Training Run – First 1/2, 24 Km

Can you say “mud”? Can you say “wow”? How about “whew!”

If 1999 was “Year of the Snow”, and 2000 was “Year of the Less Snow”, and 2005 was “Year of the Mud”, then 2009 just might be “Year of the Most Mud”. I’ve been doing the Knee Knacker training runs since 1999 and I don’t remember seeing that much mud and slop on the Baden Powell ever before. It was awesome!

I know that the trail was muddy last Sunday as well. I didn’t make it out for that run but I suspect the rains we had this week raised the bar somewhat. And the trail was damp pretty much from Nelson Canyon all the way to Cleveland Dam. It’s a good thing because we needed it badly for all kinds of reasons. And did you see the new sign in Cypress Bowl talking about the age of the forest and how long it has likely been since there was a fire there? It’s been as long as 2000 to 4000 years ago possibly. Thank goodness for the rain.

We met at Cleveland Dam at 7:30 am to carpool to the start of the First Half at Nelson Canyon Park. When I got up in the morning I looked out and saw some huge dark clouds and was a bit concerned how it would be at the top of Black Mountain for the run. But those clouds soon moved away to reveal a mostly clear sky.

At the start of the run we had about 55 people and it seemed that this group has remained in good form and had lots of energy. Our run groups have remained quite large this year and I’m sure that helps the newbies find other runners to be with so they can find their way and stay safe. Thanks to everyone for helping with this.

We had about six people on Sunday that hadn’t done this section of trail before. And what a day to ‘run’ up Black Mountain it was. With the sun popping in and out of the clouds and the cool breeze hitting us on the way up we couldn’t have asked for nicer weather – wow. The view at Eagleridge Bluffs was amazing as usual (when you can see it). The snow on the entire route is pretty much gone. And I expect the course to be pretty quick on race day once some of the wetness disappears over the next couple of weeks. This coming week is supposed to be sunny and very dry.

If you did the run you probably saw our two photographers near the beginning. I came across Andrew and Karen at the new bridge crossing in Nelson Canyon Park and stopped to chat with them. They have both been out taking oodles of pictures of all of us over the last several weeks and some of those have been posted on the website. Take a look for those and more to come. I’m not sure but you may see one of those pictures on our poster this year as well.

This run was our first time at cutting back on distance. The taper is in full force and I’m sure you’re looking forward to a bit of rest now to recharge for race day. The training run we will do next Sunday is the Last Quarter. We will meet in Deep Cove at 7:30 am and carpool to the start at Lynn Canyon. It’s the last one – whew!

Craig Moore

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