Endurance Eating

Today Ash n I went to Stepping Stone Cafe in downtown Portland. We saw the Cafe on Man Vs Food it is famous for its colossal food, especially the pancakes. To build up an appetite for 5lb pancakes we rode our bikes over the mountain and into Northwest Portland. There was a hungry crowd waiting outside. The cafe's slogan is, "You eat here because we let you." We felt honored to wait.
For any clients wondering, why can't I be an endurance eater? You too can be an endurance eater, but first you must ride your bike for 4 hours, run 3 miles, and lift weights for 1 1/2 hours. All in a days work.



The Competition is the guy on the top he ate 1 omelette and 3 Mancakes! It took him 2 hours and 42 minutes hmmmm that's a good marathon time. I had the Jalapeno, Onion, Green Pepper, and Cream Cheese Omelette amazing. Ash had Portabella, Feta, and Artichokes mmmmm. The Damage

Where's Waldo 100K

Finally found the Little Bastard he was hiding out by the finish line
Crew Chief sleepin on the job Dead Man Walkin See you at mile 30 3 am Start



Beautiful Oregon Sunrise from our campsite. After seeing Chris off we went back to sleep until sunrise.
View from Fuji Mtn Summit



Entering Aid Station Mile 20

Leaving Aid Station Mile 35


Pushing for Summit of Maiden Peak just under 8000 feet

Maiden Peak Summit


A short Rest before making the descent

62 Miles over 3 Mountains Congratulations Chris Drew!

Circumnavigating Mt. Rainier- Wonderland Trail

Day 1 still feeling good

Sleeping arrangements. mint on pillow... the last night I was awoken by a critter (chipmunk, or Chihuahua?) running across my head. I was a little startled, but it was good because I got to see the stars and a few meteors flash bye.

Mama bear and you can see her cub in the bottom. I had to scramble up the switchback to avoid getting too close to her young.

Trip couldn't have gone more perfect besides being the toughest damn thing I've ever done. Just got back from getting my prescription filled because this blister of three days became infected.

The Wonderland trail is 93 miles long I choose to go clockwise around Mt Rainier. It was extremely technical and over 20,000 feet elevation gain which is over 6000 feet higher than if I would have climbed the volcano.

One of Four Bear sightings!







This was a low point in the day and my speech is slurring. Never going to look at a mile the same







About 4 miles of snow pack into camp very tough

Indian Bar Camp last night.. still 23 miles from Longmire and Salvation

White River 50

Corral Pass Mile 16.9 Still feel fresh. Beautiful Mt Rainier in Background

Tomorrow we run the White River

I hope all the Advil doesn't shut down my liver

It will be the furthest distance yet

Painful blisters you can bet

Some people say we are crazy

I rebuttal, at least I'm not lazy!

It is not about seeing how fast

But seeing if you can last

Two mountains you must pass over

Much easier in a Land Rover

When I started to cry at mile 35 of the race

Dignity was gone without a trace

There was many times I thought I was going to be sick

But slowing down the pace did the trick

The last six miles were no easy feat

At least the old growth kept us out of the heat

This was by far the hardest thing in my life

It made me realize the greatest joys are met in strife

Team Rash crossing the finish line. Feeling good for running 50 miles in the

mountains.

Here is a video I found on YouTube of Saturday's race. I don't know who this guy is, but his video shows some of the course terrain and aid stations.

White River 50 countdown

Last Year's Start

As I am writing this there is exactly 2 days 11 hours 58 minutes 46 seconds no wait.. 44 seconds no wait 40 seconds until the White River 50 Mile Mountain Race. The only reason I know this precisely to the second is because Local Portland Runner Yassine Diboun has a countdown on his blog. Yassine is my favorite to win the race, but the competition is going to be tough being that it is USATF Trail Run Championships. That means all the elite runners around the nation ought to be there. As for Ashley and I, our plan is to just finish this one, It will be the longest mountain race yet.The race rises and falls a total elevation change of 17,400 feet over the 50 miles! We must remember that this is not the focus race of the year (it is the Bear 100) and to enjoy it. To race it like a 50 mile race, not a 50K, to pace ourselves and concentrate on hyrdration and nutrition. We plan on leaving for Silver Springs Campground on Thursday evening. Friday is the pre race briefing and pasta dinner then the race kicks off bright and early Saturday. Not sure what the race will bring, but breaking 10 hours would be nice. We don't plan on driving back until Tuesday giving us a couple days rest in the the Mt. Rainer National Forest. We can hobble around enjoying the endorphin high and reflect on the accomplishment. When we return, it will be just one day until Mom comes!

HOLD ON!

A Few Weeks ago Ashley spent the day with a photographer, Brendan Coughlin in Portland his work is so creative and so unique, I had to share!The Photo above has an MC Escher vibe to it.......
Digitally enhanced freckles, same technology used to make Avatars blue.
Same Girl.....

New Runner In Town...

I would like to present to you, the newest trail runner in the Pacific Northwest!!! Earlier this month my mother came to visit. Although, it was a decreased mileage week (as far as running went), we still needed to head out to the trails.

It was a wonderful experience to share this with my mom. The trails are where I have spent the majority of my life for the past 10 months and it was nice to be able to show this place to my best friend. A lot of the time when I am out on the trail, I am reflecting on life... wondering what is right, what is wrong, what is great, what could be better... yet, when I was able to be on the trail with my mom, all I could think about is how wonderful it was that she was here, sharing this experience with me. On this particular day, my mom did 4 miles on Wildwood trail! Great job mom! After she conquered Wildwood for the second time in two days, we headed out to Rose's is in Portland for some brunch.

My mom was here for the 4th of July. We made the decision to stick around the apartment and light off fireworks. It was fun and hilarious! There was a ridiculous spread of scumptious food and we barbequed all afternoon. On my birthday we went over to Cannon Beach. Mom took some great pictures by the haystack.
I was awfully sad to see my mom go. It reminded me I really need to see family and friends more than just every 7-8 months. Even though I miss her and think of her often... we had so many wonderful memories that I can now reflect upon while being on my beloved trails.

Spend some time with the ones you love... put your blackberry away, shut off the computer... and the tv. Go for a walk or enjoy nature together... you'll be amazed at what you might find out about eachother and you'll always be grateful to have those memories together.