The kansas city backyard ultra, a last man standing event with fixed time races, was a great event! I am so happy I had a chance to run with the amazing athletes in the last man standing event.
As of this writing, the official results are not posted. I feel like I ran about 22 miles. (Update: 31 miles) Not super impressive, I know. There are a ton of excuses. I really don’t want to get into it too much.
7 p.m., the Night of August 11, 2023, when the last man standing event started, the temperature was very much in the eighties with humidity right up there with it. The air was thick, with the promise of rain. The course was a little more than a mile around Mill Creek Park, a neat, grassy park east of the plaza in K.C. MO. If you’ve seen a chiefs game on t.v., think of the fountain with the horses.
I had rented a table and canopy from Midwest Endurance to keep my stuff and use it as a kind of base. Sydney was there for the start and a few laps before going home to get ready to run the 3 hour event in the morning.
The check-in tent and aid station were all set up on the south end of the park. Sam and Jennie gave a quick rundown of the course and the rules. I was surprised by a few things:
They extended the loop to include a section of sidewalk and an out and back over some grass.
There was no aid allowed during a loop, even though we run by the start area 4 times and there’s a water fountain on the course.
This race was starting to sound really tough!
We started right at 7. I went out way too fast, running in the 8 minute range. I expected that and figured I would settle down after a lap or 2.
As a counterpoint, Randy and most of the other runners were going at a nice, easy 12 minute average with plenty of walking.
I was having a pretty miserable time. I have a bad whinging problem, so I will try to keep this part brief. I was soaked through with sweat from the beginning. There was no relief. I was sweating through my shoes. Sydney asked how she could help, and I told her, “I dont want to be wet anymore.”
Our friend Emily brought her girls out to cheer for a while, and that gave me a real boost! I ran up and gave them all a big sweaty hug! Then I ran another loop.
I will never get it straight. It was either 4 LOOPS = 1 lap, or 4 LAPS = 1 loop. Whichever way you say it, it was a lot of times around. The east side of the track was more elevated, with no breeze. The north end had a (kind of) steep downhill to the grassy out and back. The west side ran along Broadway and had a nice breeze. The corral/start/finish/lap had a timing mat and digital clock showing the time.
The loop right after Sydney left for the night, that was where it all fell apart. The insole of my left shoe got squished up. I had to stop and straighten it out. Two steps later, it was squished under my foot again, but now I was behind schedule and still had 2 laps to go! I finished with 5 minutes to get myself together. I managed to change shoes. Jennie helped get my bottles filled and gave me a little pep talk. The next loop went a lot better.
That’s one of the cool things about this format. You can have a terrible loop. The next hour is a whole new thing. I put the bad loop out of my mind and tried to focus on just running.
All the other runners were very cool and supportive. There was a lot of grouping up and pacing together. I only heard supportive comments from everyone.
At the start of the 2:00 a.m. loop, I was gassed. I didn’t have any more. I told Jennie I was going to line up, but I would probably be timed out. I finished the second lap at 2:37 and dropped out. Everybody told me it was the smart move. I’m okay with it.
So that’s the end of my story. About 18 hours later Randy Taylor did a final loop to secure a much deserved, hard earned victory. Outlasted every one of the last runner standing competitors AND fixed time runners. He is a stud!
Sydney did 12 miles in 3 hours, like a boss!
David Boots was there overnight running the timing mat. I was able to hang out with him a bit after I dropped. He’s going to pace me again at the Hawk 100.
Midwest Endurance Race Company put on another fantastic event! I look forward to Ultrapalooza in September and Miola Madness in November.
This event was tough and humbling. I learned a lot from the experience. Hopefully, it will help me become a better runner and, just maybe, a better blogger. 😉
Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count 5k is a flat, fast, exciting, and emotional race in Gardner, Kansas. The race benefits the Spencer C. Duncan make it count foundation. You can learn all about it at: https://makeitcounttoday.org/
Lately, I have been trying to get selective about my racing. I’m trying to take it easy on my body AND my wallet. The Spencer C Duncan 5k is free to veterans. I (obviously) don’t mind a little bit of a drive for a free race. I managed to talk Sydney into signing up, too!
Before the race, we discussed our strategy. Sydney told me she didn’t mind if I wanted to “fly,” meaning run off without her. I do like to get competitive and race and start off way too fast. It’s fun for me. This time, though, I wanted to run with Syd. I wanted to encourage and relax and just have fun.
Running with Sydney, I was still able to goof around with some running friends. Some of them ran some fun events that I had to miss.
Gay Ann had run the first night of “The Night Train,” a 2 night combo event that sounds special made for me. The Night Train Night 1 was a fixed-time event, and night 2 is a set distance event. Great swag, including a special gift for doing both nights, really tempted me. I was strong enough to resist, but not so strong as to not be jealous. Gay Ann is doing both nights, of course, and still killed it at the Spencer Duncan 5k. She is, truly, savage!
Our good friend (and notorious Argo bandit), Andrew had run “the Night Wolf,” a brand new trail race put on by, or for, the wyco wolf pack. The weather here has been very wet. The trails, according to Andrew, were extremely difficult. There is hardly any swag for this one. I’m not so upset about missing it.
Hearing about these races was bittersweet. I’m sorry to miss out on any race. I’m very happy friends of mine were able to participate. I have to remember: I can’t do everything!
One great feature of the Spencer C Duncan 5k is the “boulevard of heroes.” Volunteers hold up portraits of service members killed in action along the entire course. I think this is a really cool memorial and a very neat feature. It makes Sydney emotional.
The last portrait on the course, about a tenth of a mile before the finish, is Spencer Duncan, the race namesake. I told Sydney, “When we get to that picture we’re going to pull the trigger!” She was sooo tired! She was worn out after a tough Friday workout. She had been pushing it the entire race, but she dug in and really RAN that last bit of the race! Sydney won her age group!
1st in her group!
The race is great, but the party at the start/finish is really where it’s at. There’s a Chinook helicopter to tour, a lot of vendors with swag, and my favorite feature this year, Stroud’s cinnamon rolls! I had 3!
There was a d.j. playing hits from the 70’s and 80’s. We were getting down!
Spencer C Duncan make it count 5k was a wonderful experience! I’m glad we got up early and ran it!
I’m sitting at a sidewalk table in front of a coffee shop/business center. I’m waiting for Sydney so we can have our usual midweek lunch date. I absent mindedly scroll through some photos from last weekend
The Snake
The Snake: A 10(ish) mile run around Clinton Lake that I was using as another practice for the Hawk 100. This race utilizes the connector trails between the blue trail and the white trail. I found it very fast and runnable for the first half. At the halfway point, you take a toy snake as evidence you actually made it. Last year, the only snakes they had left were teeny-tiny ones. This year, I got a pretty decent sized one. Either I showed up a lot faster, or they got more large sized snakes. Either way, pretty cool!
Diva dash
The Diva dash 5k & 10k is a ladies only event. I volunteered just to stay involved. At first, I was a little miffed about my assignment. I was waaay over in the corner! How would anyone see my pretty tutu? Hand-made, by the way. Once I saw where I actually was, I realized I had a very important position. Where once the route had turned, this time it went on quite a bit further. I had to guide several runners onto the new way. Only one was verbally upset. There were so many fantastic people running that event, and I felt very honored to be a little part of it.
The rest of the weekend was spent crafting and shopping, cooking and eating, relaxing and socializing. The way a weekend ought to be. Maybe, once the slam is over, I’ll be able to sleep past 5 a.m. on a weekend. Meanwhile, I’ll just try to enjoy the moments, and nap when I can.
Phil and I at Diva DashThe 2 mile mark. Where I’m standing used to be the turn. Can you see the new turn, way back there?Garden fresh string beans with butter and garlic 😋 Some of the snake crew: Chelsea, Sydney, and NickBeautiful overlook park at Clinton Lake Ben was 1st place overall at the snake 🐍
I know I’m missing a few posts. I had a few races. I had some personal and “professional” life things I should have been sharing. I’ll tell you: I was sweating THIS race! You see, I’m pretty spoiled. I’ve hardly had to earn anything in my life. Hard work? Struggle? That’s for suckas.
Well, you just can’t charm a country road. The sun doesn’t care how nice or funny you are. Someone posted a meme: The hill doesn’t care about your feelings!
Lol
We start out in a beautiful lakeside park shelter. It’s a race, so of course we have to be there at 5 a.m. to check in. This race is unique in the fact that it’s 99.69% crew/self supported. There are some ice and water refill stops, but mainly, it’s you, the road, and your crew. So the organizers demand your crew carry 30 lbs of ice, 12 gallons of water. I don’t know the international conversion of that. It’s a lot of ice and water.
They had a “runner’s church” set up, and one of the race officials held a little service. I’m not a person of faith, but I REALLY dogged my training for this one. If I ever needed god on my side, it was now! Haha!
The first part of the race goes through Cheney state park for a couple of miles. It’s a beautiful run around a lake at dawn. Then I hook up with the world’s greatest crew and head out onto the roads of King’s county. The long, long roads.
The plan (lol) was to meet the crew every 4 miles. That was the advice Sydney (HBIC) was given by some veterans of this race. That is a great plan, and I still believe the better distance. We had to change it to 3 miles. My water bottles just couldn’t quite get me to 4. During the hotter parts of the day, they barely got me to 3! (I kept making the crew check for leaks. There are no leaks.)
Things go really well for about 25 miles. I’m keeping a steady pace. Fuelling really well. Everybody is having fun! The only guy on the crew, Jeff, “Heffay,” had to leave. Real work is the worst! He was a champion and tremendous help!
There was one little incident. I kept passing other runners’ crew vehicles and wondering, where’s the WGC? After what must have been (felt like) 15 miles (like, not even a mile), I start to panic. I text Syd asking where they are. She says they’re right there. I don’t see them! If I had been swimming, this moment would be where I drowned. When, like an angel from heaven, our girl Kirby roared up in her charger! Vroom!
She handed me cold water and drove alongside, blasting classic rock and encouragement through her window. I saw the crew ahead, so I tossed her my vest and shirt and told her to go ahead. I picked it up and chugged into them, shirtless, at a sub 8:00 pace!
Then there it was. Just that road. For miles and miles. And miles. And miles. I wrote it that way on purpose. And miles. The description said 32 miles. My garmin said 33 miles. Still going. One road. Straight ahead. For miles. And miles. I asked, “When we get to turn?” This course was supposed to be rectangular. Our girl Erin “p-quad (p4)” let me in on the detail of “it’s at the t intersection. When the road ends, don’t keep going. That’s not the road.” Sage advice, indeed. Erin was hilarious! She was scheduled to pace with me but showed up early to help the crew. She brought a megaphone, some wisdom, some experience (she’s familiar with the area in general, and this race in particular) and just a badass attitude that fits the WGC perfectly.
I stopped using electrolytes after my upset stomach at Prairie Spirit. I was fueling with just water and salt tabs and gel and chews… and fruit snacks and granola bars…and sandwiches and chips and melon. I was starting to get a little concerned because I had not peed yet. I had a pickle and cut the salt tabs for a stop, and that got the flow going.
Food was starting to sound gross. My appetite was gone. That happens, I just need to force food down, but nothing substantial was working. I think it was mainly because of mild dehydration, but I’m no doctor. I just know that when I would eat a corner sandwich, I would gag. We got a bit down when they threw out the bread. And some beef jerky Kirby picked up at the gas station was alright 👍, but granola bars, gels, and chews weren’t happening. This would continue for a while.
I finally got to the turn! It felt amazing! The crew was playing our theme: “I’m sexy and I know it,” and I couldn’t help but dance!
Also, there was another runner that finally caught up with and passed me at that point. Grr! J/k, it’s not that kind of race for me. I’m just trying to 1. Finish 2. Survive.
One thing we were all looking forward to was “the oasis,” a love’s truck stop around mile 45. I was really looking for it, because I’ve had to poo since mile 35!
I don’t like to bring these types of things up, but if you’re out there for 24+ hours, cramming garbage in your face and churning your guts, things will happen. Things that will not be ignored. If you’re lucky, you can handle this business in a little, stinky, hot plastic box. If you’re really lucky, a park shelter with a tiny window. If you’re REALLY, REALLY lucky, an air-conditioned semi-private room with hand washing facilities. But, usually, it’s just…the ground. Sorry. Running is gross. Also, I was unlucky twice on this run, but never in my shorts! (Not to brag.)
After Love’s, it was on to the church! The church was where the 50 milers (53 milers) ended their race, and the hundred milers can start using pacers. There’s a 16-hour cutoff to get to the church, but I was way ahead of pace all day. The church was very cool! It’s a tiny little speck of a town, and all the crews were there, along with some spectators and a dog!
Gay Ann was my first pacer, after crewing all day. After arriving in town late the night before. She’s amazing! And an infuriatingly fast walker! She inspired me to jog some mainly by eliminating the difference between walking and jogging. It was awesome! She kept me moving until David took over around midnight?
Just gotta get this rock outta my shoe
David “Bootsy” had signed up as soon as he could to pace me through the very tough overnight hours. I was very excited to run with him. I’m very impressed with David! He ran a full marathon distance at argo. He’s a triathlete and a power lifter. He’s an engineering student and professional. And a great pacer. We walked for quite a bit of the night. The temperature barely dropped, the humidity went up. It was country dark out there. David never complained, and never called me out when I whined and whinged. We managed some shorter intervals sometimes, but mainly, it was: leave the crew, wait for Rex to pee, hike a mile, look for the crew.
In the meantime, the World’s Greatest Crew was lighting up the night! We had Jamie, Sherri, Gay Ann, and, of course, Sydney, all working to make sure all I had to do was move forward through the night. They fought off exhaustion, bugs, and other crews threats on our mascot to keep David and I upright, fuelled, hydrated, and moving. We could spot them from what seemed like forever away, with the lights and the jumping around. It was beautiful!
I was zombie walking. David asked about hallucinations (I think) and I could describe it really well. Because it was happening at that moment. I had to sit. I was a fall risk. Sweet Sydney let me sit in the vehicle with the air on. I managed a three minute cat nap before anxiety got me moving again. I kind of ruined her seat with sweat, but she told me it was endearing. She takes such great care of me! And everyone else! She really is the H.B.I.C. and the brain and heart of this outfit.
About this time, we’re starting to leapfrog other groups. One guy seemed like he was fueling his entire run with beer! Normally, I’m all for that, but I didn’t think my stomach could take it. I did get some calories in the form of a hammer brand recovery drink. That drink, plus the sunrise, really turned me back on!
Bootsy had to get home in time for church, so after driving 2 hours and running all night, he left to drive another couple of hours. Stud!
Gay Ann took over pacing again, and we really capitalized on the morning momentum. She still hiked very, very fast, but now she stopped to take more pictures and I was feeling a bit better.
Erin “P4” came back and took over pacing duties right around the 85th mile (? Mileage gets sketchy around here. My garmin died in the overnight hours. It’s a fine watch, I’m just not fast enough, I guess.)
Erin is an experienced pacer, regularly pacing a half marathon in Wichita. And she’s local. She knows the area really well. And she’s a hasher, so she’s used to seeing grown-ups act like fussy little babies.
I was over this race! I’ve had it with the road, the hills, the corn…I was done.with.it! But Erin pointed at a field and said, “Check out my llama, I left it here while we do this,” and totally changed the mood.
There was, in fact, a Llama. There was so much animal life on this route! Horses (we say a baby horse!) Cows, armadillo, raccoon, skunk, so many snakes! The crew found a baby frog! A lot of the animals were roadkill, sure, but I’m counting them.
After the third meet-up with the crew telling me we’re in the home stretch they decide to give some real numbers: we’re 2 and a half miles from the finish. It’s right there! I asked what time it was and it was a bit after 10 a.m.
In my mind, I was like, “Awesome! We can beat the noon cut off!” The World’s Greatest Crew didn’t remind me the actual cut off time was 6 p.m., because they’re the “world’s greatest” crew, not the “tell you the truth no matter what” crew, and I love them for it! We churn down this road, over this highway, up this road, me complaining the whole time: “oh, gee. Another hill? Let me guess, up? Whaa whaa whaa” all the way to the park. Inside the park, the little jaunt out turned into the world’s longest park road. But it was downhill the entire way, so we kept jogging it. We got to the end and there was everyone cheering and clanging cowbell! I ran down and bopped the finish cone, gave our mascot a big kiss, and went over to get the prettiest buckle/medal I’ve ever gotten. Of course I fell apart. I get very emotional. Sydney was right there for me. She put me in a chair to get myself together.
As I sat there, reflecting on my adventure. The struggles, the challenges, the whole endeavor seeming huge, I got to watch as a stroke survivor that fueled his race with beer finished just some minutes behind me. So perspective is a thing. Lol!
In the end, this was a great race and an awesome time. I couldn’t have done it without the crew and the pacers.
I’m leaving a LOT out of this recap. Some things are just for me. I hope everyone enjoys reading these because I’m really enjoying writing them!
Sydney and I ran the Lawrence Trail Hawks night trail run, The Nighthawk. Syd ran the 10 mile, and I ran the 50-kilometer. We had some friends running the 20-mile race. Everyone there was super nice and very cool.
The race itself was neither nice, nor cool. I feel it’s pointless to comment on the weather unless it’s violent storms or tornadoes or something. However, the lack of violent, torrential rainstorms preceding this race made for a hot, sultry night.
I guess the good side of that is the trails were in really good shape. The trails around Clinton Lake are mostly rooty dirt with some rocky spots. As we ran on through the night, they transformed in my mind to the cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Houses of the Holy.”
The course is a 10 mile-ish route from Overlook Park to Land’s End on the white trail and back to Overlook Park on the blue trail. So the 50k was 3 loops. There was a 10 hour cutoff. I expected to finish in about 8 hours. My actual time was closer to 9 hours, but I’m very happy I finished at all.
There were a lot of dnf’s and runners dropping down to less distance, which is smart. The only reason I didn’t is I have a touch of “imposter syndrome.”
The plan was to run with our friend Adam. That plan didn’t last very long. A wardrobe malfunction with my gaiters forced me to stop. I never would have kept that pace, anyway. He is just too fast! I saw my pacer from Prairie Spirit, Ben. He was on the struggle bus with a bad stomach. Unfortunately, he had to drop out, but he’s very talented. I’m sure he’ll be back.
A couple of our friends did really well in the 20 mile. Nick took 3rd place, and “coach” Ben won! Quite the achievement!
The second loop was the worst! I had stomach problems. I had lighting issues. I couldn’t run for very long before I had to walk up a rocky hill, or down a rocky slope, or through a rooty path. It was very frustrating. When got to Land’s End, they were out of watermelon! The volunteers at this event were great, and they were cutting up more watermelon at the time, but I couldn’t wait. I just grabbed a gross gel, some chews, and a stinger waffle and went on my way.
When I got back to the start, I put on a new waist light I bought just for this event.
Nighthawk has an (earned) reputation for being extremely buggy. I had been advised to use anything but a headlamp. I had knuckle lights, which worked okay, a small clip on light which faded really quick, the fanny pack waist light, and a headlamp as a last resort.
Since cactus roulette I don’t trust carrying just one light. I kept my knuckle lights in my pocket. I was now hands free! I ran out for my 3rd and final loop.
I felt much better on my last loop. The new lighting helped a lot, and I ran much more. I was feeling good (considering), and I was really excited to finish.
I got to Land’s End and thanked them for sticking around for me. I was sure I was the last runner on the course. They told me so many people had dropped! I ate some watermelon and bacon, grabbed more snackies, and burst back out for the last leg.
I thought about calling Sydney at every landmark: I just left lands end…I just crossed the creek…I’m over the dam…I’m across the road…at the bridges now…just running on those weird rocks…past the picnic table…I decided it would be better to just finish.
One of the coolest finishes I’ve ever had! The lights of the finish line were shut off, on account of the bugs. Someone saw me coming, and they turned them on as I approached! I felt like a rock star! The photographer had some camera issues, so I got to do it again!
The finisher swag for the 50k was a handmade wooden medal, an event and distance specific oval sticker, a carabiner mug, and an awesome running jacket.
The Nighthawk 50k was an awesome experience. It was very tough, but also very rewarding.
The second race in the super slam of Kansas ultrarunning, the Honey Badger 100, is right around the corner. The main feature, as far as I can tell, is the extreme heat. The race is mostly on country roads in east/central Kansas in the middle of summer. There will be (I imagine) no place to hide from the glaring sun. I am afraid. 😅
Whatever. Some things can’t be helped. “Control the controllable.” That’s all there is. I’m doing what I can to acclimate. To get conditioned to the heat. Por ejemplo: the Hospital Hill 1/2 marathon. I did just “okay.” Any half I finish under 2 hours I consider a real good run. I did “tire out” a bit. I got some real encouragement from the pacing crew. I took some walk breaks. Remarkably, I kept my shirt on. 😐
The next day, there was a group run around downtown K.C. MO in support of local running community hero Scott “the bearded runner” Green. I encourage you to check out the link.
The next week was a rare break from racing. I took advantage of the opportunity to work some overtime. That evening, I caught up with Sydney at her best friend’s new boyfriend’s place. His name is Matt, and he’s awesome! A real success and, just, the nicest guy.
Sunday, Syd and I ran 7 miles with kc running company’s newest group, the Sunday shoreline group. A lot of our friends were there, but they were focused on a big trip to Minnesota. So many of our friends ran Grandma’s marathon or half marathon. They all did so great! I am so jealous, but I can’t do everything!
TLDR: A lot of little kids, some of them fell down! Hills.
Sydney and I ran the 36th Annual Merriam Turkey Creek Festival 5K Run, Walk & Youth Sprint. It was a lot of fun! The weather was perfect. The crowd was excited. The race hired a local radio station dj, “DJ Kirby” from 94.9 fm to play music and get the crowd hyped up. He made some funny jokes, like “no gambling on the runners this year,” and “my favorite part of the race is watching kids wipe out!” Which I thought was a joke, but oh no! The carnage was all too real.
The race was to benefit the Merriam KS Parks, Recreation and Community Center Foundation scholarship fund. A truly worthy cause and I hope they raised a lot of money.
It seemed like every child between the ages of 11-14 had lined up at the front. Most runners that age have, in my experience, a very distinct running style. Something I like to call the “dash and look.” Dash! A few dozen feet, maybe 50 yards or so… then stop. Maybe walk a little, definitely turn all the way around and look for…? Parent? School chum? More than once, a child would make eye contact with me and immediately take off sprinting again. Normally, I hate the little kid dash and look. This race was different.
I had decided before we got there I wasn’t racing. I just wanted to cruise along with Sydney and enjoy the day. So we were back from the start line, which was perfect for how the race started. Several children started right up front. They counted down:10-9…321 go! And all the kids took off at a sprint. Ran full speed about 50 yards and got plowed into by about a hundred runners when they stopped in the middle of the course!
We were too far back to see any actual collision (except one, when this little girl stopped cold right in front of this guy in his 60s, and they both went flying in opposite directions. it was awesome!) We only saw the aftermath. The carnage! The horror! Really, it was just one kid, screaming like he was shopping with his parents at Walmart.
The race was also extra exciting because during “dodge-a-kid,” only half the road was closed. So the first mile was a messy pile of screaming, sprinting children, wary, veering adults, and big jacked-up pick-up trucks coming right at us!
There was a guy running right in front of us from the start that sounded like he was running the last 5k of a marathon. I was seriously concerned about this dude. I told Syd I had to get away from this guy and jogged on up ahead. That’s where I found Jason Silvers and got to do a little bit for his YouTube channel : The Year I Got The Runs. He asked if I was ready for the hills. I didn’t know about the hills, but whatever. I don’t care about hills. Not to undermine these hills. They are substantial hills.
Sydney caught up with me at the first aid station, and we spent the rest of the race together. Singing to Clint is a Tall Runner, encouraging a kid and just enjoying the moments.
At one point, to tease Clint about his musical taste, I sang the famous part from “You Never Even Call Me By My Name.” What really got Clint’s goat, though, was when Sydney sang a little country/western style tune of her own.
When we got close to the end, Sydney and I held hands so we could finish together and get a sweet picture. DJ Kirby made a funny comment about people meeting at the race. It was very funny and very cute!
This race was just okay. The course was fun, and the volunteers were very nice, but the start/finish line was cramped. There were no port-o-johns as far as I could tell. They held the age group awards hostage until the end of the race, which just did not work. Several of my friends were going straight from the finish to another race across town. I hope they get their medals!
Still, any race is better than no race. It was fun to just have a relaxed, non-competitive run with Sydney and my friends.
I want this blog to be a record of my attempt at the Super Slam of Kansas ultrarunning. The Heartland 100 is right in the middle of that. When Sydney signed up for the Heartland 50 mile/50k spring race, it was a no-brainer. Of course, I’m going running with my sweety through the beautiful Flint Hills!
Pictures really don’t do it justice. It’s breathtaking.
The Heartland 50 mile/50k is an out and back on the first half of the Heartland 100 course. Rolling hills on gravel country roads, surrounded by grazing cattle and horses. Picturesque views of the prairie nearly the entire way.
Sydney was just getting over an ankle sprain from a couple of weeks before. The plan was for her to start and see how her legs hold up. I was pretty confident she could make it. We were making good time until the first manned aid station, Battle Creek, at about 8 miles. Mile 90 photography got some great pictures of us. Everything was laughs and good times. Then, the hills started.
Syd and I are both Argo road marathoners. We’re not punks when it comes to hills. These hills kicked our asses. By the time we got to the unmanned water stop, Sydney was hurting bad. I asked a 50k runner if they had any advil, and he hooked her up with a pretty good painkiller and some salt tablets.
By the time we got to Lapland, Sydney was making a decision. I used the port-o-john, pet a dog, and while I was getting my bottles refilled, I noticed a bunch of pills sitting on the table. The same pills our new friend gave us. He had just left, and I knew he wasn’t going real fast, so I dropped my vest, grabbed his meds, and took off after him. I saw him walking, so I tried shouting, “Wait!” It came out as a weakly “wheat…”😆 but he eventually stopped so I could give him his stuff. He didn’t even realize!
When I returned, Sydney made the decision to call it right there. Her back was spasming, and she couldn’t go on. It was a tough call, but I feel like the correct call. She wanted me to continue on without her.
How tough is it to run away from a pretty girl, a friendly dog, and bacon?
This is where the race got tough. I had a bit of an idea what the course is like from our friend Clint Bond’s YouTube channel, Clint is a Tall Runner. I didn’t realize the hills… They continue rolling. Up. The pastoral views turn into rocky hillsides. I was alone.
Although just a tiny fraction of the course, in the moment this was a hellscape.
I was kind of booking it. This isn’t a weather blog, and I try to keep the weather out of my recaps, but it’s a character here. The turnaround was nine miles away. The cutoff was about 3 hours. The temperature was in the nineties. I don’t mean “oh, 90. Maybe 92.” I mean all the nineties. The wind was blowing at 30mph with gusts up to 50mph. Probably. I mean, I couldn’t measure it. It was hot and really windy.
I got to the 3rd unmanned water station. My bottles didn’t have a big enough opening for ice. The water was hot from sitting in the sun. There was ice in a cooler and a cooler of Gatorade that was really cold, so I made do. The bottle situation will definitely be corrected before any other race.
Other racers are passing by me going the other way, which I took as a good sign. It meant the turnaround was getting close. I had to stop and shake a rock out of my shoe, which made me angry for 3 reasons. 1) I’m wearing gaiters. I’m not supposed to get rocks in my shoes. 2) There’s a rock in my shoe. It’s very annoying! 3) Occasionally, I’d step “just so,” and the rock would push up on a toenail. As I sat on the ground and pulled my leg up to reach my shoe, I ripped the longest, loudest, fart of my life. Talk about relief! I felt like a new person! The rock is out of my shoe, my stomach isn’t upset, I’m going to beat the cut off. It’s a beautiful day!
When I got to the Teterville aid station, the first thing I saw was a very good puppy. I pet the dog, refilled my bottles, and got out of there. I mean, I only just made it. I had to make up some time. I passed a runner before I got back to the unmanned water stop. There was a volunteer restocking it, so I got some real cold water and a headband full of ice. As I ran on, I saw the runner I passed riding with him. Dang it! Last again! 😆 🤣 😂 I didn’t care. I’m just trying to finish.
I wouldn’t have anything to worry about, though. The conditions were taking a toll on the runners. I passed a guy just sitting in the shade. He said he was fine. If I had full water bottles, I may have just sat there, too. But I didn’t. I passed a couple of people who seemed in good shape but were walking. I passed a guy who could barely stand. I ran for a bit with a runner who had stayed at the same hotel as Sydney and I. He seemed like he was doing okay. He told me he had laid down in a creek to cool off!
We got to Lapland, and I didn’t want to go. I knew how far I had to go. My bottles were letting me down, being too small and not able to carry ice. I didn’t have a hat and felt my face getting really burnt. I was wearing a vest, so I couldn’t really take my shirt off. My feet hurt really bad. Especially my toes, but also my heel. I kept stalling. Eventually, they just threw me out. Good volunteers. Great job! Because once I was going I didn’t stop. I’d jog a bit, do the ultra shuffle (thanks, Leigh!) Anything to move forward, a bit to save a minute here, a few seconds there.
At the next unmanned water station, the ice in the cooler had melted quite a bit. I was able to fill a bottle with ice-cold melted ice! It was a real game changer! Also, a couple of volunteers were driving by to replenish, and I got a top-off from them. The volunteers at this event were great! Just amazing!
Somehow, I made it to Battle Creek Aid. I love Battle Creek! I was a volunteer at this aid station in the fall. The other volunteer then, a trail runner named Scott, was also running it now. It’s a big deal to see a familiar face. I was really afraid of becoming a heat casualty. I sat in the shade and drank water, ginger ale, and Gatorade for a while. Scott offered me a beer, and a beer sounded good, but not a beer 9 miles from the end. A “I did it and it’s all over” beer, that’s the beer that sounds good. That beer sounds awesome!
I dragged myself away. Well, the volunteers made it easy. They started talking about ultras and all the races in the region. Bore me to tears. Yawn!
Up I get and out I go to try and finish. I had been doing dnf math for about 30 miles by now: I need to go this far in this amount of time which is a pace of this many minutes per mile but I’m only going this pace so I can’t possibly make it might as well quit.
The race was getting to me. I knew I was getting close. I got to the last unmanned water stop. The ice was completely melted. The water and the Gatorade were pretty warm. I filled my bottles anyway. I still had 5 miles to go. I pushed on. Shuffle, jog, run, walk. 3 miles to go, I start to see trains. There are tracks I need to cross on the way to the finish! I’m really close!
The Battle Creek volunteers pass me on the way back to the finish. I got my bottles topped off by the u-haul that picked up all the aid stations. I was getting frustrated by not getting to the blacktop yet. I marched on, determined to make it. When I finally got to the pavement, I still had about a mile to go. There was a train rolling on the tracks, so I had a bit. There was some shade to enjoy while I waited, also.
As soon as the train went by, I picked my way over the tracks and started jogging in to the finish. Sydney was there, along with everyone else, cheering for me! I ran it in like a champion!
Overall, I feel like the Heartland 50 mile race was a success. I had some struggles. I learned a lot. I am looking forward to doing the 100-mile race here in the fall.
What a morning! What a race! Oh my God, there is so much to blog about! TLDR: there was a half marathon in Topeka, Kansas. I p.r.’d. A lot of friends were there.
Top City is a 5k/half marathon in Topeka, Kansas. Topeka is about an hour away from Kansas City. Just far away enough to be inconvenient.
Sydney didn’t run this race but volunteered to drive and cheer me on. She’s an angel!
The drive took a bit longer than an hour (we don’t pay tolls!) Parking was a breeze, nose in on the street about a block away from the start line. We grabbed my packet, pinned on my number, and caught up with all our friends.
We saw Jason “the year I got the runs” Silvers, Amanda and Will, and Kris, Adam, Myckael, Andrew, Deliece, and Katie. I also met Sydneys cousins, Warren and Barbara, and their son Nick. Nick was running his second half marathon!
The temperature was perfect for running, which is a little cool for just standing there. I jogged around a bit just to warm up a bit. Some other people warming up got a bit competitive. I knew it would be a good race!
I was torn between lining up with Amanda, who was “taking it easy” after her recent foot/heel injury thing, and Adam, who runs exactly like me but faster. I started with Adam. Fast. Too fast. Way too fast!!! It was awesome! I ran the first 2 miles as fast as I ever have before. I felt so great! I knew it wouldn’t last, but it didn’t hurt or anything.
The route went about 2 miles around downtown Topeka, under the capital building, and into the streets and parks of Topeka. The first few batches of volunteers were young people in dress clothes, like missionaries of some sort. I didn’t ask, because, you know…racing…but it was very cool to see them; the fellas in ties and slacks and the women in long dresses.
Around mile 3? Probably? I noticed one of the “direction arrows” was pointing back towards the start. A very rude reminder that this is an out and back course. All those fun, fast downhills will surely bite me on the way back. Oh, well. I decided to worry about that later.
I had finally settled down into a human pace right around the “Rip On” skate park at Shunga Park. I was fine, I was settled. There were spectators handing out treats. I thought it might be beer, but it was pretzels, gummy bears, and apple sauce. No thanks!
The route took us into a neighborhood with nice, pretty houses. I got to pet a dog! When I ran past in my k.c. running shirt the course monitors and spectators would say “go chiefs!” That was fun. I was complimenting a neighborhood guy on how pretty the area was when I saw Myckael running up to the aid station. I shouted “go Myckael!” And then ran away as fast as I could. I guess beating Myckael was a goal I didn’t know I had until just then. Lol.
Leaving the neighborhood I ran into a bunch of runners coming into the neighborhood. I thought, “these can’t be the 5k runners?” As I stuck out my hand for high fives. It was the back end of ghe half marathon! OMG I went out way, way too fast if I’m 5 miles ahead of the pack!
As predicted, the return was a big more difficult than the way out. There were some things I didn’t notice the first time, though. Like the murals illustrating brown vs. the board of education. Topeka is neat!
The last mile brought us straight up towards and under the state capital building. I turned the last corner and saw the finish line. It was a ways away, up a pretty big hill. The farmers market was busy on the left side of the road. I thought about just ducking in there for a while instead of chugging up a hill.
I looked at my watch and saw I was so close to a p.r.! I had to go for it! I was either going to get it or come close, so I gave it everything I had. Sydney was cheering and shouting, “You’re going to p.r., baby! Get that p.r.!”
I did it! My finish time was 1:37:57. A very respectable time! The age groups were split up in ten year increments. I came in 5th in my group. Adam came in 4th. Everyone did awesome! I’m just going to say here, in my own blog, I came in 22nd overall, 20th male, and I was 5th in my age group? We old men are fast a.f.
There was free beer from Iron Rail brewery and BBQ sandwiches from dickie’s for the racers. I had an Irish red. It was delicious!
W.W.R.H.D. 