Capital Peak 50+K

Time: 7:14:50. The Fat Ass Capital Peak 50K is a course that climbs a grand total of 18,400 feet up to 2676 foot elevation combining two 17 mile laps. We had a great day for the run with mostly sunny skies with the odd cloud cover blowing over. The first 7 miles of each lap for the most part involve climbing to the microwave towers on the top of Capital Peak. This first section the single track trail was in good shape with an average of two to three inches of snow on the surface. As we climbed the last steep section up to the microwave towers the gravel access road was frozen solid with about a 10-15 mile an hour tail wind as we climbed. We ran to the top, looped around the towers and then got to do the slip and slide down the steep road. Just as we passed the first aid station which was staffed by some great volunteers from Search and Rescue we got to start another climb which was fairly steady for about 4 miles. After this section the course got fast and generally had reasonable grades with a few steep sections, two stream crossings, and a bugger of a section on the trail that was basically a ditch shaped like a "V". I was able to run this V section the first loop but had to walk/run the second loop with a lot of slips and slides along with some cursing. The V section of the trail was muddy. The mud was the kind that sticks to the bottom of your shoes and starts getting heavier and heavier. I had my only fall in this area on lap two however my speed was slow and I just sort of plopped over into the snow. Fortunately this section only lasted for about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile.

This was the longest and toughest trail run to date for Michelle and her friend Jenny. The both successfully completed a 17 mile lap.

I ran the first loop with Matt DeBoer, Steve Stoyles, and Tom Riley. Tom ran WS100 last year and offered up some good advice for me as we ran. I think the best nugget of advice he gave me was to make sure I reserved a ground floor hotel room after WS100. Matt got in one full loop and about 12 more miles. He turned around at Aid Station #1 because his hip started to bother him. Steve made it about 4 miles up the second loop before deciding to turn and go back. He's run a three marathon or greater distances and one half marathon in the last 4 weeks. He got out of cycle with his fueling and really just felt like he should not continue. I'm sure If I had pressed him he would have made it but I need Steve healthy so he can pace me at WS.

I did a lot of walking on the climbs on lap two but was able to run well on the flats and downhill. TC also ran the 50K but has recently been ill and didn't pull out his best time ever. He pushed himself and finished in good physical shape.

After our painful leg experience the week following the Tiger Mt. 50K Steve and I decided that when we got to our homes we would soak our legs in an ice bath. I filled our tub with water deep enough to go over my waist, put on a fleece jacket, fleece hat, and held two hand warmers when I jumped in the water. I was able to soak for about 20 minutes and my legs feel much better. I spoke to Steve and he also braved the ice bath for 15 minutes with positive results.

Van "Pigtails" had a nasty fall in the last mile or two from the finish. She ended up doing a face plant which scuffed up her right cheek, blasted her contact lenses with mud, and wrenched her neck. She has a massage scheduled for Monday which I'm sure will be greatly appreciated.