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