Tunnel Heel and Ankle Rap

On Friday three Rabbits blew out of town to travel to Illinois-
That's right! The Tunnel Hill 50 Miler was finally here - oh boy!
CBun and STUR have been planning this race for one whole year -
WuDoc joined in last week - but she's ready, don't fear!
Travel was smooth and they all met up at the Holiday Inn Express -
It's Team Rabbit's favorite hotel - you didn't have to guess.
Had a nice lunch then the three Rabbits checked out the race site -

Tunnel Hill Trail Shenanigans!

Got to goof off and play around a bit to their delight!

Rabbit Shadow Selfie? Check!

After convincing CBun she wouldn't die in Wal-Mart...
With water, candy, chips, and bagels they filled their cart.
Back to the HIE to prepare their drop bags-
Forgetting any necessary items would be a drag.
Collected up BRab and headed to the pasta dinner,
Got their numbers, shirts, and a hat - who's a winner?!
Lights out at 9, tomorrow will be quite a day-
For 50 miles on the Tunnel Hill State Trail they will play!

Photo courtesy of CBun!

Race day is here and the weather is superb!
Last year was freezing and icy- don't know if you heard...

They are ready!
(Photo courtesy of Sherpa Tim)

Said a quick goodbye to Sherpa Tim and the three were off-
It's 50 miles so we started off slowly- don't scoff!

WuDoc, shedding her first layer!

CBun, hadn't shed her layer yet!

STUR, ready to shed!

STUR hit the first aid station in the time she predicted-
There was Sherpa Tim- he is committed!
She was ready to shed her top layer-Again the weather could not have been greater!
Time to dig in once those first few miles are done-
But really the race has just begun...

WuDoc on the run!

CBun approaching!

Here comes STUR!

Next thing she knows she's at aid station two -
Time to drink a coke and take down a gu.
As she approached though she stepped weirdly on a big rock-
She hoped that wouldn't come back to haunt..
No time to worry since the next three miles were really entertaining-
For her two Rabbit friends her eyes were straining-
Since it was a "quick" out and back there was an abundance of peeps to see-
"Love the ears!" The other racers would exclaim with glee!
Saw CBun and WUDoc - they were ahead and cranking along-
About then STUR decided it was time to sing a song!
She put on her headphones and jammed to some tunes-
It was getting warmer and becoming afternoon.
STUR felt an amazing burst of energy from miles 13 to 21-
Started picking off people one by one.
In an ultra you take advantage when you feel this good-
She ran "hard" as much as she could!
Soon she got to say something cool to another racer-
"We've done a marathon!" something to savor?
Well a marathon is nifty but it's not what we are doing here-
Since we have 24 more miles to do- that was clear!
Mile 27 was a very welcome sight!
Back to the start and a major aid station-alright!!!
Spotted CBun dumping bits of rocks out of her shoe-
Gaiters might have been necessary- it's true.
Filled up her bottles with more lemon lime Skratch -
So glad she took the time to make a new batch!
The direction on the trail would now be North
2.8 miles to the next aid station- go forth!
What's next? You guessed it -THE tunnel!
To get there before dark she'd have to hustle
Finally reached the tunnel -time for the headlamp-
She breezed right through it like  a champ!
It helped that she already had the "Paw Paw Paloooza" experience-
Compared to Paw Paw - Tunnel Hill was heaven sent.

Tunnel Hill tunnel - such a nice smooth surface!

Starting to get dark and cold -
But the aid station is right there she is told.
Ready to collect her long sleeve shirt and gloves -
Even got some hot chicken soup - LOVE!
Time for another "short" out and back -
Once we hit the turn around just a straight shot home - so whack!
It was very dark STUR thought she might miss the ears -
Not seeing WuDoc was her main fear.
But there she was and they exchanged a quick hug -
It was so wonderful for STUR to see a familiar mug.
"You'll have to turn around ma'm the trail is closed"
This is the turn  around spot she did suppose.
Yes! A nice man was there with a tent and a bonfire-
He would be there all night- plenty of 100 milers to inspire!
Another familiar mug? Yes! Here's CBun now-
Boy was she glad to see her and how!
They made a plan to go through the tunnel together-
First STUR needed another layer because of the weather.
CBun and STUR had hot soup together but what did that matter-
Her teeth were still going to chatter and chatter.
Then the 2 bunnies hopped through the tunnel then took a selfie-
Would they finish together? Just wait, you'll see.

Tunnel selfie, Part 2!!

Heard along the trail was howling and barking  for awhile -
Thinking of doggies at their houses made STUR smile.
But wait she found out the scoop later on -
Those were COYOTES singing their song!!
As the girls went along they heard some fast feet -
It was the 100 mile winner-good grief- but SWEET!
Soon STUR found herself slowing down quite a bit-
She told CBun "to save herself and don't dare quit!"
CBun said "I know you'll eventually catch up with me!"
But on this day it wasn't to be.
STUR arrived at the last checkpoint a bit upset -
Some pain in her ankle - from her earlier misstep?
STUR suggested Sherpa Tim take her back in his car...
He said "No way! You've already come this far!"
CBun was there waiting but STUR waved her on-
Before she knew it that Bunny was gone!
Just 2.8 to go - STUR set off on her way...
She would walk it in and call it a day.
There was soon a voice in the darkness-
It was Sherpa Tim to gather up her carcass!
Last little bit STUR had started to limp-
She held onto Tim- she wasn't being a wimp.
As she finally approached the finish line-
The 2nd place 100 mile finisher cruised by at the same time!
She was handed her shiny belt buckle and headed to the warm car-
So glad it was parked close and not too far.
Her Rabbit friends were there and all finished!
WuDoc having gotten there the quickest!
So glad they had a chauffeur to drive them away-
Once again Sherpa Tim saved the day!
Once back at the HIE STUR assessed the damage-
With these blisters and swollen ankles- how would she manage?

OUCH!!!

She'll  worry about that later for now they needed food-
Some Domino's Pizza sounded pretty good.
They had a blister popping party in the hotel room-
But had to go to sleep for a day of travel did loom!
Bye bye Illinois the Tunnel Hill race was really well done!
Did Team Rabbit have complaints? The answer to that would be none!

Meanwhile, STEB got the weekend started with some fun

A little Bear Complex action at CrossFit Annandale Friday night, starting with a run    

She did a lot of pressing and a lot of squats

The folks were all real nice at that box!

Then there was an AMRAP 1 minute to 4 minutes pyramid of sorts

Cleans, box jumps, burpees, then deadlifts, tried not to lose count of course!

Then on Sunday STEB was going to do a little race

Just one mile in a real flat place!

Ready, Set, GO!

It was at the USATF National 12k 

Can you believe $100 grand was the total elite prize that day?

RBug, Ready to Roll...Tide
(War Eagle!)

First RBug was running the main event

Then STEB had to go charge her phone once the runners went

She returned in time to catch RBug after the finish line

Way to go, RBug!

Took her pic then they hung out in the sun till it was 1 mile time

It was a pretty small field, STEB did not know what to expect

She just hoped her heel held up to the test!

Her goal had been to break 8 minutes

But in the end 8:08 was her finish!

It was sunny!

She was fourth out of all the females, young and old

There were only 26 total girls, truth be told!

A small field, but a fun event!

The event was very nice - really

The sponsors were too, and STEB got a sponsor selfie!

Thanks, Lamar!

Note: The Tunnel Hill scenic photos were taken by our very own CBun! The runner photos were taken by Sherpa Tim!