Rio Del Lago 100

How do I begin? This was only my second 100. I knew it was an easier course than States but it is still 100 miles!!! You just can't look past that. You have to respect the distance no matter how hard the course.

Arivied in Sacramento via plane on Thursday. Time to relax I figure. Went to the race briefing on Friday. Sure enough, there has been problems of people getting lost in the past because of lack of course markings and/or vandalism on the course. This I knew going into the race. So, the plan was to try to stay focused during the race. Could I do this in a 100? We will see...

Started at 6am in the dark with the a headlamp. Thank you Kyly for suggesting this. Started out too "Hot" for the 20-30 miles trying to hook up with runners that have ran this race in the past. Two provided valueable information on the trouble spots. That was a great help. But getting after it early would take it's toll.

At mile 30 or so I noticed that my legs were completely tired! Plus, I was having mechanical issues with my ankle and a toe. Took care of the blister, a first for me. I always get blisters but I don't give a crap normally. But this one was as big as a little toe. And the blister was on the little toe!!! The ankle... Well, I twisted it at Waldo and it has never healed completely. The shoe was bumping the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis tendons on the lateral malleolus. I asked the aid station person at mile 27 if they had a sharp knife or sciccors to cut my shoe but they didn't have anything sharp enough. I managed to loosen my shoe and adjust it so it didn't bump the tendon anymore. That was a great help.

But shortly after the mechanical issues I was having other issues. My back was hurting. Really, quite painful actually. I took 1000mg of tylenol and 600mg of ibuprofen that I carry always. I think that helped a bit.

Moving along... Things got a little better. I was eating my beans and Pedisure at desegnated aid stations. I was thankful for the calories. I doused myself a few times as the tempurature was in the low 90's at times. I was thankful for the ice at the aid stations, I took advantage of that. I soaked in streams for 2-4 minutes twice. That helped to cool the core.

From mile 30-60 I had an extreme low point. My back was hurting so much that I honestly didn't think I could finish. But another dose of tylenol and ibuprofen would help even more. At about mile 60 I noticed that I was starting to run better and I was encouraged. Then I thought, "I think I can finish this thing."

At that point I desided to put the hammer down and get after it. Afterall, there was a group only 15 minutes in back of me that has been there for 20+ miles. It was time to gap them. I didn't care that I had been lost for 20 minutes earlier in the race. That was behind me. I concentrate on eating and drinking. More beans and Pediasure helps again. I am running well and starting to enjoy the race more.

I hit the turn around on the second out and back and start to love it. They have a vanilla shake for me. How awesome is that? Plus, more calories!!! I start to jam the last 16.5 miles back to the finish. I see the group that has been behind me early on. I have gapped them to 30 minutes now. Good. Still have to stay focused.

I see Kyly shortly after heading out. I think she is in the lead for women. I don't say anything because it is hard to tell with pacers and runners in the dark. She was having a difficult day with legs hurting. I tell her that my legs have felt tired all day. I want to talk longer but I have to tell her that there is a group on my tail. She tells me to get going. I tell her to take care of herself and to see her at the finish.

I see Scott Cheers and tell him he is going to finish his first 100! (he is from Coos Bay, Oregon on the coast.)(Scott in red shirt.) 26:26:23 for 19th and 6th in his age group.

I see Olga and George (her pacer) she looks good. She offers encouraging words. I see Catra and Kathy D'Onofrio and they say I am in 5th. I tell them that I am in 6th actually. They say I am running strong. The aid station people say I look great and look better than anybody that has came through. Either they are good liars or things are going well I figure. (Olga and George in picture.)

Things were going well. I just had to stay focused on trail markings, (or lack there of), I waist at least 10 minutes those last 16.5 miles trying to find the trail markings. I just try to run everything from there on out.

I get to a road section that crosses the river. I know that I would be able to see headlamps behind me if the group of three are close. I run stealth accross the bridge and up the hill. It took 20 minutes to do this section. I never see headlamps behind me when I crest the hill. Good. Things are still going well. I turn my headlamp and waist lamp back on.

I run hard the last 3.1 miles. As I come off trail and run accross the last leavy and run stealth again. I look back and I don't see any lights. I make the last turn towards the school still running hard. I turn the lights back on and watch the trail closely. I am glad, nobody has passed me the last 40 miles.

I finish in 22:33:33. Not the time I wanted but am surprised to finish in 6th. AND I DIDN'T GET CHICKED! That will never happen again. But it is nice one time. Kyly finished in 25:44:35 in 15th overall and third women. Both of us were second in our age group. We brought home tons of swag.

We both didn't have great races but we both battled through difficult hurdles. It was nice to finish when you have to persevere.

Now it is time for a massage. I figure I deserve it.

Angeles Crest 100

My brother was 5th at Angeles Crest 100. I am so proud of him. It will be fun to watch him at States next year as he is in as a two time loser. I just know that he will be in the top ten. How exciting.

Craig from Eugene, Oregon was 10th. Ashley, from Corvallis Oregon was the womens winner and Stacy from Tigard,Oregon was second. Michael McCarthy, from Portland, Oregon was 18th.

Just a great showing from all.

Lokum Ridge, Mt. Hood

Bob "the Beast" Lynes invited Kyly and I for another adventure the day after McKenzie River 50k. We were to explore new trails to Kyly and I up to Lokum Ridge on Mt. Hood. I knew it would be a good day with the wonderful weather we were having. Have to remember to bring my camera for sure.

How many hours will be out. Bob says 5-6. Translation, times that by 1.5-2.0. That is how long we will be out. So, had my hydration pack and two 24 oz bottles filled. Some food. I didn't have time to bring something to share because I had the race before and travel the day before. Kyly was nice to provide a meatloaf sandwich and fritos. Thank you Kyly.

We got kind of a late start knowing how long we would really be out. That was fine. The only date I had was with Bob and Kyly. Locum Ridge is on the north side of Mt. Hood. Next to Reid glacier. The sorce of the Sandy River.

A lot of hiking early on. I had ran on parts of this trail last year. Some on the PCT. We met a few hikers and Mike who was taking the 41 miles trail around Hood. He didn't start until 8:40 am. We thought that might be a little late. Sure enough he crossed the White river in the dark with chest high water. Not something I would want to do.


We were able to do a little running.


















We were taking our time mostly. We were just having a great time. Sometimes laughing so hard that I couldn't keep the camera still.



Bob and Kyly next to the "Locum Ridge Gargoyle". The blackish rock to their right that stuck out from the others when looking up at the formation at 7000 feet.




Kyly showing she is "the strongest person in all the land".


















Kyly found a rock... O.K., so it is heart shaped. Way to go Kyly.






You have heard of "out on a limb", well here is my version on this day. Hurry up and take the picture Kyly, I don't like it out here.

Kyly likes running the technical sections. Well maybe not.



Bob was a great guide. We saw four volcanos and was on the fifth. What a great day.












Kyly loves all the rocks and river crossings.

Well, maybe not again.




Where has your Hagg Lake Tee shirt been?

McKenzie River 50k

Did McKenzie River 50k last Saturday. I have never ran this race before but had ran on the lower 2/3rds many times in the past. This was the first trail that I had ever ran on as my brother invited me to run along three years ago.

This course is one of the most scenic in Oregon. It is a fast 50k also. The mens field was stacked. Ticer was fit and recovered from injury. Lewis Taylor was just having the best year. Others, Tom Adkins, Scott Jurek, Rob Coll and others were all between 2:30 and 2:50 marathoners. The womens field was strong, just not quite as deep.

My goal for the day was to start out slow and finish strong. Hit as little aid stations as possible. Be somewhat self sufficient. Mark Humphrey's and I took off just behind the leaders. We knew that we were in unchartered territory when we could still see them after a half mile or so. We backed off a bit.

Ran up around the lake for the first third. This I hadn't seen yet. Somewhat technical but still fast. Passed through the first aid station without stopping. Still had plenty of fluids in the handhelds. Continued to run with effort onto the 2nd aidstation. Ran through it knowing that I could fill up at the third one. Passed several in the second aid station along with Mark. Mark would catch up to me in a mile or two. He was cruising. I just maintained pace.

Fill up at the third aid station. Didn't have to fight the crowds. I was the only one there. I see Bob Coll catch up. I ask him if he wants to pass. He said he was fine. How is this possible? He is a 2:30 marathoner. We run together the last eight miles. I lead as I can't stand the way he runs the downs. Sorry, he was just running to cautiously slowing down. We run everything. I think I only walk about 10 steps in this whole race! Talk about a lot of "running".

Bob starts to faid on the short hills. Really, they are not bad. I finally don't hear him after the last hill. I catch up to Christain Beck walking the last hill. Another speedy dude, but having an off day. He has ran sub 4:30 here a few times. He starts to pick the pace up the last three miles. I follow suit but can't gain on the 50 foot gap he built.

Finally, I get passed the last mile by Scott Cheers. He is new to the ultra sceen. He will do well next year.

I finish in 17th out of 100+ in 4:44. 30 minutes faster than my predicted time. Kyly had me at 5:09 comparing me to others my speed. I was pretty darn surprised. I hadn't looked at my watch all day. Not even to see when to eat next. Ignorence is bliss I figure.

I ended up winning the Oregon Trail Series Masters winner. Another surprise.

John Ticer wins for the third year in a row. Missed his course record by a bit but he was still happy. Tia Gabalita celebrated her 38th birthday with a win in 4:36.

"Big" Steve Loitz celebrated his 50th birthday and 10 McKenzie.

A great day on the trail. Scenic as all get out. Ran with Kyly and Bob Lynes up Lokum Ridge at Mt. Hood the next day for a 9 1/2 hour adventure. More on that later. Now it is time to take it easy. Rio Del Lago 100 in two weeks.

Nice Long Weekend

It was nice to have a long weekend. Saturday had a good easy run with Kyly. Went a different route than we normally go. Nice to have a little change once in while. Both of us seemed to be dragging a little. That was fine, not a race you know. Even sat on a bench just to enjoy the view for 20 minutes I figure. Good that we ran easy that day because we were to run with Kyly's friend Fred the next day.

I don't know Fred all that well. Met him and his wife after States this year near Auburn. Both him his wife have done States. And Allie has done a few Ironmans too boot. Let me fill you in on who we were running with on Sunday... Fred decided to do a 100. He picked Superior. (The old course.) So, here is Fred doing his first 100 and he picks a fairly hard one. What does he do??? He goes out and wins the darn thing!!! Then the next year he finishes States in 22 and change.

Needless to say that Kyly and I were running harder than we normally do with Fred. He did have to stop and wait a few times for us slugs to catch up. That was fine. Kyly and I just got to see more detail in the surroundings because we were not flying down the trail. Fred was great. He didn't mind.

Just a great way to start a long weekend.

McKenzie River 50k this Saturday. Scott Jurek will probably win. But Lewis and Tice will be right there. This is a fast course. I have ran on it but never did the race. I am anxiously waiting to see what I can do. Kyly is to write my estimated time down and I don't get to look at it until I am done. I have guessed already. So, we will see. It is one of the most beautiful trails that I have ever ran. Wish Phil had a 50 miler like in years past. Oh, well it will be great none the less.

If you click on the title above it will provide a link to a short video of the 2005 race. Quality not all that great but you will get the idea. John Ticer (3:42) is the guy that is coming accross the bridge early and he is the winner. My brother Jeff (3rd, 3:54) can be seen early also. He is wearing the red hat and shorts with a sleeveless grey shirt. Meghan Arbogast is the womens winner (4:19) in the long sleeve grey shirt and red hat. Enjoy.