From owner-ultra@caligari.Dartmouth.EDU Mon Aug 18 14:50:48 1997 From: Dana Roueche To: , Subject: Leadville Report Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 17:51:12 -0400 This year's story is about taking a risk, a big risk that almost cost me the run. Knowing that I hadn't recovered from Hardrock and that I wasn't going to be setting any speed records, I tried a little different challenge. A challenge which was more to satisfy my curiosity than anything. A challenge I would take because as usual, every year I underestimate the difficulty of Leadville and this year was no exception. At the medical check the day before the run, my heart rate was measured at 88. When in good form, it is about 36 at home when I wake up and usually in the 50's when they check it. This was just another confirmation of the fact that I wasn't back in form from Hardrock. In spite of knowing that, I tried the added challenge of running Leadville unsupported. I was planning to only use the aid stations for water. Everything that I was to need for the 100 mile run, I carried in a backpack. The backpack was far too heavy for my physical status, the difficulty of the course and the 30 hr time limit. By the first aid station at 13.5 miles, I knew I was in trouble. My pace was OK but it took an enormous amount of effort for me to get there. I continued on with all the added weight of the backpack to the 40 mile aid station at Twin Lakes. At that point, I knew that if I didn't dump the pack, I was not going to finish. Fortunately, Leadville is an out and back course so I would be able to get my stuff again in 20 miles. The good thing was that at about 35 miles I was able to clear out all the cobwebs from Hardrock and felt my running improve. The bad part was the weight of the backpack for the first 40 miles had taken a big chunk of my strength. Yes, this again was going to be a big struggle and again going to be a big test of will and spirit. It was not about physical strength, there wasn't any left. After dumping my anchor at 40 miles, my pace improved dramatically relative to others in the run around me. I am real curious to see how many places I changed in the last 60 miles. I left the 50 mile turn around 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff knowing full well that I never wanted to be in that position because it is very difficult to stay ahead of the cutoffs at Leadville once they creep up on you. If I can offer one piece of advice, use the splits in the Leadville strategy I wrote and don't chase the cutoffs. It was now time to be very concerned, not only was I just ahead of the cutoffs but I was physically dead. Mentally, I was still very drained from Hardrock. I questioned whether I had the drive to pull it off again. Did I really want to put myself through the ordeal again. Maybe it was time to face my first DNF. The saving factor was my trump card. My 13 year old daughter Jenni had been getting up at 5:30 every morning for the last several months to train to pace me over the last 5 miles of the run. It would have broken my heart to disappoint her and not meet her at mile 95. She had made a commitment to train to help me, it was my turn to make a commitment to do everything in my power to get to mile 95. That was where my mental power came from and what kept me going. Simply finishing this one, was not enough to keep me going. Sharing the last 5 miles with Jenni was the motivation I needed. My whole plan was to try to get to the next aid station with more of a buffer than I had when leaving the last one. The added buffer would allow me to spend time eating and resting. At 60 miles, I picked up my backpack again but unloaded everything except what I'd need for the last 40 miles. My wife met me there with an egg and sausage croissant, a life saver. She knew I was in trouble at mile 40 and knew that real food can be a critical factor for me. The aid station at mile 70 has a short cutoff and has been the subject of debate and controversy in the past. I arrived only 12 minutes ahead, used 6 minutes and left knowing the next cutoff would be more relaxed. By mile 77, I entered the aid station with a little under 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff, I used 15 minutes to eat potato soup and headed out. I knew I had to complete the last 23 miles in a time faster than I have ever run that section in the 4 prior Leadvilles I've done. My focus was entirely on beating the next cutoff, it was the only thing between me and mile 95. My plan was to run everything that wasn't uphill. I had a great section and added 15 minutes back to my cutoff buffer and ensured a finish. I left the final aid station with 3:54 left to run 13.5 rocky, rolling miles. Last year I did the section in 3:45 so I knew I was going to finish. Since you never know what might happen, I didn't let up. I met Jenni at mile 95 where she took on the role of my pacer. In spite of this being her first time as a pacer, she acted like a pro. She told me all the famous lies, like you look great, your pace is terrific, etc. Everything you wish where true, you know it isn't but is good to hear anyhow. The last 5 miles where the most enjoyable of the entire run. I was thrilled, I couldn't believe I pulled it off and I got to share the accomplishment and excitement with Jenni. As an added bonus, my other daughter Ashley who kept telling me how proud she was of me, met me with a mile to go. In addition, Karl King met me shortly after that to bring me into the finish. I finished Leadville, a very special run with very special people in 29:25 to a huge hug from my wife, Jill. Jill told me this was the best one yet, I hope they don't get any better. As she followed my progress or lack of it, she was able to see that I was forced to run with the power that comes from inside. This power clearly made the difference between finishing and dropping out. For all the many list members at the run, it was a great pleasure meeting you for the first time or seeing you again and I hope to see all of you next year at Leadville. Dana Dana Roueche Boulder, Colorado IBM Mail: danar@ibmusm50 Internet Mail: danar@us.ibm.com