Photo by AP- 10PM - after 3 hours of research between races sites and nwa.com I think I have to accept NO 100 mile race for Helen this year. There are really only a few that I would consider - the top 2 being Bear and Grindstone - both are still open but pretty much impossible due to work/travel schedule.
Ah well... maybe it's just confirmation that 50 milers are my thing :) And looking on the bright side - it means I don't have to taper!
So... North Face Endurance Challenge WI here I come. Wow - 2 months between races... will I survive? Nic - I fully expect (dare I say 'challenge') you to upgrade to the 50M event!
Matt - I hope your fire-fighter friend in LA stays safe.
Chris - thanks for the comment (and thanks for being a fire-fighter) - I'll take my moment of fame in SD - that made my evening :) - 7PM - its official - AC-100 has been cancelled. Disappointed but small beans in light of what's happening out there.
- 10AM - When I first heard about the fire my immediate (selfish) thought was the race in 3 weeks time - but pretty soon I got an idea of how quickly it's spreading and the danger thousands of people are facing. And then yesterday 2 firefighters lost their lives when the incredibly thick smoke obscured their view and they drove off the side of a road on Mount Gleason. Certainly puts things in perspective. It is hard to believe the immensity of forest fires in this country - this fire had burned 134 square miles of brush and trees by early today and was just 5 percent contained. At least 6,600 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders and more than 2,500 firefighters are battling the flames.
Please God no one else loses their life as these firefighters continue to do their difficult job.
7 comments:
I have vivid memories watching the Santa Monica mountains going up in flames from my front yard (sometime in the late 70s). I thought the fire would burn through the entire Pacific Palisades, and burn us in the night.
I have a childhood friend fighting them right now, and he just got done with the ones up by Santa Cruz.
I thought for sure when they broke out, they would have them contained quickly, but it looks like they have made a turn for the worse.
It is tragic when fire fighters go down.
People freak out about the forest burning down, but you would be surprised how quickly it all grows back (Angeles forest is more like glorified shrubs on extreme terrain.. although there are a lot of pines in certain sections).
I hope it calms down, and the race goes on.
prayers to the families of the lost fire fighters and everyone else involved.
Helen, you are a class act for understanding of the larger picture! THumbs up
Oh, wow, it didn't even occur to me that Angeles Crest was coming up so soon when I saw the news stories about the wildfires down there. I was a wildland firefighter for seven years and I always cringe when I see the headlines that someone was lost. Here's hoping the weather cooperates and they can get a handle on the blazes.
On a lighter note, I don't even know if you are aware of it or not, but you were named the Rapid City Journal's outdoor athlete of the week on the strength of your win at Lean Horse. That's about the extent of the blurb that was in Saturday's paper. Congratulations!
well, that's great news (the North Face run...not the fires)!
No, I will NOT be upgrading. I will, however, be watching your race (assuming I finish before you) with beer(s) in hand!
By the way...if the North Face run goes like almost ALL of your ultras go, you'll be making a trip to CA (San Fran instead of LA) for an ultra in December!
So sorry to hear, girl... All I have to say is, those runners at the NF Challenge better watch out!!! Val
Sorry to hear about the cancelled Angeles Crest 100. I believe it is your destiny to crush the North Face 50 in WI!
See you at Lutsen (or maybe somewhere along the way there).
John
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