25AUG02 Headlands 50K The race starts at 7am on Rodeo Beach. We ran across the sand and funneled onto a short uphill single track trail. After a mile or so the trail follows the Miwok Trail up a long steep uphill. After topping out, the descent on the other side is just as long and steep dropping into Tennessee Valley. I passed about 5 or 6 runners on the first uphill and settled into about 20th place by the first aid station which I blew right through. (more…)
Archive for July, 2009
Chapter 7 of The Journey to My First 100 Mile Run
July 24, 2009Colorado Hardrock Report 2009
July 19, 200915JUL09 We just returned from our 11 day adventure to Colorado two days ago. Some of the highlights are as follows. Friday, the 2nd of July, Trish and I drove through Safford and into the northeastern part of Arizona and camped overnight at Spider Rock Campground on the south rim of Canyon De Chelly. Uncannily, we ran into friends from Tucson, Doug and Jen camping in the site next to us. They were on a one week odyssey themselves which included a Durango to Silverton train ride the following week while we were in town and able to meet them again. Odd how these things happen when we live near each other everyday and then discover these similarities in ideas and planning. The next morning on Saturday, Trish and I jogged along a rim trail for 40 minutes. We took several pictures of cliffs and overhangs at sunrise. Later that morning on our way out of the area we stopped and hiked the White House ruins trail into the canyon. This trail is 3 miles round trip and travels to the bottom of Canyon De Chelly next to the White House Ruins left by Anasazi Indians.
Bob Bachani at 2009 Hardrock 100
Keep reading for the rest of Chase and Trish’s Hardrock Trip and check out his photos on Picasa
Chapter 6 of My Journey to My First 100 Mile Run
July 18, 200927JUL02 White River 50 Mile I woke up at 5am at the Crystal mountain Resort about 80 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington. The sky is clear and clean, just beautiful. The race start is at 6:30am and the temperature is around 50 degrees. The only thing going through my head is “Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t run a 50 miler in over 2 years.”
My goal today is to use this race to gain some mental strength for Angeles Crest. I figure if I have a good day I might be around 8 hours but the worst case scenario would be anything under 10 hours on a difficult course. I would still have the benefit of completing the distance and time on my feet. The first six miles are basically flat with little dips on single track, densely wooded trail with abundant roots and rocks. I felt comfortable near the lead pack so I kept contact while running in a single file. Once we started climbing some serious switchbacks, the pace eased up. The climbing was relentless. The race start is at 500 feet elevation and this first part of the course tops out at 5600 feet. I worked a little to stay with the lead group at times but for the most part I was able to relax and followed my plan of using electrolytes at half hour intervals. (more…)
