2 down, 3 remain

By now you probably know that Rebekah had to call it quits after Thursday's long 46 mile day.  You can read what she's processed about the experience so far on her blog.

After a long night spent battling whether or not to press on today, Rob threw in the towel.  As you can imagine, it was an extremely difficult decision. I understand that Rob's achilles tendons were really bothering him and he was having other over-use injuries that would have only been exacerbated by proceeding.  While he would have loved to join us at Rebekah's house this evening, he decided it would have been too difficult knowing he wasn't able to join us after completing today's stage.

So that brings us to now, relaxing in the cool comfort of Rebekah's house after a delicious dinner of BBQ chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots, salad, baked beans, fresh baked bread, iced tea, apple crisp with ice cream, and two other desserts I can't recall.  You can imagine how much the runners appreciated this feast (I'll write more later about what a great job brother James has done crewing and cooking). 

Today's run was extremely hot, high of 103.  I'll write more tomorrow about my observations of the runners.
Of course, it would be great if Eric or Anne or Troy could write about their day, but they are too busy with the little spare time they having packing their supplies for the next day, eating, and trying to get some sleep.

At the present moment (9:29 pm on Sat.), Eric, Anne, and Troy are strategizing about plans for tomorrow.  Looking ahead to the end of the Tour de Virginia, Eric says, "basically, it's going to be the last person standing." He and Troy are having a lively debate about the rules of the Tour de France in terms of finish times (rounding to nearest minute, etc.).  Troy reminds us about the notion of rounding to the nearest quarter hour for the Tour de Virginia.  Wouldn't that help the timekeepers keep track of total times?

Weather forecast for tomorrow is a high of 99. "Well, that will be cooler than today," says optimistic Annie. And she continues,"so we'll just survive tomorrow, and we've got it made in the shade."

Eric is pressng me to get to bed so I'll stop for now.  I'll post pictures tomorrow night.  Adam will post a new video soon.

Stages 5, 6, and 7 times

Stage 4 - Wednesday, July 4 (41 miles)

"So at what point does this adventure begin to seem a little . . . . . . absurd?" I asked.

Troy, relaxing at Woods Hole Hostel after Stage 4

"Right about now," said Troy as he headed off for the longest day yet of the tour, 46 miles for Stage 5 of 14.  It was 5:45 am and Eric and Troy were the last ones to leave the trailhead after our overnight stay at Wood's Hole Hostel.  Rebekah, Anne, and Rob had left about half an hour earlier.  Yesterday evening was my first chance to see the runners since they began this adventure.  I'm not sure what I expected of the runners or the hostel, but I was a little surprised by how much it felt like I was in the Twilight Zone.  As the runners filtered in yesterday evening, they weren't very chatty, more quiet and pensive, or just plain exhausted.  They got to work prepping their supplies for the next stage or tending their blisters, scrapes, hunger, and dirt covered bodies. There was a distance in their presence.  I've seen Eric in this state before.  One look into his eyes after a long, treacherous night at Hellgate and I knew he was battling some internal force challenging him to quit which, by the way, he didn't do.  The runners weren't quite in this state, but I did sense they were feeling the miles and maybe beginning to question their willingness to explore fatigue in quite the way this adventure is calling them to.

Eric freshening up in the outdoor shower at Woods Hole

Eric and Anne ready for some homemade pizza

Neville, in apron, with some of the dinner prep crew

Wood's Hole Hostel is a light and airy place, both because of the idyllic country setting with an 1880's log cabin, farm animals, and gardens aplenty, and because of the friendly, welcoming owners, Neville and Michael.  The hostel was a treat for me, but I think it may have been more of a mixed bag for the runners.  Papa bear Grossman was a little protective of his cubs when he was told everyone needed to pitch in to help make dinner.  Eric explained the runners needed time to recover.  Neville and Michael explained this is how their hostel works, with everybody pitching 
in or as my stepmom says, "Many hands make light work." Eric must have convinced Neville because our runners stayed out of the heat of the kitchen, with its 400 degree oven prepping for the pizzas, and dinner was made with the labor of our 12 year old son, 10 year old daughter, Neville, her niece and nephew, myself, and three thru-hikers.  It worked out just fine.  

Rob with his pizza

Rebekah

Crew co-leader Adam enjoying another day of the Tour

Crew leader and chef James with his and Eric's dad, John

"I haven't cussed him yet," Anne told me.  I told Eric that Anne had this to say last night.  "Oh, it's coming," Eric replied.  How could it not?  Today, Stage 5, was their longest mileage yet (46 miles).  I'm anxious to meet up with the runners and crew again tomorrow night (Friday) in Catawba to see how Stages 5 and 6 have played out.  With some luck and careful self-maintenance, they may be as blissful as my daughter, Catherine, is at Wood's Hole.  Well, I can hope.

Tour de Virginia Times through Stage 4

Tour de Virginia video - the early stages

Thanks to crew member Adam Bolt for creating this video showing our runners in the first couple days of the Tour.  Ann shows off her blister and shares her "technical" trail accident, Troy shares his story of bonus miles, Rebekah tells of her hammock misfortunes during the storm,  and Rob shares his tale of being ensnared by blowdown.

Stage 2 - Monday, July 2 (35 miles)

The glycogen stores are not yet depleted and so Eric tells me everyone is still feeling pretty good after today's 35 mile day from VA 603 to VA 617.  I haven't heard any stories from today's trek yet, but I'm aware the tents and hammocks are hanging out to dry at Ron Diss' (Eric's colleague) house in Rural Retreat where the runners and crew are camping tonight.  Hopefully tonight's rest will be uneventful, compared with last night, as tomorrow brings another 38 miles.

Stage 1 - Tour de Virginia (Sunday, July 1)

After yesterday's prologue, a 7 mile run from Damascus to the TN/VA border, the Tour de Virginia began in earnest today with a 40 mile trek on the Appalachian Trail from Damascus to VA 603 near Troutdale. Rob French, Anne Riddle Lundblad, Troy Shellhamer, Eric Grossman, and Rebekah Trittipoe set off together on this journey of 550+ miles that will take them from the TN/VA border to Harper's Ferry, W.Va. in 14 days. It's no surprise that this event began as a community affair.  The ultrarunning community is known for being just that, a community.  While not everyone has the guts, stamina, courage, or endurance to tackle 550+ miles in 14 days, there are plenty in the community who are excited to come out and support such a feat.  Today, Jenny Nichols brought her two boys, Jack and Todd, out to support the runners with lemonade, cookies, and other goodies.  With temperatures in the upper 90's to low 100's, the refreshments were a welcome treat.  Guy Love and Rick Gray joined the runners for part of today's run and Beth Minnick came out to support the runners as well.  Thanks, Beth and Jenny, for posting these pictures on Facebook. 

Rob

Anne

Guy Love and Eric

Jack and Todd with Rick Gray and Rebekah Trittipoe

All smiles at the end of Stage 1, the first 40+ mile day

Sunday night brought severe thunderstorms to the area.  While I slept somewhat peacefully in the comfort of my bed, I wondered what was happening with Eric and the runners and crew out on the mountain.  I learned today that the night was better for some than others.  Adam Bolt, a member of the support crew, and Rebekah were unprepared for the storms as they slept in their hammocks.  I hear they ended up inside the van where James, Eric's brother and the other member of the support crew/chef, slept.  Sounds like a cozy night in the van.  I'm certain the runners and crew will have plenty of opportunities to get to know one another in ways not yet anticipated or imagined. I hope to be able to share some of their stories with you here as the next two weeks unfold.