Lost Souls 100 km

Its been about a month since I raced at Lost Souls 100km. I took some time to think and take in the race as it was a day of mixed emotions.

Leading up to the race, Lost Souls 100km is the only race I have not finished and to make it worse I have attempted it twice prior to this year. So going into the race was a very mental battle right off the hop. I knew that there are always great runners that show up to the race. Carl Pryce being one of them! I had a good friend and training partner come to crew me that day, which I was very thankful for.

Lining up at the race you see all the same faces, say your hellos and laugh. I am always nervous before each race, stomach is in knots, I feel like throwing up and a million questions run through my head. The gun goes off and the long day has started. I knew Carl Pryce was the number one guy at Lost Souls and so I was determined to make it a full out competitive challenge on both of us. I ran with Carl for 10km and then we started to separate and were maybe 500m apart. The first lap was interesting, both Carl and I were passed in 1st and 2nd place by Dave Proctor in the 100mile which blew both of us away but hey when you feel good you have to lay down the kilometers.

Good on you Proctor! The heat was not to bad but I seemed to start having some stomach issues that set me back time, stopping and having to deal with the issue numerous times. Feeling dehydrated and like total shit I was scared that it was happening again....a DNF (did not finish). I just kept on my game plan and tried not to get mentally beat by my body. Coming into aid stations and having Mack there ready for me and almost making me go, making me drink fluids, making me not stop, even getting in my face pushed me to keep going. He wasnt letting me stop. I finished my first loop and was starting to feel a bit better and I stuck to my game plan. Mack said I was 15 + minutes behind Carl which I said to my self well its over.......I will race for second.....who the hell does that, race is not even close to being over and I am already settling for 2nd place (best case scenario).

Taking a short break

Moving onto the second loop, I said just stay even keel. Dont get carried away with emotions. I started to run better than the first loop, a lot better too. I kept seeing Mack at crossings and he told me I am gaining on Carl. WHAT!?!??! I got excited but made sure to tell myself to stay to the race plan. I gain minute by minute on him and made up almost 15+ minutes on him when I can into the third last aid station. I took my time and waited for him to make the first move then I was going to follow. Mack was saying you got this and to empty the tank and leave noting out there. Carl got up, I wasnt sure if he made his move because I looked like I was going to go or if he felt recovered enough. I ran with him and talked to him to see how he was doing? He was telling me his system was over heating and wasnt feeling well. I climbed the last awful section of the race always looking back to see where he was. He is a powerful runner and one to never underestimate. As the race got closer to the finish line I felt like I was getting stronger. Mack and I planned that the next aid stations I would come right through and not  stop, I would go through so people thought I was gone.... I would walk and Mack would meet me to give me what I needed. I did it more for the mental side of the race incase someone was coming behind me and I would hope it would help them rush through the aid stations. I just go through the last aid station and realize this is the final haul. I was full of every emotion, but mostly pumped that this year I was finishing Lost Souls 100km. I pass a few people on there first lap and see the final hill to climb before the finish. I was not letting up until I got up that hill, turned around and looked to see no one in my sights.

Stopped to soak it all in

I met Mack 500m from the finish line gave him a hug and bent over to take it in. It was emotional for me, running a 100km is an accomplishment for anyone no matter your time or  place. I had finally finished 1st and also got a new course record for the 100km. I couldnt have done it without Mack being an awesome support crew and yelling at me, pushing me to go and always having everything I needed ready for when he saw me for the few minutes that I stopped.

Icing the feet

Hydrating - Love it

I sat and soaked up what had just happened at the finish cheering people on that were still running. I was waiting for the top three to finish. To my surprise the second place racer was Alissa St Laurent (female) which is amazing, she is a phenomenal runner and will be a great competitor not only to the women but even the men. Then cam Carl Pryce, he was hurting and was glad to be done. I reach over and shook his hand told him thanks for a great race and thanks for pushing it to the limits. We laughed and I guess if you are racing for 1st place you leave everything out there and are completely a mess after the race as that was the case for both of us.

I finished 1st place at 11:09 hr/min with a new course record.

Congratulations to everyone who ran and completed there distances at Lost Souls.

You can also read a interview and article from trail runner at the link Trail Runner Interview

Thank you to my sponsors Muscle MLK Canada for all my nutrition, Active Sports Therapy for keeping my body in one piece.