Eugene Marathon Surprise

Gail and I had run the inaugural Eugene Marathon a few years back. It was a pretty good course but running it once was enough for me. But this year Gail's co-worker Mary was running her first Marathon there and had asked Gail to run it with her. The RD's had changed the finish from boring to pretty interesting by being able to finish on the famous Hayward field track. That was enough to get me to run it again, plus I really like the bike path part that runs along the Willamette River. So off we went to Eugene.


Mary and Gail ready to rock!

Up early on race day we drove over and met Mary and her mom only a few blocks from the start line. We got lucky as it was a rare blue sky and cool morning. We have had nothing but clouds and rain all Spring here in the Northwest. Over at the start we hung out and chatted with folks. The set up was good with not too long of lines for the blue boxes. I was in the A corral but wanted to run with Mary and Gail for the start so we got about half way into the pack to start. We did the Slug cheer then off we went about 5 minutes after 7 am.

"OK it is just a tad cool"



Fathead steals all the sun.

It was pretty crowded at first with probably 5,000 runners. This included all the half marathoners too. You couldn't get a good rhythm until about the 1 mile point. Somewhere around there I left the girls and pushed it a tad. The course winds through some Eugene neighborhoods then follows a two lane road with a slight upgrade.

By mile four I was thinking this might not be much fun today. I just didn't have a good feeling about running. I was running about 9:10 pace, not what I thought I might do. I didn't really have a goal for this race until I could see how I would feel for the day.

Mile five I picked up the pace to 8:45 or so and pretty much held this until mile 10 when the only bathroom break of the day was needed. This was right back at the start finish line so there was no waiting. From here on we cruised into Springfield for some more city street running. I held the 8:45 pace except the aid stations when i needed 20 seconds or so to fill my water bottles. I was only eating a half bag of chomps and maybe a gel every 45 minutes but was hydrating about 25 ounces an hour.

At the half point I was at 1:58, which 2:00 hours was my goal and then I would see how I felt if I should push it up on the second half. Well, I was feeling real good with no pains at all so I decided to just try and keep the 8:40 pace or so going for as long as I could. If I bonk I bonk.

We were headed back west out of Springfield towards the trails along the river. We went by Autzen stadium and there were quite a few folks out cheering so that was fun. Back on the river trail I was really feeling it. I cranked the old man tunes on the iPod and pushed on. I started doing the math and figured a sub 4 might just happen today. That was cool and unplanned event. I passed Darin and the guy he was pacing, had a few words and I motored on.

Mile 17 I noticed I slowed just a tad. My watch would show 8:50's or so for the next few miles. Mile 20 came and went and I felt good. As usual this is when you start seeing the folks that have begun walking. I always feel sad because I have been there many times before. It sucks when you think you will have the gas to run the entire distance but come to find out you just can't or don't want to.

Mile 24 I really started smelling the barn. No one had passed me in probably 15 miles at least. I was doing the passing. I picked the pace back up to 8:45 but a woman passed me and I tried to keep close but she had little faster legs than me. When mile 25 hit I still felt pretty good and kept the same pace. But I think it was about mile 25.5 when I said "I think I am ready to be done." My pace slowed down by only a few seconds. As we came close to Hayward field the crowds got pretty noisy. Sean was there yelling "Go Fatboyee!!!" That was fun. We turned onto the track and had 200 meters left. I poured it on which is rare for me as I usually just trot it across the finish line. But I wanted to make sure when I crossed the gun time still said 3 hours and something. Not 4 something.


So many great runners have been here.

So I crossed in 3:55, an 8:58 pace for the day and a 1:58/1:56 negative split which means I probably don't run fast enough at the start. But that's the way it is with me. I just hate running hard at the beginning. This was my third fastest marathon with my best being 3:52 at Portland two years ago. Im pretty happy with this, being 51 years old and weighing in at a chubby 225 pounds.

Sweet finish line crowd.

I waited for Mary and Gail and luckily I got them videoed crossing the line at 4:30. They were both all smiles and in fact ended up with the exact same time. It was fun to see someone run their first marathon again, just like Staci did last month at Vernonia. This is a huge accomplishment and anyone who can do this is a champion.

Gail's 54th and Mary's 1st marathon

The finish line food was pretty lame for big expensive marathon. I give them a 2 on after race refreshments...boring! The aid stations were all good and plenty. The first half of the course was generic but the last 10 miles are great. The course is basically flat except for some minor uphill at the start and a few 2 block grunt climbs early on. You do a couple of overpasses too. Fun run but probably wouldn't do it every year unless it got cheaper. But for a first marathon I think it's and excellent choice. I sure had fun. Especially when I had Fatboyee on my bib. Folks would start to yell my name then quietly stop and they became embarrassed. It is a fun prank to do now and then.


This is what it's all about.

Well I got McDonald Forest 50k up next and my hill legs have gone missin' I think. Should be an interesting day.

What about Mary? and Staci...and Gail...and Katie

Gail and I had quite a few firsts on Sunday. Gail is training two runners for their first marathons this year, Staci and Mary. Today was to be Staci's day. Gail would be running with Staci for the entire race. Mary will be running Eugene in a few weeks with Gail on her first Marathon. Mary was running the half marathon and talked about trying to break 2 hours. I said I would be glad to pace her and get her a time somewhere between 1:55 and 2 hours. I would then trot my way to the finish line of the full marathon. So our plans were set.

The bus ride to the start.

We got to the Banks High School and stayed warm in the gym. Fellow Slug Katie was running her second half in two weeks so we had a great big group. We hopped on the school bus that was to drive us the 20 or so miles out to Vernonia and the start line. We chatted away the trip and it went real fast. As the bus arrived Kelly Barten jumped on the bus and told us where everything was located. She did such a great job of color coding everything. Plus she said "Oh you got the Henry's on your bus!" She always cracks me up. Once we got to the start they had rooms open for us so we could all stay warm. It was a real nice set up.

FB, Detour and Staci staying warm.


The fast women runners pose for a pix.


Staci, Mary and Katie.


"Are we excited or what?"

We walked up to the start line and got in the group about mid pack. I usually like to start near the end but this race was not chip timed and since Mary wanted a good time I figured we should be in the middle somewhere. We did our little Slug cheer then off we went in cloudy cool weather with just a touch of mist.


Tell us what the purple shirt girl saying to the white shirt guy???? Hmmmm.....

The start was on a road so we could use both lanes. There was probably 400 runners or so. I don't like to start fast but Mary took off like a shot. I tried to keep her in sight but she was moving running about a 8:20 pace or so which is tough for me at first. I actually thought she might lose me but you see this allot at races as the adrenaline usually gives runners a boost for 10 minutes or so and then they come back down to a slower pace.

We had some nice downhill sections to get warmed up with as we rolled into downtown Vernonia. I caught up to Mary around the one mile point and she wondered what had happened to me? We chatted a bit and I called out our pace. We entered the park and ran the couple mile loop around the lake. We were running 8:30 to 8:45 pace. I figured earlier that if we ran around a 8:45 pace we could get a 1:55 finish time but also that pace gave us time in the bank to finish around 1:58-59 or so.

Around mile 3 we chatted with "the woman in purple shorts" as Mary called her. She asked what races we were doing and told her what our goal finish was for Mary. She felt this was a tad fast for her but more on that later. Mary was strong and her breathing was good. I just prompted her to slow just a bit. As we came upon the first few aid stations they didn't have enough volunteers to keep the water cups filled. Mary decided against carrying a bottle so she missed water in 2 of the first 3 aid stops. This was to hurt her later she admitted.


Mile 4 feeling good. (photo by Kelly Barten)

We got on the man Banks-Veronia trail and began the run through the woods. We had a bit of a headwind at times and I was worried on the backside of the marathon course it would slow me down. Around mile 7 we start a very easy climb, hardly noticeable. But I begin to hear Mary's breathing get just a bit out of sync. We both have our tunes on so not a lot is said. But I try to keep her up to date on our pace which has settled to around 8:50 or so. We have time in the bank which is a good thing. Purple shorts lady commented that our pace was rock solid. She wanted to break 2 hours but didn't think she could do it. I said "for a case of beer you can join us". So she tagged along 10 yards or so behind.

Mary having a good time around mile 5

At mile 10 the climb starts. For some reason people think this is a downhill half but it actually has some good easy climb to it. Mary struggled here a bit. Either wanting to slow way down or stop. I would promote taking baby steps or just walking. She would break for only a short time then be right back at her good sub 9 pace. This happened a few times and I could tell she wanted to give into the pain. I suggested she drop a big "F" bomb out loud so she could vocalize some of her stress. Which, she promptly did with much vigor! But she started running hard right away.

At mile 12 she had issues. She had really run hard and this hill and probably my constant chatter caused her to stop a couple of times. I always kept saying, "just walk we got the time, keep moving". And she would move again. Even at 12.5 miles she fought those demons. Finally the steep downhill section at the finish came into view. I pointed it out and Mary took off, she was cheering and telling all the runners that they got this one done.

Half Marathon finish line.

We crossed the highway and it was kind of confusing. We had to follow the trail with a 90 degree left turn. Mary stopped and thought she had already crossed the finish line. I turned and yelled. "Mary no! Keep running! Keep running! The finish is up here!" So she got going again. I had looked at my watch and it said 1:57:50 and I was worried we might mess up the sub 2 with a mistake. She raced across the finish line in grand style with arms outstretched. She finished with a 1:58:08 and a average pace of 9:01. She did great and we high fived or guess you call it high ten when you used both hands. She was pretty happy. She came in 33rd woman and 7th in her age group.

Well now I had another 13 miles to go. I went to the aid station where the Reisinger Twins were running the show. I took a few minutes to collect my thoughts, chat, fill my water bottle and....eat a Twinkie they had out. (Those things are darn good!) Off I went on the short steep climb back up on the course. I stopped to water the trees once then got my head back in the game. I didn't eat anything on the first 13 miles so I knew I would need to get my fueling back on track quick. I started eating Chomps, then a gel 30 minutes later and tried to keep that up for the rest of the race. I was slightly behind in hydration but it was a cool day so I could get away with that.

"Must have Twinkie, must have Twinkie"


For about a mile or so my legs were hurting pretty good. I wasn't sure how much I had left for the race but my goal was to get Mary a good time then just plod to the marathon finish, not caring what my final time was.

Mile 14 to 20 was like this. So was my brain.


Around mile 14.5 I started moving pretty good. The course peaks out at around 1100 feet then has that nice gentle railway grade to just over mile 20. Soon I was in a groove and cruising back at 8:40 pace or so. The miles clicked by in the dense rain forest of the Oregon Coast Mountains. I was passing everyone. Only at mile 19 or so as I stopped to fill my bottle did anyone pass on the second half of the course. A woman my age who was really moving along. I kept her in sight and would eventually pass her back as she began walking around mile 22 or so.

I started thinking, "can I break 4 hours?" I was doing the math and it just wasn't going to work out. I would have to go full out, max effort and then it still might not work. I took a 3 minute break after Mary finished and that really dashed any chance, but at the time I thought I wouldn't have the gas to try. I just kept motoring on. My legs ached like crazy but with this being my 81st marathon length or longer race I knew this pain well. You are not going to die but it sure isn't fun.

The course really flattens out around mile 21. My pace dropped to almost 9:17 on every mile til the finish. I was steady but not real fast. I kept passing folks but it was pretty thin by this time. Around mile 23 Mary came back out and ran a bit with me. It was great to have a few minutes of company plus she gave me the update on how Staci and Gail were doing.

Got back into Banks and ran along the sidewalks of town til the High School was in view. Kelly Jean cheered us on as we entered the parking lot. I got on to the track and had to run one lap to get my 26.2 miles done. I crossed the line feeling very satisfied with my time of 4:03:33. I was 47th overall and 4 in the old man age group. Another one done, that was fun.

I walked around and cheered other runners in. Talked with Steve, Kelly and others. Later on Purple Shorts Lady came up and thanked me for getting her a PR on her race today. She didn't think she could run that fast. That was great to here. I love when folks take it a notch up and grab that goal that seems out of reach. But hey! Where is my case of Beer???


Gail and Staci with a quarter mile to go!

Mary joins me and says Staci and Gail are close. Soon we see them enter the lot. They both look awesome! Staci had some injuries and her training was definitely not what it should have been she was mostly pain free by race day. She really wanted this and you could see it in her face. The last 20 yards she took off sprinting. She crossed the line just under 4:45 with her husband and family there to celebrate her awesome accomplishment. I really enjoyed watching the excitement of all of this. I give Gail a hug and tell her what a great job she did. We all walk back to the school and talk about the days events.


Staci getting her medal





Gail and Staci pose for a finish photo.



Staci, Mary and Gail trash talking!


It was a great first marathon. Very few problems and lots of fun. I really like these little races like this. Especially when they are out in the country.

Well Gail and I have Eugene Marathon up in a few weeks. We did it about 5 years ago so I am excited to go back. Marathons are fun. You are just not totally wasted like I feel after many 50k's and almost all 50 milers. I never had any issues of light headiness like I did after Pac Rim. So maybe I should just do marathons??? .......Nah! Thats stupid!

Gettin' Loopy 2011 Edition

It seems like a trip home for a Holiday. Or to see old friends. Once again it was the easy one hour drive to Longview to run circles at Lake Sacajawea Park. Everyone you tell says "That is crazy! I would hate running circles for 24 hours!" Yeah they all say that but once they do it they always seem to come back. It could be because you see your fellow runners so much on the course, or that you get cheered by the awesome lap counters every mile, or it's Bart jumping out from behind the bushes to take your picture again. Not sure but I love doing this race.

Ace ultra runner and Pac Rim Lap counter Sarah


Mr Marathon Jim and the rest of the party.

Gail and I got there one hour prior. Set up our little table with our food for the race. This year it was a big deal. I never saw so many tents and canopies set up. It looked like a homeless camp! Well we chatted and chatted away the hour. Barely got our bibs on in time and then we got the speech from RD Fred. This race was to be a memorial this year to some great runners who had passed in the last 10 years or so. Fred talked past the 9 am start time but that was fine for us. Some rude jerk said "Lets go" in a loud voice. I figured it must have been some newbie turd who didn't understand the flow of Pac Rim. Fred continued and then let us go. I love the first few laps. Everyone is very social and its a good time to renew friendships.

Susan ordering only nice weather for the day.


Typical 24 hour runner set up.

Gail and I each had different plans for the race. She wanted a 50k and I wanted a 50 miler. The weather was cool with a breeze but the sun would come out and warm your face now and then. We plodded on trying not to stop every lap as to get the miles done more quickly than years past.

Bart, Pac Rim Photographer.

Around mile 10 or so fellow Slug Katie came out to run 11 miles with us. It was fun to have her with us plus she got us coffee afterwards! Thank you so much!!! Gail and I finished the marathon distance in about 5 hours. We split up about that time too. My legs felt tired at 10 miles so I was worried this would be a long day. I put some tunes on and just sang along the trail. I would feel good then bad but thats how it goes. This year I ran all the little uphills that I would walk in years past. My legs never felt bad just tired. The high 30's the miles were a strain. In the 40's it would be one mile good one mile bad. I was looking forward to being done at mile 50 but the plan was to walk a slow mile 51 and quit then. (Ah the secret of Pac Rim :)) It had gotten dark in the mid 40's and I was getting a bit cold. At mile 47 I put on my long sleeve shirt but was still a bit cold. At mile 50 I walked a very slow mile 51. I got real cold. I was walking trying to slowly let my heart keep my blood pressure up. As you know I have found that if I don't walk around for about an hour after these races I often get very light headed. My hands and feet even start to "tingle". I really hate it and it makes me very anxious.

The "campground" gets bigger every year.


Well at mile 51 I talked with Gail. She was at mile 47 and was mostly walking. So much for her only 50k! Well she wanted to get 50 miles and I was feeling OK so she was going to walk it in for another 3 miles. She was having fun talking with everyone on the course. I started to pack up our stuff and take it to the car. I felt good and read the paper in the car but I was very cold even with the heat on. Gail seemed to be taking longer than I thought she would and I was to find out she ended up doing 51 miles (Yes the Pac Rim trick). By this time I started to get light headed. I tried to walk..it helped a bit but I was getting nervous. When Gail got to the car I said I got to lay down. So I popped the back door of the SUV and laid down on the street with my feet over the back bumper. Within a minute I was feeling better. I staid down for a few more minutes for insurance. Poor Fenny and Gail thought I was worse off.

Steve, Gail and Pete talk pre-race.

I got up and started the drive home. After 5 miles or so I realized that I was not doing very good. I was getting light headed again. So we pulled over and Gail drove the last 40 miles home at 10 pm or so. I put my feet up and just closed my eyes. I never felt that great so when we got home I went right into the front room and laid down on the floor with my feet up on the couch. I laid there for almost an hour! I hate this!!! I hydrated great all day. Used electrolytes etc but still not sure why I get this way. I don't have any gut problems since I switched to Nuun but I still get this now and then. Maybe someday I will figure it out.

Gail and I had a good run for not a ton of training. I finished in 10:09 and Gail was at 11:04. We were both very happy with our performance. Lisa and Tim ended up winning again. Not bad since they both ran their first laps in full bathrobes! Someday we will run 24 hours here. We just have a hard time getting trained for that level this time of year. If it was October it would be much easier.

Well, thanks Fred for another great Pac Rim. We will be back next year!

So what's up next. Well since I am so late writing this Gail and I are running the ORRC Vernonia Marathon tomorrow. It is the first time they have had a marathon. It runs on the Vernonia to Banks rails to trails path. Gail is running with Stacy who is a first time marathoner. I am running just for fun, no real goals or plans. Just hope to enjoy a nice 26 mile trot in the country.

Hagg Lake and "Where'd he go?"

No I didn't die. No I didn't quit running. I just quit blogging. I got sucked into the world of Facebook. You know, the soundbite life. Just a small comment here and there. I just couldn't get my Blog Mo-Jo back. Well I am going to try and fix that. This blog has been an amazing race journal for me. Sometimes I would go back and read it before I ran the race again the next year. It has also been a great place to store memories. Well lets get to it then.

Last weekend I ran Hagg Lake 50k for the 6th time. I don't really like this course as its pretty rutted and when muddy is not much fun to run. But it's put on by the ORRC and other friends and it's kind of starts of the Trail running season.

It had rained hard all week but come Saturday it was cold with blue skies. The roads were very slick but drivable. Gail came out to volunteer as she is not a fan of the course too. Was fun to talk with friends before the race and to try and stay warm. My goal was just to go steady and get the miles in. I have been running the normal amount this winter but just shorter more frequent runs. I hadn't done over 16 miles since December 26th's 50k. I actually was a tad nervous about how I would feel over 25 miles or so.

Kelly B. told us to go and off we went. The port-a-john line was too long so I waited for everyone to start the run then I had some business to take care of! That put me almost 5 minutes behind everyone, but I was totally fine with that. The first 1.5 miles is up the hill, my least favorite part of the course but you have to do it as the loop around the lake is only 14 miles. I chatted with some folks and just did a run-walk. As we got back to the start line I dropped off my vest, with the sun out I would be warm enough. On the trail I soon too a wrong turn and followed someone. I figured it out and only cost me a 1/4 mile. The course on the south side of the lake wasn't too bad. Big mud but mostly runnable. On the pavement by the damn I kicked it up to make some time. Back on the trail on the north side is where you really ran into the mud. Some sections were insane but that's what Hagg is famous for.

I finished the first 17 mile lap in 3:25. With my late start I was doing OK. Around mile 19 I started to get tired. The low point of the race for sure. I ate some more Chomps and soon felt good. Past the Damn I got a trailer. I offered to let him by but he wanted to follow he said. It was nice as it actually pushed me a bit. I started feeling better and never had a bad point the rest of the day. I was passing early starters and a few others. I did fall twice on lap one but nothing more than a bloody knee on the worst one.

At mile 27 or so I caught up to David. He let me by but kept right up with me. We had a nice chat then hit another downhill paved section. He picked up the pace and today I only had one speed so I let him go. He was in sight most of those last 4 miles but I could only pick up distance in the muddy sections and I just plowed right on through the bad stuff. We I hit the Sain Creek parking lot I was pretty tired. I could have done more miles but probably not more than 6 or so. So I plodded on with mud caked shoes towards the finish. I crossed in 6:30 which is one of my slowest Hagg times but considering the course conditions I was totally fine with it.

Gail and I stuck around and chatted and had some bites. I won a nice winter hat in the raffle. My gut felt pretty good. I was only a tad light headed. I really think Nuun is my savior. Thanks to Kelly and Todd for another fun race.

So what's next on the running agenda. Well Pac Rim 24 hour run is March 19-20th. I can't do all 24 hours as I have to work on Sunday, so I will do 50 to 60 miles only. After that I am not sure. My airline is slowly being dismantled by our parent company. My aircraft I fly is being removed from service so I will be trained in a new on for part of April through May and early June. I want to run either White River 50 miler or back to the PCT 50 in July. My only real goal is probably to run Waldo 100k again. I would like to finish a bit better time this year. After that who knows. Portland marathon, then we RD at Autumn Leaves. After that Gail and I are considering our first 100 miler at Javalina in Phoenix in mid November. If not that we might do the NY Marathon.

Since the last blog post I ran the Portland Marathon in October. I had my second fastest time and felt great in the rain all day. We then RD our first race and that was a crazy, stressful time. After that we went to Fresno and ran the Two Cities Marathon. Very boring course but they made up for it with the bling, free breakfast, free beer, free music, free shirt, free sweatshirt and nice medal. In December we ran Steve Walter's 6 hour race in which I got like 34 miles in. That's all you missed!

Well thanks for continuing to read my blog. I hope to be a better writer in the future.

McKenzie River 50k: The 2010 Edition

I remember the first year we went up the McKenzie River Highway. All Gail kept saying was how beautiful it was. This year was no different as we drove to our motel. It was a nice night after many days of rain earlier in the week. Summer never came to the Northwest this year and the trails were very different. Not dry and dusty but soft.

We picked up our "swag bags" had some dinner and called it an early night. The next morning Gail took the 0630 early start at I was off an hour later. We decided to leave our car at the start and hoped to get a ride back from the finish. (More on that adventure later). Gail was a tad nervous as she had not done over 18 miles or so since Spring. We both have had some strange adventures on this trail. She has had contact lens problems, running with others who got sick. And me, falling and breaking my ribs last year which caused me to have one of the worst nights of my life. I love this trail. It is mostly downhill with a fair amount of technical running due to rocks and tree roots. Gail on the other hand is not a big fan of technical trails.

This years course is a bit different. The start you run on gravel roads for a mile or so before dropping onto the stair section. So the crowds thinned out a tad before there but again I was in dead last after one mile. I always wish that I was a bit ahead of the pack when power climbs come. I want to go faster than most but feel its a bit rude to pass when so many runners are in a steady line. Soon we were up around Clear Lake and the lava beds. I passed a few but got stuck behind a guy who ran every downhill and walked anything up, even a few paces. At the first AS we have a new out and back because of the finish being shorter this year. I dropped my water belt and went up the short grunt section. It felt good to dump that belt for a bit. On the way back I saw Pam from Salem and said "hi". Noticed a few other familiar faces too.

I always feel that the course is pretty much downhill from here. Yeah there are some minor climbs but it is all runnable. I slowly pass more runners, some are friends and we chat a bit. I feel like I am running strong but my Garmin doesn't show the pace I expect. I am eating less these days and loving my Nuun as my gut never gives me any problems anymore. What a 180 degree turn around from the last 9 years of my distance running.

At the second AS I grab my drop bag and have half a can of Starbucks Esspresso, boy those are good. I enjoy this next section as its in some in very dense cool foliage with just a bit of technical sections. Soon I pass hiker who says "watch out for the stingers up there". I think she is probably talking about the stinging nettles type of plant. But after about 10 seconds I see to women runners in front of me scream, swing there arms widely and then double their pace. Uh Oh. Yep, it happens. Intense pain. I get stung by bees 3 times in less than a couple of seconds. I never see them in this dark section of the trail but boy it hurts.

Soon I catch up with Nancy. She is my hero as I think I said last post. At 61 she has such a great pace. We chat about Waldo, her next race, Mexico and many other things. I follow her for a long time. Soon I pass but I feel I may see her again later!

I keep looking at my watch. I feel good but no speed. Maybe tired Waldo legs still from 3 weeks ago? Not sure but I am enjoying the run with all this blue sky and nice cool temps. I keep thinking I might be catching Gail soon. I really hope I don't as that means she is having a good day. I pass a couple of spots on the trail where I caught up with her in the past. I am happy as I don't see her yet. Soon I hear the cheer of the mile 23 or so AS. I never tire of that cheer as you approach. I get to the top of the little hill at the AS and there is Detour. Yeah! I caught her here like 3 years ago. I give her a kiss and the AS volunteers get a puzzled look. We chat and she says she is doing great. I say "I gotta go cause I might PR".

I blast out and try to really push it a bit. I soon pass the area where I fell hard the last two years. I am constantly thinking about that this year but I only stub my toe a few times. I am now running a good pace. All is well. I pass most everyone except I think one guy catches me. I have my tunes cranked but we still chat a bit. I see the last AS and I ask "How far to the finish" A young guy yells back "Less than 4 miles" I keep running deciding I have enough water to finish. I want that PR!

As I round the corner at the last AS I pass the guy who had passed me. I get the adrenaline flowing and start running hard. I always thought there were really big hills in this last section but since my Ultra career as progressed I find no real hills just some short little up sections. In years passed I remember just dieing on these "huge climbs". Funny how things change. I am running sub 9 pace which is huge for me at this point in the race. I see my buddy behind me a few times and he is catching me on the hills but I pull away on the flats. This is fun. Wish I was fast so I could race like this with the big guns. I am passing tons of folks these last few miles. I make a turn on a dirt road and a course Marshall says "three quarters of a mile to go". I look at my watch. I only have 2 mintues to get my PR. I am bummed. I thought the new finish might be closer but I was wrong. I pretty much knew the last 5 miles I most likely wouldn't PR but I had to try, I would be pissed if I would have missed it by a minute or so.

Now we hit this gravel road and have a good climb. My racing buddy comes by, he is strong on the hill and passes me. He is nice and says "C'mon you are doing so good, don't let me by" I say a few words but don't have the hill climbing legs left to stay with him. After a 1/2 mile of climb we crest the hill for a nice downhill finish. I cross in 5:58, just under 4 minutes slower than my PR last year. I am a bit bummed but happy I am feeling good after 31 miles.

I chat with fellow runners and eat a few things as I wait for Gail. Sarah is looking for Marc and LG and I tell her he ran a 1/4 mile with me earlier. I talk with Meghan and Craig as they are looking at the Oregon Trail Series list. I say I think I am only one of two runners that completed all 7 races of the Series this year. It would have been 3 of us but April had sprained an ankle earlier in the race and had to drop. I ended up finishing 14th male overall and 4 in my age group in this years trail series. Even though I ran all the races they take your 4 best times to calculate the winners.

Here comes Detour down the hill to the finish. She is running strong. She crosses the finish and due to some health issues this is her first trail ultra in a year. Her last one was McKenzie of 2009 one year ago. She is a happy runner today.

We now have to get back to our car. Hmmm....no one wants to give us a ride so we head out to the highway to hitchhike back up the road. It feels strange sticking my thumb out. Cars go by and no one stops. I tell Gail I should jump in the woods as she is so cute I bet the first car would stop! Soon someone stops but the bad news is we find out he is only going 2 miles further. So out we get dumped and stick out our thumbs again. About 10 minutes later some fellow runners in a pickup stop. We jump in the back. This is so cool. I feel like a kid again riding in the back. I think this is illegal in Oregon now but who cares, its fun! They drop us off at our car and we thank them.


What a smirk! (photo by Craig T)

As we drive home I wonder if I will do this race next year. I like the course but just not sure if I want to do it one more time as I have run it four straight years now. Kind of the same feeling about the Oregon Trail Series. I tell Gail I think next year I will try some other Ultra's, maybe out of state. Problem is that it is so easy to drive and do these. I have hardly done any in Washington and think I should give those a try. Want new adventures lurk? This winter I think I will be a Marathon Man. 26 miles or so seems far enough for a fun winter. Maybe next year I will do some more half marathons. Those are fun. You are not exhausted but can run fast for 1.5 to 2 hours. Who knows. I don't really have the fire to try a 100 miler but if I got into Western I would sure give it a try. This was my 75 th run of Marathon length or longer. Maybe that is making me pause and think about where running is taking me. I do know someday Gail and I will be in an RV driving around the country doing Marathons for a few months. It is something we both want to do. But that is probably years away with jobs still required. What do the few of you that read this blog think? Any fun ideas? Let us know.

Next up? Portland Marathon. No pressure or anything as I have posted my two fastest marathons ever the last two years on this course. Wonder if the fire will come back that morning? Right now I look forward to the race but not pumped about running hard.

"Go Get Your Hat Fat-Boy"

This was to be the race of the year. A 100k (62.5 miles) that climbs 3 mountains (12,000 feet) and is 99% on single track trail in the Central Oregon Cascades. My focus for the last 8 months has been to get my hat. Only finishers that are done by 9 pm get it. If you finish after 9 you get
an official time but you don’t get the hat. I want the hat!

2:30 am in the lodge pre-race

Gail and I spent the night in Oakridge as we have the last few years. 3 years ago we volunteered at the Mt Ray (mile 20) aid station. I learned so much about Ultra running by watching the runners come in to the AS. How they acted, what they ate, how they ensured they got what they needed. That day Gail and I went out for a 16 mile run on some of the trails the racers were on. I knew someday I would be out here racing. The next year I entered Waldo but got hurt about a month before on the PCT 50 mile run. I tested the leg a few weeks before the race and there was no way I could do the entire 62 miles. So I ran to mile 32 and then quit. Last year I thought I really could do it. But somewhere going up the second big climb (The Twins) my brain decided to leave my body and I had balance and just over all comprehension issues. I DNF’d at mile 47. It was the right thing to do but within hours I knew I had to come back this year.

Up at 1:15 am Gail and I did a quick breakfast and headed out for the 3 am start. Our friend David was hitching a ride with us on the 30 minute drive up the start. We chatted and enjoyed the company. At Willamette Pass Ski Area we parked the car and at 2:30 walked into the lodge. Had a quick sip of coffee and a chat with some friends. It was supposed to be in the 30’s but for some reason we got lucky the temps were in the mid 40’s. I wore a short sleeve shirt and a long over the top of that know I would drop the shirt at mile 20. I was covered in DEET and sunscreen as it was supposed to be a bad mossie year. We walked over to the start line. We got a short talk from the RD, I kissed Gail and off we went. You run for about a hundred yards then begin the climb up the ski trails. David and I chatted for the first 20 minutes or so. The dust was not as bad as years past. But its still pretty interesting to watch the headlights creep up the hill. After a mile or so we get to run. We drop onto some nice single track and off we go. My leg hamstring and leg begin to throb at mile 4. What is this? My good left leg is hurting so soon? It starts in my pelvis bone towards my back. I had this pain two weeks ago at Haulin Aspen. I get scared and think I can’t run 16 hours like this! I press on. Soon I am alone on a course marked my green glow sticks. You hear a few words now and then but mostly its calm. I hear only my breath or the trickle of a nearby stream. I enjoy this.

2 hours into the race the sun starts to rise

Dropping onto a road for about a half mile we cruise into the Gold Lake AS. It is still dark and the campers are sleeping so we must be quite. I refill my bottles and drop in an Nuun an move along. Now we start the first big climb up Fuji Mt. (As if climbing a ski hill is not big!) I think this climb is about 2500 feet. I mostly power walk but there are sections that are runable. I start to see light in the sky. It will be dawn soon. As I get to the Fuji Mt AS at mile 12 the bugs are awake and so is the sun. I refill only one bottle as it’s a steep but short 1.5 mile climb to the summit. You run a bit but mostly it’s a climb. I pass the fast early starters coming down the hill. I soon get to the top and as always enjoy the rising sun and a great view of the Cascades and the high lakes. I get RD Craig to take my picture as it is such a great spot with perfect light. I only stay a few minutes and then head back down. I see David on the way up and he says he is real sleepy. I take a few photo’s and then go on our way. Back at the Fuji AS I am excited for the couple thousand foot, 6+ mile, downhill run to the Mt Ray AS. I am with Marc, my fellow age 50+ crazy ultra runner. He always cracks me up with his stories. They always help pass the time. On this section I learned how he solo climbed 14,400 foot Mt. Rainier in Washington. He is one tough guy for sure. Soon he has to drop into the woods for a bit and I press on. This section seems to be more rollers than I remember and am a bit disappointed that it isn’t more downhill. At about mile 19 Tim Olsen the ultimate winner passes me. I tell him Erik passed me earlier last year. You must understand these guys had two hours to make up and they still pass me before mile 20, amazing. I run across the beautiful meadow, then back into the trees. I then hear the sound of voices, yep I am nearing Mt Ray AS. I see signs posted on the trees with funny sayings like “If it doesn’t hurt now, it will soon”. I cross the Waldo Lake road and enjoy the cheering crowd. I see Gail who will really take care of me this day. She has a 3x5 card I filled out the days before the race. It tells her what to do and what to ask me. Questions like, do you need Vaseline? Do you want more gels? Let me take your headlamps. This allows her to do the right thing in a time critical fashion and as my brain starts to not function as well, that I won’t forget anything. It works so well. I have a little Waldo stuffed doll I have pined to my water belt. At each AS I am having them sign it. I hope I will win the special Waldo award but I think I will lose to Nancy who at 61 is carrying Pom-Pom’s and doing a song and dance at every AS. I am so outclassed! Well off I go to the next AS.

Sunrise from 7100' Fuji Mt

Near the summit of Fuji

David said he need more sleep but he finished!

This section I am a bit tired. It has a slow climb that is hard for me to run. It is going to be a long day so I take it easy. Many regular start runners are passing me now. It’s just after 8:15 am and I am around mile 21. The temp is perfect in the 40’s with a blue sky. I catch up to Kate at this point, but I have to hit the trees again. I was hydrating very well at probably 30 ounces an hour or more. Some points with big climbs I couldn’t get enough fluid do to the distance between aid stations. We turned right onto the Bobby Lake Trail. I was trotting pretty good again catching up to Kate. But again the trees called. We turned North (left) onto the PCT and started the climb up to the Twins AS. I caught Kate again and she wanted me to pass so I did. I was running and walking and feeling OK. The pain in my left hip and leg were gone. I was so happy about that. This is about 6.5 miles to the Twins, so I will probably be out of water when I get there. I am carrying two 20 ounce water bottles, one on a handheld the other on my belt. I am putting the miracle potion Nuun tablet in each bottle. I am hardly eating gels, mostly Chomps, some Shot Rocks, turkey cheese sandwich, maybe some Starbucks Espresso at the AS but that’s about it. I also take one S-Cap and one Hammer Anti-Fatigue cap every hour. My stomach is good. At the Twins AS they are all dressed as Angels. They do a good job here and are very humorous. This is mile 27.2, one more mile than a marathon. I think I got in here in about 6:30 or so. Today my goal is to run between aid stations. Try not to think that I have 35 miles to go, or 20 miles to go etc. Just run the distance to the next aid.

As I leave the Twins I know for the next half mile or so I will still have to climb. The geology of this section is interesting. I love the boulder type of rock formation. More runners pass me. Bushwacker goes by and I say “I was going to say I am too old for this, but you are even older than me!” (He is 61) He stops and says “I forget your name” So I tell him and off he goes. Wish I could run that fast. Soon William passes me. He and I were one of 3 racers in a 12 hour run in Salem in May. We had a nice chat on the course that day. We get to the good downhill part of this section. I follow a gal who is a Maniac. We don’t chat but she soon lets me by. I am running nice, and it feels good. Soon I see Charleton Lake. I know the mile 32 AS is near. I see the signs on the trees. Then the crowd cheers. That always feels good. That is why I always clap and cheer for others at these races. I love the feeling and I hope others do too. I see Gail, she is with Pam, our new big time “fasty” from Salem. They take my bottles and Gail reads the list. I chew on a Snickers bar, it tastes awesome. I see Caroline and her big smile telling me “get going, get out of here”. I chat a bit more and tell Gail I am tired but doing OK. Off I go to the Forest Service Road. I have 5 miles or so.

I have to stop a few times on this short section. My stomach had some real issues and this cost me a good 15 minutes or so. This is the easiest section of the course I to run. Just mostly rollers. I get into the Road 4290 AS with just over 9 hours of running. That seems so slow for only 37 miles but the plan was all about my pace. This was the last time I see Gail until she picks me up as a pacer in another 10 miles or so.

Sarah and Detour at mile 37 AS. This is the last road we cross for 25 miles.

As I head out to the 2,000 foot climb up the Twins I am pretty nervous. This is where I died last year, so I go out easy walking when I probably didn’t have to. I know how big this climb is so I want to be strong and make it the 7.5 miles to the next AS. It seems flatter than I expected but when the climb starts it goes up pretty good. Quite a few runners pass me but I’m OK with that. It takes me 2 hours and 20 minutes to make it to the Twins AS but I feel pretty good when I get there. I fuel up, Sarah hiked in, so we say hi. I see some other AS folks I know and we chat a bit. I have a Popsicle and get brain freeze. “Oh it hurts” I yell out. So someone gives me hot soup. I probably spend 5 minutes or more here as I want to make sure I am good to go on. I know most say get in and get out of the AS but to me on these long races I mentally like the time I spend at them. It seems to refresh me from the boredom of just hours of running on the trail by yourself.

I died here last year. The climb up the Twins.

I had a professional photographer run the entire course with me.

Arch Nemesis Nancy! She is faster, older and had a better Waldo than me! Good job girl.

I head down the hill knowing it’s mostly downhill till I meet Gail at mile 47 at the Bobby Lake Trail. I am tired but mostly running. When I look up and see Gail running towards after only about 1.5 miles. How cool is that? It was so sweet to see her earlier than I expected. She just figured she would get to me and we could run sooner. I had given her this list of how to pace me. It said:

Run behind me unless I ask you to lead

Do not let me complain.

Tell me to drink every 10 minutes.

Make sure I eat enough.

At the Aid Stations don’t let me forget anything.

Don’t take what I ever I say personally.

And remember I love you.

I figured that covered most of it. Soon after we hooked up it was mostly flat with some rollers. I started getting tired and was walking more. I started to whine but soon shut up as I knew that it was easy to vent with your spouse. But I wanted her to help not listen to me feel sorry for myself. So we began the climb up Maiden to the last AS before the big climb of the day. We got into the Maiden AS at 4:09 pm. I had been running for just over 13 hours. The last 5.2 miles was at a slow 16 minute pace. Gail took ice and rubbed my legs down…oh did that feel good. I was drinking a good amount of Coke and it seemed to just give me enough boost from the sugar and caffeine. Nuun was working its wonders on my stomach. I no longer have any stomach issues. That is so amazing as I would get nauseous for the last 10 years of my running long distance. What a cure!

We left Maiden AS and had a good climb but then it was runable. I thought “This Maiden climb ain’t so bad!” Soon I was proven wrong. The trail on much of the mountain goes straight up the fall line. I was just RFM, one foot in front of another. Soon Cheri and Gary passed me. We both faked it and said we were doing fine. I never passed anyone on this climb but had probably 10 pass me. Some miles were at a 27 minute pace, that’s how steep it was. It just went on forever, then we see the spot where it gets real steep. I know its only a ¼ to ½ mile climb from here. It is super loose and tennis ball size loose rock. Gail and I push on. It is getting really cold and windy now. We summit and it is blowing 25 mph and probably in the upper 40’s. Dang cold! But I stay on the top for at least 5 minutes. I know this is a race but I won’t win anything. I want to enjoy the view. I may never be here again. I made it. I have never been here before in the last two times I have done this race. Enjoy the moment. Freeze the picture in your brain so you can recall it for years. Gail and I take some pictures of each other. I name off the Cascade high lakes and some of the mountains. I am cold. Time to move on. We say goodbye to the volunteer at the top and I am excited that the hard part of the race is over. I have about 10.5 miles to go to finish this sucker.

Climbing up Maiden Peak at mile 52. I am slow but moving.

Pacer, wife and BF on top of 7800 foot Maiden Peak

On Maiden its 45 degrees and blowing 20 mph. Cold!

As we ease our way down the steep loose rock section we see Marc coming up. He is so tough; I thought he would be miles behind me. He is hurting big time though. Seeing him motivated me to run more. We got directions on the way down. It was very technical and steep in places. I soon was leaving Gail behind as she is more shy of the steep than me. She says she will catch up. We get to good downhill runable sections and I pour it on. I am really moving. The low point is over and now its time to ride the highs. They usually don’t last very long at this 55 mile point. I keep looking back for Gail. Sometimes I see her sometimes I don’t. I push on. Soon she catches up with me and we get into our last AS at Maiden Lake. This place is amazing. I get my face wiped with a nice moist towel. Then my neck and shoulders are massaged! Oh this is great. Gail makes sure we have everything. We have 7.5 miles to the finish and I think its all downhill but the volunteers say there are a few climbs thrown in for fun. Yuck!

We have a walking climb out of Maiden Lake AS. We did that last hard section of 5.2 miles in 25:06 pace including breaks at the AS and the summit of Maiden Peak. I have calculated earlier that I wouldn’t get my hat (finish in under 18 hours), and so Gail would say, “but you are going to finish”. And she was right, and I was OK with that. This part of the trail was kind of frustrating as it was downhill then up and I was pretty tired. I started to do the math in my head. We left the last AS at 6:17 pm. I had 2 hours and 43 minutes to go 7.5 miles. I told Gail, “Hey we might make it. I have to do 20 minute miles to make it by 9 pm and get my hat.” She says “We can do that”. So I get a little juice going. I am power walking allot of the time. I feel sort of like I am gliding. Then I run for a bit. Gail says my running and walking are the same pace. But I want to run as it builds confidence, which I need right now. We come upon a guy who is out of gas. He has no gels left. We give him a couple and save his day. He finishes I notice later. It’s fun to be able to help each other out there. We hit the Rosary Lakes area and the scenery is a nice diversion. The trails start to flatten out along the lake shores. I tell Gail, “I might get the hat”. She cheers me on. Oh it is so great to have her with me. She worked so hard all day and now gets to enjoy this part of the race with me. I start hallucinating. After a bit I tell Gail what I am seeing. Everything from Huskies and to Armadillo’s to people sitting in lawn chairs. None are real. It was fun to share with her how the mind starts to go away. I look at my watch. I think we are about 3 miles from the finish. I run more. I have over an hour and 10 minutes to finish I figure. I tell Gail, ‘I might get the hat” (for about the 10^th time!). We drop off the lakes back into the dense forest. The trail gets a bit bigger and has a nice gentile downhill slope. I push. I want this hat. I am feeling the best I have in 10 hours. I am at about mile 61 or 62. I figure I got a mile or so to go. It’s a little before 8 pm. I shout out to Gail behind me. “I’M GONNA GET THAT FRICKIN’ HAT!!!!” She gets excited and shouts tons of encouragement to me. I keep thinking, I have been working for a year for this. I imagine what it will look like when I break out of the woods and see the finish line. I push, I push.

And boom! There it is. We are out of the woods. I see the ski lodge. I see the finish line. It is dusk. We have had our headlamps on for the last few miles. I hear the PA. I hear the crowd. Gail says “Go get your hat Fat-Boyee!” Whoo hooo. I push. I hear the crowd. I can’t believe they are cheering for me this far away. I am so dang happy. Gail drops back and to the side. I push up the hill. Then I hear the PA. “We will stop the awards now so we can acknowledge this runner” Oh….I guess they were cheering for the real runners who win stuff not my 18 hour finish. Funny but it did help me keep going and was fun to hear. Now they do cheer. I cross the line with my fists clenched and my arms above my head. YES!!!!! I cross at 8:12 pm, 17 hours and 12 minutes after I started at 3 am so long ago. Meghan hands me my hat. I love my new hat. My hat is my friend. I will wear my new hat forever and ever. I hug Gail, say hi to friends and can not stop smiling. Enjoy the moment Bret it may not happen again.

Happy boy!

Oh and did I tell you I love my hat?

"Two Wild & Crazy Guys!" and a Marathon

"Vee run zo vee can meet all zee hot babes!"

Haulin' Aspen marathon in Bend is a race Gail and I both enjoy every year. It is just like an Ultra except shorter! Very challenging course but still fun. They do such a good job with the post race fun at Shevlin Park. Plus the weather can't be beat this time of year.

Start line briefing


Fenny and Gail getting ready.

The night before we met Susan, Rich and family for nice diner out. It was a fun time to have some laughs and just relax, oh and have some beer too! Once back at our room I went into my pre-race mode. Laying down and running the whole course in my mind, doing my mantra's, seeking a higher power and finding the comfort in my inner self. Ha! If you believe that you don't know me very well. I think I had another beer and some of Gail's M&M's.

Yea! Sarah and Marc running together today.

This was to be Gail's first Marathon since her injury back in late March. She was pretty excited but felt she might need the early start. This year instead of busing us to the start we ran from a new school. So part of the course had changed both at the beginning and the end. We chatted with Steve "I sleep in my car after running a marathon the previous day" Walters, Marc and Sarah who were running together today, Susan, Fenny, and others. It was a very fun and social pre-race time. Gail took off a 1/2 hour early, I didn't think she would need it but she was unsure how she would do in the hills.

This race is nice and small, only a few hundred. We get a quick briefing on the new course and off we go. Seriously, I am dead last again by 100 yards. Am I really that slow??? Well I eat everyones dust for awhile and enjoy the new trail we are starting on. I have run 60 miles the week before this race and am treating this only as a training event. I was a tad worried how my legs would hold up in the hills after this many miles.

Tunnel of trees near the start

I slowly start passing some folks, chatting as I go by. As I go by Marc and Sarah he tries to put heavy rocks in my pocket to slow me down. Just joking Marc, you stud. We wind through the woods and come out at AS 1. A fellow Maniac plops her leg on the AS had has them was the blood of her leg, she has fallen early in the race and this course has sharp stuff on the ground so when you go down here you usually bleed.

Susan K pushing it up the hill around mile 8



Susan's kick to the finish line!

We start the teaser downhill on the jeep road but then the climb starts. It goes pretty much up from here to mile 13. My goal today is to run the entire course, no walking on these kick ass uphills. By mile 10 we hit the super steeps. Funny how they didn't seem this steep in my mind but they are! I baby step up and happen to get behind a guy doing the same thing. We plod along but never walk. A few years ago I boasted in this blog how you must walk these hills as you would be worn out if you didn't. Not really true as it depends on your fitness level. Oh how I learn.

My pacer up the killer hills.

Finally after thinking my lungs were going to kill me we hit the AS at the top. I refuel and takeoff for the 13 miles of downhill to the finish. I just cruise today, not wanting to hurt myself by running too hard downhill. My legs do feel the fatigue of the climb for sure. At around mile 15 I see Gail and yell "Hey I'm lost! You see any ribbons around here?" (Detour joke) We stop and kiss (whooo hooo!) and she says she feels awesome and is loving her day on the trails. Later she said she actually enjoyed every minute of the run. I was so happy for her.

A gem in the woods!

By this point I was pretty much on my own. Passing someone maybe every mile or so but mostly so trotting through the pines with some tunes on. By mile 19 my legs were feeling this weeks miles. But it was a gorgeous blue sky 70 degrees so who was I to complain.

Coming out of the mile 22 AS or so I jumped in front of a guy, I stopped and said go ahead as I thought I might be out of place. He tripped and almost face planted right in front of me. Another guy who looked faster than me was leaving too, so I said go ahead. Funny, he did the same thing. Did I push these guys or what?

As we heading into more and more of a turning course I was kind of getting cranky. "Enough of all this turning, I want a straight stretch!" Whiny little baby. So as we drop down the technical section to the park I am looking at my GPS (which has been right on all day. Did I tell you I love my new Garmin 301xt?) and see that we still got 3 miles or so to go. I am kind of bummed because in the past you only had a bit over a mile to the finish from here. But with the new start things have changed. This time we run a bit above the bottom of the park. I am passing many folks now, some slower 1/2 marathoners and some marathon folks having a rough day. My gut feels great today but my legs are feeling it. We hit a few climbs and I still got the juice to run them. We come down the hill towards the finish, but no! We must go back in the park for a mile or so. Oh the tease. We run our first pavement of the day and it actually feels nice, then back onto the trail for the short 3/4's of a mile to the finish. I pick up the pace a tad but don't want to go all out. This was to be an effort run but not max. (Coaches orders.) I see the finish line and hear the crowd. I never tire of that sound, it is so sweet. I cross in 4:30, a new PR for the course by 4 minutes. Hard to believe after 60 miles training week. I guess I am getting ready for Waldo.

Love seeing this.

I walk over by the area where the course first turns back into the park. I see Susan and cheer her on. Then a few minutes later its Gail pushing hard. "Go Detour!" I shout. I am so stoked for her.

Gail pushing to a PR for the course.

Back at the finish line Susan crosses strong, then Gail. She is pretty happy, which of course makes me very happy. We talk with Steve, Susan, Rich and the kids, some Maniacs. Then Marc crosses and Sarah just minutes later. We eat, we drink beer, we laugh and just enjoy the sunny day. It was a grand time.

Detour, Susan and Evan.


Gail and Steve.


She is running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to support a charity in Africa.


Winner of the under 10 age group



Great way to cool off after the race.

This was my final test for Waldo. I think I am ready. I could have done more core work. Maybe some more hills too. But my goal is just to finish. I want that dang hat. 16 hours would be a dream but anything under 18 hours will make me very happy. Even if it was after 18 hours and I plod in after dark I will still be satisfied. No DNF this year. This has been my goal for the last 363 days. Stay tuned!