Cedar River 50k

Stairs on Saturday with Kelly and then the Cedar River 50k yesterday. What a nice combo. The Cedar River Yours Truly 50k was, ummm, pretty flat. In fact, the most flat miles I've done in a run since the Rainier to Ruston 50m. Stands to reason since both use a lot of reclaimed railroad bed. It's making me look forward to the ~8k of gain next weekend at Orcas. There were maybe 10 people at the starting line and timing was done on the honor system. Some people were out to do a marathon, others 50k. Several looked to be marathon maniacs with their yellow singlets. I think some started early and a little later since there were new faces near the turn-arounds. It was a double out and back, packed gravel, lots of bridges, some tunnels, yucky sub-divisions, burbling water, litter, grey skies. I didn't plan well and ended up listening to the same 10 songs over and over. The second time out I ran straight past the turn around markings on the trail and ended up confused at a busy road intersection trying to remember whether I had seen it my first time. Finally made it back to the finish where I ate some wonderful lentil soup and baked sweet potatoes served up by Susan Pendleton. I also chatted briefly with an older runner who had just finished his 398th marathon. I wonder what he will do when he hits 400. He was local and regaled me with some stories of when the trail really was a rail line and a forest fire in the 60's created by a sparking locomotive. Much thanks to Susan and Brian Pendleton for putting on the race. Fun times - hauled myself home and had a lazy Sunday from there out.

Some bad pics are online - and a few below... 

Pigtails 50k

 Ran Pigtails 50k yesterday - was just as much fun as running it one year ago with some added sun. Kelly, Pablo and I carpooled down and arrived a couple minutes before the start. Pablo blew by us during the first lap and then morphed into a volunteer. Kelly and I ran two laps together and then some as she wanted to get at least 20m down, I finished the third lap to some nice sunshine and music. I don't remember my time but think it was around 5:40. Not my best, not my worst. There were a lot of PRs out there. The course is a 9.6m loop that follows a chain link fence which protects the Youngs Lake watershed. After three loops there is an out-n-back to make an even 50k. Elevation change was pretty low. The trail is packed gravel at times, packed dirt, and quite a bit of mud.  Probably the most suburban trail run I've ever done. Van Phan 'Pigtails' did a great job with organizing. The food at the aid station was yummy and there were a lot of nice people running. Some familiar faces and friends, and lots of people wearing marathon maniacs gear. And a few people running with nice dogs. Some pics below and more up at: http://picasaweb.google.com/wolpin/PigtailsII50k#

Capital Peak Dumbass (Half)

It's been a while since I've done an organized run, but had a nice run with Kelly at the Capital Peak Dumbass. We ran half of it as an out and back, just missing the rain and seeing how things feel in anticipation of more runs coming up. Lots of nice people and nice trails. It was good to see some familiar faces. Not an overwhelming amount of mud. And just enough gun fire at the end to keep things interesting. After the run we headed south to Portland for generous amounts of tax free retail therapy and Hot Lips pizza. Looking forward to Pigtails, and James V's Orcas and Waterfall runs.  Full pics are online http://picasaweb.google.com/wolpin/CapitalPeakDumbass17m# but a few are below:

Cowbell girl ringing us in...

Coolest Search and Rescue Bike Ever