WMRC Run Reminder for 10/29/08

Reminder: we are on for a group trail run tomorrow morning 5:15 AM. Meet at the very top parking lot on Squaw Peak Drive. Plan on a little over an hour run at a slow to moderate pace. I can almost guarantee it. McCarville had a big weekend.

The runner of the week goes to Kirk McCarville for helping out with the Squaw Peak Scramble check point on Saturday then runs the Soma Triathlon on Sunday with a 126th overall finish, 3rd in his age group. 5:07:33 total time.

Runners up include Randy Ohlinger who also showed up at the Scramble to cheer everyone on and finished right behind McCarville at Soma. We can’t forget Nick’s impressive “hard rock like” Poker Run championship or Adam’s smashing the “unbeatable” record Poker Run Time.

Hope everyone had fun Saturday. For those who missed it there is always next year or the next Wednesday Run!!!

Very nice to see that Catra found the blog and loved Honey’s “Catra”.

2008 Poker Run Video

Check out the great video footage of the 2008 Squaw Peak Scramble Poker Run that Jeff Jones put together. Great Job Jeff!!!


WMRC Poker Run from Jeff Jones on Vimeo.

777 does the job!!!!

Records Fall as Nick Coury pulls three 7's to win the 2008 Squaw Peak Scramble Poker Run. Nick said this accomplishment was just as satisfying as his 5th place Hardrock 100 finish. Asked how he did it and he added "with some of the hardest card playing training of his life!!"

Under perfect weather conditions 28 runners participated in this year's SPS Poker Run. Leaving the starting point at Dreamy Draw Park interestingly about half the runners went to the Squaw Peak Drive check point first and the other half went to the 40th Street lot first. Mileage ranged from 9.1 miles to Dave Cauthon's early meandering 11.3 mile route. On the way down to Tatum Dave was overhead asking "Is this squaw peak drive???"

What was once thought of as an unbeatable record time was smashed by 6 runners. First in was Adam Hunt with a time of 1:09:05. Paul Bonnett 1:13:01 and Nick Coury 1:13:01 rounded out the top 3.

Honey "Catra" was the first female finisher and tied for 4th overall with Chip. Honey broke her 2006 womens record in a time of 1:21:45. Must have been the outfit and tattoos. Dare you to run your next Ultra in that thing!!!

Joe "Elvis" Galope rounded out the top 6 with the time of 1:26:25.

Even though there were some quick times, the SPC Poker Run is not all about who runs the fastest. Its about having fun, pulling the best poker hand, dressing up in a costume, winning some prizes and getting people out trail running.

If you were out in the Preserve that morning you would have seen people smiling, laughing, dazed and scratching their head as a tattooed up female "Catra" ran by them being chased by Elvis who was closely followed by a 6 foot "Girl Scout" with hairy legs. That "Girl Scout" was Jeff McCoy the winner of the Best Costume. (Hopefully someone has a photo!! The official photographer sucked this year)

Others who ran: John Pearce, Jody Chase, Jamie M, Dave "got lost" Cauthon , Tim Meyer, Mike Schell, Brad Combs, Laura P, Carol C, Candice, Lisa O, Robert A, Bob, Joanne, Jeff Jones, Jim Baca and Matt B with his 4 fellow medical students.

A special thanks Blain, Jamil, Kate and Kirk McCarville for manning the check points.

A big special thanks to Jeff Jones who designed and donated the travelling trophy.

Squaw Peak Scramble Poker Fun Run Tomorrow!!!

Hey Group, Reminder: Meet at Dreamy Draw Park a little after 7:00 AM. "The gun goes off at 7:30 AM". Directions to Dreamy Draw Park: Exit Northern Avenue from SR-51 go east all the way to the parking lot at the end. We'll set up under one of the Ramadas. Once again, Cosmas (run director), has outdone himself. Up for grabs are: 3 sets of Suns Basketball Tickets, 3 sets of Coyote Hockey Tickets, 2 Nathan Hydration Packs, two gift certificates, Zane Grey 50 mile trail run entry and art work. The best poker hand "Champion" not only gets their pick from above but also gets to hold onto the traveling trophy designed by Jeff Jones for one year. Wait to you see it. The Trophy is by far one of the nicest I have ever seen.

Everyone has a chance to win!!! Did I mention there is no fee? Bring a friend, lets have some fun!!

More detail info below on earlier post:

Best SPS "Tap Out" so far

So far Jon Roig has the best Squaw Peak Scramble Tap Out. Jon may give Kirk a run for best injury of the year. Don't even think about not showing unless you can beat this:

Sounds like it'll be fun, but I've got two convenient excuses:1) I'll be in Las Vegas for my friend's bachelor party. Should be pretty zany.2) The weekend before Man Against Horse, I was doing one last run on Camelback and totally wiped out running down the Cholla trail. It was pretty ugly, but it could've been way worse. I totally dislocated my shoulder, though, earning me a visit to the ER. (For the record, no helicopter rescue was required... I met the paramedics down at the bottom, so at least I left with honor.) I'm still running, albeit not as much as normal and I'm rocking a sling... which is pretty ridiculous looking, but it is what it is.'Course, that totally screws up my fall race schedule as I try 'n' figure out what I have to do to rehab this thing... but I'll be back in action soon enough.Thanks for the invite, though!

Squaw Peak Scramble This Saturday!!!

Squaw Peak Scramble update....IT IS ON!!!! Dreamy Draw Lot- This Sat, Oct 25th at 7am. Race to Start at promptly 7:28 am.

Prizes so far- 2 pairs Suns Tix, 2 pair Coyotes tix, No Cards tix, No PAC-10 leading Wildcat tix…. Nathan hydration waist packs, Runners Den Gift Cert. REI Gift Cert. more to come....Special prize goes to MVP---Takes everything into account,..... Run time, best costume, overall attitude, poker hand....and other stuff....

Here are the rules. Only one rule, STAY ON THE TRAILS! NO CROSS COUNTRY! You can take any route, any trail and any order to get to the 3 check points and then back to the start. You will be given a playing card at each of the 3 checkpoints as well as one at the start and finish. 5 total. The runner with the best poker hand at the finish is the grand prize winner. Other categories, fastest run time, slowest run time, best costume, attitude, most blood. Etc….The McCain award goes to whoever finishes with a smile but can’t remember which route he took to get there. The Obama award goes to the fastest rookie of the race, the runner that gets the best time with little or no Sq Pk trail experience.
The distance is anywhere from 8-10 miles depending on your route. Brad went 11.5 in 2006. Don’t follow him, Average 8.67.

Checkpoints
Dreamy Draw- Katie Cosmas and Blue-(it wouldn’t be fair if Blue won so he is getting his WS 100 volunteer hours)
40th st lot- Jamil Coury
Tatum Parking lot- Mrs. McCarville (Kate)
Sq Pk Lot- WMRC lot- Blaine Black

Each checkpoint will have an aid station set up. Check in with them and get your playing card and then run off to the next checkpoint. There is no water at Tatum lot. Get water at Sq Pk. and 40th st.

We will have a guest referee out there, and since I will not be eligible for any prizes, I will be wearing a referee shirt as well and have a whistle to blow if I see any shenanigans...I can be bribed, but the secret guest referee isn't as easily swayed and will put you in time out if she (oops there's a hint) catches you. By the way, "time out" is two minutes in the bathroom at the 40th st lot, if you have ever passed by there and smelled it, YOU DON"T WANT THAT!!!!! Trust me....

Course Records
Poker Hand- Kirk McCarville- Straight flush to the King- 2006 – Prediction- Never will be beaten.
Men - Higgie - 1:29.19 - Prediction- Dave C will shatter the course record.
Women - Honey 1:29.26 – Prediction- Honey will break her own record
Best costume- Brad Parker- 2006 - Forest Gump

This will be fun, so I hope everyone comes and joins us. Wear a costume and celebrate Halloween. Boo!

Cosmas

Zane Grey 50 is on!!!

The Zane Grey Highline Trail 50 Endurance run is on!! Joe Galope has stepped up as race director. Sign ups start November 1st. Race date is April 25th 2009. Check out the revised Zane website on the link to the right of the page. Great job Joe.

Laura's Man V Horse Report

It was so amazing! I still can’t believe I did it! I am just in awe of our WMRC group…amazing people that really helped to get me in the right shape. Here is what I sent to my family…

Hey fam,

The results are in from my race: I was the third female to finish! My official time is 4 hours and 40 minutes. Yay. Attached are some pics. All the other peeps in my running club did the 50 mile race, so I was there for that start. It was surreal to see all the riders and horses with the beautiful landscape in the background – almost from another time. And we had a beautiful view of Prescott Valley in the background. I saw those runners off to start their race, then went back to the warm car (It was too cold to stand around and stretch!) and read my People magazine until my race started.

The race was awesome. I started slow and stayed with a couple girls I ended up knowing from running on Squaw Peak. When we reached the mountain, they slowed down, so I went ahead, and that’s when I saw all my training pay off. I just kept passing people! Really great weather that got a little colder as we increased elevation, but was perfect for running. I included a pic of the finish line (those two orange make-shift posts), because you can see how far it is from the mountain – about 3 miles – that I sprinted over (well, I FELT like I was sprinting) through to the finish! I’m very happy with my finish and my time!

Laura P.

More Triathlon Vomit

Speaking of Triathlons Joe G sent over this photo of Jarrod Shoemaker finishing in the Olympics. Could you imagine the photo montage of all the WMRCers puking during a 100?

WMRC run reminder 10/15/08

Reminder: Group trail run in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve Wednesday morning 5:15 AM. Meet at the top lot of Squaw Peak Drive north of Glendale. Plan on a little over a one-hour run at a slow to moderate pace.

Another great weekend for WMRC runners.

Even though the event wasn’t on trails we have to give Latvaaho Runner Of The Week for his performance during the Ironman Triathlon championship in Kona, Hawaii. He’s not the fastest fish in the ocean but when you get him to land watch out. Chris passed 780 people on the bike ride. Then he goes out and passes 223 people during the run for a marathon time of 3:09:33 good for a 168th place overall. 30th in his division. WOW.

Other honorable notes:


Dave Cauthon ran a double dip this weekend. The 7 mile Cha Cha trail run on Saturday then the 17 mile Mazatzals on Sunday.

Other notables on the Cha Cha finishers list: Adam Hunt, Sandra Fontaine and Candice. Great job guys and gals.

Mazatzals: Nick Coury, Paul Bonnett and Andrew Heard finish 1,2,3. Gary Culver, Dave C, Robert A, Liz Everly, Rachel Jones, Michael Chen and Joanne Hughes finished right behind

The Start: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OgsBs8wwPU

Robert A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME69qC9NFiw

Mazatzals photos by Jamil Coury: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2374354&l=32f76&id=10001678

Special thanks to Jody Chase for taking the extra time cleaning up base camp after she finished marking the course.




TAW – Thug Apprehension of the Week: As the story goes, Michael C..n (witness protected) stopped at a Circle K to ask directions on his way over to the Jones’ house to carpool with RJ, Liz. Two thugs followed him and tried to rob him at gunpoint. He mashed the gas pedal to the floor and sped away. Moments later RJ, Liz and Michael were at Starbucks getting drinks for the road and guess what? The two thugs like starbucks too! Michael calmly asked an employee to call the police and presto the thugs were arrested!!!

Lastly, congratulations to those that went to the Cardinals football game and had to deal with Cowboy fans. Cards fans had the last laugh and took it to them!!!




Upcoming:
October 18th Javelina Jundred Full Moon Training Run 7 PM to 7 PM meet at the Pemberton trail head. More info at the Javelina website.
October 25th Squaw Peak Scramble. Meet at 7:00 AM for the 7:30 AM start. Dreamy Draw Parking Lot.

Latvaaho / Ironman World Championship, Kona

Good luck to WMRCer Chris Latvaaho who is running in the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii this Saturday. The McCarville's and Ohlinger's are there also!!! Must be nice. There is a live video web cast and you can follow his progress at this link:

http://ironman.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship?show=tracker&rid=172&y=2008&race=%2Fevents%2Fironman%2Fworldchampionship%2F&athlete=1189

He says the weather is hot and humid just how he likes it!!! Check out the photos of the start area he just sent. His daughter Ariana gets her great looks from her mom. Obviously not from Chris:)

It will be nice for him to get this Triathlon stuff over with so he can get back to the trails!!!

Higgins

WMRC Run Reminder 10/8/08

Reminder: Group trail run in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve tomorrow morning (10/8) 5:15 AM. Meet at the top lot of Squaw Peak Drive north of Glendale. Plan on a little over a one hour run at a slow to moderate pace.

What a great showing last weekend for WMRC runners. So many great performances it is impossible to choose just one Runner of Week.

ROW 1: Perry Edinger finished the Ultra Grand Slam in Fashion! 2nd place overall in the Arkansas 100 with a time of 19:07. Only 6 finishers this year in the grand slam. Perry finished first!!! 96 total hours. Great job Perry!! Also, great job to Honey for pacing duties the last 16 miles or so.

ROW 2, 3 & 4: Still waiting for final results for Man against Horse 50 and 25 mile trail run in Payson. However based on what we know congratulations to Paul Bonnett for a first place overall finish in the 50 Mile and Joanne Hughes for a first place female finish in the 50 mile. Don't have times but who cares? The 4th ROW goes to Laura Pflugfelder for not only finishing her first marathon but a trail one at that. She had a great race and finished strong.

Other notables on the WMRC list who were scheduled to run Man V Horse include: Chip, Debbie, Albert, Liz and Carol. look forward to hearing all about it. Sorry if I am missing anyone.

Honorable mention to Robert H, Rachel J and Laura Nagy for the Payson Half Marathon. Robert H ran a 7:20 pace. 7th overall. Any trails in that run? :>)

Squaw Peak Scramble Poker Run
Keep the date open. Saturday 10/25/08 7:00 AM. Dreamy Draw Parking Lot (Northern e/o of the SR-51)

The Rundown:
This is a no fee fun run. Start at Dreamy Draw Park and take any trail, any order, any speed to get to three other "checkpoints" in the preserve. Squaw Peak Drive lot, 40th st lot, Tatum lot.

At each of these checkpoints you will be dealt a playing card and one at the start and finish. The person with the best poker hand at the conclusion is the grand prize winner. There will be other awards and drawings as well. Depending on your route the distance is between 8 and 10 miles. 11 miles if you are Brad Parker:>)

The only rule to this is you must stay on the trails. No cutting switchbacks or jumping trails and going cross-country. No guns either to take out competition.

Best Poker Hand: Kirk McCarville 2006 Straight Flush to the King. No Joke!!!
Male course record: 1:29:19 (Kevin "Quick Draw" Higgins)
Female course record: 1:29:26 (Honey "Don't Shoot" Albrecht)

See you guys in the morning.

Higgins