3/22/14 Dizzy Daze 12 hour - Green Lake, Seattle

 My first time here was in 2011.  Happy to be able to come back.  Maniac Central with tons of great folk to run with.  3.2 miles around the lake so some people I will barely see all day.  Race directors Betsy and Matt know how to put on a great event and the food selection is astounding.  The weather is even amazing. Cold at the start but it will warm up a little and be dry all day.  For a 12 hour race to count as a race in the Marathon Maniacs club I have to go at least 50K (31.1 miles), so I will have to complete 10 loops and that will give me 32 miles.  My plan is to hopefully add an 11th lap and finish with 35.2 miles and a body that does not need weeks to recover.  No serious time goals.

7AM - We gather for a quick briefing ("keep the lake on your left") and off we go.  There are so many people that I would be happy to run with.  We are all packed together of course and the trail is only good for two together.  I start off nice and easy and after about a mile I feel like going faster so I work my way around a pack and get moving, probably faster than I should.  I find myself with Katie and we talk and run the whole rest of the loop together and that is great.

Lap 2 - Run with Michael.  We talk goals and I like his quest for his 100th marathon in Washington State.  Later I will look at my numbers and see that I have 97 marathons in WA, so another goal to reach soon.

The next couple of laps are pretty much by myself.  I hold a ten minute mile that includes some walk breaks.  I grab a handful of food each time at the aid station, typically roasted potatoes and peanut M and Ms.  Power aid and then later Carbo Pro.  I carry a small bottle in my Defiance vest pocket and that is plenty to get me around the Lake.  Oh and I start a tradition of having one GuChomp and short walk break every time I pass the Starbucks.

The Rogue Wave is here to volunteer and she is getting in some miles prior to that. She asks if I want to run a loop with her and her dog Jukka.  I say that is great, as long as they do not mind going slowly.  I had seen pictures of Jukka but I had not realized what a beast he is.  An 80 pound 9 month old puppy.  A puppy who wants to chase after every squirrel, crow, duck, dog and person on the trail.  It is chaotic at first but he does settle down on the backside of the lake and the Rogue Wave keeps a tight grip and control.  A wonderful and distracting lap.  I always enjoy the chance to run with RW, but one lap was probably enough for today.


There is a big board at the timing station that lists where everyone is at.  When I complete my 6th loop I see that they have correctly recorded my previous 5.  The sixth is not there yet because I just came through.  I never should have looked at that board because later I start to get confused on what lap I am on.  I have my GPS watch, and I know that I passed 26.2 miles in about 4:30, thinking that I could have run a marathon in decent time today.  I should reach 50K in about 5:30, but now all those loops have gotten to me.  I am on the far side and I think that I am on loop 8 but I am afraid that it might only be loop 7.  I catch up to Deb.  Always nice to run with her.  I am lapping her ( and yes I have been lapped by a few runners myself already) and based on that and when my mileage total (26.8) finally sinks into my brain she convinces me that I am on lap 9!  Wow, what a sudden happy moment.  It should be easy to run the rest of this lap with Deb, then one more to 50K and then a victory lap.

Before my 10th lap I linger at the aid station and totally lose my pace ( I had been slowing, but now I don;t care about my time). Chocolate chip pancake.  I carry my camera for this loop to document the path.

Last lap - Tracy is stretching but asks if I want to to run with her. She started late and has a few laps to go.  She is running another marathon tomorrow so she is in no hurry. I put the camera away and soon we are off.  We do a lot of walking and talking and it is all very pleasant.  My feet started hurting a little a few miles ago, but not too bad. Other than that and some stiffening shoulders, I feel well.   I enjoy the last lap and finish comfortably.  I feel like I could totally keep on walking/jogging/shuffling and probably reach 50 miles, but I choose to stick with the plan and leave here with a good chance for quick recovery.

I get my key chain medal and change into some less smelly clothes.  Come back for pizza.  I hang around longer than I usually do post race.  I actually have an appetite so I feast and enjoy the company.  I leave just a little guilty as I see others continuing on....it is a 12 hour race.  But 6 and a half hours is enough for me today.  I really like the price, logistics and vibe of this event.  I don't need to go run around Green lake again any time soon, but perhaps in a year I will be back for this race.


37th farthest of 133 participants
Race#322 (on 3/22)
Marathon or ultra#108
*****

3/15/14 St Paddys Day Half Marathon - Tacoma

My first time here for this TCMA event.  I feel like I have not run a major event in a long time.  With over 3,000 runners including the 10K and 5K this will be the largest race in recent memory for me.  Fun to be in a big event, but then there are the logistics.  We were strongly encouraged to pick up our numbers (and long sleeve T-shirts) on Thursday or Friday.  So I went up to North Tacoma after work on Thursday.  I got to see the TCMA and Marathon Maniac Headquarters above Fleet Feet Sports which was fun.  Not fun was finding 26th street, finding parking, then waiting in a long line for quite some time.  Oh well, Saturday morning will be a little easier.

Saturday arrives.  I do get there early enough to find good parking and am ready to race.  Dry and cool, great running weather.  Fun to see Terra, Martinho, Tammy and others.  I meet a young woman from Chicago who is here for a few weeks on business.  Of course I want to tell her all the things that she should do and see.

I am way ahead of my normal monthly mileage and I know that I have tired legs.  60 miles last week and after this race I will have 110 for the first 15 days of the month.  I did rest yesterday, but I have no expectations for a fast time.  I would prefer to run comfortably hard and not blow up on the way back. Under 1:50 will be fine.

Start - Chip timed, I start with Tammy, but take off on the sweet downhill.  First mile in 8:00 but it was mostly downhill.  The 1:50 pacer is already getting far ahead of me, also going out fast.

Mile 3 - Loop back around, up and then down again.  Feeling good with plenty of room to run, but also lots of people.

Mile 4 - On Ruston Way.  Water station. Volunteer Rogue Wave sighting.  Running on my own, but having a friendly word with the people that I gradually catch.

Mile 6 - Catch the 1:50 pacer with a nice pack.  She has time in the bank for the hills and I try to keep up the pace, up the long gradual hill.  Then the turn and the real climb up to Ruston.  Tough patch here. 

Mile 7 - Looping around blocks of Ruston.  Steep little uphills and then the downhills are too steep to run effectively.  Starting to rain a little.  Happy to zoom down the final hill here and back to Ruston Way.  Maniac Deb sighting.

Mile 8-11 - Long flat rainy.  A little wind.  I draft one guy and then run with him for a while.  Nice company, he donated blood yesterday.  We start passing 10K walkers.  I am in a good groove, getting more tired legged, but holding the pace.  Up and down the overpass.  One more big hill to go.  Every once in a while someone goes zooming past me, but for the most part I am passing more than being passed.

Mile 12 - I catch up to Chicago woman.  Nice surprise to see her.  I decide to encourage her and run the last mile with her.  I am not feeling super competitive and am working plenty hard enough.  5K and 10K walkers are supposed to be on the right side, but we have to go around those who are still in our lane.  At one point we split apart to pass a little group and when we merge back she grabs my elbow.  Except it is not her, it is Lizzy Lee.  She is putting on her final sprint and says hi as she passes me.  I want to run with her so I pick it up.  Then there is the very last hill and she is faster than me, so I finish just behind her and just ahead of Miss Chicago.

Mile 13.1 - Finish - 13.17 on the GPS.  Terra and Martinho are already done and watch me come in.  Great times for them.  A little later we get a photo.  It is still raining lightly and I start to shiver.  I don't stick around much longer.  But it was a fun event and nice morning.

1:47:32
129th place of 930
Race#321  Half Marathon #28
*****

2/22/14 Invest in Youth 6 Hour - Lake Stevens WA

I ran this once before, four years ago.  Today's race was not on any calendars and I was unaware of it until five days ago. I ran the Woolley Marathon seven days ago so it will be interesting to see how today goes.

Start - Small group, but enough to qualify for a Maniac race.  Light snow.  It is a long 2.5 miles out and 2.5 back that will be repeated.  Later in the race we can do one mile out and backs.  Last time the 5 mile course was listed as 5.15.  Today they are just calling it 5.  Do 5x a long 5 and one short out and back and we will call it a marathon.  In fact that course is about a half mile long.

I plan to hold my 10/mile pace like I did last week for as long as I can. I will incorporate many walk breaks.

Run the first half mile with Linda and then I am on my own for the rest of the day.  With all the out and backing, I will wave to Linda, Monte, Rick, Stan and a few others quite often.

Mile 15 - Three laps done.  With the exception of King Arthur I am in first place.  He is running with a dog and way ahead of me.  I am curious to know if he is planning to run the whole event.  If not, I could probably do the 50K plus a mile and be the winner.  Maniac Ryan is here to and I am not sure what he is up to.  He started early, so I assume that he is not staying for the whole race.  Both of these guys are way out of my league.  I could not hope to beat them, unless they have other plans for this morning.

Mile 17 - Right quadriceps tighten up and feel sore.  I often get this feeling at about this point in a race when I do marathons on consecutive weekends.  Can't find my S!Caps that I know I put in a pocket.  Snow has changed to rain.  Still holding my pace though.

Mile 20+ - Arthur and Ryan running together finally lap me.  Ryan has been running since 4AM.  Neither will say how far they plan to run.  When they head out for the 50K though I know that I can not run as far as they will today.  I decide to do this one last 5 miles, then one more mile and finish at 26.2.  My legs are tired and I am cold and wet.  Yes I could shuffle and walk another 5 miles but it won't do me any good and perhaps I would be risking injury.  The last long lap goes well, knowing that I am almost done.

Mile 25+ - Check in with 4:28 on the clock.  I decide to shoot for a sub 4:40 finish, an 11 minute mile will do the trick and should be easy.  I run most of it.  Happy that I have no pains, just muscle fatigue.

Mile 26.5 - Finish in 4:38.  Dry off and get some warm soup and sandwich.  Uneventful day.  Nice way to get in another marathon.  Now I will rest and wait 4 weeks before attempting any long distances.


4:38:00
Results Pending
Marathon or Ultra #107
Race #320

2/15/14 Woolley Trail Marathon

Second time here.  Two years ago it was super wet, but today we will be in between storms.  Big rain coming, hopefully I can finish before it starts.

Race improvements - Porta potties at the start/finish.  Also a 9AM start time which makes driving up from Olympia so much easier.  I leave home at 5:40AM and still arrive in plenty of time.  It is a long drive but at $30 entry fee, scenic and safe course, fun medal, and generous aid stations, this is well worth it.

Out and back on a very flat trail.  Various surfaces but mostly very nice for running and little pavement.  Wide trail so you can run next to someone and have room for others coming the other way.  Little trail use other than for the race which is small.  Parking right at the start/finish.  Can you tell how much I like this race?

My plan is to run about a ten minute mile out and then try very hard to have a negative split.

Windy and cold at the start.  I will wear a jacket and hat the whole way, gloves most of the way.  The Maniac jacket has pockets big enough to hold small water bottles comfortably.  It is so much better than that fuel belt.

Start - Largest group is doing the half marathon.  Many doing the 50K.  I opt for 26.2.  We all start together.

Mile 1 - Run with Maniac Tricia for a little while until it is time for me to take a walk break.  I am going to try very hard to be disciplined and run my own paces today, even if it means running mostly alone.  Any time that I get too comfortable and my pace drops to 9:45 I will walk until it gets back up to 9:59.

Mile 2 - Strong head winds.  The 10 minute mile is not quite as easy as it should be.  The wind will come at us the whole way to the turn around.  Strongest when the trail has no trees along it, just open fields.  Fun to see all the farm animals.  Horses, goats, pigs, chickens, llamas, various cattle.  Now a bald eagle sighting.

Mile 4 - First aid station.  Run with a halfer, Chris.  Nice to meet a new guy.  We get through the one muddy section.  My very new and white shoes are christened to the trail.

Mile 6.5 - Aid station 2.  Halfers turn around and I go off solo.  Trail goes right along the mighty Skagit River.

Mile 7 - Zone in on blue shirt woman far ahead.  Ever so gradually gain on her.

Mile 9 - Strongest of the winds, right in my face.  Somewhat discouraging.  I still feel fine, but I know that it must be zapping my energy.

Mile 11.5 - Short course detour onto a paved road.  Pond with seven swans a swimming, plus two more.  Back onto the trail.

Mile 12.5 - Herd of bison in the field.  Would have been fun to bring my camera with me.  Finally catch blue shirt woman.  She says that she has been zoning on the two in front of her for so many miles.

Mile 13.1 - Turn around. Right at 9:59 pace.  2:11 on the clock.  OK here we go.  Goal is now anything under 4:22, and a sub 4:20 would be awesome.  Reset the watch and soon I am running 9:30.  I remember how at Pigtails I took off at mile 14 and picked up the pace way too early and fast.  I paid dearly for it that day.  Today I reel myself back, walk until the new pace is 9:45.  I now plan to keep it at 9:45 until mile 20 or later and then see if I can go faster.

Mile 14 - Lisa Wood sighting

Mile 16 - Nice tailwinds!  Passing a few people.

Mile 19 - I like that at some places in this course you can see about a full mile ahead.  I have probably passed about 8 people since the turn around.  Now I catch up to one more guy.  But there is no one ahead of us.  I ask him jokingly if he is in first place.  He comes to a full stop so that I get ahead of him and says "No, you are".  We cruise in together to the 19.4 mile aid station.  Take two cookies.

Mile 20 - I continue to let the pace drop into the 9:30s and then walk to bring it up to the 9:40s.  So far so good.

Mile 21 - Maniac Wendy is just a tiny speck in the distance.  I would like to be able to catch up to her, but she is really far away.

Mile 22.2 - Last aid station.  I still have plenty of fluids so I just grab a cookie and get out of there.  Now some serious tail wind.  So strong a couple of times that I feel like I am riding on something.  What a great feeling for mile 22 and 23.

Mile 24 - Pace about 9:35 for this second half.  I should get that negative split no problem.  I may be able to go sub 4:20 too.  I remember that the course is a little long, so I keep working hard.

Mile 25 - First rain drops, but not much.  Now I am ready to be done.  No wall today!  What a great feeling to still have energy.  Legs are tired but I feel like I can just keep on going at this pace.  Well I try to pick it up and I can barely go any faster.  I am locked into this pace and that is fine.  Is that the finish line so far away?  No need to walk now, just keep grinding away.

Mile 26.2 - Done!  Very happy with my time.  2:11/2:05 splits!  Some of that is due to the winds, but I will take some credit for smart running.  So much more fun to feel good throughout.  No aches, pains or injuries to deal with.  I hope to run this one again for sure.



4:16:10
12th place of 39
Race #319
Marathon or Ultra #106
Woolley Trail Run #2
*****

2/1/14 Geoduck Gallop 10K

Last minute decision to run this one.  I have not been here for a couple of years.  Actually I have been protesting the short course on the half marathon.  Since I ran a 50K last week, I will do the shorter 10K today.

Good news: the course for both the 10K and half marathon have been re certified and the length fixed. Day of race entry is $35 and gets me a nice bottle opener finishers medal and a T-shirt.  As I pick up my number I ask the volunteer if it is OK for me to trot instead of gallop.  He quickly replies that although trotting is usually reserved for Thanksgiving races (Turkey Trots) it will be allowed today at this gallop race.

Great to have an indoor area for number pick up, restrooms and waiting around.  I have raced here before where we have been outside in freezing cold the whole time and this is quite an improvement.

Rain earlier and cold.  Puddles to look out for, but it is dry now.  I will wear a hat and gloves the whole way.  I also borrow Jody's Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks shirt.  Superbowl is tomorrow.  When people comment on my shirt I tell them that I am planning to run really fast and scramble around for about twenty yards and then head off course, out of bounds.  It will be fun to rest tomorrow and watch the game, getting in a good workout today.  Photos by Holly.

Not sure how the legs will do. I really do not know what pace to target.  Martinho is here, so I plan to start behind him and see if I can keep up.

Start - The new start line is super wide and the course will narrow down considerably right away.  You can see the chalk start line in this photo.  Within a very short distance we will be on a wide sidewalk that can hold two runners comfortably.  I should line up in the front but I end up a couple of people back.  When we start it is very difficult to get running.  I try to be patient and look for openings that will not be too rude. Keep telling myself that there will be plenty of time and room to run my own race soon enough.

Mile 0.5 - On to the roads and room to run.  Martinho is about 25 yards ahead of me.

Mile 1 - 7:28 - Martinho still 25 yards ahead.

Mile 3 - 7:30 pace - Steady running.  I feel good.  Try to catch up to Martinho but just can not do it. Nice rural roads with no traffic.

Mile 4 - Oh the big very steep downhill and then the killer uphill.  There are some people who will not run this race because of this hill.  Right now I can not blame them.  I am still running but I might as well be walking.  Really tough.  Breathing is ragged.  I get to the top but my legs are shot.  I just can not get into running strong again.  Overall pace at 7:41 per mile.  At the aid station at the top of the hill I actually stop and drink some gatorade.  Give myself just a few seconds for my heart rate to settle down and I take off again.  A guy almost passes me but as we hit a slight downhill and then turn onto the bike path, I get back into the groove.

Mile 5 - Ready to be done, but generally OK.  I should get in under 48 minutes and I am really happy with that.  Volunteers point the way where the course confuses me and soon it is all over.

Mile 6.22 - Finish - 6.17 on the GPS.  Congratulate Martinho who had picked up the pace and finished much better than I did.  Thanks to Rich, Bill and Holly for volunteering. Fun morning. Quick posting of results and I get a ribbon for first in my age group.


47:15
10th of 73
Race #318, 10K#28
*****

1/25/14 Lake Youngs Nuts Run 50K

My fourth time here.  Very convenient and cheap race.  Plus lots of maniacs. No great expectations.  I want to work hard when the wall comes and hopefully continue to build endurance.  My last couple of marathons have had serious meltdowns in the late miles.

Cold at the start but when the bright sunshine comes out it will be very nice.  Hat and gloves for the first loop, the jacket will stay on the whole day.

Loop 1 (1:37) - I start way in the back to avoid a crowd at the giant downhill that gets things going.  No problems today and in fact the trail has seen some serious work since I was last here two years ago.  Very good footing and little mud.  Most places we can run two or three across so passing is easy too.  I settle in at a 10 minute mile, walking the uphills to keep my pace from getting too fast.


Loop 2 (1:36)  Some runners go the opposite direction for loop two.  This year I keep going counter clockwise, but it is fun to see friends.  Going in my direction I run off and on with Mike Mahany and Ted Ekart.  I am doing my own thing today, but it sure is nice to have company when I can.  Runners are all spread out now.  Pedro was with me at the start of loop 2, but he has gone ahead, though for a while I could see him in the distance.  I pull ahead of Mike and Ted, expecting them to pass me when I hit the wall.  Still feeling good I am able to take extended walk breaks and keep the pace at 10/mile. After the loop I drop the fuel belt and exchange it for my new Camel Back.  That was a gift and I have only worn it a couple of times.  It is time consuming to fill, so I had it ready to go for loop 3.


Loop 3 (1:39) - Pedro took a while at the aid station so we pull out of there together.  I feel like I am seriously forgetting something with that fuel belt gone.  It is a very nice change to have this form of hydration for the last loop. Pedro and I run together for about two miles and I enjoy it.  Deb Evdemon sighting.  I don't want to blow it here, so I continue my walks on the uphills and Pedro gets away.  Not quite holding that 10/mile, it is more like 10:15 and I am tiring but not so bad.  I take a GU gel and try to suck it down slowly, over the course of a mile, so that it will not affect my stomach too much.  Mile 24 - Feeling it and walking more, I catch up to MMKUHL.  He is having a terrific run but is tiring like me.  We are able to run together, step in step, for about a mile before he starts walking on the uphill, a little before I give in.  Farther on there is a horse looking at me, with his neck reaching over the fence from his field.  I take the few seconds to go over to him, say hi and pet his long face.  OK back to running.  Now it is just a series of short bits and turns.  I start thinking about what my finish time could be.


Final out and back (25:14)  I was expecting a huge wall and a 5:35 or greater finish time.  But as I leave the aid station at 4:53 I know that I should be able to get under 5:20.  A 5:09 PR is impossible but 5:20 is great.  I run more than walk and don't stress about the time so much.  Fun to see the runners who have been 20 minutes or less ahead of me, now coming back from the turn around.  As I reach that place and head to the finish I can now see who is right behind me.  Then the final, super steep hill.  I have 8 minutes to climb it and I know that I can do that.  My left hamstring decides to cramp up, so I favor it and just enjoy the last bit to the finish.


Finish - 5:16:49 on my watch.  My third fastest of ten 50Ks completed.  Super happy about how it went.  I change into sandals and walk over to watch runners come up the big hill for their finish.  Love this course and event and will plan on running again next year.


5:16:49
22nd of 56
Race# 317, Marathon or Ultra#105, 50K #10
*****

1/12/14 Roots Rocks Cinderblocks Race Series, Up and Over Rock Candy Mountain 5.5 miles

First of a three race series and I may or may not run all three.  First year for this Guerrilla Running event.  Back in 2008 I ran a Rock Candy Mountain race.  That one was 8 miles long.  Today's event is billed as 5.5 miles and I don't think it will take us all the way to the top.  The course map looks like a nice lollipop.  I won't have to worry about the fast guys screaming downhill toward me.  I plan to work hard on the uphill and be careful to not fall on the way down.

This area is just a small part of the Capitol State Forest.  So many trails and logging roads.  I have parked at this area a couple of times in the past year to do some training runs and to figure out the trail system.  I am excited about this race because it is another opportunity to get to know these trails.

For most people, the story of the race will be the weather.  It is awful out.  It has been stormy for two days now and it is particularly bad this morning.  39 degrees and raining sideways.  I register for the race and go right back to my car.  Just sitting in my car, it is rattling and shifting with the wind.  I have shorts but decide to keep my running pants on over them.  The pant legs will get wet if the puddles are deep, but I don't think that this material will hold much moisture.  I stay with my heaviest rain jacket and wear a hat and gloves at least for the start.

I am hoping to get in 40 miles this week and I would really like to do 7 or 8 today.  I had planned on an easy 2-3 mile warm up, just to get the miles in.  But 20 minutes before the start it is all I can do to get out of the car and shuffle an easy mile.  Now that it is near start time the wind and rain seem less.  Probably snowing up top.  I will keep all the gear with me.  At least I don't need to carry water on such a short run.

Start - We line up and start right on time.  I had thought that we would run up the road a little way to where there is a trail junction. But no, there is a trail right here that I have never seen before.  Craig did point this out to me as I was warming up, so it is not a total surprise. What is tricky is where to position myself at the start.  If it is a single track trail, I don't want to get stuck behind slower runners.  I also don't want to hold anyone back.  I think a wider start for a quarter mile or so would be a good idea.  But I will deal with whatever and when we go off I am about in the middle of things.

50 feet - Onto the trail and it is a puddly muddy mess.  As I feared some people are trying to pick around the puddles.  I know that my feet are going to get soaked sooner or later and I have decided to not hesitate around water today.  Splashing through gives me  a chance to pass some folks.  Start climbing.  There are some social runners, and it is wonderful that they are out here.  I just need to be patient and pass them when I can.  I knock off 4 or 5, then move up to the next batch.  Little did I know that most of them will finish ahead of me today.  Just when I am wishing that I had started closer to the front, I get into a good groove with some runners at about the pace I want to be going.

Mile 0.5 - My mile marks are total guesses.  I won't look at my watch much today.  The trail crosses the road.  Now we are on a trail that I took one sunny warm June day with three friends.  It is muddy and steep.  On that day, two of my friends just could not make it up and we had to turn around.  No problem for me today, except that I am walking a lot more than running. 

Mile 1 - Giant brown puddles.  It is such a fun experience to slosh through a deep puddle.  The water is so cold that my feet instantly feel frozen.  But in a few moments I am comfortable again, just in time for the next puddle. One puddle surprises me with water almost to my knees.  Now a raging rivulet where the trail should be.  Relentless uphill.  Wish I could run it, but I just have to grunt and walk.  I pass a couple of people.  Runners are thinning out now.  More uphill.  Course description said that we would climb 1,000 feet in the first two miles.

Mile 2 - Out of the woods.  The trail ends at a logging road.  There is a volunteer here who tells me to turn left and that it is all downhill from here.  What great news.  And now I have a wide road that is descending gently.
 

Soon my leg power comes back and I can run well.  I see two runners way ahead and I lose them around a bend.  I will see them one more time, but they are going as fast as I am.  I am so cautious on the downhills, fear of broken bones.  But this is wonderful.  Other that the many sharp angular large rocks that dot the logging road, this is very runnable.  I could turn an ankle for sure, but I am feeling good about this.  I probably would not drive my little car on a road like this but I am enjoying the running.

Mile 3 - Still a gentle downhill on the road.  Two things start to trouble me.  One is that so much of this course is on a dirt road.  I expected more trail.  Also the course markers are a little flaky.  I did see two blue ribbons recently, but are they there for some other reason?  Oh, good news, here comes a runner catching up to me.  She asks if we are on course.  Well I think so.  If I had seen a turn I would have taken it.  Hmm, now she has me really wondering.  We are still flying down this road.  Now there is a junction with a steep downhill road.  An orange flag there that might mean something.  I think we should continue on, but oh, here come three runners up the side road.  They report that there are no course markings there.  The four of us, including a nine year old boy continue on.

Mile 3.5ish - The four of us reach a major intersection of logging roads.  No markers of any kind.  Clearly this is not right.  Another runner joins us.  If we were still on course there would be about 40 runners coming in to join us here as we are now standing still.  Some discussion, but obviously we must turn back.  I have decided to only turn down a road or trail if I am absolutely sure that it is correct.  I will work my way all the way back to where the volunteer was and go back down the way I came up if needed.  That would disqualify me I guess, but better that than getting lost.

Mile 5 - Two more runners standing in the road, shouting about whether we think that steep road turn off is the way to go.  I say no.  The kid is still with us.  One woman and I are running pretty fast up this road trying to get back on course, we have left some of the others behind.  Now a trail turn off that is labeled "Rock Candy Mountain Trail" and it is going downhill.  But it is not race marked at all.  This can not be right.  I start to get thirsty. I can run 5 miles with no water, but how long am I going to be out here for?

Mile 6 - Another trail junction.  Now we see a branch and an aluminum can in the road, sort of pointing that way.  No other race markers.  But just a few feet in it is clear that this is the way to go.  Plenty of ribbons and an arrow.  Trail is heading down and in the right direction.  We wait until the kid and another runner catch up.  We are all sure that this is correct.  I will never know if the two runners that had been way ahead of me were part of the race or not.

Mile 7 - Rough muddy trail steeply downhill.  Time to assign blame?  Some runners were showing their frustration up there on the road.  Yes the turn off should have been better marked.  But really it is up to the runner to know the course.  I was provided with a map on line a few days ago.  I took a quick look at it, and I thought that I knew the route we were taking, but I was very wrong.  After the uphill slog, I was in the zone blazing down that road going as fast as I could.  I was also just plain unlucky that there were no runners right with me, there were two people way ahead who I blindly followed, and there was some random blue flagging along the road way past the turn off. 

Mile 7.5 - Down a rivulet trail, so wet and muddy.  Cinder blocks to prevent erosion perhaps.  Lots of cinder blocks on this trail.  My feet have good grip in these shoes and I never lose my balance.  In no big rush, but it is fun to go fast on this trail.  Finally catch up to two runners who are slower, but smarter than me.  They took no wrong turns.  Pass a couple more people, then a Dave Risvold sighting.  He is all done and just waiting for someone.  Must be close to the end now.


Finish - 8.56 on the GPS.  I think that I kept an OK attitude, but it certainly was not what I was hoping for.  Funny, I got those extra miles in for my weekly mileage.  And it sure was an adventure.  One woman wanderer and I finish together.  The kid and another lostie had gone way faster on the downhill.  Of the seven, there should be three behind me and another four that I passed near the end.  In the results page there are another 8 people who finished after me that must have also missed the turn.

One runner created a video recording and it is fun to watch:  http://vimeo.com/84013421
 I am in that video at about the four minute mark.


I downloaded my GPS data to Google earth.  That whole long tail at the bottom is the extra out and back that I ran.   Clearly going off in the wrong direction.

Next race in the series is February 9th and I hope that I can run it.  If I am there I will try to not take the scenic route.

1:38:39!!
67th of 82
race# 316
*****