Zane Grey Highline 50 Mile Race
I suppose anyone reading this blog now pretty much knows how ‘big of a deal’ running the Zane Grey Highline 50 was for me. But I think one of the reasons we do Blogs is not only to share with friends and families what we are up to, but also for our future generations to ‘know us’ as well. So with that, let me share again for the Great-Great Grandson – this was a big, big deal for me. I had this event ‘picked out’ over two years ago. Ever since I was looking at a list of the World’s toughest Ultra Runs and not only was this ranked as the hardest 50 Mile, it was basically in our backyard here in Arizona. Back then I was not doing 70-100 mile running weeks, heck that was about a month’s worth of miles, so it was an ‘out there’ goal. Back most importantly the reason I wanted to do this race was back those couple of years ago we were also going through some… let’s call it ‘times of great worry’ with your Great Grandfather and his brother. So it became one of those metal things. I kind of did this thing with my mind saying “okay, I am going to run that race and finish it and do everything until then to be able to make that happen, train hard, run hard, never give up, etc. and if I do everything will be okay – my boys will be fine”. As I type this I know it may not make a lot of sense. It’s hard to articulate. Worse, it likely seems extremely silly in that – of course my running a race can in reality have nothing to do with my children ‘being okay’. To that all I can say is, I know it’s silly, but when you are a parent there are times you realize there is nothing you can do or say to make your child safe or help them be happy. Just because you know this is reality, it doesn’t make it acceptable – you have to do something. Zane Grey was my something for two years…
This is a very long blog with all the details - so to read it all click the following link
Something happened along the journey toward this race that I never expected – I became addicted to running, and I mean addicted in the purest sense of the word. It’s so hard to even convince myself that this was true now, but I recall so many times early on in the middle of a run where it was over 100 degrees and I was tired and I just wanted to say ‘enough’ and give in for the day. I never did though, I had that Zane Grey motivation (aka my boys will be good so long as I do my part) to keep me going. Along the way not only did any mid run lack of motivation go away but so did any lack of pre run desire. I pretty much looked forward to every run, short, long, speed work, tempo, run along, run with friends, run a race, run on road, in dirt, whatever I just looked forward to running. Don’t get me wrong, those days where I had to get up a 4:00 AM and strap on a headlamp just to get out the door wasn’t the most enjoyable – but it wasn’t the run, it was the 4 am. So all of this said, to my mind then Zane Grey and the motivation to run it is responsible for this amazing passion for running I now get to experience. And seeing Kimberly is just about as crazy about running as I am, it gives us this awesome thing we get to do together the rest of our lives. So my great-great grandson some advice, if you are not already doing it – RUN! And keep running, or at least find a something that you are passionate about that allows you to continually challenge yourself. There is nothing like it. Don’t keep doing things you know you can do – do things you just are not sure you can do, it’s so much more rewarding.
Okay, I guess I should talk about the race, because while the real story is the journey up to the run, that sure doesn’t diminish the amazing experience of the ‘run’ itself.
We always talk about the success of running a Marathon being more about the logistics than the race itself. Once you have done all the training, you have a decent feeling of what your capability will be as to finish time. The variances are based on all the other stuff leading up to the run; are you sick, any bad pains, did you sleep well the night before, get to use the restroom early then again just before run, eat well, hydrate well, etc. Well with Zane it was even more relevant. Unlike my previous 50 Mile Run this would not be just 8 ½ hours, going in I knew this would be somewhere between 12-15. And this was if I finished, a decent amount of Zane runners never complete the run, or do not make the cut-off times as the various aid stations and have to get pulled. So with that much time spent at a high level of energy use there is a lot of planning required. From what to eat, when to eat it, how to pack, dress, changes of clothes, plan for very cold and warm (both will happen), darkness – potentially twice, etc. there is just a lot to do. In the pictures I have a shot of my ‘Drop Bags’, these are your own little packs that you can have when you come into the aid stations. Zane has aid stations at miles 8, 17, 33, and 44. While I am on aid stations, the station at Mile 33 was my favorite by far as that’s where I met my “Crew” aka Kimberly. Man was I happy to see her when that time came. Anyway, I’m getting ahead of the story, the point being logistics is a big deal and from a standpoint of where did the race part of the story begin, it was here, a few days before making a list of what would be in what drop bag.
The race is run along the Mongolian Rim here in AZ. Basically from a Trailhead just South of Pine heading mostly East to just beyond Christopher Creek. You basically go right along the Rim edge, not on it as that would be too easy, but up and down it essentially. I’m not sure of the true net elevation gain over the 50 miles, but if you look at my Garmin report HERE it shows 18,000 feet. Yeah, that’s like running the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim only add 8 miles and 7,000 more feet of elevation gain. So most of the folks that do the race stay in Payson because it’s just 30 minutes’ drive North to the start, 50 minutes back West from the finish (driving 60 mph). It’s also where the race check in and pasta dinner is held.
We got up to Payson later in the day, checked into the hotel and it was pretty much time to head over to the restaurant to check in for the race, get the bib and do the race night pasta meal. I normally like to eat something we cook before a race, but this was different because it would be a chance to meet some folks I have come to know in the Ultra running community and also some what I would call legends of the sport and the top guys. Unlike Road Racing, Ultra’s are a much smaller community and the top guys are all very accessible – just an amazing group of people involved and why we like it so much. So I got my bib, and Kimberly and I grabbed some pasta and salad, said some hello’s, got to hang with buddy Jon and his friends at our table and had a good time at the dinner. We even met some new friends Joe and Kevin. Kevin was there to pace Joe for the last 17 miles of the run. It worked out perfect that Kevin could then ride with Kimberly out to the 33 mile aid station and keep her company. Made me feel better she would not be alone driving out there to get me.
After the meal about 8:00 we scooted back to the hotel, set the alarm for a 2:30 rise (with a 4:00 check in and 30 minute drive there, it was going to be a short evening). I was hopeful of getting 4 ½ hours’ sleep if I could get down by 10:00. While I was lucky enough to fall asleep on time, I woke once for the bathroom and it took some time to fall back asleep and then I woke again and looked at the phone and it said 2:00. I think your mind knows you have to get up and gets you up early. Anyway, I was up for good at 2:00 as my mind started racing and there was no way to fall back asleep, so I popped out of bed and into the shower for a quick wakeup thinking at least I got almost 4 hours. As I came out of the bathroom I looked over at the hotel alarm clock and saw it said 1:15. What? Oh no… I then realized my phone had changed time in the middle of the night (like Kimberly’s had the day before) and it was in reality only 1:15 and I had slept for less than 3 hours! Long story, but basically the cell tower there comes from the native reservation and there do change with daylight savings unlike the rest of Arizona. Anyway, I would now be doing my day on even less sleep than I thought because no way I could fall back asleep after the shower. I guess okay, at least would now not be rushed for the next 2 hours.
We got to the trailhead and it was dark and cold. I really debated what to wear to start, I was freezing standing there, but knew once I started running it would change quickly. Really the weather was about as good as you could ask (clouds would have been nice), it was low 30’s to start and never got above 70 all day I don’t think. Even though they had some lights, with everyone bundled up and headlamps strapped to their head it was hard to recognize anyone. Basically it was a big hug and kiss from the Mrs. and I was off in the dark on my Zane odyssey.
Not only does the run have all the net elevation gain, it has a general elevation gain too of about 1400 feet I think. Meaning the start is that much lower than the finish, aside from all the up and down. I think we found that 1400 foot gain after about ½ mile into the run. In fact, aside from a couple mile stretch, it seemed for the first 35 miles that we were twice as much up as down. I know that’s not totally the case, but it sure seemed it. I have to say, I was expecting a tough course with bad rock, fallen trees, creeks etc. but many of the climbs were much steeper than I expected. Then in seemed like when you did have some downhill that it would be so much lose rock, or cutting overgrown bushes or fallen trees in your way that you were slower going down even that the crazy steep uphill portions. Speaking of which, I recall perhaps 1 three mile stretch and another 1 mile stretch that you could call flat – the rest of the 50 you were going up or down (or up and up).
The whole course is just amazing from a view perspective. While you are totally focused on the trail rock and mess looking down when you do get to look up (usually to make sure you see a yellow flag to confirm you are not lost) the views are nothing short of awesome. It’s like layers and layers of mountains. It’s something more akin to the Appellation Range more than what you would expect in Arizona. Many times I just had to pause and take it all in, I wanted to be able to recall this experience forever.
I hit the first aid station at Mile 8 and then the second at Mile 17 in pretty good shape. I had taken one spill about 6 miles in but luckily was having no ill effects. Considering the little sleep, I felt pretty strong and was running strong. Actually, while I am on it “running” is a stretch word for a great deal of this course. Surviving is more appropriate, but “Power Hiking” is the term used. The climbs are just way too steep to even think about running. In fact, if you were trying, likely some guy power hiking would just blow by you anyway. There were some stretches that were so steep with tired legs I almost had to catch myself on some steps from falling backwards – that’s slow.
I ate my PB sandwich and some salty chips and the 17 mile aid station as quick as I could and got right back on the trail. I knew the next Aid at Mile 33 Kimberly would be waiting for me and that was a good reason to push all I could at this point. I actually caught up with buddy Jon and a couple of other guys a couple of miles outside the station. I think there were 4 of us running together for a few miles. To show you how easy it was to get off course, the four of us all went off track for about 5 minutes one time and luckily it gave us 4 chances to find the course again or we have been off much longer. This was in the stretch that if I recall was the burnout area. After a bit a couple of the guys faded and Jon and another guy got out in front of me. So for the last 7 miles or so coming into the Mile 33 Aid I was running alone. This stretch was amazing. I was really feeling decent and so enjoying the run, really getting into a groove and for the most part enjoying a stretch that was not crazy climbs. In fact, each Aid Station seemed to be that you ran down into them then right back up after you left.
It was so cool coming into the 33 Mile Station. All the volunteers cheering you, seeing friendly faces, knowing Kimberly was there, it for sure gives you a big lift. As soon as I got close to people I heard someone say “what can I get you” and I said “just my wife”. I’m not sure she ever got that sweaty funky of a hug before, but I sure needed it. I plopped down on the ground, pounded a cold diet coke, scarfed about 5 strawberry fig newton’s, a Perfect Foods Bar and just smiled and took my time enjoying the break and the time with the Mrs. In fact, I think I was there over 12 minutes, it was nice. I had noticed some foot pain also the last few miles so I had wanted to give the ‘hot spot’ a break. It was important to be fully ready when I headed out because the stretch from Mile 33 to the next Aid station at Mile 44 was considered the hardest stretch on the course. Considering what we already had, I was like ‘wow’ really? Even though it’s only 11 Miles, they say to expect 3-4 hours and you need to carry enough water to accommodate that….geesh
As soon as you head out from the Station you have one of the bigger creek crossings. They had a rope setup so you could hold it as you crossed. Really you just jump in, grab the rope and plow through the waist high water. It was kind of fun, but what wasn’t fun was the ‘soaker’ feeling in my shoes. Not thinking about it, I had worn XT Wings which I think are great for rocky surface, though a little heavy, they are not at all made for underwater as they do not drain. This mistake was to cost me pretty good the next 17 miles (and little did I know for days to come).
As promised this was going to be a good one. Right after the creek you start the climb and it was a steep one, and then another and another and then another. I swear for a while if you did not know better you would say you are doing the same thing over and over. Up a huge hill, down for a bit to a creek then turn right and up the hill again. All the time going up and over fallen pine trees and running on rocks and looking for little yellow flags. Still I was feeling pretty good, except for I could tell a growing Blister issue, or maybe issues as both feet were feeling some pain. It had seemed that the shoes would dry well after the creeks early in the race, but after the last few they had just stayed wet – still I was okay considering (the cuts and scrapes were less than what I figured would be with all the brush).
About halfway on this stretch I came to an area that was nice and open. The reason was it was a power line crossing and the trail even turned into a nice Jeep Road kind of thing. Better yet, it was almost like a dirt road, flat dirt, no rocks and even downhill! I decided to take advantage of this part and really started to haul. It was nice, first time you could really open up and get some strides going. After a little bit I started to get concerned however because I began looking and had not seen a yellow flag for a while (again, indicates the trail). I thought it was odd but decided to really start to look and figured because it’s kind of a road, it’s so dang obvious they must have just decided not to use so many. Finally I thought something must be wrong. They wouldn’t go this long without a flag. So with an out loud word that would get a 10 year old’s mouth washed out I turned around and headed back uphill from where I came. I was really going too fast at this point too, I was just so angry with myself for getting off course I couldn’t help it, plus I didn’t want to lose any more time. After a bit I look over and see a Yellow flag on a tree in the road – DANG IT – I was going right! So I turned back around and started flying down the road again. Yep, you guessed it, after going another ½ mile or so past where I went before, I finally had to assume I was not going right. At this point it was like despair set in. I don’t know how else to describe it. But when you are some 8-9 hours into a run and something like that happens you just are not thinking well. I almost was considering should I just keep heading down the Power Line until I get to the road! It’s crazy sounding but again, you are not in the right frame at that point. Luckily of course I decided to head back up and find my way. I ended up getting a good break as two people where crossing the point where I missed my turn, I was now back on trail. I had wasted near 45 minutes of time and a whole lot of energy, but I was back in the game.
It took me about 45 minutes to release the frustration and anger at myself. Finally I got perspective, this whole thing wasn’t about getting a certain time, or coming in a certain place, this was about the experience! I have to say, out of all I accomplished this day, getting that perspective and just enjoying what I was doing is what I am most proud of. Okay, did I say enjoying? … Because at this point, I had really used up some extra energy pushing to get back into the race. I also had added 45 minutes of time to stretch out my remaining water that was already too little for this part of the race. I was now nursing just a little bit of fluid, in the hottest part of the day, and on blisters that were growing increasingly painful. Still, the final decent into the Mile 44 Station was special and amazingly enjoyable as I knew I would have just 6 miles to go.
I know I didn’t take too long at 44, I sure pounded the water though, grabbed some salty chips, a couple of figs, and my last PB&J and was off. Again, right out of the Station a big creek – the deepest yet. I grabbed the rope, jumped in and had a great “Yahoo!” as I crossed the cold water and popped out. Then the climb began. It was steep, but I knew overall after the first big climb there would be mostly down to the finish (that by the way was a stretch too, it was, but not too much and there were still a ton of hills right up to the end). My shoes were squishing after the creek. With about 4 miles to go my blisters were now about as painful as could be. It was just mind over matter as they say at that point. Was not a thing in this world going to stop me from completing this race – you know the whole silly thing about my Boys remember? I did complete it, in 13:21:07 which was 46th place out of 74 who completed the race. Even without the wasted lost time I would have only gained maybe 10-12 spots. When I crossed the line I was so happy, seeing Kimberly I gave her a big hug and said “I’m coming back next year for my revenge!”
I don’t know how to describe the experience. I am sure that for each person it is personal, but for me this was more than just another race, just another 50 miler, or another Ultra – this was Zane Grey, I finished, I did what I committed to do – and my boys, well they are hanging out doing well these last couple of years…
Some final comments: My blisters were basically my whole feet. If you are okay with gruesome, check out the picture. We made some great friends that I expect we will see for many years to come. And I will for sure get my revenge next year assuming I am healthy enough to do so. Finally and by far most importantly, I wanted to say how thankful I was to have “My Crew”. Sorry, but nobody had a Crew that was as good as mine. It wasn’t the smiles, hugs, cold diet coke and Perfect Food Bars (though the diet coke tasted sooo good), it was the month’s and in fact years of support she gave me before this day even came. It was the encouragement, the belief, the indulgence with my insanity (yeah there was a lot) about doing this damn thing. Hey Woman–Thank You– I love You! By the way, less than 12 months until Zane 2011…and now that I have qualified for Western States at the Labor of Love maybe we…….
For those interested following are some related links and other about the race. Some other runners blogs, video’s, race reports, etc.
Zane Participant guide with all the details
Map of the Zane Grey Highline 50 Trail from Ian Torrence’s (multi-time winner) Blog
Video of course conditions just before the run from the Race Director
Race day video from one of the runners
May 30th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
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