>>> <mwilliams@pd.stlnet.com> 09/13/00 02:52PM >>>
My preparation for Wasatch began this summer when I left for Western States
to pace Jan.
Man was this an eye opener. I had forgotten how massive these mountains
were. I'm indebted to my friend Mike Price for an education that will last
a lifetime. After Western States Mike and I returned to Park City UT. for a
grand tour and training in the Wasatch mountains. Mike is so lucky to have
such a magnificent training area just outside his backdoor. The trails on
the Wasatch course are very challenging very steep and very beautiful.
Because of my limited time we were unable to spend a great deal of time on
any one section, so Mike took me on many sections. Leaving Utah I found
myself rethinking how to train for such a challenging race. I spoke with
Gary and we decided that the 75-85 mile weeks on rolling or flat surfaces
was not going to get the job done at Wasatch. So began our training. We
kicked off our training with weighted packs at the Chubb and several hard
workouts at Green Rock. I also trained weekly on a hilly 7 mile road
course. our training was going well and both of us could tell that our leg
strength on hills was coming along nicely. Mike invited Gary and me to come
out in July for some big time training, four days of hammering. July we
returned. Mike set up a plan that would take us on most of the course
especially the tough sections. In three days we covered about 50 miles of
mountain trails. Gary had to return a day earlier than I did. He missed out
on a magnificent 20+ mile trek up  Mount Timpanogos  cresting at over
12,000 feet. After leaving the summit Mike and I slid butt first down a
huge glacier field coming to rest yards from a beautiful mountain lake.
Like all good things this had to end too. Returning to St. Louis I
continued training as before, hills, hills, hills. D-Day finally came and I
found myself standing on the starting line at 5 a.m. at the East Mountain
Wilderness Park in Kaysville UT. with Mike and Gary staring  up at a star
filled sky. At the sound of the start we were off into the night
flashlights and headlamps danced along the trail and the sounds of fellow
runners speaking in jumbled  conversation. The climb starts at 4,880 feet
and accents to 9,200 feet covering 9.44 miles. The trail crosses a mountain
spring where if you  can refill your water bottles. This spring flows from
a small piece of pvc pipe and the tracks of early visitors can be seen in
the moist mud. Such as elk and mountain goats. From the spring the trail
rolls until you reach one of the major climbs.... CHINSCRAPER. Chinscraper
is a hands on climb. It's very steep with very loose rocks. As we made our
way up the trail someone above us shouted, LOOK OUT BELOW!! as a boulder
came bouncing and tumbling down the slope passing several runners near it's
path. Thank goodness no one was injured. After cresting Chinscraper the
trail snakes along a ridgeline with a spectacular view of Salt Lake City in
the valley below. The breeze along the trail is refreshing from the
previous climb and we are getting into a rhythm for the miles before us.
The first major aid station is at mile 18.6  Francis Peak. This is the
first point along the course where their is crew access. Reaching the aid
station we locate Mike's wife Diane with our boxes of supplies and
refreshments. I would like to extend a big thank you and THREE CHEERS!!!!
to Diane and their two sons for crewing for us during the race. Without
their support our race would not have been as enjoyable. As we leave
Francis Peak we pass two gigantic white radar balls on a peak which can be
seen for miles. from this point until about 45 miles every thing is going
smoothly for us. Nearing Lambs Canyon at 52.9 miles Gary is struck with
stomach cramps. He is slowed to a stop and vomits several times. Being the
hammerhead that he is he tries to continue only two be halted a second time
by the same heaving. We walk into Lambs together, Gary tries to reload with
food and drink as Mike and I change into our cold weather night gear.
Checking on Gary I find that this warriors race is over. He can't keep down
water or food and is becoming chilled. I ask if he feels like he can
continue and with a disheartening response the answer is no. I really felt
for Gary, we had poured out many hours of sweat and blood for this race. If
their was anyway possible, Gary would have suffered to finish this journey.
Not being able to fuel the fire it would have been impossible to finish. As
night fell Mike and I crossed under the highway leading to the Lambs Canyon
trailhead.  I couldn't help but to feel sad for my training bud. From Lambs
to Brighton aid station 22 miles away Mike and I battle the trail the
climbs never cease and the downhills are becoming more painful for me as
I've discovered that I have two huge blisters forming on the inside sides
of both feet. Mike and I navigate along the trail with a huge moon rising
of the mountains. Mike is like a Hollywood tour guide on this trail. With
16 entries an 11 finishes he knows the rocks and roots by name. We are on
blacktop with only 4 miles two Brighton. With less than a mile to go we are
on the main road leading up to the aid station. Along the way is a mountain
stream to our left that makes the air temperature at least 10° degrees
cooler. Arriving at the aid station we find Mike's sons ready to serve us.
We walk up the stairs into the warm aid station and are greeted with hellos
and what can we get yahs Well the aid I seek is treatment for these damn
blisters. We reload, blisters tended and tanks full. We are off to make the
climb to the highest point on the course Point Supreme.  Through
Catherine's Pass elevation 10,450 feet.  This section of the course was
poorly marked but Mike and I had been through this section before. The
weather is very chilly and it takes a while to re regulate  our bodies
temperature. Nearing the pass I swore I saw a star moving but as it turned
out it was only the beam of a flashlight from a runner nearing the summit.
Catherine's Pass is a tough section not only because of the altitude but
because this is 75 miles into the race. At the top of Point Supreme the
wind is gusting, we are eager to top the crest and drop down to the next
valley. At 80.6 miles we reach another Bad ass climb "THE GRUNT", now the
Grunt is not a long climb but it is steep. Mike and I climb pause, climb
pause and were off again...WHEW. From 80 miles on, the trail
is mean and never gives an inch. Around every corner lies another climb or
rocky downhill. At 93.87 miles we emerge from the woods and roll into
Alpine Loop Summit aid station. We are greeted by Diane and hammerdog Gary.
I'm rushing trying to rid myself of these full hot tights and put on some
cool shorts. Like a Daytona pit crew Gary and Diane are filling bottles and
handing us food. As we are leaving the aid station we yell out to the time
keeper, runners #175 and #193 are out. Man, I can smell the barn, unless
the wheels fall off this cowboy is Sundance bound. Mike and I push hard
trying to shave as much time as possible. These miles are at lower altitude
and  the air has began to get warmer. Through the ferns and aspens we are
shaded from the sun as we begin to real in a few weary runners. Nearing the
finish Mike, like an ole vet instructs me where to turn once we approach
the finish. Breaking from the woods we see the crowd at the base of a small
hill. The cheers escalate as we near the finish line.With arms raised in
victory our journey ends with a time of 32hrs. 27mins. This was an
experience I will remember forever the training the challenge and the
sharing of this journey with two great friends.

Cheers,
Mark Williams
St. Louis