Friends, Hugs, food and fun at the races.

Running events are really just social events. At yesterday's half marathon and half marathon relay on McAllister parks paved trails I ran into so many friends I never stopped smiling. Before the run I spoke to local Running store owner Roger , and Asics Rep Roy when Jean runs by but stops to say hi and share a hug. I hung out with Connie and Larry before heading over to the starting area where I said hi to Doctor Liz. Just before the race start Cousin Elizabeth came by to chat with Joe, Scott and I. We walked over to the start line and Elizabeth shows up. Up ahead Fumi turns to see us and she works her way through the crowd to come share some hugs. Were we running the full event. As Elizabeth said with a perplexed look on her face, "we're running the full half."

I'd been drinking from a 16 ounce bottle of water and decided to start the run with it in my hand. I can leave it at an aid station later, I thought. To accommodate the relay teams the race is four loops. Winding through the wooded asphalt trails we get to see other runs ahead and behind us as we make turns at trail junctions. Weaving through the woods in hot, stagnant, humid air began to take it's toll on some runners very early in the run.  It was so humid the mosquitos couldn't land. They just skidded off our sweaty bodies. After one loop I decided I better hang on to my water bottle and not pitch it. I refilled it at the next aid station and drank two cups of gatorade. Half way through loop two I see Kimberly coming towards me on an opposite trail. Waving, she yells out "Hi Tony!" I wave back as I call out her name. At the start of loop three again I refilled my bottle and drank two more cups of gatorade! The hammer gel I decided to carry in my shorts pocket turned out to be a good idea. The aid stations had only water and Gatorade. Made sense. Most were running on a relay team  and one loop was under 4 miles. I guess they figured if you're running the half you have experience and should know what you need. Downing the gel I drank more water. And more water! Loop three down and I needed another water refill. I stopped at the aid station at the start of loop four to get it. Drinking more gatorade I walked away thanking the volunteers and looking forward to finishing this darn humid, moisture sucking run. The end couldn't come too soon. Exiting the woods and running down the road towards the finish line about 200 yards away the thought of finishing strong left my mind as soon as it entered. I just wanted to finish! I crossed the line at 1:55:23. Good enough. My goal was to beat two hours. At the finish I refilled my bottle with water again and walked towards the post race party area.

The post race party at Carrabba's half marathon has got to be one of the best. More friends were around! Cara, Kelli, Dulce, Michael and his running team, John, Jr. and another Kelly! They all came up to Hug and or talk and laugh. I feasted on Watermelon, Ranger Creek Beer, Carrabba's grilled Boneless Chicken breast smothered with sauteed  mushrooms, tossed salad, and pasta in a butter sauce, and more Beer! I Hung out with Fumi, Elizabeth and her Mom before leaving. Still smiling. All the way home.

Dad told me to keep it up. Don't stop running he said. I won't Pop. It's too much fun!

Happy Fathers Day to every Dad!

Joe C was in town

Joe Chamberlain and I became friends through our love of running. Trail running to be more specific. I've known Joe for about three years now. Joe was in from Indiana visiting his sister this past weekend and joined some of us for a run at Government Canyon State Natural Area Saturday. It pleased me that folks in our group remembered him from a couple of years ago when he visited and came out to Bandera with us. Joe appreciated it too. 

Sunday Joe and I went out to Friedrich and capped the morning with breakfast and beer at the Blue Star brewery in Southtown. All the while Joe kept commenting on what a great running group we have. How we are all welcoming and genuinely nice folks. He gladly and excitedly took a Rockhopper decal for his car. Joe had many questions about the people who are in our group.

I was happy to tell him that the best thing about us is how we support each other. Many of us like to share our experiences and accomplishments after we race but more than that we enjoy celebrating our fellow Rockhopper's successes. Whether one of us finishes in the top ten, middle of the pack, or guts it out to the finish under the wire, we are there for them and put them on a pedestal for admiration. It's how we roll. I told Joe that is what makes our group a wonderful bunch.

To me the best thing about running is all the great people you meet, friends you make, and experiences you share with those friends. It made me happy describing people like Chris who with his boyish loud tone asks questions about YOU, can point out your shortcomings while making us all laugh, Liza who can run with the elites and still hangs with us on training runs, The legend who walks his dog in training but knocks out hundred milers, Connie, Jean and Anabel with their constant smiles, John the reserved rational thinker who nevertheless likes to go off the trail exploring, Tom with his quick wit and crazy playlist, Lalo who pushes the envelope and entices you to go with him, How Amanda looks as pretty after a hundred miles as she does at the start, Rachel the Honey badger who DOES give s&!t but never blows her own whistle, Brian the Paul Bunyonesque gentle giant, Joe T. always excited and ready to go! The Navajo, The Ghost, Sexy, The Spleens! all the pretty girls! I can go on and on.

I said to Joe, We are the Rockhoppers. And we are one.

"You guys have a great group," -Joe Chamberlain

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The Dirty Thirty 50K

My niece Adrienne accompanied me to Denver Friday. I was running in the mountains Saturday and she was hanging out with her other uncle Tony. We arrived at Tony's house south of Denver before noon and soon after Adrienne's cousin Miguel arrived. Miguel drove up from Colorado Springs where he is stationed at Ft. Carson. Tony was still working so the rest of us headed out for some fun at Red Rocks and Golden, Co. After a few hours we were back at Tony's. Plans were made to meet other friends and go out for dinner. I stayed at the house to rest and prepare for the next day. after preparing my gear and showering I put some eggs to boil for my breakfast in the morning. As I watched TV I fell asleep at about 7:45 PM only to be awakened at 9 PM by the smell of smoke! I forgot the eggs! I ran to the kitchen, turned the stove off, turned on every ceiling fan and opened all the windows. My god! I felt so awful. An hour later everyone arrived back home and I pathetically apologized to Tony. They didn't think it was such a big deal. I did. Needless to say I did not get a good nights sleep.
I was up and out the door the next morning at 4 AM. Driving up to Golden again to meet up with a few locals to carpool to the race start I stopped at a 711 to pick up some coffee. In a daze I arrived at our meeting point and had my breakfast of coffee, a protein bar, and a banana. I called Sheila who flew down from Jackson, Wyoming. She also was meeting the van that was to drive us to Golden Gate Canyon State park. Sheila arrived and we talked until the rest of the group arrived. The race site provides a forum for runners to find a ride because of limited parking at the park. Dale, Joe, Keith, and Jenny from the Denver area arrived and we piled into Dale's van for the ride up into the mountains. Dale did a great job in organizing this carpool and kept us all informed the last two weeks before the race. It is always nice to meet new trail runners from different parts of the country and at  these events it seems that is always the case.
It was cool at race start making it difficult for me to decide what to wear. I decided on a long sleeve tech shirt under a short sleeved one and my bicycle riding gloves. My plan was to carry two water bottles but because of the cool weather I decided to take my hydration pack just in case I needed to shed a layer, I'd be able to pack it.
We were off shortly after 6 AM on a slight incline. Although I had studied the race course description on the website, it had been a week earlier. Not thinking too much of it I was just going to take it as it comes. I don't like studying the course description or elevation graph too much but I knew I was in for a challenge. That it was! And a beautiful one too.

My camera was easily accessible in the front pockets of my pack but that was the only good thing about it. I never was a fan of wearing a pack on my back and half way through the race it began to bother me. I resorted to the Chris R. method of carrying a hydration pack. On one shoulder.
Early in the run we crossed a stream several times. At some crossings there were rocks to run across at others a small wooden bridge and some on a log no more than about 10 inches wide. The first long climb begins at about mile 2.5 and ends 5 miles and almost 2000 feet later. Half way up this climb is when I started to feel the effects of the altitude. Pausing to take deep breaths, I powered up and was pleased that my legs were not rebelling. Couldn't help but think about the hill repeats at the Powerline trail, the Crossing and the hill workouts at Freidrich park. As I told Dale on the drive up, our hills are short compared to these mountains but we've become quite creative in our hill workouts and repeats. On a flat section I met Jeremy from Highlands Ranch, Co. We ran together a bit and exchanged stories. I told how I think the heat and humidity in San Antonio maybe helps prepare us somewhat for altitude running. He said he wasn't a fan a running in the heat. I assured him we aren't either but we have to deal with it. At about mile 12 a course marshall directing us to the aid station was playing some music that must have been from Tom B's playlist. Gangsta' Rap!
Out of the aid station and we're climbing again. At this point I hang on to the pace of a woman ahead of me. We talk a bit but I didn't get her name. she starts to fade and I keep on trucking up the mountain. The next aid station had watermelon! I didn't want to leave this place but I had to. Another lady that I had been leap frogging with offered to take my picture. "I see you've been taking pictures. Want me to take one of you?" she asked.

At the top of this climb the rocks were much bigger. There was a time I thought I was off course. Then I saw a ribbon and also there were two runners ahead who looked like they knew the course. Climbing up and over boulders I paused to take more pictures. Continuing on over the mountain I lost sight of the two runners ahead. The trail was not well defined! I listened for the runners ahead. They were a girl and a guy. The girl was a chatter box with a voice higher but as loud as Chris R's!
I found her!

After a short descent we climb again! This time the climb is a 1.5 mile 1100 foot rocky trek up windy peak. Four times I had to stop and catch my breath. At one point it felt as though my heart would  pop out of my chest. This is when I leaned on a tree and tried to breath in expanding my stomach and exhaling as long as I could. Finally at the top and I was glad I wore a long sleeve shirt and gloves. It was cool. I took in the view and headed down the mountain. The trail was littered with loose rocks and exposed roots making it difficult to go fast. A few times I almost fell. Although there was a $100.00 prize for the bloodiest runner at the finish, I did not want those hundred bucks. At the bottom of the mountain a race marshall directs us to the finish 2 miles ahead and over two small bumps. Joe passes me here and says "It's getting warm."
It's was just right where I come from.
Officially crossing the finish line at 7:55:08 I beat my goal by 5 minutes. I hung out with Dale and Jenny at the finish, eating and drinking, while waiting for Sheila and Keith to come in.
It was a great time at a Great race with awesome volunteers at the aid stations and I made new friends! Also I got an Ultimate direction waist pack because my bib number ended with the number 2!