Post-race update - Grab Bag: Why run an ultramarathon?

A better way to send it

Brent Macon

Apr 19, 2024

Listen to this rather than reading:

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Welcome to 100 Atlanta Coffees, where I highlight people taking the adventuresome route to making a better way in Atlanta, along with periodic ‘Grab Bag’ reflections from what’s happening in my world.
Today I’m sharing reflections from running the Zion Ultras 100K trail race last weekend.
While we’re on today’s subject of running adventures, I’m raising money for Back on My Feet as part of running the 2024 New York Marathon. You can click here to contribute! More details below.
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Support BOMF for NY 2024

To not bury the lede, I finished and it was the satisfying challenge I was looking for. Today I’m sharing:

How it went
Race reflections

Below you’ll find some relatively quick written reflections along with photos, and I went in considerably more detail in the audio at the top of this message if you’re inclined to listen.

How it went:

The company Vacation Races put on the race and did a phenomenal job. It doesn’t have to be an ultra - they have many half marathons in beautiful places around the US and the globe. This definitely won’t be my last race with them

One question I’ve gotten often - what did you eat? The aid stations were practically mobile Costcos manned by incredibly friendly folks. Pickle Juice was my unexpected companion. Felt odd watching people eat quesadillas, Cup of Noodles, and potatoes during a race.

The course & my experience

The race was on public lands just outside of Zion National Park in the area formed by the Virgin River. The elevation profile is in the above picture, and in mile 37-38 we climbed back up the same terrain we descended in mile 18.

My brother ran with me for the first 25 miles, I was solo for miles 26-43, and Tucker Piner brought the closing energy pacing me for the final 19. My experience (with pics of each below):

Start, 6:01am.
Miles 0-6 (10:02 pace): Slightly uphill dirt road. Sun coming up, vibes high, trying to be conservative on pace.
M 7-17 (13:09): Technical trail on large undulating rocks we called the lunar portion of the run. Lower body and ankles took a pounding. Big-time ridgeline Zion views.
M 18-25 (12:54): Massive descent that we had to hike rather than run, fully fired the quads. Temperatures up 10-15 degrees at lower elevation. My brother finished at 25 mile mark. No food tasted appetizing, fell behind on electrolytes.
M 26-38 (15:19): Relatively lonely/desolate stretch of single track mountain biking trail grinding solo in the heat of the day. Drinking to replenish led to side stitches for better part of an hour. Embracing run/walk cadence out of physical necessity not just on technical parts & hills. Over 1,000 feet of vertical climb over 1.5 miles hurt badly - required 20 minute stop at the aid station to continue.
M 39-44 (13:39): Grinding on dirt road. My friend joined as badly needed reinforcements. Unable to speak when running, only on walk breaks. Had my first caffeine of the day and hit it hard.
M 45-55 (16:44): Caffeine kicks in a big way, and the finish feels like an assured function of elbow grease. Didn’t have any solid food after 25 miles (thank goodness for Tailwind) Technical trail + fatigue make run/walk cadence a necessity. Vibes return to high, conversation is flowing again.
M 55-60 (18:39): Sun sets and headlamp comes out (original goal to finish pre-sunset). Enough elevation and technicality that we are walking nearly as much as running. Soaking in the near-doneness of it.
M 61-62 (13:07): Last two miles rolling uphill on a dirt road. Pushed it hard and finished strong. Saw an incredible shooting star in the final couple minutes - felt like the universe winking at us.
Finish, 9:00pm. Total time 14:59.
- Strava clocked my ‘moving time’ at 13:12 over 118,048 steps and elevation gain of 5,568ft. Notable to have rested for over 1.5 hours at aid stations - I never sat for fear of cramping.
- According to my Whoop band I burned 10,390 calories on the day. I spent the next 2-3 days eating everything in sight.

The section we called ‘lunar rocks.’ Five days later my ankles are still the most sore.

No picture can really do the majesty of Zion justice

After pacing me for 25 miles, Bry drove to Vegas to catch a flight to India for work (casual, right?)

The next stretch was tough. This is the only picture I took, which felt fitting. We eventually climbed back up to the highest point you can see on the top right of the distant ridgeline.

The sunset - original goal was to be finishing as this happened, but it was striking to get this view.

Post-race recovery ebike ride through Zion. 10/10 recommend.

2) Race Reflections:

Listen below as I dive into some extended reflections from the race and how they apply to business and life more broadly, including:

Why a 100 miler isn’t next
How good it felt to be part of gameday energy
Death to life - rebirth cycles at an ultra
It’s easier and more enjoyable to venture together
Caffeine’s a helluva drug
How much challenge should we bite off, and at what cost?

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Questions for reflection as we seek a better way:

What’s the next adventure or challenge you have on the horizon?
Why are you pursuing it, and what are you hoping to get out of it?

While we’re on the subject of running adventures, I’m raising money for Back on My Feet as part of running the 2024 New York Marathon.

Back on My Feet works with people experiencing homelessness or addiction, building community and responsibility through running or walking 3 times weekly before the crack of dawn. My brother has been volunteering with BOMF for more than a decade and I’ve joined him in recent years. Together we’re fundraising to run the 2024 New York Marathon. It would mean a lot if you contributed.

Click here to donate