Ozark Trail 100 Endurance Run

Tomorrow 142 runners will run the inaugural Ozark Trail 100 Endurance Run beginning in Potosi, Missouri.  SLUG members, Stuart Johnson and Paul Schoenlaub planned what looks to be an awesome event. 

A few of my ultrarunning friends will be running the race one for whom this is his first 100-mile run.  Jeff Wells, my running partner in Missouri, is taking on 100 miles for the first time tomorrow.  I met Jeff at my first marathon, the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, Missouri.  He was running a decent pace at the time, had good advice, plenty of experience, and didn't talk to much.  That was perfect for me so I tagged along for about the last 8 miles of the race.  After that we met up at races and would camp out near each other, chowing on dinner (he always ate a steak while I chomped on spaghetti) the night before and waking to coffee the morning of races.  Jeff is headstrong and determined and will do well in this race, I am sure.

Another friend, David Wakefield, has been training like crazy and will tackle the 100 miles like a wildman on high octane coffee.  I met David for the first time at the Rock Creek 50K in Kansas and was fortunate enough to spend about 2 minutes of the race near him!  He is fast.  After that race, he put in a few good words for me with Great Plains Running Company and store owner, Willie Lambert, was kind enough to offer me sponsorship through the store and Salomon running gear.  I didn't last long as a sponsored athlete due to challenges in my life at that time, and because I moved to Vermont, but I felt flattered that David thought I was worthy of the offer.  Keep your eyes peeled in Trail Runner Magazine for this guy, he has the speed, determination, and personality to be big time.

Another friend who was training for the race is Jerry Frost, my friend who attempted the Grand Slam this year and whose will and determination saw him through his first Western States.  Unfortunately, Jerry was in a bike accident last week and due to a broken neck (luckily, he is still walking and has no brain injuries) will not be able to complete the race.  Many of his friends from SLUGS are running the race and I am sure they will all keep him in their thoughts.  

Ozark Trail 100 Endurance Run, may the day be crisp and clear, the runners safe and full of vigor, and the stories filled with laughter, grit, and most of all, tales of determination for those who finish strong!  

Sterling to Spruce--Hills for Jerry!

On Sunday, my alarm was set for 5 A.M. and it felt like I hopped out of bed immediately after it went off, so I was confused when I looked at the oven clock while making my coffee and it read 6 A.M. Oh well, an hour behind schedule on a Sunday was nothing to get worked up about, that and it was the day to set the clocks back anyway! 

I was just glad to be up and at it and feeling okay about the day.  The previous evening, I wasn't sure I would even run my planned route.  On Saturday afternoon, I learned that my friend, Jerry, was in an accident on his bike and broke a bone in his neck.  Luckily, it looked like he would come out of the accident functioning at full capacity, but the fact that he broke his neck spooked me out and made me wary of going on my run alone.  I also felt somewhat depressed thinking of his situation and wished that I could visit him and try to cheer him up.  But the more I thought about his situation on Sunday morning, the more I realized that Jerry would want me to get out on my run.  He would have wanted to be running on a fine, clear morning himself!  So I tried to cling to those thoughts and decided that I would do my planned route of Sterling to Spruce Peak.  I would run the hills for my friend!

After my short coffee and bagel breakfast, I changed into my running clothes, double checked my gear: mini backpack filled with a light shell, long-sleeve polyester shirt, granola bar, two GU shots, money, headlamp, camera, map, and one water bottle (with ibuprofen and Nuun tabs in the handle zip), and laced up. Luna sat by the door ready to be leashed and loaded. After tying my Montrail running shoes, I threw on my rain coat and winter hat, and busted out the door.

The day was clear compared to the previous day with wind gusting at over 50 mph on the summits.  I was chilly at the start of my run but warmed up on the hills.

Sterling trail was snow and ice free, which made me happy!  The trail was wet but not slippery.

Here we are at the junction where I typically turn left, but today I would take a right into new territory.

View of the Notch from above.

Vastness of Vermont.

Luna and I at the viewpoint.

Red moss.

Looks like a comfortable place for a mossy rest.

View to the south from the top of Spruce.

Luna, let's do a timer shot!  

On our way down Spruce, Stowe in the distance.

Old dormitory.

Heading back home.

Hey, there's the Notch.  Let's go!

Oh good lord, I look tired!  That was supposed to be a smile for making it back up to the top of the notch, but it looks more like a death grin. 

What a great, difficult run.  My legs are still tired and it's already Thursday!  I took Monday off from running but ran 8 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This morning I am only running 3 miles, but I will run my usual 4 miles at lunch.  Tomorrow I am hoping to start my new training: For The Sake of Friday!  For the sake of Friday, I'm going to bust out the door as soon as I pop out of bed, at 5 A.M. and run until 6:30 A.M.  Then I'll eat my bagel and coffee in the car during my commute, bust out a few editorial duties, and run again at lunch, my usual 4 miles.  For the sake of Friday, I'm going to kick it up!

The plan for this weekend?  Mansfield trail run.  Oh YAH!  And celebrate the first ever Ozark Trail 100 Endurance Run.  More on that to come . . . .