Vermont 100 Mile Trail Run: Coach Taylor's Race Report

Vermont 100 Trail Run
July 17, 2010
Brownsville, VT
22 hours 26 minutes 23 seconds
44th out of 153 finishers (265 started)

At the finish line the day before it all went down.

This was my first 100 mile run. I've posted a bunch of pictures below with comments. Click below to read more...I hope you enjoy.

Pre-race protocol included a weigh-in so medical personel could determine if you were healthy enough to continue during the race. Weighing in too high or too low will get you a "stand down" or "can not continue."

"115 over 75"

Most all the racers camped the night before the race started at 4am.  Here I am trying chillaxing.

The morning of the race, I;m getting suited up and entering race mindset.

Early miles went smoothly.  I started slow and kept it that way, eventually holding 12 minute miles through 62 miles. 

The sport of ultramarathon began as a horse race (see: "Running Madness") The Vermont 100 is unique in that it is the only remaining 100 mile run that has a horse race run concurrently.

Other crew teams were jealous because of the awesome spread that my awesome wife Susan had ready for me at each handler station.  In this picture: PowerBars, GUs, Roctane GU's Bumble Bars, Sport Beans, Raw Food Bars, Spirulina Bar, Clif Blocks, Pringles, bagel, banannas, almonds, Gatorade, Red Bull, water, Thermotabs, Endurolytes, 2 kinds of sunscreen, insect repellent, SportSlick, Chamois Buttr, Voltaren, baby wipes,  first aid kit.

....and it was sitting next to a folding chair, stretching pad, towels, and massage stick.  I sure looked forward to those handler checkpoints (~10 in all.)  The only problem was....

I never got passed while I was running, only when I was sitting down.  At this aid station (Mile 62) I had pushed a little too hard and I was hitting a low point.  I was about to cry.  I just wanted to sit there and fall asleep.  Susan was an AWESOME handler.  She wouldn't let me fall asleep, and she helped me immensly all day long.

At mile 47 my sister's family came out to cheer me on.  In the foreground is my 3 year old niece Tatum.

Notice my generally relaxed disposition at this point in the race.  I felt a little tired but mostly good...

....except I was very sweaty.  When Tatum hugged me she was grossed out by sweat.  Seeing my family there was a huge boost and really motivated me to do well.

My sister Lisa (middle) and her husband Greg. They came out to support me, but that doesn't mean they understand why I run 100 miles.

Maybe this is what my sis was thinking?

At mile 70 I picked up a pacer Julian.  He has run several 100 milers, and works as an Economist in Boston. He provided great motivation to keep pushing myself, and was great company while running late in the dark.

Believe it or not this is my best finish picture.  When I crossed the line I laid down.  Wouldn't you? Getting the finisher medal ribbon around my neck was even a chore.

I couldn't have done this race without the help from Julian my pacer...

And most of all my awesome wife Susan.  Thanks honey, I owe you one!