Zumbro fun

I have to tell you, Ultras can be a lot more fun when you are not actually running.

Last Friday, I was enjoying a day off, chilling in a camp chair, drinking a brew, chatting with some cool folks. I said, "This is what trail running is all about".

I did end up running a few miles, but it was a quest to find some runners looking for some bonus miles early in the race.

The long and short of it......

I am glad I was not running in the event. I had no business being out there running.

It is a great learning experience to watch these races unfold. You see runners early in the race at different levels of effort, sweat, state of mind, etc.

I even mentioned to one runner, Adam Shwartz-Lowe, "Dude.. relax... you are on a crushing course speed with considerable talent behind you".

Matt Aro, one of the faster Matt's, was behind him at that point only by a few minutes. It was about mile 23, I was about to head home, and was sorry I could not see this battle unfold.

With a finish at Badwater last year, I figured Aro was the most dangerous guy out there.

But... Adam didn't want to have anything to do with that, and preceeded to tear up the course, setting a course record by about an hour and a half.

Great job Adam!

Adam even had a "pacer", but I am not sure who paced who. Maybe the pacer was slowed a little because he was seen drinking a "getting chicked ale" around 2pm at the start/finish area before his pacing duties.

And great job to Matt Aro, Shane from Arizona (ran an extra 4 miles on the first loop, and still managed a killer time), to Gnarly Bandit Daryl for avoiding the blue tarp of death.. and Lynn for almost chicking Daryl.

Grandpa G, for getting out there and showing us that 59 is the 29... you rock!

Great job to master Taylor on a 30th finish of 100+ mile races.

Also a shout out to Aron Schneider (the only Lapham representation), Brian Woods, Susan D, Rob A, Kurt N, and a bunch of others I am forgetting.

Thanks to Bill P for all of the sacrifice of setting up and managing aid station for the better part of 3 days.

And John Storkamp and Larry. You guys rock.