Yesterday was the inaugural running of the Gorge 50k. I went into this race with two expectations, 1) a beautiful course and 2) an improvement on my time due to less elevation than previous races I've run. What I learned; I am still new to this, maybe I should keep my expectations in check...
Expectation number was most definitely meet, if not exceeded. Prior to the start the RD gave a quick brief and stated he feel's confident that this is one of, if not the most beautiful course in the country. Where else can you run by so many waterfalls? One gentleman I was running with for awhile wondered aloud why anyone would go to Hawaii when you can see so many waterfalls right in your own backyard. My answer, you see the sun in Hawaii...
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| !st waterfall at the start of the race |
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| Excuse the blur... |
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| Rocky trail and yet another waterfall |
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| We got to run under this one!! |
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| See the littler runner on the left for perspective |
As you can see, it was a great course. One problem, the footing was so gnarly that most of your time was spent looking down so you didn't fall off a 40' edge. The trail was very sharp and very rocky (basalt). Not exactly a dream on the bottom of your feet! I am quickly approaching only having 2 toenails per foot, so much for foot modeling.
Unfortunately, I did not feel so great during the race. I spent the first twenty-two miles battling cramps and nausea. At one point I found myself doubled over shuffling along, swearing I was going to drop as soon as I could get to the aid station. When I finally stumbled into the aid station, I had a brief chat with another runner who offered me some drinking vinegar (I declined), ate some potatoes and salt, washed down with a handful of M&M's and stumbled back onto the trail. Phew, I avoided dropping.
During the next stretch I managed to get lost and continued to feel awful. Again, I was swearing I would be done as soon as I could drag my sorry carcass into the aid station. But, the views were really pretty. Sarah (the runner with vinegar) caught up to me and we were able to run together for a few miles. It was a definite boost to have some company! After she motered ahead the miles continued to drag on and I wasn't feeling any better. I finally made it to the aid station, my last opportunity to drop and get a ride back to the start. I forced down 1/4 of a pb&j, handful of skittles, two S-caps (salt) and shuffled back onto the trail. I had about 11 miles left, I made it this far, surly I could finish.
Then something amazing happened, I began feeling like a normal human being. The craps abated and the nausea was gone. All of a sudden I could run and run I did! I took off like someone had lit a fire under my butt. Okay, maybe I wasn't really hauling but I was moving much faster that I had previously and I felt good! It helped that the last 6 miles was entirely downhill, I had gravity on my side. I rolled into the finish to the cheering of one of the awesome Oly trail runners I met during Orcas and one of the best running compliments I have yet to receive. Some guy stopped me and told me that my finish "was one of the best he had ever see."
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| Julie (Oly runner) killing it during her first ultra! |
This brings me to goal number two. From the above whining one could assume that I didn't achieve it. As luck would have it, I did. I managed to knock another 20 minutes off my time from Orcas. But, this course did have quite a bit less climbing, so it really isn't a fair comparison. In the end I am most pleased with myself because on numerous occasions I was ready to quit, but I didn't. I hung on and finished strong.
| Distance | 50k |
| Maximum speed | mph ( min/mile) |
| Average speed | 4.22 mph (14'13 min/mile) |
| Highest point | 1686 ft |
| Lowest point | 177 ft |
| Ascent | 5692 ft |
| Descent | 5626 ft |
| Ascent time | 3:22'20 |
| Descent time | 2:21'00 |
| Flat time | 1:37'20 |
Total time 7:20
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| Elevation profile |
As of today the cold I've been battling for the past week decided to come on strong. Maybe spending yesterday running in the rain wasn't the best idea... But really, is there a better way to spend the day? I continue to be humbled and amazed by all the wonderful people I continue to meet via trail running, the community out here really is great.
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| Super skinny Hood River bridge and Mt. Hood |
