STOLEN: Find these bikes for these Good People

Please keep your eye open for the following bikes:
Call: Robyn and Glenn @ 604.913.0979

Please send this email/facebook to your network of biking friends!!!
6 STOLEN BIKES LIST

Transition TR450, medium, raw aluminum frame, 2011
Fox DHX RC4
Rock Shox Boxxer R2C2, 2012
Bright blue: handle bars, crank, flat pedals,
Serial # TBC1305067

Santa Cruz Nomad2 carbon, small, flat black frame, 2011
160RLC
DHXAir Talas
Rock Shox Reverb remote Seat Post
Lizard chain guard, roach stem cover, red
Flat pedals
Serial # N0010ES0050

Santa Cruz Blur LT2 Carbon, medium, black , 2009
Fox float
Talas 32
Rock Shox Reverb remote Seat Post
Crossmax wheels
SPD pedals
Saddle bag
Serial # L0009KM01152

Santa Cruz Blur LT2 Carbon, small, blue , 2009
Fox float
Talas 32
Rock Shox Reverb remote Seat Post
Crossmax wheels,
SPD pedals
Saddle bag and wireless computer
Serial # LOOO9KS01219

Giant Defy Advanced2, small, black, 2012
Ultegra groupo,
Durace rear derailleur
Giant connect alloy road bar
Ultegra PD pedals
Saddle bag and wireless computer
Serial # GK1F274

Specialized, Tarmac Expert, 54cm, white, 2010
Ultegra groupo,
Ultegra PD pedals
Saddle bag and wireless computer
Serial # STD39A0592

Sun Mountain 50k

I've found it harder and harder to write blog posts recently and I'm not sure if it's that I know people don't want the same old crap in a race report or if I think people are more interested in snippets of information like Twitter provides. 

Either way, I'll try my best to be parsimonious on this second attempt at this almost three weeks late Sun Mountain race recap.

Sun Mountain 50km

At 7:00 am nearly 200 runners set off to kill 50 miles of trail while I headed back into town with Salomon West Van's shop Ambassador, James Marshall. Before our 10:00 am start we'd need a coffee and a bite too. What better place than on the boardwalks of Winthrop in the sunshine?

As it usually does, the time before the race flew by. Many more bathroom requirements than usual. Aches and pains surfacing. At race time off went another 200 runners into the semi-arid climes of the Sun Mountain - Patterson Lake area. A feeling that didn't leave me for the entire race parked itself in my legs almost immediately. I was heavy. No, not fat. Just not light and bouncy like I often am. Without a thought though I spent the first mile or two sorting my position until I fell into pace with an amazing runner from Kelowna, Loic Letailleur. We chatted most of the way about the usual stuff and came in and out of each others stride. I appreciated the way he felt equally as crappy as me at times and never seemed to play the "I'm strong right now" game. We loved to hate the climbs together. 

At the second aid station (17 miles) I left before him and thought our running date was over. Of course I questioned whether I'd taken off too quickly but carried on through some of the best trail of the day. It was windy, soft, slightly rolling and free of people and noise. The loveliness was quickly halted with a crap climb leading up to Sun Mountain Lodge and the point at which Loic appeared behind me again. Also the point where I realized my hydration plan was off and coming back from that was going to be impossible in what remained of the race. Chills ran through my body even though the sun beat down on my back and my bowels were sloshing around with each stride. It was easily 20 degrees Celsius. Atop Sun Mountain I filled my only bottle (big mistake) and ran forth to join back onto that sweet, flowy single track again. After coming back around the base of Sun Mountain we'd junction to the left and head to Patterson Mountain. I had no idea what was coming. Loic pulled away for awhile along this stretch until I rallied at the third and final aid station. One brilliant volunteer ran down the road to fetch our water bottles and called me "inspiring". I guess I believed him, because I put my head down and picked my way up through the barbed wire and over at least three false summits. I'm not exactly certain what happened next but Loic, who'd become my pacer, took a back seat. Perhaps he was even more deflated than I was when a young Seattle girl steamed over us like we were standing still. Either way, we picked our way to the actual summit to simply touch a sign that said "turn around here". Not interested in going any further, I went right back down and headed for the finish. The trail from here weaved tightly downhill and prickly sage brushed past my legs until I came upon Patterson Lake road. For the first time, I looked at my watch and realized I might actually be able run under 4 hours and 30 minutes, a personal best by 10 minutes. Prematurely I layed down the hammer and took off. This lasted for about a half mile and the finish still hadn't appeared. With the sounds of cheering off in the distance I couldn't tell how much further it was and I refrained from running by the watch. Head down and the cheering got closer. The turn over I had three minutes earlier was gone and my guts were rumbling while I pushed up that last little climb and into the congratulations corral of James Varner (RD).  The time: 4:30 and some change.

I was hot. My stomach was unhappy. I wanted beer but couldn't do it. I ate Tums. I ate a pizza. I chatted with some new friends. I chatted with some old friends. And then we went out for Mexican.

The days kit...

Everything was perfect aside from too few water bottles. The years first exposure to hot weather running required far better hydration. 

Of mention and certainly a follow up blog post are my two new favorite pieces of gear: Salomon Mantras and the S-Lab belt. More to come on this hot new stuff.

Freedom

Sun Mountain Race Cap to come...

The Watermark speaks for itself. Always amazing photography by Glenn. Thank you.

With about 2 miles to go and all the climbing out of the way, I was on a downhill high. My legs were cooked and I was thinking it might be a possibility that I break the 4:30 barrier. I had 18 minutes from the point in the picture above.

The only place to be last Sunday, May 19th

False peak after false peak after false peak - If you weren't so beautiful I'd hate you, Patterson Mountain.

Many Miles

A few months ago I reported that I was racing only four times this year to stay healthy and get involved with other aspects of the sport. Thus far I have stayed true to that. 

Race #1 Dirty Duo - DONE! And won relay.

Race #2 Sun Mountain - This weekend.

And in the "other aspects" category, my daughter and I were course marshals for the Capilano Crusher and I marked the My First Trail Race course with a great group of friends.

Sun Mountain
Under some guidance from an amazing athlete and friend, I have approached my training for Sun Mountain a little differently. It seems I've tried a wide variety of strategies and training and little has changed for me. My speeds typically stay the same and thus my times do as well. "What did I have to lose?", I thought, when I asked Gary for some help. This guys having a killer season so he must have a few choice words of advice for me. 

He did. There's much more to it than simply much higher mileage but that's the bulk of it. For him and others the mileage I've been running may not be much but it has been really tough getting in 60 and 70 mile weeks while teaching, parenting and being a husband. Thank god my Lara is supportive and understands ultrarunning. 

The temperatures in the Winthrop area look to be amazing this coming weekend and my fingers are crossed for a good race. Having never run any of the course before, I don't know what to expect but I'd love to run another 50k under five hours. Success for me will be to run under five hours and feel great. I know very few names on the registered list so I have no clue what placing might look like. A top 10 would be a dream. 

Race #3 Test of Metal - June 15th and on almost no mountain biking. Despite my beautiful new 29'r, I haven't been out a ton. Too much running I suppose. 

That's all for now and with that I'll sign off with a few amazing shots by Rob Shaer. We met up a few weeks back  in the trees below Mountain Highway on Griffin. It was 9:00 am and the sun was coming through the trees from the east. As the forest started to heat up, moisture began to float up from the foliage. A cool mist. I love being there but I'm usually enjoying it through the lens of a runner. That morning with Rob however, we really slowed things down and I got a chance to view my environment through an entirely different lens. Then I went running. Thanks,  Rob.

1st ed. Cross Max - XA Short - Fast Wing II Jacket

This means so much to most of us on the North Shore

A moment between shots.

The rock work put in by the mountain biking community in North Vancouver is incredible especially on Fromme.

And of course the woodwork ain't so bad either.

City to Peak and Back

Two dudes in Buffs. They're all the rage these days. Thanks to Gary for the hard push up BCMC. It was nice of you to stay awake while I neared heart attack zone. I thought I was a fairly good climber until yesterday. Gary and his shaven legs talked the whole way and comforted me to the chalet. Thanks.

Looking north toward Goat and Crown Mountains.

The view to the west on Cypress.

Just before an ankle freezing, fast ripper of a descent. The descent took us right down Paper Trail to the base of Screaming Eagle chair and into Skyline. Skyline was a bit post-holey at the entrance but someone has really cleaned it up with a chain saw and the route down is smooth sailing.

A Commitment to Four

Calendar's filling up for next year, folks. I've got four races on tap between now and September 1st. One of them is over already. One is a mountain bike race. One isn't even a certainty as I haven't yet registered and I expect it to fill up quickly. And the final one I am registered for, can't wait for and hope to safely train for. 

Alena and me pre-mud Diamond Trail Mud bath

The First is already over. 

Last weekends Dirty Duo saw the dawning of new socks, a new partner and yet another win of the relay. A third partner in as many years and yet another win with an even faster time. In 2011 I ran the 25 km course in 2:21 and partnered with the great Kim Steed of Steed Cycles. Our combined time was 4:14. Last year, with Nomad and fellow Marx Conditioning disciple, Arthur Gaillot, I ran 2:25 for a combined time of 4:03. With yet another Marx Conditioning/Nomad, Chris Johnston, I ran 2:23 for a combined time of 3:58. My times are relatively stable but the bike times keep improving. Eventually someone will get themselves a real fastey of a runner and rattle my relay successes. Until then, I'll keep racing. This year the power was in the socks as Monika Marx watched her athletes succeed in every discipline. Special thanks to Monika and Arthur for all your support that day. 

The second isn't a certainty. 

On March 25th registration opens for Rainshadow running's Sun Mountain 50k. This classic is timed with the bloom of wild flowers in the Methow Valley, near Winthrop. It comes highly recommended by trail legends like Adam Way and Josh Barringer. I do believe Dave Papineau even enjoyed himself down there. Everything is crossed at this point in hopes that I am able to register and get in to this one. The race itself is scheduled for May 19th. After last years 4:40 at Baker lake, I can't wait to see what I can do over 50k this year.

Handles like a Lotus - looks like a 29'r

One is a mountain bike race. 

Attempting to add some variety back into my training life, I registered for a classic. One I've done before and one that is either loved or hated by many and nowhere in between: Test of Metal. Late last month I entered back into the world of mountain biking by selling my 2007 Yeti 575 and bringing home a Specialized FSR Comp Evo 29'r. Yesterday's bombing decent of Ned's was all I needed to feel confident that my decision was right. And I used the command post like a rented mule. On-the-fly seat adjustment is a great addition to biking... along with 29 inch wheels, of course. As for Test of Metal, I am yet to break the elusive 3:30 barrier and would love to. I've been close before so perhaps 29 inches of rolling steam will help make up the time I need. I'm really looking forward to the training variety that this will bring to my running brain. 

And the final one I am registered for.

To finish my season in serious style, Meet Your Maker. This 50 mil'r was such a huge success last year and I loved being involved in the relay. Although the elevation gain and huge distance is daunting, the course is second to none and can only be described as beautiful. Where else can you take an 11 minute break on a Peak to Peak Gondola? 

After a month in the French Alps, I arrive back in Canada on August 29th with very little time to reset my internal clock. I'm hoping my time overseas will be as much a family stay-cation as it will be a time for some quality long training runs in places I've only dreamed of or looked at on Google images. 

Although it's not a busy season I am very excited about my commitment to:

• racing less
• mixing things up with variety
• running for adventure and resting more
• and staying healthy and energized by eating well and getting plenty of massage

The end of last season left me absolutely trashed and depleted of all energy or will for running. Burnout? I don't know. DK and the Lazy Trail Runner think I have a case of O L D coming on. 39 isn't that old is it?

I'm looking forward to using my time to help out at races in as many ways as I can and also continuing to put people in amazing Salomon gear at 5 Peaks events.