2021 Leadville 100 Race Report
I don’t know where to start.
This weekend I went back to the Leadville 100 looking for some long awaited redemption following my big fat DNF in 2019.
I felt better trained and much more mentally prepared than the last time. But there’s just something about running 100 miles in the Rockies that will never let you feel completely confident in a finish. I lined up in the wee hours of Saturday morning on the corner of 6th and Harrison in downtown Leadville with 680 other brave souls. At 4am we all set off on one hell of a journey that would hopefully bring us all back to this very spot sometime in the next 30 hours or less.
The first few miles were just exciting and seemed to fly by. I ran and chatted with several runners as we made our way to the single track around Turquoise Lake. The conversations made the miles feel easy and fun. I was having a blast..all of 3-4 miles in lol. As I started climbing the short but steep power line section up to the Lake, a voice behind me asked about my shirt and where I’m from on the Beast Coast. I didn’t look at the voice, as to avoid blinding him with my headlight. I answered, and asked where he was from. He casually answered Boulder. I said awesome, and we both wished each other well. Just after that, he sped off and was in front of me... and THAT’S when I realized I WAS JUST CHATTING WITH DAVE MACKEY WHILE RUNNING THE LEADVILLE 100! Holy crap, someone punch me. Is this real life?!
THAT’S when I realized I WAS JUST CHATTING WITH DAVE MACKEY WHILE RUNNING THE LEADVILLE 100! Holy crap, someone punch me. Is this real life?!
After that, the miles flew by. I saw my crew at MayQueen (mile 13), and then again at Pipeline (mile 28) aid stations. I had a blast running down the backside of the long Powerline climb that was coming up later around mile 80. I was in good spirits and feelings relatively good heading towards Twin Lakes.
The nerves started setting in knowing that once I arrived at Twin Lakes (mile 38), I’d be starting the first ascent up Hope Pass. This climb is a long steep climb up to about 12,500 ft. For a ‘flat lander’, that’s high!
I got to Twin Lakes in the time I’d hoped for, and was feeling strong and ready to take on the climb that absolutely broke me two years ago.
The climb went as expected (slow and steady) and I was in a pretty good spot mentally when I arrived at the 50 mile turn around at the Winfield aid station. I sat for about 5 min to just mentally reset before heading right back up Hope Pass. This time the much steeper and scarier side. I chatted with two other guys doing the same, and we were all ready to take on the challenge that awaited us. I saw people in the aid station struggling like I had two years ago, and I was so grateful for my renewed mental state this time. I offered encouragement as I headed out of the tent and back on the trail to take on the ‘wall’ of a climb I had ahead of me.
This is where I really started feeling the day and miles on my legs. I kept a steady forward motion and tried not to think about the MILES of climb I still had left to go. I actually ran out of water about half way up, which made for a tough second half. Near the top, a really nice man gave me the rest of his water when he saw me struggling, and it really gave me a pep in my step. So did the hail that started pelting me from the storm clouds overhead. I finally made it up and over the top and down to the Hope Pass aid station just on the other side. I guzzled a flask of Roctane and set off on the 5 mile down hill back to Twin Lakes, knowing I had just conquered the hardest part of this race.
Arriving back at Twin Lakes, I had my crew waiting for me as well as my first pacer for the day, my good buddy John! We did a quick sock and shoe change, since I just did the last big river crossing, and put on our headlights to head up yet another big climb.
I was a bit emotional leaving the aid station with my favorite human, Tim, and my pacer John both by my side leading me out. As the tears flowed, the crowds cheered even louder as I ran through. I was overwhelmed with the love and support of total strangers. (I’m getting teary typing this). This is what Leadville is all about.
John and I started the climb out of Twin Lakes, and within about a half mile, I puked my guts up. Everywhere.
John and I started the climb out of Twin Lakes, and within about a half mile, I puked my guts up. Everywhere. John was so excited I was puking lol. He knew I’d feel better afterwards, any I did! We made pretty decent time to the next crew spot at Pipeline. We chatted and laughed and just had a good time. He helped keep my mind off the fact that I still had almost 40 miles to go.
At Pipeline, John’s time was over and my next pacer, Brandon (my coach) was jumping in. It was getting REALLY cold, so I changed to a dry shirt and added lots of layers as we made our way on the short road section to the Outbound aid station. My legs were really feeling the altitude and running was tough. We power hiked all the way to the aid station. At this point my A, B, and C goal times we’re out the window. My focus now was just getting to that finish line.
I hit a bit of a low as I was realizing just how much further I still had to go. I had mentally prepared for the monster climb up Hope Pass, but hadn’t really prepared, I guess, for the monster number of miles that were left after that was over.
Brandon kept me moving even as we were getting snowed on at the top of that Powerline climb around mile 80. Hitting the top of that climb felt good. I knew it was the last significant climb of the race, and there was just a few more miles to that last aid station of the race.
We made it to MayQueen and met Tim one last time before the finish line. I thought I’d feel happier to be here, but 13 more miles felt like it might as well be another 100. I was moving slow, and doing the math in my head for how many hours I’d still be out there got me in the lowest point of the race. The next 10 miles were the worst of the whole race for me. I wanted to be done, and it was so far away.
Brandon really tried to keep me motivated and focused. He was trying to get me to pick off one runner at a time to get me moving. We passed a lot of people actually. Despite not running much of those last miles.
Once we finally made our way back down that steep Powerline off the Turquoise Lake trail, I knew we had just 4.5-5 miles to the finish. I started feeling more motivated. I found a swift power hiking pace, and actually passed quite a few people in the last 3 uphill miles to the finish.
When we finally turned off the gravel road and hit the Boulevard (the last paved mile into Leadville) I was in absolute disbelief. I think I even asked, ‘is this real life?’. I was about to finish LEADVILLE. Fucking Leadville.
John met Brandon and I at the bottom of the Boulevard and we all ran that last mile together. I was crying and just a mess of emotions. What a team to run me in. Tim was waiting at the finish line so he could get some pics. I couldn’t wait to see him.
I crossed the finish line under 28 hrs and just wept tears of joy. I finally finished this beast of a race that has been looming over me for 2+ years. I finally did it. I couldn’t really believe it. I still can’t.
This finish feels so good. It wasn’t my strongest running day. I didn’t finish in the time I had wanted, I didn’t set any land speed records, I didn’t even come close to getting the big buckle, but this felt like a bigger win than any other 100 I’ve done.
This one is special. Leadville is special. I’m so grateful and honored to have shared the trail with so many amazing and strong runners.
This one is special. Leadville is special. I’m so grateful and honored to have shared the trail with so many amazing and strong runners.
Thank you to the best group of volunteers I’ve ever experienced. Thank you to the crowds cheering at the aid stations, and the hikers who hiked in all over the course just to cheer on runners, you were all so inspiring and encouraging, and really made the day so special. Thank you.
Most of all thank you to my crew.
Tim. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you in my corner. You made this day possible. I love you.
John and Brandon. I couldn’t have made it without you by my side. Thank you for putting up with my tears and slow miles. I owe you so much.
Go out, set big dumb goals, because you never know when one might actually come true.
Now it’s time for a beer. Cheers to you all.
