Ahhh, the Frozen Trail...

Cold winter mornings are the beckon call of mountain bikers. Fall usually brings wet muddy trails, but as soon as temps can stay below freezing and overcast, the bikes come back out. Last two days at Sac River Trail have proven the popularity of frozen trails. Saturday at 8:30 am I was planning a ride with a couple other people, but when they bailed, I met up with three other guys, and as we finished up at 10:30 am another 6 or 7 were headed out. Today, I met with yet 3 more guys layered up ready for the low rolling resistance, 'ride to stay warm', and 'ride before it warms up' sensations. It was pure bliss. Snoticles and all...

Gorgeous Winter Day at Busiek

Temp in the low 30s, overcast and light rain. A group of 20+ trail runners gathered for the "Stomp Hunger' run. I showed up with MTB to protect some foot problems I've been having. I rode about 1:30 before heading back to town to teach spin class. After the initial group photo op, the group split up and went different dirrections. Here are a few images from today.

Wyco Work Day

Here is a link to photos from Wyco Work Day.

http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/11-21-09erta/index.htm

For Marcy

Here is the photo I think you are looking for:

Thanksgiving

Been a while since I posted - been laid up most of the summer, and volunteering at events like the Berryman Adventure Race, Dogwood Canyon 50K, Trail Masons Workday, and the Turkey Trot. It has been nice to see the view of the trails from another perspective.

If you are on Facebook, you should check out Springfield Missouri Trail Runners and Trail Masons Association. If you are not on Facebook, you should join in!

I'm still planning on going to White Rock, but just as I was finishing rehab on Achilles, I started a bout of plantar faciatis. Doc says it's all in the calves (loosening them up) and getting good orthodics for my shoes. Signs of getting older. (not old, just older).

I am thankful that I can still get out and help make some events, for great friends, and for my wife, Joyce, who does not make me put up Christmas lights outside. We should all give thanks for the trails and open space we enjoy, and for our health every day.

Looking forward to getting back on the trail, and maybe seeing you there!

Bass Pro Shops Dogwood Canyon 25K / 50K 2009

This was the second year of this race (see last year's post Day 1 and Day 2). This year we were MUCH more organized, and we did not get a jeep stuck, and nobody got lost. We had over 200 participants and everyone finished the course, no DNFs despite the slippery, muddy conditions and a very tough course. Maybe the toughest 50K in the Midwest?


John, Shawn and I worked all day Saturday (well, John showed up a bit late...) and up till about 11 pm that night making sure the trails were in good shape, and well marked. Imagine 3 guys, in an old jeep, running around in the woods, after 10 pm. Conjures up thoughts of high school escapades...

Race day went off without a hitch. And we had some great course and aid station volunteers. With results like 1:42+ on the 25K, and 4:17+ on the 50K, on a tough course, shows the strength of participants we had. My hats off to all the racers, including our last 50K finisher., David Black at 9:36+ who is trying to an Ultra in every state. We joked that it may need to be two laps at Rhode Island... Click here for all the results. Photos were taken by Action Sports Images, and can be found here when they are online.

This year I chose not to run, but to manage on course logistics. It was fun seeing everyone having such a great time. I'm looking forward to the 2010 race already!

OGAR Official Results

Team Endorphins placed 6th in Masters category and 17th overall out of 52 teams:
http://www.greenwayrace.org/races/ogar-2009/final/

Here are our split times:
http://www.greenwayrace.org/races/ogar-2009/teams/endorphins/

Ozark Greenways Adventure (Mud) Race 2009

An adventure it was. This year on the day before

the race they scrapped the canoe section and had to go to plan B. Rivers were just too high to be safe. Although the week before would have been even more exciting - see graph of river stages.

It rained the night before the race, and was raining early on the course. Made for a wet day, although it was nice and cool all day.

The mud on the MTB sections got to border on ridiculous. It was like riding in a stream all day... Our bodies and bike were covered in mud. See photo of the bike.

With leadership from captain Ben Craig, and support from other team members Frank Zanaboni and Sherri Shaughnessy, we finished in a respectable 8 hours 30 minutes +, and in (unofficial) 6th place in Masters (old geezer) division and 17th overall out of 55 teams +/-.

As always, a well supported race, with awesome volunteers and a great cause. And it always reminds me I am human....

White Rock Classic 2009

The race that almost did not happen... Ice storm damage in NW Arkansas was a factor in the RD decision to keep the race on.


On Wednesday the 4th, the website proclaimed "After getting the latest reports from authorities in the area, the White Rock Classic is indeed ON for February 7th. The forest roads used by the course are open, but be prepared to see a lot of devastation from the recent ice." The damage at the top of WRM was extensive, but crews have been working to clear the roads and restore power. As of this writing power had not been restored to the house, cabins and lodge.

I drove up Friday afternoon after assessing ice storm damage at my folks house in Tecumseh, MO. It was in the 60's when I got to White Rock, very uncommon for this time of year. Since there were only 5 of us staying, we took Cabin C which has a fireplace and enough beds for 5 guys. The 09 group included thirteen year old Jackson Eiken, and his dad Donnie; James Silverstone from Hot Springs; my adventure racing team mate, Larry Vernon and myself.

There was (as usual) a gorgeous sunset Friday evening.


I drove in 'the back way' but everyone else came up WRM Road - all three of them missed a turn because of the way the signs were facing.

All except Larry made it in time for a romantic dinner by the fire - remember, no power. Larry got in about 11, and got last pick of beds. Sorry Larry...


Next morning we drove down top the start and began the process of 'what do I wear, what do I take. I chose to wear a long sleeve under armour and a wind vest and shorts. I took a windbreaker but never did pull it out.


At Turners Bend store we found this Ale (Ail) and bought a 6 pack ($13.26 - it was so expensive because they burned witches to create the fire to brew the ail, the store clerk said)

Here are the 4 of us - Jack (looking confident) James, (not sure yet if he is doing the 25K, or doing 10 and coming back for 20) me (thinking I'm not ready for this...) and Larry (how do I use this Garmin Forerunner anyway?)

And in a blur, we were off like a herd of turtles. Headed straight up the first climb - for me this is always the toughest part, getting into a rhythm. It took me a couple of miles to get settled in. (Larry, James, Jack and I)

The rest of the run for me was all about nursing my ankle with naproxin sodium (aleve) and pacing myself on the climbs. I ran into Jack about 5 miles from the finish who ended up with digestion problems. He DNF'd but is ready to try again next year. Larry finished the 25K fun run in 2:55, and I limped in at 4:11 (a new slowest PR for me). James turned around at the 10.2 mile aid station to get in a 20 mile day. White Rock is always about the friendship and camaraderie more than the race anyway. We had a great time, and I booked the lodge again for Feb 5 and 6 2010.

I saw the strangest thing on the way home. See this picture and see what you think. 5 dead armadillos... It was a bit bizarre and surreal.