2018 San Juan Solstice 50

The quiet finish line on Friday evening.

The 2018 running of the San Juan Solstice 50 was this past weekend, and I’m happy to say I made it through for a second finish without any major issues along the way. Things went smoothly for me in just about every category and I was able to improve on my time from last year by over an hour.

Our move to the Vail Valley, in addition to our lean snow year, had me trail running a lot more in place of backcountry skiing throughout the months of April and May. I was able to log six 20+ mile runs leading into the SJS, which included another go at the Dirty 30 in early-June and a fun morning climbing Grouse Mountain from the streets of Eagle-Vail. I was hopeful all the vert and miles on trails would translate to a better race in Lake City this go around. 

Welcome to the San Juan Solstice 50.

Despite the improved training regiment this year, I felt like my head and heart weren’t really in it until arriving in Lake City on Friday night before the race. I had a lot going on in the weeks prior, and Anna-Lisa was unable to join the effort this year as she had just flown in from Seattle hours earlier and wasn’t able to get home in time for my departure from Vail to make the 7pm packet pickup. I also didn’t have a pacer for the last 10 miles through Vickers this year. Regardless being familiar with the course and 50 mile distance this time, I felt I had reason to be optimistic.

In the alpine. That’s Centennial 13er Pt. 13,811 off to the right. Click to enlarge.

Things felt great from the get go. The cool 5am start transitioned into a perfect temperature for climbing up Alpine Gulch, the creek crossings were virtually nonexistent, and the general energy around the race was motivating. After capping off the first 4,500 ft ascent of the day the sun joined the party for the first time, with the San Juans providing million dollar views as far as the eye could see in every direction. The sky was blue and smoke-free. The wildflowers were in bloom. This was why I signed up and came down here again.

Dropping down towards Williams Creek with Coney BM, the high point of the course, just above and to the left of the runner in red. Click to enlarge.

After the 4,000 ft descent down to the Williams Aid Station, I took my first real pit stop of the day to refill the bottles/bladder and grab my trekking poles. No shoe change this time. Then it was off down the road towards Wager Gulch for the day’s second big climb.

Running past some ponds just above Williams. This section of the course is punishing but it sure is pretty.

Like last year, the ascent of the Wager Gulch road was a blur. It really is just 6 miles and 4,500 ft of putting one foot in front of the other and finding ways to pass the time. I spent the better part of an hour talking to a few different people while trying to keep up a decent uphill hiking pace. Eventually we came upon the Carson Aid Station where I refilled the bottles again in preparation for the long stretch out across the Continental Divide.

On the 4WD road above Carson with Coney Benchmark in the distance.

The rising heat of the day was kept in check by a frosty wind above 12,500 ft. I actually got cold on top of Coney Benchmark and was looking forward to losing some elevation off the south side of the ridge line. With 70% of the day’s elevation gain over and done with, I was settled in and feeling pretty good.

Coney Benchmark (13,334 ft), the high point of the course, looking north at 14ers Redcloud and Sunshine. Click to enlarge.

The start of 17 miles along the vast expanse of the Continental Divide.

The divide section of the course is the crux of the race in my opinion. Not only because of the sustained time at elevation, and the likelihood of being alone for long stretches of time up there, but any existing issues or training deficiencies one may have are likely to rear their heads along this stretch. Last year a bout of IT band inflammation sprung up after about 5 miles on the divide and stuck with me for the remainder of the race. This year I was naturally concerned the same thing might happen. Thankfully I had no such issues arise and was able to make good time to the Divide Aid Station.

The terrain looks like this for a loooong time. Click to enlarge.

At the yurt I grabbed some mac n’ cheese, which just like last year, was the only solid food I ate all day, relying otherwise on the liquid diet of Tailwind and an occasional gel. The 9 mile stretch from the yurt to Slumgullion Pass went by fairly quickly and without issue. Right around 1:30pm I coasted into the Slumgullion Aid Station, where one of the volunteers kindly filled my hat with ice and sent me on my way.

The final ascent through the Vickers Ranch. It was just as hot as last year.

Once past the Slumgullion Slide I was happy to get a second wind at the exact right time, which took me up and over the last 2,000 ft of elevation gain. A swig of beer at the Vickers Aid Station and a quick glance at the clock had me thinking… surely I was going to make my sub-12 hour goal, but if I really hauled ass the final 5 miles, I could probably break 11 hours…

The course map. Click to enlarge.

So then it was a mad dash down through the woods and out onto the sun-exposed hills above town. It was unbearably hot out and my body sure didn’t want to do it, but I knew if I could keep up the pace I could maybe snag a sub-11 hour finish. It was a tough push, but I finally touched down on the streets of Lake City and had just a mile to go. A quick glance at the watch… 13 minutes left until 4pm. I knew I was going to make it, and 8 minutes later I trotted across the finish line with a time of 10:55:56 (full results here).

I was pretty elated to have gone sub-11 hours in this race, a goal I had never even considered. Most of the time it seems like I’m either barely missing or barely making my goal time. This is the first time I’ve really surprised myself at one of these events. I guess that’s just how it goes sometimes. Gotta relish in it when it happens I suppose.

All in all it was a great day out there. Thanks to everyone who makes this race happen every year. It’s almost become cliche to say it but, this event is just so well-done. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m already thinking about next year 😉

And with that I’ll be looking to the Never Summer 100k in late-July. Should be a real hoot for sure…