Rattlesnake Ridge 50K

I ran a 50K trail race this weekend. It was an eye-opener for me as I realized I need to start working on running up hills. I also realized I need to get serious about my mileage on the weeks that I don't have a race. Running 7 miles as my "long run" will no longer be enough!

At Rattlesnake Lake before the race started. Blue skies but cool enough to keep my jacket on.

The race started at 7:30 in the morning at Rattlesnake Lake. It was sunny and cool out. The course took us up to the top of Rattlesnake Mountain and down to Snoqualmie Point Park on the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail. At this point, approximately 12 miles into the run, we turned around and went back to the lake, up and over that same mountain. I had a bag of food and drink delivered to the turn around point, and I was glad to replenish my pack with it because I had consumed all of the nutrition I had on me in those first 12 miles.

Rattlesnake Ledge is about 2 miles up the trail from the lake and it is a very popular place (i.e. touristy) on the weekends. As I was getting close to the Ledge, I could hear the people. It sounded like the buzz you would hear in a crowded auditorium. It just seemed insane to me! From the Ledge down to the lake, I had to weave through hikers that were heading up and down the trail. Everyone was very courteous and move out of the way when I asked to pass, but thank goodness I wasn't racing for first place (as if that were even possible for me).

View near the top of Rattlesnake Mountain.

The trail was nice for running. Some rocks and roots but mostly smooth and wide.

Well maintained trail!

Had to pass through several of these gates.

Total elevation gain was 6,700 feet. But, wait, that was just the first 22 miles. I had 9 more miles to go. Those miles were out and back on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail--an old railroad grade that was turned into a recreational path. At this point, it was hot and sunny. About 25% of the trail was shaded, and I was tired and extremely thankful that it was flat compared to the hill I just came off. I was lonely and bored now, but motivated to finish this one!

Snoqualmie Valley Trail. It looks pretty in the picture but I felt like it went on F O R E V E R.

Here is my new friend on the trail. I was so lonely, but she didn't seem to care about me.

I am happy I got to do this race. I had wanted to do it for over a year. But now I've done it, and I don't think I need to do it again.

Photo courtesy of Yutaka Suzue.