To be honest I have never paid too much attention to the infamous Sinister 7 Ultra. It just wasn’t on my radar but when I was invited to fill in a spot, I jumped at the opportunity.
I joined a Slave Lake team – Slower than Molasses, which has been relaying the race with a group of revolving number of runners, for at least seven years. This year’s roster included Curtis, Vickie, Heidi, Jason and Eric. Their other running friends/partners – Joanna, John, Tony and Shannon – were giving the solo run a go. I was in good company.
Before I left Red Deer for Blairmore, I quickly scanned the course and runners information on the website. I didn’t read too much about the course because I love to be surprised. I knew “leg 3” would be hot so I brought tons of water. I don’t mind the heat so I wasn’t too concerned about it. I learned my lesson at my first Lost Soul 50K. No more puking at the finish line for me.
The gang was all there making plans, sipping a few bevvies and getting ready for the next day. Everyone was calm and collected. It was old hat to them. Deep down I was petrified that I would let this team down. The worse thing is being the reason why a team does not make a cut off. They didn’t seem too worried about missing cutoffs or that I might potentially suck. (Later I find out Eric and Joanna bragged about what a strong runner I am. I wanted to strangle them when I heard this!)
The next morning we went to the finish line to see Curtis and the soloists off. Curtis, 15, son of Vickie and Jason ran two legs for the team – leg 1 and leg 7. Lucky bastard. He’s gets the glory and the cheering crowds. After we saw them off, we headed to a transition area to wait for the runners. Our leg 2 runner (Jason) hopped on a bus to the first transition area.
We had a lot of time to kill. We estimated that I would start around noon. My plan was to drink water and pee. Repeat. We also practiced yoga before the wind picked up blowing tents everywhere. In fact, one tent nearly took out my eye but thankfully I know how to stop, drop and roll.
For the first few hours, we were all pretty energetic. Eric kept us toe tapping switching from his violin to his guitar. Then reality sunk in – we should conserve our energy for the run (especially me). Around noon we kept looking at the hill for Jason. I thought I could get in one last pee before I had to run. Wrong. I was just pulling up my shorts when I heard Heidi yellling, “Crystal, Crystal. Jason is here!”
Oops. Sorry about that, team.
The handoff was not pretty. I was still putting on my hydration pack and fumbling with the wristband and my poles. I got myself sorted on the hill before starting to climb.
Let me get this out of the way first – OH MY CALVES. I have never felt so much pain or discomfort over two kilometres in my life. I kept thinking, there is no way in heck I am going to finish this leg before the cut off if my calves did not stop screaming bloody murder.
I was told so much about this leg: It was challenging. It would be hot. It would take me between four and six hours. I was not told the first two kilometres would question my will to live. Seriously? I think that would have been some key information.
Eventually the feeling in my calves returned. My game plan was to drink lots, focus on making it to the aid stations and moving forward. I wasn’t bothered too much about the heat. Sure it was hot but I kept thinking about how much hotter it could have been.
I was chugging along when I ran into Brenda who was soloing from Calgary. We follow each other on Strava. Actually I had emailed her months ago to ask about Iron Legs 100 because I knew she had run the race last year. It’s always slightly awkward and creepy at first when you run into someone from Strava – What do you say?
See that man, beside Brenda in the photo? The guy in the blue shirt and green vest? Remember him. This is the 15K or 18K aid station. I had some watermelon and a freezie before we keep started our next grunt. I was super happy to see this aid station after climbing up this rocky section that was not fun.
I was feeling good. Ran the downhills and hiked up the steep bits. The heat was starting to crank up. I didn’t mind too much while I was running downhill then I got to a section that was pretty flat so I kicked it up a notch. Actually I saw that Brenda was kicking it into second gear so I thought what the heck – I am only running 30K and she’s running 100 miles.
I was feeling good, loving life and running hard. Sure it was getting hot. I just needed to run faster. That way I would get to the aid station (and hopefully trees) sooner. I was carrying my poles, which were constantly collapsing on me but I didn’t want to waste time figuring out how to secure them.
Running along. Running along when I suddenly trip and land hard on the right side of my body. I took a few deep breaths before I rose to take stock. My hands were ripped, scrapes on legs and blood everywhere. Sigh. (This was about the 21K mark)
Thankfully nothing was broken. (Note: On Thursday, I went to the ER because I had actually fractured some bones, which was causing my difficulty breathing. The bones (?) are pressing down on my lungs. The doctor told me to take deep breaths and I should be healed in a few weeks.)
No excuses
I dusted myself off and tried to calm my nerves. I walked quite a bit and chatted with a few people over the next few kilometres before I ran the last 200 metres to the next station. I was still pretty shaken. I took a salt tab, which I have never taken before in my life. Still not sure why I did that.
Off we went – we had 7K to go. I was hopeful to be done within an hour and 10 minutes depending on the elevation. I was looking forward to the downhill to the finish – but I had no idea if it were one kilometre or four kilometres to the finish.
Suddenly I was very hot. Sweat beads were forming quickly on my arms. Runners were passing me like crazy on this climb. I was talking gibberish when one runner stopped. I had chatted with him after I fell so we were old friends now. (Remember guy in the photo. That’s him!)
Without asking, he poured all his water over my head. On top of that, he waited at sections on the mountain to make sure I was moving. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to this runner. I think his name was Michael from some place in British Columbia. His kind gestures (and his water) were my saving grace.
I happily made it to the transition area but not before I sent a text to say I was bloody and bruised and coming in. Vickie was ready to run. I was really excited for Vickie. Her leg (23K) was the longest distance that she has ever run in her life! I think it might have been the same for her husband Jason.
She had a great run and met her time goal. I was thrilled for her. After Vickie, Heidi ran leg five and Eric finally started to run leg 6 at 9:45 p.m. at night. That’s the thing I don’t like about team relays – all that waiting around to run. I would rather be sleeping.
I was a little worried about Eric because I don’t think he has ever run even close to this distance (30K) before or in the dark and over a freaking mountain! But what the hell do I know? He ran a wicked leg in about six hours. He was still had the runners high (or another kind of high) when he came down the mountain.
We rushed to the finish line to see Curtis cross. It was lovely to see how proud his parents were. Our team was pretty happy too (and tired). I think we finished in about the same time as they did last year around 26 hours. What a fun experience!
We managed to grab a quick photo before the next runner came in. After Curtis crossed, we went over to the hall to wait for the breakfast to be served. It was quite the spread and there were vegan options. We were first in line. The tacos were a hit.
I was heading back to Red Deer after breakfast and the team went back to where we were staying. I would have liked to stay for the awards but I didn’t want to sit alone. (I know I am a weirdo that way.) The drive from Red Deer to Crowsnest on Friday was long and I didn’t want to drive in the dark. I was craving a smoothie too. Needed to get home to where my Vitamix was waiting.
I was really thankful be part of such a wonderful team. It would have been fun to hang out on Sunday but I had to work on Monday, and the drive is long. I would love to come back next year with a team. The area is so breathtaking. I will be driving through here in a couple of weeks on my way to Fernie so I may just stop in for a bit.
Once again I feel so fortunate for all the things running has brought in my life: new friends, clarity and peace.
Happy trails.
PS. My Forerunner 935 watch face cracked when I fell (on it?). Looks like Garmin will send a replacement watch for about $115 Canadian because it is not covered under warranty. Happy for the goodwill gesture.
ICYMI: My column in Red Deer Advocate: We’re all in it together