Buffalo Run 50-Mile Ultra Race Report
Race Report: Buffalo Run 50-Mile Ultramarathon
Background:
The Buffalo Run at Antelope Island was my second 50-miler. This was my season opener on my Road to Leadman. The intent was to give me an early season running foundation to build off the rest of the year. See my race plan for a detailed overview of the course.
Sunrise over Elephant Head about 6 miles
in.
The Race:
The weather forecast predicted the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures in the low 80F range. My last long run two weeks ago literally involved running in the snow and most of my training runs were done at around 30-40F, so I knew this was going to be a tough day since I had minimal heat acclimatization. And it didn’t disappoint.
I ran the first 19 miles stoopid easy, per my race plan. This is the most technical section of the course where about 90% of the elevation gain rolls up. I walked up hills I’ve previously run to keep my HR down. I let runners pass me going uphill figuring I’d catch them later. My own goal was to finish this section at around an 11:00/mile average pace, since I have previously done it at a 9:30/mile pace. I looked at my average pace at mile 19 and it was around 10:45/mile, so I was right on track.
Shortly after sunrise descending into
Death Valley with the Great Salt Lake in the distance.
The next section down the west side of the island on Mountain View Trail was flat and eminently runnable. I knew by noon it was going to be cooking, so I pushed the pace a bit on the way down the island. I passed about 15 runners, many who had gone too hard on the hills early in the race. I could see the temperature was impacting my HR as it crept up despite running about an easy 10:00-11:00/mile pace.
I reached the aid start at the Ranch at mile 33 and was starting to seriously feel the effects of the heat. According to my Garmin Fenix 3, the temperature was in the mid-80s. I pulled out my EN go-bag (AKA a zip lock bag) and filled it with ice. My Salomon running vest has a large mesh pocket at the top of my back, where I dropped the bag. The put that ice right behind the center of my back to cool me off.
I knew the return trip of 17 miles was going to take some mental toughness because I had zero desire to continue running, but I just decided to keep moving forward. I would pour the ice-cold water from my go-bag over my head about every mile. I refilled the bag of ice at the aid stations at miles 38 and 46. My pace had slowed considerably, and I kept looking back for other runners to catch me. To my surprise, none did. Indeed, some sections I had sightlines for over a mile back and couldn’t see any other runners. The heat must have affect them as much or more than it did me (they didn’t have go-bags!). It was a race of tortoises at this point. I even managed to shuffle past a couple of other runners.
The namesake for the race (actually
bison) at around mile 40.
The last 4 miles was a surprisingly rocky, technical section – and the only part of the course I had never run. My legs were dead and didn’t have the agility to run through this, so I’d slow to a walk to avoid tripping. I finally rounded the bend and could see the tent at the finish about a mile away. I dumped the entire contents of my go-bag over my head and pulled out my One Thing. I literally screamed: there will be a day when I can’t do this – but that is not fucking today! I blurred my way to the finish and was unable to speak when one of the volunteers asked me for my number.
Any day you can carry yourself 50 miles is a good day. I built some solid mental toughness that will hopefully serve me well later in the year. I managed to come in 18th out of about 100 runners to start with a time of 9:34, which is a 6 minute PR from my first 50-miler. Times were about an hour slower than past years due to the unseasonably warm weather. I was hoping for a top 20 finish based on the competitive field that usually shows up to this race, so I’ll take it.
The finish line!
Key Take Aways:
1. The go-bag is money (again). I’ve got to say this saved my day. Ultrarunners don’t appear to know about this, just like triathletes. The volunteers at the aid stations locked puzzled when I asked to fill the bag with ice but they happily obliged.
2. Run a 50k 3-6 weeks before doing a 50-miler. I was so ready to be done at mile 33. I was planning to do Red Hot 55k in Moab at 4 weeks out but got sick that week. I couldn’t find another 50k race the following weekend since it was early in the season, so I had to just jump into the 50-miler. I’m paying the price for it now. As I write this, I am the sorest I’ve been after a race since Ironman Arizona in 2014.
3. A 100-miler looks like it takes you to a dark, dark place. There was a 100-mile race that started Friday at noon going on at the same time – it is two loops of the 50-mile course. I saw a bunch of the 100-mile runners out on the course, and some of them looked like ghosts. They seemed inwardly focused and were almost startled when I clapped and cheered them on.
What’s Next:
Once I regain the ability to walk without shuffling, April will be a focused mountain biking block. In early May, I am planning to do White Rim in a day (WRIAD) in Canyonlands near Moab with some buddies. This is a 100-mile loop through some of the most spectacular land on the planet. Most people do this over 2-3 days with a support crew. Here’s a really good write up of the route we plan to do. Watch the video to get a sense of the epicness.
Then I’ll start the Leadman in June with the Leadville Trail Marathon…
Comments
Great performance, 18th is wooosh
Enjoy the recovery and looking fwd to follow you for whats next !
@tim cronk take away #3 will definitely motivate me to work harder. After having time to let it marinate, I had another insight about the 100-mile runners. The ones who looked in the darkest place were going solo. The ones with pacers were often joking and having a good time. Even the couple runners struggling I could see their pacer giving them motivation and encouragement.
I haven't used a pacer before as I actually enjoy running solo. But I think I will definitely need to recruit a pacer or pacers for Leadville. My best friend from college is going to be my crew chief, but he's not a strong runner. However, I know seeing him there will be super motivating.
If any ENers are interested in potentially doing Leadville in the future, I'd love to have pacers. I rented a house in Breckenridge (about 45 minutes from Leadville) that has an extra room for crew. This could be a great way to get a taste before diving in.
@Francis Picard you would totally crush an ultra with your speed and work ethic. I'm definitely not the fastest nor hardest working guy in EN. You would be right up there with the lead pack.
@Howard Matthews that's a great way to look at it. The lower the lows, the higher the highs. I'd love to hear more about your ultra experiences. Not many other ultrarunners in Da Haus.
@John Withrow it is funny how a few years ago doing an Ironman or ultra seemed unimaginable. Definitely a tip of the cap to EN for making me believe I could do really stoopid shit.
I think the Leadville 100 miler will be very different. Being one of the epic races it will have huge aid stations with tons of crowd support and more people on course. Even having just a crew will help a lot, and the pacer will be gravy!