Last month Oklahoma ultra athletes, Rex Pace, Russell Allison, and Eddie Spencer decided to use their fitness for a 20-ish mile point-to-point adventure on the nearly water-free Canadian River bottom from Norman to Purcell, Oklahoma.

From dream to reality - Russell, Eddie, and Rex at the bridge in Purcell, OK

Rex shared a report. Here is their experience.

Enjoy!

Our good friend and veteran ultrarunner, Russell Allison, had been scheming this run for years, but never got around to doing it due to the time constraints of a busy business and family life, or water levels that were too high, or maybe because he was too busy doing things like running across the United States or becoming Oklahoma’s first Leadman among many other accomplishments (blah, blah, blah).

Another good friend Eddie Spencer (Crazy Eddie), an experienced cyclist and ultrarunner himself, had been chomping at the bit since the first time Russell mentioned it.  I’m fortunate to run with guys who are up for any adventure at anytime and I couldn’t wait to take on this one. So when the high temperatures suddenly dropped into the low 80′s this August, the time was right to make this thing happen and the three of us did it!

Russell,  Eddie and myself are all Norman residents and are very familiar with all of the local trails and the river itself.  The Canadian River is well known by locals as a great area to explore for endless miles on ATV’s and Jeeps, but as far as we know, we are the first to actually run the section of it from Norman, OK to Purcell, OK.

Our run covered approximately 20 miles of picturesque Oklahoma countryside with tons of wildlife, including two bald eagles we witnessed in flight, and beautiful scenery around every bend.

Our journey started right out of Eddie’s front door through his neighborhood park that butts up against the woods along the banks of the South Canadian river just before it flows under I-35.  I personally was going to see how long I could keep my feet dry, but about 2.1 seconds after hitting the river bed we were taking our first plunge.  Russell was keeping up with the number of water crossings we made, but gave up after a dozen or more in the first few miles.  We were already trudging through deep sand, cold water and dodging swarms of flying insects; we were having a blast.

The day before our run Eddie ventured through Noble, OK down a long country road that led almost right to the river. From what Eddie says this was an adventure in itself.  I believe the local residents are proud and protective of their neck of the woods down there to say the least!  But after a brief ”encounter” the unique couple that lives out on this section of the river warmed up to Eddie, as everyone does, and allowed him to stash our two gallons of water on the river for our one and only “aid station” .

"Aid station"

As we closed in on this section of the river during our run, Eddie was able to pinpoint the exact location of the water by remembering a few bushes, driftwood and sand piles as landmarks.  He was really excited that he was able to find the stashed drinking water so quickly given the limited and obscure landmarks he noted the day before…Russell and I were quick to point out the huge powerlines that ran right over us might have been a decent landmark as well!!  He kind of missed that the day before.

We were about 12 miles into it and left feeling great and surprised at how quickly we were traversing the river bed.  Oh, and there’s still an unopened gallon of water hidden for next time!

This is a pic of the railroad trestle the Heartland Flyer passes over as it transports travelers between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, TX.

Railroad trestle in the distance

As I mentioned earlier we saw plenty of wildlife but this less than eager beaver is the only wildlife pic I got.

Just before we saw the two eagles flying overhead, Russell got word that his new business, Andy Alligator’s Water Park in Norman, had just been approved to begin with construction.  Very cool moment.  And what a way to celebrate!

We were making great progress still dodging the occasional swarm of insects and a snake or two, talking about urban legend quick sand pits and before we knew it we had made it to our destination point, the bridge that crosses the river at Purcell, in a very surprising 3 hours and 45 minutes!

We had planned on anywhere from 4-6 hours due to the uncertainty of the terrain and lack of a real trail.  We made good time and felt great. No falls, injuries, beaver attacks, snake bites, mountain lion mallings, eagle clawings, sasquatch sightings, banjos playing in the background or anything!

Here we are under the bridge in Purcell admiring the “artwork”.

We made our way up out of the river, hopped over the train on the tracks, ran right into downtown Purcell and found us some much needed homecookin’ at the Boomerang Grill.

Eddie and Russell making their way to the grub at the Boomerang.

Russell’s wife and mother-in-law were nice enough to make the trek south down I-35 to Purcell to give as a lift back home.  Thanks Robbie and Charletta!

I would definitely put this up there in the top 10 of my most memorable runs. We had a blast and can’t wait to do it again or maybe farther or maybe a new section, multi-day??  Who knows!  Whatever the trail brings us we will take.  If anyone is interested in doing this run as well let me know. We’re always ready for another adventure.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Leadville 100 Trail Run – 2011 TALON Results

If you enjoyed Char and Fred Thompson’s account of their Grand Canyon R2R2R adventure, I have another one for ya!

John Sharp is a passionate, high-energy TALON athlete that also experienced his first R2R2R adventure a few weeks back. John has moved through the ultra distances like a bull moving through the streets of Spain during the San Firmin festival – Full On!

John ran his first 50 km in January 2008 and his first 100 miler by June the same year. Of special note, John finished what most agree is the toughest 100 miler in the United States, the Hardrock 100 in 2010.

John started the ~46 mile R2R2R journey at 3:30am and arrived back at the South Rim around midnight.

Q&A on the Adventure

John was gracious in answering a few questions (and include photos and video!) as only John can…about his Grand Canyon experience and share it with the Endurance Buzz community.

Enjoy!

It sounded like something cool to do. Like a lemming, everybody else was doing it, so why not.

EB: Nearly the entire route you are either climbing or descending. As a flatlander, how did your prepare in training for this component of the run?

That is not as true as you may think, from the River to a little past Cottonwood [EB - around ~8 miles one-way], it’s pretty flat. Prepare/Train? HaHa. I drank a lot of beer the day before, does that count?

EB: As you took your first step down the trail, what thoughts crossed your mind?

This is going to be one long ass day, it’s probably going to suck, and WTH am I doing here!

EB: On a trail that can leave you quite exposed, were there any sections of trail that made the hair on your arms stand up?

None. As long as one side of me is against a wall of some sort, I am fine. I only get freaked out on steep ridges, where both sides
drop away quickly.

EB: Since you don’t have an aid-station every four miles to load up the hydration pack and grab some tasty brownies, how did you manage hydration and calorie needs across an entire day?

You should have some experience in this area, to really know. I had five PB&J and three ham&cheese sandwiches. Also, four bananas, a bag of jelly beans, fig newtons and crackers.

EB: Any big critters? What animals did you notice along the route?

No big critters, unless you count mules, but a whole bunch of lizards!

EB: How busy of a trail was it on your day? Did you feel like the only one on the trail or are you frequently crossing paths with other runners/hikers?

It wasn’t real busy at all. I did cross paths with runners, but I mostly felt like I was the only one out there.

EB: As you took your last step off the trail, what thoughts crossed your mind?

This really sucked, I wish I would have trained for this. I’m never doing this again. But, I will!!

EB: What three tips would you share with someone interested in the R2R2R experience?

Don’t be stupid, you really could die. Know your abilities. Know your body.

John put together a sweet little video from the adventure. Check it out!

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Special thanks to John for sharing his thoughts, photos, and video on his day trip across the Grand Canyon…and back.

More info: R2R2R Resources (various links to information I had found for the Grand Canyon adventure)

John also has a blog at Pushing Limits where you can follow his musings on trail running and whatever else passes through his awareness such as a recent review of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Mormonism.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Grand Canyon R2R2R Experience: Char and Fred Thompson
• Running The Grand Canyon R2R2R – Yes Please!
• Hardrock 100 – 17 SMW Athletes Play In The Mountains

The Grand Canyon

Over the last few weeks, small groups of excited TALON athletes have headed West to experience the epic nature of the Grand Canyon. As trail runners and ultra athletes, most aren’t satisfied with simply taking a few pictures at the edge of the South Rim…forget about it…these adventure seekers have headed out for a challenging day hike/run of 48 miles – the R2R2R.

R2R2R is shorthand for Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim and involves running/walking/hiking from one Rim (many start from the South Rim) of the canyon to the other…and back…within one day! While the majestic views leave many speechless, the challenge is significant and requires proper training and insight to create an environment of be-safe and bring-the-fun preparedness.

Per the Grand Canyon’s Website:

Over 250 people are rescued from the canyon each year. The difference between a great adventure in Grand Canyon and a trip to the hospital (or worse) is up to YOU.

It is not a stretch to say the Park services are not big fans of the R2R2R adventure.

Experienced Runners – Grand Canyon Newbies

“There were about 40 or so ultra folks from Texas.  All fit, ALL having trouble walking the next day!  I don’t recall the last time I was this sore and spent!  It was a blast!” – Char Thompson

A couple TALON athletes that recently returned from the trip include Fred and Char Thompson. This dynamic duo has been on-the-run (both road and trail) for the last 20+ years. By looking at past races, Char’s running sweet spot is in the 25 km – 50 km adventures and will dabble with the 50 mile (+) distances. Fred seems to frequently lace them up for the 50 km and will reach up to the 100 mile events.

The R2R2R team (L-to-R): Fred, Char, Jennifer, and Marlee

Char, Fred, and team began the R2R2R2 at 3:00 am on the South Rim’s Bright Angel Trail.  After arriving to the floor of the canyon, they hooked onto the North Kaibab Trail that guided them back up, up, up to the North Rim.

Remember Char’s racing sweet spot? Know thyself. With six miles left to journey to the top of the North Rim, Char made the decision to wait for the group at Cottonwood Campground to be ready for the long grind back up Bright Angel Trail. Char reflects on this choice, “This turned out to be a GOOD decision in many ways!”. Many of us wish we could be as wise.

Char, Fred, and company, took their last step out out of the canyon at 10:30 pm. Done…and oh the memories!

Q&A on the Adventure

Char and Fred were gracious in answering a few questions (and include photos!) about their Grand Canyon experience and share it with the Endurance Buzz community.

Fred appeared to be the honorary photography of the Thompson family.

Enjoy!

[Fred] There was a group from Hill Country Trail Runners that did the trip last year and my wife and I saw their pictures and reports and said “that looks fun”.

Sunrise

EB: Nearly the entire route you are either climbing or descending. As a flatlander, how did your prepare in training for this component of the run?

[Char] Where we live does present some challenges when training for such terrain. We trained mostly at Sansom Park in Fort Worth (1000 feet elevation gain over 9 miles). It’s about the best there is within a 30 minute drive for us.

We did some back to back weekends. Saturdays would be 5-6 hours (our longest was almost 8 hours). Then 3-4 hours on Sunday.  We had some warm weather which helped. Personally, I knew I could do the distance of 48 miles but really was pretty clueless as to the magnitude of what I was about to attempt. Maybe ignorance was kind of bliss at that point!

[Fred] I didn’t really do any hill repeats or anything, but I have been doing some weight work in prep for Wasatch and I think that certainly helped.

Yep, that is the trail!

EB: As you took your first step down the trail, what thoughts crossed your mind?

[Fred] Finally!! We had taken the whole preceding week off and I think we were just happy to be running again. After that you’re just focused on navigating the irregular, technical footing presented by rocks and hundreds of erosion bars on Bright Angel Trail. Oh yeah, and mule poop.

[Char] Stay close to the mountain!

Char maintaining a close relationship with the rock wall. (I would too!)

EB: On a trail that can leave you quite exposed, were there any sections of trail that made the hair on your arms stand up?

[Fred] There were many sections. Wow became the word of the day once the sun came up. It created a bit of a problem, too, because we were taking so many pictures and lingering stops that we hit the river on like a 24 hour pace and we had planned on about 18 hours.

So we had a brief group meeting and agreed to lighten up on the picture stops. Everywhere you turn is something amazingly beautiful and it is continuously changing as you progress. That is what is incredible–the diversity of the terrain, rock formations, and flora throughout the journey. The views from the North Kaibab Trail are particularly spectacular.

[Char] There is so much beauty in the Grand Canyon. Take my breath away? Yes. Hair stand on end? No. I kept close to the mountain.

EB: Since you don’t have an aid-station every four miles to load up the hydration pack and grab some tasty brownies, how did you manage hydration and calorie needs across an entire day?

[Char] I think I did really well with nutrition and hydration. We did put a lot of thought into this. Once we determined the approximate time it would take, we then had to figure how much we would need. Water is available in several locations except on the difficult climb to the North Rim (12-14 mile round-trip).

Fred and I both had 100oz. hydration packs. As the day warmed up, I found it necessary to fill my hydration pack and top it off at every chance. The hotter it got, the slower I moved. I also had 15 Gu’s ( I did 9), turkey wraps, peanut butter crackers, e-caps, and Powerbars. I also had plenty of papaya ( I gave most of it away).

It is kind of tricky as you don’t really  have an  option to buy anything (Phantom Ranch Catina was closed when we were got there the second time. NO Lemonade. Very disappointing!)  Plus, what you take, you carry. I was pretty tired of the pack the last two miles. Still, glad I had what I did. I don’t think I would change anything here.

[Fred] I can assure you one of your main focus points towards the end is getting that pack OFF.

Char and Marlee testing balance skills while wearing full packs.

EB: Any big critters? What animals did you notice along the route?

[Fred] Nothing unusual except for a baby owl that was trying to learn to fly. Saw bats, squirrels, and lots of lizards and ravens, but no condors which have apparently been reintroduced.

[Char] It was dusk and a couple of kids first thought the baby owl was a big frog!

Utah Agave

EB: How busy of a trail was it on you day? Did you feel like the only ones on the trail or are you frequently crossing paths with other runners/hikers?

[Char] At 3:30 AM it is pretty much you and whoever else is crazy enough to be out there! Later in the morning, we did encounter hikers coming up heading back to the South Rim. Not real busy and we never saw the pack mules.

Waterfall!

EB: As you took your last step off the trail, what thoughts crossed your mind?

[Fred] Finally!!! There were no crowds applauding our exit or post-race party so the prevailing thought was to get out of the cold wind and back to our room.

[Char] I Thanked God that I made it!  My second thought? – I am taking this damn pack off!

Jennifer, Fred, and Marlee

EB: When you reflect on the experience, what are some of your strongest memories?

[Char] I am still in awe of the grandeur.  It is so much bigger than I ever imagined.  Experiencing this with Fred will always be a special memory for me.

[Fred] The enormity of the accomplishment. Flying back down North Kaibab Trail (a lot more fun than the upward grind). Sharing the experience with friends Jennifer and Marlee and my wife Char. All of us pitching in to help each other through various ailments and down patches, and having to say goodbye to Char upon her decision to turnaround at the base of North Kaibab and not realize her ultimate goal. That was heartbreaking, but definitely the smart decision.

Switchbacks!

And finally … EB: What three tips would you share with someone interested in the R2R2R experience?

[Char] Read the reports posted by others that have done this.  There are also some really good write-ups on the Internet.  By a book or two.  It really is quite an experience but nothing to take lightly.

[Fred] It’s probably harder than you think, you have to get out the same way you got in–on your own two feet, and bring the camera.

Special thanks to Char and Fred for sharing a glimpse (in word and photo) of this special experience in the Grand Canyon.

More info: R2R2R Resources (various links to information I had found for the Grand Canyon adventure)

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Grand Canyon R2R2R Experience 2011: John Sharp
• 2010 Western States 100 – Our Texas Trail Runners
• Running The Grand Canyon R2R2R – Yes Please!

OK, I have Jemez on the brain!

Whether you are lacing up for the Jemez experience next week or not, these Jemez video’s will have you filling the water bottles and searching for a trail to get on this weekend!

Here is a great video from last year’s 50 mile adventure.

Jemez 50M 2010 from Jeff Jones on Vimeo.

How steep are segments of the course? This will give you an idea.

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Jemez Trail Run 2011 50 km Race Experience Report – Video Style
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – 2011 Results
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – Race Director Bill Geist Provides Wildfire, Community, and Course Update
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – Wildfire Update and Trail Photos
• Jemez Mountain Trail Run – Half Marathon Course Flyover

“For some time, I have had the urge to NOT let the 10 year anniversary pass without doing something. At first I wasn’t sure what that meant. Over time, I had a few crazy ideas, but on April 19th 2010, the 9 year anniversary, I decided the 59 mile run/walk was it.

I chose this because it would be difficult; a sacrifice. I want to do something that will take physical effort and mental toughness.  59 miles in one day accomplishes both for me.

My Mom, and my wife Mary Ann have said that I am crazy, that I should bike some or all of the miles, or stretch it out over more than one day. I know that their concern is not because they don’t support me, but because they worry that the goal may be too challenging. And that is exactly what I want.” – Bill Frye

The daytime hours included some 90+ degree temps, a smiling sun, and a late afternoon brief blast of intense rain. This was a day that would challenge any experienced ultra runner and this was Bill’s first attempt at any ultra-type distance.

Bill working the final miles with friends and family.

With the support of friends, family, a few bags of ice, and a mountain of heart and courage, Bill completed the commemorative 59 miles journey at 7:08 pm (total time: 18:34:34) under beautifully clear skies as the sun lowered on the horizon.

Bill’s adventure also raised over $15,000 for the American Heart Association (Bill’s page).

It was an epic day!

After a few days of rest, Bill was extra kind in answering a few questions from his special day and share it with the Endurance Buzz community.

If you are looking to be inspired…read on!

My running background was virtually non existent. I had done the 5 km Turkey Trot a few times, and had never run more than five miles before deciding to go 59.

Initially, to prepare, I just decided to go outside and jog. That first day, I jog/walked around two miles. From there, I would try to run four to five days a week, running for longer, and going further as my fitness improved.

I looked at area races, and used them as goals. Firs the Muddy Buddy in the Fall, then the 10 km Turkey Trot, and finally the White Rock 1/2 marathon.

Once I sent out the American Heart Association link to friends and family, a friend told me knew an ultra runner, and I contacted him. After meeting Dave Carder, he gave me guidance, advice, a running schedule, etc.

Dave and Bill enjoying a little bit of rest as rain and lightning rolled through.

So, from the time I met him, around New Year’s, I ran five times a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, about eight miles each day, and then on Saturday and Sunday concentrated on number of hours, rather than miles. I tried to get in three to four hours both Saturday and Sunday.

EB: When you started the 59 mile pavement adventure around 12:30 am, were there any specific thoughts that entered your mind?

The only thought I had at that point was “thank God it is time to start.” Everything had pointed towards 4/19/2011 for a year, and I was finally getting to go.

EB: You had various family and friends walking/running with you and hanging out at “base camp”. What was it like having this great support group throughout the 59 miles?

The support I received was wonderful. Each time I returned from a five mile loop, there would be another group of people there. It acted as a distraction from the many miles left, as a great sense of support, and as accountability. I didn’t want to let all of these people down who had donated, and also taken the time to come out and see me.

EB: Ultras often create moments or multiple moments when a runner has to look deep within themselves and find a reason to keep going. Did you have any of those “gut check” moments and how did you keep yourself moving towards your goal?

My gut check moment was laying in the grass at mile 46, perfectly content to lay on my back, and let the ants crawl all over me. I thought I was done. I was convinced that I was not going to take one more step, and that someone would load me up in a pick up truck, and take me home.

I would love to say that I was able to put those thoughts out of my mind, and get up. But the truth is I had others there, talking to me. They were the ones that were able to get me to realize that I didn’t have 13 miles to go, I only had to get back to the Aid Station to regroup. They were the ones that forced me to eat, and got my temperature down.

So, my gut check moment was just listening to them, and not focusing on how far I had left to go. It was to focus on getting up, and taking it one step at a time.

EB: Were there any specific insights you learned about yourself or life?

I learned a few things.

First, I learned that I could set a goal that sounded impossible, and then actually reach it.

I learned that raising money for a cause feels really good.

I learned that there are a lot of people that care about me.

I learned that ordinary people can inspire others.

Finally, after the run was over, I learned it is very cool to be proud of yourself. It is weird to say “I am proud of what I did”, but I am.

EB: Ultra athletes often mention that a strong mind is as important or more important the longer the distance. As a first time ultra distance runner, did you feel this to be true?

My mind was strong because the reason for my run was personal, and important. My motivation was to do this to celebrate my Dad’s life, and I was determined.

Dave Carder said that he knew I was going to accomplish the 59 mile goal from the first day he met me. He said my mind had already run the 59 miles, and that my body just had to catch up. He was right. The mind can will the body to do whatever it wants.

EB: What are some of your strongest memories from the day?

I have three strong memories.

First, after 46 miles, I bonked. I remember laying in the grass thinking it was over, and I wasn’t going to take another step.

Next, once the rain came, we were all in a pavilion, and I decided I couldn’t sit and continue waiting for the rain to stop. So, I got up and started doing loops around the pavilion. [distance was caculated with an iPhone app] After a few minutes, everyone who was there, over 30 people, joined me and we formed a sort of Conga line. It was the Best part of the entire 59 miles.

There were people who came to support me, but never planned to actually walk/run with me. By walking around the pavilion, they were able to not just be supportive, but to log some miles with me. Looking back, this is my strongest memory, and brings the biggest smile to my face.

Lastly, I remember the finish. I thought I would be a bumbling mess of emotion, but I think I was just too tired. I crossed the finish line, put my hands on my knees, and it was over.

EB: It has been about one week since the adventure, how is the body and mind feeling? Did you make the toenail necklace?

The body is an amazing machine. After a week, I only have a few lingering issues. My right hamstring is still sore/tight, but gets better each day.

I don’t have the toenail necklace yet, but I have a few toenails that have made it clear they don’t intend to stick around. The good news is I should be able to get a discount on a Pedicure, as only seven toes will have nails. Ha!

The power of friends.

The power of family.

Greatness!

Huge thanks to Bill for taking the time to share with all of us.

You can check out Bill’s AHA Page to read more about this very personal journey.

Be sure to also check out Dave Carder’s blog as he shares his insights and experiences from the day.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

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Here is this 56 year old man, Terry Hitchcock, that has various health conditions, was not an active runner, and he made this seemingly two-screws-loose decision to run 2000 miles from Minnesota to Georgia in 75 consecutive days to raise awareness for single parent families.

Opinions around every corner from those he knew and those he didn’t.

But he’s…

• old
• unhealthy
• overweight
• not an athlete
• not a runner
• Left earlobe is bigger than the right (may not be completely true)
• blah, blah, blah

Terry trumped all of this with the internal belief that he could, a deep seated passion that inspired action, and the execution of a number of steps that prepared himself to the best of his abilities. Terry lived BPA (Belief-Passion-Action).

BPA begins inside ourselves unbeknownst to the outside world, very similar to a seed planted beneath the soil.

Photo: Courtesy of Pictoscribe @ http://flic.kr/p/E4x5H

BPA then expands to your heart – the home of the spark, the fuel, and the bubbling volcanic potential energy that critically supports the desired experience. The sun and rain is this support for the yet dormant seed.

Photo: Courtesy of fs999 @ http://flic.kr/p/84DFQ8

BPA finally exhibits this amazing display of kinetic energy, the action steps that move you towards that which was merely a thought in your mind. The dormant seed breaks through the surface of the soil and grows to become this beautiful, fragrant flower.

Photo: Courtesy eteela @ http://flic.kr/p/Tyfcn

This flower is the culmination of the personal courage to take steps into your personal unknown – to grow, to experience, to live…and smell good doing it.

Did you notice? The flower blooms regardless of the end result. The process, the journey is the POW of it all. The acceptance of this idea attempts to emphasis that for even those desired life experiences that don’t turn out how we had planned, abundant life experiences are still produced.

There is no failure, only another life experience, another flower.

One of the powerful insights from My Run isn’t whether Terry actually made it to Georgia but that he was willing to go on this desired yet seemingly impossible life journey…and grow flowers. Hugely inspiring!

With Spring in full force here in the South and making brief appearances throughout the country, it seems like a great time to reflect on our desired life experiences (of all types) and consider developing that green thumb.

“But putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.” – Lucius Seneca

Happy planting!

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

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A little over one month ago, I attended the informative and entertaining Ignite Dallas 3. One of the presenters is a local TALON ultra runner Patton Gleason. Patton shared his 5 minute “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” presentation on the topic of Running and Happiness.

The passion filled presentations are now online. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy.

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Great stuff!

Another great Ignite presentation that involves running is by Jeff Browning called Ultramarathons. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Running Tips from the Natural Running Store Clinic

The DamNation aid-station is positioned in the heart of the main 20 mile (or 17 mile loop for 50 milers) loop, tucked in the corner of a 90 degree turn on the Triple C Trail. Runners visit this hot-spot at mile 6.19 and 12.20 (8.17 for 50 milers) for each loop. As the only aid-station that is double-dipped each loop while supporting over 500 runners, it’s a busy day!

The fearless leader of this passionate DamNation team was experienced ultra runner Lynn Ballard. Lynn was kind enough share a bit about this challenging yet extremely rewarding experience.

Lynn Ballard - The DamNation Chief...and Photographer. Photo: Courtesy of Deborah Sexton.

Smoothly?  I suppose that is ONE way to look at it.  You know the feeling you have when you are leaning back in your chair and right at the very instant you realize you are going over backward… that’s how I felt from Saturday morning at about 6:30 am until almost 10:00 am on Sunday.

Seriously, I feel that a combination of ultra-running experience, a willingness to make a major time commitment to supporting ultra runners, and a desire to be a part of someone’s successful (on some level or another) attempt helps make the DamNation location successful.

Runners pulling up to the DamNation drive-thru! Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

Your 4,000 estimate is a bit high, more like 3,772 if you are keeping count.  The numbers were down a bit this year as a result of travel issues due to the weather and that is probably a key to our being able to be as attentive to runners’ needs as we were this year.  We have a great crew, built around a core of volunteers who hold nothing back, nothing at all.  We get so much back from the runners and truly feel like we are a part of their extended crew… heck the 100 mile finishers come through DamNation 10 times and the 50 mile finishers see us 6 times!

EB – For those that have never volunteered before at an ultra aid-station, what is the general flow of the day? Are there shifts? Specific roles?

We are lucky to have several volunteers who come down before the race to help set up the aid station and then stay and work until the last drop bag is unloaded at the post-race breakfast.  In addition, we have quite a few who work from the start of the race on Saturday and then plan on pacing a 100 mile runner after dark on Saturday night.

Organizing drop bags in the pre-race hours. Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

Others may have friends or family in the race and want to come out and work at DamNation rather than sit around for hours waiting on their runner to come through the start/finish.  We always seem to have a few unsuspecting volunteers who get conscripted into service… Oh, they act like they don’t know what to do, but before they know what hit them, we have them slicing oranges, filling water bottles, fetching drop bags, etc.

The hydration express lane for those that don't want to pull in and park. Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

I try and make sure each of our “end-to-end” volunteers gets a chance to catch some sleep sometime during the afternoon/evening on Saturday or in the wee hours… There is no master plan, I just try and read the team and make a call to send someone to hit the sleeping bag for a few hours.  It seems to work great!

EB – Ultra aid-stations are often sugary and salty buffet tables. What were some of the most popular food items? Do preferences change throughout the day and night?

We have all the normal aid station fare.  I have to give credit to Henry Hobbs and Joyce Prusaitis for making sure we are stocked with a good supply of options.  Out at DamNation, we work hard to give the perception of variety to runners whose taste changes as the day/night progress.  Again, no magic formula… early in the day we look a lot like any marathon aid station (without the spandex…) with a particular focus on fluids.

As the day progresses, we will shift the focus to calories and keep the standard fluids within easy reach.  We see more interest in carbonated soft drinks as the day warms up and stomachs begin to turn sour.   As we shift to more of an emphasis on food, it is important that 1) we offer some hot food options, 2) we provide a variety so that in the possible 10 trips a runner may make through DamNation, they don’t get the same offerings each time (that would really get old). It seems important to have a chicken/noodle soup combination almost round the clock.  In addition, we found potato soup to be a very big hit.

Creating the ultra brew. Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

Many runners have special diet needs, particularly our vegan or vegetarian runners.  The potato soup that Joyce provided was dairy/gluten free so many found it more appealing than the standard chicken noodle soup.  A heavy dose of salt made the potato soup a “hot” item for a few hours.

Of course we provide the all-star ultra food… PB&J sandwich quarters and grilled cheese, many runners yearn for something more.  THAT is when we have to get creative.  We put together a combination of grilled sausage and rice… funny, as when we would offer it most would make a face and decline (not politely in some cases), but after a couple of retching heaves, we could talk most in to taking a bite… then a cup… then another.  We watched as new life was breathed into some that were in major calorie deficit!

About 4 am, we started grilling pancakes!  Now those sold like hotcakes (I know, sorry!)!!!!

EB – Anyone ask for pickled herring? What was the oddest food request (if any)?

I don’t really think of any requests as odd.  We really didn’t get too many requests for things we didn’t have (except for potatoes with salt, but the potato soup was a really good substitute for that!).

You have to keep in mind that although the temps may have reached the upper 40′s during the day, we started out at 19F according to my truck thermometer and dipped way down in the 30′s on Saturday night.  We saw plenty of runners who were in a zombie state that would stand across our aid station table with a blank stare… we would have to talk them through some options and really encourage them to try something before we would actually get a request.  We may have missed a few, but I believe our volunteers were able to get some runners back out on the course with a little more clarity of mind and focus on the task at hand.

DamNation - An oasis to reflect, regroup, and then continue your journey. Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

That said, I have seen Rocky Raccoon’s very own RD go for hours with a sour stomach… heck!  He climbed Handies Peak on an M.  No not an M&M, just an M!  I thought he was toast, but when we got to his drop bag hours later, he pulls out a can of sardines packed in mustard and proceeded to eat them like it was the best meal ever prepared!

EB – Did you serve any “special” food items this year? (Items that may be somewhat unique or non-typical)

Probably the most non-typical thing we served was grilled hot dog wieners we had quartered up and served on a tortilla with mustard.  Nope, I don’t get it either, but there were times when we couldn’t keep them on the table.  This is at least the second year we have seen that item sell.

EB – Were there any serious injuries you had to address?

This year was a bit more challenging than what I have experienced in the past. We started very early when runners began telling us of a woman that had hurt her leg pretty badly.  After checking with Joe, we determined that DamNation was in better position to get to the runner than anyone else, so I asked two of our volunteers to go see what they could do.  The got to the runner and confirmed her injury was pretty serious, then literally carried her out to where we could get a vehicle close and drove her out to the highway to meet the race doc (sorry, I am not sure of the name… Shannon?).  The doc confirmed the injury was likely a broken leg and asked the guys to take her to the hospital in Huntsville.

Not long after that, I heard one of the volunteers calling me to check out an injured runner who had fallen and dislocated a finger.  Having an older brother, I was well versed in the “pull my finger” routine and was able to reset the finger to a natural position.  As a precautionary measure, I halved a tongue depressor and taped it on either side of the man’s finger like a splint.  He seemed satisfied with my diagnosis and moved on down the trail.

Creating happy feet at DamNation! Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

Later in the evening, we began to get reports of a runner down on the ground, unable to move.  Once again, I asked two volunteers to make the trek to the runner (on a single track section, so not accessible by vehicle).  They took a couple of blankets and did what they could to get the runner warmed up (I believe there may have been “spooning” involved in rehabilitating this runner enough to bring him out on a 4 wheeler).

I cannot count the number of feet we treated for blistering.  I suppose the sandy soil in Huntsville penetrates shoes and creates friction with which many are unaccustomed.  We peel off nasty shoes/socks, wash feet, assess the damage and maybe even perform a small surgery to drain a pocket before applying ointment and duct tape to enable the runner to get out for “that &%$#ed six mile loop.

EB – What are some of the biggest or strangest issues runners faced during the nighttime hours when they visited DamNation?

DamNation is located in a remote part of the park and we are there round the clock.  My answer on this ranges from sleeping outside in 19F degree temps to insisting runners not pee on our tent!  Night time brings out the demons.  Zombies on the prowl, guttural moans and groans… walking with their eyes closed into DamNation.

By nightfall, any inattention to hydration and/or nutrition will manifest itself in the form of anywhere from slight disorientation to full on hallucination.  If a runner is behind on either hydration or nutrition, we see them losing their ability to keep their core warm and many come in shaking uncontrollably… so much so that they cannot hold a cup still enough to take a drink.

Our veteran ultra runners are quick to spot the 1000 yard stares and to move to get the patient to start taking on calories.  With high humidity in Huntsville, even moderate temperatures can be absolutely bone-chilling, particularly when a runner cannot maintain a pace that helps them generate core warmth.

EB – What specific moments do you most recall from all those runners that gave it their best on the day?

Not so much a specific moment as much as watching the drama of the race unfold.  I don’t recall being as caught up in the race itself as much as I was this year (versus focusing on the operation of the aid station).  With so many talented runners, we knew we had a great perspective on the race with their coming through DamNation 10 times, and boy did they not disappoint!

The race went from “who is that guy out front” and “he’s got to fade and the chase pack will blow by him” to “Ian Sharman, who is he?” and “wow, Tony K seems pretty collected and certain that Ian will come back to the pack”.

In the end, we were cheering for all of them each pass through and totally caught up in the competition. By the fifth loop, it was clear that Ian would have to have some major issues if anyone were going to catch him… wow, what fun it was to watch.

Mike Wolfe, Anton Krupicka, and Scott Jurek in the early miles. Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Ballard.

On the other extreme, I can clearly remember the wave of runners trying to beat 24 hours to get that special buckle.  It seemed like 3-4 am was particularly busy with the 24 hour hopefuls.

Beyond that, there are individuals I won’t forget.  Folks that came to conquer and although they would not complete the 100 mile race, they DID conquer new personal bests in distance.  I bore witness to the potential for what human spirit can do to exceed expectations for what is possible.  I saw volunteers become part of the conquest, working feverishly to get another runner to the finish line…

EB – What do you enjoy about volunteering at ultra events like the Rocky Raccoon 100? What keeps you coming back for more?

I love the fact that I can make a difference.

The DamNation volunteers can all say that they were part of some runner’s success at Rocky Raccoon.  I love it when I get an email or letter after the fact recognizing Joe as a freak of an RD and recognizing Joe’s volunteers as what sets this sport apart from others.

I love the camaraderie of the runners, the banter of the competitors, the smiles of triumph, and the timid, sometimes apologetic smiles of runners feeling they may let a volunteer down if they don’t complete the mission… God I love this!

A very special thanks to Lynn for still having enough energy to give some more by sharing his thoughts with us.

A huge thanks to all those that volunteer!

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

Related Articles:

• Rocky Raccoon Trail Run – 2012 Results
• Rocky Raccoon 100 Trail Run 2010 Results
• Rocky Raccoon 100 – 10 Trail Running Tips To Help You Finish
• The Ultra Tribe – Rocky Raccoon Moments
• Rocky Raccoon 100 Weekend

What about running on an Elliptical for 100 miles straight? For everyone but maybe one person in the world,  a likely response is a quick and simple “No!”.

On January 14th, Texas athlete Doug Ryan started this stationary 100 mile challenge to raise money for a charity very close to his heart, the National MS Society. Doug completed the endurance challenge in 18 hours and 28 minutes. Epic!

Doug with family

Check out the entertaining and informative video Doug and family put together that shares why Doug took on this challenge.

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Was there any special thought(s) that entered your mind when you stepped on the Elliptical and started running at 5:00 pm?

I got a bit anxious a couple weeks out.  I aggravated a hernia on the left side of my groin picking Sherry up off the floor over the Christmas holidays.  It began to bother me and I twice decided to postpone the 100.  It’s an event that can be delayed, but can’t be rescheduled once it starts.

I went to see the doc about 10 days out and he gave me the green light to run the 100 and do surgery after race.  I just saw him this morning and he said I had both a direct and indirect hernia and that he was glad I finished the 100, because he said he was surprised I wasn’t in severe pain.  During the 100, I never even felt or thought about the hernia; however, I guess it was on the edge of it blowing up.  So, back to my point… I created a fun event; however, I was the only runner and had no where to hide if I had to quit.  I’m very happy with 18:28, but was absolutely determined to finish, no matter how long.  I was going to finish the 100.

Since your surroundings didn’t really change, how did you pass the time? Did you have an hourly routine? Is there anything good on TV at 3 AM? Favorite song(s) you listened to?

The general plan was to run 5 miles and get off, go to bathroom, etc.  The elliptical is low on pounding, but high on constant pressure on feet.  My feet will go numb if I don’t take some breaks.  It was fun to get started.  We had a TV camera man filming for news stories on channels 4, 5 and 33 (they share the tape).

Around 9:00-10:00 we had about 20 friends/coworkers, who stopped by to wish me luck.  It was fun to see them, but stressful.  I felt like I had to be friendly and entertain them.  It was actually very nice when the gym emptied and I was left with my handlers.

I had someone with me at all times to certify the time, distance, provide calories/drink and provide adult supervision.  I enjoyed listening to songs on my nano, but realized that I was hearing the same 15 songs over and over again.  Although it took me about three times through before I realized there was nothing new playing.  I got a kick listing to ’Third Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendezvous’.  It’s just such an awful song, it’s great.  It reminds me of the old joke- what do you get if you plan a country song backwards… you get your wife back, your job back, and your dog back.

Kay Scott, a NTTR member that I barely met at the last club meeting, showed up at 3:30 am to run with me for 3.5 hours.  She was very sweet and had listened to my stories.  I tried very hard to ask her questions all night long about her Heartland 100, Ironman, how she met her husband, etc.

How much time during the 18+ hours were you not on the Elliptical?

I don’t know for sure.  I suspect I took 15-17 breaks that lasted 2 to 5 minutes.  That would add up to about 70 minutes of time off the machine.  I took a shower after 40 miles, which really revived me.  It was nice to knock off the sweat and put some hot water on my lower back.  I took a second around 75 miles.

You have some great puking video from your Route 66 The Mother Road experience (thanks for sharing that ). How did the stomach handle this ultra? What was the tastiest thing you ate during the 18 hours?

We were smart enough to have a small trash bag stored under my water bottle.  I got sick once when a bottle of Ensure and a GU went down the wrong way.  I quickly grabbed the bag and threw up, without getting a drop on the machine.  I instantly felt better after a couple more dry heaves quit.

Bags ready...just in case.

My stomached felt a bit nausea between 50 and 70 miles, but it didn’t get bad.  I had a cheeseburger, but mostly survived on 2 GU’s per 5-mile and lots of Apex protein shakes (provided by 24 Hour Fitness) and bottles of Ensure.

You completed the first 50 miles in nine hours so you basically even-split the darn thing. Did you go through any really tough patches? If so, how did you manage them?

I really have to thank 24 Hour Fitness for sponsoring the event.  They were great.  They moved two Elliptical machines to one side and provided us a lot of room for guests, etc.

I predicted a sub 19 hour finish to friends & family.  I thought it would take 8:35 to run 50 and that I would slow 20-25% during the second half; however, I maintained a remarkably steady pace throughout.  The run was actually easy. I think it felt easy because I trained so hard for it.  I ran 2-3 100 mile weeks and logged 3-4 50-mile runs.

My feet began to hurt pretty bad at 70 miles.  I have a pair of shoes that are a half size big.  I had two insoles in the shoes and stopped and put a third insole in the shoes.  The extra cushioning felt much better.

Was there any special thought(s) that entered your mind when you stepped off the Elliptical at 11:28 am?

2/10th of a mile to go!

With a half mile to go, it suddenly occurred to be that I should sprint.  I was just having so much fun watching everyone get ready for the finish that I forgot to do anything more than constant running.

The repetitive motion on the Elliptical would have me concerned with localized friction. Were you able to step into a shower when it was all done?

A couple times during 20-50 mile training runs I got very raw between legs.  After one long run, I stepped into the shower and screamed as soon as the hot water hit my privates.  I jumped back and bumped into a naked man walking into the shower.  I thought about trying to explain my rash/raw skin, but couldn’t think of anything that would improve my embarrassing action, so I just worked my way back into the shower.

Receiving the symbolic buckle for a 100 mile finish.

During the 100, I was very careful to body glide and liberally applied slick stuff to all areas that might rub.  I didn’t have any hot spots after the run.

Have you been on an Elliptical since the 100 miler?

I got on for 5 miles before surgery, but went really slow.  It was just kind of fun to loosen up sore muscles.  Since the surgery, I’m banned for working out for another week.

Pretty hard not to be inspired on many levels after hearing about this.

Doug’s adventure has raised over $6400 for the National MS Society.

More info:

• Donation page – If you would like to be part of Doug’s stationary endurance fundraising adventure, check out his donation page where you can also read other musings from Doug.
• Facebook Page – More pics and some play-by-play of the journey.

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

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Check out this cool presentation on the ultramarathon by speedy trail runner Jeff Browning. Jeff presented this 5 minute ultra experience at Ignite Bend.

Ignite events happen throughout the country and have a simple format:

• You have 5 minutes on stage to say what you want to say.
• You have 20 slides that rotate automatically every 15 seconds.
• Go!

These are fun, time sensitive, and informative ways to learn about new things. You can watch past events online as well which is pretty cool.

Now for Jeff’s fun ultra talk…

(If you can’t see the video, click here.)

Any Ignite events in the TALON region?

Yep! If this kind of entertaining educational format interests you, our region has events that you could personally attend.

Where?

• Oklahoma City
• Tulsa
• Dallas
• Albuquerque
• Austin
• McKinney
• the full list of cities

Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

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