move. A couple minutes later Ashley and her husband showed up and they stopped to ask if I was OK and tried to encourage me to get up and run the rest of the race in with them. I told them I was fine and that I had 10 more hours to make it to the finish and they headed on their way. I’m really not sure how I managed to get up. I wish I had some cool inspirational or spiritual moment to share with everyone. But there wasn’t any theme song playing, there was no Rocky training montage running through my mind, and no flashback to my childhood days growing up with the wolves. I just got up and started moving forward again. How else was I supposed to get home? By the time we hit the road, I could manage an easy jog without too much pain and we caught up with Ashley again. Eric and I tried to convince her and her husband to keep running the rest of the way with us but I think she was just happy having her 1st place finish in the bag with a sub 25 hour time and dropped off to finish at her own pace.

The rest of the run in was fairly uneventful. I didn’t have any time goal to meet or another runner to chase so we cruised the rest of the way in to finish. It took longer than I expected but I really didn’t know what to expect going into this race. Overall, it was a solid run. I never had a mental break down and stayed awake and alert the entire time. The only issues I had were a sluggish start, some trouble getting calories down in the last 50 miles, and the mechanical failure in my knees. And even though this course was much tougher than I expected, I really enjoyed it and plan to run it again. If my legs were working, I’d step up to the starting line again tomorrow.

The entire weekend was a blast running with so many friends crewing, pacing, and racing. This is certainly not a solo sport. I can’t wait for the next adventure!

I posted the full course map and elevation profile from the GPS data here.

Photos and a few video clips along with some extras from Eric, Karla, and Shana:

Bighorn 100, June 19-20, 2009

Marie, Nick, and I ready to start the Bighorn 100. Marie, Nick, and I ready to start the Bighorn 100.	My pacer, Eric, and I at the start. My pacer, Eric, and I at the start.
Nick and I getting ready to run. Nick and I getting ready to run.	Nick and I ready to start. Nick and I ready to start.
	Karl taking the lead at the start. Karl taking the lead at the start.
The first mile up the dirt road heading into the Tongue River Canyon. The first mile up the dirt road heading into the Tongue River Canyon.
Hank Dart heading up the hill into the canyon ahead of me. Hank Dart heading up the hill into the canyon ahead of me.	Looking back down river towards Dayton. Looking back down river towards Dayton.
Starting the first big climb out of the canyon. Starting the first big climb out of the canyon.
	Up into the open meadows on the first climb. Up into the open meadows on the first climb.
The last stretch over Horse Creek Ridge The last stretch over Horse Creek Ridge
The view from Horse Creek Ridge back to Dayton only 7.5 miles in. The view from Horse Creek Ridge back to Dayton only 7.5 miles in.
	Heading down the other side of Horse Creek Ridge on the section they call "The Haul" Heading down the other side of Horse Creek Ridge on the section they call "The Haul"
	Dry Fork Aid Station – mile 13.5 and 82.5 Dry Fork Aid Station – mile 13.5 and 82.5
	Rolling hills between Dry Fork and Cow Camp. Rolling hills between Dry Fork and Cow Camp.
On the way to Bear Camp about 26 miles in. On the way to Bear Camp about 26 miles in.	I met Pete on the way to Bear Camp. Unfortunately I didn’t see his name in the finish results. I met Pete on the way to Bear Camp. Unfortunately I didn’t see his name in the finish results.
The turn around should be just down this hill to the river, around the other side of that big ridge, and uphill about 18 more miles ….no problem. The turn around should be just down this hill to the river, around the other side of that big ridge, and uphill about 18 more miles ….no problem.
Views from the top of "The Wall" Views from the top of "The Wall"
	A little bit of mud on The Wall. This spot isn’t bad – I was afraid to get the camera out during the really muddy sections. A little bit of mud on The Wall. This spot isn’t bad – I was afraid to get the camera out during the really muddy sections.
Mile 30 aid station – first sock change. Muddy and wet but so far so good. Mile 30 aid station – first sock change. Muddy and wet but so far so good.
Starting out on the 18 mile uphill climb from Footbridge to the Porcupine ranger station turn around. Starting out on the 18 mile uphill climb from Footbridge to the Porcupine ranger station turn around.
Little Bighorn River Little Bighorn River
	Climbing up out of the river canyon into more open meadows on the way to Spring Marsh Climbing up out of the river canyon into more open meadows on the way to Spring Marsh
	A few final views before sunset – almost to the 48 mile turn around. A few final views before sunset – almost to the 48 mile turn around.
Last couple shots before heading into the dark for the last few miles to Porcupine ranger station. Last couple shots before heading into the dark for the last few miles to Porcupine ranger station.
	Victoria helping me with my pack at Porcupine ranger station. Mile 48. Victoria helping me with my pack at Porcupine ranger station. Mile 48.
Elk Camp aid station inbound. Elk Camp aid station inbound.	Fixing a light snack of ibruprofen, immodium, and pepto abysmal at Footbridge aid station. Mile 66 inbound. Fixing a light snack of ibruprofen, immodium, and pepto abysmal at Footbridge aid station. Mile 66 inbound.
First light between Bear Camp and Cow Camp. Choking down 2 bites of cliff bar. First light between Bear Camp and Cow Camp. Choking down 2 bites of cliff bar.
Still moving and making good time to Cow Camp. Still moving and making good time to Cow Camp.	Long slow climb up to Dry Fork aid. Long slow climb up to Dry Fork aid.
Leaving Dry Fork – 17.5 miles to go. Leaving Dry Fork – 17.5 miles to go.	On the way to Sheep Creek aid. Left knee is in a lot of pain. On the way to Sheep Creek aid. Left knee is in a lot of pain.
Sheep Creek aid. There goes the right knee. Sheep Creek aid. There goes the right knee.	Starting the painful downhill run to the finish. About 10 miles left with a 3500ft drop. Both knees are screaming. Starting the painful downhill run to the finish. About 10 miles left with a 3500ft drop. Both knees are screaming.
On the road in the home stretch. Knees still hurt but its easier to keep a steady pace on the smooth ground. On the road in the home stretch. Knees still hurt but its easier to keep a steady pace on the smooth ground.	In the home stretch on the road to Dayton. Both knees are pretty much shot but it’s too close to the finish to stop now. In the home stretch on the road to Dayton. Both knees are pretty much shot but it’s too close to the finish to stop now.
Last view of the Bighorn trail 50 miles behind me. Last view of the Bighorn trail 50 miles behind me.	Crossing the finish 24:41 in 7th place. Crossing the finish 24:41 in 7th place.
	Happy to be done. The popsicles we picked up from the mile 98 aid station are even still partly frozen. Happy to be done. The popsicles we picked up from the mile 98 aid station are even still partly frozen.
	One pair of shoes and gaiters survived the day. One pair of shoes and gaiters survived the day.
100 miles – no blisters. 100 miles – no blisters.	"Relaxing" after the race. Flat on the floor was the most comfortable position. I couldn’t move my legs or reach my ankle so Karla is helping to scratch an itch. "Relaxing" after the race. Flat on the floor was the most comfortable position. I couldn’t move my legs or reach my ankle so Karla is helping to scratch an itch.
The awards – finisher’s jacket and buckle. The awards – finisher’s jacket and buckle.	100 Mile Elevation Profile 100 Mile Elevation Profile