From: Peter Bakwin Date: Tue Oct 2, 2001 4:44 pm Subject: Danielesque wrap-up I didn't get the final results of the Danielesque 23k/46k runs from Penny yet. What I know is that Adam Chase won the 23K with Buzz Burrell in 2nd, Russ Bollig won the 46K with me second (about 4:53), Darcy Piceu was 3rd overall and 1st woman in the 46K, and Stephanie Ehret was 2nd woman. Also, it was a heck of a good time & Penny did a great job! There were 56 people signed up and about 50 starters (plus a few dogs, Taz got 1st dog in the 46K). The race was on the outer loop of the White Ranch trail system, which makes up a 23K loop with about 3000 feet of climbing. The 46K runners did a second loop in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction. There were good aid stations every 5 miles or so. The race packet was great & included a real nice long-sleeve Lifa shirt from Helly Hansen, a silk- screen commemorative cup, etc. Penny gave the top 2 finishers in each event beautiful framed pressed flowers that she had made, which was just about the best award I've ever seen & I was really happy to get one. This race could become on of the premier local events. I hope Penny will put it on again next year. Thanks Penny! And thanks to all the volunteers, including Emily, Jimmy, Brian, Theresa, Kurt, etc. The men's 46K turned out to be competative. Here's about what happened: Russ took off like crazy and had minutes on everybody by the top of Belcher Hill at 4 miles. Adam & Buzz were chasing, and gradually disappeared from sight. Darcy was up there too, but never got too far ahead of me & I caught her at around 7 miles. I ended up doing about 2:17 for the first lap, just ahead of 3rd place in the 23K. Spotted Russ 9:30 or so. Thought that's going to be tough to make up, but I felt fine. Figured I had to do most of the catch-up on the downhill, so ran hard into Death Valley (on the Longhorn Trail), which was a lot of fun. The climb back out was huge and steep. Phew! Caught Russ at about 5 miles on return. But, he's not ready to lay down & die & pushed me all the way to the 2nd aid station, another 4 rolling miles. At this point on every climb I'm feeling these little piano wires going off in my calves. Oh boy! I figure if I can just keep with Russ to the top of the hill I have it in the bag. Going up the last bit to Belcher Hill those little cramps are really bothersome. Run down the steep switchbacks on the other side & every few steps its Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Finally BANG the whole right calf siezes OUCH! I'm on the ground moaning for about 4-5 minutes. But, no Russ! Get the calf to relax and get going again, but now here comes Russ. On the rolling section he gets a little ahead as I have to be very careful on the climbs to keep the cramps at bay, but I figure I'll get him on the steep down. He's pushing to make a gap. Down the hill & I'm gradually catching up. One mile to go he's still got 100 yards on me, but the calves are cooperating. This is silly, I should go get him. I pick it up on a steep rocky section and in 6 steps clip my toe on a rock and crash HARD! Dammit dammit dammit. Serious hip pointer, bloody left hand, plus the right calf siezes again. Oh well, that's that. Walk it on in. Don't know where those cramps came from. It was hot, probably not enough salt. Plus, you have to run fast in the short races!