3/26/16 Hop for Hunger 5K

Back to Yelm for the second year in a row.  With Jody this time.  $15 entry includes T-shirt and chip timing, but no awards. Benefit for the Yelm Food Bank.  I like all the families and various ages that come out for this one.  This would be a great first 5K for anyone. Cool but calm and very nice running weather  Hoping to beat 24 minutes, not much speed work since the back to back weekends of marathons two and three weeks ago.  At least I had one week off from racing.

Decent warm up for 1.5 miles.  I feel good but not great, a little tired legs.

Start - Line up with Loren and a bunch of fast looking kids.  Plenty of room to run in the wide parking lot. Try not to go out too much like a rabbit.

Mile 1 - 7:25 - Fast but it feels OK.

Mile 1.55 - Turn around on the Yelm-Tenino paved trail.  Working hard and I am happy to be heading back.  11:54 on the clock, which would barely get me sub 24 if I can hold the pace.  Jody not far behind me at all!

Mile 2.0 - Been gradually gaining on Loren and now I am able to pass him.  Then work my way up to one kid who I get past.  No one will pass me during the second half, so I guess I am running alright.

Mile 2.5 - Work on a shorter faster stride and staying in focus.  Keep up the effort as best I can.

Mile 2.8 - Now the turns around the school.  If I can reach the last turn before 23:00 then I should beat 24:00, and I make the turn at 22:50.  One guy ahead of me is slowing a little and I put on a great effort to pass him.  So close, we finish with an identical time, to the tenth of a second.  But he started behind me and his chip time puts him ahead.

Mile 3.1 - 3.17 on the GPS but I forgot to stop it right at the finish.  Loren had 3.14.  Amazed at how good I felt and happy with the finish time.  It is slower than last year by about 22 seconds, but that is just where I am right now.  Gasp and walk a little and next thing I know, Jody is coming in for the fastest 5K she has run since 2008.  Hope she gets the racing bug again.




No post race events, only bottled water at the finish.  We watch most everyone come in and then head home.  Hope to be at Capitol Lake next weekend for the Run Like a Fool 5K, then the Whidbey Island Marathon on April 16.


23:34
10th place of 164
Race#382, 5K#97, Hop for Hunger #2
*****

3/12/16 Mountain Marathon

 


Third time here.  Last year was warm, sunny and dry.  This year will be cool, dark, windy, rainy and wet.  So much rain recently.  My next door neighbor and his son are running the half and we came up here two weeks ago for a run in the rain.  Puddles will be even bigger today.  So happy that my trail shoes and socks are working great when soaked.  I am more inclined to just run or walk through a puddle, than try to get around it, using too much energy and risk slipping.

Fifty or so in the full and lots more in the half.  We are about to start and a woman is asking about the course.  I answer and then see that she has a half marathon bib on.  I tell her that her race does not start for an hour.  Good thing, she almost went out with us.

It is cold and I have my Pigtails gloves on.  Woman next to me is also wearing Pigtails gloves.  Hey its Pigtails herself!  Gloves will come off about mile 5.  Hat and jacket stay on the whole way.



Start - Off we go and do not do the short road out and back.  It is right up the steep road.  Run most, walk a little.  Then the Rock Candy Trail that I have run often.  Out to Army Tie Road and then the steep rocky uphill to puddle land.

Mile 3-7 - Puddle trail is ridiculous.  I am mostly just plowing through them.  Off and on near a couple of guys, but really doing my own thing.  Out to the road and the long steep uphill.  Walk this with Ed.  Half Marathon turn around Aid Station.  Staffed by my guardian angel Holly.  Then another half mile straight up the road to another aid station and the turn back on to trails.









Mile 8-11 - This is new trail for me.  Twin Peaks Trail.  This is part of the original course that was rerouted last year due to logging.  And when I did run this race in the first year, the course was also rerouted due to the high snow levels.  I find myself not liking this trail much, and dreading the return trip.  It is steep downhill, clay and rocks and logging debris.  Out into the clear cut it continues down.



Mile 11-13.1 - First place runner came past me when I was back at mile 10, so he was six miles ahead of me!  Now here is Danny Kuhlmann, looking strong.  I am looking for number 604.  When I saw the list of runners, with bib assignments, a few days ago, I saw that Benjamin Gibbard was running.  He is the singer for Death Cab For Cutie and runs ultras too.  Oh here he comes.  I say "hey Ben, great to see you here".  He smiles as we navigate each other in opposite directions.  Something to tell the kids, who are big fans.  Runnable trail.  Now another puddle trail.  Cold wet feet.  And now unexpectedly we are going back uphill.  Long slog to the turn around.  I finally get there at 3:02 on the clock.

Mile 13.1 -16 - Down on slippery wet clay.  Mike Kuhlmann sighting, running his 100th marathon.  Puddle trail to keep the feet soaked.  Back and forth and finally get ahead of three guys for good.

Mile 16-19 The uphill.  Not the Grunt Trail, but it might as well be.  I can see a runner way ahead in the clear cut.  I get up there and looking back am surprised at how much I have gained on the last guy I passed.  Ravens overhead.  Windy out in the open.  Running up into a big cloud that is blowing in the wind.  Finally to the forest, but another mile of uphill to go.  I power walk most of 16-19.  So hard, I actually feel like crying.  Can't wait for the peak.

Mile 19-25.5 - Finally get to the aid station.  Four young guys are huddled under the tent, one is in a chair by the heater, shivering.  I did not see them ahead of me just now, they have clearly been here for a while.  But right as I move along, they storm out and blow past me.  Short steep road down to Holly's aid station.  I have full water, but I grab some cookies.  I get what I really need, a hug from Holly.  Now I know where to go and what to expect and I know that I will finish fine.  1,800 foot drop in the last miles will be nice too.  Down the road and onto the puddle trail.  All the halfers and most of the returning fullers have churned up the mud so much.  This is way sloppier that is was five hours ago.  I almost fall when I hit the deepest puddle, the one I was supposed to remember.  Two times I will slip enough that I have to put a hand into the clay to keep from falling further.  But making progress and even pass a guy.  Down to the Army Tie Road and smooth running.  Legs feel pretty good considering.  Windy and the stormiest it has been all day. Happy to get back on the trail and out of the wind.  Should be able to beat 6:30.  Down to the final road and doing fine.



Mile 25.5-26.2 - Look back and see a guy not too far behind.  He has been gaining on me, because I did not see him a while ago.  He is pushing it and another look shows him closer.  Also a guy ahead of me, but too far ahead for me to catch.  Can't wait for the final steep down and the junction with the other road.  Then I know I am very close.  Hit the flat, look back and he is still getting closer.  Put on quite a sprint, going all out and glad that I feel OK, hoping he will not catch me.  Cross the finish line and the guy is right behind me.  Wow he made me run faster than I would have otherwise.

Finishers beanie hat is super nice.  Cool medal.  I win a free pair of shoes at the raffle.  The feeling of success and accomplishment has me thinking that I will come back again next year.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to challenge myself and to get a supported trip deep into Capitol Forest.

24 hours later - ankles and parts of feet hurt, but not so bad.  Everything else seems fine.



6:24:53
35th of 49 finishers
Race#381
Marathon or Ultra#138
*****

3/5/16 Dupont City Trail Marathon

First time event.  So close to home this is a must do for me.  For many years now I have stopped here, after work, on my way home, to get in a mid week run, on one of the many trails in this town.  Usually I stick to the paved trails, but often I go on the packed gravel.  If I want a little hill action there is the scenic trail down to the water.  RD John put together a scenic tough course and I am looking forward to it, even though I have run every step of it before, most of it many times.

And the weather is looking great!  After so much rain and the potential for showers today, it is going to be a sunny and warm Spring-like day.  Some runners will even see snakes on the trail.

Race is limited to 50 in the full and 50 in the half and it is sold out.  Plenty of room for parking though, right at the little park by the start line.  Lots of Marathon Maniac friends and I am looking forward to showing off "my trails" to them.  I just hope everything is marked well, because there are many connections and possibilities to go off course.  The map on the website makes it look like a simple double out and back with very short loops at each end.

Start - The Rogue Wave is here running the half and we start off together at a nice easy pace.  Crowded but at least we can run two side by side on the paved, then packed gravel trail.  Trails are mostly very packed dirt/gravel and some pavement, so I wear my road shoes, the shoes I always wear when I run here.  Now approaching "Grand Junction" and I see many runners streaming in from the right.  I know that we are supposed to turn left, but many are turning right and some are standing there unsure.  I yell to just go left and the people near me do.

Beach - 3 miles in.  The long gradual downhill was fine.  Now a short out and back on the beach.  Farther than I expected and on to the very loose gravel.  Energy sucking section with gravel moving and feet sinking and sliding on the gravel.  But terrific views.  On the way back we will not do this little bit, but I will have to do it again at mile 16 on my second time on the course.  Now up the steep switch back hill to the bluff.  Nice gentle run along the bluff and out to the aid station.







Mile 5 - Well stocked aid station.  Feeling good.  Ashley slows some and I go on ahead.  This should be a quick out and back with a little loop, staying along the bluff.  But no, we are directed across the street.  On a trail behind a different set of houses.  And steep hills too.  Twisting up and down and across a couple more streets.  I have only run here once or twice before and I was not expecting this today.  I am getting confused, but am following the markers.  Somehow back along the bluff and happy to see runners that are ahead of me coming back.

Mile 7 - The little loop part.  But this is really discouraging.  After the loop, if we go back the way we came, this is going to be a very long course, about 28 miles!  The problem is that I have a family commitment this afternoon.  I really need a sub 5:15 finish time, and under 5 hours would be much better.  Here I am at 1:15 in and just reaching the turn around.  With a second half slowing, this is not looking good.  I guess that I will have to ask them if I can get a finish as a half marathon and/or take a DNF.  But wait, we are taking a different way back and here I am at that aid station again and on an accurate mileage course.  Whew!

Mile 10 - Running with Suzanne and Dan which is always nice.  Up the long hill, we do well, but I want a gel and a short walk break so they get ahead.  Back at Grand Junction I see them continue straight and keep going a long way.  I yell but they do not hear.  At the junction I see lots of ribbons and clearly we are supposed to go straight.  Then a quick right turn up a steep thing, then down to the main trail.  Back where I know I should be and an easy trail to the finish of the loop......

Mile 12 - .......except for the little loop by the pond.  I go passed the finish area and the trail takes me out to the main road.  Turn left and in just a short way there is a small trail back to the left and down.  I have run this little thing only once before and not when the lake was flooded.  We had been warned that there were three big puddles here, and they were not exaggerating.  The trail goes directly into the lake and is thigh deep and long.  The next two puddles are only shin/knee deep.  No getting around them.  Then 50 yards to the finish line.  Fun way to end a race, but not the best way to mark the halfway point.






Mile 13.1 - Wishing I had worn my trail shoes.  Socks and shoes are heavy and squishy, but I think the socks are staying in place.  Completed the first half in 2:20 so I can slow a lot on the second half and still make 5 hours.  Feeling much better about getting done in time, no thought of stopping now.

Mile 16 - Walk the beach this time.  No need to fight it.  Walk up the steep hill too, but moving along.  Run the bluff all the way to the aid station.

Mile 18 - Now I am prepared for this up and down and street crossing stretch.  Just have to tough this out and the rest will come in short sections.  With 8 miles to go, I can run 13 minute miles and be close to 5 hours.  This should be very doable, even with some walk breaks.

Mile 21 - 3:55 on the clock.  Keep it under a 13 minute mile and I will hit 5 hours.  No need to push harder than that.  I also would like to save something for next week's mountain marathon.  Happy that I can run slowly for long sections.  Even the mile long uphill is not so bad and I only walk a little of it.

Mile 23 - Dan and Suzanne finally catch me, after making up time from going long.  Funny, this is the same scene as 2.5 hours ago.  Watching those two get ahead and approach grand junction.  This time they hit the proper turn.  Sub 5 looks very promising, but it will be close.

Mile 25 - Tired but no pains.  It has been a good run on a tough course.  Slow but steady pace for the second half and I never felt oh so tired.  Fun to wade through the puddles knowing that the end is so close.

Mile 26.2 - Finish in just under5 hours.  Wish I could stay but I really need to get home.  Walk to my car and drive home without changing my sopping shoes.  Make it in time to shower and on with the day's activities.


4:58:00
21st place of 44 finishers
Race#380, marathon or ultra #137
*****

2-13-16 Woolley Trail Marathon

7th race in 7 weeks.  Last week's half went well, but I never felt sharp this week.  Slogged out enough miles so I will have another 40 plus mile week and then rested as much as I could for today.  My 4th time here and I usually do well enough.  I plan to run fairly fast, probably in the 4:10 range.  That is the goal anyway.

Over 2 hour drive north.  At least it is still a 9AM start time.  It is supposed to rain a lot today, but at the start it is dry.  I put a trash bag in my jacket pocket and wrap the jacket around my waist, so I am ready for whatever.  But it is nice, just cloudy and not cold at the start.  Much smaller crowd than previous years.  And the big majority are running the half marathon.  Not many in the full or the 50K, plus there was a little group that took the early start.

Start - Chip timed this year.  Off at a good pace and soon catch up to Tracy, Mica and Keta.  Happy to run with them.  But they are going a little too fast, then they stop, so Keta can cool her paws, and I get ahead of them. Flock of swans in the field.

Mile 4 - Catch Ron Fowler.  But soon we reach the creek trail.  It is fairly wet this year.  I had vowed to just run through the little creek, rather than deal with the mud and slipping on the side of the trail and end up getting wet anyway.  I splash along, cooling my paws, and it is fine.

Mile 5 - Quick stop to adjust one sock, just to be sure it is not slipping.  Miranda and Christie catch me and we run together.  They are both running another marathon tomorrow and will both go on to beat me today.

Mile 11 - Been nice chatting with  Miranda and Christie.  Now we are getting near the turn around.  Bit on the road, then the field with the bison and they are in close.  Cross the highway and then a half mile to the aid station and turn around.  2:03 on the watch and I feel pretty good.



Mile 17 - Now I feel really bad.  Miranda had gone on ahead.  I was running with Christie.  It was nice, talking and then comfortable silence. I would have like to just keep going like this.  The wide trail is great for running with someone.  But I just needed a walk break.  Tiring.  And a little fuzzy headed ( I was not diligent with the salt/S!Caps and took less than usual.  Not so bad, but also a little upset stomach.  The worst part is some strain/pulling in my inner upper legs.  Don't know the muscle name.  This used to bother me some years ago.  Don't know why it is bugging me today.  Slow my pace, shorten my stride and take walk breaks.

Mile 19.5 - Half of a half to go.  Slowing even more.  Hopes of a decent finish time are fading.  Expecting Tracy, Mica and Keta to catch up and I only hope that I can stay with them for a while.  But looks back do not show them.  Just as my feet feel completely dry it is time to go back through the creek.  Continue squishing along.

Mile 22.5 - Past the last aid station.  Now though a field and there is a Northern Harrier gliding along close to the ground and close to me.  It turns and makes another pass right by me, I get a great look at this mighty bird and wish him good hunting.

Mile 23 - Ever so slowly gaining on Mr Pat and Crockpot.  I want to finish with them, but I just can not catch them.  Rain starting now and I am so thankful that it did not start earlier.  Grind out the last miles and keep extending my projected finish time.  Finally I decide that I must get under 4:30.  I can see the finish and pick it up to try to be in 4:25, but it is just too far away.

Mile 26.2 - 26.4 on the GPS.  I'll take the 4:26 finish time.  Worst finish of my 4 times here and especially disappointing after going in with higher expectations.  But I am satisfied that another marathon is done and it wasn't that horrible, just too hard.  Looks like I will probably not race during the next two weekends so the break should do me good.  Then it is two tough trail marathons where I will not be time focused.

Tracy is in soon and we chat while I eat a veggie dog.  Back in the car for the three hour drive with traffic in the rain. 


4:26:38
14th of 31
Race#379
Marathon or ultra#136
****

2/6/16 Geoduck Gallop Half Marathon

I seem to race this one about every other year.  Two years ago I ran the 10K but today I am back for the half.  Third time at this distance here.  Although it is a certified course, I am convinced from my previous times here that it is significantly short.  Tried to get in my 5th consecutive 40 plus mile week, but I was just too worn out and needed a break.  Took off the past two days and I should be OK.  I also am committed to not racing hard today.  I really want to run about 8:50/mile and keep even splits the whole way.  Then next week do the same thing, but keep it going as far as I can during a marathon.  So it is a marathon training run today and I will need to exercise discipline to keep from going too hard.

Light rain stops just before the race start.  Cloudy and cool and damp, very nice running conditions.  I feel light and unprepared with no jacket, water bottle, food or energy gels.  After three weeks of super long races, I should be able to tough out any conditions during a quick 2 hour run.  It will be good for my to rely on the aid stations for drink.

Goal time = about 1:57.  Must get under 2:00 as I have never gone over 2:00 in a 13.1 mile half, in 22 races in the past 22 years.






Club Oly group photo.  Great to see Lizzie, Mike, Loren, Ulrike, Marilyn, Missy, Marilou and others.

Start - Start near the back and stay patient as the course narrows and turns this way and that.  Actually everyone is running at a decent pace and it is easy to just gradually build up the speed.  No warm up run today.

Mile 1 - 9:18 - Free from the crowds and feel good.  Pick up the pace a little.  Now the big loop around The Evergreen State College campus.  Nice quiet country roads.  I know the big down and up is coming.  Get there and it is as steep as ever, but I run up the whole way and it is fine.

Mile 7 - Second loop.  7.1 on the GPS.  Course is running long this year.  How can this be?  I am going to trust the certification process and not the GPS signals over the years.  Have to adjust my pace though and go with the mile markers.  Not a big race, every couple of minutes I pass someone as I am continuing to feel comfortable and the pace is not hard for me today.  Catch up to one guy who is holding a phone that is playing some king of hip hop music.  I run with him for a while and the music is OK I guess, then a really bad song comes on and I surge ahead.  Second time down and up goes well too.  Run the whole hill, that I know I have walked in the past.

Mile 10 - 10.2 on the GPS.  I pick up the pace some more, but try to stay in control and not push it.  I am ahead of my time goal.  It is fun to catch people though and the urge pushes me forward.  After passing someone, I ease up a little, but no one catches back up.  Everything feels really good and I try to keep a steady cruise to the finish.

Finish - 13.31 on the GPS.  Around the last turn I thought I could beat 1:54 and I speed up to do it.  Then I forget to turn off my watch until after they take my tag and hand me a cool medal/bottle opener.  1:54:08 on the watch.  I will have to wait for official results.  Really happy that I did what I set out to do, maybe a little faster than I had planned, but it all felt so good.  Now can I do the same thing next week, a little slower, and keep it going for double the distance?

1:53:58
36th of 122
Race#378
*****

1/30/16 Lake Youngs Nuts Run 50K

Another Saturday morning, sitting in my car in the dark, waiting for light and a race to start.  Left home at 5:30AM to get here in plenty of time for the 7:30 start.  It rained a little on the way here and there has been a lot of rain lately, but it is dry now and will stay that way all day.  Cooler than it has been, I'll wear a jacket the whole way and a hat for most of it.  Trails are in great shape.

6th time here for the 50K, if you include the two years it was put on by Pigtails.  Speaking of Pigtails, she is here and so is Monte, the third week in a row that I have raced with them.  Much smaller crowd this year, what may be the last year for this race.  It has been a great January option for me, but after 18 loops of this lake, I won't be too sad to have to find another race.

$20 entry fee and no frills, but there will be a second aid station

Loop 1 (1:41) - Off we go and I am almost in last in no time.  There was a one hour early start, so many of the slower runners took that, in the dark.  I am in no hurry, so I just mosey down the steep hill and gradually catch up.  Nice to not have that big crowd all herded together on the steep down, like in previous years.  Take my time and eventually start passing people.  Just when I decide that a 10:30/mile pace would be a fine first loop (and pace to finish) my autolap vibrates and I see that I just ran the first mile in 10:30 even!  Walking the steeper uphills I keep getting passed by one young woman.  I pass her on the downhills.  Over and over this happens.  Until now I had not felt much like running with anyone, but finally my social side comes out and I ask which race she is doing.  Too bad its only the one lap race.  And it is her first ever race, which is so fun for me. We chat a little and then I pull away and the rest of the lap is uneventful.




Loop 2-end - Leaving the check in station to start the second lap I hit the "lap" button on my watch.  I always compare lap times here.  But alas, my new Garmin was set to autolap, so all I did was make a short lap and in a few minutes it will complete another mile.  By the end of the race I will have 31 laps to look at but not the three big ones that I want.  I really don't want to see them anyway.  Midway through lap 2 I start slowing.  I did stop to give a horse half of a fig newton.  Back to running, and it is not so bad, but my overall pace is pushing 11/mile when I finish lap 2.  Time wise you could call lap 3 a disaster.  Worried that Dan Sherman, somewhere behind me will catch up I try to keep moving along.  I do get to run with Deb and then Monte for a bit before pushing on.  Now all alone and not too motivated.  This is where a running buddy would be great.  My legs are so tired, but there is no pain.  I have not gone 50K since October and I think my mind is telling my body to ease off as we have not done this in so long.  After one walk break it is super hard to start running again.  I am afraid that I will have to walk the rest of the way, but I find a low gear and then pick it up and I can run for a while before walking.  Oh I so do not want to do the "short" out and back after loop 3.

Ending the third loop I am somewhat surprised to know that this will be my slowest time here by far.  Surely I suffered like this in previous years.  It may be that I am just slowing down in general, and/or the five races in five weeks including Capitol Peak last week and the Loop the Lake Marathon two weeks ago are taking their toll.  Other years there have been more people to pace off of too.  Today the out and back are not so bad.  Yes it seems forever long, but for a lot of it, I can run faster than I was running an hour ago.  I think my brain knows how far to the finish and is letting me get it done.

Finish - 5:49:39 - No pains.  Of course I will stiffen up and have little trouble spots later.  Side of right foot and lower bit of left knee.  Nothing a few days rest and easy come back won't heal.  Nothing particularly exciting today, just a long long run, getting my exercise in and a great feeling of satisfaction to complete another ultra.


5:49:39
Results Pending
Race#377, Marathon or Ultra#135
****

1/23/16 Capitol Peak Mega FatAss 26K

I first heard of this race many years ago and seemed insane.  Only a crazy hardcore trail runner could and or want to run to the top of Capitol Peak in January.  The full race does it twice!!  There is a once up and down option (26K or about 17 miles) but that still seemed way out of my ability all those years ago.  Then I did run the Capitol Peak ultra in April (twice) and the Mountain Marathon (twice) and have done more trail running in the Capitol Forest.  With no other plans for the weekend my racing choice is the Steilacoom ten miler (boring) or an adventure in the forest.

I signed up for the 26K, with no real time goal.  Legs felt OK this week, better than usual after a marathon last weekend.  $10 entry fee for this no frills event.  All volunteers.  Nice to have the Thurston Search and Rescue out here, to practice their thing and be able to help if needed.  The trails will be very well marked.  There is no reason that anyone could take a wrong turn.  I have run all of these trails before, so maybe that is just my bias, but throughout the race I will see many trail markers and paint arrows and never have any concern about where to go.  I will not hear of anyone having navigation trouble.

After lots of rain this week, it was supposed to clear up and maybe have a passing shower, but the forecast just changed to rain all day.  Not stormy, but light rain the whole day.

Though I have run these trails, I have never driven to the Falls Creek Trailhead and driving in Capitol Forest is as much an adventure as running there.  I looked at the road map more than the trail map this week.  So I leave home early and get into the forest in utter darkness.  Eventually I come upon a lone vehicle stopped in the road.  I pull next and the driver thinks that we are supposed to make a turn but she is not even sure if that is a road to our left.  She checks it out, it is not a road, and I go ahead with her following me.  Finally a sign to the trail head, then some crazy in the dark up and downhill on potholed dirt roads.  So happy to see the lights of the start line area.

6:45AM - Wait in the car until 7AM, then walk over to the sign in tent.  But they are not ready to give out numbers.  Back at 7:30 and they still are not ready.  They have the numbers but not the info on who gets what number.  Meanwhile more and more runners showing up.  Its wet and getting light out and I wish I could get started.  About 7:45 the info arrives and we all get in line.  No way we will start at 8AM




Start - 8:32 AM - I am wet and cold and ready to run.  Good thing I did not sign up for the longer race.  They have a cut off time, where if you can not complete the first loop by 12:30PM, they won't let you start the second loop.  This is understandable, but starting 30 minutes late is going to make some folks near the cut off time not even be close and will be unable to get the long race done today.  We do get running and it is single track from the start and very crowded.  Lots more participants than I expected.  Great to see some familiar faces though.

Greenline to Capitol Peak road (5.5 miles) - Up some, then flattish, then up some more.  Second clear cut is the fun one, with the real steep trail.  Three miles in and I can look ahead and up and see many runners all climbing up.  Gain some altitude, then look back and see just as many behind me.  Lots of passing and being passed, too crowded for my tastes.  No view in the clouds.  Then into the woods and another steep up with switchbacks. Work hard and push it up to the road.

Road to the Peak and back (5.5 to 7.0) - The road to the actual peak is longer and steeper than I remember.  Really I thought it was much closer.  I walk up much of it, envious of the runners heading back down.  Pigtails sighting.  Just a little snow in places.  Stop to tie my shoe, then around the cell towers.  Now able to run on down the road.  Mike Mahany catches me.  We run together for a short way before he goes on ahead.

Crestline Trail (7-11) - Oh the beautiful Crestline Trail!  I was so happy to see that we would run here today. I have such pleasant memories of running here in previous races.  After all that up hill, this will be flat and easy.  Except that it is not.  Rockier and more up and down that I remember.  With small branches down everywhere.  The flat sections are so muddy.  With my hat and jacket hood on, I can't hear much.  With so many obstacles on the ground, I just can't afford to look around.  Eyes on the mud puddles, every step I  have to think about.  Get passed by a couple of people.  A real let down, but it is not so bad.  Keep moving along at what seems like a safe and decent pace.  Happy to reach Wedekin though, it takes longer than expected.




Wedekin Trail (11-17) - This trail is in much better shape for the most part.  A few small streams to run through.  Happy with my trail shoes.  I can get them soaking wet and they do not cause any problems.  Back to normal in time for the next soaker.  Gorgeous huge waterfall.  Need to bring Jody here instead of the Crestline trail.  Couple more bridges and waterfalls, then the part through the clear cut.  A little back and forth with one guy who keeps stopping to take pictures, then gets ahead of me.  I run faster trying to not let him catch me again.  Running really as fast as I dare, footing has been great, but I really do not want to fall.  Tell myself that the finish time does not matter so much, just relax and have fun.  I feel like I should have been faster, since I am doing the short race.  I am barely going to be under 4 hours, if I had tried the 52K, it would have been misery.  Instead I plow on through the flat section to the end, on tired but functioning legs, with little walk breaks.




Finish  - 16.72 on the GPS.  Hot soup is nice ( we all donated a can).  But it is still raining lightly and now I am getting cold.  Go to change clothes and then decide to head right out. Glad I ran it today, but I don't feel like I need to come back for a race at this time of year.



3:49:26
64th of 112, 46th of 53 men, 15th of 15 in age group

Race#376
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