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Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 10:47 PM
Subject: Incline Club V7 LRs #18, #19 and #20
Hi ICers,
Let me start by saying I am sorry for not getting out a newsletter last week. I got swamped. However it was neat to see that 80 still came out to the run anyway:-) As a reminder, the club runs can always be found on the club site at http://www.inclineclub.com in the event you don’t get a club mail. Perhaps next week which is why there are 3 numbers in the subject line for last week, this week, and next week.
Also remember that if you change your e-mail address to visit the club site and update your account at http://www.inclineclub.com/membership.asp
In other news we are fast approaching the halfway point to the season — my how time flies!
Enjoy the R reports — they are amazing!
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PAST RUNS/NEXT RUNs:
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Sunday, March 23, 8:00am — Memorial Park
Done — 80 showed, see www post below
Sunday, March 30, 8:00am — Memorial Park
Run out El Paso Blvd and turn right before Hwy 24. Take dirt shortcut to Crystal Park Rd and take it uphill to just before the gate. Run Intemann Trail until it connects with Section 16. Run that until taking a left onto High Drive back down to the asphalt. Take the far left fork to get back to Section 16. Finish the loop and return via Manitou Avenue. 2-3.5 hours. See Map! (http://www.inclineclub.com/maps/section16.htm)
Sunday, April 6, 8:00am — Memorial Park
A run to the top of 10,707’ Cameron’s cone is planned with the hope of removing some of the trash off it’s summit. It will depend on the amount of snow that melts between now and then. Otherwise, it will be the Waldo/LRR run.
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ICers WRITE:
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Todd Murray writes:
Just wanted to let you know about yesterday’s run. Rick Pearcy and I added a little more distance to the scheduled route. We did the Rampart Range Rd to Williams Canyon to Vail Trail to Waldo but then decided to add Long’s Ranch Rd. There were no other tracks heading up Long’s except for some kind of cat (bobcat?) tracks. We broke trail up and past the J pipe over to the top of the incline, went down Barr Trail to the closest part to the Incline, went up the last 1/4 or so of the Incline, and finally descended down Barr Trail and back to the park. A long day for us both but being the only ones up on Long’s Ranch Road was great.
We also heard (but did not see) that there was some guy hike-a-biking up the incline, twice, with his mountain bike! Unreal!
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R REPORTS:
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Tom Kelecy reports:
Race = Run to the Sun
Location = Maui, Hawaii
Date = March 23, 2003
Distance = 36.2 miles
Goal = Relax, We’re on Vacation
Results = 10th overall, 3rd 40-49, time of 7 hrs 4 min 54 sec
Website = http://www.virr.com
General = This was a little toughy. The race started at 4:30 am in Kahului, one of the main cities on Maui and at near sea level, and finished 36.2 miles and 10,023 vertical feet later on top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano and the eastern half of the island. There was a 10 hour time limit.
Laura and I ran the first 12 miles together, and the last 12 miles together. In between I tried to pick it up (forgetting that we were on vacation), but every time I looked back, there she was. I finally chilled and we slogged through the last mile together, crossing the finish line hold hands in a time of 7 hrs, 4 min, 54 sec. Isn’t that a sweet way to complete a nice relaxing vacation?
I plan to write up a more detailed story in the near future, and describe how we managed to squeeze this in while sunning, snorkeling, hiking, eating, sleeping, hula dancing (wink-wink-nod-nod), and a host of other tropical-type activities.
Mahalo to the Divine Kahuna for Vacations!
Most of the runners in the race were with the H.U.R.T (Hawaiian Ultra-Running Club), and came over from Oahu to do the race. A total of 46 men and 16 women ran the race.
Right = Enjoyed my first vacation to Hawaii
Wrong = Only spent 10 days there Hawaii. The 10 hour race time limit and our return flight schedule (10 pm that night) prevented us from spending more time there.
Other Stuff = Course:
36.2 mile point to point, all on hard road surface, starting at around sea level and finishing at 10,023 ft above sea level.
Support:
The course support was great, with aid stations spaced aver 4 or so miles through the first 12 miles, then every 2 miles. The last couple of aid stations might have been more like one mile apart. Each station had both water and Gatorade, and later stations had HammerGel and other food items (salty pretzels...). The aid station workers and spectators were marvelous all along the route. There was one drop bag location at the 26.2 mile mark (elev about 7,000 ft), and at the finish.
Weather:
We ran in the dark for the first 10-12 miles, and the temperatures were perfect (mid-upper 60’s). As the sun came up, the increasing temperatures under the relatively clear skies were compensated somewhat by the cooling effects as we gained altitude. It was a bit windy on top at the finish, but they provided blankets, warm soup, drinks, etc. Nice touch.
Other:
They handed out the awards right when you crossed the finish line. This so you didn’t have to attend an awards ceremony afterwards. As it was, they took us from the top down to a picnic at a school down lower in one of the small towns. They had a shower (not too private), pizza, soda, cookies, live music, and free massages. Laura and I hung out there afterwards socializing, before returning the friends house we were staying at to pack and head off to the airport for the return home.
Registration:
Upon registration, we received some instructions on the race, and some of the statistics of previous races. Race results were waiting for me in my e-mail by the time we arrived home in Colorado Springs the next afternoon.
Aloha
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Joel Jenkins reports:
Race = Aiea Loop Trail
Location = Aiea, Hawaii
Date = 16 Mar 03
Distance = 4.5 miles
Goal = under 1 hour
Results = success
General = Started off cool but HIGH humidity. Route covered with roots and lots of mud. Started raining about 30 minutes before the run. About 100 people there. Really layed back (In true Hawaiian style). Had fun, finished covered with red mud. Heat and humidity were rough on us.
Right = kept a steady pace.
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Tom Kelecy reports:
Race = Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon
Location = Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Date = March 16, 2003
Distance = Half Marathon
Goal = Relax, I’m on Vacation
Results = 2nd Overall in 1 hr 30 min 5 sec
Website = http://www.kauaimarathon.com
General = Laura and I had planned on doing the full marathon, but when we found out about the “Run to the Sun” race on Maui on March 23rd, and realized that we would be in that neighborhood on that date (though leaving for home later that night), so for this race we decided to do the half marathon instead. This, so as to save some rest and relaxation for the 36.2 miler the following week. After all, we were on vacation
I managed to keep the leaders in site for most of the race, but occasionally lost them in the marathoners who had started 10 minutes before us (half marathoners). A mile or two from the end I lost site of the leader, but noted that I was gaining on second place. The last mile or so was mostly up-hill, and I gained second place within the last mile. The winner (Ian Johnson) finished a couple of minutes ahead of me in a time of 1 hr 28 min 4 sec. My second place finish was good for 1 hr 30 min 5 sec.
There were about 80 total who ran the half marathon, and about the same number for the marathon.
Right = Didn’t try wearing my snorkel, fins, Speedo and rubber ducky life preserver.
Wrong = Forgot to relax, and that we were on vacation.
Other Stuff = Course:
Beautiful but hilly out and back on dirt roads through a coffee plantation. The marathon did two out and backs. The finish was up-hill.
Weather:
The marathon started at 6:30 am, and the half marathon at 6:40 am, so it was relatively nice at the start. Going out, it began warming up and, with the wind at our backs, began to get a little warm as the temperatures increased (low 70’s deg F?). On the return we had the cooling head-wind, and a well timed cloud cover developed. We even got a little bit of a shower just before the finish.
Support:
The aid stations were adequate, providing water and Gatorade. I think they might have also provided some food items later for the marathoners. Aid station volunteers were great, supportive, as were spectators and some of the other runners.
General:
A nice, small race. I understand they plan to expand next year’s race to accommodate several hundred. We couldn’t find a lot of details on the race web site, and so didn’t really know what we were getting into. Maybe they will improve this for next year.
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Margie Stauffer reports:
Race = Catalina Island Marathon
Location = Catalina Island, Ca.
Date = March 15th, 2003
Distance = marathon
Goal = 6:15 hrs.
Results = DNF — 20+ miles
General = WEATHER is the key word here.
There was 4” of rain in the five hours I was on the course. Winds were 35/40 mph. The dirt roads/trails were 6/8” of swishy, sloggy mud that took you up and down close to 5,000’ of elevation gain. Throughout this torrential downpour, lowering temps. and constant wind, I actually had a ‘blast’. What a ‘fun’ major challenge. Emergency ponchos over running shorts (and my coveted IC shirt), was the uniform of the day.
(Ha-like the poncho kept you warm dry :-).) The hail was a most unusual occurrence on the island.
Right = Trained with the Incline Club ~ grrrrrr!!!! Great training. Our snowy, icy trails and altitude helped prepare me for the challenge, at least early on. Passed dozens of people in the first 14 miles. I was ahead of pace at the half way point. I really felt terrific and strong. (The nose-dive came later.)
I made each Sunday’s IC run. Approached the run with a good attitude and determination. Never questioned finishing. (Silly me.)
Wrong = Started going hypothermic around 14-15 miles. I was able to hang on until around 20 miles at which time they wrapped me in sleeping bags and the run was ‘history’. I’m still not sure how I could have avoided the outcome. Guess it will haunt me for a long time. Never would have thought I would DNF in a marathon but.............:-(
Other Stuff = Of course ~ wonderful runners on the course and terrific volunteers out in that horrendous weather all day. I actually had new runner ‘best friends’ who offered me their ‘finish’ shirt. Incredible!!!!!
I would highly recommend this ‘off road’ marathon as a ‘must do sometime’ run.
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John Monk (Bib 3229) reports:
Race = Moab Half Marathon
Location = Moab, UT
Date = March 15, 2003
Distance = 13.1 Miles
Goal = 2 hr
Results = 1 hr 54 min
Website = http://www.moabhalfmarathon.org/
General = A really fun event, but too flat! The format of the race was a little strange; we were bussed out 11 miles on HWY 128 along the Colorado River at 7:30 AM, but then had to wait until 10:00 AM for the race to start. Amazing scenery!
Right = Running with the incline club when I can!
Wrong = The canyon was cold — I needed more clothes before the start to stay warm! I should have run on the road more to prepare for this event.
Other Stuff = Reserve your hotel room early if you decide to do this event next year!
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Michael Hagen reports:
Race = Winter Triathlon Series Championship
Location = Snow Mountain Ranch, CO
Date = 9 March 2003
Distance = 8k run/15k MTB/10k XC Ski
Goal = Find out what a Winter Tri is like.
Results = I did! (16th place, 1:59:00)
Website = http://www.mountain-quest.com/
General = The third in a series of Winter Triathlons at Snow Mountain Ranch. I skipped the first two figuring, “Hey who needs practice.” The 8k run was to have been on snow packed roads, but most of the snow had melted, so it was on mud roads instead. The 15k mountain bike was on XC ski trails where the snow was so deep and soft that it was more like a 10k MTB/5k MTB push. The 10k XC skate-ski was pretty challenging, both in terrain and snow conditions, especially for a 3rd timer!
Right = I’m still thinking about that. But it was kind of fun, in a “Man, this sucks!” kind of way.
Wrong = Since I had only skate-style XC skied once before, I naturally spent Saturday practicing, trashing myself in the process. So I was already tired and sore before the race began. Then discovered that mountain biking in deep snow is much more difficult than the 2-3 inches I am used to on the trails to work here. (Tip — deflate your tires a lot!) Oh, and my transitions left a LOT to be desired. But I didn’t fall on the ski!!
Other Stuff = It was great fun. XC skiing is an incredible workout. Plenty of raffle give aways afterwards. A beautiful spot to spend a weekend (which I should have done a few times before the race, to practice XC skiing on all their great trails.)
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Sue Lloyd reports:
Race = Frosty Trail Challenge
Location = Chatfield Res.
Date = 2/9/03
Distance = 12.5 K
Goal = Run at about 75% effort and have fun
Results = 4th in age group
Website = http://coachweber.com
General = One of the great things about this race is that dogs are allowed to run in it. My running partner, Shasta and I had a fun run!
Right = Wore the right clothes for the temperature and wind, ate well the night before, drank enough during the race.
Wrong = Nothing!
Other Stuff = Coach Weber puts on some fun trail runs throughout the year. Check his website.
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WWW POSTS:
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3/23/03 80 ICers made it out for a trip up Rampart Range Road today. The road was in awesome shape and there was not a flake of snow to be seen. Of course that was not the case once we turned into Williams Canyon but there were still a lot of dry spots to be had.
3/16/03 85 made it out on a day that was nice enough that a few more than normal showed up in shorts. Although there was quite a bit of snow left on UPT and LRR the ice was easy enough to get around. Waldo and Barr (at least below No Name) are in great shape. Of course another storm is due this week:-) In the meantime it was nice to get to run on some dirt again.
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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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