Leadville Trail 100 - Nowhere To Hide When The Wheels Come Off

I didn't think it would be easy...but I didn't think it would be this hard either. After spending 3 weeks at altitude I was well trained and acclimatised. And yet I stood in disbelief at how quickly my race went from hero to zero. Suddenly my tank was completely empty. I struggled to put one foot on front of the other. I thought my race was over...but then I remembered what I promised Ken and Merilee:
I COMMIT, I WON'T QUIT.
This is my Leadville Trail 100 Story.

[@velumdragon]

Spectacular performance. To put it in context even beyond the numbers, the folks who show up for this race are not your average runners. You beat that course thoroughly. It was a pleasure and an honor to run with you. I hope our running paths cross many more times.

[@filmmytrailrun]

As do I my friend. I owe you a debt of gratitude. You somehow knew exactly what to do and say to keep me going over those last 38 miles. You also had quite the story yourself out there. Good times...good memories.

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Been really looking forward to this Dave .. you have inspired me ..a 20 k Cornish coast path run my longest ever on Saturday aged 65

[@filmmytrailrun]

Ah that's brilliant Alan, you've made my day. I have but two pieces of advice: 1. Don't let the old man in. 2. The journey is the reward. Remember those and you're going to have a wonderful relationship with running. Thanks for being part of my journey.

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Many thanks for finding time to reply, I for sure will think of you while on the run , I have learnt a lot from watching your videos, running with a newbie mate he is hyper keen ,thanks again..

[@stevenbromham1594]

Congratulations David, wow that is how to have supreme mental resilience and faith in your body. Well done

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Steven, and you're right, it becomes such a mental game. Don't give yourself a Plan B. Once you tell your brain that the only option is to keep moving forward something remarkable happens. And when you succeed when all hope appeared lost the finish line is all the more special. What a day...what a journey. Thanks for coming along on it with me.

[@alexbickers]

Haha at 19:50 in your video was probably the funniest moment of my race. My pacer and I were in a heated battle about me wanting to sit in that chair and close my eyes for 5 minutes. He wouldnt allow it and just berated me until I got up and kept moving. I love him for that. Love that the moment was caught by happenstance.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Well done to your pacer and we’ll done to you. Thanks also for giving me an excuse to go back and watch my finished video on the big screen. It certainly was one helluva day.

[@gmckemie4281]

Great Job, Dave; showed a lot of grit! You had a wonderful crew; they showed grit, also. Thank you for sharing your race and the prep. You see that Americans will do just about anything for a T-shirt or a belt buckle.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks, but I gotta tell ya….there must be easier ways of getting a belt buckle 😳 That said, Leadville was the best finish line experience I have ever had. They never feel so good as when you’ve crawled through hell to get there. Thanks for coming along on the journey 🙏

[@Mookiethedog]

Dude this run and video are awesome. From the title I figured you didn't make it! It's hard to explain "puke and rally" to people who don't do these kind of things. Just love how you endured the tough times and fought through it. Respect!

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thank you so much for the kind comment. I think the real turning point for me was to the woman at the halfway point who told me she made it with 4 minutes to spare. I thought to myself “I have about 90 minutes to spare right now so I really don’t have any excuse not to finish this damn thing”. 100 milers are funny old beasts but I can’t remember a happier moment than crossing that finish line in Leadville. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@FilmMyRun]

What a great effort Dave. Amazing. Top work

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Stephen, as you know yourself, while the fight is still on you gotta keep punchin’

[@runistomology]

Incredible Dave!!! Absolutely incredible… Wow 🥳🙌🏻💪🏼🏅

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks, yes, it’s very much wow now…I was using a different word on the day 😳. Still, the finish line feels so good when you’ve had to drag yourself through the fires of hell to get there. Thanks for coming along on the journey.

[@marcduggan5883]

Serious show of mental strength..great stuff Dave..

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Marc, yeah, with the mantra playing in my head, "I Commit I Won't Quit", there was really only one option...KEEP MOVING. Thanks for coming along on the journey mate.

[@kenbegley1840]

Great achievement Dave . Well done .

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Ken, I'm delighted to have gotten it done. That was a very special finish line in Leadville.

[@Aine-13345]

Well done Irish!! Maybe there should have been a Guinness in your drop bag!, 😄😄☘️🇮🇪☘️

[@filmmytrailrun]

🤔 You could be in to something there Ann, you know the old slogan? Guinness for Strength 💪💪

[@jeromedebize9654]

Congrats. I ran it in 2012. Was my 1st 100 finish. Great memories… “I commit I won’t quit” 😅

[@filmmytrailrun]

Wow, Jerome, you picked a real cracker for your first 100 miler. Others must have felt easy after Leadville. Such a great race. I'm so delighted I was able to finish the job and be greeted by Ken and Merilee at the finish line. That's the stuff dreams are made of.

[@CR-ew9gl]

Outstanding performance

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time to watch my little video.

[@TadeuszCantwell]

That's a great achievement to finish such a hard race, well done.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Tadeusz, Leadville is such a classic race I’m delighted I was able to stick to the task and be greeted by Ken and Merilee at that iconic finish line.

[@paudie87]

Congrats on what is a fantastic achievement! 🇮🇪🍻

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Paudie, yeah really happy to have Leadville under my belt. It’ll be hard to top that.

[@seasiderp6859]

Well done fella, well deserved 👏

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks for watching, yeah, I had to find something special to get me over Hope Pass that second time but after that I knew I just needed to grind away. Delighted to finish.

[@trailrunningphil]

Incredible effort to you Dave and all of your team. A great video to boot!!! Awesome job everyone :)

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Phil, the finish line is never so precious as when you’ve battled through hell to get there. It was a great race….really….and so glad I was able to capture some of the magic for eternity.

[@philipsomarakis265]

Brilliant running Dave

[@filmmytrailrun]

“Unless there’s bone showing” Philip….I see bright things in your future.

[@katherinebarry1158]

Great video Dave. That was some race you put in there. U kept going. Fair dues to you.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Kate, yeah, I had made a promise to Ken and Merilee. What a finish line experience though, eh? Pure gold.

[@ladytan7017]

Brought a tear to my eye Dave! That was amazing. Still smiling through all that pain. True Champ. 💪 Well done to Claire and all the support crew. Job done. 🎉👏👏👏❤️

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Tania, it was so great to cross that iconic finish line in Leadville with my crew and be greeted by Ken and Merilee. Especially after the race I’d had 😅 They don’t get any better than that.

[@MICKEYSHIELS82]

Class Dave 💪😀, love watching your videos, have inspired me to give the longer distances a good go, always a smile on your face too bud 💪😀

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Mickey, don’t do it 😂😂. That said, I ran the Chicago marathon yesterday and my legs feel as sore as ever. Should have a nice short video to post on that one in the next week. Thanks for tuning in on my journey 🙏

[@TheRandomRunner]

What an experience! Very well done man on pushing through. Didn't realise the Leadville was an out and back. Some stunning trails there, been a while since I've seen dry and dusty 😂 ! Looks a great race, Maybe one day!!

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Paul, yes indeed, you seem to revel in the wet and sloppy trails 😱 You would love Leadville though I have no doubt. A family holiday perhaps 🤔. Now let’s see if I can get into any more of the iconic US ultras 👍

[@RCummins]

Wow Dave, that was just amazing. Incredible!!!! Well done!!!! What a privilege to be able to share in some of this journey. How you managed to finish that I'll never know, but as you said as long as there is not a bone sticking out you will keep moving. You showed incredible grit and determination and plenty of Irish stubbornness.There were times when I was getting emotional watching it. Well done to Claire, Glenn, Thierry and everyone else involved.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Ray, that's very much appreciated. Yeah, it wasn't quite the day I had planned but do you know what...that only made the finish line all the more special in the end. Best ever.

[@rickiwynne4785]

Great video dude !! Tough day but it’s still got me super excited to run that some day 🤟

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Ricky, yeah, Leadville has something special alright. You better make it soon though, Ken and Merilee won't be around forever and those two are definitely a big big part of the magic.

[@davidbuck6473]

Well done Dave. I have enjoyed watching your journey. Truly remarkable run! You one of the guys that inspired me for my first ultra in Nov. UTCT100. I will try go in with your winning attitude!

[@filmmytrailrun]

Oh wow, that’s a great race. One I would truly love to go back to. So much diversity in it. My friend, Jason, who I mentioned in my video is going back to run it this year again so I will be watching. I’ll keep an eye out for you. The very best of luck my friend and hey…thanks for coming along on my journey 👍

[@davidbuck6473]

Keep up the videos. Love watching the amazing adventures!

[@patrickclarke1462]

Well done especially after feeling unwell for so long..must feel great to do such an iconic race..

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Pah, it's the best feeling in the world. Crossing that iconic finish line in downtown Leadville, being greeted by Ken and Merilee and being surrounded by my crew. That's one hell of a bucket list item checked off right there. I hope you're keeping well my friend. Thanks for coming along on my journey.

[@redbikejohn]

Well done 👏. Love your videos. Keep them coming 😊

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks John, I appreciate that. Next up should be an easy one after Leadville…the Chicago Marathon. Stay tuned 👍

[@jackmccann2719]

Well dave,that was just unreal,you really showed your real Irish grit, I loved the video and hopefully you do a follow up as I really enjoy and get so much from your journey,congratulations and enjoy your rest 🇮🇪💙👊🙏

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks for that Jack, I really appreciate it. The finish is so much sweeter when you’ve had to drag yourself through hell to get there. Very happy to have Leadville under my belt. Don’t worry, the videos will continue 🏃🏻‍♂️🇮🇪🎥

[@Dillonryan1991]

No words! Simply remarkable achievement and well worth the wait for the video. Still cannot comprehend how you can do 100 miles but keep it up! Well done david 👏👏🤟😎

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks so much. I keep looking for an easy 100 miler but I haven't found one yet. This one certainly tested my metal but I guess that is what made crossing that finish line in Leadville so very special. Thanks for coming along on the journey with me.

[@chrisjones5192]

Well done amazing effort

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Chris, there was nothing for it but the simplicity of continuing to put one foot on front of the other. Simple...but not always easy. Thanks for watching.

[@jbeech01]

Great effort Dave!! It was super hot out there (I finished about an hour and fifteen behind you.) Way to grind through it and continue pushing. Congratulations!!

[@filmmytrailrun]

Well done YOU. I’m sure you have quite the story to tell yourself. One lesson I take away from the day is this: the distance between running your A race and “simply” finishing is far smaller than the the distance between simply finishing and not finishing. Now that’s a chasm. I hope you’re still glowing in your own triumphant day 👍💪💯

[@alexdoherty1984]

Amazing Dave, we’ve all been doomed midway through a race, but to see you turn it round was brilliant. Congratulations 🎉

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Alex, yeah, doomed is a great word but thankfully I was able to crawl my way out of hell one inch at a time. It made the finish so incredibly special. Thanks for following along on the journey. One of these days I'll run the perfect 100 miler...if such a thing exists.

[@maximuscentus]

Well done

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thank you, I was so so happy to cross that finish line and be greeted by Ken and Merilee.

[@plif576]

Outstanding job Dave really amazing , thanks for sharing that you left me with tears of joy

[@filmmytrailrun]

Ah thank you so much. Yeah, after the hardship that had gone before, to be able to move so well up to, and over, that iconic finish line and be greeted by Ken and Merilee was really a very special moment in my life. Thanks again for watching.

[@grahamyoung7580]

inspirational. never give up. rest when you need to and recuperate. great achievement.👌

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Graham, yeah, once I survived the two crossing of Hope Pass I knew I was in with a real chance of seeing that finish line. So delighted I could complete the job out and meet Ken and Merilee in Leadville.

[@CR-ew9gl]

Nothing less than amazing, well done and congrats to you and your team, 65 places in the last section, speechless🤯

[@filmmytrailrun]

I thank the "craziness" of my pacer for the significant position shift. You never quite know what's going to happen out there. I guess when all is said and done that's what keeps me coming back.

[@thortessem271]

Congrats

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Thor, I was very happy to get that one over the line 💪🏃🏻‍♂️🇮🇪

[@tombrown3333]

Outstanding effort Dave. Followed your training and was looking forward to seeing your race footage after following you on the live stream. Congrats. 🏆🏆

[@filmmytrailrun]

Ah thanks for following along Tom. Sorry for keeping you up all night, it wasn't part of my best laid plan. So so glad I was able to dig deep and cross that iconic finish line and be greeted by Ken and Merilee. That was special.

[@OldManRocketLeague]

Well done mate, legend. UTMB next?

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks David, yeah, I would love to give UTMB a crack. I need to gather a few stones first. We'll get there eventually.

[@wideawake914]

I got a tip for my next parkrun there, mashed spuds and ginger ale for breakfast.

[@filmmytrailrun]

Ah yes indeed, the secret is out. I sense a PB coming up. When things get tough around kilometre 4 remember the mantra...I COMMIT, I WON'T QUIT. Thanks for watching, that was one hell of a journey.

[@wideawake914]

@@filmmytrailrun it sure was.

[@stuartwalker6786]

Great achievement, brilliant series of videos ..... 👍🦾🏃💚🤍🧡

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks Stuart, I gotta get better at keeping the wheels on the wagon 🤣. Still, I couldn’t be happier to have kept it together, just about, and been one of the fortunate few who got to cross that iconic finish line in Leadville. Helluva journey 👍

[@cummindb1]

Wow, inspiring video as always. What a finish! Congratulations!

[@filmmytrailrun]

Thanks David, really happy I was able to pull it together and have the honor of crossing that iconic finish line in Leadville. As I said to Ken…”it was a helluva journey” 😅 I hope you’re keeping well and planning your own next adventure 💪🏃🏻‍♂️