Jon Parker

Iron Mtn 2007 Recap

Great weather to star the 51 mile trek, in the low 50's but nice. I had a great day out there covering this mountainous route. It is indeed a challenge with all the climbing and gravel road sections. Going into this my 6^th Ultra and furthest so far, I didn't hold much expectation given my usual low mileage. Around mile 16, I stated wondering where I could bail out. This thought came and went throughout the next 16 miles. Miles 29-36 were by far the hardest for me, a long downhill on gravel road followed by a 6 mile climb almost did me in.

Squonk and I started out together and stayed together for 37 miles, at which point we were tired of talking to each other and opted for ipods to cover the last 14 miles. We had reached this point after covering the marathon distance in about 5 hours, and surviving the climb from hell from 29-36. As we pulled out of the 37 mile aid station at the 8 hour mark we were greeted by a camera yielding Taz who said that Weezyl was in the front only later did we learn that he landed in the TOP 5!!!

From here I became a little possessed. I hit the uphill's with fast walking , ran the flats and did my best to run the downs until my calves locked up and I had to stop and work out the cramps. Then back for more. The RD says that the last quarter of the race trends downward so I did my best to move as fast as I could. At this point, finishing under 12 hours was a given unless a catastrophe happened. I kept moving and stayed focued. Coming into the 43 aid station is a gnarly downhill on loose rocks…I almost lost it in the last few yards to the station and jammed my knee pretty good. It took a few miles to work that one out. I missed a turn after and lost 5-7 mins trying to get back on track. Knowing the last 3 miles were downhill, I decided that once I got there I was going all out, and did such until both claves locked and I almost bit the dust hard. I stretched them out and decided to be aggressive but not stupid. The last mile is on road back to the finish so I had it in my head to hammer that section, and did what I could. I hit the pavement at 10:47 and finished at 10:56, then almost passed out!

Coming in was great, I turned the last corner and immediately say a blue TH shirt (Echo) and was able to muster some energy and push it home. There were a number of TH's there at the finish welcoming us in and it was AWESOME to see (thanks).

As for the trail itself, the first 5 miles are pretty tame a gradual climb on a bike path, then you turn into the woods and head up a steep single track to the ridge and run from 6-16 there. This is a nice running section with gradual climbs and descents. After the 16 station, you cross the road, and make a long climb up a fire / logging road up to another ridge and over to the 22 station. There you start on a 10 mile loop. The first part is downhill on a fire road then over to a nice ridge trail. After the ridge run, you drop out onto a fire road again and drop down to the 28 aid station. From there another mile on the road where you turn back onto single track and climb up past the falls and back up to 32. this is a long steep climb! After the 32 station again further up hill 3 miles on the fire road again, to about 36 where you drop into single track heading down to the 37 aid station. After 37 on double track with a climb up to the iron Mtn ridge where you go up and down for 4-5 miles. More down than up, but the climbs can be steep. The last section drops you steeply into the 43 aid station. This decent is rugged with loose rocks and harsh footing right before the aid station. Leaving this station, with 6 miles to go, the first part is very steep uphill. Back up to a ridge and then some up and downs to 45. At this point you are going to drop hard down to Damascus on a rugged rocky trail. Footing is very tricky! The last mile of the course is part road and then back onto the bike path to the finish where you kick it across the grass to the gazebo.

The crowd is very relaxed and casual, and the post race food is great! Don't forget to climb over the hill and sit in the creek for a while. It helps start the healing.