Ponderous Posterior 50K (7:20:25)

Another great fat-ass event along the Front Range, this time graciously host by JT and the CRUD with a sweet loop (thanks Tony) around the Pikes Peak area trails.  I was really looking forward to experiencing most of these trails for the first time and it turned out to be just a gorgeous day.

We had quite a variety of terrain and trail conditions.  Running through the Garden of the Gods at sunrise was about enough to make the whole trip down from FoCo worth it.

Garden of the Gods at sunrise.

There was a fair bit of snow and ice to help keep the pace comfortably slow (as it should be at a fat-ass event).  I even clocked a blazing 29 minute mile (Mile 16) going up Longs Ranch Road through the snow (and nobody passed me in that mile either).

3-mile, 2000 foot climb up snowy Longs Ranch Road.

It was more than just a little bit cool to get caught at the top of the Longs Ranch Road climb by Mr. Pikes Peak himself (Matt Carpenter) and share the run back down to Manitou Springs through the Experimental Forest and Barr Trail with Matt.  Thanks for going slow today Matt!

Chasing Matt C through the snow.

The last 10 miles or so required the most navigational skills trying to get through the Intemann Trail to Red Rocks Open Space.  It didn't help that some of the locals disposed of some course markings.  As it turned out though, I got to get a couple of bonus miles of beautiful singletrack along the Intemann Trail.  I then realized that I should probably back track to the course if I wanted to get to Red Rocks.  Thanks to JT, Rick, Steve, and any others for the well-marked course otherwise.

As it turns out, since JT posted some results today, I was one of the slowest 50Kers on the day, but looking at the list of runners that were faster than me, I really don't feel ashamed one bit.  I think any "real" race would kill to have the quality field of runners that turned out for the Ponderous Posterior.  It was great to meet a lot of these guys for the first time.

Congrats and thanks to Fast Eddy (one of the unofficial "winners") for dishing out some nice PI gear after the race.  I'll take some pride in being I think one of only 3 to complete both 50K courses at Chubby Cheeks and Ponderous Posterior.  I know my CRUD friends Rick H and Steve B did as well.

Today's Data (according to Garmin):
32.48 miles, 6999 feet of climbing (GPS data here)

It turns out I ran an extra 1.4 miles, putting the course just about 50K on the money.  Also, the total climbing was almost identical to the Chubby Cheeks course from the Fort Collins fat-ass last month.

Many more pictures from the day can be seen here.
Steve Bremner's photos here.

Results here (at least from those who were willing to admit to a time).

Some local media coverage (with videos) here.


Running through the Garden.



Rampart Range Road.

Waldo Canyon.

Barr Trail.