Summertime, Sunburns, Storms & Suds

   A crew of Square State Striders hitched their wagons and headed west to Lake City for the San Juan Solstice 50 Mile Run. Both Sam Wood (13:34:14) and Melissa Stepanowich(15:41:10) braved all manner of obstacle, beyond the obvious of running 50 miles on purpose. Here's what they had to say. 

I enjoyed ice cold feet in the first section of many creek crossings. Actually numb feet, wait where are my feet?! Oh God my feet are gone! Nooooo! Then it was a flaming hot sauce buffet most of the day along the Continental Divide. I implemented nasal-only breathing while above 12,000ft to test my theory that keeping my mouth shut is nearly always the best idea. Next comes the Ouray 100, which happens to fall on my birthday, July 21. Hopefully I don’t lose my feet again! - Sam 

At 10pm on the evening that the lottery was closing for San Juan Solstice, I crawled into bed and Brandon said “How mad would you be if I told you I signed you up for the SJS50 lottery?” At 11am the following day, I got the email that stated “congratulations” along with a credit card charge. Interested in keeping his marriage in good standing, Brandon then wrote a training plan for me. I followed it, finished the race that was my first 50 post baby, and had an amazing time. Would love to go back. Highly recommend spouses signing up their partners for races without consent. - Melissa

Palmer Lake 4 Miler:  Jon Teisher and Andy Sherwood rang in the 4th running away from Palmer Lake to the safe shores of Monument Colorado. Likely judging by the results Andy drafted off Jon for as long as possible without straining their friendship and then zipped ahead for a finish of 25:07 to Jon's 26:56.  

            Andy told me that he would send me a photo of himself and Jon, but he didn't. So I have a stock photo of two men running here. 

Beer Mile: Jon cut short a bicycle ride from a Mexican Pharmacia back into America, to run a 7:46 Beer Mile. He claims this is a SSS team record. We'll ratify it when you mail in that bottle of pee to US Anti-doping agency. 

West End Mile: Neil McDonagh decided to double his drive time from Colorado Springs to Boulder to avoid a reenactment of the Helen Hunt cinematic blockbuster Twister. Racing the first part of the Boulder road mile summer series on a rainy evening, he took 1st in the masters elite race with 4:42. 

credit: Dave Albo

Leadville Trail Marathon: Tom Caughlin completed this very unpleasant sounding marathon in 5:39. But wait there's more! Rumor has it Tom plans to make this the shortest distance of the summer, with aim to complete the Leadville 100 bike and run races, and gaining the credit he so so desires from his peers to be anointed 'A Leadman'. Good luck to your body , mind and patience of your family. 

Tom crushing this game cam shot. 

 Adam's Roundup: As if besting all comers up to 3 times in a weekend on the roads in Colorado wasn't enough, Adam Rich headed down to Arizona to mix it up in the convection oven known as Phoenix. Placing 2nd at the AZ Road Runners Summer Series 2 with a 16:56 (3.32 mi), next up was the AZ Sunrise Series where he took 1st in 15:45 and wrapped it up back in Colorado at the Parker 4th of July 5k taking top prize 1st in 16:25 over a hilly course.