We were treated to a fine sunset on Friday evening
In Hatch, NM the sell tiny RVs to big guys
Frankly, I find this rather scary
Our campsite in the field about a mile short of the start line. We had hoped to camp up a bit higher but strong winds on the ridge deterred us. This turned out to be a very comfortable camp
Dan (Dizzy D), Matt and Mom
Diz and Soup (me)
Race morning at Kentucky Camp, 5:30am. We had to pick up our bib numbers on race morning and drop off any drop bags. Temperature was in the upper 20s and only one shitter made things a bit unpleasant for many folks getting ready to start off. Linda, the co-RD is in the black in the middle
Drop bags and coffee
Diz, me and Matt staying warm before the start
Me and Mom!
I really appreciated my down jacket when I saw these three huddling near a lamp for warmth. Ryan, Susan and Nicole primed and ready (albeit a bit chilly)
Look at all that reflective action! Dan and I are pretty much dead center here (orange and white)
Right after leaving the start line the course climbs a 200' hill to get the blood flowing
A view of the mile 25 aid station
Looking west from the aid station
I'm pscyhed! Mile 25 at about 3:38
Dan coming into the mile 25 aid station at about 4:07
Ah! Proof! I'm pretty sure Dan said he had ran the whole hill from mile 25 to 29 but...
Looking back at big climb of the course between mile 25 and 29
A moment to catch my breath with Mom at mile 39 at 5 hours, 30 minutes for me
Diz rolling into aid station mile 39 with a huge smile at around 6:15
Diz checking on his newly changed socks...
Oops, new socks not working out..
Change back to old socks...
And bust out again. (I think he just really wanted to hear twice as much cheering)
That's me in orange way out there coming into the finish. Here's where I got screwy...the natural line from me to the finish line looks straight ahead here eh? Well, apparently the course went over to the left of that tower truck...I missed that turn and had to bust back around the truck to really finish. Finish time was 8:30:21 which was good for 7th place overall.
I'm told my right knee is one of my better body features
But look at that left knee! Grrrrrr....
Cold chillin with my recovery beverage of choice, chocolate milk. Linda, the co-RD, gave me a UD hand bottle I won in a random drawing (I think she was just too embarrassed to say she gave me the bottle because I have a beautiful right knee.)
Ladies and gentlemen, Paul Grimm! Paul set a PR in 9:18ish
Pam Reed busts out a congratulatory high-five for Diz for his 9:40 finish in his first ever 50 miler. Pretty incredible.
A couple of happy runners with our chocolate milk and hamburgers
Susan Brozik and the second place woman Jane Larkindale joined us on the hill to cheer on the remaining finishers. Matt looks on from behind while Paul Grimm (yellow) looks like he didn't even run today
Wixom and Nicole finish in 10:03
Arizona sun and cold beer
Karla Holgers finishes in 10:28
James Breyfogle, Paul and Karla giddy as hell after a great race
Wow that dude is HUNG!
