Go Find

So when I send Boodini into the woods to find "lost victims" in our search and rescue training the command is "Go Find!" Looking out to the motel next to where I'm standing I realize it is the Start and Finish of the Old Dominion memorial 100M, it would be the first 100 of the Slam and I could bag the either Dominion or Vermont requirement by finishing it that Memorial Day weekend before going on to Western States a few weeks later.Years Ago, but did I still reminder the course, so I set out to try. Running down the road through the historical district of Woodstock established in 1752, I know to take a right and within a few miles I'm in the rural country, a Jersey farm, a few ponds with ducks following Mom, and yes this is it! After another winding farm road and a few more miles I hit the crossing of the Shenandoah river, and there is Woodstock Mtn. Up I go remembering the three passes we made over that 25hours it took me to finish the race. Near the top a off road jeep stops and three folks ask if I' ve seen their dog who ran off, no I remark but I will look for it, and finally after a few more switchbacks I crest and soak up the view. I retrace my trail back and down a while I run into Heavy, yes the missing pit/boxer mix, as I call he runs then off into the forest, as I turn down a bit the jeep returns, we set up points high and low to corral him. I head two mile in to no avail, and head down, before the bottom they stop and say Heavy has been found.Now knowing that their dog was found with a lighter feel I wind back by the river off thru the town for a 20miler...Go Find!

Caroline Furnace

Sipping a latte, eating a breakfast croissant, reading "The Art of Running in the Rain", I occupy an hour or so all the while thinking. Lifting the napkin on the table is a good break, cause now things show hope.
Heck with this,  I head out to Edinburg Gap and run something, and that's what I do. The small rocky mtn. trail is quiet only with it's beauty and running out here is no problem. Down below I head towards a lake and there are geese fishing and flying. Back up the mtn. again and I covered at least ten miles. Feels good to sweat, and pump the flow of blood. This may not be the dream...but it's living.

That's Just the Way it Is

As I reached for my bag the pain jolted thru my arm. Nothing was working, although I could move my fingers, there just wasn't any strength. Never had been humbled with not being able to function with all my limbs, and it sure got my attention. I did all I could to get out of the security line and on my way to my gate, this time though things were intimidating. From that point it was trying to fix what was wrong, rubbing and moving my wrist and fingers as if I was in therapy. Should have just turned around and gone home, but that ultra mindset makes you continue thru some really crappy spots, and I've seen my share. By the end of the day my drop bags were sent out and I had checked in, and went to sleep. At 1am I awoke and began the check list of what to do, and by 3am I knew that muling the left hand wouldn't get the job of changing gear done in a 100M race, I walked down to check in and let them know.So now what.....

DNS at MMT

I don't know when I realized the dream was over. Well, there was no particular hour, no given day. You know, it didn't go down it flames, there was no final scene, no frozen frame. I just watched it slowly fade away. Guess I'll wait for my time to come around again, Hope is floating on the breeze, carrying my soul high up above the ground and just keep to myself. Never knew these Dog Days would get so long.

The Dog that Got a Buckle

Elvis the dog crossed the finish at the Salt Flats 100M with his running momma Deanna Croasmun in 35 hrs and change. They both paid the registration, both had bibs,and both got buckles. They are on the finish list. Elvis continued running extra miles, maybe a victory lap around the finish line festivities not seemingly the worst for wear after his monumental debut. Boodini has invited them both to Run Like the Wind, maybe they will come.Hoping to hear back from them and get a few tips as to what Elvis' training program looks like.

Caution..Rocks up Ahead!

Soon if the plane lands and the tight time line to get to the start happens, that will be just it, it's show time at Massanutten 100M. I'd like to say this or that about it all being well, but honesty, I'm fretting. It has been a while since I've run there, and it sure has my attention in the Shenandoah, so when it all settles there will not be much more than to be happy, don't worry, live the dream. Make the cutoffs, keep moving, keep hoping and getter done.