Back of the pack

Went to Vegas for a week — tradeshow. Much work, little fun. Mostly spent setting up the booth (it’s huge, heavy and complicated); dismantling and packing up the booth; then working the show every day, nonstop.

I did get to visit one night with old friends Brian and Dawn Pawley who live in Vegas. Brian is a public school librarian and talented ultrarunner. Easily does sub-5 50K’s. Dawn doesn’t run much anymore, but is fast when she puts her mind to it. Did a sub 4 Pikes Peak Ascent some year back.

Brian and Dawn Pawley on our night out at a Vegas brew pub.

Dawn is originally from Lawrence, and Brian is from Topeka, but they’ve been in Vegas about seven or eight years now. Also friends of Greg Burger’s and they’ll be on his Western States crew, too. We had a great time laughing, blabbing and drinking beer.

Anyway, got back Saturday morning while fellow Hawks battled it out in Texas at Rocky Raccoon 50 and 100 miles, and in Arkansas at the White Rock 50 K.

Haven’t heard too many details of the White Rock caper, but you can just look at that photograph and see that it had to’ve been eat-your-heart-out-for-missing-it-fun.

As for Rocky, Tony “Marine Hawk” Clark took third (THIRD!!!) out of 365 with about a 16:23 finish. Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schneidewind — 17th, in 18 hours and change. Top 20 out of 365. GAWD! And I know these guys, so it shouldn’t be too hard for me to get their autographs.

Also there, but bailing at 75 miles or so — Danny “Study Hawk” Miller and Brad “Pastor Hawk” Bishop. I know nothing I can say can ease the sting of a DNF, especially a first one for Brad, but the fact is 75 miles is something maybe one tenth of one percent of American could do, and most couldn’t even comprehend. So good job, both. And remember, DNF also stands for “Did Nothing Fatal.” Even Tony has DNFed, which is why he’s still here, scorching courses.

Jim “Family Hawk” Beiter went for the 50-mile. It was his first, but I heard he ran it like a veteran, and finished in nine and change. Jim had originally planned on the 100-mile, but changed to the 50 after circumstances and injury cut his training miles back.

You can still wear the shirt, boys, Mr. Know-It-All says so!

While I was away, Coleen “Lil Big Hawk” Voeks and Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler went to visit Liz “Spider Hawk” Smith at the hospital, where she was recovering from the C-Section birth of our newest Hawk, Felix “Hawk-in-Training” Emery. In going through my e-mails, I found this great photo from the visit, I think taken by Pixie Hawk, of Liz and Felix.

Just a little gem waiting for me, buried in the e-mail.

Today, spent time on the upcoming Hawk 50-mile & Marathon Trail Runs, set for May 22 on the North Shore Trails. Big news is — REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! Got an entry form posted on the website, and will soon have online registration. Got conditional permission from the Corps of Engineers and the State Park authorities, based on getting insurance, which I reqested today.

Still got lots more to do, but with permissions obtained and a way for people to enter, the path ahead is open.

More later,

gary

Spank and Lambchop check each other out at the inaugural Trail Hawks Dog Run.

Keith “Lion Hawk” Dowell brought 2-year-old Spank the boxer to run trails with 8-month-old Lambchop, me, and Raven “Raven Hawk” Rajani this morning for the first-ever Trail Hawks Dog Run.

Weather was nice, but windy. Low 30s and partly sunny. The breeze made the temps seem colder, but once we got on the trails, the trees sheltered us.

The dogs, both females, got along well, and after we finished our relaxed-pace 4.5 miler (Lake Henry Little Loop), they did huge enormous play, while Keith, Raven and I stood around freezing.

Keith “Lion Hawk” Dowell, a.k.a. “Spank Daddy”

Big fun, and the trails were in better shape than I thought they’d be, with all the snow-melt.

Would’ve like to stay and freeze even longer while watching dogs romp, but had to get home and clean house for the first meeting of the Hawk 50 committee. The Trail Hawks are hosting the Hawk 50-mile and marathon trail runs, Saturday, May 29. We had our first planning session today. In on the scheming — myself, my lovely spouse Karen “Hawk who walks” Henry; Jim “Family Hawk” Beiter; Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler; James “Skull Hawk” Barker; and Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang.

Very productive meeting. We figured out a lot of stuff, including the fact that we need to meet again, so scheduled for Feb. 28. Feel free to show if you want to help, though you can certainly volunteer without going to the planning meetings. We’ll gladly accept whatever level of assistance you can bring.

Lambchop also attended the meeting, took a special shine to Nick, and was soon in his lap, all 60 pounds of her.

Nick was a goner once Lambie focused her puppyish charms on him.

So, good, entertaining and productive weekend all around. Hawk 50 a little closer to happening.

More later!

gary

Lambie paces the North Shore trail at Clinton Lake on the inaugural Trail Hawks Dog Run.

Hawk role call: (front) Debbie “Wheat Hawk” Webster, Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang — nice smile, Nick! (middle, L to R) Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning, Coleen “Lil Big Hawk” Voeks, Julie “Sunday Hawk” Toft, Deb “Kettle Hawk” Johnson (back L to R) James “Skull Hawk” Barker, Levi “Smilin’ Hawk” Bowles, Stuart “Ozark Trail Hawk” Johnson.

Met the Trail Hawks this morning at first light, 7:15 a.m., for the Saturday long run, though the long run for me was only about 6.5 miles — the Lake Henry long loop, which consists of going out on white past the lake, then dropping down to the blue trail a little past the 4-mile mark for the return trip.

Trails were juicy with snow melt, but I had my Gore Tex Salomans on, which I got at Great Plains Running Company, so feet stayed warm and dry, just the way I like. Nick led, and he and I discussed the relative merits of running in hot weather, which he struggles in and I like, and running in cold weather, which I struggle in and Nick likes.

Temps on this run were right in the middle, in the low 40s, so neither of us could complain. At least Nick couldn’t. It was still well below zero in degrees G!

Most of the pack was planning to go at least 10 miles — the Lands End Loop — or longer. I decided to go shorter when I realized I left my water bottle sitting on my truck back in the parking lot. Doh!

Parted reluctantly from the group at the feeder trail for blue. James decided to go with me and we had a good talk about the upcoming Hawk 50. James is considering honchoing the post-race barbecue, which would be a huge contribution.

Didn’t time the run, but really wanted to do more by the time we got back. Had my chance, too, as Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler showed up at the trail head to begin a run right after we got back. Had plenty to do at home, though, so passed on the extra miles.

One thing I did once I got home was call the Phoenix Gallery at Scoop Hawk’s suggestion, to see if they could put me in touch with a potter who could make custom mugs for Hawk 50 finisher awards. Have talked with a guy in Minnesota who made my beloved Voyageur 50-mile trail finisher mug, but am worried the shipping might be way expensive.

Anyway, Sarah, at the gallery, is passing my info along to a local potter she knows. Hope to hear back Monday or Tuesday. Sure would like to buy local, if possible.

More later!

gary

Lambchop and her new boyfriends (L to R) Levi "Smilin' Hawk" Bowles, Jim "Family Hawk" Beiter and Hunter "TrailGator Hawk" Munns pose for the camera before the Wednesday night run.

Lambchop’s first night trail run was a big success as she and I and Levi, Jim and Hunter splashed down the juicy Blue trail on the North Shore of Clinton Lake last night.

There was just one scary moment on the deep and steep bank of a water crossing about 3/4 of a mile out. The water looked fast and deep to Lambchop, even though it was only a few inches deep, and she balked at crossing. She stayed back on the bank after we had crossed, scared to come over. After a few moments, though, she braved up and bounded across when I called for her.

Then she ran right past me to catch up to her new boyfriends! Fortunately, they had slowed to a walk while I waited behind to coax Lambie across the stream, so we all got back together before the one-mile mark.

Not too far after that, I forgot we were on Blue, and thinking we were on White called out that we were going the wrong way. I was sure we had missed the new section of trail I helped put in on white with Mike Goodwin last November. When Jim pointed out that we were on the blue trail — boy did I feel like a doofus!

Fortunately, later on when I was leading, Levi made a similar mistake calling out that we were on the white trail, when in fact we were on blue. That made me feel a little less senile. When two people make the same mistake, it’s only half as bad. But it is truly easy to get a little disoriented on dark trails, even if you’re familiar with them, if you don’t pay attention.

We went two miles out, splish-splashing through the remains of snow and sections of trail that were more like streams. Feet got wet, but temps were relatively warm — high 30s — and I was NOT wearing cotton socks, so was ok.

Made Lake Henry, and turned back. Woods are so cool at night. Almost like a different, unfamiliar course. Lambchop didn’t get in the way too much, and in fact the boys seemed constantly concerned with her whereabouts. She was close at hand the whole time though. Lambie ran so close behind us that by the time we finished, mud splashies kicked from our shoes speckled her white snout.

Lambchop Henry a.k.a. "Mud snout."

We got back, and Lambchop went over to each of the boys to say goodbye. She seemed very well-mannered, and I thought we were going to get away with no jumping up, but, alas, she jumped up on Levi. I grabbed for her to put her in the truck so we could leave, but she wasn’t ready to go home, and dodged away.

Lambchop ran into the field and snuffled around in the tall grass for awhile. I could see where she was thanks to the red flasher I’d put on her collar. After a little while, I called her and she came right back like a good girl. Starting to get tired, I guess, since she is just 8 months old and still a puppy.

We got home, but the action wasn’t done. Lambie was too muddy from the trail to join polite society, and had to be bathed, which she hates. Karen and I put her in the tub. It took both of us to get her clean, as it was a lot like wrangling wild horses.

We thought she would be worn out, and in fact, Lambie did nap for about 20 minutes, but then popped up ready to bark and play. Oy. Finally got her down for the night in her dog bed. Looking forward to Sunday’s Dog Run and meeting up with Keith “Lion Hawk” Dowell’s doggie Spank, the boxer. Maybe Spank can wear Lambchop out a little. Four miles doesn’t seem to do it, and our vet isn’t keen on taking her even that distance at her tender age.

Got 5.27 miles in 45 minutes on the elliptical at lunch today. Hit 4.5 miles, my goal, in 38:20. 52 push ups, 35 crunches and the back exercises.

More later!

gary

Spent 45 minutes on the treadmill at lunch today. Logged 4.88 miles. Got to 4.5 in about 41 minutes. Took it slow for the last 4 minutes. Inched up the incline from .5 to 3.5. 50 push ups, 35 crunches, back exercises.

Talked to Al in Minnesota last night about pottery coffee mugs for Hawk 50 finisher awards. He’s the potter who made the Minnesota Voyageur 50-mile finisher award mugs for the 2007 race. He can make mugs for us at about $10 a pop. Seems reasonable.

I priced some on the web last week at $16 each, and don’t know if that includes artwork like Al’s.

More later,

gary

In all the excitement of writing yesterday about the Fat Ass, I forgot to mention that Lambchop and I did a slow 4.5 — the Lake Henry Little Loop — on the Clinton North Shore Trails yesterday, while Minnesota was stomping Dallas.

Got rid of our Direct TV back in July, so no football, which I miss, but I don’t miss the constantly rising rates!

Anyway, cloudy, but relatively warm — high 30s. We had a good run, though slow. Still some deep snow in places. Lambie stayed right with me. What’s running for me is seldom more than a gentle trot for her, long-legged white thing that she is.

Today, moved up to 45 minutes from 30 on the elliptical at work. Hit 4.5 miles in 40:28. Got up to 4.99 miles in the last 4:32, pumping in reverse. Did level 16. It was H-A-R-D. Also got 50 push ups and 35 crunches, and the back exercises.

More later!

gary

Coleen makes her way through dense fog and crunch snow during the FatAss she put on Friday night and Saturday morning, Jan. 15-16.

Coleen’s Fat Ass was meant to be a 50-mile night run, and a chance for those of us heading to Rocky Raccoon to get in a last long night run. It had been set for Jan. 8, but since that turned out to be the coldest windiest night of the century — 5 degrees below zero and -20 wind chills — Coleen rescheduled for Jan. 15.

Temps were much milder for the rescheduled run, but runners had to contend with the foggiest night of the century! It was especially brutal for intrepid photographers Dick Ross of SeeKCrun and yours truly. The moisture in the air reflected our camera flashes and made it look like snow. Interesting effect, but hard to see the camera subjects.

The real difficulty was the churned up, uneven snow pack, which turned ankles every which way. The wrenching effect eventually found its way all the way up the legs and into backs and even shoulders in some cases.

The good news is that the course is only 3.2 miles. So lots of runners (30, including yours truly) came out to get at least one lap of the Fat Ass. Several runners went beyond the marathon, so I posted the pics on ultrastory.com.

I took most of my pics indoors in the historic stone house at the start/finish, which served as Fat Ass HQ. Runners did laps, came in to warm up, got their pics taken, ate some of the delicious food that everyone brought, then, in some cases, went back out again.

Among the goodies, I should mention that one of our sponsors, Great Harvest Bread Company, Lawrence, provided a ton of delicious home-baked bread, including loaves of nine-grain, challah and sour dough. The challah went fast. While I was looking for the knife I brought to cut it, the runners didn’t wait, and tore the challah to bits with their bare hands and consumed it. It was biblical, in a way.

The sour dough was already sliced, and so met its end in a more dignified manner.

Runners went in and out. Everyone did a lap except the lovely Brandy Jones, who is not a runner, but who came with her spouse Shane, who IS a runner, to socialize and help with checking people in and out of the race.

That allowed me to go out for a lap. I ran with Shane, James “Skull Hawk” Barker and two KC boys, Kyle Bonar and Mike Prentiss. Kyle, or was it Mike, shared my aversion to wet feet in snow. At the first big water crossing, swollen with meltwater and roaring over a dam, he led us upstream through dense brush to a “leap of faith” across the black water. We all made it, though James, flying across the stream, dipped one foot in just for the heckuvit.

Mike Prentiss and Kyle Bonar (or vice versa) from KC. Shane “Hammer Hawk” Jones brought them, I think.

Later, though, trying to cross another stream by stepping on rocks, I hit a wobbler, and the feet got wet. They were on the way to uncomfortable coldness by lap’s end, so I called it a night and went back in to spell Brandy checking runners in and out. Otherwise, I would’ve gotten a few more laps. Temps seemed pleasant.

Some of our tougher runners, though, went close to and upwards of 20 miles on the course, and even got ultra-distances. They included Brad “Pastor Hawk” Bishop, Darin “Lincoln Hawk” Schneidewind, Debbie “Wheat Hawk” Webster, Kyle Amos, Mike Adams (visiting from Texas), Coleen “Lil Big Hawk” Voeks (who caused all the trouble to begin with), and Deb “Kettle Hawk” Johnson. Her spouse Stuart “Ozark Trail Hawk” Johnson outlasted everyone with 10 laps — 32 miles.

We signed up several new Hawks including Raven “Raven Hawk” Rajani, Karen Collier, and Mike and Chris Baucher out of Lee Summit. They have to get their Hawk names by going on a group run and being christened by fellow Hawks.

New Hawks Raven Rajani and Karen Collier are all smiles after a first lap at Coleen's Fat Ass.

New Hawks (left) Mark and Chris Baucher, father and son from Lee's Summit, come in from the cold.

Though it was fun on the course, imho, it was really fun in the house, with frosted runners coming in and out, joking, laughing and thawing.

As the late night turned into early morning, our number decreased. By 3 a.m., only Stuart was left on the course, going for lap 10, while yours truly waited for him with his spouse Deb, Coleen, Jim “Family Hawk” Beiter who got seven or eight laps, and Debbie.

Debbie brought Asti Spumanti and orange juice. So we made Mimosas and toasted Stuart’s cold ass out there on the Fat Ass. When he got in safe, around 3:30 a.m. — 32 miles in about 7:30 — we cleaned up, packed up and called it a night.

Now that’s what I call a party.

Good job Coleen!

Big thanks to Alaine Hudlin of Kansas Dept. of Parks and Wildlife for letting us hold the run on the premises, and letting us use the house. Also to Great Harvest Bread Company for the delicious baked goods.

More later!

gary

End of a Fat Ass — (L to R) Jim "Family Hawk" Beiter, Debbie "Wheat Hawk" Webster, Deb "Kettle Hawk" Johnson, RD Coleen "Lil Big Hawk" Voeks raise mimosas in salute to Stuart "Ozark Trail Hawk" Johnson, last Hawk running. That’s my cup in the foreground. I love mimosas!

Just finished loading up the truck for Coleen’s Fat Ass tomorrow. Chairs, card table, water jugs, signs… will leave right from work tomorrow for Prairie Center.

Don’t know yet how “Willie’s Last Stand” turned out. I know if putting in the miles could have saved that business, it would be saved. It’s dollars that count though — 35,000 of them. Checked the Willie Lambert Facebook page, but no info there.

Got a short after-work session in on the elliptical. Three miles in 25:55, with a total 3.42 to round out the half hour. 35 crunches, 50 crunches, and the back exercises. Got to hit the rack now. Long day tomorrow!

More later.

gary

Don Palmer, a high school cross country coach of the year, takes the first shift on the treadmill while Willie and Karen look fabulous for the camera.

Willie Lambert, Topeka, an accomplished ultra-marathoner, is in another race — this one to save his business, the Great Plains Running Company, a running gear and nutrition store, from being claimed by the recession.

It’s a desperate race at best, though you wouldn’t know it to talk to him. Willie seems to treat it like all his races — 5k to 100 miles — like a lark. But he didn’t want to enter this one.

It’s a race to raise $35,000, the difference between surviving and insolvency, by 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Earlier this week, it looked like the store was going to close its doors — another victim of the recession for whom ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) dollars were not available.

But then, like a sign from heaven, another Topeka businessman and runner visited the store, and hearing of the deficit, ripped off a check for $1,000 and gave it to Willie. Just find 34 more like me, Willie said the runner told him, and you’re back in business.

Reluctantly, and with strong encouragement from spouse and co-owner Karen, Willie e-mailed his customers and the Topeka area running community. Could they donate to help Willie and Karen save the business?

If the 48-hour deadline passes and the goal isn’t met, Willie and Karen will return all the checks. But if they do, by some miracle, get the money, then that money will do more than keep Great Plains Running Company open to be the area’s only source of trail and ultra-running goods.

It will help Willie and Karen continue providing great races, forums and fitness events for the community. The last 24 hours is a non-stop treadmill-a-thon. Willie and the GPRC staff will keep the miles turning on the treadmill until the deadline is passed. Don Palmer, part-time staffer and full-time cross country coach took the first shift.

As of 7 p.m., the Great Plains Running Company customers and friends had raised $11,000. Follow their progress on Facebook

More later.

Gary

Monday Night Beginners Run — (Front L to R) Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Jessica Johnson. (Back L to R) Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang, Justin “GNT Hawk” Henning.”

Ran the Beginners Run last night — then did a short workout after work tonight. Two in a row! I’m not getting back in shape yet, but I am getting out of shape at a slower rate.

Tonight, did 30 minutes on the elliptical, rolling hills, level 16. Got 3 miles in 26:18, and finished out the half-hour in reverse with a total of 3.37 miles. Preceded with 50 pushups, 35 crunches and my back exercises.

Last night, did about four miles on snowy Kansas River trails with Nick “Colo Hawk” Lang, Laurie “Pixie Hawk” Euler, Justin “GNT Hawk” Henning and a new gal, Jessica Johnson. Jessica works at the Spencer Museum at KU, and recently completed her first marathon, the San Antonio, as part of “Team in Training,” for whom she raised $2,000.

Speaking of raising money, just got a disturbing e-mail from Nick. Seems Great Plains Running Company needs to raise $35,000 to stay in business — in the next 48 hours! Nick’s e-mail was short on details about how we could help, so I e-mailed Willie, forwarding to the Hawks and my spouse, asking for more info. Hate to see the only decent trail and ultrarunning store go down — not mention all our friends there!

more later,

gary