Thursday, October 30, 2008
About Daylight Savings...
I once heard an american indian say 'Only a white man would think that he could cut 6 inches from one end of the blanket, sew it to the other end, and think he has a longer blanket."
Last Daylight
On the last week before we change time, I'm squeezing in some daylight runs and rides before getting the lights out. I was able to get in a one hour MTB ride yesterday, and the forst was absolutely gorgeous at last light. The west sky was glowing, and simply 'lit up' the little maple tree in the woods.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dogwood 25K / 50K - Day 2
Next morning came fast. I got up at 5, and was at the start area by 5:30 with my notes to announce to the race participants, and to take in a relaxing 25K run in sweep position. Then as the crowd started gathering and registration was going on, something changed the whole day. We were informed that nobody had seen Dean all night, or this morning. Panic struck us all, not only for Dean's safety, but he was a lynch pin in the morning logistics for volunteers and aid stations. We all sprung into action. Chad went searching for Dean on the trail. Mike and I started figuring out what needed to take place to get aid stations set up and volunteers on the course. Barney Fife started (yes, Barney was there...) started making announcements on the bullhorn.
It was very soon that we found out Dean found the same hole we did with the jeep, with no radio on hand, and no cell service, he simply slept (sort of) in the jeep, in the creek, all night. We were all thankful he was OK, but had to keep moving to get this race on the trail.
One of my announcements (among others) was that the course would cross the state line into Arkansas. And not to worry, because even though there was no 'line' on the ground denoting the state line. that the racers would know they are in Arkansas. Amber had hired a couple of bonafide Silver Dollar City hillbillies to sit in the woods at the state line....
With the bang of Barney's single bullet, the race was off. I hung back to make sure the rest of the race logistics were in place, then started walking. As I hit the woods, I started a slow jog, and within 50 yards of leaving the pavement came the first of many creek crossings.
I was less than 3 miles into the race when I saw a blur of three guys going past me the other way. This was the elite runners, who had already completed 9 miles at a blistering pace (the averaged a 7:23 pace on the 50K)
I yelled at them, to no avail, that they were headed the wrong way. Later I find out that Aid Station 1 had set up their table right in front of the signs we placed out the day before... Lesson #1 (of many) don't leave the set up of the tables to volunteers.
The route had multiple stream crossings (one of which had a jeep right in the way) and 8 major clims on the 25K course. The 50 K was a reverse of the 25K and thus had 16 major climbs. Over 9000 feet of elevation gain on the 50K course.
The rest of the day went well. I chatted with people, cheered some of them on, and walked with Monty, who taught me the art of picking up trash, which became a twist of fate for me. I had twisted my ankle, and was hobbling a bit, when I saw a Ziploc baggie on the ground. I picked it up to keep the course clean, and voila - inside were 4 Advil. Just what I needed when i needed them. I spent time talking to each aid station, and checking in on race radio to help coordinate last runners on the course, bag drop off pickup, and aid station supplies.
In the end I finished the 25K in about 3:20 moving time, 4:45 elapsed time. When finished I ate a bison burger (mm mm) and then took a load of boy scouts to one of the aid stations to begin packing up. On my way back to base I noticed the engine sputtering. Funny, it feels like it's out of gas, but the gauge reads 'Full'. So I eased it back to the aid station and called Chad up on the radio. 'Sounds like my jeep is out of gas, but the gage reads Full'. Chad replies 'It always reads 'Full'. Nick, lets take him a gas can...'
That's how my day ended, waiting on a can of gas so I could make my last trip on the course back to the Start / Finish line. It was a gorgeous day. Mid 60's a nice crisp breeze, leaves of every color on the trees, and sunlight through the forest. That's how I'll remember the first race that I help set up, and also participated in. I'm already thinking about what we can do to make next year better!
It was very soon that we found out Dean found the same hole we did with the jeep, with no radio on hand, and no cell service, he simply slept (sort of) in the jeep, in the creek, all night. We were all thankful he was OK, but had to keep moving to get this race on the trail.
One of my announcements (among others) was that the course would cross the state line into Arkansas. And not to worry, because even though there was no 'line' on the ground denoting the state line. that the racers would know they are in Arkansas. Amber had hired a couple of bonafide Silver Dollar City hillbillies to sit in the woods at the state line....
With the bang of Barney's single bullet, the race was off. I hung back to make sure the rest of the race logistics were in place, then started walking. As I hit the woods, I started a slow jog, and within 50 yards of leaving the pavement came the first of many creek crossings.
I was less than 3 miles into the race when I saw a blur of three guys going past me the other way. This was the elite runners, who had already completed 9 miles at a blistering pace (the averaged a 7:23 pace on the 50K)
I yelled at them, to no avail, that they were headed the wrong way. Later I find out that Aid Station 1 had set up their table right in front of the signs we placed out the day before... Lesson #1 (of many) don't leave the set up of the tables to volunteers.
The route had multiple stream crossings (one of which had a jeep right in the way) and 8 major clims on the 25K course. The 50 K was a reverse of the 25K and thus had 16 major climbs. Over 9000 feet of elevation gain on the 50K course.
The rest of the day went well. I chatted with people, cheered some of them on, and walked with Monty, who taught me the art of picking up trash, which became a twist of fate for me. I had twisted my ankle, and was hobbling a bit, when I saw a Ziploc baggie on the ground. I picked it up to keep the course clean, and voila - inside were 4 Advil. Just what I needed when i needed them. I spent time talking to each aid station, and checking in on race radio to help coordinate last runners on the course, bag drop off pickup, and aid station supplies.
In the end I finished the 25K in about 3:20 moving time, 4:45 elapsed time. When finished I ate a bison burger (mm mm) and then took a load of boy scouts to one of the aid stations to begin packing up. On my way back to base I noticed the engine sputtering. Funny, it feels like it's out of gas, but the gauge reads 'Full'. So I eased it back to the aid station and called Chad up on the radio. 'Sounds like my jeep is out of gas, but the gage reads Full'. Chad replies 'It always reads 'Full'. Nick, lets take him a gas can...'
That's how my day ended, waiting on a can of gas so I could make my last trip on the course back to the Start / Finish line. It was a gorgeous day. Mid 60's a nice crisp breeze, leaves of every color on the trees, and sunlight through the forest. That's how I'll remember the first race that I help set up, and also participated in. I'm already thinking about what we can do to make next year better!
Dogwood 25K / 50K - Day 1
After several trip to Dogwood Canyon and the help of many people including John Montgomery and Mike Baxter, the course had been worked out. and race weekend had arrived. Saturday (the day before the race) we started out by taking a load of race course signs to start marking the intersections.
The grounds crew had been clearing some sections and had 'fixed' the creek crossings. One in particular though was still very soft. The Arctic Cat 'Prowlers' had no problem, but our jeep sunk to the axles. This was the first of several 
exciting events awaiting us on the inaugural Dogwood 25K / 50K trail race, sponsored by North Face.
exciting events awaiting us on the inaugural Dogwood 25K / 50K trail race, sponsored by North Face. After many hours of setting signs and asking ourselves 'Have we marked it well enough so Lea would not get off course?' we headed back to the ranch.
On the way back, we spot a bald eagle perched in a tree just above 'Glory Hole'. That made the whole day worthwhile.
At dinner we wanted to get together to discuss logistics, but Dean was nowhere to be found. We figured he'd gone back to the hotel, he had started the day in Springfield getting the Tour De Bass (an inaugural bike ride) off and riding.
I pitched my tent, took off my wet boots and nodded off to the sounds of Endurance Planet's 'Breakaway Friday' which was entitled 'What was I thinking?'. The night was chilly, and the stars were bright.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
From John Jones
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
John Jones
Bolivar, MO
417-770-5885
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!
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