2003 Edmund Fitzgerald Reflections

The 2003 race was a fantastic experience for me.  I was a handler for  Jeff Kathan in 2002 and he talked me into running with him as a 2 person  team this year. I had exactly 4 months of training and although I  wanted and needed more, my body was shot by mid-October and I was glad when  the big day came. 

The weather was awesome and I ran almost the entire day in shorts and a T-shirt alternating with Jeff. 

Everyone was SO nice, not just the volunteers but nearly every team  that passed me offered some encouragement. THAT WAS "HUGE" IN KEEPING ME  GOING.  I had to resort to fast walking though my final segments as my  quads wouldn't lift anymore but I felt pretty good after crashing twice  in the mid stages due to lack of food intake.  Jeff let me finish and  everyone was cheering for me...that was awesome. 

Next year WE ARE GOING FOR IT!  That even includes training (ugh) and  less beer! (Can't give it up totally - you know).  If next year goes  well, I'll try a solo in 2005...I plan to be living in Prescott, AZ by  then and I can train in the mountains there. 

Thanks to everyone for a great event and we thought this years changes  were quite beneficial.  See ya in 2004. 

-- Ken Ekman of the "Stan and Oli" team

P.S. It was really cool having Jeff (Kathan) as a 2 person team member since he had run the race several times as an indiviudal and on teams.  Jeff gave me some excellent tips and tons of encouragement!

We have always had so much fun at this race that when I first heard about the change in the exchange zone format I thought it was a change for the worse.  We made all our hand-offs at approximately the same spots this year, but as the day went along we discussed the changes.  We see a lot of benefits and are looking forward to  having the freedom to plan where we want to make the exchanges.  We are again very much looking forward to next year's race!  Thanks for all your work.  

-- Ron Stock from team "Thank You God For Today!"

I just wanted to say thank you.  What a great day!  Thanks to all of the volunteers for being out there to help us.  Thank you very much for staying out there until I finally finished the race.  I had hoped to finish faster, but I had issues with my stomach towards the end. I hadn't planning on throwing up for the last 5 miles. 

I think I am going to run a 24 hour race in Houston at the end of February.  I figure if I can make it 13 and a half hours, how hard can another 11 and a half be? 

See you again next year.  Salubrious might have 3 relay teams by next year.  I heard that we might even have a few more solo runners:-)
Thanks again!

-- Heather Kick