Back of the pack

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

Monday Nighter - Front, L to R - Newcomer Amanda Ernlund, Kristie "Designer Hawk" Campbell. Back, L to R - Levi "Smilin' Hawk" Bowles, Constantine "Ninja Hawk" Cotsoradis and newcomer Dave.

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

I ran the Hawk Marathon course to get this mug.

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.

Mike, Amy and Josh take a hill on the white course, close to 8 miles in.

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 at Lands End, about 6.3 miles in.

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.

Josh gets water about 9.5 miles into the run.

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.

Self-portrait on Bunker Hill.

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.

Swim Beach -- mostly swim, very little beach.

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.

Red-blazed shoreline trail, completely submerged.

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.

Flooded Mud Creek. Normally just over ankle deep. Now, WAY over ankle deep.

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!

Clinton Lake on the verge of taking out another section of blue trail.

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.

Anna on Sanders Mound. That's Brad, a trail runner from KC in the background.

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!

# # #

Erin demonstrates how to handle the stress of crewing while waiting for Greg at the Michigan Bluff aid station, about 55 miles into the course.

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

Sarah Smarsh came out for the Wednesday nighter.

Good hour workout on the elliptical at lunch today. Got 6 miles in 50:29, and finished out the hour with 7.09 miles. Very nearly hit my ongoing goal of sub-50 minutes for six miles. As usual, did the rolling hills program, level 16. After six miles, did the remaining 9:31 in reverse.

Did 50 push ups. Very pleased with the workout.

Nice relaxed-pace run on the North Shore trails at Clinton Lake yesterday. They’re finally dried out — even the Muddy Mile is in pretty good shape. Some serious bank erosion on the blue-blazed trail where it goes along the lake in the first mile out.

Sarah Smarsh, an English professor from Washburn U., joined me for the Wednesday nighter. We had a great time blabbing about books and writing, two of my favorite subjects. What a privilege it was to talk about the field with someone as accomplished as Sarah.

She got her MFA in NYC — writing in New York… Sarah lived the dream! Turns out she was in the KU J-school same time as Sarah “Scoop Hawk” Henning.

A few miles out, we were joined by budding ultra-runner Garrett Blattner, also of Lawrence. Garrett ran most of the Hawk Marathon. Knew we would be great friends when he told me he loved the course. Wasn’t his day at the marathon, though, and Garrett elected to skip the last 3-mile loop.

We ran out past the 5-mile marker on the white-blazed trail, and took the 1st connector down to blue and Mud Creek. It was still way high, so we ran back on white to just before the 4-mile marker, then crossed to blue and went in from there — about 8-ish miles, I think.

I also ran the Muddy Mile loop — about a mile-and-a-half — before Sarah arrived. I wanted to scout out the erosion and the mud. So I got about 9-and-a-half yesterday.

Have been feeling good in all my workouts, so feel that I may be ready to survive the 100k at Lunar Trek in three weeks. The 32-mile night run set for Friday should give me a more concrete indication of where I am though.

Will close with this shot of Greg Burger and his pacer Danny “Study Hawk” Miller, pizza in hand, coming out of the Forest Hill aid station at 62 miles into the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Saturday. Greg finished under 29 hours — stupendous achievement.

More later!

Gary

Greg Burger (L) and pacer Danny “Study Hawk” Miller stride forth from the Forest Hill aid station at 62 miles into the Western States 100.

Beautiful blue sunny day. Perfect for a lunchtime run.

Did 6 miles on the hills in the biz park, in 56:40, not too fast. Stayed on the grassy strip between road and sidewalk, so almost like running trails. Temps in mid-80s, light breeze. Felt strong and steady throughout.

50 push ups on the concrete before the run. Sidewalk was hot. Had to put my PCT 50 bandanna down for my hands.

Spent much of the run composing my Western States “Crew View” report for this weekend when I write it up.

Will close with a photo of Danny “Study Hawk” Miller, who was both crew and pacer. This shot is near the top of the escarpment, about three miles into the WS100 course. Taken the night before the race when he and I ran up there.

More later!

gary

Danny “Study Hawk” Miller gazes heroically into the sunset the night before Western States and pacing duty for our runner Greg Burger.

Two Gregs -- after his trademark 100-mile race finishing gesture of kissing the ground, Greg Burger (L) gets the Western States finishing medal from Race Director Greg Soderlund.

Whew! Back from helping to crew Greg Burger to his first finish at the storied Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Squaw Valley to Auburn, in the High Sierras of California. Hope to get a story written this weekend from the “Crew View” perspective.

There’s a lot to tell and I plan to tell all. Short version — Greg did great and we all had a wild time helping him!

Managed to get a few miles in. Hiked up to near the top of the escarpment at the beginning of the WS100 course, about three miles, with fellow crew members Danny Miller, Erin Manning and Ed Payne, Friday, the night before the race. Ed and Erin turned back at the snow line, but Danny and I continued for another half mile or so.

Then we ran down. Huge fun, and made me want to enter the WS100 lottery for 2011.

Early Sunday Morning, just after midnight, Erin, Ed, me, and Brian and Dawn Pawley hiked about 6 miles round trip to the Rucky Chucky crossing of the American River to meet Greg and Danny, who was pacing Greg. Brian took over pacing there. Beautiful full moon and mild temps — a real treat.

That was just one of the places I forgot to bring my camera. Oy! Did get a few shots though.

Anyway, full report coming, probably this weekend.

In other news, my “Gal Gallop” story got rejected by “Trail Runner” magazine. Very disappointing, but will perhaps find a home for it elsewhere. If you would like to read a draft of that story, just visit the March Archive, and scroll down a couple entries to “Gal Gallop.” Sorry I can’t provide a link directly to the entry.

More later!

gary