Where’s Waldo 100K+
Beautiful/Tough
Willamette Pass, Oregon
Aug. 20, 2005

This was the 4^th running of the Where’s Waldo 100K (+) which starts at the Willamette Pass Ski Area right off Hwy 58 at an elevation of 5100’.
The course boasts smokin’ single track, 11,000’ of elevation gain/loss, stocked aid stations, lots of volunteers, easy going atmosphere, friendly RDs, awards, door prizes and most of all that this Ultra is not for the faint of spirit.
I will have to admit that it is all true!

From Portland airport it took us about 3 hours to reach Willamette Pass.
Packet pick-up was casual and not crowded at all. I dropped off my 3 drop bags and was off to dinner and a good night sleep since I would be starting at 3AM.
We stayed at Odell Lake Lodge. It was cozy and had a great view of the lake.

Start to Gold Lake (mile 10):
This portion of the trail is rolling and predominantly up-hill but a very comfortable running/walking rythm. It all took place in the dark with an almost full moon. It was very peaceful and the reflection of the moon on the lakes was very beautiful.

The morning was warm, a lot warmer than I expected. The bell was rung and we trotted off to the start of the trail head. I was towards the back and ran/walked along with everyone else.
Twenty minutes into the run it was time for a ‘call from nature’. I took advantage of this to shed my long sleeve shirt. Now I found myself running all alone…just me, my flashlight and the moon. Priceless.
Well, needless to say, by the time I reached Gold Lake I had had another 5 additional ‘calls from nature’. You may think that’s a lot…but for me, it’s normal. I will have to admit that it did help me go out slower!!

Gold Lake to Fuji (down) (mile 17):
This portion of the course was a consistent uphill hike but not very steep. The ascent up Fuji (elev. ~7000’) was a very comfortable hike.

I spent this section taking photos and chatting about the course with Oregonian Scott (aka Trail Nerd). This is where it was confirmed that the course was really about 69 miles long. That was OK with me. Better longer than shorter…or so I thought at the time!

The view of Lake Waldo from the summit was beautiful, but little did I know that I had two more equally if not more beautiful panoramas to set my eyes on.

Fuji (down) to RD 4290 (mile 38.2):
This is what I would call ‘smokin’ single track. Predominantly downhill to rolling terrain which made for easy running on soft trails, lots of trees and buzzing flies. On the way to Rd.4290 we cross the ‘baby pine tree’ forest…very cute and very exposed.

I felt good these next 20+ miles. I ran and walked as needed and enjoyed the scenery and the solitude of the trail. Mnt Ray station (22.5m) was full of people and very festive. I grabbed some food, refilled water and headed out to Charlton Lake (33m).
Charlton Lake was a huge aid station and what a perfect spot for it. The cool breeze from the lake felt great! The relay folk were gathered here waiting their turn. I was surprised to see Frank waiting for me; he helped me with my drop bag and took some photos. I was feeling good and the morning was starting to warm up.
I reached RD 4290 at noon still feeling good and moving forward! That was soon to change….
Next up was a long stretch of 8 miles (or so) before reaching the Twins summit and the Twins aid station. I grabbed an extra water bottle from my drop bag and after noshing on some melon took off to tackle the 2^nd climb of the day…the Twins (elev. ~7300’). This is where the party started!

Rd. 4290 to Twins (mile 46.2):
Rolling to predominantly uphill, moderate to steep terrain.

Up and up I went…all the time feeling as if my batteries were running low. I wanted to run, but my legs felt heavy and I was running out of gas. Some of the 5AM men and relay runners had started to pass me. This climb was far more difficult than Mnt Fuji. I had to stop occasionally, count to ten and start up again. Each time I would tell myself I could do this, I just needed to get to the next aid station to re-fuel. After what seemed like a very long time I reached the final portion of the climb.
Bottles of water had been dropped here and I was more than glad to stop and refill before taking on the last half mile straight up hill on loose sandy soil. I looked up that slope and thought…’oh my God, this is going to hurt!’ It did hurt, but once I got to the top, checked in and took a look around me, the scenery was spectacular. A green ocean of pine trees speckled with deep blue lakes. Awesome and well worth the sweat and mental anguish!!

I strapped on my Cho-Pats for the down-hill ride into the Twins aid station. Thanks to gravity my legs kept moving and I was in better spirits when I arrived.
Frank was there waiting for me with a drop bag and food! I ate a bit of a sandwich, had a grape ice slushy, sat down for a few minutes to rest my legs and cooled off with soaked bandanas. It was nice to see Frank and I told him that last climb had just kicked my behind and it was still hurting…he laughed at my whinning.

Twins to Maiden Lake (mile 55.3?):
Rolling down-hill for the first 3 miles to a 3+ mile relentless up-hill grind starting out moderate to crazy steep for the last ¼ mile to the summit and then a ‘leap of faith’ for 2+ more miles.

Leaving the Twins aid station I felt rejuvenated. The legs were moving, gravity was helping and I was once again feeling that all was good…at least for the first 3 miles. Then we started an uphill hike to the next aid station – The Sponge Bob Maiden Peak Station. These guys were a hoot, they sure didn’t look like the kinda guys who would even know who Sponge Bob was…but I guess I could be wrong. I ate some melon, drank a few cups of coke and started on my way. ‘3-miles to the summit’ I was told. The trail started getting steeper and steeper. I take a few seconds to regain my composure and catch my breath when I realize I am heading straight up the side of Maiden Peak (elev. ~7800). If the climb up The Twins was painful, this one was mind numbingly painful. Quitting was not an option…where would I go?
I actually passed a couple of guys in this section, I rejoiced in the thought that I was not the only one out here being tormented by this ‘you-know-what’ climb!!
Finally I reach the top…or so I though. There’s a guy there, I ask ‘Am I here?’ he points to the right and tells me ¼ mile to the summit…straight up loose sand, gravel and rocks.

Ten steps, stop for the count of five, ten steps, stop for the count of five….and on to the top. I finally make it to the summit and as my eyes start to focus I see the most splendid 360 degree view of the country side. I ooohhh-awwwwed for a while chatting with the guy at the top of the world. I think he had the best job of the entire day, perched on top of this mountain soaking in the sunshine and panoramic view.
Alas, I had to say goodbye. I strapped on my trusty Cho-Pats and off I slid down the side of the mountain, back to the ‘¼-mile-to-go’ guy who pointed me down the ‘Leap of Faith’ trail.
‘Follow the ribbons – 2 miles to the next station’ he yells as I skid down the hill past him out of control.
I survived without a scratch and soon the trail became solid under my feet and I continued on to Maiden Lake.

Maiden Lake to Finish (mile 62? Mile 69?):
Rolling, predominantly downhill terrain which re-traces your steps over most of the first 10 miles of the course.

You start seeing signs for Maiden Lake aid station for a while before you get there….a bit cruel I thought, but once I got there it was heavenly.
I’m catered to hand and foot. I stand there and let them massage my shoulders and arms, wipe my face with cool cloths, feed me melon (they had the sweetest melon of the whole day!) They made it very difficult to want to leave…and I was getting ready to go, but then I thought…’heck, I’m in no hurry….more massages please’.
I’m sure they would have chased me out of there if I hadn’t finally built up the courage to tackle the last 6-7-8 whatever…miles of the course.
I felt good after my massage and facial at Maiden Lake! I cruised along this last portion of the course, coming along only 2 other runners in the process and quickly leaving them behind.
I could see Odell Lake through the tops of the trees, I could hear the highway, I could smell the barn! Where was it???!!
I see a metal roof and next thing I know I’m out of the trails and onto the gravel path to the lifts. It’s slightly uphill all the way to the finish…I can’t walk…I have to run. My husband and brother-in-law are there waiting for me cameras ready. I hear them cheering and the RD announces my name, I’m the first 3AM starter to cross the finish line.
I let out a big sigh as I cross the finish line and turn off my watch. It’s over and I fall into my husband’s arms. I let him pick what color hat he likes best. He deserves it most!

What a wonderful event. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good challenge and a day spent surrounded by majestic pines, glorious vistas, mind numbing climbs and the best volunteers and aid stations in Oregon!
I want to thank my husband for his patience these last few months putting up with my long training runs away from the house and all his help during the event itself! Also, a big ‘thank you’ to my running buddies who spent hours running and sweating in the grueling Texas heat and humidity with me through the summer months!