Skagit Flats Marathon

Since I knew it was very fast course, I started with 8:00/mi pace and wanted to see how long I could keep up with it.

I got 1:46 for the first half but had to slow down in the second half (1:59) thanks to the heat (only excuse that I can think of). Still fast enough for PR (3:45:16). Shower facility was a nice bonus.

Roots Rock 50K

It was a trail race with 2 laps of 25K loop in Port Gamble.

I had a bad split of 2:32 - 3:07. I needed better race strategy since it’s not a road marathon but a trail ultra.

Rain was pouring all day except a few chances of sun break. Weather for the last 7 mi was worst. Dark forest with pouring rain turned suddenly bright followed by a series of thunders right over the head. Narrow single track trail turned to be a creek. Climbing up against down flowing water made me feel as if I were a salmon swimming upstream. Being passed 3 mi before the finish is not always pleasant. Surprisingly I was still 3rd place male (4th overall) and received an award (with humble record of 5:39) for the first time ever in the race.