Action-packed weekend.
Started with a 20-miler Saturday morning. Met the Hawks at 7:30 am at the Clinton North Shore Trails, only to realize — I’d left my hydration pack at home! So I let the gang go ahead, while I retrieved the pack and did my miles solo.
Not a bad way to do a long run, however. Made 10 miles in just under 2 hours. Slowed considerably on the way back, finishing up in 4:16. Temps were mild. By 15 miles, I’d stripped down to short sleeves. Sun even came out for a little while.
Stopped for a couple bales of straw on the way home. Put it sown in the back yard to keep the dogs from tracking mud in the house. Only partly successful, because the warm temps make the dirt smell wonderful to Lambchop and makes her want to dig in it.
I understand a lot of gardeners around here are wrestling with the same issue about now.
We reported to Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang’s 28th birthday party that night 6-ish — my mission to make gin and tonics in celebration of Nick surviving this long. Went through a fifth of Brokers before the Big K and I retired, about 9-ish. Oldsters.
One of the big draws for the party was a public appearance by the lovely Liz “Spider Hawk” Smith and her brand-new son Felix “Little Hawk” Smith. Of course all the babes were gaga over the handsome little man. Poor guy was handed around to all for holding and picture taken.
Even some of the guys, including yours truly got to hold him. I was petrified, because Felix is so little, but must admit I enjoyed holding him, even though it worried me.
Also making a guest appearance — the son of Justin “GNT Hawk” and Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning. Little Nate, “Neo” Nate, I call him, is not yet two, but with big blue eyes and curly blonde hair is another good looking guy, like his handsome parents.
One of the highlights of my evening was a conversation with ultrarunner Lee Crane. Lee said very nice things about this here blog, which I won’t go into… I’ll just say I’ll be living on those comments for the next month, silver-tongued devil!
Lee is heading west for his first hundred-miler, in June — Western States. Once he buckles there, he’ll have to change the name of his great blog — “Rookie Ultrarunner.”
I doubt you can credibly claim rookie status with a Western States belt buckle in your closet, Lee.
Anyway the party was huge fun. I’ll let these pics tell the story.

My spouse "The Big K," gets a turn holding Felix "Little Hawk" Smith.

The lovely Liz “Spider Hawk” Smith, Mom of Felix.

The birthday boy’s two best gals, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, who made the party, and Roxie.

Kristi "Black Mamba Hawk" Mayo enters, joining her hub, noted ultrarunner, Rick.

A good attorney (James “Skull Hawk” Barker) can really make you feel secure.

Deb “Kettle Hawk” and Stuart “Ozark Trail Hawk” Johnson. Despite many ultrarunning accomplishments, still the nicest, most down-to earth folks you’ll ever meet.

“Cheers, Mommy!” Neo-Nate toasts Mom Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning.

Neo-Nate’s Dad Justin “GNT Hawk” Henning and Karen “Hawk Who Walks” Henry. GNT Hawk gave my GNTs a good review.
Birthday boy Nick and guests.

Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schneidewind, top ultrarunner, and son Jarret.

Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler and buddy from the college days, Tanya.

Acclaimed clarinetist and very fast trail hawk Stephanie Zelnick with Nick, trying to fight off the effects of yet another marguerita. Will he live to see 29?
Great party!
Surprisngly, Nick made it to our Hawk 50 meeting, to further plan for our May 22 Hawk 50-Mile & Marathon Trail Runs, though he declined the selection of beers I had in favor of soda pop.
Maybe he will live to see 29!
Also there — James “Skull Hawk” Barker, Christy “Hawk Mama” Craig, Coleen “Lil Big Hawk” Voeks, Karen “Hawk Who Walks” Henry, Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning, and Karen “Sassy Hawk” Collier. All doing some very nice work to make the Hawk 50 a really fun event.
The Hawks also got a good jumping-on by Lambchop in the backyard. Lambie was very excited to see everyone, and had trouble with the concept of “four on the floor.”
I tried to wear her out with a 4-mile jaunt on the trails this morning, with Keith “Lion Hawk” Dowell, and Spank the boxer, but with limited success. It was a lovely run at a relaxed pace. Temps in the 50s by the time we finished, and sunny. Muddy, in a few spots in the Muddy Mile, but on the way to drying out.
More later!
gary




























