Columbia Gorge 50k

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...

!st waterfall at the start of the race

Excuse the blur...

Rocky trail and yet another waterfall

We got to run under this one!!

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." 

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

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.

Super skinny Hood River bridge and Mt. Hood

WashYourHandsingTon

I had big plans to get out and enjoy the (somewhat) nice weather this weekend, sadly my plans were thwarted.  Instead I have spent all weekend laying around the house feeling lousy.  Usually I would still get out to do something, however, since I have the Waterfalls 50k next weekend I figure it would be in my best interest to try and kick this.  All of this after book club earlier this week were we discussed the following ad campaign (click link):  Washyourhandsinton - where everyone washes their hands, covers their coughs, and get the flu vaccine.

Todays Workout

Did not end up being quite what I expected... 

This bridge is new, you used to have to wade the river.

I have been a bit of a slacker when it comes to running lately.  Mostly due to work (excuses), which  caused me to pick and choose what I would do with my very limited free time.  The weather has been pretty unfavorable, so I chose to omit running.  Not a good choice, ask Matt.  The beginning of this week had him telling me I needed to go run because I was becoming too much of a handful (it is true).  Plus, I do have a couple of races coming up that I should try and train for.

Fresh tracks!

I headed to Capitol Forest this morning to put in a 4 hour run.  I wasn't entirely prepared for what I was faced with when I got there.  We have gotten a bit of snow in town, so I figured that there would also be snow on the trails.  I just did not anticipate there being so MUCH snow.  At lower elevation the trail was in really good shape and the running was smooth, however, as I headed up the snow got deeper and deeper.  This made the going pretty slow.  In the end I did a lot of hiking punctuated with some running. 

It's deep, I swear

In the end this run ranks pretty high up as one of my favorites.  It was a beautiful day to be in the forest.

Happy runner

MIA

I have been a bit bad about updating the blog lately, but I have good reason.  My computer crapped out on me and Matt isn't capable of updates.  So, everything had to go on hold until my new computer (MacBook Pro) showed up today! 

As I type this Matt and I are watching Terminator 2 and I have to admit, the young John Conner and I have a very similar hairstyle...

Last Saturday we went to the coast for the last clam dig of the year.  We were successful with both of us havesting 15 razor clams (the limit), plus I got to wear the sweet Grundens I got from the Gralewski family for our wedding!

Home made pasta and clam sauce

Today I went to the knitting class that Matt signed me up for as a valentines day gift.  I loved it, we learned how to make  a hat.  It if wasn't for my new computer showing up I would probably already be done.  I am sure I will be close by the end of the weekend.

Orcas Island 50k

Saturday brought with it my second 50k, Orcas Island.  While preparation was the name of the game prior to running Cle Elum, that was not the case leading up to this one.  After Cle Elum I got somewhat lazy.  I would run 3 miles once or twice during the week and do a long run of ~8 miles on Saturday.  To ramp up my milage I did a 17 mile fat ass three weeks ago and a 20 mile race the following weekend.  There you have it, my training for Orcas, not very impressive...

I left Friday afternoon to make the drive to Anacortes and catch the ferry to Orcas.  While on Orcas I (along with many other runners) stayed in the bunkhouses at Camp Moran. Friday evening brought with it socializing and some wine drinking to prepare for Saturday.

Pre-race wine

Post-race beer

Saturday Morning:  I woke-up early to eat something and prepare for the race.  I opted for the early start to ensure that I was done in time catch the evening ferry.  Going into the race this was my only goal, finish in a time that would allow me to be on the Saturday ferry home.  Not very ambitions, but a goal none the less.

Below is a look at my thought process as I progressed through the race:

• Mile 1-6 - tired, legs tight.  Why am I doing this again?  Maybe I should just drop...
• Mile 7-10 - okay, I can do this
• Mile 10 - what the HELL is that?!?! (see elevation profile)  Thoughts of sitting on the side of the trail and moping. 
• Mile 12-29 - happy, enjoying myself.  This is why I run.
• ~Mile 30-finish: the longest 2 miles of my life...  Seriously, they just kept going.

Cascade Lake

Powerline trail.  This picture does not do justice to how steep it was.

Almost to the top of Mt. Constitution.  If it had been clear you would see the mountains.

Trail

New friends!  Olympia Trail runners Julie and Dave.

In the end I am quite pleased with how I did.  I managed to knock ~40 minutes off my time from Cle Elum,  on a course that had ~1000' more feet of climbing!

Time: 7:46:06
Pace: 15:01
Elevation: ~8000'
Aftermath: 3 toenails ready to fall off

Unfortunately Matt wasn't able to come along, he is still in pretty rough shape...

Week in Pictures

Run with the puppies at Capital Forest - recent logging

Dal with naan (not pictured)

Mountain Bike Polo!!

Still not feeling so hot...

Old Bike Show - lugs

Old Bike Show - 50th anniversary campy

Line o' bikes

Weekend Plans

I am getting read for the Orcas Island 50k this weekend.  I am looking forward to this race, mostly because it is located in the San Juan Islands and I have not yet had a chance to see them.  Matt is signed-up to run the 25k, however, whatever ailment he has is continuing to plague him and it doesn't look like he will be up for the run.  Hopefully he will still be able to make the trip with me, at this point even that is up in the air. 

I don't know what to expect out of myself this weekend.  I haven't run much in the past few days.  I got a news insoles for my shoes and the first time I wore them they did some serious bruising to my tootsies.  So, I've opted to decrease the mile I put on my feet until Orcas in hopes that they will feel better.  If not there is always Vitamin I.