Sisters runner pushes the limits

Runner Sean Meissner.

Photo by Charlie Kanzig

Most people consider the 26.2-mile marathon to be the ultimate in distance running, but for local runner Sean Meissner that's just the beginning. He finished his first 100-mile race at last week's Bighorn Trail Wild and Scenic Run in Wyoming.

Yes, that's 100 miles -- as in the distance from Sisters to downtown Eugene.

Meissner placed eighth on the rugged mountainous course in a time of 29 hours and six minutes. Thirty-two of the original 44 starters completed the course. The winner finished in 22 hours and 53 minutes.

Meissner, 29, who has lived in Sisters for a year, ran track and cross country throughout high school and college. He says the allure of "ultras" for him was testing his limits.

"It was a natural progression for me from marathon running to ultra running," he said. "I wanted to see what I could do with myself under my own power."

The Bighorn course certainly tested Meissner both physically and emotionally. The race, which is headquartered near Sheridan, Wyoming, began at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 20, under warm, humid conditions. The out and back course features very rocky single track trail and begins with a 7.5-mile climb that rises 3,000 feet into the Bighorn mountains.

"Actually the start is good because there is no way you can go out too fast," said Meissner. "It gave me a chance to settle into the race."

At 30 miles, Meissner found himself 15 minutes ahead of his goal pace of 24 hours, but at mile 40, just about nightfall, it began to rain.

"It's slow running at night anyway, but now the course got muddy real fast and things started to go sour," he said.

Meissner's shoes and socks were soon soaking wet and blisters developed on his feet, forcing him to walk as much as run. With glow sticks marking the dark, muddy trail, Meissner managed to make it to the turnaround where he enjoyed some hot soup and the warmth of a campfire before continuing on back down the trail.

"My feet were so tender, I had to walk most of the next 18 miles down hill," he said. "I was looking forward to the aid station at 66 miles because I had a change of shoes and socks there."

When he arrived at the aid station, the medics wanted to wrap his feet in duct tape for protection the rest of the way, but Meissner refused the offer.

"I couldn't fathom what it would be like to peel the tape off later," he said.

The fresh shoes and socks helped and Meissner was able to run again and actually caught some runners who had passed him earlier.

Seeing other people gave him a boost after spending most of the race alone.

"The aid station personnel were incredibly encouraging; their role in my finish is significant," he said.

The course's final five miles are on a gravel road, which Meissner found to be a real let-down after the beauty of the mountains.

"The rest of the course is incredibly scenic, with open meadows of wildflowers, rushing streams and beautiful views, so the gravel road was boring and hot," he said. "And by that point, I just wanted to get done."

Meissner said that the words of advice from fellow Sisters ultra runner Gene Trahern helped him a great deal when things got tough on the course.

"Gene told me to not get frustrated and I didn't," he said. "I knew I would finish."

Ultra races are becoming more popular throughout the country, according to Meissner.

"Quite a few people come through The Foot Zone (where he works) talking about the races they have run and more and more are doing these long trail runs," he said.

Meissner is hooked on ultras.

"I will definitely run another 100-miler," he said with a smile.