After running (2) 50 milers and (1) other 50K this year, the Speedgoat 50K at Snowbird would prove to be the race that had the most elevation change of all (about 15,000 feet elevation gain). I met Mike, my usual running companion, at his home in Sandy at about 5:20 AM for the short drive up to Snowbird. I must say starting a race from the Snowbird Center provides for a real nice starting point (i.e., a real bathroom versus a dark port-a-pottie).
The race started at 6:30 AM from the base of the Peruvian lift. At first we jogged down a trail towards the bottom of Gad Valley. Then we worked our way up Gad and turned back east towards the Peruvian lift. Our first real climb led us up under the Peruvian chairlift. (and I mean hike, not run). Then we criss-crossed back to Gad Valley past the the Mid-Gad lodge (not serving breakfast today). We then took the service road up to the top of the Gad II chairlift where we caught our first feel of the sun's rays. Still nice and cool though. Then we went off trail down from Gad II towards the base of Little Cloud. 
This was our first real taste of a controlled run down terrain of loose dirt and rock, something we would get accustomed too.
This was our first real taste of a controlled run down terrain of loose dirt and rock, something we would get accustomed too.Then we took the trail up the Little Cloud Bowl. I knew this climb would test both Mike's sore ankle and his un-trained legs (since he's been recovering from the Squaw Peak strain/tear, he's only had about 2 weeks of running). 
I got fairly far ahead and was able to summit (HP) Hidden Peak (about 11000') in 2.5 hrs. This gave me plenty of time to eat an assortment of bananas, watermelon, oranges, PB&J, and water and also take another civilized potty break in the HP warming hut. 
Mike arrived and got his fill and we headed up towards Mt. Baldy. He did a little better summiting Baldy, the highest point on the course at about 11070'. After a brief photo or two we headed down the most technical part of the course, the east Baldy Ridge. 
The RD had (2) Black Diamond spotters with a rope to assist runners down a steep, rocky section. Just before we arrived, a lady had tripped and fallend about 50 feet and got her head, shoulder and arm cut up pretty badly. 
That was the end of her race.
I got fairly far ahead and was able to summit (HP) Hidden Peak (about 11000') in 2.5 hrs. This gave me plenty of time to eat an assortment of bananas, watermelon, oranges, PB&J, and water and also take another civilized potty break in the HP warming hut. Mike arrived and got his fill and we headed up towards Mt. Baldy. He did a little better summiting Baldy, the highest point on the course at about 11070'. After a brief photo or two we headed down the most technical part of the course, the east Baldy Ridge. 
The RD had (2) Black Diamond spotters with a rope to assist runners down a steep, rocky section. Just before we arrived, a lady had tripped and fallend about 50 feet and got her head, shoulder and arm cut up pretty badly. 
That was the end of her race.We continued down through Mineral Basin to the next aid station (water only). 
From there, it was about 4 miles down American Fork Canyon of most a rocky jeep trail with some sections of running water on the road. I beat Mike to the Dutch Flat Aid Station by about 5 minutes. Once again, there was plenty of food and helpful volunteers to fill water bottles. This was the lowest point of the course at about 7600', even lower than the base of Snowbird. Mike and I joined up again for the slog up Mary Ellen Gulch. This was again, a rocky jeep road, that paralled a nice stream and circled a mountain west of our route down. It was starting to get quite warm as we hiked up passing several mines including the Yankee Mine. Mike was suffering some cramps but managed to work through them. I gradually left him behind, confident that he'd be OK. 
From there, it was about 4 miles down American Fork Canyon of most a rocky jeep trail with some sections of running water on the road. I beat Mike to the Dutch Flat Aid Station by about 5 minutes. Once again, there was plenty of food and helpful volunteers to fill water bottles. This was the lowest point of the course at about 7600', even lower than the base of Snowbird. Mike and I joined up again for the slog up Mary Ellen Gulch. This was again, a rocky jeep road, that paralled a nice stream and circled a mountain west of our route down. It was starting to get quite warm as we hiked up passing several mines including the Yankee Mine. Mike was suffering some cramps but managed to work through them. I gradually left him behind, confident that he'd be OK. 
Once on my own I started to pass (pick off) quite a few runners on the climb back to Mineral Basin. These work folks we had run into earlier in the race. After a quick stop at the Mineral Basin waterstop, I continued on up the Basin. Although it was past noon, it wasn't quite as hot since we were above 9500'. The course zig-zagged up the basin and I continued to pass more people until I arrived at the west entrance of the tunnel, affectionately known as the "Basshole" after Snowbird owner Dick Bass. 
The tunnel normally only open in the winter to transport skiers from one side of the mountain to the other, was open for our race. Unfortunately the conveyor was turned off, but it was a nice cool run through the appx. 100 yard tunnel. After coming out the north side, I looked at the markings (orange flags and chalk arrows) to figure out that I had a rather long descent ahead of me.
The tunnel normally only open in the winter to transport skiers from one side of the mountain to the other, was open for our race. Unfortunately the conveyor was turned off, but it was a nice cool run through the appx. 100 yard tunnel. After coming out the north side, I looked at the markings (orange flags and chalk arrows) to figure out that I had a rather long descent ahead of me.At this point (past mile 20) I could definitely feel some hot spots (or flat out broken blisters) developing on my feet. I stopped in the shade and changed socks. This helped momentarily but the constant down hill stride on rocks and gravel was causing a great deal of friction. I just had to try to look past the pain. Finally the course turned back up, passed under the tram and headed for the cirque or ridgeline that heads up towards Hidden Peak. For me, this was the toughest part of the run. It was steep and hot, my feet hurt and I needed some fuel. 
Fortunately, I had one more chocolate chip cookie. I like them better than gels for a quick energy boost. Near the top of the ridge I saw Kristen Wojcichowski (sp?) waiting to greet her husband John. I told her he was probably 1/2 hr behind me as I had passed him in Mineral Basin.
Fortunately, I had one more chocolate chip cookie. I like them better than gels for a quick energy boost. Near the top of the ridge I saw Kristen Wojcichowski (sp?) waiting to greet her husband John. I told her he was probably 1/2 hr behind me as I had passed him in Mineral Basin.To may great dismay, instead of continuing to the Hidden Peak aid station, the course headed down into the Little Cloud Bowl. About half way down the trail jogs over to the snowfields in the bowl that we attempted to zig-zag up towards the high cat track. 
On the way up I saw many runners coming down the same trail for their final descent. Although this was a little disheartening, I knew I'd be on the other end of the deal in about an hour. This turned out to be a long period between aid stations, so the race crew had a guy walking down with a big container of water to "save" people who were running out. I was one of them.
On the way up I saw many runners coming down the same trail for their final descent. Although this was a little disheartening, I knew I'd be on the other end of the deal in about an hour. This turned out to be a long period between aid stations, so the race crew had a guy walking down with a big container of water to "save" people who were running out. I was one of them.I finally summitted HP for the final time, did a quick refuel and headed east down the ridgeline. The course dipped slightly into Mineral Basin and then zig-zagged back up to the ridge. I had passed numerous people to this point. 
There was one more guy ahead of me but I could tell he didn't want me to pass as he really poured it on once we crossed over the ridge and started heading down. I couldn't go downhill very fast with my blistered feet. It actually felt good to come through the snowfields and sort of slide down instead of run down. I made my way down past Mid-Gad through the Gad Valley. It was really hot at this point. I just tried my best to do a slow run and ensure no one passed me. The course finally turned east and headed back to the finish line at the base of the Peruvian lift where the course started.
There was one more guy ahead of me but I could tell he didn't want me to pass as he really poured it on once we crossed over the ridge and started heading down. I couldn't go downhill very fast with my blistered feet. It actually felt good to come through the snowfields and sort of slide down instead of run down. I made my way down past Mid-Gad through the Gad Valley. It was really hot at this point. I just tried my best to do a slow run and ensure no one passed me. The course finally turned east and headed back to the finish line at the base of the Peruvian lift where the course started. The friendly folks at the finish line cheered as I finished in about 10 hrs 15 minutes. Although this was about 1 hr slower than I hoped, I didn't feel bad since it was such a difficult course and I stayed with Mike for the 1st half of the race. 
(Don't get me wrong, he'll beat me any day in a flatter road race). It felt great to have a piece of pizza at the finish line and soak my tired, hot feet in the Little Cottonwood stream. 
Mike came in about an hour 20 minutes later. We stuck around long enough for me to win a head lamp in the drawing. 24 hours after the race my legs feel relatively good, though my blistered feet are still recovering from a very exciting and challenging Speedgoat 50K.
(Don't get me wrong, he'll beat me any day in a flatter road race). It felt great to have a piece of pizza at the finish line and soak my tired, hot feet in the Little Cottonwood stream. 
Mike came in about an hour 20 minutes later. We stuck around long enough for me to win a head lamp in the drawing. 24 hours after the race my legs feel relatively good, though my blistered feet are still recovering from a very exciting and challenging Speedgoat 50K.
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