Flagstaff Sky Race 39km

One of the many beautiful views from the course.

When I originally signed up for this race it was because I was scheduled to run a 24 mile run on my training schedule for that weekend. I thought that it would be neat to be out there on my longest run yet with other trail runners and up in the beautiful mountains running a race put on by Aravaipa Running. To be honest with you, the posted course profile intimidated me. I had never trained at the higher altitudes and had never run a course with even half of the elevation gain that we would climb by the time we finished. 

I had some doubts off and on during the weeks before the race but a couple of experienced veteran runner friends, Cody and Anna, reminded me to just watch my pace and enjoy the experience. I was there to train for my upcoming 50km and I knew that I was going to be on that course with some very experienced runners who I could learn from. I went out there focused on maintaining a conservative pace to avoid injury, to follow my body's cues and to practice my hydration/fueling during a long duration. That is exactly what I did.

39km course profile



I arrived in Flagstaff the night before and was able to get to bed at a decent time. Of course I tossed and turned but that is to be expected the night before a big run. I woke up a bit earlier than planned, ate a good breakfast and arrived at the shuttle with just enough time to spare. The shuttle ride was quiet and peaceful. I felt calm and ready. After we arrived at the starting point I had the chance to talk to a few runners while we waited for the race to start including one named Karey. I didn't know it then but our paths would cross a few times throughout the race. The air horn sounded and off we went. 

The climbing started within a quarter mile of the start and I made my way up the switchback to the Elden Summit towers 2000 feet above us. After I reached the top and began the descent towards the Sunset aid station I ended up chatting with Karey for a bit. She asked me if I had any advice for her which caught me off guard. I was a newbie out there, but like me, she was also a newbie on the mountains trails and was open to any advice to help her finish. We hung together for a bit and then I moved on heading down into the forest on beautiful winding singletrack trails.

About 8 miles in, before I could even see the Schultz aid station, I could hear cow bells, hoots and hollers. As I got closer I realized that it was the volunteers cheering each runner in. I ran up to the aid station and two volunteers immediately came up to me asking me what I needed. That kind of support is just...awesome. They topped off my water while I grabbed some food. Karey took off from the aid station before I did so she was ahead of me now.

The next 6 miles were filled with winding trails and lots of ups and downs that were mostly runnable. I saw a couple of runners that had been way ahead of me back tracking because they had missed a turn. The trails were fun and tricky. I couldn't really get a good stride going because once I did I had to switch it up to maneuver around boulders and tree roots. But that is what I love about trail running!! 

Around this time a 55km runner named Holly was catching up to me quickly. She was able to move so smoothly on those trails. I was impressed!! Right as I moved over to let her pass me the trail smoothed out a bit and I was able to run with her for awhile. She shared some of her experiences as an ultra runner with me and her goals for her race. We made it to the Valley Forge aid station and it was at this point that we both missed the trail markers and took a right turn instead of going straight. We ran 0.75 miles without seeing course markers so we decided to turn around and head back down to the aid station.

As we were heading back down there were other runners beginning to head the same way we had gone but somebody called them back. The aid station volunteers had figured out that runners were somehow missing the glaringly obvious orange flags straight ahead of us as we left the aid station. Big DUH moment for me right there!! This had allowed other female runners to catch up and get ahead of me. I knew it changed my finishing time and would drop me towards the back of the pack. I shrugged it off though and didn't let it get to me.

I was a happy camper out there on the trails and thought that it was cool that I had gotten in some extra mileage and elevation training. I felt bad for Holly though because she had a goal time that she was shooting for and that put her behind schedule. We ran together for a bit longer and then I dropped back because she had picked up her pace. I had to remind myself to run my race, not hers.


By the time I arrived at the Kachina aid station at mile 17, I had been snacking off and on but I was starting to crave liquids and not solid food. I refilled my water, grabbed a small cup of Mountain Dew, and ate some pretzels. That hit the spot!! It was so yummy. At this point I was starting to feel a bit tired and I knew that I had some huge climbs coming up so I pulled out my iPod, put in one ear bud and pushed play. I caught myself dancing on more than one occasion over the next couple of miles before I pulled out the ear bud and put my iPod away. It was time to focus again. I was able to pass a couple more runners and saw that a female runner was gaining on me. 

The next 4 miles were pretty much all climbing. I came to a huge hill that I could not even see the top of and saw the orange course markers going straight up it. There wasn't really much of a trail. Just tall grass, logs, and boulders. I knew this was the point that I would begin climbing one of the two biggest climbs on the course. I stood there for a few seconds with my hands on my hips staring up it. I was ready. 

I climbed my way up that wretched hill and I finally lost that runner who had been catching up to me earlier. I caught up to 3 more runners on that hill and chatted with 2 of them as we headed towards the Snowbowl aid station at mile 21. Turns out that one of those runners wasn't even a registered racer. He had been out on the trails and had just jumped in and followed the course for awhile.

I got to the Snowbowl aid station and I knew this was where our steepest and final climb was going to begin. My mom was volunteering at this aid station and I was so happy to see her!! She refilled my water for me and I grabbed a small cup of Coke. It didn't taste as good as the Dew but it still hit the spot. I gave my mom a hug and kiss, and off I went.

Holy hill, Batman!!! We climbed 2000 feet in 1.5 miles. We were climbing underneath the Agassiz chairlift for most of that climb and I could hear different conversations going on which was interesting. I only had one person threaten to hack a loogie on me. Woo hoo!! Three quarters of a way up the hill I had caught up to Karey and her friend. We chatted (more like grunted) for a minute and then I moved ahead and finished that beast of a hill. It took me an hour to complete that climb! And no, I could not have moved any faster. I felt like I was breathing through a straw.

I got to the top and once again the volunteers were very encouraging with their huge smiles and cold water. I had wanted to get a picture by the 11, 510 feet sign up there but the competitive side of me took over at this point and I wanted to stay ahead of the females that I had passed. I took off down the descent which was tricky as hell!! The footing was horrible and another runner and I were slipping and sliding our way down it. It was fun though and I crossed the finish line as the 10th female with a time of 7:31:40 which was within 30 minutes of my  original estimated finish time. Could I have placed higher if I hadn't of taken the wrong turn? Yup. Would I trade the extra mileage and training I gained for a couple of places higher on the placement scale? Nope!! 26 miles completed. *fist pump*

My mom and I giving each other a thumbs up as I crossed the finish line.

I waited by the finish line to cheer Karey and her friend in. We gave each other huge high fives and were all smiling and laughing. I even had a chance to catch up with Holly who was also smiling and laughing. Runners sure are a crazy breed, aren't we?!

Post race meal #1. Yummy!! 

I enjoyed watching the focus and determination of each runner I saw who was also grinding it out on those trails. I enjoyed the feel of the tall grass brushing against my finger tips as I ran by reaching down to touch their soft tips. I enjoyed listening to the sounds of the aspen leaves blowing in the wind and looking at the beautiful scenery all around me. Serenity. 

~Shanna

 

 

I ended up getting my picture by the sign the next day with my mom. : )