Mountain Lakes 100 -- A Gap Analysis

At work they call it a "gap analysis." When you compare your organization's actual performance with your potential or desired performance. The gap gives you an idea where you can improve and what resources you need to make that improvement.
I waited a full 15 years to run my first 100 mile ultra marathon and chose to jump into Mountain Lakes 100 with only three 50k races under my belt in 2014. And while I haven't performed a gap analysis, I did learn some things that will help me improve.

Feeling great in the early miles at Mountain Lakes 100

Looking back at my race, what I learned is similar to what I've learned throughout my 38 year running history. And there are some gaps.
The first thing I learned: Don't go out too fast. I tend to fall prey to this idea that I'm as fast and capable of a runner as I was when I was 30. I am not, but I'm working to get there each day. My first 50 miles were covered in 11:15 and I didn't feel particularly pressed. But my body had other ideas and reduced me to a walk/run, then a walk -- let's call it a 40 mile warm-down. The second 50 miles took me 17:15. There's a lot more to be learned here than "don't go out too fast." I don't think I was going too much faster than I'm capable of, but I was going too fast for the technical terrain we experienced during the first 20-26 miles. And every step beyond 60 miles was longer than I'd ever run. Also, I believe I'd benefit from some more lengthy and challenging back-to-back runs to be stronger over the last 40 miles of the race.

At the finish line with family.

Espresso gel anyone? It never occurred to me that staying awake while running would be difficult. I've run numerous events at 50 miles or less and some longer relay races without any trouble. I guess I figured since I'd be running, fueling, and focusing on the task at hand, I'd be fine to run through the night. Nope. Not fine. About three miles before I reached the Clackamas Ranger Station for the second time, 71 miles, I was weaving back and forth in the trail -- falling asleep. A runner behind me was kind enough to warn volunteers that the next guy "is kind of out of it." My good friend Stan Holman heard the news and sprung into action to get me coffee, food and helped me get my wits about me. Soon after leaving the aid station, I was met by a runner holding two double-shot espresso gels and he said, "Are you Cameron? Stan says you should eat these now." So, I did. The gels were good for about an hour of awake time each, before I began to fall asleep again on the climb back toward Pinheads at mile 87. At some point on the climb I decided I just had to sleep or risk running down a ravine. So I laid down on the trail with my head on a nice comfy rock for about 7 or 8 minutes. It was an instant slumber. And it was good enough to keep me fairly awake until Pinheads when the sun started to peak over the mountains.
over the last 13 miles, I was in good spirits. I knew I would finish and Stan was able to meet me with 4 miles to go. I felt some pretty serious knee pain when I tried to step over logs and branches, but I didn't think much of it. It was great to share those miles with Stan and to be reunited with family at the finish. Shortly after finishing my knee decided to completely seize up with inflammation, but other than that, I was in good shape -- having met my initial goal to complete the distance.
The race was extremely well organized, picturesque, and the aid station volunteers were the best I've seen. GoBeyondRacing does an amazing job with race organization. I look forward to participating in their races again next year. In the meantime, I've got some work to do to fill in the gaps in my training and racing, so I can continue to reach my desired level of performance.