Run Report: River Run, Warm Springs, Baldy Loop

This weekend, I finally got to test out a winter training route I'd been thinking about in the abstract for a while: A loop beginning at the River Run parking lot, with a road run to Warm Springs, then a climb up to the top with crampons, and then a run in crampons down to the River Run side (see route map below, click it for detail).

For those familiar with the trails, I went all the way up Warm Springs, then down Ridge to Blue Grouse, over to Roundhouse then down the Olympic cat track to Lower Olympic then finished off with Lower River Run.

All in all, it was about 9 miles car-to-car, with about 3300 feet vertical. Great winter quad seasoning. (For details on my times, check out my Attackpoint entry for January 9). It was also a great stress test of the Kahtoola KTS crampons, which are made specifically for strapping on to running shoes and attacking steep, groomed trails. (For more, check out my Run Junkie review).

With the high elevation gain Coyote Two Moon 100k looming for me in March, this (or a variation) will likely be a somewhat regularly January/February workout. Anyone interested in the next assault, let me know, and we'll try to coordinate.

If It's August, It's Time for Big Miles

The second half of the summer ultra season is here, and you don't need to look at the calendar to tell - the lean frames and fat training logs of the local runners are dead give-aways. With the Wasatch 100 and Bear 100 coming up in September and some high-test 100k and 50 mile races in August, folks are getting in some long and hard miles as the daylight hours slowly wane.

Check out Brad and AJW's recent blog posts to see their take on the final build up before the late summer/fall races:

• Brad: Littlewood River Training Ground
• AJW: Recharging

Linking Local Trails

Good mileage and climbing this weekend by linking some popular local trails. Check out my post at www.addicted2running.blogspot.com

Randy Sighting

As I headed down Carbo for my second descent, a stocky bearded man was coming up the trail. I had to slow down and refocus, I wasn't sure I was seeing things correctly (especially since I had just taken a hard fall). It was Randy Geherke! I had been wondering what Randy was up to, especially with Hard Rock not far off. Randy has been training and was out for some miles in some good hot sun. It was good to see Randy, hopefully he will be joining our group runs as the summer continues.

Race Report: 2008 TVR One-Hour Distance Classic

There was a great showing at the middle school track this past Thursday for the yearly running of the Titus Van Rijn Invitational One-hour Distance Classic (see previous post for details). Runners healthy and injured alike took the start at 5:45pm, each waging a personal battle against the gale force north wind down the stretch. Though exact distances are still being gathered, AJW had a stellar performance cranking out approximately 15,700 meters (9.8 miles). Daryl Fauth came in with a very solid 8.5 miles. Hank Dart, Mary Fauth, and Brad Mitchell rounded out the crew who took to the wind-blown oval. Black cherry soda was enjoyed by all afterward.

Row 1 (l to r): Daryl, Brad, AJW pre-race; Brad stretching; The start.
Row 2 (l to r): AJW; Daryl; AJW
Row 3 (l to r): Mary; Hank; Black cherry soda

(If distances are wrong, please let me know)

Triple Vorberg and a Wondergirl Confession

First off, I have to confess that I didn't do the Wondergirl 5k. I was probably one of the few SVBR runners not to toe the line on Saturday in support of this great community event, but the interest from the troops at home (our 2 boys) was near nil, and I envisioned having to carry our 50 pound six year old on my shoulders for most of the race after he decided he just couldn't go on. Soooo.....I headed out selfishly on my own for three laps of the Carbonate-Vorberg loop. And despite wilting heavily on the third lap and having to dodge the same mean dog on my first and second climbs ("he doesn't like men running at him" What!?), it was a great morning of running and marks the end of my first phase of build-up to what I hope is my first ultra - the White River 50 toward the end of July.

Just a reminder, Brad's return to the trails post-injury is early June. I'm sure he'll be turning the screws on us all soon after that. Hope everyone's been training.

Any other run reports from the weekend?

--Hank

Toe of the Hill Trail

I have been in contact with the Becki Keefer of the Hailey Parks and Lands Board. Becki has informed me that the Toe of the Hill Trail will have an extension added to the south end. This addition will travel south from the Woodside Elementary trailhead to the southern City limits in the vicinity of the Woodside water treatment plant.This is great news for the trail users and hopefully a step forward to linking the trail with Bellevue to the south and Quigley Canyon to the north.

Also worth noting, I have been walking this trail as part of my rehab and can report the trail in good condition. A little dusty in areas but I find that nice to see after this slow start to spring.

This Week in Running

This week in running was marked by training and, unfortunately, injury.

Brad, just back from a blazing Boston Marathon and PR of 2:40:11, suffered an unfortunate, character-building injury this weekend. We'll let him tell the story in his own words via his blog (addicted2running post), but it looks like he's going to be out for a number of weeks. Staying positive, he's looking to come off the forced rest and hit the fall ultra season with fresh, hungry legs, which means his competitors should be wary.

Mike and Hank scuttled Sunday's triple Carbo plan and instead climbed to the summit and ran the hard-crust snow on the ridge to the single track on the far side of Vorberg, which they ran pretty much down to the muddy gully, then climbed back up and down to the Carbo trailhead. The run highlight was Mike sharing the story of his spelunking dog, who had recently fallen through the snow covering the mine shaft at the summit, and had to spend a cold and lonely overnight but was rescued safe and sound the next morning.

Thursday's speedwork was a solitary but successful affair. Working against himself, Hank actually completed the planned 6 x 1200.

AJW's off on a hairshirt training weekend on the Western States course, beginning his big build-up to the Big Dance on June 28.

Key Upcoming Races
May 24 - Sun Valley Half Marathon; Sun Valley, ID (site)
June 7 - Shafer Butte Endurance Run 52m; Boise, ID (site)
June 20 - Big Horn 50m ; Seridan, WY(site)
June 28 - Western States 100m; Squaw Valley, CA (site)

Anything to include in this or upcoming editions of This Week in Running? Send your reports or thoughts to hank@backcountryrunners.com. We can also send well-wishes on to Brad for those who don't have his email address.