The UltraRunning link for the U.S.

Chuckanut Mountain 50K Trail Run 2001 Report(WA): Tim Lofton

I wanted to pass along my thanks to the directors and volunteers of 
Saturday's Chuckanut Mt. 50k. The trail was excellent, especially the change 
to trail from road after aid #1. Weather held out nicely and remianed 
overcast throughout, with no precip except for probably the runners coming 
in at 7 hours or more.
     This was my first time for this event, and only my second trail 50k. I 
had the fortuity of doing the middle 30k (toughest portion) a few weeks 
ago. Familiarity, as usual, made Saturday's run a little more manageable. 
Although it seemed that there was less mud this weekend, and there was no snow
at all.
     Ridgeline trail on Chuckanut Mt. doesn't fail to deliver. Lots of roots 
and large rocks, and not on level trail. Many drops and climbs to handle, 
some on all fours. Though mileage-wise this is a small portion of the run 
(approx. 3-4 miles), it is the most fun and scenic. The near-vertical drop 
down to the You-will-get-wet creek is a nice, but momentarily nerve-racking 
way to exit the ridge trail.  Then you get to plow through mud for the next 
hour or so. As usual it is best to just go through the middle as too much 
energy and time is spent trying to circumvent the goo. I can only imagine 
what Barkley, HURT, and other more technically difficult trails provide. A 
final comment regarding Little Chinscraper seemed to provide a climb without 
end for a while. After a few hands-on-knees stops and muttered curses, I 
broke out and headed down, down, down to aid #4.  I tried to put in a good 
fast effort down this road, but strangely I couldn't get my legs to turn 
over very f!ast. Here's another focus point for my training. Then down some 
more to aid #5 which I just ran by as I just wanted to complete the final 10k 
and be done.
     To my slight despair I trotted in at 6:20. I was hoping for 6 hours even
or less, but I hit the early downhills pretty fast and walked the early uphills 
very quickly. My right shoulder took the brunt of my fall as I handled a drop 
on the ridgeline trail with less grace and agility than I would have cared for.  
This after two folks (more careful than myself) let me pass.  It was nice to 
have an audience to display for. Cramping of my  right calf set in on the 
backside mud trek (about mile 17). This flared on and off for the remainder of 
the race. This also happened in the Tiger Mt. Fat Ass 50k. Obviously I need to 
work on my electrolyte balancing a little more. I may actually try Thermatabs 
as my next planned event is Mt. Si 50 miler. Fourteen miles with on/off 
cramping was manageable, I'm not sure about 30 or more. Reaffirmed that I 
can't handle Gatorade too well on the run as I refilled at aid #4 with the 
orange stuff. Stomach blahs the rest of the way; nothing!
bad just annoying and uncomfortable. Succeed Ultra worked well up to that point.
     Aid stations were very well manned and stocked; those folks did a bang up 
job in handling people as they came in, filling up, and getting them out.
     Final thoughts: I finished over an hour ahead of my time for Tiger 
Mountain. I had no blisters; shoulder feels pretty good. I realized I need 
to travel a little lighter as I didn't eat half of what I brought. Overall 
in good shape. Now it's 50 miler time with Mt. Si in 3 weeks and White River 
at the end of July. In between, hopefully helping Tony Covarrubias prepare 
for Cascade Crest 100. Have fun and I'll see you all out there.

Tim Lofton
loftont@immunex.com
cumulus84@aol.com