DNF @ #TAHOESUPERTRIPLE

I watch as the Race director fiddles with his gun trying to cock it so that he can pull the trigger so I can pull the trigger. Instead, I hear "PULL" and everyone takes off and in the midst of confusion I follow. I flinch as the gun goes off behind, it was louder than I had expected, even-though, I didn't think he would still pull the trigger.

FRIDAY: EMERALD BAY MARATHON

I told myself that I would hang back with Jack and Kate to protect myself from going out too fast. I would try to wait till the half way point and then pick up the pace to finish strong. I'm following Kate on this screaming downhill and all of a sudden I am in front of her and Jack. Now I am nervous, the last two times I ran in front of Kate was at the Leona Divide Marathon and Ray Miller 50/50 and both times I BLEW UP. Granted I am way more experienced this time, but I am still known to do ridiculous things; I cant help it, it plays out perfectly in my head.

I turn down the bike path and there are ONLY 2 people ahead of me, this is not a good sign.

Took the lead

My mind is telling me that I'm going to fast, "CHILL THE F OUT"

My heart is telling me that I got this' "GO...GO..GOOOOO"

Naturally I followed my heart and pursued the two runners in front of me, eventually passing one. My mind and heart battle it out as I continue the pace. I tell myself that its okay and I will follow the first guy so I don't have to run a course that I don't know by myself. Then the first guy stops at a turn to talk to his crew and I pass him. Now I am LEADING A FREAK'N MARATHON and now my mind is questioning everything.

Got to have one Ridiculous photo

I keep running trying to hold my pace around 7:00 minute miles as I'm trying to finish around 3 hours. I forget all the negative thoughts in my head and just maintain focus on the course markings (please be good...PLEASE be good course markings). It wouldn't be long before I could relax once I noticed that this course will be marked well. They even had markings that pointed to the banos. Now all I had to do was focus on drinking every mile and eating a gel every 45 minutes.

Every so often I would cheer up as I would see Jimmy, Steve and Heidi. It's nice and comforting when you can see friends every 3-5 miles.

I would have a relatively uneventful run until the finish, other than the diesel rigs passing within inches of me with their tailwind feeling like a wall and the climb up Spooner Pass towards the finish.

I knew the end was near when I saw the "HOWL" on the floor and when I looked up I saw Jimmy and
Steve running away towards the finish.

I WON A FREAK'n marathon (3:26), which is one of those things that you don't expect to ever happen, but a part of me knew that the possibilities existed. This was one of the lessons that I learned from when Katie DeSplinter won her first 100. All I needed to do was keep trying hard and it could happen.

I was also reminded of how bad it hurts to finish a marathon.

SATURDAY: CAL-NEVA MARATHON

I told myself that I would survive today. I was sore from yesterday, but felt that I could feel better when I'm about 3 miles in. The difficult part of today would be the first 10 miles since it was downhill, my nemesis. I expected a lot of people to be in front of me and hoped to catch them later on.

I watched as Kate flew past everyone and eventually disappear into the downhill. I expected this to happen and started to wonder how fast she would take the course and beat me. I would keep focus on my form so that I did not annihilate my legs for when the flat part came.

I don't know when it actually started , but I would start to feel pain on my upper foot. The Nike Frees were irritating the (corrects glasses with pointer finger) extensor longus muscle and the tibialis anterior muscle, and YES I busted out my anatomy book. The sucky part was that there was nothing I could do at the moment that could relieve the pressure; looking back I could have cut a slit down the middle.

Anyways...I would keep grinding trying to hold my pace or improve it so that I could better my time from yesterday or get close to it. I would eventually catch up to Kate, who must have been having a rough moment and try to hang. Kate and I would Yo-Yo back and forth for a while. I would pass Kate on the uphills and Kate would pass me on the downhills.

This course was EATING ME ALIVE, but luckily I had company and Steve and Heidi would show up to crew.

Weird  Side Note: Jack must have been having a hard day cause I swear there were moments where I would not see Steve or Heidi for a long time Or the two of them stopped at a bar or something.

I would eventually finish 2nd overall behind Micheal Wedel who won his first marathon as well (CONGRATULATIONS!).

OH SNAP....there is that pain again...hobble..hobble..hobble.

Kate would still take the women's lead and 4th overall.

We went down to the water to chill the legs for 10 minutes where I would sit on a rock that had a craw fish or lobster or whatever it was (IT HAD CLAMPS) underneath. It would keep walking underneath the shadow of my legs switching from one side to the other as I would keep moving my legs for fear of it striking. GO AWAY!

SATURDAY NIGHT: 72 MILE AROUND LAKE TAHOE

I can't believe it's still Saturday and I will have to run 72 miles, but I told myself that today I will coast. I expected this section of the Tahoe Super Triple to be the easiest of the 3 since I was going to be run a conservative pace. Unfortunately, I did not find the time to get some sleep (facepalm).

Heidi and I left the Inn around 8:30 to find the start line of the 72 mile run. Jimmy told us to drive until we see a bunch of cars parked on the side and lights within the trees. The start line was in an awkward spot where you had to walk through the trees and duff to get to the bike path. I stood with a crowd of others until Lucia said go and we took off following her until she threw us back onto the 89 Highway.

This is the same as before except that my shins hurt and one of the guys blasted off. I ignored him and focused on my pace. I would see Jimmy and Heidi every 3 miles, talk to cyclist and listen to random cars yell at me.

I remember passing by the Inn where I saw Jack and Kate. They asked how I felt and I told them that I was hurting. This sucked cause my quads did not hurt and felt quite good, but my shins did not.

I continued to coast seeing Jimmy and Heidi every so often. Eventually, Dave Carder and Michelle Crews would make a drive out to Tahoe and help Heidi crew. Dave would help pace me up Spooner Pass, which I requested to help me stay true on the climb and not take it too easy. I was surprised at how fast we had climbed the pass, but by now I was verbally complaining about my shins.

My Shins HURT and now I have to run down for 10 miles. I suffered through the 10 miles, stopping every-time I saw the crew vehicle to try and massage the pain away from my shins. I also had to trade out my shoes from a planter issue that arised...I WAS FALLING APART.

We finally reached the flat part where I would try to continue running, but couldn't. I was now 30 miles into the 72 and called it quits.

I had an amazing experience at Lake Tahoe. It was fun to run 2 of the 3 marathons with Kate, Jack and Nicola. It was fun to hang out in the freezing water talking and joking (Kasia swam in this water). I enjoyed the presence of everyone around the dinner tables with the conversations.

Thanks to Jimmy Dean Freeman,Steve Schuman, Heidi Christianson, Dave Carder and Michelle Crews for helping me chase my goal. Thanks to Kasia Gondek for being crazy and willing enough to help crew and still help her other friends at the 3rd marathon. Last, thanks to everyone for sharing a part of your life's moments to enhance mine.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Wear running shoes with more support (No Nike Frees for race day...for me)
2. Eat more solid food with high protein after the race and for dinner 
3. Work DILIGENTLY on Downhill technique.
4. And find that 2nd gear that I know exists

Ridiculous photo #2

We all Rocked Nikes and
I had them airbrush my leg for definition

Soaking in the FREEZING water after EBM

Snap shot while waiting for Nicola's smile as she finished

Kate

Jack

Nicola

Inaugural #DirtyTrails Fat Ass

I woke up to house feeling disgustingly HOT. This was already a bad sign of what may come. I pondered if it would be a better idea to cancel the Fat Ass run knowing the heat that may come. Would I be able to manage the HEAT? It was 5 am, it was already hot and I was about to go run 30 miles at Mt Baldy.

I convinced myself to go and continued to get ready. With the warnings of friends I decided to take my pack and shoved two water bottles inside, I would carry two handhelds. This left me with plenty of water to make it to the Notch and Ski Hut where I could refill, if necessary. I shoved the almond butter in my pack, drank my coffee and was out the door. Oh yeah, can't forget the wilderness pass.

I parked at the Icehouse Canyon entrance and waited for the rest to arrive. As I waited I debated what type of effort I was going to give this run. Do I go all out or just keep it mellow? I had already put a lot of miles this week, 40ish from running and 120 miles from cycling to work; my legs were tired. I also have a race near the end of September that I want to give what my every effort at. I decided to take it easy, but this was already predetermined when I put on the New Balance 110. I wear this shoe because I like minimal shoes, but mainly because it forces me to take the run less seriously for fear of injury.

Everyone showed up, we had a quick briefing and were off. The majority of us would stick together till we hit the Ranger Station. From here Marshall and I would slowly pull away from everyone. I chose to stay behind Marshall because if I got in front off him I knew I would start to push. After Marshall and I hit the split rock I got in front and the obvious happened. I started to pull away from Marshall, but that was okay cause I figured that I would wait for him now and then. When I neared the top of Baldy I looked back to see where Marshall was and he was GONE.....FACK! What the hell happened? I would eventually convince myself that he had waited for Derick and Jack.

SIDE NOTE: It was warm and humid up to the split rock, but this was about to change. After the split rock we would run into a cloud which was nice and cool. This made my my drenched shirt feel so good.

As I stood at the summit I decided that I would keep going. I didn't know how long the weather gods would grace us with this cloud. I would now push the pace a little more to finish this run before it would get hot. I ran down the backbone trail, waiting for hikers to cross certain sketchy parts, and continue to run. When I got to the first ski lift I stopped and ran around a but confused as to which trail was the correct one. I saw a single track that shot straight down to the notch and a fire road. I finally chose the fire road, recalling it being a part of the Tom Harrison map description. I made it to the notch and walked around the building till I found the water, which was inside the building.

I refilled and took off down to the Ski Hut trail. Every corner I turned I felt as if I had missed the trail. I was going to hit the waterfall and have to back track. By now it is getting warm again, the weather gods were punishing me for making good time, but I wanted to finish before it got worse. BOOM, the ski hut trail showed itself to me and I shot up it. This is it, my last ascent to the top and the rest would be a cake walk. From here it would also be a difficult climb, especially when I would hit the Baldy Bowl. I kept telling myself to "swing my arms and quick short steps," like Keira would power hike. I did slow down before the Ski Hut as I talked to this older guy about the NB 110.

suffer...suffer...SUFFER and I finally made it to the top. By now I felt like bummed that I was by myself and hoped that I would be fortunate to run into someone I knew. BIDDLE!!! YES, I am so glad to see you. I felt more joy when I noticed that Jenna and Panthea (birthday Girl) were there. I saw Panthea bundled in a blanket and noticed that I would most likely be freezing any minute too. We chatted for a while, Jeff gave me another almond butter, I said my "see you laters" and was off. I am going to finish this run before it gets HOT.

On the way down I ran into Jack and Derick. They asked where Marshall was and I told them that I thought Marshall was with them....Dammit Marshall. I knew he would be fine, but I felt bad for leaving him behind. I told Jack and Derick later and continued to push. I am almost done, all the hard work was finished. One more climb up Thunder Mountain and a long descent to the parking lot. 

I made back to the notch and saw Luis, Brian and Phillip. I stopped to chat and refill my bottles one last time. They described the last climb and disappeared. I was envious that they would be finishing the run soon and I had one more climb before I could fly down to the finish. I pushed up the climb to Thunder Mountain which was a boring climb compared to the previous ones. On the way back to the notch (last time) I ran into MARSHALL. 

I was happy to see that he was okay even though I knew he would be, or at least I kept telling myself that. We chatted for a while. I told him about the boring climb and he told me that Luis, Brian and Phillip had just left the Notch. I thought they left, but this whole time they were eating and being merry. I also told MArshall that I was now trying to catch Krissy Moehl. Marshall said that I could do it and catch the other three; with resumed confidence I pushed a little bit harder. I passed the last lift and saw the other three running down.

I didn't think I would catch them, but I eventually did. AND THEN I hit pavement, I was immediately reminded about how well I feel when I run on pavement with NB 110's. I had to put all my focus on perfect running form and accepted that this was going to HURT. Every step hurt as I tried to keep a fast pace and this road WOULD NOT END.

BOOM! I finally finished the Inaugural #DirtyTrails Fat Ass (Mt Baldy 50K) in 6:53:38. I also felt good and not thrashed from what I just went through; this was not the case on the following Sunday and Monday.

DRINK MORE WATER, DAVID #SD100

Watch me turn red as over 200
 people sing happy birthday to me.

I had literally waited a year to run San Diego 100. I had settled on the idea after an impromptu pacing session with Greg Lanctot, but the main reason was definitely because it started on my BIRTHDAY so I would easily get my birthday mileage in. The only thing I did not know was that the race would be like Clint Eastwood's movie "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Well not really ugly).

Jack and I arrived at the Mt. Laguna Lodge to check into cabin 1. The cabin was huge with three bedrooms and lots of places to sleep, with the only drawback of ONE bathroom. I was stoked to finally be here, but disappointed that Ray "Fucking" Sanchez could not make it to the race. I definitely would have made sure he got the one bedroom next to the one bathroom. From Jack and I (mostly Jack) would start prepping the gear for tomorrow. Jason Healey would show up later and hang out; he would be volunteering at Pine Creek 1 & 2. Louis would show up later that night also, but I would be asleep by then.

THE GOOD

This would be short lived as I would crash sooner, I mean WAY SOONER, than expected. I took off with every intention to stay away crowd and run a pace that I probably shouldn't have, but wanted to test a couple things. I felt good running into Meadows and knew that I was doing exactly what I wanted when I heard Greg Lanctot's comment as I ran past him. Of course, Jack is telling me that I am running to fast to slow down. I tell him that I feel good and take off to Red Tail Roost. This part was mostly flat so I make sure not to speed up to fast and to be careful, but before I knew it I was at Red Tail Roost...What The Hell.

I walk up to Jack and once again he reminds me that i am running to fast and to slow it down. He then tells me to drink water before I leave because my skin was dry. I think that I am fine because I normally run in hot conditions where I live, but we all know where this is going. Chris Gilbert-chan lifts a jug of water to my face and says "DRINK MORE WATER, DAVID." I reluctantly grab the container and take three big gulps of water...not gonna lie, it was A-mazing. I then grab my stuff and take off at my previous pace, against the directions of my crew.

THE BAD

FACK.....not even a quarter of a mile after Red Tail Roost that I start to feel sluggish. I should have only had 1 big gulp and not 3 big gulps of water. This was definitely my fault because I didn't drink enough water and then I drank too much water at once... I'm such an idiot. I would keep trying to run until my stomach would start to hurt and then walk and repeat. The crappy part was that every time I took a in more water my stomach would be agitated, but I did not want to get behind on water. i was getting frustrated as about a million people were passing me and that the course was run-able, but my stomach....DAMMIT. I would finally pass by Erin and Jeff, oh the joy of familiar faces, and stop to sit and share my misery (Thanks for listening). By now I had my mind set on dropping when I got to Pine Creek 1, but first I had to get there. I eventually got to Penny Pines and sat down to see if I could get my stomach to calm the F down. After about 10 minutes I started to walk over towards Pine Creek. On the way I would see Brian and Jason, YES! more familiar faces, so I stopped and chatted with them a bit and let them know of my intentions to drop. Brian told me that he would kick my ass if I did so I told him later and continued on my journey. I then saw Steve pouring water into a container and decided to take a moment to use the water to cool down. He was kind enough to hold the lever down as I splashed water on myself. I told him thanks and took off to Pine creek. I still was not able to get rid of the stomach issue and continued with my run..walk..run, but mostly walking. I'm probably mind fucking myself by now because its hot and i'm walking which means it will take me longer to DNF and the chances of my water lasting is slim....SLIM. Oh Yeah...I'm still being passed by tons of people. I finally get to a stream that I use to cool down and it felt great. I have about a mile to go before I get to Pine Creek so I start to run more than walk and possibly the worst thing that could happen before you plan to DNF is to....FEEL BETTER.

Once I got into Pine Creek they douse me with the coldest water, wrap a handkerchief with ice around my neck and sit me down. They did an amazing job helping me out, cooling me down and getting me the necessary nutrition. I told Jimmy of my previous plans to drop and he said "No, to just cool down and keep going." I left that aid station feeling 10x better.

THE UGLY (Well not really)

I start the 5 mile loop feeling better and knowing that I had to be careful since this section is HOT and I do not want to back track. Surprisingly I felt that I took this section well as I was now running more than I was walking an before I new it I heard Kate and Jason's voice, I was already back. I got into the aid station and cooled myself off for the next ascent, which would be the toughest climb of the race. Jimmy told me to run it as we did at the Salton Sea and knew exactly what he meant. I reluctantly leave the aid station by my mindset is changing for the better. From here I would hike..run..hike..run..eat cold popsicle (dry ice cold)...repeat run/walk. Holy Shit, I feel good and I am RUNNING. The views here are spectacular, but I have to keep my eyes focused on the trail so that I don't fall.

Then my ears hear the beautiful sound of Chris Gilbert-chan screaming. I finally made back to Jack and Luis...things are gonna change for the better I can feel it. Jack and I talk about my nutrition and time as Luis gets me food and soda to drink. I ask Jack for two bottles with vitargo before I head out towards Sunrise and take off. I'm guessing that my stomach must have been sensitive because the mixture tasted so strong, that I had a hard time drinking the fluid. This caused me to slow down and fall back into my funk, but this time I knew that once I got to Sunrise Aid Station that I would get my pacer. Only one person passed me on this section so I didn't get in to bad of a mental funk.

Volunteer help cleaning my horrific feet.

I finally walk into Sunrise  and i'm happy to see my friends. I change out my socks, shoes and shirt. Jack helps me with my gear and send Luis and I off. I tell Luis to get in front and run and I will try my best to hold his pace. I don't know what made him decide to pick whichever pace he did, but it was the perfect pace for me....THINGS ARE CHANGING. Luis and I pass around a turn and I see Josh Specktor, so I yell at him calling him a "Sexy Beast" and telling Elan to make him run. I know that Josh is having a hard time, but read his blog cause he has an epic comeback. We would continue running until we hit Stonewall Mine where I would see Jimmy and Kate, both of whom will be pacing me later on. Luis and I take off from here and head off eventually making it to Paso Picacho where I Kate would take over pacing duties.

Kate and I leave Paso Aid Station and take off back into the darkness. I ask Kate to lead as Luis had done previously, letting her dictate what pace I should be running. Once again, I do not know what made her decide on that pace, but it was perfect. I am finally starting to pass other runners and we are making good time. The trail would make sure that Kate and I both pay the trail gods homage before we made it Sweetwater Aid Station. Thankfully we did not get hurt during the fall and were able to get on pace.

We arrive at Sweetwater and it is Mother F'n COLD. I talk to Jack as I try to get some soup down into my system and mentally prep for the next section. Kate and I take off at a nice pace and continue on our journey to Sunrise. We chat about our hilarious adventurous from the past. All of a sudden Kate looks to the right and starts yelling "Hey" repeatedly. I know that she saw something, but I we don't know what. Then she catches the glimmer of it's eyes and as it slowly crept side ways and turns it head toward us.. I FREAK OUT cause it looked like a mountain lion. My heart dropped as I looked at Kate and screaming that its a lion. Then the it turned its head more and we notice that it was just a dear. So we laugh about it a continue to the elusive Sunrise Aid Station.

We finally made it to Sunrise and Jimmy took over pacing duties from here. I let Jimmy dictate the pace, if anything was ugly about this section it would have to be how much it hurt to keep Jimmy's pace. I know that if I was by myself that I would have walked most of the 20 miles back. Jimmy taught me that I could continue running even though it hurts, a valuable lesson for my future races. Jimmy would keep feeding me positive thoughts as we passed a lot of people. Eventually, we would make it to the finish line of SD100 and my first completion of a 100 mile run in 24:23.

Jason, Jack, Kate, Scott, Me, Angela, Jimmy, Luis

THANKS JACK

LESSONS LEARNED

1. I will take a nice drink from my bottle every mile so that my bottle is empty by the time I get to an Aid Station.
2. Man up and still drink the vitargo cause it is mainly water, even if the taste is too strong.
3. Even if it hurts and my mind says to walk that I CAN keep running.

THANKS! for reading my recap and i'll see you on the trails.

#14 on right leg of shorts. #BWSS

BWSS: Team Coyote

Each step I take while standing in one spot is slowly compacting the ground and the sea is starting to come up [This is gross and I want to get out of here before I sink in]. The ground is made up of mostly, if not entirely, fish bones. It's the starting line of the Badwater: Salton Sea  Race. I am here with 14 other teams, 3 runners each, and we are listening to the National Anthem which is followed by the count down...Three....two...one...and we are off.


Start Line - Time Station 1

Chris Kostman pulls along side of us in a black SUV with a confused look and asks Jimmy, "I thought you guys were racing." Jimmy looked back at Chris and reassured him that we were racing. Team Coyote was hanging out in the pelatoon, while Sole to Soul and Miami Thrice had taken off. Jimmy used this opportunity to chat with the other runners, while Ray used this chance to hang out with team AAA Sugar.

 I didn't talk much as I was in my own world absorbing the moment. We would run along the streets of Salton City until and not see our crew until a little past 6.5ish miles, but first we would have to go under a bridge [I hope there is no troll that asks 3 questions before you can pass].  We past the bridge, with no troll present [thank god], and saw our support crew, Kate & Angela, for the first of many exchanges (every 3 miles). We turn right onto Borrego Springs Seaway and run for a long time. This would be the last time I would see any of the other teams, except for Sole to Soul and Miami Thrice.

Time Station 1 - Time Station 2

After 14ish miles we finally arrive at the USN Microwave Tower and team Sole to Soul and Miami Thrice are within sight. I am slowly watching Miami Thrice close in on team Soul to Sole and it will not belong before they eventually pass. We are all still relatively fresh and going through our routine exchanges with Angela & Kate, who by now have everything down to a science. We eventually pass Sole to Sole and catch up with Miami Thrice. From here on we would adopt the phrase "West Coast vs East Coast" as we would be constantly changing lead position. We would eventually see life as we pass by the Anza-Borrego school. The kids would cheer us on as they waited in line to enter there classroom. From here we would turn left by the school and [BOOM!] I had my first issue with my nutrition plan. My stomach could no longer take the jelly beans/gummy bears. I wish I still had gels, but used them up earlier in the race. I figured i would hold off on the solids and eventually try to re-introduce them slowly later on.

Time Station 2 - Time Station 3

We had just passed Borrego Spring Resorts lobby when my earlier decision came and bit me in the ass. I reluctantly had to ask Jimmy and Ray if we could walk for a minute. I really needed the time to mentally prep myself for the suffer-fest that I was about to put myself through knowing that my legs just wanted to walk. Miami Thrice caught up during our walking an break. Luckily for me, they had my shades that i had dropped, only they know where. I'm feeling slightly happy which changes to happier when I see Angela & Kate. Now Miami Thrice is in the lead and we decide to follow them to the trail head and through the trail. From here we would eventually go through Borrego Springs main shopping area were Jimmy would eventually be yelling at a Lady who would NOT hear him and almost hit Ray.

Time Station 3 - Montezuma Valley Road

It is now around 46 miles and my suffer-fest has left me dazed 'n confused. I wonder if Angela & Kate can tell? I ask for my recover rite mix and my pack since it will 8.5ish miles before we see them again. I rinse myself off with water to cool down and get the recover rite that I poured on myself earlier thinking it was water. I throw on my pack and follow Jimmy and Ray up the trail.

The trail was beautiful as he hiked up the switch back trying to keep up with Miami Thrice, the only team who KNEW the trail. Miami Thrice is charging up the trail and gaining distance on us [CRAP!]. I no longer refer to them as East Coast, but now call them [B]east Coast. I eventually tell Jimmy my nutrition issue and he shares his vitargo mix with me. All of a sudden a slight breeze hits us with sprinkles of cold rain drops. Everything is starting to change for me; I am cooling down and feeling my energy come back. [B]east Coast is out of sight and we are only reassured that we are on the right track when the trail decides to give us a peak of them here and there. We follow around a bend and [BOOM!] ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE. The breeze changed to gusts of F'n COLD wind and the sprinkles turned into as FULL onset of FREEZING WATER. Now we are throwing our shirts back on and running, still only catching glimpses of [B]east coast and now foot prints. Jimmy had become our official tracker like the Native Indians in the old western movies.

Montezuma Valley Road - Times Station 5

So happy to see the road and even happier to see Kate & Angela. Jimmy yells at us to change into dry clothes which I am all too happy to oblige. Crap! it is so cold I'm starting to shake and now my teeth are chattering [I feel like my teeth want to crumble from the chattering]. Thankfully the crew helped me get into dry clothes and into the van where we would wait for team Miami Thrice to make a move....like now...or now...how about now. Okay apparently Miami Thrice was probably hoping that we made the first... oh wait they are out of their van and running.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANGELA

Side note: They said we were in the van for 20 minutes, but it only felt like 5 minutes before I had to jump out into the frey.

Of course we jump out and pursue the leaders, who would disappear when we hit the crest of the road. At this moment I thought, "There is no f'n way they just bombed this downhill and gained that much lead." I notice the van on the right and realized that they had jumped back in. I don't recall if this was the moment Jimmy went to give the Miami Thrice's crew advise or if he would tell them later. What i do recall is that we would keep on running in our feeble attempt to get warm. Fortunately it was downhill from here for awhile.

Time Station 5 - Time Station 6

Jimmy's screaming "NO" over and over again as if he is talking to Spirit. I am also screaming "NO" and squirting water [my precious water] at this Pit mix is chasing us. I am thinking in my head..okay this dog is going to stop now... okay, now...oh my god dog stop chasing us and go HOME. This dog would chase us for almost a mile and only stop when it ran by a fence with other dogs, in which it turned and barked at them. The dog would eventually look back at us, but just stare at us as if debating to pursue us once again. After the dog incident we would shuffle along with no major occurrences till the end of the race. Ohhh yeah... my legs are sore but am somehow able to keep up with Ray and Jimmy.

Time Station 6 - Finish Line

CLIMB...climb....climb....is what we will be doing from here on out. It is dark and every mile after it is getting darker, foggy, misty and Cold. Fortunately we were able to get warm from between station 5 - 6, when the Mother Earth decided to grace us with the presence of the sun. We are walking and I feel bad because I cannot walk as fast as the other two so I ask if we could do more running. Jimmy ups our intervals and I am able to keep a better pace were I feel like I am not holding them back.

Side Note: By now I have to take deep breaths [with a grunt here and there] because it is starting to hurt more as I run, but do not want to walk because I feel to slow.

Chris Kostman pulls along side and takes some photos, even manages to find a cat's face on the street. He then takes off to wait for us at the Finish Line. We are finally met by Kate & Angela, by the fire station, who literally run us [PLEASE RE-VISIT SIDE NOTE] into the finish. There is no more deep breathing, but only pain being released with every exhale I take. BUT as in any race it didn't matter anymore as we crossed the finish line as the TEAM we are. West Coast may have been the Best Coast, but the East Coast will always be the Be[A]st Coast.

I would like to THANK Angela and Kate for being the foundation of our successful journey that day. They literally had all of our stuff ready and were able to get a quick turnaround and keep us progressing forward.

I would also like to thank Nike for supplying our race uniforms. There has to be a law against coming out of an 81 mile race with no blisters on my feet.

I'm pretty sure Jimmy won the first set

Of Course Ray still has ENERGY to burn

I would also like to thank Chris and Laurie Kostman for their hard work and diabolical ideas which give us an adventure and great stories, as well as their Staff.








Other awesome/BETTER reads for BWSS:

• Jimmy Dean Freeman [Team Coyote]
• Dave Krupski [Miami Thrice]