Wednesday, February 21, 2007

A Run In the San Juans

A trip to the San Juan Islands sounds like a tropical getaway. Instead the Orcas Island Fat Ass 50K is an endurance challenge with 5200 feet of elevation gain. To compound the challenge the weather forecast is calling for rain on Saturday. At least the temperatures will be nice for keeping us cool.




The race has 61 entries for the 25K and 40 entries for the 50 K. Here's a picture of the course map:




This will be a great training run and I'm looking forward to a fun weekend with Michelle, Steve, Melissa, and Bob (Steve's Dad).
I'll be trying some new food, Pork & Beans during this run. Steve may not want to run with me.

Thanks for reading, I'll write a report when we return.

13 comments:

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Looks like a blast! I hope it all goes well! have a fun ferry ride!
Jenny

Ryan said...

I'm excited for you guy's this looks like a great race! Enjoy yourselves and be safe.

No mud no glory!!

Wes said...

How do you get that can of beans open while you are running? ;-)

Thomas said...

Are you looking at getting some extra boost from the beans?

seagull junker said...

Have a great time! I have heard it is a great course. And makes for some great pictures. Look at last years times, the course is long, that's o.k. though. Just have to know that for fueling.

As for the beans, good luck. I use them in all races 50 miles or greater. Now, I put them in a container that I can carry down the trail, ie an old gatoraid wide mouth. Throw some tape around it like a handheld. Run, eat, hike, eat, and throw it away at the next aid station.

Used them at states, L.B. does (top ten), G.M. (F8), Bili (5th AC), H.N. (prev top ten X2 at WS) Anyway, I can pretend I run fast eating them anyway.

Good source of carbs, some protein, and some Na.

I'll be thinking of all of you while I run around a sloppy Hagg Lake. Arghhhh. Have a blast Eric.
tom

seagull junker said...

Oh, some put the beans just in a plastic baggie and run down the trail with them. Much easier to carry I think.

Ironayla said...

I hope you guys have a great time and I look forward to hearing about it!!

runliarun said...

101 brave souls.

Olga said...

Have fun there. We have same weather for Sat too. Lest see who stays upright more:)
It's a good training. Let me know how the beans worked for you. I am afraid of the same thing - my pacers and any runners around might want to disappear from a half-a-mile circle:)

Sarah said...

I'll be thinking of you guys in the hills and the rain as us fools down in OR run through the mud and rain.
: )

Anonymous said...

um, pork & beans?

good luck and have fun!

Darrell said...

With only 40 entries will you be spending alot of time running alone? Beans sound like an interesting fuel source, I'll be interested in hearing how they work out.

Unknown said...

Can you really call only 5200 feet of vertical gain an endurance challenge? It would be for me these days, but it seems like a mole hill for the crazy runner you have become. Chew it up and spit it out, or blow it out your behind, which may be a more likely scenario. Have a good one!