There is a group (informal adventure racers/trail runners) getting together this Wednesday afternoon at 5:30pm trail running at Sac River Trails and Ritter Springs (meeting at the Sac parking lot). Much like you, we are trying to promote trail running in and around the Springfield area and would like to make this a weekly thing to provide a fun group event mid-week. Runs distance and time varies on each individuals ability (and willingness), but we are shooting for an hour and longer for those who wish. The great thing about Sac/Ritter is the parking lot is never far away if someone needs to leave early or gets there late. As later fall and early winter set in we will turn these into headlamp runs (which are a favorite of mine) as it will get dark sooner. Please spread the word to your PEEPS and hopefully we can get a good group going.
John Jones
Bolivar, MO
417-770-5885
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
2008 Ozark Greenways Adventure Race (OGAR)
It was another stellar day in the Ozarks – this was the first year I’ve done the race since 2003 (I can’t believe I sat out 5 years…)
There were 78 teams of four registered, and 77 showed up to race. The race began at 7:00 am sharp with a 3 part harmony rendition of the star spangled banner. (can you feel the goosebumps?)
Best I can tell, we were about 24th on the first leg – an 8 mile run on pavement and gravel roads. We got in the canoes for a 6 mile paddle and picked up 10 spots to 14th, got on the bikes for a 7 mile bike. We lost 10 spots between transition and bike leg #1, and came in 24th going into the next section - which was orienteering. We lost 16 more places during the orienteering. (we mistook one drainage channel for a different one on the map and spent one hour on one of the three check points) Then the last bike leg back to finish (8.88 miles of gnarly singletrack and another 8 of gravel / paved roads) we picked up 11 spots to finish 33rd.
About 9 hours and 31 minutes total elapsed time. The top teams finished in about 6 to 7 hours. If we had not made the orienteering error, we would have definitely been top 20, maybe 15. Waiting for final results to see what place we finished relative to complete team finishes, as they allowed PTF’s (partial team finishes) this year.
It was a very tough race, and each of us showed strength at different times, keeping us all up beat, and moving forward. That's teamwork - not just the team captain (Ben) pushing us all (which he did from time to time). But each team member contributing their best, at the right time.
There were 78 teams of four registered, and 77 showed up to race. The race began at 7:00 am sharp with a 3 part harmony rendition of the star spangled banner. (can you feel the goosebumps?)
Best I can tell, we were about 24th on the first leg – an 8 mile run on pavement and gravel roads. We got in the canoes for a 6 mile paddle and picked up 10 spots to 14th, got on the bikes for a 7 mile bike. We lost 10 spots between transition and bike leg #1, and came in 24th going into the next section - which was orienteering. We lost 16 more places during the orienteering. (we mistook one drainage channel for a different one on the map and spent one hour on one of the three check points) Then the last bike leg back to finish (8.88 miles of gnarly singletrack and another 8 of gravel / paved roads) we picked up 11 spots to finish 33rd.
About 9 hours and 31 minutes total elapsed time. The top teams finished in about 6 to 7 hours. If we had not made the orienteering error, we would have definitely been top 20, maybe 15. Waiting for final results to see what place we finished relative to complete team finishes, as they allowed PTF’s (partial team finishes) this year.
It was a very tough race, and each of us showed strength at different times, keeping us all up beat, and moving forward. That's teamwork - not just the team captain (Ben) pushing us all (which he did from time to time). But each team member contributing their best, at the right time.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Endorphins take First Place!
On Saturday May 10th I participated (with two other team members - Ben Craig and Jodie Lister) in an adventure race at Busiek. Starting temp about 45 degrees and misty, breezy. We first had to plot 17 coordinates on to a blank USGS map of teh area, and then proceed to hit them each, in order, using the right mode of travel.
First leg was 4 checkpoints and about 5.5 miles of running / climbing hills (and crossing creeks) Then we got on the bikes - about 5 miles of muddy trail with more creek crossings - and 5 check points, then came the mystery event. We donned PFD's and had to blow up an inner tubes, and pick up 2 check points on Woods Fork Creek. And it was COLD, but VERY beautiful. We waded, floated, and sloshed down the creek for almost 2 miles. It was about that time the lightning and hail kicked in. Then back out for another 5 mile run (run is a relative term at Busiek, as 2 of the next 4 checkpoints were on 'Ridge tops' and we were still carrying the tubes and PFD's) Back to the bikes, for the final leg of the race - another 6 miles of MUDDY trail and 3 more checkpoints.
All in all, about 6+ hours of self propelled forward motion, and untold calories - I was not able to wear my GPS / Heart rate / elevation gain monitor because it had GPS. No GPS allowed.
And the result? A FIRST PLACE finish for The Endorphins. And all checkpoints accounted for accurately. And the feeling that we are close to being ready for the Ozark Greenways race May 31.
Photos coming!
First leg was 4 checkpoints and about 5.5 miles of running / climbing hills (and crossing creeks) Then we got on the bikes - about 5 miles of muddy trail with more creek crossings - and 5 check points, then came the mystery event. We donned PFD's and had to blow up an inner tubes, and pick up 2 check points on Woods Fork Creek. And it was COLD, but VERY beautiful. We waded, floated, and sloshed down the creek for almost 2 miles. It was about that time the lightning and hail kicked in. Then back out for another 5 mile run (run is a relative term at Busiek, as 2 of the next 4 checkpoints were on 'Ridge tops' and we were still carrying the tubes and PFD's) Back to the bikes, for the final leg of the race - another 6 miles of MUDDY trail and 3 more checkpoints.
All in all, about 6+ hours of self propelled forward motion, and untold calories - I was not able to wear my GPS / Heart rate / elevation gain monitor because it had GPS. No GPS allowed.
And the result? A FIRST PLACE finish for The Endorphins. And all checkpoints accounted for accurately. And the feeling that we are close to being ready for the Ozark Greenways race May 31.
Photos coming!
Ahhh...
Ocean breeze, blue water, white sand, horizontal legs and coconut drinks. A little breather for 'The Juice' and his wife Joyce. And awesome sunrises. This is life in the Bahamas. At least for a few days...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
April in the Ozarks!
Who would of thought we'd be in tights and fleece in April? Ben, Frank, Jodie and I enjoyed a few periods of spitting snow / sleet on a pretty wet trail at Sac River this morning. Lots of mud holes, but not too bad. Once we were done there I went on over to Ritter for a short loop - ran into a man with 3 dogs. One of them was bounding full speed for me when he yelled 'don;t worry, she won;t bite!'. So I stood still and the black dog just barked a rabid, mean bark. She did not bite, but I was ready to kick some doggie tail if I had to... Found a cable strung bridge at Ritter, wish I had my phone to get a photo. 1 Week to Ouachita 50. Send Captain and I some positive vibes!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Nerds Like the Wet Stuff Too...
What an adventure! The 'Energizer Bunny' and I went out to Busiek this morning - at first it looked like a complete wash out - 2 of the three bridges we use to cross the creek were washed out from last week's floods. But we found the 3rd intact which opened up the south and east sections of area for us to run. We'd normally wade across, but this morning Woods Fork was a TORRENT. Light rain, a little thunder, and water logged trails did not stop us from getting in about 2 hours - however at one point we had to refer back to my GPS watch to get us back to the car... A little adventure on every trip.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Trail Nerds like the Frozen Stuff Too...
I spent 3 days in Beaver Creek, CO last week - skiing my heart out. Skiing is one of my favorite sports, behind trail running, mountain biking, cycling, canoeing, fishing, hiking... etc. 3 Days. Fresh snow each day. Light powder in the first runs, with nice groomed trails after that. I always looked for the loose stuff though... First on, last off every day with lunch on the run. That's the only way to get your money's worth.
I did see what I thought was a true Trail Nerd, as I was on the lift going up, he was 'running' up the slope - with crampons, he headed STRAIGHT UP about a 1.5 mile long 'Blue' slope. Then rode the lift down. Now THAT's a NERD.
For a few images click here.
I did see what I thought was a true Trail Nerd, as I was on the lift going up, he was 'running' up the slope - with crampons, he headed STRAIGHT UP about a 1.5 mile long 'Blue' slope. Then rode the lift down. Now THAT's a NERD.
For a few images click here.
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