Quick Letter from Other Side of the Earth

Before I finally left from my be loved State of Oregon, I always concerned myself about that there are no places to fit in myself anymore in Japanese culture. Since I spent my time in Japan for only 3 days, I have hard time figuring out myself why this country won't be able to change politically by just observing stupid NEWS on TV with full of bull-shit arguments with commentary guys on "absolute zero nuclear power plant in Japan", "introduction of new Ospray air craft in Okinawa U.S. base", "Over reaction to territorial issues of southern islands between Japan and China",  "social security tax problem in Japan", "increasing unemployment to young age working people", "these people aren't competitively searching jobs anymore", "the level of Japanese comprehension of written Japanese declined", "the world largest debt county" and many more. When I landed on Tokyo Japan around 9:30 pm, I entered Japanese style bar generally called "Izakaya" for quick bites before taking off to next destination. Generally speaking, "Izakaya" in Tokyo is such small space crammed in too many people. I assure you, 95% of people are talking about their complains about their company and his/her lazy supervisors. They were letting out their negative emotion at the bar, which aren't unusual for U.S., but they tend to talk same or similar negative topics for long periods of time. It makes me tiring by watching these people and TV, reading crappy newspaper, and listening to any media just being so negative, anti-optimistic. Sadly this environment creates abandoned hope that most of Japanese citizens feel pretty same way for these circumstances won't be changed forever. This is absolutely worst situation that Japanese are facing. I felt nobody knows how to save this country. No body wants to initiate the improvement. It is sad. 

(At Tokyo Station 11:00 pm. This city never sleeps)

I personally believe that Japanese tend to be proud themselves being under stressful circumstance at company or working condition. I guess they do not have much time in private time due to working long period of time with low efficiency. There are no typical 9 to 6 job. It is more like 9 to 10 without any over hour payment. They need to find themselves better stress management strategies. I often talk to old friends who I have not seen since high school asked me two questions. "What are you doing now?" and "What will you be doing next?" 

I usually answer to these questions this way. "I quit my job at the end of June and having my time off for recharging myself as a vacation.", and "I don't really know the future and everything up in the air, but I hope to be making money for what I love to do for rest of my life. " 

My friends usually asked me with concerned face "Are you o.k. with that?" 

"Yes, I am very happy for what I have my time right now, very refreshing in stress free circumstance, but I will find a job for living soon or later for sure. At that point, I hope to be the job I love to spend my time and effort." 

Of course I have many concerns in my head, but thinking about these concerns and risks aren't take me anywhere. I like myself be able to run long distance in healthy body. I love about drinking good crafted beers. I would like to start my own business for either crafted beer retailer or microbrewer. I can be different than typical Japanese. It is o.k. to be different. But I need to learn how to persuade people with conservative, skeptic, and rather being traditional mind settings to accept new thing. This country is becoming the big fish in small pond or so called "Galapagos island syndrome Japan" to be left out from the rest of the world. However, I am not saying that it is not bad things to be respectful to keep in traditional Japanese culture. This country needs to open up slightly more to infuse with outside of Japanese culture to become new aged Japan, so we can be little more positive mind setting to moving forward.  Stop complaining about the past. I believe we need to take a small step right now. 

After 14 years away from Japan, this is my reverse culture shock experiencing right now.

Love, all.    

Beacon Rock 50km 2012 Race recap

Since my time of living in Corvallis, OR is running out very soon, I thought I can throw my hat for one more race in PNW before hit the road to Japan or to Australia. My last and most anticipated race in U.S. this year will be the Tahoe Rim 100 mile endurance run on July 21st. I have hard time finding any ultra in June in Oregon and have to extend my search to neighboring states. Surfing net for few minutes and there is a bingo! Beacon Rock 50km at Columbia river gorge (WA) was a one of few races in June that offered by Rainshadow Running, owned by Mr. James Varner. I have never run any races from what James puts up for years, but I have always heard many positive feedbacks from my running friends, such as Orcas Island 50km and Gorge Waterfalls 50km. This would be a good test piece to see my current condition since I took few weeks off recovering from Zion 100 on May 11th.

The Beacon Rock 50km runs two loops of 25km course. An each loop has approximately 2750ft of elevation gain with two big climbing sections. Although it is not like what I heard from friends about Speed Goat 50km in UT, the course is basically up and down. However, this course has great single track sections and mostly runnable up and downhills, with only few small chin-scraper like sections to power walk.

Since this race was 25k and 50k runners putting together at the starting line, I was confused many 25km runner goes much faster pace than 50k'ers and often involved in with their pace to be pushing too hard at beginning of the race. After the small paved road section, the graveled jeep road started with gradual uphill. My heart is working hard for going uphill at Ave. 177 bpm at mile 3 to 4th. This four mile uphill section gets harder as I reached near the top of hill. The cascade of people at the single track section near the top makes us to power walk at 15 min. per mile pace mostly, but there was nice reward coming up very soon with well runnable downhill. I maintained my pace to 7:45 min. per mile letting gravity work for next 4 miles of downhill.

Although I was comfortable moving at nice grade of downhill, my quad felt a little burn at mile 8 as soon as hit the uphill. This second up hill was much shorter than the first one, approximately 1.4 to 1.5 mile with 1100 to 1150ft of gain. The section has many small switchbacks to go through, lacking my running rhythms make my legs even more heavier than normal (Unless I am like a ultra superstar runner to be skipping many switchbacks :p ). One nice thing while I was suffering going uphill at this section was to see the beautiful views. The columbia river gorge towards to the south and Beacon rock at the north east. The deep cut of mountain cliffs drop down to the Colombia river makes me to think like the Fjord in Northern Finland. The river is huge by looking at the large logging ship slowly moving toward to the east that looks so small like a toy ship floating in the bath tub. While my shoulder and chest hunched back by going steep uphills, I glanced up huge beacon rock wall. If you are a rock climber, there are more than 400 ft high of monolith dihedral wall sticks out the view making me to think climbing those big walls.

I tried to keep my power walking pace to 15 min. per mile. When I finally approached to the top of the hill, Glen Tachiyama was smiling to runners though there were bit of windy cold condition in the middle of June. His smile makes me happy, and I was admired by his passion in Ultra running community by taking many photographs professionally. I continued jogged the small ridge section, finally breaking up the heavy rain clouds that was developed late last night. Sunlight snuck through the clouds brighten up the rocky meadow to see some flowers along side of the trails. Soon, I was dropping down nice single trail again. My legs were like a freed up prison going from 8:30 to 7:10 min. per mile pace. When I approach the bottom of the hill, I forgot to go back up the small uphill section of paved road. Damn my leg felt heavy again, but my first loop is almost done.

I refuel my hydration backpack from my drop bag and had quick bite from the halfway aid station. I felt good again except muscle tiredness from the long downhill. Todd soon catch me up within 15 seconds or so, and we got off the aid station together to be ready for second round!

The uphill felt much harder at the second round, but I kept my rhythm consistent to keep moving my small steps forward. The first 4 mile uphill section went o.k. with taking gels and S-caps within half hour each to maintain extra energy in me. At this point, air temp was reaching higher and sweating far more than the first loop. I consumed more Gu brew in my 2L bladder that was already less than a half left at the top of the hill. My pace was much slower than first loop between 11:45 to 13:15 min. per mile.  However, my legs felt back in the business as soon as hit the downhill section. I felt so good at this section and can be able to maintain the same pace as my first loop.

Of course my leg would not go happy for forever. My heavy legs dragged up the second short and steep uphill again, remembering the story of Hozumi who turns on his turbo boost to push the uphill very strong via Trevor Hostetler's blog. "How the heck he can go up this steep uphill like a hopping deer in the woods?".  I also agreed with Jason Leman's race report from the last year with slower pace than the first but able to manage jog and power walk to get out of the pain. When I saw Glen again at the top of meadow, I felt happy again though I had to hold my cap and tilt my head against strong eastern wind.

I switch the gear again to adjust the second and last long downhill even little bit faster pace than the first loop. I had to stop the last aid station for refueling gels and water and continued down the jeep road an average of 7:20 to 6:45 min per pace.  My legs wanted to quit soon, but I kept ignore them pushing downhill getting two more gels back to back right before approaching the bottom of the hill. These gels saved me pushing the last uphill to cross the finish line.

My time was 5:23:06 with 4th place, but it wasn't extraordinary time as compared to last year's 50k top eight runner's time. If I ever have chance to do next time, I would like to be just under 5hr mark. I felt my legs for next week or so after the race. Good time.

Zion 100 race report--never forget my first 100m

The silhouette of mountain range from the Smith Mesa started to brighten up; the air temperature felt 10 degree cooler than just a half hour ago. I felt morning twilight in eastern horizon. My watch was just past 5 am, I was running at the last two miles of road section to cross the finish line of Zion 100. My leg was surprisingly able to push for a running pace more than jogging at this point. Or may be too much endorphin excreted from my brain that I just cannot feel anything pain in my body. The last right turn at 100-W from highway 9 to reach the finish line within 300 meters. I pushed as hard as I can to cross the finish line at 23hrs09min37sec.
______________________________________________________________________
The pre-race:

I drove up my rent-car from Las Vegas late Wednesday night and stayed at St. George, UT for a night. This was my second visits to stay in the town since I was in the climbing trip with friends in Dec. 2005.  I remembered one tiny cafe we visited in 2005, named "Jazzy Java", So I went there for good coffee and breakfast on Thus. morning. Although the cafe had remodeled to expand its space a lot bigger than before, the cafe did not change a thing for good old breakfast menu and coffee.

Since I shipped my camping and running equipments via USPS, I had to pick them up at Virgin post office before 12:30pm. Shortly after my breakfast, I drove another 28 miles to my next destination. I arrived in front of post office 8:55 am. The post office lady kindly let me in before the operation hour. This one room apartment size post office held my stuffs since this Tuesday. I picked up two of my boxes with gratitude to the lady and opened them to check what I stuffed in. It was like a little Holiday moment for me.

After I went my campsite to set up my tent, I drove up to check out the location of start and finish in the town of Virgin. There were few people prep. for tomorrow's race, and I briefly talked to Race Director, Matt Gunn. Probably his head was already spinning for prepping the race, but he kindly speared some minutes to talk with me about the race and good site seeing locations in Zion national park.

Shortly after my dinner at the fancy town of Springdale, I came back to the park around 6:30 pm for picking up my race packet and briefing. Then I saw Gary Gellin, who I have met with him at post race party from Chuckanut 50km race earlier this year. I briefly introduced to Mark Tanaka where both folks were sitting together at the picnic bench. I felt lucky to meet two veteran ultramarathoners before the race.

The campsite was supposedly full, but two sites next to me were still being empty at 9 pm. Both sites were eventually filled with late night arrivals of family with four young kids and few college students around 11:30 pm. Well, I was hoped to sleep at least 3 hours at that point.

The race day:

I woke up around 4:30 am and had breakfast with banana, oatmeal with yogurt, soy chocolate milk, and one piece of leftover vege-pizza slice from last night's dinner. After quick sanitation walk, I change myself to be ready for the race. I drove up the start/finish location about 25 minutes before the starting time of 6:00 am. I did one more quick laboratory use 5 minutes before the start. Gradually, 100+ people gathered at the start line, and everyone seems so happy to be here for the race. One thing I like about ultrarunning is the start. Although it is still a competition among runners, it feels to me more of self competition against my own goal. I always feel far more relaxed and enjoyable for standing at start line in any ultra marathons I've attended. It was not like a standing at 1500m track race, 5k, or 10k road races in my high school days to feel my gut squeezing. The sounds of trumpet were the sign of start, and runners were slowly moving forward. The sky was still in morning twilight at 6 am in Utah (5 am PST) air temp was still be cool like high 40's to low 50's.

The first two miles were gradual uphill with red dirt road usually used for recreational quad bikes. Runners with fresh legs tend to go slightly faster than necessary, and my pace was at 9:30 for first two miles, which was still comfortable and easy enough. I found Mark Tanaka with a lemon color La Sportiva shirt, like Pam Smith is wearing now, so I decided to stick with him to experience the ideal pace for 100 mile race. What surprised me was Gary Gellin, who was only 100 ft in front of us running. Soon we are walking steep uphill section so called "Flying Monkey Trail" at 3.0 to 4.1 mile point, the 1000ft gain slow me down from 9:30 pace to 21:00 pace. The gradual uphill continued until the 9 mile point, but the pace was maintained between 9:40 to 11:00. Mark seems to know where he can relax or push to keep his pace in his comfort zone for long time. His sense of humor is very funny, and he has many interesting ultrarunning stories to share us from his running experiences. Although it isn't appropreate in the blog, I have never seen a guy can do his small business while walking that takes some skill and practice to be done the job! (Sorry!)  We were able to run with Gary Gellin until the first aid station, and his goal for this race was somewhere between 19 to 20 hrs. He also mentioned that he will try to break the speed record of Tahoe Rim trail (165 miles) this year, and the Zion 100 would be his test piece to maintain 25-30% less effort than his regular heart rate in his running races.

We were mostly packed with Mark Tanaka, Joshua Malpass, Brian kamm, James Gifford, Daniel Widerburg, and Tim Stroth from 18.5 to 35 mile point. The technical downhill started shortly after the 18.5 mile aid station (Smith mesa #2) to see the beautiful sandstone canyon with water fall. Although the trail was unlike well maintained single track in Pacific North West, the rocky sandstone and small brush to run thorough for next 3 miles. The trail eventually opened up for double track house trail. Whole group of people were smiling from the Mark's ultra running stories, and we were in comfortable pace of 10:00 to 12:00.

I changed my running shoes and socks at the mile 27 aid station (Kolob traverse Rd), and I felt still in good physical condition with no significant pains. The next 4 miles with 1000 ft of downhill had the fastest lap of 8:00 to 9:14 pace, and I felt very comfortable and good. However, I have not urinated until the mile 29 point, and the color of pee was somewhere between a thick brewed green tea to almost english tea color. I simply thought I need to drink more fluid even though I consumed electrolyte in 2L Camel bak bladder within every 10 miles. Soon we approached to the 35 mile point aid station (Sheep's Bridge aid station), I was able to see Gary's back just leaving the dust, but that was the last time I saw his back for the rest of race. Although scale is not always perfect, but I apparently lost 6 lbs of weight from the start (160lb to 154lb). I decided to sat down the aid station to take more food. I ate PJ sandwich, banana, canned peach, soy chocolate milk, honey electrolite ice cone. At this point, my watch was already past 12:30 pm and temperature is about hitting 85F or even higher. I felt heat but was not felt any physical discomfort at that point.

Photo Credit: Jud Burkett.  (Mikio and Mark Tanaka at mile 31.1 point 11:40 am, Fri. 5/11/2012)

However, my life suddenly underwent upside down shortly after I left from the 35 mile aid station. It was probably 3 mile in, there was a portable bathroom to take a crap. Imagine those small honey bucket toilet under full sun of 85+ degree. It was like in a sauna inside to do the business. I did it anyways, but it was a such relief when you get out of the bathroom. My stomach felt significantly better, and I tried to take a Hummer gel (Montana Huckleberry) that I got from the last aid station. As soon as I put first sip of the gel in my mouth, the sour acidic taste with sugar induced me to puke all foods out that were from the previous aid station. It was very very instant reaction that it looks like a little waterfall. I was stupid enough to try sip same stuff again and did it all over again. If you have ever seen a movie "Team America World Police", I probably looked like the puppet puking scene in the movie. I washed my mouth with electrolyte and took two S-caps and continue walk to the next aid station without thinking too much and told myself "just powerwalk it".

My upset stomach seems not calm down even I got to the 42.4 mile aid station (Virgin Desert). I sat down in the aid station, change my clothing from singlets to Waldo 100k tech-T. I also had an soy chocolate protein drink and coconut water in my drop bag, so I put them together in ice cup to drink it down slowly. I thought I still need some food in my stomach before I go up to the big climbing section at 45 to 50 mile point, so I asked for a boiled potato. Unfortunately, the potato was cooked with zesty italian seasoning, which taste of sourness reminded me what was just happened me back in 38 mile point. It was little torture to myself, but I squeeze all four red potato with my hand and mushed them up  and added coke to swallow all potato with SIMPLE sugar taste. It looked like all worked out at that point. I finally left from the aid station about 35 minutes later. I was walking for a less than 3/4 mile from the aid station, I had to go bathroom again for another squeeze in the bush. Then I had one hiccups that magically brought back all foods I took from the last aid station to "Team America" again. Seriously? I had to take care of both end at the same time? It made me more laugh than cry, and I remembered once I was a freshman college student to underestimate the misuse of alcohol from the party. I was peeing and puking to urinal at the same time. But current situation was even worse!

I managed to continue walk and approached the short but steep uphill (1100+ft gain) section at 45.7 to 47.4 miles point. The late afternoon sun with no breeze made me even hotter than actual 92F. All I did was powerwalking, which was paid off from walking session at McDonald forest. I was able to go up to the top of Gooseberry mesa without any stops, and there was nice breeze to cool off my body a bit. For next four miles of flat section, I debated myself not running until the 51.5 mile aid station (Gooseberry mesa). While I was powerwalking, I evaluated my body conditions, which had pretty screwed up stomach but relatively good legs. There were no crews for me to have a little advice or help either. Then I was thinking about calorie loss, which I probably lost 1600 calories from the mile 35 to 51 because of the empty stomach (16 miles x 100 cal). "I need to bring calories back up somehow though it is very difficult to refuel it completely once the calorie uptake gets behind of schedule." "Also if I kept going like this, my blood sugar level would go down eventually", which can see myself the absolute worst situation. "What types of food at the next aid station can possibly be bring back my blood sugar?"

As soon as I got to the Gooseberry mesa aid station, I asked for filling my bladder with coke & ice, a piece of bread soaked with honey, and six Nabisco saltine cracker. This caffeine with HFCS somehow settled my stomach down better, and I felt I was ready to run again. The time was already 7:32 pm, and the cool breeze finally came in the late afternoon at high desert. The breeze felt my body to forget anything happened earlier in the afternoon. I started to jog slowly; however, I accidentally kicked one of cacti at the edge of trail and had to stop for taking care of all needles stubbed my right foot. It was not painful but was rather annoying. I approached to beautiful sand rock bed with various angulation area within a mile, which was like a roller-coaster ride of small up and down, left and right turns. I continued to follow the white dots on the rock bed as a course markings and managed to jog thorough the section probably between 11:30 to 12:20 pace.

I arrived at the Cattle Grate TH aid station (62.8 mile) around 8:13 pm. I changed my shoes to 1/2 size bigger with new socks and grabbed headlamp and wind block outer layer. I was surprise to see Mark Tanaka was at the aid station just about leaving. I thought he would be running at least one hour ahead of myself. I refueled with soaked honey bread, coke-mountain due mix bladder with ice, and took off from the aid station around 8:29 pm. Air temp. was finally dropped down to 75 F at that point, and the distance to the next aid station was only 7 miles. This section was fairly smooth dirt road and runnable downhill to flat course. My leg seemed to be fine and my pace was somewhere between 8:45 to 10:00 pace.

I arrived to Smithsonian Butte turn off aid station (69.8 mile) around 9:47 pm. My body weight was 157.2 lb at that point, blood pressure was 124-62. My pee color had been good like an one of cheap german beer since 55 mile point. I felt I am finally back! Although I was supposed to meet with volunteer pacer, she/he was not there at the aid station for me, so I took off from the aid station around 9:54pm. I was walking and eating honey soaked bread, then I approached to E Highway 59 and got confused. I admit my biggest rookie mistake I made was that I forgot to bring a portable size map with descriptions. I waited for Mark Tanaka and other runner with pacer to follow with correct course direction until the little creek mesa aid station (77 mile). To the little creek mesa, there was gradual uphill totally runnable section. I managed to switch between jog and powerwalk (10:30 to 12:00 pace) to approach the aid station around 11:26 pm. At this point, my garmin 310 XT died from no battery left.

The group of runners left all together from the aid station around 11:40 pm. I was walking down mostly at technical rocky downhill section for a mile, then we approached intersection look like "X" at Kokapelli golf course. Two grow sticks was laid on ground, but did not indicate which way would be the right way to get out from the intersection. We accidentally continued wrong direction for half a mile and realized something wrong because we saw HWY 59 on our left hand (it was suppose to be our right hand side). We went back to where we lost and took another wrong way into the golf course for another half mile. At this point, the last choice was the obvious one to take, and we found a tape with reflective strip attached mark after half mile in. The next 4 mile or so was very widely spread the course marking. Although we were on the right course, the very widely spread course markings on the dirt road made me skeptic to my brain for next four miles. About a half mile away from the Gould's Rim aid station, the unknown Chevy S-10 drove like a madman to dust out the dirt road, it probably a local young kid being idiot at Friday late night. My headlamp turned off at that point, so I turn it on to flush the car 100ft away from the car to let the driver know there were few runners. Somehow, the driver scared off of me and stop and turn around like "First and Furious" style. The S-10's tailgate and rear bumper smashed into the side ditch resulting almost stuck the truck. The S-10's rear tire skidded to get out of the ditch and managed to got out and drove away in full speed. Well, I was regret my action to try to slow this idiot truck down resulting that we got more unnecessary dust cloud to run thorough from it.

I got the Gould's Rim aid station (82.8 mile) about 1:14am, and my last weight was at 158.4lb. I filled with more coke, eating honey soaked bread, S-caps, and M&M's candy. We left the aid station within 5 minutes or so, Matthew Smith was leading the way out. Somehow the aid station volunteer crew got an information wrong. She guided us to continued the dirt road for a mile and turn left at the intersection with Portable toilet. Within a less than quarter mile away from the aid station, I saw two rocks with big red tape strapped on them. Since we do not have any directional signs, the red tape had been a "wrong way"sign to us for entire way.  Matt also came back from the road he was on the road for at least half a mile.  His face with confusion indicated we lost the way again. Then we found the reflective tape on our right hand just next to the red taped rock. which was toward to a single track trail. Matt and I were believed with the tape and followed the taped direction for a 1.2 mile. It eventually approached to the same location that the volunteer crew mentioned to us earlier. We continued this Gould's Rim single track for another 5 miles. This nice single track would be great during the daylight to see everything; however, I accidentally kicked the rock with my right foot. The pain on the right toe shot up instantly, knowing my toe probably got a black nail from it. The incident was a little unfortunate, but I accepted that it is a part of unexpected event in ultra. We were actually in good mood though Matt and I were little bit winy and complained about course markings, but this is RD's first year big race. I was expected something unexpected would happen during the race. We pretty much toward to the goal for under 24hr mark to finish at that point. At 2:38 am, I had to wait for Matt to show up at the end of single track. There was no sign to turn left or right at the "T" section merged from the single track trail. There was no marking near our sight. "Not again!"  Matt, Josh, Mark, and I were in search for right direction for another few minutes. Finally, I found one pee mark and red flag tied onto the rock on left side (West) of the dirt road. Within 2 miles or so, we cross the HWY 59 looking down to the town of Hurricane.

Matt and I approached to Hurricane View aid station (90 mile) at 3:16 am. I met a volunteer pacer named Jason Smith who was waiting for me at this aid station. It was such relief for me that someone actually knows the course better than us. We had quick greeting together and left the aid station at 3:19 am. Only 10 more miles to go, and we had more than 2hrs to finish before 6 am. I told Matt "Let's finish under 24hrs! We can achieve it!" Matt also smile back to me, "I hope to catch you up soon". My legs seemed to have a power left, and I did the fast pace powerwalking for uphill and jogging on the flats/downhills. This single track trail was nicely maintained, even had a mile marker. While Jason and I were on the move, we had conversation with him a little bit. He has done 26 or more marathons in his running resume and wanted to try ultra. I suggested him to try few 50 km, 50 mile, and 100 km before jumped on to 100 mile. At the same time I told him that this was the first 100 m which took me 3 years to come to this point.

We approached to 95 mile aid station with quick drinking with mountain dew for more caffeine with bad sugar, and I was ready to pursuit the final 5 mile to the finish line. The single track downhill was probably nice for running a normal day, but I had to be extra caution myself not getting any injuries at this point like twisting ankle. I managed my foot steps in attention for downhill, and then I saw the flashlights about 300 yards down the valley that was constantly looked back at me for few times. I told myself that I can catch him and pass his within a mile. I caught him at the end of single track and passed Ron Hammett with small greetings. Soon my volunteer pace, Jason, told me that I had less than 3 miles to finish. I nodded to him and told that he did not have to keep up with my pace. He backed to me "see you at the finish line!" My leg got an energy to fire up once more and knowing myself that I will run the paved road section as hard as I can. I existed from the dirt road to merge into HWY 9,  I switch my gear to the paved road running pace. I was probably running under 7:40 a mile pace for the last two miles, seeing another struggle runner in front of me at 500 yard at a mile to go. I reached to right turn to the town park way and just saw her back disappeared to the park. Although I could not catch up with her this time, I made strong finish. The pace of the last 5 mile section was 8 min 40-45 seconds. According to ultralive.net data, I left the Virgin Dam TH Turnoff (95.2mile) at 4:28am and finish before 5:10 am. I was under 42 min to run 4.8 miles. RD Matt congratulate me with strong handshake and was asking me where we were lost in the dark.  I replied him "Well, there were few parts (that we were) hard time directing us correctly, but it was a part of the ultra. Since this was your first year race to put it up, you have a lot room to improve it for next year's race, right?" Indeed, RD Matt put so much work into the Zion 100/50 race, and his team staffs and volunteers had done so much to runners. I appreciate his work and say "Thank you for putting up this awesome course for running!"

Injuries report:

Black toe nail (right big toe nail will fall off soon for sure!) Four small blisters on foot (not an issues, but interesting to find the both outer side of heels were unusual). The top of quad muscle from right leg (rectus femoris) was the first one to be crying as early as 29 mile point, but icing leg to manage thorough the rest of the race (compression shorts were perfect to held ice cubes in place!). chafing at lower back where backpack rubbed against tech-T, back of the knee cap, and mid-upper back just under arm pits (so called chicken flap area). Shoulder sunburn from wearing a singlet in morning. I guess never underestimate Sun!

What I wore:

At start: single handheld water bottle from Ultimate Direction, Sporthill singlet, Waldo 2010 hat, Julbo Ultra (White), Craft Arm Cooler sleeve, Kooltie, CEP Calf sleeves, Drymax light trail socks, Sporthill gloves, Scott eRide Grip (size 10.0)

At 18.5 mile: switch handheld to Nathan 2.0 backpack with 2.0 L Camelbak bladder (installed with insulated tube).

At 27 mile: switch shoes to Scott eRide Grip (size 10.0), Injinji socks, Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap (it was good, but capture heat a bit. Wish to have mesh pocket inside of the hat to stuff ice and more sweat absorbing material around headband area!).

At 42.5 mile: switch singlet to Waldo Tech-T (Sporthill).

At 62.5 mile: switch shoes to Scott eRide Grip (size 10.5), Drymax light trail socks, Petzl RXP headlamp (regulated), Baff headwear, Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket (packed in the backpack), small bodyglide(saves me at 77 and 90 mile point).


                                                                                              
  




         

Five brewery stops from Chuckanut 50km

I and my friend, Todd, were sign up for Chuckanut 50km run near Bellingham, WA on Mar. 17th.  The day we left from Corvallis, OR on early Fri. morning to get to the first our stop at Seattle. After 4 hrs driving, we made to Elysian Brewing Co. (Capitol Hill Pub)

 Although I do not have any pics on the Elysian brewing Co., the selections of beer were very interesting and 8 regular beers, another 8 seasonals, and 2 cask conditioned ales were on Tap. The beer at Elysian is good, but it is totally depend upon what you selected from the beer menu.  I had Valhalla (hoppy red ale) and Bete Blanche Tripel. Both are equally very good beer to enjoy the first beer on the road trip.  Additionally, I do like Rapture Heather Ale from 12 beer of Apocalypse series and Idiot Sauvin from the Manic IPA series. The RHA has great bitterness with citrus flavor from the Northwest Glacier hops. This beer contains Heather that added extra bitterness to the beer in clean way.  IS IPA uses Nelson Sauvin Hop from New Zealand. This beer isn't typical hophead IPA in NorthWest. Overall impression to this beer is mild IPA yet citrus aroma from the hop presently added to the medium bodied biscuit like malt. Slightly sweet aftertaste and very drinkable IPA.
Overall 4.3 / 5.0.

After our late lunch stop at Elysian, the time was already past 4 pm on Friday afternoon. We caught our legs with traffic jam getting out from the Seattle. I think I don't like living in the city with a car owner for this reason.  We finally made out from the Seattle and got to a Chuckanut Drive around 6 pm.

Amazingly nice weather in March! This 20 miles scenic drive from Burlington to Fairhaven is great if weather is nice.

After we stop by the place to pick up our bib numbers and all free goodies, we are off to Chuckanut brewery and kitchen at Bellingham.  The St. Patrick's day was on the same weekend of the Chuckanut 50 km race, and the brewery was no exception to have some St. Patrick's day color.

 
 Kolsch added green color. Enough to say. It is kolsch.
The Chuckanut brewery offered Pilsner, Helles & Vienna Lager, Dunkel, and Kolsch. It usually six rotating taps.  The owner of brewery, Will Kemper, had taught brewery engineering at Davis, CA in the 1990's. No wonder why the brewery has more German, eastern European style bier. You can read more about at:   Chuckanut Brewery
It is rare to see in PNW for such styles of beer, and I admired it. I did like Dunkel and Vienna Lager most. I was not a fun of Kolsch but drink it for St. Patrick's day. Pilsner was very light. I think Sudwerk brewing has higher standard than Chuckanut brewing in similar styles of beer.  It is worth stop by at least once for good food and beers in Bellingham, WA.
Overall 4.0 / 5.0

The weather on race day morning was sprinkle of snow/rain condition with 32-34F. Ok. It is still in North West crappy weather in March.  I did 4:58:12 and 77th place. No significant injuries from the run is a bonus.

 Look like I am having good time in snow, but it was cold! My left foot toe off still on outer side of foot than on the big toe side.  May be the result of "Lazy ass" biomechanics.

Post race photo with two elite female runners, Joelle Vaught (L) and Pam Smith (R). They are amazing runners!
Photo by Longrun Picture Company.

With a 5000 ft of elevation gain and loss in this race, I can have a beer or two. (Indeed, the finisher gets a ticket for free pint at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, WA).

Boundary Bay Brewery has an excellent IPA. Hoppy and grapefruit aroma more than citrus, slightly stinky side of hop. It is bit chewy aftertaste from caramel like malt. Unfortunately the place was jam packed already at Sat. afternoon from the celebration of St. Patrick's day. So I did not try many beers from the brewery, but IPA, Irish Red, and Scotch Ale were very good!  The downstair has a nice beer garden/patio too.
Overall 4.0 / 5.0

Thanks to Todd's friends who are living in Bellingham kindly offered us to stay this weekends. Plus we had great time in the hot-tub to relax soared muscle after the race.

On Sunday mid-morning,  we decided to head back to Corvallis. Yes,  another 7hrs of driving. We manage to leave from the Bellingham around 10:15 am, and we already had a quick stop at Mt. Vernon. There is a Skagit River Brewery just off from the I-5 Exit 226. We got there at 10:55 am, and the brewery just opened on Sunday 11am.  Right on the time!

 Drinking Irish Red Ale.
The place has 8 to 9 beers on taps, but I was not impressed with the taste of beer much. Or too early in the morning to drink a beer? Nah, It is never too early. I would give a overall of 3.5 / 5.0.

Another an hour and half of driving to get back to Seattle. We stop by the Pike's Market.  Of course we went to the Pike brewing.

 I have never been to Pike brewing pub even though I have tasted their beer from the bottles. To be honest, I wasn't a fun of Pike Beers before. The draft beers from the bar were different story. The rich imperial stout was very good. high alc. % but smooth and very drinkable. It has chocolate, toffee flavor from the malt but not overpowered my taste buds. Another one I tried was Belgian Tripel. It was clean finish with a lot of clove/orange spices. It was bit sweet side of the beer. I also had a pretzel with imperial stout infused mustard. I want this mustard! It was very good.
Overall 4.2 / 5.0  

The last stop was at crab pot place for quick early dinner. Dungeness crab was tasty, but snow crab was o.k.

After this, we straight back to Corvallis within 4hrs drive. I was tempting to stop by Portland for another pub, but Todd has to get back by 9pm, so we just passed this opportunity.

Brewery Tour Fall 2011 (Oct. 8-9) PART II

From Brewery Tour Fall 2011 (Oct. 7-8)

7. Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Bear Republic had good selection of beers but the Racer 5 IPA was the most hoppy, strong grassy note from hop I experienced. It was the beer to kick your taste butts by strong bitterness! Another contender was the cousin of IPA called Black Racer IPA. It isn't burned coffee like malt taste you imagine from the color of the beer and is like more of toasty bread.  Compared to Racer 5 IPA, I noticed the fruity hop note but beer had very strong bitterness experienced. The XP pale was still hoppy side of pale but highly drinkable. Also Rye beer was good. Bear Republic also tried to create own Belgian styles, but isn't as excellent taste as North Coast. Monkey High Five Belgian Porter was earth note (more like stink seafood) with mild clove/banana but not so much.

Overall 3.8 / 5.0

(Nice backyard patio to hangout for tasty beer. Wait. We saw many crazy people in the bar too. Also someone burn joints next to patio that was looks like a city park. )


8. Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Probably the Lagunitas is well known name because the company focus on distributing beer.  The tasting room open till 8 pm on Sat. and Sun. and till 9 pm from Wed. to Fri. The tasting room and patio is very nice.  Lagunitas beer always sweet aftertaste for me. It is very present and drinkable for most of beer style. I cannot take much for Brown Shugga that was too sweet like candy. I did enjoy the seasonal Octoberfest. Toasty malt with fruity hop refreshed me very well. I also like Little Something Wild. The earthy funky note from belgian yeast added pinelike woody note and nice combination of toasty malt aroma.  Beer food snackies were good too.

Overall  4.2 / 5.0

 (Nice Trailer)

 (Let me in! It is still before 8pm!)

 (Nice patio to hang around for happy hrs!)

(Famous Big Mouth Pint glass)


9. Russian River Brewing Co.

The brewery is most famous for belgian style/farmhouse ale than English style ales, but Blind Pig IPA and Pliny the Elder are the famous for long time. The Pliny the Younger (Triple IPA) is usually released in Feb., but this famous beer would not last long. People (beer geeks) standing outside for more than 5 hrs. to taste this 10.5 % IPA.  Hummm, I wonder how much complexity it would have for taste and aroma.  This can be the dream beer for West coast IPA fan. The Pliny the Elder is very strong hop note and bitter taste. Indeed it is double IPA, the hoppy aroma is more of spicy tobacco or cigar like aroma than fruity hoppiness. The bitterness is not stick around so long, so it is still drinkable and delicious. However, I preferred to taste Blind Pig IPA that was far more balanced with grassy and fruity hoppy note with toasty malt taste with bitter aftertaste. It is far more crisp and drinkable beer than Pliny the Elder. Russian River IPA is another good IPA. It stronger aroma of hop and bitterness than the Blind Pig. It is somewhere between Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig IPA. My two favorit Belgian style is Damination and Consecration.  Damination has funky yeasty note and banana/clove note is very similar to North Coast Pranqster.  Also Consecration is the best kriek like farmhouse style ale with current. The amount of sourness from this beer may not favor many beer drinkers, but it is still very drinkable and great beer to open your mind for many style of beers available in West coast. The wood oven style pizza is very good too.

Overall 5.0 / 5.0

   (The end of the Saturday. we were indeed bit tired from the driving we did and drunk a lot of beer.)

Next morning with bunch of drunkers. We need water, coffee, breakfast, and beer.

Driving toward to Sacramento, CA
Some kind of Factory we saw...

Darn, that was the yellow piss beer factory.

10. Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery

It is located at UC. Davis, and the beer style is famous for Pilsner, Hefe, Lager, Marzen, Bock, and Weizen.  Yes, the beer list is more of German style to Eastern European style beer.  Please do not disappointed by reading it so far. I admit myself that I was not a fun of those style either until I step in the Sudwerk to taste the good beer. I mean really good European style lager. Lager was very crisp and honey like aroma. It is very good. Marzen was more nutty malty aroma with sweet candylike note. It was not as sweet as Lager. The Pilsner was my favorite. It was very fruity and hoppy with good combination of bitterness.  The food at Sudwerk was also good and bar tender was very nice! It was the worth stop by.

Overall 4.6 / 5.0  

 (UC Davis has master brewers program? What about Oregon State Huh?)

 (We missed a day late for OctoberFest)

 (Nice students/master program tap room behind the restaurant)

 (Sunday, 11:30 am open. Let me in!)

 (It is still 11:00am at parking lot)

 (Nice bar area)

 (Open fermenter)

 (Taster samples)

 (I've seen it at brewing supply store. The famous yeast strain company!)

 (Humm, Beaver Lager is probably not gonna be well suited like Aggie Lager. May be Beaver believer red ale?)

Now moving from UC Davis to Chico!

(Sacramento. Real Golden Gate Bridge....)

(Rice Fields)

 (Playing Angry Bird on iPad!)

 (55 more mile to get Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.)

(Serious time with AngryBird! He is not sleeping.)

(There is the Sierra Nevada Brewing!)

11. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. located at Chico, CA, and this brewery is already huge production size of crafted ales.  I do not think the category of "micro-brewery" would fit this place anymore. Indeed its extensive distribution network, the beers from Sierra Nevada is easily accessible to most of grocery stores in USA.  I pick the best 5 beers from Sierra Nevada at this time.  #5: Poter that was most drinkable one. #4: Celebration Ale was the winter seasonal ale that is still hoppy one.  #3: Bigfoot was the good barley wine that is more fruity side than the muscular barley wine flavor.  #2: North Hemisphere Harvest is probably much more hoppy than regular Torpedo IPA. Highly recommend it! #1: Fritz and Ken's Ale from 30th Anniversary collection (Stout). It was very roasted coffee and chocolate like aroma and taste. Although it is not as smooth as Old Rasputin from North Coast brewing Co., the rich flavor of beer gets better when it warms up bit.  Also this beer feels high alcohol from the first sip that slows me down for sure.  The company puts a lot of good styles of beers, but I felt some styles are not distinctively different. I felt the same aftertaste for some of the beers.  Food is very good. The restaurant would be perfect place to enjoy the beer and food pairings.

Overall 4.2 / 5.0

 (Nice display room with huge copper brewing kettle underneath)

(All those huge fermenter tanks!)

(Mt. Shasta)

(Mikio was driving from Chico, CA to Ashland, OR.  Can you really trust Asian guy driving in U.S.A?)

(Cloud covered, looks like we are going back to rainy and gray sky Oregon)

(The last shot of Mt. Shasta)

#12 Caldera Brewing Co.
Ah, we are finally back in Oregon. The Caldera Brewing Co. is located at Ashland, and the company was the one of pioneer to put good ale beer in CAN.  I personally have no against feeling to CAN of beer. You can carry easy with CAN for hiking, climbing, etc.  It can chill down very quick with stream of cold water. You can smash the empty CAN to bring trash back from camp site easily. But some people claimed that the beer poured from the CAN can taste metallic. I guess it has pro and cons.
I do like Pale Ale more than IPA from the Caldera. I think the IPA has complex of three hops (Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo) instead of just a Cascade hop in Pale, and this gives me more strong hoppy bitter aroma and taste. Another good IPA is called Hopportunity Knocks. It is very hoppy but rather simple aroma than regular IPA.  Another good beer is called Mogli. This imperial porter is nice chocolate flavor with woody aroma.  Foods are more like regular pub foods. There are few interesting beer like Hibiscus Ginger Beer and Rose Petal Imperial Gold Ale, which I did not try this time.

If you are looking for more of great foods with beer, I recommend to go Standing Stone brewing Co.  It is located at only one block away from Caldera Brewing. Co Tap room.

Overall  4.0 / 5.0

We were finally drove back to Corvallis, and the time was already shifted to Monday 1:02 am.  It was great and memorable trip we did!