Best Summer Ever and the Leadville Trail 100 Race Report

So it’s been a while since I sat down and really took the time to write. The reason is simple - this was the Best Summer Ever, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to “waste” any of it by sitting down to write. That’s not really the truth though. I was so overstimulated I couldn’t figure out how to narrow any of it down into a simple blog entry, so I just didn’t.

Since my first trip to CO in 1991, I have dreamed of having a vacation home in the Rockies. In Feb of this year, that dream became a reality as we moved into our newly constructed home in Summit County, CO. With our Covid-induced freedom to work anywhere, we enjoyed a couple months of winter and then the whole summer in the mountains. I finally understand why my friends out there kept saying, “You come to ski in the winter, but you stay here because of the summer.” While our area in south-central PA suffocated in one of the hottest and humid summers on record, we enjoyed the cool temperatures and low humidity of living at almost 10,000’. We spent most of the summer outdoors exploring the trails and mountains surrounding our new home.

CO is a trail runner’s nirvana. Our new home is situated, (not by accident), on the edge of a 350+ Square mile wilderness area that provides access to 180 Miles of roadless trails. In three months of trail running and hiking as part of my training for the Leadville 100, I barely scratched the surface. Being 45 minutes from Leadville, I logged hundreds of miles running on the course and around the area, including the Silver Rush 50. That being said, trail running at 10,000+ feet is the real deal, and it definitely impacts performance and endurance. Although my training allowed me to improve dramatically, somewhere about 8-10 hours into every long effort, I would really start to suffer and have difficulty getting enough oxygen to fuel my system. It’s something I look forward to learning more about and developing a solution for moving forward.

Leadville became a home away from home this summer. That quirky little town grows on you when you spend that much time there, and the mission of the Leadville Foundation is a fantastic thing to be a part of and support. More importantly, I developed some amazing new friendships. It’s not a cliche’ that there is a trail running community. Though I finished the Silver Rush 50 mile with only 17 minutes to spare, there was still a large crowd supporting every finisher. Throughout the race I had numerous people offer moral support, including both of my coaches who were out on the course. It truly was a memorable race in how much it sucked, which is why I think I will cherish it for a long time. Perhaps it also will be remembered for the day I met and grabbed a photo opportunity with Courtney Dauwalter. At the official race camp in July, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Anton Krupicka (and find his car keys for him after he lost them in the grass), Kat Bradley, Ian Sharman, Leadville 100 founder, Ken Chlouber and a few other Leadville and trail racing legends.

Which takes me to the Leadville 100 Trail Run, or in my case, the Twin Lakes 40. In the weeks ahead of the race there was much speculation on some changes to cutoffs and pacer pick-up. About 4 weeks before the race, the final word came out that they were reducing 3 of the out-bound cutoffs by 30 minutes and pacers would not be allowed until Twin Lakes in-bound at mile 62. That was a crushing blow for me as it meant I would have to run my fastest ever 50K by more than 30 minutes and a PR for almost 40 miles, by over an hour, to make the early cutoffs. The rationale or arguments for the change don’t matter. The race rules are what they are and I wasn’t about to back down. One thing that Anton said at the race camp was that finishing the race would change your life. I told him afterwards, for some of us, getting to the starting line would change our lives, to which he agreed.

So at 0400 on a chilly, clear morning, I toed the line I had dreamed of for 20 months. To say it was amazing would be a complete understatement. It was mind-blowing to be a part of that mass of humanity all laying it on the line for such a big challenge. Even Anton was unsure he would finish after a 6-year hiatus from ultr-racing. He commented before the race that his biggest training run had been just a few weeks before and was only 40 miles. The fact that we all had 100 miles of high-altitude, mountainous trail running ahead of us seemed ludicrous! The fact that we only had 30 hours to finish, even more so. My heart swelled with pride for the work I had done to get there, knowing that the task ahead was so daunting made it all the more rewarding. After all, that is the reason I wanted to be there, to truly be tested and see what I truly was capable of accomplishing. It reminded me of my first few combat missions, not knowing if I was up to the task and the fear of failing my comrades or my own expectations But something was missing at the starting line that I expected. At every ultra race I had run previously, I experienced significant imposter syndrome. I never felt like I belonged and questioned whether I had done the work to be there. But not this time. Maybe it was the excitement and energy, maybe it was dillusional, maybe all the miles, blood, sweat and tears I had invested made me feel worthy. Either way, it felt right. I felt like I had earned the opportunity to test myself on this course. I felt at home, ready to run out of this funky town and push the envelope.

To say I ran my heart out would be accurate. I blew through the first aid station at May Queen, winded, but thrilled to be only 2 minutes off my “A” goal. I was thrilled to see a few of the guys I trained with at the camps and other special events there with me. That meant I was doing really well because they were always way ahead of me on those previous runs. Over the first big climb on the CO Trail over Hagerman Pass and down the Powerline I was crushing it. Every distance was a PR for me, and I was running sections I normally power-hiked. I rolled through Outward Bound feeling strong and looking good according to my crew. But suddenly, I was having difficulty eating anything and that damn headwind was sucking the soul from my body. I dug deep and actually gained back 7 minutes on my goal by the next aid station and by the 50K mark I had run a PR by 40+ minutes. An amazing performance except that I now had to navigate 8 miles over the shoulder of CO’s highest peak, Mt Elbert, and make it to Twin Lakes while gaining back 12 minutes. Seems funny to me as I write this, getting back 12 minutes in 8 miles seems like an easy task. It is unless you have just PR’s the previous 31 miles, in Leadville, by 45 minutes! I arrived in Twin Lakes that same 12 minutes late and so ended my day.

I was met by Cole Chlouber, who gave me a huge hug and congratulated on my effort and for not quitting. He knew my capabilities and was surprised to see me so soon. That somehow helped me feel better at the moment, but I truly felt like I had let my team down. My crew and pacers truly showed up for me that day, congratulating me and being so supportive, even though I know they were a bit disappointed as well. To have friends and a spouse who support you through crazy shit like this is truly amazing and I am so very grateful for their love. To have people like that in your life is so special, and is bigger than any race result or other accomplishment.

So what did I learn from my DNF at the Leadville 100? Here’s my list so far, but it is certainly a work in progress:

1. Dare to be bold - I never would have believed I would get the opportunity to run this iconic race. I never even knew such a thing existed until I read Born to Run a few years ago. To take it on so early in my ultra career was bold and scary. It seemed so impossible when I secured an entry through my coach in Dec of 2019, having barely survived a few 50k’s.

2. Relationships are everything. Surround yourself with amazing people and feed on their energy, then give it back! It truly takes a village to undertake any challenge of this magnitude, and it is all the more rewarding when you get to share it with people you love and who love you. This is a big part of my why, sharing the experience with others, watching how it inspires them. That’s so rewarding.

3. DNF - Do Not Fear! I truly believe the real rewards come in the journey, Toeing the Line is the result. A finish is the icing on the cake, but just being at the party is awesome!

4. I have finally learned how to enjoy running. I used to say I hated it, mostly as an excuse for being so bad at it. But somewhere in the course of flying down the Pipeline, I was laughing out loud and really enjoying that I was blowing up my IT band! As I get stronger, I am learning how to get faster, and that my body is capable of much more than I ever imagined. There are still many days when I can’t get excited about training. I think the hardest part of every run is putting on your shoes, and that first half mile always sucks. But just like an old truck, after a while the engine smooths out and runs well until you shut her down. I always feel fantastic after my workouts, which is why I do it. Of course the guilt-free, post-run beer helps!

5. Infinite Potential is real - if you allow it to be. For that to be the case, you have to block all that shit that muddles your brain, the self-limiting beliefs, the stuff other people say, and most of all, what you think everyone thinks. Those narratives are paralyzing if you let them in. Who cares, and why is any of that impacting your life? I spent the better part of my first 50 years on this planet seeking some sort of approval or validation from others. Stepping outside that box, and becoming an ultra-runner, helped me realize that none of that mattered. What counts is how I see myself when I look in the mirror. Do I see a brave man, willing to risk everything for those I love and the life I truly want? Or do I see a coward, who talks a big talk, but never truly walks the walk. For me, ultra-running provides the forum to do the difficult work of building character. Somehow, breaking down the body and the mind through endurance experiences provides those moments of clarity and the truth of who I am shines through.

So yes, my Best Summer Ever ended with my first DNF. I am totally cool with that! I wouldn’t trade all the experiences I enjoyed this summer, the new friendships with some very special people, and the glorious hours spent training in the most beautiful mountains on earth, for a finish at the Leadville 100. To everyone who helped me Toe the Line, I offer my most heart-felt thank you! I look forward to the opportunity to pay-it forward. Now it’s time to focus on my next big challenge, the Bigfoot 200!