The first week of year #5 (really 6 but we ignore that one year of 2nd grade) is over and done. I have a LOT of students. That is observation #1. The good news is observation #2: all 187 (ish) of them are pretty good kids!! Several want to talk too much. But for the most part, they do what they're asked, are polite and seem to not hate me or school or Geometry yet. Of course, we haven't actually done any Geometry yet!! We spend the first week reviewing so as to maybe make the actual Geometry easier.
I've spent most of the week whining about how many students I have. Why? Well, there are a lot of them! With each student comes papers to grade, chatter to stop, etc. I should add that we no longer get student aides. We have two to share in our department (of 12 teachers!). But the biggest issue in my mind, is that it's too many bodies in my classroom at one time!! I had to add a desk mid-week!! It's just crammed wall to wall teenager!!
My principal became my favorite person though when he said they're going to attempt to shake things up and make my Pre-AP classes smaller by adding another class. This would be very complicated and would involve dissolving my smallest (21) regular class and loading up every Geometry teacher even more than we already are. I am pretty sure this is not going to happen, but at least he TRIED! Major bonus points. And I almost don't want it to happen. I like the class period that would all go elsewhere! Again, I may have a LOT of students, but I like most of them so far!
So I have begun getting up before dark, being on my feet all day, and being "on" for 8 straight hours. I am EXHAUSTED!!! My back hurts, my knee had 24 hours of misery, Slugs isn't getting enough attention, but...
I LOVE MY JOB!!!!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Slugger Turns FOUR!!
No one knows when Slugger's actual birthday is, or his true age. I picked his birthday the same way I picked George's (though hers was actually pretty close since I got her as a kitten) - August 20 is St. Bernard's Day. That was his name when I got him, and now his middle name.
Unfortunately, Slugger's birthday falls during teacher training week, the week before school starts. I'm always a little busy. This year, I spent most of the summer not completely knowing what day it was, not to mention what the date was. And so, I completely forgot Slugger's birthday on Wednesday!! OOPS!!! Mama FAIL!!! Luckily, he didn't seem to notice :) And now he is getting the whole weekend to celebrate!!
We woke up "early" yesterday and went for a hike. If you read my last post, you know that early is not my thing :) I got up earlier than I wanted but not early enough that it was cool enough for a long hike. We drove over to the Fort Worth Nature Center and started out on the Turtle trail (it has another name but the picture on the signs is a turtle). I let Slugs make all the decisions when we got to forks, except when we turned around. He didn't always go the way I would have, but we had a good time! And we ended up back where we started after almost two miles :) We were mostly walking along the river under trees so the sun wasn't beating down on us and it was relatively not hot. Though I did let him wade into the river a couple times when it was safe for both of us! Overall, it was a good morning.
Most of the afternoon was spent napping by him and puzzling by me. We didn't go for an evening walk because it was just too hot!! He did get extra food at dinner and a special treat at bedtime though :)
This morning we woke up and ventured off to PetSmart!! We walked up and down the aisles and I more or less let him pick his toy. He likes stuffed animals that squeak. We found some that are stuffingless!! But still squeak :) He seemed to like the raccoon, so Rocky came home with us. He was also interested in the live mice, but I told him I'd just let him go up in the attic to get one of those. We also got some new rawhide chews and a tennis ball. The tennis ball got a little slobbery, so I bought it. "He slobbers it, I buy it"
Now we're hanging out - he's napping. He's eaten a rawhide and played with Rocky and the ball. Perhaps it's all too much for him?
Here are some pics from today... I didn't take any while hiking :(
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| "It's my birfday, Mama, get UP!!: |
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| Squeaking Rocky the Raccoon |
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| Rawhide Love |
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| Happy Dog, right before he demolished the rawhide |
Thursday, August 21, 2014
August Ugh
We've been home for two weeks and a day. I think we're mostly over the post vacation blues. Except mostly because we've gone back to our "normal" daily schedule. I am just too busy all day at work to think about where I'd rather be. Until someone asks how my summer was... then I smile and reply that it was wonderful and that I wish I was still in CA. *sigh*
Anyway, now that we're home and back to a normal work schedule, we are trying to get into a normal walk routine. We walk in the morning, in the dark, for about 10-15 minutes. I would love to walk longer in the mornings, but I also really like to sleep :)
The problem lies in the heat. It is SO HOT!!! It seems like Mother Nature is trying to get all the summer heat into August. July was apparently quite pleasant here in TX (all the heat was with me in CA I guess!). So... we wait as late as possible to go for our evening walk. But, again, I like sleep, so about 7pm is the latest we leave, if we want a real walk (as opposed to down the street and back). BUT IT IS SO HOT!!! Tonight, AFTER our walk, at 7:36 pm, according to weather.com, it is 100 degrees. We were both very slow and we got maybe a quarter mile before Slugs decided to come home. Seriously, he stopped, hung out for a minute and then turned around to head home!! The only saving grace is that there's a pretty good breeze. I don't think wind/breezes help him any though. Plus he's the one in the fur coat!!
What's the point? Uh, to whine and say HURRY UP AUTUMN!!!!!!! And June :D
Anyway, now that we're home and back to a normal work schedule, we are trying to get into a normal walk routine. We walk in the morning, in the dark, for about 10-15 minutes. I would love to walk longer in the mornings, but I also really like to sleep :)
The problem lies in the heat. It is SO HOT!!! It seems like Mother Nature is trying to get all the summer heat into August. July was apparently quite pleasant here in TX (all the heat was with me in CA I guess!). So... we wait as late as possible to go for our evening walk. But, again, I like sleep, so about 7pm is the latest we leave, if we want a real walk (as opposed to down the street and back). BUT IT IS SO HOT!!! Tonight, AFTER our walk, at 7:36 pm, according to weather.com, it is 100 degrees. We were both very slow and we got maybe a quarter mile before Slugs decided to come home. Seriously, he stopped, hung out for a minute and then turned around to head home!! The only saving grace is that there's a pretty good breeze. I don't think wind/breezes help him any though. Plus he's the one in the fur coat!!
What's the point? Uh, to whine and say HURRY UP AUTUMN!!!!!!! And June :D
Monday, August 11, 2014
"Funny Lost Today"
Robin Williams died today. It seems it might have been a suicide. The title of this post came from a Tweet by Michael Weatherly (Tony on NCIS). This isn't something I would normally write about, but it has resurfaced a line of thinking I've had several times in the last few years. Every time a celebrity dies. No, not suicidal thoughts. The fact that these "stars" who you'd think have "everything" keep taking their own lives, is another train of thought for another blog post. Maybe some day.
Here's where my thoughts go...
As I get older, I see more and more TV and movie stars pass on into another world. Not because more are dying, but because more have had an impact on my life. Basically, I'm getting older, and this seems to be a way of age showing its gnarly face. I still remember being very sad when George Burns died. I remember thinking that he would be the first of many. It was kind of a rite of passage almost, this realization that others would die as I grow older. Odd that it was an actor, not family. I'm pretty sure I'd already understood this when my grandparents died.
Jerry Orbach is the first actor I remember crying over when he passed away. He was such a live character to me - Dirty Dancing and Law and Order being two favorites! Then there have been the many, too many lately, who are young, younger than me even, who have felt they just couldn't live any longer. Not sure I'll ever understand. For which I'm grateful as it means that I am no where near that desperation, even in my unhappiest moments!
Although Robin Williams seems to have committed suicide, he was still old enough that technically, I'm not sure we would've been surprised if it'd been natural. And so I consider him the next of many who have had an impact on my life, who I've cheered and jeered, who I will greatly miss seeing on the screen.
As you should know, if you've read my blog for long, I embrace getting older. Why not? I've seen so much, experienced so much, I am thankful for every day, and hope for many many more! But I admit, watching stars, or anyone, leave their Earthly body, is a part of "growing up" that I just wish I could skip. I've already lost too many personally, but unfortunately it is a fact of life.
So for now, I say, Nanu Nanu to all. Love and hugs. Rest in Peace Mrs. Doubtfire. Thanks for the laughs.
Here's where my thoughts go...
As I get older, I see more and more TV and movie stars pass on into another world. Not because more are dying, but because more have had an impact on my life. Basically, I'm getting older, and this seems to be a way of age showing its gnarly face. I still remember being very sad when George Burns died. I remember thinking that he would be the first of many. It was kind of a rite of passage almost, this realization that others would die as I grow older. Odd that it was an actor, not family. I'm pretty sure I'd already understood this when my grandparents died.
Jerry Orbach is the first actor I remember crying over when he passed away. He was such a live character to me - Dirty Dancing and Law and Order being two favorites! Then there have been the many, too many lately, who are young, younger than me even, who have felt they just couldn't live any longer. Not sure I'll ever understand. For which I'm grateful as it means that I am no where near that desperation, even in my unhappiest moments!
Although Robin Williams seems to have committed suicide, he was still old enough that technically, I'm not sure we would've been surprised if it'd been natural. And so I consider him the next of many who have had an impact on my life, who I've cheered and jeered, who I will greatly miss seeing on the screen.
As you should know, if you've read my blog for long, I embrace getting older. Why not? I've seen so much, experienced so much, I am thankful for every day, and hope for many many more! But I admit, watching stars, or anyone, leave their Earthly body, is a part of "growing up" that I just wish I could skip. I've already lost too many personally, but unfortunately it is a fact of life.
So for now, I say, Nanu Nanu to all. Love and hugs. Rest in Peace Mrs. Doubtfire. Thanks for the laughs.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Road Trip East 2014
Slugger and I had a hard time leaving on Tuesday! We SO enjoyed our long vacation in CA with Dad and Tuck!! But alas, I have a job and the grass wasn't getting any shorter so we packed up and head out. It was a very uneventful drive, thank goodness!! It was also very fast. We got home 2.5 hours quicker than we drove West 5 weeks and 2 days before. We had NO rain which might have been the difference maker. We also didn't stop as often. He slept and slept so I didn't stop at every rest area, unless I needed too, or it'd been more than 2 hours since we had last stopped. I didn't time that or anything, it's just the way it worked.
So let's see, are there any stories to share? Gas was cheap! I paid $3.79 in Flagstaff because it was dark and I knew the gas station was there. Other than that it was $3.17-$3.33. Not bad!!! I am pretty sure I spent at least $20 less than I did on the way out! Maybe it just seems like it.
My first stop was just inside the AZ border for gas and break. We followed a truck in to the truckstop. He was carrying tires...
In Flagstaff, I got off on Business 40 thinking that's where there'd be gas. No, just dark, dark roads that I swear were in the forest. To reinforce that, I saw a deer!! Crazy.
We stopped at a rest area that was very nice at about 11pm PST. I wasn't ready to sleep yet though so we kept going. I knew there was another rest area in a little over an hour that I've slept at before and the timing would be perfect. IT WAS CLOSED!! BUT, luckily right there at the same weird (roundabouts??) exit, there is a casino and truckstop. So, we slept at the truckstop. We weren't the only ones. They really should tell you at the one before if the next one is closed! Dad looked it up and he said it looks like it's closed permanently :( Bummer. Will have to research before next year!!
I guess nothing happened yesterday or I was too tired to notice or remember!! Just glad we made it, safe and well. Slugger once again made an excellent copilot.
Slugger is lying next to me on the couch. I think he misses Tuck.
And now we have a week to prepare to go back to school. By "prepare" I mean do nothing :)
So let's see, are there any stories to share? Gas was cheap! I paid $3.79 in Flagstaff because it was dark and I knew the gas station was there. Other than that it was $3.17-$3.33. Not bad!!! I am pretty sure I spent at least $20 less than I did on the way out! Maybe it just seems like it.
My first stop was just inside the AZ border for gas and break. We followed a truck in to the truckstop. He was carrying tires...
In Flagstaff, I got off on Business 40 thinking that's where there'd be gas. No, just dark, dark roads that I swear were in the forest. To reinforce that, I saw a deer!! Crazy.
We stopped at a rest area that was very nice at about 11pm PST. I wasn't ready to sleep yet though so we kept going. I knew there was another rest area in a little over an hour that I've slept at before and the timing would be perfect. IT WAS CLOSED!! BUT, luckily right there at the same weird (roundabouts??) exit, there is a casino and truckstop. So, we slept at the truckstop. We weren't the only ones. They really should tell you at the one before if the next one is closed! Dad looked it up and he said it looks like it's closed permanently :( Bummer. Will have to research before next year!!
I guess nothing happened yesterday or I was too tired to notice or remember!! Just glad we made it, safe and well. Slugger once again made an excellent copilot.
Slugger is lying next to me on the couch. I think he misses Tuck.
And now we have a week to prepare to go back to school. By "prepare" I mean do nothing :)
The Heart of the Ultrarunner
One of the reasons why I love working the Angeles Crest 100, and look forward to doing more such events in the future, is that the Ultrarunner is one of the most amazing kinds of human in the world. Sure, they are way fit, and love the outdoors. But they are so NICE!! At least every third runner or so thanks us for being there. They are sweet and polite at a moment when you know all they want is to finish and take a shower and/or go to bed. This year's race included a story that shows exactly what kind of people run these races.
This was the 27th year of this race. Two men had finished all 26. Jussi and Garry. It's not clear if they are friends, rivals, or what. They don't run together, that we know. Also, they are not young. Jussi is 68!
After Dad got the computer all set up, we all queried where our friends or watch list (that'd be me - it's not like I know these people!!) were on the course. Jussi and Garry are always 2 we look for. As I said something about looking for them, Bob kinda looked at us and said, "oh, uh, yeah, Garry died". "WHAT?!" was our reaction. Apparently 2-3 weeks before the race, Garry had a heart attack and died. He was 60 years old. It was really quite a shock to all, especially us just learning of it. No wonder he hadn't started, according to the computer.
Many hours later, Jussi came in to the aid station. Quite frankly, he looked awful. But he is 68 and had just run 95 miles, so really, he looked great!! He sat down and got some refreshment. Bob sat down next to him and gave his condolences. We all kinda mumbled ours as well. Jussi said, "I'm doing this for Garry", in his Finnish accent. Dad and I both teared up. I mean, come on!! Also, we were tired. Anyway, Jussi sat maybe 5 minutes and went on to the finish line. I announced when he had finished. We all cheered with a sigh. We had already discussed whether we thought he'd do it again next year. Now that he held the record of 27 finishes.
A little while later, finish line came over the radio talking to net control. We were basically just eavesdropping. Apparently, a runner was being recorded by the RFID chip as having finished, but the runner didn't start. It was Garry's number. The response over the radio explained and we all cried...
Jussi had carried Garry's ashes on the trail. They wanted to give Garry the finish time that Jussi had run. It was very symbolic and moving and I'm crying as I type. What a special, special thing to be done.
It wreaked havoc on the computer system though so it was all brought to our attention over the radio. It was supposed to be done in silence, I guess. Something between Jussi and Garry, and the two race directors.
THIS is the heart of the Ultrarunner.
This was the 27th year of this race. Two men had finished all 26. Jussi and Garry. It's not clear if they are friends, rivals, or what. They don't run together, that we know. Also, they are not young. Jussi is 68!
After Dad got the computer all set up, we all queried where our friends or watch list (that'd be me - it's not like I know these people!!) were on the course. Jussi and Garry are always 2 we look for. As I said something about looking for them, Bob kinda looked at us and said, "oh, uh, yeah, Garry died". "WHAT?!" was our reaction. Apparently 2-3 weeks before the race, Garry had a heart attack and died. He was 60 years old. It was really quite a shock to all, especially us just learning of it. No wonder he hadn't started, according to the computer.
Many hours later, Jussi came in to the aid station. Quite frankly, he looked awful. But he is 68 and had just run 95 miles, so really, he looked great!! He sat down and got some refreshment. Bob sat down next to him and gave his condolences. We all kinda mumbled ours as well. Jussi said, "I'm doing this for Garry", in his Finnish accent. Dad and I both teared up. I mean, come on!! Also, we were tired. Anyway, Jussi sat maybe 5 minutes and went on to the finish line. I announced when he had finished. We all cheered with a sigh. We had already discussed whether we thought he'd do it again next year. Now that he held the record of 27 finishes.
A little while later, finish line came over the radio talking to net control. We were basically just eavesdropping. Apparently, a runner was being recorded by the RFID chip as having finished, but the runner didn't start. It was Garry's number. The response over the radio explained and we all cried...
Jussi had carried Garry's ashes on the trail. They wanted to give Garry the finish time that Jussi had run. It was very symbolic and moving and I'm crying as I type. What a special, special thing to be done.
It wreaked havoc on the computer system though so it was all brought to our attention over the radio. It was supposed to be done in silence, I guess. Something between Jussi and Garry, and the two race directors.
THIS is the heart of the Ultrarunner.
AC100 2014
If you haven't already, or even if you have, you might want to read this post from last year before reading today's. And maybe even this one. In today's post, I don't explain anything about the event!
If I only had one word to describe this year's AC100 weekend, that word would be WET!! Luckily, I get to use lots land lots of words :)
Dad and I got to the campground at about 4 or 4:30. Bob was out doing his check of the trail between Sam Merrill, the aid station before us, and our spot. We got all set up before dark. Just as it was getting dark and burgers were mostly cooked, it started to rain. Dad had thought ahead of the forecast that didn't call for rain, and brought the EZ Up in case it rained. The weather reporters had been wrong all month long. Smart Dad!! It rained off and on until mid day on Sunday. It was hot and humid the rest of the time. Mostly it was a nice light rain, but there were a couple harder moments too. It was good for the runners, and interesting for us!
I had been following the Twitter feed all day so I knew more or less who was in the lead, but it seemed like they were going pretty fast so we were glad to get the computer running to get reliable info. The pace seemed faster in the morning, and we were ready for a runner, but it was after 11 before we saw the first one. Ruperto Romero came running in, stopped for some water, and went running out. He finished before we saw #2. Ruperto's finish time was 19 hours and 27 minutes. Besides being a nice guy, and obviously fit and fast, THE GUY IS 50 YEARS OLD!!!! I later did some math and the top 15 runners, who all did this thing in 24 hours or less, had an average age of 37. Although there are many younguns in ultrarunning, for the most part, it's a "middle age" kinda sport:)
Five runners later, we saw the first female. Pam had been leading all day. Yes, she was 6th overall. And I am pretty sure she broke last year's record. Oh, also, SHE IS 39 YEARS OLD!!!!! No, I still have no desire to run, especially 100 miles. Maybe 100 feet if it's important. But it inspires me that someone MY AGE can do this. It encourages me to get off the couch :)
So, last year, AC was the catalyst that talked me into going forward in the quest for a ham radio license. This year, it was such a different experience getting to actually talk and push buttons!! So much so that Dad actually went and took a nap once we saw a few runners. This was the first time he's slept, in a tent, at one of these events!! I felt so special that he trusted me enough to leave me all alone. Not much happened while he slept. Maybe 10 runners? I don't think there was any action on the radio, even between other stations!! But, I would've been able to handle it. I know, cuz I did much of the morning, as more runners finished and stations packed up and such. There was one little snafu at another station that I was able to help clarify. That was nice. Also, as we were packing up and waiting for the last runner to finish, I was on the radio keeping track of things. I got to be the one to "sign off" from Millard. That was a very special moment for me. Not sure why I feel that way!!
The other excitement throughout the middle of the night, was the anticipation of the bear. Yes, bear. As in, big brown furry bear! There had been many sightings, including tent destruction (the tents were still at the campground!), over the last month or two. So we were all on alert. But, alas, and thank God, we never saw the bear.
I never did sleep. I just can't. What if I missed something?! Besides, I'd either not really sleep and just toss and turn, or I'd sleep for 10 hours!! I'm not a good napper. I pretend on Sunday afternoon sometimes. But then I'm groggy the rest of the day. Can't have that at AC so I just stay up. And then I sleep VERY well on Sunday night!!
Sometime in the morning (8 or 9 maybe), the EZ Up dumped its contents (rain) down my back. I shrieked. But I protected the equipment!! I decided that meant it was time to change clothes again! Luckily, I had brought lots. My memory from last year was freezing through the night so I brought a lot of layering type stuff.
The aid station crew this year was a little different. We had Bob and Jeff who are there every year and are basically in charge. This year we had Lexie and her dad Steve, and Irene and her 7 year old daughter Coco all night. Lexie is an aspiring ultra runner. Funny thing, she goes to Baylor and knows the sister of my co-worker/friend! Irene came because she wants to start running and figured watching someone run 100 miles would be good inspiration. Once the sun came up, we had Dave and Danny who ran up from the finish. And Jeff showed up shortly thereafter; he is an injured ultra runner who wanted to be a part of the race. Oh, and Perry and the other guy (maybe next year I'll find out his name!!) came and brought some supplies. It was really quite a full house once we got a runner or two, plus their pacers!!
We saw a total of 93 runners. That's 19 more than last year! But there were also more starters this year. I don't have nearly as many stories as last year. One that I will share in another post. We had several "slow" runners coming to us, and then going to the finish. These were walkers. Lots of complaints of leg cramping, especially once the sun came up again.
If you've read last year's stories, I can give a few updates :) Andrew, previously known as #22 (this year he was #64, his age) finished again, in about 31 hours. Last year's female record breaker didn't run. Last year's winner, Dominic, came in 3rd. Jamil, of the potato burrito, didn't run. Several of the other stories from last year were there I am sure, but since I didn't record last names, I have no idea who they were this year!! Oh, LT who came through our station in last place last year, but passed someone before he finished, dropped out fairly early this year. He's the guy who's pacer was a ham. Turns out they both are and Dad has worked with them on other races and stuff. I was sorry not to see them. Maybe next year!! Also, this year's sweep says he's running next year so I got his name so we can keep track of him. He thought that sounded cool!
Overall, it was yet another fun and exhausting weekend. Getting to do radio stuff put the cherry on top of an already incredible experience. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to help in such a way and can't wait for next year. But before then, I'm hoping to find some opportunities here in TX to do similar stuff. I'll keep you posted!!
If I only had one word to describe this year's AC100 weekend, that word would be WET!! Luckily, I get to use lots land lots of words :)
Dad and I got to the campground at about 4 or 4:30. Bob was out doing his check of the trail between Sam Merrill, the aid station before us, and our spot. We got all set up before dark. Just as it was getting dark and burgers were mostly cooked, it started to rain. Dad had thought ahead of the forecast that didn't call for rain, and brought the EZ Up in case it rained. The weather reporters had been wrong all month long. Smart Dad!! It rained off and on until mid day on Sunday. It was hot and humid the rest of the time. Mostly it was a nice light rain, but there were a couple harder moments too. It was good for the runners, and interesting for us!
I had been following the Twitter feed all day so I knew more or less who was in the lead, but it seemed like they were going pretty fast so we were glad to get the computer running to get reliable info. The pace seemed faster in the morning, and we were ready for a runner, but it was after 11 before we saw the first one. Ruperto Romero came running in, stopped for some water, and went running out. He finished before we saw #2. Ruperto's finish time was 19 hours and 27 minutes. Besides being a nice guy, and obviously fit and fast, THE GUY IS 50 YEARS OLD!!!! I later did some math and the top 15 runners, who all did this thing in 24 hours or less, had an average age of 37. Although there are many younguns in ultrarunning, for the most part, it's a "middle age" kinda sport:)
Five runners later, we saw the first female. Pam had been leading all day. Yes, she was 6th overall. And I am pretty sure she broke last year's record. Oh, also, SHE IS 39 YEARS OLD!!!!! No, I still have no desire to run, especially 100 miles. Maybe 100 feet if it's important. But it inspires me that someone MY AGE can do this. It encourages me to get off the couch :)
So, last year, AC was the catalyst that talked me into going forward in the quest for a ham radio license. This year, it was such a different experience getting to actually talk and push buttons!! So much so that Dad actually went and took a nap once we saw a few runners. This was the first time he's slept, in a tent, at one of these events!! I felt so special that he trusted me enough to leave me all alone. Not much happened while he slept. Maybe 10 runners? I don't think there was any action on the radio, even between other stations!! But, I would've been able to handle it. I know, cuz I did much of the morning, as more runners finished and stations packed up and such. There was one little snafu at another station that I was able to help clarify. That was nice. Also, as we were packing up and waiting for the last runner to finish, I was on the radio keeping track of things. I got to be the one to "sign off" from Millard. That was a very special moment for me. Not sure why I feel that way!!
The other excitement throughout the middle of the night, was the anticipation of the bear. Yes, bear. As in, big brown furry bear! There had been many sightings, including tent destruction (the tents were still at the campground!), over the last month or two. So we were all on alert. But, alas, and thank God, we never saw the bear.
I never did sleep. I just can't. What if I missed something?! Besides, I'd either not really sleep and just toss and turn, or I'd sleep for 10 hours!! I'm not a good napper. I pretend on Sunday afternoon sometimes. But then I'm groggy the rest of the day. Can't have that at AC so I just stay up. And then I sleep VERY well on Sunday night!!
Sometime in the morning (8 or 9 maybe), the EZ Up dumped its contents (rain) down my back. I shrieked. But I protected the equipment!! I decided that meant it was time to change clothes again! Luckily, I had brought lots. My memory from last year was freezing through the night so I brought a lot of layering type stuff.
The aid station crew this year was a little different. We had Bob and Jeff who are there every year and are basically in charge. This year we had Lexie and her dad Steve, and Irene and her 7 year old daughter Coco all night. Lexie is an aspiring ultra runner. Funny thing, she goes to Baylor and knows the sister of my co-worker/friend! Irene came because she wants to start running and figured watching someone run 100 miles would be good inspiration. Once the sun came up, we had Dave and Danny who ran up from the finish. And Jeff showed up shortly thereafter; he is an injured ultra runner who wanted to be a part of the race. Oh, and Perry and the other guy (maybe next year I'll find out his name!!) came and brought some supplies. It was really quite a full house once we got a runner or two, plus their pacers!!
We saw a total of 93 runners. That's 19 more than last year! But there were also more starters this year. I don't have nearly as many stories as last year. One that I will share in another post. We had several "slow" runners coming to us, and then going to the finish. These were walkers. Lots of complaints of leg cramping, especially once the sun came up again.
If you've read last year's stories, I can give a few updates :) Andrew, previously known as #22 (this year he was #64, his age) finished again, in about 31 hours. Last year's female record breaker didn't run. Last year's winner, Dominic, came in 3rd. Jamil, of the potato burrito, didn't run. Several of the other stories from last year were there I am sure, but since I didn't record last names, I have no idea who they were this year!! Oh, LT who came through our station in last place last year, but passed someone before he finished, dropped out fairly early this year. He's the guy who's pacer was a ham. Turns out they both are and Dad has worked with them on other races and stuff. I was sorry not to see them. Maybe next year!! Also, this year's sweep says he's running next year so I got his name so we can keep track of him. He thought that sounded cool!
Overall, it was yet another fun and exhausting weekend. Getting to do radio stuff put the cherry on top of an already incredible experience. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to help in such a way and can't wait for next year. But before then, I'm hoping to find some opportunities here in TX to do similar stuff. I'll keep you posted!!
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