I don’t care nearly as much about running races as I do skimo, but I still generally do about two running races a summer. This summer, I did the beaverhead 55k in july and then the rut 28k and baldy hill climb in September. Read on for a brief recap of each.
Beaverhead 55k
I went into the race with little knowledge of the course, only ramblings about the “runnable first half” and then the several miles of “horrible talus on the ridge.” The initial half was in fact completely runnable, more so than the type of terrain I most enjoy. I spent a lot of miles running in a loose group of several guys, til the trail got steeper and forced us to a hiking pace and I made a point of dropping them. The only person who caught me was brian and we enjoyed a couple miles together before he started to cramp and had to slow down as I ran on. I soon caught and passed another runner to move into a surprising 4thplace. I ran the entire “horrible talus on the ridge” section all alone, thoroughly enjoying the technical terrain and outstanding views.
 |
| Brian, close to where the course exits the trees and truly starts to become good |
 |
| the highlight of the course is the several miles along the ridge |
From the final aid at bohannon creek, I was worried brian or another runner was going to run me down but I kept on chugging along, feeling ready to be done. The final two miles dragged on in full sun and rising temps but I eventually caught sight of the finish area and was happy to cross the line and relax in the shade. My rough goal time coming into the race was sub 7 hours and I finished in 6:55, which was surprisingly good enough for 3rdmale/4thplace overall (the female winner was fast and crushed the female course record by 25 minutes). Results here. The low key vibe and food at the finish area cheering on other finishers was great before catching a shuttle back into Salmon. I had heard great things about this race in years past and it did not disappoint (although the first half is too easy and runnable for my taste).
RUT 28k
This was my fourth year at the Rut and I was ready for a change so I ran the 28k for my first time instead of the 50k. I had a blast and enjoyed the shorter course that still includes all of the steep and technical terrain of the 50k. The weather was perfect in contrast to the two previous years (rain/cold in 2016 and hot/sunny last year). I was surprised not to pass anyone during the headwaters climb but managed to pass several folks along the technical running on the ridge, which I seem to be faster on each year. I caught sight of john fiore on the road up to swiftcurrent but was unable to catch him til the descent off lone peak.
 |
| photo: crystal images |
 |
| photo: crystal images |
We descended several miles chatting together before he dropped me during the downhill road running before the last aid station. I had a few minor cramp twinges on the final climb up andesite but nothing too major. I though I was running the final downhill hard but the 2ndplace woman bombed by me as if I was standing still. I finished in just under 4:17, hitting my pre-race goal of sub 4:20 but about 2:30 behind john. Results here. The afternoon was spent cheering on Bria and other friends in the 28k. I must admit it was nice on Sunday to be able to sleep in and go for a mountain bike ride instead of toeing the line in the dark at 6am for the 50k start. Overall the Rut continues to be an excellent weekend of friends and family, racing and now that I own a bike, mountain biking. I’ll definitely be back.
Baldy Hill Climb (VK)
 |
| a couple seconds into the race. i felt overdressed with a shirt and vest (to carry my phone) photo: bria |
Although it is only advertised as the “baldy hill climb”, it is nearly a VK, climbing 3200vert in just 1.9 miles, straight up the warm springs ski run. It had been on my radar for several years but I finally made it out to sun valley this fall to battle against a bunch of fast nordic skiers. I was a little sick on race day but pushed hard anyways, taking 9thplace in just under 46 minutes. I used poles as I just recently bought a fancy collapsible carbon pair which were great for the steep, sustained grade. I was only two for four on my pre-race goals: top 10 and don’t get chicked. The two I failed on were losing to a teenager and I didn’t break 40min (in retrospect this was too ambitiously fast for me). I could definitely break 45 or maybe 44 minutes if healthy but the top several guys were wicked fast and way ahead of me. Sun Valley was beautiful with the fall foliage so maybe I’ll be back to give it another go. Full results here.
 |
| fall foliage the next day |
