Lean Horse Ultra-Marathon Ultra Tales The breakfast buffet looked wonderful and tempting. I had already eaten, but couldn’t resist and took some goodies. No, that buffet wasn’t at my hotel. It was set up at the start of the “LeanHorse 100”, a few miles away from Hot Springs/SD. Black, deep hanging clouds covered the early morning sky … it was raining. Soon we were on our way, running and walking along the Mickelson Trail, built on an old railroad bed, now a wonderful hiking and biking trail through the scenic Black Hills. About 100 runners started for the 100 miles, 65 or so preferred the 50 k or the 50 mile options. Still being together in groups at the beginning, we didn’t feel wind and rain so much. But that changed … it was not before mile 30, after many hours, when the rain stopped for a while. I had one of these raincoats for 87 cents from this Supercenter, and did wring out my hat every mile or so, and felt ok. Except … Right after the start my right foot started hurting, which really surprised me. A tendon, I thought and loosened the shoe lace somewhat. But it kept hurting and got worse mile after mile. At most of the frequent aid stations I met Traudl, my wife. She crewed me in so far 178 ultras and can read me from far away already. At each stop, in a few “seconds of chaos” she supplied me with all I needed … food, drink, dry shirt … Volunteers at these aid stations were incredible. Day and night, in rain and wind, they provided absolute first class support. Despite the bad weather, always well organized, always friendly, doing their very best to get us to the finish line. Runners can’t thank them enough! There isn’t much climb in this event; maybe a total of 5000 ft. or so. But I enjoyed that after the turnaround at mile 50, it was more downhill than up. It was around midnight, drizzle had started again, when “something big” came from the left and ran up the trail away from me. It was pitch-black. Those of you wearing glasses know how much you see when it’s dark and raining. Anyway, then I heard the sound of “something heavy running towards me”. I stepped to the side and waited, with my flashlight trying to find out what it was. And then in front of me stood, frightened, a llama. We looked at each other, and then both of us kept going in opposite directions. Shortly afterwards I met some runners. I had done the race last year already (I liked it, that’s why I came back), and hadn’t met anybody between aid stations from mile 50 to 85. This year was different, as I had the pleasure to walk with Joe Pringle through many night and early morning hours. In the meantime my hurting foot changed from bad to worse. And I thought about all the hikes and races I had planned for the next weeks and months … like my 40th anniversary of doing ultras. No, I wouldn’t stop … following my motto “just keep going”. It was at mile 80, when suddenly it started raining hard again. As I later read, the record rain of 0.47 inches for that day was set in 1977. Till I reached the finish line, we got 0.88 inches … More and more limping, I started counting down quarter miles – 5 minutes. It kept the mind busy. For the last miles I took an umbrella, despite the heavy wind. It was a nice change for a few miles. And then the last 2 miles to the finish … Last year I walked in with 80 plus degrees, the sun and I smiling in competition. This time I just wanted to get it over with, didn’t want to step anymore on my foot which was now in really great pain. Traudl came walking towards me, many huge and lovely teddy bears (no hallucinations) were sitting on both sides of the trail, and someone played a drum. There was the finish banner. Jerry, the RD, was waiting … and again a table full of food and drinks. I stopped. And the rain stopped as well. A couple of hours later, after a warm and cold buffet, Jerry, Waylen and Elaine presented the awards in a “sportive festive” atmosphere. Yes, I will be back again. No, it will never again rain this much. It’s an extremely well organized event, supported by wonderful people, on an easy course through the scenic Black Hills. And Jerry already mentioned further improvements. Find out yourself what he is talking about! |
