Report: This feels weird... it's like being a citizen journalist reporting on my own Club Fat Ass event. I wasn't there, so I've tried to piece together the facts from participants after the fact.
First off, my apologies for not showing up at the start. 'Got the flu shot in October and managed to dodge the bullet until late this week, but really got whacked yesterday. Accepted that I'd not be in any shape to run when I hit the sack on Saturday evening, but fully intending to welcome everyone and kick things off today. Plans changed when I woke at 6:00am this morning when Sibylle kindly volunteered to emcee. Thank you, Sibylle... and "Yes" I hereby do formally acknowledge that I assign my Event Host point in the Club Point Series to you!
Eyewitness reports tell me that several new Club members toed the line next to the water fountain at the base of Fromme Mountain. Noal and Sarah from Seattle were aiming to take gold for Team USA. Tom brought his flatlander brother David all the way from Regina for a taste of what real hill training is all about. (Whaddya think, David?) To shake up their family Sun Run training a bit, Janice and Nathan brought along Adreel and Ciaran. Rachel was out to do a lap as a warm down after having completed a 12-hour run the day before. Desmond, however, was not present. He misread the agenda and showed up bright and early on Saturday morning. Should he get his Club participation points?
It had rained most of the night, so the air was thick with mist at the start. No bears or cougars were sighted, but several runners remarked that the bird calls and rushing water created a symphonic backdrop to the silence of the forest. Surprisingly, it was warm at the start and warm at the turnaround, but very cold in-between. In contrast to 2009 where we wallowed in snow up to our waists, Mountain Highway was clear of snow until the 7th switchback.
At the Mosquito Creek afterwards (yes, I was there!) we shared adventure stories and cooked up a few plans for adventures-to-come. Thanks to Kelly and Lucie of the Mosquito Creek Grill and the good folks at Kintec and Trail Runner Magazine, everyone present was treated to a free beer and a recognition prize for their efforts.
Just as we were wrapping-up, Team USA arrived to claim gold after completing three laps of the Mountain Highway Madness course. They were instantly selected as poster children for the special 2010 gold edition Club Fat Ass t-shirt. An impromptu photo shoot with our porker mascot was setup on the dance floor. (Note: Ken Legg and Tundra the Ultradog also earned "gold" status in this year's event.)
Congrats to all participants and I hope to join you for the fall running of the Mountain Highway Madness!
"Outta Action" Jackson Host of the Mountain Highway Madness
PS If you participated in the run, please take a moment to fill out the Club's Post Event Survey. You can alsoleave your comments, impressions from the run and feedback via the comment link below (you need to be signed in for that) or in your CFA blog.
Photos. Below is a slideshow of event photos. You can add yours to this Flickr slideshow by following these instructions. Please tag all photos with SpringMHM2010 SpringMHM SpringMountainHighwayMadness ClubFatAssEvents ClubFatAssEvents2010 and add to the Flickr Club Fat Ass group pool.
Results. Preliminary results are posted below. Please email us your times or corrections if necessary.
Report: This feels weird... it's like being a citizen journalist reporting on my own Club Fat Ass event. I wasn't there, so I've tried to piece together the facts from participants after the fact.
bit, Janice and Nathan brought along Adreel and Ciaran. Rachel was out to do a lap as a warm down after having completed a 12-hour run the day before. Desmond, however, was not present. He misread the agenda and showed up bright and early on Saturday morning. Should he get his Club participation points?
At the Mosquito Creek afterwards (yes, I was there!) we shared adventure stories and cooked up a few plans for adventures-to-come. Thanks to Kelly and Lucie of the Mosquito Creek Grill and the good folks at Kintec and Trail Runner Magazine, everyone present was treated to a free beer and a recognition prize for their efforts.
"Outta Action" Jackson
