Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run

Congrats to our main man, Sherpa John for his outstanding finish in the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run! His official time was 32:09:13!! Everyone give him a slap on the back...or a complimentary comment will do!

Good Times in Boston

Ok, well I figured I'd give this posting thing a try for o This past saturday I had the pleasure of working the Boston Marathon expo @ the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. I worked with my buddy Kham, who I met from the Wampanoag Running Club, a club that I became a member of my sophomore year in college. Lemme tell you, this guy knew all the tricks, we had a prime table giving out Mens Medium T-Shirts, and right away I said to him this is perfect because most of the worlds best runners are a Medium and I hope I will be in luck. Sure enough I was a magnet for my heroes. Throughout the day I gave t-shirts out to Mark Godale (who I didnt realize it was him until he left, bummer) Sean Meissner, and Pam Reed. Most of all, it was a blast to talk to Sean on two occassions because the guy just loves life, the trails, and enjoys whatever atmosphere he is in! It was surreal to meet such top caliber athletes. My buddy Kham was laughing at me all day because I was just shouting out these peoples name and tracking them down!

Also, this past Monday I ran the Boston Marathon with two other buddies from high school as bandits, I qualified last year but a slew of injuries this year left me standing in the back of the pack waiting to head off. That is fine by me, I loved just waiting there and soaking up all the suns rays on that beautiful Monday. It was unbelievable weather-low 60's all day compared to last year's low 40's with rain hitting you in the face from all directions! Also, it was really cool to watch the runners stumble into their corrals with looks of jitters, excitement, joy, tears, etc etc, it is just so amazing to see how far some of these people have come to toe the starting line of the BOSTON Marathon. I talked to a lot of runners who were running for Dana Farber and I cannot thank them enough for all their work, I even gave my e-tabs and gels to a little pack who was struggling on the heartbreak hills and they feasted like hungry wolves lol. In the end, I paced my two buddies into a sub 4 hr finish, which was well earned for them because of the lack of training and just pure heart to break my goal I set for them. I was very proud of them because this was there longest run ever, and I rewarded them with some Sams Summer which reallyyyy hit the spot!

So it's been a great week, I even went to the Sox game on Tuesday night and talked to Sean Meissner there again, wat a gem he is. It feels good to be finally healthy, the knee is doing well, and I'm anxious to hit the trails and enjoy its beauty again.

Keep on truckin'
Jeff W

Tom at the American River 50!

Tom Notes: "I went out slowly as recommended--probably a bit too slowly. Conditions were ideal. I did have some trouble with my popliteus around mile 28, and it slowed me down, but I worked through it. The hill at the end as brutal.

Anyway, I finished in 10:29.03 (12:35/mile). I wanted to do it in 10, but there's always next time. Results are here: www.capitolroadrace.com/results/08_AR50_OVL.HTM
You'll find me at position 277.

Way to go Tom!

Sherpa John at the MUDfest

Hello Everyone,
Well, I finally had enough time to write up my race report and upload the pictures. I had one amazing time at McNaughton Park this weekend however, lack of time, weather and trail conditions beat me out in my quest to run 150 Miles. I made it 100 Miles in 33 Hours and 33 Minutes which is just under an hour better than last year. This was my 4th 100 Mile Finish and by far the toughest.

I think this years conditions were indeed worse than last years. My hats off to everyone who made it the full 150. David Goggins is not only an anomaly, but he is also one hell of a gentleman. I kept looking for Lance! Ryan Dexter... again, one of the kindest human beings I have EVER met. Thanks for everything Ryan!

I also want to thank all of the volunteers at the race including Race Director Andy Weinberg. This was race 2 of the Peak Race Series and the only one in Illinois. Andy
continues to do a stellar job! I owe a HUGE amount of thanks to Tracy Thomas... Tracy, you should give yourself more credit. You are without a doubt one of the best.
Too many others to thank here or even in my report. To everyone who lent support and a pat on the back... Thank you truly.

You can read my report on my blog at: www.sherpajohn.blogspot.com

Off to Massanutten!
~Sherpa John

Memphis Ultra 6 Hour Endurance Race

Although the turn out was lower than expected, we all still had a great time! The course was great and even had a swampy, muddy, standing water section to run through...at no extra charge!

To read more, click me.

Tom's Fundraising

The first race of the season approaches, so I thought this was a great time to announce my cause for fundraising this year. But first, let me tell you about one of my heroes.

Amelia Brown is a young girl, who, at the age of four, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I can't begin to imagine the ordeal she went through, but she didn't give up. She summoned a courage and strength well beyond her years, dug in her heels, and, with the help of her family, fought the cancer. Now, two years later, I'm happy to report she is doing very well.

During her treatment, she and her family found help, both in the form of treatment and support, from the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Hospital.

Because of this, and because not all who have had or continue to suffer are so fortunate, Amelia and her family have formed her own fundraising team, Amazing Amelia and her Penguin Pals, to help raise money for this excellent facility.

So, to help Amelia and honor her courage, I will be assisting with her fundraising efforts by running in the American River 50 as the West Coast branch of Amazing Amelia and her Penguin Pals (and a member of Team Sherpa, of course).

Setting up the fundraising was a bit tricky. I tried Firstgiving, but they couldn't guarantee that money given to Duke University Hospital would end up at the Brain Tumor Center (BTC for short), where I wanted it to go. So I called the BTC and spoke to Ellen Stainback who graciously helped me set up a team through their website at the website for Angels Among Us, a local 5K run/walk they hold annually to raise money for the BTC.



So feel free to get the word out to anyone you think might be willing to help out. Interested parties can make a fully tax-deductible contribution (Duke University is a 501(c)(3) organization) through the following website:

Angels Among Us: Get Involved

Click on MAKE A DONATION ONLINE and fill out the form. In the drop-down Team box, please select “Amazing Amelia/Pals West.”

Thanks very much, and I'll report back next week on how the AR50 treated me.

Tom

Little Nacketna Needs Our Help!!

This little girl is in Urique, Mexico, where the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon is held.  Barefoot Ted received this flyer (translation in English below) from her father.  Club Mas Loco is trying to help raise money for her medical expenses.  If you are interested in donating toward this cause, please use Paypal at nacketna_fund@coppercanyonultramarathon.com

I will be running the rest of my races this year to raise money for Nacketna, if anyone would like to sponsor these races by donating, let me know so I can track how much I raise per race.  Visit my race calendar for upcoming events.

Nacketna Dominguez Ramirez

Age 11

Grade 6

Mother: Nereyda Ramirez Mariscal

Father: Octavio Dominguez Ayala

Aplastic Anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough blood-forming stem cells.

This is the disease little Nacketna suffers from.  She is currently hospitalized at the General Hospital in Chihuahua City. 

Aplastic Anemia is a grave disease and its treatment is very costly. The medicine Nacketna needs costs around $14,900 USD per dose and requires two doses.  If this treatment does not work, Nacketna will need a bone marrow transplant in Monterrey or Mexico City.  The bone marrow transplant would cost around $112,000 USD

This is why we come to you now to ask for your financial support with these medical costs.

The Dominguez Mariscal family thanks you in advance for your support.

(Bancomer 1225993881)

May the Lord Bless You Forever

Note: Please visit the following website for more information on Aplastic Anemia

http://www.aplastic.org/aplastic/disease_information/about_the_diseases/aplastic_anemia.ph