#48 Fargo Marathon, Fargo, North Dakota

     North Dakota has only 3 marathons and no ultra's so only a short list to gain this state.  I had always felt that ND would be my 50th state due to so few runs available and time of year for those events.  This year Fargo worked out so Fargo Marathon it was to be.

     The 50 States Club had the summer reunion with the Fargo Marathon so for only the 2nd time I was able to attend.  It is nice to visit with runners with the same goals and bents.  The club meeting room was full and a nice meeting was had, as well as many runners receiving their awards for 50 State completions.  Hopefully I will soon be a recipient.  So packet pickup was on Friday as well as the meeting for the club.  All in the Fargodome, home of the North Dakota State University football team.  Now on to the race........

      Fargo Marathon was on Saturday, May 21, 2011.  The weather for the start and during the marathon was not promising:  60-70's, high winds (15-25 mph) and torrential rain.  All was had except for the rain, not a drop.  However it was overcast the whole marathon.
     The race course meandered through the downtown of Fargo and residential streets.  Having tree lined roads helped diminish the winds, except when in open areas.  Some small hills were found, but far and few between.  This should be a nice race with mostly a flat course.
     My plan mirrored the plan used for Colorado Marathon breaking the race down into 3-9 mile segments.
Pushing the 1st 9 miles, then getting to the half marathon at 13.1 and assessing based on time.  I was over 2 hours so I throttled back as no stellar time was going to happen on this day.  Ran to 18 miles and was loosing my focus, so I stuck with a group I was running around to the end and pushed the last 2 miles.  The finish was in the Fargodome creating an excitement for the finish of the race.  I always hate to have anyone pass me the last 3 miles and in fact I passed 4 to 5 runners to the finish.
     The stats:  4:41:14; 1470th/2211 place overall; 954rd/1290 male; 31st/53 AG(60-64).  48th state!

     For those who read this, I would recommend this race.  Small size field for the marathon, even though the half marathon runs with the marathon on two sections feeling like a larger field.  Bands galore along the course and even more in garages.  The number of spectators along the course was impressive for the size of this race, but maybe they were out to see and hear the bands.  The finish was a nice touch and even had your mug on the large screen in the dome.  Food and goodies were great.  They even had chocolate milk. 
   While the visit was brief and the return home was mostly uneventful except one little tornado in Minneapolis, close enough to us but far enough we did not know it.  So there you have it another adventure completed by yours truly.

#47 Colorado Marathon, Fort Collins, Colorado

The 47th state to be completed a year after it should have been done.  Originally Estes Park Marathon was supposed to be my Colorado marathon, but was doomed.  So the Colorado Marathon out of Fort Collins will take it's place.
The area is beautiful with the Rocky Mountains looming to the west.  Old Town Fort Collins is a happening place.  If you are a runner or like biking this town was designed for your interests.
Arrived on Friday, April 29th, went and picked up my packet with #79.  Spent the remainder of the day exploring.  The next day was windy, cloudy, and rain/snow.  Betty and I went for a 4 mile walk and later I ran one mile to shake out the cobwebs.
The elevation at Fort Collins is 4915 feet and at the start of the race over 6,000', so elevation will be a factor.

Race Morning:
Got up at 3 AM had oatmeal, dressed and headed for the bus pickup in Old-Town Ft. Collins.  The bus left around 4:15 AM to drive us to the start line 26.2 miles away since the finish is at Old-Town.
Arrived at the start area a little after 5 AM in the dark.  I had a flashlight, so all was well for me.  The temperature was 35 degrees which was better than originally thought (28).  We remained in the dark for a while but the sun slowly rose to some spectacular views.  What a gorgeous palate this race was going to be run against.
The race started at 6:15 AM with little fanfare at the Steven's Gulch Campground in the Poudre River Canyon.  The Poudre River will wander alongside of the runners the entire course.  Even though I was close to the start line it took me over a minute to cross the line.  Fortunately it was chip timing, so no big issue.
So my plan was to run like hell while the course went down mountain.  So much for plans!  While I thought I was running well and efficient, my times indicated otherwise.  The course did go down mountain for 18 miles with two tiny uphills in that distance.  I broke down my race in thirds.  The first 9 miles I had hoped to run 8:15 to 8:30 miles.  I ran around 8:50's.  The next 9 miles (10-18) I planned to run around 9 minute miles but was around 9:30's, so my game plan was not working out as planned.  Between 18 and 20 miles were the hills and they were not bad, but were 2 miles worth with a small downhill.  So with my plan of a great marathon time gone, I eased back and just enjoyed the rest of the race.  The coursed went onto a bike path around 22 miles and into the finish at Old Town.  The finish was welcomed and as I approached there were three kids in a line about 3,4,& six years old holding up there hand to be slapped by the marathoners as they came past them.  However the runners were focused on the line and no one was making the kids day, so moved to my right so to greet the kids and hit each hand putting a smile on each ones face.  The little one I had to bend to get down to his hand and thought I was going to fall right over.  It's amazing the effort it took to do a little thing like that.
A few more feet to the finish line with a time of 4:26:28 and state # 47 in the books.
The marathon was well run, downhill course and a beautiful setting.  I would highly recommend this race if you desire a road marathon in Colorado.  Low lander the altitude may have some effect on your performance, but view is well worth the effort.

Forget the PR and other Ramblings.

The past weekend and before I was involved with the Forget the PR 25 and 50K races held at Mohican for the 3rd year.
It really started the week before with the Race Director's Race for the volunteers where I put in a mediocre 7:59:44.  I started early so as to get my wife Betty and the Lasagna down for the other finishers/volunteers to eat.  That was accomplished and all were pleased.  At least with their meals.
During the week I did focus on my preparations for the upcoming Colorado Marathon.  Time is about up and tapering is now on the schedule.  I am not as ready as I hoped, but I will be going in the right direction, down.

For the FTPR, my responsibilities were to set up and organize the registration area and mark and check the 4+ mile falls loop before and during the race.  Both of these were accomplished and from that point I became a spectator with an occasional assist.

The race went well with Rob Powell's great organization skills and a helpful and encouraging group of volunteers.  The runners while given a hard course to conquer, had a great day and for the most part were quite successful.  I do believe they got their money's worth.  I could spend much more on the great efforts by individuals, but time is sometimes of the essences.

So to the victors congratulations and that is to all wether you ran or helped.  No runner can succeed without the efforts of volunteers.

'Forget the PR 50K' RD Volunteers Cut

April 10, I ran the race director's volunteer version of the 'Forget the PR 50K'.  This run is the week before the actual race where some 250+ runners will toe the line.  This version saw approximately 13-15 on the line.
My race started earlier then the main group.  I needed to get done and back home to get Betty and the lasagna to the finish before the others got there.

5:20 AM (Start to Fire Tower) I took off with flashlight in hand from Mohican Adventures.  It was really enjoyable to run in the dark and it was dark.  Arrived at Big Ass Hill, which did not look so big in the dark.  It felt big as I trudged up it thinking about the next round.  There are 3 major climbs before arriving at the fire tower.  These really weaken the legs making one really tried. With the 3 hills my time was not to bad to this point.

I decided to try some game plans for preparation of the Mohican Trail 100.  I was not concerned with overall time, just carrying out my practice run in preparation for the 100 miler.  I included several ideas that I have not used before and I would tell you what my new thoughts were but these are classified and might benefit a competitor (TOP SECRET).

From the fire tower to the covered bridge I arrived in 2 hours.  The main group of runners have not taken off yet from Mohican Adventures, they were to start at 7:30 AM.  It was 49 degrees when I left at 5:20 AM.
Covered bridge into the purple loop or better known as the Lyons Falls loop.  It was nice and peaceful through this section.  I got to the dam and saw a person I knew and chatted for a few minutes.  Then moved on up the hill towards the lodge past Avery Ball's former home.  I did enjoy this section and just moved freely and plowed down to Big Lyons Falls were I ran into my friend and his friends again.  They were impressed how quickly I descended into the falls.  Chatted for about 5 minutes and moved on to the covered bridge.
Covered bridge to Mohican Adventures was pretty uneventful as I ran along the Mohican River, up North Rim Trail (think about that in another 13 miles) and back to the start/finish.  Headed back out to do loop #2 and only 12 miles to go.  I did refuel while at the car.  It was getting much warmer and thankfully there was a nice wind.
As one can imagine, the thought of 'Big Ass Hill' was on my mind from the point of leaving Mohican Adventures.  Yes Virginia there are sicko race directors that dwell in the misery of others.  It isn't just the 1st hill that plays on ones mind but the two after that.  My per mile time was 2 minutes slower than the 1st time through to the fire tower.  After arriving to the fire tower I continue to the covered bridge and on to the finish line after go up the ascent of North Rim Trail.  Time was 7:59:44.  I probably shouldn't have spent so much time BS'ing on the purple loop. 

I was pleased with how I felt after the run and my approach to running it run.  It was nice to have the RD give us an award for completion, the coveted 'Forget the PR 50K Belt Buckle'.  Thanks Rob for a splendid non event and the nice hospitality after.

Here to Eternity

After a long absence I have returned.  My thoughts about blogging are why.  I say the same things over and over and include my occasional race report, so why do the blog.  I guess it is to put down my concerns, successes, and the occasional rant.  I guess it is time to use it or lose it.  Meaning continue to blog or not.  I shall try to continue.

My running over the past year has been a little out of sink.  This may be due to family health issues, getting sick myself, and age.  I know I am influenced by the age thing.  I can't run as fast as I once did even when following my tried and true training regimes.  I even need the daily nap to recharge my batteries.  Now this does become a problem for this coming June when I run the Mohican Trail 100.  How does one get their nap in a race that will be longer than a day.  A question that boggles the mind.  One could sleep on the run.  I have done this on past 100's and stayed on course, but with being older the nap may be longer meaning I could wander of course and end up who knows where.  Oh well, I did digress.  That is one thing on my mind, but not the only thing.

Now my plans are as follows for racing this 1st half of 2011:  May 1 -- Colorado Marathon; May 21 --  Fargo Marathon,; and June 18 --  Mohican Trail 100.  I will do the race directors version of the Forget the PR 50K Trail Race on April 10 for volunteers.  So there are the plans and believe it or not I have been training, even with the crappy weather we have had this winter.  Though through my training I have found I am slower than in the past, but I have accepted whatever the outcome since all runners must go through this or give up.

Since I do enjoy running, one must go on.  I could just not do races anymore, but first I must finish my commitment (goals) I have set years ago.  Do all 50 states marathon or more, do all 50 states and DC marathon or more, do a 100 miler every decade until I can no longer achieve this goal.   I am close to achieving the 50 states & DC goals and the 100 I do have 9 years to continue this goal, of course let's hope for success at Mohican Trail 100.

So their are my thoughts after several months, now let's see if I can continue the comments..................

Bigfoot 50K Undone!

As all know my final 2010 focus run was the Bigfoot 50K trail race held on December 5 at Saltfork State Park near Cambridge, Ohio.
With many hours and miles of training I was chomping at the bit to run the race.  Race morning arrive with very windy and crisp temperature in the 20's.  It really did not feel that bad as I decided to run in shorts.
The race started promptly at 7 AM with quite a large field including the relay teams.  A little blacktop began the race and soon funneled to single track trail.  The course was not flat by any means and had some nice down hills, designed just for me.   I really did not feel in sync (Not the group),  I was just out of it from the get go and really did not know why.  I continued on to the first aid station around 6.2 miles and onward to the start finish line with 10.4 miles in at 1:55:30.  I was so not feeling right that I decided to call it a day.  At that point I did not know what was bothering me.  More on that later.
The race was well organized, running friendly, and took good care of you before, during, and after the race.
 I would highly recommend this race to anyone who loves to run trails.
My wife Betty did a nice walk on a not so nice day while I was running and got in a good 5.5 miles on some hilly roads.  Well done, Betty!
Even after the race I still had no idea what was my problem.  Not even on Monday, I took off.
Tuesday the 7th, I did run trails in Mohican with Terri Lemke and Zack Huff.  The conditions were cold and snow covering the trails making for some slow trail running.  It was during this run I realized my problem for Bigfoot.  I was having difficulty breathing (asthma).  I think the cold air triggered my difficulty breathing and I just did not realize it until the 11 miles of trail we ran at Mohican.  So problem solved, but a race was wasted. 
I did have a nice run with Zack and Terri.  Terri was second women overall at Bigfoot....Congratulations Terri!

So there you have my saga and go out for 2010 with a big DNF.  Now let's focus on next year.

Pre Thanksgiving Runs

It is amazing how quickly a week can slip bye.  Been to two High School Sports banquets, watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows twice, and ran.......
11/18:  Ran 5 miles at Mohican with some trails.
11/19:  Went to Columbus and watched Harry Potter on IMAX, no run on this day!
11/20:  Ran #3 X 20 miles for the week.  This run was a 5 mile easy, 10 miles at tempo pace, and 5 miles easy.
            The run was almost all at tempo pace.  Felt great for a run I did not feel motivated for.
11/21:  Met up with a visiting Loudonville alumn who holds the boys cross country record of 16:24 at the
            5k distance.  Fortunately we went out for a nice paced 5.4 mile run.  Very enjoyable run from LHS     to       Mohican S.P. Class A and return.  Did a lot of catching up, Thanks Jason Neubig.
11/22:  Just a little old 3 miler on roads at Mohican.
11/23:  Jason and I ran for another 7.24 miles around and through Loudonville.  Life is good.

Life Gets Busy and Pay the Price.

I could not believe that I had gotten so far behind on my run updates.  It seems life does get in the way at times and apparently the past week is no exception.  So I will play catch up on my training and runs.

#3  3X15:  (Wednesday 11/10)  Did a 15 miler mixed road and trails at Mohican S.P. and Loudonville.  Ran 9.5 miles on trail.  Started with 3.5 miles of easy running, then attempted to maintain 8 miles at tempo pace.  I unfortunately was only able to hold that pace for 6.5 miles.  I finished out the 15 miles at an easy pace.  Just was a little depleted.

11/11:  Day of Rest.
11/12:  Ran 5 miles at Mohican mixed road and trail.
11/13:  Ran 3 miles road at Mohican.  Had a great run.  Felt fresh!
11/14:  Began my 3X20:  #1 was a trail run on the Mohican Bike Trail in reverse from Mohican Class A to the Covered Bridge, returning on Hemlock Trail and finishing with 4+ miles on the Mountain Bike short trail.
Got to run with Mike Patton, Terri Lemke (She ran a 50k the day before), Michelle Bischel, and Mitch.  Had a good run and completed it around 4 hours and 17 minutes.
11/15:  Due to schedule conflicts this week was not meant to be for 3 consecutive 20 milers, so this was a 5 miler mixed with trails and road at Mohican.  Not so good of a run.
11/16:  2X20:  #2 again was a trail run using the Red/Green Loop of the Mohican Trail 100.  On a cold wet morning I met with Terri L., Tom Patton, and Cheryl Splain.  Due to the damp cold we moved slowly and once at Rock Point we continued on at a little faster pace.  It rain pretty good on us making for not so great of a day on the trails.  However, it is in the books and had some fun running with friends.
11/17:  Ran 3 miles at Mohican on road.
So there we are with a planned run today of 5 miles, off on Friday and the 3rd 20 miler on Saturday being 10 miles of tempo pace.

3 X 15 #2: Mohican Trails

I met up with Terri Lemke, Dan Bellinger, Tom Patton, Cheryl Splain, and Julie Bowen-Miller for a 15 mile trail on the orange loop of Mohican Trail 100, Tuesday, November 9.
We all arrive near to 8 AM and got started at 8:15 AM from the 'Forget the PR' pavilion and headed to the beginning of the Mountain Bike Trail running orange in reverse.  The first 2 miles are up hill and then gets rolling there after for a nice runnable trail.  I had posted water at approximately 8.5 miles, so we refreshed and headed to the covered bridge.  The temperatures began around 34 and rose to 54, but it was a nice calm clear day.
When we arrived at the covered bridge, Dan's and my garmin indicated a little aver 10.7 miles complete.  I thought that with a new section of trail the course was much shorter.  I however forgot that the Mohican 100 goes to Hickory Ridge and deviates from the Mountain Bike Trail causing the difference in the mileage.  So all is well!

From the covered bridge (Bridge is completed so no detour.) we headed to the Class A campground via Hemlock Trail.  Dan and Terri picked up the pace which I was not able to match and got ahead of me.  I continued to North Rim Trail with it's brutal climb and finished off the last mile.  The run felt great.  Time goes by very quickly when running with friends.

3X15 Miles: #1

Ran the first of three 15 milers today on the Kokosing Gap Trail from Gambier to Danville.  Of course you have to return.  The temperature was 54, sun, windy.  Great day for a lonesome run.  Maintained 9 minute miles for the distance.  This was an easy road run.  Tomorrow morning will run at Mohican on trails doing the orange loop.  Should be fun and running with a group of friends.

Catching Up!

Sorry got a little behind, so here's a little catching up.
Nov. 4 (Thur.) ran 12 miles with Terri Lemke, Tom Patton, Dan Bellinger, and Cheryl Splain using the Exterra Trail course plus a little extra to the dam.  Had a great run and good comardarie with friends while we ran a very tough course.  This was 32 for 12 milers this week.

Friday was an off day, not that I wanted to but was to busy to get a run done.

Saturday did #3 12 miler at Mohican on roads.  This was a tempo run so ran 2 miles easy, 8 miles tempo and finished with 2 miles easy.  Nice day and a good run.

Sunday did a easy 3 miler at Mohican on roads, nothing special.  Just got it done.

Next week, starting tomorrow 3 X 15 miles.  Go Go Go!

Kokosing Gap Trail 12 Mile Run

Headed down to Gambier (Home of Kenyon College) to do my first of 3X12 mile runs.
A beautiful day with the temperature at the start around 42, sunny and a bit of a chilled breeze.  I decided to take off towards Mt. Vernon going 4.5 miles and returning.  From my starting point at Gambier, I headed towards Danville, about 1.5 miles out and returned.  Nothing fancy, just a nice consistent run, enjoying life.
This would count as the road 12 miler.
Mike K. was supposed to run with me on Mohican trails this evening.  I have not heard from him so he is probably flying somewhere or chasing some young lady.  Tomorrow morning 12 miles on Mohican trails.

Bigfoot 50K Trail Race

Ok I did it, I am all signed up for the BIGFOOT 50K at Salt Fork State Park near Cambridge.
The race is on December 5, 2010 with three 10.2 mile laps.  Also dodging deer slugs as it is hunting season.

Wednesday, I did my 3rd 10 miler in three days doing a tempo run with 7:50 miles.  Actually felt good.
Today I took off, I guess it was a day of rest. 
BIGFOOT 50K AND 3-PERSON RELAY | TRAIL 50K AND 3-PERSON RELAY

Running in the Wind.

Wow, 67 degrees and the wind blowing it was time to do my 10 miler.  Changed from the tempo 10 to the trail 10 due to the high winds.
The trails were abandoned so I had them all to myself.  Ran the North Rim Trail in Mohican to the Mountain Bike Trails.  The direction I went meant the updhills were numerous in the 1st 5 miles.
The trees were swaying and the leaves were falling to the ground making it difficult to see the trail.
 My legs were tired from yesterday and when I finished this run, they were screaming.
 Anyhow, the 10.1 miles was done with the 2nd 5 miles faster than the 1st 5 miles.
I don't know how many more nice days we are going to have left but do hope for a few more.
 Tomorrow will be the tempo paced 10 miler...........
Betty walked 4 miles today, job well done.

3days, 10 miles.

Today I started week #2 main workout:  3 days @ 10 miles each day.
1st 10 was on road with a mile of trail.  Pushed the pace even though it seemed an effort.  It was very windy and rained about half the run.
Tomorrows 10 will be at tempo or faster pace for 8 miles.
Wednesday's 10 will be trail.

I did run 5.5 miles on trail Sunday.  What a beautiful day and probably won't see many more of those for a while.  The run was great and with nice weather I could not slack off.

Bryan Derr is the only runner I have left on cross country.  The boys team had 5th place at districts with the top 4 teams moving on.  Bryan will be running at 11:05 AM at Boardman High School this Saturday for D-III Region meet.

Tempo Run - Thursday

10:30 AM, I went down to Mohican and did an 8 mile tempo run using the 1st mile to get the hear rate up and keeping it there for 6 miles and using the last mile to bring it down.
The day was perfect 47 with sun and some wind.  The 1st mile was road and the 2nd and 3rd was also road , but the next 4 were on trails.  Using trails makes one feel like they are flying while trying to keep the HR in tempo range.  The Max HR was 160 with the average at 153.  About right for a 60 year old.
All in all a great run completing the 3 daysX 8 miles for week #1.

Today I decided to take off, but will run 3 miles tomorrow.  On On1

Begin 50 KM Training Plan

After the 5k on Sunday, my plan is to begin training for the Bigfoot 50k Trail Race at Salt Fork State Park on December 4, 2010.
Here's the basic version of the plan:
Week 1: 3X8 miles (Road, Trail, Tempo) on three consecutive days.
Week 2:  3X10 miles (Same as above).
Week 3:  3X12 miles (Same as above).
Week 4:  3X15 miles (same as above).
Week 5:  3X18 miles (Same as above).
Week 6:  3X20 miles (Same as above).
Week 7:  Taper to race day (Not the Terri Lemke method).
Week 1 so far:  Monday ran 5 miles on road and trail at a good pace.  Felt great.
                        Tuesday ran  8.12 miles on road at a good pace, almost tempo.
                        Wednesday ran 8.7 miles of trails at Mohican.  Another good run.

I will take one day off this week, probably Saturday.  Exciting times, can't wait for Bigfoot.......

He lives!!!!!

Yes, I know, it has been a long long time but here I am back posting and hopefully I will continue to keep all up to date on my training and adventures.
So what have I been up to since my summer western adventure to get states.  Well I have been training and wanted to loose some unwanted pounds, so I started to watch my calorie intake and focus on a 5k race held locally in Loudonville....Mohican 5K.
Training went well and I thought I was in 22:30 shape for the 5k when all was said an done.  I also lost 15 pounds making for a lighter version on DON.
I ran the course three times prior to race day to get a good feel for the course  and figure what my strategy was going to be for race day.  So the course starts on a road and travels about a half mile to a paved bike path.  Get position before entering the narrow bike path and run a 7:20 pace through the whole race.  There are two small hills/upgrades around a half mile and 2.9 miles.  So how did things go............

Mohican 5k, Loudonville, Ohio
October 17, 2010
Got up at 6:30 AM and began my preparations for the race.  Drank two cups of coffee and ate bowl of oatmeal.  Got dressed.  It was a little chilly outside with temperatures in the low 40's, with no rain or wind.
Perfect weather for a race.
Headed to the registration area and picked up my race packet, chatted with a few friends and began my warm up routine.  Half mile run, form running and stretching.  Drank some more water, ate a GU and headed to the start line.  Travis Price, one of my cross country atheletes was there,  Don Conrad, Y Running Club member and numerous friends.
9:00 AM the race started promptly after a few words.  I do what I normally do in a 5 km, I went like hell with a 6 minute pace according to my garmin.  I held this for a couple of tenths of a mile and got into my race pace of 7:20.  I had good positon heading on to the bike path and it was not crowded.  Past a few more runners going in to the mile (7:15).  Heading to the turn around at Morris Motors, I was past and I past runners.
 Made the turn around and headed to the 2 mile mark with a time of 14:56 (7:41 mile).  Here's where I made my mistake, I got into a groove and followed another runner who was going what I thought was an acceptable pace.  A quarter of a mile later I looked at my garmin and saw I was traveling about 8:10 pace, dammmmm!
So I picked up the pace and went into low 7 minute pace again. 
While on the hill/upgrade at 2.9 miles a runner past me.  I hate when this happens, I really hate to have anyone pass me on the last mile.  And this guy had lots of gray hair.......he must be in my age group.  So we crested the hill and I exploded and sprinted into the finish.  Last mile was 7:41 and last one tenth was 0:38 all good for 23:20 (7:30 pace).

I got 29th overall out of 132.  1st in  the 60 plus age group.  The gray haired guy who passed me and I re passed got 2nd AG, 8 seconds behind me.  3rd AG was around 24:00.
All in all, quite pleased.  Only wished I had not taken a vacation around two miles.

Now what.  Time to train for a 50k trail race.  We begin today.  More later.........

#46 Bighorn Mountain 50 KM, Wyoming

At 8:17 AM  the Bighorn Mountain 50 km race began.  It was daunting be out in the mountains with a portable village set up for the Dry Fork Aid Station.  The Dry Fork will be visited by the 100 mile race twice, the 50 mile race once, and the 50 km as a start and again as an aid station.
The day was cloudy and a nice 41 degrees at the start and only got better as the day went on.
At the start we were at 7,100 feet elevation and within three miles were at 8800'.  Lot's of snow at the higher elevation, but the views were spectacular.  Of course from the top we plummeted down the mountain to around 6,400' to the Kern's Cow Camp Aide Station at 9 miles.  This is the common point for all the races heading to the finish.
From here we headed back to the Dry Fork A.S. (14 miles) on a different trail.  From the Dry Fork we ran upward for several miles, then down to the Upper Sheep Creek at mile 19 (7420').   Note the wildflowers were in abundance.  Now the next A.S. is at 5,025' and 24 miles.  One would think this will be a great down mountain run, NOT.  We ran fairly level for a mile until arriving at the "HAUL".  The HAUL was a straight up the mountain for a good 1/2 mile.  I was crawling and gasping for oxygen with my heart rate a pounding and my head a thumpin.  I had to stop half way and sit and rest.  A fellow runner came by and told me it was all down hill once I got to the top....Right.
He was correct and we plunged down to Lower Sheep Creek A.S.
From here we continued to drop elevation all the way to the finish line:  Tongue River Trail Head 26.2 mile - 5025'), Home Stretch (29 miles - 4250'), and the exhilarating finish at Scott Park in Dayton (31 miles - 4150').
I consider this a very tough course, however the beauty of the course has to be one of the greatest I have run.
Of the trail races I consider as the toughest, Mountain Masochist Trail 100, VA; this one would be a little tougher and I would think the 100 version of the race would be a challenge.
It was a great feeling finishing this race in 7:54:38 for 90th of 160 overall and 3rd/7 for 60-60 age group.  Again, 1 short of an award.

If you love trail running this is a must.

Estes Park Marathon Not this Time!

7 AM the Estes Park Marathon started in a torrential downpour and temperatures at 40.
The course went uphill for about a mile. My lungs told me this is what elevation is all about, however as soon as we went downhill it felt much better.
It continued to pour rain and I was getting really chilled by 4 miles. The scenery is beautiful and probably without all the low cloud cover it would have been even nicer.
I continued on and kept getting colder and shivering so at 9 miles I called it a day. If only the rain would have stopped and the sun would have popped out things may have been different.
So it's 2 for 3. I guess triples in a weekend wasn't for me.
Sorry no pics today, just picture lots of rain and cold.
Next week will go for #46 at Bighorn Mountain Trail 50 KM, WY.