Further Results - Big T 2012

Alright, so after a few days to recover the quads and reflect on Saturday's race we've compiled a trove of great stuff: 

Runners at this year's start - photo by Russella Serna

 Finishers and Records

1. We had 129 finishers at Saturday's race, roughly half of which were first time participants. The highest number of finishers at Big T before Saturday was 121 in 2006 and 119 back in 1987. On an average year we generally have about 105 brave souls show up for the climb. So, we pretty much crushed that this year.
2. Our new champions, Dustin Martin (1:24:22) and Katie Gillen (1:43:18), were not only first time winners but first time Big T participants. A terrific performance by both runners.
3. Claudia Bergshon of Albuquerque ran to a new Age-Group Record in the women's 50+ division. Her time of 1:51:55 lowers the previous record held by Santa Fe's Deb Werenko of 1:55:33 (BT 2009), by over three minutes. Huge run by Claudia. We hope to have her back next year.
4. In other top AG performances: Santa Fe's own Vin Kelley put up the second best time on record in the M60+ division (1:44:13) behind his record effort from BT 2011 (1:42:51). Kathy Kirsling of Tijeras put up the third best time on record for the F60+ division (2:27:08). She holds the division record of 2:21:08 from BT 2009. Ed Trzcienski of Albuquerque posted the sixth best time on record for the M50+ division with an 11th overall finish in a swift 1:37:38. Talking to Ed after the race he tells me that he moved to New Mexico recently from North Carolina. Guy's got mad skills, it was nice to have him in the field at Big T this year.
5. We had several young faces out on the course Saturday which was a very pleasant sight. Santa Fe's Jessie Talbert ran to the fourth best time on record in the F19-under division in 2:19:11. David Naranjo of Santa Fe posted the third best time on record in the M19-under division in 1:51:42, followed closely by Boye Ladd Jr. of Albuquerque in the fourth best time on record in 2:00:59. Great job to these three athletes.
6. Santa Fe's Ed Scott posted the 10th fastest time on record in the M60+ division (1:55:34). Ed also owns the third best performance in this division from Big T 2010 (1:49:35). Santa Fe's Robert Werner posted the 10th best time on record in the M70+ division (2:27:28). This was at least the fifteenth Big T finish for Bob going back to the inaugural race in 1985. I don't know which stat is more impressive.
7. Lastly, the esteemed Otto Appenzeller of Albuquerque completed his sixth Big T with the fifth fastest time on record in the M80+ division. At 84 years, he is the oldest athlete to compete and finish the Big Tesuque Trail Run. Hats off to a stellar accomplishment.

Other Items:

• Searchable results of Big T 2012 (and 23 of the previous 27 Big T races) are available with our new search widget here.
  
• Official results with (bib numbers) are now posted at the Striders website in .pdf format - 2012 Results .pdf
• Max has photo albums from the race posted to SmugMug. Find a photo or two that you like and make a custom print for your trophy case.
•  Next year's 29th annual Big Tesuque Trail Run is scheduled for October 5, 2013. The first Saturday in October. Schedule a few more long runs for the year and knock a few minutes off of that PR.

Big Tesuque - Unofficial Results, 2012

Great race this morning, we had a record turnout for this 28th annual climb and descent. Albuquerque's Dustin Martin took the men's overall with a time of 1:24:22. Taos native Katie Gillen claimed the women's overall in 1:43:18. Congratulations to all of our finishers, to those who placed, and to those who ran to personal best.

 Update:  Official results are now posted (including bib numbers):  2012 Results (.pdf)
                A breakdown of results and new age-group bests is posted here:  BigT 2012 - Further Results

Overall			Total Time
Place	Runner			Age	M/F	City	State		AG-Finish
1	Dustin	Martin	1:24:22	23	M	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
2	Jack	Swift	1:26:25	38	M	Evergreen	CO	3	30 TO 39	Male
3	Lucas	Fuentes	1:27:07	23	M	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
4	Mike	Ehrmantraut	1:27:29	44	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
5	Cornelius	Puiulet	1:30:47	39	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
6	Andrew	Hahn	1:31:39	39	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
7	Jacob	Waltz	1:32:55	40	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
8	David	Marion	1:33:46	48	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
9	Jason	Patton	1:35:40	33	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
10	Daryl	Dagel	1:36:01	38	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
11	Edward	Trzcienski	1:37:38	50	M	Albuquerque	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
12	George	Perkins	1:39:07	32	M	Los Alamos	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
13	Rudy	Martinez	1:40:20	33	M	Fairview	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
14	Kevin	Brennan	1:40:39	36	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
15	Adam	Leigland	1:40:54	40	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
16	Anthony	Pomo	1:41:29	22	M	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
17	Herman	Agoyo	1:42:08	37	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
18	Ty	Lujan	1:42:31	34	M	Santa Cruz	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
19	Andras	Szantho	1:42:44	35	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
20	Katie	Gillen	1:43:18	22	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
21	Vinnie	Kelley	1:44:13	61	M	Santa Fe	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
22	Robert	Baker	1:44:20	25	M	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
23	Eric	Peters	1:46:20	43	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
24	David M	Simpson	1:46:43	42	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
25	Scott	Carver	1:47:11	32	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
26	Sam	Sanchez	1:48:52	31	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
27	Damien	Passalacqua	1:49:35	35	M	santa fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
28	Steve	Rogers	1:50:01	57	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
29	Michael	Small	1:51:08	51	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
30	Preston	Hollis	1:51:11	26	M	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
31	Matthew	Scarborough	1:51:14	28	M	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
32	Jason	Bachlet	1:51:24	42	M	Fruita	CO	4	40 TO 49	Male
33	David	Narjano	1:51:42	18	M	Santa Fe	NM	1	0 TO 19	Male
34	Claudia	Bergshon	1:51:55	50	F	Albuquerque	NM	5	50 TO 59	Female
35	Alden	Hoski	1:51:58	41	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
36	Adam	Delu	1:52:34	42	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
37	Erin	Sindewald	1:53:05	26	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
38	William	Wente	1:53:08	41	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
39	David	Benalli	1:53:42	57	M	Albuquerque	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
40	Micahel	Szczepanski	1:54:24	35	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
41	Hadji	Corona	1:55:19	35	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
42	Michael	Salmon	1:55:31	50	M	Los Alamos	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
43	Ed	Scott	1:55:34	65	M	Santa Fe	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
44	Amy	Tribolini	1:55:48	25	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
45	Roger	Squires	1:56:15	51	M	Albuquerque	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
46	Stefan	Sandukas	1:56:38	31	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
47	John	Holton	1:56:38	41	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
48	Luke	Washburn	1:57:44	30	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
49	Raul	Rodriguez	1:58:11	47	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
50	Scott	Schatzberg	1:59:00	41	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
51	Isaac	Concha	2:00:47	50	M	Taos	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
52	Boye	Ladd Jr	2:00:59	19	M	Albuquerque	NM	1	0 TO 19	Male
53	Devin	Farrell	2:01:00	47	M	Los Alamos	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
54	Joseph	Aragon	2:01:30	38	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
55	Willliam	Dearholt	2:01:45	44	M	Alamos	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
56	Tiago	Stock	2:02:14	40	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
57	Cody	Sheppard	2:02:36	63	M	Glorieta	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
58	Pete	Goldschmidt	2:02:40	48	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
59	Jason	James	2:02:52	39	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
60	Katie	Cutter	2:02:56	37	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
61	Jessica	Terrazas	2:03:28	30	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
62	Casondra	Sobieralski	2:04:41	41	F	Las Vegas	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
63	Carol	Stewart	2:05:28	44	F	Tesuque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
64	Donald	Montoya	2:05:32	49	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
65	Maya	Ramsay	2:05:58	30	F	Placitas	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
66	Chris	Chavez	2:06:13	53	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
67	Erik	Spoerke	2:08:17	36	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
68	Erica	Micander	2:09:05	36	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
69	Stephen	Stout	2:09:27	39	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
70	Erin	McSherry	2:09:43	32	F	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
71	alexa	schirtzinger	2:09:48	31	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
72	Joseph	Pomo	2:10:45	20	M	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
73	Gregory	Smith	2:10:46	42	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
74	Matthew	Wallace	2:10:50	36	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
75	Daniel	Lujan	2:10:52	26	M	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
76	George	Rosenberg	2:11:38	52	M	Albuquerque	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
77	Sean	Trujillo	2:11:50	38	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
78	Peter	Fant	2:12:06	52	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
79	Josh	McDonald	2:12:35	37	M	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
80	Alexie	Rothman	2:12:46	27	F	East Brunswick	NJ	2	20 TO 29	Female
81	Jonathan	Toub	2:12:51	27	M	Arlington	VA	2	20 TO 29	Male
82	Matthew	Perez	2:13:36	33	M	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Male
83	Arianna	Trott	2:13:36	27	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
84	Myrriah	Gomez	2:16:04	27	F	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
85	natalie	passalacqua	2:16:41	33	F	santa fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
86	Gabriel	Browne	2:16:49	43	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
87	Bruce	Zimmerman	2:16:54	58	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
88	daniel	carr	2:18:09	29	M	albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
89	Karen	Donovan	2:18:22	40	F			4	40 TO 49	Female
90	Jim	Fisher	2:19:04	61	M	Longmont	CO	6	60 TO 69	Male
91	Jessie	Talbert	2:19:11	18	F	Santa Fe	NM	1	0 TO 19	Female
92	Kelley	Koehler	2:20:09	46	F	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
93	Steven	Kamm	2:24:55	60	M	Santa Fe	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
94	Tami	Torres	2:26:05	44	F	El Prado	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
95	Kathleen	Kirsling	2:27:08	63	F	Tijeras	NM	6	60 TO 69	Female
96	Bonnie	Cummings	2:28:34	33	F	Rio Rancho	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
97	Lisa	Merrill	2:28:45	27	F			2	20 TO 29	Female
98	Christie	Wente	2:29:59	41	F	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
99	Gregory	Henneman	2:30:56	45	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
100	Melissa	Smith	2:33:00	42	F	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
101	Mariann	Johnston	2:33:00	44	F	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
102	Annie	McCoy	2:33:01	34	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
103	Katharine	Chartrand	2:35:02	47	F	Los Alamos	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
104	Leslie	Byrne	2:35:11	27	F	Rowe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
105	Robert	Lonebear	2:35:14	21	M	Albuquerque	NM	2	20 TO 29	Male
106	Maya	Hena	2:35:49	20	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
107	Joe	Crelier	2:36:19	42	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
108	Cheryl	Duran	2:36:49	50	F	Tijeras	NM	5	50 TO 59	Female
109	Robert	Werner	2:37:28	72	M	Santa Fe	NM	7	70 TO 99	Male
110	Erin	Byrne	2:38:26	31	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
111	Ariel	Patashnik	2:39:18	25	F	Santa Fe	NM	2	20 TO 29	Female
112	Rachel	Patton	2:40:47	31	F	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
113	David	Montoya	2:41:16	57	M	Santa fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
114	Doug	Egli	2:41:17	55	M	Santa Fe	NM	5	50 TO 59	Male
115	Kelcey	Nichols	2:41:30	37	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
116	Jessica	Lawrence	2:41:31	34	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
117	Richard	Neslund	2:41:50	64	M	Louisville	CO	6	60 TO 69	Male
118	Noel	Wagner	2:42:41	44	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
119	Rochelle	Jim	2:44:44	33	F	Albuquerque	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
120	Aimee	Abeyta	2:45:34	40	F	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
121	Carol	Neslund	2:59:42	50	F	Lousiville	CO	5	50 TO 59	Female
122	Ranee	Onstolt	3:00:48	38	F	Santa Fe	NM	3	30 TO 39	Female
123	Jim	Westmoreland	3:12:39	61	M	Santa Fe	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
124	Lauri	Dodge	3:15:12	52	F	Placitas	NM	5	50 TO 59	Female
125	Laurie	McCarthy	3:15:12	40	F	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Female
126	Dan	McCarthy	3:15:12	49	M	Albuquerque	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
127	Max	Mujynya	3:17:32	45	M	Santa Fe	NM	4	40 TO 49	Male
128	Jack	Lynch	3:56:25	69	M	Corrales	NM	6	60 TO 69	Male
129	Otto	Appenzeller	5:00:00	84	M	Albuquerque	NM	7	70 TO 99	Male

Pacing Strategies on Big Tesuque

Big T Elevation Map (click to expand)

Like many trail races, the dilemma of pacing and planning an efficient effort is some tough business. We'll see if we can't lay out a bit of detail about the course to help you get up and back down in the fastest (and safest) manner.

The Course
Big Tesuque winds up Aspen Vista Trail to the Radio Towers on Big Tesuque Peak (12,000ft) roughly 5.8 miles away. Yes, it's all uphill although the grade of the road varies quite a bit along the way, and this creates extra challenges in itself above 10,000ft elevation.

Onward and upward

The average grade - as seen in some detail above - is about 7% with a dips below 5% (recovery!), but also a few spikes above 12%. Hold on to your ass over these steep parts, both uphill and down. Climbing these steep sections will freeze up your quads as they fill with blood and lactic acid. Your body will also creep into (or shift violently into) temporary oxygen debt which compounds the problem. For the above reasons most runners choose to fast-hike these sections, the idea is to recover a bit on the un-runnable parts and resume running with fresher legs on the easier grades. Use your arms to push off on your thighs while fast-hiking and help transfer some of the workload from your tired legs. Breath deeply, and as the lactic acid clears from your legs to a tolerable level, step back into a controlled steady run. Resist the urge to recover for overly long periods - greater than 15 or 20 seconds - it crushes the motivation to continue up and push yourself. You may see runners talking out loud to themselves, cursing the inner demons.

The folks up front will likely run the steeps regardless of the lactic freeze and oxygen debt. I've found the key to work through these sections with pace (a very subjective term in this instance), is to use fast but short choppy strides, and really swing the arms in an exaggerated pump. Low gears but high RPMs work well.

These steeper sections on the descent are easier to navigate but are mined with rocks and embedded trip-ups that can send a runner sprawling. You do not want this to happen. It will take much longer than 15-20sec of recovery to right yourself. More on this in a bit.

General Overview
Broken into its mile components, the course is easier to process. Mile one is by far the easiest. The grade is mild, you're surrounded by other runners, and you feel fresh. Miles two and three are steep and lonely. This is the steepest part of the course. Settle into a rhythm and distract yourself with the scenery of what is always a magnificent morning in the mountains. Miles four and five offer easier grades and by this point you're fully warmed up and moving well. The altitude will create challenges on even the smallest of rises and step-ups on the trail. The final mile includes a short ramp to the lower mountain ridge, then a nice nearly-level catwalk for a couple hundred meters under the chairlift, followed by a hairpin right turn and some deceivingly steep climbing to the turnaround at the Towers. Whew! Seriously though, that last bit after the hairpin is a bear.

The race leaders will often make the turn on the Peak in under 50min. I believe the record is somewhere around 46min flat. In any case this is just over 8min /mi pace over the first half of the race, a terrifically fast ascent at altitude. The top 10-15 runners can generally top-out in less than 60min, a pretty stiff benchmark to meet that requires a pace near 10min /mi and less. The median ascent time - summiting square in the middle of the field - is generally about 68min, or just less than 12min /mi pace.

Vin screaming through the technical Aspen Peak overlook
section. Vin actually took a fall shortly after this shot, visited
the hospital later to have his knee drained, then made an
appearance at the after-party. God bless ya' Vin.

Now, some runners excel at the climb but many more rely on a quick descent for a strong finish. If all goes well, a runner can expect to descend 3-5min /mi faster than the climb, but it ain't all ice cream and lollipops. The fatigue of the first hour takes its toll, and your legs and feet will begin to tire after nine or ten miles if your summer training hasn't been that strong (and it's seldom that it is, isn't it?). If you're pinwheeling your arms or feel out of control on the way down, then you're descending too fast and risking a fall. Falling is not advised, it can mess you up, sometimes badly. We have paramedics at the finish to help those with injuries but it's best to look for the warning signs before they occur. It can be tempting to look up at other runners, friends, or hikers as you pass on your way down but be cautioned that this is also a fine way to sprawl over the gravel and rock. Miles ten and eleven can be particularly dangerous because they are the most steep and your legs will likely be spent at this point. Mile twelve will include dozens of hikers and dogs that weren't there at 9am. Take care through these sections. Resist averting your eyes from the trail to smile and say hello.

The race leaders will often descend in close to 30min, or roughly 5min /mi. The median is closer to 46min, or roughly 8min /mi. We don't have a record of the quickest descent but it was likely as unsafe as it was speedy.

Race Reports from Previous Years
Santa Fe Trail Runner - 2011
High Desert Dirt - 2011

Santa Fe Trail Runner - 2010
High Desert Dirt - 2010

Apres Run
Burritos, coffee, and gatorade are traditional at the finish. Pace yourself appropriately through this bit and the awards and raffle that follow. Recommendations for post-post-race refreshments include our friends at the The Santa Fe Baking Company on Cordova Rd. They've got delicious pastry, a full menu, and a Strider's membership card will now get you a 20% discount. Second St. Brewery across the way in the Railyard Plaza has a patio and cold beer. The Tesuque Village Market has the same, although in a more northerly direction.

Cheers and a helluva race to all that plan to run this Saturday!



View Aspen Vista Trail (Big Tesuque Trail), Santa Fe, NM in a larger map

What to Prepare for on Race Day

For the first time runner, and for those that haven't been up on Aspen Vista for a while (like 364 days) we've put together a brief primer of what to expect this Saturday and how to prepare for it.

Weather
It's going to be chilly up there (in the 30's), particularly before the sun crests the ridge and the climbing begins up the trail. Bring a light hat and gloves. A bulky ski hat is going to be a bit warm after the first 10 min. of climbing and will be tougher to stuff in a pocket as the day heats up. Gloves can serve a second function and help as protection during the descent (Caution: try not to fall). Some folks however will just tuck them in their waistband when it gets too warm.

Some runners find that the cold temps can really stiffen the legs which is an unwanted handicap when you're trying to crank along up a steep mountain. Base layer shorts are a good option here. Running tights aren't generally common but can be very helpful. Sweats and skipants are helpful options pre-race but not great during the race itself.

It can snow up there although none is in this week's forecast. Last year's first snow arrived the day after Big T. We ran through fog and mist in 2006 (it was awesome).

Aid Stations
There are two stations on the course. One at the large elbow bend at about 2.5mi, and the other at the summit. Both will have water and gatorade. Some runners will carry small water bottles with their own solution. It's advisable to all runners to pin an energy bar or gel (or candy or half a pb&j sandwich) to your waistband to consume sometime during the race. This is particularly so for runners that don't regularly run for 2hrs + or aren't especially acclimatized. The calories will help stave off bonking, which can get dangerous in the last couple miles of the descent. If you need help with this, make a trip to The Running Hub and they'll help you out.

There will of course be coffee and tea available pre-race to warmup (maybe hot chocolate?), as well as burritos and maybe some bagels to munch on when you've made it down. 

Restrooms
There are two Santa Fe National Forest stalls at the Aspen Vista trailhead. There is often a sizable wait as race time approaches. Plan accordingly. There is also one barren old mountain outhouse near the towers, just off the trail. It is known to several runners as 'New Mexico's highest outhouse!". I haven't been in there in at least two years and cannot attest to its current condition. Know that it's there in an emergency or for a sweet photo-op.

New Mexico's highest outhouse - just below the Tesuque Peak towers, 11,950ft

Arrival
Aspen Vista can accommodate a lot of parking but the lot does fill with 150+ runners, volunteers, and spectators (and hikers/aspen-watchers). Those planning to arrive past 8:30am will likely need to park along the road. If you plan to register on race day give yourself a bit of time and try to arrive by 8:15am (or drop into the Running Hub to register in person by Friday). Drive time from town to Aspen Vista is approx. 40min.