Day One

by John Teeples

Run started early at the infantry museum at 4:00 am. I was a little numb at the start of this years race due to all the work that was necessary for the race, for John Teeples Construction and for Big Dog Running Company. As soon as I was 2 miles down the road and running I finally got in the RFH/RAG gear. My excitement and enthusiasm built as the day unfolded.

Just so that everyone knows mother nature looked somewhat kindly on the individual runners; the wind was always at back assisting up any uphill’s,  the wind was in our face keeping us cool on any downhill’s and all chicken trucks  that passed smelled like roses because the wind always blew from blooming plants when the trucks passed. Well the chicken trucks maybe a stretch ,but can I convince you the rest is true? By the way, I believe the temperature topped out at 94.

The road and sun did take its toll on the group today. One bum knee, one bum ankle, one heat exhaustion, one dog bite, one hiding in the shade and one in good shape; so at end of day one we score it Mother Nature 5 and RFH/RAG 1. However, we will still have full line up tomorrow for the second round.

People along the way were great! First the Four Winds restaurant (Ranger Burger) gave us a great breakfast. Next Buena Vista provided Subway sandwiches and brought a group of young basketball players of which I had my picture made and they promised me to run a  relay with us from Ranger Burger to Buena Vista next year. Buena Vista paper was there for story. Next Ellaville Piggly Wiggly welcomed us with fresh fruit, water and Gatorade. Ellaville press was also there for a story. Finally, Montezuma welcomed us with Downtown Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and many special local citzens including the Forestery Queens (10 of them). I told the House of Heroes and Run for the Heroes story. Then I had my picture made with the Forestry Queens and had a Fun Run/ Fun Walk around downtown. I have never had so many cuties with me in one picture. Picture and article should be Montezuma paper for documentation.

Runner Summary:

Dane Talbert – Comes to the start with as much drive as I have ever seen.  A bad shin has kept on the sideline for the last three weeks and stressing about the race. He felt good today with no shin problems but some slight knee pain started at end of the day which will require icing, pain medicine and more walking tomorrow.

Will Ansick – Comes to the start with nice history of Ultras and heat running (Badwater 2010). Will has not been able to train as much due to Achilles flare up from that miserable Reator Run in March. Ironically the heat took a major toll on Will at the end of the day with Heat Exhaustion. However, after 45 minutes of lying horizontal and giving him a full body icing and I mean full body, Will recovered and finished the last three miles quite well.

Mark “The Man” Millen – Comes to the start as a veteran. I believe he made it 155 miles last year before calling it a race. Last years experience and a good year of training has proved very beneficial. Nothing fancy or frilly, Mark just gets it and goes, and goes and goes. Mark has very little gear or accessories to ease his run. No hand held water bottle, no drape hat and no crew. I had my wife bring a water bottle and hat from the store today for Mark. He felt good all day with an ankle nagging him a little at the end.

Cathy Saylor – Comes to the start with very little long distance work but great determination. Cathy has a plan of slow and steady with nothing getting in her way, including touchy stomach issues and a dog which took a little chunk of her leg. After the paramedics left her with a big bandage she returned to the race to finish the day and then trip to the ER. Cathy gets the runner of the day award!