Run The Rut 2021 Finisher!
For the past 5-6 years I’ve wanted to Run The Rut. After seeing a video online and seeing a runner flying across a tiny path on top of a mountain, I was entranced! Big Sky, Montana is a long way from NYC, so it just never was an option for me.
That is, until I knew we were relocating to Seattle this past January. Knowing that we’d be so close to Montana, I confirmed that they were holding an in-person race and signed up for the 50K. I was going to make it a little family vacation.
It’s one thing to see a video, and a totally different experience when you see something yourself. This course is HARD!
I knew from about two weeks prior I wasn’t going to go full throttle on this, because after my last long run my knee blew up and I could move my leg for a solid two days. After going to the doctor and confirming that it was just soft-tissue inflammation, I took off the taper week and eased back into some miles the week of the race.
The 50K started at 6am Sunday morning, so for the first 30-45 minutes we were all wearing head lamps. There were three separate rolling waves, and I went out in the first trying to get ahead of as many people as I could since 60% of this course was on a single track. That being the case it’d be hard to get past people at certain points. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the lead pack of runners who got lost around mile 1.5-2 and coming up from behind us to letting us know they took a wrong turn! Hah! Safe to say we avoided that.
I stopped to watch the sunrise, took in the views, and enjoyed the journey. This felt like a non-stop climb, so I power-hiked a lot. During those moments power-hiking I chatted with a good number of people, including a handful of people also taking on this race for the first time like me. Most people were polite when passing, as was I whenever the opportunity arrived. It suprises me how some wear headphones, but to each their own.
One of my favorite moments was getting to mile 15 and thinking I was feeling good, and then hear someone cheering on the course telling me that we’re just getting started. That statement was so true and I didn’t realize until later along the way.
I’m not afraid of heights at all, but there were some spots as we were going across the mountain that I was nervous. If you weren’t focused or were off balance for a second it really isn’t that hard to fall down this mountain. That’s the reason it’s on the waiver, and I reminded myself constantly that I paid to participate in this!
Whoever added the ascent to Andesite, we need to have a conversation. Hah! After 24.5 miles and seeing that steep incline I was next to another participant, and we both shouted, “Jesus Christ!” It is top-3 “most disrespectful part” of the course.
As was captured at the finish, I chose to grab a beer than to hug/kiss Alison and Kouri!!!! I just wanted it to end! I was out there for 10 hours and 5 minutes. Even though I had no expectations, I did not anticipate being out there so long. That goes to show how tough this race is.
I retired from Mountain Running for the rest of that day, but in the morning I knew I wanted to sign up to do this again. So much so, that I might even go for the TRI-FECTA (i.e. VK on Fri, 28K on Saturday and the 50K on Sunday)!!!! Baby steps might be the safer bet. I learned a lot and next time I train, I will make sure my plan is even more aggressive. I may not have access to being at elevation, but I have some great spots where I can get the elevation gain I need.
I highly recommend running poles for this and gaiters. The two things I did not have. But next time it won’t be just my wife and son. Looking forward to bringing some more black and brown folk out to Montana to experience this. Who’s with me?
