2013 Vancouver 100

1 June 2013 - Starter Photo in Deep Cove

2013 Vancouver 100 Run Report

I’m glad to say that the 2013 Vancouver 100 was a unique experience for me and that it seems as though all the runners and supporters had their own positive and unique experiences too. A little history: in 1999 I ran my first marathon (Vancouver) and first ultra (Knee Knacker) and in 2002 I attempted my first double crossing of the Baden Powell Centennial Trail along with my running friend Deb Schmidt pacing me for the first 50 km from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay. We started at 6:00 p.m. that day and made it to the start of the Knee Knacker race at 6:00 a.m. with minutes to spare. I bonked 45 minutes after that Knee Knacker start and after help from the race sweeps I eventually got a ride home from Tim Jones (North Shore Rescue) upon his insistence – thanks again Tim. In 2005 we held the first 96 km “The Double” and since 2006 it’s been called the 100 km “Vancouver 100”. From the first running of The Double I have been told by numerous and widely experienced ultra-runners that our mountainous course is one of the most difficult of the big trail runs in North America. I’ve done some statistical checking of my own to support that claim and it’s easy to agree. So far I’ve only found one event that even comes close and that’s the 100 km version of H.U.R.T. 100 in Hawaii (not really even North America). All others at the 100 km distance apparently pale in comparison.

Thankfully I’ve completed the V100 a few times before and I promised myself this time would be for a new experience. I decided that going for the triple (V150) would be the difference, especially since there was no known record of that being done. And I figured that if I actually made the triple there wasn’t much anyone could do to stop me from making that final 10 km or so journey to make it a full 160km (100 miles). It was a lofty but worthy goal for me since I had not yet completed a run of that distance. The plan gradually came together and I heard from Deb that she was interested in pacing me again so at least on paper we were good to go.

(Photo of Craig flagging by Andrew Wong)

On Friday, May 31, we set out from Nelson Canyon at 3:00 p.m. to be sure to finish the first 50 km before the proper event start at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The weather was perfect, mostly clear and cool enough, with seasonal temps around 18C. I had spent several outings on the entire course determining conditions and adding some marking on the toughest spots to be sure we didn’t waste any time. Lots of blow downs were cleared on the Hollyburn Chute in the preceding weeks by me and some of our Knee Knacker friends due to some very severe winds this Spring. I counted 60 trees down on the Chute alone but that was the worst hit area.

Our run on Friday night and Saturday morning was essentially uneventful. The pace was as expected, 5:07 for 25 km to Cleveland Dam then 6.5 hours to Deep Cove through the night: my 100 mile pace I imagined. That was about 8,300 feet up and 8,000 feet down so far. I was Tweeting along the way @lostinthetrees to #Vancouver100 and was not expecting nor did we plan for any assistance. We heard the coolest owl hooting on Grouse Mountain but didn’t see any wildlife of note. Snow at the higher elevations was continuing to melt quickly and lots of bare ground was showing on Black and Hollyburn Mountains, even compared to the week before. The trail was very quiet, especially in Deep Cove from Quarry Rock to the Cove. In fact, it was absolutely deserted of the hundreds of people we normally see there if you can imagine. Mind you that was smack dab in the middle of the night. The only significant stop we made was at Cleveland Dam to refill on water and at Mountain Highway for an impromptu Kraft Dinner meal provided by my generous neighbours (Brendan, Roz, Misha and Robbie) who came up from our home in Lynn Valley.

Deb and I have probably each run sections of the BP Trail between Grouse and Deep Cove hundreds of times over the years. My first Knee Knacker was in 1999 – Year of the Snow. Deb lives in North Vancouver so it’s home ground to her as well. All of this made it an easy trek to the Cove by my estimated call of 2:30 a.m. In fact I arrived at the fire hydrant after running down the road to the black gate and back at exactly 2:30. Eleven and half hours for 50 km. Not fast. Not intended to be fast. Right on time in my books. I ate, drank, sat for a few minutes, Tweeted, sorted out lights and food and was heading back down the road by 3:08 a.m. Deb headed home and insisted I call her if there were any issues. The advance plan was to have fellow Team Dodgy cohort, Dave Berg with the help of his incredible crew of wife Helen, do the event briefing at 5:00 a.m. for the V100 starters. That all worked out and I knew that the first runner would be catching up to me around Lynn Canyon.

It got significantly light around 5:00 a.m. and that’s about the time I took my headlamp off. The Seymour Grind is very peaceful normally but was extra quiet at that time of day. I was very much enjoying my time on the trail. Not long after, I entered Lynn Canyon and sat down on a bench for a short break to refuel. I thought that Sammy the superhuman ultra-runner might be passing me soon and at 6:22 a.m., barely 30 seconds after I sat down, he appeared down the trail. We chatted and off he went flying up the long set of stairs toward the Suspension Bridge. It would be another 40 minutes before the next runner would find me. It was Dave Berg looking good at Lynn Headwaters just past the Varley Trail immediately followed by two more. I wish I had their speed. Of course part of my unique experience plan was to be out there to see the runners as they caught me.

More and more runners eventually passed me as I closed in on Grouse Mountain some who I was only meeting for the first time. But I was wondering where my favourite Team Dodgy running buddies were. Neil managed to pass me first but Carolyn K., Marla, and Chad were still to be seen. Maybe they got caught in the Timbits vortex provided by crew and Diez Vista Race Director extraordinaire Wendy Montgomery at Skyline. I was stuck in there for a couple of minutes myself. And I’m sure Carolyn was interested in taking her time since she and Neil had completed the 55 mile Cateran Race in Scotland the weekend prior. On that note, Karl Jensen had also done a big one that weekend: the 100 mile Pigtails Challenge in Renton, Washington. And I have no doubt that everyone else had put in some big training runs leading up to the V100 not the least of which was Sammy’s fantastic 19^th place finish at the Vancouver Marathon in May.

Right from the start of my run I was concerned about my feet. They’ve never given me too much trouble but I decided to try some new runners this year. They worked out okay in training a few times but I hadn’t tried them for any considerable distance yet. I taped my feet in anticipation of problems and I’m glad I did. The pain on my toes and bottom of my feet had become quite severe and I was in the process of making my mind up to not continue past Cleveland Dam. With sore quads and knees my day would end at 75 km (18:51:00) and one more lesson learned the hard way. The best part is that I got my unique V100 experience and had a fantastic first 50 km. Love the night. Love the mud. But perhaps it was the excess amount of water on the trail that was part of the feet problem I had. It was a wet one as usual at this time of year. I was able to see my group come through Cleveland Dam and Helen gave me a ride home eventually. Then sleep.

Eventually I heard that Sammy knocked it out of the park once again: a new course record in 14:06. How does he do it? At the post dinner he mentioned that this year he didn’t get lost and didn’t doddle at all. I’ve tried that before and it didn’t work for me quite as well. Hmmm. First timers Spencer and Chris were steady and strong, finishing slightly ahead of another first timer, minimalist Eric, who came in with repeat offenders Jackie and Ken who all appear to have completed unscathed. Spencer told me that the last few miles were a massive effort for him to break 20 hours and it worked. He thanked me, “for a great if not painful event.” My pleasure Chris. Sam’s support crew person Miyuki was glad to hear from me when I called her in the morning trying to track Sam down. She said he got lost repeatedly but was determined to finish. For Sam to make it through on his own with that much difficulty earns him the ‘extra tough’ award for this year. It’s hard enough to finish when you know the route well let alone wander off many times. (Hey I warned you all about that didn’t I?) And last but not least, if everyone could have performed as well as second time finisher Kyndra then we would all have something to be proud of. Kyndra knocked 4 hours off her 2012 time and did so without a really ugly blood blister on her foot this time. Kyndra had some fantastic pacers as well. Thanks to all who helped keep our runners safe and sound out there and a shout out to Claire and Danielle for tagging along to see what it was all about and post some Tweets too.

(photo at right is Kyndra finishing with a 100 km personal best)

Close finishers were Dave and John. Dave blew a tire on Fromme and had to make his way out in the dark after a major stumble that caused his headlamp to disintegrate and one of his favourite blue hats to disappear. If you find his hat please secure its return or wear it proudly. John was a steady competitor as always but once again skipped the big climb back up Black Mountain. He’s amazing. He’s chatty. We’re lucky to have John among us and still going strong. John said, “that’s one of the best night runs I’ve ever had.” Considering all the big runs he’s done, including several 100 milers, that’s saying something. Take note that John’s wife and crew, Linda, gets the award for grossest injury during the V100: she fell at her home driveway to split her chin open and got five stitches. Ouch. I heard lots of blood was involved. Crewing comes with a price apparently.

Women’s course record holder Carolyn G. spent a relaxing day with Shem, both completing 75km as planned. Thanks to both for joining us in the fun once again. Neil found that after a kind act of avoiding a lady on the trail and whacking his knee he was not able to properly mount a return trip from Nelson Canyon. His whole group decided wisely to stop after 50km and head back to Maple Ridge after a meal and a rest. Michael, Sean and Karl all came up short but for smart reasons I’m sure. The V100 course continues to shatter hopes and dreams and keep it real year after year. Michael said he needed to walk the last 5 km after re-injuring his hip on Hollyburn Chute but he wants to give it a go again. Sean felt he didn’t have it in him this year. Karl, being one of Canada’s most prolific ultra-runners, gets a bye on this one. Thanks for being out there with us and passing on your experience and vast knowledge as always.

The post event dinner on Sunday was held at Two Lions Public House in North Vancouver - thanks to host Kendra and the new owners for having us and providing some complimentary beer to the thirsty travelers. Many showed up to share their stories and give plans of future adventures. I promised all that I would be holding a tenth V100 in 2014 and that they didn’t have a choice this time. But I was asking the group about their preferred V100 start time and was curious about the starting point for next year. Personally I think starting in Nelson Canyon would be an interesting alternative but that was met with a round of harrumphs. However it seems the start time is open for adjustment. Maybe 6:00 a.m.?

I also advised one and all at the dinner that there would certainly be one significant change. After living quite comfortably in Lynn Valley for almost all of my 51 happy years I’ve made the decision to move to Kamloops. I start work there on June 24 and will be very happy to be sharing the next phase of my life with Lynette. Some of you have met her and I hope you all get to meet her soon. I’ll be down and around the North Shore of Vancouver off and on. I’m addicted to our trails and there’s lots of Bagging still to be done. Please be sure to look me up in Kamloops when you’re spending time there or passing through. My time with Club Fat Ass and all the new friends I've made with trail running has been some of the very best times of my life. Thanks to all those I've met for helping me make it great. And a very special thanks to Ean and Sibylle for creating the club and keeping it going strong.

For all those who continue to ask us why we do this, it was summed up succinctly by one of the support runners and first timer on the BP Trail as well as a 50 km finisher. Candy said, “I don’t want or like easy.” Yup, that sums it up for me.

Thanks again to all that participated and good luck with training for the next big and unique thing in your lives.

Craig Moore

Event Host, Club Fat Ass Vancouver 100                                                                              

(photo at right are the unclaimed finisher crests and the sign-in sheet)

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Results:

At Eagle Bluffs Friday afternoon May 31 (Craig Moore and Deb Schmidt - pacer). Getting a head start on things after starting in Nelson Canyon at 3:09 pm. As always, a beautiful view when the clouds are away. Deb made it to Deep Cove as planned and Craig stopped after 75 km at Cleveland Dam.

The 2013 finisher's crest. Well earned for those few that made it 100 km. 

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