Leadville 2007 100 Miler Race Report

"You're better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can." These words proved to be my motivation to complete my third Leadville 100 miler. I suffered through dehydration, falls, rain, and muscle cramps to see that beautiful finish line. But this race showed how important my wife (my crew) and my pacers are in bringing me to end. Here is my aid station-to-aid station of the race.

Start to May Queen (13.5 miles): I wanted to set a good pace and arrive at May Queen before the two hour mark. I felt pretty good and this year was not as cold as 2006. This is time to see which muscles are tight and calm myself down. Arrive at May Queen at 1:56 Elevation range: ~ 9,600-10,200 feet

May Queen to Fish Hatchery (10 miles/23.5 miles cum): As the sun rose, I started to head to Sugarloaf Pass. Time to head up to 11,000 feet so walking was in order. Temperature was starting to rise I looked forward to getting some of my warm clothes off at the aid station. Arrived at Fish Hatchery at 3:42. Elevation range: ~10,000-11,200 feet

Fish Hatchery to Halfmoon (7 miles/30.5 miles cum): Ah the short flat section it is time to pick up the pace. It was very sunny and I was sweating a lot for high altitude this would come to get me in the later miles. I should have taken some electro tabs at the time but didnt. Arrived at Halfmoon at 4:50. Elevation range: ~9,400-9,900 feet

Halfmoon to Twin Lakes (9 miles/39.5 miles cum): This is a difficult section to follow, because of the number of intersecting trails and roads. I started to cramp up in my calves so I try to taken more fluids but it was too late. Arrived at Twin Lake at 6:36. Elevation range ~9,300-10,400 feet

Twin Lakes to Winfield (10.5 miles/50 miles cum): Crossing the cold water sections after the getting out of the Twin Lakes aid stations was a welcome relief to my cramps. Leadville had received rain for the last few weeks the water sections were as high I have seen in two years. This section is a constant climb up and up to Hope Pass. I was still sweating profusely without peeing so trouble was coming. Arrived at Winfield 9:40. Elevation range: ~9,300-12,600 feet

Winfield to Twin Lakes (10.5 miles/60.5 miles cum): Finally pacers to help me out. My friend Clint joined me for the 10.5 mile trip back to Twin Lakes. Out the aid station is a nice flat, slightly downhill section before heading back to Hope Pass. I felt pretty strong on this section running the whole thing. As we began the climb all my muscles in my lower body began to cramp. I have never had an experience like that. I told Clint I needed to stop and sit. As I sat my right calf began to muscle spasm wildly. All the dehydration issues earlier had finally got me. Lucky a runner that passed me had some electro tablets to give me. I took 5 of them and the cramping lessen and we starting back up to Hope Pass. It started to rain as we headed down from Hope Pass. The trail became muddy and slippery. I fell about 3-4 times and Clint was there to help me up. Finally I limped into Twin Lakes at 12:56. Elevation range: ~9,300-12,600 feet.

Twin Lakes to Halfmoon (9 miles/69.5 miles cum): Feeling like I just got hit by truck it was time to be joined by my next pacer and friend Sherri. This section has some downhills which was hell on my Quads. I felt very unstable and fell about 5 times. Dave Goggins passed me check to see how it was going. I said not well and Dave provided me two aspirin. Thanks Dave! Arrived at Halfmoon 15:17. Elevation range ~9,300-10,400 feet

Halfmoon to Fish Hatchery (7 miles/76.5 miles cum): Flat and pavement I hate to say it but it was a welcome site. Alison joined me and made me run the whole thing. I started to feel a little better and I able to keep a good pace because of Alison. Arrived at Fish Hatchery at 16:46 Elevation range: ~9,400-9,900 feet

Fish Hatchery to May Queen (10 miles/86.5 miles cum): My new pacer Pam joined for a section that has the last of the big climbs. It was a moonless night so it was very dark. Pam just kept me moving up the hills even if I did not want to. Arrived at May Queen at 19:40.  Elevation range: ~10,000-11,200 feet

May Queen to Finish (13.5 miles/100 miles cum): Clint returned for another round of pacing. This section is always a problem for me and this year was no exception. I could not run at all. My legs said go screw yourself! As people passed us I felt depressed as if each runner took a piece of my heart. I was able to at least run the last mile to finish arriving at 22:56:32! Elevation range: ~ 9,600-10,200 feet