Day 1
Day started out cool and stayed that way throughout. The trails were beautiful. I went out slow and ran most of the way with Rob Apple and Diane Taylor. Rob was schedule to run this weekend in Wyoming, but I think Susan had work commitments. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see Rob there. The pace was intentionally slow, I didn't want to go too fast on the first day, especially with such cool weather. Some of the trails are so new, we were some of the first humans to run on them. As usual, there was the post race pasta, which hit the spot. A cool wash off in the creek, and a massage. Looking forward to day 2, may have to slide a little in the mud though. If you weren't there today, you missed a real treat on the wonderful trails. On the last loop, near the bluff, I actually got to put in a 8:30 mile. It was very runnable and was simply breathtaking. Come out tomorrow, it is a good course too. Don't worry about being last, I'll be somewhere in the back.
Day 2
The day started out with a threat of rain. I helped Kris unload her car and she kept fussing at me to stay off my feet. We started a little farther up the hill than last year, I set out with my usual pace along with Rob Apple, Diane Taylor, Randy's Dad, Mike Montgomery and Lisa Fisher. The morning was cool but not as cool as day one. Rob peeled back a little, Mike and Lisa decided to go a tad faster than the pace we were running. Diane, Randal and myself was rocking along. Diane was setting the pace and I noticed it was a little faster than she usually runs. She stops to hydrate and eat and said she would run about the same pace as Rob. Randal and me went on. About 4 miles into the run, I was keeping my heart rate at my usual 76% of max when we hit a few rolling hills. Something just clicked. Soon I caught Mike and Lisa. As we crossed the large field going down the embankment to the aid station at the beginning/end of small intestines, I knew that hydration was going to be a factor as the temperatures was climbing although still cooler than normal for this time of year. (First day of Summer) As I ran the small intestines, I got into it and began having way too much fun (I will pay for it tomorrow). As I came out of the small intestines, I stopped and drank 3 cups of ice water, ate some potatoes (no salt was available) and mixed my last two bottles of my homemade drink for the long climb out and the longest haul without aid. Life was going good until I stumbled twice within about a mile. I passed several folks on this last leg of the course. Then about 2 miles from the barn door, I stumbled and fell and did a three point landing on left hand, right shoulder and other parts to be named later. Fortunately, no serious injury or cuts. (Just PO'ed). Notice the dirt on my right arm/shoulder. Finished at about 3:30. Legs feel ok now but will have to wait until tomorrow. My sister and Brother-in-law met my wife and me for picnic lunch. Topped off with gentle meesage from Kristen. Had a large time.
Day 3
The night before day 3 saw thunderstorms in the area which added a few obstacles to an already tough course. Day 3 is by far the toughest of the stages. The thunderstorms also added a little humidity to the mix with rising temperatures which would reach the upper 80's. Started out with the usual slow / low heart rate to see how everything is working. I find, I always have a tendancy to go out too fast and die at the end. The first 4 miles saw a sawtooth topo (very steep climbs) and I knew if I was going to run well today, I would have to keep the old ticker well within my aerobic range. I also realized that extra hydration would be a key factor in maintaining a steady pace. I carried enough of my homebrew (Snake venom) in concentrate form to make up to 6 bottles. I would need every drop and wish I had one more for good measure. At about 4 miles I started to push a little and kept the HR up to mid 80% range. Today was the last day, so I could let it all hang out for as long as I could. By the end of the run the HR would be 90 to 92 % I hit the unmanned aid station and dropped off one of my venom bottles to lighten the load around the bluff. Within what seemed like 2 to 3 miles I was on another aid station at Edwards Point. Folks, if you haven't been there, you have gotz to go see that. I vote that it is the "most scenic aid station". after some water, salted potatoes and a few minutes of gazing over the valley, I headed off around the edge of the bluff. A side spur took us up to another aid station, near a golf course. Good thing I didn't see a golf cart, it would have been tempting as the temperatures was beginning to rise. More salted potatoes, water and on my way. This part of the course had some of the most technical parts but also some of the most runnable stretches. The jeep road seemed like it went on forever. I was beginning to think I was lost except for the pink ribbons that was placed on the course last night. The time/distance gremlin was working on my mind at this point of the run. You know, you think you have covered more time/distance and check your watch and see only a few minutes have elapsed. The only thing to do in that situation is to think about something else. Don't get into a mental low, because a physical low will follow. I ran out of my fluid on this stretch of jeep road and ran about 2 miles dry. It was a relief to see the unmanned aid station with a fresh bottle of concentrated snake venom that would give me 2 bottles to take it to the barn on. The trip back seemed longer than the way out but the gremlins were at work again. I walked the hills and ran the flats and downhills. I was glad to see the blown down trees that had lined the first part of the trail so I knew the end was soon. By this time, the heat and slight dehydration was slowing me down. On my way up the parking lot to the finish, I caught a calf cramp for a split second, but it was over. Randy and Kris promised that this would be the most challenging and most rewarding of the stages. They delivered big time. The pasta was great, the meesage was relaxing and the fellowship was great. Thanks to Kris, Randy, Rock Creek and Boonies and all the volunteers for a fine weekend.
My final time was 13:22:15
Day started out cool and stayed that way throughout. The trails were beautiful. I went out slow and ran most of the way with Rob Apple and Diane Taylor. Rob was schedule to run this weekend in Wyoming, but I think Susan had work commitments. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see Rob there. The pace was intentionally slow, I didn't want to go too fast on the first day, especially with such cool weather. Some of the trails are so new, we were some of the first humans to run on them. As usual, there was the post race pasta, which hit the spot. A cool wash off in the creek, and a massage. Looking forward to day 2, may have to slide a little in the mud though. If you weren't there today, you missed a real treat on the wonderful trails. On the last loop, near the bluff, I actually got to put in a 8:30 mile. It was very runnable and was simply breathtaking. Come out tomorrow, it is a good course too. Don't worry about being last, I'll be somewhere in the back.
Day 2
The day started out with a threat of rain. I helped Kris unload her car and she kept fussing at me to stay off my feet. We started a little farther up the hill than last year, I set out with my usual pace along with Rob Apple, Diane Taylor, Randy's Dad, Mike Montgomery and Lisa Fisher. The morning was cool but not as cool as day one. Rob peeled back a little, Mike and Lisa decided to go a tad faster than the pace we were running. Diane, Randal and myself was rocking along. Diane was setting the pace and I noticed it was a little faster than she usually runs. She stops to hydrate and eat and said she would run about the same pace as Rob. Randal and me went on. About 4 miles into the run, I was keeping my heart rate at my usual 76% of max when we hit a few rolling hills. Something just clicked. Soon I caught Mike and Lisa. As we crossed the large field going down the embankment to the aid station at the beginning/end of small intestines, I knew that hydration was going to be a factor as the temperatures was climbing although still cooler than normal for this time of year. (First day of Summer) As I ran the small intestines, I got into it and began having way too much fun (I will pay for it tomorrow). As I came out of the small intestines, I stopped and drank 3 cups of ice water, ate some potatoes (no salt was available) and mixed my last two bottles of my homemade drink for the long climb out and the longest haul without aid. Life was going good until I stumbled twice within about a mile. I passed several folks on this last leg of the course. Then about 2 miles from the barn door, I stumbled and fell and did a three point landing on left hand, right shoulder and other parts to be named later. Fortunately, no serious injury or cuts. (Just PO'ed). Notice the dirt on my right arm/shoulder. Finished at about 3:30. Legs feel ok now but will have to wait until tomorrow. My sister and Brother-in-law met my wife and me for picnic lunch. Topped off with gentle meesage from Kristen. Had a large time.
Day 3
The night before day 3 saw thunderstorms in the area which added a few obstacles to an already tough course. Day 3 is by far the toughest of the stages. The thunderstorms also added a little humidity to the mix with rising temperatures which would reach the upper 80's. Started out with the usual slow / low heart rate to see how everything is working. I find, I always have a tendancy to go out too fast and die at the end. The first 4 miles saw a sawtooth topo (very steep climbs) and I knew if I was going to run well today, I would have to keep the old ticker well within my aerobic range. I also realized that extra hydration would be a key factor in maintaining a steady pace. I carried enough of my homebrew (Snake venom) in concentrate form to make up to 6 bottles. I would need every drop and wish I had one more for good measure. At about 4 miles I started to push a little and kept the HR up to mid 80% range. Today was the last day, so I could let it all hang out for as long as I could. By the end of the run the HR would be 90 to 92 % I hit the unmanned aid station and dropped off one of my venom bottles to lighten the load around the bluff. Within what seemed like 2 to 3 miles I was on another aid station at Edwards Point. Folks, if you haven't been there, you have gotz to go see that. I vote that it is the "most scenic aid station". after some water, salted potatoes and a few minutes of gazing over the valley, I headed off around the edge of the bluff. A side spur took us up to another aid station, near a golf course. Good thing I didn't see a golf cart, it would have been tempting as the temperatures was beginning to rise. More salted potatoes, water and on my way. This part of the course had some of the most technical parts but also some of the most runnable stretches. The jeep road seemed like it went on forever. I was beginning to think I was lost except for the pink ribbons that was placed on the course last night. The time/distance gremlin was working on my mind at this point of the run. You know, you think you have covered more time/distance and check your watch and see only a few minutes have elapsed. The only thing to do in that situation is to think about something else. Don't get into a mental low, because a physical low will follow. I ran out of my fluid on this stretch of jeep road and ran about 2 miles dry. It was a relief to see the unmanned aid station with a fresh bottle of concentrated snake venom that would give me 2 bottles to take it to the barn on. The trip back seemed longer than the way out but the gremlins were at work again. I walked the hills and ran the flats and downhills. I was glad to see the blown down trees that had lined the first part of the trail so I knew the end was soon. By this time, the heat and slight dehydration was slowing me down. On my way up the parking lot to the finish, I caught a calf cramp for a split second, but it was over. Randy and Kris promised that this would be the most challenging and most rewarding of the stages. They delivered big time. The pasta was great, the meesage was relaxing and the fellowship was great. Thanks to Kris, Randy, Rock Creek and Boonies and all the volunteers for a fine weekend.
My final time was 13:22:15
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