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Arrived in the town of Guachochi at about 8,000 feet where the race started and ended, Saturday, where I found a room with 1 big bed and hot shower for $12, not far from anything. Registered that afternoon and picked up my race packet that evening. The race cost $33 to enter and we got a t-shirt.
At 5 am the race began—hanging around the start at about 4:30, was looking for water. There was none. Wandered around looking for coffee and some breakfast–there was no place open to eat. There was no food at the start. Hmmmmm…I thought.
Greeted Arnulfo, Sebastiano and Silvino from the Batopilas canyon area. They all actually live pretty high in the mountains by a rim overlooking the Munerachi arroyo in Batopilas canyon. They were the only Batopilas canyon Raramuri to show up, other than old Herbalisto, who showed up happily drunk. there was a big showing of Raramuri runners from all over, but, I do not think more than 100 for the ultra races of 100 and 63 km. Most raramuri who did not have a shot at winning prize money to the first 5 places were not going to run what would turn out to be an extremely hard run.
Lots of people recognized me–Lots of Mexican national runners–some pretty good ones, and many asked about the CCUM.
The race started at 5, running down a dirt road, and keeping to side dirt roads for almost 11 miles to the first aid station that offered water, nothiing else, before beginning the big trail [and cross country] descent into the 6,000+ foot deep Sinforosa canyon. The Raramuri and many competitors blasted off the start to take advantage of thr flat road section–build up some speed. I just trotted along figuring I had a long ways to go and knowing myself and how I run best starting easily.
When we got to the big descent I picked it up thinking I would take advantage of my down-mountain technical trailrunning skills and make some time. Sure enough I passed a lot of people, and the trail was VERY gnarly, trecherous" steep and narrow–extremely hazardous drop offs into the air….The "helper" rocks were not helpful that morning as they were wet and slippery from an overnight rain–I slipped on one, caught my toe on another smaller rock and launched forward where I caught the trail with my other foot again, briefly before launching head over heals and choosing in mid flight between thin air dropping off to nothing or rocks–instant choice was rock, taking a header, landing square onto my left shoulder before followiing up with my head slamming onto the rock. The pain was severe. I thought i had dislocated my shoulder. That was not fun.
After shaking myself off and rising after a few minutes to wipe off some of the blood with my shirt, I continued my descent cautiously like everyone else. As I had learned, running that descent was a death wish.
Along the bottom of the canyon, along a drainage was a trottable section–some runnable even though in thick jungle, going over and under various obstacles, such as the low tree branch across the trail that knocked me down and almost knocked me out when I ran right into it. Definitely and advantage to be short!
WE crossed the stream a few times, the trail precariously marked, following the drainage into the Sinforosa canyon, crossing the Rio Verde, where a few years ago a Kanyan and Tarahumara runner were swept away and drowned, then after a bit began the BIG climb out of the Sinforosa, which I was happy to see! I’m a good climner, and passed a lot of people power hiking up, scrambling on all fours at places. It was brutal.
Although I had been running with a lot of pain from my severely bruised shoulder, I had not felt it much because of adrenaline and knowing that i had to keep moving. Somewhere on the climb out of the Sinforosa the bain became excruciating and the very limited movement and arm swing I had been experiencing since the accident became none. There was nor movement on my left side. I wondered if I was having a heart attack, but figured not, was just the arm/shoulder…..
Finally arrived at the rim and aid staion, which finally had some pretty good aid, and food–a little late in the game! actually, to be fair, there was more aid than the very little to nothing that I expected.
I had 10.6 miles to go to the finish–The road was flat, and this was one of the only runnable sections of the course where the race would begin for those who had enough left over to run. I did not.
With limp left arm I walked slowly arriving at 50 km or so in just under 9 hours, where I saw a doctor, iced the shoulder, checked to see if it was dislocated or what, and took a ride in to Guachochi with the ambulance.
The 100 km runners did the same course with a return out and back on the road 11 mile each way road section afterwards. had the opportunity to see the leaders fly! Winners did around 9 hours.
Overall a fun experience and despite the pain I will do it again with a safer strategy, and yes, sure, I would recommend gringos and others attending this race, why not?
Caballo un poco triste, pero, what the hay
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