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Post by thr3ee on Aug 28, 2007 15:42:36 GMT -5
Just finished reading your report and I absolutely love it, Sarah. It definitely sounds like one epic run. I really have to thank you for putting yourself out there like a guinea pig and testing this route so that NOBODY EVER HAS TO DO IT AGAIN! It's probably one of the first race/run reports that I read where my reaction was anything but a desire to repeat the experience myself. However, it still remained extremely inspiring from start to finish. You really captured the mental struggle of running on roads with cars for hours and hours on end. The amazing support and love of Wendell and Aaron helping you through it really came through as well. Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us.
By the way, for some reason, one of my favorite lines in the whole story has got to be:
"...because it somehow seemed comforting to at least have a lot of fluids if I was going to be breaking the law"
It just seems to capture the flavor of a mind simply giving into the often bizarre nature of these struggles we seem to force on ourselves when we have long stopped asking why we do it.
Congrats, Sarah. A great adventure and a great story!
-Steve
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Post by pctrailruns on Aug 28, 2007 19:06:42 GMT -5
Just finished reading your report and I absolutely love it, Sarah. It definitely sounds like one epic run. I really have to thank you for putting yourself out there like a guinea pig and testing this route so that NOBODY EVER HAS TO DO IT AGAIN! It's probably one of the first race/run reports that I read where my reaction was anything but a desire to repeat the experience myself. How 'bout this, Steve? Would you like to experience this one?: March 2005, Don Lundell and I found ourselves at the Rucky Chucky river crossing at 7:30 p.m. after 39 hours of snowshoeing and running along the Western States trail. The deep, swift, and icy river looked like death in the dark. Sarah, Aaron, & Gillian were horrified, waiting to help on the other side. We stopped. One of the great things about our beloved sport is that we can do extreme things in a relatively safe way. We weren’t prepared to safely cross the river last year. This year would be different. To be honest, I wasn’t too excited to receive Bob Akka’s email last December asking about this year’s expedition. Don was injured and was doubtful. I decided to just snowshoe, with Bob on skis, 39 miles to Robinson Flat and out to China Wall. With Jasper Halekas joining us, it would be a nice day trip across the Sierras. Well, the week before our planned date, Bob pointed out that conditions would be ideal for the full Winter Western States. I agreed but I needed to check out the river crossing first. I drove up with my ¾ wetsuit and swam across without coming close to the rapids. The cold river fatigued me on the return swim. Would I have the strength to swim across after crossing the Sierras in the winter?! Kayaking across or driving around just didn’t seem in the spirit of the journey. Our plan was to travel 50 miles unsupported to Michigan Bluff following last year’s WS course, except for the Little Bald Mountain loop and the Pucker Point diversion. Navigation is fairly simple with a topographical map, compass, and altimeter, although the last section of Cavanaugh Ridge is challenging to stay on route even in daylight. We would melt snow with a propane stove along the way and carry enough food for 28 hours. We started at 5 a.m. last Saturday morning. The moon was near full and provided enough light to climb without flashlights to Emigrant Pass. Perfect morning. The only significant avalanche risk is traversing the west side after the pass. The risk is low early in the morning. Jasper and I crossed the steep slope digging in our snowshoes and poles with Bob traversing on skis. The day was partly cloudy and we enjoyed spectacular views until Jasper and I reached Deep Canyon (30 miles) at dark. Bob had skied out to China Wall from Robinson Flat. We were hopeful to be out of the snow at Deep Canyon. But, like last year, the road was covered with soft snow all the way to Last Chance (37 miles). It sapped our strength and we struggled to eat enough to maintain our energy. The climb to Devil’s Thumb was slow and challenging with a 20+ lb. pack and snowshoes strapped on. Good training for Barkley! Jasper was stronger and anxious to get to Michigan Bluff. I was content to conserve and think about the river crossing later in the day. Jasper arrived at MB at 4:30 a.m. I came in 30 minutes later and was happy to finally see Sarah and Aaron waiting with cold pizza. Perfect time to take a break before starting the second half. I felt better than expected and was surprised that I could actually run. Most importantly, I was on schedule to make it to the river in daylight. Bob and Kathy met me a few miles before Rucky Chucky. I was concerned about my energy. The warm sun and effort had taken their toll. I decided to wear a lifejacket in case I got swept down the rapids. Sarah and Aaron were waiting on the other side but the distance and roar of the rapids prevented hearing each other. I swam across about 100 meters above the rapids and made my way along the bank, exiting where WS crosses. What a unique and rewarding experience! I finished the last 22 miles and arrived in Auburn 41 hours and 27 minutes after starting. Thanks to Sarah & Aaron, Bob & Kathy, and Jasper. It was an epic adventure that I won’t forget. Wendell Doman p.s. Check out Bob’s photos and short write-up at: runski.com |
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Post by Pacific Coast Trail Runs on Aug 28, 2007 19:13:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Steve - for reading it and for your super-nice comments. Funny that you'd pick out that fluid/law comment - it was such a strong urge at the time, even though I knew that it didn't make any sense.
I was hoping that Wendell would put his Winter Western States report up here - although mine wasn't NEARLY as physically difficult, he and I did talk about and compare the two while I was doing SttS as one each that we would be glad we'd done...but would NEVER want to do again.
Thanks again - and hope you guys had a great, relaxing weekend.
Sarah
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Post by thr3ee on Aug 29, 2007 10:59:59 GMT -5
How 'bout this, Steve? Would you like to experience this one?: ... Where do I sign up? That definitely sounds more like something I would want to attempt once I was more confident in my abilities. But, then, I've always said that I am more likely to try Susitna before Badwater. Besides, I would rather be putting myself at risk through my own assessments of what I can and can't accomplish than by putting my life in the hands of some random driver not paying attention on the freeway :-). -Steve |
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Post by trailgal on Aug 29, 2007 18:24:15 GMT -5
wow Sarah, I am so impressed! Congratulations on your epic run!
I read your report during an ice bath....and the minutes flew by. Loved the bit about your nail polish matching your shoes.
You know those silly pages in magazines that show how celebrities are just like us, capturing them doing utterly normal things? When I was reading, I kept thinking that there should be a story like that on your ultrarunning family. They eat fast food burgers and fries, just like us. Their kids watch tv, just like us. They run across entire states, just like us. oh, wait, that's pretty unique!
Ps. I bet you could do Wasatch *and* TransRockies, that's how awesome you are. Wendell, you better keep a close eye on her, or I might be tempted to kidnap Sarah so we could be the Sarah Squared team in Colorado.
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