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Day 14 Run It Fast Race Across the USA Map

Day 14: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Rev Run’s Record Setting Win

Rev Run blistered 2,907 miles over the course of 13 days, 20 hours, 17 minutes to win Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA. The great Lisa Devona ran her team onto the Santa Monica Pier in California in reaching the Pacific Ocean. The entire team was waiting and holding a ‘2,907 Miles – Sub-14 Days’ banner that Lisa tore through. It was fitting considering her phenomenal 500-mile performance over the past two weeks.

The powerhouse led by team captain David Pharr had daily contributions from every runner. A team of superstars that lifted up and inspired each other from #1 o- # 11 on their daily scorecard.

We all remember where we were when Michael Jordan hit ‘The Shot,’ and we all will always remember the hour and minute that this team finished the most perfect race in U.S.A. running history.

On a day of national upheaval, Rev Run finished on the Santa Monica Pier less than 45 minutes before the 6pm curfew city officials had put in place just a hour before.

The 11-person team averaged 207.64 miles per day, a daily average of 18.88 miles/per runner.

It took a Herculean effort to finish before the weekend cascaded as the team needed 536.70 miles coming into the weekend to make it happen. True to their mutant ethos they ran 292.46 miles yesterday (average of 26.79/runner), to leave a measly chip shot of 244.24 miles from the Mojave Desert to finish today. And they did it, rather easily, with almost four hours to spare.

They were led on the final day by Ed ‘the Jester Ettinghausen’s 100K mic drop, and Lisa’s 50-mile exclamation point giving her 500.78 miles for the race. And in what would have easily led many other teams today, Rev had big miles from Sherry Meador’s 34.11, Karl Studtmann’s 32.19, and Emily Ryan’s 32.08.

Rev Run finished today with our second place team 700 miles behind in Arizona.

“I think the Suzys were a perfect storm of talent and opportunity. If you were the have that same event every year, I think that is the kind of record that would stand for a very long time.

Result of random selection, though I doubt there could have been a much stronger team if chosen on purpose. It was fun to watch. Like one of those rare sports team that is just better than everyone else. You just have to sit back and applaud.” – Karl Studtmann (May 3, 2020)

Twenty-eight days later, Rev Run, including Karl, randomly drawn together for The Return Voyage, beat the Suzy Michelson Team’s time of 14 days, 21 hours, 10 min, from the inaugural Run It Fast’ Race Across the USA, by a full day and 53 minutes – with four less runners on our teams for the return trip. It would seem highly improbable now that Rev’s time of 13 days, 20 hours, 17 min will ever be challenged but only time will tell.

REV RUN- Day 14: 244.24 Miles (1st) – 1st overall 

RR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Ed Ettinghausen – 62.52 miles
  2. Lisa Devona – 50.04 miles
  3. Sherry Meador – 34.11 miles
  4. Karl Studtmann – 32.19 miles
  5. Emily Ryan – 32.08 miles
  6. Reich Gapasin – 25.66 miles
  7. David Pharr – 22.62 miles

Rev Run’s Total Team Miles by Runner – 13 Days, 20 Hours, 17 Minutes

  1. Lisa Devona – 500.78 miles (35.77)
  2. Ed Ettinghausen – 426.62 miles (30.47)
  3. David Pharr – 329.28 miles (23.52)
  4. Emily Ryan – 307.73 miles (21.98)
  5. Karl Studtmann – 266.80 miles (19.06)
  6. Steve Snyder – 265.83 miles (18.99)
  7. Sherry Meador – 237.99 miles (17.00)
  8. Reich Gapasin – 227.40 miles (16.24)
  9. Jeremy Reed – 225.44 miles (16.10)
  10. Jeff Lea – 86.94 miles (6.21)
  11. Renee Holcomb – 83.51 miles (5.97)

The Top 12 Teams on Day 14

  1. Rev Run – 244.24
  2. The Metcalvary – 184.80
  3. Crowe Bars – 180.02
  4. Alfa’s Omegas – 172.35
  5. The Beetroots – 140.24
  6. Grapes of Rath – 134.20
  7. Trip 2 My Lou – 122.13
  8. Tuck n’ Stroll– 120.22
  9. Kicking Glass – 115.81
  10. Peers One – 102.42
  11. Mojo Rising – 100.14
  12. Eli’s PR Ice – 98.69

Link to the Google Map showing where each team is on it’s Race Across the USA

Race Across the USA Overall Standings (daily total)

  1. Rev Run – 2,907.00 miles (244.24) – FINISHED – 13 Days, 20 Hours, 17 Minutes
  2. The Metcalvary – 2,290.80 miles (184.80)
  3. Crowe Bars – 1,989.13 miles (180.02)
  4. Alfa’s Omegas – 1,955.17 miles (172.35) +1
  5. Tuck ‘n Stroll – 1,919.85 miles (120.22) -1
  6. Grapes of Rath – 1,902.49 (134.20)
  7. Mojo Rising – 1,809.39 miles (100.14)
  8. Trip 2 My Lou – 1,706.48 miles (122.13)
  9. Kicking Glass – 1,650.76 miles (115.81)
  10. The Beetroots – 1,578.13 miles (140.24) +1
  11. Peers One – 1,543.52 miles (102.42) -1
  12. Eli’s PR Ice – 1,532.94 miles (98.69)

New York City to Santa Monica Pier Distance: 2,907.00 Miles

Lisa Van Wolde  is the Race Across the USA Peak Performer of the Day with 46.51 miles for Kicking Glass.

Top 10 Miles of the Day

  1. Ed Ettinghausen (REV) – 62.52
  2. Lisa Devona (REV) – 50.04
  3. Lisa Van Wolde (KG) – 46.51
  4. Elva Matamoros (GOR) – 38.59
  5. Andy Glaze (MET) – 37.15
  6. Randy Broadway (MET) – 36.56
  7. Seth Crowe (CB) – 35.17
  8. Sherry Meador (REV) – 34.11
  9. Karl Studtmann (REV) – 32.19
  10. Emily Ryan (REV) – 32.08

The Day’s Quick Team-by-Team Recaps

THE METCALVARY – Day 14: 184.80 Miles (2nd) – 2nd overall

The team is currently in Church Rock, New Mexico.

MET’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Andrew Glaze – 37.15 miles
  2. Randy Broadway – 36.56 miles
  3. Jen Metcalf – 26.55 miles

CROWE BARS – Day 14: 180.02 Miles (3rd) – 3rd overall

The team is currently in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

CB’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Seth Crowe – 35.17 miles
  2. Steve Troxel – 25.57 miles
  3. Cathy Downes – 25.08 miles

ALFA’S OMEGAS – Day 14: 172.35 Miles (4th) – 4th overall

The team is currently in Newkirk, New Mexico.

AO’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Allison Barcelona – 24.25 miles
  2. Fiona McMillen – 20.11 miles
  3. Kelly Paul – 18.31 miles

TUCK N’ STROLL – Day 14: 120.22 Miles (8th) – 5th overall

The team is currently Tucumcari, New Mexico.

TNS’s Top Performers of the Day.

  1. Jd Barnette – 22.31 miles
  2. Donna Bullington – 16.16 miles
  3. Jess Britt – 16.00 miles

GRAPES OF RATH – Day 14: 134.20 Miles (6th) – 6th overall

The team is in currently in San Jon, New Mexico.

GOR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Elva Matamoros – 38.59 miles
  2. Chris Clemens – 25.08 miles
  3. Kimberly Atkins – 14.02 miles

MOJO RISING- Day 14: 100.14 Miles (11th) – 7th overall

The team is near the Texas border in Amarillo, Texas.

MR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Lindsay Phenix – 24.07 miles
  2. JR Reynolds- 20.14 miles
  3. Kevin Lashley- 19.55 miles

TRIP 2 MY LOU – Day 14: 122.13 Miles (7th) – 8th overall

The team is in Erick, Oklahoma.

LOU’S Top Performers of the Day

  1. Marylou Corino – 25.50 miles
  2. Christy Brewer – 22.00 miles
  3. Gregory Hart- 14.10 miles

KICKING GLASS – Day 14: 115.81 Miles (9th) – 9th overall

The team is in Clinton, Oklahoma.

KG’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Lisa Van Wolde – 46.51 miles
  2. Yvette Campos – 12.50 miles
  3. Joan Lamayo-Buse – 11.53 miles

THE BEETROOTS – Day 14: 140.24 Miles (5th) – 10th overall

The team is currently in Yukon, Oklahoma.

BR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Michael Racine – 25.28 miles
  2. Sue Stephens-Wright – 24.57 miles
  3. Lance McDermott- 20.26 miles

PEERS ONE- Day 14: 159.99 Miles (10th) – 11th overall

The team is in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma.

PR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Diane Taylor – 19.24 miles
  2. Steve Durbin – 15.04 miles
  3. Rich Peers – 13.14 miles

ELI’S P.R. ICE – Day 14: 98.69 Miles (12th) – 12th overall

The team is in Dale, Oklahoma.

ELI’S Top Performers of the Day

  1. Abbi Auger – 16.60 miles
  2. Brittany Aussieker – 15.28 miles
  3. Ed Barnette – 15.06 miles

Daily Updates and Standing Archive

 

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Day 7 Run It Fast Race Across the USA Map

Day 7: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – We Are Superman!

Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA wrapped up it’s first week on Sunday. Rev Run won the day again just falling short of 200 miles on the day. The surprise team of the weekend, Alfa’s Omegas, finished second on the day with 164.06 miles with strong contributions from everyone on the team. The Metcalvary was third on the day and in second place overall.

The high mile runner on the day was Rev’s Ed Ettinghausen with 42.41 miles.

The Top 5 Teams on Day 7

  1. Rev Run – 195.89
  2. Alfa’s Omegas – 164.06
  3. The Metcalvary – 160.91
  4. Trip 2 My Lou – 160.21
  5. The Beetroots – 145.86

Link to the Google Map showing where each team is on it’s Race Across the USA

Race Across the USA Overall Standings (daily total)

  1. Rev Run – 1,380.33 miles (195.89)
  2. The Metcalvary – 1,067.37 miles (160.91)
  3. Crowe Bars – 969.25 miles (135.67) +1
  4. Tuck ‘n Stroll – 960.80 miles (106.18) -1
  5. Trip 2 My Lou – 959.13 miles (160.21) +2
  6. Grapes of Rath – 947.91 (134.32)
  7. Mojo Rising – 932.75 miles (114.11) -2
  8. Alfa’s Omegas – 927.38 miles (164.06)
  9. Peers One – 826.09 miles (122.07)
  10. Kicking Glass – 796.24 miles (98.62)
  11. The Beetroots – 794.50 miles (145.86) +1
  12. Eli’s PR Ice – 757.21 miles (104.03) -1

New York City to Santa Monica Pier Distance: 2,907.00 Miles

Ed Barnette is the Race Across the USA’s Peak Performer of the day with 24.84 miles for Eli’s PR Ice. Ed did the most miles he has ever covered in one day in memory of David Clark, his good friend and running coach, who tragically died earlier this week from back surgery complications.

Top 10 Miles of the Day

  1. Ed Ettinghausen (REV) – 42.41
  2. Jen Metcalf (MET) – 34.00
  3. Ximena Kriete (TNS) – 32.12
  4. Steve Troxel (CB) – 31.08
  5. Chris Clemens (GOR) – 30.28
  6. Ryan Malecha (AO) – 30.12
  7. Steve Snyder (REV) – 29.30
  8. Marylou Corino (LOU) – 29.00
  9. Andy Glaze (MET) – 28.08
  10. Sherry Meador (REV) – 27.15

The Day’s Quick Team-by-Team Recaps

REV RUN- Day 7: 195.89 Miles (1st) – 1st overall

Ed Ettinghausen led Rev Run and the entire race in miles on Sunday with 42.41 miles. Ho-hum work for The Jester who has finished more 100 mile races than an ear of corn has kernels. He shows up every day and humbly does his massive amount of miles while encouraging his teammates just as relentlessly. He got a couple of big performances on Sunday from Steve Snyder with 29.30 miles and Sherry Meador with 27.15 miles.

The team is running away with this competition. They are currently on the Arkansas/Oklahoma border.

RR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Ed Ettinghausen – 42.41 miles
  2. Steve Snyder – 29.30 miles
  3. Sherry Meador – 27.15 miles

THE METCALVARY – Day 7: 160.91 Miles (3rd) – 2nd overall

Big hair, ‘Big Sexy,’ big inspiration Jen Metcalf led the way for her team today with 34.00 miles. She had her steady studs Andy Glaze 28.08 miles and Randy Broadway 23.02 miles help The Mets finish 3rd on the day and increase their 2nd place lead on the rest of the field. Brooke King nearly doubled her daily average on Sunday. Great work, Brooke.

MET’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Jen Metcalf – 34.00 miles
  2. Andy Glaze – 28.08 miles
  3. Randy Broadway – 23.02 miles

CROWE BARS – Day 7: 135.67 Miles (6th) – 3rd overall

The Bars overall had a bit of a dip today, but it wasn’t the fault of Steve ’50K’ Troxel and his 31.08 miles. You also can’t fault Jimmy ‘Jam’ Girten who had by far his most impressive day of the race with 21.59 miles. The queen of Pinson Mounds, Marj Mitchell was magnificent with 21.46 miles.

CB’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Steve Troxel – 31.08 miles
  2. Jimmy Girten – 21.59 miles
  3. Marj Mitchell – 21.46 miles

TUCK N’ STROLL – Day 7: 106.18 Miles (10th) – 4th overall

Tuck had a precipitous drop on Sunday after a massive Saturday. Ximena Kriete was brilliant again with 32.12 miles as was Henriett Blodgett with 18.00 Beyond those two, the team was just flat today.

TNS’s Top Performers of the Day.

  1. Ximena Kriete – 32.12 miles
  2. Henriett Blodgett – 18.00 miles
  3. Rene Fosdal-Griffin – 13.12 miles

TRIP 2 MY LOU – Day 7: 160.21 Miles (4th) – 5th overall

Team captain Marylou Corino has different teammates who step every day to assist her, but she is the steady constant who delivers massive miles every day. It’s rubbed off on her team as they continue to make strides towards the top of the leader-board. Mare’s 29.00 miles were followed by Amy Cummings with 21.54, and Laura Eriks with 18.00.

LOU’S Top Performers of the Day

  1. Marylou Corino – 29.00 miles
  2. Amy Cummings – 21.54 miles
  3. Laura Eriks – 18.00 miles

GRAPES OF RATH – Day 7: 134.32 Miles (7th) – 6th overall

Team Captain Scott Kufferath continues to do a great job guiding, perhaps the most apt-named team in the race, on this cross country ride. Today his big miles came from Chris Clemens with 30.28, Elva Matamoros 22.25, and Tom Orr 20.22.  It’s all about the miles.

GOR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Chris Clemens – 30.28 miles
  2. Elva Matamoros – 22.25 miles
  3. Tom Orr – 20.22 miles

MOJO RISING- Day 7: 114.11 Miles (9th) – 7th overall

A rough weekend for Mojo. They dropped two more spots in the standings with their 9th place finish on the day. They were led once again by Lindsay Phenix with 23.13 miles. JR Reynolds had several jaunts totaling 18.37 miles. Mojo is really looking forward to Monday.

MR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Lindsay Phenix – 23.13 miles
  2. Joshua Holmes – 20.00 miles
  3. JR Reynolds – 18.37 miles

ALFA’S OMEGAS – Day 7: 164.06 Miles (2nd) – 8th overall

The Alfa’s had the best overall weekend with a 4th and 2nd place finish after spending part of opening week in last place. They got a grandiose performance of 30.12 miles today from Ryan Malecha. Allison Barcelona and Kelly Paul combined to add 43.79 miles.

AO’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Ryan Malecha – 30.12 miles
  2. Allison Barcelona- 23.10 miles
  3. Kelly Paul – 20.69 miles

PEERS ONE- Day 7: 122.07 Miles (8th) – 9th overall

Peers is starting to get strong contributions from most of it’s members every day now. Thomas Fowler has been special the first seven days with a total of 200.11 miles, today he had 23.66 of those. Sofie Romero had 17.49 today and 89.08 for the week. Team captain Rich Peers added 15.15 today after 31.17 yesterday.

PR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Thomas Fowler – 23.66 miles
  2. Sofie Romero – 17.49 miles
  3. Rich Peers – 15.15 miles

KICKING GLASS – Day 7: 98.62 Miles (12th) – 10th overall

Never a real bad day in this race, just some days you get to soak in God’s creation a bit more on the road, and what better day than a Sunday stroll through Tennessee. No big miles for anyone today, but Yvette Campos led the team for the second day in a row with 13.17 miles, following 31.13 yesterday. Megan Maiser added 11.54, and Stacy King hit double digits with 11.

The team is nearing Cookeville, Tennessee, home of the legendary Dallas Smith.

KG’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Yvette Campos – 13.17 miles
  2. Megan Maiser – 11.54 miles
  3. Stacy King- 11.00 miles

THE BEETROOTS – Day 7: 145.86 Miles (5th) – 11th overall

The Opossums, when no one was looking today, were hightailing down Tennessee black asphalt for a big 5th place day with 145.86 miles. Lori Robinson had her biggest miles of the race with 20.34. Carrie O’Bryan added 18.93 miles, and Sue Stephens-Wright had her largest mileage day with 15.99. Momentum, momentum! Hopefully, they won’t roll over tomorrow.

BR’s Top Performers of the Day

  1. Lori Robinson- 20.34 miles
  2. Carrie O’Bryan – 18.93 miles
  3. Sue Stephens-Wright – 15.99 miles

ELI’S P.R. ICE – Day 7: 104.03 Miles (11th) – 12th overall

We Are Superman! Ed Barnette lost his good friend and running coach, David Clark, in an unexpected death earlier this week. Ed went out today and ran 22-miles in his memory. He added a couple more miles to total 24.84 miles on the day. I believe it’s Ed’s most miles he’s ever had in a day. An impressive feat, but more importantly, an impressive dedication to Dave.  Dave is missed by many.

Team captain Melissa Price ran 25.51 miles. Francesca Muccini, dialed it back a bit, but still finished with 21.13.

ELI’S Top Performers of the Day

  1. Melissa Price – 25.51 miles
  2. Ed Barnette – 24.84 miles
  3. Francesca Muccini – 21.13 miles

Daily Updates and Standing Archive

 

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RIFRAUSA BIB Jeffrey Corrected

Day 22: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Hope Arrives to NYC

Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA‘ saw it’s last team on the course, the Hope Shull Team, reach the finish earlier this evening. Randy ‘Ran them in to’ Broadway got them over the line, as the pride of Bells, Tennessee ran the last 17.86 miles to bring Hope to New York City.

A massive 3-day surge from The Hopes got them to NYC well ahead of their projected mid-May arrival date. Randy was joined today with big miles from team captain Marylou Corino (25.40 mi), Cathy Downes (22.15), and Kit Brazier (18.32).

The team might have finished well behind the leaders, but they were having such a good time they didn’t want the race to come to an end. However, their tired legs will welcome a few days of rest and relaxation the big city before they have to disperse back home. They finished the race in 21 Days, 19 Hours, 30 Minutes.

Day 22 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

  • Hope Shull Team – 124.48 miles

Top 5 HST Runners (Day 22)

  1. Marylou Corino (HST) – 25.40
  2. Cathy Downes (HST) – 22.15
  3. Kit Brazier (HST) – 18.32
  4. Randy Broadway (HST) – 17.86
  5. Rachael Anderson (HST) – 11.60

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings 

  1. Suzy Michelson Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 14 Days, 21 Hours, 10 Minutes
  2. Jeffrey Price Team – 2,907.00  miles, FINISHED – 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
  3. Charlie Taylor Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
  4. Hope Shull Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 21 Days, 19 Hours, 30 Minutes 

Hope Shull Team
Place: 4th
Time: 21 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes
Averaged: 132.14 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA Champions

The Hope Shull Team (Marylou Corino, captain)

  • Marylou Corino – 424.09
  • Kit Brazier – 374.95
  • Cathy Downes – 337.74
  • Randy Broadway – 323.87
  • Sherry Meador 221.60
  • Ben Herron – 220.29
  • Lori Robinson – 164.98
  • Houston Wolf – 161.72
  • Megan Chiu – 160.72
  • Juleann Roberts – 115.31
  • Chuck Roberts – 115.05
  • Rachael Anderson – 112.98
  • Scott Kufferath – 72.19
  • Jimmy Girten – 69.87

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

  • Suzy Michelson Team – FINISHED – Champions
  • Jeffrey Price Team – FINISHED – 2nd Place
  • Charlie Taylor Team – FINISHED – 3rd Place
  • Hope Shull Team –  Marylou Corino (25.40)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

  1. Marylou Corino (HST) – 25.40
  2. Cathy Downes (HST) – 22.15
  3. Kit Brazier (HST) – 18.32
  4. Randy Broadway (HST) – 17.86
  5. Rachael Anderson (HST) – 11.60
  6. Ben Herron (HST) – 8.41
  7. Megan Chiu (HST) – 8.06
  8. Lori Robinson (HST) – 7.58
  9. Sherry Meador (HST) – 7.02
  10. Jimmy Girten (HST) – 3.00

Top 25 Race Mile Leaders

  1. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 424.09 (22 days/finished)
  2. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 393.33 (15 days/finished)
  3. Heather McComb (JPT) – 380.42 (18 days/finished)
  4. Kit Brazier (HST) – 374.95 (22 days/finished)
  5. Tom Orr (JPT) – 371.61 (18 days/finished)
  6. Karl Studtmann (JPT) – 349.15 (18 days/finished)
  7. Cathy Downes (HST) – 337.74 (22 days/finished)
  8. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 331.44 (19 days/finished)
  9. Joshua Holmes (CTT) – 331.43 (19 days/finished)
  10. Randy Broadway (HST) – 323.87 (22 days/finished)
  11. Steve Acciarito (CTT) – 323.54 (19 days/finished)
  12. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 312.62 (19 days/finished)
  13. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 309.54 (15 days/finished)
  14. David Nichols (SMT) – 293.63 (15 days/finished)
  15. Elva Matamoros (CTT) – 287.64 (19 days/finished)
  16. Alex Barrientos (SMT) – 286.87 (15 days/finished)
  17. Tiffani Glass (CTT) – 281.17 (19 days/finished)
  18. Alfa Severino (JPT) – 271.84 (18 days/finished)
  19. Melissa Price (JPT) – 260.84 (18 days/finished)
  20. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 248.63 (15 days/finished)
  21. Thomas Fowler (SMT) – 230.10 (15 days/finished)
  22. Karla Kent (JPT) – 224.27 (18 days/finished)
  23. Sherry Meador (HST) – 221.60 (22 days/finished)
  24. Ben Herron (HST) – 220.29 (22 days/finished)
  25. Jen Metcalf (CTT) – 216.78 (19 days/finished)

Suzy Michelson Team
Place: 1st
Time: 14 days, 21 hours, 10 minutes
Averaged: 193.80 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA Champions

The Suzy Michelson Team (Shane Tucker, captain)

  • Chris Clemens – 393.33
  • Barry Reece – 309.54
  • David Nichols – 293.63
  • Alex Barrientos – 286.87
  • Kimberly Atkins – 248.63
  • Thomas Fowler – 230.10
  • JR Reynolds – 203.67
  • Shane Tucker – 181.93
  • Leslie Studtmann – 168.60
  • Violeta Heisler – 127.05
  • Eryn Tyner – 114.81
  • Kim Crowe – 108.41
  • Anthony Ohrey – 99.35 (so, Anthony!)
  • Jeff Lea – 83.32
  • Trent Rosenbloom – 65.29

Jeffrey Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 2nd
Time: 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
Averaged: 161.51 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, Runner-Up

The Jeffrey Price Team (Melissa Price, captain)

  • Heather McComb – 380.42
  • Tom Orr – 371.61
  • Karl Studtmann – 349.15
  • Alfa Severino – 271.84
  • Melissa Price – 260.84
  • Karla Kent – 224.27
  • John Leighton – 196.79
  • Sofie Romero – 154.19
  • Lance Forest – 140.46
  • Darrell Richardson – 137.19
  • Donna Burns – 119.17
  • Alicja G Miles – 112.13
  • Eric Spencer – 107.34
  • Aaron Braunstein – 76.73
  • David Oglesby – 40.93

Charlie Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 3rd
Time: 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
Averaged: 153.01 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, 3rd Place

The Charlie Taylor Team (Joshua Holmes, captain)

  • Seth Crowe – 331.44
  • Joshua Holmes – 331.43
  • Steve Acciarito – 323.54
  • Jeremy Reed – 312.62
  • Elva Matamoros – 287.64
  • Tiffani Glass – 281.17
  • Jen Metcalf – 216.78
  • Robin Robbins – 151.81
  • Marj Mitchell – 132.46
  • Greta Reed – 125.77
  • Jemal Swoboda – 107.74
  • Aimee Shilling – 101.51
  • Renée Holcomb – 88.43
  • Sharon Carver – 79.17
  • Jill Williams – 77.70

Congrats to all these amazing runners!

Daily Updates and Standings Archive

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RIFRAUSA Day 21 Map

Day 21: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Hope is a Good Thing

Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA‘ rolled onto it’s 21st day with the Hope Shull Team working hard to get to New York City. The team had another strong day with 145.19 miles for a weekend total of 366.41 miles. They just have 124.48 miles to go. They had four sit out today, but the other 11 members all put in strong performances.

The Hopes were led on Day 21 by Sherry Meador with 25.63 miles, her biggest outburst during the cross-country trek. She was joined by team captain Marylou Corino with 20.5 miles, Houston ‘Dances with’ Wolf (16.48), Ben Herron (16.16), Chuck Roberts (15.66), and Cathy ‘Gotta Boogie to Get’ Downes (15.03).

Tomorrow could be the day… – bring it home!!!

Day 21 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

  • Hope Shull Team – 145.19 miles

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings 

  1. Suzy Michelson Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 14 Days, 21 Hours, 10 Minutes
  2. Jeffrey Price Team – 2,907.00  miles, FINISHED – 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
  3. Charlie Taylor Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
  4. Hope Shull Team – 2,782.52 miles (132.50 mi/day, 95.7% completed)

 

Hope Team Data at a Glance
Overall Place: 4th
Day 21 Miles: 145.19 (1st)
Total Miles: 2,782.52
Miles From NYC: -124.48

Top 5 HST Runners (Day 21)

  1. Sherry Meador (HST) – 25.63
  2. Marylou Corino (HST) – 20.50
  3. Houston Wolf (HST) – 16.48
  4. Ben Herron (HST) – 16.16
  5. Chuck Roberts (HST) – 15.66

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

  • Suzy Michelson Team – FINISHED – Champions
  • Jeffrey Price Team – FINISHED – 2nd Place
  • Charlie Taylor Team – FINISHED – 3rd Place
  • Hope Shull Team –  Sherry Meador (25.63mi)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

  1. Sherry Meador (HST) – 25.63
  2. Marylou Corino (HST) – 20.50
  3. Houston Wolf (HST) – 16.48
  4. Ben Herron (HST) – 16.16
  5. Chuck Roberts (HST) – 15.66
  6. Cathy Downes (HST) – 15.03
  7. Juleann Roberts (HST) – 13.53
  8. Megan Chiu (HST) – 11.44
  9. Kit Brazier (HST) – 5.01
  10. Rachael Anderson (HST) – 4.25

Top Race Mile Leaders

  1. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 398.69
  2. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 393.33 (15 days/finished)
  3. Heather McComb (JPT) – 380.42 (18 days/finished)
  4. Tom Orr (JPT) – 371.61 (18 days/finished)
  5. Kit Brazier (HST) – 356.63
  6. Karl Studtmann (JPT) – 349.15 (18 days/finished)
  7. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 331.44 (19 days/finished)
  8. Joshua Holmes (CTT) – 331.43 (19 days/finished)
  9. Steve Acciarito (CTT) – 323.54 (19 days/finished)
  10. Cathy Downes (HST) – 315.59
  11. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 312.62 (19 days/finished)
  12. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 309.54 (15 days/finished)
  13. Randy Broadway (HST) – 306.01
  14. David Nichols (SMT) – 293.63 (15 days/finished)
  15. Elva Matamoros (CTT) – 287.64 (19 days/finished)
  16. Alex Barrientos (SMT) – 286.87 (15 days/finished)
  17. Tiffani Glass (CTT) – 281.17 (19 days/finished)
  18. Alfa Severino (JPT) – 271.84 (18 days/finished)
  19. Melissa Price (JPT) – 260.84 (18 days/finished)
  20. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 248.63 (15 days/finished)
  21. Thomas Fowler (SMT) – 230.10 (15 days/finished)

Sherry Meador, of the Hope Shull Team, is the ‘Race Across the USA’ –  Peak Performer of the Day. She had down 25.63 miles today to lead the team.

Suzy Michelson Team
Place: 1st
Time: 14 days, 21 hours, 10 minutes
Averaged: 193.80 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA Champions

The Suzy Michelson Team (Shane Tucker, captain)

  • Chris Clemens – 393.33
  • Barry Reece – 309.54
  • David Nichols – 293.63
  • Alex Barrientos – 286.87
  • Kimberly Atkins – 248.63
  • Thomas Fowler – 230.10
  • JR Reynolds – 203.67
  • Shane Tucker – 181.93
  • Leslie Studtmann – 168.60
  • Violeta Heisler – 127.05
  • Eryn Tyner – 114.81
  • Kim Crowe – 108.41
  • Anthony Ohrey – 99.35 (so, Anthony!)
  • Jeff Lea – 83.32
  • Trent Rosenbloom – 65.29

Jeffrey Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 2nd
Time: 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
Averaged: 161.51 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, Runner-Up

The Jeffrey Price Team (Melissa Price, captain)

  • Heather McComb – 380.42
  • Tom Orr – 371.61
  • Karl Studtmann – 349.15
  • Alfa Severino – 271.84
  • Melissa Price – 260.84
  • Karla Kent – 224.27
  • John Leighton – 196.79
  • Sofie Romero – 154.19
  • Lance Forest – 140.46
  • Darrell Richardson – 137.19
  • Donna Burns – 119.17
  • Alicja G Miles – 112.13
  • Eric Spencer – 107.34
  • Aaron Braunstein – 76.73
  • David Oglesby – 40.93

Charlie Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 3rd
Time: 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
Averaged: 153.01 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, 3rd Place

The Charlie Taylor Team (Joshua Holmes, captain)

  • Seth Crowe – 331.44
  • Joshua Holmes – 331.43
  • Steve Acciarito – 323.54
  • Jeremy Reed – 312.62
  • Elva Matamoros – 287.64
  • Tiffani Glass – 281.17
  • Jen Metcalf – 216.78
  • Robin Robbins – 151.81
  • Marj Mitchell – 132.46
  • Greta Reed – 125.77
  • Jemal Swoboda – 107.74
  • Aimee Shilling – 101.51
  • Renée Holcomb – 88.43
  • Sharon Carver – 79.17
  • Jill Williams – 77.70

Congrats to all these amazing runners!

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RIFRAUSA BIB Charlie Taylor Team 3rd Place Crown

Day 19: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – 3 Doors Down

Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA‘ put it’s third team in the ‘New York Groove’ today as the Charlie Taylor Team made it to Battery Park when Jill Williams speed-blitzed walked the last mile to the finish. We now have three teams that have reached the Big Apple. The only three teams in race history ever to do so. More men have been to the moon than that. The team didn’t stop at the finish line though, they kept running to some of the hottest tourist spots on the map (for nearly 40 more miles) before calling it a day and trying to find some oil for Steve Acciarito’s knees. Big congrats to The Chucks.

Day 19 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

  • Charlie Taylor Team – 77.83 miles
  • Hope Shull Team – 100.78 miles

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings 

  1. Suzy Michelson Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 14 Days, 21 Hours, 10 Minutes
  2. Jeffrey Price Team – 2,907.00  miles, FINISHED – 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
  3. Charlie Taylor Team – 2,907.00 miles, FINISHED – 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
  4. Hope Shull Team – 2,416.11 miles (127.16 mi/day, 83.1% completed)


Click HERE to view where the teams are on the Google Map

Let’s get into the stats, standings, and recaps from the road…

Charlie Taylor Team: The Chucks are the one team that appeared to be paced perfectly for a 4,000 mile race. Which would have been great if this wasn’t a 2,907 mile race. But with that said, the team appeared to be getting stronger as the race went on. It had major performances most days and only a couple of dud days. The team was extremely evenly balanced from top to bottom with a strong median engine that churned relentlessly.

The most impressive part about this team is that every runner contributed very day over the course of 19 days. That’s right, a perfect 285 for 285. 100% participation for the entire event. Truly mind-blowing, as the team, like others had a lot of life and loss happen during the event.

The Chucks had four runners eclipse 300 miles for the race – Seth Crowe (331.43), Joshua Holmes (331.43), Steve Acciarito (323.54), and Jeremy Reed (312.62). Then the team had three runners with strong 200+ mile performances – Elva Matamoros (287.64), Tiffani Glass (281.17), and Jen Metcalf (216.78).

Nearly everyone else on the team had a personal high or record for number of miles over the course of the 19 days including Jill Williams who recorded miles for a career high 19 straight days. Renee Holcomb had her most miles in a month with 88.43.

Robin Robbins, Marj Mitchell, Greta Reed, Jemal Swoboda, Aimee Shilling, and Sharon Carver also made big contributions that helped The Chucks get to NYC a lot faster than they originally estimated it would take them.

Charlie Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 3rd
Time: 18 Days, 17 Hours, 33 Minutes
Averaged: 153.01 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, 3rd Place

The Charlie Taylor Team (Joshua Holmes, captain)

  • Seth Crowe – 331.44
  • Joshua Holmes – 331.43
  • Steve Acciarito – 323.54
  • Jeremy Reed – 312.62
  • Elva Matamoros – 287.64
  • Tiffani Glass – 281.17
  • Jen Metcalf – 216.78
  • Robin Robbins – 151.81
  • Marj Mitchell – 132.46
  • Greta Reed – 125.77
  • Jemal Swoboda – 107.74
  • Aimee Shilling – 101.51
  • Renée Holcomb – 88.43
  • Sharon Carver – 79.17
  • Jill Williams – 77.70

Top 5 CTT Runners (Day 19)

  1. Steve Acciarito – 18.75
  2. Joshua Holmes – 15.72
  3. Jeremy Reed – 15.56
  4. Elva Matamoros – 11.14
  5. Tiffani Glass – 9.70

Hope Shull Team:  The Chucks only needed 77+ miles, so Hope’s team won the day with their 100.78 miles. Analysts predict they have great odds to win every day the rest of the way now.

Just a 100 miles today for The Hopes. It was a rest day for most of the team as Friday, Monday, and Wednesday’s usually are.

The usual suspects were at the top of the HOPE leader-board for Friday –  Kit Brazier with 15.51 miles, Sherry Meador 15.06 miles, Randy Broadway 15.00 miles, Marylou Corino 13.20 miles, and Rachael Anderson with 10.50 miles.

A member of the Suzy Michelson Team driving back home after three days of partying in NYC came across the Hope RV and stopped to wish them luck the rest of the way. In a secretly recorded video that was sent in to Mission Control (and since destroyed), it caught the team in a huddle chanting the following over and over before their first miles of the day:

“We are good enough, we are smart enough, we are good looking enough, we run enough, we are fun to be with, we might finish the race, and doggone it, people like us.”

We believe you will as well. Keep truckin’!

Hope Team Data at a Glance
Overall Place: 4th
Day 19 Miles: 100.78 (1st)
Total Miles: 2,416.11
Miles From NYC: -490.89

Top 5 HST Runners (Day 19)

  1. Kit Brazier – 15.51
  2. Sherry Meador – 15.06
  3. Randy Broadway – 15.00
  4. Marylou Corino – 13.20
  5. Rachael Anderson – 10.50

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

  • Suzy Michelson Team – FINISHED – Champions
  • Jeffrey Price Team – FINISHED – 2nd Place
  • Charlie Taylor Team – Steve Acciarito (18.75 mi)
  • Hope Shull Team –  Kit Brazier (15.51 mi)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

  1. Steve Acciarito (CTT) – 18.75
  2. Joshua Holmes (CTT) – 15.72
  3. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 15.56
  4. Kit Brazier (HST) – 15.51
  5. Sherry Meador (HST) – 15.06
  6. Randy Broadway (HST) – 15.00
  7. Marylou Corino (HST) – 13.20
  8. Elva Matamoros (CTT) – 11.14
  9. Rachael Anderson (HST) – 10.50
  10. Tiffani Glass (CTT) – 9.70

Top Race Mile Leaders

  1. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 393.33 (15 days/finished)
  2. Heather McComb (JPT) – 380.42 (18 days/finished)
  3. Tom Orr (JPT) – 371.61 (18 days/finished)
  4. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 362.99
  5. Karl Studtmann (JPT) – 349.15 (18 days/finished)
  6. Kit Brazier (HST) – 339.61
  7. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 331.44
  8. Joshua Holmes (CTT) – 331.43
  9. Steve Acciarito (CTT) – 323.54
  10. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 312.62
  11. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 309.54 (15 days/finished)
  12. David Nichols (SMT) – 293.63 (15 days/finished)
  13. Elva Matamoros (CTT) – 287.64
  14. Alex Barrientos (SMT) – 286.87 (15 days/finished)
  15. Tiffani Glass (CTT) – 281.17
  16. Cathy Downes (HST) – 271.89
  17. Alfa Severino (JPT) – 271.84 (18 days/finished)
  18. Melissa Price (JPT) – 260.84 (18 days/finished)
  19. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 248.63 (15 days/finished)
  20. Randy Broadway (HST) – 241.01

Jill Johnson, of the Charlie Taylor Team, is the ‘Race Across the USA’ –  Peak Performer of the Day. She ran the team across the finish in New York City today and also put down miles for a personal high of 19 consecutive days. In addition, she was ‘Mission Control’ for the race that helped keep the data straight and teams on target. A major thank you from everyone involved.

Suzy Michelson Team
Place: 1st
Time: 14 days, 21 hours, 10 minutes
Averaged: 193.80 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA Champions

The Suzy Michelson Team (Shane Tucker, captain)

  • Chris Clemens – 393.33
  • Barry Reece – 309.54
  • David Nichols – 293.63
  • Alex Barrientos – 286.87
  • Kimberly Atkins – 248.63
  • Thomas Fowler – 230.10
  • JR Reynolds – 203.67
  • Shane Tucker – 181.93
  • Leslie Studtmann – 168.60
  • Violeta Heisler – 127.05
  • Eryn Tyner – 114.81
  • Kim Crowe – 108.41
  • Anthony Ohrey – 99.35 (so, Anthony!)
  • Jeff Lea – 83.32
  • Trent Rosenbloom – 65.29

Jeffrey Team Data at a Glance 
Place: 2nd
Time: 17 Days, 15 Hours, 28 Minutes
Averaged: 161.51 miles/day
Total Miles: 2,907.00 – Run It Fast – Race Across the USA, Runner-Up

The Jeffrey Price Team (Melissa Price, captain)

  • Heather McComb – 380.42
  • Tom Orr – 371.61
  • Karl Studtmann – 349.15
  • Alfa Severino – 271.84
  • Melissa Price – 260.84
  • Karla Kent – 224.27
  • John Leighton – 196.79
  • Sofie Romero – 154.19
  • Lance Forest – 140.46
  • Darrell Richardson – 137.19
  • Donna Burns – 119.17
  • Alicja G Miles – 112.13
  • Eric Spencer – 107.34
  • Aaron Braunstein – 76.73
  • David Oglesby – 40.93

Congrats to all these amazing runners!

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Tornados Food

Day 5: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Stairway to Heaven

Run It Fast’sRace Across the USA‘ has brought together strangers, friends, frenemies, and down-right enemies that are on four diverse teams working hard together, and for each other, to try to advance their team across the country towards the finish line in New York City.

Today was a workman/woman day on the road that was a bit boring from a spectator’s viewpoint looking at the race in a one day prism. But this race isn’t a one day event, and several performances today concluded amazing 5-Day workweek totals.

Suzy Michelson Team: The Suzy’s don’t have bad days. They have days where they inhale and other days when they exhale. Today was an inhale day for the team that included their usual impressive output from it’s very deep roster. They dipped slightly from yesterday’s record output but still easily had more miles than any other team. They finished the day with 164.93 miles. They had contributions from everyone on Day 5 and were led by Barry Reece (23.15 mi), Chris Clemens (20.73), JR Reynolds (20.06), and Kimberly Atkins (20.0). Other notable performances came from Thomas Fowler (16.01) and Alex Barrientos (13.11).

The Suzy’s put even more distance between them and the rest of the field. They are 2/3rd’s of the way through New Mexico which is amazing considering two of the four teams are still back in Arizona. They called in their miles for the day from Santa Rosa, New Mexico (population 2,848).

The Suzy’s (applying proper social distancing procedures) met with the Santa Rosa High School lawn mower racing club, one of the very first in the USA. They traded racing stories while eating pizza and drinking some awful electrolyte mix Captain Tucker has been making the team drink every night.

Our lawyers say we aren’t at liberty to discuss the special ointment Tucker has his team applying liberally to their legs every night and before they run the next day.

Suzy Team Data at a Glance
Place: 1st
Day 5 Miles: 164.93
Total Miles: 894.71
Top 3 SMT Runners (Entire Race)

  1. Chris Clemens – 112.24
  2. Barry Reece – 103.35
  3. Thomas Fowler – 86.27

Jeffrey Price Team: It was the fourth consecutive day output dropped for the JP’s, but they still were able to put distance on the two teams behind them. The three most developing story-lines with this team are as follows. One, Heather ‘Double Dime’ McComb shows up and knocks out 20’s daily, every day. Friday was no different as she uncorked a 21.03 mile performance. It knocked her over the century mark for the workweek. Secondly, team captain Melissa Price has been running miles at such an escalating rate that the national debt is envious. She had her strongest day of the race with 16.47 miles (and has a total of 62.06 for the race). Jeffrey is for sure shining down on Melissa and how she is inspiring her entire team.

“And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll
And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven”

And lastly, Tom ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Orr did it yet again on Friday. Increasing his daily miles for the fifth consecutive day. He put down 22.21 miles on Friday, ending with 98.12 miles for the week. His progression this week is as follows: 16.09, 18.39, 20.29, 21.14, and 22.21.

Jeffrey Team Data at a Glance
Place: 2nd
Day 5 Miles: 126.9
Total Miles: 719.87
Miles Back: -174.84
Top 3 JPT Runners (Entire Race)

  1. Heather McComb – 106.4
  2. Tom Orr – 98.12
  3. Karl Studtmann – 76.14

Tom Orr is the ‘Race Across the USA’ –  Peak Performer of the Day.

Charlie Taylor Team: This gang woke up fresh, dressed, like a million bucks, threw on white socks, with their all blue chucks, stepped out the RV with no other team in sight. So, Steve Acciarito took their first asphalt bite, while the rest of the team dilly and dallied, and Ms. Marj met this exotic tea dealer, Sally, in the ally, while Greta Reed continued the team’s rally that started back in Cali.

The Chucks all showed up again, finishing the week a perfect 75 for 75 with team participation for the first 5 days of the race.

While their miles were slow to accumulate in the AM, a late day, hot baton passed back and forth that led to a respectful 110.04 miles for the day. They were led by Joshua Holmes (20.20 mi), Jeremy Reed (19.13 mi), and Elva Matamoros (16.03 mi). The Chucks are currently straddling the Arizona-New Mexico border and beyond socially distanced from the 2nd and 4th place teams.

Charlie Team Data at a Glance
Place: 3rd
Day 5 Miles: 110.04
Total Miles: 640.0
Miles Back: -254.71
Top 3 CTT Runners (Entire Race)

  1. Seth Crowe – 80.83
  2. Joshua Holmes – 78.69
  3. Jeremy Reed – 78.13

Hope Shull Team: The snooze crew, after two strong days, relapsed into Napageddon with just 52.07 miles for Day 5. They were led by team captain, Marylou Corino, with 13.1 miles. Sherry Meador followed Lou with 11.11 miles. Five runners didn’t lace up today for the HST. Load management was listed as the reason in the captain’s report. We are expecting a big weekend from this team, though. They are the most rested and well fed team in the race.

The Hopes were last seen at the Love’s Travel Stop in Joseph City, Arizona where Juleann Roberts was sipping a slushie and Houston Wolf was seen bagging four Tornados.

Hope Team Data at a Glance
Place: 4th
Day 5 Miles: 52.07
Total Miles: 534.27
Miles Back: -338.64
Calories Consumed: 783,193
Top 3 HST Runners (Entire Race)

  1. Marylou Corino – 90.6
  2. Kit Brazier – 85.48
  3. Randy Broadway – 60.5

Click HERE to view where the teams are on the Google Map

Day 5 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

  • Suzy Michelson Team – 164.93 miles (11.0 mi/runner)
  • Jeffrey Price Team – 126.9 miles (8.46 mi/runner)
  • Charlie Taylor Team – 110.04 miles (7.34 mi/runner)
  • Hope Shull Team – 73.87 miles (3.47 mi/runner)

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings (thru Day 5)

  1. Suzy Michelson Team – 894.71 miles (180.95/day, 30.8% completed)
  2. Jeffrey Price Team – 719.87  miles (143.97 mi/day, 24.8% completed)
  3. Charlie Taylor Team – 640.00 miles (128.00 mi/day, 22.0% completed)
  4. Hope Shull Team – 556.07 miles (111.21 mi/day, 18.4% completed)

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

  • Suzy Michelson Team – Barry Reece (23.15 mi)
  • Jeffrey Price Team – Tom Orr (22.21 mi)
  • Charlie Taylor Team – Joshua Holmes (20.20 mi)
  • Hope Shull Team – Marylou Corino (13.10 mi)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

  1. Barry Reece (SMT) – 23.15
  2. Tom Orr (JPT) – 22.21
  3. Heather McComb (JPT) – 21.03
  4. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 20.73
  5. Joshua Holmes (CTT) – 20.20
  6. JR Reynolds (SMT) – 20.06
  7. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 20.00
  8. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 19.13
  9. Melissa Price (JPT) – 16.47
  10. Elva Matamoros (CTT) – 16.03

Top 10 Race Mile Leaders

  1. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 112.24
  2. Heather McComb (JPT) – 106.4
  3. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 103.35
  4. Tom Orr (JPT) – 98.12
  5. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 90.6
  6. Thomas Fowler  (SMT) – 86.27
  7. Kit Brazier (HST) – 85.48
  8. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 85.1
  9. Alex Barrientos (SMT) – 82.78
  10. David Nichols (SMT) – 81.08

Daily Updates and Standings Archive

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Naresh Kumar’s Last Annual Vol State 500K Race Report

Naresh Kumar’s Last Annual Vol State 500K Race Report

Some adventures transform a man. The sleepless nights, the euphoric feelings, the few silent minutes spent in contemplation, the conscious decision made to suffer through the heat, day and night on the endless road, recover and regain the strength, push forward only to sink deeper at the end of the day, the struggle to stay awake and do it over and over, hoping to get to the rock. Run, walk, eat and sleep – This is the story of my journey called The Last Annual Vol State Road Race 500K.

“The Last Annual” part is a joke. The race has been taking place since 1981. There’s no formal organization, no website, no registration fee, nothing. It’s a race for a bunch of people who likes to run real long distance. All the way from Dorena Landing, MO to Castle Rock, GA. 314 miles, 500K.

Like Laz mentioned once “You would not believe how alone you are on the side of the road. All of those people who pass by a few feet away are in another world. They’re in their little air conditioned metal box, but when you get done, you can remember every step of the road.”

Days before the Vol State:

I kept quiet on the Vol State list. Though I got my name enlisted as solo, unsupported, I didn’t make it official. These days, nothing’s official unless it’s facebook official. I thought about it several times. I can still pull back my entry, it’s a tough race, I don’t need to go through this, I’ll just show up as a volunteer and crew some of my friends but finally I had to shake off such odd thoughts and made it official on FB. This was the biggest step for me pre Vol State.

Next big question, what shoes am I going to wear? I have never run in shoes, besides my first two marathons. I have either run in VFF or would go barefoot. I picked up a few good pair from REI and felt miserable running in those and promptly returned them. I decided to take my VFF (Trek Sports) for a test ride on Vol State course on a hot day. Ran/Walked 22 miles and felt pretty comfortable and decided to stick with them. Also picked up a camel backpack and tightened all the cords and told myself that anything that would fit in it, I would take it. I wanted to keep it as minimal as possible, no space for anything that I MIGHT need during the race.

Besides planning for logistics, vacation, travel and other stuff, it was fear and anxiety that took over me. A week before the race, Vol State is all I could think of all the time. It got so frustrating and made me restless to the point that I just wanted to get on that damn ferry. I wrote to a couple of runners who have finished Vol State in the past asking for suggestions and advice. Everyone responded but four of the replies were so good that I took a print out of it and carried it with me during the race.

Here’s the excerpt of some of the conversation:

  • It is very hard Naresh; I would say the volstate is harder than a Barkley fun run….because it is SO far!!! The volstate requires toughness, but even more important is PATIENCE. There is no doubt in my mind that you can finish, but do not underestimate the need for patience. It is very far! – Carl Laniak
  • I don’t know if you’d consider running with your mouth closed, but I thought that helped regulate my effort and the core temperature – Matt Kirk
  • Nothing will prepare u for Vol State. No packs advise no strategy from other runners, no amount of heat training. By the end of the second day, crewed or solo, we will all feel like cow dung. Experience will help. But nobody can give you that. Permission is huge! Are you permitting yourself everything it takes? I’m serious when I say this: a fast walker can do this in ten days. Burn the ships. Destroy any possibility of an easy out. Divorce yourself from the world. Resign yourself to the fact that the start is in MO and the finish is on Sand Mountain. This is your job for the next 4-10 days. Accept it. It’s not easy, and it only gets harder. Exponentially harder in the last 30 miles. But, when the castle rock gate comes into view, and you realize you are only one mile from the rock, you will know that you have done an amazing thing. And it will have been worth it. – Mike O’Melia
  • Don’t worry about staying on the road for 10 days, you will be back to Nashville the following Monday after the race start – Laz

I was so pissed off with Laz’s comment and I told myself that even if I had to drop out, I’ll ensure to not drop out on Monday.

I was thinking much about the movie “The Way Back”, story about four men escaping from Siberian Gulag and their 4000 mile long trek for freedom. They face freezing nights, lack of food and water, mosquitoes, an endless desert, the Himalayas. At one point after reaching the great Himalayas someone questions about how they are going to get past the mountains and the guy replies “We walk”. That got stuck in my head. We Walk. To keep pushing forward. After all I at least have access to stores and civilization unlike these men who didn’t have anything.

Laz send another update few days before picking up the crewless runners from the rock to the start line:

humidity so high you can cut the air into blocks.

sun so cruel it sears exposed flesh.

they have heat advisories in effect.

people are supposed to minimize their time outside…

tomorrow we go pick up the crewless runners at the rock.

god help them.

if people hadn’t done it before,

i would say it couldn’t be done.

Charity : Water : Joshua mentioned in his blog, after he made it official about his Vol State, that if an individual attempts to do something that could result in death then one should raise money for a cause in that process to help the less fortunate. That stuck in my head. I asked him whether I can join hands with him in his campaign and he accepted gladly. Though I wanted to run this race for myself, I had another good reason to motivate myself and finish this race. Being born and brought up in India and having lived in a less fortunate place, I remember what a great deal it was to get clean drinking water. I decided to contribute a dollar for every mile as my contribution. Every mile counts and every mile would help realize building a well somewhere that would provide clean drinking water (Thanks Joshua for letting me part of your campaign).

Limerick Taxi Service:

Two fares named Naresh and Fred

Got in and were so full of dread,

That all the way through

“What’d I get myself into?”

Is what the both of them said. –Troubadour

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That was Rich’s poem for us and he goes by the name ‘Troubadour’ in the Ultralist. He offered a ride for me and Fred Davis for The Last Supper. Meeting Fred prior to the race was such a blessing. He had finished Vol State several times and his maps and notes were of such great help during the race. Everything just fell in place. Out of office, back pack, pepper spray, maps, I checked the items one after the other before jumping into the car. When I couldn’t get my hands on an Indian flag, I drew one myself on my race shirt. Rich was at my door. My “This is it” moment. Divorce from the world. I had a little cultural exchange with Rich and Beth during our ride and I had the chance to see their jaws drop when I started talking about “Arranged marriages in India”. We talked about a lot more stuff but I was not present in the ‘present’. We were driving through a part of the race course and Rich told tell me that I would have made it till there by day two, hopefully!!

The night before I left Nashville, I went on Facebook and un-friended my parents, sister and couple of friends who might possibly update my parents about my race. I still remember how mad, yet proud, they were when I told them about my first 100 mile finish. This time its three times longer and getting them worried about my adventure is the last thing I wanted. (Mom, Dad, Sis and friends – If you are reading this, I am sorry)

The Last Supper:

A ritual where all Vol State Runners, crew, volunteers, family and friends meet at Ryan’s steakhouse in Union City, TN the day before the Vol State. I heard so much about The Last Supper but I am here finally and things started getting real. I met all the runners and their family members. Ultra legends Dirt, Laz and Marv collectively had over 100 years of Ultra running experience.

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I thought I was the baby in the group but Erika beat me on that. I had couple of email conversation with Lynn, Ericka’s mom and an awesome runner, but meeting the mother daughter duo running the Vol State was such a pleasure. Finally, my friend Joshua showed up with his crew. Josh and I had several hours of conversation through email and chat prior to the race. Both of us were equally anxious and scared. Soon, we all retired for the night. I couldn’t go to sleep. I met Lyn, Erika and Sherry in their room and we had a blast talking about our races and other stuff.

For some reason, too much of anxiety kept from going to sleep. It didn’t work out no matter how hard I tried. I might have slept for an hour or two. Morning arrived sooner than I expected, 5:30AM, packed my bags, filled it up with water and jumped into Shannon’s yellow bus. I took a ride with Diane, my running friend who introduced me to the ultra world, and John Price who is a legend by himself. He recently ran across USA self supported and he also ran the Vol State double last year. We stopped at a couple of spot en route to click pictures and headed straight to the Dorena Landing, MO where our Ferry was waiting for us.

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Ferry ride was just the beginning:

Things started becoming more REAL for me. Things that I have read and heard about are happening to me. Last year I signed up for Vol State but had to pull back due to family emergency. Last Supper, Ferry Ride, Bench of Despair and the Rock were some of the notable things and two of it has already happened. The Ferry took us across Mississippi river to Dorena Landing, MO.

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We got out of the ferry, lined up at the start line and before we knew it, Laz lit his cigarette. Clock started ticking. Race is ON. We ran towards the ferry. Wish I could put it in much better words to explain the joy of the moment, but one has to be there to experience this.

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The ferry ride back to Kentucky was silent, at least for me. The longest 10 minutes of my life. Fear was creeping through  my spine; I disassociated myself to a corner of the ferry and was gazing at the water contemplating for the next few minutes. This race is something I never thought I would do. I had a humble beginning to the Ultra world and after 16 months of Ultras, here I am running the Vol State 500K. I had all sorts of questions and doubts but before I knew it the ferry landed on shore, I shook it off and took off with the rest of the runners.

First step into a sea of Uncertainty:

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The road wading through Hickman, KY towards Union City, TN. We took the wrong road within the first 3 miles of running but thank God, John price hollered and put us back on track. The day was starting to get hot, field was getting scattered but Josh and I were still running together. I stepped inside a bank on my way to refill my handheld bottle. Before we knew it, we made it to Union City, about 18 miles into the race.

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Made a quick stop at a Subway and I ate a tuna sandwich and lots of Coke. Josh and I soon caught up with Don Winkley, another Ultra Legend, and his crew Donald. Laz and Carl were standing under the bridge at Mile 20. “This is your worst 20 mile time, isn’t it” and I nodded, “yes indeed”. It took over 5 hours to run 20 miles. I had no goal for day 1 except that I talked myself into running at least 40 miles every day. I ran a bit with Don Winkley, another Ultra legend, who eventually won the race this year. While I was out of water and ice again, I stepped into an outdoor store and the lady was kind enough to give me some ice and let me use the faucet to refill my backpack. That refill took me all the way to Martin, TN (Mile 29)

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Made another quick stop at a McD and drank a large banana smoothie. I checked my feet and noticed that the duct tape has slipped over but it wasn’t all that bad. Refilled my pack again and headed out. Josh resupplied his stock and we took off. We noticed a church sign that said “The Most Effective Daily Exercise – Walking with God”, right message at the right time.

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It was a long stretch to Dresden and the day was getting hotter. The road almost appeared like an interstate with wide shoulders. Josh’s crew would pass me every now and then. I finally noticed the sign board “Dresden – A great place to live”. I was sitting under a tree for a bit and Josh’s crew hollered at me and asked me not to move, there was a dog charging towards me. I was feeling cold all of a sudden, my first encounter with dog during Vol State. He barked a bit, circled around me and left. Thank God. It was mile 40 and my feet were killing me. I just wanted to rest somewhere. There was a motel about 3 ¼ of a mile off the course and at that point I was ready to go that extra mile for some good rest.

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I picked up gallon chocolate milk and a sub on my way and got in my room. The motel owner, an Indian family from Gujarat, offered me a great discount and one of the best rooms. Felt really proud for having that India flag on my shirt. It unites every one of us no matter where we are. Took a cold shower and tried to rest but couldn’t go to sleep and was just lying on my bed. Iced my feet and kept it elevated, meanwhile I munched on some chips and sandwich and flushed it down with chocolate milk. When I realized that sleep is not my best friend that night, I decided to head back out. It was 12:30am. Before heading out I spread all the items from my backpack on the bed and decided to dump everything that I never touched for the day except for pepper spray. I woke up Josh and he asked me to get going and that he would start an hr later. I backtracked from the motel and rejoined the course. It was crisscross from there and if not for the directions painted on the road, I would be surely lost. It was funny that 500K direction was marked right next to a 5K race route. I am sure the 5K runners must be wondering who would run 500K and might even think it’s a prank.

It was a long night. The Old Route 22 which would take me to Gleason was so dark and lonely. I had a doubt at times whether I am on track. A cop passed me at around 2am and when they turned around, I was sure they were going to check on me. They were very friendly, I told them about the race and they asked me to be careful and went their way. Finally made it to Gleason (Mile 48) and after going through the town, it was Old 22 once again. Before heading out I checked my feet and it was a nasty sight. There were blisters everywhere. The skin started reacting to the adhesive tape. I should have left the duct tape intact before leaving Dresden, instead I thought I’ll tape my feet with the JnJ adhesive tape. A very costly mistake and I paid for it heavily. I removed the tape, cleared the blisters and applied some of the advanced blister band-aid and wore my Injinji socks. It was pitch dark and the road was wading through some corn fields. Soon, Josh’s crew passed me. It was the first sign of traffic after a long time. Blake told me that Josh is about 3 miles behind me. As I kept going I saw a flash light coming towards me. After about couple of minutes I noticed that it was Fred Davis. Apparently, he never rested and he turned around somewhere and was heading in the wrong direction. Not sure how far he went in the wrong direction but he turned around and we spoke a bit and I took off. It looks like he made the same mistake last year too but he is one strong runner who never rests.

Soon, the sun was out and a couple of very friendly dogs kept me company as I headed into McKenzie. I made a call at 6 in the morning to let Carl know my position. McKenzie, Mile 57. I stopped at a small local country café shop and had bacon and eggs and biscuits with lots of coffee. The waitress was very nice and I was soon joined by couple of local regulars and it was story time. I really enjoyed sharing my experiences and getting to meet new people on the road. Even as I was packing my bags to leave, I saw Fred stopping for breakfast at the same café. It felt good for having covered 57 miles on Day 1. Except for the blisters, I was feeling really good and goal was to get to Huntingdon by noon.

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At this pace, you can win the race:

I was on Old 22 once again. It was a long and quiet a hilly stretch. By now, I could smell a road kill from miles away and I was getting better at judging what it would be. This section had a huge rattle snake with its jaws wide open and it was smelling nasty. Later on I smelled a raccoon and my guess was right. Soon, I smelled evilness, and there was Laz. Carl and Laz were driving around and they stopped by. “Hey man, you are doing well, in fact you might even win this race”, Carl hollered.

I spoke with Laz and Carl and told them about Fred. They laughed. Carl told me that Sherry and Sal is in Huntingdon and resting for the day. Josh rested a bit at McKenzie and when I called him he was about 4 miles behind. I was feeling tired but not sleepy though. I kept pushing my way and after passing the courthouse, I stopped briefly at a small breakfast inn and got myself a cheese burger. While it was getting made, I spoke to the locals and it was story time. There were people of all kinds, motor bikers, construction workers, truck drivers, students, etc. After sharing my quest, I was pleasantly surprised when the lady handed over my burger and told me that it’s on the house. First act of kindness, my first free meal during the race. They asked me to keep my eyes open for Holly bobo, a girl who got abducted from her house and is still missing.

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I made it to Huntingdon, had my cheese burger, took cold shower and tried to sleep but the attempt went in vain. Cleaned up my blisters which were getting worse. Treated it with lots of peroxide and let it dry before applying fresh band-aids. 3 hrs went by with little sleep. Soon, Joshua joined me. His crew was equally tired. I stepped out for a bit and met Sal and Sherry. Sal was just heading out while Sherry wanted to catch some more rest. When I couldn’t get any more sleep, I decided to hit the road leaving Josh and his crew back at the motel.

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It was pouring cats and dogs and by the time I filled my backpack, the rain subsided. Though the sun wasn’t out, it was humid and the air was dry. Breathing was getting very difficult. A gentleman who was mowing his front yard asked me where I am going and when I told him that I am going to Lexington, his jaws dropped. He waved at me to get in his truck and when I told him that it’s a race, he just stared for a moment and continued with his mowing business. He must be thinking, “What an idiot”, but it was very nice of him for offering me a 25 mile ride.

I saw a familiar face on my way to Lexington, it was my dear friend John Spencer. He was biking on the course. Meeting a familiar face during Vol State is the best thing to happen. We chatted a bit and he told me that he met couple more runners ahead of me. Must be Sal and Sherry, I thought. While he took off to meet other runners, I caught up with Sherry on my way. I gulped another bottle of chocolate milk and Sherry and I headed out together. Our next stop was at Parker’s crossroads. We made a quick stop at McD. I had an apple pie and a large smoothie as it was getting difficult to keep anything solid down. As we were passing through the interstate intersection, the sign board was showing “Nashville”, I read it as “Heaven” until Sherry hollered me and I realized that I am en route to hell :).

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Sherry is such an awesome runner. Listening to her ultra running stories and experiences made me realize what a strong willed woman she must be. I first met her at Oak Mountain 50K in Alabama in 2010. She left me to dust at the last uphill climb. While I was struggling to even walk that hill, she ran the hills and put me to shame. I was so looking forward to meet her and time permitted me to run a bit with her. Made another quick stop at a convenient store and drank a bottle of Starbucks cold coffee. The store was owned by an Indian guy and he hollered “Jai Hind” when I was leaving the store and wished me luck.

Lexington came in sight pretty soon but fatigue was setting in. It’s been close to two days and I had very little sleep. We sat at a gas store. I gulped a bottle of coke and took care of my blisters. Fred Murolo caught us at the gas station and he retired for the night at a motel close by while Sherry and I decided to get to Parsons by morning.

First Low Point:

After a few hours of running/walking, fatigue got too bad that taking even one step was getting very difficult. I decided to crash on the side of the road for a while. Sherry wanted to rest too. We found a spot on the side of the road and rested for a bit. I napped a good half hour. I just wanted to lay down for a few more hours but we decided to keep moving. Time was ticking so slow. My feet were waging a war inside my shoes. I could feel the blisters getting worse but dreaded to look at it. It got worse when we hit the section of the road which had very little shoulder. There was some kind of construction work going on and the debris on the shoulder was so hard on my already blistered feet. Swore a little here and there when I would accidentally step on a sharp object. The section was getting hilly as we got closer to Parsons. just hated every bit of it. Soon, we spotted Sal in the distance. Carl and Gary passed us at that point. Day 2, we called in, 107 miles.

We crashed at a motel which was owned by an Indian family. The Indian flag on my shirt lit up their face. Sal, Sherry and I were at a very low point. I looked at Sal and he told me how bad he is hurting and that he is going to switch himself to “Survival Mode”. I switched to Survival Mode too. The steep uphill climb and the nasty shoulder debris took a toll on my blistered feet. It was hurting so bad that I thought my race is over. I was at a very low point. How am I going to continue another 207 miles with these feet? The very thought was mentally challenging. I was regretting so bad for taping my feet with the adhesive tape. But the damage is done and I need to keep going. No point in complaining coz everyone’s hurting, one way or the other. I got myself into this and I need to get out of this by myself. I tried to sleep but I had a nightmare that I am calling Carl and letting him know that I am dropping from the race. I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. With the help of the first aid kit provided by the hotel owner, I took care of my blisters, took a shower and got ready to hit the road.

While getting ready to leave, we saw Fred coming in. He was barely moving at that point. I could see that he was hurting really bad. I personally went to thank the Indian family for their hospitality. The Indian masala chai that they offered lifted my spirit a bit. I devoured a huge cheese burger at a small joint across the motel while sharing our stories with the strangers. One of them said that they saw another runner a few miles ahead. We all thought it must be Abi. I filled my back pack with lots of ice and water and headed towards Linden.

The road from Linden to Perryville had very little shoulder and the drivers were so rude. Sherry almost got hit by a pick-up truck and the driver didn’t give a damn about us. Soon we reached Perryville and crossed the bridge across the Tennessee River.

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Switch to normal mode and Begging for food:

Though I started from parsons in “Survival mode”, running the little bit of downhill towards Linden made me feel that I am still in game and moved to “Normal Mode”. But I was having a different issue now. Starvation. Though I gulped a large chocolate milkshake and a cheese burger, I was hungry. Earlier a stranger offered us some green apples. I ate them and took some more from Sherry and I was still hungry. It was like a car full of gas all of a sudden going empty. A few miles before Linden, I located a bar on top of a hill. I wanted food, period. While Sherry and Sal were waiting, I went up the hill to see if the bar had anything to offer. It was a local country bar. Three to four gentlemen having a very strong southern accent arguing with each other about something while the waitress looked completely wasted. I had to repeat myself thrice every time. When I asked whether she got any food, she said “No”. I persisted; I was ready to take anything even leftovers at that point. When she looked at my shrunken face, she took pity on me and offered to give her frozen pizza which she had saved for herself after the shift. I was smiling at this time. Like a wanderer in the desert who found an oasis.

I quickly went down the road and informed Sal about the good news and saw his face lighting up. Sherry decided to lie down instead. The waitress offered some Mountain dew while the pizza was getting ready. The bunch of drunkards heard our story and thought we were on drugs. One even said “You are stupid or what; there are lots of things to do for fun” in a mocking tone and everyone laughed, I did too. Here I am in the middle of nowhere at the wee hours of the night begging for food at a bar. How often will you get to do this in real life. Meanwhile, the pizza was ready, and waitress saw the whole pizza disappearing right in front of her eyes. We ate it as if we didn’t eat food in days. Though it didn’t fill me up, my gas meter got up a bit. Any amount of fuel is good. This angel, though she was drunk, was the only reason I survived another night and kept moving.

The James Bond Dog:

Feeling rejuvenated, we started our long walk to Hohenwald, which was about 19 miles from Linden. Having taken care of the body it was time to take care of the mind. At this point, I have hardly slept ever since the race started. Though we all kept a good pace, we needed some rest. We napped a bit on the side of the road and then after about 5 miles we stopped again. This is where something funny happened. While we all were lying down on the side of the road, we heard something as if a dog was tiptoeing and following us. Assuming that it must be a hallucination, I closed my eyes briefly when Sal hollered again saying he heard something. It was indeed a dog. It was tiptoeing on its feet so slow and silent following us as if someone has deployed it to spy on us. When we got up in a jiff, the dog hollered so loud signaling all its friends in the neighborhood, the next few minutes was crazy. Running and walking at a fast pace on my blistered feet was no fun. It was a long night. The sun was out before we knew it and when we saw a nice church parking lot, we decided to lie down there for a few minutes. We soon got company but the dogs were much friendly than the previous ones. That’s when we saw Abi passing us. She looked fresh and strong and was running. I had my doubts whether I will ever get back to running with a decent pace in my life after Vol State. At this point, 3mph was the new 7mph. As we entered the city limits we picked up some food from a gas station and crashed at a motel at Hohenwald. This brought us to the end of Day 3, Mile 144.

I started to wish a truck would hit me:

After a cold shower and taking care of the blisters, I slept a good 2 hours but nightmares woke me up. That’s when I saw Sherry taking off. She had some foot issues and had to go to Wal-Mart. I tried to get more sleep but it didn’t work so well. Sal and I got ready and went to Hardees. Had their biggest and heaviest cheese burgers and flushed it down with several refills of coke. Our goal for the day was to get to Columbia. We met Gary and Sandra on our just before we hit Natchez Trace. When Gary asked how I am feeling, I told him “Gary, I wish a truck would hit me, not hard but a little bit to injure me so that I can take that as an excuse and drop out from the race. I would gain sympathy from others and yet leave the race as a hero”. That’s exactly what I told him and I was being honest. That was the thought running in my head while running from Lexington to Parsons. I was hurting bad, very bad. Later that day Gary sent this in his updated but didn’t reveal my name.

“i think this call for an updated list bio: fantasy ultra goal: to be hit by a truck, and only injured slightly.”

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After chatting a bit with Sandra and Gary we headed towards Columbia. I was worried about Sherry at this point but Carl assured us that she is moving strong and is past Natchez trace. It was Sal and me at this point. Soon, we reached Hampshire. We found a store with a vending machine. I was hungry by now. It’s so frustrating when you have food right in front of you but you can’t have it. All that’s there between me and food is a thin glass. I was drooling looking at the bag of chips inside the convenient store like a dog in chains looking at food. Its right there, but I just can’t have it. I was really sad. I should have carried an extra cheese burger. Drank couple of coke instead and marched towards Columbia.

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Made it to Columbia early in the morning, Day 4 and Mile 184. Sherry had already made it to Columbia, TN that morning and crashed at a motel. We crashed along with her in the same motel later that morning. Sherry took off early though. Sal and I rested a bit. Inspected my feet and there were more blisters. As I was adjusting my feet to accommodate the existing blisters, new blisters would show up at another spot. Removing the socks was the most painful thing. At one point, it was so excruciating, it felt like walking on razor blades. I slept a bit only to be awaken by the same signature nightmare. All my nightmares would be the same. It’s about making a call to Carl and telling him that I am done with the race and asking him to pick me up. That nightmare was my wake up alarm throughout the race.

Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing – Matthew 6:3

Content with a few hours of rest that I managed to get, I stepped out and it felt like an oven and it was 100% humid. Sal and I hopped inside Shoney’s and decided to have a long lunch to beat the heat. The waitress was too kind. She was very excited to hear about our quest and went around the table and told every other guest she was waiting on about us and our adventure. I ate like a pig. It was a lunch buffet and ate at least four plates of food and downed several glass of coke and a huge dessert. When it was time to get the check, the waitress told me that it’s been taken care of. A random stranger she was waiting one had paid for our food and also asked her to not tell us until the stranger left the restaurant. I so wanted to thank the stranger but he was long gone. In a world where everyone deserves attention, this random stranger not only taught me a great lesson but how to live by it. His act of kindness really lifted my spirit and made my day. Like they say “Today you, tomorrow me”. I asked the waitress to pass on our sincere thanks to that man if he ever shows up again.

It was still hot outside but we decided to keep moving. Sal kept a good pace and I tried to keep up with him. Refueled at a couple of vending stations on my way and narrowly missed the “Bench of Despair”, a very important landmark of the Vol State Course. A stranger who was aware of the Vol State stopped by on the side of the road and handed over a water bottle. After a few miles, Gary and Sandra greeted us with their big smile. Gary said that we picked wrong time of the day to run. It was a hot day and he mentioned that he measured the surface temperature of the road and it was like 146F. Exchanged the story about the act of kindness from the stranger with Sandra and we made our move.

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I love Tennessee, period.

I had nothing but good experiences throughout the race, even back at the crazy bar, filled with drunks, people were kind. On my way to Lewisburg just before I got to the intersection, a cute old man in a pickup truck probably in his 80’s stopped by and offered to take me to his house for supper and drop me back at the exact location. I still remember his face. His act of kindness moved me. I hated to say “No” but I had to, and gave him the reason. He asked me to be safe and left. I remember telling Carl how I met a cute old man who is the best granddad one can ever ask for. Pain and suffering was inevitable during Vol State but I am so glad and thankful for the experiences and I enjoyed every bit of it as an unaided runner. I have read couple of story book on wayfarers but getting to live a life like that was something. No matter how good I get with words to explain, one has to be there, in that moment to understand such experiences. While my pain and suffering was making me strong, people and their act of kindles along my way were teaching me to live and appreciate life.

Amid the “pain and suffering” is the “pure joy” of traveling the open road with nothing but your own power moving you forward.

My encounter with a cop, getting investigated to becoming Facebook friends:

I didn’t see Sal in a long time. It was already dark and I was sitting by the courthouse in Lewisburg. I thought I would wait a bit for Sal to catch up and then head out to Shelbyville. Took my shoes off and was massaging my feet and there were two guys sitting next to me. One was a huge guy with piercings and tattoos and the other was a skinny guy. We had a little conversation and I told them about the race and they were pretty shocked. But what happened the next one hour was something that I never expected.

I see a cop car going around the court house:

Huge guy: Watch out. He is gonna go around the court house.

Me: <Blinking>

Huge Guy: He is gonna go around the court house one more time and pull over right in front of us

Me: <Panicking and blinking>

Huge guy: He is pulling over, act kewl..don’t worry

Me: <Thinking: why should I act kewl and normal>

The cop by now has pulled right in front of me and had the beaming huge light turned ON, pointing it on my face. I was panicking by now but acted as if it’s no big deal. The cop was asking for backup and two more cars joined him. He stepped out of the car and took my ID. Another longest 10 minutes of my life. I waited until he got back to me once again and asked me what I am doing at this time. I explained about the race. He frowned. I explained in detail, he frowned more. Finally he asked me to leave right away and asked me to meet him at the Shell station which was about 0.5 miles from the court house. I picked up my stuff and left while the cops were having a word with the other two guys.

As soon as I made it to the Shell gas station, one cop followed me and asked me more about the race and other details. Once he got convinced that I am a nice guy (A little self compliment) he got interested about the race. I started telling him about Vol State, Barkley, Strolling Jim, UltraMarathons and about Laz. He was surprised that there were events of suck crazy long distances and that there are people who run such races. We spoke like good old college buddies for about an hour about Ultramarathons and about India. The cop went ahead and launched Facebook from his laptop and “like” the Vol State FB page. He said he is going to track my progress on Google maps. Then he asked me whether I can be his friend on FB. When I told him how to find me, he sent me a FB friend request with a note “This is the nice cop you met at Lewisburg”. I told him that I’ll accept as soon as get back to civilization. He wanted to click a picture with me and we waited for Sal to show up, but when he did, Sal was in a pretty bad shape. While we refueled at the gas station, the cop went ahead and helped Sal with his motel booking and left. People have been nice throughout the race, including cops. Sal was thinking about dropping at that point. His hands and legs were swollen pretty bad. I walked him to the motel and asked him to reconsider his decision in the morning and took off to Shelbyville.

Those surviving on the road are doing just that surviving…barely

It was a long night. I looked up and saw a plane in the sky. Up there, inside that big nice tube is a guy sitting in his chair in an air-conditioned space with a nice blanket and comfortable pillow with everything he wants to eat and drink and there must be a beautiful waitress attending to him if he needs anything. Back to reality, here I am on a stinky road in the middle of the night out of water and out of food limping on my blistered feet suffering. Such is life. God is good, beer is great, people are crazy, I was signing that song loud, really loud. If any of my friends would have seen me at that time, they would have thought I have gone nuts. I made it to Bedford Co by the middle of the night. Sleep deprivation was killing me. I might have slept for about 6 hours since the race start. I was starving. I was surprised since I ate a whole large pizza but I was still hungry. I got to a nice little breakfast café by 4:30AM. I knocked at the door and the lady told me that they open at 5:00AM. I asked her for some water and she let me in to refill my backpack.

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I couldn’t stay awake at this point. I looked around and there was a church and a cemetery behind it. Perfect. I headed into the cemetery and found a nice spot to lie down. I passed out for about an hour and I got up to my alarm, the same old nightmare. That one hour nap felt so good. I passed the idea on stopping for breakfast and sneaked out of the cemetery. I wanted to make it to Wartrace by noon and was planning to crash at my good friend Amanda’s house. Shelbyville courthouse came in sight and made my check in call to Carl. Day 5, Mile 227.

It was a hot day. I could feel it. My foot was getting cooked inside my VFF. I should have stayed at Shelbyville but I braved the sun and decided to head to Wartrace. I regretted my decision. I felt horrible. The heat was sucking everything out of me. I drank the whole 100oz of water and was still thirsty. Heat was making my already blistered feet worse. There was not even a single shady spot to rest. I had no other choice but to push and when the Marathon gas station came in view, I ran into the station and grabbed a gallon water jug and drank 3 ¼ of it. The lady who was buying some stuff stood there astonished while I was drinking. I paid for it later and sat for a while before going another mile to my friend’s house.

I crashed on the couch and tried to sleep a bit but mind wouldn’t just rest. It just wouldn’t hibernate or even go idle. The effort put in to go to sleep was worse than the blisters. My foot was evidently swollen especially near the toes. Two new additions to the blister family, a huge blister on the right foot toe and a big one on the left heel. Tried to stand up and felt miserable. I have 78 more miles to go. I switched myself to survival mode. I got 5 more days and even if I average 16 miles a day I should be able to finish the race. Refueled myself and hit the shower which ended up being the most painful one. I was moved to tears while replacing the band aid. I decided then to push to the finish line. No more sleep breaks, only rest stops to refuel. It wasn’t about getting to the rock but I just wanted to be done with it. I was losing myself. Patience, patience, I spoke to myself.

That night I called my mom:

While I was getting used to the newly formed blisters and fighting the fatigue, an uninvited visitor showed up. Shin splint on my left leg. Yet another lonely night. I was really getting worried. What if it gets so bad that I couldn’t keep up with 16 mile/day average? To keep myself distracted, I called a couple of friends. Spoke to Joshua for a while and then with Diane. I was so craving for a soda when I was a few miles away from Manchester. I looked though my bag and four quarters and $5 bill but no more extra quarters and no $1 bill. The vending machine wouldn’t take the $5 bill and I don’t have enough quarters. Another dog drooling at the food scene. I stood in front of the vending machine in silence expecting a miracle to happen, that out of nowhere a soda bottle would pop up. I was wrong and I left, frustrated.

The shin splint was getting worse. The left foot was swollen by now. A little ice would help but where would I find one in the middle of nowhere. It felt as if a brick was attached to my left foot. I was literally dragging my left foot every single step. I felt the need to sit down but I was dreading about the pain that I have to endure once I start walking again. A church graveyard was in sight and sat down there for a while. I couldn’t go to sleep but just sitting down felt so comfortable. I wanted ice so bad, I decided to keep moving and was so glad to find a convenient store. I drank couple of coke, picked up a 10lbs ice bag and started walking. There was no motel in sight. I tried calling Sherry to check if she had crashed anywhere in Manchester but no reply. I finally found an abandoned gas station. Threw my backpack down in frustration and kept the ice bag on my left feet. It was still hot and humid and the ice was melting away. I told Carl later that morning while I was at Hillsboro and Gary included it in his update.

naresh is in hot pursuit in hillsboro (app 260).

ok, he isnt in hot pursuit

he is sitting in an abandoned convenience store

with a bag of ice on his foot

weeping.

says his foot feels like a brick attached to his ankle.

says he only hopes to wake up someday and not feel like this.

That’s right. I was only hoping that I don’t want to wake up someday and not feel like this. I called my mom. She was surprised about the late night call but I covered it up with a couple of lies. We spoke about a lot of stuff going on in the family and in India. After disconnecting the call, I wept. No point sitting here and drowning myself in self pity. I am here because I chose to. Was thinking about Mike’s email; This is your job for the next 4-10 days. Accept it. It’s not easy, and it only gets harder. Exponentially harder in the last 30 miles. He was right, every bit of it.

When your whole world consists of discomfort, the only thing to do is laugh. I told myself to HTFU and move on. To really HTFU. By now the ice bag was nothing but a piece of plastic lying on my leg like a blanket. I took a few steps and it felt much better. Icing the feet didn’t get any better but at least it didn’t get worse. The early morning sun rays brought some hope. I took it real easy, maintained a comfortable pace and made it to Hillsboro.

When I’m weak, then I’m strong:

I know the tougher sections are ahead of me but I tried hard not to think about it but just take it one step at a time. I was really at a low point that morning but “This too shall pass” and it did pass. I enjoyed some good biscuits with sausage and bacon and lots of coffee. Rain or shine, I was ready to hit the road. The waitress helped me fill my backpack and I took off. I called Carl and updated him as well. Day 6, ~260 miles.

Picture 104

It was a hot day. Hillsboro to Pelham took forever. I put my head down and just looked at the ground in front of me and took one step at a time. Couple of guys in a pickup truck offered a ride which I had to decline. They even handed over a $5 bill which I had to decline. I told them it’s a race. They replied “God save you” and took off. I called Diane and she told me there’s a café at Pelham which remains open till 2:00PM where I would get good food. I did make it by 2:00PM and had a huge salmon, rice, mashed potatoes and lots of Dr Pepper. Carl was driving through the course and he guessed that I would be at the café. Amy and Carl accompanied me for lunch and I told them the cop story. A friendly stranger joined me for lunch before Carl and Amy joined me. He gave me lots of pointers about the course but he said that the next 6 miles is going to be tough.

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Picture 107

Picture 109 Picture 111

Every time I was explain the VS course to someone, once I get to the Monteagle section, their jaws would drop. I understood that it’s going to be a tough climb but never realized it would be that hard. In the middle of the day when it was hot, the pain increases exponentially. It was so steep that a biker got down and started pushing his bike. I was out of water by that time once I got to the top, I was glad that it’s done. I headed into a bar again and everyone just froze for a second. One guy asked me whether it’s raining, “No, I am just sweating hard as I ran up the mountain” I replied. While the bartender was filling up my handheld, I was explaining about the race and tried to be in the A/C for a little longer. Climbing Monteagle really aggravated my shin splints and there was a huge swelling. Stopped at another gas station on my way to Traci city and iced my feet. Knowing that I won’t find anything once I start to Jasper, I bought lots of Danish buns and Beef jerky and made it to Traci City.

I can write a book titled PATIENCE:

I hated the Traci City-Jasper section as much as I hated Lexington-Parsons. Hardly any shoulder and the traffic would just zoom by. I had to literally stop every time a car approaches and wait until it would pass. I don’t want to get hit by a car now, not even slightly. Along with shin splint and blister, fatigue was setting in and it was getting real bad. I didn’t sleep after leaving Wartrace. Pain kept me wide awake. Body is willing but the mind won’t shut down. The more I think about the finish line, the more frustrating it would get and I was losing my patience. “Patience – the capacity to tolerate trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset”, It’s a word with no time factor associated to it. Tolerate, but without getting upset or angry. That’s precisely what Jasper section taught me. I was so pissed off at one time after leaving Wartrace that I picked up a stick and started hitting a tree to vent it out but not today. Carl in his email told me, “Don’t underestimate the need for patience” and emphasized it in caps. Took a couple of deep breaths and kept pushing forward, to be patient, to learn to appreciate the journey as well as its completion and that this too shall pass. I have started the race and passed the middle and the end is inevitable, and if I am patient enough and endure, I will get there.

Sandra drove all the way from the rock to check on me. They knew that I didn’t get any sleep in the past 30+ hours. Seeing a familiar face in the middle of the night was such a blessing. We spoke for a minute and she took off and returned after a while along with Amy.

The downhill section to Jasper was a killer. I would have loved this section any other day but not today. The grade was so tough to walk and running was the only option I could find some relief for my tired feet. At one point, I felt I should curve my body like a ball and just roll down the hill. It was very humid and I was out of water by now. In my mind I imagined that I would be in Kimball, TN once I am done with downhill, but I was wrong. The downhill took me to Jasper and it’s another 5 miles to Kimball from there. I had little water left in my handheld and I tried to ration on it.

I was sleep walking on the Kimball road by now. A cop stopped me and when I told him about the race. He looked for a spare reflective vest in his trunk for me but he didn’t have one. He asked me to be safe and warned me about the traffic. I asked him whether he had extra water by any chance but he didn’t have any. I was totally out of water by now and could feel the effects or dehydration. Started walking at snail pace. The sound of speeding vehicles gave me hope that the interstate junction is close and that I can fill my water there but the intersection was nowhere in sight. It was just like the mirage that would make a man wandering in the desert to think there’s water close by.

Vol-State-500K-etc-316

Seeing a waffle house from the distant gave me hopes that I’ll survive. A part of me wanted to stay at a motel and rest but another part of me wanted to keep pushing and be done with it. I listened to the latter. I had a huge BLT sandwich, big bowl of chili, lots of hash browns and lots of water. The waitress was surprised that I drank so much water and she asked whether I am doing ok. I told her about the race and that I am at Mile 300. They thought I am on drugs and didn’t talk to me much after that. I don’t blame them. I was smelling nasty and looked dirty and my zombie look was enough to prove.

The Longest 14 miles of my life:

I still had a good shot at Sub 7. I couldn’t believe that I was thinking this way. I was ready to push the lever from Survival mode to race mode again. It’s just amazing how time and energy can impact mind. Moments ago, I just wanted to finish the race and now I am aiming for a Sub 7. I was determined. I have come this close; why not give it a shot. At the same time, I didn’t want to get over confident. Race is not over until I set my foot on that Rock. It was a tug of war. Push hard for Sub 7 or take it easy and finish. I looked at my shin splint and it looked pretty swollen. I haven’t removed my shoes ever since I left Wartrace, so I know pretty sure there’s a nasty sight inside. I decided to push for a sub 7 and take chances. I read the direction and walked against the direction of the traffic hoping that it would take me to New Hope Bridge, but when I didn’t see it coming, I decided to back track and go the other way. I lost a good 45 minutes in this confusion. I walked across the New Hope Bridge crossing the Tennessee River one more time and stood there for a minute. I crossed Tennessee River three days before after leaving Parsons and here I am crossing it again. I took a moment to appreciate everything that I have been through and thanked God for enabling me with His strength, without Him I am nothing. He was my strength when I was weak. When I had every reason to drop out from the race, the Lord gave me his strength and brought me so far and I had no doubts that He will enable me to get to the finish line. I called Carl to let him know that I am just passing through the bridge and made my way towards Sand Mountain.

Vol-State-500K-etc-320

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I spoke to Josh briefly and told him about my position. He was excited for me and told me to get it done. The traffic was so bad, the roads so narrow with lots of twists and turns. The curve was too sharp. Sometime I had to stop well ahead based on the sound from the distant traffic and let the car pass. They were driving too fast. One car passed me so close that I lost my balance and fell down and luckily ended up in someone’s yard. I am glad it wasn’t anything serious. I was extra careful from then. Walking my way towards Sand Mountain I was going through the directions and it said “Easy 10K to the finish”. I underestimated the “easy 10K part” and dumped most of my water and ice before climbing the Sand Mountain. Another big mistake.

As I started climbing Sand Mountain, I saw Carl, Gary and Abi going up the hill and they said they will wait for me at the state line which would be 495Km mile stone. The uphill climb was very difficult especially my shin, it was crying in pain. I looked at my watch; Sub 7 was out of reach by now. The little detour at New Hope was a waste of 45 minutes. Precious 45 minutes. No regretting at this point. Gary was clapping and encouraging me along with Carl, Abi and Donald (Don’s Crew). When Abi approached and asked how I feel, my instant reply was “I want to kill this guy” pointing towards Gary. For making the last 10K very difficult and making it hell as if I didn’t have enough of it. Everyone had a good laugh as no one expected that response from me.

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5K to the finish line. That Einstein guy was right about his theory of relativity. When you sit next to a pretty girl for one hour, and it feels like a minute, as opposed to when you sit on a hot stove for one minute, and it feels like an hour. That 5K took me for ever. Time slowed down, really slowed down. I was forced to witness the passing of every second of every minute. The more anxious I got, the slower time passed. Finally, I made it to the corn fields. It’s not too far now. Carl asked me whether I am cognizant enough to follow the pink ribbons that would lead me to the rock. He knew that it’s over 36 hours since I shut down my eyes and he was really concerned. But I was wide awake. This is it. This is the moment. This is what I have been waiting for. I assured him that I’ll meet him at the rock and they took off.

photo-4

Started passing the pink ribbons one at a time as the course went wading through the corn fields. I started running after a point. The excitement was too much to hold. Day 1 was flashing through my head. I was scared and full of doubts not knowing whether I would be able to accomplish something of this magnitude and here I am still in pain and suffering but running towards the finish. Mind took over body and all the pain seemed very trivial. The rock was in sight. Carl was at the rock to ensure that I don’t trip and fall off the ledge. I walked to the rock and Carl hollered to Gary, “NOW”. Timer stopped. It’s finished. It’s over. It’s freaking over. 7 day 00:55:04. First Unaided Finisher and Fourth overall.

photo

I sat down on the rock, the place where I wanted to be for the past 7 days. I ran, I walked, I ate and I slept, going through heat, days and nights through pain and suffering to get here. I sat right there. I was trying to talk but it was getting difficult to say anything. The pain that went mute briefly returned with full force. When I couldn’t talk any more, tears took its place. No matter how hard I tried not to get emotional, I couldn’t help it. I sat there. In Silence. No one spoke a word. They allowed me to be in the moment, to cherish the experience, to enjoy my finish. Covered 56 miles on my last day. Vol state was an experience, an adventure of a life time, it taught me so much, a challenge greater than I ever imagined, it showed me what I am capable of, to endure and keep moving forward in spite of pain and suffering, to have fun, to live the moment and above all to take one day at a time.

Carl helped get to a chair and everyone sincerely congratulated me for my finish. I finally drank good water. My mouth still tasted bad after drinking water from a dirty puddle.

I asked Gary, “Who’s the guy going back to Nashville on Monday after the race start, who”, he laughed. He knew very well how to encourage me and he did exactly the same. Abi offered me her course map (Thanks a lot Abi) which Gary signed it for me: Naresh, “the Monday Man”, You are my HERO! – Laz

Monday man

Picture 210

Vol-State-500K-etc-340

I had the opportunity to see every other runner finish. I was extremely glad to see Joshua finishing the race, strong. He ran a Sub 8min pace the last three miles of the race. Now, that is something. We finished what we started. The full 500Kms. It’s over.

Charity:Water

I am glad that our adventure didn’t cost our (Joshua and Me) life. With support from amazing friends, we not only met the goal but exceeded it by over a $1000 dollars and still counting. Thanks so much for your contribution, support, wishes and prayers.

Charity Water

All’s well that ends well:

It was fun times after finishing the race. “Gary, it feels like I am in a space ship”, that was my first reaction when I got in Gary’s car and the cold air was blowing on my face. First time setting my foot in a motorized vehicle after 7 days. When I insisted to stay awake in the car, Gary very well knew how to put me to sleep. “Just pull back the chair and lie down, you don’t have to sleep”, Gary told me, the next thing I remember, I am waking up in his driveway. Almost an hour flew by. When we decided to crash one night at a motel in Kimball, I managed to get a good discount as the owner was an Indian. But when he heard about the race and the cause, he refused to charge me for the room and he insisted. He invited all of us for lunch. This would be Gary’s first time tasting Indian food and I told him how lucky he is to get his first experience as Home Made Gujrathi Food. The food was delicious. Carl, Sandra, Gary and I enjoyed the food and above all the hospitality extended by the family.

And just like that, it all came to an end. No more sleeping on the side of the road, parking lots and cemeteries. No more travel stories and meeting new people. Now that I am back to reality, all the experience remains as a good memory and that the journey to the rock has served me well.

Naresh Kumar

Post race:

  • Mom, Dad, Sis, I’m sorry!!
  • I accepted the cop’s friend request and we are buddies on FB now.
  • I read ALL the responses from my friends from Chennai Runners group. Huge thanks to Navin for keeping everyone posted about my progress in detail. Navin, thanks a lot. For your support and encouragement and for being there when I need you the most. Thanks for all you time spent in writing daily updates for our group. I also want to thanks everyone from Chennai Runners, for your support and prayers. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of your thoughts for me.
  • Thanks to my friend Angel and my friend Jeff Bauer for keeping all my friends updated. Jeff your timely tips and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank You!!
  • My blisters have healed up pretty good and I treated me a nice bike. Thinking about riding the Vol State course sometimes, soon.

Bike 006

Battle of the Vol State:

they got on the ferry & they rode it to kentucky,

they were headed for a battle in the state of tennessee.

there was heat and pain a waiting, but they didnt waver

they were bound to make their way; to the castle rock, you see.

the sun went down and the runners kept a comin

there wasnt near as many as there was the morn before.

they ran thru the bottoms and they ran over ridges

they ran thru dry stretches where a camel wouldnt go.

the sun came up and the runners kept a comin’

there wasnt quite as many as there was the night before.

they ran so far that stray dogs couldnt follow

down the endless blacktop to the slopes of never more.

the sun went down and the runners kept a comin

there wasnt near as many as there was the morn before

they left their homes & they left their loved ones

to fight a hopeless battle in the state of tennessee.

but those who reached the rock down in georgia

found the prettiest sight that they would ever see…

the finish. – Laz

THE END!

Posted in Race Reports, Running, Ultra MarathonComments (7)

2011 Vol State Last Supper Marvin Skagerberg, Lazarus Lake (Gary Cantrell)

My Vol State 500K Photo Journal + Race Report (2011)

Along the course of this year’s Last Annual Vol State 500K I documented the 314+ mile journey on my Twitter and my FacebookRunning Page‘ (view here).

Below is my race report along with a few of those Facebook updates and photos I took throughout the race (and others).  The race report is very long and was done for me, to help me remember the race as time goes by and memories begin to fade.  If others happen to enjoy it or benefit from it then that is even better.

The Vol State 500K is one of the toughest races in the world. The race starts in Missouri then touches part of Kentucky before making it to the July oven on earth that is Tennessee for the next 290+ miles. The race concludes by leaving Tennessee and dipping down into Alabama briefly before runners finish at ‘The Rock’ atop a mountain in Castle Rock, Georgia some 314 miles after starting. Read the full story

Posted in Photos, Race Reports, Running, Ultra Marathon, Vol StateComments (7)

Don Winkley 2011 Vol State 500K Winner

2011 Last Annual Vol State 500K Results

Here is a look at the full results from the 2011 ‘Last Annual Vol State 500K Foot Race’ that covered 314 miles through 5 states and the hot-oven that is the state of Tennessee.

73-year old Don Winkley, the Hemmingway of multi-day road racing, won the esteemed title of ‘King of the Road’ finishing the race in 5 days 14 hours 21 minutes and 32 seconds.

Naresh Kumar was the first unaided runner (without crew) to cross the finish line with a time of 7 days 55 minutes and 4 seconds. Naresh completed the brutal race wearing Vibram 5 Fingers the entire way.  He came in 4th overall.

Abi Meadows was the first woman to Castle Rock finishing with a time of 6 days 15 hours 45 minutes and 47 seconds. She finished third overall.

2011 Vol State 500K Final Results

  1. Don Winkley – 5:14:21:32
  2. Mike Matteson – 5:21:21:06
  3. Abi Meadows – 6:15:45:47
  4. Naresh Kumar – 7:00:55:04
  5. Sherry Meador – 7:15:09:01
  6. Fred Murolo – 7:23:42:46
  7. Joshua Holmes – 8:00:07:44
  8. Paul Lefelhocz – 8:04:15:55
  9. Sal Coll – 8:06:40:29
  10. John Price – 8:07:27:00
  11. Erika Matheny – 8:18:57:45
  12. Lynnor Matheny – 8:18:58:42
  13. Diane Taylor – 9:15:11:34

_____________________________

Started but didn’t finish:

  • Joe Judd – 252 miles
  • Fred Davis – 177 miles
  • Stu Gleman – 175 miles
  • Shannon Burke – 130 miles
  • Joe Ninke – 106 miles
  • Marvin Skagerberg – 76 miles

Congrats to all the finishers and to those who started as well. This is a very tough race that takes a very special and determined person to even show up at the ferry for the start at Dorena Landing.

‘King of the Road’ Don Winkley’s Winning Vol State 500K Race Report

Posted in Results, Running, Ultra Marathon, Vol StateComments (7)

2011 Vol State 500KM Foot Race Across Tennessee

2011 Vol State 500K Runners, Maps, Tracking, Etc.

It’s time, once again, for one of the craziest ultra marathons in the United States to take place.  This race takes place in the middle of July, every summer, and covers most of the great state of Tennessee as it toasts most who decide to conquer it.

The description of ‘The Last Annual Vol State 500K Foot Race’ from it’s Facebook page describes the race like this:

This is the original vol-state road race, going back for over 30 years. ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!! The last supper will be held at Ryans in Union City, TN on Wednesday july 13. The ferry ride from Dorena Landing (MO) to Hickman (KY) will take place on Thursday, July 14… The first ferry leaves MO at @ 7:30 am. Most of us will ride to the start from KY on the 7:00 am ferry. The race distance is 500km (actually a hair longer) and the race will finish at Castle Rock (GA). The last 1/2 mile is on trails! Time limit is 10 days (50km per day) The course record of 3 days 17 hours is held by DeWayne Satterfield of Alabama. Relays are allowed… if we ever get enough relay teams, we will start them on sat morning, and let them run down the solo runners!! Two solo divisions, aided and unaided. Unaided runners can leave their vehicles at the finish, and we will have transportation to the start. (314 Miles)

Read More on the History of The Last Annual Vol State 500K

This is the weather advisory that The National Weather Service issued the following warning for Union City, TN (where the race runs through in the early stages) today:

HEAT INDEX READINGS… 105 TO 111 DEGREES SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

* TIMING… PEAK HEAT INDEX READINGS ARE EXPECTED BETWEEN 11 AM AND 6 PM EACH DAY. LITTLE RELIEF IS EXPECTED AT NIGHT WITH OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE MID 70S TO LOWER 80S.

* IMPACTS… PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THIS HEAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IF THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK… THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY… CALL 911.

The only thing more intimidating than the weather is the trash the VS500 veterans talk on the email threads regarding this race.

Here are the maps for the 2011 race via John Price’s ultra running website:

2011 Vol State 500K Road Maps & Turn Sheets

A VS 500K record of 22 runners have signed up so far for the race this year.

List of runners who have committed to the 2011 Vol State 500K: (as of July 8, 2011)

Self Supported Runners
Sal Coll
Fred Davis
Stu Gleman
Lynnor Matheney
Erika Matheney
Sherry Meador
Abi Meadows
Michael Montgomery
Kumar Naresh
Joe Ninke
Mike O’Melia
John Price
Marvin Skagerberg
Diane Taylor

Crewed Runners
Ray Baum
Shannon Burke
Joshua Holmes
Joe Judd
Mike Matteson
Fred Murolo
Don Winkley
Trixie Smith

Ways to Track the 2011 Vol State 500K Race:

You can donate to Joshua and Naresh’s charity:water effort to raise $5,000 to build a water well to provide clean drinking water to a community of 250 people (Click HERE to Donate).

Thanks to all of our friends and family that have donated so far in an effort to reach our goal. It means a lot that you’ve taken the effort to support us in this race and our vision of hopefully being able to build this clean drinking well.

What’s 314 Miles? I’m in for The Last Annual Vol State 500K Race

Posted in Running, Ultra MarathonComments (1)



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