Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Russell's report



Read a great Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd race report from my buddy Russell Bennett, the Iron Horse.

Russell wrote his report, and it was published by our friends at Endurance Buzz!!

Congrats Russ, and thank you David Hanenburg for publishing Russell's report.

We have a celebrity among us!!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Another Pumpkin Holler Race Report


Check out this 50K race report from Brian Desmarais, a blogger friend who ran the 50K at Pumpkin Holler.

Brian ran a 5:38, a very respectable time.

Brian has a great blog called BikeRunBeer and upon reading just a page or two, you'll agree that he is a great writer and photographer.

In his report, I am certain I sensed thoughts of a 100K attempt woven in the last lines of his telling. :-)

Monday, October 29, 2012

Witch and Moan




Sunday evening was the second annual Witch and Moan. This is a 5K fun run, a one mile zombie chase on trailz, and new to this year, a guided Terrifying Turkey Trailz Tour.
Costumes, makeup, and realism were the norm. I was hardly noticed.


This zombie girl seemed like she wanted to eat brains, but was puzzled with the likes of me. Zombies don't eat zombie brains, or maybe she just thought I had no brains. (Love her eyes!)

Zombies are rarely neat eaters. Check out the crackhead with the coke bottle melted to his face. He had his meth lab blow up in his face.

A kindred spirit.

Zombies in pink tutus. Bill stole my idea!!

Here is a green haired witchy looking zombie chick, with a victim behind her who had his lungs ripped out. And a zombie who escaped from the psyche ward. (She looked pretty normal.)

Rotted zombie bites nurse, licks fresh blood, , while short zombie waits for leftovers. Yum.

WOW!! Some non-zombie types. a turquoise and purple monster (Barney?) and a Nascar babe.

I'm guessing a wench? I'm not sure about the girl on the left?

Jack.

In dire need of a nose job and dental work.

Very ghoulish.

Swamp monsters? Wookies? Duck hunters? All of the above?

Cute kitties.


Here's a scary thought. A 57 year old first baseman? Might be why the Drillers sucked this year?

Brynna was told to NOT run with the knife.

Pebbles meets the day of the dead. Notice the half make-up job. Half dead?

Don't know who this is, but it was a great mask.

Zombie cowboys(girls). Wilbur is very patient.

I headed down the hill to stash surprises in the caves. Met these two witches about halfway down the hill.

And Doctor Slash. He was 0 for 2 so far in emergency surgeries.

A cute little zombie girl. And the doctor's wife.

Fear of spiders was faced and conquered (sort of) in the crevice cave.

Bill feels his way through the homeless man cave.

Entering the den of snakes. Several of our group leaders were snake bitten.

Did everyone see the remains of this spelunker? The bones remain there as they have for years.


It was a fun night, and a very successful one as well. This is the Halloween party you do not want to miss next year!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Race report from a great ultrarunner and friend

PUMPKIN HOLLER HUNNERD
by Sherry Meador

I set up my tent at Eagle Bluff resort, already starting to feel the nip of what would be a chilly night. This years event was booked as a family event and the tent next to mine fit that category. Kids were running and playing and I soon learned the adults both planned to run, although they would have to take turns. I was trying hard to concentrate on what I was doing, but kept getting distracted by the family tent group. Lucky for me this race takes little or no planning. Drop bags are very optional, since you seem to hit the start finish at all the right times. I put out 2 drop bags but used them mostly to drop stuff off.

I signed up for the race at packet pick up. I was at Heartland the week before assisting another runner in her push for a finish, the race felt awful to me and near mile 70 when we timed out I could have cheered. The blisters were healing and my stomach had settled so, last minute sign up. I knew I would probably never see the finish, but I was going for it. The pizza at packet pickup was probably good, but I never managed to eat my piece. I did not stay for the race briefing, because it was going to put the trip up the mountain well past dark and cold.

At the tent I did my last minute hair braiding. It takes awhile and several braids to get my hair up and ready for the race. I also went ahead and put on my morning running clothes. I set my alarm and crawled into my sleeping bag. I texted my daughter Elizabeth how cold it was and tried to go to sleep. I kept waking up, but it was not the family tent that was so noisy. Late arrivals, excited and most doing one of the shorter races seemed to come in at all hours. It is the one main bad thing to me when camping out or motel rooms, if there are shorter races those guys seems to be more noisy and up much longer. They also wake up wired and howling, while us hundred guys are trying to remember which drop bag has our extra socks, after all we may need them for gloves later! Twice I woke up thinking I had overslept only to realize it was still dark outside.

The weather for the start was perfect, nippy, but we were just perfect when moving. There was three miles of pavement every loop, but the rest was gravel, a little rough in spots. The rocks seemed to get sharper and harder as the laps progressed, but my feet were tender to start with. The scenery of rolling roads and fall leaves was amazing. I love this course it is not technical, but you never get bored. There were no cheering crowds on the course, but the horses and cows seemed to be urging us on.
Taturs know how to do aid stations. They had hot food. They were friendly. The one time I sat down to get a rock out of my shoe, I had help from one guy and one guy trying to push me out. Just what I needed. The Mad Dog aid station had the best doggie treats for us. Mad Dog also had finger toothbrushes , paste and water. Yep, A for the aid stations.
I threw up very little and none of the gut wrenching heaving up a rib type. Heartland the week before had been a puke till dead and “just let me die”, race. I managed to stay hydrated even though the water sucked. I had sweet tea with lemon at camp and filled up my 50oz bladder with tea and ice twice at camp. Got ice at several aid stations too and just waited for it to melt. With a 50k to go I dropped the pack at camp and drank almost nothing from then till finish, but I ate several times which is odd for me, but food was staying down, so why not!

Clouds where there when the sun came up and besides humidity, the last 50k for me was done in darkness and then nice clouded shade. Ensup ran by and I took off with him with only 10 miles to go. I had plans of trying to hold on to him till finish, but rocks invaded my shoe. The gator was doing its job, but the laces where somehow gapping a spot in front of the gator. I had to keep stopping the little stuff was just jumping in and right into the blister area at my metatarsals. I gave up and slowed down, I am competitive, but knew of not one soul, that should be within thirty minutes of me except the girl behind me. People kept talking about others behind us, but I had been off pace earlier and knew there could be no one else. My feet hurt, but the weather was so perfect for a finish, I jogged in the last few miles and picked up my new Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd buckle to go with the 1 extra mile up the mountain pin, that I am also proud of.

I sat with Kathy who had finished about thirty minutes earlier and Roman who had had to call it a day short of the finish and we watched the last runner come through and smash the race ending Pumpkin. I told them of the almost gunshot hit on me, too close. I had let two aid stations know, but now was finding out several other runners seem to have also had near misses. Hunters and runners are never a good mix, but where I almost got hit I could see no hunting / No trespassing signs on both sides of road. Since last week at Heartland we had lightening strikes from the heavens nearly missing us, the shots were short adrenalin rushes, quickly forgotten. The race did take the shots seriously and inform police, once again TATUR’s are awesome. I had fun, not an easy 100, but very do able. This is a good first hundred, well marked, good aid and back at your car or campsite 3 times once at like 7 miles, then 3 50ks, although the last is the finish!!! Well since Kathy asked I looked it up and tried to remember and I officially count 12 100 mile finishes now, my first being OLD DOMINION MEMORIAL in 2005. I know the number of DNF’s is at least double that number. It was my second try at Pumpkin Holler, nailed it this time.

I should be more discouraged by my DNF,s , but I am just not. I cant even understand the people who get so upset over not finishing. When you look at the fact that you are toeing that line for a 100 mile race, you know it is a long ways. I think just standing on that line is something, and a chance at a real experience. The people you run with and the aid station workers are so special. No matter what goes wrong, I tried and I got to be with some of the greatest people on the planet. The race director, the aid stations and the other runners all helped me to my Pumpkin Buckle and I wish to thank them all!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Tulsa Run report, pics, commentary. (I was nice)




The Tulsa Run has been the class run of Tulsa for 34 years, and the 35th running could not have had better weather--for the runners anyway. A crisp 32° to start, sunny skies, and no wind. The plan was to run the race in costume, and not worry about time. What could be better?
And costumes were the norm. There were witches, zombies, Elmo's, ballerinas, etc.

And this?? LMAFO, which I thought was merely an acronym, but apparently is a popular barbershop quartet. Click on the YouTube, if you want. Stormy and Ed practiced many of these dance steps while running the course. Mitch and Christy are guilty of nothing despite their present association.
  
Ok, assuming you have not lost your breakfast, read on.

KISS made an appearance at the Tulsa Run. Gene Simmons is portrayed by Kathy, Roman plays Paul Stanley, Deon fills Ace Frehley's shoes, and Sloan is Peter Criss.

The start of the Tulsa Run is magical. You run down Boulder and you see a sea of bobbing heads, and everyone is so happy. However, there was a bit of a somber moment when it was brought to our remembrance that we lost the voice of Tulsa running--Jack Wing. It was a nice touch to see posters of his smiling face a couple of places on the course.

I put my iPhone to self portrait mode and snagged a shot of the runners behind me.

(Picture swiped from Tom Wozencraft)
Minnie Mouse x 4. Carmey and friends always have amazing get-ups for the Tulsa Run.

(Picture courtesy of Russell Bennett)
I had mentened to friends that I was running as part of a Sonny and Cher team. It was assumed that I would be Cher, but Caroline fit the part much better than I would have.

There were major changes to the race this year. Fewer water stops (not that I cared) fewer volunteers at these water stops, and a different course. Gone was the trip up and down Cherry Street. Gone was the nice hill up Denver. The race finished on Boston, running right toward the BOK building. I think the course should run faster, but I do not know if that's the case. Someone could probably tell me--is this what the course was in the early years?

Another change that was nice, was finisher's medals.

There are rumblings about other things--packet pickup probs, registration being shut down early, being short on shirts, misinformation as to the total number of runners.
Other than this mention, I'll refrain from commenting on any of that. When a new entity takes over race management, there is bound to be a few uh-ohs. In my first couple of races as RD, we had a few snags. I bet next year, the Tulsa Run will run like clockwork.

Don't miss Tulsa's Premier Trail Race!


This has been a busy fall season for racing, but this next Sunday there is a trail race right here in Tulsa that you should not miss. Turkey and TATURs is a 10K, 25K, and 50K right here on Turkey Mountain. This will be the 7th running ot T&T, and this is the trail race that started the trail running BOOM in Tulsa.
Beginning and ending at the Westside YMCA, the race uses most of the trails in Tulsa's urban wilderness, with the 25 and 50K making six passes north and south on the east mountain, and the winding pink trail on the west side. The 10K stays on the pink trail for their race. Since moving the race from mid-September to early November, hot temperatures are not a problem.

You'll run alongside the shore of beautiful Lake Logan early in the race.

There are a few technical sections of the trail, but there are many miles of very runable single track as well.

Feel free to bring your iPod. If you're in the 50K, you'll be glad to have it on your second lap.

The leaves are turning, and the color should be at it's peak this weekend.

Like wooden bridges? We got em.

TATUR is famous for awesome aid stations. They are well stocked, and you can graze til your heart's content. I recommend the Oreos with peanut butter and M&Ms.

You'll see Pepsi Lake early in your race, and the 50Kers will pass by again near the end of their race. At the finish line, BBQ and other yummy food awaits. Stay around and cheer your friends as they finish, tell stories of your best fall, worst blister, or wildlife sighting.

This year, we are doing nice tech-hats instead of shirts. You'll like em. Click here to sign up!!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Tulsa Run




Despite my dislike of the course changes--mostly an out-and-back on Riverside Drive, despite the long lines at the expo, despite new people running the race and old friends being moved out, I still love the Tulsa Run. In 2002, I had ran one 5K prior to running my first Tulsa Run. I ran it in 25 minutes or somewhere around there, and stayed around to watch some of the 15Kers come in. I was amazed and certain that I could NEVER run 9.3 miles, It was just not physically possible for me. I saw the winner come through, and they were gazelles, elite athletes. I saw one dude come through, and put his hands on his knees and hurl all over the finish chute. That was proof that running a distance that long was unwise.

Then, the mortal runners started coming through in waves. People just like me, running easily, laughing, enjoying the run like it was nothing hard at all. WOW!! Could that even be possible?? That is how it all started for me. A half marathon was on the slate the following March, then a 25K trail race in April 2003. I ran my first marathon in OKC, then my 1st 50K in September (FlatRock!)

I think I will always be a runner. I think I'll always run the Tulsa Run.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd, from my perspective


It's Wednesday, and even though I did not "run" the race. I am still catching up on sleep. I ideally would have liked to have posted this report a couple of days ago, as it's all old news now, but lately, I crave sleep like a teenager!!

Friday night, we met at the Presbyterian Church in Tahlequah for the pre-race dinner/packet pick-up/race briefing. Brian and I had been on the course all day, setting up the start/finish line, and aid stations. We must be getting better, because we both made it to the dinner early.
I could not have survived the weekend without help of such awesome friends. I'll toss a thank you out here and there, starting with Susan Westmoreland. Susan ordered this cake for the pre-race dinner, ordered the pizza from Sam and Ella's (AMAZING PIZZA!!), made the race signs, worked at the start/finish aid station, crewed a friend, helped pick up aid stations stuff, loaned me her truck during the race, and I could go on and on. The pizza and cake were a hit. Out of 28 large pizzas, there were two pieces left.

Stormy, Brian, and I went over race particulars, and all went well. I left confident that at least everyone there knew what to expect as far as where to go and such. I made it back to camp, and loaded up the food containers and water jugs for 9 aid stations, and retired for some sleep. I got in a solid 4 hours of shut-eye to go with the 4 the night before.

At 4:30 am, Stormy, Edward, and I were in the big U-Haul driving the loop, dropping off tubs of supplies and water jugs. We made it in an hour and a half, and were back in plenty of time for the pre-race briefing.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Taken from the starting line looking west. How could one ever tire of this view?

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
It seemed fitting that the RD of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd should be haulin a pumpkin. The plan was to smash this big boy to start the race.

(Picture courtesy of Tom Lane)
Stormy and I took turns giving out orders. The minutes before the race are nerve-racking. You plan and prep and pray. Every race can have hiccups, and big snafus are a nightmare. Fortunately, the problems were very minor both last year and this year.

I wandered around and visited with friends, and took a few compromising pictures. Should I put a name with this hairy bod?? Better yet, can you name the owner of these nips?

(Picture courtesy of Tom Lane)
Five, Four, Three, Two, (pumpkin heaved into the air) One, (gun fires), and they were off. 8:00 am sharp.

The 100 mile, 100K, and 50K all were off. The 100 milers had an out-and-back to complete before starting the 50K loops. This out and back brought a lot of traffic back to the start/finish aid station, and the 25K then started at 10:00 am. Race Central was a busy place.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Here lies the remains of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd starting pumpkin. I also smashed one for the start of the 25K. It was a tougher gourd, and did not crack open as well. We had though about shooting it with a shotgun. I'd like to get a big M80 and blow it up next year.

The race begins with crossing Comb's Bridge. Each 50K loop ends with crossing it. Next year may be the last year for this beautiful bridge, as a new ugly concrete bridge is being built downstream and this one will be dismantled. It's very sad, but the cost of having inspections and maintenance on it is astronomical. Bridges like this are a dying species.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Mile 3 in the loop brings runners to a stretch of gravel road with high bluffs on the right and the river on the left. It's hard to take a bad picture through here.

(Picture courtesy of Nedra Mann)
Meanwhile, on another part of the course (the out-and-back portion that the 100 milers have to run) Mitch Drummond mans the Waffle Stop, serving --what else?-- WAFFLES!!! Last year, after the last 100 miler came here and turned around, Mitch was through. This year, the 25Kers climbed 500 feet to eat, then ran another 3.5 miles, turned around, and came back for more waffles before returning to the finish line. Thank you, Mitch!! Mitch then came back to the start/finish and helped out there for a while, and then paced Bobbie Ruhs from Nebraska on her second lap of her first 100K. WOW!

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
The next several pictures are taken on or around Combs Bridge. Podium Images did a super job, taking over 1,200 great pictures, and they can be viewed and purchased on their website podiumimages.com. Here, Christy and Rachel (both first time 100 milers) chat it up on their way back to the start/finish before heading back out for their first loop.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Wes Rupell, also a first time 100 miler, ran the entire race with Christy. It was like they had a pacer for the whole race. They really never looked like they were struggling. I guess no one told them running 100 miles was hard.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
A group of TATURs round the corner heading toward the bridge. RockStar Ed was running his 1st 100 miler. Roman attempts to put another finish to his resume, Danielle tries to avenge a DNF from Mark Twain a month back, and Kathy tries to complete her 12 hundred--this one behind only one week after her last 100 mile finish! (Ed made it 70 miles, Roman made it 50 miles, Danielle made it 47ish, and Kathy finished her 2nd in two weeks.)

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Back-to-back hundreds is asmazing. Arnold pulled it off last year. This year, he was gunning for three in three weeks!! (Arnold had me pick him up at mile 45. He was in much pain, with every other step, and 55 more miles of that was not in the cards.) He will pull off the trifecta though, I have no doubt.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Another friend, Ron Ruhs from Nebraska, did the 100K last year. His wife Bobbie did the 50K last year. This year, they both stepped it up with Ron taking on the 100 mile and Bobbie the 100K. They do a lot of our races. We need to go up and run with them in huskerland.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Ken Saveth of Know No Boundaries tries to tough out another hundred, raising money for his foundation to assist people with handicaps in overcoming their boundaries.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
Kevin and Ashley Lemaster ran the Mad Dog aid station at mile 5 again this year. This stop featured a giant fire hydrant (a porta-john decorated to look like a dogs pee place), gingerbread dog biscuits, and workers with dog masks. They camped out the night before the race, worked all day, all night, and then took down all the tents and tables, loaded it all up, and brought it back to race central. They are AWESOME volunteers. I love them!

(Picture courtesy of Nedra Mann)
There is no end to the beauty of the course. The trees around the Illinois River were a lot greened than they were in Tulsa and other parts of the state. A lot of the leaves were turning. I bet in another week, they will be even better. This is part of the 25K course.

This is about a 1/4 mile before Savannah Corner at mile 13 in the loop. Randy and Marcy Ellis along with Lyle Robertson, worked here all day, all night, and until around 8:00 am Sunday morning when the last 100 miler came through. Backing up an aid stop to the Out N Back (mile 7 and 19), Joel Everett, his sister Retta, a guy named Gordon, and there were a few others I am sure manned their double-duty stop like a boss. There is no way to thank people enough, but believe me, I am so lucky to have their help. Amnazing. They're awesome.

(Picture courtesy of Nedra Mann)
This is the turnaround for the 25K course. Lyle worked here until the last of the runners came through, then scooted around the corner and down the road to Savannah Corner.


(Picture courtesy of Ron Ruhs)
Ed Lebowski, along with Derk and Barbara Pinkerton, and Wilma Harris, manned the East of Eden aid stop. This was also the location of the Great Gourd Challenge, an elective mile(ish) that any 100M, 100K, or 50K runner could do on their first loop. This diversion featured the steepest hill in the area, a 350 foot climb crammed into .3 of a mile.

(Picture courtesy of Ron Ruhs)
Not much at the top of the hill--just this table and a pin to wear on your shirt.

(Picture courtesy of Ron Ruhs)
The actual road on the course with the most traffic was Pumpkin Holler Road. I have heard a little history about Pumpkin Holler, and I will do a lot more research on this before next year--the area is not named Pumpkin Holler because of the orange gourd, but because of one of the original families in the area, whose last name was Pumpkin. More on this in a future post.

After Hard Up Ahead--aid station at mile 22 on the loop--there is 3 miles of pavement. It's old asphalt, and in places, there are patches where the blacktop has eroded away. It's about as good as pavement can get, from this trailrunner's perspective. This stretch lends itself to quicker leg turnover, and shaving off a few minutes of a finishing time. I have taken pics of this red maple for the past 3 years.

Back at Hard Up Ahead, Earl Blewett and Chuck Streit hung in there all day and night, and well into Sunday helping weary runners. Chuck made a huge vat of jambalaya. It might just be the best ultra food ever. I ate a BUNCH of it. Love it!!

This year. we put an aid stop at Bathtub Rocks, and then another three miles down the road. This made the last 3 stops three miles apart, and since most of the runners went through this section in the warmest part of the day, I thought it was a good idea. No one complained about it. :-) Brian Smith, and his wife worked here all day until around 2:00 am. Brian was signed up for the 100K, and messed up a foot. He could have stayed home, but came out to volunteer--from Missouri! Many thanks!!! Brian and I will probably run a few miles together in Kansas next year at Prairie Spirit. Rafael Robles relieved him, and worked until the last runners came through.

(Picture courtesy of Danny Gassaway)
This dog followed runners all the way around the course. I bet he'she got ultra distance and then some. I know it was sighted in several places around the course. I saw it as I picked up drop bags at 8:00 am, and then again at 3:00 pm Sunday laying in the road at Savannah Corner. He was pooped. I hope he is ok.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
The magic of the finish line, lit up at night like Las Vegas.

(Picture courtesy of Tom Love)
Mike Adams and Nick Seymour ran together for a lot of the race. Nick pulled ahead, and then at mile 85, Mike made a move on Nick, passed him, and never slowed down. Mike got the win, the course record, and a PR for his 100 mile distance (the actual distance of PH100 is 102 miles.) Congrats, Mike. And Nick. Race results can be found here.

Christy and Wes finished in 26:10. They ran the last half mile (and most of the race) at a brisk jog. All grins. They absolutely nailed their first 100.

(Picture courtesy of Tom Love)
Rachael Regier finished her first hundred, paced by fiance Tim Eraker. I am proud of her for hanging on and getting it done.

(Picture courtesy of Russell Bennett)
Russell and Kathy crossed the line and were glad to be through. Kathy got her 12th finish, and second in two weeks. Russell got his first 100 on his first try--on his birthday! Russell ran well, until the gravel beat his feet up. I did not see his feet, but I heard they were mangled pretty bad. Did no one take pics????

Kathy crashes into a chair. Her shirt visible through the mesh of the chair was so appropriate.

Christy had just one blister, but it was a doozie. It had personality.

(Picture courtesy of Podium Images)
A few hours later, all was picked up and loaded, and we headed for home. I love this area. And of course, being around it and not getting to run is gnawing on me. Last year, I came back to run an unofficial 100. I'm not sure if I'll do another 100 mile fun run, but maybe a loop or two.

More thank you's: To my lovely wife, who went sleepless for more than a few nights putting aid station kits together, working the finish line, and packing and unpacking. She's the crew babe/aid station extraordinaire.

Brian and Stormy for being awesome Co-RDs. We all work well together, and are better together than any three people could ever be.

Shannon and Jody McFarland--those Rush Running peeps--the ones who come over from Arkansas and win all the Snake Run trophies, yes the same Shannon who just tore up the Arkansas Traveller a couple weeks ago--came and hung out, and helped in every way around the start/finish. Truly, I don't think we could have had things go anywhere as smooth as they did without their help. Thank you, you two!!

Candice Brown came and helped all day, all night, and most of the day Sunday. She took tons of pictures, and I can't wait to see em!! She was all over the course, and I am sure she got some awesome pics.

Chip Weber and Scott Smaligo for helping at aid stations here and there, and then hours loading and packing aid station stuff.

Simone, Shorty, Mishelle, and Nedra--who all ran the 25K, and then went to Last Gasp to work until way after dark.

Cheryl Ford worked at the Out N Back while editing for her friend Tammy Winn. I had told her that she could see her twice per loop there, and she ended up volunteering all day.

Brynna who did everything including going for more supplies, working the start/finish, and cooking for hours Sunday morning.

Lynna, who ran 50K, and then helped out at Savannah, and at the start/finish, and also did some gophering.

Lori Enlow, who ran 25K this year, and then worked out at Savannah Corner. She was lined up to pace a runner for half a lap, but her runner dropped. Lori also did a lot of leg work, securing a place for us to have the prerace dinner. Thomas Gilbert, who handed out medals all day.

Susan Alexander--she helped out at the start/finish Sunday morning, and best of all, brought me a pot of award-winning chili!!

Bill McKee, and Bailey and Kristina Leiber, who made the drive down Sunday morning to work Last gasp aid station.

William Wharton, who ran 25K, then spent much of the night working Last Gasp in the dark, while waiting for a friend who was having a tough time with the 100K. A complete stranger to me helped selflessly for hours. Love it!!

Thank you--all of you--my wonderful volunteers. I am sure I am overlooking someone, and if I wake up in the middle of the night remembering someone I forgot, I'll add my thanks here.

Come run Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd in 2013!!!