Camp Roosevelt at 7AM...Tom Corris trying to gather his flock for the shuttle to Buzzard Rock. It is about 5 degrees!
I have no idea who this is....obviously one of the fantastic shuttle drivers.
We are now at the start at Buzzard Rock trail, which is about mile 2 in the Massanutten 100. Tom Corris (blue hat) getting us ready for the start.
First ridge view up on Buzzard's. I think we're looking NW down into the Fort Valley.
...and off we go! It is so cold Deb's Camelback bladder tube will be frozen solid all day long. My bottles were slushy and I had to unscrew the top to drink.
Looking back...this is a good section of the Massanutten trail.
This may be more typical....
Nice views are coming....looking SW. We are on the eastern MMT ridge this morning.
Rick Kerby (dog aid director) and Jim Daniel
One of the many trudges of the day...this is the climb up out of Veach Gap
Looking back down the hill...this is a lot different on race day when it very well could be 85 degrees and humid.
Frozen Shenandoah river down there
Still climbing...that's Deb in front of me, with Jim and Tucker in front of her.
More frozen Shenandoah River
Climb, climb, climb! This is much steeper than it looks here...
We are heading left towards Milford Gap Trail...notice the sign saying we just did a 2 mile climb.
Awesome orange blazed MMT trail!
More....this trail is fantastic.
Vicki (we'll see more of her later) and Sharon
Joe "Moose" Novicky
Yes, it is time to drop down off of the ridge to only climb back up again...3 miles down to the road.
The road....3 miles to the Habron aid station.
Looking back, no one coming.
Habron Gap aid...I wonder what looks so interesting? Pictured are Rosie Abregu, Deb (obscured), Jen Jacobs, Mark Mckennett and Scott Hodukavich
Vicki Kendall who is moving her way up through the runners.
We're back up on the ridge after a bonky, really long climb. We're now headed to the Stephen's trail, which will take us down to Camp Roosevelt, where we will finish today's run.
A short video of Gary Knipling in his usual great mood at the finish
VHTRC'ers standing around the fire after a great day of running and hiking.
More warming up happening
Smoke in the eyes....it was warm! Deb, garry Harrington, Keith Knipling, Quatro Hubbard, Bob Combs, Gary Knipling and others
Quatro, Bob, Gary, Vicki, Kirstin, Sharon and Ted Lapkoff
Back at Portobello, Bob Combs and Mike Bur
Sophie Spiedel, Mike Dobies, Moose Novicki and Keith Knipling
Kerry Owens
Yumm....lots of this was consumed pre and post
Quatro, Deb and Bill Losey in back.
Tom Corris and Sophie Speidel
Tucker, our ultra dog. Tucker ran both days, a total of 52 miles on some rugged trails!
Steve and Deb with Bob and Mike in back
Start of day 2 at Gap Creek
Mike Bur (director) giving Deb a turn sheet
Lucia Davidson, Bob Combs and Alisa Springman coming up the trail out of the mist of my breath
This was actually a mistake picture, but i kept it. Tucker running up the first trail.
Tucker and Deb, notice Tucker hanging back. He was real happy to be out there, but was dragging near the end, as we all were.
First view off of the ridge (Luray?)
Kerry coming in to the Bird Knob trail from the Visitor's center. We started at 8, she started at 9:30 and she's caught us already, possibly 10 miles in or halfway.
We came from the Visitor's center, will do an out and back up and back down Bird Knob, then head to the picnic area along the Wildflower trail
Typical Bird Knob trail
Some runners coming up behind
Moose on the Bird Knob outlook
Deb and Steve (us)
Looking out the lookout without people, I have no idea where that is, possibly New Market?
Another shot, looking to the right of the last one
Rte 211 aid...some runners heading out, some coming in, others relaxing. Thanks to Charlie Miracle and Q for this one.
These were Charlie's fantastic quesadillas...I had many! Tucker almost did, too!
To Scothorn Gap
Deb, Anstr and Lucia and way up ahead, Pam Gowen
Lucia, Anstr and Deb cross a stream over some logs
We're done...about 52 miles for the weekend. Some did more, some less. Deb has some mysterious drink that Gary Knipling handed her.
Gary with his mysterious replacement drink that he told me to "Just tough it to your lips!"
Tucker, Steve and Deb...Deb, you and tucker look tired ;-)
Ok, you look better now... ;-)
Tom Corris finishes
Leftovers from the pack....some tasty Gorp and unidentifiable drug type looking pills.
Tucker is tired...but if I said "Wanna go for a run?" He's perk right up and be ready to go again...
