How to get a Horned Lizard at the SaltFlats Endurance Runs?

As I am seated outside in my backyard, chilling with 2 large cups of ice water and Gatorade, I reflect on what happened during my SaltFlats50-miler this weekend.

My hope through this short writing is to somehow assist those who are beginning their ultra-running journey in respect to planning for their events.

SaltFlats Endurance Runs (SFER), an ultra-race located near Wendover, Utah, starts at the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway, and the course runs the same section of Salt Flats where land-speed records are set each year at "Speedweek", one of the favorites for high-speed automobile racing. On hot days, heat waves rise from the salty soil and can create mirages that look amazingly real. If you believe your eyes, the dry desert looks like it is covered by water.

Sunrise at the flooded Flats, before the start

This course was designed by the original Race Director (RD), Vince Romney, and it was very calculated, considering the exceptional landscape of the Salt Flats. The current RD Sarah Patino and her family continue putting on an incredible event with an army of volunteers, of which includes the Communication and Rescue Team, mostly well equipped and trained firemen, and some of the locals. Honestly speaking, there is not a better race in Utah I want to be at that offers that level of safety and accountability for their runners than does this event. By the way, if you want to meet and catch up with Vince, he is still volunteering at the event, but you have to do all the work on a 100-miler because he wants to make sure you go through all of the fun-suffering before he says hello and helps you at an aid station that only the 100-milers will see.

The predicted forecast this year for the event was on point, low 40s at the start and 60s throughout the day. After a long winter, what else could one ask for when running a long distance race?

I figured that I should simply stick to my original plan and things would be fine. HUGE MISTAKE!!!!

Prior to heading to the event, I really thought I got these things figured out, based on other events and training preceding the race: 1) Hydration; 2) Nutrition; 3) Clothing & Shoes; and 4) Emergency. However, I was so wrong and unprepared for number 1.

At times in life after we go through so many experiences, trials, and challenges, we start getting comfortable, self-confident, and begin to disregard some of the most basic things until life gives us a hard punch in the face. A wise piece of advice one can learn from a Southern Grandma: “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine” (meaning: A little effort now may save you lots of effort later).

In this foot race, I planned my electrolytes and water taking into accounting the forecast. I also figured that I was well trained with them, and my body was capable to handle an average 10-19 miles with a single 500-ml bottle (alternating water and electrolytes) in addition to supplementing my needs while at the aid stations. I shouldn’t have to carry unnecessary weight in my hydration pack by carrying an additional 500-ml bottle. Well, that ended up being my mistake…

I was confident that since I had trained under extreme cold and heat before in events such as the Bear100, Kat’Cina100, AC100, and even at Badwater135-miler, I was right on point with my hydration. I have always been prepared, and I thought I knew well how my body would handle under the various predicted forecast, but I was proven wrong at about mile 40-ish of this event.

The race started at 7am in the low 40s, and temperatures were forecasted to rise to the 60s throughout the day. Conditions were just perfect until it hit the high 60s. High 60s is not hot at all, but I should have considered a few other elements in this course. The entire course is exposed, desert-like vegetation. The natural salt pans or salt flats are flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals, usually shining white under the sun. When temperatures rise, combined with heat waves risen from the salty soil, the body can be greatly impacted. Here are some of the captures I was able to take from this beautiful course:

My friends Jake and Teri Davis volunteers at Aid Station 10

My friend Jake Davis. He ran about 12 miles between aid stations while he was volunteering at AS 10

By the time I reached aid station 11, I was already feeling the effects of dehydration, despite the fact I was consuming 500-ml of water and Gatorade (I was alternating) and drinking water and soda at every single aid station. In addition to that, I was also eating watermelon. After aid station 11, there is a huge and steady climb and then a nice descent into the valley. The descent takes us through an isolated sage brush area near the flats. The heat was extremely intense in that area, at least I felt that way. Despite temperatures being recorded in the high 60s, it felt like 80s. At that point, about 1 ½ miles to the last aid station that would lead me to the finish line, I was already weak, and felt dizziness multiple times.

A runner while passing me asked if everything was ok and if I had everything I needed. I was already out of water at that point, but due to my stubbornness and the thought that the runner would need the water she was carrying, I replied that everything was ok, and all I needed was to take a quick break. I asked her how far we were to the aid station, and she said about 1 ½ miles. She then continued running down the trails.

Descent beyond Aid Station 11 when approaching the Flats, where things turned sour due to heat exhaustion

So, I sat on the side of the trail a couple of times, once under a small bush for some shade. Every time I would stand and attempt to walk, I felt weak and was about to pass out, but I pressed on by listening to my playlist and with a prayer in my heart trusting that everything was going to be ok.

Obviously, after getting to that stage in the race, I was not going to give up. That’s not my personality, and I would even drag myself on my knees to that finish line, no matter what. I guess that my fellow ultrarunners would totally understand what I mean with that.

I continued heading towards the last aid station, station 14. As I reached the paved road, ½ mile to the aid station, my friend ultrarunner and volunteer for this race, Steven Jeffs, drove by and provided me with words of encouragement. I was about to ask him to throw me a bottle of water or coke, but once again, I saw the next aid station so close that I, once again, ignored any potential help.

Steven Jeffs and Tom Wolfe who were volunteering at Aid Station 3

When I reached the last aid station, mile 47, I was already completed depleted of water and had no energy whatsoever to attempt continuing those last 3 miles. I figured, I ran well in the beginning of the event, and I banked plenty time into the race, that I did not need to rush anymore. I decided to regain my strength and get as much fluid I needed for my body. A good ultrarunning friend, Mike Rice, and his dog were at the time volunteering at that aid station. I guess Mike sensed that something was not right, and he sat near me and decided to chat for a bit while providing what I needed. He even offered to walk with me and his dog, and he did so at least by the road where I would undertake the last 3 miles. I appreciated his help and said to him that I really needed to do that by myself. So, he went back to the aid station to continue the amazing work that all volunteers were doing during the event. 

Mike Rice and his dog while assisting me at Aid Station 14, mile 47

Before I left the aid station, I grabbed a small Ziploc bag with ice to chew along the way. I also soaked my bandana and placed it in my neck. The ice and wet bandana helped keep my body temperature cool and were tricks I learned from my fellow running friends while pacing and crewing at Badwater135. While walking, I was able to regain some strength and was able to run and trot as well. I finished this race in at about 12:04:25 (Strava unofficial time). My goal was to finish it under 11 hours, and by my first half, I was on track for it. The fact of the matter is, I finished it and I left the event with a couple of lessons learned that can be also applicable under other circumstances in LIFE:

1) Have a contingency plan for unforeseen circumstances. Plan hydration and nutrition for all sorts of temperatures, even if the forecast says something different entirely. Your body might require more than what’s being planned;

2) When being offered help, if needed, DO NOT be stubborn—be humble and accept it! Recognize your limitations.

Some of you might not comprehend why I do the things I do, but I can attest that your kindness and words of encouragement help me to go through it.

The RD Sarah Patino and her family are amazing. She has a huge sunburn on her face and neck from standing under the sun through the day and evening to ensure she was there when we would go through the finish line. Her kids helped with the awards, drinks at the finish, and the finish aid station, amongst many other tasks. This meant a lot to us, as runners, who most of the time go solo to such events.

Thank you again family and friends for your words of encouragement via social media. I always want to make sure I respond to all inquiries and give a high five, via an emoji, to show the love I have for you.

At the end of such events, the feeling of “I am ready for anything in life” is amazing because you overcame much during these challenges. You also realize that words like this, the text I received from my daughter at the finish of the event, mean the world to you, even if the world does not care about what you do:

“Hey dad, I love you and I think you are an awesome dad. You have been such a great example to me and I’m glad you are my dad.”

PS: Ha! About getting a Horned Lizard... hit me up next year at the SaltFlats Endurance Runs so I can literally show you.