NYM 2014
Race
Report
The stats:
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We moved all the way up to a 35% finishers rate
for our 100 miler this year!! I think this means I need to figure out a way to
make the course tougher next year :)
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We also doubled our previous amount of female
finishers for the 100 miler. We previously had one- Crystal Hutchings. This
year we had two! Anne Lang and Nicole Burt.
Anne & Nicole after their finishes.
100 mile record holders Crystal Hutchings & Brandt Ketterer.
Crystal Hutchings, your RD, Brandt Ketterer, Jerret Halter and Anastasia "Supergirl"
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We also had a new course record of 5:23 in the
50k by Paul Linke.
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Many folks completed their first ultra distance
or moved up to a new distance this year.
- We had over fifty 25k runners this year! One of the reasons my wife and I began hosting our races was to expose more folks to trail running in central Ohio. It's awesome to see so many of you stepping out on the trails at Great Seal with us!
- We had over fifty 25k runners this year! One of the reasons my wife and I began hosting our races was to expose more folks to trail running in central Ohio. It's awesome to see so many of you stepping out on the trails at Great Seal with us!
25k & 50k start
Race prep started as usual this year- with me so excited and anxious it was a good thing I didn’t have to sit still!
Dennis and I started our Friday morning at 6:00 am,
hauling supplies to Great Seal State Park. This required two trips with two
different trailers. The trailers were the latest stroke of genius from my wife
and co-RD, Angie. Previously we were hauling all the supplies out to aid
stations, unloading, and then re-loading again on Sunday. Using the two small
trailers we were able to leave most supplies on them, saving an unbelievable
amount of time and energy!
After dropping off the supplies we put out all the road
signage to help our runners find their way to the start :) This is always a
fun job because the ground is solid fucking rock! We typically break as many
stakes as we use, and this year was no different. Once the signs were all
placed we headed out to pick-up ice and coolers, wondering out-loud if our
signs would survive until we got back.
Xan & Izabella helping fill goody bags :)
After packing our ice-filled coolers onto the appropriate trailers, we began setting up the chutes for the Start/Finish area. Next, I had saved a few “funny” signs for Dennis and I to put out along the course. We laughed at how strange it felt to go “backwards” along the route.
While Dennis and I attended to these things, Kathy Wolf
& her twin power sister Karen Kanke were busy finishing up all the course
markers. Kathy, Karen & their families are amazingly dedicated volunteers.
Kathy designed the NYM’s course, and helped inspire me to start the race. (Yes,
you can blame us both for the torture J) She and her sister Karen mark the course for us
each year. This daunting task takes all day Thursday and much of the day
Friday. Imaging hiking the Not Yo Momma’s 16 miles of brutal course with a 40lb
pack of stakes, paint, signs, flags and hammers strapped to your back! On race
morning they are out on the course at 5:00am
directing runners around the two crucial turn points for the 4 mile section of
the 100 mile race. They hang in the woods until every runner has come through
for their first loop.
Kat’s husband Matt, and Karen’s husband and kids come in to
work while Kat & Karen take a well-earned break for a few hours. Matt
directs parking and assists at the S/F aid station, while Karen’s fam helps
with parking and then heads out to crew aid station #3 all morning and afternoon.
Matt also serves as a gopher for us for all those unexpected snafu’s that
always pop-up. This year he and Darcy Lallathin headed out to the course to
replace markers that had been reported disturbed in the morning.
Kat & Karen then come back to help wherever they are
needed. They stay all night long, assist with tear-down, gopher, and then help
pick-up all the course markers!
Our pal Darcy Lallathin came down to help out with the
course marking on Friday as well. Darcy helped finish marking on Friday,
trekking around on the course until after dark. Darcy also helped out on race
day counting laps.
Kat, Karen and their nephew
Sugarloaf looms in the distance
With the addition of the trailers I was actually
“finished” with my day-before to-do list much sooner than usual. That worked
out since there was still plenty to do at race HQ. Ang and I have learned the
hard way that we are much better off to leave a few things undone if necessary
the night before the race, in order to get “plenty” of sleep. This year we
managed about 5 hours each :)
Then came race morning.
“What the hell?” was the only sentiment I could muster as
we sat staring blankly through the early morning darkness at the very large
tree blocking our path. Of the many contingencies I had planned for, this
wasn’t among them.
Together Dennis and I have worked through any number of
race day snafus, but this one left us, well, stumped!
The tree stood between us and Aid Station #2. To our
right was a thick expanse of woods; to our left a 30’ drop-off. It was pitch
black and we were pulling a trailer filled with supplies. We stared at each
other, and then back towards the tree. Suddenly Dennis exclaims, “Holy shit! I
have my chainsaw in the back! What are
the chances?!” We had the tree sawn up
and were on about our business in a matter of minutes.
I related this story many times throughout the day and night (and day again). Every time I told it I thought, what were the chances? And I thought about the connection between that tree and ultra events.
Our event is grueling. With nearly 2500’ feet of climbing
per loop, for a total of 16,000’ for our 100 milers, our event can be humbling
to say the least. It has a way of bringing down even the toughest and most
experienced runners. If something as
simple and natural as a tree could stop Dennis and I from reaching our goal,
should it be a surprise that the daunting climbs on our course impede so many
runners en route to theirs?
Isn’t it also true that Dennis and I- try as we might- couldn’t have moved that tree with only our physical and mental prowess (substantial as those might be J). There was something else at work there, which seems to emanate from all 100 mile events. Luck? Serendipity? Karma? A higher power? Fate? Whatever you call it, it is the coming together of all the right elements at just the right moments. Much like the way their training came together and the stars aligned for Anne Lang and Nicole Burt, our second and third female finishers EVER in the 100 mile. Or how Brandt Keterrer crushed his own course record, winning the 100 mile in
Anne and Nicole were both first time 100 milers. What a course they chose to tackle on their inaugural outing!
Nicole has been running our events for a while now, and I
must admit that I talked her into taking on our 100 as her first. I did so
because I had absolute confidence that she would be successful. She is tough,
tenacious and dedicated to her training.
Nicole proudly displaying the fact that she kicked Yo Momma's butt!
I just recently met Anne. One of the only times we had the opportunity to run together was a few weeks before race day. She joined Jimmy Sung and I for a loop one Sunday morning. Her words to me were, “I may not be able to keep up with you guys. I ran 40 yesterday. I was just planning an easy 20 today.” The pace she set for that “easy” 20 gave Jimmy and I quite a workout. I couldn’t believe she had 40 miles on her legs from just the day before. I had no doubt at all that she would finish NYM’s.
Anne still smiling after 100 miles
Since we had only had one female finisher in the 100 miler prior to Anne and Nicole, I was very excited that they were joining us this year!
What about the fact that we DID persevere? Dennis and I moved the
tree and got er’ done! Many of our runners did the same. They pulled together
everything strong and smart and awesome inside themselves. They used their
finely tuned wits and superbly trained bodies and made the enormously difficult
dream they had taken on a reality! Michael Newman took a face-plant and sent a
tooth flying. A couple folks took a wrong turn after a group of hunters thought
it would be funny to yank down a handful of markers. Several runners finished
their races with bloody legs from falls. Every one of them was smiling and
happy in the knowledge that they pushed through an extra layer of difficulty and persevered.
Jimmy Sung's happy with his 50k finish
Michael Newman displays his tooth-hole
Michael Semick- happy to kick back at Yo Momma
My baby girl making art wherever she goes :)
The end is nye...
The inspirational sign Izabella made for our runners
Rob Powell smiles at the finish
My kiddos chillaxin'
Heidi Bl and her pacer/sister Ashley have some fun in the woods at night
Lauren Kraft shows off her bling-bling
Yes! The torture is over!
Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
Izabella's poster again :)
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Matty Mitchell playing his trumpet for runners.
Matty was there supporting his running pals and even headed out on pacing
duties.
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Lauren Kraft’s stellar 50k finish. She came in smiling
and thanking her two trail friends who helped pace her in to the finish. Lauren
hung out and supported her friends still on the trail for hours and hours…then
she went back out there to pace Anne for a lap! She’s a beast!
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Nick Longworth and Adrienne Anderson
entertaining us during the overnight with the crazy/hot matrix and Skelator.
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Samantha Jo and Ashley Morris coming out to
support their sister Heidi Bl in her 100 mile attempt. These three sisters
frequent our Mommas events and we love having them. They are strong, always
smiling and grateful for all that they get to accomplish together.
Angie, Sam, Rob, Heidi & Ashley
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The unseasonably warm temps and lots of runners
enjoying our homemade shower and kiddie pools.
- This moment someone captured with Lauren Kraft...
Throughout this adventure I often comment that hosting a
100 miler is a lot like running one. There is so much excitement and action.
Sometimes things can get a little confusing and disorienting. My wife and crew
always save me at some point. I miss spending time with my kiddos so much, but
I remind myself that I am teaching them a valuable life lesson about achieving
your goals and helping others to achieve theirs. The overnight is always my
favorite part of the adventure- playing in the woods with my friends and family
in the dark! I always end up undernourished, dehydrated and exhausted but
happy. The feelings of accomplishment and another dream brought into reality
are the best rewards I can ask for.
Before I send out all the well-earned thanks to all of our volunteers, I want to remind everyone that both of Yo Momma's Races are part of the Heart of Ohio Trail Running Series. Checkout our FaceBook page to read about our mission to support the trails and trail running in central Ohio.
Also, if you haven't already LIKED 50s For Yo Momma and Not Yo Momma's 100 on FB, head on over and gives us a like. This is the best way to stay up-to-date on training runs, course info and race updates. This year we are planning some special offers and contests that only our FB crew will have access to! Plus, Not Yo Momma's 100 will be releasing information soon about a brand new Ultra Running Slam! The Bad Ass Slam will include NYM's 100 and three more of the toughest 100 mile races on this side of the country! Again, make sure you like our pages to get all the info first!
Before I send out all the well-earned thanks to all of our volunteers, I want to remind everyone that both of Yo Momma's Races are part of the Heart of Ohio Trail Running Series. Checkout our FaceBook page to read about our mission to support the trails and trail running in central Ohio.
Also, if you haven't already LIKED 50s For Yo Momma and Not Yo Momma's 100 on FB, head on over and gives us a like. This is the best way to stay up-to-date on training runs, course info and race updates. This year we are planning some special offers and contests that only our FB crew will have access to! Plus, Not Yo Momma's 100 will be releasing information soon about a brand new Ultra Running Slam! The Bad Ass Slam will include NYM's 100 and three more of the toughest 100 mile races on this side of the country! Again, make sure you like our pages to get all the info first!
A huge THANKS goes out to all of our runners and
volunteers. You guys are all rock starts! So many folks give their time to help
make NYM’s the awesome event that it is, so I want to make sure they are all
recognized for what they do. Some of them have already been mentioned above,
but I’m gonna go ahead and include the full list below.
Dennis Deane: Dennis helps with both of our events,
beginning the day before each at 6:00 or 7:00 am. He drives me around all day
long, moves supplies, hangs signs, fetches ice and water, and performs a
million other duties. He never makes it home before 5:00 pm and he’s back at the park by 3:30am . Race morning he hauled both
trailers to their respective aid stations, helped set-up and even brought out
his chainsaw to help me remove a huge tree that had fallen overnight and
blocked our path to aid station #2. This year Dennis came back to help with lap
counting from early afternoon to evening, and then came back on Sunday and was
indispensable in helping us to clean-up and haul all our supplies home!
Kat’s husband Matt, and Karen’s husband and kids come in to
work while Kat & Karen take a well-earned break for a few hours. Matt
directs parking and assists at the S/F aid station, while Karen’s fam helps
with parking and then heads out to crew aid station #3 all morning and afternoon.
Matt also serves as a gopher for us for all those unexpected snafu’s that
always pop-up. This year he and Darcy Lallathin headed out to the course to
replace markers that had been reported disturbed in the morning.
Kat & Karen then come back to help wherever they are
needed. They stay all night long, assist with tear-down, gopher, and then help
pick-up all the course markers!
Angela Dripps-Chappelle: Angela is our aid station #2
guru! For the past two years she has recruited and organized a crew to man the
second aid station for the duration of the race. Her station receives a ton of
compliments during and after the event. Angela and her crew are nearly all
ultra runners so they are acutely aware of our needs out there on the trails.
They remember runners favorites and have those items waiting when runners come
through. Angela has a remedy for any and all running related distresses. This year she suggested a few new items like
wraps and pickles that we incorporated into the menu. Angela even brings her
own black beans & rice. Angela’s crew has included Tim Dwyer, Ron Dukes,
Cheryl Splain, Brittainy Dripps, Kimberly Chappelle, Amandy Mowry, and many
others.
Matt Kim: Mat wasn’t able to join us this year
because his pesky job got in the way :) He was seriously bummed to miss NYMs
because he has joined us for nearly every one of our events and is one of our
most valuable volunteers. He helps with setup, reg, and cleanup, and keeps the
lap counting under control for us. Matt stays with us for the duration of our
events and his help is truly appreciated. This year he even loaned us his
trailer!
Julie Bowen: Ran our 100k for the second time this year- came in Friday night and helped with packet pick-up. Julie ran our second aid station in the inaugural year of NYM’s, and can be found helping at many trail races around Ohio.
Julie Noyes: Julie also couldn’t make it this year
but is another of our most valuable volunteers. She helps with reg and she and
Matt keep the lap counting running smoothly all up through the afternoon. Julie
is at nearly all of our events for many hours.
Hillairy Boltenhouse and Nicole Esker: These two
ladies have handled registration every single year at both 50s For Yo Momma and
Not Yo Momma’s 100. They are there at
Shelly Harsha, Teri Reose & Darcy Lallathin:
Shelly & Teri joined us this year for the first time. They handled the lap
counting for us, along with Darcy Lallathin, all morning and afternoon. It is
difficult to appreciate how tough lap counting is if you’ve never done it.
Runners become delirious after hours and hours on the course and occasionally
they forget to come through the lap counting chute :) Our lap counters have one
of the most important jobs of the day and have to stay focused and on task for
many hours.
Darcy helped finish marking on Friday, trekking around on
the course until after dark. After lap counting she also helped Matt Wolf check
on missing course markers in the morning.
David Emch: Dave has spent a huge chunk of the
afternoon and evening with us the past two years. He performs any number and
variety of tasks and serves as one of our evening and overnight lap counters.
Dave helped keep me awake and sane throughout the quiet overnight.
Matt Paxton & the Unioto Cross Country Crew: Matt
is the Unioto Cross Country couch. He and about 40 of his athletes run aid
station #3 overnight and tear it dwon for us. They do an amazing job, adding
their own flare with things like costumes and decorations. These guys also help
to pick-up all the course markers on Sunday.
Joe & Marcia Speakman: Angie’s parents are an
awesome part of our volunteer team. They have the most important job of the
race weekend- taking care of our babies, Xander & Izabella! They also loan
us trailers and a generator, help haul supplies, provide their homemade chicken
noodles soup, set-up the S/F banner, and much more.
My Momma: My Momma- Jeanette Carroll- is our lead
“gopher”. For those of you who’ve never served in this capacity, it is
something akin to being everyone’s bitch :) You are constantly in your car,
driving form aid station to aid station and back again. Mom fields messages,
picks up pizzas and ice, buys TP and hauls runners sweaty carcasses who have
DNF’d back to the finish. She does all this for 12-14 hours with a smile every
race day.
Nikil Shah: Nikil spent most of his BIRTHDAY with us
this year! He said he couldn’t think of a btter way to celebrate than by
hanging with his trail pals for the day :) Nikil assisted with lap counting and
helped out at the S/F aid station.
Jimmy & Sunshine Sung: Jimmy ran the 50k and then
helped out as well! His wife Sunshine helped out while she was waiting for
Jimmy. They also loaned us a back-up generator.
Jennifer Wilkinson: Jennifer is another of our loyal
volunteers. She helped us out at AS #1 and then hiked the Sugarloaf Challenge
on Sunday morning.
Adrienne Anderson: Adrienne gives us her Saturday
nights for NYM’s year-after-year. She helps take care of runners through the
overnight, and helps keep me sane and entertained! She also brings her
doggy-pal Monty to keep us all company.
Steve Zaleski: Steve helps us out while his wife runs
our races. He does a variety of jobs for us, even helping set-up the S/F banner
and repairing a broken propane heater!
John Brown: John was new to us this year. He was
invaluable at the S/F aid station and even ran out on the course to check
markers for us.
Nick Longworth: Provides awesome overnight entertainment,
coffee and soup. He also has unbelievable dog-scratching skills. Nick will take
on any task we ask of him. As an ultra runner himself, he believes in quick,
efficient aid station stops. If you linger too long, Nick may physically put
you back on the trail…for your own good :)
Samantha Jo: Samantha and her sisters Ashley and
Heidi have been running our events for years and we absolutely love having
them. They are always so happy and inspiring. Heidi was running the 100 mile
this year, while Sam and Ashley were there to crew and support her. Sam helped
us out at the S/F aid station through the overnight, and listened to my
never-ending chatter with a smile.
Micheal Semick & Chase Merriman: Both these
fellers ran their own races and then offered to help. Though we didn’t have a
need at that time, I wanted to recognize the fact that they were willing to
stick around and help after taking a beating from our course :)
My Babies Momma: By now everyone knows that my wife
Angie is the motive power behind our events. If not for her, I would be lost,
in race directing and in life. If I am
the heart behind our races, she is the body and the brains. Here is a short and
totally incomplete list of what she does:
1- Puts
up with my request for new logos every year…and then creates them
2- Designs
and orders shirts, medals, buckles & trophies
3- Always
lets me pick the shirt color even when she hates my choice
4- Buys
all the groceries for race day
5- Coordinates
the volunteers and builds the schedule
6- Organizes
the AS supplies so we actually have the stuff we need
7- Proof-reads
and sends my pre-race email
8- Directs
registration
9- Sets-up
AS #1
10- Runs supplies to aid stations
11- Generally
prevents utter chaos from ensuing on race day
12- Bakes
cookies and energy balls
13- Makes
potato soup
14- Makes
paleo friendly meals for me and then reminds me to eat during the race
15- Creates
the lap counting boards
16- Picks
up sweaty runners who have DNF’d
17- Orders
the porta-johns and firewood
This list could go on forever. She is so good at
anticipating needs and creating solutions to any and all issues that pop up on
race day. In short, she’s awesome!
If I have forgotten anyone I sincerely apologize!
I want to make sure that all of our volunteers
understand how crucially important they are to our events, and how much we love
and appreciate you all for your dedication, hard work and company. You guys are
so freaking awesome! THANK YOU!!!
