Days and nights of 30 Below
Frostbit my nose and can't feel my toe,
Timberwolf paw prints dot the snow,
Am I still on the trail or where do I go?
Since I left I-Falls I wonder why,
I must be crazy to even try,
I'm determined to finish,
but I won't lie,
The Arrowhead Trail seems tougher than I.
135 miles of Arrowhead snow,
Frostbitten fingers and blistered toe.
Timberwolves howl and owl eyes glow;
Hallucination or Northern Lights show?
Frostbite Falls to Vermillion sky;
Afraid of the dark? So why even try?
Fearless will finish; fearful will cry.
Only the toughest will dare apply.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Safe and secure
Rachel is with Rick now and they are heading in Rachel's vehicle to pick up some other racers before they make their way toward home. If I get anymore phone calls from Rick, I will pass along the information.
Kristy Wagar
Kristy Wagar
Tracking
Turned off tracking. Will post more when i can. Rachel is safe. I'm sure I will see her soon.
Stopped
Rachel and two others are resting, contemplating their next move. They are safe in their bags. They don't think they can make the cutoff. This may be the end of road.
Slow Going
Still moving slowly. 8-10 inches of snow over night. Will be flirting with the 2 pm cut off.
Deep Snow
Rachel is a bit discouraged. Snow is deep. 4 more inches since midnight. She continue to slug it out. She's about 15 miles from the second checkpoint.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Takin' care of business
Time spent at the Gateway store was all about business. Rachel fueled up wih a cheeseburger and some mac and cheese, changed shoes and socks, and dried some of her clothing. She feels good and there are no major issues. After brushing her teeth and running a comb through her hair that ended up toothless (A different definition of "trail head!), she packed up and headed out leaving 9 people still at the Gateway store. Many have already given up the challenge for this year.... Rachel remains focused leaving the Gateway store at 7:20 p.m. to continue her journey in the snowy overnight hours. Godspeed,, our focused friend!
Clipping Along
Rachel is making very good progress averaging a little over 5 MPH. A consistant steady effort so she must be feeling well.
The Start
Rachel made it to the start. You have no idea how huge that is. The effort it takes just to get there is tremendous. Years in the making. Now the fun begins. I'm sure she is pinching herself.
As Rachel begins her 135 mile journey, I'll be in the shower getting ready to go to work. I'll be headed up to I-Falls and hope to meet her at the first checkpoint somewhere between 5-7 tonight.
As Rachel begins her 135 mile journey, I'll be in the shower getting ready to go to work. I'll be headed up to I-Falls and hope to meet her at the first checkpoint somewhere between 5-7 tonight.
Ready To Go
Rachel is up, focused and ready to go. All the prep is done. Now it's just time to execute.
You will go to work this morning after she starts, get home from work and be eating your evening meal when she reaches the first checkpoint. She'll then have just 100 miles left to go. Kind of a sobering thought.
Winter storm watch for the I-Falls area today and tomorrow. Not to worry though. If the weather gets really ugly, Rachel has the mandated saftey equipment with her to keep her warm and safe for quite a while.
You will go to work this morning after she starts, get home from work and be eating your evening meal when she reaches the first checkpoint. She'll then have just 100 miles left to go. Kind of a sobering thought.
Winter storm watch for the I-Falls area today and tomorrow. Not to worry though. If the weather gets really ugly, Rachel has the mandated saftey equipment with her to keep her warm and safe for quite a while.
Local News
Here is a report on the AH135 on last nights news. Seems they forgot to mention that you can do it on foot as well. Is riding a bike cheating?
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/74326
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/74326
Saturday, January 26, 2013
What Is The Arrowhead 135?
Strength - Endurance - Solitude - Survival
For those interested in following Rachel's Arrowhead 135 adventure and have no idea what she is doing, I'll try and fill you in on what sort of epic adventure she's on.
The Arrowhead 135 is a winter ultramarathon that starts in International Falls, MN (the icebox of the nation) and makes its way 135 miles along the Arrowhead State Trail with the finish near Tower, MN. The AH135 is considered one of the most difficult human powered events on the planet. Many have started. Few will finish and cowards won't show. Who is tougher than the Arrowhead? What does it take?
Strength
The surface is snow. Your feet sink in. Think sandy beach but colder. Some miles are relatively flat though there is a 60 mile section through the middle that is nothing short of brutal, seemingly never ending hills. Other than that, it's not too bad.
Endurance
135 miles on foot is difficult no matter the circumstance. They generously give you 60 hours to get it done.
Solitude
You are basically alone and on your own. When you haven't seen another human being for hours, the dark gets darker. The dead quiet gets a little spooky. A snowmobile may pass once in a while but they just look at you funny.
Survival
The weather. Minnesota winters are cold and you supply your own heat. But it's a dry cold.
Mile after mile of tree lined trail with snow crunching under foot is taxing no matter the weather. If you get tired, thirsty or hungry, don't look for an aid station as there aren't any. This is considered a self supported event where you take your food, water, clothing and shelter with you when you leave I-Falls and carry it all the way to the finish. At 3 points along the way, volunteers will put a check by your name, refill your water, offer you a sandwich then boot you out the door. There is a list of equipment that you must carry at all times which is mandated for safety. You are your own rescue should you get into trouble.
There isn't much that doesn't freeze at -20 so food selection is critical. Being you are moving all the time, you are burning calories all the time which means you need to be eating almost constantly to keep the body fueled/revved up and generating heat. If you get cold, move faster but don't sweat. Below zero temps and wet clothes is a big no no. You need to keep hydrated. Most carry their hydration on their body under clothing so it hopefully won't freeze.
The vision you have is of strolling along 135 miles of natural winter beauty.
Although there is much beauty to take in along the trail, the reality of the AH135 is more like this:
Most will not finish on their first attempt and on a good year more will not finish than those that do. Those who return will usually find success on their 2nd or 3rd try. Some have 4+ starts and not a finish though they keep coming back. There have been years when only 1 person finished.
The big question. Why?
I was going to try and answer the question that is most frequently heard among Arrowhead participants but I can't because it is different for everyone. Here is the best answer I can come up with as to the why. Written by Canadian ultra runner David Blaikie.
"It makes no sense in a world of space ships and supercomputers to run vast
distances on foot. There is no money in it and no fame, frequently not even the
approval of peers. But as poets, apostles and philosophers have insisted
from the dawn of time, there is more to life than logic and common sense. The
ultra runners know this instinctively. And they know something else that is
lost on the sedentary. They understand, perhaps better than anyone, that the
doors to the spirit will swing open with physical effort. In running such
long and taxing distances they answer a call from the deepest realms of
their being -- a call that asks who they
are."
-- David Blaikie
-- David Blaikie
Friday, January 25, 2013
Arrowhead 2013
Perspectives Before and After
As Rachel prepares for her Arrowhead journey that she will embark on in a few days, here is her perspective from 2 years ago when she volunteered at one of the checkpoints.
http://shootruntrisubmit.blogspot.com/2011/02/arrowhead135-prospectors-perspective.html
It will be interesting to hear from her on the other side.
http://shootruntrisubmit.blogspot.com/2011/02/arrowhead135-prospectors-perspective.html
It will be interesting to hear from her on the other side.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Arrowhead 2013
With the start of Arrowhead just a week away I thought I should let everyone know that I'm not entered in this years event. At times I'd like to say, "Been there. Done that." and never mention the word Arrowhead again but I can't. This year I'll be headed up there to watch Ultra Friend Rachel see if she's tougher than the Arrowhead.
In the mean time, I'm excited that Rachel has decided to take on the challenge and I'll try and keep all interested updated on how she's doing.
There is a link on the right hand side of the blog to click on to see if she's out on a training run and there will be another link for race day on Monday the 28th.
Rachel's last big event was a difficult 100 mile event on the north shore of Lake Superior. Check out her blog (Shoot.Run.Tri.Submit) on the right side of the page for her race report.
In the mean time, I'm excited that Rachel has decided to take on the challenge and I'll try and keep all interested updated on how she's doing.
There is a link on the right hand side of the blog to click on to see if she's out on a training run and there will be another link for race day on Monday the 28th.
Rachel's last big event was a difficult 100 mile event on the north shore of Lake Superior. Check out her blog (Shoot.Run.Tri.Submit) on the right side of the page for her race report.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Signing A Waiver
I signed up online for an event in December. I clicked trough the waiver like I always do but something caught my eye that made me go back and read it through.
Release of Liability
I understand that running is a strenuous activity and has some inherent risk, some would say moreso on the trails than on a treadmill inside some meat-market gym. But then, who’s going to listen to “some” when your friends drag you out onto the dirt for more than what a treadmill can provide? Having heard just enough, though likely not researched enough; and likely not listened hard enough about the Coyote genre of trail running events from other Coyote Veterans, and thus chosen to subconsciously or consciously forget/ignore, I realize that my inattention to my own health and well-being cannot be cause for my ranting at the organizers, sponsors and supporters, in all their sizes and forms and personalities, for whatever mental grievance or alleged physical discomfort I may concoct just to please my own self-centered sense of how right I always am and how wrong the rest of the world should recognize it is. In signing, I hereby and therefore aver and avow that I recognize the risks of trying to participate in the Cajun Coyote trail run towards the objective of crawling into bed Saturday night (Dec 1st) or Sunday morning (Dec 2nd) in as good health as I brought to the game Saturday morning, and that there is no medical reason (beyond the sanity piece my doctor seemingly wants to bring up more often than I’d prefer) that I should not attempt to run and enjoy my long hours, from morning’s light and potentially into the deep, deep, deep darkness of night, and dang, maybe even into Sunday morning. Some say, and others have confirmed, that running on trails poses many hazards, not limited to falls, slips, trips, dips, caca weather, swamp monster and bayou bogeyman attacks in broad daylight or deep, deep, deep darkness of night, and generally a whole bunch of other dangerous conditions that you don’t want to read about, but have heard from those “some” and “others” that often motivate the more skittish in life just to sit in their cocooned condo and have all their food and household possessions delivered to their doorstep and/or conduct their interaction with the outside world almost completely via online resources, and who wait impatiently glued to C-SPAN coverage in hopes that Congress will magically implode and we’ll return to that fantasy world of benevolent government catering to all citizens’ wishes. Considering all that I’ve acknowledged above, summarily, I fully assume (and promising not to parse that into the proverbial you and me looking like an ass) all risks of illness, spillness, fulfillness, thrillness, injury or (yes, my Precious) even death, and release covenant (that means something legal to cover the butts of the lay people who couldn’t figure out how the lawyers sustain their livelihood off of saps like us) not to sue or otherwise pursue legal judgment, and discharge the CajunDip (“The Dip”), the Coyote Cohorts and its volunteers, Chicot State Park and its jurisdictional parent organization, and all other contributors, or other agents (except them clan-dess-tine fed’ral guys who may have a part in them swamp monsters showin’ up) from all actions (meaning, here, the legal definition of the term, cuz otherwise, you’ll be “active” when you’re running or hanging out consuming Cajun yummies at the Finish, so isn’t that “action” too, which now suggests you shouldn’t be doing it, right?), claims or demands for damages arising out of my participation in the Cajun Coyote events. The foregoing release (and, gee, isn’t there a lot of it?) is binding on me personally, as well as upon my heirs/’airs/airs (whichever or all of which may apply), executors, and administrators (and if I have that many and can afford them, then if I survive the weekend mentally intact, perhaps I’ll send a few Jacksons, Grants or Franklins back to the Coyote Cohorts for their much depleted coffers brought on by having to pay a hefty legal fee for creating this waiver), and/or all members of my family who might make claim on my behalf. I also confirm that I bear the full burden for reading and taking personal ownership of all salient information (by which rolling multi-syllabic presentation means anything The Dip took time to craft and put in front of my eyes) provided to me on the Cajun Coyote website and/or sent to me via e-mails from The Dip that pertains to my participation in this event, such that should I either fail to read the messages or ignore their significance to my preparation and running in the Cajun Coyote madness, any complications I experience (for example, forgetting to pack my lucky Mongo Monkey in my fanny pack because I just got SO excited about going to Chicot State Park that I lost sight of my priorities) is my own goll darn fault, and any whining on point will be appropriately discredited and serve as fodder for being ridiculed at public settings before, during and after Cajun Coyote. Two more things: (1) I realize there will be Ultra Paparazzi spread throughout the Cajun weekend, and any images of myself that they capture may be used at will by them and event management to highlight not only what an incredibly fit and able runner I am, but other shortcomings as well, including but not limited to fashion sense, eating manners, swilling of drinks, any lack of entertainment skills, and/or general human comportment (crawling to the Finish line, or upchucking out of an Aid Station, included). (2) I also aver and avow that if my sanity isn’t medically discharged before Cajun Coyote expires deep, deep, deep into Saturday’s darkness or after Sunday’s quirky murky sunrise, the beneficent part of me may actually incite me to share some of my premium hooch with one or more of the Volunteers who gave up their weekend so that mine could be as self-indulging as I care to make it. OK, now I’m done. Here I go now to sign my name as record of my lack of common sense but complete willingness to abide by the above provisions (not to be confused with the semi-edible provisions which may be awaiting me at any or all of the aid stations I will encounter while suffering, er, enjoying my miles of the Cajun Coyote Trail Run. Gosh, thinking of such rich culinary experiences has my mouth watering already!!).
Release of Liability
I understand that running is a strenuous activity and has some inherent risk, some would say moreso on the trails than on a treadmill inside some meat-market gym. But then, who’s going to listen to “some” when your friends drag you out onto the dirt for more than what a treadmill can provide? Having heard just enough, though likely not researched enough; and likely not listened hard enough about the Coyote genre of trail running events from other Coyote Veterans, and thus chosen to subconsciously or consciously forget/ignore, I realize that my inattention to my own health and well-being cannot be cause for my ranting at the organizers, sponsors and supporters, in all their sizes and forms and personalities, for whatever mental grievance or alleged physical discomfort I may concoct just to please my own self-centered sense of how right I always am and how wrong the rest of the world should recognize it is. In signing, I hereby and therefore aver and avow that I recognize the risks of trying to participate in the Cajun Coyote trail run towards the objective of crawling into bed Saturday night (Dec 1st) or Sunday morning (Dec 2nd) in as good health as I brought to the game Saturday morning, and that there is no medical reason (beyond the sanity piece my doctor seemingly wants to bring up more often than I’d prefer) that I should not attempt to run and enjoy my long hours, from morning’s light and potentially into the deep, deep, deep darkness of night, and dang, maybe even into Sunday morning. Some say, and others have confirmed, that running on trails poses many hazards, not limited to falls, slips, trips, dips, caca weather, swamp monster and bayou bogeyman attacks in broad daylight or deep, deep, deep darkness of night, and generally a whole bunch of other dangerous conditions that you don’t want to read about, but have heard from those “some” and “others” that often motivate the more skittish in life just to sit in their cocooned condo and have all their food and household possessions delivered to their doorstep and/or conduct their interaction with the outside world almost completely via online resources, and who wait impatiently glued to C-SPAN coverage in hopes that Congress will magically implode and we’ll return to that fantasy world of benevolent government catering to all citizens’ wishes. Considering all that I’ve acknowledged above, summarily, I fully assume (and promising not to parse that into the proverbial you and me looking like an ass) all risks of illness, spillness, fulfillness, thrillness, injury or (yes, my Precious) even death, and release covenant (that means something legal to cover the butts of the lay people who couldn’t figure out how the lawyers sustain their livelihood off of saps like us) not to sue or otherwise pursue legal judgment, and discharge the CajunDip (“The Dip”), the Coyote Cohorts and its volunteers, Chicot State Park and its jurisdictional parent organization, and all other contributors, or other agents (except them clan-dess-tine fed’ral guys who may have a part in them swamp monsters showin’ up) from all actions (meaning, here, the legal definition of the term, cuz otherwise, you’ll be “active” when you’re running or hanging out consuming Cajun yummies at the Finish, so isn’t that “action” too, which now suggests you shouldn’t be doing it, right?), claims or demands for damages arising out of my participation in the Cajun Coyote events. The foregoing release (and, gee, isn’t there a lot of it?) is binding on me personally, as well as upon my heirs/’airs/airs (whichever or all of which may apply), executors, and administrators (and if I have that many and can afford them, then if I survive the weekend mentally intact, perhaps I’ll send a few Jacksons, Grants or Franklins back to the Coyote Cohorts for their much depleted coffers brought on by having to pay a hefty legal fee for creating this waiver), and/or all members of my family who might make claim on my behalf. I also confirm that I bear the full burden for reading and taking personal ownership of all salient information (by which rolling multi-syllabic presentation means anything The Dip took time to craft and put in front of my eyes) provided to me on the Cajun Coyote website and/or sent to me via e-mails from The Dip that pertains to my participation in this event, such that should I either fail to read the messages or ignore their significance to my preparation and running in the Cajun Coyote madness, any complications I experience (for example, forgetting to pack my lucky Mongo Monkey in my fanny pack because I just got SO excited about going to Chicot State Park that I lost sight of my priorities) is my own goll darn fault, and any whining on point will be appropriately discredited and serve as fodder for being ridiculed at public settings before, during and after Cajun Coyote. Two more things: (1) I realize there will be Ultra Paparazzi spread throughout the Cajun weekend, and any images of myself that they capture may be used at will by them and event management to highlight not only what an incredibly fit and able runner I am, but other shortcomings as well, including but not limited to fashion sense, eating manners, swilling of drinks, any lack of entertainment skills, and/or general human comportment (crawling to the Finish line, or upchucking out of an Aid Station, included). (2) I also aver and avow that if my sanity isn’t medically discharged before Cajun Coyote expires deep, deep, deep into Saturday’s darkness or after Sunday’s quirky murky sunrise, the beneficent part of me may actually incite me to share some of my premium hooch with one or more of the Volunteers who gave up their weekend so that mine could be as self-indulging as I care to make it. OK, now I’m done. Here I go now to sign my name as record of my lack of common sense but complete willingness to abide by the above provisions (not to be confused with the semi-edible provisions which may be awaiting me at any or all of the aid stations I will encounter while suffering, er, enjoying my miles of the Cajun Coyote Trail Run. Gosh, thinking of such rich culinary experiences has my mouth watering already!!).
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Arrowhead Dreams
Days and nights of 30 Below
Frostbit my finger and can't feel my
toe,
Timberwolf paw prints dot the snow,
Am I still on the trail or where do I go?
Since I left I-Falls I wonder why,
I must be crazy to even try,
I'm determined to finish,
but I won't lie,
The Arrowhead Trail seems tougher than I.
Frostbite Falls to Vermillion sky;
Afraid of the dark? So why even try?
Fearless will finish; fearful will cry.
Only the toughest will dare apply.
Timberwolf paw prints dot the snow,
Am I still on the trail or where do I go?
Since I left I-Falls I wonder why,
I must be crazy to even try,
I'm determined to finish,
but I won't lie,
The Arrowhead Trail seems tougher than I.
Frostbite Falls to Vermillion sky;
Afraid of the dark? So why even try?
Fearless will finish; fearful will cry.
Only the toughest will dare apply.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Ultra Life TV
If you are bored on Saturday at noon or Sunday at 1:30, you can
spend a ½ hour learning more about me than you probably care to know.
http://www.valleynewslive.com/category/198155/programming
spend a ½ hour learning more about me than you probably care to know.
http://www.valleynewslive.com/category/198155/programming
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