tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35281589157647628782024-02-07T02:47:55.306-08:00SeeSamRunSamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-56213580535515466412011-11-30T10:21:00.001-08:002011-11-30T11:48:48.845-08:00Black Friday Covered in White StuffOut the door by 6am on Black Friday, my intended target was neither Best Buy nor Target. With steaming joe in hand, we hit the road for the mountains. Along with my brother, my dad, and my cousin-in-law, we were the first car at Mailbox Peak. We didn't bring pepper spray to fight off the crowds. Just some bananas and water. The serenity of the mountain was especially noteworthy and special on what is for many such a hectic day. Breaking first tracks in the snow up top was also a pleasure. We didn't reach the summit (turned back when we got to waist deep snow), but just being out there with family on a pristine mountain of serenity was pinnacle enough for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6Xvmn1cJk3mNE7D_9KfQu1qkTRE99OUSHU_-WcrXZ_4K4K0em3OPMRh9LndQsmmUNQoq21uAR7ebI9TL7N4KvD59mIgBOncJzat0GeWkT_PrJ7LgK-vZs4-KK0ubVn689r2O_Sg0uBY/s1600/IMG_3981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6Xvmn1cJk3mNE7D_9KfQu1qkTRE99OUSHU_-WcrXZ_4K4K0em3OPMRh9LndQsmmUNQoq21uAR7ebI9TL7N4KvD59mIgBOncJzat0GeWkT_PrJ7LgK-vZs4-KK0ubVn689r2O_Sg0uBY/s400/IMG_3981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-24614380746662916762011-10-12T12:03:00.000-07:002011-10-12T12:03:09.837-07:00Wonderland Comedic Timeline Fit for Twitter... Almost7:45 pm - We arrive at Mowich and meet 2 guys going night stand up paddling on Mowich Lake. They love String Cheese Incident, proclaim themselves Cheeseheads, and bequeath each of us with our own glow stick necklaces to help us on our trek. We graciously accepted any sort of psychedelic aid.<br />
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8:05 pm- Officially on the Wonderland headed N out of Mowich, Sam's glow stick necklace bobbing (Brock saved his for the next night).<br />
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8:15 pm - Brock- "I think I forgot to pack any kind of first aid." Sam- "Hmmm, yeah me too. I grabbed it, but then was like, oh Brock has it..." Silence followed as we both mulled over the same thought of "hopefully we won't need it."<br />
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8:45pm- We scare a couple who is camping (illegally I might add) directly on the trail near Ipsut Creek. If you're gonna camp illegally, find a cooler spot guys. <br />
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Dick Creek- Remember being here a month or so ago doing a photo shoot for TrailRunner mag and Patagonia... moving a good deal slower going up this climb now.<br />
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Mystic Lake- I spot cougar eyes glowing amber in the woods. They track me. We move with serious purpose, nervous about <a href="http://www.alpine-works.com/2011/09/a-day-in-wonderland/">Joe Grant's recent episode here</a>. <br />
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Late at night- We realize we might not have brought enough clothing. Too cold to stop moving for more than just a moment.<br />
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Sunrise Camp- I huddle in the outhouse in an attempt to stay warm while Brock fiddles with a gear issue. The smell of poo is intense. <br />
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White River- We're getting really sleepy.<br />
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Frying Pan Creek- We hook the iPod up to Brock's speakers and are blaring some of the worst music you can imagine during much of this climb. It scares the bears away though, and keeps us awake.<br />
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Summerland- Pure bliss as we stop for a moment to watch the sunrise hit Rainier and paint it pink. <br />
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Moments later- Clouds roll in and we never see the mountain again.<br />
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Panhandle Gap?- It's very snowy in this section, but not bad with nice boot pack to travel through. Neither of us is really sure which exact spot is actually Panhandle Gap... but we know it's around here somewhere.<br />
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Indian Bar- We take a quick break alone in the group shelter and ponder how nice it would be to curl up for a nap. We do not nap.<br />
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5 minutes later- My running shorts rebel. I don't know why, but they suddenly start searing my quads as if they're made of acid. My quads are fiery red from whatever is going on, and I roll my shorts up into my shorts liner. I look very stupid, but am far more comfortable now.<br />
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30 minutes later- Large hail comes flying down at us for about 10-15 minutes. It burns and knocks down our spirits. <br />
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An hour or so later- We bump into a father/son combo hiking. They recognize us as the Triple Threat guys. They're very excited and take our photo. We're excited too, and highly motivated by an ego boost for at least the next few hours.<br />
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to Nickel Creek and Maple Creek- We fly down, fueled by our awesome ego boost. Also, it's pouring rain now, and has been since before Indian Bar.<br />
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Nickel Creek- Brock is stung by a bee... for the first time ever, and directly in
the buttocks. I pray he doesn't go into anaphylactic shock. He
doesn't.<br />
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Maple Creek- We're taking a quick respite from the rain under a tree just off the trail. A gun-packing park marshal stops us and thinks we are breaking many rules. We try to explain ourselves, and she ultimately decides we're ok... but still takes our names and phone #'s just in case. She then joins us as we slog up the climb toward Reflection Lake. She likes Crossfit and the Paleo diet. A lot.<br />
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Reflection Lake to Paradise River- We're hurting, and kind of wishing we'd started at Longmire and this was our final few miles. Alas, it is not.<br />
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Longmire- We make the turn away from Longmire to continue on the Wonderland, though the temptation of hot food, shelter from the rain, and bumming a ride out of there was great.<br />
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Devil's Dream- We are making great time now, and we talk about how much both of us had individually contemplated bumming a ride out at Longmire, but neither of us voiced it. Probably a good thing. We're past the point of no return now. Mowich here we come.<br />
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Tahoma Creek- This is unmarked and we're excited that we've already made it to S Puyallup River.<br />
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S Puyallup River (3.7 miles later)- We're bummed that now we're actually at S Puyallup River. Oops. Also, night arrives again and our headlamps click back on. This dampens our spirit past our already rain-soaked bodies. <br />
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Klapatche Park- Our pace has slowed considerably, and we are in a lot of pain. We begin to realize why people train prior to endeavors such as this. We do rough calculations and figure we may not finish until late Sunday morning.<br />
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N Puyallup River- We have a huge burst of energy, and our spirits improve immensely. We fly up the massive climb to Golden Lakes (running essentially all of it), then begin bombing down to S Mowich River. I start doing silent calculations in my head and realize the speed record is amazingly still within reach if we continue this pace.<br />
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Switchbacks- the switchbacks coming down to the S Mowich River are mind-numbing. We begin to tire again, and we fear these endless switchbacks might be our final resting place. I recalculate as we slow down, and the speed record isn't going to happen. Oh well.<br />
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S Mowich River- We cross I think 4 forks of the Mowich in succession here. On the final crossing, Brock gets very confused, insisting we've turned around and are recrossing a river heading the wrong way. I'm confused too, but convince him we should press on. We've also both been seeing very strange hallucinations all over the place- a VW bug parked in the woods, cartoon characters, etc.<br />
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Mowich climb- The climb back up to Mowich (and the end) is about 3 miles. It's steep, and quite a brutal way to end this loop. We suffer and stumble all the way up. <br />
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4:30ish am Sunday- We ultimately arrive at Mowich and back at our car in an elapsed 32:33. We are exhausted, and supremely satisfied. <br />
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Moments later, I drove us back to Seattle. It was harrowing to say the least, and the amount of caffeine placed into my system was just plain scary.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-60506077068171844332011-09-20T11:22:00.000-07:002011-09-20T15:28:53.038-07:00How to Maximize Your Weekend in 2 Easy StepsStep 1: Go to the mountains. Quickly.<br />
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Step 2: Eschew sleep. (it only wastes valuable weekend mountain time)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brock Gavery and me after 32:33 on the glorious Wonderland Trail and about 50 hours of no sleep.</td></tr>
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<br />Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-66587146130201273842011-09-15T11:23:00.000-07:002011-09-15T11:23:15.328-07:00Wonderland PilgrimageI'm an awful blogger. I'll own that readily. I don't post regularly by any means, but in my defense I try to only post when I have something somewhat legitimately worth sharing. Ah well. Here's something I deem semi-worthy;<br />
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I'm headed out for what's become my annual pilgrimage around the spectacular <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/the-wonderland-trail.htm">Wonderland Trail</a> tomorrow. My compatriot Brock Gavery will be joining me and we're going to attempt to break the unsupported speed record (currently at just over 30 hours). We'll be time-motivated but not time-stressed, as the loop is just too darn glorious to stress out on. There's been a lot of record attempt activity of late, and with very late snow melt, the window of opportunity this year has become very small indeed. I'm excited for a nice quiet loop around the mountain and will report back when we're done. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3LYaya0iLYaA6DHk7S7xhsJ2r2r6wvyTeqszaO4RsUa89VgVROQULFpYZOp3ug_ufrlY85oleMGUEfFgM-CK2KbRd_gbGlogGRIdK9WQyJ96D9lCg9u0My7z2vJVOepIcr2FiVJaB2U/s1600/Picture+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3LYaya0iLYaA6DHk7S7xhsJ2r2r6wvyTeqszaO4RsUa89VgVROQULFpYZOp3ug_ufrlY85oleMGUEfFgM-CK2KbRd_gbGlogGRIdK9WQyJ96D9lCg9u0My7z2vJVOepIcr2FiVJaB2U/s400/Picture+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, on the Wonderland Trail about a month ago right by the Carbon Glacier. (Photo courtesy of: <a href="http://www.inmotionphoto.com/">Colin Meagher</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-46981221375469309642011-07-08T10:10:00.000-07:002011-07-08T10:10:12.056-07:00Western States 100Well, I ran <a href="http://www.ws100.com/">the big one</a> and can check it off my bucket list. I'll post more of a recap sometime soon when I've had a bit more time to process it all. In the meantime, here's my finishline video;<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="337" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LVp7xvctybY" width="540"></iframe>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-78603824033900920782011-06-07T20:52:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:52:00.271-07:00Rainier Triple Threat TeaserWell, I know I've been absent from the blog for a while, but I assure you I've been running. I hope you have been too. Here's a quick trailer I finally got finished from our Rainier Triple Threat adventure last summer. More to come...<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="309" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24803479" width="550"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/24803479">Rainier Triple Threat Trailer</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/seesamrun">Sam Thompson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
A quick teaser from the 2010 Rainier Triple Threat adventure; 100+ mile bike ride to Mt. Rainier, a summit climb of the iconic mountain, and a 90+ mile loop run around the mountain on the Wonderland Trail. Stay tuned for a full recap video to come!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-36362078897923064092011-03-25T15:21:00.000-07:002011-03-25T15:21:03.202-07:00Carkeek 12 Hour Race Video 2010The <a href="http://carkeek12hour.com/">Carkeek 12 Hour Race</a> is a Seattle gem held every Halloween season, and it's The Hardest 12 Hour Out There. Period. If you haven't run it (or even if you have!), mark your calendars and be sure to join the fun. Here's a taste of the 2010 race; <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MOBTM8ycMmo" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-14154176459408152232011-03-22T15:22:00.000-07:002011-03-22T15:22:35.446-07:00Running Blind : Chuckanut Strikes AgainLast year I had a <a href="http://blog.seesamrun.com/2010/03/chuckanut-demons.html">rough day at Chuckanut 50k</a>, one of my favorite races around. We had just had twins and I hadn't really been training at all.... this year was even rougher. Apparently shingles stays with you for a while. They said 4-6 weeks of recovery, and I guess the docs are pretty wise. My body was just depleted from the start. Add to that the fact that I had to run in glasses (normally I wear contacts, as I'm very blind), as I still have a shingles-related eye infection that's on the mend. Running in glasses is amazingly tough! Wow, I really don't know how folks do it. Dealing with lenses constantly fogging up in the woods, no peripheral vision, etc.- I felt like I was stopped more than I was running. Anyway, it was probably a bit ambitious to even toe the starting line, but I'm happy I gave it a go despite the end result.<br />
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I'm not one for detailed race reports, but here's a semi-quickie. I started very unlike myself a bit back in the pack to force myself to start slowly and conservatively. This worked fine and I got more than a handful of comments from friends that wondered why I wasn't sprinting out at the front of the pack (something I really really love to do). The first 6 on the flat Interurban trail went alright, then it's onto singletrack for a bit. This is when my glasses began to fog up and my pace became that of a snail's. I then felt fantastic running strong up the 3 miles of Cleator Road and made up a lot of ground climbing fast with easy footing and clear vision. The ridge trail ruined me. Without peripheral vision and with foggy vision, picking through the footing and twists and turns was a true challenge. Despite eating and drinking regularly, my body also began reminding me of its general depletion going into the race. I considered bailing at the 2nd to last aid station (bottom of Chinscraper), but told myself I had to give myself until the next aid station to attempt to feel better. After shuffling those 4.5 or so miles, I felt far worse and was officially done at mile 25 or so. I've never dropped at Chuckanut and actually never dropped at a 50k, but on Saturday it was the right call. Sometimes our bodies are healthy; sometimes they're not. This makes me abundantly thankful for all the healthy times.<br />
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Big thanks to <a href="http://web.me.com/krissymoehl/Chuckanut_50k/Welcome.html">Krissy and Ellen for putting on another fantastic race this year</a>! It was amazing to see/hear about the incredibly fast competition (both men's and women's) at the front of the pack, and I know this race will just be better every year. The weather was idyllic, and despite my less than perfect run, I was still really happy to be out on the trails with so many friends. Now, time to lick my wounds and get back on the horse.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-81953114609288006762011-03-08T10:06:00.000-08:002011-03-08T10:06:37.500-08:00On the RoofI love roofing- I mean the act of actually laying shingles on a roof, not so much the material. I haven't done it in years, but was thinking about it lately as I've been down and out with a terrible case of shingles for well over a week now. This has been an odd malady, and one I've never had before, but it's been truly crippling. My shingles outbreak happened on my face and scalp, and has somehow even manifested into a strange eye infection (I'm the current star of the optometrist's office with the "hey you've gotta come see this case..." condition). Shingles is common in people over 60. I am not over 60, and I would wish this on no one. Anyway, after good care from my docs and my lovely family I'm finally on the upswing so that's encouraging. However, I feel like a slug after not being able to run for this period of time, and am just itching to be back on the trails, even for just a few miles. I know it will come soon though.<br />
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And then there's the other kind of shingles- the kind on the roof. When I was living on the coast in MS and rebuilding homes after Katrina, roofing was always my favorite task. As my operation grew larger, I wasn't able to do as much hands on work on the ground as I did in the beginning, but I remember still getting out from time to time to "slap a roof on." Often it'd be a free Saturday afternoon or something, and I'd grab a buddy, load up the big truck with shingles, and head out to a nearby job site to slap a new roof on. There was something really therapeutic about the rhythm of the pop, pop of the nail gun, and I loved the challenge of hauling shingles just as fast as I could up the ladder and to the peak of the roof over and over and over. Baking on a tarry roof in that summer afternoon MS sun was somehow relaxing for me, and a break from the hubbub of running what had become a large operation day to day. Anyway, while "shingles" to me right now equates to sickness, I know that as the itchy scabs fade and I'm back in the swing of life, the thought of shingles will once again put me up on a roof, happily sweating away.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-89851253218035875182011-02-10T11:22:00.000-08:002011-02-10T11:28:06.231-08:00Feet Get Democratic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37NYjcGY4WXTHeSOeGluWgmtihs1Fer6pe1SgGenUWHFSqiHpvzHjOsUtytBmd6Obsm3rDFKxXUjKBg9cSLbQQ9xLyCdteHt3eFRF4BZ6bvhvDsIlxdPfUc_Bi8Oq-l2dg7oy2o5Hetw/s1600/VID00028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37NYjcGY4WXTHeSOeGluWgmtihs1Fer6pe1SgGenUWHFSqiHpvzHjOsUtytBmd6Obsm3rDFKxXUjKBg9cSLbQQ9xLyCdteHt3eFRF4BZ6bvhvDsIlxdPfUc_Bi8Oq-l2dg7oy2o5Hetw/s400/VID00028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday was my first ever trip to the WA state Capitol in Olympia, so it was only fitting that I got there on foot. It was a really eye-opening experience to meet face to face with legislators and realize that they really are our voice in our government, and how truly lucky we all are to live in a democratic society. While elected officials are easy targets for complaints and finger-pointing, I realized yesterday that they have a much tougher job than I had really thought about. They have meetings every day with constituents eager to plead their case about whatever they might be passionate about, and the legislators must be courteous and take it all in and make the best decisions they can with all the information at hand. With people on all sides (who knows, my reps might have met with some anti-trails group right after they met with me...), I certainly don't envy their jobs, but I do have a much greater respect for them all.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpymp0ISfcDcOk4Brr-VRMjv63hPOGJK3fZvdf8GJC6FXO0G_pUIfgHzMjS1YfdF7bkh0YnjBXFEeWMEgxffDfa_IOGUi-3-fNrQGdxycA0kVdL_tLZzZt5h8EGM5mIdcha-E9yGXv9EE/s1600/VID00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpymp0ISfcDcOk4Brr-VRMjv63hPOGJK3fZvdf8GJC6FXO0G_pUIfgHzMjS1YfdF7bkh0YnjBXFEeWMEgxffDfa_IOGUi-3-fNrQGdxycA0kVdL_tLZzZt5h8EGM5mIdcha-E9yGXv9EE/s320/VID00030.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
So, the meetings I had seemed to go well, and I'm optimistic that our WA trails will be safe for another year. With the state deficit so high, cuts obviously must be made everywhere, which is why the <a href="http://www.wta.org/">WTA </a>proposal makes so much sense. It provides a sustainable means of revenue for trail maintenance, etc. that is also reasonable (i.e., by no means cost prohibitive). The <a href="http://www.wta.org/action/olympia">Discovery Pass </a>would be similar to the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/recreation-nu/nwforestpass.shtml">NW Forest Pass</a>, and would be an easy way to keep funding alive for many of the trails that I personally love and use very often (Mailbox Peak, Mt. Si, to name just a few), and I believe provide some of the easiest/closest to the city wilderness experiences for people needing a breath of fresh air. If you live in WA and feel so inclined, I'd certainly encourage you to email your reps to let them know what you're passionate about. For me, I think I'd grown a bit apathetic towards politics in general, but this trip opened my eyes to the fact that each of us really can have a voice in our government (even if it's a small one), and we need only exercise that option. So I encourage you to make your voice heard on this issue or any other that you happen to be passionate about right now!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33nCsi7uKBPJU7QLCWwPXiSa0tTTUyFtOMe4ve5zdcZCTwEApNSJb3NCa2ApAte2XyCCIS-O7CnIbAn88L1Q3M8M0Kc9hGbXGrUWyNSkQJMI7bAZTilfAhSBav-HQcxglOzt4rJkoGvk/s1600/VID00029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33nCsi7uKBPJU7QLCWwPXiSa0tTTUyFtOMe4ve5zdcZCTwEApNSJb3NCa2ApAte2XyCCIS-O7CnIbAn88L1Q3M8M0Kc9hGbXGrUWyNSkQJMI7bAZTilfAhSBav-HQcxglOzt4rJkoGvk/s400/VID00029.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The specifics of my actual run aren't the most exciting, but I'll share a brief recap in order to complete the story. Also, my friends at <a href="http://tmber.com/">tmber</a> have a great video recap in the works that I'm sure will tell the story even better, but onward to the word version for now. With a planned 5pm start time, I left my front door closer to 6 just as the sun was setting (typical). My friends at <a href="http://tmber.com/">tmber</a> did some filming before I left, but then lost me in Seattle somewhere, but no biggie. The cool evening air felt great, and my first holdup occurred when I got through Ballard. As I made my way onto the Ballard Bridge, I saw the red lights flash and the bridge begin to go up... not a big deal, but perhaps a harbinger of more excitement to come later. I waited and had a gel and some water, and was back on my way soon enough. I bumped into <a href="http://michaelhansonphotography.com/">another photo buddy</a> down by the Seattle waterfront, got some hoorays, and my Dad caught up with me here in the car. He would stick with me the remainder of this trek, keeping me fed, watered, and on the right track. Not much to report as I made my way through funny town names (Tukwila, Des Moines, Fife, Spanaway). Our biggest excitement came from getting stopped by the police several times, but they were both friendly. Then I ran into the small town of Roy sometime in the wee hours, and things got interesting. Also, our friends at <a href="http://tmber.com/">tmber</a> joined up with us again here and continued on all the way to the Capitol. I ran on my planned route out of Roy, but fairly soon ended up at a complete dead end with the road totally fenced off and impassable. That route obviously wasn't happening. So, instead of fiddling around with other small roads that might or might not work, I headed back to the highway for a route (albeit a good deal longer than planned) that I knew would get me there. So, with my Dad patiently rolling behind for much of this night section with his blinkers on, lights on me, and cars and trucks whizzing by at arm's length, I made my way down to Yelm, where I finally cut over on another highway on the last stretch to Olympia. The sun began to rise right around Yelm, and the colors coming up from behind Rainier were jaw-dropping. Rush hour traffic on this 2 lane highway was less than pleasant, but I felt safer in the light of day and my Dad didn't have to run blocking for me anymore, so that was good. I arrived at the Capitol exactly 17 hours after I began, and ended up with about 90-95 miles total under my belt. After a Rocky-style run up the Capitol steps, I was off to meet up with a great group of <a href="http://www.wta.org/">WTA</a> friends and get the lowdown on our meetings for the day. I didn't shower, but did change clothes so I was a bit more presentable. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv6FBLWsjPmSfRbWkiXj8Owwmj6OqQWDxNrKqmAx-YxZu-blzIelDJ83aBmeVoGaKuSJS-_ezO6Q_jyz7QpqzmWZEsfxMHsuzx-Yc4dhzQTa58QPeZin0ezqolvsI40VHnNjsS7w6qiM/s1600/VID00030a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv6FBLWsjPmSfRbWkiXj8Owwmj6OqQWDxNrKqmAx-YxZu-blzIelDJ83aBmeVoGaKuSJS-_ezO6Q_jyz7QpqzmWZEsfxMHsuzx-Yc4dhzQTa58QPeZin0ezqolvsI40VHnNjsS7w6qiM/s320/VID00030a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This was a really unique trek and a great learning experience for me, I'm so glad I was able to help out with<a href="http://www.wta.org/"> WTA's Hiker Lobby Day</a> in my own unique way, and I'm really thankful for the great nation we live in and the democratic system we have, even though it's a system we often love to hate.<br />
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<a href="http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/238874.asp">Also, here's a nice article the Seattle P-I wrote on my adventure. </a>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-14428294963594528992011-02-08T14:36:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:36:59.693-08:00Running to OlympiaTonight I'm running about 85 miles to the capitol in Olympia. I am going there to speak with my representatives about a more sustainable and functional plan to fund WA state trails. I'll be joining other volunteers and activists with the <a href="http://www.wta.org/">WA Trails Association</a> for their annual lobby day on Wednesday. If you'd like to participate, but can't make it to Olympia, please <a href="http://www.wta.org/action/olympia/save-state-recreation-areas">consider writing your representative a letter and participating virtually</a>! I'm looking forward to a really fun run tonight and hope to increase my impact with my efforts. I should be in Olympia by around 8am, and can't wait to be a voice for our amazing trails!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS4Dvyy9mGTHOyBiz8ox4gzCDqkJS_sHAaIoA-uB-1HP9RKu68_ktkm59a-qu9SbPNxh3F9bUpH1dFTp6MmmcOnneQMb3JCitB4RlRwskgix1NugvyoSS3ADRjlsRXFzhsmdpgOLtWlM/s1600/cfiles35616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS4Dvyy9mGTHOyBiz8ox4gzCDqkJS_sHAaIoA-uB-1HP9RKu68_ktkm59a-qu9SbPNxh3F9bUpH1dFTp6MmmcOnneQMb3JCitB4RlRwskgix1NugvyoSS3ADRjlsRXFzhsmdpgOLtWlM/s400/cfiles35616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-81291394012237044142011-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:002011-02-02T14:25:59.187-08:00Training with Babies on BoardHere's a quick little video I threw together to give a little idea of what running/hiking with 2 babies on board is like! It's a ton of fun... and quite a workout!<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="281" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19490926?color=ff0179" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/19490926">Front Back Expeditions</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/seesamrun">Sam Thompson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
This is a little sample of some of the fun the girls and I have on our normal hike/jog in our favorite park by our house. Lots of singing and babbling and exploring for all of us!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-23197056988487628852010-12-21T14:50:00.000-08:002010-12-21T14:50:05.264-08:00RunCommuting and Nearly Indecent ExposureLast week I returned home to Seattle on a flight from SFO, and had decided I'd be as energy efficient/frugal as possible getting home from the airport. While my original plan was to simply run home from the airport, the 20+ miles looked far less appealing when I realized I'd have to carry my garment bag with a suit in it in my hand, as it didn't fit in my medium-sized carry on bag/backpack. So, I opted for the shorter run option and headed for the new <a href="http://www.soundtransit.org/">Light Rail</a> airport station, which would take me as far as downtown. <br />
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There's something very freeing about running places when most would expect you to take a car. I almost felt like some sort of a running superhero, as I had running clothes hidden underneath my blue jeans and shirt, ready to go when the opportunity came. Now, this unfortunately led to a very awkward encounter on the light rail train car. I chose a seat in the middle of the train where no one was sitting, and in this spot the train is very narrow and there are only 2 rows of seats, both facing inward and therefore facing each other. As I rifled through my bag to get my running shoes, etc., 3 nice young gals sat down in the row directly in front of me (literally picture 3 inches between our knees...). I then sat for a moment, pondering how to warn these women in such close proximity that I was about to remove my pants... or if I should say nothing, move quickly and just get it done. I didn't want to get slapped or scare anyone, so I opted for a fair warning. Not sure what to say, I just looked at them and kind of blurted, "So, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not a creep or anything, but I am about to take off my pants. But not to worry! I have running clothes on underneath." The looks on their faces went through countless permutations during the short course of my warning- from shock to fear to confusion to perhaps a look of relief and amusement. As I stood up and popped the button on my jeans, they responded, "wow, thanks a bunch for warning us! We would've literally freaked out!" We all laughed, and the crisis was averted. <br />
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Anyway, despite the awkward changing experience, it was a great trip. I got my bag packed up, and when we got to the Westlake station downtown, I was on the move! While I can't say I'd recommend running 10+ miles with a garment bag in hand and a full pack, it worked alright, and like I said- it was very freeing to arrive back at our front door mostly under my own foot power. Lessons learned- 1) Find or invent a wrinkle-free suit that I can smash into a pack and not worry about. 2) Always warn people before taking off pants. 3) Running is incredibly freeing and a very valid form of transportation.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-51339004373498930892010-12-01T10:30:00.000-08:002010-12-01T10:30:24.258-08:00Stroller Derby and Renewed Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkzZWyE92zSsmO_UjAwQ-KjCYM07D0c_lFIOfgFzBrWnFIZyAew_1b0SxyUIejkVtsEIO9kc9wF8OD42QjjLOKKH6XwtqHcEwg_VprAag-KHuXJetSqc7ZRJv3FrTVThlDiRN7UL70T8/s1600/IMG_6895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkzZWyE92zSsmO_UjAwQ-KjCYM07D0c_lFIOfgFzBrWnFIZyAew_1b0SxyUIejkVtsEIO9kc9wF8OD42QjjLOKKH6XwtqHcEwg_VprAag-KHuXJetSqc7ZRJv3FrTVThlDiRN7UL70T8/s400/IMG_6895.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This past weekend I took our twin 10 month old girls out for their first official race- the <a href="http://www.nwultras.com/ghost_main.htm">Seattle Ghost Half Marathon</a>. I pushed them in our awesome jogging stroller, and despite the chilly temps they had a really fun time. They laughed and we sang, and chatted much of the race- they hardly napped at all. Not only that, but when it was all said and done, the girls finished as 2nd women overall (they tied each other)! It is a real joy to get our girls outside every day and see the pure delight they have in simply getting outside and enjoying the crisp fresh air. <br />
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I haven't run any races or really any major training runs in quite a while, and this race with the girls was a really nice energy boost for me. Perhaps I've been in a funk from a post-<a href="http://rainiertriplethreat.com/">Rainier Triple Threat</a> hangover of sorts. I've gone through this sort of thing before; you are so focused on a single big event for so long, that when it's actually completed, it's pretty difficult to get motivated to move forward. That said, my body was ready for a nice break anyway, and I feel fresh and ready to jump back into running more seriously in the coming weeks and months, and I'm excited about it. I have no major plans in the works, but am excited to be back on the running train for the sheer joy of it. Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-87358919103743621622010-10-27T09:10:00.000-07:002010-10-27T09:10:26.734-07:00Carkeek 12 Hour 2010I know it's been months (literally) since I've posted anything, but I have some great <a href="http://rainiertriplethreat.com/">Triple Threat</a> video and recap in process... hope to finish and post these very soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yrXbUQjPbIAdy_me6fEjCMuOoiJD6aEex6eFv5iQJCZv1SwdHmX_JUCwBWeIRvY1AQohuneNrdqRNrCQxWIfrVz_jYjROdb5ut_bYb-v6DxSdhDxjALo1O_pP7faY0lUxGAeJcpYf9Q/s1600/shapeimage_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yrXbUQjPbIAdy_me6fEjCMuOoiJD6aEex6eFv5iQJCZv1SwdHmX_JUCwBWeIRvY1AQohuneNrdqRNrCQxWIfrVz_jYjROdb5ut_bYb-v6DxSdhDxjALo1O_pP7faY0lUxGAeJcpYf9Q/s1600/shapeimage_7.png" /></a></div>In the meantime, the annual <a href="http://carkeek12hour.com/">Carkeek 12 Hour</a> race is this Saturday, October 30! If you're in the Seattle area and want to come out and cheer or join the fun, please join us. We'd love to have you. Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-61705539028525627742010-08-28T09:45:00.000-07:002010-08-28T10:13:59.307-07:00Katrina Anniversary... What 5 Years Can Bring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD3qo4wJSqsVXduJtTkv-OmCtLA8xcJ5UVmYlEuYi87gCR1PfUzMjtBt5H3xF90y90nnuV8jiMBfa9gbduaVtmyQUmLuuoX4HFRIgELkMcUH9iah0fLbUbkwiHuwaCHt9gxCamwvi0NU/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD3qo4wJSqsVXduJtTkv-OmCtLA8xcJ5UVmYlEuYi87gCR1PfUzMjtBt5H3xF90y90nnuV8jiMBfa9gbduaVtmyQUmLuuoX4HFRIgELkMcUH9iah0fLbUbkwiHuwaCHt9gxCamwvi0NU/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510509515557935602" border="0" /></a><br />Typically anniversaries are a time of celebration- celebrating a marriage or something similar, seems it's always the celebration of something's beginning. Therefore it seems a bit strange to celebrate an "anniversary" of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast and bringing such destruction and in essence an end to so many things. That said, 5 years ago yesterday Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast and changed the lives of countless people, including my own. As I think back on <a href="http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/11/church_activist.html">my role in the Katrina recovery</a> and the intensity and singular purpose of my work there (helping people get back on their feet and in their homes), it becomes a bit easier to think of this anniversary as a time of celebration. While there is much recovery yet to happen on the coast (especially in light of the most recent BP travesty), there has also been much progress and the wonderful people there have emerged stronger and in many cases the necessity to rebuild has led to a rebirth of school systems, the arts, restaurants, tourism, etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PzoUzxACCRZzvQ_LXuaRFNPQk3xIlKZEaD9C53wZrciYZJ-MVE_-4u_ZwaIH2yVrM9pU5BqlgszVuBj5LIcGIJzzvKDbkS6a4xbYPQX1VBJQFSS5MeEiQAxB9OSebF3r7BM3U7Zw-X4/s1600/SandKTired.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PzoUzxACCRZzvQ_LXuaRFNPQk3xIlKZEaD9C53wZrciYZJ-MVE_-4u_ZwaIH2yVrM9pU5BqlgszVuBj5LIcGIJzzvKDbkS6a4xbYPQX1VBJQFSS5MeEiQAxB9OSebF3r7BM3U7Zw-X4/s400/SandKTired.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510509505008375442" border="0" /></a><br />I went down to the Gulf Coast in my dad's pickup truck loaded down with supplies to help out for "a few weeks" right after the hurricane hit 5 years ago. Little did I know that a few weeks would turn into months and then more than a year as I started a life-changing non-profit operation to rebuild homes through the Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. As this operation ramped up, I was recruiting volunteers from around the country and was soon employing upwards of 120 volunteers daily to work in the community free of red tape. For me personally, this was a very special time and although the work was harder than any I've ever done, the feeling of being exactly where you're supposed to be and helping others with your whole spirit was pretty incredible. Not only that, but I met my wonderful wife Kirsten on the coast, as she came down from Seattle to volunteer with the very first group of volunteers to my operation. I couldn't be happier with the way Hurricane Katrina changed the course of my life. Now 5 years later, not only are Kirsten and I happily married, but we have <a href="http://seesamparent.blogspot.com/">2 beautiful baby girls</a> who I can't help but think wouldn't be here if it weren't for Katrina. People often speak of looking for the silver lining when bad things happen, and 5 years out from Katrina the silver lining is more clear than ever. We still pray for recovery to continue on the coast and know that things will never be the same there, but I am also so grateful for the time we had on the coast and the way it altered the course of our lives forever. Here are a few pictures of my Katrina silver lining;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_my65kRAre3UjdD7aHnEf8bsOFWNJXsAQCbp5iFY7Iko4v9ItP_6d3L0PFPSU27BDMOoFioS4GSpKhurXrjL0O5nPWKrMIiRbOz2wDHHOZhC_2HguE4uhAZxFf3MKIArntGLfH1jrWwc/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_my65kRAre3UjdD7aHnEf8bsOFWNJXsAQCbp5iFY7Iko4v9ItP_6d3L0PFPSU27BDMOoFioS4GSpKhurXrjL0O5nPWKrMIiRbOz2wDHHOZhC_2HguE4uhAZxFf3MKIArntGLfH1jrWwc/s400/IMG_2653.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510508635492133458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oS9429OTvPXR1oUd6OKznuE-D20MUotH_SfMIKXVcnfTu5QgtYrg6RVORPej_L9do23jsmGztHF0ZY2CGhSLswyLpWgjlZSu7GNst8IbNE3FC1isivs0S-SGl5OwAWfjmGkQxg7ykBk/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oS9429OTvPXR1oUd6OKznuE-D20MUotH_SfMIKXVcnfTu5QgtYrg6RVORPej_L9do23jsmGztHF0ZY2CGhSLswyLpWgjlZSu7GNst8IbNE3FC1isivs0S-SGl5OwAWfjmGkQxg7ykBk/s400/IMG_0249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510508619164606546" border="0" /></a>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-31622060626771167412010-08-18T09:34:00.000-07:002010-08-18T09:39:07.131-07:00Rainier Triple ThreatBrock and I have been talking about tackling the Rainier Triple Threat for more than 2 years now. It's hard to believe that our bike tires hit the pavement this Friday morning. Please join us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=39435568#%21/pages/Rainier-Triple-Threat/140529895978333?v=wall&ref=ts">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/seesamrun">Twitter</a> and commit to getting outside and enjoying your own adventures this weekend while we're out enjoying Rainier in all its glory. Find out more at <a href="http://rainiertriplethreat.com/">Rainier Triple Threat</a> .<br /><br />For a teaser, here's a video of Brock and I on the Wonderland Trail last year (just one leg of the Triple Threat expedition this weekend);<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O234dms8UP0?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O234dms8UP0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-41842842116183610082010-06-22T15:29:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:47:04.184-07:00Bighorn 100This weekend was fantastic! My finishing time certainly wouldn't indicate that, but I couldn't have been happier with the hours I got to spend in the beautiful <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/index.html">Bighorn</a> mountains. It was strange to be away from my family for that period of time, and perhaps even more strange not to have my wife out on the course crewing for me, but it was a great trip, and we had a fantastic Father's Day when I got back on Sunday.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a3i1-R2XTzTbYBIiMmHcxm_nXiq6iE74HFDZJy6TP6be9Z7uVJPrSpBD6Ev0zOZE9-ho8yS-ah4iFv6wTQcV0V2WRMDOvS7iGV5jdxR1ZSU437xexE3_jvY82tKKL0IT7QVDpq99NE4/s1600/DSC01528.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a3i1-R2XTzTbYBIiMmHcxm_nXiq6iE74HFDZJy6TP6be9Z7uVJPrSpBD6Ev0zOZE9-ho8yS-ah4iFv6wTQcV0V2WRMDOvS7iGV5jdxR1ZSU437xexE3_jvY82tKKL0IT7QVDpq99NE4/s320/DSC01528.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485732574629132578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To give a brief summary, the race began Friday at 11am, and I started out fast (thanks to my Prefontaine 'stache), but not too fast. I watched the front runners rolling up the canyon, but stayed at a nice pace. I was still in the top 10 coming into the 30 mile mark, and still in that neighborhood at the 48 mile turnaround spot. I felt great, but could feel myself simply running out of energy (which I knew would happen eventually due to lower mileage training...). So I embraced the fatigue and moved on. Night fell just as I hit the turnaround, so I was fortunate enough to see the whole course in daylight. The night was clear, the stars bright, and the temps pretty chilly, but the night passed quickly. Saturday morning's dawn was spectacular, and I was surprised by a lovely red fox bounding past me up "the Wall." I vividly remember grubbing on some fantastic bacon at the Cow Camp aid station (mile 76), which fueled me well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7ZSEvy5BMvO1p64jxDJRBtbWMz_JHwTUxE6uFaR2JTUqt1wxf5kqJf-P4rdQXVePg-uoI_kyc8wdk5NK5fZ5PpGPIRkgH9rbVdnLwl8SN5fV84TKF8QfbcD4PLRO88b-kclt47ovkSY/s1600/DSC01525.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7ZSEvy5BMvO1p64jxDJRBtbWMz_JHwTUxE6uFaR2JTUqt1wxf5kqJf-P4rdQXVePg-uoI_kyc8wdk5NK5fZ5PpGPIRkgH9rbVdnLwl8SN5fV84TKF8QfbcD4PLRO88b-kclt47ovkSY/s320/DSC01525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485732395970950514" border="0" /></a><br />Toward the end, my body was completely cashed out of any possible energy reserves, but my mind kept pushing me on, even though I was moving slow. The last 5-6 miles are quite flat and on a gravel road, but with no energy left I had already resigned myself to the fact that I'd have to speed hike it the best I could. After just a few minutes of that though, I simply couldn't take it, and drew up energy from nowhere to really hammer those last miles in. I finished utterly spent, and incredibly happy.<br /><br />It was fun to see my friend and teammate Mike Wolfe out on the course just eating it up. He ultimately destroyed the previous course record by 35-40 minutes... simply awesome. The wildlife was fantastic, the wildflowers abundant and vibrant, and the Bighorn Mountains were simply a thrill.<br /><br />This was a great race for my mind, and I think it was a great first step in getting my body back to where I'd like it to be for actual 100 mile racing shape. Huge thanks to all the wonderful volunteers and race directors who made <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/index.html">Bighorn</a> such a special time!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-43484473768339175852010-06-17T08:58:00.000-07:002010-06-17T18:34:51.424-07:00Back on the 100 Mile TrainIt’s been a while since I’ve run 100 miles.<span style=""> </span>In my mind it’s “been a while,” but I had to look at the calendar to figure out just how long it’s been.<span style=""> </span>The last time I ran over 100 miles was at the <a href="http://www.ultracentric.net/">Ultracentric</a> in November.<span style=""> </span>The last time I ran an official mountain 100 mile race was <a href="http://www.cascadecrest100.com/">Cascade Crest</a> last August.<span style=""> </span>Yikes.<span style=""> </span>I love running 100 milers.<span style=""> </span>I really do.<span style=""> </span>It’s been far too long. <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>So today I’m headed to Sheridan, WY and the Bighorn mountains to undertake the <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/">Bighorn 100</a>.<span style=""> </span>My training has been minimal, but it has involved a high percentage of miles with the added benefit of <a href="http://seesamparent.blogspot.com/">pushing 2 babies</a> in the <a href="http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/index.php">Chariot</a> stroller.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNNOR8eGnRMffxyX1pEHlgYdtXtHmapt-uZilq_ZAYDbL7ZnJCK8N83eUMiUeaas6B0A9h4MV0F4USm4w0mwHC7LZmQJ4qJw_UBW5wM-ubxhnUvj29k_32lrzUyBQzA8TUIBy2O_zI1I/s1600/6a00d834f4a66953ef0133eee7995a970b-800wi.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNNOR8eGnRMffxyX1pEHlgYdtXtHmapt-uZilq_ZAYDbL7ZnJCK8N83eUMiUeaas6B0A9h4MV0F4USm4w0mwHC7LZmQJ4qJw_UBW5wM-ubxhnUvj29k_32lrzUyBQzA8TUIBy2O_zI1I/s200/6a00d834f4a66953ef0133eee7995a970b-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483775004953168306" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> I don’t have a pace chart.<span style=""> </span>I have no pacer.<span style=""> </span>I have no crew.<span style=""> </span>I have yet to figure out drop bags, etc.<span style=""> </span>I got a great course briefing from a friend who’s run it before and a few solid pep talks from my friend and TNF teammate <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/diane-van-deren.html">Diane Van Deren</a>.<span style=""> </span>I’m not a huge planner in the first place, but I am going into this adventure with a new level of lack of planning.<span style=""> </span>This is by no means to say that I don’t care about the race.<span style=""> </span>I definitely do and I hope to do well.<span style=""> </span>I simply have no real reason to expect it.<span style=""> </span>My main goal for this race is to have fun, and enjoy a spectacular long run mountain adventure through some ridiculously gorgeous terrain, and if that results in a good time on the clock- cool.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVnFC6Rt0PoMh_wv76EqCjFkNtiFrLe-s3uD2dMqq3HPTQRgrzD3ROXvLcaLwB3N0A8jfDVGXT0iSRMME5XIxFaho-4t8mDSqiaaWB3fMlnh6HiIba9Lwj3kaUvo8N9CqRKFfByblh4Q/s1600/download.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVnFC6Rt0PoMh_wv76EqCjFkNtiFrLe-s3uD2dMqq3HPTQRgrzD3ROXvLcaLwB3N0A8jfDVGXT0iSRMME5XIxFaho-4t8mDSqiaaWB3fMlnh6HiIba9Lwj3kaUvo8N9CqRKFfByblh4Q/s200/download.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483920964760266194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQUTD-1tJ3AuZ4qWFID4Awlu_S0kH9SAAaw_CcUYYbnaUruHzgzjqop704ZAtohfgt-LJre-_s8g-E0gai-3H4DuKCq1QYpNS2ovNjlPcyCF0g-7-SxDszXyENOn_jSIY9WC60JL9ZEI/s1600/stock_Prefontaine.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQUTD-1tJ3AuZ4qWFID4Awlu_S0kH9SAAaw_CcUYYbnaUruHzgzjqop704ZAtohfgt-LJre-_s8g-E0gai-3H4DuKCq1QYpNS2ovNjlPcyCF0g-7-SxDszXyENOn_jSIY9WC60JL9ZEI/s200/stock_Prefontaine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483776063482809570" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> For the past year or so I’ve grown and shaved a large mustache for any big races I had, and I’m continuing that tradition this weekend.<span style=""> </span>I do this in celebration of the running spirit that <a href="http://www.prefontainerun.com/">Prefontaine</a> embodied.<span style=""> </span>I plan to run Bighorn in a similar fashion.<span style=""> </span>Many would call it stupid.<span style=""> </span>I call it fun and for the love of the sport.<span style=""> </span>I’m going to run hard from the start and just see what happens.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully it comes down to a “pure guts race” (as most 100’s tend to), and this weekend’s race for me is all about having fun in the mountain playground I love.<span style=""> </span>Go Pre!</p> <!--EndFragment-->Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-28635319236100660782010-06-04T15:33:00.000-07:002010-06-04T16:18:27.677-07:00Commercializing the Outdoors?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36am3_uFWhQfcYDPbtnYqGyCWqY23zADhylCWGaKxMH99_oIWRYlEaNaIzThhkza76sttMK4UaYRLV4R8tAoH_rwMKtbnydZMUy0_gyTU7yL2WSauPFNBiqpL-B-w9r12cdb0oSsRrro/s1600/DSC00878.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36am3_uFWhQfcYDPbtnYqGyCWqY23zADhylCWGaKxMH99_oIWRYlEaNaIzThhkza76sttMK4UaYRLV4R8tAoH_rwMKtbnydZMUy0_gyTU7yL2WSauPFNBiqpL-B-w9r12cdb0oSsRrro/s400/DSC00878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479061522801430882" border="0" /></a>Last weekend I engaged in some really fun multi-sport action. My buddy Brock and I rode our bikes from my house in Seattle around the top side of Lake WA and out to the mountains (50 something miles), where we met up with another friend and made a quick trip up and down Mailbox Peak. Then it was off to some friends' house out that way for an intense evening mountain bike race- pretty short, but super technical and fun. The weather for the whole day was unfortunately un-summerish (pouring rain and quite chilly), which resulted in my coming down with the flu the next day. But I digress...<br /><br />So, to come around to the reason for my topic (commercializing the outdoors), I'll focus on the <a href="http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak">Mailbox Peak</a> section of the day's activities. I've run Mailbox many times, and am there quite frequently doing repeats- it's one of my favorite local mountains within easy striking distance of the city. That said, when I go to the mountains I love nothing more than the feeling of getting away from the city, away from the vehicles and the branding and the noise. On this particular day up Mailbox, I arrived at the peak to a shocking new addition- corporate branding. There was a bright yellow newspaper box attached to the mailbox post with a huge First Ascent logo emblazoned on it. I have a large problem with this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9EzoOnlLAazJ-pQ6vVLWr_xZiR8JpJEfrkFVXltZtj0V8vwSedqt7FwySxD9-rQgE0mFYzo1wGZoAtWJhcKjGmWWZG2Hp43-tXWTHlE2Zu2O-rzloz19pqD5JyP17F8sHSKhFasB4tU/s1600/DSC00879.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9EzoOnlLAazJ-pQ6vVLWr_xZiR8JpJEfrkFVXltZtj0V8vwSedqt7FwySxD9-rQgE0mFYzo1wGZoAtWJhcKjGmWWZG2Hp43-tXWTHlE2Zu2O-rzloz19pqD5JyP17F8sHSKhFasB4tU/s400/DSC00879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479061514089798114" border="0" /></a><br />Granted, a mailbox in and of itself at the top of a mountain is a bit strange and out of place, but it's part of this particular mountain's story and personality. It makes it unique and is completely anonymous and in the spirit of the outdoors, with a registry for trail-users to share comments, etc. Seeing a local outdoors company take corporate branding to nature is not only offensive, but sad. While it's a unique free advertising idea (their box apparently is full of temporary tattoos of their logo...), it simply has no place in the outdoors. I'm uncertain whether or not First Ascent officially placed this box up there, but they are clearly endorsing it on their Facebook page, and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xyz3/sets/72157624149825250/">the guys who put it up there blatantly documented their actions</a>. All my feelings about corporate branding in nature aside, this is a criminal act in that it's vandalizing/littering on public lands in a national forest, and it's just plain lame.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uzBwegkVM27-QJy_miVRwd40Nf0jUcVvhAUfYa5WoaN2EZWYaqk6gNLB4CJWTgsFm-cxitmnHdf9xeRmgJPuSgnt5pg71QrV0vPz1zntzQ-hQaOJJpKEqH7ixBjy_q9xzlP0rspQSkU/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uzBwegkVM27-QJy_miVRwd40Nf0jUcVvhAUfYa5WoaN2EZWYaqk6gNLB4CJWTgsFm-cxitmnHdf9xeRmgJPuSgnt5pg71QrV0vPz1zntzQ-hQaOJJpKEqH7ixBjy_q9xzlP0rspQSkU/s400/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479060616021786498" border="0" /></a><br />I'm curious to hear what other people's reactions might be to this. Have you seen anything similar elsewhere? I realize we see a lot of corporate logos at trail races at aid stations/starts/finishes, but those are temporary and the logos are from sponsors actually supporting the race. To me, this is an example of an "outdoors" company blatantly exploiting the outdoors. Anyone else have similar experiences seeing branding outdoors? Is this the wave of the future? Will we start seeing bumper stickers on trees in remote wilderness next? Either way, next time I go up Mailbox (within the next few days...), I'm going up with a prybar and coming down with that offensive yellow box. Oh, and I'm certainly not buying any First Ascent stuff. Ever. Poor form, First Ascent. Poor form.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-73711292501730020782010-05-26T07:54:00.001-07:002010-05-26T08:56:07.540-07:00Comrades and Starfish... Go team!The legendary <a href="http://www.comrades.com/default.aspx">Comrades Marathon</a> is happening in just 3 days, and is the largest ultra-marathon on the planet with over 16,000 entrants at this point. This race is just under 90k of fun and hard charging through the heartland of South Africa, and it's a race I've always dreamed of taking part in. I feel like Comrades will be in the global spotlight this year more than ever with the world's cameras already pointed on South Africa as we anxiously anticipate the start of the <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/">2010 World Cup </a>in just a few weeks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmlraf5A5sWItsJ1d-qJytCccZGtn9iuyIAxG7HcSGGQUtWpTpYUf5OE8ysM8cgGQw1cf0OQjU0jsiyQypnOx4KzVGqdNkbRaoFaEEDGjtQ65ZaW6eugxZ25CL6v-W3vryOCpDDTjL00/s1600/a1003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmlraf5A5sWItsJ1d-qJytCccZGtn9iuyIAxG7HcSGGQUtWpTpYUf5OE8ysM8cgGQw1cf0OQjU0jsiyQypnOx4KzVGqdNkbRaoFaEEDGjtQ65ZaW6eugxZ25CL6v-W3vryOCpDDTjL00/s400/a1003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606796220272850" border="0" /></a>Another reason for the added excitement surrounding Comrades this year relates to some incredibly fast American runners who will be running in a race traditionally dominated by the locals. I'm extremely excited about <a href="http://www.comrades.com/default.aspx">following the race live online</a>, and am confident that our Americans will do amazingly well. A group of my teammates from <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/index.html">The North Face</a> is traveling to South Africa (or already there at this point), and I think they're going to be a force to be reckoned with without a doubt! <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/kami-semick.html#/hopup/?showme=1/brand/?id=1&item=0">Kami Semick</a>, <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/elizabeth-hawker.html">Lizzy Hawker</a>, <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/nikki-kimball.html">Nikki Kimball</a>, and <a href="http://mikewardian.com/">Michael Wardian</a> will all be toeing the line this Sunday, and I wish them all the very best race possible.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.firstgiving.com/tnf_comrades_starfish"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfONu2ND9laY_O66BEgkZgFksu3Gi8fKKeYe7L4wAlG3r9OWN5izzvJOOok33HOiWF3unM5o4ojs_ZNpIya2CitXSPLmqwakMigwez3V1IYyWTQQdC1Xue_QiYRWskrzaO0LmLHzBC0I/s400/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606248904018786" border="0" /></a>A few weeks ago I had the privilege of hearing a brief presentation from my friend <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/kami-semick.html">Kami Semick</a> detailing not only the history and significance of the <a href="http://www.comrades.com/default.aspx">Comrades</a> race, but also explaining what is a far more important part of the team's trip to South Africa. Kami and the team are on a mission to raise support and awareness for the <a href="http://www.starfishcharity.org/home.aspx?id_content=1&landed=true">Starfish Greathearts Foundation</a> and their incredible work. While I think most people are painfully aware of the AIDS epidemic plaguing South Africa, I (and I think most others) was not aware of the impact this has had on orphaning millions of vulnerable children. There are more than 2 million children in SA alone orphaned by AIDS, with over 90% of these children being NOT HIV positive. Starfish is a fantastic organization that is focused solely on nurturing these orphaned children and working to break this destructive cycle. With the world's attention focused on South Africa in the coming weeks, I encourage you to spread the word about this great organization, and hopefully this will be a platform for increased awareness and an impetus for real change there. <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/tnf_comrades_starfish">Please consider supporting my friends' efforts and the work of Starfish by visiting their page HERE.</a><br /><br />Here is the story of a Carol, who cares for 97 children herself, and is aided by Starfish;<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wYOEU8CJuJ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wYOEU8CJuJ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-65475006456290033062010-05-19T16:08:00.001-07:002010-05-19T16:24:24.296-07:00Slowly but SurelyI ran the Watershed Preserve 12 Hour race this past weekend in Redmond, WA. It's a great race- really well organized, lots of great folks, and a pretty fun loop too. I've run this race 4 years in a row now I guess. Last year I won and set a new course record (79.96 miles). This year I did not.<br /><br />I finished the day at 64.something miles (basically 65), and it was a tough day. I felt fantastic for 4 loops (about 20 miles) and led at what felt like a comfortable pace. I remember thinking how nice it was to be out for a long run on such a beautiful day and how good I felt and hey, I might just go for breaking my record today... Then things took a turn on the 5th loop quickly. I still kept a good pace, but just was feeling worn out. Fortunately, a friend came out to pace me (a.k.a. in this instance "keep me company") and he joined me for the next 5 or 6 hours, which made the time pass quickly, even if my legs weren't moving quickly. I had some stomach issues and ended up throwing up a lot around 3pm. It was tough to recover from that and I never really got re-energized after losing so much fluid and calories. <br /><br />My main goal for the day was to get in a long training run and be on my feet for 12 hours. I accomplished that goal and feel good about my run, despite it being a less than spectacular performance. I've been getting more sleep lately, and am training more consistently, so I know things will just continue to get better, which is great. Summer in Seattle is coming round the bend, and it's going to be another great one I suspect. <br /><br />Video from last year;<br /><br /><object width="400" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sivz5XLG_qM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sivz5XLG_qM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-20135494786166877362010-04-28T14:16:00.000-07:002010-04-28T14:20:06.865-07:00Singletrack Goes to GeorgiaI went to Georgia last week to test run the new <a href="http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2010/ga/index.html">TNF Endurance Challenge Series </a>race course. The race will be this October 16-17, 2010. The course is nothing short of great.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11307556&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11307556&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11307556">SingleTrack Goes to Georgia</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/seesamrun">Sam Thompson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>A visit to the brand new 50 mile course at Pine Mountain, Georgia; this is the latest addition to The North Face Endurance Challenge Series of races. The Southeastern regional will take place October 16-17, 2010. Start training, get registered, and see you out in Georgia soon.</p>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-10714362323752096002010-03-24T16:20:00.000-07:002010-03-24T17:06:48.007-07:00Chuckanut DemonsI've run the Chuckanut trail network many many times, and the <a href="http://web.me.com/krissymoehl/Chuckanut_50k/Welcome.html">Chuckanut 50k</a> has become an early season tune-up staple race for me. Of all the times I've run these trails, I can't recall a more ideal day of weather, and I only wish I could've capitalized a little better (or ideally, a LOT better as long as I'm making wishes).<br /><br />I don't think it's necessary to go into great detail, nor do I particularly want to relive the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.seesamrun.com/uploaded_images/photo-758178.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.seesamrun.com/uploaded_images/photo-758121.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>experience in great detail, so I'll keep it brief. The brief summary is that I've realized extreme sleep deprivation (<a href="http://seesamparent.blogspot.com/">caused by newborn babies</a>) translates to extreme exhaustion in general and markedly poor running performance. In addition to completely dead legs from the start, I was amazed by how quickly the negativity demons (which I normally only encounter only deep in the dark of night in the mountains during 100 milers) found me and attacked with full force. It was rough running through such mounting self doubt and negative thinking, but thankfully the weather was truly gorgeous and the views spectacular.<br /><br />It was great seeing many friends out there and Krissy Moehl put on a fantastic race this year- everything went great and couldn't have been better. The speedy crowd running this year was inspiring to see, and it was amazing to see the <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=6310">depth of the field and the large number of really fast times run</a>. Congrats to all who ran, many thanks to Krissy and all the fantastic volunteers who made the race happen, and thanks for the motivation for my next race... whatever and whenever that may be! Time to lick my wounds, train hard, and move on to the next one.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3528158915764762878.post-68354658070436237132010-03-15T13:58:00.001-07:002010-03-24T19:20:43.065-07:00This blog has movedThis blog is now located at http://blog.seesamrun.com/ .<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href="http://blog.seesamrun.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://blog.seesamrun.com/ .Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052527341705601831noreply@blogger.com0