Bridal Trail 50K

Bridal Trails 50K

Got one word for you to describe this run: MUDDY!!!!

The race starts at 3pm in the afternoon and is held at Bridal Trails State Park in Kirkland, WA. The Park is an oasis of trails that are primarily horse friendly in the urban area of Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond just off of I 405. So it wasn’t pure mud.

The rain had held off most of the day, but at start time the temperature was in the low 40 or high 30 and it has begun to lightly rain. The run consisted of 6, 5.2 mile loops. The terrain is flat for a trail run course. No major up hill and only a few rolling ups and downs. The event has a 5 mile, 10 mile, and 50k solo, pair, and team component to it. The 5 milers started first. Then comes the release of the 10 milers. Then the 50k start. It was a little chilly and damp waiting for the start, but not it was a shared cold anticipation with the other runners. The race starts with enough light, but by the start of lap 3 a headlamp and a handheld were a must.

Lap 1 and 2 the light was sufficient for me to pick my way around mud holes, horse nuggets, rocks, and roots. It was a good chance to make some mental notes about where the hazards were. The start of lap 3 the lights came out. I tried to use my headlamp on my head as I usually do, and hold my hand held. The mist and the drops from the trees were messing with my eyes, so I put my headlamp around my chest and found this to be the best. The amount of moisture in the air really diffused the light, so seeing was limited at best. I started the 3rd lap trying to avoid the mud as I had on the first two laps, attempting to keep my feet somewhat dry. As the lap continued, I found this futile and just went straight for the mud. On lap 3, I did run into a runner who was wearing his diabetes yellow running shirt. He looked like he was in trouble. I asked him if he was alright, but he wasn’t. I gave him a Hammer Gel and asked if he wanted me to run with him at least 2 times. He said the gel would help and he would be okay. I left, but it was hard to not think about it the rest of that lap. I didn’t see him on the fourth lap, so I think all is good. Lap 3 and 4 the mind wanted to stop, but I keep the podcasts (Geek show at this point) going in my ear and just kept going. The start of lap 5 felt better and I started listening to The Mediocre show. It was a 2 hour podcast and I figured I would have them with me for the rest of the way. A little over a quarter of the muddy slog through ankle to shin deep mud, I caught a group of 3 guys and was able to keep a comfortable pace with them. The start of lap 6 I felt good. Just enjoyed the slog through the mud and kept the feet churning. I finished with an unofficial time of 5 hours and 15 minutes.

There are a few things key to running: Clothing, shoes, fuel. Each person has a temperature, a foot tolerance, and a choice. I figured I would just share mine after each run or adventure to let you know what is out there and what I like. You may want to try it, and you may not.

Shoes: Montrail Steaks worked well and I like them.
Pants: Brooks running pants some guys wore tights and some wore shorts. I prefer pants in these temps and raining conditions. I had some issues with the waistband tie and need to maybe have a size smaller pants.
Shirt: REI long sleeve polyester and spandex combo shirt
Running Vest: Sporthill vest that is wind resistant in the front. It has been a permanent fixture in cool weather running for me over the last 2 years.
Socks: REI running socks
Gloves: Manzella Sprint gloves
Hat: Halley Hansen beanie
Underwear: Jockey sport boxer briefs
Drink: I drank Hammer Nutrition HEED (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) before the race and in Nathan hand held water bottle I carried. After lap 2 I added a NUUN hydration tab to my water (Orange Ginger flavor). I drank water for laps 4-6.
Fuel: I used Hammer Nutrition, Hammer Gel (flavors: vanilla, espresso). Some M&M’s, PBJ sandwich quarters, Bagel with cream cheese quarter from the aid station during the run.

Fat ass 50K or Something

Saturday morning and I wrestled with the big question: Go snowboarding or go for a run? I had plans to go snowboarding on Sunday, so I opted for the run. I went to Tiger Mountain with the intention of running with Hootz for a few hours. As I am driving past the frontage road on the freeway I see alot of cars and realize "Oh shit the Fat Ass 50K is scheduled for today!". So, next comes the second big question of the day: Run 50K or Run alone (well with Hootz)?

Answer: Run with the group, only because with the current snow pack on the mountain, the run was not going to be 50K long and it was pretty informal.

Result: 5 hours of trudging around on Tiger Moutian in snow and only covering 17 miles. Post holing through a midlayer of ice crust. Meeting some nice people. It was alot of fun and interesting to say the least.

Sunday: Snowboarding was a little harder with 5 hours of running on Saturday, but man was it worth getting onto the mountain and getting some turns in. Alpental is a great area. Snow conditions were okay. Some short finds of powder, lots of moguls, and some nice terrain.

What's next: Well I am working on my formal calendar of running events. I think I may run the Bridal Trails run on Saturday in Bellevue/Redmond area.