Review and a course map of Bear Lake Idaho Marathon

6/8/2012 - Review and a course map of Bear Lake Idaho Marathon (DoubleH / HH)

This was supposed to be my first our of 2 back-to-back marathon totaling a full lap around Bear Lake. I woke up sick on the following day so this was, unfortunately, my one and only marathon for the weekend. This was a flat course up to mile 20 at an altitude of about 6,000 ft above sea level. The course was staffed only every 3 miles so I carried to hydrate between the aid stations. DoubleH / HH on my hRank system!

More details and review of the course with a map are below.

Ranking: DoubleH, high altitude marathon, small marathon so not many aid stations.  

Distance: 26.2 miles

Course: The marathon run started in Garden City, UT in Garden City Park. I ran north along Bear Lake for approximately 13 miles and then turned right/east along the northern shore of Bear Lake for about 6 miles. The last 7 miles were along the hilly eastern bank of Bear Lake.

Crowd: many  Marathon Maniacs and 50 States Marathon Club members
The easy part: Flat, temperatures in the low 40's when I started the run in 6am and rising to low 60's.

The challenging part: 6,000 above sea level, bring your own water and food, rolling hills starting in mile 20.

Price: $75

Pacers:No

Timing:No

Qualifying: None

Official website: Bear Lake Marathon (Idaho)

My 2 cents: I trained in high altitude 2 weeks before this marathon, this was very helpful to get used to the running conditions.


Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

Review and a course map of San Diego Rock N' Roll half marathon

6/3/2012 - Review and a course map of San Diego Rock N' Roll half marathon (NixH / None)

5 days before my planned back-to-back marathons on Friday and Saturday I decided to take it easy and jog San Diego's Rock N' Roll half marathon with a friend. This was a great course, flat, well staffed which was great for a casual half before an intensive weekend ahead of me. NixH / None on my hRank system!

More details and review of the course with a map are below.

Ranking: NixH, perfect weather, flat, no wind, sea level altitude.  

Distance: 13.1 miles

Course: The half marathon run started at  the corner of Quince Dr and 6th Ave and ended in Sea World. The course had many turns and loops so best would be to see the map below for more details.
Crowd: 35,000 runners

The easy part: Flat, course well organized, great weather

The challenging part: No cars access near the finish line, we walked 1.4 miles to the nearest trolley station

Price: $125

Pacers:Yes

Timing: Shoe chip

Qualifying: None

Official website: San Diego Rock N' Roll

My 2 cents: Can be classic course for a PR


Apologies for the messy pace on my garmin page, I waited to my buddy around mile 8 and then continued to run with him till the end.

Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/


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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

Trail Run - Tenaya Lake through Cloud's Rest to Yosemite Valley

5/28/2012 - Review and a course map of a trail run from Tenaya Lake through Cloud's Rest to Yosemite Valley (TripleH / HHH)

If I had to describe this trail run in one word I would say - Ambitious, in four words - It Was Worth It! This run was about 15.5 miles from Tenaya Lake through Cloud's Rest to Yosemite Valley. Extremely steep elevation drop and streneous trail run at altitude's as high as 9,800ft, all water carried on my back... TripleH / HHH on my hRank system!

More details and review of the course with a map are below.

Snowy Trail

Last stretch to Summit of Cloud's Rest

Half Dome from Cloud's Rest

Nevada Falls Steps - Can't Run...

Ranking: TripleH, low temperatures helped in this irreplaceable scenic trail run. It was, however, externally challenging due to the high altitude, snow conditions and floods on the trail, additional weight was added for carrying fluids.  

Distance: ~15.5 miles

Course: The trail run started at  the Sunrise point at Tenaya Lake on highway 120, I ran on the trail for about 6.5 miles to Cloud's Rest and then down towards the Half Dome and the Valley's Floor.
Crowd: Hiker, campers

The easy part: Easy? :)

The challenging part: 2,000ft elevation gain to cloud's rest from 8,000ft to almost 10,000ft. I was one month early for this trail as it was covered with snow, water and logs.

Price: N/A

Pacers: None

Timing:N/A

Qualifying: None

Official website: N/A

My 2 cents: No water on the course so had to carry all on my back. I specifically chose to run in Yosemite as I have 2 upcoming marathons at high altitude of 6,000 so wanted to get the feeling for running in those conditions, this was my second run after running up to upper Yosemite Falls the day before. 2012 was a dry year and even-still, I was a month early for this course as part of the trail was covered with snow other parts of the trail became little creeks. In addition, right at the start I had to cross through snow water up to my knees which made the rest of the day so much more interesting. I would run this trail in late summer / September for better conditions.


It was impossible to run from Nevada Falls to the Valley, the course was running down steps that were packed with hikers, the course was narrow so had to significantly slow down.



Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/


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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

Trail Run - Yosemite Valley to Upper Yosemite Falls

5/27/2012 - Review and a course map of a trail run from Yosemite Valley to Upper Yosemite Falls (TripleH / HHH)

This run was about 9 miles from the floor of Yosemite Valley and past Upper Yosemite Falls towards Eagle Peak and back.Extremely steep and long climb at high altitude with all water carried on my back... TripleH / HHH on my hRank system!

More details and review of the course with a map are below.

Ranking: TripleH, low temperatures and moderate humidity helped in this irreplaceable scenic trail run. It was, however, externally challenging due to a significant elevation gain, high altitude and additional weight carried for fluids.  

Distance: ~9 miles

Course: The trail run started at Yosemite Village and followed the trail up to Upper Yosemite Falls. At the top I followed the signs towards Eagle Peak and El Capitan and then headed back down in the same way.
Crowd: Hikers (if you see any trail runner on this course please let me know it will make me feel mainstream :) )

The easy part: Nothing was easy, if scenic views make your run easier than check one for these

The challenging part: Running up and down the steps and single track path to and from Upper Yosemite Falls. Also, starting elevation of 4,000 and as high as 7,000 makes the run much harder if you are not used to that environment.

Price: N/A

Pacers: None

Timing:N/A

Qualifying: None

Official website: N/A

My 2 cents: No water on the course so had to carry all on my back. I specifically chose to run in Yosemite as I have 2 upcoming marathons at high altitude of 6,000 so wanted to get the feeling for running in those conditions. Other than that, views are incredible and I enjoyed them as I made my way up. I set a 3 hours cap for this run as I was planning to run ~16miles the next day, if I had more time I would run all the way to El Capitan and back which should be an amazing experience.



Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/


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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.