3 Days left to register for the Speedgoat 50k!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on July 2, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

REGISTRATION CLOSES SUNDAY, JULY 5 AT MIDNIGHT! 

Time to get on it and run the toughest 50k in the land.  Click here  for info and the registration page.  I’ve now been out on the course, the snow is melting rapidly and should make the course almost 100% clear.  The run down to Mary Ellen Gulch is as ugly as always, and the climb out should be just as hot as last year.  The run is coming together nicely.  The flowers should be at their peak this year around 10,000′, so plan on smelling the sweetness of Powder Paradise and the Bookends!

The Hardrock 100 is also in a mere 8+ days.  I’ll be headed to Silverton, CO for another counter-clockwise adventure through the San Juan Mountains.  My legs are still heavy from my solid run at Bighorn almost two weeks ago.  The moose encounter  injuries are almost healed up too……I’m hoping I don’t come home with anymore hoof prints on my shin and hand.  I’ll do odds for Hardrock before I leave on Wednesday morning next week.  I need to see how I feel getting close to the big dance.  Right now I’m tired.  My training has existed of multiple 4000′ days on the Speedgoat 50k course, now it’s time to taper again.

 

 

Koerner and Ortiz win Western!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on June 27, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 6 Comments

He threw it down textbook style!  Went out hard, when it hurt-he sped up!

16:24 was the time.  Way to go Halomatic!  Carcinogen Chicken on me! 

Anita Ortiz in her first 100 also put the hammer down, not far from a CR!  Way to go Anita, now she just has to smoke everyong at the Speedgoat 50k in a few weeks!

The “wild” and scenic Bighorn 100 gets a little too “wild”!…..And the Western States Odds!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on June 22, 2009
in Award category and Race Updates
. 40 Comments

I put my odds for Western on the previous post, but for some even more entertaining info, read on…..the Bighorn 100 was an adventure into the wilderness where sometimes it gets just a little scary!

The Bighorn 100 was another great win for me….that’s #25 in the 100 mile trail race “win category”.  Nick Clark kept it close early, but in the end I was showered, sleeping and thinking about what “could have happened”….but didn’t.  So here’s the story………..

Ever had a run-in with a moose?  I can now say I have.  It was funny the day before at the packet pick-up as I heard some other folks talking about how the leaders get to see all the wildlife.  This race I was the leader.  I saw all the wildlife, from big bucks, to big moose, even a skunk to perhaps throw some stink into my finish (that didn’t happen), but was close.

I was about a half mile from the turnaround point at the Porcupine Aid Station where I came upon old mama Bullwinkle.  I stopped, she stopped.  We both proceeded forward, when Bullwinkle started walking away from me towards the aid station, I also proceeded forward.  She then started to run away from me.  All I could think was “great”, she’s out of here.  When I started moving again, she spun a 180, snorted and started charging at me from about 40 meters.  I moved left behind a large tree, baiting her to pass me on the right.  She was about 5 feet…yah 5 feet from me, I darted left behind the tree to protect myself.  She turned around, charged at me again only to find that big tree in her way and a little 142 pound runner hiding behind.  She was only 5 feet from me staring me in the face.  We played cat and mouse 5 more time before she decided to head back up and away from me.  I felt better now, hoping she was out of there.  At this area on the jeep road there was about 75 meters to the next big tree where I could protect myself, in the direction of the aid station.  It seemed she was gone as I could no longer see her in the woods about 50 meters away.  I started running quite fast towards the aid station, she then came barreling out of the woods and started chasing me!  As I was sprinting faster than Carl Lewis ever has, I turned around to see her snout only 5 feet from me and ready to pounce on top of me and possibly kill me.  I dove like superman behind that first big tree.  She kicked my right shin as well as my left hand.  When I hit the ground, I bounced up quickly to hide behind the tree again, only to play cat and mouse 5-6 more times.  Standing in front of a moose 7 feet tall is pretty scary from a distance of only 4-5 feet.  I don’t recommend it!  After a minute or two or her standing there debating whether I was worth more effort, she moved up and away into the woods again. This time I waited out of her sight a little longer than the first time.  I finally went and she was never seen again.   I was shaking at the aid station knowing I had to head back that way.  Two younger guys went ahead to spook her, they did just that.  For the next 20 miles I was shaking while running as I kept turning around thinking something was coming after me.  Finally it was over.  I survived a moose attack, won the race in record time, and now it’s a no-brainer when someone asks me a “wildlife story” when running in the wilderness.  Lesson to be learned……nah, it was about time this happened, I’ve been running in the woods for 25 years! 

Bighorn results here:

Now we can proceed to the Western States Odds!

Bighorn should be a sloppy mess!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on June 17, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 24 Comments

A quick look at the Bighorn 100 this weekend:

This will be my second 100 of the year.  Five weeks after a great win at the Massannutten 100 May 16th.  If all goes well, (and it should) I feel pretty confident that I’ll have a decent run on the muddy cow trails.  Odds on this one are tough, as only know three other guys in the field have a chance at challenging me for the overall win.  So I’m gonna make it simple here and try to pick the order for the top 5. 

I’m also gonna do the mighty Western States odds on Monday when I return, so check back after this weekend for that.  There’s been alot of chatter at AJW’s blog about it, so go there for this weekend, then come back and see what I came up with……all off the cuff of course!

Bighorn 100:

1. Speedgoat Karl 7-2.  After putting pressure on myself at Massannutten, why not do it again right?  I feel good, no injury issues and running 100 miles is not that far after running the AT.  I have the textbook in my back pocket too, in case I need to refer back to the basics :-).

2.  John Anderson  5-1.  If John puts down a good run, he could win and go under 20 hours.  His performance at the Speedgoat 50k last year was good evidence he’ll be near the front.  He excelled at technical terrain at the Speedgoat, and if he’s good in the mud, he’s next in line.

3.  Harry Harcrow  7-1.  This guy runs textbook and under the radar a bit.  Good runs at Leadville and Bighorn shows he’s got talent.  But he’s got some good talent in front of him to beat.  3rd no problem, but an hour or two back.

4.  Phil Shaw  8-1.  Another guy that has great talent and has run some solid 100 mile times.  On another blog mentioned in the comments on my last post, shows he has 16 minute 5k speed…..that doesn’t matter here.  He’ll run solid and could crack top 3 if he keeps that 5k speed at bay.

5.  Sander Nelson  11-1.  Sander ran great behind me at San Diego a few years back.  If he throws down another good one, he’ll run under 22 hours. 

The ladies race is very open with Ashley Nordell leading the way in my book.  She, like Amy Sproston at Massannutten should run away……unless I missed someone……cuz’ I always miss someone!

Top 5 at Western:

1. Scott Jurek  3-1.  He has to be the favorite, he’s won the thing 7 times. 
2. Dave Mackey  7-2.  Hot on Scott’s heels, and with unfinished business at Western he’s my pick to win….even though I have him second here.
3. Hal Koerner  4-1.  He likes to go out quickly, and if he holds it, he’ll be right there at the Auburn track at 930pm.
4.  Eric Grossman  5-1.  I should probably give him some more love here.  He’s been stellar all year and this is his chance to shine.  Definately the best on the east coast.  The darkhorse (sort of) to win it.
5.  Erik Skaden  7-1.  He’s proven he can run fast at Western, and although he hasn’t shown big stuff this spring, I’m sure he’s focused on being another darkhorse to win.  
The mens race is so tight it’s a tough call, but here’s another bunch of guys that will be in it at Robinson Flat…..at least.   These are in the order I think they’ll finish.

Jasper Halekas, Zach Miller, Kubaragi from Japan, Todd Braje, John Olsen (if he runs), Josh Brimhall, Graham Cooper, Dave James, Dan Olmstead, Brian Morrison, Hiroki Ishikawa, Lon Freeman, Marco Olmo (he wins the over 60 category too), Laval Benoit, Mike Wolfe, AJW, Chikara Omine.

I think top 22 is enough for now.  The real odds come out Monday.

Western Women: 

1.  Nikki KImball  3-2.  If she’s fit, she’s the one to beat.  She rarely gets beaten, and all the girls behind her on this list have never beaten Nikki at Western.  She may crack top 10 overall.
2.  Krissy Moehl  4-1.   Wouldn’t it be great if Krissy would be real competitive here.  She’s got the talent, and could squeak in a win if Nikki doesn’t get to Auburn first.
3.  Anita Ortiz  6-1.  I almost missed her here.  She certainly has the talent, but it’s her first 100.  The girls behind her will mop her up if she has a bad day, but she’s tough as nails.  The only thing holding her back is maybe the heat.  She’ll be close early when it’s hilly. 
4.  Bev Abbs  7-1.  Another girl right in the mix, she’s been running well, and now is her turn to show it off.
5. Jenn Shelton  8-1.  She’s horrible in the mountains, (sorry Jenn), but if she hangs in there to Foresthill and is still going strong, she is easily the fastest girl once the trail gets smooth.  I’ll have the shot glass loaded for her if she wins.
5.  Jenny Capel 10-1.  Another girl that is pretty quick, but has her hands full with the 4 in front of her.  She’s the sleeper in this field.
6.  Connie Gardner  11-1.  She kills it at 24 hour races and on the roads.  Same as Jenn though, if she hangs tough through Foresthill, she’ll be running to win.
Prudence L’Heureux and Meghan Arboghast take the next two.

Remember the real odds come out on Monday, I’m gonna need something to think about while I’m running from the Bears in the Bighorn Mountains this weekend.

I won’t be able to moderate comments while I’m in Wyoming, so register to see your comment. I’ll try Thursday but no promises on that.

Now go Run!

An old legend back on track!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on June 10, 2009
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 14 Comments

When I started Ultrarunning, I had two guys I wanted to race…..One was Eric Clifton.  Eric was so fast I had to go test myself against him to see if I had what it takes to succeed in this silly sport.  I beat Eric the first time I raced against him at the Crown King 50 mile….only to be beaten at the finish by Dennis Poolheco. 

A few months ago I noticed a guy named Ben Hian had run a race in California.  I don’t remember if he won, but he ran fast and it reminded me of my first ever 50 mile race at the Leona Divide 50 in 1999.  I won that race edging out Tom Nielsen by a scant 1:25.  I didn’t go there to race Tom.  I went there to race Ben Hian.  At the time this guy was the fastest and seemingly unstoppable.  He didn’t have his best day and ended up 4th…….soon thereafter, Ben dropped off the radar and pursued other interests.

Well….he’s back!! 10 years later.  He recently won the San Diego 100 in a tight race with guess who?  Tom Nielsen.  His time was 18:15.  The record of 17:40 (mine) hung in there, but I think it’s time to pay attention to Ben as his form is returning.  And we all know being 40 years old doesn’t mean squat in a 100 mile race.  We don’t have to run fast, we just have to run all day.  Congrats to an old (not age old) legend!!!!  It’s great to see his return. 

This past weekend I had the pleasure to run an aid station at mile 29 at the Squaw Peak 50 mile.  I only saw a little carnage, nothing major, but entertaining to say the least.  The race had it’s highest finish rate ever.  95% of the runners finished the tough course in perfect weather conditions.  The only real carnage was Scott Mason’s vehicle.  A dead limb about 15 feet long fell on Scott’s car the evening before while we were camping at the aid station.  Good thing he had the “hard shell” tent. 

The Speedgoat 50k is coming soon as we only have 26 days to register and 5+ weeks till the start. Registration is still open.  If it would only stop snowing here!….yah, that’s right, snow on the peak again this morning.  I’ve never seen Utah this green.  It’s melting fast but expect to see some snow in Little Cloud Bowl on the final climb and descent.   We still need some course marshalls to help keep runners on track.  If anyone out there is interested in helping out, contact me at speedgoatkarl@gmail.com for more info.  It is certainly an entertaining day! 

The Bighorn 100 is coming June 19th, I’ll be looking for a good run there.  I’ve been a little erratic in how I feel, I think I’ll blame it on the weather.  The rain continues and the joints hurt a little every morning waking up to 50 degrees.  It seems like early spring around here.  The “boxers fracture” I recieved running 6 weeks ago is now healed, so my days off can now consist of a round of golf to prepare myself for the senior tour…….I better get on it.  My legs feel recovered, but as usual it’s always a mystery on how the race will go when I stack alot of 100s together.  Hopefully I can find that “autopilot” gear and just run it like the rest of em’.  It may just take me 6 hours or so to warm up…….silly how it works that way. 

If recovery from injury is an issue for anyone out there, consider getting those bikes and their parts from Hucknroll.com or Realcyclist.com.  These guys have all high quality bike gear to keep you going when running is not the option. 

Other gear reviews can be found at my user profile page at Backcountry.com.  The leader in gear AND gear knowledge.  If anyone needs any gear, check it out as every item has multiple reviews from people who actually use the gear.  It’s pretty cool. 

The next few weeks have me trying to figure out some odds for the Western States 100.  We all know the field is sick there and will be one hell of a race to say the least.  AJW has posted his poll, check this out.  We’ll use his poll as the “mass voting”.  I’ll do my “Speedgoat Odds” for this one, in a week or two.  First I’ll do Bighorn.  Not sure who the favorite is at Bighorn, the field is still growing.  It’s amazing this field is not full.  It is easily one of the nicest courses in town. 

Now go run! 

What’s Next?

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on May 28, 2009
in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K
. 14 Comments

The Bighorn 100 starts June 19th.  Am I recovered from Massannutten?  Absolutely!  I feel as though I didn’t even run in Virginia a week and a half ago……scary! 

Why am I recovered already?…….because I’m a mutant?  or is it the multiple scoops of Ultragen I consume after every run.  I’ll call it the Ultragen.  Not to mention I have a great coach…..myself!  :-)

Last Friday I was summoned to fill in for Missy Berkel at the Pocatello 50 mile relay.  I was called on my way up to Pocatello where my wife Cheryl was also participating in the 50 mile relay division.  So I said why not?,  What’s another 17 miler?  I ran it with intentions of just having fun. It certainly was fun.  Cruising along on prime Pocatello singletrack comfortably at 10.5 mph had me feeling pretty good.  I won the first leg by 5 minutes.   Recovered from Massannutten……I think so!  Bighorn will be the real test…..then of course the beast of all beasts, The Hardrock 100 follows three weeks later!

Now it’s time to check out Hucknroll.com and Realcyclist.com.  Backcountry has now added cycling to there already huge inventory, great discounts at random times and only top-flight gear for the real athlete……..that’s all of us!

The Speedgoat 50k has only 6 weeks to go till entries are closed, so time to suck it up and run/hike the toughest 50k on earth, covered by the greatest snow on earth.  That’s right, it’s still buried up in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Perhaps I should start shoveling the course now to get it ready.  We still need volunteers for the big dance, so if anyone out there is interested in watching some carnage, come help us out.  It’s a great race to be a spectator!

I continue to review gear, not to mention others out there doing reviews for Backcountry.com, so check it out if you need anything, but only the good stuff, cuz’ they don’t sell junk.

Time for Nutten!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on May 9, 2009
in Race Updates
. 48 Comments

May 16th the Massannutten 100 will start with one of the best fields to date.  No, it’s not Western, but a better course and a fun ride nonetheless.

Watch for live updates here

The Men:

Speedgoat Karl  5-2. I have to put pressure on myself to perform well, I’m in great shape, know the course well and plan on ripping one off to make it ten years in a row with at least one 100 mile win.  I’m slightly handicapped this year, but that won’t be revealed till I hit the start line.  It has nothing to do with running without crew or those silly pacers!  (no offense to pacers, just yacking).  Bring it on "Stonewall"!  I also have some incentive to bring home a case of 100 mile wins.
Todd Walker  4-1. Todd’s experience here will help alot when the course gets ugly in the later stages.  This is a race where experience helps.  Todd is no rookie.
Kieth Knipling  9-5. Kieth wasn’t far behind me at 50 miles a few years ago when I won just over 20 hours.  He’s usually pretty fit this time of year.  He’ll lead early if Mongold isn’t already ahead.
Bradley Mongold  5-1. He’s probably got the best 50k speed here, but he’s gonna have to save that 50k speed for the last 50k.  If he does, he’ll be near the front.  And he’s a bear hunter, so I’m told.
Glen Redpath  6-1. Off to a great start this year.  This race will put the pressure on him to keep that good runnin’ going.
Joe Kulak  13-7. How could I forget Joe?  He’s textbook and will be in it if he wants in.
Jeremy Ramsey  7-1. Jeremy has showed lots of promise in shorter distances, and should crack top 5 with a good,solid, smart effort.
Nick Pedatella  8-1. Nick won the antelope Island 50 mile in 6:43 ish, good for a kid, if he has a great day and can figure out how to run 100, he’ll surprise some folks, including me.
Adam Cassaday  9-1. He’s fast enough to be up front, he’s my sleeper to win it on a great day.  He’s got experience around the Massannutten track, and speed to boot!

The women:

Amy Sproston  3-2. Amy won’t pay well, she’s easily the one to beat here, and it’s hers to lose.  I’d still put my cash on her if I were a betting man and take the small profit
Kerry Owens  6-1. She’s won it before, so she knows what it feels like to run out front if Amy has issues.

At the Jemez 50 mile:

Look for Ryan Burch and Dakota Jones to duke it out up front.  Kyle Skaggs’ record is going nowhere for a long time, we’ll see if hese two boys can go sub 9 hours, close to what Nate and I ran last year.
For the women:  Darcy Africa is back on the scene, if she’s in decent shape, she’ll have that winning smile once again when she crosses the line.
La Sportiva athlete Jean Coulter has the best speed and could certainly give Darcy a run for it, these two could duke it out like the men.

That’s it for odds now,  check out gear reviews at Backcountry.com ,  sign up for the Speedgoat 50k!. ……. start training to run uphill, at altitude, then have a few beers when you finish!    Sounds like a fine day at the office to me!

Now go run!

The Miwok odds and the last 3 spots…for the big track meet at Squaw Valley.

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on April 27, 2009
in Race Updates and Speedgoat 50K
. 23 Comments

Dave Mackey’s record should remain a tall order, but the race to win will be tight as always.

Full Results here

The Men:

Scott Jurek  2-1.  Let’s put a little pressure on Scott and give him the nod.  He may not be racing this one to win, (maybe he is) He is sure to be in the mix as the race progresses.
Geoff Roes  5-2.  His performance at the North Face 50 in December on the same trails proves he can run up front.  He wasn’t 100% that day either, and he wants in at Western.
Eric Grossman  3-1.  He’s fast on hills and flats, so this course should suit him well, his long loping stride that I witnessed (for a few minutes) at Cool was a good indicator he’ll be in it running for the win.
Todd Braje  4-1.  His 5:30ish 50 mile was the fastest in recent history, not too long ago.  If he’s still got that energy, he may just run away with it from the start.
Phil Kochik  5-1.  He’s run here many times and always near the front.  He’s a little erratic though, so I see him either running 5th or winning the thing.
Other guys in the mix, but not out front:  Matt Lonergan, Erik Skaden, Scott Jaime, Graham Cooper, Brian Morrison, Mark Lantz, Mark Hartell, Jean Pommier……and maybe a few I missed as well.

 The Ladies:

Kami Semick  2-1.  Her performance on her home turf last year at the NF 50 was stellar and should be no different this week.  She knows it and owns it, and should win by a comfy margin.
Joelle Vaught  4-1.  She’s fast and just a little bit faster than Anita on smooth terrain, so she gets the nod for first loser…….in the women’s race.
Caitlin Smith  9-5.  Caitlin has proved to be super fast in shorter races, but this is a bit new for her.  I’ll call her the sleeper.  If she manages her run well, she’ll be in it to win it and surprise a few…..then she can take a crack at 100 miles.
Anita Ortiz  5-1.  Not enough leg speed to run to win, but hills are her friend and she’ll be no further back than third.
Prudence L’Heuruex.  7-1.  She’s a little erratic, but has it in her to crack the top 3, but needs a great day to beat the three in front of her.
Suzanna Bon  8-1.  I’m thinking this is not necessarily her type of course but she’s sneaky and may just squeeze out a third.
Rob Lang calls in Nicola Gildersleeve as a darkhorse from our neighbor to the north!  :-)

Needless to say the race will be fun to watch, and running at the front will be stressful for those trying to make the start line at Squaw.  Scott has no pressure on him, he’s in this for the fun of it.  Sometimes with no pressure we run better.  I am a classic example of that! 

For the right shoe, check out my user profile at Backcountry.com.  This course is smooth and hilly, so the lighter the better!

It freakin’ snowed big again at Alta, making the Speedgoat 50k course buried even deeper, but have faith, it’ll melt…….at least most of it.  Check back soon for good deals at Snowbird for the Speedgoat race.

I just ran the Bonneville Marathon, a muddy, singletrack marathon here in SLC.  I went to break my previous CR and came up 6 minutes tall, breaking it by almost 6 minutes.  The 6500′ of climb was no match for goat legs.  I am finally feeling like I am back in solid form for my assault on 7, 100s this summer.  3:47.52 was the time, that one should hold for a while! 

Now go run! 

Now…….the season can begin!

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on April 18, 2009
in Race Updates, Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K
. 18 Comments

Stay tuned for Monday’s post:  The Miwok odds are coming, and this year’s race is a barn burner for the last 3, Western States Track Meet qualifiers!

Watch the Boston Marathon LIVE right now!  (it’s 8:32 MST)  at this website:

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?CLIP_ID=110201&_MODE_=EVENT&db_oem_id=23000

Ryan Hall is pushing the pace, the 10k split was 29:30.  I can run 5 miles at that pace….maybe!

After shoveling almost 700″ of the “greatest snow on earth”, my tenure at Sugarplum condos and townhouses ended yesterday, (these condos are sweet and would be a great deal if you have a group running the Speedgoat 50k!).  Now I can start preparing for 7 100 mile mountain races.  It all starts with Massannutten on May 16th.  First I’ll hammer out the Bonneville Shoreline Marathon as a tune-up on April 25th.  While 165″ of snow sits on the ground at Snowbird and Alta, I’ll have to run at a lower elevation, but the hills are steep, and just as relentless as the higher stuff. 

I really think the Appalachian Trail helped me put down a huge base for this year.  Although I have run far less mileage as last year at this time, I have been running faster over my standard “bread and butter” routes.  Doing it with ease.  Two good races behind me.  My “Way Too Cool” finish didn’t look that impressive, but only because my right calf siezed at 23 miles and I had to slow down to make sure injury stayed out of the picture.  It did, and all is well.  

What’s the goal this year?  Only to win one 100 miler.  It would give me 10 years in a row with at least one 100 mile win.  I believe only Ann Trason can say that.  Unless Mr. Jurek can too.  I’m not sure about Scott, but it is certainly a possibility with his stellar 7 win streak at Western. 

Alot of cool races are starting now, and I’ll start doing some odds again, as I now have more time to spend in front of the screen, I’ve been a slacker again lately, but only because of the 230″ of dumpage we’ve recieved since March 22.  It was simply out of control shoveling almost 20″ daily….but again, it’s over now, so no excuses!

Western States is getting even more interesting as a few more super fast guys have qualified for the 2009 Auburn Track Meet.  Max King is certainly the leader with speed as his stellar performance at the Pear Blossom 10 mile CR was only a week after his win at the American River 50.  But Western is 100 miles, hopefully he’ll toe the start line and step into a different realm.   Miwok is the last qualifier, and a few others are trying to get in to WS.   Geoff Roes is hoping to qualify as well, he certainly has it in him to make it happen.  Scotty J would be a stellar addition,  (although, he should not have to qualify), He is Mr. Western!  I guess time will tell.  Miwok will likely be my next attempt at doing the odds. 

The Speedgoat 50k entrants list is creeping upwards, check it out.  Sign up if you want a real 50k challenge.  No PR’s at this race, only satisfaction of getting it done! 

Big hugs and kisses to La Sportiva and Backcountry.com for supporting me and the Speedgoat race this year!  Our prize list includes killer stuff from La Sportiva, Nathan Packs, Drymax socks, First Endurance,  and Ryders Eyewear  along with a few goat legs for the fastest Billies and Nannies.   Not to mention a few other prizes we’ll muster up.  Along with this year’s prize list comes 100 bucks for the winners and 100 bucks to break a record.  Yah, it’s not much, but I’m poor and it’s coming from this kid’s pocket.  A C-note never hurts!

14 for 14

Published
by
Speedgoat Karl
on April 6, 2009
in Snow Reports and Speedgoat 50K
. 10 Comments

OK, so I have been pretty much of a slacker in terms of posting info about anything……..why?

In simple terms:  Alta, Utah has recieved a whopping 170″ of snow since March 22…..are you kidding you say?  No, not kidding, check out Alta.com and click on snow reports to see actual daily snowfall.  Needless to say, I’ve been shoveling, burrowing and digging snow tunnels for the past two weeks.  The base at Alta today was 171″ on the ground…..that’s deep enough to safely say the Speedgoat 50k will have some snow on the course.   Perhaps a few glissading sections to make it easier!

Sunday, Cheryl and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary with a huge dose of 30″ of fresh Pow!  Not a bad way to spend an anniversary.  Tomorrow, I’ll go golfing…….only in Utah.

While I’ve been away from the screen, I’ve managed to run about 50 miles a week in the slop, slush, and driving snow.  It’s only gonna make me tougher when the sun finally shows it’s happy side.   The Massannutten 100 is next on my “race” list.  But before that I’ll run the local Bonneville Marathon here in Salt Lake.  A simple little marathon with only 6400′ of climb.  It’ll be my last long run before Nutten’ on May 16th.

It’s freakin’ deep, this year’s total so far: 615″ of the greatest snow on earth, eat you’re heart out Colorado!

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