Wow, what can I say about this weekend other than it was AWESOME!
I made some new friends, and I got to spend time with my wonderful Ultra Running family.
Most of all, I got to come home to the place I love spending time at the most: Mohican.
I got a call from the race director Rob Powell a few weeks back asking me if I would like to be in charge of the beer for the race. I didn't hesitate at saying: Yes!
I had to come up with a game plan for beer. I could have went many directions but I decided that I would get a sweet set up from Gordon Biersch Columbus. I ended up getting 3 different beers: Czech Pilsner, Maibock and their flagship beer: Marzen. All three were incredible!
I got to sampling all three while setting up the day before the race and next thing I knew, I was a little fuzzy eyed. I knew it was time to simmer down when I was talking to Lindsey Brokaw and noticed I was probably making an ass out of myself. Not a good way to make my introduction. Hopefully she understood that I was in "testing mode" with the beer. I had to make sure it was quality stuff! ;)
Race Day:
Well, I didn't get any sleep the night before due to my good buddy Brian Musick. Thanks Brian.
It ended up being a volunteer drunk-fest of all things.
The poor girls staying in the Chuck Wagon with us were probably thinking: "I'm never coming around these crazy people again"
Samantha, Allison, Kim and Molly (and Rob) I apologize for the craziness. I can't speak for Brian though. :)
Matt was an innocent bystander as well.....
Race day was upon us and I hurried into town to buy Milk and Ice. By the time I got back, the head was pounding, the body was shaking and dehydration was setting in -so awesome.
I ran around and got a few things done with the most important thing being re-hydration for my poor body.
My job was to be course sweeper and beer tender. Seeing how these lightweights didn't want any beer first thing in the morning, I decided to go around and take pictures and then chill out at the Chuck Wagon.
Adrenaline kicked in about race time and I was ready to go.
I was having an incredible day despite the constant pounding of the head and the nausea from the night before. I was hootin, hollerin, whistlin, taking pictures and cheering on these crazy people I love so much.
I think Joselyn and Jay were plotting to put me in a straight jacket if I didn't simmer down.
We waited until the very last runner for the 50k came up the hill. We wanted to keep track of our good friend and also part of "Team Walker": Luca Blengio so,we were off to the first Aid Station which was at the Fire Tower. I took many more pics there and again I was: Hootin, Hollerin, and just plain acting Crazy!
These people had me fired up and I was ready to be out there with them.
After the photo Ops, we hurried down to the Covered Bridge to witness the water crossings. It was here at this spot that everyone was excited to see the runners be punished. It was cold, cold, and really cold that day and the water was the same way. Some people loved it, others didn't.
I was yelling some encouraging words to many of the runners crossing the cold Mohican River.
"Hey! the guy on crutches ahead of you went across the river faster than you're doing it right now"
"Just swim across. Everyone else has"
"Hey! The water is not as cold as it really is"
"Suck it up! It's only cold water"
I do realize Karma is a bitch and I will get repaid for all of this :) I love you guys!!!!!!! :)
Like a dummy, I wore shorts and didn't bring any long pants or for that matter any warm clothes. By the time my buddy Luca came through the water crossing, I was so numb and beat down. I could sense I was going to get sick if I didn't head back to the Chuck Wagon to get some rest.
I managed to get a little bit of sleep and when I woke up I went to check on the beer supply. Awesome. We still had beer. I really failed at this job but again, I am blaming Brian Musick for keeping us all up to party the night before. In hindsight, it was awesome!
Next year, I am hoping we have a good sized supply available and some sleep the night before.
When Matt came and woke me up later that afternoon I was ready to continue on my day. I went out and started sweeping from the Fire Tower to the start/finish area.
People just helped themselves to the beer. By the time I got back from sweeping the course, the beer was gone and some people ended up not getting any. I am so sorry for that.
I decided to go back out and finish up sweeping the Purple Loop (4.xx miles). I took my good ole time since this is my favorite loop at Mohican. This is such a special place to me.
The time I spent up there was so awesome. I came back even more happy than when I went up there.
I was especially happy to have gotten to spend some alone time out on the trail. Don't get me wrong, I love being around people but, it's times like this, I get to recharge myself and keep my spirit alive even more.
Now it's time to focus on training for "my training" for Badwater, DWD Hell, and Javelina Jundred. Did that make any sense ? Good. Glad it didn't!
To my new friends: Samantha and Allison:
I need a tour of the Athens Brewing scene!!!! Hint, Hint....
Rob: I must say you are a truly incredible guy to do what you do. I'm Glad I got the rare chance to hang out with you; my brother. I can't wait until we can run again. I especially can't wait to be a part of this incredible tradition next year.
Here is a link to all the pics I took this weekend: FTPR Mohican 50k
Final thoughts from the author: "Those videos" at the Chuck Wagon will not be posted :)
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