This is a delayed race report on my run at the Bryce 100 Ultra, held on June 14-15, 2014.
Packet pickup was on Friday, June 13, at the Best Western Ruby's Inn, in Bryce Canyon City. After picking up packets, runners were directed to take their drop bags out to a grassy staging area on the hotel grounds where the pre-race pizza party was being held. As we arrived at the drop bag site, I saw Timmy Olson chatting with some other runners. I went over to meet him and we got a photo with him as well. He was such a friendly guy, and was there to crew/pace for his wife Krista, who was running in the 50 mile race.
It was a nice surprise to find that the Bald Runner, Jovie Narcise, was also entered in this race. This was the first time I met him in person. Unfortunately, we never crossed paths on the trail, after the start.
I really enjoyed this course, but the altitude was difficult to deal with. The consequence was a slower than usual pace. It took more than 15 hours to get to the turn around point at Crawford Pass. Although I was taking it quite easy and stopping quite frequently to take photos, text locations and times to my wife, shoot video, etc. To make a long story short, I was experiencing discomfort due to GI issues, and decided to drop out of the run at 50 miles. I felt that I had covered the whole course, and didn't feel inclined to do the return trip in the cold night with the discomfort I was experiencing. I suppose in short, I lost the mental battle. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the experience immensely and vowed to return for the full distance next year.
Here's a video of the race that I put together that should give you a good idea of the flavor of this race, and course. It was truly a beautiful and memorable experience!
Packet pickup was on Friday, June 13, at the Best Western Ruby's Inn, in Bryce Canyon City. After picking up packets, runners were directed to take their drop bags out to a grassy staging area on the hotel grounds where the pre-race pizza party was being held. As we arrived at the drop bag site, I saw Timmy Olson chatting with some other runners. I went over to meet him and we got a photo with him as well. He was such a friendly guy, and was there to crew/pace for his wife Krista, who was running in the 50 mile race.
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| Gilbert Gray and me meeting Timmy Olson at the pizza party. (Photo by Telly Encarnación) |
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| Huddling around to warm up in the dawn hours before the race. (Photo by Alex Santiago) |
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| Chatting with Race Director Matt Gunn before the start. (Photo by Alex Santiago) |
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| The start of the race! (Photo by Alex Santiago) |
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| Example of the amazing scenery here along the Thunder Mountain trail. (Photo: Selfie) |
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| Group shot before the start, with Jovie Narcise ("The Bald Runner"), Nick Combs, Gilbert Gray, and myself. (Photo: Selfie) |
It was a nice surprise to find that the Bald Runner, Jovie Narcise, was also entered in this race. This was the first time I met him in person. Unfortunately, we never crossed paths on the trail, after the start.
I really enjoyed this course, but the altitude was difficult to deal with. The consequence was a slower than usual pace. It took more than 15 hours to get to the turn around point at Crawford Pass. Although I was taking it quite easy and stopping quite frequently to take photos, text locations and times to my wife, shoot video, etc. To make a long story short, I was experiencing discomfort due to GI issues, and decided to drop out of the run at 50 miles. I felt that I had covered the whole course, and didn't feel inclined to do the return trip in the cold night with the discomfort I was experiencing. I suppose in short, I lost the mental battle. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the experience immensely and vowed to return for the full distance next year.
Here's a video of the race that I put together that should give you a good idea of the flavor of this race, and course. It was truly a beautiful and memorable experience!
