Beating Out My 15 Miles of Disappointment

I beat last year’s time at Javelina Jundred by 69 minutes with a first place win over top rated competition.  And yet I didn't train specifically for Javelina, a 100mile race, coming off of a summer race series of much shorter mountain races.  So how did I pull through?

Javelina Jundred 100M with Oswaldo Lopez and Miguel Lara Viniegras.
Photo: Chriss Furman Photography

Waves of disappointment swept over me repeatedly in the last 15 miles of my Javelina Jundred race. My pace was slowing down and I felt I wouldn't meet my goals. I was beating myself up mentally. With 9 miles left to go, my wife joined me as a pacer.  Despite all her encouragement I still struggled mentally.

Near the top of the last climb with 5 miles to go I literally spewed out my negative mental suggestions onto the side of the trail. Took a swig of water to flush my mouth and set off running with my pace quickly recovering.

Not sure how but I made it! ...and the 2014 season ended greater than I had imagined! Relief and gratitude swept over me.

I am truly grateful for all of the support along the way from family, God, old and new friends, race volunteers, competitors, and more. Tremendous support also came from the Run Steep Get High Mountain Running Team and CarboPro - many thanks!

Finishing Javelina Jundred in 1st!
Photo: jeffgenovaphotography.com

Relieved to be done and ready to sit
down at Javelina Jundred.
Photo: jeffgenovaphotography.com

The progress gained and confidence built this ultra trail running season was perfectly expressed in my Javelina Jundred 100mile final race of the season. 1st overall, 69 minutes quicker than the previous year, and I ran 99% of the race. I persisted and accomplished the goals I set out to achieve.

Expert race direction by Aravaipa Running and top runners including Miguel Lara Viniegras, Oswaldo Lopez, and Kaci Lickteig made it a truly memorable race. Miguel, a Tarahumara speedster, finished 2nd overall and strongly applied the pressure to keep me running. Oswaldo, a past winner of Badwater 135, may not have had his best day but stayed cheerful and positive. Kaci, finishing 3rd overall and 1st female at Javelina, set a new course record!

My post-race interview
Other post-race interviews

Reflecting back my primary goal stemming from previous years of over training injuries was to stay injury free - and I did! At several points throughout the season I thought I would have to take time off, DNF or DNS (did not finish/start), etc. Prayer and support from my wife led me through these trials. Working to stay mentally focused and spiritually minded paved the way for a strong, successful season.

Enjoying the day volunteering with

friends. Photo Kristi McCauley

At the moment I am truly enjoying some time off training and racing. Volunteering at the inagural Colossal Vail 50/50 near Tucson, AZ I had a blast supporting both friends who organized the race and friends who ran the race. Beautiful weather, rolling scenic vistas, and a down home feel made it a special event that should be on your racing plan for next year. My local trail training buddies swept the top podium places for both the 50K and 50M races.

I found that volunteering at a race is not only a gift to the runner competing but also a gift to the volunteer him/herself. After volunteering race day I left with deeper meaning friendships, new friends, and a heightened sense of place in this growing movement of trail runners.

Huffin' it up the mountain in
Flagstaff. Photo: Ian Sharman.

Looking forward I have begun mapping out my 2015 season. My focus will be on the Skyrunning Ultra series events again including 1 (maybe 2 if my funds allow) races abroad on the international stage (travel and fees covered thanks to my 1st place overall in the U.S. series this year). Anyone care to join me in Chamonix, France, June 27th for the Mont Blanc 80K?

I will continue to build on the great training and racing lessons learned this year to continue my forward progress as an elite mountain trail ultra runner through 2015!

The Unknown Runner

[note - a momentary break in the ongoing series]
[edited- 1/30/14 to provide original blog link to Tsutomu Nagata]
As I sit here nursing a traumatic first time loss of my big toenail I have time to pause and reflect back on my first 100 where I stayed in the game - not merely struggling to the finish.

Photo courtesy of Aravaipa Running.
Just before the first aid station of the 100mile race.

Who is this guy matching my step? After the first aid station into the Coldwater Rumble 100 I moved to the side of the trail and let the unknown runner come abreast.

“Good morning. Howsit goin?” I say between gulps of a bar and water.
“Huh? Hello.”
“My name is Catlow. What is yours?”
“Hm? Englis not very gut”
“What…is….your….name?”
“oh. Nagata.”
“Nice…to…meet…you…Na-ga-ta!”
“yes. Nice meet you to.”

And we continued on. Realizing our pace was too fast for me to sustain and wanting to better assess Nagata as a runner I pulled over around mile 12 to water some desert scrub. And, that was a mistake. Nagata turned on the heat and quickly pulled away. At each aid station the gap grew. Completing the first loop at mile 20 I ask Nick Coury (the RD),

”Who is that guy?”
“We have no idea. Some dude from Japan.”

James Bonnett strolls over as I refill by bottles and wisely advises me to slow down as that is not a sustainable pace. I listen. I complete my 2nd, 20mile loop 22 minutes slower and find myself 20 minutes behind Nagata.

Nick informs me that Nagata is a fast runner who ran a 100km in 6hrs and 44min. I shoot back,

“Are you sure he knows this is a 100mile not a 100km race?”

My goal for this early season race was to simply gain experience running 100mile races. No records, no racing. Just to overcome my distance-related fears, hone my hydration and nutrition, and get in some base miles.

Discovering this unknown runner early in the race revved up my competitive juices. But now 20minutes behind at mile 40 I considered myself out of the game and tried to block him out of my mind.

Then at the mile 51 aid station I was told he was only a few minutes ahead, not looking very good, and walking a bit. Ah, he blew up and now is suffering. I’ll reel him in, pass him, and then forget about him and I can go on with my original focus.

At the mile 56 aid station I catch him. He looked exhausted. Worrying about him, I ask him if he is ok. The low desert can be harsh even in January. With assurance I then quickly move out and down the trail. Two minutes later Nagata shows up back on my heels and matching my pace. Who is this guy? What resolve to press on! I’m impressed but also fearful that he may have recovered and is ready to move on again. I determine to stay in front, control the pace, and not let him ahead of me like I did the first lap.

We roll into the start/finish at mile 60 – 8 minutes slower than the previous 20mile loop. Nagata continues to stay on my heels. I am at my limit but I feel I can sustain the pace. My stomach is knotted so chews and bananas only; my toe hurts and sand is in my shoe but I can’t afford the time to change my shoes; I press on and maintain the lead to control the pace.

About two-thirds around the 60-80mile loop there is a fun, fast downhill to the aid station. I use my downhill skills to let loose. A small gap opens on Nagata. I race threw the aid station – recognizable as a blur. Dusk is at her finale and the light dims. I wait to turn on my light as I wish to be invisible in setting my gap on Nagata. With ~2miles to starting the final loop (mile 80) I flip on my light and glide into the start/finish only 7 minutes slower than the previous loop.

Steve Poling comes up to me as I restock with my Mom’s help and asks if I want a pacer for the last loop. Do I? I have been so focused on Nagata that I hadn’t considered having a pacer. He mentions his runner quit and he would enjoy the experience. What the heck…why not then?

I set out on my last loop with Steve at my side. Nagata is nowhere in sight. I wonder what might have happened. Not wanting to take any chances based on earlier race dynamics I continue to push to maintain my pace. Steve and I dispense with the pleasantries and focus on the rocky trail ahead.

My legs are tired. I gag on a chew and hurl the last few I consumed onto the side of the trail. I barely break my stride and keep moving forward. Nagata could come up any second. Steve became my surrogate Nagata – running at my heels for the last 20 miles – and helped me stay focused.

Photo courtesy of Aravaipa Running.
Celebrating the finish! 

We fly into the finish – only 3 minutes slower this final lap then the previous loop – at 15:09. A new 100mile PR and on a slightly tougher course than Javelina Jundred. I’m ecstatic! But where is Nagata?

Read Tsutomu Nagata's account: translated into English or original blog in Japanese – a must read! I am grateful for the opportunity to test my racing game with this unknown runner and admirable competitor. He kept me focused and pushed me to finish my first 100 feeling strong. His friendly camaraderie throughout, his resolve to keep up even when exhausted, and his tenacity to finish after frustrating setbacks is an inspiration.

To running and pushing ourselves beyond our own mental limits.

Cheers to you Unknown Runner!

I glance at my grossly swollen toenail and know it is worth the loss. I look forward to this racing season and representing Run Steep Get High Mountain Running Team. C-ya on the upward trail!

Many thanks to Aravaipa Running and volunteers for a great race! Thanks to my Mom for crew support and love!

Part II. Touring Vermont by Bike Instead of by Foot. Having fun with failure.

11 Nov 2011 –The pinnacle race for most ultrarunners is the 100 miler; like the marathon to the distance runner, and the 100 meters to the sprinter.  After completing several 50 mile races I felt ready to tackle the 100. I chose the July 2012 Vermont 100 – one of the oldest endurance running races in the country – to be my first 100 mile challenge. Frankly, I chose Vermont because it seemed less daunting than other western 100s (think mountains and altitude). Plus we could stack the trip by a summertime with my wife’s family in nearby New Hampshire.

19 June 2012 – Spring training and racing went surprisingly well. I had two first places in two 50 mile races! However, I failed to reign in my excitement and developed a running injury following the 2nd 50. I took time off and rested but it persisted. So I made the decision and finally cancelled my registration.

Disappointment consumed me. I failed. Or was I in some small way…actually relieved? Relieved as I still could not mentally fathom what it would take to complete 100 miles. I stewed.

Lisa with her wisdom suggested we bike tour through Vermont instead. It was a brilliant plan to keep me from stewing and re-focus my attention – especially while on vacation. She packed up her Bike Friday, a foldable travel size bike, and I borrowed a friend’s Bike Friday. We mapped out a 6 day tour through Vermont’s southern Green Mountains.

Bike touring is a bit like ultrarunning. You gain a sense of freedom to explore and feel alive each pedal stroke of the way. With a good map you can explore back roads at a casual pace, pull off and swim in a creek, devour local eats, and then go some more.

Local eats. And sample we did!

Vermont is a bike touring paradise. Lean-to shelters at state campgrounds with local swimming holes keep you well protected and refreshed. The lazily winding roads have idyllic restful spots scattered along. Locally made pickled beets and homemade pies can be found at about any country store.

30 July 2012 – On the 2nd to last night of our bike tour we found ourselves at a campsite near where the Vermont 100 race is held. As that dawned upon me I thought back to the quad burning hills we had climbed and whipped back down that same day on our bikes. I realized how painful these New England hills can be even though we were not in the Rocky Mountains or Arizona’s Sky Islands.

The bike tour showed me new freedoms and joys I had not experienced before. I let go of my disappointment and was grateful for our time together touring by bike.

…fast forward 10 months…

8 June 2013 – Plodding through the 18 mile aid station at the San Diego 100 I began questioning my decision to race. Why had I not let myself drop like the previous year for Vermont? I could be relaxing on the beach, body surfing in the waves … I consciously let up my pace as I considered the next 80 miles coming up. The sun blazed overhead as I picked my way along the Pacific Crest Trail. To keep the negativity at bay, I turned my thoughts towards my running form. An efficient less impactful form equals conservation of energy. This is what gets a runner through the long hours.

Up Next: Part III.  A breakthrough – redefining myself as a runner with barefoot form

One of many swimming holes
- on the sunny days.

Luxury lean-to shelters at
state campgrounds.

Even the bikes needed a rest
hauling up the Vermont hills.