Baker Lake Ultra Runs

I signed up for the Baker Lake 100k, with the knowledge that if I didn't have it, I could step down to the 50k.  As I haven't been training as much as in past years, I ended up settling for the 50k.  And I'm quite happy about that.  This was my first 50k finish this year, and though it was slow, it was a finish.

Baker Lake is special to me.  This was my 10th year in a row finishing the event.  It's basically my favorite ultra.

The weather yesterday was splendid.  Starting at 6 AM with the 100k runners put a different spin on things.  It was dark for the first forty-five minutes or so, with about 25 minutes of dark on trail.  In years past, I've ran this trail in the dark with friends under the full moon in winter.  I was reminded of those runs.  It was a bit odd also to be far down the trail at 9 AM, as opposed to the past routine with the 8 AM start.

My run to the turnaround was ok--I was still on pace for a 100k finish. The trip back was really slow, with lots of walking, an empty stomach and some bonking.  I just don't have the endurance right now. Technically, I was ahead of the cutoffs, but I know when a turkey is done. Also, hanging out with friends at the finish plus a big UW-Stanford game in the evening spoke to me. Like I said, hard not to be happy with a 50k finish, and then look for bigger things down the trail.

Every year is a little different with this race.  This year I noticed much more water flowing in the creeks, with a few waterfalls. The snow level on Mount Baker was much lower than in past years, reflecting our recent storms.

This was also the year that Skagit Runners took over the race again. Everyone did such an amazing job.   It was great to see Kevin, Chris, Toi and others at the new Maple Grove aid station, and a bonfire early in the morning. Terry was congratulating every finisher, Delores checking everyone in, and Joe and Shawna put together an awesome post-race spread, with barb et al.  Cool medals and buckles. Glenn and Takao out there taking pictures near the turnaround. I think the club did an excellent job taking the handoff from the Duttons, who have always done such an awesome job. Thank you friends.

Good to see so many friends and familiar faces, and hang out.  I stopped a couple times on the trail to talk with friends for a minute or two. Wish I could run better, and there are any number of contributing factors to my deficiencies there, but it's all part of the journey. Congrats to all the finishers--many first time finishers, many returnees, and then those 100k runners who all looked so determined.

Cutthroat Classic

Ran the Cutthroat Classic in the North Cascades today. The best part of this was it was a family thing, with Holley and Dan also running, and lots of family members over in Winthrop.

Cutthroat is a terrific 11.1 mile run, beginning on the PCT at Rainy Pass, on Highway 20.  The first four or five miles are uphill, about 2000 feet in gain, up to Cutthroat Pass. The second half is mostly downhill, on dry, rocky terrain.

The high pass is absolutely gorgeous, as these pics endeavor to show--though my phone pics never really do justice.  The one above is a panorama effort from the top of the pass. Best to click on it.  Below, my uncle, a mushroomer, found porcini in the parking lot before the race. The rest pretty much speak form themselves.

This race is getting really popular.  It always sells out early.  I understand 400 runners were registered this year. To spread things out, a wave start format is used. The Methow Valley Trails Sports Association does a terrific job--so many volunteers out there to support this event.  More on them at www.mvsta.org. Thanks all!

My effort was about what I expected. A real struggle going up--not enough flex in the legs, and something up with the breathing. Once on top, I was able to run steady enough down. Probably my 6th or 7th finish--this was one of my first trail events. I suppose this is the year of the bee stings. I got stung twice, and Holley and Dan both got stung too.

Great to see friends and familiar faces over there.  Mainly, great to camp out and run with the fam.  We camped in Winthrop on the Methow River. Originally, I was registered for CC this weekend, but I knew I wasn't up for it--this was a winner alternative.

Copper Ridge Loop

The Copper Ridge loop trail is an American classic, tucked right beneath the Canadian border, in the North Cascades National Park.  While I’ve been on parts of this trail a few times before, I never have tried the full loop, until this week.  Far too long on the bucket list, but no more.

My friends Mike and Rich and I ran the loop in a day, starting at about 7:20 AM and finishing sometime before 9 PM.  This made for a long day, indeed, after meeting in Mount Vernon just after 5 AM.  The loop is about 35 miles, give or take, and I understand our technology registered 8800 feet of climbing.  We took our time, in part to enjoy various stops, in part because the trail is sometimes slow, and in part because they waited for slow old me.  Thank you guys!

The day started overcast, with even a bit of a mist.  A clear sky is highly desirable here, to maximize views from the 6000 foot ridge.  We climbed through the mist, eventually reaching the ridge, and then the Copper Ridge Lookout, which is perched at the highest point for miles, amongst a sea of mountain ridges.  We spent a bit of time at the lookout, talking with the Park Ranger and checking out weather meters, the lightning stool and the library.  I’m always a little curious as to the book choices in lookouts.  Are people reading classics or paperbacks?

Wildflowers are still in bloom on the ridge, which doesn’t open until late in the season.  Yet, there are also subtle signs of fall.  Ranger Abby said that this was the first time in three years the ridge trail was completely snow-free, or at least so early, or something like that.  Message:  we picked a good weekend.

The trail past the Lookout took us by a beautiful teardrop called Copper Lake.  The lake is cobalt blue—my camera doesn’t do it justice, with a little peninsula on the far side.  Worthy to camp at some time.  While the trail had a number of backpackers and hikers up to the Lookout, we really didn’t see anyone on the middle 15 miles of the loop.

After Copper Lake, the Ridge meanders through huge white boulder gardens, at a gentle runnable grade, with views of Whatcom Pass, Canada, and a host of other mountains.  Eventually, just before descending, we caught a beautiful peek-a-boo view of Chilliwack Lake (which at first we thought might be Ross), up in Canada.  Then, it was downhill for four or five miles, into the valley.  Hard on my quads.  I think I heard a bear on the way down, but didn’t register this until a few switchbacks down.

Highlight of the day for me:  fording the Chilliwack River and Indian Creek, at the bottom of the ridge.   Sockeye salmon are now running in these crystal clear waters.  The sockeye are the salmon that turn that red and green when they go to spawn and die.  I can’t think of anything quite like these in nature, and it was just amazing after 18 miles of hiking and running, just five miles south of Canada, and pretty far from anyone, to encounter this bit of nature at work.

The Chilliwack Valley trail is relatively flat, with perhaps a slight grade uphill.  The trail is full of ancient, old growth cedars. Additional highlights include as a number of glacier clear creeks, one very jangly suspension bridge, and then the cable car river crossing.  The cable car holds up to five hundred pounds, rides about 30 feet above the river, and is operated by pulling yourself across the river. It's pretty cool, so far in the middle of nowhere.

The final eight or so miles were hard for me, and I walked a lot.  Basically, you climb out of the valley, and then trot down Hannegan Pass.  If I was in better shape, it would’ve went easier, but it’s August, the mountains are open to play, and I was willing to push myself, and so I expected this.  Soon enough, we were all back at the car, and we never needed to use our headlamps.

Easy Pass

Friend Seth and I got out to Easy Pass in the North Cascades this weekend.  We were looking for something with a serving of amazing, and this fit the bill.  I've been here a number of times before, and have blogged about it too. I don't mind going back--it's great to visit familiar places to see how the change of season might affect the view.

Basically, Easy Pass is a 3.5 mile climb up, whereupon on a good day you can get amazing views of the Fischer Basin. and a slough of glaciers.  Larch trees line the ridge of the pass area, and will turn golden in a few months.

Good day--amazing views, with close to empty trails.  The Pass and trail beyond are true wild areas.

White River 50 DNF

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I didn't make it to the finish line at White River this weekend.  Made it to Suntop, at Mile 37, but didn't make the cutoff.  I definitely could've made my way to the finish line, but I was moving slow.  If you know the course, you know from here it all downhill, followed by a plod through Skookum Flats.

I was nauseous for the first climb and descent. The left leg-hip issues persisted, so I could never climb too fast, or descend that way.  Some of it was fitness, some of it was a stomach that wasn't race ready.  I don't know.  The second hill was a real slog, with mostly walking.

Beautiful day.  Wildflowers, booming view of Rainier, happy faces.  While a finish would be good, I'm not too bothered by this. I just can't get too worked up about it. I am only getting back on the horse again, probably three months removed from not being able to run at all.  And I got in my longest run in maybe a year, on a beautiful day.  Plus, it was great to see so many friends.

Trail Work

I put in a day of trail work on Saturday on Little Mountain, close to home, in Mount Vernon. This little park is getting some serious upgrades on its trails these past few years, thanks largely to the efforts of Mount Vernon Trail Builders.  It was about time that I checked it out.

It's interesting comparing the trail work rules for this crew v. what is required with Washington Trails Association.  The Mount Vernon group does allow the use of power equipment, whereas WTA is pretty Amish in their methods. On this day, a number of people focused on building a rock wall on the Bonnie and Clyde trail, just south of the summit, while others (including me) worked on improving the trail higher up.

White River in less than two weeks.....

The Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace

The Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace is a 4th of July tradition for runners in Skagit County.  This year marked the 36th year of the event.  The event is all road, starting and ending in "downtown" Sedro-Woolley, along the Loggerodeo parade route.

We're lucky to have so many wonderful community events like this, so close to home. Skagit Runners, the local running club, was well represented on the course and volunteering at the finish line. Great seeing so many friends running and volunteering.

My running is improving a bit.  I was winded after a mile by what used to be an easy training pace for me. Still, I ended up running 44:13 for the 5.17 mile course, which is over 4 minutes faster than my off the couch effort last year, and about a minute per mile faster than what I've been doing in my other "Run Local" events this past month. On the other hand, I know I've ran this event several minutes faster than this before, so there's always another chestnut to reach for.

I think testing my wind in shorter events, and also trying to focus more on core and diet, are probably more effective than just signing up for the longer, more expensive events right now. Physical therapy has been helpful too. I couldn't even run a few months ago. Keeping it fun while trying to incrementally improve a bit--that's the right approach, I think.