Hardest 100k On The East Coast? Grindstone 100

This past weekend I took on the Grindstone 100 k.
Here is a recap of my weekend racing the Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB. This one-of-a-kind event takes you through acres of national forest just west of the Shenandoah Valley on an iconic running adventure complete with stunning fall foliage, mountain views, and demanding terrain. With a 100M, 100K, and 21K, there's a new challenge for every runner.
The UTMB Grindstone is listed as one of the hardest courses on the East Coast, Grindstone challenges and pushes runners to test their limits. With a highly technical course, runners will overcome high elevation, ridges, peaks, valleys, and all the grit the Shenandoah Valley has to offer.
Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB is a triple qualifier for UTMB Mont-Blanc, Western States Endurance Run and the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run. Join the fun on the East Coast and run to qualify for the opportunity to compete in three of of the most iconic races in the trail running space.
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#grindstone #ultramarathon #ultrarunning

[@bradfinntrains]

Full Reviews Of Most The Kit Im Wearing: kzbin.info/aero/PLlM7L3w-uAk4nAwJO7ISvS9yWJ971AXtZ

[@BillOzanne]

Great job, sorry you missed the official cutoff but 18 hours is a very fast 100k time on a difficult course so don't be disappointed you missed it by a bit. How much Ketone IQ did you drink? In races I've been taking it every 4 hours or so. If you want to find Stacy that helped you at the end there is only one Stacy in the results so you could track her down if you want to.

[@bradfinntrains]

Cheers. I take them every 2-3 hours. Longer the event the shorter intervals. I think I had 7 or 8 in this race

[@MikeTerry1]

Very inspiring! I was running a 5K while you were running 100K. Can't wait to watch your next one. P.S. Get that podcast going again.

[@bradfinntrains]

Working on it! Haha

[@patelewis3072]

Great video! I am preparing for my first Grindstone 100k for 2024 right now. Out of the 65 miles how many miles do you feel are runnable? I have been studying the elevation view and the course just curious to your opinion. Ready to embrace the suck and get it done

[@bradfinntrains]

I would actually say it’s “pretty runnable” for the most part. More than I initially thought. The first 5 and last 3 are pretty much on the road. There are a ton of fire/gravel roads. What hurt me was my lack of training on long hard technical climbs. I had only done rolling elevation. The entire races elevation pretty much comes in 3 climbs. If you can’t put ur head down and grind up a 15% grade for 50-70 min they will start to chew u up mentally. That last climb after camp Todd add is a HUGE milestone in race. Get to the top of that feeling good and your golden

[@patelewis3072]

@@bradfinntrains thanks for the insight. I am hoping I am ready for it. I have done multiple 50ks and a few hikes 30 miles plus with substantial elevation up there similar to the 100ks elevation. I will add some long elevation grinds to help prepare

[@grennangoeshiking]

Great job! Don’t think I shared miles with you, but I shared the course and the weather. Great day great experience. Glad you pushed through!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks, you too! Tough day for everyone.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Fantastic story and journey. Congrats on your commitment and perseverance to finish. Hope the knee heals quickly. Appreciate you filming and sharing, I'm planning to run the 100 miler next year to collect some stones towards UTMB lol. Just subbed to your channel and will check out your training. Thanks!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks so much! Knee is feeling much better. I may come back for redemption! Gonna try and grab some stone at the Cayons 100 miler in April. But first the NYC marathon and some other local events. It’s gonna be a great winter!

[@RunFreeandStrong]

@@bradfinntrains best wishes for NYC. I may see you at Canyons.

[@afuntanilla]

thanks so much for this recap! I am considering for 2024 and this is helpful. kudos to you!!

[@bradfinntrains]

Right on. I’ll be back for redemption. Hope you’re in already. Think it’s sold out

[@Smashycrashy]

Appreciate the real commentary and takes. I’m new to the sport and running (am a hiker), only have a 50k and 1 marathon under my belt, training for Canyons 100k as well. Just starting in with the overuse injuries. That’ll be the main challenge for me. Sub’d to follow your journey. Are you on strava?

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much. I am www.strava.com/athletes/bradfinn Brad Finn I also live stream here every Monday night (not Christmas and new year) following the plan

[@TradesmanOutdoorAdventures]

You’re an inspiration, man…thanks for the honesty and the great content. Keep it up.

[@bradfinntrains]

I appreciate the kind words. Means a lot. Hope you’re feeling blessed

[@TrailsToTuryia]

Many kudos - great work! In response to the title here; my first thought was to consider World's End 100K as part of your research on that question. But I just noticed this was 16.5 hour cutoff - WOW that is really tough and IMO probably makes this one harder with 2.5 hours less time. Incredible fortitude to press on despite the cut;

[@bradfinntrains]

Right on!

[@johngardner1898]

In my opinion, nothing is more difficult to push through than hypothermia, and you also had the knee tendon issue. Remarkable determination! You're tough!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you for the kind words John. It was a tough day for sure

[@eric-running-to-chamonix]

Congrats on sticking it out. Sorry about the timing. That last bit from the descent/ascent to North River Gap all the way to the paved road in the rain was rough. On a sidetone, I ran Canyons this year and it was HOT. Hard to train for on the east coast in winter/spring, but definitely be prepared.

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much! Tons of time in the sauna this winter!

[@kerilanzarotta9678]

Amazing Brad! Perseverance is all I can think watching this. You pushed through and got it done crazy weather and all! Way to go!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you. Appreciate it. Tough day for everyone. Glad I battled

[@drhenderson40]

Congratulations on finishing!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much!

[@Burnzee33]

Thanks for the vid.. running it this year as my first 100k. Hoping for better weather! One quick note on the spring energy gels.. they’ve been exposed recently for not having the macro nutrients and cal count that they claim to have. Might recommend switching them out for an alternative

[@bradfinntrains]

Fake news :) Best of luck in the race. It’s a good one! Practice long steep climbs!

[@Burnzee33]

@@bradfinntrains I think you owe me an apology :)

[@mohdhisham2138]

Hi Brad, you really looked beat up after the 100k. How would you compare this to full Ironman?

[@bradfinntrains]

I say this with the utmost respect for the sport of triathlon and for those that compete in the sport… as a 4 time ironman I can say with confidence that Ironman isn’t even in the same ballpark compared to a 100k. For many reasons. You can take ANY 100k athlete, give them a bike and they can finish an Ironman if they know how to swim. That can not be said for Ironman triathletes. Just my take. I did all my Ironmans include Boulder at altitude with NO TRAINING. None. Just basic fitness. I had a full AC separation, broke my clavicle, tore my labrum and rotator cuff 4 months before I swam an hour and 10 min. Ironman is an amazing accomplishment. But it should be considered a stepping stone to the ultra distance. And if you can do an 100k, you can finish an Ironman next week.

[@mohdhisham2138]

Wow that put things in perspective. Love your channel and honest reviews. Keep up the good work 👍🏽👍🏽

[@AbrahamTax-dn4fj]

Hi Good job What hotel you staying in

[@bradfinntrains]

I stayed in a Hyatt right by JMU. It was great

[@AbrahamTax-dn4fj]

@@bradfinntrains can you please the address I appreciate you

[@eugenekent]

Lol, that one was my first 100k too

[@eugenekent]

we were also worried about the storm)))

[@bradfinntrains]

Hopefully you had a much better day than me. Lol

[@robertmckeown1838]

I know that woman!! She is a famous lacrosse player!!! Wow

[@bradfinntrains]

Yes she is. Shhhhh

[@coreytaylor1673]

Dude. Awesome!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks! Appreciate it. Always a huge support!