Julie Bryan and her Slingshots after setting a course record at the Pirates Cove Trail Run

Julie Bryan takes first with a Course Record 1:33:19 over 12.6 miles of beach and trails.

"Hat blew off in the 50-60 mph winds ... cold and windy ... OK, that is NOT hair on the back of my legs, it is MUD!

Lisa Goldsmith continues her uphill successes, with a win at this classic event climbing 3,100' up the ski hill.   Bernie Boettcher finishes 3rd, even though his toes were still numb from the 24 hour of Sunlight race (see last months In The News).

"I made it across the line first today at the America's Uphill in Aspen - Anita O and I swapped the lead a coupla times, before there was no more swapping..."

http://utemountaineer.com/pdf/RaceResults/AmericasUphill2006overall.pdf

Boston Marathon

4/17/06, Boston, MA

Peter Vail runs a 2:25:06 (with a 1:08:21 Half!) for 27th overall.

"I got out a little hard and a group of five of us rolled through 9 miles in a little over 46 minutes (5:07/mile).   I knew I wanted to run with some of the Hansons' runners, but probably was a bit ambitious in picking Clint Verran (10th), Luke Humphrey (11th) and Chad Johnson (15th).   I was actually a little encouraged though in the 7th mile when I pulled away from them briefly with a 5:06 mile to pass Bib #4, Tesfaye Tola, who has run 2:06!   But they were definitely running well and passed me back in the 8th mile and I could only hang on until the 9 mile mark.

"Mile 12 is an experience every runner should have a chance to feel.   As you turn the corner and climb and crest a large hill, the Wellesley College girls are screaming so loud it sends chills through you.   I was struggling, but got close to the crowd running on the right side of the road, closed my eyes and felt like I was floating as I caught back up with a couple of guys to manage a first half in 1:08:20.

"From then I ran basically 5:50-5:55 miles no matter if it was uphill or downhill.   Actually, I passed more stragglers on the uphills as it wasn't as painful on the legs.   Heartbreak was a welcome site, I can't wait to take it on when I am healthy!

"I am happy to have finished the race and experience the final miles among those spectators pouring out of Fenway (after a Boston 9th inning standoff homer!), then turning onto Boylston for a short stretch of an incredibly loud crowd at least 10 deep on either side.   I managed a feeble sprint and passed an accomplished Japanese marathoner in the final 200 meters, as I really believe that place matters at Boston.

"But the marathon is an unpredictable event, and Boston exemplifies this more than any I have run so far.   It is a roller coaster of a ride, both physically and mentally.   The constant ups and downs and twists, the potholes and train tracks, and of course the crazy fans screaming your name and number the whole way.

"Heavyweight Title Bout"

Bernie Bottcher - May 2006 issue, Trail Runner Magazine

Bernie is back in the news, this time in a 6 page feature with Shayne Culpepper on "which is better, road running or trail running?"   Shayne is a good sport in this light-hearted "debate", while Bernie gets in some good lines:

Which is tougher, road marathons or trail marathons?

"No doubt, trail marathons.   The 13.5 mile, nearly 8,000 foot climb up Pikes Peak makes Boston's famous Heartbreak Hill look like a speed bump on the way to the mall."

True of false?   By running endlessly on an unforgiving surface, road runners are trashing their bodies.

"Quite often, you can eliminate all those inherent road-running problems by simply switching to softer surfaces.   That way you can trash your body in new and exciting ways, like twisting your ankles, falling on pointy rocks and getting whipped by low-hanging branches.

Who is sexier?

"Most runners have great bodies, but sexy is as sexy does.   Running around in circles on a track against a stopwatch is far more stressful than gliding down a forest trail ending at a mountain lake.   The romance of the trail sooths the soul and puts a smile on your face.   And since most sexual liaisons begin with a smile ... well, you do the math.