I've talked about Williams here before. This time around, while visiting my father in southern Oregon, I took some video footage of the local trail system. The snow level was still pretty low this time of year so much of the expansive high country was inaccessible.
Watch more videos on Flotrail
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
2012 Chuckanut 50K
I was due for a trip back to the Pacific Northwest. It was time to dump the desert sand from my shoes and replace it with some green moss, run in the mud and rain, slip around uncontrollably, and see some old friends. The invitation to the 20th anniversary of the Chuckanut 50K was irresistible. With roughly 550 runners finishing, 11 of those under 4 hours, and 80 under 5 hours this had to be one of the fastest and largest trail 50K's ever run on North American soil. Congratulations and kudos to Krissy Moehl and Ellen Parker for putting together a successful event. I'll let Bryon Powell do the talking: Here's his excellent race summary over on iRunFar.
As usual, here's my summary in photos...Enjoy!
Finishing Chuck in 2005 in 9th place in 4:14. Seven years later I'd end up in 65th place in 4:51. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
The 2012 race begins. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
The first and last six miles on the Interurban Trail (photo courtesy of City of Bellingham)
(l to r) Mike Wolfe, Max King, and Adam Campbell (the 2012 Chuckanut overall winner). (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Classic Hal Koerner on his way to the party. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Pearl Izumi teammate Scott Jamie rolls on the Interurban and finishes in 4:08. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Fragrance Lake, roughly nine miles into the race. (photo courtesy of the Washington Trails Association)
On my way down the Two Dollar Trail from Fragrance Lake to Cleator Road. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Ellie Greenwood wins the 2012 Chuckanut 50K in course record time, 4:09. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
It was a pleasure to spend some trail time with Canadian Ryne Melcher. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
The view from on top. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
A glimpse of race day's trail conditions on the Chuckanut Ridge Trail, roughly mile 13. (Photo by Bryon Powell)
A good look at the Chuckanut Ridge Trail without the ice and snow.
North Lost Lake Trail on a warmer, drier day. (photo courtesy of the Washington Trails Association)
What Lost Lake (roughly mile 18) looks like on a sunny day had I looked to my left and hadn't had the fear of slipping and falling in the deep mud here. (photo courtesy of the Washington Trails Association)
Starting up Chinscraper, mile 21. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Not afraid to use my hands. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Up, up... (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
...and away! (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Pearl Izumi's Tim Olson, who finished 11th overall, runs up Chinscraper. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
US Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier Sage Canaday (2nd place finisher) finds Chinscaper a little slippery. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Dave Mackey (7th place) does Chinscraper in one giant step. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Fellow Flagstaffian Sara Wagner wins the Women's Masters Division. (photo by Glenn Tachiyama)
Your Moment of Zen
Fun with Interviews...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The 2012 Pearl Izumi Team Summit
Over the past couple of days I had the unique opportunity, for the second year in a row, to travel to Boulder, Colorado and partake in the Peal Izumi Ultra Running Team Summit. An opportunity for team members and sponsors to meet, mingle, and learn.
The camp's objectives were clearly set forth:
1. Build Team camaraderie
2. Provide a format for the athletes and Product Line Managers to get to know each other and work together
3. Capture video and still shots for 2012 content
4. Drive PR by inviting key editors for a portion of the camp
Chautauqua, Boulder, CO. The setting of the Team Summit at the foot of the Flatirons.
First things first. I felt it imperative, since I've heard so much about it, to get to the summit of Green Mountain for the first time in my life. Early Monday morning I met Dylan Bowman, Timothy Olson, Jason Schlarb, Scott Jurek and run leader Tony Krupicka for my virgin journey up Green. Here's Longs Peak captured from the slopes of Green Mountain in the early morning light. (photo by Scott Jurek)
Had I done my research I would have quickly discovered that I would be doing this (photo by Jeff Valliere). I quickly discovered that screws alone didn't provide enough traction on Green's steep and VERY icy slopes. Tony, seen here, and the others quickly left me for buzzard bait. Thanks to Jurek who cajoled and ultimately convinced me to continue upwards.
Tim Olson, Jason Schlarb and Tony Krupicka (l to r) on the shoulder of Green Mountain. (photo by Jurek)
Atop Green (8,144'). This was an epic climb. Tony, myself, Jurek, Schlarb, Olson (l to r). (photo and shadow by Bowman)
Looking back from where we had come. It doesn't look that icy from down here. (photo Jureker)
But, I digress, let's return to the summit. Here we are at Pearl Izumi Headquarters in Louisville, CO. Nick Clark (in orange) and Timothy Olson chat it up. Dylan Bowman (in blue) and Scott Jaime (in green) stand behind.
Cassie King, our team liaison, gives us the lay of the land.
A very cool and colorful array of PI cycling jerseys.
What goes around comes around. In 2000, I worked for this man, Scott Tucker, while at Montrail in Seattle. Now I find myself working with him again as part of the Pearl Izumi Ultra Team.
Mike Thompson, Pearl's footwear project line manager, shows us the updates on the line. I'm psyched to get my hands on the new and improved Peak 3's!
Kelly Emich does the same with the apparel. The new Pearl Ultra clothing line looks sweet!
Leave it Pearl to shock you into purchasing their gear!
Tim shows off the new team jerseys. Plaid is back!
Bryon Powell from iRunFar (left), Robert Kunz from First Endurance (right) and Dale Fleckenstein from High Gear (not shown) were in attendance.
I love this shot: Running below the Flatirons. (photo by Bryon Powell)
Pearl Izumi's Ultra Running Team: myself, Scott Jaime, Timothy Olson, Becky Wheeler, Nick Clark, Dylan Bowman, Ashley Nordell, and Darcy Piceu-Africa (l to r). (photo by Powell)
Photo shoot action: Ashley shows us how it's done. (photo by Powell)
Orange you glad I didn't say banana!? (photo by Powell)
The men's team. Mmmmm, green M&M's. (photo by Bryon Powell)
Nick Clark's turn in front of the camera. (photo by Powell)
On the set. What a beautiful day! (photo by Powell)
Tim shows off a little more than the women's shrug. We know you want one too!
Showing off some of the new Pearl Izumi Ultra apparel line. (photo by Bryon Powell)
Your Moment of Zen
Since Zoroaster missed out on the racing in Moab and had to stay home while I played in Boulder, I thought it only fair that she get some face time. Rewind to 2009 when I discovered that not only did she love to run, but that she also knew all of the newest stretching techniques.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Interview with UltraRunnerPodcast.com
"IAN TORRENCE INTERVIEW, ULTRA RUNNER
Get out your glue sticks and no. 2 pencils, Ian Torrence is going to take you to ultra running school. When Ian isn’t out running and kicking butt and taking names, he is coaching for McMillan Running and helping runners to do the same. We talk to Ian about his background and how to be a better ultra runner. “DING!” The ultra running school bell just rang."
You can hit this link here and listen to my interview in its entirety. Cheers!
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