The Forget the PR Mohican 25k and 50k - Volunteer report

 

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 met up with Joselyn and Jay (part of "Team Walker" for Badwater 135). We went straight to the brutal heart of this race: "Big Ass Hill". This hill will either make or break your day. It will only make your day if you go down it. On race day, everyone had to go up it....twice.
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:

Sam: You are a very talented person and your photos are awesome. I cannot wait to see and hear the final product. You were a woman on a mission this weekend and such a trooper to handle us crazies.
I need a tour of the Athens Brewing scene!!!! Hint, Hint....

Allison: Thank you for your help volunteering and allowing us to entertain you as well. I really hope we didn't scare you away. Let's run and have a G.B. Hefe real soon.

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   :)

Patience Makes a Great Dog

As many of you already know, I have been gloating for the past week about my newest member of my family. My little Chocolate Lab named Bodie has arrived.
He comes to me in a round about way via a friend from Facebook.

His name is based on an Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina named: Bodie Island.
My other Lab Buxton was named after a town on Hatteras Island just below Bodie Island in which we always stay in when on vacation.
Did I need another dog ? Short answer: No, or is it Yes ? I don't know......

This past week has been a true life changer or me. My Lab Buxton has not been happy about the new arrival. For the first couple of days, the puppy would sleep right beside me on the bed. (actually, he still does) and Buxton would either sleep in the other room or would sleep on the floor away from me.

This puppy is the total opposite of Buxton. He's rambunctious, playful, a little devious at times, but overall, sweet and good natured. I think he may need some obedience training, but so far, his potty training is going really well. We have our ups and downs but I think my patience will pay off over time. Patience makes a great Dog.

My Beagle Lilly has been a great big sister and is warming up to him more and more. I always catch them playing and laying together. It can only get better as time goes on. I caught Buxton and Bodie snuggling together.

I'm Back??????

I went on my longest run of the year this evening with my Sensei, my Big Brother, my Great Friend: Mark Carroll. It was a last minute decision to drive up his way since I had the night off and I was feeling really good.
Why not go for it. It was worth the drive up there even if we only did a mile or two, or three....

The past few weeks, I have felt like I am a way different person than I was even three month's ago. A lot has changed for me, but I am happiest to report that I feel extremely confident that I will be back to the running scene and being able to meet up with my running friends once again. I sure do miss them. I really do.
You guys/girls know who you are.

I'm going to take it slow. A lot of positive things WILL happen for me this year. I have not decided if I will running any Ultras this soon. I have signed up for two Warrior Dash races with my friends Julie Humes, Heidi Finniff, Cara Egeland...just to name a few.....
I am really eager to get back out on the trail. It is this place that I belong. I belong at Mohican.

First Post Back

Well, I blame someone in particular for starting this back up but, I will not name names (%M%a*r@k*C#a$r!r*o^l$l).........

Anyway, a ton of things has happened since my last post. It seems like years since then.
Yes, I did lose interest in the blog. In fact, it was the start to a miserable downward spiral to many things in life.
I was pretty bad off most of the summer. I was in pain nearly all the time. I eventually broke down and asked my doctor to prescribe something for the pain. I was told by three different, wonderful doctors that there was nothing that they could give me. I had nothing I could take. Talk about a dismal outlook on life.
All through this I thought about running and how bad I missed it. I was able to keep brewing, but not being able to run and workout was haunting me to the core.
I was really wishing I lived in my favorite state in the US (California) where I could be prescribed "a controversial substance". I was close to obtaining some, but in the end, things turned around for me.
I'm actually glad it never came to fruition. I have a great job and a great life. Why chance messing it up despite being in pain.
In late October I started feeling much better. I had stumbled upon something that has really turned my life around. The meds I was taking before made me really sick so I decided to stop taking them. I broke down in October and told my doctor that I wanted to get back on them to at least feel good 1-2 days out of the week.
I found out by taking the meds every day as opposed to twice a week, I was able to keep the level of medicine in my body stable and thus work more effectively. I will say since November I have only had 1-2 headaches and they were caused from drinking one too many pints the night before.
Today, I feel stronger, smarter and more ready than ever at not just running, but life in general.
I'm still recovering from nagging injuries that never seemed to heal but, it is my hope that I will slowly ease back into running and possibly some Crossfit again. I'm addicted to this stuff.
I feel like a race car (slow one) just sitting in a garage and not out racing.
As I type this off the top of my head, I am assuming I will pick up where I left off: Running, Brewing, my Black Lab and being a smart ass. What else is there?
Why this Blog name? Well, I feel like I have been given a second chance to catch my breath and to continue down my chosen path in life. My destiny is being unraveled right before my eyes.

I may surprise you by my current outlook on life and I may unveil some things that may seem off the wall. In the end, I really don't care what is perceived of me. I can say I am becoming a much happier person in life and my outlook altogether is positive. Thanks to my big brother Hal, I think I have discovered the true me and no longer question why I think differently from others. All I ask is that you have an open mind.

It's time to live Life.

Last Post

I know I haven't updated this blog in quite some time. To be honest, I've lost interest in it, and I have a lot of other things to do besides update a blog.

I am going to start training again soon, but I have nothing planned as far as any races are concerned. No spreadsheets and training plans for me. At least not right now.

I'm still on Facebook, so I can still see you there but, I'm really not sure I'm going to keep facebook either. That will yet to be seen. I want to keep in touch with my fellow runners and brewers and that's it really.

I deleted Twitter a long time ago. What a waste of time.

There's nothing wrong with blogging, but it's just not for me. I hate to feel like I am bragging about something I have nothing to brag about. :) Believe me, I am not a bragger.

My health issues I've had are still ongoing and yet to see a true outcome. None of it is life threatening, it's just a matter of it sucking the life out of me. :)

No, really, it's all going good.

I tell you, looking back through my blog, I've had some great times.

Anyway, I really appreciate all who have followed and supported me.

It's time to move on............or is it run on and brew on?

Where have you been?

I know, I kinda dropped off the face of the earth for a little while. I needed some serious down time.

A wise man told me that we need to do this at least once a year. I replied: "This is the first break I've taken from running since I started in 2004." I took up my last 11 days of vacation, and tonight I go back to work.

I have gotten a lot of stuff done around my house while being off work. I need to go back to work just get some rest.

A lot of you know that this year I had faced a huge struggle with headaches and injuries. The injuries believe it or not is caused by what is causing my headaches. I have a Macro Adenoma Brain Tumor. It is the size of a small lemon, and is located right on my pituitary. Sounds complicated and scary. The one part is complicated, the other part, not so much.

I'm not scared even after my second consult this week. The simply put it this way: "There's nothing we can do for you." I have one option: Surgery. If I go this route, they cannot get all of it out and will most likely return. The big problem is afterward, I would have to be on hormone replacement meds the rest of my life. Total suckage there.

Regarding the headaches, the tumor itself is not what's causing the headaches. The medication, which is a Parkinson's drug (Parlodel) is what knocks me down and laughs at me when ever I take it.

Then there is the anti-nausea meds, which sorta work, but knock me out when I take them.

I don't take pain meds other than Excedrin. I refuse to be on heavy doses of pain drugs.

As I stated, the tumor is not dangerous in that if it grows any more, then it can put pressure on my optic nerve and cause me to go blind.

The second opinion guy told me that the tumor did not shrink if at all. My thinking is, why am I still taking this medication. I think I might stop taking my meds here soon as I simply can't take the pain. It is easily 10x's worse that my worst ever headache.

I may break down and ask for something to make me comatose while the drug wears off.

My back feels much better. I took some time off from working out and running. My Crossfit membership had expired. I think I am going to go in a different direction with that.

I know a cool Cat that owns a Kettlebell gym and she's damn good. Her business Partner Dave Clancy is a Badass too. The name of their gym: "State of Fitness" in Gahanna.

I'm not sure CrossFit will be something or me to do in the immediate future. Don't get me wrong, CrossFit will be incorporated for sure.

I have been bad about reading blogs.....my apologies.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Let me know how you all are doing.

California Makes Everything Better

After some much needed relief from the Arizona debacle, my friend Bret and I hopped a jet to Los Angeles. I had never been to California and knew I just had to make the trip while out west. Our final Destination was just north of Malibu at a campground called Thornhill Broome Beach. It is the only place on the California coast that you can camp right on the beach. We arrived after sunset, but I was able to snap off a few of many pictures to come. After scouting over a camp site or two we headed into Oxnard California for some supplies. This is where we felt like fish out of water. Everything was so busy. We had to just take everything in stride. We finally made our way back down to our campsite, we set up everything and were fast asleep in our tents in no time.
The next day, I was up at 5:00AM watching the sun come up over the mountains that lined the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Just like Arizona, the sunrises and sunsets were amazingly colorful and always worth getting up for to see. I was a little sore the next day but my back and feet were hurting the most. I was lucky enough to have an inflatable mattress to lay on the entire trip. We were quick to set off to explore our home for the next few days. We made a beeline to the closest Starbucks in Malibu for a Venti 1/2 decaf Mocha with whip. These were breakfast and possibly lunch for the next few days.
After some caffeine, we drove around checking out a few beaches. Our first stop was El Matador Beach. I had read it was an awesome beach and all the reviews didn't lie. I had a little trouble walking down to the beach as the decent was a little steep. Anyway, the beach is beautiful. Turns out a couple of days later Maria Carey was on the same beach shooting a music video. We never saw her and actually didn't know why there was such a security presence and what all the movie production vehicles were for. We even saw paparazzi staked out on top of their vehicles with long telescopic camera lenses. We asked some locals and they said it was so common that they ignore it anymore.
In fact, they were shooting a commercial right at our campground and the surrounding areas including the PCH. They had been shooting for a couple of days and we didn't know what they were doing until we were caught at Point Mugu by the camera crew and couldn't leave. We asked them and they said it was a commercial for Nissan. They had the entire Nissan production vehicles lined up driving up and down the PCH for shots to be used in the commercial. The first day we noticed this, there was a helicopter buzzing our campground at 6:00AM and the surrounding canyons and beach for camera shots.

We were out driving one day and we took a wrong turn and ended up down by Malibu High School. It was there I spotted Bruce Willis driving a Black Mercedes. He had a couple of other people in the car with him. Looked to be kids. Anyway, I wasn't sure it was him at first, but the more I thought about it, and when I talked to other people, they said it was him. Apparently they see him all the time in Malibu. There was no mistaking that face.

After El Matador Beach, we ventured down to La Peidra beach and took a look at the wonderful views the coast had to offer. All day we ventured up and down the PCH taking in the stunning views of the coast. The nights came quick and at times we found ourselves still on Ohio times and we were eating dinner at 3:00 and in bed by 7:00. We felt like old people.

I was finally here. The place I have wanted to visit since a kid. Now, I felt like that kid again. All we had were the coast, mountains, and all the views we wanted. What else could I want?

After a couple of days, my feet and back were feeling up to walking a little and I decided I wanted to walk on some trail. We went right across the street and walked the La Jolla Trail to the campground. In all, it was about a 5 mile round trip. I loved this trail as it was an unimproved trail with a lot of narrow rocky sections and drop offs. We saw signs warning of Mountain Lions and Rattlesnakes. We didn't see any, but we did see a few caves that could have been home to anything. I ended up getting a little sunburned that day and was thankful the next day brought cool winds as I had to wear a long sleeve shirt most of the day.

We went down to Point Dume and had a blast looking out into the bluest water I have ever seen in person. I was a little bummed that the Pacific Ocean was so cold. We had warm days that we could have went swimming, but apparently the Ocean around there doesn't get above 64 degrees. About all I could do was wade around in the water. One day we were there I decided to wash all my dirty clothes in the ocean.

You'll have to look through my California pictures but there are a few shots of my California Laundry Service and me getting nailed by a huge wave coming in on the beach. The seafood was a must have. I really love North Carolina style seafood and just had to try what the West Coast had to offer. We stopped at Malibu Seafood which did have decent food. By far, our favorite was Neptune's Net. We went there two days in a row. I had the Neptune's Platter. How could I not? The next day was a Lobster Roll which was incredible.

I was really astounded by how friendly everyone was. I think this is due to how incredibly awesome California is. I love this place, and I cannot wait to get back there. We had not one incident with anyone. We did witness our shuttle driver to LAX nearly go "Postal" on a driver of another car who cut her off. So funny.

We had a total blast in California. Absolutely no stress at all. I had never slept so good in my life. I went to sleep and woke up to the surf crashing on the beach just 30 yards from our tents. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Seemed everything fell in place for us.

Every morning, I walked out of my tent and watched the marine wildlife go about their daily business. I saw Sea Otters, Dolphins, Sea Birds of all sorts, Starfish, etc. The first morning I woke up to watch the sunrise, I saw just 40 yards from me, a head pop out of the water and then quickly disappear only to resurface 50 yards away. It was my first Sea Otter spotting. Totally awesome. The dolphin sightings were so common throughout the day. I was so glad we didn't see any snakes or Mountain Lions. Totally cool with that.

California has a lot to offer and I am sure it will quickly become a mecca for me with Ultra races and vacationing.

Okay, this Blogger tool totally sucks. For some reason, it won't let me move my pictures around. I have wasted so many hours trying to type this up and add pictures. Please see the links below for all of my pictures. I am warning you, I took around 1400 pictures, plus they are no longer in order.

Arizona & Javelina Pictures

California I Pictures

California II Pictures

California III Pictures