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.