Today I got an update on the race I am running this weekend...
"...3 days of shoveling trail, creating steps and a few confidence ropes for balance and we should all be able to enjoy the pristine ridge line views of the Noble Knob trail, Norse Peak Wilderness and unobstructed views of Mt. Rainier that make this course one of the most scenic routes in the sport of ultra running."
I kid you not, they have been shoveling the trail in an effort to keep the original course. How awesome is that?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Olympia Traverse and Salmon Berries
This weekend was a pretty laid back weekend. Saturday both Matt and I participated in the Olympia Traverse with two guys I work. The traverse is an event that you can do as a team (or solo), with each person doing one of the following: mountain bike, road bike, kayak, and run.
Initially they team was made up of all Entrix employees, unfortunately, Friday afternoon one of our team members was riding his bike and got hit by a car. Matt offered to take his spot. What this meant for me is I no longer got to mountain bike. Matt would only agree to play if he didn't have to run.
Today we went for a stroll behind our house to harvest salmon berries for jam.
It was nice having a laid back weekend. Next weekend is White River followed by our road trip to Banff so we can start our bike tour!
Initially they team was made up of all Entrix employees, unfortunately, Friday afternoon one of our team members was riding his bike and got hit by a car. Matt offered to take his spot. What this meant for me is I no longer got to mountain bike. Matt would only agree to play if he didn't have to run.
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| Finishing the bike leg |
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| Crash... |
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| Mmm...berries |
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| Our spoils |
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| On its way to becoming jam |
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Camp Muir
Saturday Matt and I joined up with my running buddy and her friends for some fun at Mt. Rainier. Our goal was to hike to Camp Muir, the starting point for those hoping to bag the summit. The day started out less that stellar, we woke at 5am to pouring rain and fog surrounding our house, but, a look at the Rainier cam showed that it was slightly better up there. So, we met the group and took off.
Upon arriving in the parking lot everyone donned their rain gear and we set-off into the milky white murk.
We trudged uphill stopping at times to adjust layers and eat snack. The mountain stayed pretty socked in for the majority of our uphill hike. Every now and then we would be teased with parting clouds and brief views of the mountain.
Then we achieved our objective and the clouds parted - perfect!
As with everything, what goes up, must come down. Thus, we began our descent. The return trip took far less time and was much more fun than the ascent. Due to the late snow season the snow chutes were still usable so we covered the majority of ground on our butts, sliding down the mountain. Fun!
Upon arriving in the parking lot everyone donned their rain gear and we set-off into the milky white murk.
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| Visibility, low |
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| Camp Muir and crazy snow conditions. Some people were still skiing on this... |
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| RMI shack and toilets |
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| Guide hut |
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| Biggest chute of the day. See the tiny people up top? |
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| Race! |
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| Matt had some serious sliding skills |
Friday, July 15, 2011
Of all the Things I Swore I Would Never Do
I have railed against Croc's since they first came out. Seriously, have you seen a more hideous type of footwear? I vowed I would never own a pair, I may not have much fashion sense, but I have enough to know that wearing those things is just plain wrong. And then I got to thinking...
In two weeks I am running White River after which I will promptly park my butt in a car to begin the drive to Banff. We are meeting friends there for a bike tour between Jasper and Banff, it is going to be amazing. Truth told, as excited as I am about the bike tour, I am more excited to see friends. I am get getting sidetracked from my point... Which is. I am going to run 50 miles, this causes hurty foot. Jasper and Banff are not particular warm right now so wearing sandals around the campsite is out, not to mention I hate mosquito bites on my feet. The answer - Crocs. Yep, this is my preemptive solution to what I am pretty sure is going to be some pain issues. I finally broke down a purchased a pair, I am so embarrassed for myself.
In two weeks I am running White River after which I will promptly park my butt in a car to begin the drive to Banff. We are meeting friends there for a bike tour between Jasper and Banff, it is going to be amazing. Truth told, as excited as I am about the bike tour, I am more excited to see friends. I am get getting sidetracked from my point... Which is. I am going to run 50 miles, this causes hurty foot. Jasper and Banff are not particular warm right now so wearing sandals around the campsite is out, not to mention I hate mosquito bites on my feet. The answer - Crocs. Yep, this is my preemptive solution to what I am pretty sure is going to be some pain issues. I finally broke down a purchased a pair, I am so embarrassed for myself.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Big Adventure. Big Problem.
Remember the days when you could drive across the border to buy beer in Canada? No longer. Now you have to wait 4-6 weeks for your paperwork to be processed. I better get a cool stamp for all my passport renewal efforts.
Sincerely,
Matthew Klungle
Sincerely,
Matthew Klungle
Sunday, July 10, 2011
WR Training Run
Yesterday was the first of two White River training runs. The 50 mile course is split into two 25 mile loops, both of which are run as training runs in the weeks leading up to the race. The Seattle Running club is kind enough to organize the event, and lead folks so they do not get lost. Unfortunately our little crew from Olympia were not able to meet up with the greater group, there was a bit of a time miscommunication.
After standing around for about 45 minutes we realized what had happened and hit the trails. Thankfully there were two things working in our favor 1) one of our group had previously run the course, so he generally knew where we were supposed to go; and 2) the Seattle Running folks drew arrows in the sand to make sure everyone went the right way.
The first few miles felt rough, it seems to take me awhile to get warmed up. Once that happens things improve, but I generally find the first hour (at least) to be pretty rough. The first 6 miles (last 6 of the race) followed the White River along beautiful forested single track. This may be the last time you hear me say something nice about that stretch, it is full or rocks and roots, that after 44 miles could lead to some bloodshed.
After 6 miles on the nice wooded trails the run started in earnest, we began the climb to Sun Top. As we were motoring uphill I made a silly comment - "I don't think we will run into snow". Wrong... A few miles later we hit our first patch, it continued until we got high enough up for the trees to thin out. We were not moving very fast and the snow slowed us down ever more. At this point or little group had shifted our thinking from "we're going for a run" to "we are going on an adventure".
By the time we reached Sun Top we had covered ~19 miles and had 6 miles to go, downhill on a dirt road. I think our little group had wordlessly decided that we were done, the hard part was over [side note: running downhill is hard, it is a quad crushing event]. We sat down and took in the views, spending the better part of a half-hour enjoying the sun, surroundings, and munching on snacks. We finally collected ourselves and started the pounding downhill. The miles flew and before we knew it we were back at the car.
All in all the day was a success - time on my feet, good company, and beautiful views. Our trip took 5 hours and 40 minutes from car to car, however, I would say 40 minutes of that was spent enjoying the views up top and a small stint of route finding at a road crossing. As for the course, it is going to be hard as hell. I don't know that I am going to go to next weeks training run, I think ignorance may be bliss in this case!
After standing around for about 45 minutes we realized what had happened and hit the trails. Thankfully there were two things working in our favor 1) one of our group had previously run the course, so he generally knew where we were supposed to go; and 2) the Seattle Running folks drew arrows in the sand to make sure everyone went the right way.
The first few miles felt rough, it seems to take me awhile to get warmed up. Once that happens things improve, but I generally find the first hour (at least) to be pretty rough. The first 6 miles (last 6 of the race) followed the White River along beautiful forested single track. This may be the last time you hear me say something nice about that stretch, it is full or rocks and roots, that after 44 miles could lead to some bloodshed.
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| View of the White River from the trail |
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| Happy at the beginning |
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| Trail, I should have taken a more representative picture |
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| The trail is around here somewhere... |
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| Creek... |
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| ...we had to cross |
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| Going up |
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| And then there was snow |
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| That we had to slide down |
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| Until we got out of tree cover |
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| And were rewarded with views of Mt. Rainier |
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| Proof our little group made it to the top |
All in all the day was a success - time on my feet, good company, and beautiful views. Our trip took 5 hours and 40 minutes from car to car, however, I would say 40 minutes of that was spent enjoying the views up top and a small stint of route finding at a road crossing. As for the course, it is going to be hard as hell. I don't know that I am going to go to next weeks training run, I think ignorance may be bliss in this case!
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Things I'll Carry
Tomorrow is the first of two White River training runs (~25 miles). The meet-up group comment is as follows:
"The run will be 4 to 5 hours. Due to blow down and snow. Be prepared to be self sufficient as we cannot get to Suntop to provide water and food. Bring iodine tablets or water filter. Nutrition bring a minimum of 1,000 calories. Be prepared for cool weather and bring sun block even if it is cloudy you are at high elevation."
Humm... not quite sure how I am going to pack for this one. I think I can get by without the water filter, I plan to fill my bladder and carry a hand held, that should be enough. As for food, it looks like I will be making myself some pb&j's tonight. For good measure I purchased poor man's energy bars (pop tarts) at the grocery, I can only stomach so many cliff bars before the inside of my mouth turns raw and my stomach revolts.
That being said, I don't know that I have ever consumed that many calories during a run, any run. It makes me think maybe I need to work on a better nutrition plan?
"The run will be 4 to 5 hours. Due to blow down and snow. Be prepared to be self sufficient as we cannot get to Suntop to provide water and food. Bring iodine tablets or water filter. Nutrition bring a minimum of 1,000 calories. Be prepared for cool weather and bring sun block even if it is cloudy you are at high elevation."
Humm... not quite sure how I am going to pack for this one. I think I can get by without the water filter, I plan to fill my bladder and carry a hand held, that should be enough. As for food, it looks like I will be making myself some pb&j's tonight. For good measure I purchased poor man's energy bars (pop tarts) at the grocery, I can only stomach so many cliff bars before the inside of my mouth turns raw and my stomach revolts.
That being said, I don't know that I have ever consumed that many calories during a run, any run. It makes me think maybe I need to work on a better nutrition plan?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Pain Game
The past month I have had some nagging pains manifest, specifically in my right knee. My knees are usually kinda creaky, but this is worse than usual. There is a lot of tightness and some nasty popping, things that don't elicit excitement. Usually I just keep going, hoping that the pain will go away. However, I have been at this long enough to know that idea is a dream. So, I am trying to be smart, this time I've decided to be proactive.
Here is what I have learned - proactive is painful! I purchased myself a foam roller and have begun daily exercises that bring tears to my eyes. Who would have thought such a harmless looking tool could be so nasty...
In addition I am trying to get backing into some kind of yoga routine. A number of years ago I took up yoga and was surprised to find I really enjoyed it. I remember going to my first class, I was skeptical "stretching" would provide me with a workout I enjoyed, boy was I wrong! Unfortunately, as time passed I have fallen away from any type of practice. The result, I cannot touch my toes, hell, I cannot even get close to my toes! That cannot be good, so, it is time I find yoga again (and hopefully my toes!).
Here is what I have learned - proactive is painful! I purchased myself a foam roller and have begun daily exercises that bring tears to my eyes. Who would have thought such a harmless looking tool could be so nasty...
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| Torture device |
Monday, July 4, 2011
Week in Pictures
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| Roadside logger |
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| Field work! Lupine surveys |
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| Pretty... |
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| Mountain biking though recently logged forest |
We are so adventurous!
(steps on soapbox) Ahem...
Have you seen the Ford commercial, the one where they have non-ford people drive their cars, specifically the one where the guy makes the statement that "I am an adrenaline junky"? Well, Matt thinks it is a ridiculous commercial and I am not too far behind. Why, you ask? I'll tell you why, who says that? In my opinion, it is similar to saying "I am so beautiful", which, I think most people are. But, it is not a statement that you use when referring to yourself, unless of course you are trying really hard to make sure people see you a certain way.
This (the adrenaline junky) is a situation where I generally think action speaks louder than words. In my experience the most impressive people I know also tend to be the most humble.
Now, you are welcome to call me a hypocrite, it is possible that I am. You would be correct if you pointed out that after complete some ultras I posted something on facebook. Here is where I think the difference is, I stated a fact (i.e., I finished my first 50k!) vs. directing a persons thought (i.e,. I am so hardcore, I just finished my first 50k). I think it is better to let the reader draw their own conclusion. Maybe instead of hardcore they just think I am an idiot. They are entitled to form their own opinion without my trying to sway it.
Have you seen the Ford commercial, the one where they have non-ford people drive their cars, specifically the one where the guy makes the statement that "I am an adrenaline junky"? Well, Matt thinks it is a ridiculous commercial and I am not too far behind. Why, you ask? I'll tell you why, who says that? In my opinion, it is similar to saying "I am so beautiful", which, I think most people are. But, it is not a statement that you use when referring to yourself, unless of course you are trying really hard to make sure people see you a certain way.
This (the adrenaline junky) is a situation where I generally think action speaks louder than words. In my experience the most impressive people I know also tend to be the most humble.
Now, you are welcome to call me a hypocrite, it is possible that I am. You would be correct if you pointed out that after complete some ultras I posted something on facebook. Here is where I think the difference is, I stated a fact (i.e., I finished my first 50k!) vs. directing a persons thought (i.e,. I am so hardcore, I just finished my first 50k). I think it is better to let the reader draw their own conclusion. Maybe instead of hardcore they just think I am an idiot. They are entitled to form their own opinion without my trying to sway it.
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