Back of the pack

Monday nighters — Front (L to R) Renee “Renanimal Hawk” Babin, Kristi “Designer Hawk” Campbell. 2nd row ( Lto R) Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson, Chelsea Davis, Edwina and Becka. Back row (L to R) Micah “Milk Hawk” Rose, Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett, Justin “GNT Hawk” Henning, Jacob.

Ran 6 on the hills and grass at the business park today, during lunch. No stretches, no push ups or crunches. Just ran. It felt great. Finished in 53:30 — just under 9-minute miles. Blue skies, mid 80s, perfect.

Just what I needed after relaxed-pace group runs and several days of reading Leadville race reports. I love the group runs dearly, but we all have to stretch out on our own a little sometimes too.

The above photo is from the Monday night run. We had a new runner, Chelsea Davis, who Jacob brought. She wasn’t quite ready for 5 miles, so she and I did 4 in just under an hour. Weather was nice. Kristie “Designer Hawk” Thompson told us about her plan for her first marathon — Minneapolis, I think, in October. How exciting! If you can run a marathon, you can run an ultra. The marathon is the race that’s right on the edge of the deep water.

Had a lovely social engagement last night, so held the normal Wednesday night run on Tuesday. Went with a group to preview the Shoreline Shuffle 5K Trail Run course.

Shoreline Shuffle preview crew — front (L to R) Jessica “Art Hawk” Johnson, Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi. Back (L to R) Jennifer “Shark Hawk” Distlehorst, Karen “Sassy Hawk” Collier, Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett, Amanda “Glow Hawk” Erdlund, Renee “Renanimal Hawk” Babin.

Was a good run, relaxed pace, everyone stayed together, but pumped it up the concrete stairs at the end of the course. I stood at the bottom of the steps cheering the Hawks and yelling at them to “turn and burn” and not let a bunch of dumb old concrete steps buffalo them.

They all did good. Shark Hawk especially pushed it, and momentarily got to all fours after reaching the top. I was worried for a minute — but then she crawled to the finish, gasping “finish lines r us.” Of course I didn’t have my camera. Oy.

More later!

gary

Putting stuff off is deadly!

I no sooner turned around than it’s Sunday night and I’m a week behind on my blog, with a ton of stuff to write down.

I’ll start with this past Monday. Big turnout for the Beginners Run.

Photo Roll Call: front (L to R): Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Jennifer “Art Hawk” Johnson, Becka (sp?), Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson. Middle (L to R): Jeff “Beatnick” Triplett, Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang, Renee “Renanimal Hawk” Babin. Back (L to R): Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis, Jacob, Micah “Milk Hawk” Rose, Edwina.

The Monday night Hawks did 5 miles. I did 3, walking with Edwina, who turned out not to be a runner, but was there supporting her daughter Becka. Becka ran, and did well, with the group. Edwina had never been on the trails there before, so I walked with her and figured the distance so we could arrive back at the finish around the same time as the runners.

Got some pics of them coming in, in two heats.

Wednesday night, did a preview run of the Shoreline Shuffle 5k Trail Race course.

Wednesday Night Hawks — Front (L to R): Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett, Micha “Milk Hawk” Rose. Back (L to R): Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi, Kristi “Designer Hawk” Campbell, Tammy “Nightengale Hawk” Lupton, Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson, Becka.

Had several runners who arrived a little too late for the pic — Jacob, Amanda “Glow Hawk” Erdlund and our newest named Hawk, Keaton “California Hawk” Davis.

Was dreading horseflies and spider webs — they were so terrible last time. But the horseflies didn’t show, and another runner, Garrett Blantner, who’s run with us a few times, had already cleared out the webs for us.

Also temps were a mere low 90s — much nicer than the 100 plus temps (according to some) we had the previous week. So, a very nice run.

A few of us wanted a little more running, so after we carpooled back to the Corps of Engineers parking lot, Jacob, Amanda, Micah and I did a quick Sanders Mound out and back, which was all we had light for. Ran brisk and it felt GOOD!

Long slow slogs take up so much of my running time. It was great to do speedy feet.

Speaking of long, slow slogs, met Keaton “California Hawk” Davis yesterday morning for the Saturday long run. Took three shots of him — all came out blurry. Camera is getting old and falling apart. Battery and card door are now secured with duct tape.

About 13-14 miles into the run, a big doe leaped across the blue trail right in front of me, then stopped, just a few feet away, and peered at me through the greenery. So I got the camera out and took a shot — blurry. Tried another setting — blurry.

Meanwhile, the doe just stands and watches. Try another shot — blurry. Now the doe is looking around. I can tell she’s getting impatient. I know the signs, from taking all my group pics of the Hawks. Fortunately, the doe can’t speak, so I don’t have to hear any smart-alecky remarks.

Finally figure the camera won’t cooperate. I tell the doe as much, and she moseys slowly away. Same thing happened again with a really cool-looking spider a little further down the trail.

Camera woes notwithstanding, the Sat. run was good. Saw Ben and Sophia and another runner (John Kevern? Went by too fast) just after the three-mile mark, inbound on a 13er.

Also saw Mark Inbody at Campground One. He was coming down the concrete stairs, while were going up to refill water. God bless all of them — they cleared out the spider webs, so I barely got a whiff of web for the whole outbound trip on the white trail.

Keaton and I kept a fair pace for about 10 miles out on white, when his left arch acted up. So we walked, mostly, for another mile, to West Park Road, where it was Keaton’s plan to hike out on the road.

I went along as far as Bunker Hill. It was my plan to run up top, then come down and go back on the blue trail. Alas, the trail up to Bunker Hill was completely overgrown, so no hill for Gar.

Heading back on blue was a different story than the webless white trail. I soon had a catcher’s mask of webs on my face, and little spideys dangling like tassels from my cap and other places.

Had to stop every quarter mile or so to de-spider. Their bites don’t break the skin, but you can still feel a sharp little jab. Thought about going back up on white, but wanted to survey the blue trail for lopping and trees down after the Friday night storm.

There was fallen foliage in numerous places. When I got out, I called Mike Goodwin, Kansas Trails Council to let him know where. I felt like a spotter calling in air strikes. Mike will go in with a chain saw and clear the trails.

Hopefully the Hawks can support with a lopping party. The green walls of the Blue trail between 4 1/2 and 7 miles are coming together like the Red Sea after the Israelites went through.

The last 4 1/2 miles weren’t bad at all. Trail not too overgrown, and not even too many spiders. Mud Creek is finally down to its pre-flood levels. First time since May I didn’t have to use the hand line.

Got home and checked the Leadville Trail 100 website for news of our Hawks and other friends running this year — nothing. Life Fitness out of Minnesota just bought LT100, and evidently didn’t continue the race tradition of posting aid station results during the race.

Not that LT100 ever did a very good job of it, but at least it was better than nothing. So that was frustrating. Then this morning I learned that crew members had posted progress reports on Facebook all during the race!

Anyway, big congrats on the LT100 belt buckle for Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schneidewind and Rick “Whip Hawk” Mayo — 25 and 27 hours respectively. And, a good job to Brad “Pastor Hawk” Bishop. I understand they kept him overnight in the medical tent atop Hope Pass.

Not sure what happened, but Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang reported earlier that Brad was ok, and hikd down from the mountain this morning. So even though Brad “Did Nothing Fatal,” it looks he will achieve the number-one goal of all ultras — to come home safe and whole.

More later!

gary

Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson stretches, with the help of Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi before the start of the inaugural Sweaty Ass 10-Hour Run, Friday and Saturday at Prairie Center in Olathe. photo by Dick Ross

I’m tardy getting this report up, but last weekend’s Sweaty Ass 10-Hour Run, 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, at Prairie Center was a true blast.

The brain child of Race Director Coleen “Lil Big Hawk” Voeks, the free event attracted about 50 area runners, most bearing food to contribute to a potluck buffet inside the historic stone house which served as run central.

The idea was that you come out and just run as little or as much as you like on the 3.2-mile trail course. Run all night if you want! Most did at least two or three laps. Stuart “Ozark Trail Hawk” Johnson, John Flagler, and a cyclist friend of John’s — Kamaron — were the only hardy souls to go 10 hours.

John and Kamaron are training for the Mother Road 100-Miler in November. I tried to talk them out of it.

The three of them ended up with 40 miles at course-close, 6 a.m. I was there for it, didn’t think to take their photos. Oy! Thank goodness Dick Ross showed up for the start at least and got some photos, posted at www.SeeKCRun.com.

Alas, I missed the start. Karen and I had family visiting from Houston — Karen’s niece Christin and Christin’s daughter Grace.

They weren’t here very long, so I didn’t go out to the Sweaty Ass until after dinner with the two lovely ladies, the Big K, and the Big K’s sister (and Christin’s Mom) Sue. Tried to get a nap, too, but a thunderstorm came in and Cubby Bear, our Chow-mix was terrified. His jumping on me for security pretty much precluded any sleep.

Got to the Sweaty Ass about 11 p.m. While driving in, I saw the most intense display of lightning I’d ever witnessed. Wasn’t sure what I’d find when I got there. Maybe the historic stone house blasted into charred ruin?

At work, earlier in the afternoon, when I saw the storm clouds approaching from the Northwest, I asked my Magic 8 Ball if the Sweaty Ass would be a success.

“Don’t count on it,” the thing answered. But it was way off.

Everyone had sheltered in the house for about 20 minutes as the storm hit, but it was far away and getting farther when I pulled up. I saw runners going out and coming in and departing, including Shane “Hammer Hawk” Jones, Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi and Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson.

Inside, the house was full of runners laughing, talking, eating and drinking in between laps. Karen “Sassy Hawk” Collier, our treasurer, was there, checking runners in and out, taking donations, selling t-shirts and signing people up for our upcoming Shoreline Shuffle 5K Trail Run, Sept. 25.

Karen “Sassy Hawk” Collier, our Treasurer. She collected about $60 to donate to Prairie Center (or was it $75?), along with signing runners for our upcoming Shoreline Shuffle 5K Trail Race, Sept. 25. photo by Dick Ross

Since Coleen had to work in the morning, our plan was that I’d relieve the watch about 2 a.m. and shut it all down at course-close, 6 a.m. The run was still going strong when I got there. I relieved Sassy Hawk at the check in/out desk so she could get some more laps with Kristi “Designer Hawk” Campbell.

Not sure how many Sassy got, but Designer racked up 5 — nearly 16 miles and a personal best. Good job, Kristi!

I managed to get three before it got too late and I had to go in and take over for Coleen, who got 5 or 6 herself. Clouds were mostly gone, revealing a starry, moonless sky, when I wasn’t in the woods.

I ran with Jay Mooney for awhile — he called it a night around 25 miles, and saw others on the course. What fun! It was cool, dark and mysterious, and the course was well-marked with glow sticks, ribbons and signs.

The event seemed to be winding down as I got in around two-ish and said goodbye to Coleen and some of the other runners. By 3, Stuart, John and Kamaron were the only ones left grinding out miles on the course.

I set up a camp chair outside where I could watch the starry sky. I drank a beer. As the runners came in I filled water bottles, got them soda pop and fussed at them to eat. Not that I worried about their caloric intake — we just had so much food left.

It was a wonderful few hours of dark idleness. I think I drifted off a time or two. Over too soon. The boys did their last laps together. With about 40 minutes left, they ran out a mile, then back for an even 40 for the 10 hours.

Why didn’t I get a shot of the three of them finishing, or just standing by the water jugs? Oy.

Six a.m., said goodbye, cleaned up, locked up and headed into the beautiful sunny dawn for home.

More later!

gary

No workout today — chores during lunch and after work to get ready for company.

Yesterday , however, Aug. 9, 2010 — 8-9-10, as it were — met the Hawks for a great Monday run. Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang was back for his second run, I think, since his back surgery. He led us out two miles on the River Trails. Then part of the group continued on for a five-miler — the two Justins, Emily, Laurie and Micah — while the rest of us, Nick, Jacob, me, Karen and Amanda logged 4.

It was sunny, hot and humid — thank goodness for the shade of the woods! Fun run, though and we started the naming process on Emily, even though she hasn’t joined yet.

Sunday afternoon, Aug. 7 found me doing trail maintenance on Cactus Ridge. It’s gotten so overgrown, some of the trail is impassable. I went out with loppers on the white blazed trail, starting from West Park Road. Punched my way through several clots of branches growing across the trail and shrubs growing IN the trail.

Where white and blue trails “X,” I dropped down to blue — plan was to work my way back around to white so I could come out where I came in. Continued heavy lopping until I came to grass, and the trail completely disappeared.

Backtracked several times, and several times followed what I thought might be trail, but it petered out every time in high grass and thorny trees. I thought I knew Cactus Ridge pretty well, but I was befloozled.

Poison ivy was encroaching as well, but this time I wore jeans, so (mostly) avoided that indignity. Jeans of course were 100 percent soaked by the time I was halfway through — another one of these 100-degree days we’ve been having.

As soon as I got back to the park, I hit the shower to wash off any urushiol that might’ve gotten on me from the ivy. Just got a few minor dabs two days later.

Chigger bites and seed tick bites are another story. I came out crawling with those beasties. Parts of me look like I have the measles! Oy. This is the worst summer for bugs I’ve ever seen — I blame it on all the rain we had earlier. Over twice as much as usual, so I’ve heard.

Saturday morning, 7:30, met my neighbor Andy Lovan for a 13er at Clinton. As we got ready to run, Mike Goodwin of the Kansas Trails Council drove up to drop off some brochures by the trail head.

Then, Micah “Milk Hawk” Rose ran out of the woods. He’d done an early run, 5:30 start, because he had obligations for later Saturday morning.

Also Renee “Renanimal Hawk” Babin drove up. Renee wound up going out a little over four with us. She headed back on blue for the 6.5 mile Lake Henry Big Loop.

Got a shot of everyone before Andy and I headed out.

Saturday morning — Front (L to R) Renee “Renanimal Hawk” Babin, Andy Lovan. Back (L to R) Mike Goodwin, Micah “Milk Hawk” Rose.

Andy and I did a tough 13er. We went out on the white-blazed trail about 6.5 miles to the start of the Shoreline Shuffle course. Then we did the three-mile Shuffle. Then back to the parking lot.

First 5 or so miles were very nice — no horseflies like we’ve been encountering lately, and no spider webs. Micah, on his early run, had taken them down for us, along with Mark Inbody, who we also met out on white.

After that though, the trails were thick with “spider love,” as Justin “Adventure Hawk” Montgomery says. I led, and at times I felt like I had on a catcher’s mask of spider webs.

A few horseflies buzzed us too, but nothing like the aerial squadrons of the past few weeks. Also, Mud Creek was finally down to knee-high, after being chest-high since May.

Next up — Coleen’s Sweaty Ass Run, this Friday. Run in the woods with friends all night long! Woohoo!

More later,

gary

July 21, 2010 Wednesday Nighter — Front (L to R) Amanda “Glow Hawk” Erdlund, Nicole “Tiger Hawk” Green. Back — Raven “Raven Hawk” Rajani, Greg Burger. Raven and Greg were there to lead their own Wednesday nighter for the KC Trail Nerds. We all started together, however, with a few more runners who showed up as well.

Nicole “Tiger Hawk” Green kindly loaned me her camera for the Wednesday nighter pic July 21, when I forgot to bring mine. She promised to send me the pic to post on the blog right away, but ran into some tech difficulties that prevented it. A tiger never forgets, though, and she sent me the photo today.

Wednesday Nighter — Front (L to R) Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson, Emily. Back, (L to R) Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett, Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis, Justin “Adventure Hawk” Montgomery.

They couldn’t have International Beer Day on a Friday, could they. Well, I drank two Morrettis anyway. Sure were good!

Got too busy at work today and didn’t run or do the elliptical. Monday, however, did the elliptical AND ran outside on the grass and hills. With temps right around 100, it was too hot not to go outside and run.

I only ran one 1.5 mile lap, after doing 30 minutes on the elliptical, though. Tuesday, I ran three slow miles outside in the burning heat. Felt wonderful!

Yesterday, met the Hawks for the Wednesday Night Run — Justin “Adventure Hawk” Montgomery brought a friend, Emily, and Colinda “Cat Hawk” Thompson, Constantine “Ninja Hawk” Cotsoradis, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, “Kristin “Aqua Hawk” Tirabassi, and Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett all came out for a preview run of the Shoreline Shuffle course.

Trails have completely dried out. Water is almost completely off the flooded part of the red-blazed shoreline trail. Went out at a relaxed pace, and everyone stayed together to the end. Had planned to do a possible 2nd lap, if there were any takers.

There weren’t.

Horseflies continue bad out there. Hopefully, they will subside with drier weather. No rain forecast for all week. Whatever creatures eat horseflies, I wish they’d get to work.

Speaking of the Shoreline Shuffle 5K Trail Run, we have three entries so far! They are: Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang, Mike “Tornado Hawk” Mehrwin and Korey “Son of Tornado Hawk” Mehrwin.

More later!

gary

I met Willie and Karen Lambert for the first time in 2005 at the Leadville Trail 100 pre-race briefing. They sat in the bleachers next to Karen and me, just by coincidence.

We introduced ourselves by way of being neighborly — that’s what I love about ultras, you can do that without being thought “weird” — and were delighted to learn we lived in neighboring towns. Willie was a buyer for one of the big shoe companies.

I went on to DNF that year, for the second time in a row. Not sure how Willie did. Think that was the year he nailed it.

After that, I saw him at all the local races — the Rockin’ K 50-Mile & Trail Marathon, the Heartland 100, the Freestate Ultras — it was at the Sandrat Trail Race on the Kansas River Trails a few years back that he told me he’d quit the shoe company to start up his own running store — the Great Plains Running Company.

At that time, there was nowhere to find personal expertise in trail and ultrarunning shoes. All the running stores, even Garry Gribble’s, God bless him, were all about road running. It was buy online or nothing, and you can’t get fitted or ask stupid questions — both necessary for me — in the online shopping experience.

So even though Willie’s and Karen’s store was in Topeka, I thought the drive out from Lawrence was well worth it.

My experience of being treated like a VIP there by Anthony, Jenn, MK, and the other staff, and of course Willie and Karen was probably not unique — but it sure was appreciated! And they had all the shoes. Well, they didn’t have Vasque.

Over the years I tried Montrails and Salomans and Mizunos — never got a shoe from Willie I didn’t like, though I had issues with the Saloman lacing system!

But the real thing about the Great Plains Running Company as Willie always said, was that it wasn’t about selling shoes. It was about putting on races and supporting the trail and ultrarunning community — and selling shoes was what he had to do to be able to put on those races.

And what races they were! Willie and Karen’s Rock Creek Trail Series culminated every year at the end of October with a 25K and a 50K on the trails at Perry Lake. Every year, the weather was ptich-perfect. And Willie, Karen and their volunteers also put on pitch-perfect races, from great swag, to a cool course, to fabulous finisher’s awards and a great post-race chow, including a big glass of chocolate milk when you crossed the finish line of the 50.

Man, was that chocolate milk good!

Bad Ben Holmes of the KC Trail Nerds, no slouch himself when it comes to putting on a good race, once told me that Willie’s Rock Creek 50K was as close to a letter-perfect race as you could get. Willie and Karen covered every base, and saw to every detail, and every runner.

Some damn good runners came out of those races. Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schniedewind, who just won the the Kettle Morraine 100 Mile, got his first trail ultra at Willie’s Rock Creek series in 2008.

He finished third in the 50k, but won the series that year.

It was really great having “one of us” in that position to do so much.

But nothing lasts forever, I guess. The recession hit Willie hard, like it did a lot of small businesses. And while there were billions of bailout dollars for the crooked financiers who caused all the grief, there wasn’t any for Willie — he knew because he applied but was turned down.

So his friends pooled their money — some a little, some a lot — and we came up with what he needed to stay in biz, just barely, and at the last minute, but we managed to stave off the end.

Alas, it was only temporary, and the doors of the coolest running store there ever was, the Great Plains Running Company, shut permanently last week.

The last of the fabulous Rock Creek Trail Races was Saturday — a night marathon, half marathon and 10K. I would have loved to run the marathon, but instead I worked an aid station with Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang and Jeff “Beatnick Hawk” Triplett.

Willie and Karen were their usual energetic, positive, humorous selves, joking around, making sure everyone was seen to, fed and watered, volunteers and runners alike, while simultaneously accomplishing the work of three people each.

It was their last hurrah, and it was a good one.

Now, Willie’s back to being a shoe buyer — this time for Overstock.com. He and Karen and their family will be moving out to Utah soon– a trail runner’s paradise. Our loss will be Utah’s gain.

We’ll continue on here, putting on races, getting our miles in, but our trail and ultra community will be a little less bright and a little less well-taken-care-of without Willie and Karen, the Great Plains Running Company, and that gem-bright ultra at the end of every October.

Goddammit, we should’ve bought more shoes!!

Goodbye for now, my good friend. I know I’ll see you at the races.

gary

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