Race: Bighorn Trail Run 100
Runner: Coach Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott
Race Date: 06/16/2023
Location: Dayton, WY
Results: Overall:58 GP:6 // 28:34:45
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The Mud: Call me crazy, but I registered for this event hoping for a rugged adventure with the copious shoe-sucking, tacky and deep mud this course is infamous for. In fact, I was disappointed when I did course recon a month prior and found it dry. I am a harsh environment specialist and relish challenging terrain/weather. Luckily, weeks of daily rain followed allowing a substantial amount of mud to develop on the course. Race day did not disappoint!
- Running in my home state: Cowboys at aid stations. Bears foraging in the meadows. Elk bugling on the hills. I simply love the wild landscape and culture of Wyoming.
- My crew/pacer: Prior to this race, I only had complete pacer/crew support for one event which happened to also be my first 100 mile race several years ago. I don’t think I fully understood how to utilize support back then. More or less, I wanted to continue making decisions for myself during that race as long as I was conscious and did not give my team much control. I approached Bighorn differently. I explained my goals to my one-man crew/pacer ahead of time and noted the sections where I would likely need him to be extra firm with me. Then, during Bighorn 100, I let go of control and put 100% of my trust in him. The result was this unique synergy that only happens when the crew/pacer is totally in tune with their runner during a race. He guided me along the fine edge of pushing myself harder than I thought I was capable of without allowing me to blow up. In fact, he paced me so flawlessly that crossing the finish line was the exact moment I felt like I had nothing left.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I could have done without the insane amount of poison ivy on the course this year. It was especially dense and thick along the trail due to the generous rainfall and I happen to be extremely allergic.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing really weird about the race that I can think of. I’m likely weird though for loving the mud so much!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I made the transition from running ultras to racing ultras this year. I hoped to place in the top ten women and front of the pack overall going into this event. Even more importantly though, my ultimate goal was to execute a calculated and patient performance strategically utilizing my love of gnarly conditions to my advantage and arrive at the finish line with absolutely nothing left. I also wanted to be a cooperative athlete while being crewed so that I could turn off my brain and save the mental energy for when I was alone on the course. Finally, I was determined to put full trust in my pacer for the last 18-miles. I wanted to commit myself to doing minimal thinking during that section and just be along for the ride.
I was near the front of the line when the gun went off at 9am. The stampede of runners flying down the road was outstanding and fast! Tempting as it was to maintain a front of the pack position, I let myself casually drift to somewhere in the middle. My place would not be secured in the first 10 miles after all and I insisted on running my own race no matter what went on around me.
I immediately jumped into the very first mud puddle I saw instead of running around it. I saw no reason on delaying the inevitable. Embrace the mud! Many repeat racers commented that this was the muddiest they had ever seen the course. Typically, the mud is in sections… this year the sections merged into each other! I ran for months in wet shoes on purpose and always chose muddy, sloppy trails for training whenever possible. By the time I arrived at Bighorn mud was a standard surface for me. I continued to always travel straight through the middle of the sloppy, muddy mess for the duration of the race. I find freedom and delight moving through unforgiving landscapes and enjoy discovering how to work with harsh environments instead of against them. I held onto this mindset and, though I did get annoyed with how slow I had to maneuver in two sections, the conditions never overwhelmed me with negatively.
I think this positive outlook allowed me to endure and, ultimately, pass people. As the sun began to sink behind the limestone cliffs, I passed through the group I’d been leap-frogging with since the beginning of the race and never saw them again. I later learned that when I reached my crew/pacer at Jaws (mile 48.5) I’d moved to 15th female. Overnight I did nothing but focus on nutrition, hydration and efficient movement. I also noted, to my surprise, that for the first time I didn’t get cold at night. Typically, my body stops being able to maintain temperature. Unbeknownst to me, by the time I reached Dry Fork (mile 82) I’d moved into the position of 6th female.
When I arrived at Dry Fork inbound the mental part of my race was over. No more decision making. I put all my trust in my pacer. My only job was to follow him. We left right when the Bighorn 18-Miler race gun went off! Suddenly, the course was awash with 300+ fresh 18-mile racers bounding up a big hill. I got a bit competitive seeing all these fleet-footed short distance runners. I wanted to keep up! I think my pacer sensed this spark and we took off. As I ran over the rugged landscape my pacer pushed me to keep pace with the short distance runners. This was pleasant on the single/and double track where the course rolled and plunged down descents. I love that kind of terrain! However, the last part of the course is a 5-mile-long hard packed dirt road that slopes gently, but very notability, uphill. This, naturally, is my least favorite terrain to run! Before the race I warned my pacer that I would want to walk this portion and that he was not to allow it. Keeping to our agreement, my pacer got every last drop of energy that remained out of me on that 5-mile section. Determined not to be dropped, I kicked hard and chased him up the road. He coaxed me into running speedy surges uphill and challenged me to pass 18-mile runners ahead of me. The final quarter mile was an all-out sprint to the finish (well it felt like a sprint for me). Running down the final chute I felt like I might throw up and I really, really, really hoped I wouldn’t! The exact moment I crossed the finish line is the moment I drained the tank. I was told I looked okay approaching the finish and then horrendous once I crossed. That’s pretty much exactly how I felt!
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
My musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems held up very well during the race. I cannot say the same for the skin on my lower legs! Throughout the duration of the course, I would splash though mud which would cling to my legs and then dry up. After a few layers of mud adhered to my legs it felt like I was wearing a compression sleeve that was two sizes too small when the mud was dry. This was because the clay-based mud was literally sucking all of the moisture out of my skin. Eventual mud removal at the end of the race revealed that all the skin on my lower legs had cracked and I was covered in thousands of thin cuts! I have never seen anything like it! I’m guessing this could have been avoided by wearing tall socks or frequently cleaning my legs at aid stations. Personally, if I did it again, I wouldn’t change anything though. The discomfort was more of a mild annoyance than overwhelming and, for me, it was more important to keep moving.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
This lesson goes for pretty much every race I run: I need to learn to be comfortable carrying less nutrition. I always pack way too much extra since I do not eat aid station food.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Expect mud and embrace the mud! No matter how much you try to avoid it, you will get dirty during this race. There is also the possibility of encountering moose, bears and elk along the way. These animals have young this time of year and can be aggressively protective. Keep a safe distance and do not try to bypass these animals at close range. I recommend not using ear buds of any kind during this race to maintain wildlife sound awareness.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
June is wildflower season in Wyoming! There’s plenty of frolicking through “Sound of Music” meadows adored with balsamroot, lupine, blue bells and an assortment of other flora. The limestone cliffs in Little Bighorn and Tongue River Canyons are also a majestic sight to behold. There is absolutely no shortage of wild beauty on this course!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Yes. This course is pure mountain running on mostly very technical and primitive trails in harsh conditions. This is also a higher attitude race with about 20,000ft of vert to contend with.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
I felt like the race was dialed from check in to the finish. This was the 30th running of Bighorn and they have things figured out!
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Yes! Several elite runners participated in the 52 and 100 mile distances of the event.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
The 100 and 52 mile versions of Bighorn fill very fast each year. I suggest early registration to ensure a spot. The Bighorn Trail Run is a major event in the region for not only the runners, but locals well. There is a festival like quality to both the pre-race meeting and finish line. Therefore, I suggest also booking accommodations as early as possible as well.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Standard aid station fare along with Tailwind. Some aid stations are run by wranglers who serve up bacon and other western cuisine.
Weather and typical race conditions
This race has the potential to be extremely hot. Even if the temperature is mild the high elevation and exposed terrain can make it feel much warmer. In fact, I did a sauna heat training intervention to prepare. Of course, race day was mostly cloudy and had a chance of rain, snow, hail and lightning. The lesson here is that WY weather is variable and can change in the blink of an eye no matter what is predicted. Conditions can go from delightfully sunny to rain, hail, snow, wind, lightening and freezing temperatures at any time of the year. You can get all of these in a one-hour period sometimes!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
I smeared IvyX Post Contact, which is a poison ivy barrier gel, on my legs three times along the course. I also carried and used IvyX cleansing wipes. I am 100% certain I had contact with poison ivy, but these products prevented a reaction… or the mud did!
Gaiters are also a necessity to keep out all the mud… or at least keep some of it! No matter what mud is going to get into your shoes to some extent. Moisture and mud do not affect my feet negatively, but not everyone is so fortunate. Have the products necessary for YOU to deal with moisture and mud on race day.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
The race start is accessible to spectators if they take the shuttle. The finish at Scott Park in Dayton is probably the best place for friends and family to cheer on runners though. There is a large festival at the finish-line with food, vendors and a live band. Note that parking is very limited.
How’s the Swag?
I have never gotten so much swag at a race before! Of course, there was the standard race shirt. However, we also received a Bighorn themed cooler bag, scarf, socks, beanie, food vouchers and soft cup.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
10/10 for this amazing, rugged adventure!
Coach Dandelion is a running coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.
