Last One Standing 3rd 🥉 Place Overall

For those unfamiliar with the race/format. The race takes place on a 10k long paved trail in the heart of St. George, Utah. Although the race is called Last One Standing, there can be more than one finisher. The race is over when only one runner remains or the runners reach the maximum of 17 laps, totaling 102 miles. Every 90 minutes a new lap is started, if you don’t get back to the Start/Finish line before the next lap begins then you are eliminated. You cannot start the next lap until the 90 minute mark. So you only need a 15 min/mile pace to stay in the race, which is easy at the start, but as the laps mount it becomes increasingly difficult to balance your speed on the trail, and time refueling at your aid station before the next lap starts.

As you complete each lap you are given a pin for each lap number you have completed, with some big pins for the 30, 60, and 102 mile marks. They also award a Rabbit and Turtle pin to the fastest and slowest on each lap.

This was my third time running the race, previously I had completed 60, and then 75 miles. Those were also my distance PRs at that time. And I also learned that as the miles/laps mounted the precious minutes at the aid station became few. Eventually it was impossible to take care of everything that needed to be done to get back out on the course. Previously I had been crewing myself and realized that if I wanted to finish this race I would need some help. So I begged, conned and cajoled my wife to come and crew for me this year, it made all the difference.

The Race Begins

The race started like normal, an easy pace with lots of good friends and conversations. It was warm while sun was still up but getting ready to set during the first lap, and then it was dark and getting cooler. It was fun to visit and share miles with so many that I knew and many new friends as well. Just like previous years the crowd which started at 91 runners began to thin. A few runners dropped after a lap or two, and a large number had dropped off once we reached the marathon distance.

Chasing the Rabbit

As we got to the 30 mile mark I got this burst of energy and felt like pushing hard. Just before the 2 mile mark I found that I was in front. I have never received a rabbit pin, and figured it was out of my reach, but this looked like this was my chance. With this realization I dug down and pushed hard, busting out 8ish min/miles for most of the lap. Hearing the sloshing water in my handheld I felt like I had someone on my tail the whole way. This kept me digging deeper and even had a 7:40 minute mile right before finishing the lap. With that finish I got my rabbit pin, and a 51 minute lap, the next runner came in 5 or so minutes after me. So he wasn’t on my tail but it was a good incentive.

After my rabbit lap I dialed things back considerably and we continued to run on through the night.

My wife, Becky, was the star of the show she took such good care of me, and got very little sleep during the night. I could not have gone the distance without her. She prepared and fed me bacon, breakfast burriots, Nutella sandwiches, and fruit, and always had my water bottles ready to go. When there was time she used our impact massager to keep my legs feeling good. A couple of times we realized that I had forgotten to pack something and she ran to the store during the lap to pick it up.

On lap 12 I decided to come in last for the lap and pick up a turtle pin to compliment my rabbit. I only intended to get one but later on lap 15 I picked up another one.

The Second Turtle Pin

Coming out of lap 14 with 84 miles under my belt I had made it further than any previous attempt. I wasn’t the turtle but I needed to sit on the toilet, reapply sun screen, and address some chafing. With only about 8 minutes before the next lap would start. Becky grabbed what I needed and joined me in the restroom. She got the sunscreen reapplied while I took care of the other business. And although we were quick, once all was handled and I had ice on my neck and was back on the trail I was 5 minutes behind the pack.

It was about 4pm and the sun was baking everything in the 100+ degree heat. Although I was able to make up the 5 minutes I was down at the start of the lap and get back to the finish in less than 90 minutes. My pace was a crawl when I came  back in and arrived in last place, so I got my second turtle pin. I was so ready to drop when I got back. With only a handful of minutes left before lap 16 started I was bruised, broken, tired and melting. I didn’t think I could continue and go the distance.

The Rally

My wife calmly but firmly reassured me that I could finish the race. There was definitely an undertone of “I didn’t come here to help you all day and night just for you to give up and drop out now”. But I didn’t feel like I had another lap in me, I was dragging so badly. I don’t typically take any sort of stimulants, I like to stick with real food and drink. But in this case I decided the only way I was doing another lap was if I got some help. Becky grabbed me a sugar free Red Bull, which I quickly downed despite the disgusting taste (Honestly that stuff is horrible). And I set out on the trail again.

Becky grabbed her own running gear, some honey stinger gels and run gum then met me after the initial out n back to help pace me on the trail. I was 7 minutes down when I hit the 1 mile mark shuffling along trying to get moving.

Being One of the Last Ones Standing

It did take a bit for the caffeine to kick in, but when it finally did I was able to keep a pretty steady 10ish minute pace. By the mile 3 water/ice station we had made up the 7 minutes and was right on the 15 minute pace. After getting some more ice we were on our way again. Becky was getting sluggish herself between miles 3 and 4, and told me to keep going without her. I pulled ahead and was able to keep the 10ish min/mile pace most of the way back to the Start/Finish, passing several of the other runners in the last mile.

When I got back in there were many more people there ready to see the action of the final lap. With Becky out on the trail I was not sure I could get ready and to the starting line on time. My friend Josh who had looked like death warmed over a few hours earlier  when he dropped, had come back and asked what I needed. He grabbed me another Red Bull which I downed, and I grabbed some more run gum and a Honey Stinger gel. Then with my hydration bottles in hand I headed to the starting line with a bit of time to spare. After the last couple laps I was not going to start another lap with a deficit.

The Final Lap

Starting the final lap were 7 runners of the 91 that had started the race. In the past 2 years there had been only 1 and then 2 finishers respectively. But now we had 7 toeing the line.

Starting out the final lap Roberto took off, leading the pack from the start (he eventually finished with a 55 minute lap). I was next in line and feeling fairly good considering. My pace was staying steady at about a 10 min/mile, but Todd blew past me just after mile two. As he passed he exclaimed he was probably going to blow up, but he didn’t. I kept pushing and when I got to the bridge at mile 4 I saw that Marc was not to far behind me. But I could also feel that the stimulating effects of the caffeine were starting to wain.

Going For The Podium

At that point I had a decision to make, everyone that finished that last lap would get the coveted belt buckle. The buckle has been mi primary goal, but at the moment I was in 3rd place overall. I could either push to stay in 3rd place, or just worry about finishing. With about 15 minutes in the bank at that point my buckle was virtually assured.

I decided to hang on to 3rd, I doubled down and pushed. After about 3/4ths of a mile I slowed and decided to see where Marc was, and if I had widened the gap. As I turned around I saw that he was only about 100 or so feet behind me. I took off again and kept digging deeper and deeper, trying to pull any strength out of my tired and beaten body that I could. My pace was around a  9:30 min/mile for the last mile or so, not letting up and not looking back. I wasn’t sure if he was still on me or not.

Video that my sister caught of me passing on the trail during this section of the race revealed that he was right on my tail.

Crossing The Finish Line

As I approached the finish line the cheers of the large crowd gave me a little extra strength to push to the end. I crossed the line in 3rd place and sure enough Marc was only steps behind me, he had been on my tail the whole way. After he crossed he assured me that if I had let up one bit he had been ready to pass me.

I was thrilled to have completed this monster race, I had done 4 other 100 mile races/runs over the year prior to this run. But my fastest time had been over 31 hours. This one was 102 miles in just over 25 hours. According to Strava, there was only 20.5 hours of actual movement. So this was a big achievement and improvement for me. I was so happy to finally have the buckle! But when my friend Kevin came in a few minutes later I was moved to tears. Kevin had completed the race, set a personal distance PR, and did that only 7 months after having completed chemotherapy, That was probably a bigger highlight for me than my own finish.

Last Ones Standing

In the end of the 7 runners that started this last lap, all 7 finished and received their buckles. So there were 7 Last Ones Standing, It was pretty stinking amazing. I am humbled to have been able to share the trail with that amazing group.

I am so grateful to all the volunteers that helped keep the race rolling, sprayed me with ice water during the heat of the day, helped top off my ice, or just cheered me on.

My sweet, amazing, dedicated wife Becky deserves this buckle as much or more than I do. Her willingness to stand by my side, get me what I needed, and just being willing to take the time out of her busy schedule to dedicate to me and helping me achieve this goal is mind blowing. I love you Sweetheart.

And finally to my TRIP running family, thank you so much for the love, support, and encouragement. It was great to see so many of you at the race, share trail time with you, and I know that all the crazy challenges we do helped prepare me to finally finish this race. Max Kudos to you all!!