Objective: Peak 9150.
Links: Strava.
Fun scale rating: Borderline type III.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Slogging Around The Sawtooth's
Date: July 27, 2019.
Objective: Peak 9150.
Links: Strava.
Fun scale rating: Borderline type III.
I was planning for a long run in the Sawtooth's and decided to make an attempt on this peak after I noticed it was unclaimed on Lists of John. Yes, I understand that unclaimed does not necessarily mean unclimbed. The most efficient approach would be from the Redfish lake side via Alpine Lake. The whole point of mountain running is to go have an adventure and this day didn't disappoint.
Objective: Peak 9150.
Links: Strava.
Fun scale rating: Borderline type III.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Alpine Peak
Date: July 13, 2019.
Objective: Alpine Peak - 9,861'.
Partners: Solo.
Notes: Iron Creek Trailhead is one of the busiest in the Sawtooth Range. Choosing a weekend will not offer solitude, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
Links: Strava.
Objective: Alpine Peak - 9,861'.
Partners: Solo.
Notes: Iron Creek Trailhead is one of the busiest in the Sawtooth Range. Choosing a weekend will not offer solitude, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
Links: Strava.
Video
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Moose Perch
Date: July 5-7.
Partners: Deez and the dog.
Objective: Moose Perch 10.354ft.
Links: Strava.
Notes: Mostly shot with a single GoPro.
Partners: Deez and the dog.
Objective: Moose Perch 10.354ft.
Links: Strava.
Notes: Mostly shot with a single GoPro.
Video
Saturday, June 15, 2019
River of No Return Endurance Runs 108k
Date: June 15, 2019.
Objective: Finish the course before the cutoff - 22hrs (3am).
Stats: 69.7 miles and 14,500ft in 20:42:38.
Links: Strava. Ramshorn Mountain. Runchallis.com.
Objective: Finish the course before the cutoff - 22hrs (3am).
Stats: 69.7 miles and 14,500ft in 20:42:38.
Links: Strava. Ramshorn Mountain. Runchallis.com.
Video
This maybe my finest performance in an ultra yet. Make no mistake, I'm a back of the packer and am in no way holding any illusions of being an elite ultra runner. Other than staying safe and taking care of myself, my first, second, third, forth and fifth priorities were only to finish the course before the cutoff. 6 months of training apparently paid off and I was able to finish strong at the RONR Endurance Run 108k. I'll get a video report up soon to detail the event, but here are the highlights.
Training: Ran a lot. Rocked several back-to-back long runs ranging from the 18-10's up to and including 24-12. Focused on logging a lot of vert and time on feet. Made a point to not do anything big (other than training runs) before the race. Err'd on the side of tapering too much, rather than not enough.
Nutrition: Mostly on point, never really got behind on calories. Ate real food in aid stations and used performance food (Gu, ect) only to supplement between. Drank lots of coke! Aid stations were very well stocked. Miso soup was a win, especially at Buster Lake (late, cold, dark, ect).
Gear: Used my handheld water bottle for the first 25k and refueled in the 2 aid stations along the way, rather than starting with my vest and blowing through them. Poles were helpful on the creek crossings, mud and snow but not needed otherwise. Switched back to the handheld at the last aid station for the last few miles.
High points: Topping out on Ramshorn mountain. Seeing crew at Bayhorse Townsite and especially Bayhorse Lake. Crossing the finish line and coming in under my projected finish.
Low points: Not drying my feet and changing socks at Bayhorse Lake. After climbing through/out of Juliette Creek (several creek crossings) the long downhill into Squaw Creek left me with blisters when I could have significantly prevented/reduced them. Snow and mud coming into Buster Lake, in the dark, over 50 miles into the course on tired legs.
Big thanks to Deez and Landen for crewing. Big thanks to each and every volunteer.
Training: Ran a lot. Rocked several back-to-back long runs ranging from the 18-10's up to and including 24-12. Focused on logging a lot of vert and time on feet. Made a point to not do anything big (other than training runs) before the race. Err'd on the side of tapering too much, rather than not enough.
Nutrition: Mostly on point, never really got behind on calories. Ate real food in aid stations and used performance food (Gu, ect) only to supplement between. Drank lots of coke! Aid stations were very well stocked. Miso soup was a win, especially at Buster Lake (late, cold, dark, ect).
Gear: Used my handheld water bottle for the first 25k and refueled in the 2 aid stations along the way, rather than starting with my vest and blowing through them. Poles were helpful on the creek crossings, mud and snow but not needed otherwise. Switched back to the handheld at the last aid station for the last few miles.
High points: Topping out on Ramshorn mountain. Seeing crew at Bayhorse Townsite and especially Bayhorse Lake. Crossing the finish line and coming in under my projected finish.
Low points: Not drying my feet and changing socks at Bayhorse Lake. After climbing through/out of Juliette Creek (several creek crossings) the long downhill into Squaw Creek left me with blisters when I could have significantly prevented/reduced them. Snow and mud coming into Buster Lake, in the dark, over 50 miles into the course on tired legs.
Big thanks to Deez and Landen for crewing. Big thanks to each and every volunteer.
Pictures:
 |
| Course overview. |
 |
| Just before the start. |
 |
| If you know your numerology, this was a good sign. |
 |
| Waiting for the horn to blow. |
 |
| Lost River Mountains saying good morning. |
 |
| Ramshorn Mountain behind me. Approx mile 7. |
 |
| Views of a nearby peak on the way up to Ramshorn. |
 |
| Ramshorn Mountain. |
 |
| View from Ramshorn. |
 |
| Summit view. |
 |
| Summit view. |
 |
| On the summit. |
 |
| On the summit. |
 |
| Descent to Juliette Creek. |
 |
| White Cloud Peaks from the ridge above Juliette Creek. Aprrox mile 35. |
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| Ridge above Juliette Creek. Approx mile 35. |
 |
| "The Meadow"on the climb to Buster Lake. Approx mile 51. |
 |
| Packing my jacket into the pocket of my handheld. Approx mile 65. |
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| Finish. Approx mile 69. |
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| Finish. Approx mile 69, almost 2am. |
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Kelly Mountain
Date: June 8, 2019.
Objective: Kelly Mountain in the Soldier Mountains. Elev 8,826'.
Partners: Deez, Landen, Ketchum.
Links: Strava. Lists of John.
Notes: Good dirt road to Kelly Canyon, then a bit more rough but passable with a Forester to where we parked. Beyond that, HCV would be needed to drive further up and shorten the hike. A few good camp sites nearby.
Objective: Kelly Mountain in the Soldier Mountains. Elev 8,826'.
Partners: Deez, Landen, Ketchum.
Links: Strava. Lists of John.
Notes: Good dirt road to Kelly Canyon, then a bit more rough but passable with a Forester to where we parked. Beyond that, HCV would be needed to drive further up and shorten the hike. A few good camp sites nearby.
Video
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Friday, May 3, 2019
A Turtle on the Weiser River Trail 50k
Date: Saturday April 27, 2019.
Objective: Run 50k.
Partners: Deez and Landen crewed.
Links: Strava.
Thank you to the RD's, my crew and the volunteers!
I wasn't going to write a report for this, but I figured I might as well. I used this race as a long training run and of course to see a new area. This was pretty much a "check the box" type event for me but the RD's did put on a well organized event. This is a point to point course that changes direction every year. I ran it on a year that the course profile is basically downhill. Even on the uphill course, there is only about 500 feet of gain.
Race morning was a bit brisk but I knew the day would rapidly warm up so I started in a short sleeve shirt. I ran into Erik at the start line. He filed to the front and I stood in the back like I usually do and waited for the green light. The initial out and back section was unremarkable other than high-fiving Erik as he ran past me before I got to the turn around. The first few miles all for a warm up anyways.
I was only aiming to average an 11 min/ mile pace for a finish time of sub 6 hours. Yes, I know I'm slow but that's my pace. The pace of a chill tortoise.
After plodding along for about an hour, I hit the first aid station which was just a walk though. I had no reason to stop other than to hit the porta-potty.
My conservative paced start had me nice and warmed up and feeling good and I had already passed several people by this point. From then on, I found my groove and went into cruise control. I'd see a runner ahead of me and surge until I was on their six, then I'd chat with them for a minute, then surge and separate. The scenery along the river was interesting with a lot of birds and the occasional glimpse of the nearby mountains. There were also relay teams running the course and every so often I'd get passed by one of those quick hares. I kept my pace and kept passing other solo runners all the way to the end. Nothing personal, nothing competitive, just a turtle in his groove.
I didn't see Deez and Landen until the third aid station in Cambridge at mile 22ish. They were quick to run up and remind me to apply sunscreen. Deez filled by bottles with Tailwind while I grabbed some real food and then I was out. Only 9 miles to go!
By now there was a stiff head wind that lasted the rest of the race. The crew was waiting for me at the last aid station and by this time I was staring to cramp. Here I chugged a small amount of Coke, grabbed some M&M's and a pickle to go. Not the best combo. I had a nice little bout of near vomiting but the quick sugar had me feeling a little better. 4.1 miles were all that remained between me and the finish line.
In my limited ultra running experience, I've learned to just focus on running my own race. I've also learned that time goals are okay, but it's really all about the finish for me. The last few miles were a bit warm so the breeze was nice, but still annoying. Landen was waiting for me about a hundred feet from the finish line to run in with me. The chase was on to pass one more runner! I let him take it by a nose. Crossing the finish line of an ultra has never not been an emotional experience and I was quite happy with my finish time of 5:43.
Photos:
Objective: Run 50k.
Partners: Deez and Landen crewed.
Links: Strava.
Vid
Thank you to the RD's, my crew and the volunteers!
I wasn't going to write a report for this, but I figured I might as well. I used this race as a long training run and of course to see a new area. This was pretty much a "check the box" type event for me but the RD's did put on a well organized event. This is a point to point course that changes direction every year. I ran it on a year that the course profile is basically downhill. Even on the uphill course, there is only about 500 feet of gain.
Race morning was a bit brisk but I knew the day would rapidly warm up so I started in a short sleeve shirt. I ran into Erik at the start line. He filed to the front and I stood in the back like I usually do and waited for the green light. The initial out and back section was unremarkable other than high-fiving Erik as he ran past me before I got to the turn around. The first few miles all for a warm up anyways.
I was only aiming to average an 11 min/ mile pace for a finish time of sub 6 hours. Yes, I know I'm slow but that's my pace. The pace of a chill tortoise.
After plodding along for about an hour, I hit the first aid station which was just a walk though. I had no reason to stop other than to hit the porta-potty.
My conservative paced start had me nice and warmed up and feeling good and I had already passed several people by this point. From then on, I found my groove and went into cruise control. I'd see a runner ahead of me and surge until I was on their six, then I'd chat with them for a minute, then surge and separate. The scenery along the river was interesting with a lot of birds and the occasional glimpse of the nearby mountains. There were also relay teams running the course and every so often I'd get passed by one of those quick hares. I kept my pace and kept passing other solo runners all the way to the end. Nothing personal, nothing competitive, just a turtle in his groove.
I didn't see Deez and Landen until the third aid station in Cambridge at mile 22ish. They were quick to run up and remind me to apply sunscreen. Deez filled by bottles with Tailwind while I grabbed some real food and then I was out. Only 9 miles to go!
By now there was a stiff head wind that lasted the rest of the race. The crew was waiting for me at the last aid station and by this time I was staring to cramp. Here I chugged a small amount of Coke, grabbed some M&M's and a pickle to go. Not the best combo. I had a nice little bout of near vomiting but the quick sugar had me feeling a little better. 4.1 miles were all that remained between me and the finish line.
In my limited ultra running experience, I've learned to just focus on running my own race. I've also learned that time goals are okay, but it's really all about the finish for me. The last few miles were a bit warm so the breeze was nice, but still annoying. Landen was waiting for me about a hundred feet from the finish line to run in with me. The chase was on to pass one more runner! I let him take it by a nose. Crossing the finish line of an ultra has never not been an emotional experience and I was quite happy with my finish time of 5:43.
Photos:
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