Knee Knacker 2009 Comments
Hello fellow Knee Knackerers. Since this is the time of year that people often reach out with comments, suggestions and stories about the Knee Knacker, we thought it would be great to create a forum where anyone can share… so here it is! I look forward to your comments… ENJOY!
Kelsy Trigg
KKNSTR 2009/2010 Race Director
11 Responses
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Wow…I can’t even begin to thank all the wonderful volunteers for making my first KK such a wonderful experience. I met the most amazing people, especially our “run-a-muck” group and we continue to meet and run the course, yes, we are addicted. The race was an amazing experience, mentally, physically and spiritually, my biggest problem was I put in my Husband’s contacts on race day so I had a bit of trouble seeing, I guess I was just a bit anxious. Looking forward with anticipation to next year…..Thank-you everyone in the KK community.
Hi, this is just to send a huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who help to make the KK such a great event. Our little group of first-timers, the Run-A-Mucks, had a fabulous time and, just as Kelsey warned us, we are hooked and already planning for next year. Everything was great, the aid station supplies and wonderful people manning them ,the well marked course, the dinner and awards, and of course, Enzo’s big hugs at the finish!
The only thing that I would love to see for next year is the course elevation profile on the back of the T-shirt. That is so when people who are unfamiliar with the race ask me if it was hard, I can just turn around to show them!
Thanx again!
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers that made us runners feel so very special. You were out there with bright smiles and faces full of enthusiasm. It was so much appreciated!
I also want to thank Kelsy for 5 fabulous years of dedicated work as RD (great job!!), as well as, all of the other committee members for their endless hours of commitment. A BIG thank you to Enzo. It was great to see you at the finish!
It was truly a fantastic day all around!
I just arrived home (3 AM Monday morning) to Mushaboom, Nova Scotia after running, walking, hobbling my first kneeknacker. It was absolutely awesome! I have never seen a race with staff and volunteers so well organized, so friendly, so helpful. A special thanks to Greg (I hope I have the name right), who so motivated the few of us who were flirting with 10 hours. You really did make the difference. And thanks to the runner, Seda, who ran the last couple miles with me and convinced me that we could beat the cutoff time. She was right.
I will be back.
Well, it is the morning after my first kneeknacker …and I can’t wait til next July!! I’m not young and NOT an elite athlete…and was convinced you needed to be at least one of these to finish. In fact I was prepared to flirt with the sweep to get to stay on course to finish (as I’m not young..didn’t think the chances of success by this method were great).
I assume the reason this race exists is for the route…the beauty,the badness, the celebration of how lucky we are to be where we are. The race to me, was sooo much more! I live and hike and run in this beauty and know how spectacularly lucky we are.
It’s the people…..people crazy enough to attempt this… the veterans with nothing to prove, the people like me who are attempting to achieve major milestones, and the really crazy casual …”was going to be in Vancouver so thought I’d try it” dudes. I was so lucky to glom on to my buddies whose crazy humour and stories had the miles flying by. And they are just as warm and funny off trail….thank you guys.
On race day, I could truely appreciate Kelsey’s comment about amazing volunteers. Each and every person…braving long arduous treks to their station, swarms of mosquitoes, heat, and (especially at the back of the pack) lots of waiting between runners, was fantastic!! Cheerful, encouraging, enthusiastic…and so very supportive. YOU GUYS are what made the Kneeknacker such an amazing experience. THANK YOU.
Betty Tod
With 14 hours to go, I’m really getting excited. After this post, I will write my obit and sketch out my will then make my way over to NSA to get my race packet.
I was over at Kits Pool just now looking out at the majesty of the north shore mountains. Strikingly beautiful. Green mountains that rise up from the Pacific. Cloudless Azure skies. Gawd, we are blessed in BC… but am I really going to run all that tomorrow? Yikes!
I noticed on the spiffy new KKNSTR website that there are a lot of KneeKnacker virgins (www.kneeknacker.com/resultsstats/entrants-by-previous-finishes ) A good friend of mine is one of them. What possesses you, people?
My buddy assumes that, just because I’ve run almost 100 ultras and finished the KneeKnacker 16 times, I should be a good source of advice, so he’s been pestering me on and off for hints and tips. Dude, I’ve been injured for almost four (4) years… do you really want to do like I do? I’m the walking wounded. A living, breathing bag of hurt!
Over the past week, I wrote a couple of blog posts for my buddy, but in a way I hope will benefit you, too. I share them below.
If you’re a first-timer, here are a bunch of hints and tips for you that will hopefully quell the butterflies:
http://www.clubfatass.com/blog/ean-jackson/jacksons-11-hints-and-tips-first-ultra
Even if this isn’t your first ultra, here are some thoughts about what you might want to pack:
http://www.clubfatass.com/blog/ean-jackson/packing-50k-run
I know I am not the brightest light in the Christmas tree. Many wise people (my doctor, my physio, my wife, my Mom, my kids, my running buddies, well-wishing co-workers, etc.) have told me it is unwise for me to run with a persistent injury. “Give it rest,” they say. So I haven’t been running. Why risk getting reinjured in training? Hell, then I might not be able to start the KneeKnacker!
To understand this twisted logic, please refer to:
http://www.kneeknacker.com/resultsstats/2009-entrants-by-of-previous-finishes/
Four (4) of my pals have completed the KneeKnacker more times than I have. I can’t possibly let them get another year ahead of me! If I die tomorrow, I will die with honor knowing that I gave it my bestest. Only they will understand.
Seriously now… Of all the fine runs I’ve participated in, and there have been many, my favorite is the Knee Knacker.
I’ve tried to reverse-engineer the secret sauce of the KneeKnacker. Here is what my research has revealed:
- strikingly beautiful terrain
- very challenging course
- lots of well-organized familiarization runs leading up to the big event
- good to great weather
- plenty of aid stations stocked with great chow
- legions of helpful, enthusiastic volunteers
- nice souvenir t-shirt
- awesome finisher party with good food, nice draw prizes and a fine selection of Hawaiian shirts
- flawless execution by an amazingly dedicated team of volunteer directors
Goodness, I could go on… but I still have to write my will.
My sincerest “Thank you” in advance to Kelsey and the KneeKnacker team!
As all KneeKnacker participants put their head down for the last good sleep before the eve of the event, I would like to wish everyone a great day and an enjoyable experience across the Baden Powell trail of the north shore. It is here! The day we have all looked forward to, have waited for in anticipation, but as always with the “butterflies” that come from knowing what it is you are about to accomplish. Savour the moments, take in the views, thank the tireless volunteers that keep you fed and hydrated, and wish you well as you continue along the route. The journey is what is important so enjoy every minute you have on the trails.
It will be my 12th trip over those mountains and I have observed the makings of the KneeKnacker from its early beginnings into the absolute best ultra trail run to be offered in Canada. It is a real testament to the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm of the race committee and volunteers who have created such a world class event. I thank Kelsy Trigg and her committee members and all the volunteers who will be there on and before race day.
Peter Findlay
During the first 3/4 training run in the area between Grouse and Mountain Highway I got my leg caught on a root flew off the trail, smoked my head on a tree and briefly knocked myself out before I even hit the ground. I had scrapes on both knees, both shoulders , but my heads were perfectly clean because…. well… I was out before I hit the ground.
I quickly came to (only out for a few seconds) and Jason was standing over me looking at me in bewilderment. He asked me if I was OK. Although I was a little foggy I knew I was on the Baden Powell so I figured I must be on a training run because… well… I’ve never go hiking, so I must be running. Got up, brushed the mud off the side of my face and started running. Luckily Jason stuck with me and kept an eye on me, covertly watching for concussion symptoms I imagine.
My mind quickly cleared, but the bumps and bruises started to be obvious. “Whatever… this is an important training run… just keep moving”. We pushed through to Lynn Headwaters without any further mishaps. All along the way I said to myself, of all the character building runs I’ve had, this is the weirdest.
Monday morning, after the dust had settled, I took stock of my injuries: Scrape on left leg, can’t bend right knee, very painful left elbow, bruised ribs, bump on head, scrapes on left arm, scrapes on right shoulder, painful and swollen right ankle. Most of all, badly bruised ego. At least I can laugh at myself.
I have only one wish for the race: to have a completely uneventful day! And I wish the same for everyone else.
Keep the rubber side down.
I first heard of the Knee Knacker in its infancy, 17-18 years ago. I had run numerous road races, some marathons and a few flat 50 milers in Victoria but the concept of running 50 kilometres over mountains sounded foreign, wild and exciting. Life’s circumstances changed (moved to Smithers, took up skiing, different climate) and I had taken a hiatus from running until about 2 years ago. Last July, I decided on running the Knee Knacker as a goal to motivate my running and fitness.
This Saturday will be a long-delayed realization of an experience that I know is truly special. It will be a test but as Keith says, I will know myself better at the end.
Thank you to the race directors and many other volunteers that kept the Knee Knacker going and developed it into the wonderful event it is.
Best wishes to everyone running on Saturday and thank you to Kelsy, her committee and the volunteers!
Five years ago I was new to trail running. Five years ago I ran my first Kneeknacker and five years ago we started a new tradition.
I run, my dad drives. I run, my dad meets me at the quarter, the half, 3/4′s and the finish. I run, he brings me a spare water bottle whenever we meet.
This year and last my wife volunteered at an aid station. And our families head to the banquet every year to finish off the day.
As Keith wrote, this race is special. Thanks to the people that organize it.
Since I started running the Kneeknacker my dad has taken up running and is working on his first marathon. I can’t wait for the year he gets out of the car and joins me on the trail. Mom will have to bring the water bottles.
I want to start off by thanking Kelsy and her committee members for staging what I feel is the most exciting and enjoyable running event in this country.
This is my 16th year running it and it continues to be the absolute highlight of the year for me. I cannot tell you how excited I get in anticipation of this race. I try to explain to friends and fellow runners what this race means to me. Somehow I can never adequately describe the effect. I usually end up by saying that “you will only understand the exhileration by running it yourself.”
To me, the Kneeknacker is the ultimate experience in running. It provides an extreme challenge physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually all in one day. It really is a metaphor for life itself. It is the one day of the year where I truly find myself and get to know myself better as a person. To have this experience and sharing it with my fellow runners as we all strive to do our best between Horseshoe Bay and Deep Cove, is a blessing that I am deeply grateful for.
Keith Wakelin