MUD MUD 1996 Mohican 100 MUD MUD
By Colleen J. Theusch
We’ve all experienced the torrential rains of the last few weeks. The floodgates were open on the Mohican River which caused the river to rise to over chest high. Fortunately since the river crossing is at the covered bridge, elimination of that crossing posed no logistic problems.
Hugh Danaceau, Leo lightner, Zenek Zapotocky, Ed Schwarta, Don Robeson, Tom Todrank, Karen McPeak, Mark Bodamer, and others marked the trail during the week preceding the race waded through mud. They reported that the streams, though not as wide, were as deep as the river has been in many years. Heavy rains which began Friday evening shortly after the spaghetti dinner added to the existing muck while at the same time destroying some of the markings. Volunteers checked the course throughout the race replacing ribbons and arrows.
Runners’ responses to questions regarding difficulty of the course were unanimously MUD — followed by hot and mosquitoes. Praise and Gratitude for the great trail markings, aid stations, and gracious helpful volunteers abounded.
Food service before, during, and after the race while similar were somewhat different from preceding events. Friendly members of a Greer church group prepared and served generous helpings for the delicious spaghetti dinner. The tandem team of Mark Shelton and Bob Myers handled the aid station supplies. Per runner suggestions, menu selection differed from station to station. They also switched the breakfast menu from pancakes to muffins and sweet rolls. This choice is fortuitous since it is much less labor intensive and eliminates grill and electrical dependency. “Breakfast is served” call rang out early Sunday A.M. and was still in force when the Last of the Mohicans arrived.
MUD! ;-[ Shoe sucking MUD attacked Mike Rouse who kept running a short distance before recognizing his loss. By then his sock was so MUD saturated that it could ho longer be used. Poor Mike was sock less many miles.
Special thanks and a bouquet of roses to Michele Angermeier of Athlete’s Shoe Specialist for her donation of a supply of GU and Reload to add to the runners bags. She also provided Gatorade and Power Bars at cost — a big savings for the race. On second thought, instead of roses, toss your wholehearted support to the fall Toe to Tow Marathon as runner, volunteer, etc. Michele is race director for that great event. Mark Shelton has had some great articles about it in Footnotes.
Why, oh why, would anyone climb the fire tower in the middle of a race? Some of us volunteers climb, but why when running — a hundred miles? Art Moore started it several years ago. There’s been some rivalry over the years as to the number of times, with David Hughes taking honors last year with seven. This year, Art decided to put fire tower climbing to rest. Enough is enough! Five times each loop for a total of ten. It’s not worth the effort to attempt to better that record with 45 miles to the finish line.
During a lull at their aid station, Debbie Kilpatrick Morris and Lou Karl took off on a long run. Of course, golden Tasha happily accompanied them — through a few aid stations in the heat of the day. Canine sense may be better than human sense. When you’re too hot, you should stop. Tasha did just that. Lou kept her company while Debbie ran back for motorized aid.
Irene Weston has raised the stakes. Her famous “Have you any socks?” has turned to “Do you have a flashlight?” Ask her about stopping highway traffic and pleading with drivers. When one driver finally acceded, the obvious follow-up question: “Are the barteries new?” I’d love to hear the tales motorists tell of being accosted on the highway by a wild woman claiming to be running a hundred mile foot race.
MUD! Shoes kept gathering it. “It’s tiring trying to run with bowling balls attached to your feet.”
“Go” sent 70 runners into the darkness for a grueling day. Twenty-two of these hoped to finish their first 100 mile trail event and claim the magnificent buckle. Women comprised ten percent of the starters. Twenty-nine men and three women accomplished their 100-mile goal. Another twenty-nine covered more than half the distance and received the Mohican medal for their efforts. For Punxsutawnyan John Goss last year’s attempt proved great experience as he finished in less than 23 hours. Another first timer’s, Hawaiian Michael Loney, strategy may not have been planned, but it worked wonders. Before the first aid station he hooked up with veteran Mohicanite, one time master’s record holder, Regis Shivers. They crossed the finish line together well under 24 hours. Kenneth Masick, John Nichols, Dennis Howe, M. Jay Allison, Mike Jacolenne, and Jaimie Hurley round out the roster of the first timers who earned the buckle.
MUD! Art Moore slipped at the edge of a stream. He felt trapped as though by quicksand. As he tried to pull his feet out, he realized that his shoes would not come along. While mental acuity may be slow somewhat from physical effort during an event, it does not diminish. Art’s mind recognized that a hook upward of curled toes would keep the shoe in place as he extricated himself from his prison.
Natural creatures met runners along the way. One small friendly dog crossed the finish line with some of the runners. Other dogs were downright scary. Bill Antholine does not put much stock in the saying, “Barking dogs don’t bite.” He waited for reinforcement from Joe Hildebrand. Together they ran the gauntlet. A raccoon fiercely hunching its back in the middle of the trail drove Katie Lyonsmith and her companion into a short detour through the trees. On the other hand, the huge snake in the middle of the highway posed no threat. It had a close encounter with a vehicle earlier in the day.
John Geesler bettered his 1994 time by an hour and a half. He also became an instant celebrity. A Columbus suburb church group was camping at Mohican Wilderness. Some of the group are runners and brought members of all ages to the finish line in anticipation of John’s arrival. One child gingerly held out his hand. After a few minutes, John saw it and immediately shook it. Soon Geesler was surrounded by outstretched hands. Next the interview. “Why do you do this?” “Because it’s here to be done.” Introduction to Ultrarunning 101. Perhaps some day members of this group will be on the course.
We’ve been dependent on the volunteer ham radio operators for six years. This is a real win-win situation. We immediately know where to send supplies, medical aid, runner DNF pickup, etc. The operators get real experience which will stand them in good stead in case of any disaster situation. This year they experimented with a new packet for computer communication. They already have expanded plans for next year. This year they also gained real time experience as it marked the first time outside medical help and transportation was called. Directing the “911” emergency vehicle along the dirt roads to the Pock aid station in itself provided valuable experience. Next routing was to the fire tower to transport Mitzi Henscheid to Ashland Hospital. Joe Jurczyk has been in contact with Mitzi who has no after effects from her experience.
MUD! :-< “You couldn’t have run the whole course. Your shoes aren’t muddy enough.” “I changed them after I left the trails.”
Terry Hawk and Cliff Treyens ran their own little race with Terry edging Cliff by less than 4 minutes. Both are happy with their sub 20-hour time which had eluded them last year. Despite the MUD this year, Joe Hildebrand improved his time by over 2.5 hours to earn one of the enameled buckles. Irene is also a proud owner of enamel after improving by over 1.5 hours.
Obviously Mark Weston’s primary purpose for being at Mohican was to support Irene. While not needed in that capacity, he supported the race with medical and courier services. In the true spirit of Mohican Mark surprised Irene when she reached the top of Big Hill. You know that hill – the one that spirals to the sky, the one that goes up, dips slightly, then repeats the process, the never ending one. At the summit, in Indian fashion, Mark presented Irene with a huge feather. Wearing this in her hair she was constantly greeted with Indian whoops during the rest of the race.
MUD! “See — I have one clear sock and one dirty one. The other one was so bad that the covered bridge volunteers gave me a new pair. Here’s the other clean one.” ;-)
Ida’s lentil stew and the sloppy joes made a big hit at the finish line. It was worth running a hundred miles for that reward. Francine Greenwald, a new CWRRC member and a first time Mohican volunteer, kept the crock-pots full while serving the finishers and their pacers. On the course the homemade cookies were devoured by the runners. When these disappeared, Chips Ahoy were occasionally eaten. Please mark your calendars for baking in early June 1997.
Katie Lyonsmith flew in from Idaho to conquer Mohican. After Wasatch that should be a snap. Right? Wrong! After all, what type of hills could Ohio have? Surprise! Never-ending hills! None individually higher than 300 feet or so, but totaling over 11,000 feet. Killing hills. Glenn Dumonthier paced Katie for the last 35 miles. Mary Lou Frish was within 10 minutes of Katie at some points. She bettered last year’s time by half an hour becoming second woman about half an hour after Katie’s finish.
While still in Texas, Jay Allison’s experienced pacer had advised him to walk the hills. “What’s a hill?” He conquered them as well as the mud to earn his first 100-mile buckle.
Ranger Brenda made a special trip back to the Bridle Staging Area to provide Texans and other visitors with additional Smoky the Bear pins and coins.
MUD! L Mud covered slippery rocks. At 22 miles one threw Mike Cargill, the 1994 winter Mohican finisher woodchopper, down a four-foot incline. On the way to the bottom, Mike heard his shoulder snap. At the medical check, Mike mentioned that he had fallen and had a sore shoulder, but did not indicate its severity. After all, he had a goal of breaking 25 hours this year. He maintained that pace for half the race even with limited upper body mobility. Jason Warner, our high school pacer from last year, met him at the 88.2 mile aid station. The shoulder pain, along with lack of sleep, slowed Mike down drastically. Jason encouraged him up Big Hill and then across the finish line. After being checked by Mark Elderbrook, he succumbed to much needed sleep. Despite all the adversity, Mike finished under 29 hours – now slow enough to earn the Last of the Mohican Award.
Georgian Jim Emig, became an early last of the Mohicans finishing almost 45 minutes before cutoff. He was presented with an Indian holding an eagle figurine. The Indian represents the bravery it takes to start the race. The ea-le a sign indicating hope for more swiftness in future events.
MUD! :-( “It’s really difficult to do any running when mud adds weight to each step.”
Joe Eisenberg, former race director, along with Ida Greiner captained an aid station and helped in many ways. Martha Riga’s was highly visible throughout the race. This year she could enjoy it more because others assumed some of the tasks she previously performed.
Mark Bodamer, 1993 Mohican winner, moved to Cleveland Heights from Washington. His Mohican plans depended on the arrival of his first child. Since Jane Laurae made her debut on June 1, Mark helped with trail markings the week before the race. On Saturday, he removed the blue loop markings. Then to further enjoy that loop, he and Dr. Mark Elderbrook traversed it. Later Bodamer paced Jim Hurley, whom he had mentored during training, to his first finish. Some may remember Hurley as the athletic trainer who volunteered his expertise at the covered bridge last year.
Elderbrook, who provided a spectacular performance as he finished his first 100 mile trail race in third place during last year’s event, comments that running the race and being race medical director are difficult in different ways. One big difference when you’re doctor, it’s all over at the end of the race.
MUD! ;-[ Socks get wet. Socks stick to shoes. Socks stick to feet. The only thing that can move in this situation is skin. Move it does! Blisters. Big blisters. Water blisters. Blood blisters. Squirting blisters. Sole covering blisters. Each year podiatric instructors from the Cleveland Foot Clinic bring their students to the Mohican event. This is another win-win situation. The students may be exposed to more blisters in both quantity and quality than they’ll see in the rest of their lives. They gain great experience under the watchful eye of the podiatrists. Runners’ foot pain is relieved. Their comments are a real testimonial to the effectiveness of the procedures. “Those guvs at the covered bridge are the greatest.” “My feet were killing me. I never could have made it here (Bridle staging station) if they hadn’t worked on me.” The covered bridge station is entered five times, thus at times lines formed for service. No one complained about the delay. Students did see some other foot problems, but blisters ruled the day.
Joe Jurczyk turned a stellar performance as first time director of this event. The Finale, of course, was award presentation. Robin Fry remains the only person to have finished all Mohican events. Art Moore follows close second with 6 finishes. Why not seven for Art? Several years ago when Art was already registered as an entrant, Edina was unexpectedly called to Europe. Art’s priorities are in the right place. He immediately assumed Edina’s fire tower aid station duties.
Mud references are purposely interspersed throughout this article — that’s the way it was. What will next year be? In the words of the old first readers: “Come, Dick, come. See, Jane, see. Come and see. Run, Dick, run! Run, Jane, run!” Who envisioned a hundred miles? “Volunteer, Dick and Jane, volunteer!” Tentative dates — June 21-22, 1997. Mark your calendars.
This article was written for “Footnotes”, Cleveland West Road Runners Club newsletter. Check the September issue of “UltraRunning” for a Mohican article with a different flavor. We hope to see all of you at the 1997 start and finish line. Bring your friends too!