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.

Mogollon Monster 100 Race Report

Three weeks prior to the race, I had gone up to Pine for a training run with a buddy. We navigated many of the Mogollon Monster trails and climbed many of the same climbs I would face on race day. We put in a meager 25 miles and my legs were trashed, my lungs on fire (from the altitude) and my shins raw from all the thorny bushes covering the Highline Trail. If you had asked me then how I felt about the race, my abilities and my level of confidence, I would have given myself a 30-50% chance of finishing.

Jump ahead a couple weeks.

I honestly did not have the time to stress over this race or feverishly study the maps like I normally do (due to the loss of a close personal friend). It wasn't until Wednesday before the race that I started to think about the course and mentally prepare for the possible 36 hours I'd be spending on my feet.

The evening before the race, Jon and I were discussing logistics at our cabin. Despite my seemingly uncoordinated and thoughtless race plan, I was enveloped with a aura of confidence about the race. It's difficult to describe...I wasn't being cocky or arrogant, but I just felt like this race was going to go well. I could already see myself crossing the finish line but I honestly couldn't tell you why I was feeling this way. It just felt right.

Straying from my traditional race report, I decided to list out the memorable moments from the race rather than taking you through each aid station (honestly, I don't remember some of them!)

• The acapella Leann Rimes version of the national anthem is amazing.

  

  Descending Turkey Springs
  (courtesy of AP Photography)

• The view descending Turkey Springs was breathtaking. (Just don't gawk while descending - it will end badly)
• Between Geronimo and Washington Park, I remember thinking to myself, "No way I want to do Zane Grey..."
• Where's my crew chief?!
• JohnV gives a great neck and shoulder massage (Houston Bros. A/S)
• Houston Brothers trail has got to be the most wonderful trail in all of Arizona.
• My knees feel like they're going to explode descending into Washington Park. (How am I going to do this again?!)

  

  Coming into Washington Park
  (courtesy of Michael Miller)

• Sitting next to a heat lamp eating a grilled cheese sandwich and trying to change my socks at the same time. Multi-tasking = fail!
• JonN begins pacing duties and we begin the daunting stretch to Buck Springs (via Myrtle). Very little running during this stretch...
• We catch up to Tawnya and spend several hours navigating the 'grasslands' with her. Nice gal, mother of 5 reveling in the fact that she's out here and her husband has the kids all weekend (insert maniacal laugh!)
• Holy crap the climb up Myrtle sucks! Covered in grass and 2 feet away from the edge of the rim makes for a slow and scary climb.
• It's really cold on top of the rim (was that sweat or snot dripping down my face?)
• Back to Houston Brothers at about 5 am. NoahD gives a great neck and shoulder massage as well.
• Sunrise while running down the Rim Rd - spectacular.
• The lyrics of 'Lose Yourself' (Eminem) playing over and over in my mind:

"Here I go it's my shot, feet fail me not...this may be the only opportunity I've got. Success is my only mutha-f*ckin' option. Failure's not."

• MaryK waits patiently to pace me the last 20 miles (goodbye Washington Park!)
• Want to know what you're really made of? Climb Webber after 95 miles.
• Descent down Donahue - first time I've ever felt like my legs were actually made of Jell-O.
• I was waiting for the lights to come on in the tunnel and for it to start spinning
• My son and daughter waiting for me 20 yards from the finish line - "Daddy, let's race..."

33:37 - 14th place overall

Couldn't have done it without these two!

Thanks to my wife and kids for all their support. Love you!

Of the race, I will tell you 3 things:

1. You will not find a race director who is more insanely passionate about the course, the participants and showcasing this beautiful area of the Mogollon Rim to ensure this is the best race you will ever experience. It's top notch and should be on your list for 2014.
2. Some folks talk about graduate-level trail races. These trails, combined with the distance and climbing, requires a Ph.D. It is nothing short of hard. Expect to find out what you're really made of.
3. Some folks believe that the Mogollon Monster is a legend. By just toeing the line, you too become a part of that legend. Finish under 36 hours and you become legendary...

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