I had a very tough week at work, so I knew I would likely not go for 100 miles at the Jackalope Jam. In fact, I had a project deadline, which I finished, but I had to check my email 3 times just in case, which cost me like an hour during the race.
On a happier note, I was excited to race a longer version of the Jackalope Jam for the first time since 2023 (2025 had been the 6 hour). Though I was mentally exhausted from work, I told myself I had never failed to finish 100k at a longer version of Jackalope Jam.
The Race
I set up a canopy with the help of a kind woman named Monica. I brought a tent but did not set it up, hoping to avoid the temptation of sleeping through the night.
Though it threatened to rain, it never did. It was mostly cool, though it got a bit warm in the afternoon. In short, great weather and no real winds.
The Start
I ran three or four of the out-mile sections to the Cone of Death, but after that it was hiking.
The Cone of Death
I did push it a bit too hard, because at 18 miles I had to sit in a chair and recover.
Moving on, I chatted with a couple of armed forces veterans and said hi to runners I know Agatha and her daughter Aurora. I told the former that I was working on mini-goals, first to make it to marathon, then 50k. For this race, 28 miles is really marathon at the end of that loop. I first wanted to make it there to at least get a race finish.
Jackalope Jam is great because of the people!
28 Miles In
The next goal was to get to 32 miles, halfway to 100k. Around this time, I started to develop a blister on my left foot.
I hit a low point around mile 40. I found Cal and verified that it would take 64 miles to get credit for 100k.
40 Miles In
Trying to motivate myself, I set a new goal of making it to 64 miles continuously. In all previous years at Jackalope Jam, I had reached 100k or 100 miles by breaking it up over two days with a night's sleep in between. I also called Terri, James, and Paloma and texted Jamie and Luke.
Shortly after mile 40, I put on some music which motivated me as I sang along. An aid station worker got to know my request to fill my bottle with coke and joked about having it ready for me. They had good food, especially the magic cookie bars.
I stopped the music around mile 48, hit another low, and trudged to 50 miles. I was ready to give up the goal of not sleeping through the night, but was so tired I skipped a shower and just grabbed a sleeping bag, a couple of blankets, and a pillow and threw them on the ground.
I slept for what felt like a couple of minutes but was probably longer. But then I woke up and told myself to get back on the trail. I was cold, so it took a few minutes to will myself to get up. I put on my hoodie and headed out on the trail. The spilt for lap 26 was 1:46, so the break was probable an hour, not any different than a long rest at an aid station.
As I recommenced, I was moving at 19- or 20-minute pace. I warmed up and switched to a long-sleeve shirt. I played music again for a bit. I had to stop a couple of times at my chair for a minute or two rest.
On the final lap, first light shone. I finished 100k in 21 hours and 45 minutes.
Reflections
I am proud that I even ran this race given my week at work. I improved from previous Jackalope Jams by not sleeping all night.
I had a hotspot which took a while to boot up, then I figured out it was quicker to use Wi-Fi at the start. If I have to work again next year I could be more efficient, as it cost me a lot of time. Though maybe I will sign up for the 24 hour and just go for 100k.
Thanks to God, Terri, James, Paloma, all my family and friends, fellow runners, Cal, and the volunteers for the support!
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