Tag Archive | "Emily Conley"

2013 Jackass Shirt Front Art

Jackson Jackass 50K Results (2013)

Below are the results for the 2013 Jackson Jackass 50K that took place on February 9, 2013 at Kam-Dam Falls in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jackass 2 Results

  1. Arthur Priddy (Jackson, TN) – 4:39:14 (1st Male)
  2. Brad Box (Jackson, TN) – 4:48:22 (2nd Male)
  3. Ashley Hook (Memphis, TN) – 5:10:10 (3rd Male)
  4. Billy Cannon (Milan, TN) – 5:11:30
  5. Anthony Ohrey (Henderson, TN) – 5:11:31
  6. Jonathan Harrison (Henderson, TN) – 5:17:40
  7. Joshua Holmes (Los Angeles, CA) –  5:22:20
  8. Rob Philip (Saltillo, MS) – 5:31:31
  9. Kenneth Mescall (Jackson, TN) – 5:40:11
  10. Steven Reagan (Brownsville, TN) – 5:44:00
  11. Nathan Judd (Finger, TN) – 5:51:30
  12. Emily Conley (Lakeland, TN) – 5:53:03 (1st Female)
  13. Wade Anderson (Readyville, TN) – 5:53:05
  14. Nathan Bass (Madison, MS) – 5:54:54
  15. Wayne McComb (Columbus, GA) – 5:55:30
  16. Robin Robbins (Milan, TN) – 5:58:16
  17. Julie Montgomery (Jackson, TN) – 6:08:49 (2nd Female)
  18. Jeff Fugate (Jackson, TN) – 6:21:27
  19. Jonathan Bobbitt (Jackson, TN) – 6:22:57
  20. Terry Bishop (Jackson, TN) – 6:23:20
  21. Mark Watson (Medina, TN) – 6:29:12
  22. Leah Harrison (Henderson, TN) – 6:29:54 (3rd Female)
  23. Jennifer Whitley (Murfreesboro, TN) – 6:35:24
  24. Gene Pierce (Amory, MS) – 6:35:58
  25. Melanie Kayal (Jackson, TN) – 6:37:14
  26. Kevin Brandon (Dickson, TN) – 6:55:47
  27. David Oglesby (Jackson, TN) – 7:26:46
  • Chris Estes (Murfreesboro, TN) – DNF
  • Kevin Leathers (Germantown, TN) – DNF
  • Kam Otey (Amory, MS) – DNF
  • Daniel Escue (Dickson, TN) – DNF

Big thanks to Clark Bilbrey for doing all of the timekeeping and scoring as well as to Richard Sparks (Sparks Timing Services) for the use of his race clock.

Posted in Results, THE CLUB, Ultra MarathonComments (0)

Diane Bolton – Run It Fast – Extreme Racer Points Leader

RIF #159 Diane Bolton Takes Over Extreme Racer Points Lead (Complete Standings)

Diane Bolton (RIF #159) is the new female leader in the Run It Fast – Extreme Racer Points Standings. She passed RIF #24 Emily Conley to take the lead. RIF #124 Michelle Walker moved up into second place with Conley dropping to third.

Joshua Holmes (RIF #1) continues to lead the men, although RIF #88 Hideki Kinoshita did not report his totals for the past two months.  The third male through August is RIF #101 David Wingard.

(a point is awarded for every mile of racing done by each member. A marathon is worth 26.2 points, half 13.1 and so on.)

Here is a look at the complete standings:

Overall Leaderboard
1.   Joshua Holmes – 1041.4  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   Diane Bolton – 486.01  (RIF #159)
4.   Michelle Walker – 438.5  (RIF #124)
5.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
6.   Laura Raeder – 367  (RIF #20)
7.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
8.   Scott Stader – 355.3  (RIF #40)
9.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
10.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)

Men’s Leaderboard
1.   Joshua Holmes – 1041.4  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
4.   Scott Stader – 355.3  (RIF #40)
5.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
6.   Alvin Lee – 260.6  (RIF #30)
7.   Jason Howard – 242.7  (RIF #150)
8.   David Donald – 203.96  (RIF #54)
9.   Wade Anderson – 170.6  (RIF #22)
10.   Jonathan Bobbitt – 154.4  (RIF #3)
11.   Perry Ligon – 148.9  (RIF #146)
12.   Kevin Leathers – 143  (RIF #12)
13.   Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6  (RIF #57)
14.   Nicholas Norfolk – 139.01  (RIF #116)
15.   Rick Thiounn – 125.4  (RIF #111)
16.   Mark Sikkila – 113.4  (RIF #108)
17.   Dennis Arriaga – 97.56  (RIF #140)
18.   Naresh Kumar – 83.4  (RIF #2)
19.   John Hudson – 79.6  (RIF #63)
20.   Robin Robbins – 75  (RIF #33)
21.   Brian Wooldridge – 74.8  (RIF #141)
22.   Victor Fleitas – 71.12  (RIF #21)
23.   Scott Lochridge – 65.5  (RIF #32)
24.   Stewart Crouch – 64.8  (RIF #89)
25.   Mark Watson – 57.3  (RIF #173)
26.   JD Leman – 39.3  (RIF #139)
27.   Steven Reagan – 34.1  (RIF #157)
28.   Nathan Bass – 29.5  (RIF #174)
29.   Scott Gorski – 25.5  (RIF #107)
30.   Kevin Ronayne – 19.3  (RIF #11)
31.   Chris Nelson – 19.3  (RIF #135)
32.   Patrick Johnson – 10  (RIF #87)
33.   Josh Liggett – 9.32  (RIF #147)

Women’s Leaderboard
1.   Diane Bolton – 486.01  (RIF #159)
2.   Michelle Walker – 438.5  (RIF #124)
3.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
4.   Laura Raeder – 367  (RIF #20)
5.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
6.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)
7.   Lisa Gonzales – 290.7  (RIF #5)
8.   Mikki Trujillo – 281.2  (RIF #13)
9.   Nadia Ruiz Gonzales – 267.1  (RIF #69)
10.   Michelle Mitchell – 230.4  (RIF #133)
11.   Alicia Eno – 202.7  (RIF #126)
12.   Jennifer Whitley – 184.9  (RIF #160)
13.   Donna Pittman – 111.7  (RIF #181)
14.   Daniela Obregon – 107.7  (RIF #49)
15.   Nicole Knutson – 104.8  (RIF #47)
16.   Amber Goetz-Bouchard – 64.55  (RIF #15)
17.   Christy Bowers – 63.4  (RIF #60)
18.   Marj Mitchell – 61.9  (RIF #4)
19.   Lisa Edwards – 58  (RIF #122)
20.   Natalie Torres – 42.4  (RIF #72)
21.   Meredith Yox – 24.7  (RIF #128)
22.   Debra Jacildo – 17.39  (RIF #98)

The points competition is open to all members of Run It Fast – The Club.

You can join the international running club by clicking HERE.

[image: Diane Bolton]

Posted in Extreme Racer, Running, THE CLUBComments (0)

Leggo My Ego: Knowing When to Call It a Day

Leggo My Ego: Knowing When to Call It a Day

Leggo My Ego

It’s doubtful that many of you would consider running 75 miles in less than a day a failure.  And, I’m not sure I consider it one myself.  But, as I sit here licking the wounds of not finishing this weekend’s 100 mile ultra, I can’t help but think about one word.  Ego.  You see, I was thrilled to be included with some running legends in an article recently in the Commercial Appeal that talked about 100 mile ultra marathons and the growth of the sport.  As always, there was one opinionated commenter who made it clear that anyone who would undertake such a ridiculously long endeavor was driven solely by ego.  I’ll admit it has stuck with me.  I’m not someone who considers myself to be exceptionally egotistical.  But, I thought about it during the Mark Twain 100, my third ‘hundred miler’ in a little over a year.  I frankly decided that ego isn’t such a bad thing.  I was running well and felt great.  I was 30-something miles into the race and it was raining steadily.  I love running.  I love running in the rain.  I love running all day and night.  My ego and I were having fun.

Jump forward a few hours and 30 or so miles.  It was still raining.  It was getting dark.  The rocks were rockier.  The roots were rootier.  The dirt was mud.  It was pitch dark.  I was completely alone. My clothes were wet.  My ego and I were battling it out.  My body and my mind were having an old fashioned, ego-driven duel.  My ankles had turned so many times on loose rocks I lost count.  I was chaffed in all the wrong places.  I was puking.  So, I finished the 3rd lap for a total of 75 miles in a little over 18 hours.  I was toast.  Ego, ego, where art thou?

Fact is, I made the smart decision.  My rational side told my egotistical side to sit this one out.  And, as much as it wasn’t officially a check in the “Win” category, in some ways it was.  I believe that on good days and bad days there’s something to be learned that you can take with you for the next time.  Bruised ego and all, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things I’ve learned so far running ultras.  I look forward to adding to the list for many years to come.

10. After 50 miles I absolutely can not do simple math or remember more than a handful of words to any given song.
9.   Being around other ultra runners can somehow convince you that running that far is completely normal.
8.   The further you run the less you care about who sees you squatting to pee.
7.   The further you run the harder it is to squat to pee.
6.   Odds are good at least one person has wiped their nose (or worse) with the same hand that just dipped into the little bowl of m&m’s on the aid station table.
5.   Chaffing sucks.
4.  Some of the best people in the world are trail-runners.
3.  It doesn’t matter to other people how fast or far you can run if you’re not nice.  You’re just an ass.
2.  I never felt closer to God than when I’m all alone on a trail for hours.
1. No race or achievement will ever compare to the joy of being piled on the couch snuggling with my kids.

And, honorable mention….Ego, kept in check, is a remarkable tool.

Posted in Running, Ultra MarathonComments (1)

Josh at the Rock

RIF #1 Joshua Takes Over First In The Extreme Racer Standings

Joshua Holmes  (RIF #1) has taken the lead in the Extreme Racer Standings with 889 points thanks to his epic 314 mile run at Vol State 500K in July!  Hideki Kinoshita (RIF #88) is in second place with 813.2 points.

In third place overall is Emily Conley (RIF #24) who is leading the women with 426.4 points.  She is followed on the women’s board by Diane Bolton (RIF #159) with 377.8 points and Laura Raeder (RIF #20) with 340.8 points. David Wingard (RIF #101) is in third place on the men’s board with 365.4 points.

Each runner is awarded 1 point for each race mile. (More details HERE)

Top Ten Overall
1.   Joshua Holmes – 889  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
4.   Diane Bolton – 377.8  (RIF #159)
5.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
6.   Laura Raeder – 340.8  (RIF #20)
7.   Scott Stader – 304.6  (RIF #40)
8.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
9.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)
10.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
 
Men’s Leader Board
1.   Joshua Holmes – 889  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
4.   Scott Stader – 304.6  (RIF #40)
5.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
6.   Alvin Lee – 250.6  (RIF #30)
7.   Jason Howard – 242.7  (RIF #150)
8.   David Donald – 203.96  (RIF #54)
9.   Wade Anderson – 170.6  (RIF #22)
10.   Jonathan Bobbitt – 154.4  (RIF #3)
11.   Kevin Leathers – 143  (RIF #12)
12.   Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6  (RIF #57)
13.   Nicholas Norfolk – 139.01  (RIF #116)
14.   Rick Thiounn – 125.4  (RIF #111)
15.   Perry Ligon – 123.3  (RIF #146)
16.   Dennis Arriaga – 86.56  (RIF #140)
17.   Mark Sikkila – 84.1  (RIF #108)
18.   Naresh Kumar – 83.4  (RIF #2)
19.   John Hudson – 79.6  (RIF #63)
20.   Brian Wooldridge – 74.8  (RIF #141)
21.   Robin Robbins – 71.9  (RIF #33)
22.   Victor Fleitas – 71.12  (RIF #21)
23.   Scott Lochridge – 65.5  (RIF #32)
24.   Stewart Crouch – 64.8  (RIF #89)
25.   JD Leman – 39.3  (RIF #139)
26.   Steven Reagan – 31  (RIF #157)
27.   Nathan Bass – 29.5  (RIF #174)
28.   Scott Gorski – 25.5  (RIF #107)
29.   Mark Watson – 24.9  (RIF #173)
30.   Kevin Ronayne – 19.3  (RIF #11)
31.   Chris Nelson – 19.3  (RIF #135)
32.   Patrick Johnson – 10  (RIF #87)
33.   Josh Liggett – 9.32  (RIF #147)
 
Women’s Leader Board
1.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
2.   Diane Bolton – 377.8  (RIF #159)
3.   Laura Raeder – 340.8  (RIF #20)
4.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
5.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)
6.   Nadia Ruiz Gonzales – 267.1  (RIF #69)
7.   Mikki Trujillo – 250  (RIF #13)
8.   Lisa Gonzales – 233.5  (RIF #5)
9.   Michelle Mitchell – 230.4  (RIF #133)
10.   Jennifer Whitley – 184.9  (RIF #160)
11.   Alicia Eno – 173.4  (RIF #126)
12.   Daniela Obregon – 107.7  (RIF #49)
13.   Nicole Knutson – 104.8  (RIF #47)
14.   Donna Pittman – 102.7  (RIF #181)
15.   Amber Goetz-Bouchard – 64.55  (RIF #15)
16.   Christy Bowers – 57.2  (RIF #60)
17.   Marj Mitchell – 48.8  (RIF #4)
18.   Lisa Edwards – 44.9  (RIF #122)
19.   Natalie Torres – 42.4  (RIF #72)
20.   Meredith Yox – 24.7  (RIF #128)
21.   Debra Jacildo – 17.39  (RIF #98)

Thanks to everyone who submitted their points so far! It’s exciting to see how much everyone is running!

If you’d like to join Run It Fast – The Club or would like more information about it, please click this link:

Run It Fast – The Club (JOIN TODAY)

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RIF #88 Kino Retakes <em>Extreme Racer</em> Points Lead (Standings thru June 2012)

RIF #88 Kino Retakes Extreme Racer Points Lead (Standings thru June 2012)

Hideki Kinoshita (RIF #88) is back on top of the Extreme Racer Standings with 681.6 points.  Joshua Holmes (RIF #1) is in second place with 575 points.

Third place is Emily Conley (RIF #24) who is leading the women with 426.4 points.  She is followed on the women’s board by Laura Raeder (RIF #20) and Nadia Ruiz Gonzales (RIF #69).

Each runner is awarded 1 point for each race mile. (More details HERE)

Top Ten Leaderboard
1.   Hideki Kinoshita – 681.6  (RIF #88)
2.   Joshua Holmes – 575  (RIF #1)
3.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
4.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
5.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
6.   Laura Raeder – 295.3  (RIF #20)
7.   Nadia Ruiz Gonzales – 267.1  (RIF #69)
8.    Heather Shoemaker – 250.6  (RIF #44)
9.    Diane Bolton – 240.6  (RIF #159)
10.    Alvin Lee – 224.4  (RIF #30)
Men’s Leaderboard
1.   Hideki Kinoshita – 681.6  (RIF #88)
2.   Joshua Holmes – 575  (RIF #1)
3.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
4.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
5.   Alvin Lee – 224.4  (RIF #30)
6.   Scott Stader – 222.4  (RIF #40)
7.   David Donald – 203.96  (RIF #54)
8.   Jason Howard – 190.3  (RIF #150)
9.   Jonathan Bobbitt – 154.4  (RIF #3)
10.   Kevin Leathers – 143  (RIF #12)
11.   Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6  (RIF #57)
12.   Nicholas Norfolk – 139.01  (RIF #116)
13.   Wade Anderson – 136.5  (RIF #22)
14.   Rick Thiounn – 125.4  (RIF #111)
15.   Perry Ligon – 114  (RIF #146)
16.   Naresh Kumar – 83.4  (RIF #2)
17.   John Hudson – 79.6  (RIF #63)
18.   Brian Wooldridge – 74.8  (RIF #141)
19.   Dennis Arriaga – 73.46  (RIF #140)
20.   Robin Robbins – 71.9  (RIF #33)
21.   Victor Fleitas – 71.12  (RIF #21)
22.   Scott Lochridge – 65.5  (RIF #32)
23.   Stewart Crouch – 64.8  (RIF #89)
24.   JD Leman – 39.3  (RIF #139)
25.   Steven Reagan – 31  (RIF #157)
26.   Nathan Bass – 29.5  (RIF #174)
27.   Scott Gorski – 25.5  (RIF #107)
28.   Kevin Ronayne – 19.3  (RIF #11)
29.   Chris Nelson – 19.3  (RIF #135)
30.   Mark Sikkila – 16.2  (RIF #108)
31.   Josh Liggett – 9.32  (RIF #147)
Women’s Leaderboard
1.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
2.   Laura Raeder – 295.3  (RIF #20)
3.   Nadia Ruiz Gonzales – 267.1  (RIF #69)
4.   Heather Shoemaker – 250.6  (RIF #44)
5.   Diane Bolton – 240.6  (RIF #159)
6.   Mikki Trujillo – 220.7  (RIF #13)
7.   Lisa Gonzales – 217.3  (RIF #5)
8.   Michelle Mitchell – 209.1  (RIF #133)
9.   Robin Mancinelli – 198.3  (RIF #134)
10.   Jennifer Whitley – 184.9  (RIF #160)
11.   Alicia Eno – 147.2  (RIF #126)
12.   Daniela Obregon – 107.7  (RIF #49)
13.   Nicole Knutson – 104.8  (RIF #47)
14.   Christy Bowers – 57.2  (RIF #60)
15.   Amber Goetz-Bouchard – 55.52  (RIF #15)
16.   Marj Mitchell – 48.8  (RIF #4)
17.   Natalie Torres – 42.4  (RIF #72)
18.   Lisa Edwards – 33.7  (RIF #122)
19.   Debra Jacildo – 17.39  (RIF #98)
20.   Meredith Yox – 15.5  (RIF #128)
To join Run It Fast – The Club you can by clicking HERE.

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Run It Fast Club Member Profile – Emily Conley #24

 

Emily Conley #24

This week’s RIF Club Member Profile is Emily Conley #24. Emily is just coming off a HUGE accomplishment – she just ran Western States 100 (her Race Report) and finished in 28:45! She is an amazing runner!

But that’s not what impressed me most about Emily. I met her at the Jackson Jackass 50K in February. It was raining when we met in the parking lot but she was all smiles. During the race, she passed me (like I was standing still) and asked me how I was doing. I told her I was having some stomach issues. She actually stopped and waited for me to catch up to her to remind me that she’d brought peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for all of us and that real food might help. Is that not cool, or what? It’s one of the things I love about the running community…their willingness to help out a new runner or someone having trouble. Emily is a great example of that. Oh, and by the way, Emily was the overall women’s winner at the Jackson Jackass 50K!

So let’s meet Emily:

INFO
Name: Emily Conley
RIF #: 24
Twitter: @trailjunke
Facebook: emily hendrix conley

STATS

Years running: 4
Favorite race distance: anything from 50k-100mile
Favorite race: Sylamore 50k
Favorite bling: belt buckle from Western States 100
Next race: possibly Arkansas Traveller 100
What makes you FEEL fast?: running in the dark

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?  I love to run the trails at Herb Parsons lake in Memphis.  Its a beautiful place to run.  One of my favorite memories there is running the trails right after a snow.  Almost every time I run there I think of that day and it makes me smile.

Have you ever worn a costume during a race? What was it and for what race? If not, would you? no costumes.  ever.

What is the thing you splurge on after a race?  more running gear

Why do you race?  I love the people, the comraderie, seeing new places, and the feeling I get when I run well or even just finish a race that was really difficult.

Big races or small races? And why? I have a deep appreciation for small, grass-roots trail races….the kind where you stand behind a line and someone yells GO!  My least favorite races I’ve ever done are the Chicago Marathon and the Vegas Marathon.  Maybe I’m just a trail lover at heart.

What is the one piece of running gear you can’t leave the house without? Lululemon speed shorts

What was your biggest “don’t” of a race? skittles.  I’d explain but it was gross at best.

What running moment are you most proud of? A little over four years ago I finished my first half marathon.  It was the gateway drug that led to Ultrarunning.  I’ll never forget finishing that race.  But I’m not sure it compares to crossing the finish line at the Western States 100.  That was just surreal.

If you can’t run, you’re __okay___.  There has to be balance between running and the rest of life.  Sometimes it’s perfectly okay to sleep late and snuggle with the kids on Saturday morning.

***

As you can tell from her pictures, Emily is obviously have a great time while she’s running. Her reasons for running and racing make running a joy but she keeps it in perspective. Racing and running are not the be-all and the end-all of our world and we have to remember to keep some balance in our lives. They sure do make it sweeter though, don’t they?

Thanks for sharing Emily! We are so proud of you and know you will continue to Run It Fast!

If you’d like to join Run It Fast – The Club or would like more information about it, please click this link:

Run It Fast – The Club (JOIN TODAY)

[All photos submitted by Emily Conley and Naresh Kumar]

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Western States 100 Canyons

2012 Western States 100 Race Report – Emily Conley

2012 Western States 100 Race Report (June 23-24, 2012)

I was at the Pink Palace Museum with a group of 6 year olds for a Daisies field trip when I found out. I stood there. Stunned. I wanted to scream. Run. Jump up and down. Cry. But all I could really do was stand there and go through the motions, heart beating out of my body, looking at decorations on Christmas Trees and pretending to be mentally present. I’d just found out I been chosen in the Western States lottery. I’d done my first 100 miler in August and had qualified to enter the lottery. Fact is, I entered as casually could be, glass of wine in hand, with no hope of getting in. After all, I had something like a 7% chance of being chosen. Come to find out, I was the only person from Tennessee chosen in the lottery. No pressure there.

So, I started reading. And obsessing. And running like Forrest Gump. I decided that I was, without a doubt, going to be the little fish in the big pond and the best I could do was train like crazy. In the months after I got ‘the news’ I ran 2 trail marathons, 4 – 50k’s, and 3 – 50 milers in addition to all the countless training miles on local trails. I ran in fear. Fear of failure to be honest. Lots of people now knew that this little-known blonde chick had gotten in and I am pretty sure there were several that not only didn’t think I deserved it but didn’t think I’d finish. And that, whether true or not, was gas on the training fire. I just really couldn’t fail.

It was finally time. Craig (husband and crew chief extraordinaire) and I got to Sacramento on the Wednesday before the race and picked up my pacer, Erno, on Thursday morning. I’d pretty much wrapped my mind around the whole thing until we drove into Squaw Valley ski resort and I saw it – the mountain. It was the first 4 miles…all straight up a ski mountain. Deep breath!! We had the rest of that day and all of the next day to get ready – drop bags, medical check, crew maps, etc. The details made my head swim. The ski village was filled with runners, many of whom grace the pages of Trailrunner every month. Some of them I recognized, and some of them Erno pointed out to me. I just kept thinking….breathe!

After a surprisingly good (but short) night’s sleep, I got up on race morning at 3:45 AM and picked up my timing chip and race number, ate breakfast, got dressed, and kept trying to just breathe. It was finally time. I’d heard the weather was going to be cooler, which was great.

Cool weather is historically rare for the Western States 100. I really didn’t pack for cool weather but was fortunate that Erno suggested I buy something to block the wind. Why did I choose a vest instead of a jacket?? I’d ask that question soon.

The race started. Slowly everyone started up the mountain. Everyone besides the elites and fools were walking. The further up the mountain we got, it got cold and windy. By the time I was almost to the top it was incredibly cloudy, crazy windy, and starting to rain. And what was that hitting me in the face? Oh yeah, that was sleet. So, on I go…up, up, up. Rain, sleet, wind, cold. I couldn’t feel my fingers, I couldn’t get warm, my hat kept blowing off, and I was peeing every 2 miles.

Geesh. I like running in the cold and the rain is something I even look forward to. But, I’m usually dressed for it and prepared. I just wasn’t. By the time I got to the mile 23 aid station and saw Craig and Erno, I had that look. The ‘OMG, what just happed to me’ look. They told me I looked great but I knew it was a lie. It’s that same look your sister gives you when she knows it was a bad haircut. The trying-to-hide-panic look.

I was hitting checkpoints at the 30-hour cutoff pace, which was fine with me. All I wanted was to finish. So, I let them change my socks and give me a pep-talk and I went on. Admittedly it got better. The sun even came out eventually and the feeling in my fingers came back.

And then there were the canyons. These things were steep. I basically went down steep switchbacks down a mountain, crossed a bridge over a little river, and went up steep switchbacks on the other side. I kept thinking of what I’d read and what Les Jones had been saying over and over…“Take it easy in the canyons.”

Maybe I took it too easy. By the time I got to Devil’s Thumb I was 20 minutes behind the 30 hour pace. I knew it was starting to get dark and I could pick up my pacer at the next aid station. Turns out I made up the 20 minutes I’d lost by the time I got to Michigan Bluff. Craig and Erno were going nuts. I think they were surprised I’d made up the time. We did a quick NASCAR-style tune up with a sock change and a new shirt and we started running again. Erno was on a mission. And I trusted him completely. I was tired. I’d already been running for 19 hours.

Off we went. I honestly don’t remember a lot about the details for a few hours after that except that the trails were wonderful. The rocks were gone. There was a lot of runnable downhill. And I didn’t have to think as much since I now had someone doing that for me. We seemed to run pretty well for the next few sections. Erno must have looked at his watch nonstop. Every 20 minutes he would make sure I was eating something or taking a gel. I was handed an S-cap…and mindlessly I’d pop the little white pill in my mouth and take a big drink. I did pretty much whatever he said.

Being on cruise control was great. Running at night was great. We started passing lots of other runners, some of whom had seen better days. There were runners arguing with their pacer-spouses, pacers impatiently standing and waiting on their puking runners, and lone runners who’d had the misfortune of running all night alone. We passed them all. Erno’s enthusiasm over the conquests was entertaining and motivating. We started hunting headlamps, passing everyone we could find. The only thing that made us run faster than picking off other runners was the sound of something huge moving in the woods right next to us. “RUN,” he said. And I did!!

By the time we got to the river crossing at mile 78, we were almost an hour ahead of the 30 hour pace. He’d been telling me that there was talk that the river would only be about thigh deep. No problem. I could do that. The only problem was that when we got there they told me it was more like chest deep. OH CRAP! At this point, after rain, cold, sleet, wind, rocks, and mountains what’s a little river crossing?

We kept looking for Craig, who was supposed to be at the aid station but we had gotten there so much earlier than expected that he wasn’t there yet. We crossed the cold river holding onto a cable that was stretched from one side to the other. They’d dropped glowsticks on the bottom so you could see just a little of what was underneath….big rocks. When we got to the other side I was just freezing and wet.

And then we saw Craig! He had gotten the text update that we had made it to Rucky Chucky and he was running down the hill to meet us. Craig and Erno thought I should change shoes and socks but I said I’d rather keep going. It was uphill for a couple miles after that so we eventually warmed up. Craig ran with us until we got to Green Gate and I stopped just long enough to get really cold again so we did another NASCAR pit stop and got back on the trail.

The sun started to come up and we were still moving pretty well, all things considered, when I looked to my left and said, “hey, what kind of animals are those?” With an “oh crap she’s losing it” look he turns around and tells me in his Hungarian accent that there aren’t any animals. They were rocks! Oh, and the abandoned bus in the woods…well, that was a tree that had fallen. Momma needed some sleep. We got a good little laugh and I decided it was best not to question things I was seeing, at least not out loud.

We got to the Hwy 49 Crossing, mile 93.5, and I was starting to say things like “I hurt like hell.” My quads had been tight for miles and they were starting to throb. It hurt to make contact with the ground. It was coming down to running to the next marker. I was still barely hanging on until I got almost to No Hands Bridge.

At this point, with only 3 miles to go, I was like an overly tired toddler at Target. I wanted to quit. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to cut my legs off. I was done. Three miles. That doesn’t sounds like much….unless you consider that there was a punishing amount of uphill climb in that last few miles. I cursed the bastards that would put a hill there. Sadists. I wanted to cry. I would have if I thought it would help.

Craig met us at Robie Point, a mile before the finish. I ran, walked, hobbled with husband on one side and my pacer on the other. They had been amazing. We had done it. We got to the Placer High School and entered the track. I’d made it. Half a lap around that thing seemed like an eternity. I felt every step. And not in a good way. I’ve only cried twice after a race. But I laid there with the sun in my face in the grassy center of that high school track and tears rolled down my face. I’m not sure if it was relief or exhaustion or pain. Maybe it was a combination…but I cried for a few minutes, eternally grateful for the opportunity I’d just had. I finished in 28:45.

I have to give special thanks to Craig and Erno. They were selfless, focused, and there for me in a way that humbles me beyond belief. Also, I have amazing family, friends and training buddies who believed in me and listened to me ramble and obsess for months over this race. Now it’s time to just breathe…until the next one.

– Emily Conley

Posted in Race Reports, Ultra MarathonComments (3)

Hideki Kino – Extreme Runner

Run It Fast – The Club Extreme Runner Point Standings (thru April 2012)

About 25% of Run It Fast – The Club members have submitted their race data (January-April) to be tabulated into the Extreme Runner/Racer Standings.

The overall leader is Hideki Kinoshita (RIF #88) with 442.2 race points.  Second place goes to Joshua Holmes (RIF #1) with 380.6 points and David Wingard (RIF #101) is in third with 365.4 points.

Runners are awarded a point for every mile of a race they complete. (Example: marathon = 26.2 pts, half marathon = 13.1 points, 50K = 31 points, 5K = 3.1 points, etc.).  More details HERE

The male and female leaders at the end of the year will be named RIF’s Extreme Runner/Racer(s) of the Year.

Top 10 Overall Extreme Runner Point Standings

  1. Hideki Kinoshita – 442.2 (RIF #88) – @runkino
  2. Joshua Holmes – 380.6 (RIF #1) – @bayou
  3. David Wingard – 365.4 (RIF #101)
  4. Emily Conley (F) – 276.4 (RIF #24) – @trailjunke
  5. Rick Jarvis – 245.1 (RIF #18)
  6. Scott Stader – 222.4 (RIF #40) – @scottstader
  7. Alvin Lee – 172.0 (RIF #30) – @aleedds
  8. Laura Raeder (F) – 160.3 (RIF #20) – @lauraraeder
  9. David Donald – 143.9 (RIF #54)
  10. Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6 (RIF #57) – @hhflyingmonkey

Extreme Racer Male Leaderboard 

  1. Hideki Kinoshita – 442.2 (RIF #88)
  2. Joshua Holmes – 380.6 (RIF #1)
  3. David Wingard – 365.4 (RIF #101)
  4. Rick Jarvis – 245.1 (RIF #18)
  5. Scott Stader – 222.4 (RIF #40)
  6. Alvin Lee – 172.0 (RIF #30)
  7. David Donald – 143.9 (RIF #54)
  8. Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6 (RIF #57)
  9. Rick Thiounn – 125.4 (RIF #111)
  10. Jonathan Bobbitt – 97.2 (RIF #3)
  11. Nicholas Norfolk – 84.1 (RIF #116)
  12. Naresh Kumar – 83.4 (RIF #2)
  13. Brian Wooldridge – 74.8 (RIF #141)
  14. Jason Howard – 71.7 (RIF #150)
  15. Stewart Crouch – 64.8 (RIF #89)
  16. Perry Ligon – 33.0 (RIF #146)
  17. Scott Lochridge – 62.4 (RIF #32)
  18. John Hudson – 57.9 (RIF #63)
  19. Dennis Arriaga – 47.9 (RIF #140)
  20. JD Leman – 39.3 (RIF #139)
  21. Wade Anderson – 26.2 (RIF #22)
  22. Kevin Ronayne – 19.3 (RIF #11)
  23. Chris Nelson – 19.3 (RIF #135)
  24. Mark Sikkila – 16.2 (RIF #108)
  25. Scott Gorski – 12.4 (RIF #107)
  26. Josh Liggett – 9.3 (RIF #147)
Emily Conley (RIF #24) has a commanding lead among the women that have submitted data so far with 276.4 points.  Laura Raeder (RIF #20) has the second most points with 160.3 and Russia’s Michelle Mitchell (RIF #133) has 137.4 points.

Extreme Racer Female Leaderboard

  1. Emily Conley – 276.4 (RIF #24)
  2. Laura Raeder – 160.3 (RIF #20)
  3. Michelle Mitchell – 137.4 (RIF #133)
  4. Mikki Trujillo – 134.1 (RIF #13)
  5. Heather Shoemaker – 128.6 (RIF #44)
  6. Lisa Gonzales – 119.9 (RIF #5)
  7. Alicia Eno – 117.9 (RIF #126)
  8. Nicole Knutson – 104.8 (RIF #47)
  9. Daniela Obregon – 55.5 (RIF #49)
  10. Christy Bowers – 54.1 (RIF #60)
  11. Marj Mitchell – 30.2 (RIF #4)
  12. Natalie Torres – 29.3 (RIF #72)
  13. Debra Jacildo – 17.4 (RIF #98)
  14. Meredith Yox – 15.5 (RIF #128)
  15. Lisa Edwards – 15.1 (RIF #122)

Thanks to all 41 members who have submitted race data to date. This should become a lot of fun as the year goes on and more members start to participate.

For information on joining Run It Fast – The Club click HERE.

Club Members be sure to read more about ERS and enter your races -> Extreme Racer Standings Program (details).

Complete Run It Fast – The Club Member Directory

 

 

Posted in THE CLUBComments (0)

Karl Studtmann Wins Inaugural Jackson Jackass 50K

Karl Studtmann Wins Inaugural Jackson Jackass 50K

Jackson native Karl Studtmann won the inaugural Jackson Jackass 50K on Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Jackson, Tennessee. He won the race with a blistering time of 5:23:25 on the rain soaked, slippery, and muddy course.

Arthur Priddy held a substantial lead until the 7th loop when Studtmann caught and passed Priddy who was using the race as a training run for the Andrew Jackson Marathon in March.  Priddy was able to hold on to a close 2nd place finish with a time of 5:32:20.

Third place went to Cordova’s Kevin Leathers who ran the tread off his Hoka One’s with a finishing time of 5:53:33.

The female winner was Lakeland’s Emily Conley who easily won by over an hour with a time of 6:37:05.  She even took a wrong turn and ended up doing some extra distance on her last loop.

It was a big day for several first-time ultramarathoners as Jonathan Bobbitt, Cody Whitehead, Jonathan Harrison, Brad Box, Arthur Priddy, Kam Otey, Gene Pierce, and Lisa Gonzales all finished their first 50K.

Other finishers included Chris Estes, Jeff Fugate, Joshua Holmes, Jennifer Whitley, Sulaiman Seriki, and the legendary Dallas Smith.

2012 Jackson Jackass 50K Results

Photos of the Inaugural Jackson Jackass 50K

Jackson Jackass 50K Race Reports

[images by Naresh Kumar]

Posted in Race Reports, Running, Ultra MarathonComments (0)

Jackson Jackass 50K – 2011

2012 Jackson Jackass 50K Results

Here are the results from the inaugural Jackson Jackass 50K that took place today in Jackson, Tennessee on a very wet and muddy trail.

The race was the first ultra ever to be held in Jackson.

2012 Jackson Jackass 50K Results

  1. Karl Studtmann (Jackson, TN) – 5:23:25
  2. Arthur Priddy (Jackson, TN) – 5:32:20
  3. Kevin Leathers (Cordova, TN) – 5:53:33
  4. Chris Estes (Murfreesboro, TN) – 5:55:23
  5. Jeff Fugate (Jackson, TN) – 5:58:12
  6. Cody Whitehead (Jackson, TN) – 6:01:35
  7. Brad Box (Jackson, TN) – 6:21:35
  8. Jonathan Bobbitt (Jackson, TN) – 6:26:40
  9. Joshua Holmes (Jackson, TN) – 6:29:29
  10. Emily Conley (Lakeland, TN) – 6:37:05 (1st Female)
  11. Jonathan Harrison (Henderson, TN) – 6:38:32
  12. Kam Otey (Amory, MS) – 7:33:22
  13. Gene Pierce (Amory, MS) – 7:33:25
  14. Jennifer Whitley (Murfreesboro, TN) – 7:45:00 (2nd Female)
  15. Sulaiman Seriki (La Vergne, TN) – 7:45:27
  16. Dallas Smith (Cookeville, TN) – 8:20:30
  17. Lisa Gonzales (Alta Loma, CA) – 8:43:22 (3rd Female)
  • Jonathan Stewart (Jackson, TN) – DNF 21.5 miles
  • Brad Sullivan (Bowling Green, KY) – DNF 17.2 miles
  • Trent Rosenbloom (Nashville, TN) – DNF 5.5 miles

Posted in Results, Running, Ultra MarathonComments (0)


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