Updates for 2010

journey here to there

XAIPETE NIKΩMEN

A Here to There, LLC event

UPDATES FOR 2010

Update on Rules and some history - 16 Dec '09

Hi, all,

Let's take care of business first. I don't want to appear cranky - always "going on" about the rules - but the rules are the rules and without them all is lost! Today's rule requiring re-iteration:

Packet Pickup and Registration - You must sign your liability waiver and pick up your packet and your bib number no later than immediately after the pasta meal. By 8pm on Sat. night those camping here are beginning to settle down into their tents and vehicles, I have to prep the cabin for the next morning's activities, and with a 4am wake-up for me and Matt...I need to be done with registrations no later than 8pm on Sat. night.

If you have not completed check-in by 8pm, you will be considered a "no show" and your place will either be given away or simply taken off the roster. The first of the rosters leaves with Matt and his crew at 4:30 am on Sunday...I am sticking with this rule...no changes at any hour on Sunday morning.

If you can't get here by 8pm on Saturday night then you aren't going to run on Sunday. It's a very simple rule.

Remember the others:
* No dogs at my place or on the route
* No pacers unless they are registered runners
* No family, friends or supporters except at the designated area on FS 157 or where they wish along 152 - this includes these same people rolling along slowly in cars on the route
* You must meet the cutoffs at the specified aid stations
* No early starts, no late starts, no late finishes - you have from 6am to 6pm to cover the course on your own two feet, that's it
* No leaving the course without checking with an aid station volunteer or with the staff at the finish line
* You must pick up your packet by 8pm on Sat. night
* No bandits, no bandits, no bandits - this means no one who is not registered is allowed to walk or run or bike or skate or roller blade or ride on horseback or move in any other fashion alongside you or just for fun by themselves on the route during race hours

Infraction of any of the rules means an automatic DQ for the runner - you will be asked to leave immediately - you will be done with Ghost Town forever

The rules are the rules. We are all better off for them. We are all happier if they are respected and maintained. I like being happy, don't you?

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Now for the fun stuff:

A few of you have mentioned interest in old places. Welcome to Hillsboro! Mining - gold and silver - was what caused Hillsboro and the surrounding areas to flourish in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Lake Valley (about 20 min. down Hwy. 27 - you know, the one to that bar at Nutt) was home to the second largest silver strike in the USA. It stands a true ghost town now...it may even be possible to visit while you're here. Kingston - 8 or 9 miles up the road (again depending on the signage) was also a booming silver-town. There was a time in Kingston when there were so many people living there and coming in from the surrounding hills that it could take hours to move down the one street - less than half a mile in distance. There are still a good number of the old buildings there. Same in Hillsboro, but Hillsboro: here was the gold.

Directly opposite my place if you look carefully up the hill and slightly to the left you will see some of the remains of the old support system for moving water, rocks and hopefully nuggets down from the higher country. Almost at the road, just beyond the fence and a stand of trees, are what's left of the walls of the old assay office. Every now and then Matt and I turn up a hand-forged nail on our property. All this area was home to miners' shanties. Throughout Hillsboro you'll see ruins of old adobes, some Victorian homes, and up on the hill (sort of below the cemetery but not under like in "under" if you know what I mean?)are the remains of what was once a very celebrated court house and jail.

In the early 1900s there was a very famous murder trial held here. It stemmed from the Lincoln County wars. The man on trail was a well-known rancher. The victims were another man and his 10 yr. old son - their bodies have never been found. The court house was featured in the national press for both its architecture and the trial. From what we've learned - one side of the street through Hillsboro was lined with armed men in support of the rancher, and the other side lined with ones who wanted him hanged. The contractor whose team installed my new cupboards spoke of the trial - apparently his great-grandfather (or great-great- I can't remember which as I was concentrating on the kitchen project at the time) was the defense attorney. To this day, according the contractor, the victims' descendents despise the defense atty's relatives...and so it goes in the west. Something of the Hatfield and McCoy's without the shotguns being pulled out in these modern times.

But getting back to the old adobe ruins in the heart of town. Hillsboro was widely known for its brothels during those mining days. The local madame who had houses from Lake Valley to Hillsboro to Kingston was Sadie Orchard. She also ran the stage coach line. An older fellow - "Boots" - who lived here when I first moved up this way would speak of Sadie with reverence. According to Boots, "Sadie's girls were saints. When the great flu epidemic hit and all the miners' living in those shanties were suffering so, those girls went out to nurse them at their own risk. They couldn't stand that the babies and little kids dying (so many every day) were just being put in boxes in the ground...so they shredded their petticoats to line the boxes for the babies." If you wander the cemetery you may notice areas with very small unmarked graves. There's a good chance that's where the babies lie wrapped in the remnants of Sadie's girls' petticoats.

Personally, I love wandering through cemeteries - reading old markers and gravestones. I find them peaceful. I don't go up on the hill very often - if it's too warm the place could be full of rattlesnakes. But this time of year, if you've got the inclination, there shouldn't be any snakes and you'll just be wandering through graves of those who dug the hills and panned the creeks hoping for that big strike. Some have markers, most don't, but the times I've been up there, I still felt a sense of who they were.

And so, of course, this brings me to our route's ghost: P. Luis. You'll run past his grave twice. It sits about 5 miles into FS 157, just after a cattleguard and slightly before the turn for the Forest Trail spur. P. Luis was a miner and homesteader...as a matter of fact, he's buried at the edge of his land. He was shot dead for failure to pay a small gambling debt. The card game was held at the old log cabin (you'll see it just before you cross the N. Percha). They used to play a lot of cards there, sold liquor too. Directly opposite the cabin, on the creek side of the road, there's a somewhat rectangular rock that is full of uniformly-sized holes. When the miners would get drunk they'd challenge each other to drilling contents - all hand-drills, nothing mechanized. That rock stands as testiment to "fun in the 1880s."

There are other graves in the forest, but they're hard to see. Some we've heard of but not been able to find. Cooter told me that there's a whole family buried in those last couple of miles to Cave Creek. Apparently their family gravesite used to be surrounded by a split-rail fence, but winds have knocked trees down and they in turn have taken the fence. The graves are no longer easy to spot. Cooter didn't know who the family was, or how many, he just knew they were there.

You won't see the grave, but there's one that's appeared in the last year or so. We think he's a fella from TorC, and he's buried up one of the canyons. I asked someone at the USFS office about the grave - expressing my surprise that it was allowed - maybe I could be buried in the Gila too? (Well, when the time comes - hopefully no time soon!) The reply, "It's not allowed, but once it happens, we don't disturb those already at rest." Gives me something to think about, eh?

So there was gold in these hills, silver too. Many died trying to get some for themselves, many profitted by offering services those who were digging and panning needed. Almost all have faded away. There are still open mines, there are many closed ones. You'll be running to one when you head up the spur. Mark Brenwall will be at the low-end of the spur to help you get started, Tom Myers will greet you at the top. Along the way, if you look to the north, you'll see a natural stone arch. It's only recently that I've spotted the large cave below and to the right of the arch.
Same guy at the USFS told me about the cave...it's nearly hidden by a large stand of vegetation. He also told me it's now gated so that vandals and such can't get in there.

Me, I wouldn't go messing around in a cave or a mine or with any of the old stuff one might find out there. The Gila is full of graves...and where there are graves, there are the ghosts of those who gambled and lost.

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Finally, I am still having difficulty with the website. All was working well, but then the electricity in the entire area was cut yesterday so the co-op could do some work and it's messed everything up again. So, if I am slow to get lists updated or bios published...please know I'm working on it. No one has complained, thank you, but I felt you should know I'm giving it all I've got to get straightened out.

We're a month away from race weekend's Sat.!!! See you afore long, susan

Aid Station Food and Fri. night supper - 12-14-09

Hey all,
I rec'd a question yesterday concerning food at the aid stations. My gratitude to the author of the question for his patience...Matt and I spackled holes and cracks in the kitchen ceiling and walls yesterday and I sort of ignored the computer. We begin priming the surfaces today!

Anyway...as to the aid stations and food there...

Staples at the big stations:

water (in gallon jugs...if you want to carry water with you, bring a hydration system we can refill)
Gatorade (larger bottles - not individual ones for you to take)
PBJ fixins
pretzels
boiled potatoe pieces
salt packs (like the kind you get at a fast food joint)
bananas
apples (sectioned)
V-8 juices (small indiv'l cans) at two stations
M&Ms
gummi bears
peppermint patties (my favorite - refreshing in the mouth, soothing for the stomach)
trail mix
mix of little candy bars (like the Halloween bags of asst'd bars) - last year it was Twix, Snickers, 3 Musketeers and Milky Way

The Junction Station is the first and the last station. At the early morning pass there will be water, Gatorade, bagels, and bananas. Over the years I've found not much food is eaten this early in the race. For the second pass - 6.3 miles from your finish - there will be more food, but prob. not everything provided at the other stations. Again, people are now focused on finishing and don't take as much time to stop and eat.

Remember...you can send your own food/beverage/gel supplies ahead in your gear drop bags to Stone Hut, Hilltop, and Vista stations. If you really want a pepperoni stick...send one ahead. I supply the items most people will eat...if you like your peanutbutter on oreos...send a baggie of oreos. (I have provided Oreos in the past and only 2-3 people took any.)

If you have something you think everyone will want, let me know. I do consider all suggestions, but this isn't a promise, k?!?

Sodas - too many flavors, too many options (diet, non-diet, caffein, non-caffein, etc.) - you supply your own soda throughout the weekend. Bring it with you as there's no place to stock up on soda in Hillsboro.

Requested foods: beer (can't do this for legal issues), hard-boiled eggs (can't do these for sanitary and temperature control issues), turkey and cheese sandwich (again...no temperature control and not really practical for the numbers we have).

At the finish line:

homemade chicken enchiladas
crocks of homemade sweet potato/onion soup - one crock with meat, one veggie only
homemade banana bread
homemade cornbread
homemade healthy egg salad (made with olive oil, garlic and curry - not mayo!)
fruit
sweets
paydays - those salted peanuts make a good recovery bar
whatever else I have on hand that will set easy on your stomachs and help you revive

You should find sufficient food in a wide-enough variety that you won't go hungry nor will you have to break any dietary habits you adhere to. There will be plenty for carnivores and vegetarians alike!

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That's it for aid station menus. Now for the Fri. night supper. It's going to be Greek night. I need a fairly accurate headcount so I have plenty for everyone. Right now the menu includes a Greek chicken stew, moussaka (an eggplant dish), sides of yogurt and olives, some kind of bread, some kind of salad, some kind of dessert, prob. something more but I've not come up with it yet.

Here are the people who've let me know they'll be joining us:

Laura Falsone
Jim Burke
Joan and Marcus Nashelsky
Tim Bauer
Jan Tarr and Julie Aster (I think? because you're camping on the property Fri. night?)

If you plan on being at the table on Friday night (supper is at 6p.m.) please let me know - sooner is better than later. Thanks!

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If you have not turned in your bio and would like to - this includes the waitlisters - please send it to me asap so I can get them published on the website before leaving for Christmas.

Here are the questions:
1. Name, age, location, occupation
2. Brief running history
3. Something you're willing to share others might not know about you
4. Shoes you'll run the GT in
5. Favorite book (or quote or both)

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Weather...we had snow...a couple of times since Thanksgiving. It's gone now in for the most part, though some remains in the highest points of the Black Range and in those deep recesses of the mtns. that are seldom touched by the sun. It is cold at night, but we hit the low-60s by noon yesterday. Winds have been a bit stronger than I enjoy.

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That's it for now. Keep those questions coming...they help me remember what needs sharing or explaining. Please remember that I'll be gone from Dec. 19 to 28 - no laptop/internet while away. It's good...a rest before returning to full GT activity!

Just over a month to go!!! susan (575)895-3383

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UPDATE and Behind the Scenes - 12-10-09

Hi all,

It's getting to be that time of year where I suddenly wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. with "don't forget to tell them" thoughts running through my mind. The "them" is you, the subject always has something to do with Ghost Town.

So it's time for something of an UPDATE. This one is about some of the quirks coming to Hillsboro presents.

Things to learn from me or discover in an unfortunate way when you've arrived:

1. The closest gas station to Hillsboro is 18-20 miles away. It's at the junction of I-25 and Hwy. 152 at the Lakeview RV park. There is no gas station in Hillsboro or Kingston, and I do not have a gas pump on the property ;-}

2. If you are coming from I-10 west of us...you may want to exit at Deming. You can purchase gas and supplies there. Then head as though you are going to Silver City until reaching the turn (to the right or east) for Hwy. 26. Travel on the 2-lane 26 until you see the sign for Hwy. 27 and Hillsboro. If you miss the Left turn onto 27 (can't go right or you'll end up in the open desert) you will see just beyond it a bar (as in a place to buy a drink) that marks Nutt.

This route (Deming to 26 to 27) is what we call the "short cut." It will save you a good bit of time from going all the way into Las Cruces on I-10 and then up I-25 and back over on Hwy. 152.

Hwy. 27 will bring you right into Hillsboro, past the first station, take a left onto 152 at the Welcome to Hillsboro sign. My place is about 6/10 of a mile from there.

3. Cell phones do not work well in Hillsboro, Kingston, the Black Range, or the Gila. If you are coming into Hillsboro on 152 after I-25...you will most likely lose coverage once you've entered the curves. You will recognize the curves...they are as described. They are also in the hills. Some people are able to randomly grab some coverage on their cell phones when they stand across the road from my place - this is all up to the heavens and your luck. There is somewhat better cell phone reception on cemetery hill.

If you don't mind standing among the dead to converse with your loved ones, turn off of 152 at that Welcome to Hillsboro sign, go past the fire station, bearing to the left at the fork, and then around one more bend at the top of the hill. The graveyard is on your right. Good luck.

The BarberShop motel does not have phones in the rooms. You will still not have cell coverage there. But you are closer to the cemetery. ;-}

4. A runner who came for the hike in October commented that it's probably adventure enough for most of you just to get to Hillsboro. The Gila will be that much more. Please keep in mind that the Gila Hiking Center (which is my little shop) caters to hikers, cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, but will be closed for GT. There will be no place closer than Lakeview RV at the junction of I25 and 152 to get snacks, batteries, motor oil, etc.

In years past there have been two cafes open at different times. The BarberShop cafe is now closed...at least for the winter. The Gen'l Store is a cafe and not really a store. It is open most days from 8a.m. to 3p.m. Thus my offer for supper on Fri. night for early arrivals. Next closest food is either the Arrey Cafe in Arrey (30-35 min. drive) or Truth or Consequences (40-45 min. drive).

5. Bottom line...bring with you what you need. The closest WalMart is in TorC, next closes 75 miles away in Las Cruces.

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BEHIND THE SCENES:

*Buddy has spent the last hour barking at the cows and horses pasturing in the hills across the road from us. There may well be cows along the route...keep an eye out and give them some space. I've never been charged or chased, but then I keep a respectful distance. If you are driving too quickly for the road (curves and such) and hit livestock...you will wreck your car, tick off the rancher, and owe him the value of the animal. It is open range here...figure the cattle have the right-of-way.

*The electricians came yesterday to work on the kitchen. They were here until after 8p.m. They came out of El Paso and their boss would rather pay them overtime than have them have to drive up here again.

*The cupboards are unloaded but not in place yet. I'm looking forward to getting into the new kitchen and cooking for GT!!!

*You may have noticed that I said the distance from Hillsboro from I25 is 18-20 miles. It really depends on which hwy. sign you look at - they are within 20 or 30 ft. of each other, but give a 2 mile variance. Things are a little relaxed around here. Get ready!

*Boxes continue to pile up in the studio. The shirts have been ordered and will arrive just after I'm back from the Christmas trip. Other "stuff" is ready and waiting for your packets.

It's starting to look a lot like Ghost Town, everywhere I loo-ook! (that could be put to the music of a Christmas song..you can figure it out...)

Have a holly jolly day wherever you are! susan

Answers to Question about Pace 12-09-09

Hi all,

There was a good response to the question on calculating pace based on previous marathon-but-no-ultra experience. It dawned on me that with the entire group mailing list split into two groups so that my box can handle all that needs doing, and the fact that some (or maybe all of you) replied to me and possibly not the group...there's a good chance I might be the only one reading the responses.

They merit being read by everyone. There are quite a few first-time ultrarunners in GT for 2010. And I think it's interesting even for those of you with many ultras under your feet to see how people approach this question.

The variety of answers reminded me as to why I don't ever recommend shoe-type for the running the GT. In the end, some stuff just has to be sorted out as it happens or "take your best guess!"

I will be posting these answers and the original question to the Updates page of the website.

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Speaking of the website...if you visit any time soon, you may catch that there's a new home page. Mercy me, what a Fri. thru Mon. I had with the laptop, website, and internet provider. My service was becoming quite spotty, so the IP had me change some settings on Fri. Sat. I couldn't update the website - it wouldn't publish. An hour on the phone Sat. night with the site host staff concluded with the cheery young man on the other end of the phone saying, "Well, I'm not really tech staff...they've all gone home for the day...so you'll have to get back to us on Monday."

Monday between the IP and the site-host I was on the phone for 5 hours. The host guy had me pushing all kinds of buttons and tabs which resulted in the complete loss of the website in my site-bldg. software. I was caught in a nightmare. To top it all off, they had me downloading FTP software and files...which was too much for my IP...and my service was put into a "mandatory slow-down" so slow that I couldn't open email.

I got a little cranky and my IP guy (who happened to be India) apologized and reinstated my normal internet speed.

Matt came home from work on Mon. to find me nearly curled into the fetal position muttering things like, "I'm supposed to be a writer and a hiking guide...what have I done to my life?!?" He kindly took me out for dinner.

I spent yesterday working out some kinks in the whole thing, rebuilding the structure of the website and having to quickly create a new home page. Ah...such it is.

Today we are getting the new kitchen cupboards, sink, lights, and countertop installed. This weekend we paint! Life is definitely improving!!!

Anyway...here are the answers to the question on pace: enjoy!!!

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I don't know who all may have responded yet but a 15 minute mile is WAY too slow a prediction for this runner. The 38.5 is more akin to running a 50-mile from my perspective. My PR time for the GT is just about the exact same average pace as is my 50-mile PR and is 15 to 20 seconds per mile slower than my 50K PR time. The GT is a little harder course than either my 50-mile or 50K PR times.

My GT PR is about 4 minutes per mile slower than my road marathon PR but the GT course is WAY, WAY harder than my marathon PR course, which was at Ogden, UT...mostly downhill.

If this runner is doing consistent 3 hour road marathons then I'd say a 9 - 10 minute average pace or faster is very reasonable.

Brian (Pilgrim)

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Throw your marathon information/pace ideas/etc. out the window.

An Ultra is NOTHING like a road marathon- and with this being your first, forget about "mile pace" as well - you get there when you get there. Your first goal should be to finish. Yes, finish. Though it seems like your 6.5 hours is a reasonable time guess. You have to take into consideration - have your 30+ mile runs been done on the roads or trails? That will be a big indicator of your pace; If you train mostly on roads, you will be in for a treat!

It would be better to concentrate on your race day nutrition and length of time on your feet in your training runs.
(Laura Barrett)
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S,
Depending on the elevation that he is from and the type of terrain he trains on he should be able to do it in 6.5. The key challenge is the thigh burner when running downhill on asphalt the last 6 miles. That stretch seems to take its toll more so than other portions of the course. J

(John Harrington)

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Hi Susan

In response to the new ultra runner, I would make a couple of comments.
I am one who has made the transition from marathons to ultras.
One major difference is that marathons don't typically climb mountains (except for
Pike's Peak, of course). Climbing the hills requires more energy than
a typical marathoner might appreciate. Having said that, Ghost Town is a challenging course
but not wildly difficult. Furthermore, most of us can eat a bagel or two and run 26 miles.
Running 38 miles requires most people to eat and that will likely slow you down.
That final 12 miles takes more energy than you might think. In the range of 40 miles,
you are depleting the last of the glycogen reserves that marathoners rely on.

To me, the greatest danger for marathoners transitioning to ultras is impatience. In the first half of
any ultra, from 50K to 100 miles, you should always be comfortable. The year that I won Ghost Town,
our time in the first 6 miles up to the forest road was 55 minutes. That will seem really slow
for a marathoner, but is typical for ultras. I think 15 minute miles on the GT course is slow,
but I would suggest that a pace between 9 minute miles and 13 minute miles will be quite
typical for a beginning ultra runner. Don't be alarmed if your pace varies dramatically with the terrain.

Ed (Heller)

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My two cents - since this is a first attempt at this distance, worry less about time and just go out and have a good time. Predicting time on a trail race is futile, because there are too many other things in addition to distance that factor in. Terrain and surface are a couple that come to mind - maybe the actual elevation of the race (higher in New Mexico than where I am in Texas) - weather - nutrition. If you focus too much on a specific time - you might not run a smart race - might push too hard - and might sustain some type of injury or possibly not finish. Don't get too caught up in time - go out and run within yourself and enjoy the distance and the ups and downs of endurance running (and the bragging rights of finishing!).

Brian (Hill)

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i don't know if this answer will help, so i'll send it to you first...

my first ultra was at jemez. high elevation near los alomos in NM. a 50K took me more than 9 hours!! my second ultra was on the pacific crest trail in Oregon. i finshed 50 miles in about the same time!! i think i was shooting for the same 6 hourish time for GT until i realized that GT may be a lot like jemez, and if that's the case, i'm thinking i won't finish until the 9 - 10 hour range. of course, i'm not gong to have run a couple of 30+ milers in, and i'm recovering from an injury... i'm just running high weekly mileage, so the first timer may be much more fit and better prepaired than me!!
(Amy Monsivais)

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Susan,

My quick sysnopsis and personal times for comparison for you to pass along.

My marathon PR is 3:06 and my GhostTown PR is 6:06. They were 3 months apart and when I was in the best condition I've ever been in. My 50 mile PR is 8:05 - 3 years earlier, but close condition-wise.

The biggest change in the time between a marathon an GhostTown is not distance, but 1) ultra racing at altitude (I'm a flatlander), 2) off-road vs. pavement, and 3) amount and steepness of climbs and descents.

A conservative rule of thumb would be to double your marathon time.

Also, due to the length and steepness of the hills, a 10 minute average pace may vary from 7:30 to 12:00+ over the terrain of the race.

-Marty Duchow

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Susan-
Tell him he should have no problem w/his expected pace. The hills may take it out of his legs some, but not to the point of 15 min. miles! I haven't run a marathon in under 3 hrs. for over 12 years, and I ran GT in 6 1/2 hrs.. I never went further than about 22 miles for my longest runs, either. Sounds like he's ready!
Elise

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Please share my response if you think it's helpful.

Ultras are an art not a science. You will never know till you get out there. If you have 30+ mile runs under you then you should finish this race. Hell, I won't have run anything over 20. Make adjustments to your pace based on the altitude, weather, and topography. For instance, if you are running 30 miles on roads in Boca Raton Florida, then I would not expect that will transfer mile for mile at Ghost Town.

I ran Ghost Town last year in 6:56 and was probably in shape to run a 3:40 road marathon...but I hate road marathons...in fact I think they are the scourge of the earth. I have also found that I feel better after 26 miles than I do after 5. I've run numerous 50 mile races. The altitude gain and loss seems to be the biggest factor on pace.

In this race, the first 6 miles are on road with maybe a slight uphill tendency. You will be able to run very fast over the first section. You pace here will be faster than the rest of the race. From there you go on to a wide well groomed dirt road for the rest of the race (save a short single track section and the road on the way back). There is some gain and loss, but the climbs are not terribly long. Maintaining 9 min pace is not something I am able or even try to do on the climbs but I do fly on the downhills.

I say to tear it up and see how it goes. See you there.

Jason C. Bousliman, Esq.

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please pass this answer onto the person who asked the question below:

The answer to his question is unclear and can only be gained by experience.
He needs to know his body and immediately recognize when he's starting to bonk and to slow the pace down.
Conventional wisdom would suggest perhaps his goal pace is too fast, but then again, CW may not apply to him for the reason he states (it's "only" 38 miles and not 50+).

Paul Grimm

Gear Drops, Discarded Gear, and Bib Numbers - 01 Dec. 2009

Hi, all,

This morning brought me a great question via email - can you leave flashlights and headlamps at STation #1 or 2?

Yes, definitely.

There are two systems for gear and extra clothing:

1. Gear drops - items you want waiting for you down the route. You choose, you provide, and you bring whatever you want to me on Friday or Saturday of race weekend. Your items should be in a waterproof small bag (gallon ziplocs are perfect). Once you're here, there will be sharpies available to mark your bag(s) with your bib number or tags to tie onto the items.

PLEASE DO NOT bring gear drop bags that are the equivalent of a large backpack or duffel bag. The volunteers have to lug all the bags out to their stations and we don't want injured backs. Space in vehicles for gear drops is also an issue. Remember - there are 100 of you - yours is not the only gear bag going out to a station.

You are allowed to send bags to Stone Hut, Hilltop, and Vista stations. The first two you'll pass through twice, Vista also twice but it's very close to the turn-around. If you're sending something to each station - you'll need three separate bags.

Grocery sacks/bags are alright, but items can fall out of them, should my best-weather dance fail - rain can get into these bags, and they can be cumbersome to get into if you've knotted them shut. Ziplogs or small bags like fanny packs or sackpacks are great!

* Think about what you send ahead in gear drop bags. Here are some common items:
- pair of socks
- medicines
- contact lens fluid
- visine
- favorite snack
- gels (I do not provide gels, S Caps, Gu, or anything else similar, at the stations - too many options for me to keep up with everyone's individual tastes)
- change of shoes
- favorite beverage not available at the aid stations (stations have water, gatorade, and V-8 juice)
- chap stick
- body glide (there is vaseline at each station)
- in years past some runners have sent whole changes of clothes - not any more, it's simply too much and you should think "light"
- you get the idea, I can't think of everything you might want or need...but I highly recommend lean toward the "need" rather than the "want"

Bags go out to the stations before the race begins...we are very busy on Sun. before the race...if you have gear drop bags...bring them with you when you come for your packet and bib number.

Bags are allowed to be waiting for you at the finish line. There will be a changing area in the cabin so you can get into dry warm clothes. Bring these bags with you on race day, or lock them in your car if it's parked within easy distance. You are responsible for placing your finish line bag where you can find it. There will be a place in the cabin for leaving car keys so you don't have to carry them with you while you run.

2. Discarded gear - this is stuff you have with you that you decide you no longer want to carry or wear. All volunteers will be able to receive your discarded items. It is your responsibility to assist the volunteer by giving your correct bib number and seeing that the volunteer either bags your item(s) or tags them.

If you just toss your stuff on the ground at an aid station, it will be picked up but we won't know who it belongs to.

* All gear drops and discarded gear is returned to the finish line when that particular station closes. If you toss stuff into a bush because you are running all out to finish fast and aren't near a station, it will be your responsibility to retrieve such stuff yourself.

* If you send out too much stuff or discard too much as you go, and then you finish early and don't want to wait for your items...well...unclaimed gear and clothing goes into Lost and Found. If it's unclaimed within the following 12 months - we have a door prize for the next event!!!

* MOST IMPORTANT: memorize the correct bib number. You may laugh or think me ridiculous for mentioning such a thing, but every year without fail I either receive a message from an aid station that # so-n-so is missing from the field but somehow we have 2 #such-n-such, or we get items back at the finish line that are tagged with a number but the runner with that number has no idea who the items belong to. It's one number - it's your ID for the event - make it yours and don't take someone else's!!!

* You don't want to be the one - you know - when Joan turns to me in the cabin and says, "We have two #so-n-so," and I say, "There's always one!" as I roll my eyes and then seek you out to have you practice your number for me several times before the race begins. I am really busy between 4 and 6 a.m. on race day. Stopping to help you memorize a 2-3 digit number makes me cranky. You won't like me if I'm cranky. Let's not go there.

* Remember - if you give the wrong bib number and we think you are missing and I have to come out looking for you, or worse yet - we have to call Search and Rescue or the Sheriff's office - either I, or the S&R team, or the sheriff and his deputies, or all of us will be yelling at you when all you want to do is finish the race and we won't stop yelling.

A Bit of GT History:

It was 2006 - our first year - the simplest route - from the south end of Hwy. 27, straight up (well up and over the hills) to Hillsboro to Hwy. 152, a left turn and 8-9 miles on Hwy. 152 to Kingston. I was worried about traffic and about running-related injuries, but I didn't think we'd lose someone.

There were very few rules that year. The rules have grown from incidents. I remember clearly the major rule - don't leave the course without checking out via an aid station or volunteer. Very simple. Two people did drop out because of bad blisters, but they checked out at an aid station and all systems were proved to work just fine. No alarms.

Until somewhere along the day word came back to me that a runner was missing. We knew which one, so I went back down the route checking at aid stations to try and figure out the last point at which he'd been seen. How could we lose him right off a paved road?!?

An hour went by, still no runner. The alert went out to all volunteers. Everyone kept an eye out. I was almost to the point of calling the sheriff when word came in - the runner had been found.

He'd left the route to go to his accommodations in the village to change shoes. He bonked. Stone- cold passed-out for 2 hours in his room. No one had seen him go in or out of the bldg. but one of the staff at his accommodations had finally knocked on his door and rousted him.

Besides causing a mild furor at race headquarters, worse was that he'd brought a young daughter with him and she was in full tears and near-hysteria by the time he was found. He did not finish the event, nor has he ever returned - both of his own choosing. I still shiver to think, "What if it had been more than a bonk? What if it had been a true medical-emergency?"

Now there are more rules. Some people think they are silly rules. There are those who argue the rules...they never win their arguments. The rules are the rules. They have all grown from incidents.

One of the rules - know your bib number. Every year...there is always one.

* You will mark your drop bags with your bib number. You will see that a volunteer tags or bags your discarded items with your bib number. You will check through each aid station with your bib number. It's a rule - you have to check in at each station (coming and going) with your bib number. Be kind to your RD. Obey the rules, know your bib number, use it as it's supposed to be used, and I will be cheering you in and ready to hug you at the finish line.

I love my runners. Don't be the one...

That is enough for today. I am tired, and I am sure you must be.

Good news...the sun is out, the temperatures quite mild, the snow is melting. We needed the precipitation - even for the desert it's been way too dry. Do not worry about the weather. It is completely out of our hands (though I will dance my dance, I promise). Race week Matt and I will begin marking the course. I'll be able to tell you better then current conditions along the route. Only once has there been small patches of snow and/or ice randomly along the route. You'll have an idea of what to expect before you get here!

Have a happy rest of the day.
susan (575)895-3383

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Concerning Daylight, Headlamps, and Reflective Clothing - 30 Nov. 2009

The following questions were sent by a runner new to Ghost Town. They seem to be of a nature that might be helpful to most, so I'm sending the answers to everyone.

*I believe the run begins at 6am. Obviously it'll be dark until probably 8am?

The run does begin at 6 a.m. You should have pretty good daylight by 7 a.m...here's what we've got for today:

Civil Twilight: 6:26 AM MST
Sunrise: 6:53 AM MST
Sunset: 5:03 PM MST
Civil Twilight: 5:30 PM MST

I don't know what phase the moon will be on race weekend, but the bigger the moon, the brighter the path. We are just about 21 days from the winter solstice right now, and on the 17th of January we will be just about 21 days from the winter solstice...so I'm figuring the amount of daylight to be pretty much the same on race day as it is today.

* No problem with a head lamp, but do you recommend hand held lighting, as well?

Hand-held or head lamp is up to you. I do recommend some form of mobile lighting for that first hour. Same for the last hour if you anticipate a finish between 11 and 12 hours. When it gets dark here, it gets really dark. There are no street lamps between my place and the Gila.

* What about reflective vest, etc? Are these needed while we travel on the highway during the dark of early morning?

I also recommend some form of reflective clothing or tape on your clothing. Most likely there will be little traffic in the early morning, but ya never know. There is a higher likelihood of traffic throughout the day and even into the evening.

There will be specifics about parking for you and for your family/friends closer to race weekend. The biggest thing is that everyone be sensitive to the hazard vehicles present to all the runners and even to the volunteers. Be respectful of the road, the public, my neighbors, and each other. There are many locations where your supporters can park to cheer you on and still be safe in their location.

Thank you to the author of the questions...the clock continues to tick...and, btw, it's still snowing!!!

HISTORY, UPDATES, GHOST TOWN STUFF - 30 NOV. 2009

Hey all,

I hope you enjoyed a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving. We made it home late yesterday afternoon just as a major storm was rolling in. This morning - snow, snow and more snow. My world is looking quite like Christmas. Before I am flooded with emails about the weather in January: I have no idea what the weather will be. I will do my dance and pray for the heavens to be merciful on us all. Then I will send you weather updates a week or two before the event and keep you posted from there. The snow we had last night and this morning is already beginning to melt. It is not the norm for us to have an abundance of the white stuff, but wherever you are in this world one thing is guaranteed - there is always weather of one sort or another.

We're six weeks from race week...not so very much time from the race director's perspective. Now seems like a good time to give you a brief (for me, those of you who know me can stop laughing) rundown on what to expect in the next few weeks:

* email updates on race rules, schedules, procedures, etc. - these will be noted as GT UPDATES or GHOST TOWN UPDATES in the subject line

* emails with fun info. on what's happening behind the scenes (like snow for the day or another delivery of huge boxes full of fun stuff for you)- these will be noted as "BEHIND THE SCENES AT GT 2010" in the subject line

* emails notes as GT HISTORY - since it's our 5th running of GT, it seems appropriate to let people in on some of what's happened in previous years - these may be fun, unusual, or stories of some of the challenges that have "popped up" race week

* REQUEST FOR INFO. emails are important - please reply to them - they help me plan the food, schedule meetings, organize the property for those who are camping, etc. If you don't respond and something is not to your liking that could have been taken care of before you got here...no complaints. An example - the runner who never gives me a shirt size but expects me to know what size to order for him or her. I am not clairvoyant nor do I anticipate becoming so between now and Jan. If I ask for info. it is because such info. is needed...I don't pester you just to torment you. I'm not mean!

So, now you have an idea of what may arrive in your email box. If you don't want to read the history or don't care about how the event develops behind the scenes - please just delete that email. Heck, you can delete them all and check the website "Updates" page which will have relevant info. posted on it same as it arrives in your box.

Do not delete those emails marked "REQUEST FOR INFO" as they are important and need your reply.

Every now and then I will combine important update info. with some history or behind the scenes info. I will do my best to give you the important stuff first so that if you've not got time or interest in reading the rest you can skip the back-half of the email.

Now...are you thoroughly confused? I hope not. This should be fun. Ghost Town is meant to be anxiety-free. You should feel a part of things long before you arrive and are surprised that I don't recognize you even when we've swapped numerous emails but I've never seen your face before. Be kind to your RD...I try to know your age, something from your bio if you've sent it, where you're from, how fast you run, and how many are in your party...but there are more of you than ever before and I am older so my brain is jammed with more details and another year's input of all kinds of nonsense.

Here are some basics to keep in mind:

* Any and all questions are welcome. I do my best to answer them all...sometimes to the asker only, sometimes to the entire group if the answer will be helpful to everyone.

* I do not make your shoe selections for you. If you want to have an idea of what others are running in - check out the "Who's Running" page - I already asked everyone to say what shoes they'll run in for this very reason.

* In years past I tried to respond to every email about anything. It's harder for me to do with the numbers we've grown to. Please know that I read every one of them and if you ask a question, you'll receive an answer. When I ask questions (like - are you planning on the pasta meal) I prob. won't be able to acknowledge every reply, but I will get your name on the list for whatever it is I'm forming a list!

* Matt and I will be gone from Dec. 19 until late on Dec. 28. I will not be traveling with a laptop, so any questions arriving during that time will have to wait until I am home again. You should enjoy the peace and quiet while I'm away...

A BIT OF HISTORY:

2006 was the first running of Ghost Town. As with any new event, I was completely crazed trying to get everything ready. Stress...yes, not anxiety-free for me. Then on Dec. 22 I rec'd word via phone that my father had died. The services were set for Dec. 26 and 27 in South Bend, IN. Not only was it a sad time, but Christmas Eve was spent in a motel in Albq. so Christmas Day could be spent on planes. We returned home Dec. 31.

The 2006 Ghost Town gave me a focus between that last week of '05 and the next few weeks. When I first conceived the idea of holding the race, my ever-supportive Matt wondered if we'd even get a dozen runners. 38 took the line.

I'm happy to say that Matt is still with me and a faithful volunteer in spite of my wild ideas and adventures. Tom Myers is the other volunteer who has been with GT since the beginning. You'll meet him at the top of the forest trail spur. He's a retired John Deere engineer who with his wife Marge built their plane which he pilots.

There's a group of runners I refer to with great affection as the "Magnificent Seven." They have been here every year without exception. You will learn more about them at the pasta meal. Their presences are requested at that meal - yes, you know who you are and you need to be there or you will ruin one of my surprises.

And there are others who ran the first year and returning to run the fifth:

Boomer Lafferty was 13 in 2006. He is the GT's youngest finisher so far. He ran again in '09 and finished well-ahead of his '06 time. He'll be back in 2010 - still the youngest member of the field, but a competitor to be recognized. He is currently a student at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell.

Karen Preissler from MD was here in '06 with her mother and sister as support. She's returning in 2010 with her husband Anthony who will also be running his first Ghost Town.

Johnny Henderson from NM and Mike Melton from FL were also here in '06 and are returning for their second Ghost Town runs.

Without the brave few dozens of that first year we'd never have made it to our hearty field for 2010. The ones who ran in '06 ran on pavement...from just shy of the bar at Nutt to Kingston. One of those who has been here every year asked back then, "Why are we starting in the middle of nowhere?"

Well...the original course was from the junction of Hwy. 26 and 27 (just next to the bar at Nutt) to the campground just shy of Kingston. The distance - 38.5 miles. Then somewhere along the way in the preparations for that '06 run someone suggested a different location for the finish line. I was hesitant but promises of finish line support and festivities were made. I'd already advertised the distance, so with the move of the finish line came the move of the start.

A "Behind the Scenes" moment: sadly, those who'd made great promises for the finish line didn't follow through and the night before the race I was told that pretty much all offers were nil. The finish line didn't amount to much, but I was there with stopwatch and funny little awards in hand. Surprisingly to me, people wanted to come back in spite of such snafoos. I listened to or read all their post-race comments and the hunt began for an off-road route that would take them into the Gila but begin and end at my place. That's what they asked for and I, with MAtt's help, did our best to see that it happened.

And now you know something of why the distance and how the race has evolved.

There'll be more to come...

After all, it's our 5th running...something special to celebrate!

Let me have your questions, voice your concerns, and be prepared to answer one or two more "Info. Request" emails...and I'll see you in just over six weeks! The clock is ticking...

Safe and happy running in the in-between!
susan
(575)895-3383

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OFFICIAL GHOST TOWN NEWS - 19 NOV. 2009

Good morning, Ghost Towners!

We're one week from Thanksgiving and I am grateful for each of you. The 2010 Ghost Town is coming together. It looks like 2010 is going to be a great year for GT.

I think I've already mentioned that 2010 is the 5th running of Ghost Town, the 400th anniversary of the founding of Santa Fe, and the 2,500th anniversary of the battle of Marathon. To that end, I'm blending several traditions to celebrate it all:

* In addition to the food, the door prizes, the special recognitions...the pre-race pasta meal on Sat. night will include live entertainment. No, not just me being a bit goofy...but Matt is preparing (in ancient Greek)a brief recitation from Homer. Even if that's not your language of choice, it's beautiful to the ear and inspirational to the heart. And I've been talking with one of the organizers of a Hellenic dance company. I hope you're not going to be bashful but rumor has it they may be inviting those who are willing to join them for a dance or two.

* The pasta meal itself...it's morphed once more. I am a little stubborn when it comes to being over-regulated. To that end I have read and read the rules. Guess what? Potlucks are exempt! Most of you are traveling a good distance to be here...don't panic...I do not expect you to bring a pan of lasagna. The tents are going to cost a bit, so there will be a set-donation against the cost of the tents, but the food...the Arrey Cafe will provide the lasagna (both meat and veggie), Ben Wood (who is related to two GT runners) has volunteered to cook the spaghetti. To make sure we are holding a potluck, you'll be asked to bring either bread or rolls, or cookies, or a small bottle of olive oil. I may ask specifically according to where you live...just to make sure we have some balance. Those traveling by plane should not bring olive oil as it could leak or explode in your luggage and ruin your clothes! There'll be more on this party later, but please be assured that if you can't bring anything you won't be turned away.

* The awards. I usually keep these secret until the finish line, but I'm happy to say that this year for the finishers awards I am following the ancient Greek tradition of giving runners something from local vegetation. You see, in millenia past, competitive runners would have been given a wreath or branch from some local flora like the olive tree or the laurel (bush? tree?). There aren't a lot of olive trees in NM and I couldn't afford to import branches for everyone...so I thought long and hard and decided that when in NM do as New Mexicans do...all finishers will receive chile ristras from Hatch. They are going to be made with untreated chiles so that you can actually use the chiles in your food throughout the year or as long as they last! It's not exactly going green since the chiles will be red...but they come from just down the road and are completely consumable as well as traditional.

* Place awards - we have 8 of these: first place male and female finishers, the Marty Duchow award for the first finisher who lives under 1,000 ft., the MLK award for the one who finishes in the place equal to the date - this year 18th place, the Jeff Johnston award for the most improved time for a returning '09 alum, the oldest finisher to beat the clock, the Bill Halm award for the Double Masters winner, and the Mamaw Ruby award. This last one is new. My Mamaw always gave us a dollar for every year we were old on our birthdays. She's long gone now, but still remembered. In her honor, the one who finishes in the place equivalent to my age will receive the award. IT's definitely for someone in the second half of the pack!

* The place awards themselves will again be in keeping with something traditional. I thought and thought about this...and decided that once more they needed to be something associated with New Mexico. I did some searching around and am happy to announce that I found a source for some lovely large chunky pieces of polished turquoise. I'm making 8 turquoise, coral, copper bead and silver necklaces. Now, these won't be frilly girlie little things...they're strong...even tribal leaders sported such in their day!

* Our sponsors have been generous and boxes of give-aways are piling up in the studio. You will need to bring your own plastic gear drop bags...no more drawstring plastic bags from RunnersWorld for packets...we've gone more green with imprinted tote bags similar to those sold at WalMart. The bags will have all kinds of cool stuff - more than just event shirts!

* Please remember packets and bib numbers are to be picked up on Fri. or Sat. of race weekend.

Matt and I are going to be gone next week for the holiday. I'm sure some of you are sitting on questions...don't be bashful...but please be patient...I'm not taking a laptop with me while we're away. There will be more updates in the coming weeks. Your questions help me to be aware of what needs sharing or explaining.

Many blessings for a safe and happy Thanksgiving! susan (575)895-3393

This event is sponsored by Here to There, LLC which organizes and promotes walks, treks and runs of varying lengths in beautiful places.