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XAIPETE NIKΩMEN
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There's More to an Event than Just the Stats
My report on '08:
It's funny, I've written three race reports on this year's event and have completely lost one of them. The story for The Herald (local weekly newspaper) is gone, vanished, somehow I managed to either delete it or forgot to save it. It was full of the usual stuff - thanks to sponsors and volunteers, the actual race results, a little commentary on various runners and this or that. The other two reports should be in print in March, so even though they will be slightly redundant to this site and each other, they are what they are.
So what really went on at the Ghost Town '08?
It was cold at the start and warm in the middle. There was a lot of activity in my kitchen after the race started. I began cooking for the finish line food table. Some of the spouses couldn't get back in their rooms, so I was in good company. Donna Bentson and Joan Nashelsky really pitched in and kept me going. They did dishes, helped peel eggs, you name it, I had help! Some of my favorite moments are in the kitchen with other women. It's a time for friends and easy conversation. So, if you've got someone you want to bring with you next year who isn't sure about volunteering in the wilderness, I always appreciate help in the kitchen.
As we prepped food and yapped the hours away, I had no idea what was happening out on the course. It was only at the end of the day that I learned of Matt's adventures as he headed to station 7. First there was the flock of over 75 turkeys. Matt said he sat mesmerized and in total wonder at the sight. The big birds were unfazed by his presence and took their time as they wandered across his path. Many have asked me how he got the truck into Cave Creek. Speculation was high that there simply had to be a second road. Nope. Matt is the only person I trust to take my truck back in there. I often get out and walk that stretch as the driving takes nerves of steel. He apparently surveyed the situation, realized there was no way over the tree, and headed the truck up the side of one of the mountains. I'm glad I wasn't there. The truck is a truck and bears its Ghost Town wounds proudly. It's scraped, banged, scratched and now missing its bug screen. Oh well. Matt didn't want to let me down. I think he is amazing!
Gary Schancer (NM) ran in '07 and opted to volunteer in '08. He saved the day for me a couple of times. He supervised the folks at station 1. When they closed after about 2 hours, Gary returned to the cabin and clued me in that somehow a food box meant for another station had ended up at station 1. He and another volunteer headed out to 3 to make sure you all had food. The volunteers who usually do station 7 had suffered a family catastrophe in Missouri and as a result, Gary and Chris (a member of the local Sheriff's Posse) anchored station 7 as well. Gary is training for the Vermont 100 and I'm looking forward to reading about his success there!
I probably shouldn't tell you about such little glitches, but I think it's important for you to know that we stay busy once the race begins. The first year someone asked me, "So what do you do once the race starts - go take a nap until the first finisher comes in?!" Um...no.
Once we got word that a runner was approaching we all headed outside. Ed Heller looked great as he finished first - didn't even look tired. I don't want to take away from his accomplishment, but the real excitement came when Pete Stevenson and Paul Grimm came into view. Paul was sneaking up on Pete and somewhere near the electrical pole down the road we saw as Pete turned his head and glanced over his shoulder. He was finally away of the stealthy Grimm! Pete shot off in a full run. It was truly a sprint to the finish with the men finishing within 13 seconds of each other. Those of us in the yard couldn't help but burst into screams and cheers. It was a cool finish for an ultra!
The day rolled on and runner after runner finished. Some came in exhausted, others with big smiles, all seemed to be glad they'd had the day in the Gila.
I am always a little cold in terms of temperature. It was when I saw Bobby Keogh heading to the finish that I knew the day had warmed considerably. I think Bobby has always run the GT in shorts. This year he came in half naked - no shirt - skin rather red but he was in great humor! Little did I know that he finished, went through the cabin, and managed to get back on the course. I don't know how many miles he ran alongside Dianna, but she finished in about 45 minutes under her time from the previous year. Since the issue of bandits came up with two different individuals this year, I'm just going to say for one and all - Bobby had a number, he was registered, he was allowed on the course as much as he wanted to be.*
The run-down on the awards: Ed Heller and Elise Boeh were the first place overall winners. They received LL Bean fleece jackets embroidered by Marge Myers with the race logo, date, and their place. Marty Duchow won his own award for being the first lowlander to finish. Mike Potter (TX) finished 21st to win the Martin Luther King Day award. And Jim Simpson (CA) at 66 won the oldest finisher award. These three awards were LL Bean fleece hats, also embroidered by Marge. If you have any doubts about who Marge is - Tom from the top of the spur trail is her husband, Marge is an incredible artist and photographer, and she makes the crocks of beans that are devoured at the post-race bbq.
Jeff Johnston had an incredible run, shaving off nearly two hours from his run in '07. As a result we now have the Jeff Johnston award for the most improved runner in any two consecutive years. Jeff's already registered for '09, so hang onto your hats!
Four runners didn't finish this year. They gave it their all, though, and they have my respect for their efforts. One of them has been with the GT since its first run in '06. Bill Halm is now 80 and next year we'll have the GT Double Masters Ultra for anyone over 80. It'll be 27 miles - from the start to Station 3 (without the spur trail) and back. I'm hoping Bill comes back to give it another go. After all, the award to the first place finisher will be the Bill Halm award and it just seems right that the original Bill be here to claim it!
As the race director I think of you as not only my runners, but also my friends. Matt summed it up beautifully, "The only bad thing about the Ghost Town is that it happens in January and we have to wait the whole year to see everyone again!" Well, not necessarily true. John Harrington stopped by for breakfast a couple of days ago. That's something you should know by now - you're always welcome at our place. And I'm counting on seeing you all along the way.
It was another great year for the Ghost Town. Thank you all for sharing and enjoying my favorite wilderness. Happy and safe running or walking throughout '08! susan
*For all future runners and their family members and friends - if you want a pacer, that person needs to register for the race. If you have questions about this rule, email me and I will give you the reasons that unregistered runners are called "bandits."
My 2007 musings:
As a two-year veteran race director, I've come to realize that immediately after the race everyone wants the stats. But from my perspective, interesting and important as the numbers might be, it's the personal stories that capture my focus. So, this year, I'm including a page so you can know some of the "behind-the-scenes" cool stuff. Official race reports will be in UltraRunning and Colorado Runner but editors request brevity and we all know that I'm a bit wordy at times, besides, these are the stories that truly entertain.
No race goes forward without a hitch or two. There was some last minute shuffling of volunteers, and I am forever grateful for those wives, girlfriends, friends, and young girls who "filled in." My finish line volunteer came down with a nasty stomach problem; Mary Jo Ward (IL) and Joan Nashelsky (IA) came to my rescue and were of great assistance checking in runners at the finish line.
Lynn Difiore and her daughter Lindsey came to cheer on Charlie Possee (CO). When Jeff Johnston (CA) decided that he was well enough to run and opted to participate instead of volunteer, I was in a bit of a panic as that left me short-staffed at the forest trail. Lynn and Lindsey volunteered at registration and I can't imagine how many of you would have missed the spur altogether if they'd not been there to guide you off to the left and down to the creek!
Melissa Cochran (NY) called me not too long before race week to let me know she was going to surprise her aunt Jay Cochran (FL) who would be running her first ultra. Melissa was planning on cheering Jay on, but it was Melissa who received the surprise when Jay signed Melissa up during registration. Both ladies did an amazing job.
The rest of that story? A local couple had a change of plans just a few days before the race and let me know they wouldn't be helping out this year. As it turned out, Melissa brought a long-time friend along, Rebecca Kay. Rebecca was the lovely lady who literally took over my very funky kitchen and kept the food fresh on the table throughout the day. She skewered more kabobs than I think she anticipated.
With things under control at the finish line, stories began to trickle in about what was happening out on the course.
Tony Tochtrop (CO) who was in the lead for all or the majority of the race flushed out a flock of wild turkeys. I heard of many sightings of animal tracks, and right from the finish line a huge buck with full antlers was seen crossing the road by many of us.
A special prize should be awarded to Angela Ivory for her environmental sensitivity. Angela took some jelly beans at station 4 and headed on back down the trail. She returned shortly...the jelly beans weren't tasting good to her and rather than spit them into the woods where they'd be a foreign substance, she ran back to the station to put them in the trash!
If you are reading this and weren't on the course, you may not know that my youngest son, Gabe (17 yrs. old), absconded with my best cast iron skillet in the wee hours. He and his dad Matt manned station 4 at the deepest point in the trail. Gabe also took a couple of pounds of bacon and a dozen or more eggs with him. Apparently runners knew they were nearing the station when they smelled the bacon over the open campfire. Gabe knows how to stay warm and enjoy the wilds!
There were numerous stories of water freezing in various containers, but the one that amazed me the most was from the volunteers at the old mine (top of the forest trail spur). Apparently, a runner arrived, accepted a bottle of water, was drinking it and chatting to the volunteers, and by the third swig the water had frozen to slush. It was really way too cold that day. What were we all thinking?!?
It's always delightful for me to see runners who've made friends along the way. Michelle Wolpert (TX) wanted to quit she was so frozen, but Tim Bowers (MN) encouraged her forward from about mile 10. They crossed the finish line together. Veteran ultra-runner Bobby Keogh (NM) finished in stride with first-time ultra-runner Shelby Backman (CA). Charter members (they ran the Ghost Town in '06), Marcus Nashelsky (IA) and Andy Gillespie (AZ) finished while in deep conversation. I don't know if it's the way of all ultras, but it really does make me happy to know my race is a friendly event all the way through.
As for my volunteers, the steadfast and true, they endured bitter cold in those early hours. You'd think they'd have had enough. But there are already those stepping up and claiming their "spots" for next year, talking about decorations or improvements. They are incredible friends to me.
Probably my favorite story, though, is about Gene DeFronzo (CT). Gene was the oldest finisher this year, and he is a personal injury attorney ( a fact I didn't know until registration was well underway). Gene arrived ready to negotiate. He wanted an early start. He wanted me to allow the early start for him, or even change the official start time of the race altogether. He'd pop into the studio fairly often to see if he could argue me down. He was worried about making the clock. I asked him how many events he'd done - countless! I told him he had no worries, that he'd get his certificate and finisher's award if he'd finish within a reasonable time, but that I had confidence in him with all his experience, he just needed to focus. I heard he complained about the clock at almost every station. When Gene crossed the finish with 7 minutes (or so) to spare, his sense of accomplishment was great. He muttered to me as he finished, "This was hard, this was really hard." But he did it. He persevered and beat the clock. We laugh about the "negotiations" now and I asked his permission to share the story. He knows I'm very proud for him and that he has bragging rights - he finished in time!
Several runners slept in an assortment of their own vehicles right on my property. There were clean port-a-potties here for the weekend. One brave soul, Todd Williams, seeks a special adventure when he travels to an event, and he pitched a tent. Todd hung around Sunday night and before he went to his tent for the night, I told him if he'd surface around 9 the next morning, I'd have the coffee and hot chocolate on, and it would be time for banana walnut pancakes. After all, there are always some extra bananas after the race and I felt we'd all deserved such a breakfast for the morning-after. We had a great visit, it's my only regret - not enough time on race weekend to really sit and get to know everyone. So you're on notice now, no telling what I'll feel like making in '08, but the party's not over until the last person drives away. It's how I was raised and I hope you know you're welcome.
Finally, as the rd, I have to say that once again I am so grateful no one was injured. I thank you all for trusting me and for participating in Ghost Town '07. We've shared a journey, we'll always be connected if even in a small way. Stay in touch, for I hope our paths will cross again soon. And of course, you know, we run or walk again on January 20, 2008! I'll be here to answer your questions, and give you a hug when you arrive. It'll be my pleasure to welcome you to another Ghost Town run.
love, susan
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