Saturday, June 27, 2009

2009 Run for Ella


2009 Run for Ella
Fayetteville, TN
June 27, 2009




On Sunday at 11:09 am est, I completed a nearly impossible 3 day, 60 mile Stage Race in Chattanooga, TN that culminated in a bushwhacking 20 miler on Signal Mountain in which I had to make up 7 minutes to take over 2nd place; I made up 10. From there, I flew directly to Logan where I proceeded onto New Hampshire for several days of work. All of this came on the heels of a week in DC where I had a conference for work. Bottom line was that I spent 10 nights in a row at hotels and when I got home on Tuesday afternoon, I was utterly fatigued, both mentally and physically.

I actually suffered from fairly severe post-race depression this week as well. Any time you put so much effort and focus into a single event and train for it over a several month period, once it is over you have a tremendous high, followed by a bottomless low period. These post race let-downs have been documented well but they vary from person to person. For me this one was very low. I didn't want to run, read about running, be around runners or even think about lacing up my shoes again. Yet I had a consecutive days run streak at stake, so I suffered through the minimum miles this week leading into Friday.

I was also fighting some physical pains as well as the mental demons. My toes were not blistered, but actually bruised from the trail running in Chattanooga. I also had a mild ankle sprain that halted my Friday morning run when I could barely put any weight on it. I was very nervous about being physically able to run in the Run Across Alabama to start on July 1. My ankle was wrapped or iced on Friday night right up until the time I went to bed.

So when I got up on Saturday morning at 4:15am, I had no business thinking about a trail race. But I am a firm believer that you can ask your body to do so much more than you think it can actually do. So many times I have gone to the well and asked my body to recover on no rest, race all out when I am not healthy or done something that my head knows is not the right thing.

Yet I was very moved by the battle that little Ella has fought through and it made me realize that any pain that I have is minor as to what she has gone through. I felt like it was my job to take my fleet feet to Fayetteville and run my ass off for that little girl. Not just to donate my $30 toward her cause but to show her what is possible when you believe and have heart. At well before 6am, we were off to the Run for Ella 5k.

I was reminded of a fortune that I pulled from a cookie at PF Chang's last Friday night: 'Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.' Despite all circumstances stacked against me, it was my duty to race on this day.

As for the race itself, it was a low key affair that really boiled down to two ultra competitive runners, Jason Reneau and myself. My plan was to stick with Jason stride for stride. I knew that he had been doing big miles as well and that neither one of us was in top shape but together we could push each other across the grass field and through the mountainous trails and give the crowd a good show at the finish.

At the start, the DJ played 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem in the minutes leading up to the start. I had just been listening to it in the car, so this last minute adrenaline rush was just what I needed to carry me. At the start, we trailed a younger kid with a mohawk, as well as a local high school girl, both of which faded slightly by the time we hit the grass field. I ran right behind Jason as we winded around the first field, logging the first mile in 5:41. The sweat was pouring off me in the 80+ degree heat and nearly unbearable humidity. I had put some ice on my visor prior to the start, but that moisture had long since evaporated.

We continued on through the second field around the perimeter, which was another 1/2 mile. We were chased by a young kid who had stayed with us now for nearly 9 minutes, but as we passed the aid station and headed up the first hill, he slowed down and it turned into a two man battle.

The ruggedness of the narrow jeep trails was made only worse with the recent mountain bike race that was held on the course when it was muddy. That mad had since dried and was not rutted, and with the loose rock and winding nature of the course with the quick up and downs, meant the pace would slow severely, even as the effort remained all out. We were giving it everything we had and managed a respectable 6:33 second mile.

From the 2nd mile we made a sharp left turn and started to climb. We ascended 60' in the first 400' after the turn before claiming that back over the next quarter mile. The major climb started at 2.25 miles were we went from 750' of elevation up to 850' in less than two tenths of a mile. Despite the climb, Jason and I continued to run stride for stride together. I would pull closer on the hills and he would slightly pull away on the downs and flats. Together we worked, pushing each other to run the best we could, given the conditions and the course.

The second half of the 3rd mile was mostly back downhill and we picked up the pace as the technical trails continued. We passed through the last aid station and just as the two before it, we both took water and splashed a drink in our mouths and the rest over our head. We clocked what would seem like a slow 7:18, but I don't think it is possible to run this mile any faster.

Coming out of the woods and onto the last straight away along the edge of the field toward the finish was a thing of beauty. We were now at top speed and as we weaved in and around people still making their first loop, we were digging deep. Just like I am sure Ella has had to do in her fight back after the accident, we fought as hard as we could. We ran the last one tenth of a mile in under 28 seconds, which is about 4:30 pace; something I can't do in training, but at the end of a race your body can amaze you in what it can do.

In the last few meters, Jason kicked and I kicked. As I did, I realized that today it was not about winning, but about how we were able to work together to run the best time possible. I am not saying that I gave up, or let him win; what I am saying that on this day, a 1-2 finish of Reneau and Charette at 20:00:00 and 20:00:97 was a perfect ending to a race in which we put it all on the line.

So for a little girl that I have never met and will probably never see again, Jason and I tried our best to enrich her life and motivate her comeback with a very competitive race in which we gave it everything we had.

In the end, none of my pains mattered and we ran through the heat and the course like we owned it. It was not about us, it was about that little girl that lead 400 people to the woods of Tennessee.

Ella we wish you the best.


Sunday, June 21, 2009

2009 Chattanooga Stage Race: Day 3 - News Article

Breeze Helps Runners On Final Day Of Stage Race
posted June 22, 2009

Reprint from www.thechattanoogan.com

When 112 runners met Sunday at the soccer fields west of Nolan Elementary School on Signal Mountain, 76 had already run 40 miles in two days on two other Chattanooga mountains (Lookout and Raccoon). The early morning temperatures, already in the mid 70s, threatened to continue the hot weather trend of the last two days. Luckily for the runners a cool breeze accompanied them as they made their way around Signal Mountains trail system.

The days results were consistent with the previous two days with Signal Mountain local and Rock Creek Team Member/Boonies Board Member Matt Sims and Eric Charette of Huntsville, AL trading off the lead and Aaron Drevlow of Stillwater, MN and Lee Simril of Chattanooga finishing in third and fourth respectively, as they had the two previous days.

Mr. Charette arrived at the first aid station 3.3 miles into the race just seconds ahead of Mr. Sims, but Mr. Sims quickly took the lead and finished the challenging 20 miles in 3:02:54 winning the stage and the three days cumulatively in a time of 8:36:16 for the total 60 miles. Mr. Charette finished second for the stage and second overall in 8:56:29 and Aaron Drevlow finished third in 8:59:57. First place master's male finisher Lee Simril had a cumulative time of 9:16:25.

Robin Meagher finished first female for the day in 3:32:22 and for the overall three-day standings in 9:49:46. Brenda Simril of Chattanooga was 6 minutes behind for the day and only 20 minutes behind for the three days. Signal Mountain local and Rock Creek Team Member Natalie Sims rounded off the top three womens finishes with a 3:49:27 for the day and a 10:26:57 overall.

The course featured two new trail sections this year; the most memorable, a cave traverse, occurred at 11 miles.

Runners came from thirteen states. The youngest finisher was Shane Shelton, 17, of Harrison, Tenn. and the oldest finisher was Sergio Bianchini, 68, of Eastridge, Tenn.

Proceeds from the race benefit Boonies, a non-profit trail enthusiasts' club based in Chattanooga.

The three-day event was supported by Smartwool, Rock Creek Outfitters, Boonies, Greenlife, Salomon, Hammer Nutrition, Marmot, Archer Physical Therapy, the Lula Lake Land Trust, Covenant College, and numerous local volunteers and support agencies.

For more information on the stage race, go to www.rockcreek.com/stagerace.

Stage 3 Results

1 3:02:02 Matt Sims M 37 Signal Mountain,TN
2 3:09:28 Eric Charette M 33 Huntsville,AL
3 3:19:20 Aaron Drevlow M 35 Woodbury,MN
4 3:28:44 Lee Simril M 44 Chattanooga,TN
5 3:28:46 Lance Steele M 38 Ringgold,GA
6 3:28:47 Michael Greene M 41 Chattanooga,TN
7 3:30:51 Sheridan Ames M 48 Signal Mountain,TN
8 3:31:04 Mitchell KohlmannM 27 Chattanooga,TN
9 3:32:22 Robin Meagher F 28 Atlanta,GA
10 3:32:41 Roxanne Zobava F 33 Atlanta,GA
11 3:32:58 Sal Coll M 48 Chattanooga,TN
12 3:38:28 Brenda Simril F 41 Chattanooga,TN
13 3:40:37 Jeff Woody M 45 Knoxville,TN
14 3:41:07 John Wiygul M 19 Chattanoga,TN
15 3:43:24 Sean Blanton M 23 Atlanta,GA
16 3:45:37 Tyler Dawkins M 27 South Pittsburg,TN
17 3:47:03 Chad Wamack M 38 Chattanooga,TN
18 3:47:04 Kevin Boucher M 30 Chattanooga,TN
19 3:49:02 Natalie Sims F 35 Signal Mountain,TN
20 3:49:55 Sergio BianchiniM 68 East Ridge,TN
21 3:51:56 Matt Silva M 33 Atlanta,GA
22 3:53:01 Joshua Bateman Loveswhit, M 21 Decatur,AL
23 3:53:02 Whitney Medlen F 22 Madison,AL
24 3:53:07 Johnny Pryor M 48 Nashville,TN
25 3:55:10 Michael ScherzerM 42 Ringgold,GA
26 3:55:48 Eric Fritz M 41 Huntsville,AL
27 3:56:22 Joseph Fejes M 43 Hoschton,GA
28 3:56:32 Chris Lollar M 32 Birmingham,AL
29 3:57:05 Brett Noerager M 38 Homewood,AL
30 4:01:23 Dreama Campbell F 36 Chattanooga,TN
31 4:09:09 Clay Warner M 26 Ringgold,GA
32 4:09:10 William Warner M 56 Ringgold,GA
33 4:09:31 Amy Bourie F 30 Fayetteville,NC
34 4:17:41 Marcus Farris M 19 Huntsville,AL
35 4:19:14 Mark Mason M 40 Chattanooga,TN
36 4:25:52 Sarah Woerner F 19 Dunlap,TN
37 4:25:57 Carl Woerner M 46 Dunlap,TN
38 4:27:09 Doug Dooley M 47 Signal Mountain,TN
39 4:28:05 Shane Shelton M 17 Harrison,TN
40 4:30:14 Peter Greene M 37 Ringgold,GA
41 4:34:07 David MaGuirk M 42 Thompsons Statn,TN
42 4:36:25 Greg Myers M 44 Dallas, GA
43 4:45:35 Beverly Brower F 28 Ridgeland,MS
44 4:47:06 Scott Black M 44 Barbourville,KY
45 4:48:28 Nathan Helton
46 4:48:49 Laura Matejik F 27 Huntsville,AL
47 4:50:05 Linda Scavarda F 25 Toney,AL
48 4:50:06 Joey Butler M 41 Madison,AL
49 4:51:33 Doug Cassiday M 43 Maysville,GA
50 4:51:50 Lisa Arnold F 40 Hendersonville,NC
51 4:53:06 Joey Howe
52 4:55:56 Blake Hamby M 32 Birmingham,AL
53 4:58:11 John Brower M 33 Ridgeland,MS
54 4:59:39 Stephanie CurranF 39 Litchfield,NH
55 5:00:17 Heath Foster M 24 Lookout Mtn,GA
56 5:00:41 Perry Sebastian M 49 Columbus,GA
57 5:01:02 Jadyn Stevens M 32 Fairview,TN
58 5:01:08 Vikena Yutz F 38 Dallas,GA
59 5:01:10 Jamie Medlen F
60 5:03:05 Nicole Howe F 34 Maryville,TN
61 5:04:22 Mike Hopton M 57 Daphne,AL
62 5:07:06 Keppy Baucom M 26 Fayetteville,NC
63 5:07:07 Pennington Garvitch
64 5:16:54 Lisa Zaccarelli F 40 Nashville, TN
65 5:17:31 Krist Battalni F 34 Chicago,IL
66 5:17:42 Diane Taylor F 52 Nashville,TN
67 5:20:37 Larry Rigsby M 57 Signal Mountain,TN
68 5:23:22 Beth Rice F 50 Knoxville,TN
69 5:27:58 Mark Elson M 49 Woodstock,GA
70 5:29:38 Philip Sheridan M 34 Minneapolis,MN
71 5:31:00 Kim Pike F 42 Atlanta,GA
72 6:00:54 Jim Heirigs M 50 Lakeland,TN
73 6:00:55 Alissa Schild F 28 Lakeland,TN
74 6:00:55 Emily Conley F 37 Lakeland,TN
75 6:01:52 Tracy Sproule F 38 charlotte,NC
76 6:04:55 Mike O'Melia M 47 Hampton Cove,AL
77 6:05:20 Kimberly Fuller F 37 Atlanta,GA
78 6:07:14 Larry Lyda M 54 Spring City,TN
79 6:14:36 Mimi Hughes F 53 Taft,TN
80 6:23:18 Nikki Lockhart F 39 New Tazewell,TN
81 6:23:19 Bobby Lockhart M 41 New Tazewell,TN

Overall Results (for all 3 days)

1 8:36:16 Matt Sims M 37
2 8:56:29 Eric Charette M 33
3 8:59:57 Aaron Drevlow M 35
4 9:16:25 Lee Simril M 44
5 9:26:48 Lance Steele M 38
6 9:33:20 Mitchell Kohlmann M 27
7 9:40:43 Kevin Boucher M 30
8 9:46:04 Sheridan Ames M 48
9 9:49:46 Robin Meagher F 28
10 10:00:18 Sal Coll M 48
11 10:09:58 Brenda Simril F 41
12 10:16:53 Matt Silva M 33
13 10:21:22 John Wiygul M 19
14 10:26:57 Natalie Sims F 35
15 10:27:32 Jeff Woody M 45
16 10:27:33 Joseph Fejes M 43
17 10:29:38 Tyler Dawkins M 27
18 10:37:21 Sergio Bianchini M 68
19 10:37:59 Marcus Farris M 19
20 10:43:02 Chad Wamack M 38
21 10:51:58 Johnny Pryor M 48
22 10:52:38 Doug Cassiday M 43
23 10:58:48 Joshua Bateman Loveswhit M 21
24 10:59:11 Whitney Medlen F 22
25 10:59:34 Michael Scherzer M 42
26 11:01:36 Brett Noerager M 38
27 11:16:09 Chris Lollar M 32
28 11:27:50 Amy Bourie F 30
29 11:52:55 Jadyn Stevens M 32
30 11:54:27 Mark Mason M 40
31 12:00:53 Joey Butler M 41
32 12:05:31 Sarah Woerner F 19
33 12:08:05 Carl Woerner M 46
34 12:16:26 Doug Dooley M 47
35 12:25:18 Linda Scavarda F 25
36 12:36:17 David MaGuirk M 42
37 12:40:59 Scott Black M 44
38 12:42:18 Philip Sheridan M 34
39 12:45:19 Shane Shelton M 17
40 12:57:41 Beverly Brower F 28
41 13:16:17 Peter Greene M 37
42 13:33:34 Blake Hamby M 32
43 13:56:41 Lisa Arnold F 40
44 13:57:52 Vikena Yutz F 38
45 14:00:16 Stephanie Curran F 39
46 14:04:22 Mike Hopton M 57
47 14:12:12 Krist Battalni F 34
48 14:25:08 Beth Rice F 50
49 14:43:35 Larry Rigsby M 57
50 14:55:13 Kim Pike F 42
51 14:59:50 Kimberly A. Fuller F 37
52 15:29:05 Diane Taylor F 52
53 15:30:00 Mike O'Melia M 47
54 15:43:22 Emily Conley F 37
55 15:57:16 Larry Lyda M 54
56 15:58:28 Alissa Schild F 28
57 15:58:30 Jim Heirigs M 50
58 16:00:20 Mimi Hughes F 53
59 17:31:06 Nikki Lockhart F 39
60 17:31:06 Bobby Lockhart M 41

Saturday, June 20, 2009

2009 Chattanooga Stage Race: Day 2 - News Article

Wheeler Leads Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race After Day 2
posted June 21, 2009

Reprint from www.thechattanoogan.com

It was another hot day for the 112 runners of the second stage of the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race. Following a tough 22-mile run on Lookout Mountain yesterday, Saturday's course gave the runners another challenge as they maneuvered Raccoon Mountains single track trails comprised of rolling hills and numerous zigzags.

Yesterday's winner, Josh Wheeler, returned on Saturday and turned out a 2:07:25 for the 18 mile course. Eric Charette of Huntsville finished second in 2:19:25 and Matt Sims of Signal Mountain, last years overall race winner, finished third in 2:20:36. Local masters runner Lee Simril finished in 2:31:43.

In the womens division Roxanne Zobava of Atlanta ran a 2:37:31. Yesterdays stage winner, Robin Meagher of Gwinnet, Georgia finished second in 2:41:23 and last years Masters female winner, Floridian Lisa Purul ran a 2:48:06. Robin Meagher is the first place women for the two stages.

The final stage of the three-day event begins at 8 a.m. Sunday at the soccer fields behind Nolan School at Shackleford Ridge Road on Signal Mountain. Sunday's race will be the most technically challenging yet. Although the 20 mile course is shorter than the first day on Lookout Mountain, runners will run some of the toughest trails in the area.

For more information on the stage race, go to www.rockcreek.com/stagerace.

Day Two Results

1 2:07:25 Josh Wheeler M 21
2 2:19:25 Eric Charette M 33
3 2:20:36 Matt Sims M 37
4 2:21:44 Aaron Drevlow M 35
5 2:31:43 Lee Simril M 44
6 2:32:43 Kevin Boucher M 30
7 2:33:13 Mitchell Kohlmann M 27
8 2:33:47 Lance Steele M 38
9 2:35:17 Matthew Kahrs M 28
10 2:35:30 Jason Mitchell M 26
11 2:35:35 Doug Cassiday M 43
12 2:37:31 Roxanne Zobava F 33
13 2:40:46 Sal Coll M 48
14 2:40:47 William Warner M 56
15 2:41:21 Sheridan Ames M 48
16 2:41:23 Robin Meagher F 28
17 2:45:51 Marcus Farris M 19
18 2:47:53 Matt Silva M 43
19 2:48:06 Lisa Purul F
20 2:48:10 Jeff Woody M 45
21 2:48:12 Natalie Sims F 35
22 2:48:14 Joseph Fejes M 43
23 2:48:15 Sergio Bianchini M 68
24 2:48:34 Brenda Simril F 41
25 2:50:46 John Wiygul M 19
26 2:51:43 Tyler Dawkins M 27
27 2:52:54 Eric Fritz M 41
28 2:53:50 Chad Wamack M 38
29 2:56:26 Brett Noerager M 38
30 2:56:40 Johnny Pryor M 48
31 3:02:24 Jadyn Stevens M 32
32 3:03:55 Greg Myers M 44
33 3:03:59 Joshua Bateman LoveswhitM 21
34 3:04:20 Whitney Medlen F 22
35 3:04:25 Chris Lollar M 32
36 3:07:35 Michael Scherzer M 42
37 3:08:14 Philip Sheridan M 34
38 3:10:16 Scott Black M 44
39 3:15:54 Linda Scavarda F 25
40 3:15:55 Joey Butler M 41
41 3:16:48 Yoli Bell F 42
42 3:18:22 Doug Dooley M 47
43 3:18:59 Amy Bourie F 30
44 3:22:08 Mark Mason M 40
45 3:22:58 Carl Woerner M 46
46 3:23:54 Matt Karzen M 42
47 3:24:06 Sue Kelly F 48
48 3:24:45 Tish Fernandez F 38
49 3:26:40 Sarah Woerner F 19
50 3:27:27 Mark Elson M 49
51 3:34:02 Belinda Young F 40
52 3:35:45 Shelley Ruth F 25
53 3:36:20 Laura Matejik F 27
54 3:36:35 Rick Ferguson M 39
55 3:38:45 Peter Greene M 37
56 3:39:12 David MaGuirk M 42
57 3:40:31 Jennifer Samway F 41
58 3:42:17 Beverly Brower F 28
59 3:46:13 Shane Shelton M 17
60 3:47:22 Nicole Howe F 34
61 3:47:52 Kimberly A. Fuller F 37
62 3:48:48 Nancy Lewis F 44
63 3:50:52 Kim Helms F 36
64 3:52:04 Paul Talbott M 45
65 3:52:05 Anita Jones F 33
66 3:53:26 Mary Deakins F
67 3:53:27 Charlotte Myers F 33
68 3:53:30 Stephanie Curran F 39
69 3:53:37 Krist Battalni F 34
70 3:54:23 Blake Hamby M 32
71 3:56:51 Sissy Jones F
72 3:57:20 Beth Rice F
73 3:58:02 Emily Conley F 37
74 3:58:43 Mike Hopton M 57
75 4:02:15 Josh Henderson M 28
76 4:02:51 Lisa Arnold F 40
77 4:03:05 Larry Rigsby M 57
78 4:03:07 Foley Bell F 27
79 4:03:09 Kelley Hill F 37
80 4:06:27 Jim Heirigs M 50
81 4:06:28 Alissa Schild F 28
82 4:07:20 Drew Kelly M 61
83 4:08:08 Diane Taylor F 52
84 4:08:28 Edward Tate M 38
85 4:14:27 John Brower M 33
86 4:16:33 Craig Conley M 38
87 4:17:24 Kim Pike F 42
88 4:19:51 Vikena Yutz F 38
89 4:19:51 Tom Wilson M
90 4:19:54 Mike O'Melia M 47
91 4:20:26 Mimi Hughes F 53
92 4:24:22 Wayne Conley M 61
93 4:29:29 Tracy Sproule F 38
94 4:29:33 Michael Owens M 63
95 4:29:43 Larry Lyda M 54
96 4:49:07 Jim Johnson M
97 4:52:19 Bobby Lockhart M 41
98 4:55:21 Joe Brown M 61
99 5:19:11 Sharon Totten F 46
100 5:30:07 Marisa Foster F 33

Cumulative Results (Days One and Two)

1 4:48:41 Josh Wheeler M 21
2 5:34:14 Matt Sims M 37
3 5:40:37 Aaron Drevlow M 35
4 5:47:01 Eric Charette M 33
5 5:47:41 Lee Simril M 44
6 5:53:39 Kevin Boucher M 30
7 5:58:02 Lance Steele M 38
8 5:59:56 Matthew Kahrs M 28
9 6:01:05 Doug Cassiday M 43
10 6:02:16 Mitchell Kohlmann M 27
11 6:15:13 Sheridan Ames M 48
12 6:17:24 Robin Meagher F 28
13 6:20:18 Marcus Farris M 19
14 6:24:57 Matt Silva M 43
15 6:27:20 Sal Coll M 48
16 6:31:11 Joseph Fejes M 43
17 6:31:30 Brenda Simril F 41
18 6:37:55 Natalie Sims F 35
19 6:40:15 John Wiygul M 19
20 6:44:01 Tyler Dawkins M 27
21 6:46:55 Jeff Woody M 45
22 6:47:26 Sergio Bianchini M 68
23 6:51:53 Jadyn Stevens M 32
24 6:55:59 Chad Wamack M 38
25 6:58:51 Johnny Pryor M 48
26 7:04:24 Michael Scherzer M 42
27 7:04:31 Brett Noerager M 38
28 7:05:47 Joshua BatemanLoveswhit M 21
29 7:06:09 Whitney Medlen F 22
30 7:10:47 Joey Butler M 41
31 7:12:40 Philip Sheridan M 34
32 7:18:19 Amy Bourie F 30
33 7:19:37 Chris Lollar M 32
34 7:20:44 Sue Kelly F 48
35 7:35:13 Mark Mason M 40
36 7:35:13 Linda Scavarda F 25
37 7:39:39 Sarah Woerner F 19
38 7:42:08 Carl Woerner M 46
39 7:49:17 Doug Dooley M 47
40 7:53:53 Scott Black M 44
41 7:55:54 Matt Karzen M 42
42 8:02:10 David MaGuirk M 42
43 8:12:06 Beverly Brower F 28
44 8:17:14 Shane Shelton M 17
45 8:31:48 Belinda Young F 40
46 8:37:38 Blake Hamby M 32
47 8:42:29 Paul Talbott M 45
48 8:42:37 Anita Jones F 33
49 8:46:03 Peter Greene M 37
50 8:52:06 Charlotte Myers F 33
51 8:52:23 Josh Henderson M 28
52 8:54:30 Kimberly A. Fuller F 37
53 8:54:41 Krist Battalni F 34
54 8:56:44 Vikena Yutz F 38
55 9:00:00 Mike Hopton M 57
56 9:00:37 Stephanie Curran F 39
57 9:01:46 Beth Rice F 50
58 9:03:14 Jennifer Samway F 41
59 9:04:51 Lisa Arnold F 40
60 9:04:51 Foley Bell F 27
61 9:04:52 Kelley Hill F 37
62 9:08:06 Drew Kelly M 61
63 9:11:59 Yoli Bell F 42
64 9:22:58 Larry Rigsby M 57
65 9:24:13 Kim Pike F 42
66 9:25:05 Mike O'Melia M 47
67 9:41:32 Craig Conley M 38
68 9:42:27 Emily Conley F 37
69 9:45:44 Mimi Hughes F 53
70 9:46:10 Wayne Conley M 61
71 9:50:02 Larry Lyda M 54
72 9:57:31 Jim Heirigs M 50
73 9:57:33 Alissa Schild F 28
74 10:11:23 Taylor Diane F 52
75 11:07:47 Bobby Lockhart M 41
76 11:21:14 Joe Brown M 61

Friday, June 19, 2009

2009 Chattanooga Stage Race: Day 1 - News Article

Trail Runners Complete First Day Of Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
posted June 20, 2009

Reprint from www.thechattanoogan.com

Josh Wheeler completed the first day of of the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race with the fastest time of 2:41:16.

The promise of unseasonably warm weather met the 105 ultra-runners competing in the first stage of the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race. Organized by the Chattanooga-based Wilderness Trail Running Association (aka "Boonies") and Rock Creek Outfitters, the race, in its third year, covers 60 miles over three days and three mountains.

The first day consists of a 22 mile course on Lookout Mountain, which is comprised of a loop within the Lula Lake Land Trust, using two new trails opened this year within the main property as well as a new trail opened last year that connects Lula Lake to Covenant College. Once at the college, runners complete a loop in and around the cross country running park and then return to Lula Lake for a second loop within the main trust property.

The tough trails were no match for Josh Wheeler of Signal Mountain who completed the course in 2:41:16. Second place was last years overall winner, Matt Sims, also of Signal Mountain. Lee Simril finished the day a close 2 and a half minutes behind Matt. Robin Meagher of Gwinnett, Georgia finished with a 6 minute lead over Chattanooga local Brenda Simril.

The majority of the 95 finishers crossed the line before the temperatures peaked at 94 degrees. The forecast calls for consistently warm weather for the next two stages.

Saturdays 18 mile race on Raccoon Mountain begins at 8:00 at Laurel Springs Picnic Area. The course is single track with rolling hills and should provide the runners some respite in terms of challenge.

The final stage of the three-day event starts at 8 a.m. Sunday at the soccer fields behind Nolan School at Shackleford Ridge Road on Signal Mountain. Sunday's race will be the most technically challenging of the three days. The final run will not only tax the runners with 20 miles, but it is likely that these are the toughest 20 miles of trails in the area. There are five difficult, rocky climbs, and numerous technical sections on the mostly single track and Jeep road course.

For more information on the stage race, go to www.rockcreek.com/stagerace.

1 2:41:16 Josh Wheeler M 20
2 3:13:38 Matt Sims M 37
3 3:15:58 Lee Simril M 44
4 3:18:53 Aaron Drevlow M 35
5 3:20:56 Kevin Boucher M 30
6 3:24:15 Lance Steele M 38
7 3:24:39 Matthew Kahrs M 28
8 3:25:30 Doug Cassiday M 43
9 3:27:36 Eric Charette M 33
10 3:29:03 Mitchell Kohlmann M 27
11 3:33:52 Sheridan Ames M 48
12 3:34:27 Marcus Farris M 19
13 3:36:01 Robin Meagher F 28
14 3:37:03 Michael Greene M 39
15 3:37:04 Matt Silva M
16 3:42:56 Brenda Simril F 41
17 3:42:57 Joseph Fejes M 43
18 3:46:34 Sal Coll M 48
19 3:49:29 Jadyn Stevens M 32
20 3:49:29 John Wiygul M 19
21 3:49:43 Natalie Sims F 35
22 3:52:18 Tyler Dawkins M 27
23 3:54:52 Joey Butler M 41
24 3:56:38 Sue Kelly F 48
25 3:56:49 Michael Scherzer M 42
26 3:58:45 Jeff Woody M 45
27 3:59:11 Sergio Bianchini M 68
28 3:59:20 Amy Bourie F 30
29 4:00:28 Jeffrey Walton M 33
30 4:01:48 Joshua Bateman M 21
31 4:01:49 Whitney Medlen F 22
32 4:02:09 Chad Wamack M 38
33 4:02:11 Johnny Pryor M 48
34 4:04:25 Dreama Campbell F 36
35 4:04:26 Philip Sheridan M 34
36 4:08:05 Brett Noerager M 38
37 4:09:04 Cathi Cannon F 34
38 4:12:59 Sarah Woerner F 19
39 4:13:02 Brian Crooks M 44
40 4:13:05 Mark Mason M 40
41 4:15:12 Chris Lollar M 32
42 4:18:27 Sean Blanton M 23
43 4:19:10 Carl Woerner M 46
44 4:19:19 Linda Scavarda F 25
45 4:22:58 David MaGuirk M 42
46 4:29:49 Beverly Brower F 28
47 4:30:55 Doug Dooley M 47
48 4:31:01 Shane Shelton M 17
49 4:32:00 Matt Karzen M 42
50 4:36:53 Vikena Yutz F 38
51 4:43:15 Blake Hamby M 32
52 4:43:37 Scott Black M 44
53 4:45:11 Lon Hays M 51
54 4:50:08 Josh Henderson M 28
55 4:50:25 Paul Talbott M 45
56 4:50:32 Anita Jones F 33
57 4:53:17 Rebecca Reynolds F 35
58 4:57:46 Belinda Young F 40
59 4:58:16 Carl Epley M 34
60 4:58:39 Ryan New M 27
61 4:58:39 Charlotte Myers F 33
62 5:00:46 Drew Kelly M 61
63 5:01:04 Krist Battalni F 34
64 5:01:17 Mike Hopton M 57
65 5:01:43 Kelley Hill F 37
66 5:01:44 Foley Bell F 27
67 5:02:00 Lisa Arnold F 40
68 5:04:26 Beth Rice F 50
69 5:05:11 Mike O'Melia M 47
70 5:06:38 Kimberly A. Fuller F 37
71 5:06:47 Travis Morgan M 30
72 5:06:49 Kim Pike F 42
73 5:07:07 Stephanie Curran F 39
74 5:07:18 Peter Greene M 37
75 5:12:28 Cliff Simpson M 38
76 5:19:53 Larry Rigsby M 57
77 5:20:19 Larry Lyda M 54
78 5:21:48 Wayne Conley M 61
79 5:22:43 Jennifer Samway F 41
80 5:24:59 Craig Conley M 38
81 5:25:18 Mimi Hughes F 53
82 5:25:25 Linlee Sherrell F 25
83 5:36:32 Jack Reynolds M 41
84 5:44:25 Emily Conley F 37
85 5:47:58 Steve Durbin M 54
86 5:48:1 Cassandra Ralls F 33
87 5:51:5 Alissa Schild F 28
88 5:51:9 X X
89 5:55:11 Yoli Bell F 42
90 5:55:12 Wendy Oates F 37
91 5:57:10 Cliff Pierce M 25
92 6:3:15 Diane Taylor F 52
93 6:4:54 Jeffrey Vieyra M 62
94 6:15:28 Bobby Lockhart M 41
95 6:25:53 Joe Brown M 61

Saturday, June 13, 2009

2009 Alabama A&M 10k


2009 Alabama A&M 10k
Huntsville, AL
June 13, 2009
Official Results






Well this race is advertised as hot, hilly, humid and hard. The dreaded four h's that do not equate to fast times. Having run this race in 2008 I can attest to the fact that you are running for place and not for time at the Alabama A&M 10k.

Today lived up to it's billing, as the humidity was 90% when I woke up and despite the sun buried behind the clouds during warm ups, it managed to rear its ugly head just before the 7:30am start. The field was full of good runners which is about par for this race. For the most part, only serious runners show up for this road race and the rest of the rookies in the field just don't know how difficult the second half of this race can be.

My plan was to take the pace out hard for the first 1.7 miles from central campus out along Chase Road to the turn around. This section is in general downhill, with a net 42' of descent. Plus we had a slight tail wind which would aid our progress. By going out hard it would create some separation between the leaders and the rest of the pack and then I would do my best to hold on in the second half, as we would climb the dreaded hill twice in the last two miles.

From the start, Josh Whitehead went out very hard, which is his style. With no Varrick Clay on this day, it would take a catastrophic debacle for him not to cruise to the win. Zach Koch and I ran out together, with me leading after the first half mile. I knew that Zach was younger and a better runner, but I had my plan which was to run hard early, so I lead him by just a few seconds as we ran toward the turn. I was feeling really well through the first mile, clocking 5:20.

I slowed slightly as we ran toward Moores Mill Road and just before the cone, Zach held his pace and passed by me into 2nd place. We each made the turn and for the first time we saw the rest of the field. Though I was out to run my race, I did notice that Donald Bowman was very close, followed by Shane O'Neil, Emily Hardin and a few others. It would take my best effort to hold off Donald for 3rd place and to stay ahead of Shane for the much needed HTC Gran Prix Points in the open male division. With Josh in the lead, he would earn the top spot of 100 points, but earning 85 would drop one of my 65 point efforts and bump me from 805 to 825. David Riddle was not running, so for the time being, I held the lead, which I have had since Rocket City Marathon.

Making the turn and heading back toward the east, we faced a slight headwind, but nothing too fierce. I took water at the aid station, mostly to dampen my throat and to throw the rest over my head. I had decided not to wear a singlet in this race, given the warm weather. I lapped the second mile in 5:41, putting me at just over 11 minutes for two miles.

The third mile begins the long slow climb across the railroad tracks and into campus. The mile marker is at the top of Chase hill and near the next aid station, where Lisa Greene (wife of Mike Greene, race director) was working. She was very encouraging, though I was feeling anything but great. My 3rd mile was 5:59 and had me at 17 minutes with the hard part of the course yet to run. Coming off of the aid station is a great downhill section, in which I really opened up my stride again and may have created some distance between myself and whoever was closest to me at this point in the race; I was not turning around to look and had planned on saving this until the turn back into campus where it would be easier to see back. With this downhill section and dropping a net 120 feet, I was able to get the pace back down near my goal pace average of 5:47.

The last two miles of this course mean hitting the 100' hill (over 1/3 mile) twice. This hill is straight up to start and then has a 90 degree turn where it continues to climb, albeit at a less degree of incline. This hill, in my honest opinion, is harder than the Cotton Row hill. I maintained a running form, though I was moving very slowly. I glanced at my watch as I came to the top of the hill and I was averaging 7:30 pace for the mile. Coming back through the start area, I knew that today was not going to be my day. The heat had gotten to me and I was starting to develop fatigue in my legs. It would be an exercise of holding on in the truest form. It was encouraging to see others that were on their first loop and run strong by them but it did not provide enough of a lift to keep me going.

Donald had closed the gap now and as he mentioned to me later, he was feeling strong late in the race and he knew that he would be able to close and pass me. I tried to stride it out down the hill but still ran a very disappointing 6:19 5th mile. Just before the turn into campus Donald passed me and I tried to give him some encouragement, telling him to run down Zach. Dropping to 4th was a big blow to my mental state and I was heading into round number two with the hill.

I was able to take a quick look back running into campus, but it was hard to tell the difference between the first and second lappers with a glance. I would just have to finish as strong as possible and see how it would work out. I had thoughts of taking a few walking steps up the hill, but about half way up I saw Madison Magergee and he shared some very encouraging words with me, which really helped. Had I not seen him, I probably would have walked for at least a few steps.

Cresting the top of the first hill and climbing toward the apex, I started to build some momentum. With a strong finish, I would be able to come in under 37 minutes, which ironically, was my goal for the race! After the six mile mark, it is all downhill into the finish which makes for a fast last 0.214 miles. It involves a left and then another left, running back toward the school at the finish. I picked up the pace and pushed hard right through the tape, running at 5:14 pace after the top of the hill.

So in the end, despite feeling horrible on the second half of the course (which is to be expected and having run the race before, I should have known this), I managed to run 36:44 and beat my goal target of 37 minutes. On this day, only 4 people would break 37 minutes, with me being the last. The under 40 minute awards were handed out (I love this concept by the way Mike! Drawing the line in the sand at 40 is very reasonable and signifies a good finishing time, plus I love awards) to 9 total people.

The top 6 finishers are listed below, including the overall winner Josh, the masters winner Donald and the first female, Emily.

PLACE NAME AGE TIME
1 Josh Whitehead, 30 - 34:43
2 Zachary Koch, 23 - 35:49
3 Donald Bowman, 41 - 36:30
4 Eric Charette, 33 - 36:44
5 Shane O'Neill, 37 - 37:26
6 Emily Hardin, 25 - 37:27

Thanks to Mike for another successful year of race directing and to Carl Smith for timing. Also, to the volunteers on the course and those at the finish that make it all happen, I send you my thanks. Also, to Dean Bentley for a financial stipen to top runners:) I look forward to next year and despising this course once again!