Sinister 7 Race, 50km
July 8, 2023
This was my third year in a row attending and racing the Sinister 7 Ultra and fourth time overall. I have raced on teams twice, 50 miles solo (reverso) and 50km this year. I chose the 50km for a few different reasons this year. I was hoping that the course would be on legs 4, 5, 7, all three parts of the race I have never completed, that did not happen. I was also hoping to apply to Guinness and create a new T-Shirt World Record for an ultra-distance race, that did not happen either. Guinness denied the application to create the new record and I set my sights on racing the 50km race hard, that kind of happened.
Due to run/life balance, I was not able to get in any mountain training this spring. All of my training was completed in the Edmonton River Valley, trying to get in as much distance and elevation that I could, usually while my kids were at school.
Sinister weekend in the Crowsnest Pass is such a fun time. Racing, sun, mountains, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and amazing people. The race weekend has turned into an annual reunion for me where so many people from many different run worlds come together in one spot. This year was no different. Camping at the 5/6/7 transition zone with almost 10 others from my run family. This year was extra special since my girlfriend, Jessie, was in town for her first ultra-racing experience.
Race Morning: The 50km race started 30 minutes after the 100 mile race started. I really wanted to be atthe 100 mile start line but also had to get myself ready for my own race. We got ready, parked near 2/3/4 transition and walked into downtown Blairmore 1-minute before the 100 mile race started.
After an ‘anxious’ 30-minutes in 5C weather, the gun went off to start the 50 km race. I knew that the first 6km was flat and wanted to get myself into a good position heading into the trails. I ran with the eventual women’s 50km winner for the first 5km in 4:37/km pace. The first checkpoint came into sight, I grabbed a quick drink and followed the rest of the runners down the trail. About 1km after the checkpoint, I saw a familiar sight running towards me. The previously discussed eventual women’s winner was running towards me. As she got close, I asked what was going on? She replied with, “someone told me I was going the wrong way”. I immediately knew what she was talking about and turned around to follow her back to the check point. That check point separated the 100 mile and 50 km racers and we had both gone the wrong way. I knew the course and the turn but just spaced and followed the wrong runners...oops.
Back on track, I was rewarded with stunning views on the backside of Turtle Mountain and getting back into as much of a run groove as you can on rocky single track surrounded by other athletes. Climbing up to the top of Hastings ridge, I knew I was at the highest point before starting Leg 3. All downhill from there for the next several km’s. Making sure to take in some calories, salt and electrolytes was imperative knowing what was ahead in leg 3. As I got close to Leg 2/3 transition I saw my friend Tess Owen right in front of me, with my course mistake I had wondered where she would have been and looked forward to running Leg 3 with her as if we were back home in the river valley (more on that soon). I entered into transition a little behind schedule but with an extra 2km completed, I was actually pretty close to my expected time. I found Jessie, and we worked through transition quickly. We had discussed what I would need, and we got to work. My pack loaded up and bottles filled, I started the long trek that is Leg 3.
Leg 3 is rough. I have done it twice before and I had an idea what to expect. I could see Tess ahead of me starting the first climb away from transition. I caught up to her by the base of Pass Powderkeg Ski Lodge. She didn’t even know I was there until I asked her if I could be her run buddy? We chatted for a while, but over the next 3 or 4 km’s my legs were not working as well as hers. She did a great job encouraging me to keep running, but at a certain point she became a blur in my vision. She would later apologize for leaving me behind, but I was happy she ran her own race as she would end up finishing over 30 minutes ahead of me.
Leg 3 has almost 4200 ft. of elevation gain, there is very little shade and is nicknamed ‘Satan’s Sack’ for a reason. I was making sure to keep up on my salt intake and hydration, but my stomach was not happy with food intake. The heat of the day was getting to me. Each of the 3 aid stations I made sure to refill my soft flask with water and eat several pieces of watermelon. With the goal to keep moving forward, my 6-hour best case scenario time goal was quickly fading. As I climbed through the 2003 Lost Creek Forest Fire area a stream started running down the rocky path. Finding short lived relief by walking through the path and cooling down my feet was welcomed. As stated before, leg 3 is very exposed and you can see where you are going from far away. Mentally this makes the leg difficult because many factors play with you mentally and physically. The last aid station is about 7km from the finish and athletes are taunted by some shade in the forest. Unfortunately, there is also a long steep hill to climb, over 300 ft in a short period. Aptly nicknamed ‘asshole hill’, it was what everyone was talking about after the fact when discussing leg 3.
Finishing downhill, I managed to get some running in with hopes of breaking 7-hours, but fell short. Hearing the crowd cheering and music playing, coming into the finish area and seeing Jessie there with my kids on video chat was amazing. I managed a ‘jump’ at the finish line and landed with a wince at the tightness of my muscles. 50 km (actually 52 km) completed and another Sinister 7 finish for me.
I really need to find a way to get away from leg 3.
Congratulations to all the Sinners out there.
Coach Dave.
