The Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass was a weekend to remember. First of all, thanks John Pearch and Markus Dennis for all the work you did. Here are some of my thoughts in no particular order.

The course was supposed to have 8700' of gain so I thought there would be some good uphill walks. Not. The course was almost all runnable - even that hellish slog up Hell Creek at the end. That was one ugly tough finish. I think Ken Ward said his altimeter measured 4300' of gain. That's pretty close to 8700'.

Why in the world did 96 people show up for a rainy slog in the mud in January? Probably because they are fascinated with John Pearch. I mean the guy can't make a decision without consulting everybody and anybody that will give input. He even asked John Ticer for advice about why his website was down. If you know Ticer, you know he is not the guy to ask about e-stuff! And we (Ticer, Kelly Woodke and myself) helped him on Friday night put up signs for driving directions to the start. "Should I put a sign here", "should it be straight or left". John, we've never been here before - we have no idea. How did he manage to get the course marked so well, get numerous gifts from Seattle Running Company and South Sound Running in Olympia, a thorough website with great directions and maps, search and rescue at every road crossing, a megaphone and somebody to speak into it (Markus), a roaring fire at the finish area with enough wood to burn for a few days, TWO stories including pictures in the Olympian? John, you are the man and we love you!

I had run most of the way with Ticer, Kevin Myers, and John. The last miles out of Hell Creek got pretty rough for me and they dropped me. I was struggling up that last uphill stuff a couple of hundred yards from the fire (the finish) and I see Ticer, Kevin, and John standing there. At first I was not sure why they were stopped. Then they told me that they wanted all of us to finish together. That was pretty cool. Thanks guys.

Oh yeah, we got women's Reebock shirts for finishing as a team. They fit great - especially Ticer. I'm sure it will go over well with his firefighting buddies. Good thing we live in Eugene. I can't think of a better way to spend a January weekend.