Sheep Mountain 50 Race Recap
August 6th 2018.
by Jeff Gregg
There is something really different about a 50 miler in Colorado at high elevation. It's not so much about your ability to run like a mid-western ultra is. Its more about your ability to fight, to overcome, to not give in. To take on adversity. To take what the trail is giving you and respond in direct proportion to your fitness level. Ultra-running has become my thing mainly because its an extension of long distance hiking, an excuse to spend long periods of time outside, connected to nature instead of on phones and pavement. Colorado ultras do a phenomenal job of hitting all of the reasons I am an ultra runner.
Sheep Mountain 50 defiantly did not disappoint. We began at 6:00 AM in Fairplay, CO. The first 7 mile stretch is mainly a gravel/dirt road until the first aid station. This section climbed some but with fresh legs was all runnable. I met up with Heidi and Nick in this section and we climbed up Sheep Mountain and came back down the other side of it together. This part was a blast as we just chatted and enjoyed the views. The trail was technical but mostly runnable on the way back down, well mostly because Heidi had serious rocky trail running skills and I could follow her foot placement. Her and I parted ways at the next AS because she was in the 50K (she would go on to win) and Nick and I headed out of there. We chatted about the NBA and general life stuff for the next few hours as we rolled through miles.
Matty caught up to us on that next stretch and we shared some miles between here and the next few climbs. Mostly single track, some gravel roads, some garbage, etc. but hey - we got through it and saw Michelle at the AS before the monster of a climb.
We left here at around 30 miles in good spirits ready to tackle this climb then start making our way back up north to Fairplay. Matt and I had a good amount of time to chat and power hike this section until he left me in the dust after about an hour of climbing together. This one climb is non-stop ups for about 4 miles ( I believe). It was soul crushingly fricken awesome. I had to take breaks, that is what kept me from climbing at the speed of my fellow ultra-runners out there. I'm not sure why i had to, I just felt the need and would stop for 10-15 seconds and then go again. My mind was OK during this part, I wasn't hating it, just embracing the challenge. I think I did run out of positive self-talk about half way up though and went to more of a mental "omg does this thing ever end" mentality. I got up to the top of this climb and the next aid station feeling like I just climbed Everest, twice.
I got some food and drink in me and only had 3 to the next AS from here. This was mostly all flat or down and I ran it well. I didn't catch Matt again the rest of the day but I liked knowing he was out there crushing this brutal course. I saw Michelle at the next AS and got some updates. She was so great to see out on course and joke around with as i shoved unbelievable amounts of watermelon in my face. the next section was 9 miles and a very long 2-3 hour section. I packed a bit of food and made sure I had water and headed out.
This 9 mile section was my low point of the day. I did good up till around mile 4 or 5 just running miles where I could and hiking the ones I couldn't. Then somewhere around 11,000 feet I got very confused. I hadn't seen anyone this whole time and I was convinced I messed up the course. I still had race flags but I thought i missed a turn at the campground and that i was taking the loop part back around and up Sheep Mountain again. I sat for a while on the trail and tried to get my head right; I actually did this twice up there. Once in a sort of meitative state; trying to feel what going on around me and understand everything. The other in more of a deflated state. Head between my legs, completely confused on which way to go. I ended up going turning back and for about a mile and then I saw 3 runners coming at me. I asked them: "Wait; was i going the right way before i turned around?".
"Yes, this is the right way to the road and then back to Fairplay" they responded confidently.
"Yes, this is the right way to the road and then back to Fairplay" they responded confidently.
"Hmmm, OK Ty"
They went on and I gave them space then followed behind them. I was happy to know where to go but completely deflated on wasting an hour or 2 sitting then going the wrong way for no reason. I was mentally defeated, very low on food and water and still a long ways to aid. I ended up running dry for the last hour; needing some calories bad and forced to hike way more because of it. I learned so much from it all though; it was a great lesson in high altitude running and complete calorie depletion.
I made the final Aid Station and saw Mary who was doing the 50k. She seemed to be doing good despite a pretty nasty fall. She would go on to win "Best Blood" award. I was way quieter than normal and she would later tell me she noticed that. My mind was still very down because of the events of the last 9. But at least I had food and water now and got myself back up out of there and on to the last 7.
These last 7 were suppose to be easy because they were road and more downhill than up. They did allow me to run more than i had in a long time and I started making better time through the miles. I came into the finish line so excited to be done and see the whole gang there! this was the best! I was so exhausted, and so damn happy to see these people. I proved to myself that my toughness is still there. That I can gut this tough shit out and feel damn good about a finish, regardless of place. That I can find so much joy in the endless struggle.
So back in love with this sport and this community. Next up is the Hawk 100 in September. This will be my 5th time lining up for a race at the Hawk. It was my first 50 and my intro into what a trail family is and what a truly good trail run can feel like. Nothing will keep me from finishing this bad boy & getting buckle #6.
Cant Wait for the next adventure!
