At 6am on Saturday, 81 runners began the 100-mile journey through a trail network consisting of a 20-mile loop that returned to the start/finish area, followed by a 30-mile loop back to the start/finish. These loops were repeated for the second 50 miles of the race. Each 50-mile segment had an elevation gain/loss of 6,000 feet for a total of 12,000 feet gain/loss and runners had a maximum of 31 hours to complete the race.

Our plan was to begin relaxed and super conservative towards the back of the pack. I took my time getting into a groove and chatted it up with a fellow TCSD member named Jeff who was also attempting his first 100. I was determined to run my own race so I stuck to what was comfortable for me and eventually was off on my own cruising and feeling solid.

The temperature climbed into 80’s quickly and my crew team kept me on liquid calories, fresh fruit and gels for the entire day. We had six insulated coolers packed with ice to keep the assortment of fuels cooled off. We went through over 100 pounds of ice during the race. This was paramount for regulating my core temperature which is something many runners struggled with because of the intense heat.

I buzzed through the first 20-loop in a little over four hours and began the next loop of 30 miles in the heat of the day. My crew continued to execute our aid station routine with NASCAR-like efficiency: sock change, shoe change, clothing change, wipe sunglasses, apply sunscreen, fill bottles, food, GO! But it was more than that; it was the level of excitement and enthusiasm I could feel from each member of the team.

My brother was so into it and so were Marie and her dad. The three of them held it down all day and were joined by Rebekah and Mindy at 3pm when I was just finishing 43 miles. The staggered arrival of additional crew support was planned--the girls arrived with more ice to replenish the supply and they also brought with them fresh energy and excitement.

This is funny, watch how much food I stuff in my mouth:

My 50-mile split was right on track at 11 hours, 45 minutes. Arch had arrived wearing his ActiveX shirt and had a chance to meet my support crew. Marie’s father was first to run with me as my pacer from the half-way point to the next aid station. It was a steep climb and we walked most of the way. My legs were still going strong but my core temperature was raised and this was the worst I felt all day. I remained positive and enjoyed the opportunity to run with Marie’s dad. We were greeted by our crew along with Arch, Airey, Jesse and Emmy who drove all the way out to support. It was a grand arrival and they made me feel like a rock star. I was still not myself internally as my insides felt like they were boiling but I knew the sun was about to set and things were going to cool off. (Check out Jesse's impressive mustache--only took a week to grow!)

Rebekah joined me for this stretch along the PCT which was the most beautiful portion of the race. With the Anza-Borrego desert vista to the east and the sun setting over the mountains to the west, I was beginning to cool off and could feel my core temperature leveling out. Soon we ran out of daylight and switch on our headlamps and hand-held flashlights. From somewhere deep within, I felt my energy surge and soon Rebekah and I were kicking fast. We passed a whole bunch of runners during this stage and surprised our support crew at the next aid station by our prompt arrival.

This is when the tempo changed for me--62 miles and 15 hours into the run and I felt better than I did when I started that morning. I also ran this section faster the second time through. This is when I realized that I had prepared for this race correctly. I still didn’t want to push too hard but I could see the relief and the excitement in the eyes of my support crew. They were supporting a runner who was still very much in the race and gaining strength

Mindy and I cruised through this section because there was a long climb out of the next aid station and I wanted to run while we had the chance. We passed more runners and entered the camp at mile 70 and were greeted by the support crew. I stretched out for the first time that day on a mat that we brought along. My housemate and his girlfriend had arrived and joined the support crew. It was fun to see everyone and see how pumped up my big brother was to finally get the chance to run with me. We didn’t get to run much on this section as it climbed significantly to the next aid station but it was still a pleasure to run in my first official race with Steve under such unique circumstances.

The rest my legs got from walking so much during this climb was perfect for the next flat section that Marie and I ran. We passed a couple runners during this short but fast section and arrived back for hot soup before the final big push of the race. It was also brought to my attention that I was now in 15th place!

My brother and I took on the arduous climb up Middle Peak and then the taxing descent down the other side. This portion isn’t accessible to support crews but there is an aid station out there. We were in and out of the station within 1 minute and on our way to the next point. We ran this section 10 minutes faster than I did earlier that day and jumped in rank to 13th place!

By the time we arrived at the last aid station, mile 92.4, I had the sub-24 hour fire in my eyes. Marie and I took off for the final section and within minutes, I began to realize I was less concerned with a sub-24 hour finish and more interested in reflecting on the experience with Marie. We walked, talked, held hands, ran the downhill sections and some of the flats. When the glow of daylight from the east was enough to switch off our headlamps and flashlights, we were running the final descent into the finish area. We were welcomed by the race director and our entire support crew.

I crossed the finish line at 6:32am on Sunday and shook hands with Scott Mills, the race director, as he presented me with a bronze belt buckle for completing the race in 24 hours, 32 minutes. The months of disciplined training and a well-organized race plan enabled me to enjoy every minute and every mile of my 100-mile ultra marathon debut.

Results:

24 hours, 32 minutes

2nd AG (20-29) Youngest finisher

13th overall (53% finish rate)

My support was simply amazing: my brother, Marie, her dad, Rebekah, Mindy, Tim, Elizabeth. Plus my other friends who stopped by to show their support: Quinn, Mike, Arch, Airey, Steve, Jesse and Emmy. And at an even deeper level, it was all of you sending us good vibes all weekend. Check out how my friends in the Marine Corp Marathon online community tracked my progress throughout the entire race. Thank you all for joining me in this memorable and exciting journey and I assure you that this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for the next adventure...

PS. Congrats to Jill and Jeff for running a great race, finishing strong and making TCSD proud!