Day 3 of The Quest

25 miles. Feeling much better after reaching 12,500 and not getting sick. Only had to go up to 11,750. George and I are cranky for the 1st 12 miles and we are not working well as a team. I wanted to join Jo and Sat after 12 miles. But after we cleared 11,750 we started running better as a team. I am having a lot of trouble running downhill on the trails. I much better when I get to the flat areas.
We were running to Camp Hale ( an old Army Camp). Once I get to the flats I feel great. Both George and I are able to make up a lot of time. We are having a friendly rivalry with the OLD GOATS(see photo) Steve(64) and Doug(69). They kicked our butt on Tuesday we beat them on Monday mainly because it was flat and only a small climb (1000ft). We could not make-up enough time to catch them...but we pick off a couple of other teams. We passed Jo and Sat but Jo was not feeling well...she had a case of sun stroke.

After the race we soaked our legs in a cold stream...that felt great. Camp Hale was a real nice place with a restaurant and running water and a toilet. But NO Internet access. We had a good dinner and watch the award ceremony. Our friends Christina and Kendra are in second place for the mixed 80's. Team Achilles( see photo above)

An UpDate

Hi All

Wanted to let everyone know we ALL MADE IT!!! Finally have Internet access and battery. Will up date everyone with days 3-6. Either tonight or tomorrow. Have to get ready for the banquet that starts in 30 minutes.

Day 2 OF THE QUEST

Need to be brief...battery low...Sick as a dog Monday night...did not think i would make Tuesday was in my tent at 7:00 with the chills etc...I thought the Quest was over after 1 day. Fever broke at Midnight. Was very weak and had to climb to 12,500 on Tuesday. Make a long story short. We made it. Thanks to a lot of help from a lot of people. We ended up teaming up with a total of 8 people and we help each other through the ordeal. Speaciall thanks to OLD Goat Steve. But a Big,BIG Thank You to Jo who paced us all the way up and all the way down. It was the best feeling I have had in a very long time when reach 12,500. I hope to post some photos if the battery holds out.

Day 1 Of The Quest

Started out early got up at 6:00am too nervous to sleep. Peed and poop 1000x. Met everybody downstairs for breakfast at 7:00. After breakfast Peed and Pooped 100x more. Then off to the start line it was 80 degrees not happy. But we were with all of our new friends and everyone was anxious to get it started. The Race started at 10:00. George and I started off on our quest. It was supposed to be an easy run 12.9 miles. NOT that easy. We finished in about 2 1/2 hrs. I think the altitude killed me and it seem like it was all UPHILL all the way.

Have felt better...but hope to come back strong tomorrow. We have to climb to 12,500. Off too dinner.

George: For those of us that know and love Fred, let me simply say that his colon is problematic. We all know the rest of the story.

Well, the news flash of today is the temperature... it's too hot for this insanity and we are hoping for a tornado tonight to change the air pressure in the rocky mountains. Nonetheless, we did okay today... no major tactical errors, but there were spots that we could have went a bit slower. Paulie, we took a sugar tablet when we were feeling crappy and I think it helped.... even if it didn't, we think it did... so mission accomplished.

Tomorrow will be a unique day.... signficicant 3 mile clime to 1250 feet and then a long descent. We can do it, because after all.... this is a VISION QUEST !

Until tomorrow.

T-1 The Race Begins Tomorrow But We Did a Preliminary Tonight In A ThunderStorm

George: To my fellow runners ... I am proud of you and please be safe, put your troubles aside for a week and have a great race ! God Bless, see you at the campfire.

To my daughters, Nikki and Chynna... I love you and I will see you soon.

Freddy : Good Luck everybody!!! Enjoyed today...hope to do the same tomorrow.

Katie, Freddy and Helen I hope you are reading the Blog and I miss you guys!

Days 163 & 164

Up at 5:00am slept about 2hrs Thursday night. Said goodbye to Katie and Freddy & Helen. Got to the airport no problem plane was on time. Leave it to me sit next to a DNC delegate from NJ slotted to vote for Obama. Well we got into a shouting match and the plane almost had to be diverted !!!! JUST KIDDING...She was a nice little old lady with her husband. I was a good boy and did not talk politics.

The plane landed early, got my luggage and went to find George. Found George then went to find our ride. We had a little wait for the shuttle so we had lunch. After lunch we found the shuttle and 4 more Transrockie runners. Then off to Buena Vista a 21/2hr ride. It was a nice ride got to talk to the other 4 runners. We all had a story about our training.

We got into our hotel around 3:30. Unpacked, and went across street for dinner with our new friends. We had a good time with a lot of laughs. Saw some pretty powerful lighting storms after dinner. We were in bed at 8:30. Long day but did not feel that horrible. Slept halfway decent...the ear plugs worked...George did not snore too much.

Saturday, woke up early and went down for some breakfast and decided to go for a short run. At breakfast we met Jo and Sat our UK blogging buddies who had gotten in late Friday night. They decided to join us on our run. It was nice easy run down to the river and we did not feel too bad. But the Altitude was felt. We also hooked up with some more folks from Toronto and we all went to dinner together. It was a nice day.

This is George: ditto above regarding meeting some new friends.
We are assessing our new friends intent for the race.... looking clandistinely for those that can meet our goal to run slowly and arrive safely. What we are finding is a diversity of experiences and folks that are vets of ultramarathons, folks that have coaches, folks that have sophisticated support networks.... I fear that we are doomed to running at the back of the pack all alone. The good news is that we have about 600 brownies with us, so we won't be hungry and we won't have to share.

In all seriousness, it is great to be around individuals that share our interest and are looking to achieve a goal without much in the way of expectation for "Glory " or recognition ... it's just cool to have a a stretch objective, become a bit fitter and take on a challenge that is a bit daunting. I'm proud of us all and look forward to the week ahead for the running, the scenery and the fellowship.... hard to say which will be the best element of the experience, but it is already clear that this will be a blast.

Stay tuned for updates from the maniacally engaged webmaster of this blog.... Freddie the Magnificent... Cheers !\

Days 161 & 162

Wednesday,went to the Y for final time before the Quest. Wanted to say goodbye to Carmen. I hope that in 20 years I am in as good a shape as he is. He is heading down Florida to visit his son. He has been trying to convince his wife for a couple of years now to get a big screen TV. She finally has come around. But now he has been debating for the last 2 months whether to get a LCD or Plasma. I told him to just get one before she changes her mind!!! He says he is going to get it when he gets back from Florida...in time to watch the Yankees in World Series( we are both Yankee fans so we never give up). A few of the older guys at the Y have been wishing me good luck. It is a nice feeling...I just hope I can finish this Quest.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day yesterday and I was going to go for a short run outside. But decided not to...did not want to risk any accident on my last of training. So I just walked uphill on the treadmill for 30-35minutes and did a light work-out.

Wednesday night did some last minute packing and played chess with Katie and Freddy. All of sudden they have taken to playing chess. It is fun teaching them the game and finally I can beat somebody. But I got a feeling that will be short lived they are already pushing my limits.

Today, too nervous and excited to work so I am posting. Leave for the airport at 5:30am tomorrow. I know I will not sleep much tonight. Looking forward to meeting my new BLOGGING Friends, Jo, Sat and Steve.

A big thank you to everyone who have been sending in encouragement via post and emails.

The next post will come from Buena Vista, Co.

Days 159 & 160

Monday, went to the Y and did a little uphill walking on the treadmill and a light work-out. I feel lethargic and nervous can't focus at work just want to get going. I think I am finished packing.

Today, did my usual Tuesday routine...Sams Club shopping for the school. Home for lunch took a Nap. Got the small camera I needed. Read Steve's post about the weather for the run. I keep seeing the weather report that says it is going to perfect running weather. But Steve's forecast calls for snow and rain. I guess the weather will be what it will be. Could be difficult to have campfire chats in the rain. I share the same view as Steve roughing it is having no room service at midnight!!!

Days 156,157 & 158

Sat and Steve I am thinking about bringing my ski helmet!!! But I am going to try to believe in the weather people this time... the forecast is looking perfect for running next Monday mid-60's and sunshine. Although, I just read that Denver set an all-time low for Saturday--58.

Having said I would trust the weather folks they were dead wrong on Friday. Which I was happy about. Was able to play golf Friday afternoon. Played well... Rick and I were partners both of us played well both we lost $20 as our other buddy Al shot a 75. The bad news is I hurt my neck so that will rule out any golf next week and re-enforce no training this coming week.

Being a true knucklehead knowing my neck was bothering me I went for one last run. In addition, I went on a trail I should have been running on since March. A beautiful trail along the Delaware canal, completely shaded with nice hills. Leave it to me to find it at the of the Quest. If I survive the Quest I plan to run on this trail a lot when I get back. Anyway, ran 8 miles around a 9min mile pace. Too fast especially with the neck issue. Spent the rest of Saturday with ice on the neck and taking a nap.

Sunday spent packing...still trying to figure out what jacket to bring. I know I am packing way too much stuff but it still fits in the duffel bag at the moment. Still need to get a small camera that will fit easily in the pack.

Spoke with George he has been up in Chicago cleaning out his house that looks like it might be sold. He will be very relieved if it is. I hope he has some energy left for the Quest he has been cleaning/packing since Friday...14hr days. Now he is driving back to Dallas in a U-haul van. He was 122 mile outside of St.Louis when we spoke.

Sat...George has a new e-mail address... georgebrown926@yahoo.com. He was not sure if you had it or not.

Again, thanks to Steve and Sat for the advice. A week to go...I can not believe it.

Steve, will the Ultra Michelob bus be waiting for us next weekend!!!

Day 155

Thanks Sat and Steve for the advice. I looked at the long range forecast for Leadville and it looks pretty good for the 1st day of the race and through Thursday. Sunny and cool but it looks like it will be pretty chilly at night low 30's. But when do the Weather folks ever get it right.

I am debating on how heavy a jacket to bring...a ski jacket or a mid weight jacket that will be easier to pack where I can always layer under it. My brother says go with the Ski jacket. Anybody have any other thoughts.

Steve, I have a home equity line I hope that will be enough. I had hoped to put a new roof on the house but I guess I can wait till next year.

Took the day off...busy at school and did some shopping. Was hoping to play some golf tomorrow but the weather is not looking good. If no golf will run uphill on the treadmill for 30/40min and do some stretching and stomach work.

Day 153 & 154

First a BIG THANK YOU to OLD Goat Steve for his response on navigation. I should have asked him this question a month ago I would have slept better. If I make it to Vail I am taking him out for a beer at one the bars there.

Took Tuesday off...got my passport photo. Now I am down to couple of things but nothing big.

Today, I got the new cell phone and one Helen,Katie and Freddy. Katie and Freddy have already figured there phone's out. They are helping me figure mine out.

Ran 6.5 today and did my usual Y thing. It was not a great run felt rough and it was humid again.

Spoke to my brother tonight...George, Glucose tablets they sell them at Walmart or any drug store. He says they are better then eating chocolate or gel drinks. He says we need to pack a warm jacket for nighttime and morning. He also laughed about the 6 shirts he said after the 1st mile each day it is not going to matter whether you have a clean or dirty shirt. He maybe right.

Day 152

Two weeks from tonight we will have hopefully completed the 1st leg and had our 1st campfire chat!!!

Relatively peaceful Monday. However did not accomplish any tasks ie new phone and passport photo. Went to a Verizon wireless store broke into a cold sweat...had no clue what to do. Family plan, single plan, National Minutes plan etc...text messaging, email, music, GPS, TV(LCD or Plasma), broadband etc. Buy one get 3 free with a two year plan on Tuesday with a full moon if you are an Aries and you plan to Vote for Obama!!! I will try again tomorrow I did some research tonight on the internet. I did check Verizon's Colorado coverage ...west of Buena Vista looks shaky, Vail is ok, but my broadband card may not work on some days. So I may not be able to post on those days.

Went to the Y today for a light workout. Walked up hill for 40 minutes tried to maintain a 15min/mile pace. Finished with a light jog just to keep the legs moving. Did some upper body work as I think my arms are getting weak with all the running I have been doing. Also went back to doing push-ups. Hope to tighten up thing before the race.

Looking forward to meeting Old Goat Doug I think we share the same views on Hillary. My wife Helen was a raging Liberal when we met. She use to throw mashed potatoes at me when we would discuss politics. Now she is right of me and Rush Limbaugh. How about those Russian they are not winning enough Gold Medals so they have to invade another country to change the subject. Sore losers!!! By the way any Russians running in this race...that will make for interesting campfire chats.

Days 148,149,150 & 151

I can not believe it is almost here... two weeks from tonight we will be at the pre-race BBQ.

Well, George your sock recommendation worked. Picked up a pair on Thursday.

Friday was a brutal day but at least it was Friday. Got to the school and forgot we were having our fire suppression system tested. Spent the early morning running around the school telling everybody not to worry about the alarms. Then the landscaping issue we had a month ago was going to be corrected. Eventually it was.... but not without a significant amount of time and aggravation. I was not able to go to lunch until 2:30 which put my run in jeopardy. I needed to run to test the new socks and trail shoe. Ran 6.5 had hope to run 8 but time was against me. Luckily George's sock suggestion worked. Legs and feet felt fine and went back to my root trail and had no issues. Back to work and the HEALTH DEPARTMENT was there for an inspection!!! On a Friday afternoon if you can believe that. Everything was Ok. Finally the landscaping was done at around 6:30. I went home and had a couple of Buds.

Saturday, the weather was perfect...low 60's. Ran 9 miles...no pack and just tried to rip it. It was a good run and I felt strong. Unfortunately, it was mostly pavement and I ran it in trail shoes so my legs were a little sore. I even got competitive the last mile I pushed to over take another runner something I never do. Just getting cocky!!! After the run went back to buy a bunch of those socks. On my way back I found a great trail to run along the Delaware river... of course I find it at the end of the training. Did I mention I have lived in this area for over 18 years!!!

Today, George and I spent time on the phone going over gear and food items. We both found towels that are paper thin and will fit in our packs and luggage without taking up any room. I think I am halfway packed hope to be finished by next Saturday. STILL NEED TO GET THAT PHOTO thing taken care of!!! Also need to get a new cell phone tomorrow.

Oh went for a 4 mile hike in the rain gear to see how it felt. It was raining!!! I am not a complete Knucklehead!!!

Day 147 The Quest Almost Came to an End

Not a good day....almost in a mild state of panic. Ran 8.5 in the 4H's mostly trail. Major trail shoe issues. Was hoping to have a nice trail run in the new shoes. I am not sure if it is a shoe or sock issue. It is too late in training process to be worrying about shoes and socks. Anyway my feet were swimming in the new shoes as they loosened up during the run. This caused my Achilles to start hurting which had not bothered me for more then a month. Not sure what to do at this stage. May go back to my New Balance 908's or try a thicker sock which may bring back the blisters. Not Happy.

While trying to process the trail shoe problem on today's run... I was on a trail with a ton of roots which I use for good practice. Well I was going at a good pace when I missed this root. Well I do not know how I did not wipe out. I caught myself and almost had a Whip Lash on the recovery.... pulled a muscle in my back. Had I gone down something would have broken for sure. Maybe its an Omen...good or bad I am not sure.

Well today was a big gear day. The pee bottle arrived along with the therma rest pad, duffel bag , the head lamp, medical kit and $60 worth on socks that I will now probably have to return.

I will sleep on the shoe issue...next run is Friday hope to have a solution by then.

Days 145 & 146

One final word on the pee bottle controversy…when it is pouring rain or blizzard conditions at night I will be warm and dry peeing into my bottle why you guys will be out looking for a TREE to pee against!!!

Anyway, Sunday night went for a five mile hike and figured out how to use the hydration pack I got 5 years ago from my brother. I am a slow learner if no one has not figured that out yet. Walked in my new trail shoes no issues there so far.

Monday, did a light work-out ran up hill on the treadmill for 45 minutes in the new trail shoes. Still no issues with the shoes. Did my usual work-out after the run.

Took today off. Spent time surfing the Internet looking for a solar powered heating pad!!!

Day 141,142,143 & 144

Well I wish I could say the cross training went well...but my golf game was horrible. Could not get on track. But I always enjoy playing golf with Rick as well as his step son Brian. It was pretty funny there was a cute young snack girl driving around the course...Brian and his friend must of spent $50 buying snacks from her. I think one them got her phone #. Oh to be young and single again!!!

Friday was a busy day at work beginning of a new month. Ran 8+ miles during lunch time mostly trail it was hot. Then into the Y for some stomach and upper body work. The guys at the Y are giving me encouragement only three weeks from Friday till we fly out. After work we had our LL-Allstar party for the kids. It was a good night...the parents and the kids all had a good time.

Saturday, woke-up early and went for a 12 mile run before the weather got bad. Spent the rest of day trying to figure out what we should be bringing on the trip. Here is the list George and I have put together if anyone has any suggestions please COMMENT thanks.

Gear List

1. Rain Jacket X
2. Rain Pants X
3. Rescue Blanket X
4. Medical Kit X
5. Fleece Top X
6. Sleeping Bag X
7. Pad X
8. Pillow X
9. Towels X
10. Alcohol wipes X
11. Metamucil Mix X
12. Ultima drink X
13. Exceed energy drink X
14. Food packets ( 6days) X
15. 6 Running Shorts ? X
16. 8 Technical short sleeve tops X
17. Flashlights X
18. Pee bottle X
19. Cottonelle wipes X
20. Socks how many ? X
21. Running Pants ? X
22. Long sleeve shirts how many ?
23. Regular shorts?
24. Regular pants ?
25. Regular Shirts ?
26. Electrolyte Powder or Tablets ( required )
27. Flip flops ( camp fire shoes )
28. Warm gloves
29. Warm Hat
30. Body glide stick
31. High Calorie foods / energy bars
32. Jackknife
33. Books
34. Ear plugs
35. Ipod
36. Condoms and Viagara( George's item not mine)
37. Long stretch pants / compression shorts
38. Aspercreme
39. Advil
40. Sunglasses
41. Suntan lotion
42. Bug Spray

How we are going to fit all this in one bag is beyond me.

Hope to clear-up the shuttle issue tomorrow. Also waiting for a couple of more item that are on order. The critical one is the Therma rest pad. I have three of them but none of them fit into the Big Agness sleeping bag George recommended. Hope to get it by the end of the week.