Western States 100 Cancelled Because of Raging NorCal Fires

Sure, the Shop to the Top was cancelled last year because of Castle Rock, so we know it can happen, but the scuttling of Western States seems nevertheless unfathomable, even as smoke from the NorCal fires brings haze to the Wood River Valley. It was, of course, the correct call. The unpredictability of wild fires, the huge length of the course, and the spread of competitors just made it a recipe for disaster, and the best thing to do was to wait for next year. Tough love, though, for the 400 athletes who were ready to toe the line, including the Valley's AJW - a consistent top placer who was making a more than realistic run at the Masters record this year.

For some links to blog posts about the Western States cancellation (including AJW's), check out my Run Junkie post (post).

--Hank

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.

Tread Carefully: Snakes Out in Force

The snakes seem to be out in force in the south Valley now that the weather's finally turned sunny and warm. As usual, Democrat is a hot bed of rattlesnake sitings, with at least one dog on the losing end of a close encounter (Mt. Express story). Even out Quigley Canyon, one SVBR runner saw an intimidating 5 footer casually crossing the dirt road.

Watch your step.

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)

2008 Titus Van Rijn Invitational One-Hour Distance Classic

In lieu of, or in addition to, Thursday's speedwork at the middle school track, there will be a special, slightly organized running of the Titus Van Rijn Invitational One-hour Distance Classic. See "rules" below, but basically it is a relaxed, but still serious, one-hour effort on the track: See how far you can run in one hour and then report your results to the national organizer of the event (contacts below). A select amount of black cherry soda will be on hand.

Postscript: (6-7-08) Click here to view race report.

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Titus Van Rijn Invitational One-Hour Distance Classic

What: A one-hour distance running event

Who: All comers welcome - slow or fast; injured or healthy

Where: Wood River Middle School track

When: June 5 @5:30pm

Rules

* Your performance must take place on a standard 400 meter/440 yard track. Include partial laps in your final total; estimate distances as accurately as possible within reason.

* Send results to <andyleeroth@gmail.com> by midnight, 30 June 2008. In your results, please note name, total distance completed (in meters or yards), age, date, and location. We encourage you to include a brief report of your experience for the official race report.

* You may run the event more than once if desired, but only submit your best mark.

* You are encouraged to invite others to participate in the event. In many cases, our address list of past participants is incomplete, so we especially appreciate your forwarding this invitation to past runners not included in the original mailing.

* Complete results and race report will be sent to all participants.

* 'And you can dance…for inspiration' -- http://youtube.com/watch?v=e5fgejdS4gQ

Tradition

World champions in football and baseball celebrate with champagne; the victor at the Indy 500 gets a bottle of milk. At Titus Van Rijn, the celebratory beverage of choice for all participants is black cherry soda. We encourage you to maintain the tradition.

One-hour track records

World, women: 18,340 meters (~11.4 miles)

Tegla Loroupe (Ken), Borgholshausen, Ger 8/7/98

World, men: 21,285m (~13.2 miles)

Haile Gebrselassie (Eth), Ostrava, Czech Republic 6/27/07

U.S., women: 17,273m (~10.7 miles)

Nancy Conz, Amherst, MA 6/25/81

U.S., men: 20,547m (~12.8 miles)

Bill Rodgers (GBTC), Boston, MA 8/9/77

TVR, women: 12,800m (~7.96 miles)

Kate Jennings (WA), Winthrop, WA 6/2/2007

TVR, men: 18,115 (~11.25 miles)

Greg Crowther (WA), Seattle, WA 5/27/2006

Additional Questions?

Please contact Andy Roth (andyleeroth@gmail.com) or Mike Persick (mpersick@comcast.net), TVR Race Directors.

What Trails are Giving You Spring Fever?

Trails are finally opening up fast and furious throughout the Wood River Valley. SVBR runners report that a lot of trails out Croy are great and Adams Gulch is running well. Corral creek has been fully open for a while. Now that Carbonate's not the only option for some good vertical, what trails have been haunting your thoughts when you should be doing other things?

Tales from the Track -- May 22

Another good turnout for speedwork this week, with Hank, AJW, Mike and Brad hitting the middle school oval for multiple laps. 6 x 1200 was the order of the day, and with AJW hitting full stride in his Western States build-up, speed was up and rest was down. Even Brad was caught in the zeitgeist, jogging some slow laps on the down-low in anticipation of his full return to post-injury training.

The more the merrier. Hope to see folks next week.

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

Vorberg Gulch Clear of Snow and Mud...and It's Top Notch

This afternoon I took my first full lap this season on the Carbonate-Vorberg Gulch loop, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Despite heavy legs and waning good cheer, the climb up Carbonate was good, the run over the ridge refreshing, and the single track descent into the Vorberg gully clear of snow and downright transcendent. As many folks know who have done it, it's hard to believe you're minutes from Hailey when you're in such an isolated area jamming down some pretty technical, serpentine trails. It's waiting for visitors. Cheers. --Hank

Last Chance Registration Discount for SV Half Marathon

You may have missed the bigger discount earlier on, but directors of next weekend's Sun Valley Half Marathon are offering $5.00 off registration for a little while longer. Use the code LASTCHANCE. Now's the time (reg site).