This was the furthest and most difficult and most awesome race so far.
68 kilometers with ~7k feet of vert.
7h 47m 26s, 15th Overall, 14th Male
The race started and ended in Park City. I spent the first two miles running with Conrad and Jed until the single track. I felt strong and was really trying to pace myself. I picked off runners during the second (long but not-too-steep climb), then hit the first downhill pretty hard. The first place woman caught up to me (she was a former xc skiing olympian). After the first aid station (13 miles) I still felt good. Except that the brand new shirt was chaving.
After the next aid station I had to get the shirt off, but it was warm. I think I was running a very smart pace up that hill and hiked the steeper stuff. I was still top 10 to the next aid station.
Feeling good and excited about my progress, I picked it up a bit and caught a few more people. Then suddenly around mile 27 my quad cramped up, crazy tight! Then my other quad. It took about a mile of jogging/walking until the cramps were gone. Then after another mile they were back. On and off like that. I just tried to run while they weren't cramping and jog when they were.
At the next aid station (mile 34) they gave me pickle juice to drink. I have since realized that I need sodium, potassium, and magnesium. I was only drinking water. The sun was hot by this time of day and no shade. At the second to last aid station (mile 38) they told me one more aid station that was only two miles away and then 1 mile downhill after that to the finish. But when I got to that last aid station (in a lot of pain) they told me it was 3 miles to go with some uphill. I was so frustrated and was starting to despair. a couple of runners came and went. Finally, I got the courage to move on. Painfully I ran as much as I could.
At the finish line I heard the announcer say my name correctly "Rejholec." I looked up and sure enough there was the whole family! I was so stoked that they came to cheer me in! I love those people. Sadly, I was in a sad state and I think that shocked some of the kiddos.
Oh yeah, and ends up I had COVID during this race :/
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