The Everglades Ultra

 My little R & R to Florida 

did include one more activity.

Well, actually one more event

for Running Man.

Yes, another one of his
50 mile ultra runs.

This time he was familiar with the
lay out of the course.
 He had run this one
a couple of years ago.

Here we are at 5 am.
Ready to start running through the
Everglades in the pitch dark.
Oh, boy.  That's what I call excitement.

I settled back in the car 

until the sun was out.

Here's the goal.

No band, no fireworks, no huge crowds.

Here's what a 50 mile 

trail run looks like on a map.

There are aid stations about every 4-5 miles.
It's not a course where a crew can follow
their runner so that meant
 I stayed put for the day.

Here's what I did.

Took a couple of walks.

and did some sewing.

Sitting at an ultra race and appliqueing

is a unique conversation starter.

(This is my nine patch swap quilt.)

I also watched the vultures circling and

 waiting to swoop down on some unexpected runner
too pooped to make it.
Not really, I hope.

But this trail run is not without dangers.

So that is why each runner
is equipped with bright orange whistle to
summon help in case you encounter

this or
a bear, or panthers, or some coiled up
 huge snake.

The only danger the orange whistle

can't protect you from are

cypress knees,

which are these woody projections that grow 

out from the base of the cypress trees.

I think every runner came in with a bloody

knee or two after being tripped up by these.

It was a beautiful day in the swamp,

but

I was glad when Running Man finally

saw this sign.

He was not the fastest person on the course,

but he was the fastest one

in his age bracket,
Males, 60 and up.
We affectionately refer to it as
"the Ol' Geezers"

 Way to go, Running Man.

I was his cheering crowd!

 Until Next Time-