Whidbey Island 1/2 Marathon

Annalisa and I woke up to a cold but beautiful day to run in the 1/2 marathon down on Whidbey Island. It was both of our first official 1/2 and just being a week out of the Chuckanut I was excited to be running less than half the distance of a week ago. From the start it was great to see the large herd move down the road as for some this is what they have been training for. The sun shined on us nearly the entire run and with the occasional high gusts of wind, there were no complaints about the weather. Annalisa's goal of a sub 2:15 was accomplished as we crossed the finish line in 2:11.

Deep Thoughts from a 1st timer

Two days ago at this time I was sitting having dinner, telling Annalisa that I didn't think I would want to do another 50k... ever. And now 48 hours upon completing my first official ultra-marathon, I find myself looking at the results and pictures posted on our team website and wondering "What could I do differently next time, that will help me improve my time?" Am I nuts?!?!

I can only recall twice during the C50k asking myself, "why do I do this stuff?" and both times I answered with the same response, "I love challenges and I enjoy accomplishments even more!"

Saturday's race was another token example of our ability as God's creation to step aside from our mortal bodies, experience the undesired feeling of pain, ask the Great Creator to carry us where we cannot carry ourselves and watch faithfully as He delivers. What an awesome and amazing God!

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Chuckanut 50k Recap

Well, the big day has come and gone. Chuckanut 50k is now officially a race that we can put behind us. Annalisa took care of our pre-race meals preparing chicken & quinia for dinner and then oatmeal and freshly made apple, carrot, orange, lime and spirulina juice to help sustaining our energy for the adventure ahead of us.

The race started promptly at 8am and we had some serious conversations about how much clothing we should wear as it was still in the mid 30's when the starting gun went off. Our primary strategy was "run our own race." This entailed not getting caught up with the adrenaline rush at the beginning of the run and burning up too early. This was difficult the first 10k as it was flat and we were moving at a comfortable 9:45/mile pace. We arrived at the first aid station (A.S.) right on our goal (58min) and then started the climb up to Fragrance Lake. At this point we were feeling pretty good so we scurried up the hill with the occasional hike and passed a number of runners on this climb. We we peaked out, we were treated with a small run around the lake, and single track. I love the single track! This was short lived as we quickly made the ascent above the lake and then headed to A.S. 2.

We then found out that it was about a 3 mile climb up a service road to the next A.S. so we kept up a slow running pace up most of it and hit A.S. 3, where we were instructed to top off our water supplies. Tiff and I both decided to only run with a 16oz. h2o bottle, and with the next 8.5 miles being the most challenging of them all, we would soon realize why others had carried a bit more.

During the next section of the trail, we ran on what is called "The Ridge Trail" a singletrack trail that was ubelievable and offered great views of the cascades. Needless to say we both ran out of water and for 30m we were suffering. I started to have some cramping, nothing too serious, but I knew it could be if we didn't get to A.S. soon. Finally, we arrived and it on to the final 12 miles of the race. But first, "Chinscraper" a switchback climb that seemed like it would never end. Of course it did and that is when Tiff and I agreed to split from one another if one of us could. 4 miles of downhill into the the final A.S. and Tiff was about 5min. ahead of me and then the final 10k to the finish. This in my opinion was the most difficult section as you could see in front of you forever and there seemed like no end was in sight.

Tiff ended his 31mile adventure run in an unofficial 5:49 and I followed him with a 5:59. Our goal was a sub 6 hour run maximum and not having run this before. Other than the expected sore muscles, and feet- we are feeling good and are getting amped for the next adventure, TRIOBA May 30th.

T - 48 hours

With the start of Chuckanut just a couple of days away, I thought it would be fitting to do a quick recap of how I have felt my overall training has gone. So here we go. . .
Tiff and I decided in late October that we were going to embark on this 50 kilometer running race in Bellingham. So the day after my XC banquet I started my running program. I was excited and ready to go as I had my sites on participating in the Club Fat Ass 20 mile tour run in mid-December, to serve as a pre-race warm up.
Being real consistant with my runs, through November I felt really good heading into the event. And that is when the first snow storm attacked the PNW. Needless to say my running fell off a bit and so due to a unwanted taper, along the white stuff on the ground I bailed on that run and opted to do my own 15-17 mile run on the same day around the ACFL trails in Anacortes. Though lonely it was a great run.
The New Year started with a 13 mile run with Tiff as the clock struck midnight and the rain fell. We were excited to register and hoped that we would make the registration in time as the event sells out rather quickly.
Jan. 2nd we got registered, surprisingly to me I was the 41st person on the list. And so the new training program was in full swing. Speed, hills, hills and hills were a constant oh yeah and miles too! Since starting back in the end of October I've lost 15lbs. and now way 185-187 on the given day.
On Mar. 2nd Track started and so I was forced to start my taper again a bit earlier than desired, however was still able to be active and now just 2 days for the run, realize that the preparation that I did or didn't do at this point is done and over with.
IT'S TIME TO RUN!!