Better late than never, but I finally will post about the run we partook in on Saturday afternoon. This was the first afternoon run in recent memory, and a good thing it was: the morning sucked. Windy, cold with rain and snow. By the time we got together at 12:30, things had improved considerably to a comfy low 50s and scudding thick clouds with no rain or wind to speak of.

The run started with 11 two-leggers and 5  four-leggers. Most were the usual suspects, though it was nice to see Sara for the first time in a LONG while, and For The First Time Ever, Dan graced us with his presence. That made for quite the herd as we headed down Murphy Dr. to catch Gino's Jaunt and dirt. As expected, the gazelles in the group took off, leaving us more heavy footed types in the dust on the first climb up the Canyon Trail. Nicely, they waited at the intersection of Seven Steps for us, which is where we decided not to continue up Timberline, but cross over and go up the Creek trail instead of down. Good thinking, as that is a popular downhill section for mountain bikers, and it's much safer to be heading up where one can see them and evacuate the trail quickly.

But of course, since we altered to account for mountain bikes, we didn't see any. <shrug> Oh well. I've always enjoyed going up that trail. We also stopped briefly at the place where the new trail to King's Canyon will (eventually) link into the Ash Canyon complex. There was much excitement. Huzzah.

After the climb, we climbed yet more up Evidence, then started the long drop down again, by way of Timberline.
Again at Seven Steps, we decided to retrace up that short grade and head back to the bottom by way of Jackrabbit to give a wider variety of trail experience.

Overall I did OK, though always trailing those I used to keep up with is maddening. I don't know if it was due to being a couple pints low of erythrocytes, or maybe I'm not as strong as I used to be. Whatever.
On the foot side of things, I didn't tape my ankle, yet had no issues. Also, my hammy was cooperative as well. Must be my altered running stance, focusing on the piriformis when spinning, and stretching. Or I just had a lucky good day. Maybe it was the Innov8 shoes. I'm liking those!

If anyone wants to run the route, it's posted. Since it was such a good run, I've dubbed it the Ash Canyon Sweet 9. Sweet.

I am scheduled to do a double RBC donation this afternoon, and still want to do my now-limited running this weekend. I wonder just how kitten-weak I'll be on Friday or Saturday? For those that I'll be with on those days, sorry for holding you back!

The 2011 Escape From Prison Hill trail half marathon and relay is now two weeks away. As the co-race director, I am looking forward to both the start, and the finish! This morning, I quickly took a look at the long range forecast. Up to now, it's been showing seasonal? - ok  crappy - weather at the tail end of the forecast range. Kind of like the weather we've been experiencing for about the last 6 weeks: cool to cold, cloudy to precipitating. Much to my surprise, today showed the forecasted high for April 30 to be 75! Woo! The last time we hit a seven in the tens position was April 1, and that's no joke.
Weather: check.
How about some of the other logistics? Timing, for instance. This year we are straying from the traditional timing instruments to an app on an Apple product. I "de-virginalized" my copy of Pocket Timer Pro during the Safe &Sober 5K last weekend for a successful first time use. I believe it will work equally as well for the approximately the same number of racers spaced out over a greater timespan. I plan to still use tear-away bib stubs as the backup and to verify I didn't tap a wrong number. Timing: check.
Shirts? We have come up with a new design for the front of this year's shirt. Hope you like it. Also, we are providing tech shirts this year in both men's and women's cut. Of course they will be silver for the Silver State. Shirts: check.
Porta-potties: An "ugh" to chat about, but a race necessity. Scheduled and check.
Volunteers: We have 'em. Do we need more? Of course. If you ain't runnin', you should be helpin'! If you've already contacted me about volunteering, thanks! and look for an email forthcoming with "details." LOL
Post-Race food: The breakfast burrito bar is a go. Dave Cotter has agreed to run the place. If you are already a volunteer, you may be assigned to give him a hand. And no, not dipping your hand in the eggs.
Parking: A semi-check. PLEASE CARPOOL! We will be sharing the event location this year due to double booking on the part of the site. As a result, parking will be tight.
Trail Map: created and posted.
Fun Time To Be Had By All: That one you'll have to check off on your own. See you April 30! Race time:

I've set up a new site specifically for the Cirque du Carson. As a result, the development blog for the relay race is moving to that site. Come follow along!

This weekend, I had the opportunity to run the dirt portion of what was going to be Leg 2 across the north part of the valley. I say was going to be, because after running it, I realized that if I did a reverse course for the mountain bikes - as planned - I would be sure to be the recipient of the undying enmity of any cycle participants. A three-mile, uphill grind on an indistinct, rocky track is not what a lot of cycling enthusiasts would cheer for - especially on the heels of a mile of fairly rugged single-track - also uphill. (See the profile to the left)
It would be a very difficult ride, resulting in a long bike-push over rocks uphill in cycling shoes. Hello, blisters. And for me, hello pitchforks, and torches as the masses would congregate looking for MY blood. No thanks.
As a result, I am rethinking the entire course direction, and will probably have the cyclists participate clockwise, and runners counter-clockwise. Specifically for (now) running leg 3, this means a 2300' vertical climb - over rocky terrain - in about 3 miles.

Not too bad, since you aren't able to move quickly up the grade, the chances of turning an ankles are lessened. On the bright side, this results in a long, steady-grade downhill along Goni for about 2.5 miles, until you reach the turn off (in the photo left) to head toward the west, and the eventual debouch into Washoe Valley.
From that point, it's 2 miles of good shoulder road running to the exchange point.
The views from McClellan peak over Eagle Valley and the Sierra crest are spectacular. I just hope nobody gets taken in by the view, and missteps!
Below are some additional photos taken along the route. Yes, the horsies are wild. I call them the Centennial Herd, since that's where I always see them. And thanks to the good folks (fools?) that have been tagging along while I figure out where exactly this route is going to go. This time around it was Abbey, Kari, Georgia, Mike, Sharlee and Bret. Of course, Bret isn't in any of the photos. Anyone who does 7 minute miles UPHILL doesn't deserve a photo!