 Self-Doubt, Uninstalling! I’m not a super analytical person. In fact, most decisions in my life are based on emotion and how strongly I feel in the moment. But I do plan my racing season well in advance. So, there I was in December 2016 with three 100-mile races on the radar and a few other ultras to fill in the gaps. I had zeroed in on Bighorn 100 in June 2017 as my goal race for the season — and my Hardrock 100 qualifier. Let’s do this! But, of course, life rarely ever goes as planned. At Bighorn, I found myself chasing the cutoff and made the decision to drop out at about 70 miles. The muddy trail conditions and nasty weather had tanked many a solid runner, and I was one of them. But I had based the decision on logic (i.e. mathematics) rather than emotion — and immediately after I made the decision, I regretted it. Bighorn 100 was my first DNF ever and a hard pill to swallow. As I sat on the plane on my flight back to St. Louis, all I could think of was that I needed to finish a mountain 100-miler and get a Hardrock qualifier…and that’s how I ended up entering the IMTUF 100. IMTUF 100 is notorious for its steep and relentless climbs, unpredictable weather and technical terrain. (To call the course sadistic would be an understatement.) It’s also a Hardrock qualifier and the only 100-mile race that’s part of the 2017 US Skyrunning race series. But none of that mattered at the time. I saw the elevation profile for IMTUF 100 — more than 20,000+ feet of elevation gain — and I knew it was the race I was going to run. I got back home, texted Amanda Smith to ask her if she would pace me and received the response, “I got you.” I didn’t need anything more. But, as Jameson Frank wrote, “Our greatest battles are those with our own minds,” and as IMTUF approached, I let self-doubt creep in. Rather than trust my ability to finish the race, I put my trust in uncertainty. Had Bighorn been a fluke, or was I not up to the task? When I should have been changing my relationship with fear and the fear of failure, I was instead dwelling on “I’m not good enough.” I hoped come race day my nerves wouldn’t deny me a strong performance. Opening Credits Race: IMTUF 100 (Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival); in “real” miles the race clocks in somewhere between 102 and 106. Race Directors: Jeremy and Brandi Humphrey Location/Course: McCall, Idaho. IMTUF 100 is alpine to the core. Starting and finishing at the famous Burgdorf Hotsprings at approximately 6,115 feet with runners ascending Bear Pete Mountain to Squaw Point at approximately 8,000 feet, the race tackles some of the most rough and rutted trails and summits of this premiere mountain playground. Crossing eight high passes and gaining around 22,000 feet, this world-class course was crafted to be tough and breathtakingly scenic. In 2017, IMTUF ran a counter-clockwise loop, and changes direction each year. Difficulty: Extremely Rugged and Hard Time Limit: 36 Hours (100 Mile) Runner: Shalini Kovach Pacer: Amanda Smith Goals & Training: (a) 32 Hour Finish (b) 34 Hour Finish (c) When shit breaks down… just f*$king finish! As for training, I ran straight up vertical, as much vertical as I could get here in St. Louis. I have a bit of OCD, and it helps when I’m zeroing in on a goal. I averaged 60+ miles each week with approximately 10,000 feet of gain. I’m not a big fan of hill repeats, so I bushwhacked and ran some steep sections of the forest that wouldn’t necessarily qualify as trails. I ran slow but steady and power-hiked a ton, with some tempo runs thrown in, too, and a few overnight long runs. My training was as good as it would get living 600 feet above sea level. Race Report: As race week approached, the one question that circled my head day and night was, “Am I good enough?” I’ve never felt so unsure of my ability to finish a race as I did going into IMTUF. I felt inadequate, nerves high, as I struggled to find my footing. Amanda and I flew into Boise, Idaho on Thursday, hung out, loaded up supplies and drove three and half hours to Secesh Stage Stop, our “luxury” crash pad for the weekend. Friday morning when we woke up, the weekend weather forecast was calling for sub-30-degree temperatures overnight and highs only in the 50s. Since I hadn’t packed any running tights, we decided to make a run into McCall in hopes of finding some long pants to race in. As fate would have it, all I could find was yoga tights in size large; they fit in the legs, but the waist was big. No worries, I could manage. At packet pickup, I got behind a girl and asked, “Hey, is this the line?” She turned to me and started talking, and I stood there completely flabbergasted trying to put a name to the face…. Holy shit, it was Anna Frost! I was talking to Anna Frost! As we made it to the pre-race gathering, I nervously chatted with a few runners, and I soon stumbled into the joke of the evening. Runners: Hey, where are you from? Me: St. Louis. Runners: (With a surprised, somewhat uncertain look on their face.) So, how do you train for something like this in Missouri? Did you run up and down the Arch? (Or.) St. Louis, Missouri, where is that? Midwest is what we fly over. I heard this multiple times at the pre-race meeting, at the start of the race and during the race. I became “St. Louis” to everyone, and every time a runner would pass me or vice versa, I’d hear them call out, “Hey, St. Louis!” As a result, even while I battled the demons in my head and blew off the comments, all this talk had me questioning my ability to finish the race even more. A few of the runners I’d spoken with had run IMTUF previously, and many of them had impressive racing resumes with races like Hardrock 100, Bear 100 and Bighorn 100, to name a few. Most everyone I lined up to race with was from Idaho, Colorado, California or some other mountain state, and then there was me from St. Louis, 600 feet above sea level and the only flatlander out of the 141 runners that started the race. “You don’t belong here,” said the voice in my head.  Maxim Kazitov and I before the start of the race Start Burgdorf to Lake Fork Trailhead (44 miles) Headlamps ready and the sound of the elk bugle ringing through the frigid air, we hit the trail running at 6 a.m. The temperature was holding steady at about 26 degrees. Amanda said good luck to me, as the next time I’d see her would be at 70 miles, sometime early Sunday morning. The first few miles were nothing more than a power hike, as I got behind a few runners and chatted with Anne Crispino-Taylor, whom I’d been introduced to through a mutual friend. Two things that I was unnervingly aware of were my elevated heartrate and the cloud of “moon dust” that I was inhaling.  Sunrise at Bear Pete Ridge As we got to the top of the first climb at Bear Pete, the view was absolutely stunning! I stopped to take a few photos, and this gave me a chance to slow my breathing a bit, take in the scenery I remind myself that this was what I lived for: the present moment. And in that moment, I was glad to be standing right where I was. As I started to run again, we were descending. I ran hard, as I love me a downhill, making it past Cloochman. There was a quick stop at Upper Payette #1, and I kept on rolling with Anne all the way though North Crestline, about 24 miles into the race. At this point, I decided to slow my pace, as my heartrate was high and the climbs were becoming labored. Still, I ran steady. All I remember was the descents were just brutal; there were sections we ran on rocks, rut and more rocks, and I had rolled my ankle at least twice. Nothing major, though, as I was still on pace for that 32-hour finish when I rolled into Lake Fork at 44 miles. I paced with another runner as we hit Lake Fork. As I made my way to the aid station, I was being cheered by three women. I said hello to them, and as I turned to walk off, one of them looked somehow familiar. I stopped and did a double take, locking eyes with Nikki Kimball. As I smiled ear to ear she ran over to give me a hug and all I mumbled was, “Thanks for the hug. This made my day!”
A few things to note before I ramble on. Regarding the “moon dust,” it was crazy ridiculous on these trails, in some places 3 or 4 inches deep, and not only do inhale it the entire race but it is in your mouth, ears, nose, eyes and any other exposed body part. Also on this note, change your socks and shoes as many times as you can if you want to finish the race without major foot issues, and make sure you fill up water and food at each aid station, as those climbs can take up more time than you anticipate and some aid stations are 7 to 8 miles apart — and feel like 13 to 15.  Upper Payette Lake Lake Fork to Upper Payette #2 (70 miles) Ah, Lake Fork! This aid station is the bomb! It was where a lot of runners were picking up pacers, so there was a crowd of people, and the aid station had brick-oven pizza. (I passed even though it looked awesome.) Lake Fork is also where I had to pack all my gear for the overnight stretch, load up water and fuel, and double check to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. As I sat there digging through my drop bag, contemplating the extra layer of shirt and heavier long pants, Bill Losey sat next to me and the conversation starter was the Bighorn shirt I was wearing. Bill: So when did you run Bighorn 100? Me: Ha, if you call it running. I was out for the race this past June and dropped at miles 70. The next thing I knew I was telling Bill all about the DNF and how I hated myself for having made that call. We chatted for a bit as both of us changed gear, etc., and come to find out that Bill had run Hardrock 100 a couple of times, Bighorn 100, Bear 100, Angeles Crest 100 and even Barkley Marathon a few times. Serious badass! Yet here he was telling me he just needs to finish IMTUF. Me: Huh!?! Why wouldn’t you finish? With all your races, you should have nothing to worry about. I’m the one who needs to be able to finish this beast of a race. Bill: I haven’t run a 100-mile in three years, and I don’t want to DNF, as I have a long drive back to Colorado and spending that much time in my head after a DNF will not be good. With that said, Bill was gone. I gathered my stuff and, after a series of arguments with myself, decided to add the fourth layer of shirt for the overnight stretch — a decision I would not regret when temperatures dropped well below 25 degrees and many runners were dropping due to fatigue and cold. As I made my way to Snowslide, my conversation with Bill had catalyzed something inside me: I was no longer questioning “Do I belong here? Do I have it in me to finish? Am I good enough to finish?” Instead, I knew I had to finish this race! I ran hard, it got dark and it was bone-chilling cold, but I was in my element. I love running at night! It was a clear night, and the crescent moon shown. It was perfect until I started to descend and found myself turned around at the bottom of the same hill having made the same loop twice. WTH!?! I stopped and waited for a couple of runners coming down and followed them out to the aid station. Snowslide to Duck Lake was a blur. I was in and out of the aid stations. I had 10 more miles to go until I would hit Upper Payette #2 once again and pick up Amanda. I was looking forward to having some company and hammering out the last 30 miles. At this point, a 32-hour finish was still in sight, but let me tell you, this course is so freaking deceptive. As I made my way to Upper Payette #2, I was losing all depth perception in the light of my headlamp and the thick clouds of moon dust, which was ankle deep in places and making for a treacherous descent. Part of it was fatigue setting in, and I lost footing in a couple of places only to find myself on my rear. As I tried to steady myself, I rolled my ankle for like the fifth time in 10 hours — but this time when it happened I experienced a stab of pain running on the inside of my right leg all the way deep into my right hip. F*CK! This was bad. I knew I had done a number on myself. I’m a trail runner; I roll my ankle all the time, dust it off and keep running. But this was not just another ankle roll. I knew I had tweaked something, but I pressed on with some pain in my hip and my ankle being totally uncooperative. Going downhill was sheer torture at this point. I could power hike with minimal stress, so I did just that all the way to Upper Payette #2. Upper Payette # 2 to Finish Burgdorf (Somewhere between 102-106 miles) By the time I hit Upper Payette # 2, I was unsure if I’d make it to the finish in 32 hours — but that was the least of my worries as I still had 30+ miles to cover before I could say I made it. I was relieved to see Amanda waiting for me. I made a B-Line for the chair, swapped shoes and socks, and could not ignore the swelling that was fast growing in my right ankle. UGH! I typically stay away from anti-inflammatories while racing, but right there and then I didn’t even think about it twice. I popped some ibuprofen, got some food and coffee, and was out of there as quickly as I could. Upper Payette #2 was a runner’s graveyard, and I didn’t want to become one of dead. Amanda and I hiked steadily, and ran when I could, until we started to make the climb up Diamond Ridge. It was daylight, and unlike most runners when daybreak gives them an extra push, for me daybreak is when I’m at my worst. The realization that I was now looking at a 34-hour finish had sunk in. I was frustrated with myself, as I could hardly run the downhills, but Amanda kept me talking and moving, and before long we were at Chinook, about 86 miles into the race. Gear change, stock up on food for later and we were on our way again. It was starting to get hot! How hot you ask? Well, I got sun burnt in my face and that rarely ever happens.  Climb up Diamond Ridge With a 34-hour finish still in sight, we made the most sadistic climb (or so it seemed) on the entire course only to drop down and do an out-and-back at Lone Lake, mark our bib and make our way to Willow Basket for a second time. What is the point of this torture? Lone Lake! But wait, what is this? It was the most beautiful and refreshing sight! Lone Lake! I loved Lone Lake! Amanda and I took some photos and pressed onto Willow Basket. I was starting to hit a massive low as we made it past the aid station. I was reduced to hiking, and the frustration of not being able to run some of the so-called “runnable” terrain that lay before us made it twice as hard to press on mentally. Nine more miles; I had to do this for 9 more miles! I can do this. I’m freaking going to finish this! Sigh! I was running low on calories, and the sun reflecting off the mood dust made me dizzy. I was hot and then I was cold and then I for sure thought I had lost my mind. Amanda: Stop, you need to eat something Me: I just can’t eat anymore. Amanda: OK, well, you have to eat. We still have 6 more miles to go, and you need to eat. Here have a gel. Me: Gah! I hate these hills. I even hate the downhills, and I just want to run flat — but don’t tell anyone I said that. We both laughed so hard at that. Two gels later, I managed another couple of miles before I had to take another gel. I felt like the walking dead. The 9-mile stretch from Willow Basket to Ruby Meadow just sucked. I asked Amanda what time it was and soon realized there was no way in hell I was going to make the 34-hour finish unless I start running, and running hurt. I tried, but the pain in my right ankle and hip was unbearable. I took another ibuprofen just so I could push myself to run. Then, out of nowhere, while I was still complaining, we were on the road 2 miles from Burgdorf. I was miserable to the point that I refused to run. I still had a chance to get it done under 35 hours, but I was so frustrated with myself and my inability to run the last 9 miles that I didn’t care what time I finished. I knew I was going to finish, and that was that! Just then, Amanda announced we were 100 yards from the finish and I had to run. Fine! “I’ll run but I hate you for making me run,” and with that I was off as I made an effort to “sprint” to the finish. My official time was 35:08:49. A few stats from the race: 141 runners started, 86 finished, 41 dropped (DNF). Only 33 runners broke the 30-hour mark, and of those, about a third came in after the 29th hour. I was the 80th runner to finish, 21st female and 9th in my age group, 40-49.  Conclusion:
IMTUF 100 is a gem of race! I hope to be back to run the loop clockwise in 2019, and although it was not my best performance, there’s always reason to believe that the next 100 miles will be better than the last. Isn’t that what we thrive on? I got what I was after with finishing IMTUF: a ticket into Hardrock 100 and a renewed sense of accomplishment! IMTUF also marks the ninth 100-mile run I’ve finished (minus Bighorn 100) since I first embarked upon this journey in 2014. I’m still learning, changing and challenging myself and I don’t ever want this process to stop. I don't want normal and easy and simple. I want painful, complicated, difficult and life changing! To my pacer Amanda: If only you knew how much I appreciate you being there for me! Running is a selfish endeavor, and to have likeminded folks who will support your sorry ass no matter what is something to cherish for life. I value your time, patience and our friendship and, most importantly, all the bullshit talk that I hope is never disclosed outside of the trails. Thanks again for having my back! To my sponsor Hammer Nutrition: Thank you so much for making IMTUF 100 happen for me! Thanks for understanding the needs of endurance athletes and making innovative products that help us achieve our goals. In my three years of racing on team Hammer, I have never once had fueling issues, GI stress or any of the other commonly reported issues when attempting these types of events. Hammer on! Gear List Garmin Fenix 3, Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.5 and TIMP, FITS Socks Medium Hilker Crew, Petzl NAO Headlamp, Some random brand yoga tights, Hammer Nutrition Women’s Running Tee Shirt, Hammer Buff, Hammer Beanie and Salomon Advance Skin Set 12 Pack. Nutrition Here’s a breakdown of the fuel and supplements I used before, during and after the race: Pre-Race Hammer Nutrition Race Day Boost and Hammer Nutrition Fully Charged During Hammer Heed and Perpetuem mixed equal parts in one 17-ounce bottle; Hammer Gels (Peanut butter and Espresso flavors); banana, chicken broth and tortilla wraps at aid stations. Every three hours, I took Hammer Endurance Amino, Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes and a Ginger Root Pill. Post-Race Hammer Recoverite and Tissue Rejuvenator Author: Shalini Kovach is the founder and lead organizer of Terrain Trail Runners.  The Miwok 100K, held in the Marin Headlands north of San Francisco, is a legendary race now in its 22nd year — and it has a lot of history. The race is fabled to be one of the most beautiful and iconic ultramarathons in the U.S. I met Tia Bodington, the race director, at the American Trail Running Conference back in September 2016, and that piqued my interest to the point that, when I started to lay out training races leading into the Bighorn Trail 100 (my next big race for 2017), I kept coming back to Miwok. Call it fate, good luck or mere coincidence, but I was one of the 500 runners that made the lottery for the 2017 Miwok 100K. As race date approached, I felt confident in my training and set an ambitious finish goal, but, as we all know, ultrarunning is one of the most unpredictable endeavors ever…. Opening Credits Race: Miwok 100K (62.2 Miles) Race Director: Tia Bodington Location/Course: The course features fire roads and single track, and the 2017 course modification had a couple of miles of paved road. The course is hilly (approximately 11,800 feet of elevation gain and 11,800 feet of elevation drop), with spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tamalpais and the Point Reyes National Seashore. Difficulty: Hard Time Limit: 15 hours, 30 minutes Runner: Shalini Kovach Crew & Pacer: None. The race is extremely well supported. Aid stations and drop bags are accessible, and for 62 miles through the woods there was no need for a pacer or crew. Goals & Training Well, I was hoping for a 13- to 13.30-hour finish, and, don’t ask me why, but my head was stuck on that time. Of course, getting to the finish is always the top priority. As for training, leading into Miwok 100K, my peak mileage week was 65 miles with an elevation gain of 10,164 feet. I simply focused on climbing and running lots of technical terrain. Race Report As the saying goes, “Getting to the race start is an unpredictable victory.” I found myself with a sore throat and stuffy nose on Wednesday, three days prior to the race. Ugh! Like most any “stable-minded” ultrarunner would do, I started to heavily self-medicate, and by Thursday morning, I was a walking zombie. I dreaded the fact that I had a race in two days and that my finish goal, although not completely out of the realm of achievability, was going to prove somewhat difficult to attain given my state. Regardless of how the race would break down, my bags were packed and I was on my way to the airport on Thursday afternoon. Start to Muir Beach (8 miles) It was 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, as we lined up to start what would be 62.2 miles of some challenging, quad-busting but incredibly breathtaking views for 14:24 hours under the California sun! My cold at this point had become a full-blown sinus infection, and lingering symptoms like mild headache, stuffy nose, ear ache/popping, loss of smell and little to no hearing in my right ear were becoming hard to ignore even as I stood there being swept away by the electrifying energy at the start of the race. I had also decided not to take my sinus medication but rather stow it in my hydration pack, a decision that would save my rear mid-race when all my bullheadedness wore off. The clock stuck 5:00 a.m., and we were off! On recommendation from a few others that had run the race, I had lined up to the front of the pack, so as to avoid getting stuck in a conga line at the start of the race up the steep Dipsea Trail climb. We immediately funneled onto the single track as we climbed 2,000 feet in just under three miles. The cold Pacific air made it difficult to breathe as I climbed and tried to keep my footing steady in the light of my headlamp on the stairs, dodging the gnarly roots and rocks. As we turned to descend the Deer Park fire road, I could hear a faint sound of the bagpipe being played at the Cardiac Aid Station. It was a pleasant wake-up sound, and I could see the sunrise far out in the distance. What made it even better was the steep descent that followed. It was like someone had just shaken me out of my funk. I was hot-stepping the downhill and passed a few runners as I made my way in and out of Muir Beach Aid Station.
 Tennessee Valley (13 miles) to Bridge View (18.6 miles), then back to Tennessee Valley (26 miles) By the time I hit Tennessee Valley Aid Station for the first time, I had shed all the layers I had started the race with and was somewhere between feeling hot and clammy. I refilled all my supplies and was on my way. I don’t recall much of what and how I was running, except that as I climbed over the hills, there was the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. It was breathtaking, both literally and figuratively! I was having difficulty breathing through my nostrils, and breathing through my mouth was extremely labored when climbing. My ears popped as I tried my best to enjoy the view and not let the constant thumping in my head bother me. My pace was excruciatingly slow, and this is when I decided not to focus on my goal finish time and instead to enjoy the scenery. As I made my way back to Tennessee Valley the second time around, I was feeling sluggish — not quite halfway done and here I was just hating on myself. Another runner came up behind me and said, “Whew! Glad we made it out of there 30 minutes before the cutoff.” As we chatted on how tight the cutoff was given the difficulty of the terrain we were all hiking, the sun was out and it was starting to warm up quick.
 Muir Beach (30.3 miles) to Cardiac (35.5 miles) to Bolinas Ridge (42.5 miles) I felt a little unnerved about making the cutoff at Tennessee Valley by only 30 minutes simply, because I was unable to keep a steady pace and there was a sinking feeling of not being able to make the cutoff at Randall a few hours later. This is when I came upon Troy Meadows; it was his first 100K, and I noticed he was doing the “duck walk.” As we chatted, he mentioned having some knee issues, and I offered him some ibuprofen. As I reached into my pack for the ibuprofen, I saw my sinus medication. I debated in my head whether or not to take it, and if it would help at all. But, seeing as I wasn’t exactly doing all that hot and had been feeling worse as the day progressed, I decided it wouldn’t do any harm to take the meds. Here goes nothing! Somewhere along this part of the run, I had actually started enjoying myself. My guess is the meds had kicked in. This is when I came upon Robert Myers. Deja vu! No, I mean for real! Robert and I had run a few miles together at Western States in June 2016. Robert lives in Auburn, and I’m from St. Louis, and here we were together again 10 months later. What are the odds of that? As we chatted and ran along, something inside me had turned on…I guess you could say it was the faith in ultrarunning and in myself. I was about 30 miles into Miwok, and I knew slugging along at the pace I moving was not going to cut it, so I decided to run. I ran steady until I hit Bolinas Ridge Aid Station at 42.5 miles. This was one of my favorite trail sections on the course, the gorgeous Redwoods towering over the trails providing shade from the sun and the moss swayed in the cool breeze. For the first time in over 30 miles, I felt connected with running, the trails and my surroundings. This is what I live for! If I had all day, I would have simply wandered off into the woods. This was also one of my favorite aid stations on the course. For starters, leading into the aid station were two motivational signs that resonated with me. The first one read, “The price of success is much lower than the price of failure,” and the second one read, “You can either throw in the towel or use it to wipe the sweat off your face.” I know they were both a bit cliché, but when you run distance, you must find something to hold onto if you want to continue forward — and these messages were mine to hold onto and move forward. As I approached the aid station and the volunteers started to top off my water, I was told I needed to drink more than I had been drinking. It dawned on me that I had hardly been drinking and needed to stay on top of my hydration if I was to make a run for the finish.
Randall Trailhead (49.2 miles) to Bolinas Ridge (55.9 miles) I felt great leaving Bolinas Ridge at 42.5 miles, I was running hard and pushing pace and — finally — hit the turn to the downhill bomb to Randall Trailhead at 49.2 miles. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love downhills. I really, really do! As I made it to the bottom of the hill, I cut a B-line for my drop bag, refilled everything and I turned to ask a couple sitting next to me what time it was. The couple: “It’s a little before 4 p.m.” Me: Doing the math in my head…. “I don’t need the headlamp, I’ll be at the finish well before 8 p.m.” The couple: “NO! Take the headlamp just in case you roll an ankle or bust something.” Me: “Good point! Should I take this jacket, too? It’s too hot right now.” The couple: “YES! If you are struggling and it gets dark you will be cold.” Me: “OK, OK, you are right!” As I turned to make the steep climb back the same way I had come a few minutes earlier, all the way out to Bolinas Ridge for the second time, I happened up Andy Black. Who is Andy Black? Well, stalk him on ultra signup and find out for yourself. Super badass ultrarunner, and I wasn’t going to just keep running past him, so I decided to hike up the hill with Andy and share stories. As we made it up the hill, Andy once again reminded me I needed to run and not kill my time chatting with him. Me: “Yes, I know! I’ll start running here in a few.” So, I bid goodbye to Andy and told him I would look for him at the finish. With that, I was running hard again. I was in and out of Bolinas Ridge the second time with a quick shout-out from the volunteers: “Go get it! Just 6.3 more miles to go!”  Stinson Beach Community Center AKA Finish! (62.2 miles) After leaving Bolinas Ridge, I kept running steady once we hit the Coastal Trail. About a quarter mile behind me was a line of eight or 10 runners gaining on me, and in my head I knew I had to keep plugging at it. I had no concept of what time it was and where in the race I was, but having run enough ultras, I know the last 5 miles to the finish are critical and can make or break your finish time. So, I just focused on moving forward, and each time I saw a runner up ahead, I reeled them in. I only slowed down on the technical sections of the trail, so as to not fall. I had finally made it to the Matt Davis Trail. Earlier in the day, Andy Black had mentioned to me how steep the descent was — technical, rocky and root-strewn. The last 2 miles of switchback to the finish had it all, with wooded stairs thrown into the mix for good measure. This was it: I had to make a run for it. I ran hard as I spiraled down the steep descent with tricky left turns and low-hanging branches. I had to stop and limbo three times under some fallen trees. I passed eight runners slowly making their way to the finish as I bombed the hills recklessly. There it was, the big rock signifying the final switchback. Across the bridge over the creek, and the final downhill stretched into town. I was levitating! Or maybe it was all in my head. Not knowing what the race clock said, I was through the finish, got my medal and stood there talking with Stan Jensen. Who is Stan Jensen? Well, look him up! Conclusion I didn’t make my goal time. Am I disappointed? Honest answer: nope! As I was told by my BFF Denzil Jennings, “If you enjoyed it, then time is irrelevant.” I hate it when he’s right. Sometimes, you can’t fight your own body. Had I felt 100 percent and not been under the weather, would I have pushed for that finish goal and attained it? Possibly, but I don’t believe in “could have” and “should have.” This is trail running; you take what the trail gives you and how the day breaks down and you make the most of it. I made the most of Miwok 100K! Up next is Bighorn Trail 100 in June. Six weeks and counting! Bighorn will be the most difficult 100-mile races I will attempt to date, and I will be flying solo, no crew and or pacers. I’m confident in my training, and if these legs don’t fail me, I will see my arse to the finish and have myself a Hardrock 100 qualifier! (Still, seriously, ping me if you want to pace me at Bighorn.)
Gear List
Garmin Fenix 3, Columbia Montrail Women’s Rogue F.K.T Shoe, Columbia Montrail Titan Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt, Columbia Montrail Titan Lite Windbreaker, Buff, InknBurn Spring 6inch Shorts, Injinji Trail 2.0 Midweight Micro Toe Socks, Petzl NAO Headlamp, Running Tee Shirt, Camelbak Ultra Pro Vest Nutrition Here’s a breakdown of the fuel and supplements I used before, during and after the race: Pre-Race Hammer Nutrition Race Day Boost and Hammer Nutrition Fully Charged During Hammer Heed and Perpetuem mixed equal parts in a 17-ounce bottle, Hammer Gels (peanut butter and espresso flavors), bananas and Coke at aid stations. Every three hours, I took Hammer Endurance Amino, Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes and a Ginger Root Pill. Post-Race Hammer Recoverite and Tissue Rejuvenator Author: Shalini Kovach is the founder and lead organizer of Terrain Trail Runners.  I used to run alone in peace and conformity. I knew no other way until I met Sawyer. He’s my forever running partner. He slobbers a lot, digs in the leaves, wags and woofs — and it’s impossible to ride in the car with him while we drive to the trailhead. Welcome to whiny-town! But I can’t imagine life without him. As I write this, I turn to look at Sawyer, who’s never more than a couple of steps away from me. His big, brown eyes catch me in his gaze, full of mischief and curiosity. He makes me wonder if I could ever find a bond so strong with a human runner. Named after Tom Sawyer, from Mark Twain’s boyhood tale, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, we adopted him from the Central Aussie Rescue & Support Center — and by “we” I mean my husband, Brad, and our girls, Erika, Chloe and Alissa. How did he come to be the best thing since Peanut M&Ms at an aid station, you ask? Well, it was one rainy afternoon in mid-May 2015 that we were out running errands, and I got suckered into visiting a pet adoption that was taking place, being told “we just want to look.” Like I hadn’t heard that one before. Thing is, I didn’t really want a dog. My life was already insanely busy, and to add the responsibility of having to take care of a dog — no thanks. But anyway, there we were looking at this wild thing. He had been a stray, just newly found, and he was frantically pacing and whining. We went into a small room where the girls could pet him and see how he interacted with them. He wanted nothing but treats, and then he’d run back to his foster mom. Maybe he was a little overwhelmed and nervous, she said. We got back in the car and then began the endless droning. “Please, please, please can we adopt Sawyer?” Ugh! As I sat there listening to all the arguments and proposals and deals that were being thrown at me, I couldn’t help but think how handsome Sawyer was. I reluctantly said we could go back and see what it would involve to adopt him. It was a faltering I will never, ever regret!
Fast forward to June 2015. It was the weekend of Kettle Morrain 100, and I was to be out of town for the race. There had been some talk of bringing Sawyer over for a house visit while I was gone for four days. Good! I wouldn’t have to deal with it, or so I thought. I got back in town, completely wasted from running 100 miles, and there he was in our home. I wasn’t sure what to make of him, and he wasn’t sure what to make of me, either. He still had that timid, stray dog air about him. So, we ignored each other that evening. On Monday morning, Brad went to work and the girls were off to school, and there I was alone with Sawyer. What am I supposed to do now? I mean, he was still handsome and all, but I didn’t really want a dog. The dude just happily followed me around all day. Next thing I know, our contact at the Aussie Rescue called and said Sawyer had cleared all his medical tests and ownership searches, and that he was ours to keep if we wanted him. All we needed to do is sign a few papers. I’m not sure, I’m just not sure. I don’t think I want a dog. I put all my excuse cards on the table but was trumped by all the positive things that could happen if we chose to adopt Sawyer. The one thing that was laid on me over and over and OVER again was that his breed was so athletic and that he would make an excellent running dog. Ugh! But I like running alone. It’s my ME time. I looked at Sawyer, and if I’m being honest, I just didn’t have the heart to turn him away. And to see how excited the girls were to have him around…. So, I said yes, clearly stating that I was not going to run with him, as it would be too much trouble and I liked running alone. But, you see, it’s the simplest things that make us vulnerable, and when we least expect it, life can pleasantly surprise us.
 As human beings, we often tend to complicate things. Relationships can sometimes end up becoming a tangled mess of emotions and feelings that never have an opportunity to grow or evolve. We resist and resent change. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you willingly open your heart to a dog, they will shower you with unconditional love that knows no limits. A dog enters your life with absolutely no demands, and if you’re open to the possibility of adventures together, they provide you with irreplaceable memories that live forever in you. It’s that simple! So, here goes the tale of how I found the best running partner in Sawyer! While I was recovering from Kettle Morrain in June 2015, I decided to take Sawyer on a run with me. I hated every moment of it! He was on a leash, and I felt like I was being pulled beyond my control. My 5-mile “easy” run at a 10-11 minute/mile pace was turned into an 8 minute/mile sprint that I didn’t know I was capable of two days after running a 100 miles. We tried this a couple more times, and it was nothing but frustration. The dog needed training, and who had time for that? I decided I wasn’t going to run with Sawyer anymore, but each morning as I laced up, there he was, looking at me expectantly. I’d ignore him, and then the guilt of leaving him behind weighed on me so much that I couldn’t enjoy my run. There has to be a better way of doing this. Next run, I took Sawyer to the trail and decided to try him off the leash. It was 7 a.m., mid-week, a time when there was hardly any traffic on the trails. I was hopeful! Alas, as soon as I let him off the leash, he was gone. Just gone. Out of sight. I stood there completely horrified, as I had no idea where the hell had he run off to. There was anger and a weird sense of betrayal. How could he just bolt on me? I walked as I scanned the trails, calling his name, but Sawyer was nowhere to be found. After 10 minutes of yelling for him, I finally caught a glimpse of his furry face peeking at me from behind a tree about a quarter mile ahead. That’s it! I yelled at him, put him on the leash and was once again pulled into a sprint as we made our way back to the car. We tried this a few more times with no improvement. If Sawyer wasn’t sprinting a half mile ahead of me, he was chasing squirrels, deer and wild turkey — or molesting the occasional turtle on the trail. He would excitedly jump on other people that we came across, and if we happened upon another dog while on the trail, it was impossible to control him. He was incorrigible! But there was also something about him that connected with me deeply when we ran together. It was a feeling of freedom, limitless frolic, absolute euphoria that I felt when I watched him run. Seeing Sawyer run is a thing of beauty! I sometimes found myself wondering if I could ever run like that — effortless, free of inhibition, gliding over the terrain below my feet like the rocks and roots didn’t exist. It was absolute perfection! I dreaded running with him, yet I dreaded even more not to take him with me. How could a dog make me feel that way?  As the temperature got hotter that summer, I stopped running with Sawyer altogether. I’d take him on a hike now and then, but I had quit running with him due to the heat and also because it was frustrating that he just wouldn’t listen. It wasn’t until late fall and winter when I started to run with him again. At that time, I decided to keep him off the leash but carry it with me at all times. When Sawyer would take off, I’d stop and make him come back to me, give him a little talking to and then we’d be off again. If we came across other people on the trail, I’d call him and clip on the leash. I did the same when we’d encounter another dog. Slowly but surely, I was beginning to notice improvement. Sawyer had stopped chasing after deer, squirrels, turtles and or any other animals we encountered. He stuck to the single track and was never out of my sight, and he always stopped to look back and make sure I was in tow. He had also stopped jumping on other people that we came across on the trail, but there was still the issue of other dogs. This is when I decided to use the good dog, bad dog behavior encouragement. I started to take his treats on the run with me. If he didn’t listen to a command, he’d get an earful from me. His ears would fold back and he’d have that guilty-as-charged look in his eyes. Every time he’d listen to a command, I’d give him a treat along with positive reinforcement. Next step was running with Sawyer on the leash. If I felt I was being pulled, I would stop running, give Sawyer some talking to and then slowly start back up. A few frustrating runs on the leash later, and we had our breakthrough. One morning as I ran with him on the leash from our house, which is a little over a mile from Castlewood, he got the hang of it and stopped pulling my ass along. Once we hit the trail, I let him off the leash. We repeated the procedure on the way back, and I was excited to see he actually started running on pace with me while on the leash!
So, there you have it! I’m closing in on two years of countless miles and adventures that I’ve been fortunate enough to share with mas loco Sawyer. I can’t imagine trail running without him. I’m glad I didn’t give up on him, and vice versa. I’ve found the most patient running partner, who never speaks a word yet shares with me a silent understanding and partnership that cannot be broken. Now if only he would stop charging at me in the middle of a run when he gets excited and wants to play, running in circles around me while I try to keep a straight face and not fall off the edge. But what would be the fun in that? I will forever cherish every memory made running with Sawyer, and although he may never understand these spoken words, I do hope he knows how much I love him and the joy he brings to my daily life. Go run with a dog, and live a little!   Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) 100 Mile in Hot Springs, Ark., had been on my radar since 2014, but it wasn’t until spring break in March 2016 that I had a chance to run about 30 miles of the course. I had no doubt afterward that I really, really needed to run this race. Fast forward to December 2016. I found myself on the Barkley Marathon “weight list,” uncertain of my demise, and I frantically started to search for a training race. Boom! LOViT 100 Mile was mine for the taking. Now, before I ramble on any further there were couple of other factors that played into zeroing in on LOViT. First and foremost was the approximately 20,000 feet of ascent/20,000 feet of decent, the 5 p.m. start time and the fact that I could jump in my car drive for seven hours, run the 100 miles, and then drive back home. Cost effective! As race date approached, I found myself slowly moving up that “weight list” for Barkley, and after a series of arguments with myself, I decided I was going to race LOViT, as my odds of making the cut for Barkley weren’t looking good. Just to clarify: Racing and running a 100 miler are two very different things, and for the record, I have only “raced” one of the seven 100 milers that I’ve run since 2014. Most of the time, I just go out and run on a whim and let the day break down how it will for me. Opening Credits Race: LOViT 100 Mile Race Director: Dustin and Rachel Speer Location/Course: The LOViT Endurance Run covers sections of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail from Denby Bay in the west to Avery Recreational Area in the east. The terrain is rocky, rolling hills and ridge lines that take you along the southern rim of one of America’s most pristine freshwater lakes and through the ruggedly beautiful Ouachita National Forest with approximately 20,000 feet of ascent/20,000 feet of decent. The race course follows out-and-back sections along the single track trail — one of only 40 worldwide trails to receive the IMBA Epic Trail designation. Difficulty: Hard Time Limit: 34 hours (100 mile) Runner: Shalini Kovach Crew & Pacer: Amanda Smith! Amanda and I have shared many glorious and miserable training miles, and she also paced me for Superior 100 in September 2016, so there was a solid understanding of running style, attitude and reliance on both ends. Goals & Training Goals: Well, I was hoping for a sub-26-hour finish, but finishing the course is always the top priority. As for training, I was logging 50 to 55 miles per week with an average elevation gain of 200 feet/mile. Leading into the race, my peak weekly mileage was 68 miles with 11,154 feet gain. I simply focused on climbing and running lots of technical terrain. Race Report Before I get into the nitty gritty of how LOViT broke down for me, I must refer to the tagline for the race: Ankles of Steel…Iron Will. That’s what you’ll need to take on this challenge! Start to Hickory Nut Mountain Overlook (34 miles) The clock struck 5 p.m. on Friday, and we hit the trail running. The first 34 miles were pretty uneventful other than the steep and extremely rocky decent and ascent up Hickory Nut Mountain. This section of the course is deceptively runnable, and the course layout for the first 34 miles lulls you into thinking the east end will be similar. But, that is not the case. The latter half of the course is unrelenting, and you better believe in the above tagline. I had run this section of the course last year, and that familiarity left no element of surprise or worry. I knew what pace I needed to run, and there was going to be no dillydallying about it. I was focused! Within the first hour and a half, the headlamps were turned on and I cruised along admiring the gorgeous sunset while the temperatures held steady in the 50s. There was some talk of a passing overnight storm in the area, with a drop in temperature and 20- to 25-mph winds, but for now the sky was clear. I saw Amanda at the Joplin Road aid station about 9 miles into the race, and after a quick gear check and hug, I was off. This was the first out-and-back section, and as I made my way back to the Hickory Nut Mountain Overlook for the second time I was leading the women’s field and held my position as fifth overall.  Hickory Nut Mountain Overlook to Getting Lost (42 miles) OK, this is the section where things get interesting! As we descended from the Hickory Nut Mountain Overlook aid station, I met Shannon Hampton, Arron Lebell (who was running his first 100 miler) and Kamm Prongay. The wind had picked up, and the temperatures had dropped to low 30s. It felt like we were running in a wind tunnel! I put on my jacket, pulled my gloves and hat on, and the four of us ran steady until we hit a split in the trail at the Pipe Spring. We were at a complete halt. It was dark, and there were signs both to the left and right of us, so clearly we didn’t need to carry on straight. We first went right, but the sign made no sense. We then went left, and the sign said 100K and 100Mi, so clearly that must be the way we needed to go. Not! The four of us stood there with the course map in our hand contemplating which way to go first. The problem with this intersection at Pipe Spring is the 100-mile runners get to run this out-and-back twice each direction, and although the course was marked, which direction to go first was not clear on the signs. After five minutes of back and forth, we unanimously decided that we needed to go left first. About 4.5 miles later, all four of us hit Crystal Springs Pavilion aid station. We had barely made it into the aid station when the news came crashing in: We should have gone right at the split to Charleston aid station, then back to the split and then to Crystal Springs Pavilion. WTF!?! My brain just stopped working for a split second. Then, it sparked and I panicked when I realized I was 4.5 miles off course and needed to retrace 4.5 miles back to the split, and then onto Charleston aid station. Not only had I lost my lead, but in that moment, I realized I also would not be able to make up the lost time. I was frustrated with myself, but quickly my brain switched to “you have to move past it.” It’s moments like this that keep us grounded when running 100 miles. Goals have to be adjusted, and it’s because of this unpredictability that we get suckered into running one 100 miler race after another. We’re always chasing the perfect run. Shannon and I stood there helplessly while Arron and Kamm had started their run back to the split. Just then, I caught the tail end of a conversation between Shannon and one of the race organizers; we were getting a ride back to the split at the Pipe Spring instead of having to run back to where we went off course. Arron, Kamm, Shannon and I hopped in the car and were driven to the Pipe Spring split to carry on in the right direction on foot — and none of us protested. Turns out this wasn’t the first time runners have gotten off course at the split, and there was also some question of the signs being vandalized. Since it was four of us that took the wrong turn at the split rather than just one, the race organizers decided to drive us back and check the signs so no other runners would make the same mistake. Charleston to Brady Mountain Road (58 miles) The trip to Charleston and then back to the Pipe Spring is about 2 miles each way. Going out, it’s a steep descent that’s narrow in places, and the footing was tricky going downhill in the dead of the night. Shannon and I stuck together and shared stories as we made our way to the aid station. On the way back, I stopped for a pee break and lost Shannon somewhere on the steep ascent. The rest of the race I ran solo until 83 miles, which is when I picked up Amanda. I can’t remember much of this section, as it was dark and the entire time we were switchbacking up and down hills on really rocky terrain up to Big Bear. By the time I hit Big Bear, the sun was starting to come out and I could feel and smell the crispness of the early morning hours in the air. There was a bench that looked over Lake Ouchita, and I considered stopping, but I was in grind mode. So, I bypassed the Trail Dog Overlook and descended to the Brady Mountain Road aid station, fueled and kept plugging at it. Brady Mountain Road to Avery Rec Area (65 miles) then back to Brady Mountain Rd (72 miles) After leaving the aid station, I made the ascent onto the Emerald Ridge section of the LOViT Trail, so named for the tons of moss-covered rock outcroppings. This section of the course has some gorgeous views and lots of technical terrain. This was also the section I had run last spring break, overlooking the Blakey Dam and then descending to the Avery Rec Area aid station at the LOViT trailhead. I cruised along with the certainty of knowing where I was going, or so I thought. Avery Rec Area aid station is also the turnaround point for both the 100-mile and 100k distances. It was well into the morning at this point, and I was starting to see the front end 100K runners as I made my way back to Brady Mountain Road. Head down, I could feel the fatigue setting in, and I had not yet let go of the fact that I had lost my lead and my finish goal time. As I moved forward into my own head, the terrain under my feet did not feel right. I was climbing, and the ground cover felt soft, unlike the rocky terrain that I had just come in on a couple of hours back. I stopped to look around for a marker but saw nothing. About a quarter mile down from where I stood, I could see the trail switchback. This isn’t right! I can’t be lost again!?! I wanted to scream but decided to be more ladylike — so a few F-bombs later I made it back to the trail. I stopped to scan the trail, and far out in the distance I could see the flagging tape. It was hard to make out, as the tape was red and silver stripe and with the glare the sunlight made it impossible to track. Brady Mountain Road to Crystal Springs Pavilion (83 miles) After going off course for the second time in 24 hours, I decided to get my shit together and hammer out the run until I got to Crystal Springs Pavilion. There, I would get to see Amanda and hopefully have her along for the last stretch to the finish. Since it was just Amanda and I, we had not figured out what and where to leave the car and how to get back to it once I had finished. So, there was the question of whether or not Amanda would be pacing me or just providing support at the aid stations. At this point, though, I had concluded in my head that I would ask Amanda to run with me and that we’d worry about the car later. I had run so much of the course solo, without seeing another runner for hours, and I was starting to question my ability to soundly navigate the course. Alas! If only things were that easy. By the time I made my way back to the ridgeline at the Trail Dog Overlook, it was closing in on noon and I was tired. The conversation with myself went something like this: Me: Why am I still running? I should have been done by now. It’s well after noon for crying out loud! Myself: Duh! The race didn’t start until 5 p.m. You’re only about 75 miles in, fool. I: I am so freakin’ tired, and I need to sit. Why, hello bench overlooking Lake Ouachita! Yep, I sat down on it! Wow! The cool breeze, sunshine, blue sky and blue water in the lake was simply perfect. Far out in the distance I saw a boat zip over the water across Lake Ouachita. Me: I should lay down on this bench. It will feel so good to stretch and close my eyes. Myself: What!?! Are you stupid? I: Don’t do it. Just like that I snapped out of whatever it was that I was going through and started running. I ran straight until I hit Crystal Springs Pavilion. AMANDA!!!!! Crystal Springs Pavilion to Mountain Harbor Resort AKA finish (105 miles for me) By the time I hit Crystal Spring, it was a little before 4 p.m., not quite 24 hours into the 100 miles, as I had earlier concluded. I have never been as elated to see anyone in my life as I was to see Amanda in her running gear ready to pace me at 83 miles. I was in and out of the aid station with my headlamp while Amanda and I chatted. I talked my arse off…all about getting lost, losing the lead in the race and now just needing to finish. In that moment I realized how lonely running a 100 miles can be. Not seeing another runner for miles on end can be unsettling, so I was thankful to have Amanda by my side for the trip back to the finish. We ran steady. Amanda stayed ahead of me, picking up on my highs and lows, and we talked and talked and talked! But remember when I said if only things were that easy…? The overnight storm had knocked out some of the course flagging, and as the sun set once again, it was getting hard to trace those markers. Having gotten off course twice already, I kept questioning every split and turn. Headlamps switched on and Amanda in the lead, we made it to the turnoff at Hickory Nut Mountain about 94 miles. And in there we stood trying to figure out whether to turn at the split or carry on straight. Me: Do you see any markers? Amanda: None, and no signs either. Not sure if we turn here or keep straight. As I hiked up to the split, Amanda was ahead of me scanning course markers. Amanda: I see a marker to the left. OK, let’s go. We started running again. This was the section we ran at the start of the race, and there were markers there, but something in the back of my head didn’t feel right. We were about a three quarters of a mile in when we saw a car fast approaching and the driver was saying something, so both Amanda and I stopped. As the driver came into view, we were informed that we had once again gone the wrong way and should have stayed straight at the split. GAH! But there were no signs or markers directing us to go straight, I protested, and there are markers here, thus the obvious choice. The driver apologized and said he was taking the markers off so others didn’t make the same error as we did. He told us we weren’t that far from the Hickory Mountain Overlook aid station and 5 miles to the finish. Sigh! We made our way to the aid station, double-checked the direction we needed to go and once again started running. We descended fast down an ATV trail that was chewed up. It was impossible to find decent footing. I didn’t recall this section from the start of the race, but that could also be because my brain was fried. We got to the bottom of the descent and saw a runner just standing there. WTH!?! As we got closer, I realized it was Arron Lebell. We had both gotten off course together the first time, so I was surprised to run into him. Me: Hey! What’s going on? You doing alright? Arron: Yeah, just hurting and want to be done, and I don’t see any markers. Not sure if I’m going the right way. I’m done getting lost, so I stopped when I saw you guys approach. Me: Are you kidding me? F-bombs were flying, and both Amanda and I were cussing now. It wasn’t funny at the time, but in hindsight it was kind of funny — two female runners with truckers’ mouths and Arron hurting and helpless, trying to navigate to the finish with only 4 or so miles left to go. In that moment, Amanda decided she was going to run ahead and see if she could find any markers. While Arron and I just stood there completely trashed, we saw two runners fast approaching from the direction we had come. As the two runners came near, they confirmed that we had to stay straight and at the bottom. There was a sinkhole or pothole — I couldn’t remember — and that’s where we needed to turn left to get to the finish. Both of the runners were running the 100K and seemed with it and had run the race before, so knew the course well. OK, so all was not lost! Amanda and I started to run again and realized we had dropped, Arron who was hobbling slowly. Me: Ugh! We should wait for him. Amanda: He’s definitely hurting. Me: Arron, you doing OK? Arron: Yeah, I’m fine. Just go. Don’t wait on me. We pushed hard to the finish. 27:54 was my official finish time. This was not my best performance, nor my worst. All in all, I lost 90 minutes of time and ran an extra 5ish miles, but I still managed to place 9th overall, third female, and first in my age group (40-49). The best part, however, was to see Arron finish his first 100 miler race and cheer him on at the finish! Conclusion Ain’t nothing to it but to do it! Run LOViT is a great race with challenging terrain and gorgeous views. The race has all the making of an A-list 100mi event and someday I would like to return and race it. To my pacer: Amanda, I love when we get mad and cuss the shit out of things. I can’t wait to return the favor as you toe the line for your first 100mi race in June! Side note: Don’t buy moonshine in Arkansas and do visit Burl’s Country Smokehouse if decide to go Run LOViT. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?   Gear List
Garmin Fenix 3, Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.0, Injinji Trail 2.0 Midweight Micro Toe Socks, Petzl NAO Headlamp, North Face Women’s Capri, Hammer Nutrition Women’s Running Tee Shirt, Hammer Buff, Camelbak ULTRA Pro Vest. Nutrition Here’s a breakdown of the fuel and supplements I used before, during and after the race: Pre-Race Hammer Nutrition Race Day Boost and Hammer Nutrition Fully Charged During Hammer Heed and Perpetuem mixed equal parts in one 17-ounce bottle; Hammer Gels (Peanut butter and Espresso flavors); banana and orange slices at aid stations Every three hours, I took Hammer Endurance Amino, Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes and a Ginger Root Pill. After the first 50 miles, I was fueling on a cup of soup with two slices of white bread at every aid station, supplementing with a gel or two as needed. I also dropped the intake of the above-listed supplements. Post-Race Hammer Recoverite and Tissue Rejuvenator Author: Shalini Kovach is the founder and lead organizer of Terrain Trail Runners.
 The Lookout Mountain 50 in Chattanooga, Tenn., was a race I’d been following for the past few years, but each December just seemed to be the wrong time for me to sign up for a 50-miler. This year, though, as I started to call my season a wrap at the end of September, I heard from some other ultra-running friends who also wanted to do the race. So, since misery loves company, I signed up. As December approached, I dreaded having to prep for the race. Let’s face it: No one really needs more obligations during the “holidaze” season. What’s a girl to do? Simple really: Train and run free. That became my mantra. I wanted to run Lookout Mountain absolutely free. Free of expectations, free of onuses, free of tangibles and free to explore. Opening Credits Race: Lookout Mountain 50 Organizers: Wild Trails Race Director: Randy Whorton Location/Course: The Lookout Mountain 50 begins at the spectacular Covenant College campus and is known for its scenic and historic climb to its namesake peak. There’s challenging terrain, creek crossings, highly runnable sections, 120-foot Lula Falls and the infamous rope handrail that runners use to traverse Eagle Cliff. The course covers a little over 7,100 feet of elevation gain over the 50 miles on predominantly single track trails. The course is a 22.5-mile loop to start/finish, then out to Long Branch for 34 miles, where you do a lollipop for 4 miles before heading back to the start/finish. My Garmin Fenix 3 clocked 45.3 miles with 7,165 feet of total elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate Time Limit: 13 hours (50 mile) Runner: Shalini Kovach Gear:
Goals & Training Goals: I had none. Finishing the course is always the top priority, of course, no matter the distance and difficulty. But this was probably the most nonchalant attitude I’ve had entering into a race. Maybe I can chalk that up to my strong performance and running base for the year, or perhaps to my experience with this distance — or, for that matter, the simple fact that this was my last race for 2016 and I was already looking ahead to 2017. Whatever it was, on the surface I was at ease, but in my head I was a little freaked out at my lack of engagement. To be completely honest, I just couldn’t nail it, so I decided not to worry and just go run. As for training, I was logging 50 to 55 miles per week with an average elevation gain of 6,500 feet, which turned out to be enough. Race Report As mentioned above, my attitude was blasé and to top it off the weather forecast on race day called for rain with a minimum temperature of 39 degrees and maximum temperature of 59 degrees. Humidity was 96 percent, which put a damper on things…literally. I tried my best not to have a poor attitude as we lined up at the start, freezing in the downpour that had commenced. Covenant College to Craven’s House (8 miles) I started the race feeling pretty shitty. I kept trying to tell myself I really, really did like running in the rain, and it was “only” 50 miles. About 3 miles in, I was sweating/overheating like I was trapped in an oven, so I pulled over, stripped two layers, packed my jacket and decided to run in my T-shirt. As I ran some single track trail with a thick leaf cover on the ground, it was hard to find footing. The trail was technical and required all my concentration; then about 5 miles into the race, I started to see the Chattanooga Valley from the corner of my eye. It was a beautiful sight! As rain trickled down, a thick fog covered the valley below. I stopped to take in the view and breathe — really, deeply breathe — and for the first time in 24 hours my faith was restored. In that instant, I knew why I loved trail running! Cavern’s House to Nature Center (14.8 miles) As I made my way past the aid station, to my right was a large Civil War memorial fixed to the rock. I continued to take it all in and move forward. The next few miles of the course were uneventful, as we made our way to the Nature Center and then onto the Lookout Creek aid station. This was the first aid station I stopped at, and as I turned to one of the volunteers and asked for a whole banana, I was told they were all out of bananas. WTF!?! We were only 14 miles into the race, and they had run out of one of the most basic and crucial aid station foods? I don’t have time for this, I told myself and continued on. But my brain wouldn’t let go: How does an aid station run out of bananas at only 14 miles into a race? Shake it off, girl! The thing to know about me is that I typically only fuel on bananas and Coke at aid stations during ultras, at least for the first 50 miles. So, this made me just a little mad. Then started a series of arguments in my brain about how unreasonable I was being when I asked for a whole banana and then acting like a princess when I didn’t get it…blah, blah, blah. Finally, my brain concluded that a banana would not make or break my race and that, when running ultras, we all know we must be self-sufficient. Nature Center to Covenant College Start/f\Finish (22.5 miles) I call this “the grind” section. This is the section of the course when you start to ascend. You hit a 500-foot climb over 3/4 mile, then some rolling hills before you start a 2-mile climb with about 1,200 feet of gain that snakes and winds. It seems almost never ending, as you can’t see where it crests. My advice to anyone running Lookout Mountain 50: This section is best tackled when you put your head down and keep plugging at it one step at a time. Before long, I found myself at the start/finish aid station. I refilled my water, put on my windbreaker, had some warm soup, and was in and out to the latter half of the race. Covenant College to Lula Lake (29.9 miles) This section of the course, on ATV trails, was fast but extremely muddy. A dense fog blurred the views, and the persistent drizzle returned. The only saving grace was that the water level in the creek crossings was low. As I approached a split in the trail, I made a left turn to go off course for a pee break, and as I turned to duck into the woods, three other runners followed me. “Timeout dudes! I’m going to go pee. Go back and stay to your right.” It was getting hard to see the trail markers, which by the way, are limited and in-ground. As I made my way back on course, another runner came up behind me and said he had gotten lost missing a turn on the trail. As we approached Lula Lake aid station, I was so caught up in making sure I was following the course that I completely missed Lula Falls. How do you miss a 120-foot waterfall? Well, I wasn’t going back to find it. I was in and out of Lula Lake aid station and made my way to the infamous rope climb up Eagle Cliff, arriving on the opposite side of Lookout Mountain above Chattanooga Valley. I could barely see 50 feet ahead of me; dense fog made the woods eerily spooky. The entire time I had a vision of the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman in my mind’s eye. Must run fast and get out of the woods to the finish before daylight fades! Long Branch Loop (Long Branch Aid Station to Long Branch Aid Station – 38.2 miles) I got to the aid station and asked for Coke. They were all out of Coke. WTF!?! Before my brain could repeat the sequence of earlier in the day, I decided to make a run for the trail. This is what I call the “douchey” section of the course. It’s a 4.2-mile lollipop that runs on private property, so you pass a lake, some homes, a barn and rolling hills. I was feeling sluggish and with much irritation made my way back to the aid station, still a bit whiny about not getting any Coke. This is when I should’ve grabbed my headlamp, as the race details clearly indicated that runners will need a headlamp for the trip back to Covenant College. But I was being stubborn, and as I looked at the time, doing the math in my head, I felt confident I’d be at the finish before full dark. In hindsight, this was a bad move, as I underestimated the rainclouds and the thick fog cover. Long Branch to Lula Lake (42.5 miles) I made my way back to Lula Lake with the goal of getting my arse to the finish before all daylight faded, but as they say, the best laid plans fail. I was running steady until I started the decent from Eagle Cliff. Now, I’ve run some pretty treacherous trails, and never once has my spirt waivered — except here I was standing atop a nasty clifftop, heartbeat racing, unsure how I would make it down alive. I could barely see where I was stepping. It was muddy as hell, and the slick rocks made the footing impossible. I considered sliding down the rope. If only I was Tarzan! Instead, I sat on my butt, clutching to the rope for dear life and slid down the cliff. Whew! As I approached Lula Lake aid station once more I had a pleasant surprise when I happened to look to my right and saw the gorgeous Lula Falls! A thick fog danced around the cascade and the loud sound of crashing water filled the air. How the hell did I miss this on my way out? I refilled my water at the aid station and turned to ask one of the volunteers: How far to the finish? Volunteer: About 7 miles. If you hustle you can make it before it goes dark, but get moving quick. All I remember was saying thanks and making a b-line for the trail, with a fading voice in the background saying, “Get it girl!” Lula Lake to Finish Covenant College (50 miles) I’d barely made a 1/4 mile from Lula Lake aid station when I came upon a fork in the trail that I didn’t remember seeing earlier in the day. I stopped while my eyes tried to peer through the fog for a course marker. Just then, another runner came up behind me and we both stood looking at each other. Runner: Now what? Me: I don’t know. I don’t see a marker. Runner (throwing this handheld to the ground): I hate this shit! We’re 43 miles in and no markers. Why do they do this? Every year, they mark it less and less. Me: Well, let’s walk a bit and figure it out. As we hiked a few paces, I noticed some homes along the ridge that I remembered seeing earlier in the day. Me: I think we’re on the right trail. Runner: I see something! There’s a runner up ahead, and look a maker buried in the mud! All was not lost! With that, he was gone and I slugged onwards, making my way across a road and heading back to the gate I’d come through on my way out that morning. I was on the ATV trails again. UGH! It was impossible to run. Not only was I tracking pounds of mud in my shoes, but it was like running on ice. So, I decided to hike, picking each step carefully to prevent wiping out. I made my way to the single track and noticed I could barely see anything. It was foggy, and the rain had picked up some. All daylight was fading. It was like the moment when your headlamp flickers as a warning before it dies all together. I mentally kicked myself in the rear for not having picked up my headlamp at Long Branch. Gah! Four more miles to go, or was it 3? Shut up and run! I hustled in the dark as best I could without a headlamp and no end in sight. I stopped to look behind me in hopes of seeing another runner with a light, so I could follow him or her to the finish. Nothing. As I rounded the next corner, I heard someone cheering, “Only a quarter mile to the finish!” I relaxed into a steady jog, and the lights heading up the slope towards the finish came into focus. Hey, I can see so much better with some light! 10:15:19 was my official finish time, making this a 50-mile distance PR for me by 15 minutes and a RRCA Female Master Championship win! Conclusion I came to realize that being self-reliant is always the best policy! Things won’t always go as planned, but that’s when we can all use an attitude adjustment. “Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.” A few quick pointers for anyone running Lookout Mountain 50 for the first time:
Author: Shalini Kovach is the founder and lead organizer of Terrain Trail Runners. 
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