2010 Le Grizz Ultramarathon-Race Report
First, I would like to thank the DM community for the support. I draw inspiration, motivation, advice and a good laugh from you all. In typical Charlie T. fashion, I “disappeared” off the DM grid a couple weeks prior to the race. Just needed to clear my head and settle down before the race. I have been silently following your training along the way, just from a distance. Anyway here is the recap of my first 50 mile ultra.
Finish time: 6:33:31, 2nd overall (7:52min/mile)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/52448361
The Le Grizz 50M Ultra (http://www.cheetahherders.com/LeGrizz.html) has been going for 29 yrs in Hungry Horse, Montana. There are usually around 100 runners, most from MT. It is a point-to-point race along the Hungry Horse reservoir including a trip across the dam. For the previous 28 years it has been on the West side of the reservoir, however due to forest service construction, this year’s race was on the East side. The first 43.8 of miles were on dirt roads with a 6.2 mile paved section at the end. This 6.2 paved section was an out and back from the finish area and it included a 200 meter “bushwhack” descent down an embankment, a significant climb up to and across the dam, and return back to the finish. The east side route also had a long climb at mile 20 over a “saddle” of mountains. Oh yeah, Grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves are common in these parts.
With 3 young kids at home, it was not realistic for my wife to crew me for the race. She is an angel and I owe her big time! My parents jumped at the opportunity and away we went. We arrived in Hungry Horse Friday afternoon, checked into motel, grabbed a forest service map and checked out the final 10 miles of the course. This proved to be a smart thing, because there was a 4-mile section where they could not drive during the race and it was real hilly. Extra fuel would be needed. We drove up to the dam and took some amazing pictures. The Larch and Tamarac trees had turned colors and it was spectacular. Lastly had a beer, food and hit the rack.
Race Day: Up at 4 AM, on the road by 5:30. It was a 75min. drive in the dark on winding dirt roads. At milepost 40, we came upon a collection of cars in the middle of nowhere. This was the start. As the sun came up, runners and crew scurried about. No rain, no wind and 48 degrees…perfect. I only knew one runner, Brian V. and he had won the previous 4 Le Grizz ultras. He is 27 (I am 39) and ran the Western States 100 this year in 19+ hours. He is a super runner and quality guy. Based on his previous times (west side route) I felt I had a chance to stay with him…for a while. The shotgun went off and we headed out. Thankfully there was no real push from the start. Brian, myself and a dude from San Diego (ran a 2:48 2010 Boston) ran together for the first 20 miles @ a 7:05 pace. It was gentle rollers, beautiful morning, and felt like a great training run. Then it happened….
From 20-26 was a steady push uphill. Brian surged and put 12 min. gap on me by the top, San Diego (SD) was 10 minutes behind me. I had a hard time keeping heart rate down, so I backed off and let Brian go. After the climb, there was a 4-mile descent on which I never felt smooth. I Refueled, but never recovered. Miles 30-35 were a real mess. Run/walk program with too much food. Ended up with a gut ache and confusion. SD got passed and the new 3rd place guy was on my trail.
At mile 35, something magical happened and I felt great. I backed off the calories and drank mostly water for the next 45 minutes. Legs found some grease and the next 5 miles went well. From 40-44, there would be no crew available, so I loaded up on salt and fuel and headed into the woods on a jeep trail. About now I started to think of Grizzly bears. Not that the hills were tough enough, I was now bear bait. Every rustle in the bushes was bear, for sure. Turning the corner at 43.8 and seeing the finish line was bitter sweet. A return to civilization on one hand, but still had a tough 10K ahead on pavement.
I gingerly worked my way down the bushwhack and entered the concrete hwy up to the dam. After a 1.5 mile climb up to the dam we were given the pleasure of running along the top of the dam and back. Very peaceful up there, although I was tempted to jump off . My legs were screaming. 3rd place dude was 9 min back with 2 miles to go. Luckily those two miles were downhill, just had to climb up the bushwhack and 300 meters to the finish. Congratulated Brian V. on his 5th victory in a time of 6:19, grabbed a quick massage and a PBR.
The Le Grizz Ultra was very satisfying. The 2nd place finish was just a bonus. Great people, beautiful course and endorphins…perfection. Yes, it hurt and right now I can’t think about running. Yet, like most you, I will need a new challenge and find myself lined up at some race without a clue.

PS: According to Brian V, this year’s East side course is 15-20 min. slower than the flatter, more scenic West side. I guess I’ll take his word for it.