2003 Reports

We are open to race reports by anyone who ran. Please send them to Scott Diamond.

PCT Ultra Race Report

50 Mile Race Reports

PCT Ultra Race Report By Meg Upshaw

Scott McQueeney's spirit ran an ultra marathon on August 2.

Nearly 120 runners from across the country and around the world came to compete in the Scott McQueeney Memorial Pacific Crest Trail 50/50. Racers set two course records, startled one cougar and shed countless tears in celebration of McQueeney's life and daughter Shannon's birthday.

Scott McQueeney finished more than 50 marathons in his 47 years. He even ran a 135-mile race in which the temperature topped 120 degrees. McQueeney lived life with the vigor of a 20-something, but his heart ultimately tired. McQueeney passed away April 26, 2003, after crossing the finish line of the McDonald Forest Trail Run near Corvallis, Ore.. Tests would later reveal the ultra runner was missing an artery in his heart.

Clouds disguised the rising sun as it came up on Mount Hood that cool Saturday morning. Runners and volunteers milled around the start, some nervously preparing their drop bags, others taking last-minute pictures before they disappeared into the dark woods. Still others changed their minds (or their sanity) and elected to run the 50-miler instead of 50K.

The Pacific Crest Trail, stretching 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, was first explored in the late 1930s. Hikers and equestrians helped the PCT become one of the first scenic trails in the National Trails System. Authorized by Congress in 1968 and dedicated in 1993, the trail boasts the greatest elevation change of the trails system, passing through everything from low desert to arctic-alpine country.

The course for the PCT ultra runs north on the trail from the Timothy Lake area to Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge for the 50M; or 1.5 miles past Wapinitia Pass for the 50K race. Fifty-mile runners gain 5,000 feet; 50K runners, more than 2,000 feet.

"Being my first ultra marathon and my first experience as a part of the ultra community, I was amazed by the camaraderie and giving spirit of everyone involved," said Serena Bishop, 24. "The air was filled with childlike excitement ..., each runner focused and determined to run their best; but more than that to enjoy themselves and to be a part of something bigger - something more meaningful."

The excited undertones of the race preparations took a somber note as Gail Snyder, volunteer coordinator, said a few words about McQueeney. Runners and spectators bowed their heads as she reflected on the impact he had on the running community. Addressing his family's fear he was being deified, Gail was quick to joke that anyone who had ever run a few dozen miles with the man knew his true - and often malodorous - grit. It was this drive to succeed that earned McQueeney the respect of his fellow athletes, many of whom toed the start line at PCT that morning.

And with an appropriately understated "well, you're off!" from McQueeney's friend and PCT Race Director Bob Boss, they were gone.

Fifty-mile competitors passed through five aid stations on their ascent; 50K runners through three. Volunteers met them with everything from water and sport drinks to gummy bears and chips.

Up at Timberline Lodge, site of the 50-mile turnaround, runners dodged summer snowboarders and skiers. A few took extended breaks with aid station volunteers, absorbing the midday sun before turning back toward Timothy Lake.

This was Michael Sweney's first ultra marathon. The evening before the race, he elected to run the 50M, instead of the 50K as planned. He was running for his own cause.

"It had been a sad time for our family with my sister Ann falling ill with cancer," Sweney wrote in a race report. "I ran the race for my sister and in memory of Scott and spent time praying and, yes, did some crying, too ...."

Sweney rolled in last, with a time of 14:02:40.

Sean Meissner, who came in second in the 50-mile with a time of 7:54:03, was inspired by Sweney's performance.

"He is really the backbone and true spirit of our sport. I am so honored to have run this race with this very kind man," Meissner said. "I'm extremely impressed that it was his first run over 20 miles. We should all be so lucky to have the compassion for others that he truly has."

Sweney had been training for the Portland Marathon in October after having lost 100 pounds when he decided to register for PCT.

"Given [my running] history, I wasn't sure how I would do 50K in the mountains, but it seemed that because it was for others that it would be okay. This seems like a rather naive idea but maybe one does get strength when one is acting out of good intentions."

But his strength was tested with the sandy climb to Timberline. "On some of the uphills, you actually slide back a little with each forward step!" he said. Craig Thornley lead the 50-mile pack with a time of 7:36:50. He, too, found a foe in the Timberline sand - but the drive to the finish had him hearing things. "The hardest part for me was the last 15 minutes getting back to the road at the end," he said. "I was sure I heard cars on the road long before I actually got there."

Many runners had a little more trouble staying on track due to unclear or inadequate trail markings. Some, like Bishop, who finished the 50K with a time of 5:02:58, had to backtrack.

"Samantha (Kennedy), myself and Clem (Lacava) turned the wrong direction after leaving the first aid station.... Sam and I weren't sure which way to go, but we saw Clem up ahead and thought, 'This must be right, Clem knows where he is going.' Once we saw some runners coming in the opposite direction, we came to the realization that we had gone the wrong direction and had to backtrack. All in all, I think it put us back about 8 minutes."

Jody Aslett, who placed first among the women in the 50M with a time of 9:11:07, had the same problem. "I got lost twice in the last six miles costing me about 10 minutes of time," she said. "How frustrating!" Kami Semick, 37, who lead the women in the 50K with a time of 4:34:45, found the natural debris on the trail posed a greater and greater threat as the race progressed. "The parts of the course that were challenging were the roots and rocks, especially near the end where I managed to face plant a few times," she said. "Those roots and rocks become REALLY big around 29 miles." Still others encountered more skittish obstacles on the trail. "The most exciting part of the run was just after crossing highway 35 going up to Timberline," said Thornley. "I was running with Jason Moyer in the front and we startled a cougar. It ran up the trail in front of us and disappeared quickly... Then a mile later we see cows on the trail."

Both Meissner and Thornley had eyed the White River 50M, being held the same weekend, but opted for PCT - in part because of Shannon McQueeney. "I've been in a tight race for the overall series lead and thought that I could probably get quite a few points [at PCT]," said Meissner. "I am ultimately glad I ran it, if for no other reason than it was a memorial for Scott McQueeney, whom I didn't know personally, but I was at Mac when he passed away and that whole situation really affected me and my running for a while. I was really excited that proceeds went to Shannon's college fund." Thornley ran PCT as a training run for Angeles Crest 100-miler at the end of September. "I would have gone to White River 50-miler in Washington, but I figured I'd rather my entry fee go to Shannon McQueeney's college fund than to a race that awards prize money." Ashley Idema placed second among women in the 50-miler with a time of 9:29:39. Juan Martinez, 23, won the 50K with a time of 3:52:06, followed by Dean Giblin, 38, with a time of 4:28:02. Mandy Giblin, 29, followed Semick with a time of 4:49:57. "When I find myself on the PCT, I'm always thankful to those that founded and maintain the trail," Semick said. "It's an awesome trail, and the section that was run near Mt Hood was terrific."

As runners trickled into the finish area, haggard and hungry, they were met with chili, sandwiches and refreshments. Due to a lack of timing volunteers, a few runners were put to work behind clipboards. Thanks to them and hardworking volunteers, results were posted soon after the race - and these efforts were not overlooked. "The racers were wonderful ...; the race organizers and volunteers were wonderful; the spirit of the whole event was wonderful; the course was wonderful." said Sweney. "I was so struck by how caring and helpful and family-like everyone was."

That atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of many members of Scott McQueeney's relatives, including his wife, Vivian, daughter Shannon and mother, Marie, among others. They wore race shirts bearing the words "Clan McQueeney" on the back. Volunteers and racers offered condolences and memories of Scott. Some McQueeneys even ran the final leg of the race in a gesture to the sport Scott couldn't live without.

"The McQueeney family being present added an additional element of motivation and perseverance to the spirit of each individual that crossed the starting line," said Bishop, "and seeing their smiling faces at the finish made crossing the finish line even sweeter." Jogging in as night fell, Sweney never lost focus of his own reason for running. "Along the way, I told myself, 'let every stride of mine bring Ann more health and life.' And there were certainly a lot of strides in that distance."

Interesting trail report from Craig Thornley

Hi Scott,

Wow.  Thanks for getting the results up so quickly.  Not sure if you 
heard this, but Jason Moyer and I were running in the front after 
highway 35 crossing and we startled a cougar.  It ran very fast up the 
trail in front of us and disappeared quickly.  It was quite a beautiful 
site and my third cougar sighting (one in Yosemite and one on the Cal 
St. section of the Western States trail).  Jason's first.  Right after 
we saw it Jason said, "I could run a 5 minute mile right now."  Then a 
few miles later we see cows....

It had been a sad time for our family with my sister Ann falling ill with cancer. I was occupying myself running and reading up on all upcoming races in the Oregon area. I ran across the link to the PCT 50/50 race and saw the distance and immediately dismissed it as a possibility since I was looking for half-marathons or shorter. I noticed the dedication of the race to Scott McQueeney, and my wife reminded me that he was the man the paper had said ran the Portland Marathon backwards for the sake of a bet with his daughter who was ill. I read the link about him and it touched me that he would work to help her like that, so I thought of my sister and decided to run the race, for her and in memory of Scott McQueeney.

I had been training up for my first marathon this October, the Portland Marathon. I had started running after losing 100+ pounds in the last year, joining the YMCA personal fitness program and walking on the treadmill. I got bored eventually walking so switched over to running on the treadmill and at first could only go about 5 minutes without giving out! Did my first 5k race last December, first 10k this last January and had moved up to half-marathons by April. My training runs were all on the Willamette Greenway Trail and had gotten up to 20 miles in distance but pretty flat.

Given that history, I wasn't sure how I would do 50km in the mountains, but it seemed that because it was for others that it would be okay. This seems like a rather naive idea but maybe one does get strength when one is acting out of good intentions.

Phyllis, my wife, and I drove up to Clackamas campground and set up shop Friday afternoon. I went over to the race start area and dropped off some pizzas for the volunteers and changed my official distance to the 50 miler. "In for a penny, in for a pound!"

The race was in the mountains, sacred, holy country in many ways. God lives up among the high peaks I have always felt, or at least I feel that presence of the holy very strongly in the high places. I ran the race for my sister and in memory of Scott and spent time praying, and yes, did some crying too, but I was alone so no one around to cause embarrasment to. I felt that my prayers were heard. Along the way, I told myself, "let every stride of mine bring Ann more health and life" And there were certainly a lot of strides in that distance.

The PCT was so neat that I can't honestly find anything less than adulatory to say about it..well, that rain last night excepting. The racers were Wonderful (and that does deserve the capital letter); the race organizers and volunteers were Wonderful; the spirit of the whole event was Wonderful; the course was Wonderful. I was so struck by how caring and helpful and family-like everyone was. Racers would stop to help other racers. The volunteers were in a class of their own in terms of trying to help the runners, they pampered people coming in to the aid stations. The spirit was like a big family where everyone knows and most importantly likes everyone else. I have never experienced a race with these qualities to this degree. The informality was very appealing: Phyllis and I woke up race morning, and grabbing my three drop bags (for aid stations at miles 6/44, 19/31, and 25) trudged in the darkness, the 3/4 mile to the race start where we piled our drop bags with the others that were all neatly stacked in three groups. I joined the racers under the start banner, and after a short time, Bob Boss, the RD, just simply said,"Well, you're off!" And off we went. THAT was the most informal start I have ever had and I loved it! We ran in the dark once we were in the forest and everyone had headlamps, You could just see little clumps of lights moving through the trees: it was magical! I turned my lamp off and put it in my pocket by mile 5 because it had lightened up enough to run without it and at the mile 6 aid station stowed it away in my drop bag! That was my first experience, at that aid station, of the service level in the ultra's: the volunteers were probably runners themselves, and couldn't do enough for us! Almost had to tear myself away, they made it so nice! Why was the course "Wonderful?" Because after mile 6 aid, we ran though some flat forest, then up a long rise, and then flat again and before you knew it, another aid station, then up another rise and we were in the lovely wooded ridge that ever so often would show views of a meadow valley far below and Mt Hood and its shining snows, up ahead! This would be about miles 10-13. Here is where the regular start (I took the 5:30 early start) front runners caught up with me and the people I was with. We stood aside for them (not easy on that stretch-very narrow trail with steep slopes) and though they were fast and champions they said quietly as they ran by, "no need to step aside for us" and meant it! Ultra-runners are very different! Mile 13 to the Hwy 26 aid station were wonderful downhills and everyone enjoyed that! Now I stopped at the aid station, got pampered again! Shook some dirt out of my shoes! and then went on up the ridge! The next six miles were pretty nice, with a long uphill followed by an equally long downhill into Barlow Pass aid station (mile 19). Here is where I took my fall: I spotted a large Forest Service sign (one of the old carved ones with a big area map on it) and just glanced up at it and wham, going down, but I turned so I would fall on the side away from the cracked rib side! Smart! Got pretty dusted up but nothing hurt except my pride, as they say. And then ran on into the aid station where one guy there said, "Looks like you've been doing full contact running!" To which I ruefully replied, "Yes, I've skills in that area!" From Barlow, the trip really became magical and I don't use that word lightly or journalisticly. The trail just goes up and up very gradually for long distances with views opening up southward toward Timothy Lake and Mt Jeff. It's "quite runnable", but I walked a great portion of it. The dusty brown trail soon became a powdery grey color and we entered the world of SAND. Gee, if there really is anything negative about this course it is the sand stretch from mile 23 to mile 25. Rugged! Its like playing in a fine flour, that is just crummy footing and on some of the uphills, you actually slide back a little with each forward step! Durn, it was hard at that point! But before too long Timberline Lodge came into view and the Mountain was just overwhelming beautiful and awesome! We actually descended off the PCT down to TL and the aid station there. I had packed my biggest drop bag for that aid station: and it really came in handy. I changed out shoes and socks, cleaned my feet, re-blister bandaided them. Put on nice clean socks, clean new shoes and felt like a new man even though I had come up 4000 feet of altitude and 25 miles! A volunteer even asked me if I wanted my picture taken in front of the aid station! "Yes, indeed". Have to see how it came out! Didn't stay too long there (it was 12:15) and I wanted to get back to the finish by 6:30) But my time for 25 miles and 4,000 feet was 7 hours which was about what I had planned on. Trudged back up to the PCT and then started running for the very distant barn! I could see Timothy Lake to the south and gee, it looked a loooong way away! The day was beautiful and cool, skies were blue and hazy and the mountain was breathtaking (and so was the thinner air up there). Timberline back down to Barlow went very well, I ran almost all of it and passed some people (all but one of whom dropped later in the race--they had simply gone out too fast) but took no joy in it, because THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THIS EVENT WAS HELPING AND HELPING OTHERS SUCCEED or so it seemed to me. Barlow Pass at mile 31 came up quickly and I was very happy to have run my first marathon and 50km at that point. I ran backwards out of the station waving at people and had to be warned I was heading for a root! From Barlow to Hwy 26 was one long uphill followed by one long downhill. I 3 mph'd the uphill and 5.5 mph'd the downhill. Got into the aid station an hour before it was to close. The volunteers were great and as I was finishing up there, the sweep runner Cindie McKenna came gliding swiftly into the station. She had come down from Timberline and was checking the conditions of the stragglers (I was one of them). Please don't sweep me! I plead, to which she said she wouldn't. I skedaddled out of there (mile 36) and hit the uphill going back up to the forested ridge. The next part I prayed alot in and so thats all to say about that, but Cindy caught up with me again at mile 38 or so, we talked briefly and off she flew. I ran/walked on down to aid station at FS 58 and she was there waiting for me! She asked if she could run with me the rest of the way and I was surprised and kind of honored feeling! By this time there were still about 5 runners behind me strung out on the course. Four of them would drop and one would pass me. We ran/walked the rest of the way in and the last 6 miles were a long 6 miles!! I tried to run as much as I could but my legs seemed to have run out of fuel! I had been battling an upset stomach the whole race and had subsisted on nothing but liquids, Ensure, and watermelon pieces! I guess it caught up with me. I was also feeling very guilty about slowing Cindie down, making the volunteers have to stay at the stations longer and when I found out about it, making the finish line stay open! I will never be so irresponsible again guys! When we emerged from the forest and ran on the blacktop the last half mile to the finish things became very special: first and foremost I saw my wonderful Phyllis walking toward us and we embraced and I was so happy I was almost crying. Then cars, pulled off the road and the drivers leaned out and clapped! A guy and his wife loading a van, clapped! The race line people clapped! I even had a last 40 yard sprint finish! I wamted to hug everyone! I was so elated and ecstatic, words cannot express that feeling... I remember saying "I've never been happier in my life." And maybe it wasn't true because my life has been blessed with an incredible amount of happiness, but for that moment, it was true. I was filled with an incredible joy and sense of gratitude. It was simultaneously my first ultra and my first marathon, but most importantly it was my first run with a very wonderful group of people! I want to thank everyone involved with the race for making it so special. I want to give special thanks to Cindie McKenna whose strength she lent to me to help me through those last miles. This was an incredible, even life-changing event for this runner and I don't have the eloquence it express all it meant....

FOR SCOTT
FOR ANN

Michael Sweney

Saturday was one of the strangest days of my life. Sean, Clay and I were to carpool to PCT. Clay was going to pick us up around 4am but Sean, in his infinite wisdom thought it would be "cool" to have breakfast at a truck stop at 3:30am on the way to the race. Of course Clay and I agreed. So needless to say, my day began by being picked up around 3am. Breakfast was, well.. breakfast. We wondered if we were teasing the Trail Gods by eating at a truck stop before a 50 mile run. We wondered even more because we, and my wife Susan doing the 50k, were planning on eating at Calamity Jane’s in Sandy after the run. If you have not eaten there and you’re a carnivore, please do. It is an eating experience not to be missed.

After many witticisms minus the wit, we arrived at "Race Central" after some nice words from Gail about Scott, we were off. The first thing I noticed was that after 10 steps I felt as though I had run 20+ miles-uh oh. Despite the fact that my legs were on strike, I felt energetic and moved along as I would normally. Other than worrying about why my legs felt so poorly, nothing of consequence happened between the start and three miles past Barlow Pass on the return trip. At this point with about 16 miles left, I was running downhill and felt a bit of a spasm in my left quad-uh oh. I stopped to stretch and my hamstring and quad promptly cramped! Okay, no more stretching.

Contrary to usual, I actually had some goals this race. I had hoped to break ten hours. With my legs boycotting, I revised my goals thinking that I could catch Sean, maybe Bob, and just maybe Stacey and Ronda (yeah right!) Now with my legs cramping I was thoroughly convinced that I would not finish at all! At this point I began second guessing everything: breakfast at a truck stop, Calamity Jane’s later, starting too fast, not enough of a taper, too much of a taper, the 6 ounce can of black olives in my pack. Friday, my friend John came by our house to say hello. When he thought I wasn’t paying attention he tried to sneak a can of olives into my pack I’d be running with. Once caught, he resorted to daring me to carry it the whole way. Not being quite macho enough, but being a sound capitalist, I asked him how much he’d pay me. One dollar? No Way! He offered $100 to which I responded, Will you shake on that? Feeling that he might really have to pay, and being a sound capitalist, he withdrew the offer. Later I contemplated the olives and wondered if I was in too many ways offending the Trail Gods. I thought about the race, 50 miles. I thought about Scott. What would Scott think about this? I decided that Scott would condone this sort of behavior. And so it was settled. John still doesn’t know it but I took him up on his dare and put the can of olives in my pack.

With my legs cramping and 16 miles to go, my thoughts turned immediately to the olives! Why did I bring them?! If you do something stupid like running 50 miles with a can of olives in your pack, you have to finish. There is no option. Next, I thought about Scott again. It was his race and he was a big reason I brought them along. I thought about his attitude, his RFM’s and his backward marathon. I pictured him cramping at the marathon and pictured him finishing. This is his race, and so I must finish.

I could have left the olives at the Wapinita Pass aid station but if you start a 50 mile race with a can of olives you must finish with them or DNF I decided. And so on I trudged very gingerly, eating, drinking, and falling on my face. Mile after mile I was surprised to find that I could run. At Little Crater Lake, I was feeling pretty good and started thinking again that I might finish after being convinced ten miles earlier that I would not. When I caught glimpse of Timothy Lake and my legs were still cooperating, I began to envision myself finishing and hugging my wife, which brought tears to my eyes. I thought about Scott and his family, and although I only talked and ran with him twice, I felt connected with him in this, his memorial race. I felt as though he was helping me through the final miles, which also made me cry. I spent a good part of the last four miles crying because I now knew that I would finish, get a hug from my wife, and finish ScottÂ’s race with JohnÂ’s can of olives. The finish was just as I had envisioned and was on of the most emotional experiences of my life.

Thank you Sooze for being there for me at the end. Thank you Bob, Gail, Sid, and everyone involved with the race. Thank you Sean for wishing me luck when I told you I might not make it. Thank you John for the olives. Thank you Scott for dragging my butt into the finish.

scott martin

My quest for a 50 miler started four years ago; the event was to be Autumn Leaves. I was so nervous I overtrained and got a stress fracture. That and various other injuries have conspired to keep me from my goal until last Saturday. Just last winter I was thinking my running days were nearly over, since I've been fighting ITBS and sore hips. But glucosamine has kept the hips at bay, and Scott McQueeney told me that orthotics might help the ITBS. So I owe this finish to Scott, and I am very glad to have it.

The race has two highlights. First was the 'elk' sighting just above highway 35. I heard some crashing around and knew it wasn't a deer, nor did it sound like a bear. I was sure there was an elk just off the trail, in a pocket meadow. I tried to spot it, and even walked back down the trail ten or so yards. No luck. I resumed my run, when the creature bounded into the trail just 40 feet ahead of me. It was no elk - it was a full grown mountain lion, very impressive. We sized each other up for a few seconds. I knew better than to run, but I was ready to start hurling water bottles if he displayed any agressive behavior. I was glad to be carrying two bottles! But as long as we both just stood there, I was just going to stare in amazement and wonder. Well, that didn't last long - the cat decided I was not acting like prey, and disappeared down the mountain in a hurry. BTW - aren't cats supposed to be stealthy and quiet?

At Timberline I changed shoes and left my orthotics behind. Of course, by mile 40 my ITBS was acting up. I was also wondering how I was going to drag my sorry sore thighs another ten miles. Then Melanie Johnson saw me stretching and gave me an ibuprofen. They also took the edge off my bone-weary muscle pain. I'm not sure those shouldn't be illegal. I had been really starting to drag, but revived by the drug, the last 6 miles were as fast as any other section of the course, thanks to Melanie. I was laying down some blistering 12 minute miles. ;-) I even started running up some of the hills.

It wasn't until I hit the pavement and I could sense the finish line that the meaning of the run really struck. I was glad to have it in the bag, but at that point, it struck me that I was really finishing Scott's run. My knees really started hurting, but I wasn't going to stop and stretch at this point. Just ahead of the finish line, I ran it in backwards, in honor of Scott. I heard someone shout "There's another backward runner!" and I wondered how many understood the guesture. I think most were not aware, and most finishers that were aware decided not to, or more likely were so wrung out they just plain forgot about it.

Sid Snyder helping at the finish line gave me a hearty congrats on my first 50 miler, a great 10:15. Gail and Sid make a great team; she had been up the traiI a mile or two, telling me to get my butt in gear before I got passed. I had to inform Sid I was an early starter, so he congratulated me all over again for a great first 11:15 finish. That's not very fast compared to some of the others on this list, but that's enough to count as one of the three qualifying runs for Western States. So now if I make it to Western (however unlikely), seeing as how I helped crew for Scott once at WS, will I have to cross that finish line backwards? There will be a whole stadium full of people who will think I am strange. No matter, I don't think that would have fazed Scott much.

Dave Elsbernd

50 Kilometer Race Reports

Sandy and Wendy's 50k Run

I had done the Mt. Hood PCT 50k last year, and had almost decided to skip it this year to focus on shorter races when Michael turned our small email group upside down with talk of his upcoming ultra race. His enthusiasm was contagious, and shortly after, I signed up also.

RACE WEEKEND:

Friday we camped at the nearby campground, and had a wonderful pre race buffet. We were ready for our adventure.

At 8:30 the next day we were off. We walked the first couple of miles to warm up. The race started on asphalt, but only for 1/3 mile or so, then into the trees. There was plenty of roots and rocks to watch out for.I ran/walked with Wendy, a first time ultra runner. We kept busy talking most of the time. Wendy was a whole bunch of fun to run with. We learned more about each other and our families all day long. We started run/walking at about 2 miles. Somewhere along here I got bit by some kind of flying, stinging bug. It felt almost like a bee sting. It hurt for a while, but eventually subsided. My knee felt good (IT band), but I was so concerned it would start hurting I had Wendy walk more often than I had planned. I had done the Walk for the Wildwood two weeks before and only made it to mile 12 before I was forced by my knee to walk the rest of the way. I wanted to go as far as possible, hopefully beyond 12 miles, before it would flare up.

We crossed many short wooden bridges before coming into mile 6 aid station. We stopped a few times and took pictures. Sometimes the trail was narrow, sometimes it was wider. Here is where we first saw our trail angel. We had noticed him at the start line and wondered how he had managed to pass us. We assumed we may have been talking too much too notice.We exchanged pleasantries as we passed him and then left the Pacific Crest Trail to go into the aid station. We passed Little Crater Lake along the way. It is very deep, blue, and crystal clear. The mile 6 aid station was just the first of 3 we would pass, and they all offered many tempting things to snack on. I liked the m&ms and the baked potatoes. We circled the campground once and headed back out to the PCT.

Mile 7-9 headed up the mountain.We seemed to do most of our climbing here. Here is where we found our trail angel again. He had driven his truck up to wait for his runner, and wasnt in the race at all. He offered us water and called it an informal aid station. We would meet him at every road crossing for the rest of the race. His runner was either just ahead of us or right behind us all day. I came to look forward to the chance meetings.

I had worn my new toy, a timex speed and distance monitor for the race. I was anxious to try it out and see how it would work in the trees. I had heard it may loose its signal with the satellites, but I am happy to report it worked very well. It did loose the signal many times, but would pick it right back up. Unfortunatley, I didnt put the new rechargeable batteries in it, so it quit on me at 29 miles. Very happy with how it worked though.

Mile 9 had the Hawaiian themed aid station. We quickly restocked our fluids, and went on our way. We had 5 more miles to the next aid station. It was mostly rolling hills, along with some very narrow trail and a drop off to the left . It was a long ways down, but we had to stop and enjoy the views many times. It wasnt long ( or so it seemed) till we hit the next aid station ( 14.5 miles) I had met my goal, I had made it past mile 12 with no knee pain!!!!!!!!! We were wondering about our friend Michael, who was attempting his first 50 miler, so we asked the volunteers about him, and found out he had passed through here at 8:51. After some more fluids and fuel we headed out again. Only one more mile to the turn around.

We passed some of the time trying to figure out when we might see Michael. We kept thinking he would catch up with us. We also passed the time watering the trees!!! Even though it didnt seem like we were drinking alot, one of us always had to pee!! I usually liked to wait for a "real potty", but Wendy didnt care. We took salt tabs every hour. I also took tums. Something seemed to work, as we didnt have any cramps all day long.

Wendy was having trouble with her gaitors, so at the turnaround she adjusted them again. The 50 milers and 50kers were cruising past us all the time now. It gave us something else to focus on. I was starting to have various aches and pains now, but still no knee pain!!!! Except for her gaitors and her heels rubbing, Wendy seemed to be holding up just fine.

On the way back we went through the same aid stations again. We hadnt packed any drop bags, and never really felt we needed anything we didnt have. At the 5th aid station ( about 22 miles) Wendy took off her shoes and applied some duct tape. Another runner offered her his moleskin, but we couldnt get it to work. We also swiched camelbaks somewhere a long here. I was getting alot of raw skin where my arms were rubbing on my camelbak buckles. I shouldnt have worn a tank top!!! Wendy had mentioned she wanted to try mine on anyway, so we swapped, and it was a relief to my rubbed raw arms!

Now we had 3 miles downhill. We mostly walked. Lots of roots and rocks. We called them jumping roots and rocks, because they seemed to jump out at us, though not as much as earlier in the race. Our plan was to run some of the last 6 miles, hoping our legs would still be up for that.

At our last aid station we lingered and visited with the volunteer. We mentioned we were looking for Michael. We asked her to give him a message, Hi and see ya at the finish line. She glady agreed. We also were happy to hear this aid station wasnt going to close till 6:30 , giving Michael more time than we had thought. As for us, it was 4:30 and it was time to press on.

We had 6 more miles, and they took Forever!!!!!! Our plan to run some of it fell through. I think Wendy could have run alot of it. But I couldnt run anymore. I had no knee pain, even yet. But I was totally spent. Everything hurt a big tired kinda hurt. Ususally by this time in a long race, Im focused on the knees and not the fatigue. So we walked, 3 mph was all I could manage. All I wanted was to sit down and rest. But we kept making forward motion, and finally , after almost 2 hours, we heard the road and cars, marking the end of our journey.

As we dropped down to the road, Wendy encouraged me to run. I didnt think I could run the whole 1/3 mile to the line. My right knee now started to wake up and become angry!! Wendy was pulling away from me, I told myself to let her go (I couldnt go any faster, but I was running!!) She dropped back though, and we ran up the final small hill together and under the finish line!!!!!!!! Many people were still there to see us finish!!! We immediately were offered food and drink, once again!!

We rested and told stories and waited for Michael. He came in an hour behind us and had a good sprint to the finish line!!! He looked very tired, but very happy! I could tell he was hooked! We brought the car up and we all piled in for the short trip back to the campground.

For the next 2 hours we compared our adventures of the day. I wouldnt have traded it for the world! It was great to hear of Michaels journey.

I am very pleased with my race. I actually was slower than last year, but it really didnt matter to me. I had good company, a great weekend, and seemed to come out of the race no worse for wear. My favorite part of the weekend was spending it with two very enthusiastic new ultra runners!!! I cant wait to do it again!!!!

sandy lundberg