Western States Waitlist Woes

You've struggled. You've raced the qualifiers. You've hoarded those tickets. You've waited YEARS to hear your name get called during that live lottery drawing in Auburn.

Those fateful 300 names get called and yet again, you're not one of them. Womp womp! Western States clearly doesn't want any of my 64 tickets.

There's still the waitlist though!

75 more chances to redeem yourself!

You hear your name! Wahoo! Glorious joy and thanking the heavens begins 🙏🏼 Glasses clink 🥂 Friends are ecstatic and lining up to pace and/or crew.

What spot? Number #52 on the waitlist.

Is that good? It's good right?! Sure, you'll be good...

While there is a certain satisfaction knowing you're on the waitlist for one of the most iconic races in the world, there is also the reality of where you fall on that waitlist. Everyone points out that 2 years ago, all 75 people on the waitlist got entry into the race. This is an anomaly to be sure but it gives one hope right?

After the lottery is over and the pats on the back have calmed down, you begin your daily (mildly-obsessive) routine of watching and refreshing the waitlist page.

For whatever reason, you expect athletes to drop like flies once the horror, logistics and money-pit-of-a-race it is sinks in. But watching the waitlist get updated is like watching paint dry or grass grow.

Excruciating.

You might think this happens quickly in the weeks or months following the lottery but you'd be wrong (see graph below). Presently, there are only 13 people that have been removed/entered into the race for 2024.

Historically speaking (yes, I'm the nerd who created this Excel graph) you can see that April through June are when a majority of people figure out they're not ready for the big dance.

Waitlist changes per month

Cumulative drops by month

So what's it all mean?

Starting with the basics - the average number of people coming off the waitlist is 60 if you average back to 2017. Good news when you're #52.

That's really where the good news ends and the BS begins. You're essentially straddling the fence of being in or out of Western States. Meaning, you have to be prepared for both racing Western or not (which means you still need a qualifying run).

Preparing to run Western States

1. I've put money down on lodging in both Olympic Valley and Auburn (partial refund policy)
2. I'll have to drive or fly in California (partially refundable)
3. I have to convince crew and pacers to be on 'standby' for traveling to the race

Preparing to Qualify (Again)

1. I have already paid for a qualifying race (non-refundable)
2. I'll have to drive/fly to the race (partially refundable)
3. I'll have to find/book housing for this race (partially refundable)

Bottom-line, being on the WSER waitlist means you're throwing away money one way or another.

"Oh, that's gonna hurt. Maybe I shouldn't do it"? said no ultra-runner EVER 😂

Current State

As of the 15th of April, there are still 38 souls in front of me (e.g., 13 people have come off the waitlist). It feels more like it's going to happen than before so I've really started to pick up the training and get serious.

I really hope it's my time for the big dance.

Grand to Grand...Choices

It's the holiday season and I've been inundated with other priorities so this article has taken much longer to write than I'd hoped. With the holidays inching closer now, the work scene has slowed enough to jot some things down before another year comes and goes (like my memory these days!). I also started putting together a 2023 G2G scrapbook and it got my creative juices flowing again.

I think it will be a long time before I forget about this experience - the people, places and sheer passion you draw on as a participant. There are times when I wish I hadn't waited so long to register for this race but honestly, my timing was perfect. I could not have imagined a better experience both in my training, gear and race choices.

My goal with this post is to share some choices I made for my 2023 G2G experience. None of them will make-or-break your time on course - hell, you might not even known there were decisions to be made in some of these categories! If nothing else, they'll give you some things to think about in the overall scheme of how you plan to tackle the race. Given this was my first self-supported stage race, I resolved to only control what I could and have a flexible mind-set to problem-solve anything else that might come up.

Training

TOF = 5 hours

The primary focus should be time on feet (TOF). You can see my Strava posts for the final 3-day training block before G2G.

The secondary thing to focus on during training is to use as much actual race gear as you can. This includes the exact shirt, shorts, socks, shoes, pack (including weight!), water bottles and most importantly race-day food.

Bonus points if you're able to camp out during these training blocks. I routinely camped while training to ensure I could navigate all my camping-specific gear, camp food, recovery drinks and clothing choices just like you'll have to do at G2G.

I cover these and many other training topics during my Grand to Grand podcast. Check it out here.

TOF = 7 hours

TOF = 7 hours

Electronics

I'm sure there's room for debate here but I made the decision early on not to bring any electronics at all. No phone, no Garmin - nothing. My reasoning included:

• I truly wanted to be disconnected for the week
• I did not want the extra weight
• Any device would require charging, i.e. more weight
• I did not want to deal with electronics and sand
• My pack did not have a convenient place to store a phone
• I wanted to focus on a successful race, not selfies
• My pictures never quite capture the grandeur of the moment

I paid for the photo package offered by the race and I would 100% do it again. Anastasia Wilde was our photographer and took some amazing shots of both the race and me.

 

Sleep pad

Bottom-line, use what works for you. While I don't have an accordion-style sleeping pad, I've captured some pros and cons based on my own usage of an inflatable pad (Therma-a-rest Neoair Uberlite) and what I witnessed/spoke about with my tent-mates (who all had foam pads).

	Pros	Cons
Foam pad	Puncture-resistant Lower price Quick setup/breakdown time Used on ground and tent	Bulky, carried on pack (snags on trees) Decreased comfort? Lower insulation (R-value)
Inflatable	Increased comfort? Higher insulation (R-value) Smaller footprint Fits in pack	Higher price Possible punctures (patch kit required) Longer setup/breakdown time Noisier

 

Despite having the Gossamer Gear thinlite pad underneath my inflatable sleeping pad, there were days where the tent was filled with stickers from the Russian thistle. I was afraid of a puncture. I compensated by putting my inflatable sleeping pad inside my sleeping bag to prevent punctures.

Sleep is super-important in your recovery at G2G so whatever you choose, make sure it's the right thing for you. I'm a side-sleeper as well so something inflatable is a must for me. Also consider where you'll be finishing each day. Does an easy deployment take precedent over comfort? Personally, it was worth an extra 3 minutes to blow up my pad each day and only took 3-5 minutes each morning to deflate, rollup and pack away.

As you can see, I had a very streamlined pack without anything strapped to the outside.

Food

This has to be one of the THE most important categories to think about when it comes to your G2G adventure. Similar to what I tell the athletes I coach, there is no silver bullet. Do what works for you and don't be swayed but what others are doing. Having said that however, YOU MUST TRY THEM to know what does or doesn't work for you. Numerous other athletes were genuinely excited about the prospect of a particular meal each night but were ultimately revolted by the smell and/or taste of it because they had never tried it prior to the race.

My goal here is to offer up some thoughts on handling food during the race and not sway you with certain products (except one). This includes both real food, racing food and a couple topics in between.

Breakfast, Dinner and Recovery Calories

Real chicken and biscuits

Ensure you have a variety of meals available to you. Alternate flavors and textures whenever possible. It's very easy to get fatigued over the same bar, oatmeal or spaghetti dinner if you have it every day. Also consider bringing recovery (liquid) calories on top of dinner calories. It's easy to argue that recovery drinks don't help a ton but it is important that you continue drinking fluids once you get back to camp. This forcing function helps reduce the number of meals you need to pack per day and ensures you're staying hydrated.

My only food recommendation: Pinnacle Foods

In all my searching, this Montana-based company produces small-batch freeze-dried meals that (1) are the highest calorie-per-ounce I've found (nearly 150 cal/ounce), (2) have vegetarian and meat options, (3) are single serving and (4) have ingredients you can pronounce.

Everyone in Tent 5 was envious of my meal selection each night 🤤 Especially the Thai Green Chili Curry.

Vacuum packing

I chose to vacuum-seal all my primary meals to save both on space and weight. You save approximately 2 ounces per meal when vacuum-packing and gain more space in your pack. It's extra work but can save you up to a pound in food weight!

Note: Vacuum-sealed food is dense and hurts when rubbing on your back for nearly 7 hours. Placement in your pack is critical!

You may need to crush down your dehydrated food to vacuum pack it

Meal Preparation

I saved one of the Pinnacle retort/food bags and reused it each night for my freeze-dried meals. I would cut my vacuum-packed meal open, dump it in the retort bag, add hot water (measured using my Sea to Summit x-series silicone cup). After accounting for the altitude, most of my meals were perfectly cooked/heated...which was far better than most.

If you're considering using Ziplock bags or the ultra-light foldable bowls...honestly, don't. The last thing you want is to get into camp after 7-10 hours on your feet and have a shitty meal of crunchy pasta or rice that somewhat tastes like chili or chicken teriyaki.

High-quality well-prepared meals not only keep your belly full but there is something mentally satisfying when the food is savory, delicious and hot!!

Trail food vs. Racing Food

Early in my training, I assumed an adventure like this called for "trail food". I was relying on nut butters, trail mix, bars and anything else that was calorically dense. However, a month out I came to the conclusion that I could not sustain these types of food throughout a long day or running/hiking. Even on my longest training days I was moving at 14-15 miles per hour and choking down dry, dense and salty foods was just not working for me.

I won't discourage anyone from bring "trail food" but I would emphasis racing food more...gels, chews and anything else you would normally use in a race. But then again, use what works for you. By day 2, I had figured out that trail food was best consumed in the morning hours before the heat and dehydration started to set in. Beyond that, race food and liquid calories were the clear winners for me.

Here's how I would structure my calories next time:

Morning - trail food (nuts, bars, oatmeal)

Afternoon - race food (gels, chews, liquid calories)

Evening - liquid calories (BCAA's, Tailwind recovery)

 

Water Bottles

It's undeniable that most stage racing packs (and runners) lean toward the typical bottle with the extended straw and bite-style tip. I purchased numerous versions of these including the Race The Planet and Raidlight bottles. They are quality products but I chose NOT to use them for G2G for 3 reasons that I discovered during my training:

1. They have a release valve on top that makes mixing recovery drinks a huge mess
2. It is virtually impossible to squirt water onto yourself (for cooling purposes)
3. The SIS bottle is nearly 900 mL (more than enough to meet minimum requirement)

Staying cool is paramount for desert races and one of those methods is to use your allotment of water to squirt on yourself (neck, arm sleeves, buff, etc). 

Use this 👍🏽

Not This 👎🏽

Poles

This is 100% personal preference. I trained with poles (both uphill and downhill) and distinctly remember a quote from one of the G2G Zoom calls..."Days 1-3 I carried my poles but on days 4-7, my poles carried me"

I don't regret bringing or using my poles.

Pack

Again, personal preference here but from another G2G Zoom call quote, "make sure you love your pack". I started with the Raidlight Ultralight trail running vest but after a few training runs, I could tell it wasn't right for me. I switched to the USWE Hajker Adventure Daypack about a month before the race and did not regret it at all. The unique x-style chest harness and waist belt were exactly the right fit and helped prevent any bouncing (which limits the amount of chaffing).

The x-style straps of the Hajker pack made bib placement a bit tricky

Taping

I never taped my body (shoulders) while training and ended up regretting getting my shoulders taped pre-race. It ended up chaffing my chest and causing blisters. During the race, I was mindful of anywhere that was rubbing and would stop to tape them but only as necessary. Definitely bring tape and have it handy at all times.

Clothing

As an avid camper and through-hiker, I'm used to relying on a single set of clothes for multi-day trips. Clothes add weight. In my opinion, having (1) a set of running clothes and (2) a set of camp clothes is the best approach to G2G. I brought a small bottle of camp soap to wash my running clothes daily but sometimes this isn't always possible depending on what time you finish. There was one morning I had to slip on wet shorts because they did not have enough time to dry.

Running clothes

Camp clothes

OTC Medications

Admittedly, I brought a small pharmacy with me. I was less concerned about the day-to-day aches and pains of the miles but rather the post-run issues I tend to experience. I personally have a hard time sleeping after 5-7 hours on my feet AND I get congested. Consult your doctor when it comes to NSAID's and Ibuprofen but for me, the key OTC medications were a decongestant and a sleep aid (everyone will have a snoring tent-mate!)

Foot Care

If there is one thing the race directors and past participants pound into your head it's foot care. Do not underestimate the amount of sand you'll be dealing with at G2G! The dunes are one thing but generally speaking, nearly every stage has sand to navigate.

I've trained and raced with toe socks for nearly 20 years and literally am that guy who never gets blisters. I chose not to wear gaiters for the race except for the long stage - even then, I did not put them on until CP6 (right before the dunes). At the finish line I had a minor blister on my heal and pinky toe because of all the hiking and unevenness of the sandy terrain.

(Why no gaiters? For starters, I don't train with them - never have. Second, I believe that gaiters actually hold moisture in the shoe which creates the ideal environment for developing blisters, not preventing them!)

I chose to bring 3 pairs of toe socks (vacuum-packed!) for the race. I knew I would need to re-use a couple during the week but again, quite easy with the camp soap. I also brought small expandable camp wipes to ensure my feet were clean each night before getting into my sleeping bag.

Heat

Don't underestimate the heat in the high desert! Even this kid from Phoenix who is used to training in 110+ F had a hard time being pounded by the high desert sun on the first couple of days.

I recommend a Buff (around the neck) and cooling sleeves. They will keep you warm in the morning and then you can get them wet in the afternoon to keep you cool. The volunteers are great at spritzing you with a water bottle but that evaporates 3 minutes after you leave the check point.

I also recommend calf sleeves (compression is optional). The over-growth of Russian Thistle between a number of checkpoint tore my shins to a bloody pulp. Also handy for navigating through all the overgrowth areas. They also double as clothing you can get wet to help you stay cool. Not to mention the really cool tan lines they'll produce by the end of the race 😂 lol

(Funny G2G story: By day 2 the high-desert heat had fried my legs pretty good. No amount of sun block would help so I re-purposed my cooling arm sleeves and turned them into protective leg sleeves! Additionally, they helped a TON in those over-growth areas.)

Final Thoughts

Generally speaking, all of these topics can be considered individually when it comes to participating in Grand to Grand but I would also suggest you look at the macro picture as well. It will help guide which of these topics will be more or less important to you depending on how you want (think) your race will go.

Hanging at the G2G cafe

For example:

1. What is your estimated 50k finish time?
• A 7-hour finish means it's still light (hot) out
• Less time, less calories
• No headlamp needed
• Time to wash/dry clothes
• Time to clean your feet
• Time to set up sleep pad/bag
• Time to eat
• Medical tent access
• A 13-hour finish means it's dusk (cooler)
• More time, more calories
• Headlamp, additional batteries/charger?
• Need warmer clothing more accessible
• Limited medical tent access
2. How well do you tolerate 7-10 hours in the heat/desert?
• Do you have an electrolyte strategy (salt tabs v. drinks v. salty food)?
• Do you need a variety of calories and textures (bars v. gels v. liquids)?
• What sun protection do you need (sunblock, clothing)?

I am also a big fan of checklists.

First, for the end of the stage. Take the final :30/:60 minutes before you finish each stage and assess the top 3 things you need to take care of once you cross the finish line for the day. Once all the cheering dies down, just do those things without hesitation. Otherwise, you'll sit down (crash) in the tent and not want to get back up!

Secondly, make that checklist for the top 3 things you need to do in preparation for the next stage. Do those things either before you go to bed or before packing up in the morning. Otherwise, your groggy and fatigued mental state will go on cruise control and you'll forget something. These things have a tendency to pile up over time and create bigger issues later in the race.

7 OA, 1 AG (50-59)

Hopefully between this blog and the amazing G2G podcasts being published from other race veterans you'll have no problem making great choices and figuring how your Grand to Grand adventure is going to play out.

Best of luck and stay safe out there!

(Maybe, just maybe, I'll see you out there in 2024) 😉

The Adventure of A Lifetime (G2G race report) - Part 1

Intro

I have taken a slightly different approach to this race report because of the shear volume of information I'm sharing. While I could make this one HUGE write-up, I decided to provide some general narration of the event from a higher level and then split out the details of each stage into a different post.

Click here for Part 2 (stage details)

Butterflies

Check in nerves

Preparing for a race like Grand to Grand (G2G) is the kind of adventure that feeds my analytical engineering soul. I must have checked and rechecked my spreadsheets, trackers and rule book 200 times leading up to the race check in. I have also packed and re-packed my gear to make sure (1) it all fits and (2) it weighs a "reasonable" amount (21-24 lbs is considered "reasonable").

I've invested well in ultralight camping gear and supplies so I had no worries there. It was honestly worried about the food. Would I have enough? I arrived in Kanab with nearly 15 lbs of food before making 2 cuts and weighing in at 13 lbs for check in. I was advised by the RD's to be even MORE critical of my nutrition and weight before getting to the start line. The minimum weight requirement for the race is 7.7 lbs - I would come in just over 10 lbs for 7 days and I was truly concerned that it wouldn't be enough.

I was truly more nervous about the gear check-in than actually toeing the start line. Did I forget something? Have I made good fueling choices for all the stages? Did I label everything as required? Long adventures like this can be completely deflated by a single bad choice and even though I had planned for most scenarios, you just never know how the day is going to go...let alone a week.

A "Bumpy" Start

It felt great to finally be loading onto the buses to take us out to Camp 1. We were provided a nice sack lunch before boarding knowing that it would be 1.5-2 hours drive to the edge of the Grand Canyon starting line. It was a fairly tight squeeze trying to get warm bodies and our 20 lb packs into a single passenger van. Most everyone sat uncomfortably squished with their packs on their laps for the entirety of the trip. It was particularly harsh as we transitioned to the country road which was anything but smooth. Uncomfortable grins, low guttural moans and heavy sighs were the norm for about an hour as we (in the back seat) endured every single bump like kids catching air in the back of the school bus. It wasn't very pleasant.

As the white tents came into view, so did the amazing views of the Grand Canyon. It's hard not to be impressed with the scale and majesty of millions of years of geologic forces at work. Between getting oriented at our tents, making introductions to new friends/tent-mates and wandering out to the edge of the Grand Canyon for photos, no one was really paying attention to the clouds that were slowly rolling up to our camp.

Sprinkles and low clouds turned into the tent-shaking gusts of a full storm system that would relegate everyone into their tents for about 45 minutes. It was actually cool being forced to sit down with new faces and friends to learn who you'd be spending the week with.

The tent 5 (Hopi) residents were:

• Brooke (USA)
• Joanne (AUS)
• Ryan (UK)
• Nick (UK)
• Erik (CAD)
• Patrick (USA)

Tent 5: Hopi	The GC!
Race briefing	Start line on the GC

Eventually, the storm would subside allowing everyone to gather for a nice dinner and short race briefing overlooking the Grand Canyon. The sunset would help ease all the nervous energy at camp and eventually everyone would hunker down in their tents to start preparing for the 8 am start time.

The Journey

In my opinion, journeys like this require a routine that helps not only maintain your sanity but keeps your body in tune with what you're trying to accomplish. From the start of the race, I did my best to keep a routine as close to real life as possible and ensure my exertion was well within the boundaries of my training. What does that really look like?

1. 6 am wake up, then coffee (no breakfast)!
2. Change into race clothes, re-pack gear
3. Begin racing at 8 am
4. (Back at camp) Wipe down, clean up, wash/rinse clothes
5. (optional medical tent visit)
6. Recovery drink/hydrate, stretch and unwind
7. Eat dinner, hydrate
8. Prep pack for next stage
9. Go to bed ~7:30/8
10. (wake up around 3 to pee) 😜
11. Repeat for 7 days

I feel extremely fortunate to have met Ryan after starting Stage 1. Our paces, race strategy and outlook were very much aligned as first-time stage racers. Having a buddy for something like this was extremely beneficial both physically and mentally. We pushed each other throughout the day and ended up staying together the entire race. Our celebrity couple status was firmly cemented by the checkpoint volunteers - "Tryan" become a G2G household name!

Team 'Tryan'

Overall, the daily miles clicked away without much incident. Vespa remained the cornerstone of my fueling strategy and was the exact right thing under these conditions (my podcast interview with The Juniper Lab goes into more detail on this). Yes, the terrain we navigated was quite difficult in multiple respects but in my opinion, the most challenging element was the heat of the high desert. I initially thought that my summer training in Phoenix (low-desert) would hold up against the forecasted 85 F high temps but the high-desert sun definitely added to the toughness of the first 4 stages. My calves were sunburned at the end of Stage 2 and I knew I needed to fix this or other problems would arise so I re-purposed my arm sleeves into leggings! They worked wonderfully as protection from the thorny things as well as an extra layer of sunblock. Crisis averted.

Arm sleeves converted to leggings 🤦🏽‍♂️

The only other notable "incident" for me was about half-way through Stage 5 when I stepped off the trail to go pee.

I peed a Guinness (stout) 😬 which is not good. I immediately started drinking what water I had left (~1 L) until I got to the next check point, filled my bottles and drank those down (1.5 L) before crossing the finish line for the day. I then had 0.75L of recovery drink, followed by another 1.5 L of water before dinner. I typically stop drinking water after dinner because I know I'll have to pee all night but in this case, I made sure to have another 0.75 L before bed. If you're not good at the math, that's nearly 6 liters of water over the course of 6 hours. I did not pee again until approximately 4 am that morning 🤯 I was happy that I caught up on my hydration but also kicking myself for getting that far behind...

Remember, if you're looking for details about each stage, click over to Part 2. It's about to get sappy...

The Climb

Despite being physically prepared for this race, the thing I was honestly not prepared for was the emotional impact it would leave on me. There is something about the community and friendships that are formed from these days of mutual success and struggle. It's easy to say that adversity creates a common bond but this race goes beyond that...

Finish line feels

Various folks were racing for various reasons and they're not always what you think. The Jar of Hope gang races for kids with MS. A tent-mate was racing for her mom who passed last year. Even if you're running only for yourself, you can't help be moved by these inspirational people and their stories.

<over-sharing starts>

My personal emotions cracked the morning of Stage 5 while sitting on the toilet (of all places). The morning music playlist had been updated to include "Over the rainbow" which instantly reminded me of my mother (who passed away almost 2 years ago). For whatever reason, I was overwhelmed with emotion and needed a few minutes to collect myself before heading back to the tent. Mom always worried about me going on crazy runs or adventures but I know she would be enthralled and amazed at what I was doing over this week. I miss her every day 🥰

</over-sharing ends>

There are no petty differences during the week. No drama. Race, ethnicity and job titles don't mean shit at camp or on the course. Daily banter consists of (a) how shitty the sand was, (b) how many blisters you have (c) what's for dinner and (d) how shitty the sand was 😜 lol. Everyone is invested in everyone from the very start and I love that feeling and camaraderie.

Angela at the finish line	Congrats from Ahmed
David and Anthony	Kim crossing the finish line

Stage 1 head nods eventually turn to high-fives. High-fives turn to hugs. Hugs turn into finish line tears with people you just met a week ago.

Physically hard? Yes.

Emotionally captivating? Yes.

A forever family? Absolutely.

A couple weeks later, my physical issues are slowly fading away but the emotional connection I have to this race/adventure/experience continues to linger. I can't help but look at all the pictures of my new friends and finishers. I hope to see them again in the future ❤️ Congratulations to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Friends, family and other athletes have asked many of the same questions over the last week so I figured why not write them down? 

Why did you do this?

Endurance athletes like myself are always looking for the next challenge - the next hardest thing. Stage racing combines several of my passions - camping, hiking, backpacking and ultra-running to places/views where only your feet can take you. G2G is one of those "local" opportunities that not only checks all my boxes but traverses landscapes that very few people will get to see in their lifetime.

Will you do it again?

Given the positive experience, community vibe and overall good time I had meeting people and doing what I love...yeah, I could see myself doing something like this again. There are plenty of stage races around the world that I love to try but I hope I'm not let down by comparison. G2G has set a high bar!

Are you crazy?

We all have a little bit of crazy brewing inside us - it's just a question of how you channel it. Ultra-running is not just something you jump into. It takes years of patience, training and gradually being able to wrap your head around the solidarity and time it takes to accomplish these distances.

Did you have fun?

Yes. I love adventuring. I also love the community that comes with collective success and suffering. I have never "felt" a race like this before - the family that's created over the course of a week is truly unique and something I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

What was the hardest part?

Specific to racing, the relentless sand of G2G is a doozy. It gets everywhere and is super-annoying (especially the dunes). However, even if you don't have the opportunity to train in the sand, you can effectively run/hike if you know how to navigate it. Alternatively, the hardest part (especially for a first-time stage racer) is the acquisition and inventory of gear, planning your nutrition and testing EVERYTHING prior to the race.

What did you enjoy the most?

Aside from the stunning visual landscapes, the community of people that come together for this event is truly magical. Athletes, volunteers, physicians, civil servants and race directors do everything in their power to get you to that finish line.

Gear List

Numerous folks at the race this year asked about my gear so I've captured the primary items below. It's also a nice intro for folks who are looking at this race in the future - supported or self-supported, your gear choices are meaningful both for your comfort AND weight in your pack. 

• Running Gear
• Pack: USWE Hajker Ultra 30L
• Shirt: Montane Dart Lite
• Shorts (base): 2XU core compression
• Shorts (outer): Nike Stride
• Poles: Leki FX.Superlite
• Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat
• Socks: Injinji mid-weight trail
• Gaiters: Awksports shoe covers
• Nutrition
• Vespa
• Gels: VFuel
• Electrolyte: First Endurance EFS
• Dinners: Pinnacle Foods
• Camping gear
• Sleeping bag: REI Magma 30
• Pad (inflatable): Therma-a-rest Neoair Uberlite
• Pad (base): Gossamer Gear thinlite
• Shoes: Xero aqua cloud sandals
• Pants: Patagonia Terregonne jogger pants
• Top: Rabbit Deflector
• Jacket: Feathered Friends Eos

Don't forget, there's more of the story in Part 2!!

The Adventure of A Lifetime (G2G race report) - Part 2

Overview

My strategy going into G2G was to hike 60-75% of the time and run the downhills and/or flats when it felt reasonable. I gave myself some grace on the first couple stages knowing that I'd be experiencing various things physically and mentally. Turns out, I would learn some valuable lessons on packing my bag as well.

I was not expecting as much sand quite honestly. Deep. Fine. Sand. EVERYWHERE.

I did not train one minute in sand during the summer but I've run in enough sand to know how to do it efficiently. I think this combined with the right shoe choice (Hoka Speedgoats), socks and poles were a couple of the key elements for successfully navigating the true sandy deserts of Arizona and Utah.

My #1 tip? Do not stew over the total miles (for the race or stage). Focus only on the miles for the day and hone in on whatever it takes to get from checkpoint to checkpoint. Every checkpoint has information posted on the distance to the next checkpoint. Focus only on that!! You'll find the miles melting away quickly and you can revel in the energy and excitement of the checkpoint volunteers.

Don't skip Part 1 - read the overview here. In Part 2 I've tried to recall the things that were meaningful to me during these stages without ruining the experience for future participants. Enjoy!

Stage 1

Distance: 30.8 miles / 49.6 km
Stage Time: 8:53:15
Standing (Stage 1): 17 overall / 11th male

My goal was to take it easy out of the gate and let the adrenaline pass over me to ensure a consistent and steady baseline for this 50k. My memorable moments of this stage include:

• The JAR of Hope crew doing pushups at the starting line
• The LeAnn Rimes rendition of the national anthem
• Connecting on course with Ryan
• Pausing at checkpoint #1 to (1) tape my lower back and (2) cut the (brief) liner out of my Nike shorts

This stage is relatively flat and a mix of soft track sand and hard packed sand. It was fully exposed and required traversing a few stretches of desert vegetation full of cacti, native grasses, creosote bushes and Russian thistle.

There is a mood of general excitement but that slowly dissipates as the sun comes out, packs start to settle and idea of a 50k Stage 1 begins to sink in.

Pro tips: (1) Reign in your adrenaline and run as much as you're comfortable. (2) Concentrate on looking down more than looking up. One wrong step and you can end your race with cacti needles in your toes. (3) Gaiters are not necessary for this stage.

Stage 2

Distance: 26.9 miles / 43.3 km
Stage Time: 8:18:34
Standing (Stage 2): 9th place / 5th male

The onslaught of desert vegetation, cacti and fence lines continues in this stage. You'll need to hone your sighting skills to find the flags amongst the bushes, cacti and fence lines but depending on the summer weather, you may or may not need protection for your legs or gaiters. The climbing and descending were a welcome change from Stage 1 - definitely 2 of my favorite things! The last 6 miles were pretty brutal due to the overgrowth of Russian thistle scraping my shins.

Pro tips: (1) Continue to focus on what's at your feet over what's in the distance. Cacti needles will ruin your day. (2) Enjoy the downhill if can. (3) Calf sleeves and gaiters are not a bad idea for this stage but you can get by without them.

Stage 3

Distance: 53.2 miles / 85.4 km
Stage Time: 18:54:23
Standing (Stage 3): 6th place / 4th male

The long stage is (apparently) what separates the wheat from the chaff at G2G. The highest percentage of drops occur before Stage 3 and yet, the finish rate for those that complete Stage 3 is 99+%. Pretty amazing.

It is every bit as hard as you might imagine. With 5,000' of climbing with predominantly deep sand everywhere you go, pacing, hydration and nutrition play a key part in getting you through this stage. I chose not to wear my gaiters until CP6 (right before the dunes) and that did result in some blisters/hot spots on my feet during/after this stage. I think they were a function of the hiking/walking motion over a longer duration of time. I'm pleased with how my Injinji toe socks performed during the race but especially during this stage.

Memorable moments:

• Bob's badass playlist at CP3
• The pet cemetery
• Climbing the coral sand dunes under a full moon
• Glowing cow eyes
• Laying in my tent fading in and out of consciousness around 5 am while eating cold Thai green Currey for breakfast
• Chugging a can of Coke that evening
• Enjoying not 1, but 2 s'mores in celebration of the 10th G2G anniversary

Pro tips: (1) Treat this stage more like a 100km. Be ready to spend 16-30 hours on your feet. (2) Keep a level head on the dunes. It's easy to get frustrated but patience and pace are key. (3) Use the highest setting on your headlamp after the dunes to more easily sight the course markers. (4) The weather, fatigue and your endurance will determine whether you sleep at CP 6, 7 or 8. I recommend to keep moving through the night so you don't have to deal with additional sun/heat of the next day.

Stage 4

Distance: 26.0 miles / 41.9 km
Stage Time: 7:07:05
Standing (Stage 4): 7th place / 5th male

This stage is net downhill and it's quite interesting to see the mood in camp shift in such a positive way. The notion of doing "just" a marathon is utterly insane coming off a 53 mi Stage 3. Comparatively however, this stage was an absolute pleasure. There is a nice climb soon after the start and you make your way into some beautiful wooded areas but eventually find yourself in more sandy track enjoying the net downhill miles of this stage.

Pro tips: (1) Enjoy the cooler temps as you start to gain elevation. (2) Take advantage of (e.g., run) as much of the flat and downhill as possible. (3) Embrace the confidence of finishing stage 3 - a marathon is easy by comparison!

Stage 5

Distance: 26.3 miles / 42.2 km
Stage Time: 7:48:09
Standing (Stage 5): 13th place / 8th male

This day proved to be the hardest stage mentally for me despite the "wow" factor of the slot canyon and other natural geologic wonders you'll experience in the first couple hours. Once this wears off and the remainder of the day sets in, you're left with a fair amount of climbing (~3,200') to get to camp. Of course, those miles are a mix of sand, gravel, cross-country vegetation and lava fields.

I apologized to Ryan that day because I was intensely focused on just getting through the miles. Like an old married couple, we didn't talk much that day. A few groans, grunts and swear words perhaps but it was obvious we were both struggling with the monotony of the miles, nutrition choices and the incessant sandy track. The notion of 'just being done' had surfaced as well, which happily launched us into that foreshadowing conversation of 'what's the first thing you're going to eat/drink?' when we cross the finish line tomorrow...

Pro tips: (1) Stop and enjoy the scenery (slot canyons, general geology and colors). (2) Navigate carefully and observe all the race flags and wrong way signs. (3) Be safe and mentally sharp as you navigate the rocky climbs and lava fields.

Stage 6

Distance: 7.9 miles / 12.7 km
Stage Time: 1:40:19
Standing (Stage 6): 9th place / 8th male

It's brilliant to stagger the start times for the last day. The slower-paced athletes leave first and the leaders leave last. This way, you get to see nearly everyone come through the finish line. Ryan and I were mid-pack and got to leave at 9:30 am. We both had some issues flare up overnight but at this stage of the race, you're pretty much on auto-pilot and ignoring anything that hurts. Your pack is the lightest it's been all week and in your head, you equate the miles to some familiar loop or route you know back home...easy-peasy!

We did not pass many people during this stage - the adrenaline is high and everyone can smell that finish line. The mostly hard-packed road makes this stage highly runnable but there are some decent climbs to crush before you can enjoy the downhill.

I found a certain irony that I had not fallen, tripped or wiped out for an entire week but managed to trip on a branch in the last 400 meters to the finish line. Ugh! Thank goodness no one has it on video!

The finish line is pure emotion and exhaustion. Families. Friends. Athletes. Volunteers. Race directors. Photographers. All the people that have invested in you and your success were there to celebrate the achievement. I truly love this G2G family and definitely can see myself being out there again (likely, as a volunteer first!).

 
Pro tips: (1) Revel in the final miles but don't do anything stupid! (2) Don't hold back the pride and enormity of your success. You are a BFD (big fucking deal!)

Overall

Distance: 171 mi / 275 km
Time: 52: 41:45
Standing: 7th OA / 4th male OA / 1st AG (50-59)

I never had any intention of placing or trying to podium. It was always about the finish line. Reflecting back however, I've always felt that stage racing is the perfect synthesis of the things I love the most and am actually good at when it comes to endurance sports. A strong and stable mental outlook comes with a consistent nutrition strategy...something I've worked really hard at over the last couple years. Training in the desert and summer heat definitely has its advantages as well.

I am humble enough to be surprised (and thankful!) at my place overall but reflecting on all the elements that go into having a solid race, I have the confidence to say I knew what I was doing, had trained well AND had the necessary daily routine to keep me fresh, happy and mentally strong.

Old guys kick ass! 😏

Grateful

I can't thank Tess and Collin for the opportunity to be a part of this family and for creating Grand to Grand. They put on a helluva race. All the volunteers, medical staff and camp crew were completely awesome. I still have not come down off this cloud and continue to connect with many of those athletes in our 'graduating class'. I'm extremely thankful for their unconditional support and friendship. There are some badass humans out there and I watched them do amazing things.