Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Post Race

I ran a couple of miles before church this evening....Felt ok....Probably the best I have ever felt 4 days after a ultra...

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Race Report

Promise Land 50K 2009

Kenny Wheeler

I can quickly sum up the race in one word. HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT…HOT oh wait that is more than one word, oh well. It was that hot.

I live in southern WV. We have had a pretty cool spring here while training. As a matter of fact on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning before PL it was snowing. I was not even close to being acclimated to the 90 degree temps that we had on Saturday. OK, that is enough whining for now.

I have been looking forward to this race since last year. I was so anxious I paid my entry fee to Dr. Horton on February 13 at Holiday Lake. I really enjoyed last year. At the time it was the toughest thing I had ever done physically and I got to run with my son Randy. He was running his first ultra that day. That makes this race very special to me. About 3 weeks before PL 2009 I got a nice surprise when I found out Randy would get to run with me again this year.

The alarm clock at the motel went off 3:30 am. We got ready and left at about 4:30. It was almost 5:00 and we were still about 2 miles from PL camp. I realized that I had miscalculated our wakeup time. I like to get to the start of a race about 1 hour early. That gives me plenty of time to check gear and get ready. I don’t know if it was the added stress of being a little late or what, but mine and Randy’s stomachs were upset a little before the race even started.

We checked in, got prepared and went to the start area. We all sang the anthem; well it didn’t really sound much like singing, but that early in the morning I guess it was ok. Dr. Horton prayed for our safety and then we were off. Not even a half mile up the road there was a hot wind that blew off the mountain and I said to myself, “man this is going to be a long day”.

Randy and I ran together and we talked a lot ( Randy talks a lot ). That is ok. It makes the time go quickly. We made it to Sunset Fields the 1st time. Randy made the comment that we were about 1/3 done. For the next 7 or 8 miles Randy barely said a word, so I knew he was not filling well. I wasn’t filling well either. I felt like I was going to puke every time I ate or drank, but I knew I had to keep putting food and fluids in or I would not make it.

Sometime between AS 5 and AS 6 I had not heard Randy behind me for a few minutes. I turned to look, but didn’t see him. I really had no idea where he was, I didn’t know if he had gotten sick or sat down to rest or what. I thought about stopping to wait or even going back, but I was afraid if I did either I might not have enough will to continue. I had to keep moving, no matter how slow.

All day long I had tried not to think about the climb that was ahead. Apple Orchard Falls. Now that I was alone I just kept thinking about how miserable that mountain was going to be. I kept thinking that I would quit at Cornelius Creek, but I couldn't quit. I have entered the Beast Series; I just had to keep going. I finally made it back to Cornelius Creek. I topped off all my bottles and took a handful of food. I planned on walking every step back to Sunset Fields. As I was leaving AS 6. I saw Randy. He did not look good. I was afraid he was going to drop out. I told him to hang out at the AS and eat and drink all he could and then come on and finish this thing.

I began trudging up the falls trail. It was as bad I as thought it was going to be. When I got to the steeper parts there were runners setting on the rocks everywhere. I could not stop. I knew if I stopped I would not be able to continue. I was getting close to the top when I got a very pleasant surprise; Randy had caught up to me. We made it back to Sunset Fields for the last time today. That was a great filling, because I knew it was mostly downhill from here all the way to the finish. We were going to make it.

It was a wonderful filling to see the campground when I came around that last turn. We were HOT!!! Tired and sick, but with the Lords help both of us had made it through a very tough day.

I think it is amazing that on such a hot day, the aid stations all had plenty of water. The food might have run low, but we had the, all important fluids. Putting on an event like that in those conditions had to be a logistical night mare.

Thank you David Horton. Thank you to all the AS workers. Thank you to all of the volunteers.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

This Ones For Mark

Mark says I am not posting often enough. So this one is for Mark.
Naw......just kiding. I leave tomorrow for the race Sat.
I am going to stop in Roanoke to pick up Randy, then we will go to the pre race pizza feast.
Its going to be a little warm for the race on Sat. So please pray for all of us.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Snow

Don't you just love the weather in southern WV !!!! April 22 and it is snowing this morning.
Saturday it is supposed to be 80 degrees. It is supposed to be mid 80s in the Lynchburg area for the race this weekend......whew !!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Final Count Down To Promise Land 50K

Randy was in from Roanoke on Friday, so I got to take him to Glade Creek for a little run just before dark. That was very enjoyable. The creek was really beautiful. I am just taking it easy this week. Getting ready for Promise Land this Sat.
http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/index.htm

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bling Bling

Look on the left side and you will notice I added some "Bling" to my blog.
Enjoy

Night Run

Mark and I got together Sunday evening after church to do our first night run together. I have run many times at night, but always by myself. Mark has been in the woods many times after dark, but had never run in the dark. We had a great time. We ran around Lake Stephens, about 13 miles. We have plans to do a lot more night runs this summer.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Saturday Evening

I went to Bluestone today to run 10 miles. I got a couple of miles from the car and my knee was filling a little funky so I decided to head back. By the time I got to the car it was fine, so I wish that I had went on, but I really needed to get back to, Beckley for a family Easter Meal.
It looks like Me, Mark and Amy might run 13 @ night tomorrow @ Lake Stephens.
That will be awesome. I have run several times @ night, but always by myself.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Just Cruising

I have been experiencing internet problems all week. For the last 2-3 years I have had Hughes net satellite internet, well it bit the dust Sunday. It was going to cost at least $125 to fix it. I got a Verizon wireless broadband card for my internet. Just got it today, but I think I am going to like it. I have 30 days to make up my mind. Hughes Net cost $80 per month. Verizon is $60 per month and it is faster. Whuuwhoo!!!!!!
I have run twice this week. The knee I hurt at Terrapin is doing pretty well. I would say it is about 90 percent healed. The bad part is I have not run for 2 weeks so everything else hurts a little when I run.
I got some good news today. Randy says he is going to run Promise Land 50K. I hope he does.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Been A very Quit Week

It has been a very quit week here. That is good. My wife has had a cold, she is getting better. Johnna is responding well to physical therapy, so she is doing a lot better. Hopefully they will be able to get her blood thinner levels regulated soon. Isaiah continues to improve daily. It sounds like he might be off all his breathing aids soon. He is gaining weight now (he gets that from me).My knee was injured a little more than I thought at the race last weekend, but it is getting stronger everyday.
I rode my bike Thursday. It hurt. Tried to run a little Sat. It hurt. Me and Mike, a guy from church rode today. The knee felt pretty good. I wish I could say the same about Mike. We still had about 5 miles to go when we rode near my house. I ended up giving Mike and his bike a ride home in my truck.
Man what a beautiful day to ride. We saw 8 other people out riding today.