I am drinking an iced coffee, that I requested Jayne bring out to the course. It might be considered contraband!!!

I really enjoyed the scenery, and that is one of the major reasons why I wanted to enter this event. We ran over the same stretch of road for 50 miles on Sat. and I thought, how am I going to look forward to running over the same stretch of road the next day for 44 miles?? Believe it or not, I actually looked forward to running the 50K the next day.

The snow cap mountains in the background look absolutely majestic. When Jayne and I ran the 9 mile trail section of the 50K on Sunday, we ran in those mountains.

Here I am taking a walk break. I am so close to finishing, and that guy behind me ended up passing me when we did our turnaround at the 3 mile mark on the last out and back. I don't remember Jayne running with me here. I think I was in the delerious state. Not quite euphoric, but still delerious.

Las Vegas Ultra running

The perfect dinner before a 50 mile run is eating with friends. Lisa and I enjoyed the grilled Salmon and oh- don't forget a glass or two of Vino!! It was a beautiful night to enjoy our meal outside.

Race morning, and Eric and I enjoy a nice warm up run together. This was Eric's first race in two years after some health problems. Let's just say he tore up the course. He was first overall by about 30 minutes to the 2nd. place finisher. I had the pleasure and privledge of running with him from mile 16 to 22. After that he got faster and I slowed down. I don't know how he does it, but I do know that he knows his shoes. Eric owns Red Rock Running Co. in Las Vegas. It is a fabulous shoe store, and he has a good memory for what shoes you buy and wear. Thanks Eric for your company on the run. It was good to see you running with so much joy and strength.

It was a really beautiful morning. The winds were light, which did give way to stronger winds by the afternoon. The temps were very nice.

The Canyon is an amazing place. Too bad we didn't spot any burros though.

Las Vegas

You gotta love the milling around before the race. It's a rather subdued crowd. Simple people looking to run mega miles.

Looking out into the vast unknown of the canyon was not as intimitating as preparing for an Ironman on race morning.

The road seemed to go on forever. Mile markers were placed every mile, and the support crew at the aid stations were very helpful.

Labor of Love

hI have about 5 min. to post a few pictures and my description of the Labor of Love 2 day ultra running event. Below is a small summary that I wrote on the plane. It really only touches the surface of all the accounts of the weekend. Jayne played the perfect host for my stay. And all my wonderful Vegas friends where around to share the visit, Lisa, Kim, Julie, and most of all Chicky, who was our fan out on the course. Kim drove out to meet us with less than 5 miles to go on the 50K and actually had a cooler of ice which was my saving grace for the tight IT band. Chicky and Jayne brought me an ice coffee, which really gave me a boost for the final 10 miles of the 50 mile run on Saturday. I will have to follow up with more stories. In the meantime......

This unique experience of ultra running is the ultimate endeavor that will test the body, mind, soul and spirit a basic life principle; to be in the moment.

Running for distances longer than the average person cares to drive sounds like a daunting task. In a runners’ mind – the distance is merely a small obstacle to conquer. Every step, every breath brings us closer to realizing that we can make anything happen. Our energy takes us in the direction we are going. If we feel tired, we slow down. If we feel energized we speed up. The continuous motion of traveling from point A to point B (finish line) using manual locomotion over distances greater than the average marathon (26.2) sets the stage for what I describe as a delirious euphoria of painful delight. In other words it’s a: “Labor of Love.”

The Labor of Love was the perfect fitting title to Calico’s Racing ultra run event at Lovell Canyon in Las Vegas, NV.

When a challenge is presented to run distances from 80-100 miles, how can one refuse? The Labor of Love ultra run offered different running options for everyone. I signed on for the 50miles on Saturday, followed by the 50K on Sunday. I completed 80 miles over a two day period. Finishing both runs is a stepping stone to my first 100 mile ultra in August 2010, called the Viaduct Ultrarun, located in Landsboro, PA.