Vail to Beaver Creek - Bringing It Home!

When Friday morning came around, there were mixed emotions.  The Transrockies run was wrapping up...if we could slug it through another 20 miles - so on one hand I was happy.  On the other hand, the run was wrapping up...if we could slug it through another 20 miles - and that was leading to sadness.  And if I had a third hand, I would have been using it to pull up any covers over my head because I was freezing again in my tent!!!  WOW - it sure does get cold in those mountains!

Vail was a nice location to stay in, but we didn't get the opportunity to see much of the town.  After our run ended on the 5th stage, we were shuttled to the end of town to our tent city, and only got a passing look at "condo" city - very nice.  We were treated to a wonderful steak, potato, corn on the cob dinner that night and once again turned in early in preparation for Friday.  We started to learn some tricks throughout the week of camping and one of those was to get all our stuff ready for the next day while it was still warm and light out.  Another I did was to sleep in my running clothes for the next day, and then layer the sleeping clothes over that just to stay warm.  Friday morning brought about the coldest day yet, because there was no place to go inside like the previous days at Camp Hale to get warm.  We had to eat breakfast outside in the early morning light, as well as pack up.  We were shuttled back to the main part of Vail for the start, and were fortunate to be able to wait until our 8:30 am start inside a public area of town with VERY NICE RESTROOM FACILITIES.  Finally, no porta potties to go in!!  What a nice treat.

I was tasked with carrying a special package that day, which I will get to later in.  Couldn't lose this one on the run, otherwise there wouldn't have been as special a finish this day.  We got to run through downtown Vail on flat road for the first two miles, before we started what would be about a 5 mile uphill climb to our 1st aid station of the day.  As was our routine for the week, Lynn was quicker out of the gate than I was an went on ahead, while I hung farther back.  Once we hit the trail for the climb, it was single track (about 18 inches wide), and there was no opportunity to pass.  So you pretty much get to know who is in front and behind you on the climbs, in between breaths. I happened to be behind Angie from Baltimore, who was a road runner.  She just completed the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon a month earlier, and was in great shape.  It was pretty cool to hear her say that this event was much harder than that - because of the multi-stage approach requiring so much more mental focus.  Made me feel good that this was indeed a challenge.

At the first station Lynn and I caught up again, and had the chance to take a photo with Dean Karnazes - Mr. Ultramarathon.  He is well known in the long distance running community, and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 days.  Each day we was running a stage with a different person to help raise awareness around this event.  I told him I would race him to the finish line, but he wanted no part of me....you can understand why after following along with me for months.  I was in peak form.

For the next few miles I pulled ahead of Lynn as we moved into some of my favorite downhill single track.  This was unlike some of the other terrain we traversed over the week, as the grass, weeds, growth (whatever) was quite high, making it quite difficult to actually see the ground we were running on.  But boy, was it beautiful anyway.  Steeper downhill, more rocks to move over.  Lynn said she fell about 4 times on that part of the run.  That would make her the week's winner in getting a close up look at the ground!  I loved that part of the run and moved through it well, and on into the town of Avon, where Jeff and Julie would be staying that night.  We ran a few miles into town before heading to the last aid station of the event....and another hard part of the run.

The Transrockies staff did not make Stage 6 any easier than the rest.  This one may have had the most elevation climb of the week, and there were still 5 miles to go to Beaver Creek, with the first 3 of those uphill again in about a 1300 foot climb.  It was slow going, and mostly walk. I was behind a German (Ralph), and not a word was spoken between us.  I didn't think now was the time to try to improve my foreign language skills, and he probably wouldn't appreciate my sense of humor 115 miles into the run (I know - how couldn't he???).

With two miles to go, we could see Beaver Creek approaching from above, and began our final single track descent into the city and the finish line.  At this point, I was smiling pretty big, and started to have the emotions kick in again.  I made my first camera video of the week for Brenda and the kids during the run - so they could see, and hear, how this was.  You could hear the announcers at the finish line calling off the names of the participants who were coming in just around a bend ahead.  I was still a few minutes ahead of Lynn at that point, so I stopped and got the package ready that I had carried for 20 miles that day, and began to unfold it.

Once Lynn arrived, we jogged together around the final bend and over a bridge into Beaver Creek towards the finish where a modest crowd was waiting and music was playing.  Together we held the package by its ends as we approached, and I could see Jeff there with a video camera ATTEMPTING to capture the moment.  Around the final bend we went and crossed under the Finish sign in 5:15.  Relief, joy, sorrow, and many other emotions flooded through at that moment.  A video crew was there filming our finish as we hugged to celebrate our accomplishment.  We were presented with our finishers medal and t-shirt, and handed some cups of cold water and recovery drink.

I looked around and found Julie waiting on the other side of the spectator fence smiling at me.  We had a great moment together with no words.  How could you say anything when you don't know the right words?  This run was done for so many reasons, and I know that Emmah was there with us throughout it all making sure we'd see it through safely.

Jeff and Julie brought a number of items with them to the finish.  One was their own sign, which we never saw while running in, but others did so they could learn the story.  They also presented us with our own trophies for finishing - that means so much more to me than the medal!  Jeff was also prepared to escort us across the finish line in style if we needed it....when he brought a wheelchair and the musical soundtrack to Chariots of Fire!!! Funny man, real funny!  I also got a replacement KEIYH bracelet to replace the one I "left behind" on the mountain.

And they brought Emmah. So I could have a moment with her as well. 

113 For Emmah mission accomplished....now we could celebrate and reflect upon what we had done.

More to come over the next few days around the celebration dinner that night, thoughts on the entire event, and other final thoughts, along with links to photos from the event.

KEIYH

Plan B is the NEW Plan A

Yes, 60 is the new 40.  And we learned this week that 42 is the new 20!  We feel great and achieved a dream that months ago (and maybe even as recent as a week ago!) seemed impossible!  So our quite unrealistic stretch goal of winning the rach (ha!) was replaced late is Day 6 with a more realistic goal of finishing in one piece (yeah - maybe that should have been the original goal).  We hope we didn't disappoint all of you following our run on Google Earth and seeing us slowly drift back in the pack each day.  Oh well, there is always next year.  But heck....

WE WERE CELEBRATING THAT WE FINISHED THE TRANSROCKIES RUN!!!!!

6 days, 6 stages - 118 miles - 29 hours 15 minutes of running through some of the most scenic areas of the Colorado Rockies!  Up, down, over, under, through - we did it all.

Emotional time at the finish line too - Jeff and Julie made it from Illinois and sure enough were waiting for us when we arrived.  They had a sign for us (which we didn't see as we were coming in, because we were carrying our own 113 For Emmah banner that we made for the finish).  I saw Jeff videotaping the finish as we rounded the final bend, but he said that we he saw we had a banner his hand got shaky and the emotions took over....and well...no real video of the finish.  That's ok though - the race video crew captured the moment and showed it at the celebration dinner last night.  What a nice round of applause the audience gave!

Julie was waiting after the finish snapping as many pictures as she could too.  When I finally saw her, we had been awarded our finishers medals/shirts.  We had a great moment together.  After gathering all of our thoughts - Jeff and Julie presented us with our own finishers trophies.  That means so much more to me than the race medal.  We took a lot of photos together and also with the other finisher friends we had a chance to meet throughout the week.

When I have a chance to recuperate a little more and get more time - maybe on the plane ride home tonite (Saturday), I'll share more about Stage 6 - it was the hottest day of the week, with the most elevation gain.  They certainly didn't make finishing easy on us.

We capped off the evening with the finishers banquet - a chance to recognize the real winners of the week in each of the categories - but we all knew that anybody who finished the event was a winner (us included)!  The closing slide show and video was really great, and Lynn and I were in a number of shots.  It is my understanding that small videos from each day of the run, and a number of pictures as well were posted on the Transrockies website throughout the week, along with a short write up of what we endured each day.  If you have time, take a look - Brenda tells me than I was in a photo on day 1.  I haven't looked at any yet, but there was a great shot in the closing slide show of me holding the 113 For Emmah banner - hopefully that is on-line.

And...if you had been holding off on any donations because if you wanted to see if we would really do this thing....please take a moment to donate to the Gudeman family, or the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation via the links on the right side of this blog.  Hopefully you believe we worked hard to earn it!

More to come later...thanks for following us!

KEIYH

Bending, bending, bending....but not breaking!

I have found out that even world class athletes can have a bad day.  And by world-class, I am talking about me.  How did I arrive at world-class status?  Simple, I define world class as those people who live on Barclay Woods Court in Charlotte, NC.  Out of everyone living there (about 7 homes), I am world class.
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If i was able to upload a photo from my camera now, you would see a pic of me waking up this morning in the cold yet again.  Damn it was cold!  I never in my life had had my eyes nearly swollen shut from puffiness, but it happened for the second straight day, and today was worse than yesterday.  Rocky Balboa had nothing on me.  Not sure of the cause of it, but eventually it goes away - after like 2 hours.  Fortunately, none of the other runners said "Ken, you look like sh*t!".  Oh, I would've opened up a big ole can of Whoop Ass on them (yeah - big talk for 6 am!).

Each day it has been taking longer and longer to warm up, and today was going to be  brutal.  I could feel it my legs that there wasn't much juice there.  Starting out of Red Cliff with the starter shooting a real 9mm pistol, we began our 11 mile climb.  Uggghh..  After running with Lynn for about a mile, I had to walk, and she went ahead.  I didnt see her again until mile 8 when she was waiting for me just outside the checkpoint.  I asked how long she was waiting and she said 5 minutes.  I said Liar!  She said about 10 - 15 minutes.  Let's call it 15!

I was jogging when I could on the flat portions, but had to walk much of the way.  Good thing we have made friends with many of the other runners of our "world-class" status this week, so it became somewhat easier to pass time talking with them.  Eventually I pulled ahead of some of them around the 5th mile and had to go solo until mile 8.  That's what world-class athletes on Barclay Woods Court do - they suck it up and gut it out.

All week long, when I needed a shot of adrenaline, I would do one of three things to get motivated.  1 - think of my family back home (miss them tons!).  2 - look at the Emmah button on the back on Lynn's water pack (I have one too).  3 - look at my Emmah KEIYH bracelet.  Well, the past 24 hours have not been kind to me.  Family - check - still able to think of them.

Emmah button - fell off my pack sometime yesterday (stage 4) and I didn't realize it until this morning when I was getting ready.  Today, my Emmah bracelet came off, likely when I pulled my gloves off midway up that first climb.  I was pretty devasted about this - then I got mad.  Used it as motivation.  The way I am looking at this is that Emmah decided she didn't need to guide me anymore on the run.  She has provided all the motivation she could for the past 8 months, and it is up to me to bring it home.  The button and bracelet are somewhere in the Colorado mountains, and she wants to be there.  However, since the bracelet hasn't left my wrist since February, I am hopeful Jeff and Julie have another one with them on the way out here.

Mile 8 - I gained strength, and it was Lynn's turn to feel the effects. Of course, at that point we moved into my strength - single track trails - uphill into the Vail ski resort area. All I can say is it was a haul, and amazing to run through some of the ski runs.  We peaked at about 11 miles, then had rolling up and downs at the top of the resort for about another 4 to 5 miles.  Incredible views, but I can only take so many pics before they will mean nothing to people.

At the second aid station at mile 14, the sign said 4 miles until next aid station and 8 miles to go (to reach the 22).  Then the person working the station said - its all single track, downhill. I thought great. Lynn took off running.  Then we found it to be a dirt road, uphill.  We weren't happy, and were quite tired. By the time we hit the real downhill trail, I started to pick up speed and pull away.  FIgured we'd hit aid station 3 within 40 minutes at the pace we were going, if not sooner, as we zig zagged across the ski runs.  50 minutes later we still didn't hit the station.  By the time it arrived, it was obvious the distance was wrong!

From there, the sign said 3.8 miles to the finish, all downhill again.  Another 50 minutes passed (at least) before we finally arrived in the hip and swanky town of Vail.  For nearly 10 miles we could see the village from the top of the ski runs, until we hit the bottom.  A long way to go, but fun.

After we crossed the line in 5:51, we started to hear other runners say this was longer than 22 miles. Possibly closer to 25.  I would agree.  Hopefully at the dinner tonight we will hear what it really was.  It was a long day, and true to other days, I was stronger at the end, Lynn was feeling effects.  But we both know there is only one more day left, and at this point we are in good shape!  Of course, the massages help!

Looks like we came in 10th today in our group.  Not too bad, and I think we are either in 10th or 11th overall, just about 8:26 behind the leaders.  I think we can make those mere minutes up tomorrow with a burst of speed at the start.

What?

Huh?

Oh, we are 8 HOURS behing the leaders in our category??

Hmmm.  Looks like this world-class athlete is going to need to pick it up some....

5 down, 1 to go.  Somewhere between 115 and 120 miles in 6 days.  Dang....

Looking forward to arriving at Beaver Creek tomorrow and seeing Jeff and Julie.  Hoping for a safe and uneventful day.  Have so much going through my mind I want to still write about around this experience, that I hope you will stick with me for the next few weeks, as this journey won't just end abruptly tomorrow.

Hang with me....and wish us well!

KEIYH

Catching Up on the Week!

No internet or cell access has been frustrating for a few days, but now that we've arrived in Vail - they probably have everything!  Here is a catch up on the past 3 days (Stages 2 - 4), not including today.  Hopfully I'll get that later!

Day 2


Role Reversal

Day 2 is complete and as I write this I am laying in my tent is historic Leadville, CO. Today’s journey took us from Vicksburg to who knows where (a total of 13.5) miles running, where we were then shuttled to Leadville. But let me step back now that I have time and fill you in on the last 24 hours.

MORE SWAG (or SCHWAG…depending on how you say it). Last night at dinner, the kind people at Gore-Tex provided each runner with a pair of GoreTex running gloves. Quite cool! Rumor has it that last year, Gore Tex provided recovery shoes to all participants. One can only hope that tonight we will be rewarded! Here is the program for each night after all runners have finished up. Our running bags are transported from the start of the run to the end, wherever the tent city is set up. We grab our bags and select one of the approximately 200 tents that have been set up for us. We have the afternoon free to do whatever we want, which can include massages, or going into the local town for lunch, which we did today. Dinner is served from 5 - 7 pm (yesterday under a large tent), and then from 7 - 8 is the awards ceremony, where the top three runners/teams in each category are brought up to the stage and awarded prized (Last night was Solomon shoes and Peet Feet dryers). Lynn and I just missed getting called to the stage, having finished 18th out of 24 teams in the mixed 80+ category. So close - oh, so close…. only about 2 hours behind the leaders!

The race sponsors also give a chance for regular joes like us to win prizes. One is called the “middle of the pack” award - out of the 200 teams/runners - whoever finish 100th that day wins a prize (I believe it is a GoreTex Jacket of their choice). Then they also award the King /Queen of the Mountain award - although it is a mystery how that is selected. In any case, I am holding out hope that they will award that to us for something! I personally think for being the best fundraisers and doing something special!

After all this is done, then they show a slide show set to music of still photos taken during the day, followed by a video produced during the day. Yesterday, we were on the video for about 3 seconds running on the trail - hey - it worked for us! Today, one of the video cameramen shot me coming down the backside of the 12500 ft mountain and heard me mentioned Emmah’s name (FYI - I was flying down that mountain!!!). So at the aid station just up the trail, he came by and asked me what the story was behind Emmah. So I got to share a minute as to what we were doing - and show the Emmah button I am carrying with me. Hopefully that will make today’s video show. People are starting to find out about the story and that Jeff & Julie are coming Friday! The excitement for me is building for that moment!

Back to last night. We both slept lousy in the tent - maybe a few hours sleep each - none of it quality. Lots of noises around Tent City, and people started moving around 4:30 in the morning. We were both moving by 5:30, and breakfast was from 6 - 7:30. We had to be bussed to the start line this morning - about 30 minutes away. Nerves were setting in from the night before when the logistics/weather person told us to expect 40 degrees, possible winds, lightning strikes at the top of Hope Pass, and many other things. Geez did he lay it on thick!. So our bus pulls up to the start line and there are big peaks on both sides and it was intimidating. Fortunately, the weather was good and while we needed to pack our mandatory gear of hat, jacket, gloves and survival blanket - we were able to run in short sleeves tops and shorts.

1.7 miles to the trail head got us started, but we were sluggish, and continued to follow our race strategy of letting most teams go ahead of us (yes - that is strategy - let them think they are ahead of us, only to KICK SOME ASS on the last day!!! Ok, even I laugh as I write it). So, we poked around in the back and quickly started the 2.7 mile climb uphill to the pass. It was slow going - basically like a mule train walking to the top. There was no running - it was steep and muddy at times. Picture a trail about 18 - 24 inches wide with a steep drop off. Lynn used the hiking poles she brought to walk slowly up, and I just took baby steps behind the people in front of me. Good news though was that I had great energy today compared to yesterday, and wasn’t bothered by the altitude. Lynn’s arm was doing ok too - bandaged up for the trip up. I have so many great pictures we took along the way to post later. It was incredible to climb first through the trees, then past the tree line, then over rocks, to finally reach the pass at 12500. It took us about 2 hours to go just over 4 miles. At the top we took more pictures, where I got quite teary eyed taking pictures of Emmah’s button at the top of the pass. Let me tell you, starting to run downhill is not easy with tears in your eyes. Going downhill was my favorite part of the day - I am like a jack-rabbit bounding back-and-forth between the rocks. WHHHHEEEEE!!!! Lynn, on the other hand, did not like it and was more tentative. Somehow, she used the poles going up, and I carried them the 8 miles back down!!! Fortunately, we had great scenery coming back down to where we were going to finish up a Twin Lakes (which we could see in the distance), and had a great stream path to follow, where we tucked in behind some other runners to keep the pace going. When the only sounds you hear are your footsteps and breathing - it is quite special. I would do this day again in a heartbeat - the climb up may have been difficult (but not as intimidating as we made it out in our minds to me), but once we reached the top - WOW - to look back and see what we accomplished….priceless.

We finished in 4:02 today. Not sure yet where we placed, but it doesn’t really matter. Day two is in the books, and for what we thought might be the hardest day wasn’t so bad. 9 hours of running over two days - 34 miles - not a quick pace, but enjoyable. We actually are getting good at this tent thing and set our stuff up pretty quickly, showered and walked about 6 blockes into town where we rewarded ourselves with a BIG OLE BACON CHEESEBURGER and fries. We are getting to see some of the same faces each day who are comparable to our pace and time, so it has been good to sit with them at meals and sometimes run together.

Tomorrow is the longest run of the week - 24 miles with three shorter climbs. Not exactly sure where we end up, but I am pretty sure it will be memorable nonetheless. We have been told tomorrow is a lot more road running, than trail running, which is a bummer since we really like the mountain terrain. It may be slow going, but based on how we feel after today, we are in pretty good shape. Minimal soreness and lots of water to stay hydrated.

Sorry this isn’t a humorous post like past ones. Trying to fit in time to write in-between all the activities. Hoping to find a wireless internet spot in town on my way to dinner shortly to upload this to the blog.

And the falling count is now tied at 1. I went down today clipping a toe on a rock, but was able to brace myself with my hands. No harm, no foul. Look for us later this week on ESPN’s countdown of Not So Great Plays!

Until tomorrow….keep up with the great mojo coming our way via face book - its been a big help! Lets keep on moving on!!!!

KEIYH


Day 3

Ever have one of those days….

…You know the kind - where you wake up earlier than expected. Your body is stiff and sore from activities the day before. The weather outside is cold and you just want to burrow under the covers of your bed. And you are hoping someone will serve you a warm breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee - when you are ready for it. In our house, that day is Sunday. This morning felt like a Sunday, but unfortunately it was Tuesday morning an Day 3 of the Transrockies Run. My Sunday will come in another 5 days when I return to Charlotte. For now, I needed to get that aching, sore body out of bed and muster the strength to tackle today’s 24 mile run.

And my body wasn’t cooperating. The boogieman decided overnight that he was going to visit my tent, and make sure that I wasn’t feeling the energy that I would need to tackle the course. He woke me up early, after a night of sleeping in very cold weather, so he was draining my spirits out of the gate. Another poor nights sleep in tent city brought condensation to our belongings which are left outside the tent. Breakfast was from 6 - 7:30 for an 8 am run start - so by the time we were shuttled to the breakfast hall, we had a 90 minute wait before the start. The good news was the video shot the day before at Hope Pass was shown at the evening ceremony the day before, so many people knew Emmah’s story, which helped pass the time with some of the people we met.

In short, the first ten miles of today’s run was difficult. Another 1000 mile climb after a few miles made for strenuous going, and the legs weren’t cooperating. The boogieman was trying to break us, and he was doing a good job. Around mile 11, we were able to tuck in behind few runners and keep a steady pace until we hit an aid station at mile 14. That was when the day changed. Not sure what brought about the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th wind of the day but we started moving, and didn’t really stop until the end of the run.

We stared that monster in the face and said “bring it on. If you are going to bring that sh*t into our house (or tent), you better work a little harder to break us. Homey don’t play that game when it is day 3.” We brought it home, and finished the day with a negative split. First 12 miles was about 2:50, last 12 miles was about 2:34. Finishing time of 5:24 - the longest either of us have ever run. Our legs are incredibly sore right now, but thankfully we have ONLY a 14 mile day tomorrow. Hopefully a reprieve. Based on the way my toes feel today, I think I am going to lose 3 nails before the week is out. Gotta block out the man trying to put me down, and focus on the end goal.

After stage 2, we came in 13th out of 24 teams in our category. Like “The Jefferson’s” theme song - “we’re a moving on up!”. Thinking we had a good day today in the standings. Every else is playing into our hands…they just don’t know it yet!

Unfortunately, we are at a campground called Camp Hale for the next 2 nights, and we are officially in the middle of nowhere, with no internet or cell phone access. No way to communicate, so these posts will come in a few days.

3 down, 3 to go. 57 miles down, 58 to go. Mr Boogieman - leave us alone….

KEIYH


Day 4

Getting Stronger

Today was a lot like day 2 - it was going to be a shorter distance, with an extreme climb the first 5 miles, followed by a nice sharp downhill for the next 7 - 9 miles. 14 overall. It was our first night at Camp Hale - we are actually spending two nights here - so we were fortunate to not have to pack up our belongings in the morning and get the to the transport truck before the start at 8 am. However, it was damn cold in the morning again. We were burrowed on our bags (actually the first night I burrowed - thankful for the bag my friend Katie lent me). When it is so cold outside (probably in the 30s or 40s), you don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to pee - even though you have been hydrating since the end of the previous days run. So it is that much worse waking up in the morning and having to hike your sore, tired and cold body to the porta potty. Did it anyway, and stopped by where breakfast was being served to get a hot cup of coffee. Bad news is that today’s meals aren’t being catered by a local company, and Camp Hale basic brewed coffee one pot at a time for 300 people. You can see how that is an issue. I was fortunate to get in line early (courtesy of my early morning pee-pee run), but Lynn had to wait later on.

The debate of the morning was what clothes to wear today due to the cold weather - long sleeves, long pants? I actually was freezing around 7 am, but the sun quickly warms the temp to something more manageable, so it was short sleeves and shorts for the 4th straight day. We have been blessed with good, sunny weather - probably on the warm side for around here. Each day, we are required to carry with us some mandatory gear - a hat that pulls over the ears (which I wore for part of today’s climb, gloves, and a jacket, plus a survival blanket. Doesn’t weigh down our packs too much, as we are also carrying each day about 70 ounces of water (that is refilled each aid station), and a variety of gels, energy bars, etc.

Gun went off at 8 on the button. Each day we are sent off at the start by the same song - “Highway to Hell” - quite appropriate! Gets the blood flowing, although not enough for me each day. While Lynn has good energy each morning, I have taken a few miles each day to really warm up, Hence our back-of-the-pack strategy! We had about a 2 mile run today before we hit the climb - 8.9% average grade over the next 3 miles. At first I thought it was easy, but quite suddenly it went steep on us. Lynn used the poles again today, and I plodded up unaided. We have found out how our running styles mix together this week - they don’t! My strengths are the steeper uphill climbs and steeper downhill descents. Lynn is strong on the more subtle climbs and flat roads. So we are finding ourselves not running as much together as a team, but apart and with other runners we have gotten to know this week. We still generally stay within the required 2 minutes of each other, with whoever is in the lead slowing or stopping so the other can catch up. Good teamwork is helping us along. Meeting a lot of great people along the way.

Tough climb, but we made it to the top in about 95 minutes. It was quite depressing at one point when a runner in front of me said, “we took 26 minutes on that miler, and are averaging 17 minutes per mile”! Knowing Lynn and I can do probably a good steady pace of 9 minute miles on the flat road - that will tell you how hard this is. Not so much the Transrockies Run, but the Transrockies Hike!!!

We putzed around at the top for quite awhile this time to take photos with our new friends. Probably took 15 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos, which ended up costing us about 4 spots today in the overall finish - oh well! It was great to get to the top, at around 11500 feet, because I was ABLE TO GET CELL PHONE RECEPTION!!! Something Camp Hale has nothing of. So I did what any good husband (no - great husband!!!) would do and called Brenda!!! She was at work, and I only had a few minutes to tell her I was alive, that we did fine in Stage 3, and were at the top of Stage 4 and feeling good. Also sent her a few photos and asked her to post a status update on Facebook for everyone, and to call Jeff Gudeman to have him put a quick Blog post out to everyone to let them know I would hopefully be able to update everyone on Thursday night when we reached Vail. Then I told her I’d call at the end of the run when we reach the town of Red Cliff (they had to have cell reception).

Our downhill descent is what makes the climbs so much fun. Wheeeeee!!!1 I was off to the races knowing Lynn would catch up later. Trick is to let gravity do its thing, pull you down the mountain and run side-to-side so you don’t get so much momentum that you fall. The next 5 miles went by fast, and we even had to run through a creek for awhile - oh, cold water and squishy shoes and socks!!!

The last two miles brought us into Red Cliff. Lynn was hurting a bit - feeling dizzy. I was feeling strong and wished we could tack on more miles today so we wouldn’t have to do 22 tomorrow!

Wouldn’t you know it - Red Cliff has no cell reception!!! No contact with the family, or to call Jeff and Julie who are leaving Illinois today for the trip out here. In the van shuttle back to Camp Hale, I pretyped some emails to Brenda and Jeff in hopes I’d get cell reception like I did at the top of the mountain - so I could give a quick update. I got 1 bar with AT&T, and sure enough, emails downloaded to my Iphone, but my outgoing messages did not send! Bummer. I did quickly text Brenda and it appears they sent, but I have no idea for sure before we lost coverage again for the next day.

We arrived back in camp by 12:30 today - so we had the whole afternoon free to hang out, get some sun, catch up with others, etc. Lynn got her first massage of the week, and I visited the medical tent for a possible blister forming on the ball of my big toe. Having some hot spots forming on the bottom of our feet, which could pose an issue over the next two days, but at this point - we just have to suck it up. We have about 70 miles down and 45 to go.

Today we place 14th out of 20 teams, but were only 4 minutes out of 10th, so you know we had a good day. Overall, we are in 12th place (I think a few teams have dropped out). I am beginning to have the feeling we may not finish in the money. But don’t give up hope Team Emmah fans - there are two days left and ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!!

Expecting more SCHWAG at dinner tonight. We got a GoreTex outdoor blanket on Monday night, but nothing yesterday. We are holding our for the recovery shoes/slippers that we heard were given out last week. Oh, our aching piggies could use them.

Long day tomorrow - probably the longest time run of the week. 22 miles. First 11 of those uphill. YES - FIRST 11 UPHILL!. But then the fun begins - after about 4 - 5 miles of relatively flat running, the rest is downhill. Get out of our way people - we are making up time!!! Expecting a 6 - 7 hour day.

Lets hope we feel good tomorrow morning, and there is more coffee to get us going. Hard to believe we are 2/3rd of the way done of this amazing event.

Thanks for all of your reading and support - I am sure you have been wondering what the holdup has been in posting. I guess we are IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE playing in the Colorado Rockies.
WE ARE ON VACATION!!!!!
KEIYH

A Horse With No Name...

This picture just reminded me of that song for some reason.

I am filling in for Johnny as guest poster because sitting (or standing) at near the top of the world affords you a great deal of things.  For instance... tranquility with a great view and fresh (thin) air... then again, shortness of breath also comes to mind.

What it doesn't allow for is an internet connection... phone connection yes, internet no.

At any rate, through the marvels of modern technology (that being a phone call placed to Brenda, a second phone call from Brenda and a subsequent email from Brenda) voila here I am guest posting...  The email read that he and Lynn are doing fine, blah, blah, blah.

So the gist of it is that he and Lynn are doing fine, blah, blah, blah and that he hasn't had service.

Never fear though, once he does, day 2, 3, and 4 are already written up and sitting on the editor's desk ready to be dropped in... which Ken suspects will be tomorrow when they hit "a real town"... so stay tuned for that.

Geez Ken... you must have some kind of pull around town... how did you manage to get your paper boy to deliver all the way up there, I can't hardly get mine to get it more than two feet up from the curb!

You guys look great and you're more than half-way home now... see you Friday!

KEIYH

Team Emmah is in...

Hell if I know what place we finished in today. I am late for the group dinner as I write this, and I haven't seen any results yet.  So I will give you the shortened version of the day.   Bright sunshine at the start - around 65 perhaps, and got quite warmer throughout the day.  We were exposed most of the time to the sun, and the first 7.3 miles was an elevation gain of 1400 feet - but we managed to make that in about 1:40 I think.  We started near the back of everyone to make sure we ran at our own pace, only to find the first 1 mile + was single track that everyone walked - so that took us about 20 minutes before we actually started to run.

By mile 4 we were heading into some beautiful terrain - single track between two rock walls when Lynn stumbled on a rock and went down. I believe the term would be "face plant".  It wasn't pretty - she skinned both knees and really tore up her elbow quite well.  But she is a trooper and was determined to continue on.  She got some first aid at the first break area, and at the end of the race they bandaged up her elbow. 

We did a lot of walking uphill - tough going, and ran the flats and downhills pretty well until I started having stomach issues around mile 16.  I think I was taking on too much liquid at the break areas and it was having a bad effect on me.  At one point I couldn't go up a hill and had to sit to rest for a few minutes.  The last 3 miles of the 20.6 we covered today was fairly flat and again exposed, and we walked most of it because I didn't have a lot left in my tank.

Crossed the finish line in 4:57.   Then we did an awesome thing and soaked our legs in a nearly creek - very chilly but it felt absolutely great!  Photos to come later.

Our tent city was set up for us when we got shuttled to the campground - albeit as small tent.  No unpacking here - just gathering the necessities.  Got a quick 15 minute massage to loosen up the legs and lower back.  Tomorrow is going to be interesting - only 13 miles, but 2.7 of that is at an incredibly steep incline.  That may take a long time to do before we head down a steep terrain as well.

Gotta run to dinner - and get a good nights rest!

KEIYH

You're Only As Good As Your Support Team

Sunday morning - time to go! 

Last year, the TRR received something like a 99% satisfaction rating from the participants.  That alone would entice someone to enter a 6 day stage race.  It takes a small army to do what they will do for the near 300 competitors this week:  set up and break down tents each day, provide breakfast and dinner at the camping sites, set the on-course aid-stations, and move our belongings.  Without these volunteers working hard on our behalf, this race wouldn't be possible.  The behind the scenes work will go unnoticed to those not here; it will be greatly appreciated by all of us running (or walking)!

The support teams we have at home are no different.  Without their encouragement and support of us taking on this adventure, we wouldn't be here.  There have been a lot of people following us and reading these posts on the journey over the past few months, and now that the time has finally arrived to run, I can tell the readership is increasing each day.  If you are following, please take the time to write a comment at the end of any post along the way.  Lynn and I read those and they are quite energizing.  We know we have your support, and we thank you!

So I want to take time to thank my support team.  I have a crew of three that are my biggest cheerleaders, and who have had to put up with me during the last 8 months.  This crew is usually sleeping when I wake up on weekends to run, but always ask how the run went.  They got to listen to me discuss (or vent) about various aches and pains, and also share in the joys of watching the donation amount steadily rise to help the Gudeman's.  They know this run was important to me, and why I am doing it, and haven't wavered in getting me to this day.  To my support crew:  thank you for all you have done!  I love you all and you will be here in spirit with me over the next 6 days, helping me navigate the trails ahead and bringing this adventure to life.

Crew leader: Brenda (wife) - making sure I'm well fed and prepared and overseeing the rest of the crew
Head cheerleader: Erika (11) - also known as Chief Hugger - always smiling and encouraging
Chief of Aches & Pains: Ryan (7) - keeping me balanced by being an ache & pain. This isn't all about me

From this point forward - posts will come to the extent I can get a wireless internet signal whereever we are camping.  If you want to try and follow along via the TRR website, they may do daily update posts, which can be found at: http://transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/transrockies/newsletter_signup.htm or somewhere else via the transrockies site.   There won't be many photos from the running itself, since my Iphone won't be coming with me, but I will try to post others from around the campsites each night.  We will have cameras with us, but those pics won't get posted until we return to Charlotte.

Gotta go - they are calling us to the starting line!  See you on the other side....

KEIYH

Christmas in August!

This experience has brought us many special gifts - some are memories, some are renewed relationships, some are joys of helping others, and yet other gifts are still to be found.  Today, brought us tangible gifts.  In the form of SWAG.  Stuff We All Get.  We knew heading into this event that we would be provided a large duffel bag each - all of our belongings we will be using during the 6 days must fit in the bag - from shoes, running clothes, food, sleeping bag/pad, toiletries, etc.  We also knew that we would get a t-shirt (seems every race provides one of those), and even a nice Gore-Tex rain jacket -as they are a premier sponsor of the event.

But it was the rest of the SWAG that we received at registration this afternoon that made it Christmas in August!  A Timex running watch, a ceramic travel coffee mug, a book on trail running (a bit late for that in my mind!), a Nathan water bottle and holder, a running hat, and more!!  Our bag was so loaded from our 6th walking trip down to Main Street over the past 3 days, that it took two of us to carry it back to the hotel, where we spend a good hour packing it up with what we need.  Good thing it was a big bag!  In case you were wondering...I am leaving my hair product behind...

However, at registration we came across a few other surprises.   The first was when checking in, we picked up the brochure for the event, and were a bit stunned to see that this is a 6 day, 125 mile event.  Huh?  Say again?  Can't be possible.  Don't they know that this is 113 For Emmah?  That is what we trained for.  So, we casually asked one of the staff if that was the case, and he said the distance could be anywhere from 113 to 125 miles, depending on the course is marked that day.  Come again Poncho???  Ok, I can live with this....after all, if we are going to run/walk 113...what's another 12 thrown in for kicks.  I am all about change.

Then we move down the registration line to turn in our photo id's which will be needed throughout the event, which they quickly turn into a laminated id tag/lanyard we will carry with us.  (Notice the angelic like glow over Lynn's shoulder - I do believe Emmah is watching us!)Contains our photo, name, team name, and punch out for the various meals they will provide all week (don't want any free-loaders taking our bean burrito on Wednesday).  My tag looked just fine - me, Ken Bansemer, 113 For Emmah.  Check.

Lynn's tag on other hand had her photo, her name, and 114 For Emmah.  Uh-oh.  Is somebody trying to tell her something?  I reckon (that's a southern term for my northern friends) that she is supposed to go a little farther than me...probably because I've been doing all the heavy blog liftin'.  No biggie, we will roll with the punches.

Then we read in the map guidebook provided to us, that the run is actually going to be 115 miles over 6 days.  Seems to me we have some major confusion going on about now.  And I am thinking that my post from yesterday about doing 200 miles as the result of a few wrong turns might be more of a reality than I thought at the time.  So - let's just say we'll report the mileage each day to the extent we can.

As of now, we know tomorrow is 20.6 miles, because that is what the TRR people put out on their website today.  If you want a quick visual of the course for Sunday, view it here.

We were psyched when we got to the end of the registration line to see boxes and boxes of Solomon running shoes lined up along the wall.  MORE SWAG!!!  That wasn't in our bag originally, so we kindly asked if we get those too.  Sad to report, that we were informed those were for VIPs only.  Huh?  Who could be more important that us?  We are running for Emmah...don't they know that?  It would help to have Solomon shoes (even though we each have a pair to run in).  We aren't really sure who the VIPs are - probably elite runners, but still, lets get real here - we could surprise everyone.  Stop laughing.  Alright, even I am smiling as I write it. HA!  Supposedly if you finish on the podium each day, you are awarded a pair.  We shall see.  How can an elite running "win" 6 pairs of these?  Lets just say we are holding out hope that by the end of the week we will be VIPs as well!!!

After packing we headed off to our welcome dinner and orientation meeting.  The dinner was outstanding.  If the food is like this all week - I'll be a happy camper.  There were a number of different speakers representing the various sponsors, and the Transrockies organization.  In short - we will get a program each night recognizing the days winners (us....ahem), and going over the logistics for the next day.  Lots of good stuff is in store ahead, and we are going to be treated world-class the whole way (except for the part about sleeping in tents each night).

While reading a running magazine while out here, I came across this quote, which I think sums up the week ahead.  "At the start of races 50 miles or longer, most people have the spirit of We're about to embark on an adventure.  At the finish, regardless of how we place, we're all equals because we have finished a grand adventure."  Well said.

KEIYH

Sights & Sounds of Buena Vista

It doesn't feel like a Friday.  It does feel like a vacation day though.  To tell the truth - we feel like we have gone back in time to a place where there are little worries and a simplier way of life.  Or, for you Seinfeld fans, we could make a TV series about Buena Vista and it would be a story about nothing.  Went to the grocery story today.  What happened? Nothing - no lines, no hassles.  Went to the park to relax.  What happened? Nothing - there were birds, and people and kids playing in the lake, all was as it should be.  Went to Mother's Restaurant for lunch.  What happened? Nothing - our food was good, reasonable, the wait staff friendly, and we were full.  Everyone here seems to have a dog that is friendly and likes to be outside.  Zero, zip, nada, nothing.....

Pretty amazing that you can easily forget being from a big city what it is like to disconnect from it all.  Sure we still have cell phones and email, but not really checking them.  How could you when it was 57 when we woke up, no humidity, and was mid 70s all day and sunny.  Oh, it felt so good to be away from Charlotte.  Too many other "nothing" activities for us to take in.  We ate breakfast as the Super 8 - a nice spread, then went for our second run of our short stay here.  On Thursday we stretched our legs for 3 miles in the late afternoon by running along a flat section next to the Arkansas River and found there is a larger trail system there, so we went back this morning to do a few miles on those.

OMG!

Within the first 1/2 mile we found ourselves beginning a steady climb up about 300 feet over less than a mile distance.  Lungs were screaming for air and legs were trying to keep up.  It was a losing battle that quickly gave into quick walking.  Fortunately for us the path evened out on an old railroad bed which we took for awhile, and promptly missed our turn off (note to self:  pay closer attention to any signs along the way).  So we went down those same 300 feet, only to realize we weren't where we where supposed to be and had to trek back up said 300 feet again.  And this was supposed to be a loose, take-it-easy kind of run.  So once we were back on the right trail - you guessed it - we came down 300 feet again to where we started.  Interesting experience.

We figured that if this happens throughout the week, our run will be changed to 200 For Emmah, and that all previous financial supporters will have to anty up for this increased distance!  Or not! You may just laugh at us.  I would....

Today I choose to wear the rugged looked.  Lugged out the cargo shorts I had, and the 2008 24 Hours of Booty bike shirt I brought.  Just couldn't find that tattoo parlor though.  However, some of the sights we saw in Buena Vista included visiting the Book Nook (used book store in a house), the Country Store/Bait/Tackle/Gift Shop, and the local Bakery.  We've gotten the great opportunity to speak with several locals about the town, get recommendations on where to eat, and what to do, and have a great appreciation for how cool it is to "get away from it all".

But when all is said and done - we are ready to run.  Tomorrow will bring about one more day of waiting and thinking about what lies ahead.  No training tomorrow - mostly rest.  We have a registration packet pick up around noon, and then a welcome dinner/runners meeting from 5 - 6:30.  Until that time, we can only think about some of the other things going on in our life, such as:

Lynn had a craving for ice cream, so we found K's Old Fashioned Delights (since 1955), where she got a nice cone.  It happened that K's was recommend to me a few weeks ago, not by a local, but by a fellow Beta Alpha Psi Advisory Forum member who used to live in Buena Vista - good call Alex!  That would be Lynn in the red backpack standing in line for her tasty treat.

But before Lynn could actually work up an appetite for ice cream, she had to earn it by relaxing down by the lake and catching some rays.  I, on the other hand, did not go for the ice (yes everyone, I know that is hard to believe).  You see, I was too busy catching my own rest on the local park bench, using my water bottle as a pillow, and munching on some Oreo cookies. 


But at that same time, there was music playing in the background, courtesy of a car parked nearby sharing their music with everyone.  And I also heard birds chirping, so I opened my eyes, and this photo is my view of the trees...the sky....and two birds on branches directly above me.  Couldn't help but wonder if those little buggers were going to crap on me for hogging their park bench.

And of course, there has to be a valid reason for all of these peopel to want to be in the town of Buena Vista year-round.  After all, this seems to be the launching place for so many different events like ours.  We learned that some world class kayakers are building a facility here to house like-minded adventure seekers. 

We learned about why some of the shop owners have returned to Buena Vista after being away in other parts of the country for many years.

And we learned that there is a pretty good chance that you will see us back here in 2011 competing in the Transrockies run again.  Not because of the sights and sounds. Not because of the adventurous spirit that resides within us. Not because of the absolutely great weather that we have found during the summer months. And not because we just might want to get away from it all.

No.

Below is the reason why we will be back in Buena Vista.  Can you blame us?  Wouldn't want to miss the grand opening.  Anyone else up for a road trip?  I bet your knees are starting to feel sore right about now and you are in need of a remedy!

KEIYH

Is This The Way To Beverly Hills?

After an uneventful flight today, we ended up having to wait for about 90 minutes for our shuttle ride from Denver to Buena Vista.  The arrival of the ride was the moment I realized I wasn't going to be running in Beverly HIlls.  We met up with a couple from outside of Paris (not Illinois, France) - Jean and Irene (and I am taking a guess at spelling John's name here...think I'm close?).  We also were introduced to Scott and Chris...two lads from Oxford...yes, the UK.  Love the way those mates talk. "No worries"....We are heading out to meet them for dinner in a few minutes.  They are living in luxury at the Best Western, while we are slumming it at the Super 8. 

But it wasn't their speech, or the country of origin that put the feeling of inadequacy in my step.  It was their "look".  Not the missing limbs from previous hardcore events.  Not their 3rd nipple.  And, no, we did not get a peek at their speedo-like skivvies (though Lynn was trying...I swear!).  It was the fact that they looked "rugged".  Like they belonged here.  Weather worn would be another good way to describe them.  Wrinkles where they should be.  Good tans.  Messed up hair.  Cargo shorts.  Swimming pools.  Movie starts.....

Lets just say Lynn looked Gucci like in a cute jean skirt, and I looked....well, like me.  Even my rugged goatee didn't have the intend affect of "I belong".  Damn.   But on further discussion, we found that said couple from Paris hasn't trained at altitude like we have (that .16 incline up Morehead Avenue).  Chris and Scott however are quite the world travellers and were talking all about Ironman's during the 3 hour ride.  I guess I could've talked about my 3 sprint triathlons, but they didn't seem to measure up.  After all, one was in a pool at the Beverly Hills Hilton, and the run portion of that even was really a walk up Rodeo Drive.

So tomorrow we need to have new gameplan.  I am going to find the local tattoo parlor and get a "You're In My Way...MOVE!" tat....maybe even an "Eat My Dust" tat on my calf that they will see when I come flying by.  Oh, and I am going to shave my head and get a big hoop earring too.  Then the so called competition will know I mean business.

After that, I'll probably try to find a nail salon....have to look good for the welcome dinner on Saturday.  You wouldn't catch Brandon and Dylon looking this rugged....

KEIYH

Time To Put Up...Or Shut Up

Time to be serious (or as best I can) as we leave tomorrow for Colorado. The last 8 months has gone by in a blur, and I find it hard to believe that we are actually going to do this thing. I am itching to go! It has been one incredible journey so far. I head into the run very confident that we are going to be fine, that we will make it to the finish, and that it will be everything we imagined…and more.
It is amazing how the simple request of asking someone to help a family they don’t know can turn into an outpouring of support. I am not one who likes to fundraise, and this is only the second time I have done it. To do so, I feel I need to earn it – hopefully you feel I have. To all the donors (so far) to the Gudeman family and to CNCF – THANK YOU SO MUCH! You may not have known Emmah, but you all know someone like her – a 13 year old girl who was robbed of experiencing the great joys of life that pre-teens and teenagers should. She may be gone, but she is not forgotten and over this next week we run to celebrate her.

So many people have told me since I shared I was doing this event that I am crazy, nuts, ambitious, thoughtful, sincere, humorous, generous, kind-hearted and even strange. Whatever you may be thinking, I hope I am also an inspiration.

People have also been quite willing to provide advice or suggestions on how to best tackle this run. How to run up hills, how to run down hills, how to deal with altitude, what to expect (headaches, sluggishness), what to do in Buena Vista (and Beaver Creek) and places in-between, how to recover quicker, how to best sleep in a tent, what to eat, what to drink…..the list goes on and on. Much of the advice I have taken, or read more about. Others, I have had to let go of because circumstances are out of my control. But they have all been received in the spirit of wanting to make sure we make it through this safely. We know you are rooting for us to succeed. To my long-distance ultra coach Lisa – you’ve been awesome!! Someday I want to be you when I grow up.

Lynn and I have been interviewed twice in the past few weeks and the question keeps coming up about what worries us the most about the run. Besides the hills, I worry about the little nagging injuries I have turning into something worse. Also, hopefully no illnesses will hit us, and neither of us will trip on a rock, stumble down a hill, or do something else stupid (like trying to catch a t-shirt at a hockey game like it is a foul ball – darn injury set me back 6 weeks!). I also worry that I am going to forget to pack something I will need – even though I have been setting aside stuff few weeks now. Do I need hair product???

I am looking forward to meeting all the other competitors in Buena Vista, talking “shop”, and soaking up every aspect of the experience. This may never happen again, so I intend on approaching it with a smile, and high-fiving a few tree branches along the way to gain energy (yes – another tip – which I plan on using)!

It is with anticipation that I go to bed tonight and hope to sleep well. I look forward to sharing our thoughts via the blog with you during the next 10 days – should a wireless internet connection be available along the way wherever we are camping.

And perhaps most importantly – I look forward to making it to the finish line Friday night with my running teammate Lynn – who was awesome to take this journey with me (thank you so much!!!) – so we can meet up with Jeff and Julie and celebrate the little girl who has given me the incredible energy and desire to see the Transrockies Run through to the end. This run may be happening with my body, but it is going to be achieved with Emmah’s bracelet on my wrist, Emmah’s photo pinned to my chest, and Emmah’s memory in my heart.

KEIYH

PS - be sure to read down for another post.  There was a second one this morning - from Jeff!

Not wanting to steal the thunder…

Right from the start of this endeavor, Ken has allowed me to be a contributing entity to this blog.  I’ve kept my fingers and my thoughts at bay as Ken is a fine writer and this is (after all) his “baby”.  Even so… if you have even the slightest savoir-faire of a computer mouse, then subsequently you should also be aware that I too am a fellow blogger.  I have been posting the trials and tribulations and general tomfoolery of my family for about 5 years now… the last few primarily revolving around our struggles of keeping Emmah healthy and the cancer away from (and out of) her while maintaining a facade of a normal family life… and as best we could, a normalcy for Emmah, the other five kids and ourselves… ourselves being Julie and myself. 

We fought the good fight and got beat by a deadly and “resourceful” cancer. 

Nobody wants to hear that they have cancer… nobody… let alone hear that their child has it!  Just like everything else (I imagine) when faced with a circumstance such as this, you hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  Prepare as you might (and do) you can never be sure that you are sufficiently prepared to engage in this battle… and it is a battle.  As is the case too when faced with such an opponent, you (at worst) hope for a "treatable" and/or (at best) a curable cancer, but we don’t get to pick our opponent… it picks you. 

I realize that it’s easy to make this next statement in light of what has happened to us, but after doing our initial research on Neuroblastoma, I can honestly say that this would not be at the top of our pick list as it is a notorious relapser.  More often than not, when that happens… let’s just say that the results aren’t what you would call desired.  There is many a story that end the same way ours did.  While it has a low number of annual cases (compared to others) it makes up something like 15% of all the deaths associated with pediatric cancers.

It is an insidious disease.

Ken and Lynn are about to embark on (to borrow a line from Vizzini... The Princess Bride) an  "Inconceivable!" battle of their own... one that is totally different than ours yet (to us mortals) equally unimaginable.  

Much like we did, Ken and Lynn are hoping for the best outcome for this gigantic undertaking.  If for some odd reason they’re not (yeah… right…) we are.  I’m not going to mention anything more (than this) about the worst... not even going to go there.  They have prepared themselves physically and mentally... though Ken was wondering how many shoes to bring... for the record, I suggested one for each foot.  

I am sure that they have prepared themselves sufficiently and we completely expect to see them sprinting across that finish line...

Okay walking will do...

Actually, crawling and/or rolling… or even being dragged (and still breathing) will also be acceptable methods of a finish. 

In all honesty, I hope that they are able finish in whatever fashion they have envisioned for themselves… and if I know Ken (and I do) they will be in an all out sprint with a headlong dive over the finish line exclaiming “Did we win?!?”

It is a privilege to call Ken my friend… albeit an odd one… but a privilege just the same.  Though I haven’t personally met Lynn, I, as is Julie, am very much looking forward to it when we get that chance at the end of the race on the 27th.  To embark on such an undertaking with having never met Emmah and to run for her and in her memory (not to mention having to put up with Ken for - all - those - miles) says a lot about her character and a lot about her as a human being. 

It will be a privilege to make her acquaintance and call her friend.

The past three and a half years (prior to her passing) that we battled Emmah’s illness were a test of many things.  We know that we are (and will be) facing many new tests moving forward as we try to begin our lives anew without Emmah’s physical presence in it.

While we can (and will) personally thank Ken and Lynn… we realize that we can’t thank each and every one of you personally.  We also know that to simply say ‘thank-you’ seems inadequate and trite.  However, we hope that this most heartfelt Thank-you will serve in its intention by letting you all know how truly thankful (and humbled) we are for the support that you have given us.  Whether you donated spiritually or monetarily, we don’t know where we’d be without it.

Going forward, we will strive to ‘pay it forward’ and to be as giving of ourselves to others in need as you all have been to us.

Thank you Ken

Thank you Lynn

Godspeed to you both...

See you at the finish line! 

KEIYH

Attention! All butterflies in formation…

From the time I was a young girl, I have always had butterflies before ‘big’ events. Those events included – first days of school, performing in plays and concerts. Butterflies followed me through high school and college – dating, taking exams, delivering presentations. During life after college, these fluttering creatures rumbled inside my stomach during client meetings, speaking at conferences and yes, running marathons.

From this lifetime of experiences with butterflies, I have learned two things –

1. If you don’t get butterflies, you don’t really care, and

2. As long as your butterflies fly in formation, you have the edge.

I can honestly admit during the past several weeks, I have been swarmed by (you guessed it) butterflies.

Ken and I leave this Thursday, August 19 for what will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable and challenging adventures of our lives. The training is done, the bags are nearly packed, and the unknown looms before us. I am so anxious, excited and energized to ‘get this show of the road’, I can barely sit still. The best part of this energy stems from why we are ultimately running 113 miles – for Emmah. Every little girl deserves to be giddy with excitement and smiling with anticipation to the point her cheeks hurt. I can only hope Emmah had many of these happy of moments in her brief lifetime.

Thank you Emmah for being our inspiration. I dedicate my butterflies to you!

Lynn

KEIYH

Going Rogue

While I hate to admit it, Sarah Palin and I have something in common.  We have both gone "rogue".  She...by alienating a lot of people in her homestate of Alaska, by quitting as governor.  Me?  No, I am not quitting the race...unlike Palin...I like to see through to completion what I start (take that!).  Rather, I am finding my inner mountain man...and letting the facial hair grow, grow, grow....(ok - that really isn't as rogue as it might sound, but keep in mind I work in a professional services organization, and "rogue" facial hair isn't always seen as a good thing.)

In all honesty, I still look well kempt for the most part.  The goatee I started back in November was nice and trim until a month ago.  That's when I decided that if I was going to run in the Rockies, I needed to "be as one" with nature....blah, blah, blah.  Haven't touched the goatee with a shaver since then, and to my surprise, it has grown in pretty well.  Thicker than I thought. Darker too.  And with a patch of gray.  AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

No worries - it's distinguished....

Perhaps with another two weeks of this lack of grooming, I will begin to more closely resemble Jeff Gudeman.  It might be 6 years since he's trimmed his.  He is part of the ZZ Top succession plan. And at his advanced age of mid-40s, his gray is much more noticeable, mixing with some reddish bear fur.  So, I don't shave to honor Jeff as well.

There - you have the truth.  It's just that Going Rogue sounded cooler!

KEIYH

PS - tomorrow's blog will be Lynn's final thoughts about the run before we leave on Thursday.  I will provide my final thoughts on Wednesday.

PSS - Yes, I know you wanted a photo as proof.  Current as of a few minutes ago (courtesy of Brenda).  Quite the mug shot! Not only gray, but the bags may indicate a lack of sleep too!

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together

In the 80s, The A-Team was a cult classic on TV.  Faceman, Murdock, BA Baracus, and Hannibal Smith.  At the end of each episode, Hannibal would light his cigar, and say "I love it when a plan comes together" as if he had known that all the chaos was just a smokescreen - the outcome never in doubt.  Well, I am about to light a cigar!

Since the early planning stages for this event, Lynn and I have spoken about the trip to Colorado, and how it would be great for the finish on Friday, August 27th, and the subsequent competitor awards dinner that night, if we could bring one of Emmah's parents there, to be a part of the celebration.  I know for years they have vacationed as a family in Colorado, and have a special affection for Colorado Springs, and visiting the Garden of the Gods, where they would take a family photo outside a gift shop there.  They've even had dreams of moving to Colorado someday.  Dreams that have been replaced perhaps by life's stark realities.

Months went by, but the plan was finally put in motion in July, when I reached out to Jeff and Julie via email to make the offer.  Fly one of them out, while the other stays in Joliet, IL to watch the kids.  Have that person take a rental car 2 hours to Beaver Creek on Thursday night, so midday Friday they can be at the finish line to be a part of what is surely to be an emotional moment.  That was the plan. 

I didn't hear back from Jeff or Julie for 3 days, and was wondering what they were thinking.  Little did I know, they were working on their own plan.  Their response was that rather than one of them fly out....both of them would be driving out for the finish.  Apparently neither of them likes to fly. Jeff's brother, Brian, and his girlfriend, would fall on their sword to watch 5 kids for a few days (say a prayer for them!). 

So, Jeff and Julie will leave Joliet sometime on Wednesday afternoon, August 25th, when the kids get home from school, and start an approximate 19 hours drive to Beaver Creek.  If all goes well, they have a hotels waiting from them along the way, and they should be at the finish line in plenty of time on Friday to see not only the leaders come across midday Friday, but Lynn and I (hopefully champions of the 80+ mixed category - ha!), sometime Friday afternoon.  And then they get to join us at dinner Friday night, where I hope all the other 118 teams will be aware of their journey, Emmah's story, and our friendship.  It is for sure to be one of the many highlights of the next two weeks - but this one will be the culmination of my plan that started nearly two years ago.

Ah...I love it when a plan comes together!  Where's my cigar?

KEIYH