Twin Peaks 50/50 Blog

8 Week Update!

Hey Twin Peaks Runners!
This year is shaping up to be a great one!  That is, assuming we don't get hit by "El Nino" weather that made a mess of the mountains for the Chimera race recently.  The good news is that the particular week in February where Twin Peaks resides is "usually" dry with the highest daily rainfall total over the last 4 years around 1". 3 of the last 4 years were very dry during race week and typically the temp has been around 40 for a low and 70 for a high.  Let's keep our fingers crossed, knock on wood, say a prayer, throw salt over your shoulder, etc for decent weather leading up to, and on race day!

Training Run
As mentioned earlier, Keira Henninger is leading the training run on Jan 2nd.  However, due to an injury, she will not be able to actually run with you all!  She WILL be there at the start to hand out maps and answer questions.  Remember to familiarize yourself with the course BEFORE you show up for the training run!  There should be about 20 people there so partner up if you can.  At least several people will be running the entire 50K route and can help direct you.  This event is unsupported so come prepared with PLENTY of water and food for your energy needs.

Directions
to Indian Truck Trail:
Highway 15 South (from Corona) or North (from Lake Elsinore). West on Indian Truck Trail Road. Right on Campbell Ranch Road. Left on Mayhew Canyon Road. Left on Santiago Canyon Road (until the road ends).

Registration
It's 8 weeks before race day!  If you know anyone who wants to sign up - remind them that rates go up on Jan 1.  Also - please spread the word that we need volunteers!  Volunteers will help the race go more smoothly for YOU as the runner.  They can make or break a race.

Electrolytes & Food
There will be no Hammer products on the course on race day since they conflict with GU.  Gu will be providing 500 gels & chomps for the course.  Electrolytes will be provided though Nuun.  Other typical aid station food will still be provided at the 3 full aid stations.  So, train with Gu & Nuun or bring your own gels & electrolytes.  It's usually NOT a good idea to switch things up on race day as most of you know!

Carb Load & Early Checkin!
There WILL be a pre-race dinner at 630PM on Friday, February 12th.  You won't want to miss this.  We'll go over the course in full detail complete with Q&A (there will still be a short pre-race briefing 5 minutes before the start of your wave on race day).  Besides good food and pre-race checkin, there will also be prize giveaways such as free shoe gift certificates, Twin Peaks shirts, Gu Roctane, Gu Brew, Fitness Pizza & Grill Gift Cert, and Nuun goodies.   The event will run from approzimate 630PM-8PM with a volunteer meeting before dinner from 6PM-630PM.  AN RSVP will be sent out some time in January  with more details and location. Goodie bag pickup will be in the parking lot so if you can't stay for dinner, you can still drop by and get your shirt and bib (between 6 and 630PM)

Still working on another sponsor or two - stay tuned!

The format has changed for mailings.  I'll be using Feedblitz to send out mailings.  I've added you all to the 2010 Twin Peaks email list.  I will DELETE this mailing list after Twin Peaks is over at the final email goes out (so no need to unsubscribe from the list after TP2010).  If you want to get updates on future races, be sure you join the Dirty Feet Productions email list: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=638455.

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

Athletic Trainer + More for Twin Peaks 2010

Hi all,

Lots of things going on with Twin Peaks since it's only 8 weeks away!

I just wanted to announce we will have a Certified Athletic Trainer and EMT on site during the race.  The Certified Athletic Trainer will be available starting at 4:30AM so will will be around to help with any pre-race injury treatment, taping issues, etc.

I had to drop Hammer as a sponsor since they conflict with GU.  GU will be providing gel & chomps on the race course (about 500 of them) as well as jugs of Roctane and Canisters of Brew for goody giveaways at the pre-race dinner.

The pre-race dinner will take place at  Fitness Pizza & Grill in Yorba Linda.  This location is convenient to out-of-towners staying near the race start as well as for those coming from Orange County or Los Angeles.  Fitness Pizza & Grill also offers a healthy alternative for a great carb-loading dinner!

Stay tuned for more details!

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

2010 Twin Peaks Runner Safety

I want to remind people of the safety plans in place for Twin Peaks in 2010.

1. HAM radio communication for runner tracking will be provided by RACES (Riverside County, California Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - under the direction of the Riverside County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services.)
2. Paid, Professional EMTs (and/or ACTs) will be onsite during the race from approx 430AM-9:30PM
3. A radio checkpoint will be in place at the split coming down from Upper Holy Jim.  This will help ensure no one turns the wrong way - and will facilitate tracking of runners who drop from the 50M to 50K.
4. Roaming trucks from local 4x4 groups will be on the mountain to help pick up injured runners, communicate with radio communications, haul drop bags, etc.  These local groups play in these mountains and know them well.
5. The course will be professionally marked by a CA certified land surveyor to help ensure no on will get lost or make a wrong turn.
6. IF it's cold, rainy, stormy, etc on race day, there will be multiple hot food/soup aid stations as well hot food at the finish line.  If we get our normal perfect weather, there will still be one hot food/soup aid station + hot food at the finish.

Runner safety is of utmost importance for a fun running experience.  Hope to see you in February!

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

Twin Peaks Training Run on Jan 2

Good news! Keira Henninger, the new superstar Race Director of the Leona Divide 50 Mile race in April, will be leading a training run on the Twin Peaks Course on Saturday, January 2nd. Run off those New Year's drinking calories!

This training run will start at 6:30AM sharp at the Indian Truck Trail (start/finish of Twin Peaks) just south of Corona. From Corona take 15 South to the Indian Truck Trail exit. Turn right then right again at Campbell Ranch Road. Turn left at Mayhew Canyon Road then left on Santiago Canyon Road. The trailhead will be on your right about .75 miles down Santiago Canyon Road.

This will be a "build your own distance training run". Keira will be covering the entire 50K course so you have 4 options:

1. Run up to the top of Indian Truck Trail and back down (13 miles)
2. Run up to Indian Truck Trail, then to top of West Horsetheif (aid station #2). You can turn around here and go back (21 miles)
3. Run up Indian Truck Trail to West Horsetheif then down to Holy Jim and up Holy Jim Trail. Turn right on Main Divide to go back to Indian Truck Trail and back down (26 miles)
4. Run the entire Twin Peaks course (32.5 miles)

There will be NO course markings on this training run. Keira knows the mountain well so will be there to answer any questions. But please plan to run with a buddy (you can pair up at the start) and be familiar with the course (especially if running the 26 or 32.5 mile options). If you haven't watched the course flyover I sent in the last email, then that's a good way to familiarize yourself with the course. More details, turn by turn directions and a reminder will be sent about a week before the training run.

Please bring a MINIMUM of 3 bottles of water (or 80oz+ pack) if you plan to run the 26 or 32.5 mile option. You will be turned away if you do not have enough water! There will be water at the top of Horsetheif but you still need to bring the minimum. Sometimes things happen and you need to be prepared just in case! No food will be provided on this training run.

Please RSVP with me (along with your currently planned run distance for this training run) so we have a good idea of who to expect.

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

15 Weeks!

Twin Peaks 2010 is only 15 weeks away!  Hope your training is in full swing!  Working on many details for Twin Peaks such as finalizing sponsors, pricing shirts and medals, etc.  If you or someone you know can help out as a volunteer for this race - let me know.  We still need plenty of those! :)

Newest Sponsors include Hammer Nutrition and Montrail.  Hammer will provide Heed at the aid stations and there will be Hammer gels available as well.  They are also throwing in a few giveaway goodies!  Nuun will also be provided at the aid stations for those of you who prefer.  Montrail has provided coupons for a some free pairs of shoes!  Very nice as I LOVE Montrail shoes.  Too bad I can't have them myself..

Still working on a few more sponsors as well.

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

Safety & Communications for TP 2010

Communications and safety for Twin Peaks 2010 will be provided by Riverside County RACES

"The Riverside County, California Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is under the direction of the Riverside County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services."

Twin Peaks Start Times Calculation

In case you were wondering... Starts times for Twin Peaks are based upon runners previous ultra times, or are estimated if Twin Peaks is their first ultra.   They are roughly based as follows:

50K
8:00 Start
Estimated Finish Time = 7.5+ hours
9:00 Start
Estimated Finish Time = 5 - 7.5 hours

50M
5:00 Start
Estimated Finish Time = 13-16 hours
6:00 Start
Estimated Finish Time = 11-13 hours
7:00 Start
Estimated Finish Time = 8-11  hours

(Note: In order to run the 50 miler you need to have finished a road marathon or trail race greater than 30K.  Contact RD for any possible exceptions!)

Early Bird Registration Opens Sept 9th, 2009

If you want to get in Twin Peaks 2010 for cheap then you'll want to sign up for early bird registration.  Early bird rates end September 30th.  Socal Trailheadz members, Orange County Trail Runners members, and volunteers from Twin Peaks 2008 will receive a 10% discount on all rates (early bird or not). 

NEW requirements in 2010:  Due to difficultly, You MUST have completed a marathon or trail race of greater than 30K if you wish to enter the 50 Mile race.  Cut off times will be strictly enforced for 50 mile runners.  If you wish to seek an entry exception, please contact the RD for consideration.  

Details:

Registration Opens on September 9, 2009. Rates are as follows:
Sept 9 - Sept 30: $60 (50K) $70 (50M) Early Bird
Oct 1 - Dec 31: $65 (50K) $75 (50M)
Jan 1 - Feb 1: $70 (50K) $80 (50M) Late Reg
(no Registration after Feb 1st, 2010)

Refunds: There will be no refunds for personal reasons. In the event the race is canceled by an act of God/Nature or per the race directors discretion (for safety reasons, etc.), the following guidelines apply depending on the date of cancellation:
Jan 2nd - Feb 6th, 2010 = $0 Refund
Nov 2nd - Jan 1st 2010 = 75% refund
Aug 1st - Nov 1st, 2009 = 100% refund

Hope to see you at the starting line!
Run free & Dirty,
Jessica

Winners run Free!

New starting in 2010 -

If you are a previous winner of Twin Peaks 50K or 50M you will get free entry into future Twin Peaks races (on the same course)! ie. if you won the course in 2008 it won't count toward 2010 since it was a different course.  2009 winners will get free entry to the 2010 race if you enter in the same distance you won in 2009.  This applies to first place male and female in the 50K and first place male and female in the 50M.

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

Tech Shirts

Good news if you plan on volunteering for Twin Peaks in 2010.  I'll be offering short sleeve TECH shirts to all volunteers.  Race entrants will get black long sleeve tech shirts and volunteers will get short sleeve white tech shirts.  So if you are on the fence about volunteering then maybe this added bonus will help your decision :)

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica Deline