2016 Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd is in the Books

The running of the 2016 Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd is now in the history books. What a a stellar event. It is a weekend long party with your Ultra Running family. Ken Childress (aka TrailZombie).

Choices for distances were 135 miles, 100 miles, 50k, 25k & a 10 miler (I think). In the past, the weather is generally typical, cool October weather however THIS WEEKEND, Mother Nature brought in unseasonably warm weather! It might have been close to 90 at one point. Like all ultras, the sought after prize, is a beautiful belt buckle!

                  

In addition to the challenges already there from the race distances, dehydration & over heating brought on additional needs on which all off the runners needed to be aware of.

Indeed, the race was not without casualties. Several of the runners dropped due to dehydration & heat exhaustion. Some even worried TZ & his wife; Dana; who HAPPENS to be a nurse.

As the OLD Combs bridge has been demolished, the race course needed to be changed a bit. Starting off at the same place (Eagle Bluff), the course headed out onto Hwy 10, but shortly turned back in to cross the new bridge & eventually meet up with the original course. The 135 runners did a slightly different out & back making their way up & through JT Nickel Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve (only once) & then back, followed by 4 loops. The 100 & 50 mile runners, did not do the old Out & Back, but made their loops inclusive of a portion of the Preserve route.

Back at the Start/Finish, runners went back out & followed the original route. First stop - Mad Dog, ran by none other than Kevin Remaster, his wife Ashley, their children & of course, the infamous Pumpkin, the Wonder Dog!

Where the old Out n’ Back aid station was, Them Idiots took over & made a great run at Mad Dog for one of the best aid stations (although Mad Dog still has the lead for now).

From here, runners make their way to Savanah Corner where John Nobles & his gang provided stellar service to all of the runners. Then it was off to East of Eden. At this point, runners had an option of doing the Great Gourd Challenge (practically a climb STRAIGHT UP) for approximately 1/4 mile. Susan Westmoreland was waiting at the top to great runners with a smile & a sweet Sweaty Band from Mile Junkie. Before making their way to their next rest haven, runners (except those running the 135 miler) made a bit of an Out & Back loop into the JT Kickel Preserve from the other side, before continuing along the usual route.

All along the course, it seemed to be one big party as you can see here by Chrissy Whitten’s, Christine Fischer’s & Friends’ expressions.

After Hard Up Ahead, runners had a bit of reprieve from the gravel roads & had about 3 miles of pavement (whew!) before making their way to Bathtub Rocks. Here, Ed Snow & Company served up great grub & plenty of liquids to stay hydrated. (Well at least SOME hydrated enough!)








Despite being busy running the race, TZ had a few minutes to get some work done in his “office”.

By the time runners got to Last Gasp, there was about 3.1 miles before reaching the Start/Finish. It is here though, that the FIRST PHH Bandit Aid Station was - - Meego’s Cantina; complete with blender & almost a full bar! Can you say Watermelon Margherita?




One GREAT MOMENT was Russell Bennet winning the Men’s 100 mile race! This was Russell’s 3rd consecutive 100 miler in the same number of weekends.





And if this wasn’t enough excitement, Kathy Hoover (of Runner’s World Tulsa)& Arnold Begay completed (4) consecutive 100 milers in the same number of weekends.

All three of them inspire me (& plenty of others) beyond measure!


And lest I forget, I want to thank Sprouts Farmers Market (in Owasso, OK) & Natural Grocers (in Tulsa) for donating several cases of delicious fruit for the runners. Please be sure to shop there as they support us & what we do.

Until next time - - - 


God Bless;
K

2016 QT Urban Adventure - Race Report

Well friends, the 2016 QT Urban Adventure 25-50-75-100 Mile race is in the history books. Although it was not near as hot as it was for the inaugural race last year, it was still plenty toasty for during the day (in the 90’s!). 

The race course was a 25 mile loop that took the runners through much of Tulsa using local Quik Trips as the “aid stations. Each runner received a QT card pre-loaded with money to spend for their race “aid” during the race. Starting at Runner’s World Tulsa, runners made their way down to 15th & Denver for their first Quik Trip stop. They then made their way north on Denver, past the BOK Center, around One Oak Stadium & the OSU Tulsa campus. From there, runners found their way to Elgin & went south, east on 6th & then north on Peoria. Going east on 11th, took them to their 2nd Quik Trip stop at 11th & Utica. Arnold Begay took a bit of time to refuel.

From there, the course continued East on 11th Street until Harvard when runners headed south. A left on 15th followed by a right on Yale & another right on 21st took runners around the Tulsa Fairgrounds & by the famous Golden Driller.

Looks like Ken TZ Childress was really enjoying himself as he runs along Yale heading South before turning West on 21st Street & then down to Harvard to their next QT stop. The race then turned South on Harvard to 41st Street, then East on 41st to Yale. Runners then turned right & went South done Yale. At approximately 47th & Yale, their next “watering hole” was there before they took 51st Street along LaFortune Park. Their next aid station was the QT at 61st & Sheridan. Once fed & hydrated, runners went South on Sheridan to 61st, West on 61st to Yale & then back to 51st Street.

From here, all of the aid stations are done as they made their way down 51st Street to Lewis, crossing over the highway & then taking the service road West. Just before Peoria, runners meandered a bit through the neighborhood before popping back out on Peoria & then to Runner’s World.

After a bit of food & hydration (& just maybe a bit of rest for their tootsies, runners did it again (& again & again & possibly again).

Here JBob is heading back out for another loop. He ran plenty of it with the infamous Kathy Hover (of Runner’s World Tulsa) but here Mike Rives jumped in with them both for a bit of pacing. 


When it was all said & done, Matthew Riley walked away with the 100 mile win.








Oh and lest I forget, Deanna Jensen made plenty of Out of This World cupcakes so if you know her, I suggest that you place your orders! You WILL NOT be sorry!







With all of this said, it was a great race.

Until next time - - - - 


God Bless;
K

A Pending Partnership

Partnerships are a great thing as they benefit both parties & allow the work to be distributed between them.

Know No Boundaries is working on such a partnership with Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas. 

Subiaco Academy is a Catholic, college preparatory boarding and day school in the Benedictine tradition for young men in grades 7-12. The primary objective of Subiaco Academy is to foster a system of education, guidance, and community fellowship that develops both the mind and body.  To that end, all of the academic classes, religious activities, and extracurricular activities are designed to enhance a close fraternal and cooperative relationship built on mutual respect and Christian love.

This pairs perfectly with the mission of Know No Boundaries in that we exist to help others become all that God has planned for their lives through their overcoming self set, self limiting boundaries.

In the case of Subiaco Academy, many young boys would benefit tremendously from such a God-centered education that without outside help, would never be able to experience this. 

Subiaco is also the home of Subiaco Monastery, where 43 Benedictine monks of the Roman Catholic Church living in Subiaco, Arkansas, USA. We follow the 1,500 year old Rule as written by our holy father Saint Benedict who lived in Italy. This Rule and monastic way of life flow from the ancient biblical model of Christian discipleship as found in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35. Our balanced life of prayer and work (known in Latin as "Ora et Labora") has existed in Arkansas since our founding in 1878 by monks from St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. 

Know No Boundaries and Subiaco Academy staff are in talks to see how a partnership can be formed between the two entities whereby Know No Boundaries will be running in ultra endurance events & through these events, help raise monies that will go towards scholarships that will help boys who cannot afford this (due to a plethora of reasons & circumstances).

A preliminary meeting was already held in Subiaco, Arkansas at the academy & more formalized documents are being written so that a more concrete partnership can be formed.

Please pray for us & for Subiaco.


God Bless;
Ken

Fire!

I was reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church the other morning & ran across a passage that just GRABBED ME! Although it had to do with the comparison of transforming fire & the Holy Spirit, it has further implications than the spiritual realm into that which often drives each of us in our daily lives in a plethora of areas.

Here is a slightly shortened version of the passage - 

“Fire transforms into itself, everything that it touches.”

Think about this.

As fire burns, whatever it is burning, is transformed INTO the fire itself. They become one!

Is it not the same with the fire of passion?

When one is consumed with the boring fire within our soul, are we not transformed into that which we are passionate about?

We cannot seem to focus on anything else but that which we are passionately consumed with.

This “fire burning within us”, drive us, fuels us & keeps us single-mindedly striving for that which we are passionate about.

In your lives, what is it that is your all consuming fire? What is it that burns within your very soul towards which you cannot veer from until accomplished?

When this all consuming fire within you is field by your love for God & directed towards serving others, there is no stoping it until all is consumed by this inner fire & it has achieved its ultimate purpose.

Blessings to all;
Ken

What’s on the horizon?

Good evening friends.

Although things seemed to have been quiet here, many things have been going on in the background. Events for this Fall have been in the works.

Our FIRST EVENT, will be the Tulsa QT Urban Adventure 100 put on by Runner’s World Tulsa. We are excited this year as it will be in September rather than in June as it was in 2015 (remember last year? Tulsa was the 2nd HOTTEST CITY IN THE USA that weekend!). This year should be much better weather. Besides, it is the same weekend as the Tulsa State Fair so we will run around the fairgrounds a few times over the course of the race (maybe even check in to the fair for some nice state fair fare? - - NOT!)

Next in line, will be Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd in October. We have done this race almost every year & LOVE IT! Beautiful course, great volunteers & always a great time. Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd is in October (hopefully we’ll be recovered from the QT Tulsa Urban Adventure).

Finally, we’re doing our best to pull off the Chisholm Trail Ultra some time in November. This event will follow the Oklahoma portion of the Chisholm Trail from the Texas-Oklahoma border to the Oklahoma-Kansas border; a distance oc approximately 233 miles. It will be a staged event in that we will run some every day, for several days, stopping overnight in the small towns along the route (along Highway 81). Hopefully, we will be able to hook up with the local Chambers of Commerce to be able to talk to some of the local communities on what we are about & what we are doing. (The WHY would be impossible to get across as the common folk will never understand the reasons for ultra running.)

And finally, we are in the process of setting up meetings/discussions with Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas regarding our partnering with them to possibly provide a few scholarships for boys who’s families (or circumstances) will not allow them to attend school there. Discussions are still in the early stages, so stay tuned.

In the mean time, remember that there is no mountain top view, without a climb.

God Bless;
Ken

What Moves You? A Film for runners by runners.

What Moves You? A film for runners by runners from What Moves You? on Vimeo.

The Bearded Sole Project - Adam Kimble’s Run Across America

The Bearded Sole Project - Adam Kimble’s Run Across America


The Bearded Sole Project - A Running Documentary - Adam Kimble's Run Across America from Charlie Kaye on Vimeo.

Fall Adventure Planned - Chisholm Trail Ultra

Well friends, I believe that I am going to TRY to commit to run my Chisholm Trail Ultra this coming fall.

I KNOW that I’ve talked about it in the past (even tried to plan it 2 years ago), but available time off of work & family obligations did not allow for it. THIS TIME, I am going to try to pull it off.

I am thinking that sometime this Fall would work however I am still trying to pick the perfect time; when it is not too hot, not too cold, not tornado season & not storm season (I guess it would be never then, eh?)

Anyway, although the Chisholm Trail essentially runs from North Texas to Central Kansas, my plan was to run the Oklahoma portion of the trail. In my case, it basically follows Highway 81 out in Western Oklahoma.

My plan, would be to run what I can each day & plan to end up in some small Oklahoma town & spend the night. Then off again the next morning.

According to my estimates, it is approximately 233 miles. (“Why not run it all at once says Kathy Hoover of Runner’s World Tulsa?”). Well for me, it is all about the experience & my attempt to draw in residents of the local communities through which I will be running.

One other plan, is to get a nice expedition hiking/running trailer to haul all my “stuff”. Equinox Trailers in Oregon is the place! They are the same place that Grant Maughan & Marshall Ulrich got theirs for their Badwater crossings.

Here is Marshall sporting one sort of like what I’m considering.

The ONE THING that I am still wrestling with is the recipient of this fundraising effort. I spend countless hours of deep contemplation in my attempts to find just the right person or cause for whom Know No Boundaries will be running & raising funds for through this ultra.

Any serious suggestions are welcome.

In the meantime, building my mileage & searching my heart.



Blessings;
Ken