1 Week 2 Go

[From Wayne...]

Gentlemen,

One week to go. Here are a few last minutes details before our run:

(1) The weather is going to be cool and possibly raining (maybe even a little snow on parts of the trail) - "Weather.com" (see: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/wxdetail/USWA0096?dayNum=7) says partly cloudy and between 45-58 degrees Fahrenheit. Layer your clothing. Plan to bring clothes to wear after the run - as we will still have a commute back to Portland.

(2) We can plan for a 9-12 hour day (depending upon the trail conditions and our fitness) - as such, we will meet at Casa Centrone (0509 SW Texas Street) for a caravan (we rented two vans) drive to the volcano at 4:00 a.m. (I know - that is butt early).

(3) Leaving at 4:00 a.m. (4:15'ish) will hopefully put us on the trail at 6:15 a.m. This means that we will be running in the early morning "dark" for almost an hour. You will need to bring a hand-held flashlight or a halogen headlamp (do not bring an LED headlamp - they will not illuminate the trail).

(4) There will be a $50 charge per person for the van rentals and the pizza party (and assorted drinks and Gu, energy bars that we will have in the vans for everyone) - yes, that is right, we are planning a post-run "Pizza Extravaganza." I will give you the details later this week, but plan on having your family and friends meet you at our house. We, the survivors of the run, will drive straight to the house from our courageous event.

(5) Take a few minutes to read over the "What to Bring" section of the Blog spot - see: http://useitorloowit.blogspot.com/. Please plan ahead. You WILL NEED more food and sustenance than you think!

(6) Please review the trail map and details of the course - see: http://www.volcanorunning.com/runs/StHelens/index.htm. I have supplemental maps from "Green Trails" and I have purchased the book (referenced in the Volcano Running website - and, this is the first time any of us have completed this trail. We will need to be a team.

(7) On the subject of team - I would like to request that we plan to run together. I know that this puts a crimp in the super speedy runners plans. We can run the first 24 miles together (past the trail washout) and then "lift the yellow flag" for the last 5+ miles and let the group split in any fashion we desire.

(8) Please call me with any questions or concerns (503/720-4701). We are going to have a lot of fun!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone. Enjoy the last of your preparations - this is a great excuse to make multiple trips to REI.

My best,

Wayne

WHAT TO BRING...

Boys,

Below you will find some excellent info from Paul Gross - who's tapped into his vast knowledge and experience.

Also I want to mention that there will soon be some additional information posted on the condition of the trail and our route- seems there may be a section that will require a detour of some sort - Wayne has been busy gathering news and using Google Earth - bottom line is we may end up leaving the Loowit trail for a period - but I'm almost sure most of us should make it safely...

FROM Paul "Super Runner" Gross: Here's a list of what I would recommend for the run. This assumes about 12 hours to do the loop. Unless the high temp is going to be less than 40, I run in shorts and a capilene t-shirt. A lot of the rest of this, such as how much extra clothing you want or whether you prefer a camelback to a water bottle pack, is personal preference.

Feel free to hit me with questions on this or anything I might have missed.

1. Shoes - As far as trail vs. road shoes, it's personal preference. Use whatever you're most comfortable in, and don't feel like you need to change just because this is a longer run. I wouldn't recommend gore-tex shoes since your feet may get wet crossing a stream, and these won't dry out. Bring an extra pair of socks if you like to keep your feet dry. I kept my feet completely dry when I did the loop in 2004, but I wouldn't count on it.
2. gaiters - there's a lot of fine volcanic dust which will get in your shoes. Gaiters might help keep some of it out, but I imagine it will filter right into your shoes anyway. I don't remember there being much gravel.
3. ball cap or visor
4. Camelback - I would bring one with minimum 2 liter capacity. There are 2 good places to refill water, conveniently spaced at approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the way around. The first is a water spigot and the second is refilling out of a clear stream. I didn't treat the stream water, and no ill effects. You can choose to carry less water if you don't mind filling out of streams more frequently (most of the streams are pretty silty) or you're comfortable with less water.
5. light rain jacket
6. extra shirt layer (I would consider dropping either/both this and the jacket, based on weather)
7. light gloves - not sure I'd bring these, but depends on the weather
8. food - your choice as to what and how much (more comments below). I'm happy to make recommendations based on what works for me and what I've seen others use. Don't assume that you can just triple the amount you would take for a 4 hour run - you'll need a lot more, because you've probably taken less than you really needed. As far as quantity, if you think in terms of a good sized lunch and several snacks, that's about the right amount.
9. salt/electrolytes - I drink water rather than sports drink, so I bring Endurolytes on a long run. If you have it in your food or sports drink, you can probably go without. I've found that I'm always better off with more salt than I thought I would need.
10. sunglasses
11. flashlight or headlamp - could probably get by without it if you're comfortable running in the dark. I wouldn't expect it to be dark for very long, and the start is generally above treeline. I have a small flashlight (one AA battery) that I'll probably bring. I prefer a handheld light to a headlamp for running - because of the position of a headlamp relative to your eyes, you don't see the shadows it casts so it's a lot like skiing in flat light.
12. duct tape - I bring duct tape for blisters.
13. toilet paper ("mountain money") - needless to say, this probably goes at the top of the list.
14. Consider ibuprofen, Tums, pepto bismol (the tablets). I usually carry ibuprofen and pepto tabs. A lot of ultrarunner use Tums.
15. sunscreen - put it on before the run so you don't have to carry it.

Optional:
water filter or tablets
camera
maps - the Green Trails maps shown on http://www.volcanorunning.com/runs/MtHood/index.htm are good. Probably only need one set for the group.
compass
GPS - Wayne has one he can bring
MP3 player - but you'll miss Kevin's stories if you're plugged into your iPod
ski pole(s) - might help in stream crossings, but the trail is smooth enough that I wouldn't want to carry these.

http://www.volcanorunning.com/misc/10essentials/index.htm has some more thoughts on gear, although I would say he goes overboard on the "essentials". I think his comments on food are right on.

Food: Take stuff that you'll still feel like eating after 10 hours, even if your stomach is feeling unsettled. That might be gels and cliff bars, or it might be a sardine and mayonnaise sandwich. Probably a combination of sports food and real food. I often use Perpetuem on a long run, but don't recommend it if you haven't used it before. Solid foods that work well for people are turkey sandwich, avocado in a tortilla, PB&J, burrito, cookies, M&Ms, almonds, beef jerky, dried fruit. The most important thing is to start eating fairly early on, and keep eating regularly throughout. Bring food that is easy to eat while you're walking or jogging.

Important Update

Our scouts on the ground in Washington have reported that lead-man Carter Goodnough has successfully reached the end of the parking lot. They say he looks pretty good, that there is the expected ring of salt around Carter's neck, and that he is running as if there were several sharp objects in his shoes. They were able to get close enough to secure a GPS tag to his ear, he apparently didn't notice. All is well, more to follow!

1 Month To Go

Howdy Gents

Well - we've got one month to go. Hope the miles are treating you all well. We are still 16 strong, with Daniel “The Brain” Ruegg joining us this week. I should also point out that Carter went ahead and started the course today, providing himself with sufficient time to finish along with everyone else on the afternoon of 10.6.07. ;-)

I wanted to introduce you guys to two of our Brave Souls, and as far as I know the only guys actually bringing along their next-of-kin. Brothers Sean & Tony Moreland are depicted below. Sean is the sweaty, Irish-looking one. As is Tony.

Tony writes:

"It all starts with my favorite word. "masochist" = someone who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment. For years it's been a guiding light to my life. However, over the past 5 or so years, I have somehow convinced my brother Sean that this is his path to euphoria as well. He's joined me on some fairly painful events in the past, but this by far will be the most excruciating he has experienced. I am tagging onto his strength this time around and look forward to the full day of non-stop excruciating pull of the mountain."

***

Also wanted to mention that I've been running with the Nathan Sports HPL-020 pack, depicted below. Pretty great pack I think (Master Will - thank you for ordering those). Super light, you barely know it's there even with 2 liters of water. Not a ton of storage for things like a jacket or poncho - but there is room for gels, bars, GPS etc. Plus, chicks dig them. Chicks totally dig ultra-running, and the gear that comes along with it. Right? Yes? I was told chicks dig it.

More soon -

Tidbits

Howdy All

So, clearly I haven't been posting to the blog much. But the good news, for me anyway, is that I have in fact been running. Probably a relief to those of you with medical training (and therefore a small measure of responsibility for the administration of first aid).

That said, here are some tidbits of information for you - in no particular order.

There are 78 places serving Starbucks within a 5 mile radius of Wayne’s house.

Here is a pretty good description of one man's experience running 'round the mountain .

Wondering about equipment, hydration and general advice from the more experienced Ultra folks in the crowd. Let's here from you. Email me (or just post to the blog) a few sentences about your strategy, gear, food you'll pack etc. Come on - share the wealth. See also: the questionnaire to the right.





















And while we are at it - I want to know who is currently holding the record for the longest training run for this event. I think it needs to be within the last 10 weeks - and you can submit as miles or minutes. Lemme know.

Here is the Sunrise/Sunset times for the day of the run. Run/walk. Walk. Crawl. You get the point. Hours of daylight are included.

October 6
Sunrise: 7:15 AM
Sunset: 6:42 PM
Daylight: 11 hours, 26 minutes, 50 seconds

This just in....a lodging update...Wayne says "Great news - our next door neighbor is going on a year-long sabbatical to explore the world. He has offered his house to us to use as a "B&B" - free of charge - while the gang is up for the suffer-fest (oh, sorry, I mean 'fun-run'). He has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. We should have enough space for everyone, but in the event that people want their own space, there is a B&B across the street, see: http://www.thefultonhouse.com"

It is NOT confirmed that Wayne will be serving breakfast in bed to all guests.

- Colin

The Mountain

Gents

As I sit comfortably at my desk, sipping espresso from a souvenir demitasse picked up along the route of the Train-Of-Pain (hope you are feeling better Carter), reflecting on a successful event, I am looking down the barrel of another challenge. My knees are only now starting to feel normal again, and this next challenge may be my undoing.

But we are a country at war, and I have received a direct order from a superior officer, and a superior athlete; Kevin Childre. It doesn't matter that I am not in the military, it doesn't matter that I have no idea what LT COMEODGRUONE means. It doesn't matter that I haven't run more than 10 (consecutive) miles in many years.

All that matters is that there is a mountain out there - taunting me. Taunting us. Flipping it's 8,365 foot middle finger at us. Practically begging to be, metaphorically, lassoed via circumnavigation by a few brave-hearted souls, led by Wayne Centrone aka The Nicest Guy in the World.

Is it coincidence that Mt. Saint Helen's blew it's stack the same year our young Will Regan was born? Possibly. Is it coincidence that Mt. Saint Helen's has erupted 45 times - the same age as Carter Goodnough? probably.

In any event - I am looking forward to the big run in October. We can use this blog site for imagery, information and entertainment. We'll get a list of runners, equipment, logistics etc. And all are encouraged to send me stuff - training folly's, updates, questions, pictures etc - and I'll get it out to the group.

67 days gentlemen. Lace 'em if you got 'em.