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Angeles Crest 100 1999 Report: Scott Sullivan

Angeles Crest 1999
Scott Sullivan

This race was a big experiment for me.  I did a lot of things differently
than in past 100's that I have run successfully, and I wasn't sure how it
would come out.  The list of experiments included different training, using
crew and pacers during the race, and eating "real" food during the race.

I made two departures from past training practices.  First, I lifted weights
(upper and lower body) for the past year.  This helped my quads to feel much
better late in the race as well as eliminating tired and sore back, arms, and
shoulders that I have felt in other hundreds.

The second difference was that I did relatively little running to prepare.
Elena and I both enjoy climbing mountains in the Sierra Nevada.  Last summer
we both spent our weekends training on the AC course in preparation for our
successful completion of last year's AC race.  We did almost no climbing that
year.  Not wanting to miss another summer of climbing, we planned strenuous
Sierra outings of 3-5 days every other weekend starting in mid July and
ending on Labor Day weekend.  These outings consisted of 11-14 hour days
hiking on trail with a full backpack or hiking off trail climbing peaks with
a daypack.  I believe this also contributed to strengthening my quads.

My long runs since June consisted of Old Dominion, pacing Elena 38 miles at
Western States, two 25 mile train training runs in July, one 100K in August
run at a comfortable pace, and an easy paced 50K two weeks before AC.  All my
other runs were 11 miles or less.  There were no back to back weekend long
runs like I normally would do, and my total running mileage was way down due
to the limited long runs.

In my three previous hundred mile finishes, I never had a crew and only had a
pacer the last 25 miles of one race.  For AC this year, I had a crew plus two
pacers covering the last 48 miles.  This was a huge boost.  It prevented
mistakes in deciding what I needed at various points during the race.  I was
constantly reminded to drink more and kept well supplied with food.  It is
also a big psychological plus to have a team taking care of me throughout the
race.  I was also able to minimize the time I spent in aid stations, since
everything was ready to go.  Thanks to Elena and Mark for their help.

I carried a Motorola personal radio throughout the race.  This allowed me to
alert my crew 10-15 minutes before I would arrive at an aid station, and to
request any special orders at that time so they could be ready upon my
arrival.  This helped me to get out of the aid stations quicker, and made it
easier for Elena to crew.  She would get some warning before my arrival, so
it was less stressful for her.

The final experiment was to try and eat real food during the race.  I
typically have stomach problems on hot days, and have learned to survive on
hammergel, clip, and Succeed caps.  I used all of these in this race, but
also ate turkey sandwiches, watermelon, soup, and energy bars.  This worked
quite well and my weight would stay within 3 pounds of my starting weight the
entire day.

With the weather looking hot, I determined to go out at a comfortable pace
and try to conserve energy for later.  My goal was not to worry about my
time, but make it to the finish line.  I walked in the middle of a big group
up the Acorn Trail, then ran slowly and comfortably on the downs.  The first
15 miles was pleasantly spent chatting with various running friends that I
hadn't seen in a while.

I got passed by a lot of runners going up Baden-Powell.  At first I figured
this was because I was eating a sandwich while hiking, but it continued even
after I finished it.  I knew it was way too early to push, so I didn't worry
about it.  I ran slowly down the other side to Islip Saddle and the 25-mile
point.  I was completely out of my three-bottle supply of fluids; so I took I
short break and consumed some extra fluid before leaving for the climb up
Williamson.  Again I was eating a sandwich and getting passed.  I ran easily
down the back and into Eagle's Roost.

I dreaded the next section to Cloudburst Summit since it would be really hot
in Cooper Canyon.  This climb doesn't look like much on the AC course
profile, but it really sapped my strength last year.  I ate some watermelon,
grabbed a sandwich and headed out.  The downhill passed quickly, and soon I
began the long climb to Cloudburst.  Upon arrival, I sat down for an ice
towel cool down and ate more watermelon.  I was very happy to be here, the
worst was behind me and the course was easier now for a while.

For the  first time, I pushed a little and thoroughly enjoyed running this
section.  I would have to carry a flashlight from Three Points, since I had
no drop bag at Hillyer and could not make Chilao before dark.  It took a
little juggling to manage my 2D-cell flashlight, hand bottle, and eat a
sandwich while walking, but I managed OK.  I made good time once the sandwich
was down, and even ran some of the uphill on the paved road to Hillyer.  At
the aid station, a volunteer filled my bottles while I downed some quick
food.  I left right away to try to get as far as I could before dark.  It got
dark several miles before Chilao, but I was prepared.

Once at Chilao, I sat down and ate some dinner consisting of a sandwich and
three cups of soup and picked up my first pacer Mark.  I walked slowly at
first while my stomach dealt with all the food I consumed.  After about 15
minutes, we started to move better.  This section of trail was much better
marked and much less rocky than last year.

We arrived at Shortcut in good time and I sat down to eat.  Here I had a
sudden bout of nausea and threw-up.  Elena made me walk a little and
immediately started to feel better.  She felt I was sitting down leaning
forward and this caused the problem.  I don't know if this is right, but I
didn't eat anything different here and the nausea came and went very quickly.
 Since I felt better standing than sitting, I grabbed some extra gel and
headed out.  We walked for 10 minutes or so, when I felt good enough to run.
We ran most of the road down to the creek crossing, then walked the remaining
uphill to Newcomb Saddle.  I sat down and ate here and fortunately had no
stomach problems.

The downhill seemed to take longer than it should, but we made to Chantry
without incident.  After a brief break, Elena and I left with sandwich in
hand for the Wilson climb.  As with the other big climbs, I was passed by
lots of runners here.  This was a difficult section, but I made the top just
at sunrise and was able to run most of the road down to Idlehour.  My
confidence and strength were growing now that it was light and Wilson was
behind us.  We left after a quick break and some food.

I was able to run the downhill and maintain a good pace on the climb to Sam
Merrill.  Here I had another quick break and gathered my strength for the
push to the finish.  It was starting to get hot, and the rocky downhill would
slow me a bit.  I wanted to be cautious on this section and not fall or twist
an ankle.  We arrived at Milliard and said hi to Dave and Ian who were
working the aid station.  I got some ice water, Elena had some beer(!), and
we headed for the finish.  The final trail section seemed to go on forever,
but soon we reached the road and some friends that had come to run me in.
This got me energy flowing and I ran the final two miles to finish in 31:13.

Thanks to Elena, Mark, and all the other volunteers for their wonderful help
and congratulations to all the other runners.

Scott Sullivan
ssullivan0@aol.com