Better late than never is what some say and so it goes with my report from the CDRX. Anyone who reads this has probably already talked to me about it, but this writing bit is more just to get it out there.
If anyone doesn't know what the Canadian Death Race is, well here is a quick overview. 125km of pure intensity that takes over the small town of Grande Cache, Alberta and involved 1,500 runners. Some run the entire thing solo, most are part of a team, all are out there for the challenge.
The race started at 8:00am on Saturday with the elite soloists and leg 1 runners getting out fast. These runners amaze me, how they can endure the challenge ahead with what seems to be effortless ability. I was running leg 2, so after the start I went back to the hotel and got myself prepared and made sure the family was up and ready to go.
This is the first race of the year that my wife and children were able to make it to, and it was a special treat having them there. After we were all fed and watered we hooped in the car and drove out to the Denard Rail yard. This would be the transition from leg 1 to leg 2. At this point the nerves were settling down and the immodium was beginning to work and my stomach had settled. I don't know if I've ever shared it here but prior to a race I always take some immodium, the last thing I want is to stop for an emergency.
After about 15 minutes of waiting, our leg 1 runner came in, her time was 2:18 and change, a really great effort. I got the coin and the timing stick, started my music and off I went to summit 2 mountains and survive a powerline and slugfest.
Leg 2 is not the longest section of the Death race at 27km but it is considered the most technical. There is around 6,000 ft of climbing and an equal amount of descent. A majority if the initial climb was on double track quad trail, I ran what I could, but I quickly realized that this was going to be a long hike. I reached a small downhill section and ran it as hard as I could, just to make up some time. On the next bit of climbing I rounded a bend and looked up, there was still a long way to go and I could see people a couple hundred feet up who still were not close.
The quad trail ends abruptly as you meet the runners who are on their descent and there is a sharp right hand turn up a small goat trail that begins a tough climb at a sever grade. At the end of the trail the double track continues and takes you to the summit where there are stunning views of the valley below. After a small rest at the top of Flood Mountain I began the descent, the trail was crowded and again I ran what I could until I got to that point where the goat trail started up, only this time it was a sharp right hand turn and down SLUGFEST. This is the nastiest bit of trail and thanks to the trees and their helpful branches I got down in one piece. But Slugfest is not only down, it also continues up as the racers make their way to Grande Mountain and it is a tough uphill push. Slugfest ends at a small lookout and it time for another natural rest. Everyone that was taking a little break was in good spirits and there was a small amount of chatter.
Rest time was over so with a death racer yell "GO DEATH RACER" I was off down the next downhill section and on my way to the Grande Aid Station. As I got through the singletrack and the quad trail started again there were a couple stream crossings which were sent from heaven I am sure. I soaked my hat in the first and then filled my bottle in the second as it was very warm. As I made my way up to the Grande Aid station a group of fellow death racers came up and we were all singing "You are my Sunshine" It was a nice moment of levity to take away from the continuous climb that was ahead.
Finally, I made it to the aid station, only 10km to go to the finish but I still had a solid climb and the dreaded powerline to contend with. The volunteers were super. I stopped for a bit and had a pro bar and had some water and gatorade and again refilled my water bottle. I still had plenty of GU ELECTROLYTE BREW in my hydration pack but water is always a nice break.
I left the aid station and was off to summit my second mountain. Grande mountain rises to an elevation of just over 6,500'. I made it to the top, checked in, took some photos and was off to tackle powerline. As tough as slugfest was, the powerline is the most gruelling downhill I have ever been on, thank God it was dry because if it wasn't I would have slid all the way down. Then came the most disheartening part of the run. As you descend the first part of powerline you can see ahead that it turns again drastically uphill, not really what I needed right now because my energy was zapped. The issue being that I had gotten really sick on Wednesday and Thursday and was not quite fully recovered and in addition to my immodium I also took some 12 hour cold medicine before I started. 12 hours means nothing when you sweat like this and it turns into 3 hour cold medicine. My nose was running faster than I was which made for a challenge and my energy was dropping too fast.
On the final descent into town I had to stop and sit at the side of the trail. Cell coverage was great on the mountain and since I was beyond my goal of finishing in 4:30 I texted my wife with an update that included the words "I'm so done." She encouraged me though, as she always does and I was on my way, the final descent puts you at the Grande Cache Cemetery, kind of fitting for a Death Race. Then there was the final ascent into town and then down the main street back to the start finish line where I exchanged with our leg 3 runner and she was off. My total time was 5:41.
The rest of our runners did great, our leg 3 runner finished in 2:48, leg 4 in 5:57 and leg 5 in 2:30. Our total time was 19:17.
As I said earlier the elite guys are fast and appear to do it effortlessly. The top male, Hal Koerner, finished in 12:45 and the top lady, Ellie Greenwod, finished in 13:28, both destroying the old men's course record of 13:48.
Will I do this next year, I'm still on the fence. I know my blog title says the ultimate goal is to solo this thing next year, but I have a long way to go to get there. It was a good time, but it was definitely the hardest physical challenge in my life to date.
For now, Run Scared, Have Fun
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