"A glimpse of heaven, a taste of hell." The race's motto says it all. This is the race that made me admit that I needed to get my heel looked at by a doctor. Over the course of a few years I'd gone from a sub-24 to a 30 plus hour 100 mile runner. I got a buckle that day, but only just.
Leadville Run 100
"The race across the sky." I live at sea level so the altitude was a huge factor in this race. The highest point is 12,600 feet. The average elevation is 10,200. All that climbing may have been tough, but the views were amazing. This is a race, IMO, where all the usual pacing advice is wrong. You have to haul ass for the first 50 miles & then hang on until the finish.
The actual town of Leadville is really cool, with an interesting history. The surrounding mountains are fantastic. This is definitely a destination race.
Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run
"The world's oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race." This was one of the toughest runs that I've ever done. The temperature was over 100 degrees for most of the day. It was even warm at night. By the end of the run my stomach and feet were a mess. I did come away with a shiny new belt buckle & an even greater respect for Gordy Ainsleigh.
I intend to run this race again. I want to finish stronger, not necessarily faster (that would be nice), but more "under my own steam". I'd also like 50% less blisters and 100% less vomiting.
North Downs Way 100
This was a very difficult 100 mile race. I don't have any pictures from along the course but it's as beautiful as it was challenging. The finish rate was only 59%. This was my first international ultra and my first run in the English countryside. I was able to raise nearly $1000.00 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation
Headlands Hundred
I completed every Headlands Hundred from 2007 to 2011. Every iteration of this course has been surprisingly challenging. My best best finish was 22:59 and fifth overall.