That's not usually my attitude, "Go BIG, or go home...". However, it seems appropriate for the 10th
anniversary of STORMY Ultras.
To make matters more "big", Action Jackson decided to bite off 100 because he claims Paul Cubbon and I "bullied" him in to it. We all know better. Action Jackson is certifiable, and THAT'S why he opted for 100 miles instead of 50.
Berryman Trail 50m is a race that has intimidated me a bit since I learned about it. For one, it’s FIFTY miles – that’s intimidating enough! Secondly, it’s shares a portion of the Ozark Trail 100 course, so I’m pretty familiar with the terrain. It’s all technical single track and usually several creek crossings with major mud.
My birthday is May 10th. I'm turning 32 tomorrow. Doesn't bother me too much, honestly. I never believed 30's to be very old, but I especially don't since I'm well in to my 30's now! ;-)
The “Double Chubb” 50k is named as such because it’s a double out and back on an 8(ish)-mile long trail. On each end, there are some very big hills & a lot of technical terrain, particularly on the West Tyson County Park side of the course.
The Howard L. Aslinger Foundation Endurance Week-end 24-12-1 Hour Run/Walk:
This was a 1st year event held in memory of Howard L. Aslinger. Mr. Aslinger contracted polio at the young age of 11 and spent the rest of his life in a wheel chair. However, he never let the “inconvenience” that he believed polio to be get in the way of some amazing leadership and successes he worked hard to achieve throughout his life, which ended in 2009. It’s evident in the attitudes of Mr. Aslinger’s family how much he positively impacted the lives of others. What a great backdrop for an event that would test my legs & heart/determination to the MAX.
I signed up for the 24hr option with a goal in mind to get to 100 miles. It’s a 1-mile flat & paved course through Arena Park in Cape Girardeau, MO. The race began at 7pm on Friday the 19th (March) and concluded at 7pm on Saturday the 20th.
I had three main objectives in this race:
1) Raise money for Girls on the Run St. Louis – which I did, more than $1,200!!!
2) Cover 100 miles for the Girls (especially the SUPERSTARS at Griffith Elementary in Ferguson, MO)
3) Get the “monkey off my back” after my DNF at Ozark Trail 100 last November
It was comforting to know there would be some familiar faces on the course with me in terms of fellow runners. Several St. Louis Ultrarunners Group members were participating and helping out during the event – it was an AWESOME SLUGs turnout!
January 31st afforded some St. Louis Ultrarunner's Group friends an opportunity to gather for the Yours Truly 50k in Greensfelder Park near Eureka, MO. Not all runner's chose to run a full 50k, but everyone turned out a great effort for the day.
There is no one on this planet than I admired more than my Grandpa Eads. My grandpa always told me to set my goals high. Even if I didn't reach them, he argued, I'd get further along than if I had set the bar lower. Well, it stuck and this mentality is evident in my 2010 running plans. A couple of these races are tentative due to travel/logistical challenges I need to work out. Of course it ALL hinges on me staying healthy & injury free.
Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to Vancouver this year for the New Year's Day run and get 2010 started off in that way - but it didn't mean I couldn't run :)
The next best thing is running with my local group, the St. Louis Ultrarunner's Group (S.L.U.G.'s). They are a great bunch and had planned a run at Hawn State Park near Ste. Genevieve, MO. It's a trail I had never run, so I thought it was an opportunity I must take.
A FRESH mop chop in anticipation of the STORMY 100. Let the games begin, Jackson! 
The Howard L. Aslinger Foundation Endurance Week-end 24-12-1 Hour Run/Walk:
