2003 Report
NINTH ANNUAL FLAT ROCK 50 & 25K´s
ELK RIVER HIKING TRAIL / INDEPENDENCE, KS
SEPTEMBER 27, 2003
AND THEN THERE WAS FOUR: SCHOENLAUB´S SHINING
By: Eric Steele RD
Thirty-eight runners from nine states (CO, IL, KS, MO, NE, NM, OK, TN, TX) toed the line for the Ninth Annual Flat Rock 50K, while twenty-two runners from four states (IL, KS, MO, OK,) lined up for the 25K. After a previous day of eighty+ degree temperatures and high humidity, race day would start out cool and remain so all day with the high only reaching the low 70´s and a nice cool breeze blowing continuously. Many Flat Rock Veterans returned this year to get another "dose of the Rock which has undoubtedly become a late September ritual to them and an ever growing number of individuals for we attracted plenty of Flat Rock Neophytes, as well.
Friday evening saw a mini-hurricane blow through the Outlet Channel Shelter House (where we hold all pre and post race activities) complete with horizontal rain blowing from several directions and acorn-sized hail for a brief spell. The whole episode started shortly after we began dinner at around 6:30 and even though it only lasted for about thirty minutes, it was intense. Runners and their family members along with race staff and volunteers, huddled underneath the shelter house while shifting in several directions to try and avoid the crosswinds blowing in the rain that the roof was doing very little to keep out. When it was over, the chowfest resumed as normal and there was a heightened excitement in the air as everyone agreed it was better that this happened now than the next day. I, however, was slightly stressed due to a flu/head cold I had been fighting all week and trying to re-organize the many soggy cardboard boxes that had not weathered the storm worth a plug nickel.
Thankfully, this is where my KUS co-founders and dedicated race staff stepped in and provided a much needed form of deliverance by handling the logistics and problem solving associated with the following days aid station setup and duties. Several runners and their family members began pitching in to help dry off tables and asked me what they could do to help out. Sometimes, we all tend to forget how much we need other key people to manifest successful events or personal missions and there is nothing like the "wake up call of being pushed to your limit to find out that none and I do mean "none of it is possible without them…and after all, the true beauty of this sport, whether volunteering, competing or spectating is that it teaches us to never quit because there are always willing and helpful souls to pick you up and assist you when you need it the most, as long as you don´t give up on yourself.
Saturday morning was beautiful and the race started without any hitches, Paul Schoenlaub and David Wakefield were trying to be cool and act nonchalant, but were both chomping at the proverbial bit anxiously, yet confidently…like prizefighters getting ready to tear into each other. At the start, the two blew down the small piece of road before dumping onto the trail to never be seen again by any other competitors. Both of these gentlemen are what we consider "Flat Rock Crazies ya know…certifiable, because they have both been here twice and they both came back for a third time. Most importantly, what really makes them "whacked is they both had intentions of breaking five hours on this course. How better can you say death wish? Just for the record, in the previous eight years only 1.24% of all competitors here at the Flat Rock 50K have achieved a sub five hour finish.
The race between these two demented hopefuls was still fairly close at the turnaround point, however, Schoenlaub pulled away on the return trip. With "Flat Rock Fire in his eyes, a champion´s grace in his stride and a massive smile upon his chops, Schoenlaub ran under the finisher´s tent in a time of 4:57:25 to become only the "fourth competitor in the nine year history of this event to break five hours, as well as breaking the record for the oldest sub five hour finisher. A little under twenty-five minutes later Wakefield came cruising in shaking his head and mumbling something to himself about not breaking five hours…again. However, there is no doubt that Wakefield will return next year to conquer his goal of a sub five hour finish here at "the Rock as it has undoubtedly "got up in him!
But, let´s not forget, Schoenlaub will be back next year to defend his title as we have already received his entry for 2004. Who wants some of "Mr. P"…come on, who wants some? No competitor has ever broken five hours on this course twice…will it happen next year? Only one has tried…Mr. Eddie Mulkey…he failed…"the Rock beat him down on Round Two, unfortunate...but it happens. If I could even remember the name of the guy who won in 2001 maybe we would issue some kind of challenge to him…oh yeah…isn´t he the course record holder too, and what state was he from exactly? I doubt we´ll see him next year, I think he mentioned something to me about taking up equestrian activities or something like that. What about that guy from Topeka who broke five the same year "what´s his name won …will we see him next year? Who knows, but Schoenlaub is destined to set history next year and all we´re wondering here on "the Ranch is if there are any ultrarunners who actually think they can become "the fifth competitor next year to break five.
Finishing third overall and our Men´s Masters Champion for this year, David Scott blazed through in 5:44:21 showing that the SLUGS are truly a "MidWestern Ultra Force to be reckoned with. Watch out SLUGS (and other states that think they can field a team of capable ultrarunners) maybe we´ll have to issue a team challenge for our 10th Anniversay Race in 2004…no Freudian slip intended…stay tuned! Past 2002 Women´s Champion and six-time previous finisher of the 50K, Mindy Wilson narrowly defended her ´02 victory finishing just a little over six minutes in a time of 6:29:07, just in front of 2001 Women´s Champion and six-time previous finisher, Theresa Wheeler, who blazed through the finishers tent in time of 6:35:32. Mari Mohr, who last year sprained her ankle while attempting to do "the Rock came back showing true grit and an unyielding determination that resulted in a sub seven hour finish, coming in with a very respectable time of 6:52:10 and claiming Women´s Masters Champion.
Dave Dinkel, Dave Noltensmeyer and Dennis Haig all finished their ninth consecutive Flat Rock 50K and are now only one race away from lifetime free entry into the event and are slated to become the first inductees into the "Flat Rock Hall of Pain upon completing next year´s 50K event. Heavyweight Tom Lasater is right on their heels with eight consecutive finishes and is looking forward to his induction in 2005. Special thanks to our "Illinois Boys Duane Frichtl and Jeffrey Skibbe for recruiting and enrolling a whole regimen of "Flat Rock Firsts to come experience what I have grown quite fond of referring to as our "little gem. We also attracted our youngest competitor in the history of the 50K event, 18-year-old Brenton Floyd. Floyd has completed marathons in all 50 states and is the youngest finisher of the "50 State Club which is undoubtedly due to his whirlybird cap that aided him in his finish here at Flat Rock.
In the 25K event, Eric Nelson was the first place male finisher with a time of 2:26:36. Sarah Hill-Nelson, was the top female finisher with a time of 3:04:01. This year my older sister, Linda Thom, who has been gracious enough to write the press-releases for this event, completed the 25K for the first time and experienced the attraction of such a trail run like Flat Rock. She quotes: "I had never attempted a race of this length or type before. It was a blast! I stepped around rocks, slipped in mud, climbed over tree limbs, crossed a few streams and ran when possible! In spite of being only half the distance of the 50K because the 25K covers the toughest portion of the trail it still gives runners a good opportunity to get there "dose of the Rock and if they get addicted they can return the following year for twice the fun by doing the 50K.
As the afternoon moved into early evening, the remaining 25 & 50K competitors continued to roll in to the sounds of clamoring cowbells, clapping hands, hootin´& hollorin, the blasting of my infamous "Blue Horn and the whistling of a choo-choo train…if you could hear it over the rest of the raucous cheering. Eager family members and friends greeted their loved ones with a warm smile and congratulations while watching other runners finish with various scrapes, bruises, bangs, cuts, etc., yet all of them carrying that irreplaceable smile that can only be associated with digging deep and coming up with a measurable form of personal achievement. Chili and pasta were served up in copious quantities all afternoon and evening long as Flat Rock Veterans and Neophytes traded stories that would horrify and glorify the trail which they had communed with and became a part of that day.
Once again, we had another large turnout at the post-race campfire which demonstrated that the "Flat Rock Family is continuing to grow as the rich lore associated with the camaraderie of the people and the sweet, yet wicked nature of this course are entwining their way into the ultrarunning community. Thanks to Dave (the Blue Flame) Dinkel for stoking up some most delicious popcorn on his campfire popcorn popper and to Bud Baker for supplying and delivering a nice load of wood for the campfire. As always, the help of some key individuals was critical in the manifestation of another successful event. Thanks to all of the extremely dedicated volunteers (my sons and born salesmen…go figure, Harrison & Sam Steele, Chef Paul Myshka…for his fine culinary skills, Gretchen Mitchell, Kathleen Folks, David Bushey, Victor & Junior, Chad Flint & his sister Rhonda, Marilyn Lamm and of course, my KUS co-founders, Scott Demaree, Randy Albrecht and Marc Friesen) who have given of their time and talent to make this event an experience that many runners want to, and will, have again. Many thanks also to Hammer Nutrition/E-Caps and Conquest Thirst Quencher who have given tremendously over the years to support our events and provide most excellent fuel for the individuals who compete in them. Finally, thanks to the competitors, who support this event (and all KUS events), individuals who truly appreciate the experience we have grown fond of calling "KUSpitality"…it has been our sincere pleasure over the past eight years to serve you and we are stoked you are a part of "the race that started it all."
Next year we are are celebrating our 10th Anniversary and if you have ever entered the 50 or 25K in the previous nine years you are entitled to a 50% discount for our 10th Anniversary Event. We are capping entries at 125 for both races combined and are confident we will reach capacity many months before the event as we had 65 entries for this year´s event. We have already received five entries for next year´s celebration and if you are on the KUS e-mail list you will be receiving monthly updates on the number of entries we have for both events, so you can get your entry in before it´s too late. Send your entry in now, as you will definitely want to be a part of next year´s celebration…and always remember: "Our Rocks Need You! Run long and prosper.
50K Competitor, David White Adds:
FLAT ROCK ROCKS
and rocks and rocks and more rocks... Wow, I forgot how rocky this one is. I ran this race one other time in 2000 and I guess it took that long to recover both physically and mentally from the beating the trail gave me. I don't think the total elevation gain and loss is that great, only 5,000 ft. over the 50K distance, but what gets to everyone is the rocky trail. The year hasn't been going well for running ultras. I was injured for most of the earlier part of the year. I got running well again this spring, then had a horseback riding accident in June, which limited my running for a while after that. Pikes Peak Marathon went well, but through the summer I couldn't run very hard on trails without the knee giving me problems. I wasn't sure how Flat Rock would go with limited trail running.Flat Rock is a true, honest trail ultra. Anyone who has run it can agree it one of the most difficult, technical trails in the area. The Race Director, Eric Steele, had studied the results of all 50K trail ultras in the nation. He believes it is the fourth most difficult 50K in the nation. Phil Sheridan has run other 50K's in the 3:30 range and has only been able to run a 5:04 on this one. A sub 5 hour finish will put a runner in Flat Rock Hall of Fame. This year I have worked more races than I have run. I think it is time to get in a little racing and have some fun. The only problem is I have to leave town to be able to do it. Flat Rock is directed by Eric Steele. A very competent race director who puts on a fantastic trail run. The Kansas Ultrarunners Society (KUS) is a well organized club with a lot of very nice members. This run is lots of fun, low key, and everyone feels like part of the family the moment they arrive. I put this one on my list for the year so I could get back and see old friends and enjoy the company of ultra runners at quality event.I got into Independence, KS at 6:30 on Friday evening. I checked into the Super 8 and was about to leave for the pasta dinner at race headquarters. I looked out the door and saw a terrible deluge and windstorm going on. I couldn't even go 20 feet to my car without getting drenched, so I went back to the room the turn on the television to see if there were any tornado warnings. The weather channel said it was a small isolated storm, soon to subside. It must have dumped two inches of rain in an hour. I thought ... this is going to make this trail interesting tomorrow. I finally made it to the pasta dinner and connected with the other SLUG's that were there.Race day:Paul Schoenlaub, Alex Kovalev. Dan Carnescalli, Dave Scott, and I were to make up the SLUG contingent for the day. Five SLUG members is a good showing for this tough remote trail run. We knew we were going to have some good competition since some of the Kansas runners can train on the trail and get a home field advantage. The downpour the night before didn't help the trail conditions. We now had slippery rocks and a few more branches to trip over. Well, it effected everyone the same, so it would slow everyone else also. I made it to the 25K turn around in 8th place feeling as well as I could expect to. I took a fall at around 10 miles and the bleeding on my knee was nearly stopped, so I thought I could try move up in the field. I passed a couple more runners and moved up to 6th place. I held that position until 28 miles and got passed by the three runners again. My feet were trashed and I was doing more walking than running on this very technical section. Those runners were not doing much better than I and I was always able to see or hear them on the trail ahead of me. When we came out of the woods we ran 3/4 mile section of gravel roads. Yes, no more rocks. I was able to run it in and passed one more runner to finish 8th place in a time of 6:28:XX, my personal worst for 50K. When I ran this race in 2000 I was 8th overall and a time of 6:21. With the mud and slippery rocks, I this is at least the equivalent performance, so I am pleased with everything.Paul Schoelaub was the over all winner with a sub 5 hour time. This will put him in the hall of fame, or something. I will let him tell his story, but it was an awesome run for the conditions that day. Dave Scott, new SLUG and recent immigrant from Champaign, IL was third. Many of you remember meeting him at the SLUG picnic. We have another good trail runner joining our club. Alex kovalev had a very good time and Dan Carnescalli finished it very well looking strong. The SLUG's are become a club be recognized at area ultras. We had three members finish in the top 10 at this event. Not bad for a small club like ours.This is a tough trail run, but I highly recommend it to anyone. It is a well organized event, great people and lots of fun. Do it next year and I guarantee you will have an enjoyable time.
50K Competitor, Lynn Ballard Adds:
FLAT ROCK 50K
Driving up through Oklahoma and into southern Kansas didn't seem to terribly intimidating, as the rolling hills never got to high nor the terrain too rough. Sherman, Durant, Atoka, McAllister, Henryetta, Tulsa, and so on...
We arrive at the Channel Outlet campground and are well received by the KUS (Kansas Ultrarunners Society) volunteers and race director Eric Steele. We quickly get signed up and set out to select our campsite, a nice shady one near the channel coming under the dam on Elk City Reservoir. We throw our tent(s) up and I decide that since the only thing other than sunshine on the forecast was "windy" for Saturday, I would put a few stakes down just in case. Back to the S/F area for the 'eat until you can't walk' pasta dinner promised by Eric and his KUS cohorts. We say grace and go through the line to find tons of spaghetti and meatballs and am almost done with my second plate when I ask "was that thunder?" Before anyone can answer, my plate is puddling with rainwater blowing horizontally in the side of the pavilion from the North. We all shift to the south side of the pavilion only to have a change of weather and a wind shift that now blows horizontal from the South, accompanied by quarter-sized hailstones!
Rubbing my head (hailstones, remember?) I think to myself "glad I put the stakes down. The storm retreats almost as quickly as it arrives, but not before soaking everyone and everything. We beat a hasty retreat back to our tents and review the trail map to discuss points of access for my fan club (wife and mother) to meet up with me during the day, then call it a night.
Rise and shine (dimly) at 6 AM. To fill the Camelback, pack the snacks and slather up with BodyGlide before heading over to the 7AM pre-race briefing. As I walk up to the briefing area I realize I forgot to put my contacts in...which I beat a hasty retreat back to the tent to address, hoping that's the only thing I forgot. After reminding the runners that the trail is very challenging and "we're really not kidding about our motto for the race...If you look up, you're going down", the RD told us where the actual starting line was...about ½ mile up the road...we plodded to the start.
With the makings of a gorgeous sunrise behind us, we were sent on our assault on the Elk River Hiking trail for the day at 7:30AM. I promptly reminded myself that this was a training run, not a race for me. Pulling back to the back third of the pack, I secretly thought that I would rather enjoy passing folks at the end, as I was in top shape for this race. Down the road, across a grassy meadow and up, up, up we wound to the top of the rock shelf overlooking the lake. The previous night's rain provided mud in the few spots the rocks didn't dominate, promptly filling in the gaps between the lugs on my Montrail Hurricanes. This made the rock's even more interesting, as I quickly had a couple of near misses and a good slide-down to remind me this might be a long day.
Up and over the ledge and through some very deceptive high grassy meadows with rocks looming just out of sight, hiding in the grass (which was about waist high), I was just about to line out and lengthen my stride and "bang", glad I have those toe bumpers, "thwap", wow, that could have been a really bad ankle sprain, and on.... What's that noise? I hear an unknown runner yell "buffalo", what, are there buffalo here? And quickly another responds "buffalo" then another and another from above me, behind me in front of me, seemingly everywhere! "Some runners are just weird", I think to myself (my wife thinks all runners are weird).
I am running 3rd in a train of runners for a while, so I ask "who do we have in this train? I'm Lynn." "Bill" comes from in front of me, "and that's John up front". "Steve", from right behind me, "Marlyss" further back and then a faint "Kay" from even further back. Suddenly John stops to tie a shoe and Bill pulls over with him and I'm in front. Running comfortably, I pick it up a bit, as I am a little impatient with the extended slowdowns we've been experiencing. Now, I'm really concentrating on the trail and carefully choosing each footplant.
In no time, we are upon the first aid station, where 4 or 5 runners are gathered. I blow right past, generating a few comments and some raised eyebrows. I drop the train at the aid station and am now running alone. I continue in my solitude, thinking that the long training runs have conditioned me to go without support for 9-10 miles at a time, so I plot to not stop until the 9-10 mile aid station. Next thing I know, I'm blowing through the second aid station. A quarter mile down the trail, there is a water crossing and I get careless selecting my footing...s**t! Water in my shoes! That's OK, it's not too bad and I'll be able to change at the turn, cause wife and mother will meet me there.
Up and down the rock shelf, I continue, then realize someone is behind me. Darn, am I slowing down? No, Steve and one of the other runners left open-mouthed at the first aid station have decided to haul ass, and attribute their change of pace to my blowing through the aid stations. I move over let them by and find myself happy to get back to running alone. I hit the 9.6 mile aid station, take a hit of Conquest from the table (hey, this stuff is good), grab a handful of orange slices, a half banana and continue on with less than 30 seconds delay. This is the first access point where my wife and my mother talked about meeting me. It is still early and they are enjoying the camp, I think to myself...no worries. I'm feeling really good and now am looking forward to the turnaround. Up, down, stumble, taking in the morning in the Kansas wilderness, awesome!
I blow through the next aid station and reflect that these stations seem as close together as the one-a-mile setups they have in road races. Still, it feels good to reach an aid station when you have some gas left! I pick it up a bit more and realize I am closing on another runner. We're on a jeep road with a slight uphill grade. What's that? He's walking, the afterburners kick in (yeah right, like I'm only doing 12 min miles!) and shortly after he crests the hill and begins running, I pass him. Wow that felt great. I quickly put him out of sight and find another one that I begin to reel in. Shortly after I pass, I'm really feeling confident and I hear "no, left, left". It's the guy I just passed telling me I just missed the turn off the jeep trail. A little embarrassed, I thank him profusely, correct my path and continue on. Less than three miles to the turnaround.
Now I hit a portion of the trail that seems more like rock climbing, as I'm forced to scratch and claw my way up and down a few rock faces, across some pretty wet stuff, as the rain from last night is draining toward the river. I'm now about 2 miles out and the leaders are approaching. Yes, two young featherlights that seem to be enjoying themselves. I'm thinking they must have been raised by mountain goats, as they glide over some of the really rough stuff. Now I'm counting the other runners returning from the turnaround and realize there are only about 16-17 ahead of me.
I reach the turn and realize that my wife and my mother have skipped this access point, as well. Oh well, the shoes and socks are doing just fine and I don't really want to take the time to change them anyway, but the ice cold Mountain Dew and Ensure sure would be good right now. Oh well...back to the start. "Buffalo", "buffalo"..."buffalo" I hear. These guys are weird... I pass the pack on the way back out from the turn, maybe 1-1/2 or 2 miles out. Wow, I have put some good distance on the gang and now am running about mid-pack. Here is a really flat section near the river bank without too many rocks, I kick it up a bit and am moving really well. "Bang, snap, crackle, pop", I'm on my back, as a result of my first really hard fall of the day. My right thumb is throbbing, a result of jamming it into the trunk of a small tree I tried to grab on the way down. My left knee is pounding from the banging and hyperextension it took on the way down. Crap! I take stock and realize that nothing is really hurt but my pride and maybe my thumb...no blood, so I remind myself of Jay Norman's words..."I don't need it to run" and I took off.
Blow back through the next aid station and get back to the 9.6 (on the way out) station. Wife and mother are sitting in lounge chairs and I announce they are fired (remember the wet socks and the no show at the turnaround?). Everyone gets a good laugh and I slam down a couple of Ensures and some Mountain Dew (man, I love that stuff), take a banana, kiss the wife and take off, knowing that I'll be done in 2-21/2 hours. I decide to pick it back up to a pretty good clip. I'm still not seeing anyone until I get to the next aid station. The volunteer looks at my number and then his list and says "good job, Lynn". "Are you Lynn as in jlynnbob?" I hear from a guy that is sunbathing in a chair nearby. "Yes, I say". "I'm mazerunner", he replies, a bud from the Runner's World UltraRunner board. He jumped up and fell in with me for the next 2-3 miles, leading the way. It was good to catch up with him, as we had traded several posts on the board, but had never met. We hit a long uphill and he stepped aside stating "you're a stronger climber, so go ahead" and I pulled us up the rest of the grade. He fell back and shortly I was alone again with about 5 miles to go.
I got back into some pretty rough terrain and took another hard fall. Hard enough to slow me down quite a bit. I continue on and snag my left foot on a root and it stops me dead in my tracks...no fall just suspended like one of Batman's foes hit me with a freeze ray! That pulled everything from my lower back down to my pinky toe! Immediately I cramped up in the muscle group that runs down the inside of my thighs, knees and calves. That was painful! I work it out and continue on, again a bit slower and more cautiously. After all, I don't want to hurt something that would jeopardize Palo Duro!
A few more ups and downs and I make sure I am comfortable that there is enough distance between me and the next guy and kick it into finish gear. Down off the trail and onto the dam road (no, really, it goes up and over the dam), I am back at the starting line (but not the finish line). It feels good to be able to stretch out and run without worrying about the rocks for a change! On to the finish where I received the most raucous cheering and whistling and clapping I have ever received in any race I've run (and most of it coming from Eric, the RD). My finish was 7:37:22, the longest it has taken me ever to cover that distance, but I feel like a winner (and know I ran a good race).
I grab a bowl of chili, visit with Ken (Mazerunner) and Mrs. Mazerunner before hitting the showers. What a great race! Very well run by a friendly group of folks from KUS.
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