Back in January, I ran in Coleen’s Frozen Fat Ass Trail run. In fact, my first post for this blog was the lengthy race report. In case you missed that post, a “Fat Ass” run is a trail run with little or no aid, no frills, no T-shirts, no medals, no entry fee, and no set distance. Generally held on a loop course, the winner is simply the runner who runs the farthest and/or longest. It’s more of a group run than a race with more socializing than competition…tons of fun. I decided to make the Frozen Ass my first 50-mile run. I was also fortunate enough that night to be the final runner still going the next morning, earning the coveted “last ass on the path” award. So, as the reigning “Ass champion”, I was looking forward to the summer or “sweaty” version of the run.
Sweaty Ass Run time:
A couple of weeks earlier at the Psycho Psummer 50k, I was asked by a number of people if I would be defending my Ass title. I hadn’t planned on it since I ran so hard at Psycho and knew that it would likely take 50 or 60 miles to repeat as the Ass champ. I was debating even running but the Lawrence Trail Hawks put on such good Ass races that I didn’t want to miss out. I also liked the challenge of running two 50ks within 20 days of each other (it would be a first for me). But defend my Ass title? Not likely. The summer version just had too many accomplished ultra-runners who were planning on running the entire night. Still, I thought I’d go out easy and see how my legs responded.
I got off work and made it to the Prairie Center an hour before the 8pm start time. I ran into Larry Long who was going to get in an early lap. I was anxious to get running so I took off for a loop with Cameron, who had drove in from Topeka. It was a good chance to let him see the trail or the first time since the sun hadn’t quite gone down yet. We made it back into the race HQ just in time to hear RD Coleen’s pre-race instructions and the “official” start to the Sweaty Ass.
I wanted to stretch out my legs so my first “official” loop I ran with Larry Long, Danny Miller, Mark Van Nuland, and some others who were keeping a pretty brisk pace. I think I stuck with ‘em for two maybe three loops before I decided to back down. I also ran for a short while with Rick Troeh, he was getting ready for the Pikes Peak marathon (it’s on my life-run list…so jealous). He had ran a solid Psummer Psycho and seemed like he was ready for some altitude.
Overall, the night was pretty uneventful. There’s no real technical terrain or elevation change on the Prairie Center trail. The weather was nice (although the clouds kept the stars hidden all night). It was tons of great company and a fun night on the trail. I wasn’t really feeling 100% so I stopped running at the 50K mark. A quick look at the board revealed I was the eighth place Ass for the night. Good enough for me.
Big thanks to Coleen and the Lawrence Trail Hawks for a great night. The Hawks’ races just keep getting better and better. Thanks also to Larry, Cameron, Danny, Rick, Mark, and countless other runners for being good running partners. As always, thanks and love to Jessica, Alyena, & & Ayden!
Next up…the internship is over tomorrow and then I’m heading to the Colorado Front Range for some Altitude!
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