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Run to the Sun 36 Mile 2007 Race Review  David Calsson nearing the top of Mount Haleakala. Photo byTropical Light
Reviewed by David CarlssonI survived another one on March 24, 2007,
barely. The race started at 4:30A. When I saw Steve Soboje at aid
station #8 - I told him, "I don't know who designed this race, but it
sure is a hilly one!" Steve of course is the one who first ran this
back in the 80's, as a training run, and still holds the
course record
(of 4:45! Amazing!) He is also the one who is responsible for telling
me about the Pritikin diet, which helped cure the arthritis in my
knees, and has allowed me to do crazy runs like this one. It was great
seeing him again. One of the voluteers at a later aid station said, "At
the end of this run they give you a coupon for the rubber
room!". I
now have one in hand.
Last year at this
time, I would have never have even thought of doing this run, and now
wish that I hadn't. The only thing I can say, is that it was tough. And
I will never do that again. Wow, I have been saying that a lot lately!
The
race of course, goes from sea level to 10,000 feet in elevation, over
36 miles, over the steepest paved road on this planet. I
managed to
cover it in 9 hours and 19 minutes. Finishing just behind Don Fallis, a
65 year old diabetic. If you're laughing, don't laugh too
hard........... He will be running Badwater this summer, a 135 mile run
across Death Valley and up Mt. Whitney.
I
ran the first 20 miles and walked the last 16. Just like hitting the
wall in a marathon. Only this was 10 miles longer than a marathon. Now,
I now what it feels like to face a cutoff deadline. The race ended at
2:30pm, and I finished with only 40 minues to spare.
I
do have an injury that I have been dealing with since the HURT 100K, my
first running injury in 10 years, and I think that my have been my
undoing, otherwise, I cannot think of another reason for my struggle in
this race. My right achilles heel has a bump, and was swelling up quite
a bit, which didn't allow me to get a full pushoff, greatly reducing my
power.
So my hat is off to all finishers, which came in
all shapes and sizes. You would be amazed. This is truely a great run.
Thanks to Don Bloom for results and pictures.
I'm #41
Last Updated: March 24, 2007 |
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