Race Update: Nick Lewis finishes 7th at US Trail Marathon Championships
Below is a race report from Swiftwick athlete Nick Lewis, accomplished trail ultra-marathoner who took second place at the Leadville Trail 100 race(tough to do going from sea level in Memphis to 14,000 ft) as well as a host of other victories in the trail running circuit.
Ashland, Oregon
November 7, 2009
After finishing 2nd at the 2009 Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile run from Leadville to Winfield, CO and back, this past weekend was somewhat a bittersweet end to the 2009 year. I had a hard spring and summer of training and racing, but kind of hit the wall a little bit during the two weeks prior to the US Trail Marathon.
A little less than a month ago, I decided to make the move from Memphis, TN to Ashland, OR to live in a better training environment that is also a lot closer to a majority of the ultrarunning events that take place from year to year. Not quite acclimated to the amount of uphill and downhill running Ashland provides, I began having a nagging knee issue that did not allow the proper amount of training heading into the day. Nevertheless, I was registered and somewhat confident I could still put forth a good effort and be in the top 5.
The first 8 miles of the race climbs just about 3,000 ft vertical before transitioning to more of a rolling terrain for about 12 miles, then comes a gnarly descent back into Ashland, to the tune of 26.2 miles. Race morning was a bit chilly, in the low 40s, so we all knew it was going to be cool 3,000 feet higher. I also knew that at some point it was going to be wet, whether that be rain or snow. I came prepared, however, with a fresh pair of Swiftwick’s Olefin Ones on my feet, as well as a pair of arm warmers to help fight the elements.
[Sidenote: To you ultrarunners and cyclists out there, you can create a very convenient stash point for your salt pills and gels by rolling up the cuff of the arm warmers and sliding them between the fold or between your skin and the warmers]
As I began the climb with the lead pack, I found myself pretty relaxed and my legs felt amazing. At about mile 5, however, I started having stomach problems and began throwing up.
Throwing up while running is not a new concept to me, so it was not that problematic. What was problematic, though, is the fact that it continued so long as I pressed the pace hard enough. This makes running uphill all the more laborious and, well…just not fun at all. When I finally crested the top of the climb I tried, without any success, to calm my stomach. Somewhat demoralized, I threw in the towel and accepted the fact that even though it simply wasn’t my day, I was determined to finish the race. So, I chugged along in 5th place for a while. 5th became 6th. 6th became 7th. 7th became 9th and, finally, the finish line was in sight.
The ’20 mile wall’ in a marathon exists for a lot of reasons. I do not highly recommend attempting to break through that barrier having only eaten one energy gel. When I hit the finish line I could barely stand I was so weak, but my time at the office was over so things were only going to get better, especially with blister-free feet!
Despite having such a ‘bad day,’ I humbly accepted the fact that I was still able to manage fighting my way to a 9th place finish (overall), which translated to a 7th place finish among the USATF registered runners. All in all, it was another successful day at the office and another positive result for the Swiftwick team.
Ashland, Oregon
November 7, 2009
After finishing 2nd at the 2009 Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile run from Leadville to Winfield, CO and back, this past weekend was somewhat a bittersweet end to the 2009 year. I had a hard spring and summer of training and racing, but kind of hit the wall a little bit during the two weeks prior to the US Trail Marathon.
A little less than a month ago, I decided to make the move from Memphis, TN to Ashland, OR to live in a better training environment that is also a lot closer to a majority of the ultrarunning events that take place from year to year. Not quite acclimated to the amount of uphill and downhill running Ashland provides, I began having a nagging knee issue that did not allow the proper amount of training heading into the day. Nevertheless, I was registered and somewhat confident I could still put forth a good effort and be in the top 5.
The first 8 miles of the race climbs just about 3,000 ft vertical before transitioning to more of a rolling terrain for about 12 miles, then comes a gnarly descent back into Ashland, to the tune of 26.2 miles. Race morning was a bit chilly, in the low 40s, so we all knew it was going to be cool 3,000 feet higher. I also knew that at some point it was going to be wet, whether that be rain or snow. I came prepared, however, with a fresh pair of Swiftwick’s Olefin Ones on my feet, as well as a pair of arm warmers to help fight the elements.
[Sidenote: To you ultrarunners and cyclists out there, you can create a very convenient stash point for your salt pills and gels by rolling up the cuff of the arm warmers and sliding them between the fold or between your skin and the warmers]
As I began the climb with the lead pack, I found myself pretty relaxed and my legs felt amazing. At about mile 5, however, I started having stomach problems and began throwing up.
Throwing up while running is not a new concept to me, so it was not that problematic. What was problematic, though, is the fact that it continued so long as I pressed the pace hard enough. This makes running uphill all the more laborious and, well…just not fun at all. When I finally crested the top of the climb I tried, without any success, to calm my stomach. Somewhat demoralized, I threw in the towel and accepted the fact that even though it simply wasn’t my day, I was determined to finish the race. So, I chugged along in 5th place for a while. 5th became 6th. 6th became 7th. 7th became 9th and, finally, the finish line was in sight.
The ’20 mile wall’ in a marathon exists for a lot of reasons. I do not highly recommend attempting to break through that barrier having only eaten one energy gel. When I hit the finish line I could barely stand I was so weak, but my time at the office was over so things were only going to get better, especially with blister-free feet!
Despite having such a ‘bad day,’ I humbly accepted the fact that I was still able to manage fighting my way to a 9th place finish (overall), which translated to a 7th place finish among the USATF registered runners. All in all, it was another successful day at the office and another positive result for the Swiftwick team.
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11:46 AM
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