Bad Ass Bob

Bob ROCKS!!!

Keep an eye out for his post to read up on it! J-Mom cracked me up with her comment about how when Bob asked her to pace a lap (15.35 miles) she said "sure" then freaked. Bob called me to let me know I wouldn't be going 40, that I'd do one loop, then J-Mom then me. I did a happy dance and tried not to sound too relieved on the phone (confessed later during the race). Well, The rules were - you can pace after 4 laps (60 miles) or when it gets dark. I later heard - if it gets dark while they are out there, you can meet them. Then it became - if it is going to get dark on them, you can start out on that lap. Holy crap, I'm still in flip-flops. I rushed over in an unprepared panic to pace (so much for a well-organized good impression). I met him about 200 meters into his 4th lap. About 400 meters in, I realize I am now running 40 miles instead of 25. EEEK!!!! I told Bob that either I would do lap 4, 6 & 7(short lap) or 4, 5 & 7 - he had 4 hours to think about it. Part way through, he decided to have me do 4, 5 & 7.

The course was MUCH easier than in October because I was prepared - thank goodness I did that. I wore Montrail Enduro-Soles thanks to Bob's tip. I had gaiters from Joe Trail Man - the nicest company ever. I also wore a camelbak so my arms didn't get tired. I didn't have any issues eating - they served cold pizza at the aid stations. I ate that and handfuls of peanut M&M's! YUM! I am so glad I was able to do that & research so many things to be prepared. The dark helped the course, not seeing the daunting path was easier - you just focus on the steps. I was having some issues with my MCL after 30 miles, but it turned out to be from climbing over rocks in the dark. I iced & stretched while J-Mom was on her lap with Bob and it has been fine since.

My only real issue is my left lower back. I held the light in my right hand so I hunched over and turned a bit to watch my step. Better to have a sore back than a broken foot. NO blisters, NO black toes nails! Bob took care of blisters for EVERYONE!

I'll leave most of the stories for Bob. I did jabber and yell and sing or whatever for a bit when a guy said there was a coyote up ahead, it worked & we never saw it. Ewen & Mike, we did talk about you for a moment. Bob said, "great, the coyote will come after me" and that I could sprint away, but I realized that I was leading with the flashlight & Bob was following, that thing was going to eat ME! I became a pro at peeing behind bushes and not being seen, poked by cacti or getting bit by a rattlesnake. HA! It was a GREAT time and I met SO MANY bloggers!!! SO MUCH FUN! I met a guy "G" prior to the race - did the Oct lap with him. Turned out blogers I know and Bob knows knew him! SMALL WORLD!

In case Bob forgets to brag. He passed NINE people on his last lap (about 9 miles). We were saying 8, but I forgot about that guy in the red shorts - the last one he passed. So freaking impressive. Bob's new nicknames: Kick Ass Bob (would whisper that he was kicking ass to him each time he passed someone which was pretty often on my laps), Bad Ass Bob - last lap with the blisters now bleeding and finally at the end J-Mom came up with the earned name - Buckle Bob!

I had 2 days off. 8 miles easy today, 4 mile tempo Thurs, 8 miles easy on Friday. I am supposed to race a 5K on Saturday. Race.. haha, might be more of a muddle.