2019 US Bank Center Milwaukee Stair Climb

2019 US Bank Center Milwaukee Stair Climb for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
47 Floors 981 steps
1st Overall 4:57 

US Bank Center, Milwaukee WI

The US Bank Center is the tallest building in Milwaukee and stands at 601' at 42 floors tall. The race however starts 5 floors down in the bowels of the building which makes the climb itself 47 floors. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation event is the second event of the year in this building. The American Lung Association hosts an event in March. The CF climb is set on a rare Thursday night with a 6pm start time.

Its been 8 years since Ive done this event. The last time I was here I clocked a course record 4:50. Since it's more or less my off season from running that means I'm typically in the stairs training. Its been a few years since I've strung together a "stair climbing season" though. Since I'm jumping back in the stair climbing game I figured I'd better get some racing under my belt. Not being able to go up to Chicago's Willis climb the previous week I was itching for a climb. I was off work that Thursday and decided to make the 4+ hour drive to Milwaukee. Got up to Milwaukee just as the sun was setting, found the building, checked in, got one warm up climb in and by that time is was time to go outside for a jog. Mile out and back with Hal and Bridget Carlson. Got back kind of pressed for time. Rushed through some warm up drills in a hallway. Waited till 6:10 to head down to the basement to the start line. Its quite a maze to get down to the start. Got down there and it was just Mark and KC warming up. Where is everybody. Its a 6:10 elite wave start. A few minutes later the entire wave came down and we were off.

I was first in the stairwell. Ahhh i remember now what this felt like. 47 floors is a weird distance for pacing. Its not a 32 floor running sprint like the Hilton in Springfield and its no uptempo speed walking power hike of the Willis. I basically tried to settle into a fast tempo on the short flights with a slightly slower turn on the landings. Floors 17-30 are carpet, yes carpet. So that slowed things down a bit. Here I switched to a fast paced power hike really pulling on the railing. Its hard to stay fast on carpet in my opinion. I couldn't pivot my foot on the landing like I can on metal or concrete. At 30 I tried to go back to a quicker climbing technique but if you've ever done a stair climb you know how it goes. I just started to fight tooth and nail anyway possible to just keep moving forward and up. By 38 its practically over with. Fought a couple more flights and finished on floor 42. Stopped my watch at 4:59 after stumbling across the timing mats. I remembered from 2011 and hearing from

Results Top 5 Men/Women

others in years past about the timing issues so I remembered my watch and to actually start and stop it just in case. Then just as I remembered as I was walking the observation deck around the top floor the hacking set in. This stairwell in my opinion is the worst for some reason. As I type this up 5 days later Im still fighting throat issues. No wonder I haven't been back in 8 years. None the less it was a fun climb. About the same as I remember 8 years ago but I don't remember it hurting that much. In 2011 I was probably in the best stair climbing of my life. So the fact that I was only 7 seconds of my PR i couldn't be too upset about. Its good to be back in the stairwell and see all the familiar faces. Next up, probably Bop to the Top in Indianapolis then AON Chicago the week after. Congrats to altho who raced and raced money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Its always a good thing doing something you love for a good cause.

Results: http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=70952#racetop

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/2865592798

2019 Rockin' Rockwoods 53k

2019 Rockin' Rockwoods 53k
Greensfelder Park, Wildwood MO

33 Miles 5,200' elev. gain
1st Place Overall, 5:14:38

Ever since I started racing ultra events I haven't done the same race twice. Just for the sheer fact that there are so many races out there to do. But when you fall in love with a course...you run that course again. Rockin' Rockwoods 53k has one of those courses. Located in Greensfelder Park in Wildwood MO, just north of Six Flags St. Louis sits a trail system in the Rockwood Range that is pretty spectacular. Most of the event is held on the Green Rock Trail (GRT) as well as the DeClue and Eagle Valley Trail. This particular race boasts a significant net elevation gain at 5,200 vertical feet. By Midwestern standards thats not too shabby for around these parts where we are mostly surrounded by cornfields.
The course is set up with two separate out and backs. The first out and back you head out towards Fox Creek Lane via the Pinhook Hollow Trail, I believe, which I'd describe mostly as ATV type double wide trail. Hit the first aid station out there at about 4.5 miles in and head on back. You run into some people on the way back but the race numbers are kept relatively low and the trail here is wide enough it is no problem. Its actually a nice set up because you get to see people come and go most of the race, which helps. After that you take a right turn onto the Green Rock Trail and start your long out and back. You go down the roughly 1.5 mile stretch to Allenton Six Flags Rd. cross the road and link up to the Declue Trail section. This section is probably my favorite. I like to call it the roller coaster section for two reasons. One you can literally hear the roller coasters and people screaming at Six Flags and two the trail feels like a roller coaster. Lots of twists and turns and rolling sections. After that you hit another aid station and that connects you to the long stretch out to Glencoe Rd via the GRT. Hit that aid station and head on back the way you came.

The Race:
I went into this years race feeling fit and confident. With last years race in the back of my mind I was kind of basing this years race off of that performance. Last year I was injured for the majority of the year and really didn't start running well until August. I tapered a bit for the race last year as well. I ended up running a 4:29 and felt fantastic. So this year I was feeling good but really didn't taper and Ive actually had a full season of racing under my belt. The night before I was intending to camp out the back of my Xterra in the park. The high temps and humidity had me sweating in the back of the Xterra at 8pm. This was not good. I knew Id get no sleep this way. Started the car up and headed back into town and found a hotel room. Much better. I was able to shower and get in some AC and watch the Cardinals game, perfect. Got in some good sleep as well. Woke up at 4:30 and ate a banana with peanut butter, a heed bar, 1/2 cup of black coffee, and an organic fruit roll. Stretched out for a bit, laid back down, and got some stuff ready. Checked out and then headed to the race at 6:10ish. Picked up my packet in the dark. Got back to the car and started getting stuff ready. Just enough daylight was creeping in to where I didn't need a headlamp in those opening miles.

Horn went off and we were straight in the woods on a narrow rocky path. Ran the opening mile with JP and we chatted a bit. The first out and back was littered with what felt like thousands of spider webs. I decided to pick up some sticks and run with those for at least till the turn around hoping on the way back they'd be knocked down. One of the prices you pay for leading I guess. Hit the first aid station at Mile 4.5. Just shouted out my bib number and I was off. No need for food or water this early. Headed back up the Fox Creek Lane climb segment and started running into the rest of the field. Got to the right turn onto Green Rock and took my first GU at about mile 7. Headed down towards Allenton Rd. and hit the second aid station. Here I refilled my 12 oz. handheld with Heed and was on my way. At an hour and half I took my first salt tablet. I basically continued that intake process the rest of the race. GU every hour and a salt tablet every hour, offset from each other by 30 minutes. Felt good on the DeClue section. Kept telling myself...smooth is fast, fast is smooth. I was basically just trying to find a good rhythm here. Goal was to feel real good going into the last 13 miles after the turn around. At mile 16 shortly after the middle aid station I started to feel off. My climbing legs weren't there and I found myself power hiking a couple of the steep sections on the way out. I did not remember power hiking up these last year. Continued on and still just could not find a rhythm on the GRT section. Got to the turn around. Refilled the handheld and even took a couple sips extra before capping it off. Headed back and just felt weak and slow on the uphills and unsteady on the downhills. It had started to rain a bit on this section making the already unsteady rocks slick. Making the downhills rougher than usual. Got out of GRT and hit the middle aid station again. Somebody said I was looking good but I sure didn't feel that way. Looked at my watch and knew Id be lucky to get under 5 hours this years. Took a shot of Coke looked at the table of food and nothing looked appetizing to me at that moment so I headed out. Walked the steep rocky section up to Scenic Loop Rd. then dipped back into the DeClue section. Started to roll a bit here hoping Id find some leg speed and pick things up but it never really came. I was moving forward on the coaster section and I could hear the screams so I knew I was getting close but this section folds back on itself so much it can be quite demoralizing when your just ready to be done. I was just looking for that little opening in the trees where the power lines are and I knew I was close then.

Got to the last aid station and just cruised it in. Told myself, no walking on this last section. Came across the finish and was glad to be done. Happy to win consecutive years as well even if this year was close to 45 minutes slower. I was still happy with the day and the effort. It was rough conditions this year and a congratulations goes out to all who toughed out a hard course in rough conditions. Shalina and her crew of terrain trail runners always puts on awesome events. This is definitely one of the toughest 50ks in the Midwest for sure. Always enjoy the challenge. You never what kind of hand you're going to get dealt in an ultra. All you worry about are the things you CAN control. If you worry about the weather of trail conditions or what others are doing you're setting yourself up for failure. All you can do is take it a minute, or a mile, or to the next aid station at a time. Break it down into more controllable pieces. Till next time.

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=64445

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/2747150127

2019 Howl At The Moon 8 Hour Ultra

2019 Howl At The Moon 8 Hour Ultra
Kennekuk Cove County Park 
August 10th 2019
1st Overall, 60 Miles

No this is not the Howl at the Moon Bar and Entertainment Venue. If your looking for that you might be greatly disappointed showing up to a field with tents and crazy people wanting to run for 8 hours. Upon a simple Google search for the race one might do a double take on what they typed in. One might also get weird looks during office chatter when you tell them you're doing 'The Howl' over the weekend.

The Howl at the Moon 8 Hour Ultra is one of the longest standing timed ultras in the United states...I believe, might want to double check me on that. This event is held in memory of Scott Hathway and in honor of ultra marathon legend Rob Apple. This event is also held in the lava fields of eastern Illinois in the middle of the hottest month of the year. In years past the course was on a 3.19 mile loop. This year they added a little detour out to the barn that adds a little steep downhill and a path that meets up to the old course making it a 3.5 mile loop. And yes this new course still had the "Howl Hill of Death." Which by the way I made it my goal not to walk that thing on any of the loops. If I remember right I walked it once after my charlie horse episode around mile 40. Every time up that hill I was tempted with chowing down on watermelon. Aid stations and time keepers were awesome and made the day go by easier.

I've been wanting to do this race for a few years now. I've also had my eye on breaking the course record that has been standing since 2004. Record is held by Howl legend Scott Colford with 61.72 miles. This year I was able to train well for it and put it all out there to go for the record and was on pace for 40 miles or so. Once the temperatures started to heat up the wheels started falling off slowly. I was able to move forward just a much slower clip than I wanted to be at.

2019 Results

Race kicked off at 7:30 a.m. Weather was clear with temps starting at 68ish and warming up to 84 and sunny. Goal was to stick to my own pace of 7:15-7:30's for as long as I can. Horn went off and Zachary Pligge went out pretty hard and was holding 7:00 pace early on. He gapped me and I lost sight of him for a while. It wasn't until mile 24 or so when I saw him again. I came down the hill after the new aid station by the barn, turned the corner and saw him running backwards. Wasn't expecting that. Ran with him for a bit and then continued on. Around 33 I hit my first low spot but was able to push forward. My average slowed a bit but I was still moving forward. Around 40 I got bit by one of those charlie horse snakes, just reached up and bit me in the left hammy. Hurt bad enough it brought me to the ground. Just played there rolling around on the path trying to stretch it out. Someone came by and helped me to my feet. I walked for a little bit then started to run again. After that I was holding 9:00 mile pace steadily. Unbeknownst to me Zach was moving well again and was gaining ground.  Got back to the start finish line at mile 55 and had a descion to make. Start on the out and back or continue and do one more loop. I had about 31 minutes to run the last loop. I had been running 25-28 minute loops all day. But if something went wrong, like another charlie horse , and I didn't make it back in time my loop would not count. At this point I had no idea Zach was so close and he decided to opt for the out and backs. I decided to go for it and ran the last loop solo. Nobody else was out on the course at this point, which felt weird being out there all alone after seeing tons of people all day. Got back and had 2 minutes to spare. So i headed out to try and squeak in an out and back. Got done and clocked in 60 total. A mere 1.72 miles shy of the record. Still felt good about the effort and the day as a whole. It wasn't my type of course to be honest and was quite miserable at times. But the people and the atmosphere made it fun and enjoyable. Shout out to my dad for crewing me, with him I wouldn't have been able to keep moving through the aid station 'tent alley'. Congrats to all those who ran and toughed out a hot day.

Food Intake: Basically stuck to a Vanilla Bean GU and salt tablet every hour. Drank Heed electrolyte out of my 12oz. handheld. Took in 2 organic Apricot fruit rolls, and 1 squeezable baby food.

Top 5 Males

                                                                                                                                             

Results Link: http://kennekukroadrunners.com/results/

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2608148176

2019 Galena Sky Trail Race

2019 Galena Sky Trail Races
8hr & 4hr 
Ornery Mule Racing 
Chestnut Mountain Resort
Galena, IL
May 18th, 2019

I first heard of the Galena Sky Trail Race, as most of us probably do, scrolling through the endless pages of races on the interwebs. Looking to see which race tickles our fancy or to see which race is going to satisfy our inner masochist.

After the Ozark Foothills 50 in April I was kind of in a post race funk and really didn't know where to go from there. I was just maintaining fitness with no real future goal in mind. I first decided to sign up for the Howl at the Moon 8hr Ultra in Kennekuk State Park near Danville IL on August 10th. After that I was on the hunt for a race somewhere in between and the Galena Sky Trail Race 4 hour was screaming my name. I knew Galena was a beautiful area right on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. So I figured the race venue, being on a ski resort, would be a perfect place for a race. Also, the fact that it was a 4 hour race would be a good medium to gauge for an 8 hour race in August. Coupled with the fact that it was a noon start; I clicked the register button.

With just under a 4 hour drive from Springfield IL I left the house right before 7am. This would give me plenty of time to get up there and get settled in and warm up. I had checked the weather forecast a couple days ago and it looked promising. Yet as I got closer to the Quad Cities I saw some dark clouds to the West so I checked the forecast again. Thunderstorms were moving in for the next couple hours. Pulled into the resort around 10:30 and it was pouring, as I watched some of the 8 hour runners powering up a hill.  Killed some time in the resort watching the weather radar update.  Looked like skies would clear right around noon, perfect.

I found a nice spot to warm up a bit in the ski rental area. Headed out to the start line with 60 other like minded people ready to join the 8 hour runners in the suffering. Got going on the first loop, not knowing anything about the course layout. I was just going to feel it out as I went. The loops were advertised on the website as 2.75 but were told they were closer to 2.99 with a .68 mile out and towards the end. I thought the loops were going to be monotonous but the course layout and views made it just fine. Each loop was around 21-22 minutes early on and 23-24 later on.


Loop Splits: 20:39, 21:28, 21:06, 21:08, 21:56, 21:04, 22:05, 22:47, 23:52, 24:37, 2x.68 out/backs

I did like how the timing company made you aware of what your previous loop was so you could
gauge yourself for that last loop. With each loop you got to go through the main event area twice which really helped with moral. And not to mention the guy who screamed every, literally every time, someone ran by keeping spirits high. How he had a voice still by the end of the race amazes me. I got through the first hour feeling good and just continued the same pace, hovering around 7:30s, for the 2nd hour. The 3rd hour I was in and out a bit. I loved the constant flow of energy throughout the race from the volunteers and other runners. There was constant encouragement the entire time. The course had a good flow to it and was broken up by two really cool views of the Mississippi 900' below. With the rain that came in early on it made the course a bit muddy but turned tacky real quick with the warming temps and mugginess. I knew the course would be hilly but it ended up being a bit hillier than I imagined. Just enough punchy hills to tax you during the end. I told myself no walking though, and I stuck to that promise. Got to the 4th hour and was midway through a loop. Got in my last full loop right at 3:40 and since the out and back had opened at 3:30, I went straight into the .68 mile out and backs. Here I found a new energy with all the people coming and going. It also helped that it was packed rock and much flatter than the looped course. Got in a couple out and backs and finished with 30.66 on my watch. Timers had me at 32. something (which I think they added on a .68 section I didn't do) With all the wooded switch backs it was probably somewhere in between around 31.25 ish.

My goal was 30+ so Im happy with getting 50k in at 4 hours.

Congrats to all those who finished and battled out the elements. Ornery Mule Racing does it again. They always put on top notch events.

https://www.ornerymuleracing.com

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/2378377358

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=59208

2019 Ozark Foothills 50

2019 Ozark Foothills 50/50k/25k
Greensfelder County Park, Wildwood Missouri
April 6th, 2019
Terrain Trail Runners Event 

Ozark Foothills 50
1st Place Overall 7:17:47 (CR)
(6,000 ft. net gain)

Start Line

I've always said-the hardest part about an ultra is getting to the starting line. Any time I'm able to toe the line and race I feel thankful. There have been enough lows in my running career to where I truly appreciate the chance to be healthy and run. Leading up to the Ozarks Foothills 50 I had my bumps and bruises and there were a few lingering ailments that I was worried would rear its ugly head during the race. In the end I was able to put together a solid effort and string together some good miles to cross the line.

The Terrain Trail Runner Event group based in   St. Louis County have been putting this event on since 2015 with two race options (50k & 25k). This year they were offering up a 50 mile distance. Anybody who has run at the Greensfelder County Park/ Rockwoods Reservation Area knows that putting a 50 mile event on those trails would be tough. The course boasts a generous 6,000 ft. of net gain and a 3 loop outline; 50k has 3,800 ft. net gain, and the 25k with 1,900 ft. net gain. Lots of rolling single track with a few longer sustained climbs to keep the mountain goat in someone entertained and enough rocks and roots to keep you on your toes. The course is just north of Six Flags St. Louis. So close that you can hear the screams from people riding the roller coasters. As a matter of fact I always knew I was getting close to the last section of the loop when I could hear the coasters, which was reassuring and reviving in a way. The 50 mile went off 30 minutes before sunrise at 6 a.m. which required a headlamp for the first short loop. The 50k and 25k distances went off at 7 and 7:30 a.m. The 50 would be 3 loops, the 50k 2 loops, and you guessed it the 25k was a single loop. Each loop is broken up nicely too by sections and in an ultra that can help tremendously mentally and in terms of refueling. The 50 started with a Dogwood Trail Loop (2.3 miles) then wrapped back around to the start/finish line and then headed out on the 3 loops.

Ozark Foothill 50

The Scenic Overlook section was 5.5 miles and took you up the highest point in the race to a nicely placed aid station. Climbing up to this aid station each time got harder and harder. On the first time up the punchy 300 ft. climb I was with Zach Merrin and Jeff Browning and wondered and even asked who'd be power hiking this on the last loop?  The race went out with a group of 4, with Sam Wells settling into an easier pace. He, for the record ran the Ohio Big Backyard 2 weeks prior putting 110 miles on the legs and still toed the line here, and finished...crazy! The group of three then entered the Screaming Eagle section (7.3 miles) still close together. This section fittingly named because of the views and sounds of the coasters on this section. Towards the end of this loop Zach and I pulled away a bit and entered back into the Dogwood Loop before heading back into the start/finish area (18.3 miles) where we would set out on our 2nd loop. Zach ended up running right through, grab and go. I stopped for a second and restocked my handheld and shorts pocket with gels and food to get me through a loop. He gapped me by about a minute or so heading into the 2nd loop. At this point Jeff was in 3rd a few minutes back still moving well. I lost sight of Zach for a few miles and didn't catch a glimpse of him until mile 24 or so heading up a steep road section before the Screaming Eagle Section. At mile 26 I finally caught and passed him. I finished up the 2nd loop with the lead and headed back into the start/finish area once again (34.3 miles). Grabbed my aid bag supplies and tried to move quickly through the aid station walking and packing things up. I knew I had to continue to move. At this point being in the lead with 16 miles to go with two very good runner behind you, all I could think was that they were closing on me and they were starting to feel good. I was worried that Jeff was pacing the first couple laps and would really hit the last loop using his experience to make a charge while I slowed a bit that last loop. And I still figured Zach was moving well because he's an experienced runner especially at the 50 mile distance. I just focused on the things I could control and that was focusing on myself and just keep moving forward. At mile 42 entering back into the Screaming Eagle section I hit a low spot and found myself power hiking up the short steep section here and there. All I could wonder was if they were doing the same. Got to the last aid station and knew all I had was 3.2 miles left. At this point I was power walking more than I would have liked and I was hurting. Got into the last loop on the Dogwood Trail, 2.3 miles left. Just keep moving and you have this in the bag, I was telling myself. This section seemed to go on forever. I was just looking for familiar landmarks that told me I was close to the finish. Got to where you could see the pavilion on the hill and I could hear the people cheering. A huge rush of joy came over me as I entered the last little section heading into the finish.

Ultras are a lot like life I've learned. You have goals and you work towards them, taking things as they come and working through them. You can have a bad day just like a low spot in a race but you just worry about the things you can control and just keep moving forward. I went into this race slightly banged up. With a finicky spot on the inside of my knee and 2 weeks of sinus congestion that got into my chest a bit I was just waiting for something to rear its ugly head during the race. Out of all things it was a bothersome left achilles for some reason and a side stitch mid race I had to work out. But I trusted my training and prep and just worked through it as it came.

Overall it was an amazing day on the feet. Im glad I was invited to do this event and thanks to Shalini and her crew of Terrain Trail Runners who yet again put on an amazing event. The aid stations are always great and accommodating and the course is always marked well leaving no doubt where to go. Congrats to all those who ran and completed any of the distances. It was a beautiful day that day and the after race food and drinks and atmosphere were perfect. Till next time, happy trails!

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=60288#id1563487

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/2617345

Ozark Trail 100

OT100
4th Overall 22:07:00

I guess I should start off by explaining, the why? For some reason I knew I wanted this race to be my first 100 miler. There’s something about the Ozark area and the trails in Missouri that I’m drawn to. After completing a 50 mile MTB race on the OT I’ve been messing with the idea of doubling the OT100MTB and OT100 trail race. I wasn’t able to do the MTB portion of this challenge but looking back now I’m ok w/ that. Why the 100 mile distance, because it’s a true test of the human spirit I think. I wanted to test myself and push my physical and mental capability. 

Training leading up to the race wasn’t your typical 100 mile training program by any means. I did a 53k a month ago and waited to the deadline to sign up and said screw it, let’s go, why not. I had done a few long runs but that was a while ago and my weekly mileage was laughable for leading up to a 100 mile race. Still I felt I was ready physically and mentally for the challenge. 

The race is a point to point race. After getting some decent sleep in the back of the Xterra at the camp grounds we loaded a bus at 3am and drove for 2 hours to the start. Race started at 6 a.m. which gave us about and hour and a half with our headlamps before the sun came up. I went out with past champs Tommy Doias and Ben Creehan and we settled into a good pace on an out and back section on some fire road to thin out the pack before entering the trailhead. I ran with them for the opening miles and then I quickly noticed my right IT band insertion on the knee was acting up. I figured it would go away as I warmed up but it continued to get tighter and tighter and never loosened up...the entire race. Anyway I found myself in 3rd for a good majority of the first quarter then started going back and forth with 4th place. Got to Gunstock Hollow where my first drop bag was and exited in 3rd and stayed there till about mile 96. Goal was get to Hazel Creek Mile 65.4 before dark which I almost did. Entered in just as I needed a headlamp. Rain was rumored to move in over night so I grabbed my hat and rain jacket refueled and I was out. Night running, especially on the OT, is definitely a unique experience. I was in complete solitude, except for the aid stations, from mile 60-96. Alone in the woods with my headlamp and my mind playing tricks on me. It was pretty rough going at night. The constant focus to not miss a turn. The non stop stubbing of the toe on hidden roots and rocks is enough to drive one insane. When you stare at a light bouncing off passing objects in the dark for so long it’ll start to mess with you. At this point it was just a matter of stocking up enough fuel to get me to the next aid station. Each aid station carried between 5.3-9.6 miles apart. Nutrition wise I think I nailed that. I continued to pee all race which was good. I got a good mix of solids and liquid gels throughout. No stomach issues. With 20 to go by legs really started to go but I was still moving forward we’ll, if that makes any sense. I knew I’d finish. If it meant walking most of the damn thing I would have. But it was really at Berryman 78.6 mile checkpoint that I though damnit your actually gunna finish this thing. 

Overall, unbelievable experience. Really happy with the result. Choosing this course for my first 100 was rough but I got er done and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the pain and placing myself in unfamiliar territory. I think that’s why we do this. To feel alive and know that somethings there inside of us wanting to be pushed and tested. Will I do another 100? Yes. But not for a very long time.

* The results have me listed as 23 hour 07 minutes. With the time change that night I think they got messed up. My watch had me at 22 hours and 5 minutes. Not sure if it was my watch that didn't "fall back" or if the timing results didn't account for the time change. 

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/athletes/2617345#interval?interval=201844&interval_type=week&chart_type=miles&year_offset=0

Results Link: http://ozarktrail100.com

2018 Rockin' Rockwoods 53k

2018 Rockin' Rockwoods 53k
1st Overall 4:29:21 (CR)
33.2 miles 

Heading back on Green Rock Trail

2018 was a rough year for the most part. The front end was littered with injuries and the recovery process seemed to linger on forever. Come mid July I was able to start stringing together some decent runs and come late August I was itching for a race. I jumped in a couple small weekday trail races in St. Louis and was feeling good. Yet I wanted something bigger, longer and more challenging before 2018 ended. I'd been injured all year and just wanted to race again. 
Like most ultra runners I got on ultrasignup.com and tried to find something that was somewhat close to home. I came across the Rockin' Rockwoods 53k. I had heard about it before and that it was a challenging course and I knew of the trail system. I decided to sign up and go for it. My training leading up to the race was anything but consistent. It was a mix of light running and cross training. Far from a build up of my normal liking going into a race. None the less it was better than what most of the year had been and all I wanted to do was run. 
Pre Race
Got down to Greensfelder State Park the day before and the plan was to camp out in the back of the Xterra. I was able to get on some sections of the course and preview a couple of the trails. Got in a few easy miles becoming one with the course. Stopped at a Subway and got some dinner then stopped at Walmart to grab some breakfast supplies for the next morning. I debated on sleeping in the parking lot of Walmart but that ended up being too busy and bright. Ended up driving back to Greensfelder and found an open camp slot to park in. Slept pretty well the night before; as well as one can in the back of an SUV the night before a race. Woke up 3 hours before the start to eat and had my usual banana with peanut butter, dry cereal and a couple fruit strips. Laid back down for an hour or so and then back up an hour before the start. Moved around a bit stretching out in the parking lot and then hit up a small warm up and headed to the start line. 
Race

Green Rock Trail

Went into the race relaxed and confident in my abilities. Plan was to just work into the run and go into the last few miles feeling good. The way the course was set up; I wanted to able to feel good and really start moving the last 13 miles after the turn around on Green Rock. Started out with Jon the opening miles on the Fox Creek out and back. At the turn Fox Creek turn around I decided to start picking it up. From there it was solo effort to the finish. Because of the nature of the course I was able to see others on the out and backs which was nice and made time go by a bit quicker. 
Unfortunately my Garmins GPS malfunctioned after mile 4. All my splits registered for the entire race but GPS wasn’t picking up I guess. Would have been nice to see some segments show up. Overall really excited about the day. Everything clicked mentally and physically. ood intake was perfect. GU and salt tablet every hour, 1 squeezable baby food at 2:30, 12oz. of heed drink every aid station/5-7miles or so, 2 organic fruit rollups, 1 electrolyte chews, 5 GUs total. Didn’t spend much time in the aid stations, just enough time to fill my bottle and go. Lots of rocks, roots, horse poop, rollers and a few shorter sustained climbs. Never hit any low spots. Stayed under control the first 10, 10-20 I just focused on staying fast but relaxed still not pressing too much. I wanted to be able to slowly pickup the pace on the way back if I was feeling good. I decided to start going for it when I entered back into Camp Wyman, figures there was close to 7 left here. Really felt smooth through there. Was just looking for the road, knew there’d be only 1.5 miles left from there. Hit the road and went ballz out, 6:38 last mile over rocky uneven terrain. Not gunna lie, I wouldn’t have been surprised if old aches and pains reared it’s head today but they didn’t. Just stayed within myself early on and was really happy I could press towards the end. 1 hour and 4min. ahead of the previous record.

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1873925289

Results Link: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=64445