Tahoe Rim Trail 100 "Taste of Hell" part

The second Loop:


My watch was already near 4 pm shortly after we left from Spooner Lake aid station (Start/Finish). Soon Todd and I were ascending from 6,980ft to 8,500ft, my back of head gave me a pounding headache. It was like an army marched with his rhythmical steps, synchronizing with my pounding heart rates. I could not withstand myself with this pain any longer and took one Alive pill hoping to work it out. I also suspected myself from excessive dehydration from the strong afternoon heat while I was pounding downhills earlier. I increased consumption of water, more precisely, drinking a sport drink, coconut water, and coke mix. I approached to the Marlette lake second time, and it was still in beauty to look at light reflection with orange afternoon sun. I was uneventful to move through Hobart aid station take one more pill of Ibuprofen, drink more, eat some PBJ, chips, and watermelon to continued uphill to get the second aid station. At this point, my mind set was pretty much focusing on how to reach to the next aid station rather than thinking big picture of finishing on expected time. I was though frustrated about my health condition. My leg clearly had more juice to move forward continuously, but pounding headache pulled me behind and forced me to power-walk some sections. The marching army of headache sneaked up on me more closer than before, and they were like in a target range to shoot their rifle to finish off their commando. 

I managed myself to get to the Tunnel Creek Aid (4th) (62 miles at 12:57:47) and felt that this 100km distance so far was pretty good pace, except my headache and breathing at now. However, my heart rates were well under 140bpm considering breathing so hard. I knew I need to eat some real food for another long stretch of 40 miles to go, but I did not had any appetite to Aid station table. I forcefully had myself soup with bread and refueled with more sport drink. We took off the Tunnel Creek aid station for the second loop of red house loop, and soon we jogged downhill down but a lot slower pace than first time I came down the hill.  when we approached the bottom of the valley, I was already walking myself to flat jeep road. The steep uphill section was terrible for my legs that I had to stop middle of the hill to catch my breath once. I managed myself to get to the Red House aid station and had garlic butter mash potato and coke. These instant sugar and carbohydrate regenerated some energies to start jogging a mile stretch traverse section. Coke has some magic to it. I don't know exactly what is chemically activated me to push jogging and power-walking uphill to Tunnel Creek Aid (5th). At this point, all I wanted to eat and to recoup my energy level, but my stomach was not be able to handle much for food. I forcefully put thick and nasty taste of concentrated sugar from the Gu gel pack into my mouth and immediately swallow with water to dilute and washed out the bad sugar aftertaste. The result? I ended up giving an acidic liquid fertilizer to wild plants from my mouth. I felt ease after that but had to give some left over again shortly after walking another 20 ft or so. I told myself "OK, my stomach was now completely empty and nothing to come out".

The second nightmare was happened shortly after the twilight. I pulled out Petzl RXP headlamp and turn on to middle strength setting for extended burn-time for long night jog. After 30 minutes past or so, my headlamp flashed few times for indicating running out of the battery. It cannot be right. I thought I changed it to new batteries before packed into the drop bag at Tunnel Creek Aid station. Apparently, I confused myself to grab a pack of spent batteries and left behind the brand new batteries. My headlight was less than 5 lumen strength to even see a surface of trail. Unfortunately, my backup batteries that I packed in my running pack are also spent batteries that were useless and adding now a little weight to my running pack. Luckily, my pacer letting me to use his headlamp for seeing some obstacles on trail to continue another 6 mile stretch of steep and technical downhills that many enthusiastic mountain bikers would salivate the drop lines of continuous jumps and sharp turns. We, on the other hand, were not able to see small details of obstacles on the trail and slowed down for this section. I had minor twist on my left ankle for twice during this descend but did not fell down to kiss the ground, which was very proud myself of.

I finally see the dim of light way down the trail where it should be my next aid station.  My second pacer, Scott Leonard, was awaiting for me there to take over the pacing duty. When I arrived at Diamond Peak Aid (2nd) 20 minutes past 11pm on Saturday, I felt I was spent. I was frustrated myself with this stomach problem, which seems always happened to me for 100 mile races. I told an aid station captain who was also a medical doctor asked about my condition of fatigue, stomach issue, headache, and breathing issues. He suggested to take more real foods, not gels and sugary candies, to settle down the stomach and re-energize by foods from digestion to uptake carbs and sugars. He offered me "Onigiri" rice ball with simply added sea salt and vegetable soup. I sat down the chair and had those food slowly. My stomach wasn't surprised by those foods either. I took time stayed at the Diamond peak aid almost 45 minutes to let my body digest food a bit. I, though, was still not so happy to look at watch that I already lost so much time that I knew I won't make myself to under 24 hour mark. At this point, my objective for the race changed from primary goal of under 24hrs finish to just finish the race. I felt I was ultimate failure to myself. I needed to take much more seriously about altitude I was running and dehydration from an afternoon heat that I was faced on. 

Finally I managed myself to stand up and continued another 20 miles of journey to finish line, which was not probably going to be glorious or beautiful. I was ready to take more pain and unpleasant long power-walking. I tried not to think too much about steep 2 mile uphill that was experienced earlier in the day. I had to walk this section first to accomplish my alternative goal at this point. The two mile uphill was clearly the favorite section for RD to give some love from TRT to runners. While I pushed my quad muscles by two hands to step forward very slowly, I still had to stop myself catching my breath for few minutes. One cool thing I discovered myself at middle of chin scraper uphill was to find a small desert scorpion, which was size of my thumb. I personally had not seen a wild scorpion since my childhood, lived in Cairo, Egypt for three years when I was between 9 to 12 years old. The last aid station crew said to me about this two mile section for "Don't worries, it just takes only1hour of slow hiking." Yah, right. I felt this hill lasted me forever, but his estimates of time was a right on the money to arrived next aid station at the top of the hill. 

After I left the small aid station, there are runnable traverse section to Tunnel Creek Aid. I started to try jogging the long beautiful stretch of trail, but this caused me shaken too much my stomach to give another liquid (some solids) fertilizer to a beautiful juvenile pine tree. Maybe I was too ambitious about recovering my health condition and running trail to catch up my goal time. I guess I learned denial myself in hard way.  It was just because there were no significant ups and downhills at the sections, that does not necessarily mean easy for my tired and screwed up body. Soon my stomach was empty again, and I had no apatite at all. My brain autonomously induced me to gag by just looking at Gu gel packet. At this point, my only a little friend to give me wings were coke. I was so tired to get to the Tunnel Creek Aid Station at that point, and my eyes weren't focus any specific point. I saw one volunteer girl approached me, and she asked me to get anything I needed at the aid. Then all of sudden I was kissing my face to ground. I could not comprehend myself what was just happened. My aid station girl suddenly disappear from my eye sights less than one short second, and I laid down to the ground for no reason. The aid station girl was so surprised that I tripped over by little rock and screamed "Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" It took me good two seconds to realize I was on the ground face down. It was just like a comical fall that you can find at many online video sources for laugh. I slowly got up and evaluate myself for any serious damages to my body, but there were no pain associated with this fall. My legs weren't lifted up enough for even walking. At this point, I bet I can totally win a role for acting as a zombi that will be shot by a main character's first shotgun at the opening roll of the movie.    

I don't remember much how I got out from the Tunnel Creek Aid to continue my journey, but I remembered that I had hard time keep my eyelid to stay open. My contact lens were so dried, which already past more than 24 hours wearing them since last night (1:50am) and hurting my eyes so much. I finally asked or even begged to my pacer, Scott, for 10 minutes nap to just close my eyes. I laid down to the ground and closed my eyes. This was the best things I ever experienced. While closing my eyes, my body felt lighter than before, and I had very short dream that I was running in the forest in happy face. Then, the words brought me back to reality. "Okay, it's ten minutes. Time to go." I got up and continued walking. Before the race, my pacer was so concerned about dropping him alone from pacing duty because he thought he wasn't strong enough to keep up with me running. Well, I did not think that was a such issue anymore. My pacer was kicked my butt to moving forward, which was exactly what a pacer needed to do at that point. It was like a love and hate relationship. I admitted myself that I was way too whiny about my health conditions. I think that was something I should never do to my pacer. The worst thing about being whiny is that it makes also my pacer being helpless. There are nothing he could do to change my health problems, which were found out to be acute altitude sickness I got. That was sorely my responsibility to take this run to be more respectable at this elevation of running (8000 to 9000ft).  

I must arrived at Hobart Aid Station (4th) around 4:20am. The aid station crews were all looked like bunches of drunker and pretty wasted. No body helped us for foods or drinks at this Tiki bar theme aid station. I just grabbed whatever edible for little more energy to continue the last 10 mile to the finish. Scott also grabbed me turkey cheese sandwich with coke. While I was munching it, a big dog just sat down in front of me begging for food. The owner of this dog was pretty wasted and said to me, "That's o.k. He's not gonna have your food." I replied to him, "Um, ah, your big dog is on my laps now." Scott finally pushed off the dog from my laps. I was tired but need to get myself out before whole a lot of troubles. 

 I knew there was only one more push to reach the 9000+ft. The eastern sky started to get red-orange color, and night lights from Carson city and Reno still shined the valley of Nevada. The view was beautiful but cold wind picked up at meadow where we were already at above timber line. The meadow was actually very beautiful. There were many colorful wild flowers of yellow and blue, some stink cabbage patches that were tall enough to cover up my knee high. The continuous gradual uphill lasted about a mile, and I finally saw the big white tent that was the last aid station, Snow Valley Peak aid (2nd). I arrived this aid station around 5:25am, just past 24hour mark.  

Wow dude, don't puke in the Tent! 

I knew there were only 6.2 miles to go and drop down from 9000 to 7000ft. It should not be that difficult if your stomach is cooperate with shaking abdomen by downhill running. It rather turned out that it was most difficult section for me to continued more than 400 m jog at the time. I had to stop myself to recoup my breathing and stomach upset. What a whiny trail runner. Yes I was very whiny at that point and wanted to over with this so I can relive from the pain. Scott told me that "dude, you gonna continue moving now. After cross the finish line, you can forget all your pain faced on right now." "Okay, I feel I gonna puke but nothing came out from my stomach." This whiny dude some how continued to jog down for good two miles and let puke out for almost nothing. I continued to do this for another 2 more miles to reach the bottom of the downhill. There was only a 1.2 mile to go. there was only rolling ups and downs but mostly flat trail along the Spooner lake side. I must be half way crying for holding up another urge of puke. The last right turn for short single track to approach the white tent with big blue sign of Finish. This whiny dude kept whining "dude this is sucks, and I gonna puke!" for next 400m of single track. I made to cross the finish line and immediately went backside of the white tent and let all crap out to the grassy area. 

Total time to finish 100 mile: 26:17:28. 

 I was sure my eye lids had little teardrops from puking earlier.

Collapsed. Zzzzzzz.

               

I got Silver medallion buckle. Maybe next time for under 24hour goal time to get gold medallion on the buckle. 

Reward to myself at Fifty Fifty brewery. Glower full of good hoppy American Pale Ale! 
"Gees, this guy never learn himself to not drinking beer." "Hey, it is the best recovery drink, right?" 
              

Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile in Heaven part

(Pre-race, short version, You can skip it)

It has been a year since I postponed my entry to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile race in 2011 due to my glut injury.  Instead of receiving a partial refund, I decided to forward my entry to 2012 race, which RD was very cool about accepting me my one-year carry over option without paying increased fee in 2012 race ($20 more). The reason I chose to do this race was my first 100 mile race at that point. I thought looping 50 miles twice is bit more mentally comfortable to know the course in second lap. However, it turned out to be much different perceive in second lap, especially after the night fall. Also photos that I saw from friend who run in 2008 was absolutely beautiful photo of running above the clouds and clear sky with back ground view of Lake Tahoe. 

After completing my first 100 mile race in Zion, UT, I was fairly confident about the distance of 100 mile to finish. Since I was recovering from Zion 100, my training was rather slow and steady slow pace most of the time. However, I run one 50 km race to see my body condition at Beacon Rock 50 km on June 17th. The course had approximately 7500ft vertical gain over 50km, it was good hill climb training. I was mostly on easy pace to go uphill mixing with power-walking and some jogging. My body did not complain much and felt light enough to finish the race.

Before heading out to Lake Tahoe, I quit my job that always felt myself a temporary job at the end of June saying “Sayonara” to my boss. I mentally free up my mind and ready to take next adventure in my life. I was ready to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100.

To the Carson City, NV

I was able to accommodate with two running friends from Corvallis to be my crew and “safety runner”. We rent a car that can take up three of us with full of camping gears (Thanks to Mazda mini-mini van). We started to drive down to Ashland, OR on July 18th (Wed) evening. We, of course, stop by the local brewery named Standing Stone brewery, Ashland, OR around 9:30 pm. (It was a shame that Caldera brewery taproom was just about closing a night 30 min before the regular operating hour.) We had some snacks with good pints of beer before heading up to free camp sites at Mt. Ashland campground. 

The next morning of 19th, the temp drop down but no frozen dead body found in the sleeping bag. A word from Scott was “It was freezing cold after 4am!”. We finally woke up around 7:30 am or so and had a cup of coffee and breakfast. We drove straight down to Olive Pit, Corning, CA to pick some stuffed olive and continued driving down to Chico, CA for Sierra Nevada brewery for lunch and a pint. Road trip with boys aren’t so efficient when we decide to have good beers. We also stop by a fruit stand for picking up peaches. While we finally get on Fwy 49/20 to Reno, NV, we stop by for gas at the small town called Nevada City. This small town has new brewery called “ol’ Republic” serving good lagers like black lager and helles. We, of course, had another pint for a happy hour price around 4pm and another hour to get to the Reno. Soon we crossed the state from CA to NV,  the view changes quite bit, like unleash every human desire for everything in big Casino city. That night, we had so-so Thai food near the hotel watching people on the street to have a selfish imagination talking about who would be a lady in business. We quickly came back into the hotel. we though, tried to spend money in casino, we did not even put a penny to the slot machine due to the system change that we have to buy a magnetic strip card first and deposit your money in to the card. Forget it. Next morning, we left Reno and drove down to Carson City, an hour south of Reno next morning. I double checked my well organized drop bags and register/weight-in at the park next to City Courthouse. My weight was around 159 lb. May be too much of beer carb loading along the way to Carson City. Let’s get serious. 

The race day              

I was finally into the bed at Carson city plaza hotel around 9 pm but the noise of air condition fan was so loud that I could not go sleep at all. I am sure I was nervous about the race, thinking how I can be done first loop of the race. I probably had at least 2 hours of sleep and finally woke me up at 1:45am. I had leftover Thai fried rice from last night for more carb loading (bad idea), changing my clothing for running, and pit stop. The shuttle bus was supposed to be leaving at hotel’s parking lot at 3:15am. We ended up waiting for the bus to leave at least half hour late. I was impressed with some people who were maybe bit overexcited for the race to chat almost entire way up to the starting line. I wanted to close my eyes for bit while we were waiting the bus to leave. However, the young blonde girl sat next to me that kept my brain in patient. (Found out that was a gal who named Sofia Cantilo from Argentina that Todd and Scott kept talking about her all the time). 

Runners and spectators were gradually gathered at starting line, and one guy asked me if I have any BodyGlide. I was bit of shock of my head and replied in my mind “Well, Yes I do but I do not think I would like to share with you.” In short silence moment looking at his face, I remember that I had one brand new pocket size BodyGlide that I got it from goodie bags somewhere else from the different race. So I grab it from my drop bag and gave it to him "here, you can have it." He was, without hesitation, immediately applied it to his gentle area. He was thanking me and try to give it back. I thought in my head “dude, I am not going to share this body glide with you.” I said that “Since I have another one myself, it is yours, so you can reapply it whenever you want.” I should have ask that guy's name. He was a quite character. 

About 5 minutes before the start, 151 runners with 100 miler participants lines up the starting line. The sky was still in the dark, and I did not bring my headlight at this point. I can see the ground without it, plus I won’t be able to go that fast. At 5:00am, the RD yelled “Go” through his microphone, the hyped runners were moving forward, like a warrior. Within a mile of Jeep dirt road, the single track uphill started. At this point, some fast guy and gal were smoking in the dust already. I was bit confused thinking “are they really keeping this pace like a marathon for rest of the race?” My initial mile pace was at 9:25 min. per mile. Soon the steep single track uphill force me to power walk at 12:20 to 13:20 min. per mile pace. My max heart rate was often exceeded more than 166-171 bpm. Since I have no crew how my body actually reacts with high altitude race like this, I decided to listen an advice from Gary Gellin at Zion 100 to go extra easy with monitoring my heart rate to be under 80% of maximum effort. Although this sounds easy, it is hard to keep your heart in my targeted comfort zone for a long period of time. Whenever I see my HRM goes beyond 160 bpm, I was power-walk to catch up my breath and slow down my heart beat. I still had several peak to 171 bpm for first 10 miles of the race but able to maintain average HRM at 151 bpm for the first loop of 50 mile.   

Soon I approached to the Marlette lake, the morning sun reflect the lake clearing up the morning fog. It was beautiful, but I had to keep eye on the rough jeep road along the lake. Soon I get back in the single track at 5.2 mile point, with elevation of 8100 ft. The single track continued for another 0.8 miles with another 500ft elev. gain to approach the first aid station, Hobart. 

At this point, I felt very comfortable and settle down my heart rate. I ate PBJ, potato, and watermelon. Refueling with more gels along the way to next aid station which are another 5.5 miles or so. The first big climbing are finally done, and I can finally see the Lake Tahoe on my left side. It was just before the 7 am, and I am already sweat like a pig. The view from the top of ridge line was crystal clear and deep blue Lake Tahoe shines even better than you imagine. This section is mostly single track and traverse and nice switchback downhill near the Tunnel Creek Aid Station. I managed myself moving forward efficiently to approach the second aid station (Tunnel Creek Aid at 12.0 garmin miles) about 2hrs13min later from the start. 

I took more food from the station, gels, stoof waffle with maple syrup and off to the next 6.7 mile loop (to Red House Aid). As soon as I left the tunnel creek aid, the gentle downhill less than a half mile become a steep downhill, which was fun to let my body ride with gravity pull. My pair of legs are still in fresh, even did not care about wetting feet by creek crossing. As soon as reached bottom of hill, the steep uphill just awaited for me to regret my decision for the last downhill. Now I have a pair of heavy legs to move forward with small steps. However, this loop had a flat traverse section for a mile shortly after the Red House Aid to rest you tired legs before back up to steep uphill to the Tunnel Creek Aid (2nd time). Some runners hated this section, but I did like the section just enough varieties of terrains to rest your leg, short and hard uphill section, and so forth.  

From the second Tunnel Creek Aid, there was about 7 miles long, sustained, a single track uphill to reach near 8800 ft elevation that was far more tougher than the short and steep uphill at the loop I just went through. What I was frustrated most from this section was to be runnable uphills. The steepness of uphill weren't the issue, but the increasing altitude made my heart pounding quicker and breathing harder and shorter than regular. I never felt reaching maximum effort but could not bring myself to own comfort zone. Luckily, it was still in mid-morning like 10am, so the cool breeze dries sweaty tech-shirt quick. About 5hrs past from the start, I just complete full marathon length. Trail turns left to drop down to the next aid station (Diamond Peak Lodge aid), where ski resort was located at. A long 4.2 mile downhill was fun for mountain bikers’ heaven with many stump jumpers and sharp banked-switchbacks, and rocky steep drop-offs. Unfortunately for runners, the section was quite technical to pay attention for both far side and just in front of me to do precise underfoot control. I thought this section will be much tougher in the dark when I came back for a second loop. 

I approached Diamond Peak Lodge Aid around 5:37:05, 30.3 garmin miles. Scott and Todd were already there for me in full service like a NASCAR pit crews, giving me some coke coconut water mix drinks, s-caps, gels, stoof waffle, and ice on my legs. I felt good and relive again.Scott was excited to told me what place I was in at that point, but I did not care much about the place just because it was only less than one third done in the race. I said “see you at the start/finish aid station” and started walking out from the aid. As soon as turn the little corner, the two mile stretch of steep uphill awaited for me. I glanced up to search the top of the mountain, and tiny ant-like runners were wiggling on the steep hillside. I quit thinking anything about how steep and hard this hill would be and just power-walked. The first mile was familiar steepness at McDonald Forest in Corvallis, OR, but the second mile was even steeper (1000+ft elevation gain within a mile) than previous mile, and sandy soft ground made me battle harder to put my quads working. While I was moving my small step forwards to the top, I thought the top of the peak never gets closer. 50 minutes past from last aid station, I finally get back on the trail at the ridge line and found familiar drink/snack aid station (Bull Wheel Aid). The one of aid crews found me and said “hey, you were back already! see you again this evening!” That was right. I have another loop to complete.

Afternoon sun raised temp quite bit though I was at the area with 8500ft elevation. The last chin-scraper uphill made my quad tight and heavy, but gradual downhill at this time was nice enough to jog more than power-walking. I made to Tunnel Creek Aid (3rd time) with short stop to pick some gels and food and continued another five mile journey to the next aid station. I had to power-walk the switchback uphills where I run down this earlier this morning. I was bit confused myself from this section of forest with similar scenery for long time and fatigue was maybe affected my brain not thinking the course enough. I made to about 40.4 garmin miles within 8:13:17, and the first aid station became a full bar setting. Whiskey, Rum, Tequila, Keg of beer, Mix drinks, you name it. Aid crews can make anything you want. It was still in early afternoon but looks like the party was just started at Hobart Aid. “What would you like to have? beer?” that was such generous offer, but I had to turn down because I knew I had to do big ascend at the next section to peak the highest point of the course. Maybe later when I come back for second loop.

The next short 3.6 mile uphill section was tough in elevation, but the degree of steepness was still runnable mostly. The tree line suddenly disappeared after a mile into the course and appeared meadow (8,700ft). I did not see lake Tahoe side until the top of the mountain, but the view of Carson city far east was definitely in high desert area. The color of green disappeared, and rocky brown soil color dominated the view. The vista for westside was full of colors, like green from evergreen trees, gray from granite rock ridge lines, and shiny blue lakes, especially the lake Tahoe. I passed Snow Valley Peak Aid and jog down long 6.2 mile downhill with 3000+ elevation loss to the start/finish point. This section was the most fun out of entire course of Tahoe Rim Trail 100. Even though I was conservative enough to save my leg not pounding too much, the gravity pull let me ride the trail with good rhythm. 

I finally complete the first loop (50 miles) by 10:12:10, Scott and Todd was awaited for me to change my Montrail Bajada to Scott eRide shoes, dusty socks, and the tech-shirt. I got so hungry and asked a aid crew for 50 miler finisher’s bean/rice burrito. I munched gigantic burrito in seconds and prepared myself for second loop. Todd, as a safety runner, was already waiting for me to go. I stopped by bathroom for things to take care of and reapply Body Glide. My happy feet and uplifted feeling did not know at that point that my body was not so happy and receiving something weird and wrong. Entering the second loop was like a “welcome to the taste of hell”. The true challenge had just begun.

To be continued "Taste of Hell" part.              

                           

Pre race story for the 2012 Tahoe Rim Trail 100

Since I started running long distances, completing the 100 mile race is one of my dream and aspiration for long time simply because it is beyond my comprehension to my body and soul for that kind of distance. Originally, I have planned myself to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100 at the end of year 2010 and entered to 2011 Tahoe Rim Trail 100. However, things did not worked out for me that year due to my hip injuries in early 2011, which captured me out for running few months. My left glut and imbalanced leg length from overuse resulted this hip injury. The second one of imbalanced leg length was even worse than the first problem. My pelvis was twisted upward to left side, and the symptom was started from my lumber vertebrae. The incident of injury was from overuse and ignorance to listen to my body requesting a rest. This overuse precisely came from the improper running form. I was once a short track runner for 100, 200, 400m in my high school days, but I stopped running after graduated. I  have never run the distance more than 13.1 miles ever before Sep., 2009. Two of my friends introduced me to trail running and long distance ultra in 2009. I was originally focused myself to challenge the distance of Marathon that year, but the one of friend was Co-RD for McDonald's Forest 50k at that point, and he let me in the McKenzie River trail 50k in the last minute. I thus run 50k trail race first then running Portland Marathon in 2009, and this event gave me an opportunity to enjoy the run in forest 100 times better than the road marathon with pure-pain event at mile 20. 

After experienced through myself with above-mentioned injuries, I appreciate learning correct running form for long distance. The body must learn a proper running form and must master the efficient biomechanics that are the two key components to be successful and endured running without troubling with unnecessary injuries. This also prevent the unnecessary overuse injuries like I did with my left glut and pelvis. Before I got my injury, my running form was more of up against the gravity-pull, standing straight up too much, over-stride, heel striker, lazy hip, no strong toe off, and you name it for typical gym runners. Consequently this bad form force me to do an over-stride, and the center of gravity pull is directly under my lower back and hip area to receive impact. This also contributed an overloaded force that my glut muscles had to take. The worst thing I've done myself was that I have never visited to any sport massage therapists, PT, and chiropractors in town for aftercare from running. I was very uneducated and stupid myself taking lightly about the long distance running.

In April, 2011, I stopped running shortly after 2011WTC50k race, which I ignored to listen to my body already in pain. I contacted one of very best PT in Eugene after the race. This appointment in April changed everything, and I stated correcting my bad running form and habitat for next 4 months. My body gradually understood what the "let a gravity works for your running" means. My habitat for before and aftercare from running also changed. I did include myself self-massages, stretches, and strengthening. I visited the sport massage therapist and the chiropractor in town regularly. Since I reeducated my running form, my hip and lower back pain entirely gone. I have not received any major injuries from running, expect an occasional ankle sprain on the trail. The new habitat also enhance myself to listen to my body more consciously, acknowledged myself what is wrong (pain) and needs to treat (massage & stretch) my body. Of course there are some costs involved in to maintain healthy running, but I think it is worth the cost to maintain what you wish to do for long time.              

Backing to the story of Tahoe Rim 100, I decided to forward my 2011 entry to following year of 2012 instead of receiving a partial refund. RD agreed about accepting my one-year carry over option. I thank RD for not paying increased fee in 2012 race ($20 more) too. The main reason that I chose my first 100 mile for the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 was running a 50 mile loop course for twice. I thought this would be mentally comfortable because I can know the course on the first lap and better prep myself for the second lap. However, it turned out to be wrong interpretation myself since the second lap was in the dark most of the time, which was completely different experience in the same course. 

My plan was switched to Zion 100 as my first 100 miler, and it was a right choice I made. After Zion 100, I felt more self confident about the distance of 100 mile and to know what it takes me to accomplish the distance mentally and physically. While I was on my recovery from the Zion 100s, my training was more of power-walking and slow & steady jogging for a month. I did run Beacon Rock 50 km race in mid June to see my body is recovered from Zion 100. The condition of Beacon Rock 50 km had approximately 7500ft vertical gain over 50km in PNW. It was good hilly climbs that could help me training for 19,000 to 20,000ft accumulative gain on Tahoe Rim 100. I was mostly on steady pace to jog uphill mixing with power-walk in steep sections. My body did not complain too much for downhill either, and I felt I can give go-sign to myself to the big race coming in month.

The time before heading to Tahoe Rim 100, I decided not continue my contracted job as an university research assistant position. The biggest reason to discontinue this position was that I cannot foresee myself as a lifetime career and being temporary worker. Secondly, I questioned myself that this research subject was truly contributing community members who seeks a solution to be solved this disease problem. My answer was that the result of this research only contribute partial solution and may or may not receive a full benefit to my end users (conventional and organic farmers). The third reason was my working-visa circumstance. My H1-B visa was only one more year left for legally working at USA. I soon or later have to figure out myself next career choice and seek for new job that at least favors to contribute my time. I felt my position was a temporary and replaceable job to anyone. It will never be compassionate myself to become a permanent career. I strongly felt that the time was right moment to moving on myself to seek for new chapter.  There is nothing to lose myself since there are no "permanent" and "forever" jobs. I think I will struggle first but eventually figure things out.  

As of July 1st, 2012, I freed up my mind and received my temporal freedom. I and two of my trail running friends joined me driving down to Tahoe on July 18th. My pacer and crew are set for Tahoe Rim 100, and I can rely on them since both run the Tahoe Rim course in 2008. I remember they showed me absolutely beautiful photos of Tahoe running above the morning mist and clear sky with back ground view of the Lake Tahoe at far-side. While we drove down to Nevada, we stopped by few microbreweries to enjoy there beers, (as always good American microbreweries!) discovering few new breweries. I love beer. I cannot say no to having a pint of good microbrews. We stopped at Ol' Republic Brewery in Nevada City, CA. This brewery specializes lager style beers than ales (though they have IPA, Pale, and Stout). I wasn't a big fun of lager before, but I changed my superficial mind for boring taste of lager after drinking its Schwarzbier (Bavarian Black Lager). I highly recommend it to stop by this brewery in hot summer days. 

We arrived Reno on Thursday evening (Jul. 19th) and stayed at the one of casino hotel on downtown area. Nevada was just "Interesting". We just cross the border of CA to NV less than 12 miles back on highway, but the town, atmosphere, and people seem to be completely different. I used to watch one of Comedy Central show based on Reno occasionally, and I thought it was such an over exaggeration; however, walking downtown after the sunset changed my mind. It is like a comedy central show! There are gals asking for serving men for money, crazy old man begging for money for drugs, old people spend their money on slot machine for vacuuming up their retirement money or else, and cops always be busy running around the city. We tried to spend a penny from the change we got after the dinner, but we gave up. There were no more good old penny slot. All slot machines are now with a magnetic card. We have to buy this magnetic strip card ($1) and then adding your money to the card to play slot machines. Since we weren't gamblers at all, we though wanted to spend a penny claiming ourselves gambling in the state of NV. The plastic card gimmick turns us off completely, we never even spent a penny on casino in NV for whole trip.  

Next morning, we continued driving down to Carson City. At this point, I was focus on what I should put in my drop bags and planned out perfect running race in my head. At in front of city hall, I registered, medical checked, and left all my drop bags, which were prepped earlier that morning. However, I learned myself afterward if you haven't run or study the course before the race, it was pretty difficult to comprehend with a big picture of 100 mile race to adjust myself putting my energy into the section or saving energy for upcoming "big section" of uphill or long downhills. Of course, if I can always put 100% energy into my run at every sections, I would be a super hero. The reality of long endurance race like this simply cannot push myself for whole time. I will take easy if I can take easy on trailing downhills. I know I will have great emotional and physical ups and downs. Hundred mile race is very different experience than 100km, 50 miler, and even 50km. Not only the distance, the experience of running in the dark has to do huge part affecting my body and mind like a "bonk". There are also required tremendous patient to your body, health issues, and recovering from bonk during the race. Since this was my second hundred mile race ever I have experienced, I was pretty much no clues what I have to go through with my body and experienced high elevation running during the race.

To be continued to Race day report.  

GOW100s 2012

I have never even thought about flying over to Australia until my parents took a three year contract job for Japanese elementary school in Melbourne. I luckily have my excuse to run ultra and am visiting my parents in Australia. A quick "Googling" for ultra took me to few 50km's and 100km. I recall an AURA site (Australian Ultra Runners Association) provided me good amount of ultra race information to discover all kinds of ultra races. I found the race called "Great Ocean Walk 100km (GOW100s)", which was able to fit my schedule. I visited to the official site of GOW100 and saw a beautiful coastal photo of Twelve Apostles on the official website. This is it!

The Great Ocean Walk is a trail started from Apollo bay and ended at the twelve Apostles, which is just 4.35 miles (7km) east from Port Campbell. The official distance between two places is 65 miles (104 km). Although the place is fairly remote location, but luckily there is a public transportation available, which is called "V-line" train and bus. The V-line can take me to Apollo bay about AU$22.80. The distance between downtown Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) to Apollo bay is approximately 117 miles (198km); however, the bus ride from Geelong (pronounced "Je" like "jam") to Apollo bay takes 2hr 40min because of the coastal twisty road. The whole trip to Apollo bay took me 3hr 52min.

When I finally arrived at Apollo bay hotel, the briefing was started. RD Andy Hewat explaining the course markings and general rule of closed course trail running. After the official briefing, I had to check with RD for requirement equipments and safety items. I forgot about the cell phone, which did not included my item lists at that point. The RD kindly let me borrowed his pre-paid cell phone on the race day morning.

Since the GOW100s has only 4 Aid stations, which were located at approximately 13, 26, 34, and 50 mile point, extra clothing can be a better choice than nothing. They were more widely spread between an each aid station than typical US races, the backpack system is a part of requirement to carry all kinds of equipments like a UTMB.  My choices for large capacity running backpacks were either Salomon S-Lab 12 or Ultraspire Omega. I did like the Ultraspire Omega, but there were on backorder at that point, so I decide to go for Salomon, which was the most expensive running backpack I ever purchased. (This pack come with whistle, emergency space blanket, and even larger capacity than Omega.)



Oct. 13th, Sat. 6:30am. the thin rain cloud still sprinkled a bit but noting surprising me with typical coastal weather. I guess I am used to rain living in Willamette valley area, Oregon for so long. Air temperature was around 42F, which was comfortable to have extra layer at that point. About 60+ participants started from Apollo bay park toward to west. The first 4.5 miles were flat and the view of ocean on my left side. Then the uphill gain the elevation from zero to 900ft and down again. There were few small hills continued when I was at hillside, and the flat sections is on the sandy beach. The beach sand in this bay area is deep and heavy, like running in wet snow fields, to slow you down a bit. I rather be on the hill side with hard surface than the soft sandy beach, but the view of coastal line is the worth of effort. The first aid station was very simple settings, and I refueled with electrolyte and grabbed a bite for banana and PBJ. From 13 to 31 mile, the course was mostly on the single track, with one exception for going through the wet and muddy jeep road. Small rolling ups and downhills with technical rocky surface to grassy trail kept me away from good running rhythm, but it was nothing like a rocky Wasatch Front 100. My frustration was obviously from fatigue started to show up my quads. I felt heavy my legs and unable to run continuously on such small uphills that would normally run them without thinking about. I probably had little bit less calorie uptake than normally do, just because only two aid stations to grab any foods (there were no energy gels at the aid, by the way).

The second half of 100km was rather be painful. The nice partly cloud weather suddenly changed back to coastal shower, and my newly changed socks and shoes were already wet. The second big uphill started at 34 mile point at the elevation of zero to 900ft within next 3.5 miles. The big one was mentally prepared myself, but I was beaten by continuous small uphills and drops for next 10 miles. The steepness of hill was runnable, but my quad is already beaten by steep downhills on the last big hill, resulting slow leg turn around. I switched to power walking, and that wasn't make me so happy on runnable uphills. From 31 to 50 mile point, I took 4hr 30min to do 19 miles. My average pace was about 15 to 16 min per mile. I had hot tea and boiled potato at the mile 50, that bring me back to life. The last 11 miles were better than previous 19 mile section, and weather came back to partly sunny. My average pace came back to 10 to 11 minutes pace and push through small uphill running at that point. The final stretch of 7 miles, I can see tiny rock pillars on the ocean at the far west side. I thought that may be the twelve apostle, but it soon lost the site for another 4 miles. I was jogging up the last long uphill, the twelve apostle was clear and big enough to identify from the vista point. The rock pillars were bright orange reflecting the light of sunset. It was beautiful. The last one kilometer was on the side  of Great Ocean Road HWY, and the finish line was located at the one of parking lot. My time was 11hrs 39min 52sec. My garmin corrected elevation gain was 9,300ft, distance of 61.68 miles.

(The blue line on the map is the whole GOW. Goodies: Belt buckle, T-shirt, Injinji socks, and ruffle winning for Syrah wine!)

    

           

Quick Letter from Other Side of the Earth

Before I finally left from my be loved State of Oregon, I always concerned myself about that there are no places to fit in myself anymore in Japanese culture. Since I spent my time in Japan for only 3 days, I have hard time figuring out myself why this country won't be able to change politically by just observing stupid NEWS on TV with full of bull-shit arguments with commentary guys on "absolute zero nuclear power plant in Japan", "introduction of new Ospray air craft in Okinawa U.S. base", "Over reaction to territorial issues of southern islands between Japan and China",  "social security tax problem in Japan", "increasing unemployment to young age working people", "these people aren't competitively searching jobs anymore", "the level of Japanese comprehension of written Japanese declined", "the world largest debt county" and many more. When I landed on Tokyo Japan around 9:30 pm, I entered Japanese style bar generally called "Izakaya" for quick bites before taking off to next destination. Generally speaking, "Izakaya" in Tokyo is such small space crammed in too many people. I assure you, 95% of people are talking about their complains about their company and his/her lazy supervisors. They were letting out their negative emotion at the bar, which aren't unusual for U.S., but they tend to talk same or similar negative topics for long periods of time. It makes me tiring by watching these people and TV, reading crappy newspaper, and listening to any media just being so negative, anti-optimistic. Sadly this environment creates abandoned hope that most of Japanese citizens feel pretty same way for these circumstances won't be changed forever. This is absolutely worst situation that Japanese are facing. I felt nobody knows how to save this country. No body wants to initiate the improvement. It is sad. 

(At Tokyo Station 11:00 pm. This city never sleeps)

I personally believe that Japanese tend to be proud themselves being under stressful circumstance at company or working condition. I guess they do not have much time in private time due to working long period of time with low efficiency. There are no typical 9 to 6 job. It is more like 9 to 10 without any over hour payment. They need to find themselves better stress management strategies. I often talk to old friends who I have not seen since high school asked me two questions. "What are you doing now?" and "What will you be doing next?" 

I usually answer to these questions this way. "I quit my job at the end of June and having my time off for recharging myself as a vacation.", and "I don't really know the future and everything up in the air, but I hope to be making money for what I love to do for rest of my life. " 

My friends usually asked me with concerned face "Are you o.k. with that?" 

"Yes, I am very happy for what I have my time right now, very refreshing in stress free circumstance, but I will find a job for living soon or later for sure. At that point, I hope to be the job I love to spend my time and effort." 

Of course I have many concerns in my head, but thinking about these concerns and risks aren't take me anywhere. I like myself be able to run long distance in healthy body. I love about drinking good crafted beers. I would like to start my own business for either crafted beer retailer or microbrewer. I can be different than typical Japanese. It is o.k. to be different. But I need to learn how to persuade people with conservative, skeptic, and rather being traditional mind settings to accept new thing. This country is becoming the big fish in small pond or so called "Galapagos island syndrome Japan" to be left out from the rest of the world. However, I am not saying that it is not bad things to be respectful to keep in traditional Japanese culture. This country needs to open up slightly more to infuse with outside of Japanese culture to become new aged Japan, so we can be little more positive mind setting to moving forward.  Stop complaining about the past. I believe we need to take a small step right now. 

After 14 years away from Japan, this is my reverse culture shock experiencing right now.

Love, all.    

Beacon Rock 50km 2012 Race recap

Since my time of living in Corvallis, OR is running out very soon, I thought I can throw my hat for one more race in PNW before hit the road to Japan or to Australia. My last and most anticipated race in U.S. this year will be the Tahoe Rim 100 mile endurance run on July 21st. I have hard time finding any ultra in June in Oregon and have to extend my search to neighboring states. Surfing net for few minutes and there is a bingo! Beacon Rock 50km at Columbia river gorge (WA) was a one of few races in June that offered by Rainshadow Running, owned by Mr. James Varner. I have never run any races from what James puts up for years, but I have always heard many positive feedbacks from my running friends, such as Orcas Island 50km and Gorge Waterfalls 50km. This would be a good test piece to see my current condition since I took few weeks off recovering from Zion 100 on May 11th.

The Beacon Rock 50km runs two loops of 25km course. An each loop has approximately 2750ft of elevation gain with two big climbing sections. Although it is not like what I heard from friends about Speed Goat 50km in UT, the course is basically up and down. However, this course has great single track sections and mostly runnable up and downhills, with only few small chin-scraper like sections to power walk.

Since this race was 25k and 50k runners putting together at the starting line, I was confused many 25km runner goes much faster pace than 50k'ers and often involved in with their pace to be pushing too hard at beginning of the race. After the small paved road section, the graveled jeep road started with gradual uphill. My heart is working hard for going uphill at Ave. 177 bpm at mile 3 to 4th. This four mile uphill section gets harder as I reached near the top of hill. The cascade of people at the single track section near the top makes us to power walk at 15 min. per mile pace mostly, but there was nice reward coming up very soon with well runnable downhill. I maintained my pace to 7:45 min. per mile letting gravity work for next 4 miles of downhill.

Although I was comfortable moving at nice grade of downhill, my quad felt a little burn at mile 8 as soon as hit the uphill. This second up hill was much shorter than the first one, approximately 1.4 to 1.5 mile with 1100 to 1150ft of gain. The section has many small switchbacks to go through, lacking my running rhythms make my legs even more heavier than normal (Unless I am like a ultra superstar runner to be skipping many switchbacks :p ). One nice thing while I was suffering going uphill at this section was to see the beautiful views. The columbia river gorge towards to the south and Beacon rock at the north east. The deep cut of mountain cliffs drop down to the Colombia river makes me to think like the Fjord in Northern Finland. The river is huge by looking at the large logging ship slowly moving toward to the east that looks so small like a toy ship floating in the bath tub. While my shoulder and chest hunched back by going steep uphills, I glanced up huge beacon rock wall. If you are a rock climber, there are more than 400 ft high of monolith dihedral wall sticks out the view making me to think climbing those big walls.

I tried to keep my power walking pace to 15 min. per mile. When I finally approached to the top of the hill, Glen Tachiyama was smiling to runners though there were bit of windy cold condition in the middle of June. His smile makes me happy, and I was admired by his passion in Ultra running community by taking many photographs professionally. I continued jogged the small ridge section, finally breaking up the heavy rain clouds that was developed late last night. Sunlight snuck through the clouds brighten up the rocky meadow to see some flowers along side of the trails. Soon, I was dropping down nice single trail again. My legs were like a freed up prison going from 8:30 to 7:10 min. per mile pace. When I approach the bottom of the hill, I forgot to go back up the small uphill section of paved road. Damn my leg felt heavy again, but my first loop is almost done.

I refuel my hydration backpack from my drop bag and had quick bite from the halfway aid station. I felt good again except muscle tiredness from the long downhill. Todd soon catch me up within 15 seconds or so, and we got off the aid station together to be ready for second round!

The uphill felt much harder at the second round, but I kept my rhythm consistent to keep moving my small steps forward. The first 4 mile uphill section went o.k. with taking gels and S-caps within half hour each to maintain extra energy in me. At this point, air temp was reaching higher and sweating far more than the first loop. I consumed more Gu brew in my 2L bladder that was already less than a half left at the top of the hill. My pace was much slower than first loop between 11:45 to 13:15 min. per mile.  However, my legs felt back in the business as soon as hit the downhill section. I felt so good at this section and can be able to maintain the same pace as my first loop.

Of course my leg would not go happy for forever. My heavy legs dragged up the second short and steep uphill again, remembering the story of Hozumi who turns on his turbo boost to push the uphill very strong via Trevor Hostetler's blog. "How the heck he can go up this steep uphill like a hopping deer in the woods?".  I also agreed with Jason Leman's race report from the last year with slower pace than the first but able to manage jog and power walk to get out of the pain. When I saw Glen again at the top of meadow, I felt happy again though I had to hold my cap and tilt my head against strong eastern wind.

I switch the gear again to adjust the second and last long downhill even little bit faster pace than the first loop. I had to stop the last aid station for refueling gels and water and continued down the jeep road an average of 7:20 to 6:45 min per pace.  My legs wanted to quit soon, but I kept ignore them pushing downhill getting two more gels back to back right before approaching the bottom of the hill. These gels saved me pushing the last uphill to cross the finish line.

My time was 5:23:06 with 4th place, but it wasn't extraordinary time as compared to last year's 50k top eight runner's time. If I ever have chance to do next time, I would like to be just under 5hr mark. I felt my legs for next week or so after the race. Good time.

Zion 100 race report--never forget my first 100m

The silhouette of mountain range from the Smith Mesa started to brighten up; the air temperature felt 10 degree cooler than just a half hour ago. I felt morning twilight in eastern horizon. My watch was just past 5 am, I was running at the last two miles of road section to cross the finish line of Zion 100. My leg was surprisingly able to push for a running pace more than jogging at this point. Or may be too much endorphin excreted from my brain that I just cannot feel anything pain in my body. The last right turn at 100-W from highway 9 to reach the finish line within 300 meters. I pushed as hard as I can to cross the finish line at 23hrs09min37sec.
______________________________________________________________________
The pre-race:

I drove up my rent-car from Las Vegas late Wednesday night and stayed at St. George, UT for a night. This was my second visits to stay in the town since I was in the climbing trip with friends in Dec. 2005.  I remembered one tiny cafe we visited in 2005, named "Jazzy Java", So I went there for good coffee and breakfast on Thus. morning. Although the cafe had remodeled to expand its space a lot bigger than before, the cafe did not change a thing for good old breakfast menu and coffee.

Since I shipped my camping and running equipments via USPS, I had to pick them up at Virgin post office before 12:30pm. Shortly after my breakfast, I drove another 28 miles to my next destination. I arrived in front of post office 8:55 am. The post office lady kindly let me in before the operation hour. This one room apartment size post office held my stuffs since this Tuesday. I picked up two of my boxes with gratitude to the lady and opened them to check what I stuffed in. It was like a little Holiday moment for me.

After I went my campsite to set up my tent, I drove up to check out the location of start and finish in the town of Virgin. There were few people prep. for tomorrow's race, and I briefly talked to Race Director, Matt Gunn. Probably his head was already spinning for prepping the race, but he kindly speared some minutes to talk with me about the race and good site seeing locations in Zion national park.

Shortly after my dinner at the fancy town of Springdale, I came back to the park around 6:30 pm for picking up my race packet and briefing. Then I saw Gary Gellin, who I have met with him at post race party from Chuckanut 50km race earlier this year. I briefly introduced to Mark Tanaka where both folks were sitting together at the picnic bench. I felt lucky to meet two veteran ultramarathoners before the race.

The campsite was supposedly full, but two sites next to me were still being empty at 9 pm. Both sites were eventually filled with late night arrivals of family with four young kids and few college students around 11:30 pm. Well, I was hoped to sleep at least 3 hours at that point.

The race day:

I woke up around 4:30 am and had breakfast with banana, oatmeal with yogurt, soy chocolate milk, and one piece of leftover vege-pizza slice from last night's dinner. After quick sanitation walk, I change myself to be ready for the race. I drove up the start/finish location about 25 minutes before the starting time of 6:00 am. I did one more quick laboratory use 5 minutes before the start. Gradually, 100+ people gathered at the start line, and everyone seems so happy to be here for the race. One thing I like about ultrarunning is the start. Although it is still a competition among runners, it feels to me more of self competition against my own goal. I always feel far more relaxed and enjoyable for standing at start line in any ultra marathons I've attended. It was not like a standing at 1500m track race, 5k, or 10k road races in my high school days to feel my gut squeezing. The sounds of trumpet were the sign of start, and runners were slowly moving forward. The sky was still in morning twilight at 6 am in Utah (5 am PST) air temp was still be cool like high 40's to low 50's.

The first two miles were gradual uphill with red dirt road usually used for recreational quad bikes. Runners with fresh legs tend to go slightly faster than necessary, and my pace was at 9:30 for first two miles, which was still comfortable and easy enough. I found Mark Tanaka with a lemon color La Sportiva shirt, like Pam Smith is wearing now, so I decided to stick with him to experience the ideal pace for 100 mile race. What surprised me was Gary Gellin, who was only 100 ft in front of us running. Soon we are walking steep uphill section so called "Flying Monkey Trail" at 3.0 to 4.1 mile point, the 1000ft gain slow me down from 9:30 pace to 21:00 pace. The gradual uphill continued until the 9 mile point, but the pace was maintained between 9:40 to 11:00. Mark seems to know where he can relax or push to keep his pace in his comfort zone for long time. His sense of humor is very funny, and he has many interesting ultrarunning stories to share us from his running experiences. Although it isn't appropreate in the blog, I have never seen a guy can do his small business while walking that takes some skill and practice to be done the job! (Sorry!)  We were able to run with Gary Gellin until the first aid station, and his goal for this race was somewhere between 19 to 20 hrs. He also mentioned that he will try to break the speed record of Tahoe Rim trail (165 miles) this year, and the Zion 100 would be his test piece to maintain 25-30% less effort than his regular heart rate in his running races.

We were mostly packed with Mark Tanaka, Joshua Malpass, Brian kamm, James Gifford, Daniel Widerburg, and Tim Stroth from 18.5 to 35 mile point. The technical downhill started shortly after the 18.5 mile aid station (Smith mesa #2) to see the beautiful sandstone canyon with water fall. Although the trail was unlike well maintained single track in Pacific North West, the rocky sandstone and small brush to run thorough for next 3 miles. The trail eventually opened up for double track house trail. Whole group of people were smiling from the Mark's ultra running stories, and we were in comfortable pace of 10:00 to 12:00.

I changed my running shoes and socks at the mile 27 aid station (Kolob traverse Rd), and I felt still in good physical condition with no significant pains. The next 4 miles with 1000 ft of downhill had the fastest lap of 8:00 to 9:14 pace, and I felt very comfortable and good. However, I have not urinated until the mile 29 point, and the color of pee was somewhere between a thick brewed green tea to almost english tea color. I simply thought I need to drink more fluid even though I consumed electrolyte in 2L Camel bak bladder within every 10 miles. Soon we approached to the 35 mile point aid station (Sheep's Bridge aid station), I was able to see Gary's back just leaving the dust, but that was the last time I saw his back for the rest of race. Although scale is not always perfect, but I apparently lost 6 lbs of weight from the start (160lb to 154lb). I decided to sat down the aid station to take more food. I ate PJ sandwich, banana, canned peach, soy chocolate milk, honey electrolite ice cone. At this point, my watch was already past 12:30 pm and temperature is about hitting 85F or even higher. I felt heat but was not felt any physical discomfort at that point.

Photo Credit: Jud Burkett.  (Mikio and Mark Tanaka at mile 31.1 point 11:40 am, Fri. 5/11/2012)

However, my life suddenly underwent upside down shortly after I left from the 35 mile aid station. It was probably 3 mile in, there was a portable bathroom to take a crap. Imagine those small honey bucket toilet under full sun of 85+ degree. It was like in a sauna inside to do the business. I did it anyways, but it was a such relief when you get out of the bathroom. My stomach felt significantly better, and I tried to take a Hummer gel (Montana Huckleberry) that I got from the last aid station. As soon as I put first sip of the gel in my mouth, the sour acidic taste with sugar induced me to puke all foods out that were from the previous aid station. It was very very instant reaction that it looks like a little waterfall. I was stupid enough to try sip same stuff again and did it all over again. If you have ever seen a movie "Team America World Police", I probably looked like the puppet puking scene in the movie. I washed my mouth with electrolyte and took two S-caps and continue walk to the next aid station without thinking too much and told myself "just powerwalk it".

My upset stomach seems not calm down even I got to the 42.4 mile aid station (Virgin Desert). I sat down in the aid station, change my clothing from singlets to Waldo 100k tech-T. I also had an soy chocolate protein drink and coconut water in my drop bag, so I put them together in ice cup to drink it down slowly. I thought I still need some food in my stomach before I go up to the big climbing section at 45 to 50 mile point, so I asked for a boiled potato. Unfortunately, the potato was cooked with zesty italian seasoning, which taste of sourness reminded me what was just happened me back in 38 mile point. It was little torture to myself, but I squeeze all four red potato with my hand and mushed them up  and added coke to swallow all potato with SIMPLE sugar taste. It looked like all worked out at that point. I finally left from the aid station about 35 minutes later. I was walking for a less than 3/4 mile from the aid station, I had to go bathroom again for another squeeze in the bush. Then I had one hiccups that magically brought back all foods I took from the last aid station to "Team America" again. Seriously? I had to take care of both end at the same time? It made me more laugh than cry, and I remembered once I was a freshman college student to underestimate the misuse of alcohol from the party. I was peeing and puking to urinal at the same time. But current situation was even worse!

I managed to continue walk and approached the short but steep uphill (1100+ft gain) section at 45.7 to 47.4 miles point. The late afternoon sun with no breeze made me even hotter than actual 92F. All I did was powerwalking, which was paid off from walking session at McDonald forest. I was able to go up to the top of Gooseberry mesa without any stops, and there was nice breeze to cool off my body a bit. For next four miles of flat section, I debated myself not running until the 51.5 mile aid station (Gooseberry mesa). While I was powerwalking, I evaluated my body conditions, which had pretty screwed up stomach but relatively good legs. There were no crews for me to have a little advice or help either. Then I was thinking about calorie loss, which I probably lost 1600 calories from the mile 35 to 51 because of the empty stomach (16 miles x 100 cal). "I need to bring calories back up somehow though it is very difficult to refuel it completely once the calorie uptake gets behind of schedule." "Also if I kept going like this, my blood sugar level would go down eventually", which can see myself the absolute worst situation. "What types of food at the next aid station can possibly be bring back my blood sugar?"

As soon as I got to the Gooseberry mesa aid station, I asked for filling my bladder with coke & ice, a piece of bread soaked with honey, and six Nabisco saltine cracker. This caffeine with HFCS somehow settled my stomach down better, and I felt I was ready to run again. The time was already 7:32 pm, and the cool breeze finally came in the late afternoon at high desert. The breeze felt my body to forget anything happened earlier in the afternoon. I started to jog slowly; however, I accidentally kicked one of cacti at the edge of trail and had to stop for taking care of all needles stubbed my right foot. It was not painful but was rather annoying. I approached to beautiful sand rock bed with various angulation area within a mile, which was like a roller-coaster ride of small up and down, left and right turns. I continued to follow the white dots on the rock bed as a course markings and managed to jog thorough the section probably between 11:30 to 12:20 pace.

I arrived at the Cattle Grate TH aid station (62.8 mile) around 8:13 pm. I changed my shoes to 1/2 size bigger with new socks and grabbed headlamp and wind block outer layer. I was surprise to see Mark Tanaka was at the aid station just about leaving. I thought he would be running at least one hour ahead of myself. I refueled with soaked honey bread, coke-mountain due mix bladder with ice, and took off from the aid station around 8:29 pm. Air temp. was finally dropped down to 75 F at that point, and the distance to the next aid station was only 7 miles. This section was fairly smooth dirt road and runnable downhill to flat course. My leg seemed to be fine and my pace was somewhere between 8:45 to 10:00 pace.

I arrived to Smithsonian Butte turn off aid station (69.8 mile) around 9:47 pm. My body weight was 157.2 lb at that point, blood pressure was 124-62. My pee color had been good like an one of cheap german beer since 55 mile point. I felt I am finally back! Although I was supposed to meet with volunteer pacer, she/he was not there at the aid station for me, so I took off from the aid station around 9:54pm. I was walking and eating honey soaked bread, then I approached to E Highway 59 and got confused. I admit my biggest rookie mistake I made was that I forgot to bring a portable size map with descriptions. I waited for Mark Tanaka and other runner with pacer to follow with correct course direction until the little creek mesa aid station (77 mile). To the little creek mesa, there was gradual uphill totally runnable section. I managed to switch between jog and powerwalk (10:30 to 12:00 pace) to approach the aid station around 11:26 pm. At this point, my garmin 310 XT died from no battery left.

The group of runners left all together from the aid station around 11:40 pm. I was walking down mostly at technical rocky downhill section for a mile, then we approached intersection look like "X" at Kokapelli golf course. Two grow sticks was laid on ground, but did not indicate which way would be the right way to get out from the intersection. We accidentally continued wrong direction for half a mile and realized something wrong because we saw HWY 59 on our left hand (it was suppose to be our right hand side). We went back to where we lost and took another wrong way into the golf course for another half mile. At this point, the last choice was the obvious one to take, and we found a tape with reflective strip attached mark after half mile in. The next 4 mile or so was very widely spread the course marking. Although we were on the right course, the very widely spread course markings on the dirt road made me skeptic to my brain for next four miles. About a half mile away from the Gould's Rim aid station, the unknown Chevy S-10 drove like a madman to dust out the dirt road, it probably a local young kid being idiot at Friday late night. My headlamp turned off at that point, so I turn it on to flush the car 100ft away from the car to let the driver know there were few runners. Somehow, the driver scared off of me and stop and turn around like "First and Furious" style. The S-10's tailgate and rear bumper smashed into the side ditch resulting almost stuck the truck. The S-10's rear tire skidded to get out of the ditch and managed to got out and drove away in full speed. Well, I was regret my action to try to slow this idiot truck down resulting that we got more unnecessary dust cloud to run thorough from it.

I got the Gould's Rim aid station (82.8 mile) about 1:14am, and my last weight was at 158.4lb. I filled with more coke, eating honey soaked bread, S-caps, and M&M's candy. We left the aid station within 5 minutes or so, Matthew Smith was leading the way out. Somehow the aid station volunteer crew got an information wrong. She guided us to continued the dirt road for a mile and turn left at the intersection with Portable toilet. Within a less than quarter mile away from the aid station, I saw two rocks with big red tape strapped on them. Since we do not have any directional signs, the red tape had been a "wrong way"sign to us for entire way.  Matt also came back from the road he was on the road for at least half a mile.  His face with confusion indicated we lost the way again. Then we found the reflective tape on our right hand just next to the red taped rock. which was toward to a single track trail. Matt and I were believed with the tape and followed the taped direction for a 1.2 mile. It eventually approached to the same location that the volunteer crew mentioned to us earlier. We continued this Gould's Rim single track for another 5 miles. This nice single track would be great during the daylight to see everything; however, I accidentally kicked the rock with my right foot. The pain on the right toe shot up instantly, knowing my toe probably got a black nail from it. The incident was a little unfortunate, but I accepted that it is a part of unexpected event in ultra. We were actually in good mood though Matt and I were little bit winy and complained about course markings, but this is RD's first year big race. I was expected something unexpected would happen during the race. We pretty much toward to the goal for under 24hr mark to finish at that point. At 2:38 am, I had to wait for Matt to show up at the end of single track. There was no sign to turn left or right at the "T" section merged from the single track trail. There was no marking near our sight. "Not again!"  Matt, Josh, Mark, and I were in search for right direction for another few minutes. Finally, I found one pee mark and red flag tied onto the rock on left side (West) of the dirt road. Within 2 miles or so, we cross the HWY 59 looking down to the town of Hurricane.

Matt and I approached to Hurricane View aid station (90 mile) at 3:16 am. I met a volunteer pacer named Jason Smith who was waiting for me at this aid station. It was such relief for me that someone actually knows the course better than us. We had quick greeting together and left the aid station at 3:19 am. Only 10 more miles to go, and we had more than 2hrs to finish before 6 am. I told Matt "Let's finish under 24hrs! We can achieve it!" Matt also smile back to me, "I hope to catch you up soon". My legs seemed to have a power left, and I did the fast pace powerwalking for uphill and jogging on the flats/downhills. This single track trail was nicely maintained, even had a mile marker. While Jason and I were on the move, we had conversation with him a little bit. He has done 26 or more marathons in his running resume and wanted to try ultra. I suggested him to try few 50 km, 50 mile, and 100 km before jumped on to 100 mile. At the same time I told him that this was the first 100 m which took me 3 years to come to this point.

We approached to 95 mile aid station with quick drinking with mountain dew for more caffeine with bad sugar, and I was ready to pursuit the final 5 mile to the finish line. The single track downhill was probably nice for running a normal day, but I had to be extra caution myself not getting any injuries at this point like twisting ankle. I managed my foot steps in attention for downhill, and then I saw the flashlights about 300 yards down the valley that was constantly looked back at me for few times. I told myself that I can catch him and pass his within a mile. I caught him at the end of single track and passed Ron Hammett with small greetings. Soon my volunteer pace, Jason, told me that I had less than 3 miles to finish. I nodded to him and told that he did not have to keep up with my pace. He backed to me "see you at the finish line!" My leg got an energy to fire up once more and knowing myself that I will run the paved road section as hard as I can. I existed from the dirt road to merge into HWY 9,  I switch my gear to the paved road running pace. I was probably running under 7:40 a mile pace for the last two miles, seeing another struggle runner in front of me at 500 yard at a mile to go. I reached to right turn to the town park way and just saw her back disappeared to the park. Although I could not catch up with her this time, I made strong finish. The pace of the last 5 mile section was 8 min 40-45 seconds. According to ultralive.net data, I left the Virgin Dam TH Turnoff (95.2mile) at 4:28am and finish before 5:10 am. I was under 42 min to run 4.8 miles. RD Matt congratulate me with strong handshake and was asking me where we were lost in the dark.  I replied him "Well, there were few parts (that we were) hard time directing us correctly, but it was a part of the ultra. Since this was your first year race to put it up, you have a lot room to improve it for next year's race, right?" Indeed, RD Matt put so much work into the Zion 100/50 race, and his team staffs and volunteers had done so much to runners. I appreciate his work and say "Thank you for putting up this awesome course for running!"

Injuries report:

Black toe nail (right big toe nail will fall off soon for sure!) Four small blisters on foot (not an issues, but interesting to find the both outer side of heels were unusual). The top of quad muscle from right leg (rectus femoris) was the first one to be crying as early as 29 mile point, but icing leg to manage thorough the rest of the race (compression shorts were perfect to held ice cubes in place!). chafing at lower back where backpack rubbed against tech-T, back of the knee cap, and mid-upper back just under arm pits (so called chicken flap area). Shoulder sunburn from wearing a singlet in morning. I guess never underestimate Sun!

What I wore:

At start: single handheld water bottle from Ultimate Direction, Sporthill singlet, Waldo 2010 hat, Julbo Ultra (White), Craft Arm Cooler sleeve, Kooltie, CEP Calf sleeves, Drymax light trail socks, Sporthill gloves, Scott eRide Grip (size 10.0)

At 18.5 mile: switch handheld to Nathan 2.0 backpack with 2.0 L Camelbak bladder (installed with insulated tube).

At 27 mile: switch shoes to Scott eRide Grip (size 10.0), Injinji socks, Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap (it was good, but capture heat a bit. Wish to have mesh pocket inside of the hat to stuff ice and more sweat absorbing material around headband area!).

At 42.5 mile: switch singlet to Waldo Tech-T (Sporthill).

At 62.5 mile: switch shoes to Scott eRide Grip (size 10.5), Drymax light trail socks, Petzl RXP headlamp (regulated), Baff headwear, Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket (packed in the backpack), small bodyglide(saves me at 77 and 90 mile point).