Shh--don't tell anyone!

2010 White Salmon Backyard half marathon race report.

Photo by Scott McMullen

Saturday I ran one of the best trail events around for the second year in a row. (It's been going for 3 years.) The race starts in White Salmon, Washington and climbs up the hill for a glorious view over the gorge. Well actually, this year it was a glorious view of major mud, fog and gorge showers;there wasn't much of a scenic view until we were descending back down to White Salmon.

Last year it was sunny, and this year was mild weather but quite wet. But showers and all--not to be missed by a trail loving runner. We are a strange breed, I suppose this is why I can risk sharing about this event here on the blog. If race director Allan Dushan continues holding this event every year it will grow, but I don't have to worry that everyone on my street will sign up and ruin it for me because we trail runners are a peculiar breed, not every one thinks this kind of activity is fun right? Not every one thinks doing a balancing act as you fly down- hill through a mud slick is a good time.

I suppose I should mention if you consider doing this race in the future that you will not get a half marathon pr, well probably not anyway, there is a 2200 foot climb up to that lovely view and a lot of switch backs and rocks on the way back down. (Perfect.)

Honestly I didn't push myself too terribly hard- I was pretty sleep deprived. On top of that, I had spent five hours cleaning carpets the night before. (If you are in doubt, that is hard work.) I felt pretty spent for the first half but once I warmed up and got into the groove I picked up the pace some. (Why not, because by then I was headed into the downhill section anyway.) ;-)

I forgot to stop my Garmin at the finish, but I was around 2:38- ish.

Oh, and free swag was given. Wow, impressive for a free event! A very nice Greenlayer sports beanie hat with "BACKYARD HALF" embroidered on it. Nice, really nice.

I followed up today with a 21 mile run and felt great, almost too good to be true great. Consistent stretching and strength work is doing me good.

Oh, and after that half marathon in slick mud, and some of it on fairly technical trails --I saved the tripping and falling down for today during my 21 mile run on fairly tame pavement and roads. Scraped up knee, arm, elbow and hands. I'll spare you any photos. ;->

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