Cactus Rose 2007

Race morning check in

2009-02-02T13:06:54Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Race morning check in

Melissa Heggen (15) of Denver, Allen Wrinkle (22) in background (r)

2009-02-02T13:05:48Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Melissa Heggen (15) of Denver, Allen Wrinkle (22) in background (r)

Bill Patience (50), Bill Nictakis (36) making last minute prep (Buddy Teaster looking on in back)

2009-02-02T13:05:10Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Bill Patience (50), Bill Nictakis (36) making last minute prep (Buddy Teaster looking on in back)

The check-in frenzy...TIMING CHIPS?????

2009-02-02T13:07:33Z

North Texas Trail Runners
The check-in frenzy...TIMING CHIPS?????

A cool Henry Hobbs (white shirt) with others before start

2009-02-02T13:08:07Z

North Texas Trail Runners
A cool Henry Hobbs (white shirt) with others before start

No real need to actually wake up before the start, right? Robert Heynen making sure I'm steady...

2009-02-02T13:04:12Z

North Texas Trail Runners
No real need to actually wake up before the start, right? Robert Heynen making sure I'm steady...

Robert and I took turns napping all day (and night). Dianna and Robert Heynen with me before start.

2009-02-02T13:06:29Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Robert and I took turns napping all day (and night). Dianna and Robert Heynen with me before start.

Bill Patience (50) and others making ready...

2009-02-02T13:04:31Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Bill Patience (50) and others making ready...

Susan Bell (?) front right with others just before start...

2009-02-02T13:06:13Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Susan Bell (?) front right with others just before start...

Working on my psych..."This is the 5K start, right?". Lynn Ballard (48), Bill Nictakis (in red shirt)

2009-02-02T13:04:09Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Working on my psych..."This is the 5K start, right?". Lynn Ballard (48), Bill Nictakis (in red shirt)

Joe Prusaitis with last minute briefing...Joyce Prusaitis on left, Richard Fry (46) and others listening closely

2009-02-02T13:05:17Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Joe Prusaitis with last minute briefing...Joyce Prusaitis on left, Richard Fry (46) and others listening closely

Joe threatens me with the "Whiners Penalty Box"

2009-02-02T13:07:46Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Joe threatens me with the "Whiners Penalty Box"

Lynn, Matt and others catching up just before GO! Tony Mathison front right in black (Burning River 100). Also shown... Vance McMurray (31), Gary Moroney (6) and mystery zombie people bump ...

2009-02-02T13:06:21Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Lynn, Matt and others catching up just before GO! Tony Mathison front right in black (Burning River 100). Also shown... Vance McMurray (31), Gary Moroney (6) and mystery zombie people bump ...

GO...we start out cautiously. Arnold Begay of Broken Arrow, OK framed by me over his left shoulder and Axel Reissnecker over his right.

2009-02-02T13:04:04Z

North Texas Trail Runners
GO...we start out cautiously. Arnold Begay of Broken Arrow, OK framed by me over his left shoulder and Axel Reissnecker over his right.

Still dark!

2009-02-02T13:07:32Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Still dark!

Arnold Begay looking good early...

2009-02-02T13:05:14Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Arnold Begay looking good early...

Henry Hobbs running well

2009-02-02T13:08:45Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Henry Hobbs running well

This IS the 5K course, right?

2009-02-02T13:07:58Z

North Texas Trail Runners
This IS the 5K course, right?

Second trip through the Equestrian Camp aid station (mile 10)

2009-02-02T13:07:59Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Second trip through the Equestrian Camp aid station (mile 10)

Bill Patience is showing Lynn (who doesn't listen very well) what to do at sign-in. Henry, Melissa and others busy themselves with their cache of goodies.

2009-02-02T13:06:03Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Bill Patience is showing Lynn (who doesn't listen very well) what to do at sign-in. Henry, Melissa and others busy themselves with their cache of goodies.

Checking in again at Equestrian Camp...temps have begun to climb...still putting smiley faces in the book!

2009-02-02T13:08:57Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Checking in again at Equestrian Camp...temps have begun to climb...still putting smiley faces in the book!

Here, I'm demonstrating excellent aid station form...

2009-02-02T13:06:42Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Here, I'm demonstrating excellent aid station form...

And I'm off to tackle Ice Cream Hill for the second time

2009-02-02T13:07:40Z

North Texas Trail Runners
And I'm off to tackle Ice Cream Hill for the second time

Nice scenery in the Hill Country State Natural Area

2009-02-02T13:05:26Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Nice scenery in the Hill Country State Natural Area

The race team did a great job of putting course markings just in the right places.

2009-02-02T13:05:28Z

North Texas Trail Runners
The race team did a great job of putting course markings just in the right places.

Second sunrise, can I get a big YeeeeeeHawwwwwwwww! Lynn Ballard at 99.8 miles...

2009-02-02T13:05:24Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Second sunrise, can I get a big YeeeeeeHawwwwwwwww! Lynn Ballard at 99.8 miles...

Lynn Ballard approaching finish line

2009-02-02T13:05:15Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Lynn Ballard approaching finish line

It's good to be done! LOVED ME SOME CACTUS ROSE!!!

2009-02-02T13:07:14Z

North Texas Trail Runners
It's good to be done! LOVED ME SOME CACTUS ROSE!!!

A shot of my "cankles" on Monday night

2009-02-02T13:06:21Z

North Texas Trail Runners
A shot of my "cankles" on Monday night

The biggest "damage"...swollen ankle and blood blister on right heel...Monday night

2009-02-02T13:08:12Z

North Texas Trail Runners
The biggest "damage"...swollen ankle and blood blister on right heel...Monday night

Evidence of the Sotol Cactus from the top of my gaiters to just above my knees!

2009-02-02T13:08:02Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Evidence of the Sotol Cactus from the top of my gaiters to just above my knees!

Sweet!

2009-02-02T12:58:23Z

North Texas Trail Runners
Sweet!