running

Dear Brooks,

Dear Brooks,

I saw you at the Black Hills 100 finish line.  Hands raised, fists clinched, and cheering at the top of your lungs.  Knowing you and Dax are my #1 fans melts my heart.  Shiny belt buckles, high fives, and that finish line rush might seem like the best part, but it’s not about the finish.  I know what you are thinking, then why would Grandpa run 100 miles?

Solo

The first rays of sun beamed over The Loess Hills as I backed my truck up to the trail.  After a light warm-up of basic calisthenics and stretching I organized some bananas, bagels, granola bars, running chews, Gatorade and water on my tail gate.  I deposited a dollar in the donation jar and gazed down trail.  No music.  No pre-race camaraderie.  No starting gun.  After a few seconds I started to run.

End of The Line

As railroads expanded west during the 1800’s the term End of the Line was used to announce the last stop on a railway.  However, for the passengers on the train the phrase represented where civilization stopped and the Wild West began.  It meant you had better be tough, gritty, and smart because there was an outlaw, hustler, or rough individual around every corner looking for the next green horn to step off the train to swindle, steal, or kill.