Paatuwaqatsi Run

With the addition of UROC to the schedule, this run got pushed into more of training run for me than an actual race.  Leading up to the race, my body was feeling pretty awful.  I was overrunning the previous few weeks, somewhere in the 120 miles per week area and ended up aggravating my knee. Work the previous week didn't help and was bothered by a sore back, which by race day had more or less run its course.

The Paatuwaqatsi Run is a pretty unique event in that they dont market the race as an actual race at all, its more of a communal run with the theme of water awareness especially for the tribe.  With that said, its a popular event on the ultra running circuit, which means people show up to race, and people show up to win.

The whole informal attitude towards the event got a little carried away this year, I believe in part due to the extremely heavy monsoons that we received this year in northern Arizona.  Poor course markings, no porta-johns, oddly distanced aid, etc.  This all would have been fine and even enjoyable if it had not been for the fact that at the only crucial turning point on the course, their was no signage and no person there to tell myself and another runner to go right instead of left.  We went left, and reached the 25 mile aid station after only running about 16. 

At this point the race which had already turned into a training run for me, was more of a fun run since we were out of the running for the lead.  The option to run the 6 miles back to where we turned off, and complete the course after some 40 miles sounded appealing, but my knee started to act up a bit.  With UROC just two weeks off, I decided to drop.  My first DNF.

Its an odd experience to drop from a race.  Lots of runners have written about the emotional mess you find yourself in afterwards.  For me a came away from the Paatuwaqatsi run with a very bitter taste in my mouth.  I believe a made a good call, and we will see how my knee holds up for UROC.

On a brighter note, the trip up with Paco Cantu and Tyler Zander was thoroughly enjoyable.  East clear creek swimming, Hopi radio, sodas and squash.  Congrats to both of them on an impressive run, and for Paco his first 50k.  Go Team Beard!

Team Beard enjoying a post race watermelon @ East Clear Creek.

Captn Karl's Night Runs 60k Colorado Bend State Park, Tx Report

Location: Colorado Bend State Park, Texas Latitude: 31.049131 Longitude: -98.483592

Race Time: 7:00 pm

Distance: 60km

Elevation: 1025 ft

Weather: Hot, Humid

Place: 1st

Time: 5:37:24 *new course record

I was unsure what to expect from texas trail running.  The previous two weeks of vacation were spent running through city parks in both New Orleans and Austin, trying to acclimate to the humidity.  Although both cities offer great urban trail systems, its hard to train for an actual trail experience, especially one at night.

I arrived at check in around 6 pm.  With the temperature still lingering around 100F, I was feeling uncomfortable about the heat, and debated on just running the course for fun in my sandals.  Around 6:30 I decided I felt good enough to run for the win, and put on my shoes.

The first hour of the race was undoubtedly and predictably the hottest, yet I was very pleased with the tree cover for the entirety of the route.  There were very few moments of actual direct sun.  

With every race there is always a group of 10 or so runners that separate from the pack quickly.  I kept this group in sight for the first 10 miles or so.  I told myself before the race that I wanted to cover as many miles as I could during the twilight hour, as it is significantly cooler, yet you can still see with natural light.  When we approached a technical downhill section, I realized that this was going to be were I would have an advantage given the trails I am used to running.  I separated myself from the group here, and did not see another runner until approximately mile 30, when Steve Moore would make a race out of the night.

Pacing is always a tricky thing, especially at this distance.  It is not quite long enough to run in endurance mode, and its too long to run for time as in a 50k or a marathon. Pacing is especially difficult running by yourself for the majority of the race.

I took it relatively easy from miles 15-25 or so, saving myself for the last 10 or 12 miles of the race.  I figured there was no need to extend my lead, or myself if I wasnt chasing anybody down.

At the second to last aid station, just as I was about to leave, I saw Steve coming in.  With about 10 miles to go, I quickly ran the next section to give myself some distance.  The last aid station was the same story.  As I was leaving, Steve was coming in.  

The last three miles is a technical downhill track which saved the race for me.  Being from Northern Arizona, I tend to feel that the rockier, steeper, and more technical the better.  The last 1/2 mile is a sprint on a jeep road and was able to hold off Steve's attack.

5:37:24.

With being my first night race, and have not ever running these trails, I was unsure what to expect for my time.  The pace was slower than I expected given night running can always make you think you are running faster than you are.  All in all it was a great run on a great trail.

Crossing the finish in 5:37:24.