Running Mania

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler

OrleansRunner

50 miler

Robin

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler

OrleansRunner
West Grey Runner

50 miler

Robin

West Grey Runner wrote:Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler

OrleansRunner
West Grey Runner

50 miler

Robin

Ron, glad to see you made up your mind to do the 100!

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler
OrleansRunner
West Grey Runner
Mega Mo

50 miler
Robin


I'm actually going to run it this time, not a 100 mile injured/recovery/ 29 hour training jog again (knock on wood re: the injury part)!

Thanks Robin ...

There is no such thing as an easy 100 miler but there are some things about Sulphur that improve the odds of being successful.

#1 Beautiful drop dead gorgeous scenery
#2 Foot friendly ..... good for going long. There is only about 20 meters of "single track trail" in the whole 20K loop. Most of the "trail" is very well groomed more like a park path.
#3 Awesome aide stations!
#4 Great supportive group of Ultra folks.
#5 Its not too far away. How many 100 milers are within a 2 hour drive!

How can I say no?

I am interested in Sulphur Springs, but I'm a bit stuck on how to get there. A 6 am start isn't very great for taking family, and it's a long enough run that I don't know if I would be able to drive myself home afterwards. What do you guys do?

There is overnight camping if you sign up for the 100

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler
OrleansRunner
West Grey Runner
Mega Mo
Trailzen

50 miler
Robin

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2014 opened for registration on Nov 1..... let's start the roll call

100 miler
OrleansRunner
West Grey Runner
Mega Mo
Trailzen

50 miler
Robin
timc

I worked out the logistics, and gulp, clicked the Go button. This will be my first 50 miler.

Couldn't commit the entire weekend to running so I just switched to the 50 miler. Besides there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, running all day then making it home for dinner with the family! There are some things going on that could prevent me from doing the race but I knew if I sat on the fence too long the race would sell out. See you in May or sooner if you’re doing the PYP...maybe!

100 miler
OrleansRunner
Mega Mo
Trailzen

50 miler
Robin
timc
West Grey Runner

Hi all. First post on this board, and it is to say that I am doing the 50miler. Had to drop from the 100 as my training just wasn't quite there to do it this year.

I hope lots of you turn up for the training run in Sulphur this coming weekend (May 4).

Welcome aboard Tim. Good luck with Sulphur ,its a great race.

Finally got around to signing up last night, probably not a good idea on almost no training but I've got nothing else to do that weekend.

I ran at Sulpher yesterday for the first time this year, wtf? There's so much wide flat gravel sections now, I think it's officially a road course with a few puddles. There had better be some course records smashed this year (no pressure Trailzen)!

I don't know if the race organizers lobbied for this or if this was a Parks initiative, but it has become an extremely non-technical course. First they get rid of the 'Gulch' a few years ago and add the road start/finish, now they've hidden all rocks and roots under flat graded gravel for a majority of the course. Maybe some people like the flat smooth stuff, just not me. Give me some hilly, rough single track any day over this runway. I'm sure it's better for the weekend walkers and families though. At least I can put McPeake in a jogging stroller and push him around the course.

Morgan

the district of north vancouver has been systematically gravelling over some of my favourite trails the past couple of years... it sucks. :(

Now that it's less than three weeks away, I am starting to get a bit nervous. Do you guys take water with you on the course? The guide book says "all runners are advised to carry fluid and food", but I don't understand why I should water around for 50 miles if the longest distance between aid stations is 7 km.

timc wrote:Now that it's less than three weeks away, I am starting to get a bit nervous. Do you guys take water with you on the course? The guide book says "all runners are advised to carry fluid and food", but I don't understand why I should water around for 50 miles if the longest distance between aid stations is 7 km.

Yeah me too (getting nervous)...I'm going to carry water and cliff blocks but that's all. Not sure you need to though but I think I will anyway... I'm going to leave a cooler with food at the start area (PB&J sandwiches and other stuff), but will rely on a lot of food from course. I saw Chris at PYP and he told me about the gravelled course and that's unfortunate. Hopefully it won't be too hard on the feet. My first 50 miler and nerves are definitely starting to settle in...

You'll be great, Robin! :)

I would always carry water even if it's "only" 7km between stations. There are times when 7km is an eternity! :) Also you never know what kind of trouble you can run into, or someone else on the course. It's always better to be prepared!

Fueling for a 50 mile is different than for a 50k/ 42k. You might be walking. and, you do need to eat.

timc wrote:Now that it's less than three weeks away, I am starting to get a bit nervous. Do you guys take water with you on the course? The guide book says "all runners are advised to carry fluid and food", but I don't understand why I should water around for 50 miles if the longest distance between aid stations is 7 km.

Tim,

Don't be a hero, bring some friggin water. Unless you're planning to win this thing and you're counting every ounce of weight, otherwise at least bring along some smaller bottles or bottle. I prefer to drink when I want, not wait for aid stations. Do you take any gels, salt pills or electrolyte pills? If so, you'll have a schedule of when to take them and that might not be at an aid station. There are too many small reasons to list (washing off blood, soaking your hair if it's hot, cleaning sticky gels off your fingers). Once I was so busy grabbing food that I completely forgot to drink at an aid station.

Now with only 7k at the most between stations, you certianly could go without, but why? Reasons to bring a drink outweigh the reasons not to. Plus if you get involved in an impromptu water fight with other runners you'll lose huge.

Btw, your question about driving, unless your last name is Flintstone you should be fine to drive home. Bring a chair, a beer and hang out a bit and recover while watching the idiot 100 milers limp by. You'll meet some nice people.

Morgan

Thanks for the replies. I'm not trying to be a hero. Really, I haven't done this run before, so I was just looking for some advice from those who have. I've been training with a backpack, but my shoulders would love to carry a bit less weight.

timc wrote:Thanks for the replies. I'm not trying to be a hero. Really, I haven't done this run before, so I was just looking for some advice from those who have. I've been training with a backpack, but my shoulders would love to carry a bit less weight.

You're right, a pack is over doing it on this course with short distances between stations. I'd suggest a handheld (if you're used to it, otherwise your forearm will hate you later in the race), or some smaller bottles on a belt. You could always leave bottles in your drop bag, then after a loop you can decide if you're ok without ot not.

On a separate note, I was just heading over to the Running Room at lunch in downtown Toronto to grab a box of gels for the race when I ran into McPeake's better half on the way (what are the odds?). She tells me the 50mile just opened up some spots. What the hell? I just signed up 2 days ago for the 100. Arg! I emailed the RD to see if I might be able to drop down to the 50 and get $125 back, we'll see...

Morgan

Mega Mo wrote:Finally got around to signing up last night, probably not a good idea on almost no training but I've got nothing else to do that weekend.

I ran at Sulpher yesterday for the first time this year, wtf? There's so much wide flat gravel sections now, I think it's officially a road course with a few puddles. There had better be some course records smashed this year (no pressure Trailzen)!

I don't know if the race organizers lobbied for this or if this was a Parks initiative, but it has become an extremely non-technical course. First they get rid of the 'Gulch' a few years ago and add the road start/finish, now they've hidden all rocks and roots under flat graded gravel for a majority of the course. Maybe some people like the flat smooth stuff, just not me. Give me some hilly, rough single track any day over this runway. I'm sure it's better for the weekend walkers and families though. At least I can put McPeake in a jogging stroller and push him around the course.

Morgan

The park and trails are not just for the race... In one week a few years ago, I did a 4 hour horseback trail ride, a 2 hour bike and one hour run. It's multi use and I am guessing it's an overall park initiative.

Morgan you were too fast on the draw now you get to run a "bonus" 50 miles. Was not going to run long at SS but since the 50m reopened I folded like a cheap suit. So I am in. I was very disappointed at the gravelling but I expect thats a parks thing. Leave it to the government to fix nature and make it better. Most likely your tax dollars at work

Tim - carry water and gels. fuel belt or handhelds are probably best for this course. Also gives you the option to run through most aid stations if you want (5 aide stations per loop x 4 loops means 40 minutes if you stop for only 2 minutes per station) SS can get hot and you are out for a long time, 7k can be a long distance if you end up getting crushed by the course.

You should come to Mohican Morgan, its going to be puketastic

I can't find my usual handheld since I didn't need it all winter. I've got a smaller 10oz one that I can use though. Although it might need to be refilled, a smaller handheld might be nicer to carry anyway.

Tim, I run with the handhelds as it avoids a lot of lost time at aid stations, course is fast and while there are no "big" hills the cumulative elevation sees a pile of people sucking wind by the time they finish. The jury is still out on whether the gravel made the course faster, personally I think it feels slower as you are losing a little power with each stride in that loose crap. The biggest trick at sulphur is to run consistent laps the course can be ridiculously fast for one loop but hills seem to appear out of no where after several more if you go out too hard. Enjoy the run and watch the weather for the day, race tends to land on the first 30 degree day after training in cooler temps all spring.