Survey Results - Disorganized other stuff.

Over Half of our participants took the quiz, ... I mean the survey, and so we should start to give some results. But keep your responses coming. I'll update this as more responses come in, so check back with us. If you were at the race, we would like to hear from you!

Q1. How long ya been runnin?

A1. It's a split. Most of you are either 1-2 years, or 10+ years, with few in between

Q2. How many races do you participate in each year?

A2. Three to ten was the most popular answer. But 22% are 10-20, and 17% were more than 20 races a year

Q3. What distances do you race?

A3. The big ones are 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon and Marathon, at 88, 65, 63, and 45%, respectively. Looks like 7 ultras, too. Hmmmm. Some of you might have to make room for another event of ours, late October, 2011. (tentatively - Stay Tuned)

Q4. What do you like to race on? Preferred racing surface:

A4. Most popular order: Road, Trail, Cross-Country, Multi-surface and Track. We forgot to ask about Rock, cactus, dirt, paved, and sand, with some water, grass, and other stuff mixed in. I guess that's multi-surface?

Q5. We wondered if anyone got lost, and how you got to the start.

A5. No one admitted to getting lost. Not sure if I believe you. I got a few calls race morning, but I'm not telling who you are. You know who you are.

Q6. Rate the course!

A6. Difficulty: 5 is most difficult, 1 is least. Most popular answer was 4. Great! Just what we were aiming for. Difficult, but achievable.

Condition of road. 5 is perfect: Most answered 4. Good! It's better to run than to drive, though.

Scenery: 5 is Southern France, 1 is the Southern Plains Landfill. Most popular answer was 4. Awesome!

Traffic/Safety - 5 is Super-Safe: Most answered 4. We're glad. I guess we were worried about traffic, and we know we wanted you to run on the right to make our sweeper vehicles more effective. We worry so you don't have to. Nevertheless, next year it will be better.

Signage/Course Directions - We got a 5 on this one. Which shouldn't be too hard since there was only two turns. But we'll have some maps available on site for those that need them next year.

Q7. We asked for a rating for ourselves.

A7. Most of you thought we should get married. You overwhelmingly thought we were both helpful and happy, (yea!) but one of us got one more vote than the other, and I ain't saying who. A few thought we were disorganized and that they deserved more and did not get their money's worth. We are sorry. We think we were disorganized, too, but Len and Hannah saved the day, so no worries. Maybe I just feel more disorganized than I actually am. Maybe i can't live up to my own standards. Not sure. We also thought it was a bargain of a race. These things cost money! But that's up to you all to judge.

Ok. You thought the prizes were awesome. We did too.

Here are some of the prizes you missed, if you weren't there:

• The Open Trophies were real roadkill skulls of coyote, red fox, and raccoon, mounted on burned reclaimed Appalachian no. 1 white oak. The skulls were fully cleaned and "bleached" of course. (as described in my last macabre post.) They were secured with copper wire. They have a lifetime guarantee - as long as those critters live, so will I service those trophies.
• The Masters Woman winner received a very nice bottle of red wine (a California Pinot Noir), a brass vase, and a flower bouquet.
• 2nd Masters Woman got a painted cowbell trophy and an Argentinian Malbec (which she was not there for, and we did not ship. It was good, though).
• 3rd Masters Woman got a bottle of California Merlot, and a brass armadillo.
• The Masters Men got the same bottles (Thank you Bombay Liquor!) and, in order: a stag-horn knife, $30 gift certificate at H&H gun range, and elk skin gloves.
• Two 12-packs of cheap, awful beer were given away.
• 10- $10 gift Certificates to Bombay Liquor were given away.
• Several $10 off coupons to Sports Authority were given away.
• A sleeve of Styrofoam cups.
• 2 free car washes at Mojo's Car Wash. (Thank You Mojos!)
• 5 - gift certificates to Braum's. (Andreia loves Braums.)
• A quart of honey.
• Candy.
• Chocolate
• A t-shirt for the Chief Drive-In (thank you!)
• 3 "Get Out Of Jail Free" t-shirts from Joe Bob's Bail Bonds (thanks Joe Bob!)

Q8. How was the beer?

A8. Only 60% of you had the beer, but of that number, 80% of you liked it and will be asking for it by name. That is good. (And hey, Coop Ale Works, I am sure you know, but the Native Amber was more popular than the Wheat. But we were happy to have the Wheat!) We hope you come back next year, Blake!

Q9. Rate the food.

A9. The most popular answer was "Jake's is my favorite!" closely followed by "I didn't eat anything." We should have a little more variety next year, with lighter after-race fare in addition to the beer and BBQ.

Q10. Are you going to run The Road Kill next year?

A10. 0% said no. 5% maybe, and the rest: Yes. That's pretty good. But if you could bring a few more of your friends, we sure would appreciate it.

Register At the Race - 7:00AM

Online Registration is now Closed.

Race-Day Registration opens at 7:00AM, and ends at 7:50AM.

See you at the race!

Shotgun Start at 8:00AM CDT.

Like the World Cup, or the Stanley Cup... only not.

Memorial Services October 2, 2010, 8:00am

September 30, 2010. Uncle Jim passed today at 6:03pm. Services to be held October 2nd, 2010 on CR1400 (Quail Road). We gather to mourn his passing, and celebrate his life. As we pass his final resting place, and collectively hold our noses, (at mile 1.45, or so), we will remember why we came to run here today. Maybe.

The Money

In addition to trophies, gifts, and sundries, prize monies are as follows.

Open - Regardless of Sex

1st - $150.

2nd - $100.

3rd - $50.

Open Women (stacking with above, if 1, 2, 3 men get "chicked")

1st - $150.

2nd - $100.

3rd - $50.

Your Guide to Informations

This post is not fancy. It's just that we have a lot of posts, and this will help you wade your way through them all. Or it may further confuse you. Oh, and by the way, online registration ends at noon, CDT on October 1st. After that, we'll see you at the race. I'll advise you to get there early if you have not registered - an hour should do it. Otherwise, between 45 minutes and 30 minutes might work for most runners. We start at 8:00AM sharp, by my watch. Not sure if it's fast or slow. Roll the dice and show up late if you like!

First, we told you about the race, and gave you a copy of our registration information that is printed on the fliers. Then we gave an explanation of how the race was born.

We talked quite a lot about what we have to offer you. First we told you how we were not going to have a race shirt. But rather, a shirt-swap. We later partially recanted that statement. Instead, we offer our really cool mug. We told you about our prizes. Just a teaser. We did not tell you how we have prizes for MOST of you. Prizes for effort, place, or seemingly random. Or random. We're not sure yet. Some are special, some are ... less special. Many are inspired by "roadkill" we see on the road - the trash and refuse. Andreia wanted to buy you a few packs of cigarettes, but I couldn't quite bring myself to do that. We talked about beer - specifically Coop Ale Works, your provider of quality ale on race day. And lastly, we talked about BBQ.

We did the FAQ thing. We have a general race information post. We showed the plan and elevation, as well as a general description of the course. We spake of our announcer. There was a mention of hill training.

There is talk about where you are from, and about our town. We spoke of camping out at the Muscle Car Ranch.

There is a lot of talk about trash. We even went out and picked up a few more bags yesterday.

Hmmmm. That's about all the important stuff that you might care about.

An Announcement on Announcing

The Road Kill is proud to announce that Mark Bravo will provide announcement services for our little race. Coach Bravo is a veteran race-day announcer with experience at the Oklahoma City memorial Marathon, with KFOR-TV, at Little Rock Marathon and the Dallas White Rock Marathon, among others. We are pleased that Mark has agreed to announce our race in its inaugural year!

Coach Bravo is not just a sports announcer, he is an athlete, running coach and mentor. Mark Bravo is a respected authority on running in our state. He has earned his credentials by coaching countless runners, and continues to fill his coaching resume with more successful athletes. You can find out more about Mark's coaching here.

While Mark has helped countless athletes in their struggles with sport, he also applies the lessons learned in training to a broad spectrum of life's challenges. Not immune to such challenge, Mark Bravo underwent hip surgery and later total hip replacement in May 2007.

He prevailed with a positive attitude and the physical tenacity of a long-distance runner. Mark returned from the injury and is running again today. He can still compete, too! Mark is not one to talk endlessly about his own accomplishments; I'll just just tell you that he would indeed be in the running for an award in our race!

What amazes me is his positive attitude and lack of bitterness toward the sport of running. Mark might be puzzled that I say that. He turns adversity and challenge into a strength. It is that, more than anything, that I admire. When I look at Mark, I see someone who can be admired for who he is, who he was, and for his contributions towards the future. He lets me know that I can set goals and overcome life's little obstacles.

Coach Bravo will have available copies of his new book, MOMENTUM: 77 Observations Toward A Life Well Lived. We're sure he wouldn't mind signing a copy for you. Mark's insight and thoughtfulness as outlined in this book can be applied to so many of life's opportunities and challenges. Momentum will also make a great gift for anyone. We bought a copy, so should you.

BBQ and the Chisholm Trail

As you may have heard, Jake's Rib of Chickasha will be supplying us with some post-race food! For those who live in Chickasha, there is no need for us to tell you what good news this is. The biggest testament to Jake's is the big crowd! Every day of the week, for lunch and dinner, Jake's parking lot is crowded to overflowing. If

you don't get a seat by 11:30 in the morning, you are likely to park a block down the road, and have to wait a few minutes for your table and food. Customers don't mind, however, as they know they will be getting good service, plenty of food, and top-notch barbeque. An extended lunch rush is hardly over for an hour before folks start lining up for dinner.

We encourage all our runners to bring a chair and sit right down after the race. Cheer on our fellow runners as they cross the line, enjoy the awards ceremony, commiserate with your fellow runner, eat, drink, and have a good time. We will enjoy Sloppy Jake's sandwiches after the race, along with some chips and your choice of beverage served from your own trophy of a cup.

If you haven't had enough, you can go get a HUGE sit-down meal at Jake's. Discounts on your next meal at Jake's will be provided to all our runners. A huge THANKS! to Jake's Rib. We know there's no other 10-mile race where you can get all this. It's a steal of a deal.

There is a theme in all this, isn't there? Sometimes it seems a little vague to us. But really, there is. Look closely at this old

photograph. See the men enjoying beef, beans, and beer out of steel cups? After a long day on the trail, that's what we're going to do, too.

The photo shows an old chuckwagon like the kind that were used on the Chisholm Trail. The trail went from Texas up through Oklahoma, right through the washita valley by Chickasha, Oklahoma. You can visit the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, in nearby Duncan, Oklahoma, and find out a lot more about the history of this area. There are still places you can still see the wagon ruts worn into the hard clay and rock. Numerous historical markers can be seen wherever the trail crosses a major road.

Beer News & Other News

A while back, we had a little post about Beer. Now, I am ashamed to admit it, but I have not had too much beer since writing that post. It's not that my love of beer has fallen off, but just that the running has crept in and displaced the beer. In a well-lived and balanced life, there should be room for both.

Now, all of the sudden, I am feeling a little thirst. Perhaps I should go for a run first, and slake that thirst as I write the rest of this post. ... Ah... Ok, that's better. Everything is better with a beer in your hand. Wait - a beer in the belly is better than one in the hand. Maybe? Or two? I forget how the saying goes. Is there a saying? Or is it the anticipation? I am not sure. I thing I feel really sleepy now. I will finish this in the morning.

OK, back to this post. We wanted to serve beer to our runners, and we wanted to serve Oklahoma brewed beer, from an Oklahoma company - and we wanted to serve the best. In that vein, we contacted Coop Ale Works. And they agreed to be involved! So hats off to Coop Ale Works. If you have not had the pleasure of drinking any of their fine ales or lagers, you should start.

We wish our local Liquor Store, Bombay Liquor, carried it. So we paid them a visit. And so they will. They will also be supplying us with a bunch of stuff. Multiple door prizes, supplies, and more beer. If you win something, you are likely to pay them a visit to pick it up. Thanks, Steve!

Steve also instantly identified the bottle in the 'possum's hand. It's Courvoisier. Is that a good way to die? I'm not going to find out.

Questions and Inquiries

We have likely done a poor job of getting out all the information in an organized way. And this isn't going to be any better.

But let's see. Before we go any further, check to see if your answer may be found Here. And now we'll try to answer your questions. These are actual questions.

Question: Your registration link does not work, where can I register?

Answer: Try this one.

Question: Can I get a discount?

Answer: Yes, if you register before September 18th, the date the price goes up. Or, if you contact me and make special arrangement to enter a large

group or team all at once.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: $30. now, $35 later (9/18/10 and

after)

Q: Is there really roadkill on the road?

A: Well, no, we don't put any extra roadkill out there, but there could be some.

Q: I won't be able to make it. Can I have a refund?

A: No. But you can transfer the number to someone else for a $5. processing fee.

Q: Can I have a t-shirt?

A: Yes. We are having a t-shirt swap.

Q: I know someone who makes t-shirts. Maybe you should make t-shirts. Would you?

A: No. We offer a steel cup. It's like the Stanley Cup, or the World Cup, but more easily obtained without getting arrested.

Q: Can't you afford t-shirts?

A: T-shirts are less expensive than what we offer, which is a steel cup you can use every day.

Q: Why is it called a foot-race?

A: Because you are only allowed to compete on foot.

Q: Can I push a stroller?

A: Not recommended. At all. Please don't at this race. If you must, send me an e-mail or give me a call, and we can discuss it.

Q: Can I roller-blade?

A: No, it is a foot-race.

Question: Can I bike?

A: No, it is a foot race.

Q: Did someone really ask that?

A: Yes, someone really asked this.

Q: Is there a wheelchair division?

A: Wheelchairs are not recommended, but you could send me an e-mail or give me a call, and we can discuss it.

Q: How do you all run so far?

A: I think it has to do with this diagram. (below) I am not sure. Practice?

Q: Do we really have to bring our own race bibs?

A: Yes.

Q: Is this a joke?

A: No. Run our ten-mile foot race, and you will see it is not a joke.

Q: What if we don't bring our own race bibs?

A: We have thick sharpies for you. You can write on your numbers, tri-style. Or we can do it for you.

Q: Seriously?

A: Yes, seriously.

Q: Can I just run part of it?

A: That would be cheating. We will send you to this ==>

doctor after your fellow runners take you out.

Q: Is it hilly?

A: Yes.

Q: Can we walk?

A: Yes, and you probably will, even if you weren't planning on it. Run or walk, your choice. No penalty. It would be a much more enjoyable walk than it will be a run!

Q: Will it be hot?

A: Probably not. But it could be.

Q: Where is Chickasha?

A: Here. Also, you can use google maps.

Q: You should make it a 15k.

A: It's ten miles.

Q: Is there a fun run?

A: No - there is one run, and it is not fun.

Q: Will we be eating roadkill?

A: I hope not! We won't be serving any roadkill. For dinner.

Q: What time does it start?

A: 8:00am

Q: Are either of you racing it?

A: No, we'll be busy with race stuff.

Check back here later if you want to see more questions and answers. I will post all of your questions.

Robby R. Coon

Robby R. Coon passed away today following a fatal accident on 16th Street in Chickasha, OK. Robby, a lifetime resident of Chickasha, was survived by his wife, Rhonda, and 11 children: Richard, Ronald, Renee, Ridley, Robin, Reece, Ryan, Roger, Reba, Rachel and Reagan.

August 17, 2007- September 5, 2010

Robby committed his life to the destruction of human waste disposal systems. As an advocate of natural waste disposal, Robby formed RATS (Raccoons Against Trash Systems). RATS became a national movement under Robby's leadership and led to the reduction of the raccoon hunger rate by 12% nationwide.

Robby, age 1

Donations in his memory can be made at every alley and trash can across the state. Fish parts are needed in great quantity.

Love, Hate, Death, and Hills

"Hills are speedwork in disguise." Frank Shorter

Let's talk about long distance training. While we're at it, let's cut through the crap. Is everyone OK with that? If you want to want to pick flowers and blow kisses, come back when we have something nice to say. If you want to improve and do your best, read on. Running hurts. Let's just admit that and get it over with.

While a good base for long distance running includes a lot of easy running, all good training plans include hard work in the form of "speed", long-runs, mileage, and hills. It's just a fact. There is no shortcut. There is no easy way. Champions are made, not born.

Before we get any further, I have an assignment for you. Read This. It is probably the most concise and complete treatise on distance running that I have read.

Let's talk just briefly about "speed." If you want to race fast, you will have to train fast - intervals, tempo runs, hill sprints, anything. But it won't be slow, and it won't be easy. You can race, you can do some on/off miles, sprints, fartleks, intervals and repeats of many types. They are all good. They all have a purpose, and they are useful in season. When I say "in season," of course you know I am referring to periodization in your training. If you do nothing but 400m repeats, with the same rest/recovery, you will get to be really good at 400m repeats. But the training must be designed with the individual, the season, and the result in mind.

There is one training element you can incorporate into your training year round. We're talking about hills. Hilly easy runs, hilly tempo runs, hills deep into your long run. These are all good. And if you want to improve your racing, you are going to have to train on some hills. If you want to improve your race times over hilly courses, you are going to have to train on some hills. If you are planning on racing a marathon (or just running one, or completing one), you will incorporate some hill running in your training. Hills are good. Hills are gold. We seek out the hilly routes. We run over hills. It's not easy, but you'll learn to like it.

"The introduction of resistance in form of sand and hill is too important to be ignored." Percy Cerutty

How, then, should we work hills into our training?

We should start where all good training starts: the base. A runner should run on all available surfaces; trail, cross-country, bike path, cow-path, treadmill, gravel, dirt, track and road. This strengthens the runner and reduces occurrence of injury. The variety will harden the runner both physically and mentally, while providing relief from single-surface training. A well-rounded runner will also train on every slope available. Up, down, with long lazy inclines and short steep bursts - both up and down. Combine this base-training running over every slope and every available surface, and you are well on your way to becoming a better runner.

Hill training is strength training - resistance training. It is weightlifting for the runner. But more than just brute strength or ability to accomplish work, hillwork (when done correctly) can produce increases in power. Power is the rate at which we accomplish work. We must push off the toe, snap the foot through the ankle, propel with our quadriceps, swing harder through the arm, and lift the knee higher than in our typical running. One way to work the hill for power is to incorporate hill sprints - short bursts of 10 to 30 seconds up a steep hill.

Sprint, recover, repeat.

Bounding and springing exercises can help runners (like me) who need more flexibility and greater extension in the stride. These exercises are good for strength, but they will improve your form, too. Now is the time you google "hill bounding" or "hill training" or "hill bounding training" because there are so many reams of articles written about it that I really don't have much to add.

"It is suicidal for other runners to copy my hill sessions without adequate background." Pekka Vasala, Finnish Middle Distance Runner who outkicked Kip Keino at Munich Olympics in 1972 winning the 1500 meters in 3:36.3

Lastly, hills can be used in our anaerobic development. We push beyond our aerobic threshold, and enter into a state where internal energy sources are not oxidized in an state of equilibrium. We produce "lactic acids" faster than our bodies can use them. That's a not a bad thing - it's a good thing! It teaches our bodies to metabolize this new energy source and use it for fuel. You run a hill hard, feel the burn, and cruise on through - running now within your aerobic capacity and using the excess lactate. In summary, lactate is released from the working muscle, circulated to the liver, and converted into glucose (by the liver), which glucose in turn is used by the muscle. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. It just hurts a bit when you do it.

Through training, our bodies learn to perform this lactate conversion faster and more efficiently. The body learns to recover from a hill on the flat or downhill while we are running. By incrementally increasing the quantity (hill time X slope) of lactate produced, and reducing recovery time and increasing recovery pace, the body learns to "run faster." This complex bio-chemical process occurs when you do a tempo run or race over hills. This process would be phased into your training and you might concentrate on this aspect of training for somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks, before sharpening or tapering. You can accomplish a similar effect with longer hill repeats (somewhere between 45 seconds and 2 minutes, with slopes between 2% and 7%)

I know I've barely touched on the subject. But it is time some of you got off your rears, off the flat running trails, and onto some hills.

"If the hill has its own name, then it's probably a pretty tough hill." Marty Stern

Your Neck of the Woods

Where are you all from? So far, we only have committed, registered runners from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. We have a few invites out for people beyond, but no firm commits, no entries. These people, we know who you are. We know where you live.

But a few days ago, we discovered (one of us did, anyhow. Ok, it was me. The other one already knew.) that the blogger has things that can track, roughly, where our readers are from. (Don't get all freaked out. I don't know where you live. And I don't know your name. I don't know anything about you. )

And we have been fascinated by it. Most of you are in the USA. But we also have people checking in from Canada and the United Kingdom. Also, France, Australia and South Africa. Oh, and Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, Thailand, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Japan, Spain, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and India are there, too. Indonesia. Macedonia. This is fascinating to me. The other fascinating thing is where you all are in the US.

Most of our readers are from Oklahoma. All over Oklahoma. Many small town folks, like us, and many from The City (OKC or Oklahoma City to the rest of you) and the Tulsa area. But, in general, you are from all over Oklahoma. Second most, you are from Texas. That makes sense, since we have made an effort to get the word out to our friends in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and other places in Texas. But you are from all over Texas!

The other surprising thing is how many people we have following this blog from Other Places. Western States are sparsely represented.

Kansas

California

Colorado

Arizona

Utah

New Mexico

Nevada

South Dakota

Washington.

But with the exception of Vermont and New Hampshire, every state east of the Mississippi or bordering the Mississippi is represented.

I'll keep you updated, but it looks like we will have people who are at least keeping an eye on us from all over the place. (updated 10/10/10)

Dry Run - Labor Day

Quick post.

We are planning a camp out with a small group at the Muscle Car Ranch on the night of Sunday, September 5. The next morning, Monday, Labor Day, at 7:30am, we will run the Road Kill. It will be a small group. If you care to join us, please send me an E-mail and I will let you know if we still have room. We are very limited for space on this - we just want a test run.

Don't read anything into the phrase "dry run." You can drink as you like or not.

Camp out, cookout (bring your own!)

No chip, no clock, no support, but a measured course.

Bring your water bottle. It's a fun run - or race us if you like.

Send me an e-mail. I'll reply whether you are "in" or no. I HAVE to severely limit numbers on this, though. Get your requests in pronto.

drunner72@gmail.com

One Ugly Cat

Usually I mourn at the loss of a fellow creature. But this is one seriously ugly cat.

The Road

A few goosbumps appear on my arm. I feel the heat in my core and my legs feel loose, with a slight ache from the recent training."Four minutes to start." I feel ill. This was a stupid idea. I hate racing. Why did I come here? Time for one more stride, and then pop back to the line. The legs are feeling a little pop.

Fear. I know what I'm going to do to myself. There's a light and shifting breeze. The sun is too bright. The air is clear and cool. Someone prays. We sing the anthem. I join in. Everyone joins in. I just want to get this over with. Let's go.

I blink.

The wisp of smoke appears at the barrel of a shotgun, but I heard only a high-pitched pinnnnnnggggggg. And the legs are running. Must contol. Conrol. Control. The legs feel nothing. They work. They are light. I don't even breathe. The road is nearly dead flat in front of me. Huh. Dead. They call this The Roadkill. I can feel a dozen runners close behind me, and see a few in front of me. Tight. Close. There's some kid in basketball shoes. There's some guy who looks like he'll fade.

There's someone clomping. Focus. Focus. Look at those three. I can hack it. But the people

behind me, I can feel them all. If I relax too much, they will take me. Run, just run. Feel the breathing. Feel the legs. Focus.

There's a man on the side of the road up ahead. He's saying, "seventeen, eighteen, nineteen,

twenty, twennntyyyyyyyyyy......" I pass him. Ha! Oh, Mile. That was a mile. It was flat; dead flat. A

little shifting cooling breeze, but no sensation of heat or cold. But I can feel the heat of the runners, still here, still around me, a few in front, and all the rest behind.

In front of the mile I see a line of trees.

Oh. The road goes down, down, down, and drops out in front of me. A gentle downhill, and then a right turn at about 1.4 miles. I am breathing now, and I can feel it, like the edge of panic. There are runners behind me. 30 feet below the starting elevation.

I turn right. I see this. It is a hill. The sun is behind me and the road looks white. The bright autumn morning sun. For the first time in the race, I can hear something. Just breathing, my own breathing, and barely the sound of my own feet. The hill is not much, but just relax, relax,

relax, and let it come to me. About 45 feet up. that's all. And now again I am dropping down, down through the trees, with a couple of houses on my right, and some industrial business on my left. Mile two. Ugh. I can feel this in my legs. It's too early.

I look up. On pace now, uh, wait, actually about 12 seconds ahead of last mile. Must be the downhill. In the groove. Just running. Let it flow. Feel the feet hit lightly, little sound, snick, snick up the hill. It does not look too long.

Oh, it still goes up. It flattens out, but still goes up. The hill goes on. There's a couple of trailers on the right. Then a nice house. Nice gate. Nice white fence. It's the Crawford's place. That's what it says at the gate.

Three minutes. Uphill three minutes. But it is runnable. Just a gentle rise now, and I can see the drop up ahead. No water. I don't need any water. What is that on my left? A natural gas compression station. Up about 85 feet over the start. It's not much. I can see OKC from here. I can see Mt. Scott. It seems high.

Down, damn. Down. Damn. Too fast. But short. Fun at this point, but I'm going to have to turn around. I put some distance behind me and the clomper. But I can still hear him. Ha! there is some roadkill here. Ugh, I can smell it. I can smell it.

And suddenly uphill again. This one is steep, but short. I must have missed mile three. The time is past. No one is close to me any more. I've lost contact. Losing contact. It's good and bad. Can't relax. This hill is short, but steep. It's not fun any more. Wow, open all around, where did the trees go? I can see the bridge. Over the interstate. Mile 3. Damn. I did miss it. Mostly uphill. It will be Ok. Ok, right? Now about 13 seconds behind. I know I shouldn't curse, but dad-blast this course.

Oh, this downhill is long. Fourth downhill. I've been up three so far. I've been already to the highest point on the course. The downhill feels a little too long. But now there is irrevocable distance between me and the next guy. It is good. Patience, patience. And now back up again.

And to the turn. Left. And back down hill. The hills almost come easier now. Each one is like

the last. Just run 'em.

Downhill steadily again. And over the interstate. Again. And through some curves. Mile four. Oh, almost back on pace. But it was more downhill this mile. Run on. Getting harder to concentrate now. Just a little burn in the legs. Breathing hard. Everything is still fine.

Back up and down a little hill, then a longer climb in front of me. I can see one runner out in front of me. It looks like he is struggling. I think I can catch him. I think I am catching him. 40 seconds. Just timed the interval to that mailbox. He's going up the hills slower. Just took off too fast, I guess. His mistake. I'll catch him. Ah!

He turns. Time it. I see the waterstop.

The turn. 29 seconds. Yellow house. I'm catching him. And now down. I am gaining fast. Forgot to mark that last mile. But I know I am catching him. I know I can hang on.

Faster, faster down this hill. Then up and down a mere bump. It's nothing. I tell myself it's nothing. Mile six. The legs are starting to protest. They burn going back up to the turn. There is no stopping. I can still feel the runners behind me. There is a lot of race left.

And now to the turn. Right. This one stretch, then left and I'm done. But the miles feel longer now. Let it burn. Let it go over the line. Push. No holding back. Each mile. Another mile. Hay.

And down, and up again. this is the tenth uphill. And down nine so far. Not much longer. Only one real uphill, then the last uphill, and a bump. Twelve uphills in all, and down 12. Depending on what you count as a hill.

Three miles to go. I catch him. I pass easily. But I can barely keep running up this stretch. The legs are screaming. Like logs, slow. Heavy. The breath is ragged. I run. He's still very close. The legs do not recover going downhill anymore. They feel like rocks, stiff. Unresponsive. Water-stop again. I take nothing. A light numbness comes over me. Hands are numb. They feel cold. It is sunny, but the world seems dark, like running through a tunnel with a bright spot on the road as I run ahead. There is nothing, nothing. I sense no one behind me. No one in front of me. Alone. Last turn, left, and up again. But there it is. Mile nine done. One more. Push.

The last flat mile. Gritting teeth. Grinding. Quads aching. Hamstrings tight. Keep pumping. I know he'll catch me now. Don't look. Feel nothing. This feels horrible. Give in to the pain. Become the pain. Everything fades. There is no world, no sound. There is just burning. And I see a man waving me right, there it is! Finished. Done. Retching. Horrible. Done. Done. Done...

Of Running and Beer

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. At least, that's what Benjamin Franklin said. And who am I to disagree with Ben Franklin? Whoever drinks beer is quick to sleep, he who sleeps does not sin, those without sin enter Heaven; so let's drink beer and go to heaven! See if you can name that religious reformer. It has been re-quoted by many, with some variation.

As we've planned this race, I've been told by many a runner, "Runners like beer." I have found that to be true. And, as was planned from the beginning, we will have beer. We are not selling beer, so I don't need any local political commentary and trouble. This little town has had its share of trouble with those who have dared to attempt to sell beer. Or rather, the town has given those individuals trouble. We plan to avoid all that trouble and just give it away. We hope you like what we serve! If not, more for the rest of us.

Just in case there's a question, beer will only be served to those of legal age who run our race, volunteer, or sponsor. No freeloaders! However, since we are having a good picnic after the race, I advise you all to bring your family and friends and extra beer to share. I know I'll be bringing some of my own beer, and I will share some with some of my fastest new friends. Consider it a bonus. We have a family event here, and we want you to have fun and feel at home as you eat and drink after the race.

When enjoyed in moderation, beer can be a boon to a runner. It contains water, hops, malted barley, and yeast. All good things. And (when homebrewed and unfiltered) b-complex vitamins. It contains anti-oxidants, and has been linked to lowered risks of heart disease and stroke. Consume too much too often, though, and of course many of those benefits turn into increased risks. As runners, we should be interested in our health above all. So, drinking a little beer with regularity is a good thing.

Oh, one more note. I understand that homebrewing will be legal in Oklahoma as of the date of this race. That's a good thing. Someone might bring some to share. I will, if I can get some brewed up for the race.

Cooking Some Hamburgers

This blog is going to be about our little race, "The Road Kill." More than that though, it will be about running, and training, and life. There might be a whole lot more of life than there is about this little race. We don't know for sure yet, though. It might be a bunch of photos of unfortunate animals, just trying to cross the road.

Why "The Road Kill?" What is this nonsense, anyhow? The race was a natural extension of our running group, the Washita Valley Running Club. It fills a training need. It's close. There is a lack of road races other than 5k. There was a lack of a running group. So Andreia made the group. Then we made the race.

We started talking about, "what have you seen on the road lately?" There is plenty of trash. No runner loves to see that. There is occasionally money. A lone shoe. Three little piggies. Contraceptives. Pregnancy tests. But most of all, there is roadkill.

We remember the location of each dead animal on our regular routes. We runners avoid it and note the rot, the crows, the flies, the smell, and then (hopefully) thank the road crews when they clean it up. Sometimes we feel like dead animals ourselves, out there, alone on the road. Close to death and alive all at once in a sweltering 20 mile run out in the country. Sometimes the effort in a race feels like the kiss of death that you urge upon your own body.

Like the fragrance of the real thing, we want to make The Road Kill an event that you couldn't forget. An event that you will remember whenever you see some roadkill. We want it to be rewarding on many levels, a challenging but runnable course, good competition, good prizes and trophies. But as any runner knows, it's all about the finish. That's the best part of racing. We hope you all will stick around to enjoy a cookout and some refreshments with us after you run. In short, we wanted to put on the kind of event that we'd want to attend ourselves.

Training is now, though. I train, I run. It's just like life, I suppose. We aspire to the gourmet meal, and we end up cooking some hamburgers. And you know, the damn things are pretty tasty. I ran 145 miles this week. It's about all I could do. There was not much "quality." There was nothing remarkable. Just miles. But now I am tired. Just cooked some hamburgers. Time to eat.