tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41254411658945927882024-03-12T15:03:36.462-07:00Forever Pace"They Ran like Warrior Poets. They Ran like Scotsmen."Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-27277938948188778912016-11-13T16:53:00.000-08:002016-12-05T17:12:44.349-08:00Jbob Reinvented, An Injury Memoir<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“When life shuts a
door…open it again. It’s a door. That’s how they work.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhy7yvXzseL6Trap9utyeDHird7Mj1z1bnuq5Z99yCTS_j1xFel2r6HplGFbci1TvldCj6whN9PP1LfBZkA_LP1h1xPcGYPsGLs3xXQJe0yfwoDXzv2weikGD3lM2eBQOiYE_OTqitO0/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhy7yvXzseL6Trap9utyeDHird7Mj1z1bnuq5Z99yCTS_j1xFel2r6HplGFbci1TvldCj6whN9PP1LfBZkA_LP1h1xPcGYPsGLs3xXQJe0yfwoDXzv2weikGD3lM2eBQOiYE_OTqitO0/s400/IMG_4332.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Running injured at the Deception Pass 50k. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE FULFILLMENT OF RUNNING<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello people. My name is Jbob, and I’m a recovering injured runner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A year ago, a friend asked me what running is to me. This was my response:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<i>These days, I care a lot less about trying to prove myself. I’ve accomplished a lot, and I’m still eager to discover my full potential, but running has become more of a basic source of fulfillment for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running provides so many positive things for me, but the simplest way to put it is this: to see a hill, valley, or mountain may be beautiful, but the only way I can truly feel fulfilled is to become a part of the scenery and run through the landscape. It’s how I bond with nature and truly appreciate the world we live in. I often blow kisses when I run or touch the trees/plants as I run by them. Additionally, running has given me an identity, confidence, and self-esteem. I do battle depression at times, as we all do to some extent, and running keeps my emotions balanced, my mind clear, and my heart strong.</i>” - Jbob<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each person has a different story or path in life, and the running community is full of people of all backgrounds that are united by a common passion. At times, it feels like a family the way this community supports one another (to no end) to be their best selves.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When many of us are unable to run, even with the support of our closest friends and allies, we sometimes become the worst versions of ourselves. When the activity that gives us the most life gets taken away, it’s our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">attitude </b>that ultimately determines whether we go down the path of progression or resentment.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN87UOx5u7iw3HG_fE3XTaV3WJEAaEkJEw-ptObaE-lwXkhknap9WaSoRf1vkQ2Fdv3wfuQ9wLpRBKpATKfjJz6Lb7BenFIkcruWdJol2rzatijZQctuvFmiCKj_Rn8G8p1nIfbcPleV4/s1600/CWDch4YUsAAhM46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN87UOx5u7iw3HG_fE3XTaV3WJEAaEkJEw-ptObaE-lwXkhknap9WaSoRf1vkQ2Fdv3wfuQ9wLpRBKpATKfjJz6Lb7BenFIkcruWdJol2rzatijZQctuvFmiCKj_Rn8G8p1nIfbcPleV4/s400/CWDch4YUsAAhM46.jpg" width="385" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deception Pass 50k. Photo by Kerri Anne Stebbins.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE INJURY</b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Help! Help! I'm being repressed!</i>" - Monty Python and the Holy Grail</span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGLVw8TfRj9DxxjZ9TUfu9oglRKI-XKTY3yfrxyMOmhfnGYcRFf1lBfmhSLoz_TkmoSuRys6hIAjA4T-9AW3NKEibEObAhKx8QLorm8X8tw-HVD2KqoF7BdHOtTumTtjH_v7Mp0c22Rg/s200/IMG_3350.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="196" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day #1 of injury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGLVw8TfRj9DxxjZ9TUfu9oglRKI-XKTY3yfrxyMOmhfnGYcRFf1lBfmhSLoz_TkmoSuRys6hIAjA4T-9AW3NKEibEObAhKx8QLorm8X8tw-HVD2KqoF7BdHOtTumTtjH_v7Mp0c22Rg/s1600/IMG_3350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since July 2015, I’ve woken up every morning with a
discomfort in my right foot that has only gotten more sensitive with time. On
my 1 year injur-versary, my foot was the most sensitive it had ever been. This
wasn’t exactly encouraging, and often times was quite depressing. Eventually,
my running was whittled down to nothing, and still the injury did not improve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cause of the injury has been a perfect storm of neglect,
and my poor peroneus longus tendon has felt the brunt of it all. The tendon has become
more and more sensitive with use, and the pain predominantly resides where the
tendon wraps around the cuboid and travels across the arch and connects to the
1<sup>st</sup> metatarsal. The foot generally is super tight in several areas
that prevent the tendon (and foot) from functioning smoothly. That, and my lack of
mobility in the foot/hip likely adds undue stress to the tendon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through my frustrations, I’ve had several epiphanies that
have helped me turn my injury into one of the best things that’s ever happened
to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFHV5q21X4QdGowxNjOrcq6jP-UmCTpnbzC0oqMUIVbHaS2Z4hDlagbE8w3qCVUejr7sfyv30Wdbi3iNut0eWrLT0upMZ-FXI7RFGcNq3b9dq75bScamkIiQYkjW6_TR6tB8EwMBUIKs/s1600/ankle_peroneal_tendinitis_anat06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFHV5q21X4QdGowxNjOrcq6jP-UmCTpnbzC0oqMUIVbHaS2Z4hDlagbE8w3qCVUejr7sfyv30Wdbi3iNut0eWrLT0upMZ-FXI7RFGcNq3b9dq75bScamkIiQYkjW6_TR6tB8EwMBUIKs/s320/ankle_peroneal_tendinitis_anat06.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />LESSONS LEARNED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<i>Learning is a gift, even when pain is your teacher.</i>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only regrets I have in life are the times that I knowingly or unknowingly hurt someone else. I have absolutely no regrets for the times that I’ve hurt myself, or when others have hurt me, because these instances have provided me lessons that which have made me stronger as an individual. And for that, I have no regrets about running myself into the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbcxFuOB1k0NXOwelolPep12ayQXfOo0naOYUAid_nKxWlMf3sH2TVhzhn1sgrg6vaaSQdj5DsMeZ1c755mLL1v0KaKuGAJmhFgDYzR3nnGIFtUzZS5iWmZkgRTpUqRkbnwibUXtZsic/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbcxFuOB1k0NXOwelolPep12ayQXfOo0naOYUAid_nKxWlMf3sH2TVhzhn1sgrg6vaaSQdj5DsMeZ1c755mLL1v0KaKuGAJmhFgDYzR3nnGIFtUzZS5iWmZkgRTpUqRkbnwibUXtZsic/s320/IMG_5843.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it's necessary to take a step</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">backwards before taking 2 steps</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">forward. Photo by Long Run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Picture Company.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not like I’m welcoming this injury with open arms, but chances are it’ll turn me into the greatest runner I’ve ever been. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While searching for a remedy, I’ve seen at least 4 different Physical Therapists, two Acupuncturists, 1 Foot Surgeon (for MRI interpretation), 1 masseuse, 1 Voodoo Witch Doctor…and they’ve all found SOMETHING DIFFERENT about me that needed work/improvement, especially when considering the longevity of my running career. Feet were tight, hips were lying, mobility was laughable, the right ass was locked up, etc. I was a hot mess, and the foot was feeling the brunt of a terrible running philosophy that neglected self-maintenance. What a damn fool I was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a daily basis, I’ve done a number of things to help improve my situation, such as doing self-massage, physical therapy exercises, strength training, planks, pushups, pull-ups, low impact cardio (stairs, rowing, mountain biking, alpine touring, bouldering), Jbob vinyasas in the mornings while emphasizing some <a href="http://www.jasyoga.com/#hitreset">Jasyoga</a> poses, periodic foam rolling, and probably some other forms of magic. The point is, this injury has forced me into a regiment that I SHOULD HAVE adopted during my first 5 years of ultrarunning. Some lessons are learned by watching other people commit mistakes, but this time it was my turn on the injury wagon. My hope for you is to understand my situation and learn from my mistakes, but chances are you’ll be on that injury wagon someday, too. Such is life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXjdECJmmv-XB50Rnv_efs9iZcOo9h7ZH_Vts3puWZXqqehSwGRgsa_0CZWKV6v3_07dWCU2O-kp28ve05_vIX4dhtpMiFBiKc8i8X6Vf3Rjs0-TuCi83IbIDK7yuH_-VuXe4mn2uOTY/s1600/IMG_4783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXjdECJmmv-XB50Rnv_efs9iZcOo9h7ZH_Vts3puWZXqqehSwGRgsa_0CZWKV6v3_07dWCU2O-kp28ve05_vIX4dhtpMiFBiKc8i8X6Vf3Rjs0-TuCi83IbIDK7yuH_-VuXe4mn2uOTY/s400/IMG_4783.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stair Climb to raise money for the American Lung Association.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DESPAIR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We don’t want bad times, of course. But bad times are out of our control as much as good times. The times we don’t want will come (and go) no matter what we do to control the situation. The good times will do the same. Thus, beyond just simply living in each moment, we should realize that such control is impossible, a pipe dream.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">– Steve Hagen, Buddhism Plain & Simple</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So little is actually within our control, and our physical abilities that we often take for granted can be restricted or made <a href="http://running.competitor.com/2016/10/news/trail-runner-dave-mackey-decides-to-amputate-injured-left-leg_157809">impossible</a> at any moment. As runners, we run until we break. That’s what we do, and it’s a never-ending cycle that even the smartest of runners can’t avoid entirely. In short, every runner experiences lows, but without the lows there would be no highs. Always remember that.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had some very low moments with this injury, especially because I never fully understood what was causing the pain. Staying hopeful, proactive, and listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzGPFpnnsXI">Taylor Swift</a> was what allowed me to cope and work to heal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh1ZILszxAFhi-U-gHVc65BWHm_z5JtNXOmqMnvomC-m5TmOrzW-ksQykxWaE8W0K3SdUjonHsm02HlIEcfIZxdqch7_qOsvi6Jq1nA3BY9-7YsgNKLViTMMUHeIMdlb7vtOxMy7oUhg/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh1ZILszxAFhi-U-gHVc65BWHm_z5JtNXOmqMnvomC-m5TmOrzW-ksQykxWaE8W0K3SdUjonHsm02HlIEcfIZxdqch7_qOsvi6Jq1nA3BY9-7YsgNKLViTMMUHeIMdlb7vtOxMy7oUhg/s320/IMG_3915.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IDENTITY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t ask what the
world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the
world needs is people who have come alive.</i>” – Howard Thurman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Running has been so much a part of my life the last 6 years,
it almost feels like it’s become my identity. And by not being able to run, I
feel like I’ve lost my sense of self… And then I realized that’s complete
bullshit. The runner didn’t create the Jason, it’s Jason that created the
runner! So by subtracting the running from the life of Jason, what’s left? A
determined mother hugger who’s going to figure out how to run forever. Our
passions don’t define who we are, they simply expose who we are and bring us to
life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq7hFvb1gAJ1VWZkN0rMRTTwMH6sLwxnxaU2BK2o4-XeDDmtsfMqjcndryIEr3pjwJO09Al6KkaRdJIpuD8IuQEC-igibf3vsr0t5kSacLEAEOh5zcUCXPmtUPRErj8hcjGIiVKr7RY8/s400/13138737_10100474974838693_3210982310921659508_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood Summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq7hFvb1gAJ1VWZkN0rMRTTwMH6sLwxnxaU2BK2o4-XeDDmtsfMqjcndryIEr3pjwJO09Al6KkaRdJIpuD8IuQEC-igibf3vsr0t5kSacLEAEOh5zcUCXPmtUPRErj8hcjGIiVKr7RY8/s1600/13138737_10100474974838693_3210982310921659508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THE CURE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<i>I try to laugh about it, hiding the tears in my eyes, because boys don't cry.</i>" - The Cure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What’s currently helping my foot is deep tissue massage of the area behind the first metatarsal, combined with some ultrasound, e-stem, progressive tendon loading exercises, and stretches to improve foot mobility. For the first time in over a year, my foot has been progressing a positive direction, and I’m finally able to run without aggravating my tendon. I’ve been dreaming of this feeling for a long time, to run freely without discomfort, and it makes me feel like a puppy frölicking through a meadow of sunflowers. I still have a ways to go, but after a 15 mile trail run in the Columbia River Gorge, I'm happy to report no limping the next day. Fingers crossed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had enough successful runs to really start planning my 2017 running adventures, and I can't wait to rebuild myself into a stronger & faster Jbob.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BFyb4G6sbhGNUJHwFccT32D03XxA83O7Bcdfz830fC2ou9llsne9JLHmQYdrYngZ3g4h9Xo_Fb1_uBVjW6UlAFeuAvZpRfGRFHbNFoCGa4bShhE5Xo_Hj7_5r1BVzVPCIe16wKwVooo/s1600/1902965_596877813736533_976312888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BFyb4G6sbhGNUJHwFccT32D03XxA83O7Bcdfz830fC2ou9llsne9JLHmQYdrYngZ3g4h9Xo_Fb1_uBVjW6UlAFeuAvZpRfGRFHbNFoCGa4bShhE5Xo_Hj7_5r1BVzVPCIe16wKwVooo/s320/1902965_596877813736533_976312888_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EGO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<i>Comparison is the thief of joy.</i>” – Theodore Roosevelt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah, the ego. I’ve never felt like my ego has been something
that I’ve needed to defend, but it’s something that I’ve always personally
challenged. My goal has never been to win a race, but instead to focus on being my fastest self. If someone runs a faster race than me, kudos to them. That said, I’ve lost a great deal of fitness over the last year, and many of
my personal goals rely on me being in the greatest shape of my life. Ergo,
to keep my ego from crying me a river, I’ve had to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu3VTngm1F0">sincerely believe</a> that I’ll come back stronger than I was before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNmqGXgJC_H1tJwsratp_MToSeE7IaFzFC2Zixb7KYy1aLv8zDdpkcDi61xnKtA69Mzewo6u5oyhUQEEiaIcuaTYDAJ3oQCKK88_Rgef0bQvANKt4E3TYF0u6TsOkCo1ZbL_G8Dsg_x0/s400/11659401_10100341139351083_4986688975657192776_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matterhorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNmqGXgJC_H1tJwsratp_MToSeE7IaFzFC2Zixb7KYy1aLv8zDdpkcDi61xnKtA69Mzewo6u5oyhUQEEiaIcuaTYDAJ3oQCKK88_Rgef0bQvANKt4E3TYF0u6TsOkCo1ZbL_G8Dsg_x0/s1600/11659401_10100341139351083_4986688975657192776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CROSS TRAINING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm9ArNP9UlD4OyjipKpzJIWbyqpOj5CMUv7sjnROylaHX5EdwgCwOeJBZkTeZxt_efukWofxF15FR5LR8An6Vccc0iZQXXUq7KbWGcbFJgitmufuMpdJn40pIxt8X9MgmsaCcs3Q092w/s200/IMG_4459.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Skating with my niece<br />
and my pops!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm9ArNP9UlD4OyjipKpzJIWbyqpOj5CMUv7sjnROylaHX5EdwgCwOeJBZkTeZxt_efukWofxF15FR5LR8An6Vccc0iZQXXUq7KbWGcbFJgitmufuMpdJn40pIxt8X9MgmsaCcs3Q092w/s1600/IMG_4459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When one door closes, another door opens…even though I’m still trying REALLY hard to re-open that first door! But seriously, without the running door closing, I would not have so full heartedly explored other realms of exercise. Such activities include alpine touring (skiing), mountain biking, bouldering, ice skating, rowing (stationary), and running stairs in my office building. While none of these come close to replacing the joy I get from running, they satisfy my need for exercise, expand upon my skillset, KEEP ME SANE, and give me great alternatives for which to take someone on an adventurous date…minus the rowing and running stairs (unless that’s what she’s into).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I've learned, there are other things in life aside from running that can bring out the “JASON!” inside, and this injury helped me discover things that at the very least make my tail wag.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn2jmdJ63LrcOmgICA-OgDs9HscTw-NANXcp2eI24Wa6gMbNMLIKaFQjlbaR0Fru5pEnnX6Kk6NwFlKyy8ixtEKfeiuz57xAOJ0Fgt0ITfDjVUOPolA8pGUFniuMygScv5mXMcVnwsU0/s320/14237650_10100534053694193_3438493452139640788_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamarack, Idaho</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn2jmdJ63LrcOmgICA-OgDs9HscTw-NANXcp2eI24Wa6gMbNMLIKaFQjlbaR0Fru5pEnnX6Kk6NwFlKyy8ixtEKfeiuz57xAOJ0Fgt0ITfDjVUOPolA8pGUFniuMygScv5mXMcVnwsU0/s1600/14237650_10100534053694193_3438493452139640788_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IN CONCLUSION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s been a battle to stay positive and motivated through a
frustrating injury, but I’ve made the most of my time away from running. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will I get injured again? Yes. But it’s worth it to me to continue to find and push my limits. "Success" isn’t a linear path,
and obstacles always get in the way, but that’s life. A life without challenges
will prevent you from discovering your true potential. And we're capable of so much more than we know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">May your injuries, current or future, bring out the best in you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much Love,</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jbob</span></span></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-13253180660706212752015-12-28T22:26:00.001-08:002016-02-15T22:13:28.693-08:00Circumnavigating Mont Blanc and Frölicking in the Swiss Alps<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKgmbzwO9MDRQbeYmP0EtLkO6gKD7jprA_hGrnxscTdmSXjbYt3HFpK8Bdz2RnOobXkMglfUFx2fyFm1FZ4q7A3WU0_O-0qobMfc7WeUx5NK_4GT49idLYnEEzE37lPi7DnzSngZQBRk/s1600/IMG_2557.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a>I'd go back to Chamonix in a heartbeat. Or a New York Minute. Or a Millisecond. Or like right now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr0Jo52dN_rBcDqdSbaffz4VPd0uaF6Fmtt8maaGAixR7TylMj1uJR7nr62dzIQISylbyV4CK9hpUCpKL_IjOc6ollV-qKW5KHfUAP65EjbGGWtdt3tnyyJl_oRZm1j6MZWkUbgQeCLc/s1600/IMG_3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr0Jo52dN_rBcDqdSbaffz4VPd0uaF6Fmtt8maaGAixR7TylMj1uJR7nr62dzIQISylbyV4CK9hpUCpKL_IjOc6ollV-qKW5KHfUAP65EjbGGWtdt3tnyyJl_oRZm1j6MZWkUbgQeCLc/s400/IMG_3137.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvey Lewis and Nick LaBoffe, Mont Blanc in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This blog is broken up into the following chapters:<br />
<br />
<b>INTRODUCTION</b><br />
<br />
<b>TRAIL DU MONT BLANC</b><br />
<ul>
<li>CHAPTER 1: Logistics, Cost, and Advice</li>
<li>CHAPTER 2: Gear</li>
<li>CHAPTER 3: Dicking around in Chamonix</li>
<li>CHAPTER 4: Day 1 - Chamonix to Hotel du Prarion (France)</li>
<li>CHAPTER 5: Day 2 - Hotel du Prarion to the Croix du Bonhomme (France)</li>
<li>CHAPTER 6: Day 3 - Croix du Bonhomme to Rifugio Bonnati (Italy)</li>
<li>CHAPTER 7: Day 4 - Rifugio Bonnati to Auberge des Glaciers (Switzerland)</li>
<li>CHAPTER 8: Day 5 - Auberge des Glaciers to Hotel de la Forclaz (Switzerland)</li>
<li>CHAPTER 9: Day 6 - Hotel de la Forclaz to Chamonix, France</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>SWITZERLAND</b><br />
<ul>
<li>CHAPTER 10: Switzerland is f*cking expensive</li>
<li>CHAPTER 11: Zermatt</li>
<li>CHAPTER 12: Interlaken</li>
<li>CHAPTER 13: Grindelwald</li>
<li>CHAPTER 14: Geneva Airport</li>
<li>CHAPTER 15: What Next?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">INTRODUCTION</span></b><br />
<br />
FINALLY I've sat down to blog about my trip to Europe. As I write this, I immediately want to go back to Chamonix. That place is a freakin' playground. But if I go back, I'd like to be more proficient as a mountaineer and backcountry skier. Give me a few years, and let's plan a trip, you and me, winter or summer, doesn't matter.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I tried to make this blog an easy read with lots of pictures (people have short attention spans these days, and things with too many words are way to hard to blah blah blah). But more importantly, I broke down some of the logistics so that you, yes YOU, can begin to plan your own circumnavigation of Mont Blanc. It's less daunting than you realize. <i>All pricing and distances listed in this blog are in Euros and Kilometers.</i><br />
<br />
Some would say that planning a casual multi-day trip around Mont Blanc is better than doing the 100 mile UTMB race. Since I've never done the race, I can't compare the two. However, I will say that we took many naps on random grassy patches. It was Lovely. You probably can't do that during the 100 mile race, or if you do, than you must really be feeling like shit to have to take a nap during the race.<br />
<br />
I made GoBro videos of my adventures, and you may find them here:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://vimeo.com/134376774">Jbob's Mont Blanc Circumnavigation Video</a></li>
<li><a href="https://vimeo.com/135644522">Jbob's Switzerland Video</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, here's a link to all my photos: <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/hE6Pze6HQJMhrxsK6" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/photos/<wbr></wbr>hE6Pze6HQJMhrxsK6</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TRAIL DU MONT BLANC</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b><u>CHAPTER 1: Logistics, Cost, and Advice</u></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Roundtrip plane tickets from Portland, OR: $1,700</b></li>
<ul>
<li>We booked our flights 3 weeks prior to the trip</li>
<li>There's a direct flight from Portland to Amsterdam via Delta Airlines. From there, I flew to Geneva, Switzerland and was transported to Chamonix in a van.</li>
<li>When we arrived in the Geneva airport, my checked bag was lost and took ~12 hours to reach our hotel in Chamonix. When you travel to Europe, keep your essentials in your carry-on, especially when your vacation depends on things that you bring (running shoes, day pack, water bottles, go-pro, etc).</li>
<li>Make sure you have at least 2 hours of layover in Amsterdam. I had maybe an hour, and I barely had enough time to take a shit after getting through Dutch customs.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Hotel room in Chamonix: $150 to $200 per night</b></li>
<ul>
<li>We booked out hotel room within a week of our arrival. I'd recommend booking farther in advance.</li>
<li>We stayed at the Hotel Gustavia. Great accommodations and great location. There's a very happening bar across the street that can get very loud, make sure you have a room on the opposite side of the opposite side of the building (west side). </li>
<li>Most accommodations were booked up, probably due to the SkyRunning Championship happening later in the week. We got some of the last rooms available.</li>
<li>We left our big duffel bags with the hotel in their ski locker while we only took day packs to run around Mont Blanc.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Refugio pricing when circumnavigating Mont Blanc: ~$70 per night</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Price includes a four course dinner, simple breakfast, bunk bed, shower (not towel), sheets (bring your own bed bivvy if you prefer to be sanitary).</li>
<li>The refugios don't allow you to wear your outdoor shoes/boots inside, but most of them have slippers/crocks you can borrow. Otherwise, you could just bring a clean pair of socks to wear around.</li>
<li>Each morning we would call ahead to the next refugio to reserve a bunk bed and food for that evening. Only once was a refugio full, but the next available refugio was only a few kilometers away.</li>
<li>There are approximately 50 places for accommodations along the Trail du Mont Blanc, including refugios, hotels, etc. (<a href="http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/es/index.cfm/refugios-tmb.html">click here</a>)</li>
<li>Some refugios have many outlets, some may only have 1.</li>
<li>Some refugios have wifi, others don't.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Coca-Cola: $3 to $5</b></li>
<ul>
<li>It's worth it on a hot day.</li>
<li>Cost of food depends on how remote the refugio is. Some refugios have supplies delivered via helicopter, which means expensive cola.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Other Advice</b></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">The earliest that most of the refugios open is late June. For some of the refugios, we were their first customers of the year. Inquire locally (Tourist Center?) about which refugios are open with an updated list of phone numbers.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I found this guidebook helpful, and if you plan to do the circumnavigation without a guide, I HIGHLY recommend having this with you: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1852847794/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1852846720&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JPBYMW8F34ZEDCQMRVJ">Get this guide book</a></span></li>
<li>Tipping in restaurants isn't a thing in many parts of Europe, apparently. Be prepared to needlessly feel like a cheapskate.</li>
<li>If you pack hand soap, make sure it has a twist-on lid instead of just a pop-off lid. A good portion of my clothing got soap-soaked while circumnavigating Mont Blanc, and I smelled like lavender for the rest of my trip.</li>
<li>Pick a good smelling soap to take with you to Europe, because there's a chance that it could soak all your belongings and make you smell like soap for days.</li>
<li>The counter-clockwise is the preferred direction around Mont Blanc</li>
<li>European IPAs are not great (compared to Oregon IPAs). Stick to the Lägers and Pilsners.</li>
<li>I took my iphone and had it in airplane mode for the entire trip. I bounced from wifi to wifi to stay in touch with Nick and Harvey via Facebook messenger.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 2: Gear</span></u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQOWFoqtm5EQg-vmWs9ujC2cW1ms5RjgGkIR52uqIF9-YowyaICE-ExcUiTXUHsJdmij1xe8wzx_TI4m-118p_5IS2zFRmRCYgHtmWxdyjpRDOKolyiZFb_gjpFVRN9_xZIDRnJnFAyM/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQOWFoqtm5EQg-vmWs9ujC2cW1ms5RjgGkIR52uqIF9-YowyaICE-ExcUiTXUHsJdmij1xe8wzx_TI4m-118p_5IS2zFRmRCYgHtmWxdyjpRDOKolyiZFb_gjpFVRN9_xZIDRnJnFAyM/s400/IMG_2366.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitting most of this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gRh14N5ZR36AZ14-X_oyS0My2mOjJpfVqHItvrcRi1NHnTZwjsBdlbiQONnA8z1RWqwZj7aC5DJLeK7pXsAM6WHxgvSwPCwkVcOWNOhob1_VfEajpqEViFgPU3o7kdi8PUa965DZx88/s1600/IMG_2367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gRh14N5ZR36AZ14-X_oyS0My2mOjJpfVqHItvrcRi1NHnTZwjsBdlbiQONnA8z1RWqwZj7aC5DJLeK7pXsAM6WHxgvSwPCwkVcOWNOhob1_VfEajpqEViFgPU3o7kdi8PUa965DZx88/s400/IMG_2367.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...into this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Essentially, I only had 1 pair of clothes to run in, and one pair of clothes to wear in the refugios. I washed my running clothes nightly in the bathroom sink and let then hang dry overnight. Everything else I stuffed into a 12 Liter Salomon running pack. It's a stretchy pack, so it made packing very easy.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>H<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ere's a list of the things I packed/wore for a 6 day circumnavigation of Mont Blanc</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 trail map (MOST IMPORTANT! Saved our ass a few times)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 16.3091px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 technical shirts (one for running, one for the refugios)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 pair waterproof pants</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 shorts (one for running, one for the refugios)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 lightweight waterproof jacket</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.3091px;">2 super lightweight jackets (houdini and ghost whisperer)</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 pairs of gloves</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 pairs of socks (drymax)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 running hat</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 lightweight beanie</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 buff (I'm not talking about my muscles here. But if we are, then I guess I brought 2 buffs)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 26oz water bottle</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 17 oz water flasks</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 water filter</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 12 Liter Salomon pack</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 passport</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 outlet plug converter for charging my iPhone, Suunto watch, and GoBro batteries</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 sawed-off broom stick (selfie stick)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 GoBro (<i>and I can be your hero, baby!</i>)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;">6 GoBro batteries, plus a battery charger</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 pair of Saucony Peregrine Shoes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 SPOT emergency beacon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 tiny knife</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 trash bags (Everything was in some kind of plastic bag to protect against sweat and potential weather)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 bar of soap (for washing clothes, body, etc).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 toothbrush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 tiny toothpaste</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 chapstick</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.3091px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 3: Dicking around in Chamonix</u></b></span></div>
<div>
<br />
Nick and I arrived a day before Harvey did, and we enjoyed some sites, some food, and frequent naps. We took the gondola up to the Aguille du Midi, which takes you from Chamonix ( ~3,200') to the Aguille du Midi (~12,600' elevation). Ears were popped. Hundreds of mountaineers who planned to summit Mont Blanc took the same gondola, and so Nick and I were pretty much the only ones that didn't have pick axes. There are some cool views of the mountain range from the restaurant and observation area, and it's definitely worth doing if you're in Chamonix. Careful if you use the bathroom, it's a lot harder at 12,600' and you might get light headed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Harvey arrived, we ate a nice big pizza in downtown Chamonix then <i>immediately</i> hiked up the Vertical Kilometer (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/329473994">strava</a>). We found goats! They were horny, but not as horny as expected.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMFLnXtYj-F0qpEz_4O6kn1rsRChCI0p8U2Ns99XhE47eyCqP19iSCpP4czOgzxQNiTidQbLbTUc_7vwUmWbQdeRaE_MO7a_iNNQjqX3cYnfaFnXxCKMDG4vuPLl5gtWOSVf6p7DqlMY/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMFLnXtYj-F0qpEz_4O6kn1rsRChCI0p8U2Ns99XhE47eyCqP19iSCpP4czOgzxQNiTidQbLbTUc_7vwUmWbQdeRaE_MO7a_iNNQjqX3cYnfaFnXxCKMDG4vuPLl5gtWOSVf6p7DqlMY/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick, enjoying his beer in front of Mont Blanc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaiMpqol2SYocJv89CRpI4BLe6IoB-1miaq-K_GRxhirSjYouW6JD4UZHeWckNwA6DCLAdkShae6ex52LGf9jqVwo-ACl_3zJWUADTUilKJW4C1e2ceF60y-fXNqv9LJHxFMtj0u-f94/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaiMpqol2SYocJv89CRpI4BLe6IoB-1miaq-K_GRxhirSjYouW6JD4UZHeWckNwA6DCLAdkShae6ex52LGf9jqVwo-ACl_3zJWUADTUilKJW4C1e2ceF60y-fXNqv9LJHxFMtj0u-f94/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Aguille du Midi. Mountain climbers walking down the ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhzKP6Qb58pB6wmeh4n1Yq4s_YmlGmDM4tQCfxo-tKKZszT0HF-oeb3vfzduq_65YrTKdnnQ4eWCzfG04_ehEpWd12LPUTQ4U9QaF-DHIoGJZYJ3_vDsY72HZylLzIIgzH9bO_iquy0o/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhzKP6Qb58pB6wmeh4n1Yq4s_YmlGmDM4tQCfxo-tKKZszT0HF-oeb3vfzduq_65YrTKdnnQ4eWCzfG04_ehEpWd12LPUTQ4U9QaF-DHIoGJZYJ3_vDsY72HZylLzIIgzH9bO_iquy0o/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Aguille du Midi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CqpNi23mdm1B4hm9Vcx8-BJY2wJHCKMPJRgTEq04j854aFcW3-xr4wKkkdkypqsU8e1kc1XE45DpH08UdtVVfq17ZY37tpsTO6KaWB8QR75fTOd6_QShMSasAvI834RkHnidCYK4jaA/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CqpNi23mdm1B4hm9Vcx8-BJY2wJHCKMPJRgTEq04j854aFcW3-xr4wKkkdkypqsU8e1kc1XE45DpH08UdtVVfq17ZY37tpsTO6KaWB8QR75fTOd6_QShMSasAvI834RkHnidCYK4jaA/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mont Blanc, taken from the Aguille du Midi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QWQGZ77XWuQKgHxWq5O_itNmCGikv0Sj99Mhg9Ai_WEj6gzv9DpXDPNhVsqMklQJuD7tp8JyMyyZ6TBDyjufUXlYThypCZTf5Yj-Ip2zpF2fPMUJk5-3bp3zGPurJqxWvdmiOxpEEGY/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QWQGZ77XWuQKgHxWq5O_itNmCGikv0Sj99Mhg9Ai_WEj6gzv9DpXDPNhVsqMklQJuD7tp8JyMyyZ6TBDyjufUXlYThypCZTf5Yj-Ip2zpF2fPMUJk5-3bp3zGPurJqxWvdmiOxpEEGY/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chamonix Valley from the Aguille du Midi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6I2Ff8bG6nGZQbt_7fQ_CXcsV_MI6VstP-LAAD_ut-PCamFxb_VuvLDAWh_C73QzyjHYkesNG8kWjgxf-6N5GSRGk2WtnKiLC2CkHW-7GZWA74-mknhDj6FgXst0Ro08UvVLZR3J0XQ/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6I2Ff8bG6nGZQbt_7fQ_CXcsV_MI6VstP-LAAD_ut-PCamFxb_VuvLDAWh_C73QzyjHYkesNG8kWjgxf-6N5GSRGk2WtnKiLC2CkHW-7GZWA74-mknhDj6FgXst0Ro08UvVLZR3J0XQ/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Butter made it through customs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJag4AXM4kFRhBhkg_KnNVd6eo1J_ctREkVJa3HZtXkNxgqpkCXm04wZuDhm05uykOiwszKaE-IO55067Td-wBtCdcTjCpn2_xXobv3puFvFJ43DJ6Nzqz4D5Mk3dSCSG1LAF1XT0m3o/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJag4AXM4kFRhBhkg_KnNVd6eo1J_ctREkVJa3HZtXkNxgqpkCXm04wZuDhm05uykOiwszKaE-IO55067Td-wBtCdcTjCpn2_xXobv3puFvFJ43DJ6Nzqz4D5Mk3dSCSG1LAF1XT0m3o/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vertical Kilometer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIUwIQ3-JDsPxyCWkm79g22n7P-ZCchOlDyCzCeI6omKmdH-isLIbdH8TwfibKEho8LyCucYC8F0K9DH2814Uk6wgSoDFYzruzshyphenhyphenDJZrysBWPQ4Fe_5TnHh-kgxEkjimuZHipEzxdow/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIUwIQ3-JDsPxyCWkm79g22n7P-ZCchOlDyCzCeI6omKmdH-isLIbdH8TwfibKEho8LyCucYC8F0K9DH2814Uk6wgSoDFYzruzshyphenhyphenDJZrysBWPQ4Fe_5TnHh-kgxEkjimuZHipEzxdow/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running off that pizza dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 4: Day 1 - Chamonix to Hotel du Prarion (France)</span></u></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>23k - 2,063 meters ascent (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/330287550">strava</a>) </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A Swedish girl named Caroline helped prepare breakfast for us in our hotel. For the remainer of the circumnavigation, we sang the song "Swedish Caroline". Alas, she had a boyfriend. Probably named Hansel, or something.<br />
<br />
As we left Chamonix, we headed towards the ridge to the north. Harvey had circumnavigated Mont Blanc the previous summer, so he was pretty much our our guide. We probably found the least traveled trail on the whole valley, but we took it because it went exactly where we wanted to go...up. Eventually we ended up at the Refuge de Bellachat (pretty kitty) where we met the Trail du Mont Blanc (from now on, I'll refer to it as the TMB). From there, we took the trail through Les Houches to eventually reach the Hotel du Prarion.<br />
<br />
As we passed each hiker, we would greet each other with a friendly "Bonjour". If we passed a group of 5 people or more, I would get that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMGfkOaJ6zw&list=PL45Jar6Adr0qJSdIlu3cbqP4CViXqvccN">Beauty and the Beast </a> song stuck in my head every time.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi742O6xpWSuh99qvbbPy0c-fJPcunMQtoY_Bo2f6iP4nyOqUepyfiUucOm9rYz2hSJkVpSGNSc_hujQjV1Ho5pVISOGL-fL18daAGFZiKgxneahlQoxItVvWhOK_siQyf-U8kpIpBUOlk/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi742O6xpWSuh99qvbbPy0c-fJPcunMQtoY_Bo2f6iP4nyOqUepyfiUucOm9rYz2hSJkVpSGNSc_hujQjV1Ho5pVISOGL-fL18daAGFZiKgxneahlQoxItVvWhOK_siQyf-U8kpIpBUOlk/s640/IMG_3051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up to meet the TMB.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxFeCa9aeDUc5et08JLGdCc7c85Cb6-nYaqM2cULDmMc37qvfIT_aentN2-IHnxqi7iExzVjoJoLFpu8p32kz7ImW7nMQrSAeEW1uPYPKlwQ26j6nXYIXex4qrB7M1TFqyOC0jxzD-Lk/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxFeCa9aeDUc5et08JLGdCc7c85Cb6-nYaqM2cULDmMc37qvfIT_aentN2-IHnxqi7iExzVjoJoLFpu8p32kz7ImW7nMQrSAeEW1uPYPKlwQ26j6nXYIXex4qrB7M1TFqyOC0jxzD-Lk/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Kitty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqd887pUpuTs1SBNrTFoWbWNyOttfWQHrkdrmw3UQI9VP1Y4WIl1ca2Hgsa4VqRspUJfXNUL-x5EMTZvBfx_-0WDBj2p13VtLQtfuhYIIWYz9nFfKx6Zj9maUtsWh0b4Vm9JR3cY_zSk/s1600/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+21+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqd887pUpuTs1SBNrTFoWbWNyOttfWQHrkdrmw3UQI9VP1Y4WIl1ca2Hgsa4VqRspUJfXNUL-x5EMTZvBfx_-0WDBj2p13VtLQtfuhYIIWYz9nFfKx6Zj9maUtsWh0b4Vm9JR3cY_zSk/s640/European+Alps+Photo+Dump+-+21+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coke break at the pretty kitty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P7IfP2ci9faIqGaT7aOG7t60CQlMGaTjK-BacCyDVdUcf8-LjLfqUwNzs1s_MRC5WYjRhjl8gcJRsLBQnUZRRUbFQLnQz2CZklLqpWSKvqQCBtQSEI39qyWH8dBErBnazz8nRARIG6A/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P7IfP2ci9faIqGaT7aOG7t60CQlMGaTjK-BacCyDVdUcf8-LjLfqUwNzs1s_MRC5WYjRhjl8gcJRsLBQnUZRRUbFQLnQz2CZklLqpWSKvqQCBtQSEI39qyWH8dBErBnazz8nRARIG6A/s640/IMG_3052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inquiring locally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBrJL6p7EG136oeaEGr3vJ-1bIdSegQGX2YpXhXIbw4gXn-rHtv-Rc-arqe2_56nPc0jA2JkOFzma2ATtwgFPOLLaGdCeog39fkF3lr1a0CQBUZaL_vZ_Z_195XUt0NFohX7Elmj8HGY/s1600/IMG_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBrJL6p7EG136oeaEGr3vJ-1bIdSegQGX2YpXhXIbw4gXn-rHtv-Rc-arqe2_56nPc0jA2JkOFzma2ATtwgFPOLLaGdCeog39fkF3lr1a0CQBUZaL_vZ_Z_195XUt0NFohX7Elmj8HGY/s640/IMG_2513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four course dinner with Mont Blanc in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCBaMEbIn3ixWf9Vjl9Sowm-kFpkGWG2G1KtGAu1KhQSV3Ilh3NQ-L5Z9Y-sKrEEjjbYtPHJ7tCUSO-KehhZoRm6RinEenvODNHZBckOSXoK1Yyvi30IXwPDP2qxJvixDcYvMOfSExwM/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCBaMEbIn3ixWf9Vjl9Sowm-kFpkGWG2G1KtGAu1KhQSV3Ilh3NQ-L5Z9Y-sKrEEjjbYtPHJ7tCUSO-KehhZoRm6RinEenvODNHZBckOSXoK1Yyvi30IXwPDP2qxJvixDcYvMOfSExwM/s640/IMG_2527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mont Blanc at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN0HfCE-hYoW4frAEIarD3uzdtxjaD_mjsS9pDyaLZL56ViQrrMMdsICY4vZZLSH71eXaWRR8mPuR3T6EV-jQku1Y3ufqmiuSAKgM-vMLLf9wgV5BlfOnvQip4JN5KB30WWMneaPxD34/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN0HfCE-hYoW4frAEIarD3uzdtxjaD_mjsS9pDyaLZL56ViQrrMMdsICY4vZZLSH71eXaWRR8mPuR3T6EV-jQku1Y3ufqmiuSAKgM-vMLLf9wgV5BlfOnvQip4JN5KB30WWMneaPxD34/s640/IMG_2528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les Houches and Chamonix Valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 5: Day 2 - Hotel du Prarion to the Croix du Bonhomme (France)</span></u></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>31k - 2,360 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/332254222">strava</a>)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We awoke to a brilliantly sunny morning, ate many croissants, and went on our merry way. There were encounters with runners, hikers, sheep, cows, and even a 4x4 Panda. Naps were had, wrong turns were made, and sunset was observed.<br />
<br />
We originally planned to sleep the night at the Auberge de la Nova, but they were completely booked when we called ahead. So we decided to stay the night at the nearby Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme. It was a very rustic, cold, and remote accommodation.<br />
<br />
At some point we ran into a German man who was circumnavigating Mont Blanc on a mountain bike in 2 days. The trail was so technical in this area, he was carrying his bike more often then riding it. Looked fun.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQJ__ePdKAsxk8MKyA3Xo55bubE1CCBhfaB-GXFAyfVaIPW538uP4AkCVmm7GNgHGswvvBGtDx85-Flg9ehd8uU0KpkjCqJPuO_4oSV9vo3KuPw4HhJgrTT9gVo1tY9_4YouPDI1ATqU/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQJ__ePdKAsxk8MKyA3Xo55bubE1CCBhfaB-GXFAyfVaIPW538uP4AkCVmm7GNgHGswvvBGtDx85-Flg9ehd8uU0KpkjCqJPuO_4oSV9vo3KuPw4HhJgrTT9gVo1tY9_4YouPDI1ATqU/s640/IMG_2532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical bunk bed situation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ab7I_QqJaFizzXtjPiQf1FyFvUQvLvbU53BmhhS5tREk2NsTuhgWHYvjD4TfZe2FZT0rKly3IyPxsonrpckMgsU5hTg-CHFsdXLldEzgiTNSz_9rAMwsG2qTa-ppJiWkp65yWknM8Qg/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ab7I_QqJaFizzXtjPiQf1FyFvUQvLvbU53BmhhS5tREk2NsTuhgWHYvjD4TfZe2FZT0rKly3IyPxsonrpckMgsU5hTg-CHFsdXLldEzgiTNSz_9rAMwsG2qTa-ppJiWkp65yWknM8Qg/s640/IMG_2538.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hotel du Prarion, Mont Blanc, and the Chamonix Valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQM-mSFmWETmCQuqQKzJVxGwiF-rlDidm33Uw3o8SXICtOZpIBfo98Z7_pkxzn8JLufSLKUINC83_1xEvYKe1rSbt24UT-1wixNngiBxTztZL_QXf0Ig2I43qqSxe6oj16HR3xuNESh4/s1600/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQM-mSFmWETmCQuqQKzJVxGwiF-rlDidm33Uw3o8SXICtOZpIBfo98Z7_pkxzn8JLufSLKUINC83_1xEvYKe1rSbt24UT-1wixNngiBxTztZL_QXf0Ig2I43qqSxe6oj16HR3xuNESh4/s640/IMG_3053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cities of Les Houches and Chamonix, FRA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxaqWOEXhE3bRmKcuYDF4zub3bgmR4oUGzlYPV51-ztOob9aFny8-ExmctSw825hQ_1YdTq5b1zFJENcSerclVH1KEVV4SRx3GnB-lMZm7TU2AEHynvNpFoZuS_eUQMbB8fiqDeq3K4w/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxaqWOEXhE3bRmKcuYDF4zub3bgmR4oUGzlYPV51-ztOob9aFny8-ExmctSw825hQ_1YdTq5b1zFJENcSerclVH1KEVV4SRx3GnB-lMZm7TU2AEHynvNpFoZuS_eUQMbB8fiqDeq3K4w/s640/IMG_3056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few switchback sections.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-rs4eYS9HSGuq6BMgsqpWjAFaBgZp4jfd9qBWBBM2R7Bkqxpk5ZMrmBZXLkLr31ePPbEbYDwL0c7TBYKEhe5KPTz-yMDKSVDEZAX9MNu9Qja8qd6Z-XF7RnCzyHIHSYhdlNyjBg1UdQ/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-rs4eYS9HSGuq6BMgsqpWjAFaBgZp4jfd9qBWBBM2R7Bkqxpk5ZMrmBZXLkLr31ePPbEbYDwL0c7TBYKEhe5KPTz-yMDKSVDEZAX9MNu9Qja8qd6Z-XF7RnCzyHIHSYhdlNyjBg1UdQ/s640/IMG_2555.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coke break!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNQiisO3EwIqKCPnOkIaOdNBEVdCtcvkS5Lh7-M14MIufjzJHON2XB2gv3RnIG10N6_4oRlGi6Ym-HZakksKjtDiK1I0cPuezqKMD4JapOB3BAUe5-N_9G7k-hg_uQM-rKvzCzzqbT_w/s1600/IMG_2557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNQiisO3EwIqKCPnOkIaOdNBEVdCtcvkS5Lh7-M14MIufjzJHON2XB2gv3RnIG10N6_4oRlGi6Ym-HZakksKjtDiK1I0cPuezqKMD4JapOB3BAUe5-N_9G7k-hg_uQM-rKvzCzzqbT_w/s640/IMG_2557.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napping with the 4x4 Panda.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76L0bPbSc8lqVjnm8z8xPkoLSNlXfLJE9G0JUDhqaedcfPWsy8c8Mj73n_7AXBpqrRk1wCc1Y7oddFhn39ysUE4Jm7Exu2tzYMeCUrNi6zpyjLbcznyTd0c1zytJXD2CRCv3XxjOSPYU/s1600/IMG_3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76L0bPbSc8lqVjnm8z8xPkoLSNlXfLJE9G0JUDhqaedcfPWsy8c8Mj73n_7AXBpqrRk1wCc1Y7oddFhn39ysUE4Jm7Exu2tzYMeCUrNi6zpyjLbcznyTd0c1zytJXD2CRCv3XxjOSPYU/s640/IMG_3065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wrong trail, apparently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTikfB1SpDIXOQSzeDRwUMJu9VlCBAahXltVmTHZpVELPIW1JzHiVc77NHE0zENgdRvuRfXjZ-nBWKEMlkRgo3W4u80r4pXd2m1U371IhcUXxbM22rCvXreVzFUtYdzo5L9Pp3glzrQrI/s1600/IMG_3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTikfB1SpDIXOQSzeDRwUMJu9VlCBAahXltVmTHZpVELPIW1JzHiVc77NHE0zENgdRvuRfXjZ-nBWKEMlkRgo3W4u80r4pXd2m1U371IhcUXxbM22rCvXreVzFUtYdzo5L9Pp3glzrQrI/s640/IMG_3066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual selfie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFgLadj_E_eknQ2ekhiOtZmUCFuqpQ-wSQEwgrXkUM1zLZDOXLIMaHcgPGDdjA9KiIbt3VXrboqVjdvkFTBzChTGD2attY4vNYjzgwKOF8ToFRPzaYDlBLq2JaPaJMzuFR4JMGMg8A0/s1600/IMG_3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFgLadj_E_eknQ2ekhiOtZmUCFuqpQ-wSQEwgrXkUM1zLZDOXLIMaHcgPGDdjA9KiIbt3VXrboqVjdvkFTBzChTGD2attY4vNYjzgwKOF8ToFRPzaYDlBLq2JaPaJMzuFR4JMGMg8A0/s640/IMG_3067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Croix du Bonhomme, our rifugio for the night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6M6rGJU3TaFBKEDzxdUQ09KN1Rn11P0u3ehlFiesJ8T3SiDZusWfwmjV5TDTsYlWJUGuzsM8-tMfpAg0TbsoPJNIyAPdfV1LmHEUWBgKN38BQ76pI4w9u6ib5PBMkwTYlucJE3dW18k/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6M6rGJU3TaFBKEDzxdUQ09KN1Rn11P0u3ehlFiesJ8T3SiDZusWfwmjV5TDTsYlWJUGuzsM8-tMfpAg0TbsoPJNIyAPdfV1LmHEUWBgKN38BQ76pI4w9u6ib5PBMkwTYlucJE3dW18k/s640/image1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Butter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDlrxyIh94KWxFUKYgX2jCVciV5M1O_AfwWTaorvNo7Okqbx4FPwZX_sfaZw0St2iXi1JS-qF9cPJlVuGPOJP6-ZYwb-MnTWfwNSzV6CBlTYpnVDDEns24eRE4BhnZZBegpvtL_4UmdE/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDlrxyIh94KWxFUKYgX2jCVciV5M1O_AfwWTaorvNo7Okqbx4FPwZX_sfaZw0St2iXi1JS-qF9cPJlVuGPOJP6-ZYwb-MnTWfwNSzV6CBlTYpnVDDEns24eRE4BhnZZBegpvtL_4UmdE/s640/IMG_2623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama from the post-dinner excursion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEisttaqTsPoqmZy2wNjoLyS2DGKzHqN2ykRBmUr4iBIaUC8HGSxcblITGxHG_DVjBy140n80sQjGi9kTRMcZvzR2-6e6B51qc_0q-ggrno_zmr8674WCA23vRUoC5wyrYVAz6g68u-SY/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEisttaqTsPoqmZy2wNjoLyS2DGKzHqN2ykRBmUr4iBIaUC8HGSxcblITGxHG_DVjBy140n80sQjGi9kTRMcZvzR2-6e6B51qc_0q-ggrno_zmr8674WCA23vRUoC5wyrYVAz6g68u-SY/s640/IMG_2624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail back to the rifugio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 6: Day 3 - Croix du Bonhomme to Rifugio Bonnati (Italy)</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>50k+ - 2,700+ meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/332233613">strava</a> - watch died before we finished)</b></div>
<div>
<br />
It was lightly snowing when we woke up, and there was dense fog surrounding the refugio. We layered in every piece of clothing we had, and ventured off for the longest trek of the trip. Within 20 minutes, we began shedding layers as we dropped in elevation, and the stormy weather gradually changed to mostly sunshine after we crossed into Italy.<br />
<br />
This was my favourite section of the trail, and the Italian side is super breathtaking and majestic. Dinner was to be served at the Rifugio Bonnati at 7pm, but we ended up taking a critical wrong turn out <span style="background-color: white;">of Courmayeur tha</span>t added some miles and steep-ass mountain goat trails, causing us to arrive after 10pm. Luckily, the folks at the rifugio were expecting us (since we made reservations 2 days prior), and they cooked us the best tasting meal of the trip. We then were assigned a room with the sickest man on earth. None of us slept because of the sick noises he was making. Poor guy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Some of the cow fences were hooked up to a car battery. Ask Nick how he found out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblAEmlLYUHZCY8s0soV6a4revH7zZhUbAe2A3YGJlJMDs4cud1Xw5bqs5bzj83tbVjztvvZ8_md9fPWpmsqBH9G-K7Umjwg4xhEj3OU0xZAzCWX8TQ7ruHeLenYLz7p8xfpOA5Dxr9dg/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblAEmlLYUHZCY8s0soV6a4revH7zZhUbAe2A3YGJlJMDs4cud1Xw5bqs5bzj83tbVjztvvZ8_md9fPWpmsqBH9G-K7Umjwg4xhEj3OU0xZAzCWX8TQ7ruHeLenYLz7p8xfpOA5Dxr9dg/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of stormy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE46APilLgEGB5XcpKWEcPx_41cfewViWMKdRNkjkPKaMm2g4JHdWr1vvOIsfPOo3lCarNhDxnyJc73ssq_0ymbFJ60ST9V8s_kbCgy_MplgLX7pKUDYxlf-zU-uP0TH7BCeB0ZAuelco/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE46APilLgEGB5XcpKWEcPx_41cfewViWMKdRNkjkPKaMm2g4JHdWr1vvOIsfPOo3lCarNhDxnyJc73ssq_0ymbFJ60ST9V8s_kbCgy_MplgLX7pKUDYxlf-zU-uP0TH7BCeB0ZAuelco/s640/IMG_3071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section reminded me of the West Highland Way in Scotland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMArREo30WKpRnNnJnIto60WSxAsCU2oVBK8FCKD_VHFlhEciYnqVBcz9ZGoRARdTbpS4XQLBjzNQUPIvyOkixuusmcqwfUYRoZ_43f1N7K332PhhfMAslGQ4MvPyjl56PlS_3nex_ZvQ/s1600/IMG_3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMArREo30WKpRnNnJnIto60WSxAsCU2oVBK8FCKD_VHFlhEciYnqVBcz9ZGoRARdTbpS4XQLBjzNQUPIvyOkixuusmcqwfUYRoZ_43f1N7K332PhhfMAslGQ4MvPyjl56PlS_3nex_ZvQ/s640/IMG_3072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of a river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8siw6TDncZn3SlSdJSE70_0dOtns-26GbXsEvBp2Z59N1d2syxGdwoQdUYM4X43B-MoPiz8X7JpVJdqTs_s_ke2ftJDDgNQJoMQiJx5le-wnIS2YwTFOX3-ar3ecTSKMiI9TRUusSGI/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8siw6TDncZn3SlSdJSE70_0dOtns-26GbXsEvBp2Z59N1d2syxGdwoQdUYM4X43B-MoPiz8X7JpVJdqTs_s_ke2ftJDDgNQJoMQiJx5le-wnIS2YwTFOX3-ar3ecTSKMiI9TRUusSGI/s640/IMG_3075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just beyond the Italian border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtotz5L-laC2k75K8-LKqY50AfHwrL-YSjpXoUZJCbZUY7RDippU_75iNfm19lsKbUJ099LM1SnmxpL_Yw-t6WO1s3cZuIgXaCagHck6UgNe7J4xNy8d0BGH3U3hK35vHu2kCE368ZEU0/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtotz5L-laC2k75K8-LKqY50AfHwrL-YSjpXoUZJCbZUY7RDippU_75iNfm19lsKbUJ099LM1SnmxpL_Yw-t6WO1s3cZuIgXaCagHck6UgNe7J4xNy8d0BGH3U3hK35vHu2kCE368ZEU0/s640/IMG_3077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWj4Tr11IOEoDClBYw4bWT1QNkUoO6z-FE-qlZc9AUmFJFFIWWLVS3LB2tGxsTgyRD7vSl8XaynVrFPbIoM8RSKR0zfWbFa2GO_uPbTa-x7AqoZq1-v-eZE3qHUCBmmVrnkAwt5Gi2FE/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWj4Tr11IOEoDClBYw4bWT1QNkUoO6z-FE-qlZc9AUmFJFFIWWLVS3LB2tGxsTgyRD7vSl8XaynVrFPbIoM8RSKR0zfWbFa2GO_uPbTa-x7AqoZq1-v-eZE3qHUCBmmVrnkAwt5Gi2FE/s640/IMG_3078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OBJ7UgS-pN2rBAlqBY8K3xEPHEiU3Dmmfm8aihFw6h9eCNCjiOtXq6uSgvFIl7WLau0gZt0om4sBstyOYFtFbMmohR-ag9uhh_zXUP15Aq4GEglSQsdGvCipCeqykOIOOEBjbc-sjEE/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OBJ7UgS-pN2rBAlqBY8K3xEPHEiU3Dmmfm8aihFw6h9eCNCjiOtXq6uSgvFIl7WLau0gZt0om4sBstyOYFtFbMmohR-ag9uhh_zXUP15Aq4GEglSQsdGvCipCeqykOIOOEBjbc-sjEE/s640/IMG_3082.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neat place!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQooG2B4ilyVUBRXRrzhjR74kSkwqGk82H5o2PjEBVqjGRSRpxWpvoO9C5fToDEiZCpz_8KulyIono3OU3ryHC4w3chjohCR9aHinlfpFR_PadCk73jQANntg_NU6M9lE_lQvPmuwthaA/s1600/IMG_3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQooG2B4ilyVUBRXRrzhjR74kSkwqGk82H5o2PjEBVqjGRSRpxWpvoO9C5fToDEiZCpz_8KulyIono3OU3ryHC4w3chjohCR9aHinlfpFR_PadCk73jQANntg_NU6M9lE_lQvPmuwthaA/s640/IMG_3085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perspective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOoBzgYkYdk-ptL7YqOSI_7rSzPQTNIZ6FxtGGPJgign9EqwVQZHUVzsZJCng0ngw6k4N1cjdlPKjj-85RAPL5CGyUaOyDJx-2dsSy46Bqhx0wWrrn50iz1VTGV3ypqXNZ5z6nOn_dho/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOoBzgYkYdk-ptL7YqOSI_7rSzPQTNIZ6FxtGGPJgign9EqwVQZHUVzsZJCng0ngw6k4N1cjdlPKjj-85RAPL5CGyUaOyDJx-2dsSy46Bqhx0wWrrn50iz1VTGV3ypqXNZ5z6nOn_dho/s640/IMG_2642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and Harvey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_BtNdoPivTz1bgq-jKFgWzS-cXBhTot0OqQKxnUKrTAC4KMBMsUueDjxMM_S_1uS0pQHcnl5-g0JjI29gm1FMTNkUuIyF8CIEsQqnhp6cqRgPpMxttUx0t8YR6AvMzoaSva1T1GFEAc/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_BtNdoPivTz1bgq-jKFgWzS-cXBhTot0OqQKxnUKrTAC4KMBMsUueDjxMM_S_1uS0pQHcnl5-g0JjI29gm1FMTNkUuIyF8CIEsQqnhp6cqRgPpMxttUx0t8YR6AvMzoaSva1T1GFEAc/s640/IMG_3087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvey and Nick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOjiCE6b6yclq1TplLDvmoGBIzdam6ugIGK1YexGWu5fQ7TsENKxRQ_DOiyywiIok0aDhQ0_7jCIzqUH4d3AzqXfGLbq4ppzBDhfWaAOtLBOeXZTL8KQG2ArHzBx4sEAY7olPdYwSfJI/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOjiCE6b6yclq1TplLDvmoGBIzdam6ugIGK1YexGWu5fQ7TsENKxRQ_DOiyywiIok0aDhQ0_7jCIzqUH4d3AzqXfGLbq4ppzBDhfWaAOtLBOeXZTL8KQG2ArHzBx4sEAY7olPdYwSfJI/s640/IMG_3089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch #2 at the Rifugio Maison Vieille above Courmayeur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNddbjJOOLu444ehTsunEhXnn0koOc6EGBwhNGaidtg6YkKr4xrc_oNkY__xldQM7omOZE4Ct9CCM3J079GUnMckpnncQVOFMOib8A3RoKejMrjAoPCL19Er-eh33_ywXeYqFTzcSmtkE/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNddbjJOOLu444ehTsunEhXnn0koOc6EGBwhNGaidtg6YkKr4xrc_oNkY__xldQM7omOZE4Ct9CCM3J079GUnMckpnncQVOFMOib8A3RoKejMrjAoPCL19Er-eh33_ywXeYqFTzcSmtkE/s640/IMG_3090.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the streets of Courmayeur. This village is cute as hell, and I wish we could have stayed a night here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FCibehiDBW0mPPCx_jB6f49X41XqM_2DIz6w6heGCgQwSAxlZ2WlriBNvhsQiO02vIbesLpeVdayLE913xcqKkVGkUONW7xWOmOhPB2_3nDKJ83F-1vfo_JfxXJcrTz4EQP2rgBw20Y/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FCibehiDBW0mPPCx_jB6f49X41XqM_2DIz6w6heGCgQwSAxlZ2WlriBNvhsQiO02vIbesLpeVdayLE913xcqKkVGkUONW7xWOmOhPB2_3nDKJ83F-1vfo_JfxXJcrTz4EQP2rgBw20Y/s640/IMG_3091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the wrong trail out of Courmayeur, but it eventually met back up with the TMB, according to our map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguMgybMtCRqbjxqrbIw2FM25X_htxdNMzJDddHNFbS_VMQ9nLjWOV7teC0P9dgrwDpuDp6IiYXhpqnRP2LLFmMG66dyVyfbRjchGXHT9iFYNKAWVLnIuIgo8L6BJOTEKoyVCbPP2uCdQ/s1600/IMG_3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguMgybMtCRqbjxqrbIw2FM25X_htxdNMzJDddHNFbS_VMQ9nLjWOV7teC0P9dgrwDpuDp6IiYXhpqnRP2LLFmMG66dyVyfbRjchGXHT9iFYNKAWVLnIuIgo8L6BJOTEKoyVCbPP2uCdQ/s640/IMG_3092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The TMB followed the ridge to the right, whereas we came up the left side of the valley.<br />
Courmayeur can be seen at the bottom of the valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIzBO9nkmaSSzctV2OnL4gpVDHIDWlS_mwe_86-CFy-IqthueznFB1shygbN9rLkF0xvTUos16nv1yhZKBah_mwzzMBtZPvCillMBEnA9s_IIMznl7WBfoAsW7meYnwTBW2mStwBuY54/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIzBO9nkmaSSzctV2OnL4gpVDHIDWlS_mwe_86-CFy-IqthueznFB1shygbN9rLkF0xvTUos16nv1yhZKBah_mwzzMBtZPvCillMBEnA9s_IIMznl7WBfoAsW7meYnwTBW2mStwBuY54/s640/IMG_3093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found the TMB!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbeZQYxZq8rbfZhsW_HwJkzBvta5NxYA4xUmRGm5WiGixpcdHLQ094MCHXkPo6Kh4UBjxzUavZ8e2hoHeczSkWRgnFA3fT63V17w9ByNyUb5zZ04ixqnAmJsaJCZRLtUqsh2u1T2hSP0/s1600/IMG_3094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbeZQYxZq8rbfZhsW_HwJkzBvta5NxYA4xUmRGm5WiGixpcdHLQ094MCHXkPo6Kh4UBjxzUavZ8e2hoHeczSkWRgnFA3fT63V17w9ByNyUb5zZ04ixqnAmJsaJCZRLtUqsh2u1T2hSP0/s640/IMG_3094.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset. So hungry at this point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSBVcGGnKkgq7pL10afWh7EBC1tkdlvX76HcXnGQ1-7daPE2MlJg-c11iYykECBBKaDrueE87QP8X1_sNGrJ-siO3On7ZPvQ68d8y2QmE2zbgIthbKq_eU51bWle89lZl1lkWpXYx6yg/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSBVcGGnKkgq7pL10afWh7EBC1tkdlvX76HcXnGQ1-7daPE2MlJg-c11iYykECBBKaDrueE87QP8X1_sNGrJ-siO3On7ZPvQ68d8y2QmE2zbgIthbKq_eU51bWle89lZl1lkWpXYx6yg/s640/IMG_3097.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best meal we ever had at the Rifugio Bonnati.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 7: Day 4 - Rifugio Bonnati to Auberge des Glaciers (Switzerland)</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>~12k - Watch dead, no strava</b></div>
<div>
<br />
We were exhausted from the prior day because it was so long and we so slept terribly, so we opted for a short ~12k jaunt to La Fouly Switzerland. The day was perfectly clear, and we took our sweet time. At the Switzerland border, there was a group of hikers who greeted us with a "Buenos Dias" and I immediately reverted to speaking to them in my gringo high school Spanish. Even though everyone spoke English, one of the hardest parts of the trip was not knowing French, Italian, or whatever the hell the Swiss spoke. It was a joy to speak Spanish with the Spaniards, and it really made me want to travel somewhere Spanish-speaking (i.e. Patagonia). Harvey knew some Spanish as well, finely spoken with a Cincinnati accent.<br />
<br />
We arrived in La Fouly in time for an afternoon nap and beers while recharging all of our electronics in the plethora of electrical outlets. At dinner, we conversed with a man named Jean-Pierre who I believe was 75 years old and circumnavigating Mont Blanc for the 15th time. He was a funny guy, and a pleasure to spend time with. He confirmed that the counter-clockwise direction is the best way to do it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHBoHmyjvAnpofNFc4zBiQx-pdOwIyWCTpzOMjWM2Ma3sfvs891eiwedUQnbBr5WIZZHlwQkBe0oPAx2v6xJGwycOHnVn-Hs7Ni_LMd2r5uVGlsC7mdBDzAq9c3tKHLFuyPR5qoONNI8/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHBoHmyjvAnpofNFc4zBiQx-pdOwIyWCTpzOMjWM2Ma3sfvs891eiwedUQnbBr5WIZZHlwQkBe0oPAx2v6xJGwycOHnVn-Hs7Ni_LMd2r5uVGlsC7mdBDzAq9c3tKHLFuyPR5qoONNI8/s640/IMG_3098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rifugio Bonnati.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcea1qkgKRPJR4BogUFqSGkepBf1-WiTl8G-eqPgrGGtA_OZgkJ9o5uQYqjCyIMw_p-3TSbL0_Gx0VTeidX0zXtByevqdeMDiLfxZGsyiSmFQyQHWnn1eB1fvWtxNyA4AC539aSCIei4/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcea1qkgKRPJR4BogUFqSGkepBf1-WiTl8G-eqPgrGGtA_OZgkJ9o5uQYqjCyIMw_p-3TSbL0_Gx0VTeidX0zXtByevqdeMDiLfxZGsyiSmFQyQHWnn1eB1fvWtxNyA4AC539aSCIei4/s640/IMG_2643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the Italian side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMqwbreVF2T1uCr5JVS3XC6hJ0HzWMfANwrCHc7GlnbKT7oPkG_b2vBkgeR-wp3IwUTjMzGSrGb3-Dvcg08wmDcDIRilUpQzlY60Z23x1WY3EXUKfO4lgem4btXbJlteYTqkoMiZBWgo/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMqwbreVF2T1uCr5JVS3XC6hJ0HzWMfANwrCHc7GlnbKT7oPkG_b2vBkgeR-wp3IwUTjMzGSrGb3-Dvcg08wmDcDIRilUpQzlY60Z23x1WY3EXUKfO4lgem4btXbJlteYTqkoMiZBWgo/s640/IMG_2644.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing over into Switzerland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGRw2Z6ePWJZigAJSmTZJDvXveg_bKFXqtGIjD7sZHyfzorb2MTG973U-DJ8wIeC1eADILAdpSHQzY1V9wp_spbI9avlK9z-EZgOQ5ukkWqiZb1W5Lj2yNp707uwZjFAYYk0ehxnMik/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpGRw2Z6ePWJZigAJSmTZJDvXveg_bKFXqtGIjD7sZHyfzorb2MTG973U-DJ8wIeC1eADILAdpSHQzY1V9wp_spbI9avlK9z-EZgOQ5ukkWqiZb1W5Lj2yNp707uwZjFAYYk0ehxnMik/s640/IMG_3107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coke break at Aplage de la Peule. It smelled kinda funny here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxQielhi5BGq6Ag9riw4cbepYdJwocVCs8l4aFiVbxSeRBEOQLaTCnv6_PaGLKQKgVDKX4ATEG5SkLXJNIP7ExMIhQOaiw23YV_m9gryBD-jozt4zmMwJa4fkU8Gy0D3sJ_k_wThG-ak/s1600/IMG_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxQielhi5BGq6Ag9riw4cbepYdJwocVCs8l4aFiVbxSeRBEOQLaTCnv6_PaGLKQKgVDKX4ATEG5SkLXJNIP7ExMIhQOaiw23YV_m9gryBD-jozt4zmMwJa4fkU8Gy0D3sJ_k_wThG-ak/s640/IMG_3108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A race in the Pyrenees recommended by the Spaniards. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OQtrPPsNR3Pl4NLztyRknKpkk6xl_YtfiwiEfbaPyzZyRnypUwC_CUYCnvPfTTG76xJK0h6IPQD6HOPqi3ZMsOOxgzlAdt6PWAu3AZ3eRBwEECX48MXjQQRSOUtZI4beWjqo5WsAAiU/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OQtrPPsNR3Pl4NLztyRknKpkk6xl_YtfiwiEfbaPyzZyRnypUwC_CUYCnvPfTTG76xJK0h6IPQD6HOPqi3ZMsOOxgzlAdt6PWAu3AZ3eRBwEECX48MXjQQRSOUtZI4beWjqo5WsAAiU/s640/IMG_2640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auberge des Glaciers in La Fouly, Switzerland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVpdBqmU8-jX08d9U5ES7n7ykWDXuJ6nriwdiEk4xD2ai-OMj0LEeqCjfxF-CYbw-dfVy5SDNeRmLYzagFcAY1FsJZD8ckCvb5FATAiwsvqtW_-wfcb6PPjIeAAfbfZI4oA99pi5rK6E/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVpdBqmU8-jX08d9U5ES7n7ykWDXuJ6nriwdiEk4xD2ai-OMj0LEeqCjfxF-CYbw-dfVy5SDNeRmLYzagFcAY1FsJZD8ckCvb5FATAiwsvqtW_-wfcb6PPjIeAAfbfZI4oA99pi5rK6E/s640/IMG_3110.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical meal of meat, bread and cheese. It was so good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fKOjQ6M1hpMs3WB3QQrgewhWrlkCOcAwKv-QOhTfh0iwtrh28GYEqikCl6FkYwlExuuLBo275t5aeDWP6aXUOBvniJfH1gxxGdbRl7qbw-JeqTLX1vyCHOKmvEbpk1GjKojoZMM5sAw/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fKOjQ6M1hpMs3WB3QQrgewhWrlkCOcAwKv-QOhTfh0iwtrh28GYEqikCl6FkYwlExuuLBo275t5aeDWP6aXUOBvniJfH1gxxGdbRl7qbw-JeqTLX1vyCHOKmvEbpk1GjKojoZMM5sAw/s640/IMG_2647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beers beneath the sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 8: Day 5 - Auberge des Glaciers to Hotel de la Forclaz (Switzerland)</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>31k - 1,404 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/332819420">strava</a>)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The Swiss have the best playgrounds. We found one with a climbing wall, ropes course, and a swingy thingy. It was awesome.<br />
<br />
Along our trek, we were joined by a man named Felipe who was training for the CCC (100k version of UTMB). We ended up sharing a lunchtime drink with him, followed by lunch and a nap in the grass.<br />
<br />
At some point in this section, we went through a small swiss town. One particular property had a bajillion gnomes in their front yard. Gnome sweet gnome, I guess.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODgNNgY4Exq20Sfp88RH8noCMAmSUFDw12ndDwv5m02WMniQSbxx7uSmDWEulbrXSMY6PpX8_ROp3aQVwDdvJB6CIx6_IRBBgYaC7z1Gnj3L13eqZ8FqnES3XSRQJVa3sBPvRJb1Xi_g/s1600/11391365_10153076588089397_1815886481788056510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODgNNgY4Exq20Sfp88RH8noCMAmSUFDw12ndDwv5m02WMniQSbxx7uSmDWEulbrXSMY6PpX8_ROp3aQVwDdvJB6CIx6_IRBBgYaC7z1Gnj3L13eqZ8FqnES3XSRQJVa3sBPvRJb1Xi_g/s640/11391365_10153076588089397_1815886481788056510_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvey and I checking out the map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYPki0k9nWi-6srH8sSvO-E-Q0k5cjVg0kaXhjjZbXiIxBbR0ezTokTFS8ml_OQAqwYe3tzStkkeOlbuN2qFK0Tt2jjiv5lDLZ8S7bcPIlVZkHDe6_myEs8r-KcODn7umHeOz51fNxR8/s1600/IMG_3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYPki0k9nWi-6srH8sSvO-E-Q0k5cjVg0kaXhjjZbXiIxBbR0ezTokTFS8ml_OQAqwYe3tzStkkeOlbuN2qFK0Tt2jjiv5lDLZ8S7bcPIlVZkHDe6_myEs8r-KcODn7umHeOz51fNxR8/s640/IMG_3112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running with Felipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRj_QXzAzwHH8yGGQpVhqbxu5m-ZH5Pp8I_yiqz1IQlORHrc5XIKkvzcpMdE7-1E-yUwqVNoqPOJlWEcGgvFfITTcAb45z3kyrrQFFCez6p7bumIesXR4WqF25MbnB9fdVtn-W1CVh7s/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRj_QXzAzwHH8yGGQpVhqbxu5m-ZH5Pp8I_yiqz1IQlORHrc5XIKkvzcpMdE7-1E-yUwqVNoqPOJlWEcGgvFfITTcAb45z3kyrrQFFCez6p7bumIesXR4WqF25MbnB9fdVtn-W1CVh7s/s640/IMG_3113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling our bottles at one of many random fountains along the TMB.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RBdS5I4LUxIKhdSG416w8t9cr0WM4sHg5oD6r71ul38K1vfLvSOeStjwpl7HmMct3gEfwqxI-FwECcQabWIzB934qfzLPUaV972cq0bKU-rhpN7Jzph5ZFjlBpEJXD1Smm2HCEoUFR8/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RBdS5I4LUxIKhdSG416w8t9cr0WM4sHg5oD6r71ul38K1vfLvSOeStjwpl7HmMct3gEfwqxI-FwECcQabWIzB934qfzLPUaV972cq0bKU-rhpN7Jzph5ZFjlBpEJXD1Smm2HCEoUFR8/s640/IMG_3120.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through small towns and open meadows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjeLRBhj11P1o52yN4ifxEezSz7jsQFe1drFFzxlUP-7qLWcAMkoMnArZB0kUPsqYNGqd7ExeHhyt-7PLb6XHWR6sfSCCmxZSkvClx-LmKmRwMsFbyafjZyzmqdaOZdfSx7OPFR2AL64/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjeLRBhj11P1o52yN4ifxEezSz7jsQFe1drFFzxlUP-7qLWcAMkoMnArZB0kUPsqYNGqd7ExeHhyt-7PLb6XHWR6sfSCCmxZSkvClx-LmKmRwMsFbyafjZyzmqdaOZdfSx7OPFR2AL64/s640/IMG_3123.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick running with the city of Martigny, SWI in the background. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UO04_B5d4e01Sle_-RM4nFrq113T9y_mbhQ_nIyOYhMV12FYGZ1zjnz2wEwAWh2JPEp3R1nMmBvvRDcKvDE-jpMOAU_z4HHNdlcgDWT8-Nw9qa9fYjrMACy6f9F4-X-Bt4jWjjjca-s/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UO04_B5d4e01Sle_-RM4nFrq113T9y_mbhQ_nIyOYhMV12FYGZ1zjnz2wEwAWh2JPEp3R1nMmBvvRDcKvDE-jpMOAU_z4HHNdlcgDWT8-Nw9qa9fYjrMACy6f9F4-X-Bt4jWjjjca-s/s640/IMG_2651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel de la Forclaz, where we shared another fine meal with Jean-Pierre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyFvtbdQuECuprRBWZ8mPFrafg2ewEnaxCg_IZxaz6fNr3sV_i0UgPg4cOCg0j0_EP2mQdh_DOLapdsIqYRoHdzyx2h2XpVvrdEIdj8oRXOV09iB0kDYjsGegtZgCFcGbL81p1c3zRRY/s1600/11401234_10153076993039397_3605018722845409962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyFvtbdQuECuprRBWZ8mPFrafg2ewEnaxCg_IZxaz6fNr3sV_i0UgPg4cOCg0j0_EP2mQdh_DOLapdsIqYRoHdzyx2h2XpVvrdEIdj8oRXOV09iB0kDYjsGegtZgCFcGbL81p1c3zRRY/s640/11401234_10153076993039397_3605018722845409962_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean-Pierre on the far left and our awesome eccentric waiter who spoke a good part of 10 different languages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHAPTER 9: Day 6 - Hotel de la Forclaz to Chamonix, France</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>36.1k - 2,244 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/333793359">strava</a>)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
After running through the town of Trient, SWI, we climbed up and up and eventually crossed into France at some point. It was beautiful to see the Chamonix valley again on a perfectly cloudless day.<br />
<br />
Of course we ran into Kilian Jornet and Emilie Forsberg (and other Salomon people). They were sitting, waiting for the leaders of the 80k to come through (we were on the course and apparently in the lead by 30 minutes). Nice folks.<br />
<br />
Nick fell and cut his hand pretty badly (luckily, the Salomon folks didn't see the fall), and so he and Harvey went down to Chamonix while I split off and did more frölicking on the TMB. I eventually made my way to Lac Blanc, where someone recognized my Trailfactor shirt. Kyle and Sarah live a few miles from me and had just begun going to the Trailfactor group runs on Tuesday nights (which I've been attending for the past 4 years), but we met for the first time at the Lac Blanc restaurant. Small world. We now see each most Tuesday nights.<br />
<br />
As I arrived in Chamonix, I went straight to the Skyrunning races expo and bought some reasonably priced sunglasses and looked for all the free food that I could find. When I returned to the hotel and retrieved my duffel bag from the ski locker, I discovered that my soap bottle had exploded all over my clean clothes. Harvey and Nick went to a sauna, but I stayed in the hotel room washing clothes. I had at least a week more of traveling to do in Switzerland, so I had to make sure my stuff was clean and dry by the morning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSeZECZIWzhWbpmaPxrRdONdYkmyFoUvEFUsbSIdPSs_YkCjDn1eAPvSGNya4c8_B2nHzW9rQIkLWJlyrrDu-tbnuto4AKGDDYPptv0ebKpBfThd8s2bkEbei9BqEFfIizemW9r8nzSA/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSeZECZIWzhWbpmaPxrRdONdYkmyFoUvEFUsbSIdPSs_YkCjDn1eAPvSGNya4c8_B2nHzW9rQIkLWJlyrrDu-tbnuto4AKGDDYPptv0ebKpBfThd8s2bkEbei9BqEFfIizemW9r8nzSA/s640/IMG_2661.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know that guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlEXDFTfDpp7my-SL3p0V2iogp2-tHDeuRME0QdOoVs-7HUlGagxL4QRwDa754rbhtW61WYR5fx-Yjp_Iy2ihPQISDg5wnIevkb28KobNbOgFIkQTe9vcCPp23GsaIONJ8iKd-vOygcU/s1600/11141341_10153482990509903_1283835827953383922_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlEXDFTfDpp7my-SL3p0V2iogp2-tHDeuRME0QdOoVs-7HUlGagxL4QRwDa754rbhtW61WYR5fx-Yjp_Iy2ihPQISDg5wnIevkb28KobNbOgFIkQTe9vcCPp23GsaIONJ8iKd-vOygcU/s640/11141341_10153482990509903_1283835827953383922_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salomon people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpweGr9QZr1vbwuTAda0iIPUqgate_4iXUNH4-J2KVd6RYfPJJQ4ZpAF4V6U8C9wg-wkug56F9U_NtbRhQPz75T4qDLYlHGeZvGWXKxS6s7SIEjYTgUz6Bdn1TSkXBc_pSBZCdaA0AlU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+4.02.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpweGr9QZr1vbwuTAda0iIPUqgate_4iXUNH4-J2KVd6RYfPJJQ4ZpAF4V6U8C9wg-wkug56F9U_NtbRhQPz75T4qDLYlHGeZvGWXKxS6s7SIEjYTgUz6Bdn1TSkXBc_pSBZCdaA0AlU/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+4.02.48+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBnia0mq2RXvKRpaH5Ins-w8AFzpYVd2Rhx9F02iLm3_EkYPkTet5fVJpmuNegbxAt5S2X9zdr7ihyIaF-OBjEJvfb0O5hQwJ1nCZf1hCg3DZjvepmrp7vm33A7-nOxiz7wK5xXNSmAw/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBnia0mq2RXvKRpaH5Ins-w8AFzpYVd2Rhx9F02iLm3_EkYPkTet5fVJpmuNegbxAt5S2X9zdr7ihyIaF-OBjEJvfb0O5hQwJ1nCZf1hCg3DZjvepmrp7vm33A7-nOxiz7wK5xXNSmAw/s640/IMG_3140.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6_03maDSXXIBSJ7snoQLil5AXMTvxJK1UXz5hcMUNoVNyCE8fccSf0TJODI4L6VRnaKJ04N7vHrcFetUeCzRcPrYphQpnbUX4XIOznZzMBLXBB_4AJSpHz7R6d3yEAWwk13nFqIoKYE/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6_03maDSXXIBSJ7snoQLil5AXMTvxJK1UXz5hcMUNoVNyCE8fccSf0TJODI4L6VRnaKJ04N7vHrcFetUeCzRcPrYphQpnbUX4XIOznZzMBLXBB_4AJSpHz7R6d3yEAWwk13nFqIoKYE/s640/IMG_3143.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqM25NGsfOE1HsmL2HchBnNEpB2lEZvfFhnPKC1JGdaN4mRg1mhb7LOsZlvSBMzQr7M2xVxEGPKaySLy_7gTNIxrXGnXjv21OQoWn9rA84vu6HAWzZuwZGbqphXdZ3EyY93oLzbczpsk/s1600/IMG_2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqM25NGsfOE1HsmL2HchBnNEpB2lEZvfFhnPKC1JGdaN4mRg1mhb7LOsZlvSBMzQr7M2xVxEGPKaySLy_7gTNIxrXGnXjv21OQoWn9rA84vu6HAWzZuwZGbqphXdZ3EyY93oLzbczpsk/s640/IMG_2707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IDEqCyS3h-DOuyzdrp7ld7cHhQt-6ruwkNsTmQKhhXNuIqab7K_5Hbd9hJQVys1ugm1q37-2dPvGP1uT6dl8Mvm9y8-R0NnPh_Nxb5ftKyrwPsDY4q61kKwOfKxySnp9Ju7DJKzBc9E/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IDEqCyS3h-DOuyzdrp7ld7cHhQt-6ruwkNsTmQKhhXNuIqab7K_5Hbd9hJQVys1ugm1q37-2dPvGP1uT6dl8Mvm9y8-R0NnPh_Nxb5ftKyrwPsDY4q61kKwOfKxySnp9Ju7DJKzBc9E/s640/IMG_2719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mont Blanc in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2YpykLhSl2jEN9D4VWqHM_ozR4dZtLq57ag3nnP06npy-7HHUuAu3m4Fi_KMbl5zlYW54RvOQpvke9KXoTGyyJ0MB5XZvlTW4GQRAoGcEJaSvIg85jN5-urgPKynmen_1vRgAfMXV9o/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2YpykLhSl2jEN9D4VWqHM_ozR4dZtLq57ag3nnP06npy-7HHUuAu3m4Fi_KMbl5zlYW54RvOQpvke9KXoTGyyJ0MB5XZvlTW4GQRAoGcEJaSvIg85jN5-urgPKynmen_1vRgAfMXV9o/s640/IMG_2722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Kyle (far left) and Sarah (far right) and their family for the first time at Lac Blanc. Kyle and Sarah live a few miles from my house and had just started running at the same Tuesday night trail running group that I always run with. We now see each other almost weekly. Small world, indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqEJxuOeDCaS9-mgep41csm2o9sqhxONzk7YNr1gBIakjT8orLT6UKMMLP8feJTLMUr1PCWs5IP7odQSJ-SwdaOXUkpZCqat7YtaTnX9EwWEiuefEsrNrwdoDI9Tdxqjbsk-E_RXwY34/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqEJxuOeDCaS9-mgep41csm2o9sqhxONzk7YNr1gBIakjT8orLT6UKMMLP8feJTLMUr1PCWs5IP7odQSJ-SwdaOXUkpZCqat7YtaTnX9EwWEiuefEsrNrwdoDI9Tdxqjbsk-E_RXwY34/s640/IMG_3147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lac Blanc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR4NQ9eDT4DVHh_5GUyY0jCRhjMCxrCzKb12E6jzfoksLzYaGuA6WS_-54J83ZXkrV3N5ClPIbTFIaYUNqcLsL8FXz9YQGl518B39ybCJzqVMFrSkjNYUVyav42OyemtRWt0PNvubFxE/s1600/11655081_415925785275923_852701867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR4NQ9eDT4DVHh_5GUyY0jCRhjMCxrCzKb12E6jzfoksLzYaGuA6WS_-54J83ZXkrV3N5ClPIbTFIaYUNqcLsL8FXz9YQGl518B39ybCJzqVMFrSkjNYUVyav42OyemtRWt0PNvubFxE/s640/11655081_415925785275923_852701867_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebratory Dinner and Beers in Chamonix!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SWITZERLAND</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 10: Switzerland is F*cking expensive</u></b></span><br />
<br />
Switzerland is f*cking expensive.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 11: Zermatt</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Day 1 - 5k - 539 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/334769543">strava</a>)</b></div>
<div>
<b>Day 2 - 20k - 1,254 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/334767949">strava</a>)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Zermatt is a small village at the base of the Matterhorn. It's pretty cute, but very small.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After arriving by train, I checked into the hostel and looked through my window to see the Matterhorn staring right back at me. It looked so picturesque. As the sun was setting after dinner, I ran off to the nearest trail and climbed until I was satisfied with the view. From there, I sat on a rock and just stared at the Matterhorn. It's such a weird looking mountain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My second day in Zermatt, I trekked along a route that I had researched weeks before, and the hostel host confirmed that it provided great views of the mountain. When I began trekking, my legs were <i>heavy</i>!<i> </i>I had traversed over 120 miles and over 40,000' of climbing the week before while doing the Mont Blanc circumnavigation, so yeah, my legs were tired.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aside from feeling tired, the trek on day 2 was magnificent. I also found some horny sheep bucking heads together, and I silently watched and wagered on the bigger sheep.<br />
<br />
On my final day, as I walked to the train station I literally ran into a friend & Trail Butter teammate Maria Dalzot and her husband Tad Davis. Maria was beginning a training run for the Trail Marathon Championship she was running in Zermatt that upcoming weekend. It was super uplifting to see a friend in such a foreign place, and it really made my day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yHDmQEPUoR7y7xzzKATo1PruG4tPtUWyJk2dykcX0ccgtlBGwSA_7UBxOorbSpqssEKYVXqzgGlvWGiPOILSl57YibFC9B4EE89QvvM3cuCrLCSECpBUTAXZIMqfegxozamd6WPGOus/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yHDmQEPUoR7y7xzzKATo1PruG4tPtUWyJk2dykcX0ccgtlBGwSA_7UBxOorbSpqssEKYVXqzgGlvWGiPOILSl57YibFC9B4EE89QvvM3cuCrLCSECpBUTAXZIMqfegxozamd6WPGOus/s640/IMG_2732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A room with a view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq8zto24pOhGZ8eLHIksvp-pRazqeqzjyK5K8qqBurgPE8xws6M5ChhYFO3ezkwHLks-1xFppSHip_27xM3grwjWSskL-WciFdiTmF6lZdd-E63V8JoTK3gdWZ3aB2P-wCVB4uGSA5Nw/s1600/IMG_2739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq8zto24pOhGZ8eLHIksvp-pRazqeqzjyK5K8qqBurgPE8xws6M5ChhYFO3ezkwHLks-1xFppSHip_27xM3grwjWSskL-WciFdiTmF6lZdd-E63V8JoTK3gdWZ3aB2P-wCVB4uGSA5Nw/s640/IMG_2739.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Zermatt, all trails go up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEdml0pEOJOvQRaCEsW_9gsaIlYtCkmQxHtwRqK5aV8ZEgL43F_b3bjZhom8F7oT9rYYGkvKtVbsXxhUobRg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKajOZIGE8xsp5VsHULAcvh1X-xKRiIk63vwb5d9lo3lMQQFyPVoDbPa2LHYR6MGHRrNSfICXOChATa9qyrXFUCMxUQ1_1FFymkoXssfMN4YBzSf88nk8FrX7052qPQgRC3UPVoC7Oukc/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKajOZIGE8xsp5VsHULAcvh1X-xKRiIk63vwb5d9lo3lMQQFyPVoDbPa2LHYR6MGHRrNSfICXOChATa9qyrXFUCMxUQ1_1FFymkoXssfMN4YBzSf88nk8FrX7052qPQgRC3UPVoC7Oukc/s640/IMG_3150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zermatt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf_ShxTen2_IrBlhG-lCM35ilD5xJU1XzmosJxTXZqlEVOGgMQU60tAP4fywbcb3odnfat6nQfIIUG6upZUE1HQIdJTW3CCNJQOkJQ4BgS1LQQwWryiO_U8xfvoCn5kVeDmthpsOfXt0/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf_ShxTen2_IrBlhG-lCM35ilD5xJU1XzmosJxTXZqlEVOGgMQU60tAP4fywbcb3odnfat6nQfIIUG6upZUE1HQIdJTW3CCNJQOkJQ4BgS1LQQwWryiO_U8xfvoCn5kVeDmthpsOfXt0/s640/IMG_3151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trift hotel, several kilometers away from the valley. It's quite the hike to get to it, but they expected their accommodations to be completely full that night. I believe this was one of the first days they had opened for the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZCKoi785KuKIuwAPxT-JIm0iJrsGciONJrkkJJly4a7SLzos_UVM9Q7u71DMNS9VBbyadwXa2cI-ce5Fo7KxfK10Tkx4WadJOqGvk5nXNfFL0I9X8-x70rVU5acYnZIxpPHwkAVo3qg/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZCKoi785KuKIuwAPxT-JIm0iJrsGciONJrkkJJly4a7SLzos_UVM9Q7u71DMNS9VBbyadwXa2cI-ce5Fo7KxfK10Tkx4WadJOqGvk5nXNfFL0I9X8-x70rVU5acYnZIxpPHwkAVo3qg/s640/IMG_3158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheeeeeep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y7cgfxn9907kUau9d3v3hVGzAxp90GpDti5_Z-Ey-4PaJgI0qYI1XAUdHjFOD4fTtrSzJRXb_5QSnAHOnthIZa97BsmpAMmj_OiXpbECU7bITgreo1rdB-2mBEH7cj2y39pLLQdado4/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y7cgfxn9907kUau9d3v3hVGzAxp90GpDti5_Z-Ey-4PaJgI0qYI1XAUdHjFOD4fTtrSzJRXb_5QSnAHOnthIZa97BsmpAMmj_OiXpbECU7bITgreo1rdB-2mBEH7cj2y39pLLQdado4/s640/IMG_3153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matterhorn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDunU0iOOREV37Pfiiwz7DEWBeRw4CrGvXajE204AgKGRaqCRYBA9iUY7gzvBseuQcSi-4F4icIdu1i0nES8D8EZQFiBrOpA7zAxyk4TWWGbw7RilaGqdWz1wNB8p8euz22P4mD7iEGNg/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDunU0iOOREV37Pfiiwz7DEWBeRw4CrGvXajE204AgKGRaqCRYBA9iUY7gzvBseuQcSi-4F4icIdu1i0nES8D8EZQFiBrOpA7zAxyk4TWWGbw7RilaGqdWz1wNB8p8euz22P4mD7iEGNg/s640/IMG_3167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matterhorn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCFWG3CkV6dIPk-xcdv1-wUD4Z7aR0VlPmiBskRsC7JQ6nacRBvebEwbShFC1C7I7f7Vw_HPaFmjzW-Wl_k-Ljw2-I53VeaVTavzMIBafQMzk9ep15c4IXQNT5QWOiKSPmRV0cnu5mx0/s1600/IMG_2794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCFWG3CkV6dIPk-xcdv1-wUD4Z7aR0VlPmiBskRsC7JQ6nacRBvebEwbShFC1C7I7f7Vw_HPaFmjzW-Wl_k-Ljw2-I53VeaVTavzMIBafQMzk9ep15c4IXQNT5QWOiKSPmRV0cnu5mx0/s640/IMG_2794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the sunset on the Matterhorn from my favourite spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGDeY4SQUviOSw3KgVECE3G9F5ivEkFXjZAegUOaj_Xz-rJWHjsrmNHgIPHqo4Mdm5eNfhuyo-s25D5Vn4UKs4Hpt-U_DGZdzG4s324VCm2b06ut01kkITtxUna9mrGiMPHPzW7NdGnY/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGDeY4SQUviOSw3KgVECE3G9F5ivEkFXjZAegUOaj_Xz-rJWHjsrmNHgIPHqo4Mdm5eNfhuyo-s25D5Vn4UKs4Hpt-U_DGZdzG4s324VCm2b06ut01kkITtxUna9mrGiMPHPzW7NdGnY/s640/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running into Maria! What a Lovely surprise!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 12: Interlaken - Hardergrat Trail</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Day 1 - 30k - 2,625 meters - (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/335776699">strava</a>)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
When I arrived in Interlaken, I was originally planning on taking a rest day...but instead I immediately took a train to nearby Brienz to traverse the razor-sharp <a href="http://www.theclymb.com/stories/passions/hike/hardergrat-best-hike-world/">Hardergrat Trail</a>. I've never traversed a trail so unique and mesmerizing, and it was absolutely my favorite trail of the trip. I even ran a portion of the trail naked. Fun fact.<br />
<br />
Far off in the distance, I could hear the faint ringing of cowbells that sounded like wind chimes. I even ran into a fox, and promptly inquired about what the fox says. It took me a long time to complete the point-to-point trek, and by the end I was sprinting towards town because I took HOURS longer than expected and was afraid the restaurants would close at 10pm. Luckily, they closed at 11pm, and Jason had a Lovely pizza dinner.<br />
<br />
My 2nd day in interlaken was a complete rest day (my only rest day of the entire trip), spent sleeping in a lounge chair in the backyard of my hostel while my clothes were in the washer/drier. When I wasn't sleeping, I was watching the solar powered lawn mower quietly mow the lawn. I did go into town for a meal and a locally brewed IPA. Compared to Oregon IPAs, it was terrible.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ekoZTwq0JJcPdKgZ5GkJpOJZj4BmKAwAPEqh__Ndr_OCK6zT5lmkoiw0MSnq05JNeTfjPGhVaYjxbMz32Qye6OdNB6627Q9kZkVffwxOfXClAvdffUfOxhp1akkCwfVkpeJ0zkGBiPI/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ekoZTwq0JJcPdKgZ5GkJpOJZj4BmKAwAPEqh__Ndr_OCK6zT5lmkoiw0MSnq05JNeTfjPGhVaYjxbMz32Qye6OdNB6627Q9kZkVffwxOfXClAvdffUfOxhp1akkCwfVkpeJ0zkGBiPI/s640/IMG_3178.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUyDYWSpet0-wrWA3uSbIaUTGM7xtHyy9fwA7S03XdVbvj95NFZ0hETcJBnnVR9T5IO-1HHqKzoo872CgsriE_eJ4pc-mYDGXpKlpYLP3iY6fh8eIiTJ5O8CLR5kcu4lZhY4gojyxO3Y/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUyDYWSpet0-wrWA3uSbIaUTGM7xtHyy9fwA7S03XdVbvj95NFZ0hETcJBnnVR9T5IO-1HHqKzoo872CgsriE_eJ4pc-mYDGXpKlpYLP3iY6fh8eIiTJ5O8CLR5kcu4lZhY4gojyxO3Y/s640/IMG_2826.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaLORcXJzjTYPDXHLg5tZmsG_dawUKYsum1aUynBh6KkKy9xiH6G3x7WxnWXFkbnJZSbB_OBrNieVwg37ONUYXy8jQ5op5GV1z9m71lDMiitMkyBPXvKpnRYqFisb4BmI6S7iwEyei7k/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaLORcXJzjTYPDXHLg5tZmsG_dawUKYsum1aUynBh6KkKy9xiH6G3x7WxnWXFkbnJZSbB_OBrNieVwg37ONUYXy8jQ5op5GV1z9m71lDMiitMkyBPXvKpnRYqFisb4BmI6S7iwEyei7k/s640/IMG_2837.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5dQlKgi1Krz2FswbIbpwAMo3ei5Q4Y88T01DTmh2geMtcGuqXcrmBpj7Fpsrf3c65xV2ua4kwhXM-rnQLM2rVIoPJrLkznldDwxLzXCbwe4OrEsE2rEXe9sM5qDIrkhonoZsOlK_QJM/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5dQlKgi1Krz2FswbIbpwAMo3ei5Q4Y88T01DTmh2geMtcGuqXcrmBpj7Fpsrf3c65xV2ua4kwhXM-rnQLM2rVIoPJrLkznldDwxLzXCbwe4OrEsE2rEXe9sM5qDIrkhonoZsOlK_QJM/s640/IMG_3016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frölicking!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFU8bvuRD_JlFzyecvvzZwyMG3EhJnNxFTkVYX0G9p4EX0cQj0uvnO0bwXpfHpMNrGX2bGXByyn5cFD_nnMz8P3JCzuKRIFLh47pi0V05Aon-UiB7pS9y59sYfVIT0OdlG-kYpsqnXZQ/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFU8bvuRD_JlFzyecvvzZwyMG3EhJnNxFTkVYX0G9p4EX0cQj0uvnO0bwXpfHpMNrGX2bGXByyn5cFD_nnMz8P3JCzuKRIFLh47pi0V05Aon-UiB7pS9y59sYfVIT0OdlG-kYpsqnXZQ/s640/IMG_2884.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJClFTyZbpqDynoUDyPQpyEBWLtpDkNV9C9_mAaIY28TCXPL84XREqs0BetdYqMCTO3wEYpoPoltJwyrfnzlj8DkN1kxmF_MmAxNiS-lOU8rnInmFitVIRGiUGGgC1Cdr36p3eE35iQQ4/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJClFTyZbpqDynoUDyPQpyEBWLtpDkNV9C9_mAaIY28TCXPL84XREqs0BetdYqMCTO3wEYpoPoltJwyrfnzlj8DkN1kxmF_MmAxNiS-lOU8rnInmFitVIRGiUGGgC1Cdr36p3eE35iQQ4/s640/IMG_2895.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJbA4pFXa3uVa0caxBejeKASDXmMnNlj1RAq291FJYwOwtYclYqpySgv3F50zKBSEXT2CEnVBAt2IAGgWf0wyy7XNPbKf9lvmQTvqfZW7LvmJHapP5VCL3xxIfKxTK1ijFGeIsidW99A/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJbA4pFXa3uVa0caxBejeKASDXmMnNlj1RAq291FJYwOwtYclYqpySgv3F50zKBSEXT2CEnVBAt2IAGgWf0wyy7XNPbKf9lvmQTvqfZW7LvmJHapP5VCL3xxIfKxTK1ijFGeIsidW99A/s640/IMG_2899.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TuByrPsBs3AzFuL0FWrugROoBTt_pgnRLri1h2SSeAY8VWOsMzykLZ3PJ9XgVEY5mbdNT1DqhPHtDqUNISo5MbZgzhG7w9mq7rVQGSOVYaQq5efG1D0a2UyAhRGrCXIMgvSuhUdSnF0/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TuByrPsBs3AzFuL0FWrugROoBTt_pgnRLri1h2SSeAY8VWOsMzykLZ3PJ9XgVEY5mbdNT1DqhPHtDqUNISo5MbZgzhG7w9mq7rVQGSOVYaQq5efG1D0a2UyAhRGrCXIMgvSuhUdSnF0/s640/IMG_2910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon rising over Interlachen and the Mönch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEfc4-gSFGEYgHth7APO-yq0jfMabCXc302pnRSAEYXI7xcJriClL3Lo6Gz1z2ttWO-tahKvF-HP2MLkhzhA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 13: Grindelwald</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Day 1 - Eiger Trail - 28k - 1,790 meters (</b><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/337670254" style="font-weight: bold;">strava 1</a><b>, </b><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/337670247"><b>strava 2</b></a><b>)</b><br />
<b>Day 2 - Pfingstegg Trail - 21k - 1,227 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/337664872">strava</a>)</b><br />
<b>Day 3 - First Trail - 22.8k - 1,450 meters (<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/338351375">strava</a>)</b><br />
<br />
Grindelwald is a small village at the base of the Eiger, the largest North Face in the entire alps. Spending 4 nights in one place was extremely refreshing, and it allowed me to get to know some of the other bunkmates while I was there. I LOVE meeting other people. My legs were pretty toast at this point, so my excursions were slow and filled with hiking and long food breaks.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The hostel was situated on a hill facing the Eiger, and the nights were clear enough to watch the moon rise over the Eiger every single night. The last night, my friend Stan and I shared some Bacardi Rum. Then one of the adorable hostel workers came over and insisted that we finish the bottle. We got very drunk under the moonlight while playing guitar and listening to her sing songs about Grindelwald. It was a perfect final night in Switzerland.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y1WtcjsF916JUXsjpvbF1R-1PbZn8s9BXiefZaj-fQ5vv_UQ-p1NVuvlUFaS8wM9L1hyphenhyphenzhTRPYKdeXZwozzFbv3vBLBbxYmPNCB_mkiiJzTuj1cdMVYIAFyP-ARX8V1SKd6iIoI26kY/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y1WtcjsF916JUXsjpvbF1R-1PbZn8s9BXiefZaj-fQ5vv_UQ-p1NVuvlUFaS8wM9L1hyphenhyphenzhTRPYKdeXZwozzFbv3vBLBbxYmPNCB_mkiiJzTuj1cdMVYIAFyP-ARX8V1SKd6iIoI26kY/s640/IMG_2928.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eiger from my room's balcony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinquf12wy_xqjWKlup5jvAnePakW6CP_PfO6UZwcK5plH23QpntvSDWRJ0WW4EBuIeSFV6CCxK_F03QWHySZ5gGMCRW4DecJvAIXEzq7qrmsmrw6Lkd3kdlDkiYHB1Rb2DF8GdfidBoAA/s1600/IMG_2958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinquf12wy_xqjWKlup5jvAnePakW6CP_PfO6UZwcK5plH23QpntvSDWRJ0WW4EBuIeSFV6CCxK_F03QWHySZ5gGMCRW4DecJvAIXEzq7qrmsmrw6Lkd3kdlDkiYHB1Rb2DF8GdfidBoAA/s640/IMG_2958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eiger Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XGD_jCHZIPWYX3JZhB6nB0PwIsqwukEfl502gamtxCMw-Yp4mcIOI2V0MuS0pRo1whjzEsNbmQihPOxepvJQMWCwe81C_uxCY9eYl3SZwRvJ9ymSJp33P17oQLrMJqRbKtLzImNSMMM/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XGD_jCHZIPWYX3JZhB6nB0PwIsqwukEfl502gamtxCMw-Yp4mcIOI2V0MuS0pRo1whjzEsNbmQihPOxepvJQMWCwe81C_uxCY9eYl3SZwRvJ9ymSJp33P17oQLrMJqRbKtLzImNSMMM/s640/IMG_2979.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eiger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJG97ORIBaIhcr1FMEMdewmtNlxHtwsLFrTPAgbEtmNQFgvJhTsTUhyhtzYeOJdjTdb9nEQsZGJxqUlgov7RrnJ9SajcoTC_pqdzWqprziGIOptw4O2J24aYobDplryPePlAW-DeNHYM/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJG97ORIBaIhcr1FMEMdewmtNlxHtwsLFrTPAgbEtmNQFgvJhTsTUhyhtzYeOJdjTdb9nEQsZGJxqUlgov7RrnJ9SajcoTC_pqdzWqprziGIOptw4O2J24aYobDplryPePlAW-DeNHYM/s640/IMG_2987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Taking the train through the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSE3au5b65U_-8vCE2Qw8pgUdsGNVpTQhgXorwxfgXt3YdvvcjkIjK_jB5sUMlgSqygA8sUEZ-8_w_3CKA7tLuqwvmpfKh716aGn8PiTC8kTJ9RTkN5byAiipk1IkbA4ZRDz4OTuWlx8/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSE3au5b65U_-8vCE2Qw8pgUdsGNVpTQhgXorwxfgXt3YdvvcjkIjK_jB5sUMlgSqygA8sUEZ-8_w_3CKA7tLuqwvmpfKh716aGn8PiTC8kTJ9RTkN5byAiipk1IkbA4ZRDz4OTuWlx8/s640/IMG_2989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Jungfraujoch station looking south.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUskkhHB0qqqAqTYkFNmnAGyW5oZ-sHBAcUeNxFor4vJ1T-eY1g950rk2PhTvFFrhiRJObHAlntKBYs2pR4GHCW5fgLhz-0F7ztZJxEe06g5FAR34yXETJf-a9VjWApgkIKz_oWYLq6Q/s1600/IMG_3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUskkhHB0qqqAqTYkFNmnAGyW5oZ-sHBAcUeNxFor4vJ1T-eY1g950rk2PhTvFFrhiRJObHAlntKBYs2pR4GHCW5fgLhz-0F7ztZJxEe06g5FAR34yXETJf-a9VjWApgkIKz_oWYLq6Q/s640/IMG_3240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie in the snow! I had to escape the crowds at the station, I couldn't handle all the selfie sticks. Irony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7NZEMVdyg2H_N-t31sp-MzLxrQTXXCqUC5b1x7fwW1rt5MwHgpu5X-F-mceNZ4sK5lL7fBi2j2pR1CPmNVx3LxJ5VKNuP3F9EUbQznsCOmYqBIbHfSR-joqcMMgs4ezv7kdrjwRw5t0/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7NZEMVdyg2H_N-t31sp-MzLxrQTXXCqUC5b1x7fwW1rt5MwHgpu5X-F-mceNZ4sK5lL7fBi2j2pR1CPmNVx3LxJ5VKNuP3F9EUbQznsCOmYqBIbHfSR-joqcMMgs4ezv7kdrjwRw5t0/s640/IMG_3244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this place for lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm90z2SujKjf5ySxyqnzw8NrW-wLZ-PX4SrsnOuqlUUwljEDBwR0yRdJnO-0OgZKH9pFai2bs6yAqFvYWWKGRkHMXDWP2TrMyhR3f-wrjIKohnsI7ND0G6m5A8PCsrxBapiiGpVU-WWY/s1600/IMG_3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm90z2SujKjf5ySxyqnzw8NrW-wLZ-PX4SrsnOuqlUUwljEDBwR0yRdJnO-0OgZKH9pFai2bs6yAqFvYWWKGRkHMXDWP2TrMyhR3f-wrjIKohnsI7ND0G6m5A8PCsrxBapiiGpVU-WWY/s640/IMG_3011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So good, but REALLY hard to run after eating this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ38uEWfLhdTu3myrh6EVpwMtyNUHOgpMmm18Ml_ItLcsra03n-hxetuMXgipeayRZyuD0FwXz76AIJnngfPC84fYYdqCp3-_3QGPXm5VIPIUl4wsoc1R-cS8uZIh-quLggXZLogBYceA/s1600/IMG_3015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ38uEWfLhdTu3myrh6EVpwMtyNUHOgpMmm18Ml_ItLcsra03n-hxetuMXgipeayRZyuD0FwXz76AIJnngfPC84fYYdqCp3-_3QGPXm5VIPIUl4wsoc1R-cS8uZIh-quLggXZLogBYceA/s640/IMG_3015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to Grindelwald at the end of the 1st day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3yLqVwL16Z7vdunrbryLzwfdG_4UqI4ANco_tyyWwLPrb2-cgFxrKiZcCqKUMIafPyDRm_i-Z6SI7U-Cz3zt2MDeAw-vuTMU3yxU4tPGlfG01u0Brs3hFXNbJHYAadVkD4haB8eeTAQ/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3yLqVwL16Z7vdunrbryLzwfdG_4UqI4ANco_tyyWwLPrb2-cgFxrKiZcCqKUMIafPyDRm_i-Z6SI7U-Cz3zt2MDeAw-vuTMU3yxU4tPGlfG01u0Brs3hFXNbJHYAadVkD4haB8eeTAQ/s640/IMG_3252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely little lunch stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFKc4GyKQy5iOfzx1tDfCQCt2w2P8cmnAIVFIzpx0F5bjdn7s_8zPru-wMJHsmVLWtrlx7Z-r7K1cDHUuWVFpBeAijt5sOlc1g336Gtd7ag7NEXD3dlQpsDI1_UWQWr4Rx3mV7ctXS0g/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFKc4GyKQy5iOfzx1tDfCQCt2w2P8cmnAIVFIzpx0F5bjdn7s_8zPru-wMJHsmVLWtrlx7Z-r7K1cDHUuWVFpBeAijt5sOlc1g336Gtd7ag7NEXD3dlQpsDI1_UWQWr4Rx3mV7ctXS0g/s640/IMG_3024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch. Meat, cheese, and bread. Simple, but so freakin' good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCMZCe47ltk6lDVVJLj_sUb8o5Uq0Z74N3IrTBmHwEoaoeXGwagz-5vsPmPbHlDA30RXwArLi4kA8zax2Dd6wQ2EIpFYLOtKqPRsEIOUVlxp4_-itRx79cxQJF4ynv9uS0SI6TR-6Yww/s1600/IMG_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCMZCe47ltk6lDVVJLj_sUb8o5Uq0Z74N3IrTBmHwEoaoeXGwagz-5vsPmPbHlDA30RXwArLi4kA8zax2Dd6wQ2EIpFYLOtKqPRsEIOUVlxp4_-itRx79cxQJF4ynv9uS0SI6TR-6Yww/s640/IMG_3018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glaciers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJafxwygSj8yoIVrz4hYfL9yfvkqMzPDhr1IUJLLTQg5WoXbCzRGhyphenhyphenbgCxn9B0TtrAmN-GKQAhxAXHHfqLEJHT__PHDBCeW6_AQvmIo31DwX_WBBAFKivpQWna-9TWpfpEE0J6VvLxetg/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJafxwygSj8yoIVrz4hYfL9yfvkqMzPDhr1IUJLLTQg5WoXbCzRGhyphenhyphenbgCxn9B0TtrAmN-GKQAhxAXHHfqLEJHT__PHDBCeW6_AQvmIo31DwX_WBBAFKivpQWna-9TWpfpEE0J6VvLxetg/s640/IMG_3035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to First on day 3.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNj0v3aIr7OFGOKrYHw-7uf8hWCXIH7UZuF2q3_xMLivguvnObvXHRfIcOneLcBJuEA3d4ePjr8sgwHIGZea5NUkUA8qFxCHHBM8Fdm1QYORpqKyVzt3ptUm0jPaj5_lO4dcc8b-E7js/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNj0v3aIr7OFGOKrYHw-7uf8hWCXIH7UZuF2q3_xMLivguvnObvXHRfIcOneLcBJuEA3d4ePjr8sgwHIGZea5NUkUA8qFxCHHBM8Fdm1QYORpqKyVzt3ptUm0jPaj5_lO4dcc8b-E7js/s640/IMG_3026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bachalpsee Lake near First.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVeEfWUnAZlSHu9ZVpGJrcuzMUObI91aBQD5YPZIne9QsTt_Q5ZVMLv7gri-tS9M6o73JLzgSrmS-XX-U1QaDAQqWWpMsAJwdDghSXIIJy00pfnfNnahaK1IT9jfuQkm_0LfQ-mvqS_8/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVeEfWUnAZlSHu9ZVpGJrcuzMUObI91aBQD5YPZIne9QsTt_Q5ZVMLv7gri-tS9M6o73JLzgSrmS-XX-U1QaDAQqWWpMsAJwdDghSXIIJy00pfnfNnahaK1IT9jfuQkm_0LfQ-mvqS_8/s640/IMG_3036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon over the Eiger. The light on the mountain is from the train tunnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZrBr1iB4zk0SUh_jP1X-tHGIZbODNGw3cWzR1kOOVpmj9pdsgG1BR7snuNqfJ7ogkvfznfZNGqQ3DmPTN6O68zxcTjlEnOxRc_MolT213I8rf0nmcUOlCbi566QDgmZtF9HBcM5X1NM/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZrBr1iB4zk0SUh_jP1X-tHGIZbODNGw3cWzR1kOOVpmj9pdsgG1BR7snuNqfJ7ogkvfznfZNGqQ3DmPTN6O68zxcTjlEnOxRc_MolT213I8rf0nmcUOlCbi566QDgmZtF9HBcM5X1NM/s640/IMG_3040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dutch friend Stan and his selfie stick. The Eiger is in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 14: Geneva Airport</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<br />
Switzerland is f*cking expensive (see chapter 10), so I spent the night in the airport before my flight the next day. The floors were tile, and there was no #GenevaCarpet to lie on. All airports should have ridiculous obsessions with carpet. *sigh*<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFoKGHry83GJlTgQAZ1jljRB1aQUIChzULPnT9R25lVfgIhFk4ojUH3HkMLVW2pKBiLMfN3rXUM4SGdBBSmO1IGhEW6_qdVUGmPdN32FF7o9s1Os4ZsQ70qYOTqdCGegGCvIl2Yyi_a4/s1600/IMG_3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFoKGHry83GJlTgQAZ1jljRB1aQUIChzULPnT9R25lVfgIhFk4ojUH3HkMLVW2pKBiLMfN3rXUM4SGdBBSmO1IGhEW6_qdVUGmPdN32FF7o9s1Os4ZsQ70qYOTqdCGegGCvIl2Yyi_a4/s640/IMG_3043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geneva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>CHAPTER 15: What Next?</u></b></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Patagonia or New Zealand in 2017.</li>
<li>John Muir Trail eventually.</li>
<li>(insert cool idea here)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
If you have any questions about ANYTHING, let me know. This is a vague blog, but I hope you found it interesting/inspiring.<br />
<br />
Thanks Harvey Lewis, Nick LaBoffe, and <a href="http://www.runquesttravel.com/">Run Quest Travel</a> for making this trip happen!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Also, special thanks to <a href="http://trailbutter.com/">Trail Butter</a>, <a href="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/">Evolution Healthcare & Fitness</a>, the <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">Float Shoppe</a>, and <a href="http://www.bioskin.com/?source[]=adwords&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-4i0BRCaudDcrrnDi6kBEiQAZSh5f2TzD4Prix81nrv1g5LvOlv64qHWFWUowsWgcdwMMWMaAlmw8P8HAQ">Bioskin</a> for helping prepare me for the trip.<br />
<br />
<3<br />
<br />
Jbob</div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.3091px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-9734477859825453902015-08-09T00:21:00.001-07:002015-08-09T00:21:25.494-07:00Dropping Out of Wasatch 2015<i>I apologize to anyone who tried to get into Wasatch this year, I totally blew it...again.</i><div>
<i><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxU9fvsCUIDJ4tILr9FqifJj1a59YvwU4NULRQf3sxKRtFMirDFWMszPmWpAtxXy-kGawwihKr3CqJ7oj09ElvCv_YnMweXH4gXPkOBKub1DajmYv-OW0RM5X-Dl8iLdANpdUzhsNl4Y/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxU9fvsCUIDJ4tILr9FqifJj1a59YvwU4NULRQf3sxKRtFMirDFWMszPmWpAtxXy-kGawwihKr3CqJ7oj09ElvCv_YnMweXH4gXPkOBKub1DajmYv-OW0RM5X-Dl8iLdANpdUzhsNl4Y/s400/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfecting my Hugging form on Mt. St. Helens </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hello! I've decided to drop out of Wasatch 100 mile run 5 weeks prior to the race. Since so many of you (ultra runners) have been in similar situations, here's a reflection on why I made my decision.<br />
<br />
Plantar fasciitis has seemingly crept back into my life, even though I was in denial for a while. It started immediately after I finished a fast run around Mt. Hood in shoes that were too narrow (and perhaps I still wasn't recovered from my trip to Europe), and it seemed manageable for a time. However, as I was frolicking on Mt. St. Helens today for 36 miles, my foot had gotten worse. By the time I reached my car, I had made the decision to drop.<br />
<br />
Being that I'm 5 weeks from Wasatch, this is technically when my peak training should be happening. Granted, I feel like I'm in great shape (Europe made sure of that), but this injury feels like it would probably take more than 5 weeks to cure. So I seemingly had two choices: continue training through the injury (the stupid choice) or stop training and let Jbob heal.<br />
<br />
Another huge reason why I dropped is because, although I've taken full advantage of my company's liberal vacation/unpaid time off policy, I only had enough vacation for one of two choices: run Wasatch, or go to Disneyland with the family (and my nieces and nephews). Granted, Wasatch was scheduled first, but it was a tough choice.<br />
<br />
My goal for Wasatch was to give it my all, hoping that would be enough for a podium finish. This was a huge goal for me, and it would have been a dream of mine to really nail this race. But if I ended up running the race and had to drop out or bonk hard at mile 60, I'd be crying for the last 40 miles wishing I had decided to go to Disneyland with my family. And since I won't be able to arrive at the Wasatch starting line healthy, trained, and confident...I'd rather spend my time with my family.<br />
<br />
New goal: Win Disneyland.<br />
<br />
This is the 2nd time I've registered for Wasatch and had to bail due to injury (the first time was in 2012). Until I get a chance to run the race again, Wasatch will continue to be my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBgZx4TjSfQ">Great White Buffalo</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you EVERYONE who has been a big support to me for this past year, including <a href="http://trailbutter.com/">Trail Butter</a>, <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">The Float Shoppe</a>, <a href="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/">Evolution Healthcare & Fitness</a>, and <a href="http://www.bioskin.com/">Bioskin</a>. I really appreciate it.<br />
<br />
My next race is the Hagg Lake 50k/25k in February 2016. Until then, I'll be socializing more, napping more, and dancing at my friends' weddings without fear of ruining my taper for Wasatch.<br />
<br />
<br />
Much Love,<br />
<br />
Jbob</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-70017230172123030192015-06-06T15:03:00.000-07:002015-06-06T15:03:28.335-07:00Jbob's McDonald Forest 50k - Corvallis, OR - May 9, 2015<i>"May each pilot their own ship, and may your life's passion be a wind to fill others' sails." - Alex Newport-Berra</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7DFouoisCrOzSyfqTRa5gRlDOOKpdk55BQvmZDy1cb-Cd0st8aElKDCD0s0H_Y6TKDuUw0rMfI2ZaopIbm9pkGF8SwQhwWHMLmC5ctmTuaAGzOKm140uPoCEcmjL32AtT8hc1EnFjXc/s1600/IMG_1017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7DFouoisCrOzSyfqTRa5gRlDOOKpdk55BQvmZDy1cb-Cd0st8aElKDCD0s0H_Y6TKDuUw0rMfI2ZaopIbm9pkGF8SwQhwWHMLmC5ctmTuaAGzOKm140uPoCEcmjL32AtT8hc1EnFjXc/s400/IMG_1017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 2012, Tom Green carpooled with Nick Triolo to the start of the McDonald Forest 50k in 2012, and Nick won the race. This time, Tom was riding in <i>my</i> car and using <i>my</i> seat warmers...so maybe I had a chance. But before the race, I frankly didn't care how I would place. My mind wasn't even thinking about the race until the day before when I realized I needed a clean pair of shorts to run in. I just wanted to run with friends at one of my favorite races on a beautiful sunny day.<br />
<br />
Talking with Andrew Miller before the race, he bestowed upon me one of his favorite sayings "if you're having fun, you can't lose" (or something like that). Earlier this year, although I placed reasonably well at both the Hagg Lake 50k and the Chuckanut 50k, both races were sufferfests that really put me in an unhappy place. I wanted to run the McDonald Forest 50k smiling, and there was no way in hell I was going to lose this race.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PRE-RACE TRIBUTE</span></b><br />
<br />
This race was dedicated to <a href="http://alexnewportberra.com/">Alex Newport-Berra</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just before the race started, there was a touching speech made by the family of Alex Newport-Berra. Alex was an ultrarunner from Ashland who had passed away in 2014, and there were many of his friends (including his sister) who were running this race. I never knew Alex, but we both ran the McDonald Forest 50k in 2013 (he finished 2nd place, I finished way later). His family raised him near the McDonald Forest when he was younger, and they installed a bench in his memory just off of Lower Dan's Trail. Just before the start of the race, all of the racers were led in a Bonzai chant by Alex's friend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">“</span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">Banzai</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">” is a </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">Japanese</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;"> cheer that can be translates as “Long life!” or “Hurrah!” It is usually repeated three times to express enthusiasm, celebrate a victory, applause and favor on happy occasion while raising both arms. It is commonly done together with the large group of people.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9ht-jMsN0Jfo__9WWEXWF-uzmOc_S7SCXEAdc7K-PRGsm9x3yG2YdneWGp0DIfRhuPQJ1Tiz86Wwl0ZKJo05vrRrUd5gnsXyZmqxK8ZC68wlJyQeyzk-wX2_-7WapHxxGixWZ2BYQcg/s1600/_L_16477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9ht-jMsN0Jfo__9WWEXWF-uzmOc_S7SCXEAdc7K-PRGsm9x3yG2YdneWGp0DIfRhuPQJ1Tiz86Wwl0ZKJo05vrRrUd5gnsXyZmqxK8ZC68wlJyQeyzk-wX2_-7WapHxxGixWZ2BYQcg/s400/_L_16477.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonzai Chant. <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shortly after the chant, Ken Ward began the countdown to the race.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3...2...1...GO!!!</span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0N14aQtIL6AqphX3oa1SSJVVQazhiDK4uGXHhLI2p0NFC063_1N6tQRI8c8LgToVgzFvtsX9x3XaXdAny4D2iiWCQyqXHWlHwGmtVo1Rqh-K9X3pvn4FOjESX81GYYgA92rf9ajPUx0/s1600/_L_16487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0N14aQtIL6AqphX3oa1SSJVVQazhiDK4uGXHhLI2p0NFC063_1N6tQRI8c8LgToVgzFvtsX9x3XaXdAny4D2iiWCQyqXHWlHwGmtVo1Rqh-K9X3pvn4FOjESX81GYYgA92rf9ajPUx0/s400/_L_16487.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was going to be a hot day, and there were a number of sexy topless runners out there. One of my favorite aspects about this race is that the course changes every year. In 2014, it was run almost completely backwards from the 2013 course. This makes it easy for me to simply unplug my brain and just run. All I know is that there's going to be about 7,000' of climbing, and I decided to just cruise for the first several miles of the race and let the front runners have their own race. So I watched as Andrew pulled away from the group, bringing 3 runners with him. Before too long, I was running alone in 5th place with nobody to sing with. *s<i>igh*...I miss Jeremy Tolman</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPTqxJM01Z5wLEu8fIuHc5dIZ02rWmy59Pesym-xsP9SMuRKc0_Ivu95aYS-5r9uFc4CXMrVBU8pNT4r9yqus5n1SECmswuLixAM3t2WcszMnZBBaUlawYSZhKYu4bgV1DQdC4aP8PnE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-06+at+9.06.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPTqxJM01Z5wLEu8fIuHc5dIZ02rWmy59Pesym-xsP9SMuRKc0_Ivu95aYS-5r9uFc4CXMrVBU8pNT4r9yqus5n1SECmswuLixAM3t2WcszMnZBBaUlawYSZhKYu4bgV1DQdC4aP8PnE/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-06-06+at+9.06.22+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course Profile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The course is a fine combination of logging roads and single track, with a lot of <a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/1909906/know-lingo-unique-jargon-ultrarunning-community">douche grade</a> in between. For the most part, the climbs and descents are long enough to get into a rhythm, making it easy to settle in. The uphills were a generous grind for me, mainly slow but strong with some sporadic hiking, but I was absolutely flying on the downhills. I was having one of those days where I didn't have a care in the world except for just having fun and enjoying the day. And it was a delight to see some of my friends in the early start group as I passed them, and those short interactions gave me extra little boosts of energy.<br />
<br />
On the dimple hill climb, I planned my pee break just right to give myself a quick breather about halfway up the climb. Once I got running again, I saw Josh Zielinski running half a switchback behind me. I was hoping for someone to run with, but it didn't work out this time, and I ended up pulling away on the downhill after the aid station.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWEv0csR8wiOwKEdMnR2TDMDWoAlhy3KQkhx7zJLcbz-qdQIQ0HukbYsu8Pgw4rbH8CA2IpXHRgBfcUC7XC8sIWDsvOtuA3J-YJqEF_j-7UqDbxijAWNRPdvpfEGKr-Y3IyuS-9-NGWc/s1600/_L_16705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWEv0csR8wiOwKEdMnR2TDMDWoAlhy3KQkhx7zJLcbz-qdQIQ0HukbYsu8Pgw4rbH8CA2IpXHRgBfcUC7XC8sIWDsvOtuA3J-YJqEF_j-7UqDbxijAWNRPdvpfEGKr-Y3IyuS-9-NGWc/s320/_L_16705.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Windmilling downhill. Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All of a sudden, the trail took a big drop-off and got super technical. <i>I think this is what they call the 'Maze' section</i>. Contrary to last year, this year the trail was completely dry, making it 90% more fun. I mean, it's nice to be able to stop yourself on a steep downhill, or at least gracefully aim your descent to the next tree-hugging opportunity. The trail had a lot of quick ups and downs, and I was having an absolute blast. Pretty soon, I caught the 4th place guy and passed him <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgFeZr5ptV8">swiftly</a>. <i>Well, we'll how long it takes before I catch the next guy. I'll bet Andrew's kicking so much ass right now.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
So, right about mile 18, I caught Andrew. <i>Uh oh, something's wrong, why isn't he winning?</i> Turns out Andrew was still a little tired from traveling/running in Italy couple weeks prior.<i> Poor guy</i>. He mentioned to me that he was taking a page out of his own book and didn't want to lose this race, so he decided to slow down and have fun. <i>Smart kid</i>. He proceeded to then tell me that the other 2 runners weren't too far ahead and that I could win the race. <i>Shitballs</i>. One of my strategies for having fun during a race is to eliminate the desire to win. As Buddhism teaches: if you end your selfish desires, your suffering will also end. This leads to Nirvana, an "egoless state of bliss".<br />
<br />
Let's just say Nirvana went out the window at the next aid station when I caught up to the race leaders. With 12 miles to go, I took my time refueling at the aid station and getting my bottles filled with ice water. The weather was really warm now, probably the mid-80s, and there was no breeze to keep my half-naked body cool. So, I left the aid station while squirting myself with the ice water from my bottles. It was SO refreshing, and I felt like a new man afterwards! Seriously, the little things you can do to keep your body cool goes a long way to keep the machine working strong. My ice shower basically propelled me up the next steady climb while chasing the 1st and 2nd place runners.<br />
<br />
Pretty soon after the aid station, I caught Mike walking up the douche grade hill. He definitely started out the race too fast, but he may have done it on purpose to help prepare for a marathon he was running in a few weeks. Maybe 10 minutes after I caught Mike, I ended up tailing Nick, the 1st place runner. I hiked behind him for a little bit to gauge how he looked, but after watching him early in the race and watching him now, it looked like he was trying to run up every single hill in the race. At the next flat section, I passed him pretty nonchalantly, as I don't think he had anymore thrust in his legs. It's a lesson that took me a few years to learn, and it's greatly changed my philosophy on training and racing: <i>Just because you can run uphill, doesn't mean you should. Key word: efficiency.</i><br />
<br />
Now with 10 miles to go, I was confidently in the lead without much concern about any of the guys I just passed. They looked toasted, hot, and running with 1 bottle, whereas I was barely staying hydrated with 2 bottles. The forest was cooking, for sure. To keep me motivated, I imagined Andrew, Josh, or Neil Olson still be fighting to catch me, so I ran as if I wanted to win.<br />
<br />
Over the last 5 miles of gradual downhill, I ran as fast as I could while my hamstrings were quivering. Looking over my shoulder enough times, I felt confident that no one was going to catch me at this point. Cruising into the finish line area, I gave several woops and hollers as I crossed the final foot bridge, turned around, and crossed the finish line running backwards.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=30355#id139457">RESULTS</a>: 4:25:08 - 1st Place out of 269 Finishers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PACE: ~8:31 min/mile</b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrvIJF4ts52-9SFd9YS-8evLZONNDOpmFaJFmUMdyMxjZrsNsCq13vWtmZ-2N2uapqAM1RYdtsXw6ZLIilDLO4GGizX0p5ikhS9FoLtLnTTnfaXMTjFyaoXy2AOeSEUOlWtHvIIoLjXc/s1600/_L_17259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrvIJF4ts52-9SFd9YS-8evLZONNDOpmFaJFmUMdyMxjZrsNsCq13vWtmZ-2N2uapqAM1RYdtsXw6ZLIilDLO4GGizX0p5ikhS9FoLtLnTTnfaXMTjFyaoXy2AOeSEUOlWtHvIIoLjXc/s320/_L_17259.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo0TlpAyqVp-STdBqGv-5OlqhzwBieOc1shkSNpNV_tgk51H3KeKo3gG1SFpEIYyqKmRAKtzXenn7Sz6LmYuCH2bfKJMTOE0kysPsEkdc53ngiB-LAUWlXnQbLy1TOPvGaCOyIqrjfI0/s1600/_L_17262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo0TlpAyqVp-STdBqGv-5OlqhzwBieOc1shkSNpNV_tgk51H3KeKo3gG1SFpEIYyqKmRAKtzXenn7Sz6LmYuCH2bfKJMTOE0kysPsEkdc53ngiB-LAUWlXnQbLy1TOPvGaCOyIqrjfI0/s320/_L_17262.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Surprise finish line hug from Sean Hunter! Photos by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></div>
<br />
This race definitely reiterated the confidence I have in my running style. By running a smart race, I stayed strong from start to finish and ended up outlasting some fast people. What it comes down to is everyone shows up to the start of the race with the legs they have, and they have to manage themselves accordingly. Sometimes, the fastest runner doesn't always finish first, and "<a href="https://twitter.com/jacobpuzey/status/601912194993885186">durability trumps talent when talent breaks down</a>". I'll remember this when I run the Wasatch 100 mile race in September.<br />
<br />
I'm so grateful for this race and its community, and I'm satisfied to have run a solid race during its 20th anniversary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3HK3jpDrXClodHg-h7ciIjrKAc_s4HQ9b8vjPNHE237-73MkSvFeMSMxAlDoDr7D3EGZzyB7I9iU4tjXjlYkz55iSJvwDN_Jf-lLwl1CR0FeHq_qzfu4HFECgY5aBpQuXGHEkEytLqw/s1600/IMG_1171+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3HK3jpDrXClodHg-h7ciIjrKAc_s4HQ9b8vjPNHE237-73MkSvFeMSMxAlDoDr7D3EGZzyB7I9iU4tjXjlYkz55iSJvwDN_Jf-lLwl1CR0FeHq_qzfu4HFECgY5aBpQuXGHEkEytLqw/s400/IMG_1171+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking with Michael Lebowitz, the man behind the lens.<br />Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/Ultras/Ultra-Trail-Races-2015" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PERSPECTIVE</span></b><br />
<br />
This would be my 3rd time running the McDonald Forest 50k. The first time I ran the race was 2013, and I immediately fell in Love with the course. The mix of logging roads and technical single track made it tough, yet fast, and the forest is absolutely beautiful. That, and I found myself surrounded by good people, both runners and volunteers alike.<br />
<br />
After finishing the race in 2013, I relaxed by the finish line and watched many of the runners do something peculiar. Seemingly most of the finishers would turn around and cross the finish line while running backwards. I heard rumors that they were honoring Scott McQueeney who had died 10 years prior, and that he was known for running a race backwards. I thought the tribute was very touching, but I didn't bother to learn more about the story until after this year's race:<br />
<br />
Years ago, Scott's daughter was being tested for cancer. He bet her that she didn't have cancer or else he would run the Portland Marathon backwards. When the test results came back, they found out that she <i>did</i> have cancer, and so Scott ran the Portland Marathon backwards. After going through several months of chemotherapy and treatment, his daughter's cancer thankfully went into remission.<br />
<br />
Scott was an accomplished marathoner and ultrarunner, having run over 50 marathons, Western States, Badwater, and countless adventure runs in the Pacific Northwest. But in 2003, Scott ran the McDonald Forest 50k and passed away moments after crossing the finish line from a heart arrhythmia. (<a href="http://www.badwater.com/2003webcast/mcqueeney.html">source</a>)<br />
<br />
For the last 2 years, I've crossed the finish line of the McDonald Forest 50k backwards, not fully knowing the story of the man that I was paying tribute to. Even though I knew next to nothing about this man, I figured finishing backwards would mean something to this community and to those who knew Scott. And since I had heart surgery in 2012 for a heart condition of my own, it reminds me to count my blessings.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DEEP THOUGHTS</span></b><br />
<br />
Having learned more about Alex Newport-Berra and Scott McQueeney, it makes me really contemplate my own mortality. It's a good reminder to never take anyone for granted, and to always enjoy the moments you have with the people you Love. We live in a day and age where it's so easy to get distracted from really developing a deep relationship with one another (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINa46HeWg8">smart phones</a> being one of the biggest distractions). <b>Just remember that the greatest gift that you can ever give someone is your <i>Time.</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz8yQK2vxtVxHMUJvyUoWqDPFp7B7i0e0RVudNoRvYuvN3u46yaRAgds-gaqCNhkoZJXmad4bjAx2ys6MtvVtO-d3AID4fzgThA0qlU8-Oe7dxhQ_PDF8naVwnTwjeyZUpcjZRvE0F9o/s1600/2cfccd677a404f157338aee78b444add.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz8yQK2vxtVxHMUJvyUoWqDPFp7B7i0e0RVudNoRvYuvN3u46yaRAgds-gaqCNhkoZJXmad4bjAx2ys6MtvVtO-d3AID4fzgThA0qlU8-Oe7dxhQ_PDF8naVwnTwjeyZUpcjZRvE0F9o/s320/2cfccd677a404f157338aee78b444add.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SPECIAL THANKS</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Thank you Race Directors Ken Ward and Dennis Gamroth, as well as the rest of the race organizers and volunteers for putting on a flawless race! The course markings were foolproof, and the Aid Stations were perfect.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://trailbutter.com/">TRAIL BUTTER</a></b><br />
<br />
Thank you Trail Butter for the delicious pre-race fuel that kept me going strong all day. I'm truly addicted.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AWiaEqSYNdTAhRVhuD6ODH2CIGXFMyqcxMAnZw45s9foh1vHRUv9u-3Hp2fLJxag7dAwV1NJSmU-VjlC7TpEn3iQqVnnv4iR3oEH_KHYSksn3WMnKnfNpI1pBA_aHpGUgU4HonzJHkE/s1600/TB_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AWiaEqSYNdTAhRVhuD6ODH2CIGXFMyqcxMAnZw45s9foh1vHRUv9u-3Hp2fLJxag7dAwV1NJSmU-VjlC7TpEn3iQqVnnv4iR3oEH_KHYSksn3WMnKnfNpI1pBA_aHpGUgU4HonzJHkE/s200/TB_Logo.jpg" width="195" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/"><b>THE FLOAT SHOPPE</b></a><br />
<br />
Thank you Float Shoppe for helping with my pre-race relaxation and post-race recovery. I really can't imagine training for all my runs without float therapy, I'm so grateful for it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkv9sXnEKnk6FPgNch5YMIFnmBXtafGdrnTUtiba9uYAnY_2fHoue0xzUKDzic3O1kV_8ruy1zcJAdUxruMuqfCM3U5rVNjbeuF13kig5t9VqoGxh9NYJoCZp-Hlke6JWIohyphenhyphenG3oJoPQ/s1600/FloatShoppeSlider1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkv9sXnEKnk6FPgNch5YMIFnmBXtafGdrnTUtiba9uYAnY_2fHoue0xzUKDzic3O1kV_8ruy1zcJAdUxruMuqfCM3U5rVNjbeuF13kig5t9VqoGxh9NYJoCZp-Hlke6JWIohyphenhyphenG3oJoPQ/s320/FloatShoppeSlider1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/">EVOLUTION HEALTHCARE & FITNESS</a></b><br />
<br />
Thank you Evolution Healthcare & Fitness for helping me stay injury free and strong inside and out. I'm stoked for your new facility, and I can't wait to spend time in the High Altitude Room for my Wasatch training!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ke8qC56PlGMkOIfdaQnPOU0oekO1vu2h0Ow2OgllwHSNi0DXYrWL18ThLDkY-qquuVOn8Effvbn_D26C9TQV1r-hfU-7z-X7OIF9wgV9yLSDcN87DdId6gOhrp94w5AnvQUW52jukM/s1600/Evolution+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ke8qC56PlGMkOIfdaQnPOU0oekO1vu2h0Ow2OgllwHSNi0DXYrWL18ThLDkY-qquuVOn8Effvbn_D26C9TQV1r-hfU-7z-X7OIF9wgV9yLSDcN87DdId6gOhrp94w5AnvQUW52jukM/s1600/Evolution+Logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.ultraufitness.com/">ULTRA U FITNESS</a></b><br />
<br />
Thank you Ultra U Fitness for the <a href="https://evolutionhealthcareandfitness.sites.zenplanner.com/page.cfm?pageId=8EB2FD42-5516-403F-BA32-03EAC581EC6A">Strength Training For Runners</a> classes that help me maintain a strong core. I've never been to a more fun fitness class!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ5mF7R8dnP_i1yRv_9Lu1gKDak1aSF8APPVSD_T_2H470ZoOb02e1VHWmjs-b3C15gQei-NrJopFs8Agiy1q36B5zB5r46ELMfMWA80WS7UNLYyODEQDJGmRCPvdF2G3rlj8Idp136g/s1600/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ5mF7R8dnP_i1yRv_9Lu1gKDak1aSF8APPVSD_T_2H470ZoOb02e1VHWmjs-b3C15gQei-NrJopFs8Agiy1q36B5zB5r46ELMfMWA80WS7UNLYyODEQDJGmRCPvdF2G3rlj8Idp136g/s200/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">ANIMAL ATHLETICS</a></b><br />
<br />
Thank you Animal Athletics for the support!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yZEz657PshwLIdVIIxAthzGow47GDzYidGJBSawVCuCKUnIMBA42p2vuitqLB1Q8Ngt9jKzr-lZ_tFCA9rIUFEUeJtpzKkyDEVFpiGMrIP9UDUNjDnydzEIFZNZ0uEjRzMa8M9giTYE/s1600/Animal+Athletics+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yZEz657PshwLIdVIIxAthzGow47GDzYidGJBSawVCuCKUnIMBA42p2vuitqLB1Q8Ngt9jKzr-lZ_tFCA9rIUFEUeJtpzKkyDEVFpiGMrIP9UDUNjDnydzEIFZNZ0uEjRzMa8M9giTYE/s1600/Animal+Athletics+Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FINAL WORDS</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
My bib number was #13. Taylor Swift's favorite number is 13. Fun Fact.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-31890456014015256852015-04-06T20:42:00.000-07:002015-04-06T20:42:55.427-07:00Jbob's Hagg Lake 50k/25K - February 14/15 2015<div>
<i>I hate this race, but I Love this race.</i><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zz1wO_AnptOEMYBb84AmpQcbJhRU5iN4YRxjK3SyRTqYNPqYM2VvGYjWs2Gsjl8eyT2xrc7JNJRjXeafQppThNrOUmzElePoDNQszd8qkMBRGaHCu9Xx_a93BM9FOTYUddOPfrN0xo8/s1600/10985903_10205840482361062_6709975506617463604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zz1wO_AnptOEMYBb84AmpQcbJhRU5iN4YRxjK3SyRTqYNPqYM2VvGYjWs2Gsjl8eyT2xrc7JNJRjXeafQppThNrOUmzElePoDNQszd8qkMBRGaHCu9Xx_a93BM9FOTYUddOPfrN0xo8/s1600/10985903_10205840482361062_6709975506617463604_n.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe, Shane, Megan, Gordo, and me!<br />Photo by Lisa Kroth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>RACE CULTURE</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Every time someone asks me about the Hagg Lake races, I usually respond with something synonymous with "self-inflicted torture". The race in 2014 was by far the worst I've felt after any race (including the 100 mile races I've finished), because it was so muddy and I was pulling muscles and bruising my feet while trying to finish in the top 3 men. This race demands a certain respect for the course, because in poor conditions you simply can't run over it...you stumble-fuck your way through it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZfg4YkXddRVM4sn6ZIT_UtlOusdTJn49Fgvi_ulVRPZYxeGlG89ksOAWrgE_-UP75jDliKOgFUvetfdmMXNFExabfymYUxB5AXFgnkunHMAYLltwvoQWtVSI6IzLbw5NBjhPu96vu-A/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZfg4YkXddRVM4sn6ZIT_UtlOusdTJn49Fgvi_ulVRPZYxeGlG89ksOAWrgE_-UP75jDliKOgFUvetfdmMXNFExabfymYUxB5AXFgnkunHMAYLltwvoQWtVSI6IzLbw5NBjhPu96vu-A/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-91.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Moe and his Larry 5.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50k/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kristen Nelson</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That said, there's a growing number of people who are not only running the 50k on Saturday, but they are coming back the next day to run the 25k as well. Why is that? Some do it to earn the coveted growler of beer awarded to those completing the Double. Others do it...well, let's just say most people do it for the growler. This year would mark the 5th consecutive Hagg Lake Double finishes by Moe Codino, and it would have been Larry Stephens' 5th year as well.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSEzJbEd2_-FGhncyODeXa3j4Wut2cATIbdB_pvlulWZN59LJgRSpO4TEaoXco3ALWr010Dk8otxdUsc_0gwRLpjCxtUvMmP8i2ULTR79BgYwrfOIEIUPIJVdPzkJD4wVmJarfysVqYY/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSEzJbEd2_-FGhncyODeXa3j4Wut2cATIbdB_pvlulWZN59LJgRSpO4TEaoXco3ALWr010Dk8otxdUsc_0gwRLpjCxtUvMmP8i2ULTR79BgYwrfOIEIUPIJVdPzkJD4wVmJarfysVqYY/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-277.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Gordo with his Larry 5.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50k/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kristen Nelson</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, Larry was unable to make the starting line due to a serious injury he incurred just weeks earlier. To honor Larry and symbolize how much he means to this race and community, Moe decided to run with "Larry 5" written on his body. This trend caught on, and many other runners wrote Larry 5 on various parts of their body in support. Some runners also wrote Desiree Marek's name on their bodies because she was also injured and couldn't race the Hagg Lake Double. This running com<span style="background-color: white;">munity is super close, and it continues to inspire me how everyone supports one another through both victories and temporary defeats.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMbozTifJlOSoBmjoNf8S_l_RO9JYagYtAyX89LM4yHTRonErItdRe62Qd1yOjQvtSJSxMohh7mldMYWtkhqCwPuv6jqENz03VOW-x8bKTugNtZUZNCIx-hSFv-lz5upEJ79I4Lstg_k/s1600/10984078_10102011534685179_158345791767799192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMbozTifJlOSoBmjoNf8S_l_RO9JYagYtAyX89LM4yHTRonErItdRe62Qd1yOjQvtSJSxMohh7mldMYWtkhqCwPuv6jqENz03VOW-x8bKTugNtZUZNCIx-hSFv-lz5upEJ79I4Lstg_k/s1600/10984078_10102011534685179_158345791767799192_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe's Legs. Photo by Jeff Fisher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE 50K RACE - SATURDAY</span></b><br />
<br />
<u>Course Description</u>:<i> A short out-n-back up a gravel hill, followed by 2 laps around Hagg Lake. </i><a href="https://vimeo.com/87346178" style="font-style: italic;">Here's a video of the course in wet weather</a><i>.</i><br />
<br />
3..2..1..GO!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tRi6BqhyphenhyphenaZk-pNTLGUp5YSYnauzEQeBGLeyEfVGT7aGrVvfmmSmyPyI09eXcBKYFkrVvgYeeWYvNZ_yMMVygsQv3xoAY1VAPanwBnlh9uTz-wsdgW6KNrK56trINS6mbVeL515zabbo/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tRi6BqhyphenhyphenaZk-pNTLGUp5YSYnauzEQeBGLeyEfVGT7aGrVvfmmSmyPyI09eXcBKYFkrVvgYeeWYvNZ_yMMVygsQv3xoAY1VAPanwBnlh9uTz-wsdgW6KNrK56trINS6mbVeL515zabbo/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-16.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50k/">Kristen Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The course started with swift running up the gradually steep gravel roadway. Surrounded by good company and fast runners, we ran as a group for the most part. After the turnaround, we galloped down the hill like wild stallions, running 6 abreast at one point while chatting and cracking jokes. Once we reached the single track trail, we ran in a party train led by Jeremy Tolman.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDtc8njbWW_3Rcwnd4KY1laJuGTJKnEcVXy5k9bfV9wWXmOnMjX3grutVZ3-PlhBsAvWgYKRHXnBjXhpmbsLLJ9ztUPAj1fHZz5oEZWu95G_yHgKTvrEfAu2O96HRIdsJpFSyt9J-uvo/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-29+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDtc8njbWW_3Rcwnd4KY1laJuGTJKnEcVXy5k9bfV9wWXmOnMjX3grutVZ3-PlhBsAvWgYKRHXnBjXhpmbsLLJ9ztUPAj1fHZz5oEZWu95G_yHgKTvrEfAu2O96HRIdsJpFSyt9J-uvo/s1600/ODR_Hagg_Mud_2015_50k_kn-29+(1).jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jeremy leading the train.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50k/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kristen Nelson</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, Jeremy was feeling rather fresh this fine morning...<i>shitballs</i>. He led a pace that was reasonable for any All American steeple chaser and a sub 4-minute mile runner, which he was in his college days. But for a guy like me, my heart rate was uncomfortably high. Even Zach Gingerich (Badwater 135 and Arrowhead 135 champion) was like "are we starting out a little fast"? <i>Probably. Yes. Ugh. Jacob Puzey didn't start this fast last year. I miss that guy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The trail around Hagg Lake this year was drier than most, which translates to faster race times. In years like this, the podium finishers seem to always be the runners that start out fast and hold on the longest. Being 1 of the 8 front runners in this race, I decided to see if I could hold on. My high heart rate was concerning, and it felt unsustainable for a self-predicted 4 hour finishing time. <i>Only time will tell</i>.<br />
<br />
Everyone and their Mums stopped at the first aid station, except for me. That's where I took the lead, followed by Jeff Browning, Tom Brooks, and Nicholas Davis. Since no one else wanted to lead, I took the liberty of dictating a manageable pace while trying to get my heart rate below 170, which never really happened.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>HALFWAY</b><br />
<br />
The four of us ran together through the first lap, but then Jeff and Tom took off and had a race of their own on lap 2. After ripping off my shirt in sexy fashion and unfastening my bra strap...<span style="font-size: x-small;">I mean heart rate monitor</span>...I started racing Nicholas for 3rd place.<br />
<br />
After the dam aid station, I noticed Nicholas wasn't running the hills very strong. So, I made a move and jumped into 3rd place while trying to <i>appear</i> like I was feeling fresh. But I wasn't. I was hurting, and for a good portion of the 2nd lap, I wanted to pull over and cry. Through a combination of starting out too fast, having no thrust, and running semi-scared, I was not happy. That's the way it goes sometimes, and there was only one way that I would be proud of my race...so I vowed to keep pushing until I finished. Because I'm Jason Fucking Leman.<br />
<br />
In the last 4 miles of the race, there are three long stretches where you can see far ahead of you and behind you. Of course, I spotted somebody chasing me down. <i>Come on baby, hold together</i>. Digging deep, I pushed a push that Salt-N-Pepa would be proud of. I gave one last glance behind me with 1/4 mile to go...<i>I see a dude, but I can't see the whites of his eyes. I'm good.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=29328#id139457">RESULTS</a>: 3:56:22 - 3rd out of 154 finishers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PACE: 7:37 min/mile</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYngFt6XXdadjaf2zOioc2DP212NiQ3vxYz1_ajweCrtaQYLg7fm6bR6kLthTNQBo2Vf4stZ8HEVdV-kFkgGYrZopNy2sE9RqPHQxMPuuJShZy0P_Y9kwmffCNyL7wQp1-jg6TUcQNUAA/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYngFt6XXdadjaf2zOioc2DP212NiQ3vxYz1_ajweCrtaQYLg7fm6bR6kLthTNQBo2Vf4stZ8HEVdV-kFkgGYrZopNy2sE9RqPHQxMPuuJShZy0P_Y9kwmffCNyL7wQp1-jg6TUcQNUAA/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPENT. Photo by Renee Seker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>LITTLE DID I KNOW</b><br />
<br />
Neil Olson finished only 21 seconds behind me, I thought it was Nicholas this entire time! I had no idea Neil was even racing that day until I saw him at the finish line. Every year he runs this race the same way, he always comes from nowhere and one by one hunts down the leaders. He's a smart runner, and if he had one more mile, he may have beat me. Next year, I hope to run like him and give the leaders a head start before hunting them down. It sounds way more fun that way.<br />
<br />
<b>RECOVERY</b><br />
<br />
After soaking in the lake and hanging out at the finish line, I ate lots of food and Trail Butter, then I drove home to take my nephew to Monster Jam for a bro-mantic Valentine's Day outing. My hip flexors were a little sore from the race, but my legs otherwise felt okay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxP-Zk5-jJaKawe-nmS8GN2kiKVYisuJOZiqaEIHTCMYoNhIWNu6NFNc51LAqVrAc29n-VQVqgs4KOVOoT66e0eBxOaqKCt48Vu56iUJLIauAsVp7XFsGDVJAFuDPnWROuJIddUY06Jc/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxP-Zk5-jJaKawe-nmS8GN2kiKVYisuJOZiqaEIHTCMYoNhIWNu6NFNc51LAqVrAc29n-VQVqgs4KOVOoT66e0eBxOaqKCt48Vu56iUJLIauAsVp7XFsGDVJAFuDPnWROuJIddUY06Jc/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE 25K RACE - SUNDAY</span></b><br />
<br />
The drive back out to Hagg Lake has a very Déjà vu feeling, for obvious reasons. It's less stressful for me because I have less anxiety about how fast I run. For the past 3 years, my Hagg Lake 25k's have been slow, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9GIZZOt0Rk">extremely painful</a>, and care-free. This year, however, I was feeling the best I've ever felt the day after the Hagg 50k. Then a little thought bubble popped into my head...<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If I'm feeling good, maybe I can break my previous Hagg Lake Double record...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
In 2013, my combined times for the Hagg Lake Double were (3:40:53 + 2:19:10) = <b>6:00:03</b>. If I had a good day, I knew there was a decent chance of beating that combined time.<br />
<br />
3..2..1..GOOO!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TuuCTsbcsuHsgSDmyG8uF3bFq5mgKepcUbHqksHVCVMQ73K0YWT-qrXp6T8CTnc6aaviDir1chWELTJraIjrefKmVxigxYMt6o6v0cY62IN87cbREp0pmpX1xSgRouQVLp0OFWjvsqI/s1600/MGCA_20150215_Hagg_Mud_2015_25k_00010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TuuCTsbcsuHsgSDmyG8uF3bFq5mgKepcUbHqksHVCVMQ73K0YWT-qrXp6T8CTnc6aaviDir1chWELTJraIjrefKmVxigxYMt6o6v0cY62IN87cbREp0pmpX1xSgRouQVLp0OFWjvsqI/s1600/MGCA_20150215_Hagg_Mud_2015_25k_00010.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by </span><a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-25k/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kristen Nelson</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As soon as the race started, I took off. Things were heavy, but I was moving well. Strangely, the trail conditions seemed better today then during the 50k. After the first mile or two, my left hip flexor began to hurt with a dull, but constant ache. To my delight, it worked itself out by mile 5.<br />
<br />
Contrary to the 50k, I was actually enjoying my run! My heartrate was about 10 bpm lower, but my pace was almost the same as my overall 50k pace. That was very interesting, and it really made me regret starting the 50k so fast. What I couldn't figure out was why I was running and feeling so good during the 25k race...oh well! At least I was having fun! As I got closer to the finish line, I set 2 hours as my finishing goal. It seemed within reach, and I pushed hard to get under that time. When the finish line came into sight, my legs felt good enough to sprint.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=29328#id139457">RESULTS</a>: 1:58:43 - 18th overall out of 353 finishers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PACE: 7:38 min/mile</b><br />
<b>NEW COMBINED 50k + 25K RECORD = 5:55:05</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTbCcNOz19l2ZU3byucAVTMuxDCz82wVGgVB4JscPE8Zlgu21zr18lcIPFBo-A2eScQLCVS2pxmYVnYcCDGbSxAoVnIxv4AVd8BNr3vs21sTAkIvmf9Wm3C9wi-tAB-76Sy5TiCMwFc/s1600/MGCA_20150215_Hagg_Mud_2015_25k_01118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTbCcNOz19l2ZU3byucAVTMuxDCz82wVGgVB4JscPE8Zlgu21zr18lcIPFBo-A2eScQLCVS2pxmYVnYcCDGbSxAoVnIxv4AVd8BNr3vs21sTAkIvmf9Wm3C9wi-tAB-76Sy5TiCMwFc/s1600/MGCA_20150215_Hagg_Mud_2015_25k_01118.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://orrc.smugmug.com/2015-Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-25k/">Kristen Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>LESSONS LEARNED</b></div>
</div>
<br />
My two races were run at almost identical average paces (<b>7:37 min/mile</b> for the 50k and <b>7:38 min/mile</b> for the 25k). My heart rate for the first half of the 50k averaged<b> 175 bpm</b> before I tore the damn heart rate monitor from my chest. My heart rate for the entire 25k averaged<b> 165 bpm</b> on tired legs, yet my pace averaged the same as the 50k. <i>FASCINATING!</i> Next year, I'm going to run the 50k race like Neil Olson. I'd much rather see if I can pull some kind of ridiculous negative split and finish with a sprint and a smile on my face. That's how I prefer to race, but often times I get so caught up in the competition that I end up letting someone else dictate my race. I've got a feeling this is one of those lessons that I'm going to learn over and over again...so it goes.<br />
<br />
<b>MY 4TH DOUBLE</b><br />
<br />
Being my 4th annual Hagg Lake Double finish, I earned my 4th growler for completing the two events in the same weekend. If I finish my 5th Double next year, I'll earn a growler with my name engraved on the bottle. I'm hoping Larry Stephens will be hoisting his engraved growler with me and Shane Kroth in 2016.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4FlY6N2w7BKQuianr8tBDCXgQ4Ku5K64b2zMtqrYrTHG7aLpKHXcO_nW4jfBw4wnlVhhzdS1If-5PHW45KS4PEKf6rTFUTH5315V2GiFxW9fpRigGlKTCPXNYeP23E6Or6S2dtu1ILk/s1600/FullSizeRenderrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4FlY6N2w7BKQuianr8tBDCXgQ4Ku5K64b2zMtqrYrTHG7aLpKHXcO_nW4jfBw4wnlVhhzdS1If-5PHW45KS4PEKf6rTFUTH5315V2GiFxW9fpRigGlKTCPXNYeP23E6Or6S2dtu1ILk/s1600/FullSizeRenderrr.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Phil Brundage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>RESPECT</b><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
On top of running the Hagg Lake Double, Moe also marked the course on Friday, becoming the only runner to ever complete the Hagg Lake "Triple". Why did he do this?! Because he's Moe. He earned the shit out of his engraved 5 year growler, and he celebrated in true Moe fashion by hosting a gathering at Moe's Trunk Tavern in the parking lot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWQmdW4JMNe6ymqU1TRJD2UavwoIfbpS_b0ndzFrLMEizSFKkp7q8JuAKdfqIRG3Wa4vSN7qjFGhLdBw3p2V6caBT6TVSPDgoDFcoG_G_kekRiwAJ6JoDK2M1hxuVkLI6gu5vKi8zElw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWQmdW4JMNe6ymqU1TRJD2UavwoIfbpS_b0ndzFrLMEizSFKkp7q8JuAKdfqIRG3Wa4vSN7qjFGhLdBw3p2V6caBT6TVSPDgoDFcoG_G_kekRiwAJ6JoDK2M1hxuVkLI6gu5vKi8zElw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe, Megan, and Shane after the 50K.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t5MW1M4naQ3-tcKRko7iPxxCFslO-AcDKcIPx_VVVPaBNZxErVTezISb0g2sClylOaXBMjz99BhvFzTanm1PDy2adTtxhgBqMVaYg6kFF6Y55RC_QSZb-03us7Xp88_GL2cVWybO9OU/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t5MW1M4naQ3-tcKRko7iPxxCFslO-AcDKcIPx_VVVPaBNZxErVTezISb0g2sClylOaXBMjz99BhvFzTanm1PDy2adTtxhgBqMVaYg6kFF6Y55RC_QSZb-03us7Xp88_GL2cVWybO9OU/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe after the 25K.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOmDzZW4DBEMV661ZjatTTItx6N_x1O2pQ3r79SUrcwMwhfvUFtFCIC0l5eCcrdvEj3oBlC5plmzS2ettGITUiFBU1vFwJexZ__HlpCs7awj2gSNwg8Fco1GtpZ3abjvoxSwaIA3-NXw/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOmDzZW4DBEMV661ZjatTTItx6N_x1O2pQ3r79SUrcwMwhfvUFtFCIC0l5eCcrdvEj3oBlC5plmzS2ettGITUiFBU1vFwJexZ__HlpCs7awj2gSNwg8Fco1GtpZ3abjvoxSwaIA3-NXw/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitting decor at Moe's Trunk Tavern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SPECIAL THANKS</span></b><br />
<b></b><br /><b></b>
<b><a href="http://trailbutter.com/">TRAIL BUTTER</a></b><br />
<br />
Trail Butter is my favorite pre-race breakfast and long run snack. This delicious fuel is #trending throughout the Pacific Northwest, and it has honorable mention by <a href="http://gearjunkie.com/boggs-trail-butter-review">Gear Junkie</a>, Trail Runner magazine, and others. Trail Butter is being sold at these following <a href="http://trailbutter.com/store-locator/">retail locations</a>, try some if you haven't already!<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRK7tfEyGmSijl_JtICNtRgMX7NSmftjHcDFXp9fJKlIKG2WrAoKdFrLn1dQlhspow9owIFY2HTMxkDlgXL17yoAHI8RiGWV6RazsE-Y1yvU-f8f4VH4GZh7dUMVmnZt2mjZWbv7Sy3Y/s320/TB_Logo.jpg" height="200" width="195" /><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">FLOAT SHOPPE</a></b><br />
<br />
The Float Shoppe has been a regular part of my training and recovery for the past 2 years. For one, there's so much Epson salts dissolved in the water that it causes you to float, which is a cool experience all in itself. But there are lots of researched <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">benefits</a> associated with floating. Check this place out, it's also Wellness Center featuring Yoga, Acupuncture, Massage, Counseling, and a Community Space.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Float Shoppe Logo" src="http://www.floatshoppe.com/fs/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/FloatShoppeSlider1.jpg" height="85" width="200" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/who-we-are/">ANIMAL ATHLETICS</a> AND <a href="http://www.ultraufitness.com/">ULTRA U</a></b><br />
<br />
Both of these groups offer running coaching, fitness classes, and adventure runs. They currently both offer fitness classes at the new <a href="https://evolutionhealthcareandfitness.sites.zenplanner.com/calendar.cfm">Evolution Healthcare & Fitness Center</a>. Check them out!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s1600/jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s320/jpeg.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FcZjH7Vv8PToCd281aWAl-iBIh8l5huesuzfaXCRQnAdsz2UyqH06wxeCGsDQGzgCUQ2tz3_8DwLPwt1snQDBwIfZLbdWCbQT92JKfkOwF-wQJhcqAcXqWiQC5Tma0WF3hzJSdQGAK8/s320/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" height="200" width="200" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/">EVOLUTION HEALTHCARE & FITNESS</a></b><br />
<br />
This is a brand new center for Sports Chiropractic, Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, General Medical Practitioner, Sports Psychology, Personal Training, Strength and Conditioning Classes, Altitude Training, Yoga Classes, Tai Chi, and Nutrition.<br />
<br />
That's a lot of stuff. Brad Farra is one of the masterminds of this new operation, and he's been my sports chiropractor and one of my most trusted advocates/coaches for staying injury free with all the running I do. Oh, and the facility has a <a href="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/altitude-room/">High Altitude Room </a>that simulates elevations up to 17,000'.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Evolution Healthcare and Fitness" src="http://www.evolutionhealthcareandfitness.com/green-things/uploads/2015/01/logofinal.png" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b><br />
<br />
I still find this hilarious. The high five was eventually had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNND5Ua0bzjeIKkb7Hy_52IvIc6r165B1n2UcxeZwN9FBALPYfLJIhJMBMorHedR7-lXtu_fSXqiuWImWc7zkNoavXpTe_QTHuZAQSEbKt2FGXg7GM-S5VxbI7-cNerLmFhjOjnc4_EI/s1600/IMG_1227.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNND5Ua0bzjeIKkb7Hy_52IvIc6r165B1n2UcxeZwN9FBALPYfLJIhJMBMorHedR7-lXtu_fSXqiuWImWc7zkNoavXpTe_QTHuZAQSEbKt2FGXg7GM-S5VxbI7-cNerLmFhjOjnc4_EI/s1600/IMG_1227.PNG" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-90602140776094766112015-01-31T23:57:00.000-08:002015-02-02T17:50:21.208-08:00Jbob Musings, 2015 Motivation, and Lessons Learned from 2014<i>Je suis croissant.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrL59z3Wsi8zI8zIhaZbeVo9P1HaavzqXA5j0Wa779VG9DIkxl_TG7invp-QJuxBbfr_a4Cz59b2NeyasI-cMEvsKbyQJhj3rK8QAyZnidshO5J9d0oTiz3QZ8Da7BYzTKofflvNuVhI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrL59z3Wsi8zI8zIhaZbeVo9P1HaavzqXA5j0Wa779VG9DIkxl_TG7invp-QJuxBbfr_a4Cz59b2NeyasI-cMEvsKbyQJhj3rK8QAyZnidshO5J9d0oTiz3QZ8Da7BYzTKofflvNuVhI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I felt by the end of October 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OMG, 2014 was a blast, but I need to do things a little differently in 2015. What I'm talking about is mostly running related, but there's a whole life/running imbalance that I believe is the reason for my eventual burnout in 2014.<br />
<br />
Having completed my 10th ultra (12th race) of the year at the Oregon Coast 50k in October, I found myself burnt out and in much need of a break, plus my tight ass was killing me. My summer was planned as if it were the last year of my life, filling each weekend with opportunities to race, crew, volunteer, or simply run in some magical faraway place. After the Oregon Coast 50k, I hung up my shoes for a month as I recovered from my year by way of hot chocolate, cookies, and almost daily naps. <i>My body and mind were cooked</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VyyHMstU8yKvQUm0FD30NPn5Wpjspe3qtCQpn54SzImKJ2tQM5Duj8AP-u2DBpTTiyZRFaoGgsZiknGFcrDS4P2nV1ftbKIhX_nJP7Zzg5MEQSuLcPIQ5E5EQXAd7EoLFHFAaGAJAiE/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VyyHMstU8yKvQUm0FD30NPn5Wpjspe3qtCQpn54SzImKJ2tQM5Duj8AP-u2DBpTTiyZRFaoGgsZiknGFcrDS4P2nV1ftbKIhX_nJP7Zzg5MEQSuLcPIQ5E5EQXAd7EoLFHFAaGAJAiE/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This burnout that I felt stemmed mainly in my mind, thankfully. Often times, us ultrarunners push ourselves to injury before we realize that our bodies are pissed off and need a break. But given that I wasn't necessarily injured, my main reasons for taking a break were mainly fatigue, lost motivation, and hardly any social life. It's frustrating how something so fun and rewarding can be so draining, and that's why my life needs more balance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>2015 MOTIVATION & MUSINGS</u></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnL3F8kMjnFjYHR3RllCSuEvq9GBY-J18C5onfuo-NoJCVHQIXezUV2kikzapeUDJcNTLazFQqDJb7PiD6vz3zuXkY5zz_YRlm_Ekl3epz3QctSq6XiMBJxCa_8Nds3JqQOk_SCTQCb8/s1600/10509601_10204806541903585_8613714181780079717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnL3F8kMjnFjYHR3RllCSuEvq9GBY-J18C5onfuo-NoJCVHQIXezUV2kikzapeUDJcNTLazFQqDJb7PiD6vz3zuXkY5zz_YRlm_Ekl3epz3QctSq6XiMBJxCa_8Nds3JqQOk_SCTQCb8/s1600/10509601_10204806541903585_8613714181780079717_n.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Run for Farah!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-races.html"><b>CLICK HERE TO SEE MY 2015 RACE SCHEDULE</b></a></div>
<br />
Now that it's 2015, I'm finding myself motivated again for another big year. For one thing, I'm only planning on doing 5 races, and the rest of the year will be devoted to running in the Alps around Mont Blanc, exploring the Northwest <a href="http://www.volcanorunning.com/">Volcanoes</a>, dancing (you're invited), and having fun. For me, the most motivating aspect of trail running is that I keep getting faster every year, and I'd like to keep improving and truly discover my potential. That's why I'll be pushing myself to attempt some FKJ records this summer (Fastest Known Jbob). Namely, I have some goals for myself that involve running around or up volcanoes in true FKJ fashion: Fast, dancy, and with Taylor Swift on repeat. <i>I'm dancing on my own, I make the moves up as I go, and that's what they don't kno-ow.. Mm-hmm! </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4hkra6caAU49NaFFpzY9P2D6oc20-F-nQPIPJEVfiHN3EaCGf46F0bt1G9JhiCK9H2UR9h1EhRw0_98dKlQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(you know you want to dance with this guy)</b></div>
<br />
Running has become such an introverted source of energy for me. Most of my training runs are run alone for different reasons, typically because I have no idea where I'm going, how far I'm going, how fast I'm going, or when I'll be home. It's empowering to not to have to rely on anyone but yourself for a day of exploration. But at the same time, the camaraderie of the Trail Running community is a huge reason why I'm in Love with this sport. <i>Love should always be capitalized</i>. I hope I get the chance to run with others more this year between my races and Jbob time trials, because its running with others that can really help rejuvenate my passion for the running lifestyle.<br />
<br />
Every year I change up my training and try different things. For example, I now run with a watch or GPS tracker thing to both keep track of my runs and to hold each run to a Jbob standard. I used to just run and not care about gauging my fitness, but I'm starting to see a huge motivational factor to figuring out how fast I can summit Council Crest from my work or how to control my heart rate on longer runs. And I'm totally using <a href="http://www.strava.com/">Strava</a> now, which has its fair share of followers and critics. I could care less how I compare to others, and I don't give a damn about the motivational trophies....but hot damn, it's one hell of a training tool. <i>Comparison is the thief of joy. Just do your thing.</i><br />
<br />
Another focus for 2015 is to work more on core work and to do some more indoor rowing. I've invested in certain weights that should make it easier for me to jump out of my bed and into my exercises...but I haven't figured out how to wake up early enough to do strength training AND be on-time at work. If I'm late to work, the penalty is $0.25 in the "late jar", so being punctual has been more of a priority lately. <i>Lazy Ultrarunner, a true irony.</i><br />
<br />
If anyone out there speaks French, bonjour! Voulez-vous d' avoir une conversation et le café? Et un croissant? Et une baguette? Et peut-être un peu de fromage? Je essaie d'apprendre le français et je voudrais pratiquer avant que je explore Mont Blanc. Merci beaucoup!<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">LESSONS LEARNED IN 2014</span></u></b><br />
<br />
<u><b>ORCAS ISLAND 50K (<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2014/02/jbobs-orcas-island-50k-race-report.html">blog</a>)</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>For most "first races of the year", nobody is in peak shape...except for that one guy. Relax and enjoy the run.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zBB8MOrathwiHAMCEfX_WTNJ_SP9OI-YCk10pQITz8TL0HpVvSudImsTIEjXOQKrUhXi_pXFXcvDI_MqEIXg58VIAdRKnA8LyYV0_h_ZInjB3TZVKuvZdKR76n3SrwSo4O5GbebA6w/s1600/Orcas+-+Mt.+Constutution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zBB8MOrathwiHAMCEfX_WTNJ_SP9OI-YCk10pQITz8TL0HpVvSudImsTIEjXOQKrUhXi_pXFXcvDI_MqEIXg58VIAdRKnA8LyYV0_h_ZInjB3TZVKuvZdKR76n3SrwSo4O5GbebA6w/s1600/Orcas+-+Mt.+Constutution.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>HAGG LAKE 50K/25K (<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-hagg-lake-double-50k-and-25k.html">blog</a>) (<a href="http://vimeo.com/87346178">video</a>)</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Don't fight the mud, the mud will always win.</li>
<li>Blackberry bushes make a poor bathroom.</li>
<li>40 degrees Fahrenheit and raining is cold, wear a shirt.</li>
<li>Ice baths help recovery...A LOT</li>
<li>You are 60% more likely to wipeout in front of Paul's camera.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T3kiLfpsBHSLHerit86UdRn5IuKiyh5wesx3CVfqyLLHXIU2uE1yICYYoZkIW96tgHn9pjdlYKUUaMPffER1yeeatuGUl9o0-OJB4gJz9Z87XHegA-m8mbCVA_O6p5n5qYWgKbmVK7c/s1600/_DSC5648-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T3kiLfpsBHSLHerit86UdRn5IuKiyh5wesx3CVfqyLLHXIU2uE1yICYYoZkIW96tgHn9pjdlYKUUaMPffER1yeeatuGUl9o0-OJB4gJz9Z87XHegA-m8mbCVA_O6p5n5qYWgKbmVK7c/s1600/_DSC5648-XL.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>GORGE WATERFALLS 50K</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Bonking at mile 2 is a terrible way to start a race, but it's better to start slow and finish strong than vise versa.</li>
<li>Will Emerson is a smart runner.</li>
<li>Not caring about how you place is a great way to enjoy a race.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwebJ0Zbl5LUz76AD2s01ZBd8qfbS3mNXPuKZMRtUfgzzCvJiBM_R7w2LKdx5pGZSiy9kYF5x1QraJXYX_hwfJNIvf6WF0ObeUWmnUp6ofeVMufVXweTJnKEEjMzoHPwDZb2i2Sl3_e4M/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+-+2014+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwebJ0Zbl5LUz76AD2s01ZBd8qfbS3mNXPuKZMRtUfgzzCvJiBM_R7w2LKdx5pGZSiy9kYF5x1QraJXYX_hwfJNIvf6WF0ObeUWmnUp6ofeVMufVXweTJnKEEjMzoHPwDZb2i2Sl3_e4M/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+-+2014+(1).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>PETERSON RIDGE RUMBLE 20 MILER</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Juggling a soccer ball minutes before a race is a terrible way to warm up your quads, especially when they were hammered from the day before.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl1CchcecOC9EbczGxvjg1Mcm097d9kP7e66Ux-2gDlQvaBFdcWP_pdJTPz4ldia9hyphenhyphengYIrKyEbEUapdkvq0I7HL6ni5UYn_jbNvbxqnWhQAgTWnIbzcDZ8FLe3NfhgXGHu5Sc16cxyQ/s1600/IMG_0762-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl1CchcecOC9EbczGxvjg1Mcm097d9kP7e66Ux-2gDlQvaBFdcWP_pdJTPz4ldia9hyphenhyphengYIrKyEbEUapdkvq0I7HL6ni5UYn_jbNvbxqnWhQAgTWnIbzcDZ8FLe3NfhgXGHu5Sc16cxyQ/s1600/IMG_0762-X3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>CAPITAL PEAK 50 MILER - 2nd Place</u></b></div>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Don't eat 1000 calories for breakfast before the race, or you will throw up at mile 6.</li>
<li>Don't start a 50 miler at a fast pace, especially with 1000 calories in your stomach. You will throw up at mile 6.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKeUQkSTJYwY0k81AOvHC_GSRoT0AYGepfyzbjz6YRB2IMdh36d_BXgZq-NIQIIJX_GXJyA9noLndmX3oXq6s8PzAx7UFutZCxlHSN6r6vgS620kAJ1YMJl4YW-sCvU86TCA2lwY17U/s1600/Capitol+Peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKeUQkSTJYwY0k81AOvHC_GSRoT0AYGepfyzbjz6YRB2IMdh36d_BXgZq-NIQIIJX_GXJyA9noLndmX3oXq6s8PzAx7UFutZCxlHSN6r6vgS620kAJ1YMJl4YW-sCvU86TCA2lwY17U/s1600/Capitol+Peak.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>MACDONALD FOREST 50K - 3rd place</b></u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Andrew Miller is a badass.</li>
<li>Hokas are terrible in mud.</li>
<li>2 weeks barely isn't enough time to recover from a 50 miler.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsJaPHA5WqViXh-fAsC6sAuhBiIlWDtVZjKAwbvrhmSwQqOWTdAvcbQrgn7gMzEjlfDTcFC5uxCa_j9M3dKc-E4mtzcWx_0SCqeUhyphenhyphen64vBF7yeHVvRUuqfJWBcA7oV1ax_inGSlnvJnM/s1600/1901436_10100139087474663_8605354517828283794_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsJaPHA5WqViXh-fAsC6sAuhBiIlWDtVZjKAwbvrhmSwQqOWTdAvcbQrgn7gMzEjlfDTcFC5uxCa_j9M3dKc-E4mtzcWx_0SCqeUhyphenhyphen64vBF7yeHVvRUuqfJWBcA7oV1ax_inGSlnvJnM/s1600/1901436_10100139087474663_8605354517828283794_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>BEACON ROCK 50K</b></u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Hokas serve their purpose in preserving my legs for a 50 mile weekend with 16,000' of climbing.</li>
<li>I probably shouldn't have done the last 25K loop of the race, my knees were a bit shot.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h_rlwwZH_LTJ3rtiu_9ZQgRX5EPU8ivDll-qpS4Qc2AYlGEV94C3QivF79d_eNncb2njvm8SHKWLb-avuwevuQuvSXFU7nYwF04Ht11ROevG1awUzNySEqBTc7LrUIobzUZdRzd-VHY/s1600/Beacon+Rock+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h_rlwwZH_LTJ3rtiu_9ZQgRX5EPU8ivDll-qpS4Qc2AYlGEV94C3QivF79d_eNncb2njvm8SHKWLb-avuwevuQuvSXFU7nYwF04Ht11ROevG1awUzNySEqBTc7LrUIobzUZdRzd-VHY/s1600/Beacon+Rock+2014.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Samantha de la Vega.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>WESTERN STATES 100 MILER - 22nd Place (<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2014/10/jbobs-western-states-100-mile-endurance.html">blog</a>)</u></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>My Family is awesome.</li>
<li>Don't get a deep tissue massage 2 days before a 100 mile race. My hamstrings were still sore for the first 50 miles.</li>
<li>Don't consume S-caps when you've never really consumed S-caps before. They're quite potent, and they can fuck with your gut.</li>
<li>A fun game: Try to drop your pacer every time they go to the bathroom.</li>
<li>I still haven't figured out why I threw up at mile 93, but I felt amazing afterwards.</li>
<li>By starting off the race relatively slow (not by choice, my knees were painful in the canyons), I had a strong final 40 miles. By the time I finished, I wished the race were 5 miles longer so I could try to catch more people.</li>
<li>I'm immune to poison oak! I think...I haven't tried wiping my ass with it yet.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4125441165894592788" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrBTkyT75SCRXg46qC_qEJQlutgsuIU1aPusL929bWDAIBtiTZ7xF5_EnrBBDikycbT3zMhiHc39GnBs7hZ2g7_2d_uEDLLkFtkFbOPFurNJ5-3K3sxTPpzPUbgEoIFlYv9c57tVFa_A/s1600/Western+States+2014+-+Forest+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrBTkyT75SCRXg46qC_qEJQlutgsuIU1aPusL929bWDAIBtiTZ7xF5_EnrBBDikycbT3zMhiHc39GnBs7hZ2g7_2d_uEDLLkFtkFbOPFurNJ5-3K3sxTPpzPUbgEoIFlYv9c57tVFa_A/s1600/Western+States+2014+-+Forest+Hill.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and me running stride for stride at Foresthill. Photo by Brooks Leman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>BADWATER 135 MILER - CREW/PACER (<a href="http://vimeo.com/102303525">video</a>)</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Before drinking from the spray bottle, make sure your crew members aren't filling it with grey water.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxxW70tYjtAgaDPbv0_fctGGubFKqPEo3Qog85eKhHr_7lLvFejVvP8iMh49ajgN6zzndIbofouxCaaqpSYRuusx4Bs70SsoJxSNvE3oQXUWU5ZQYk9pPzWqzDXZKMYfDzPQEAmklKU/s1600/14744844045_ece125c49c_o+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxxW70tYjtAgaDPbv0_fctGGubFKqPEo3Qog85eKhHr_7lLvFejVvP8iMh49ajgN6zzndIbofouxCaaqpSYRuusx4Bs70SsoJxSNvE3oQXUWU5ZQYk9pPzWqzDXZKMYfDzPQEAmklKU/s1600/14744844045_ece125c49c_o+(1).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by AdventureCORPS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>SQUAMISH 50 Mile - 13th Place</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Don't wear sunglasses for this race, the forest is super dark and dense.</li>
<li>Run this race, and you will understand why Gary Robbins dominates at the H.U.R.T 100. The terrain is technical and relentlessly hilly, but holy crap it's fun!</li>
<li>Be ready to give a public speech after you finish the 50 miler.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVJM5AfTumWwrCK4JyGkAi__xvjpNJCjKcxF8v2DlZPCIH_-zZEc9aF2Tm-eunY-upPb4iFLVAy0guxm05Egj9G13gk_KJB_V5vriIYWemXzXAlS5_4h4kDyEx7zL0mfgUrhI7LXVqhw/s1600/984167_10152243621380684_5612040966955138235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVJM5AfTumWwrCK4JyGkAi__xvjpNJCjKcxF8v2DlZPCIH_-zZEc9aF2Tm-eunY-upPb4iFLVAy0guxm05Egj9G13gk_KJB_V5vriIYWemXzXAlS5_4h4kDyEx7zL0mfgUrhI7LXVqhw/s1600/984167_10152243621380684_5612040966955138235_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by the Lovely Catherine Yu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>VOLCANIC 50K - 1st Place (<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2014/09/jbobs-volcanic-50k-race-report-mt-st.html">blog</a>) (<a href="http://vimeo.com/77659953">video</a>)</u></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Every now and then, you have a perfect race.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nSqHHNy6P8fMAOuO9Y-zzxFAqFTmNa58auiLcyHEoIoAE6nQrDwnVBalsrfzWOuxhD-F_N0BxRaYOlzyq0YFBqtnkKG_lYtj6DmzF02RHSKOCZIq-uDXyG4JZ19R7IWaT6p5PLsjQ10/s1600/_DSC3204-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nSqHHNy6P8fMAOuO9Y-zzxFAqFTmNa58auiLcyHEoIoAE6nQrDwnVBalsrfzWOuxhD-F_N0BxRaYOlzyq0YFBqtnkKG_lYtj6DmzF02RHSKOCZIq-uDXyG4JZ19R7IWaT6p5PLsjQ10/s1600/_DSC3204-X3.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>MOUNT RAINIER, WONDERLAND TRAIL - 90 miles</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>This trail is incredible. Do it if you ever get a chance!</li>
<li>A supported 3 day circumnavigation is incredibly enjoyable, but it should be treated like a 100 mile race in terms or training and tapering.</li>
<li>Stacie is an Angel.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUKgHXNNvsyMqdYtnzXYWoNSzpemOhwhDZYUH-AjbjFFiUHGgI7AphODXzA10ckHWgGNj3AClEwPKFr65VTvkMiV0HFlRsqBA0QlSGGFLp0ynJgC9rjCEtFkwulDjQSmTfA26Ra9txzQ/s1600/10348620_774309412640152_1537020905333888189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUKgHXNNvsyMqdYtnzXYWoNSzpemOhwhDZYUH-AjbjFFiUHGgI7AphODXzA10ckHWgGNj3AClEwPKFr65VTvkMiV0HFlRsqBA0QlSGGFLp0ynJgC9rjCEtFkwulDjQSmTfA26Ra9txzQ/s1600/10348620_774309412640152_1537020905333888189_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3. Photo by Gary Robbins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">OREGON COAST 50K</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Just because you sign up for a race, doesn't mean you should run it. My body was still destroyed from circumnavigating Mt. Rainier just 2 weeks prior, and I probably shouldn't have started the race. Big thanks to Joe Chick for the good company through the long day!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4scI7zF7gnHaIcoHfUk0AkXsESH0EjaoXlHkXthHE6Pc8f131oaM3dAb5LqGtblbfrL1UsuHkeGvt5Zn3oltWWMz-UDLihWEYfYMzVdeOiqm0T9vJyUD5ud0F4SXaz7aSXedhsAYVAA/s1600/10561743_10203379250457076_8880974388846618228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4scI7zF7gnHaIcoHfUk0AkXsESH0EjaoXlHkXthHE6Pc8f131oaM3dAb5LqGtblbfrL1UsuHkeGvt5Zn3oltWWMz-UDLihWEYfYMzVdeOiqm0T9vJyUD5ud0F4SXaz7aSXedhsAYVAA/s1600/10561743_10203379250457076_8880974388846618228_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama, taken immediately after I was<br />
rolling my left ass on a rock for some myofascial release.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>SUPPORT</u></span></b></div>
<div>
<br />
I owe a lot to these folks who have been a huge support in keeping me strong, healthy, injury-free, and well fed. Thank you for everything, and I'm looking forward to 2015!<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://trailbutter.com/shop/" style="color: #6699cc;"><b>Trail Butter</b></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRK7tfEyGmSijl_JtICNtRgMX7NSmftjHcDFXp9fJKlIKG2WrAoKdFrLn1dQlhspow9owIFY2HTMxkDlgXL17yoAHI8RiGWV6RazsE-Y1yvU-f8f4VH4GZh7dUMVmnZt2mjZWbv7Sy3Y/s1600/TB_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRK7tfEyGmSijl_JtICNtRgMX7NSmftjHcDFXp9fJKlIKG2WrAoKdFrLn1dQlhspow9owIFY2HTMxkDlgXL17yoAHI8RiGWV6RazsE-Y1yvU-f8f4VH4GZh7dUMVmnZt2mjZWbv7Sy3Y/s1600/TB_Logo.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<b><a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">ANIMAL ATHLETICS</a> AND <a href="http://www.ultraufitness.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">ULTRA U</a>:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FcZjH7Vv8PToCd281aWAl-iBIh8l5huesuzfaXCRQnAdsz2UyqH06wxeCGsDQGzgCUQ2tz3_8DwLPwt1snQDBwIfZLbdWCbQT92JKfkOwF-wQJhcqAcXqWiQC5Tma0WF3hzJSdQGAK8/s1600/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #6699cc; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FcZjH7Vv8PToCd281aWAl-iBIh8l5huesuzfaXCRQnAdsz2UyqH06wxeCGsDQGzgCUQ2tz3_8DwLPwt1snQDBwIfZLbdWCbQT92JKfkOwF-wQJhcqAcXqWiQC5Tma0WF3hzJSdQGAK8/s1600/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" height="200" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s1600/jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s1600/jpeg.jpg" height="200" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="157" /></a><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" />
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<b style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">THE FLOAT SHOPPE</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-9ultZG9WZLl8frZX7RkWpZO0o4uIzXlXux7IhXKDygKafdZc_6__0NWUSu5l8JDKbxLdGwfHA3Z5k13oPdaio39X9UvOREGk_t0ZUSYN9GBLPmecph55t0rwA-iRv-MU9C645Xmyxs/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-9ultZG9WZLl8frZX7RkWpZO0o4uIzXlXux7IhXKDygKafdZc_6__0NWUSu5l8JDKbxLdGwfHA3Z5k13oPdaio39X9UvOREGk_t0ZUSYN9GBLPmecph55t0rwA-iRv-MU9C645Xmyxs/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" height="240" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">DR. BRAD FARRA, SPORTS CHIROPRACTOR</a></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FINAL THOUGHTS</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
I read "<a href="http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/">Unbroken</a>" while recovering from my <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/07/post-heart-surgery-success.html">heart surgery</a>, severe plantar fasciitis, and other unfortunate events in 2012. Since then, I've never taken my health, or my life, for granted. I just want to take my legs as far as possible before I can't anymore.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">
I heard the movie was okay, but the book is amazing. Read "Unbroken" if you haven't already, it's an incredible story.</div>
</div>
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-32121651048892288502014-10-12T17:52:00.000-07:002014-10-12T23:21:17.884-07:00Jbob's Western States 100 mile Endurance Run - June 28, 2014<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Everybody hurts...<i>sometimes</i>." ~ R.E.M.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jyVUvBSgIkrLNs6bbsA9s4kZPzqisZyVfqBhPtEmJpFoLbXg0amc8hhUScIcMMcfN7toRozr9tTxt8CYOiDTlQRnbESoP8pemURgiLAwvfRoSxHGpCWLl-m8RL5TRk-cNqaM_ppZDHU/s1600/10433749_10152476585865412_6849863622011352754_n.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo used by <a href="http://www.ultralive.net/ws100/webcast.php">Ultralive.net</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MINDSET</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I got this.</i> There's so much to say about this race. For one thing, it's one of the most revered 100 mile races in the world, and I was fortunate enough to be selected via lottery to run it. A week before the race, I was starting to get anxious, but I wasn't nervous. My training was as good as it could have been, and I was confident that I could attain my goal of 19 hours...so long as nothing went horribly wrong during the race (i.e. sprained ankle, epic chafing, cougar attacks (animal and/or human), stomach issues, explosive diarrhea, etc). Leading up to the race, I was sleeping like a baby knowing that I was as prepared as I wanted to be.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrl2-pmPh4PLzZe2KwA6EuDI14Hpzn3ri8KCcPsK6WLNBxCVaQSKPgT7eiWHuCaFZhs2En0dEP0GbpIFitqvEDUaUSTFKzMCe-KNDV7dSXOH-gxtJa-rl__uPLAeM8pq4wrLrMrarmZNE/s1600/600_8792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrl2-pmPh4PLzZe2KwA6EuDI14Hpzn3ri8KCcPsK6WLNBxCVaQSKPgT7eiWHuCaFZhs2En0dEP0GbpIFitqvEDUaUSTFKzMCe-KNDV7dSXOH-gxtJa-rl__uPLAeM8pq4wrLrMrarmZNE/s1600/600_8792.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1lCuV1cA9mztXpnH67rcAO06Z_2s-sd0paV79E5OuPZHal7yvp8hNp16aky46OUpnGBWGjqXKQUakdUfAVg1SIkO_2G0ARSAbwT41McihyphenhyphenSkrU_vajhj6dAIHJq_YLvK9TeO1HIMtJU/s1600/800_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1lCuV1cA9mztXpnH67rcAO06Z_2s-sd0paV79E5OuPZHal7yvp8hNp16aky46OUpnGBWGjqXKQUakdUfAVg1SIkO_2G0ARSAbwT41McihyphenhyphenSkrU_vajhj6dAIHJq_YLvK9TeO1HIMtJU/s1600/800_5154.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wearing cheetah shorts IS my heat training.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CREW</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My family</i>! Both my parents and two sisters traveled from the Bay Area and Portland to crew me. They decorated the car, had custom t-shirts and hats made, and brought the nice camera to take pictures with. I'm blessed to have such a loving family to come and support me, and I Love them dearly for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IMrvgJujDgCirJeFIzilh60nvidfSMb6pKzyrI403hAaDLofuxX97yodd5YR-oDn3bk6ZRqq7laICJwBXaKeM_c8hURajrBUvc0bYibxQ4meSU0iCIQFIiSfOEC3CU5BI0XUyNUZJkU/s1600/600_8957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IMrvgJujDgCirJeFIzilh60nvidfSMb6pKzyrI403hAaDLofuxX97yodd5YR-oDn3bk6ZRqq7laICJwBXaKeM_c8hURajrBUvc0bYibxQ4meSU0iCIQFIiSfOEC3CU5BI0XUyNUZJkU/s1600/600_8957.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Portland Sister, Dad, California Sister, and Mum!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PACER</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "kid" from Corvallis, Andrew Miller. He's a stud, and he's won most of the races that he's ran this year including the Waldo 100k. Though he's only 18, he was 3rd place at the Pine to Palm 100 miler last year. With his speed, 100 mile experience, and positive attitude, I was stoked to have him pace me for the last 40 miles of Western States.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxqgsRmzrL7Ep1DSdJBuk3EmlINIjaoM6iwgOkmO0d1GM5PzAO3U8jCQPMJI7oD7pCFwB53rFzQyz8dn0daEo1D_NDjYuPKrOLlxLkRGvXC_osZw2NI4eE9xHZoltcJ3bGpwLbMdMgY0/s1600/IMG_0456-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxqgsRmzrL7Ep1DSdJBuk3EmlINIjaoM6iwgOkmO0d1GM5PzAO3U8jCQPMJI7oD7pCFwB53rFzQyz8dn0daEo1D_NDjYuPKrOLlxLkRGvXC_osZw2NI4eE9xHZoltcJ3bGpwLbMdMgY0/s1600/IMG_0456-X3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew, on his way to winning the Orcas Island 50k.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GEAR</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shoes:</i> <a href="http://www.saucony.com/en/peregrine-4/12350M.html">Saucony Peregrine 4</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Water Source:</i> double fisting 26oz bottles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hat:</i> Trail Butter Trucker Hat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Headlamp</i>: <a href="http://www.petzl.com/fr/Sport/Lampes-frontales-ACTIVE/MYO-RXP#.VDs2USldVOE">Petzl Myo RXP</a> (this headlamp spent 20 seconds drowning in the Rucky Chucky River, and still worked afterwards)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shirt:</i> Animal Athletics Patagonia Capilene 1</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Socks:</i> Drymax socks (the Peterson Ridge Rumble finisher's prize)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Bandana:</i> White with a sewn pocket for ice to be inserted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Arm Sleeves:</i> <a href="http://www.madathlete.com/Mountain-Hardwear-Super-Power-Warmer/dp/B007E2RLMM">Mountain Hardware</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Nipple Tape:</i> Sexy <a href="http://rocktape.com/">Rock Tape</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lube:</i> None</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE COURSE</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The course starts in Squaw Valley, CA (near Lake Tahoe) and ends in Auburn, CA (near Sacramento). After going through the high country, much of the the trail goes in and out of the American River Canyons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzGCwRJCiyeATFZx2AeGZf58zN4brayYrlIiIDLTYzNisvynhfkL12h7TJIWjhxlUFfeNvuUQoSW7LZiO5qIVUPbeqJh9aLcDOoVJvVA9vVk3yJ3PgtGlszf5ZC5H-t3vxNgEF5HR7JY/s1600/profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzGCwRJCiyeATFZx2AeGZf58zN4brayYrlIiIDLTYzNisvynhfkL12h7TJIWjhxlUFfeNvuUQoSW7LZiO5qIVUPbeqJh9aLcDOoVJvVA9vVk3yJ3PgtGlszf5ZC5H-t3vxNgEF5HR7JY/s1600/profile.jpg" height="259" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Western States Race Profile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read from RIGHT to LEFT.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RACE MORNING</span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The start at Squaw Valley was cold at 4:45 am, but it was tolerable in shorts and a t-shirt. As I joined the rest of the nervous runners at the start, I greeted as many friends that I could. It was easy to tell which of my friends were too nervous to sleep the night before. As the clock counted down, Gordy gave some last words of encouragement, challenging female elites like Pam Smith to beat every runner but one (as Ann Trason did in 1994). Then the gun went off.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSfq2yZ9cwFW2rAqIlMmQVa-5T_5Zvt_USlTzuWY62Q_lHUkT10e42iMw6VFjdbqzXc5-bR0PVEwXf3NUJvwX_eP75OfUbULZzjPXgfnTeqLEWTwC95VQvBqQXFg65ceTEd2f4vlTGWY/s1600/800_5166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSfq2yZ9cwFW2rAqIlMmQVa-5T_5Zvt_USlTzuWY62Q_lHUkT10e42iMw6VFjdbqzXc5-bR0PVEwXf3NUJvwX_eP75OfUbULZzjPXgfnTeqLEWTwC95VQvBqQXFg65ceTEd2f4vlTGWY/s1600/800_5166.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RACE BEGINS - 5:00 AM</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSepJ8DE2xieN8q848XVknLWohTx3Fky7gBl602NOIKiBGVjdn-HcmMKQNkzufijHsUUHjIv-fzUXeTRq1xXdYTLy4nPwAbAjJqbDCSZiuNA3FPYJp3JV2B9fMyLui3RxBJRDtt04vSzQ/s1600/600_8833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSepJ8DE2xieN8q848XVknLWohTx3Fky7gBl602NOIKiBGVjdn-HcmMKQNkzufijHsUUHjIv-fzUXeTRq1xXdYTLy4nPwAbAjJqbDCSZiuNA3FPYJp3JV2B9fMyLui3RxBJRDtt04vSzQ/s1600/600_8833.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hundreds of journeys (not the band) led to this moment. Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were so many friends and family lined up to cheer on the runners as we all started running up the mountain, it was impossible to tell which yelling faces belonged to my family. <i>Onward and upward!</i> Soon enough, the running turned to hiking, and I mimicked almost every step of Monkey Boy and AJW, two smart runners who know this course inside and out (this was AJW's 10th Western States). When they ran, I ran. When they hiked, I hiked. It definitely helped restrain my tapered legs from chasing runners who I wanted to beat...<i>Run smart, be efficient, and have patience...it's 100 f***ing miles, not 20. </i>After committing to the idea of allowing runners to outrun me for the first 50 miles, I settled in and focused on controlling my breathing and heart rate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_LwXvju7WMIc08NH_0QGuGMEDUKJ8qndFn5GziOwq3FO4B1iOdghNjgA-576L5KMPS7EFxUGSPoGPn5i5mAxx101C0nKw6morJIF9Ie_ishsk0PypFXXB70DjX7ri5uvilxS4jhrrxI/s1600/800_5206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_LwXvju7WMIc08NH_0QGuGMEDUKJ8qndFn5GziOwq3FO4B1iOdghNjgA-576L5KMPS7EFxUGSPoGPn5i5mAxx101C0nKw6morJIF9Ie_ishsk0PypFXXB70DjX7ri5uvilxS4jhrrxI/s1600/800_5206.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The runners stampede up the mountain,<br />as my Sister and Mum watch.<br />Photo by Brooks Leman</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The legs felt heavy, but I attributed that to the altitude (9,000'). The first 3 miles were fairly gradual on an uphill cat track, followed by some single track through a field of wildflowers as the sun was rising. It was über pretty, and I was filled with gratefulness.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QTr8CykK4vjgoPjrs1RRkQcHGPj7jadT5vwCtauT5DjawSXCvbzNT0LSxqJ8PM788IBLfjHbKWplimTKYh6CCrm95EGOHnmjiMGaSuCWnZyUEU_WTc7jzBhrxAp9T93IY8tXL7OEFKw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-30+at+10.26.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QTr8CykK4vjgoPjrs1RRkQcHGPj7jadT5vwCtauT5DjawSXCvbzNT0LSxqJ8PM788IBLfjHbKWplimTKYh6CCrm95EGOHnmjiMGaSuCWnZyUEU_WTc7jzBhrxAp9T93IY8tXL7OEFKw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-30+at+10.26.08+PM.png" height="400" width="271" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Luis Escobar.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The high country trail was very single track, crossing little runoff streams and rolling mostly downward. The AJW and Monkey Boy party train was at least 10 runners strong, without much chatter. The people who were talking the most were Stephanie Howe and Nikki Kimball, and they were chatting up a storm! The group started spreading out after the Lions Ridge aid station (mile 10), and that's when Stephanie made her move. As she bounded down the trail in front of me, I politely yelled at her to keep the dust down. She laughed, I think. <i>That was the last I saw of her, and Stephanie would eventually finish first place woman.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The high country was filled with big leafed plants that were definitely <i>not</i> poison oak. Knowing that the inevitable would happen soon, I grabbed a handful of leaves and shoved them in my shorts for future use as toilet paper. Seriously, those leaves were the Charmin of the forest! The Red Star Ridge aid station volunteers laughed at my ingenuity after they saw the ration of leaves poking out of my shorts. <i>The leaves were put to good use around mile 22.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
Running with the likes of Pam Smith (she won Western States last year), I felt like I was finally in a rhythm. I did my best to keep Pam in sight, knowing that she was a smart runner and probably trying to win the race. As we climbed out of Duncan Canyon towards Robinson Flat, I saw the first carnage of the day. James Bonnett, aka fast motherfucker, was walking slowly with a hamstring issue. I wished him well as I pressed on to Robinson Flat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>ROBINSON FLAT - MILE 29.7 - 43rd Place Overall</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt amazing to see my family and Andrew at the aid station, and it gave me a huge emotional boost. My legs felt like they just ran 30 miles (go figure), and my family helped me replenish my pockets with GU, replaced my ice bandana, and handed me my precious Coconut Water. I left the aid station full of food, water, and life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0Uh98Y1wzJfZrraISkSd-M1fGjV3PkJUMGtKLfwRVpjZkKL_zD37czhDVzmcfVcRpVsK4WC3eJH3lh5UBUdw-OR_MO1mUUMzm3c2SNxojL0N8QLDmi2r21cZRaAi3CfZSljp8M1PHcM/s1600/600_8890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0Uh98Y1wzJfZrraISkSd-M1fGjV3PkJUMGtKLfwRVpjZkKL_zD37czhDVzmcfVcRpVsK4WC3eJH3lh5UBUdw-OR_MO1mUUMzm3c2SNxojL0N8QLDmi2r21cZRaAi3CfZSljp8M1PHcM/s1600/600_8890.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robinson Flat. Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after Robinson flat, the trail begins a loooong gradual 15 mile downhill to the swinging bridge. <i>Yay, lots of downhill running! Wait a minute, why do I feel like throwing up?</i> Feeling a disturbance in my gut, I stopped for a brief second to take a deep breath. Using my superior problem solving skills, I realized that I had broken one of the golden rules of 100-mile races:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;">"Don't do anything different on race day that you aren't used to doing!"</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having consumed an S-cap (salt pill) at the previous two consecutive aid stations, my stomach was like "WTF?". S-caps contain a ton of sodium, and I wasn't sweating nearly enough salt to warrant taking the supplement. Also, I never use S-caps during training or in races, probably because I don't sweat that much (thank you, Pacific Northwest weather). So of course, popping salt pills made me feel bloated in the gut and nauseous, therefore causing me great discomfort. Of course I eventually recovered, but I went through at least 1 hour of discomfort, as seen in this photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WuZf0dQew_iqLK4OZXIjpGOiBwa3UseT7TkhZ69-n-147u7XwzO6PUZNgrP-I5MS9R0nkrFCxzqsT4eGoKNX0rztsFfNNRqHgzyNTIdW7rjWvRVwnaw6BN4ADiIKfI6xCiOuq3efMSE/s1600/i-fQsnjH4-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WuZf0dQew_iqLK4OZXIjpGOiBwa3UseT7TkhZ69-n-147u7XwzO6PUZNgrP-I5MS9R0nkrFCxzqsT4eGoKNX0rztsFfNNRqHgzyNTIdW7rjWvRVwnaw6BN4ADiIKfI6xCiOuq3efMSE/s1600/i-fQsnjH4-X3.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeling Terrible. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama before Dusty Corners.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Dusty Corners, the trail leveled off for a while before dropping down towards Swinging Bridge. On the way down (at about mile 40), I noticed a sharp pain in both knees isolated directly beneath the knee cap. Perhaps my form was a a bit off, or maybe my glutes weren't absorbing the downhill impact like they should, but my knees were hurting on all steep downhill grades. <i>Crap! Downhills are my favorite! Why is this happening? Is it getting aggravated or staying the same? Will this cause me to drop out of the race?</i> Lots of thoughts were going through my head. I tried braking less on the downhills, but the pain was mostly inevitable. The good thing was, the uphills and flats didn't hurt. So after soaking in the river crossing below Swinging Bridge, I knew I had 2 more excruciating canyon downhills and 3 more climbs before arriving at Foresthill (mile 62) where the trail becomes more gradual. <i>Come on knees, get to Foresthill!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After passing an uncharacteristically slow Emily Harrison, I feared that her day was over. I resolved then to get to the finish line, even if my knees forced me to walk. <i>Come on body, don't blow up.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just beyond the Swinging Bridge creek crossing (mile 44), is a climb called Devil's Thumb that leads out of the canyon. There's something like 37 switchbacks before reaching the top, and so I started counting the switchbacks one by one...then I lost count...then I just kind of fell into a groove. The climb up Devil's Thumb wasn't terribly steep (by Columbia River Gorge standards), and I was able to catch several people on the climb. After arriving at the top, I was weighed, sweet talked by Ma Boggess, encouraged by Denise (saying I was in 41st place), sponged by volunteers, hugged by <a href="http://trailbutter.com/videos/">Trail Butter Jeff</a>, and got my bandana iced by good friend <a href="https://www.ultrarunning.com/author/joeuhan/">Joe Uhan</a>. After getting stoked on their positive energy, I was feeling more optimistic about my race. <i>Just 2 more canyon descents</i>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutM3isMffDGu15CQ2u55oUqHh7dbePauTgwq9t0byxfGX74-jhfzw9_Z-76RgoCOCh-gYYblnLx_fBlBL44foRrLA5ceqqylEsFgl7ublRkHDrVFCX33JxNSvXVstiwgkKrn0nRlAavU/s1600/photo+(24).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutM3isMffDGu15CQ2u55oUqHh7dbePauTgwq9t0byxfGX74-jhfzw9_Z-76RgoCOCh-gYYblnLx_fBlBL44foRrLA5ceqqylEsFgl7ublRkHDrVFCX33JxNSvXVstiwgkKrn0nRlAavU/s1600/photo+(24).JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mortally wounded in vain.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running downhill strong, but not terribly fast because of my knees, the temperature was getting noticeably hotter as I dove deeper into the canyon. Poison oak was becoming a constant border for the trail, and I was being careful not to <i>OOF!...ouch...system check...bottles still in hand, legs fine...what did I land on, rebar? Shit, stupid stick. </i>Not knowing what I tripped on, I face planted into a poison oak bush near the edge of the trail, nearly impaling my shoulder on a stick that was sticking out of the ground. With my arms, shoulder, bottles (and consequently my mouth) draped in poison oak, I was going to find out soon how allergic I was. <i>Lucky me, I'm apparently not allergic. Smiley face.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MILE 50 - HALFWAY</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
At the bottom of the canyon was the El Dorado Creek aid station. It wasn't so hot that I needed to jump into the creek, but I decided to anyways. It took some scrambling to get down to the water's edge, and I was happy to be feeling so limber at the 50 mile mark of the race. After getting pleasantly soaked from a refreshing submersion, I left the aid station wet, refreshed, and ready to hike hard to get to Michigan Bluff (3 miles away). AJW had passed me at the aid station, but I was able to hike past him and a few others on the uphill. My climbing legs still felt great, and hiking was easy. Just before Michigan Bluff, I began feeling the energy of the aid station and started running towards the noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AID STATION #10 - MICHIGAN BLUFF - MILE 53-ish - 40th Place Overall</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
Coconut water, new GUs, knee straps for my knees, a sunscreen rub down from my family and Todd Janssen, a first and last sip of Perpetuem, lots of water melon, and off I go.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe9HVPcS0lJFNxrvcbPN9d_ZWkAtz3XddehZPUaphl65EEVJcbxy6wrR314JhEyx4Mb6lBOpfJE61SUS7l9WUKssPIf05eeSo5Yh4mvSfBi3yhXxgwI58xzliHbMB1-wnm8KhRC6leQw/s1600/600_9023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe9HVPcS0lJFNxrvcbPN9d_ZWkAtz3XddehZPUaphl65EEVJcbxy6wrR314JhEyx4Mb6lBOpfJE61SUS7l9WUKssPIf05eeSo5Yh4mvSfBi3yhXxgwI58xzliHbMB1-wnm8KhRC6leQw/s1600/600_9023.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flamingos. Were. Everywhere.<br />Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKI5mKCyjaf9JKWWNA242-yLF7YGL0e8nDiNh90OfrAuUuvU7qoLuw255c7rxVKbKcZA264jp73D7-n-MFlOAOrq4-oLjqXkoYj4Ye2SVadTI4GisZsiq0PK35vuNeTvANZSy9y98siA/s1600/600_9061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKI5mKCyjaf9JKWWNA242-yLF7YGL0e8nDiNh90OfrAuUuvU7qoLuw255c7rxVKbKcZA264jp73D7-n-MFlOAOrq4-oLjqXkoYj4Ye2SVadTI4GisZsiq0PK35vuNeTvANZSy9y98siA/s1600/600_9061.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first and last sip of Perpetuem. Bleh. Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My face leaving the Aid Station was that of an internal systems check for my knees, gauging the usefulness of the knee straps. There was only one more steep downhill left before reaching Foresthill, so hopefully this would be the last of the excruciating descents. I ran as much as I could, but the steepness definitely slowed me down in places. Frustration ensued, because I LOVE running technical downhill...but I was almost walking downhill at this point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More carnage. The Pixie Ninja (Kaci Lickteig) stepped aside to let me, AJW, and one other pass by. She was struggling with hip flexor issues, I think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the bottom of the descent was a stream just big enough to soak in. <i>I'm starting to really enjoy these streams!</i> Finally beginning the ascent, I unambitiously hiked behind AJW until we reached Bath Road, where my pacer Andrew was waiting for me. This moment was my turning point, and I enthusiastically ran most of the uphill portion of the road without feeling any fatigue. Perhaps my slowness in the canyons was a blessing in disguise, for my legs still felt fresh as I was was approaching mile 62.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AID STATION #13-ish - FORESTHILL - MILE 62 - 38th Place Overall</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzwvMmJIecrpV6xpnyKvR0gGR4i5b-Zlv3kjW8rfemJ_zypgB6NgJl3TG6hILl8Kv1PoQeF5c6PvAx5diurLCBFGUYN7xwKMMsitQX4iHzE6hCekgktTbpTxPA-eZs-5aIieuObIHVPc/s1600/600_9194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzwvMmJIecrpV6xpnyKvR0gGR4i5b-Zlv3kjW8rfemJ_zypgB6NgJl3TG6hILl8Kv1PoQeF5c6PvAx5diurLCBFGUYN7xwKMMsitQX4iHzE6hCekgktTbpTxPA-eZs-5aIieuObIHVPc/s1600/600_9194.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foresthill was packed with crews and pacers awaiting their runners, and the energy was incredibly uplifting. My family was perfectly addressing my needs, and the aid station volunteers were very professional. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family: "Hey Jason, do you need a sponge bath?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: "Depends on who's doing it...<i>*sees two cute volunteers holding sponges*...</i>YES!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After getting my neck rubbed down, I collected by replenished bottles from my family and began tearing down Foresthill Road towards Cal Street with Andrew.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx2GblOWbmKrWzuJq3Ps_au3yVpWPI0T8DOo_I0KHtowp9k_X6ayez2bAlEtbRYrnmZfgUmhC54OVJM5ztNnsl7jJD2Bgcw7wuDPuwXMuJeeyRH_GwfDOLkQfc_WY6cNOOj0uGJCAgjg/s1600/600_9308+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx2GblOWbmKrWzuJq3Ps_au3yVpWPI0T8DOo_I0KHtowp9k_X6ayez2bAlEtbRYrnmZfgUmhC54OVJM5ztNnsl7jJD2Bgcw7wuDPuwXMuJeeyRH_GwfDOLkQfc_WY6cNOOj0uGJCAgjg/s1600/600_9308+(1).jpg" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stride for stride, picking up the pace for the final 38 miles. Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we ran, I gave Andrew the rundown of my first 62 miles and how my legs were feeling. He took the lead and we scampered down the trail at a solid pace. AJW suddenly flew by us with his pacer, Bryon Powell. <i>There's a man who knows when to kick it in gear.</i> Before long, AJW was out of sight, out of mind. But slowly, Andrew and I began passing other runners one by one. We flew by Nick Clark (paced by Jacob Rydman) who looked absolutely blown up. We gave him some encouragement as we passed by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty soon, we caught up to Adam Hewey (and pacer), who I'd been leapfrogging with all day. We were running the same pace, and I wasn't too keen on passing him just yet. Knowing that he walked after every aid station in order to help digest his food, we decided to make our move at Cal 3 aid station. By calculating ahead of time what I needed (watermelon and some electrolyte beverage), we were able to make a quick aid station transition and ran past Adam on the downhill thereafter. We also passed AJW as he was yakking on the side of the trail, which is only fair, since earlier he passed me while I was taking a shit in front of him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heads down, we pushed hard to put space between me and Adam, and we consequently caught a couple more runners as we made our way to the Rucky Chucky River Crossing. In 2013, I was hanging out at this aid station where I witnessed Jeremy Humphrey getting pulled from the race by the medical staff because he had a head rush and blacked out for a second. I was feeling fine, but I made sure that I was hydrated and fueled enough so that my body would at least appear functional when I arrived at the aid station.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AID STATION #17 - RUCKY CHUCKY RIVER CROSSING (near) - MILE 78 - 32nd Place Overall</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hold me closer, Joe! Seriously, I need to get a rock out of my shoe, hold on to me for a sec."</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvEgm9F_PHBv_KKQ9d7NTDmeClnkk62R-H9Fm14ZYo0Ogyyd5VplFBO-UvgH8JKIMK2Ddw2c2FbL9erXbSVBweaTx1UdTcGxMbO3sAgTfsVTJnAaCAmtj7CvnNN3SjiiEbWYh9UAyrIM/s1600/600_9427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvEgm9F_PHBv_KKQ9d7NTDmeClnkk62R-H9Fm14ZYo0Ogyyd5VplFBO-UvgH8JKIMK2Ddw2c2FbL9erXbSVBweaTx1UdTcGxMbO3sAgTfsVTJnAaCAmtj7CvnNN3SjiiEbWYh9UAyrIM/s1600/600_9427.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My family, pacer, and Joe Uhan at the Rucky Chucky (near) Aid Station.<br />Photo by Brooks Leman</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTUs_UkyyiZZwya0R5PeMMgLbJKj9Z0ui2xq4TRBkhoOJY4gqd5d8riuEBFD5AfVGa57RvAvNm8JRXchJ6JqAxUqiZEQmoVpXlZPkO2wnDgt4D4Ph098RUHVL2NeOQ-HeVQlWmp9yZBU/s1600/web126065-03-269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTUs_UkyyiZZwya0R5PeMMgLbJKj9Z0ui2xq4TRBkhoOJY4gqd5d8riuEBFD5AfVGa57RvAvNm8JRXchJ6JqAxUqiZEQmoVpXlZPkO2wnDgt4D4Ph098RUHVL2NeOQ-HeVQlWmp9yZBU/s1600/web126065-03-269.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moments before my headlamp fell in the water.<br />Photo by Facchino Photography.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27qmr2J33vY0e7LGFhsnu6E-l6Sz6XzLhC0iJI0pDVJ2ymaovMfGmgcCUhW90Ujavrz2vcD8n368ak09ZsicxG1AVVK1DHk6V_9sRpz1spTAJW5svcGSZupPAwVHmdgq1467CR2o66oU/s1600/web126065-03-271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27qmr2J33vY0e7LGFhsnu6E-l6Sz6XzLhC0iJI0pDVJ2ymaovMfGmgcCUhW90Ujavrz2vcD8n368ak09ZsicxG1AVVK1DHk6V_9sRpz1spTAJW5svcGSZupPAwVHmdgq1467CR2o66oU/s1600/web126065-03-271.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew, holding my headlamp. Photo by Facchino Photography.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKlU9maEVCQEs5kgFPXi_3T1-UVdYCJnLzLZbYkE908f9ddTmoOlWrgdbdKSAfZzOIKBm8VICaW6h-664ZyR72QqKvQYwT7ysCYjZNin9MDZOuDiyrReTOtlt8iaHM3Bg-Agzuf59I48/s1600/web126065-03-274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKlU9maEVCQEs5kgFPXi_3T1-UVdYCJnLzLZbYkE908f9ddTmoOlWrgdbdKSAfZzOIKBm8VICaW6h-664ZyR72QqKvQYwT7ysCYjZNin9MDZOuDiyrReTOtlt8iaHM3Bg-Agzuf59I48/s1600/web126065-03-274.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HIGH FIVE! Photo by Facchino Photography.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After crossing the river, Andrew and I hiked for a little ways while our balls recovered from the cold river crossing. Then we began run/hiking up the gradual climb to Green Gate, focusing on putting more space between me and Adam. Little did we know we were untouchable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reaching the Green Gate aid station (ironically, the gate wasn't green), the trail leveled off, and I jumped in front of Andrew. The sun was fast approaching sunset, and the temperatures were dropping lower and lower. Maybe it was the refreshing river crossing, or the dusk air, but my legs felt phenomenal. My legs had very little fatigue, and there were no signs of imminent cramping. We were flying, and we were both surprised by how fast we were moving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One by one, we were catching runners. As soon as our headlamps came on, it became easier to hunt the runners ahead of us. At times, we turned our headlamps off so we could sneak up on runners before blowing by them at a demoralizing pace. I never thought I could have so much fun 80 miles into a 100 mile race. Unfortunately, one of the runners we passed was our friend Pam Smith and her pacer Dennis. She was having quad issues, and her pursuit of a repeat championship was now yesterday's dream. As with everyone we passed, we gave them words of encouragement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AID STATION #22 - HIGHWAY 49 CROSSING - MILE 93.5 - 28th Place Overall</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhyphenhyphenRCQyysDZNff4RrNsr_Yw884ds21mc7S56pPUkR3aoiGJhctqBy_dQULfgDBTk2ogroHa1N2mp-FwG60qI2zO6kFhDhyphenhyphennJIpvidpQ2aWRk-oo-F6rAa7sC03xSsTtHlftOfPixo1s4/s1600/600_9539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhyphenhyphenRCQyysDZNff4RrNsr_Yw884ds21mc7S56pPUkR3aoiGJhctqBy_dQULfgDBTk2ogroHa1N2mp-FwG60qI2zO6kFhDhyphenhyphennJIpvidpQ2aWRk-oo-F6rAa7sC03xSsTtHlftOfPixo1s4/s1600/600_9539.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blazing through the Highway 49 Aid Station.<br />Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a quick transition, we ran out the aid station like blood thirsty cheetahs. We could smell the barn, and we were going to catch as many people as possible between Highway 49 and the finish line. My stomach was full of Coconut Water, potatoes, salt, and watermelon. As we climbed out of the aid station, I tried burping...unsuccessfully. On my third attempt, I threw up everything in my stomach. When I was done, we hiked, then we ran. I soon ingested a GU to see if my stomach was still upset, but thankfully the GU stayed down. Everything still felt good, so we continued to push. <i>Hmm...perhaps the coconut water and salt didn't agree with one another. Doesn't matter now. Carry on, my wayward son!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hammering down to "No Hands Bridge", we passed Jorge Maravilla, Mauclair Nathalie, and Yoshikazu Hara. As we crossed the bridge, I made Andrew look behind us to see if anybody posed a threat. To my delight, he wasn't worried. We ran everything until the final steep climb to Robie Point. With a mile left, we received word that the next runner was 2 minutes ahead. We turned off our headlamps (<i>stealth mode</i>) and climbed the road in the dark, surprising several of the neighbors as they sat and cheered for us. The last thing I said to Andrew as we neared the finish line at Placer High School track: "Thanks man. Let my family know that I may throw up." I then ran hard around the track and sprinted through the finishers shoot. The entire race, I never knew what time of day it was, or any of my splits until I saw the clock at the finish line. It was a nice surprise.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=24962">RESULTS</a>: 18:36:51 - 24th overall out of 296 finishers - 22nd male</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PACE: ~11:08 min/mile</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC-gUAxTayMvsWMAIN-WW8gp8O0ND2je9DRVfyiUnCCmGeraBzyTQap2fzTB7HMjxnrVg0Yq8q6iyFTi8I_xpAlzEKnHR3GkZ0Dv_WQn5x2FPjzVQUebKOybbc9PXefs-iLKG0wFPOhM/s1600/600_9586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC-gUAxTayMvsWMAIN-WW8gp8O0ND2je9DRVfyiUnCCmGeraBzyTQap2fzTB7HMjxnrVg0Yq8q6iyFTi8I_xpAlzEKnHR3GkZ0Dv_WQn5x2FPjzVQUebKOybbc9PXefs-iLKG0wFPOhM/s1600/600_9586.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Brooks Leman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bd_DTJk-lX0d0SPMP25r7sDcJfPieNXa-F1HVLOWHRz2rylx2nzPS20rfoa8FwlnCv-_3L11_vAKaCHs2NMYRQ5kiD6cmTELroOl1SGXViC3vXBcLR6cbbPVIV23-XTekqvvlIeUhTk/s1600/i-CBVbKLB-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bd_DTJk-lX0d0SPMP25r7sDcJfPieNXa-F1HVLOWHRz2rylx2nzPS20rfoa8FwlnCv-_3L11_vAKaCHs2NMYRQ5kiD6cmTELroOl1SGXViC3vXBcLR6cbbPVIV23-XTekqvvlIeUhTk/s1600/i-CBVbKLB-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk-bZ5TQCvVcz_kxbCa66FRTi7NuH5iAyupUReEkeIDatvNIEgdP1v1IPfcLSrM9BBETrggUYnCQoomCXTK8BxBLS0kDIuCRRDtF-Q6dN-t7NDJN5LLpwwXJ3PtH4qKL16LG0C5yx62o/s1600/i-FmnNMtp-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk-bZ5TQCvVcz_kxbCa66FRTi7NuH5iAyupUReEkeIDatvNIEgdP1v1IPfcLSrM9BBETrggUYnCQoomCXTK8BxBLS0kDIuCRRDtF-Q6dN-t7NDJN5LLpwwXJ3PtH4qKL16LG0C5yx62o/s1600/i-FmnNMtp-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugging Andrew. Thanks Seven Hills Running Shop for featuring this photo on your wall.<br />Photo by Glenn Tachiyama. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReWut9Cx8MJKcBP1zgZnmFYo3obvY_L3UuMDuUI6_Zsu7wqzSuZxCl2JgDy_rdv6_vmRfMqGq3J0JNlrNw3x5s9lisEZAnr5G9cnXMjtu5NEVQrCicswdFViaQZU0YliTFI4htiXoU5U/s1600/i-Kv8hrbS-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReWut9Cx8MJKcBP1zgZnmFYo3obvY_L3UuMDuUI6_Zsu7wqzSuZxCl2JgDy_rdv6_vmRfMqGq3J0JNlrNw3x5s9lisEZAnr5G9cnXMjtu5NEVQrCicswdFViaQZU0YliTFI4htiXoU5U/s1600/i-Kv8hrbS-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugging Siiri. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo3q9RgwPJRJEvLWgQq0Msl2hyphenhyphenw-sejKRggUsFwYelswh4LX682QXoK6HNpHoSq13IOEU7SiGANEY9mASlvtz8HZIjv5OWA5bPTI6PubvagGIkz7xgrzHu4NjkXwuK1qS9PU8N-m9wvQ/s1600/i-TWgNFDn-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo3q9RgwPJRJEvLWgQq0Msl2hyphenhyphenw-sejKRggUsFwYelswh4LX682QXoK6HNpHoSq13IOEU7SiGANEY9mASlvtz8HZIjv5OWA5bPTI6PubvagGIkz7xgrzHu4NjkXwuK1qS9PU8N-m9wvQ/s1600/i-TWgNFDn-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My crew. Teresa, Mum, Andrew, Brooks, me, and Christine.<br />Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Elated. Proud. Grateful. Stiff. Hungry. Nauseous. Happy. </i>That race was an crazy awesome experience, and I felt unbelievably incredible the last 40 miles of the race. I finished almost wishing I had 5 more miles to catch more runners, I was having <i>that </i>much fun. Luckily, my knees didn't slow me down for the last 40 miles. I'm not sure why they were hurting so bad in the canyons, but perhaps it was due to some slight overtraining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>RECEIVING THE SUB-24 HOUR SILVER BUCKLE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj9Wjd1J_RHAWX9UU5WjDQ7CP2KxOwtcjDsrm5CAzpDUKpkhQjMNG_SmmxMcKd48ghYaUMblbHwpgesjM8Qtj4s9tzl7ATBJJq3XoVfiC_l5MdTNQhdaCZrINfVek61hUF0Ies3Yav6E/s1600/600_9654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj9Wjd1J_RHAWX9UU5WjDQ7CP2KxOwtcjDsrm5CAzpDUKpkhQjMNG_SmmxMcKd48ghYaUMblbHwpgesjM8Qtj4s9tzl7ATBJJq3XoVfiC_l5MdTNQhdaCZrINfVek61hUF0Ies3Yav6E/s1600/600_9654.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver Buckle with the Western States Cougar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAkwFnrdDpDqg-VQncrzCDuZwttTLy62d4eTIJVU66Ay0LIRV3NDzdK4uUV3E2XgWdj96pA7VrX8VSv2K129AAYv6s3k781KDCIJMS5UjGMN9xNXCYKKuu5_Suza2pwN6YxlolmrCTOA/s1600/600_9689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAkwFnrdDpDqg-VQncrzCDuZwttTLy62d4eTIJVU66Ay0LIRV3NDzdK4uUV3E2XgWdj96pA7VrX8VSv2K129AAYv6s3k781KDCIJMS5UjGMN9xNXCYKKuu5_Suza2pwN6YxlolmrCTOA/s1600/600_9689.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabYS6PmNrnNAwh9kL3JIfLAyQ3gd0eFYy1B01Prv9RfnfOZ1ESxrVUmdayj066e4LBip7naWGhDXBnbKMCgOYhLAGJd_QlvgakkJEkzZCyO-LmpCQy0ALgbhXgBuuPIdvujnijPW6fVQ/s1600/600_9703+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabYS6PmNrnNAwh9kL3JIfLAyQ3gd0eFYy1B01Prv9RfnfOZ1ESxrVUmdayj066e4LBip7naWGhDXBnbKMCgOYhLAGJd_QlvgakkJEkzZCyO-LmpCQy0ALgbhXgBuuPIdvujnijPW6fVQ/s1600/600_9703+(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SPECIAL THANKS</b></span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Craig Thornley & Co, and Volunteers. </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never have I run a race with more energy, hype, and prestige. This truly is the Boston Marathon of ultramarathons, and I had a blast running this race. Thank you Craig Thornley (RD), Western States Board members, Aid Station Captains, Volunteers, and those who did trail work and helped remedy the damage done by last summer's fire. The organization of this race was exceptional and professional. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Family. </b>Thank you for traveling to support me in my 100-mile endeavor. It was a blast having you all around, and you were a huge help to me throughout the race. I couldn't have asked for a better crew. I Love you all unconditionally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Andrew.</b> Andrew, you were the perfect pacer. You were always positive, encouraging, and fun to run with. Thanks for the journey, you got me running faster than I thought possible at the end of a 100-miler.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Friends</b>. Thank you to those of you who followed my progress throughout the race. I felt your energy every time you hit the refresh button. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://sevenhillsrunningshop.com/">Seven Hills Running Shop</a> of Seattle. </b>I bought my <a href="http://www.saucony.com/en/peregrine-4/12350M.html">Saucony Peregrines</a> at your store! And thanks for making sure my pacer had a shirt to wear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://trailbutter.com/shop/">Trail Butter</a>. </b>Thanks for the pre-race fuel that kept me running all day long.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/training/the-pack/"><b>Animal Athletics & Ultra U</b></a>. Thank you for the encouragement and support throughout the past year. You guys are awesome!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">Float Shoppe</a></b>. Floating has become essential in helping me recover and relieve the stresses of training for a 100-mile race. I can't say enough about the benefits I've been feeling by continually floating between races and long runs.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/">Dr. Brad Farra</a>, Sports Chiropractor</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Thank you for helping me stay strong and injury-free throughout my training. My life would suck without you.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>24-Hour Fitness</b>. All those awkward Sauna conversations paid off and helped prepare me for ru</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nning hot weather. Also, now I know that lathering my body in Honey while in a sauna will make my skin look sexy and amazing. I learned that from a dude.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FINAL THOUGHTS</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This race has opened up a whole new can of confidence for me at the 100-mile distance. As I continue to improve through the years, I hope one day I'll be able to compete with the elites when they're having a <i>good</i> day. I'm getting closer...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though this race now has a special place in my heart, I will not be applying for the 2015 lottery. I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nstead I'll be chasing other things on my "To Do" list.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-12863225745920999832014-09-10T23:13:00.000-07:002014-09-11T12:03:37.939-07:00Jbob's Volcanic 50k Race Report - Mt. St. Helens - September 6, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>Holy shit, this thing is still active?!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsV1-l5bGzIqednItJ0JcSHF1g_O2lC_MKARzNdONaue5WghaKIBHljLE2NHArmvAOvUzAI2dk7OM9Bug3Nl7QWMIVKi2ejaI5kgJ8P7ZubNfowSljHi2xF2MhlsYXVfv5CxJ1XNJsis/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsV1-l5bGzIqednItJ0JcSHF1g_O2lC_MKARzNdONaue5WghaKIBHljLE2NHArmvAOvUzAI2dk7OM9Bug3Nl7QWMIVKi2ejaI5kgJ8P7ZubNfowSljHi2xF2MhlsYXVfv5CxJ1XNJsis/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race runs entirely on the Loowit Trail,<br />
plus the trail connecting it to Marble Mountain Snow Park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First things first, this race runs like a 50 miler, despite that fact that it's only 32+ miles. The terrain is breathtaking, leaving you breathless by its beauty and breathing hard by its ruggedness. The trail is a complete variety of everything, and I'll try to break it down in my report below. But here's a short video of the course if you'd rather not read: <a href="https://vimeo.com/77659953">Course Preview</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW6suZykVczv2B4BQmXti6HU3N8xQCJUWNvW82v33BSeCylZXBFCkKsKAb_RZHNcfJ6CGCrvBmK27ujFv8CXC4V5jTNkYogAqWjf81yXigwouWxKi6GP-uAVRSE3MgCXzOlzobVHbh9M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.30.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW6suZykVczv2B4BQmXti6HU3N8xQCJUWNvW82v33BSeCylZXBFCkKsKAb_RZHNcfJ6CGCrvBmK27ujFv8CXC4V5jTNkYogAqWjf81yXigwouWxKi6GP-uAVRSE3MgCXzOlzobVHbh9M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.30.25+PM.png" height="169" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uo4iFU8BVrEWewaYPopiNvT4TdQPlx36t6D7dAs4-9gP45IhfptyMRtlSQKM3qU9sSi64DsK3id-7mzgiyI0oBMGNDBjGsZsuNGZoOjdvnIFWwZeg66rWKeFAM-IEsATlDt-HX0NTHA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.27.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uo4iFU8BVrEWewaYPopiNvT4TdQPlx36t6D7dAs4-9gP45IhfptyMRtlSQKM3qU9sSi64DsK3id-7mzgiyI0oBMGNDBjGsZsuNGZoOjdvnIFWwZeg66rWKeFAM-IEsATlDt-HX0NTHA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.27.43+PM.png" height="151" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrR6ehS215oU23U6Uwds5_QSt5JHO1RidxfTm7n4OBFbIrzi4gIGY4YmOGnbvKdDZFpC9WJR6Gv9tmXRzpb4x2aBnEcIf38cSM7_BC5pRXfkFajw2wg9gbGlu2kkwQBu7tJJ2Xl-bWX8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.28.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrR6ehS215oU23U6Uwds5_QSt5JHO1RidxfTm7n4OBFbIrzi4gIGY4YmOGnbvKdDZFpC9WJR6Gv9tmXRzpb4x2aBnEcIf38cSM7_BC5pRXfkFajw2wg9gbGlu2kkwQBu7tJJ2Xl-bWX8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-07+at+11.28.46+PM.png" height="214" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The forecast for the nearby town of Cougar, WA was 95 degrees, which is kind of hot. Despite the heat, I still felt like I could break the 6 hour mark for the course (my 2012 course record was 6:03:54, and the 2013 course record was 6:01:19 by friend/teammate/competitor Jacob Puzey). Having ran around the mountain on 4 different occasions, I knew the course well enough to know exactly what I had to do to break the course record. Nobody was going to push me to run faster or slower than I wanted to, I had a plan and I was going to stick with it. It was just a matter if my legs would stay cramp-free for the final push.<br />
<br />
Goal #1: Break the course record<br />
Goal #2: Win<br />
Goal #3: Don't break anything below the belt<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">7:00 AM START</span></b><br />
<br />
An uphill climb is never an easy way to start a race. Matt Palilla, Taylor Spike, several others, and myself ran a steady pace for the 2.25 mile climb to the Loowit trail. Taylor jumped in front briefly, but I re-attained the lead when he missed the turn onto the Loowit (easy to do). It didn't matter, we all ran and hiked together and made good company. Plus, the scenery was stunning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlpyRcTVlJdxcVo_Ef-Qxy9ceT3s320QPY0qOwTmzfvEG8aDpxdDv7wLa7Pi9z7zKQ8A-Psx_-rFQznkA7mhh19jxAQeAQTK6SkSARWixyyP4zQQRaT4t2fAQjbHkTLrRouk4qa5IyJc/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlpyRcTVlJdxcVo_Ef-Qxy9ceT3s320QPY0qOwTmzfvEG8aDpxdDv7wLa7Pi9z7zKQ8A-Psx_-rFQznkA7mhh19jxAQeAQTK6SkSARWixyyP4zQQRaT4t2fAQjbHkTLrRouk4qa5IyJc/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo I took in 2012. This is about mile 3, looking towards Mt. Adams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the trail leveled out, I let my stride go a little bit to run a good pace before getting to the field of lava rocks. For anyone wanting to know what it's like to navigate through the lava rocks, imagine Indiana Jones spelling "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMSK-wq3jlg">Jahovah</a>" in Latin with his feet. You need to pick your footing well, otherwise you could seriously twist your ankle or fall into an endless abyss (not really, but you get the idea).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KSuyiQgcoaNjpBFeb_hmTbNL59FDze29S-3cUcIcxtDbFtUZQ9pFibGO3aV_Q_A_v7csZP37GEgQSrObOHuaDf2aNX0IxGPdbG15Yl70or7Vw4EVyerArLGCJS38EoPKJeQD3K5aFuo/s1600/_DSC1373-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KSuyiQgcoaNjpBFeb_hmTbNL59FDze29S-3cUcIcxtDbFtUZQ9pFibGO3aV_Q_A_v7csZP37GEgQSrObOHuaDf2aNX0IxGPdbG15Yl70or7Vw4EVyerArLGCJS38EoPKJeQD3K5aFuo/s1600/_DSC1373-X3.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the lava rocks, about mile 4. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iUsaWnl9G_GcV0eWb6lP4U77EIGQQCSYVEC8eMxjBnhHOkpNEnrSu-h5ePeDHz5tdXogrbO43Hsv06GKCXCqqPb60xRJBONOaosb05Keyfx0WS_ZGfMWJx3yFhef-u92HRucDA7fKKo/s1600/_DSC3671-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iUsaWnl9G_GcV0eWb6lP4U77EIGQQCSYVEC8eMxjBnhHOkpNEnrSu-h5ePeDHz5tdXogrbO43Hsv06GKCXCqqPb60xRJBONOaosb05Keyfx0WS_ZGfMWJx3yFhef-u92HRucDA7fKKo/s1600/_DSC3671-2-X3.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the lava rocks, about mile 4. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYG8FqpIB0DMMam7E1ftFE0-d_t0vaX2ZzmVoLOEYpsJPLTOdrIPROS9jvQyDr8Hqoq1wU3Q3oS45RRGpTSSMqsUf3J86whDt5gXgWIPl8RWmHuxNjJY0Q_LYAuQFJymyf5sp5dWV0cU/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYG8FqpIB0DMMam7E1ftFE0-d_t0vaX2ZzmVoLOEYpsJPLTOdrIPROS9jvQyDr8Hqoq1wU3Q3oS45RRGpTSSMqsUf3J86whDt5gXgWIPl8RWmHuxNjJY0Q_LYAuQFJymyf5sp5dWV0cU/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo I took in 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There ended up being 5 of us who were navigating the rocks together. The previous weekend, I went for a training run through this section of the course, so the memory was pretty fresh for me. Otherwise, it would have been very easy to make a wrong turn or to take an unnecessarily hard route to find the cairns or wooden posts. We made great time and didn't really make any wrong turns, except for that one time. After traversing two different fields of lava rocks and doing some technical dancing, our group of 5 runners arrived at Aid Station #1.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">AID STATION #1 - Mile 6.32 - 1 hour 15 minutes Elapsed</span></b><br />
<br />
After a quick water top off from sweethearts Anne Crispino-Taylor and TJ Ford (and company), we all jetted. The trail turned fun and twisty, going in and out of the mountain's many little valleys. We then came to a long downhill section, and I let it go like an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk">ice princess</a>. Hoping to make great time on the downhills, I hammered down the trail and pulled away from the guys behind me. After reaching the bottom and crossing a steep rocky river channel (completely dry), I expected the guys to catch up with me shortly thereafter on the climb. However, my hiking and sporadic running kept me steady enough to stay ahead, and when I arrived at the long descent to the Toutle River, I ran hard through the shaded forest with determination to get to Aid Station #2 faster than my split from the 2012 race.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AID STATION #2 - Mile 12.2 - 2 hours 8 minutes Elapsed (7 minutes faster than my 2012 split)</b></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IRzFp5iQzNA0kSnexXTklyTqX8Jis0D64Qv0r3TksjTT8FG6a26087JzWA0Df9w7Lb_RbTBtvIlgWIxyQh9VjWuHqNmWpncotenWFVbRlGwFUxXs64mu7buNd_5Xo6-1txbp2S08oXE/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IRzFp5iQzNA0kSnexXTklyTqX8Jis0D64Qv0r3TksjTT8FG6a26087JzWA0Df9w7Lb_RbTBtvIlgWIxyQh9VjWuHqNmWpncotenWFVbRlGwFUxXs64mu7buNd_5Xo6-1txbp2S08oXE/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken in 2012 of the steep<br />
and rocky Toutle channel crossing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Situated on the south side of the Toutle River crossing was Aid Station #2, where Brian Donnelly filled my bottles with water. Brian is the current speed record holder for the Oregon Section of the Pacific Crest Trail, and he finished the 2012 Volcanic 50k in 6:14 with a cracked rib that he attained at this very same river crossing. He's a tough mother f***er, and an extremely modest and kind human being. Thanks Brian, Sarah, and everybody else for the sendoff. I only spent about 30 seconds at the aid station, but it gave me a lot of energy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Knowing the next 8 miles were going to be hot, exposed, technical, and slow...I had 3 important To Do items at Aid Station #2: Quench my thirst <i>before</i> I leave, get both my 26 oz water bottles completely full, and get baptized in the Toutle River from head to toe. Having run out of water on this section before, I committed to using my water bottles for ONLY drinking. Being hot and uncomfortable is much more bearable when you're not dying of thirst, so any dousing of the head and neck would have to come from random silty streams that were somewhat few and far between.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhOZtd4fKvPUNLkHj6F4fJprx035e7TkKJlqRECS5ORsEkJH9HLfkq5kRYdzaL6sRGKCRlQIpZ_-Ddl2swsPAJOwsxidA5eM8ieCxDJrXrqU4MTzfz14hg0-3Zfyj06KaH6Ee30CzvZo/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhOZtd4fKvPUNLkHj6F4fJprx035e7TkKJlqRECS5ORsEkJH9HLfkq5kRYdzaL6sRGKCRlQIpZ_-Ddl2swsPAJOwsxidA5eM8ieCxDJrXrqU4MTzfz14hg0-3Zfyj06KaH6Ee30CzvZo/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken in 2012,<br />
the sandy climb out of the Toutle basin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Climbing out of the Toutle felt solid and steady, running most of the trail until the open and sandy section <i>which sucks to run in</i>. Whilst hiking, I took a shot of Trail Butter and made sure my fuel consumption was adequate. Nearing the top of the climb, I saw my friends far below on the first open switchback and climbing strong. I kept looking over my shoulder for the next 2 miles before I switched my focus solely on the trail ahead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiQgaIUtZaRBQXjz4VrAbD-Ix5vs2FFg9-GUp3poux3d5FMqJfUKnY-HnhJ8JfA5Y7tf7pgJJPwcjjTCWuC2fqzMjWCc49bg07DnvXY0YuzQnqF8GLs2Yi-iFlcUCcUxP2e0GKMzOFjI/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiQgaIUtZaRBQXjz4VrAbD-Ix5vs2FFg9-GUp3poux3d5FMqJfUKnY-HnhJ8JfA5Y7tf7pgJJPwcjjTCWuC2fqzMjWCc49bg07DnvXY0YuzQnqF8GLs2Yi-iFlcUCcUxP2e0GKMzOFjI/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken in 2012,<br />
Old trees leveled by the blast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The North Side of the mountain is truly amazing. Old trees that were blown over during the eruption on 1980 were still lying down as petrified remnants of a past life. Two separate herds totaling 40+ elk were startled by my presence and galloped across the trail in front of me, so close that I had to stop to let them pass. The terrain soon changed from rolling hills to a flat lunar landscape, the remains of a 34 year old mountain <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhU6jml6NY4">landslide</a>. Spirit Lake to the north was still full of floating trees that were blown away by the blast. And as if it were a mirage in a desert, a natural spring somehow appears with perfectly clean water bursting out of nearby rocks. At this spring lies Aid Station #3.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0Or3N6AKWjuVpTGGI2gyedJ9Lh0Ns-P-N4vYRslaRroHe2nald9T-Q9lb_S-INgMAju8EAxdO9-xWNIX5EBrJskQneGc8P3n9fH87GQPtDsiCjGubDIICH6gRf01OdlrfrxddnUpV68/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0Or3N6AKWjuVpTGGI2gyedJ9Lh0Ns-P-N4vYRslaRroHe2nald9T-Q9lb_S-INgMAju8EAxdO9-xWNIX5EBrJskQneGc8P3n9fH87GQPtDsiCjGubDIICH6gRf01OdlrfrxddnUpV68/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blast zone, photo taken in 2013.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">AID STATION #3 - Mile 20.25 - 3 hours 45 minutes Elapsed</span></b><br />
<br />
Joe Kleffner (3rd place finisher in 2012), Bob Baker, and company were manning the aid station that literally takes hours to drive/hike to. There's no water in the world that tastes as good as the natural spring water that was bursting out of the ground, it's life giving shit. After some coke and a quick soak, off I ran...when all of a sudden I heard the sound of a helicopter.<br />
<br />
Now, the RDs and the photographer were teasing the night before that a helicopter <i>might</i> show up to take photos of the racers, but I didn't think they were serious. Holy crap, I felt like I was running from the cops as they flew circles around me, with Paul hanging halfway out of the chopper with his 3' camera lens. It had to be one of the coolest race experiences I've ever had, getting chased by a chopper whilst running around an active volcano.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD7C72IpXocBZp0tIBqGs5GdbgWZgNCHnRCLbIZkVgOD73sKmlfeG4gLZjMKpDI2uHz6PduhVVU-vTLgsCmflstOMKgsz5o1UA6fE95fzomMdFXrcCbq3uuEZF9Sey_3wwDSi-qodqig/s1600/_DSC3013-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD7C72IpXocBZp0tIBqGs5GdbgWZgNCHnRCLbIZkVgOD73sKmlfeG4gLZjMKpDI2uHz6PduhVVU-vTLgsCmflstOMKgsz5o1UA6fE95fzomMdFXrcCbq3uuEZF9Sey_3wwDSi-qodqig/s1600/_DSC3013-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the cops!<br />
Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a> from the chopper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY2Mz1fIpMERQCht6BMumTgKBCXXADEzD3oN8Cu1YeoBDN1dp0OoRgjeDrigt6KtCODixtluesfFZSIbns8TjKv_ytV_7w1HJqoNr3VZv0SP8sr3DKXYkQcb-uN14CYkYUDIN6bhs21s/s1600/_DSC2339-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY2Mz1fIpMERQCht6BMumTgKBCXXADEzD3oN8Cu1YeoBDN1dp0OoRgjeDrigt6KtCODixtluesfFZSIbns8TjKv_ytV_7w1HJqoNr3VZv0SP8sr3DKXYkQcb-uN14CYkYUDIN6bhs21s/s1600/_DSC2339-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 21-ish. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a> from the chopper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kM3lJfn8Ftb7xv4guoSC6DINryNNg2Q2LkrZrv-WvXhGWUl2vABEMTRKabhXKuao76vE-nfbkdFVB95tKTuVQ0WhMDs3IAy4DBtLx3WQ7X9P1YigSb8_k_OzirJIdKgoPXd4deq5FFc/s1600/_DSC3042-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kM3lJfn8Ftb7xv4guoSC6DINryNNg2Q2LkrZrv-WvXhGWUl2vABEMTRKabhXKuao76vE-nfbkdFVB95tKTuVQ0WhMDs3IAy4DBtLx3WQ7X9P1YigSb8_k_OzirJIdKgoPXd4deq5FFc/s1600/_DSC3042-X3.jpg" height="202" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrain.<br />
Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a> from the chopper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4N7HwkrVWpLTb-O_eaIl1tfaQe6VvI8SvcmDwJ7igFAiUBNwhLS2FaUfHUjaMb8qUWfgopA_TacrU8q7vKA_qXg3aFQIolXMrnJ3SNalFMn4LJ-pI2Hy3Kdi-xcQ74dMTIVYdwf6riI/s1600/_DSC2459-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4N7HwkrVWpLTb-O_eaIl1tfaQe6VvI8SvcmDwJ7igFAiUBNwhLS2FaUfHUjaMb8qUWfgopA_TacrU8q7vKA_qXg3aFQIolXMrnJ3SNalFMn4LJ-pI2Hy3Kdi-xcQ74dMTIVYdwf6riI/s1600/_DSC2459-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running happy around Mile 21-ish. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a> from the chopper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climb up Windy Pass (the highest point in the course) has only a handful of switchbacks, and before long I was flying down the other side and through the flat Plains of Abraham. Soon, Aid Station #4 came into view at the Ape Canyon trail junction.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">AID STATION #4 - MILE 24.3 - 4 hours 26 minutes Elapsed (9 minutes faster than my 2012 split) </span></b><br />
<br />
In 2012, it took me about 1 hour 30 minutes to get from this Aid Station to the finish on cramping legs. My legs were feeling great at the moment, so I felt like I had a decent shot at getting to the finish line significantly faster. With 8 crazy miles to go, I spent a good minute fueling up for the final push. <i>There's no reason to hold back anything now.</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32bQO5R6Rhnl_pnS_p17ua-W4rWSsRKe86uE6hY4fonlRsEWpLKWakZ04x9TPUCuQEu5jWZ-_ygOcvqMncSkyRzEQLhyphenhyphen1WTqD-EQgoax6bCqMYhxzsMVPMgB_eqsifyqG0OiE4ttkPM8/s1600/_DSC3204-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32bQO5R6Rhnl_pnS_p17ua-W4rWSsRKe86uE6hY4fonlRsEWpLKWakZ04x9TPUCuQEu5jWZ-_ygOcvqMncSkyRzEQLhyphenhyphen1WTqD-EQgoax6bCqMYhxzsMVPMgB_eqsifyqG0OiE4ttkPM8/s1600/_DSC3204-X3.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Aid Station #4.<br />
Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXpKUak46zODrtYfNQRNNZu5wf2cE3M5pyG2N1OXnTZckRKtMx3kRxT3nj7ARJSYvSpI9VYjB-ruysd9fEBALk8KlC8_LS8PSgdI91R5rxw46FH9gDUH4sqc6dubRjdnnTmhUaDnwqaQ/s1600/_DSC3206-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXpKUak46zODrtYfNQRNNZu5wf2cE3M5pyG2N1OXnTZckRKtMx3kRxT3nj7ARJSYvSpI9VYjB-ruysd9fEBALk8KlC8_LS8PSgdI91R5rxw46FH9gDUH4sqc6dubRjdnnTmhUaDnwqaQ/s1600/_DSC3206-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As soon as I began running, my legs felt somewhat tired. There was some moderate climbing out of the aid station, and I couldn't push myself to run any of it. For the first time during the race, I freaked out. <i>If I can't run hills, I'm screwed! Game over man!</i> But after a short little downhill section, my legs began to recover on the downs enough to run most of the ups. My legs settled into a groove, and I was happy with how well I was moving in and out of the technical valleys and periodic forested trail. When I arrived at the final lava rock field, I kept looking at my watch. The rock field was a lot bigger than I remembered it being, and time was slipping away. <i>Well, so much for breaking 5:45...can I still break 5:50?</i><br />
<br />
Emerging from the field of lava rocks with 2.25 miles to go, I had 15 minutes to break 5:50. After some final frantic rock dodging and trail finding, I let loose a low 6-something pace on the rocky double-track trail. No matter what my legs were telling me, my mind was content to suffer with the goal in mind. <i>It...was...the...longest...2....miles....ever...But at least it was downhill.</i> When I finally saw the cars through the trees and heard the cowbells ringing, my watch said 5:49<i>. </i>Not knowing how many seconds I had left, I sprinted the final 100 meters and was beyond relieved to see the time clock with 23 seconds to spare!<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=26598">RESULTS</a>: 5:49:37 - 1st out of 192 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pace: ~10:49 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Course Record by 11 minutes and 42 seconds</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm32cv7wcqHkAHPkHXo2m-A62xC1fUBee_qKcGFBiBa3D52i898K0GNuOhPZK3HTEfzhyphenhyphenyOyLQEnMAtyo4Csm6D00r7MAUwqUinSjyxmENzwdtSXHfQsPW_m0QJM6Zx7j9cNl8b_yiiMs/s1600/_DSC4929-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm32cv7wcqHkAHPkHXo2m-A62xC1fUBee_qKcGFBiBa3D52i898K0GNuOhPZK3HTEfzhyphenhyphenyOyLQEnMAtyo4Csm6D00r7MAUwqUinSjyxmENzwdtSXHfQsPW_m0QJM6Zx7j9cNl8b_yiiMs/s1600/_DSC4929-2-X3.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by Eric Lubell using <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>'s camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9SgFTGIxPJ5nI4MpvPMPGEA2-MPYKjFyvjhP3GbaWZwQW3cXW3vq0c2bfcV0va777UzM5JDaPcL3VYyXbyqm2ffDVlG-u3tjVf9HzxMK-nDFc5AWUUDSglwOpqnqm9_1VeksRRdhStM/s1600/_DSC4939-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9SgFTGIxPJ5nI4MpvPMPGEA2-MPYKjFyvjhP3GbaWZwQW3cXW3vq0c2bfcV0va777UzM5JDaPcL3VYyXbyqm2ffDVlG-u3tjVf9HzxMK-nDFc5AWUUDSglwOpqnqm9_1VeksRRdhStM/s1600/_DSC4939-2-X3.jpg" height="178" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNkd1HSy5qm2BlGQqMTJ9a1k4zOyrJG7bGxJVcGoIJ2iF4TE5lQkdPFz0an1ua7Vj_uEAdFBQkklofR_InpFCDVUxEgluBbxEvFhDUf9erMY0T68jXb89D7KG4bBZqiM5MtR3jCrYOl8/s1600/_DSC4942-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNkd1HSy5qm2BlGQqMTJ9a1k4zOyrJG7bGxJVcGoIJ2iF4TE5lQkdPFz0an1ua7Vj_uEAdFBQkklofR_InpFCDVUxEgluBbxEvFhDUf9erMY0T68jXb89D7KG4bBZqiM5MtR3jCrYOl8/s1600/_DSC4942-2-X3.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf-R2A_wgUwXNA6-B1zrmDCrLQjZ7DYwrhgisMWkmXawr_FVj1Gy7kEMuwtBddtvXa0g9RZDRMfljYsB3eP9ViI-tsKN1Um3fPB6MSCqoDZgIMpoF_7ENwn4KT9QL4Sbf_C5tajPdG9k/s1600/_DSC4961-2-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf-R2A_wgUwXNA6-B1zrmDCrLQjZ7DYwrhgisMWkmXawr_FVj1Gy7kEMuwtBddtvXa0g9RZDRMfljYsB3eP9ViI-tsKN1Um3fPB6MSCqoDZgIMpoF_7ENwn4KT9QL4Sbf_C5tajPdG9k/s1600/_DSC4961-2-X3.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man hug from Moe Codino.<br />
Photos by Eric Lubell using <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson</a>'s camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Proud, happy, and redeemed. </i>My victory in 2012 never sat well with me, given that I took the lead because 3 of the front runners made a wrong turn. This time, I was able to raise the bar on my own terms with a time that I'm satisfied with. This record is by no means out of reach, and I expect someone to break it within the next couple years. But as soon as someone breaks it, I'll be back to try to reclaim it.<br />
<br />
<i>Kudos to the Race Directors. </i><a href="https://gobeyondracing.com/">Go Beyond Racing</a> did an amazing job organizing this race! This race is so incredibly unique, it has a lot of potential to become a true classic. Trevor, Renee, and Todd had to deal with challenging logistics for this race to be the success that is was, and I'm grateful for their tireless passion to allow people to run in such beautiful places. Check out the rest of their races, they're all great.<br />
<br />
<i>Volunteers. </i>Thank you for spending your Labor Day as sherpas, transporting hundreds of pounds of water on your backs to the aid stations. Thank you for spending your Friday marking the course. Thank you for spending all day Saturday hiking food to each of the aid stations, and for making sure everyone stayed fueled, hydrated, and safe. Thank you for the cooking at the finish line, the food was phenomenal, and the Ketchup was the best I ever had (<a href="http://red-duck-foods.myshopify.com/">Red Duck Ketchup</a>, check it out, it's delicious and made locally in Eugene). I've never known a 50k to demand so much from its volunteers, and this race definitely couldn't happen without you.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/">Paul Nelson Photography.</a></i> Thank you Paul for your passion in capturing the moments that get us hella likes on Facebook. You've got a great eye, and you give us all something to take away from one of the hardest 50K races out there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUem0B-lxbKm7bbSajBNESH4CmHoTevVF-D2ddDUYK8OVSzXKJ311iSpF-gSvbkGqMveArLfyB2Dd_QDPJdhAfdn44YmD7iAyRlxlq30B5LG9j1o4NXwZAZ27VM2NZery2EyvEqD5jaw/s1600/_2800091-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUem0B-lxbKm7bbSajBNESH4CmHoTevVF-D2ddDUYK8OVSzXKJ311iSpF-gSvbkGqMveArLfyB2Dd_QDPJdhAfdn44YmD7iAyRlxlq30B5LG9j1o4NXwZAZ27VM2NZery2EyvEqD5jaw/s1600/_2800091-X3.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Nelson, everyone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TIPS</b></span><br />
<br />
If this race will be your first time around Mt. St. Helens, here are some general tips:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Figure our how long you think your splits will be between aid stations, and multiply that time by 1.5. This course is technical and will slow you down more than you'd expect. The gaps between Aid #2 to Aid #3 and from Aid #4 to the Finish are especially long and slow.</li>
<li>If it's a hot day, there's a good chance you'll run out of water from Aid #2 to Aid #3 and from Aid #4 to the Finish. It's happened to me several times during training runs, and most the streams are too silty to drink without a filter. Be smart with your water.</li>
<li>You have a 62% chance of making at least 1 wrong turn, whether it be in the lava rock field, or some trail junction. The lay of the land makes it hard to distinguish between trail junctions, and they're easy to miss. So when the sun is beating down on you, you're low on water, and you're really tired, make sure you pay attention to the course markers <b>AND</b> the Loowit Trail signs. The front runners from the 2012 race had ran around Mt. St. Helens just weeks before the race, and they all made a wrong turn during the race that cost them at least 10-15 minutes. It happens to everybody.</li>
<li>Don't let this be your first ultra. Some people have done it, but it's not recommended.</li>
<li>Be kind to the volunteers, they put in <i>days</i> of work for you to run this race.</li>
<li>Start out conservative. This year's 3rd place finisher, Nick Kopp, told me before the race that he was going to just take it easy and take a bunch of pictures. Because he started out in 20th place and ran easy at the start of the race, he had enough energy late in the race to finish 3rd while feeling great. This year's 2nd place finisher, the legendary Will Emerson, ran a similarly smart race.</li>
<li>Wear sunscreen (and maybe some kind of hat), this race is incredibly exposed.</li>
<li>Enjoy the views! I've never run a more scenic race.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MY SUPPORT</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is a special shout out to those who have helped me to greatly improve my running throughout the year:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://trailbutter.com/">TRAIL BUTTER</a></b></div>
<div>
Trail Butter is a Portland based company, and it's been my pre-race food for the past 2 years. It's a slow-burning fuel comprised of a blend of almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts (and other ingredients), and it's so freakin' delicious. I never go on a long run without it, especially since it's about 700-800 calories per pouch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1biQEWd6VovqijtDlhIi6HQUUQiDt4Tg3VZcqJUZta-idKSA42GAYhu4Jc49ErE6QzXjduqyuNtqaIzrM1cEX45NrK_WV4yiKDQLQBMh1DYscCtAHxODhCtZVyvkS8Jv47gDUyTlNTDE/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1biQEWd6VovqijtDlhIi6HQUUQiDt4Tg3VZcqJUZta-idKSA42GAYhu4Jc49ErE6QzXjduqyuNtqaIzrM1cEX45NrK_WV4yiKDQLQBMh1DYscCtAHxODhCtZVyvkS8Jv47gDUyTlNTDE/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">ANIMAL ATHLETICS</a> AND <a href="http://www.ultraufitness.com/">ULTRA U</a>:</b></div>
<div>
They have been incredibly supportive of my running this year. They both offer ultrarunning coaching, fitness classes, and adventure runs. They currently offer monthly memberships for endless bootcamp classes, speed sessions, yoga, and discounts at Fit Right NW, Udo's Oil, and apparel. Check it out the <a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/training/the-pack/"><b>PACK</b></a> membership if you're interested.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FcZjH7Vv8PToCd281aWAl-iBIh8l5huesuzfaXCRQnAdsz2UyqH06wxeCGsDQGzgCUQ2tz3_8DwLPwt1snQDBwIfZLbdWCbQT92JKfkOwF-wQJhcqAcXqWiQC5Tma0WF3hzJSdQGAK8/s1600/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FcZjH7Vv8PToCd281aWAl-iBIh8l5huesuzfaXCRQnAdsz2UyqH06wxeCGsDQGzgCUQ2tz3_8DwLPwt1snQDBwIfZLbdWCbQT92JKfkOwF-wQJhcqAcXqWiQC5Tma0WF3hzJSdQGAK8/s1600/ultrau-spectator-tee_design.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s1600/jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUhGZ8BwGHD4_AaSKddFWq6XUMp6OlSHlLd8Q8pVRTubmB6PAdWMXeCfTdr4DtvkXDCLGBc-8v_5iOcNN1Q_l6evsfafEc9fD021oSoVv9f_hX7RfCeLTv2ghcmuobYWtFsVU-A9nutM/s1600/jpeg.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a><br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/"><b>THE FLOAT SHOPPE</b></a></div>
<div>
Floating has been a huge benefit to my training and recovery. I've been floating before and after my races for the past 2 years, and it's become something that my body frequently craves. It offers my body a chance to de-stress and relax both physically and mentally, and there are other lots of other <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">benefits</a>. Check out their website for more information.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-9ultZG9WZLl8frZX7RkWpZO0o4uIzXlXux7IhXKDygKafdZc_6__0NWUSu5l8JDKbxLdGwfHA3Z5k13oPdaio39X9UvOREGk_t0ZUSYN9GBLPmecph55t0rwA-iRv-MU9C645Xmyxs/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-9ultZG9WZLl8frZX7RkWpZO0o4uIzXlXux7IhXKDygKafdZc_6__0NWUSu5l8JDKbxLdGwfHA3Z5k13oPdaio39X9UvOREGk_t0ZUSYN9GBLPmecph55t0rwA-iRv-MU9C645Xmyxs/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/">DR. BRAD FARRA, SPORTS CHIROPRACTOR</a></b></div>
<div>
Since 2012, this man has helped me through injuries including plantar fasciitis, IT band issues, morton's neuroma, and plenty others. His philosophy of treatment is based on long term healing and injury prevention practices that not only help me become more knowledgable about my injuries, but also help me understand how to prevent those injuries in the future. I trust this man with my life, and he's been a large reason why I've been able to stay injury free all year.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FINAL WORDS</span></b></div>
<div>
Why does Taylor Swift announce her new album MONTHS before it's released? I've had it pre-ordered for weeks now, and I still have to wait 1.5 months. WTF.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks everyone!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Much Love,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jbob</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-52131753052304733472014-06-23T20:37:00.001-07:002014-06-23T20:39:05.955-07:00Jbob's Western States Mantra<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've lost myself again. Anybody got a stud finder?</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8g-_k0oF-mEJ-Sgh7lIfDuJIW0TZDR8grccmoGtyGrZwdZik9mMWSz70C580sLZJDl3nZEPcCv22UWuOVOjJRWl0mxYjVPhj1ohQ2ldKcxNIhin4yduCaFzG0l9c_XsakQ58yh116ds/s1600/1463092_971530593023_1213005008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8g-_k0oF-mEJ-Sgh7lIfDuJIW0TZDR8grccmoGtyGrZwdZik9mMWSz70C580sLZJDl3nZEPcCv22UWuOVOjJRWl0mxYjVPhj1ohQ2ldKcxNIhin4yduCaFzG0l9c_XsakQ58yh116ds/s1600/1463092_971530593023_1213005008_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western States Silver Buckles shimmering behind me<br />
at the 2013 Western States award ceremony. Photo by THE Mike Davis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a26xp28jm0">THE WESTERN STATES 100</a></b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This race is undoubtedly the biggest race of my life (so far), and I'm going to give it hell. I'm aiming to finish before midnight (19 hours), which I believe I'm fully capable of, but anything can happen over the course of 100 miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to follow along on my progress, the race starts on June 28th at 5am, and you can use the following resources for live updates:</span><br />
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For close to real-time tracking of all runners <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FXAiWG__rcEEfPrtbKCrmVJvMeORcRe17C7b3PrAQxBYMu6cdoL8C0_DHem2Pb1SqYcnDVnqIMxE7Is1OPVgtteg6xD7zG72-C4-sa5Mv4cXKz8U4Jxa2_ynkkh0l_ePGk2ilJIEPgzBQd2ud3yL0PiWu1m6XLgXTqAq2sHBQISfkJJmfGuBi5ez3EsICv5zi44c8SIhdUA=&c=nrrM3KN7kdf_oVCYY8OOsK3sqUTdZj3e2WYhaWjnllbz2YDTiRtdlA==&ch=YQWGQUanbyLlUSLvIvMqXYAB_mbs3vNwbC56JCNB3HFrC3ga3HNSFg==" shape="rect" style="color: #005ac1;" target="_blank">www.ultralive.net/<wbr></wbr>ws100</a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There will be live video feed at <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FXAiWG__rcEEfPrtbKCrmVJvMeORcRe17C7b3PrAQxBYMu6cdoL8CwzBfxEmxngTCH2k3X65b47IWRtvgTbBjnN3ykWUZIAWmc3-7esmPnPuDjKavdg8HLqdwTOX_6sdf416woGf1IcGaJK1qureh9eviVe-why_1_hxPbYnQNlpIiUorAa8IQ==&c=nrrM3KN7kdf_oVCYY8OOsK3sqUTdZj3e2WYhaWjnllbz2YDTiRtdlA==&ch=YQWGQUanbyLlUSLvIvMqXYAB_mbs3vNwbC56JCNB3HFrC3ga3HNSFg==" shape="rect" style="color: #005ac1;" target="_blank">www.ultrasportslive.tv</a> </span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the Western States <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FXAiWG__rcEEfPrtbKCrmVJvMeORcRe17C7b3PrAQxBYMu6cdoL8C5AlJjaZvJE0PSoLXJOYQXP0QEVRNTqBp1VCW1svWp7Lxh7IOXk7z9lFzPVu5syBwRqDZ2TikAqApkx8vdFU21P4Z_oOyyVsOT-u2IPBNAfk11G4Gajaho2eFjn_WyRUXq4TssNA9PZRTh9AV0LXn5BwmRoZ-ciBHXnolzlqV0dG2clwrtuDQWIFcWr424k4qA==&c=nrrM3KN7kdf_oVCYY8OOsK3sqUTdZj3e2WYhaWjnllbz2YDTiRtdlA==&ch=YQWGQUanbyLlUSLvIvMqXYAB_mbs3vNwbC56JCNB3HFrC3ga3HNSFg==" shape="rect" style="color: #005ac1;" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> for official updates and pics.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow Western States on Twitter <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FXAiWG__rcEEfPrtbKCrmVJvMeORcRe17C7b3PrAQxBYMu6cdoL8CwzBfxEmxngTPHsenO3Qnc1_8zw6iYq5ttXwvipkqSfNkcuwXnSGGCUmPgRl_k4TaAYy-Qpdw3f3c6StWyL1huUArARC9pC38om2CF2yzmOTzX-NOyOUbNJzU1bpX2vGyg==&c=nrrM3KN7kdf_oVCYY8OOsK3sqUTdZj3e2WYhaWjnllbz2YDTiRtdlA==&ch=YQWGQUanbyLlUSLvIvMqXYAB_mbs3vNwbC56JCNB3HFrC3ga3HNSFg==" shape="rect" style="color: #005ac1;" target="_blank">@wser100</a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FXAiWG__rcEEfPrtbKCrmVJvMeORcRe17C7b3PrAQxBYMu6cdoL8CwzBfxEmxngToQoNqtjbRNzMfTkyoINcw1pSTl6iT_KEkfldFt3TI1exERMUgFcreIDz0r3-N47Xg-jDZ2MAdifzPNoB-APZZuxW4uHMwid1e0dvKucp_vM=&c=nrrM3KN7kdf_oVCYY8OOsK3sqUTdZj3e2WYhaWjnllbz2YDTiRtdlA==&ch=YQWGQUanbyLlUSLvIvMqXYAB_mbs3vNwbC56JCNB3HFrC3ga3HNSFg==" shape="rect" style="color: #005ac1;" target="_blank">iRunFar</a> will have race day coverage.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will appreciate any good vibes you're willing to send me on race day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MY MANTRA</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For years, my favorite Mantra has been "Love Hurts. This must be Love". It was written on my arms during my first 100 mile race in 2011, and it has since been ingrained in my attitude towards long distance running. However this year, a new mantra somehow took over and has helped me to finish strong in several of my races. This new mantra stems from one of my favorite soccer commercials from the 2010 world cup: "Write the Future".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/N05ubO8uS1c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a simple idea, and it's fueled all of my top 3 finishes this year (Orcas Island 50k, Capitol Peak 50m, Macdonald Forest 50k). It's both inspiration for the runner's low and encouragement for my legs to keep running hard, knowing that I still have the power to change the course of the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alternatively, the chant "I believe that we will win!" will also be stuck in my head during the race:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2uEpcfonkt4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>SPECIAL THANKS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a crazy journey, especially with studying for the Professional Engineer exam and looking for a new place to live, all the while spending my weekends running and racing. With everything finally settled down, I'm now able to focus solely on my run at Western States. I feel like I'm as prepared as I can be, and I'm grateful for those who have helped me along my road to Western States, including <a href="http://trailbutter.com/">Trail Butter</a>, the <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">Float Shoppe</a>, <a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">Animal Athletics</a>, and <a href="http://www.ultraufitness.com/">Ultra U</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I especially want to thank my family for wanting to crew me, and Andrew Miller for his commitment to pace me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thank you to my friends who have only encouraged me as I struggled to maintain some kind of social life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thanks to all the Race Directors and Volunteers who have worked hard to maintain the Western States trail, especially after the American Fire roughed up a good portion of it last August. I can't wait for race day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's so damn catchy...</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span>Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-37283796752380527952014-04-02T22:23:00.000-07:002014-04-02T22:34:58.927-07:00The Hagg Lake Double (50K and 25K) - February 15th & 16th 2014 - Forest Grove, OR<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running the Hagg Lake Double in 2014 was one of the most painful running experiences of my life.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJK2qNm3eIpBPMooYKYCvDfCyU26-JBfFXzPbILaImp7EDsDZkYqsleor4fFH7I-kn53Fk9cusV4zYra9ftVowrrZhu1JflR3_usyV1Z2Yhfur88T5B6bN0tDe3SHrtDMLl5x3DirJtU/s1600/_DSC2146-XL.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>SATURDAY - THE HAGG LAKE 50K</u></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snowmageddon in PDX!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rollin' to the start in my PT Cruiser, the rain was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipPoi2bZXw4"><span id="goog_15188963"></span>falling steadily<span id="goog_15188964"></span></a>. The "snowmageddon" that devastated Portland the weekend prior, compiled with about 1 inch of forecasted rainfall between Friday night and Saturday night, prompted general expectations of muddy trails. But by the end of the race on Saturday, most people were calling this THE MUDDIEST year in the race's 12 year existence.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My body was feeling pretty good at the start, and my confidence was high. In 2013, I somehow pulled the 3rd fastest 50K time out of my ass (on a dry course), and that prior success was giving me all kinds of swagger. My goal for the day was for a top 3 finish, and my plan was run the race like I had nothing to lose.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>THE COURSE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so this is my 4th blog about this race. Instead of diving into the intimate details of the course, I will say that it starts with a short 1.5 mile out-n-back on a gravel road before going around the lake twice for the 50k (once for the 25k).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those that lack imagination, check out this 4 minute video of the course that some handsome guy made with his GoBro.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/87346178"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">COURSE VIDEO</span></b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.....2.....1....ka-CHOW!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took off like a cocky lightening McQueen. Taking advantage of the dry road, I pushed the pace to a barely uncomfortable uphill effort. Jacob Puzey FLEW by me on the downhill last year, so I wanted to get a little head start on him. Shortly after reaching the turnaround first (King of the Mountain?), I hauled downhill. Soon enough, Jacob Puzey flew past me, followed by Gordo Freeman. Then to my delight, they "allowed" me to catch up to them. By the time we reached the start/finish and entered the Hagg Lake trail, there were about 6 of us running together in a party train. Nobody was trying to win the damn race at this point, and it turned into an enjoyable group run.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37QmfsWl-77YZgYxaERO900Yt7LAd_VExYp5Ft72K5vB-gkUy9xh8NMT76rC6a0t_N8bW2EebWhrlYmzCc8mu5kL4_eOm9Lqjd7LJuM8axHdXyPAVuH-_e0mBJyQxmA2-W56oAOXS8QI/s1600/_DSC0038-XL.jpg" height="331" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mud was sloppy, but navigable. Some portions of the trail were turning into definitive bodies of water, and the uphills were like running on banana peels. The party train didn't break apart until the Dam road (mile 7). My flat road running pales in comparison to Zach and Jacob, but I ran OH so hard to keep up with them on the pavement. As we jumped back onto the slick trail, it was just the 3 of us running together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the first aid station, Zach Gingerich actually drank water. That was the first time I've ever seen Zach drink anything during an ultra, and both Jacob and I were in disbelief. Given that Zach was the 2010 Badwater champion, I can't imagine how low his thirst threshold is when running in 45 degree rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three of us chatted for the next several miles and enjoyed each other's company, and I ended up in the lead by way of courtesy. Eventually, I had to bail off into the blackberry bushes to <i>drop it like it's hot</i>. In the amount of time it took me to pull my pants down, I went from 1st to 5th place. <i>Holy shit!</i> I had no idea that Neil Olson and Monkey Boy were so close behind us, but I probably should have expected it. Nonetheless, I fell behind by about 1 minute and instantly felt lonely. The next several miles were spent trying to rejoin the party, which may have exacerbated issues that would eventually lead to my demise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNID4AlxDo0tsQZGcS2kxLRt6cGpl0GX2iwdQlh6_CVn4YlyhAVil_xSu0NzE1s5Z3l4ELZDLLQT-Yyfr1X9RF1a89I66s9zPsT2DC2GKQtqlqTSMB78tlehVjxuYR0MTU6eP2sePr450/s1600/_DSC2435-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNID4AlxDo0tsQZGcS2kxLRt6cGpl0GX2iwdQlh6_CVn4YlyhAVil_xSu0NzE1s5Z3l4ELZDLLQT-Yyfr1X9RF1a89I66s9zPsT2DC2GKQtqlqTSMB78tlehVjxuYR0MTU6eP2sePr450/s1600/_DSC2435-L.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rain was absolutely ceaseless, and the trails collected much of the runoff as it flowed towards the lake. The mud was getting thicker, my shirtless body was getting colder, and my frustrations were beginning to bruise my feet. It was so hard to grip anything, I started pounding my feet into the mucky muck, desperately searching for traction. My hip flexors were also getting sore from trudging with mud covered boots and dragging my feet through ankle deep mud/water. The course was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awrem5pfhBk">tearing me apart</a>. As the first lap ended, I gave up pursuing the front runners and decided to coast the rest of the race. After putting on a shirt (sorry ladies), I began lap 2 with a '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P31LkgGOPo">survival</a>' mentality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mud was much worse on the 2nd lap due to both the rain and the 300 pairs of footprints that morphed the trail into something real muddy and ugly....<i>mugly.</i> Runners were passing me here and there, but I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to finish the race with enough of legs for a 25k the next day, and ideally without serious injury. My mind started visualizing the growler in my hands in all it's glory (the prize for completing both the 50K & 25K), because there was very little else that could possibly prompt a positive attitude...<i>growler...growler...growler.....1984 Kevin Bacon...growler...</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_jeNX3svh6ymle7qu4xbSyj_n9cojzu18OPz0rLt7ddn9Cx76LFI5hciPitALP7oJwlrYOwKd58WaQaRK9EOAxXTzU9ISk1G9stFXZ3N_j8bMsFiFaD2ncaoJCETaz4JCtHRZQPjkJQ/s1600/_DSC2628-XL.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At last, the finish line cometh, ending a suffer fest that left my hip flexors pulled and my feet bruised. Jumping in Hagg Lake certainly helped, but the damage was done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=679" style="text-decoration: none;">RESULTS</a><b>:</b> 4:18:33, 7th out of 210 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PACE:</b> ~8:19 min/mile</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shivering from the Hagg Lake soak, Dana shuttled me to my car (thanks Dana!), and I helped myself to some brief nudity, dry clothes, and my car's heat vent. The rest of the day was spent eating grilled cheese, drinking hot chocolate, and cheering in my friends as they finished. The rain may damper my spirits, but it will never douse my Love for this stupid race and the community that it gathers.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RECOVERY - SATURDAY NIGHT</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recovery consisted of pizza, skinny jeans, and watching Footloose (1984) with some good friends. Best night ever.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: left;">
<b style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SUNDAY - THE HAGG LAKE 25K</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Holy mother of OW!</i> Waking up, my feet were so sensitive to any pressure on my forefoot(s). But this was my 3rd time doing the Hagg Lake Double (50K + 25K), and every year there was always <i>something</i> that made running the 25k seem <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9GIZZOt0Rk">impossible</a>. So I sucked it up, put on some dry shoes, and journeyed back out to Hagg Lake...with by GoBro.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyeOR7AtmnS34Hv6FCYtjzaN6n9VHHufdn3oNfM-AXTcoc1ABQnAg9GHt9F6oHzzT5VXQoa_s4J-mOYXHzjXy3W5Jf5TO6bOr49bMm5Xm8i4WcDYTDXhtT_0y6g6RWVqbjpB2a874HYo/s1600/_DSC5648-XL.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every GoPro needs a GoBro. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My description of running the 25K could be summed up in one sentence:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..mierda..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..shit..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..balls..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..Taylor Swift..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..ow..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I seriously thought I may have had a Jone's Fracture in my right foot, mainly from running off trail on the cambered grass surface. It was bad. Twice I seriously debated dropping out, but I somehow found enough reasons to finish the 25k. One of those reasons was to complete my <a href="https://vimeo.com/87346178">GoBro video</a> of the course. Being one of the muddiest Hagg Lake years to date, I felt compelled to document the race not only for myself, but for everyone else to send to their "spartan race" friends and show them what a real mud course looks like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, running with Megan was another reason why I was able to finish the race. Given that she was running with a fractured pinky toe, we became suffer partners and helped each other stay positive by singing Timbers chants, songs from Grease, and various pop songs. Megan, thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=680" style="text-decoration: none;">RESULTS</a><b>:</b> 2:59:46, 125th out of 280 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PACE:</b> 11:34 min/mile</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3PmyDJk5s6gv6VUy2A6TJGTxwik0K3gE4FIXqVk4meB-y6Fep6xEoBBUJtJkxmvOrenSYhRMCHnXOtdutN_9J0AEKOlJcULcybVOZ439xs8_6og942mkVJnxqEm9c9qJbVvswu6yRXM/s1600/1896783_588713624552952_1140453217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3PmyDJk5s6gv6VUy2A6TJGTxwik0K3gE4FIXqVk4meB-y6Fep6xEoBBUJtJkxmvOrenSYhRMCHnXOtdutN_9J0AEKOlJcULcybVOZ439xs8_6og942mkVJnxqEm9c9qJbVvswu6yRXM/s1600/1896783_588713624552952_1140453217_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Megan! Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a> (Dana Katz).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8qPJ3Q3qZAgq8bE7jdZNPLmo2R63IXGG1bk1TyGb0_cubsmbvhlLa248qw-rqxq2V-XQ6H5Yu4FQnj44k2IOBKT3ixnrgmx1IgAbiss9P7gdBV7FNnoFqfeM3_C97BJJkZLfLgdOfMU/s1600/1797513_10201693426796838_1654693470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8qPJ3Q3qZAgq8bE7jdZNPLmo2R63IXGG1bk1TyGb0_cubsmbvhlLa248qw-rqxq2V-XQ6H5Yu4FQnj44k2IOBKT3ixnrgmx1IgAbiss9P7gdBV7FNnoFqfeM3_C97BJJkZLfLgdOfMU/s1600/1797513_10201693426796838_1654693470_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Growler time. Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a> (Dana Katz).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6G08EjpDgGeSLe_S3HhxCaLeTikoRm07CdhMgR5fMFJgHE-z7vq2teKXzqd_0mAJ_xknRijwmNqqI-sIydz1FyG0P8OudmBVaRqMwbO_3Q57J7ZP-xvBxmss8TEnOXkQk07bk0cxTE/s1600/1653434_1390085464591172_1962732062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6G08EjpDgGeSLe_S3HhxCaLeTikoRm07CdhMgR5fMFJgHE-z7vq2teKXzqd_0mAJ_xknRijwmNqqI-sIydz1FyG0P8OudmBVaRqMwbO_3Q57J7ZP-xvBxmss8TEnOXkQk07bk0cxTE/s1600/1653434_1390085464591172_1962732062_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, having a moment. Photo by Ann Peterson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>THANK YOU</b><br />
<br />
Thank you <a href="http://trailbutter.com/"><b>Trail Butter</b></a>, I'm honored to be a part of the Team this year! I Love this stuff.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6saDQhzHHHyvcegEdwmmhGpnDnZEf8zWHGJZRzgdrBkn5MYuc5KWRXcinIsOPV3TX7KkGWU2KzrnXORGSPWvcV6rHEiaS0nSa_4VdAWIT0XrCwF_NFTRCnFJBGf60qqkUGhrpegWUH0/s1600/_DSC6373-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6saDQhzHHHyvcegEdwmmhGpnDnZEf8zWHGJZRzgdrBkn5MYuc5KWRXcinIsOPV3TX7KkGWU2KzrnXORGSPWvcV6rHEiaS0nSa_4VdAWIT0XrCwF_NFTRCnFJBGf60qqkUGhrpegWUH0/s1600/_DSC6373-XL.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://paulnelson.smugmug.com/Hagg-Lake-Mud-Run-50K25K-2014/">Paul Nelson</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you <b><a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">Float Shoppe</a> </b>for the peace of mind, and for the recovery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8Jz6D1S_ZfdqOWAw9Zl12HyUb7-RIHYvT6CwUh59zwz4lX5VSwGGNV-fHNjdQlyiNZ89dxdqtlLUfkQICPEDSJYGimxzw35YSlJatl4PmVqm4HiO0d7HPHuyCG-AYAVxBtspLvv1oMY/s1600/photo+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8Jz6D1S_ZfdqOWAw9Zl12HyUb7-RIHYvT6CwUh59zwz4lX5VSwGGNV-fHNjdQlyiNZ89dxdqtlLUfkQICPEDSJYGimxzw35YSlJatl4PmVqm4HiO0d7HPHuyCG-AYAVxBtspLvv1oMY/s1600/photo+(22).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you Sean Meissner for being out of town.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcrZmDYO_YMWVnS9Itthg9V0OzZVtacldq2h9Xs__X3IvzFn9220MsioOS8QUMuKrkn7-gtx5VK9XewBWbJPQ-uWVZk2Ip0CmHaNyN9E8_Wv1Dj-nXbeugFLIBrnPejc5WLzsDlyIGHI/s1600/1959977_10100105057221563_432237942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcrZmDYO_YMWVnS9Itthg9V0OzZVtacldq2h9Xs__X3IvzFn9220MsioOS8QUMuKrkn7-gtx5VK9XewBWbJPQ-uWVZk2Ip0CmHaNyN9E8_Wv1Dj-nXbeugFLIBrnPejc5WLzsDlyIGHI/s1600/1959977_10100105057221563_432237942_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you Paul Nelson, and everyone else who was out there taking photos!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
And last but not least, thank you Race Directors and Volunteers for enduring the cold weather to help hundreds of masochists finish the muddiest race of their lives. You all were amazing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>FINAL WORDS</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I'll definitely be there for the Hagg Lake Double next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
Much Love,<br />
<br />
Jbob</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-28706719498906269262014-02-27T22:55:00.001-08:002014-02-27T23:13:49.553-08:00Jbob's Orcas Island 50k Race Report - February 1 - 2014<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to know what Love is...I want you to show me!</span></i><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r6s3CCeGjeGMhrCp5VMwWkprsafFdaKq7yZp-sPCD9PRmtBjim2y4O4jLPqcO8SuqdUMtRLIYqcrwUtsUzrrpOT-tbgAWb9BCouibVIw-9Rf9Ahc8t-Im0Tkxwjo5T7B2n_y5oaKyPE/s1600/Photo+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r6s3CCeGjeGMhrCp5VMwWkprsafFdaKq7yZp-sPCD9PRmtBjim2y4O4jLPqcO8SuqdUMtRLIYqcrwUtsUzrrpOT-tbgAWb9BCouibVIw-9Rf9Ahc8t-Im0Tkxwjo5T7B2n_y5oaKyPE/s1600/Photo+(21).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunset on Orcas Island.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE MINDSET</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orcas Island would be my first race in over 6 months. The physical impacts of running the <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2013/07/bighorn-100-mile-endurance-run-dayton.html">Bighorn 100</a> were aggravated while running the Mt. Hood 50 mile race in July last year, and I opted to give myself a long recovery period through the winter. After all, taking a break from crazy ultra running for at least a couple months allows the body a chance to be happy instead of being pissed off all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Building up training for the Orcas Island 50k was not a smooth road. In the month of January, there were 4 "injuries" that could have mentally prevented me from running this race.</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A seemingly chronic ache located where my right achilles meets the lower part of my calf, which has been coming and going for the past 3 months.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A likely case of Morton's Neuroma that started causing bruise-like pain on the bottom of my left middle toe, forcing me to run in Hokas through half the month until it went away. The use of toe spacers, golf ball massaging, and icing seemed to help the healing process.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rolled ankle (or minor sprain) 1 week prior to the race that didn't pop, yet caused minor swelling and stiffness in my left foot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sore hip flexors from falling hard after rolling my ankle (see injury 3). My hip flexors likely suffered from the impact and strain of landing on my knees while cruising downhill. They were plenty sore throughout the week, but started to feel better just a few days prior to the race.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, none of these issues affected my race, however, I never felt 100% confident that I would run the race without dropping out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE COURSE</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwX7eIn8UaL64TPevrEWqSSLn-SQTDK00rO4ZQYAD0BWdlluH2NJgCz4c0YeGuVquFJJXK0BGR1MB4VzSktE2dVeKd7izKAPKMe9DiFQrhd_0qYzV1A3ITo76YSM8TG7aWSkCg_PNLOc/s1600/2014+orcas+50k+profile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwX7eIn8UaL64TPevrEWqSSLn-SQTDK00rO4ZQYAD0BWdlluH2NJgCz4c0YeGuVquFJJXK0BGR1MB4VzSktE2dVeKd7izKAPKMe9DiFQrhd_0qYzV1A3ITo76YSM8TG7aWSkCg_PNLOc/s1600/2014+orcas+50k+profile.JPG" height="122" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sV4nDia5v7wCqUsNr2d9_9LEJhwAliNLwphHfW788FDGR8Pv-co_ihxB2nJiEoPvJhbGHSoMg9UcZaz5fCWqiutcaySFNjywYTao94hUpZaX0y48CxxnnSLbe4fUkdXp_EHlSfKUSO8/s1600/2013+orcas+50k+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sV4nDia5v7wCqUsNr2d9_9LEJhwAliNLwphHfW788FDGR8Pv-co_ihxB2nJiEoPvJhbGHSoMg9UcZaz5fCWqiutcaySFNjywYTao94hUpZaX0y48CxxnnSLbe4fUkdXp_EHlSfKUSO8/s1600/2013+orcas+50k+map.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RACE DAY MORNING</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many runners opted for the early start at 7:30am, including most of my Portland friends. The course was slow and tough, and everyone wanted to make sure they had plenty of time to finish. Also, anyone who starts early gets to see how the race unfolds when the 8:30am front-runners come passing by. I was excited to be able to see my early-start friends during the race, and it gave me something to look forward to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3...2...1...SHAMU!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KQfZXHe9tV-gj1xSfxr-KmOh0chCU6wj4Q-v9CTwNMFYeqJbYpGClIZ2oTYNSHM1-CmoCyRhUi-0EBsVWNy-MIw6sZPXBHPY8V8vi1I9Tz5OBAMfYjJ0kU9bKqej464qhDCvYpanoEQ/s1600/Orcas+Island+2014+Race+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KQfZXHe9tV-gj1xSfxr-KmOh0chCU6wj4Q-v9CTwNMFYeqJbYpGClIZ2oTYNSHM1-CmoCyRhUi-0EBsVWNy-MIw6sZPXBHPY8V8vi1I9Tz5OBAMfYjJ0kU9bKqej464qhDCvYpanoEQ/s1600/Orcas+Island+2014+Race+Start.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam Hewey's mustache, leading the way. Photo by <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race started on a gradual downhill, and Adam Hewey's mustache assertively jumped into the lead before the road turned to rolling single track. The trail ran through gorgeous foliage and streams of probably delicious island runoff, and slowly but surely I found myself in a comfortable position (top 10-ish). Andrew Miller and I started to run together just before the first climb up the Mt. Constitution road (asphalt). Not before too long, Andrew kicked into a pace that put me out of my comfort zone. I stayed with him, and together we kept within site distance of the most of the runners in front of us (Jonathan, Hal, Jodee, Hayden). By the time the climb ended, my legs felt worked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N-3_0JZj3yhRJ7i5RNJQt67bYSokjEEX5zUNHKieQ2WHAHGBVLY7UbrvKPSgBYPuJBnlzRwTW4GgjYstdUNGyvfiI3gI4HTaSuGy6xt-KLXKVszFwm7ABgHCxSAv9Z2TgrFlML9-xhw/s1600/IMG_0456-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N-3_0JZj3yhRJ7i5RNJQt67bYSokjEEX5zUNHKieQ2WHAHGBVLY7UbrvKPSgBYPuJBnlzRwTW4GgjYstdUNGyvfiI3gI4HTaSuGy6xt-KLXKVszFwm7ABgHCxSAv9Z2TgrFlML9-xhw/s1600/IMG_0456-X3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew (eventual winner),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jonathan (red), and Me (blue shorts).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning the first long descent, Andrew pulled away like a fearless teenager and just flew down the technical terrain. I mean, that kid was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATQcxe7VPbk">footloose</a>. Andrew and I stayed close until we hit Aid Station 1 (mile 6.4), and then he bolted out of sight while I filled one of my water bottles. That would be the last I saw of him during the race. As a matter of fact, I didn't see a single front runner between the miles of 6.4 and 21, which allowed me to focus on running my own race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trail along Mountain Lake and Twin Lakes was rolling, beautiful, and serene. My legs recovered well along this stretch, and before too long, I was running happy! My legs felt strong on the hills, and I enjoyed interacting with the early starters. One of the early start runners in particular was having issues going down a set of stairs, and then I realized that he was running with a prosthetic leg. Turns out his name is Edward, and he originally attempted the 25k race held the previous weekend, but his prosthetic broke after only 2 miles. After that happened, he resolved to run the 50k the following weekend with a new prosthetic, and you can read his blog <a href="http://edwardlychik.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/orcas-island-50k-grizzley-bears-great-people/">here</a>. Inspiring guy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The climb up to Mt. Pickett was gradual and runnable. The open areas of the forest had a fresh dusting of snow from the previous week that gave a sparking white contrast to the lush green ferns and moss covered trees. <i>It was so pretty, it made ME feel pretty just being there!</i> The next uphill climb involved a series of switchbacks that were steep enough to hike, followed by a quick downhill to Aid Station 2 (mile 14.2). I left the aid station with a mouthful of grapes and peanut m&ms for me to <i>nom nom</i> on the downhill. The trails mostly rolled downhill towards Aid Station 3 (mile 20.6), and this aid station was the gateway to the Powerline Trail. Knowing what was ahead of me, I ingested calories and salt prior to leaving the aid station. As I left the aid station Andrew's father told me to go catch his son. <i>Really?</i> I asked. <i>Go get him!</i> He replied. <i>Okay! </i>Said my mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErG2djbIu90TuXZipLrQJVl-fiF1B3_HR1MQ6HzmwzTmtyCSkIMiryNKy0CQlA5p65TFmS2nfPFjgl94Dd97PYxjPMnWtuIzM_OrfyJkxox-67XiR1nORM6e5FOK5ufeeFu4zoiVZSK8/s1600/orcasbandur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErG2djbIu90TuXZipLrQJVl-fiF1B3_HR1MQ6HzmwzTmtyCSkIMiryNKy0CQlA5p65TFmS2nfPFjgl94Dd97PYxjPMnWtuIzM_OrfyJkxox-67XiR1nORM6e5FOK5ufeeFu4zoiVZSK8/s1600/orcasbandur.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Power Line Trail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">during a past race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo from the <a href="http://orcas50k.blogspot.com/p/picsreports.html">website</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Power line trail is what some people would call a female dog. It climbs ~2,000' in ~2 miles, and it's steep enough in places to get on all fours if you really wanted to. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">When I reached the Power Line Trail, I finally saw a couple of the front runners hiking laboriously up the trail. After shoving another GU in my gut, I hiked steadily with hands on knees, slowly closing the gap. Hayden Teachout (just ahead of me) dropped his water bottle, but he quickly caught it with his foot, otherwise it would have tumbled all...the way...to the bottom. <i>Close call for him</i>. He looked like he was struggling, but I felt awesome despite my quivering calves. Every now and then, the trail would turn gradually runnable, and I pushed myself to run every runnable stretch that I could. Hal was hiking in the distance, but I couldn't quite close the gap. He just stayed 100 yards ahead as we both hiked and ran at the same pace.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">At last! The climb gave way to a ~2 mile descent, and my legs shifted gears. Running steady, I slowly caught and passed Hal. As always, he had a big smile on his face and offered words of encouragement as I ran by. The trail soon turned into a steep (but not too steep) climb, the last significant climb to the top of Mt. Constitution. I tried running, but hiking was a wiser choice at this point. Some switchbacks were runnable, but it was mostly a hike-fest. After about 1.5 miles of ascent, the trail dumped into the aid station on the top of Mt. Constitution (mile 25.8). The views were PHENOMENAL! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I knew a couple of the volunteers at the aid station, but I didn't recognize them since my mind was too focused on what my body needed. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Quickly downing coke, salt, and calories, someone told me I was 3rd male and 4th overall with Jodi just minutes in front of me. The last 6 miles of the race were mostly downhill, and my feet were ready to set sail. After thanking the volunteers, I flew down the trail with the hopes of a top 3 finish. <i>Get on your horse, Jbob!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ihMSVNOGGUYnpNvh64eW-0mMnasUx5moEUaOzjKIXpWySOt_Ea_va7Xh0gagoA9iiMepW2xC0jHCEXBn1az7aDyc7TFO7b9HoD4-ubfcKRtVcAJhTblijCpsvi4WVISGMNKu3DH0z8/s1600/IMG_1586-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ihMSVNOGGUYnpNvh64eW-0mMnasUx5moEUaOzjKIXpWySOt_Ea_va7Xh0gagoA9iiMepW2xC0jHCEXBn1az7aDyc7TFO7b9HoD4-ubfcKRtVcAJhTblijCpsvi4WVISGMNKu3DH0z8/s1600/IMG_1586-X3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Near the top of Mt. Constitution. Photo by the stellar <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after running past Glenn Tachiyama (photographer), my right hamstring quivered. <i>Gah! No no no no no, not now!</i> The transition from the uphill push up Mt. Constitution to the downhill push for the finish line was not a smooth one. Fearing a total cramp of my hamstring, I stopped to stretch it for 10 seconds before restarting into my downhill gear. Now, my mind was filled with the fear of an impending cramping. <i>My mantra at the time:...don't cramp, don't cramp, don't cramp, don't cramp... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A pack of mountain bikers appeared on the trail before me, and it took my mind off things for a bit while trying to keep up with them. The last rider kept looking back at me to see if I was gaining on them, and they stopped at the next intersection and let me pass. <i>Score 1 for the runner.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Within a mile of the finish, I saw her. Jodee was still going strong, and she was hiking the last hill on tired legs. My legs were tired too, but I was slowly closing the gap. I had no idea that I was within a mile of the finish line at this point, so I kept my pace strong/conservative considering my legs were borderline quivering. When we hit the homestretch, I knew there was no way I was going to catch her. She'll always be the one that got away...and I'm okay with that, because she's outside of my age group/gender and she earned it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=24313" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;"><b>RESULTS</b></a><b>:</b> 4:46:59, 3rd male (4th overall) out of 200 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PACE:</b> ~9:10 min/mile</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">After hugging the Race Director, James Varner, my right hamstring seized and I was on the ground in pain...smiling and laughing. There wasn't a single moment during the race where I wished I was done, and that says a lot about how much I enjoyed the course. My mood was blissful as I was lying on the grass laughing, full of joy and gratitude that my body held itself to the very end.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad Props: Andrew Miller, 17 years old, won the race with the 3rd fastest time ever! He's a humble kid and super kind hearted. I'm excited to see how well he runs at <a href="http://zanegrey50.com/">Zane Grey 50m</a> this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVBVxqQm1HIFZOhpRi7RMHQmW04iogacEEhfHZKwCzDWNhl0TVMPLoIqgis17TYnSG1djTYKr82PFsTnoNerTXzM7t463IrntG0v_QqIjwZexc6ZJPQRlOeTz6l0DWjS_elpLAo5QoxA/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVBVxqQm1HIFZOhpRi7RMHQmW04iogacEEhfHZKwCzDWNhl0TVMPLoIqgis17TYnSG1djTYKr82PFsTnoNerTXzM7t463IrntG0v_QqIjwZexc6ZJPQRlOeTz6l0DWjS_elpLAo5QoxA/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beer'd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo Credit: Gary Wang.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After showering at the nearby bunkhouse, I cheered on my friends and enjoyed great food/beer as the after race celebration was slowly getting started. Most of the runners stuck around for a while, and the party went well into the night with a live bluegrass band <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ja6eWo9v8">The Pine Hearts</a> playing their hearts out. Eventually, the evening turned dark, the lights went down, and people started dancing. I was amazed at how limber some of these runners were, considering they just ran a tough 50K. One guy was jigging so aggressively, I prayed for his legs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFm4GOILdEZXbNZoZRXgyiH4PrP4G7gW66pWwHd7MVGG4c_rhvZZO-9xk9OLd_jzLfPH1MVaZ9YZ_4yJgSDG3uovP3yFgCc6ZcMBWJdtaQbw69_uBimHXCuRHHCJ1Bfld0eHelY2JxKE/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFm4GOILdEZXbNZoZRXgyiH4PrP4G7gW66pWwHd7MVGG4c_rhvZZO-9xk9OLd_jzLfPH1MVaZ9YZ_4yJgSDG3uovP3yFgCc6ZcMBWJdtaQbw69_uBimHXCuRHHCJ1Bfld0eHelY2JxKE/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Samantha, Ann, T.J., Kevin, and Jesse! Photo Credi: T.J. Ford's Camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu0IlzHjhoo1Bo88ASen0sSWemBSyB22YdycwkFRDi4UH_RS3MSorl_-LlVwBKDDDHI71pfIl1vFvkCd867sUO2_D8jAKAr4n2j1pkEx7W57ulvr0sdB2_sb1U2KNlaLcQS25EMGrOrI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu0IlzHjhoo1Bo88ASen0sSWemBSyB22YdycwkFRDi4UH_RS3MSorl_-LlVwBKDDDHI71pfIl1vFvkCd867sUO2_D8jAKAr4n2j1pkEx7W57ulvr0sdB2_sb1U2KNlaLcQS25EMGrOrI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T.J., Samantha, and me. Photo Credit: T.J. Ford's camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiuVXjMxyeU5R_26p9-sRDXPrYMFchQzSodb7pCapmlJ8NF5Qw4E-IP_uAgRPPdqgin2qp6_kd-a205LvwThyphenhyphen-z84hW0WFy0G6r1W40hogwaBpFOVZfIULv7h8TvfuHYNDkddhqxa7YE/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiuVXjMxyeU5R_26p9-sRDXPrYMFchQzSodb7pCapmlJ8NF5Qw4E-IP_uAgRPPdqgin2qp6_kd-a205LvwThyphenhyphen-z84hW0WFy0G6r1W40hogwaBpFOVZfIULv7h8TvfuHYNDkddhqxa7YE/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ja6eWo9v8">The Pine Hearts</a>! Photo Credit: T.J. Ford.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not every race ends in a party that goes until 2 am, and certainly not every race celebrates community & achievement quite like a<a href="http://rainshadow-running.blogspot.com/"> Rainshadow race</a>. I would return and run the Orcas Island 50K again in a heartbeat, and YOU should definitely consider running the 25K or 50K someday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thank you James Varner, the volunteers, Glenn Tachiyama, Project Talaria, and everyone else who helped make this race happen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Also, a special thanks to those who've helped me in my journey, especially: <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">The Float Shoppe</a> (Recovery), <a href="http://trailbutter.com/">Trailbutter</a> (Sustenance), and <a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/">Dr. Brad Farra</a> (Sports Chiropractor).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Shout out to my bunk mates who helped make my weekend so special: T.J., Ann, Annie, Samantha, Jesse, and Kevin. Love you guys!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYAINNoyNbnpE2DNut1C8jJq1yXQFntygjHd3SBvw8gcJEy9q9txjclJfkPMQN7D-jXALJd6icGD6iIk8sIPFm_e3fAOtAwDcI3BeibjeESaop60F3aACBnANSGmxmEE2HSsOERgzH4A/s1600/photo+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYAINNoyNbnpE2DNut1C8jJq1yXQFntygjHd3SBvw8gcJEy9q9txjclJfkPMQN7D-jXALJd6icGD6iIk8sIPFm_e3fAOtAwDcI3BeibjeESaop60F3aACBnANSGmxmEE2HSsOERgzH4A/s1600/photo+%252820%2529.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://trailbutter.com/">Trailbutter</a> on Orcas Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMsl-1Bhx8HAE1573aHIKjUXg4VFmetYcqBTAmZGutPOBWoDBrZwKYur6u5X1mwGMsMk8Z5I7uUsH4VPF3EdfOJlyCTLGtY1A1A-mtXk_Nqn_sIpjZFThxE9ExizrYX0ySdg0iTOj-LQ/s1600/photo+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMsl-1Bhx8HAE1573aHIKjUXg4VFmetYcqBTAmZGutPOBWoDBrZwKYur6u5X1mwGMsMk8Z5I7uUsH4VPF3EdfOJlyCTLGtY1A1A-mtXk_Nqn_sIpjZFThxE9ExizrYX0ySdg0iTOj-LQ/s1600/photo+(19).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>improved</b> "<a href="http://gjtach.wix.com/tributetothetrails/">Tribute to the Trails Calendar</a>" at my work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-63101754164127458822013-12-27T22:32:00.001-08:002014-01-24T12:38:02.699-08:00Jbob's 2014 Race Schedule<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">“I know who I am and who I may be, if I choose.” - <i>Don Quixote</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmgOHLz5Tdlnh10ATCJ8yHuJKhrichNxvvBZL8IlyUC91ESPBfgxwLJPEp67ttq6d1JHj06iXO6v5rvCvifdPVLxU___U-llznmVonaPh80WcQA_5SaBgnkljilIw-g6rDM7sohg-ceQ/s1600/Hagg+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmgOHLz5Tdlnh10ATCJ8yHuJKhrichNxvvBZL8IlyUC91ESPBfgxwLJPEp67ttq6d1JHj06iXO6v5rvCvifdPVLxU___U-llznmVonaPh80WcQA_5SaBgnkljilIw-g6rDM7sohg-ceQ/s400/Hagg+24.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">My Hagg Lake ice bath.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The year 2013 has been the best year of my life so far (as every subsequent year has been since my birth), and this past year's adventures and accomplishments have been crucial in solidifying my understanding of not only who I am, but who I can become. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To those who have only ever </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feeIOZH7wr4" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">encouraged</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> me, I appreciate the shit out of you.</span><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That said, I feel like I've been in a path of constant growth and improvement in my running ability, and I couldn't be more mentally ready for the race schedule that's lain before me in 2014. This coming year, I'm excited to participate in every race in my calendar (see my full race schedule <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-races.html"><b>here</b></a>). However, there are 3 races in particular that I'm ecstatic about:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>WESTERN STATES 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN - SQUAW VALLEY TO AUBURN, CA (<a href="http://www.wser.org/">website</a>)</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10CfH6VPj_O3Re5oPol8UTIB-sDFxWozSBPFK4cCRkw0p7_4iIc8v1A0mhSAGazcgICPvoeqflCRHNBNPvtIVeTBvclcaD9MgeGfPuQf9mdiQhaOBOsTMIhONENfFQdJwHI1Nc__y3Ak/s1600/WS100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10CfH6VPj_O3Re5oPol8UTIB-sDFxWozSBPFK4cCRkw0p7_4iIc8v1A0mhSAGazcgICPvoeqflCRHNBNPvtIVeTBvclcaD9MgeGfPuQf9mdiQhaOBOsTMIhONENfFQdJwHI1Nc__y3Ak/s200/WS100.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you haven't heard of this race, then let me introduce you to probably the most popular 100-mile race in the world. It's the "world's oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race", and I was one of the lucky ~275 runners chosen via lottery out of ~2700 applicants to run the race in 2014. It's not an easy race to get into, and this is an opportunity that I don't want to take for granted. Also, the competition is STACKED, and I'm looking forward to running with some faster runners.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Quick Facts</u></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Climbing: 19,000'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Falling: 23,000'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Historical Weather: Hot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter Activity: Severe during the race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shit-My-Pants Rating (pre-race anxiety): 7/10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crew: My Family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serious Question: Does chasing cougars at 80s night count as Western States training?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SQUAMISH 50 MILE RACE – SQUAMISH, BC (<a href="http://www.squamish50.com/">website</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVdPnHCt5hyphenhyphenu2xM8wNSnwE6910SaK5YzQXJb420qNKG1jDnoo4AoqR-kRxVrB174kKML_YVIOcik6vlGOzf9tX6-qF-_aD6w4gYnqaanF8QRBDkPo3KAO9u_xZqoU9nWB87FUSvgD41M/s1600/9352371e515ac83cc2dc85fb399e905c.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVdPnHCt5hyphenhyphenu2xM8wNSnwE6910SaK5YzQXJb420qNKG1jDnoo4AoqR-kRxVrB174kKML_YVIOcik6vlGOzf9tX6-qF-_aD6w4gYnqaanF8QRBDkPo3KAO9u_xZqoU9nWB87FUSvgD41M/s200/9352371e515ac83cc2dc85fb399e905c.png" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2012, I had the fortune to volunteer at this race by
marking ~15 miles of the course (with a memorable last minute course marking
shift at 2am with GR). Running those trails were magic, and I can’t recall having
so much fun running, jumping, and hollering like a kid on a roller coaster.
It’s fun shit, and I can’t wait to go back and run the full 50 miles. And since
GR has enticed an impressive field of fast mother f*ckers, this 3<sup>rd</sup>
edition of the race has potential to be all kinds of epic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Quick Facts</u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Distance: 50 miles</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Climbing: 11,000'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Falling: 11,000'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter Activity: Severe in the months prior to the race, Moderate during the race.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shit-my-pants rating: 9/10</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beer Rating: 5/5. The Howe Sound Brewery has
some very, very good beer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>MOUNTAIN LAKES 100 MILE RACE– OLALLIE LAKE, OR (<a href="http://www.mountainlakes100.com/">website</a>)</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi27rIpFbWj2cfu0KJriZmQ4L8AfUwgi19powFMh8_8BMZYS0IKRgr_k-qn8tFyviP6xjrkgk79hDCS53pSkqn4a_H39E7F87mJL3KYTkgOLIeTDu_pBqbbqrFv2MvzDCtLijNF_0N6kI/s1600/cropped-web-banner-ml-1001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi27rIpFbWj2cfu0KJriZmQ4L8AfUwgi19powFMh8_8BMZYS0IKRgr_k-qn8tFyviP6xjrkgk79hDCS53pSkqn4a_H39E7F87mJL3KYTkgOLIeTDu_pBqbbqrFv2MvzDCtLijNF_0N6kI/s400/cropped-web-banner-ml-1001.png" height="82" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The inaugural attempt will forever live in infamy due to epically inclement weather that flooded the trails, created hypothermic conditions, and even
managed to crush a couple of cars (thankfully, no one was hurt). The inaugural
2013 race was cancelled 15 hours into the race due to unsafe weather and trail
conditions, ending with Ken Sinclair and Ashley Nordell in first place at mile
80.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The course is very familiar to me, and chances are I'll know somebody at every aid station. There's no better feeling than running a race when surrounded by so many friendly faces. The course itself is beautiful and gradual, and it mostly takes place on the Pacific Crest Trail just south of Mt. Hood. I can't think of any better race directors for this race than Todd Janssen and Trevor Hostettler, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the first complete running of this race. (Check out the other races in the NW Mountain Trail Series <a href="http://www.mountaintrailseries.com/">here</a>).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Quick Facts</u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Distance: 100 miles</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Climbing: 10,800'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Falling: 10,800'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter Activity: Moderate during the race</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shit-my-pants rating: 5/10</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Knock on Wood: There's NO WAY the weather can be as bad as it was in 2013.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See the rest of my 2014 Race Schedule <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-races.html"><b>HERE</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<u><br /></u>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>SOME FAVORITE PHOTOS OF 2013</u></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qwu_lIhgRDDnBMyjTeJeibPg47_QJ14iEzoN7tkeWYamo63B5iebARchq7dYDKadl0-_E9lIE-0aTWJtWP4WFBaiCQ_1evbYmzlfl7jl5CfCcD36CS8TdfR3GLV6NwAbVUcgaY8vZcM/s400/Yosemite+2013+-+Cloud's+Rest+cleaned+up.JPG" height="247" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds Rest, Yosemite<br />
<b><br /><a href="https://vimeo.com/78504841">SEE THE FULL VIDEO HERE</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qwu_lIhgRDDnBMyjTeJeibPg47_QJ14iEzoN7tkeWYamo63B5iebARchq7dYDKadl0-_E9lIE-0aTWJtWP4WFBaiCQ_1evbYmzlfl7jl5CfCcD36CS8TdfR3GLV6NwAbVUcgaY8vZcM/s1600/Yosemite+2013+-+Cloud's+Rest+cleaned+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxqJP3tw4Gs0cieIpm0xtcCt7yM0h5jYzxKHXXONA_919RiAboswGWdJE3hEHXmCHaijzllFFa5a4br03ST_xpR6v61XsYZfVdOEF1alf4u5iYkZXlWRglrX8zGB1KlKbGqUVzrYT3-A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-09+at+5.42.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxqJP3tw4Gs0cieIpm0xtcCt7yM0h5jYzxKHXXONA_919RiAboswGWdJE3hEHXmCHaijzllFFa5a4br03ST_xpR6v61XsYZfVdOEF1alf4u5iYkZXlWRglrX8zGB1KlKbGqUVzrYT3-A/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-11-09+at+5.42.59+PM.png" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing around Mt. St. Helens (Mt. Adams in the background).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/77659953"><b>SEE THE FULL VIDEO HERE</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj076C37gLjXrQj3YxP6i_Ahyphenhyphen5rePr4zTiohPG8Sujll7vcHbHsf_H1Eq0tYIa8r8fORMkQlxlpG30CanmkXgffJvQH5g6eRWZDMyzzWt9TBAlZQCh1DEVMh_cGkOpaK4p9zFsGLzrGLiY/s1600/IMG_3753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj076C37gLjXrQj3YxP6i_Ahyphenhyphen5rePr4zTiohPG8Sujll7vcHbHsf_H1Eq0tYIa8r8fORMkQlxlpG30CanmkXgffJvQH5g6eRWZDMyzzWt9TBAlZQCh1DEVMh_cGkOpaK4p9zFsGLzrGLiY/s400/IMG_3753.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending Mt. St. Helens before dawn, looking towards Mt. Adams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFezOqt4vX4uFJf5JyWHxmTOQ5_zTZx7YjXJVYjtkZQ_jDD22eHA-sWCitGyG5ulKPGljOvfTWrlZI1FZVJRDW-m49w_M0VzA-gxIT_VHaWwv6CoAMabVxr1MGoO6KE2prZh0TRm85U_M/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFezOqt4vX4uFJf5JyWHxmTOQ5_zTZx7YjXJVYjtkZQ_jDD22eHA-sWCitGyG5ulKPGljOvfTWrlZI1FZVJRDW-m49w_M0VzA-gxIT_VHaWwv6CoAMabVxr1MGoO6KE2prZh0TRm85U_M/s400/IMG_3862.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Rainier from Mt. St. Helens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7fyrxMT7rVTHJ6viThVOIPtNhPcmgnWYpq4aS9yF5M8loOj4COi_FHrNhD0UnzYjh3cvSkGPbTdjNNG-RYFW66XYpFNlwuRoScWxSkCejmsdHMpOV97_bV3p08H_3bIHdn-HY5SKlWc/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7fyrxMT7rVTHJ6viThVOIPtNhPcmgnWYpq4aS9yF5M8loOj4COi_FHrNhD0UnzYjh3cvSkGPbTdjNNG-RYFW66XYpFNlwuRoScWxSkCejmsdHMpOV97_bV3p08H_3bIHdn-HY5SKlWc/s640/IMG_3853.JPG" height="144" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from Mt. St. Helens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDcS4-76OjoZwxrkFcXR3p89NHqJPOLusedCBozkz7ESNsfBlo5dVa7rp2cEqVvucNXMO7avboDdTm1pKWz4CWHRe2xYc8sHxgCGTcC9bfcphIW7-Pbf95ArwxBP7ZV8LXBWfVkLJzjY/s1600/20130713.ml.pctmthood500193-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDcS4-76OjoZwxrkFcXR3p89NHqJPOLusedCBozkz7ESNsfBlo5dVa7rp2cEqVvucNXMO7avboDdTm1pKWz4CWHRe2xYc8sHxgCGTcC9bfcphIW7-Pbf95ArwxBP7ZV8LXBWfVkLJzjY/s320/20130713.ml.pctmthood500193-XL.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bro #2 (Brandon Sullivan)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Mt. Hood 50m)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5Q8C0vuj8KyksMIyualV5bnOaxlZ2zfwpqawU_26_p8cuLlyPA19twkN9YOSwsk-E8sQRv2v6nh1kJN2kaGVSXwPWu8cunuQ6W31NXV8C7lhH572eFMidOw7r0f_dL_6sN4JFoySpbE/s1600/20130713.ml.pctmthood500189-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5Q8C0vuj8KyksMIyualV5bnOaxlZ2zfwpqawU_26_p8cuLlyPA19twkN9YOSwsk-E8sQRv2v6nh1kJN2kaGVSXwPWu8cunuQ6W31NXV8C7lhH572eFMidOw7r0f_dL_6sN4JFoySpbE/s320/20130713.ml.pctmthood500189-XL.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bro #1 (Mt. Hood 50m)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfTqnxbhdTGSIAnsWG1oaQcBrZCcEXie5pGIRaxhD-7_6qEdF4_Jbu6P01aDMSxSABI5behFEvISyZeMdnbrZ477hhuvu07cHws1VHqmvpaiGvoldlgi9KM5EUN7N0C3kye0Zw43QTD0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-04+at+6.55.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfTqnxbhdTGSIAnsWG1oaQcBrZCcEXie5pGIRaxhD-7_6qEdF4_Jbu6P01aDMSxSABI5behFEvISyZeMdnbrZ477hhuvu07cHws1VHqmvpaiGvoldlgi9KM5EUN7N0C3kye0Zw43QTD0/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-05-04+at+6.55.22+PM.png" height="400" width="272" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banana Face #1 (Zane Grey 50m)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Photo by </span><a href="http://mapphotography.smugmug.com/Running/Zane-Grey-50-Mile-2013/29235807_C5Pb3x#!i=2491696901&k=g2TGL2V" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;">Map Photography</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCJuIgz4JdMxiDVL6pRIROeOV4bOwDTi26pZ7meg-WSQzVUl5UrtH7pJG_5ITJAQBRYxwYl-Wd3cYXlVP0acSCcgmzDPACZHjM9LGdq4Trw7xrq3nRRSH4d_idDkOhaqlKBPZxyrhS1w/s1600/1069811_10200368947205676_1485311057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCJuIgz4JdMxiDVL6pRIROeOV4bOwDTi26pZ7meg-WSQzVUl5UrtH7pJG_5ITJAQBRYxwYl-Wd3cYXlVP0acSCcgmzDPACZHjM9LGdq4Trw7xrq3nRRSH4d_idDkOhaqlKBPZxyrhS1w/s400/1069811_10200368947205676_1485311057_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banana Face#2 (Mt. Hood 50m).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>HUGS!</b></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b23Hp5FwAQkKrBtwoPG6Z4TDlu-gqek-_hAK4Ygwc0rsw3o48X9A1_LM2dShDcmxMFheSO2ZplmeqGgRaB-CbDho6MLJS94hXEDmKbRqHUB0G96JfCW81ImzR8IJ0WG3at1WCxTtzLw/s1600/526556_4797701859847_1846595779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b23Hp5FwAQkKrBtwoPG6Z4TDlu-gqek-_hAK4Ygwc0rsw3o48X9A1_LM2dShDcmxMFheSO2ZplmeqGgRaB-CbDho6MLJS94hXEDmKbRqHUB0G96JfCW81ImzR8IJ0WG3at1WCxTtzLw/s320/526556_4797701859847_1846595779_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging Glenn Tachiyama before the Peterson Ridge 40 miler start<br />
Photo by Paul Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-OKVmbEQdtKdPyK4-pv9e0NQkmMBwNUrUdhvOeBsqZulWfioZMul2dKMCO63PjXXxQAUY68JU78cfUSZahwm-tCh7X2MdPHoKY8plDxmZgNOZQ_v98OU2e1n_pX9HsdkyP-_aknCHBM/s1600/64439_4794537260734_1707782277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-OKVmbEQdtKdPyK4-pv9e0NQkmMBwNUrUdhvOeBsqZulWfioZMul2dKMCO63PjXXxQAUY68JU78cfUSZahwm-tCh7X2MdPHoKY8plDxmZgNOZQ_v98OU2e1n_pX9HsdkyP-_aknCHBM/s320/64439_4794537260734_1707782277_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging Hands with Rick at the Peterson Ridge Rumble 20 miler<br />
(his dog Jake took 1st place)<br />
Photo by Paul Nelson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYElWUdqWyYTOmNR2yGDrUydHJtYqqLxw4mLz5wz8ckVA48-Bfve4U6WloRxhyphenhyphentCkXxD4ZrfFEWU82XfWjqkQoHTwk5uvzsts9Td6Z4ps1qvEnu1bxUVrsV21RkDai63EtbhYMKxWyIaA/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-05-04+at+4.12.02+PM.png" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="276" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Hugging my cousin Casey after he crewed for me at Zane Grey<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://mapphotography.smugmug.com/Running/Zane-Grey-50-Mile-2013/29235807_C5Pb3x#!i=2491696901&k=g2TGL2V" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;">Map Photography</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kvVAfXUm5rngrmY3idiN3yBVxp2QQHbjynf-LzPf92dLPXZzsQS-OT1h1UnlJsZXkF6pDY5q58K1v0SpAfbUe1dAEBRHIrsWkWFUj1d9bD8B7b615MQRrtPqZbW_P1pV1_AS7j4kYqA/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+Jason+Finish+Hug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kvVAfXUm5rngrmY3idiN3yBVxp2QQHbjynf-LzPf92dLPXZzsQS-OT1h1UnlJsZXkF6pDY5q58K1v0SpAfbUe1dAEBRHIrsWkWFUj1d9bD8B7b615MQRrtPqZbW_P1pV1_AS7j4kYqA/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+Jason+Finish+Hug.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging Dana after we both finished the Bighorn 100<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Photo by the Fabulous Samantha Pinney.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSF-COuLKqfYxu3wAeXIK90hAYHchHklWaythaT2dWqprS5x7RozmsESZgDEbhxLPVstPLmLlaLrT-0stMUi2ydpV-yM9WeuFkDVYOaYgGBOQGFyiHY4ZWXi2ZJBpvGmRI8pXBhCpY2c/s1600/1010730_10200862322137029_805638742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSF-COuLKqfYxu3wAeXIK90hAYHchHklWaythaT2dWqprS5x7RozmsESZgDEbhxLPVstPLmLlaLrT-0stMUi2ydpV-yM9WeuFkDVYOaYgGBOQGFyiHY4ZWXi2ZJBpvGmRI8pXBhCpY2c/s320/1010730_10200862322137029_805638742_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Violett and me at the Bighorn 100 awards ceremony.<br />
We ran the first ~30 miles together.<br />
Photo by Maria Sharoglazova.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23yJBvFDCAEXnmcVM71nbJ0XADuJrQP7VubEFtrNYImpw-1Mvm-qjfnLCBpNBWJhS7HNs5MO8jr0QZaV0BFvsdSekdsaJ0qkGEC8LjvAR-t0NEXu-HXCM0D5KQfJboDJFmPqUaNLFZBc/s1600/395686_10201602506535069_2000450913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23yJBvFDCAEXnmcVM71nbJ0XADuJrQP7VubEFtrNYImpw-1Mvm-qjfnLCBpNBWJhS7HNs5MO8jr0QZaV0BFvsdSekdsaJ0qkGEC8LjvAR-t0NEXu-HXCM0D5KQfJboDJFmPqUaNLFZBc/s320/395686_10201602506535069_2000450913_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan consoling me after I brought 2 left-footed trail shoes<br />
to the Mt. Hood 50 miler.<br />
Photo by Teri Smith.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixps2wNpG0Ust1vjjqmTyZ0cLFuJpzJMVu8DZ22f2Ax9yXXnCLKr2CTtk82FX2Ay4CU3LapkVJUFiEZfooAKX6aLS4k3ezpzVQIhtIO-dTMI93nVYP_kXahSBVCTFk3Eny6bbQODjLtCw/s1600/1472003_10201263919139415_2039244358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixps2wNpG0Ust1vjjqmTyZ0cLFuJpzJMVu8DZ22f2Ax9yXXnCLKr2CTtk82FX2Ay4CU3LapkVJUFiEZfooAKX6aLS4k3ezpzVQIhtIO-dTMI93nVYP_kXahSBVCTFk3Eny6bbQODjLtCw/s320/1472003_10201263919139415_2039244358_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging Brian After getting into Western States!<br />
Photo by Paul Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2Hh59eSKbnhU8aOtvY0jBg5r_q7060BsvA4jmo9lSsmEIx2Yd8bYa0vzwmWOqVPhSVjZw7WP4slfaIGd3eYTu5d2TuffaGwUsq-E83WoYjB8Xi2o9vCu9vPqwlSm9ecTWIyj2MZBT3g/s1600/1452207_10201263918539400_266937639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2Hh59eSKbnhU8aOtvY0jBg5r_q7060BsvA4jmo9lSsmEIx2Yd8bYa0vzwmWOqVPhSVjZw7WP4slfaIGd3eYTu5d2TuffaGwUsq-E83WoYjB8Xi2o9vCu9vPqwlSm9ecTWIyj2MZBT3g/s320/1452207_10201263918539400_266937639_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging Yassine (M9) after getting into Western States!<br />
Photo by Paul Nelson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cheers to 2013, and here's to 2014!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Much Love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jbob</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-64538291811654197882013-09-23T19:46:00.000-07:002013-09-24T06:53:35.703-07:00Classified Ad - Handsome 100 mile Pacer<div>
Hello Ladies...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmTGNe0bT6TZ6fi7r2WzIwZhVyZUYPxvizYiUeJR667bsMhxGNpXe2euXjFCylaERqQIvMxiS63NlPeUA2Zpw0b6zmWWuKhabF3qKDfpzDw6vWmWQHg8O8742kd55eQs894T0E0EiiIw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmTGNe0bT6TZ6fi7r2WzIwZhVyZUYPxvizYiUeJR667bsMhxGNpXe2euXjFCylaERqQIvMxiS63NlPeUA2Zpw0b6zmWWuKhabF3qKDfpzDw6vWmWQHg8O8742kd55eQs894T0E0EiiIw/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Would you like someone who can handsomely assist you in fulfilling your life's ultimate dream in completing a 100 mile trail race? You're in luck! Allow me to be your certified Handsome Pacer, and I can make your late night hallucinations come true. Why yes, I am wearing a kilt in my Blog Cover Photo. Imagine staring at that pleated celtic ass all night long. Or maybe my cheetah shorts will be more to your liking? <i>Purrr</i>...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00-OoqvuKJE1oUY6-v3hksTiX-2F3RfWgerAqzXOGIkVXt24r3gxA4Irqhs5yGBpuKh2maviHMN3M9ng1YekLcTylTgmRNq7EGXGXTug6iB3evucJ4njJ0phU6legEP5RiagLT3onZU/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00-OoqvuKJE1oUY6-v3hksTiX-2F3RfWgerAqzXOGIkVXt24r3gxA4Irqhs5yGBpuKh2maviHMN3M9ng1YekLcTylTgmRNq7EGXGXTug6iB3evucJ4njJ0phU6legEP5RiagLT3onZU/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ladies, you deserve the handsomely best,</div>
<div>
so put those caffeine GUs to rest,</div>
<div>
because my stride will stimulate your mind,</div>
<div>
like a tachycardia rhythm in your chest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's called poetry...sweet sweet poetry that I will recite for you through the night. Heck, I'll even sing countless moderately tempo'd romance songs for you, if it makes you forget the pain in your feet. Because there's no pain that can't be overcome by the feeling of a light-heart, being massaged by lyrical professions of romance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's that? Your legs are cramping? Good thing I always run with a bottle of massage oil. <i>Lucky you</i>. Oh, your laces are untied? Allow me to bend down and double knot the shit out of those bunny ears. No extra charge. Oh, now your lips are chapped? Good thing I just put a fresh dose on my lips. I can think of one way to transfer that Vanilla SPF 15. Sparks may occur. <i>Use caution</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So Ladies, if you yearn for some late night company, then allow me to shuffle with you from dusk till dawn on the trail-way to heaven. My treat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yours Truly,</div>
<div>
To the Finish Line and beyond,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jbob</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKTiVwIZVMZvOYRsddHVULZFVOrJQhlUMDnARRjC3VygrfvNJpCxg6fGvXogFLxicZ_7ApFEamy_5uVNsORHmI5B8C9NvsaM03iQqrkpW4y7ExZu_CGDOc56rwYWU1ePinql15dDg_Ck/s1600/IMG_3429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKTiVwIZVMZvOYRsddHVULZFVOrJQhlUMDnARRjC3VygrfvNJpCxg6fGvXogFLxicZ_7ApFEamy_5uVNsORHmI5B8C9NvsaM03iQqrkpW4y7ExZu_CGDOc56rwYWU1ePinql15dDg_Ck/s400/IMG_3429.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacing Amy for a total of 1 mile into Forest Hill.<br />
That was probably her favorite mile of the race...I mean, why wouldn't it be?<br />
Photo by Bob MacGillivray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
P.S. And no, the fact that I was labeled a 'Handsome Pacer' at the Happy Girls half marathon this past weekend did absolutely nothing to my ego...at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-35837938941491393532013-07-21T01:15:00.001-07:002014-01-24T12:34:18.319-08:00Bighorn 100 Mile Endurance Run Race Report - Dayton, Wyoming - June 14-15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love hurts...this must be Love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
THE MINDSET</div>
<br />
Bighorn has been on my punch list for a while, especially since literally <i>everyone</i> who has done the race has great things to say about it. <i>Beautiful, tough, wild, the best volunteers, a real classic</i>. Last year, I was signed up for this race, but decided to drop out because of <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/06/plantar-fasciitis-im-dropping-out-of.html">Plantar Fasciitis</a>. Without going into too much detail, many lessons were learned last year due to my stupid eagerness to disregard the health of my body for the sake of doing something <i>epic</i>. But to tell the truth, there's a large piece of the Venn Diagram where the terms "badass" and "complete idiot" share a common space. Many runners have been there, and others may be headed there without even knowing it. I put myself there last year, but it became such a blessing and I'm fortunate for the learning experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNI9TdWiB2JNCXOPK1ItchpVqnxr3l7z5rOerP257OwDJXt8UigQuBzuRxKdsdrnzG4z3T431UeUfKra78NyiV6VoWJFPG4aN5zs_6zD2XjS39PAgs9M3LNbcfI13EcdYwJFKYi0bF-o/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNI9TdWiB2JNCXOPK1ItchpVqnxr3l7z5rOerP257OwDJXt8UigQuBzuRxKdsdrnzG4z3T431UeUfKra78NyiV6VoWJFPG4aN5zs_6zD2XjS39PAgs9M3LNbcfI13EcdYwJFKYi0bF-o/s400/photo.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
Through the lessons I've learned in 2012, the year 2013 has allowed me to build up to the Bighorn 2013 with a clear mind, a strong heart, and a complete focus on being a smart runner. <i>Humility over eagerness, confidence over anxiety, gratefulness over frustration, optimism over pessimism</i>...but I guess the fact that I'm running 100 miles still makes me kind of an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u5w7qxVSEo">idiot</a>.<br />
<br />
THE COURSE<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9hKmOqr2LAaXuqznAcSGffjVQ_ALLnyd6o80FnfU0w17eX1hFSZ1S0CdtqzQ-ul-me1fcMs-a5eM9XBsuUFSxvoe6FYCR0-EjqVTeqrou5m6dBHuRZs8VrDtZlCI_A8vA0-f9R0x6mg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-22+at+12.21.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9hKmOqr2LAaXuqznAcSGffjVQ_ALLnyd6o80FnfU0w17eX1hFSZ1S0CdtqzQ-ul-me1fcMs-a5eM9XBsuUFSxvoe6FYCR0-EjqVTeqrou5m6dBHuRZs8VrDtZlCI_A8vA0-f9R0x6mg/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-06-22+at+12.21.43+PM.png" height="102" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course profile, taken from the <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/home.html">website</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The course is essentially an out-n-back that starts and ends in Dayton, WY. There's approximately 18,000' of total climbing, and the altitude gets as high as 9,000' in altitude at the halfway point. The terrain is fairly technical throughout the race. Note: all distances mentioned in my blog are approximate, and I only mentioned about half of the aid stations.<br />
<br />
WAKE UP<br />
<br />
With the race starting at 11am, Dana and I were able to sleep in to a decent hour. Who's Dana? She's this Portland friend of mine with whom I shared logistics. She's rad, and she was also running the race. We got up around 7am to get ready before heading to the 9am pre-race meeting, which was held at the Finish Line (at some park). As the race directors gave their shpeels, I sat and people-watched all the crazies that were scattered throughout the park. It's always interesting watching the different types of people that sign up to do these 100 mile runs. Some people you would never have guessed they were any kind of endurance nut, however, everyone had the same crazy look in their eyes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJH0OFZhGnW1AQuuB9pKtEP_NFwS3KVAWiG0gL-dVuhITyUohn4tzr2FA6k3ugganxrzzxQshXp5aCSmwVGDnGWVr6tv7zGyyjp-qWTXbS9AAt4JfAvq9tdQ2wIn-xVKZPFo6ZoTVzBQ/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Starting+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJH0OFZhGnW1AQuuB9pKtEP_NFwS3KVAWiG0gL-dVuhITyUohn4tzr2FA6k3ugganxrzzxQshXp5aCSmwVGDnGWVr6tv7zGyyjp-qWTXbS9AAt4JfAvq9tdQ2wIn-xVKZPFo6ZoTVzBQ/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Starting+Group.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Kara, Dana, Rick, and me. My mouth is full of Trailbutter.<br />
Photo by Maria Sharoglazova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Driving from the Finish Line to the Starting line, we had to travel along 5 miles of flat gravel road. This road would be the final homestretch of the course, and it already looked miserably exposed, endless, and torturous. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like after running 95 miles.<br />
<br />
3...2...1...SEE YOU TOMORROW! - 11:00 AM<br />
<br />
The lead pack took off at a moderately easy pace, although it was easy to see how anxious we all felt. After weeks of tapering, everyone was maxed out on potential energy, but starting out too fast would be extremely detrimental later on in the race. I found myself running with Zach Violett (a friend from Bend), and we helped pace each other up the first major climb of the course. This terrain wasn't runnable, and we hiked our way up. Some racers decided to run the uphill, and Zach and I just looked at each other and silently judged them. <i>The trail would climb steeply for the next 6 miles or so as it climbs out of the Tongue River Canyon. </i>The scenery was stunning as we climbed amongst the wildflowers and wide expanses of green fields.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ed8Fgm4GzH-nVqOD72XrXPKV5d-GfIjAGbCCEVuS5MaQfUxikOrfjxnxOUxifdqlUi3vZZCV2mvTlnXgaY4NjVrmKwLTd6WTfA6GJDait12Nruqs8Q988hR6zeoIZEdrztx7M4FY3cs/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Tongue+River+Canyon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ed8Fgm4GzH-nVqOD72XrXPKV5d-GfIjAGbCCEVuS5MaQfUxikOrfjxnxOUxifdqlUi3vZZCV2mvTlnXgaY4NjVrmKwLTd6WTfA6GJDait12Nruqs8Q988hR6zeoIZEdrztx7M4FY3cs/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Tongue+River+Canyon.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Tongue River Canyon (taken on Day 2). Photo by Noé Castañón.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually the trail became runnable, and Zach and I continued to stick together. Great guy! We've met before this race, but we didn't know each other very well. This made for a great partnership, and it helped pass the time by having someone to run with. And just by talking, we were able to moderate a sustainable pace that wasn't leaving us breathless.<br />
<br />
DRY FORK AID STATION - MILE 13.4<br />
<br />
Coming into the Dry Fork aid station, Zach and I were tied for 16th place. Dana Katz's crew (Samantha, Jessica, Tina, and Brian) were there and cheered SO LOUD when I came through. It was amazing! It was only 13 miles into the race, but they really got my tail wagging. Since my plan was to run without a crew or pacer, Dana's crew became sort of my 'Part-Time Crew', and they cheered for me whenever they saw me. They were the most beautiful Part-Time Crew I've ever had.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7gjEIhShT4DjGDoFH5ghyphenhyphenR7KaLy7HN1BjwQ7xP9JZT_GbcCyk2Wx-f_fTY7WThEpS7SrMSbXMVLguWv2QR-LVrj1VmnKdtHIG1atfHdk0Me9oA4enrvLs2svauAacjlFGRXSfJIoBlg/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Dryfork.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7gjEIhShT4DjGDoFH5ghyphenhyphenR7KaLy7HN1BjwQ7xP9JZT_GbcCyk2Wx-f_fTY7WThEpS7SrMSbXMVLguWv2QR-LVrj1VmnKdtHIG1atfHdk0Me9oA4enrvLs2svauAacjlFGRXSfJIoBlg/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Dryfork.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by the Lovely Samantha Pinney.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2hhBMN2hQnXb1EF9hNsMH4TBN2f4CkddMO8lvzuxFeDtm_jRRuPPOCvwCtcB7pfPMk2gj91Lnm0g3OyUfijg_UyMW-vA4FCLektIKr19tuOKv-UN_7lMwGcarPUxIkZlrWRCW41_ry8/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Leaving+Dryfork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2hhBMN2hQnXb1EF9hNsMH4TBN2f4CkddMO8lvzuxFeDtm_jRRuPPOCvwCtcB7pfPMk2gj91Lnm0g3OyUfijg_UyMW-vA4FCLektIKr19tuOKv-UN_7lMwGcarPUxIkZlrWRCW41_ry8/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Leaving+Dryfork.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Dry Fork.<br />
Photo by the Amazing Samantha Pinney.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a quick transition, I left the aid station without Zach. Part of me wanted to wait for him, but I think we both understood that neither of us wanted to hold each other back. So off I went, down the road and into a rolling section of ATV trail. The weather never really got too hot, although it soon came time for my shirt to come off. It was about this time that I had to take crap #1. While in the bush, I got passed by Zach and a couple others. <i>Such is life</i>. After some gradual hussel, I caught back up with Zach and we continued to run together and pass a few folks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IMTdOzhhhVZjdjyJk7OO4QCAS80TA0ea_9elgwsvExZzKWaDw5U-UAf5cYROPkIU4DynY2PKSGM_okdOADMwIRwX4yqmCgdo8tOX6NK7dQL9kgNh-865NxaIanp1AZYGzLLwfPrEAuM/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Mile+14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IMTdOzhhhVZjdjyJk7OO4QCAS80TA0ea_9elgwsvExZzKWaDw5U-UAf5cYROPkIU4DynY2PKSGM_okdOADMwIRwX4yqmCgdo8tOX6NK7dQL9kgNh-865NxaIanp1AZYGzLLwfPrEAuM/s320/Bighorn+2013+-+Mile+14.jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.fotosportllc.com/">Foto-Sport</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The trail eventually turned off the ATV road and onto some great rolling single-track trail. My body was generally feeling okay, but my hamstrings were feeling a little strained. This didn't concern me too much, but I took note of it in my mental Captain's Log. My feet (and plantar) still felt great, and the rest of the body was solid. Zach and I were really having such a great time, and it saddened me to have to take crap #2. <i>Bah! Already? I hope this doesn't become a constant throughout the race! Maybe my dinner wasn't as safe as I originally thought.</i> Zach took off down the trail, naturally, as I took care of business.<br />
<br />
BEAR CAMP AID STATION - MILE 26.5<br />
<br />
After leaving Bear Camp Aid Station, the trail descended sharply and and technically. The trees soon disappeared, and the landscape became an unobstructed panoramic view of the canyon below surrounded by millions of yellow wildflowers. The beauty of the landscape inspired me to holler, but my voice was still recovering from having a mild case of bronchitis the previous weekend...so my high notes disappeared, and I had to switch to low-toned whooping. Imagine William Wallace not being able to yell, and that's how I felt. "<i>Alba gu bráth," he whispered.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgGT217WJS_LIIAGqWgq_5W7Lp6pPgYopi9NPNb0ef_86gGKtuivHFcWZ5kbWELGoWY5SCqg-yd3FmZAxe1ClOOGt8MrxbTnZXoSCKYuAYAvZabHtLkNx6Lso_RYTfZ-aFJF6l-PltX4/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Trail+towards+Footbridge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgGT217WJS_LIIAGqWgq_5W7Lp6pPgYopi9NPNb0ef_86gGKtuivHFcWZ5kbWELGoWY5SCqg-yd3FmZAxe1ClOOGt8MrxbTnZXoSCKYuAYAvZabHtLkNx6Lso_RYTfZ-aFJF6l-PltX4/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Trail+towards+Footbridge.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Noé Castañón.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
FOOTBRIDGE AID STATION - MILE 30 - 4:30 pm<br />
<br />
The 3.5 mile descent from Bear Camp was super pretty, fairly steep, technically rocky, and it ended at the Footbridge Aid Station. Zach was leaving the aid station as I arrived, and we waved at each other before he ran up the trail. A volunteer brought me my drop bag, and I chugged a coconut water and strapped on my <a href="http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Fluid%E2%84%A2-6/OU4516,default,pd.html">Mountain Hardware Fluid 6 pack</a>. The evening forecast for the Aid Station at mile 48 was 20 degrees Fahrenheit (at 9,000' altitude), so I also wrapped a fleece jacket around my waist in preparation for the eventual freeze. At the moment, the weather was warm and sunny at 4:30pm (at 4,000' altitude). <i>The next 18 miles would climb steadily from 4,000' to 9,000'.</i><br />
<br />
While running up the trail, my pack felt heavier than ideal. Being the "better safe than sorry" kind of guy I am, my pack had lots of gels, <a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/portrait">Trailbutter</a>, 2 headlamps, arm sleeves, beanie, Patagonia Houdini windbreaker, and a small knife...you know, in case I ran into a hungry grizzly and had to defend myself. Ounces equal pounds, and my ounces were pounding my thoughts with regret. <i>Oh well...only 20 more miles and I'll lighten my load with my next drop bag.</i><br />
<br />
Despite the brief lull in optimism, my legs were able to run a decent pace on a very runnable section of the course. Despite the gradual climb, my legs felt fresh as I ran through rocky switchbacks and open fields of single track. The trail paralleled the Little Bighorn River, passing through random open expanses of green beneath the tall canyon walls. The serenity of the scenery gave me feelings of both respect and gratitude; and although there were hundreds of runners on the course, I felt contently alone in a quiet gap.<br />
<br />
Not too far after the 40 mile mark, the trail abruptly ended at well-moving stream. Across the way, I could see the trail continuing on the other side. Since the weather was hours away from a below-freezing forecast, the thought of wet feet was not too appealing. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, and so I stepped in the water without a second thought. <i>*splash* Brrr!</i> Halfway across the stream, the water rose just above my knees and my feet were barely stable due to the swift current. Looking to my right, I noticed a footbridge about 20' away that safely crossed the stream...........Profanities later, I continued trudging through the water to the far side, found the trail, and jogged-on in my soggy boots with an idiotic smile on my face. <i>*squish*squish*squish*...</i><br />
<br />
Getting close to the turnaround, the hills became harder to run due some combination of steeper terrain and/or higher altitude. There were sparse patches of snow, and the ground turned rather swampy with about 4 miles before the turnaround. The melted snow created small lakes in the trail, and it was a tricky b**** to navigate around. It was almost impossible to escape this section of trail without wet socks and shoes, unless you wore Hokas and magically floated on top of the boggy swamp. Even though my feet were still somewhat wet from my stupid stream crossing, I twinkle toed around the swampiness to avoid losing my shoes in the mud.<br />
<br />
THE TURNAROUND - JAWS AID STATION - Mile 48 - 9:00pm<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu18QBkh4eaCuKExrpPC5O_qZzgGxY-lZol8Fd9HIlD1zP_w6dYBcGK65op2KuEoxfaV3HLKvRAmE1KzhGxkGq7Dv_NLZ6mqktzU275B1LctIZH1OQ37yQGyZR-55Y755xZuraHOwY5Q/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Jaws+Aid+Station.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu18QBkh4eaCuKExrpPC5O_qZzgGxY-lZol8Fd9HIlD1zP_w6dYBcGK65op2KuEoxfaV3HLKvRAmE1KzhGxkGq7Dv_NLZ6mqktzU275B1LctIZH1OQ37yQGyZR-55Y755xZuraHOwY5Q/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Jaws+Aid+Station.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Noé Castañón.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climbing soon leveled off, and it was a relatively flat 2 miles before reaching the mile 48 aid station at Jaws trail head. This aid station was a CLASS ACT! As soon as I entered, a volunteer named Art catered to me and helped me with my every need. He even helped me switch into dry socks, which had me sitting on a cot for a minute or two. <i>Beware the chair!</i> I then dumped most of my food and any extra gear that I surely didn't need into my drop bag to help lighten my load. With a headlamp on my head, a headlamp around my waist (backup), gloves on my hands, beanie on my head, and a fleece jacket on my burly body, I thanked Art and headed back towards the canyon. After a mile, I soon crossed Devil's Canyon Road and barely recognized Dana's beautiful bundled crew! <i>The temperature was now below freezing. </i>Seeing them was awesome, and Tina tried to run ahead of me to get a photo. Too bad the picture couldn't nearly capture how pretty that sunset actually was!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiffa6u5u-22w1pW0ikJ1om2dw283-Sv0EvqyVQLKw44H9SUBE0xLIBA8PPCDmL13ewZBzne0KcqASeVISAgPFCnDb_Hs_fYEpBOxKJJUUX-O9yYikzieOsoSllxkD24UFGqsAMbQU0I/s1600/Bighorn+100+2013+-+Jaws+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiffa6u5u-22w1pW0ikJ1om2dw283-Sv0EvqyVQLKw44H9SUBE0xLIBA8PPCDmL13ewZBzne0KcqASeVISAgPFCnDb_Hs_fYEpBOxKJJUUX-O9yYikzieOsoSllxkD24UFGqsAMbQU0I/s400/Bighorn+100+2013+-+Jaws+Sunset.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile ~49. Photo by the Wonderful Tina Harrison. Great effort, Tina!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
HEADLAMP ON - NIGHTTIME RUNNING BEGINS - 9:30pm<br />
<br />
Although, changing into dry socks at Jaws was probably futile since I was now running back through the marshy bog, I was able to avoid getting my foot entirely soaked. My feet did get <i>kinda </i>wet, but not too bad. The temperature started to get warmer as I ran, since the elevation was dropping and the trees blocked any wind. My bandanna felt warm on my neck, so I decided to take it off (this required removing one glove). With my glove shoved under my armpit, I untied my bandanna and shoved it in my pack while walking. When I was done, I realized that I dropped my damn glove. I backtracked to find it, but a black glove at night is not an easy thing to find. Eventually, I said <i>screw it</i> and continued running with 1 glove on my right hand and nothing on my left hand. At least the temperature wasn't freezing anymore! ....<i>*slow clap*...bravo, Jason.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The gradual downhill was easy on the knees and fun to run. But rather than being full of determination and purpose, my mind resolved to lollygag at certain periods throughout this 18 mile downhill stretch. Part of the distraction could have been the interactions with the runners who were still headed the opposite direction towards the mile 48 turnaround. But a big part of it was just a simple lack of focus. And after 50+ miles of running, can you blame me? A pacer would have definitely helped at this point, but I was content to travel the 100 mile journey solo (minus my 25 miles with Zach), mainly to see how well I knew myself. <i>Apparently, I like to lollygag.</i><br />
<br />
Running past numerous headlamps on the trail, I eventually pass a headlamp that was off in the bushes.<br />
<br />
<b>Jason: </b>You gotta do what you gotta do!<br />
<b>Jessica:</b> Jason?!<br />
<b>Jason:</b> Oh, Hey Jessica!...Hey Dana!<br />
<b>Dana (from the bush):</b> Hey!<br />
<b>Jason:</b> How's it going Dana?!<br />
<b>Dana (from the bush):</b> Great!<br />
<br />
It was an awkwardly amusing moment, considering that the only time I would ever see Dana and her pacer (Jessica) during the race happened to be when Dana was going to the bathroom. But Dana sounded very enthusiastic, and she seemed to be making great progress. We hastily, yet heartily, said our goodbyes and carried on. <i>Good luck, Dana!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Eventually, I passed by the runner in DFL (dead f-ing last), and things got real quiet on the trail. Knowing how wild these trails can be, I occasionally scanned my surroundings with my headlamp to look for wild eyes. <i>Moose, bears, mountain lions...who's watching me?</i> Glancing to my left, I actually saw a pair of wild eyes. <i>Mother Fluffer!</i> That split second when you realize that you're being watched by something wild (at night), it's a freaky feeling. Stopping to figure out whether I should shit my pants or not, the eyes turned and bounded up the hill, then stopped to look at me some more....It was a deer!<i> *relief*</i>...Trying to be friendly, I said hello, but the doe just leaped away...<i>Typical.</i><br />
<br />
FOOTBRIDGE AID STATION - MILE 66<br />
<br />
The end of the lollygagging! Footbridge was a huge checkpoint in my mind, knowing that I was only 34 miles from the finish (ha! only...). Both my legs and mind were weary of running downhill for 18 miles, and I was ready for a steady climb! And holy crap, the next 3.5 miles were one hell of a grind. The steepness of the incline was horrendously misjudged when I ran down it earlier in the day, and my legs had one hell of a time keeping a consistent pace. Runner Jeff Rome and I hiked together, and we chatted about the typical things that runners do. <i>How you holding up? Yeah, we're on sub 24-hour pace for sure. Where you from? Where the hell is Livingston? How many hundreds have you done? I've heard awesome things about the Bear. Where'd you grow up? What inspired you to do 100's? Man, I've taken 4 craps already</i>. The chatting helped pass the time, and it kept both of us generally awake. After forever and a day, the trail crested and it became runnable again. Knowing that the next aid station was close by, I started running a faster pace and lost my running buddy. Coming into the Bear Camp Aid Station, I commented to the volunteers "Man, that climb was a female horse!" The cowboys chuckled.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShdGydOa0iMb0JiCgm5MQ1UB7hHdejlQhkkL6nWO3VNag2WD5vQthhYE2ia0TF1EE-D3x_8LH4NGIhHqUztg5bP-XDt-j8O7sH2nzCyBQU7JoGXDFBzApK9mttAPpKePk78N8y7Z9JIE/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+climbing+out+of+Tongue+River+Canyon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShdGydOa0iMb0JiCgm5MQ1UB7hHdejlQhkkL6nWO3VNag2WD5vQthhYE2ia0TF1EE-D3x_8LH4NGIhHqUztg5bP-XDt-j8O7sH2nzCyBQU7JoGXDFBzApK9mttAPpKePk78N8y7Z9JIE/s320/Bighorn+2013+-+climbing+out+of+Tongue+River+Canyon.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A not-so-steep section of the climb out of Footbridge (I climbed this section at night).<br />
Photo by Noé Castañón.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next section was composed of some great single-track surrounded by a dark dense forest. I could smell the barn, sort to speak, and my mind focused on keeping a sub-24 hour pace. Using my Garmin, I was playing games with my average pace. By running long sections of the trail, my average pace got faster. By hiking steeper terrain, my average pace grew slower. It was fun until it got obsessive, so then I started singing Flight of the Conchords songs in my head. Then I somehow decided to re-write the lyrics to the "Most Beautiful Girl in the Room" for Dana's beautiful crew. That kept me amused for a while, and <a href="http://spinneygirl.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-most-beautiful-crew.html">here's what it turned into</a>. <i>Oh, the loneliness of the long distance runner...</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QpegAUpaD5ywqTkCYgSDLHiSMUPlqUAVW6PCbfSCDI4NDwsWRxhUa6tnuY4ZwEnzhEz3eHYVfsXvEaKUSveYnC1o8IpaFZbdiZz_DPRUd6s2mDROqKmzH3VCtyLnUAb7O5CCqMRhdO4/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+ATV+Road.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QpegAUpaD5ywqTkCYgSDLHiSMUPlqUAVW6PCbfSCDI4NDwsWRxhUa6tnuY4ZwEnzhEz3eHYVfsXvEaKUSveYnC1o8IpaFZbdiZz_DPRUd6s2mDROqKmzH3VCtyLnUAb7O5CCqMRhdO4/s320/Bighorn+2013+-+ATV+Road.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATV Road leading to Dry Fork. Photo by Noé Castañón.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunrise is probably the most influential stimulant for anyone during a 100 mile race. Even if someone is practically sleepwalking, the sun will bring them back to life. For me, I never felt tired during the night. I saved all my caffeine for the night time, and that seemed to work perfectly. Also, getting a full night's rest before the race helped. The sunrise was significant for me in that it allowed me to see all the pretty views and to enjoy the nature that surrounded me. At this time, I was about 2 miles from Dryfork (mile 82.5), and I could see the bloody aid station already. It looked so close, but it was OH so far, since the ATV road was all uphill to the aid station. Hiking the gradual uphill made the most sense at the time, and I gave as much purpose as I could. The temperature had dropped significantly, and it felt like 20 degrees fahrenheit again. My left hand began to get cold (my gloveless hand), but tucking it into the sleeve of my fleece jacket helped. My body was cold, but I wasn't shivering. The sun hadn't yet crested the hill, and so the only source of potential warmth would be inside the Dryfork aid station tent. When I finally arrived at the aid station, I went inside to warm up and grab food/water. Also in the tent was Gary Gellin, and the poor guy was bundled in layers of jackets, tights, and shivering in front of the heater. Stomach issues had gotten the best of him during the night, and he didn't look good at all. I took it as a sign to get the hell out of that aid station before I started freezing my guts out. So with a good luck and farewell to Gary, I headed towards the rising sun in 6th place.<br />
<br />
Within a couple miles of leaving Dryfork, the trail crested the hill and the sun greeted my body like a warm hug. With only 15 miles to go, I tried my best to run at a consistent pace. It seemed like every little incline, I took a short walk break to recharge my legs before running another section of trail. My strategy was to get to the top Tongue River canyon (mile 89) and bomb down that last downhill section without mercy. But until then, I would try to sustain a steady pace and keep rolling with the terrain. After stopping at the Upper Sheep aid station (mile 87.5), Jeff Rome caught up to me. I knew I was only one hill away from the canyon, and so I pushed the pace a little bit until I reached the foot of the last big hill. This hill is called 'the Haul', and it's short, but also the steepest part of the course (in my opinion). Each step up the hill was slow and laborious, and it seemed that time was in slow motion. Hands on knees, my body ascended one heavy step at a time. <i>Gah! Give me downhill or give me death!</i><br />
<br />
FINALLY, the Tongue River Canyon came into view, surrounded by the yellow wildflowers and green wild grass that first greeted me approximately 20 hours earlier. The trail was skinny single track with somewhat rocky terrain. My quads had plenty of life left, and so I pushed the downhill HARD! My feet danced around the rocks like they did at Zane Grey, and my quads absorbed the descent like they did in Yosemite Valley just 3 weeks earlier. There was mind numbing pain in both my legs, and every step hurt in ways that only 90 miles of running could make you feel. But in some masochistic way, my mind found pleasure in the pain that my body was going through. With every painful step came some sick feeling of pleasure, and it's hard to explain, but that mindset allowed me to push with the pain rather than trying to avoid it. After a certain point, there's no avoiding the pain that a 100 miler will put you through, it's just a matter of how you run <i>with</i> it. And right now, I embraced it.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the bottom of the canyon, I passed by a small aid station. They said the next aid station was only 2 miles away, so I kept running without stopping. <i>2 miles? That's nothing</i>. The trail rolled sometimes up, but mostly down. I started out running strong, but I had to slow down a little bit. Then suddenly, a runner by the name of Boots passed me as if I were standing still. Boots was moving so well, I almost assumed that he was a part of the 50 mile race that started earlier that morning. There wasn't a single thing I could do about it, as his pace was beyond my abilities. It was incredible. Shortly thereafter, the final aid station appeared. From this point, there was only 5 miles left in the race, and all of it was on that flat exposed gravel road. <i>5 miles...just 5 miles...gaaaaaaaaah come on legs!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
HOMESTRETCH - 5 MILES LEFT<br />
<i><br /></i>
I wanted to walk the rest of the way. My legs were trashed, everything hurt, and I was ready to be done. But with one last jump start, I started to run again. <i>Ow..ow...ow..ow..ow...</i>Each step physically hurt, but like on the downhill, my mind felt pleasure. The gravel rocks poked my feet, but not one of my discomforts were going to slow me down at this point. With 3.5 miles left, I saw a guy (named Seth) running behind me. He was gaining on me fast, and I turned on the turbo to try to pull away from him. After 30 seconds, my body ran out of gas, and I settled back into a sustainable pace. Seth pulled up beside me, and we cheered each other on before he continued ahead of me. I ingested one final GU and kept running.<i> </i>Searching for the finish around every bend, I kept finding disappointment. <i>For-ev-er! This road is so long, the Road Warrior would say DAMN!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
At last, the gravel turned to pavement, and the finish line was less than a mile away. Crossing the highway and entering the park, I ran past a small group of kids playing baseball. They all stopped playing and cheered me on as I ran by. Running stronger and stronger, I gave an epic push to the finish line (<i>it felt fast, but really wasn't</i>).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/images/100MOverall.pdf"><b>RESULTS</b></a><b>:</b> 22:17:33, 8th out of 125 Finishers (~169 started)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PACE:</b> 13:22 min/mile</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkehBsJV70-7HOfdmvKI4Ht7yj8HSXUE7JddSoT2DXfJmDSRMrgo06vLQyws7UZHq4K0erxkwCMmvcK4JOosp3UZiJD5SFFOlPS3anhOVBAOturyShDNdRbmpD5FLt7jbvW8zyCoYAyw/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Jason+Finish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkehBsJV70-7HOfdmvKI4Ht7yj8HSXUE7JddSoT2DXfJmDSRMrgo06vLQyws7UZHq4K0erxkwCMmvcK4JOosp3UZiJD5SFFOlPS3anhOVBAOturyShDNdRbmpD5FLt7jbvW8zyCoYAyw/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Jason+Finish.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.fotosportllc.com/">Foto-Sport</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCitbEODkuHtVKIhto0YnhDl5Y0JJbt5DMyn296aOn9CZegYVd9OqLmk3EzKv9xGw1uAc0eULP369ncwOthY4vdVyJ8qKAcQSnVzPZIBmrq-22j9aelrfR4W2TyIjExElWqhj44kBH7kM/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCitbEODkuHtVKIhto0YnhDl5Y0JJbt5DMyn296aOn9CZegYVd9OqLmk3EzKv9xGw1uAc0eULP369ncwOthY4vdVyJ8qKAcQSnVzPZIBmrq-22j9aelrfR4W2TyIjExElWqhj44kBH7kM/s400/IMG_3039.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For 5 minutes, I laid on the grass catching my breath. Even after finishing, it seemed hard to imagine all the ground I had covered in the past 22 hours. I wished Dana and her beautiful part time crew could be there to share the moment with me, but that time would come soon enough. Dana ran a strong race, and I'm happy to have been able to watch her finish. A journey that ends in tears of joy is one of the purest moments in life, and I'm glad got have shared that moment with such a great person and friend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-sVb1KdbOT02T5LfHwQLhwqsiPwHjCqn9MprM4Ulm0KuT_1hYBOM3oKWCZowFkeuX_C_9nYBESYkMV7JbdGCOrlxyLh25u6ZO26MTOv6nJqLIRuLfLoYROmYJIxH5PVaHVWcPlFl8IA/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+Jason+Finish+Hug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-sVb1KdbOT02T5LfHwQLhwqsiPwHjCqn9MprM4Ulm0KuT_1hYBOM3oKWCZowFkeuX_C_9nYBESYkMV7JbdGCOrlxyLh25u6ZO26MTOv6nJqLIRuLfLoYROmYJIxH5PVaHVWcPlFl8IA/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+Jason+Finish+Hug.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love you Dana!<br />
Photo by the Fabulous Samantha Pinney.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The award ceremony was held the next day in downtown Sheridan. Pancakes were served, buckles were distributed, and age group awards (rocks) were handed out. It was fun meeting Dana's friends from California, they really were a great group of people. Congrats everyone! And I would like to thank the Race directors and volunteers for doing an amazing job, I would highly recommend this race to anybody.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the 2nd race this year where I received a rock for finishing a race (Zane Grey awarded pet rocks to all finishers). And fun fact, apparently you need to take large rocks out of your bag when you go through airport security.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QLPqogBSAU_Z_Jdhs7O8qHdJe6eaUmVS6tBGdTLimNKxq7zX-akwrOJdTkrQmzma9UPqPJ1snrBmZUXDijoLuDpypLhWVPyb462AUfJ5aZSlQmbEhmvFR83OlqPu6OFzOwbyrRZvtcQ/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Awards+Group.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QLPqogBSAU_Z_Jdhs7O8qHdJe6eaUmVS6tBGdTLimNKxq7zX-akwrOJdTkrQmzma9UPqPJ1snrBmZUXDijoLuDpypLhWVPyb462AUfJ5aZSlQmbEhmvFR83OlqPu6OFzOwbyrRZvtcQ/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Awards+Group.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary Gellin, Dana Katz, Jason Leman, Rick Gaston, Jon Lacanlale, Kara Teklinski, and Noé Castańón. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg207nEEq-Lk39Fte2UyOGguHFs7sPJNMgnMa94RKgXOoXWJ1MDmQO1YLqXDBCsKEY5qsqNg5zNKDBOxy9wfzQ8n0WO9KhyWNCMUZwx90B-JAO40dx_N-rOybxZoImzvrAvX_YfE_4uT0U/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Zach+&+Jason+Ceremony.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg207nEEq-Lk39Fte2UyOGguHFs7sPJNMgnMa94RKgXOoXWJ1MDmQO1YLqXDBCsKEY5qsqNg5zNKDBOxy9wfzQ8n0WO9KhyWNCMUZwx90B-JAO40dx_N-rOybxZoImzvrAvX_YfE_4uT0U/s320/Bighorn+2013+-+Zach+&+Jason+Ceremony.jpeg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Violett and me.<br />
Zach finished 4th in 20:16:41 in his first 100! Stud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWoArIzr1WJw2A1AZgscKQr7qtcop7vetpNjp9Z9AD0JinL9ZeSrombaeTeH2wS-kIz9YRM2H9y05LF4i43yDOOOwzzFwfqn-2Q6V3pILNezCv1ciWJcYhsUMtnkm3XI827VSN9ViqWk/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Golf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWoArIzr1WJw2A1AZgscKQr7qtcop7vetpNjp9Z9AD0JinL9ZeSrombaeTeH2wS-kIz9YRM2H9y05LF4i43yDOOOwzzFwfqn-2Q6V3pILNezCv1ciWJcYhsUMtnkm3XI827VSN9ViqWk/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Golf.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for our flight in Billings, MT.<br />
Brian August, Jbob, and Chris Rennaker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>REFLECTION</b><br />
<br />
100 miles is no walk in the park, but it's nothing compared to the journey of life.<br />
<br />
Some say running 100 miles is 'crazy', but nothing is crazy if you're prepared for it. You'd be surprised, you're capable of the incredible even if you don't know it yet. How does one physically prepare for 100 miles? Running, cross training, commitment, lifestyle, self-centeredness, passion, sleep, lots of eating, etc. How does one mentally prepare for 100 miles?...Self confidence. Once you are convinced that you can run 100 miles, all you have to do is endure the physical and emotional challenges of the race. <i>Emotions...</i><br />
<br />
How does one emotionally prepare for 100 miles?<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the race, my goals are very material. <i>I'd like to break 20 hours. I want to add to my belt buckle collection. I want to see the beauty of Wyoming. I want to see how many GUs I can consume before throwing up</i>. But as the race goes on, my body aches, my mind loses focus, and my emotions become raw. All of a sudden, the race becomes a metaphor for my current struggles in life. Numerous times throughout the race, I found myself reflecting hard on my memories of the past. Over the past year, I had my fair share of dark moments: severe plantar fasciitis, 2 months of walking pneumonia, the death of 2 roommates from substance abuse, the near death of 1 roommate from a bike/car collision, eviction notice (later resolved), 2 roommates with totaled cars, heart surgery, and a crashed hard drive...these events are hardships that I shared with others, and we've become closer because of it.<br />
<br />
Every single person has and/or will experience such things, and that's life. What matters, is how you grow and find light in even the darkest of places. For me, my light comes from the strength of Love with my family, roommates, friends, and running community. So compared to the challenges that surfaced over the past year, running 100 miles really doesn't sound so bad. It's just a race. But throughout the race, whenever I hit a rough patch, I relied on the same things that give me strength in life. So thank you friends and family for all your support in my 100 mile journey, you mean more than you know.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SPECIAL THANKS</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>TOMMY BOY</b><br />
<br />
Tom, it was great catching up with you! We enjoyed great post-race food and beer at all the places that you recommended in Billings. <a href="http://uberbrewmt.com/">Über Brew</a> was particularly fantastic. Cheers bud, I hope to see you soon! (Battle in Seattle?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uBUn1wcosmt_F8z2yfsZnMGAIQN9IPQHX1unV35SlrkWLIwIR0UONAc8VVLwRNg5oSanF8QojwiiK2djeZK-_eGooF9hG6pHZbUR7jlHobZN46XJ6VgUESVHgxHj8yjMIqYvn5BEb54/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Tom+and+me+and+Galaxie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uBUn1wcosmt_F8z2yfsZnMGAIQN9IPQHX1unV35SlrkWLIwIR0UONAc8VVLwRNg5oSanF8QojwiiK2djeZK-_eGooF9hG6pHZbUR7jlHobZN46XJ6VgUESVHgxHj8yjMIqYvn5BEb54/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Tom+and+me+and+Galaxie.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy Boy!!! And his restored Ford Galaxie. College buds reunited in Billings.<br />
Thanks for dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>DANA'S CREW</b><br />
<br />
Thanks to Dana and her Beautiful Crew for allowing me to join them for all the race logistics and celebrations. <i>You're</i> a volume button. <3<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh7VffSX4fKp8LZQIkFTg1PWbI4qNFMG4U5MKGLbRlndt8SZC_G86ydJQ67RMdxdVm3nPvI-2jkCCc333WQh2dBZI-oADJpPJ0kbpBRRo5BauFGWvaaoKZ7biQ2z1AFpDOYqV5DmB5Ds/s1600/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+her+Beautiful+Crew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh7VffSX4fKp8LZQIkFTg1PWbI4qNFMG4U5MKGLbRlndt8SZC_G86ydJQ67RMdxdVm3nPvI-2jkCCc333WQh2dBZI-oADJpPJ0kbpBRRo5BauFGWvaaoKZ7biQ2z1AFpDOYqV5DmB5Ds/s400/Bighorn+2013+-+Dana+&+her+Beautiful+Crew.JPG" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team FOMO! Brian, Tina, Dana, Jessica, and Samantha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/index.spire">NSPiRE</a></b><br />
<br />
As always, thank you NSPiRE for your support throughout the whole racing season. My life would suck without you.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL_q7dbIDMj9JSoCaVSvtw3IRtkNmv0ETqiUkZJFP87TElVCifuNj05Eh09ETh1udLAW3X28lFWbBlsyw5hpXag1r2ake4cmoQGahGN6fnLVv4qCPkvl1qAvDQOjibIGJid7vdq7opVQ/s1600/Hagg+2013+NSPiRE+TV+Setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL_q7dbIDMj9JSoCaVSvtw3IRtkNmv0ETqiUkZJFP87TElVCifuNj05Eh09ETh1udLAW3X28lFWbBlsyw5hpXag1r2ake4cmoQGahGN6fnLVv4qCPkvl1qAvDQOjibIGJid7vdq7opVQ/s400/Hagg+2013+NSPiRE+TV+Setup.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live race results, streaming via iPhone App, Twitter, Facebook, online, and at the finish line on these huge-ass TVs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/portrait">TRAIL BUTTER</a></b><br />
<br />
I Love this stuff! This nutritious calorie-dense spread has been fueling my adventures all year. Please support this small Portland business, they've got a good thing going on!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo2odtHPZR6p-nUgn55uJMgbhM_SdvdyJB3NZ0D2fwKzjrjn0Q5NSfUhyphenhyphenuU26Upvrk7skCOeAlR1gHI2MtKazwlB5HmL8nEh6BEYmOGCvmR2QCBv4gwaWdrtdDlrFlfmBARzgAK00EvI/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo2odtHPZR6p-nUgn55uJMgbhM_SdvdyJB3NZ0D2fwKzjrjn0Q5NSfUhyphenhyphenuU26Upvrk7skCOeAlR1gHI2MtKazwlB5HmL8nEh6BEYmOGCvmR2QCBv4gwaWdrtdDlrFlfmBARzgAK00EvI/s320/IMG_3367.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridge Running in Sequoia National Park with Trail butter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">FLOAT SHOPPE</a></b><br />
<br />
By floating in epsom salt infused tanks of water, I've noticed a huge benefit to both my pre-race preparations and post-race recovery. With all the training required for Bighorn, it was important to me focus on getting my body recovered between crazy long training runs in order to help prevent injury and help calm my race anxiety. Injuries often happen through the accumulation of overuse, stress, and strain on the body; and floating has been key in keeping both my body and mind healthy and focused throughout my training.<br />
<br />
My first float after Bighorn was the first time my body passed out and slept the entire 90-minute session, and that's a real testament to the effects that floating can have for a stressed body.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/"><b>DR. BRAD FARRA</b></a><br />
<br />
Thank you Brad for helping me maintain this well-oiled machine throughout the past year. You've been a great mentor in helping me stay injury free, as well as helping me become a smarter athlete. And yes, I need to do my core exercises more religiously...thanks for always reminding me!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myvega.com/product/vega-one-nutritional-shake/"><b>VEGA</b></a><br />
<br />
VEGA nutritional and protein powders started out as an experiment with my training/nutrition, and it's amazing how much better I felt after I started using it. I've been drinking a VEGA shake almost everyday since March, and it's definitely helped my body recover faster and train harder. I imagine other recovery products would also give the same benefit, but the fact that VEGA is completely plant based, vegan, and gluten-free makes it sound superiorly healthy. The taste was interesting at first, but after a while I began to crave it. I totally recommend this stuff!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FINAL WORDS</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnTo2S2BrA">Life's a Happy Song</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDnTo2S2BrA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-79696109987311849942013-06-09T21:12:00.001-07:002013-06-10T14:56:51.815-07:00Dancing with Zane Grey - 50 miles along the Highline Trail - April 27, 2013<div>
I can't remember having this much fun and misery at the same time.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLKaT9CXgWMXJ-omViBsNk5xG4_KRP1PtLr3f_x2jhtWOiiTBvU_zIrgnjecQIhz2qsp-1mq5k-cM53aGVEsWR8W20LKTiJkzFOT4V7PDZMM5LHM420W1lHVsm7uBw1YPwCBoM3uQZmk/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Sunrise+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLKaT9CXgWMXJ-omViBsNk5xG4_KRP1PtLr3f_x2jhtWOiiTBvU_zIrgnjecQIhz2qsp-1mq5k-cM53aGVEsWR8W20LKTiJkzFOT4V7PDZMM5LHM420W1lHVsm7uBw1YPwCBoM3uQZmk/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Sunrise+-+Casey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>BACKGROUND</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>THE REPUTATION</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This race is notorious for being one of the toughest 50 mile races in the country. Why? Because it's roughly 51 miles of rocks, mostly exposed under the Arizona sun, and constantly changing grade. The course is predominantly between 6,000' and 7,000' in altitude, and the elevation gain is over 11,000' of ascent. This is a course that wears you down, no matter who you are. You could be in the shape of your life, but it's the course that will ultimately decide the fate of your run. At least, that's what someone told me while I was waiting in the bathroom line.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEV8sDXjtwU-HrY-Tx8j2U0Bk_ZUqj-e54WKERpBmsnHx2rTD6ludZNO9SBkLtEHl0xnmaRH_DwRliqpWenRal-OdiJ_DAMftcxODOC9x22SsSlfS3hTtTZHx2SB3bRsUsEuVo0a8uY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+8.26.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEV8sDXjtwU-HrY-Tx8j2U0Bk_ZUqj-e54WKERpBmsnHx2rTD6ludZNO9SBkLtEHl0xnmaRH_DwRliqpWenRal-OdiJ_DAMftcxODOC9x22SsSlfS3hTtTZHx2SB3bRsUsEuVo0a8uY/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+8.26.25+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
Because there are very few photos of the Zane Grey trail (that I know about, or have permission to use), see the video below for a sample of the course:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi3QyFaGeZc">See the video here</a></div>
<br />
<b>CREW</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Casey, one of my two brotherly cousins, lives in Arizona and agreed to crew my ass for the race. He was also my <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">photographer</a> with a camera large enough to make me feel like a legit male model. <i>Run run run</i> *STRIKE-A-POSE*. Thanks again, Casey! This race would have been a Reeba without you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXn2wrTz6gW88HvmoO4yTwxoJHOvN68SVyYjEPcrZhij-EhdMJ0tlW-C_y87hTQcbMrFo7aFFGolw24foc9vzl1Yc7n4CbLdnHPhH1lQGXS0DeOJvvhPtF7m8COMrqMSUbEtxuGPIbkk/s1600/Alex,+Jason,+Casey+Baptism+Weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXn2wrTz6gW88HvmoO4yTwxoJHOvN68SVyYjEPcrZhij-EhdMJ0tlW-C_y87hTQcbMrFo7aFFGolw24foc9vzl1Yc7n4CbLdnHPhH1lQGXS0DeOJvvhPtF7m8COMrqMSUbEtxuGPIbkk/s400/Alex,+Jason,+Casey+Baptism+Weekend.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Alex, me, and Cousin Casey in 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b>RACE GOALS</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My goals were simple, though I would've been satisfied with any of them:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Top 3</li>
<li>Break 9.5 hours</li>
<li>Break 10 hours</li>
<li>Break 11 hours (and qualify for Western States)</li>
<li>Finish without breaking anything below the belt.</li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Rk3DbgQqj8sF0WpbbYQ9zhtIeBKB9izSYeXnYXy5cCfJsq7CsXtddK8f3xVXlgvGXEIbd0QZ4NCAAOuT11tAO2Pw_pnCArJR6BrQiNcfq6X0C4zqNTcNY1VOftqixmIkqhFBzbudEY/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Melon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Rk3DbgQqj8sF0WpbbYQ9zhtIeBKB9izSYeXnYXy5cCfJsq7CsXtddK8f3xVXlgvGXEIbd0QZ4NCAAOuT11tAO2Pw_pnCArJR6BrQiNcfq6X0C4zqNTcNY1VOftqixmIkqhFBzbudEY/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Melon.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrating the day before the race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>RACE MORNING</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>WAKE UP</b><br />
<br />
The alarm rang, and I quickly became wide awake with as much excitement as 3am would allow. With the help of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsUsVbTj2AY">JT</a>, I started dancing across the room as I got ready for the long day. <i>Mmm...Feelin' good! Feelin' fine!</i> Okay, let's do this.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>INTO THE DARKNESS - 5:00 AM START</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
3...2...1...Eee-hee!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmgGmr5HaH-5VxDPbSuKQPjXb9N0dWuCOD1JOwCGJMu8qZT14eC4PscgGklx73hUGndqCT7zH9IC-nCHkioHlcHXnUEu9P9rxHA_uplF1P4I8uOW5hJvMikrKqta__EgP5Vyov-nX-0A/s1600/Zane+Morning+Face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmgGmr5HaH-5VxDPbSuKQPjXb9N0dWuCOD1JOwCGJMu8qZT14eC4PscgGklx73hUGndqCT7zH9IC-nCHkioHlcHXnUEu9P9rxHA_uplF1P4I8uOW5hJvMikrKqta__EgP5Vyov-nX-0A/s200/Zane+Morning+Face.JPG" width="149" /></a>And with a final countdown, the race began with a stream of glowing headlamps. Since the sky was already beginning to fade from black to blue, I decided not to run with a headlamp. Rocks were here and there, but the glow from the headlamps in front of me lit up enough of the trail for me to plan my steps carefully. It also helped that James Bonnett had a 500 lumen flashlight, and we became running buddies for a bit. James also ran the Gorge Waterfalls 50k the previous month, and so we already kind of knew each other from that race. Nice guy! Hiking up the first climb, the sky soon lit the trail with a faint glow that was barely distinguishable with the rocky shadows. Shortly after the first climb ended, the trail already started providing spectacular views of the Tonto (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQObWW06VAM">jump on it</a>!) National Forest with the moon centered above the horizon. Taking in the views was risky business on such a technical trail, so my glances were no more than a half second at a time.<br />
<br />
Rolling along, the trail was ever-changing in terms of elevation and direction. This must be what <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etebeZDt7Eo">Love</a> feels like, and everything was lovey dovey. The Sun finally crested the hills in the distance, and both James and I greeted the sun with a F***-a-doodle-doo. For now, the temperature was comfortable. <i>The temperature would continue to climb steadily until eventually reaching a dry breeze-less 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the heat of the day</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRt8Fw_ctx0OmqNY_GiHuFwCtpYg6aR2TJrAemczFLVbs8E8QYIEYsKGZioGW2s0E7BzP3ZDXcxtYHeFCM5Hn-pIbZoE4_OWjCAcyAg1xJFHKFXYPIWyiJoUmxWgUfuWNfRHEjnBSLLo/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+People+Train+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRt8Fw_ctx0OmqNY_GiHuFwCtpYg6aR2TJrAemczFLVbs8E8QYIEYsKGZioGW2s0E7BzP3ZDXcxtYHeFCM5Hn-pIbZoE4_OWjCAcyAg1xJFHKFXYPIWyiJoUmxWgUfuWNfRHEjnBSLLo/s200/Zane+Grey+2013+-+People+Train+-+Casey.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by<br />
<a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Great minds think alike, and there were 5 or 6 of us who ran together for a few miles before the 1st Aid Station. After confessing to James that he was my only friend at the race, he began introducing me to everyone else in the people train. Then from nowhere, we all started hearing a woman's voice call out from a nearby ravine. When she emerged from the brush, it turned out to be fellow racer Kerrie Bruxvoort who had made an incredibly<i> </i>wrong turn. How she ended up in the ravine, we never really figured out. <i>Throughout the day, seemingly everyone would make a wrong turn and get some kind of lost. The trail was well marked in some areas, and scarcely marked in others</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>AID STATION 1 - MILE 8</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhQB3qSrGiUD2iSynwSJtqrPnQtSoeqdVSCV1lXIxla-YaUBUIuHW7MNohduX4hNTIw1IVfxVa-sr-P_XIPn2rV1ZLPEqZQ8nSYqcqz25putPAHW2u9a3w-fOCmRXdl8cucyjKTFfm8/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Shirtless+First+Aid+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhQB3qSrGiUD2iSynwSJtqrPnQtSoeqdVSCV1lXIxla-YaUBUIuHW7MNohduX4hNTIw1IVfxVa-sr-P_XIPn2rV1ZLPEqZQ8nSYqcqz25putPAHW2u9a3w-fOCmRXdl8cucyjKTFfm8/s200/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Shirtless+First+Aid+-+Casey.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by<br />
<a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was the only Aid Station I rushed, since 8 miles is hardly enough to tax me to the point of nutritional depletion. Casey took some photos, I filled my bottle, threw a pretzel and strawberry in my mouth, and bolted. The rest of the train was still at the aid station as I began the trotting up the trail. James eventually caught up to me, and we ran together for a bit. After a mile or so, James started to pull away from me. At that time, I grabbed a GU from my pack and ingested it with digestive assertion. Putting the wrapper back into my pocket, I noticed some of my GUs had fallen out of my handheld pocket....<i>CRAP!</i> Littering is terrible Karma. Luckily, I only had to backtrack 100' to grab them. After this moment, I never saw James for the rest of the race, and that was a good thing since he was pushing me a little harder than I desired. With him out of sight, my focus turned to sustaining Jason's comfortable forever pace. It was this moment that my shirt fell off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The course had some "decent" sections of trail, but the rest of the course was super technical and rocky. And if the rocks didn't get you, the plants probably would. Having spent the past 3 years running in the lush and friendly forests of the Pacific Northwest, it was shocking to find such hostile plants along this already brutal course. After the first 15 miles of the race, I found out which plants were making me bleed, and I added a new move to my rock dancing - the bushwack shimmy. I'm really glad I didn't have to take a crap during this race.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>AID STATION 2 - MILE 17</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqFsAZFnOHAokzOZEjrdoPR6_adWe_b0kVVmPkEuvzkZfMecem68yxox5PlQ-_lxFpEDMFZcEFM8hjGDTS7FQ1tkpXG8DAwFIobr63ADp_nVMq0zEiAjAFDhdrcs5CVtAVl3tLKCokbw/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+Water+Bottle+Face.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqFsAZFnOHAokzOZEjrdoPR6_adWe_b0kVVmPkEuvzkZfMecem68yxox5PlQ-_lxFpEDMFZcEFM8hjGDTS7FQ1tkpXG8DAwFIobr63ADp_nVMq0zEiAjAFDhdrcs5CVtAVl3tLKCokbw/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+Water+Bottle+Face.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle Face. Photo by <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coming into Aid Station 2, Casey handed me a coconut water to chug and <a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/portrait">Trailbutter</a> to munch. My bottles were then filled with water, and I shoved pretzels and a banana into my mouth for me to chew over the next mile. Each of the Aid Stations were followed by some sort of long hill climb, and my legs were hiking most of the hills at this point in the race. Some of the gradual inclines were runnable, but my uphill pace was hardly ambitious. It was still early in the race, and my running strategy became somewhat similar to running a 100 mile race. Finding that balance of efficiency was tough since the climbs were getting steeper and steeper, but relentless forward progress was the key (Not to mention maintaining proper nutrition & hydration).<br />
<br />
Hiking along, I passed Dominic Grossman, who was having somewhat of a bad day. <i>Hiking...running...hiking...bushwacking...pathfinding...shit! Wrong turn!</i> Backtracking, I re-discovered the trail and passed Dominic a second time (he would later drop out of the race due to the aggravation of a knee injury).<br />
<br />
Jamil Coury (Mogollon Monster 100 winner) passed me effortlessly, and he was running strong and steady. I blamed his long legs.<br />
<br />
<b>AID STATION 3 - MILE 25</b></div>
<div>
<br />
Screw efficiency, I wanted a damn liter a cola! The seconds gained on a fast Aid Station transition in this race can easily be for nothing if you don't fuel the body right. Taking a couple minutes to make sure I was hydrated, settled, and full of fuel was extremely important for me to feel comfortable and confident to tackle the next 8 miles<i>...cough*cough*bullshit*</i>, I mean 10 miles. (At least someone at the Aid Station told me it was 10 miles, not that it really mattered). Going into the race, I knew it was "officially" longer than 50 miles, I expected the distance between aid stations to at least <i>seem</i> long, and I wasn't surprised that the race met my expectations in that regard. Mike Carson soon showed up, and we essentially left the aid station together.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Hiking...running...hiking...after a few miles, I found myself pulling away from Mike, as he seemed to be suffering a little bit. It would have been nice to run with him, but it's hard to uphold the buddy system when running with competitive people (myself included). Ah, the loneliness of the long distance runner...such is life. At least I enjoy my own company. Nothing but me, the rocks, and the comforting rustling of lizards scattering into the brush (comforting, in that it kept reminding me to look out for rattle snakes).</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>About 2 miles before the Aid station, there was a 'water only' aid station with limited resources. He topped off one of my bottles, and I coasted for the next two miles.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AID STATION 4 - MILE 33 my ass!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNZuQL2jiH0IYgee7fO5c438exAnCugg0hM7Inw2sL2xY_BEXF1Hau_kLmJywm_0mT76INvgD1_ry0fahc70oB7xnFof7LIDIO6B7SmNSqQVc8JMbFFrCy8wVy_uaT6wMVXm1n-m5Zic/s1600/Zane+Grey+-+Aid+Mile+33+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNZuQL2jiH0IYgee7fO5c438exAnCugg0hM7Inw2sL2xY_BEXF1Hau_kLmJywm_0mT76INvgD1_ry0fahc70oB7xnFof7LIDIO6B7SmNSqQVc8JMbFFrCy8wVy_uaT6wMVXm1n-m5Zic/s400/Zane+Grey+-+Aid+Mile+33+-+Casey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Fish Hatchery Aid Station greeted me with a hero's welcome, filled with gaggles of volunteers, crews, and pacers just waiting for
their runners to arrive. As soon as I reached the pavement, a volunteer handed
me my drop bag before I even remembered to look for it. Before putting on my
race vest (<a href="http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Fluid%E2%84%A2-6/OU4516,default,pd.html">Mountain Hardware Fluid 6</a> pack with a full 1.5 liter reservoir), I had
Casey throw some ice in my bladder (hehehe). Both my handheld bottles were topped off, and I
munched on some fruit and pretzels while singing along to the boom box blasting
“Guantanamera”. With a chug of some coconut water, I began the longest, most
difficult, and most scarcely marked section of the course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night before the race, I drew the course profile on my
arm with a blue pen. Though it was partially smeared from sweat, it was still reasonably
legible. I took a quick break from counting rocks and glanced at my arm. The
course profile looked like a rapid heart rate monitor jacked on adrenaline (at
least that’s how I drew it). Not that I expected the course to get any flatter,
but it was nice to know that the steepest climbs were coming soon. Combined
with the fact that I was now running in 4<sup>th</sup> place after passing a
suffering Scott Jaime, my attitude was very positive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Crossing every stream, I used my hat to shovel scoops of water over my head until my hair couldn’t get any wetter. The water also felt great on my feet, despite creating heavy shoes. Ducking under a barbed wire fence, the trail took a hairpin turn and shot straight up the hillside for the steepest climb of the course. This climb was a real grind, shaded but steep. With hands on my thighs, my mind was concentrating on efficient hiking with a strong pace. Scott Jaime and Mike Carson were behind me somewhere, and my competitiveness wanted to make sure they stayed there. Course markers were rare, and confidence markers seemed spaced a mile apart. The ice in my pack kept my the water relatively cool for a while, but eventually all my water sources turned mildly warm yet again. This heat was a strong dry 80 degrees, indeed, and despite drinking constantly throughout the race, I peed only once at mile 40 (despite several earlier attempts).<br />
<br />
At this point, the quads were getting tired and my feet were starting to chafe, but the downhills were still fun as hell. Also, r<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unning downhill was the only way I could get a damn breeze to cool off</span>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I write this blog, remembering the course is such a blur.
So much of the trail was covered in rocks, it’s hard to mentally distinguish one
trail section from another. However, I do remember that this section was
scarcely marked. The trail was fairly easy to recognize, but there were several
spots where it would be easy to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whoops,
where the hell am I?</i> Despite the warming sun, my mind remained sharp and
always planning my next 2 steps. Some would call this tiring, but this kind of
running brings so much focus into the present moment. Really, there was nothing
else to think about, and it really brings out the 'Zen' in <b>Z</b>a<b>ne</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 44<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- LAST AID
STATION</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYuZxzDIseL4Q6K_TuIjoMgqzde699hlHUOzU4I4KU8eXJ9EyPebMqChH5sNxwy-co7c2Of_XJAokmeCz6Bm7EkLkwFTMLYSVq7VgBMp8fCAllyPiMqWJdh7f_JTaLlqsm__GSwCeEZU/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Last+Aid+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYuZxzDIseL4Q6K_TuIjoMgqzde699hlHUOzU4I4KU8eXJ9EyPebMqChH5sNxwy-co7c2Of_XJAokmeCz6Bm7EkLkwFTMLYSVq7VgBMp8fCAllyPiMqWJdh7f_JTaLlqsm__GSwCeEZU/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Last+Aid+-+Casey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arriving at the final aid station, I drank 3 cups of
coke, a coconut water, squeezed some Trailbutter into my mouth, filled my bottles, and ditched my pack with Casey. Bret Sarnquist ran into the aid station as I was slowly leaving, and he quickly caught up to me. With only 7 miles to go, I really didn't care about how I placed. My body was worn down, and it was nice to run with company again. I asked Bret if he wanted to run the last section together, but he politely declined as he felt more comfortable just doing his own thing. That said, my hiking was slightly stronger than his, and after a couple miles I was alone yet again. My downhill legs lost all enthusiasm at this point, and my feet simply danced with my momentum. Even the gradual uphills brought me to a hike, since it seemed like all I could do at the time. Then with 2 miles left, Chris Price comes blasting down the trail and passes the shit out of me. There was no way I could keep his pace, and it didn't matter much to me at the time. It was just impressive.<br />
<br />
With a mile left, it was difficult to run even the most gradual incline, my right foot started to feel some rock bruising, my lips desired an ice cold coke, and I couldn't stop thinking about that nice cool bed waiting for me in my air-conditioned hotel room. <i>It seemed like a longest f*ing mile of my life.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://www.zanegrey50.com/2013_RESULTS.html" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">RESULTS</a>:</b> 9:43:07, 5th out of 95 Finishers (124 starters)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>PACE:</b> ~11:40 min/mile</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2PdRx94LOsm-BAugW2Hsma5A084BuEOxXO-4CPCZsOAsqRts6T4Yoix3cX38QyHUv5ustDDBEvaMjOgJ5qF_Lq_0Bo8wCwroOzXjYHlzl07TiIgrLrqvvIpZzOOyMBZzUUZ7-DkwCAI/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Finish+-+Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2PdRx94LOsm-BAugW2Hsma5A084BuEOxXO-4CPCZsOAsqRts6T4Yoix3cX38QyHUv5ustDDBEvaMjOgJ5qF_Lq_0Bo8wCwroOzXjYHlzl07TiIgrLrqvvIpZzOOyMBZzUUZ7-DkwCAI/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Finish+-+Casey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.plonczak.com/Category/2013/Zane-Gray-50-mile/29146567_CVtwGc#!i=2481998983&k=NVmVLz3">Casey Plonczak</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO00O3omebotnajCS_0l1kIq8ET0HZduwYjtNQEsLNSxQVMaYUG3XwGYoXSKtEbEdcGUYmkBwQyt328gNgvXbLn03Bu-1NJXPXJ4sjmDiFGxu2RyUz6TCnFw3gTIb0yaFi_N5yMd3eb8/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Feet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO00O3omebotnajCS_0l1kIq8ET0HZduwYjtNQEsLNSxQVMaYUG3XwGYoXSKtEbEdcGUYmkBwQyt328gNgvXbLn03Bu-1NJXPXJ4sjmDiFGxu2RyUz6TCnFw3gTIb0yaFi_N5yMd3eb8/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Feet.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb_NphQD_CbNOvR6aiAB7BR8G9xwvlreQ8kZxUHbIAHjAddL0zPQcoV_gisiFZEqg_TgQx2RvtKw6Opr8fpCIeHIzNrBAfJqN2pV7dR82wjgY8qC94sCIwtKkYqEdhdCxnDxvvR-ShAw/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Casey+and+Jason+Finish+Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb_NphQD_CbNOvR6aiAB7BR8G9xwvlreQ8kZxUHbIAHjAddL0zPQcoV_gisiFZEqg_TgQx2RvtKw6Opr8fpCIeHIzNrBAfJqN2pV7dR82wjgY8qC94sCIwtKkYqEdhdCxnDxvvR-ShAw/s400/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Casey+and+Jason+Finish+Line.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey and me! Photo by <a href="http://mapphotography.smugmug.com/Running/Zane-Grey-50-Mile-2013/29235807_C5Pb3x#!i=2491696901&k=g2TGL2V">Map Photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUBUGpY86VGrI065YF8kEnwVd_CgXqD2GAVrr0mvG87ngr0IL5CY_2qMjB1JRxvAOR-UNhCccww6EOMBNENDvEzzaEbxAVAHG6CiPair_rui4Fe6xoc_D8zLwlwNLyPFpC8jx2zxcGC4/s1600/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUBUGpY86VGrI065YF8kEnwVd_CgXqD2GAVrr0mvG87ngr0IL5CY_2qMjB1JRxvAOR-UNhCccww6EOMBNENDvEzzaEbxAVAHG6CiPair_rui4Fe6xoc_D8zLwlwNLyPFpC8jx2zxcGC4/s320/Zane+Grey+2013+-+Rock.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky buddy! I ran 50 miles and got Charlie Browned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>AFTERTHOUGHTS</b><br />
<br />
This race was tough. To finish this race with a respectable time without hardly a stumble, I'm super proud of this accomplishment. There were lessons learned for sure, but overall I can come away from this race with confidence that I'm slowly becoming the runner I want to be.<br />
<br />
Congrats to James Bonnett for the win!<br />
<br />
<b>THANKS</b><br />
<br />
Thank you to the race directors and organizers, the race was well run and provided a unique experience that I'll never forget.<br />
<br />
Thank you volunteers, your enthusiasm and energy got me pumped up at every aid station.<br />
<br />
Thank you <a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/index.spire">NSPiRE</a>, as always, for your endless support.<br />
<br />
Thank you <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/">Float Shoppe</a> for the recovery, relaxation, and mental focus that has helped me both in training and racing.<br />
<br />
Thank you Casey!<br />
<br />
<b>PLANTAR FASCIITIS</b><br />
<br />
The past December, I was debating dropping out of this race (and other races) to give my foot time to heal its plantar fasciitis. Last year, my left foot was painfully inflicted by it, but in focusing on healing my left foot, my right foot came down with a less aggravated form of plantar. Though I still suffer from occasional bouts of plantar in my right foot, it's relatively under control. I'm grateful for all the help my sports chiropractor <a href="http://www.drbradfarra.com/">Brad Farra</a> has been in helping me not only heal, but also become a stronger & healthier runner. Thanks Brad, I really appreciate all the help you've been over the past year!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>FINAL WORDS</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>ROOMMATES</b></div>
<div>
<br />
My roommates have become like brothers, especially through all that's happened the past few years. I Love you guys, and I appreciate having you all in my life. This race is dedicated to Shiloh, who passed away from a heart attack the week before Zane Grey. He was a sincere and kind person, and he had an infectious laugh and smile. Although his habits never sat well with me, he was a good man. My roommate Andrew wrote a blog of sincere reflection, and you can read it <a href="http://www.andrewjudkins.com/2013/04/our-savier-house-is-very-very-very-fine.html"><b>here</b></a> if you'd like.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
Much Love,<br />
<br />
Jbob</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-36517717899196147932013-04-22T22:50:00.001-07:002013-04-23T07:18:04.462-07:00Gorge Waterfalls 50k - Columbia River Gorge - March 30, 2013<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Damn it, I have to pee again" - 30 seconds before the Start</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RoEcJ4TEjp5lSpEOOA0waVmNPwIm2r8JyG_ajB0wM2jb2QypjBjpKF3q9Qerif9ouhuae2MjgcWK129sCAaDDgeC7PUrPRBEwlJL1YsRMUVk91ukZDYHGg-4Sw7ZPZfVHN_7fZxf29o/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Before+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RoEcJ4TEjp5lSpEOOA0waVmNPwIm2r8JyG_ajB0wM2jb2QypjBjpKF3q9Qerif9ouhuae2MjgcWK129sCAaDDgeC7PUrPRBEwlJL1YsRMUVk91ukZDYHGg-4Sw7ZPZfVHN_7fZxf29o/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Before+Start.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Moments before the start, everyone catching up with each other.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's amazing how competitive this race has become. With elites like Yassine Diboun, Hal Koerner, Jeff Browning, Mario Mendoza, Christopher Koller, and others...it's no wonder my body was full of anxiety leading up to the race. Perhaps my anxiety was just a form of excitement, an eagerness to prove to myself that my role models from the past two years were slowly becoming my peers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGABppCYPPqkQ_ytyRxnkgpbdga66Buta5Gos_d5By_nuLtn4i_DU60UIXFuHHir_5FqaJa71kHWhmimaFE4_feJiMArhBzyaaUN82tnY3v9_aAq0-DElPH2RnBxEve8B5x2OUjNfecIg/s1600/Gorge+50k+Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGABppCYPPqkQ_ytyRxnkgpbdga66Buta5Gos_d5By_nuLtn4i_DU60UIXFuHHir_5FqaJa71kHWhmimaFE4_feJiMArhBzyaaUN82tnY3v9_aAq0-DElPH2RnBxEve8B5x2OUjNfecIg/s400/Gorge+50k+Profile.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Course Profile</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3...2...1...<i>Holy shit their sprinting! Gah, wake up legs!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsTt9XGOAbIsemL1vEkEIUGpOrWo-Dqvmn-PFbLiZdnHC_1o4rkQpLDTUG8ML5BsdbMBZ5zNm2BddZpSfgCf6CWr8haLSnTXFJXlnFxu-OPfKKhLrjZWRloFWqsjYLY2aWjB8CqV7NAw/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Start+Running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsTt9XGOAbIsemL1vEkEIUGpOrWo-Dqvmn-PFbLiZdnHC_1o4rkQpLDTUG8ML5BsdbMBZ5zNm2BddZpSfgCf6CWr8haLSnTXFJXlnFxu-OPfKKhLrjZWRloFWqsjYLY2aWjB8CqV7NAw/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Start+Running.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ambitious Bastards. Photo by well revered </span><a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This race started at a way faster pace than in 2012, and my legs needed to wake up <i>quick</i>. After the pack squeezed across the narrow pedestrian bridge, the course turned into a rutted overgrown truck path. The runners stayed inside the ruts and formed two single file lines, with the front pack beginning to pull away as we neared <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4968112">Multnomah Falls</a>. I jumped into the thick grass and accelerated to the back of the front runners as we began to make our way to the ascent of Wahkeena Falls. I dumped most my water out before the first climb to save some weight. <i>The trail ascends ~1,600' in about 2 miles.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many runners charged up the trail ambitiously, and some of them lost gas about halfway up. Mario Mendoza, Zach Violett, and Yassine just blasted up the switchbacks like their asses were on fire. I tracked behind Jeff Browning, one of the most efficient runners I know, and ran a satisfyingly hard pace in ~12th place. Some of us leap frogged our way up, but a group of 4 of us stayed together. A GU found my mouth, and then we crested and began our downhill descent towards Multnomah Falls via the Larch Mountain Trail. On the way, I filled my water bottle in a trustworthy steam. The next mile had some of my favorite technical downhill sections, and it totally rocks (<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/trailusawest/ig/Multnomah-Falls-Hike/gorgemf25-rockytrail-500.htm">photo</a>). <i>The trail descends ~1,400' in about 2 miles.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the way down the Larch Mountain and Multnomah Falls trails, the rocks turned into a nicely paved asphalt for the final mile of descent. As I ran, my stomach began to feel tight, my mouth all of a sudden had a funny taste, and I'm sure my face was <i>Edward</i> white (without the chick-magnet sparkles). After having the Flu/Norovirus only 2 weeks prior, my stomach was well familiar with the sensation of yakking. Nausea hit me hard, and for half a mile I fought the urge to throw up in front of all the hikers. All I could think about was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvzrguhmK0o">Wayne's World</a>, which didn't help. After slowing down and some careful breathing, things began to settle. I have never had nausea like this during a run, and it had me worried that my race would suffer from a weak stomach. The legs soon found their push, I pulled ahead of Jeff and some other guy. <i>Feeling strong, riding the roller coaster of rocks and waterfalls.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEv235vQOmx2YRiNywbq37LwkxiBRkllJu584oQv4QfsJaJhjtc1CzPdBbO1ZSk3P78cgMpuv4laZJuxpyAl7H2MVnu6PX1iOUits0ntwcArD9xTHVeq70KHEpEuQhNVxcJ-8x3css-s/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Ponytail+Falls+with+Ian+Sharman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEv235vQOmx2YRiNywbq37LwkxiBRkllJu584oQv4QfsJaJhjtc1CzPdBbO1ZSk3P78cgMpuv4laZJuxpyAl7H2MVnu6PX1iOUits0ntwcArD9xTHVeq70KHEpEuQhNVxcJ-8x3css-s/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Ponytail+Falls+with+Ian+Sharman.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Running with the Sharmanian at Horsetail Falls.<br />Photo by the magnificent </span><a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Coming into the first aid station, I grabbed some magical ginger ale (to help my stomach) before bounding back up the trail. The course soon passed Oneonta Falls, followed closely by Horsetail Falls. Ian Sharman caught up to me and we ran together for a bit while leap-frogging with Hal Koerner (Hal was nursing some kind of foot injury). The course then turned pretty rocky and weaved everywhere with a slight downhill, and this was easily my favorite part of the course. Rock dancing, grabbing trees to swing around a tight turn, and always on the verge of eating shit...I was having a blast. I even scoped out a great place to take a crap if the need should arrive (<i>foreshadowing</i>). Then the trail turned to road, and my weakness was exposed. Ian Sharman left me in the dust, and I worked to keep a respectable flat road pace. Running on flat roads has never been my strength, except for this one time when I ran SUPER fast to catch up to a girl at the Seattle Marathon and asked her for her bib number. <i>The road section is 2.5 miles long before reaching the 2nd aid station. After the 2nd aid station is a short 1-mile out, 1-mile back before repeating the first half of the course back to the start/finish.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The road section wasn't much fun, but it gave the mind a break from counting rocks. Not before too long the 2nd Aid Station came into view, and Todd and Renee were there as my crew (<3). Todd confiscated my water bottle and I ran the out-n-back empty handed. The turn-around spot was at the foot of the beautiful <a href="http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/image_new.php?num=4042">Elowah Falls</a>, where everyone had to grab a pokerchip to prove that they went all the way to the halfway point. My position was approximately 7th place and 1.5 miles behind the leaders, and the fart I just took had greatly relieved some internal pressure. Everything was feeling great, legs and stomach included. Coming back into the aid station, Todd had my two bottles ready, but I only grabbed one. <i>Back to the road. THANKS TODD AND RENEE!!! <3!</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4fDTpu-07UxeMrkUPiO5OuRFpUWPw5scI3WyaOVQJ_o4aY3chrb3eXqmXCti_19ddCYC70FrQ-9kI4RctuKcdteTeXS369l1mqMvFJGRkcSIT7CbsxS2pB8dzAH2Vgq8zYfNQSUmbDA/s1600/Gorge+50k+Halfway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4fDTpu-07UxeMrkUPiO5OuRFpUWPw5scI3WyaOVQJ_o4aY3chrb3eXqmXCti_19ddCYC70FrQ-9kI4RctuKcdteTeXS369l1mqMvFJGRkcSIT7CbsxS2pB8dzAH2Vgq8zYfNQSUmbDA/s400/Gorge+50k+Halfway.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Todd Crewing. Me trying to find the Poker Chip Box.<br />Photo by Renee Seker.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My road pace was definitely lacking, and I was soon passed by both Hal Koerner and Jeff Browning. Their strides were solid, and my legs weren't feeling courageous enough to keep up with them. Would I ever see them again? Probably not, but who knows what could happen. Instead of freaking out, I busied myself by high-fiving, smiling, and encouraging my friends and runners who were still headed the opposite direction. By the time I reached the trail, I had to take a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzG_J7RCGS0">crap</a>. There was nice partially hidden (not really) spot off the trail that was tangled with prickly vines and high grass. O<i>nly my ankles suffered from the evil prickly things, thank God. </i>My short break didn't cause me to lose position, but Jonathan the Canadian caught up to me just after I pulled my pants up. We ran close together for a while, but eventually I pulled away while charging up the gradual twisty roller coaster. The runners who were headed the opposite direction were super kind and stepped off the trail so I could run by. </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To those, I say thank you. Vaya con Dios.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb5ci5xgPLQmqhuHCCrDMG32F2qem7FLYGNAV8dcem1Dss4v-iL97oK1nt3uLHzw0GHKP_b1TB1Y7HvdMNQD4QHi-rEaX3L-gwimiQgk1-DFxda6esqjGhtHdE8N7wETKm3ZBDdq19eU/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Takao+Suzuki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb5ci5xgPLQmqhuHCCrDMG32F2qem7FLYGNAV8dcem1Dss4v-iL97oK1nt3uLHzw0GHKP_b1TB1Y7HvdMNQD4QHi-rEaX3L-gwimiQgk1-DFxda6esqjGhtHdE8N7wETKm3ZBDdq19eU/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Takao+Suzuki.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.runnersphotos.com/Running">Takao Suzuki</a>. Thanks Takao, and congrats on your finish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout the last half of the course, runners and non-race hikers were telling me what position I was in. Most of them said 11th place, but I was hoping for a top 10 finish. As I entered the last aid station, the volunteers were telling me that Hal wasn't moving very fast. <i>Interesting</i>. Further down the trail, a hiker said that one of the runners ahead of me was cramping real bad. <i>Very interesting</i>. Soon enough, I found myself catching up to Hal. He was taking his sweet-ass time on the technical scree-covered trail, and I wondered what pains he was dealing with. After passing him, I immediately caught up with another runner who was dealing with severe calf cramping. After dishing him a salt pill, I pressed on. The whole race I dreaded the final climb back up Multnomah Falls, and the trail was getting close. <i>I really hope the last climb doesn't destroy me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
Beginning the climb up the Multnomah Falls switchbacks, the body felt capable, but drained. Alternating between running and hiking switchbacks, I soon looked down the trail and found that Jonathan the Canadian was catching up to me. <i>Shit!</i> Priding myself on my ability to endure a sustained climb, I was disappointed in my decision to hike. Maybe the fear of blowing up kept me from pushing myself, or maybe my comfort in 9th place had made it acceptable for me to let someone catch up to me. Whatever it was, I erred on the side of conservative and alternated the running and hiking. With 1 mile left to climb, I passed another runner. With 3/4 left to climb, Jonathan passed me. My calves were borderline cramping, but the climb was soon over. At the top of the climb, I felt sluggish and unambitious. The beginning of the 2 mile descent was uncomfortable, but my body fell into a groove and pounded a strong downhill while trying not to wipe out on the hairpin switchback turns. Passing <a href="http://www.smcgaels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=21400&ATCLID=205238084">Mario Mendoza</a>, he was walking down the mountain with a dejected look on his face after he "ate shit" earlier. No doubt he was contending for 1st place before his crash, and I hope he didn't injure himself. That guy is fast as shit. (<i>He would later go on to win the Peterson Ridge 20 miler 2 weeks later</i>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGytm7Vi9cQMNTa8gzgWp8KmesXETfNR-AasTe4pjCEzqAVSXLe-dDMUVE8lzlMUwz6khUR1usMDaoz7E1u16Y_fpSnlo7Y9YFbxTHbKxvyR9JWleFWcf74mXN8Q_rVEFSxwZiJBXAMIg/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Wahkeena+Falls+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGytm7Vi9cQMNTa8gzgWp8KmesXETfNR-AasTe4pjCEzqAVSXLe-dDMUVE8lzlMUwz6khUR1usMDaoz7E1u16Y_fpSnlo7Y9YFbxTHbKxvyR9JWleFWcf74mXN8Q_rVEFSxwZiJBXAMIg/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Wahkeena+Falls+(1).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wahkeena Falls, 8th place with ~2 miles to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU48IJJ5EFJjdxKjF1B983VHyxt_ZE1qdl_zrvaSWQcYz8kg_VFbhbvRLDNIjwF_XcXHlad_6wvUR0zXAIp0_lVMpsTnADFBsh375Yud6hK9N3APTWe60YWBGZoD0zRJOXfzdB0diKGjc/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Wahkeena+Falls+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU48IJJ5EFJjdxKjF1B983VHyxt_ZE1qdl_zrvaSWQcYz8kg_VFbhbvRLDNIjwF_XcXHlad_6wvUR0zXAIp0_lVMpsTnADFBsh375Yud6hK9N3APTWe60YWBGZoD0zRJOXfzdB0diKGjc/s400/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+2013+-+Wahkeena+Falls+(2).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by Master <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The last mile of the course is exposed and straight, making it possible to see Jonathan running a 1/2 mile ahead of me. <i>Too far for me to catch</i>. No one was anywhere close to behind me, and all I had to do was keep a strong pace and not cramp. When the finish line came into view, I made a B-line for James Varner for a super hug.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=18798">RESULTS</a>: 3:46:19, 8th out of 281 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">PACE: Somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">PR by 10 minutes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Holy Crap, I'll take it!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hy7x2ElTJfWhOazZAk3V1iGaYjJ_zg8n2kvhvkcurPhgdosTN4eFBMs1NOw7eJUV4ZRBrlCNRYK5NTIgJVxWC30ZPcruDTNcAMIirbtxAjqKhz-eBjSSzU3HIAfxeGuo2EliOb4u3ok/s1600/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+Finish+Line+Hug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hy7x2ElTJfWhOazZAk3V1iGaYjJ_zg8n2kvhvkcurPhgdosTN4eFBMs1NOw7eJUV4ZRBrlCNRYK5NTIgJVxWC30ZPcruDTNcAMIirbtxAjqKhz-eBjSSzU3HIAfxeGuo2EliOb4u3ok/s320/Gorge+Waterfalls+50k+Finish+Line+Hug.JPG" width="224" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SUPER HUG! Photo by Renee Seker.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you James Varner and Candice Burt for organizing another awesome event! Your <a href="http://rainshadow-running.blogspot.com/">Rainshadow Running</a> races are some of the most beautiful (and difficult) races in the Northwest, and I'm excited to do more of them. I'm particularly eager to running Angel's Staircase and Yakima Skyline Rim...maybe next year! My 2013 schedule is pretty booked as it is. Thanks again for everything!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you Todd and Renee for driving out to the Gorge to support me, I'm grateful to have you as friends. And thanks Renee for taking my breath away, as usual. Go Team <a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/index.spire">NSPiRE</a>! You're a big reason for turning my 2012 into a smiley face, and for believing in my potential as both a runner and hugging advocate. Love you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks <a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/">Trailbutter </a>for the breakfast! You are becoming a constant in both my training and racing nutrition, and I'm okay with that. You'll come in handy at the Zane Grey 50 miler, for sure (though, I better pull a Hafid and store the butta' in my checked luggage. It's totally worth checking your luggage for).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/float-tanks/open-float-spa/">Float Shoppe</a> for helping relieve my pre-race anxiety! I've never been so worked up about a race before (maybe the elite field had me excited), but floating the night before the race helped calm my nerves and settle my heart rate a bit. As usual, it was Lovey-dovey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And finally, Thank you <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/">Glenn Tachiyama</a> and <a href="http://www.runnersphotos.com/">Takao Suzuki</a> for the photos! It's always great to see you two!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">PETERSON RIDGE RUMBLE - APRIL 14, 2013</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Congrats Kyle Chaffin on your 20-minute PR at the Peterson Ridge Rumble 20-mile race! It was great to share laughs with you and Nicole afterwards. Kyle and Nicole, I Love you both unconditionally, despite the sass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQjAr_SokV7BQfaWJZj0xzuicwSNn8yy2b8lsqmu8w4R_4koEOmzk8sMudBsxBpl1iwwM9CNloPgskifTUONbUZDQZaRPRlHCet2Uar6wMPnu-Gf952v1oZxaqCIkae8R2RvA9NvXtNY/s1600/Peterson+Ridge+Rumble+-+Kyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQjAr_SokV7BQfaWJZj0xzuicwSNn8yy2b8lsqmu8w4R_4koEOmzk8sMudBsxBpl1iwwM9CNloPgskifTUONbUZDQZaRPRlHCet2Uar6wMPnu-Gf952v1oZxaqCIkae8R2RvA9NvXtNY/s400/Peterson+Ridge+Rumble+-+Kyle.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah buddy! Photo by Master <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou32dsnj29vxK_nfhfJRBMsE9HxGQ6qKgtVZBthyphenhyphenIjTLHWw2e6GSmAxjxLm61LdBNEDpNhgOw-BixRQjWMxCmJFsHVpfqFesq9fzCo0_XQjTpP56EEahbMh1jh9tjYJ4-UZHbHSQcD3w/s1600/Peterson+Ridge+Rumble+2013+-+Nicole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou32dsnj29vxK_nfhfJRBMsE9HxGQ6qKgtVZBthyphenhyphenIjTLHWw2e6GSmAxjxLm61LdBNEDpNhgOw-BixRQjWMxCmJFsHVpfqFesq9fzCo0_XQjTpP56EEahbMh1jh9tjYJ4-UZHbHSQcD3w/s400/Peterson+Ridge+Rumble+2013+-+Nicole.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hot stuff coming through! Photo by Master <a href="http://www.tachifoto.net/Running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FINAL WORDS</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BOSTON</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/425527/april-16-2013/intro---4-16-13">Colbert</a> couldn't have said it any better. Boston, you have my thoughts and prayers. The way that Boston, and the rest of the country, responded to the tragedy has truly given me hope. There's hope that despite the evil that exists in this world, people are inherently <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibmcsEGLKo">good</a> </b>and are willing to help one another with complete selflessness, concern, and compassion. If you haven't told your friends/family how much you Love them, now would be a good time. And don't ever stop reminding them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsrASGKCqTHvxG1B419CaIRA8f0iKs23AVN0Hmc7UazCSEnWERFAnyxjlUqJsCZ7FD4X_bqj-Qiv04tMi6Ns_KZ9aNtWLQZFFFABxUisXxZPy8SAvErlLhyphenhyphenHkeYGYSu4IdI5RrIJMdFI/s1600/From+Boston+With+Love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsrASGKCqTHvxG1B419CaIRA8f0iKs23AVN0Hmc7UazCSEnWERFAnyxjlUqJsCZ7FD4X_bqj-Qiv04tMi6Ns_KZ9aNtWLQZFFFABxUisXxZPy8SAvErlLhyphenhyphenHkeYGYSu4IdI5RrIJMdFI/s400/From+Boston+With+Love.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Marathon 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I Love you all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jbob</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-42701837802804454322013-03-19T12:37:00.005-07:002013-03-19T13:18:49.338-07:00Hagg Lake, Two Races, and a Half Gallon of Beer - Hagg Lake 50K & 25K, February 16th/17th<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I won't start the race in the porto this year. I won't start the race in the porto this year. I won't...</i> - Pre-race Mantra</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82rzHgSjGW9IbnJy3NAEzDg18i08U6hTURSETPBZPeDRxa8vzAPRxcK3kZcwmtNTyCQ9F8fFJpMrW0kcaudKrxzoKVwbnY7SMZCZDdFjuddNJcLz3LD0ioh6Ri16RwEQV2ioozD_46-o/s1600/photo+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82rzHgSjGW9IbnJy3NAEzDg18i08U6hTURSETPBZPeDRxa8vzAPRxcK3kZcwmtNTyCQ9F8fFJpMrW0kcaudKrxzoKVwbnY7SMZCZDdFjuddNJcLz3LD0ioh6Ri16RwEQV2ioozD_46-o/s320/photo+(18).JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Morning Sun at Hagg Lake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by Jennifer Love.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE HAGG LAKE TRAIL</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Muddy. Muddy. Muddy. Muddy....except this year! The trail around Hagg Lake is infamously known as a soul-sucking, shoe-stealing, groin-pulling, mud-in-my-mouth-and-face-and-oh-shit-it's-everywhere kind of conditions. However, this year was a prime exception, and the weather leading up to the race was unusually sunny and dry. This meant that the 50K would have one of the fastest courses ever in the race's 12-year history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>THE MINDSET</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
It's early in the season, and Hagg Lake was to be my fitness test. After 2 weeks of tapering, my body was maxed out on potential energy. Mentally, my mind was prepared to greet pain with a smile and to push hard for a sub-4 hour finish in the 50k race. All that mattered was that I run my race and go as fast as my legs could carry me. If someone else's legs were faster, then good on them. Finishing a race can mean just as much (or even more) than winning a race if you surpass your own expectations, and my expectations were based on feeling more than time. There's a fine line that I've been trying to find between endurance and speed, and neither the clock nor music are going to tell me where it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqvE9OhunZLfYtvT8BuJUBQhdyRwT3rjarBr2MQNOtLdsHoQ-4MnXLqFHvMfmspioyfB5Y0bMWxbnsgB-0a3qZmQ4pzCvx2iBBxfCk3ONjxPNEVHteDne1DZSPtpUqFwm16ZzlFXmCC4/s1600/Jason+Hagg+Parking+Lot+(Paul).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqvE9OhunZLfYtvT8BuJUBQhdyRwT3rjarBr2MQNOtLdsHoQ-4MnXLqFHvMfmspioyfB5Y0bMWxbnsgB-0a3qZmQ4pzCvx2iBBxfCk3ONjxPNEVHteDne1DZSPtpUqFwm16ZzlFXmCC4/s400/Jason+Hagg+Parking+Lot+(Paul).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pre-race shimmy. The Zags are so hot right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by Paul Nelson.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>
<b>HAGG LAKE 50K - SATURDAY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
With a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujUlV4e6CPI&noredirect=1">jig</a> in my head, a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmzNskcS3s">fire</a> in my heart, and after 3 trips to the porto, it was time to line up at the starting line. Friends were everywhere, either racing, spectating, race directing, or photographing. After countless hugs, smiles, and words of encouragement, the race began.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>3...2...1...COWBELL</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoa3hQ11oo-6_FaoFjWDP9Ahn9RCtiekJ1FDMqLBYU1P9uOAm7bGtFhwo2kl0BHyN5Y81ysaL59LetPjZuKHiqxfcS0DDC4sJanVHlty3bxQwacKoiC8mC5MahqnXxEaVxMOHVbpj9ro/s1600/Hagg+50k+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoa3hQ11oo-6_FaoFjWDP9Ahn9RCtiekJ1FDMqLBYU1P9uOAm7bGtFhwo2kl0BHyN5Y81ysaL59LetPjZuKHiqxfcS0DDC4sJanVHlty3bxQwacKoiC8mC5MahqnXxEaVxMOHVbpj9ro/s400/Hagg+50k+start.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jacob Puzey in Red, I'm at the right in the green bandana.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quickly positioning myself with the front of the pack, there were about 5 of us running together as we started the 1.5 mile out-n-back. The first 1.5 miles were a gradually uncomfortable uphill dirt road, the steepest and longest climb of the course. After a half mile, Jacob Puzey and I were the only ones within chatting distance as we pulled ahead of everyone else. Nice guy! After the turnaround, Jacob just took off back down the hill faster than I dared to run (his long stride helped). It would have been nice to run with him, but there was no way I could keep his pace without detrimental consequences. My goal wasn't to get first place, so there were no reservations in letting him go. Just loneliness...*<i>sigh</i>*...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD93fNVYV8gRNjpG9b51mYg9VFmSrHBAarbHJFS9ngwv8XIegFAErKvFDRCMEgqmWNS_hFqvpl-IoxNKHgGRu6OxneT6La594dTMpNpkHOXnmobaHT9cYg7RSapxqm4dyX0E6EcARyXE/s1600/Hagg+50k+2013+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD93fNVYV8gRNjpG9b51mYg9VFmSrHBAarbHJFS9ngwv8XIegFAErKvFDRCMEgqmWNS_hFqvpl-IoxNKHgGRu6OxneT6La594dTMpNpkHOXnmobaHT9cYg7RSapxqm4dyX0E6EcARyXE/s200/Hagg+50k+2013+smile.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovin it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After passing the Start/Finish area at the 3-mile mark, I picked up my water bottle and began Lap 1 of 2 around Hagg Lake. Puzey was well ahead at this point, but still within sight. The runners behind me were far enough away that I couldn't hear them, but they weren't out-of-mind. The thought of being chased was more motivating at this point in the race, for I was determined to make it 'a bitch' for anyone to keep up with me. So every hill was a tempo sprint to the top, as the trail around the lake was filled with many short climbs in rolling fashion. Hills are my strength, and I often try to use it to gain ground on those runners who are faster than me on the flat sections of the course. At least, that was the strategy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2oWJXVhxvFXqL_2UrfwC3kkr7Pm5OVjrM6sjorqtUr-rWq7vNLTnoWwaOvKSYNwl1ex-0c8t6Jj29EZHFZzfPaaC7FfQCHRMsEE4qatCqUYPNEw9ZHQ5uH7zJYVStkOqq75LGeEK7qI/s1600/Hagg+7+En.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2oWJXVhxvFXqL_2UrfwC3kkr7Pm5OVjrM6sjorqtUr-rWq7vNLTnoWwaOvKSYNwl1ex-0c8t6Jj29EZHFZzfPaaC7FfQCHRMsEE4qatCqUYPNEw9ZHQ5uH7zJYVStkOqq75LGeEK7qI/s200/Hagg+7+En.JPG" width="133" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long <br />Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2oWJXVhxvFXqL_2UrfwC3kkr7Pm5OVjrM6sjorqtUr-rWq7vNLTnoWwaOvKSYNwl1ex-0c8t6Jj29EZHFZzfPaaC7FfQCHRMsEE4qatCqUYPNEw9ZHQ5uH7zJYVStkOqq75LGeEK7qI/s1600/Hagg+7+En.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the dam (4 miles into the race), Puzey was already a half mile ahead of me. Hot dam! It made no sense for me to look back and see who was behind me at this point in the race, so my eyes were fixed on the path ahead...and then the GU in my hand...and then the pretty lake view...and then back to the path. Arriving at the dam Aid Station, the garbage can was lacking a plastic trash bag, so I took my empty GU packet and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYL5H46QnQ">THREW IT ON THE GROUND</a>, thinking that the aid station volunteers were just slow at inserting the plastic trash bag. Nope. There was trash in the trash can, and I threw my garbage on the ground, <i>right in front</i> of an Aid Station volunteer. I felt like a royal ass. I vowed to right the wrong on the second lap, and tried not to let it affect my race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Running strong, accelerating up the hills, coasting the downhills, floating the flats...things were going smooth. No one in front of me, no one behind me...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVeUWmP0j_U">just me, baby</a>. Arriving at the first timing check point, I took another empty GU packet and THREW IT ON THE GROUND! (with permission from Cole).</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16K SPLIT: 1:08:48</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PACE: 6:55 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1P_IwGq3LIaF6a045wKF_80b3cI0jjm_pnB_aJy84qPFrFPswY6-2AUwnqg7hLbIkKfvkrkoq77gAz_Q9jYtay7niVzlJTw21OLZ5FhuSWbubwJi8tfdiVsHOubv-6MnqkhC7Bw-Wf8/s1600/Hagg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1P_IwGq3LIaF6a045wKF_80b3cI0jjm_pnB_aJy84qPFrFPswY6-2AUwnqg7hLbIkKfvkrkoq77gAz_Q9jYtay7niVzlJTw21OLZ5FhuSWbubwJi8tfdiVsHOubv-6MnqkhC7Bw-Wf8/s200/Hagg+1.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My legs were feeling great, and passing the early start runners gave me a little boost. It's not so much the <i>passing</i> of the runners that helped, but more so the interactions with them. There was a lot of kindness on the trail as the early start runners stepped to the side, cracked a little joke, smiled, and said words of encouragement. Thank you for sharing a moment with me during the race, you have my respect for having to endure the race for longer than I did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
The first lap around Hagg Lake ended at the Start/Finish area, and there was lots of cheering. <a href="http://joeuhan.blogspot.com/">Joe Uhan</a> clocked Puzey at 7 minutes ahead of me. <i>Wow, he must be in a hurry</i>. Running to my drop bag, my shirt fell off as I began chugging a can of C2O Coconut Water (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjB6r-HDDI0">sponsorship</a>, please). After switching water bottles, I took off for the final lap around Hagg Lake.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HALFWAY: 1:56:54</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PACE: 7:02 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGhg8i0Wpwzx_L5ShqLuDT-yFZrETGwSGb0vRA4j7uHOz0Y9RUZaLZQvQSJdDa3y4MeJIAbRubwDl1X4uUITU-MFRJ8QSlWc6O7BMOq87ctGauYPttZCCaQsHebxWah1LQb7loYTStZU/s1600/Hagg+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGhg8i0Wpwzx_L5ShqLuDT-yFZrETGwSGb0vRA4j7uHOz0Y9RUZaLZQvQSJdDa3y4MeJIAbRubwDl1X4uUITU-MFRJ8QSlWc6O7BMOq87ctGauYPttZCCaQsHebxWah1LQb7loYTStZU/s400/Hagg+28.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How far ahead?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fs_YT54KEW8r4KbVPY66Y9TnzzX3m3sO4ZmxI2Yxv7YjvJpfq1WksPU8QRY2c4VvFcbzD-3y5JF7mPsML8MjURb-qzXaqzLsUZqmPUtSlperDgd2Dpeu2RM3fqIhkV3YKrJe-PVyB20/s1600/Hagg+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fs_YT54KEW8r4KbVPY66Y9TnzzX3m3sO4ZmxI2Yxv7YjvJpfq1WksPU8QRY2c4VvFcbzD-3y5JF7mPsML8MjURb-qzXaqzLsUZqmPUtSlperDgd2Dpeu2RM3fqIhkV3YKrJe-PVyB20/s400/Hagg+29.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gratuitous partial nudity and C2O Coconut Water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beginning lap 2 felt exactly like the beginning of lap 1, which surprised me. The legs were still strong, still able to bound uphill, and I was in no need of a potty break anytime soon. Even with 200 runners on the trail, the ground stayed firm and fast. Arriving at the dam for the second time, the short road section provided a prime opportunity to suck down another GU. After psyching myself up to actually throw my GU wrapper in the trash can this time, I turn my head and see a runner behind me ~100ft. I didn't stare (that's rude), so I had no idea who the hell had the audacity to catch up to me...but it definitely got me running. Zooming by the Aid Station without stopping (except to politely throw my GU packet in the trash), my pace increased. <i>Shit. Shit. Shit. Can I sustain this pace? Did he stop at the aid station? Shit. Ugh, why can't this ever be easy? Oh yeah, because I Love this shit. I guess. Crap, my legs are feeling stressed. Ok, ok. Run your race. Don't let him push you. Just run strong, and if he pulls ahead, push like crazy and catch him in the last 5 miles. But until then, run your own damn race. Let HIM work to catch you, don't make a mistake and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniy8aDSFLA">blow up</a> too soon. Keep calm and carry on, son! </i>So with that little pep talk, my pace went from 'frantic' back to 'comfortably uncomfortable'. He hadn't caught me yet, so there was no reason for me to panic. For the next several miles, finish line scenarios were running through my head. Could I hold him off?</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">39K SPLIT: 2:49:00</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PACE: 6:59 min/mile</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neil Olsen: 45 seconds back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7MFdz43Uuw1PmDV5WiLtwbPNEt1O0k_Nyy8PqJH-GIZj38iNW_1V91zYswWRnIldzl0KA6mzuLs68MihRYR33go6h-lft1Zld3H9kK4DDUk_eProyvg8DvigXpiAVVzfzE9A8ECCqfQ/s1600/Hagg+Lap+2+(John+Spencer).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7MFdz43Uuw1PmDV5WiLtwbPNEt1O0k_Nyy8PqJH-GIZj38iNW_1V91zYswWRnIldzl0KA6mzuLs68MihRYR33go6h-lft1Zld3H9kK4DDUk_eProyvg8DvigXpiAVVzfzE9A8ECCqfQ/s200/Hagg+Lap+2+(John+Spencer).jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Half mile left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by John Spencer.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the race, my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tiTVt24nwk">nutrition</a> was mainly GU energy gels and Hammer Endurolytes (salt pills). The stomach stayed solid, and everything generally felt good. But after passing the 39K mark, things started to fade a little bit. My peripheral vision got fuzzy, and the fuzziness creeped closer and closer to my center of vision. After quickly downing a GU, I then grabbed a couple salt pills and ingested one after the other. My pace slowed a little as my body recovered, and thankfully my vision went back to normal. <i>Come on baby, hold to together.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7MFdz43Uuw1PmDV5WiLtwbPNEt1O0k_Nyy8PqJH-GIZj38iNW_1V91zYswWRnIldzl0KA6mzuLs68MihRYR33go6h-lft1Zld3H9kK4DDUk_eProyvg8DvigXpiAVVzfzE9A8ECCqfQ/s1600/Hagg+Lap+2+(John+Spencer).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Coming into the last aid station (4.5 miles from the finish), I made only my second stop of the race to have my bottle filled with a combination of water and electrolytes (GU brew). Neil Olsen entered the aid station as I was leaving, and thus began the final push to the finish. If I had anything left, this was the time to leave it all out there. My hamstrings were tight as hell and slightly quivering on the uphills, and I popped my last salt pill to hopefully keep them from totally cramping. There were plenty of opportunities to look behind me and gauge Neil's hunting skills, but I kept my head forward until one of the final landmarks of the course. Arriving at the Parking lot C (half a mile from the finish), good guy John Spencer was course marshaling and shouting some words of encouragement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>
John:</b> Yeah Buddy! One hell of a PR!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Me:</b> Is Anyone behind me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>John:</b> Not that I can see!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Me:</b> <i>Thank God.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
A quarter-mile from the finish, I look behind me one last time and saw nobody. <i>WHOO-OO! </i>The finish line came into view, and people started cheering. It was impossible to tell, but they were telling me to HURRY UP! After crossing the finish line, I figured out why. The 3rd fastest course time in Hagg Lake history was 3:41:53 set by Andy Martin in 2010, and I happened to break it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=502">RESULTS</a>:</b> 3:40:53, 2nd out of 190 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PACE:</b> 7:06 min/mile</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PR </b>by 38 minutes</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3rd Fastest Course Time in Race History</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuXw-DTnNOaSxQByXNyEFitytgObw68k01yfz8uBM_vN6Yol4BVGzFf5SOCV1zTmmFUfChP5AKbKBg-IORQmFC2iZsuMSULr4MGjbWmttdfMNextb6YEQo2rvf4_bhWJJUxi9YZ30A7E/s1600/Hagg+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuXw-DTnNOaSxQByXNyEFitytgObw68k01yfz8uBM_vN6Yol4BVGzFf5SOCV1zTmmFUfChP5AKbKBg-IORQmFC2iZsuMSULr4MGjbWmttdfMNextb6YEQo2rvf4_bhWJJUxi9YZ30A7E/s400/Hagg+25.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFWThLiTrbj-uvGRPOw3ho-62F7ySkiJCKvQlcbU_85jQjH0A82BGxD9V5mXF_FhBKlfjrEV1GynUVmQbUTtMRw9mfZ37f8A3fddVqyn8pp7EWK_qAdqdtwJ_Z4nI-0FgtWxIvJF8E6Y/s1600/Hagg+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFWThLiTrbj-uvGRPOw3ho-62F7ySkiJCKvQlcbU_85jQjH0A82BGxD9V5mXF_FhBKlfjrEV1GynUVmQbUTtMRw9mfZ37f8A3fddVqyn8pp7EWK_qAdqdtwJ_Z4nI-0FgtWxIvJF8E6Y/s400/Hagg+26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwslVUqLrAOpcged5YeFKL7DFhlnih4l0QvDAlmAgm-zz9VtG0cbzeHW8OcOy-9If5GgZKQw2t9PvzUh5HPx5WrjFTnHb3XMF_jTKlRF2xPsBrzEJFbAKdkW_n0-tg_CsTg1YOBWP-cyw/s1600/Hagg+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwslVUqLrAOpcged5YeFKL7DFhlnih4l0QvDAlmAgm-zz9VtG0cbzeHW8OcOy-9If5GgZKQw2t9PvzUh5HPx5WrjFTnHb3XMF_jTKlRF2xPsBrzEJFbAKdkW_n0-tg_CsTg1YOBWP-cyw/s400/Hagg+11.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZOTpqYjcSAS9XCwOetcPk2xrNoIH-hs2_zNN4pa-td1FF52wkEVKuKtQw9Fgjh8OeLBE3QCa7iqzA7elERba_Jbk2hDVz6Qd5P1AkUUnAmlTVkLKve0pomav_0FbMLc1Bd2xY6CIO78/s1600/Hagg+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZOTpqYjcSAS9XCwOetcPk2xrNoIH-hs2_zNN4pa-td1FF52wkEVKuKtQw9Fgjh8OeLBE3QCa7iqzA7elERba_Jbk2hDVz6Qd5P1AkUUnAmlTVkLKve0pomav_0FbMLc1Bd2xY6CIO78/s400/Hagg+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv2_Eyq9pSUo4-ghi1tkef-Xv9d48KHZ7JsCFJtYhipMQRt3D93h4Kc2kYbLaT4_E1TY5SVB4Ae08A_wZLUCSTjDfjgzNkZXQhsGMvAMaTW7qzp-tLBmvGYs8GiK3tygsi_sx5P6U4P0/s1600/Hagg+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv2_Eyq9pSUo4-ghi1tkef-Xv9d48KHZ7JsCFJtYhipMQRt3D93h4Kc2kYbLaT4_E1TY5SVB4Ae08A_wZLUCSTjDfjgzNkZXQhsGMvAMaTW7qzp-tLBmvGYs8GiK3tygsi_sx5P6U4P0/s400/Hagg+15.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">"What was my time?!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Above Photos by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as I crossed the finish line, my hamstrings painfully seized, and I went down easy. As I lay there, people told me all the fun facts about the race. The funnest fact being that the only <b>Jacob Puzey (3:24:22, 2013) </b>and Max King (3:26:54, 2010) have ran a faster course times. <i>Okay, I'm happy with that. </i>Neil Olsen crossed the finish line a few minutes later, but I was still lying on the ground soaking everything in. There are few moments in our lives where we can say that we did everything we could with the time we had, and this was one of them. I didn't ever want to forget this feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Congrats to <a href="http://columbiacorredor.blogspot.com/2013/02/sometimes-great-notion.html">Jacob Puzey</a> (3:24:22) and Andrea Jarzombek-Holt (4:07:10) for setting the new men's and women's course records! Incredible times!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, time to recover for the 25k the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ZFivWwJFkKSJHe3wRMLMgBYhXzxInIJOj-OhwXihuXatAcVBNq8Udw7VlBhZ8ICMwEHsRx1Apb9YSdKBrFHlSA4C0ejIm-KUpKyILebviykQbWUbHU0hiePhJc4BE_j9jYH-CNBB_Y/s1600/Hagg+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ZFivWwJFkKSJHe3wRMLMgBYhXzxInIJOj-OhwXihuXatAcVBNq8Udw7VlBhZ8ICMwEHsRx1Apb9YSdKBrFHlSA4C0ejIm-KUpKyILebviykQbWUbHU0hiePhJc4BE_j9jYH-CNBB_Y/s400/Hagg+24.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hagg Lake ice bath.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RECOVERY AT THE <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">FLOAT SHOPPE</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKukCPtm6pQi6wazvbYCSevioC_LASa1SACdAYHPWTudJ5AlRINThyt-JTBUg35f8Zpdy3dLdsugacSa3yqLNoKZprj6YjYp0FuNiUiPg97qMh8vUPj0eTpocY1J2cMOa2QAzwH8LnnQ/s1600/Float+Shoppe+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKukCPtm6pQi6wazvbYCSevioC_LASa1SACdAYHPWTudJ5AlRINThyt-JTBUg35f8Zpdy3dLdsugacSa3yqLNoKZprj6YjYp0FuNiUiPg97qMh8vUPj0eTpocY1J2cMOa2QAzwH8LnnQ/s200/Float+Shoppe+Logo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="145" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the 50k, my legs were quite sore and my hamstrings felt like guitar strings that were strung too tight and played way too hard. That evening, I went to the Float Shoppe for a 90-minute float to help recover. The whole float experience involves floating in a tub of water with 1,000 lbs of dissolved Epsom salts, providing sensory deprivation and total body calmness. While floating, the body absorbs the magnesium from the Epsom salts, which helps flush the lactic acid from tired muscles. And floating not only helps relax the body, but it also gives the mind a chance to take a break from everything. They say one 90-minute float is like the equivalent of getting 7 hours of sleep, and the effects can be felt immediately afterwards. More information <a href="http://www.floatshoppe.com/floating/what-is-floating/">lives here</a>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfW2EC9lXpQmYLENJw4wxhcLfo_nOnhfcvX_LIx5sffkgySKEIb-qb0wWj_ZSfxbZyaQArioYthqqfkLNSQ4wBf28D-a57uVfxpEDxmeIZMZlebzV04QaBwPn9NmugarAhivTOdqiD-w/s1600/Float+Shoppe+Tranquility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfW2EC9lXpQmYLENJw4wxhcLfo_nOnhfcvX_LIx5sffkgySKEIb-qb0wWj_ZSfxbZyaQArioYthqqfkLNSQ4wBf28D-a57uVfxpEDxmeIZMZlebzV04QaBwPn9NmugarAhivTOdqiD-w/s200/Float+Shoppe+Tranquility.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="145" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tranquility</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having floated several times before, my experience has been extremely positive. But I had never tried floating this soon after a hard run to help increase my 24-hour recovery period. <i>Would my hamstrings loosen up? Would the soreness go away?</i> After my 90-minute float, my body was still considerably sore...however, my body also felt as if it just had a full night's rest, and my mind was way above the clouds. It's hard to really explain the experience without trying it yourself, but all I can say is that there's a lot of good that comes from floating, both physically and mentally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
For me, floating most often becomes a time for self reflection and allows me to cut out the distractions of everyday life to focus on what matters most. Whether I'm recovering from a high mileage week or preparing for the next race, the Float Shoppe has played a significant role in relieving the physical and mental stresses of life to allow me to maximize my training efforts.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<b style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAGG LAKE 25K - SUNDAY</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<b style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i>Deja vu.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i><br /></i></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ot8YBC3Ig2Gom_7JYg1U_lzh9pBjBW2pDJO4Sq12HqEAQ64ShcGOfTVRzemYi_U3Pzd2Mo4Yi9OEG6ig_v5ho45ebsfp7fYEoi9QJ7wpcQilBi0e_P6wZ9KaLvMSlhWMVMI1BhMhHLU/s1600/Hagg+Sun+Shadow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ot8YBC3Ig2Gom_7JYg1U_lzh9pBjBW2pDJO4Sq12HqEAQ64ShcGOfTVRzemYi_U3Pzd2Mo4Yi9OEG6ig_v5ho45ebsfp7fYEoi9QJ7wpcQilBi0e_P6wZ9KaLvMSlhWMVMI1BhMhHLU/s400/Hagg+Sun+Shadow.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunbeams at the race start. Photo by myPhone.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9b05AFSTGx11G3qAEqSyMUXSOMtdXe7AFk3f5pOR1BqGMFMufK3CLzCdz4gFdpxwjGpS3EN1SLVf0Yw-1sjpQxS8FabEJAFfBnEGHSeLxh9xEoRBP2b9cgNcuqL-1v6s_dYwZa0gE3Y/s1600/Hagg+Lake+25K+Jason+Fart+Face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9b05AFSTGx11G3qAEqSyMUXSOMtdXe7AFk3f5pOR1BqGMFMufK3CLzCdz4gFdpxwjGpS3EN1SLVf0Yw-1sjpQxS8FabEJAFfBnEGHSeLxh9xEoRBP2b9cgNcuqL-1v6s_dYwZa0gE3Y/s200/Hagg+Lake+25K+Jason+Fart+Face.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caption Contest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man oh man, only 25K to go before I get rewarded with a growler of beer for doing both the 50K (Saturday) and 25K (Sunday)! The only thing that worried me were my hamstrings, which were still super tight. The key to this run was pure survival, especially since all my legs could muster was a warm up shuffle to and from the Portos. There were several other running buddies out there who were also doing the Hagg Lake double, and we all shared each others pain. <i>Misery Loves company. And growlers.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b>3...2...1...EVERYDAY I'M SHUFFLIN'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjbI6cID4N9wMvngLPJCKhFHr6pDFQ4mYsDPshHQ2TV1mp-rIaMNetKZuGQiJnwBgX_mLdfFI13dEDRWE8RyVpAji6pKIB2sbH3G46Ca44I7Kk_PvG8FBh7mP28VVx3Nha9beUz2l93c/s1600/Hagg+with+Hugh+Davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjbI6cID4N9wMvngLPJCKhFHr6pDFQ4mYsDPshHQ2TV1mp-rIaMNetKZuGQiJnwBgX_mLdfFI13dEDRWE8RyVpAji6pKIB2sbH3G46Ca44I7Kk_PvG8FBh7mP28VVx3Nha9beUz2l93c/s200/Hagg+with+Hugh+Davis.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running with</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugh Davis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as the race started<i>, </i>I had to slow down and let most of the runners pass-on by. My hamstrings were still too tight for me to keep up with the main group, and I was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8">shuffling</a> for a good half mile. Eventually, my hamstrings started to loosen up and allow me to run a bit faster. For the first part of the race, I found myself running with Hugh Davis and Megan Bruce. Reaching the dam, my stride opened up a little bit and I started to accelerate...straight to the Porto. <i>Ahhh. </i>After taking care of business, I opened the Porto door and *<b>WHAM*,</b> totally nailed a woman with the door as she was running by. After asking if she was alright and rightfully apologizing for almost knocking her unconscious with a Porto door, I ran ahead and caught up with Jerry Mark for a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Not before too long, the lap around the lake was nearly over. Being able to run <i>with</i> people was a nice change from Saturday, and the time flew by. My legs had loosened up nicely since the start of the race, and it was surprising how well I felt by the end of it. <i>You know you're an ultrarunner when you become <b>less</b> sore after running 15 miles.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=501">RESULTS</a>:</b> 2:19:10, 51st out of 288 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b><br /><b></b><b>PACE:</b> 8:57 min/mile</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnQWyT3ujzHkPxXSL2ECCZxT-WXBP0ywGAGBuFgC6mLYbO78PGdTfkzmGCOJXJQSDZ-hoPwwk9mySuuYdHVdaj6ZcRdL0HhTrFD50_jQ7BlJpqHz5FkAp6J7nu_79oRluNxjPnMx-fZM/s1600/Hagg+Tood+T-Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnQWyT3ujzHkPxXSL2ECCZxT-WXBP0ywGAGBuFgC6mLYbO78PGdTfkzmGCOJXJQSDZ-hoPwwk9mySuuYdHVdaj6ZcRdL0HhTrFD50_jQ7BlJpqHz5FkAp6J7nu_79oRluNxjPnMx-fZM/s400/Hagg+Tood+T-Shirt.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sporting the Limited </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Edition Todd Janssen T-shirt (<b>still in stock!</b>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Let the celebrating begin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmNQsMwt0L1dFUFr9R9GdwHS9IQc6l6dJ9c6Kl2Ao4LUuHyQqxSHe-tgEXimrFrqbZInMoeF1h7mIO2qDqGy1bymbfKqkjgsd1DOPRIX15Uqf7_CxZQmnDZnBxVE4GpRvjOawZt9TqW0/s400/Hagg+Lake+Doublers+2013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many (but not all) of the Hagg Lake Doublers.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THANK YOU</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Race Directors and Volunteers. This race was well organized, well stocked, and full of amazing support. The grilled cheese sandwiches after the race were amazing, and the post-race environment was incredibly comfortable and social. Job well done, I can't wait for next year! (And the roses in the Portos were a nice touch).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
And thank you to Michael Lebowitz and the photographers taking excellent race photos for the <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013">Long Run Picture Company</a>. Without your photos, this blog would be lifeless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SHOUT OUTS</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">NSPiRE</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before too long, they'll turn ultrarunning into a true spectator sport. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NFt3Jxpt0HwWtcZnGQDDYTjaaUxvEN3cJMsS6VxsdH9dYWFiAWIajVvPRK4AkwYDxbH9XMktGJ9XHKVhvGW4-dlaImhGDTqnGmAWv4sV-G6YZ3WIym7VaKLJ8LBIGXMEW3F6XZXyXCI/s400/Hagg+2013+NSPiRE+TV+Setup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The crazy NSPiRE setup.<br />Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
No chip-timing system can compare to the system that NSPiRE introduced at this race. Throughout the race, live updates were broadcasted online, updated on my Facebook/Twitter accounts, and available on the NSPiRE mobile App. As runners crossed the finish line, the results were instantly displayed on large TV screens like it was something out of NASCAR. I can't wait to see what else the come up with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Team NSPiRE for your all your support and encouragement over the past year. I'm proud to make you proud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag3LuAFLnEoxFRvE8wXWPlMKFD9jaXCnNOUYuuyhMAaigOAjNrNfvQfkiAu1MrWhx-vua0T6lmSU8Z_fR52uRirLqxa7LrJ1RA_NlMVwH6fw1VGRR1A19MaqQHi_uX4Ztfi5JzAvSsKE/s1600/Hagg+2013+Team+NSPiRE+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag3LuAFLnEoxFRvE8wXWPlMKFD9jaXCnNOUYuuyhMAaigOAjNrNfvQfkiAu1MrWhx-vua0T6lmSU8Z_fR52uRirLqxa7LrJ1RA_NlMVwH6fw1VGRR1A19MaqQHi_uX4Ztfi5JzAvSsKE/s400/Hagg+2013+Team+NSPiRE+.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Eric & Kelly Barten, Todd Jannsen, Chad Brown, Doyle Boyd, and Renee Seker!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b><a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/portrait">TRAILBUTTER</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
This stuff is so good, one bite and you'll be speaking a romance language. <i>Mmm...Holy crap this is f*ing delicious! (Pardon my French)</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6rvgAm3Iulvl1d10vP_Wix081mgx3aZ1LwM7WTQYsOrc8oMYchw8XvyikRgKgmPE16BRoyZIkX6jeyP0dUHUmdiLAxR_mkyfEoZ2V1xh_ogMkCi_ZmjK762jVYwAIMiR-7qBK7eGXrs/s320/Hagg+50k+2013+Trailbutter+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby, I'm gonna trailbutter your bread.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6rvgAm3Iulvl1d10vP_Wix081mgx3aZ1LwM7WTQYsOrc8oMYchw8XvyikRgKgmPE16BRoyZIkX6jeyP0dUHUmdiLAxR_mkyfEoZ2V1xh_ogMkCi_ZmjK762jVYwAIMiR-7qBK7eGXrs/s1600/Hagg+50k+2013+Trailbutter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns-oWXKBWZKlmkvpz8NZMtK6x0-e_f1qxDMbGUfUXXvMFCXXLfWdfI-XjtGNqYFEtItmuRIAYR3jYx2RLrD5hQItmStNJDWPCIFQHnXv5yD3XOuQ_nmC4v8eya1YtM7wZiims0K1u220/s1600/Trail+Butter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns-oWXKBWZKlmkvpz8NZMtK6x0-e_f1qxDMbGUfUXXvMFCXXLfWdfI-XjtGNqYFEtItmuRIAYR3jYx2RLrD5hQItmStNJDWPCIFQHnXv5yD3XOuQ_nmC4v8eya1YtM7wZiims0K1u220/s200/Trail+Butter.jpeg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spreading it on DKB while riding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to Idaho to pace Randy at the</span><br />
<a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/12/pacing-randy-60-miles-at-imtuf-100-mile.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IMTUF 100.</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I've been using Trailbutter (and <a href="http://www.daveskillerbread.com/">Dave's Killer Bread</a>) as my pre-run breakfast since last Fall, and it's consistently helped me run with a satisfied stomach and a body full of energy. The key Trailbutter ingredients are almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts mixed with a blend of dried fruits, seeds, nectar, honey, and precious oils. The result is a slow-burning, healthy fuel that can be easily spread on bread, dipped with pretzels, or eaten straight with a spoon (done it).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Here's a list of the ingredients from one of my favorite flavors, Expedition Espresso): <i>Dry-Roasted Almonds, Hazelnuts, Peanuts, Bitter-sweet Chocolate Chunks, Coconut Oil, Clover Honey, Ground Coffee Beans, Soy Lecithin, Golden Flax Seeds, Ground Vanilla Beans, Sea Salt.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Jeff Boggess, co-founder and life enthusiast, will be sampling Trailbutter at many local trail races. If you're signed up for the <a href="http://www.portlandtrailseries.com/">Portland Trail Series</a>, <a href="http://www.mountaintrailseries.com/">NW Mountain Trail Series</a>, most of the <a href="http://oregontrailseries.org/">Oregon Trail Series</a>, or <a href="http://www.trailfactorrunning.com/">Trailfactor races</a>, chances are Jeff will be there. Be sure to try some! You can also order Trailbutter from their <a href="http://www.trailbutter.com/go-shopping">website</a> or at select retail locations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4R_TZYlFFAKRCtmjZK3GHwuvxW1vZ06IR9dWkTTkANJWEQmqZw0nmsDNLTIFOJlRp8uCrPnL_9RkeZcUot5dFsAVXDr5qklfokIdA7CYscqCojYK4_yUlV_mcYo2BG3sjCbnwyI-MOXc/s1600/Hagg+2013+50k+Trailbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4R_TZYlFFAKRCtmjZK3GHwuvxW1vZ06IR9dWkTTkANJWEQmqZw0nmsDNLTIFOJlRp8uCrPnL_9RkeZcUot5dFsAVXDr5qklfokIdA7CYscqCojYK4_yUlV_mcYo2BG3sjCbnwyI-MOXc/s400/Hagg+2013+50k+Trailbutter.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great guy, Jeff Boggess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2013" style="font-size: small;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FINAL WORDS</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Knowing the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-3-VRvgQ3M">YMCA </a>could save your life someday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br /><br />
Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Jbob</span></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-31880305098660448172013-01-07T22:37:00.003-08:002013-01-08T07:03:04.290-08:00Hagg Lake Hybrid Marathon/Relay - Hagg Lake, OR - October 13, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hey Jeff, have you heard Taylor Swift's new single? It's life changing!"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybmNWtKXAyQpfJxapx8QeI0J8cvBtMU8oGG9FwawPLCN7im3xJoAnbBgvO7CkgARZV7gqKjSLCkSM-A6_7qHO-i9WIYWheejOeM1BXdM7JrUfRa8oVZxsPOGmvfCjhgqyFdMUOVjLbig/s1600/Hagg+Lake+Hybrid+Lake+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybmNWtKXAyQpfJxapx8QeI0J8cvBtMU8oGG9FwawPLCN7im3xJoAnbBgvO7CkgARZV7gqKjSLCkSM-A6_7qHO-i9WIYWheejOeM1BXdM7JrUfRa8oVZxsPOGmvfCjhgqyFdMUOVjLbig/s320/Hagg+Lake+Hybrid+Lake+Shot.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect running weather on a fast, yet tiresome, course.<br />Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE "<a href="http://www.hagghybrid.com/course/">HYBRID</a>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes this marathon a hybrid? 12 miles on road, 14 miles on trail. It's not a very common concept to combine both pavement and trail into a distance race, but that's what makes it so unique. For this particular race, Hagg Lake conveniently has both a paved road and a dirt trail that circumnavigate the lake. Lap 1 would be run on pavement, and the Lap 2 would be done on the trail. There is also a Marathon Relay option for teams of two, with one runner completing Lap 1 before switching to the second runner to complete Lap 2.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WAKE UP</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Alarm*....Ugh....should I go to this race?....Yeah, I'd better....</i> Driving to Hagg Lake that morning, I had no ambition to run fast or do particularly well at all. The previous weekend I had spent pacing the legendary <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/12/pacing-randy-60-miles-at-imtuf-100-mile.html">Randy Benthin</a> for 60 miles of the IMTUF 100 mile race, and the body wasn't feeling any real competitive voracity. But of course, the reason why I showed up at the start of the race was because I'm addicted to running and hopelessly in Love with the running community.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhiW_1e3aaZlXOgN9kNQ98U9D12b_iZ2KTlPi4X0RUMezsj0bqt-Ae-BAtHfocUvCoRZ12EdXoduxMmgjb5xG7IAMppR7GoI1ffriV2L0A_OohRO8ThygP-12VcII1KHILETwLhOA1nE/s1600/Phone+with+Hafid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhiW_1e3aaZlXOgN9kNQ98U9D12b_iZ2KTlPi4X0RUMezsj0bqt-Ae-BAtHfocUvCoRZ12EdXoduxMmgjb5xG7IAMppR7GoI1ffriV2L0A_OohRO8ThygP-12VcII1KHILETwLhOA1nE/s320/Phone+with+Hafid.jpeg" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smack talking Hafid before the race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mg9iqk98Kh2oU-ZzdmuM-m9RQDSsOopI1KIB5xr7uOCjCyz8kUBQCBXmQqXltpM0hzqeMCdOmOhM4dDh5zqzAZDzPF_cxe0KxmSYhZBwCEK22XZD6dAFLJ1rEk14WlyNZwMRfgzdtmI/s1600/Hagg+Hybrid+Todd+Speech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mg9iqk98Kh2oU-ZzdmuM-m9RQDSsOopI1KIB5xr7uOCjCyz8kUBQCBXmQqXltpM0hzqeMCdOmOhM4dDh5zqzAZDzPF_cxe0KxmSYhZBwCEK22XZD6dAFLJ1rEk14WlyNZwMRfgzdtmI/s200/Hagg+Hybrid+Todd+Speech.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WsFVGJufupoE5SSnSD1AqFrjyOpizFPkFbo5mr0ilZgnwnc9I2aWyg_8w9JJtSsG3j-SsNhx9FL3QTlFxtv_KOAtYzJZj0Qkc8VAEOR1VmWJMxZBH4U0zcag_Gy0IFagtyom5JClbJ8/s1600/Hagg+Hybrid+Todd+Made+a+Funny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WsFVGJufupoE5SSnSD1AqFrjyOpizFPkFbo5mr0ilZgnwnc9I2aWyg_8w9JJtSsG3j-SsNhx9FL3QTlFxtv_KOAtYzJZj0Qkc8VAEOR1VmWJMxZBH4U0zcag_Gy0IFagtyom5JClbJ8/s200/Hagg+Hybrid+Todd+Made+a+Funny.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Todd's pre-race speech, with his usual sense of humor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photos taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As everyone began toe-ing the starting line (shyly), Todd began his pre-race announcement. There would be a man on a bike (Brian) escorting the race leader along the road portion of the course, and Todd jokingly said that if anybody touched Brian they would get $100. <i>Little did he know, one runner wearing a Warrior Dash shirt would accept this challenge. </i>Seconds before the start, Jeff Hoppert and I were chatting heartily about life, liberty, and our pursuits of happiness before we started the race together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEklRkX0jV9S5pBq3PhzsMXOrpryUA95oVZki-JbAPTubbCdYsDy5p4rzM_p1u1S5NdiIx6YZ5-9af8Pn5c-0ZhyJlXZ_7LeTlr0pg5MidhQ7QvPODxnDbCTOw96p2LhYiVFO-XeNcDrM/s1600/Starting+Line.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEklRkX0jV9S5pBq3PhzsMXOrpryUA95oVZki-JbAPTubbCdYsDy5p4rzM_p1u1S5NdiIx6YZ5-9af8Pn5c-0ZhyJlXZ_7LeTlr0pg5MidhQ7QvPODxnDbCTOw96p2LhYiVFO-XeNcDrM/s400/Starting+Line.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Starting Line<br />Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3...2...1...Ka-CHOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The man in the Warrior Dash shirt went sprinting up the hill after Brian, surprising everyone. <i>Whoa, that's a world record pace!! Wait...did he take Todd seriously?...yup...there he goes.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t1_G1n4wjUrl1TaPgwQFahHMcjz3G-Om7o0JPaY4xedDAhrdZeVOiWHgjEI2G5GZNm2ZJHew2fLQcfLgv1ZYhTKMHgGskB6cACsFKoOV9Kbj31DMassDdixtSLtR21YyvMUQwYwYucs/s1600/Hagg+Hybrid+Warrior+Dash+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t1_G1n4wjUrl1TaPgwQFahHMcjz3G-Om7o0JPaY4xedDAhrdZeVOiWHgjEI2G5GZNm2ZJHew2fLQcfLgv1ZYhTKMHgGskB6cACsFKoOV9Kbj31DMassDdixtSLtR21YyvMUQwYwYucs/s320/Hagg+Hybrid+Warrior+Dash+Shirt.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warrior Dash guy sprinting after Brian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo taken by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff and I knew each other fairly well, as we have enjoyed a'many group runs together organized through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TrailFactor?fref=ts">Trailfactor</a>. We found ourselves running side by side, after deciding that we enjoyed having someone to race with. Side by side and bullshitting most of the time, the road miles flew by. We caught the Warrior Dash guy (who looked rather winded) and continued our pursuit of...the woman. Alas, we were getting chicked badly, and there was nothing we could do about it. <i>Maybe she's doing the relay? Hey, yeah! Definitely maybe...But does it matter?....shit.</i> There is no real shame to getting <a href="http://www.chicked.com/about/">chicked</a>, but boys will be boys. At least for Jeff and I, we had each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieacZTiRLZpsJCwjQB0sgJb6blZMKB9fOzLi-y8-o_e4P5l56NkuF0uNLVSL1FDRsrx_3dhsa1OTXKVDubRJ9VoaF8A39RA_pyw6UlaT5CqsYuEUWqA2ISRZcbfx0sw9047HhPR9Q9FmQ/s1600/Getting+Chicked.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieacZTiRLZpsJCwjQB0sgJb6blZMKB9fOzLi-y8-o_e4P5l56NkuF0uNLVSL1FDRsrx_3dhsa1OTXKVDubRJ9VoaF8A39RA_pyw6UlaT5CqsYuEUWqA2ISRZcbfx0sw9047HhPR9Q9FmQ/s400/Getting+Chicked.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff and I getting smoked by the female.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After accepting out fate, we kept calm and carried on in 1st/2nd place (of the masculine contenders) for the entire Lap 1 around Hagg Lake. It was very pleasant, as nobody posed a challenge to either of us. Our lead was all but set in stone...but the problem was, which one of us would steal 1st place? We'd become such good friends after the first lap, but would our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qEwBi1NyBI">friendship </a>survive the second? Together we arrived back at the start and switched from road shoes to our trail shoes. We waited for each other before setting off for Lap 2. We ran single file, and I jumped on front to take control of the pace.<i> Maybe I can push the pace a little bit and try to lose him? </i>Jeff matched my pace stride for stride until we reached the dam, and that's when he started to pull away from me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgnxWlNoMBUUKFnMuuQ0emd6mCmuYbCEwNb2vrSkiiPCHFkeuBMhfuKW_6mR_2fpGMQJuJem3H8DHWaNdz_lQSnE2hqfwGQ30GvFKCABzklwYwoN0ZWYNLztJfWv-cl8iKjWj1a-DNo/s1600/Dam+I+See+You.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgnxWlNoMBUUKFnMuuQ0emd6mCmuYbCEwNb2vrSkiiPCHFkeuBMhfuKW_6mR_2fpGMQJuJem3H8DHWaNdz_lQSnE2hqfwGQ30GvFKCABzklwYwoN0ZWYNLztJfWv-cl8iKjWj1a-DNo/s200/Dam+I+See+You.jpeg" width="133" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo taken by<br /><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run <br />Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just beyond the dam, I kept Jeff in my sights. All of a sudden, my side started cramping so bad, I had to walk. It seriously felt like I got stabbed just beneath my right rib cage, likely from the recent consumption of a sugary electrolyte beverage at the last aid station. <i>BLAST!</i> After a bout of intense suffering, I stopped, bent over, took deep breaths, and applied pressure directly at the source of the pain. Slowly the pain subsided, and the frustrations of having to stop made me want to run even faster. Literally, my heart was on fire, and my legs felt unleashed like a rabid squirrel-hungry chihuahua. Fatigue disappeared, my pace increased, and the chase was on. I've never felt this way before in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyXMI3bBchEY-1Or6-AT9rJkwvZjYbVmLfHNdn5v5erT9ft6GGxQG9JbTUaubdSYZbt6y3_-cIw6y8PbBWzP3xfUNsKy1RUpMqzz0B0kBIeTHoEO64SWz0QnmCE6DIpzYfv4Fc2TiyBo/s1600/Taking+the+lead+on+the+trail.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyXMI3bBchEY-1Or6-AT9rJkwvZjYbVmLfHNdn5v5erT9ft6GGxQG9JbTUaubdSYZbt6y3_-cIw6y8PbBWzP3xfUNsKy1RUpMqzz0B0kBIeTHoEO64SWz0QnmCE6DIpzYfv4Fc2TiyBo/s200/Taking+the+lead+on+the+trail.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning of Lap 2<br />Photo taken by<br /> <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriving at the mile 19.1 Aid Station, Jeff was just leaving. Without stopping for aid (running with water bottles has its advantages), I continued after him. At this point, it became very apparent that we were finally racing each other. Running behind Jeff, I couldn't help but analyze and compare our strengths. He would pull away on the flats, but I would catch up to him on the hills. With this, I courteously took the lead and pushed every hill with bursts of speed, trying to both pull away and wear him down at the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the last aid station, it felt like I was pulling away. For a time, I was alone...until I heard Jeff spit behind me, and then I realized how close he actually was. Looking over my shoulder is a pet peeve, because it shouldn't matter how far the person behind me is. If someone can outrun me when I'm <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk7VWcuVOf0">balls to the wall</a>, then they deserve to beat me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a couple miles left to go, the hammer was thrown. The last two miles were spent enthusiastically bombing the downhills before quickly switching gears to bust my ass on the uphills. It was all I could do. Coming to an open clearing, I looked behind me (<i>I know, pet peeve, whatever</i>) and saw nobody.<i> </i>The finish line shortly came into view, and my legs coasted into the homestretch. The adrenaline quickly wore off and my calves began to quiver from cramping a mere 50' from the finish line. <i>I'm glad that didn't happen a mile earlier!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=506&subRace=Solo%20Marathon">RESULTS</a>:</b> <span style="text-align: center;">3:07:20, 1st out of 29 Finishers</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PACE:</b> 7:09 min/mile</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl__vuCLZB4iUaUvgU4V9WM8pe1uJfZZAM_W2Aq9sy4jHHkTlBQJNb3-3QgGXGLCYBfXJ0GWpNY_mvE0qbyyHYZN6OCfxx0J6Wgrks-eZlURhDR7gY4Lj6KPtBX5DwxpZa2xG-yOUB3Y/s1600/Hagg+Hybrid+Jason+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl__vuCLZB4iUaUvgU4V9WM8pe1uJfZZAM_W2Aq9sy4jHHkTlBQJNb3-3QgGXGLCYBfXJ0GWpNY_mvE0qbyyHYZN6OCfxx0J6Wgrks-eZlURhDR7gY4Lj6KPtBX5DwxpZa2xG-yOUB3Y/s320/Hagg+Hybrid+Jason+Finish.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANGej42EurfBQzJ8kfoCk5a68Q2lHHszufYyX1nh7jH9h37sA-xViEEH1cLrhvejwFKYEDr4oFQHNhhE6EP-3WQUTKswY46eheO73ej1OOIHVWrzMzwVRwAIa582WCHb09aP-xgUewE8/s1600/Jbob+and+Jeffhop.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANGej42EurfBQzJ8kfoCk5a68Q2lHHszufYyX1nh7jH9h37sA-xViEEH1cLrhvejwFKYEDr4oFQHNhhE6EP-3WQUTKswY46eheO73ej1OOIHVWrzMzwVRwAIa582WCHb09aP-xgUewE8/s320/Jbob+and+Jeffhop.jpeg" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and Jeff after the race<br />Photo taken by<br /><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff finished soon afterwards, after falling victim to cramping issues of his own. We pushed each other to the edge, and for that I am grateful. The limits of true potential, for me, are often found in moments of absolute determination to outrun something more powerful than fatigue. For me, I outran my own doubts. This was another proud moment in my life, because I totally didn't expect this at all...especially given my unconventional tapering.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Jeff for pushing me to my limit, I'll buy you a beer any day (even if it takes me 10 months to do so).</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, thank you Kelly Barten, Eric Barten, and Todd Janssen for putting on a such a stellar and unique race. I'll be back next year, if I can!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/">Michael Lebowitz</a>, it's always a pleasure seeing you at these races! As always, thank you for the photos and the deep conversations. You indeed are a great man.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF0PIE91LxBZqaXL8kOnttsRkJEtIQszF9szdI_lbyCRHLeOVn0gNfo8ynaF4Rs9krqU3vVsyF6ZdOhmEjlEze65JsCeiD67BPNUa-FFYKjTAOYATVWN5WXiuBWQkPQcPDVYO9vqb3Uw/s1600/Hagg+Hybrid+1st+Relay+and+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF0PIE91LxBZqaXL8kOnttsRkJEtIQszF9szdI_lbyCRHLeOVn0gNfo8ynaF4Rs9krqU3vVsyF6ZdOhmEjlEze65JsCeiD67BPNUa-FFYKjTAOYATVWN5WXiuBWQkPQcPDVYO9vqb3Uw/s320/Hagg+Hybrid+1st+Relay+and+Marathon.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeremy Hurl and the elusive female (Marathon Relay winners)<br />Photo taken by </span><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long Run Picture Company</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CONFIDENCE</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past 3 months had been some of the best months of my life. Ever since my <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/08/short-stories-of-life-after-heart.html">bedrest</a> ended in July, Running has reestablished itself as the reason<i> why</i>. Sometimes our lives fall into purpose, other times we define it for ourselves. But either way, there's a journey that we must take, and that's nothing to be taken as insignificant. For me, running is a journey without end. One finish line leads to another, and another, because there is no end but the end we make for ourselves. As Howard Thurman once said,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mum sent me that quotation a long time ago, and it has since become one of my favorite sayings to live by. She may not entirely understand why I dedicate my free time to such exhausting behavior, but she sees how it makes me whole.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">That said, there are times when I won't be able to run due to injury or some other blessing in disguise. And in those times, I'll be volunteering at races. There's few instances in life where so many people can look and feel their worst and yet emotionally feel their absolute best. If you want to be surrounded by genuine, emotionally honest, and self gratified people, spend some time at the finish line of a marathon or ultramarathon. This is why I enjoy spending all day at every finish line I cross, because I Love surrounding myself with people who truly are alive. At times when we can't be happy for ourselves, we can at least share in the happiness of others...let's not forget that.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdZplXFk11OKCuHLpUrCi16cx4ZVKpWSqzTyyuIuMjBPOUZppHGZWjuDDI8Pnf2F4R8-Id6VVvlSZ7xlZ4S4vaiVR1CO9ugYP5gCJjeSpnvKx7aNgFaOMVsN5ip0IQyhf3kGJTDgOifo/s320/Kyle%252C+Nicole%252C+Bryan.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I Love you guys!!! Nicole Chaffin, Kyle Chaffin, and Bryan Mears<br />Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TEAM <a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/index.spire">NSPIRE</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You complete me. Thank you for all the support this past year, your encouragement has helped me discover the kind of runner/person I am. I Love you guys!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilq7zH77jQH6RsKzmv0QnvgkramYMMGvH0bmvod0tvcRFnp4R40pkoIbMruUGAFUtIztsrpu3jp2bXmTDbk8Kc2Fk_Mv-PmVPpJPg8K2X-B9IIIChi5v64LWipYRuI9bJoWKVAfe-vdQA/s400/Team+Nspire.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Nspire, with the last and first place marathon finishers<br />Photo taken by <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/TrailRaces-2/Hagg-Lake-Hybrid-2012/25918066_HKP7NJ#!i=2148538401&k=FDjwcqX">Long Run Picture Company</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilq7zH77jQH6RsKzmv0QnvgkramYMMGvH0bmvod0tvcRFnp4R40pkoIbMruUGAFUtIztsrpu3jp2bXmTDbk8Kc2Fk_Mv-PmVPpJPg8K2X-B9IIIChi5v64LWipYRuI9bJoWKVAfe-vdQA/s1600/Team+Nspire.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span><br />
<br />Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-25799116507719971722012-12-23T20:31:00.000-08:002012-12-23T20:56:16.253-08:00Pacing Randy - 60 miles at the IMTUF 100-mile Race, Idaho - October 6-7, 2012"I can tell how cold it is just from my nipples"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Qs7ENpB_uyt9iynBDCE1AcJSgFIrXWH6gdoQwrvrhJAHAlYGnGafJ8L1smlQac6tplauXNloytbLBDqkJhEUGUx6eQCbCfCn1uU_X6sVW8cG4taAn__GdYbMIvVhiLaSrJC8iesaCo/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Qs7ENpB_uyt9iynBDCE1AcJSgFIrXWH6gdoQwrvrhJAHAlYGnGafJ8L1smlQac6tplauXNloytbLBDqkJhEUGUx6eQCbCfCn1uU_X6sVW8cG4taAn__GdYbMIvVhiLaSrJC8iesaCo/s400/IMG_1451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BACKGROUND</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6vE4EshfrrjMKTW_JLnygFnO8k7dUtA6y55pypCqRrv3eLtQWGLlGORn1m-3qzJ74SRx_KxRNV-GDRJ35EOdtqouEQ44A4sQoh_ZunogbWCoQFKCFMLkr8j2utE6DgAZIkIzBdugmK4/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6vE4EshfrrjMKTW_JLnygFnO8k7dUtA6y55pypCqRrv3eLtQWGLlGORn1m-3qzJ74SRx_KxRNV-GDRJ35EOdtqouEQ44A4sQoh_ZunogbWCoQFKCFMLkr8j2utE6DgAZIkIzBdugmK4/s200/IMG_2151.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race Meeting,<br />
Photo By <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/IdahoUltraTrailSeries2012/IMTUF-100-2012/25818811_hBFhBN#!i=2139613144&k=rZRwRG3">Long Run <br />Picture Company</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly after Randy signed up for the IMTUF 100 mile race, I
offered to be his pacer. Randy is a 100-mile veteran, completing most of his
100-mile races without a pacer (including a sub-24 hour finish at Cascade Crest
in 2011). He didn’t need a pacer (many runners don’t), but it usually provides
welcome company during the dark, cold, sleepy, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J28Xqub6rI">lonely</a><b> </b>hours of the night and early morning. He accepted my offer
to pace him, and I’m grateful for him allowing me to be a part of his
adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCwtM66GgZ_hiGQZIcn9ONN-MQ7ChET3Nlo6PXZVLBwcbzyxaom34NCE2T7wP2EDMufr__a8ouAasCa98igx4xzC2E3ZpDLCoMXTVE-2yGRVkP5cNUMxOvWwEuCYUdQ4boRJdm5uI0R4/s1600/Glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCwtM66GgZ_hiGQZIcn9ONN-MQ7ChET3Nlo6PXZVLBwcbzyxaom34NCE2T7wP2EDMufr__a8ouAasCa98igx4xzC2E3ZpDLCoMXTVE-2yGRVkP5cNUMxOvWwEuCYUdQ4boRJdm5uI0R4/s200/Glasses.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought these glasses<br />
at a dollar store, in case<br />
we needed to keep our<br />
eyes from freezing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marjon, Randy, and I drove from Portland to the <a href="http://burgdorfhotsprings.com/">Burgdorf HotSprings</a> in Idaho over a 2-day period. We made stops at select rest areas,
Randy’s favorite gas station, historical landmarks, and even spent the night in
a <a href="http://www.geisergrand.com/">haunted hotel</a>. After arriving at the Burgdorf Hot Springs on Friday evening,
we settled into our rustic cabin and casually showed up <i>late</i> for the mandatory
pre-race meeting (we may have missed a small important pivotal piece of
information at the beginning of the meeting). After some group photos and last
minute organizing of drop bags, we slept.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>SINGLE DIGITS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holy balls. The temperature at the start of the race was
about 8°
F. My upper lip was freezing, providing yet another reason of why I was jealous
of Randy’s mustache. Ready or not, there was no choice in the matter. Randy had
mountains to conquer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi0HaqDz84EqdfbihHVIAsjC28w7-aAu_4wGeHKp6KfQdkQYLR_izNdCQ8KweQQWNlrXUNHA0VlNmyNNGANn4T9iSJm9tV7MHld5jemjUX-8Eis2pS9ecgeN-oObHt-xN-7sbvB1B34U/s1600/Start.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi0HaqDz84EqdfbihHVIAsjC28w7-aAu_4wGeHKp6KfQdkQYLR_izNdCQ8KweQQWNlrXUNHA0VlNmyNNGANn4T9iSJm9tV7MHld5jemjUX-8Eis2pS9ecgeN-oObHt-xN-7sbvB1B34U/s320/Start.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Start of the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3…2…1…YOU POOR, CRAZY, CRAZY PEOPLE….</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching the runners disappear into the freezing darkness, I
couldn’t help but feel a small bit of pity for what they were about to go
through…and shear jealousy. There’s something about extreme weather that makes
the running experience <i>that</i> much more
awesome and ridiculous at the same time. Randy (and everyone else) would have
to run smart and efficient to survive the tough course and the brisk elements,
and I couldn’t wait to join them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 12 - CHINOOK CAMPGROUND, FIRST CREW ACCESS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marjon was full time crew. I was part time crew. Together,
we were the best crew ever! We showed up at mile 12 bearing any supplies that
Randy might need including hand warmers, sets of clothing, and glasses (from
the dollar store) to keep his corneas from freezing. As the first 5 runners
came into the aid station, all facial hair had been turned to ice, some of
their water bottles were frozen shut, and one runner had Nun chucks (he was
dressed like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7frEdv7grlw">Michelangelo</a>). Soon after
the group of runners had left, Randy came running in with a face that could be
nominated for the Mustache Hall of Fame. It was hard to tell if Randy was
smiling, or if his face was just frozen that way…either way, he was running
strong and on schedule. GO RANDY!....<i>Ok
Marjon, start the car, start the car! Brrrrr!!!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMYb8GR7beWij3CRaRGv3K1y0Z4xdlYbC4hTkffEW8FH7PZ629BgKsTEed06kQaZyQmogkzChJJPAMhIiMOT3hcQfa1wAf5aifVxjQhYhVg1cCLxZ5-jnqBFxng60rCh_gBqdUloRCWo/s1600/Randy+Frozen+Face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMYb8GR7beWij3CRaRGv3K1y0Z4xdlYbC4hTkffEW8FH7PZ629BgKsTEed06kQaZyQmogkzChJJPAMhIiMOT3hcQfa1wAf5aifVxjQhYhVg1cCLxZ5-jnqBFxng60rCh_gBqdUloRCWo/s400/Randy+Frozen+Face.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 32 - UPPER PAYATTE LAKE, 2<sup>nd </sup>CREW ACCESS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j31OtmwDP1Rcwenf1uCLioUXS-yYe6z3vLdOiNCVu4J2xl9z14gWzkcGv4Sy17x1HmLSHfaRfIpuALITztXd1MHOq3XwTHgdYjUkPaeApKg2OyVBcZguwrSiv4bVoHixMDJYzsP40aI/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j31OtmwDP1Rcwenf1uCLioUXS-yYe6z3vLdOiNCVu4J2xl9z14gWzkcGv4Sy17x1HmLSHfaRfIpuALITztXd1MHOq3XwTHgdYjUkPaeApKg2OyVBcZguwrSiv4bVoHixMDJYzsP40aI/s200/IMG_2128.JPG" width="150" /></a>Marjon and I took the scenic route to this aid station…as
in, we accidentally went to the wrong aid station before realizing how very
wrong we were. <i>Bad crew! Bad Crew!</i> We
zipped to the correct aid station, just in time! Not before too long, Randy
showed up. It was nearly noon, and Randy needed to change out of his cold
weather gear. The weather was sunny and around 50° F. so far, he was running his own race
and doing a strong job of it. The frontrunner was far in front of everyone, but
Randy didn’t need to win...he needed to finish. Randy was in 1<sup>st</sup>
place in the Idaho Trail Ultra Series, and all he had to do was finish the damn
race and he would have a solid chance at winning the series. There were other
factors, but everything was looking good for Randy. As soon as he was willing
and able, he left the aid station to chase his destiny.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 44 - THIRD CREW ACCESS (Enter Pacers)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ6r7D8bu1jANqKioBQke02iP-Khv8dHyT9NG_vaugAV5yEMVekbHpP9hQLMd2XfmnU_0tU_jAe2ZPhc7kEifVBndlL6jQMrf3hgON1oOkOeYVDa_Y1eRWzyY5jgM8w-l7id6ufqlEJI/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ6r7D8bu1jANqKioBQke02iP-Khv8dHyT9NG_vaugAV5yEMVekbHpP9hQLMd2XfmnU_0tU_jAe2ZPhc7kEifVBndlL6jQMrf3hgON1oOkOeYVDa_Y1eRWzyY5jgM8w-l7id6ufqlEJI/s200/IMG_2129.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
We arrived PLENTY early to await Randy. I began my preparations for
pacing as Marjon slipped into a red dress and a blonde wig…<i>hey, whatever it takes to motivate Randy. </i>She went far down the
road to wait for him, and I anxiously awaited my opportunity to pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnA9ND7RzuY5-p7cXLdxslFdl_2GACjtP0gsdOnme5lV350X_rABpN3fgW84wc6wqfiP3SJFfhNBF2asyAh6WjiWehwHuMlrlBafQsARl5q9syK3fTZlinva_IlyFAoMej2yhEvhyphenhyphenz6A/s1600/IMG_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnA9ND7RzuY5-p7cXLdxslFdl_2GACjtP0gsdOnme5lV350X_rABpN3fgW84wc6wqfiP3SJFfhNBF2asyAh6WjiWehwHuMlrlBafQsARl5q9syK3fTZlinva_IlyFAoMej2yhEvhyphenhyphenz6A/s200/IMG_2130.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Away we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Randy came marching up the hill with Marjon at his side. He was having
stomach issues at the time, and nothing edible sounded good to him. Human
bodies typically require calories as an energy source, so getting any kind of
food into Randy was crucial. He wolfed down a few bites of something (PB&J
Burrito?), knelt down like he was going to throw up…but didn’t. He then rested, fiddled with his supplies, and we took off together down a long 3 mile
stretch of downhill gravel road to the next aid station. Randy was running an
easy pace, with some walk breaks on any flat or uphill terrain. This course was
tougher in real life than it looked on paper, and without a steady inflow of
calories, efficiency was kind of important. My role as a pacer wasn’t to push
Randy to run fast, but to give company to a man who knows exactly what he has
to do to finish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marjon then drove by us blasting <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0">Gangnam Style</a> from the truck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 47 – SNOWSLIDE TRAILHEAD</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Dy2mepKIeJ3VLOexu96fLP9rqFuii-Tq0ddmjfjFDjVQJwYbGxrtMz413QlogMnVshyphenhyphena-Lj9xmbVNGuq27DoTR2rX1TVouR2Evm8sOXwY-IVp2TQU194KOZdYC-OXf3OrTz3lkSJAw/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Dy2mepKIeJ3VLOexu96fLP9rqFuii-Tq0ddmjfjFDjVQJwYbGxrtMz413QlogMnVshyphenhyphena-Lj9xmbVNGuq27DoTR2rX1TVouR2Evm8sOXwY-IVp2TQU194KOZdYC-OXf3OrTz3lkSJAw/s200/IMG_2131.JPG" width="150" /></a>Of all the scenarios playing in my head, there was only 1 where Randy
might drop out of the race. If he couldn’t somehow manage to get calories that he
needed, there would be a point where his system would likely crash. It seemed
like every type of food made him nauseous, but little by little he somehow ate
enough to keep moving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next 3 miles were a steep rugged grind of a climb, and the pace
was like dancing the fox trot without the <i>quick-quick</i>.
It was clear that Randy had the end in mind, for he was saving his climbing
legs for the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of the race. So as we climbed, we took our
time and soaked in the beauty of it all. After reaching the peak, my Garmin
said we were just over 50 miles into the race. We then coasted downhill (no
faster than a 9:30 min/mile pace) for about 8 miles to the next aid station.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0TlTFaHgOB1e_2PLCylUQLDLGJxaq7d3wCmWSRfJmVvUfsL_oQRj_rgHpNmCs_S1KHrrjueHnEDgDngLQOLP4v7zYNYsBgS-0J8b-7laXZgc5Hc5VC6YChViG5RzRdnwMUU6MvVs_q8/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0TlTFaHgOB1e_2PLCylUQLDLGJxaq7d3wCmWSRfJmVvUfsL_oQRj_rgHpNmCs_S1KHrrjueHnEDgDngLQOLP4v7zYNYsBgS-0J8b-7laXZgc5Hc5VC6YChViG5RzRdnwMUU6MvVs_q8/s320/IMG_1417.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing to the 50 mile mark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BLCvYmJCVRquiSNOxsRuMxijj_kUdroevyK2C5tnvKlGS2IQgL-8x9uYoYbfK4-9PAsNzxcURwVyYUurBsHyk_TmuNOuiwqmKangs9nBDCRcZ5Vz5BFXoy60TevnPrH2Gm1BmhGbZqk/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BLCvYmJCVRquiSNOxsRuMxijj_kUdroevyK2C5tnvKlGS2IQgL-8x9uYoYbfK4-9PAsNzxcURwVyYUurBsHyk_TmuNOuiwqmKangs9nBDCRcZ5Vz5BFXoy60TevnPrH2Gm1BmhGbZqk/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants on Fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 58 – LAKE FORK AID STATION, 4<sup>th</sup> CREW ACCESS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we arrived, the light faded completely. Marjon was there, and she
seated Randy by the camp fire. I ran to the car and grabbed a plastic bag full
of clothing, dumped it onto the ground, and did a complete wardrobe change to
prepare for the below freezing nighttime temperatures: New shirts, vest, fleece
jacket, fleece hat, gloves, a second layer of shorts, arm sleeves, and two
fresh headlamps. A man at the aid station bluntly warned me that it would be
too cold for my bare legs…my running experience told me otherwise, so I ignored
him and helped grab food for Randy. As a vegan, Randy’s food options were
limited. Marjon had lots of Randy snacks, but the aid stations limited him to
PB&J sandwiches, pretzels, and fruit...and at the time, Randy seemingly
hated fruit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, the next runner came into the aid station with a
huge blister on one of his toes, and he was about to sit down and get it
lanced. That sounded exciting to me, so I rushed over there to take a look. In
my haste, the soup in my hand had spilt over the edge and onto my right shoe. <i>Fiddlesticks</i>. Not knowing if my wet foot
would soon become a frozen foot, I changed into one of my backup shoes. By the
time we left the aid station, I would somehow spill my water bottle onto the
same damn shoe. <i>WTF, fine I’ll run with a
wet shoe. F. Damn. Gosh dang. Gee whiz.</i> It would later prove irrelevant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next aid station was only 3 miles<b> </b>away on a mostly flat gravel road. This section of running remained
uneventful except for the soothing sounds of burps, farts, and compliments on
the quality of such sounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 61 - FALL CREEK AID STATION</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a lovely quaint aid station, completely enclosed in
a heated tent. Randy requested 5 minutes to rest and ingest some food. When his
5 minutes were up, we shoved off. From here, the trail was a long steep climb. Our
body temperatures were getting hot from the ascent, but as soon as we took off
our jackets we started freezing. <i>Cause
we’re hot then we’re cold, we’re yes then were no, we’re in then we’re out,
we’re up then we’re down.</i> Pretty much. Eventually we were caught by Ryan
Lund and his pacer Joelle Vaught. We could hear Joelle chatting from a mile
away, and it’s easy to see why she makes a great pacer. After they dusted us, I
started to realize how quiet I was. As Randy was getting more and more tired, I
would have to find ways to keep him from falling asleep on his feet. Randy
couldn’t ingest any form of caffeine, but at least the ginger candies were
helping…for now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trail became brutally steep before leveling off and
eventually catching an ATV trail for a long downhill descent. The trail was covered
with soft moon dust (very fine silt, like a turkish grind), and we were
keeping a decent pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mile 67 – BLACKWELL LAKE</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we reached the aid station, my shoe started to press into
my forefoot uncomfortably. Upon further inspection, the moon dust was beginning
to accumulate directly on the forefoot of my insole, which would explain why my
foot was feeling tenderized. Using my fingernails, I scraped off the <b>moon dust</b> from the insoles of both
shoes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The distance to the next aid station was about 11 miles. Within
the first few miles, we had to stop a couple times to scrape the moon dust from
the insoles of our shoes. It’s amazing how something so small can buildup and
cause such excruciating discomfort. Onward we marched, eventually leaving the
dusty ATV trail and ascending some kind of ridge. Every so often, I would shine
my headlamp into the wilderness on either side of us to try and see if we were
being watched by anything wild. No eyes reflected back, but maybe that was a
good thing. My ability to talk at Randy was 1/100<sup>th</sup> the scale of
Joelle Vaught’s ability, but I kept trying. “<i>Hey Randy, have you ever chopped a tree down with an axe before? REALLY?!
How big was it? Wow, that’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg">manly</a>. I’m impressed</i>….<i>umm…what’s your favorite kind of dog?...interesting…</i>Yeah, I’m the
best pacer ever. While telling one of my favorite stories from my soul-searching
trip to Scotland, Randy actually stopped running for a second. With his
headlamp beaming in my face, I turned to him and asked:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me</b>: Hey, are you
alright?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Randy</b>: …huh? Oh,
yeah. I think I just fell asleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without caffeine, only adrenaline was keeping him awake. Not
even the coolest story of my life (hiking the Highlands of Scotland in a kilt)
could keep the man awake, thus insulting me, though unintentionally. Eventually,
Randy managed to ingest a caffeine-concentrated Gel which definitely helped.
However, his biggest motivation was to make it to the next Aid Station and
recharge. The outside temperature was around 14<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">°
F, but it was a dry cold…I don’t know how that works, but our water bottles
surprisingly weren’t even freezing (but wet boggy areas were). We approached every
stream crossing very cautiously to avoid getting our feet wet, especially with the
freezing temperatures. We were fortunate to not slip into the streams, given
the sketchiness of some of the crossings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The mileage on my
Garmin suggested we were getting close next aid station, and Randy was
lifelessly marching up the hills hoping to see some signs of warmth and food. I
was also marching, but with the purpose of hoping to find an actual toilet to
sit on. We were surrounded by nothing that would serve as comfortable toilet paper,
and I kept kidding myself that the aid station would be around the next corner,
with a heated toilet seat and double-quilted Charmin. <i>Delusions of Grandeur</i>. The aid station ended up being 2 miles
further than expected, Randy was nearly starving, I became constipated, and
there was no toilet anywhere. <i>Shuttlecock</i>.
It is what it is, we were just happy to finally reach the elusive aid station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>MILE 78 – CRESTLINE
AID STATION</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Randy rested in the
heated tent while I grabbed him a PB&J, helped refill his bottles, and
scraped the moon dust from the inside of both our shoes. After a good 10
minutes of regaining strength, we pushed on. Down, down, down, the dirt road we
ran until we were directed onto some bushwacking trail for a couple miles.
Reflectors and blinky lights guided the way, and after switching to a new
headlamp, my spotlight was beaming strong. We caught Ryan and Joelle and
distanced ourselves from them. The trail soon ended at a dam and a shallow
stream. There was a dam fence that prevented us from having dam access to the
dam road on the other side, so we opted to tip toe across the dam stream on dam
little rocks while barely avoiding getting our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBQ-vW6rz_Y">damn</a> feet soaked. Beyond the dam
was a gravel road, which hugged the western rim of Upper Payette Lake for 3
miles before reaching the <b>aid station</b>.
The moisture from the Lake made it the temperature drop to <i>balls cold</i>, commencing the freezing of the water bottle nozzles. At
this point, it seemed like Randy was getting a little competitive. Every now
and then we would glance back to see how far away Ryan/Joelle were. There was
still a ways to go, so I was curious to see how hard Randy would push it.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 87 – UPPER PAYATTE LAKE, 5<sup>th</sup>
CREW ACCESS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29RoOWZn6nH2zWbQz6rOL0F66Ay_8RnUFojuRGFXPfAf5YLAp3k0T4DvoaU933G4gNH93im0fRYjy-OX7sszvIknC5iL3H_WcT7GXfwD5rqqtkAlE-vJbVZ_rQrSCaou1ile1QhY8N90/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29RoOWZn6nH2zWbQz6rOL0F66Ay_8RnUFojuRGFXPfAf5YLAp3k0T4DvoaU933G4gNH93im0fRYjy-OX7sszvIknC5iL3H_WcT7GXfwD5rqqtkAlE-vJbVZ_rQrSCaou1ile1QhY8N90/s320/IMG_2132.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're happy and you know it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was now dawn. It was wonderful to see Marjon, as we
hadn’t seen her for a good 9 or 10 hours. Marjon helped me prepare hand warmers
in my gloves, as my hands were beginning to get painfully numb. The rest of the
time, she tended Randy’s needs. My feet were feeling raw, so I switched into my
excessively cushioned <a href="http://www.backcountry.com/hoka-one-one-stinson-b-evo-trail-running-shoe-mens?CMP_SKU=HOK0009&MER=0406&COUP=SAVE20&CMP_ID=GAN_GPLA&003=8219600&010=HOK0009-ANT-S8&mr:trackingCode=2C563E5F-9273-E111-B4E0-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=32627552865&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=55454399865&origin=pla&gclid=CNzvsrOSsrQCFWlxQgodnysA4A">Hokas </a>for the
final miles. We rested long enough for Ryan and Joelle to catch up to us, and
we all left the aid station together. As we ascended, Randy and Joelle began
hiking together at a quick pace, while I stayed back and hiked with Ryan for a
bit. Switching pacers was kind of refreshing, and I could tell that Randy was
perking up a bit now that the sun was out. It was cool spending time with Ryan,
as this was his first 100 mile attempt. He was suffering, but he was determined
to finish. When we reached the paved road, Randy and Joelle were far enough ahead
that Ryan and I had to run to catch up to them. Once we were all together
again, we had an <i>Oh Shit </i>moment and
didn’t know where the hell we were supposed to go. Miraculously, Marjon drove by, and we
flagged her down to help us with directions. <i>Good crew! Good crew!</i> Now that we were back on track (and with the
right pacers) Randy’s competitiveness took over, and we started to outrun the
other two. It was nice to run in daylight again!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jWHUlx2B-GyODJfCvXksAThOuOiSsYDbzg8V0YSILdpMzDlEuzTg9xzfKhTLkke1fntggKpv9w8Xd1lwxMzNNe9oKuSlvBbkpR9KKOSW6sH71JvsCzmx81ZROMJ59QNv_p6RkonD1lE/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jWHUlx2B-GyODJfCvXksAThOuOiSsYDbzg8V0YSILdpMzDlEuzTg9xzfKhTLkke1fntggKpv9w8Xd1lwxMzNNe9oKuSlvBbkpR9KKOSW6sH71JvsCzmx81ZROMJ59QNv_p6RkonD1lE/s320/IMG_2149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Payatte Aid Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTbZ_6IQGWK-M8-FG5TyfFouxkzLLK5NVp3c7DvOyZ3jwUvxzT90hhsmBL1PSe65M7hHB81X4jx_-453pyPtUO3kfnaT00LhzMflthoRCW4Nubkm4Pc_9zzH0icy2TTT3V9P4tl7tNsY/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTbZ_6IQGWK-M8-FG5TyfFouxkzLLK5NVp3c7DvOyZ3jwUvxzT90hhsmBL1PSe65M7hHB81X4jx_-453pyPtUO3kfnaT00LhzMflthoRCW4Nubkm4Pc_9zzH0icy2TTT3V9P4tl7tNsY/s400/IMG_1430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cruising through the flatlands, Randy surprised me by his
strong steady pace. I commented that he looked better now than he did at mile
44, and he shot me the dirtiest look I’ve ever seen him make. <i>Okay, maybe he doesn’t FEEL that way</i>. Pretty soon we began climbing the longest
ascent of the course, and Randy continued to impress me. Several miles later, the
last aid station was in sight…and they had pancakes. <i>YES!!!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MILE 92 – CLOOCHMAN SADDLE</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnEPF56rh_opvBPaEzwAEHbReDMiRMghnkosByV5ERJOdGlzv04xp6WHEbZaQqWQ8NWq2BuP51RyvjVTulHxegvvHyG4-drc7UdUhz0fCVFxoIacESyBJ10oVBJqIanhtjpIyRNkxei4/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnEPF56rh_opvBPaEzwAEHbReDMiRMghnkosByV5ERJOdGlzv04xp6WHEbZaQqWQ8NWq2BuP51RyvjVTulHxegvvHyG4-drc7UdUhz0fCVFxoIacESyBJ10oVBJqIanhtjpIyRNkxei4/s320/IMG_2148.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/IdahoUltraTrailSeries2012/IMTUF-100-2012/25818811_hBFhBN#!i=2139613144&k=rZRwRG3">Long RunPicture Company</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beyond the final aid station, the hiking continues to the
highest part of the course, over 8,000’ in elevation. We stopped when we ran
into our friend <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/galleries">Michael Lebowitz</a>,
who was taking race photos. After some chatting and posing, we marched on. <i>Thanks Michael!</i> The next trail section
was absolutely gorgeous, and it was a blessing to run this ridge in the
daylight. There were seemingly endless mountains and valleys combined with
colors of red, black, and golden brown… atypical of the green Oregon landscape
that we’re used to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjCcRYTmDuldX2gymISYbaipdSnny_A0F-4iQ6PMJaXcP9NvOsIrmqlt7Qht0VXSPREWlfBEsSOnSbY01knAS9lMlrb5JITW93MpThvMjhnFbJvSmE_BlFEa7gpqv7vhcrFLjNB7or_w/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjCcRYTmDuldX2gymISYbaipdSnny_A0F-4iQ6PMJaXcP9NvOsIrmqlt7Qht0VXSPREWlfBEsSOnSbY01knAS9lMlrb5JITW93MpThvMjhnFbJvSmE_BlFEa7gpqv7vhcrFLjNB7or_w/s400/IMG_1446.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing to 8,000'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somewhere along the way, I followed a stray ribbon that was
off trail. I confused it for a course marker, but Randy had his doubts. After a
good 5 minutes of deliberation, Ryan and Joelle catch up to us and Randy
convinced me to get back on the trail to follow them. He was right, and I felt
bad about wasting precious time. <i>Bad
Pacer! Bad Pacer!</i> Randy was stronger on the hills than Ryan, and we
overtook them for the last time. The 7 miles of downhill soon began, and it
wouldn’t stop until we reached the finish line. Our pace was pretty fast,
considering we were at the tail end of a tough 100 mile race. I looked at my
Garmin to check our mileage/pace, but the battery was dead. <i>What? I thought this thing was supposed to
last up to 18 hours?...wait a minute…</i>It was this moment when I realized how
long I had been running with Randy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The downhill was endless, understandably. The last 5 miles
of any 100-miler are endless, especially when that particular race is closer to
a 104-miler. Throughout the race, the distances between Aid Stations seemed
longer than advertised, but such is life. The aid stations were extremely well
organized with some of the best volunteers I’ve seen, and there’s little more
we could have asked for (well, maybe some tofu for Randy). The last few miles
were on a gradual soft trail, and it was a super pretty forest. At the bottom,
we reached the gravel road and final mile of the race. I jokingly tried to get
Randy to pick up the pace, but he didn’t give a **** <i>(fill in the blank with any 4-letter word)</i>. This finish would be
his longest career 100-miler at just over 30 hours, and it was the 2<sup>nd</sup>-longest
run of my life at 60 miles in 20 hours. Together, we had a blast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>FINISH</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Results: 30:17:44, 5</span><sup style="text-align: center;">th</sup><span style="text-align: center;"> out of 16 Finishers</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe_nQ6_C_as9ZKFbLUnaR2aRmGlKyBbRTsRs6corpFa2CYEdvviO3T3XSFsI0kFUTUB_FSj7QTnKu1P5K-ZwnIZGHDihC6K6LeDbGkT7M-q4HpZw-Ns0Fe7mxXNOfVduAZhGQmkL8Zic/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe_nQ6_C_as9ZKFbLUnaR2aRmGlKyBbRTsRs6corpFa2CYEdvviO3T3XSFsI0kFUTUB_FSj7QTnKu1P5K-ZwnIZGHDihC6K6LeDbGkT7M-q4HpZw-Ns0Fe7mxXNOfVduAZhGQmkL8Zic/s400/IMG_2147.JPG" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/IdahoUltraTrailSeries2012/IMTUF-100-2012/25818811_hBFhBN#!i=2139613144&k=rZRwRG3">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-HSM-zDnpHlvFNr2eiPyLQYryLH9FNZ68veQILMqRfjEFBYeEu8n0_7fDkN2XlOYq8u7JvUYM8EDHnIMCc0niAHemTkmqLJjdijz0gMRKiqNAXN6Qg_cTXDGjislviss_vKWL8Ht3Uc/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-HSM-zDnpHlvFNr2eiPyLQYryLH9FNZ68veQILMqRfjEFBYeEu8n0_7fDkN2XlOYq8u7JvUYM8EDHnIMCc0niAHemTkmqLJjdijz0gMRKiqNAXN6Qg_cTXDGjislviss_vKWL8Ht3Uc/s200/IMG_2134.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI6IrNZiXbYcu7DIEyxDJrYzdYqoULS5AoNqCqXuflQsqOG2w05fwlGRlCwlNMB80VmSjHmWzyBfhioARyfRGITmqGE9ckQWVWt66PxqUf8riXQ-PKzG0fHatUupwaQBSgHkAxfryMUw/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI6IrNZiXbYcu7DIEyxDJrYzdYqoULS5AoNqCqXuflQsqOG2w05fwlGRlCwlNMB80VmSjHmWzyBfhioARyfRGITmqGE9ckQWVWt66PxqUf8riXQ-PKzG0fHatUupwaQBSgHkAxfryMUw/s200/IMG_2144.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPqHT6Wq6LoIyuHwg43YZJTCt50d72bU5_GoBiteM8xj75Q4rmTcuY6l0qNO-o69tREURdH2uHPGpn-GdBD_LljC0IYXCvJuZK5rnrtrraXsKVTQuSQkWlcqZ-vdEiI5YnNj1d4Fq0yw/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPqHT6Wq6LoIyuHwg43YZJTCt50d72bU5_GoBiteM8xj75Q4rmTcuY6l0qNO-o69tREURdH2uHPGpn-GdBD_LljC0IYXCvJuZK5rnrtrraXsKVTQuSQkWlcqZ-vdEiI5YnNj1d4Fq0yw/s400/IMG_2146.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/IdahoUltraTrailSeries2012/IMTUF-100-2012/25818811_hBFhBN#!i=2139613144&k=rZRwRG3">Long Run<br />Picture Company</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Randy was genuinely happy with his finish. He finished
strong despite the toughness of the course, his fitness level, and the stomach
issues. And on top of that, Randy earned enough points in the <a href="http://idahotrailultraseries.com/">Idaho Trail UltraSeries</a> to remain in 1<sup>st</sup> place and eventually <b>win</b> the series. <i>Hero status</i>. Undoubtedly, our friendship grew from this experience, and I’m so happy that
Randy allowed me to share the adventure with him and Marjon. To solidify
Marjon’s status as “BEST CREW EVER”, she was quick with the beers, and a
Jubelale was the first thing I drank after finishing. <i>Good crew, indeed.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpkWq8AnzgTREC5EucV0RHCTWHBx12S5PJOEd0EinRJk99n9RS6F7Q3uP17TV6iGuIWybJgru451xFj4woCr-NaUPrD__GxZxHXk4j5jH_ggFRW3S4DUowDXHXZvI72ZnmVkj_Uws3ro/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpkWq8AnzgTREC5EucV0RHCTWHBx12S5PJOEd0EinRJk99n9RS6F7Q3uP17TV6iGuIWybJgru451xFj4woCr-NaUPrD__GxZxHXk4j5jH_ggFRW3S4DUowDXHXZvI72ZnmVkj_Uws3ro/s320/IMG_2135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R&R at the Hot Springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, we celebrated by watching the milky-way galaxy and
counting shooting stars while floating in the Burgdorf hot spring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, we would drive to a nearby peak and scramble
to the top for one last view of the rugged wilderness that we all became a part
of during this wondrous 100-mile Festival. Thanks again Randy and Marjon, I had
a blast with the both of you!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISCO4_NmUj2oXuR1KKBKGvJeZjbBr_-VNOF24ux4x3PaRCQOR8zqpBhJG8azXkwnQeai4DmyEigKbFEvx1caNa9_oHOcpGzHL2eKOJcVUYM5DrsjlGeT6jjLZdybRn14L4UkxMZn5pJk/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISCO4_NmUj2oXuR1KKBKGvJeZjbBr_-VNOF24ux4x3PaRCQOR8zqpBhJG8azXkwnQeai4DmyEigKbFEvx1caNa9_oHOcpGzHL2eKOJcVUYM5DrsjlGeT6jjLZdybRn14L4UkxMZn5pJk/s200/IMG_2138.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zOT4X6r2fZMEnGQdgSigCq0pGuBVLGzFF9xr6DQ9wMw7FSbNh49OdC0IgUrMtIMTBquhgeZVc24TVRgXYZUxcUrBR070Xt4p7-yKsF8rqG9rhmzVlL5M4FMbtqALPjqHNhU_NlqpNug/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zOT4X6r2fZMEnGQdgSigCq0pGuBVLGzFF9xr6DQ9wMw7FSbNh49OdC0IgUrMtIMTBquhgeZVc24TVRgXYZUxcUrBR070Xt4p7-yKsF8rqG9rhmzVlL5M4FMbtqALPjqHNhU_NlqpNug/s200/IMG_2136.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRKgOJfC8aQfNwe-QShE1Oa59L0Q9at76xCOQEi4O4LesF5v1y07-7K5woy5re3S_lFiPHakZSm2Gl-O1WrLh5jsaxSMA6M3D5rwLtmWZ7o_2h-niU9-juhTVnLV4ylQCUdd6MGelfUs/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRKgOJfC8aQfNwe-QShE1Oa59L0Q9at76xCOQEi4O4LesF5v1y07-7K5woy5re3S_lFiPHakZSm2Gl-O1WrLh5jsaxSMA6M3D5rwLtmWZ7o_2h-niU9-juhTVnLV4ylQCUdd6MGelfUs/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>THANK YOU RACE DIRECTORS, VOLUNTEERS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Ben Blessing and Jeremy Humphries, you both did a job
well done in organizing a tough, beautiful course in rugged Idaho. Having the Aid
Stations in heated tents helped keep the food/water from freezing, so thank you
for being prepared for the weather. I will recommend this race for anyone
looking for a tough 100-miler.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you Volunteers for spending days and nights in the
freezing weather to be Aid to the runners and pacers. Without you, this race
would be beyond tough. I am grateful for your willingness to help, and for your
efforts in setting up Aid Stations in the remotest of places. You have my
respect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FINAL WORDS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re living in your own private Idaho.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
Jbob</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOTIAkvLT9LIS2Vbrbfj9DmJH-uqQzGSb_RVuoZHWNdle2aG_4ZrMPqhKNfFEfa2SVhbD6kd4WOcNJWTFyDRPHbm8seMSooq2Tx4FywlIbxFDAXDtGW7uAoBbHwQNU6Fk3e5oQCR3f4E/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOTIAkvLT9LIS2Vbrbfj9DmJH-uqQzGSb_RVuoZHWNdle2aG_4ZrMPqhKNfFEfa2SVhbD6kd4WOcNJWTFyDRPHbm8seMSooq2Tx4FywlIbxFDAXDtGW7uAoBbHwQNU6Fk3e5oQCR3f4E/s320/IMG_2137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rustic cabin we stayed in at the Burgdorf Hot Springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxva0hG0iGJ5vmBfXu4XdH16B7UZxlLKosWoBTnkD9vWfusn2v_DoIl7K59eYp7NcKuaVtuM0NCninK2cY2mPzGVlf_OEC_bxMA5g0zEkFGYWcw7z5IRXT-Xkc3Ex-CibEgkpJy-mOnU/s1600/License+Plate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxva0hG0iGJ5vmBfXu4XdH16B7UZxlLKosWoBTnkD9vWfusn2v_DoIl7K59eYp7NcKuaVtuM0NCninK2cY2mPzGVlf_OEC_bxMA5g0zEkFGYWcw7z5IRXT-Xkc3Ex-CibEgkpJy-mOnU/s320/License+Plate.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">His license plate matches his bib number.<br />
AND it says fun, which is synonymous with most hundred milers...ha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-13727987999639898032012-09-20T21:49:00.000-07:002014-03-02T15:02:32.059-08:00Volcanic 50K - The First Ever Race Around Mt. St. Helens - Sept 15, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: Click <a href="https://vimeo.com/77659953">this link</a> to watch my 4 min Circumnavigation video from October 2013. It's a great, upbeat preview of the course.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Gentlemen, we can rebuild him...we have the technology" - My cardiologist, <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html"><b>2 months ago</b></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVinviL-AX9VBmr9z6i1flq8Dthv3qb_b54ytSOoKoPuW8rd9P8lBDpJEoVN7Zp3s-i-TGgXIU3GVqwxagYMVl8ZFEMdgt8vFEU6k6QTV-Bk9ngfXDLNHI7nTuNXXGVPG4ukajTZT4mGs/s1600/Volcanic+50+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVinviL-AX9VBmr9z6i1flq8Dthv3qb_b54ytSOoKoPuW8rd9P8lBDpJEoVN7Zp3s-i-TGgXIU3GVqwxagYMVl8ZFEMdgt8vFEU6k6QTV-Bk9ngfXDLNHI7nTuNXXGVPG4ukajTZT4mGs/s400/Volcanic+50+Sunrise.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Takao Suzuki</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Course knowledge goes a long way, especially on Mt. St. Helens. Having previewed the course just 3 weeks prior, the details were fresh. Every technical section of trail was mapped out in my mind, and my plan for race day was all about efficiency. There were a few badasses at the race whose mear presence immediately had me scrapping a podium goal for 'time' goal (I'd rather be competitive with myself than with them). What was the goal? To break 6 hours...without breaking anything else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"10... .....8.... .....4...3....2....1...GO!" - <span style="font-size: x-small;">Trevor Hostetler, Race Directing like a boss</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlD66u_cERGICuYDdk3Fdj2rgSp8oL6R-h_yt3MDfTZW0JlQWGnB6Tw8mht9qFOQNd1gvaujBYBJLu0OfPYM_fbHTmhBRWSffvx1mRKu-TMea6iqvwJgC29i1ym8buND1zJgDF6AYdC0/s1600/75143_10152089524895117_679179010_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlD66u_cERGICuYDdk3Fdj2rgSp8oL6R-h_yt3MDfTZW0JlQWGnB6Tw8mht9qFOQNd1gvaujBYBJLu0OfPYM_fbHTmhBRWSffvx1mRKu-TMea6iqvwJgC29i1ym8buND1zJgDF6AYdC0/s400/75143_10152089524895117_679179010_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seconds before the start.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Two miles of gradual climb, followed by a second round of slightly steeper climbing</i>. Yassine jumped into the lead, followed by Brian Donnely, Joe Kleffner, and Andrea J-H. I was running behind them for a time, but my uphill legs eventually reached their efficiency threshold. My water supply consisted of two handheld 20oz water bottles and a 2-liter bladder on my back. My legs weren't exactly flying uphill with this water weight, thus begins the power hiking just 2 miles into the race. No need to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHv5jgXz9I8">burn out</a> my legs this early, the strategy was to race strong to Windy Pass (mile 22) and gun it from there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwOkn1CovTxCzLbI8NbTnQLA9UBV6l5-G5Zakk7v0YRHEv8rmr0iieppqwlTF60qGwneyAtavksmW6HaGnO0MT5FXsyPgx7GQEUrQjfmXePCGQQu8MGcfCRTon171Whm4M3sSGhJKaAU/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwOkn1CovTxCzLbI8NbTnQLA9UBV6l5-G5Zakk7v0YRHEv8rmr0iieppqwlTF60qGwneyAtavksmW6HaGnO0MT5FXsyPgx7GQEUrQjfmXePCGQQu8MGcfCRTon171Whm4M3sSGhJKaAU/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mt. Adams in the background.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 4 miles into the race, taken 3 weeks before the race.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Cock-a-doodle-damn it!...</i>A few miles into the race, and my biggest concern was forgetting to put on sunscreen. Thankfully, there was a round of chapstick in my pack with SPF 15. Whilst hiking, I spread it on. The Icy Pear scent filled the air, prompting compliments from Nicole Sellon who was hiking behind me. She declined my offer to borrow my chapstick, though. <i>By the end of the day, there would be chapstick streaks all over my shoulders, surrounded by burnt skin.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>Passing Takao Suziki (photographer), the trail leveled off as it crossed the Climbers Bivouac Junction. My legs came back to life! And the weight of the water on my back was slowly going down as I was both drinking and spitting it out to achieve a comfortable 1 liter. <i>Too close for missiles, switching to hand held bottles.</i> Entering the first lava rock field, I caught up to Andrea. We teamed up for the first section of rocks, helping each other find the 'trail' of cairns and ribbons...it was like crowd surfing at a rock concert, literally. After a couple miles or so, I pulled away and ran strong through the twisty ins and outs of silty lava channels. My legs were feeling great, and the trail was super fun! Technical trails bring me to life, and it had me amped up more.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rV-dMI2KBAbIKZWuteWcv2pSZln-1aopVs5Q8ySVpN0TGhSF_tQSGBki3u2kuDnP1Csog4pejtl2ABgtDKUzpXFiuhJ0PzeA2JjTZ4wV-PXvmbAM4ixl95vq47pb5AGMotxG9JkqrnU/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rV-dMI2KBAbIKZWuteWcv2pSZln-1aopVs5Q8ySVpN0TGhSF_tQSGBki3u2kuDnP1Csog4pejtl2ABgtDKUzpXFiuhJ0PzeA2JjTZ4wV-PXvmbAM4ixl95vq47pb5AGMotxG9JkqrnU/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typical Lava Rocks. Taken three weeks prior to the race.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeTrDUP54V_FHAFCBrONp7vq2r9s0iNvrjr8LCxGKrYCFrx-Vwml-5efv9Q09a0dsId-YA5pPfDX-YJqdPG3Rfnsz13F-oOIdhalWy4IthAU_0Ku1gU9UTOZ7CRbyoubLNQukg2fu20g/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeTrDUP54V_FHAFCBrONp7vq2r9s0iNvrjr8LCxGKrYCFrx-Vwml-5efv9Q09a0dsId-YA5pPfDX-YJqdPG3Rfnsz13F-oOIdhalWy4IthAU_0Ku1gU9UTOZ7CRbyoubLNQukg2fu20g/s400/IMG_1101.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Loowit Trail. Taken 3 weeks before the race.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before starting the race, I had resolved to blow by the first aid station (mile 12). The plan was to have 1 liter of water on my back and two full handhelds heading into the exposed Blast Zone (miles 12-20). GUs were my main food for the day, and my pack had plenty of those. So after the long descent into the Toutle River basin, Aid Station Volunteers began cheering me in. They had to hike in tons of food and water at least 5 miles on their backs, and all I took were 2 pretzels without even stopping. I then jumped down to the Toutle River, chugged some water before filling up my handhelds unfiltered, crossed the knee-high river, and scrambled up the the north slope. It was this moment when I remembered to yell THANK YOU across the channel to the aid station crew. Seriously, though...thank you volunteers for muling the food/water out there, those were the most delicious pretzels I ever had! (Thanks Amy, Willie, Gary, Jared and others who were out there).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Aid Station 1 Split: 2 hours 15 min - 4th Place - 9 min behind Yassine - 6 min behind Brian/Joe</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8WMWMWKvlkZoHKfLLtJpSmxVlz1nc0h70JeFnQK4emen6nhQ678p7wYkxBpbXH__ZEtNN-0gg1JWcuqddnGsXrJjSG6hJqcOLIupyPgi87oMgiRc4-xrvSuhk53ppTCGZTyw7DN3TZ8/s1600/Volcanic+50+Toutle+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8WMWMWKvlkZoHKfLLtJpSmxVlz1nc0h70JeFnQK4emen6nhQ678p7wYkxBpbXH__ZEtNN-0gg1JWcuqddnGsXrJjSG6hJqcOLIupyPgi87oMgiRc4-xrvSuhk53ppTCGZTyw7DN3TZ8/s400/Volcanic+50+Toutle+River.jpg" hea="true" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little me, Scrambling up the slope after crossing the Toutle River</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by <a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">Animal Athletics</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECMl5TnbX6HTgz9HkXN5tu9Il0gDISviv-0x1aMGy-g7QRWpViKdyfD_B7zX-rxeM3tW_FJmGfKxdx2BrN3PXKVu2xYEhJkycPkMUgRgSApsqqVXx2N8JxBFh4NvkRu5bAkoj8bJTnu0/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECMl5TnbX6HTgz9HkXN5tu9Il0gDISviv-0x1aMGy-g7QRWpViKdyfD_B7zX-rxeM3tW_FJmGfKxdx2BrN3PXKVu2xYEhJkycPkMUgRgSApsqqVXx2N8JxBFh4NvkRu5bAkoj8bJTnu0/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking out of the Toutle River Basin maybe halfway to the top.<br />
Taken 3 weeks before the race </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The climb out of the Toutle River was long and slow (especially the sandy parts). Looking up at the top, I spotted Brian<i> </i>maybe 5 minutes ahead. Being able to see the person in front of me was like dangling a toy in front of a cat. Not a kitten, but a cat. <em>Rawr, baby</em>. After reaching the top of the climb, the landscape was becoming flatter and more baren with every mile. My eyes were glued to the technical trail, with an occasional glance on the horizon to try and spot the frontrunners. At mile 15, they came into view and looked maybe 8-10 minutes ahead of me. If I were going to catch them, there were two choices...to either outrun them or outlast them. Since my legs were content with the current pace, I decided not to burn out by increasing my pace. Instead, I would try to outlast them and start chasing them down after Windy Pass (mile 22). But until then, it was steady running through the flat, sandy, rocky, lunar Blast Zone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr45opqsYMVN_NxEzlXCbyCp_FfBf_0nVcLLNVoKO1iR3rDStQ9WBhX3oy0RODxJYee9vVtu_Uz7pygFI4rARZvkOFWePJVcJZX-v7rHUnFAqzpboykfHTUqN1QvEP5VFrMAzOvQZHnIk/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr45opqsYMVN_NxEzlXCbyCp_FfBf_0nVcLLNVoKO1iR3rDStQ9WBhX3oy0RODxJYee9vVtu_Uz7pygFI4rARZvkOFWePJVcJZX-v7rHUnFAqzpboykfHTUqN1QvEP5VFrMAzOvQZHnIk/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Side Blast zone. Taken 3 weeks before the race.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQZjJutcU7cLedPGjCLIULHNIp2CIfU3iiYitUjui9z0SLRrh0icUZE1h8YTTSWT-FN4M9ywFNlfoVer_NJ8qi9qlsy7U3J8H0lLzI9eP3TlRIJAQhGcjI_JIAXJwNYkgYnzHXZTooh0/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQZjJutcU7cLedPGjCLIULHNIp2CIfU3iiYitUjui9z0SLRrh0icUZE1h8YTTSWT-FN4M9ywFNlfoVer_NJ8qi9qlsy7U3J8H0lLzI9eP3TlRIJAQhGcjI_JIAXJwNYkgYnzHXZTooh0/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The North Side blast zone. Taken 3 weeks before the race.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPtTS0TYtU"><em>Oasis</em>.</a> As I reached the natural spring on the north side of the Mountain (mile 20), my eyes caught what looked like Yassine and Brian in the distance. After stopping to fill up my bladder and water bottles, the gap was probably 8 minutes. Marching on, I eventually reach a junction and turn right towards Windy Pass. Getting closer to the pass, I expected to see the front runners hiking up. <em>Hmm...maybe they've gone over it already? I didn't think they were THAT far ahead of me...</em>Then out of nowhere, Yassine, Brian, and Joe were hiking towards me across the rocky terrain to my left. They had made a left at the junction where I turned right, and were hiking back up to the correct trail. Out of pity and general fatigue, I slowed down to give them back their respective positions. Yassine sees me slowing down and yells something like "What are you doing?! Get Running!". <em>Shit</em>. So I take the lead as we start the climb up Windy Pass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<em>High Anxiety. </em>All along I knew I'd be racing hard to the finish from the top of Windy Pass, but in no way had I expected to be in the lead. All 4 of us were within talking distance as we climbed up the pass, but nobody really said anything. The other three looked a little deflated after making that wrong turn, and I was beginning to wonder how I would ever get away from these guys. <em>As soon as I crested and began my descent, I <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqz5dbs5zmo">never looked back</a>. </em>Bombing the technical downhill, my feet kept trying to slide off the sandy trail. <i>Fun shit</i>. At the bottom, the trail entered the flat terrain of the Plains of Abraham. From here, it was smooth sailing to the next aid station. My legs kicked steady and strong, trying to push the pace to demoralize Joe a little bit. Two miles later at the 2nd aid station, my lead was extended to 2 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunfrSBZu5HjbeHR8MyMxFmNrazKzgLUbbkqZAmx1I1FWbrOoJixBwz2iyHb9i9vFt-aOug06IaZqlS6qyW_74SM7QJoWfDBf2ZKAM2fmqdkCAdbW2SQXalhwQnD6U_zFLt_mDozasad0/s1600/3830_3572761721961_295172947_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunfrSBZu5HjbeHR8MyMxFmNrazKzgLUbbkqZAmx1I1FWbrOoJixBwz2iyHb9i9vFt-aOug06IaZqlS6qyW_74SM7QJoWfDBf2ZKAM2fmqdkCAdbW2SQXalhwQnD6U_zFLt_mDozasad0/s400/3830_3572761721961_295172947_n.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming into Aid Station #2, the final aid station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.despair.com/legacy.html">Morale Boost</a></i>. There must've been a dozen people at that aid station, and it was a HUGE energy boost! Thanks Renee, Bryan, Joe, Nick, Stephen, Matt, and everyone else who was there (especially those who hiked in everything). Bryan filled one of my water bottles with an electrolyte drink, and within 20 seconds I left the aid station with a fire in my heart. Walking, I switched one of my water bottle holsters for a new one that had 4 fresh GUs in the pocket. With water on my back, water in my hands, GUs within reach...I was ready to crank the final 8 miles of the course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aid Station 2 Split: 4 hours 35 min - 1st Place - 2 min in front of Joe - 4 min in front of Yassine and Brian</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNROmMHZf0bgd7j8fsa3t_nCjEGWLaaFP5nwRBvwRKkpcYwQ6myb20Bs8vvZP3JU3uf7AROcUBdFLYLsNKneyczm5M4m-qpYIMdz6qX-FGJ06wGUha1yCok3SR6vpd3wvse-LVZFMK9UM/s1600/404058_3572762001968_1630958945_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNROmMHZf0bgd7j8fsa3t_nCjEGWLaaFP5nwRBvwRKkpcYwQ6myb20Bs8vvZP3JU3uf7AROcUBdFLYLsNKneyczm5M4m-qpYIMdz6qX-FGJ06wGUha1yCok3SR6vpd3wvse-LVZFMK9UM/s400/404058_3572762001968_1630958945_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see the Fear in my face. Thanks for the top-off Bryan!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVIFGqorLI">Pure Fear.</a> </i>A mile after the aid station, my calves started to cramp. <i>NO!!! WHY NOW?! I need salt! </i>After digesting a few Endurolyte salt pills, things were manageable again. The badasses were out of site, but not out of mind. <i>How long before they catch me? Are they cramping too? How the hell am I going to do this?</i> The electrolyte drink was probably saving my legs from totally seizing up. Hiking the hills with a furious purpose, I just pushed as hard as possible. My legs hammered the downhills perfectly fine, and that's probably where I made up the most time. The trail was full of quick up and downs, and it was impossible to get into a comfortable rhythm. It just wears you down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8J05OPNzfXBC_WUZJTVDkbAeFimUfZ5N2iVPQ3EMMQKnEwbeuJ1Qq9UKS-7ImgtroECAyUtPQf_tkKP8lcJ_EOzktCHXQXK0tYfAt4dhpLRnAoDOOQOCAyaWny7N594x0DpNO4gn3cy4/s1600/390498_10151217603786031_1006054310_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8J05OPNzfXBC_WUZJTVDkbAeFimUfZ5N2iVPQ3EMMQKnEwbeuJ1Qq9UKS-7ImgtroECAyUtPQf_tkKP8lcJ_EOzktCHXQXK0tYfAt4dhpLRnAoDOOQOCAyaWny7N594x0DpNO4gn3cy4/s400/390498_10151217603786031_1006054310_n.jpeg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I literally just took a piss before running around that corner.<br />That would have been awkward. Photo by Takao Suzuki.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>By the Hammer of Thor</em>. With 4 miles to go, my hamstrings begin to tighten. With my cramping calves and tightening hamstrings, I wondered how hard I could push without seizing up like a rusty tin man. At any time, I expected to get caught by <em>somebody</em>, but maybe everyone else was suffering too. Getting to the final lava rock field was a relief, since it didn't require much energy to rock hop...just insane amounts concentration. <em>Where's the cairn? There it is. Head down. Hop-hop-hop-hop-hop-hop-hop-hop. Head up. Where's the next cairn? There it is. Head down. Hop-hop-hop-hop-hop...look over shoulder. Nobody. Head down. Hop-hop-hop-hooop-MISSTEP-Ah!-whoa-hop-hop-hop. Is this the trail? Run-run-tip-toe-lunge-hike-hike. Where's the cairn? Where the HELL is that cairn? F***-a-doodle-doo, there it is. Hop-hop-hop...</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The final 2 miles</em>. Reaching the junction with trail 244, I turned and glanced up at the rock field. <em>Nobody</em>. <em>Am I going to win this thing?</em> With 2 more miles of gradual downhill, it was cruise control. Since cramping was only an uphill issue, the only thing that worried me was rolling an ankle. Every now and then I would look over my shoulder, but it would have taken a massive effort for anybody to clear the lava rock field and chase me down. All I had to do was keep steady. A lot of things went through my mind, especially with everything that's happened this summer. <em>How <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/07/post-heart-surgery-success.html">cinderalla</a> is this? This one's for you, Todd</em> <em>W.</em> Rounding the final corner, the cowbell started ringing.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Results: 6:03:54 - 1st out of 45 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pace: ~11:15 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nspirelive.com/nspir3/raceresults.spire?raceID=442">Results</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8oqO79g4cW-SUxvX_5IG0jnMJB8u5f-IVIpPEfQuT8uDIncuASal9LXvQxoIDeWsnd2DexAmztCfWsYjvQCipVtF580HCjeiH8OJILxSflgE9oZ2ql5wtV7xtQfs9X3VF0UiF6gLFE/s1600/Volcanic+50+Finish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8oqO79g4cW-SUxvX_5IG0jnMJB8u5f-IVIpPEfQuT8uDIncuASal9LXvQxoIDeWsnd2DexAmztCfWsYjvQCipVtF580HCjeiH8OJILxSflgE9oZ2ql5wtV7xtQfs9X3VF0UiF6gLFE/s320/Volcanic+50+Finish.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdl049hFg8Ni-C_-XYQAb_BJKm-2QMXNpFle15BJOjJ8aETQkLx4i4uwF98ahR0nV4cTRRZNT9QpzJKyDa' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Epic day</em>. Racing around Mt. St. Helens was an unreal experience and extremely humbling. It's by far the most scenic and technical race I've ever done, and I really appreciate Trevor Hostetler and Todd Janssen for making it happen. The <a href="http://www.volcanic50.com/">Volcanic 50</a> will no doubt become an instant classic in the Pacific Northwest, and it's rad to see so many out-of-state runners come to join the small race of 50 people for its inaugural year. That course wasn't easy on anybody, and everyone dug deep that day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS AND FRIENDS who took the time to spend the day at the race. Having you around was incredibly uplifting, and it made the day even sweeter. Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii6kJaGiRaI">ROLLER COASTER</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting back my fitness over the last 2 months has been anything but routine. Volunteering at so many races in the Northwest allowed me to travel and break away from normality, and it provided a breathtaking escape from the monotony of running in my backyard. In the mountains, my spirit and endurance rediscovered the answer to the question of <i>WHY. Why do I need this so much?</i> It's one of those things where you don't realize what you have until you've lost it. Spending June/July off my feet was difficult for me on so many levels, but it was so incredibly necessary. Getting depressed was so incredibly necessary. Feeling the void was so incredibly necessary. For it's times like these where the little things in life become the big things, where you truly learn to appreciate every day for what it is. To be alive is amazing. To be able to make someone laugh and smile is amazing. To be able to say "I did the best I could with the time I had" is amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This day was one of the proudest days of my life, not for how I placed, but for how I finished. Regardless of who was in front or behind me, I was going to run MY race and do a damn good job of it. Apparently, that was enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAD PROPS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brian is a badass. He fell and cracked his rib at the Toutle River crossing (first aid station), and finished the race in 2nd. I'm so impressed by that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />FINAL WORDS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day before the race, I filled up my hydrapak bladder in order to count how many mouthfuls of water it took to empty 2-liters of water. That way, I could keep track of how much water was in my bladder throughout the race. So as I was sucking and spitting water into the bathroom sink with the door wide open, one of my roommates walked by and we made eye contact. I then proceeded to explain "I'm counting how many mouthfuls it takes to empty my bladder". <a href="http://3nonjoggers.com/">3nonjoggers</a>, that one's for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Friends, Thank you Family. You are my sunshine in good times and bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf7a5Lk0hnrUncez9jxobe9FblyCEyuEyTvw_Cj2J6kCtv_-mJIEn74ACZbI6eHkAMJK0jM4v3gPHKDhcbcFTaZVeUs8scdV6p8Wx8y27QuDnxt9mdJqjA4qm4mdpZNfBDV4Y5jb9axg/s1600/Volcanic+Shoes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf7a5Lk0hnrUncez9jxobe9FblyCEyuEyTvw_Cj2J6kCtv_-mJIEn74ACZbI6eHkAMJK0jM4v3gPHKDhcbcFTaZVeUs8scdV6p8Wx8y27QuDnxt9mdJqjA4qm4mdpZNfBDV4Y5jb9axg/s320/Volcanic+Shoes.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Saucony Peregrines, Drymax socks, and <a href="http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/">Dirty Girl Gaitors</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-71853090302685808962012-09-09T00:31:00.002-07:002012-09-09T01:00:01.260-07:00Six Runners Break Course Record - Bunker to Bonneville 50K - September 1, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slow down my beating heart...</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoj3g8Pqzdx8Ewq5anDRmaWNRs8k7LfFP4jGRFQs8f74pbcvPdpiYrJdxQKfJxrGJI1oNs8ZvXChbV-eKaKK9gHJHp4wp2au37yRVWGTirHCyzPVQT1F8EtnvxYGLX8QNvGoTqFP0rOw/s1600/B2B+-+Mt.+Adams.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoj3g8Pqzdx8Ewq5anDRmaWNRs8k7LfFP4jGRFQs8f74pbcvPdpiYrJdxQKfJxrGJI1oNs8ZvXChbV-eKaKK9gHJHp4wp2au37yRVWGTirHCyzPVQT1F8EtnvxYGLX8QNvGoTqFP0rOw/s400/B2B+-+Mt.+Adams.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mt. Adams. Photo by the lovely Esther Holman</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2010, the Bunker to Bonneville 50k changed my life. More than anything, it was the people I met that day who have had a profound influence on my life over the past 2 years. Thank you everyone for your friendship and support through some of the most influential years of my life. If you don't know who you are, then I haven't hugged you yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE COURSE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA5K4YAmxjAeSpha4LfzceaKGYyClOmUl9EnbGYVJAiTuQQM86yz3YjASNKyPVCD-vA2cZZ0JJk4nNLNd2_ysa5YUH8UQWnwlRtU6yVWl2IS5Bmz1JSNnx0SNiyKjiviUNfeOnR3qK9A/s1600/B2B+Profile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA5K4YAmxjAeSpha4LfzceaKGYyClOmUl9EnbGYVJAiTuQQM86yz3YjASNKyPVCD-vA2cZZ0JJk4nNLNd2_ysa5YUH8UQWnwlRtU6yVWl2IS5Bmz1JSNnx0SNiyKjiviUNfeOnR3qK9A/s320/B2B+Profile.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A classic point-to-point 31 mile run almost entirely on the Pacific Crest Trail, running from Carson-ish, WA to the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. Long gradual climbs combined with long technical descents. Great views of Mt. Adams and the Colombia gorge, but the trail is mostly sheltered by beautiful forest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RACE DAY 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FGY4MAhvDOZExn4yHM-uCfJFnt35midJjNEEGR_Rb77C3URb39MV8Mp_p6fr8SQLmwPw0jV5YQ-gPr-4FmqF42RUXTFRR3CGcBULer1pFxLkTwyzYpcxEEdwBwVMrPHXUqakDVb71Wo/s1600/B2B+Sticker+Challenge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FGY4MAhvDOZExn4yHM-uCfJFnt35midJjNEEGR_Rb77C3URb39MV8Mp_p6fr8SQLmwPw0jV5YQ-gPr-4FmqF42RUXTFRR3CGcBULer1pFxLkTwyzYpcxEEdwBwVMrPHXUqakDVb71Wo/s320/B2B+Sticker+Challenge.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Sticker Challenge from Justin</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4:30 am - <i>WAKE UP! Get dressed. Drive to the gorge. Get anything but Taylor Swift stuck in my head. Cross the Bridge of the Gods ($1). Arrive at the Finish line of the race. Kyle Chaffin wins the 'first hug' competition (sorry, Nicole). Get shuttled to the start of the race</i>. <i>Accidentally drop and crack water bottle lid. Get bib number. Hug here, Hug there. Accept sticker challenge from Justin. Run into unexpected friends. Wait in bathroom line with Larry and Susan. Pull an Ace of Diamonds from the deck of cards. Bullshit with friends before the start. On your marks, get set, go. </i><i>Deep breath. Run, run, run, run, run.....</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSUaonJ2XaMel9ZZUcnIJNcVH2INjS94rCRmE-cJbXipJJzsRjAohitOWmDpaMsMy53TgLfFExS61q_abnNCNWg_tt9yCX8i9EbjrtKeWMoqRd0064UdoxWJ9al8VnrYliU9ne-IehvU/s1600/B2B+Ace+of+Diamonds.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSUaonJ2XaMel9ZZUcnIJNcVH2INjS94rCRmE-cJbXipJJzsRjAohitOWmDpaMsMy53TgLfFExS61q_abnNCNWg_tt9yCX8i9EbjrtKeWMoqRd0064UdoxWJ9al8VnrYliU9ne-IehvU/s200/B2B+Ace+of+Diamonds.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pulling the Ace of Diamonds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A successful day for me would have been to run a strong race, to beat my old finish time of 5:06, and to HAVE FUN. In my mind, this was extremely doable. <i>Step 1: don't start out with the lead pack. </i>Watching the frontrunners disappear in the distance was a relief, and I fell into a comfortable pace for the first several miles of flat trail. The bullshitting that was going on between me, Randy, and Paul Heffernan was hilarious and uplifting. As soon as the first hill started, though, I took off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As this was my first race coming back from injury, it was important for me to go at my own pace. Finding the gap between the frontrunners and everyone else, I peacefully ran alone. Running uphill has an amazing way of bringing me into the present moment, for it's a constant mental battle to sustain the discomfort and strain of ascent. The calves burn...the balls of my feet get warm from pressure and friction...my heart rate has a party...eyes are peeled for respite...there's really nothing comforting about running uphill, and that's what makes it so special. One of my favorite quotes is "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." At this moment, my motivation was instinctual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blowing by the first aid station, there was nobody in front or behind me. Alone, I felt compelled to practice my 'peeing while moving' technique. My effort was both successful and unsuccessful. It was a success in that I left a wet streak on the trail for runners behind me to guess "is that water or NOT water?" The failure was a holstering/timing issue, but that's why practice makes perfect, right? Yeah yeah, TMI...tmi...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blowing by the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imsHXpEuxX0">zombie</a> themed 2nd aid station, the climbing soon turned into a fun gradual downhill. Lots of PCT through hikers were kindly stepping aside as I flew past. The long scrappy beards on some of the hikers told quite a story. Eventually arriving at the 3rd aid station (mile 15), I had my bottles filled by lovely Lynn (thanks again!). Stan and Kyle were bar tending, but I didn't stay long enough to tip them. <i>Pretzels, m&ms, PB&J, bottles, gotta go!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next long gradual climb started soon after the aid station<i>, </i>and I was still running alone. At about mile 17, I finally caught a runner who was hiking. Maybe he started out too fast, or maybe the hills were wearing on him. I ran passed and tried not to show my fatigue. My legs were holding up well, but my feet were taking a beating from the constant forefoot grinding. The Plantar in my left foot was saying hello, and the stone bruise in my right foot (from January that caused 4 months of swelling on the ball of my foot) was getting tenderized. My hip flexors were feeling sore, and my legs found their breaking point at mile 18.5. For the next mile, I would alternate running/hiking until the turnoff to the 3 Corner Rock out-n-back Aid station (mile 20). The first person I see coming off the rock was <a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">Yassine</a>!, followed by 4 runners. My position was seemingly 5th place, but that didn't really matter to me. For me, the purpose of this race was to get back that warm fuzzy feeling in my soul...also known as self confidence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbz47D66t6KUrodI-caw3dnUZRZxabeOOaNGZ0QS2-HGYr4swo7iyjn21YQlO0Tbci4uKx3V1IccwCa1UzPUrzqoByCfVgjhTF17xPTRGpC7TaFtwQwoNiFDRffnzaxgkZIPukJ40sAg/s1600/B2B+Last+Aid+Station.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbz47D66t6KUrodI-caw3dnUZRZxabeOOaNGZ0QS2-HGYr4swo7iyjn21YQlO0Tbci4uKx3V1IccwCa1UzPUrzqoByCfVgjhTF17xPTRGpC7TaFtwQwoNiFDRffnzaxgkZIPukJ40sAg/s320/B2B+Last+Aid+Station.jpeg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending into the Mile 25 Aid Station.<br />
The volunteers were awesome, all day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next two miles were rolling up and down, and the short uphills were wearing me out. AT LAST, with about 8 miles to go, the infamous 3,500' rocky descent begins beautifully. Imagine watching Rocky I, Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV in the same day...that's how rocky the trail was. It was a combination of stationary rocks with some not-so-stationary rocks spread out on an otherwise pleasant dirt path. Sometimes the trail grew narrow with overgrowth, creating a game of chance with each hidden step. My pace was cautiously hasty, and my dancing skills were put to good use. The pain from my uphill legs was completely gone, and my fresh downhill gears were jackhammering the descent without a twinge. It was kind of pleasant!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last mile of the race dumps you onto this hot exposed asphalt road. It was draining, but not terrible. I just kept dumping water on my head and trudged on. On one of the straightaways, two of the runners in front of me were within site but not range. <i>Whatever.</i> My mind settled, for everything had been a success this day...except for one little itty bitty flaw....MY STICKER FELL OFF!!!</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sticker Challenge: Young Justin gave me a sticker to wear at the start of the race. If the sticker fell off by the end of the race, I owed him $1. If the sticker stayed on, he owed me $1.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj842HMGDNzS1woflFp2MyQqAKM6Q7Pc_YmBx4cV2lmzK2Q2GlFybsD4uh_OG-qak_EAGHVhv2XLhxAQDx2oBHRDmTj9adNnS8cPtFhWgUFMEDe-7kRgPtGcBnfW5FUwQ9PfpDsAjugvMk/s1600/B2B+Sticker.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj842HMGDNzS1woflFp2MyQqAKM6Q7Pc_YmBx4cV2lmzK2Q2GlFybsD4uh_OG-qak_EAGHVhv2XLhxAQDx2oBHRDmTj9adNnS8cPtFhWgUFMEDe-7kRgPtGcBnfW5FUwQ9PfpDsAjugvMk/s200/B2B+Sticker.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Running Penguin" sticker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8VFtZqhebDT_PQdZDNMGmF9RknDL7EYUmbaEq8E7BTc9YEftyP5I7FoHFUo7Nj6-LCWcSRMeensD_N8ke6lEoymlD549U7rCeu9j04xOPPQcL05-M2lXV9t3ERpAxcmCQyk0tsolzk/s1600/B2B+Sticker+Ripp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8VFtZqhebDT_PQdZDNMGmF9RknDL7EYUmbaEq8E7BTc9YEftyP5I7FoHFUo7Nj6-LCWcSRMeensD_N8ke6lEoymlD549U7rCeu9j04xOPPQcL05-M2lXV9t3ERpAxcmCQyk0tsolzk/s320/B2B+Sticker+Ripp.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sticker "fell off"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within 100 yards of the finish line, I stopped and looked everywhere for the sticker. It must've come off on the homestretch! Blast! Oh well, the kid's gotta make a living somehow.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2011 course record: 4:44:02</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012 Results: 4:40:15 - 6th out of 71 Finishers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pace: ~8:59 min/mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5y_eVhl19-E/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5y_eVhl19-E?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5y_eVhl19-E?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9A3BdexjsJV5OeM2TizX2gTFUZk9nODWCMEZ0VYMQrfTb0uMsZ20PUNoQT8WdfvrFiv-eFDqfUf2JjxFKDwoQWphn14wkjk0jPDWDgFvG_fapeAjigopM22lF5lcP1A0gS9qy0x_D74/s1600/B2B+Photo+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9A3BdexjsJV5OeM2TizX2gTFUZk9nODWCMEZ0VYMQrfTb0uMsZ20PUNoQT8WdfvrFiv-eFDqfUf2JjxFKDwoQWphn14wkjk0jPDWDgFvG_fapeAjigopM22lF5lcP1A0gS9qy0x_D74/s320/B2B+Photo+Finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After crossing the finish line, I wasn't surprised with 6th place. I WAS surprised when someone told me that I broke the course record set in 2011. Holy shit! My only time goal was to beat my time from 2010, and I beat it by over 25 minutes. That's a solid day, right there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as things may appear that I'm "back at it", things are still uncertain. As my body began to tighten up after the finish, pride filled my heart as doubt filled my foot. Despite running solid with plantar in my left foot, the soreness was apparent afterwards. It wasn't debilitating, but it's a real reminder that I'm still not 100% healthy. Consequently, my left hip was causing me to limp, likely an overcompensation injury from using my hip too much during the uphill portions. <i>Live and learn. Learn and forget. Forget and re-injure. Live and learn. </i>I'd rather not end up in this injury cycle, but sometimes it feels inevitable. I'm still planning to run the <a href="http://www.volcanic50.com/">Volcanic 50k</a> on September 15th, so long as my foot feels solid. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the plus side, I was still able to hike up Multnomah Falls with the family later in the afternoon. It wasn't pain free (sore hip), but it added to the 'sense of accomplishment' for the day. <i>And it was great spending time hiking with Mum, Dad, Tre, bugaboo, and Penny!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Final Words</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great race. Greatest people. Thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Important Notes</i>: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Rocky V isn't worth watching.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The 'bear pit' scene from Anchorman is somewhat inspiring.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Kyle is amazingly awesome.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'll have a hard time forgiving the man who marked mile 22 as "mile 20". Not cool, man. Not cool...but it was kinda funny.</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVfXUHifWhUYnpTd_U-Bz-np1iA3dVyArl_ejDB0KQivnmrn7GBmxKCOfaveMQMlifIazGhwNa2lw0aPhyphenhyphenJ3YAVZUgx8aUV42sdvvSTh1U5gbb4nmQmVaLMqG9d8CI1cx4tR-KE5iUCY/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVfXUHifWhUYnpTd_U-Bz-np1iA3dVyArl_ejDB0KQivnmrn7GBmxKCOfaveMQMlifIazGhwNa2lw0aPhyphenhyphenJ3YAVZUgx8aUV42sdvvSTh1U5gbb4nmQmVaLMqG9d8CI1cx4tR-KE5iUCY/s320/IMG_1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The future is never certain.<br />
Taken while running the following weekend on the PCT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-61480894445122353322012-08-29T19:43:00.001-07:002012-08-29T19:49:26.922-07:00The Hunt - Circumnavigation of Mt. St. HelensSometimes in order to find yourself, you need to lose yourself first.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqjS0UuVV5GGN_xWaB9WWWRv-eo0F37H6LLDs2ju1ZlvNPisEJYhh2nDegi4Jebtt-ycibnhpaxYL-Se6HycQuVnML13TAro-yXxpsV4j3dZMZSmfodmF280UwIoJagvzwWxQHnYz25U/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqjS0UuVV5GGN_xWaB9WWWRv-eo0F37H6LLDs2ju1ZlvNPisEJYhh2nDegi4Jebtt-ycibnhpaxYL-Se6HycQuVnML13TAro-yXxpsV4j3dZMZSmfodmF280UwIoJagvzwWxQHnYz25U/s400/IMG_1101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My decision to run around Mt. St. Helens had a lot to do with re-building my self-confidence and taking time for some self reflection. I'm sorry for not following up on my original invites to friends, but I felt like running this one alone. Having already ran around it once last October, I felt competent enough to safely manage my food, water, and energy. And yes Mum, Teresa and several friends knew where I was and when to expect to hear from me.<br />
<br />
My route would start at the Marble Mountain sno park and run clockwise, following the <a href="http://www.volcanic50.com/">Volcanic 50 </a>course exactly.<br />
<br />
<b>RUNNING HEAVY - SOUTHEAST TO WEST</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg318nuivQbCVuOhJoDWma7aRhxB-2peCh617yquuQE234G8zYhNtiLfJ-pL1ZjQvR5FxWG_73-JmtT8WUDA2hucFwgJpbcM_LQKtYmGMvaNjTAhsSXtAQLIr2ZDyNgSUsD2L4MK966Bqs/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg318nuivQbCVuOhJoDWma7aRhxB-2peCh617yquuQE234G8zYhNtiLfJ-pL1ZjQvR5FxWG_73-JmtT8WUDA2hucFwgJpbcM_LQKtYmGMvaNjTAhsSXtAQLIr2ZDyNgSUsD2L4MK966Bqs/s320/IMG_1079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Knowing how exposed and how hot the day was going to be, my water supply consisted of two 22 oz handheld bottles and a full 2 Liter bladder (and a water filter for re-filling). My pack was probably the heaviest I've ever run with, and my legs/shoulders kept reminding me of it. Within the first three miles, I almost face planted twice and already took a wrong turn.<em> Hmm, I better start drinking my water to lighten my load</em>...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVNleg3QG6eSNuufZDb1ooPLoDBR6rTZrjITUlqocBrxPj6aR_9FxYQv-_SJUwYaBXq_Xil7ZlMRDDN3z5uZVyZEqkhZgnIpHQ-n6QZvaaje2rIdMZh5PM9tOOpR9oQJkH43dEisnEZs/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVNleg3QG6eSNuufZDb1ooPLoDBR6rTZrjITUlqocBrxPj6aR_9FxYQv-_SJUwYaBXq_Xil7ZlMRDDN3z5uZVyZEqkhZgnIpHQ-n6QZvaaje2rIdMZh5PM9tOOpR9oQJkH43dEisnEZs/s200/IMG_1104.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varied Terrain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As soon as the views were omnipresent, my pack felt lighter and my legs were running easier. The wind of its beauty was catching my sails, and sometimes blowing silt in my face. The views were absolutely phenomenal, whether you were looking at the exploded mountain, or the infinite forest of the Cascade Range. The terrain on the mountain was incredibly varied, and it constantly goes from running on the <em>moon </em>to running in a <em>forest </em>to running in a <em>desert </em>and back to running on the <em>moon</em>. Incredible. The power of the mountain was obvious even from the South side, and that wasn't even the blast zone.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4rVX0d1OUglPXvteoSRTdAIR6DVrvkbl-EnRnx-q8IZKHJYYFPQxYVeBO2ifTQkAOWPc4ey3TjKlSM9dSA3uSDBVcBF9ZmjdmdMWDUthoRnLNyJ-wR7E5C0T1DB5-q_R_zfIjkmvIl0/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4rVX0d1OUglPXvteoSRTdAIR6DVrvkbl-EnRnx-q8IZKHJYYFPQxYVeBO2ifTQkAOWPc4ey3TjKlSM9dSA3uSDBVcBF9ZmjdmdMWDUthoRnLNyJ-wR7E5C0T1DB5-q_R_zfIjkmvIl0/s200/IMG_1102.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Armstrong landed here once.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My emotions were giddy as I navigated the terrain, excited to run around at my own leisure. Rock hopping, rock dodging, tree jumping, slope scrambling...it's a real playground. Certain sections of the trail are the pure definition of technical, especially the lava rock fields that turn into a sketchy game of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hopscotch_to_oblivion.jpg">hopscotch</a>. Most of the rocks are fixed, but sometimes I found one that had me rocking like a hurricane. During the Volcanic 50 race, I can see these lava rock sections being very interesting for many of the runners.<br />
<br />
Ascending and descending through the forested Southwest corner of the mountain, I finally reached the Toutle River. This was a good opportunity to play around with my water filter and take lunch (about 13 miles into the run). The river is skinny and shallow, but the river channel is HUGE! The photos below give an example of what it takes to scramble in and out of the channel to reach the trail on the other side. It's gnarly and extremely tough to get a solid footing in the sandy-silt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAmCv7J76yZZqoyfNkJoDhxaGEOp9Ff-Hlcp_bKvULFkX_qW76UHFS876KOLawugNRYrC8J76j0-EqGxgzrl5DsGz71kEb3YxHyfMosWaKHPi11oqJFBEvO1rzl5ywo49I5VaepudZRs/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAmCv7J76yZZqoyfNkJoDhxaGEOp9Ff-Hlcp_bKvULFkX_qW76UHFS876KOLawugNRYrC8J76j0-EqGxgzrl5DsGz71kEb3YxHyfMosWaKHPi11oqJFBEvO1rzl5ywo49I5VaepudZRs/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toutle River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGHr6Qxw5Fm-uj6y6rMvSGOF0ZfiqidJJap_gQ2A-7x0AnKCXpRvq8X3kxJYhH1TLa7TNt4Vj8beA-9hosQQqajnM89KAnL-IOuFn7yRT9yMW8Ll7626hZt111rv90WK_8s37pH2mloU/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGHr6Qxw5Fm-uj6y6rMvSGOF0ZfiqidJJap_gQ2A-7x0AnKCXpRvq8X3kxJYhH1TLa7TNt4Vj8beA-9hosQQqajnM89KAnL-IOuFn7yRT9yMW8Ll7626hZt111rv90WK_8s37pH2mloU/s400/IMG_1098.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climb out of the Toutle River channel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><b>THE HUNT - WEST TO NORTHEAST</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7IuPyo_Z7JPtbo1xTmF9mL_U_vENIen_nQdidIJXK_4G1TUuAQxoS7sxSWQ1sW42SKqppanLyFBnui8PQReeyoz4kZH4QR365_77gCZyrC5xrf5SJS6aZ-lEBJ08OFaJosh2G39qE8s/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7IuPyo_Z7JPtbo1xTmF9mL_U_vENIen_nQdidIJXK_4G1TUuAQxoS7sxSWQ1sW42SKqppanLyFBnui8PQReeyoz4kZH4QR365_77gCZyrC5xrf5SJS6aZ-lEBJ08OFaJosh2G39qE8s/s400/IMG_1096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fallen Trees on the Northwest side of the Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjUKNJIX8P58E0nlJL90C7SJixEEQ-CGRPrX5wBzDQKiOocgmHpcXRW2h9Wcl4p05wigdO5IrHBGJdHAaVYpj5UwULU7ECOZ4-bZBSVjd8fxgLC2j6OnGPG0Hh8pdrLEVVqXPeJNCnOY/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjUKNJIX8P58E0nlJL90C7SJixEEQ-CGRPrX5wBzDQKiOocgmHpcXRW2h9Wcl4p05wigdO5IrHBGJdHAaVYpj5UwULU7ECOZ4-bZBSVjd8fxgLC2j6OnGPG0Hh8pdrLEVVqXPeJNCnOY/s200/IMG_1093.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
The climb out of the Toutle River basin is one of the longer climbs of the route, and it gets frustratingly sandy near the top. Regardless, the views are fantastic. After reaching the top, it's only a few miles to the epic blast zone. The terrain levels off, and it becomes rather fun with rolling ups and downs through a rather moon-like terrain. The crater of the mountain slowly creeped into view, steaming with the evaporation of snow. Dead trees that were blasted by the eruption were still petrified and pointing away from the mountain. Rocks were everywhere, and vegetation was scarce.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyfCjD88CBes81dv2xYqU4qsJ540hZC8yqlV8g5IEjAISdp7yKsKvnucHaawTBG9XnYHoLmDGQP066vgr6tLGjSdw51MABCBrVT__fsJlSUyspbjCwMXfATlHFMjLXRsAbshgw_m8rSU/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyfCjD88CBes81dv2xYqU4qsJ540hZC8yqlV8g5IEjAISdp7yKsKvnucHaawTBG9XnYHoLmDGQP066vgr6tLGjSdw51MABCBrVT__fsJlSUyspbjCwMXfATlHFMjLXRsAbshgw_m8rSU/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLmE4vNFhS-RWsJS7srPdGa8AKPwauQfc_y9Wrxx6wtPnkJ-G6e5nBXObtTVEjzBUAZU3322yg8WHfJWV39dDmYO_VMc3517nikbHKi8ozLrVD8iEO0Jfw8S1BhJ8TIX3jQghOVyGSic/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLmE4vNFhS-RWsJS7srPdGa8AKPwauQfc_y9Wrxx6wtPnkJ-G6e5nBXObtTVEjzBUAZU3322yg8WHfJWV39dDmYO_VMc3517nikbHKi8ozLrVD8iEO0Jfw8S1BhJ8TIX3jQghOVyGSic/s200/IMG_1095.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks: Brooks Cascadias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJhZHoouL7QaPtEd3jGlMGxS44EeyxDVWe8q3e92YQVhD-nj9nTJdC82Ys6XJmM3DJ82JWjb4D5wKAm0BjZoCvuwOkiX6K6wE945W14s2G__lfvx8tH6l5_1VMQ3z1Lp7AeimbS7jIpY/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJhZHoouL7QaPtEd3jGlMGxS44EeyxDVWe8q3e92YQVhD-nj9nTJdC82Ys6XJmM3DJ82JWjb4D5wKAm0BjZoCvuwOkiX6K6wE945W14s2G__lfvx8tH6l5_1VMQ3z1Lp7AeimbS7jIpY/s200/IMG_1094.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks: Rogue Racer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All of a sudden, I noticed something on the trail. There were several types of footprints, but these were all too familiar. My trail running experience helped me conclude that I was following a pair of Brooks Cascadias and Rogue Racers. From what I could tell, the Rogue Racer was the leader, and they were hiking the hills. Immediately, I went into <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrDsvVKY_d4">hunting</a></i> mode. My pace increased, and my eyes were pealed on the lunar horizon of the blast zone looking for them...I could almost smell them. Every hiker on the trail told me they were only a couple miles ahead. "You'll never catch them! They're booking it like the bible!" one hiker said to me. <i>Don't ever underestimate the Jbob,</i> I said with my eyes. As I reached the Oasis of drinkable groundwater, I finally spotted the runners in the distance. <i>Only a matter of time now</i>. The natural spring was bursting across the trail and provided a great opportunity to fill my bottles before beginning the chase. No water filter was used, and I'll keep you posted on the consequences of that decision later this weekend (many sources claim the water is drinkable straight up). The natural spring is half a mile East of the Loowit Falls trailhead, bursting out of a rock just above the trail. See photo below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbX-3-5BLero7DlbzvEFzjPaIlUD0mFBxBTGtbY1lHw-M_jcxazbJC_Y-qIocApCPgoicf7QEo0phusp3xyjobWy_a1yt37rzUE2Ky8R88tIOEiiShBAKSo_euKwE_-8ZNSd5aaD0GKk/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbX-3-5BLero7DlbzvEFzjPaIlUD0mFBxBTGtbY1lHw-M_jcxazbJC_Y-qIocApCPgoicf7QEo0phusp3xyjobWy_a1yt37rzUE2Ky8R88tIOEiiShBAKSo_euKwE_-8ZNSd5aaD0GKk/s320/IMG_1089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Oasis in the desert. The Natural Spring on the North Side of the mountain,<br />
about half a mile East of the trailhead to Loowit Falls. It's obvious,<br />
and you can see the water bursting out of a rock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><b>A FEW GOOD MEN - NORTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST (FINISH)</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKubDszb_KOgwQU6H6Z_OwGGS8SkjIjpS6wUnchA7IDIJOwQGLbyV55bfSkY9z2QBjQ83HBwEg2TpymAuqp3PycaVR1baaHcucqIN9gXlLZMclY1xJ_OyAhju0acDkCXogm6EcrAuiWDY/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKubDszb_KOgwQU6H6Z_OwGGS8SkjIjpS6wUnchA7IDIJOwQGLbyV55bfSkY9z2QBjQ83HBwEg2TpymAuqp3PycaVR1baaHcucqIN9gXlLZMclY1xJ_OyAhju0acDkCXogm6EcrAuiWDY/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Damn! Brooks Cascadias (Josh Owens) and the Rogue Racers (Josh Marks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfrOdeNUCGIu07atIrkWWdTCk666WQWkps3koAuLFbrQCPjJYFa43j2z0gTTnyaizG_JLNF-Vp2hX1IhK4bqLuZ0ZbnxzaF-4Hk4871ATp2iIdWyekpgjX0vCa0eyTZ19gabM1DxauXs/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfrOdeNUCGIu07atIrkWWdTCk666WQWkps3koAuLFbrQCPjJYFa43j2z0gTTnyaizG_JLNF-Vp2hX1IhK4bqLuZ0ZbnxzaF-4Hk4871ATp2iIdWyekpgjX0vCa0eyTZ19gabM1DxauXs/s200/IMG_1086.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huckleberries!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After hiking up Windy Pass, I caught up to the runners as we were reaching the bottom of the descent. Lo' and behold, it was <a href="http://gallery.longrunpictures.com/OregonTrailSeries2012/Waldo-100K-2012/24859006_ZGcTHp#!i=2035058523&k=4k7VmS3">Josh Owens and Josh Marks</a>! These guys ran the Mt. Hood 50 miler and Marks paced Owens at the Waldo 100K, both races that I volunteered at...so we recognized each other pretty quickly. Both Joshes are in training for the Pine to Palm 100 miler in September, and this was their first ever circumnavigation around Mt. St. Helens (and the next day they would summit). They let me tag along, and they made great company considering I'd been chasing them down for the last 5 miles. The hunt was over.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xX1y-ejF6PC0A_tqzwvmRJYE18h3g8xB_SBmuFwIBPf1C2Kq4-2MM-mvimito4ffr3FX8WRtRt7ca3PbHcfgRRSf65ktZIto73JuUfYf6Vfaf0lPBu0rF33IiODfmt6vr40DNJjUL4A/s1600/Mt.+St.+Helens+Cover+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xX1y-ejF6PC0A_tqzwvmRJYE18h3g8xB_SBmuFwIBPf1C2Kq4-2MM-mvimito4ffr3FX8WRtRt7ca3PbHcfgRRSf65ktZIto73JuUfYf6Vfaf0lPBu0rF33IiODfmt6vr40DNJjUL4A/s400/Mt.+St.+Helens+Cover+Photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite shots. Photo by Josh Owen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsx250DM-LUfTh5nA6eIZ9KBF6g8cQM797zoI5P1DtxTfjU-QbIohC8n6AOy3xT6Gw_OhGzcjv-O2VIsvdbn3P75zO9GBqT9A5UBu8L9k_EdvycKnDj7xilTpm81PCP6pG_W10acFs9A/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsx250DM-LUfTh5nA6eIZ9KBF6g8cQM797zoI5P1DtxTfjU-QbIohC8n6AOy3xT6Gw_OhGzcjv-O2VIsvdbn3P75zO9GBqT9A5UBu8L9k_EdvycKnDj7xilTpm81PCP6pG_W10acFs9A/s200/IMG_1080.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks-Rocks-Rocks-Rocks-Rocks-<br />
Rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The trail was flipping awesome, weaving in and out of silty channels, popping into random forests and fields of huckleberries. Of course, there was one last section of lava rocks that slowed us down a bit. Such is life. The rock hopping was a bit less enthusiastic after 9 hours of running/hiking, but we eventually cleared the final technical dance with the mountain. This is where we departed. Josh and Josh started at the climber's bivouac, so they had three more miles to go on the Loowit trail. It was an honor to run with these men, I had a blast getting to know them. After we parted ways, the final 2 miles of downhill were gradual enough to bomb down...thus completing one of the funnest runs I've ever done...about 33 miles in 9 hours and 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
<b>VOLCANIC 50 RUNNERS</b><br />
<br />
Course knowledge will go a long way in the Volcanic 50 race on September 15th. For those running it, I highly recommend wearing <a href="http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/">gaiters</a> and some sort of hat or sun visor. The course is mostly exposed, and can get pretty hot. And get intimately familiar with the course map, it'll help. Be prepared for every kind of terrain, including a few river crossings (ones where you can't avoid getting your feet wet). My conservative pace got me around the mountain in 9 hours and 30 minutes, mainly because of technical trail, photos, water filtering, and general frolicking. It's a slow course, so be prepared for a long day. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<b>FINAL WORDS</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The mountains are calling...bring your dancing shoes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrUhp27Ye0Iu2Z1BHnYlSvm-wbZNmSFIHuqv7UAXRjKRXlx7ZsWgoLnaVa7KwOxIi0vtR1k8bSUFHN0WXlkX7FgVbdKPaMpfzhyphenhyphenEOIx1iIv4ncH1mpw21Wk4p8USbLwPF2P2bFTQOaHI/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrUhp27Ye0Iu2Z1BHnYlSvm-wbZNmSFIHuqv7UAXRjKRXlx7ZsWgoLnaVa7KwOxIi0vtR1k8bSUFHN0WXlkX7FgVbdKPaMpfzhyphenhyphenEOIx1iIv4ncH1mpw21Wk4p8USbLwPF2P2bFTQOaHI/s400/IMG_1087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanity shot.<br />
Mt. Adams from the east side of Mt. St. Helens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Much Love,<br />
<br />
JbobJason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-70169415625948157712012-08-27T22:52:00.000-07:002012-08-29T12:06:53.839-07:00Short Stories of Life after Heart SurgeryIt's easier to learn patience when you don't have a choice...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWyxvQCscgqQwf4xJvG6eIms0fUVvJsgHZz86K3fs_JDa32iaODTPhExIK5Jg9WIJRyM-uF_G2GNLf2FNEDohvpu5yGeb7c39KBo3TtRaXss1goG27gY9XL6hYPWEXLst2HxTPT_RfC0/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWyxvQCscgqQwf4xJvG6eIms0fUVvJsgHZz86K3fs_JDa32iaODTPhExIK5Jg9WIJRyM-uF_G2GNLf2FNEDohvpu5yGeb7c39KBo3TtRaXss1goG27gY9XL6hYPWEXLst2HxTPT_RfC0/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For those of you who have wondered about how my running is going since my heart surgery, here's what I've been up to for the past several weekends. This blog is more informative than it is humorous, but it's okay.<br />
<br />
<b>Heart Surgery - July 12</b><br />
<br />
Long story short, I had an ablation done to cure my Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Essentially, the doctor performed non-invasive heart surgery to destroy an extra electrical pathway in my heart. <a href="http://jasonleman.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-rapid-heartbeat-wolff-parkinson.html">Here's a link to a more detailed blog on the condition</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Baptisms in California - July 21-22</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Ten days after heart surgery, I ran 10 miles in Rancho San Antonio...and there was a grin on my face for every mile of it. The Plantar Fasciitis (PF) in my left foot was incredibly sore afterwards, but I was ECSTATIC to complete my longest run in 5 weeks. My heart was fixed, seemingly, and for the first time in years I could actually get physically excited about running without worrying about my heart beating like a hummingbird drenched in Red Bull. Emotionally, this was a huge day for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46wHdaNaKeksrt3Rbt6RGFeWuFQlCEFdZJ-aRTPVf37BfJS79gbDDSNe3MtpnagPO5rN-LzVgg03uuZ1K0wF-pwbfCwya9l7D969AreQCpFriP053IcI4kGab0dkifosgTu6SSwxWbw/s1600/Kellen+&+Annika+Baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46wHdaNaKeksrt3Rbt6RGFeWuFQlCEFdZJ-aRTPVf37BfJS79gbDDSNe3MtpnagPO5rN-LzVgg03uuZ1K0wF-pwbfCwya9l7D969AreQCpFriP053IcI4kGab0dkifosgTu6SSwxWbw/s400/Kellen+&+Annika+Baptism.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My Niece and Nephew at Baptism that same weekend. Adore it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Mt. Hood 50 miler - July 28-29</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K484guzqFIlj21olgFxvSs04tTghbkuTj333LlzWKMMk82ErKdaiGqPJFUJYPDNhBD0UJN1c38BcQgteZ400tA4wjP0NCdLpovz59p_594GKMbgCQj18BZsrldggROvaYMCypFtTXNc/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K484guzqFIlj21olgFxvSs04tTghbkuTj333LlzWKMMk82ErKdaiGqPJFUJYPDNhBD0UJN1c38BcQgteZ400tA4wjP0NCdLpovz59p_594GKMbgCQj18BZsrldggROvaYMCypFtTXNc/s200/IMG_0814.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timothy Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Waking up on race day, I rushed to the start to see off the early and normal starters. My assignment was to help work the Red Wolf Aid Station at miles 34 and 45 (it's an out and back course), and so I had a few hours to kill before needing to be set up. So I went for an easy 14 mile run around Timothy Lake, carefully monitoring my foot as I ran. It was a very tranquil run, and my foot was only mildly sore afterwards.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC4MLnGuIC1BkyjCpeZoCIIx4hiqCCvK63f_McHeCcq41bFLl2JjeI7KlIEKBdtpb-SxeJSkWGko-a8gDBF2nejYZvw3utPyK6NK386JVksmrzsJ-O1K6aGPSwYsBFodZ5YsEMzbklic/s1600/nspire+runners.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC4MLnGuIC1BkyjCpeZoCIIx4hiqCCvK63f_McHeCcq41bFLl2JjeI7KlIEKBdtpb-SxeJSkWGko-a8gDBF2nejYZvw3utPyK6NK386JVksmrzsJ-O1K6aGPSwYsBFodZ5YsEMzbklic/s200/nspire+runners.jpeg" style="text-align: center;" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Nspire each other</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Volunteering at Captain Marta's aid station was one of the best and proudest things I've ever been a part of. These weren't just random runners that I was helping, they were my close friends and training partners who have had a profound influence on my life for the past 2 years. There was even a thru-hiker by the name of 'Raisin' who hung out for 15 minutes while we served him tons of Marta's 7-layer dip. The only thing that would have made the day sweeter is if I were able to see everybody finish. After personally seeing the adversity that many of the runners were facing throughout the race, it would have made me proud to witness their hard work pay off. That's why <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MiPfaNRgf4">this video </a>brings tears to my eyes sometimes. And Gail has earned my full-hearted respect for what she had to endure that day, God bless that woman.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Waldo 100k Training - August 4-5</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzja494h4QvniZONx6q5ALDk6WSxbytNq-stAOSK2VV3E-oJKJG_F40TEzlEgWno9MeZR4uSSWEoeSKd4jMqnhU0wh_Ly596Yoau8zTzi3EC8q-hiM0rSw6H5_yOjkZtUIpVXktdEUiE/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzja494h4QvniZONx6q5ALDk6WSxbytNq-stAOSK2VV3E-oJKJG_F40TEzlEgWno9MeZR4uSSWEoeSKd4jMqnhU0wh_Ly596Yoau8zTzi3EC8q-hiM0rSw6H5_yOjkZtUIpVXktdEUiE/s200/IMG_0941.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sisters and Waldo Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Larry "The Strap" invited me to join him for a low-key training run weekend along the Waldo Course (thanks Larry!). HIS plan was to do the first 30 miles Saturday and the second 30 miles on Sunday with the group. MY plan was only to complete the first 30 miles of the course on Saturday and then do my own thing on Sunday. This 30 miles would be my longest run since April 15th and my first run over 14 miles since May 19.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLpTZXcXwBejjvQw_9z1sXFZgOcwMYzlYAGTX1tqOqBZyTY40L8Y60KrDgcnbRZ2NAIz6H9o_ISxRVpc2QW9Wom7dTeTfhxpVg3AEhtlJm1ICOLRgUw2ycbp6-TWcNzfphr3aMNR_pbs/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLpTZXcXwBejjvQw_9z1sXFZgOcwMYzlYAGTX1tqOqBZyTY40L8Y60KrDgcnbRZ2NAIz6H9o_ISxRVpc2QW9Wom7dTeTfhxpVg3AEhtlJm1ICOLRgUw2ycbp6-TWcNzfphr3aMNR_pbs/s200/IMG_0940.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Heroes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climb up the ski slopes of Willamette Pass were filled with tender steps, but once my foot got warmed up everything was feeling fine. It was a fun group with some awesome runners, and the run was enjoyable despite being one of the hottest days of summer. Then while we were all baking on the top of Mt. Fuji, Ken Sinclair mentions something about drinking an ice-cold Orange Crush...and that's all I thought about for the next 20 miles. <i>Damnit.</i> After we finished our run and got back to the campsite, a miracle happened...for the first time in 4 months, I wasn't limping after a long run. My left foot was a little sore, but it wasn't feeling inflamed! Going to bed, I had high hopes for Sunday morning...<br />
<br />
2:30 a.m. - My goal was to make it to the top of Maiden Peak so I could film a time lapse of the sunrise. Carrying two gallons of water as an 'aid station' for everyone running the 2nd half of the course, I hiked 3 miles before stashing the jugs in the bushes near the junction with the PCT. Then it was time to race the sun to the top of the mountain (I beat it by an hour). For two hours I watched the sunrise, soaking in the relief that my foot wasn't stopping me anymore from reaching the most beautiful places on earth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6hXsU1iur3g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
After getting back to the campsite for breakfast, I joined LB and Jeff Riley for some trailwork. Despite hiking with a heavy-ass chainsaw on my back on-and-off for the next several miles, my foot stayed strong. My total mileage for the weekend was 45+ miles, and for the first time in 4 months: Advantage = Jason.<br />
<br />
Scenes from the weekend:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzaRwhu9s8Ymno5uUn4fiVLzheVbSRdil1OF6lra1XWCzDJkMnHd4nukdkcuAnRuNmbVQFs9uHBiIZy7XVPRvvskRC7-oxVrelVTVMsv8CQ-qd4xvH1983DWcIOKvkmdg1QSHxV_u-bU/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzaRwhu9s8Ymno5uUn4fiVLzheVbSRdil1OF6lra1XWCzDJkMnHd4nukdkcuAnRuNmbVQFs9uHBiIZy7XVPRvvskRC7-oxVrelVTVMsv8CQ-qd4xvH1983DWcIOKvkmdg1QSHxV_u-bU/s400/IMG_0938.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pothole Meadow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihukU79wgvI48NER7I_yqLO7QT-9oFS8TKExOta5P9MKgUt2mXyPh4Xr7uB-PsRDLCN9qiMy9OPvaQ5LjWule-8fBAeua6pPS8rG3Ogvwfu7ulJJnjo5hau1V9hJKb9dOjiJuZWHH064E/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihukU79wgvI48NER7I_yqLO7QT-9oFS8TKExOta5P9MKgUt2mXyPh4Xr7uB-PsRDLCN9qiMy9OPvaQ5LjWule-8fBAeua6pPS8rG3Ogvwfu7ulJJnjo5hau1V9hJKb9dOjiJuZWHH064E/s400/IMG_0936.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from Maiden Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6f7ppynKUFka_BmAqBblxo9mgzWwb6V90LqCDlBXmWj20vCJityMIO5E6qg3XNY5FfWgrBGYiNwonIeMkmPy32Go5NocRX5ff9Ka4IQuScDbiMvuuafzKscEYf2jOChtAhD_HAhe1-U/s1600/Maiden+Peak+Sunrise+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6f7ppynKUFka_BmAqBblxo9mgzWwb6V90LqCDlBXmWj20vCJityMIO5E6qg3XNY5FfWgrBGYiNwonIeMkmPy32Go5NocRX5ff9Ka4IQuScDbiMvuuafzKscEYf2jOChtAhD_HAhe1-U/s400/Maiden+Peak+Sunrise+45.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from Maiden Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_8r9_DAw1XIImFKPQXHNKMx6AY1h6xbnloPa579bQwl7ojMcmayX5EaqOZgfVITy6T4OHxTDOZeI3GCLi1ZDmqtZU7E5YDZD0mz8wpzbomNJ2XKZ0vFNH0UEb_eL4HRf4nu_2ua7n0Y/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_8r9_DAw1XIImFKPQXHNKMx6AY1h6xbnloPa579bQwl7ojMcmayX5EaqOZgfVITy6T4OHxTDOZeI3GCLi1ZDmqtZU7E5YDZD0mz8wpzbomNJ2XKZ0vFNH0UEb_eL4HRf4nu_2ua7n0Y/s400/IMG_0943.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the saw with Jeff Riley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Squamish 50 Mile Race - August 10-13</strong><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zprI8rM5RaWY62hFxQpvxt-UE5Msu7NPvuh4DK9RekYjoUmEIRUUfs1__3RjyDx9vGmW46T8kxhexv3KsP0sss1l6ttnflTKAVwaCENrL8kgmJ1TkY3qGPbNjz1BwNFzXDU9-wMzbmE/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zprI8rM5RaWY62hFxQpvxt-UE5Msu7NPvuh4DK9RekYjoUmEIRUUfs1__3RjyDx9vGmW46T8kxhexv3KsP0sss1l6ttnflTKAVwaCENrL8kgmJ1TkY3qGPbNjz1BwNFzXDU9-wMzbmE/s200/IMG_0945.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to Canada!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
ROAD TRIP! Gary Robbins and Geoff Langford were Race Directing the inaugural Squamish 50 mile run, relay, and half marathon. This was a great opportunity to volunteer while exploring some of the trails in the area, and I had a blast! Gary had me marking the course over a super fun section of trail that weaved in and out of some quick ascents/descents filled with fun technical terrain. After I finished, he had me course mark another 10 miles of gravel roads and gnarly mountain bike trails that ran like a technical roller coaster. <i>Running the trails was probably more fun than biking them, in my opinion. </i>After finishing the course marking, my reward came in the form of 2 beers from Howe Sound Brewery, 4 slices of pizza, 2 hours of sleep in the back of my car, and more course marking with Gary at 1:00 am. Holy shit, that was fun! I don't think I've ever experienced a race that was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2IgR3q2vM">so well </a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2IgR3q2vM">marked</a>. The race was a HUGE success, and the amount of work that the RDs and Volunteers put in was absolutely amazing. The course was tough, but it made the runners even prouder to finish. The views were absolutely beautiful, and the forest was full of life. Congrats on a job well done, Gary and Geoff!</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVvnqCbM1Lar4Dj_Rr9WB5ZaNp3S-pUkK4D6phBBZT-aY6Zt8-M8Cuc-8-vnunAqkZtW2sV0uw5DUbxRAeygWmjnlCwewbCTeL4yZI44p_RiwZbnvQ7OBv6410YyVvtoigeuoSisC738/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVvnqCbM1Lar4Dj_Rr9WB5ZaNp3S-pUkK4D6phBBZT-aY6Zt8-M8Cuc-8-vnunAqkZtW2sV0uw5DUbxRAeygWmjnlCwewbCTeL4yZI44p_RiwZbnvQ7OBv6410YyVvtoigeuoSisC738/s200/IMG_1038.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
After volunteering all day at the race, I definitely felt hungover the next morning despite not drinking any beer the night prior. In search of a scenic run, Gary sent me up up up above Squamish until I drove into Garibaldi Provincial Park. The first section of trail was an extremely draining long gradual sheltered 3 mile climb, but I kept on trucking in hope that the views would start to get better. And OMG, after the first 3 miles it instantly became one of the most scenic runs I had ever been on! It either felt like running in the Alps or somewhere near <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLxeNktacYs">Edoras</a>. For the first time in a looooong time, my spirit was renewed.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Scenes from the Trip:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1CX2F-6sKuLew1AI1yI3gDlJLhzBbivwk7qBaWu6rYD5I9WPDTngWOAi-F9pc6_BpCaZ0cwRQ2S0Gb-JiiYopCIV7qHXl0_uY_fmRvKHuPuHfyqVGCVhEW5mjMAqeuRotEcz_1MX44U/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1CX2F-6sKuLew1AI1yI3gDlJLhzBbivwk7qBaWu6rYD5I9WPDTngWOAi-F9pc6_BpCaZ0cwRQ2S0Gb-JiiYopCIV7qHXl0_uY_fmRvKHuPuHfyqVGCVhEW5mjMAqeuRotEcz_1MX44U/s400/IMG_0944.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosquito Repellant, Lady Attractant </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P-qd-Fa1VdeBezskEM7Axl8zfnc4NYHdb0mB-N3PE0TEellc4GA6Xd8g9dDbw1qENDDGAuYSXp-B90auhVhPoVOUQdFKxW0r917_L_GJ1i30DgwF1NOsWzhSOEqdYggHmvI_w3CHvUI/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P-qd-Fa1VdeBezskEM7Axl8zfnc4NYHdb0mB-N3PE0TEellc4GA6Xd8g9dDbw1qENDDGAuYSXp-B90auhVhPoVOUQdFKxW0r917_L_GJ1i30DgwF1NOsWzhSOEqdYggHmvI_w3CHvUI/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo7Lx9MOdIlCKYe5rZbJmOJH7r7IgrIfWV5kiynB7HFMb-vgRiJRLKJ5dmgwXJoTVdLdV2p2PfcrfkE_Qn8Hv9RlOzPgrgZ8LS3yHZrgDsaCox7uqMzUGI_y45vKY8HeBXopB7-I-dcw/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo7Lx9MOdIlCKYe5rZbJmOJH7r7IgrIfWV5kiynB7HFMb-vgRiJRLKJ5dmgwXJoTVdLdV2p2PfcrfkE_Qn8Hv9RlOzPgrgZ8LS3yHZrgDsaCox7uqMzUGI_y45vKY8HeBXopB7-I-dcw/s400/IMG_0956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break before marking<br />
10 more miles of the course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Z8n6X51fLGMIHtM-IgdvXzAhSTPKP8muEHYvCgqsCHNxIgBXlt6wHRVD_TWYP36SCJ-RdmO4Pqmybjiqv6IDSpujfPi9IiYfGVKNgr8aqqvnrkS3f51pFbGG8SEROI8HIW2pe9wQo/s1600/Squamish+Fun+Shit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Z8n6X51fLGMIHtM-IgdvXzAhSTPKP8muEHYvCgqsCHNxIgBXlt6wHRVD_TWYP36SCJ-RdmO4Pqmybjiqv6IDSpujfPi9IiYfGVKNgr8aqqvnrkS3f51pFbGG8SEROI8HIW2pe9wQo/s400/Squamish+Fun+Shit.jpeg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FUN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1ygT5fI9R_2TxUWq1_f-KLksJuC4tn1El4vviSAT0ZB8gCGM8B5PZCK40ibw9aRUha6AOiuhJypPWpBcyXNIzrYdBZ286HbioduEa81uu0WZGyVMcaqunwLOPb-0tGdl3sU8zLaRu_8/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1ygT5fI9R_2TxUWq1_f-KLksJuC4tn1El4vviSAT0ZB8gCGM8B5PZCK40ibw9aRUha6AOiuhJypPWpBcyXNIzrYdBZ286HbioduEa81uu0WZGyVMcaqunwLOPb-0tGdl3sU8zLaRu_8/s400/IMG_0970.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cool trail sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNOsPEASORdhsVLoVKiTEENYEr3v5wmOx5f5gUpRQEi1THy27AGfskaZ5Eei_zJVzqswufoLDnbI7gwSxNDpaPuGljo432skEtpm55SEFZTs6r6T3QXIabJ6DpcgtYixrR03kqNKQVkw/s1600/Squammish+STOP.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNOsPEASORdhsVLoVKiTEENYEr3v5wmOx5f5gUpRQEi1THy27AGfskaZ5Eei_zJVzqswufoLDnbI7gwSxNDpaPuGljo432skEtpm55SEFZTs6r6T3QXIabJ6DpcgtYixrR03kqNKQVkw/s400/Squammish+STOP.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authority.<br />
Photo by <a href="http://www.pbase.com/gtach/running">Glenn Tachiyama</a>. Thanks for hanging out, Glenn!<br />
You always make me look DAMN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK0mXG6X1i-PuGumKXNMne2FFdetTkAvZB22AMB7LqleDv4-_FylXAs1xYeTs-4YMmTRpI9Y71jrFA6Q_38KtSwCr8ayLaW10hyYdIStwl-eP2_O4wZYK6P2LwFOqewHu2m94kfQvx0c/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK0mXG6X1i-PuGumKXNMne2FFdetTkAvZB22AMB7LqleDv4-_FylXAs1xYeTs-4YMmTRpI9Y71jrFA6Q_38KtSwCr8ayLaW10hyYdIStwl-eP2_O4wZYK6P2LwFOqewHu2m94kfQvx0c/s400/IMG_1034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine this view almost 360 degrees.<br />
Shot from my run in Garibaldi Provincial Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93AKq-Ktc-IDt4F94MvK48eqxkHgVrOo1x9sSvAGOOXjp5AvKRo5hrrZmX061q2sdkTthlhkprureY46LxTwJ-ZsUiWUjRs5JrCS97rNxr6WAW06HciURd9YUxOqfiZJ3Kq64hygJzZk/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93AKq-Ktc-IDt4F94MvK48eqxkHgVrOo1x9sSvAGOOXjp5AvKRo5hrrZmX061q2sdkTthlhkprureY46LxTwJ-ZsUiWUjRs5JrCS97rNxr6WAW06HciURd9YUxOqfiZJ3Kq64hygJzZk/s400/IMG_0998.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Road trip back to 'merica<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Waldo 100k Race Weekend - August 18-19</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP59VDGFsj6HaJoM1XHowFLkRZUdfopWbn8RGos49ZViMNsbdvZft1EkEBXaUNxBhCRtVOrB3dk65SE2HvtmW4o2OqUKf9JekLKByDLc-ZHgLdzhve-z9e-d0ne861sdH2eX9PQDjqP0/s1600/IMG_1045.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP59VDGFsj6HaJoM1XHowFLkRZUdfopWbn8RGos49ZViMNsbdvZft1EkEBXaUNxBhCRtVOrB3dk65SE2HvtmW4o2OqUKf9JekLKByDLc-ZHgLdzhve-z9e-d0ne861sdH2eX9PQDjqP0/s200/IMG_1045.PNG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't that bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First off, I would like to congratulate Craig Thornley and everyone else who helped organize the race. This year was particularly special considering the re-route due to the Bobby Lake fire. This added at least 3 miles to the already tough course, but it kept the race from being cancelled. Also, a HUGE thanks to the firefighters who helped contain and control the fire, saving more than just the race. True heroes.<br />
<br />
<i>Hooray for car camping.</i> I woke up in the passenger seat of my car just 10 minutes before the start of the race (4:50 am) to cheer on some friends of mine. Larry "The Strap", Scott Wolfe, Joe Uhan (pacer), Mike Davis, Larry Stephens, Kathleen Egan, Glenn Tachiyama (crew), Anne Crispino-Taylor (sweeper), and maybe a couple others. As soon as the race started, I went back to my car for a 3 hour nappy-poo.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uhFTFOnJgJLuCSivcKZaXlKzuurv_ZK_djJaX5XJ0jh6nm5yvlRLrk0Gdcg1lhBRH2AvHWINaHJ_SU6fHvR3TmEye2XL1G-li8PMOh17mv4ZVDnqQl97BGHdYybKbYL06BRTl7k1_6s/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uhFTFOnJgJLuCSivcKZaXlKzuurv_ZK_djJaX5XJ0jh6nm5yvlRLrk0Gdcg1lhBRH2AvHWINaHJ_SU6fHvR3TmEye2XL1G-li8PMOh17mv4ZVDnqQl97BGHdYybKbYL06BRTl7k1_6s/s200/IMG_1046.JPG" width="200" /></a>My assignment was the Maiden Peak aid station at mile ~52...aka the Spongebob Aid Station. After hiking 3 miles into the aid station with our supplies, we had everything setup and ready by 11:20am. The first runner wasn't expected until at least noon, so we all hung out and I ingested a footlong Subway sandwich. Soon after, a man comes up the trail with course markers and hands me a bunch of ribbons to help mark 3 miles of the course to the top of Maiden Peak (as the Queen requested). <i>Sure!</i> As I ran up, I realized that Subway was a poor choice. Miraculously, I made it to the top without a spew.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYkgBraq37MBIMbk3lvyMH1UjDtNnYqfPFX8liUGTDX5DmU30W4W8eyhv-nlIBx9Hoi1ZDBURLHMR352AnHFnw900Dr7cv9BHlcg2q4HY7lO_ydxO8c2wA-YXYzu-m7ToAKA_XcB6uQY/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYkgBraq37MBIMbk3lvyMH1UjDtNnYqfPFX8liUGTDX5DmU30W4W8eyhv-nlIBx9Hoi1ZDBURLHMR352AnHFnw900Dr7cv9BHlcg2q4HY7lO_ydxO8c2wA-YXYzu-m7ToAKA_XcB6uQY/s200/IMG_1062.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen and someone doing<br />
a lantern dance for the finishers<br />
in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Running back down to my aid station, I saw the Jacob Rydman and his pacer Joe Uhan in first place. Soon after was Timothy Olson running up the Maiden peak trail, looking A LOT fresher than Jacob did. Then there was Jesse Haynes and <a href="http://animalathleticspdx.com/">Yassine Diboun</a>, both working together and competing for 3rd place and the final Western States slot. Then I arrived back at the aid station and helped aid the rest of the Waldo runners as they prepared for the final 12 miles of the race. Despite the hellish climb that awaited all the runners, every single person who came into the aid station was grateful and extremely well-natured. I was proud of every single runner who managed to smile, swallow the pain, and keep going. It's often a highly underestimated course, but many persevered despite their expectations. My hero of the day was Jeff McAlpine who had a very rough day, but managed to conquer the longest distance of his life...and smile while doing it. And congrats to everyone else who finished or dropped, for it takes courage just to get to the starting line. My heroes.<br />
<br />
Photos from the weekend:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8up5Nkop0pUSQ-ocGD3DuA-Jprlz1lCsl42rIrk1e5uiWrKgvhP_d9fVJ4WAGybvC3jdKoG3Mj0H_28f257tPHbc5r_RocJ5hOs2HV9jTMq5LolkdwnpggXxi7o-Os0TOtek5lQ-0Yw/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8up5Nkop0pUSQ-ocGD3DuA-Jprlz1lCsl42rIrk1e5uiWrKgvhP_d9fVJ4WAGybvC3jdKoG3Mj0H_28f257tPHbc5r_RocJ5hOs2HV9jTMq5LolkdwnpggXxi7o-Os0TOtek5lQ-0Yw/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking Spongebob</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_s1SuXqPqSjdVy-ONdlnSOTZqlzCQQLd-5dVQRK2lGNkLQGAgFGF6HzSKl2xMpF6BSwrf_SYZsVRaz9GMbACM8F_3q6cFkvdvJQy_rmIvNM3k438s6P_UL2c4ejFiQbUNEKEX_5xOI0/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_s1SuXqPqSjdVy-ONdlnSOTZqlzCQQLd-5dVQRK2lGNkLQGAgFGF6HzSKl2xMpF6BSwrf_SYZsVRaz9GMbACM8F_3q6cFkvdvJQy_rmIvNM3k438s6P_UL2c4ejFiQbUNEKEX_5xOI0/s400/IMG_1056.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from my run on the PCT<br />
South of Hwy 58, the day after Waldo.<br />
I have no idea how far I went.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>CONCLUSION</b><br />
<br />
So yes, my heart is fixed. Yes, my plantar isn't preventing me from running like an animal. Yes, after a depressing couple of months, things are starting to look up. But for how long?<br />
<br />
Life happens in waves. Inevitably things can come crashing down just as quickly as things seem to be getting better. <span style="text-align: center;">There's no such thing as a rock bottom, because things can always, ALWAYS be worse. But then again, life can sometimes be a real SOB. For example: </span><span style="text-align: center;">The last time I said the words "</span><i style="text-align: center;">how can things possibly get worse?</i><span style="text-align: center;">", I found out I needed heart surgery. </span><i style="text-align: center;">Haha, Life, you crazy son of a b*tch, you!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>The only way to prepare for the lows of life is by learning to take NOTHING for granted. It's easier said than done, and I definitely take too many things for granted in my life. But for now, the ability to run without pain has been a dream of mine for the past 4 months, and I've FINALLY crossed the threshold. Chances are, I'm going to get injured again. Chances are, I'll see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3aHzvBIo6A">darker days</a>. Chances are, life will challenge me in ways unimaginable. So while I'm healthy and happy, I'm going to take advantage and always remember the suffering I went through to get back to where I am now.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for my family, friends, and the opportunity to volunteer and aid for so many inspirational runners. You've given me so much spirit when I had so little. Thank you, everyone. I Love you all.<br />
<br />
For those of you who are injured, head up. Be the meaning of courage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bt4eNHFHuKXcXR4q1gXyiAhnxSE16qxpXFA5jYQGueZ8nA8ZiAta6jjsS83Z_jRB7GPUIzMcvxwsTRXm3kTb6EMST0zTMoyY-PLHg2ev3CJCVbLSrDAsoq5lw2BXzR4jJ6EWLr3axFk/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bt4eNHFHuKXcXR4q1gXyiAhnxSE16qxpXFA5jYQGueZ8nA8ZiAta6jjsS83Z_jRB7GPUIzMcvxwsTRXm3kTb6EMST0zTMoyY-PLHg2ev3CJCVbLSrDAsoq5lw2BXzR4jJ6EWLr3axFk/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Carrel posted this on Facebook one day...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Much Love,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jbob</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-13030298954542318132012-07-12T16:19:00.001-07:002012-07-12T16:41:33.625-07:00Post Heart Surgery - SUCCESS!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFYGx1KgKE8">I'M ALIVE!!!!</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wMpCkSSAMKG4lRK5TZjoh_Og4joMRO0ZMRmjB2DO5Y3Kya56PGrdZ-ksOwKCBQdndtAfDN4irQHTsJBggNBXYDu0BQaETYqB6M_14OgA4wV2yN9GY8ZX1KQBWky_YJUMGzkri8XUA3Q/s1600/177988_669816360774_1421701236_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wMpCkSSAMKG4lRK5TZjoh_Og4joMRO0ZMRmjB2DO5Y3Kya56PGrdZ-ksOwKCBQdndtAfDN4irQHTsJBggNBXYDu0BQaETYqB6M_14OgA4wV2yN9GY8ZX1KQBWky_YJUMGzkri8XUA3Q/s320/177988_669816360774_1421701236_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no memory of this photo. Apparently I asked the doctor to take it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you read my last blog post, you know that I just had heart surgery for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. The surgery was a SUCCESS! Apparently after the surgeons were finished, I asked the doctor to take my picture (see above). I also did a lot of singing and talking in a Scottish accent as I was coming out of the anesthesia...Too bad I don't remember any of that.<br />
<br />
Now that the procedure is over, I will have 7 days of 'house arrest', where I'll be limited to barely any walking in order to let my 3 incisions heal (one in each leg and one in my neck). After that initial 7 days, I'll be able to do more, though still limited. My normal running probably won't happen until 2 weeks from now, but it all depends on how well I heal. Since running and exercise is taboo for the next week or two, now I know how Animal must have felt (see below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAM-PQ0GNGY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
That said...THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!! Every hug, text, facebook message, wink, nod, high five, fist bump, chest bump, snail, turkey, slap, e-mail, letter, phone call meant THE WORLD to me! To all my family and friends, I thank you from the bottom of my improved heart for all the kind words and support through everything. I felt the Love, and you show me the true meaning of happiness. I Love you all!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DFhqyTQFLEjwY02EAQpxhIQi8f4qwfU9E5qyh_9Btcdp0EL7gZnqKVY7hp0P_AnPBE2tnkB2OFymUMQFifHqjDleiWidWMOs6BE-ggoyLgdkKy7-HBsGJlE_J2hI1WcyRr8UDP2kltM/s1600/Trailfactor+DNF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DFhqyTQFLEjwY02EAQpxhIQi8f4qwfU9E5qyh_9Btcdp0EL7gZnqKVY7hp0P_AnPBE2tnkB2OFymUMQFifHqjDleiWidWMOs6BE-ggoyLgdkKy7-HBsGJlE_J2hI1WcyRr8UDP2kltM/s320/Trailfactor+DNF.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group Hug after my DNF at the Trailfactor 50k</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Lesson Learned</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
I'm not invincible. Nobody is. Even <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqhHgT4mvRQ">Highlander</a> immortals can be defeated by the sword.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>So...now what?!</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c93n6PTrhoQ">ruuuunning...ruuuuunning! Running! RUNNING! RUNNING! RUNNING! RUNNING! RUNNING! RUNNING!</a></span><br />
<br />
There's a renewed fire in my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmzNskcS3s">burning heart</a>, and I'm amped to get back running again. After experiencing a couple DNFs, dropping out of Bighorn and Wasatch, and taking time off from running...my focus has shifted to becoming first a healthier runner, then a stronger/faster runner. The Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot is still ever present (and it will be for a while), but it's taught me to be patient and to take better care of my body. That means more self-massage, core exercises, better nutrition, and general icing. This whole experience has been such a blessing, and I can already see its immediate benefit in how I plan to approach my training/living.<br />
<br />
I'll get back on the trails soon...and when I do, it's gonna be one hell of a comeback.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Cheers, and much Love,<br />
<br />
JbobJason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125441165894592788.post-580547428750102682012-06-21T23:26:00.000-07:002012-06-22T10:37:54.741-07:00My Rapid Heartbeat = Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was diagnosed on Thursday 6-20-12 with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. What the hell is that? Here's an excerpt from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome">Wikipedia</a>:</span><br />
<br />
"<b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">(</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">WPW</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">) is one of several disorders of the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_conduction_system_of_the_heart" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Electrical conduction system of the heart">conduction system</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">of the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Heart">heart</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">that are commonly referred to as</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-excitation_syndrome" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Pre-excitation syndrome">pre-excitation syndromes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">. While the majority of individuals with WPW remain</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asymptomatic" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Asymptomatic">asymptomatic</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">throughout their entire lives, there is a risk of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_cardiac_death" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Sudden cardiac death">sudden cardiac death</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">associated with the syndrome.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
WPW is caused by the presence of an abnormal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_pathway" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Accessory pathway">accessory electrical conduction pathway</a> between the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrium_(heart)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Atrium (heart)">atria</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventricle_(heart)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Ventricle (heart)">ventricles</a>. Electrical signals travelling down this abnormal pathway (known as the <b>bundle of Kent</b>) may stimulate the ventricles to contract prematurely, resulting in a specific type of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supraventricular_tachycardia" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Supraventricular tachycardia">supraventricular tachycardia</a> referred to as an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supraventricular_tachycardia#Types" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Supraventricular tachycardia">atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia</a>.</div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incidence_(epidemiology)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Incidence (epidemiology)">incidence</a> of WPW is between 0.1% and 0.3% in the general population.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rosner1999_0-0" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome#cite_note-Rosner1999-0" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sorbo1995_1-0" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome#cite_note-Sorbo1995-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[2]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Munger1993_2-0" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome#cite_note-Munger1993-2" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[3]</a></sup> Sudden cardiac death in people with WPW is rare (incidence of less than 0.6%), and is usually caused by the propagation of an atrial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_dysrhythmia#Tachycardias" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Cardiac dysrhythmia">tachydysrhythmia</a> (rapid and abnormal heart rate) to the ventricles by the abnormal accessory pathway.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Munger1993_2-1" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome#cite_note-Munger1993-2" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[3]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Fitzsimmons2001_3-0" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolff%E2%80%93Parkinson%E2%80%93White_syndrome#cite_note-Fitzsimmons2001-3" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[4]</a>"</sup></div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<sup class="reference" style="line-height: 1em;"><br /></sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="line-height: 10px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my story:</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="line-height: 10px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTiACatyfMTONDjAvDG3GV63ssMWYRmQk3OEuj7STK8l2UzO7qlHCynEYc-kqRkewyg19_WLwFtGHbpkX4XopY4U7Xt30SdS5tmwRsxBhvPCsAyCzZ7kNDo1QqZHNPKc3ZxLszPAvluA/s1600/215476_628146412673_2406572_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTiACatyfMTONDjAvDG3GV63ssMWYRmQk3OEuj7STK8l2UzO7qlHCynEYc-kqRkewyg19_WLwFtGHbpkX4XopY4U7Xt30SdS5tmwRsxBhvPCsAyCzZ7kNDo1QqZHNPKc3ZxLszPAvluA/s320/215476_628146412673_2406572_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="line-height: 10px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So every now and then, usually in periods of exercise or excitement, my heart rate would all of a sudden start beating at 180-200 beats per minute. It calms down on its own after a few minutes, although in the past few years, the length of time has been as long as half an hour.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first occurrence happened during freshman year of college at a Gonzaga Basketball game when Derek Raivio shot a three pointer. I got SO excited with anticipation, my heart jumped into a Rapid Heart Rate. It didn't take long to go away, so I just assumed it was adrenaline.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of my recent episodes have happened whilst running. Three weeks before my Cascade Crest 100 mile race in 2011, I ran a 50K with my pacer Matthew Carrell called Grand Ridge. After getting excited about being in 2nd place at mile 20, my heart rate jumped up and I was forced to walk to prevent the lightheadedness. I tried everything to slow down my heart rate by sitting, to lying down as if to take a nap, and even pretending to take a shit (my sister said the pushing would help). After 30 minutes or so, it went back to normal. It was a loop course, so I ran back to the start of the race and dropped out at the 26 mile point.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My latest two instances have happened while running up Dog Mountain with Amy in the winter, and during my DNF at Miwok 2012 in May. Each occurrence is several months apart and seems to show up at random times. Surprisingly, it has never happened at a Timbers game.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h9ozGDsg-0R6k-XJmKgIM9PmfRLT30GicP8qSsLZDN9AUpgumYBpA5E0crWLBwOTOk1C6YWjgd6-UdP_BiOk7ZdXsKA5tvyN51zMqCokhQVWffw-_HztXsQS8UR7dj4V2o-u5fl8ou0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.09.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h9ozGDsg-0R6k-XJmKgIM9PmfRLT30GicP8qSsLZDN9AUpgumYBpA5E0crWLBwOTOk1C6YWjgd6-UdP_BiOk7ZdXsKA5tvyN51zMqCokhQVWffw-_HztXsQS8UR7dj4V2o-u5fl8ou0/s200/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.09.04+PM.png" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My ECG</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what I'm doing about it:</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the cardiologist diagnosed me, he was almost giddy with excitement. Why? Because it's a 100% curable syndrome, and he was able to spot it on the ECG. So he then sent me down the hall to an electrophysiologist (EP) to discuss the matter further (who was also giddy). The EP said that this syndrome probably wouldn't kill me, but nobody likes to hear the words "probably" and "kill" in the same sentence. So I opted to schedule the procedure that would cure me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The procedure involves inserting a "pacing catheter" through my leg that will follow the blood vessels to my heart. The doctor will then use the catheters to identify the tissue on the heart that is causing my WPW syndrome, and he will use radio frequency energy to destroy the area of heart tissue. Since this area is an "extra" piece of muscle tissue that I was born with, destroying it shouldn't affect my healthy heart at all.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhe62eFQPCbS1MEu8rK0q8yqIx1WQqFU-7dugHcPbJaqA3T08yjOioddBK7n2eLZ-qZ1G0-Kkp26KoNkAkvxTsGS0yHVYyzzCWfQNLJtTMTVo_eIKTfOJ2NB1t0t8mDJor42BPFy4lBc/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.12.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhe62eFQPCbS1MEu8rK0q8yqIx1WQqFU-7dugHcPbJaqA3T08yjOioddBK7n2eLZ-qZ1G0-Kkp26KoNkAkvxTsGS0yHVYyzzCWfQNLJtTMTVo_eIKTfOJ2NB1t0t8mDJor42BPFy4lBc/s200/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.12.52+PM.png" width="161" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-X9cV22lVj0CXNk18T4WvmsAXAJYrImHrSFKJ9Rqjpjwv-nWWe8oF0ZYfvoVbloPiv3N6_NLPaN7lP5M0c0GmZOzDZnWhMeinWdksdj8sLGpKMgyXKJVvLlYTJyYMuTyodyUqBzFVqI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.13.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-X9cV22lVj0CXNk18T4WvmsAXAJYrImHrSFKJ9Rqjpjwv-nWWe8oF0ZYfvoVbloPiv3N6_NLPaN7lP5M0c0GmZOzDZnWhMeinWdksdj8sLGpKMgyXKJVvLlYTJyYMuTyodyUqBzFVqI/s200/Screen+shot+2012-06-21+at+10.13.04+PM.png" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The procedure is tentatively scheduled for July 12 (but may be delayed until I can cure the pneumonia that I've been dealing with for the past 2 months), and should take maybe 5 hours plus 6 hours of laying flat with my legs strapped to the bed to prevent bending and re-opening the incisions from the procedure. Spending the night at the hospital should be expected, and I'll be discharged the next day.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I feel about it?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm glad I went to the cardiologist! And if my Plantar Fasciitis hadn't prevented me from going to Bighorn 100 last weekend, I wonder how risky that would have been...I'm starting to take a little more comfort in my Plantar Fasciitis, it may be a blessing in disguise.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've decided not to do any real cardio until I have my procedure. I'll keep biking to work, but this is also a great chance for me to work on my core strength and flexibility. I mean, I've never had this much free time since I started ultrarunning...maybe I'll read a book or two? Hmm...I'll definitely save a ton of money on food. I'll put the savings towards my 'puppy' fund.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moral of the Story</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BE HEALTHY! Get checked out if you have any possible signs of bodily dysfunction. And listen to your heart! And always tell people how much you appreciate having them in your lives, because the world needs more expressed Love.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been one hell of a month. I'm grateful for my roommates, because without them I'd be doing a lot less singing and dancing. Especially Todd W...Love you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love you all!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jbob</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEES2qooNw-EtuTZyOrLsg64SvrzYdvNnVWcqu9Zz-C6uvUveXSncWJdvn6jhDA82TWn9pMspcd5ziFim-wSWGfu14It7Z6HymRhcG0SwJ-kAg__0j-qubv7SNVh-Xad_uLfHWz8CNhw/s1600/photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEES2qooNw-EtuTZyOrLsg64SvrzYdvNnVWcqu9Zz-C6uvUveXSncWJdvn6jhDA82TWn9pMspcd5ziFim-wSWGfu14It7Z6HymRhcG0SwJ-kAg__0j-qubv7SNVh-Xad_uLfHWz8CNhw/s320/photo.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing the White Salmon Half on June 16th,<br />Photo by <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jenngwenlove">Jenn</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Jason Lemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015399764003009683noreply@blogger.com7