Smokin' the Timberline Trail

I love it when everything goes as planned. This past weekend I ran around Mt. Hood - following the Timberline Trail - #600-which is some 42-44 miles. The weather was perfect. I traveled counter-clockwise starting/ending from Timberline Lodge. Initially the legs felt a little tired but about an hour into the run, they got some life back into them and felt strong. I ran all the downhills/flats and a lot of the uphills. I obviously wasn't moving at a blazing pace but was surprised how good I felt running the hills. My time of 8hrs 45mins was over 3 hours faster than my previous time. Now I'm hoping I can remain healthy and keep the fitness through PCT 100.

So get out there!

A good article about the benefits of running (from the NY Times).....
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/?emc=eta1

When Things Don't Go as Planned...

Nelson and I completed 60+/- miles of the 106. My ankle acted up about 3 hours east of Timberline Lodge. To avoid doing damage, I decided to forgo the last part of the adventure. It was a great trip - with some light drizzle/thick fog in the night to full-on sunshine in the early morning hours once higher up on the mountain. The trail wasn't in the best of conditions - lots of downed trees, a downclimb/detour of the Eliot River, etc (i.e. getting off course) - so moving wasn't as fast as expected. Thanks to my Dad for picking us up at Timberline Lodge, picking up the drop box at Lolo Pass and taking us to Cascade Locks where our cars were located.

Here are some pics:

A few miles from Cascade Locks

Lolo Pass - the drop box

Early morning hours - SW corner of Hood

many stream crossings - N. side of Hood

many tree crossings

self potrait - NE side

me - N. side

Nelson - N. side

Nelson - NE side

Finally

Tomorrow, Nelson and I head out from Cascade Locks following the PCT and then circumnavigating Mt Hood and returning. This adventure was something we've wanted to do since Nelson thought of it about 3 years ago but we just never got around to doing it. The time has finally arrived. Distance is roughly 106miles. I'm thinking it will take us between 30-32 hours due to the fact of having no aid stations. Should be a great adventure.