From owner-ultra@caligari.Dartmouth.EDU Tue Aug 26 13:30:25 1997 From: Nikki Robinson Date: Tue, 26 Aug 97 15:28:14 -0500 To: ius-l@american.edu, ultra@caligari.dartmouth.edu Subject: Mt. Rushmore 100: Final Thoughts Paha Sapa: The Spirit of the Place Engulfs Me. -------------------------------------------------------------------- "When the ceremony was over, everybody felt a great deal better, for it had been a day of fun. They were better able now to see the greenness of the world, the wideness of the sacred day, the colors of the earth, and to set these in their minds." (from "Black Elk Speaks" by John Neihardt) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 35:23:11 was my finishing time. I still can't figure out why the hell it took me so damn long! I did the first half in about 13 hours; the second half took about 22 hours. 22 hours to run 50 miles! Unbelievable. I did get my beer. I sat and sipped it and took off my shoes for the obligatory foot photos. (I'm getting quite a collection of completely gross tootsie shots.) I sat there and actually told my mother that I would not do any more of these until I solve my foot problems. (Thank God for short-term amnesia and Jon Vonhoef. I still have several options to try to avoid the blisters.) I hugged Cheri like she was a childhood friend -- the bonds one forms over the course of a day or two running are incredible. I watched the final runners, Larry Simonsen and Dick West, come in. Then Black Hills gold rings were presented to all the finishers still hanging around, and a drawing was held for two beautiful prints of a Native American. It had been quite a day. ******************************************************************** Would I recommend this race? Well, of course -- it is a beautiful, challenging run in a sacred and holy place. Believe me. This outweighs any problems that the race might have. What are the problems? First are the course markings. They are not bad, but they are not good. One will get lost unless one is highly alert at all times. One will get lost if a course map is not carried in your pack and frequently consulted. Second is the relative paucity of aid stations. An eight mile stretch at the end of a 100 with NO aid is too long. The safest way to complete this run is with a crew. I would not have wanted to rely on the offerings made available solely at the official aid stations. Third is the difficulty of the course. This may not strictly be a problem, but it should be a known factor. The course is tough (I think, but what do I know? This was my first 100). Finally, the unregulated nature of the race might unnerve or be distasteful to some runners. Was I uncomfortable that pacers seemed to be allowed at any time? No. Was I bothered that muling might have occurred? Not really. Was I disturbed at the thought that all runners might not of had to run the entire course? Well, yeah -- seems to me that everyone should have to run the designated course, whether one gets in bonus miles or not by going off course. I should mention that the RD's seem to be aware of some of these problems. I received a copy of the results in the mail a couple of weeks after the race. Enclosed was a summary of changes proposed for next year's race. I have full confidence that Larry and Terry want to improve the race every year. And I must say that you will never meet two nicer guys. They have a passion for this race. Oh, one final caution -- about an hour after I finished, a full-blown allergic reaction to something hit me. I'm guessing that the pine and grass pollens in the final miles were the culprits. I have never had an allergic reaction before, so this was unique. It cleared up overnight with the aid of some anti-histamines. I would also recommend the use of Technu -- poison ivy covers the Hills -- it later covered me because I forgot to apply the preventative. ******************************************************************** And what of the vision? For me, the Mt. Rushmore 100 (and all the days preceding the race) was to be a vision quest. I took a three week vacation, not only to run a race, but to use the time to examine some vocational issues in my life. I did not explicitly confront those; however, I did learn something. I learned about myself -- that I am a strong, capable individual even in the face of pain and despair; I am persistent and patient. Furthermore, and more importantly, I was reminded of the power of place and people, of family and tradition, of the continuity of life. I had the good fortune to be with my sister and her husband a week later as their son was born. I can not tell you the joy I felt as I held young Matt in my arms and gazed out the hospital to the Hills -- to the Paha Sapa, where the spirit of the place engulfs me. Nikki Nikki Robinson Chicago, IL nikki@meena.feinberg.nwu.edu