Chuckanut 50k

Photos by Glenn Tachiyama

I stayed close to home this past weekend and raced in Bellingham, WA at The Chuckanut 50k. It had been raining all week and predictions were for rain on Saturday but we got LUCKY!!! It was a beautiful day with perfect racing temperatures. This year's race had over three hundred entrants, all ready to spend a day on a beautiful course with a little bit of every type of terrain. The first and last six miles are on the Interurban Trail which is basically a fast and flat dirt road. At about mile eight we head up a few miles to Fragrance Lake on a single track trail and then down to a logging road which heads back up for about another 3 miles. Once done with the logging road the fun begins. This is when we get to test our nimble feet on the Chuckanut Ridge. I have run Chuckanut five times and this was the first year I have been able to observe the gorgeous views from the Ridge. Usually it is cloudy up there and difficult to see. After several technical miles on the ridge we hit another wide trail and headed up, up, up. This is where the mud was. I was wearing my brand new La Sportiva Fireblades which were such a pretty shade of yellow! No more. Now they look loved and used. Speaking of the Fireblades they were comfortable right out of the box. The race was the first time I wore them. Not one blister. They felt light yet supportive on the logging road, single track trails, and the mud. When done with the muddy climb we reached "Chinscraper" which is a short (maybe a mile 1/2) steep climb. Then it was time to head down and back to where it all began. Thank you to Krissy, her Ma, her friend Porsche, and all the volunteers who made this race a ton of fun, safe, green, and well supplied with good eats.

A wet Napa Valley Marathon

When I was running CCC100 last summer I had this crazy thought. I decided I wanted to try and run a sub-three hour marathon. My fastest marathon to date was 3:00 flat and I figured taking a minute or two off that was doable. I also thought if I could be on the trails for over 24 hours then I could push myself for 2:58! I did the speed work, the long runs, went to crossfit. I ran Orcas 50k 3 weeks ago to give myself a final long run. I felt ready. I flew to Sacramento Friday afternoon after school, drove to Napa, picked up some food and went to the hotel to study. Saturday I spent the morning exploring the valley and I picked up my race packet. I was feeling more nervous for this race then I had in a long time. I think it was do to my expectations. I ate a great dinner at a vegetarian restaurant called Ubuntu (if ever in Napa check it out, it's wonderful). After dinner I returned to the hotel for some more studying and an early bedtime. Sunday was an early get up to catch the shuttle to Calistoga. It was pouring down rain and the wind was blowing. Thank goodness we could stay on the buses for the hour before the race instead of standing in the rain. Even with the weather the way it was Napa truly is a beautiful marathon. 24 miles of the race are on the Silverado Trail (road not dirt) which has gentle rolling hills and vineyards as far as the eyes can see. I ran the first half right on pace for a 2:58. I consistently ran between 6:40s and 6:50s. I felt good with my second place standing but I knew it was early. By about mile 15 I started feeling my legs get heavy. My times were slowing to the upper 6:50s and I was passed by a speedy girl who did not even look tired! I was able to hold 3rd place (3:03) but I was not able to hold my goal pace. It could have been I was not as prepared as I thought I was or maybe the rain and wind got to me. Maybe it just was not my day. Whatever the reason, in running just as in life, there is always a new day. I now look forward to finishing school and getting back on the trails!

Orcas 50k

Photo by Glenn Tachiyama

Orcas is the perfect example of why I enjoy ultra running and the crowd it attracts. This race, put on by James and Alison was not only held in a beautiful location with views from Vancouver B.C. to Seattle (yes, to see these views we needed to climb a bit), but the communication from the race directors before the race, the "greenness" of this event, the great support at the race, and the post race party made it one of my favorite 50ks out there. As for the crowd, and this applies not only to Orcas but to almost all ultra runs I have done, the people are what make it all worthwhile. There is nothing better then reconnecting with friends and meeting new friends at events. It is nice to be with people who share a love for the outdoors and an understanding of what spending a day in the woods can do for our psyche.

This is the second year I have run Orcas. Last year there was too much snow so the route had to be adjusted. This year, other than a little snow and ice at higher elevations, the trails were in phenomenal shape. The hardest part for me was the downhill. One of these days I will learn to be speedy and just let go when heading down. In true "fat ass run" style, there were only two aid stations for the 50k. I carried my Nathan hand held and wore my Nathan "Krissy" vest so I was able to carry all the gel and drinks needed for the 5+ hours I was running. I used First Endurance liquid shot which tasted great! I liked not having to open a new packet each time I wanted gel. My time was slower than last year but I think we climbed a bit more. I ended up 4th girl and 16th overall. Next up...Napa Valley Marathon!

Tribute To The Trails 2009

Don't forget to order the 2009 Tribute To The Trails Calendar! Great cause and beautiful photograghs.

Rose Valley 33 Mile (Substitute for Santa Barbara Nine Trails)

Due to the Tea Fire in the Santa Barbara area the race that was originally scheduled had to be moved to trails in the Ojai Valley. Race Director Luis Escobar accomplished this task with only a week until race day. I am so impressed with the work he and all the volunteers put into this race. Having never run the Santa Barbara Nine Trail Run I don't know what I missed, but from all accounts it is THE race to attend! I hope to go back next year for the real deal!

Rose Valley 33 mile Run was great! The sky was clear blue and the stars were bright at the start. It was cold with temperatures in the upper 30s but after the first climb I warmed up nicely. By 8:00 I was wishing I had applied sunscreen and worn sunglasses! This race was held on part of the course that Coyote 2 Moons 100 mile run is on. It had long climbs (9700 feet total elevation gain) and over 20 miles of single track trail. The views were incredible of the Ojai Valley, Lake Casitas, Pacific Ocean and The Channel Islands. I ran the first 10 miles or so with Krissy and Luanne and then settled into my own slower pace as they took off down hill. Even when running alone, since the course was an out and back plus a couple more out and backs off the main course I was able to see people and keep up with how everyone was doing. I ended up placing 2nd girl and 8th overall with a time of 5:39.

Cle Elum 50k

Photographer Glenn Tachiyama spent his day in the woods taking pictures and cheering runners. It always feels great to see Glenn. Usually it means you have almost reached the top of a hill or you are close to an aid station! Cle Elum was one of the first ultras I signed up for many years ago but schedules conflicted and I have never been able to run it until last weekend. What a wonderful opportunity it was to participate in this run. The weather was warm and the trails were in phenomenal shape. The whole race except one mile is on trails. The first 17 miles we climbed to approximately 6000 feet and then headed down the last 14. It makes it fun when the second half split is faster. Race directors Chris and Marty Fagen did a great job. So much work goes into ultras. I truly believe the runners have the easy part. No more racing for me until November. This 50k was soooo fun I hate to say I am done for a while (running is quite the addiction) but it's time to rest and focus on some other things.

Cascade Crest 100

My first 100 mile run...... Stomach issues for the last 45 miles, bees, bears (actually just one), mosquitoes, vandals, getting lost twice. BUT... The scenery was beautiful (see photo of Mt. Rainier by Glenn), volunteers spectacular, and pacer (Devon) extraordinary! I was so nervous going into this run with White River DNF still lurking. Turns out every day is a new beginning. Charlie Crissman knows how to put on a wonderful event. The run started at 10AM on Saturday so it was nice and warm for the initial climb up to Goat Peak. This climb is the same elevation and mileage as the climb up to Escapment @ Western States only on more technical trails. This set the tone for the next 20 some hours. Climbing, climbing and more climbing (20,147 ft. elevation gain over entire course). I met Devon at mile 52 and we put on our headlamps and took off following the well marked trails with red ribbons and some glow sticks at turns. Unfortunately, some creepy boys thought it would be funny to move the glowsticks so runners would take wrong turns. This ended up costing many of us added miles and time. Something I discovered about putting my body through an experience like this was that it really affected my brain. I have been in this daze like I just took a handful of cold medicine. Even two days out I am having a hard time remembering things. There are sections of the course that I have no recollection of running. My family is having to tell me things over and over again. During the run Devon was answering the same questions I asked 10 miles back. Weird... Will I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! When I wake up and feel normal again I will post some pictures!