Monday, January 19, 2009

Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass 50K 2009



Another weekend, another 50K. Would you expect anything less since I started this tear of events back in late November? I've realized that this was my ninth marathon or greater distance run since November 27th. With only four more runs before February 28th I can bump my Marathon Maniac status up from six stars to seven stars.

Seven Puyallup Y-Run Club members met at 5:50 AM to carpool to the Capitol Peak MEGA Fat Ass 25K & 50K event. Steve Stoyles drove "Sully" with passengers Cat, Abi, and Linda. Jenny jumped in with Michelle and I. We may have been able to squeeze all seven into Sully but with all the running gear and change of clothing it seemed best to bring both cars.

We arrived around 7:10 with an 8:00 AM start. The Race Director John Pearch had organized a very nice aid station with canopies and burn barrels for warmth and shelter. The weather was great with clear skies but due to fog the blue yonder and sunshine did not make an appearance until about 3 hours later.

I have not run a race together with Steve Stoyles for what seems like an eternity so we decided to run it together. With our nano brains engaged we went out with Michelle Maislen, Allison Moore, and Van Phan. Steve and I knew we were being stupid when Van backed off at the four mile mark and we all agreed that we were moving too fast. Just before I had smack talked Michelle not realizing that she somehow felt pressure to keep the pace brisk. I later found out that she only planned to run one loop. For the record Allison ran her next loop just as fast as her first and Van crushed Steve and I by around 20 minutes or more.

Steve and I had a good first loop but both felt like we had heavy legs by the time we made the first loop. Steve signed in got some water and headed back out walking and organizing his pack while I headed in for some food at the aid station. That's when I heard a voice calling my name and saw Jenny sitting in a chair with a big splint on her ankle. She had rolled it about two miles out on a rock and hobbled her way back to the start. She had a tennis ball sized bump coming from her ankle and went to see a doctor today. Jenny was warm and comfortable and told me she was making the Search and Rescue/EMT's feel needed so I started my second loop.

It took me just over a mile to catch back up to Steve. We found ourselves power walking many of the hills we had run up on the first loop. Steve had screws in his shoes from his snow running and thought it would help with the muddy sections. The screws started acting as a torture device when we ran on sections of trail that were similar to dry gravel riverbeds. The screw heads would hit rocks and project the energy up to his foot. The pointy ends were not poking him but they were causing pain. The trail was in great shape with only about five blowdowns to deal with. You could limbo under a couple of them, go around a couple and climb over the other.

It was a great course with nice climbs and minimal mud. I managed to keep my left foot dry the entire race with two stream crossings.

We finished in 5:37:10. We met up with Michelle, Abi, and Cat who all ran the 25K and waited with just a short while until Linda completed her 50K. This is a very enjoyable run that I would encourage you to participate in.

I ran into Karen W and Trevor G before the race. Karen's husband George ran the 25K and Karen and Trevor ran the 50K.

Next weekend: Back to Back 50K's! Pigtails 50K at Lake Youngs, and Yours Truly 50K on the Cedar River Trail. OH BOY!

Mystery Butt - Guess Who! Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass participants not eligible.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would say it is my butt, however, I was not there and I do not have jeans that are quite that tight.

Alison Hanks said...

My guess is Ms. Maislen...is there a prize for a correct answer?

Laura H said...

Nice. Bummer about Jenny's ankle. I really wish I could have done one loop - send my some of your iron clad strength! And I have no idea whose butt that is.

Unknown said...

Another weekend another 50k about sums it up. It's Cat!

Journey to a Centum said...

The butt still remains a mystery as no one has guessed the owner. Keep trying.

I suppose a prize for guessing the mystery butt's owner would be in line. How's a Starbucks beverage of your choice sound?

I'd give you a hint but I already have.

Cat. said...

Dang! Are you suuuure I'm not eligible - I could win this one!

Cat.

ALM said...

Nice Job Eric! I remember the "butt", we all commented on her stylish jeans and fancy black shoes, however, I do not know her name! Anyway...nice to see you out there!

Allison

Thomas said...

Is the real motivation behind all this madness that you want to overtake Rattler in his manic status?

Anonymous said...

Nice job on yet another crazy race! The screws in the shoes on a trail run sounded brutal! It made my feet hurt just thinking about it.
Good luck on your next venture. :)

Laura H said...

Nice video - but I think I gotta lose my lunch now. The Blair Witch Project strikes again!

Journey to a Centum said...

Laura - I think I need to hold the camera closer to my body to prevent my films from twisting folks inner ear and making them motion sick.

Thomas Tan had a head mounted video camera he was trying out that films in bursts. I haven't seen him post anything yet.

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

I know who's butt it is, I tagged it on facebook. I'll keep it a secret though!
Jenny

Journey to a Centum said...

Jenny - So how's that keeping it a secret miss gimpy ankle?

Thomas Tan said...

Your video clips looks fine to me! I uploaded mine and added some background music to cover up my heavy breathing:)

Journey to a Centum said...

OK, it seems nobody is going to guess the mystery butt's owner so I'll hint that I mentioned her name in my blog.

Thomas Tan said...

It's Abi!

Thomas Tan said...

I was actually deciding between Steve S. and John P. until you mentioned "her"! Then, it was between Van, Karen, Abi and Michelle B. as those were the only names not in mentioned/discussed so far. Michelle's your wife (you wouldn't be that cruel to her, would you?) and most folks would know Van and Karen as they are seasoned ultra-runners, so I'm going with Abi.

Journey to a Centum said...

Thomas - You guessed it! I owe you a Starbucks coffee!

Thomas Tan said...

Yeah, thanks!

wendy said...

oh, jeez, all this time I thought it was a self portrait!

you really have been logging the miles lately!

Doris said...

Well it's not my butt but it sure looks like my hand! How'd you manage that!

As always completely amazed and your little 50k adventure... and the plans for this weekend.. GULP! Look forward to reading about it!

Tony C said...

Ha, I like Thomas' logical deductions - although we need to loosen him up so he's not so politically correct ... e.g., "I know it's not you Eric, your butt's much bigger. Van's is smaller, ..." - ha!

I know it's not Shawn's - her butt was with mine that day.

*tc

Gotta Run..... said...

Seven stars... I would tink Ten Stars if you asked me.

You are really on a roll!!!

Steve S said...

It couldn't have been my butt. cuz is was dragging on the trail all day and would have been muddy.

lizzie lee said...

How many more stars can you get? For me you deserve them all...Those 50K back to back this weekend sound amazing...

Scott McMurtrey said...

That looks like my blue camping chair.

Mama said...

From the video, it looks like you were following Steve's butt. I think you may have a thing for it. I'm starting to wonder.