Pumpkin Holler 135.6 - Well, 103.5 anyway

Here's the bad thing about doing 100 milers - after you do one, you think every race you go to you have to sign up for the 100...
So as not to sound hypocritical, I decide to enter the 135.6 at Pumpkin Holler to mark our 5th consecutive year to Tahlequah, OK (haven't missed a Pumpkin Holler yet). I don't like to have the BW go to races just to help me out, so we signed her up for the 50k even though I knew this would probably mean I wouldn't have a pacer. Made a late plea on FB for any of our friends down in the area to hike a lap with me overnight and headed out.

Being socially connected at all times, we got a FB message from our friend Deanna on the way down to OK saying she would probably be able to go out on the second overnight lap with me. Good news indeed. Her and the BW work out some details and it looks like I'm good to go for 32 miles of pacing. We rolled into Tahlequah mid-afternoon and I tried (mostly unsuccessful) to close my eyes for a couple of hours before packet pickup/meal. The 135 actually starts at 10pm Friday so runners have one overnight by themselves before being able to pick up a pacer. The meal/meeting gave us a good chance to catch up will all the awesome people from TATUR and visit with our friend Lisa from CO, who came down to do the 135 also. I could give you a big list of names of people you don't know and forget several more, but suffice it to say this is one outstanding group of individuals. Get Pumpkin Holler on your race list for 2016.
The forecast for the whole weekend looked good and it was a crisp clear night to start the adventure.

Obligatory pre-race photo of the BW & I



Most all of the 135.6 starters right before the race. Should have been called a Masters Race. Two people in their 30s, the rest of us in their 40/50/60s!

For the 100/135, the course starts with an 8 mile total out and back that peaks with a "Waffle Stop" at the turnaround. When you hit this, you're ready for some good food as there's a decent climb to get to the aid station. Somehow I block this out every year and never remember it being as long as it it. Jason & Sue Ann Bement make up for the inconvenience with waffles. And bacon. And bacon inside of waffles. All this and it's 10 hours before the "normal" races start at 8am Saturday. The return 4 miles are smooth and I arrive at the start finish well within my expected time. Now it's only 4 laps left - 50k+ laps, but only 4.

The first 4-5 miles of the loop are pretty mellow, until once again you have to pay the price of an aid station with one of the longest climbs on the loop. "Mad Dog" is manned by Kevin LeMaster and family (Ultragator shirts)who hook me up with Ensure and their famous "dog bones". Once again, someone out there 10hrs before the other races start and will be there the whole weekend. The rest of this "pre-race" loop received coverage from a roving aid station, which this year was provided by JBob Jones (winner of last year's 135). For some reason this year I was REALLY having trouble staying awake the first night and about 2:40am a call on my cell wakes me out of the stumbling stupor I was in. Look at the screen and it's the Carrot calling! Dude got called into work to run some jobs and thought he'd give me a call to see how it was going. Needless to say, things like this give you a little boost when you're out in the middle of nowhere. The next three aid station aren't open yet, but JBob keeps all of us going. The sleep fog is still pretty heavy on me at around 5am. Now normally in the summer, 5am is great because you can just *tell* it's going to get light soon. Not so much in Oct. 5:30..no light...6:30..no light..7:00..aaaaaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!! I text the BW since she's getting around for her race.
Me: This was a stupid idea. I'm done racing this year.
BW: It get's better when the sun comes up - you always say it does.
Me: But it's almost 7:30!!! (insert tear).
BW: Just keep going.
Me: Yeah, I know. I'm still not doing any more races this year.

Daylight finally arrives and I'm headed back the start/finish with 40 miles in. I end up picking up Kathy and Mitch around Last Gasp and get their company the last 3.5 miles in. The sleep walking didn't help at all and I get in too late to see everybody leave for the start of the 50k/100k/100M. A quick check of all systems and head out for the second loop.

Rollin' in from 40 with Kathy and Mitch

 

The BW after her 50k finish and our good friend Donnie who was entered in the 100

 

Whatever I'm saying, it's bound to be BS. Getting ready to head out on the second 50k+ loop



Loop 2 was slow, but enjoyable. It's a beautiful area to have a race in and I just enjoyed looking around. Just shy of 1/2 way through the loop (about 54 miles for me) a big downhill leads into Savanah Corner. Normally a group of dudes wearing half shirts Daisy Duke style and clangin' cowbells may be cause for alarm but it's my buddy John and Justin & Justin. One-liners and hassling ensues, good food is eaten and I'm out. I pass through East of Eden (58 miles) quickly and head for Hard Up Ahead. Been waiting...they have Mushroom Barley soup that is excellent! Had felt what might be a blister coming on (had trouble the last couple of 100's with big blisters) so took my shoe off to check it. Hmmm..yea, kinda looks like a little blister starting. Pull off a safety pin from my bib and give that sucker a big poke. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! My foot was just tender but no blister so I just jabbed that pin right into my foot! Mental note to not do that again. Hard Up takes me just past 100k and leads into Bathtub Rocks. Wes and a couple I don't know their names plunk me down for some egg/cheese/bacon/potato in a muffin cup goodness and a short discussion on the finer points of Cake (the band) before it's onward and upward. No really. Upward. Bathtub leads into the other bigger climb area of the course. Much heavy breathing later and I get to  Last Gasp and the final 3-3.5 miles of the loop to the start/finish with (about 72 miles complete). 

Haven't seen the BW for almost a full day, but she completed her 50k and was at the start/finish with Deanna to see what I needed, decipher my rambling and get everything I was asking for to head out again. I love my wife :) It looked to be a fair amount cooler than Friday night so we brought out the tights and a heavier quarter zip for this overnight. My good friend Shannon & his wife Jody from AR give me a little pep talk and a bunch of "I love ya man's" to send me out with a smile. A little food, all points lubed up and fresh batteries for the torch mean it's time for Deanna and I to head out on lap three.

I don't realize until almost Mad Dog that she has never actually been on the course out here before. The trip up the hills into the aid station win no grace points from Deanna, but I don't yet hear the swearing that is yet to come. Right out of MD is a pretty sever downhill, that while fine the first couple of laps really isn't all that pleasant right now. After we level out again, I hear some branches crack in the trees and I expect a deer to bust out across the road in front of us. It was a Wild Boar! He wasn't interested in us and just darted across. We look at each other - huh, never seen that before! Casual runner conversation takes us through Out and Back I & II (83 miles +/-) but the trek to Savanah seemingly takes FOREVER! Finally we crest a hill and see the big downhill into Savanah, which is lit up like National Lampoon Christmas. Where the hell is John? He went out to pace someone. Now that's full service... We crash for a minute and enjoy some warm food and I unveil a gift for the Justins. A small bottle of Fireball (from my friend Michelle), as a token of my gratitude. Big smiles, quick swigs and all the sudden they're thanking ME for being out there. Treat your aid station people well my friends. Runners do/say stupid things to entertain themselves and forget about the suck for awhile. Some can't be repeated really, but every once in a while I would just spout out "I'm very pleased with my attire selection for this lap". Of course I really was, as I was smart enough to listen to the BW to put a heavier quarter zip on and smart enough for tights on my own since it got down in the 30's and we weren't moving that fast. But to normal people it would have been one of the dumbest things they ever heard. At 90 miles - it was funny. East of Eden comes and goes (roughly 90 miles) and again I'm all about the Mushroom Barley at Hard Up. I end up getting the last cup of that soup - WIN. At some point I make a comment followed by "You're probably not in to drag racing." but find out Deanna is all about drag racing - worked in the Timing tower at a track in OH, wants a 62 Nova, loves John Force. Hell yea. That's what I'm talking about. The smiling talk of drag racing suddenly fades with a "Are you *&#*ing serious?" as our headlamps only illuminate the very bottom a pretty steep asphalt uphill in this section. Casual talk changes to the porta potty but luckily we are arriving at bathtub rocks, porta potty and about 97 miles. More excellent aid and we're out to start craptastic section #2. I feel it my civic duty to inform Deanna that she may not like the next section. We start up a climb and she says "This is the hill?" Uhh,well...no. A couple of hills later we come to the steep part. "AAAAHHHHH!!! You have got to be &^%$ing kidding me!" only to be followed with "What the &^$^?" after it takes a turn and keeps going. But all good (bad) things come to an end, and the breaking daylight has us hitting Last Gasp and 100 miles. The last 3.5 are pretty quite and we just get it done. Even getting a small trot going to cross the finish line. It had become apparent that I wouldn't have enough time to complete the 4th 50k+ loop, so I was pretty content to "Drop to the 100" after 103.5 miles.

Bummed that I don't have any other pics of Deanna and I. Too low carb apparently to request a photo with my awesome pacer.

That pretty much wraps it up, but we have to give an extra shout out to our friend and pacer Deanna. You might think pacing is just pretty standard and not that big of a deal. I'll tell you from experience it's a huge deal for the runner! Deanna worked at packet pickup with Michelle on Friday and was signed up for the 50k. She started her race about 12 hours late to go out on the overnight lap with me. She had never run in the dark or used a headlamp and had only ran one 50k race previous to this. She went a pr distance of 32 miles in the dark...with a headlamp..to help some friends out. The BW was going to do that, but I made her do her own race. Deanna stepped up to save me from my own decisions and make the overnight infinitely better than it would have. If that's not a friend, I don't know what is. Thanks Deanna!

All in all, an outstanding weekend with friends and the BW. Part of me doesn't understand 5k/10k and shorter distance runners who can't get in there car fast enough after a race to leave. Some  of my race enjoyment comes from spending time afterwards hanging out with friends, talking about parts of the race, telling lies and generally being around people you consider family. If you don't take any time after races to get to know people, give it shot - you'll be surprised at the lifelong ties you make.

Do yourself a favor and give Pumpkin Holler a shot. TZ & Dana, Susan, Brian, Brian, Kathy, Ed, Stormy, Shannon, Jody, Elden, Dave, everybody I mentioned already,  everyone I didn't squeeze in  and the whole TATUR crew will treat you just like family - probably even better.

Honey Badger 100 - Is that bacon I smell burning?

Is that bacon burning? Wait...that's me.

Have you ever just signed up for a 5k or something without training for it because "It'll be ok"? Well, when an opportunity came up to run the Honey Badger 100, I thought "It'll be ok".

The Honey Badger is Epic Ultra's version of Badwater in KS. Different from most races that have full aid stations every X miles, HB is modeled after Badwater in that a crew/vehicle are mandatory to provide self support for the duration of the race (although there were 3 ice stops and roving ice help - much appreciated).That and the fact you're on asphalt hell with no cover and temps approaching 100. But hey, it's flat, right?

The BW and I headed down to Wichita Friday afternoon to meet up with the other half of my Ultra Crew, our good friend Donnie from KC. We got in too late for packet pickup, but got a chance to meet some outstanding people from a group called Midwest Vikings at the motel that were running before pretending to get some sleep for the race.

Race morning started tense as we had a wee bit of trouble finding the starting line in the dark. Luckily, we came across some knowledgeable people headed to the start/finish with more than ample time for packet pickup and to visit with friends before the prerace meeting. Honey Badger is the second 100 in a four race series called the Kansas Grand Slam. There was a group of about 8 people trying to get the second leg in.

Ultra Crew (BW & Donnie) and Sluggo

Ultrarunners going for the KS Grand Slam series

The first part of the course was a nice out and back inside Cheney Park. After that only 1 loop (rectangle)! A simple 92.5 mile loop in Kingman County. Simply asphalt. Simply hot. Simply no shade. Aside from the section in the park, your crew were able to assist you at whatever interval you wished while on the course. I liked the thought of seeing people and only carrying my Orange Mud handheld, so we started out with BW/Donnie jumping ahead about every 2 miles on a crossroad. When it really started warming up late morning, I switched to a hat with the drape in the back and a long sleeve white shirt. I wasn't going to bring the hat at all, but glad I did. It made a tremendous difference with the sun constantly beating down on you. This was what a typical stop looked like. Hand off my bottle and hat. Bobbie would soak my hat in ice water in the cooler and give me a wet towl. While they filled my bottle, I'd have a seat and try to eat something.

 

The first 27 miles or so were uneventful, but then I started having stomach issues. Nothing appealed to me, but I kept up some salt pills to try and settle while mostly saying NO to anything offered me. Finally Donnie convinced me to take some Pepto pills. This settled me down pretty good, but still didn't feel like eating much. After the 3rd time he offered Ensure, I said ok. Wait a minute...this goes down fine! That ended up being a savior as I was getting 260 cals in 8 ounces and not having any adverse effect from it. Learning from other Ultrarunners regardless of what you currently use/do. Never stop listening.

**INTERMISSION***
You CANNOT overstate the benefit of having an experienced crew (and both who have run the distance) in races. Especially one like this. Left to your own devices, this race could have been a disaster with an inexperienced crew. The BW and Donnie knew things to look for, what to offer and when to keep pushing things on me and keep me moving. Also the teamwork between all the crews is always awesome. You give support and get support like those people were your own runner or you were theirs. Much love to all those we shared the race with.
*****************

Around mile 38 we turned south on a 14 mile stretch called "Convection Alley". Constant 17-21mph hot headwind that didn't let up. Luckily for my slow ass it was a little later in the day and I didn't get the pleasure of this furnace blast at the highest heat of the day. This was one of two low spots in the race. It just seemed like I was redlined even trying to creep along. The BW & Donnie knew I was struggling and stopped about every mile on this section just to make sure I was keeping after it. I fully expected to need the small grace period Eric would give on the cutoff at 53 miles, but with the Ultra Crew keeping me moving, I hit the turn off from Convection Ally and finished the last mile to the 53 mile checkpoint 10 minutes before cutoff.

From here on out, I'd have the BW or Donnie with me. They tended to switch off every 6-8 miles while the other continued to crew. A tough job for sure! Early evening through morning was smooth, if not slow, and everything seemed to be moving along fine. About 5:30am I did have a bout of dry heaves coming into an aid stop. Big hurt like hell heaves that don't do anything. Got another Ensure down and carried on. Funny how your perspective changes as you do longer races. Didn't matter we had almost a marathon left, at 75 miles I knew I was going to finish this. Sunday ended up hotter than Saturday and by late morning the sun was taking its toll. But at this point we were down to the final half marathon. Mile 93 was when the second low point hit. At this point, the asphalt was just a reflective heat nightmare. The actual temp of the asphalt would have been probably 125-130. I know you're thinking I exaggerated that to make it sound bad, but one year at an IRL race at KS Speedway it was 94-96 degrees and the track was over 130. I think I'm making a fair assumption. Anywho, at this point I got kind of light headed and we decided it would be good for me to take a little break in the car with the AC on . From here on out was just a get it done slog to the finish. We did get offered a ride from a nice old couple about 3 miles from the finish, but politely declined.

No matter how you feel, you can always get up the ambition to trot on in to the finish and make it look like you're still capable of moving. I always feel like its home court advantage when I come down to KS for a race. We've gotten to know a number of people from the area and they treat us like family. Thanks Eric, Warren, Zach, Joell, Justin, Deanna, John, Eric & Lori S and everyone else that I didn't mention for a great race!

 

Eric has personally handed me my medal at every Epic race we've done.

 

I couldn't have done this without my outstanding Ultra Crew of the BW and Donnie. No, really - they wouldn't have let me start the race. Always thank your crew/pacers more than you think you need to. It's a long, tough job that nobody in their right mind would volunteer for. Believe it or not, listening to you bitch, smelling your nastiness or touching your horrible feet and being cooped up in a car for 30+ hours aren't terrific selling points.

 Two down and two to go - Sluggo out.

Thanks to Joell Chockley & Epic Ultras for the photos

Prairie Spirit 100 race report

 Our 5th staight year of the Post Oak Double in Tulsa worked out well as a 50k last long run about three weeks out from Prairie Spirit. Unfortunately, it seemed things got in the way after that and the BW and I didn't get much in the way of quality runs after. Well, that's never stopped us before, so it's off to see the wizard. We stopped to pick up Brett (Brett and the BW were doing the 50M) mid morning on Friday for the drive down and only made it a few blocks until the mandatory stop at Chick-Fil-A. With the important stuff out of the way, it was uneventful down to Ottawa. With the short trip, we were actually able to just hang out some at the motel before the meal/packet pickup and got a chance to visit with Christy and Jeff as they were only a few rooms down. We had a good meal, chatted with Adam, Eric, Justin, Warren and other various Epic Ultra crew, and connected with Kelvin and Jess for a visit (Kelvin, a TATUR, was also running the 100) and headed back to the room to finish up the last minute stuff. In case you're wondering, Brett says he doesn't snore. Brett lies. But in his defense he did stop around midnight.

A 4:45 wakeup and we're off to the start line. Temps were in the 40s and only a light breeze so I went with shorts and long sleeve shirt as the day looked good. The 100 milers take off for a short 2 mile out and back and it starts sleeting big time. Whaaaaaa? Didn't see that in my weather forecast. This worries me as my coat is 51.25 miles away and I won't see any crew before then. Luckily it stops pretty quickly and the first several miles are rather enjoyable as I'm able to hang with TATURS Roman, Kathy, John and a few others. We roll into Princeton (mile 9.5) and only stay long enough to get a bottle filled. I did meet Crystal Lutgen for the first time who was doing a fine job helping the runners. The merry band of runners had kind of broken apart at this point, so it was back to my normal solo race up to the next aid station at Richmond (16 miles). It's another grab and go stop that lasts less than a minute and off to Garnett. Up until this point the wind hadn't really been an issue, but the couple of miles leading into Garnett had brutal headwind coming straight down the trail. I hit the Garnett train station (about 25 miles) in really good shape but stopped long enough to grease up. Side note - Russell, Arnold, Polly and everyone at Garnett are awesome. They put a lot of time in running aid stations.

 

  At this point, my crew/pacer Spoon was on his way from IA to meet me at the turnaround. As an added bonus a couple of days before I found out The Carrot would also be making the journey to help out. From our previous talks I think they were surprised that I got to Garnett as soon as I did, but they would still have plenty of time to beat me to Iola.

Although I was still moving decent, when I'm over 30 miles the "newness" of the race is pretty much wearing off and I was glad I was getting close to Welda (33.5). As I come around the corner to drop into the aid station, I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. Standing out in the middle was The Sh!t!!! Apparently people were good at keeping a secret from me, as I had no clue Richelle and the girls were coming. I told Richelle later that she pretty much saved my race. You cannot underestimate how getting a surprise like that cheers you up. Not only that, but she hooked me up with a full Orange Mud bottle of Coke and ice and some sour watermelon candy (My favorite from Ourey). Once more a pretty short stop and on my way. The trip to Colony (41.25) was uneventful and once again there were my new crew to see what I needed. Yes, I'll have more sour watermelon please. My watch had died, but about .25 out of the aid station I picked up the trail mile markers so I could still judge mileage. About mile 50 I check my watch and was pretty surprised to note that I had just hit my best 50 mile time. This kept me going the next 1.25 to get in Iola and the turnaround. Even my 51.25 check in time was better than my best 50 mile race.

 

  I met up with the whole crew here and got a bite to eat, greased my feet and popped a blister. Seems like here may have been the point that I could really feel some chaffing coming on even though I am not shy about "lubing up". I cannot stress enough how awesome my friends are or thank them enough for all their help. Richelle will touch your feet when they're nasty and every one of them were right there asking what I needed and getting it for me. Hopefully I said thanks several times. Good decision or not I took 10 minutes and laid on the ground with my feet up in the chair to try and get some blood flow back the other way and take a little load of my feet. 

 

Larry & I took off on the return trip, which unfortunately for those guys would basically be an overnight hike as my left hip was getting pretty tired. We had a lot of good conversation and improper inside jokes going as we made it back to Colony and almost the 100k (61.25). At this point it takes a bit to get moving again as it seems any stop however short tends to lock you up. Apparently Larry hasn't had enough of Sluggo pace and he stays on for the next section. The weather stayed in the 40s I think, but this section was really cold with the wind (numerous people mentioned that they didn't plan enough for that). Windbreaker with a hood and my OM beanie did the trick though. The moon was pretty bright and we didn't even use our headlamps through the night. It actually makes it easier (when there's nothing to trip on). I think somewhere in this section is when I started slowing pretty substantially, but still came in to Welda (69) doing fairly well and still with an awesome crew. Gary was on deck for the next couple of sections and we headed out. A lot of talk about all the cool stuff our friends had done, Ultra lies and what was coming up that we would be stupid enough to enter got us into Garnett (77.5 miles). A little longer stop to do more feet lube and we are headed on our way through town. If you don't think pacing is just as hard as doing the race (and more trying), then you've never paced a 100 miler. Gary, I love ya. Sorry you had to listen to me.

GARY: Sooo...you wanna run just a little?
RON: NO.
A few seconds go by and then shuffle...shuffle....trot.....(for all of 30 seconds or so I imagine)...back to hiking. For somebody fresh, I'm sure this pace is tough to bear :)

I had actually managed to stay pretty focused and awake to this point, but about 5:30am or so and only around a mile out from Richmond (86.5), I could not keep my eyes open. Weaving, jerking from almost falling asleep and knowing I needed to stop and pop a couple of blisters. I stumble into a chair, get my socks off and ask Richelle if she can help me pop a blister. She says "Uhhh...there aren't any blisters". Get my foot pulled up to get a better look at the ball of my foot and shit, that's not what I wanted to see. Basically I think the big blisters I had on the balls of both feet actually popped. So now all that loose skin from the blisters just basically pushed up in a pile. Well, looks like I'll keep going - blisters aren't a race stopper. As an added bonus, nothing is fixing the chaffing. Larry jumps back in here and we actually are able to pick up the pace slightly (sunrise is AWESOME). A little idle conversation while I mostly stare at my feet and we arrive at Princeton (93 miles). We make a conscience decision that I won't sit at all and try to just get in and out. This is the first time I've seen the BW and Brett since 6am Saturday, but they came out to cheer me on after getting a little bit of sleep from their successful completion of the 50. Larry is going to bring it home with me and it seems like I'm still maybe gaining a little on pace. About 2-2.5 miles out of Princeton I stop to ditch my jacket and stuff and realize.......hey......if I keep moving good.......I can.........GET BACK TO THE HOTEL ROOM AND TAKE A SHOWER before we have to checkout!!!!!!!! I can't make a PR, but man, I can SHOWER. The last 5 miles become important to my shower time. A big motivator was the BW, Brett, Christy, Jeff, Richelle and the girls following along and catching us at every mile cross road to yell encouragement for the last few miles. A couple of more miles in and we've actually passed people. Hey.....I can easily break 29 hours (and shower). A slight decent into town for the last 1.25 or so and......hey......I can break 28:50 (and shower). We hit the last straight away and see everyone again less than .5 from the finish line and......hey......I can break 28:45. I'm not sure what our pace was up that last incline, but it was pretty fair for a little fat boy with blisters on his feet and mondo chaffing. The timer stops at 28:44:12.....and I get to take a shower....

 

 

I like when the RD personally hands you the buckle, and Eric was right there to get a pic with me. I'm sad I didn't get Richelle in the finish line pics (Mile 90 Photography rules by the way), but the one with Sluggo, Spoon & The Carrot (sounds like a Dr Suess book) will always make me smile and remember the great time and what all those friends did to help me out.

Rick and Mile 90 Photography RULE

A great race made possible by the BW and friends that I'm pretty sure I don't deserve. Larry, Gary & Richelle (and girls) - love you guys. You were the key to my success! I have to give a couple of shouts as well:
The BW - LOVE YOU! Way to stay tough and get that 50 mile buckle!
Brett - Way to hammer down on that 50! Great race.
Kelvin - Excellent work on crushing your 100M PR!
Lana - Awesome first 50! This is only the beginning.
Christy - Ummm...Hell yea. 1st woman and course record! Well, I'm just going to go out and see what happens...
John - Sorry your first 100 didn't go to plan. You'll be back and get that buckle.
Roman & Kathy - You guys are flat out awesome. Regardless of outcome, it's always great to see you.

Ok, I'm over budget on words, but yes, I got that shower. Trying to rush around after a 100 and enjoy the stinging water on your chaffing is not all it's cracked up to be. The BW said "Are you alright?" several times as I grunted and groaned. Everybody got together to eat at Applebees before we left town and I wanted some Siracha Shrimp! Took one drink of a diet coke and knew it was going to be a long day. Got a whiff of something and almost got sick, so my Applebees post race consisted of hobbling out to the car only to wake up to everyone coming out the door and laughing at me...

Maybe next time on that shrimp.