Time for Gimpy to get these Mt Hood PCT 50 training runs and the race blogged.
  |
| Clackamas Meadow across the road from the Ranger Station |
The Mt Hood PCT 50M on July 30, 2011 was Gimpy's longest run, the most challenging, and ultimately the most rewarding. 50 miles, it certainly was the longest trail run to date. Fortunately, I had the benefit of running the course over two previous weeks so I was able to get a good sense of the course elevation, difficulty, and the potential places Gimpy might get lost.
Besides the Forest Park 50K at the end of May, I had two training runs of ~27 and ~35 miles respectively to prep for the 50 miles, an intimidating distance for sure. So the plan is to include some of those training details in here as well.
Besides the Forest Park 50K at the end of May, I had two training runs of ~27 and ~35 miles respectively to prep for the 50 miles, an intimidating distance for sure. So the plan is to include some of those training details in here as well.
The first training run on July 2nd took Gimpy from Clackamas Lake Campground up to highway 26 near Frog Lake and back. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for this run. Gimpy had two hand held bottles and a third bottle on a holster style belt and still ended up running out of water and electrolyte on the way back around mile 20. I'd noticed someone had left water at the gravel road and had a small dilemna as to whether to take some, Gimpy ultimately decided to take about 20oz of water to get me back to the campground. I probably could have made it back without it, but given the heat would have been pretty miserable if I hadn't. Not sure if I breached some trail etiquette by doing this. I silently thanked whoever left it there and hope I didn't create a worse situation for them. The guilt still hasn't quite gone away.
 |
| Mt Hood in the distance |
I took several pictures of Mt Hood and other sights as I was heading North, but Gimpy misplaced these which I'm still kicking myself for being so absent minded and so the blog will be a bit light on photos. I shall take a moment and shed a tear thinking about the lost images. Ok, done...
Gimpy could only imagine how amazing previous PCT runs were that went up to Timberline lodge and back, to see Mt Hood getting steadily bigger and more imposing over time. What a sight that would be! The weather was awesome and this run really had me psyched for the 50 miler. I was thinking I had a good shot at getting under eleven hours based on how I was feeling, which in Gimpy's dream world would qualify him for Western States or some other 100 milers. (Ahhh!!! to dream such a dream, it's good there is no pain in Gimpy's dreams). I will ask William and Mike what that pain feels like, as they've experienced it firsthand.
The following week, July 10th, I went back for the final long training run from Clackamas Lake Ranger Station to Warm Springs Meadow, then back to the Ranger station for an extra side order of circumnavigate Timothy Lake and finally back to the Ranger station one last time.
The location for the race start was still a bit fuzzy, as Gimpy wasn't quite sure where the trail was supposed to go from the Ranger station, so ended up going through the Joe Graham horse camp apparently on the wrong side of the lake before heading South and up to Red Wolf pass and then on to somewhere near the Warm Springs Meadow road. The trail was definitely under repair, so the going was a bit rough although the downed trees had been cleared on this entire section. The elevation gain on the backend of the 50 was going to be the most challenging. The elevation gains for Gimpy this late in the run were giving me doubts about the 11 hour finish goals.
Moving through the power lines really highlighted for Gimpy the warmer weather and some of the concerns to run in the heat of the day, but I had plenty of water and electrolytes this time.
It's definitely a good walk/run up to Red Wolf and I have to say while in the woods the trail and surrounding area is beautiful, the power lines however are a bit of an eyesore. I knew the aid station would be near here so this dead zone would become both a desireable refueling point and a reminder to get through this section quickly. 
The hill going down to the Warm Springs river feels quite steep and Gimpy took his time refreshing at the river before heading back up the hill on the other side. As I was guessing how far to run, I realized on race day Gimpy didn't go far enough on this training run, and completely underestimated the amount of walking I'd be doing on race day in both directions as I left the river. This was both a training and mental thing and I really wished I'd known this section better ahead of time. During the training run, I realized from this point forward the run would be hard going.
I made it back up to Red Wolf Pass and never quite sure where the turn around point was. Regardless, Gimpy was still seeing it all as a challenge and knew while difficult the 50 miles was in my ability. At this point over the two training runs, I'd completed a good portion of the 50 mile course. I wanted a bit more so headed back to Timothy Lake for a loop around the lake before calling it a day.
I made it back to the ranger station and re-fueled and hydrated headed North to complete the loop around Timothy Lake. This wasn't part of the course, but the planned 35 miles worked out and gave Gimpy a chance to explore the lake shore area. Somewhere around mile 30 the Garmin gave out so there is no record of how slow Gimpy was really moving. It was with relief I made it back to the car and eventually home. Pretty spent, but feeling good about a good 35 mile training session where Gimpy was on his feet for nearly 10 hours.
I made it back to the ranger station and re-fueled and hydrated headed North to complete the loop around Timothy Lake. This wasn't part of the course, but the planned 35 miles worked out and gave Gimpy a chance to explore the lake shore area. Somewhere around mile 30 the Garmin gave out so there is no record of how slow Gimpy was really moving. It was with relief I made it back to the car and eventually home. Pretty spent, but feeling good about a good 35 mile training session where Gimpy was on his feet for nearly 10 hours.
It was now time for the real deal. The Mt Hood PCT 50 - July 30, 2011.
The race started with plenty of optimism and great hopes for a fun run.
Gimpy felt like he had a really good pace heading out from the start, the weather looked good for warm and sunny skies and I was hoping to make some progress before the heat of the day kicked in. Decided to wear the New Balance MT101's on the way to Frog lake as they are light and make me feel fast on the up hills. The plan was to switch into the Brooks Cascadia's at Frog lake which I'd left in the drop bag. I think this was one of my better overthought decisions. Eric Jensen is reminding Gimpy not to overthink things too much. Still working on this, though I think is right on about this subject.
I gotta say thanks to the Photographer and her daughter from Brian F. Conaghan stationed reminding me to smile. As a result Gimpy has a couple of photos from race day. The first pic below was taken heading North just past Timothy Lake and the Rhody's are pressing in on the single track and leaving just enough space to squeeze through. The other was taken on the way back South at Timothy Lake around Mile 25.
Gimpy was feeling pretty good at this point, looky there I am smiling.
Gimpy felt like he had a really good pace heading out from the start, the weather looked good for warm and sunny skies and I was hoping to make some progress before the heat of the day kicked in. Decided to wear the New Balance MT101's on the way to Frog lake as they are light and make me feel fast on the up hills. The plan was to switch into the Brooks Cascadia's at Frog lake which I'd left in the drop bag. I think this was one of my better overthought decisions. Eric Jensen is reminding Gimpy not to overthink things too much. Still working on this, though I think is right on about this subject.
I gotta say thanks to the Photographer and her daughter from Brian F. Conaghan stationed reminding me to smile. As a result Gimpy has a couple of photos from race day. The first pic below was taken heading North just past Timothy Lake and the Rhody's are pressing in on the single track and leaving just enough space to squeeze through. The other was taken on the way back South at Timothy Lake around Mile 25.
Gimpy was feeling pretty good at this point, looky there I am smiling.
 |
| Heading South wearing Brooks Cascadia's |
 |
| Heading North wearing the New Balance MT101's |
Coming off of PCT at the South end of Timothy and the little ups were getting harder as I headed back to the the Ranger station, even so Gimpy was feeling pretty good about his time coming into the start/finish line. Miles ago I'd seen "Coach" Rosling and "Pain Train" heading back along with a number of other lead runners all looking like they'd only run a few miles. Gimpy was working for a bit faster time early on and I ultimately finished my 25 miles in a similiar time as the first 25 miles at the Forest Park 50K. If Gimpy could calculate faster, I would have realized the pace was probably a bit too fast (See below for comparisons).
I didn't have a lot more references for times, pacing, or heart rate as the Garmin gave out early again with less than 6 hours of battery useage. A bit frustrating and was feeling like Gimpy should maybe toss the thing. I remember going through Warm Springs and Red Wolf asking what time it was and getting the reply I was about 30 minutes past the cut off times. Well fortunately, the race director and volunteers were routing for the slow pokes, because they encouraged us to get in and out.
I didn't have a lot more references for times, pacing, or heart rate as the Garmin gave out early again with less than 6 hours of battery useage. A bit frustrating and was feeling like Gimpy should maybe toss the thing. I remember going through Warm Springs and Red Wolf asking what time it was and getting the reply I was about 30 minutes past the cut off times. Well fortunately, the race director and volunteers were routing for the slow pokes, because they encouraged us to get in and out.
There a lot of good reasons for not running too long during training and every mile longer is new territory. This was true for me after mile 35. It was especially true as I came into Red Wolf at mile 46 and I was thinking maybe Gimpy should drop, how good would that feel to sit down and get a ride back to the finish line. All the way up that hill was a slow slog and Gimpy had plenty of time to contemplate the DNF. Doesn't sound too bad, I may get yanked anyway. Ahh, here is the ugly powerlines, ah oh! there is Todd the RD, he's gonna pull me. That would be good, Gimpy could relax, lay on the soft rocks and roots. Maybe I should drop myself and save them the stress of saying sorry, you're just not gonna make it this time. That hundred yards was the most second guessing Gimpy had done all day. The volunteers looked like they were packing up, so this is it. Or was it....
A few more steps...
What's this they're filling Gimpy's water bottle, uh, oh, I'm gonna have to keep going.
Yes, Yes!, Yes!!!, I'm gonna have to keep going!!! Thank goodness they're gonna let me keep going. Wait, I was hoping they'd pull me. That's ok, reset the head, it's downhill from here. I flashback to Forest Park 2010 and walking most of the downhills near the end of the run.
Can Gimpy get above 20 min/mile? No reference without a watch, well the sun hadn't set. I can do this, I was definitely thinking I could do this. Will Gimpy get back before dark, and so it went for those last few miles. Since Gimpy couldn't find his drop bag at Warm Springs Aid station I had no flashlight. It was going to be a dark finish, if I didn't get the lead out.
Somehow, I got the idea I was almost there and the legs got moving. Yes that gravity is a good thing, don't fall. I'd done that twice in the first ten miles about 250 yards apart. Somehow, Gimpy didn't get hurt. How do these things happen? Usually it's talking and running and I'd started talking and when Gimpy talks he doesn't watch where he's going, boom - face plant. Ok, Gimpy no talking let's get moving. From somewhere behind me someone said "Hey, did you run all the Run Wild races?", why yes I did, well all except the Silver Creek falls half marathon, but I gotta sweep that..."
Pause for affect.... And boom..., faceplant. What the heck, ok no broken bones, minor scrapes. No more talking, talking leads to face plants. Gimpy doesn't like face plants. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one. I'd already seen two other people do the same thing about the same time, maybe that section was sown with tripping curses.
Yes, Yes!, Yes!!!, I'm gonna have to keep going!!! Thank goodness they're gonna let me keep going. Wait, I was hoping they'd pull me. That's ok, reset the head, it's downhill from here. I flashback to Forest Park 2010 and walking most of the downhills near the end of the run.
Can Gimpy get above 20 min/mile? No reference without a watch, well the sun hadn't set. I can do this, I was definitely thinking I could do this. Will Gimpy get back before dark, and so it went for those last few miles. Since Gimpy couldn't find his drop bag at Warm Springs Aid station I had no flashlight. It was going to be a dark finish, if I didn't get the lead out.
Somehow, I got the idea I was almost there and the legs got moving. Yes that gravity is a good thing, don't fall. I'd done that twice in the first ten miles about 250 yards apart. Somehow, Gimpy didn't get hurt. How do these things happen? Usually it's talking and running and I'd started talking and when Gimpy talks he doesn't watch where he's going, boom - face plant. Ok, Gimpy no talking let's get moving. From somewhere behind me someone said "Hey, did you run all the Run Wild races?", why yes I did, well all except the Silver Creek falls half marathon, but I gotta sweep that..."
Pause for affect.... And boom..., faceplant. What the heck, ok no broken bones, minor scrapes. No more talking, talking leads to face plants. Gimpy doesn't like face plants. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one. I'd already seen two other people do the same thing about the same time, maybe that section was sown with tripping curses.
No way to know, I knew at mile 45-50 I needed to stay focused cause I was really tired. Gimpy liked this down hill section, I hoped it would go on for awhile, Gimpy even passed a couple people, hang in there I thought, we're almost done. Gravities momentum carried me for a couple more miles until things flattened out and I unfortunately I was back to a walk again. Oh well, walking's ok. Walk if you have to... Gimpy thought about about one foot in front of the other and that's what I did.
There were a couple of nice surprises in the last mile:
1) My sister Darlene hiked up to meet me and boy was I glad to see her. Talking and laughing distracted me from the aches and pains and while I'm sure we were barely moving, it felt like we were really hauling. For that I really gotta thank her and say how much that means to me.
2) Around one of the last corners and there's the road to cross and finally I see the finish line, somehow Gimpy managed to trot those last few yards toward the finish and saw my great-nephew Davonte, Joe who had riden over 100 miles on his bike from Jefferson, and my nephew Jeramy sharing in this moment, my 50 mile challenge.
1) My sister Darlene hiked up to meet me and boy was I glad to see her. Talking and laughing distracted me from the aches and pains and while I'm sure we were barely moving, it felt like we were really hauling. For that I really gotta thank her and say how much that means to me.
2) Around one of the last corners and there's the road to cross and finally I see the finish line, somehow Gimpy managed to trot those last few yards toward the finish and saw my great-nephew Davonte, Joe who had riden over 100 miles on his bike from Jefferson, and my nephew Jeramy sharing in this moment, my 50 mile challenge.
I was starting to tear up from finish fever and surge of endorphins or something. I was on cloud 50 or so it seemed. I'd felt this way once before during the finish at the Boston Marathon in 2008. It is an amazing feeling to have.
Gimpy still had a few yards further to go and just across the finish line saw Mike "Spike" Rosling and William "Pain Train" Swint. I raced Davonte to the finish line, he was all smiles, I was all smiles. All done and what a relief and fantastic feeling for a first 50 miler.
Mike and William had come in hours before, the winners and lead runners already on their way home, but these guys had hung around and were cheering me on for my first 50 miles. It's hard to express what that feeling is like, to do something challenging and ultimately share it with family and friends. It was even more special 'cause these guys had helped me get to this point. I thought about Eric, Gene, Samuel, and a chair... Yes, I think I better sit down. These guys, not the chair had helped me get motivated and help convince me I could do this crazy challenge. Thanks guys, it was definitely worth it!!!
Gimpy still had a few yards further to go and just across the finish line saw Mike "Spike" Rosling and William "Pain Train" Swint. I raced Davonte to the finish line, he was all smiles, I was all smiles. All done and what a relief and fantastic feeling for a first 50 miler.
Mike and William had come in hours before, the winners and lead runners already on their way home, but these guys had hung around and were cheering me on for my first 50 miles. It's hard to express what that feeling is like, to do something challenging and ultimately share it with family and friends. It was even more special 'cause these guys had helped me get to this point. I thought about Eric, Gene, Samuel, and a chair... Yes, I think I better sit down. These guys, not the chair had helped me get motivated and help convince me I could do this crazy challenge. Thanks guys, it was definitely worth it!!!
Someone ran over with my PCT 50 finishers glass and I managed to pull myself together and I don't think anyone saw any emotion save my smile. 'Cause that's how Gimpy likes to finish, always with a smile. I think I thanked the race director for a great race, they really did a nice job. Got a hamburger and chips out of the deal and Cloud nine slowly became Cloud ten. So began the slow painful walk to the car and eventually home.
That's all part of the good feelings that go along with these fun runs.
So that's it, Gimpy ran his first 50 mile, I'm an Ultramarathoner. Over two years, two (2) 50K's and a 50 miler on the running resume. There will be more. . .
Overall I'm satisfied with my first 50 miler. Can't say I didn't want to quit, but I'm so glad I didn't and I've already got plans for my next 50K at Flagline in September and a 50M at Autumn Leaves at the end of October. Hoping to break 11 hours for the 50M or the fallback per usual, finish with a smile.
Gimpy definitely recommends the Mount Hood PCT 50, it's well organized, has great volunteers, and gets you out of the house into Oregon's backwoods country. It is by no means easy and you gotta put in the miles and hills to do well there. This is one I'd love to do again.
Gimpy's back of the pack, but he got it done.
Rest up Gimpy, then let's run.
Just a note: I really like the way NSPiRE reported the results for the PCT50, I hope they can be used for other runs in the future:
*********************************************************
I'm tossing in a few numbers below for comparison in the future.
Start to Frog Lake and Back: 28.4 miles: 05:37:46
Start to Warm Springs Meadows: 21.8 miles: 06:51:54
Total miles: 50.2 miles: 12:29:30
Mt Hood PCT 50M | Forest Park 50K | |||||
Split | Time | Avg HR | Split | Time | Avg HR | |
1 | 0:10:28 | 162 | 1 | 0:12:15 | 162 | |
2 | 0:11:05 | 149 | 2 | 0:12:07 | 150 | |
3 | 0:10:22 | 145 | 3 | 0:11:34 | 149 | |
4 | 0:10:40 | 147 | 4 | 0:11:33 | 148 | |
5 | 0:10:22 | 145 | 5 | 0:11:10 | 147 | |
6 | 0:10:26 | 145 | 6 | 0:12:13 | 149 | |
7 | 0:11:33 | 147 | 7 | 0:10:04 | 146 | |
8 | 0:15:35 | 147 | 8 | 0:12:29 | 148 | |
9 | 0:11:23 | 143 | 9 | 0:11:41 | 148 | |
10 | 0:12:40 | 146 | 10 | 0:12:01 | 147 | |
11 | 0:12:02 | 146 | 11 | 0:12:02 | 150 | |
12 | 0:14:32 | 144 | 12 | 0:12:53 | 147 | |
13 | 0:15:06 | 133 | 13 | 0:11:28 | 144 | |
14 | 0:15:08 | 143 | 14 | 0:12:41 | 148 | |
15 | 0:11:37 | 143 | 15 | 0:14:38 | 147 | |
16 | 0:14:36 | 139 | 16 | 0:13:24 | 141 | |
17 | 0:12:17 | 140 | 17 | 0:16:41 | 145 | |
18 | 0:14:04 | 140 | 18 | 0:14:14 | 141 | |
19 | 0:14:11 | 132 | 19 | 0:12:00 | 144 | |
20 | 0:13:30 | 134 | 20 | 0:13:19 | 141 | |
21 | 0:14:09 | 135 | 21 | 0:15:37 | 140 | |
22 | 0:13:40 | 143 | 22 | 0:14:28 | 140 | |
23 | 0:13:46 | 142 | 23 | 0:17:02 | 137 | |
24 | 0:15:21 | 135 | 24 | 0:14:00 | 139 | |
25 | 0:17:05 | 137 | 25 | 0:11:39 | 146 | |
25 miles | 5:25:38 | 25 miles | 5:23:13 | |||
*********************************************************
Memorabilia is nice... |
| 2011 Mt Hood PCT 50 - The Glass and number to go with it |
Great write up and really cool shots of you running. The lake in the background really brings out the color of your eyes... Not really, but still cool. You are getting stronger and stronger and I think your best running is in front of you. Keep moving my man, you look great. Can't wait to try and kick your ass one of these days. Hey, I can at least try...
ReplyDeleteThat was a great write up. Downright inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrother!!! I think our totally amazing all the time, but when I read your blog, I think you are downright awesome! I am so proud of you and I love how you blog so we can feel part of it and get knowledge of your progress! I sure love you, bro!
ReplyDelete