RIFers Before VS500K

The first day is in the books! 40 runners and 4 relay teams set out yesterday to run 314 miles in the heat and humidity of Tennessee. That is the largest number of runners to start in the races history. The previous high was 22 runners. So cool to see so many people taking this challenge on this year. We are very proud of the 6 Run It Fast Club members who are running it this year. If you didn’t get a chance to meet them or would like to know more about them, check out this post.

And then check back throughout the day to see how things are going out there! I will be updating this post with emails, tweets, and photos as they come in.

Links you might find fun/useful:

To catch up on previous days: Day1  

Last Annual Volstate 500K Spreadsheet & Map – for runner tracking (updated twice a day).
Carl’s 2013 Last Annual Volstate 500K Album.

Twitter:
RunItFast: @runitfast
Joshua Holmes: @bayou
Shannon Burke: @s4121burke
Dallas Smith:  @smithbend
VS500: #VS500 or #VS500K

Facebook:
UltraJoshua – Facebook page for Joshua Holmes
Last Annual Vol State Road Race – Facebook page for VS500K

So far today:

Lisa: Ok, here are the Top 10 and the Teams as of the 36 Hour Update:

Top 10 Solo
1. Joe Fejes – 138 miles
2. Alan Abbs – 124 miles
3. Sung Ho Choi – 122 miles
4. John Fegyveresi – 117 miles
5. Joshua Homes – 104 miles
6. Ray Krolewicz – 103.5 miles
7. Jim Ball – 102 miles
8. Tim Purol – 98 miles
9. Jeff Kasal – 98 miles
10. Joel Gat – 97 miles

Teams:
1. Team Stinky Feet – 182 miles
2. Team Country Gentlemen – 144 miles
3. Team Dancing Bears – 139 miles
4. Team Two Step – 138 miles

Little bit of shuffling in the top 10 but Joe still has the lead! I wonder if it will change by morning? What do you think? I hope you’ll come back and follow along on Day 3.

Email from Laz at 9:48 pm:

animals with attitudes (vol-state 36 hour report)

as we spent the day making our way thru the field to the back,
and then returning to the front,
one thing stood out above all else…

this family of vol-staters seem to possess an unbreakable positive attitude.
we have lost only a couple,
and the 38 survivors have smiles on their faces,
and are undeterred by the intimidating distances that lie in front of them.
more than a few have weathered crises which had us waiting for their call…

only to find them recovered and once again moving efficiently down the road.

even jan and diane t, who found oprah on their heels at the end of day 1,
have buckled down,
and are making a valiant push to get back on track.

the odds are against them;
nothing is harder than falling behind the line on day one,
and having to increase your output
with fatigue dogging your steps.
but they have made a statement:
they will not lie down beside the road and wait on oprah.
she will have to come and get them.

at the front, fejes is showing what we already knew.
he is an animal;
cranking out miles with no sign of slowing down…

but the race is not over.
abbs is an animal.
without benefit of any crew at all,
he has stuck to the road with unbelievable tenacity.
36 hours in, his persistence has pulled him within 14 miles of the lead.

2 miles behind abbs is choi.
choi has seen some ups and downs.
but nothing has taken the smile off his face.
every time we think he is flagging,
he comes back strong again.
choi is an animal.
of course he almost has to keep coming back.
he has fegys on his tail.

fegys is only 5 miles behind,
and equally crewless as abbs.
fegys, who finished barkley in just under 60 hours,
by never resting at all,
is not a man you want on your heels.
he is an animal.

and it isn’t quite time to write off holmes,
13 miles back of fegys, at 104 miles.
holmes has a couple of vol-states under his belt.
he knows the hell that waits in those next couple of hundred miles.
josh is perfectly capable of making a move.

holmes is capable of being an animal.

and he has motivation on his heels as well.
ancient krolewicz is less than a mile behind.
relentless forward motion has carried the k
from the very back into contention in only 36 hours.
the calendar might indicate that his day has passed.
that doesn’t mean anyone will be taking him lightly.

he is an animal.

and on it goes, all the way thru the pack.
every runner has fought for their position.
and every runner will have to fight to keep it.

it is a safe bet that those top 6 names will not remain in that exact order.
they probably will not even all be in the top 6,
when the names are called at the rock.

36 hours in, and the race has taken shape.
now the fun part begins.

laz

Lisa: Mike is referring to Shannon Burke who dropped at 64 miles and Ryan Brazell who dropped at 48 miles. Hopefully, the Last Annual Vol State 500K won’t claim any more victims in the coming days.

Email from Mike Dobies at 8:50 pm:

Vol State – 36 Hour Update

Tracking Sheet:
http://www.tinyurl.com/Volstate2013

Map:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200687420624110668378.0004e15a74b6e940fc4c6&msa=0&ll=35.692995,-90.274658&spn=2.466938,5.410767

Note: I still need to mark Burke and Brazell as dropped……

Tweet from Dallas at 7:04 pm:

Facebook post by Josh at 6:28 pm:

Email from Carl Laniak at 5:30 pm:

vol state day 2 drive thru pics

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107684748124952715657/albums/5899848831547549281

Instagram from Josh at 3:24 pm:

Facebook post from Diane Bolton at 3:17 pm (apparently it’s a little bit warm out there!):

Lisa: 5 more hours until the next check-in. I wonder what’s happening out there! Hoping everyone is having a good day and that the stomach issues/blisters problems have gone away.  I wish there was a live video feed to watch! The suspense is killing me. 😉

Email from Carl Laniak at 1:17 pm:

Lockard & wingard – 61

Email from Carl Laniak at 12:33 pm:

Dallas smith – 53.5

Tweet from Josh at 12:14 pm:

Email from Carl Laniak at 11:40 pm:

Mouskateers – 75

Laz, Purol, Gat, Kasal, Stephens.

Carl

Tweet from @keithdunn:

Lisa: Ok, here’s the top 10 from the 24 Hour Update and the team standings:

Top 10
1. Joe Fejes – 107 miles
2. Alan Abbs – 91 miles
3. Sung Ho Choi – 84 miles
4. Joshua Holmes – 82 miles
5. John Fegyveresi – 81 miles
6. Ray Krolewicz – 76 miles
7. Joseph Nance – 70 miles
8. Sal Coll – 68 miles
9. Jeff McGonnell – 68 miles
10. Jim Ball – 68 miles

The team standings:
1. Team Stinky Feet – 124 miles
2. Team Country Gentlemen – 106 miles
3. Team Dancing Bears – 96 miles
4. Team Two Step – 82 miles

Lisa: Running a little late today so still have to catch up on some pics and tweets from the night. But here’s the important emails to get you started! Thanks for following along. 🙂

Email from Carl Laniak at 10:08 am:

Fejes at 119.5

Running strong, and joking around.

Carl

Email from Laz at 8:31 am:

(24 hours) as the competition goes…

after getting far ahead of all the solo runners,
we assume team stinky feet has hit the sack,
we have no 24 hour status for them.

fejes has moved out to a commanding lead in the race;
in parsons, at 107 miles.
this is one of the best first days in vol-state history
topped only by the record 110 mile first day back in the early 1980’s.

alan abbs, making the turn in Lexington, at 91 miles,
is certainly still in the chase.
and the feral fox has to know his screwed (uncrewed) record is under threat.
we are giddy at the thought of seeing a sub-5 by a screwed runner…

white trash might be giddy for other reasons.
such as the thought of crossing the Tennessee river and starting the long climb to linden.

sung ho (bruce) choi is next at 84
holmes (82), fegys (81), and krolewicz (76) round out the top 6.

that’s right.
the k.
the ancient, out of shape lister,
who was way back in the pack 12 hours ago
is now up with the big boys.

experience can be valuable.

now lets see what the second day brings…

carl and I are off to bring cheer to the footweary,
hope to the despairing,
anything but an easy ride to those who want to quit…

and a hook for anyone caught by opra.

laz

Email from Laz at 8:11 am:

the morning of hope

the second day has dawned bright and cool,
with as low a humidity as has been seen in these parts recently.

accordingly, the runners are doing well.
only one casualty so far.
shannon burke found a too-willing volunteer to retrieve her from the road.
how often your worst enemy comes in the guise of a friend!
(me and carl were sure we could get another day out of her)

5-day has reported a tiny blister,
hardly any bigger than a golf ball.
that should help him stay alert today.
hopefully it will heal during his 4 remaining days.

other than that,
only the usual stomach issues,
and moderately sore feet.

big backpack was sighted crawling from a ditch before martin,
yesterday afternoon.
he appeared to be having serious difficulties,
so we averted our eyes and drove quickly past….

turned out to be the right choice,
because he is now well up in the field and moving well…

certainly he has to have enough supplies to propel him down the road.

it doesn’t get any better than this….

at least it is not going to.

laz

Email from Mike Dobies at 8:29 am:

Vol State – 24 Hour Update

Tracking Sheet:
http://www.tinyurl.com/Volstate2013

Map:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200687420624110668378.0004e150638dae8a95363&msa=0&ll=35.817813,-86.973267&spn=2.463072,5.410767

Hi all, it’s Lisa. I’ll be updating this post throughout the day with tweets, pictures, emails, maps, and links about the 2013 edition of the Last Annual Vol State 500K.

Check back throughout the day to see how things are going out there!

Links you might find fun:

Last Annual Volstate 500K Spreadsheet & Map – for runner tracking (updated twice a day).
Carl’s 2013 Last Annual Volstate 500K Album.

Twitter:
RunItFast: @runitfast
Joshua Holmes: @bayou
Shannon Burke: @s4121burke
Dallas Smith:  @smithbend
VS500: #VS500  or #VS500K

Facebook:
UltraJoshua – Joshua Holmes
Last Annual Vol State Road Race 

So far today:

Lisa: That’s it for today! I hope you will check back on Run It Fast tomorrow for Day 2’s live blog and see who took “a little bite” out of the Last Annual Vol State 500K!

Email from Laz at 11:06 pm:

inspiration, perspiration, and a sniff of the vol-state

49 runners along with assorted crew and family on the ferry was really something to see.
remembering the years when we might not have but 4 people,
we never thought the vol-state would look like this.

there was so much energy coursing thru the field as we cruised across the river,
unknown adventures hiding amongst the trees on the approaching riverbank.
hope and fear mingled, especially for the multi-day virgins among us.
it was impossible not to feel the inspiration.

after the traditional counting of the runners at the Mississippi river overlook,
there was little for carl and I to do but drive up thru the field,
and wait to take the splits at the 21 mile mark.
there were far too many runners on the road for us to stop and chat with each one.
the best thing for us to do was remove our own vehicle from the congestion on the road.

as we watched everyone pass thru the 21 mile mark,
happily informing nearly the entire field that they were on “course record pace”
we talked about where the runners really stood.

at 21 miles they had broken the wrapper on the vol-state.
they could catch just a sniff,
a hint of the smell of the real thing.
they had not taken a bite of vol-state yet,
not even a nibble.
hell, they hadn’t even peeled the wrapper back.
they had just broken the seal,
and maybe, just maybe, caught a hint of the smell.

the 12 hour results are on the map now.
fejes has taken a lead.
choi is 7 miles back, followed closely by abbs, holmes, and fegys.

none of this, of course, means anything as we head into the first night.
who will rest? who will run on?
who will get stronger? and who will falter?

the one thing certain is,
the 24 hour standings will little resemble the 12 hour’s.
the vol state is a race that takes a while to fall into place.
those who want to fight for the crown
must work hard to secure a spot among the contenders.
for those who get that work done,
in a couple of days the serious racing begins.

among the many newbies to this nasty game,
the passing of the first 24 hours includes another test.
how will they respond to messages from their body that it has had enough?
between tomorrow morning and the rock will come many next steps that seem impossible,
sheer will, and the refusal to surrender will be all that drives them on.

in the movies,
the hard work would be represented by a few minutes of visually stimulating clips,
accompanied by inspiring music.
the ultimate victory would go on forever in slow motion….

real life is very different.
the hard work is goes on forever,
with an end nowhere in sight.
the view changes slowly, and dramatic moments are few.
the closest thing to inspiring music is the slap of your shoes on the pavement,
and the sloshing of water in your bottles.

tomorrow morning we will see who has what it takes to tear open that wrapper,
and take a little bite.

laz

Email from Carl Laniak at 10:42 pm:

the volstate album is updated

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107684748124952715657/albums/5899552556950832081

this afternoon’s pics are shadowy, but you can’t blame me for sitting in the shade for the 6+ hours we waited for most of the field to pass the traditional “20 mile” split under the bridge….I mean, it’s a little warm out there.

they’re still out there, mostly moving. they’re going to start feeling like they’ve “actually gotten somewhere” soon.

carl

Lisa: So, at the 12 Hour Update, the top 10 solo runners were:
1. Joe Fejes – 60 miles
2. Sung Ho Choi – 53 miles
3. Alan Abbs – 49 miles
4. Joshua Holmes – 47 miles
5. John Fegyveresi – 47 miles
6. Roy Tamez – 45 miles
7. Jeff Kasal – 45 miles
8. Tim Purol – 45 miles
9. Joseph Nance – 44 miles
10. Ray Krolewicz – 44 miles

And here are the standing for the relay teams at the 12 Hour Update:

1. Team Stinky Feet – 70 miles
2. Team Two Step – 57 miles
3. Team Dancing Bears – 55 miles
4. Team Country Gentlement – 54 miles

This is what the map of the runners looks like at the 12 Hour Update:

Cool to see how much they have spread out over just one day! Joe Fejes is still in the lead. There’s been some speculation on the email list that he might not keep it so we will have to see how it plays out!

Email from Mike Dobies at 8:52 pm:

Vol State – 12 Hour Update

Tracking Sheet:

http://www.tinyurl.com/Volstate2013

Map:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200687420624110668378.0004e12ec15b689068078&msa=0

Instagram post by Josh at 8:31 pm

Tweet from Dallas at 6:51 pm:

Tweet from Dallas at 6:48 pm:

Instagram post from Josh at 5:36 pm:

Lisa: Did you see that Joe Fejes is currently in 1st? He is the pre-race favorite and might even break the course record for the Last Annual Vol State 500K this year! The current record is 3:17:42:12 and Joe set the 72 hour mark by running 329.64 miles at the 2012/2013 Across The Years. Piece of cake, right? Of course, he had much cooler temps there but it will be exciting to watch what happens! Not only with him, but with all the runners.

Email from Carl Laniak at 2:36 pm:

Re: 21 mile vol state splits

Still waiting on:

Diane Taylor
Jan walker
Tj nagies
Marcia Rasmussen
Paul Heckert

Carl

Email from Carl Laniak at 2:10 pm:

21 mile vol state splits

1) joe fejes 3:09
2) sue (team stinky feet) 3:23
3) Alan white trash Abbs 4:04
4) Claude (team two step) 4:05
5) Joshua Holmes 4:06
6) sung ho choi 4:06
7) sal coll 4:21
8 ) Tim purol 4:30
9) Jeff castle 4:31
10) John fegys 4:35
11) Roy tamez 4:36
12) Marv Skagerberg (country gentlemen) 4:40
13) Charlie Taylor 4:40
14) Patrick binienda (dancing bears) 4:42
15) John Adams 4:46
16) Joel gat 5:09
17) joe F nance 5:10
18) dusty 5:19
19) Shannon 5:19
20) Texas Jeff 5:20
21) rayk 5:42
22) brad 5:42
23) Jeff mcgonnell 5:42
24) Jim ball 5:42
25) Diane Bolton 5:43
26) sherry Meador 5:44
27) Jeff Stevens 5:51
28) Wayne mccomb 5:57
29) jp 6:02
30) Dallas smith 6:17
31) psyche 6:18
32) joe co-alski 6:20
33) Robert Woodall 6:24
34) Scott tater krouse 6:24
35) giant backpack curro 6:29
36) 5-day brazell 6:29
37) dave wingard 6:33
38) Becky lockard 6:33

Carl

Tweet from @keithdunn at 11:03 am:

Email from Carl Laniak at 10:31 am:

Here is an album with a pic of each starter going past the overlook above the Mississippi River this morning (mile 2).

The sun was in the wrong place for more scenic pictures…

40 solo runners started their 500km journey run.

4 relay teams started.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107684748124952715657/albums/5899373024742557185

Instagram post from Josh at 9:43 am:

Instagram post from Josh at 7:13 am:

And so it begins…

Email from Laz at 8:56 pm on 7/10/13:

twas the night before vol-state
and in all of the rooms.
not a person was stirring,
not even the doomed.
all of the runners were off in their beds,
with visions of ferries dancing in their heads…

except for the room that carl and laz share
where wagers are being taken;
who quits first, and where?

laz

Last Annual Vol State 500K 2012

The Last Annual Vol State 500K begins this Thursday, July 11th. What is the Last Annual Vol State 500K? It’s a 314 mile foot race across Tennessee…in July. Because running 314 miles isn’t crazy enough, you have to do it in the refreshing heat and humidity of the south in the summer!

The Last Annual Vol State 500K is the brain child of Lazarus Lake (Gary Cantrell). It starts in Dorena Landing, Missouri with a boat ferry ride, runs across Tennessee, and ends atop a mountain at Castle Rock, Georgia. The runners can do this crewed or uncrewed (Screwed) or as a relay. If you are doing it in the Screwed category, you must carry everything that you will need and can only accept handouts/help from the kindness of strangers.

This year, 6 Run It Fast Club members will be running the Last Annual Vol State 500K, 3 veterans of the race and 3 newbies. 2 RIFers will be doing this crewed and 4 will be Screwed. Think only super humans can do this kind of run? Think again! Below you will meet 6 every day people…just like you and me…who happen to be embarking on a 314 mile journey to see what they are made of. Check out their stories below and then check the bottom of the post for links to follow them.

THE VETERANS

RIF #276 DIANE TAYLOR

Diane has completed 2 Last Annual Vol State 500Ks and will be running her 4th this year (her first attempt was derailed by blisters). She will be running it uncrewed again this year. The past 2 years (since running 314 miles across Tennessee was not enough), Diane drove to the finish line and started her race early by running towards the start line. Last year, she was picked up in Lewisburg as others headed to the start so she added about 100 miles on to her journey in 2012! We asked Diane why she keeps coming back and she said: “I can’t explain it but I would like to do it every year as long as I’m physically able. There are others who have run/are running this who are in there 70s so I hopefully I will be able to do it into my 70s as well.”

Since Diane is running this Screwed and has to carry her own pack with what she needs, we asked her if she brought anything extra with her. She said this year “everything in the pack is just what I need. It weighs 9 1/2 pounds without water and another 6ish pounds with water so it will weigh about 16 pounds when full. Last year, I carried/wore a badge that Shannon (RIF #171 Shannon Burke – see below) made to honor our friend Angela Ivory.”

Screwed runners are not allowed to accept help from anyone they know or from the crews of other runners but can accept help from random strangers, Road Angels. We asked Diane if she had encountered any Road Angels and she said: “many times strangers stopped to give me water/soda and twice Road Angels asked me what I needed and then went to get water and bring it back to me.”

Next we asked Diane what she learned about herself while running the Last Annual Vol State 500K and she said: “I guess you learn when you want something bad enough, you are capable of doing a lot more than you thought. If you really, really want it, it can happen.”

Finally, we asked Diane if she had any advice for newbies to the VS500K or for anyone who was thinking about doing it and she said: “Tell everybody that they can do this. You don’t have to be a super athlete or runner. Anyone can do it.”

Diane used herself as a reference for that last questions, saying that if she, who was an average person, could do this then anyone can. We don’t know about you, but we think Diane is pretty amazing! Good luck Diane!

***

RIF #171 SHANNON BURKE

Shannon will be running her 3rd Vol State 500K this year and will be running uncrewed. The first year she ran it, she hadn’t even done a 50 Mile or 100 Mile race yet! She didn’t finish that first year but came back determined last year and finished in 8:13:13:36. We asked Shannon why she decided to run this race when her longest previous run was only 42 miles (only with a race like this can you say “ONLY” and 42 miles in the same sentence!) and she said: “I didn’t look at it as 500K as much as a grand adventure.  Laz (Gary Cantrell) has a way of writing that sucks you into his world.  I followed Vol State during 2010 and knew I wanted to try it.  And I am gullible and have a group of fellars that encourage me to try these races.”

Then we asked her why she keeps coming back and she said: “Vol State truly is a race that anyone can do.  It all depends on how bad you want it.  After I failed in 2011, I spent the next year wishing for the ferry to get my chance at redemption.  (It was a really long year!)  It is truly a journey run and you learn a lot about yourself.”

And finally, we asked her what the best and worst parts of the race are for her and she said: “The best: reading a Laz post that lifts your spirits when they were bottomed out, the open road, learning so much about yourself and your strength within, napping on a porch swing after a wonderful lunch, and the chance to stop when you reach the rock.  The worst:  going to bed knowing you have to get up the next day and go again, relentless rain that chases you under a bridge just to get a little bit of silence, and the pain and despair you find at times and don’t feel like you will ever reach the rock.”

But we do know that Shannon reached the rock and we are sure she will again this year! Good luck Shannon! You can follow Shannon on Twitter: @s4121burke and you can check out her blog Yellow Bus Adventures.

***

RIF #1 JOSHUA HOLMES

Josh has run over 90 marathons and ultras and will be running his 3rd Vol State 500K with a crew supporting him. Last year he was 2nd Overall and shaved more than 2 days off his previous year’s time! We asked him what makes Vol State 500K different from the many other races he’s done and he said: “It’s a grand epic adventure that gets in your blood like a bad virus and never leaves it even once the race is over and you’ve finished it. You think about it almost daily and the bond you make with your fellow Vol State runners is almost a fraternal bond that brings about a special spark when you see a VS alum at another race.”

Next, we asked Joshua about his huge PR last year and if it was training or mental preparation that made the difference and he said: “We had some crew issues in year one and I went in just wanting to finish the race. I was conservative and I kept an eye on my crew, my 15-year old cousin, as much as he kept an eye on me. We had a grand time and we both learned a lot along the way. I was a stronger runner going into my second attempt, but more so I knew what to expect and the layout of the course having run it before. I also attacked it like one of the wild dogs you sometimes meet along the way.”

Then we asked him if the running 314 miles seemed less intimidating after having done it twice and he said: “At this point I know what it takes to finish it, but I keep raising the bar of what I expect out of myself and what time goals I set for myself. It’s 314 miles no matter how you slice it. If you are going to be intimated by a race before it starts then it’s likely this one or you’re an android.”

Finally, we asked Joshua what lessons he’s learned from Vol State 500K that he’s been able to apply to other races/life experiences and he said: “Mental toughness, physical toughness, blister toughness…about every form of toughness imaginable. The downside is that almost every race since Vol State is a bit of a let down, because Vol State is such an epic adventure.”

We are excited to watch Joshua tear it up out there this year! He’s a beast! Good luck Josh! You can follow his adventures on Twitter: @bayou or on his Facebook page: UltraJoshua. Also, Joshua is raising money for charity: water and if you would like to donate to his campaign, click here: 2013 Vol State 500K Endurance Run. In 2011, Joshua and RIF #2 Naresh Kumar (@iamarunr) raised $6,205 while running VS500 that year and they helped fund a well in Ethiopia! Let’s help him top that this year!

THE NEWBIES

 RIF #79 DALLAS SMITH

Dallas has run many, many marathons, ultras, and Ironman races. He’s qualified for Boston numerous times and holds a boat load (58 and counting) of State Records for ages 63 to 72 in Tennessee for everything from the 5K to the marathon. He will be running his first Vol State 500K this year and he is doing it uncrewed.

We asked Dallas why he decided to take this challenge on and he said: “The answer is I don’t think I know why. I am always ready for adventure & a new experience & VS certainly is that. What I don’t like to face is that I may be seeking redemption for failing on a similar run in Spain. That failure was a spirit breaker in its abject totality. I was whipped. As broken ad Cool hand Luke. It haunts me yet & I guess I’m looking for a 2nd chance.”

And since everyone can use a bit of luck, we asked Dallas if he was taking a good luck charm with him and he said: “I hadn’t thought about that til now, but actually I am taking a good luck charm, a pair of Kalenji socks I bought on that same Spain trip. Practically every race I’ve run since, I’ve worn those socks, dozens & dozens. They seem indestructible & I’ve always said they were the best socks I ever owned. Not too romantic, I’ll admit, but when I was deciding on socks they had to go in. They connect this race to my failure in Spain.”

Since Dallas first answered that last question, he was given a good luck charm to carry by his daughter which we think is appropriate for the VS500:

Finally, we asked Dallas if he was nervous or excited about any part of this journey he was starting on and he said: “I’m not nervous. Strange to say – because I’m quite timid – I’ve never been nervous before a race. I am surely not bragging about that but merely expressing reality and a bit of amazement at it. I AM anxious, anxious in the sense that I want to see what will happen. Kinda like after a marathon finally starts and you say to yourself, finally dammitt we can run. This race holds many mysteries for me. A big component is the dirtbag-life on the road. Separate from the mere running is the continual foraging for food, water and shelter. All that is a problem in itself and I am curious to see how it all plays out.”

We cannot wait to hear all about the adventures Dallas has out there and are sure it would make for a great book! (If you don’t know, Dallas is an accomplished writer and a wonderful storyteller. You can find links to his books on his blog Turnaround and follow him on Twitter: @smithbend)

***

RIF #159 DIANE BOLTON

Diane is a racing machine. She just recently completed her SECOND round of marathons in 50 States. She will be running her first Vol State 500K this year with the help of a crew. We asked her why she took on this challenge and she said: “Why..actually I’ve been asking myself this too..ha,ha. Actually, RIF has been instrumental in having me challenge myself. With this in mind Vol State offered me a challenge totally out of my comfort zone. I’m not afraid of not finishing but would regret if I didn’t try. That said, I will take it day by day learning much about my threshold as well as the wonderful adventures in ultra endurance running.”

Next, we asked her what she was most excited and/or nervous about and she said she was: “Most excited about the knowledge I will gain learning so much more from some fascinating very accomplished ultra runners. What I’m most nervous about…everything! I’m such a rookie here. But thankful for the many people helping me on this journey. Most importantly my guardian angel crew chief Phil Min (RIF #286). None of this would have been possible had he not offered to crew me, giving up his scheduled marathon and extra days to be part of this epic event. I hope he’ll still call me friend when this is all over. “

Lastly, Diane had this to say about the coming days: “Also worried I’ll get lost. This is an unmarked course. I get lost on my last loop of a 9 times around course! 🙂 One thing I know for sure…I’m going to laugh and I’m going to cry. None of this would have been experienced had it not been for the gentle push by some in this wonderful Run It Fast family.”

We know Diane is going to be just fine! And we are excited that she is taking on this challenge. Go Diane!

***

RIF #101 DAVID WINGARD

David will be running his first Vol State 500K this year and he will be doing it uncrewed. He’s run almost 100 marathons and didn’t start running until he was 52. Not only does he run, but he raises money for the Lazarex Cancer Foundation as well. You can learn more about David on his website Run David Run.

We asked David why he decided to do VS500 and he said: “I only decided about 10 days ago to do this race. When I did the Jackal Marathon series a couple of weeks ago, some of my close enablers, oh, I mean friends, explained to me why I needed to run this race.”

Next we asked David if he had done anything like this before and he said: “The longest race I have done so far is Camrades (54 miles) twice. I plan to do my 1st 100 mile racin in August – the Leadville 100.”

Finally, we asked him what he was most nervous and excited about the next 314 miles and he said: “I’m most nervous about having my 1st DNF. I am most excited about running a new race with my friends and running further than I have ever run before.”

Good luck David! We have no doubt you will do great and that this will be great training for your next big adventure! (David is planning to go for the World Record for hiking the Appalachian Trail in June 2014 – you can find more info about that on his website as well).

***

I hope you’ll join us in wishing good luck to all of our Run It Fast Club members and all the others running the Last Annual Vol State 500K. Once again, it starts at 7am Central Time on Thursday, July 11th. We will be posting daily blogs/updates here on Run It Fast so make sure you check back here or follow us on Twitter @runitfast. You can also do a Twitter search on the hashtag #VS500 to see all the tweets about this year’s Last Annual Volstate 500K.

You can also like the Last Annual Vol State 500K Facebook page here: Last Annual Vol State Road Race.

And finally, you can also check on the runners at this link to the Last Annual Volstate 500K Spreadsheet & Map. It will be updated twice a day with each runners position/miles as they head to the finish.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Who knows, maybe next year people will be asking you “You’re going to run how far?” 🙂

[photos courtesy of Joshua Holmes, Naresh Kumar, and Lisa Gonzales]

RIF #159 Diane Bolton

Time for May Extreme Racer Standings! In the last 5 months, our RIF Club Members have raced 650 races, including 250 marathons, 14 100 Milers, 12 50 Milers, 38 50Ks, 90 Half Marathons, 109 5Ks, 32 10Ks, and 105 races of non-traditional distances. That’s 12,859.52 miles raced so far this year! 71 RIF Club members have submitted points and/or monthly miles so far for 2013 (only points count in the standings so only 69 Club members are listed below).

We have new club members in the Top 3 Overall, Men, and Women and in the Top 10! AND…there are more women than men in the Top 10 this month! Woo!

The race between 1st and 2nd looks to be getting a little closer but RIF #159 Diane Bolton is still in the lead with 809.9 points, followed by RIF #190 John Kent Leighton in 2nd 741.7 points and RIF #279 George Southgate is now 3rd with 598.7 points.

On the Women’s Leaderboard, Diane is in 1st, followed by 2 new club members to the top 3. RIF #287 Carol Earles is in 2nd with 466.4 points and RIF #231 Christy Scott is in 3rd with 432.6 points. On the Men’s Leaderboard, John is in 1st followed by George in 2nd and RIF #1 Joshua Holmes in 3rd with 584.1 points.

Here are the full standings through May:

Top Ten Overall
1.   Diane Bolton – 809.9  (RIF #159)
2.   John Kent Leighton – 741.7  (RIF #190)
3.   George Southgate – 598.7  (RIF #279)
4.   Joshua Holmes – 584.1  (RIF #1)
5.   Carol Earles – 466.4  (RIF #287)
6.   Christy Scott – 432.6  (RIF #231)
7.   Elaine Bickel Green – 424  (RIF #217)
8.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
9.   Katrina Mumaw – 399.5  (RIF #268)
10.   Carol Goslin – 397.8  (RIF #218)

Women’s Leaderboard
1.   Diane Bolton – 809.9  (RIF #159)
2.   Carol Earles – 466.4  (RIF #287)
3.   Christy Scott – 432.6  (RIF #231)
4.   Elaine Bickel Green – 424  (RIF #217)
5.   Katrina Mumaw – 399.5  (RIF #268)
6.   Carol Goslin – 397.8  (RIF #218)
7.   Kerri Haskins – 359.7  (RIF #261)
8.   Heather Zeigler – 296.1  (RIF #246)
9.   Heather Shoemaker – 261.8  (RIF #44)
10.   Suzanne Spiceland – 259.7  (RIF #280)
11.   Laura Raeder – 258.9  (RIF #20)
12.   Sandy Staggs – 243  (RIF #220)
13.   Lisa Gonzales – 216.56  (RIF #5)
14.   Alicia Eno – 149.6  (RIF #126)
15.   Robin Mancinelli – 142.3  (RIF #134)
16.   Shannon Burke – 136.8  (RIF #171)
17.   Amanda Staggs – 121  (RIF #210)
18.   Michelle Mitchell – 112.4  (RIF #133)
19.   Melanie Kayal – 108.9  (RIF #202)
20.   Jennifer Wood – 91.7  (RIF #243)
21.   Christy Bowers – 91.5  (RIF #60)
22.   Marj Mitchell – 85  (RIF #4)
23.   Jennifer Whitley – 82  (RIF #160)
24.   Michelle Lenahan – 76.58  (RIF #283)
25.   Beth Hosick – 76.2  (RIF #219)
26.   Donna Pittman – 62.8  (RIF #181)
27.   Leigh Marsh – 61.7  (RIF #192)
28.   Jill Hassen – 57.2  (RIF #242)
29.   Natalie Torres – 55.5  (RIF #72)
30.   Marlene Deem – 52.4  (RIF #189)
31.   Martine Kincade – 26.2  (RIF #260)

Men’s Leaderboard
1.   John Kent Leighton – 741.7  (RIF #190)
2.   George Southgate – 598.7  (RIF #279)
3.   Joshua Holmes – 584.1  (RIF #1)
4.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
5.   Hideki Kinoshita – 396.2  (RIF #88)
6.   Danny Staggs – 348.9  (RIF #186)
7.   Jeff Le – 293.96  (RIF #248)
8.   Denis McCarthy – 271.3  (RIF #263)
9.   Nicholas Norfolk – 225.8  (RIF #116)
10.   Billy Cannon – 208.9  (RIF #169)
11.   Mark Watson – 194  (RIF #173)
12.   Houston Wolf – 182.2  (RIF #254)
13.   Jeff Liu – 178.6  (RIF #275)
14.   Anthony Ohrey – 167  (RIF #27)
15.   Nathan Bass – 145.4  (RIF #174)
16.   Kevin Brandon – 116.3  (RIF #214)
17.   Dennis Arriaga – 109.6  (RIF #140)
18.   Nikiah Nudell – 94.8  (RIF #234)
19.   Rodrigo Jiménez – 93.56  (RIF #203)
20.   Charles Carmen – 89.63  (RIF #255)
21.   Steven Reagan – 88.2  (RIF #157)
22.   Josh Liggett – 85.7  (RIF #147)
23.   James Krenis – 84.8  (RIF #67)
24.   Rick Thiounn – 79.5  (RIF #111)
25.   Kevin Ronayne – 72.9  (RIF #11)
26.   Mark Ogletree – 70.3  (RIF #247)
27.   David Wingard – 65.5  (RIF #101)
28.   Stephen Griffin – 60.3  (RIF #48)
29.   Robin Robbins – 58.3  (RIF #33)
30.   Neil Dryland – 57.2  (RIF #252)
31.   Jason Scott – 55.5  (RIF #265)
32.   Naresh Kumar – 50  (RIF #2)
33.   Bill Baker – 39.3  (RIF #196)
34.   Stewart Crouch – 29.3  (RIF #89)
35.   Brian Wooldridge – 26.2  (RIF #141)
36.   Chris Haynes – 26.2  (RIF #223)
37.   Daniel Escue – 22.4  (RIF #187)
38.   Austin Coates – 22.4  (RIF #241)

I know June was a HUGE month for Run It Fast Club members and can’t wait to see what happens. Will there be a big mix-up in the standings? Who will emerge next month? Check back next month to find out!

Oh, we also did a random drawing to pick one RIF Club member who submitted points for May and this month’s winner is RIF #181 Donna Pittman We will be sending her a Gone For A Run sign. Don’t forget to submit your points/monthly miles next month for a chance to win!

Details on joining Run It Fast – The Club

[Extreme Racer points are rewarded per each racing mile completed. Example: marathon = 26.2 points, half marathon 13.1 points, etc.]

[photo from Lisa Gonzales]

RIF #27 Anthony Ohrey and RIF #169 Billy Cannon finishing strong at the Run Under The Stars 2013

Have you ever run a timed race? Did you even know they exist? All over the country, there are 6 Hour, 12 Hour, 24 Hour, etc. races. They are usually run on a loop and they are lots of fun. I know what you’re thinking….Probably the same thing the rental car agent thought this past weekend.

Rental Car Agent: What brings you to town?
Me: I’m doing a 10 Hour race on Saturday.
RCA: Wow, where do you run to?
Me: Um, we’ll be running in circles on a half mile track the whole time.
RCA: *silence*…Good luck? *cue the this girl is nuts look*
🙂

Okay, so it may seem a little crazy but here’s why you should consider running a timed race if you haven’t done one already:

• There is no DNF in a timed race. You show up and run whatever you want to run during your alloted time. Some people go in to them planning to run a certain distance and then calling it while others plan to run the whole time to see how many miles they can run. Whichever method you choose is entirely up to you.
• You can’t get lost! I’ve run on half mile loops, mile loops, and 5K loops in the ones I’ve done. You are never far away from the start and/or aid station so you don’t have to worry about them calling out search parties if you miss a course marking and end up in another state.
• You are never far from an aid station and food and water…like I stated in the previous point. This means you don’t have to carry multiple bottles or a hydration pack and you don’t have to carry a ton of food and gels on you.
• You get to see your friends multiple times on the course. Most of the time, I see my friends at the beginning of a race (and sometimes at the end if they’ve waited for me) but with a loop course, you get to see them over, and over…and over again. 🙂 And the great thing is that since the race ends at a specific time, you never have to worry about them waiting around for you because you all end at the same time.
• You get to make a lot of new friends. For the same reason above, you will see many of your fellow racers multiple times on the course and get to spend a lot of time with them.
• They allow the middle and back-of-the-packers a chance to see/watch the fast guys/women.
• You can usually set up your own little camp – with maybe a chair or blanket or sometimes even a tent – so all your stuff is there within easy access. No worrying about what to put in a drop bag for when. Night time…no problem, just grab your light. Need a change of shoes or socks…no problem, just grab them and change them.
• Your friends and family that come to see you at the race get to see you multiple times without have to drive to various places on the course. And if they are tired, they can take a nap.
• Hey, you can take a nap if you want to.
• You always know where your competition is.
• You will find yourself inspired by everyone, fast or slow, because you get to see their triumphs and their struggles.
• It’s fun to see the miles adding up as you finish each loop.
• You don’t have to worry about bears, mountain lions, and crazed cows…usually. Crazy runners, yes. Wild animals, no.
• Did I mention access to great food is never far away? I’ve had pizza and cheeseburgers and tri tip and ice cream at some of my timed races.

For all these reasons…and probably a lot I forgot…timed races are a great place to set a new PR for a distance or set a new PL (Personal Long). You will be amazed by what you can accomplish at one!

I’ve done 4 so far and had a blast at each one:

New Year’s One Day 6/12/24 in San Francisco, CA – run on a 1 mile loop around Crissy Field on New Year’s Eve/Day with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Alcatraz, and the city. Both the 6 Hour and the 12 Hour end at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Nanny Goat 12/24/100 in Riverside, CA – great, fun 1 mile looping course on a horse farm that supports the Wounded Warrior Project. There’s a variety of surfaces to run on so you won’t get bored.

RIF #1 Joshua Holmes having fun at the Nanny Goat 2013

Run Under The Stars 10 Hour Endurance Run in Paducah, KY – run on a 1/2 mile horse track, the race starts at 8pm on Saturday and finishes at 6am on Sunday.

Rohring Round the Clock 6/12/24 in Chula Vista, CA – run on a 5K loop around Rohring park with lots to see.

These are just a few that I’ve done. I hope to run Across the Years 24HR/48HR/72HR one of these years and will definitely go back to the others. You can find more timed races by checking out Ultra Signup.

What are you waiting for? Go find one and sign up!

This is the finisher’s medal for the Run Under The Stars Endurance Run that was held on June 8-9 in Paducah, Kentucky.

Fun medal! And it glows in the dark!

This is a 10 Hour run that starts at 8 pm on Saturday night and ends at 6 am the next morning. It is a total blast. 70+ Run It Fast Club Members were there this year and 4 members earned spots in the Top 5 Men and Top 5 Women! Here is a photo of the fun 5th Place award earned by RIF #1 Joshua Holmes:

Congratulations to RIF #236 Jen Metcalf, RIF #160 Jennifer Whitley, RIF #221 Karl Studtmann, and Josh for earning Top 5 spots! In fact, all the club members did amazing there and we are so proud of them.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales, follow her on on Twitter @runlikeacoyote and the award was submitted by RIF #1 Joshua Holmes, follow him on Twitter @bayou]

RIF #1 Joshua Holmes

One fourth of the year gone…just like that! Time flies when you are running, don’t you think? 🙂 Our RIF Club Members have raced 442 races in the first 4 months of the year. They have done 163 marathons, 11 50 Milers, 34 50Ks, 67 Half Marathons, 60 5Ks, and handful of 100 milers, 10Ks, and other distances. We are rockin’ the running world! 64 RIF Club members have submitted points and/or monthly miles so far for 2013 (only points count in the standings so only 62 Club members are listed below).

The top 3 experienced a slight shakeup! RIF #159 Diane Bolton is in the lead with 690.3 points, followed by RIF #190 John Kent Leighton in 2^nd with 608.7 points and RIF #1 Joshua Holmes is back in the top 3 with 487.9 points in 3rd.

On the Women’s Leaderboard, Diane is in 1st, followed by RIF #217 Elaine Bickel Green in 2nd with 397.8 points and RIF #218 Carol Goslin in 3rd with 303.0 points. On the Men’s Leaderboard, John is in 1^st followed by Josh in 2^nd and RIF #259 Rob Distante in 3rd with 409.13 points.

I am always inspired to race/run more when I see how much fun our RIF Club Members are having. I have got to win the lottery… 😉

Here are the full standings:

Overall Leaderboard
1.   Diane Bolton – 690.3  (RIF #159)
2.   John Kent Leighton – 608.7  (RIF #190)
3.   Joshua Holmes – 487.9  (RIF #1)
4.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
5.   Elaine Bickel Green – 397.8  (RIF #217)
6.   Hideki Kinoshita – 396.2  (RIF #88)
7.   Danny Staggs – 322.7  (RIF #186)
8.   Carol Goslin – 303  (RIF #218)
9.   Jeff Le – 293.96  (RIF #248)
10.   Kerri Haskins – 276.8  (RIF #261)

Men’s Leaderboard
1.   John Kent Leighton – 608.7  (RIF #190)
2.   Joshua Holmes – 487.9  (RIF #1)
3.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
4.   Hideki Kinoshita – 396.2  (RIF #88)
5.   Danny Staggs – 322.7  (RIF #186)
6.   Jeff Le – 293.96  (RIF #248)
7.   Nicholas Norfolk – 225.8  (RIF #116)
8.   Houston Wolf – 182.2  (RIF #254)
9.   Mark Watson – 146.8  (RIF #173)
10.   Billy Cannon – 142.7  (RIF #169)
11.   Anthony Ohrey – 125.8  (RIF #27)
12.   Rodrigo Jiménez – 93.56  (RIF #203)
13.   Nathan Bass – 91.1  (RIF #174)
14.   Charles Carmen – 89.63  (RIF #255)
15.   James Krenis – 84.8  (RIF #67)
16.   Denis McCarthy – 84.8  (RIF #263)
17.   Rick Thiounn – 79.5  (RIF #111)
18.   Dennis Arriaga – 78.6  (RIF #140)
19.   Steven Reagan – 75.8  (RIF #157)
20.   Kevin Brandon – 75.1  (RIF #214)
21.   David Wingard – 65.5  (RIF #101)
22.   Robin Robbins – 58.3  (RIF #33)
23.   Neil Dryland – 57.2  (RIF #252)
24.   Jason Scott – 55.5  (RIF #265)
25.   Josh Liggett – 55.3  (RIF #147)
26.   Naresh Kumar – 50  (RIF #2)
27.   Stephen Griffin – 44.8  (RIF #48)
28.   Mark Ogletree – 44.1  (RIF #247)
29.   Kevin Ronayne – 43.6  (RIF #11)
30.   Bill Baker – 39.3  (RIF #196)
31.   Stewart Crouch – 29.3  (RIF #89)
32.   Brian Wooldridge – 26.2  (RIF #141)
33.   Chris Haynes – 26.2  (RIF #223)
34.   Nikiah Nudell – 26.2  (RIF #234)
35.   Austin Coates – 22.4  (RIF #241)

Women’s Leaderboard
1.   Diane Bolton – 690.3  (RIF #159)
2.   Elaine Bickel Green – 397.8  (RIF #217)
3.   Carol Goslin – 303  (RIF #218)
4.   Kerri Haskins – 276.8  (RIF #261)
5.   Heather Shoemaker – 261.8  (RIF #44)
6.   Sandy Staggs – 227.5  (RIF #220)
7.   Heather Zeigler – 214.4  (RIF #246)
8.   Laura Raeder – 193.4  (RIF #20)
9.   Lisa Gonzales – 177.26  (RIF #5)
10.   Alicia Eno – 146.5  (RIF #126)
11.   Robin Mancinelli – 142.3  (RIF #134)
12.   Christy Scott – 134  (RIF #231)
13.   Amanda Staggs – 121  (RIF #210)
14.   Michelle Mitchell – 112.4  (RIF #133)
15.   Melanie Kayal – 108.9  (RIF #202)
16.   Shannon Burke – 95.6  (RIF #171)
17.   Christy Bowers – 85.3  (RIF #60)
18.   Jennifer Whitley – 82  (RIF #160)
19.   Jennifer Wood – 78.6  (RIF #243)
20.   Marj Mitchell – 75.7  (RIF #4)
21.   Beth Hosick – 70  (RIF #219)
22.   Donna Pittman – 62.8  (RIF #181)
23.   Leigh Marsh – 61.7  (RIF #192)
24.   Marlene Deem – 52.4  (RIF #189)
25.   Natalie Torres – 42.4  (RIF #72)
26.   Jill Hassen – 31  (RIF #242)
27.   Martine Kincade – 26.2  (RIF #260)

We did a random drawing to pick one RIF Club member who submitted points for April and this month’s winner is RIF #243 Jenny Wood! We will be sending her a Gone For A Run sign. Don’t forget to submit your points/monthly miles next month for a chance to win!

Details on joining Run It Fast – The Club

[Extreme Racer points are rewarded per each racing mile completed. Example: marathon = 26.2 points, half marathon 13.1 points, etc.]

[photo from Lisa Gonzales]

Here is the buckle the finishers of the Labor of Love 100 Miler received on April 20-21, 2013 in Lovell Canyon near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Very cool detailing on the buckle. I like it. Also, here is a photo of the cactus that RIF #1 Joshua won for winning his age group:

Way to Run It Fast #1! Congratulations!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal photo submitted by RIF #1 Joshua Holmes.  Follow him on Twitter @bayou]

RIF #259 Rob Distante

 It’s only March and RIF Club Members have already raced 102 marathons, 8 50 Milers, 30 50Ks, 45 Half Marathons, 36 5Ks, and handful of 100 milers, 10Ks, and other distances. What a year we are having! We now have 57 RIF Club members who have submitted points and/or monthly miles for 2013 (only points count in the standings so only 54 Club members are listed below)

We have a new member in the top 3! Superwoman, RIF #159 Diane Bolton, is still in the lead with 506.9 points, followed by RIF #259 Rob Distante with 409.13 in 2nd and RIF #190 John Kent Leighton rounds out the top 3 with 403.9 points in 3rd.

On the Women’s Leaderboard, Diane is in 1st, followed by RIF #44 Heather Shoemaker in 2nd with 261.8 points and RIF #218 Carol Goslin in 3rd with 195.1 points. On the Men’s Leaderboard, Rob is in 1st, followed by John in 2nd, and RIF #1 Joshua Holmes in 3rd with 355.5 points.

Besides RIF #259 Rob, RIF #88 Hideki Kinoshita (266 points) is new to the top 10 along with RIF #248 Jeff Le (197.76 points) and RIF #261 Kerri Haskins (192 points). The new members are really giving the rest of us a run for our money!

Here are the full standings:

Top Ten Overall
1.   Diane Bolton – 506.9  (RIF #159)
2.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
3.   John Kent Leighton – 403.9  (RIF #190)
4.   Joshua Holmes – 355.5  (RIF #1)
5.   Hideki Kinoshita – 266  (RIF #88)
6.   Heather Shoemaker – 261.8  (RIF #44)
7.   Danny Staggs – 244.1  (RIF #186)
8.   Jeff Le – 197.76  (RIF #248)
9.   Carol Goslin – 195.1  (RIF #218)
10.   Kerri Haskins – 192  (RIF #261)

Women’s Leaderboard
1.   Diane Bolton – 506.9  (RIF #159)
2.   Heather Shoemaker – 261.8  (RIF #44)
3.   Carol Goslin – 195.1  (RIF #218)
4.   Kerri Haskins – 192  (RIF #261)
5.   Sandy Staggs – 175.1  (RIF #220)
6.   Elaine Bickel Green – 162  (RIF #217)
7.   Laura Raeder – 157.2  (RIF #20)
8.   Lisa Gonzales – 137.96  (RIF #5)
9.   Heather Zeigler – 122.7  (RIF #246)
10.   Christy Scott – 117.8  (RIF #231)
11.   Alicia Eno – 91  (RIF #126)
12.   Melanie Kayal – 89.6  (RIF #202)
13.   Jennifer Whitley – 82  (RIF #160)
14.   Amanda Staggs – 68.6  (RIF #210)
15.   Jennifer Wood – 65.5  (RIF #243)
16.   Leigh Marsh – 61.7  (RIF #192)
17.   Marj Mitchell – 52.4  (RIF #4)
18.   Marlene Deem – 52.4  (RIF #189)
19.   Beth Hosick – 43.6  (RIF #219)
20.   Christy Bowers – 41.7  (RIF #60)
21.   Jill Hassen – 31  (RIF #242)
22.   Donna Pittman – 23.5  (RIF #181)
23.   Natalie Torres – 19.3  (RIF #72)

Men’s Leaderboard
1.   Rob Distante – 409.13  (RIF #259)
2.   John Kent Leighton – 403.9  (RIF #190)
3.   Joshua Holmes – 355.5  (RIF #1)
4.   Hideki Kinoshita – 266  (RIF #88)
5.   Danny Staggs – 244.1  (RIF #186)
6.   Jeff Le – 197.76  (RIF #248)
7.   Nicholas Norfolk – 156.2  (RIF #116)
8.   Billy Cannon – 120.3  (RIF #169)
9.   Mark Watson – 117.5  (RIF #173)
10.   Anthony Ohrey – 99.6  (RIF #27)
11.   Charles Carmen – 89.63  (RIF #255)
12.   Nathan Bass – 88  (RIF #174)
13.   Rick Thiounn – 79.5  (RIF #111)
14.   Kevin Brandon – 75.1  (RIF #214)
15.   David Wingard – 65.5  (RIF #101)
16.   Neil Dryland – 57.2  (RIF #252)
17.   Josh Liggett – 55.3  (RIF #147)
18.   Steven Reagan – 53.4  (RIF #157)
19.   James Krenis – 52.4  (RIF #67)
20.   Rodrigo Jiménez – 51.31  (RIF #203)
21.   Naresh Kumar – 50  (RIF #2)
22.   Robin Robbins – 45.2  (RIF #33)
23.   Dennis Arriaga – 39.3  (RIF #140)
24.   Bill Baker – 39.3  (RIF #196)
25.   Kevin Ronayne – 37.4  (RIF #11)
26.   Stewart Crouch – 29.3  (RIF #89)
27.   Chris Haynes – 26.2  (RIF #223)
28.   Nikiah Nudell – 26.2  (RIF #234)
29.   Stephen Griffin – 22.4  (RIF #48)
30.   Austin Coates – 22.4  (RIF #241)
31.   Brian Wooldridge – 13.1  (RIF #141)

We did a random drawing to pick one RIF Club member who submitted points in April and this month’s winner is RIF #157 Steven Reagan! We’ll be sending him a Gone For A Run sign. Don’t forget to submit your points/monthly miles next month for a chance to win!

Details on joining Run It Fast – The Club

[Extreme Racer points are rewarded per each racing mile completed. Example: marathon = 26.2 points, half marathon 13.1 points, etc.]

[photo from Rob Distante]

Here is the race bling for the inaugural Griffith Park Trail Marathon that was held on April 13, 2013 in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.

All finishers of this tough trail marathon received the buckle in the middle of the photo above. Yes, I said a buckle. Not the norm for a marathon but a very cool buckle. The medal at the bottom of the photo was also provided to those who signed up in the in the initial lottery for the race.

And finally, congratulations to RIF #1 Josh who was 10th Overall Male and got to take home a mug as well!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal photo submitted by RIF #1 Joshua Holmes.  Follow him on Twitter @bayou]