The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Race September 9-10, 2006 Terry Foust Kaysville, Utah Description: The Wasatch Front 100 is run on an end-to-end course that starts in Kaysville, climbs to the top of the range near Francis Peak, goes to Big Mountain above Emigration Canyon, to Parleys Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon, then almost to the top of the Alpine Loop near Timpanogos, and then swings around the range and finally ends at the Homestead in Midway. The elevation gain is an amazing 26,800 feet. My Story: The slogan of the Wasatch 100 Mile Endurance Run is “100 Miles of Heaven and Hell”. Last year my first running of Wasatch (and my first 100 miler) was pretty much at the “hell” end of it, which does make one wonder why I would try it again. This year however the race was a bit more toward the “heaven” end of the spectrum in comparison. Hardly anyone passed me on the trail from Sessions Aid station on and I ran the end in much stronger – asking myself, “What went right?” The whole experience was significantly better for me. After the 2005 Wasatch – I was thrilled to finish but was mentally and physically done in like never before - just like you would expect to feel after a 100 mile ordeal I guess. I finished in 34:12 (the race cut off is 36 hours) with the last 25 miles feeling more like a death march. I vowed I was never going to do that again - and I meant it. I told my wife Beth she should have had a contract at the end of the race for me to sign stating that I would never do it again. I did not feel like running for almost over two months. Absolutely no desire at all. So what happened then? Time post childbirth happened. Time began to do its work on my memory. It became a bit rosier. I missed being out on the trails. I began to think – “I can do it faster”. My friend and long time training partner Brett Bass was determined to run it again to avenge the blisters that had led to his dropping at Lamb’s Canyon the year before. I first listened to Brett talk about it, and then at the end of December I found myself applying for the 2006 race, albeit with somewhat mixed feelings. I think one difference this time is I knew what I was up against and had a healthy “fear” of it which tempered my approach with respect for the distance through out the training season. I told myself that I had until August to drop and get most of my entry fee back. I kept telling myself that right up to the August deadline. People ask me why I would run one of these races. It is pretty hard to come up with an answer people can understand. I think maybe it is a way to have an epic adventure that is extremely challenging in our soft society. Maybe people who run these are like the kind that went west in the old days seeking adventure and challenge. One runner was quoted in the newspaper when asked this question as saying “because there aren’t any more grizzly bears to kill” - maybe that says it. My training went well this year for what I could realistically do in keeping in balance my life responsibilities and needs. I did not have really high weekly mileage (40 – 50 mile weeks) but focused on the long runs which were all done on the course and of good quality. Life has away of interfering with training however – I had a two week trip to Ghana, Africa for a humanitarian project and really could not run there. My wife Beth had major surgery due to a cancer scare in June and we spent the summer close to home recovering. I also ended up training on my own from July on as Brett needed to make some adjustments that were not conducive to Saturday runs and my training partners from last year (Reyn Gallagher and Kirk Dyches) withdrew or were not running the race this year. Fortunately the wonderful thing about ultra running is the great people you meet on the trail. Enter Jeff Lunt – an ultra runner from Bountiful, UT that I met on the trail in the dark at 4:00 a.m. one Saturday morning in July. He was a previous two time finisher - right about my pace and we ended up putting training runs in together through the rest of the summer. He took me though the last 25 miles of the course on our last training run (I had only been on that section during the actual race last year) and it really helped me mentally this time. I also sent out an invitation on the Wasatch website for anyone interested in the first 40 miles one Saturday and we ended up having a good group of 8 runners for that run. My wife Beth crewed us (having her own epic adventures driving through one of the summer’s most severe rain, hail and lightening storms) and we had a great run while making some new friends in the process. My family was very supportive again this year. Like I said, my wife Beth crewed and supported me during all the peak training and my extended family all traveled into town to crew and support me at the race. My parents and my brother and his wife came down from Missoula, Montana, my 87 year grandmother flew in from Seattle, my sister came up from Las Vegas and my parents-in-law were here from St. George – as well as family that live here locally. They all told me later with some pride that they were the largest crew (adding more than my fair share to the congestion at the crew access aids stations - sorry John!). The final week before the race things were hectic. I had a quick trip to Phoenix, AZ on the Thursday before the race, returning to SLC on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Upon returning, I had a 3:00 pm meeting and was about 15 minutes late getting to the race meeting at 4:00. The meeting was short and sweet I weighted in, got my race number and chatted with friends and then headed for home. All the family was over for dinner where we met and reviewed the race, aid stations and took care of all the last minute crewing and pacing details with everyone. To top it off my daughter (who is a high school senior) had a birthday party (18 years) with her high school friends that night at our house. Daddy’s girl. There was not one relaxing thing about the day or evening – but that’s life I guess. Everyone jumped in to help. My brother Mike and his wife Tanya ran last minute errands to the grocery store for some items I was sure I needed. I finally got to bed around 11:30 (was too keyed up to sleep anyway had I been able get in earlier). Got up at 3:30 a.m., taped my feet, got dressed, ate some breakfast (liquid breakfast of Ensure, banana and some toast – yum huh), messed with my pack etc. and before you knew it was time to go. My brother and sister in law were driving us to the start – so we went over to pick up Brett and then went on up to the start at the Kaysville Wilderness Park. We live in Kaysville about 3.5 miles from the start so it was not far. We arrived at about 4:30 a.m. and checked in - then enjoyed the building excitement. I told Mike that the next time I would seen them I would not be looking too fresh. It was fun at the start – seeing friends and runners we had trained or run with before. It is always fun to see some of the more colorful runners and personalities that make things interesting. This year I was running with a green bandana given to me by my friend Karen Ditty, an audiologist I have known and worked with who has MS and is a breast cancer survivor. She had written several things on it – including the phrase, “For those who can not run”. I kept it with me for the race - my dad told me later that he was glad I had it on as it helped him identify me later on the course. Now to the race itself. Temperatures were fairly warm at the start and I hoped they would not be too hot later on. There was a bit of a glitch at the start as someone had misplaced the key to the gate and so after the countdown we had to all funnel onto a single track trail right from the beginning. It was such a narrow opening to start with that it backed us up to even get going past the starting line. It may have been good overall though – kept us from going out too fast - though the line on the trail was more bunched up than I remember last year. Passing was more difficult as well. We went on our way and the lighted centipede of runners was cool to watch both ahead and behind me in the dark. I remember my final pre race run the last Saturday before thinking “I only have to be on this stupid trail one more time” and here we were. The first 3 -5 miles were spent maneuvering among runners along the trail to keep an even pace. Most were great, just had to call out “on your left” and they would let you by. But once on one section (about 4 miles in) I called out to pass on a wider spot on the trail, went forward and received an elbow in the side for my efforts and was knocked back into line. I ran around him quickly at the next wide ready to defend myself if needed. We worked our way up that first awful climb (4000 feet in 6 miles) that gets us up to where the trail heads over towards Chinscraper summit. We had just come through the old hunting camp in the pines at the base of Chinscraper when I felt the need to jump off the trail for some business. Up until now Brett and I had been running together, so I told him I would catch up. When I got back on the trail I joined a fairly long line of runners heading up single file. I could see Brett on the upper switch backs – almost ready to make the final climb up and over the summit. I fell in line and we made it up and over the top. Here a cold wind hit – but not too bad. It was nice and clear with a beautiful view. Just as I pulled myself up over the top, I looked down and saw a small pink and gray piece of granite. I picked it up and put it in my pack – knowing my sister in law Tanya who came all the way down from Montana might like it. I made my way along the trail from Chinscraper with three runners that I would see often for much of the race. We passed several runners along the way and made our way up along the ridges. We had a fair amount of uphill to go before we finally came out on to the old jeep road that heads up to the radar towers. This spot is known as Grobben’s corner (where John Grobben the race director meets the runners with water). This year I was drinking better from the start and I had to fill my bottles here. Then it was on up the road to the towers. I passed our friend Bill Peck here. It was he who inspired Brett and me to first get involved in the Wasatch as pacers so it was great to see him. He said he was off his pace and that Brett had passed him a bit ago. He said he hoped we were not going out too fast. It was not much further along that I met up with Catra Corbett and we ran this section pretty much together to the Francis peak aid station. The road here always seems to go on and on. I could not see Brett ahead – and had not since before Chin Scraper – so I assumed he was really moving and hoped he was doing well. Catra and I talked off and on here and we ended up leap-frogging each other clear through Big Mountain. When we came into Francis peak (mile 18), I saw a boy sitting along the side watching the runners go by – I had just passed him when I realized it was my nephew Braxton – and he me at the same time. He jumped off the bank and ran to catch me. It was a nice lift – just can not describe the encouragement you feel at these aid stations where your friends and family can come support you. Jeff, Dad, Mike and Tanya were there waiting and got me right in a chair where they filled up my bottles while I changed socks and shoes – into my newer Brooks Cascadias (which I really liked through the peak of my training). I ate a PB&J sandwich that they brought up, grabbed my bottles and checked out. Went up the trail and ran pretty much with the same guys I had run with after Chinscraper. We got to where the ATV road got pretty rough and were looking for the faint trail that takes off over and down to the stream before heading up the west side of the mountain towards the Bountiful B aid station – when we heard a yell behind us – and sure enough we had gone by the cutoff. We ran back down and turned on a “trial” that looked like an animal had just run through and tramped down the grass. Not much of a trail that was for sure, but the marker ribbons were there. We ran down to the bottom of the canyon, crossed the stream and then ran along the other side for a while before heading up and crossing the stream again. Then it was pretty much up, up, up and up from there – a pretty stiff climb. It went well however and I felt like it wasn’t too long before I came up and out onto the road where the Bountiful B aid station was. I was downing a drink when up came Brett – somehow I had gotten out ahead of him while he was at Francis peak with his crew. It was great to see him and we filled up our bottles, grabbed something to eat and got on our way. Had a nice boiled red potato here – was just the thing. This next section had some ATV’s and motorcycles coming through kicking up dust before we split off on to single track trail again. Here we ran for a while with a runner from New Zealand who had DNF’d the year before and was here to avenge it this year (and he did). We worked our way up the major climb for this section prior to the Sessions Aid station and then we had some fairly steep and sustained down hill. I went ahead and charged down this (I really felt strong on the down hills the entire race) and before I knew it I had gotten out by myself. I caught up to one of the runners I had run with earlier and we ended up running together from here all the way into Swallow rocks together. I did not see Brett again for the duration of the race. I came in feeling strong at the Swallow Rocks aid station. I had another red potato (those ended up being really good) and some soup here. I really found the food was giving me a needed energy boost and better yet – I had a good appetite. I left the aid station eating on a second big red potato with salt. Now it was off toward Big Mountain and all my crew and family. Only 5 miles away! I was excited to get there and pushed through. There was a stiff uphill climb and some side ridge running here. The aspens were beautiful. Once I came around that final corner and could look down and see the aid station I got stoked. I ran the down hill switchbacks at a good pace or at least it felt like that to me. I could soon hear the crowd cheering runners in with cow bells and then saw a skull and cross bones sign, then the familiar pink flamingos. Passed a young family hiking up and spoke to them briefly as I passed. I think they were kind of stunned that people were going this – that this was an actual race. I came down the final trail decent and crossed the road. Almost 40 miles behind me. My crew and family were waiting – Beth, Jessica, Katlyn, Jay, Grandma Nuse, my parents, brothers Don and Mike, sisters in law Tanya and Emily, sisters Stef and Rose, bothers in law Jeff and Stan and my parents in law – Faith and Stan. It was great. I was quickly escorted up to the scale for the first weigh in. I was down 5 pounds, but still in the safe zone to go ahead. Here I got a little overhaul – new tape on my feet, new socks, drank several cups of fluids and ate a turkey sandwich. We got a good laugh as my brothers and Jeff each grabbed a foot and took care of my feet for me – crew all laughed that it looked too much like a certain type of medical visit with those legs spread out and feet up. Mike said “it sure must be brotherly love to do this”, washing those dirty smelly feet of mine. Soon I was ready to go. At this point (mile 40) runners are allowed a pacer. My brother in law Stan Bassett was to be my first pacer. He paced me last year for this same section. I think he was glad to see that I was fresher at this stage than last year. I felt we made good time as I was going up the up hills at a faster pace and running the flats and down hills – we passed many runners on this section. It is over 13 miles – and seems every bit as long. It is often very hot here, but we had cloud cover and the threat of thunderstorms. While there were a few drops of rain, it stayed dry and cool – which was great as I later heard that to the south of us (Provo) the weather was bad and they were pounded with rain. I heard at the aid station that the storm was so bad in Utah County that they had to suspend the BYU-Tulsa football game. We passed Catra again along here. She seems to carry most of her own supplies and goes right through the stations I think – as it seemed that is where she would get ahead of me. Hearing her singing along with her iPod through here brought a smile to our faces. We finally came down the golden yellow grassy hill to the Alexander Ridge aid station. I filled up my bottles here; grabbed some fruit and we were on our way. Stan was good about pushing me and when we came up behind some runners – he would push me to pass them versus stay behind which I was becoming more and more willing to do. The power line section is one I just detest, it seems to go on and on – so I was revved up when we finally got to the cut off to the trail that led up and over the mountain and down the last section to Lambs Canyon. We headed up and over it at a good pace, then down the rail grade trail. We could see the aid station from here, but it is deceiving as we then switch back and head away from it for a while before turning and going down through the creek bottom before finally coming out at the aid station at Lambs. It was here where we had just got on the trail to go down through the bottom that I saw a runner ahead that I recognized as my training partner Jeff Lunt. It was great to see him. He looked good and said he was feeling strong. We went on by and I could not help but compare to last year when I came through this section as it was getting dark enough to need a light. I was thrilled to come through earlier in day light. Along the bottom before the last turn I saw a guy hiking up the trail. It was Reyn Gallagher. Again it was great to go by and high five him. Soon we turned the last corner and there was the aid station. 53 miles over with! Weighed in (weighed the same as at Big Mountain) and then up to the parking lot to get some food in and get ready for the upcoming night section. Again was great to see everyone here. My pacer for the Big Water to Brighton section Mike Burch was already there and was a great support. After the weigh in I got up to the parking lot (where the crew area was) and Beth helped me get some soup and fluids down. Got my bottles filled up and changed clothes. It still seemed warm to me – I was hot and really thought about not changing at all, but got talked into it. I changed into a long sleeve technical shirt, long running pants and put some light cotton gloves in my pack and was ready. My brother Don was my pacer for this section. We left Lambs Canyon and started up the road which goes up for a couple of miles before coming to the trailhead. We did not need to turn on our lights until we arrived at the trailhead. There is an outhouse there where last year I remember seriously wanting to lock myself in and my pacer out. Glad to say I did not have those feelings this time. Don and I headed up the trail that came out at the top of Bear Bottom pass. We made good steady progress and passed several groups of runners. It was warm and I was sweating in my clothes. I wished I had stayed in my shorts and short sleeved shirt. Soon (relatively) we were at the top and headed down some ugly down hill. My mom had bought Don and I both a nice hand held flashlight that was unbelievably bright, small and light. It worked so well that I ended up not even using my head lamp. It was great. I usually would not try something new on race day – but was glad I did this time. We had some nice conversation as we went – which for me is an indication of my misery level – if I can talk and carry on a conversation – all is well (poor Roger, my pacer at the end - he would ask me a question and I would tell him I couldn’t talk right now. I could not think about maintaining a conversation then). We eventually got down to the road and headed up the 3 miles to the Big Water aid station. Don was strong and I know he could have paced a much longer section. The road up went on and on and on and there were a fair number of cars coming down and up – all crew vehicles I guess. Most were good to dim their lights for us. Finally we came to the aid station where I weighted in - again same weight –so I was maintaining. Here we met our crew (Beth with Mike, Tanya, Dad, Jeff my daughter Jessica and son Jay). I ate quickly here – had a cup of noodle soup at the station and a burger and a frosty from Wendy’s (exactly what I asked Beth to bring. That frosty especially went down well – quick calories). I had to get moving again though so I would not get chilled and waste time. Here my pacers changed again and my long time friend Mike Burch came on board. He was to run me in from Big Mountain to Brighton – about 13 – 14 miles. He was terrific too. He kept us going at a good pace, gaining in enthusiasm as we passed other runners and continued to make good time. The night was just right for running, a large almost full moon, great temperatures (cool but not too cold) and quiet stillness. Sometimes other runner’s voices would break the quiet, carried by the still night air. We made our way up to Dog Lake, went by it and then we had a long steep, narrow down hill trail to navigate. It was a bit tricky as it was deep and rutted, forcing our feet to pronate sharply inward. We then turned on a side trail heading east and began a stiff climb up to Desolation Lake. I was really glad to see the fire of the Desolation Lake aid station by the time we got there. I am really appreciative of the volunteers at this aid station and the food and drink they have here as they have to backpack it in. I had a hot cup of soup with noodles here and some cola (the one thing that I seemed able to continue to want and drink). We were careful not waste anything as it had been so carefully carried up. Mike kept our time here short – strictly to eat and drink and then we were on our way. I looked up at a few lights I could see climbing Red Lovers ridge ahead of us and tried not to get depressed at the thought of the climb. I then remembered it was essentially down hill from there to Brighton and we headed up. It really was not bad and before we knew it we were at the top – pausing for a moment to appreciate the view from Red Lovers Ridge and catch a breath. This is a nice spot as you can see Park City in one direction and Salt Lake City lights the other. We negotiated the kind of tricky spot in climbing over the rocks and then hit the nice trail that runs parallel to the ridge line across the mountain side toward Scotts Pass. This remains one of the nicest sections in my memory. The trail was nice and runnable; I was feeling well and moving at a good pace with good company. Mike kept me entertained – he did a great face plant in the trail after tripping on something – one minute he was there in front of me talking away and the next flat on the ground sputtering. I rather enjoyed that at that time of the night – woke up my tired mind. Thinking back though the amazing thing was I never tripped and fell on the trail – all 100 miles. How does that happen? Soon we saw the lights of Scotts Aid station ahead to the right. We had to run around the mountain side on an ATV type trail to it – but was sure nice to get there. They had a tent with a heater which was full of runners – most not looking so good. I did not even go inside. I stopped outside briefly to nock the rocks out of my shoes and grabbed a drink and another cup of soup with noodles. We took right off and I ate the soup on the way down the trail. Then we hit the down hill and ran most of it at a pretty good pace for that time of the night and stage in the race. We passed several runners and pacers in the last dark and damp bottom part of the dirt road before it comes out onto the paved road (Guardsman) that would take us down into Brighton. It was great to pop out onto the road and have it smooth for a while. We would turn our lights off as they were not needed in the moon light – only turning them on when an occasional car would come up the road. It was now 3:30 a.m. or so. About a mile from Brighton Mike called my wife Beth on his cell phone to tell her we were coming in. We made it into Brighton at 3:45. Nothing like coming up those steps into that aid station! Here I was weighed again. This was the last weigh in and now my weight was back up to my start weight… can’t figure that one out. It was nice here as John & Kristin Wojciechowski (who own Striders running store) were working the aid station and John greeted me right at the door. It was nice to see them and get an encouraging word. I told Mike and my crew coming in to not let me stay longer than a half an hour –to kick me out at 4:15. I bee lined it for the bathroom, used the facilities and quickly brushed my teeth quickly with the provided tooth brushes and came out to re-tape my feet, change socks and refuel. My pacer Rodger Parcel was not even there yet – when Beth called him – he was still 10 minutes away – so I told them I was going to go ahead and go – and that he could catch up when he got there. I got changed and made return trip to the bathroom and was ready to go. When I came out of the bathroom – there was Keith Klundt – my pacer from the year before. I think he was surprised to see that I was doing pretty well and feeling positive. Last year I was really entertaining thoughts of dropping at Brighton – and he had to literally slap some sense into me (hence the joke among my crew on who “gets to slap Terry” this year?). Rodger arrived just then so I grabbed him and told them “138 out” and headed on up. The next section was uphill – up to the top of Catherine’s Pass and Point Supreme – the highest point in the race. Last year it was getting light out when I left, but now it was all in the dark. It went well however and Rodger’s enthusiasm kept me going up over the rocky trail and up to the top. Now we had a long steep and sustained downhill with some sharp drop offs to the side – a real fall it you stumbled. I remember this part really hurting my lower legs last year – but I continued to feel strong on the down hills and had Rodger run it all the way down and into Aunt Knolls aid station. I think we could have gone faster, but Roger was concerned I might twist an ankle at this point in the race or stumble and go off the side. We came into Aunt Knoll’s aid station (mile 80.27) and they were just cooking breakfast (this aid station is known for its breakfast food) and we were the first breakfast that they served. I had a pancake and a sausage quickly, downed a drink, topped off my bottles and then we started up the aptly named “grunt” – the next steep up hill section (and it is an ugly grunt too). This is the depressing thing about this course, - every time you go down – you know have to go right back up… We made it to the top just as the sun was rising and it was an absolutely beautiful morning. Rodger particularly enjoyed it and we felt lucky to be there alive high on the mountain top in the newly dawning morning. One of those times you feel grateful to be alive and doing what you are doing. The next section was nice and mostly runnable through some very pretty aspen groves, white trunks among the varied greens of the under brush. We ran on and eventually came into the Pole Line pass aid station (mile 83.39). Here I had a drop bag with warm weather clothes and I really wanted to make a change into a pair of running shorts and a short sleeve shirt as I was already running warm and the day was going to heat up. I quickly found and grabbed my drop bag and went behind a big bushy pine tree – the only one close around. In my haste (and being tired I guess) I pulled my running pants down to take them off and realized I had not removed my shoes. I then heard the laughing of women’s voices and turned and looked up to see that the trial leaving the aid station came around to the rear of the tree and I had inadvertently mooned some women coming along the trail (hikers or aid station help I guess). In my embarrassment I tried to hastily pull up my pants, but my tired legs cramped and I hopped a few times and then fell over sideways – still with my pants around my ankles. I was not too tired to be embarrassed by it all. After finally getting successfully changed, Roger and I ate some fruit, soup etc. I grabbed cup of hot chocolate and sipped it down the trail. One thing I do not like about the trial here is it is fine powder like sand for about 150 yards or so – hard to go through and the grit gets in your shoes. But soon we were through it and headed around to American Fork Canyon the last major climb of the race. Now we were clicking off the “lasts” and that was nice. It was here I had real down spot – not quite keeping right up with Roger – but dropping 20 – 30 paces behind. But after we topped out and came out into the sun, I perked back up and kept right on his heels. This section is nice and runnable – going along the side of the mountains through aspen groves etc. The next aid station was Rock Springs (mile 87.39) and we came upon it as the sun was starting to warm things up a bit. They had a hard frost there that night and the workers were still cold. Again here they had had to pack in all the water and food. I ate some grapes here and got a drink and we headed back out. I think I should have eaten a bit more here as I was pretty depleted by the time we got to the next aid (and last aid station). This upcoming part is some of the hardest mentally. There are some really steep down hills, but then it goes back up and then down and then back up….. ad nauseum. You just have to gut it out – but to me it seems like the longest six miles there is in the whole race. I continued to feel strong on the down hills though and pounded right through them – even pushing Rodger a bit on them. We finally hit the long down hill coming into Pot Bottom – the final aid station at 93.13 miles. Here I did run ahead and after a long run down through the canyon we finally arrived at Pot Bottom. At the aid station I asked for a PBJ sandwich – not because I wanted one – but because I knew I needed to force some food down for energy. I was feeling a real lack of energy here. I did not feel nauseated, but just not feeling like eating for the first time. I ate the sandwich and drank a few cups of coke and told Roger “let’s go”. 7 miles left to go. I mentally hated this last up hill section – absolute hated it. We had to take an ATV road back up to the top of the ridge, crossing a stream several times. It was the last long steady uphill – not a really steep climb like the others – but late in the race at this point any up hill starts to feel like a major effort. We finally got to the top and turned off to Lime Canyon. Wahoo – was I happy about that. Talk about smell the barn! We headed down and after a half a mile or so – I felt like I could push it so I passed Roger and we ran down it and almost all the way in from there. We passed couple of runners with hiking poles that were moving along who later told me they really tried to catch us – but we were just moving too fast on the down hill. I was really looking for the turn off for the water tank – where I knew we would make a short up hill climb past the tank and then the final turn onto the trial that would take us down to the road and the final mile to the finish. It felt so good to get on the trail and push. It is a nice dirt trial though trees with meadow grass. We ran down the trail and were just about to pop out onto the road when there in the trail was my son Jay, my brothers Mike and Don and my brother in law Jeff. It was great to see them. The end was near! I looked at my watch and saw that if we really pushed it I could maybe make it before the clock turned 32 hours. Jeff called the waiting crew and family and told them I was going to try to run it in. We got to the corner where the Blue Boar Inn is and there was my sister Stephanie and my two daughters. So I had a nice entourage as we came down the road. That last mile could not go fast enough though, ugh. Finally I came to the turn and ran across the grass to the finish line. My family and friends had lined both sides along the finish coming in and high-fived me though to the finish line. Had to bend over and catch my breath for minute after that last ditch effort to run fast. The finish was great – made so by having so much support from family and friends. Our long time friends and neighbors the Scorseby’s were there – which was real nice thing. I just could not have imagined such great support from everyone. When I got my official time it was 31:59 - so I did barely make it before the clock turned 32 hours. OK - I know it is just a few seconds, but it still sounds better than 32. In all 233 runners started and 151 finished the race with in the time limit. After visiting I went over and had a shower – which is kind of hard there. The showers we are to use (and are grateful for) are over at the Homestead swimming pool area. They are so small that it is hard to get your legs and feet clean – because you can hardly move – no room and the stiffness that is starting to set in. If you drop the soap you are in trouble because you have to bend over, you are stiffening up and the stall is so small narrow. Then you have the pressure of a bunch of tired crabby guys waiting their turn to get in so you feel like you got to get in and out quickly. Was great to have a few hours to cheer in the other runners and talk with running friends about their race etc. Got a massage from the massage therapists there who I know - Ivan and his wife Joan. They also fed me from the BBQ they had going – was great ( I had eaten food Beth and crew had brought but was famished – and stayed that way for several days!). Saw the runner I first paced two year ago - Shane Martin and his wife. It was he who got me fascinated with the race by having me as a pacer. He had a good race time this year and is talented runner. Came home and while my feet felt like I needed to be off them – I was not ever really sore. Visited with family that evening, got up at 7:00 a.m. the next morning and spent the day with my out of town visiting family. Just continued to feel great. All in all a terrific race. I fully realize that it was one of those times that everything happened to go right – those kind that occasionally come along where everything falls into place and I am grateful. I know that anything can and does go wrong and that each event is its own beast. Thanks to the many friends and associates who watched and tracked my progress on line – my friend Ralph Keim even watched the progress on line from his home in Germany. I continue to be grateful for the wonderful support. Thank You’s to: Crew: My wife Beth (my crew all summer for training as well) My daughters Jessica and Katlyn and my son Jay My dad, brother Mike and his wife Tanya Brother in law – Jeff Bassett Family Support My Mother My Grandmother My Sisters Rose and Stephanie My Sister in Law Emily Parents in Law Pacers: Stan Bassett Don Foust Mike Burch Roger Parcel