PIGTAILS FLAT ASS 2007 RACE REPORT

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s run a success. Although Mother Nature did not cooperate with us, she helped build character and memories.

The weeks leading up to the race were stressful. I had a full plate at work, tried to get ready for the holidays, applied and interviewed for a new job (which by the way I got in Orthopedic Surgery but don’t tell my current bosses if you know them), and prepared for last minute changes to my race. The finisher’s medals were even more complicated to make than last years but at least I was not making them in the dark and by candlelight or headlamp.

Sixty-nine people went out Saturday morning and ran various distances from half marathon to 41.5 miles. We had about 15 no shows. As I was driving back and forth between the start/finish area and the 12.5-mile aid station, I could not believe how hard the rain was coming down. I was amazed at how cheerful people were at that aid station and at the finish. That’s what makes runners unique-we are able to enjoy the act of running, whatever obstacles we face.

The race for overall win in the 50K was closer at the finish than it had been at the 19+ mile mark after going through the manned aid station the second time. Sean Meissner just squeaked out a win by 18 seconds over the late charging Alex Swenson (you just have to keep your eyes on this guy). Sean worked so hard to stay in front that he had some tunnel vision and nausea when he stopped. He recovered quickly and was able to come back to the finish line festivities to enjoy the camaraderie. Hope Fox won the women’s race and set a new course record in a time of 4:37:11, which broke my winning time in the 1^st annual Pigtails race of 4:38. In the marathon race, Annie Thiessen out kicked Jake Lin to take the overall win (and women’s course record) in 3:14:10, followed 9 seconds later by Jake. Each winner received a piggy bank. The women received one that stated “For the Princess” and the men “For the Prince.” The marathoners had 26 cents to start their bank and the ultrarunners 31 cents.

The finish had hot chicken noodle soup and plenty of other food brought by many including homemade chocolate chip and walnut cookies and homemade holiday spice bread. We did not have the popular Butternut Squash soup as last year since Safeway did not make them this year. For the Lake Young’s race at the end of January, we’ll have another pot for cream of mushroom soup to help feed our vegetarian friends.

I can’t thank my wonderful volunteers enough for giving up the Saturday morning before Christmas to stand in the cold. Jess set up the shelter by herself and Val helped her cheer on runners as they made their way out and back to the finish. Even though they were shivering to death themselves, they did not hesitate to help and encourage. We had two surprise volunteers for the day. Steve Israel, who I heard has a calf injury, set up an aid station at the 50K turn around. And Little Leslie Miller came to lend a hand instead of running due to tendonitis. I feel it takes a lot of character to come help out at a race that one is not able to start. Many of us, including myself, have sat at home when we are unable to race due to an injury. Leslie was very helpful at the finish line, placing the finisher’s medals around runner’s necks as I wrote down their times. When Val returned to the finish area, she manned the soup so that I didn’t have to worry about that. Jess helped unload all the gear and drop bags. I have received much e-mail from runners who raved about the wonderful volunteers. Without them, this would not have been possible!

There were some noteworthy accomplishments in this race. Sam Thompson and Brock Gavery began their crazy eight days of running with the Tiger Dumb Ass 50K on 12/15, which featured 12,000+ feet of gain and the same in loss. They ran 26+ miles everyday thereafter and capped it off with my 50K. They accumulated over 230 miles over eight days and as you can see by their times for my race, it’s as if they had taken the last 2 weeks off!

Ashley “rogue wave” Kuhlmann became Maniac #761 with my race as well as Lindsay Felker, Ernest Chen, Hoa Pham, and Rob Roy. Vivian Doorn, Rob Roy, Hoa Pham, Hope Fox, and Christie Hayes also made this their first ultra. Ashley and Christie stayed at my place the night before and helped me mix up the Gatorade and load the last of the supplies into my car. David Cole states this was his first ultra in WA State and his first marathon/ultra in significant rain. I’m glad I was able to make that happen for you David! Russel Cheney travels around in his RV and he has been at nearly all the races I have done this year. It was his 245^th marathon. He enjoys all the birds on his various travels and races. Max Welker has taken up race walking and set a PR of over 20 minutes with this one in his first sub-6hr marathon with walking only. That’s an amazing feat! Adrian Call had an easier day the day before delivering babies than running this race! It was Cliff Richard’s birthday and he took it easy to the relief of his competitors. Thanks to Cliff as well for loaning us his shelter for the 12.5-mile aid station. Mary Hanna loaned me her water jug. Michael Shiach had a 26-minute PR in the 50K distance. Way to go! It was Tony Covarrubias’ wedding anniversary and he unfortunately caught some extra SPOF points! Jamie Gifford is training for the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile in Texas in early 2008, which is relatively flat as 100 milers go. So he used this race as a training run and ran the gravel section of the 50K twice. This added 9.74 miles to the 50K+ distance to make 40.48 miles!

Finally, I’d like to thank the generosity of our sponsors. Eric Sach of The Balanced Athlete donated eight boxes of 24-count GU! These were much appreciated at the manned and unmanned aid stations. Thanks, Eric! You da man!

Jonathon Bernard, fellow maniac of Road Runner Sports, was planning on running the 50K but was taken away for business to southern California at the last minute. But he e-mailed me and also offered some GU in addition to some nice give-aways. David Cole received a very nice duffle bag for being the runner who traveled the farthest for this race. He was home visiting family. He grew up in Southern Whidbey Island and attended Everett CC and Western. But he now lives in Springfield, New Jersey. Ashley Kuhlmann received an “I Love Running” shirt for having this race be her Maniac qualifying race. Her father received the Road Runner shirt for men. Many, including myself, left with a new lightweight orange and reflective cap to help keep the rain or sun off our faces!

Sorry there was no bathroom at the start, but people found the one at just over a mile and at the 3-mile mark. The Renton Community Center was open by the time everyone finished and I learned that you could get a nice, hot shower there for just $1.00. But remember to bring your own towel next time.

Well folks, that’s all I have for this race. We’ll see you next year for the 3^rd annual Pigtails Flat Ass, hopefully in more favorable weather! Next year, I will plan on having just the marathon and 50K. People can run other distances but they will have to be out and back. I made a mistake on timing this year for getting the point-to-point people to Landsburg. So I’m removing that as an option. The half marathon is easy to do because the turn around is right there at the Cedar River Marathon 15-mile mark. People can also run to the first two aid stations out and back, making 11.2 and 18.2-mile options possible. A 22-mile option is also possible if you turn around when the asphalt changes to gravel. Also, next year, I will have the marathoners and ultrarunners start at the same time. It was too difficult to do the math. My brain was too frozen. Besides, there were a lot of people who wanted to start as soon as it was light. We’ll also do away with race numbers next year. The duct tape thing didn’t work out too well. It was a cool idea that failed. If you can think of anything else that you would like to see or not see, let me know!

Van “Pigtails” Phan