Beacon Rock 50k and all its glory
LISTEN to me
Rather than finish the three post I have in my editing section of my blog, I thought I should shed some light on the events of this past weekend as it is fresh in my mind.
It's difficult to describe the race when it wasn't your normal 6+ hour event that you drive to, run the course and drive home. Beacon Rock 50k was my first official 50k race, weirdly enough I've signed up for farther distances and yet never completed an official 50k other than my own training runs.
Beacon Rock 50k/25k is put on by Rainshadow Running who also put on the wonderful yet painful Gorge Waterfall 100k/50k in March. This event however is their best kept secret- quite literally. It is one of the most unique destination race weekends I've participated in. They offered their runners the opportunity to camp amongst their family and friends (Dogs are welcome too!!!). Located in Beacon Rock State Park along the Columbia River Gorge the mid-June weather offered quite the spectacle of natures beauty.
Leading up to race weekend I found myself stressed from life's hurdles. Dealing with a car that is on it's last strand of life, it being completely ransacked of anything valuable and late hours of work left me with little to no sleep. On the verge of what seemed like a melt down escaping for the weekend seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel.
The mere hurdles of material possessions wasn't going to bring my spirits down.
I am healthy, Juniper is healthy- and for that I am extremely happy and grateful.
I didn't quite understand the magnitude of fun Rainshadow events were until I participated in the Gorge Waterfalls 100k.
There at the 100k finish line is where I met Dave. He's running every race that Rainshadow Running puts on and at its longest distance. He showed me a few of the videos of their races and I was hooked already.
I couldn't wait to sign up for another!
Friday, June 12th couldn't come fast enough. The three hours of sleep was welcomed by the idea that I would soon be on my way to Portland. I arrived around 9am and was quickly off to Beacon Rock State Park.
We had till around 3pm to see the sights before setting up camp. The road to the park ran along the Columbia River Gorge where just on the other side was where Gorge Waterfalls took place.
People slowly started trickling in and setting up camp and by sunset there were heaps of kids roasting their smores by the community fire.
RACE DAY:
50k Start time: 8am
25k Start Time: 9am
Kids 1k start time: 8:45 -> Isn't that the cutest!!!
To summarize the course is that it is a 25k loop around the state park. 50k runners run two loops and 25k runners run, well, ONE.
It's an extremely fun course other than that you run to the finish line and have to do another loop. You kick start the course on pavement but have no fear- its short. The majority of the course is on the best trails that Beacon Rock State Park have to offer (so I believe) you cover Hardy Ridge, Hardy Creek and Hamilton Mountain. On Hardy Ridge their is an option to go off trail a little to check out the views. It was crystal clear that you could see the views of the Cascades and the snow on Mt Hood and of course the entire Columbia River Gorge. One loop offers about 3700 feet in fain with two big Climbs following a downhill for both.
Looking at the course it seemed very runnable, however, seeing how little sleep I received the whole week leading up to race day- my body was screaming with fatigue. I wanted to enjoy the course, take in the beautiful scenery and by scenery I of course mean of running behind a very stud of a man wearing a cropped turquoise Ninja turtle tank and short shorts. The very meaning of a dangling carrot infront of me and the only reason why I continued to even run.
If you didn't know, all of the aid stations are fully equipped with food. We all know how I love food, but more specifically my obsession and slight addiction with, TRAIL BUTTER. Well the turn around point, also the finish line for 25k runners, I spent a little too much time socializing at the aid station and by socializing I mean seizing every opportunity to eat as much trail butter as possible. The tortillas were merely a vessel for the nutty spread, the best vessel of course being the Oreo's. Hey, I can socialize and get my trail butter fix in at the same time.
It wasn't till I turned the corner out of the campsite that I felt as though I'd, against my own will, gift the pavement with all the food sizzling in my stomach. The climb up to Hardy Ridge was exciting to say the least. The fatigue was hitting me quite forcefully along with the feeling that I would hurl at any possible moment...
Reaching the aid station I headed straight for the water, I couldn't even look at the trail butter- WE'RE FIGHTING. Staying hydrated was all I could think about, Dave having to remind to to breath properly at times.
Who needs oxygen anyways?
The run through Hardy Creek I felt my body finally agreeing with what I was doing (normally that happens around 18 miles). It was during the small section before the Hamilton climb that reminded me of running Gorge Waterfalls 100k.
The same feeling of pure ecstasy and thinking of how lucky I am to experience this- to be running alongside mother natures beauty. The views were intoxicating and I was drinking it's koolaid rapidly. Reaching Mt. Hamiltons scenic vista I was kicking myself quite literally for not bringing my camera. I am aware that pictures won't do what I was experiencing justice but damn- the sight is one to experience.
The run down both Dave and my spirits where high. He was counting down the mileage- well the kilometers as I was counting down the mileage. Our steps seemed to pace eachother as we ran until we could cross that finish line and get the infamous high five from race director James.
The rush of completing an ultra is unexplainable, with any distance it always is an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. Despite the agony my body was feeling during the race, everything didn't matter once I crossed that finish line. The experience was well worth it and definitely something I would return to experience again.
After races I'm accustomed to mingling and then leaving soon after. This is not like any other race.
The finish line is when the party essentially begins. Rainshadow race directors pride themselves in their spirit of community and you surely will feel it at the finish of any of their races. NO medals or race money is won, instead you are give a high five and a big party with fellow runners that within seconds will be your new friends for life.
With such a warm day you'll be laying in the sun-warmed grass, drinking local beer, eating bottomless woodfire pizza (veg/ vegan friendly!) and other great food, and listening to live music from The Pine Hearts. Lets not forget the return of the SLIP-N-SLIDE.
Coming to this race in particular I knew that I would know only one person and yet I never felt as though I was a stranger to anyone. The participants were social and friendly. Anywhere I sat I was welcomed with open arms into the conversation and made friends from all sorts of areas. With such a passion for a sport it's hard not to embrace people with that similar fire lit inside for that love of nature and her trails.
A majority of the runners, their friends and family camped at the finish line meaning the party continued until after the sun set. The camp fire was lit and soon all were surrounding it, gathering for warmth as well as just to converse with each other and listen to some rad acoustics.
The only way I could describe how it felt in the simplest way:
Imagine inviting 200 of your closest friends to a camping weekend with great food, great beer, live music from The Pine Hearts and throw in a fun group trail run in the middle. NO biggie.
I don't quite know what time it was that I went to bed, after 11:30 sometime. The area had no reception which ment my phone sat in the tent a majority of the time and my watch, surprise surprise, died after I finished the run.
I attempted to stay up longer but with sleep filled eyes, I could no longer hang with the few remaining. (Few meaning mostly everyone and me just being a sleepy big baby).
Needless to say I slept like a rock that night and better than I had all week.
Sunday morning was filled with more see you later than goodbyes.
Eating breakfast, chatting with new friends, lounging and eventually packing.
Even then after everyone had left just laying out in the sun warmed grass soaking in the sun.
Dang you Pacific North West, why do you have to feel so nice.
It makes going back to the polluted, traffic, overpopulated city that is LA so much more difficult.
I didn't have to be back in Portland for my flight till 8pm which means I could spend a bit more time enjoying the sound of the wind, the heat of the sun, the smell of the surrounding nature, the taste of the wild raspberries that grew, the view of the Gorge and just relax.
Now that I'm back in Los Angeles it's as though my PNW trip was all a dream.
Nature exists!
Trees are supposed to be green, flowers DO bloom, mountains DO have snow, water DOES flow.
And believe it or not... you can actually drink tap water- I know, I know... seems unreal but I kid you not it is true.
It all seems so unreal and definitely un-Southern California esk.
Now I understand why my best friend Brooke and her husband Patrick moved back to Washington!
I get it!
Socal has some great perks and I'm in dire need of an adventure soon in order to remember that.
(hint hint Vince)
I'll just continue dreaming of the Pacific North West and until my next race there- Oregon Coast.
Like Rainshadow races claim to leave you wonder...
Why run anywhere else?
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness
Rather than finish the three post I have in my editing section of my blog, I thought I should shed some light on the events of this past weekend as it is fresh in my mind.
It's difficult to describe the race when it wasn't your normal 6+ hour event that you drive to, run the course and drive home. Beacon Rock 50k was my first official 50k race, weirdly enough I've signed up for farther distances and yet never completed an official 50k other than my own training runs.
Beacon Rock 50k/25k is put on by Rainshadow Running who also put on the wonderful yet painful Gorge Waterfall 100k/50k in March. This event however is their best kept secret- quite literally. It is one of the most unique destination race weekends I've participated in. They offered their runners the opportunity to camp amongst their family and friends (Dogs are welcome too!!!). Located in Beacon Rock State Park along the Columbia River Gorge the mid-June weather offered quite the spectacle of natures beauty.
Leading up to race weekend I found myself stressed from life's hurdles. Dealing with a car that is on it's last strand of life, it being completely ransacked of anything valuable and late hours of work left me with little to no sleep. On the verge of what seemed like a melt down escaping for the weekend seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel.
The mere hurdles of material possessions wasn't going to bring my spirits down.
I am healthy, Juniper is healthy- and for that I am extremely happy and grateful.
I didn't quite understand the magnitude of fun Rainshadow events were until I participated in the Gorge Waterfalls 100k.
There at the 100k finish line is where I met Dave. He's running every race that Rainshadow Running puts on and at its longest distance. He showed me a few of the videos of their races and I was hooked already.
I couldn't wait to sign up for another!
Friday, June 12th couldn't come fast enough. The three hours of sleep was welcomed by the idea that I would soon be on my way to Portland. I arrived around 9am and was quickly off to Beacon Rock State Park.
We had till around 3pm to see the sights before setting up camp. The road to the park ran along the Columbia River Gorge where just on the other side was where Gorge Waterfalls took place.
People slowly started trickling in and setting up camp and by sunset there were heaps of kids roasting their smores by the community fire.
RACE DAY:
50k Start time: 8am
25k Start Time: 9am
Kids 1k start time: 8:45 -> Isn't that the cutest!!!
To summarize the course is that it is a 25k loop around the state park. 50k runners run two loops and 25k runners run, well, ONE.
It's an extremely fun course other than that you run to the finish line and have to do another loop. You kick start the course on pavement but have no fear- its short. The majority of the course is on the best trails that Beacon Rock State Park have to offer (so I believe) you cover Hardy Ridge, Hardy Creek and Hamilton Mountain. On Hardy Ridge their is an option to go off trail a little to check out the views. It was crystal clear that you could see the views of the Cascades and the snow on Mt Hood and of course the entire Columbia River Gorge. One loop offers about 3700 feet in fain with two big Climbs following a downhill for both.
Looking at the course it seemed very runnable, however, seeing how little sleep I received the whole week leading up to race day- my body was screaming with fatigue. I wanted to enjoy the course, take in the beautiful scenery and by scenery I of course mean of running behind a very stud of a man wearing a cropped turquoise Ninja turtle tank and short shorts. The very meaning of a dangling carrot infront of me and the only reason why I continued to even run.
If you didn't know, all of the aid stations are fully equipped with food. We all know how I love food, but more specifically my obsession and slight addiction with, TRAIL BUTTER. Well the turn around point, also the finish line for 25k runners, I spent a little too much time socializing at the aid station and by socializing I mean seizing every opportunity to eat as much trail butter as possible. The tortillas were merely a vessel for the nutty spread, the best vessel of course being the Oreo's. Hey, I can socialize and get my trail butter fix in at the same time.
It wasn't till I turned the corner out of the campsite that I felt as though I'd, against my own will, gift the pavement with all the food sizzling in my stomach. The climb up to Hardy Ridge was exciting to say the least. The fatigue was hitting me quite forcefully along with the feeling that I would hurl at any possible moment...
Reaching the aid station I headed straight for the water, I couldn't even look at the trail butter- WE'RE FIGHTING. Staying hydrated was all I could think about, Dave having to remind to to breath properly at times.
Who needs oxygen anyways?
The run through Hardy Creek I felt my body finally agreeing with what I was doing (normally that happens around 18 miles). It was during the small section before the Hamilton climb that reminded me of running Gorge Waterfalls 100k.
The same feeling of pure ecstasy and thinking of how lucky I am to experience this- to be running alongside mother natures beauty. The views were intoxicating and I was drinking it's koolaid rapidly. Reaching Mt. Hamiltons scenic vista I was kicking myself quite literally for not bringing my camera. I am aware that pictures won't do what I was experiencing justice but damn- the sight is one to experience.
The run down both Dave and my spirits where high. He was counting down the mileage- well the kilometers as I was counting down the mileage. Our steps seemed to pace eachother as we ran until we could cross that finish line and get the infamous high five from race director James.
The rush of completing an ultra is unexplainable, with any distance it always is an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. Despite the agony my body was feeling during the race, everything didn't matter once I crossed that finish line. The experience was well worth it and definitely something I would return to experience again.
After races I'm accustomed to mingling and then leaving soon after. This is not like any other race.
The finish line is when the party essentially begins. Rainshadow race directors pride themselves in their spirit of community and you surely will feel it at the finish of any of their races. NO medals or race money is won, instead you are give a high five and a big party with fellow runners that within seconds will be your new friends for life.
With such a warm day you'll be laying in the sun-warmed grass, drinking local beer, eating bottomless woodfire pizza (veg/ vegan friendly!) and other great food, and listening to live music from The Pine Hearts. Lets not forget the return of the SLIP-N-SLIDE.
Coming to this race in particular I knew that I would know only one person and yet I never felt as though I was a stranger to anyone. The participants were social and friendly. Anywhere I sat I was welcomed with open arms into the conversation and made friends from all sorts of areas. With such a passion for a sport it's hard not to embrace people with that similar fire lit inside for that love of nature and her trails.
A majority of the runners, their friends and family camped at the finish line meaning the party continued until after the sun set. The camp fire was lit and soon all were surrounding it, gathering for warmth as well as just to converse with each other and listen to some rad acoustics.
The only way I could describe how it felt in the simplest way:
Imagine inviting 200 of your closest friends to a camping weekend with great food, great beer, live music from The Pine Hearts and throw in a fun group trail run in the middle. NO biggie.
I don't quite know what time it was that I went to bed, after 11:30 sometime. The area had no reception which ment my phone sat in the tent a majority of the time and my watch, surprise surprise, died after I finished the run.
I attempted to stay up longer but with sleep filled eyes, I could no longer hang with the few remaining. (Few meaning mostly everyone and me just being a sleepy big baby).
Needless to say I slept like a rock that night and better than I had all week.
Sunday morning was filled with more see you later than goodbyes.
Eating breakfast, chatting with new friends, lounging and eventually packing.
Even then after everyone had left just laying out in the sun warmed grass soaking in the sun.
Dang you Pacific North West, why do you have to feel so nice.
It makes going back to the polluted, traffic, overpopulated city that is LA so much more difficult.
I didn't have to be back in Portland for my flight till 8pm which means I could spend a bit more time enjoying the sound of the wind, the heat of the sun, the smell of the surrounding nature, the taste of the wild raspberries that grew, the view of the Gorge and just relax.
Now that I'm back in Los Angeles it's as though my PNW trip was all a dream.
Nature exists!
Trees are supposed to be green, flowers DO bloom, mountains DO have snow, water DOES flow.
And believe it or not... you can actually drink tap water- I know, I know... seems unreal but I kid you not it is true.
It all seems so unreal and definitely un-Southern California esk.
Now I understand why my best friend Brooke and her husband Patrick moved back to Washington!
I get it!
Socal has some great perks and I'm in dire need of an adventure soon in order to remember that.
(hint hint Vince)
I'll just continue dreaming of the Pacific North West and until my next race there- Oregon Coast.
Like Rainshadow races claim to leave you wonder...
Why run anywhere else?
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness