Way Too Cool 50K

Ran the Way Too Cool 50K down in Cool, California this past weekend. This was my first ultra in California. Traveled with Gaby and Dave. Had a blast ... it was a lot of fun. We drove down Friday, raced Saturday, drove back Sunday.

There was a big turn out for this race ... 400+ runners. The weather was great. Not too hot or cold. No rain during the race. The course was mostly single track, about 3,600' of climb in total. There was a mile or two of road at the start, which was good for getting runners sorted out before hitting the trail. A few minor stream crossings. There were two pretty big climbs, and several smaller ones, that required walking. Some of the downhills were very technical ... and hard on the quads. I took one tumble ... nothing serious. I was doing okay until about 40K when I started running out of gas. The last few klicks were a struggle. Finished in about 5:20 ... I was targeting 5 hours, but I think I went out too fast. Will have to pace myself better. Gaby did real well, finishing in 4:40ish, third in her age class. Dave finished shortly after me. Scott and Nok were there too, as was Meghan who also did really well.

Pics by Scott and Nok

Orcas Island 50K

Ran the Orcas 50K last Saturday. Orcas Island is a neat little island in the San Juan's, Washington State. This was an awesome trip. Marilyn came too and we traveled with Gaby and Guy. Had a blast. Ken, Dennis and Clem were also there.

The course was the toughest 50K I've done so far. I think about 7,000' of climb. Took me 6 hours, 44 minutes. Finished about mid-pack. Ken and Dennis did very well ... I think they finished in something like 6:22. Gaby and Guy did the 25K and both finished very well too. Gaby finished 8th, Guy finished 17th ... awesome. I was under-prepared for this. I really struggled up the two big climbs. My hamstrings were sore right from the start ... too much stretching in the days before the race. The worst climb was up the power line trail. This thing ran pretty much perpendicular to the contours. At some points it was steep enough to need all fours. But the downhill from this was a nice, gradual descent through some beautiful rain forest. The climb up Mount Constitution was slow and agonizing but worth it too ... beautiful views of Mount Baker. It was great to see Clem there ... he was manning the aid station. I was freezing up top there ... could have used an extra layer. I was dripping blood from a finger I cut in a tumble ... they kindly patched me up ... it was a really small cut, but blood was getting on everything. There was some snow we had to run through as well. I also ran out of water on the way up, but that was my fault ... there was a water jug at the start of the climb, but I ignored it.

Some pics are posted here. Ken has posted some nice pics too.

Marilyn fell in love with the island. Wants to move there. I wouldn't mind.

Saw lots of neat stuff, but I think the best was the pod of killer whales we saw on the ferry ride back to the mainland. Awesome.

24 Easy Pieces

Nice, easy, slow, solo 24K today. Two times around Bald Hill and the ridge. 2.5 hours. Took Java for piece, then Kiira. It's a joy to run with them, 'cause I can see how much they like it. Kiira found a big wonking stick that she carried all the way back home. It must have weighed half as much as her. What a pistol.

Taper Time

Last long run before Orcas yesterday. Guy and I covered some 38K in 4.75 hours. Including breaks, we were on our feet 5.5 hours. Good solid day. Ran into Linda, Dave, Scott and Peter on our way up to McCullough Peak. Parted company there. We went on to Alien, Shave & A Haircut, to Dimple Hill, Dan's, Horse. Ran into Gaby going down Dan's trail. Then back into the maze. Got lost. The GPS and map helped us sort things out. Up Lovely Rita, New Missing Link, then back down Extendo. A good time.

LR #3

Great long run yesterday with Guy. We started up Extendo to the top of McCullough Peak. Down Shave & A Haircut, to Dimple Hill, down Dan's, up Horse, then back the way we came, pretty much. Total distance was 34 km. The GPS said 9,200' feet of climb, but it over estimates climb by at least a factor of 2, so we'll call it 4,600'. On our feet for 4:15 hours. Not feeling too badly today.

LR # 2

Awesome long run yesterday in the Mac Forest. Big crew for this one. Gaby, Linda and I started early ... 7:00 ... doing the Nettleton loop .... still dark enough for headlamps. We got back to the Saddle at 8:00 to find about 10 folks waiting for us and ready to rock. Up Nettleton to Powerderhouse to Peavy and thereabouts. Then back to the Saddle. Gaby and Meghan set a hardy pace that I had trouble matching. I ran another piece with Ken ... up to Dimple Hill and back. 38K total in 3:40. I was completely drained ... definitely a good one. Maybe I'll be ready for the 50K at Orcas after all.

First Long Run of 2009

Decent long run yesterday up Bald Hill and the ridge. Big crew for this one, including Guy, Gaby, Dave, Linda, Meghan, Sue and a couple of gals I don't think I've met before ... Nancy and Sarah (?). My stomach was causing me some grief. Still I managed 32K ... did a last rep solo after everyone parted company. It was a real mud-fest, especially on the east trail off the hill. Not sure I'll be ready for the full 50K at Orcas Island ... might just do the 25K.

Today M, Beth and I drove up as far as we could up Mary's Peak. The road was treacherous & I had visions of slipping off and rolling on down to where no-one would ever find us. That didn't happen. We did a good hike ... but the snow never got deep enough for snow shoeing. The girls had a blast. Looking forward to a trip to Hoodoo.