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 :)

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.

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!!

Penultimate Weekend of CA2014

What a Weekend!!

Saturday was spent on the radio and Sunday was a nice visit with family. I should probably break them into two posts, but heck, y'all like reading my long posts, right!? I'm tired so I'm sure it'll be short!

Saturday was the Big Bear Grizzly Granfondo Mountain Bike event. There were 4 rides of 20, 30, 70, and 100 km, in addition to the National Ultra Endurance race of 100km. The two 100 km used the same course, but the race guys were fast and the rest were normal :) Dad and I got the INCREDIBLY cool assignment of riding SAG. I actually just googled SAG to learn that it apparently stands for "support and gear". What it IS is a vehicle that is out on the course, with a mechanic or gear, or sometimes simply the ability to transport riders who no longer want to ride. Every race does it different and a lot don't even have them. Our vehicles were scaled down versions of all that. Scaled down because they were not mechanics and really had no ability to help riders. BUT we were able to drive around and resupply the aid stations and such. Our job was to sit shotgun and communicate where we were and what our drivers were up to or needed or whathaveyou. Although this was a cool job, it had one terrifying hitch for me - I was solo radio in my vehicle! Meaning I had to know how to work the radio and make it do what I needed it to do. I asked Dad LOTS of questions before the event. Luckily, I never touched the radio except to talk and change the volume!

Dad and I were in two different vehicles, but were able to talk by radio and several times our vehicles ended up in the same place. I got to do A LOT of transmitting (talking) and I had such a great time doing it. It all came very naturally to me which makes sense because I've been listening to other people talk HAM for pretty much my entire life. Dad said he was very proud of my work. So I'm happy :)

As the race was coming to a close, it was decided that my SAG vehicle would become sweep. Sweep is someone (usually using the same format as the race - i.e. on bike if it's a bike race) who rides the course after the final rider has gone through. So, two people on bikes rode most of the course after everyone else did, to make sure that everyone really had finished. Or in yesterday's case, got to the the bottom aid station. Then my vehicle took over. We DROVE up the very steep, very rocky dirt road that the riders had ridden. We actually caught two of them but hung back to let them do their bike thing. Once we got to the downhill, they smoked us! It was a really cool experience and I feel special that I got to do it. Though really, I just picked the right car when we started at 7am :)

Dad and I in uniform

THEN TODAY Dad and I drove down the hill to my aunt's house (Mary, his sister) where we met up with my uncle Charlie (Dad's brother), aunt Patty and 3 cousins who are now all teenagers, plus a girlfriend. I have no idea how long ago I'd seen them but they are much bigger now! One of my other cousins, Aunt Mary's daughter, who lives in the Phoenix area also happened to be in town, so she and her two kids (5 and 1.5) also came over. We all ventured out to lunch, skipping the planned Souplantation (soup can't be grown) for BJs which was a little less busy, and a favorite for several of us. After lunch, we all went back to Aunt Mary's to hang out and catch up. The cousins are awesome teenagers who I'd love to have in my classes!! They got me set up on Instagram (@msemigahs) so we could stay in touch in the new hip way :) (I'd been considering it for school use anyway!) Perhaps we can make it an annual visit. Seriously, they'd all grown 3 feet at least!!

My gorgeous youngest Cuz'n (also my first Instagram post!)

Dad and I are really looking forward to tomorrow - nothing is on the agenda!! It's been quite a busy week for us!!

40 4 40 #3 Fence

To celebrate turning 40, I've decided to do 40 new things before I get there. My birthday is in March which means I need to do about 5 things per month... good thing I've already started! You can check out all of the posts related to this endeavor through the label 40 4 40.

Number 3 was started before I did #2 but I decided that in order to blog about it, and call it done, it actually needed to be finished! A couple weeks ago, as Dad and I watched his dog Tuck going crazy and eating the chain link fence, we discussed the idea that perhaps Tuck wouldn't eat a fence made of wood. Dad has a great wood fence along the side of his house that he put up several years ago. I told him that I really wanted to help him make a new fence, since he's always doing projects when he comes to my house! And so the idea became a reality :)

A short-ish version of our week...

Monday, Dad drove down the hill to get the lumber while I dog sat.
Tuesday, we tore out the old chain link fence. We had decided to use the posts that were there. We determined that we needed a wedge to make our bracket fit tightly over those posts. Trip to hardware store. There was a second trip in there but I don't remember why!
Wednesday, we prepped for cross bars. Dad went to get stain while I went paddle boarding. Then we put up most of the cross bars.
Thursday, Dad went to get another joint piece cuz we can't count. We finished the last little piece of cross bar. Dad sawed all the fence boards while I stained the cross bars. Dad started putting up fence while I stained one side of the fence boards. (this was to ensure the side against the cross bar was fully stained) We were attempting to position the bottom of each board down in a little trench, so that they'd be covered by dirt, in an attempt to prevent digging out by the pooches. This required a LOT of digging by us. Some bright person years ago put down a bunch of lava rock. Yeah, I don't want to see any more lava rock ever. So, instead, we started cutting boards a little shorter. Well, I did! Yup, I used the Skilsaw like an expert :) At one point we had boards that were the original length Dad cut, 1", 2" and 3" shorter. Then a couple I cut even more because of the gas meter box thing. I have learned that the saw is not scary, and even fun!! We quit just before dark last night with about 10 boards to go.
Friday, we finished up this morning and cleaned up, all before 1pm!! The fence looks GREAT!! It really needs to be stained on the front side, but sitting on the porch we can't see that part :) The dogs are quite happy to have their yard back. And so far, Tuck has not attempted to eat the fence. Mission accomplished!!

Five days. Five trips to hardware stores. By golly we have a fence!! I had never built a fence before... so, #2!! We made sure I took part in all aspects, from cutting to digging to staining (myself and the wood!) to screwing on fence boards. And took pics, of course!!

The old view (with dogs)

Digging out rocks

Building a fence is exhausting work

Master Sawyer

Screwing in the last plank

Close up :)

The new view!! Isn't it pretty?!?!

All cleaned up and proud of our accomplishment :)

I have no idea what #4 will be!!

40 4 40 #2 Paddle Boarding

To celebrate turning 40 in March, I've decided to do 40 new things between now and then. Why 8 months before? Well, I'll get busy once school starts, and because of #1 & 2...

One of the popular summer activities here in Big Bear is paddle boarding. I've watched from afar. Looked interesting. But I don't like water. Then a cousin said it was her new favorite thing. Then I got into the figuring out 40 new things thing. And well then I was reminded that my sister-in-law was a regular on the board. And so, today, I paddle boarded!

Monday evening, Dad and I had dinner with Dave and Loni (big bro and s-i-l) so I chatted with Loni about it. She had plans to go today with her good friend Priscilla, and said I should totally join them!! I asked her all my questions... Do I have to be able to kneel (not something I've done since pre-surgery)? What do I wear? How much time do I spend in the water? Is it hard?!

Okay, yes, you do have to kneel. But I did it!! I'm almost as excited about that as I am about the actual paddle boarding. I wore shorts and a sports tank. I did not go in the water at all!!! It was not hard. Challenging, yes. A workout, yes. But not really hard.

And SO MUCH FUN!!!!! I was offered a demo by the guy in charge but I just watched Loni and Priscilla do it first and I was fine. Basically you get on it while you're standing at the edge of the water, maybe calf deep. This was the hardest part for me because I was so unsure of my kneeling ability. Especially on the fairly hard board. But I did it and it didn't even hurt!! Just felt weird cuz it'd been so long. So we paddled out a little ways while on our knees. Then they started standing up, so I did too :) It took me two tries cuz the board was drifting too far away from where I wanted to be. The hardest part is that last part getting upright, with the paddle in your hands. Once up though, it's actually a little easier, I thought. It is definitely a full body workout. Balancing with legs and core and paddling with arms.

We got out of the bay/inlet into the actual lake, where the wind picked up. We all sat down :) We paddled around while sitting for a good while. We raced to a buoy. I came in a close second behind Priscilla. The wind tried really hard to take us where we didn't want to go. Priscilla stood up again. And fell in. Loni tried too and fell backward on to the board. I didn't try :) Oh, and there were ducks that watched and swam with us. So cute! So fun!!!

After 45 minutes or so, we paddled back into the inlet where we all stood back up. It's called stand up paddle boarding, so it seemed right to stand up to get back in to the beach! We all stood up paddling right to the beach.

It was an amazing fun time while getting exercise. I will definitely do it again!! I didn't get any pics of me on the board cuz well, water.

the beach where we went in and out

the three of us. Priscilla's in front.

Tomorrow Dad and I will finish the fence, which will be #3 :)

My First Radio Event!

Before I left to see Port, there was a major life event! Okay, in my life, it was major :) To others, it probably seems trivial. But this is MY life I'm writing about!!

Bright and early, Dad and I set off, a few minutes apart, to the Inaugural Fawnskin Ride n Tie event. Making this event even more extra special is that my big brother was the race director! It was a very small race which was perfect for my first time :) I suppose I should explain the ride... A ride and tie is historically a horse riding event, involving a team of two people and a horse. One person starts on the horse, the other starts on foot. At some point, the horse rider hops off, ties up the horse, and continues on foot. The runner gets to the horse, hops on and continues riding. The team leap frogs this way throughout the course. Our event was the same concept but with a mountain bike instead of a horse. We had four teams. Small but intimate. And they all had a great time so I'm sure the event will grow exponentially for next year.

Dad and I were working radio. After a week of planning who'd work where, my suggestion that I do the checkpoint that was only reachable by foot (or bike I suppose) and lots of changes, we all set out to our assignments. I indeed got to work Checkpoint 2. My partner had access to the fire road though so we drove instead of walking. Which was good because we sat in the jeep while it rained :) We got out when the first rider went through the checkpoint before ours. Although our name was CP2, we were really the 3rd of 4 checkpoints. The one before us had a name, Hanna. It happened to be manned by Dad!

I got to call in our first rider. And the information that he provided about his teammate that should've been to us first. Turns out the rider passed him without realizing it! But it made for a little excitement for about 5 minutes. It was also good practice for all the radio folks on what to do with this sort of situation.

All 8 rider/runners came through CP2 and we left. We made it back to the finish line (Race Command) before the teams finished so I got to do my other favorite race thing - cheer them on!

This coming weekend is another event up here in Big Bear. A mountain bike GranFondo. It looks like dad and I get to ride SAG. Meaning we'll be in two different vehicles that roam the course helping riders with bike and medical issues and such. Should be lots of good radio fun!!