Summit junkie!

Quest for Kings marathon

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Location:

American Fork,UT,USA

Member Since:

May 20, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

6 100 mile finishes:

Wasatch 100- 2011

Wasatch 100- 2012

Buffalo Run 100- 2013

Bryce 100- 2013

Wasatch 100- 2013

Buffalo Run 100- 2014

100 mile PR- 22:42

Multiple ultra distance adventure runs every year

My running focus has been on ultra running since 2011

Climbed 348 peaks from 2010-2013

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Race Schedule for 2014:

Buffalo 100 (Goal: 22 hours)

Bighorn 100

Wasatch 100 (Goal: Under 30 hours)

Have less than 20 trail diggers in 2014:

Diggers so far in 2014: 1

Climb 100 peaks in 2014

Peaks climbed so far in 2014: 40

Long-Term Running Goals:

24 hour Wasatch 100 finish

Personal:

Refuse2quit blog

My adventure blog

Summitpost profile

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Kinvara Lifetime Miles: 175.05
Hoka Bondi-B Lifetime Miles: 492.55
Brooks Cascadia 6 #3 Lifetime Miles: 246.52
Altra Lone Peak #2 Lifetime Miles: 398.00
2013 Elevation Gain Lifetime Miles: 325375.00
Altra Lone Peak #3 Lifetime Miles: 409.50
Altra Torin Lifetime Miles: 268.25
Altra Lone Peak 1.5 Lifetime Miles: 380.35
Altra Provision Lifetime Miles: 44.10
Altra Lone Peak 1.5 #2 Lifetime Miles: 312.40
Altra Lone Peak #4 Lifetime Miles: 439.00
2014 Elevation Gain Lifetime Miles: 118065.00
Altra Olympus Lifetime Miles: 98.00
Altra Lone Peak #5 Lifetime Miles: 146.70
Race: Quest for Kings marathon (26.2 Miles) 08:29:20, Place overall: 4
Total Distance
26.20

I had a really fun day running in the second annual Quest for Kings Marathon. The distance of the race is the same as a typical marathon, but the route to the top isn't even close to typical. The object of the race is basically getting to the summit of Kings Peak (Utah's highest point) and back as fast as you can, regardless of the route taken. There were 4 of us running in this race and I knew there wasn't much of a chance of winning, but my main goal was to get a personal PR for the course, and have a great time in the process.

This would be my eighth time to the summit. The first 4 times I climbed it on multi-day backpacking trips. In 2008 Jun and another friend and I did it for the first time in a day and we thought we were pretty cool, but our time was almost 14 hours. We didn't run at all, but we hiked pretty fast the whole way. In 2009 I did it again and shaved about 30 minutes off of our 2008 time by hiking a little faster. Last month was the first time I have ever tried to run to the top and my time was 10:40. I knew I could run it faster, but I was having some knee pain on the way down so I didn't push it. My goal for the day would be 8 hours. I knew it would be tough, but if things went well I knew it was doable.

I arrived much later than I had planned to the trailhead and I didn't get to sleep until about 2:30. With a 6:00 am start time I figured I would get a few hours of sleep. I woke up at 5:30 and I didn't see any signs of life in Jun's camp, so I went over there to make sure they hadn't left. He said they were going to leave a little later, so I went back to my car to get ready. I was listening to some nut job on AM radio while I ate a banana and a boiled egg and then I forced down a Powerbar gel for the 2X caffeine. I finally got ready by 6:30 and went over to see that Jun and Aaron were just waking up. We chatted for a few minutes and then I rang the cowbell and I was off.

I started running right from the start and everything was feeling good. I had plenty of energy and I got into a really good groove. My goal was to beat the other two guys to Elk Horn Crossing (5.3 miles). They looked like they would be about 10 minutes behind me and I knew they would be faster than I was, but it gave me something to push myself. I also wanted to shave time off of my run from last month and I hit Elk Horn at 1:05, which was 15 minutes faster. I was really happy about that and the other guys hadn't caught me yet. Instead of stopping for a break like I usually do at Elk Horn, I got a gel an S-Cap out of my pack while I walked and ate it on the move. I passed a few hikers while I gulped it down, and then started running again as soon as I was finished.

When I came out into the meadow I saw a few moose off of the trail, so I shot some video and took a few pictures and then kept running. I passed 4 hikers that I saw start at 5:30 and they told me nice job. Running through the meadow I kept looking back, but I didn't see Aaron and Jun. I was still feeling really good and I was definitely moving faster than I had been last month. Around Dollar Lake I finally spotted Jun and Aaron and I kept running instead of waiting for them. I finally stopped after the lake to take some pictured and shoot some video, and they finally caught up to me. I noticed that Jun didn't look like his typical happy self, so I knew something wasn't right. Usually you can't wipe the smile off of his face.

I stayed with the guys until just before Gunsight Pass. We passed several groups of hikers from the lake to the pass. Aaron pushed ahead and I stopped to get water at the spring because I wasn't sure what I would find beyond it. Jun kept going and I didn't see them again until just before the summit. Several of the hikers passed me while I was getting water, so I made a goal of passing all of them on the switchbacks and I passed all but one guy that was going pretty fast. The pass was windy, so I didn't stay long. I passed the fast hiker and two other groups on my way over to the plateau, but while I was scrambling through some boulders I slipped and fell and dropped my water bottle, which rolled off of a cliff and kept going for about 100 feet. I wasn't happy and I had to climb down over some loose boulders to retrieve it. I wasn't happy about that, but quickly got back to where I had fallen and made my way up to the plateau. From this point to Anderson Pass I didn't run much because it is really hard on your knees and legs. There are boulders everywhere and the ground is not very level at all and there isn't a trail. I hiked fast across it though.

Just before Anderson Pass I saw a familiar face. Faceless Ghost was coming down from the summit and it was really good to see him. We chatted for a few minutes and then he headed back down. Even though I didn't spend much time on the trail with the other guys, when I saw them it always lifted my spirits.

I made pretty good time from Anderson Pass to the summit. This section is basically a few million + boulders stacked in a huge pile. I know the route well, and I moved fast scrambling up the boulders to the summit. I passed everyone I saw and about 15 minutes from the top I passed Aaron as he was coming down from the summit. He looked really strong and we chatted for a minute and then he headed down. It was just a few minutes and Jun passed me on the way down as well. He still didn't look like he was enjoying himself and I was worried maybe he was sick. I pushed on to the top and made the summit in 3:50, over an hour faster than my time from last month.

It was so windy on top that my hat nearly blew off into Painter Basin. I tried to take some pictures with my timer, but the wind blew my camera over every time, so I finally just snapped a few shots and went down. I made pretty good time on the way down and didn't stop at all until I reached the pass. There I pulled some food out of my pack and snacked all the way across the plateau.

Back at Gunsight Pass I was still feeling really good, but I needed to make some gear adjustments, so I got into my tank top and put on some sunscreen. I was stopped for about 10 minutes (my longest break of the day) and when I finally got going I was feeling really good. There is some nice downhill trail back to Dollar Lake and I seemed to be making pretty good time, but as soon as I hit the lake and the trail leveled off I lost my energy. It seemed like the run back to Elk Horn from there took forever! I just couldn't find the gear I needed to crank it up. I think it would have helped to be chasing someone or have someone on my tail, but since I was by myself it was tough.

When I finally reached Elk Horn I was at 7:00, so I knew that I would have to push pretty hard to come in under 8:00. I had to stop and purify some water, and for the first mile I was trying to push the pace, but the trail was so annoying with all of the boulders and I never could get into a groove. I found myself hiking a lot more than I had been on the way in and it was tough to make myself run and run fast. With about 3 miles to go I knew I wasn't going to hit my goal of 8 hours, so I set a new goal of finishing in less than 8:30. It kept me going and I even pushed really hard the last mile to hit it. I think the last mile was probably my fastest mile of the day. Everything was feeling really good, but I was just tired. When I finally reached the gate I had just barely made it under 8:30 and I was pretty happy that I had a new PR for the course by over 2 hours.

I know that I can do this faster, but I am not going to worry about that until next year. There are several things that I know I can do better. It was still a fun race and I'll be back every year for it. I was really tired and had a tough time staying awake on the drive home, so I stopped in Wanship and took a two hour nap in a church parking lot.

Congrats to Aaron Kennard who took first place. His time really blows me away. Anyone that has run this course knows how insane that time really is.

 

 

Brooks Cascadia 4 Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 3.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 3.00Weight: 155.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From jun on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 19:10:56 from 63.224.109.137

Dude, what time did you hit the summit? You had to have gotten there right around 4 hours. How did you feel coming down? Did you keep fueling? I had a mediocre run, but still enjoyed it.

From Scott Wesemann on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 19:17:02 from 75.162.85.220

I hit the summit at 3:50 and I was feeling so good. I thought I might be able to finish in 7 hours, but once I hit Dollar Lake it was tough finding my energy. I did eat from Anderson all the way across the plateau (while walking fast). I am really happy that I smashed my time from lst month, but now I am thinking I could do even better than that. It was a fun day for sure. You didn't look good at all. I thought maybe you were feeling sick.

From jun on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 20:09:06 from 97.126.224.32

No, not sick. My feet were hurting. Actually, when I passed you I was feeling fine, I was just in a hurry. I just had a rough day overall. I never quite felt like I was moving well. And then I had a mental bonk just after dollar lake. Physically, I always had energy, I just didn't wasn't feeling it that day.

From Burt on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 00:06:54 from 68.225.214.248

Nice job Scotty boy.

From Lily on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 09:40:37 from 67.199.181.73

Nice! You totally wasted your time from a month ago... :)

From Burt on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 09:47:22 from 68.225.214.248

Scott likes to waste time.

From Lily on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 10:13:17 from 67.199.181.73

time waster Burt. Why are you awake already anyway? :)

From Oreo on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:19:16 from 206.81.136.61

Awesome... That sounds totally insane.. So, I'll have to try it. Sounds like you had a great day/run!!

From jun on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:53:51 from 97.126.232.37

Nice report man. That is awesome you knocked two hours off of your PR. Congrats on a great run. Next year you'll knock at least another hour off, I'm sure of it.

From Aaron Kennard on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:57:33 from 24.8.144.22

Congrats Scott! That's awesome that you were able to knock 2 hours off your time, that's huge. Bummer that you lost energy at dollar lake, energy management seems to be so critical out there. And it gets harder the longer you're out it seems. You did great though. That last section in from Elkhorn is deceivingly hard to run fast. It would seem it is down hill, but its just so dang rocky its really hard to go fast, especially when you're tired. Nice job again, good seeing you out there, albeit it was just for a few minutes a couple times. Glad you made it home safe after a long tiring day.

From Scott Wesemann on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 12:30:19 from 66.239.250.209

Thanks Burt (I think) and Lily.

Oreo- You should plan on running this next year. It was definitely a lot of fun.

Thanks Jun. I followed a lot of your advice with taking breaks and it definitely helped. Next year I'll shave even more off.

Aaron- Thanks! Yeah, that trail from Elk Horn to the finish is brutal. It is just so hard to get into a groove there, especially at the end when your feet are hurting. I was really impressed with how you did on this stretch after reading your report. I look forward to seeing you again on the trails soon. Congrats again onyour race.

From Kelli on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 13:26:55 from 71.219.102.155

WOW!!!!!!!

How high is Kings Peak?? I do not even know.

From Scott Wesemann on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 13:35:48 from 66.239.250.209

Kelli- kings Peak is 13,528 feet. I think one thing that makes this tough to run is the majority of the time you are over 10,000 feet, and you can definitely tell there is less oxygen up there. You can't beat the views though.

From Kelli on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 13:37:11 from 71.219.102.155

WOW, that is incredible!!! You guys for sure need to go run Pikes Peak next year, you would both KILL the course since you are so used to running without oxygen!

From MatthewVH on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 14:06:18 from 70.103.17.194

Did you happen to find a crumpled article of edible underwear up there?

Scott--NICE! 8:30 WOW Great time. wish I could have done the run.

From Smooth on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 14:07:53 from 174.23.203.161

CONGRATS on smashing your PR! WOW! You were strong and determined. That is an incredible run and to shave off 2+ hrs is AMAZING!!! EXCELLENT JOB!!!! LOVE your *I know I can and will do better* attitude! :)

From Bryce on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 00:17:11 from 174.52.190.220

Dood! a 2 hour PR is huge! nice job!! Amazing how much stronger you are getting. Keep it up!

From Scott Wesemann on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 12:28:05 from 66.239.250.209

Kelli- Pikes Peak looks like a lot of fun. I liked your pics.

Matt- I think your edible undies blew into Wyoming a long time ago.

Thanks Smooth. Yes, I will do better next year :)

Bryce- Thanks for your comments. You definitely need to come run this race next year. You would love it and I think do really well.

From jun on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 12:30:07 from 66.239.250.209

Just don't wake me up so early next time. I was grumpy.

I have fun plans for next year. The run format will be the same, but the camp spot and post-race party will be different. So excited.

From Scott Wesemann on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 12:35:22 from 66.239.250.209

HAHA! The worst was stalking those two girls at the bathroom that I thought were you and Aaron. I am sure they thought I was a weirdo!

You were a bit grumpy on Sat, but you get a pass since it usually only happens a few times per year. Ironically, both times I have seen it this year were on Kings.

So I have had about 5 people tell me they are in for next year.

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