Sunday, September 21, 2008
Fleetfeet on a rainy Sunday
What a perfect time to get a new pair of running shoes. Come on in and we will get you fit... for the perfect pair of shoes and you catch us up on the football scores!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Pine Mountain Hill Climb Results and Report
Pine Mountain Hill Climb, 10.7 miles, 2,500' of climbing
Sept. 14, 2008
1. Patrick Widmer, 47, Bend 1:28:38 2. Kami Semick (1F), 42, Bend 1:30:22 3. Jace Ives, 24, Bend 1:31:30 4. Kurt Eisele, 29, Eugene 1:32:31 5. Glenn Miller, 48, Bend 1:38:11 6. Owen Sutton, 39, Bend 1:42:53 7. Scott Abrams, 52, La Pine 1:43:42 8. Scott Mercer, 40, Bend 1:44:14 9. Stephanie Hackbarth (2F), 23, Bend 1:46:08 10. Steve Morse & Chloe the dog, 51, Bend 1:46:49 11. Andy Schob, 60, Bend 1:47:14 12. Darla Brader (3F), 35, Bend 1:47:44 13. Jane Cleavenger (4F), 50, Bend 1:49:20 14. Laura Nice (5F), 27, Bend 1:50:52 15. Paul Stevenson, 33, Bend 1:55:37 16. Roger Daniels, 72, Bend 2:01:30 17. Bob Reininger, 42, Bend 2:08:13 18. Tim Zook, 53, Powell Butte 2:10:34 19. Stephen Waite, 25, Bend 2:10:58 20. Todd Chester, 34, Bend 2:14:54 21. Ron Kastberg, 55, Powell Butte 2:17:11 22. Roy Reisinger, 67, Bend 2:17:20 23. Steve Greening, 60, Bend 2:24:35 24. Tyson Pardue, 43, Bend 2:25:02 25. Tonya Olson (sweeper), almost 40, Bend 2:36:45
Thank you very much to everyone who came out and played on Pine Mountain for the day or weekend. I had a complete blast out there. We started off the festivities with camping out on Saturday night, and as we all know, crazy things can happen while camping. A good size group of us roasted weenies over the fire, gorged on Tonya's famous s'mores delux, enjoyed some tasty beverages, saw Jupiter through a really big telescope, and watched the always-popular sci-fi thriller The Man Who Changed His Mind. Definite pre-race evening good times!
Race morning was beautiful. Sunny, no wind, not hot...pretty perfect conditions for running up a mountain. Shortly after 9 a.m., 25 runners and 2 dogs began their ascent in the inaugural Pine Mtn. Hill Climb. About one hour and 15 minutes later, the finish line crew extraordinaires Gina and Chris, and I, spotted the first runner on the road really far away. Who was it?? Soon enough, Patrick Widmer was powering up the final steep 200 meters to the finish, establing a mighty-fine course record of 1:28:38 (and getting his first-ever win in a race...yay, Pat!). Less than 2 minutes later, Kami Semick trotted up the last painful climb, smiling her way across the line in 1:30:22, for 2nd overall and the women's course record. After the master's 1-2 punch, finally some of the young bucks finished. Rounding out the top-3 for the boys, Jace Ives was 2nd in 1:31:30, and Kurt Eisele was 3rd in 1:32:31. For the girls, Stephanie Hackbarth finished 2nd in 1:46:08, and Darla Brader was 3rd in 1:47:44.
After finishing, everyone made their way back down to the campground for a bbq, lots of refreshing beverages, tasty Nancy P's treats, and to swap war stories of the day.
I think everyone enjoyed the course. It really is beautiful, and it's not easy. Runnable? Yes...well, for the most part, anyway. But it does take some effort to run uphill for over 7 miles and 2,500' vertical, with only two little downhills that weren't easy, either. Everyone agreed that the highlight of the race (besides finishing) was the out-and-back section where volunteer-chick Whitney was stationed. The view from up there is the best!
My original thought to having this race was because I loved the area the first time I ran out there (just May of this year), and I love hill climbs. I knew immediately during that first run out there, I would have a race on Pine Mtn. I wanted it to be challenging, as hill climbs are by nature, but I wanted it more runnable than the uber-challenging Sunrise to Summit, and I wanted it longer than the Pilot Butte Challenge. I love both of those races, but thought we needed something different. Pine Mountain Hill Climb is different.
A special thank you to the following people for volunteering their time: Owen, Chris, Darla, Tonya, Tate, Gina, Gary, Jeannie, Whitney, Rob's truck (that pulled Whitney's Jeep out from being stuck), Judy, Chad, and the random guy who hauled the finish line water up the hill for us. The runners and I all really appreciate your help!
I'm look forward to next year's hill climb already. I believe it has the makings to be a long-term classic.
Sept. 14, 2008
1. Patrick Widmer, 47, Bend 1:28:38 2. Kami Semick (1F), 42, Bend 1:30:22 3. Jace Ives, 24, Bend 1:31:30 4. Kurt Eisele, 29, Eugene 1:32:31 5. Glenn Miller, 48, Bend 1:38:11 6. Owen Sutton, 39, Bend 1:42:53 7. Scott Abrams, 52, La Pine 1:43:42 8. Scott Mercer, 40, Bend 1:44:14 9. Stephanie Hackbarth (2F), 23, Bend 1:46:08 10. Steve Morse & Chloe the dog, 51, Bend 1:46:49 11. Andy Schob, 60, Bend 1:47:14 12. Darla Brader (3F), 35, Bend 1:47:44 13. Jane Cleavenger (4F), 50, Bend 1:49:20 14. Laura Nice (5F), 27, Bend 1:50:52 15. Paul Stevenson, 33, Bend 1:55:37 16. Roger Daniels, 72, Bend 2:01:30 17. Bob Reininger, 42, Bend 2:08:13 18. Tim Zook, 53, Powell Butte 2:10:34 19. Stephen Waite, 25, Bend 2:10:58 20. Todd Chester, 34, Bend 2:14:54 21. Ron Kastberg, 55, Powell Butte 2:17:11 22. Roy Reisinger, 67, Bend 2:17:20 23. Steve Greening, 60, Bend 2:24:35 24. Tyson Pardue, 43, Bend 2:25:02 25. Tonya Olson (sweeper), almost 40, Bend 2:36:45
Thank you very much to everyone who came out and played on Pine Mountain for the day or weekend. I had a complete blast out there. We started off the festivities with camping out on Saturday night, and as we all know, crazy things can happen while camping. A good size group of us roasted weenies over the fire, gorged on Tonya's famous s'mores delux, enjoyed some tasty beverages, saw Jupiter through a really big telescope, and watched the always-popular sci-fi thriller The Man Who Changed His Mind. Definite pre-race evening good times!
Race morning was beautiful. Sunny, no wind, not hot...pretty perfect conditions for running up a mountain. Shortly after 9 a.m., 25 runners and 2 dogs began their ascent in the inaugural Pine Mtn. Hill Climb. About one hour and 15 minutes later, the finish line crew extraordinaires Gina and Chris, and I, spotted the first runner on the road really far away. Who was it?? Soon enough, Patrick Widmer was powering up the final steep 200 meters to the finish, establing a mighty-fine course record of 1:28:38 (and getting his first-ever win in a race...yay, Pat!). Less than 2 minutes later, Kami Semick trotted up the last painful climb, smiling her way across the line in 1:30:22, for 2nd overall and the women's course record. After the master's 1-2 punch, finally some of the young bucks finished. Rounding out the top-3 for the boys, Jace Ives was 2nd in 1:31:30, and Kurt Eisele was 3rd in 1:32:31. For the girls, Stephanie Hackbarth finished 2nd in 1:46:08, and Darla Brader was 3rd in 1:47:44.
After finishing, everyone made their way back down to the campground for a bbq, lots of refreshing beverages, tasty Nancy P's treats, and to swap war stories of the day.
I think everyone enjoyed the course. It really is beautiful, and it's not easy. Runnable? Yes...well, for the most part, anyway. But it does take some effort to run uphill for over 7 miles and 2,500' vertical, with only two little downhills that weren't easy, either. Everyone agreed that the highlight of the race (besides finishing) was the out-and-back section where volunteer-chick Whitney was stationed. The view from up there is the best!
My original thought to having this race was because I loved the area the first time I ran out there (just May of this year), and I love hill climbs. I knew immediately during that first run out there, I would have a race on Pine Mtn. I wanted it to be challenging, as hill climbs are by nature, but I wanted it more runnable than the uber-challenging Sunrise to Summit, and I wanted it longer than the Pilot Butte Challenge. I love both of those races, but thought we needed something different. Pine Mountain Hill Climb is different.
A special thank you to the following people for volunteering their time: Owen, Chris, Darla, Tonya, Tate, Gina, Gary, Jeannie, Whitney, Rob's truck (that pulled Whitney's Jeep out from being stuck), Judy, Chad, and the random guy who hauled the finish line water up the hill for us. The runners and I all really appreciate your help!
I'm look forward to next year's hill climb already. I believe it has the makings to be a long-term classic.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Lots o' Happenings
Congratulations to our own resident tri-geek Ironman Chad in winning the inaugural MAC Dash Sprint Triathlon last weekend in Madras. Chad swam 500 yards in the new Madras Aquatic Center, then rode his fully decked out tri-geek bike 12 hilly miles, and finished with a speedy 3 mile run to win in 1:03:56. Get this: this was IM's (what we affectionately refer to Chad as) first race of the year! Yes, he has been sandbagging for quite some time. So if you get a chance, stop by the shop and give IM an attaboy.
Head Honcho and Friend of FF Prudence are heading down to southern California this weekend to run the Angeles Crest 100 (as in miles!). They have both been training lots and lots and lots over the summer, and are ready to kick it. How do I know they're ready to kick it? Because the past week, during their tapers, they have both been a bit on the, oh, shall we say, edgy side. This is good. It means they're rested and have lots of energy just waiting to explode at 5:00 a.m. in Wrightwood. Go Rod! Go Prudence!
Also this weekend, happening right here in central Oregon, is the inaugural Pine Mountain Hill Climb! I'm very excited about this race. I love hill climbs and think there just aren't enough of them around Bend. So I was out running at Pine Mountain in May and within a couple of miles, I knew I wanted to hold a race there. Thus, the hill climb was born.
The course is an 11.5 miler with 2,500' of climbing. There are 8 miles of uphill and, to add a little recovery and / or leg speed into the race, 3.5 miles of downhill. It is 100% on dirt, mostly double track jeep roads, with a little gravel road and even a small bit of single track. There are awesome views of the Cascades at a few spots, including the finish on top. It is a very runnable course, but walkers are welcome to join the fun.
There is also free camping right near the observatory on Saturday night. So bring your Coleman stove and enjoy the company of your fellow runners before the big race on Sunday morning. Rumor has it that Tonya may bring the fixings for her famous Deluxe S'mores...mmmm... And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the Observatory staff are going to show a really cool, B-grade, sci-fi movie on Saturday night. Can you say sweet?? Come join the fun. You won't be disappointed.
Head Honcho and Friend of FF Prudence are heading down to southern California this weekend to run the Angeles Crest 100 (as in miles!). They have both been training lots and lots and lots over the summer, and are ready to kick it. How do I know they're ready to kick it? Because the past week, during their tapers, they have both been a bit on the, oh, shall we say, edgy side. This is good. It means they're rested and have lots of energy just waiting to explode at 5:00 a.m. in Wrightwood. Go Rod! Go Prudence!
Also this weekend, happening right here in central Oregon, is the inaugural Pine Mountain Hill Climb! I'm very excited about this race. I love hill climbs and think there just aren't enough of them around Bend. So I was out running at Pine Mountain in May and within a couple of miles, I knew I wanted to hold a race there. Thus, the hill climb was born.
The course is an 11.5 miler with 2,500' of climbing. There are 8 miles of uphill and, to add a little recovery and / or leg speed into the race, 3.5 miles of downhill. It is 100% on dirt, mostly double track jeep roads, with a little gravel road and even a small bit of single track. There are awesome views of the Cascades at a few spots, including the finish on top. It is a very runnable course, but walkers are welcome to join the fun.
There is also free camping right near the observatory on Saturday night. So bring your Coleman stove and enjoy the company of your fellow runners before the big race on Sunday morning. Rumor has it that Tonya may bring the fixings for her famous Deluxe S'mores...mmmm... And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the Observatory staff are going to show a really cool, B-grade, sci-fi movie on Saturday night. Can you say sweet?? Come join the fun. You won't be disappointed.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Scouting the bandit run!
My wife, Katie, always laughs at me as I try to show people some of my favorite runs and while doing so, I ruin them for myself because I run them so many times before we put on the event! Well, it would be hard to try and spoil this next months' run. Running along Swede Ridge is a favorite of mine as it ALWAYS culminates with a brief stop at Swede Shelter where I soak in the unobstructed views of Broken Top and as I gaze into the valley below. Those with sharp eyes can even spy the rushing waters of Tumalo Falls way below.
So, the course this month.... I had a few people call and email me that they really wanted to run the Bandit runs but the distance was a little daunting. So, this month you have no excuse. The 7.5 mile will challenge the casual runner with its trails that constantly roll up and down but they will be more than rewarded with the views of Swampy Lakes, the meadows, quick stream hops, and the big views at the end of Swede Ridge.
I ran there this evening at about 8 PM and was pleased to see that there was no snow and the wildflowers were popping up all around the trail. Doesn't sound horrible, does it?
Is it a difficult run? No, but I wouldn't label it as an easy run either. You will start with a 3/4 mile uphill that will then gently lead down all the way to "Swampy Shelter". From there, you'll make a right hand turn and cruise the ups and downs for about 2 miles until you hit Swede Shelter and the trail back to the start. After a mile or so of cruising an easy dirt road, you'll hit more single track where, yes, you'll probably curse my name as you do a short but grinding climb back up to a cool little clearing. From there, you'll retrace your first mile back to the car.... including be able to bomb down the first climb.
It is about 7.5 miles and it will be a great new trail for you to tackle anytime. As usual, it is 100% free and we will have the course marked for you. My guess is that we will not be able to have water on the course unless I can gain (legally) access to the dirt road that leads to Swede Shelter. If not, plan on carrying at least one water bottle and we will have refreshments for you at the finish.
We'll provide a trail that is marked well, you just provide your bright eyed, bushy tailed self to the Swampy Lakes Parking lot this Sunday at 8 a.m.
I took some pictures of my run tonight and will post some pictures on this blog tomorrow. Thanks for visiting and feel free to post any questions or concerns you have about the run!
Aloha,
Rod B.
So, the course this month.... I had a few people call and email me that they really wanted to run the Bandit runs but the distance was a little daunting. So, this month you have no excuse. The 7.5 mile will challenge the casual runner with its trails that constantly roll up and down but they will be more than rewarded with the views of Swampy Lakes, the meadows, quick stream hops, and the big views at the end of Swede Ridge.
I ran there this evening at about 8 PM and was pleased to see that there was no snow and the wildflowers were popping up all around the trail. Doesn't sound horrible, does it?
Is it a difficult run? No, but I wouldn't label it as an easy run either. You will start with a 3/4 mile uphill that will then gently lead down all the way to "Swampy Shelter". From there, you'll make a right hand turn and cruise the ups and downs for about 2 miles until you hit Swede Shelter and the trail back to the start. After a mile or so of cruising an easy dirt road, you'll hit more single track where, yes, you'll probably curse my name as you do a short but grinding climb back up to a cool little clearing. From there, you'll retrace your first mile back to the car.... including be able to bomb down the first climb.
It is about 7.5 miles and it will be a great new trail for you to tackle anytime. As usual, it is 100% free and we will have the course marked for you. My guess is that we will not be able to have water on the course unless I can gain (legally) access to the dirt road that leads to Swede Shelter. If not, plan on carrying at least one water bottle and we will have refreshments for you at the finish.
We'll provide a trail that is marked well, you just provide your bright eyed, bushy tailed self to the Swampy Lakes Parking lot this Sunday at 8 a.m.
I took some pictures of my run tonight and will post some pictures on this blog tomorrow. Thanks for visiting and feel free to post any questions or concerns you have about the run!
Aloha,
Rod B.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Bronco and Bighorn
For the 2nd time this month, a Fleet Feet friend has won a 100 miler! Jeff Browning battled hard at the Bighorn Mountain Wild and Scenic 100 miler yesterday, winning against the deepest field in the history of the event. He ran 18:56; Seattle's Justin Angle was 2nd in 19:20-something, while Ty Draney from Afton, WY rounded out the podium in 19:56. Three sub-20s at Bighorn means it was, indeed, a good, fast field.
Jeff was also victorius at Bighorn in 2005 & 2006, so he has now completed a hat trick there. Nice job, my friend! Including his 3 wins at Bighorn, Jeff also won the Arkansas Traveller 100 last year, giving him 4, 100-mile victories in 7 starts/finishes. Yep, he's a pretty darn good 100-miler.
On the women's side, Ronda Sundermeier from Tigard ran to a strong victory in 25:10. Team Oregon continues to rock at ultras of all distances across the country.
Congratulations Rooster and Bronco!
Jeff was also victorius at Bighorn in 2005 & 2006, so he has now completed a hat trick there. Nice job, my friend! Including his 3 wins at Bighorn, Jeff also won the Arkansas Traveller 100 last year, giving him 4, 100-mile victories in 7 starts/finishes. Yep, he's a pretty darn good 100-miler.
On the women's side, Ronda Sundermeier from Tigard ran to a strong victory in 25:10. Team Oregon continues to rock at ultras of all distances across the country.
Congratulations Rooster and Bronco!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Kickin' it at Kettle!
Fleet Feet friends and Bendites Darla Brader and Chris Askew ran their first 100 miler yesterday in Wisconsin, the Kettle Moraine 100. After an incredible spring of hard, smart training, I knew they were fit, fast, and ready to rip it up. But, it is 100 miles, and anything can happen.
They played it smart all day long, not running too hard too soon. As the day wore on and eventually turned to night, our heroes just kept passing people and moving up in the field. We, their anxious fans, were getting updates from the webcast and their crew.
Darla did have a dark moment around the 100 km mark and contemplated dropping. But she decided to go on 7 miles to the next aid station and see if things would turn around. By 69 miles, she was pepping up again.
I went to bed last night and could hardly sleep...I was so excited to hear how they were doing. Then, finally, at about 2:20 a.m., the phone rang. By the time I woke up and realized it was ringing, it had stopped. Crap! Was it Tate calling to give me an update...was it Darla and Chris calling to say they had finished...was it their crew calling to give other news??? I didn't know, but wanted to, and could hardly get back to sleep.
Finally when I woke up I checked the webcast. This is what it showed:
Joel Eckberg 31 M 18:10:07 10:54
Mark Tanaka 41 M 20:39:37 12:24
Rick Gaston 36 M 20:40:38 12:24
Darla Brader 35 F 22:04:50 13:15
Chris Askew 37 M 22:04:50 13:15
(full results)
Yes, they kicked ass! Tied for 4th and Darla was first girl!! I was so excited when I saw it, I had to call them immediately. A quick run-down said what I thought: Darla pulled out of her funk and the two of them just kicked it in to the finish. Then, as is common at 100 mile finishes, within 2 minutes of finishing, they both completely seized up.
Chris and Darla...we are so PROUD! Congratulations! We can hardly wait to hear the blow-by-blow story.
They played it smart all day long, not running too hard too soon. As the day wore on and eventually turned to night, our heroes just kept passing people and moving up in the field. We, their anxious fans, were getting updates from the webcast and their crew.
Darla did have a dark moment around the 100 km mark and contemplated dropping. But she decided to go on 7 miles to the next aid station and see if things would turn around. By 69 miles, she was pepping up again.
I went to bed last night and could hardly sleep...I was so excited to hear how they were doing. Then, finally, at about 2:20 a.m., the phone rang. By the time I woke up and realized it was ringing, it had stopped. Crap! Was it Tate calling to give me an update...was it Darla and Chris calling to say they had finished...was it their crew calling to give other news??? I didn't know, but wanted to, and could hardly get back to sleep.
Finally when I woke up I checked the webcast. This is what it showed:
Joel Eckberg 31 M 18:10:07 10:54
Mark Tanaka 41 M 20:39:37 12:24
Rick Gaston 36 M 20:40:38 12:24
Darla Brader 35 F 22:04:50 13:15
Chris Askew 37 M 22:04:50 13:15
(full results)
Yes, they kicked ass! Tied for 4th and Darla was first girl!! I was so excited when I saw it, I had to call them immediately. A quick run-down said what I thought: Darla pulled out of her funk and the two of them just kicked it in to the finish. Then, as is common at 100 mile finishes, within 2 minutes of finishing, they both completely seized up.
Chris and Darla...we are so PROUD! Congratulations! We can hardly wait to hear the blow-by-blow story.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Two New Challenges
Last night while running up and over Awbrey Butte, I came up with 2 new, local challenges. I must admit that I got the idea for these from our friends at Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland and their Park Street Challenge.
The first challenge is running up Archie Briggs Canyon on the trail on the north side of Awbrey Butte. Begin at the bottom where the Canyon Trail starts at the First Street Rapids River Trail. Go up all 5 sections of this canyon, then stop your watch when your foot touches pavement at the end of the 5th section. Rod and I agree that sub-8 is fast.
The second challenge is also a hill climb up Awbrey Butte, but this time on the road. Start at the intersection of 9th and Portland. Run up 9th and keep going as it curves around onto 12th. When you get to Summit, cross the road, get on the small bike path straight ahead and keep going up. When the short bike path ends at Promontory, cross over to Gill Court and go up Gill, continuing past the end of the cul-de-sac, past the vehicle gate, and finish when you touch the chain link fence at the top (it's the fence that keeps you from going to the towers).
Let us know what your times are and we'll keep a tally. No prizes for either, but you may just get an atta-girl or atta-boy, and, of course, the admiration of all your running peers.
The first challenge is running up Archie Briggs Canyon on the trail on the north side of Awbrey Butte. Begin at the bottom where the Canyon Trail starts at the First Street Rapids River Trail. Go up all 5 sections of this canyon, then stop your watch when your foot touches pavement at the end of the 5th section. Rod and I agree that sub-8 is fast.
The second challenge is also a hill climb up Awbrey Butte, but this time on the road. Start at the intersection of 9th and Portland. Run up 9th and keep going as it curves around onto 12th. When you get to Summit, cross the road, get on the small bike path straight ahead and keep going up. When the short bike path ends at Promontory, cross over to Gill Court and go up Gill, continuing past the end of the cul-de-sac, past the vehicle gate, and finish when you touch the chain link fence at the top (it's the fence that keeps you from going to the towers).
Let us know what your times are and we'll keep a tally. No prizes for either, but you may just get an atta-girl or atta-boy, and, of course, the admiration of all your running peers.
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