Turkey Feathers

Brazen Racing's Quarry Turkey race was a big hit.  Three hours in the hot turkey suit left me dizzy and a bit dehydrated but playing with all the kids was fun.  A small gang of young lads (monsters) harassed me like a swarm of bees.  They'd chase and grab my tail, smack my beak, yank my shirt, then run away and repeat it all over again.  I finally told them I'd be hiding under their beds at night if they didn't stop.

Turkey Suit and Running

Yes, that's Footfeathers in the appropriate personage.

It's that time of year again, families gather, warm conversation, good food, reflection on being thankful, and some idiot running around in a 105 degree turkey suit at the Quarry Turkey Thanksgiving event on Saturday put on by Brazen Racing.  Thursday I'll be helping them out at their other T-Day event as well, just not in the turkey suit.  The weather has been nice, 60s and clear and should continue through the week.

Last weekend we (PCTR) put on the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Run down in Malibu.  We arrived on Saturday to a warm and sunny afternoon of trail marking for the 50k, 30k, 18k, and 9k events (sounds daunting but the courses share the same trails).  I'm nearly ready to burst from my self imposed recovery month of November, so I wasn't too upset when I got a bit lost, which ended up with a 2.5 hour run on the shoulders of Pt. Mugu looking down the canyon to the ocean and sunset.  Beautiful trails.

Of course, race day brought stormy weather with rain starting at 5am and not ending until 7pm.  Super weather for the runners but miserable for race directing, as seen in the photo here (I'm in the ball cap to the right "managing".  The perplexed looking young lady to the far left led a few runners on a little extra bonus loop of miles off course.  I had to run out to investigate reported vandalism (which was fine since I got to get out for another run ;-) and found this girl (the perplexed one) standing at the same intersection she'd already made the mistake at and contemplating making the same 12k mistake again.  Ah, trail racing!

Anyway, the event went off perfectly, especially considering the awful weather.  We packed up, slept a couple hours and drove back up to the Bay Area.  Race directing is terribly glamorous, as I was reminded while left alone to unload a couple thousand pounds of race equipment, soaked and muddy and in need of a good cleaning and airing out.  Next event is Woodside 50k next weekend.  Hoping for good weather and a perfect event.

Here's a nice video of the Santa Monica event that Billy Yang put together - Boy's got skills.

PCTR Santa Monica Mountains Highlights from Billy Yang on Vimeo.

The Dust Settles

It's been a busy week.  I made the 700 mile drive last Monday to my new digs in the Bay Area and jumped into learning the new job.  A snag with one of the park permits put a damper on what was supposed to be my first race at Stinson Beach, so we were forced to cancel and yet still showed up to offer up some food at the start, hand out the shirts, and ended up staying there for around eight hours while folks went out for runs varying from 12k-50k.  I would guess that about 200 runners came out for the "fun run" cancelled event and they all seemed appreciative that PCTR was still there.

This coming weekend is my first true event as Race Director at the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Run in Malibu.  I'm looking forward to getting down there to mark the course and put on an amazing event.  I'm super excited to be working at PCTR; there's a fresh energy and focus.

Thankfully, this is my recovery month, so I only have to get out for short easy runs and not worry too much about scheduling.  I'm registered for both Western States and Hardrock lotteries now and will build my season race schedule based on whether I get into either or both.  I've also been thinking about running the Tahoe Rim Trail (165 miles).  I'd like to do it unsupported and see how close I can get to the FKT, which is 63:54 set by Michael Popov just over a month ago (Killian's supported FKT is 38:32!).

I was getting a bit dull in my attitude towards racing but, with the time relaxing and the beautiful weather, I'm getting fired up to race and train again.

Congratulations to Liza Howard on her return to racing and her speedy course record of 15:47 at Javelina 100.

Daily Doodle

The block of five days not running post Pony Express (92 miles) and easing back into short runs has paid off.  My knee (tendon) still gave sharp pain even with the 30 mins of easy jogging but has improved daily.  November has become my down time, recovery, whatever it is other than racing.  I'll run every day this month but never more than 60 mins a day.  It works for me.  It keeps my base fitness filled and yet allows for physical and mental recovery/rejuvenation.  The fun of planning next year's race schedule is beginning. Of course, I have the added task of scheduling around PCTR's schedule.  Thankfully, PCTR's owner, Sarah, is a long distance running nut too, so she understands and weekends like Hardrock are left open (for now) in the PCTR schedule.  She knows the need for balance (if there is such a thing in ultrarunning) and we've already talked about a couple of the very important races I'd like to do next year.

Goodbye Redcliff Desert Reserve.  Photo: Craig Young

I've been immersed the last few days researching for a story I'm working on.  The exact angle from which I want to write it isn't clear yet, but close.  Should be a fun story once it's laid out.  The work on it will also have to be put on hold for the next couple of days while I pack my meager belongings into my car and make my way west on Monday.  I've grown from getting acquainted with the high desert and red cliff trails to forming a relationship with them.  Unlike Boulder where I bounce into and trip over 40 people on a weekend trail run, I have never seen another trail runner and nearly no other trail users here.  I feel welcomed and absorbed into the landscape and will miss the views, colors, and warmth of the now familiar reserve trails.

USATF MUT Awards

"Hey, look, he's trying to bury that post about Leadville, 'cause he knew he'd get a can of whoop-ass opened on him for having the nerve to ask why people think it's so popular.  Lucky him.  I was about ready to go off on that punk."  


Naw, the Leadville post is still there and I still have the same feelings about it but I find the USATF MUT awards more interesting.  See, I kind of took the time to write my nomination for Nick Pedatella in the Open Ultrarunning award.  I also persuaded the humble runner to purchase the quite useful USATF membership (thankfully, they had a close-out special going for only $10).  Sorry you had to waste your money, Nick.  I guess your outstanding year, including four 100s (two wins, one 2nd, and the most impressive - the 13th at UTMB) didn't hold much weight for the committee.  You showed consistency, modesty, fortitude, and ability.  You made this American proud with your performance at UTMB.  Congratulations on an inspirational year of racing, Nick.


Of course, Michael Wardian won the annual award, again, and is obviously deserving of it.  We wrote a bit about the differences with the USATF ultra award here, specifically, the disinterest in the 100 mile distance.  Ironic that the headpiece distance in American ultrarunning isn't given a lot of credit with the USATF folks.


Here are this year's recipients of the MUT awards:

Mountain men open: Max King, 31, Bend, OR

Mountain men master: Tim Van Orden, 43, Bennington, VT

Mountain women open: Kasie Enman, 32, Huntington, VT

Mountain women master: Jacqueline Shakar, 51, Sutton, MA

Ultra men open – Ted Corbitt Memorial USATF Ultra Runner of the Year: Michael Wardian, 37, Arlington, VA

Ultra men master: Co-Recipients Chad Ricklefs, 44, Boulder, CO, and Mark Godale, 41, Aurora, OH

Ultra women open – The Ruth Anderson Ultrarunner of the Year Award: Meghan Arbogast, 50, Corvallis, OR

Ultra women master: Connie Gardner, 47, Medina, OH

New category awards for 2011 included:

Trail men open: Max King

Trail men master: Tim Van Orden

Trail women open: Marci Klimek, 24, Phoenix, OR

Trail women master: Jacqueline Shakar

Leadville 100. Wow-wee

My buckle from 2011 (and my dime)

With the opening of the Leadville 100 registration, there is a lot of buzz everywhere from first timers to veterans in an obvious rut.

One time was enough for me, for now.  It was an enjoyable day but I would rank it 5th out of the 5 100s I completed this year (note: would've still been 5th, just edging out Pony Express had I covered the last 8 miles of it to completion).

Pros:
The double climb of Hope Pass
The big belt buckle

Cons:
The course is a bit boring
The race is too crowded
It's fairly easy (comparatively)

There are so many cool 100s in the US, both established old timers and newbies, that draw me in much more than repeating an event like Leadville.  Look at something like Grand Mesa 100.  The course humbles you from head to toe, mentally and physically.  Runners are given a fair amount to complete the race but not coddled.

Obviously, there are 800-1,000 participants at Leadville who may not agree with me and this is just my opinion sparked by all the talk, especially from repeat Leadville runners who are jabbering ad nauseum about the August race.  Personally, I'm stretching my boundaries and hoping to be in Chamonix for UTMB during that timeframe and if not, then heading to a different and more challenging run.

Leadville lovers unite and tell me why you love Leadville so much.