T-TOTs tackle the Trails in Chandler Park Wilderness Area

This week, the T-TOTs took a field trip (better named a trail trip.) We went to Chandler Park and ran the trails on the land south and west of the park area.A beautiful sunrise promised a good day on the trails.

I did not get a good count but I am pretty sure we had over 60 runners out today.
Many were first-time trail runners.I had marked two different legs/loops for us to run. One leg was a three mile out-and-back with a mile loop thrown in. The other was a short out, then a loop with some sweet mountain bike trails, and then an out-and-back to some huge bluffs, and finally a long uphill jeep road that bypassed the tough uphill mountain bike trails we came down on--this leg was four miles.
To start the run, we climbed through or around an iron gate. I counted those in my group, and there were twenty-something. I put Deon in charge of sweep, and that worked out well.
My steady group (not slow, just steady) did the shorter 3-mile leg first.
The plan was to stay together and if we got too spread out, we'd wait to let those in back to catch up and catch their breath. Here, Brandon does a photo-bomb move.

The first leg has a lot of smooth runnable trail, but also a few very technical sections. There were definitely some steep climbs, but the worse climbs were on the other leg.Spring, a new trail runner, had her first fall. I told her some trail wisdom--"It's never truly a complete trail run unless you fall down.) She was unhurt and good natured. :-)
See--she's still running, but concentrating on her footing.

Our final rest stop, and shortly after, we were back at the parking lot.

Most of the group called the 3 miles good for the day, and seven of took out for the second leg. We met some of the speedy runners on our way out. They had ran the harder leg first, and I heard they just hammered the easier leg, averaging 8 minute miles throughout their entire run. WOW!

This section has it all. We started with .3 miles of gravel road, and then 3/4 miles of nice single track winding through the woods and down a steep hill. Then, we had some jeep roads that were perfectly runnable, and then some huge steep climbs. And I do mean steep.
The payoff was some 40 foot bluffs and some amazing rock out-croppings. This area could be a state park with some development. This little known area is used by a few rock climbers in the know.
It also seems like it would have been a good outlaw hideout. Arena has that accomplished look. She covered some of the hardest trails she has ever ran, and made it look easy.
There's lots on narrow crevices and hallways in this area, and just west of here, there are some 60-70 foot bluffs. We'll check those out another day.
This picture was taken yesterday, on the way over to the bluffs. (I love my new camera!)

Stormy and I talked, and we are thinking we might plan many more trips over here--maybe coming back every other week. There are miles and miles of awesome trails/jeep roads here--and it's definately a good place to get some hill work in.

Days fly by yet seem longer as the daylight leaks away earlier and earlier. Somehow a nice sunset is a way the day says its sorry for going away yet again so soon.The tranquility of a painted sky soothes a hectic mind....keeps me from mourning, yet the days are colder as grayness sets in for a season.Another week, another month. Another new calender bought on sale. Seconds tick by like grains of sand slipping between my weathered fingers.And soon another year will be gone.

TATUR Christmas Party Recap

Tonight was the TATUR Christmas party. That's Christmas, as opposed to Holiday, although an extra toast to the New year would be just fine as well. (What, you may ask?? It's a Tulsa thing.)The years end means it's time to award the Silver Spud awards. Marci Ellis produced the trophies this year, and they were works of art.
Good food--barbecue, pies, cakes, cookies, casseroles, and spirited drink was on the menu. I possibly overindulged in each of the above.
Bobby and Greg were biding their time waiting for the dinner line call.

Glen and Kirk chill before things got started. Glen is just back from a slight injury and is ready to hit the trails again. Kirk is thinking about bigger and harder trail races in the coming year.

Lisa on crutches--a sad thing. I resisted the urge to bump her leg to see if it hurt. I want her back with us on the trails!!!!

Some of my zombie friends. If you click on the pic, you'll see they look the part--at least in this shot.

A few shots of the feeding frenzy. The West Port Apartments on the west bank of the Arkansas River allowed us to party in their clubhouse. We have ran the trails by this complex for years, and this is also where we'll do our Polar Bear Plunge on New Years Day.A preachers count tallied around 60 people at our annual event.

After grazing, we got around to special recognition for running feats and other miscellaneous things.Brian was the emcee--he does an awesome job and has the gift of public speaking. Heck--maybe he should run for president. I got to tag-team while the Silver Spuds were awarded.Jason and Stormy got the kissing Sisters award for finishing in a tie for the win at the Do-Wacka-Do 50K this year. I actually view it as a result of great competition and great friendship. They assured me they did not finish hand in hand, but rather arm in arm.

Polly was publicly commended for her excellent work publishing the TATUR Newsletter this year. Each monthly edition came out on time, and with several good and entertaining articles with great and fun pix. Her boyfriend Eric is an old friend--the RD of the FlatRock 50K--my first ultra and one in which I'll finish for the 10th time this next September.

Stormy received Rookie of the Year. There could not have been anyone more qualified--Stormy in the past year has ran 5Ks, finished the Midnight Madness 50 mile, finished 2nd at the Steal the Seal 50K, finished 18th at Turkey and TATURs 50K, won the Do-Wacka-Do 50K, finished the Mother Road 100, and then the next week, ran a 3:39 at the Route 66 marathon. Quite a good year.

Caroline received the Most Beat Up Feet award. This award sometimes goes to someone who has had awful blisters, someone who ran a lot of races, or someone who ran a LONG race. Caroline qualifies on all accounts. She finished Rocky Raccoon 50 mile, Midnight Madness 50 mile, finished 50 miles with actually some bonus miles at Lean Horse, and ran 62 miles in a DNF at Mother Road. She has also ran every one of the Turkey and TATURs 25Ks, and she won the Six Hour Snake Run. Her toes after Mother Road looked like miniature mutilated chicken legs--possibly the worst looking toes I have ever seen. Her Silver Spud award had bandaids painted on its toes.

Vicky Arterburn won the Most Improved TATUR award. Vicky was not able to attend the party as her dad is in the hospital, and we'll keep her in our prayers. Vicky earned Most Improved by having a strong showing in several races. She finished 12th in the Post Oak Trail Marathon, 2nd in the Six Hour Snake Run, 2nd at the Free State 40 mile against a tough field, and 6th at Desert Rats (a 6 day stage race in Utah.)

Brandon and Cameron Plate shared the Best Performance in a race. They have been lighting the track and field in their respective age groups. They both ran the Dallas White Rock half marathon and finished well under 2 hours. Cameron would have finished possibly 15th had he not ran 3 bonus miles in the Turkey and TATURs 25K this year. They'll be kicking all our butts in a few years.

Roman earned the Most Inspirational TATUR. In nearly every race he does, he is helping someone else make their goals. Even when whoever he is running with struggles, he never leaves them. He has wanted to do a 100 miler for a year or so, and has been building up to do one. He finished the Heartland 50 miler last year, and the Rocky Raccoon 50 and the Midnight Madness 50 this year. His first attempt at a 100 was at Lean Horse, in which he and Caroline followed a woman who was sure she was going the right way--and she was wrong. They ended up with around 58 miles and got credit for 50. At the Mother Road 100, Roman struggled but would not quit. He finished over the time limit but got credit for a finish, and got his belt buckle. Along the last 10 miles, he had almost 30 friends who stayed out to cheer him in, lining the streets shouting out words of encouragement. He probably did not feel like it, but he was a rock star out there. He's very deserving of the Inspirtatur.

Randy Ellis (yes, he is that tall) is the Male TATUR of the Year. Randy has possibly ran more 100s than anyone in Oklahoma--he for sure is in the top three I bet. A few years back, Randy did a trans-continental run, averaging almost 40 miles a day while running from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast. This year, Randy finished 5th at Lake McMurtry, won 1st in his age group at the Midnight Madness 50 mile, was 13th at the Post Oak Trail marathon, and 9th the next day in the Post Oak 50K, finished his 5th Leadville 100, and his 3rd Mother Road 100. Whew!! What a year!! Congratualtions!

I was elated to award Female TATUR of the Year to my sweetie Dana. Dana ran her 4th Turkey and TATURs 25K this year, and LOVES trail running maybe more than anyone I know. She drags my butt out there when I don't even wanna go, and often is out on the trails by herself during the week. But the reason for her winning this award is not for what her running feats are, but rather for what she gives to the sport. She has helped many runners make their goals by crewing and offering advice about nutrition and hydration. She has helped runners who were on the brink of croaking come back to life and go on to finish their race. She has spent many nights all night long waiting for tired grouchy stumbling zombie-like runners in their 100 milers or all night training runs. In an aid station, social get-together, running group party, Dana is often the one who stays after to help pick up stuff and load onto Brian's truck and trailer. I have often said if she had the connections, she could be chief crew babe to the elite runners. Heck, I could be her agent. I do know this--I would have a lot more DNFs were it not for her expertise.

Dana was also recognised for her Sac-So-Soft/Sweet Cheeks concoction. This mystery cream applied to the appropriate places eliminates chafing--even in a hot and humid 100 mile race. This cream is in high demand, and she was given this commemorative applicater. Bend over and take your medicine!!

We had a great party, but a few of us had to work the next day. Upon arriving home, Dana put our SIlver Spuds out for a group shot. I was honored with Most Beat Up Feet in 2006 and TATUR of the Year in 2008. There's a new kid in town now.

Bigtime thanks to the WestPort Apts for letting us use their party pad. Bigger thanks to Brian and Kathy, who just never have a free day anymore. Running friends are the best.

our secret society

Last week, I leaked some classified information about a secret society of night runners. It was a calculated risk, but one worth taking seeing as these mid-week jaunts are seemingly more fun as more friends join in.Lately, we have had to endure some magnificent sunsets.

Our operation has temporarily lost a key member, as Lisa will have to take some down time due to an injury to her tibial plateau incurred during a day-running operation.










And so it goes. We use this road in this secret location to train. No pavement here--it's gravel, and real runnable were it not for the hills. But hillwork is why we come here.
This 1.5 mile stretch makes for a perfect out-and-back complete with a safe place to park.This session, Jessie and Tom joined Arena and I for a double out-and-back. We are secretly recruiting more participants. If you would like to be included in this operation, FaceBook me, or leave a comment here, and we'll give you the 411.

Life leaks away

Upon leaving an appointment southwest of Sand Springs, in a quiet wooded neighborhood, I noticed a squirrel running out a driveway toward the street. It was a healthy looking specimen with a reddish brown coat and a huge fluffy tail. I slowed down and watched as it stopped just onto the road and picked up something. What was it, an acorn? No, it was bigger. The squirrel was hovering over something, and I thought possibly it was something that might have fallen out of a trash can or thrown out a car window. Maybe he had found a half sandwich. I stopped as I drew near, and saw what the squirrel was tending to—another squirrel had been recently run over by a passing car. The squirrel had his wounded friend in his arms and seemed to be shaking it—maybe saying “wake up”, or “I’m sorry”, or “please don’t die.”

I paused there for a few seconds and wondered what I could do. The grief stricken squirrel looked up at me with a worried panic in his eye, as if to say “Mr, please please help us!” A wave of grief bowled me over. As a man, I rarely admit to crying, but this was tearing me up and there was nothing I could do. I drove on, knowing that eventually the injured one would be left to die, and would be pulverized by more cars passing through, or picked apart by scavenger birds. As I drove, I wondered if the squirrels were siblings--maybe brothers, or friends who played together every day? Was the agenda for the day to gather nuts and bury them for the coming winter? Was this a mother and father with a nest of squirrel babies somewhere in a tree?

Life is such a fragile thing. A commuter on their way to work probably never noticed they had hit an animal. The life leaked away with little fanfare, and no one will remember this lost life. If only I could get this sadness out of my heart.

Scary things in the night

Our band of night runners met faithfully in the hills north of Tulsa. Running in the darkness frees yourself from the stresses of the day, and feeds the inner self like no other outdoor activity can.But things look different in the night, miles from the hubbub of the city, away from the prim and proper paved lit running track neatly groomed for those hooked on the ordinary. Shadows lurk closely, taking chances where no streetlights can expose them.Lights in the distance may be a friend or foe. On our trail, you know they are coming for you. (To run with us, of course!)Actually, I am playing with the settings on my new camera. Arena may peel my head for posting this, but my pix with my new Canon SD 960 show some promise, and my photo-shopping tools are fun to play with too.
See, the dark scary guy in the shadows above was no other than Mitch!And it's Arena, dressed warmly, Garmin charged, and ready to run.
We ran 3 miles at the Botanical gardens, and would have gone 6 if I did not have a dinner engagement. This run includes HILLS, and is all very runnable gravel roads with an awesome view of downtown Tulsa. (click on the photo below to enlarge it)
Our secret group does not have to be a secret--we'd love you to come run with us.