Grand Mesa 60K Trail Race

I just finished the Grand Mesa 60k (37 mile) Trail Race, out near Grand Junction.  It was a great race with great volunteers, great organization, and breath-taking views.  I'm already planning on doing the 50 mile variety next year!  The race began at 5am (in the dark) and was my first experience running with a headlamp at night.  We only needed the headlamps for about the first hour, but that first hour was memorable.  Then as the sun began to come up, we slowly crested the Crags Crest Trail, which runs up to a thin, craggy, crest (hence the name) that crowns the Grand Mesa at about 11,500 feet.  The vistas were amazing as the early morning light illumined the San Juans about 80 miles south of us, the beautiful DeBeque Canyon to the north, and the hundreds of lake that adorn the top of the Mesa.  I wish I had brought a camera, but I was pretty concerned with finishing the race, and with the fewer number of aid stations, I packed every pocket and compartment in my Camelbak and waist belt with gels.  Here are a few more generic pictures to give you and idea of the views.

Along the top of the Crest

Looking down off the Crest

After the Crag Crest loop, the first aid station was back at the starting line.  By that time, everyone was pretty spaced out, so I ran up with nobody in sight either ahead or behind me.  But then I heard cow bells and lots of cheering voices, so I assumed there must be runners up ahead I hadn't seen.  But no, it was all for me!  There were about 20 volunteers and spectators acting like I was Scott Jurek - what great people!  They took good care of me, refilling my Camelbak, giving me more gels and pointing me the right direction.  The next 20-some miles were gently (usually gently) rolling hills on top of the mesa, with about a dozen or so lakes.  

The turnaround point and Flowing Park

The weather was perfect for running - high temperature about 58 (at least by noon) and usually overcast sky.  I know that doesn't sound great, but for running I couldn't have asked for more.  I worked really hard to drink and eat as much as I could along the way, and it paid off.  I never really hit a wall and ended up running between 90-95% of the way.  I also managed to find a fellow runner with a similar pace, and Gary and I ran together for about 12 miles towards the end.  It makes a HUGE difference to have someone to chat with and made the time and miles go pretty quickly.  Sooner than I expected, I ran into some hikers who cheered me on and said, "Just a mile or two to go!"  I stopped and said, "What'd you say?"  (After 30-some miles sometimes my mind plays tricks on me).  And they said "Yep, you're almost there!"  I was incredibly relieved, but also suspicious of the good news.  But sure enough, a couple of miles later I saw the finish line and found out I finished 6th overall with a time of 7:01!  Whoo hoo!  

A view of the Mesa - 5000 feet from top to bottom!

Now I'm recuperating (a sore knee, but that's it) and getting excited about picking out the next trail race!