Chimera 100 - Nov. 15th, 2014

rickwhitelaw

Barefooters
Apr 27, 2011
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Beryl Utah
I just signed up for the Chimera 100. Some may question my choice for a 1st 100 mile race, crap, I will be doubting myself up to race day. Here's the deal, I have been training for the Bear 100 all year and when that registration fell through I was looking for a replacement. Nothing really matched so I had given up on doing a 100 miler for a while. Was going to back off the mileage and get back to life. Well, that lasted a week and then I had another big mileage week on rugged terrain. Thought about signing up for Javelina (I have a friend running and we plan to make the trip anyway) but it just didn't match my training. Not that Javelina is any easier, but I pictured myself on a mountain course. So this opportunity popped up and I jumped on it. Wish me luck and if anyone else is considering it, see you there.

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Very cool, and good choice. I think its tough but you will do great with the lower elevations. The biggest problem I have heard is people getting lost. I wonder if there is a GPX route you can program in your phone just in case.
 
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Thanks for the tip Abide. I plan to carry a course map and the chart of mileages. Probably over think everything. I have been reading race reports and the one of the biggest concerns is foot problems because of the rocks. It is too late for me to consider different shoes, but I am thinking of trying out the Sole Armor foot beds.
 
You still running in your lone peaks?
You know I can't believe I have never thought of doing something like that. I should pull the sole from my superiors and try them out in the lone peaks to see if it adds anything? It might be worth it at 50 miles or so to add them in.
 
You still running in your lone peaks?
You know I can't believe I have never thought of doing something like that. I should pull the sole from my superiors and try them out in the lone peaks to see if it adds anything? It might be worth it at 50 miles or so to add them in.
I've got a friend who did that, they said it worked great.
 
Wow, that looks tough and the only advice I have for you is to go out there and have loads of fun-if you can:D.
Good luck!
 
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Just happened to see this. Good luck Rick, its getting close! Wow over 21,000' ascent... Δ~43k! I don't think I've ever even hiked half of that on any of my trips, then again I haven't gone 100 miles either!
 
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You still running in your lone peaks?
You know I can't believe I have never thought of doing something like that. I should pull the sole from my superiors and try them out in the lone peaks to see if it adds anything? It might be worth it at 50 miles or so to add them in.


Sorry for the delayed reply Abide. Yes, I still have the Lone Peak 1.5. The tread is getting a little worn, but the uppers are still in great shape. I plan to use them for the second half of the race. I have experimented with the Sole Armor foot beds and I like them in the Lone Peaks, but I did not like them in my NB1010s. The NB don't have an insole, so my foot was directly on the Sole Armor. Made the shoes a little stiff and some debris would build up. I'll keep them in my pack and use them on the downhills.
 
GOOD LUCK, BE SAFE, AND HAVE FUN! And gimme your report!
 
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I'd take single track over FS road any day. Have fun out there this weekend.

Are you all setup with a crew and pacers?


I agree, even if it is more technical.

No crew or pacers. It is a small event with limited permits for extra runners. Also, the aid stations are pretty remote so crew access is limited. I am starting the race with a friend, but he is more experienced and faster then me. I might see him on a few of the out and backs. Then again, the poor guy is spending the entire day prior to the race in a theme park with his family. That might slow him down for the race. Not concerned about being alone. Most of my training was solo and self supported.
 
It's a done deal. 103 miles in 30 hours and 40 minutes. Course ran a little long and I got off track a couple of times (completely my fault, part of the adventure). I did have a goal time of a sub 30, but a few things slowed me down. A finish is a finish and I am happy with any time.

Brief summary: The waiting was the hardest part including not much running the weeks before. This led to the common mistake of going out too fast. I broke the race into 25 mile sections.

The first "marathon" went well, but too fast. The trail was smooth and the excitement high. The miles few by but knew I had worked my legs too hard too early. 5:15 for this section.

The second "marathon" was rough, but not too bad. I got behind on nutrition and fluids and got slightly dehydrated in the afternoon. Legs were on the verge of cramps and the trail was more technical. Arrived back at the base area and noticed the course was running a mile long. Spent nearly a half hour messing around switching to night gear, body maintenance, and nutrition. 47.5 miles in 12 hours. Rejuvenated, I took off out of the aid station. Legs had new life and I was able to run at a decent pace. The runners were very thin at this point and a fog was in the air. With nobody to follow I missed a turn and kept on cruising. Felt something wrong when the road went down. The elevation chart did not show this dip and I was just going to go around one more bend to see what was around the corner. At that time a lady in a car stopped and said I missed the turn. Staying positive, I still had plenty of buffer for the night section.

The third "marathon" went fairly well. Some difficult moments with terrain and wind (but the wind blew the fog away), and being alone for hours at a time. Trouble happened at about mile 70. On one of the roughest sections of the course I turned my ankle. Hiking slowly with trekking poles even. Assessed the damage. Sore, but did not change my gait and I had 5 miles to the aid station anyway. Put away the poles and went with more light. I could not afford to misstep on that foot again. Knowing that a sub 30 was not possible eliminated some stress. Made a judgement call at the aid station that I could continue on.

The final section went way better than expected. I knew from talking to other runners that the next 14 miles were smooth. I switched shoes to my light road shoes. That, along with daylight gave me a second wind and I cruised the down hill section. At the bottom aid station I got a bonus pacer for the last 17 miles. Matt Gunn, my good friend and RD of Ultra Adventures was there to pace even though he dropped earlier because of course marking sabotage and many extra miles. Also saw my mentors Vanessa and Shacky at the Aid Station. This gave me a good boost to get back up the hill. Last ten miles I knew it was in the bag, but I was glad Matt was there to remind me to take care of myself at the aid stations. A few more rough roads, but my road shoes handled the rocks fine. Quads burning on a steep downhill section. Then a 2 mile pavement cruise to the finish.

Great course, great race staff and volunteers. Great support from other runners and their crews. Great experience.
 
Very impressive, and that you, all alone, had the determination at mile 75 to keep going after twisting an ankle is a remarkable testament to your resilience! Congrats!