PowderFace42 - Race Report

No matter how well prepared you (think you) are, PowderFace42 always kicks your ass...

For the past 4 years, I've used PowderFace42 as my final prep race prior to the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run because it encompasses many, if not all the characteristics of a classic mountain stage. This year, I decided to keep it in the roster but as preparation for the Canadian Death Race. Sure, it may not be an 'ultra' distance wise, but it sure packs a hell of a punch - and that's exactly what I was looking for!

The Test Plan...
With 2 weeks to go until DR-day, the objective was not only to test the body, but to make final tweeks on my gear and test out some nutrition strategies - I'd say mission accomplished not necessarily because everything worked out fine (actually, it didn't), but now I know a bit more about what NOT to do before DR...

The Race Plan...
Do the math...with 2 weeks to go, you can do some serious damage to the body if you go too hard, so that's more or less what I had in mind as I set off for my 4th PF42. Run well, stay in control and don't kill yourself! I'll leave that up to the Death Race...

The Competition...
There's only one man I expected to set a fast pace off the start, and that was Taylor Murphy, who recently claimed the Canadian Mtn Running Championship title. Like me, Taylor is a relative newcomer to the ultra world, but with two very speedy 50km records under his belt (BlackFoot Ultra 50km, and the Run for the Toad 50km), he is a very serious contender in any race! Sure, I would have loved to try to stay with him, but the reality is that he's in another league...for now ;) My personal goal/pace was to run around the 4hr mark, which is still pretty zippy (for me) and would best my course record by 9min or so...

And they're off...
Taylor and I quickly set off, separating from the main group, which included ultra runners (and Bow Valley Harriers teammates) Blaine Penny and Carl Pryce (Calgary) as well as experienced trail runner and past PF42-er Kevin Masters (Edmonton).

The first hills didn't take long to appear...My body and legs were feeling good so I stuck with Taylor for a while...but the HR was creeping up...165...168...170...

"Time to ease off Philly, remember DR..." I reminded myself.

I eased off the gas...Taylor eased up the climb - such a smooth runner...

"Stick with the plan Phil!"

42km Course profile (bottom) goes right to left - climbing to the high point at 16km, then it's mostly (not) downhill to the end. Those 'little' bumps at the end are not so little...and hurt like hell too! Get a better look at the profile here

I caught glimpses of Taylor until the 10km mark, where I fell to about 3min back. I tackled the big grind up to high point of the course (2,000m) with a steady pace, keeping some juice in the legs for the second half, which I knew is always harder than it seems. As I neared the summit, I realized that my stomach 'gurgles', which had plagued me over the past days was getting worse...I ignored the discomfort and continued down the backside onto a steep/fun technical descent, all the way to Powderface Trail.

This secondary 'bump' on the profile was removed last year as a cougar had been feeding on a dead grizzly (wouldn't want to stumble on that scenario - yikes!), so it was nice to run on this relatively unknown section of trail again. A fast mucky descent on the flip side, a river crossing, and before I knew it, I arrived at CP3, marking the 24km mark of the course.

"You're 6min back of the lead..." Not bad I thought...

By this point, my stomach was not happy - Physically, I was actually feeling great and I was on track to run under the 4hr mark. But the gurgles were starting to get the best of me..."Why did I have to eat so much junk these past couple of days..." Eventually - nature called..."That looks like a nice spot!"

Although the course profile seems to show a gradual descent to the finish, the actual is anything but an 'easy cruise' to the end. The hills are steep and deceivingly long, and as is usually the case, the near 1,500m of descent up to that point start to become a factor. Throw in some other body-blows that may be affecting you at this point and you've got yourself a tough mental challenge!

As I tacked the last 10km of the race, my stomach was still giving me grief, but I trudged on. Mind wandering, only my Suunto's 1km lap 'beep' helped keep my head in the game and the pace up! We merged with the late starting half-marathoners, that cheered (urged) me on...Knowing the course was definitely an asset as I knew what lay ahead.

I crossed the line, content with the effort (stopped my watch at ~3:53) and pleased to have bested my past record of 4:09. Taylor blazed the course, setting a new record of 3:37:11!! Something to shoot for in the next few years...

Tale of the Tape: You can view all the deets at the Suunto Movescount site...

Post Race Notes...
So what's the deal with my stomach issues these past 2 races? I've realized that I have to be careful of what I eat in the days prior to the race and not let myself succumb to my cravings. I know, it's not rocket science: Eat well, run well. Simple. This will be my ticket to a strong belly in DR - Besides, I don't intend on suffering for 125k!

Nutrition-on-the-go...HoneyStinger gels (120 cal) + NST Endurance Formula mix (390 cal/500ml) seemed to work well - a good combo for the first half of DR at least...Despite the gut discomfort, my physical energy was constant. I'll have to improvise with real food for the latter half of DR - Regardless, all of this is 'theory' and hard to predict until I actually do something over the 10hrs - wait and see I suppose.

Gear...Overall, I'm happy with my kit. I had a bit of chafing action happening, but think I can resolve that with a bit of tape/moleskin applied in the right areas...

So that's it for now...2 wks to go - I'm psyched!