Zane Grey 50

Funny how quickly you forget how to pack for a race when you haven't done it for so long. My last race was back in October so the idea of packing for, during and after the race had me a little flustered leading up to the 26th running of Zane Grey up in Payson, AZ.

I packed a couple bags full of cold weather gear, hot weather gear and everything in between...not to mention actual race clothing, nutrition, rain coats, gloves and oh, yeah the kitchen sink. It felt like enough stuff for a week at summer camp. Surely, I wasn't forgetting anything (more on this later).

GG and I make the road trip up to Payson early that Friday afternoon to avoid traffic and pick up my bib number. Super stoked to see that a hazardous weather warning has been issued for race day...wouldn't want to make this race any easier than it already is!

We stuffed ourselves at Chili's and made our way back to the Super 8 to chill out and get ready for race day, pacing and the weather. After dozing off at about 8:30, I woke up at about 2 am realizing that I had forgotten to pack my primary shoes...DOH!...which made me toss and turn wondering what the hell else I'd forgotten. Turns out, that was the worst of it :)

The race start was uneventful. I wasn't nervous. I was just tired...and glad to have a pair of backup shoes (as-in, brand-new-worn-once-shoes). Suffice it to say, about 3 miles into the race it felt like I had small rocks wedged between my shoe and my heels. Try as I might to adjust my socks, the rock wouldn't come out. Eventually, I sat down to empty my shoes to ensure I wouldn't get any blisters.

Too late. Pulling back my shocks revealed two dime-sized blisters already cracked open and raw - one on each heel. Waves of pain flashed through my feet with every step. Try as I might, there was no escaping it. I finally made it into the Geronimo aid station (mile 8) and was able to tape up my heels to help the continuous rubbing from my new shoes.

Turns out, the conditions for 98% of the day were splendid for running. Low-to-mid-60's. Mostly cloudy with just enough moisture from the previous night to keep all the dust and pollen down. Aside from some discomfort from my blisters, the miles were ticking away and slowly but surely I ran past the 15 mile mark...exceeding my longest training run prior to the race.

Let me be clear. There is no "easy" stretch on this course. I should have learned my lesson from running the Mogollon Monster...it's decent up until Washington Park but then the trail goes to sh*t pretty quick. The Hell's Gate aid station is literally like leaving one ring of Dante's hell and venturing onto THE worse part of the Highline Trail. Boulders, hardened undulating elk tracks and washed out trails seriously make you question what the heck you're doing out there subjecting yourself to an insane amount of torture. I continued to wonder how much punishment my ankle could take...

Now don't get me wrong - the views are incredible. Truly unique for Arizona. Beautiful and cruel all at the same time. But if you pause to look up at the scenery and take your eyes off the trail, you're bound to land on your face.

Photo credit: SweetM Images

I freely admit, going into this race I expected to roll my ankle many times and be satisfied with calling it a 'training run'. I would make the "smart choice" at Fish Hatchery (mile 33) and call it a day. I wavered for 10+ miles..."should I save my ankle or just get it done?" I pondered. Coming into Fish Hatchery aid station, I was pretty much decided that I was done. But then it hit me like a ton of bricks...if I dropped, I'd regret not finishing and ultimately would have to come back and run this race (trail) again. Aside from that, GG would mock me FOREVER...ain't nobody got time fo dat!

So without hesitation, I reloaded my pack with water, Tailwind, gels and wafers for the 11-mile stretch to the See Canyon aid station. It was pretty much a blur - except for that big f-ing hill we had to climb.

It. Just. Would. Not. End.

Sweet 8-pound baby Jesus...after that however, the trail turns (relatively) nice and smooth. I remember hitting a couple low spots but only because I wasn't fueling properly. Soon enough we hit See Canyon and began the last stretch of 6 miles to the finish.

Photo credit: SweetM Images

Again, the trail is a bit nicer in this stretch but still filled with random rocks and washed out sections that take sideways running to a whole new level. About 2 miles out of See Canyon, you could see the rain rolling in. Flashes of lightening were quickly followed by claps of thunder over our heads. It felt like that scene from the The Great Outdoors. I was just waiting to be struck by lightening in the head (66 times!)

The temperatures dropped and the rain started to fall steadily over the course of the last 4 miles. It would occasionally turn to hail but nothing like last year's snow-pocalypse. It was a wet and miserable 4 miles. Like the Highline Trail needed anything else to make it more miserable...puddles, mud slicks and wet rocks are definitely enough for this dude.


14 hours and 29 minutes later that day, I would pull into the finish line pretty much on the cusp of being completely soaked through my rain coat. Without hesitation, I collected my finishers jacket and put on some dry clothes thankful to be in one piece and unscathed.

I can honestly say it's going to take something special to get me back onto that trail. I love the location, scenery and majesty of what Arizona has to offer but the thought of running that trail again makes my sphincter pucker.

Here's to Joe for putting on a great race. Kudos to the aid stations and volunteers for making sure everyone was once again safe.

Peace out Zane Grey!

Reflecting on MOG100 (2013)

There is something about a race born out of hard work and passion that makes the experience and ultimate finish especially satisfying. The Mogollon Monster was the final race of my 2013 season and is an experience that is forever burned into my memory. Both the highs and lows are badges of honor I will wear proudly for a very long time. It truly is the bar I use when comparing other race experiences.

I'm bummed that I can't be at the race this year volunteering (I'll be at my own race that weekend) so I thought the next best thing would be to share my thoughts and experience to get you through those 30+ hours and across the finish line. Have no doubt this will probably be the hardest course you ever experience so bring all your fears, hopes and questions to the table and just make it happen.

Best of luck conquering the Monster!

3 things I'd do again

Carry the map

The best map for the race is here and is an excellent reference to keep with you at all times. There are a number of turns and loops on the course that you may find yourself asking, "What the hell direction am I supposed to go?" The map answers all those questions very easily. Alternatively, there are multiple places to get the GPX course to keep it in your watch.

Bring experienced crew and pacers

This isn't a Sunday stroll on the canal. Despite the excellent course markings, athlete guide and map there are still plenty of opportunities to get disoriented, mentally beaten and/or confused down while you're wandering out in the wild country of the Mogollon Rim. An experienced pacer (combined with a fore-mentioned map or GPS course) is a must-have if you intend stay on track heading up Myrtle or up Webber at mile 95. I had pacers for miles 50-85 and another from mile 85 to the finish.

Mary (L), me and Jon (R)

Take your time down to Washington Park

Given that Washington Park is the 'hub' of all the aid stations, there's bound to be cheers, noise and the welcoming prospect of clothing changes, food and a place to rest your weary bones. You'll be tempted to hurry down this section into the aid station but beware - larger slick rocks often covered with sand make this a potentially hazardous stretch that can easily end your race. Take it slow (both times) and ensure your footing is solid...even more so if you hit this section at dusk or early evening. If nothing else, your knees will thank you :)

3 things I'd do different:

Prepare for lower temperatures (on top of the rim)

The first thing that comes to mind is obviously clothing and being prepared for colder temperatures - this is definitely the first priority. Equally important is placing these in the appropriate drop bags/aid stations. Thanks to my pacer, I reconfigured my drop bag clothing the night before and it ultimately saved my ass while navigating those 35+ miles on the rim that night. The one thing to also consider is how the cooler temperatures will affect the nutrition you plan to carry. 2013 saw nighttime temperatures on the rim in the low-40's...gels, chomps and wafers aren't as chewy and delicious when they're hard as rocks.

Bring more shoes and socks

Post-MOG Hobbit feet

At times, the MOG course is an enigma wrapped in a mystery given the diversity of the many trails it covers. Silty sand can quickly turn to rocky cover. Undulating washes are littered with small boulders and quickly drop off into pine-needle-covered single track. And there's Donahue. Point is, your feet will experience every inch of these trails and unless you take care of them, they will betray you somewhere during the race. I only changed my shoes at miles 50 and 85. Looking back however, I should have changed both my shoes and socks at these checkpoints.

Wear calf sleeves

Yes, we all look cooler with calf sleeves and there might be some side benefits due to compression (or something) but if nothing else, they will save your legs from all the manzanita bushes and agave plants that typically overgrow the Highline trail. A leg massage by Freddy Krueger would feel better than the sweat and dirt mingling with the fresh cuts from these unforgiving plants.

Don't wrestle the natives

You can my my original race report here.

Sometimes plans change

First light from Pine, AZ

Given my upcoming schedule for the next couple weeks, I really wanted to head up north to Pine, AZ for one of my long runs. It would serve a couple purposes:

1. Long run
2. Training at elevation

Pine, AZ is at about 5,400' and many of the trails extend well into the range of 6,000-7,000 feet. It is home to some of the most infamous notorious  toughest trail runs in the country...Zane Grey 50 and the Mogollon Monster 100. Both of which are on my race calendar this year.

I'm going to do my best NOT to plug Motel 6 but I thought I'd be clever and drive up to Payson on Friday night and get up early to go hit the trails. Turns out, the walls of the Payson Motel 6 are paper-thin and I could hear every sound from my less-than- thoughtful neighbors.

After ducking into the Payson Walmart at 3 am to get a blanket, I headed to the Pine trail head to try and get some sleep before the sun came up. Turns out, my Camry is not comfortable at all and I did not get any sleep while hanging out in the dark.

As a metaphor for racing, sometimes you have to change your plans and make the best of things. Starting late meant that I was even more time constrained given I needed to be home before 2.

I started up the Pine trail and it was clear within the first half mile that my ability to climb and use less oxygen was also going to hamper my distance goal for the day. After going 5 miles in 1.5 hours, I resolved to do a couple ONB's on the Pine and Arizona trails and just enjoy the time out on the trail (as you can tell from all the pictures)

To say that these trails were challenging would be an understatement. Having run the San Tan trail for so long, I can honestly say I've been pampered with the wide smooth trails and easy climbs. The Pine trail was covered in rocks, treacherous elk tracks and overgrown with thorny bushes that scraped the arms and legs at every turn.

I was truly enjoying the views and the varying terrain of this area. One minute you're on rocky trails, the next you're on a forest trail covered in pine needles. I may have taken more pictures during the first couple hours than I did running :)

After bumping into JeremyD (RD for the MOG100), I headed back to the trail head to refuel and get stocked up for the next 10 miles. I crossed over Highway 87 and headed up the Arizona Trail.

After covering a couple miles on the Arizona Trail, I realized that the Pine Trail was only a warm up for the feet-bashing and knee-knocking rocks and boulder-hopping. It's been a long time since I've felt this beat up from a 20-mile run.

The sweeping views and amazing sights from many of the climbs almost make the harsh trail conditions worth it.

With my water bottles slowly draining and the heat of the day bearing down on my, the pressure I felt in my chest and the thumping in my ears made it clear to me that the altitude, trail and heat were a combination that was going to be a tough to overcome for Zane Grey and MOG.

I had a great time up north and really enjoyed this run even though my ankles, feet and knees still hurt today. Here are a few more pictures from the run.

Rough grade and rocks on the Arizona Trail

Critters

Looking east toward Highline from the Arizona Trail

In bloom

Oak Spring