Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Having not been selected in the Western States 100 Lottery I'm on a search for another big event for this summer. The Canadian Death Race is at the top of my short list. The 125 km course begins and ends on a 4200 foot plateau, passes over three mountain summits and includes 17,000 feet of elevation change and a major river crossing at the spectacular Hell's Gate canyon at the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers. Besides, chicks will dig the name of the race. Right Michelle? Michelle has volunteered to be my Crew Chief.
Grande Cache Alberta is just north of Jasper. This area is in my opinion one of the most scenic places on earth. It is also is thick with wildlife such as Caribou, Bear, Mt. Goats, Moose, Deer, and a whole bunch of other creatures.

If we go Michelle and I will almost certainly stay at the Lake Louise Chateau on our return trip.

Olga had mentioned the TRT 100 near Tahoe and Meghan mentioned Bighorn 100. These two are also under consideration. You need to read Meghan's blog entries about her Grand Canyon Run over Thanksgiving.

Rob and I are also trying to put on a 36 Summit fun run this summer on Tiger Mt. This will be a 100 mile run with over 31,500 feet of vertical climbing. It will be conveniently run between the Cascade Crest 100 and the Plain 100 so we can have a Washington Triple Slam. This I'm sure will be featured in many of my blogs in the future as we pull it all together.

Now all I need to do is turn this dream into reality!

19 comments:

Backofpack said...

Sometimes I wonder what on earth possesses me to support you in these wild-ass endeavors...somehow the dumbassness seeps into my brain and I am bound by the spell of your charm and enthusiasm, and the next thing I know, I have agreed to be your crew-chief and find myself nodding along, that yes, dear, chicks will dig you. It's a good thing you make promises like Lake Louise Chateau...

Unknown said...

I think I would definitely choose the Death Race. It sounds much cooler than Bighorn or TRT.

Bruce said...

Bad luck on missing out on the Western. Looks like you've found a suitable back up option though.

Wes said...

Holy crap! Don't they have ultras that are flat :-) They do a fifty miler at the Silver Comet here in Atlanta. It had ALMOST 400 feet of elevation change for 50 miles when I did it on my bike ;-)

Adelyn said...

The death race does have a certain appeal with a name like that!

TRT is beautiful, but I have heard that since the 100 is a loop, it's hard to keep yourself going on that second loop. I'll most likely being doing the 50 miler myself though, so if you do the 100, I'll see you out there :D

Too bad about WS, but it sounds like there are a ton of fabulous options out there to keep your calendar full!

Joe said...

blatant bribery with the chateau deal, Eric...one chick in particular really NEEDS to be in on this...and sounds like she's aready game!!!

Darrell said...

How could you not love a race with a name like that. Incredible.

Gotta Run..... said...

Sorry about WS but don't you just love the hunt and planning of a new year?!!

I am eating my words and have signed up to do David Horton's Lynchburg series that will finish off next year with MMTR. he is still a major jerk but I have a bigger goal to focus on. I want the JACKET!!

Anonymous said...

36 Summits. You guys are bucking for a second nomination aren't you?

runliarun said...

Lake Louise Chateau sounds good. Everything else is gruesome.

wendy said...

chicks dig this? Um, my friends think you're crazy! =) But they are ALL envious of Michelle and a trip to Lake LC. ;-) Now you're talking!

wendy said...

chicks dig this? Um, my friends think you're crazy! =) But they are ALL envious of Michelle and a trip to Lake LC. ;-) Now you're talking!

Anonymous said...

It's shaping up for a stellar year of dumbass running. I'll need the improved breathing. Looks like I'll ride the Rattler and Trail Scat train to great new adventures. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger and dumber?

Mama said...

36 summits and fun run in the same sentence seems like an oxyMORON to me.

I just have to hope Steve has some sense.

Be Free,
Lorri

Meghan said...

I'm sure you've read the grizzly stories from the Canadian Death Race, haven't you? Luckily, you know, no one's died or anything. That race is on my future race radar, and I'm excited that you're thinking about it.

Michelle's comment is hilarious, by the way.

Thanks for the props in your entry!

Scott McMurtrey said...

i almost died just reading the race description.

Jon said...

Hey, here's a 100 miler that you could possibly consider as well...care to run along Route 66?

http://www.motherroad100.com/

And if you take the 36 Summit run, the Cascade Crest 100, Plain 100, and you do Shawn Lawson's NB2V - you got your perfect Washington State Grand Slam. Four 100 milers in the same year, same state. :-)

Anonymous said...

Doesn't the word "death" in the race name tell you something? That is one brutal course! Although, it sounds like it's right up your alley. Anything to get the chicks. ;)

Sarah Elaine said...

Well, whaddaya know... We might get to meet sooner than expected. I've just signed up to volunteer at the Death Race. No kidding.

Apparently all the hotels in Grand Cache are already booked, so we're lookin' at billeting or camping.