2008 Reports

50 Mile Race Reports

It’s show time!
By Olga Varlamova, co-RD

I am so lucky - I get to co-direct one of the best and most beautiful trail races in the country!

There is no question Monika is THE driving force behind PCT50. It was her 5th year directing it, 10 th anniversary of the race started by Bushwhacker Burke, and the run up to the Timberline Lodge at the foot of majestic Mt. Hood is one of the more popular around and afar. The race is run on a 99% of a single-track Pacific Crest Trail, soft dirt covered with pine needles, with some stretches of rocks and roots strewn here and there for entertainment and even with a sand section near the turn-around point. We also had a snow covered part, but most of it melted by the race date, leaving only a distant memory and about half a mile of feet work.

This year we only offered a 50M version and quite a few folks signed up without paying attention to it (hoping to run a 50k we used to have). Despite the “shock” at the registration, they went ahead and finished the whole run! That was fun J

We had runners coming from 19 states and BC as the word gets around. If you ever want to visit Oregon and see the high peak of Mt. Hood covered in snow all year long, this is the place and date to be. As many a runners that return year after year (including a big Kansas group), we always have new-comers, who, after participating once, commit to be regular from now on. Many choose PCT50 as their first try at the distance, and majority of them finish. We don’t claim to be the most difficult – but we do provide with over 5,000 feet of climb and a “net downhill” on your return trip. Don’t be too relaxed though, as there are hills on the way back you didn’t notice when you went out, and that last 6M section seems like the longest ever! But you get to see awesome views of Timothy lake, and to take a dip (or better not) in a 34F degree Little Crater lake at the last aid station.

This year’s race seemed to have a predetermined winner of Rod Bien, running in top shape all around. However, Rod got his money worth by been chased by our return runner from BC Ian McIlvenna, young local kid Joe Grant and non-happened WS100-shape Kelly Woodke. This provided for excitement and Rod ran a mere 8 minutes off what looked like untouchable CR – finishing in 6:53:53. Rumor is, Hal Koerner (who ran White River 50M in WA on the same day) bet Rod Bien (each of them own a store in their respective home towns) for a faster time winner to wear an “opponent” store outfit for the next race (which is Where is Waldo 100k). Well, Rod can proudly run in what he used to, while Hal needs to don a Fleet Feet t-shirt!

On the gal’s side Ian’s wife Veronica McIlvenna ran away with victory in 8:38:11. She was followed by Kristin Lynn in 8:46:32 (who broke the Master’s CR – way to enter the new AG!) and Linda Samet in 8:50:42. A note on our sweetheart Linda – she’s been known to “take her time” to get to the start (small children do that to you J ), and arrived a full 10 minutes after the race started. She, however, didn’t express any distress, pinned her number, told us her story and left to catch up the runners. Way to go, Linda! Another local favorite Caroline Klug rounded up 4 th place.

One of the excitement is always to see whether the race “birth father” Mike Bushwhacker Burke will break the age group record he sets almost every year. This time he came out to PCT50 only 2 weeks after his fantastic run at Hardrock 100 (in a PR of 33:51). While we all joked we may not see him for a while, he didn’t disappoint and ran in a new AG CR of 7:57:20, placing 9 th overall. Youngsters will need to work harder to keep up with him, and his running also provides all of us a hope for better years to come (at least I keep telling myself that).

The weather Gods were really good to us (unlike in 2005 and 2007) and spit a light wind and temperatures in high 70’s. Our sponsors kept runners hydrated with HEED and NUUN, and our volunteers, as always, are the best ever. We had people inquiring to come and help us out since the day after the previous race! They utilized their knowledge and enthusiasm to the best, and none of it went unnoticed by the participants. Not only that, volunteers also had themes going at their aid stations for entertainment! We had awesome EMT and Ham Radio people landing a hand (it makes communication so much easier!), and the Oregon Road Runner Club’s VP of races Jeff Wehrman is invaluable. What will we do without his great negotiating skills and sustainability to be on his feet for 14+ hours on a race day, when he serves a finish line with minor mishaps – and feeds all the runners and their families with burgers!

Thanks again to everybody involved in this awesome race, from runners to their families. Personal “thanks” to Monika Gold, an RD from Heaven, her “other half” Stan, Jeff and ORRC, Oregon Trail Series and PCT volunteer group. Save the date – next year PCT50 is scheduled on Saturday, July 25 th, and registration will open first week of January. Also, check out the link to a developing Oregon 100M race “Hundred in the Hood”.

A word from Monika Gold, co-RD, on a “Hiker’s incident”
Hello NW Ultra runners,
I have been trying unsuccessfully to have reasonable on-line discourse about appropriate trail use with a hiker. During an event our runners had encountered two hikers who, by numerous accounts and witnessing, blocked the way for runners (not only by been rude in remarks, but by shouldering some and pushing/elbowing others, one racer even had to be grabbed by the very same hiker to not fall off the cliff). At the same time, next day after the race was done and over, there was a letter from a hiker (what we don’t know is whether or not it was/were same people) who complained to Forest Service about runner’s event and runners not giving way to uphill hikers and been rude.

I apologized to this person who had sent an. Below is an insert from our correspondence:

I asked our front runners about this incident, because it matters to us that we honor and respect public use of the Pacific Crest trail. Our runners even come out and perform trail maintenance throughout Oregon on a regular basis. I and several others spent hours the previous weekend flagging the path across snow patches and cutting limbs off logs that would have passing difficult otherwise. From the accounts I have received from several runners and from yourself, it must be that there were a couple of unrelated hikers who elbowed our front runner as he passed them, which is not the courteous behavior you listed and live by. Also, the runners who were elbowed were passing hikers going in the same direction, but you had issues with runners coming your way.

This is an account from our front runner, whom we have known for years, and who is a super nice guy":

" As I came down I said "good morning"... no response. I then slowed to a shuffle and said, "I'm going to pass on your right". I then passed the first person and the second person gave me a very intentional elbow to the shoulder. I stopped, looked back and decided that before I responded, "was I sure that was intentional?". I could not say for 100% that I was, so I turned and continued to run.

So, as in any place and activity around this planet there is a majority of people who act civilized and a small portion who don't. I know that you would not elbow anybody on a trail, and I know that our front runners would make verbal contact and ask to pass, because that is common runner courtesy.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem so far to settle the argument, which we decided to stop responding to. We can only be responsible for our own actions, so let's please all make an extra effort to be respectful of other users of public trails, regardless of how they may act towards us.

Runners, please yield uphill upcoming traffic of hikers/runners. Give way to bicyclists and horses. Be courteous and polite. Use verbal warning when passing. Say hello and do not go at the 20 mph speed J Lets share the trails!

From McIvenna family:
Just a quick note to say thanks for putting on such a great event. Your a gift to this sport, and this race shows it. All the aid station people were above and beyond again this year. If you could pass on a special thanks to Mr. Thornly for giving me some s-caps on the return trip, would be great. Stuff like that shows you how srecial a sport we have!

Thanks again,
Ian McIlvenna & family

From Caroline Klug:
Thank you so much for everything yesterday! You and Monica and all the volunteers put together a fabulous event. I particularly enjoyed running with Veronica (the eventual winner) early on, seeing Christine (eventual second place) kick butt (she works at Portland Running Co. and sold me my road shoes months ago and we spent probably 45 minutes talking about ultras in the store; this was her first 50 and I think only her second ultra, but I could be wrong about that), and seeing late arrival, always strong Linda come barreling up behind me on the climb to Timberline. Not that many women in the race, but some of the nicest around. The men were wonderful too, of course. :-) Seeing an old friend (from the early 1990s) Rick Kneedler absolutely smoke his first 50 miler was cool too. And finally meeting Todd Glender, whom I always seem to finish near. And seeing the Reisinger family at that remote aid station. And having Meghan help me figure out how to carry 150+ calories out of the aid station (red licorice stuffed inside a PB&J -- yum!) since my gels were still in my drop bag at Frog Lake. And being awarded YELLOW Moeben sleeves and a cool Sporthill top as an age group award! So many highlights! While I certainly didn't kick butt because my breathing sucked all day, I worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I hope you're celebrating the successes of the day and getting to relax a little today.

Caroline

From Dennis Ahern:
Monika and Olga,
Just a note to say how much I enjoyed my first 50m this last weekend! I had zero problems (fell twice, no problem) and the course was just what I was expecting and hoping for: mountain trail running at it's best. Your volunteers were all so helpful and all have such an awesome attitude. The whole ultra running scene and vibe was so much fun, I know I'll be back. I chose your race carefully as my first 50 and I was not disappointed. I'm feeling pretty serious about showing up next year for my first 100 miler in Sept. Thanks again for putting on a first class event!

Dennis Ahern

From Rod Bien:
I ran the Mount Hood 50 Miler on July 26th, 2008. It was a race I was looking forward to since it was my first 50 miler back in 2001. I had memories of how hard a 50 miler was back then and how my wife, Katie had to pace me in the last six miles as I complained and stumbled my way in to a mid-pack finish. I wasn't sure what to expect from this race as I had run S.O.B 50K two weeks earlier and I then put in a very intense training week that very next week. Not much time for a taper at all but that was fine since Hood is really just a training run for Angeles Crest 100 Miler in September. I drove to the course on Friday evening and had fun checking in seeing Olga (race director) and lots of familiar faces. I then linked up with one of my favorite people in the ultra world, Jamie Gifford and his wife Becky. We headed up to Timberline Lodge at Mt Hood to grab some dinner. We got a great view of Mt. Hood but food wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. Pretty much all heavy bar food. But, skipped the beer, talked story, and had a great dinner with some fabulous friends.

Then, it was time to head to Little Crater campground and camp in the trusty Eurovan, Ruby.

Before I knew it, it was time to wake up, tape the feet and eat a PB&J. It was a chilly morning as I drove back towards Timothy Lake and the start of the race.

PCT 50 Miler is a funky course to race and does require some strategy. The first 25 miles are uphill as you head from Timothy Lakes all the way to the base of Mt Hood and Timberline Lodge. You climb about 4,000 feet in the first 25 miles. On the return trip, you are mostly downhill (though it doesn't seem like it) and only climb about an additional 1,500 feet. So, the moral of the race is that you need to have some legs when you hit the 50K point and start heading home as the next 19 miles are mostly rolling and you need to be able to run.

I didn't really know what to expect from this race. I had put in a hard week after S.O.B and did not feel rested but Hood was really just a hard training race so I was cool with it. I also wasn't quite sure about the competition. I thought that I was probably the favorite but there were some dark horses in there that I wanted to keep an eye on. Most notably, Ian Mcllvenna who had been second place here the previous year and Matt Daniels who has put up some impressive times in the past. Well, time to race...

I took the lead from the first step and wanted to keep it that way so I could dictate the pace hitting the single track. I didn't want to go out too fast and wanted to make sure that I ran a good, hard, yet conservative pace. We did a .4 mile out and back on the roads and then were going to have 49 miles of singletrack!

The one thing I noticed after the first few miles was that I didn't feel that great. I didn't feel bad necessarily but I didn't have the "pep" that I did at S.O.B. I kind of figured that I was just warming up and that I would eventually feel better but that just didn't seem to ever really happen all day. I was chased in hot pursuit by Ian and another nice guy, Adrien. We ran together and at that point I think Ian must have hit the porta potty because we left him and I was alone running with Adrien for the next mile or so. He eventually faded back and I was running on my own up the hills towards Mt. Hood. Once again, never feeling either great or horrible. I switched gears and really just tried to focus in on my splits which were to run a time of just under 7 hours. I thought this might be on the threshold of my ability as only 2 people have broken 7 hours in the race's history but I figured I would still be stoked even if I was fairly close.

The race became more interesting as I headed up the steep ascent towards Mt. Hood at about mile 20. The initial uphill running was pretty easy but got tougher as we hit some substantial drifts of snow. Also, near the top, there are the dreaded sand sections. These sections really are crazy. The course literally becomes sand dunes and running gets really difficult. I had read my friend Matt Hart's blog saying how he ran all of these but I disagreed with his theory as it was very energy consuming to be running uphill in the sand. So, I power hiked some of the sections and made my way to the turnaround at mile 25. I don't know what gave me the false sense of security that I had a pretty darn big lead, but I had it! I hit the turnaround at 3:34 and took my time getting stuff together. I grabbed my ipod from my drop bag, ate half a PB&J and putzed around for a minute before heading back. Immediately after leaving the aid station, I saw Ian coming right towards me! Shit! I looked at my watch and estimated I had about a 2 1/2 minute lead on him. I was REALLY surprised as I can usually gap people on long, grinding uphills so I didn't think I was going to see him for a while. I also knew he had run a 7:24 the year before and I knew I was well ahead of that kind of pace. Well, I guess it was going to be a race.

I ran aggressively but not recklessly down hill for the next 6 miles. I tried to keep my pace at just under 6:30 minute miles which seemed nice and wasn't overly taxing on my body.

I knew the next 19 are where the race are either won or lost. Its rolling hills both up and down need to be run. As I had felt all day, I just didn't seem to have the energy to really bring it. So, I just kept grinding away and making sure I was hitting my splits. I was thrilled to see my wife, Katie, at about mile 40. She knew second place wasn't far behind and encouraged me to push which I tried in vain to do. Well, my new goal was, if I'm going to be getting passed, I'm going to make sure that they run sub 7!

The griding continued and Katie again met me at mile 44 and told me I had a 6 minute lead. Again, not exactly what I wanted to hear but I felt I sort of would have to bonk to have him gain 1 min/mile at this point. I was prepared for the dreaded final 6 miles. This time, they actually weren't that bad. I guess I was "smelling the barn" and knew I should be able to run on in under 7 hours. After running alongside Timmothy Lakes (forever!), I hit the road and boy did that feel good! I crossed the finish line backwards (out of respect for Scott Mcqueeney) with two of my kids, Fisher and Ava. The time of 6:53 felt good and is the second fastest time ever on the course behind John Ticer who has run a 6:45. I'd like to give that record a "go" on fresher legs but it is a pretty impressive one.

Second place finisher Ian Mcllvenna kept up his pace and ran an impressive 7:03, which would win the race on most years. Congrats to him and all the finishers!

The finish line was fun and great to see my family and lots of friends.

Results from the race are here.

My big thanks to Monika and Olga for putting on a wonderful and fun race!

Pictures from Trail Nerds in KS: http://www.ultrastory.com/pct50_photos.htm