PCT 50

I ran my first 50 miler last Saturday on the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT 50 travels from just south of Timothy Lake up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood at 6000ft and then returns to Timothy Lake area. 25 miles each way. About 4000ft of elevation gain on the way up, and about 1500ft for the way back, for 5500ft in elevation gain total. My goal was to take it easy in the beginning, and see how I felt later as this was my longest distance to date. I went out quicker than I wanted, but was able to maintain the pace through the first few aid stations. I was trying to minimize time at the aid stations and so was tracking my splits while at the stations. By the time I reached the ascent of Mt. Hood, I was feeling that my day wasn't going too well. I felt tired, and wasn't looking forward to the return 25 miles. I felt like the day was only going to get longer. But, on the way down Mt. Hood, on the second 3 miles of the overall 6 miles on the mountain, I fell into a good pace and started to feel better, my legs were settling into a rhythm, and I felt a little more energized. At Barlow Pass aid station, 31 miles into the race, I came across Tom Atkins, a friend from Eugene. He had major stomach issues after going out to hard. We worked together over the next 12 miles or so, keeping each other at a good pace. I finally found one that I could maintain and just let the miles flow by. Just before the last aid station, Tommy slipped back and then I left the station as he was entering it. The last 6.1 miles were just tiring. I wasn't having any problems, I was just tired. I kept it up when I could, and walked the hills I couldn't run. Before I realized it, I hit the road for the last short distance to the finish, only to have both hamstrings cramp up. I couldn't stride out and pick up the pace until I entered the finishing chute and chugged the last few feet uphill and to the finish. In at 8:39:44. Good enough for 26th out of 110? Not the placing I was looking for, but there were some fast people out there ahead of me. I'm pleased with my time though. A good first 50 miles.

13 days 'til Waldo 100k!!! Looking forward to it. Legs still seem a little tired, but no major problems... Todd will be up there as well. He beat his last year's time by a 1/2 hour at the PCT. Lewis is off to Leadville the same day. Only 38 more miles then I'll be running!!!

Waldo will be the end of the season for me and probably a hiatus from long distance for a while as we're expecting a 4th member of our little track team to join us around Christmas time. I have the feeling that short runs with the jog stroller will be my gig for awhile. Maybe now that will mean I can spend my longer runs with the Coyotes (whom I have missed all summer long!!). That makes 2 new additions since I've started this blog!

Now June

It's the end of June. And the first post contains bad news for many out there in the ultrarunning world. Western States 100 has been cancelled due to the huge amount of forest fires in all of California. Photos of the start and finish show massive smoke haze. Also, roads used for crewing, etc. will be needed to fight those fires along the course. So, there's a bunch of disappointed folks out there right now. But, Andy Jones-Wilkins (whose blog I read and enjoy), continues to be positive about all of this, pointing out that he's now done another run he's been looking forward to in his home town, and is now ready to taper for the Vermont 100. He's moving onward and upward, mentally and physically.

Now, here in Eugene, I've been training, primarily with Todd, and occasionally with Lewis. I've done some long runs, including a 50k last Tuesday that was on some great trails off Lookout Point Reservoir, south of here. I've got one more long one and then I'll start to taper for PCT 50 miler (which will be my last long run for Where's Waldo 100k). Todd and I now have the same race schedule and Lewis is doing the SOB 50k in Ashland leading up to the Leadville 100 (!!!!!!!!!). It's getting hotter here, I'm hoping that I'm over a 2 week sickness and can acclimate in time for PCT. I'm feeling fairly fit. Long runs hurt while running, but not usually very much after, so recovery is quicker.

I'll try to get another post in early July...

Running Eugene and Springfield

Last Sunday I ran my 1st road marathon. 6500+ people crowding the course for a half, full marathon, a 5k and kids run. Pretty fun to see the street ahead filled with runners side to side for blocks ahead of you (at least at the beginning). The miles seemed to flow by up until about 20 and 21. It's never fun wasting time in a filthy porta-potty or two. Luckily, they were short breaks brought on by necessity, not by stomach issues. And the last 3 or so miles, my legs were feeling the pavement. I saw alot of people I knew around the course. Saw ma femme jogging the half she was supposed to be walking. Met Scott Dunlap (trail running blogger who finished 21st!). I went under my goal by about half a minute (3:29:28). I had been ahead in the time bank for the whole run until the bathroom stops and then had some hamstring cramps that slowed me more. I ran above pace for the last 3 miles and yet still managed to meet my goal. The pacer for 8minute miles had warned my not to get to ahead of myself in the earlier miles, and luckily he caught me up at a difficult time. I stuck to him like glue and when he slowed to keep his other runners with him, I went on to the finish in the next mile. My recovery has been quick and easy. Little soreness and only some fatigue. I've run a little since the marathon, and it seems as if my energy is low, rather than soreness hampering my efforts.

Todd paced a slower group and this weekend runs MacForest 50k. I don't envy him.

Lewis ran Miwok 100k on Sat. May 4th. Placed 5th. I think he's running San Diego 100 in June.

The marathon was good. I don't know if I like road for that long... we'll see if there will be another...

Closer

It's only a little over a week to the marathon. I feel good. Only a little problem with the left hamstring. I hope to have it stretched out by then. Training has been good. My last long run was faster than I expected, but was run in wind and cold rain. In April. We haven't lost winter yet in Oregon. Just last weekend we had snow again on the ground. Hail, rain, wind. Just a nice long finish to winter. I don't mind so much, since I don't do so well in heat.

Todd and Lewis both have ultras under their belts this season. Lewis is off to Miwok and Training Camp. Todd is going to pace a group at the marathon. Lewis is still chasing an entry to WS100, and Todd seems to be running all the races in the Oregon Series except McKenzie River for which he has forgotten the entry date two years in a row now. I feel pretty relaxed about the coming longer runs. I have a plan to prepare for my 50-miler, but my long run mileage looks like it will be dropping. I just not sure I need to run so far before 50m just to be ready.

Thanks to my family for all their understanding and support. And to Todd for always driving over to my house to run.




For you ma femme: "Love is not looking at each other, but looking together in the same direction" Saint Exupery.

Catch-UP

For the one of you who read this, it's been awhile... sorry. I've had some good runs and some not so good ones. I feel like I'm improving, especially with speedwork. I've been doing workouts from a group of other ultrarunners here in Eugene, albeit at a much slower pace. They've definitely helped. This last Friday (speed day), I finished the workout, 3x1600 cutdowns, went home, ate, and promptly became engaged with some serious stomach issues. Floored me for the rest of the day, Sat. and most of Sun. I don't know if I shocked my system with that French Dip after a hard workout, or got a quick touch of food poisoning, can't think of what I ate though. It was bad, dehydrated quickly, had some cramping, and it wasnt' until late Fri, afternoon, that I got enough fluid back in my system to calm it down. Strange.

Todd has now run his first 50k of the year. Quicker than last year. And Saturday, he and I sent off our entries for Where's Waldo, probably very early, but we don't want to be left out... Lewis is preparing for Way to Cool and American River, Miwok... all to try and get into Western States 100. Who knows, the stacked fields for those races all seem to have that same idea (the top finishers get automatic entries to WS100).

I'm looking forward to the marathon, although I'll be running it alone among thousands as my wife has a stress-fractured ankle. And then train onto the PCT 50 miler...

Weather

A weekend of mixed weather. I ran 5 miles in the rain on Saturday, 5 miles in the newly-fallen foot of wet, wet snow on Sunday, and 10 miles in the slush today, Monday. All three runs went well. Quite the workout today with the dodgy footing. Still pushing towards the marathon. I also just signed up for the PCT 50 miler in July. My only other race will probably be Where's Waldo 100k in August. This race is the only race that I ever spend alot of time thinking about. The best put-on race I have ever been to. Close friends have done well there, and the course is magnificent! This year is again the Masters 100k National trail championships, and now for 2008-2009, the Open 100k National trail championships. So, a good race to be at (not that I'll be contending for either title, not old and fast enough for one, and not fast enough for the other).

Run on...

New Year

I've now put in three runs with Todd over the last week. A couple 10 milers on Ridgeline and a 5 mile road run. the two 10-milers were on trail and the first really worked me over. Sore for a couple of days. Out of breath most of the run. That's what I get for using that as a first run on trail. The second one, same run different day, was much better. Better feeling, better stamina, little soreness, better time. Looking forward to really getting down into the training schedule now.