Here’s one way to welcome yourself back to the Midwest: run a 100-miler with 19,000+ feet of gain, in December, while snowing, in Iowa.

That’s exactly what I did this past weekend – and wow, what an “experience” it was.

We arrived in Omaha Friday evening, picked up my packet and grabbed a bite to eat before checking in to a nearby hotel for the night. I slept decent-ish, knowing that I was physically under trained but mentally ready.

Before I knew it the alarm went off and were on our way to the Hitchcock Nature Center for the 5am start.

Hitchcock consists of 8 loops, each with somewhere near 2,500 ft. of gain. This was my first time running a loop-style 100-mile course so I knew that was going to add a unique element to the race.

Spirits were high as we took off into the still-dark morning. The profile of the 12.5 mile loop resembles a saw blade, with steep, jagged, constant ups and downs…with some runnable sections sprinkled in along the way.  About halfway into the loop it started snowing. So…that was nice.

The first few loops were pretty uneventful. The climbs slowed people down and spread them out, and before I knew It, I had found myself relatively alone. I wasn’t moving great, but I was moving at a pace that I felt comfortable with and that I could sustain.

I got through loop 4 late (8pm) and looped back through the Nature Center to pick up my first pacer, Jason, who re-energized me and kept me moving.

After a few loops together I picked up my second pacer, Charlie, who did wonders on keeping me moving at this point. Slowly but surely, we got through the night.

I arrived back at the Nature Center pretty beat up after 7 loops. I had one loop to go but had little left in the tank. Upon getting back, I picked up my third pacer, Kaleb, and off we went. To be honest, my loop with Kaleb was a highlight of the day for me. He had just driven up to Hitchcock and offered to pace anyone who needed help. Well, I needed help – and he  jumped right in.

We talked about running, what lead us both to the sport – and what keeps us both doing it. It was great. It was also a great distraction to the pain I was in as well! We kept moving, and Kaleb was extremely patient with me, even when I was starting to lose patience with myself.

When it was all said and done I crossed the finish line in 33:09. I was the last 100-miler to come in but given the condition and the DNF rate, I didn’t care. I was just glad that I was able to hang on and get it done. I wouldn’t of been able to get it done alone. C did a great job crewing me, and I was lucky to have been supported by three amazing pacers when the miles got deep.

Ultra running often gets billed as a selfish sport by those who view it from the outside, but for those who are involved — be it a spectator, volunteer, runner or crew member — we know that it’s as much of a team sport as any.

And it was because of the team that I had at Hitchcock that I was able to get this one done.

Time to rest up and enjoy the holidays with the family!

Take care,

Greg