Brew to Brew - RunUltra Marathon

This was my first ultra and I credit my success to two wonderful friends Eric & Shannon.

The weather at the start was not too bad, overcast with a wind of around 15-20mph I was worried at first that I had dressed to warmly for the 42* temps. The worst part of it would not start for almost three hours into the run. This year the bridge contructin was completed so we were able to start at Boulavard Brewery. I new I had to work at staying slow. I first met a couple from Ottawa, KS. Tom & Michelle. For the first six miles they help keep my time down so I wasn't rushing out fast and pooping out early. We parted ways and I kept a slow steady pace. By mile 13-14? The weather stared to rear it's ugly head. A light drizzle had settled in over the course just before getting to Edwardsville, Ks. At station 5 I felt strong but had some lower GI discomfort that a porta potty was made for. this was around mile 21-22, It seemed that as soon as I stepped from the rest area there the bad weather came on. The snow started, the wind was at a steady 25mph gusting to 35+mph. I then had to start up a hill as the run really started to challenge us all. Getting through Edwardsville then into Bonner Springs in the wind and snow was tough. Past Bonner Springs to the next rest the snow would lightened up a little, the wind however grew stronger. ther were times that my feet felt as though someone were trying to kick them out from under me. This is about the point I met up with and would cross paths with several times in the run Walt and Kendall,both from Atlanta, GA. Really cool folks! I felt good up through the 30 mile mark (station 7 in Linwood, Ks) and the ten minute wait at the boat helped relax my legs. I ate at every water stop and took a gel about every hour. I ate enough to keep a growl off my stomach but not so much I was ill. I was doing ok up to station 8 at the Millerette Farm going up the looooong slooooow grade that seemed to take forever to get to the top. The hill had no wind break and the real hills of gravel would not show mercy. With about 8-9 miles to go I was wearing down fast. I new I had to walk up the hills and force myself to run down the other side. The mental side of the game was kicking in and I knew I had to hang tough. When I finally made it to the last leg that was 5+ miles on a leeve. I was relieved thinking I had this race. The wind again was not blocked and for more then 4.5 miles the sustained 35mph wind pushed to knock me from my feet. Gusts I'm sure would reach 45mph and in my inexeperianced weatherman mind would have hit 50mph. As I started around the leeve the wind was to my right side and back. the leeve curved and I knew I would soon be running headlong into the wind. I made it 2 1/2 miles into the last leg and the wind grabbed my ankle and I almost hit the ground. My legs were worn and I began calling out my steps. Right, left, right, left, right, right, left, left, wait a minute I was screwing up! I was forgetting what foot was what. It was hard to concentrate. I saw Walt and Kendall ahead of me and told myself to catch them. They were about an eight of a mile away but I couldn't fight this by myself. I slowly made my way to Walt, and talked to him for a minute. I then made my way and caught up to Kendall who was a small distance ahead. Another quick walk and I was off again. by know I was close enough I knwe the finish was close. Eric who had been at all the stops had pulled on to a side street and was yelling "You can see it up ahead! I was pumped, and I kicked it into high turtle crawl. The finish was great! 43 miles! I was tired and surprised. It was hard btu really at times I thought it was going to be much harder. Thank goodness it was not!

Pray harder for better weather.

Easy ride back to KC, ice bath. and 7# ice bag on legs on 1 1/2hour drive home.


The wind bad weather conditions.


Fun race I would do it again!