Friends-Not sure many of you know about what I did last weekend – did not want to worry many of you. But I do want to share my experience:
I am having trouble putting into words this running adventure. Maybe because I still can’t begin to get my mind around the distance and time it took to complete the 150 mile journey at McNaughton Park in Pekin Illinois. This was a first annual and the longest foot race in the Western Hemisphere.
I’ll be upfront and frank about this – I trained hard for this race. Having logged about 2500 miles since August 2006 (1100 of those miles between Jan. ’07 and March). I ran 425 miles in the month of March. I wanted to win this race. I knew there was going to be serious competition and I thought 30 hours would be a reasonable goal. With that in mind, I pasted four numbers on a small picture of my three sons (Chase, Cruz, and Dash), and laminated it and taped it to my Road ID bracelet. These were my absolute cut-off times for the 4 aid stations along the course based on a 12 min/mile pace or 2 hour 10 mile lap. 30:30 (2.55 miles) for Totempole Aid Station, 1:09:29 (5.79 miles) Heaven’s Gate #1, 1:22:41 (6.89 miles) Heaven’s Gate #2, and 2:00:00 (10.00 miles) Start/Finish. I just reset my watch every time around. In my mind, these created a very large task seem small and doable.
The start of the race was exciting. There were maybe 45 of us toeing the line at 6 PM Friday evening, April 13. I had been communicating with my friend Jerry Davidson (the race Website guy) and he had told me that he would be in Michigan at his son’s track meet until Saturday night probably around midnight. About a minute before the start, Andy Weinberg (the greatest Race Director around) yelled for me- so I left the starting line to see Jerry. Because of the expected weather his son’s meet was canceled.
The local newspaper was there raking photos and actually captured this moment (last photo- number 14 of 14):
http://pjstar.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=255725
Photo 9 of 14 is Paul Stofko who ran a near perfect race- very consistent. He deserved the victory. Paul has now won every race at McNaughton Park (30 mile, 50 mile, 100 mile, and now 150 mile).
Photo 3 of 14 is the start of the 150 mile race.
The newspaper also ran a story on the race if you are interested: http://pjstar.com/stories/041507/TRI_BCUHHL64.049.php
Jerry hung around cheering on runners the entire time – I’m not sure he missed me coming through except for maybe a couple times during the night. Let me begin by saying this was by no means a solo journey. After a day’s reflection, I can truly say that I had the greatest crew that was totally committed to helping me achieve my goal. My friends from work Peggy Pichette and Mike Younglove were meticulous with keeping me hydrated and feed and getting me in and out of the start/finish area. I never stayed there longer than 5 minutes- most of the time I bet it was less than 2. I would drink a protein drink during the first mile or so of the race and they would meet me at the top of the hill and exchange that with GU20.
A group of us that included last year’s 1st and 2nd place 100 mile finishers (Scott Myers and Paul Stofko) ran the first lap fairly fast – around 1:40. But there were still a couple runners in front of us including David Goggins. Because of my quick crew, I got the jump on the other runners and hit the course again for miles 10-20 around 7:40-7:45 PM grabbing my new headlamp that Peggy convinced me to purchase the day before at REI. It is the Myo XP and it did a great job lighting that trail up. I caught up to David who was running about the exact same pace as me around mile 13 or so. We stayed together until mile 91. David Goggins is a stand up guy and it was a pleasure getting to know him over the miles. I truly hope we stay in touch. He is a great ambassador for the sport and is using God’s gift to help others. If you are fortunate enough to have some extra funds, please consider donating to his cause: http://www.specialops.org/. We ran number 1 and 2 for a majority of the race. My friend CJ Werley joined David and I around 1 AM of so and ran the 40-50 mile loop with us. That helped mix things up and made the night not seem so long. Mike Younglove also joined us for the next loop during the night – miles 50-60.
After running all night together, we got a major mental boost when we crossed over the Start/Finish line around 5:40 AM Saturday- 20 minutes before another 200 runners began their quests for 100 or 50 miles. Andy made a load speaker announcement that Ryan Dexter and David Goggins were leading the 150 mile race and were at mile 60. Everyone cheered- it was very cool. That and the addition of some much needed sunlight gave me hope for the day’s trek. The additional runners caused the track to degrade rapidly and the rain muddied the track up so much so that it was almost un-walkable much less runable.
The trails did drain well and the course did dry out a bit. Things could have always been worse. I began to hurt around mile 90 and like I mentioned above David and I went our separate ways at about 91. I lay down in the flat field shortly after leaving the Start/Finish. This was the first point that I got some new pacers since the morning. My friends Keith Feiler and Eric Olson joined us on the loop. I had some great people out there with me. Both Keith and Eric ended up running 30 miles with me at different times. My friend Burt Dehaven ran 40 straight miles with me. My friends Tony Piek, Steve Cabler, Dirk Racine, and Scott Nelson ran 10 miles. These friends help carry my spirit to the finish. I also had friends Al Derus, Mary Langer, Tom Rodenkirch, Tom Grabot, Michael Oftedahl, and Rachel Smith there supporting me. Rachel came all the way from Canada. The rest made the nearly 4 hour trip from Madison.
This was by no means a solo effort. I finished the first 100 in around 22:30. That was about 20 minutes faster than my course PR of 22:52 in 2005. I crossed the 110 mark and yelled to Andy that I was getting my second wind. My race ended a few miles later around mile 116.
The Book of Proverbs reminds us that there is a friend that sticks closer than any brother. In our time of need, Jesus will send angels to protect you. In their wings, you will find refuge. On their wings, you will soar like eagles. If it weren’t for the many angels that my friend Jesus sent my way, I most certainly would not be writing a finisher’s race report. I could probably write a book about the mountain highs and the valley lows that I experienced during those final 40 miles. But in the end, we were still standing. I think I stopped for about 15 minutes one time and tried to warm up around a campfire. But other than that, it was a constant push for a 40:40:45 finish (yes 40+ hours).
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Three of my friends became ultra-runners this past weekend just to help me achieve my goal. They had nothing invested and nothing to gain. There was no reward for their effort. They did it out of love. Mike and Peggy stayed up as long as I did just to be a part of the journey. I am forever grateful to all of your efforts and the time you committed to this.
My wife was in Phoenix and finished the Ironman Arizona Sunday. I know she was there with me in spirit. She has been a great inspiration for me – taking care of three small boys and still finding time to train. Although she doesn’t understand my deep desire to run, she supports my endeavors. My in-laws watched the boys all weekend for us – I know that was not easy either (thank you). My Mother hung by the phone and Peggy called her EVER lap regardless of the time. My friend Demah called Peggy almost hourly for updates as well. I had a lot of prayers carrying me up and down those hills as well.
The finish line was a great experience. Paul Stofko had showered up and come back to the Start/Finish. David passed me in what seemed like a full out sprint with about a mile to go in the race. That inspired me to run and I think I finished in third place about 5 minutes behind David. There were some pictures taken with Paul, David, and I. It was so extremely cool to be a part of such great runners. David told me that we would get him next time. Next time?
All the Best-
Ryan Dexter
Madison, WI
Results: A little over 40 people started the 150 mile event, 10 finished. - Over 70 people started the 100 mile event, 21 finished. For one of the lowest finishing rates in ultra-running history. Official results will be available sometime soon at: http://www.mcnaughtonparktrailruns.com/
