Bonkfest Report

Well, that was an interesting experience.

I learned a few things from the Host's perspective which I'll get into detail a little later.

6:54am: I get a call from Rob wondering where I am (as I'm doing 70km/h on the Mamquam FSR) Note to self: Make sure your family knows to call 911 instead of calling you in case of emergency and try to maintain some sense of self control when going to a BBQ the night before an event, especially if you're the event Host.

7:08am: After posing for a brief picture, the particpants: Rob, Cheryl, Cynnimon, Phil, Chad, Karl and Gilles and myself started out. Gilles noticed the big rock about a km from the start and figured that he and Karl would have to run a little bit out to get their goal of 100 miles.

I soon found myself in a group with Rob and Chad as we headed out onto Nine Mile Hill. Not to spoil the surprise or anything, but it's not really nine miles of hills. We turn at the 3 mile mark of the junction, so it's technically six mile hill and at least one mile is downhill. Anyways, we start walking as soon as we hit the incline. Pass by the waterfall at the trough at the 4 mile mark which apparently is potable, so use at your discretion. John comes driving down at this point and is just not feeling like running right now.  Hey, no hard feelings.

Somewhere along the trail we notice three shotgun shell casings and as Chad put it, that's how we know we're in Squamish. (To any residents of Squamish who are reading this and own shotguns, I have the utmost respect for you.) Sure enough, we come across the NO SHOOTING sign full of holes.  

5 to 6 mile mark is a flattish downhill section but that just leads up to another hill. 7-9 miles is rolling flat rocky trail and soon I make it to the Nine Mile Bridge. (Chad and Rob speeded off while I stopped for a food break) Past the blue Rock, up Lava Flow. Weather was still pretty cool, definite advantage starting out early morning.  Running down to Ring Creek rip trail I stepped on a rock with my right foot and felt the sensation of the rock piercing my Streaks into the ball of my foot. Sharp pain initially, but I shook it off and lost myself in the downhill section of Ring Creek.

It's funny how much faster you go when you're not taking pictures. I actually noticed there was another wrecked car that I missed the first time around. I made it to the plunge section but had to go through about a km of single track, zipped down the plunge, just pounding down the switchbacks. Whee! Crossed the road and hit the 2nd half of the plunge with equal abandon. Came out in the clearing, deked left and down to the falls, crossed the bridge and started heading up, Rob, Chad and now Rick met me as they decided to go the other way around. Good idea...not!

Made it back to my car and checked the watch: 9:46! 2:38 for the first lap!

Reloaded and decided to reverse direction as well. Saw Phil as I was going down, he also noted the fast time and decided to follow my lead. Karl and Gilles and Rick again were coming down, I saw Cynnimon on the switchbacks in between times of dodging mountain bikers as they were coming down the Plunge whooping and hollering.  

I wanted to reverse directions to get a better sense of the course, knowing when to run and when to walk is a good plan for any ultra. But realistically I hadn't counted on a few things. While I was in the shade at the start, I wasn't really going any faster than I would have, if I had started on Nine Mile Hill as the Plunge was switchbacks and Ring Creek was a technical climb. It was also at this point that I began experiencing some unbelievable pain in the ball of my right foot. I initially thought I had gotten plantar, but the pain was in the wrong place. It basically hurt every time I took a step or put pressure on my right foot. It felt like I had a hard bump on the bottom of my foot and I could feel every rock no matter what size it was. I loosened then tightened my shoes, I wiggled my toes. I cursed at my feet. Nothing worked.

I tried to run as best as I could and finally made it out to Lava Flow, down the hill and I was looking for the smoothest path I could find. Not much luck there. Got out to the bridge and here's where the other part why reversing the course wasn't the best idea.

The sun. Oh it was warm and bright and my sun hat was left back at the car cause I figured I didn't need it. Oops. 9 to 8 miles was flat and I got some good time in. 8 to 7 was rolling downhill but I was pounding the downhills which started to aggravate the pain in my foot.  7 to 6 miles was downhill all the way and I was in agony with every step. 6 to 5 was flat, so I tried to use my speed and noticed I was almost out of water, not a good sign considering I only used a litre on my first loop, refilled it and had almost finished 2 litres with still three miles of downhill and flat to go.

I was in a catch 22 situation on this section as the shady part of the trail was littered with pain inducing jagged rocks, but the smoother part of Nine Mile hill was exposed to the sun. Suck it up, princess. It ain't over yet. I chose the sunnier part as I could cover more ground and it worked, mostly. Got down to 4 mile hill and headed straight for the waterfall. Soaked my legs and feet and felt instantly better, but this was only a temporary reprieve.  Got down to 3.5 mile mark and saw Rob as he was driving on the road. I guess he had finished with Chad already. He drove up and thanked me for the run. I related my foot problems and he wanted to know if I needed a ride back.

No thanks, I can't DNF my own event, how's that gonna look?!? As it was, I knew I would have to call it at two laps cause my foot was !@#$%^.  Decided to walk and run on the last stretch, wondering where everybody behind me was. I had really slowed down from the first lap, even though my watch was still in the car, but no Phil or Gilles/Karl/Rick in sight or sound. I spotted a very fit blonde come running towards me and I could barely come up with the line, "Yes, this is a gel in my pocket and I am happy to see you." when she barely gave me a cursory glance and continued on ahead. Man, if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Got back to my car and noticed that Chad had left a note: 2 laps/5:01 Wow. Pretty even splits. Strangely Karl's and Phil's van were still left in the parking area. What happened to Cheryl and Cynnimon? Looked at my watch 12:56pm, hmm. I left my car at 9:50am so 3:06 was my second time, about 28 minutes slower, but not too bad with only one good foot. Speaking of which, sat down, took off my shoes and checked out the bottom of my right foot. Saw the purplish bruise on the ball, thank goodness. It's better to have an acute injury than a chronic one.

Not much to do but wait around for the next runner to come through. About 20 minutes later, Karl, Gilles and Rick start heading my way. They decided to do the out and back to get the additional miles, so they only had 5 laps to go. Well, Karl and Gilles did anyways.  Cheryl and Cynnimon showed up later with doubleshots and iced americanos in hand. Funny story: Flashback to two years ago at the Enduro where Cheryl & Cynnimon, after completing their first lap, went out to starbucks,then came back to do another lap.

Cheryl wasn't feeling too good and Cynnimon had a bad ankle sprain from too many full body contacts playing rugby. After a brief rest Karl and Gilles started Lap 3 but not before putting another SB order. Phil had come in during this time having added three additional miles as he took the wrong turn off at Ring Creek. Phil also had enough and decided to end it at two laps as well.

After spotting a bear at the gate by the falls, Rick, Cheryl, Cynn and I went out to the Howe Sound Pub for electrolyte replenishment (beer), although Rick stuck to cola having already downed two cans of Guinness.

After lunch or something close to it, headed out to SB for iced coffees. Got back around 4:30pmish. And bang on schedule, Karl and Gilles show up near 5pm. Both acknowledge that this was the toughest loop so far due to the heat and gratefully polish off the coffees supplemented with tuna sandwiches. Gilles tries to get me to commit to another lap but I'm undecided, because the two Advil I've taken have done nothing. Plus I didnt bring any other shoes with more cushioning, I can't wear the Streaks on this section. Good to know.

6pm: We make another SB run, b/c Cynn wants a doubleshot and I want a breakfast sandwich. 

8:30pm: Lucinda and her parents arrive from Whistler with pizza! Not for us, mind you. Is it worth doing another lap to score some free 'za?  No. I can always get pizza. I can't say the same for my foot.

8:50pm: K&G arrive and so do the mosquitos. K says they're attracted to the carbon dioxide and considering there are 8 carbon dioxide spewing indivdiuals in a small setting,  Bonkfest just became Skeeterfest!

9:10pm: K&G head out for laps 5,6 and 7. And we take that as our cue to head out as well. Lucinda and her parents are staying at some motel, Cynn and Cheryl head back to PoCo, and I went back to Burnaby with the intention of getting my Continentals for a night lapbut the swelling is so bad that I can't even put my foot into the shoe.  Iced it down as best as I could.

Met with some of the KK crew after they had finished their Cleveland to Cypress and back adventure, despite listening to my friends telling me to rest my foot, against my better judgement, went out to the Hollyburn chute till I hit snow and came back for a 2 hour run. The Continentals worked great, I could barely feel my bruise and the trail was very runnable. Got back home and checked my e-mail. The one from Lucinda drew my attention...the Fools did it again. 25:27 for the 100 miler which is 7 loops (98.7 miles) plus 1.3 of out and backs with a few more for good measure.

So the official finishers:

Cheryl: 1 loop or 14 miles

Cynnimon: 1 loop or 14 miles   

Rick: 1 loop plus an out n'back: 16 miles

Chad: 2 loops or 28 miles, 5:01

Rob: 2 loops or 28 miles, 5:09

Baldwin: 2 loops or 28 miles, 5:43

Phil: 2 loops plus bonus or 31 miles,

Karl: 7 loops plus bonus or 100 miles, 25:27

Gilles: 7 loops plus bonus or 100 miles, 25:27

Thanks to everybody who participated and for making the long drive out to Bonkfest.

Next year, I'll make it an actual event. Stay tuned.