Teanaway Country 100

Summer  2022

Miller, the second time.  Teanaway Country 100

I started to run again in the middle of June.  I needed a goal to keep myself active so I signed up for the Teanaway Country 100.  I thought there was a possibility I could do better than last year when I finished in just under 28 hours.  

Throughout the summer I often ran a hill repeat out the front door of my house.   I made a shift to cut down on fuel and time expended during travel to the Southeast Olympic range.  I drove to my usual mountain trails once or twice a week, and doubled my efforts to make the most of resources.  I didn't branch out and spent time running repeats of  Mt Elinor from Big creek campground.  I also did the same on Mt. Rose.  Two summits of Elinor are equal to 25 miles/10,000' elevation gain & loss.  Two on Mt. Rose is 12 miles/7000'.  Trail surface is technical at the tops of both routes but not equal to the percentage of harder going terrain in Teanaway.  When the route is familiar I feel like I can focus on the workout and recognize benchmarks along the way.  Repetition is a common them when I am trying to build fitness, but it is not the rule.    

The view north into the interior Olympics

In the middle of a repeat on Elinor, a well trafficked mountain.

I filled in my weeks as best possible with mileage and whatever climbing I could add close to home.  Once or twice a week I did a CrossFit style regiment. In addition I stand up paddle boarded to help with core and arm strength.  The paddle board stroke does a great job of strengthening triceps. I've mentioned this before in other blog posts.  I usually paddle on saltwater and the sea air is soothing for the lungs.   Knowing how much poles can help on the TC100 course I wanted my arms to be strong.  My goal in training was to focus on whole body fitness. 

I raced a couple times this summer and had a lot of fun.  Both events were shorter yet challenging courses. The goal was to have a variety of experiences rather than a singular big blowout 100.  The first race was a 14 miler on Mt. Elinor "The Beast of Big Creek."   I came away with 2nd at 2:51:40.  I was five minutes and twenty seconds behind first place Conor Bryan.  Rock Candy Running has new ownership of the Beast, and it was a well organized event.  It was a blast to run competitively on a route I normally train on.   The route up could be considered a sky run.  The last two miles of climbing are steep, with a relatively gradual approach.  

Smiles at the start line.  The Beast of Big Creek 14 miler

The Beast underway.  Conor Bryan in the orange hat took 1st

The next race I participated in was the Volcanic 50k by Go Beyond Racing.  I absolutely loved the Volcanic experience.  I would recommend it for someone who wants to put in some race training for TC100.    It starts at Marble Mountain Sno -Park on the south side of Mt. Saint Helens. With the exception of the connecting trail from the sno- park the race follows the Loowit trail.   The RD's for the Volcanic describe it as an experience that is more like a 50 miler, with finish times reflecting the difficulty of the terrain.  There are many runnable areas, but they are interrupted abruptly by technical sections.  Boulder fields, washed out arroyos, steep climbs, and a couple of rope assisted sections are along the route. 

Nice to get an age group award-  3rd place in 40 year olds

It was a hot day and I have never cramped so severely in my life.  My father in law Bill was in town and came out to see me finish with Liza.  My sister Sara and her husband Alejandro were also there with the kids.  Everyone was sitting in the shade of a U-haul truck in the hot parking lot.  They had a chair waiting and I guzzled multiple cans of cold ginger ale and Vitamin waters.  I had repeatedly consumed almost all of my water between aid stations.  Most of the Loowit trail is exposed, and the boulder fields are comprised of black rocks.   I finished in 7:01:21,  12th place overall.  There were close to 250 people in the race and most of them stayed the night in the snow park.  I drove out alone before the event, and It was fun to pull up at dusk and meet new people before settling in.  My neighbors in the snow park were just as excited to be there, and we talked for a while before settling in for the night.   I felt enriched by the experience of racing as it was a way to connect with others, and experience a sense of community.  

I was feeling drawn back to Loowit and her surrounding area.  Liza and I planned a road trip to take us back.    A drive south on FS23 from Randle took us into Mt. Saint Helens monument. We located a great campsite on a knoll above the Windy Ridge viewpoint road.  From the knoll there was a view of Pahto to the east, and Loowit to the southwest.  It was peaceful up there.  Our dog Picard loved the campsite and puppy zoomed . 

Picard gets the zoomies

The next day we drove to Bear Meadows where I began a 22 mil run on the Boundary Trail.  The run took me to Norway Pass and through a sub alpine wonderland.  The trail takes the ridge above Spirit Lake and St. Helens lake.  I brought my cell phone in place of a lost tracking device, with hopes I could message Liza.  The route was amazingly beautiful and I was happy to have a camera.

St. Helens Lake, and Spirit Lake below.

Loowit

My legs felt decent as the day progressed.   There were multiple creeks originating from the crater and I was able to fill water from them.  I was amazed at seeing some of the old growth trees still standing at the base but snapped in half by the eruption.  The display of power is in the foreground. 

Our campsite on the knoll.

Liza and I went back to our campsite on the knoll and stayed a second night.  The next day we traveled to the base of Mt Adams and found a pull off suitable for camping.  I ran 3/4 of the way to the Lunch Counter (basecamp) and back to the van that evening.  Our the roadside pull off was about 3 1/2 miles from the trailhead to the south route.  After returning we ate dinner and watched the sunset over the burn zone.  As It got dark I began preparing to summit the next morning.   I left at dawn and made it to the top in about 3 hours.  It was peaceful up there and I only talked to one other person while up there.    Coming down took more time.  The snow was pretty hard and iced over in places making it difficult plunge step.  I made my way down cautiously until the grade began to flatten out closer to the lunch counter. 

Mandatory soaking in an ice cold creek 

Picard at dusk

Mt. Adams from our side of the road campsite

We jumped in the van and headed south.  The temperature rose above 100 as we drove towards the Dechutes river and through the Dalles.  We kept the AC cranked for our panting dog and cruised the van over rolling hills.  The next morning I ran 15 miles along the Dechutes river access road to get my stride back. It was a perfect gentle downhill on gravel.  The early morning sun had not made it into the canyon, and the river had cooled down the air during the night.  

BLM camping along the Dechutes

The long run week had passed.  I didn't quite achieve 100 miles of running so I went out to Elinor on day 8 and ran a double.  It was awesome to branch out and see some of our amazing lands.  I felt recharged and blessed by the experience of traveling with my wife Liza and our dog Picard.

 Late August double Elinor,  a little smokey.  Looking towards Mt. WA and Hood Canal

I tapered off running and brought in paddle boarding.   The next couple of weeks I completed a couple steeper runs in the Olympics to keep the motion of climbing familiar.  I didn't think about the race until it got closer.  Liza and I had last year to guide us in preparation.  We mostly know what is normal when I run 100 miles in the mountains.  I've been trying to hold on tighter to running my own race.  This year at Teanaway there was a run against yourself 2021-to 2022 mindset- a silly notion.  Whatever gets you to the finish line is a good mindset for TC100.

5 am at Salmon La Sac Sno Park.   I didn't whoop and holler in an effort to save my strength.    We departed the start line and began running up the forest road.  This section is the smoothest of the whole course.  A group of us were in front and averaging 12:00 pace.  We chatted as our feet crunched gravel.  This is the easiest section of the course, and it's a great to enjoy it like a Saturday morning group run with the running club.  I tried to warm up my calfs and loosen out the tendons in my ankles.  The road climb goes up gently for about 7 miles. 

Sasse Ridge aid station sits at the end of the forest road where the course turns into a trail.  I quickly filled my half liter bottle I brought along for electrolyte mixed water.  We continued on.  At this moment were four of us in a pack.  Carl Koopmans,  Zachary Szablewski, Troy Haeseler,  and myself.  We stayed together and traded places often for the first half of the race, with Carl and Zach trending towards the front.  It was a nice group of people to run with.  I had seen Troy on Strava, and he had recently posted a 130 mile run on the entire Discovery trail in 28 hours.  Zach is a physical therapist who is an avid ultra runner, and was a joy to run with.  Carl was part of a handful of people from the Plain 100 who signed up for Teanaway last minute because Plain was cancelled as a result of wildfire.  

2022 was another year the TC100 was able to be held with wildfire threat looming in all directions.   A week and a half beforehand a dry northeasterly stoked up every existing fire and started several new ones.  

9/9/22- morning

9/10/22- Evening.  Bolt creek fire can be seen among others.  Cedar Creek in Oregon creates a massive smoke plume.

We were dialing in an easy pace for the first quarter and it seemed we would be hanging together for quite some time.  At this juncture of the TC100 an idea starts to form about how things will look later in the race when you return along the same route.  It's always difficult to tell how you will be feeling 50 miles into a run but the thought of retracing your steps can feel daunting.  Already challenging trails rear a different face when exhausted or at nighttime.  Depending on what side of the fatigue pendulum you are swinging on makes a difference.  Personally it's best to not think too much and just run aid station to aid station.   

I felt like we were taking it easy and liked it.  Last year I ran into Iron Peak aid station 27.5 cramping and needing to settle down.  I had still been attempting to keep close to 1st place John Maxwell.  Today I was feeling pretty decent as my 2022 self.  Half the battle is remembering I am capable, reinforced by miles accomplished.  I tried to release expectations and enjoy the run.  

We rolled though the next two aid stations quickly.  I didn't reach back to fill my 1 liter jury rigged Befree bottle yet.  I filled my small bottle with whatever drink mix was available, and stuffed it in the front pocket on my vest.  Gallagher Head lake is at 15.8, Van Epps pass-21 miles, and our group run was still going.  Not long after Van Epps is Lake Ann.  To the west above the lake the trail ascends the rocky side of a bowl.  The lake was clear and more full than last year.  The descent after the "smallish" pass above lake Ann is loose and rocky for a couple of miles.  Later the trail smooths out as it approaches Teanaway river road.  Iron peak aid station was a mile away and we could see our crews for the first time.  

Liza was there and mentioned I looked a lot better than last year.  Liza's assessment is one I rely upon and believe in.  I didn't need too much time and ate a half banana.  I filled up my small bottle again.  I still hadn't topped off my larger bottle yet.  The temperature was in the mid 50's and I was feeling better than last year in part by the cooler weather.  I was sweating less and retaining my electrolytes.  Zach and Carl headed out first from Iron peak. Troy and I departed just a couple of minutes behind and caught up to them.  Troy had a new set of trekking poles as he had forgotten his at Van Epps.  It wasn't more than a tenth of a mile up the trail that he broke one.  No luck with poles for Troy, but it didn't phase him.  

I noticed I was catching the other guys on the steeper climbs.  My uphill momentum was pretty strong, and I needed to take advantage of it.  

I arrived to Beverly turnpike 35 miles in.  Walter from last years race was volunteering at the aid station and calmly helped find what I needed.  He had an offering of berry smoothie which settled well.  If I can eat real foods it's always a move in the right direction.  I started the race with non caffeinated GU liquid gels.  The limit of use stated is 8 per day, in intervals of 45 minutes.  Basically they destroy your stomach after prolonged use.  For myself its better if they are mixed in when needed. 

The climb from Beverly turnpike is steady and long.  There is a dip at the summit where the trail drops down 500' before going back up in sort of a fish mouth on the elevation profile.  Afterwards is a long descent to Miller aid 45.5 miles in.  I was feeling pretty bad at Miller, but not terrible.  I was 3rd place behind Carl and Zach, but didn't know if others had left aid before me.  Troy probably departed Miller a few minutes after I did.  

From Miller aid station there is a gradual ascent beginning in the forest.  After arriving to an open ridge the trail undulates and trends upward before dropping down the side of Miller peak.  Just after I started to descend from Miller peak I got caught by a couple of guys who seemed to be on the move together.  One was taking a call on his phone using ear buds, which I was amazed was possible.  The other runner passed me a couple minutes later on a series of switchbacks.  They appeared to be feeling great.  It was Derek Wright and Scott martin.   I was getting passed and falling back in position.  I felt horrible all over.  A whole body low was kicking in, and my mental state was failing me.  I was mulling over the idea of quitting.  Liza would be at the aid station with the van and It would be easy to drop.  There was a dark hole in front of me and I was stepping in.  It was becoming apparent that dodging a drop out at Miller aid would be a definitive boundary in my race.  At Miller the second time there is barely more than half way completed in a difficult out and back.  The thought of all the climbs intimately known, and soon to be run in reverse looms heavily.  I thought about the act unpinning my bib number and handing it to the aid station captain.  The ham radio network would circulate the info that #15 had dropped.  Reason for dropping, felt like crap.   I had already finished the race once and proved myself, today was not my day out here.  

Wrong answer!  Listen to your crew.  Get past the negative thoughts.  Put on a headlamp,  and start moving!  I was told to do those things by Liza.  Sometimes all you need is for someone to believe in you and it makes it possible again.  Sara and Alejandro were there with the kids and my mom.  I could barely talk to them.  I was convinced to continue on, and tried to make gains in eating.  I left Miller feeling bad and sulking down the road.  Slowly I started feeling better.  I could noticeably feel more energy in my step.  I power hiked, and caught up to a the first place woman and her pacer. Her name was Biga and she was pumped to be out there.  I stepped ahead and talked to her for a moment about getting over pity parties.   

Liza and I had made plans to meet at Beverly because I was feeling poorly.  She wasn't able to make it to the aid station.  On the hike up she ran into two mountain lions on the road.  She backed up slowly and returned to the van, and they didn't follow.  Later on a ham radio operator told us two people dropped after seeing mountain lions on the trail.  There were a lot of people hanging out at beverly around the propane fireplace.  I grabbed a seat in the corner of the tent.  Walter took care of me again.  I had a slice of quesadilla, a half liter of ginger ale, and broth.  The chair I was sitting in was a reject and had an acute folded up angle to it.  An uncomfortable chair will encourage movement.   I got up and walked towards the bridge that led away from the aid station.  Biga came running in as I was about to leave.  She has wonderful energy and was exclaiming how dark and black the night was.  Walter had my bib number told me I was clear to go.   

Earlier I saw one runner and his pacer on the short out and back into Beverly.  They were leaving as I was arriving,  I couldn't tell who it was in the dark.   Later I came across the same a runner on the side of the trail about 2.5 miles out from Beverly.  He was taking a nap on the ground.  I didn't realize it was Zach at the time.  I remarked about taking care to not get cold as I passed.   Zach was with his wife who was pacing him, and she was making sure he wasn't shivering.  Not long after passing I noticed they were moving again less than a quarter mile behind me.  

On the descent to Iron Peak aid station (76.2) the front of my ankle started to hurt pretty bad.  My Extensor digitorum longus tendon began to flare up in the lower shin area.  I felt a sharp pain that lasted for about 5 seconds.  The pain seemed to fade out as I continued.  I looked down with my headlamp to see if it was swelling.  There was a pronounced bump where the injury was.  Later it turned purple to red but the pain stayed minimal.  I arrived to Iron peak aid and met with Liza.  Her assessment was that I looked pretty good and a lot better than when she had seen me at Miller.   When Zach sat down in the aid station tent I asked him his opinion about my ankle.  He said it probably would be a two week recovery with, and that he would continue to run on it if it was him.  I figured I would be able to continue without it slowing me down and deal with the consequences later.  Its more of a muscle where it was injured.  The overuse was related to breaking or slowing momentum on downhills. 

I spent a lot of time at the aid station again, and Zach departed before me.  Another runner Justin Lewandowski had caught up again and had been in the mix back at Beverly.  Justin departed just behind me and I could see his headlamp on the many switchbacks leading up to the pass above Lake Ann.  I caught up to Zach and his pacer on the climb and stayed ahead through the woods just after the lake.  

Van Epps pass aid station located at 83.1 miles is visible at night from the pass.   A dim glow of the tent can be seen, and makes it seem closer than reality.  It's almost another two of miles beyond the lake.  The crew at Van Epps had some really good potato soup on the stove and I had a couple of cups.  It settled nicely in my stomach. Once more I probably stayed too long.  The guys behind me showed up and got moving a lot quicker than I did.  Biga rolled in right as I was leaving.  

It was close to the 24 hour mark in the race.  My memory gets a little more hazy moving forward.  

I caught up to Justin on the jeep road.  The saying "tough as nails" can be applied to Justin.  I could tell complaining was not something Justin does, although he did mention that he felt like he was ready for the experience to be over.  We talked for a little bit and I moved ahead on the climb.  The road up is the one taken by the Gallagher Head aid station crew.  It's an impressive hill climb to take with the best of modified 4x4's.  It started to rain and the road was beginning to shed the water.  I got into Gallagher Head aid station- ( mile 88.2) before Zach and Justin, but they were close behind.  I talked to the crew for a bit and ate half of a quesadilla.  The wind was gusting and the crew was holding onto the popup tent to keep it from taking flight.  I was told the guys ahead of us had left about 8 minutes before I arrived.  They were in 2nd and 3rd.  It perked my interest a bit and I was the first to leave.   

There is a gradual descent after Gallagher until the trail begins to follow Big Boulder creek.  Further down is a hard left onto South Fork Boulder Creek trail-  a spur connecting to Paris Creek trail.  Zach caught up with his pacer behind him and passed me before the spur.  There was a hard turn to left that we all ended up missing.  I was keeping an eye ahead and following until I saw them stop.  This was reminiscent of 2021 when a pacer that was ahead of me scared up a mountain lion a couple feet from him.  I was keen on the thought of wild animals as it was dawn and I was in their habitat.  I heard Zach yell up and say that he thought he was off course.  The hard left was marked well, we just missed it.  It didn't take long before he was scrambling back up to where I had stopped.  He was on a mission to track down 2nd and 3rd.  The idea of competition had faded into the back of my mind until now.  Zach took off up the mountain- racing.   I knew there were 2 1/2 sizable climbs ahead and then a relatively brutal downhill to the finish line.  I didn't want to blow out my energy and struggle on the last climb or anywhere up ahead.  I caught up to Derek Wright and didn't stop to talk.  Time to get the horse to the barn.p

I kept up my pace after passing him and pounded out the last couple climbs.  As the route approaches the last final downhill I experienced a feeling of not totally remembering where I was on the trail.  I had run in the other direction but it was very early in the morning the previous day.  The last climb ascends most of  Jolly Mountain.  There is a laminated sign at the top directing runners down the Jolly Mountain trail.   I remember this section trail being a bit rougher the previous year.  Maybe I cared less this time around, or possibly the rocks had been flung to the side by dirt bikes.  Either way I ran down as fast as able.   It's about three miles to complete the last section and it went by fast.  Eventually I could see the road leading to the snow park.  I ran in with the best form I could muster.  I felt like smiling or crying out of happiness all at the same time.  Brian Morrison our race director was there to greet me as crossed the finish line.  Scott who was out crewing for Troy was there and congratulated me.  He had seen me throughout the race and offered encouragement at some of my lower times.  I had mentioned 2021self against 2022 self, and he asked me how 2022 guy was doing.  I replied that I felt like he was doing pretty well!  

Through the gate in 28:12:00 4th place

Liza gave me a kiss and a hug.  I felt glad to have finished for about 10 minutes.   I was sitting in a fold up chair next to 3rd place finisher Scott Martin.  He mentioned how the relief of finishing a 100 miler begins to fade the more you run them.  It's a conclusion of a long run, and soon after you begin to think about what comes next.  

I'm beginning to arrive to place in my running.   While there, I feel like the journey is beginning to be the purpose.  One more step further in a life worth living.

see you out there!