Back of the pack

Three workouts to report — Will start with last night, since that was the most fun.

Met the Hawks at Clinton Lake — Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning, Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson, Sarah “Fearless Hawk” Smarsh and Amanda “Glow Hawk” Erdlund — for the Wednesday night short to middy run. New runners Micah Rose and Julie Gasper joined us for the run as well.

We went out together into the woods, heat and humidity on the white trail. Bank sign, as I was driving in had read “100 degrees.” Felt good to me! Trails were mostly dry, even in the Muddy Mile.

Our job was to Hawk-name Amanda and Sarah S., as they had just joined, so lots of probing, pointed, even awkward questions were posed as we ran. Amanda’s name — Glow Hawk — soon made itself known in response to questions, but Sarah’s was more elusive.

Special measures finally brought the name — Fearless Hawk — to light, though I’m not at liberty to say what those measures were.

At the first Lake Henry cutoff at 2.5 miles, Sarah H., Julie and Colinda headed back on blue for 4.5, while the rest of us went to the 4-plus cut-off for a 6-er and change. We kept a pretty good pace, as large insects nipped at us when we slowed down.

Tuesday’s work out — 30 minutes on the elliptical at work during lunch, followed by a 1.5 mile run on the hills and grass outside. Just too nice to stay indoors. Had to get me some of that heat and blue sky! I remember my total elliptical mileage was 3.55 for the half-hour. Level 16, rolling hills program, as usual, preceded by 50 push-ups.

Did the same thing again today, but only got 3.38 miles on the elliptical for the half. The run outside felt great, but was also slow — almost exactly 15 minutes for the 1.5 mile lap.

The really exciting thing I have to report for today is the great logo Justin “GNT Hawk” Henning made for our upcoming Shoreline Shuffle 5K trail race. Here it is:

I am looking at getting it put on coffee mugs for race swag. Hope to have online entry, details on the website and flyers at least started next week. But with a logo like this one, it’s sure to be a great race.

More later!

gary

Lunar Trek turned into a nooner-trek.

I finished the 100k (62 miles) in 14 hours and 47 minutes — just 13 minutes shy of the lunch hour.

Lunar Trek is a sweet little race in north-central Kansas, just south of the Nebraska state line. It’s a benefit for the Pike Valley High School Cross Country Team. A lot of the team athletes and parents work the aid stations.

This was the third annual.

There’s a range of race distances to choose from 10k to 100k. I chose the 100k, natch. It’s a night race, as the name suggests. Scheduled as close to the full moon in July each year as the race director, John Neal, can get and still have it start Friday night.

The 100k is three laps of a roughly 20-mile loop on dirt roads through hilly (for Kansas) farm- and ranch country, with aid stations about every five miles.

All the other races begin at 11 p.m., but the 100k has a 9 p.m. start.

Eight other runners of varying abilities, plus your truly, toed the start. Among them were Trail Hawks Norman “Whippersnapper Hawk” Decelles, who I carpooled with up from Lawrence, and Terry Rider, from Wichita.

I ran with Terry for about 10 miles early in the race. I’m kind of kicking myself now, because I didn’t think to give him his Hawk name and that would’ve been the perfect opportunity.

Also started out with two other Wichita-ans, Scott Groom and Chris (forgot his last name, dern it), but they went ahead after the first seven miles. They wound up finishing with Norman in about 12 hours.

Kansas Ultrarunner Society and St. Louis Ultrarunners Group member Paul Schoenlaub, of St. Joseph, Mo., ( a KUS and a SLUG!) won the race, though I’m not sure of the time. I’m sure it was fast, and probably a record. Paul and spouse Cindy wanted to leave early as possible to get to Arkansas for a 50k as soon as he finished Lunar Trek!

Other friends of mine who were there, but who ran the 40-mile, were Tony “Marine Hawk” Clark, Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schneidewind, Phil Sheridan and Rick “Whip Hawk” Mayo.

Darin is the 2010 Kettle Morraine 100-mile champ. I’m sure he would’ve given Paul a run for his money in the 100k here — Paul, no slouch, finished 5th at Kettle — but Darin is getting ready for Leadville. He paced there last year, and I think that’s where he caught the Pb bug.

Rick’s also going back to Leadville, to take care of unfinished biz, after a stomach-problem DNF last year. I have no doubt he’ll do it — Rick finished Western States in 2009, sub-24.

Here’s some more about these guys — Paul is the RD for the Ozark Trail 100-Mile Trail Run, in November, which had its first outing in 2009. And Tony is prepping for a 224-mile run across Kansas to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

And Phil is the RD for the Kansas Ultrarunners Society’s Rockin’ K 50-Mile & Marathon Trail Runs.

Running — and winning — the women’s 50k — Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler. It was her second win following victory in the Hawk 50-Mile Trail in May

Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler and brother Peter register for the Lunar Trek 50K.

So you can see, Lunar Trek attracts very high-tone ultrarunners, if not in huge numbers.

Weather for the start and throughout was coolish, for July, but quite humid. Felt good to me. We had light for the 9 p.m. start. Even after darkness showed up, the moon lit the course brightly enough that I could take off my headlamp.

I kept it wound around my wrist, though for when I needed a little light to check out the course markings — or shine it in to the corn and weeds along the roadside when I heard rustlings and skitterings.

I heard there were about 60 people in all the other race distances, but because of the early start, and the course layout, I only saw a few of the 40-milers.

After the first 20 miles, I ran alone in the dark. The night was beautiful. Moonlight bounced all over the clouds. The light turned them into creatures that seemed ever ready to eat the moon. Despite the clouds, there were often large pools of clear dark star-studded sky.

Now to an ultrarunner, all volunteers look fabulous, but the young gals at aid station #2, which we hit at about 10 and 30 miles, were something special even for volunteers. At first I thought they were cheerleaders, then I learned they were actually fellow runners, mostly — the Pike Valley Girls’ Cross Country Team!

They took good care of yours truly. On my second visit, they asked me where I’d been so long, and how I was doing. They probably would’ve accepted “I”m doing great,” but for some reason I answered by reciting “El Dorado” by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s a terrific ultrarunning poem. If you run with me you’ll probably get to hear it at some point, you lucky devil!

Anyway, the gals seemed to like the poetry, and sent me on my way with some applause — or maybe they were just applauding the fact I was leaving! Either way, it was a wonderful aid station, as were they all.

At 30 miles, I donned ear buds and I-Pod — first time ever in a race. Normally, I like to be in auditory touch with my environment, but the night was quiet. So last half was my “old man” collection of music — Beatles, Grateful Dead, Louis Armstrong, Edith Piaf, Bob Dylan and some others. Though it surprised me to learn that even the young gals at aid station #2 listen to the Beatles. Still “gear” after all these years.

The 40-mile mark, which I hit about 6 a.m. doubled as the start/finish, so I’d be lying if I said dropping didn’t cross my mind. I’d made a mistake at the last aid station, and didn’t resupply my Hammer gels. I didn’t like the thought of heading back out under-supplied.

Strangely, though, one of my drop bags was mistakenly and prematurely brought back to the start/finish. So when I checked in, a supply of Hammer gels waited for me. I guess two wrongs DID make a right. Out I trotted for the last 22, guzzling this new honey-based energy drink called revhoney.

The young guy who makes it, Nate Brown, was at registration with his dad, Jerry, promoting the drink, and also a honey-based gel/paste. I tried both and liked them. I definitely felt an energy boost at race start, after drinking a revhoney an hour prior.

As I headed out for the last lap, I saw the big 4 — Tony, Rick, Phil and Darin — galloping in like the four horsemen. They had a young gal with them. I asked who it was as we blazed past each other — well, as they blazed past me — but all I got was “It’s her first ultra!” Well, that and “You better step up the pace, Henry!”

That was my main fear — that I’d eventually get lapped by 40-milers who I had a two-hour head start on, but thank goodness I was still a mile ahead of the leaders at the end. I hope that young lady appreciated the august nature of her escort!

Dawn broke in sheets and rays of beaten gold — truly lovely.

Cruised on through the morning, snapping pics here and there. The aid stations were all down by that time, since the race was running out of runners, but Co-RD Richard Cox circulated the course in an SUV as a roving aid station.

I actually got a lot more aid station support that way. In the last hours of the race, I think Richard just went back and forth between me and Terry.

It felt great to run all night and into the morning… and almost into the afternoon! But I was under-trained for this race, having had a lot of distractions all Spring, and was truly happy to see the finish line.

Most everyone was gone by the time I motored in, except for RD John Neal, Richard, volunteer and fellow KUS member Steve Breeding, and of course Norman, who I drove up with. Norman tied for third, I think, in a slow, for him, 12-hour finish.

At Kettle, in his first hundred, Norman finished 6th, right behind Paul Schoenlaub.

Got a shower. Got scrambled eggs and hash browns cooked up outside on a hot plate by John, and saw Terry finish. Said goodbye and Norman and I headed for home.

More later!

gary

Did a relaxed-pace four on the River Trails with Nicole “Tiger Hawk” Green and Amanda Ernlund this evening. Greg Burger showed up for the Trail Nerds’ Wednesday night run with Raven “Raven Hawk” Rajani. Also joining them was Norman “Whippersnapper Hawk” Decelles, and Dorian, who has been running with the Gal Gallop on Thursdays.

Dorian told me her last name, but I forgot it. Doh!

My camera batteries were dead, but Tiger Hawk was nice enough to loan me her camera to snap a pic of her, Amanda, Greg and Raven. After she put the camera back, Dorian drove up, and Norman ran in shortly after.

Will add the pic when Nicole sends it to me

Greg set a nice pace and we all went out together. Greg, Norman and Raven planned to do the full loop. Amanda, Nicole and I slowed down and took the two-mile cut-off. Amanda led.

It was hot and sweaty — just how I like it! The two gals did great. We got back in time to meet up with Steve “Silver Hawk” Lang, and blabbed for awhile before heading home. Just as I was pulling out, Dorian showed up. She split early from the Greg group, but had a good run nevertheless.

It was my last run before the Lunar Trek 100k, Friday night. Norman and I are heading out 4 p.m.

No workout yesterday, but Monday did three on the grassy hills at work, in 27:30. Felt good. Also 50 push ups.

More later!

gary

Mark “Double Eagle Hawk” Boucher turns to face the camera before crossing waist-deep Mud Creek.

Met Mark “Double Eagle Hawk” Boucher, Lee’s Summit and Hawk Marathon finisher for an easy Lands End loop on the Clinton North Shore trails yesterday at 6 a.m.

Mostly cloudy, temps in the low eighties I think, but very humid. Mark said his son Chris, also a Hawk Marathon finisher, would’ve come out too, but he stayed home since his spouse is expecting their third child any day now.

Trails in good shape, and we went at a relaxed pace, since I’m tapering for the 100K at Lunar Trek, and Mark hasn’t been getting much sleep. New golden retriever puppy, Bailey, has had some trouble sleeping through the nights, evidently.

Anyway, a pleasant trek, except for the horseflies which descended on us between Lake Henry and Lands End. Followed and buzzed us in packs. As long as we kept our pace brisk, we stayed in front of them, but heaven help us when we stopped to tie shoelaces.

They got so bad in back of Mark a couple times that I used my ball cap to wave them away. Didn’t help much, since they came right back. I don’t recall getting bitten, though. The high humidity had me soaked in no time. I felt like what humans would have been if we’d evolved from amphibians instead of primates — if we’d had evolution here in Kansas, that is.

If we had evolved from amphibians, those horse flies would probably have been tasty treats, instead of buzzy pests.

I always thought the Lands End loop — out on white, back on blue — was a shade under 10 miles, but when we finished, Mark’s Garmin had us at 10.5 miles, which was fine with me. We finished it in about 2 hours and 15 minutes, I think.

Right after we got out of the woods, Mark Inbody came off the trails. He’s getting ready for the Heartland 100 in October.

After toweling off, drinking some Cokes with the two Marks, and changing into dry clothes, I drove over to the River Trails to meet Art King and Lisa Hallberg of the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club to do some trail maintenance, about 9 a.m. Also there, fellow Trail Hawk Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, and two other mountain bikers, Chad and Jeff.

Front (L to R): Lisa Hallberg, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Art King. Back (L to R): Jeff, Chad

Laurie and I got assigned lopping duty on the first half of the course, while the rest of the crew went to the far end to put in a bypass where erosion was claiming the lower trail.

We set out walking on the lower trail, trimming back branches sticking into the trail space, that might slap runners or riders. There wasn’t much in the way of tree branches that was a problem. Poison ivy was the main encroacher into trail space. We cut it back as much as we could, without wading in and getting killed by it.

Nevertheless, I managed to get some incidental contact which I found gave me some itchy red souvenirs when I woke up this morning. Not any worse than I get every summer. Even factoring in bug bites, it’s still a small price to pay for lovely hot summer weather.

I’ll take it all over 6 degrees and minus 2 wind chill any time!

Speaking of insects, the mosquitoes where on the warpath while we lopped. Laurie gallantly volunteered to run a half mile back to her car to get the bug spray. It was hot by this time, edging up into the 90s, I think, and the poor kid wore jeans and hiking boots, but she accomplished her mission, and saved our lives.

Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler takes down a pesky branch that could’ve impaled some unsuspecting biker or runner.

We hopped over to the upper trail and headed back at the 1.5-mile clearing about 11 a.m., after Art called and said his crew was done. With about a half mile to go on our way back, Laurie and I were pleasantly surprised to see Art and Lisa. They’d come out to meet us, lopping their way. So we were done about noon and just walked the rest of the way in.

In other news, continuing to read “Born to Run.” Great book!

More later,

gary

Wednesday nighter — Front: Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Middle: (L to R) Kristie “Designer Hawk” Campbell, Amanda Ernlund, Back: Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis.

Got the distinct pleasure last night of introducing three new runners to the North Shore Trails at Clinton. Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis and Kristie “Designer Hawk” Campbell, have run with us on the river trails for several months now, but this was their first trip to Clinton.

New runner Amanda Ernlund has also done the river with us, but came out last night to meet the lake. Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler came out early and had just finished and out-and-back to Lake Henry on the white trail. so we got her in the pic, though she didn’t run with us.

My camera was out of juice, so Laurie kindly loaned me her Iphone to take the shot.

Anyway, we had a nice run in warm, humid conditions. Relaxed pace. Constantine, Kristie and Amanda seemed a little surprised by the difficulty of the trail, compared to the smooth river trail. It was kind of fun seeing the gnarly, rocky, rooty trail through the eyes of newcomers.

We did the Lake Henry Little Loop, out on white, back on blue, which is about 4.5 miles. Walked a little at two miles out. Walked a little more inbound on blue.

Took us about an hour. Not bad for a first attempt. We’ll see if they make it out again next week!

Just as I was getting ready to depart, Garrett Blantner came out of the woods. He’s getting ready for a 50k in Utah next week, I think. Came out early to get some extra miles before our scheduled 6:30 run, but wound up missing us.

Today — nothing to report, as my planned workout got subsumed by other activities. Planned a day off tomorrow, but will try to catch the elliptical to make up for today.

Started reading “Born to Run,” Monday. Really, really good! Also, Rich Benyo’s “Death Valley 300,” the story of the first double Badwater arrived today. It’s next.

More later!

gary

My 2-week taper for the Lunar Trek 100k began last night with a relaxed-pace fiver with Hawks and newcomers in the Monday night Beginners Run on the River Trails.

Levi “Smilin’ Hawk” Bowles, one of our founding members, led the run. Hot on his heels were Kristie “Designer Hawk” Campbell and newcomers Amanda and Dave. they went out pretty briskly. Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis and I took our time.

Trails were in pretty good shape. There were a few muddy spots here and there. Trail administrator Art King of the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club told me earlier in the day that the trails were runnable up to the big log cut off, which is about what we did with 2.5 miles out and back again.

The evening was cloudy and humid with a brief sprinkle. Overall, a pleasant run. Our two newcomers seemed pleased, and I have high hopes they will return and possible even join up one day.

Got 45 minutes on the elliptical trainer at work today. Made the 4.5 mile goal in 38:53, and finished the session with 5.06 miles. Level 16, rolling hills program. Planned for a full 60 minutes, but got side-tracked by a meeting. 50 push-ups and my back exercises.

More later!

gary

Ran the Hawk Marathon course yesterday so I could have one of our cool finisher mugs. As RD for the Hawk Marathon, May 22, I didn’t get to run the race, but I wanted one. So I figured it would be ok to have one — if I went the 26.8 mile distance.

I made the same offer to all our members, with the “Hawk Marathon Makeup Run” set for yesterday at 7:30 am. Only had one taker, Mike Mehrwin. Amy Hearting, and a friend of hers, Josh, who works at the Merc, came out to do 15 miles with us. We got started at 7:38.

Weather was sunny and nice. Even though we’d had rain recently, the trails were in good shape. Even the Muddy Mile was less of a morass, and more clay-like. We took off at a relaxed pace, but I could tell Mike was having a bad day. We got to Lands End, about 6 miles and change in, and he said he was feeling bad.

He had a hot spot on his right foot, so I put a band-aid on it for him. He stayed with us, but decided to head back just after the 8-mile marker on white, dropping down to the blue-blazed trail for the 4-and-change return trip.

Amy, Josh and I continued on. Got water at the 9.5 mile mark, after asking permission from the nice guy in the camper who was parked on that spot and had a hose hooked up to the hydrant.

Amy and Josh dropped down to the blue-blazed trail for the 5-and-change run back to the start after going 10 on white, and I was solo. Made it out of the jungle and up to Bunker Hill, about 12 miles, where I took some pics. It’s hard to tell from photos, because of the perspective, but there really is a nice view up there.

Continued on into Cactus Ridge, which seemed to be blanketed in spider webs. Trails were way way overgrown in many places. The lopping Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler did out there in May for race prep has worn off evidently. That whole section is definitely a candidate for our next trail maintenance day.

Happily said goodbye to Cactus Ridge, and was soon at Swim Beach, which was entirely under water from the recent rains. The water not only covered the sand beach, but was way up on the concrete stairs leading down. I saw some swimmers — a man, woman and dog, and went down to blab with them for awhile. Was very tempted to jump in for a swim myself, but decided it would take too long. Stuck with trying to recruit them for the Trail Hawks.

Continued on the blue-blazed trail to the junction with the red-blazed shoreline trail. During the race, I had to reroute this section because of reports of high water on the red trail. I never got to see it, but was hopeful conditions on my run would be similar. I wasn’t disappointed.

Waded about midway. At the deepest point, the water was about halfway between knees and waist. Spent way too much time trying to take a pic of myself that also showed how deep the water was, but failed. I think I was really just trying to spend as much time in the water as I could. But not to worry — more water waited ahead.

Got off the red trail and went through Lands End without stopping. Soon I came to Mud Creek. Tony “Marine Hawk” Clark and I strung a hand line across the rain swollen creek back in May. The water, normally just over ankle-deep, was over waist-high on me then.

Today, it was practically at my throat. I had to stand on tiptoe to hold my hydration pack high enough to keep it out of the water. I was glad I’d left the hand line up all this time. The creek bottom was soft and mucky — kind of gross after the rocky bottom of the flooded red trail section.

Came out cooled off, anyway. It was around noonish, temps were rising, and I was about 20 miles into the run. Next major feature — a climb up Sanders Mound at 22.5 miles into the course. Then into the start/finish at 23.2 miles for a short break, and back out to do the 3.6-mile “Little Loop.”

About a quarter-mile before the cut-off to Sanders, the blue-blazed trail hits the shoreline for a little ways. Right before the race in May, I noticed that the lake had eroded the bank and was on the verge of taking a section of the blue trail. So Mike Goodwin of the Kansas Trails Council and I put in a new section about 10 feet inboard of the one in jeopardy.

As I ran past today, though, I saw the lake had not only completely taken out the old section we bypassed — it was on the verge of taking the new section we’d just put in!

Sanders Mound is a hill overlooking the lake, a half-mile from the blue trail on a little out-and-back through a grassy meadow. At the top, I met Anna, relaxing on the bench, enjoying the view. We chatted a little, and a tried to recruit her for the Trail Hawks, natch, and the Gal Gallop in particular.

As I headed through the meadow to Sanders Mound, another runner zoomed by me. Turned out to be a gent named Brad, from KC, out here to discover our trails. He’d been out about an hour.

I saw him again in the parking lot and — surprise! — tried to recruit him for the Trail Hawks. Took a photo, but it turned out he had his eyes closed, so I’m not putting it in this post. Come out for one of our runs, Brad, and I’ll get a better pic.

Anyway, sitting on the tailgate of my truck, drinking a Coke and eating a Clif Bar, I realized why some of the runners in the Hawk Marathon DNFed — it’s hard to get back up and go out for that little loop, after finishing the big loop, which ain’t easy.

Although that IS the point, isn’t it?

Anyway, I got back out on the trail at 2 p.m. sharp, Almost 6-and-a-half hours after starting. Didn’t take the camera for the Little Loop, because I didn’t want to get distracted by taking photos. The Little Loop goes out on the white-blazed trail 2.1 miles to Marina Road. There, the blue blazed trail is just a step away. You hop over onto it, and run back into the start-finish, another 1.5 miles.

Managed to get the 3.6-mile Little Loop done in 48 minutes, giving me a 7:10 marathon — definitely a PR for time spent on a marathon course!

And that’s how I got my Hawk Marathon finisher’s mug.

Now if I can just get the 50-miler finisher’s mug. That one’s really cool. Anyone want to join me for that?

More later!

gary

I’m following Andy “Novel Hawk” Norris last night, just after 6:30, in the first half-mile of the River Trail, when WHAM!

Planet Earth lurched up and slammed me, full body. We were running on these perfectly smooth, dry beginner trails, and I was blabbing away as usual, when a low stump stopped my right foot in mid-stride. The rest of me kept going, forward at first, then down hard.

“Oh, I did that on purpose,” I quipped, sprawled in the dust like a beached whale, in response to Andy’s worried query. I held up a twig. “I wanted a closer look at this fascinating specimen.”

I got up slowly. Minor trail trauma marked up my left elbow and my left quad hurt, but I could run ok. So I followed Andy to the 2 1/2 mile connector, where he got on the inbound trail, and headed back.

I kept going, heading for about 12 or 13. After a little while I caught up with Amy Hearting who runs with the Hawks sometimes. We dashed along talking about upcoming races. She’s getting ready for her first marathon, Willie Lambert’s Rock Creek night race at the end of the month.

We took the wrong connector, thanks to me, and shaved about a half mile off the loop. That was kind of my plan anyway, really, to leave the trails, and take the rest of the levee to Alexander Road, with its wonderful hills.

That’s what I did. Said goodbye to Amy who headed back, and I continued on. The evening was cloudy and a big dark gray thunderhead lurked to the North.

Only brought one bottle of water, so I drank sparingly. Got my hills. Leg continued sore, and still is even while I’m writing this, but I can tell the pain is fading. More clouds moved in, and I thought i was going to get drenched, but a light sprinkle was all that happened.

Got back to the truck and drank big water. Finished pretty strong, about 12.5 miles in about 2:15. Good run, except for being stretched out like a chump on beginner trails.

Today at work did 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer. Got 3.51 miles, hitting three in 25:26, and doing the rest in reverse. Level 16, rolling hills. 50 push-ups, no crunches. Don’t like the way they make my lower back feel.

Ultrarunning Magazine has declined to pub my WS race report poem, I learned this morning. Tia said she enjoyed it, but that the August ish is full. Disappointing, but you can’t win ‘em all. Consoled myself by ordering Rich Benyo’s “Death Valley 300,” the account of his double Badwater, the first ever, which I always wanted to read; and “Born to Run,” which people have been telling me for two years that I have to read. So I will.

Lots of rain today. Sunshine forecast for tomorrow. Hopefully the Clinton Lake trails will be dry enough for me to run the Hawk Marathon course Saturday morning — last long run before Lunar Trek.

More later,

gary

Following is my Western States race report. The report is from the “crew point of view,” since I was there to crew Greg Burger, who finished in just under 29 hours.

I also decided to write it in verse, for some strange reason.

Btw, got an hour on the elliptical today at lunch, but a little slower than usual. Made 6.61 miles. Hit 6 miles at 53:50. Did the last 6:10 in reverse. Rolling hills program, level 16. Also 50 push-ups, and 35 crunches. Don’t like the way the crunches make my lower back feel. Am debating keeping them.

Report follows. More later!

gary

While you were running Western States

While you were running Western States
Your crew members wrestled with their own fates
Crewing presents plenty of struggles too
In helping to get our brave runners through

A suspension bridge was my toughest place
While crewing Greg in this storied race
We encountered it driving Yankee Jim’s Road
All rocks, twists and dirt, we drove it real slow

At this ancient bridge we came to a stop
To look before driving over that 200-foot drop
The bridge stretched across the North Fork, American River
Raging white water below, it sure made me shiver

For the cables were rusty and just hanging there
No arches or columns, just lots of air,
Beneath that span’s crude, rustic stretch
Thoughts of bridge failure almost made me retch

I recalled that interstate bridge in the Twin Cities
Of Minnesota. It failed, and it wasn’t pretty
This worst-case scenario made me a nervous Nellie
With shortness of breath and two legs of jelly.

I wasn’t sure the bridge could take the weight of our auto
I was sure with our lives I didn’t want to play Lotto
My fellow crewmembers, Erin and Ed –
Couldn’t shake the image of them (and me!) crushed and dead

Decided to retrace the dirt road back to I-80
And not take a chance with the stakes so weighty
Take the long way around to Forest Hill Road
And that’s when Ed’s red-head temper showed.

“Get back in that car, the bridge is okay!
To make Duncan Canyon in time, it’s the only way
If you’re too cowardly to do it, then give me the key!”
Ed stood in my way and jabbed his finger at me.

This is not going well, I recall thinking
And glanced over at Erin, my stomach sinking
But that pretty gal wisely stayed out of the fray
I told Ed if I must err, I’d err in the safest way.

Ed wasn’t buying, he just grabbed his stuff
Stalked off ‘cross the bridge, as though he’d had enough
Then an old guy pulled up in a white SUV
A campground official, who I was quite glad to see!

He said “I know that old bridge looks shaky and rusty.
But take it from me, it’s sturdy and trusty.
I drive across several times a day
Sometimes with a trailer, and it’s not yet given way.”

So we got in the car and drove slowly across
I was still kind of nervous as the bridge swayed and tossed
I looked over at Erin, and it was no surprise
Her fists were clenched tight, and so were her eyes.

We made it across with sighs of relief
Came up on Ed; I said “Hop on in, chief!”
He climbed in the back, and then said some things
To let me know he was pissed; they made my ears sting!

I wanted to blow back like nuclear fission
But I had Erin to think of, and also the mission
So I swallowed my ire and continued to drive
Still on time for Greg, and best of all still alive.

Meeting that old guy was a piece of good luck
But then as we drove, we met an old truck
Head-to-head on this narrow dirt mountainous track
With no room to pass, you could only go back.

I pulled to a stop with an unvocalized curse
At this Mexican stand off, then he put his truck in reverse
And backed up a quarter-mile, which I couldn’t have done.
Far too many exposures; it would only take one

We got to a place just two cars wide
With a salute to that driver we pulled alongside
And then we were past and again on our way
I hoped Greg was having an easier day.

But then things improved, the road turned to two blacktop lanes
Still twisty and curvy, but somewhat less insane
And we made Duncan Canyon, with 20 minutes to spare
Before Greg a’snortin’ and sweatin’ got there.

We replenished his gels and his salt and sports drink
And I guess during that time, Ed had time to think
After seeing Greg off to the next leg of his goal
Ed told me he was sorry for having been an asshole

I reached out and gave him a hug with one-arm
I told him “we made it” and “really, no harm.”
And we hung out together for the rest of the race
With our other crewmembers at each crewing place.

Ed treated Greg’s sunburn at Michigan Bluff
Erin sponged him with water and we made him eat stuff
At 62 miles I fixed up Greg’s feet
While the crew fed him pizza, and sprayed him with DEET

Brian and Danny paced Greg through the night
Green Gate, Rucky Chucky in the moonlight
Then, after being up all night and pacing Greg 18 miles,
Danny volunteered at the Finish Line Medical Tent for a while.

We crewed for Greg here and we crewed for him there
At Highway 49 Crossing, Dawn and I sat Greg down in a chair
With seven to go, Greg looked like he was dying
For one horrible instant, I thought he was going to start crying!

But the volunteer at the station, his pacer and crew
Gave Greg what he needed, and he knew what to do.
He followed Brian, his pacer, back onto the trail
“See you at the finish,” we yelled, “until then, farewell!”

And I got his photo as he crossed the line,
Sun-baked and dust-covered but having a time
Waving and shouting, then kissing the ground
Finally okay to come all unwound.

We stayed up all day and all hours of night
When Ed lost his temper, we almost got into a fight
Didn’t even tell you about Erin’s run-in with the motel manager in Tahoe City.
Erin was nice, he acted shitty.

I drove while I was sleepy; I fought to stay awake
Had to turn the wheel over to Danny, for safety’s sake
I found I’d left important items back at home
And spoke some words I can’t mention in a poem.

Now, even with drama, the crewing was fun
But when it was over I was mighty done
And though the Western States hundred looks really rough
And I saw it break runners who are leather-tough

I’ll try to enter next year; yes I know what I’m doing.
Running Western States will be less stressful than crewing!

# # #

Did about 34-35 miles, starting last night, 11:09, finishing this morning 6:50. Went the whole way with Norman “Whippersnapper Hawk” Decelles.

Our route was zero mile marker on the levee to the River Trails. Ran out to the turnaround, and followed the trails inbound about a quarter mile till we found an exit that took us to the RR tracks and Alexander Road. That’s about 6 miles, we figured, since the trail itself, plus exit is about 5, and starting from the zero mile marker adds another mile.

Saw a deer on the trails in the woods.

Then we went up Alexander Road on those wonderful hills, about two miles, to 238th Street, and a couple more nice hills. Went North a mile to Golden Road, then turned around and went back. Though on the return trip we stuck to the levee. Total inbound distance about 8 miles. Round trip probably 17 or 17.5.

Saw a skunk while we were outbound on Alexander Road, and a possum while inbound on 238th.

Met up with Mike Mehrwin, Gardner, around 1:30 a.m., as we were returning to the levee from Alexander Road on our first 17. He’d run out from the zero-mile marker to meet us, and the three of us ran in together blabbing. When we got back to our vehicles in the parking lot, Mike headed home. Norman and I took about 15 minutes for a leisurely refueling, and headed out again.

Norman ate too much, and had an upset stomach for most of the second half of the run. We walked some in the last few miles.

Saw a lot of runners outbound on the levee as we came in. I think it was that Lawrence running camp. We picked up the pace in the last mile, and even managed to sprint it in. Good run. Not sore at all this morning, but a little groggy still, since my horrible dogs barked all morning while I tried to sleep. Karen fixed me a wonderful breakfast, though, so at least I’m well-fed.

Still confident about Lunar Trek, but thinking now I might downgrade to the 40-miler. It was a good run, but I’m not seeing doing this same thing out in Scandia, then running 27 or 28 MORE miles. Five or six, ok.

more later!

gary