Just like that, summer has passed and we are on to fall. This summer, we had a collection of experiences, highs and lows, with some epic triumphs and some mournful tribulations. Evidence that any single event mirrors the process of life as an endurance athlete. The heat continued to be a particular stand out challenge this summer. Altitude started to become a factor as well at higher courses during the summer months. And this year, fires and smoke presented some last minute course changes. Again, everyone excelled at the ability to stay strong psychologically despite physical challenges. And admirably, everyone made a real effort to dial in their nutrition and logistics going into these longer events. As we forge ahead, remembering that these successful finishes were all due to a strong foundation of fitness, coupled with mental fortitude, and a logistical plan.
Read here to learn more about these: Three Pillars of Endurance.
Training works; spread the word and keep flying!
-kpat
June-July 2024 News:
Missoula Marathon 26.2, Montana, June 30, 2024: Sydney Williams finished strong at her first marathon under predicted finishing time after a solid and consistent six-month build of training. Sydney, also a physical therapist, put in a lot of hard miles on the treadmill during the wintry weather months, and did not slack on strength and conditioning to build up her loading tolerance–a strong example for any of us in Montana looking to run faster and longer in the summer months.
Ragnar Relay, Washington, July 12, 2024: Cody Henderson joined friends and returned to the event covering over 24 miles for the group.
McCall Trail Running Classic 50km, Idaho, July 13, 2024: Catie Arno set a PR in distance and gain at this mountainous 50km event organized by the same race directors and on the same trails as the IMTUF in September.
Snowcrest Trail FKT, Montana, July 6, 2024: Tom Attard, Justin Grigg, and Kristina Pattison established the route and fastest known time on this remote and little-known gem outside Dillon, Montana. The 44 mi trail includes about 9500 ft of gain and averaged above 8500 ft elevation along the way.
Mighty Gallatin 300 mi Stage Race, Montana, July 13-19, 2024: Tom Attard spent seven days on the high-elevation, storied trails around the Gallatin mountains and Spanish Peaks near Big Sky with 14 other select folks. He racked up over 69,000ft of gain and 270 miles of running in a week–both PRs for the Burly Man. This was also the longest race any Flight Phase athlete has competed in, which is no surprise to anyone who knows Tom.
After a couple days of subsisting on gels and waffles as he has during 200-mile efforts, Tom said he was able to sustain himself for the rest of the run on summer sausage and ramen noodles. Interestingly, none of the runners had any encounters with grizzly bears, which is one of the things this area is known for. Follow Tom as he heads to the first continuous 300-mile race in the US: the Arizona Monster 309 mi race in April, 2025.
Crazy Mountain 100 mi, Montana, July 26, 2024: Grant Cunningham returned for retribution this year and trusted his training to pace well over the challenging and mountainous course and finish strong this year, earning one of the most handsome belt buckles in the sport. The Young Gun came back throwing punches this year after a rough race in 2023. He had his gear and nutrition dialed this year and will likely return in 2025 for another stab at it.
August 2024 News:
Elkhorn 50km, Montana, August 8, 2024: Keiki Howe returned to the challenging 50km course near her home in Helena. The Elkhorn events are directed by the Helena Ultra Running League (HURL) and include hefty gain, technical terrain, and higher altitudes making these events some of the most challenging in the region in this timeframe.
Bigfoot 200 mi, Washington, Aug 9-13, 2024: Karen Weintraub pushed through some serious challenges to complete the alternative course this year after the original course was closed due to wildfires. Just days before the event, runners learned they’d be running two 50-mile out and backs from Randle, WA, on the last part–and arguably the worst part–of the course. With sheer determination and a huge fitness base, Karen absolutely crushed her first 200 mi. Time will tell what this powerhouse of a runner will do with her next season.
Teton Crest Trail, Wyoming, August 24, 2024: Catie Arno joined a group of friends to cover the iconic 44 mi trail with nearly 10,000ft of gain in the Tetons in Wyoming. This was a huge PR for Catie in terms of distance and gain, which the group did in an unsupported style.
October 2024 News:
City to Sky 50km, Montana, October 20, 2024: Flight Phase athletes Grant Cunningham, Chelsey Miller, Kristina Pattison, Dani Goodson, and Sarah Fondaw completed the 33.5mi course with 8000 ft gain.
Emma Cheyne and Sarah Fondaw came down just after finishing fire season with the Lewis and Clark Hotshots and finished the 55km with nearly 8000 ft of gain with minimal recent run training.
As the only current Flight Phase athlete returning to this race a second year, Dani Goodson ran a blazing 50 min faster this year, coming in 7F! Of note, like Emma and Sarah, Dani barely finished off a busy fire season and hasn’t run much since April.
To paraphrase Dani’s perspective, much of this improvement is likely due to more confidence with the distance and course allowing her to try a faster pace, and a solid nutrition plan which included Never Second gels and Scratch hydration mix. We discussed the plan at length prior to the race, and she had everything well-planned, tested, and ready to go which makes a big difference come race day.
Dani also was instrumental in rallying no less than four other current or former Lolo Hotshots to run the race again this year. This was a tall order as registration for City to Sky opens early in the year, and even after doubling in size this year, filled in about a half hour!
Chelsey Miller, Grant Cunningham, and Coach KPat returned to the 50km distance after focusing on much longer distances this year. Chelsey finished strong in the top ten at the Sedona Canyons 125 mi early May, and Grant crushed both the Antelope Island and Crazy Mountain 100 mile events this year. Needless to say, training for 100 mile events is much different than training for 50 km events, and this was a perfect opportunity for us all to try some new strategies with pacing and nutrition, with varied outcomes. Chelsey and Grant both ran impressively strong at City to Sky as they start off another training season for next year’s events.
KPat’s focus after River of No Return 110km in July was the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 108 mi event in Chamonix, France. After 30 hours, 91 miles, and 27,000 feet of gain, KPat had to withdraw due to a serious medical condition called hyponatremia. (More on this later.) Coach KPat then planned to run Kodiak 100km or 100mi by UTMB again in Big Bear, California, on October 11, 2024. But after the Line Fire caused the course to be majorly rerouted into the flat desert, KPat was happy to run City to Sky 50km–the only local ultra in Missoula. She finished 6th place female, with a win in the Female Masters category.
As we head into next season, we will doing as much as we can to make sure everyone is dialed on nutrition and symptoms of concern to avoid major medical setbacks like this in the future.
Happy Trails!
