Since this week is going to be even busier than all combined before (PCT 50 is coming this weekend), I'll refer to photo-story again.
Texas is hot, although not as hot I as I feared. Austin has single track trails on miles of hills - not Gorge hills, but still, not flat either. And the people are nice and relaxed. All in all, I kind of broke my perceptions of what I will see and was pleasantly surprised. Of course, going to the race also meant I'd be in my territory:) Not even 5 min after we arrived I felt pretty much at home - and where am I not if trail ultrarunners are involved? :) It was a 12/6 hr race format starting 7pm (I guess best time to run out there, huh?). I crewed for Larry through the night, helped a bit at the only AS (7 mile loop), chatted with a bunch of people, and paced Larry on loops 6 and 8. The trail was nice, slightly rolling (I'd say flat, since I could run everything, and I don't run uphills), a good mix of smooth single track and treacherous rocks/roots. Larry got 56 miles in 11:21 and took 2nd male (and 3rd overall - Melany Fryar chicked all the guys!). It was fun, if humid and hot night.
Congrats to all TRT100 and VT100 finishers, and now I am onto final stages of prepping for PCT50. Next year don't miss out on registration, we have views to die for!
A natural creek made into a pool. Freakin' cold!
p.s. Tuesday
I had an awesome run this morning. I absolutely did! On Marquam hill, something from the first step just clicked, something like I haven't had on this trail in at least a year. It was such a blast! And it was fun to push too when I realized I am having a great day. I won't lie, it wasn't quite a PR on this trail, but then again, the PR stands from 2005, it ways out of reach - though it was pretty darn close! Made me smile. Not everything's lost when you get runs like this occasionally (like Wilson river run, like bitchy Gorge Thursday run, like a few Forest Park runs...).
Texas is hot, although not as hot I as I feared. Austin has single track trails on miles of hills - not Gorge hills, but still, not flat either. And the people are nice and relaxed. All in all, I kind of broke my perceptions of what I will see and was pleasantly surprised. Of course, going to the race also meant I'd be in my territory:) Not even 5 min after we arrived I felt pretty much at home - and where am I not if trail ultrarunners are involved? :) It was a 12/6 hr race format starting 7pm (I guess best time to run out there, huh?). I crewed for Larry through the night, helped a bit at the only AS (7 mile loop), chatted with a bunch of people, and paced Larry on loops 6 and 8. The trail was nice, slightly rolling (I'd say flat, since I could run everything, and I don't run uphills), a good mix of smooth single track and treacherous rocks/roots. Larry got 56 miles in 11:21 and took 2nd male (and 3rd overall - Melany Fryar chicked all the guys!). It was fun, if humid and hot night.
Congrats to all TRT100 and VT100 finishers, and now I am onto final stages of prepping for PCT50. Next year don't miss out on registration, we have views to die for!
A natural creek made into a pool. Freakin' cold!
p.s. Tuesday
I had an awesome run this morning. I absolutely did! On Marquam hill, something from the first step just clicked, something like I haven't had on this trail in at least a year. It was such a blast! And it was fun to push too when I realized I am having a great day. I won't lie, it wasn't quite a PR on this trail, but then again, the PR stands from 2005, it ways out of reach - though it was pretty darn close! Made me smile. Not everything's lost when you get runs like this occasionally (like Wilson river run, like bitchy Gorge Thursday run, like a few Forest Park runs...).
17 comments:
I love photo story telling ! Best of luck at PCT 50 !
Nice pictures and good luck with the 50 miler this weekend.
Thank you! for crewing me and kicking my butt when you paced me. Also, thanks for dragging me, literally, out of the aid station after every loop. You were all business! ;) Now, I have an idea of what to expect in 3 weeks. I'm glad you had a chance to meet some of my friends and experience a small slice of Texas. And that's not a "skirt" the RD is wearing. Us men prefer to call them kilts. ;) Oh, and, thanks for introducing me to "downhill Bitch"! That was some really rocky, rooty stuff she was flying down in the dark!
I love Austin! If you have to live in Texas, that's the place to be. : ) See you this weekend.
awesome!!!
You travel more than me! You still going to run PCT?
Was that cold creek Barton Springs??? I jumped in (not knowing how cold it was) way back in high school - couldn't breathe for a while! Dang! Looks like you had a great time -I really miss Austin!
I agree with Sarah - Austin is the best place in TX. If not there, 2nd best is Kerrville where I grew up. I don't like the heat or humidity but I love the hills, vegetation, and all the critters that scurry, slither, and crawl. I especially like Palmetto State Park near Austin.
Looks like a great time, Olga!
I want your body! You are looking amazing and that smile conveys your happiness. Sounds like a great weekend. Good luck with PCT, be there next year.
A night race in an unknown land with good company. No doubt you lead an exciting life, Olga. And no doubt you're happy. Thanks for keeping us all involved. Good luck at the PCT 50. And many congrats to Larry!
Texas has hills? You liar. *LOL*
Good luck at PCT 50 this Saturday! Maybe I'll do that one next year to compare it to White River that I'm doing this weekend.
Olga,
What a fun weekend you had! So cool that you got to pace Larry and experience Texas!
I spent lots of time in Austin while I lived in Texas, and that place is near and dear to my heart. There is nothing like a cold soak in Barton Springs after a hot, humid, central Texas run. Your pictures inspired lots of happy memories, thanks!
Meghan
Another fun filled Olga weekend....Congrats to Larry & way to keep him moving through the AId stations to get 2nd male...love the pics
You have done a lot of traveling this year haven't you? Still looks like you're having a blast though. Keep at it.
Very true you are. I think that I am truely happy and comfortable with this. The only thing that I will regret is that I have to wait a little longer between races to see all my friends that have been there along the way. Thanks Olga.
I almost signed up for that race! I wish I had known you were going! I'm in El Paso, which is about a 10 hour drive from Austin. I went to school about an hour and a half northeast of Austin, so I've spent some time in the area :) I'm glad you liked Texas. You can pretty much find just about any type of geography you want - sort of like California - desert, ocean, mountains, prairies. The one consistent piece: it's HOT in the summer!
I've talked a group into doing PCT 50 next year (their first 50!). It was my second ultra and I can't imagine a more beautiful place to start running ultras.
Olga,
great to finally meet you at Hardrock. You took AMAZING photos. What an event. Glad to see you are still on the go. Keep it up
Greg
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