Hagg Lake 50K

At this year's race, I was hoping to break the 4 hour barrier. I'm in much better shape then last year and with only one hiccup in my training, I figured it would be possible to get under 4 hours. The weather was perfect, however, having run the trail a few times over the past couple of months, it would still be muddy.
Before the race I chatted with Sean Meissner (a Montrail sponsored athlete). He and I were wearing the same prototype shoes from Montrail. It was pretty cool to be wearing some shoe that only a few pairs existed and providing valueable input in the development of them. Nelson and I also chatted - catching up on life.
The race started promptly at 8am with the short out-and-back section. Within 400 meters, it was readily apparent the men from the boys - Max King, Andy Martin, Ruben Galbraith and Andrew Schupp - were out front and never to be seen again. Hats-off to the 4 of them for ripping-up the course!! This out and back section, although short, has always been tough for me. The return to the lake is a screaming downhill that just kills my quads (I've never been a good downhill runner).
The first loop around the lake was uneventful. If I recall correctly, I came into Sain Creek Aid Station (start/finish line) at 2hrs 8min. I was sitting in 5th place overall and was eating/drinking well. I also took in a few S-caps. The aid stations were well supported and stocked -- the volunteers were great!
It was probably less than a mile after passing the Sain Creek Aid Station, my muscles in the groin area (of all places!!) started cramping. I took 2 S-caps, hoping that would help and increased my fluid intake as well (I had Nuun). The words of encouragement from Yassine helped as I struggled to get up and out of the most technical part of the course that he was directing runners through.
The miles rolled by and the cramping didn't improve. Running across the dam was painful (have I said I hate running on asphalt!!). I left the aid station on the north side of the dam in agony and could see the next runner who was about 2 minutes back (at the time I couldn't recognize the runner but it turned out to be Will Swint). If there is any runner out there that maintains a steady - and fast pace - it is Will. Will caught up to me a few miles later. We ran together just briefly. A few words of encouragement were exchanged and then he was gone.
About 2 miles out from the last aid station, runners comes across a "series" of mud holes that one can go directly through....or around. I ran through the mud holes on the first lap without incident so I thought I would do the same. Well, not so. At the first mud hole I took one long stride and before I knew it, I was down on all fours covered in mud. I yelled a few words that will not be written....then I started laughing. I then got up and starting. After the little spill, my cramping subsided and was actually able to run some of the uphills.
I rolled into the last aid station....again, great volunteers!! They cleaned my mud-incased handheld water bottle with some baby wipes so that I didn't have to drink Nuun and mud.
The last miles to the finish were unremarkable. I didn't have any idea where the next runner behind was. Will was having a good day and I wasn't going to be catching him. I rolled into the finish in 4hrs 8mins - good enough for 6th place. Will was 4 minutes faster and in 5th.
A new PR by 15minutes - one has to be pleased. Next year I'll try and run that sub-4hr. At the finish I spoke with Max - who had won the race in just under 3hrs 27min!! - Will and many others. Craig, from Columbia, was also there.
Christy and the kids ate lunch while I got cleaned up. Mason loved throwing rocks and sticks in the creek. Another great day on the trails here in the Northwest!

Nothing in particular

Capital Peak race went well. Really enjoyed the course and what it offered...steep ascents/descents, lots of mud, stream running/crossings, etc. Thanks to all the participated and volunteered! Results are here: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/megafatass30mileresults.htm

Ran a tough 22+mile trail in the Coast Range with Angela yesterday. It was my first time running in the coast range...hard to believe since we've had a family vacation home in Oceanside before I was born!!

In a few weeks I'll know if I get into Hardrock 100. I've got a backup - Tahoe Rim Trail 100 - in the event my name doesn't get pulled in the lottery.

I signed up "local" (southern Oregon) 100 miler - Pine to Palm - in mid-September. I'm excited to be apart of a race in its inaugural year.

Cold, wet and snow on the Wildwood Trail

Ran the complete length of the Wildwood Trail (30+ miles) with Nelson. We started in a drizzle as the temperature gauge on my Prius read 34 degrees. The rain increased soon after we started and never let up. Snow covered much of the trail - although it was rapidly melting due to the rain. Nelson and I split up at mile 16. I wasn't fueling properly and the last number of miles were a bit of a struggle. I finished right at 5 hours. When we got back to my car, the temperature gauge had ticked-up to a wopping 37 degrees! Nelson and I agreed.....it was the coldest/wettest run either of us had done in recent memory.

Another Attempt at a Lottery

Not getting my name drawn for Western States, I'm hoping for some luck with the lottery process at Hardrock. If I get in, I'll have to think about Big Horn.

2010 Tentative Race Schedule

Well, never got around to writing a full report for R2R2R. In short, it was a great day on the trail - met some great people, had good weather (although a tad bit chilly on the N. Rim) and most important, I just had fun.


Here is a possible race schedule for next year:

Jan - Capital Peak Fat Ass - 34miler

Feb - Hagg Lake - 50K

March - Chuckanut - 50K

April - Peterson Ridge Rumble -60K

May - Pocatello - 50miler

June - Big Horn 100
or
July - Hardrock 100

August - Cascade Crest 100
or
September - Wasatch 100

Quick R2R2R Report......

Well, I did the run (starting and ending at the Bright Angel Trailhead) in 10hrs 16mins. A more lengthy report will be posted....hopefully soon.

R2R2R Run

Getting my gear ready to run the R2R2R (basically running from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, over to the north rim and back to the south rim) this weekend. Still deciding if I'm wanting to go the Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail upon my return to the south rim. The two previous times I've done this run, I've always opted for Bright Angel. Now that it is mid-November and the temps are looking rather "chilly" (my two previous times running this have always been in May) I may just decide on Kaibab.
I'm running with Nathan Spear, an old friend from high school. He and my twin brother battled for the top x-country spot in the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) back in the early 90's -- while I was sucking wind as a mid-packer. This will be his first R2R2R. He has ran one other run about this same distance, but any one who has run this knows how challenging the R2R2R can be.
We fly out at 0830 Friday and return 1530 Sunday. I'll let every one know how it goes upon my return. Cheers.