Baker Lake 50k

It was another beautiful day at Baker Lake.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a nicer course to run on. But once again this course beat me. I started out Way too fast! I was just running along enjoying the scenery doing 8:30 to 9:30 minute miles. I should have been thinking about how hard this trail becomes on the way back if you go out too fast. I just love to run on this kind of trail.

At right about 5 miles in my hip started to hurt, again. I guess I’m going to have to do something about that. I’m thinking about cutting out UWR, Birch Bay, and Last Chance. We’ll see.


So I popped a couple of Advil and kept running but now at the correct pace of around 10:00 m/m. When I got the aid station I was still feeling pretty fresh and the hip hadn’t gotten any worse. But I was starting to feel some cramps in my calves even though I had been drinking plenty and taking my salt.

I quickly refilled my supplies and headed out. Shawn had left the aid station right in front of me so I figured we’d have a nice run back to the finish. Then the wheels fell off. About a mile out of the aid station I tripped on a root that was hidden by all freshly fallen the leaves. And of course I landed on my bad hip. (What am I, 90 years old?) That hurt a little! I didn’t know it but as I fell I pulled the mouth piece on my bladder 95% off and it soon fell off the rest of the way. Why is my leg all wet? I look down and there’s a yellow stream coming out of my pack. Luckily I found the mouth piece before my bladder had gone completely dry. I get back to running but Shawn is long gone. She went on to have a real strong finish. Good Job Shawn!

I on the other hand was now paying the price for going out to fast. I had plenty of salt, drink, and gel. I didn’t bonk like last year. I just couldn’t run at the pace I wanted to. I could jog along without a problem but as soon as I would try to pick it up my calf would cramp real bad, a total lock-up. I tried over and over. I had so much energy left. I just couldn’t use it. It was very frustrating. I ended up with a 6:09, 23 minutes faster than last year. I’ll be back for another try next year.
There was, as always, great food after the race. Dave Dutton did a great job as race director.