tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84954319052239627902024-03-07T18:20:23.934-08:00Journey to a CentumBecause Chicks Dig It!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-17533666090056245112010-03-10T18:52:00.000-08:002010-03-10T18:52:05.481-08:00Greenwater Lake Run / Norse Peak Wilderness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbE7cu_rqv0vEa86k84YPFmd7TK7t1NC_5OA4RshjrugL5Af1QKfyAl9zYgkKEK5yYZu5M-zr6y25Yr3OZXdhEBibTeW41x7m3bt0JIfMjpzSM1_y7YGDDvaIbj__YkvIzF1ZX8m2Sof/s1600-h/Norse+Peak+Wilderness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbE7cu_rqv0vEa86k84YPFmd7TK7t1NC_5OA4RshjrugL5Af1QKfyAl9zYgkKEK5yYZu5M-zr6y25Yr3OZXdhEBibTeW41x7m3bt0JIfMjpzSM1_y7YGDDvaIbj__YkvIzF1ZX8m2Sof/s320/Norse+Peak+Wilderness.jpg" /></a><a along="" greenwater="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLVRfVku3rriqtdtCw94_2WTGIATbzuVAU77DlwIQI3U21-y9AwwNGCFi_8SqtNVD8hOUP69qpGmRIj9yy8tlLgqm8AFw2q0rRmre3FFK1voPhgz2_13VaZcxhhz4WHALBB25zR4mrKeU/s1600-h/Greenwater+Lake+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" sign="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" the="" trail.=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLVRfVku3rriqtdtCw94_2WTGIATbzuVAU77DlwIQI3U21-y9AwwNGCFi_8SqtNVD8hOUP69qpGmRIj9yy8tlLgqm8AFw2q0rRmre3FFK1voPhgz2_13VaZcxhhz4WHALBB25zR4mrKeU/s320/Greenwater+Lake+Run.jpg" /></a><a happy="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bRKEYUOpMurbXcixmTPSs1cPEs-sm7_hzotzGFDfVYOrzzBSpBvY7_LkvhRQgcbX7hW0Qxwk7He9XfIaJZnWDG9GMePpFNNV69OnJJhYPPdHeSi7KyHdjPK_vLVC3Y6DV0DhDNhA-YeP/s1600-h/Steve+at+start+of+run.jpg" i="" imageanchor="1" m="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" yeah...=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bRKEYUOpMurbXcixmTPSs1cPEs-sm7_hzotzGFDfVYOrzzBSpBvY7_LkvhRQgcbX7hW0Qxwk7He9XfIaJZnWDG9GMePpFNNV69OnJJhYPPdHeSi7KyHdjPK_vLVC3Y6DV0DhDNhA-YeP/s320/Steve+at+start+of+run.jpg" /></a><a 27="" at="" degrees="" ground="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyP8QwavZnCUYlaagup7RNwWp0EwM4FauqSekqcn7guavoQyAETbxwnxoBjyaY55o_hQcZN-7snZkuToiSRIH5pJekthIHdW9bdOcqkN4ZH4qk_9OdmdRpG4zB2ua5nIBd5hB80Svk-JV/s1600-h/feeder+stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" light="" on="" snow="" start.="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" the="" with=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyP8QwavZnCUYlaagup7RNwWp0EwM4FauqSekqcn7guavoQyAETbxwnxoBjyaY55o_hQcZN-7snZkuToiSRIH5pJekthIHdW9bdOcqkN4ZH4qk_9OdmdRpG4zB2ua5nIBd5hB80Svk-JV/s320/feeder+stream.jpg" /></a><a feeder="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJhuUJaeyv0vTFxiNdCzmRQDVos7m-202muIS2X9WpSNH1ZCkcyPfm1th-q6qoiRClYie7o1FovrK8bm8ij0QXnciaQK1boqs-0Dw2UHP1_0XetOD63w2NivUyx6jIuqYw5UttFaxiwo/s1600-h/Greenwater+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" stream="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJhuUJaeyv0vTFxiNdCzmRQDVos7m-202muIS2X9WpSNH1ZCkcyPfm1th-q6qoiRClYie7o1FovrK8bm8ij0QXnciaQK1boqs-0Dw2UHP1_0XetOD63w2NivUyx6jIuqYw5UttFaxiwo/s320/Greenwater+Lake.jpg" /></a><a greenwater="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_oFmJRLQzt67-gpiC8dygOyiVttwDPy3SumdCGpGZmcRA-eY4lZ-FYSjwStSkSLeYmirABur47mZe-3CjBqu1hQ-ws30Zc_kLr4_6NhywXlHwpHdLT07_w9fMSoHza9LRo2C_Pxxf0Cv/s1600-h/Steve+walking+on+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" lake="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_oFmJRLQzt67-gpiC8dygOyiVttwDPy3SumdCGpGZmcRA-eY4lZ-FYSjwStSkSLeYmirABur47mZe-3CjBqu1hQ-ws30Zc_kLr4_6NhywXlHwpHdLT07_w9fMSoHza9LRo2C_Pxxf0Cv/s320/Steve+walking+on+ice.jpg" /></a></div>Nothing like a 12.5 mile Tuesday morning trail run up in the Norse Peak Wilderness near Mt. Rainier to clear ones head. Steve Stoyles and I headed up Hwy 410 to the town of Greenwater then drove 9 miles of forest service roads to the Greenwater trail head. When we arrived it was a crisp 27 degrees F with sunshine beaming down on us.<br />
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The parking lot was at the cusp of the snow line so there was a dusting of snow on the trail at the start of our run. Thanks to Steve for providing the pictures for this posting. I have not replaced the camera I broke a couple of months back and it's impacting my blog posts. We wanted to make it the entire 7 miles up to Echo Lake but decided to turn back just .3 miles away due to deep snow, slippery ice, and painful stove piping. Steve managed to entertain me with a very quick fall on a nice snow covered ice patch. Somehow even though he was the one who fell I ended up being the one bleeding from the sharp ice crust when we were stove piping.<br />
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Training is going well for WS100 with 6 Ultras run so far this year. Five of the events were 50K's and one was a 6 Hour event where Steve and I managed to run 38 miles. We have also been able to sneak away for some nice long mid-week trail runs and a PR run of the 12 Summits course that is about 32 miles with 10,500 feet of climbing.<br />
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Run Happy my Friends!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-61035667413697816522010-01-24T20:05:00.000-08:002010-01-25T07:33:07.535-08:00Pigtails 50K 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NXr4aTjeKYeWLfxv6AoKvKUY0rLMFAMlpw_K1qDyjSvOiVRlYdo6RLSEHVdnl-d3jmqC8efWNudmZP0h-R5uEf1Xff9KcrX1SNxSJTvxf8YqbNioLISZ2FbsjXY1ZKNkT1XVrxDvvpmX/s1600-h/pigtailsrun.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NXr4aTjeKYeWLfxv6AoKvKUY0rLMFAMlpw_K1qDyjSvOiVRlYdo6RLSEHVdnl-d3jmqC8efWNudmZP0h-R5uEf1Xff9KcrX1SNxSJTvxf8YqbNioLISZ2FbsjXY1ZKNkT1XVrxDvvpmX/s400/pigtailsrun.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430523801632084194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Training is going well with this weekends run of the Pigtails 50K in 4:47. I was surprised to find that this is my second fastest 50K. Steve Stoyles and I ran strong on the hilly but runnable course. After three 9.6 mile loops of Lake Youngs we felt strong on the 2.2 mile out and back. Not bad for a couple of guys with a combined 106 years of life experience.<br /><br />Ran a 5:31 50K at the Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass last weekend and a 6:37 50K at the Western Washington Fat as on Tiger Mt. on Jan 2. Special thanks to Michelle my lovely wife for allowing me to run that race on her birthday.<br /><br />I trashed my camera in the rain running a marathon in mid-December so I'm lacking photos to post. Lot's of options out there. Would love to pick up a Cannon S90 but trying to weigh the odds of getting the more expensive Cannon or go with a less expensive Nikon. I seem to kill a camera about every 2-3 years.<br /><br />The economy may be picking up but I'm still facing a huge challenge finding new work for the company I work for. It's been a struggle to land just a couple of jobs. Things picked up last week so hopefully demand for injection molding tooling will pick up as companies launch new products. Otherwise I'll have plenty of time on my hands to train for WS100. It's a struggle for many so I'll keep the attitude that good things come to people who try.<br /><br />Cheers!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-23798757923866806362009-12-05T11:27:00.001-08:002009-12-05T11:33:44.697-08:00Western States 100 Endurance Run 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqyp4829oVrDnezhUtLOf-irf2MFYX9twxjYmfjEUCmF0FHOwSKSg5FEFlkcPAxP0oe1uAbeSzx1tpKi48TkWWkw-M-4_sZPcaIsze-qB92zxmPdhkSz3K8XhgKWGxStUyAzpQ3uqOEEZ/s1600-h/wser-buckle-24.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqyp4829oVrDnezhUtLOf-irf2MFYX9twxjYmfjEUCmF0FHOwSKSg5FEFlkcPAxP0oe1uAbeSzx1tpKi48TkWWkw-M-4_sZPcaIsze-qB92zxmPdhkSz3K8XhgKWGxStUyAzpQ3uqOEEZ/s400/wser-buckle-24.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411836402194633666" border="0" /></a><br />I am incredibly lucky to have been selected to run the 2010 Western States 100 Endurance Run! Several training runs will be posted in the next 6 months as I train up for this grand-daddy 100 mile event. Michelle will be my Crew Chief and Steve Stoyles will be my pacer. This race was my original motive to start this blog. My Journey to a Centum continues....Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-13129372425238765142009-08-09T17:02:00.000-07:002009-08-09T18:41:26.331-07:00Plain (Pain) Loop 1 Training Run<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVzmsTUnbHvOPWFgxOd-Gw3-mMt1QruYXjtZe2OYDbOpGG1D7nCpIcRRWuEEbJ-XCR_8CXNKwJd1chTOxPblk3fXO_b_gkuSvhPjZAMzntXjAYqCvuy0r35j6EN3yVQvXmjbbNoiqNEnA/s1600-h/DSCN3854.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVzmsTUnbHvOPWFgxOd-Gw3-mMt1QruYXjtZe2OYDbOpGG1D7nCpIcRRWuEEbJ-XCR_8CXNKwJd1chTOxPblk3fXO_b_gkuSvhPjZAMzntXjAYqCvuy0r35j6EN3yVQvXmjbbNoiqNEnA/s400/DSCN3854.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368123298950554386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Rattler at Fox Creek</span><br /></div><br />Thursday August 6th Steve Stoyles, <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny Appel</a>, <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob "Rattler" Hester</a>, and I headed out to set up camp in Plain WA for a run covering the 56 mile loop 1 section of the Plain 100 course. The readers digest description of this section is two 5000 foot climbs with many sections of trail with fine powder dust that squeaks as it compresses under foot and billows up hanging to choke the runner behind you. The weather was cool in the morning and never seemed to get much over 80 degrees.<br /><br />Plain 100 Mile Endurance Run has been my targeted long distance race of the year. I ran loop 2 as a night run with Steve, Rattler, & Joe about a month ago and it kicked my butt. I ran 33 miles of loop 1 for reasons I will explain latter and that kicked my butt. To combine these two arse kickers for 34 hours of arse kicking running, power hiking, stumbling, and crawling seems almost unimaginable. My only motivation is that I didn't start either of the runs with a "hundred mile attitude".<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUflHp0ADIVvWB9S7XFVJnYvFmFAc_8CVXw2w_tF4gFnKbtttIpRHW-LIcLBDGeo0_4fPKblpCW6R6eWp4AkDo6GrFrW89vbMkdeHB_Q1HIpGeqWFN2z1bJwN0l3nEMPlbeETEXac_yglC/s1600-h/DSCN3851.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUflHp0ADIVvWB9S7XFVJnYvFmFAc_8CVXw2w_tF4gFnKbtttIpRHW-LIcLBDGeo0_4fPKblpCW6R6eWp4AkDo6GrFrW89vbMkdeHB_Q1HIpGeqWFN2z1bJwN0l3nEMPlbeETEXac_yglC/s400/DSCN3851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368120508690483506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Burned section along the course</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR6ZOjKKX53PwN92HdpV5dnDJabtV0cb9D_FrhYF8KKoxTgXv7o8scB4lnUSFRG4sDGkZcOT2Rs_xL4-ShCivvtfz4x_PxD4F2RJfzroOhWyjIjJ26rIlj-DcfRnj5umJMeWACue3Mkqk/s1600-h/DSCN3832.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR6ZOjKKX53PwN92HdpV5dnDJabtV0cb9D_FrhYF8KKoxTgXv7o8scB4lnUSFRG4sDGkZcOT2Rs_xL4-ShCivvtfz4x_PxD4F2RJfzroOhWyjIjJ26rIlj-DcfRnj5umJMeWACue3Mkqk/s400/DSCN3832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368120496328829714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jenny, Rob, & Steve<br /><br /></span></div>At a water stop at Fox Creek our plans changed when Jenny rolled her ankle while making her way down to the creek for water. She was in a lot of pain and extremely upset at the time thinking she may have just ruined her chance at running Cascade Crest 100, just blew out her ankle in the middle of the Cascade Mt. wilderness, and changed all the other participants plans in one little fall. Fortunately she was wearing an ankle brace on her foot since this was the same ankle she rolled at the Capitol Peak Fat Ass 50K in the beginning of the year. I think the brace really saved the day. Within 5 minutes of the strain Jenny was soaking her ankle in the ice cold water of Fox Creek. I went ahead and filled her 100 oz water bladder and her two water bottles for the climb up Signal Peak. After about 15 minutes of soaking we got her back up to the bridge and loaded her up with the pack and water bottles. As we started to climb it became obvious that it would not be wise to venture further into the deep wilderness and potentially cause more harm to her ankle.<br /><br />Fortunately the Fox Creek crossing is only about a mile from a small National Forest Service campground called Lake Creek. I opted to stay back with Jenny and our "A" plan was for Rattler and Steve to complete the loop then drive back to rescue Jenny and I. Jenny and I both carried space blankets, lightweight jackets, long sleeve shirts, and enough food to get us through the estimated 14 hours we would need to wait. We had no cell phone service but that was not surprising in the box canyon we were in.<br /><br />When Jenny and I hiked over the campground she sat at a picnic table and I set off to talk to some campers and find out if there was a Ranger or someone we could talk to to see if we could get back to our campground in Plain. I met a very nice couple that explained the Rangers for the area were in a campground about two miles North at Silver Falls Campground. I set out up the road and ran to the Guard Station at Silver Falls. That's where I met the husband and wife team Steve and Donna. I explained our plight and unfortunately due to the time of day and no phone service about the only thing they could do for us regarding communication was to call an ambulance. Since Jenny had only strained her ankle an ambulance was totally out of the question. I went back to the Lake Creek Campground and Jenny and I took an inventory of our food and supplies. While we were doing that Rangers Steve and Donna showed up to check on us. Turns out they were both ultra runners from Arizona. They were concerned that the temperatures were going to dip down into the mid forties that evening and offered to let us sleep in the back of their personal vehicle which was a Chevy Tahoe. The cabin they lived in was much too small for guests. Given the option of shivering through the night on a picnic table or having an air mattress and blankets in a shelter we took them up on the offer. Little did we know that along with sleeping quarters came a wonderful tortellini dinner and beer! We were entertained by stories of running and rangering until about 10:00 PM when we crashed.<br /><br />Long story short Rattler and Steve made the climb up Signal Peak and then in an effort to get to Jenny and I sooner decided to try a shortcut on the Jimmy Creek Trail. Like most shortcuts the decision turned out to be a disaster with them missing the trail and ending up on a dead end butte that involved a bunch of climbing before back tracking to find the trail they had passed. The found the trail but it has been used so little that it was difficult to follow and had over 30 large trees fallen over it to climb over. Hindsight both Rattler and Steve felt it would have been better to just stay on the main trail. It took them 10 hours to get back to our camp at about 1:30AM. The showered then threw sleeping bags in the SUV and headed out the 80+ miles to get us. With a stop for gas and some sodas they arrived in the Lake Creek Campground area around 4:00 AM.<br /><br />I set out at 4:00 AM from Silver Falls Campground to meet up with Rattler and Steve. We found each other about 4:25 AM at the bridge crossing to the campground. We went up and picked up Jenny and headed back to break camp in Plain and have breakfast in Leavenworth. It was a long night for everybody. It was an adventure within the adventure.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy3MvQSSGXitqKpB6YorXyR3pMFHKggDjX8Hij4MmEL4ppLCiYGFNsVRI5Itsb1KGlLpPZZej6XrMHpyZY2D9At9RfqsDFtTqWajuHV0BYpjr0JuXgsd9Prmr3-7amVac5TX-Quigy0LQ/s1600-h/DSCN3843.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy3MvQSSGXitqKpB6YorXyR3pMFHKggDjX8Hij4MmEL4ppLCiYGFNsVRI5Itsb1KGlLpPZZej6XrMHpyZY2D9At9RfqsDFtTqWajuHV0BYpjr0JuXgsd9Prmr3-7amVac5TX-Quigy0LQ/s400/DSCN3843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368119781897848722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">View from Klone Peak<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9_I7WcRdBUwZDUYUb1zEk3roUB-NACMLLN-pFSa-Enl6WMuACrkMEjUaj7Kj_wT9JHSXD3pXL4OdHxI6Te8xLY8Bcz-hzBNESbq7UA9pRtyAHEf1BLrotr8gKoWpMO0YAPynq595Uje-/s1600-h/DSCN3847.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9_I7WcRdBUwZDUYUb1zEk3roUB-NACMLLN-pFSa-Enl6WMuACrkMEjUaj7Kj_wT9JHSXD3pXL4OdHxI6Te8xLY8Bcz-hzBNESbq7UA9pRtyAHEf1BLrotr8gKoWpMO0YAPynq595Uje-/s400/DSCN3847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368119776987841842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Steve at Klone Peak Summit<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-QZksf3gz6z-8JykxOPgvRtHp2kHVbj0bpx8PYZsF5P8caxrVdCDYRVca02xgsCEpCsZOTCvmfNKow5QOfe0dJIfci5kbXOCV5HdnucKZaw2D8tSH91S-9w10F0myajUswBfCKD7egtN/s1600-h/DSCN3829.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-QZksf3gz6z-8JykxOPgvRtHp2kHVbj0bpx8PYZsF5P8caxrVdCDYRVca02xgsCEpCsZOTCvmfNKow5QOfe0dJIfci5kbXOCV5HdnucKZaw2D8tSH91S-9w10F0myajUswBfCKD7egtN/s400/DSCN3829.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368119765175169234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yours truly in a flower filled meadow<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWvidXom9fd8B9op5Ww0GqLy3Ox5kqGJAXCbHIXmJ073OWFkeLdthoocEOqQ6ghbq1HUYiPl2RmPIajJQ4zvjd-C2tNmfPlHjV5vLrP7M4WWsiKd6YJtwz3GSNoKs-FdLKSg3GjtK1Oto/s1600-h/DSCN3838.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWvidXom9fd8B9op5Ww0GqLy3Ox5kqGJAXCbHIXmJ073OWFkeLdthoocEOqQ6ghbq1HUYiPl2RmPIajJQ4zvjd-C2tNmfPlHjV5vLrP7M4WWsiKd6YJtwz3GSNoKs-FdLKSg3GjtK1Oto/s400/DSCN3838.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368119756474622514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two Little Lakes<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSkKM50tJvbrk_Qg1hGKGpRv8MwtoqblV_qpJerwdOET8VLc9jF3IRDopKLHuoggn-cc30ReuKbMZoHYpTLoweeVjpCw-eznKP-HvsONLlXDzcAo1K-iih874dPZvMp7u59-je74C81R_/s1600-h/Grouse+Hen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSkKM50tJvbrk_Qg1hGKGpRv8MwtoqblV_qpJerwdOET8VLc9jF3IRDopKLHuoggn-cc30ReuKbMZoHYpTLoweeVjpCw-eznKP-HvsONLlXDzcAo1K-iih874dPZvMp7u59-je74C81R_/s400/Grouse+Hen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368119751321739426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Grouse Hen (chick was nearby)<br /><br /></span></div>I will be spending the next month developing my 100 mile attitude. I'm sure I will be encouraged and motivated by helping mark trail at Cascade Crest 100 mile and watching the runners come through the finish line.<br /><br />Many many thanks to Steve and Donna for your help and hospitality! You too Steve and Rob!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-80322382088888497352009-07-18T19:56:00.000-07:002009-07-19T21:14:55.760-07:00Plain 100 Mile Loop 2 Training Run<div align="center" style="background-color: #ccc; width: 300px; height: 48px; font-size: 12px; border:1px solid; border-color:#000;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="15" data="http://www.airmp3.net/player/slim.swf?&player_title=found on AIRMP3.net&song_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.terrycavanagh.com%2Falpine%2F11_The_Chicken_Dance.mp3&song_title=Chicken+Little+-+11+The+Chicken+Dance (found on AIRMP3.net)"><param name="movie" value="http://www.airmp3.net/player/slim.swf?&player_title=found on AIRMP3.net&song_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.terrycavanagh.com%2Falpine%2F11_The_Chicken_Dance.mp3&song_title=Chicken+Little+-+11+The+Chicken+Dance (found on AIRMP3.net)"></object><br/><strong><a href="http://www.airmp3.net/search/-chicken_dance/mp3/Xa">chicken dance songs</a><br /> <a href="http://www.bresso.com">Mp3 download</a> | <a href="http://www.airmp3.net">Music download</a> </strong></div><br />Play this song as you read the blog. It goes with the German theme of Leavenworth near Plain<br /><br />Sitting on a large section of rock-fall on the trail above Chikamin Tie we shut our headlamps off and gazed to the stars. As our eyes adjusted it seemed as though millions of more stars had been created. It was as if the Big Dipper had been painted in front of us. Galaxies could be seen, a meteorite streaking to earth. Those few moments gave all the reason in the world to be running 47 miles through the night in the Entiat Mountains on loop 2 of the Plain 100 course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49aMR8BqR6dmVJo7F93XTc3YHOr5ttTRi819JntaS0iGAMzvtD__bvGLcCM8nFc7l-rmjMD-y6KH83p9TbCxKNLMeVUwOTmcm0QzCpZGNjTetni7iOPomAQrzds6ZMJCxyWJcwAriPT5Z/s1600-h/Plain+Monster+Toad+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49aMR8BqR6dmVJo7F93XTc3YHOr5ttTRi819JntaS0iGAMzvtD__bvGLcCM8nFc7l-rmjMD-y6KH83p9TbCxKNLMeVUwOTmcm0QzCpZGNjTetni7iOPomAQrzds6ZMJCxyWJcwAriPT5Z/s400/Plain+Monster+Toad+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360324296360806354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Giant Toad seen on <a href="http://www.cascaderunningclub.com/plain100.html">Plain 100 course</a>. This is real! Really!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mcvFQOTEeEquKKJJgoaPc54882L0KOKxzSgwvxxcO9WfJYahEyaetVxL4AdLwycIzp5DhraPhh9viN1CG71e8r4HVmdQhhykcNnhIIiaSdEDon9phWNdgtY28R8i_vTS3ynsNCh6qjw6/s1600-h/Plain_route.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mcvFQOTEeEquKKJJgoaPc54882L0KOKxzSgwvxxcO9WfJYahEyaetVxL4AdLwycIzp5DhraPhh9viN1CG71e8r4HVmdQhhykcNnhIIiaSdEDon9phWNdgtY28R8i_vTS3ynsNCh6qjw6/s400/Plain_route.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360324290889843474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Trail marked in yellow is the loop 2 course we ran</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5X5bKaZOFa1rTEsRuhvafZ6TvccOHpUhqdSUXRH2DopnrBnnlyupr2GZkKAAbhH-s7zyGd35pBmXo4siAMD1i71pZZj5lMgAtc_9szQGatH2JGGl8GlEanLXbi9b-LNRobs9F-FZZTpU/s1600-h/Plain-100-profile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5X5bKaZOFa1rTEsRuhvafZ6TvccOHpUhqdSUXRH2DopnrBnnlyupr2GZkKAAbhH-s7zyGd35pBmXo4siAMD1i71pZZj5lMgAtc_9szQGatH2JGGl8GlEanLXbi9b-LNRobs9F-FZZTpU/s400/Plain-100-profile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360324290491264850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Profile for loop 2 starts at around mile 56 of this graph.</span><br /><br />Joe Lee, Steve Stoyles, <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob “Rattler” Hester</a>, and myself headed up to Plain on Friday afternoon for a training run on loop two of the Plain 100 course. We ate dinner in Leavenworth and made it to the Deep Creek Campground trailhead at about 6:30 PM. We changed into our running clothes, readied our gear, and set out on our adventure at 7:00 PM.<br /><br />We had been warned about the large toads we might see on the course. We were not disappointed having the good fortune to see not one but two of the monsters. We did experience one wild animal attack. Seems the runners in front of me spooked a roosting sparrow out of the trees in the dark of night. The startled bird then made a beeline for my headlamp and landed on my head! This evoked a very loud “GET IT OFF ME!” as I bent forward trying to brush the bird off my head. Rattler had heard the bird fluttering behind him as it made its kamikaze approach straight at my head. He turned in time to see me whacking away at my Camelbak hose and bite valve that had flipped up onto my head when I stopped and went into my “bird defense actions”. I’m glad I can be of entertainment to my running buddies out on the trail.<br /><br />Plain 100 has a 14% finisher’s rate. The course is not marked at any point along the way. You must use a map and written instructions. There is only one (1) drop bag point at Deep Creek around mile 56 where you can see your crew otherwise you must self-support. Course officials don’t want any outsiders on the course and that includes family members trying to get a photo. A racer last year was told that he would have been DQ’ed had he not DNF’ed because his dad was out trying to snap a picture of him on the course. Search and Rescue (SAR) folks are located at various points to record your progress. They will not tell you if you are going the wrong way and they will not give you directions. They will tell you how many people are in front of you and behind you. The time limit for the event is 36 hours. I’ll admit taking pause at around mile 34 of this run and asking myself how on earth I thought I could complete this loop which is really the easiest of the two loops after running loop 1. Chalk it up to the fact that my pack had about twice what I really needed in it and that this night run and the sleep deprivation was creating a realistic scenario for race day. That’s when I remembered to just stay stubborn on race day and focus on the finish.<br /><br />Joe and Steve were running stronger than Rob and I so we agreed that they would run the last 7 miles to the Deep Creek start and get the car for us. With <a href="http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/WR50/">White River 50 Mile</a> race next weekend for Rob and I we felt it would be best to stop short considering we were both fairly close to the end of our running rope anyway. It took us 14 hours to run 40 miles. Time to get our game on!<br /><br />I’ve included a few pictures at major turns in the course so others and I can imprint these points in our brains for race day.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouv7AZa1EZbmVUWq8yTwgL5Wa1AMlQ4cgEdff4HN5gIgc81pBj_lUbAIxo_bv6r97S_pGYXhRrEoh3XGLWeA1K_fmcNYu0nmw3Q9K24WVan6UUAoPS-Sb9RyO7gJPKssTy0g8snyZPcFv/s1600-h/DSCN3646.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouv7AZa1EZbmVUWq8yTwgL5Wa1AMlQ4cgEdff4HN5gIgc81pBj_lUbAIxo_bv6r97S_pGYXhRrEoh3XGLWeA1K_fmcNYu0nmw3Q9K24WVan6UUAoPS-Sb9RyO7gJPKssTy0g8snyZPcFv/s400/DSCN3646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360005177645763122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Steve Stoyles, me, & Rob "Rattler" Hester before the brutality</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7IOV_4i5G7ui2LYm1CDbO_OWqE6m0Ey-xrJ8Q31iCWouI1YYR5kcYzpmkvr937QsK69MMhMT89RLl3BbIHGRURos09YD2TjYwHuoJDW57cYToTAfxVTXo6yhkKPmvXq0dA73P8VdTDXb/s1600-h/DSCN3644.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7IOV_4i5G7ui2LYm1CDbO_OWqE6m0Ey-xrJ8Q31iCWouI1YYR5kcYzpmkvr937QsK69MMhMT89RLl3BbIHGRURos09YD2TjYwHuoJDW57cYToTAfxVTXo6yhkKPmvXq0dA73P8VdTDXb/s400/DSCN3644.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360005169532989762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Joe Lee from Oregon joined us for this run.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSYKtrDSrqt6aLPFFzy1u8IzuBAspl1MddrF9JWPNWn62nGw_OmdbcujqWTjPGGmI5myY9c90VC1_GkgXYBjzRqKzhIiC2l6ORrJ82EDr3v2khV-eDZUyCJzZOqzT2EnRcrPsVwbtpMqL/s1600-h/DSCN3648.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSYKtrDSrqt6aLPFFzy1u8IzuBAspl1MddrF9JWPNWn62nGw_OmdbcujqWTjPGGmI5myY9c90VC1_GkgXYBjzRqKzhIiC2l6ORrJ82EDr3v2khV-eDZUyCJzZOqzT2EnRcrPsVwbtpMqL/s400/DSCN3648.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360005166655842386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sign on the way out from Deep Creek on Trail 1548</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn7di4FOYJYlSyw2FRSOSOc_ddwoPCBXEH2ey_nGiSf_0gtj8lV0oLufVMsUOVVr7jIuCyAoBvYzTlp48P-Wj6mHFS5_bRvkrTL15NRgKzPYmwtr-7U3BQxlIitWY1e6lGIu94ejVzZ9g/s1600-h/DSCN3649.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn7di4FOYJYlSyw2FRSOSOc_ddwoPCBXEH2ey_nGiSf_0gtj8lV0oLufVMsUOVVr7jIuCyAoBvYzTlp48P-Wj6mHFS5_bRvkrTL15NRgKzPYmwtr-7U3BQxlIitWY1e6lGIu94ejVzZ9g/s400/DSCN3649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360005159562787730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">You basically continue straight or stay right here from 1548 to 1534. You can see the trail between the tree with the sign and Rob.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W-sMKScfTGIyUczzU3dgMAxKY4Qt1Y4zOgPAlK8SNZM66OHCG0pqEw3k3p2uuZiM8-v32eZlT3Ur6maNDuEKHjVSQWOmYoZmTNX4_16GE6aRloq0jCxGEktBxXBAA-17kXKyLwgQS_Gj/s1600-h/DSCN3650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W-sMKScfTGIyUczzU3dgMAxKY4Qt1Y4zOgPAlK8SNZM66OHCG0pqEw3k3p2uuZiM8-v32eZlT3Ur6maNDuEKHjVSQWOmYoZmTNX4_16GE6aRloq0jCxGEktBxXBAA-17kXKyLwgQS_Gj/s400/DSCN3650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360005152863414418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">OK so the toads are normal size but really fat perhaps due to the high number of mosquitoes.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATdDLTKXyEpVHZTsy_0niXVcvtrHtz2BDAcfLXxJzwrqkGgSNyn4IsSWcpzA5p2As9UgA-5yyZa3Nsw5oPWkzwmLrf9KGHnjZBiOZQB7KS6og7tDtiTV8Q5WJbGQqzQo2z0hOFBl0K0Ds/s1600-h/DSCN3652.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATdDLTKXyEpVHZTsy_0niXVcvtrHtz2BDAcfLXxJzwrqkGgSNyn4IsSWcpzA5p2As9UgA-5yyZa3Nsw5oPWkzwmLrf9KGHnjZBiOZQB7KS6og7tDtiTV8Q5WJbGQqzQo2z0hOFBl0K0Ds/s400/DSCN3652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360004229465316050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Important stay right to Chikamin Tie. Wide spot in trail with fairly large creek (Chikamin) ahead if you pass the signs</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqicpHDyE0V5Yx_f491yPLOZi2JopKNCROQatAaf9vpOqKF3nAUjpDvvwiit52-eRziF_Riwn8-NubNJvSa5_gJtKNyZkRmIp6DI7u0prKfyEMyuKNqzg8_9vZVY5-Ke0rofO-T2ZEji/s1600-h/DSCN3653_edited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqicpHDyE0V5Yx_f491yPLOZi2JopKNCROQatAaf9vpOqKF3nAUjpDvvwiit52-eRziF_Riwn8-NubNJvSa5_gJtKNyZkRmIp6DI7u0prKfyEMyuKNqzg8_9vZVY5-Ke0rofO-T2ZEji/s400/DSCN3653_edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360004222459673458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Joe getting water at one of the many streams along the course.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPetZyDAJmq6Bk2bda4jdnatie5SV7pL1f0sS1u6LuZB4oHUG6XAN8S7ge6q5zYss42y4-iDJ3qKTNKLLnibr7CKiS00iBnhPK_zp2ZmINmIzGqvlSGvE9GsWH9EBGmqU4t2JMtEgS-NA/s1600-h/DSCN1607.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPetZyDAJmq6Bk2bda4jdnatie5SV7pL1f0sS1u6LuZB4oHUG6XAN8S7ge6q5zYss42y4-iDJ3qKTNKLLnibr7CKiS00iBnhPK_zp2ZmINmIzGqvlSGvE9GsWH9EBGmqU4t2JMtEgS-NA/s400/DSCN1607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360004217816327170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Daylight photo from 2008 of the rock fall where we viewed the stars.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-SdpzXUR-Ma-hSgeBGN3bhO0eQQKuXiozzieJTwG5ec_UKowKqicHz_e8N_BX34Nu0SiaXZpQRNWoQGSSzbFGp_9Giv2xIluk-W85G-H1ExaMa0aF0gHYidn3tUU9prpOkOSVHM_zXMb/s1600-h/DSCN3654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-SdpzXUR-Ma-hSgeBGN3bhO0eQQKuXiozzieJTwG5ec_UKowKqicHz_e8N_BX34Nu0SiaXZpQRNWoQGSSzbFGp_9Giv2xIluk-W85G-H1ExaMa0aF0gHYidn3tUU9prpOkOSVHM_zXMb/s400/DSCN3654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360004214228587170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Night photo of the rock fall this year.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yI1DacjAf4lBg4PSbu52QjQI8rly3CI7aSJzf61TKxpqJp-aC7t-euTvy5EUM02VUFs2W0bm-A31mnKvcfbAXWwsM2qeBt1JrySwmwMahANahFTdMcLDkwRWtIzxB-sBDk0lCyVWKPVX/s1600-h/DSCN3655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yI1DacjAf4lBg4PSbu52QjQI8rly3CI7aSJzf61TKxpqJp-aC7t-euTvy5EUM02VUFs2W0bm-A31mnKvcfbAXWwsM2qeBt1JrySwmwMahANahFTdMcLDkwRWtIzxB-sBDk0lCyVWKPVX/s400/DSCN3655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360004207084576146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Right turn at Mad River Trail 1409.1 from 1409.2</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRXVEDedCHLd0Wmo3Fh6c1DjQLjtE1W5Mkh4Vxn9D_qXy1KmEwG-RJAsqq8OCZ_IuRSF33DmL4LywrbtGE2Uilo8eSmdIm5ueBPtVpeT4fhmp4sELlnAGyVHBz3WoKAl439_0hgMuaGmI/s1600-h/DSCN3656.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRXVEDedCHLd0Wmo3Fh6c1DjQLjtE1W5Mkh4Vxn9D_qXy1KmEwG-RJAsqq8OCZ_IuRSF33DmL4LywrbtGE2Uilo8eSmdIm5ueBPtVpeT4fhmp4sELlnAGyVHBz3WoKAl439_0hgMuaGmI/s400/DSCN3656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360003188774625586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Right turn on Alder Ridge Trail 1523</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQSojiu1fMO4aym4SmE_kKuA1iU8Ynlef52ZN4SaBwLgyExqHu41y_D2JlM3i5WcsVj2aToetHZY5YCLrx_Io7slXTtKRNHdm8AEQ6byk0_bFhagDGWI4Q_XMWxKajioQy8fzgLRZ3qX6/s1600-h/DSCN3658.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQSojiu1fMO4aym4SmE_kKuA1iU8Ynlef52ZN4SaBwLgyExqHu41y_D2JlM3i5WcsVj2aToetHZY5YCLrx_Io7slXTtKRNHdm8AEQ6byk0_bFhagDGWI4Q_XMWxKajioQy8fzgLRZ3qX6/s400/DSCN3658.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360003174585039058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunrise on Alder Ridge</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXXc51Rjs-RZL5xD_XvFCFVIxi1p23GIdy90beZFklOJQmxJujT43y3mb9cojtPzjR1vNHNO0HJO6ElAFtHnEaziNHdj0YBo_noCIKuPHIdAYLqi6iOYg1Ax32BIIGVkBvuoltujl7fHL/s1600-h/DSCN3666.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXXc51Rjs-RZL5xD_XvFCFVIxi1p23GIdy90beZFklOJQmxJujT43y3mb9cojtPzjR1vNHNO0HJO6ElAFtHnEaziNHdj0YBo_noCIKuPHIdAYLqi6iOYg1Ax32BIIGVkBvuoltujl7fHL/s400/DSCN3666.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360003173090169474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Morning view from Alder Ridge Summit</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeWW54yHu6TtMf-_IoOPZECe6lSkui40MwbOwMovmPSem4dgEDfsr7_w19l6pyJReMy1WNtng4i9QuKtDUJviLOVPpPVkfghvo-HFmpolM2Z5xklnnTJ4OTeaXVI9m37kUY1oIM9mxXoA/s1600-h/DSCN3667.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeWW54yHu6TtMf-_IoOPZECe6lSkui40MwbOwMovmPSem4dgEDfsr7_w19l6pyJReMy1WNtng4i9QuKtDUJviLOVPpPVkfghvo-HFmpolM2Z5xklnnTJ4OTeaXVI9m37kUY1oIM9mxXoA/s400/DSCN3667.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360003169236365058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">1523 opens to dirt road. 150 yards ORV sign at x-ing ahead</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPM983XgRWRy9xeckWpCpGXIXAxdE5j3rzOrQOObEge1hdDWIfYTYxklZ9ykuszCFDulZRUBsA71JDLtpZYDjxDp0FZX_qgjHRCjx-5QCAHIXrUaOls3NjNOtkkyE7tZYVC_FfF3o2sgP/s1600-h/DSCN3668.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPM983XgRWRy9xeckWpCpGXIXAxdE5j3rzOrQOObEge1hdDWIfYTYxklZ9ykuszCFDulZRUBsA71JDLtpZYDjxDp0FZX_qgjHRCjx-5QCAHIXrUaOls3NjNOtkkyE7tZYVC_FfF3o2sgP/s400/DSCN3668.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360002211467031650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">ORV sign, go down the trail</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2uexGNN1vNE9aTTB576SRvTS6sWVj-mqapJb6RibRDlT0w58KJdDEo6mXDWllGdQ_k5c0tvfNYykE7x1WTFI3lwM4dM2CHaJ2Z-XPXbudF5nU-f8prcxSrakXhq_GLSYaiA_py7vh-Y7/s1600-h/DSCN3669.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2uexGNN1vNE9aTTB576SRvTS6sWVj-mqapJb6RibRDlT0w58KJdDEo6mXDWllGdQ_k5c0tvfNYykE7x1WTFI3lwM4dM2CHaJ2Z-XPXbudF5nU-f8prcxSrakXhq_GLSYaiA_py7vh-Y7/s400/DSCN3669.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360002206971863746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two (2) miles of road</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-rwxfZjQi_ekTQuus1YpaCD8U_6Bgj1zs6JsKj77BhK9k1XCQZ4xHZds0yIrhBVmMocYs7c8pvyEQ2XvgXXUV336abWg6-XJfIqyh283NkpuuNcSqAKI5aQbWifRRkxaNvfRWZITFUEk/s1600-h/DSCN3673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-rwxfZjQi_ekTQuus1YpaCD8U_6Bgj1zs6JsKj77BhK9k1XCQZ4xHZds0yIrhBVmMocYs7c8pvyEQ2XvgXXUV336abWg6-XJfIqyh283NkpuuNcSqAKI5aQbWifRRkxaNvfRWZITFUEk/s400/DSCN3673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360002200275377554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">End of 2 mile section trail 1523 straight ahead</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe_DIS6HHsAddebwLodNEogGyaQ8zzmtejgP0vnMYh1KFVjrwYrE9KicyMdvU_JQstqUag5rcD5RwrZxbyA0Dr5OfNQ1lUlA0imokS6uhFRkVNe6DuMNeEP00R_5AJHIEdIad4KpvK41O/s1600-h/DSCN3674.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe_DIS6HHsAddebwLodNEogGyaQ8zzmtejgP0vnMYh1KFVjrwYrE9KicyMdvU_JQstqUag5rcD5RwrZxbyA0Dr5OfNQ1lUlA0imokS6uhFRkVNe6DuMNeEP00R_5AJHIEdIad4KpvK41O/s400/DSCN3674.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360002196527747634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My torn Brooks Cascadia resulting from a poky stick on the trail</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNnK4_6rOwPXw363MmeJeWn621zL0jCuqEHaIn3DobAGlFDLH2CO3zyJe4UWG_2L8Nte3uV2ZszWZLBm-6yynpEFyU_MRsGUfMfIG28yLD17FYzF9whJJXcPu5WPBds0XsYNKSIM3eiGD/s1600-h/DSCN3675.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNnK4_6rOwPXw363MmeJeWn621zL0jCuqEHaIn3DobAGlFDLH2CO3zyJe4UWG_2L8Nte3uV2ZszWZLBm-6yynpEFyU_MRsGUfMfIG28yLD17FYzF9whJJXcPu5WPBds0XsYNKSIM3eiGD/s400/DSCN3675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360002191819672722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Rattler contemplating why he runs ultras</span>.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! Stay ON it!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-42929636940906525602009-06-29T13:11:00.000-07:002009-06-29T14:25:06.936-07:00Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVM7_YAJyKcklk3HErHO91z6QVsBQXaTu60kOAdPFavkMCp_JrryarYbBwbHe3o8toX0SBlLOnKz2gQhCOpDzi5_IY4HjJCbFyEZSCgrHYBVRjbmIc0lB8P4RzZOMqj-VcdIRwR0CvreL/s1600-h/DSCN3534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVM7_YAJyKcklk3HErHO91z6QVsBQXaTu60kOAdPFavkMCp_JrryarYbBwbHe3o8toX0SBlLOnKz2gQhCOpDzi5_IY4HjJCbFyEZSCgrHYBVRjbmIc0lB8P4RzZOMqj-VcdIRwR0CvreL/s400/DSCN3534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352846175146422610" border="0" /></a>Let me just say that this is the first Rock n Roll Marathon I've ever run. I had fun, enjoyed the course, the runners, the bands, the cheerleaders, and the great organization efforts put out by the race and it's many volunteers. We had wonderful weather with morning start temp around 50 degrees F and 75 degrees by the finish. There was a wonderful cool breeze off the water that was enjoyed by all.<br /><br />As you can see by the picture above the crowd was huge(click on the photo to see the masses). The race had 25,000 signed up. Of that 25,000, 5,618 Marathon runners crossed the finish line. The balance either dropped from the marathon or ran the Half Marathon. The Half Marathon is so big I don't know why they give "Marathon" top billing. Portions of the course were shared in the first half of the marathon course with the half marathon runners and walkers. This led to a few navigational issues avoiding slower runners and walkers who had provided unrealistic finishing times upon application and were placed in the front corrals. I imagine this will always be a problem at these Rock n Roll races since they don't require any sort of qualifying time. <a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> was in corral 28 and it took her 48 minutes to reach the starting line.<br /><br />This was not the largest marathon I have ever participated in since Boston at 30,000 and Marine Corps at 30,000 are both marathon only. It was the largest half marathon I've ever been at. A contingent of Puyallup runners carpooled with <a href="http://runawaywithcat.blogspot.com/">Cat</a> including George, Michelle, Lorrie, and myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-rMIpSk3_h8_Sp6HXRHGeE7BMH_Uc5v5XNXFvBNAW3zuua56f2Wdg7i-tBS5m93DgjyR216C5Jb9f3xidd8gsufpvXPhOaAW_88-_qZMdP0_myUszcy2-6-6-96BccjyJeL7FjjUjqMx/s1600-h/DSCN3541.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-rMIpSk3_h8_Sp6HXRHGeE7BMH_Uc5v5XNXFvBNAW3zuua56f2Wdg7i-tBS5m93DgjyR216C5Jb9f3xidd8gsufpvXPhOaAW_88-_qZMdP0_myUszcy2-6-6-96BccjyJeL7FjjUjqMx/s400/DSCN3541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352846171187400978" border="0" /></a>These half marathon runners added some color to the crowd!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAPBmSlXTEQ41xMk9Xs65A7hkhb8TjtSTrWx80TNttc8o8hubNRT7LShzF47d0ZSJuWkyixhegJK7nRIXVgt7FXQ2C1IzFymgLlad4MxQ3LejkIIr1ISoVeq6Z59kaQmJ2gjVhbXXemth/s1600-h/DSCN3548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAPBmSlXTEQ41xMk9Xs65A7hkhb8TjtSTrWx80TNttc8o8hubNRT7LShzF47d0ZSJuWkyixhegJK7nRIXVgt7FXQ2C1IzFymgLlad4MxQ3LejkIIr1ISoVeq6Z59kaQmJ2gjVhbXXemth/s400/DSCN3548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352845855475951938" border="0" /></a>Marathon after separating from the half marathon crowd heads north on the viaduct. Port of Seattle in the background.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC9kbFjtW82xopw5o1kStY4wCYTWl9xaNR71uJs813ps3o1hdDlUrDVsmg6526XKuRE1LY-OJk4Y13vHj4QNQa5xbLcuAwTJV0aR30BnrP3gY1ys4dKcgENIGsuVjM-BsUuh07s04hSeX/s1600-h/DSCN3549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC9kbFjtW82xopw5o1kStY4wCYTWl9xaNR71uJs813ps3o1hdDlUrDVsmg6526XKuRE1LY-OJk4Y13vHj4QNQa5xbLcuAwTJV0aR30BnrP3gY1ys4dKcgENIGsuVjM-BsUuh07s04hSeX/s400/DSCN3549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352845849784159426" border="0" /></a>Obligatory photo of one of the 24 or so bands along the course. The overall quality of the bands was GR7 with a mixture of really good to really bad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqX5YyUJoWKuJo9I79XBBIFMV1x2Red0Z4Keehl38kHf3td_mS5fJ4Rf-egz5kdSi48kZjwcrSkdBcBt4B1HqFNUC8valIKStB2L0kZQO8uOH5GQpTBnlsVeSmm-oOgwiML_gX1qcxZAz/s1600-h/DSCN3551.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqX5YyUJoWKuJo9I79XBBIFMV1x2Red0Z4Keehl38kHf3td_mS5fJ4Rf-egz5kdSi48kZjwcrSkdBcBt4B1HqFNUC8valIKStB2L0kZQO8uOH5GQpTBnlsVeSmm-oOgwiML_gX1qcxZAz/s400/DSCN3551.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352845840299563810" border="0" /></a>Several Marathon Maniacs from across the country participated in this event.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrP81ZOm3tfIpqGU-HWcAMVIFsRDcf74Ac1WHRIsoN9ZRusWFi7aKVoQw6dmp5WLhx5vMlZRCjK6w32pJ5MMkHDsGD-8K9cACz-uP872lv4fKnBQG3HZO_CCczoaXlkA90MADArfxagb/s1600-h/DSCN3555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrP81ZOm3tfIpqGU-HWcAMVIFsRDcf74Ac1WHRIsoN9ZRusWFi7aKVoQw6dmp5WLhx5vMlZRCjK6w32pJ5MMkHDsGD-8K9cACz-uP872lv4fKnBQG3HZO_CCczoaXlkA90MADArfxagb/s400/DSCN3555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352845836152680546" border="0" /></a>I took an asphalt dive when I was running through the Battery Street Tunnel. A metal ring about 12 inches in diameter from a lost hubcap was laying on the sidewalk in the tunnel. I stepped on the edge of the ring with my left foot flipping it up in perfect synchronization with my right foot coming forward. The result was I had the ring around both ankles and I took a quick and unexpected dive. The tunnel is so dirty from car exhaust and dirt that I slid like I was going face first into second base. Managed to only get a scrape on my left elbow and knee. Good thing I have rock hard abs to slide on. First person to me asked if I was OK. Second person told me I should sue the city of Seattle. America... love it or sue them and make a bunch of money! Shortly after at mile 19 <a href="http://eflattrailrunner.blogspot.com/">Laura Houston</a> saved the day with a refreshing shot of beer for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3kMbug7KE5KX_Kfk1SXcej5fH3mLkjmHk8cXS_Dzxqn61PnAhKLma2Avn7afXj6JEqbHKRGE12ZbOzyndy4llz_kr2rOXAivDpWux_Qb8wm3ctdVramVrLxhWeKV6-ZSiRbmg6WEYAG1/s1600-h/DSCN3575.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3kMbug7KE5KX_Kfk1SXcej5fH3mLkjmHk8cXS_Dzxqn61PnAhKLma2Avn7afXj6JEqbHKRGE12ZbOzyndy4llz_kr2rOXAivDpWux_Qb8wm3ctdVramVrLxhWeKV6-ZSiRbmg6WEYAG1/s400/DSCN3575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352845832249902418" border="0" /></a>Here's a picture of Michelle at mile 26. Mr. grouchy pants motorcycle cop in the background nearly cuffed me about 5 min. before. Seems they didn't want any runners going back out on the course. Since I very often run out to meet Michelle and run her in at races I called her and found that she was nearing mile 25. I headed up the ramp behind her only to be called back by the officer. He told me I couldn't go out to meet her. I gave him the old "oh come on" which didn't go over very well. I decided to go find another access point but based on Michelle's position I was not going to be able to go anywhere else. I went back up to the officer and asked him what Seattle law I would be breaking if I went against his wishes and ran out to meet her. He told me he would arrest me for trespassing. I replied that I didn't believe he could arrest me for trespass on a closed public roadway. He then told me that not only would he get me for trespass but also harassment should I proceed past that point. You don't know how bad I wanted to just start running up that ramp. I can see not having folks going up the ramp when the masses were coming in but let's face it the crowd had thinned. All the while Team in Training coaches were running up the ramp and running back down with their runners. Kinda like I was going to do. OK I've vented.<br /><br />Results: 3:45:06 on mostly concrete. Course was moderate difficulty<br /><br />Thanks to Larry for driving the gang from Puyallup to the starting line and meeting us at the finish.<br /><br />Next race on the agenda is the Plain 100 Mile Endurance Run in September. I may run White River 50 Mile but my focus will be on preparing for Plain. The training runs should provide for some good pictures and blog postings.Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-72362081868876654552009-06-24T07:07:00.000-07:002009-06-24T07:21:58.722-07:00Marathon Motivation<a title="Dilbert.com" href="http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2005-08-10/"><img height="191" alt="Dilbert.com" src="http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/00000/0000/900/953/953.strip.gif" width="573" border="0" /></a>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-48791805779243135632009-06-17T18:36:00.000-07:002009-06-17T19:17:16.855-07:00Running in the Pacific NorthwestNot a lot of racing activity for me lately so I've been out running the trails of the PNW and getting some good training in with 60-75 mile weeks. Here's some photos from last weekend and yesterday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FjXnnBvsoHvdkHhmgCBEjigThR1JIjnaHm9TAP5MvKeUaJQPyhb6RSPUWBnR52LqqOr2kz28vYm8n19UthMuFQmHOsmQkuQWnRK9klNkgsSekv0vP5EqdWZTqx6fno0TWTzY2SDt4mS8/s1600-h/DSCN3491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FjXnnBvsoHvdkHhmgCBEjigThR1JIjnaHm9TAP5MvKeUaJQPyhb6RSPUWBnR52LqqOr2kz28vYm8n19UthMuFQmHOsmQkuQWnRK9klNkgsSekv0vP5EqdWZTqx6fno0TWTzY2SDt4mS8/s400/DSCN3491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477146505553394" border="0" /></a><a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob Hester</a> up at the Bullitt fireplace on Squak Mt. We started our 21 mile run at 5:00AM and were able to go socialize with the folks running the Lake Youngs Ultra after our run.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx6eFgXO09LwUTH2JaDxY9IvhPwuAThLNm086hCcBHlJy49MIAQhdWbhNB3BnlN75wzkobdFhOyKl0n3NSpvWRhfKS-t1yf3KsAeg_SgZPQipq3r9IQkfb5MPo1LR-Q5ZBzejFjTdtu7d/s1600-h/DSCN3494.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx6eFgXO09LwUTH2JaDxY9IvhPwuAThLNm086hCcBHlJy49MIAQhdWbhNB3BnlN75wzkobdFhOyKl0n3NSpvWRhfKS-t1yf3KsAeg_SgZPQipq3r9IQkfb5MPo1LR-Q5ZBzejFjTdtu7d/s400/DSCN3494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477138906833554" border="0" /></a>Abi hanging with Terry at the finish of the Lake Youngs Ultra (LYU)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxNu0lTWFnf2Zqu-bdmmJpQviUPhyphenhyphen1VY_DVAMRkYhEjPIkkuZwMoGQJZ7-woJLU3iSgTLfJDRHpRwUv75jw3pziyv5uQcd0gsURFRusCkyIY8VkGC0B1HCcBcYoOrHH0HqHe6h6OE7lYa/s1600-h/DSCN3495.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxNu0lTWFnf2Zqu-bdmmJpQviUPhyphenhyphen1VY_DVAMRkYhEjPIkkuZwMoGQJZ7-woJLU3iSgTLfJDRHpRwUv75jw3pziyv5uQcd0gsURFRusCkyIY8VkGC0B1HCcBcYoOrHH0HqHe6h6OE7lYa/s400/DSCN3495.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477131483895490" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny Appel</a> who finished overall winner in the Rainier to Ruston 50 mile ultra the previous week still smiling after LYU.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUpDl4KlT0WSsg70xMioQmqnNGPmvhKG4g-oCkon0ozOSKVbBgE0XVkuDvccOgAIxOlDaKES9JgjXcweh9CCATTpe5ZSq3w-N96p2t7aBdxoYY5mPz0Er5Tb3YQ5rONlkUV8VxeE7d3We/s1600-h/DSCN3496_edited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUpDl4KlT0WSsg70xMioQmqnNGPmvhKG4g-oCkon0ozOSKVbBgE0XVkuDvccOgAIxOlDaKES9JgjXcweh9CCATTpe5ZSq3w-N96p2t7aBdxoYY5mPz0Er5Tb3YQ5rONlkUV8VxeE7d3We/s400/DSCN3496_edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477127937767714" border="0" /></a>Karen Wiggins trying not to tighten up too much.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPDe8Ltvp5AjTtbwj6iS3mdJdF0u0LgpWaqX47feJPElqsjV9mGJAFB2G1IdnO8pnIg-MeKR5O6I2EIgL3jBpEsb8KoYEkS2TzBtCuk8r18YO3H9E1u8wiqLd0t4VzITGdMu9l8urPaj/s1600-h/DSCN3497.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPDe8Ltvp5AjTtbwj6iS3mdJdF0u0LgpWaqX47feJPElqsjV9mGJAFB2G1IdnO8pnIg-MeKR5O6I2EIgL3jBpEsb8KoYEkS2TzBtCuk8r18YO3H9E1u8wiqLd0t4VzITGdMu9l8urPaj/s400/DSCN3497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477120191594658" border="0" /></a>OK, let the kids back into the pool now girls!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjGpNIXrspJ1MBtZuaYBkbf0RYTMfKOVR5aa-MWLKGTpbh6LZmql_fjSdyF2CTuVOg0vQQDd-gglZMbCUD-_5r0gZOc2diGjMnjP_3xta__qY_QrusIH32bWIZkhiCYnFURbVh1oQVJ_H/s1600-h/DSCN3499.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjGpNIXrspJ1MBtZuaYBkbf0RYTMfKOVR5aa-MWLKGTpbh6LZmql_fjSdyF2CTuVOg0vQQDd-gglZMbCUD-_5r0gZOc2diGjMnjP_3xta__qY_QrusIH32bWIZkhiCYnFURbVh1oQVJ_H/s400/DSCN3499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348476631235150466" border="0" /></a>Frankie the Y-Run Club mascot<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX6cPKTpfyh8LEDk1D-RY8TXcM0aCVlp2fX6Opts9bGfW8FFR5D_JGiqj7O_zRDH7wNydfAbXu-jeKGXL7F1_3nQxl8sh8CYLuoXdSjbNm1YIH8SITiROnVEWOuD_ndXYbmEF1YIGgXlw/s1600-h/DSCN3503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX6cPKTpfyh8LEDk1D-RY8TXcM0aCVlp2fX6Opts9bGfW8FFR5D_JGiqj7O_zRDH7wNydfAbXu-jeKGXL7F1_3nQxl8sh8CYLuoXdSjbNm1YIH8SITiROnVEWOuD_ndXYbmEF1YIGgXlw/s400/DSCN3503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348476625393105346" border="0" /></a>Bob Stoyles finishing with an entourage of supporters: L2R Abi, Linda, Bob, Steve<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_W_MrsBE_TeHsxJ7lUo0kYLSlrNCWQhR0lKeHaPdb4oUH1OAiNjXm0kSqAS0Larwuu79GfrudnDPzPmeKAuN94RuFv5hv_u-JY5LtRYwFUIzpWuvX3wWVd_b3QicClcprfQNmT4F23Ot/s1600-h/DSCN3511.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_W_MrsBE_TeHsxJ7lUo0kYLSlrNCWQhR0lKeHaPdb4oUH1OAiNjXm0kSqAS0Larwuu79GfrudnDPzPmeKAuN94RuFv5hv_u-JY5LtRYwFUIzpWuvX3wWVd_b3QicClcprfQNmT4F23Ot/s400/DSCN3511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348476621575797522" border="0" /></a>Stream crossing PCT Craig Hanela. Michelle and I will be marking a section of trail for the 20th Century 100K race this coming weekend. Last night Craig, Michael, and me scouted a section to see how the water and snow levels were. Looks great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYUdZFXulvH02CgBdb6EfjyH153RRhS8yopRmGqNKp3IQAul3bT686ss1upUG4RJhG8DXjHpwGxZSrv4J_ZN4DR2p0cLBpzgaUI6pLIQ-yJSx2qdGUEzhUrZtAGQlr7sd2eAXh-M4_Qi3/s1600-h/DSCN3512.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYUdZFXulvH02CgBdb6EfjyH153RRhS8yopRmGqNKp3IQAul3bT686ss1upUG4RJhG8DXjHpwGxZSrv4J_ZN4DR2p0cLBpzgaUI6pLIQ-yJSx2qdGUEzhUrZtAGQlr7sd2eAXh-M4_Qi3/s400/DSCN3512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348476619778731138" border="0" /></a>Rope section on really steep section we ran last night. We finished the run in the dark. Pictured: Michael Cartwright<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrgMTFaXO4hAiUqIxrXaAisIRDaMJ4ZEQDkKZTdJuKvhQAaCqHTREc1KOQucIoWbUvQpWTOIxfepZOcgjD56fCspwrxIYrY91hVTtAusdPoNDcMwLnBjbPDsradXNle27d4hUXBMrQ7xB/s1600-h/RSCN3513.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrgMTFaXO4hAiUqIxrXaAisIRDaMJ4ZEQDkKZTdJuKvhQAaCqHTREc1KOQucIoWbUvQpWTOIxfepZOcgjD56fCspwrxIYrY91hVTtAusdPoNDcMwLnBjbPDsradXNle27d4hUXBMrQ7xB/s400/RSCN3513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348476607769561538" border="0" /></a> Michael Cartwright crossing washed out section of Iron Horse Trail.<br /><br />OK that's it for now! Time for me to catch up on your blogs!<br /><br />Run like the wind!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-9900226142394551242009-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:002009-06-16T09:09:01.565-07:00401K Relay Anyone?<a title="Dilbert.com" href="http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2001-04-02/"><img height="165" alt="Dilbert.com" src="http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/00000/2000/100/2106/2106.strip.gif" width="531" border="0" /></a>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-6671288846604870892009-05-18T12:48:00.000-07:002009-05-18T13:38:00.255-07:00Spodi Odi Running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-anQp0kH38UXsBd1IrUxSCwIcJh3cjqOhUzmFScUMg5ta2Ays98XBT3IAHUjjB4Q0atnjBG4KU-64x3n7M-qjGvCPHAxq-kBW1BlbtRLDF3pBE2Rd5m3XEcB-5dc61iOIdFu2bRp4Locn/s1600-h/DSCN3311.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-anQp0kH38UXsBd1IrUxSCwIcJh3cjqOhUzmFScUMg5ta2Ays98XBT3IAHUjjB4Q0atnjBG4KU-64x3n7M-qjGvCPHAxq-kBW1BlbtRLDF3pBE2Rd5m3XEcB-5dc61iOIdFu2bRp4Locn/s400/DSCN3311.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255530625543826" border="0" /></a>"Cold Tubbing" with Brian Morrison, me, Jenny Appel, and Steve Stoyles at the completion of the Watershed 12 Hour in Redmond Washington.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErTWwi1AbOo9B-4j-ioMjZjozWpalOi8M-nbSXeCrvFlqauoMVMcDJCJEziRbeGADfXeRSNMBZVITPOITkBgnY9tLF2GzDfSHycccAsBRy5JV3-SRANGjlDEBeBUoSikT7Qkf37hAKvey/s1600-h/DSCN3334.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErTWwi1AbOo9B-4j-ioMjZjozWpalOi8M-nbSXeCrvFlqauoMVMcDJCJEziRbeGADfXeRSNMBZVITPOITkBgnY9tLF2GzDfSHycccAsBRy5JV3-SRANGjlDEBeBUoSikT7Qkf37hAKvey/s400/DSCN3334.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255251614220754" border="0" /></a>Womens open winner Shawna Wilskey @ Watershed 12 Hr. with over 70 miles. Her first effort over 50 miles. Shawna has really made a splash on the West Coast running scene over the past year. She runs as hard as she did when she was racing sprint cars and winning event after event. Now she owns a company that builds race cars.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j4IyMyPUhdtHnGzLmYP5eq5IsqrsumFWdLiM7Ev5m4WwMWZDiG7Tj-0KPA5H-FSP4iQUuc_WNQSRR8tsPVABW-AOIOwMeVC77B986O4MlNPhTpO8QCrs27-lxRdGoHXXYrtgICna31qK/s1600-h/DSCN3332.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j4IyMyPUhdtHnGzLmYP5eq5IsqrsumFWdLiM7Ev5m4WwMWZDiG7Tj-0KPA5H-FSP4iQUuc_WNQSRR8tsPVABW-AOIOwMeVC77B986O4MlNPhTpO8QCrs27-lxRdGoHXXYrtgICna31qK/s400/DSCN3332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255247629529378" border="0" /></a>Mens winner Sam Thompson Watershed 12 Hr. with just under 80 miles and a new course record. Sam was the first American to run 50 Marathons in 50 States in 50 days. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cOS92kkvd6A56arHWUjyzKfheo2aQ8YOb2dJvWUDq8avtbaBCQFS9sKR6e2_ty0epZSm_XGkPb-rkCm5Vt4_gPovXLmeens0o-WbjUjEtlQnUak5fZdZmpsa2VkAJC3M2_NC9X8hGc4/s1600-h/DSCN3308.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cOS92kkvd6A56arHWUjyzKfheo2aQ8YOb2dJvWUDq8avtbaBCQFS9sKR6e2_ty0epZSm_XGkPb-rkCm5Vt4_gPovXLmeens0o-WbjUjEtlQnUak5fZdZmpsa2VkAJC3M2_NC9X8hGc4/s400/DSCN3308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255243649681010" border="0" /></a>Jenny Appel and Steve Stoyles finishing goal of 50 miles. They let me pace them the last 7 miles or so of their run. Jenny is training for her first 100 mile at Cascade Crest in late August.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLLGjqWONd_JZ86CpoT1I5kovk6vuyIn4dnPYR-UetovYPTERGD8eVgbvHls0gl-ufxcE5vHwHCzz3mOumh3JgdrHsZqWH4vlrdLvGx3tfRmAp9YiY713AKRRnP8Lj2LV9tK7FxNHOlAs/s1600-h/DSCN3304.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLLGjqWONd_JZ86CpoT1I5kovk6vuyIn4dnPYR-UetovYPTERGD8eVgbvHls0gl-ufxcE5vHwHCzz3mOumh3JgdrHsZqWH4vlrdLvGx3tfRmAp9YiY713AKRRnP8Lj2LV9tK7FxNHOlAs/s400/DSCN3304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255239912258914" border="0" /></a>Bob Stoyles still running strong at 80 years old. Tough guys wear cotton shirts!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD0rCuMgREVAkn-JsTCX0ZE9DwuvcU0Ru1NCZVzVWA7bpoPXDkqKl-HgbNY6Y9Z1Mm4hcF_6Bmdz6cL91xXlnhMO6MFVQmYvAvdjVm4yH0FqxyDFrJGgw1k-NHPQ7ilqJ96t5uDXz4mRR/s1600-h/DSCN3284.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD0rCuMgREVAkn-JsTCX0ZE9DwuvcU0Ru1NCZVzVWA7bpoPXDkqKl-HgbNY6Y9Z1Mm4hcF_6Bmdz6cL91xXlnhMO6MFVQmYvAvdjVm4yH0FqxyDFrJGgw1k-NHPQ7ilqJ96t5uDXz4mRR/s400/DSCN3284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337255233166417378" border="0" /></a>Sometimes you need to choose the most difficult path to get to where you need to be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIzReoD9WqhrpPMYxIiUoF50EbXh-LD8J4lZhjlsLYHrF-0JErfe0QsF7Cksr0Mwrx0RPbHSymdg0Ey8JG1QcBiAg7NpStCNAzv8-DNLFCH8_NQ3vkGX1d_UYUNGXxgacJ43tx6ttB2Yv/s1600-h/DSCN3293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIzReoD9WqhrpPMYxIiUoF50EbXh-LD8J4lZhjlsLYHrF-0JErfe0QsF7Cksr0Mwrx0RPbHSymdg0Ey8JG1QcBiAg7NpStCNAzv8-DNLFCH8_NQ3vkGX1d_UYUNGXxgacJ43tx6ttB2Yv/s400/DSCN3293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337254300421745378" border="0" /></a>Does this toad have a look of relief in his eyes? I'm just wondering because I took the picture shortly after it took a pee in Jonathan's hand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevLWmiEH6aF038e_I6m7q_Ze1hS_73ca6dZehmU8axq4Cf-J2OKQPDYS0eVNmUu3W3lG6BPAM7CwSNOx2rARFqo2FLMFDYaHFFJlTRvlOQkbB8qUcae08zkTi_hy48OyU0SJomRh8vDFu/s1600-h/DSCN3283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevLWmiEH6aF038e_I6m7q_Ze1hS_73ca6dZehmU8axq4Cf-J2OKQPDYS0eVNmUu3W3lG6BPAM7CwSNOx2rARFqo2FLMFDYaHFFJlTRvlOQkbB8qUcae08zkTi_hy48OyU0SJomRh8vDFu/s400/DSCN3283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337254303600828978" border="0" /></a>Myself and Jonathan Bernard trying to speculate our whereabouts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRZRH-SuKaC0cYIEIbMibz4lmROemxYznbY2si-8WMwN117dWnc5cjKKA3QC3FiyWJRFAeVm7N6EQ1-9cxDatbNvSA7imHb7p5rUa3GLhOdhqZwV_91C3B-n1Kg2cweMf_r16dzyveAEl/s1600-h/DSCN3280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRZRH-SuKaC0cYIEIbMibz4lmROemxYznbY2si-8WMwN117dWnc5cjKKA3QC3FiyWJRFAeVm7N6EQ1-9cxDatbNvSA7imHb7p5rUa3GLhOdhqZwV_91C3B-n1Kg2cweMf_r16dzyveAEl/s400/DSCN3280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337254291870544562" border="0" /></a>Linda Barton warming herself by the faux fire. This fireplace is a remnant of days past on Squak Mt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtCnV78_2UjWztb_kHlNp70-UP6BXqAqgFnL2V0PWXjtlN8Oe5HEpXYFoTTMpXU7F5Am106BtALO5xWq4l6axzIuQrtimU1EksGCwSWWUXjGMtFUrML7kudFkGDVf9eyHCZbU1wFsLjd4/s1600-h/DSCN3277.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtCnV78_2UjWztb_kHlNp70-UP6BXqAqgFnL2V0PWXjtlN8Oe5HEpXYFoTTMpXU7F5Am106BtALO5xWq4l6axzIuQrtimU1EksGCwSWWUXjGMtFUrML7kudFkGDVf9eyHCZbU1wFsLjd4/s400/DSCN3277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337254292816328322" border="0" /></a>Jamie & Linda on our first 15 mile loop on Cougar Mt. Shortly after we got to see the field of runners participating in the Cougar Mt. 5 mile trail run put on by Seattle Running. Our route which was the North Face 50 mile course followed a section of the race course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjdlcoiOYefNWkiumnIvGCelUraRuqlvU0alZ-s9BsV0Uh6_h1IlCsRhmHX3HjcNsHAENn4kkfjAXUFfJiujlRJkQ1jDmwILtScQ-1O9h3cfSrx332U9DGsIXVTEBIzbEoWI_CRzIwmmF/s1600-h/DSCN3259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjdlcoiOYefNWkiumnIvGCelUraRuqlvU0alZ-s9BsV0Uh6_h1IlCsRhmHX3HjcNsHAENn4kkfjAXUFfJiujlRJkQ1jDmwILtScQ-1O9h3cfSrx332U9DGsIXVTEBIzbEoWI_CRzIwmmF/s400/DSCN3259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337254287278616514" border="0" /></a>After being stung by some new growth nettles I did some research and found that contrary to my initial opinion and curses of this being a useless plant they are a often used holistic treatment. Apparently the tea, raw leaves, and roots have well documented medicinal properties. One being lowing blood pressure which may be useful if I keep getting stung by the ones that hang into the trails. I guess nettles are better than poison oak or poison ivy.<br /><br />Well that is a consolidated version of my weekend. I got in 34 miles on Saturday with some good vertical at Cougar & Squak Mts. Had fun running the first 26.5 miles with Linda, Jonathan, and Jamie. We had visions of running 50 miles but I think everyone is still recovering from recent long runs. We decided to bail and go to Watershed and see all our buddies. Linda, Jonathan, and I all had a blast running as pacers for the last few miles of the Watershed. Jonathan paced with Sam Thompson the eventual winner. I ran a fast 5 mile loop at Pt. Defiance in Tacoma on Sunday to wrap the weekend up.<br /><br />Live!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-62631767398739102392009-05-03T16:18:00.000-07:002009-05-03T16:48:20.832-07:00Tacoma City Marathon 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwaTRBlaYxIXOSZXYsuO2NaEeDmIfVWpeK7tCPZPl6zMTcxANATcAG3vy9PjzQMgh7GicNrwFLm24sendsWFh4CxTsNjA4cicBgppSd7fU62G9dHeExw8oLNSAFzlWOJ9s6NRl-m-Ba8-/s1600-h/2799_1135974394494_1081375597_397368_1685861_n.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331747426350146722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwaTRBlaYxIXOSZXYsuO2NaEeDmIfVWpeK7tCPZPl6zMTcxANATcAG3vy9PjzQMgh7GicNrwFLm24sendsWFh4CxTsNjA4cicBgppSd7fU62G9dHeExw8oLNSAFzlWOJ9s6NRl-m-Ba8-/s400/2799_1135974394494_1081375597_397368_1685861_n.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Dan, me, Donna (BQ), Natalie</span><br /><br /><br /><div>I ran my 77th Marathon or greater distance event today at the Tacoma City Marathon. Late last week the 4:15 pacer told the race director that he was injured and couldn't run. Long story short I volunteered.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Rain had been forecast with a 40% chance of precipitation but a few people must have done "the special dance" because we had SUNSHINE!</div><div><br /> </div><div>One of the perks of being a pacer for TCM is that you get a limo ride from the sponsor hotel to the starting line. As you leave the two limos they announce your name and give your stats. That was a fun way to start the day.</div><div><br /> </div><div>I had a weird thing happen between mile 8 and 10. I was trying to take an S-Cap for some much needed electrolytes. I was taking the capsule and trying to dry swallow it before the next aid station where I could wash it down with some water. When I tried to swallow it I started to choke just a little and coughed. Everything seemed fine and we continued to run. We had entered the heavily forested area of Pt. Defiance Park when I started getting a small burning sensation in my eyes and nasal passages. It seemed I was having some sort of allergic reaction to pollen or something. Well apparently when I coughed while trying to swallow my S-Cap it launched the cap up into my nasal cavity. Just so you all know it takes about 2 miles before the capsule melts and released the salt into your sinuses. All I've got to say is "don't try this at home"! Suddenly my eyes and nose started watering like crazy and I had an overwhelming taste of salt dripping into the back of my throat. That's about the time I figured out what must have happened. Don't know if you have ever done a saline rinse of your sinuses but this was at about 100 times stronger and I was hurt'n. A couple of voluminous snot rockets latter and the problem cleared for the most part.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Do I know how to have fun during a marathon or what?</div><div><br /> </div><div>Anyway... I consistently hit the numbers for time at the mile markers for my pace group and was able to get the one person trying to qualify for Boston in with a few seconds to spare. I will admit getting caught up in the exitement of the finish with the two guys that were hanging with me which caused me to finish two min. ahead of the 4:15 pace time. But it's better to come in a little early than late while pacing.</div>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-91988730694919421302009-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:002009-04-27T14:45:35.101-07:00Capitol Peak 50 Mile, Olympia WA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_1wuCnCeOJR0KNUoibaAqQZ3oz0frKvyJkBd_A1GFRkthjVYopVn9PzyWgdIPS2BetEbjTeTIq6cCgBiAz627lnTbRBvJ232ZG1vJvsgbSE7bxWuVp2ixkDQbrJFUTTb26oHJDngv7Qc/s1600-h/DSCN3033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_1wuCnCeOJR0KNUoibaAqQZ3oz0frKvyJkBd_A1GFRkthjVYopVn9PzyWgdIPS2BetEbjTeTIq6cCgBiAz627lnTbRBvJ232ZG1vJvsgbSE7bxWuVp2ixkDQbrJFUTTb26oHJDngv7Qc/s400/DSCN3033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329468258397630690" border="0" /></a>Steve Stoyles working his way to the summit of Capitol Peak<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCow8ygtAjr7z30ENeuvYGANfF8Ya5EFrrKk5B6k2U8Ovy4ROG8rolBgUyJcBmZ5L76Bhf0cclhEh3B4fkeHsz9kA2G6FYcC9EigZuAOZz8VKLKHwGTwRgm3TQzszPq7bTrcLi14N2xSqY/s1600-h/DSCN3029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCow8ygtAjr7z30ENeuvYGANfF8Ya5EFrrKk5B6k2U8Ovy4ROG8rolBgUyJcBmZ5L76Bhf0cclhEh3B4fkeHsz9kA2G6FYcC9EigZuAOZz8VKLKHwGTwRgm3TQzszPq7bTrcLi14N2xSqY/s400/DSCN3029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329467932892144754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimImJL6tjqItKaHv9e7fNd9pySScbaE6dSJJ2eYpd8oigQ22S30O2dN6zwiur3yxIctFfO4cbil2AAX8aDYQHc-6RVssUZSOvWzDs-919TlVM5210ZYQ6DOPmTpfoxkgpmY6Xd-h6MjhYr/s1600-h/DSCN3035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimImJL6tjqItKaHv9e7fNd9pySScbaE6dSJJ2eYpd8oigQ22S30O2dN6zwiur3yxIctFfO4cbil2AAX8aDYQHc-6RVssUZSOvWzDs-919TlVM5210ZYQ6DOPmTpfoxkgpmY6Xd-h6MjhYr/s400/DSCN3035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329467923964201986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjWVt2JdZMAcrNj-5qlUUJU6plAHrgTgEl-__ZAc2Incy3Pk_3pa020ne4HFwZpicvhDGEe45DjsKcuOVv49JqWkSL5O1qV2C0_M3rBsS_4Z3VdAl9j0lxNtI7Nefca1-zz0monV8LkPN/s1600-h/DSCN3034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjWVt2JdZMAcrNj-5qlUUJU6plAHrgTgEl-__ZAc2Incy3Pk_3pa020ne4HFwZpicvhDGEe45DjsKcuOVv49JqWkSL5O1qV2C0_M3rBsS_4Z3VdAl9j0lxNtI7Nefca1-zz0monV8LkPN/s400/DSCN3034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329467919957480962" border="0" /></a>Owen Connell at the summit of Capitol Peak<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CahpOax1-99RprbjL4lq1cr1VtrqjPyNCeRR9fmk6znJ2SNXonvLM6SFhOVEoHnez7wjE93nsB_jZD1O8JpFNUvIPV76g3IQ2SnJT27EIzVRDp7gCmkIFsEW2Q_X_kKWCXoVW9rNbex0/s1600-h/DSCN3037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CahpOax1-99RprbjL4lq1cr1VtrqjPyNCeRR9fmk6znJ2SNXonvLM6SFhOVEoHnez7wjE93nsB_jZD1O8JpFNUvIPV76g3IQ2SnJT27EIzVRDp7gCmkIFsEW2Q_X_kKWCXoVW9rNbex0/s400/DSCN3037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329467917952082770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74Juo8x_q3wc_OHSWtyrBsaQvC-_PTEGj_c1EQ4rzZHb_acFL8F-P_XEQHN-OHU4Taz_1rTvwgaUYf5M-LQaQkX_FmsrnZSXdYxCROWj3_Kv_x03ys56GzavFpFt53BrtPIZyliD17Zei/s1600-h/DSCN3038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74Juo8x_q3wc_OHSWtyrBsaQvC-_PTEGj_c1EQ4rzZHb_acFL8F-P_XEQHN-OHU4Taz_1rTvwgaUYf5M-LQaQkX_FmsrnZSXdYxCROWj3_Kv_x03ys56GzavFpFt53BrtPIZyliD17Zei/s400/DSCN3038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329467912740696514" border="0" /></a>Steve Stoyles, John Pearch RD, Me! Post race bliss. (Photo by Herb)<br /><br /><br />You will need to look at page two of the <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=4706">results</a> for <a href="http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/CP50mile.htm">Capitol Peak 50M</a> to find my finishing time. If you are in a big hurry I'll save you the effort and post 11:17:03.<br /><br />The adventure began Friday afternoon when Steve Stoyles and <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny Appel</a> picked me up to carpool to the Fall Creek campground near the starting line. Our first challenge was extremely heavy traffic on Hwy 512 and I-5 as we slowly worked our way to the packet pickup at South Sound Running in Olympia. We had started out on what is typically a 45 min drive that turned into 90 min. All pressure was off as we pulled into South Sound Running before the 6:00PM deadline. We were helped by Kris Ryding who coincidentally was the 3rd place female for the 50 mile this weekend. <br /><br />With our race packets firmly in hand our next priority was food. Kris suggested an Italian restaurant just a couple of blocks from the store. We discovered Pellegrino's Italian on Cleveland Ave. in Tumwater, WA. Spaghetti was the food of choice for all of us. The server brought out huge bowls of spaghetti and meat sauce for us to devour. I think I may have managed to eat more than Jenny or Steve but we all ended up with a take out box full of leftovers. <br /><br />Next we headed up to the campground to meet Dave and Lesa Overfield who had set up their travel trailer and offered us a place to stay. We arrived around 8:00PM and Dave and Lesa had camp setup and a fire going. With alarms set for the early start at 4:00AM we hit the hay early at 8:30 for a great night of sleep.<br /><br />Morning seemed to come quickly so Steve, Jenny, and I all hurried to get ready and head over to the starting line that was about 1/4 mile away. We dressed, ate breakfast, and I even had a cup of fresh brewed coffee!<br /><br />About 12 runners had chosen the early start option. Steve and I took an early lead but took a sensible pace up hills doing some power hiking in spots. We lost our lead when we crossed a bridge and noticed orange markers on a trail to our right. While it went against our gut feel and knowledge of the course we decided that we should take the trail. About 1/4 mile up a hill we came to a logging road with no markers on it. At that point we pretty much knew that this was the wrong trail but just in case Steve went left and I went right about another 1/8 mile to see if we could find a marker. We didn't so we headed back down the trail where we found Rick Jerabek following the same markers. As we looked at maps and directions Janet Casal came up the trail. Steve and I decided that the markers were not correct and decided to go on. We ran another 1/2 mile before we found a confidence marker but it confirmed we had made the right decision. Apparently the markers messed up the leaders of the 50K as well as others. In hindsight we wish we would have taken them down but if we were wrong we didn't want the entire race to go off course. Apparently the markers were left over from some other event.<br /><br />It wasn't long and some of the speedy front runners for the 55K and 50 Mile ended up blowing past us. Among these was James Varner who high-fived Steve and I on his way past. James was originally signed up for the 55K but SUPERSIZED his race and decided to run the 50 Mile course instead earning 4th place overall in that event. You can tell when James is running well by the size of smile on his face. The course is his old stomping grounds and he tore it up!<br /><br />We finished the first loop (mile 19) without any other wrong turns and fueled up for the climb up to Capitol Peak. Maybe I ate too much, or the wrong food but I started to struggle on the climb. At this point Steve was definitely the stronger runner but he kept me in sight. At the Capitol Jct. AS the 50mile runners had a choice to bail and do 55K or continue on the 50 Mile course. I didn't mention it to Steve but I gave some consideration to taking the 55K option. The AS fueling gave me enough motivation to continue on in an all or nothing pursuit of my 5th 50 mile finish. It was snowing lightly with a steady cold wind at the summit of Capitol Peak where <a href="http://www.pbase.com/gtach/cappeak09">Glenn Tachiyama</a> was taking photographs. He must have heated underwear to be able to keep from freezing to death in that kind of exposure. <br /><br />My bonk/struggle lasted for nearly 17 miles before I started feeling better. When Steve and I made the turnaround at Mile 37.5 I seemed to have been able to recover and not feel like I was going to hurl. We started the climb back to Wedekind using a 100 stride run with 50 stride power hike. We ran into <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a> as she worked her way to the turnaround on the out and back from Wedekind. She was ahead of the cutoffs and looked strong. Jenny is training for CCC and this was a milestone race for her. This worked really well for both Steve and I and we made good time up to Wedekind AS where <a href="http://eflattrailrunner.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> was volunteering. She was very encouraging and was able to sound convincing when she said that we only had six short miles to go. I need to correct her just a little because a couple of those miles seemed very long!<br /><br />I started feeling really good in the last few miles of the run. We cruised in to the finish and enjoyed some great fellowship with the other runners and volunteers as we waited for Jenny to cross the line. We kept warm by the wood fired burning barrels and drank a beer. When Jenny finished we all hopped into the car and headed for dinner. We were joined by Karen Wiggins at Denny's where we had French Toast Slams at 7:30 PM.<br /><br />NEXT WEEKEND: Tacoma City Marathon!<br /><br />Thanks for reading!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-53090479574373470862009-04-21T09:05:00.000-07:002009-04-21T10:04:09.932-07:00Capitol Peak 50 Mile April 25, 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yCx5A7l5xYy_gOjvd6jOY0e3wB9I2Cfp__Q481kXKkgrGElPtKOpw4pmOXctzHV2lWIKLKv7COGnnMcf0ICQdvdZw89ZqOLiwidhbJPq4ohJoBdtnhmNdGEYoqIkgHmhYNxnQmOHczOb/s1600-h/cp50-08reroute-profile.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327176782938521522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 83px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yCx5A7l5xYy_gOjvd6jOY0e3wB9I2Cfp__Q481kXKkgrGElPtKOpw4pmOXctzHV2lWIKLKv7COGnnMcf0ICQdvdZw89ZqOLiwidhbJPq4ohJoBdtnhmNdGEYoqIkgHmhYNxnQmOHczOb/s400/cp50-08reroute-profile.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh5VNSs06il68s-PxEOtR0Y1CYC8d2uzbzDhfkBM_D7uPD8aqK3zBYxgJvu8EyryKfH45p8SsYHFcmp67QWk2vIr3QcKFClCFcBSixHXp7KBLua0cvBxvHnnJeIbp3XDiUi94Qb4yhouk/s1600-h/__www.capitolpeakultras.com_cp50milemap2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327176777956881266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh5VNSs06il68s-PxEOtR0Y1CYC8d2uzbzDhfkBM_D7uPD8aqK3zBYxgJvu8EyryKfH45p8SsYHFcmp67QWk2vIr3QcKFClCFcBSixHXp7KBLua0cvBxvHnnJeIbp3XDiUi94Qb4yhouk/s400/__www.capitolpeakultras.com_cp50milemap2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I've only run four 50 mile events. Two were relatively flat and mostly pavement with a PB of 8:11:00. The other two had mud, rock, and monster climbs to contend with on single track trials and short distances on gravel logging roads. My longest suffer fest, I mean race time, was 10:50:46 on the White River Course.<br /><br />This coming weekend I will be going for number five! The last time I ran Capitol Peak was in 2007. I came in about 2:45:00 behind the men's winner Jim Kerby who set a new course record 7:31:50. I think Jim must have somehow missed the little section that was appropriately named HELL. Hell's Canyon to be exact. Jim had long since passed me as I worked my way up the climb from Hell on what can be best described as a rocky stream bed posing as a trail. That's about the time Van Phan the woman's leader came prancing up the raging torrent and passed me on her way to a woman's course record of 8:58:53. It really didn't seem fair that she was running while all I could muster up was a stagger.<br /><br />I think I'll just blame my slow time on the fact that I took the early start and had to run on dark trails for about an hour and a half before the sun came up.<br /><br />My goal this year: Finish<br /><br />The course has been rerouted due to storm damage. Good news if like me you're not a big fan of Hell's Canyon because it's been taken off the route!<br /><br />John Pearch is the race director for this race. As with any large successful event it is the RD's job to recruit and delegate volunteers after setting a plan in place. I admire John for his knowledge of the Capitol Forest and his ability to find a reasonable course that is challenging but not ridiculous. He's one guy that really cares about providing runners with an excellent event. Aid stations will be stocked with the essentials and most importantly enthusiastic and experienced volunteers. Capitol Peak also offers a 25K and 55K event for runners. The Search and Rescue group from the Olympia area is always there bright and early to help and setup the check point stations in case a runner is injured and needs to be extracted.<br /><br />Camping the night before near the start is becoming more and more popular. A group of us from Puyallup plan on staying the night. One of our runners will be hauling a trailer to the campground that sleeps 8. I'm gong to bring my tent and use it if it's not raining because I think I'll get more sleep with less interruption and snoring. I'll also bring earplugs in case it rains so Stoyles won't keep me awake with his snoring. Maybe I should bring a spare sock to stuff in his mouth. ;-)<br /><br />I can't wait to finish this race and sit at the camp fire to socialize with the other runners and volunteers!<br /><br />Life is good! Enjoy!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-42229292820438307272009-04-12T12:48:00.001-07:002009-04-12T13:06:25.915-07:00Easter Daffodil Run Y-Run ClubThe Y-Run Club went for an Easter morning run in the Puyallup valley to run with the daffodils. I've included some photos from this mornings run.<br /><br />Double click on the photos for a larger view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAas9XfunS8dC78NBsFLL-r52XCRQPlBHXj36SZ3nQiw3bbelPcnPLLOLbvs9-ahXFvQAE59-bsz3SBiSSo8QLNBmNmgJZKy_IhHeMM8VKnhQgp_lZwiyIKxZB5FJeQ6JhKEqIIvsFYFt/s1600-h/DSCN3019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAas9XfunS8dC78NBsFLL-r52XCRQPlBHXj36SZ3nQiw3bbelPcnPLLOLbvs9-ahXFvQAE59-bsz3SBiSSo8QLNBmNmgJZKy_IhHeMM8VKnhQgp_lZwiyIKxZB5FJeQ6JhKEqIIvsFYFt/s400/DSCN3019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323894906715844226" border="0" /></a><br />Foothills trail along the Puyallup River<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsP23UD3SzhzHxLqUrN1PFl-bDvIRxbQyZf9Kg7_UsDE3h_M1imGXE1DeoIKvUpW7l9Rtk2p0_G8Rg6zvefllkJunvltzMwJGmuivA58AyVC5VmkEWXXb5zExdW-50rybie_G1s_jb-q_/s1600-h/DSCN3014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsP23UD3SzhzHxLqUrN1PFl-bDvIRxbQyZf9Kg7_UsDE3h_M1imGXE1DeoIKvUpW7l9Rtk2p0_G8Rg6zvefllkJunvltzMwJGmuivA58AyVC5VmkEWXXb5zExdW-50rybie_G1s_jb-q_/s400/DSCN3014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323894900419455442" border="0" /></a><br />The non-rain wimps out for a great morning run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmFcfClVzMAh-eILRlF0esvL1peNQHQ6btsnB_bi27MAlT8xJuT2eZV-sL1fDncMSKKEFZW3UkVnrQcWEXRAES6GgzquoUUUhj9IJZbBVHa4yr09F6U8EOe69zVuRBxC_6NpMUYb6L-Mh/s1600-h/DSCN3012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmFcfClVzMAh-eILRlF0esvL1peNQHQ6btsnB_bi27MAlT8xJuT2eZV-sL1fDncMSKKEFZW3UkVnrQcWEXRAES6GgzquoUUUhj9IJZbBVHa4yr09F6U8EOe69zVuRBxC_6NpMUYb6L-Mh/s400/DSCN3012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323894896690382210" border="0" /></a><br />My delicate flower - We look like daffodils in our Maniac vests.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghHBUC6wlulQXFrdcpesYafuKwdwfw3lal9-UViZJOBcRtXIDq3NU1An9R9W9ye-AuJn2RhMyQKfNdY7PbmRugT_bulQVMUaToK2hRPMjpqBhfcUJRsMcxEtWYqE8mK76xmrKS_Gn2mcC/s1600-h/DSCN3010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghHBUC6wlulQXFrdcpesYafuKwdwfw3lal9-UViZJOBcRtXIDq3NU1An9R9W9ye-AuJn2RhMyQKfNdY7PbmRugT_bulQVMUaToK2hRPMjpqBhfcUJRsMcxEtWYqE8mK76xmrKS_Gn2mcC/s400/DSCN3010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323894891339733874" border="0" /></a><br />Bill & Lynn<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbRic1Hfpfi6FARzI07hr9MAzJ85Ys94BNhdtgORxx0EnQ_QQ7u3OIyhQKCrVfy1KFPmzh9l8SNK87lwEQiWj-tMWfNyS4FQxwFw5jc6OwDoJrXyAB-CMkiDI6j1RtYlxbs35JtKPgzC_/s1600-h/DSCN3020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbRic1Hfpfi6FARzI07hr9MAzJ85Ys94BNhdtgORxx0EnQ_QQ7u3OIyhQKCrVfy1KFPmzh9l8SNK87lwEQiWj-tMWfNyS4FQxwFw5jc6OwDoJrXyAB-CMkiDI6j1RtYlxbs35JtKPgzC_/s400/DSCN3020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323894887258043570" border="0" /></a><br />Rain drenched<br /><br /></space>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-13111054935486875992009-04-11T18:40:00.000-07:002009-04-11T20:34:16.061-07:00Posthole Drudge Run / Curse of the RattlerHey everybody!<br /><br />Don't miss the videos at the end of this posting!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIchncOTKCw_wpozH8bsuCYpd_OhPiKUJIAiJxICyt-ftncqCRUsjxUSV7kR1CvoOk6k_ckG9NcsWQAeH7FrBpQwWYR-sAxJYX1sWjTusAqaarZ5mvfbekSD4bHM5K54b73ikAj3iVCKB/s1600-h/DSCN3005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIchncOTKCw_wpozH8bsuCYpd_OhPiKUJIAiJxICyt-ftncqCRUsjxUSV7kR1CvoOk6k_ckG9NcsWQAeH7FrBpQwWYR-sAxJYX1sWjTusAqaarZ5mvfbekSD4bHM5K54b73ikAj3iVCKB/s400/DSCN3005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323642022474517170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-34DTmD6N1FZRbGrD5zeIxnvETCj6piuG0BUc3R5XjJBE9w8-5KIxR7zEVU-DPTFTEB3hB14N24cl94JJdxZLhw1EJUMmJxFpuoG6XLh0HHBACUNZH0BVScLTywh_J8lydCQ-sFTw4_ul/s1600-h/DSCN3004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-34DTmD6N1FZRbGrD5zeIxnvETCj6piuG0BUc3R5XjJBE9w8-5KIxR7zEVU-DPTFTEB3hB14N24cl94JJdxZLhw1EJUMmJxFpuoG6XLh0HHBACUNZH0BVScLTywh_J8lydCQ-sFTw4_ul/s400/DSCN3004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323642020067894082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDTqth9Lc6rMMpHt30cYOZWWYb_22Z2uYNRpaEpWsbKWXA0a0E9V1P9IhoDiyVkEM3MTDfaaGXwN04JaImn6OefkHqOrkKhju3mL63foWUzaDRPCLoxq86wIroDrEdWuDsqdKxAgeUVOQ/s1600-h/DSCN3002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDTqth9Lc6rMMpHt30cYOZWWYb_22Z2uYNRpaEpWsbKWXA0a0E9V1P9IhoDiyVkEM3MTDfaaGXwN04JaImn6OefkHqOrkKhju3mL63foWUzaDRPCLoxq86wIroDrEdWuDsqdKxAgeUVOQ/s400/DSCN3002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323642017445115170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHtPKFVzG6zVp10ymBtpeocODPTp5ZcgNQ-Jo0wwbpvcFjk2N9_siYQklGjor50zmmKY-dGDppjBmXpxNeylpsLoE_l2BI_IQC-ESQcFXzXX3c0qT98sQPoK8pBV48yqJMKx0_E34DMLz/s1600-h/DSCN3000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHtPKFVzG6zVp10ymBtpeocODPTp5ZcgNQ-Jo0wwbpvcFjk2N9_siYQklGjor50zmmKY-dGDppjBmXpxNeylpsLoE_l2BI_IQC-ESQcFXzXX3c0qT98sQPoK8pBV48yqJMKx0_E34DMLz/s400/DSCN3000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323642012855195938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1T_4WZESTLUyAWDVOR0Xg11nO1OipeGJJebdVT7aoYqJEmD_f7f6j-ak1RY4QLUSIqU67Lt8VRhYN4G_vNm3mMbv9baUhl4wGo3sic46_1K8J19kmAq5qgPvgVjZWgoBKeUxZnt3X8oX/s1600-h/DSCN2997.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1T_4WZESTLUyAWDVOR0Xg11nO1OipeGJJebdVT7aoYqJEmD_f7f6j-ak1RY4QLUSIqU67Lt8VRhYN4G_vNm3mMbv9baUhl4wGo3sic46_1K8J19kmAq5qgPvgVjZWgoBKeUxZnt3X8oX/s400/DSCN2997.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323642008403542978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgx2vEkVQA2_wsGrNdYxO0n13Tuc2tv-FAGtLleVaG4KhAgjOklzhzz2dq7NxmwYi7qbnrSWyPCvc8kRMGoP25nOFP9Ujgth5SO5yAJpuVooNG2xArkJU6WemuiGPz90aP5u0-AkLNuTZ/s1600-h/DSCN2993.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgx2vEkVQA2_wsGrNdYxO0n13Tuc2tv-FAGtLleVaG4KhAgjOklzhzz2dq7NxmwYi7qbnrSWyPCvc8kRMGoP25nOFP9Ujgth5SO5yAJpuVooNG2xArkJU6WemuiGPz90aP5u0-AkLNuTZ/s400/DSCN2993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323640971864584066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdag_O1cb8zmLzibVbILwpjjh2ZaimTaeqiNCEbfXEEDuvJBYn5bO_Ost0nGccU1O3bemAybQf8McO0ILViENy0e1WLIdy5ZJJldq1PjpkNnhn_rtzgcCPTbW19OkKhxlvdvEOXE3WmLu4/s1600-h/DSCN2991.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdag_O1cb8zmLzibVbILwpjjh2ZaimTaeqiNCEbfXEEDuvJBYn5bO_Ost0nGccU1O3bemAybQf8McO0ILViENy0e1WLIdy5ZJJldq1PjpkNnhn_rtzgcCPTbW19OkKhxlvdvEOXE3WmLu4/s400/DSCN2991.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323640966641183122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDLybm8MyPhjj2EVzNbRN2Cm2sXmRxo9nttLXkcRiLNKYRXlITjqJNtY6EJ-P0Ja1BcWqdHycWYH7UAnQ_XmPW59iL0W-b6JnowiH1vUD2ve8DYRNKqNoGtXcofj6LqeGpzSPZOMrJ1A4/s1600-h/DSCN2989.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDLybm8MyPhjj2EVzNbRN2Cm2sXmRxo9nttLXkcRiLNKYRXlITjqJNtY6EJ-P0Ja1BcWqdHycWYH7UAnQ_XmPW59iL0W-b6JnowiH1vUD2ve8DYRNKqNoGtXcofj6LqeGpzSPZOMrJ1A4/s400/DSCN2989.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323640944838417906" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What initially started as a Tiger Mt. 12 Summits run today turned into one of the hardest 15 mile runs I've done for a while.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>Our day started with a meeting at Steve Stoyles house at 5:45 AM. Jenny Appel, Steve and I headed down to Sumner and picked Rob "Rattler" Hester up and we were off to the Mountain.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>We ran into some other runners that were about to head out from the Highpoint Way Trailhead on a different route than we had planned. We hit snow on the .4 mile climb from T3 as we started to climb T2. We ended up meeting up with the four runners we had met at the parking lot up on Tiger 1. A chilling wind pummeled us as we came closed in on T1 Summit so all eight of us took brief shelter in the hikers hut before continuing on. We snapped some pictures and then the other group took off ahead of us. Jenny was a bit tentative on the snow covered bootleg trail due to her wonky ankle that was in a brace and has been sore since she rolled it at the Fat Ass 50K earlier this year on Capitol Peak.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>We rambled our way all the way up East Tiger Trail where we hit some very deep snow after crossing Preston RR Grade Trail. The snow was 2-3 feet deep in places and with the rain it had a crust of ice on top that would support you about every three steps before breaking through. Jenny and I seemed to bear the worst with several little hacks and gashes in our legs from the ice.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>We worked our way up to the top of East Tiger Mt. and decided to bail on the idea of making all 12 summits since we had already burned up over two and a half hours. Steve thought that the sunshine we had earlier in the week would have burned off the snow in the road further down West Tiger so we trekked of in that direction as you normally would for a 12 Summit run. Our plan at this point was to run to Paw Print and go to TMT to West Tiger RR Grade then back to Section Line and back to the car. The snow on the road was bad until we made it down to the second gate. From that point there was a dirt path in the middle of the road down to the three big green transformers. The road up to Paw Print had been plowed so from that point on the run became somewhat normal again. We were slowed quite a bit by downed branches and tree tops that appear to have littered the forest after some sort of heavy freezing ice build up. Several of the tree tops were stuck in the ground like spears and laying all about. We put in a good bit of time clearing trail.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>I think this is the third time I've gone up to Tiger to run 12 Summits with Rattler only to end up changing the plan due to illness, injury, or conditions. Next time I head up there I guess I'll need to keep my plans from him so I'll have a chance to make all 12 summits. We didn't have any problems doing 24 summits together but that may have been a once in a lifetime event.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>We stopped at Starbucks on our way home for some nice hot coffee and headed to our respective homes for a nice hot shower and well deserved rest. We didn't complete our original goal but we had fair weather and great company. What more could one ask for?</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxg1aAE0nzs44kKgueRSk93aTy3uqVdHF8jXVXF9HjTt5c-gypjkP3w88B6yRbAZzLkksxVD2IuyEfN3j_Yg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxfiq3ugbo0__p0CzRNm9tFcY0VrpC8yAg9_OgMGlF9WJ_PqivnD8zet-UyrDI4hmFqY7sRcN0TFt0KWAKMJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-18260120855066668442009-04-05T16:35:00.000-07:002009-04-05T18:04:17.268-07:00Menagerie of Stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUCmY4cAzHjhV8MZ2m6Pv_Wrh3IPt8PlrS9-f76Gv-bvjqyJOPpWLvDE7yLUIv0hLFK71Jzi1uRqHvWj7EIeNdwF1AVwS3ruBH6WIJPVg3ent3RNdA6FwFvXACZV8kYWBB1Civ4zkio7i/s1600-h/DSCN2983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUCmY4cAzHjhV8MZ2m6Pv_Wrh3IPt8PlrS9-f76Gv-bvjqyJOPpWLvDE7yLUIv0hLFK71Jzi1uRqHvWj7EIeNdwF1AVwS3ruBH6WIJPVg3ent3RNdA6FwFvXACZV8kYWBB1Civ4zkio7i/s400/DSCN2983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321376350053432594" border="0" /></a><br />I've included some photos I took at the start, a couple on the course, and some at the finish, at this weekends Yakima River Canyon Marathon. Marathon Maniacs who finished the event got the really cool reunion medal pictured first.<br /><br />I managed a 3:46:46 time with a pair of legs that just hadn't recovered from my Chuckanut Mt. 50K and Pac Rim 50K that occurred all on the same day two weeks prior.<br /><br />I sustained an unusual injury at Yakima that I will explain after the video I posted of the cougar tracks I saw on my solo 12 Summits attempt on Tiger Mt. The weather on this training run was in fact full on snow for the entire run that built up and covered my tracks before I returned. The cool part was that it was about 8 inches of powder which made it dry and provided a great deal of cushion and protection from the roots and rocks lurking below.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb883V9G54pBU1g4F9RSBMIqrMHmpvVEXS3PIgIYLBqnCUNY1I2qdTLgecBebIrD7bePmbWcx_AfxPNhfwPy25JIw6bwSrKuHhvE8T5dfr6IBeNJ7poCS29I3MX4UUX4uTluQ1SAqmsi2J/s400/DSCN2958.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321357939912267618" border="0" />Bob & Steve Stoyles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ndMc_rLegBUndiPmy379rsjvp7klWwA6plPkpFJ2LdS4eKxcOQq4e6tibyKZGVp0BF3zFwl94qdL23fmSFAPVCfy2pWI6rKkFSAGIL4TozRo6aGEPUnmHQYoyFGLrqEu-jNZJdgNvvHE/s1600-h/DSCN2967.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ndMc_rLegBUndiPmy379rsjvp7klWwA6plPkpFJ2LdS4eKxcOQq4e6tibyKZGVp0BF3zFwl94qdL23fmSFAPVCfy2pWI6rKkFSAGIL4TozRo6aGEPUnmHQYoyFGLrqEu-jNZJdgNvvHE/s400/DSCN2967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321358503098593874" border="0" /></a><br />Maniac #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr9K5BQWIYTrAX6HpkHGG9iEFJxj19W2SCZE2bCoC3F5AMlRJUhEXJ5ctUgGzkjrLIEbCiTpl8vjwUkC4WSfSDqwqoDkW5tjJnwdXngfTtuRp7oOLsAO5I6g9mxtYcPx68kB44lq2Ifpx/s1600-h/DSCN2965.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr9K5BQWIYTrAX6HpkHGG9iEFJxj19W2SCZE2bCoC3F5AMlRJUhEXJ5ctUgGzkjrLIEbCiTpl8vjwUkC4WSfSDqwqoDkW5tjJnwdXngfTtuRp7oOLsAO5I6g9mxtYcPx68kB44lq2Ifpx/s400/DSCN2965.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321357956107378130" border="0" /></a><br />Michelle, Abi, and Jessica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eLJWtNJu031g3aH_wm2TefZCLP9WFVYhCVRF5A8Ld0tQS10OVK0hLiCtXthcj-xz4XKbmn20akeKr1whwQghbkCZTjzuvy4slIIpzn_hS-jgPwfp5aHIcA9eHkHOV4aXtUfkZuUkSRM2/s1600-h/DSCN2961.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eLJWtNJu031g3aH_wm2TefZCLP9WFVYhCVRF5A8Ld0tQS10OVK0hLiCtXthcj-xz4XKbmn20akeKr1whwQghbkCZTjzuvy4slIIpzn_hS-jgPwfp5aHIcA9eHkHOV4aXtUfkZuUkSRM2/s400/DSCN2961.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321357945232305442" border="0" /></a><br />Insane Jane, Jeanette, Ray<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWaAiBdn8YdNhcDwKNE2wuYkUlZJJ12UlcMITs3dcyz6zh6zZCy7HHSOWCU03Br5dKnIHUkD4vOaoyh4zO8XXxf96JdhDT6rymW7sNJCO4xgUuKDTzABT9NS6M2xcjUzbRnDZyFvhgTiP/s1600-h/DSCN2963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWaAiBdn8YdNhcDwKNE2wuYkUlZJJ12UlcMITs3dcyz6zh6zZCy7HHSOWCU03Br5dKnIHUkD4vOaoyh4zO8XXxf96JdhDT6rymW7sNJCO4xgUuKDTzABT9NS6M2xcjUzbRnDZyFvhgTiP/s400/DSCN2963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321357955368447826" border="0" /></a><br />Monica, Linda, Cat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYrVLhqa85bTrs1mZ338xgqmueSCA7557LXhW6O4ugYJ7yJ4j1P1tuQWbqa9QXAuvlWfluYqQaQ5LmmK3LqElN4WoZfvrmSyshdJ3QT_qWC9KdctG5Eac6wZ6GFMb4JwN1_75NxCFplN2/s1600-h/DSCN2962.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYrVLhqa85bTrs1mZ338xgqmueSCA7557LXhW6O4ugYJ7yJ4j1P1tuQWbqa9QXAuvlWfluYqQaQ5LmmK3LqElN4WoZfvrmSyshdJ3QT_qWC9KdctG5Eac6wZ6GFMb4JwN1_75NxCFplN2/s400/DSCN2962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321357949943802322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYX8X9xGoIzx9ejJTSMCfhwNau4bDNdN__vXoksGSU8ITM0r0IuMBRRhZqXL12vajW_A8qOrxNNe_mGRfd4nK4Y1eT4YRnYKRSH18sh1fewAFTX3Yhm33W0R4jolohuJNDedGFlXofU7z/s1600-h/DSCN2968.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYX8X9xGoIzx9ejJTSMCfhwNau4bDNdN__vXoksGSU8ITM0r0IuMBRRhZqXL12vajW_A8qOrxNNe_mGRfd4nK4Y1eT4YRnYKRSH18sh1fewAFTX3Yhm33W0R4jolohuJNDedGFlXofU7z/s400/DSCN2968.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321358505374080882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKdel41fleZ44SSaVZEcgc06PQbj8cgnsnejTMAfUV8S9a6MVjQN7NNxMu2xLeU-m1RXMVSV7nDIUpiMrHerBV7wdqRLSQ_62OzW7yaZ8Q_rO-XSOyZGACIgGru8qc23y5NsfvkD4J2w8/s1600-h/DSCN2970.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKdel41fleZ44SSaVZEcgc06PQbj8cgnsnejTMAfUV8S9a6MVjQN7NNxMu2xLeU-m1RXMVSV7nDIUpiMrHerBV7wdqRLSQ_62OzW7yaZ8Q_rO-XSOyZGACIgGru8qc23y5NsfvkD4J2w8/s400/DSCN2970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321358511037884034" border="0" /></a><br />Patch & Mel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVOB-hQsy0lIy1SG2-fryUqdmT9tJ5IUrFr24flqWtOAABxzJUk07n8XDqgVl3SmIE42wBYstp4eAO75Sg2cpWqeBRMz2NOcNXx7JCLuDE7RMLFhSEKD6q8i7feqJPOPl4PCizeudf4IA/s1600-h/DSCN2969.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVOB-hQsy0lIy1SG2-fryUqdmT9tJ5IUrFr24flqWtOAABxzJUk07n8XDqgVl3SmIE42wBYstp4eAO75Sg2cpWqeBRMz2NOcNXx7JCLuDE7RMLFhSEKD6q8i7feqJPOPl4PCizeudf4IA/s400/DSCN2969.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321358507444247506" border="0" /></a><br />Abi proudly posing with her Maniac Medal<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzajHZVmqa3wug8xSBLFfXbi0DA2k_8bUkTlP9T0bNPkqwxSoYWcsBMhWR4FzVUIdWRuV0tdcTqYaJi6-8gqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />COUGAR TRACKS!<br /><br />Injury Report - After the Yakima Marathon I was driving around with my Marathon Maniac flag flying from our car that I had won as a door prize at the reunion. As Steve, Michelle, and I drove away from the showers I opened my electric drivers side window to say goodbye to one of the volunteers. The flag didn't come down with the window and stayed wedged in the top frame of the door. As I bumped the window closed the little plastic holder on the flag needed to be pushed out a bit to align with the window. Well I pushed it out with my finger and bumped the up switch only to have the window go into auto full close. That would have been OK if my finger hadn't been poking out of the car. CRUNCH! Well of course the first thing one does when they close the window on their finger is pull it away. That didn't work too well as I managed to tear a chunk of hide off the side of my middle finger. Once Steve and Michelle composed themselves Steve offered up a nice band aid for my wound. At least my legs didn't hurt anymore but I don't recommend this as a method of pain management. Ice bath or advil would be best in these situations.Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-37843972102923725002009-04-02T22:30:00.000-07:002009-04-02T22:56:52.807-07:00Breaking the Silence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsL91iwifWfCXG2qc6CDt21uRjPgCMEBY_wfho34B4vdEXVnjw8diSpZx-uLz-32yeM2gHlquSj_tjqA4qifiRGC4C0D-9rgwdQplXYR0-HtgH5s2RLHbIZKfY0g3JS_wgMIkzQgOwBBU/s1600-h/DSCN3964a.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320339793047264482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsL91iwifWfCXG2qc6CDt21uRjPgCMEBY_wfho34B4vdEXVnjw8diSpZx-uLz-32yeM2gHlquSj_tjqA4qifiRGC4C0D-9rgwdQplXYR0-HtgH5s2RLHbIZKfY0g3JS_wgMIkzQgOwBBU/s400/DSCN3964a.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>I've been on a break from posting here on my blog but it's time to get back to it. I've had some really great runs that I've missed posting about and met a fellow blogger that also is a runner.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'll soon post a video of some cougar tracks I came upon on one of my solo adventures in the Mountains and talk about what it was like to run two 50K's in one day with a drive in between that was 6 hours long. I'll even try to write a finish to my 13 marathons in 12 weeks adventure.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Michelle and I will be driving to Yakima in Eastern Washington to run the Yakima River Canyon Marathon this weekend. It is a scenic and serene point to point course. The RD has managed to have the highway that runs along the river closed to traffic with the exception of locals and an occasional fisherman. Yakima Marathon is home to the year end reunions for 50 State Club, 100 Marathon Club, and the Marathon Maniacs. Some participants are members of all three groups. Statistically this marathon probably has the highest average of marathons run per person than any other in the world. I've run 75 marathon or greater distance runs and I feel like a rookie rubbing shoulders with this group.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I've missed this outlet and the joy of reading postings about your adventures. I'll admit the evil facebook had me for a while but I'm established with it now and can get back to a more important and meaningful method of expressing myself and learning from your experiences.</div></div>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-71460913170938057912009-01-26T13:06:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:36:17.476-08:00Pigtails 50K 2009 & Yours Truly 50K 2009Here's some video of day one of last weekends back to back 50K's. I managed a 4:57:58 this first day. Still working for 13 marathon or greater distances in 12 weeks! 11 down 2 to go.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCNtUJmEJXzT4npcqBHBtzYp0j0mhwfutyLB8UyWOzXfhmF1asFwow2O8nUU2OtcFpNFFWQCGCFFCAWD0Cag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXmLjGjKcqdPOxriGbYnXMl4KtL70B0hkXPr0df-n3NJURHU7yMk6hum9G5tMINRWwm4Mql49PQOq3wYHxmw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-5503011105426489072009-01-19T17:37:00.000-08:002009-01-19T18:51:47.623-08:00Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass 50K 2009<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxay4zUPXPOacwuB9byq0fMv4v10SsA6ibaA6G-iFfvMyUbdxdu4HQlb7Thr-EbwePEgPIjTnjqsp7nEH4dFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />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.<br /><br />Seven Puyallup Y-Run Club members met at 5:50 AM to carpool to the Capitol Peak MEGA Fat Ass 25K & 50K event. <a href="http://stoyles-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/">Steve Stoyles</a> drove "Sully" with passengers <a href="http://runawaywithcat.blogspot.com/">Cat</a>, Abi, and Linda. <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a> jumped in with <a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://maislen.blogspot.com/">Michelle Maislen</a>, 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I ran into Karen W and <a href="http://www.denali2030.blogspot.com/">Trevor G</a> before the race. Karen's husband George ran the 25K and Karen and Trevor ran the 50K.<br /><br />Next weekend: Back to Back 50K's! Pigtails 50K at Lake Youngs, and Yours Truly 50K on the Cedar River Trail. OH BOY!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MxQBiu-XEgPU9uWC0ruNNtXaJ7Nf7lZR_61eJiaIk2ATXmD1m7A1twZGUGid05jkJXuKMDxERY3dxuR88AlgDO0MR2q46pa1LddJ9KKWM01Ey-9021cDchyphenhyphen4XKRsgfqyfWWOP09FeMEQ/s1600-h/DSCN2738.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MxQBiu-XEgPU9uWC0ruNNtXaJ7Nf7lZR_61eJiaIk2ATXmD1m7A1twZGUGid05jkJXuKMDxERY3dxuR88AlgDO0MR2q46pa1LddJ9KKWM01Ey-9021cDchyphenhyphen4XKRsgfqyfWWOP09FeMEQ/s400/DSCN2738.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293201474611454850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi069yhW3mSnHINM9d1EcxXAA7S1hTo-Tv47gkckc46A_sSjsEC9e-WygxkJN2GHQVYHFaOMY7CAEZKKBs1hZXIBebfOCIjUmSVJ1rZ532a1JgjymsDi9oOgYIMEVewQYdjCht2uVSLFaXw/s1600-h/DSCN2744.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi069yhW3mSnHINM9d1EcxXAA7S1hTo-Tv47gkckc46A_sSjsEC9e-WygxkJN2GHQVYHFaOMY7CAEZKKBs1hZXIBebfOCIjUmSVJ1rZ532a1JgjymsDi9oOgYIMEVewQYdjCht2uVSLFaXw/s400/DSCN2744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293201332321893378" border="0" /></a>Mystery Butt - Guess Who! Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass participants not eligible.Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-88534633636348912962009-01-11T14:15:00.000-08:002009-01-11T19:24:23.869-08:00Bridle Trails 50K Results<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QddsyPL3PVvaqihsbAhfdb-JyndEwd8EC7Ara613dV4v4q_EfEYV-Surv1qk3btN3_HAV8MFWe7KK67okH1VJ-6sNzs-QNKtAg2Om44wWbvIdJuwi8NBEzWFyM4CsWNHXgZkx2BixzLz/s1600-h/Bridle+Trails+2009+sketch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QddsyPL3PVvaqihsbAhfdb-JyndEwd8EC7Ara613dV4v4q_EfEYV-Surv1qk3btN3_HAV8MFWe7KK67okH1VJ-6sNzs-QNKtAg2Om44wWbvIdJuwi8NBEzWFyM4CsWNHXgZkx2BixzLz/s400/Bridle+Trails+2009+sketch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290163333564585298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo courtesy of Allison Moore)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Correction: Uli Steidl was the winner! I apparently listened to the wrong source. Congratulations Uli!</span><br /></span></span></span><br />For the first time I was able to participate in the annual <a href="http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Bridle/bridle.html">Bridle Trails 50K</a> which as usual was a mudfest. This race is put on by Seattle Running Company and attracts some very <a href="http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Bridle/bridle_entrants.html">speedy characters. </a><br /><br />This race is unusual in that the start time is 3:10 PM. The race is held at Bridle Trails State Park. The trails are a combination of single track and wide gravel paths. The race includes a 5 mile, 10 mile, 50K, 50K pair, and 50K relay which are run on a 5 mile loop. Between the snow melt and rain we have been having in the PNW conditions were ideal for mud and deep puddles. The course did not disappoint. The mud has a strange thixotropic consistency which is probably caused by the through mixing of horse poop by the bombardment of running shoes.<br /><br />Our carpool got together at 1:00 PM and five of us headed north to the Kirkland area. We stopped on the way for some much needed Starbucks and continued north only to miss our exit. After some brief stress we called one of our lifelines (<a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>) and she verified the exit number for us and we pointed ourselves in the proper direction to allow "Insane Jane", to do a day of race entry and Steve, <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>, <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob</a>, and I to check in and get our numbers. Thanks to Steve for driving.<br /><br />Participation was high this year with over 500 runners toeing the line. The majority of runners were doing the shorter 1 loop and 2 loop distances. The 5 mile race started first at 3:00 PM. All others started at 3:10. Nothing like having 500 people churning up the trail so we could get the full enjoyment of all that it offered. Did I mention that it started raining fairly hard just before the start and continued to do so for the entire evening?<br /><br />Somehow I had it in my mind that the 10 mile race started before the 50K so I was lallygagging around the starting line when I suddenly realized that 50K runners were standing on the starting line. I jumped in at the front of the pack and we were off.<br /><br />In my everlasting spirit of being a stupid runner I found myself running with <a href="http://ultrakingarthur.blogspot.com/">Arthur Martineau</a>, <a href="http://rainshadow-running.blogspot.com/">Alison Hanks</a>, and <a href="http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2007/08/crosby-helms-and-dayton-favored-for.html">Devon Crosby-Helms</a>. Arthur ended up sixth overall in the 50K. Devon has qualified for the 100K World Championships to be held in Europe this summer. Arthur left us on the first major hill and I hung near Alison and Devon for the next three laps. To be honest it was apparent that Devon was really just out for a training run. I'm guessing when she's really got the jets going that she doesn't chatter away with friends. When I asked them why I was still with them after three laps Devon boosted my confidence by telling me "they sucked". They left me in the dirt on lap four. I must really suck.<br /><br />I ran my first four laps at what I would consider race pace falling only once but in a good area that did not involve deep mud or water. The water and mud took it's toll on my tired legs from my other recent running escapades so the final two laps involved some race pace, some shuffle and slog through the mud, and some er um... power walking.<br /><br />I was passed by running legend <a href="http://home.myuw.net/usteidl/">Uli Steidl</a> during my 5th lap. He was on his way to a rare defeat and only 5 miles ahead of me when he finished. Results have not yet been posted and I've heard the drop rate for the "Winter Trail Running Festival" is higher than for the Hardrock 100.<br /><br />Rob, Steve, and Jenny had decided to run the 50K together. The plan was going well until Jenny slipped in the mud an tweaked her knee that was surgically repaired in the last couple of years. They were in their third lap when she hurt it. Jenny decided to let Rob and Steve go on and take another lap at a more cautious pace. Rob and Steve finished in around 6:30:00. After four laps (20 miles) Jenny dropped. She will be back next week with her knee brace. "Insane Jane" has never bragged of speed but she does have determination. She was in dead last 43 minutes behind the next runner when she started her last lap. She came in before the 11:30PM cutoff finishing strong and very very happy.<br /><br />I should mention that while Jane was running her last lap the four of us in the carpool took off to get gas in the car and grab something to eat. We ended up at McDonald's where we watched "Rattler" consume two Big Mac's, a super sized fries (he left some of those) and an apple pie. We called and made our appointments with our cardiologists and should probably plan on bypass surgery as the crap we ate embeds itself in our arteries.<br /><br />Finish time for me: 5:26:20 or so.<br /><br />Next weekend: Capitol Peak Fat Ass 50KJourney to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-87624229223660331752009-01-07T17:41:00.000-08:002009-01-07T18:53:46.532-08:00Three-legged QuadzillaOK so time and weather worked against me in my quest to run four marathon or greater distance runs consecutively in four days.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I had a lot of fun along the way and ended up with 94 miles in four days.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwjaOaTRSj3rRtzIYl_bvyESIjHTjuEpEyaQL4Llm_uGGnXK7fsLMAy690dWG8gwIr0q-8jVVLyLggv3x7J6Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Summit T-1 Day 4 <p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Last Chance Marathon 4:26:20 Day 1</span></span><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We really lucked out and got great weather during the run.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The night before the marathon, <a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>, <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>, Margaret, and I carpooled to Bellingham and slept over at Michelle’s parents home.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I woke up at 3:00 AM to the sound of pounding rain and wind.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Fortunately by morning the storm had blown over.<span style="font-size:0;"><br /></span></p><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">We arrived at Fairhaven Park in time to find parking and sign in without too much stress.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This year the race was able to use the indoor kitchen and dining facility which made the short wait before and the wait after for others to finish much more comfortable than previous years outside.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>RD Mary “Cartwheel” Latta started the race in her traditional manner with a cartwheel.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The race is a double out and back that goes from Fairhaven to about Chuckanut State Park.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The Interurban trail is mostly gravel and only had a few sections with slippery compact ice and snow.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I went back and forth with Linda Barton all day long.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>She is putting the final few training runs in before the HURT 100 mile in Hawaii. <span style="font-size:0;"></span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->It was fun to get to know her a little better that day.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3T9kR3ZEknAdJVYRXj_RLQKezINS_xxCKM8rEkxYZlenian-gQ5DmmNhhVVgEOoqhBx9eeBztdnty5CgMf3OAgMb-TIqq73QGXJBFnlo5WWbAUC1CkgK9CQ4mEWj-25vH27nnQg7LRLv/s1600-h/DSCN2613.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288740054137806274" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3T9kR3ZEknAdJVYRXj_RLQKezINS_xxCKM8rEkxYZlenian-gQ5DmmNhhVVgEOoqhBx9eeBztdnty5CgMf3OAgMb-TIqq73QGXJBFnlo5WWbAUC1CkgK9CQ4mEWj-25vH27nnQg7LRLv/s400/DSCN2613.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56VrTe0LvHyt65s8nA8s3TYyUjxyDaBbMJoYEpweKMC2LpPBri9uf4bXk48mlU1GrjHWE7BRwH5DIRKm01hxb0qR5U4yMfStkOP0vgZ7GhsmHYmAKtda-MkV4JaDAMfAWhbyxT_dh1Dbl/s1600-h/DSCN2612.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288740037376860690" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56VrTe0LvHyt65s8nA8s3TYyUjxyDaBbMJoYEpweKMC2LpPBri9uf4bXk48mlU1GrjHWE7BRwH5DIRKm01hxb0qR5U4yMfStkOP0vgZ7GhsmHYmAKtda-MkV4JaDAMfAWhbyxT_dh1Dbl/s400/DSCN2612.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9UZ-FK_tmnzh4wfo9MA_Nur8tKmcG2a2rdvlhsQSnJmM1ONtDQ8JJcVfOXajgvKyGPQsfyhzMoGj9U9qDNdXeIlnA-RTzzOSW2CDT4lHgjPgSUPRgzucgoJ3JOtlwwhn-8stdvHmCUTe/s1600-h/DSCN2608.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288740026530042466" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9UZ-FK_tmnzh4wfo9MA_Nur8tKmcG2a2rdvlhsQSnJmM1ONtDQ8JJcVfOXajgvKyGPQsfyhzMoGj9U9qDNdXeIlnA-RTzzOSW2CDT4lHgjPgSUPRgzucgoJ3JOtlwwhn-8stdvHmCUTe/s400/DSCN2608.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ulNizV0cj_wygQe2ZVYsfjRS7C8Wh0I1eG0MwMKr_dAFtM-V-j3_E3VY57j_2uLrfdK9b-zmOsnDvWeqeOqDh4517GzWb5NiXrW1e2cLKOdOoW-TnSKMMQe8uvyJQ0S2B1wav0H3oGw/s1600-h/DSCN2614.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288740045451284418" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ulNizV0cj_wygQe2ZVYsfjRS7C8Wh0I1eG0MwMKr_dAFtM-V-j3_E3VY57j_2uLrfdK9b-zmOsnDvWeqeOqDh4517GzWb5NiXrW1e2cLKOdOoW-TnSKMMQe8uvyJQ0S2B1wav0H3oGw/s400/DSCN2614.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">With three other long races in my future I had decided that I was going to soak my legs in a stream near the finish line.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I tried to convince Jess Mullen and Linda Barton to join me but once they got in their warm car those thoughts disappeared.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Jenny on the other hand was facing a double with the second run being a 50K the next day.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>She joined me at the stream.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We waded out and got in with the appropriate amount of screaming.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We decided to spend 10 minutes in the water.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We attracted a few other runners who stepped in and then quickly stepped out informing us that we were lunatics.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>As I sat in the middle of the stream a fish started to bump around me.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>He finally ended up behind me in the eddy line I was creating.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It would occasionally bump me and hung with me for about 5 minutes.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>When our time was up I couldn't get up.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Jenny was able to pull herself up with a branch on the side of the stream and then make it over to me and give me a hand.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We walked back up to the dining hall in severe pain.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It felt like someone had beaten my feet and shins with a hammer.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We shivered for about 10 minutes and then it seemed like the blood in our legs started to flow again.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I’m thinking about 5 minutes in snow runoff water would probably take care of your legs.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->At any rate my legs felt great the next morning.<br /><span style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Call to Run 50K 5:25:11 Day 2</span></span><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The second day of fun began with trying to get the three women staying in Margaret’s Green Lake apartment through the single bathroom.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It really wasn't that difficult and we managed to get Michelle and Margaret to the early start.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Jenny and I then raced over to a local gas station for much needed coffee and filled up the gas tank on our Element.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We then headed back over to secure parking before alternative parking was required.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The course was supposed to be a double out and back from a single start and finish line but with two separate out and back courses.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Due to compact snow and ice on the trail heading west the course was changed to include only one out and back course that was repeated twice.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Two of these races in two days can be trying but we managed.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Y-Run Club members Michelle and Margaret & <a href="http://jessica-slowandsteady.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a> (first marathon as a full fledged Marathon Maniac!) ran the marathon distance.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Jenny and I were running the 50K along with <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob</a>, Linda, Steve and <a href="http://runawaywithcat.blogspot.com/">Cat</a>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Rick ran the half marathon.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_U3qTElboflFj-Fwx964Qf4oSpdIDEDDYpwfNHWV1P23wDh34UvZF77AQ1sqF_MtgYCpwZtZ8VMuCaHzceRPdqyKRT6gav51_ozAVnq772WRelMTBPsTUk2murKm6cQKnhXzlTZJ-IK_/s1600-h/DSCN2638.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741275643514674" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_U3qTElboflFj-Fwx964Qf4oSpdIDEDDYpwfNHWV1P23wDh34UvZF77AQ1sqF_MtgYCpwZtZ8VMuCaHzceRPdqyKRT6gav51_ozAVnq772WRelMTBPsTUk2murKm6cQKnhXzlTZJ-IK_/s400/DSCN2638.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMMhT-PUCclGOkrHhm1sTxyAi4qe4U6hAD9CYkPqSEb9380FW2LSVGEWOHVLCYsD2iVJItf62NL2pe8r9Q6oCxXYlBwCPIUbt5UtMW9IG4_PfprZIF2UhyRgx1Dd0g0D9Fltu24ux_0Iw/s1600-h/DSCN2636.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741268695895906" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMMhT-PUCclGOkrHhm1sTxyAi4qe4U6hAD9CYkPqSEb9380FW2LSVGEWOHVLCYsD2iVJItf62NL2pe8r9Q6oCxXYlBwCPIUbt5UtMW9IG4_PfprZIF2UhyRgx1Dd0g0D9Fltu24ux_0Iw/s400/DSCN2636.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggJ7cmh_4BqvTDTyDOKMQ53d26EHcKjbMgKacFNL3y20dXQStKAsC_vDlewUCMztaF2UNXG8yRQ5ooIKK0SYmPEXa5bmDsf1Kv0h07bZzcAY8gijBe5EOAgHhrvdbz3mxtyAZdItaHz4N/s1600-h/DSCN2634.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741260395857442" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggJ7cmh_4BqvTDTyDOKMQ53d26EHcKjbMgKacFNL3y20dXQStKAsC_vDlewUCMztaF2UNXG8yRQ5ooIKK0SYmPEXa5bmDsf1Kv0h07bZzcAY8gijBe5EOAgHhrvdbz3mxtyAZdItaHz4N/s400/DSCN2634.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7DGG2uK1XpGfCa4-qWLPIj-gW5NkDevmRStSpe4JjovboDnfbBLrHdK5yuHwwWy5mmJoawOp3iyBg7RZZjTfwiKkIufD6Vmg5Kh2-sIiF_aFvpApjbjS9O41EE5Qq46DLFbeUQE0_3Ne/s1600-h/DSCN2631.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741250215527506" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7DGG2uK1XpGfCa4-qWLPIj-gW5NkDevmRStSpe4JjovboDnfbBLrHdK5yuHwwWy5mmJoawOp3iyBg7RZZjTfwiKkIufD6Vmg5Kh2-sIiF_aFvpApjbjS9O41EE5Qq46DLFbeUQE0_3Ne/s400/DSCN2631.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJQMNnfp6P2hQ8FswxDAiWjxi3gsI6AZk9klzMpWDwtCy8iO3I8chjOTpzMYvTI4U6c0eYbRR01mrwxpTixKa2MtEe5j9thovjKUsGCb6G2VQ2eN8Tkp4rEn6PY7LqqjXpKgWjquzpAiJ/s1600-h/DSCN2624.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288741236701991970" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJQMNnfp6P2hQ8FswxDAiWjxi3gsI6AZk9klzMpWDwtCy8iO3I8chjOTpzMYvTI4U6c0eYbRR01mrwxpTixKa2MtEe5j9thovjKUsGCb6G2VQ2eN8Tkp4rEn6PY7LqqjXpKgWjquzpAiJ/s400/DSCN2624.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We saw some Eagles roosting in a large tree next to the Sammamish Creek we were following.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Steve, Linda B. and I ran nearly the first ¾ of the course together then I parted ways with them and kicked it up a notch.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I think I just wanted to get the running over with.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The last mile of the course that we had to deal with four times was covered with compact snow and ice which made finishing hard kind of difficult.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Race Director Adrian Call MD had a big spread of pancakes and hot chocolate and many other assorted foods available for racers at the finish.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This was the inaugural running of this race and I think it’s going to stick!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Thanks Adrian!</p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumb Ass 20-Mile Day 3</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Long story short I only managed to run three laps of my five-lap goal.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>We started at 6:00 AM on Tiger Mt. but the snow and ice just slowed us down too much.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Rattler ended up only doing two laps due to obligations at home.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Jess, <a href="http://maislen.blogspot.com/">Michelle M</a>, and Allison M. all managed to get four laps in.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The climbs were slick, it was very cold at the summit of T3, and the trail was frozen and chunky on the first mile of the descent.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekg7oUFq5IyzUY4POCBRRX8VXCSM-OfHpXzPeCNAa4Py2WHzM3eXAe4zaCdzsre-znkovLNX_0Mc7WDW8IhwKG96ZzhcZrvRS8AmTZ09ndyGv81m8DFpkfNwzvD8SW9rYaj2QBc6HD8eu/s1600-h/DSCN2650.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288743055912681506" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekg7oUFq5IyzUY4POCBRRX8VXCSM-OfHpXzPeCNAa4Py2WHzM3eXAe4zaCdzsre-znkovLNX_0Mc7WDW8IhwKG96ZzhcZrvRS8AmTZ09ndyGv81m8DFpkfNwzvD8SW9rYaj2QBc6HD8eu/s400/DSCN2650.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeD91fqB3FU_6PNZO7j6o3wJgNKOxZK73gxr308pTXuGkC4jx7xCJc4VhyphenhyphengBdCGOWK90JlImy8gUobTBOuxNcXJD906WTQmS2N81-j6_YfxQnH7B4SpIQOmNyWD332VkofHQ_jRR4x6Dg/s1600-h/DSCN2647.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288742903725739426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeD91fqB3FU_6PNZO7j6o3wJgNKOxZK73gxr308pTXuGkC4jx7xCJc4VhyphenhyphengBdCGOWK90JlImy8gUobTBOuxNcXJD906WTQmS2N81-j6_YfxQnH7B4SpIQOmNyWD332VkofHQ_jRR4x6Dg/s400/DSCN2647.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuBMB0K0-b-BmI0VXuvwldOdb9tLqfTUgyeB3CQgNzhGRxdMMpsWJYB8G5Vve_dtYCNIbUPmpBX5iltOR_pxJbAghoykfRplwBrTYHwH4Web5WFUR1HouGiDfBPV5kbOHH7H2D-dl_wxY/s1600-h/DSCN2646.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288742894391180290" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuBMB0K0-b-BmI0VXuvwldOdb9tLqfTUgyeB3CQgNzhGRxdMMpsWJYB8G5Vve_dtYCNIbUPmpBX5iltOR_pxJbAghoykfRplwBrTYHwH4Web5WFUR1HouGiDfBPV5kbOHH7H2D-dl_wxY/s400/DSCN2646.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAeYLnqU0n_iOpJQjnrHuIPpGW_0GQHb-G-zwSWCl6M0qGQnXj4LYWpQB78FIifD0goTodSQL2nGlLjspLAtHa25nfXWxIRr7gbLJFHDarGreh1qjcxzLitQ-p6tg5jqVMvRXnI4y7bmP/s1600-h/DSCN2644.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288742885554819346" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAeYLnqU0n_iOpJQjnrHuIPpGW_0GQHb-G-zwSWCl6M0qGQnXj4LYWpQB78FIifD0goTodSQL2nGlLjspLAtHa25nfXWxIRr7gbLJFHDarGreh1qjcxzLitQ-p6tg5jqVMvRXnI4y7bmP/s400/DSCN2644.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvucbpu7J80CarqN7VM99de8dOgZvO7c2Q1HQOUcmoOT6iV0lR-IDC0wqVMcXYc7dMYIjUKYZPHNd-9krnOvukXWvYHvOAIcR8HZuD2XYuQ1rpekriuyz93tNtNVqsHjhnBj9-RQz19Px/s1600-h/DSCN2643.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288742880221297106" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvucbpu7J80CarqN7VM99de8dOgZvO7c2Q1HQOUcmoOT6iV0lR-IDC0wqVMcXYc7dMYIjUKYZPHNd-9krnOvukXWvYHvOAIcR8HZuD2XYuQ1rpekriuyz93tNtNVqsHjhnBj9-RQz19Px/s400/DSCN2643.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOPsFgh_FddGwxIcpqQzM7mYQyD24Ni1Ks8NRC_99AePKZHHd-i4zAB3-CmBcmLTrTFmSKAh1MOYIV4YK4pK9GAifWwEHPqWfpYuj1bvrC-eapCOUNy9n4wgCDP4nPtKGQfxZHH3anVy/s1600-h/DSCN2642.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288742867028116962" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOPsFgh_FddGwxIcpqQzM7mYQyD24Ni1Ks8NRC_99AePKZHHd-i4zAB3-CmBcmLTrTFmSKAh1MOYIV4YK4pK9GAifWwEHPqWfpYuj1bvrC-eapCOUNy9n4wgCDP4nPtKGQfxZHH3anVy/s400/DSCN2642.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fake Ass Fat Ass 17-Mile Day 4</span></span> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">We had 17 people meet us at 8:00 AM to attempt a 17-mile loop on the “Seattle’s Favorite Loop” course on Tiger Mt.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Three of the runners were only with us for about an hour before they headed back.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They were not prepared for a real long run and were not carrying the proper gear and food for a longer excursion given the snowy conditions.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><a href="http://ultrakingarthur.blogspot.com/">Arthur</a> led the conga line.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Everyone agreed to stay together and to have a buddy system.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I had an extra 8 lbs of “just in case” gear with me for myself and to care for others in case of an injury.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The lower sections of the trail allowed for some running but as we hit deeper snow on the climb we slowed and crunched through it.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->The forest was beautiful and I took as many pictures as time would allow without slowing down the group. <!--[endif]--></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC-DrEp63l2mRKLQxr-94_DldQKMefZSDrRFPvRR-8FHFLaWci6WGIjCw0tgPcJVlqtMlAVXreeg9gRX8-lhjLjiirkICA3qAMKXYYI_Vl83QRW8AvrVnocFBEGe7w9eN2KO9kDIZNjSz/s1600-h/DSCN2656.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288737978981921810" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC-DrEp63l2mRKLQxr-94_DldQKMefZSDrRFPvRR-8FHFLaWci6WGIjCw0tgPcJVlqtMlAVXreeg9gRX8-lhjLjiirkICA3qAMKXYYI_Vl83QRW8AvrVnocFBEGe7w9eN2KO9kDIZNjSz/s400/DSCN2656.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn5O48_Gc8GiRKa2BRo_nPzregXY6Zn8_F7GECOQB-bccdKxsM8BVaaGd9tYF_2nV3jI5JD1heSDnEhV1f1R-mXO38nl3rYiPiSw0341dO9Nwxh5aNUEyIiNDjfw1FYixJVZR2CJtFJuM/s1600-h/DSCN2676.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288737965999907346" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn5O48_Gc8GiRKa2BRo_nPzregXY6Zn8_F7GECOQB-bccdKxsM8BVaaGd9tYF_2nV3jI5JD1heSDnEhV1f1R-mXO38nl3rYiPiSw0341dO9Nwxh5aNUEyIiNDjfw1FYixJVZR2CJtFJuM/s400/DSCN2676.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPhz-U_tD7I4oS5dyEmmcnyZZCraa29nmni8T0qitvYh-8QGX1mRI_6cDl5dEfKu0x3VbKjOO4AFIos_sgxMTye6EzD75-s3aI2k5gaLHGEkLDOf-cvb65my8TezGX9dphbqbFV6WC1gL/s1600-h/DSCN2678.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288737961738430242" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPhz-U_tD7I4oS5dyEmmcnyZZCraa29nmni8T0qitvYh-8QGX1mRI_6cDl5dEfKu0x3VbKjOO4AFIos_sgxMTye6EzD75-s3aI2k5gaLHGEkLDOf-cvb65my8TezGX9dphbqbFV6WC1gL/s400/DSCN2678.jpg" border="0" /></a>Steve, Linda B., and I ran together for the most part. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>A Seattle visitor from South Africa joined us.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It turned out he was an avid trail runner.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>He discovered the WWFA on-line and had not heard that it was canceled so he tagged along with our rag tag group.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>He had a thick Dutch accent but I think his name was Colin.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Steve gave him his email so we could exchange pictures.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Colin’s hand is in the picture of the bird. <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sorry for such a long and boring blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Enjoy the pictures and I’ll see you at the races!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-42405280629245628972008-12-26T16:21:00.000-08:002008-12-26T16:48:52.168-08:00Goal: Quadzilla! Four in Four Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzJaP_JSxCNb3qrR1cVN1JGUMPDSaJlSJ8ESiXJoXUmUVXwzmfUR7RtJTSoXcRmglPGd2Z64rEiuLIW3m2VbK5l-G6GMiJoOuAkJjbAUCTTry543UC5mIMSaa29_Gz1qFS1TBxonnCs1b/s1600-h/5046~Four-Daisies-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzJaP_JSxCNb3qrR1cVN1JGUMPDSaJlSJ8ESiXJoXUmUVXwzmfUR7RtJTSoXcRmglPGd2Z64rEiuLIW3m2VbK5l-G6GMiJoOuAkJjbAUCTTry543UC5mIMSaa29_Gz1qFS1TBxonnCs1b/s400/5046~Four-Daisies-Posters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284263049200289490" border="0" /></a><br />The stars have aligned and it is now possible for me to run an "unofficial" Quadzilla next week! The attempt will feature two marathons and two 50K's in the short span of four days.<br /><br />First in the series will be <a href="http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/Last_Chance_Marathon.htm">Mary's Last Chance Marathon</a> on Dec. 31. This out and back course is located in Bellingham WA and has become a family tradition for <a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> and I. The next day we will run a new marathon in Bothell WA called the <a href="http://firstcalltorunmarathon.blogspot.com/">First Call</a>. The third run will be a "late start" effort to run the cancelled <a href="http://www.nwultras.com/tiger_dumb_ass.htm">Dumb Ass 50K</a>. This should be fun considering it involves about 12,500 feet of climbing and the Mt. has been covered in snow. I'm hoping that I'll have warmed up enough after the Dumb Ass run to participate in the <a href="http://www.trail-run-crazy.com/WesternWaFatAss.html">Western WA Tiger Mt. Fat Ass 50K</a> the following day. Did I mention that I'm going to a party after the Dumb Ass run? I'll probably need to limit my intake of Pipeline Porter.<br /><br />I hope to see many of you at these races. The Dumb Ass is a self supported fun run and open to all. We plan on starting around 6:00 AM. By around I mean exactly at 6:00 AM. I'm guessing you will be able to catch up to me without too much effort if you arrive later. <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob "Rattler" Hester</a>, and Jess Mullen are planning to run Dumb Ass on Friday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88qm1oHO_uCp3dXMiYkdDjdLiMuup2IgHawEdoEekaAiqcJ65T1ciG99yADSQjiZ1KKaJWHiKFA8wLpYbUUuLrxdkNYCfN6JFOG1XWdpR_x0jUp-B2V7UscLbeTKAocZw9dNaaBGnW2qi/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88qm1oHO_uCp3dXMiYkdDjdLiMuup2IgHawEdoEekaAiqcJ65T1ciG99yADSQjiZ1KKaJWHiKFA8wLpYbUUuLrxdkNYCfN6JFOG1XWdpR_x0jUp-B2V7UscLbeTKAocZw9dNaaBGnW2qi/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284263050304190082" border="0" /></a>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-31125458138677435062008-12-21T12:08:00.000-08:002008-12-21T14:12:42.909-08:0010 Hour 2008 PR!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQIiSG_Bu-lpDpg0t5CIdpbaV7sxs1le32r_ocJ-7uiuYo1tlwpxLXe2vMy0Wb4u4qGYosLyoFgTHY4vP-xK315XBR3XpQ8WzeJaM5W3YR15etaLaLEF0ST_3LItZsHFqrztWm9BQ_AJD/s1600-h/RSCN2580.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQIiSG_Bu-lpDpg0t5CIdpbaV7sxs1le32r_ocJ-7uiuYo1tlwpxLXe2vMy0Wb4u4qGYosLyoFgTHY4vP-xK315XBR3XpQ8WzeJaM5W3YR15etaLaLEF0ST_3LItZsHFqrztWm9BQ_AJD/s400/RSCN2580.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366647213114818" border="0" /></a><br />Do I look happy or what?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ef64h0bryCEMn5HPxfO7tECAPsCD0RwhLSB3K5KoVsBCE0FzKXt6eVQHpBtEHgwBWL9NzttrkMJw23KYg-wRkolopExN6RFUhp5B4a3elO9mdd8w3-NCzxfSuHjWUH_ZueRg060nLQ8z/s1600-h/RSCN2581.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ef64h0bryCEMn5HPxfO7tECAPsCD0RwhLSB3K5KoVsBCE0FzKXt6eVQHpBtEHgwBWL9NzttrkMJw23KYg-wRkolopExN6RFUhp5B4a3elO9mdd8w3-NCzxfSuHjWUH_ZueRg060nLQ8z/s400/RSCN2581.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366641970886546" border="0" /></a><br />Bob Dolphin working on 500 marathons<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBimr-pH3f9YVxQcKYZGwZyh_bwp3X4X3v1l3YFeg1KALRPJw4op7fZy2bET3SHpKtvPjyP6vK6EJR9p6PT0IrubSX8_xLgkq4x0RIZmwRv2LZ07kwC8h4ieAlUFEJq8mJDQi-4YPWc2y9/s1600-h/DSCN2579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBimr-pH3f9YVxQcKYZGwZyh_bwp3X4X3v1l3YFeg1KALRPJw4op7fZy2bET3SHpKtvPjyP6vK6EJR9p6PT0IrubSX8_xLgkq4x0RIZmwRv2LZ07kwC8h4ieAlUFEJq8mJDQi-4YPWc2y9/s400/DSCN2579.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366635020628290" border="0" /></a><br />Michelle and Jessica at the finish<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B9hsz8DimGqrMoydFZX_EnlwG4VQf2GvD8CXcZFFZ_zzcDhmfwjDFLfq7tiRS0MXoTRQnRrtX4vFgXHqnq8dG8O36NwAkn2dv3yeikGrOLkv13GmjkxBhchvmUR-M3itcxdeWW5gsEGs/s1600-h/DSCN2576.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B9hsz8DimGqrMoydFZX_EnlwG4VQf2GvD8CXcZFFZ_zzcDhmfwjDFLfq7tiRS0MXoTRQnRrtX4vFgXHqnq8dG8O36NwAkn2dv3yeikGrOLkv13GmjkxBhchvmUR-M3itcxdeWW5gsEGs/s400/DSCN2576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366074619208946" border="0" /></a><br />Finish Line and Soup Kitchen<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZSZv5m3g2RrwlvTkhspe-bS7I5hWM6UlYWsblw1bG630QSyJHKJcmaA_ShjFH5BvzkawSeqSAJTGH8QqEtIl_yl5efw0TML0f44fQcMKHQh3XL2_eMQtWeILJq2OX_Rt6pxkADNQvQTP/s1600-h/DSCN2554.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZSZv5m3g2RrwlvTkhspe-bS7I5hWM6UlYWsblw1bG630QSyJHKJcmaA_ShjFH5BvzkawSeqSAJTGH8QqEtIl_yl5efw0TML0f44fQcMKHQh3XL2_eMQtWeILJq2OX_Rt6pxkADNQvQTP/s400/DSCN2554.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366067868172594" border="0" /></a><br />Jenny you need to touch up those gray hairs!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtx14m3qnbGnrzkpxzDOCJ0PnAFPGuZhT8etBBHQe-gB-lRg3pxak36eWJTXGSeiwCYJs6nwWdgnKghlnV3nZIeBtfchIgUSS96HWC2zzyyx2q8jsgRYiCsKNuHecVgoDTgS_xV4fjpI/s1600-h/DSCN2553.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtx14m3qnbGnrzkpxzDOCJ0PnAFPGuZhT8etBBHQe-gB-lRg3pxak36eWJTXGSeiwCYJs6nwWdgnKghlnV3nZIeBtfchIgUSS96HWC2zzyyx2q8jsgRYiCsKNuHecVgoDTgS_xV4fjpI/s400/DSCN2553.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366059883376834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCvmBdgL6kYfqNR8UTo6hATPsmpS_ZnMSxtI9CqPUEtesafIkwDxPDxWsYgYr-7AcROvkQror7F1V_Zvf_T-vir9PLiSv-uHA-KlrfCTk5lRMNFjjY2xRG2hDyiE2J9fLPHazhOsgWtzs/s1600-h/DSCN2542.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCvmBdgL6kYfqNR8UTo6hATPsmpS_ZnMSxtI9CqPUEtesafIkwDxPDxWsYgYr-7AcROvkQror7F1V_Zvf_T-vir9PLiSv-uHA-KlrfCTk5lRMNFjjY2xRG2hDyiE2J9fLPHazhOsgWtzs/s400/DSCN2542.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366055499235426" border="0" /></a><br />Photographic trickery to make Steve look like he's moving fast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUKoG82IXtRUascGAjG66lJZ2SxYSf4nBKOlUcIJV-CRTl7-s31mQY4qA8kwX6XJwxmNRcbl00pilKErgxUNgMu4UtSHMhXJmT3PZzwAqm9hd_m2JKgNpLHlTjcpmJqjvAKIzQveQnBfw/s1600-h/DSCN2545.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUKoG82IXtRUascGAjG66lJZ2SxYSf4nBKOlUcIJV-CRTl7-s31mQY4qA8kwX6XJwxmNRcbl00pilKErgxUNgMu4UtSHMhXJmT3PZzwAqm9hd_m2JKgNpLHlTjcpmJqjvAKIzQveQnBfw/s400/DSCN2545.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282366045674688274" border="0" /></a><br />Rich Walter - photography, race support.<br /><br /><div>That's right folks, 10 hours! Was it a 100K, 50K, Marathon, what..... Well I suppose the <a href="http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/race/pigtailsFlatAss.htm">Pigtails Marathon</a> I ran yesterday lead up to my 2008 PR but it was not where I set my new 2008 record. Last night I got 10 hours of sleep! Woo Hoo! I don't have sleeping problems and usually I just lay down close my eyes and BOOM, I'm catching Z's. I don't think I've gotten over 7.5 hours of sleep over a given night all year but last night beat that PR by 2.5 hours!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I need to take the Facebook age test again because I think I must be in my teenage years again!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>OK, so much for the silly nights sleep. Yesterday I ran Pigtails Marathon in Renton WA. I had not planed on running this race but the Dumb Ass 50K scheduled for today was cancelled due to the potential for high winds. Pigtails is an out and back that goes along the Cedar River Trail which I believe is an old RR right of way. <a href="http://mm.littlemarathon.com/MyMarathons.asp?ManiacId=27">Van Phan</a> is the RD and offers both 50K and Marathon distance. Race entry consists of two cans of soup from each runner that is donated to a local food bank. Actually some of the soup is also cooked up for the runners at the finish.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Van is a superheroine distance runner who beats me on a regular basis. She rallied a group of local runners to volunteer at the aid stations and actually check on us along the way. <a href="http://mm.littlemarathon.com/MyMarathons.asp?ManiacId=279">Shawn McTaggart</a>, <a href="http://tcgotlegs.blogspot.com/">tc</a>, <a href="http://mm.littlemarathon.com/MyMarathons.asp?ManiacId=465">Jess Mullen</a>, and <a href="http://ultrakingarthur.blogspot.com/">King Arthur</a> were on the job. All of these folks deserve a standing O for their willingness to brave the 21 degree F temperatures for nearly 8 hours.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I've run this trail before in freezing conditions and found the bridges that cross roads to be very slippery. I don't own Yak Traks so I installed 3/8" sheet metal screws in the bottom lugs of both Michelle's and my shoes. The snow was about two inches deep on the first 6 miles and then got up to about four inches as we ran east. It was similar to running in sand and I'm glad that I put the screws in my shoes because otherwise I think I would have slipped around a bit more as I pushed off. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I ran the first 16 miles with a group of Puyallup runners, Linda, <a href="http://runningfurther.blogspot.com/">Rob (Rattler)</a>, <a href="http://2runandnotgrowweary.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>, and Steve. I wore my pack with a hydration bladder and had issues with my bite valve and hose freezing. I discovered that taking a sip about every 5 min. would keep it flowing. Last night Michelle told me she overheard tc suggesting to someone that they blow air into the bite valve to get the water out of the hose and valve to prevent freezing. I need to try that next time. The hydration bladder beats holding water bottles that tend to freeze up and suck all the heat from your hands. I picked up my pace at mile 16 and finished with a 4:45:53. Yep, that's slow for me but we had a lot of fun talking and I stopped an took a lot of pictures along the way. Speaking of pictures, Linda's husband Rich was on his Mt. bike taking pictures as well plus providing and support folks needed. I'll share some of his too once he downloads them. Rich has a great eye for photography and the lighting conditions and weather should have provided for some great shots with the equipment he has. He's a better biker than me because history proves that I would have ended up with the front tire instantly slipping out from under me and ending up hip first on the pavement.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Many of the runners with long hair or beards iced up from the moisture as they exhaled. It was a beautiful morning with some sun breaks in the first half before the snow clouds started rolling in for a continuation of SNOWBOMINATION 2008. For those of you who have not been in the Seattle area during a snow period you must understand that the world comes to a halt and our local news teams go into a paranoid reaction that I can only imagine is some sort of practice run in case a nuclear device goes off near town. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> ran the Pigtails marathon with <a href="http://jessica-slowandsteady.blogspot.com/">Jessica Williams</a> of our <a href="http://yrunclub.wordpress.com/blogs/">Y-Run Club</a>. Jessica is a runner that started running with our club when we offered a couch to 5K program two years ago. She actually was the only participant that stuck with it and ran the Y Run for Kids 5K race in Tacoma after the C25K training. Yesterday Jessica qualified as a Marathon Maniac having completed her 4th marathon with the last three being within three months of each other. Welcome to the Insane Asylum Jessica! You are an inspiration to all of us.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Our youngest Son Riley made it home from Pullman yesterday. We look forward to spending time with him over the holidays. Web our oldest son will not be home for Christmas but we plan on visiting him in January to celebrate his 22nd birthday.<br /><br />Happy Holidays! See those of you running Last Chance, First Call, and Tiger Mt. 50K<br /></div>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-16836318593597045162008-12-16T07:31:00.000-08:002008-12-16T07:56:49.554-08:00Ghost of Birch Bay Marathon 2008I sneaked in another marathon over the weekend up in Birch Bay Washington. This was a homecoming marathon for me that brought back a flood of memories as I ran. The course goes from Birch Bay State Park around the Bay to the North and then loops around Birch Point. I grew up out on Birch Point and had to ride my bike everywhere. When I was a kid it seemed like it was a hundred miles to Birch Bay from my house when in fact it was only about four. Of course I would make the ride without water, without proper fueling, and not eat for several hours while I was away.<br /><br />I ran by several spots that brought back memories of days past. Some of these were where I met Michelle in 1974, the corner my cousin was killed in a car accident coming to join me for some Mt. climbing, where I hit a deer with my car, the road leading up to the gravel pit where we had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">keggers</span>, the spot a friend was thrown out of a car at 90 MPH and lived to tell about it, my old bus stop, a cabin where an old girl friend was arrested, the road where my friend and I got his 1957 Chrysler up to 150 MPH, my old duck hunting pond. The list goes on...<br /><br />Marathon time was 4:00:08<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL12UlcgR9cKzzbNtfF6y29PDAEKemooEnyKVENZxpC385gj_XnfeHTtOxKeHutfDO_PdH52SW3SfmEBSJ_K5I6-QLCgL-36nkJi-7LpN_t8XKWCs99nIJqXrMhivl7UjfUSQHDYoX7XBM/s1600-h/DSCN2504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL12UlcgR9cKzzbNtfF6y29PDAEKemooEnyKVENZxpC385gj_XnfeHTtOxKeHutfDO_PdH52SW3SfmEBSJ_K5I6-QLCgL-36nkJi-7LpN_t8XKWCs99nIJqXrMhivl7UjfUSQHDYoX7XBM/s400/DSCN2504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280412538604844082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0jYDAcNyPx7Gq0oWB8WMXluJmNqoX0oSIfG0wtnFr7TNo-cyLjR5gLXWvWjOJPpEGqGj93D90raAJnzhomCysuYU103WkDYAILNwTKWEADKbFnijW26qgoTS3J03vDcwLboayScgar2i/s1600-h/DSCN2503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0jYDAcNyPx7Gq0oWB8WMXluJmNqoX0oSIfG0wtnFr7TNo-cyLjR5gLXWvWjOJPpEGqGj93D90raAJnzhomCysuYU103WkDYAILNwTKWEADKbFnijW26qgoTS3J03vDcwLboayScgar2i/s400/DSCN2503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280412536837272290" border="0" /></a><br />Living with a vegetarian has it's health benefits however I have drawn the line at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tofurkey</span>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">veggies</span> around the soy blob was OK but give me turkey any day over this stuff!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FUw08_oOozy0QR5UGqYd1NG99j5mJYJi4ttC5tClBX95ionoGc_FhjIWlVcEd4u_qNvUaGh2DPy3mdu6R7zrr1jhhXNV5WpocFOX6-Wb59IAiFpp-QTBvTw1-E4kD9Eb38GB0jLHu8iS/s1600-h/DSCN2501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FUw08_oOozy0QR5UGqYd1NG99j5mJYJi4ttC5tClBX95ionoGc_FhjIWlVcEd4u_qNvUaGh2DPy3mdu6R7zrr1jhhXNV5WpocFOX6-Wb59IAiFpp-QTBvTw1-E4kD9Eb38GB0jLHu8iS/s400/DSCN2501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280412530908243890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARZ1MywuhNNFnEdINjmJK9p0ry9CGFtz8VrqPqBSppF7S2sTJ5nukNKcQsAVxbwzRQ3HV3VTtTTa26zluDYW83KRk7En_lDsZTU3vTuxo0AIBOvHuGE72BAT9Sr4XcDXqaroPaSLaigRK/s1600-h/DSCN2498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARZ1MywuhNNFnEdINjmJK9p0ry9CGFtz8VrqPqBSppF7S2sTJ5nukNKcQsAVxbwzRQ3HV3VTtTTa26zluDYW83KRk7En_lDsZTU3vTuxo0AIBOvHuGE72BAT9Sr4XcDXqaroPaSLaigRK/s400/DSCN2498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280412527436808082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uP1vu7F_7cdivsWaCS-Vg7AobIFnkkYwFd_OWdMyqsbnlF8E7C92Gf5I4lly7K1Vk_viGqtu6Ns6ocQE4DCpiLBSf6vEde-HqfMS9QY4a-DWqe5q97sIXJWEfJxDYTWNYBarnYtnVkTS/s1600-h/DSCN2513.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uP1vu7F_7cdivsWaCS-Vg7AobIFnkkYwFd_OWdMyqsbnlF8E7C92Gf5I4lly7K1Vk_viGqtu6Ns6ocQE4DCpiLBSf6vEde-HqfMS9QY4a-DWqe5q97sIXJWEfJxDYTWNYBarnYtnVkTS/s400/DSCN2513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280412555930117442" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers!Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495431905223962790.post-17518720123903527912008-12-12T16:57:00.000-08:002008-12-12T17:49:58.611-08:00Blister prevention for running<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU26THeJZxSYv5JUOGIV6eudbQoU-jH0xDlqaK2n7eMDcvOA9MHHtwpLmIcndLvL4eY1x9FrYZsUOJxo48GwatVFQF3-WZcHKr5nDwGKwUtzN98HTO6iG9mbeJzr4tXIvV0prxTJZzW6G/s1600-h/packaging_running.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279083841648792034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU26THeJZxSYv5JUOGIV6eudbQoU-jH0xDlqaK2n7eMDcvOA9MHHtwpLmIcndLvL4eY1x9FrYZsUOJxo48GwatVFQF3-WZcHKr5nDwGKwUtzN98HTO6iG9mbeJzr4tXIvV0prxTJZzW6G/s400/packaging_running.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A large shadow cast over our front entry indicated the presence of a large box that had been delivered to our doorstep. I wrestled the box into our kitchen and opened it to find about a zillion pairs of <a href="http://www.drymaxsocks.com/">drymax socks</a> for our evaluation. It seems <a href="http://backofpack.blogspot.com/">Michelle's</a> ability to grow blisters practically by mind control caught the attention of the marketing folks at drymax. They contacted her and she was able to get some samples for me as well. I had two large tasks ahead of me. First to build a separate piece of furniture to contain the multitude of socks that were submitted for testing that would separate the socks by specified use such as golf, work boot, men's dress, tennis, walking, trail running, cold weather running, hot weather running, and many other sport variations. Second to give these babies a test and find out if I liked them or not. </div><div><br /> </div><div>As an engineer I can appreciate the primary design and technology that is used in all the categories of socks listed above. The dual layer drymax inner layer and moisture attracting outer layer helps keep your feet dry. The toes are sewn such that they are sort of duck-bill like in nature that helps prevent putting a squeeze on your toes thus eliminating the possibility of blister causing friction between your toes. The dual layer is probably the most important feature because it keeps your feet as dry as possible which for me anyway is the leading cause of blisters besides unending very steep ball-bearing like downhills in ultra racing. The layers may also help with this by reducing friction and adding some cushioning.</div><div><br /></div><div>My history of blisters is fortunately a short story. Typically I don't get blisters during road marathons but did get the mother of all blisters on the ball of my foot last year during the 125KM Canadian Death Race. That blister was caused by moisture from the bogs we ran through and some long steep downhill sections. I've been wearing SmartWool socks with good results regarding blister prevention but very poor wear properties. </div><div><br /> </div><div>PUT TO THE TEST </div><div><br /> </div><div>On my recent triple I wore the standard 1/4 crew low running socks. The first marathon was a 27 mile trail run. I wore my Brooks Cascadias. I had prepped my toenails well before the race but had neglected to stone down my calluses before this first run. Generally this creates a hot spot for me and creates a blister under the callus. I suppose the drymax socks did their trick because while I did feel a bit of a hot spot during the run no blister as expected formed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I ran the next two marathons in the same pair of Brooks Adrenalines. I tested the waters by not stoning down my calluses. At the finish of the Seattle Marathon my feet were in great shape and blister free. Not only that the socks showed no signs of holes or wear as is typical with the SmartWool socks I have been wearing.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you are looking for a solution for blisters you might try drymax socks as a possible cure to your problems. They even have a Teflon fiber version that provides a very slick and non-abrasive protection for your feet. I've started wearing the hiking socks and work socks during the day and find them to be very comfortable as well. I'd say drymax has a winner here.</div>Journey to a Centumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294889164059934956noreply@blogger.com9