2012 DECEPTION PASS 25K

Love this photo of a super-happy number 191 finishing the Deception Pass 25K. I don't know who it is or if there's any story to it, but her enthusiasm and excitement are quite inspiring.  

Like the top photo, I shot this as we were heading out. I believe it's Gary Robbins, who's about win the 50K in a smokin' fast 3:57--wow! Which means it took him less than an hour more to run twice as far as I ran--I finished the 25K in 2:58. Still, I'm pretty happy; I took 11 minutes off last year's time and my run training for this year's race was fairly sporadic. 

The Deception Pass 25K is incredibly beautiful. You're forever running cliffside trails with epic bridge- and water-views or through deep, dark forest--not to mention you run across the 180-foot-high bridge twice--and I heard many folks saying that it's the most beautiful race they've ever done. (I assume ditto goes for those who ran the 50K.) It ain't easy either. You climb 2,800-plus feet, and in places the skinny, rocky trail is sehr technical and in several stretches can feel a bit crowded with racers running in both directions.

James Varner and Rainshadow Running  doing a great job and host races that have a really cool vibe, as well a bountiful post-race spread. (Those chocolate chip cookies were friggin' amazing!) But, hmm--and I don't put on races myself so I don't have a clue as to how difficult an undertaking (I'm sure it's hard as hell)--an awful lot of people seemed to have gotten lost or off-course yesterday. I personally didn't, probably only because I ran it last year (when I did get off course) and was extra vigilant to keep it from happening again. Late in the race at the top of Goose Rock, lots of folks had no idea where to go. I remembered that last year  a photographer (Glenn T.?) was set up here, so this year I knew to run straight across and back into the woods. But I heard tales of 10 or so racers up there, turning 'round and 'round trying to figure out where to go. Again, I know it's difficult as heck to come up with volunteers who'd be willing to stand around all day in the cold and wind, but just something to keep in mind for next year. 

All that said, the Titanium Cowboys (below) had a great time yesterday--another super fun adventure! Lookin' forward to Orcas Island 25K in the New Year!

TITANIUM COWBOYS WELCOME DECEMBER

I've been doing mostly cyclocross and running this fall and thus haven't been out on the MTB in a while. So it was great to hit the Galby on Saturday for three hours with the Titanium Cowboys. We even got lost (sorta) a couple times which added a bit of variety to the experience.

Check out Scott's sleek and sexy Niner carbon fork which makes his already feather-light titanium rig even lighter. Oh goodie!

Mellow Johnny whooping and woodling.

Deception Pass 25K is this Saturday. (Yikes!) 

DECEPTION PASS 25K APPROACHETH

No race this weekend and as the above pic attests, I had no idea what to do with myself. Actually, that's not true. I knew I had to run (literally) because I'm signed up for the Deception Pass 25K on December 8. So that gives me two weeks to get some run training in. (That should be enough time, right?) Fingers crossed that all the CX riding and racing I've been doing has some carryover. If not, that's fine. It'll be great fun to hang out with the Titanium Cowboys (both of whom are real runners) and as I found out last year when I did the race, the DP 25 is a really cool event. (Except that it's hard. And really far. And you're not allowed to use your bike.)

Speaking of the Ti Cowboys (Scott Young and John Clark), we got out on a 2-1/2-hour run in the Chuckanuts yesterday. Great fun, cool to check out the new section of the Two-Dollar Trail and to meet a young feller named Tai (or Ty?) who joined us. Only bummer was my Garmin 500 which, for whatever reason, seems to lose satellite signals whenever I trail run in the woods. Is it because I'm going so much slower when I run than ride? (It never loses the signal during mountain bike rides up there.) Am I such a slow runner that the damn thing just loses interest? (Glenn G., if you read this, I'd appreciate your two cents.)   

Lastly, I wanna give a shoutout of thanks to all the terrific folks at the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club (below) who came out for last week's slideshow. Had a great time!.

MORE THANKS GIVEN'ER PHOTOS (MOSTLY OF ME)

Area Man descending the Flyover.

Up the hill.

After the race I tried to garner sympathy for my gradually flatting rear tire. Glenn Gervais and Bryan Smith aren't offering any. 

Me. The above shot and the Flyover photo at the top are thanks to nice guy Eric Malsbary, whom I just happened to park next to before the race. We got to talking and realized we climbed Mount Baker together some 14 years ago. See below photo of us, along with Steve Moberg, at the summit. Eric is the strong young guy in the middle. Small world! 

How do I look?

THANKS GIVEN'ER PHOTOS

Fun time Saturday at the Thanks Given'er, a new race and venue--Camp Lutherwood on Lake Samish--for Ryan Rickerts' Cascade Cross series. Way-technical and way-fun course with hills, singletrack, sketchy bridges, a creek crossing, a Flyover, a muddy-stair run up and more. I pinch-flatted on lap two or three of my race (Master C's), but luckily, enough air stayed  in my back tire than I was able to finish in 6th place. 

Below are some pics from the morning races--C's, B's and youth. (I apologize for the pics being sorta dark and gray but that's November for ya'.) 

Tom Fryer in the middle of the Master B race.

The creek crossing by Lake Samish.

Ryan Rickerts practicing on the Evil Stair Run Up. 

Things getting bunched up the first time up the hill.

The Flyover and me. (Thanks to Todd Elsworth for this photo!)

The slippery bridge I feared but that turned out to be fine. (Actually, it was the gap before the bridge  that I feared.)

Glenn Gervais starting to ride away from me. (He took 3rd. Also, he doesn't pronounce the  's' in Gervais, which I find interesting.)

A wise Youth racer doesn't want to get wet.

Singletrack.

The downhill road bit. During the second half of my race, this section felt like I was riding on the rim.

Craig Eubank chases Steve Work under the Flyover.

Eric Stromerson and I share post-race bliss.