Beaverhead

Ammon signed up to do the Beaverhead Endurance Run this summer. He signed up for the 55k (there's also a 100k the same day), which equates to just over 34 miles. The race was on Saturday, July 14. The 100k runners start at 5am, and the 55k runners start at 7am. Josh drove him up that morning, along with the twins, to the starting line at up Lemhi Pass. The twins volunteered all day at the aide booth run by the xc team, so after Ammon started the race, Josh took them to that first aide station, and then waited until Ammon came through before leaving. Josh then came home, and took up his truck with the motorcycle in it. Once he couldn't drive the truck anymore up the mountain, he parked it and rode his motorcycle the rest of the way to meet up with Ammon for another aide station about halfway through the race, before driving down and waiting for him at the finish line by the Tarkalson home. I drove up with Kanyon to meet Ammon at the finish line, too. 

We were thinking he would run it in about 9 hours, but he surpassed all our expectations, running the 55k in 8 hours, 47 minutes. He looked so strong, and I was amazed at how well he did! He was the 2nd youngest runner in this year's race, and even though he hadn't hardly trained much for it, he did excellent! He was the 44th runner to finish out 194 who completed it this year. 

Josh signed up for the same race last year, and began training early in the spring for it, but got sick, and then had such severe back pain (which we later discovered was arthritis at the base of his spine), that he had to stop training, and ultimately made the decision to pull out of the race. It was so wonderful to have the opportunity for him to watch his son do the race that he himself was unable to do. 

I worried so much about Ammon prior to the race, because I know how draining it can be to run all day, especially at that altitude. I also knew he hadn't had much training, and it was the longest race he'd ever done, so I thought it wouldn't turn out very well for him. I kept prepping him for the possibility of bad things that might happen (altitude sickness, injury, dehydration). I was so wrong--and very grateful that I was wrong! I hadn't really considered his age as a positive thing--but because he was so young, his body was able to handle all the challenges much better than I'd anticipated. It was neat to see Ammon prove to himself that he can do hard things, and he endured it well! I was so proud of him!

At the starting line of the race--the Continental Divide trail
borders both Idaho and Montana. 

I loved his outfit!

200 runners ready to start!

The twins making posters at the Aide station,
preparing for the first runners to come through.

Ammon approaching the first aide station. He loved the
energy that the XC team provided!

He was looking in good spirits!

At another aide station, about halfway through the race.
This was the "Goldstone" stop. 

Josh's favorite wildflower: the Indian Paintbrush

Goldstone Mountain is in the background

Ammon approaching the finish line

Hanging out in the Hospitality Tent near the finish line.
L-R: Hunter Tarkalson (Ammon's friend who's family hosts the event), Ammon,
Nick Thomas (one of his XC coaches who also ran the race and placed 3rd
with a time of 6:41), and proud dad Josh.

Wearing a smile even after all the miles!