LEADVILLE 100 MILES 2012

Leadville 100 miles 2012 Trail Run:

Leadville 100 miles 2012 is a trail running race in the city of Leadville in Colorado, the USA.

The start is at 3000 meters above sea level (9,000 feet) which makes the race very difficult. The race stays between 2900 meters and 3850 meters. It is the highest 100 miles in the United States. The race is a round trip, with two crossings of the Hope Pass (12,600 feet = 3850 meters). It allows you to cheer up the leaders and get support from the other runners too.
The race is always fully booked, and in 2012, it was the last time the first registered get an entry. In the following years, they organized a lottery to get the possibility to race in Leadville. This race is one of the toughest in the world with a very limited percentage of finishers: less than 50%. The altitude but especially the time barriers are challenging. Runners have only 30 hours to complete the race. Runners get a belt buckle for finishing the race and for those finishing in less than 25 hours; a specific silver belt buckle is provided.

Registration:

The road to Leadville was long, and many months of training were involved.
In January 2011, we planned to race it, but a happy arrival (the birth of Jules) delayed the trip by one year.
In January 2012, we took a bib with my friend Nicolas (we will be finally only two because the economical investment or because other race commitments). Leadville adventure began.
The race will be the goal of the year. I would like to run in less than 25 hours, see if can get close to 20 hours. However, will content myself with finishing in less than 30 hours. My Do Not Finish (DNF) at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 2008 remains across my throat.

Training:

The year started badly with a fall on the knee in January. I managed to train during 8 weeks for the Paris Marathon (I was able to conclude in a good 2h49′) then I ran my Personal Best during the 100 kilometers of the Passatore in Italy (8h47′). The training was stopped with a small break with 2 weeks off.
I had then 8 weeks to train hard for the trail run. Following the 8 weeks of training, I planned to have two weeks of tapering. I planned the 8 weeks with easy jogs during the week and with very long sessions over the weekends. The sessions were a mix of walking (more than 3 hours of walking at more than 7 kilometers per hour) and long mountain runs (route number 105 in Aosta Valley: 50km , The Monte Cimone in the northern Apennines of Italy: 60km, Trail Valdigne: 50km, 3 days weekend in Val Susa: Day #1 Thabor (3150m) + Day #2 Rocciamelone (3550m) + Day #3 Chaberton (3130m) to get used to high altitudes because the race is between 2900m and 3850m).

The training goes well and the fitness improved. With Nico, we arrived in Leadville in optimal fitness, despite the last two difficult weeks. The taper is always strand and we feel we are not ready!

Leadville

Leadville is a city at 3094 meters altitude. Racing at high altitude is something very difficult for the body. There are two types of travelling tactics:
– Arrive at the last minute, just before the race (our choice).
– Arrive one week before the race to allow the body to adapt to altitude.

We arrived in Leadville on Thursday. With Nico, we went directly to take our bibs and get the medical check. We were weighed: 151 pounds and the weight is written on the bracelet, which contains the chip. There would be a weighting during the race at Winfield and at the finish. If you lose more than 5% of the weight, then you must integrate to gain weight before you can leave. A loss of more than 10% of the weight and we are put out of the race. My recurring stomach problems could be a problem!

We prepare the bags and outfits to look like the locals:
Krupricka style:

Race Poster:

Briefing:

On Friday, we had the one-hour briefing at 11am. Everything is organized very well, and there is no delay concerning the briefing. The organizer are very professional. It is well orchestrated too. We are in the mood right away. That is great:

Nis is hosting the briefing; he is the son of Ken Chlouber (the organizer and creator of the race who sold his shares to Lifetime). He “warms us up” and asks us to say after him: “I commit, I won’t quit”!

Then we took some pictures with Anton:

then Anna:

In the afternoon, I left my two drop bags before having a nap. One would be at Fish Hatchery (mile 20 and 80), the other at Twin Lakes (mile 40 and 60). By reading the article of Dana Roueche with the strategy to finish Leadville, I split the race into five parts.

At 3 am, we had our souvenir photo with Nico before the big adventure:

Start: Leadville (3094m) – May queen (3059m) 21,7km – Sugarloaf Pass (3374m) 28,7km – Fish Hatchery (2943m) 37,8km

The start:

On the starting line, I was like a child on Christmas Eve. We were more than 800 at 4am in this small Colorado town. Anton Krupicka with his beard and sleeveless jersey while I was in long sleeves with a light jacket. The American anthem with all the runners with the hand on the heart.

At 4 am sharp, the police car opened the race and the organizer seated on the door fired a gun to start the race. People at the side of the road were cheering us, it was a magic night. I did not start too quickly. The leaders were already few hundred meters ahead.

I was in my bubble and was enjoying the moment. I reminded myself: “Do not start too fast because the race is long”. Arriving at the bottom of Leadville, the trail climbs slightly and I change my run to a walk while dozens of runners passed me. “Don’t follow them”.

Then the path climbed stronger towards the dam. We were at the edge of the lake and one behind the other we were progressing in the night. It was flat for few kilometers along the lake. Each campsite, barge was a place where dozens of spectators cheered us despite the early time of the day.

In 2h02′ we already arrived at the first aid station in May Queen. I filled the water bottles in less than a minute and left for the first big climb.

First big climb:

I kept walking as soon as the slope was too steep and I was overtaken. We quickly left the forest and we were on a wide dirt road, which took altitude really very slowly. I felt that I was fast because I was overtaken by many runners.
It is the big difference between Europe and the United States: In Europe, we mainly walks the uphill and in the USA, they try to run them. In the USA, you have to be ready to run 100 miles. Not run 50miles and walk 50miles. The climbs are not very steep and people run all the time.

I turned off the headlamp because the sun arrived during the Sugarloaf Pass climb. The climb was gentle and not very technical on a wide dirt road. The view was superb on Turquoise Lake and the sunrise was a fabulous thing here.

I enjoyed the climb.

The first descent:

Arriving at the summit, we ran down to the valley under the High voltage lines. The path was still wide and not very technical (it was not technical but steep) but this time I gained ten positions. I was enjoying the downhill and got some speed. The runners I overtook were keeping roughly the same pace they were running up. It is a big tactical difference.

I quickly arrived at the road. The public was numerous. The road was closed for us and we quickly arrived at Fish Harchery, the first “big aid station”. I got changed and left with less clothes. The race was on for 3h52′ and I stayed 5 minutes to put the shorts, t-shirt. I left the headlamp and filled water, still on schedule to finish in 20 hours. I wanted to thank the volunteers because when I arrived my runner bag was ready, they filled up the water, gave me food and drinks while I was getting changed. Super friendly and helpful.

Fish Hatchery (2943m) 37,8km – Half pipe (2976m) 46,9km – Mount Elbert Mini station (fluids only) (3083m) 58,8km – Twin Lakes (2811m) 63,6km

The straight road:

This was the least interesting part of the route. The weather is sunny and we are now on long straights on the open road (even if most of the traffic is the race public). The straight lines were endless. I alternated run and walk. However, I should have run everywhere. After two straight lines, we took a wide path on the right between two fields.

Then we arrived in the forest. We were far from a single track and we are on a wide path in the middle of a wide section between forests. We arrived at a kind of parking lot where the off road cars were parked and the followers were installed comfortably to encourage us. It was so busy I thought it was the aid station of Half Pipe, but it will be further away. I arrived at Half Pipe (an aid station in the middle of the forest with some tents, volunteers, rescue, chemical toilets …) in 5: 11′.

I stopped quickly to fill up with water, and was now 15 minutes late on my plan to finish in 20 hours. The 15 minutes were lost in the second climb. It was going up slightly and constantly in the middle of the woods. The positions started to be constant. The gaps were constant too. We often saw the same runners and we started to chat a little. The Americans were very happy to see that French runners traveling to Colorado to compete in their race.

Mount Elbert Water station:

I arrived at the water point of Mount Elbert where I just stopped a few seconds to take some water. The descent to Twin Lakes was pleasant and I finally picked up some speed. I overtook a few runners and suddenly arrived in the middle of two rows of spectators who applauded us at the end of this technical descent. It was great but I was a little lost by this change of atmosphere.

I arrived at Twin lakes in 6:59′. I was 11 minutes behind schedule for the 20 hours race. At my arrival, a volunteer asked me if I want water. I looked at the route detail and I was not sure where I was. He filled up my bottle. I get my bag and get changed again.

Before climbing to 3850 meters altitude, I took this time the Gore-Tex jacket and the survival blanket. The forecast was for the rain in the afternoon. It was 11 am and it was hot even at 3000 meters altitude. I was also going to change my shoes because we would have to cross torrents and therefore have trail shoes with good grip will be more suitable. Therefore, I put on the Adidas Riot 4.

Twin Lakes (2811m) 63,6km – Hope Pass aid station (3700m) 71,7km – Hope Pass (3840m) 72,5km – Winfield (3120m) 80,52km – Hope Pass (3840m) 88,6km – Hope Pass aid station (3700m) 89,4km – Twin Lakes (2811m) 97,4km

Twin Lake:

The Twin Lake “village” was super nice. It was 11 am and the supporters were ready for a long day of support. They took out the sofas to the streets and we ran between two rows of noisy people. That was so great. I saw Delphine, Jules and Jason. I was ready for a long climb at high altitude and get a large dose of sunscreen:

Let’s go. We made long detours in a single track in the middle of tall grass. Spectators encouraged us and I really enjoyed the race.

River crossing:

It was starting to get difficult after 7 hours of racing but I was enjoying the moment. We arrived at the famous river crossings. The first was deep but without current. A runner on the other side puts on his shoes. I did not ask myself questions and find myself with cold water up to the top of the thighs. We exit the river for a few meters in the middle. This time we had to cross another more powerful but less deep torrent. There was a rope pulled between the banks for safety. The torrent was wider and a photograph took pictures of this great point of view:

On the other side, few runners put their socks to dry on the bushes. They planned to take them back in few hours on the way back! I changed my shoes but did not change the socks knowing that this river would wet my socks. We ran another few flat miles before starting the 800m elevation.

The big climb:

This time, it was tough and I slowed down directly from the start of the climb. It was difficult and I was stuck! A runner in green minimalist shorts, minimalist shoe and beard overtook me. Krupicka really launched a fashion here! I was really part of an American 100 mile and even writing this story, I am still amazed!

I heard encouragement; it must be the first runner on his way back! I was on my guard because they would descend fast and with the vegetation, we could not see very far. Finally, it is an guy who encourages us. He was great and noisy. I was astonished because he was at least 150kg and in the middle of the forest to encourage us at 3200m above sea level. He really had to make an extraordinary effort to get there!

I continued the climb and left the wood, I arrive in a clearing at 3550m. It was the highest altitude I had ever climbed on foot. I was feeling very empty, but I had to push as fast as possible, to be able to come down again. I really felt the altitude and the thin air. By going down, I should be able to accelerate again! We had still a bit of forest then we left the “tree line”.

The final climb to the summit:

I could see the aid station now. A camp was set up for the race. They used Lama to bring the camp / food /drinks. I stopped quickly because I knew that the climb was not over. We still had had 150 meter to climb to reach the summit. I thanked the volunteers.
Fortunately, for them the weather was good because staying at 3700m on a stormy day should not be very pleasant (and surely dangerous). I finally reached Hope Pass Aid station in 9:38′.

I met the leader Kupricka on the way back followed by his pacer. He was shirtless with his red Oakley glasses and mini shorts / mini shoes. I encouraged him and continued my ordeal … 5 minutes later Tomas Lorblanchet arrived second. I encourage him in French. Anna Frost was his pacer and she accelerated to go to refuel at the aid station.

Running with a pacer allows you to run just with a little water. It changes from the endless list of mandatory equipment we have to carry in Europe. Before arriving at the summit, I met a few more runners on their way back. The first lady must be in the top 10. At the summit, I am relieved and it is clear on the photos! I took only a minute to enjoy the view looking at the Twin Lakes, and look at the valley where the halfway point is.

The descent:

I start to run down.

My stomach was in pain and I slowed down my run. I had to bend to reduce the pain. It was not great to be so slow in this part of the course that was rather to my advantage. The altitude was reducing quickly and I lost quickly 300 meters. The stomach get a little better. I was able to run normally. I met many runners on their way back with their pacers. At the bottom of the descent, we did not take the road as usual but this year we stayed on the right side of the valley and it was a roller coaster sequence on a very nice single track.

I was not very concentrated and tripped on a root and find myself lying on the ground. I quickly checked the situation and get up. At the end, I was lucky because I didn’t hurt myself. Just a lot of dust sticking to the arms, legs, face, covered with sunscreen! My white t-shirt was now grey / brown! I started back walking then accelerated slightly to a slow jog.

At this time, the first arrived at Twin Lakes:

I was able to hear the speaker now and we finally arrived at the “halfway point”. When you get to Winfield you have to slalom between the cars stuck in a traffic jam. After hours of loneliness in the mountain, it makes a big difference.

Windfield / Half point:

I arrived at Winfield where I needed to be weighed by the doctors. I lost 2 kilograms. The doctor asked me “how are you?” I could proceed, cool! Let’s take care of the supplies. I filled my bottles, ate and drank. I really did not enjoy this aid station with the noise, the people and the cars. My main concern is to reach the pass again at 3850 meters altitude as soon as possible. The rest of the race should be easier! I reached Winfield in 11:11′ (50 miles gone). I was not thinking about a 20 hours finish now, but I was now in the timing to close between 23 and 24 hours.

Back up:

I left the aid station walking and eating a soup with Chinese noodles. It was tasty and salty. It changed the sugar taste I had in my mouth because of the gels. We had to run back the path we just ran. I kept walking to digest the soup and because the climb started to be too steep. When the climb is not too steep, I jog a bit. I feel better after this soup. We had to be careful when we met runners on this single track. At the bottom of the path, I met my friend Nico. He was only one / two hours behind. I was very happy for him; he was over Hope pass well. We did not discussed too long because the road was still long!

I was climbing the pass, and I felt little better than on the other direction. Even if dozens of runners overtook me. The rain started and I got out the Gore-Tex jacket.

Second descent:

I finally arrived at the top. This time I did not stop and carry on in a slow jog down. I ran but I was not at my best. The altitude was tough on my body again. I did not really push and I felt really slow. I arrived quickly at the refueling station of Hope Pass (13:58′).

My Garmin GPS watch had no battery left. I used now my heart rate monitor to know the time, but could not know the distance. At this point, I was late on my roadmap to finish in 25 hours. I did not look at the road map at this point but would look at Twin Lakes down in the valley. If I was able to get back to normal speed downhill, I could catch up but I was really starting to take the hit.

I was in a very low phase. Ultra marathons are always an alternance between high and low phases. I was waiting for a comeback but it was taking time to arrive… It is taking a long time tough to get a High again. I continued the descent. The return trip was comfortable because we met runners on this part of the race, and we knew the path. I crossed the rivers with many pairs of socks drying in the bushes.

Twin Lake:

Another effort and I arrived in Twin Lakes. The village is very busy now:

I met Delphine and Jason was waiting to pace Nico. Jules was awake and clapped my hand. I was not at my best and Delphine confirmed it: “You are all white” and it was not the sun cream.

Ouccchhhhhh! It is tough.

Go hop hop hop!

I left my cap, glasses and papers from my bin and walk back to the aid station. Let’s stop at the aid station. I ate and get changed for the night: headlamp, long sleeve jerseys, long leggings, clean socks, shoes … A runner asked me if I needed a pacer when I was eating. I politely refused. I preferred the solitude of the ultra. In addition I was not at my best so I preferred to stay in my bubble. I was at Twin Lakes in 15:45′, too late now to finish in 25 hours.

Twin Lakes (2811m) 97,4km – Mount Elbert Mini station (fluids only) (3083m) 102,3km – Half pipe (2976m) 114,2km – Fish Hatchery / Outward bound (2943m) 123,2km

Stomach issues:

I was leaving Twin Lakes and it would be dark soon. In my first plan, I was thinking to take the lamp at the Fish hatchery aid station at kilometer 123 (25 kilometers further)! I climbed the penultimate pass. My climb was very slow and after 5 minutes, I get nausea. Barely 10 minutes later, I vomited everything. I just ate at the aid station point less than 30 minutes earlier.

It was 10 difficult minutes with many stops to finish emptying my stomach. I was alone and the night was coming. Runners overtook me but they were quite slow too. I tried to hydrate myself as much as possible with water to try to get my nausea through. It seemed to be working because I was keeping the water. I progressed very slowly until the water station of Mount Elbert. The water bottle were still full, then I did not stop and kept going my slow walking progression through the night. I was descending to Half Pipe aid station. Then after a slow progression, I finally arrived at the aid station in 18:37′.

Half Pipe Aid Station:

I ran 114 kilometers, it was my record in race time and distance (I had run 102km in Verdon in 16:45′ back in 2007).

That was already a great achievement. But I have to get to Leadville for the buckle. This time I was an hour behind the plan to finish in 25 hours and 2:30′ in advance on the time barrier. It did not matter at this point of the race. I started to watch the barrier now to ensure I would not be stopped. Let’s stop 15 minutes at this aid station.

I had to find a way to refuel because I still had 50 kilometers left. The savory cakes looked good and I ate few of them. Then, I found a chair to eat a soup. I was looking the other runners around me and saw few runners in distress. It was certainly, what they must think of me. I thanked the volunteers because they were in the middle of the forest to take care of us.

The nausea came while I left the tent. I took 10 steps and vomited everything. I was on the right of the path and another runner was doing the same on the left. It was going to be a long and difficult night.

Zombie walking through the night:

I left the aid station walking and decided to walk as quickly as possible. I trained my walk during the last months when I managed to walk at more than 7 kilometers per hour. At 6 kilometers per hour, it should be enough to finish without being caught by the barriers (50 kilometers in 8 hours: I would finish in 27 hours). I managed to make the mathematics today after the race, but in the state I was, I would have never be able to be accurate. By walking all the way I could finish the race before the gunshot of the 30 hours.

I was walking in the tree line (the very wide dust road in the middle of the forest). The parking lot filled on the outward journey contained now only three or four cars. Two runners took the wrong path and just come out of the wood on the right. They often looked behind to see if other runners were following them. This path downhill was endless. I walked telling myself that the walk will be easier on the road. When we arrived on the road, we took a left and two long straight lines await us. I kept my slow progress and the cold entered my bones.

The cold:

After fifteen minutes, I took out the survival blanket because with the two t-shirts, and the Gore-Tex I felt very cold. The fact that I did not eat nor drink for the last 30 kilometers was not helping too. I was in Hypothermia and progressing slowly. The safety blanket was tight at the knee height to prevent the cold from coming in. I was thinking of giving up when I arrived at Fish hatchery at kilometer 123, but did not hand my bib yet. It was tough, I had no strength left. I was cold and could not even warm up. Runners asked me if I was okay when they were overtaking. At this point, all the runners were overtaking me.

The rest:

I finally arrived at the aid station of Fish Hatchery in 21:02′. I went to the doctors directly because I saw that they had free beds with a big North Face sleeping bag. They invited me to remove my shoes and go inside the sleeping bag. The doctors moved as well a portable heater close to the bed and advised me to eat something.

I was shivering and was estimating that Nico must be an hour behind. Before the race he asked me not to give up and to wait for him. Another doctor came and asked: “How are you?” I explained the situation to him. He told me that I look better than many other runners did and that I should eat. He confirmed that the doctors are not there to put us out of the race but to get us to the end.

I told him that I was waiting for my friend and would finish him. The body temperature raised slowly but did not want to eat. I tried to drink a little water every now and then.

Lets start again:

Nico arrived with Jason, they told me to come with them. I took three t-shirt in my drop bag and had now five t-shirts. I pinched the survival blanket between layer 2 and 3. It was making a skirt above the knees. Volunteers were appreciating this summer 2012 new fashion! I added the Gore-Tex jacket. At this moment Delphine was waiting for me in May Queen Aid station, but we were 4 hours away. We told her to take the advantage to go to sleep. She would meet us at May Queen with some additional clothes.

Fish Hatchery / Outward bound (2943m) 123,2km – Sugarloaf Pass (3374km) 132,4km – May queen (3059m) 139,3km – Arrivée: Leadville (3094m) 161km

The three of us:

After an hour of stop for me, the three of us started toward the climb to the last pass along the power lines (22h14′ of race. It is 2 am and we have one hour ahead of the time barrier). We had a little less than 8 hours to run this marathon, which separated us from the finish. We were confident we would do it.

I warmed up quickly as soon as we left the road because we started the climb. The soup that I ate between the aid station and the start of the climb improved the stomach. I forced myself to keep up with Nico and Jason. In addition, it allowed me to maintain a normal body temperature. The body temperature is increasing back to normal and I quickly remove the survival blanket. I kept it in the bag even if it made a horrible noise, but I may need it later. I had cold hands despite the gloves.

The climb was endless because it was broken down into five separate climbs. We were many runners and all were progressing at the same slow pace. It was nice to see the succession of headlamps in front and behind us. We finally reached the summit at the Sugarloaf Pass in 23:30′. The race had still 30 kilometers left and we had finished the mountainous part. We would only have the long final climb on the road to the finish.

The last descent:

We were walking down slowly towards May Queen. Despite the descent, we were all walking. In the descent, Nico began to have back pain. The contractures forced him to stop several times. It was impressive because he could not stay straight and was at an angle to his right side. It was cold and the closer we were getting to the valley, the more we were feeling the humidity of the river.

I tried to take a gel and kept hydrating well. I was a little faster than Nico but we were both not great. At the bottom of the valley, it was still dark and I had the impression that we were turning around the aid station for hours. We could hear the noise of the public / runners / volunteers for quite some time but would need some more time before arriving on the road.

In 25h15′, we met Delphine; we stopped to get warm clothes. I put another pair of long tights, and a second pair of gloves. I finally decided not to take my heavy and inconvenient jacket to run. The sun would soon rise and warm us up. Nico was going directly to the aid station to see a doctor.

May Queen Aid Station:

I finally arrived at the last aid station in 25h41′. Let’s go to the tables and fill the bottles and eat a few cakes. I did not force my stomach too much and could still feel the soup from the previous aid station was still digesting! The coke I drank would bring some sugar to the body. I would have a few gels to keep up during the last 23 kilometers. We have 45 minutes before the barrier but it would be better to leave May Queen at 6 am to be able to finish given our condition.

The doctors advised Nico on his back problem. They put warm water in a camelback and put it on his back. Unfortunately, they have nothing to warmup the water quickly and properly. I picked up a coffee for Nico for him to take a warm drink. Then, I found a seat and a runner close to me just vomited his soup. I asked Delphine to tell Nico and the doctors to take a decision at 6 am. I filled up Nico’s bottles and at 6:02 we left the aid station.

The final stretch:

I had asked Nico to take his headlamp in case the forest is too dark but it was a bad decision because the day is rising quickly and we can turn off our headlamps just few minutes later. Delphine would tell Jason who was minding Jules in the car, to join us a little further. I set the pace by walking quickly. I did not know my pace since my GPS stopped at Hope Pass and I was not sure if we were fast enough.

At this point, we still had 4 hours for 23 kilometers. We should not push too early, the road is still long. I asked Nico to warn me if the pace was too high because it was important not to get into the red zone. We overtook one or two runners and one or two runners overtook us. Nevertheless, we were all moving more or less at the same speed. Jason arrived and encouraged us. He was in good shape despite the sleepless night he just had and the marathon he just ran. He took the opportunity to take some photos. Nico suffered from his back and was bent to his side.

Back on my own:

At the 27th hour of the race, Nico asked me to leave him because he was not sure to finish because of his back. I told him that I would wait for him just before crossing the line so that we would finish together or that I would cross it in 29:59 but he forbade me and asked me to run my race.

I started jogging a bit again, but I was not much faster than our 6 kilometers per hour walk. A few runners overtook me, and I overtook few of them. I removed the jacket but kept the gloves and the hat. We quickly arrived at the end of the lake and I climbed up towards the dam. Delphine was there and I explained the status.

A woman cheered me up and told me: “You are in better shape than when I saw you at Fish Hatchery all white in your survival blanket”. I smiled at her and thanked her.

In the last technical descent, a runner slides on his back and his pacer picked him up. I kept jogging down and overtook a few more runners. There was a great support from the other runners: “great job”, “Well done runner”, “you look great” … It was getting hotter but I kept my five t-shirts.

Back in Leadville:

At the end of the dirt road, we started the tarmac road and we crossed the railway. Delphine overtook me by car and told me Nico was 15 minutes behind. I was happy because that meant he was still in the race. We were missing just 6 to 7 kilometers. Just a little more than one hour to finish, then we should be on time. She took a photo and told me see you at the finish.

We were walking along the railway and we finally turned left for the final climb. It was endless. A runner told me: “come on let’s go, we finish in less than 29 hours, 3 kilometers to close in 15 minutes.” I answered that I prefer to finish in 30 minutes or 45 minutes to enjoy the moment (and 3 kilometers in 15 minutes was not possible for me at this stage).

I was going to finish this 100 miles and I wanted to really enjoy it. I was simply happy and was hopping that Nico would also finish within 30 hours. Finally, these straight lines were endless and we could see runners in the distance on this dirt track.

A couple was giving us some great words: “You just passed the 2 miles line, you look great and did a great job, runner!” I thanked them; we still had a mile on the path and a mile on the road. We finally arrived on the road. I was getting hot but the air was cool at 9 am at 3100 meters altitude. Therefore, I kept my t-shirts.

The finish:

We were climbing the street and the public pushed us. The inhabitants took out the music, some food on a garden table. That was so great. I am still feeling the trill while writing these lines. Then at the top of the hill, I saw the finish arch. I was roughly one kilometer away. I really enjoyed this last kilometer. The runners were meeting their family, friends, pacers (because we could have up to six pacers during the race) would finish this adventure with them. I started to run from left to right and was clapping the hands of the public. Unfortunately, the road was open but a large pickup remained behind me and let me run over the entire width of the road. I finished the last descent and I continued the plane under the encouragement of the public.

I was so tired that I had to change the jog to a walk. What a photo with the mountains we have climbed in the background !!!!

Scott Jurek (a myth of long distance running: winner of many 100 miles, Spartathlon, USA team of 24 hours …) and his wife were cheering us 500 meters from the finish where the road is open only for us. Delphine was there with Jules and was as happy as I was to see me at the finish line.

I AM 100 miles FINISHER !!!

I completed my first 100 miles (a little over 164km in the end with the change of course at the halfway point) and was proud of my superb medal. We would need to wait until the next day and the award ceremony to receive the buckle.

Here are the times:

– Start: 0:00:02.01
– May Queen 1: 2:02:34.93
– Fish Hatchery 1: 3:52:01.95
– Half Pipe 1: 5:11:31.80
– Twin Lakes 1: 6:59:27.60
– Hope Pass Aid station1: 9:38:38.95
– Winfield: 11:11:53.24
– Hope Pass Aid station2: 13:58:34.56
– Twin Lakes 2: 15:45:13.95
– Half Pipe2: 18:37:06.31
– Fish Hatchery2: 21:02:58.42
– May Queen 2: 25:41:48.54
– Leadville: 29:12:50.01

Nico’s finish:

I went back down to meet Delphine. We were going to wait for Nico now. He had 45 minutes to finish, with the 15 minutes delay he had at the dam, he should arrive around 29:40′. Since Fish Hatchery but especially since May Queen, our race against the time barrier had really been a race against the clock. We encouraged the runners finishing and I started to get warmer: I took off few t-shirts and the long tights. At around 29:40′, we finally saw Nico. He was on the last stretch with Jason. Poor Nico, he was bent to his side. I saw another runner earlier folded on the left side, another one with only the head tilted. It was just one muscle that was too tired to keep fired up.

What a joy to see them arrive, the party would not have been as beautiful if Nico had not finished: We will be both finisher. Thanks to him, I finished as well, because I was not fit in Fish Hatchery.

Nico stayed in the medical tent and the doctor tried to relax him by massaging him and showed him the stretches that he would have to do the next few days. I went to the medical tent to be weighed. I lost 3 kg and the doctor made a few requests to check on my condition. Still with the medal around my neck, I get my drop bags and went to lie on the lawn in the sun while waiting to drive back to take a shower. At 10 am, the gunshot confirmed the end of the race (limit of 30 hours).

After the race:

Those who finish after will not be a finisher and will not receive the medal / buckle, but will appear in the results with their final time. Three of them finished in more than 30 hours in 2012. We are 361 finishers from more than 800 runners at the start and 850 registered: A very low percentage because the race is very difficult (altitude + time barriers).

After a shower and clean clothes, we returned to Leadville for the awards ceremony. They told us that the belts would not be given until the afternoon in the race shop. We applauded the winners before returning to the house for a nap. We returned in the afternoon to Leadville for the belt buckle and take some photos …

Thanks to Franchino who prepared this poster for me:

Most importantly, we can finally enjoy our vacation!