401mi and 4th woman, Marie Boyd takes on Across The Years in the good ol’ US of A

Contributed by Marie Boyd, AURA member

Across The Years, 28 December 2021 – 7 January 2022, Arizona USA

The Across the Years 10 day race was held in Glendale, Arizona at Camelback Ranch, spring time training home for the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

Not having done a 10 day event, but being a veteran of several 6 day events, I wondered if it was indeed possible to maintain a steady daily mileage and achieve a dream goal of 400 miles.

It was.

Careful planning, a 10 day hourly spread sheet, years of ultra running experience, and over 1400 lifetime miles on this course prepared me to undertake this challenge. Camping alongside the course in a tent presented some tough situations with sub-freezing cold, but not insurmountable, difficulty. Many runners opted for the comfort of RVs, and over 30 were parked along the back half of the course. The tent people were assigned the grassy field alongside the first part of the course, near the ‘Main Street’ facilities – aid station, porta potties, warming tent, etc.

My set up is well known at ATY – large tent, canopy with walls, and new this year – an over covering large tarp to help deflect rain from the inner sanctum. The Aussie flag announced team HQ for visiting Aussies, and members of Team Old Biddy (ladies of a certain age, doing their best to represent old ladies everywhere). One comment, “This isn’t a rookie set up’ rang true. Years of ATY events have taught me that having what you need, when you need it, being able to find it and knowing how to use it, requires some space.

Race day offered a mix of rain and wind, leaving a muddy section of the course that worsened as the day went on. Weather forecasts promised a steady chance of rain for over a week, worse on New Year’s Eve and day. Realising that rain pouring into my tent and canopy could be disastrous, I called a friend, Bill Rogers, from my car rally family. He came by with a new large tarp, which we managed to drape over the tent and canopy, thus deflecting the promised rainfall away from the junction of these 2 structures. Tied down and firmly staked, the addition stood securely for the rest of the event. 

The actual race went according to my plan – 50 miles on day 1, with a steady 40 miles every day after that. I would break that into 10 mile increments, taking a short break to nap, soak my feet, change shoes and just rest for about 30-60 minutes. Generally my miles were done by midnight or shortly thereafter.

The major discovery of this event is the miraculous effects of an unbroken 4-5 hour deep sleep. All systems reset, and recovery from the day’s constant movement is improved. I would wake usually by 5am or so, driven to the porta-potties nearby by the call of nature. By then, wide awake, I would enjoy my first freshly brewed coffee and bowl of hot cereal, dress as warmly as possible, and head out for those early morning laps. By 9am and the start of the new day, I had usually racked up about 6-8 miles of my daily 40 mile task.

Race management is to be thanked for such an outstanding job. Tthere are so many facets to presenting many simultaneous multiday events, and they were right on the money. Aid station food was nutritious, appealing and plentiful. Hot meals were served frequently, and always welcomed. Timers (Mike Melton and Bill Schultz) were on hand the entire time, with an efficient and reliable timing service. At all times we knew our distance, time of last lap and place in the field. A 6 hour change of direction, with appropriate dance moves, was a welcome break in the scenery. Porta potties were plentiful, well stocked and kept clean.

About 4 days in, I realised that I hadn’t considered the possibility of breaking my existing Australian 6 day record, which I had set at the Adelaide 6 day event in 2019. Mentioning it to the timers, and apologising for my lack of planning, had them ready as the 6 day clock counted down. Bill Schultz walked the last full, and partial, lap with me, planting a marker at exactly 9am. Pending official measurement, I think the new record will be about 247 miles or so. I passed the old 239.5 mile mark about 8 hours earlier. Again, a testament to the benefits of several hours’ unbroken sleep.

Time passed. Days melted together, marked by yet another lap, hourly tasks and reminders on my spread sheet, 10 mile increments, 40mile days, welcome sleep, and early morning miles seeing a new day dawn. The weather was clear, dry, calm and cold, only warming in the mid-afternoon hours. By 5pm, it was time for layers of clothing again. 

Soon, Day 10 started, wore on, was half done, and a struggle to finish my 40 mile quota had me digging deeply. Finally…one last lap, and across the finish line at 1.10am, with 400 miles! Sleep was never so welcome. I hit that pillow, and just passed out.

5am – too early! A porta potty visit, and back into bed for another warming hour or two. I was up by about 7.30, enjoying my coffee and hot cereal, and strolled one slow lap in the opposite direction to greet the runners who were all ready for this one to end.

9am – all done! 401 miles, 10th overall and 4th woman. So many stories out there, with no time to tell them all. I am so grateful for the ability, opportunity and desire to test myself yet one more time, and make my wish come true.

My congratulations to all the runners who persevered, several with difficulties – runner’s lean, aching hips and knees, stiff muscles, blisters and foot issues. The tenacity to finish such a challenge is just mind boggling.