I never had a volunteer experience where I would stay with the race for over 24 hours of enjoyment. Friday, I took a vacation day to help out (and maybe pace someone) at the Zumbro 100. I left at 5 AM and picked up Zac Pierce on the way. We arrived at about 7:15 and prepared for the day. Larry, his family, and friends had the fire going as it was pretty cold.
We all prepared for the race; soon, 17 runners were off and running. It was early in the race, and after the first 5 miles, they all looked great. Then, they took off for a 14.3-mile look to the east. Many looked different after that stretch. I thought it was just that they went 20 miles. So the day wore on, and I took pictures and helped until just before midnight. I had the chance to pace Steve Quick for miles 60-80.
As I ran the course, I discovered why some looked tired after the second loop. This is a course like no other I could imagine. It had some tremendous flat areas to run, some minor hills, some major hills (I thought there was one that was harder and steeper than anything on the ST 100 trail), stream crossing, places with excellent footing, places with no footing, plenty of rocks that moved under your feet without notice, "U" shaped horse trails that had a 3-inch flat bottom before the curved upward (you had to run one foot right in front of the other) and areas where 3-4 inches of leaves covered roots and rocks. I managed to get through the loop with Steve, trying to look strong, but I was killed on this 20-mile stretch.
I stayed at the finish until half the finishers were in, and then I left. It was a hard drive home. Shelley brought me dinner, and I ate. I do not recall when I went to sleep. It was 8 AM when I woke...
I took over 200 pictures of the race. If you like challenges, put this on your calendar next year!
Of course, it's not like I have been training hard. I did have a 32.9-mile week. I feel sore from my 20 miles yesterday, but I should be fine. Next week, I plan to hit 35 miles. Just inching forward a little at a time. Although, I have a tennis event all weekend next week, which may mean a 25-mile week would be a success. Either way, I do not hate the runs. They are enjoyable... Maybe not all the time, but afterward, they all are... Including 20 miles at Zumbro, I used many curse words as I did those 20 miles.
Carry on.
8 comments:
Thanks for sharing your pics and writing about the race. I'm sure they appreciated the support. Very interesting to read about this kind of event.
Great to see you out there yesterday Londell. Awesome pictures with the new SLR too!
I'd never run that area before yesterday and was surprised at the difficulty of the terrain. I still think SHT is tougher, but in a different way. I'd love to do it again in mid-October when the autumn leaves are in full color.
Oh, and if this course wasn't tough enough, Larry already mentioned changing the course for next year to get rid of the flat area (small loop). ;)
Great pics, maybe next year we should join them :-)
Great bunch of photos. Thanks for sharing them all.
I saw someone in them that I haven't seen since last year.
She and her husband live in Rochester and she helped me at an aid station at last year's Chippewa Morraine.
Joel,
That was Lynn and Daryl Saari. Lynn dropped after 100K, Daryl was 7th in a great run!
Thanks for all the pics - and for the little walk in the woods. What was Dallas pointing at in pics 79-82???
It was great to see you out there, Londell. Thanks for taking and posting all the pictures, and good job putting up with Steve and that rugged course through your pacing duties... in the dark no less!! :)
Steve
It is funny you noticed and funny I remember why Dallas was pointing. He was chewing Larry out. He said something about Larry underrating the course description to keep him away from the much easier McNaughton. It was funny. He just kept chewing larry out (in a respectful, funny way) He was taking his easy road shoes and replacing them with his trail shoes...
It was quite a funny thing... But Dallas is a hoot...
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