Giving it all. The Looking Glass 100k

Where do I fall when I have given everything and the tank is empty? How far can I go?

In comes long distance trail running.

The challenge of long distance trail running quickly became a competition that I love. I found passion for trail racing and pursuing difficult mountain runs. It came at a time after hiking the Pacific Crest trail when all I wanted to do was move in the mountains all day. Trail running became the fix. I knew a good race for me to find that challenge would be The Looking Glass 100k. A burly 62 mile trail running race that loops through the heart of Pisgah National forest.

I went into this race with three goals. First was to race smart, not making the mistakes that I had before. Second was to give 100%, to finish the race with nothing left. And my final goal was to race to win, because if I was going to give 100% I had to believe in myself. It was this goal-oriented approach and preparation, that allowed me to train well both physically and mentally. And on race day I toe’d the line telling myself I had no excuses. I had done what I could to prepare and now I had to trust the process.

At 4am sharp, to the sultry smooth sounds of Brandon’s first banjo strums, I took off into Pisgah with over 120 other strong mountain runners. I took off fast with a plan to assert myself near the front and I merely managed to keep up with Tim N. for the first mile before tiring and easing back to let him go. Watching his headlamp fade into the night. Reminding myself to stay smart, but be relentless. As I put space between myself and the rest of the runners behind, the solitude crept in. The movement flowed with rhythm of the consistent crunch of leaves under foot. My mind settled down and tuned in. Calibrating every foot placement and stride length to dodge a root or high step a branch. That focus that brings forth a zen state. Moving through nature, so in tune to ones body and the forest we move with. The flow state. I pushed reasonably hard, feeling my flow for the first 10 miles before easing back for the grueling climbs up Pilot and Black Balsam.

Getting to Black Balsam I had already battled some minor challenges, but nothing that wasnt expected in long days in the mountains. My headlamp died before the first aid,  my watch died on Pilot, and my mistake forgetting to change socks leaving Black Balsam therefore creating a blistered ball of foot. These were all manageable and I kept it cool. I had a backup waist light for the beginning of the race, strava on my phone when my watch died, and body glide saves lives when you “done goofed”, or the “surprise! I’m already mega chafed!” pain starts. Overcoming obstacles is part of the process. Stay relentless. I knew the middle part of the race would be my challenge and the back half was where I could shine on the descents. Behind by 20 minutes leaving Black Balsam I stayed steadfast and strong knowing I couldn’t let first keep gaining or third to catch me. Like a dog on the hunt I stayed on it. Keeping Tim’s lead In first place to just 20 minutes from mile 21 to 42.

Rolling into mile 42 aid at Mt Pisgah I was feeling pretty worked from the mountains to sea section of the course. With some punchy ups and downs and heinous leaf coverage i had been slipping around from the HWY 276 crossing to Mt Pisgah. Psyched to see my jolly crew and the Mt Pisgah aid station staff I sat quickly and my buddy Greg rolled out my quads and my dad loaded my pack. The sun was shining, The bulk of the climbing was done and I just picked up my best buddy James to pace me to the finish. New socks and freshly body glided blisters, I was running out of there feeling hyped back up! With the new found stoke of having James to run with we knuckled up and begun the chase on Tim. Hootin and hollering down Pilot Rock trail as we normally do, James’ fresh legs chasing me down the rocky and slabby tech that is Pilot Rock trail, had me moving fast. But once we hit yellow gap road I again had to find the deeper internal motivation. Even the slightest uphill was tough and I would slow to a walk counting out 30 seconds. 3, 2, 1…  shuffle faster Marcus, shuffle faster I’d tell myself. “You have to stay relentless”. Ticking down to 10 minutes behind first at mile 48 aid I had made great progress. I continued pushing through pink beds doing my best to run as hard as I could. The punchy climb up buckhorn was expected and I dug in. We climbed it with as much speed as I could. Finally upon reaching the top of Soapstone I used the downhill into Buckhorn gap to make up some more time. Getting into Buckhorn aid mile 54, I was only 2 minutes behind. With the final boost of surprise honey cake from the aid station I charged up to Clawhammer. Catching sight of Tim about halfway up the climb, I turned to James and put my finger to my lip, shhhhhhh.. “Quiet, let’s slow back to Tim’s speed and just barely keep Im him in sight”. We quietly trailed keeping first within sight. Using this to gain up some extra energy. Nearing the top of the climb I put in my headphones for the first time, just to listen to a few songs to build some psyche for the final push. About a mile before the top I nodded to James, let’s charge. We dug in. Climbing quick and catching Tim at mile 57. We exchanged names and congratulations on such great efforts to each other. Then I told Tim it was a pleasure chasing him all day, and said I’ll see you down there. Hitting the top of the climb and letting gravity take control and giving every bit of effort I had left. Expecting Tim to charge back, I blasted down black mountain keeping an eye out behind me. Hauling into the finish in 11 hours 59 minutes and 19 seconds, just over my goal of 11:30 and under my target 12:00. Managing to make a late race charge for the win.

The effort given in this race is one of my proudest athletic performances, and an experience I am very grateful for. This race was a perfect culmination of the dedication and effort I have put in over the last few years. Using all of the skills I have learned both mentally and physically to perform my best. Taking a goal oriented approach to the race and staying present in my own personal plan throughout the process and on race day. I couldn’t have done it without my great friends and crew, Greg Bernardi, James Perkins, and my father Greg Welker. They were a vital part of keeping me fueled during the race and also keeping me motivated. Also the amazing volunteers and Tanawha team made it so fun, safe, and enjoyable out there. Equally important in the process is having friends, family and a community there to help keep each other accountable. We all work a little harder with motivation from others, even if its competitive… Looking forward to a even bigger and talller 2024 moving in the mountains. Still chasing the question of, what are we capable of when we give it our everything?