Trying to make a silly dream happen?

I now have been running for a little over 3 years, and ever since about 6 months or so into my running habit I started thinking about how much fun myself and my friends were having at the local 5k's and other races around town and began to have thoughts of organizing my very own race. I just thought it would be a lot of fun. I mean, running a little, free food, cold beer, and a little local musical talent can go a long way, right? Especially if you really get lucky and have perfect weather. Well, like many dreams we all have, it soon faded as, at the time I was really the only one out of my little group who was even interested in doing something like this. A couple of years have passed since then, and I haven't really thought about it much at all, that is until myself, Poole, and Holly were on our way to run the 50 miler. We were talking about how I had heard that there might not be a Double Death run 30 miler this year due to some kind of permit issues. They were just talking away in the front seat, and I listened quietly and thought to myself "these guys really want to do this". Well, we are pretty fired up about it and we have come up with the idea to do a 6 hour run. This is an ultra- style race, I guess you could say where you show up and basically run as many miles as you can in 6 hours!!!! Of course you don't have to run for 6 hours, the idea is to just have fun and get a little running in at the same time. What we are going to try to do is have the run, provide food and beer after the race, maybe even a band or something. Anyway, all 3 of us are going to work very hard to make this happen, and I myself spoke with quite a few people today about sposoring the run, and most all of them showed great interest. So, with all that being said, anyone who would like to run or volunteer, do somethin'. For me, I didn't run today, I had no time. I was able to get in a quick 7 miler yesterday on the trails and I got to say, the weather was sweet and I can't wait to get back out there tommorrow. See ya out there. Later

What the hell is all this white shit on the ground?

Snow sucks!!!!!!!! I guess it's cool if you just get to play around in it like my kids, but when you have to get up at the ass crack of the day and clean that shit up it all of the sudden becomes very annoying. Anyway, I have only had time to get in a couple of short runs this week, I probably needed the rest after the 50 miler last weekend anyway. Myself, Poole, and Darrin are going to run the G'town half marathon course tommorrow.This will be Darrin's first attempt at this distance, and Poole really wants to kill it, so I figured I would take them out for a training run on the course so they can get familiar with it. I have run this race 2 years in a row, plus I grew up in this area, so I know it very well. Other than that, I'm gonna lounge around the house and play in the shitty asss snow with the kids. I hope you all have a grand weekend. Later bitches!!!!

Mississippi 50 miler results...... WE DID IT!!!!

Man, what a weekend. Myself, Poole, and Holly left Memphis at around 10:00 a.m. Friday morning and headed out. I took longer than we thought it would, about 5.5 hours or so! For me, emotions were already running high about the race because I haven't been running much due to the tendonitis in my right leg. On the way down there it was already hurting pretty bad and I was lust sitting in the car!! We talked about upcoming races and planning long runs to prepare for them and all kinds of things. All I could think about was how I would try to run this race injured.I told them I thought I had about a 20% chance of finishing this and the way my leg felt it was possible that I might just do the first 12.5 mile loop of four and have to quit. An way, we got there and set up the tents, went to pick up our race packets and had a pasta dinner at the train station. This basically just made me more on edge, seeing that MANY people eating there were wearing t-shirts that read Western States 100 miler finish, or Vermont 100, Boston Marathon. You get the picture, I was really starting to feel like I had bitten off more than I could chew.So the next morning we started running towards the trail at 6:00 a.m. and it was quiet, no one said much. As I was afraid of, my leg really started hurting at about mile 3! I was really starting to get angry, I just couldn't believe how bad it was hurting. We continued on finishing the first loop in 2.5 hours. By this time, the pain had increased to the point that my whole right leg from my knee to my ankle was going numb. This is when I had to make the decision to keep going or drop out. I just decided that I was injured for sure and that I was going to do whatever I had to do to finish , so I kept going. The severe pain lasted the entire race, increasing slowly throughout. There were some very dark moments yesterday, moments I really don't care to visit again that is for sure. The toughest loop for me was the third, mentally and physically. But I knew that if I made the time cutoff for the 37.5 mile checkpoint I might be able to pull it off. I actually was able to run the last lap almost as fast as the first, which was nice. The feeling I had while crossing the finish line of my first 50 mile race can only be matched emotionally by marrying my wife and having my kids. It feels great to have completed such a huge personal goal. I also am vey proud of Poole, who just started running a year ago last month and has already run a marathon and 5 ultras, yesterday being his first 50 miler as well. His time was 10 hours and 43 minutes. Holly also had a great run for the 20k, finishing in 2 hours flat. She then ran the fourth loop with Poole and got in a total of 25 miles for the day. I crossed the line in 11 hours and 32 minutes and I can't believe it!!!! What a great day.

2 days, 9 hours!!!!!

I now have 2 days and 9 hours til start time!!!! It's funny I was talking to my older sister on the phone earlier today, and I explained to her that myself, Poole, and Holly were going to Miss. this weekend to run a race and that we would be camping. I also told her that our campgrounds would not have running water or toilets. She said,"so let me get this straight, you dumbasses are gonna drive more than 4 hours to sleep in a sleeping bag in a fucking tent in the middle of nowhere, freeze your nuts off all night, then get up at 4:00 a.m. and not be able to brush your teeth, take a shit in a hole in the ground, run 50 miles then get in the fucking car right after the race and drive back"? I said "yes, but they have free food every 4 miles or so, plus we are getting WASTED on the way home". The phone was silent for a few seconds, so I can only assume she was thinking the same thing I was......... BADASS!!!!!!!

Takin it easy........ SUCKS!!!!!!!

Dude, today is the third day in a row I haven't run a single step, and I got to tell you that I have so much pinned up energy I feel like I could dunk on a pro basketball player. I mean I guess I'm just used to burning so much fuel during the day, now I'm not doing shit so I'm "backed up" I guess.I find myself pacing around the house like a mad man or something. Very annoying. The days seem longer, way longer. I also keep thinking to myself, "what the hell did I do all the time before I started this running shit". Then I realized my answer, DRINK!!!! Holy shit have I been drinking. Call it minor depression or being bored or whatever, but no shit I have been drinking so much the last few days it would make that David Hasselhoff dude look like a fucking freshman in high school at his first field party. It's like I'm a rock star, only I'm not sitting in a badass house surrounded by a bunch of sluts and sweet guitars. Oh well, that would be cool. Just kidding if you're reading this Anne Marie. Anyhow, I woke up this morning and my leg feels great!! So I think everything will be fine. But, I think I'm going to not run again today and just drink all day! What the hell, it's only a 50 miler, right? Ha ha, later bitches!!

Oh no!!!!!!!

I don't know what the hell is going on. All I know is Tuesday after work I hit Shelby Farms alone for a 7 miler, feeling great at first. Then all of the sudden my right shin got very tight, no pain, just tight. I ran on for another 4 miles or so and it happened again, this time a little more intense. I just ignored it and kept on running and with just about 20 yards from my truck it hit me hard. This is not good. I decided to take yesterday off from running, in fear that I might be injured for real. I am really scared even more now about the 50 miler than before. I only have 7 days left. Another reason I'm scared is because I had this same injury last year and I know exactly what it is. It put me out for 3 months last time. I really don't know what I will do if I get hurt again, HOLY DEPRESSION!!!!!!! I have worked so hard to run this race, it is a lifetime goal for me. The thing is, I know myself and what I'm afraid of is this. I am going to run this race, even if it means running in the worst of pain for 45 miles of it. After the race I fear that I'll be so hurt I won't be able to run for months or something. Well we will see. I might run a couple of miles later to test it out. Later

Boring blog

I don't really have huch to say today. I had a shitty day at work and I didn't feel like doing much after that. Myself, Poole, and Dirty D were able to get in an hour worth of running in my back yard, which was nice. I felt alright, but my right quad was hurting a little. I'm sure it isn't anything serious. I'm probably going to just take it easy this week, still gearing up for the 50 miler next weekend, maybe 5 days of running with a 25 miler or so this weekend. I can't wait til March 1, but I still am very nervous. Keep me in your prayers. Later.