check out pics from the race

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30443797&l=5df7bb78bb&id=1374592130

Enjoy...I slept hard for ten hours last night. In my clean bed with my clean pillow. As opposed to the few 15 minute naps I grabbed in a 15 passenger van seat using anyone's dirty whatevers as a makeshift pillow. Ultra adventure runs are great fun. A shower and a clean bed after the race are even better. Now it's back to reality: work, meetings, lawn to be mowed, business trip next week (Joe actually had to fly out today, ugh), family coming to town...

farewell MC200 2009

Headed home after finishing our 200 miles in exactly 27.5 hours -- a 8:15 per mile pace. We are sunburned,blistered,chaffed,
salt-depleted,sleep-deprived,bacteria-laden...the list goes on BUT most importantly thankful for great fun and great friendships and God's protection and safety...signing off so I can sleep - look for pics soon!

making progress

Joe and Tom are done and Howard running final leg - still crazy humid. I met Dawn from Geneva IL who I hung with for most of the last run - what a champion!

what is that smell

It is raining and this van smells like a bad tuna fish sandwich

made it thru the night

Some major chaffing but the legs are holding up - we just started our fifth rotation

raining

Bummer
Starting fourth rotation

first rotation done in 4 hours and 20 minutes

Clouds have moved in but still humid

hot and humid

The sun popped out and it is hot - Clint is on his first rotation - 3 legs down 33 to go

hot and humid

The sun popped out and it is hot - Clint is on his first rotation - 3 legs down 33 to go

meet the team: Tom (meet me?)

Uh, this is odd. Writing about myself. But they forced me. After all, that is what a blog is, isn't it? A weB LOG of your own thoughts/dreams/rantings and ravings?

First of all: with me in the picture on the left is Jerry Johncock, a GR running hero. This pic is after he spanked me by like 20 minutes in the GR Marathon in October 2008. And he is 84 years old. Yea, do the math. He is such a great witness of Jesus - has a "Run with Jesus" shirt that he wears at every race. He is the fastest runner in his age category in the nation! I just love this guy.

I took on the "tribe" leadership last December when I realized how much fun it would be to take five other guys on this incredible adventure and journey with me (after completing this event twice before w another team from Cornerstone Church). Three of the team members ran the GR Marathon with me and it was easy to find two more willing (insane?) members to create the new team.

So here we are, all the months of training comes down to the next 24 hours of testing our endurance and athletic prowess. Because after all, it is about endurance, not speed, in an event like this. Most of the 125 teams competing have 12 members. Only 13 teams have 6 members (making us an ULTRA team). I started running when I turned 40 and my doctor said "your cholesterol is out of whack, start doing something aerobic" so, since running seemed to be in my genes (I have siblings that have been runners for years) that's what I decided to try. One time around the block and I was hooked. So with a few marathons, countless pairs of shoes, gallons of gatorade, too many 5K's to count and two of these 200 mile relays behind me, this is not just one more medal to display. It is a chance to "count on God" again for strength, peace, protection. Running is spiritual. I talk to God and do my best to listen to God as well. I love Psalm 18:33 - "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer" - that is my prayer for all of us as we run today and tomorrow. Thank God I have a wife and kids that put up with all of this craziness...

Now it's off to the store to load up on bananas, granola bars, drinkable yogurts, water...all that great post run grub. Stay tuned for more...let the race begin!

why the team name: Ultra Baal-Out?

Go back to my December 9 post...and read about the significance of the team name.

We are up and at 'em here in Madison. Of course, Howard and Chris were knocking on our door like Chip and Dale chipmunks at 8 AM...come on already, Ken and I never get to sleep in...

Meet the team: Howard

Howard likes adventures...and the MC200 would qualify as one more adventure to be added to his list...

Howard had a career change that also included a diet change four years ago. Running became a natural byproduct of this healthier lifestyle and he hasn't looked back since. With three marathons under his belt - the MC200 seemed like a "natural next-step" adventure.

He is on track for hitting his current life-running goal of running a marathon a year and as of 2009 he's added running an ultra event every year as a goal as well, (which may change once we arrive in Chicago tomorrow) (!).

Running requires accountibility, training and running w the team takes discipline and accountability and Howard sees the direct correlation with spiritual growth. Accountability and discipline are required for that as well. Howard is blessed with a supportive wife and family that encourages him in what can sometimes be a time consuming sport.

Gears and Gadgets: the Garmin watch gives Howard great insights - and holds him accountable to his mileage...he can't cheat on his miles! Howard runs rotation three - a total of almost 38 miles...the longest total distance of any member on the team. WE are all glad to have the Udo's Oil (Oil the machine!) pusher on the team - an amazing product. Enjoy those 38 miles Howard!

on the road

Creeping along on I-294 - gotta love Chicago construction

Meet the team: Chris McKenna

Meet Chris McKenna. CPA by day, Youth Pastor by night and weekend. Husband, Father and excellent runner. How excellent? This hot shot ran a 10:09 2-miler as a senior in high school - I'm impressed (and I'm not easily impressed).

Chris started running track in the 7th grade, so running has been a part of his life for quite awhile. Chris gladly stepped up to take the sixth leg in the rotation, meaning he starts last and finishes last - running a total of 37.5 miles. The MC200 was attractive to him because of the challenge that it presents and it's unlike anything he's ever done before...5K's just don't excite Chris anymore!

Running is something that provides peace (imagine that) for Chris: it gives him time to chat with God - a chance to put pain and hardship aside and just connect one on one with God. "Success is often dictated by dedication. Life is similar. Some find success because they were destined, but most find it because they are dedicated."

I couldn't have said it better - this team will find success this weekend because of the dedication each member has given over the past six months.

One last tidbit: Chris is the fast food junkie on the team. And he has a BMI of probably zero. I keep telling him that it WILL catch up with him...someday, when he leasts expects it, he'll look in the mirror and those love handles will be there. Someday. Just you wait.

Meet the team: Joe Fifer

Joe has the distinct honor of running in the first rotation, which means he finishes first as well. He’ll run a total of 30 miles in his six legs, unless he makes a wrong turn somewhere…like in the dark 1 AM state park run with no street lights and a boggy swamp on both sides of the road…no pressure, Joe, no pressure.

Joe has been running off and on since his 20’s – but really got serious and consistent with his running about eight years ago – Joe notes: “it is probably not a coincidence that this came just a few years after quitting drinking. It is just a bit easier to run consistently when I am not drinking every day!” I for one am a product of Joe’s running encouragement – he was a motivating factor in my first 25K six years ago and I know he has done the same for others.

So why run? “I run for myself – it is the primary way I keep fit, it keeps me focused as I tend to drift without a goal” So why run the MC200 relay? “I like the challenge of something new and the chance to do a highly individual sport as a team.” Joe points out that 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 are two great verses that motivate him – God gives us this body and we need to take care of it. Failure to take care of it, at least in a balanced way is sinful …Ken preached on this a few years ago so it must be right!!

Joe completed his first marathon in October 2008. Now the MC200 Relay. He has eight 25K’s under his belt…I think an Ironman is in his future! It’s great to have a strong runner starting our team off this Friday at 1 PM.

meet the team: Ken

If you want to hear Ken scream like a little girl, just hide on any portion of the Kent Trail where you'll find him running and push a skunk out onto the trail...and make sure you have the recording device ready. Ken runs to stay in shape - both physically and spiritually - he has always been a sprinter - in life and on the track - so running long distances has taught him how to pace himself, how to fight through the hard times and how to keep the end goal in mind. "Press on toward the prize" (Philippians 3:14) is always on his mind.

Running seriously for 2+ years, he has accomplished several 25K's, a marathon and now the ultimate: the MC200 relay. For Ken, prep is key for this relay (Ken is running in the 5th rotation - and his last run is his most grueling: 8.2 miles. He'll run a total of 31.5 miles over the six legs) so he has done the prep well: long runs for the base mileage and 3-a-days and 2-a-days this past week.

I'm looking to Ken for that comic relief and strong encouragement when we are all wasted mentally and physically. And, just for kicks, I hope we see at least one skunk over the 200 miles.

meet the team: Clint

Clint is the youngest member of the Ultra Baal-Out team, but that's what keeps us old guys challenged - young, strong, fast legs. His time in the U. S. Army gave him plenty of opportunities to run, but through the training for the MC200 he has run longer and further than ever before AND experienced some great running highs - along w blistered feet, chaffed nipples and Howard's magic potion drinks - all for the first time - yes the sign of a true runner!

He is serious about some running goals this year which include: run a sub 20 minute 5K, and finish a marathon - BUT let's keep our priorities straight, first he needs to run his six legs in the 4th rotation of the MC200 (total of 31.2 miles). What motivates Clint to keep running? it's an opportunity to pray, see the world in slow motion and of course hang out with some very inspiring teammates. I love this quote from Clint: "if you don't push your limits, they will push you, and with God there are no limits!"

Oiling the Machine

thanks to the sponsorship of Udo's Oil, we've all been "oiling the machine" for the past few months. I love Udo's Oil and have personally seen an incredible turn around in a nagging problem I've had for over a year with a tight IT Band - no longer bothering me since I've consistently been using Udo's 3-6-9 Blend. Check it out for yourself at http://www.udoerasmus.com/ or http://www.florahealth.com/

So what has Udo's Oil done for you? Have you tried it yet? This skeptic is a believer and a very vocal evangelist for what it has done for me.

All six members of the team were together today - and these happy faces are celebrating a wet but great River Bank Run last week (we all finished between 2:06 and 2:15) and a great 6.75 mile run this morning. Some have already started the 2 a day or 3 a day runs prepping for the big race which is only three weeks away. Look for individual stories from each team member in the coming days...

T-minus two months and counting

Isn't that the lingo they use with the space shuttle? That's what I felt like this morning: that I was running with a space shuttle - that would be Mr. Chris McKenna. He never tires - always bounding ahead - without hydration or any noticeable stretching pre or post run. Good thing we gave him the sixth rotation for the run, he'll need that bounding when he is running the 36th leg to bring the team into Chicago in two months. Chris, Joe and I did 14 this morning. Howard out of town, Ken returning from Guatemala, Clint recovering from minor surgery.

So the hotel is booked, van is reserved, each leg is assigned. And Dar our driver can't wait to drive and pray us through the 200 miles. Now we need to stay healthy and get through the River Bank Run in a month. And keep sipping that Udo's oil each day. More on that later - as we head into this final stretch look for more regular updates.

california - again?

More warm sunny running for the week ahead as I lead a running group of pastors at the National Pastors Conference in San Diego - six runs are scheduled - as Ken Nash says - I am "living large"!

40 degrees

40 degrees - that is the difference in the air temp between my last run in Michigan on Sunday and my run in Corona, CA yesterday. Yes Sunday seemed like a heat wave in Michigan with temps pushing 40 degrees - but to run in shorts and short sleeves and have the sun and 80 degrees and no snow or ice to dodge - pure bliss! And the best thing: I'm back again next week for more of the same! Sorry to rub it in to my Michigan running friends: it is spectacular out here in Southern California!

Peer Pressure

Nothing like a friendly nudge to bust you out of complacency - a week ago the alarm went off at 6:30AM and I rolled over, hit the alarm and went back to sleep, snuggled warmly in the covers, convinced that no one else would be foolish enough to run when the wind chill was -15 degrees. This week I got this "where were you - you bum" email from fellow ultra baal out team member (and friend?) Chris McKenna:

After this past Saturday, and enduring -15 degree wind and snow, I believe certain members of the ULTRA team have proven that no weather will prevent us from training. For those who did not join us, and did not have a son playing basketball, you were heckled mercilessly for 4.52 miles :) That being said, it's a safe bet that at least ONE person will be running every Saturday morning, so rain, shine, snow, or other act of God (aren't they all?), show up, and enjoy the run!

Peace - Chris

So today I did not miss - not as cold, but still 13 degrees air temp with wind chill around 5 degrees. So the first mile was cold - but then it was very comfortable.

Peer pressure is a wonderful motivator...

We are half way through winter, it HAS to start getting warmer soon.

Look for profile of Ultra-Baal-Out team member Howard Atsma soon

Stay safe out there!

Happy New Gear

Want to see a happy runner? Give them running gear for Christmas. That's what my family did...including my new YAKTRAX (http://www.yaktrax.com/) - so I can run safely on snow and ice. Thanks to my special sister in law Penny for setting me up. I've used them twice this past week and love them. And you can't go wrong with a gift card to Gazelle Sports (http://www.gazellesports.com/) - my favorite running store in Grand Rapids - and that's exactly what my in-laws did...what an awesome gift. Finally, my wife and kids went crazy - energy bars, new socks - I'm all set - now if the wind chill would get above single digits :>(
So, what fun running gear did you get from Santa this year?