Running the Zion 100

My journey to run my first 100 mile ultramarathon, and running the Zion 100 specifically, started a decade ago. I helped with the inaugural Zion100, volunteering with the local Ham Radio club. We helped radio in the bib numbers of runners as they passed through several of the aid stations. This amazed and inspired me with the determination and pain that I saw on so many runners faces. What would cause a person to decide to put themselves through such an arduous experience? I did not realize it at the time, but a seed had been planted and slowly started to grow.

I was not a “runner” at that time, and wouldn’t be for several more years. But as I started running in 2017 the desire really started to grow and set me on a trajectory for running the Zion 100. I was initially signed up for running the Zion 100 in April 2020. But as issues with the Covid-19 pandemic started to arise the race got cancelled and I was forced to wait another year.

I continued to train after the Zion 100 and most of my other races were cancelled for the year. And even ended up completing two 100 mile activities, but not in a race setting. So I had run the mileage, and had been building up for over a year of training prior to running the Zion 100. But the pressure and excitement of an actual race is much different than just completing the hundred mile distance.

Preparing for running the Zion 100

Over the eight or so months leading up to the 2021 Zion 100, I had focused on becoming a fat adapted runner. I hoped that this would give me an edge, avoid bonking, and to keep moving when things got tough. After completing many training runs between 17-30 miles relying on fat adaption, and felt like I had a handle on things. But I had not spent much time zeroing in on exactly how I planned to fuel overall for the full one hundred mile ultramarathon. So I talked with other fat adapted runners and searched the internet for strategies that others had used and cobbled together an assortment of all the options. In the end my drop bags were filled with nut butters, Ucan Super Starch, Honey Stingers, electrolyte powders, Vespa, and more. At the outset I felt prepared and ready to roll.

In my inexperienced mind I had planned and hoped for a 22 hour finish, but decided a 24 hour finish would be acceptable. But after the experience, the 31 hour and 53 Minute finish was just fine with me. I had a pacing chart all ready to go, with anticipated paces adjusted for elevation changes and duration. But plan all you want and the reality of the actual race will break all of your expectations, one after another.

Race Day Arrives

Starting the race with just a few hours of sleep probably wasn’t the best and I am sure I paid for that later in the day. But there was lots of energy at the starting line as the 300 or so of us took off. It was a beautiful morning, got some good chatting in with with friends. We made it to the Goosebump aid station and continued around the Gooseberry Mesa loop. At this point the group started to fracture as we got split up in the crowd.

The view at the tip of the mesa was amazing in the early morning twilight. But that slick rock was no joke. It beat me up and made it hard to keep any sort of running rhythm, the South Rim especially. So I fell a bit behind my desired pace on the loop, but made up a bit with some great runnable dirt road leading back into the Goosebump aid station.

Descending the Mesa

I followed Rick as we started down the side of the mesa, and I was determined to keep up with him. We bombed down the hill at a break neck pace. Although my feet weren’t loving the thin Altra LonePeaks I was wearing, their awesome tread kept me in control.

I tried to recapture some lost time on my way across the desert to Virgin Desert Aid. But my feet were begging for a little more cushion. So I called my wife/crew to have her bring me a different pair of shoes. It cost a bit of time to wait for them to arrive, but it was a good decision. My feet were much happier after that. But the long wait at the aid station allowed my muscles to cool down. And it took a bit to get things going again. At the same time the temperature was steadily rising, and that was gonna make things fun.

Race Nutrition Issues Begin

My nutrition strategy in hind site needed some additional refining with some long runs prior to the race. I used Ucan super starch at the start and halfway points as a long burn carbohydrate. Ucan bars and Stinger honey were a carb supplement along the way. Trail butter and Ultra fat as my supplemental fat source, and Vespa to pump up the fat burning. I consumed those along with a small amount of the other fare available at the aid stations. But that combination was not working like I had hoped, and later would almost prove my undoing.

Dodging the Bikers

This next section of the race course was extra fun. The BLM had “accidentally” granted a permit for a bike race on some of the same trails as we were running. It was the most fun was running the bottom part of the Jem trail. Bikers were bombing down that section from behind us. It really threw off your rhythm jumping out of the way of the bikes. But it was great to finally get off the shared trail.

The desolate, rocky and hot final couple miles leading to the Virgin Dam aid station beat me up. Upon arriving all I wanted to do was sit, and get out of the sun. I ate a few things and sat for what seems like a long while. Finally I used the vault toilet that was at the aid station. It was much cooler in that cinderblock cube. I was selfish and almost didn’t let anyone else use it. And I was just glad to be out of the heat. But I finally gave in, left the cool, ate a couple more items and headed out again. These miles were some of the toughest I had. And it was a chore just to keep moving.

As I approached the Smiths Mesa climb I had recovered a bit and was determined to make up a little bit of time. I had pegged a 18 minute mile pace for that hill but was able to keep a 16:30-17 minute mile pace for the duration of the climb. It felt great to pass the 8 or so runners that I did on the ascent. And that bolstered my flagging spirit a bit.

Running The Zion 100 Without Water

Once at Smiths Mesa I made a big mistake. I added ice to my electrolytes bottle. Now this may not seem like a problem to you, ice in the heat is amazing. But I put electrolyte powder and ice into my electrolyte bottle. Then I added ice into my water bottle. But after I filled up my water bottle I neglected to add water to my electrolyte bottle. I didn’t realize my mistake until I was about a half mile from the Smiths Mesa aid station.

The course map showed a water only aid station about a mile or so ahead. It indicated we would hit the aid station before we started the Flying Monkey loop. So I didn’t worry about it my lack of electrolytes and forged on ahead. But apparently they changed the route from what was on the map. We turned up onto Flying Monkey without hitting that water station. As finished the initial climb on Flying Monkey, I turned around and could see the large blue water cooler way down below. As we started up the climb we had probably been within 200 foot of it. But I didn’t want to backtrack, or make the climb again so I just kept going.

Wrath of the Sun

I do most of my training in the wee hours of the morning. So knocking out a 10k with no water at that time is just a daily activity for me. This probably affected my decision to continue on despite the reduced amount of fluids. The loop was brutal, rough, and popular with the local cattle, they had rutted it completely. So my progress was significantly slower than it could have been. And that kept me in the sun and heat for a longer period.

By the time I had reached the far end of the loop I only had about a quarter of my water left. Because I had been stingy with what I had I could hardly run at all in that heat. But I very slowly crept through the final miles of the loop. And eventually made it to the end of the loop and the Water Aid Station.

Dehydration Sets in

I filled my bottles and drank, and drank, and drank. Immediately I must have downed at least 48 ounces. I sat for a few minutes in the shade before determining to start my decent down Smiths Mesa. As I got up it was obvious that I was seriously dehydrated. My stomach was starting to have issues with all the water I had ingested. I believe this may have slowed down the rehydration process a bit.

My arms had become numb and tingly, also my balance was not doing well, and my head was foggy. This descent was not what I would call a well worn trail by any means. With rock hopping in parts, down climbing with a rope, and narrow ledges I was concerned. The NewBalance Hierro shoes, which I had traded for at the Virgin Desert aid were not up to the task. They were great for the flat trails as a cross trail/asphalt shoe but didn’t have any teeth. So I kept slipping, that along with the other mental and physical issues made the descent a crawl. All this lead me to make a decision. And even though the next aid station was only a mile away, it would be the ending point. I was hot, delirious, and unstable on my feet, I needed to drop out for my own safety.

Problems Compound

I had used the “racejoy” app that the race director had provided. This allowed me to share my location and progress with my pacers and crew. I wanted to make sure they knew when they could anticipate my arrival. But it had sucked the battery life from my phone.By the time I had started my descent I only had about 3% remaining. And in low power mode the app was no longer updating my location. I was going to die out here, and wouldn’t have the ability to call for help 🙁 The last mile seemed like an unconquerable enemy, it was just too far to travel.

The Miracle

Then a miracle happened, and it’s name was Josh! Josh had been waiting to pace me from the Virgin BMX aid station. But I was now hours behind schedule. He headed up the trail to look for me, and I am so glad that he did.  I will never forget his cheerful shout of “Randall” as he saw me and started to easily and effortlessly “bounce” my way. It instantly Buoyed my spirit. He said “you may feel awful but you look great!” His optimism and smile broke down the dark walls that were forming in my mind. And in short order he even had me running into the aid station.

Grabbing an ice cold ginger ale to calm my stomach I sat in a reclining chair. I rested for a while, ate a bit, and then eventually with Josh’s encouragement we got ready to head out. The next 20 mile stretch with Josh over the Guacamole loop was planned to happen during the mid to late afternoon. Now the sun was setting, it was going to be a nighttime loop. So to ward off the cold Josh hunted around for warmer attire. He borrowed a long sleeved shirt from a friend. And found some of his son’s socks for gloves, thus clad we headed into the night.

Pacers Rock

Josh was a godsend, he kept the conversation lively and constantly checked to make sure I was doing well. He also carried my pack which was amazing! One of the most infamous segments I had heard of while preparing for running the Zion 100 was the Guacamole loop. But seemingly against all odds, we made it up the climb to the Guacamole aid station, ate a bit then headed into the dark. The loop was almost like a scavenger hunt, no real trail to follow, just cairns and trail markers. You could see the lights from so many other runners on different parts of the loop. So although it was not very runnable it was on of my favorite parts of the race. We helped a group or two get back on the trail after they had lost their way.

The 20 mile Guacamole loop ends right back at the Virgin BMX Aid Station where I had picked Josh up. My wife was going to meet us there to take over from Josh for the next 10 miles (70-80). But given the early hour she wanted me to call and wake her when we reached mile 65. I pulled out my phone to call, but the call failed, only 1 bar of 3G service. So we ran on for a bit more and then tried again, still nothing. Repeatedly I tried again and again, same service same results.

Switching Pacers

Finally when we were at the top of the last hill, and I could see Virgin I tried again, still nothing. Then I thought to have Josh try his phone, and it worked just fine. We made it to the Aid station and I said goodbye to Josh. Becky helped me set a good pace as we started toward Gooseberry Mesa. I knew this distance was going to be a stretch for her, but I was so glad that she decided to run it with me. If it had seemed steep going down Gooseberry, it was at least twice as steep going back up. What a crazy climb, Becky pushed me all the way and as daunting as it appeared it was done much more quickly that I had anticipated.

At the top I had some broth and bacon. Becky rubbed my shoulders for a bit and one of the volunteers brought over a massage gun. WOW that felt soooo good. Rejuvenated after that short rest we got underway again and made quick work of the final 5 miles back to the start/finish line area where I was supposed to pick up my brother Trevor to pace me for the final 20 miles.

The Final 20 Miles of the Zion 100

About a mile from the end of that stretch we passed a runner that was growling loudly with each step. I had visited with him at the Guacamole aid station where he complained about some leg pain. We asked if he needed anything or if we could help. He responded with a curt “NO” and then followed that with a respectful “Thank You”. So we left him to is growling, I expected he would be dropping.

At the 80 mile mark I kissed my wife goodbye and Trevor joined me. He took my pack and we started off. He had never done 20 miles at once before, so this was a stretch for him. And he was totally amazing. He was constantly reminding me to take fluids, telling witty stories or singing silly tunes which helped keep me going.

Less Fuel = Better Results

Since the issues with my stomach heading into Virgin BMX the first time I had changed up my fueling strategy. Other than a bit of real food at each aid station, the only supplement I was consuming was Vespa. But with it I found that I had plenty of energy for the rest of the race. The biggest hurtle I was facing was mental fatigue. My brain was foggy with little sleep the night before the race and having been awake and moving for almost 30 hours. A couple times I felt like I was sleep running.

I had this strange focus and drive that kept me going. Although I wanted to be a part of the conversation Trevor was having, most of the time I couldn’t summon the mental energy to respond. All my mental capacity was focused on the trail and continuing forward. If Trevor hadn’t been there I don’t know that I would have thought about staying hydrated. And I am sure I would have suffered a severe setback. But as it was we continued forward and passed many runners in those twenty miles. Trevor’s constant encouragement I am sure was a large part of that.

The Finish

When we finished the Grafton loop we started up the hill for the last 1.5ish miles to the finish line Trevor told me to take off if I was feeling like it, and I was. I was so close to the completion of running the Zion 100, this goal I have had for years. Even as I was heading up the hill my eyes started to tear up at the thought of finishing.

As I approached the top of the hill I saw my wife and kids cheering me on, this almost overwhelmed me and I started to break down. But I reigned it in as on of my sons ran with me for a bit then I just wanted to lay it all on the line and broke out into a full on sprint as I headed into the finish line. Where I found my parents and siblings there cheering for me. I was overwhelmed and am even now tearing up with the thoughts of gratitude for all the help love and support. Gratitude fills my heart for all the encouragement, insights, examples and strength I have received along the way. 

This race was an experience never to be forgotten. The beauty and grandeur of the location is unrivaled. The amazing volunteers were so helpful and giving of their time, and always had a smile on their faces. The sheer magnitude of the distance and vert. And the outpouring of love and support was humbling.

The Afterglow of Finishing the Zion 100

I got a chance to talk with Jeff Browning for a few minutes after the race and he gave me some good food for thought on my nutrition strategy as a fat adapted runner. I don’t know how much of what he said that I actually remember, but it was nice to get some extra insights from a world class runner like him.

As a final note, it was inspiring, to see the growling man hobbling his way toward the finish line. His was one of, I am sure, many such stories that happened during the race. Overcoming crazy obstacles to achieve your goals. But one thing when I saw him at the end, he had a pacer with him. I can only think that his pacer had the same affect on him that mine had on me. Running may be an individual sport, but it is never a one man show. Running the Zion 100 was a life changing event for me, and I am sure it will be for you as well.