Thanks to Sibylle & Ean--what an awesome way to begin 2010 with such a great group of people!! Can't say my legs are thanking me this morning, all the more reason to do absolutely NOTHING today but eat...see you at the next event!!
Submitted by neil ambrose on 1 January, 2010 - 22:36.
Congratulations Ian on completing your 100th Ultra Marathon today - Jan 1, 2010. WOW! And to do # 100 in the rain is very incredible for the guy who does his best to avoid running in the rain. I'm glad I was there for the finish to enjoy the champagne (since I declined at midnight last night due to the FA event this AM) - that was a first! ;-)
- Wendy Montgomery and Carolyn did a custom today - 20km - 2 hours! Neil completed the 50km in 5:25.
Submitted by cbullington on 1 January, 2010 - 22:05.
Hi Sibylle,
Happy New Year!!!
I hope you had a great event, I think you were going for the full 50 km goal, so congratulations on this achievement in the first day of 2010!. Great start of the year! I would have like to go, but I had some "logistic" challenges. I had Eric with me, and we had all intentions to do a custom run starting from Stanley Park with everyone. We coulnd't figure out a way to fit the stroller in my car, so I decided to do a "satellite" version running in Richmond. I started at the same time and did half marathon (21 km) in 2:20 hr. Not so bad for having to push a >40 pound kid in a stroller in the nasty rain.
I was glad I made it home when I did and thought about those like you who run longer than I did, for hours... at least 5 hrs? in the same rain...
Anyhow, if you want to validate my results, as part of the event, please do, but if not, at least I'll have the pride of sticking to my resolution :) Eric even dragged me for a swim afterwards... thank goodness it wasn't a polar swim! I guess that means I'll have a fitness oriented 2010! I couldn't ask for anything else.
Have some rest and see you at the next event. Happy 2010 !
Thank you both Ean and Sibylle for a great start to the New Year, one resolution marked as complete. Great to see so many smiling faces so early in such weather! Next year ... 50k for sure!
Submitted by troyangrignon on 1 January, 2010 - 17:37.
Great day today. Enjoyed the water-laden conversation. Thanks for an awesome start to the year. Blue the dog got home and shut her eyes and didn't move after the run. She gives it five woofs.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 31 December, 2009 - 11:39.
Warm-up, eh?
Looks like Tim Wiens is opting to cut the course short this year by avoiding the swim leg. Given the finisher party starts at 4:00, he might miss that, too!
Tim, if you say you'll go for a dip in the Pacific after you run 100K, I'll join you for a second one.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 31 December, 2009 - 11:11.
I just spoke to Ryne Melcher from Kintec. Ryne confirmed:
that one of his best running performances ever was when he was hung-over
that he will attend a New Year's eve tequila-tasting party
that he plans to run 50K tomorrow
that Kristin will be continuing the tradition of hosting the Kintec aid station on Spanish Banks
For those who are planning to blow their brains out tomorrow, you should know that Melcher was first to kiss the fire hydrant (finish) a few years ago.
For the rest of us, it's nice to know there will be a friendly face with water, sports drink, coke, chips, cookies and candies out on the course. Kristin may set up a tent. Either way, I've asked her to set up a bit farther down the beach this year at the far end (closest to UBC hill) of the Spanish Banks parking lot. This so folks know where to cross onto the Admiralty Trail in Pacific Spirit park.
I was injured last year and spent some time with Kristin. It was freezing standing around for the better part of the day. Please be sure to give her a big hug and lots of thanks for her help when you pass by.
If your family or friends plan to meet you out on the course, this aid station or the 25K turnaround at Comuson and SW Marine are excellent meeting spots.
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 29 December, 2009 - 12:22.
I just spoke to Michelle Postulka. She's the person with the City of Vancouver who is responsible for operating Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Even though the gate may be open and the trail might be in great shape for a trail runner, Michelle indicated that this part of the trail is still officially closed. She asked that we avoid this section of trail this year.
This will require a minor deviation from the "official" route.
As Paps pointed out, it's as easy as pie to continue along the bike path for about 500m then enter the trail at the Salish trail gate. That way, we avoid Admirality Trail altogether for this year.
To make it dumb-ass simple, I'll ask Graham to set up the Kintec Aid Station opposite the trailhead.
'Looking forward to a fine run with some fine friends and some lousy weather!
The other trailhead I was talking about actually enters Pacific Spirit Park at the middle Canyon section well before Salish so Fat Ass purists would still get to run a fair bit of Admiralty. The Salish trailhead would be another 600-800m or so beyond that.
You can see the trail I'm talking about on this map:
It's opposite the big parking symbol and joins Admiralty about halfway between the East and West Canyon trails. Imagine it as the stem on the jalapeno created by those other trails. ;-)
Submitted by Ean Jackson on 31 December, 2009 - 10:22.
Dang... living in North Van has its shortcomings. I've not been in Pacific Spirit Park for over a year, so just assumed all of Admiralty Trail was closed. Thx for that, Paps!
This is good news because the trail entrance for the detour would be opposite the end of the parking lot... impossible to get lost on the way out and also maintains that nice section of trail along Admiralty that will insure we get our feet muddy if not so already.
I have updated the written course description with this detour and will also point it out at the start tomorrow morning.
Submitted by Keith Nichol on 22 December, 2009 - 21:52.
I've gone through here several times over the weekend when no one is around. The fence has been opened at the trail head and there are no blockages higher up. There are obvious signs of lots of traffic and it is essentialy complete.
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Hopefully the Park Board still has enough money to complete this project, but the trailhead just after the Spanish Banks West concession where the Fat Ass 50k would normally enter/exit Pacific Spirit Park is still fenced off. The race is still a month away, but I figured I'd give you the heads-up.
Checked out the Spanish trail this morning. The fence is still up, the heavy machinery is still there, and with eleven days to go, including a lot of stat holidays, it doesn't look likely the work will be completed by New Years Day.
HOWEVER, the tiny bit of the trail that the Fat Ass 50 follows looks to be in good shape. They've stabilized the banks and laid a new bed of crushed gravel on Spanish. It's a little soft at the bottom where runners would enter the trail, but it's all runnable if it wasn't for that pesky fence... which is actually more of a gate... an UNLOCKED gate. There is a second section of fencing on Admiralty at the first intersection after the turn off Spanish, but it appears to have fallen victim to wind or gravity or wild animals.
The alternate entrance to the trails is about half a km further along Marine Drive, but hypothetically speaking, someone could still run the original route.
I'm sure I'll be out that way a few times between now and Christmas so I'll keep you posted. I won't speak for Tim, but I'm betting he will too. (Rumour has it Tim's been in secret talks with Ean about the state of the trail, so perhaps Action Jackson is planning to pull out all the stops and really celebrate that 100th ultra by winning the Fat Ass 50!)
There are some very fast boys and girls who have signed up so far. Even if I didn't get hammered on NY eve, even if I did have your legs and even if I did pull out all of the stops, I'd be lucky to make the top 100!
Comments
Thanks!!!
Thanks to Sibylle & Ean--what an awesome way to begin 2010 with such a great group of people!! Can't say my legs are thanking me this morning, all the more reason to do absolutely NOTHING today but eat...see you at the next event!!
Congratulations Century Man!
Congratulations Ian on completing your 100th Ultra Marathon today - Jan 1, 2010. WOW! And to do # 100 in the rain is very incredible for the guy who does his best to avoid running in the rain. I'm glad I was there for the finish to enjoy the champagne (since I declined at midnight last night due to the FA event this AM) - that was a first! ;-)
- Wendy Montgomery and Carolyn did a custom today - 20km - 2 hours! Neil completed the 50km in 5:25.
Thanks for a great event Ian and Sybille.
Cheers!
Carolyn and Neil
Vancouver New Year's Day FA Satellite Run
Hi Sibylle,
Happy New Year!!!
I hope you had a great event, I think you were going for the full 50 km goal, so congratulations on this achievement in the first day of 2010!. Great start of the year! I would have like to go, but I had some "logistic" challenges. I had Eric with me, and we had all intentions to do a custom run starting from Stanley Park with everyone. We coulnd't figure out a way to fit the stroller in my car, so I decided to do a "satellite" version running in Richmond. I started at the same time and did half marathon (21 km) in 2:20 hr. Not so bad for having to push a >40 pound kid in a stroller in the nasty rain.
I was glad I made it home when I did and thought about those like you who run longer than I did, for hours... at least 5 hrs? in the same rain...
Anyhow, if you want to validate my results, as part of the event, please do, but if not, at least I'll have the pride of sticking to my resolution :) Eric even dragged me for a swim afterwards... thank goodness it wasn't a polar swim! I guess that means I'll have a fitness oriented 2010! I couldn't ask for anything else.
Have some rest and see you at the next event. Happy 2010 !
Claudia Bullington
Thank for a great start to the year!
Thank you both Ean and Sibylle for a great start to the New Year, one resolution marked as complete. Great to see so many smiling faces so early in such weather! Next year ... 50k for sure!
Thanks Ean and Sibylle!
Great day today. Enjoyed the water-laden conversation. Thanks for an awesome start to the year. Blue the dog got home and shut her eyes and didn't move after the run. She gives it five woofs.
I think he's a wimp if he doesn't do the swim...
Warm-up, eh?
Looks like Tim Wiens is opting to cut the course short this year by avoiding the swim leg. Given the finisher party starts at 4:00, he might miss that, too!
Tim, if you say you'll go for a dip in the Pacific after you run 100K, I'll join you for a second one.
Kintec Aid Station at Spanish Banks
I just spoke to Ryne Melcher from Kintec. Ryne confirmed:
For those who are planning to blow their brains out tomorrow, you should know that Melcher was first to kiss the fire hydrant (finish) a few years ago.
Trail Work and a Detour
I just spoke to Michelle Postulka. She's the person with the City of Vancouver who is responsible for operating Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Even though the gate may be open and the trail might be in great shape for a trail runner, Michelle indicated that this part of the trail is still officially closed. She asked that we avoid this section of trail this year.
This will require a minor deviation from the "official" route.
As Paps pointed out, it's as easy as pie to continue along the bike path for about 500m then enter the trail at the Salish trail gate. That way, we avoid Admirality Trail altogether for this year.
To make it dumb-ass simple, I'll ask Graham to set up the Kintec Aid Station opposite the trailhead.
'Looking forward to a fine run with some fine friends and some lousy weather!
No, No, The Other Detour...
The other trailhead I was talking about actually enters Pacific Spirit Park at the middle Canyon section well before Salish so Fat Ass purists would still get to run a fair bit of Admiralty. The Salish trailhead would be another 600-800m or so beyond that.
You can see the trail I'm talking about on this map:
http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/maps/Maps/Pacificspiritmap.pdf
It's opposite the big parking symbol and joins Admiralty about halfway between the East and West Canyon trails. Imagine it as the stem on the jalapeno created by those other trails. ;-)
Ahhh... THAT Detour!
Dang... living in North Van has its shortcomings. I've not been in Pacific Spirit Park for over a year, so just assumed all of Admiralty Trail was closed. Thx for that, Paps!
This is good news because the trail entrance for the detour would be opposite the end of the parking lot... impossible to get lost on the way out and also maintains that nice section of trail along Admiralty that will insure we get our feet muddy if not so already.
I have updated the written course description with this detour and will also point it out at the start tomorrow morning.
See you dark and early tomorrow!
Thanks for the updates, Keith
Thanks for the updates, Keith and David. Not sure what Jackson is planning, but it looks like we've got options ;-)
hte blocked section
I've gone through here several times over the weekend when no one is around. The fence has been opened at the trail head and there are no blockages higher up. There are obvious signs of lots of traffic and it is essentialy complete.
cheers Keith
Bargoon Hotel
Spanish Trailhead Construction...
Hopefully the Park Board still has enough money to complete this project, but the trailhead just after the Spanish Banks West concession where the Fat Ass 50k would normally enter/exit Pacific Spirit Park is still fenced off. The race is still a month away, but I figured I'd give you the heads-up.
Spanish Trailhead Update - 12/20/09
Checked out the Spanish trail this morning. The fence is still up, the heavy machinery is still there, and with eleven days to go, including a lot of stat holidays, it doesn't look likely the work will be completed by New Years Day.
HOWEVER, the tiny bit of the trail that the Fat Ass 50 follows looks to be in good shape. They've stabilized the banks and laid a new bed of crushed gravel on Spanish. It's a little soft at the bottom where runners would enter the trail, but it's all runnable if it wasn't for that pesky fence... which is actually more of a gate... an UNLOCKED gate. There is a second section of fencing on Admiralty at the first intersection after the turn off Spanish, but it appears to have fallen victim to wind or gravity or wild animals.
The alternate entrance to the trails is about half a km further along Marine Drive, but hypothetically speaking, someone could still run the original route.
Thanks David. Any chance for
Thanks David. Any chance for an updated just before Christmas? I guess the alternative is to keep going along the beach to Salish and turn there.
Stay Tuned...
I'm sure I'll be out that way a few times between now and Christmas so I'll keep you posted. I won't speak for Tim, but I'm betting he will too. (Rumour has it Tim's been in secret talks with Ean about the state of the trail, so perhaps Action Jackson is planning to pull out all the stops and really celebrate that 100th ultra by winning the Fat Ass 50!)
Is that a Joke?
Check out the starter list.
There are some very fast boys and girls who have signed up so far. Even if I didn't get hammered on NY eve, even if I did have your legs and even if I did pull out all of the stops, I'd be lucky to make the top 100!