Sinister 7 Ultra - 100 Miler!

"This too shall pass"

If interested in how the build-up went, you can find the boring details here.

The more I race, the more I'm convinced this adage was written by an Ultra runner. Variations of this saying have come and go over the past few years, and all of them would find a way into my consciousness during course of 100 miles. 

The forecast leading into the week was for a mild 16-20C, overcast with 60% chance of showers throughout the day, thunderstorms overnight.

The forecast lied.

The Course

Distance: 161 km / 100 miles
Elevation: 6,363 m / 20,875 ft
Time cutoff: 30 hrs to complete the course
Description: The race features 7 legs, starting in Blairmore, AB, and finishing in Coleman, AB. Official website here. 

Leg 1: 18.3km (535m elevation)

100 mile soloists and relay runners start at 7:00, and with Mel running leg 1 on a relay team, it was nice to line up together. And that's the last I seen of her, as the gun went off and she was gone!

Meanwhile, I had my own race to worry about, and got to share some early miles with Scott Cooper and a few other soloists I hadn't met before.  
Kept the pace in check on the early roads, then eased in to the hills in the 2nd half, with plenty of runners passing me as I switched to power hiking on the steeper parts.
Pretty uneventful first leg. Entered transition area in 1hr 42mins, refilled a bottle, and off I went.

Leg 2: 16.7km (772m elevation)

Leg starts with a long, beautiful climb, and I settled in comfortably while taking in the sights, and making sure not to go off course. Passed by or caught a couple of relayers, which is always nice to exchange a few words.
There is a second climb on this leg that is barely a blip on the map, but it's very steep and connects with the 50k route, so the rest of this leg I passed a lof the 50k'ers.
Leg 2 and 3 finish in the same place; a big school field back in town, and it's the first time since the start that you really see civilization again.
Reached this aid station around 10:40AM, with leg taking 1hr 50 mins. It was starting to get warm, and I knew it was going to be a slower day than I anticipated, but was very happy to see crewmaster Mel, as well as Deb and Sarah Hall, who drove down for the day just to help (including bringing sunscreen!), and Liyang, who's ninja photog skills were amazing! Spent less than 4 and half minutes restocking my gels, flasks, and grabbing a sweet potato bottle (a delicious concoction that I no longer want to think about or describe... talk to me in a week), and in good spirits, off I went!

Leg 3: 30.8km (988m elevation)

Affectionately referred to as "Satan's Sack." It's hot, exposed, dry, and features some unrelenting climbs. A friend of mine and multiple time Sin7 finisher, Majo, told me that to do well at Sin7, try feeling great coming out of leg 3. Easier said than done, as the heat and elevation start taxing your energy, digestion, muscles, and your will. Thermometer spiked into the mid 30's and not a single cloud in the sky!
Just kept cruising along slow and steady, up and down each of the climbs, finally reaching the mid point and cracking a mini coke per the sage recommendation from Scott.
Having reconned this leg a few years ago in training, I knew what to expect, and braced myself for a long grind. Food consumption was getting harder, but took in what I can. Of note was checkpoint 3b, where a volunteer had watermelon and sprinkling salt on it. Amazing.
Otherwise nothing eventful in leg, though I was more than a bit relieved to return to the aid station!
Arrival time ~2:45pm (66k in 7.75hrs), leg 3 time: 4hr 3 mins. 
This time I wasn't in such a hurry to leave the transition area.

The 50k trail squad was all done and showered, and came in to help Mel crew. Ailsa (who would remain right till the bitter end), Brad, Brandon and Emilie (each of whom placed top 3 in the 50k), each jumped in to help provide shade, ice, popsicles, pickles, gatorade, Boost protein shake, bug spray, more ice, and who knows what else. I truly appreciated it as I sat there for about 11 mins. Mel even took my shoe and sock off, put a couple of blister bandaids on my toe, and redressed me! No longer concerned with any time goal, and starting to question whether I could still endure this. Having all that support was incredible, but I also felt guilty for being slower, and part of me was considering the benefits of an early exit for everyone... but, off I went.  

Leg 4: 23.8km (988m elevation)

 The next few hours were my darkest. I left transition with a heavy pack, and a full belly, and the climb out was a slow, torturous death march. I was starting to feel nauseous and on the verge of throwing up, and all I could do to keep it in was walk. Slowly. Pretty frustrating to be waltzing along flat, clean, runnable trails that ordinarily I would be bombing! The trails there are quite stunning, and Saddle Mountain that you climb in Leg 4 offers beautiful sights.
As I neared the summit, my nausea started to clear (thanks to ginger gravol), however replacing it was full lower body cramps. Hamstrings and calves on the ups. Quads on the downs. Every step was followed by a spasm. I slammed back a bunch of salt tabs and a gel, but they wouldn't go away. Anytime I would stop running, by legs would start to contort and I nearly fell over at several check points while trying to refill my water flasks.

My watch was telling me that I was 7km from the halfway point of the race, but that 7k took forever. Each time I looked down, it seems only 100m had passed. I decided to have my halfway point celebration coke around km 75 instead of 80. Sat down on a log and watched some relayers pass me, while getting bit by flies and nibbling on a dry, day-old quesadilla. Hobbled away and down to the halfway point, when I came across fellow 100 mile soloist, Justin (he and I had crossed paths several times already in the race).
Unfortunately, he had just fallen and rolled his ankle, his leg all dirty and in some noticeable discomfort. I reached into my medicine bag and gave him some Tylenol, gravol, and salt tabs. Bit of a trail runner's shit mix, but we got him up and running again. 
This encounter had a profound effect on me, as I turned my focus away from my own self-deprecation, to that of helping a fellow runner. My mood changed, and with it came my energy. The end of leg 4 features a dirt road about 4kms long, and I found a really good rhythm with my gait. The sun wasn't quite as hot, I had crossed the half way barrier, and was finally nearing the end of this leg.
In my haste to reach my crew, I followed a relayer a little ways past the turn and although it wasn't more than 100m extra, it reminded me to keep my eyes on the path!
Finished leg 4 in 3hrs 48 mins, arriving around 6:30pm.
As I sat in transition I was very nervous to overdo it like last time, but also found myself WAY too comfortable sitting there. Between ice, restocking, and port-a-potty break, that transition took 24 minutes.

Leg 5: 27.4km (962m elevation)

Many say this is one of the most difficult legs because it's still warm out, and you run on a dirt road and exposed gutter/trail for the first 10k, and after my last transition I was worried the nausea would return, but instead I found a calm stomach and strong will, and I resumed my steady jogging that I finished leg 4 with. The miles ticked by, and as I passed the first checkpoint, I laughed that a big milestone, kilometer 100, had come and gone without me realizing it! The sun had started to dampen, and the thought of running in the night was so appealing, after a long day in the sun.
I trudged through the forest, comfortably power hiking and "granny gear" running. Reaching the 2nd checkpoint, I caught another 100 mile soloist, Brennan. We ran together for most of the way through the last part of this leg, and he'd mentioned he thought we were in top 10 position. 
I felt really strong at this point. Kilometers 105 to 115 were amazing. I couldn't believe that I was actually running comfortably again, even passing 50 milers and relayers. The leg cramps had all gone away!
In the final kms, the sun went down. I reached into my pack and grabbed my a headlamp. This section was pretty technical and dusty, so I took it pretty easy. No need to take any undue risks now. 
Came into transition and found Mel, lit up with her Vizzy vest, and Ailsa. 
Time was 11pm, and leg 5 took me 3hr 37 mins.
At this point, I was feeling really positive. Mel asked if I wanted to know my position in the results (I told her before the race to NOT tell me until the end of leg 5) and I said sure. It wasn't my focus but thought it'd be good to know, just in case I find myself dawdling and squandering time. She said I was sitting in 3rd or 4th, along with Brennan. Well that was a nice surprise, and it was also enough to get me in & out of transition. But not before preparing for a long over-night journey up highest point of the race, so I had a bit of stew and restocked all my lighting gear, and off I went, 11 mins later.   

Leg 6: 31.9km (1400m elevation)

The queen stage! This is rated as the most difficult leg due to the elevation and technical nature of the climbs and descents.
I may have been a bit too overzealous as I darted out of the transition. My stomach immediately flipped, and I ducked off the side of the road for an emergency bathroom stop!
Caught Brennan shortly after, and waved me through. I was climbing faster, but I wondered if the downhill and flat running strength he showed earlier would still be there. 
I pressed on. The first 8k to the the check point are a long, gradual climb on a mountain road. The road had some massive puddles that were unavoidable, and I slipped and trounced through or around whatever I could. Really hard to maneuver  through mud bogs in the dark, even with a headlamp.
That checkpoint always takes longer than you think because the "real" climb starts right after it.
A quick flask refill and up I went. The next section features a climb up 7 sisters mountain, and it's a serious grind. There are several parts that are over 40% grade, and you quickly lose any momentum on tired legs. The moon was dark orange, but not much else for visibility. This was a positive, however, because you can't really see the top of the mountain as you're climbing, you really have to focus on each step at a time!
Upon reaching the summit, you soon begin a series of long, steep, rocky descents. The same section that damaged my toes in the 50 miler in 2021 proceeded to wreak the same havoc on my feet this time. Headlamp pointed straight down to my feet, but my eyes struggling to focus, I slammed my toes and ankles into so many rocks. Each time it hurt more than the previous. My downhill running again became my vise. As I closed with the rollers on leg 6 I was strong but in a lot of pain in my feet. Was questioning whether or not I should have changed shoes before this leg... too late now.

Finished around 4:30 AM, with taking around 5.5 hours to run leg 6. No sign of my pursuer, and I felt confident I'd put enough time on him during the climbs, but I didn't want to spend any time in transition. 4 minutes later, another kiss from Mel and a high five from Ailsa. Sub 24 hrs was going to happen! "Let's finish this!" I said and off I went. 

Leg 7: 10.9k (321m elevation) 

Considered the easiest leg of the race, but not by me. You start with 2 km climb at 10% grade, which actually I didn't mind this time as I was still climbing well. But then, you have a descent on a narrow trail with sharp rocks, and, just like last time, caused me to go slower than on the climb. Sun was starting to come out and offer more visibility, but the damage to my feet was done.
Reached the checkpoint, who confirmed I was 3rd soloist. Final 5k are nice, soft trail, quite runnable, and although tender all over, I enjoyed this run in to the finish. 
With 1 mile to go, you exit the forest and re-emerge into civilization, for the last time. It's a gentle downhill, and as much as I wanted to sprint my feet wouldn't allow it. I glanced back, just in case. Nobody. Ok, just jog it in then. Savour it. Last leg of only 11km took me 1hr 37min, my slowest leg if you consider check point rest stops. 

Crossed the finish line in 23:08:18. Good for 3rd overall, and 1st Master. I started running on Saturday morning, and I didn't finish running until Sunday! I still struggle to wrap my head around that and the ludicrous distance that is 100 miles.

Exhausted and physically destroyed, but filled with gratitude. I'm grateful for my amazing wife/coach/crew chief/etc Melissa for all the sacrifices. Grateful for all the friends that helped at the race, trained with me before the race, expressed their support after the race. For all the advice I received from experienced 100 milers like Scott, Ailsa, Chris, Majo. Grateful for the team of experts that got me to the start line strong and healthy (Bre "Bre-vil", Tyson, and Carson).
Grateful and proud of my determination and resilience on this day. I practiced mental fortitude in training and employed deliberate methods that resulted in high confidence of completing this adventure. On a day where 71% of the field did not finish, I'm proud to be one of those that did.
I spent 1.5 hours NOT moving. That includes sitting in the transition areas for a total of 55 minutes, and over half an hour of stops at checkpoints along the way. But that's what I needed early on this day. To calm myself down, and approach this as an accomplishment, not as a race against time or an opponent. 

Also grateful to surround myself with other strong people. Teammate Claudia finishing first female, Harry redeeming himself from missing the time cut off last year and finishing with an hour and a half to spare, and Melissa M for coming top 6 female in the 50 mile race. 
And grateful for my kids, both of whom were following along at home all day, and hopefully glean a bit of inspiration that we are indeed not limited in our abilities.   

So, what's next? Will I race another 100 miler? Well I did enjoy this race more than I thought I would, though until my toe nails finish recycling I won't be thinking of anything besides getting a little fatter and enjoying some good summer patio beers. Talk to me in a week! While right now it feels like my feet will forever cause me agony, I know that this, too, shall pass.

Strava link here.

Official results here.