Pacer Central

Please use the comments section of this blog post to communicate interest in pacing or being paced to other runners. Leave your request to pace or to find a pacer and leave your email or phone number so you can be contacted. If anyone wants to set up a more efficient online tool to share pacing requests go ahead and we'll link to it from the blog and website.

White River 50

Yesterday's White River 50 miler down near Mt. Rainier was a fun preview for Cascade Crest. A number of this year's CCC entrants were out fine-tuning things on the White River trails, and we're looking forward to seeing how all that hard work will pay off.

It was great to catch up with many of the folks who've been involved with Cascade Crest in previous years as runners and volunteers, including Scott Railton, Dan Probst, Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs, Jeff Wright, Janet Rosenfeld, and Kent Holder. There isn't a bright line between who's a runner and who's a volunteer at Cascade Crest lately. So many folks have done both, and we're proud of that.

Below is Pat Ackley, an '07 finisher who volunteered in '08 and '09, assisting Jenny Uehisa, an '07 finisher and '08 volunteer, at Buck Creek aid station. Photo of start above thanks to Glenn Tachiyama.

Runner Update - July 6

Runners --

A few updates as the race approaches...

Entrants List (Refunds)
I updated the entrants list earlier today. If you've contacted me to withdraw from the run I will be processing refund checks later this week. Please note that the deadline to receive a partial refund has passed.

Trail Work
Please remember that all entrants are expected to complete 8 hrs of trail work as a condition of entry. We are quite flexible about where you do your trail work but it must be via an organized work party. Any sort of restoration work is acceptable; it does not have to specifically be work on a trail. If you have questions contact Charlie. You can submit your trail work details here.

Course Conditions
If you are out on the course and find anything interesting (i.e unexpected) let me know. There is still a decent amount of snow up high but since Seattle just went from March to July overnight the snow will be melting quickly in the days to come.

Tunnel (Still Closed)
Unfortunately there is no sign that the Snoqualmie Pass tunnel is going to reopen anytime soon. If anyone has information on the status of the tunnel and the Iron Horse Trail please let me know. We plan to route you up and over Snoqualmie Pass on a similar but slightly more humane route than the one we used last year.

Training Runs
The best way to share information on training runs is via the Cascade Crest Google group.

That is all for now. Send me your questions and I'll answer via the blog if topics apply to all runners.

Cheers,

Charlie

Lost Lake 50k

My wife graciously covered the home front today so I could slip up to Bellingham for the Lost Lake 50k. For those of you who have not run it (and that's most of you since there were around 35-40 runners this morning) you missed something really special. I feel like I discovered an unknown bar band that will be selling out Madison Square Garden in a couple of years.

The clear blue sky and high 60s temps made any outdoor activity more appealing but great weather aside, Lost Lake delivered everything that makes Northwest ultrarunning rewarding. Race Director Alvin Crain gave us miles of gorgeous single track, impeccable course marking, friendly competent volunteers and a semi-sadistic scenic detour for a close up view of the Lost Lake waterfall. The course and the logistics were stellar.

Lost Lake is challenging (34 miles and > 8k of climb), very pretty, and very well organized. Put it on your calendar for next year. You won't regret it.

Preliminary Entrants List is Up

The preliminary entrants list for the 2010 race has been posted.

2010 Race is Full

Entry to this year's race is now closed. If you mailed your check but haven't entered your details at Ultra Signup, please do so. We'll post an entrants list ASAP.

A Rave from Down Under

Runner's World Australia / New Zealand chose Cascade Crest 100 as this month's Rave Run, thanks to Kiwi runner Lisa Nicholl, who submitted this spectacular photograph by Glenn Tachiyama. Pictured here are Lisa, who placed 5th woman in 2009, and her homegrown pacer, Kathleen Egan, cruising down Thorpe Mountain.

Entry Details

This post contains details on how to submit an entry to the 2010 edition of Cascade Crest. Entering the run is a two step process!

Step One:
- Print and mail this simple entry form along with your check. (Mailing address is on the simple entry form.)

Step Two:
- Visit UltraSignUp and provide your entry details (contact info, shirt size etc.)

Entries will be accepted in the order they are sent based on postmark. You must mail in a check in order to be considered for entry. We are using Ultra Signup to ensure that your contact details are accurate and to avoid the need to manually enter details from paper entry forms.

We are requiring payment by check to avoid having to increase the cost of the race to cover credit processing fees. We are big fans of online entry to races but the cost imposed by Visa and MasterCard is material and either needs to be absorbed by the race or passed along via increased fees. We'd rather require a bit more work from you (tracking down a stamp, an envelope and your checkbook) and from us (processing the mail) and avoid the extra cost.

If you were a volunteer in 2009, you can mail your entry form and payment beginning on February 1. Otherwise, you can mail your entry form and payment no earlier than February 12.

Please let me know if you have questions or need clarification on the process and I will update these instructions accordingly. Thanks!

Want to Run the Cascade Crest 100 in 2010?

Here are some things you'll need to know. The race takes place August 28 & 29, and the entry process is the same as we've used in the past. The application will become available on the Cascade Crest 100 website on February 1. We'll accept runner entries by regular U.S. mail starting with a Friday, February 13 postmark. Please don't send by FedEx, UPS, or Express Mail, all of which risk waking a sleeping baby. Qualified runners will be accepted according to postmark date on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We plan to start 140 runners this year and will close the field at 170 entries. We expect the race to fill quickly, and as before, there won't be a wait list. The entry fee is $195, same as it's been since 2008. Runners who cancel prior to July 1 will be refunded $100.

Additionally, you must complete a 50-mile race sometime prior to the race start date, and we'll have a trail work requirement again this year. As before, volunteers from the 2009 race will be able to enter early, starting with a Monday, February 1 postmark.

A Runner's Resolve

We're delighted to see that the Cascade Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run made a number of ultrarunners' 'Best Of 2009' lists, and it's fun hearing everyone's resolutions for the new year. Among the most inspiring comes from Cheri Redwine, who paced her husband Gary to a 28th place finish at the Cascade Crest 100 this past year.

The backstory: just three years ago, this mother of five was spending most of the day in her recliner, out of shape and on pain killers. Her doctors said she had fibromyalgia. Then she picked up Dean Karnazes' book and came to believe she could do better for herself. She hadn't run since childhood -- and she started with a twenty-minute mile.

Last year she finished the Where's Waldo 100K.

This year she goes for her first 100-mile finish.

We venerate our elite runners in ultrarunning, and deservedly so. Their accomplishments are so mind-bending, they sometimes seem to be of a different species altogether. But Cheri's story reminds us that every runner has their own deep history, their own personal demons and battles. Turning your life around like Cheri has done is truly something remarkable. Remember her when your new year's resolutions start to grow stale, and we'll see you out there on the trails.