Author: zach

The Wonderland Loop

The Wonderland Loop

I have wanted to attempt the Wonderland trail at Mount Rainier National Park since 2016 and after a brief discussion with Apryle on September 6th, we decided that September 8th would be a good time for me to give it a try. Even though this may 

Ohio Reunion Part I: Rocky River FKT

Ohio Reunion Part I: Rocky River FKT

I traveled back to my home state of Ohio for my fifteen year high school reunion on August 24th 2023. After stepping off the red eye flight, I headed straight for Berea Falls near my old college campus in order to pursue the Rocky River 

Super Marathon

Super Marathon

After a disappointing marathon experience at Boston this April, I was determined to run a quick marathon this year, so I signed up for the Super Fast Marathon on June 17th 2023. I previously did this race in June of 2019 and ran a 2:45:33. I hoped to run a little more consistent and under control in 2023 and break 2:40. 

I toed the line at 7AM and was fortunate to have perfect weather conditions with cloudy skies, a slight mist and temperatures in the mid 40s. The race starts from Hyak on the Iron Horse trail and heads east for 2.5 miles along Keechelus Lake. I made it to the turn around and then dodged traffic back to the start finish line. I hit the first 5 miles in 28:48. From there I continued onto the Snoqualmie Tunnel. I turned on my headlamp, choked on a cup of water and tried to avoid stepping in puddles as I ran into the abyss. I reached the other side at 7.8 miles in 46:21. Unfortunately, my watch overestimated the distance and therefore, it seemed like I was running just a little faster all morning. However, the persistent mile markers kept me honest.

The opening miles felt fairly controlled and I was looking forward to the descending portion of the course. The first five miles along the lake and tunnel only waivered about 120 feet (2570-2490 feet in elevation). After exiting the tunnel I dropped about 1600 feet to the finish. Generally the only thing on my mind was pace and which side of the hump in the middle of the trail to run on. Because I was wearing the vapor fly shoes, my feet and ankles were a little more unstable on the rocks and I was trying to avoid any small injuries.
The trail was mostly socked in by fog, but I did get the occasional view of the Cascades to the north. Additionally, there was always another old railroad trestle to traverse and these were often flanked by a waterfall to the south.

I ran through the half marathon mark (according to my watch) in 1:17:32; which theoretically was on pace for a 2:35:00, however, on the course I went through the half marathon mark in more like 1:18:30 (2:37:00 pace). As the race progressed my focus waivered and I caved to the pain slightly, clicking of a 2:21:48 second half marathon. I crossed the line in a time of 2:40:18, which was good enough for the win and a 5 minute PR on the Super race course. However, I was ultimately hoping to run an overall personal best and break 2:38:00. Still I was happy with my effort and the weather could not be more perfect for a quality marathon. Thank you to the Run Super race directors and all the volunteers for an well executed marathon.

I also managed to make it out to another Bill Roe All Comers Track Meet where I competed in the 1 mile and 5000m. As a stark contrast to the Super Marathon the All Comers meet was quite hot and sunny (with temperatures in the mid 70s). Just 11 days after the Super Marathon, on June 28th, I hit the track to get beat by a bunch of fast high school and college kids. I ran the mile in 5:00.47, just barely missing the sub 5 minute barrier to open up the meet. Then about an hour later, after the sun had gone down I toed the line from the 200 meter side of the track for the 5000m. I managed to finish 5th place in 16:11 despite starting quite a ways off the front. The 5000m was certainly one of my fastest in quite a few years and I felt great about my fairly even splitting on the track.

Oyster Dome 50K

Oyster Dome 50K

The Oyster Dome 50K caught my interest in late June, despite the July 8th start date. It seemed to be the perfect final tune up race before Fat Dog 120 on August 10th. The plan was for the race to act as both a long 

Squak in the Dark

Squak in the Dark

Squak in the Dark is a night race that features a 5.7 mile loop with 1500 feet of vertical gain that is repeated for 8 hours. The individual with the most laps in the 8 hour time frame wins the event and there is also 

Sun Mountain 50 Miler

Sun Mountain 50 Miler

I departed for Lake Patterson Cabins in the late evening of May 12th and arrived before midnight (after a 4 hour 30 minute drive) and was welcomed by Aaron Long and the Cowgills. They were kind enough to let me set up my sleeping pad on the floor of their cabin, which was significantly more comfortable than sleeping in the car. I was ready to compete in the Sun Mountain 50 miler at 5:30AM the next morning. The Sun Mountain 50 Miler is a Rainshadow Running classic which takes place on the eastern side of the North Cascades flanking the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness high above the Methow River Valley. 

The start finish line was only a short walk from the cabin which made for very easy pre race preparation. Anticipating a scorching day with exposed treeless ridges, I filled a 2L hydration bladder and slathered copious amounts of sunscreen all over my body. The race started with a shout from James Varner to follow him around the cabins before hitting the narrow trail to the ridge. Even in the early dawn, the sun was burning through the cloudless sky, but fortunately the temperatures were only in the low 50s.

I started up the Cabin trail which transitioned to the Magpie Loop trail, with a group of three other runners. The opening miles were slightly uphill but very smooth and runnable. Unfortunately within the first miles there was a deep stream running over the trail which was unavoidable. I typically make a concerted effort to keep my feet dry throughout my races to avoid foot troubles which lead to changes in my gait and thus potential injuries. Because the stream was within the first two miles, I knew I would have to cross it a total of four times due to the out and back nature of the course to the start/finish line. 

From the Magpie Loop trail, we turned onto the Lower Inside Passage trail, and then to the Thompson Ridge trail, which started the loop portion of the course. The vegetation transitioned from a sparsely tree covered hillside to a treeless hillside dominated by the vibrant yellow flowered Arrowleaf Balsamroot and a peppering of purple Lupine. We had lively conversations going as we slowly ascended the Thompson ridgeline to a high point of 5000 feet above sea level. We were treated to panoramic views of the valleys below and the towering snowcapped peaks to the distance. 

Our group of four generally reached the first aid station (8.9 miles) at about the same time, which was 1:26:38. It required a steep bushwhacking style descent to the forest road where there was a full selection of foods. After a short ascent back to the course junction, the trail descended before making one last climb to another prominence. From there the course plunged downward for the next seven miles following the tight narrow switchbacking Thompson Ridge trail. The trail was quite rocky, but runnable, and the exposed slope was gradually reoccupied by towering pines and firs which offered some respite from the sun. 

At mile 13 we reached the stone forest road and the group of four became two groups of the two after Ryan Anderson and I started down the wrong trail for a couple of seconds. We clicked off some quick splits generally ranging from 6:40 to 7:10 until Ryan pulled back with a cramp. I continued down to the Coal Creek Aid Station (16.3 miles 2:24:47) where I quickly refueled and caught Brayden Mills and Rich Cook and we began the climb of Coal Creek Ridge. The Coal Creek Valley was pleasantly cool and shady and it composed the southern border of the course at the confluence of Coal Creek, Myer Creek, and the Twisp River.

Upon leaving the aid station, the three of us started up the Coal Creek trail (not to be confused with the New Castle Coal Creek trail near Cougar Mountain). The narrow path climbed out of the forest and back onto an exposed hillside. The sea of Balsamroot welcomed us back to the heat of the sun as we neared the next highpoint of 4000 feet above sea level. During the 1600 foot climb, Rich and I dropped Brayden and the two of us negotiated the slightly steeper and more technical climb (steeper and more technical than Thompson Ridge). It is also noteworthy that Sun Mountain is an extremely runnable course and I would not describe it as steep or technical; really only steep and technical relative to a 50 mile race. 

The course then trended downward again along the Coal Creek trail before making a slight ascent after we turned onto the gravel Thompson Road. After turning onto the Upper Inside Passage trail, we began a proper descent back to Patterson Lake. At mile 23.7 we completed the loop and continued on the out and back portion of the course to the start/finish line. Rich and I ran the last 10 miles together and we both accidentally made a brief wrong turn down the Rader Creek trail before noticing our error and continuing on to complete the first lap. I ran the first lap (25.8 miles) in 3:52:35 and stopped to change socks, chug a quarter gallon of orange juice, and refill my hydration bladder. 

I spent about 5 minutes at the aid station and caught Rich by the time we reached the loop portion of the course. I was fairly certain that my second lap would be 30 to 45 minutes slower due to the rising temperatures and I certainly climbed Thompson Ridge much more slowly. Rich and I generally traded pacemaking duties until Rich sustained a fall and dropped back near the high point on the course. The sun was scorching and the temperatures were climbing into the mid 80s. However, the wind produced a nice breeze which helped a little and I also found a very small snow patch tucked into a shadowed ravine and grabbed some snow to eat to cool my core temperatures. 

I reached the Ridgeline aid station (mile 34.6) in 5:40:52, or 21:39 slower than my first lap. I chugged some ginger ale, refilled water, and grabbed some watermelon before returning to the course. I saw Rich descending to the aid station as I was climbing back onto the route. In the next stretch I focused on running as fast as I could, taking advantage of the the gravity assisted descent to Coal Creek Valley. I covered the next 7.5 miles in 1:04:24, which was only 6:15 slower than my first lap. However, my legs were ready for some hiking once I reached the valley.

I grabbed a small bag of ice from the aid station and used it to cool off and eat as I ascended Coal Creek Ridge. This was the hardest stretch of the entire race, and I was so exhausted when I reached the high point that I could barely muster a run down the hill. I thought I had the race in the bag, but with less than a mile to go James Holk passed me and I tried as hard as I could to match his acceleration, but was unable to stay with him and I lost the race by 53 seconds. I reached the finish in 8:39:55, meaning the my split to the finish was 26:51 slower than my first lap. Overall, I was fairly happy with my nutrition and pacing, but was quite disappointed to lose the race in the final mile.

Thanks to Aaron Long for letting me stay in the Cowgill cabin and Rachel Dam for helping me to refuel after the race. Additionally thanks to Rainshadow Running and all the volunteers for putting on an excellent event.

StartMileage Between Aid StationsTotal MileageTimeTotal Time
Ridgeline Aid Station I8.98.91:26:381:26:38
Coal Creek Aid Station I7.416.30:58:092:24:47
Start/Finish9.525.81:27:483:52:35
Ridgeline Aid Station II8.834.61:48:175:40:52
Coal Creek Aid Station II7.542.11:04:246:45:16
Finish9.651.71:54:398:39:55
Ridgeline Aid Station I8.98.91:26:381:26:38
Ridgeline Aid Station II25.734.61:48:175:40:52
Lap Time Difference0:21:39
Coal Creek Aid Station I16.316.30:58:092:24:47
Coal Creek Aid Station II25.842.11:04:246:45:16
Lap Time Difference0:06:15
Start/Finish25.825.81:27:483:52:35
Finish25.951.71:54:398:39:55
Lap Time Difference0:26:51
First Lap3:52:35
Total Time8:39:55
Second Lap4:47:20
Difference Between Laps0:54:45
Chirico Tenpeat

Chirico Tenpeat

Since moving to the greater Issy Alps area in 2017 I wanted to complete the Chirico Tenpeat event. The race has developed quite a reputation among my circle of trail running friends and it struck me as something that I needed to do as a 

Ohio Spring Birding Part I: Bird Banding

Ohio Spring Birding Part I: Bird Banding

In May 2022 Apryle and I had the the opportunity to observe Tom and Paula Bartlett banding birds on Kelleys Island and at Springville Marsh. I was first exposed to bird banding at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado back in spring 

Run Forest Run 50K

Run Forest Run 50K

The Run Forest Run 50 kilometer race took place on February 18th 2023. I arrived at the start/finish area at Lake Sylvia State Park in the early morning hours as the sun was rising and an eerie translucent fog hung in the air above the lake. Despite being a low key event, the checkin area was on the top of my list for best atmosphere. There was plenty of parking, easy access to restrooms, and a spacious wooden pavilion complete with a roaring fire. Furthermore, the backdrop included a beautiful lake surrounded by lush forest. 

Lake Sylvia State Park is a 252 acre park with 15000 feet of freshwater shoreline. The park used to be a logging camp that included a water-powered sawmill and a hydro-electric dam. When logging concluded in the 1930s the city of Montesano donated the land to the state park. Despite starting at Lake Sylvia State Park, the majority of the race took place in the 5400 acre Montesano City Forest. 

The race got underway at 8AM under cloudy misty skies with temperatures in the low 40s. We started with a gradual climb up the paved Sylvia Lake Road and I tried to keep things under control. A 25 kilometer runner took off, but otherwise we formed a small pack of 4 runners including, Rob Irr, Troy Haeseler, and Rob Scanlan. After about .75 miles the route veered from the paved road onto a gravel forest road. After the opening 300 foot climb, we descended Nevills Hill trail until things flattened out on the muddy Schilly trail. We crossed a wooden bridge over Sylvia Creek at mile 2.5 and then transitioned onto the Hamby Hill Loop trail which was difficult to follow through the dark forest. Our collective pace slowed as we climbed the steep muddy trail which painfully paralleled the much smoother looking forest road. 

The Hamby Hill Loop trail turned into the A 1600 trail which climbed to the Sylvia Ridge trail that topped out at about 508 feet (4.6 miles 39:32). On this climb Troy dropped off the back and I pressed forward with the Robs. The ridge trail opened up into a clearcut area which was a stark contrast to the densely forested climb. We turned northward onto the Espresso Shot trail before sharply descending the A-2500 road down to the W Fork trail. The W Fork trail paralleled the West Fork of Sylvia Creek and this trail was quite fast, and Rob Irr fell off the back of the group. Despite feeling flat, the trail did ascend up to the Satstop Crest trail junction (8.7 miles 506 feet), which I reached in 1:08:32. 

Following the continued ascent of Satstop Crest, we turned onto the C Line road and descended to the Cougar Rocks trail. The Cougar Rocks trail climbed through a patchwork of forest in various stages of regeneration and we hit the highest point on course at 793 feet (10.9 miles 1:29:28). After reaching the high point we descended the G Line road sharply down to the East Fork of Sylvia Creek where we picked up the E Fork trail. The E Fork trail transitioned onto the D 100 road which we took southwestward towards Lake Sylvia. At mile 13.0 (1:45:24) we reached the most challenging climb of the day, which was a steep rocky path over a pipeline easement. The climb was not that significant but it certainly ate up some time with the technical terrain and steep grade. 

From the pipeline trail, we took the Aunt Bethany trail to the Mid Earth trail which was a muddy steep descent to the B Line road. Rob Scanlan distanced me by a 20 or 30 seconds and I could not see the Rob Irr chasing. After crossing a long wooden bridge the route took us on the Lake trail which was quite muddy and riddled with water filled potholes. I reached the paved bridge over Lake Sylvia and returned to the start/finish area (15.2 miles 2:06:33) where I quickly started my second loop bridging the gap to Rob Scanlon. We were together until about mile 17.5 but I was dropped for good on the Hamby Hill Loop trail climb. I managed to keep it together on Sylvia Ridge (19.8 miles 2:50:49; 44:16 or 4:44 slower than first 4.6 miles), but I noticed I was moving about 1 minute per mile slower on the W Fork trail this lap. The wheels really started to come off as I ascended to Satstop Crest and in the same area I dropped Rob Irr on the first lap, he caught back up and passed me on the second lap.

I reached Satstop Crest in 3:25:38 (mile 23.9) which means that I ran the first 8.7 miles of the second lap in 1:19:05 or 10 minutes 33 seconds slower than the first 8.7 miles of the first lap. I was fairly discouraged by this embarrassing positive split but I had to focus on limiting my losses. I knew that my race was over, but I still wanted to put forth a strong effort in the 2023 opener. I continued to struggle and walked a bit more of Cougar Rocks trail than I would like to admit. I reached the highpoint in 3:53:19 (26.2 miles) which was 1:46:46 for the second lap or 17:18 slower than the first lap. After churning the legs downhill I reached the dreaded pipeline climb in 4:12:36 (mile 28.2) or 2:06:03 for the second loop which was 20:39 slower than the first lap. 

The muddy descent of Mid Earth trail was difficult to keep footing but I managed to glissade the mud perfectly. I hit the Lake trail and reached the finish line in 4:38:46, meaning that my second lap was 2:32:13 or 25:40 slower than my first lap. On a positive note, my time was 8 minutes under the previous course record, but I just could not match the two Robs in this years edition. Perhaps my lower than usual mileage for the year put me at a disadvantage or maybe I should have eaten a few more gels. Either way, from a cardiovascular stand point I felt great, but unfortunately my legs could not keep up with my aerobic engine.

After completing the course, I would say that it was deceptively difficult because there were no real long climbs, but since there were so many short climbs, the overall vertical gain reached a surprising 4990 feet. In addition to the vertical gain, the trails were twisty and muddy, both of which slowed the overall pace. The weather was quintessential Pacific Northwest winter, sporadic rain and mist under mostly cloudy skies. The temperatures ranged between upper 30s and mid 40s. The scenery was classic south peninsula, with a mix of narrow trail and logging road weaving through forest in various stages of growth. I thought the course was perfectly marked and very easy to follow and I had a great time on the trails as usual. 

Mojave Desert Adventure Part V

Mojave Desert Adventure Part V

On January 13th we were scheduled to join a birding group at Las Vegas Springs Preserve, so we made our way in to the city in the early morning equipped with our 600mm zoom camera. Las Vegas Springs Preserve is a lush oasis in an