TrailFactor 50K Recap

The Weather:
Ugh. In the days leading up to the race, we endured record rainfall, turning the trails and firelanes into mud chutes. Heavy rain continued to swamp Forest Park on the morning of the race. I knew it was going to be a tough day and although I tried to mentally embrace the conditions, I wasn't looking forward to the potential diggers, blasting through constant wet curtains of overhanging branches, and, of course, the ass-crack-wet soakfest. Luckily, the temperatures accompanying the heavy rain were warm enough to minimize the general misery. In the end, the weather was definitely a factor, but it wasn't that bad and could have been a lot worse.

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Run

Spring is here, a time when pensive plans solidify into calendar dates, plane tickets, and packing lists. My lineup of adventures for the year includes many great trips with my family, some local Oregon ultra races, plenty of runs in the Gorge, adventures up and around Cascade volcanoes, a running road trip to California, some Colorado 14er summits, and a very special PCT adventure later in the summer (about which I am extremely excited). With such a great season on tap, I was really looking forward to commencing with a true whopper: a Grand Canyon double crossing.

Crooked River

My fellow bandmates and I drove east for a musical weekend getaway at Dave's cabin on the dry side of the cascades near smith rocks. A mid-day break from the acoustic party allowed for a great run with Will and Gia along the crooked river near steelhead falls. It was inspiring to traverse new terrain after a bit of a break from running during the holidays. We hopped boulders, slid in the snow, saw waterfalls, deer, and lion tracks, watched a bald eagle diving and clawing at the river, ducks slapping wings against dark water. So many good omens for a new year that is sure to provide many amazing ambulatory adventures.

Mt. Hood Circum-Run

After months of no rain, the weather forecast finally dropped the drips. The jet stream was on the move and would soon put an end to our glorious stretch of warm, sunny weather. I had intentionally been savoring each day of Fall sunshine, like a soft butterscotch candy floating on the tongue, and was ready to fully enjoy the last surefire sunny day before the inevitable seasonal slide into the wet months of winter.

Volcanic 50

We left P-town and arrived at the Volcanic 50 start on Mount Saint Helens just before dark on Friday night. Without much delay I was horizontal in the back of my truck, alarm set for 5:45 am. Dawn broke with morning rituals. I pinned on number 14 and we were off. Yassine, Joe, and I took to the front as we climbed roughly 2,000 feet in the first four miles of the course. We settled into a friendly pace as we crossed boulder fields, sandy single track, and deep drainages.  

With about 7,000 feet of ascent and descent over thirty four-ish miles of very demanding terrain, I knew the course would challenge the hardiest of runners. My plan was to stay comfortable and well-fueled for the first two thirds of the race and then drop the hammer for a strong finish. Yassine had opened a lead on Joe and I by mile six or seven, but I wasn't too concerned yet as there was still lots of tough and technical running to endure. Stick to the plan.

Hood to Coast 2012

Another great Hood to Coast has come and gone ... with miles of traffic, sunshine, darkness, heat, sweat, dust, stink, no sleep, van cramps, head lamps, porta-loo lines, and countless 'third leg' jokes, my favorites being 'my third leg is hard' and 'we eat between legs.' Overall it was a great mix of hilarity and suffering.  

I was on a killer team. Everyone ran extremely well and a good time was had by all. We placed 18 out of 69 in the men's sub master category, 180 out of 1,048 teams overall. I ended up running legs 9, 21, and 33 (just under 20 miles total). My average pace was well below 6-minutes per mile with a good block of miles in the 5:30s. I was pretty happy with the outcome as I've been solely focused on big distance trail running with minimal speed and tempo work.  

Big thanks to "That's What She Said" ... Brian F, Christi, Keith, Jen, Brian G, Tom, Terri, Perry, Michael, Sue, and Joel!

Mt. Saint Helens Circum-Run

 

 (photo: Amy Sproston)

Incredible day in the Cascades running around Mt. Saint Helens on the Loowit trail with Willie, Nick, Trevor, Yassine, Amy, Thaddeus, Jonny, and Joe. We started at Marble Mountain, climbed up to the Loowit and ran the trail in a clockwise direction. Roughly 33 miles, 6,800 feet vertical, 8 hours (car-to-car). An amazing run with a great group.

Here's the video ...