After an excruciating (but almost completely trouble-free) full day of travel (i.e. 24 hours!) I arrive in Kathmandu. Exhausting trips on completely-full China Airlines flights from San Francisco to Taipei to Bangkok were followed by a much more pleasant final leg on a three-quarters-empty Thai Airways flight to Kathmandu. The task of getting a visa was painful and chaotic as expected, but it was quick, and soon enough, I had my bags, located the Mountain Monarch guy, and was on my way in to Kathmandu city center.
The city is warm and dusty (though not unpleasantly hot, at this time of year.) Traffic is noisy and seemingly without much order or reason to it. (There is a perpetual din of honking horns and the screeching brakes of motorcycles and taxis.) Nevertheless, we reached our hotel, the Hotel Shakti without incident! The place was impressive-seeming from the outside but really fairly basic. However, my room was a bright corner-room next to a pleasant balcony. Not bad! I was hit with a feeling of relief at having navigated this fairly stressful first leg of the trip, and I promptly crashed out for an emergency nap!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Almost Time for the Plunge
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It's Wednesday afternoon, and I'm making final preparations for the long series of flights to Asia, leaving at midnight tonight. What to bring? It's not easy to plan for both a cold-weather trekking trip and a back-packing jaunt in hotter climes, all on the same trip. And - is a laptop computer an indulgence on this kind of trip, or is it an essential? (I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm conflicted.) So, my no-compromise compromise is to bring two backpacks, one a day-pack that I can use on the trek to Everest Base Camp, the other an all-purpose travelers pack that can be used for more general schlepping across SE Asia. And yes, the computer is coming -- hopefully, I wont regret that one. The Nepal leg is relatively easy - I can deposit the bulk of my stuff at a hotel in Kathmandu, and bring the minimal essentials along in my day-pack on the trek. Before going onward to Thailand, however, some difficult decisions will need to be made!
So, tonight at Midnight, it's time for a fairly horrendous-sounding 14-hour flight to Taipei, followed by legs to Bangkok and, finally, Kathmandu, getting in at 4 PM local time.
I have signed up with Mountain Monarch trekking company for the Everest Base Camp trek. Far as I can tell, they have a very good reputation (for a local Nepal-based company) and they should have someone at the airport to greet me. Then, a couple of days of sight-seeing (and, presumably, recovery from jet-lag) in Kathmandu, followed by a flight to the higher-elevation Lukla and start of the trek proper, on Sunday.
OK, what am I forgetting...?!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Re-purpose
Time to re-purpose the blog!
Clearly, the Marathon des Sables will not be happening (at least, not in 2010!) And my running has dwindled down to a few pitiful jogs in a week...! (I have been sick -- lots of extenuating circumstances...! Nevertheless...)
So, time to re-focus the blog towards my preparations for Donal's "Grand Tour", starting with the upcoming trip to Kathmandu & on to Everest Base Camp. I've been very low-key in my preparations (almost ridiculously understated) - so, I think it's time to start a more verbose catalog of the lead-up, then a journal of what I get up to.
Preface complete! I'll be following with some substance about what's to come (and about my none-too-clear mental state...!)
Clearly, the Marathon des Sables will not be happening (at least, not in 2010!) And my running has dwindled down to a few pitiful jogs in a week...! (I have been sick -- lots of extenuating circumstances...! Nevertheless...)
So, time to re-focus the blog towards my preparations for Donal's "Grand Tour", starting with the upcoming trip to Kathmandu & on to Everest Base Camp. I've been very low-key in my preparations (almost ridiculously understated) - so, I think it's time to start a more verbose catalog of the lead-up, then a journal of what I get up to.
Preface complete! I'll be following with some substance about what's to come (and about my none-too-clear mental state...!)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
North Face 50k: The Photos!
Not flattering, but here they are! A couple of shots of the Runner in a fairly agonized-looking state. Nevertheless, documentary evidence of my having survived the ordeal...!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
North Face 50k: The Splits
Not too sure if they are accurate, or exactly what (if anything) they mean, but they sure illustrate the difference between my first Ultra and a typical marathon profile:
addendum: official results
| Aid Station | Mile | Lap Time | Total Time | Pace |
| Tennessee Valley | 4.0 | 0:40:56:30 | 0:40:56:30 | 10:14 |
| Muir Beach | 8.2 | 0:41:34:60 | 1:22:37:00 | 10:40 |
| Pantoll | 13.5 | 1:08:44:00 | 2:31:22:00 | 11:12 |
| Old Inn | 19.1 | 1:08:05:00 | 3:39:28:00 | 11:29 |
| Shoreline Highway | 24.1 | 0:31:13:50 | 4:10:41:00 | 10:24 |
| Finish | 32.2 | 1:42:03:00 | 5:52:45:00 | 10:57 |
addendum: official results
Race Day
Up very early on Saturday morning (5:30 AM!) for the North Face Endurance 50k race. I was nervous, and still a bit concerned about my lingering sickness. However, too late to worry about it now...!
I packed a bag to drop at the 13-mile aid station in the race -- bottles of coke & milk, some salty chicken bits & (just in case) a change of shirt. Hopefully, the replenishment needed to get me to the end of the race. I drove in the dark to the race start in Marin, guided by attendants with flashlights to the runner parking lot. I joined a group of fairly tense waiting runners, and a school bus delivered us to the starting line, about a mile away. The race village was abuzz with activity, but the whole scene was smaller-scale and more human than my recent experiences in larger marathon events. The 50 mile race was underway, since 5 AM. (Apparently, they had to run with headlamps for the first ~2 hours of the race!) Eventually, at about 7:15 AM we were all lined up & ready to go. Dawn had broken but the day was cool and cloudy. Finally, we were off -- 220 runners in the 50k event!
I started out very slowly, very aware of my tendency in marathons to bolt off too quickly at the start. Fortunately, I was soon in conversation with Tim McGinty, a runner from Cleveland (who described himself as a "Fellow Mick"(!) -- 2nd Generation Irish guy.) Good fun, nevertheless, and as a result, I settled into a very slow, conversational jog for the first half-hour or so. The initial section up the Miwok Trail was a consistent ascent, w ith stunning Pacific views off to the left. (My big surprise about my first Ultra was that you actually get a change to admire the scenery! There isnt the intense time-focused feeling that I've always experienced in marathons.) Quickly enough, I reached the Tennessee Valley aid station at 4 miles, and I passed on through, feeling strong.
The next section was a very cool single-track trail along a ridge next to the ocean, that led all the way down to Muir Beach. I continued to maintain a slow, steady pace, though I could feel an eagerness to pick it up. And I was still maintaining the discipline of walking up part or all of the steeper ascents. It seemed to be a good way of maintaining strength in the quads. I quickly passed through the Muir Beach aid Station (at the 8.2 mile mark) without stopping and passed by the Pelican Inn on to Highway One.
Soon, I was crossing a field and ascending up a long series of switchbacks, finally reaching a section that seemed familiar from my Dipsea Trail hikes (the Coastal Trail.) Quite a grind up a long incline, and eventually I made my way to Pantoll aid station (at 13.5 miles), in need of a break! This was a big stopping point, with a lot of people (runners and onlookers, etc.) milling about. There was a large spread of drinks and snacks (including sodas, chips, sandwiches and chocolate brownies!) My drop bag was there - I opened it and drank half a pint of milk & had a few pieces of the salty chicken. (After the 3rd one, I couldnt digest any more...) After probably 2-3 minutes, I was off again.
After a very brief incline, there was a long descent along some very technical trails into a forested area. I broke into an exhilarating sprint along the trails, passing other runners and walkers & hikers along the way. I was feeling good & it was satisfying to break loose for a mile or two, after a lot of cautious running. Strangely, during this part, for long sections I was running completely on my own, with nobody visible ahead or behind me. Eventually, I came up to the Panoramic Highway, then followed a fairly narrow, fairly flat trail down to the Tourist Club (a trail I was somewhat familiar with.) From there, it was on to the next aid station at the Muir Woods parking lot. (19.1 miles)
After a quick shot of pepsi and a chocolate brownie, I was off again. Feeling a bit worn down now, I was quickly faced with a very tough ascent up a Dipsea Trail section. I walked all the way up, then ran down along a trail through grassy meadows, and finally out on to the highway. Soon enough, I was passing the Pelican Inn again and on to the Muir Beach aid station (at 24.1 miles). Now, I was feeling it -- I could see the long climb back up from the beach.
I ground my way up, part walking and part running, in the company of some 50 mile & 50k runners. Finally, after the long ascent, there was a drop all the way back down to the Tennessee Valley aid station in the distance. I had difficulty running down and I was beginning to feel a bit light-headed. I was finally running out of juice! Finally got to the station (27 miles) and had another shot of pepsi! I asked one of the helpers how far was left to go - 7.4 miles. Surely that cant be right! (It wasnt, as it turns out...!) I walked slowly out of the station & up the long gruelling climb. I was soon joined by a fellow 50k'er, Dennis, and we ran together more-or-less to the end of the race. (A very big help for me!) We walked a lot of the next section, and ran the flatter sections, where we could - a matter of survival at this stage! I could see Tiburon & Sausalito on the left, and the Golden Gate Bridge ahead -- we were getting closer... We reached a final aid station (at ~29.5 miles) - 2.7 miles more, we we told.
There followed a long, fairly easy gradual descent. Very tough still -- there was almost nothing left. Finally, we made out way back off the trails and on to the road. Dennis was fading a bit, behind me -- I ground onwards. Onlookers telling us we had 500 yards to go. And -- around the next corner, the race village and the finishing arch! I jogged down into the meadow, and finished. 5 hours 52 minutes! More than I'd ever run before! Relief and great satisfaction...!
I packed a bag to drop at the 13-mile aid station in the race -- bottles of coke & milk, some salty chicken bits & (just in case) a change of shirt. Hopefully, the replenishment needed to get me to the end of the race. I drove in the dark to the race start in Marin, guided by attendants with flashlights to the runner parking lot. I joined a group of fairly tense waiting runners, and a school bus delivered us to the starting line, about a mile away. The race village was abuzz with activity, but the whole scene was smaller-scale and more human than my recent experiences in larger marathon events. The 50 mile race was underway, since 5 AM. (Apparently, they had to run with headlamps for the first ~2 hours of the race!) Eventually, at about 7:15 AM we were all lined up & ready to go. Dawn had broken but the day was cool and cloudy. Finally, we were off -- 220 runners in the 50k event!
I started out very slowly, very aware of my tendency in marathons to bolt off too quickly at the start. Fortunately, I was soon in conversation with Tim McGinty, a runner from Cleveland (who described himself as a "Fellow Mick"(!) -- 2nd Generation Irish guy.) Good fun, nevertheless, and as a result, I settled into a very slow, conversational jog for the first half-hour or so. The initial section up the Miwok Trail was a consistent ascent, w ith stunning Pacific views off to the left. (My big surprise about my first Ultra was that you actually get a change to admire the scenery! There isnt the intense time-focused feeling that I've always experienced in marathons.) Quickly enough, I reached the Tennessee Valley aid station at 4 miles, and I passed on through, feeling strong.
The next section was a very cool single-track trail along a ridge next to the ocean, that led all the way down to Muir Beach. I continued to maintain a slow, steady pace, though I could feel an eagerness to pick it up. And I was still maintaining the discipline of walking up part or all of the steeper ascents. It seemed to be a good way of maintaining strength in the quads. I quickly passed through the Muir Beach aid Station (at the 8.2 mile mark) without stopping and passed by the Pelican Inn on to Highway One.
Soon, I was crossing a field and ascending up a long series of switchbacks, finally reaching a section that seemed familiar from my Dipsea Trail hikes (the Coastal Trail.) Quite a grind up a long incline, and eventually I made my way to Pantoll aid station (at 13.5 miles), in need of a break! This was a big stopping point, with a lot of people (runners and onlookers, etc.) milling about. There was a large spread of drinks and snacks (including sodas, chips, sandwiches and chocolate brownies!) My drop bag was there - I opened it and drank half a pint of milk & had a few pieces of the salty chicken. (After the 3rd one, I couldnt digest any more...) After probably 2-3 minutes, I was off again.
After a very brief incline, there was a long descent along some very technical trails into a forested area. I broke into an exhilarating sprint along the trails, passing other runners and walkers & hikers along the way. I was feeling good & it was satisfying to break loose for a mile or two, after a lot of cautious running. Strangely, during this part, for long sections I was running completely on my own, with nobody visible ahead or behind me. Eventually, I came up to the Panoramic Highway, then followed a fairly narrow, fairly flat trail down to the Tourist Club (a trail I was somewhat familiar with.) From there, it was on to the next aid station at the Muir Woods parking lot. (19.1 miles)
After a quick shot of pepsi and a chocolate brownie, I was off again. Feeling a bit worn down now, I was quickly faced with a very tough ascent up a Dipsea Trail section. I walked all the way up, then ran down along a trail through grassy meadows, and finally out on to the highway. Soon enough, I was passing the Pelican Inn again and on to the Muir Beach aid station (at 24.1 miles). Now, I was feeling it -- I could see the long climb back up from the beach.
I ground my way up, part walking and part running, in the company of some 50 mile & 50k runners. Finally, after the long ascent, there was a drop all the way back down to the Tennessee Valley aid station in the distance. I had difficulty running down and I was beginning to feel a bit light-headed. I was finally running out of juice! Finally got to the station (27 miles) and had another shot of pepsi! I asked one of the helpers how far was left to go - 7.4 miles. Surely that cant be right! (It wasnt, as it turns out...!) I walked slowly out of the station & up the long gruelling climb. I was soon joined by a fellow 50k'er, Dennis, and we ran together more-or-less to the end of the race. (A very big help for me!) We walked a lot of the next section, and ran the flatter sections, where we could - a matter of survival at this stage! I could see Tiburon & Sausalito on the left, and the Golden Gate Bridge ahead -- we were getting closer... We reached a final aid station (at ~29.5 miles) - 2.7 miles more, we we told.
There followed a long, fairly easy gradual descent. Very tough still -- there was almost nothing left. Finally, we made out way back off the trails and on to the road. Dennis was fading a bit, behind me -- I ground onwards. Onlookers telling us we had 500 yards to go. And -- around the next corner, the race village and the finishing arch! I jogged down into the meadow, and finished. 5 hours 52 minutes! More than I'd ever run before! Relief and great satisfaction...!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
North Face Endurance Build-up/Count-down
I am now getting apprehensive about the 50k (just 4 days away!) Can I do it?!
In a sign that the jitters are setting in, I have started analyzing the descriptions of the course a bit obsessively. (I'm particularly awe-struck by the astonishing ascents and descents over the course - a net climb of 6,900 feet!) However, I managed to get in another taper-period run today (of ~7 miles) and, although I'm definitely still sick, I feel stronger, and I think I may have the stamina to make it through.
Next step: get my "drop bag" of goodies together so I can drop it at one of the aid stations during the race - could be crucial to my survival!
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