Home | Map | Application
| Results | Reports | Pictures
|
2006 Report 2005 Reports 2004 Reports 2003 Reports 2002 Reports To
those that want to run probably the greatest all around 50 miler in the US,
run Duane and Julie Arter’s Old Pueblo 50. The weather was cold and windy, at
the start, and warmed up to around 45 with gusting winds during the day, so
really cold in the shade and through the mountain passes. This run has every
thing you could want in the way of variety. Sections
were tough like Zane Grey, beautiful single track dirt trails through grass
prairies, some challenging climbs and descents, minor creek crossings, and
4x4's dusting you off on the dirt roads. The start/finish is in an old mining
camp. The aid stations/food and volunteers were OUTSTANDING! The post race
meal was incredible and plenty of hot coffee always brewing at the start and
finish. The
course was marked better than any ultra I've run, but I still managed to take
Kelly Eppelman and Darla Demalong off course at mile 30. We were lost for
about 20-25 minutes due to my total inattention to the ribbons. I ran the
first 40 miles with a fun group of runners, Rob, Geri [who dropped at 19
after re-injuring her knees in a fall], Darla, Kelly, Nicole, Lem and Lisa.
The time goes by fast when you're having fun. This is the first Ultra I've
run where every thing went well, no blisters, no stomach problems no cramps
or soreness in my quads. Have to congratulate Kelly, Darla and Anthony for
hanging tough all day. Kelly
was so cold at the finish she could hardly talk, but when Duane handed her
the beautiful OP50 buckle she blurted out, "my first ultra buckle",
I got tears in my eyes. Anthony hung in there under tough physical conditions
and finished. What a long walk we had back to our cars in the cold night, he
is one tough Dude. Shared a room with Tyler Curiel who had a great run.
Rooming with Tyler was a treat because I got a nice glass of an expensive
vintage Port before and after the run followed by a steak dinner listening to
a blue grass band playing the Soggy Bottom songs, great! Miles
40-50 were very runnable with the exception of mile 47 where you have a nice
little climb to take the cockiness out of you. At the mile 40 aid station I
poured a can of Red Bull in my water bottle and was able to run hard the last
ten miles. That stuff really worked. My congratulations and heart felt
thanks, to Julie and Duane, for a superbly organized and fun race. The
buckles are beautiful as are the T-shirts and cactus plant at the finish. The
field was tough and will probably be tougher next year. There were some great
performances run. I think Brandon's ripped shorts and wild socks did the
trick for him, he was awesome as usual. NTTR was well represented by Scott
and Kelly Eppelman, Glen Hamilton, Tyler Curiel and Britt Starnes. Tom Crull Old
Pueblo 50-mile endurance race report - Saturday March 2nd, 2002. Anthony C.
"Woofie" Humpage - Team Woofie Ultrarunning The Old Pueblo 50-mile
endurance race was to be my second 50-mile race. Part of the long march
towards my first 100-mile race. I plan to have three 50-milers under my belt
before my first hundred. And so it was on a windy Friday afternoon I
presented myself at Kentucky Camp to collect my race packet. I
was approaching the race with some trepidation, having suffered a severe bout
of problems with my iliopsoas hip flexors, which had pulled me up short in
early January. I'd managed to complete Pemberton Trail 50K, slowly, in early
February, and had managed a training run on the last part of the OP50 course
with Alene Nitsky, Ken Greko, Julie Arter and Geri Kilgariff. The flexors
were pretty well tamed, but I was still concerned. As it turned out, they
were not the issue in this race. After
inducting RD Duane Arter and Geri K into Team Woofie, I repaired to the
Velvet Elvis in Patagonia to join the pre-race dinner. Then back to my hotel
in Benson. I'd left my bookings late, and it was the most convenient place I
could find. Race morning was cold! I watched the outside air temperature
gauge fall on my way to the start - 28F as I recall. Windy too, but not as
bad as the day before. All the same I stayed indoors at Kentucky Camp until
right at the start, and rushed outside to join the back of the pack. I
was so glad to have brought an Asics shell jacket with me; otherwise I would
have been in real trouble. I don't like running in a lot of kit, but on this
occasion it was not optional. That coat stayed with me until the California
Gulch aid station (7 miles). Made Granite Mountain aid station (3 miles) in
good order, not pushing too hard and joined the ascent along the Arizona
Trail. Descending towards California Gulch I enjoyed some of the downhills,
pushed a little harder than I intended to (I meant to spare the hip flexors)
and remember thinking that this would all be uphill on the way back. Pretty
uneventful to Wasp Canyon aid station (13 mile) - good time made on uphill
grades using a powerwalking style. Got me past a couple of others. Had
my first real food at Wasp Canyon - cold spuds, which I love. By this stage I
was really beginning to appreciate the A1 job Duane had done on the trail
marking - flour, stakes and tape. The best I've seen. The climb out of Wasp
Canyon over Gunsight Pass was challenging. A lot of powerwalking, but I was
happy with the pace. I felt good, the flexors felt good so I pushed it a
little on the way down (nothing like my "fit" downhill pace
though), singing Team Woofie songs and having a great old time. It seemed
strange to see houses on the way down to Helvetia Aid Station (19 miles). I
did notice - thought it was a bit strange, that I was getting some tightness
in my breathing. Apart from finding it noticeable by the aid station, I
didn't pay it much heed. While
I was at Helvetia, the Crull/Apple/Kilgariff party arrived and I was
distressed to note Geri had picked up another pair of bloody knees. She
dropped at that aid station. The section from Helvetia to Box Canyon (25
miles) is - after an initial gentle climb --very runnable, rolling sandy
trails. But I was unable to take much advantage of it as my breathing was
becoming more restricted. But I kept pace with other runners by using my OTC
inhaler. At Box Canyon, I met Connie, the aid station captain from the
25-mile point at the 2001 Zane Grey race, at which I'd worked. We shared a
few words then I pressed on up Box Canyon bracketed by the Crull and Apple
parties. The race at that stage is on a Forest Service road, and it's a long
way to the bottom of the canyon. I
did wonder about traffic but it wasn't a problem. We did see a car in a ditch
though. My chest was starting to feel tight and Rob Apple's group pulled away
from me. Didn't think I'd see them again. By the time I got to California
Gulch again (29 miles) I was feeling pretty rough. Chatted some with, and
inadvertently offended, Ultralister Jennifer Aviles who I had assumed to be
much younger due to her sprightly writing and running reports on the
Ultralist. She offered me my coat; I wish I'd taken it later. Climbing
back up the Arizona Trail was miserable for me - I was having to hit my
inhaler to keep going. I gave real thought to dropping at Granite Mountain
(33 miles), as I knew it would be a short walk back to Camp, but then I
unexpectedly caught Rob Apple's party. I thought, "OK, if you caught
them, you can't be too bad, and have the inhaler - keep going". Knowing
that I had run the last part of the course in practice lifted me up. Later,
*really* glad. I recommend it to all relatively new runners, it makes a huge
difference. Julie described the descents one encounters on the way to Cave
Canyon aid station (40 mile) as "gnarly". Yes, they are a bit
rough, but with care can be taken with decent pace. My
breathing was on and off, the Apple party passed me again, but they were just
leaving Cave Canyon as I got there. I felt still on pace for a 12-hour (ish)
finish, and buoyed by chicken soup and turkey wraps, I set out to powerwalk
to the finish, as my breathing was getting bad. Kelly Eppelman and I paced
each other for a while and swapped places several times in the next six miles.
My breathing got very bad in this section, I was hitting the inhaler far too
much. I had to stop briefly on the Link Trail section as I just couldn't draw
breath. But I knew I could make the cutoffs, and, knew the trail from my
practice. I
left Gardner Canyon aid station (46 miles) with some determination, but
dragging. Again, I hit one steep little climb away from the road and just
didn't think I'd make it. Good chance of keeling over, as I couldn't breath.
But I made myself relax and loped on. That section into Kentucky Camp in the
dark, especially after crossing Boston Gulch, was never ending. I had a small
flashlight as well as my Tikka headlamp and just kept pushing on. Kelly's
light was just a few minutes behind me. I made Kentucky Camp on sheer determination
to be greeted by Duane with my belt buckle. 13 hours and 22 minutes. That
last ten miles took me over three hours, and were the hardest I have ever
traversed, particularly the last four - but only because of my physical
condition (which has since been diagnosed as exercise-induced asthma,
exacerbated by the cold dry air on race day). I had lots of power, just no
air. I dragged myself into the hut, where I just sat there shaking as if I
had Parkinson's disease. I think people thought I was cold, but it was the
adrenaline from the inhaler I'd abused. But do I rate this race as a
disaster? Far from it. A personal triumph, actually. Wish I'd done better,
but it is what it is. I met lots of fine people I had only known from the
Ultralist and learned so many valuable lessons. This is a top-notch race in
all respects. Duane and Julie Arter couldn't do a better job, the aid
stations and volunteers are fantastic, the course is unbelievably well-marked
and varied. Enough rough bits to make it interesting and some fast bits too.
It cost me my first toenail though ….. But I'll be back next year. For sure.
Woofie. I'm
finally getting around to unpacking after the Old Pueblo 50 weekend. I did
want to say something about this top-quality event. I now have a new
favorite, and this is it. I am already training for it next year, and here is
my training secret: I am hitting the track to do speedwork, to prepare for
next year's challenge of sprinting to the mailbox to get my entry in for the
Old Pueblo 50 before 60 other people do!!! While
unpacking I realized all the "stuff" I brought home- a new water
bottle, 2 shirts- a nice tshirt from the event and a Patagonia ventilated t
shirt, a small potted cactus, and a really beautiful handcrafted belt buckle
(not just some piece of junk). And a handmade race number! I could go on
about the prerace dinner at the Velvet Elvis, the training weekends that
Duane & Julie arranged, the detailed and accurate maps Duane provided,
the sponsors who were obviously generous donators, and the post-race cookout
at Kentucky Camp..... But even more important than the "stuff", I
brought back memories of a fun and very enjoyable day on a beautiful,
well-marked course and well-planned event. A
day that could have really sucked if I had been running in an event that was
less well-organized and orchestrated than this one. I arrived at the start in
bad shape, with a stiff and sore neck as a result of getting no sleep in the
back of my truck and freezing my butt off all night under a bright moon. That
was my own poor planning, next year I'll know better and get a room. Plus I
had a multitude of other technical, physical, and personal stupidity
difficulties which I won't bore you with. Just not my day. I started easy,
but got blisters and felt like toast by 7 miles, so I knew that mentally and
physically it was going to be an uphill battle to push myself, and I kept
hoping I'd feel better. I didn't. But it was a beautiful day on a scenic
course and the aid stations were the best-stocked I've ever seen in a race
this size with food, drinks, and helpful, caring volunteers, and I met and
ran with so many nice people, especially Ron H. who kept me company much of
the day. So
what could have turned out to be a real bummer of a day in fact turned out to
be one of my best ultra memories ever. I remembered that when things don't go
your way, you can still make the best of it, and thanks to Duane & Julie
Arter and everyone involved putting on this race, it was one of the best runs
ever for me! Gotta go hit the track and.start training for next year. Do NOT
miss this event. Hope to see you there. Alene I'd
like to convey my appreciation and thanks to Duane, Julie and all the volunteers
yesterday at Old Pueblo. This one was kind of special to me. Last year I
traveled out the the warm Southwest as Bill Pustow in Louisville had
convinced me that we needed to do this RAM bike tour that started the day
after Old Pueblo. The bike tour lasted all week out Sierra Vista. So I signed
up for that as Bill said..."you'll love it, great intro to ultra
biking". So then he scans Ultrarunner and sees Old Pueblo the day before
we start the bike tour, says "hey, we should just plan on doing the 50
miler on Sat., then start the bike tour on Sunday." Then
he convinces super lady, his other half that she needed to come along and do
this also (those of you who don't know Anong Pustow are missing
something...she'll kill you on the trails...relentless). So, we all meet up
in Tucson, stay in that great luxury suite we had at the Stage Stop Inn in
Patagonia, and eat at (and I'm not making this up!) the Velvet Elvis. Well,
what ended up happening is that I dropped at 13 due to an ITB problem I'd
been nursing, and Bill dropped at 33 (I think because he heard I'd dropped
already), so we met up back at the finish, drank beer, ate chilii (Duane's
chilli is to die for!) and waited for the little lady to finish which of
course she did. Well,
this year, I'd decided I had to go back, get the damn monky off my back and
just see what this trail looked like after 13 miles. Wow...what a course!
What organization, aid stations, and volunteers. I ran for the first 19 miles
with Rob Apple (who completed ultra #289) and a bevy of young ladies (ok Rob,
so they looked young to me!) and made a stop at 19. I headed out at 19 behind
another young lady maybe 1/4 mile in front of me. My mistake as I thought she
knew the course and knew where she was going (and my concentration was
exactly on looking for Duane's flour arrow and blue/white ribbon!). First
mistake...don't ever assume a woman because she is attractive and has shorts
on, knows where she's going (oh boy, I can hear the keys clicking on that
one!). So, she cut the tangent in the middle of the gravel road to the right
inside, and I followed (dummy me). We followed the 505 road for maybe a mile
and 1/2 till I notice, uh, no ribbons, and no other runners behind me. I
stopped, yelled, she kept going, I hustled back up that long long uphill
grade in the sun. And voila, top of the grade, is Duane's flour arrow (boy
did I feel stupid Duane!). I
continued on and rolled into the 25 mile aid station in 6 hrs. flat feeling
great. There I was met by Connie Hayes from Phoenix who had been on the Andes
Adventures Patagonia trip in Dec. so we had a nice 12 min. social and I
really didn't want to leave. Leaving the 25 mile aid station, was a long down
hill on the gravel road, then I looked up and uh, oh...long, long up hill
Walk time! Luckily, I had my Suunto altimeter watch on, and when it showed
altitude going up...I walked. Gees, that is just so easy! Well, I must say,
the last half of the run is a lot tougher than the first 25. Like Duane,
where in the hell did you find all those rocks to put in the middle of the
fire roads? Good thing no one was around me, as it wasn't a nice
conversation. And
another thing.....I was to God you people on this list would stop talking
about all these damn mountain lions, cougars, or what have you. I mean, here
I am, out in the middle of BFE, no one around, Geri tells me earlier that the
trail sweeps are over 1 1/2 hrs. behind me and all I can think of is that
this has to be perfect country for mountain lion. Then I think about all the
damn notes on the ultralist of what to do if you come upon a mountain lion.
Luckily for me though, Duane was thoughtful enough to have given me enough
rocks to throw at the lion if one came around. But, I think I only saw a
couple of birds all day, let alone a damn lion! Course the conversation I was
having with the rock probably kept them away! And I loved the bagpipe music
at 40 and 46 mile mark! Awesome! Anyway,
I ended up finishing at around 13:56, not a great time, but I was happy with
it. A finish is a finish. And now I can look forward to that April 1 date
(I'm retiring at the "young age" of 54). But way to go Duane and
crew! Great great race. The aid stations were outstanding. I agree with the
turkey rollups at 40 miles but I also loved the bean burrito rollups (although
they added an additional noise factor during the run). Hell, I gained weight
guys! I would highly recommend this run. And.......if you're really lucky,
you can run 13 miles with Geri K and if you're really lucky see Geri fall.
Boy, what a way to get sympathy Geri! Again...great weekend. Had a terrific
time, and love the buckle and my cacti (which every runner gets). Thanks Len
DeMoss Louisville, Ky. |