Here’s the video from the 2011 Shadow of the Giants 50k (or in my case, 35k). Trying to decide whether to watch it? I’ll break it down for you. Pros: relatively short, awesome soundtrack song, cameo by a sassy Australian RD, and serious landscape porn. Cons: shaky camera work, I eat a cookie in a very unladylike fashion, and by the end I have a raspy Marge Simpson voice. The choice is yours.
Tag Archive: Yosemite
Shadow of the Giants 50k – June 2011
Shadow of the Giants is usually the highlight of my spring racing season. It’s the race I return to year after year because of the atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, the saucy race director, and the chance to escape LA and play in one of the country’s most scenic areas. I was especially looking forward to it this year because my recent races have been going so well and I intended to try and break my recently-set 50k PR on the course.
But instead of coming on the blog to (modestly!) gloat about another awesome race, I instead have to type those three letters I’ve never written before: DNF. For the first time in my life, I didn’t finish a race, and to say I have mixed feelings about it is to put it mildly. But let me back up…
Shadow of the Giants 50k – June 2010
Random “vintage” Shadow running shirts decorating the course for the 20 year anniversary!
I look forward to running Shadow of the Giants every year. I rave about it to running friends, bore my poor non-running friends talking about it, and in general need to set up some sort of affiliate referral program, because I plug this race all. the. time. Shadow of the Giants was one of the first 50ks I did (maybe the second or third?) back in 2005, and I’ve tried to run it every year since, injuries & schedule permitting.
So what makes Shadow of the Giants so special?
Well, the setting is gorgeous, for one thing. Located at the base of Yosemite, the race runs on fire roads and singletrack through towering forests. It’s beautiful, it’s green, it’s peaceful—except for the year I came face to face with a black bear halfway through the run. I think nostalgia also plays a factor, since it was one of my first ultras and one of the pivotal races that got me hooked on trail running in the first place. Mostly, though, I think it’s the spirit of the race. It’s low-key and friendly, and presided over by that most mischevious of RDs, Baz Hawley (who also directs Saddleback, Twin Peaks, and a number of other CA races.) Baz spends the pre-race briefing telling dirty jokes, hassling the regulars, and swearing up a storm, but behind the laid-back act, there’s a well-organized race directing machine.
Tag Archive: Yosemite
2011 Shadow of the Giants 50k Video!
Here’s the video from the 2011 Shadow of the Giants 50k (or in my case, 35k). Trying to decide whether to watch it? I’ll break it down for you. Pros: relatively short, awesome soundtrack song, cameo by a sassy Australian RD, and serious landscape porn. Cons: shaky camera work, I eat a cookie in a very unladylike fashion, and by the end I have a raspy Marge Simpson voice. The choice is yours.
Shadow of the Giants 50k – June 2011
Shadow of the Giants is usually the highlight of my spring racing season. It’s the race I return to year after year because of the atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, the saucy race director, and the chance to escape LA and play in one of the country’s most scenic areas. I was especially looking forward to it this year because my recent races have been going so well and I intended to try and break my recently-set 50k PR on the course.
But instead of coming on the blog to (modestly!) gloat about another awesome race, I instead have to type those three letters I’ve never written before: DNF. For the first time in my life, I didn’t finish a race, and to say I have mixed feelings about it is to put it mildly. But let me back up…
Shadow of the Giants 50k – June 2010
Random “vintage” Shadow running shirts decorating the course for the 20 year anniversary!
I look forward to running Shadow of the Giants every year. I rave about it to running friends, bore my poor non-running friends talking about it, and in general need to set up some sort of affiliate referral program, because I plug this race all. the. time. Shadow of the Giants was one of the first 50ks I did (maybe the second or third?) back in 2005, and I’ve tried to run it every year since, injuries & schedule permitting.
So what makes Shadow of the Giants so special?
Well, the setting is gorgeous, for one thing. Located at the base of Yosemite, the race runs on fire roads and singletrack through towering forests. It’s beautiful, it’s green, it’s peaceful—except for the year I came face to face with a black bear halfway through the run. I think nostalgia also plays a factor, since it was one of my first ultras and one of the pivotal races that got me hooked on trail running in the first place. Mostly, though, I think it’s the spirit of the race. It’s low-key and friendly, and presided over by that most mischevious of RDs, Baz Hawley (who also directs Saddleback, Twin Peaks, and a number of other CA races.) Baz spends the pre-race briefing telling dirty jokes, hassling the regulars, and swearing up a storm, but behind the laid-back act, there’s a well-organized race directing machine.
Hi, I’m Elizabeth.
Welcome to Running With Sugars!
Connect
