Fuse Burns at TNT Despite Rain

The 2011 running of the Tar 'n Trail 6 miler is in the books.  Just like previous editions, the race proved to be challenging for the 138 runners that braved the elements (and climbs) to help make this 4th annual event another huge success.

The race features a wild ride through some of Ashland's best parks and trails.  It begins on the well manicured trails of Lithia Park to the adjacent applause of Ashland Creek before doubling back on the fast and flat tar of Granite Street.  Erik Skaggs made his move here and would be hard to catch as the race begins it's ascension over the next couple miles.

Runners as young as 8 and as young as 69 made their way up the infamous quarry stairs to the ditch trail and from there the ditch road and Strawberry-Hald Park.  The course undulates once again and tops out at the entrance to the Bird Song Trail where switchbacks abound to dizzy the most experienced trail runner or Jenn Shelton .  Legs that have accumulated some 800 feet of climb now brace themselves for the massive descent back to town.  It's over a mile of shoe slapping street-work to the finish where the most technical aspects of the race, those sneaky stairs usher in the finishers. Not much thwarted these racers though as it seemed everyone was game for one of the most unique races in the valley.

In the end it all added up for the AWTA  as proceeds help to pad trails all over the watershed and town.  Thanks again to all of our many volunteers, Great Harvest Bakery, Basement Ink, and AWTA.

 

All smiles at the registration table.

Leland, did you drop the baton?

The final climb up Hitt road, really. 

Soggy scene at the finish.

1st to 4th; Erik, Andy, Bob, and Jayce

Lot's of fun pics can be found here thanks to Shahid.

2011 Tar N Trail Results

Tar N Trail 6-Miler
3/5/2011
Lithia Park, Ashland, OR. 
Rain

Place Bib Name Age Gender Time 1 277 Skaggs, Erik 28 M 35:13 2 238 Kelm, Andrew 38 M 38:26 3 310 Julian, Robert 42 M 38:28 4 232 Ives, Jace 27 M 39:04 5 308 Davis, Gerald 20 M 40:13 6 275 Shelton, Jenn 27 F 40:29 7 309 Jackson, Ben 18 M 41:10 8 198 Conley, David 27 M 41:20 9 315 Schaaf, Isaac 17 M 41:30 10 321 Jackson, Sam 18 M 41:39 11 230 Holmes, Brendan 31 M 41:59 12 224 Griffin, Joe 50 M 42:01 13 208 Eisen, Jeremy 40 M 42:13 14 233 Jahn, Corbyn 19 M 42:51 15 335 Tutland, Niko 16 M 42:54 16 270 Saulsbury, Scott 42 M 43:09 17 333 Broom, Nathan 32 M 43:13 18 330 Gutches, Kent 51 M 43:34 19 210 Engstrom, David 45 M 43:40 20 205 Dinger, Eric 37 M 43:48 21 281 Stemple, Camden 15 M 43:49 22 314 Herrera, Navarre 16 M 43:57 23 271 Schweiguth, Melissa 36 F 44:11 24 254 Noyes, Brad 35 M 45:00 25 258 Owens, Dylan 33 M 45:17 26 305 Cain, Rob 57 M 45:50 27 297 Wikander, Chad 38 M 55:40 28 209 Elbert, Chad 39 M 46:11 29 266 Raber, Tyrone 33 M 46:37 30 294 Wallstrom, Pete 38 M 47:01 31 241 Kiesling, Alex 16 F 47:25 32 247 Lowe, Jacob 14 M 47:48 33 186 Asman-Prudell, Cole 14 M 47:48 34 280 Staha, Stephen 31 M 48:01 35 265 Raber, Laura 32 F 48:19 36 302 Meador, Stephen 21 M 48:32 37 284 Stemple, Scott 45 M 48:34 38 278 Slack, Travis 14 M 48:35 39 186 Asman-Prudell, Cole 14 M 48:36 40 332 Sargent, David 30 M 48:57 41 206 Dungan, Chuck 39 M 49:17 42 268 Requejo, Santiago 32 M 49:38 43 306 Bacon, Tucker 21 M 49:55 44 304 Carter, Austin 23 M 49:56 45 228 Hazel, Felicia 47 F 50:06 46 312 Greenblatt, Dana 16 F 50:18 47 322 Anderson, Greg 29 M 50:29 48 248 McPherson, Tim 13 M 50:41 49 244 Kominsky, Steven 28 M 51:02 50 264 Pryor, Karl 47 M 51:07 51 249 Meyer, Elena 47 F 51:37 52 259 Olson, Jeffrey 41 M 51:56 53 283 Stemple, Lela 13 F 52:00 54 219 Gallagher, Mike 30 M 52:11 55 184 Alonzo, Ron 61 M 52:12 56 234 Janssen, Megan 28 F 52:18 57 313 Chaves, Maddie 16 F 52:48 58 329 Ahle, Tom 61 M 53:02 59 212 Fox, Eric 43 M 53:06 60 290 Turner-Gerlach, Bryan 30 M 53:25 61 295 White, David 67 M 54:24 62 219 Gallagher, Mike 30 M 54:24 63 220 Gatz, Casey 28 M 54:49 64 197 Combs, Chris 32 M 55:02 65 331 Brinkley, Beth 47 F 55:03 66 199 Crawford, Joseph 14 M 55:04 67 216 Fralich, John 10 M 55:05 68 187 Barton, Jennifer 39 F 55:06 69 324 Hodge, Robert 50 M 55:08 70 326 Aker, Martha 46 F 55:20 71 267 Rambo, Sidney 37 F 55:22 72 285 Stone, Jeff 55 M 55:23 73 319 Blackwolf, Quinn 14 F 55:43 74 320 Dunagan, Sara 15 F 55:45 75 294 Wallstrom, Pete 38 M 55:53 76 185 Arnold, Randy 47 M 56:09 77 227 Harris, Jim 33 M 56:15 78 303 Hammond, Tom 47 M 56:24 79 336 Prescott, Tom 41 M 56:54 80 242 Kling, Alison 55 F 57:44 81 221 Goldman, Steve 64 M 57:46 82 231 Hurd, Barbara 50 F 57:52 83 250 Micham, Melanie 39 F 58:17 84 191 Bertel, Tony 25 M 58:20 85 188 Barton, Savanna 13 F 58:53 86 215 Fralich, Ian 9 M 59:03 87 255 Noyes, Dave 60 M 59:07 88 261 Parks, Brooke 29 F 59:08 89 291 Voelkel, Emily 26 F 59:16 90 288 Toll, Scott 52 M 59:23 91 337 Pederson, Scott 50 M 59:24 92 236 Johnson, Mike 30 M 59:41 93 311 Parker, Emma Rose 14 F 59:42 94 273 Shanor, Tara 36 F 59:56 95 220 Gatz, Casey 28 M 59:57 96 211 Feinberg, Joanne 50 F 1.00.00 97 235 Johnson, Kimberly 28 F 1.00.10 98 182 Abrams, Arnie 57 M 1.00.16 99 253 Newell, Matt 34 M 1.00.24 100 182 Abrams, Arnie 57 M 1.00.45 101 253 Newell, Matt 34 M 1.00.45 102 217 Fralich, Kristian 8 M 1.00.47 103 279 Staha, Aysha 32 F 1.00.57 104 276 Silverman, Megan 31 F 1.00.58 105 218 Fralich, Zach 11 M 1.00.59 106 213 Fralich, CB 38 M 1.01.00 107 256 Noyes, Monique 35 F 1.01.00 108 225 Hackwell, Danielle 33 F 1.01.09 109 246 Looney, Kayla 16 F 1.01.13 110 327 Clark, Marty 44 M 1.01.48 111 192 Borgatti, Jasmine 33 F 1.03.27 112 263 Perry, Bess 28 F 1.03.28 113 200 Deluca, Mary Ellen 52 F 1.03.36 114 214 Fralich, Erinn 40 M 1.04.08 115 252 Nealy, Johnna J. 27 F 1.04.15 116 325 Hodge, Ruth 49 F 1.04.15 117 300 Zowada, Larry 60 M 1.04.23 118 229 Hickey, Kelsey 25 F 1.05.06 119 269 Rullamps, Daniel 26 M 1.07.46 120 183 Abrams, Mary 58 F 1.08.05 121 260 Owens, Marni 31 F 1.08.53 122 196 Carter, Kathy 45 F 1.08.59 123 282 Stemple, Kara 42 F 1.09.29 124 262 Pech, Margaret 34 F 1.09.54 125 251 Murphy, Linda 61 F 1.09.56 126 239 Keppler, Gene 56 M 1.10.03 127 299 Wolfe, Kathy 60 F 1.10.18 128 189 Bekermeier, David 69 M 1.13.15 129 257 Noyes, Renae 58 F 1.17.13 130 240 Keppler, Sharon 49 F 1.18.46 131 274 Shaskey, Norman 63 M 1.22.15 132 301 Nangle, Cooper 8 M 1.27.23 133 195 Carole, Jana 53 F 1.30.50 134 323 Jamison, Lisa 38 F 1.32.00 135 307 Ali, Nasra 48 M 1.43.21

TAR 'N TRAIL LOOMS

 No, it's not really looming and it's not as dangerous and tough as some of you may have been lead to believe, but it is less than three weeks away. Put it this way, after running TNT, the Shamrock Run will go down like a piece of green cake.

The course will pit runners against some of the best trails and roads Ashland has to offer.  Run through Ashland's park jewel, Lithia Park, ascend the steep Granite Street Trail steps and hill to the narrow and windy Ditch Trail. After grabbing some water at the half-way mark ascend further up Hald-Strawberry Park hill and Hitt Road. Then start your downhill run to the finish while taking in the expansive views of the Rogue Valley below.

Forms are available here or RVR.  Sign up now to guarantee your technical tee, yes the tee is included in the $20 entry and proceeds benefit the AWTA.    

Born to Run?

The current 24 hour barefoot record resides in southern Oregon, it also belongs to the man pictured above. Unfortunately those credentials didn't translate last weekend at the Rocky Raccoon 100 where he tried in earnest to break the 100 mile barefoot trail record. 

I couldn't help but post this gruesome pic to detail just how hard going for such a record is and truth be told he's done his due diligence on this one. When I met Todd 5 years ago at the Mt Ashland Hill Climb he was sporting aqua socks and finishing in the top 5.

Perhaps the most amazing comment I heard while on the course was, "yeah barefoot, but was that guy wearing a kilt?"  You never cease to astound Ragsdale. 

New shoes for now.

Rocky Ruminations

 
I have witnessed two course records go down in the first 36 days of 2011, neither of which belong to me.  I would like to think that my presence (running) acted as a catalyst for these unworldly performances but alas that too would be amiss. Never-the-less, both of my times were good, the latter I would even go as far as to say, great.  Here's the account of how it happened.   

"I'm trying to convince jurker to jump in.  he's about halfway there.  turning into a pretty solid field. you should come down. w/o any climbs to break everyone things probably won't really separate until 80 miles.  guess i'll just have to run 7:30s the whole way..."   - Tony Krupicka

I had a hard time not finishing a 100 in 2010.  The distance is by far my favorite and it's the one I do well.  I ran better than I expected at Western for someone with one leg and then I got the wind blown out of my sails at LT100 when I went off course.  I hadn't accumulated much confidence going into 2011 and why should I have,  I had found my groove celebrating just about everything unrelated to running and was doing quite well at it. I mean the only thing Tony and I had in common leading up to his question of whether or not I would run a 100 miler on February 5th was a healthy beard so as to better brave the wintry elements.

Lord of the clings.

Yes Scott, I was wearing a jacket for the first 20. Better Than Naked!

The one thing that separates ultra runners from other contributing members of society, and other athletes, is the ability to forgo all reason, logic, judgment, and fear and jump into the arms of certain pain solely on intuition and ambition. They may leave the latter on the doorstep as well.   

"Hi Joe,  

Scott, Hal and myself are all planning on coming."  - Tony   


I had a 50k under my belt and two weeks to put in some quality miles to feel more certain about the decision I had just made.  Who was I kidding, the race now included over a handful of the best 100 (+) mile runners in the country and here I was trying to recover from an event I didn't even train for. Before I could make any decisions my body made them for me, I was sick.  Well, Erik and I decided to run 13 that turned into 20 with almost 4,000 feet of gain on my first day back and that's what I got for it.  The taper was in full effect.

"So tell me you're just going to drop at 60, that's all I'm giving you."  - Jenn Shelton (RR100 CR holder)


I really had no great expectations other than finding the familiar feel of running for half a day, maybe more, and all the accompanying fixings that have always made me want to do it again. Oh, I was happy to be there with Scott and Tony and Karl etc but I really felt they would all be running away from me and that would make for a long day. Finally it hit me; 24 degrees, dark and everyone lined up behind the timing mat.

 
As we headed out on the first of five successive 20 mile loops I couldn't help but run hard to try and stay warm.  The pace was comfortable and I found myself chatting with my OXFAM Trailwalker teammate Hiroki Ishikawa as we stuttered around the winding trails in pre-dawn light.  I then moved up to heckle Scott, "What is this, 24 hour pace?"  The group was serious, a little stiff, and all business.  Everyone was adjusting to the unlikely circumstance of running with a large pack of legitimate runners for so long, myself included.  Luckily a couple runners had made the distinction of getting the party started and a minimal chase had begun. 

Tony, myself, and Mike enter Damnation aid station with Jurek gaining. 

Tony has a compendium over at Running Times and I won't bore you with all the beta that has surfaced from this unassuming race suffice it to say, it was one for the record books ( Maya. ) I will admit however that the day unfolded almost as easy for me as it wasn't for Tony and certainly less considerable than how it must've been for Ian.  I never felt pushed beyond my limits mentally or physically and it afforded me an ability to hang tough all day.

I was more than content to run with Tony as he always seems to pace himself so effortlessly.  I had to hold on at times when his surges of adrenaline and fueling didn't quite mesh with mine and I was a little surprised to find myself back in the mix when those 20 second differentials hid him in the pines, but running with someone for almost 93 miles is a lot like trying to match hops on a pogo stick. (get it shelton?)

Of course there were times when I had my fill too.

"Hal, why don't you just stay here this weekend and we'll go on a nice 30-40 miler in the sun."  - Erik Skaggs

I'm always getting dragged around on training runs and have come quite used to capitulating.  There is always that chance however that the gamble pays off, and over 100 miles you get a lot of opportunities. It doesn't look so much like capitulating then either.    On this day, there were two gambles that didn't pay off.

As Ian ran away with the race I couldn't help but wonder if I heeded his early pace, heck I didn't even know who the guy in the black beanie was.  Of course I had received emails from Meissner about a guy coming from Bend to Lithia Loop with a legitimate shot and my athlete manager at TNF had just called me earlier in the week to talk about a prospect joining the team.

"He ran very well at Comrades...yes he was 7th at Western." - Lisa Watson/me

That's the chance you take, and kudos to him for going for it.  I felt I too was going for it, but for a guy that never ran a flat, fast 100 I had no idea of what was possible.  I did know that not going in 2011, with all the talent amassed, it would never get any easier. That's for sure.

So to Tony, I must say that much of my herky jerky running was the realization that I didn't think you wanted to hear all that Cee-Lo Green and Phoenix coming out of my headphones, ok ok Ray J and SISQO.  I also didn't know that we were running sub 13:30 pace.  I really would've like to catch you on that road and run in closer to 13:16 but that's much easier to say in hindsight. I love how defeating miles 90 - 100 are and they are always defeating. 

Fill that bottle as fast as you did for Tarzan.

To Joe P, thanks for an awesome event.  I never thought running 5 x 20 miles could be so much fun and be so well supported as well as directed.  When I jokingly wrote you about filling in the blanks on the race registration and adding my time as well, you weren't far off.  Next time I'll be shooting for my name with that sub-13!

"Never can doubt you, you lover of mothers"  "This is probably the race of your life...all downhill from here."  That's what we call pulling an elephant out of your....."  - Jenn Shelton


All very valid points. For the finer points and three of the fastest 100 mile trail times ever look here.

Rogue Valley Stride and Strut

Sounds like we're getting ready for a fashion show.  After witnessing the styles paraded around the YMCA the last few weeks I believe it's sorely needed.  No, this post is about the upcoming 1 and 2 mile fun runs that you can participate in with your favorite pooch, hound, pup or whatever they're calling them these days.

The race starts at 8:30am February 26th where Granite St turns to dirt.  There will be prizes for various divisions of owners and dogs and dog and owners.   Cost is $15 and all proceeds benefit Friends of the Animal Shelter.

 Natalie Portman has been spotted training for the upcoming Stride and Strut.

Finally a race we can enjoy with our four legged (dog) friends. Fill out the form and bring it by Rogue Valley Runners.

I heard a rumor?!?!

Don't be left holding the proverbial poop bag.

Even Julia does it.