Lake McMurtry Saga

CHAPTER ONE--THE SETUP

Lake McMurtry just flew by me faster than the speed of a flying fish. I am as tired as if I had run the race--well, I guess I did the distance but just not in racing mode. 

This was the year of the fish. Green fish have served as trophies last year,. but they cropped up as medals and on the shirts this year. 


My LMTR started Thursday when all the aid station stuff, tables, tents, water jugs, and most of the stuff I am bad about forgetting made the trip. I only forgot magic markers, which Wal-Mart had.


Friday morning, I rolled out of my camper to greet the day. It was beautiful, but I quickly crawled back inside for more coffee. It was COLD!


My weather app said 35°, and a few minutes later is read 33°, with a slight breeze. My plan was to ride the course on my newly purchased Marin mountain bike. More clothes were in order--not running tights, not wind pants--all I had was blue jeans, and they worked just fine.


Me and mountain biking just seemed to agree. I rode all of the trailz on the west side, including a few back-and-forths to check to see if the route was marked well enough for both directions. These trailz are so well maintained that marking is really not needed except for when you get near the start/finish. I had a blast on the bike.

My friend from Stillwater, Bill Ford came out at noon and helped me set out the aid stations. Brian TATUR-Racing Hoover set up the timing mats and arch, and headed home to work on timing abour 8 road races over the next two days. Many thanks to my old friends.


CHAPTER TWO--RACE STARTS

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

There were four race starts--the 50K early start, the 50K regular start, the 25K start, and 12K start. Before each wave, I mad a few announcements--the Leap O'Doom warnings, turn here, don't turn there, follow cones, don't step over caution tape, eat, drink, remember to breathe, etc.

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

This was the 50K regular start. Six super-contenders right here at the front, and the runaway winner was a few steps ahead. Notice all those clean white shirts!

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

Earl Blewett runs the 50K, but had his first DNF here. Earl is the founder of this race, starting the fun in 1999, cut a lot of the trailz here, and is to LMTR what Gordy Ansleigh is to Western States.

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

Here come the 25Kers. This was the largest wave, with runners covering the course in 2-6 hours.

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

The 12K does the south loop only. 12K is a sprint distance for many, and a great way to try out trailz to those who have never ventured from the safety of paves sidewalks and asphalt roads. Welcome to the dark fun side.

CHAPTER THREE--LEAP O' DOOM

25K and 50K runners go no more than a mile before reaching the LEAP O" DOOM.

Picture by Alan Bates

Everyone knows about the Seven Wonders of the World. If you do the research, you can find out what the 8th Wonder of the World, the 9th, the 50th, and yes--the 72nd Wonder of the World.--the LEAP O' DOOM.

Picture by Alan Bates

We take safety very serious,and post warning signs, string caution tape, and have 911 on speed dial.

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Some runners come to a dead stop, contemplating the best trajectory to traverse the span. Others peer into the abyss below and fret over the fall into the dark chasm.

Picture by Arena Mueller

Some runners just focus on the task at hand and make the leap. Others choose to take a bail-out route and play it safe. Where's the fun in that? (Congrats Michelle for your first 50K finish!!)

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

The exhilaration, the feeling of great accomplishment make the Leap worth the effort.

For those who have fallen into the abyss, search parties have been commissioned in years past and have returned with horrific tales.

CHAPTER FOUR--ON TO THE RACE AT HAND

Due to a portion of the course being closed because the trail users and the gun range users should be good but not close neighbors, the course would have been more like a 23K or a 46K. Theron Wolford and I got together a couple of weeks back and mapped out a route to replace the lost mileage. 

Picture by Arena Mueller

This old car has a history, and I'd love to hear it. How bout those bullet holes. My friend Alan says there's a geocache here. I didn't have time to hunt for it, but will be back.

Picture by Alan Bates

This short section of gravel road is a good place to pick up the pace. Lake McMurtry is a good PR course, and you can run your 5K pace downhill. I imagine that is a lesser opportunity for those 50Kers on their second lap, as somehow the hill gets taller, and the downhill seemingly flattens out.

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Mitch has it on cruise control. He's heading out on his last loop, en-route to a shiny new PR.

Picture by Arena Mueller

More nice red dirt single track on the south loop. No, you do not have to crawl through the culvert. 

CHAPTER FIVE--FLUSHIES

Lake McMurtry has great aid stations. Edward and Wes ran the Peninsula aid station and Shorty ran the south oasis. Colin and Erin manned a water drop at the turnaround, and all were great and I owe them a debt of gratitude.

But a group of insaniacs got together and had a party in the woods at the South aid station.

Picture by Jana Graham

Curiosity was tickled a few yards from the aid stop. What is a flushy?

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Two tents--one with every aid station food known to man, and the other with a full open bar??? There are two types of runners--those who can't imagine drinking alcohol on a run, and those who say HELL YEAH! 

Picture by Johnna Ellison

And being conscientious servers, Jason and Mike sample every drink offering to make sure it tastes good. There were several craft beers, Fireball, Jack Daniels, home made bourbon, strawberry vodka, and I'm not sure what all. 

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Betcha never had one of these on a run--Bloody Nipple Band- aids!! This was a graham cracker with marshmallow cream and strawberries. I'm a trooper, but I couldn't eat one. But I DO love Oreos with a pickle slice.

Here's a Flushy in progress!! 


Jana swears by them. They were refreshing, but I could not quite figure out what was in them. It had a little bit of a citrus taste --maybe grapefruit??

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Everyone at the table was of age. Make a Flushy strong enough, and it'll make your hair stick straight up.

CHAPTER SIX -- MEANWHILE BACK AT THE FINISH

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

William aka Dirty Sanchez was cooking up BBQ. I had smelled the smoke since Friday night, and got to take an early sample just before noon. William had brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, and chicken. He just gets better every year. We had PLENTY of meat, BBQ beans, cole slaw, Chipolte black bean burgers, and brownies. And some cold suds to wash it down.

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

Ceramic green fish awaited the top three male and female in each of the three distances. 

Picture by Danielle Huddleston

Julie Ladehoff receives a trophy for second place in the 12K.

Picture courtesy of Johnna Ellison

No trophies here, but finishes and smiles for Johnna and Arena. This was Johnna's first 50K, and Arena's second  LMTR 50K finish.

Pictures courtesy of Eric EPIC Steele

Eric ran his course PR here, and seemed to have not even broke a sweat. However, in the second picture, I can attest that he did indeed break a sweat.

Picture by Laurie Biby -- Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

Victor won the 50K making this his second TATUR win in a row. Victor leads the Oklahoma Dirt Trail Series and just makes winning look easy. Hi Brandon, you little photo-bomber!

RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

CHAPTER SEVEN--CREDITS

This race could not happen, and won't happen without volunteers. TATUR--my best friends--are the greatest. I mentioned help from Bill Ford, Theron Wolford, Edward Snow, Wes Rupell, Shorty Jennings, Jana Graham, Jason Bement, and Mike Rives. Sue Ann Bement and Alan Graham were also part of the party at the South Aid Station.  We also had help from Angela Childress and her family, Colin and Erin Tawney, Chuck Streit and we needed everyone. Thank you so much!! 

Dan Zeroski always brings out several ice chests of ice, which is needed and very much appreciated. Another word of thanks to Dirty Sanchez and Kimberly , as I munch on a piece of cold leftover brisket. Yum. 

Thanks to Christy Davis for helping with signup, Russell Bennett, Jbob and Jonah for helping out in getting things picked up after the race.

Andrew Runfola, who timed the race for TATUR Timing. Dude you were so patient, calm, and collected. Made my job easy.

Susan Melon Westmoreland for stencilling the green fish, and giving me advice on every race. Laurie Biby and Danielle Huddleston for taking pictures.

Now I'm gonna exercise my intelligence and not forget my wife Dana who bought all the aid station supplies, packed all the tubs, organized all the other stuff we need to bring to the race. If everything runs smooth with the aid stations, it's because of her.