Sky to Summit 50k - Race Report

  

I had been watching the weather leading up to the Sky to Summit 50k put on by Run Bum Tours all week hoping that there would be a break in the weather. The race director, Sean, had been sending out emails a few days out warning us of the cold weather and rain that was expected on race day. This was not the kind of weather that I was looking for as we were heading into this race.

On race morning I got up early and headed over to my friend, Ross' house to head up to Sky Valley, GA and the start of the race. We got to the check in about an hour before the start and got checked in while a light rain fell on us. We then headed back to the car and started loading up our packs and getting our rain gear ready for the race.

At 6:45 Sean called everyone together for a mandatory race meeting, and finished up the meeting by having us all say together, "We are here to have fun!" Then at 7am we were off and running.

The race started off on some roads in the Sky Valley Resort, but we were greeted immediately with some big climbs. Ross and I settled into some hiking and running when we hit some flats and the occasional downhill. We ran/hiked the first 3.5 miles with a bunch of other runners up to the top of Rabun Bald which is the second highest peak in Georgia, and we had already climbed a little over 1,500ft. We then started to head down off Rabun Bald on the Bartram Trail. Ross and I had done a training run on this section of the course and blasted the downhill, but ended up paying for it on the way back up during that run. We knew that we wanted to take it kind of easy on this section of the course because we knew that climbing back up Rabun Bald the second time was going to be a bear.

When we made it to Wilson Gap Aid station (8ish miles), and we were greeted with some needed snacks and we were able to refill our water bottles before heading on down to the next section which would be an out and back. Thankfully the rain had let up by the time we got to the summit of Rabun Bald, so Ross and I were able to pack up our rain jackets and not have to deal with them for a while.

The next 3ish miles we crossed a number of streams that were between ankle and calf deep. Then we got to the one water crossing that we had been warned about. I jumped right in knowing that there was no way to go around this without getting wet, and immediately the water was up over my knees. I just had to laugh at the whole situation and kept on running to the next aid station Darnell Creek (11ish miles).

Darnell Creek aid station was the turn around point and we would then climb over 2,000ft back up to the top of Rabun Bald before heading down the back side. The climb back to Wilson Gap was tough going, and when we finally made it back we took some extra time filling water bottles and getting some food before heading back up Rabun Bald. It was going to be 7ish hard miles to the next aid station.

Leaving Wilson Gap we got back on the Bartram Trail climbing up to Rabun Bald. This is where I began to have a rough time. To be honest I don't think I was fully prepared for all the climbing that was required for the Sky to Summit course. It took me a long time to hike/run back up to the summit. Ross was ahead of me encouraging me, and pushing me to keep going. When I finally made the summit I was tired and took some extra time at the base of the fire tower before heading down the mountain.

Leaving the summit Ross and I were in a line of other runners heading down the trail. The back side of the mountain was really steep and very technical for the first few miles, and it was made even more difficult with all the slick rocks and leaves from all the rain. We all continued slowly making it down the mountain until we hit some runnable sections where the group began to pick up the pace. I wasn't feeling great at the time, so I let everyone pass and continued to slowly make it down the mountain.

Then it happened...I was making my way down the mountain and I slipped on some leaves taking a small fall. It wasn't a big deal, so I just got back up and kept moving.

SLIP!

I take another fall this time landing on my backside in the mud. A little mad at myself I get back up and again start heading down the trail trying to be a little more careful with all the slick leaves and rocks.

SLIP! CRASH!

This time I did it. I took another fall on some slick leaves, but this time I landed on a rock...HARD! This immediately shot pain up my tailbone and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get up. I took a few minutes then made myself get up, and began walking down the trail to Three Forks Aid Station. On the way down my brain made the decision that I was going to drop. I was disappointed, mad, upset, and so many other feelings at the time. I have not had to DNF any ultra yet, and it looked like this would be my first.

I finally got down to Three Forks and took my time. I hung out in the aid station and tent for a while watching other runners come in and leave. I had come into the aid station planning on dropping, but I hadn't told any of the workers of my plan yet, so when one asked when I was going to head on I decided I would suck it up and grit out the last 9 miles to the finish. My brain was saying stop, but my heart wouldn't let me give up. I really wasn't thinking clearly and filled up one water bottle with Gatorade and the other with Coke and then headed up the gravel road.

The next few miles were very painful. Every step hurt, but I was determined to finish this race no matter what. We left the gravel road and headed down a trail to Holcomb Creek Falls before heading back up the trail and back to the gravel road. I walked most of the gravel road hiking as quickly as I could and trying to ignore the pain that I was feeling on my tailbone.

I finally hit the Bartram Trail and it was time to head back up to Beegum Gap. This part of the trail was really beautiful and it took us by a number of waterfalls. I continued to try and run when I could and fight through the pain as I hiked up the hills to Beegum.

At Beegum I filled my bottles with water this time, and shuffled off to the finish line. The last 2.5 miles were mostly downhill and on the road, so I was able to make my way down without too much trouble.

I finally made it to the finish line where I was greeted by Sean and Ross and the other runners hanging out at the finish line. My finish time was 8:29:38.

I had finished this race.
I was tired.
I hurt badly.
I was frustrated with myself.
I was happy that I pushed through to the finish!

Sky to Summit is the hardest 50k I've ever run, and probably the most beautiful race I've ever run. I am so glad that Ross talked me into running this one with him. I learned a lot from this ultra, and I hope to be able to take what I've learned into my next race.

Next up: Battle for Black Rock 24 mile on December 5th!

Photo Credits: The top two photos and the last one were taken by Ross Wise. You can read his race report here, and see his race video here. Congratulations to Ross on completing his first 50k!