In our most recent adventure, we traveled to Eden, Utah to compete in the Skyline 55k. We chose the longest distance, though the race offers a 30k, marathon, and half marathon option as well. With over 7,000 feet of elevation gain throughout the race, starting at an elevation of almost 5,000 ft, we had our work cut out for us over the roughly 34.2 miles. Living at sea level doesn’t really prepare you for what we were up against. That being said, the first eight miles or so of the climb up Ben Lomond Peak were not challenging. The trail is an easy switchback all the way up with only the last mile and a half or so presenting some challenge as the trail is covered in large loose rocks. We began the day at 3:30 a.m., making the drive to our shuttle pickup and the finish line. The shuttles left at 4:15 a.m. and took us to the start, the road leading up to the Ben Lomond Trailhead. Starting out, we couldn’t see much but the runners ahead of us and the dust in our headlamps, but first light hit before too long and the sunrise over the peaks and valleys below us was breathtaking. The first ascent seemed to go fairly quickly, as did the run back down to aid station #1, in the saddle between Ben Lomond and the distant Lewis Peak, our second climb. From that second aid station, we began a seven mile descent which was quick and felt great. Our primary obstacle on the way down were the dirt bikes we encountered every 1/4 of a mile or so, making their way up the rutted single-track trail we were coming down. They were all polite and respected racers’ right of way, so no harm done in the end.
Arriving at the bottom of the hill at roughly 17 miles into the race, we took a short break at our third aid station before ascending the trail to Lewis Peak. The first couple miles up were remarkably challenging for me, being considerably steeper than the first climb and feeling the affects of altitude, in addition to the exhaustion that was setting in halfway through. Everyone around us had slowed down at this point and was taking their time getting to the aid station before the last out and back to the top of Lewis Peak, another 4.6 miles round trip. By the time we turned after collecting our sticker proof at the peak, we were beginning to feel pretty worn out. The day was getting hotter and though we were hydrated and fueled up, the mileage was catching up with us. From the second to last aid station, we geared up for our last downhill section, another seven miles of narrow trail, rocks, and dirt bikes, but beautiful views down to Windjammer Beach where our final aid station awaited our arrival.
This final stretch of downhill proved to be quite difficult. We stayed in the 12-12.5 min/mile range for about three and a half miles but soon slowed down to a fast walk, or shuffle, as muscles and joints were really feeling the fatigue. At that point, it became a long, slow grind to the aid station, during which we intermittently passed or were passed by the same group of two to three people. As someone who loves the downhill I had had my fill after 17 miles. A good four to five is probably my limit, so coming out onto the flat road again and into the shaded final aid station felt amazing. We were greeted emphatically by the volunteers there who had set up camp chairs under the trees and tent covering the station, meeting us with cold, wet rags, popsicles, and plenty of hydration options. After a few relaxing moments, we got up and began our final four miles to the finish, all on relatively flat ground but in direct sunlight, making for a somewhat grueling finish. While we were able to shuffle run the first mile or so, we again slowed to a walk for the last three. Unable to wait for the finish to attend to the gastrointestinal distress I faced, we stopped one last time about a half mile from the finish, during which point we were passed again by our two competitors, but we finally made it, with 15 minutes to spare before the cutoff time.
While we found this race course to be stunningly beautiful, we may not be back soon, simply because we’d like to explore other places, and perhaps find a race with slightly less downhill. Overall, the Skyline 55k was a well-organized race in a gorgeous place.