DESERT RATS 50K – Fruita, CO (April 17, 2021)

Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5145001781

I ran the Gemini Adventures! Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 50K on the tenth day of a whirlwind road trip that, up to that morning, had already included 120 miles of trail running and hiking with no rest days. I had run the Zion Ultras 50K the previous weekend, so I had no grandiose aspirations for pace. My goal was to enjoy the scenery and finish the course. Despite tired legs, I pushed myself and finished in 6 hours (and three seconds…). I was rather pleased with that time considering the 3,500′-ish feet of elevation gain and my total lack of tapering.

The day started with an unexpected scramble so I dropped Aly and Laura off at the start line just in time for them to embark on their first ultramarathon, then I parked in Fruita and caught a shuttle bus back. The late start wasn’t a big deal, as the course was well-marked and I had wide open trails ahead of me. The course followed a road for about a mile before the first significant climb up some single track switchbacks.

The view atop the hill was fantastic, and I ran the downs so fast that my eyes watered and I could hardly see. But it felt amazing. I began passing a few people as I approached the first aid station.

The 50K route differed from the marathon route only in having an additional 5-mile loop near the first aid station. It was a scenic, winding loop with views of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyon walls. The weather was just right for running… cool, a little breezy, and mostly sunny.

The 50K loop returned to the aid station, at about mile 10, and I could see Aly and Laura in their matching pink shirts reaching the top of the next climb. I caught up with them at mile 12 and ran with them to the next aid station, at about mile 14. After some pickles, PB&J rolls and banana I sped off ahead down a long descent. Over the next few miles the trail traced the edges of canyon walls, providing some pretty amazing views.

The trail gradually climbed away from the river and wound around to the west side of the hills. I hit mile 20 at about four hours, and knew I had a slim shot at a sub-6 hour 50K if I picked up the pace. I pushed myself to run fast through the next 5 miles. My feet were hurting and my legs were tired, but I didn’t feel injured and it was just a mental game. My hopes took a blow when I encountered the long, steep climb after the mile 25 aid station. I power-hiked up but the effort was exhausting. The views from the very top were worth it all. From up there I could see an earlier part of the course winding back and forth in the valley, with the Colorado River beyond.

The last couple miles of the trail descended the north side of the hill along switchbacks, and from there the sounds of the finish line were audible. The clock was ticking, and I pushed myself to keep running through to the end. At last I ran through the gate, under the finish line arch, and over the timing mat. My official race time was 06:00:03. I couldn’t believe how close I was to hitting my impromptu and arbitrary sub-6 hour target. But my watch displayed 30.2 miles. A true 50K is 31.0686 miles. I wanted a full 50K on my watch and Strava entry, so I ran down the road and back and stopped my watch at 31.07 miles and about 6 hours 10 minutes. Frustratingly, Strava rounded my distance down to 31.06 and didn’t credit me with a 50K.

I grabbed a plate of food from the finish line aid station and found a spot to sit and stretch out in the grass until Aly and Laura finished. When I spotted their twin pink shirts coming down the trail I readied myself to take a few finisher photos for them.

Aly’s watch had a similar reading as mine had, and I jogged the out-and-back again with her until she could record her official 50K distance.

Naturally, we celebrated our successful ultramarathon completions with craft beers and vegan eats.