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Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 3:49 PM
Subject: Incline Club V6 TH #19 LR #39
Last Sunday was incredible! I am already getting very positive reports on the section of trail the IC built off the western face of Pikes Peak. After several years of just maintaining a section of the Barr Trail it was very rewarding to actually build a trail from scratch! Here is a photo of some of the group hard at work: http://www.inclineclub.com/photos/workcrew.jpg Another 6-7 were behind the photo working away as well. Our job was to finish the top section so that about 200 volunteers from Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (http://www.voc.org) can pick up where we left off. THANKS to all of you who helped the IC got their section done ahead of schedule:-) Several ICers are going to be “food runners” for the VOC volunteers on September 7th and 8th. If you would like to join us please let me know!
The group shot we posed for in front of the summit panoramic webcam (http://www.pikespeakobservatory.org/pancam.htm) did not work. As luck (or rather bad luck) would have it the camera was down on that day:-( However we did at least get a picture of us posing for the cam. http://www.inclineclub.com/photos/summitgroup.jpg
Well that is about it, see you later today and then it is couch time! For those that don’t know I am scheduled to speak tomorrow night (Friday) at the pre-race expo and carbo feed at 6pm. Among other things I plan to talk about things to do on race day to have a better race. Hope to see you there!
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NEXT RUNS:
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Thursday, August 15, 5:30pm — Soda Springs Park
Warm-up to PPA/M start line via Lovers Lane to Memorial Park. Saturday Ascent runners do a race pace time check to Ruxton (2.5-8.5 minutes). Sunday Marathon runners do a race pace time check to Hydro (7.5-20 minutes). Run easy back down to the park. Done! This run has been a club tradition since 1998 — our first full year.
Saturday, August 17th, and/or Sunday August 18th, 7am — Memorial Park
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. Do a little warm-up and put it all on the line! Have the confidence to not go out stupid. Have the intelligence to drink lots. Have the guts to take some pain.
Thursday, August 22 — Stay tuned for details!
Incline Club annual party! PLEASE check to see that your *s and Rs and whatever’s are up to date so that I can figure out who has made the # of workouts required for an IC award — 35.
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ICers WRITE:
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Several of your mail servers wrote in response to last week’s email:
Warning — message from administrator:
Sender, Content filter has detected a sensitive e-mail.
Subject = Incline Club V6 TH #17-18 LR #37-38
Policy = Sexual Discrimination
Action on this mail = Quarantine message
So if you did not get last week’s mail there is your reason!??????? Haven’t a clue!
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Elizabeth Ahola writes:
I posted this message on the forum and on the message board — but thought
I’d pass it on to your email too.
*** FYI to all PPA/PPM folks ***
I emailed race officials and asked....
Are all the water stations still a go for Sat and Sun? I was concerned because of the low/no water in the streams.
Their answer was ....
A-Frame is very questionable. Do carry your water bottle to fill at Barr Camp to get you to the Cirque Aid Station.
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Andy Kovats writes:
In case you have not heard (rumors travel much faster than the speed of
electrons it appears), we have a new baby boy, Julius Alexander born 3:42am
on Aug 11! We just got back from the hospital after staying an extra night
to confirm a blood count false alarm, and everyone is doing fine. Julius has
a nice head of dark brown hair and weighed 6lbs 6 oz at birth.
With Warmest Regards,
Robin, Andy and Julius
(Yes! That is IC baby 9 of 10 for 2002! As far as I know only Rich Muzzy and his wife are still expecting in 2002)
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Jackie Burhans writes:
Thought that Yvonne and other recent IC moms might appreciate this:
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2002/08/08/ultrarunner/index.html
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R REPORTS:
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Robert Castaldi reports: (note 10K was on the trails)
Race = Bouilder Peak Triathlon
Location = Boulder, CO
Date = Sunday, Aug 11
Distance = Olympic Dist 1.2K/42K/10K
Goal = not screw up my taper for the Ascent
Results = 2:28
Website = http://www.boulderpeak.com/
General = My mind was on the Ascent, so I only exerted 80% effort. I am a HUGE fan of cross training, no matter what your goals are. Boulder Peak is a highly competitive race, probably the toughest age group field for a Colorado based triathlon.
Right = Rode bike using small gears, so I didn’t fry my legs (over 95 rpm). Focused on leg turnover, during the run. Kept HR 5 beats below AT the entire time.
Wrong =
Other Stuff = The event raises money for the MS Society. This year they raised $23,000.
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Kelli Lusk reports:
Race = Sierre-Zinal
Location = Sierre-Zinal, Switzerland
Date = 08/11/02
Distance = 30k...shortened on race day to 12k
Goal = top-20
Results = 10th
Website = http://www.fsa-sky.org
General = Wow. What a cool experience. This was the Skyrunning circuit race I chose to do (the overall female and male winners of the Barr Trail Mountain Race were awarded an expense-paid trip to another Skyrunning circuit race). Paul Low (the men’s winner) and I coordinated our travels and met at the Geneva airport on Friday. We took the train from Geneva to Sierre, then the race organizer picked us up and drove us to Zinal. We stopped for dinner, then settled into our flat. The next morning, it was cold and rainy. We ate breakfast with the other athletes at one of the village restaurants, then went shopping for warm clothing! Neither one of us expected the cold and rainy weather (bordering on snow). For lunch, all the invited athletes took the gondola to the top of a mountain and ate lunch and had the pre-race meeting. We took pictures of ourselves in the snow (with free-roaming cows in the background, of course). We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and resting. We woke up the next morning for the race and met some British runners for a lift to the start...we were all turning green with all the narrow mountain switchbacks. Got to the race start...picked up our race numbers. It was cool because the invited athletes had last names (instead of numbers) on our bibs. Anyway, everybody crowded in at the start and took off. No personal space here folks! We were packed in like sardines until the gun went off!
Racing in Europe is definitely a trip! No porta-potties, no numbers on bags for the bag check (everybody just looks for their bag, it could be anywhere!). I want to go back!
Right = Slept throughout flight to Switzerland, along with taking naps when I got there. Didn’t have jet lag, despite this being a whirlwind trip across numerous time zones. Didn’t run Friday (traveled all day) and ran real easy on Saturday.
Took advantage of the last part of the course, which turned into gradual climbing (not too steep)...Passed a handful of women on this section.
Wrong = Had a little idea of what the course may be like, but didn’t expect how steep the first part of the course was...it turned into powerhiking on steep, slick and muddy climbs. I tried to keep running, but people were passing me while powerhiking, so I just followed suit. Mind you, the climbing on this course was steeper and longer than Longs Ranch Road...mainly on singletrack-type of trails with lots of people. Quite the challenge with it being muddy and slick, too.
Other Stuff = The race was supposed to be a 30k (18 miles), but due to weather, it was cut back to 12k. The weather was cold, rainy, overcast and snowy the entire time I was in Switzerland. I chose this race in the Skyrunning circuit because of the length and type of course (ascending and descending, instead of just steep ascending) because I’m stronger at these types of races. Well, turned out that this race was mainly steep climbing because of the shortening of the course. After about 8k, the course turns into gradual climbing and descending and that’s where I passed a number of women. I wasn’t sure where I placed in the race when I finished because the race start was so crazy (and I was ready to be done because I was so cold and wet). I rode the bus back to Zinal...and threw-up during the ride! Went back to our flat and got sick again. I got up in time to head to the awards ceremony with my roommate and USA runner, Paul Low. The awards tent was huge, with food cookin’, people smokin’ and the oompa band in full swing. Of course, Paul and I looked like Americans, standing outside the tent because of the smoke. The race results were not posted anywhere, so I was surprised to hear I had placed 10th and won 90 swiss francs. I got to walk up to the stage and give high-fives to all the kids on the steps. Paul placed 22nd and won money, too. The money was actually only slotted for top-five places with time primes, but because the course was shortened, the money was awarded deeper instead. After the awards tent, I went shopping for food (I could buy things now that I had money!) and then went to bed....and stayed there until I left Monday morning!
Basically, while everyone was out celebrating Sunday night, I was in bed sick. Quite the bummer, but it must’ve just been the ride on the narrow mountain roads. My eating was kinda screwed up, too so it was probably a combo of things.
Overall, it was quite the experience. I really enjoyed it and want to go back next year and run the entire course. The race organizers and Federation for Sport at Altitude were very accommodating and generous.
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Nancy Hobbs reports:
Race = Alyeska International Mountain Race
Location = Girdwood, Alaska
Date = August 10
Distance = 8K
Goal = finish in under 1 hour
Results = 54:16 — 3rd woman; 2nd master (within 30 seconds of 2nd place)
Website = http://alaskamountainrunners.org
General = Tough course with significant climbing for the first 2.5-3K from 150 feet to 2000 feet, then downhill for about 3.5K, then uphill for 1K, then downhill to finish. All on dirt single track and/or gravel/shale ski tracks.
Right = Got up early to eat as the race started at noon. Still a bit depleted after the summit climb. Dressed perfectly for the weather — thank goodness I had gloves because I needed to use my hands to steady myself nearing the summit.
Wrong = Used too much braking muscle on the descent and legs became noodle-like for part of the flat section and I couldn’t catch the woman just seconds in front of me. My legs just wouldn’t work right.
Other Stuff = site of the 2003 World Mountain Running Trophy. Should be a great event. Poured for the entire run and was in the low 50s.
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Nancy Hobbs reports:
Race = Canmore Challenge
Location = Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Date = August 3
Distance = 12K
Goal = 1:00 or top 10 finish
Results = 1:06:23 — 11th woman; 1st master
Website = http://mountainrunning.com
General = Fabulous course. Two loops of 6K with just a short segment of pavement over a bridge near the start line. Race was staged at the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Nestled in the mountains.
Right = Dressed for the conditions. Cool, a bit breezy in the 40s.
Wrong = Didn’t eat anything before the race (10:45 start — up at 7:30 running around helping with the race and taking photos). I was feeling fatigued after 6K and totally depleted by the 9K point. Ran within myself and wasn’t sore afterwards, but need some work on the nutrition part.
Other Stuff = site of one of two 2002 Canadian Team Selection races for the 2002 World Mountain Running Trophy. Great organization. Super place to visit.
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WWW POSTS:
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8/11/02 Sun: 50 ICers were on the mountain for a taper run down to the 2-mile sign and back. After that a lot of us met for a group photo before heading off to do some serious trail work. In 3.5 hours about 20 of us finished our section of trail from the Army building down to the Hot Brakes Fail sign. In case you are wondering where that is on the Barr Trail well its not on the Barr Trail. The Incline Club was asked to build the top portion of the new spur trail to the summit. On September 7th and 8th about 200 more volunteers will pick up where we left off and work their way through the next boulder field.
8/8/02 Thur: 52 of us enjoyed the first of a several taper runs. We did 20 minutes of 1 minute hard, 1 minute easy instead of 30 minutes. There were also no Hydro Street hill repeats today to the cheers of many. Kind of nice to finish a workout feeling kind of peppy for a change:-)
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Go out hard, when it hurts speed up...
Matt Carpenter
http://www.skyrunner.com
Incline Club
http://www.inclinclub.com
Barr Trail Mountain Race
http://www.runpikespeak.com
presented by Pikes Peak National Bank
Friends of the Peak
http://www.fotp.com
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