West Line Winder 50K (Sawatch 50-50)

(Photo credit: Freestone Endurance)

My journey to the Sawatch 50-50 began with another failed attempt in the Leadville 100 lottery. This was my second year in a row attempting to gain entry to Leadville. As this attempt failed I began to look at the bigger picture and weigh my options and choices for the future. One of them became giving further consideration to the High Lonesome 100. Much like Leadville, it is a race run on many trails I'm familiar with and in an area that is very near and dear to me. I also have another odd connection to it. When my father and I were hiking Mount Antero up the Little Browns Creek drainage in 2019 we ran into two individuals who were helpful in the original setup of the course. (If my memory serves, I believe Betsy Kalmeyer was one of them) They were out scouting for the course when we talked to them that day. So I've been familiar with High Lonesome since the start. It too has a difficult lottery to gain entry with. I did learn that running the Sawatch 50-50 is a qualifier for that lottery so that made this choice all the more enticing.

(Photo credit: Freestone Endurance)

I had the Sawatch Ascent on my radar for awhile because it also runs on trails I'm very familiar with. I could never quite justify a whole trip to Colorado in late September just for that race though, I needed something more. The West Line Winder race by itself looked less interesting given its course but when I finally gave consideration to doing them both with the 50-50 the stars seemed to align this year. (In hindsight, I can say there were some real highlights and great views to the WLW50 course proving my initial opinions wrong). I finally decided to make the Sawatch 50-50 my "A" Goal for 2025 and the excitement quickly grew. Entry was straightforward with no lottery or great challenge to get in. I looked forward to this new challenge of finding out how running back to back 50K's would go. This would have me intrigued up until race morning for the Sawatch Ascent. This would also be my first foray into the 100K distance while covering it over two days.

The West Line Winder 50K on Saturday, September 27, would be round 1.

Table of Contents

Race Recap

Nutrition/Hydration

Weather/Course Conditions

Gear / Other Notes

Training

Stats

Track/Map

RACE RECAP

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

The race started at 7:00am on the streets in Buena Vista at the edge of the 14er Fest tents. I almost messed this up. I had in mind the day before it was an 800am start and something moved me just an hour before bedtime to double check all the details and I discovered the 700am start. Glad that worked out! I parked in downtown BV about a block from the start at 615am and spent the time getting ready and staying warm in the vehicle. It was in the low 40s that morning.

As the race started we ran down Main Street out to the park by the river and did a quick loop around the park. This provided a little bit of time to spread people out before the single track. We crossed the bridge over the Arkansas River and were on to the Barbara Whipple trails. The next 7 mi out to the Valley View aid station was on these winding mountain bike trails. There were lots of little ups and downs twists and turns. But also lots of nice views of Mount Princeton and the Arkansas River Valley. I was feeling really good and just kept things moving along. I was mostly keeping to the usual running the downs and flats and power hiking the ups. There was originally talk of an aid station at mile 3.8 which would be water-only but the race director decided it wasn't necessary today with the temps not being too hot in the morning.

Crossing the river

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

Part of the race plan today was to keep the heart rate aerobic the whole day, in the 130s and 140s. I just couldn't afford to burn any matches today with the need to stay well for tomorrow's 50K. There were several minutes of downhill leading to the Valley View aid station which I used to open up the stride a little bit. While the downhill felt nice it came with that sinking feeling that this was just leading to more uphill to do after the aid station.

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

The Valley View aid was at the day use area for the Collegiate Peaks Overlook. There was a short out and back to get to the aid station. I filled up my bottles and grabbed some of the Maurten energy gels.

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

Valley View to Speculator

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

The first 3 miles after Valley View were more winding mountain bike trail with some gradual gain. This led to what I thought would be a short dirt road section. It turned out to be just a wider very straight trail section. This was the two-way section at the middle of the figure eight shape the race course took on. It was a great section to make some good time.
The trail left the joint section and there was more of the windy trail up to a water-only aid "Big Sandy" at mile 13.3. I breezed right through the station as I had all I needed. After this aid the course remained on dirt road now constantly ascending. This was the toughest part of the course as it also became the steepest as it ascended up to the high point of the course. As we neared what looked like the top we found a "false summit" and more climbing ahead. At the top of the 2nd climb the Speculator aid station came into sight.

There were great volunteers at Speculator. They were looking at people's big numbers out ahead and calling people by name and were getting drop bags ready for you upon arrival. Great service! I spent a few quick minutes grabbing Gu gels from my bag and getting everything all filled up again.

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

Speculator to Shields

One might hope the climbing was over with once Speculator was reached, but that is a great deception. There were several more minutes of climbing on the road before finally topping out. Fortunately, once we did top out the downhill was wonderful. It continued to be on the dirt roads which meant the grade was great for running. I decided to do intervals on the descent. 3 minutes of a solid run followed by 2 minutes of a brisk walk. It became interesting, I leap-frogged with a guy who would pass me while I walked, but I would catch and pass while I ran. The goal in this was to not blow up my quads for tomorrow's race. If today were all it was I would have run the entire downhill and it would have went great. This was a beautiful area with lots of color.

After 2.5 miles of downhill on the road there was a sharp right turn onto trails. This led to a short climb and then more gradual trail downhill. We rounded a corner into a shallow gulch and there was the Shields Aid station on the tip of a short ridge. It was a very interesting placement. Things were feeling more warm outside so I continued to do full fill-ups of bottles at this aid and the next even though five miles apart.

Shields to Midland

I spent the five miles to Midland just keeping the body managed. Mentally I just tried to stay engaged in the movement zone, eating and drinking and holding pace. We hit the joint section again and this time it was a gradual downhill so it made for good movement. After the joint section was a mile and half on the winding trail. I believe it was in here a group of us running close together thought we might be lost for a moment. One gal was coming back up trail thinking she lost the flags. Another gentleman who knew the trails said we were good and pressed on. I checked the map on my phone and decided to press on as well. This proved correct as we eventually found flags again. These trails in general were one of the challenges of the day with so many little intersections and every bit of trail looking alike, you really had to pay attention and be mindful of flags. The race director had also strongly encouraged having the maps on a phone or a watch.

Midland to Finish

Coming into town

The Midland aid was at the junction of the singletrack ending onto the old railroad bed. This gave us a more runnable section again with a slight downhill on the dirt road. I went into intervals again to get some speed but keep things in check. There was about 1.6 miles of road. This led into more singletrack above the road for a bit. This section was the most technical of the day with some sharp ups and downs and even a bit of very light scrambling around some rocks. It was in here, with the trail difficulties, that I also began to feel the fatigue of the day. It was mental time. I've been here before and I would be here again tomorrow. It is something I am trying to continue to learn better and master as I dig into the Ultra world. How do you strengthen the mind to not lose control and fade and weaken in moments like this. When the mind is just ready to be done you have to fight against the desire to shut down. Today fared well.

I kept things moving and the course popped us back onto the old railbed for a short section and then into the final downhill on the Barbara Whipple trails back to the river. When we hit the river it was a crossing over the bridge and then a quick, gradual uphill through the dirt roads to Main Street. They had us moving down the sidewalks back to the finish and there were plenty of spectators cheering and congratulating everyone to the finish. It was fun to have the finish line in town with some energy with all the people present. You feel like something special at the end of an ultra day on the trails.

At finish I didn't feel wrecked. I was feeling mission accomplished for getting the 50K in and hopefully having something to give for tomorrow. My initial goal of finishing between 630 and 700 was a success with a 6:45 finishing time. I was hopeful that I had indeed threaded the needle today of finishing in a respectable time in accordance with my goals while also saving enough for tomorrow.

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

RECOVERY

The silver lining of being out in Colorado all by myself was that post-race I was able to focus entirely on my own personal recovery without distraction.  From the moment I finished around 2:15pm I had nothing to do the rest of the day but make sure my body was all duct taped back into good condition.  In the immediate moments post-race I made my way to my vehicle to drop gear and since I was only a block from the finish I meandered back to take in the atmosphere a bit.  I quickly began to focus on hydration and my stomach was soon ready to eat as well. 

In the months of lead up to the race I had prepared all sorts of ideas of recovery.  Foods with protein and foods I would like to eat were all put to my planning list.  As usual I did drink up a bunch of the Tailwind Protein powder.  I tried the birthday cake flavor for the first (and maybe only) time.  I also had containers of Greek Yogurt that I worked on.  I also had a salmon packet which I ate up.  This was all within the first hour or so post-race and a ton of protein.

Eventually I made my way to the Buena Vista community center and was able to use the public shower there to get washed up.  I was glad to have this option as I had sweated much more than anticipated today and I really wanted a good clean to avoid any chafing issues the next day.

Back at camp I was trying to get myself to snack when I could.  I had a nice freeze-dried Mountain House lasagna for supper.  I also had two containers of blackberries to eat.  They were high in antioxidants and I hoped they would be useful to help as an anti-inflammatory.  Another item I decided to try in all of this was compression socks for my feet and lower legs.  Here I hoped they would also help with increasing circulation and reducing inflammation.  

In all you might summarize my efforts as being ultimately inspired by words the race director had shared in one of the final pre-race e-mails.  He had noted "Hydrate like a champion. Eat like its your last meal.  Sleep as much as you can."  

NUTRITION / HYDRATION

I began the race with a basic goal of about 75g carbs and 300 calories per hour.  I spent some time laying out what this would look like from aid to aid and how much to carry.  I finally settled on a plan in which I would start the race with 3 gels onboard with plans to pickup 3 more at Valley View.  I would then have 6 more waiting in the dropbag at Speculator.   The goal was to eat the first 6 by halfway and the last 6 in the last half.  If I liked the Maurten gels provided by the race I would keep going with them, otherwise I would use the Gu gels I had packed.  I did not at all care for the Maurten gels as they were much more gelatinous than I was used to with the Gu brand.

Hydration

Alongside the gels I was also hoping to finish a 200-calorie electrolyte drink 4 times through the race.  Starting with one full, filling at Valley View, Speculator, and then either Shields or Midland in the back half.  That would make for 800 calories of drink, plus 1200 calories of gels, plus whatever basic calories I would get from chips at the aid stations.   Over 6 1/2 hours this would come out or the roughly 300 that I had for my goal.  

WEATHER / COURSE CONDITIONS The temps were in the 40s at the start.  The high for the day was expected to be around 65 degrees.  In reality I think the high nearly hit 70.  It was also clear skies and sunny the whole day with minimal breeze.  It wasn't until I hit an open sunny area near the Shields aid station that I first felt things warming up.  It never got oppressively warm but with the sun the near 70 degree temp certainly got my attention and kept me hydrating as much as possible.  Post-race I had quite a bit of sweat on my person and my pack.  

GEAR / OTHER NOTES

GARMIN FENIX 7

• The watch I used for this race as a tool to keep me in check. With active recovery being the goal and saving myself for the second leg of the 50-50 I didn't want to redline or burn too many matches today. I used the watch to keep my HR in the 130s and 140s. I had also loaded a course into the watch so I was able to see how far aid stations were ahead.

GEAR

• I used my Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 5.0 today and it served me fine. I carried two soft flasks, one with water, one with electrolyte drink. I also carried a collapsible cup which I used once or twice for a swig of coca-cola at aid stations. I carried a 3rd soft flasks with just powder in it as a backup in case I didn't like the drinks the race was using. I carried my Gu energy gels in front pouches and that was it.

CLOTHING

• I wore my Hoka Challenger ATR6 trail runners the whole way today. They offer good support but I've noticed the toe box is starting to get snug on the sides of my big toes. Not sure if my feet are expanding or if this is just something I've noticed more
• I wore my long-sleeve white tech shirt and a navy blue pair of Northyard running shorts. The zip pockets on the shorts are super handy..
• I wore the white sport hat for sun cover as much of this race was not well shaded. I forgot sunglasses which are probably the only gear item I missed out on.

TRAINING

I would say my training for the 50-50 started in May 2025. I had just finished running the Pinckney Trail Marathon at the end of April. That training was a whole different story. I had been building up from ground zero for that race after taking 3+ months off after the Silver Rush 50 in July 2024. I was really trying to heal my patellar tendonitis in both knees and kinda reinvented my running self. That training was mostly successful and led to a good Marathon in April.

I had a good recovery and then restarted into 50-50 Training. I did not follow any formal training plan for the 50-50. I kept to a basic plan of long runs and the progression I wanted to increase them. My goal from the start was to keep the legs injury-free and hopefully train my body into a good "all-day" pace where I could run long and slow and just keep going.

As training through the summer continued I found myself getting more specific to these races than I had ever before. I was doing a lot of slow treadmill intervals with hills and using this to increase volume while keeping the wear and tear minimal. I pretty much threw speed out the window and for good reason, I didn't need it. I kept a basic tempo or threshold workout in once every week or two just to open up the lungs every once in awhile but that was it.

At the end of August I was planning to run the Marquette Marathon in the UP of Michigan. It was to be a training race for me but also the first Marathon for my son Seth. For him he was dealing with IT band syndrome all summer and so his training build-up was very non-conventional. For me I had a great build-up with several 50-mile weeks and good long runs leading up to the race. All my training stayed fairly personalized and I was still taking it week to week. I mainly made sure to try and get the body healthy from injury. I wanted to do more strength training along the way but in this I failed.

The Marquette Marathon left me with some major quad soreness for almost 2 weeks. Seth and I ended up running the race harder than we had originally planned because the day was going well. Because of his short training and with my desire to not blow up we had resolved to do run-walk intervals from mile 8 onward. That ended up being mile 10 onward, no big deal. We would do a run 1 mile and then walk 5 minute interval. Also no big deal. But every time we did the run 1 mile interval we felt so good we'd run it at like a 750 pace. By the time we hit mile 20+ I was started to feel something in my quads. It didn't slow us down during the race but in the days post-race it really hit. This made the month of September and the final build to the 50-50 very minimal. I had hoped for another weekend of a 20-13 long run back to back but that failed and turned into a 13-10.

While training didn't hit any impressive highs or overly detailed organization I was mostly pleased with how it went and thinking of it post-race it seemed to serve me well enough. My goal of getting in a number of back to backs had worked. My goal of figuring out how to run 10+ miles regularly while still feeling good working (this was accomplished with run-walk intervals mostly). My goal of getting in plenty of climbing pre-race (several 30K) months worked. My goal of hitting race day mostly injury free (the quads were possibly a question mark) had also worked. As usual I am left wondering if I had done even more in training would that have improved the race of just left me tired or injured.

STATS

Total Miles: 30.74 miles

Total Elevation Gain: 3,440 ft.

Total Calories Burned: 3,930 cals

Total Time: 6:45:11

RACE DAY SPLITS

(Credit: Freestone Endurance)

Valley View Aid (mile 7.8) 01:36 -- 150 of 207

1:51 at aid station

Speculator Aid (mile 15.4)

01:45 -- 122 of 207

4:19 at aid station

Shields Aid (mile 20.4)

1:00 -- 119 of 207

0:18 at aid station

Midland Aid (mile 25.4)

1:09 -- 111 of 207

2:45 at aid station

Finish

1:13 -- 107 of 207

Big Splits

3:22 out (Speculator)

(4:19 at turnaround)

3:18 in (negative split!)

TRACK/MAP

The embedded map has my track from race day as well as waypoints for the aid stations, the four major peaks, and a few other notable points along the way.