I'm retired from racing. Really.

Logan Peak Trail Run

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Location:

Greenville,SC,

Member Since:

Feb 24, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I also maintain a blogspot running blog. Check it out. 

5k- 16:01, 1/2 marathon- 1:11:37, marathon- 2:34:16, 50k- 3:58, 100 mile- 15:19

Former World Record holder in 100 x 5k relay 

Ultra history:

8-100 mile, 1-100k, 9-50 mile, 2-40 mile, 14-50k-ish

12 wins, 5 CR's, plus four 2nd, five 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 9th, 16th, 20th, 28th, 38th, and 62nd place, with 1 DNF 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Goals 

Enjoy running, stay fit (and maybe lose a few pounds). Play ultimate frisbee.

4 year coach of Langston Middle School- love it

Long-Term Running Goals:

Unretire at some point

Run a sub-6 hr 50 miler

Win a 100 mile ultramarathon

Personal:

I have five cute kids. And I have some rockin short green racing shorts- I wear them mainly because it embarrasses my wife so much. I like ultimate frisbee, trail running, reading, and cheering for the Denver Broncos!   And I have the absolute best wife in the world.  And I used to run for the now-disbanded national Team Pearl Izumi- Ultra!

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 15.50 Month: 55.50 Year: 154.50
Fastwitch Lifetime Miles: 82.50
Trail N1 Lifetime Miles: 86.50
Road N1 Lifetime Miles: 31.00
Trail M2 Lime/black Lifetime Miles: 297.00
Road M3 Grey And Yellow Lifetime Miles: 324.00
Road N2 Purple 2 Lifetime Miles: 222.50
Road N2 4 Grey Lifetime Miles: 51.00
Race: Logan Peak Trail Run (28 Miles) 04:51:30, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
28.000.000.000.000.0028.00

Today was the race I have been looking forward to all year- the Logan Peak Trail Race.  It is a 28 mile race with 7200 ft ascent and 7200 descent- more elevation and distance than Pikes Peak marathon.  Cody and Paul did it last year for fun and placed 4th and 5th.  Even though I have run trails for years, this was my official trail race.  My main goal was to finish and to place top 3.  A win and course record was doable a secondary goal.

Race started at 6 am- Paul and Cody saw me off.  It was a warm morning- 60 deg, with no clouds.  The race starts off through a neighborhood and trail for a mile, then gets down to business with almost 3000 ft of climbing in 3 miles up Dry Canyon.  Times were 9:52, 11:21, 15:17, 15:23- lots of walking as we were just conserving energy (plus walking is as fast as running with the avg 18% grade).  At the first aid station (mile 4.7) there was still a good group of 6 guys.  The trail levels out and circles south around the peak towards Providence canyon on the Sincline trail, eventually reaching the backside of Mt. Logan.  Levels out is also a somewhat relative term, as there is still over 1000 ft of ascent and decent on this 6.5 mile stretch, including some rather steep snow field crossings and a few streams running down the trail.  Times were 17:41 (including aid station- lots of food!), 10:38, 8:29, 7:55, 12:45, 10;01, 13:09.  We had paired our group down to just 3 guys- Leland Barker (last year's winner and ultramarathoner extrordinaire) and Brian Beckstead, a trail runner/Runner's Corner guy from Orem. 

By the second aid station at mile 11, the temperature was really heating up.  I grabbed snow whenever I could and kept sticking it under my hat- instant cooling!  After Aid 2, we start a very steep climb to the peak of Mt. Logan, winding our way up a ridge.  80% of this portion was snowpacked, including the final climb to the top.  Very difficult footing, often slipping back with each step.  Times were 12:01, 15:35, 13:22.  I hit the top (~mile 13.8) in 2:51:50 or so- a whopping 12:27 pace for the first half of the race.  After a brief pause to tighten my shoes, I was off.

After the top, the fun really started.  I love running down steep snow- I just lean back, overstride, and fly down the mountain, no rocks to trip me.  Times back to the Aid 2 station (now renamed Aid 3) were 7:59, 8:16, 11:29 (some uphill).  Still a pack of 3.

After Aid 3, the course follows a jeep trail for 1.5 miles with a steady climb.  I finally pulled away from the other guys at this point.  Then it dives onto a technical singletrack to circle the north side of the mountain.  Generally downhill, though some flats and ups.  I had to stop once at mile 19 for a potty break (number 2) and was surprised no one caught me- I must have really put some distance on the other guys.  Eventually the trail decends back to the top of Dry Canyon to Aid 1 (now Aid 4, around mile 23).  Times were 10:16, 8:52, 8:34, 12:54, 10:42, 9:39 (includes aid station and another potty break- again, no footsteps from other runners).

After a very quick stop at Aid 4, it was time to see what my legs had left with the screaming downhill.  The trail is steep and very rocky, so falling is always a concern (see Paul's report from last year).  Nevertheless, my times were 7:04, 6:58, 6:42 down the canyon.  I was very happy to be doing sub-7:00 miles after 26 miles and 7000 feet.  Finally hit the deerfence trail and the neighborhood (with yet another potty break- ridiculous!  But my intestines were insistent, so who was I to argue).  I got a few long stretches to look back- no one in sight.  Last full mile was 7:36 (with potty break), then kicked it home at 6:31 pace.  Finished in first place overall, 4:51:30- 1:25 minute course record.  The runners from last year agreed this year was slower/harder due to the snow, and the course was .6 miles longer due to a route change, so I was thrilled to set a new record.  Brian came in 2 minute behind me, beating Leland by a mere 10 seconds.  Leland was trying so hard to catch up that he practically collapsed at the finish line, cramping up. 

 I was absolutely amazed how good I felt after running 28 miles- one big blister under a toe, plus I am going to lose both my big toenails and one other.  Ugly, ugly toes- purple nails.  A bit of knee soreness and one tight achilles, but that is all.  Oh, and an apparently pretty nasty case of running-induced gastrointestinal bleeding, resulting in a trip to the bathroom every 30 minutes since the race.  DOMS tomorrow, I am sure.  But I don't feel near as bad as after a road marathon.  And can I say that I LOVE TRAIL RACES!!!  (plus I am undefeated, seeing as this is my first!)

Overall, this is an outstanding race.  The Race Director calls it the toughest 28 mile run anywhere.  Probably true.  The volunteers are amazing- they have to mule haul the drinks/food to Aid 1/4, and do some gnarly jeeping to Aid 2/3 (where they had to camp out last night).  I even won some dang awesome $200 sunglasses (I'm too cheap to spend more than $5 when I pay) plus prize money.

I highly recommend this race to anyone!  Amazing views, great people, great (tough) course.  It gets me excited for my 2 other trail runs later this summer!

Ascend- 335

Weight: 0.00
Comments
From dave holt on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 16:55:21

Good to see you could really let it loose without that Paul guy holding you back!

From cody on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 17:11:58

Sweetness! Now you are a TRUE trail runner. A perfect start for the start of a summer of trail races.

From superfly on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 20:39:33

Good job Jon- I know you've been chomping at the bit to run these trail races and you got off on the right foot. Look out Western States!

From Sasha Pachev on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 20:47:21

Goes to show the importance of Quality X. A 17:00 5 K runner with a little bit of consistent mileage does better in an ultra without trying too hard than all ultra-specialists that have ever tried that race.

From Dustin on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 21:58:20

Great Job. I really dislike trails since I've injured my ankle, but reading your report actually got me excited. I mean not to the point that I'm heading out the door right now, but maybe I'll considering running a few more here and there.

Great race and it sounds like it was very difficult so to take first is very impressive.

From josse on Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 22:29:29

Clear the way here comes the stud muffin! Great job it sound like a killer race, and you make me want to come do it.

From Jon on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 00:18:56

Thanks, everyone. It was tons of fun... and you are all welcome to come do it next year!

From Paul Petersen on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 00:46:11

Great job! I was really happy that you won. You knocked off some top trail runners in the process. You'll have to dance the Bear sometime.

From wheakory on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 01:22:30

Congratulations! I had a lot of confidence in you winning, because of your outstanding performance in the relay. You deserve to be the king of the trails today. Your endurance is incredible.

From James on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 02:35:41

Hey no loss on the toes, your nails are the most gross things I've ever seen anyway!

Great win, way to knock off two mountain studs in the process! When are we going to see the 100 mile debut?

From Chad on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 03:47:18

A great start to your ultra career, Jon! Tough course, but it sounds like you handled it like it was no problem at all. Cody should buy you two breakfasts.

From jtshad on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 08:32:58

Awesome work my friend! 1st overall in a tough race like this is quite an accomplishment, you are running so well this year! YOU are now the trail runner ewtrodinaire!

From James on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 10:45:31

I just wanted to say congrats again. I wasn't surprised to hear that you won that race. I have seen you run down the mountain several times with no regard to your own safety. I could see you ditching some more conservative Ultra guys on the down hill if could stay with them on the uphill, sounds like that is what happened. Good job buddy!

From Adam RW on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 21:10:42

WOW! I'm starting to second guess agreeing to "run with you" at Jupiter's peak. Can I just attach a bungee cord to your back? All said and done you did a great job and made your goal. Just two more to finish off the series. Is there a special prize if you win all three? Besides being declared trail stud for the year!

From cgbooth23 on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 21:45:33

great job sounds like a heck of a tough race 7000 ft climb yikess... are you doing western states??

From Walter on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 22:03:00

Unfreakinbelievable Jon! You are sub human my friend! Im not worthy, Im not worthy! After running that trail run with you and cody I actually might consider trying that next year, NOT! Ok I will consider it. So I dont know your plans for next saturday, but if your toenails are up for it come help me finish the 15k up there. My goal is to win but I have a huge hurdle named Josh! Let me know. And Congrats on that amazing win. Its good that they had the down hill last huh! You are awesome.

From Mik'L on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 22:11:06

Good job Jon! It sounds like you had fun. Running for almost 5 hours doesn't sound like much fun to me, but hey, at least you got some sweet prizes!

From Jon on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 08:49:15

Thanks, everyone. No, I'm not planning to do any more ultras for a while, especially 100 milers. I think Marci would kill me.

Walter- I'll be out of town for the 15k, sorry. Which Josh is standing in your way?

From walter on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 09:06:38

Allrighty then, I thought I remembered you telling me that. Its Josh Steffan thats going to rip that course up. He owns that race!

From JimF on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 20:02:53

Awesome job! Congratulations on the win and a great race. Sounds like a tough race and you came out on top. Pretty cool!

From Walter on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 23:19:35

Hey Jon, I have to comment on you one more time. I have been thinking about your win all day long and it just flat out amazes me! You are the next Lance of the hills! With all the commando points out there, I feel you should be elected mayor for a term and take the keys to the city!

From Lybi on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 23:41:34

WOW Jon! I can NOT imagine all that elevation change in one race. You are amazing!

From Jon on Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 23:50:19

Thanks, all. Ultrajim did it, too, and in a dang good time. So 5% of the runners were bloggers!

From David Nelson on Tue, Jul 01, 2008 at 01:02:30

Wow -- a baby, WBR and then taking down the great Leland Barker. That's a busy and successful summer so far. Great job!

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