By Cary Miller
The Capitol Peak 50K Ultramarathon held on Saturday October 2nd, 2004 was a special event for me for a number of reasons, which I will get to a little later. First though, a special thanks to a couple of Washington’s premiere ultra runners and co race directors: John Pearch, winner of the inaugural Where’s Waldo 100K and James Varner, runner up at this years Plain 100, one of the most difficult 100 milers in the NW. They along with countless volunteers put together one of the best-supported runs I have ever been a part of. It would have been difficult to find areas of the event, which one could have been improved upon. Capitol State Forest located just west of Olympia, Washington offers some of the most spectacular trails to run on. The 50K course itself offered a lot of down hill running mainly on single track trail, interspersed with some mild climbs, with a total elevation gain of just less that 5,000 feet over the 50K distance. The weather was gorgeous with temperatures in the 70s and sunny skies. The Capitol Peak 50K makes for a great first time ultra.
The day prior to race day, I’m watching Mount Saint Helens on television erupt and wondering what impact (if any) it will have on the Capitol State Forest, located to the South and West of Olympia and wondering if the Forest will be closed. Well, I emailed John, and he said not to worry, and that everything was still on. (I was okay with running in ash, I just didn’t want to drive the 2-½ hours to the Forest to find the park closed). Directions posted on the website were accurate, and with help of the race direction signs in the Capitol State Forest, I was able to drive right to the start/finish area without any difficulty.
As I checked in I said to myself, these people are exceptionally friendly. After the check in process, this guy comes up to me and asks my name. We talk and he turns out to be the co director, James Varner, and we discuss his Plain 100 race and the difficulties in finishing the course. After awhile, I go back to my truck and hang out there before the race. William Emerson, eventual winner of the Capitol Peak 50K, is parked behind me and we begin to talk as he meticulously prepares bottles and drop bags for the race. It then becomes apparent to me that I have once again neglected all race preparations, and why great competitors don’t.
Anyway, the race gets underway and I quickly lose sight of the front runners. I spend some time getting to know some new faces to include Olga Varlamova, ultra runner from Portland, and eventual first woman finisher. We run much of the first half of the course together and learn much about each other. Co directors John and James do an exceptional job circulating the course, as I see them frequently at the aid stations. As time goes on I start experiencing some cramping, and regret passing some aid stations, without fueling. Eventually, I come in to the aid station near the final pitch of Capital Peak, and Scott Jurek is there assisting. He asks me if I need anything, fills my bottles, and offers some succeed for my cramping. I thought, how cool is this, one of the country’s premiere ultra runners assisting me. As I reached the Peak, it becomes apparent to me that several people with lawn chairs are waiting for a view of Mt. St. Helens for when it erupts again. From the Peak, I then begin accelerating just a bit more down the hill.
After some time I begin to drift back to the principal reason why I was running the Capitol Peak 50K. You see my dad passed away, nine years ago to the day, from the terrible disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease." It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Well, this run was for him, and I drew upon him and his memory for strength. It propelled me to a third place finish in the race, a place I’ve never been, nor had ever thought of achieving.
John, James, volunteers and runners, thanks for the memories.