Pemberton Trail 50K
http://www.wpsp.org/pemberton50k
Fountain Hills, AZ
February 5, 2005
Barb Dutrow 4:40:38 2nd F, 1st Masters Female 16/60 overall

by Barb Dutrow

This was the most scenic and beautiful trail run that I've ever done!

In the pre-dawn hours of the morning, 78 runners gathered at the race start in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, northeast of Phoenix, after being torn away from the roaring, warm, inviting fire that the organizers had going in the fire pit. They also had coffee and hot chocolate waiting to stave off the cold and warm the runners in the cold morning. At 7am in the darkness with temperatures hovering near 40F and several cheering volunteers, runners began the first of two loops on the Pemberton Trail in the Park. The trail began at a parking area with nice soft dirt, crossed a paved road, and then entered a sandy wash. Footing was soft and friendly. About three miles into the course, the trail began to climb a terrace covered with cobblestones, hard dirt, boulders. Coming up the terrace, hopping this way and that, I thought to myself, "it is going to be a challenge not to trip on round two", must stay alert. As the sun rose over mountains to the east, the surrounding granite spires glowed pink, bathed in the rising sun. Once on top of the terrace, the surrounding view was awesome; granite peaks in every direction, a desert greened by recent rains, only the snaking trail of runners in sight, and 360 degree visibility of about 100 miles in every direction. The desert was stunningly beautiful. The trail then softened up and continued to roll along up and down arroyos, around palo verde trees and giant saguaro cactus. The last of the loop was double track, soft sand, until returning to the parking lot to begin the second loop.

Aid stations were about every five miles. So not to miss the stations and be prepared, neon pink signs were hung near the trail about 50 yards out signing "Aid Station Ahead"; a very nice touch! At each aid station, volunteers had been given disposable cameras and were snapping away. (After the race each runner was sent 3 pictures, FREE!) To wake up sleepy runners, the next aid station placed a plastic rattlesnake strategically in the road. Apparently too many mountain bikers came by, panicked, and jumped off their bikes, so the aid station workers felt compelled to tell everyone it was fake (which was rather obvious). Aid stations were well stocked with energetic volunteers and a wide variety of sweet and salty snacks (I grabbed the potato chips and fig newtons), water, drinks, etc.

The second loop was fun, because you knew what was coming, and the sun was shining. It was as I feared, after getting near the top of the climb onto the flat portion of the terrace, I lost focus, tripped and crash, down I went - trail surfing on cobbles and dirt that felt, and scratched, like cement. After laying for a bit, another runner passed by; nothing like having someone pass you to get up and get going. After walking for a couple of minutes, using what water I had to rinse blood off my hands, I limped on. Blood was flowing down my right calf, so I had lots of sympathy the rest of the race!

This was a totally fabulous race in every respect; organization, volunteers, race director, aid stations and scenery. Home cooked food waited for runners at the finish - chili, muffins, chicken noodle soup, and lots of fruit, snacks and drinks. The sun was warm and bright, and the park was a great place to wait for awards. A new course record was set by one of the Montrail Team Ultra runners in 3:16! I finished in 4:40, for 2nd female and 1st masters, 16th overall in the small field of 60 finishers of 78 starters (many people only plan to run one loop).

If you want a 50K, this is one to consider. It is a runner's race, for runners, by runners (and their entire family - race director's mom cooked chili; race director's sister made foot shaped soap for each race packet!). And, they send you three pictures of yourself on the course together with complete race results. All Proceeds from the race go to the Park Trail Fund.

Thanks to Polar Heart Rate systems for timing, Thorlo Socks for padding my feet, and Hydropel for keeping my feet unblistered.

Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon
Grants, NM
http://mttaylorquad.org
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Lisa Carr-Broome, George Broome

by Lisa Carr-Broome

We woke up to a cold, gray morning of 39 degrees F., southwest winds of 15-25 mph, and 90% humidity. Expected high's in Grants were the low 40's with an 80% chance of rain and snow for the day. Weather for the Quad is always unpredictable.

George and I participated in the 22nd annual Quad as a mixed pair's team with me doing the 1st two events of biking then running, transitioning with George for him to finish the remaining 2 events of our ascent which were cross country skiing then snowshoeing. With the race only half over we reversed the 4 events to complete the 45 mile race.

George's morning started at 0715 when the skier's bus departed for the run/ski transition area. With a couple hour wait anticipated before I showed up, his main concern was to stay warm and entertained. My morning started at 10:00 when all pair and team members began the race with the first event of biking from the Cibola County Complex in Grants. Starting at 6,500 ft. we rode 13 miles climbing 1,800 ft. on paved roads. At the end of the pavement I changed to my running gear and ran 5 miles on gravel roads. Three miles into the run the road turned to slush/ice making the run tentative. Climbing 1,200 ft. to 9,479 ft. I met up with George at the run/ski transition and passed on our timing chip. He was off on the cross country skis climbing 1,200 ft. over 2 miles. The weather deteriorated rapidly with dropping temperatures, howling winds and white out conditions. He trudged on and at 10,702 ft. he changed to his snowshoes for the remaining 1 mile climb of 600 ft. summating Mt. Taylor at 11,301 ft. With no time to waste, he started downhill where we reversed the 4 events for the 22 miles back to the start/finish line. Thank goodness the weather conditions improved as well.

Our finish time was 6:44:29 and we won 1st place in our age group (50-59) for mixed pairs.

We want to thank our Team Santa Fe sponsors for the excellent gear we used: CW-X biking shorts and sports bra, CamelBak hydration packs, Suunto wrist computer with Polar HRM, Thorlo smart wool socks, terry saddles, SofSole insoles, Bolle sunglasses, Crescent Moon snowshoes and Leki poles.

We also want to thank the volunteers of Grants, NM for making the Quad such an enjoyable and well organized event.

Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon
http://mttaylorquad.org
Grants, NM
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Jan and Kim Bear
Kim 2nd place in 45-49 female age group.
Jan 8th place in 45-49 male age group.

by Jan Bear

President's day weekend and The Quad in Grants, NM goes hand in hand. This was my 18th straight year to compete in the Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon as a soloist. Kim has competed the same number of years but several of the years have been as a team member but this was her 5th solo. The last ten years or so the weather has been great always sunny, sometimes too little snow but always a nice day. This year reminded me of the 1994 race with it was very cold and snowy. The night before the race as we were coming into Grants it was raining, probably snowing at the 11000 foot summit of Mt. Taylor. Not a good start to the weekend. Race day was overcast and cool but not terribly cold. The bike up was fast with the fastest time recorded for soloists as 45 minutes by Brian Smith with the overall winner Josiah Middaugh recording a 46:39. Mine was a slower 57:49. The run was of variable running surfaces, hard packed dirt at the start turning to mud then slush then snow and ice. The x-country ski was great, but it did start to get a little cold on the way up with the wind picking up. By the time I was in snow- shoes I could tell the visibility was going to be bad and it was going to be cold up top, indeed it was. The last section on snowshoes was a white out nd you could only see the next pole stuck in the snow to guide you to the top. Winds were about 40-60 MPH. Finally the half-way point in a very slow 3:09:04. The trip back down was great except for the headwinds on the bike but I finally finished in 5:16 my slowest Quad ever, age must be catching up. Kim had a great race finishing in 2nd place in her age group in a time of 6:20. After the race it was time for the awards ceremony and dinner with friends. Another fun trip to Grants.

Thank to our great team sponsors for their support, Crescent Moon Snowshoes, Bolle, CW-X, SealSkinz, Litespeed, CamelBak, GoLite, SixSixOne, Leki, Polar, ThorLo, Montrail, Shain, Terry, SofSole and BTI.

Training Events:

The Big Chill Bike Ride
February 6, 2005
Katy, TX
Lisa Carr- Broome and George Broome

By Lisa Broome

It was a perfect morning for a ride...low 60's and overcast. Around 1000 riders started out from Katy Mills Mall (30 minutes west of Houston) for either a 25, 46 or 69 mile Big Chill Bike Ride. We took a wrong turn and ended up riding 72 miles at 15.7 mph thus our riding time was 4 hours and 35 minutes. Our pace initially was great (20-22 mph) until we reached mile 35 where we turned into very strong headwinds for the remainder of the ride. I've never seen so many riders in sag wagons as I did this ride.

Another MS-150 training ride, the 2nd annual Big Chill Bike Ride was sponsored by Giant, Paceline Products, Northwest Cyclery and Asphalt Paving Inc., with all proceeds going to the Brazos Valley Sudbury School. Well supported, the one rest stop we stopped at was stocked with fruit and homemade cookies. A warm bowl of home made chili greeted all riders at the finish.

Gear used from Team Santa Fe sponsors included Terry saddles, CW-X biking jersey, CamelBak hydration pack and Bolle sunglasses.

Brother Eldon 5K
February 19, 2005
Baton Rouge, LA
Barb Dutrow 21:38 2nd F, 1 Masters Female

by Barb Dutrow

To add speed work to my long runs, participating in 5K races makes for an easy method. The Brother Eldon 5K is a local, small race that profits a High School and their track team; named after a long time track coach who starts the race. About 125 runners began the three mile course that winds through the neighborhoods to finish with a half lap on the high school track. Because it is a local cause, the alumni group secures great donations (prizes) and treats the racers to lots of great food. While you can't drink beer after this run, you can eat some of the best jambalaya in town!

I could not do a race without Thorlo socks for my feet and Polar Heart rate Systems for timing. Thanks to those sponsors.

Race for the Cure 5K
http://batonrougekomen.org
Baton Rouge, LA
February 26, 2005
Barb Dutrow 21:41; 3rd F, 1 Masters F

by Barb Dutrow

This year nearly 6000 runners and walkers participated in the Baton Rouge Race for the Cure, the largest field in the races' seven year history. The race begins in downtown Baton Rouge, in front of the Old Governor's Mansion, winds through Spanish Town, by the new Governor's Mansion, the State Capitol and the Pentagon Barracks from the Civil War, to finish the loop course. The course has many turns and isn't fast, but it is scenic. Temperatures at race start were in the 40's, skies were overcast and humidity was high. It felt cold. The race went well, in part because the race director (who knows most local runners) made sure that the walkers were in the back, not the front, of the pack at race start! Lots of volunteers, participants, and sponsors made for a festive event. I ran in "Celebration" of three friends who are survivors: Susan Harrison, Gloria Pacella and Jan Ecos.

Polar Heart systems and Thorlo socks were most appreciated.

Carl and Mark on Symphony Glacier	Moloch Hut (the tiny red dot) from the Julianna Glacier
photos by Lee Lau. A full set of images at greater resolution is available at: http://www.leelau.net/2005/sme/Pictureessay/Durrandinpictures.htm