I've been fascinated by the Last Runner Standing race concept. It's so different from a normal race format.

Only one person finishes the race. Everyone else is a DNF.
The clock restarts every hour on the hour.
The slower you run, the less time you have before the next lap starts.
Consistency is the key.

The goal was to experience this format to see how long I could maintain a reasonable enough pace to provide myself with the right level of needed aid station time. And get in some nighttime running.

With the help of Leia and Coleen, we devised a mock version of the race to test drive. I converted my garage into an over-stocked aid station, and my son Jack was an amazing crew chief, who had supplies waiting for me with every stop. I created a flat, simple 4.16 mile out and back route and on Friday, May 8, 2020, I started the clock.

During the early laps, I couldn't believe how much time I had between laps. It gave me a fantastic appreciation for how much aid station work can be down in a short amount of time. The tough part then was waiting for the hour to arrive. I found myself sitting, or laying on the ground with my feet in the air. Chilling.

I didn't think it at the time, but looking back at my pace for each lap, I started too fast. I was relatively consistent for laps 2-4, but then I began a steady decline in pace. That happens to me in most marathons and ultras right around mile 20. Clearly, something I need to work on.

Lap 7 is when the wheels started to come off. My pace dropped by 1:52, costing me over 7 minutes of recovery time at the aid station. I did not think I was going to make the cutoff for lap 8. I had lost most of my "run" and seriously had to go to the bathroom. When I came in for the final curly Q lap around the block, my very special lady friend was standing at the corner. She cheered me on and gave me some energy to push it. I made the cutoff, shot to the bathroom, achieved my FKT for pooping, and set out for lap 9. I might of stretched my coral time by 15-20 seconds.

In this event, once you get behind, the only way to catch up is to speed up, and I was having a tough time maintaining my current speed. I've had ultras where I have taken 45 minutes to recharge, fix issues, and get back on track. With this event, that's not an option.

Areas of growth identified:

Endurance in maintaining a steady pace past 20 miles.
Rapid problem solving.

I did anticipate energy and nutrition needs and managed to stay on top of that. And I knocked down 36 miles on a Friday evening.