Miles by car: 734
Miles by foot: 15.4
Continuous hours awake: 34 when I pulled over and took a cat nap.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dottie.okeefe/BurningRiver100August122009#
Way back soon after JFK I knew Rick was going to do this race and I told him I would love to help crew. Originally we thought his friend Mike would be there and I could go from AS to AS and meet them along the way. As it turned out Mike had a sfx that took him out of BR so now the plan was to crew and then pace during the overnight trail sections. My goal was to be enough of a distraction that the miles would pass quickly until the finish line.
I left Frankfort for NE Ohio at 5:45 am to meet up with Rick at the 36/43 mile AS at Station Bridge Road. This way I could see him twice and make any changes to the game plan if it became necessary. The AS was electric and exciting with families, volunteers, pacers and lots of non-race people out for a beautiful recreation-filled day. I am not used to running in areas with random people out for walks or bike rides, but Burning River takes place in a National Park, so there was a lot of bike and pedestrian traffic. Occasionally someone would ask if there was race "or something" going on and the looks on their faces when they heard it was a 100-mile race was priceless! Here I met a couple of people who were planning to pace their runners so we all had good company to keep while waiting. I had forgotten how much fun the AS areas can be. I took some pictures onmy cellphone and updated my FB page and texted several of you and even talked to Mike and Lee while waiting here.
Rick came through the first time looking strong and ready to ditch the road shoes for trail shoes and in a matter of 3 or 4 minutes he was gone again. 36 miles down- lots of time in the bank and he looked forward to the next leg.
I had time to re-arrange my car a bit- charge my phone and take it easy since I knew it would be a long day and night.
At 43 miles he came through 10 minutes ahead of his predicted time and fueled a bit before taking off again. We had decided I wold meet him at the Boston Sore AS at 56 miles because the next leg had no crew access and the ones after were short. I knew the Boston Store AS would be busy as the first pacer pick up and again, I wanted to have a chance to update and eat and hydrate for the overnight.
The Boston Store is neat. There were a lot of pacers getting ready and as much as I wanted to get in there and run I knew I was better off waiting longer. Rick came through here twice, too. The first time he checked in he had 56 miles done. He kept saying he felt great and couildn't believe how good he felt. He ate some food and drank and refilled his bottle and was off again with plenty of time banked, over 2.5 hours I think.
I ate and drank a Gatorade and talked with a pacer (I never did get his name) for an hour about other races and running histories and whether it would rain. His runner came in right before Rick so we said our "see you laters" and I waited for Rick. This next time he came through he told me it was a little harder but he felt strong and looked forward to the next leg. 60.6 miles done and I would see him at 70 miles. The next AS was at 64 miles and the one after that had no crew access so we hugged and I told him I'd see him in 10 miles or so. Since there was a nice (read: not a porta pottie) restroom I changed into my running clothes and headed over to Happy Days AS AKA Woodstock. It was a festival atmosphere, but there were also several drops from the race here. Several runners were taking naps here!
During this time Rick called and said he had a blister that was slowing him down, so I figured he would fix it when he got here. Well, he made some shoelace adjustments and when he got here he was ready to fuel up some more and go. I had my handheld light ready and we were off.
We start off down some built in stairs and through a tunnel and then the trail becomes more like a caving/spelunking trip than a run. We literally squeezed through and between huge rock outcroppings and ledges and ducked under overhangs and stepped up and over huge, wet, slippery boulders. I'll bet in the daylight it's a rave run.
Tom called me during this part- neat to talk to him and he said he'd update you all.
There's a lot of single track and mud. It's so dark in the woods, the kind of dark that wraps you up tight until there is nothing- not even sound. It was starting to sprinkle a bit and I was surprised at how hot I was already. We maintained a steady pace and talked and the miles went by and soon we were at the Sound of Music hill (think Julie Andrews running up that hill and singing) and at the top was the next AS, 75.1 miles done. We ate some grilled cheese sanswiches and refilled our bottles and I took a restroom break. There were a lot of runners here in chairs- some drops- some just resting. The drizzle soon was a steady light rain as we left there headed to the Covered Bridge.
The rain was steady and the mud was getting worse. At one point the trail changed directions, yet there was only one flag, (quite misleading) and we lost some time and put in some extra mileage. We soon find ourselves hiking through ankle deep mud and rocks and every step is an effort. As the mud sucks you in, the shins really take a beating while trying to get a grip on solid ground along the cornfields. I HATE CORNFIELDS! Finally we got to the covered bridge after passing a few people. This was a first for me- I never ever pass people in an trail race. 81.6 miles finished- still a couple of hours in the bank.
I met a couple of friends of Rick's at this AS. We are here twice, too. I also meet Tom Jennings who is the RD for a 50-miler I'm doing in October. We leave here for probably the most technical leg of the trail. The rain is coming down harder and after a while I realize the long drive, lack of sleep, elevated heartrate and muddy inclines are taking a toll and I start to fall behind. Rick keeps a steady pace and I keep his headlight in my sight for quite a while, but soon the trail is so winding and hilly I lose my footing and skid into a tree. The mud here is deep and so slippery and now my shoulder hurts where I grabbed the tree to stop my skid. I can see the cliffs drop off the trail here. Again I pass 3 more people and finally get to the covered bridge shortly after Rick leaves. 85.7 miles done and I feel so terrible that I fell behind. Pacer fail.
Ray texted me, Mike called me and I talked to him a while and finally found a ride to my car and then missed Rick at the next AS that had crew access. I changed my clothes and went to the finish line to wait. Here I talked to Tom, watched some runners come through and then read the Saturday and Sunday posts which was a lot of fun!
Finally I see him approach the chute, take a couple of pictures and then get the best ever finish line hug! x 101
Rick fell asleep for a while- I got some coffee and a little food for the both of us, gathered up his drop bags and made sure he had a ride on the way before I left for Kentucky. I did take a cat nap at a rest area just south of Columbus so my 5.5 hour drive was closer to 7 hours before I got home.
It was the best ever running weekend and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Snow Day January 31, 2009
A beautiful day at Capital View Park. Bright sun, crunchy snow and crystal trees.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
JFK 50 Week 18 of 18
DINNER
The dinner was wonderful. I made it all the way to the hotel (490 miles) only to get turned around and semi lost the last 2 miles. On the way I drove through a horrible snowstorm, slippery, wet snow and I started to do some mental meteorology scenarios and figured the worse case scenario was snow on the AT, and as slow as I am it would translate to slippery and muddy. It turned out not to be the case as I drove the rest of the way in some sunshine and a few clouds. But it was a lot colder than I have been used to. I got to packet pick up, went back to the hotel to change, and I saw Mike and his family on the way to a store and then to dinner. I knocked on Chris' door- but no answer. While I was down in the lobby getting ready to leave him a note he came in and we ended up going to the dinner together. It was the best ever to meet everyone! It's hard to put it all in words, but there really can be so much caring and joy about people you have a connection with but haven't ever met in person. It just proves our physical beings don't define who we are but our spirits and personalities will and that's how we have built on these friendships to create a family, a caring community that extends across state lines and time zones. It was more like a reunion than a first meeting. Food was good. Rick gave me a beautiful picture frame which I will use to put out picture in. For most of us it was our first 50-miler so we asked Dave and Brian a lot of questions. I was back at the hotel before 9 and puttered around and slept not-so-great.
RACE MORNING: My start and DNF : (
I know Rick loves to eat big before an ultra so he had already scoped out a breakfast place, a 24-hour Denny's where we were to meet at 5 am. I had my coffee and some pancakes and bacon with Mike, Rick, Chris, Jerry and Wanda. I might add at this point that Jerry looked dressed to run. In a way I was soooooo hoping he was going to try, and in another way not. Rick left to go back and change and we went on to the start. It was a 15 minute drive and pretty neat to see the line of cars in front of us and back of us. We got to the school and had to park waaaay out in a playground area. In the gym I found Angus just as he was taking down his Traildawgs flag. He's just as upbeat and enthusiastic as I expected him to be. He introduced me to several people whose names I will never remember. I hope they all had good days. Angus had a stellar race. Dave, too. We all walked to the start, a reported 900 yards, but I'll bet the farm it was significantly longer. I started out very slow as I only wanted to get onto the trail portion without my calf hurting too badly. Tom caught up with me and told me he saw Lynda and Dave. I had seen Dave and he took my picture.
I felt certain that once I was on a softer surface I had a shot at a finish. My nerves really messed with my breathing and heart rate, so I slowed a bit more and Tom took off on his own. Soon I was at the big hill onto the trail and my calf started to bother me. Ugh. I could hear the sweep vehicle behind me. But I got on the trail, and immediately felt better. It was more of a dirt utility road, easy to run. It wasn't long before I was at the first aid station, but I was 10 minutes slower than I wanted to be. Here we start on what I referred to an an asphalt mountain. It was a long long hill and before long every step hurt. It was so discouraging, only me and some guy in front who kept doubling back to shout out stupid questions. I kid you not. He finally turned around and went back to the aid station. I later learned that they pulled him out there. Apparently he was convinced he went the wrong way. Not soon enough I was back on the trail which at this point is rockier with some runnable areas. I did the best I could, but ran out of time and got pulled from the race by the official at the 9.3 aid station/checkpoint. They were so nice, told me to be sure to come back next year and made sure I had a ride to the next checkpoint to meet up with Jerry and Wanda and Dave and Lynda. I made the 'walk of shame' to the sag wagon with my head up high. I tried. The ends of my hair had ice on them. Frost on my fleece collar. Fleece is awesome, wet and frozen, I was still warm. So one good thing was that I had dressed correctly. Too bad it didn't matter for more than a few hours. I still have time to work on my hardcore-in-pink persona.
CREW REPORT:
I got to the Weverton area, which ends the AT portion. It was an electric and exciting atmosphere. I saw Jerry and Wanda and hated to tell them I was out, and they offered to bring me anywhere I wanted to go. I had an old (thin) pair of workout pants and a hoodie at the start in my car, so after we saw everyone go by we made a quick detour to my car. At Weverton we saw Mike, who told me how hard the second section of the AT was. We saw Chris and then Rick and Tom. Then off to my car and onto mile 27.
At the next point we were on the Towpath. We missed Mike but saw Chris, Tom and Rick. Again the atmosphere was so exciting, so many out there supporting their families and running clubs helping their members. Each time we would see Dave and Lynda, too. We also saw the same runners over and over. It was really heartwarming and helped take the sting out of my day. Jerry and Wanda are a true match made in Heaven. She was the navigator and got us to where we needed to be. At each checkpoint we waited and saw that Tom, Chris and Rick were okay and had what they needed. Chris looked good every time we saw him. As it got later and longer Rick looked like he was in pain from a recent hip injury. That was at the Aqueduct I think, but the next time we saw him he looked better and stronger. Tom was the epitome of steady pacing. Seeing him and Jerry at each checkpoint made me teary eyed. They are true brothers in spirit. Dave took good care of Lynda and went on to the finish while we went to the last checkpoint at mile 46. It was dark- cold- and we were so happy to see Rick and then Tom knowing the next time would be at the finish line. The drive to the finish with the line of reflective vests on the side of the road was humbling. I will never forget what that looked like.
The finish line was our last stop. I saw the guy from Frankfort, KY finish. He spotted me on the Towpath, so I was delighted that he finished.
We saw Rick first, and then Tom. When Tom pulled out the letter from Scott I almost cried. He took Scott with him...a symbolic act that no matter what we never leave our children.
I had dinner with Jerry and Wanda and slept okay.
The crewing experience was awesome. I got to take part in something much bigger than my DNF. Although now I'm left with the memory of the poor performance, having had a part in everyone else's race day was worth it.
I love you guys, too.
The dinner was wonderful. I made it all the way to the hotel (490 miles) only to get turned around and semi lost the last 2 miles. On the way I drove through a horrible snowstorm, slippery, wet snow and I started to do some mental meteorology scenarios and figured the worse case scenario was snow on the AT, and as slow as I am it would translate to slippery and muddy. It turned out not to be the case as I drove the rest of the way in some sunshine and a few clouds. But it was a lot colder than I have been used to. I got to packet pick up, went back to the hotel to change, and I saw Mike and his family on the way to a store and then to dinner. I knocked on Chris' door- but no answer. While I was down in the lobby getting ready to leave him a note he came in and we ended up going to the dinner together. It was the best ever to meet everyone! It's hard to put it all in words, but there really can be so much caring and joy about people you have a connection with but haven't ever met in person. It just proves our physical beings don't define who we are but our spirits and personalities will and that's how we have built on these friendships to create a family, a caring community that extends across state lines and time zones. It was more like a reunion than a first meeting. Food was good. Rick gave me a beautiful picture frame which I will use to put out picture in. For most of us it was our first 50-miler so we asked Dave and Brian a lot of questions. I was back at the hotel before 9 and puttered around and slept not-so-great.
RACE MORNING: My start and DNF : (
I know Rick loves to eat big before an ultra so he had already scoped out a breakfast place, a 24-hour Denny's where we were to meet at 5 am. I had my coffee and some pancakes and bacon with Mike, Rick, Chris, Jerry and Wanda. I might add at this point that Jerry looked dressed to run. In a way I was soooooo hoping he was going to try, and in another way not. Rick left to go back and change and we went on to the start. It was a 15 minute drive and pretty neat to see the line of cars in front of us and back of us. We got to the school and had to park waaaay out in a playground area. In the gym I found Angus just as he was taking down his Traildawgs flag. He's just as upbeat and enthusiastic as I expected him to be. He introduced me to several people whose names I will never remember. I hope they all had good days. Angus had a stellar race. Dave, too. We all walked to the start, a reported 900 yards, but I'll bet the farm it was significantly longer. I started out very slow as I only wanted to get onto the trail portion without my calf hurting too badly. Tom caught up with me and told me he saw Lynda and Dave. I had seen Dave and he took my picture.
I felt certain that once I was on a softer surface I had a shot at a finish. My nerves really messed with my breathing and heart rate, so I slowed a bit more and Tom took off on his own. Soon I was at the big hill onto the trail and my calf started to bother me. Ugh. I could hear the sweep vehicle behind me. But I got on the trail, and immediately felt better. It was more of a dirt utility road, easy to run. It wasn't long before I was at the first aid station, but I was 10 minutes slower than I wanted to be. Here we start on what I referred to an an asphalt mountain. It was a long long hill and before long every step hurt. It was so discouraging, only me and some guy in front who kept doubling back to shout out stupid questions. I kid you not. He finally turned around and went back to the aid station. I later learned that they pulled him out there. Apparently he was convinced he went the wrong way. Not soon enough I was back on the trail which at this point is rockier with some runnable areas. I did the best I could, but ran out of time and got pulled from the race by the official at the 9.3 aid station/checkpoint. They were so nice, told me to be sure to come back next year and made sure I had a ride to the next checkpoint to meet up with Jerry and Wanda and Dave and Lynda. I made the 'walk of shame' to the sag wagon with my head up high. I tried. The ends of my hair had ice on them. Frost on my fleece collar. Fleece is awesome, wet and frozen, I was still warm. So one good thing was that I had dressed correctly. Too bad it didn't matter for more than a few hours. I still have time to work on my hardcore-in-pink persona.
CREW REPORT:
I got to the Weverton area, which ends the AT portion. It was an electric and exciting atmosphere. I saw Jerry and Wanda and hated to tell them I was out, and they offered to bring me anywhere I wanted to go. I had an old (thin) pair of workout pants and a hoodie at the start in my car, so after we saw everyone go by we made a quick detour to my car. At Weverton we saw Mike, who told me how hard the second section of the AT was. We saw Chris and then Rick and Tom. Then off to my car and onto mile 27.
At the next point we were on the Towpath. We missed Mike but saw Chris, Tom and Rick. Again the atmosphere was so exciting, so many out there supporting their families and running clubs helping their members. Each time we would see Dave and Lynda, too. We also saw the same runners over and over. It was really heartwarming and helped take the sting out of my day. Jerry and Wanda are a true match made in Heaven. She was the navigator and got us to where we needed to be. At each checkpoint we waited and saw that Tom, Chris and Rick were okay and had what they needed. Chris looked good every time we saw him. As it got later and longer Rick looked like he was in pain from a recent hip injury. That was at the Aqueduct I think, but the next time we saw him he looked better and stronger. Tom was the epitome of steady pacing. Seeing him and Jerry at each checkpoint made me teary eyed. They are true brothers in spirit. Dave took good care of Lynda and went on to the finish while we went to the last checkpoint at mile 46. It was dark- cold- and we were so happy to see Rick and then Tom knowing the next time would be at the finish line. The drive to the finish with the line of reflective vests on the side of the road was humbling. I will never forget what that looked like.
The finish line was our last stop. I saw the guy from Frankfort, KY finish. He spotted me on the Towpath, so I was delighted that he finished.
We saw Rick first, and then Tom. When Tom pulled out the letter from Scott I almost cried. He took Scott with him...a symbolic act that no matter what we never leave our children.
I had dinner with Jerry and Wanda and slept okay.
The crewing experience was awesome. I got to take part in something much bigger than my DNF. Although now I'm left with the memory of the poor performance, having had a part in everyone else's race day was worth it.
I love you guys, too.
Monday, November 17, 2008
JFK 50 Week 17 of 18
Still having some calf issues. I've decided rest is best.
11 miles total for the week ending Sunday November 16, 2008.
11 miles total for the week ending Sunday November 16, 2008.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
JFK 50 Week 16 of 18
For the week ending Sunday, November 9, 2008
I have 22 miles for the week. 12 Saturday and 10 Sunday. Both were jog/walk, with Sunday's being more of a jog/hike. My calf is still bothering me, but it bothered me a lot less on Sunday on the trail and CC sections. It's safe to say I'm freaking out a little.
So the taper begins. I feel like I've been in taper mode for a month already with the lower mileage.
I have 22 miles for the week. 12 Saturday and 10 Sunday. Both were jog/walk, with Sunday's being more of a jog/hike. My calf is still bothering me, but it bothered me a lot less on Sunday on the trail and CC sections. It's safe to say I'm freaking out a little.
So the taper begins. I feel like I've been in taper mode for a month already with the lower mileage.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
JFK 50 Week 15 of 18
Not the big bang mileage week I hoped for, but my calf is feeling a lot better and I will settle for a 2-week taper and slightly shorter last long run this weekend. Yesterday and last night my calf was quite sore, but today it's a lot better.
Thank you Biofreeze and Motrin.
Total for the week is 23 miles.
Monday- off
Tuesday- 6
Wednesday- 2 and I hurt my right calf.
Thursday- off
Friday- off
Saturday- off but was on my feet literally all day at the MOC CC meet from 9-4:30 so I'm sure it helped my endurance some...
Sunday- 15 I had 12 on the trails and 3 on pavement. The pavement was a big a$$ mistake. As soon as I started I felt tight- it may have been the pavement but was more likely caused by the 10 minute drive when my muscles had a chance to lock up.
I have learned a lot, I think.
RR:
I can go a lot longer and more often than I thought I could.
Slower sometimes is better.
I am pretty happy with whatever is at the aid stations and always find something I can eat/drink.
Hand held bottles are the bomb once you get used to them.
On a trail you can wear black socks and look cool not dorky.
No matter how much time I put into trail running I'm still going to fall.
But I'd still rather be on a trail than anywhere else.
I'm definitely going to do another one.
NRR:
I said 'no' to some long-held jobs at church and it was fine.
Nothing usually happens after 9 pm (my bedtime, lately) that can't wait until I get up in the morning.
I'm only working 2 CC meets this season and I didn't miss a thing. I am a T&F geek at heart, I guess.
Thank you Biofreeze and Motrin.
Total for the week is 23 miles.
Monday- off
Tuesday- 6
Wednesday- 2 and I hurt my right calf.
Thursday- off
Friday- off
Saturday- off but was on my feet literally all day at the MOC CC meet from 9-4:30 so I'm sure it helped my endurance some...
Sunday- 15 I had 12 on the trails and 3 on pavement. The pavement was a big a$$ mistake. As soon as I started I felt tight- it may have been the pavement but was more likely caused by the 10 minute drive when my muscles had a chance to lock up.
I have learned a lot, I think.
RR:
I can go a lot longer and more often than I thought I could.
Slower sometimes is better.
I am pretty happy with whatever is at the aid stations and always find something I can eat/drink.
Hand held bottles are the bomb once you get used to them.
On a trail you can wear black socks and look cool not dorky.
No matter how much time I put into trail running I'm still going to fall.
But I'd still rather be on a trail than anywhere else.
I'm definitely going to do another one.
NRR:
I said 'no' to some long-held jobs at church and it was fine.
Nothing usually happens after 9 pm (my bedtime, lately) that can't wait until I get up in the morning.
I'm only working 2 CC meets this season and I didn't miss a thing. I am a T&F geek at heart, I guess.
Monday, October 27, 2008
JFK 50 Week 14 of 18
Recovery after the 50K was a slow recovery. The race took a lot more out of me than I expected. Saturday was an USRD due to a brief stomach virus that has been going around here. Sunday I managed 10 very slow miles.
I stayed off the trails all week. No sense taking a chance on falling again.
For the week ending on October 26, 2008
Monday- off
Tuesday- 1 mile
Wednesday- 4 miles
Thursday- 6 miles
Friday- off
Saturday- off sick
Sunday- 10 miles
21 total miles, all in the paved park- all pretty slow and easy.
I stayed off the trails all week. No sense taking a chance on falling again.
For the week ending on October 26, 2008
Monday- off
Tuesday- 1 mile
Wednesday- 4 miles
Thursday- 6 miles
Friday- off
Saturday- off sick
Sunday- 10 miles
21 total miles, all in the paved park- all pretty slow and easy.
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