I was soooo looking forward to the McDonald Forest 50k Trail Run. This would be the third time I had run Mac. The first year I was rookie trail runner and finished in 7 hours. Last year I did really good and finished a half hour faster. So I was really confident I would do even better this year. The weather was perfect with blue skies and temps in the 50's at the start warming up to the mid 60's by the finish. The trails were a tad muddy in places but nothing to stress about for sure.
Prior to the start I chatted with some friends as usual. Got all set and headed out for the start. They banged the gong (huge bell for the start) and off I trotted. I was going to try and run more of the hills this year and not go super fast on the downhills. I thought this would be a good plan. The course starts out on a road for a mile or so then we end up on the trails. This course has a bit of everything, about half is on old logging roads and half on trail.
By mile 5 I passed the usual quick starters that run a slower pace than me. I chatted with folks then put on my ipod to try and get in a nice groove. My friend David and I kept trading places over the first bit of the race. He runs faster than me but also takes walking breaks.
Around mile 16 we start a long grind uphill on roads to the Dipple AS at mile 18. Last year I ran this entire section and I was going to do it this year too. For some reason it sure looked longer this year!! At the top I felt good but my legs were a bit fatigued. I got my drop bag and refueled. At this AS they always have a theme, last year it Scottish and they had free Scotch shots (blah!) but this year I don't remember the theme but they had made up White Russians (no not you Olga!) which have Vodka, Kahula and Cream. So I had one. Whooo Hooo! OK OK it was only about half the size of a tiny dixie cup but it was fun to do.
I was looking forward to the next section which I think they call "Dans Trail"? It is a nice wide soft trail that switch backs downhill. Dipple Hill is about at 1500 feet so were going to lose around a 1000 feet going down. Mac has a 6,700 elevation gain which is pretty big for only a 50k. I was cruising down the hill with the tunes cranked up having a blast. At the bottom we go flat for only a bit then its another climb (thats all you do here...up and down). At this point my legs were pretty tired (Mile 22 or so) so I was walking most uphills. By the AS at mile 24 I was dang tired. The climb out of the AS I felt pretty done. We then had some downhills and that perked me up again. Then we hit the big A** climb that killed me two years ago. My quads felt so finished. The steep sections I felt like I had zero climbing power. I would even put my hands on my quads to get up the steep sections. Many runners started to pass me in this section. This couple of mile climb was misery for me this day. I knew the logging road and its downhill was close but it took forever to get there. I got to the top and even had to rest for a bit. My upper back was killing me for some reason and my stomach was a bit restless. Last year I really moved on this section, this year I just waddled down the road.
I came into the last AS at around mile 27. I so wanted to sit down and rest. Food didn't look good so I skipped the goodies and pressed on. This next part is a few mile climb up more logging roads. Last year I ran most of it. This year it was a Slog on all the uphill sections. I did find someone to talk to for a bit and it raised my spirits. I now know why having a pacer is so nice, it takes your mind off things. Finally got to the downhill and I was not going to walk this. I trotted for the next mile or so passing a few more folks. We then hit the last trail section. This climb again killed me. My legs have never been this tired! I couldn't climb at all without almost going anaerobic in my breathing. I reached the top and the last few years I flew down this section. This time I just went slow,l even walked in some places. I know I only had a 1/2 mile or less to go my tank was dry. I heard the music and trotted across the bridge and the finish. 6:47 this year. Right in the middle of my last two years times.
I felt in really good shape for this race but I seem to be struggling a bit lately. I do have some medical issues I will share in the future but I don't think they would make a difference but who knows, its a new thing to me. I like Mac Forest and will run it next year. I think I just need better pacing in the first half so I got the gas to finish. I did feel like crap at the finish and so I quickly escaped to my car for the hour or so drive home. Its interesting that when I got home I took my blood pressure. Normally I am around 120/80. A couple hours after the race I was 106/68. I took it a few times and it took about 12 hours to get back to my usual rate. Maybe this is why I feel so light headed after a race of marathon or longer. Any one have any ideas or thoughts on this?
Well whats up next? I going to do the Forest Park 50k this weekend. Its the home course and I hope I don't get lost like last year! It's not an easy but it is a trail 50k with a few climbs in it for fun, but has about half the climb of Mac. I am running the Newport Marathon the week after that with my Slug Running group. We got a house at Newport so it should be a blast.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Well, its Bulls & Blood
It's dust and mud,
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd.
Those are lyrics from Garth Brooks "Rodeo". I had put this song on my ipod recently and and while running at the Spokane River Run 50k this song really hit home. It was about mile 23 or so and I was on a tough uphill climb. Little did I know that Gail was having some of this too.
Gail and I needed a run for April so we couldn't decide on Spokane or Sacramento. Sacramento was a marathon on pavement and Spokane was a 50k trail marathon. I just couldn't turn down the trails so off to Spokane we went. We spent the night at a hotel not to far from the start and with the 8:15 start time a super early wake up call was not required. We got to the start with plenty of time as this race only had about 50 folks doing the 50k. The 25k and 10k had hundreds and we would miss all of those crowds. As we were driving to the start we saw a guy running with a backpack and a white dog. I said to Gail "I bet that is Sean running here from Sisters. And that dog sure looks like Sascha" We drive by and look back and sure enough its Sean. We talk later and find out his parents only live a few miles away. Someday I will be a stud like that and just run to the start of a 50k!(And get 5th place after all that).
At the start we chatted with some other runners including Tim and Lisa. They both had been great in the last few weeks giving me trail reports, offers of a place to stay and what a nice course this was. You gotta love Ultra folk!
As we waited for the start the briefing from the RD was pretty simple. Follow the yellow signs, you will do one loop out then back to the start and then do another different loop for the second half. I do have to credit the folks who marked the trail. This was the best marked trail I have ever been on. I think I only doubted which way to go once. They used stakes with nailed on arrows and always followed up each turn with a confirmation arrow down the correct trail.
3...2...1...Go. That is how easy these races start. Gail and I started off down the trail. It was a nice jeep trail to start but soon we hit the single track and the rocks, and the rocks.... If you are familiar with the Spokane area you know they have lots of rocks, mostly basalt but some river bed type rocks thrown in for fun. Tree roots were not a problem on this trial. The course had very few big climbs. Most were short in being a quarter mile or less. But it still had its challenges of some areas so rocky that you had to walk over the loose basalt blocks the size of baseballs. After a few miles Gail and I split up. Soon there after I hear gunshots. And not 5 minutes later I see guys dressed in Army suits with camouflage carrying rifles through the woods. So I am thinking, "Did we take a wrong turn here somewhere?" And of course I am wearing an nice green running shirt! Yikes! I would see 3 more groups of these soldiers out in the woods this day. Made for some nice diversions.
I was feeling good. I Would catch up with some folks and have a nice talk for a mile or so. It's nice to not have to worry about ever being a winner in this sport. I can slow down and chat with anyone I want. My only competition is the clock and I can choose when to race against that.
We went through an amazing rock formation of loose rocks around mile 8. If I can find some pictures I will post them. The course had many different styles. Some nice open field running. Trails next to sharp drop offs. Pine forests, fresh burn areas, winding trails next to the roaring Spokane River. I though it was a pretty fun course as it had much to offer. It doesn't compare in beauty to a McKenzie River 50k but it did have its moments.
(Picture courtesy of Lisa Bliss)
I just kept plugging along this day. My legs never got tired early like they have done to me in the last few races. My energy level was strong so I ran more hills than I usually do. I would pass a runner every half hour or so since I started dead last I began counting to help pass the time. I turned on my music after the first hour. It was a new mix of songs that I have taken from my old albums and turned into mp3's. It makes running pretty fun listening to songs from your youth.
The course began to get more rocky the farther along we went. I like technical courses like this because my mind has to be constantly working to decide where my foot goes next. On road races you never really think about this. You just plod along thinking about your breathing or how bad you feel or "who picked this spot to run 26 miles?" I do like running road races but trails are more fun for sure.
The weather was great. Cool temps in the 40's at the start so I wore two shirts and gloves. With the loop type course I could pick up my gels and drop my gloves and shirt at the 15 mile point. Speaking of miles, this was one of the most accurate 50k trail runs I have been on. The mile markers were pretty dead on most the race compared to my Garmin and the distance was almost right at 31 miles. Nice job folks on making that all work out.
Well as I hit about mile 25 I remember Tim Englund telling me it was pretty much downhill the last 5 miles and that if I had anything left I could fly at this point. Well around mile 21 I started to get that usual tired feeling. Nothing bad but you just knew that you had been running for a long time. The course stayed technical but the climbs were not too bad. In places the trail became super soft and wide and running along the river was nice as temps had started to warm up and the cool river brought the temps down a bit. It sure is nice to run with temperature in the 50 to 70 degree range. I love summer but I sure don't do well in the heat.
I did start to push the last 5 miles as I thought I might be able to PR below 5:48. Soon that looked not possible as there were a few climbs I had to walk. But I knew if I kept it going I could break six hours so that was a nice goal to push for. I tried to go strong but its so funny at this point in the race. You think your really moving but all I was doing was just under a 10 minute pace.
As I hit the last mile I came upon a woman running, not sure if she was in the race but we came upon a big water area with no way around. She just stopped looking for a spot to cross and I just plowed through the middle of it hoping it wasn't too deep. It was mid shin depth but only for 4 strides or so. Afterwards my feet were actually thanking me as it really cooled them down. I passed a couple of women on horses and then could smell the finish. I came around a corner and there was the finish line. I looked at my watch and I had about 2:30 to break six hours. "Why me?" This always happens to me. I can see the finish but will I get my goal. Well this one I did but it was not a sure thing till right at the end.
I finished my 50th marathon or longer race in 5:59:37. The official time shows me at 5:55 but I know I wasn't that close so the chip timer is not correct. I was pretty happy and felt good as I ended up with a 11:30 pace or so. The crowds were all gone with just maybe 75 folks or so still left.
I cleaned up and waited for Gail to finish. We were catching a flight right after the race so I had to change into street clothes to travel back home. I figured Gail would finish something around 7 hours so I did have some time. As I waited for Gail to finish I began to worry a bit. She was taking longer than I thought she would. Had she fallen? Was she hurt? The course marshals said she was still on the course so that was a good thing.
Here she comes. With that steady pace she does so well. I look as she passes and there is blood down the side of her leg. "Dang it! She took a tumble" I gave her a hug and we walked around. She had fallen hard at around mile 7. It knocked the wind out of her, cut her right leg and gave her a big ugly contusion on her left knee cap. I guess she thought she was done for right there. Its is so scary when you hit so hard you can't breath. So Gail won this race in my mind. She doesn't like technical courses much. She hates falling and today she did both and she finished! She is so tough! Gail, thanks for sharing this crazy sport with me. I am so lucky!
And now maybe the lyrics take more of a meaning, it does for me this day.
Well, its Bulls & Blood
It's Dust and Mud,
It's the Roar of a Sunday Crowd.
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd.
Those are lyrics from Garth Brooks "Rodeo". I had put this song on my ipod recently and and while running at the Spokane River Run 50k this song really hit home. It was about mile 23 or so and I was on a tough uphill climb. Little did I know that Gail was having some of this too.
Gail and I needed a run for April so we couldn't decide on Spokane or Sacramento. Sacramento was a marathon on pavement and Spokane was a 50k trail marathon. I just couldn't turn down the trails so off to Spokane we went. We spent the night at a hotel not to far from the start and with the 8:15 start time a super early wake up call was not required. We got to the start with plenty of time as this race only had about 50 folks doing the 50k. The 25k and 10k had hundreds and we would miss all of those crowds. As we were driving to the start we saw a guy running with a backpack and a white dog. I said to Gail "I bet that is Sean running here from Sisters. And that dog sure looks like Sascha" We drive by and look back and sure enough its Sean. We talk later and find out his parents only live a few miles away. Someday I will be a stud like that and just run to the start of a 50k!(And get 5th place after all that).
At the start we chatted with some other runners including Tim and Lisa. They both had been great in the last few weeks giving me trail reports, offers of a place to stay and what a nice course this was. You gotta love Ultra folk!
As we waited for the start the briefing from the RD was pretty simple. Follow the yellow signs, you will do one loop out then back to the start and then do another different loop for the second half. I do have to credit the folks who marked the trail. This was the best marked trail I have ever been on. I think I only doubted which way to go once. They used stakes with nailed on arrows and always followed up each turn with a confirmation arrow down the correct trail.
3...2...1...Go. That is how easy these races start. Gail and I started off down the trail. It was a nice jeep trail to start but soon we hit the single track and the rocks, and the rocks.... If you are familiar with the Spokane area you know they have lots of rocks, mostly basalt but some river bed type rocks thrown in for fun. Tree roots were not a problem on this trial. The course had very few big climbs. Most were short in being a quarter mile or less. But it still had its challenges of some areas so rocky that you had to walk over the loose basalt blocks the size of baseballs. After a few miles Gail and I split up. Soon there after I hear gunshots. And not 5 minutes later I see guys dressed in Army suits with camouflage carrying rifles through the woods. So I am thinking, "Did we take a wrong turn here somewhere?" And of course I am wearing an nice green running shirt! Yikes! I would see 3 more groups of these soldiers out in the woods this day. Made for some nice diversions.
I was feeling good. I Would catch up with some folks and have a nice talk for a mile or so. It's nice to not have to worry about ever being a winner in this sport. I can slow down and chat with anyone I want. My only competition is the clock and I can choose when to race against that.
We went through an amazing rock formation of loose rocks around mile 8. If I can find some pictures I will post them. The course had many different styles. Some nice open field running. Trails next to sharp drop offs. Pine forests, fresh burn areas, winding trails next to the roaring Spokane River. I though it was a pretty fun course as it had much to offer. It doesn't compare in beauty to a McKenzie River 50k but it did have its moments.
(Picture courtesy of Lisa Bliss)
I just kept plugging along this day. My legs never got tired early like they have done to me in the last few races. My energy level was strong so I ran more hills than I usually do. I would pass a runner every half hour or so since I started dead last I began counting to help pass the time. I turned on my music after the first hour. It was a new mix of songs that I have taken from my old albums and turned into mp3's. It makes running pretty fun listening to songs from your youth.
The course began to get more rocky the farther along we went. I like technical courses like this because my mind has to be constantly working to decide where my foot goes next. On road races you never really think about this. You just plod along thinking about your breathing or how bad you feel or "who picked this spot to run 26 miles?" I do like running road races but trails are more fun for sure.
The weather was great. Cool temps in the 40's at the start so I wore two shirts and gloves. With the loop type course I could pick up my gels and drop my gloves and shirt at the 15 mile point. Speaking of miles, this was one of the most accurate 50k trail runs I have been on. The mile markers were pretty dead on most the race compared to my Garmin and the distance was almost right at 31 miles. Nice job folks on making that all work out.
Well as I hit about mile 25 I remember Tim Englund telling me it was pretty much downhill the last 5 miles and that if I had anything left I could fly at this point. Well around mile 21 I started to get that usual tired feeling. Nothing bad but you just knew that you had been running for a long time. The course stayed technical but the climbs were not too bad. In places the trail became super soft and wide and running along the river was nice as temps had started to warm up and the cool river brought the temps down a bit. It sure is nice to run with temperature in the 50 to 70 degree range. I love summer but I sure don't do well in the heat.
I did start to push the last 5 miles as I thought I might be able to PR below 5:48. Soon that looked not possible as there were a few climbs I had to walk. But I knew if I kept it going I could break six hours so that was a nice goal to push for. I tried to go strong but its so funny at this point in the race. You think your really moving but all I was doing was just under a 10 minute pace.
As I hit the last mile I came upon a woman running, not sure if she was in the race but we came upon a big water area with no way around. She just stopped looking for a spot to cross and I just plowed through the middle of it hoping it wasn't too deep. It was mid shin depth but only for 4 strides or so. Afterwards my feet were actually thanking me as it really cooled them down. I passed a couple of women on horses and then could smell the finish. I came around a corner and there was the finish line. I looked at my watch and I had about 2:30 to break six hours. "Why me?" This always happens to me. I can see the finish but will I get my goal. Well this one I did but it was not a sure thing till right at the end.
I finished my 50th marathon or longer race in 5:59:37. The official time shows me at 5:55 but I know I wasn't that close so the chip timer is not correct. I was pretty happy and felt good as I ended up with a 11:30 pace or so. The crowds were all gone with just maybe 75 folks or so still left.
I cleaned up and waited for Gail to finish. We were catching a flight right after the race so I had to change into street clothes to travel back home. I figured Gail would finish something around 7 hours so I did have some time. As I waited for Gail to finish I began to worry a bit. She was taking longer than I thought she would. Had she fallen? Was she hurt? The course marshals said she was still on the course so that was a good thing.
Here she comes. With that steady pace she does so well. I look as she passes and there is blood down the side of her leg. "Dang it! She took a tumble" I gave her a hug and we walked around. She had fallen hard at around mile 7. It knocked the wind out of her, cut her right leg and gave her a big ugly contusion on her left knee cap. I guess she thought she was done for right there. Its is so scary when you hit so hard you can't breath. So Gail won this race in my mind. She doesn't like technical courses much. She hates falling and today she did both and she finished! She is so tough! Gail, thanks for sharing this crazy sport with me. I am so lucky!
And now maybe the lyrics take more of a meaning, it does for me this day.
Well, its Bulls & Blood
It's Dust and Mud,
It's the Roar of a Sunday Crowd.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Last Minute
Gail and I are heading up to Spokane to do the Spokane River Run 50k. Looks like a nice small 50k race on some great single track. I think its mostly built for 10k racers as they have a large showing. Weather looks great for the race with temps forecast in the mid 60's. I am not looking to push myself on this run but just keep in shape and enjoy the experience of a new course.
My goals for now are to have fun, keep injury free and prepare myself for my number one goal which is to Finish the Where's Waldo 100k in August. If I can do that I will be one happy Fat-Boyee.
My goals for now are to have fun, keep injury free and prepare myself for my number one goal which is to Finish the Where's Waldo 100k in August. If I can do that I will be one happy Fat-Boyee.
Monday, April 6, 2009
I Will Never Know
Rick, Gail and I had an awesome run on Wildwood today. We parked at Germantown road and ran to Newberry Road, about 10.5 miles round trip. Rick had never run that part of the trail and I had only a couple of times, so it was nice to be somewhere new. The weather was the best of the year so far, just blue sky and nice sunshine. We all just took it slow and easy and chatted most of the way.
My leg was perfect all day. I did have some foot pain but nothing severe. This was much better than I expected. I figured I would go 4 miles or so and it would really be hurting me. Now I will never know if I could have ran the Rumble or not? Darn.
My leg was perfect all day. I did have some foot pain but nothing severe. This was much better than I expected. I figured I would go 4 miles or so and it would really be hurting me. Now I will never know if I could have ran the Rumble or not? Darn.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Bummer Dude!
No Rumble for me this year. My leg injury is keeping me out of Sean's 60k over in Sisters. That race has got my number and this was the year it was getting the body-slam-take down! But I don't think I could have finished the race. So to keep on track I felt some rest would be best. I am going for a short trot on Wildwood tomorrow with Rick and Gail and will see how it feels. If anyone wants to join we are meeting at Germantown Road/Wildwood at 10 am Sunday. Gail and Rick will probably go long and I will play it by ear.
My last run was with Gail in Burbank last Sunday. She came with me on an overnight and I gave her a tour of the town. We ended up running over to the LA Zoo and spent a couple o hours walking around. It is not a great Zoo but it still was fun. We then ran back to the Hotel and my leg was killing me. It hurts more to walk than run so we just kept going. I have been going to PT and it is getting better. Tomorrow will be the test.
Gail and I are looking for an April race to do. We are thinking about the Salt Lake City marathon, the Spokane River Run, River City Marathon in Sacramento, Mt. Si 50k or even the Wenatchee marathon. Who knows? I am leaning towards Spokane or Sacramento. Any suggestions? Both are two weeks away so I should be mostly healed by then. Problem is I will be out of shape too.
All you "Rumblers" have fun in the sun and snow. Looking forward to the reports.
My last run was with Gail in Burbank last Sunday. She came with me on an overnight and I gave her a tour of the town. We ended up running over to the LA Zoo and spent a couple o hours walking around. It is not a great Zoo but it still was fun. We then ran back to the Hotel and my leg was killing me. It hurts more to walk than run so we just kept going. I have been going to PT and it is getting better. Tomorrow will be the test.
Gail and I are looking for an April race to do. We are thinking about the Salt Lake City marathon, the Spokane River Run, River City Marathon in Sacramento, Mt. Si 50k or even the Wenatchee marathon. Who knows? I am leaning towards Spokane or Sacramento. Any suggestions? Both are two weeks away so I should be mostly healed by then. Problem is I will be out of shape too.
All you "Rumblers" have fun in the sun and snow. Looking forward to the reports.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Oh Boy! Oh Boy!
Lake Sacajawea
The title of this post comes from Gail. That is what she said around mile 52 or so on the Pacific Rim One Day Run in Longview, Washington. She said it as a great sigh, then said "There is the title to your blog for this run." Oh Boy was she right!
Gail and I pre-race. We go through this tent every lap
This race is pretty cool. Different than most it is how many miles can you do in 24 hours. Many folks do a 50k and quit. Some do 50 miles, some such as us do a 100k. Others go the whole night and get the full meal deal. The RD Fred Willet does what only experienced Ultra runners only. Not someone one who will do a 10k and call it a day. So we must have had maybe 40 runners at the start. The course is great but its different. A 1 mile loop around Lake Sacajawea that is probably 80% trail. And no you don't get bored on this course going around and around. There is always something to see. Other runners passing you, people out for a walk, or the ka-gillion dogs out and about.
Our good friend Sarah helped count laps for 8 hours plus!
We ran with Fenny and Jim for many miles
Olga shares her pre-race fueling secrets....a Hotdog!
I have a goal for this race, 100k or 62 miles for you non-metric Americans. I would like to get 80 miles or so but feel that is out of reach for me. I will take 50 miles on the low side if I have a bad day. Gail? I never know. She should be a spy cause she keeps her goals pretty much to her self and there is nothing wrong with that....Honey. (I am not that dumb you know!) So we got to the start 45 minutes or so before the race. We set up our little aid table with all our food and drink, plus any other things we might need such as Ipods, camera, blister kit, change of clothes and a ton of other stuff. We brought too much which was a good thing. I even made Turkey and Cheese sandwiches because I knew I would get tired of the carb-sugar thing and would need the protein.
We are both so quiet and reserved. Rare to get these two to smile.
Then who shows up? Mr. Smith. Mr "I haven't done a marathon or longer race in the last 18 months" Smith, thats who! Jeez..."so ya gonna try and go from an 18 mile training run to a 31 mile race eh?" "Yep" he says. Well good for him. Was a total shock to see him show up but it made our day. So as we get our pre-run briefing from Fred I take some pictures of everyone. This is so cool I think. I mean there are some really big time runners here, and there are some people who just like to run. I like this place.
Go Slugs!
"OK Go!" Fred says, and off we trot through the tent. You see every loop they have lap counters under this tent. Im tall so I have to bend down a bit every lap to go under the roof of the tent. See why I like this place. Since the Slugs are such important runners we always get the big bib numbers. I was number 4, Gail was 5 and Rick was 6. So every time you make a loop they yell out your number so the lap counter can write down your time. So while the three of us ran together we would go through the tent as "Four, five and six".
At the start with friends
The course is simple but different. You have a little down area after the start/finish line. Then a huge uphill of mayb 8 feet or so to cross a bridge, then go along a nice straight stretch to the port a potty, a quick 5 foot downhill then back up a steep 5 foot uphill. Then a turn and go along a sidewalk for a few hundred yards, then a turn and a gentle downhill for a 1/4 a mile or so through the park to a last climb of 20 feet or so. A little 180 degree turn and you are back at the start. So easy!
Olga and Rick discuss race strategy
I had the same fuel plans on this as I do any race. The nice thing is I had what I wanted every mile, plus what the race sets out too. Food and drink were never an issue today.
Other 100 k finishers! Yeah! Go Michelle!
By mile 6 my legs were hurting. Crap! Mile 6!! Oh well thats what I get for doing the double only two weeks earlier. I was running most of the course early. Sometimes I would walk the little hills or if I was running with someone who was walking that was fine with me. Gail, Rick and I probably did the first 10 miles or so together off and on. Someone would take a "P" break and the others would continue on. Olga and I ran a bit early on but she was a bit more determined than I was on this day. I just wasn't in a hurry.
OK got to change gears here. I stopped writing this blog at this point about a week ago. For some reason I just couldn't get into it. Not sure why? I just felt like I didn't have much to say. Strange when you run the farthest you ever have in your life. Well I will press on and post some pictures, maybe I will have some more to say about it in the future.
I just kind of ran by my self for 10 or 15 miles...just cruisin' along enjoying the day. Around mile 29 or so our fellow Slug Eric showed up to run some with us, plus he brought drugs!!! Coffee!!! Nice! So he joined in and trotted with us. We got to Rick's last lap of his 50k and Olga grabs Gails hand and says "Lets walk". So we all walk Rick's last lap. I run ahead and get in position to take some "glamor" shots of Rick crossing the finish line with a woman on each side of him. We all got a good laugh.
Rick crosses the 50k finish with the "Hottie sisters"
"OK I'm done! Now where is my car?"
So Rick was done and I was jealous. Off we went with Eric for more miles and chatting. Around mile 10 Eric was off to his home as he had an early morning ahead of him. Around this time Gail and I kept running together. Just a run-walk-eat-drink kind of race. We would talk about whatever was up. At one point Tim Englund said "There go the Henry's" as we passed him...that was a good one. The amount of runners in the race was getting smaller every hour. As darkness rolled in there may have been only 20 or so of us out there.
The coffee delivery man, Mr. Eric
Around the time we hit 50 miles a bunch of runners who had run a 50k earlier in the day up north got on the course to do some more miles. (Yeah we are all a bit nuts) So we got another 10 runners around 9 pm or so. It did add a little fun as they had more energy than most of us. Gail and I had hit the wall pretty good. We were walking more and not happy with how we felt. Gail started to have nauseous feelings. She had never had these and now knew how I feel at many a race. She is not sure if it was the pizza or not. But others were not feeling too hot either. At this point we decided to walk two miles to see if we would feel a bit better. It did seem to work and we went back to running.
Around eleven o'clock I had 4 miles to go to reach 100k. I told Gail "My leg hurts and I need to run. It hurts more to walk than run" So off I went. I ran pretty hard the first couple miles, then I was tired and walked about half the next lap. I could smell the finish but my energy level was pretty low. The last lap went pretty good and I told the lap counters that this was it, my 100k. They said "you are done for good?" "Oh yeah..this is it!" So they watched me add the quarter mile or so to get to the 100k cone. I crossed and raised my arms. It felt good to run 62 miles but it was not a feeling of elation but more of satisfaction of completing a mission.
Lap counter sheet. Running was much easier
Gail was two miles behind me. As I walked back to our aid station she was finishing lap 60. She was pretty beat and decided to sit for a bit in our chairs. She thought a rest might help her. She was battling her demons, bad stomach, Achilles tendon pain and loss of energy. I just let her be. At this point often that is whats best. Work it out and then get on with it. I told her I would start carrying all our stuff to the cars so that when she got done we could just leave.
Gail's secret ultra marathon food, bacon
Well it took me about 6 trips to carry all our AS setup to the car. Yeah we did have a kitchen sink in there I think. It was allot! I would say goodbye to friends as they kept going round and round.
I had finished a few seconds after midnight. So in 15 hours I got my 100k/62 miles in. I was OK with that.
By the time I got the cars packed I was starting to get a bit sleepy tired. I stretched out the best I could in my car. Then I started to get light headed. "No not the I'm gonna pass out feeling" I never do pass out but I have had instances of getting a cold sweat, little tunnel vision and feel like I am going to pass out but it never really gets to that total darkness stage. What I think happens is your breath rate doesn't return to normal after a long race. The rate at which you are breathing stays the same but you don't need that much oxygen. You then begin to hyperventilate. I put my feet up on the passenger side front window with my head barely hanging out the driver side window. I could feel the anxiety coming on. I needed to relax, get my feet above my head and slow down my breathing. I even got nervous that what will I do when Gail comes up and I have gotten sick all over the car. I was a bit whacko at this point. It didn't last for more than 10 or 15 minutes when I got it under control.
Fifty minutes later Gail came up to the car. She was done!! Nice! She finished just before 1 am and got her 100k in. I am always in awe of her. So we rested a bit and then headed out for our 60 mile drive home. Now that was rough for me as I was soooooo tired. Next time I take a nap first.
Thoughts one week later? I am glad I did it. It was fun most of the time. Was it too far? Yes. Will I go farther, maybe. I really enjoy the people. But I guess most folks in the institution like those people too. Ha! Did it hurt? Yes. I can hardly run now. Been to the doc twice. Same thing on my leg as the PCT injury last year that kept me out of Waldo. The Rumble this weekend....sadly its doubtful. I'm on PT, drugs and lots of ice. So we shall see. Rest now and be strong later or run and be hurt for another month or so. Decisions.....
Thanks to all that took pictures. I did "borrow" some from you. Sarah and Bart...thanks for counting laps. Fred..nice job as RD...you run a good show. And to the Lisa's, Olga's, Tim's, Ben's and all the others. You are all so impressive. Thanks for letting us Slugs run with you. You don't know how much you all silently teach me. Eric, you da coffee man! And Rick you are back!
And all the runners that chatted with me. I know many of you and more I know your face but not your name. Thanks for sharing the miles.
Most miles winners Lisa and Tim. Nice job!
See you all soon, Bret.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Shamrock 15k
Oh the joy of running in the rain and wind. Sunday our little group of Slugs got together to do Portland's famous Shamrock run. They have distances for everyone in this race. 1 mile, 5k, 8k and 15k. It is the biggest race in Portland. This year they estimated almost 20,000 runners came out. Ruby made the plan to get us all to do this race. The runners in the group were in various levels of fitness so this made a good match for all of us to do.
Trying to stay warm....brrrr!
The weather was just plain ugly Sunday. Steady rain, 45 degrees and a wind gusting over 35 mph at times. Gail and I got ready and I got us a couple of big garbage bags to wear while we were hanging out for the start. We parked on the east side of the Willamette river to avoid the massive parking mess on the west side, and walked over the bridge. It was just really blowing on that bridge.
View of the staging area from the Morrison Bridge.
We met our friends and all were running except Eric who is too old to run...oh I mean he has a rib injury which kept him out today but he still showed up to chat. Everyone was freezing waiting in the rain. But Gail and I got lucky and only my feet were cold with the garbage bag over my body.
Ruby, Abbe, and Garbage Bag Lady.
Abbe, Rick, Ruby, Eric, Gail, Bret, Katie & Tom.
Well it was close to race time and Gail ran off to the Port-A-Johns and we waited for her to come back. She never did come back and the gun went off for the start of the 15k but the line was so big it took over 5 minutes for the runners to cross the start line. I kept waiting for her to show up but I soon figured she must have already left and gotten in line for the race. I went around a fence just up from the start line and was actually behind the two cop cars that trail the final runners. I passed them and crossed the start line. Since it was a chip timed race it didn't matter when I started.
View of Start line as I took off late.
My goal for this race to was to run fast but don't push hard as to get hurt. I don't do much speed work so this could a good way to get an injury. I ran on and after about a mile I caught up to Rick and Ruby. I chatted for a bit then pressed on. The course is flat for about a mile then begins the climb up Broadway. Up at mile 1.5 or so I met up with Gail. Still running in her garbage bag! (I had taken mine off and put in my pocket for later use). I gave her a hug and continued up the hill. I always run this area at an easy pace because it is a good 600 foot climb up the hill to the top of Terwilligar hill. We go past Dunaway Park and Track and start the turn up the big hills. I still am only running 8:50's or so up the hill not wanting to get out of breath or get hurt. I then saw Abbe and gave her a little push up the hill. It was a quick "Hi" and I continued on.
On this course I just know that once we hit the top you gonna fly down the backside so just go easy. The wind was really starting to howl up on the hill. The tops of the fir trees were really swaying. (Actually numerous trees got knocked down and people lost power later this day) We hit the apex of the hill and I began to let my legs go. We turned on to Barbour Blvd and this headwind turned into an awesome tailwind. "Now I can go" I thought. My pace picked up to 7:10 or so. Not wanting to push much more as my hamstrings already were starting to sing to me. I passed tons of folks since I started last. I sometimes feel bad doing that in a race like this because I am not really fast, I just started at the end. I respect every person out here doing the 9 miles. It is a true effort!
My legs never really got tired during the race, even after my first ever 70+ mile week. We went by the beer and donut stand and I was tempted to grab some but was on the wrong side of the street. But boy you could sure smell the beer on the street for a few hundred yards! We cruised on down Nato Parkway and I crossed the finish in 1:19:44. A respectable 8:33 pace for this hilly course. Most of my last 4 miles were around a 7:25 pace so that felt good.
I went back to the start line to see our friends cross. Gail was the only one I ended up seeing and we got together and left fairly quickly. They give you free beer and clam chowder but the line was huge. We gave our beer tickets away to a couple of women and they were very happy! Gail ended up doing a nice 10 minute pace for the run. Abbe ran a 9:30 pace and Rick and Ruby a 11:30 with their run-walk style. Tom's back locked up on him and the poor guy had to DNF at mile one. Katie did the 8k and finished with a 10:10 pace and a new long distance for the year! Good job Slugs! We have to do this more often. But please bring better weather next time.
We are so warm we can't stop smiling!!!
I didn't know Abbe was Irish?
It was a fun but very cold day. I have the Pacific Rim 24 hour run up next in Longview. I am not sure how this will turn out but the plan is to go for a 100k (62 miles). If anyone wants to come up and run with me I will be at Sacajawea Park in Longview from 9am Saturday to who knows . Figure at least 10pm Saturday night but the race goes until 9am Sunday morning. I will run as long as I can. But because it is a mile loop course (nice one at that!) and you see your car every time around it will be hard not to go home.
Trying to stay warm....brrrr!
The weather was just plain ugly Sunday. Steady rain, 45 degrees and a wind gusting over 35 mph at times. Gail and I got ready and I got us a couple of big garbage bags to wear while we were hanging out for the start. We parked on the east side of the Willamette river to avoid the massive parking mess on the west side, and walked over the bridge. It was just really blowing on that bridge.
View of the staging area from the Morrison Bridge.
We met our friends and all were running except Eric who is too old to run...oh I mean he has a rib injury which kept him out today but he still showed up to chat. Everyone was freezing waiting in the rain. But Gail and I got lucky and only my feet were cold with the garbage bag over my body.
Ruby, Abbe, and Garbage Bag Lady.
Abbe, Rick, Ruby, Eric, Gail, Bret, Katie & Tom.
Well it was close to race time and Gail ran off to the Port-A-Johns and we waited for her to come back. She never did come back and the gun went off for the start of the 15k but the line was so big it took over 5 minutes for the runners to cross the start line. I kept waiting for her to show up but I soon figured she must have already left and gotten in line for the race. I went around a fence just up from the start line and was actually behind the two cop cars that trail the final runners. I passed them and crossed the start line. Since it was a chip timed race it didn't matter when I started.
View of Start line as I took off late.
My goal for this race to was to run fast but don't push hard as to get hurt. I don't do much speed work so this could a good way to get an injury. I ran on and after about a mile I caught up to Rick and Ruby. I chatted for a bit then pressed on. The course is flat for about a mile then begins the climb up Broadway. Up at mile 1.5 or so I met up with Gail. Still running in her garbage bag! (I had taken mine off and put in my pocket for later use). I gave her a hug and continued up the hill. I always run this area at an easy pace because it is a good 600 foot climb up the hill to the top of Terwilligar hill. We go past Dunaway Park and Track and start the turn up the big hills. I still am only running 8:50's or so up the hill not wanting to get out of breath or get hurt. I then saw Abbe and gave her a little push up the hill. It was a quick "Hi" and I continued on.
On this course I just know that once we hit the top you gonna fly down the backside so just go easy. The wind was really starting to howl up on the hill. The tops of the fir trees were really swaying. (Actually numerous trees got knocked down and people lost power later this day) We hit the apex of the hill and I began to let my legs go. We turned on to Barbour Blvd and this headwind turned into an awesome tailwind. "Now I can go" I thought. My pace picked up to 7:10 or so. Not wanting to push much more as my hamstrings already were starting to sing to me. I passed tons of folks since I started last. I sometimes feel bad doing that in a race like this because I am not really fast, I just started at the end. I respect every person out here doing the 9 miles. It is a true effort!
My legs never really got tired during the race, even after my first ever 70+ mile week. We went by the beer and donut stand and I was tempted to grab some but was on the wrong side of the street. But boy you could sure smell the beer on the street for a few hundred yards! We cruised on down Nato Parkway and I crossed the finish in 1:19:44. A respectable 8:33 pace for this hilly course. Most of my last 4 miles were around a 7:25 pace so that felt good.
I went back to the start line to see our friends cross. Gail was the only one I ended up seeing and we got together and left fairly quickly. They give you free beer and clam chowder but the line was huge. We gave our beer tickets away to a couple of women and they were very happy! Gail ended up doing a nice 10 minute pace for the run. Abbe ran a 9:30 pace and Rick and Ruby a 11:30 with their run-walk style. Tom's back locked up on him and the poor guy had to DNF at mile one. Katie did the 8k and finished with a 10:10 pace and a new long distance for the year! Good job Slugs! We have to do this more often. But please bring better weather next time.
We are so warm we can't stop smiling!!!
I didn't know Abbe was Irish?
It was a fun but very cold day. I have the Pacific Rim 24 hour run up next in Longview. I am not sure how this will turn out but the plan is to go for a 100k (62 miles). If anyone wants to come up and run with me I will be at Sacajawea Park in Longview from 9am Saturday to who knows . Figure at least 10pm Saturday night but the race goes until 9am Sunday morning. I will run as long as I can. But because it is a mile loop course (nice one at that!) and you see your car every time around it will be hard not to go home.
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