Mud Mountain Dam Half and 5k

 

The Silver Strider online presents

Mud Mountain Dam Half and 5k

The Half Marathon

By Karl Johnson
with photos by Bruce Fisher

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It was a great day for a race. The weather had a slight chill to it but not too much. The rain held off until just after the race.

I went into the race with high expectations. The title suggested a more scenic and rustic setting. It was also billed as a fast race as it was downhill. The trail was paved and did have some scenic sections, especially when it ran along the river.

But mostly it felt more residential, and sections ran next to a busy road. The downhill was very gradual over the length of the course (367 ft over 13 miles) so it felt flatter than anything. My expectations were probably colored by my having run the Iron Horse Half the month before. That race had a 945 ft descent over 9 miles before hitting a flat section for the last 4 miles. Although my overall time was similar for both races, I did walk for a little over a minute of the Iron Horse Half. It felt like it was more residential and ran along a busy road for sections. The downhill was very gradual over the length of the course (367 ft over 13 miles) so it felt more flat than anything. My expectations were probably colored by my having run the Iron Horse Half the month before. That race had a 945 ft descent over 9 miles before hitting a flat section for the last 4 miles. Although my overall time was similar for both races I did walk for a little over a minute of the Iron Horse Half.

Keith Lerew was the first male Silver Strider to finish with a time of 1:30:12. Tammie Liebhauser was the first female Silver Strider finisher with a time of 1:54:23.

Checking my results now I see that I placed third in my age group although at the race I showed as finishing fourth. Someone must have been in the wrong age group ahead of me.

Another disappointing aspect of the race was the shuttle service from the parking to the start, although it sounds like that wasn’t entirely their fault. The people they contracted that to dropped the ball by having only one bus shuttling runners. As a result the start was delayed and some ended up missing it anyway.

It was great seeing the Silver Strider crew. Lunch at Los Pinos was great. Good food and good company. 

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The 5k – Best laid plans…

By Jerry Dietrich
with photos by Bruce Fisher

I was ready. I was trained. I was gonna do some damage. I was going to arrive at the start finish ahead of Tony Phillippi. I was going to have a great parking spot in that tiny lot. I was gonna smoke that guy that beat me at the Twister.

I laid out my racing stuff the night before the race. I set my alarm. I put my watch on the charger. I plugged in my car. I put my hearing aid on it’s charger. I even drank a glass of warm milk. I went to bed early.

Do you see the flaw here? How was I going to hear my alarm clock at 5 a.m.?

I opened my eyes and saw my bedside clock. 6:30 a.m.!!! yikes. I overslept an hour and a half. The little parking lot was undoubtedly already filled. I was destined to ride the shuttle to the start like everyone else. I rushed into my kitchen to fry an egg and make a slice of toast. I was out of eggs. I dressed quickly, wait! Where were my shoes? I spent 10 minutes searching before I remembered I had them in the garage to clean them off for the race.

Finally, I was ready. With my stomach in a knot, I hopped into my car and took off.

I have driven to Orting a hundred times (well maybe less), over the years but today I missed a turn and had to drive an extra half mile and turn around to come back.

I sailed by the start finish area at 18 minutes before 9:00. Reaching the local Elementary School, I caught the last shuttle. By now I had a full blown Stomach ache. I sat on the bus as it crawled (it seemed like 15 mph) back to the start area.

We finally arrived and I got my race packet, pinned on my number and asked Gretchen if I could put my t-shirt in her check in bag. I sat down, with my knees drawn up to my chest, for about 30 seconds when the gun went off.

Reaching the start line, I started out in last place. I couldn’t have walked more than a half mile when I felt a stabbing stomach pain. It stopped me cold. I sat down in the weeds and brought my knees to my chest. The pain slowly dissipated and I had to decide whether I should give up and go back, or go ahead with the hope that my stomach problems were gone for good. I decided that my problem was over. I went back on the course and proceeded at an easy pace.

At a little over three quarters of a mile into the race, the pain returned. I saw a bench up ahead and I pushed ahead. I reached the bench and assumed the position. I could see the one mile mark ahead and thought that I might as well circle the cone before going back. After a two minute rest continued on until I circled the cone. then, I sat down on a tree stump for my two minute break.

The return trip wasn’t too bad. I knew the plan I had to follow and the locations of the benches I would stop at and for how long. I looked at my watch. If I continued my pace, I could break an hour and a half. My walk and rest plan was working. I was going to finish.

With a half mile to go, around a bend in the trail came a half dozen Silver Striders on a “Search and Rescue Mission”. John Phillips was leading the way. I expected him to blow a whistle and some bloodhounds to start barking. Maybe someone to yell, “He’s over here”.

I felt a sense of camaraderie, as my friends accompanied me to the finish. They had been concerned about my well being. I certainly was a lucky man to have a family like this.

I found a place to sit and brought my knees up for pain relief. Shortly I was joined by Steve and Patty Husko, and then Maryellen Elcock. We talked for awhile and then the shuttle bus appeared. I don’t know who got on the bus. Some of our group car pooled. I sat alone on the bus.

Back in my car I decided to go to El LIndo Mexican Restaurant in Orting to see if any Silver Striders were there for lunch.

As I drove into the Restaurant parking lot I felt a sudden pang of loneliness. I realized my passenger seat was empty. I had never gone to this restaurant without Betty. I hesitated and then went in.

Entering the restaurant, I walked down the aisle toward the back table. A group of Silver Striders, including my dear friend Charlea who I had not seen for months, greeted me. I sat down between John Phillips and Karl Johnson.

Then, something wonderful happened. I couldn’t believe my ears. I was able to converse with others at the table for the first time in over 10 years. My new hearing aid was a true miracle.

My stomach never bothered me again.

I shall always treasure that day and my friends who shared it.

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Race Results in Photos by Bruce Fisher

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