Monday, April 28, 2008

Capitol Peak 50 mile

         Photo by Glenn Tachiyama


What a weekend! I traveled to Tacoma to meet my mom for our shared birthday dinner on Friday night. We had a spectacular time eating and visiting on the waterfront. I then drove to Olympia to spend the night for Saturday's run. Shawn met me at the hotel at 4am and I followed her to the start of Capitol Peak. When the sun started rising I knew it was going to be a great day. The sky was clear and the moon was lighting the trails. John (race director) started the run promptly at 6am and we were off! The course had to be adjusted due to snow but we still encountered plenty of the white stuff and it did not lack any climbing! I was told by several people that this course tended to be muddy but I did not think it would be too bad since we had a couple dry days before the race. I WAS WRONG!! Deep mud. Poor Kendra had her shoe pulled off her foot by it. My Cascadias felt great. Even with the mud and snow my feet dried out quickly and the shoes were able to grip the ground to keep me from falling (which I have a tendency to do). I drank a lot of Nuun and felt well hydrated throughout the run. Although the course was well marked, I got turned around several times. I think I was enjoying the views so much that I was not paying attention to the bright ribbons. Brian Morrison was first male and I was first female. It seemed that a great day was had by all. Congratulations to Shawn for breaking 10 hours! Thank you to all the volunteers and to John Pearch for organizing such a perfect day!

3 comments:

Kendra Ralstin said...

SUPER job, Monica! You always look so graceful - like you're just tiptoeing through the daisies. Congratulations on your recent well deserved recognition!

shawn said...

Super race Monica! I was not at all surprised to see you at the front of the pack on the out and back.

I "like" that picture. You look happy to be there, and I have a look of "really, we have to take pictures this early?" :)

I have to say that I was trying to run well at the end cuz I knew it would be reported back to pops. Don't want to disapoint the family you know. You just need to get Krit out for one of these...you know I'm just aching to see how I run against him :) (who am I kidding? Ha!)

Yes - congratulations on making the speed goat team!

Lisa Ochs said...

Congratulations Monica! You and Shawn are both amazing runners.
Lisa