Bull
Run Run 50
Overland Regional Park
Clifton, Virginia
14 April 2007
by
Dave Bursler
In the past I've relied upon many sources including my nieces, nephews,
grandfather and God above to provide the motivation necessary to run ultramarathons. However in the race I was about
to encounter I would have only my heart to rely upon because all of those
sources of energy would be needed elsewhere.
The Monday before my race my Uncle underwent major surgery
to repair an aneurysm that formed in his heart. As the day of my race
approached he laid sleeping peacefully in a hospital
bed as those surrounding him wondered when or if he would come too. My
mother was very upset which in turn upset me. It was hard but I could not
allow my mom to know how much her tears affected me. Instead of getting
down and fearing the worst I urged her to support my uncle just as she had
supported me while crewing for me in 100-mile races. The analogy fit
because his fight was similar though the implications of failure were no where
near the same. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm and never give
up approach always helped me forge forward even in the worst of times and now
she needed to do the same for her brother. The night before my race I
wrote to my mom from my hotel room promising her my uncle would not die. I
reminded her that he comes from a family of fighters and he would fight, fight
and fight some more until he won the battle. My ability to overcome
the challenges that present themselves in 100-mile races is not a unique trait
but rather it is something I inherited. I was always taught by my family
through words and more importantly experiences that there is no challenge too
great to be overcome not even death itself.
I did not need any one or any power to generate the source
of energy I would need to run the 2007 edition of the Bull Run Run 50. Instead, through my running, I planned to
generate positive vibes in the direction of my uncle to supplement his own
strength in order to allow him to win his personal battle.
I left my home in
Though in what seems like a remote area the park is actually
located just 30 miles South of Washington D.C. Dulles Airport and
Anyhow after picking up my packet and chatting with a few
friends I made what turned out to be a very important phone call to a good
friend back home. My buddy Rick and I have been good friends ever since he
spent 24 straight hours with me as I ran around the
In that 24-hour span of time Rick and I found that we share a lot of common
ground and have similar personalities and interests. Ever since that day
in September he has found a way to speak to me like no other. In fact the
advice he has given to me can only be described as that of a big brother. An example of this were the words of wisdom he used to
encourage me at Badwater. He advised me to do my
best under all circumstances but more importantly to understand that no matter
the outcome I would not disappoint anyone not my mom, not my dad and certainly
not my grandfather. The words he used in his attempt to motivate me for Bull
Run Run were similar but
conveyed in a different manner. He simply told me that I have nothing to
prove, just go run. Those words were so straightforward that I could not
help but understand. His guidance, direction, advice, whatever you want to
call it, immediately took the edge off of me. I had nothing to prove and
now I could just go and run and enjoy the entire day.
Later in the evening I stopped off at what is turning out to
be my favorite pre-race eating spot, Subway. I grabbed a sandwich and some
chips and took them back to my hotel room where I could eat and prepare for the
next day's run. As I sat and ate, my thoughts were not focused on
my run but rather my mother and my uncle instead. I am a big believer that
confidence alone is something that allows people to do the amazing, that which
is not understood and can not be comprehended by the average human
being. Some how I wanted to try to instill this confidence in my mom so
that she would truly believe my uncle would be okay and then she would be okay
as well. The best way I express myself is through writing so after eating
I posted a note to my blog, which included a promise
to my mom. My promise to her was that if she believed in her heart that my
uncle would be okay that indeed he would pull through. Believe in
your heart, despite what doctors may say, just believe in your heart and I
promise he will be okay. After writing I went back to my hotel room
and stared at the picture of my grandfather that I had sitting on the bureau in
the room. I looked directly into his eyes and told him that I would not
need his spirit to be present in my heart for the next day's run. Instead
I asked him to be with his son and give him the will to fight and survive.
My confidence level has suffered some severe blows due to the nagging
injuries I have experienced over the last couple of years. My right leg,
in particular, has not functioned properly since February of 2006.
The amount of running I have been able to do has been limited due to the fact
that I am tired of dealing with the pain. Doctors have not been able to
confirm whether the leg is still broken or if there is muscle damage or are
there is nerve damage. The only recommendation I have been given is if I
can manage the pain than I can run but if not than I should stop. That
being said I have not had the ability to maintain a consistent training pattern
for many months. There are times when I run fine and without pain but then
the next day I am hobbled only to find that the very next day I am pain free
again. It is quite baffling to the medical professionals that I have
spoken with but more importantly it is frustrating to me. My
mileage has been erratic at best and of much concern as the day of the race
neared. In fact the pain in my leg was so bad that at one point in late
March that I considered bailing out of the event. The pain lessened and my
desire to once again have an opportunity to run the beautiful
As I prepared my clothes for the following day I munched on
some salty potato chips and Chex Mix that I bought
from a vending machine in the hotel. I felt very good and at ease with
myself. I was not concerned about my ability to run the distance or my
ability to withstand the pain as a result but what did concern me was how well
I would care for myself during the race. It was going to be a cool
day and like most I had no one there to keep an eye on me to make sure I was
drinking enough and resupplying my body with the
nutrients I lost through sweating. As a way to address this issue I
planned to wear a small waist pack in which I would store some Succeed tablets
which contain the right concentration of potassium and sodium lost in
sweat. Also I placed a few aspirin along with two Imodium tablets in the
pack. Finally I carried a small vial of ginseng along with a 2 ounce
bottle of Rocket Shot energy fluid and a disposable rain jacket in the pack. I
had all of the necessary items but the question was would I remember to use
them.
I knew that nutrition could also play a major role in my ability to run
strong. Instead of following my normal method of drinking Red Bull and
Ensure I decided that I would eat whatever the aid stations provided. In a
way it was an experiment but an experiment in which the odds were in my favor
and also to my benefit. The effects of the caffeine in the Red Bull are usually
positive for the race but the overall effect including my mood even days after
is not good. I felt it was time to move away from the artificial energy
provided in the form of caffeine and start using the energy offered in real
food. Again this would only work if indeed I recognized that I needed to take
the time to stop and eat early.
Well fed and feeling at ease off to sleep I went
around midnight. I calculated that it would take about 20 minutes to get
from my hotel to the park where the race would start. Taking into account
the fact that I would need to stop at a convenience store to get some water for
my bottle and also eat I decided that I had better be up and about by 4:45
a.m. This would allow me the leeway to do the necessary things and say my
peace to the Man above while easily making it in time for the 6:15 a.m.
start.
I slept like a baby with little stress or feelings of unwanted pressure so
when the alarm sounded I felt great. I jumped right up, got in the shower,
and then dressed in the clothes I had laid out the night before. The
predicted weather called for morning temps to be in the low 40's and rising
into the 50's as the day progressed. In preparation for that I planned to
wear warm-ups over my tank top and shorts and then would remove them just prior
to the start. I wore a pair of cotton gloves as well because my hands
usually dictate my body temperature and because of this I planned to keep them
on the entire race.
After getting dressed I jumped into my car, did the
necessary things and arrived at the park around 5:30. The atmosphere was
quite calm compared to most races I've been involved with but this event is
unique in that most who participate either stay overnight in one of the
bunkhouses or they camp. Me? Well I'm a bit spoiled. I don't
mind camping but if there's a hotel nearby I can assure you that I will be in
it. Anyhow I acclimated very easily to the calm environment created
by my fellow runners. While waiting for the start I found a place
undercover where I could place my drop bag. I then sat and observed what
was going on around me. At 6:05 a.m. I removed my warm-ups and placed
Vaseline in the areas where I'm most susceptible to chafing. I wanted to
put some Vaseline on the bottom of my left foot because I was a little worried
about the strap that I use to support my collapsed arch. It was digging
deep into my foot and already causing some minor pain. After some thought
I recognized that no amount of Vaseline was going to prevent the damage that
could occur from that. It's a long run and anyone who participates will
suffer with some pain me included. If my only pain was the result
of the damage from the strap I would count my blessings and thank God
above.
At 6:10 a.m. the runners started seeding themselves according to their level
of ability. I waited until most of the runners were in place before
finding a spot I felt most comfortable with. It was still dark so I found
it to be difficult to recognize the faces of those around me making it hard for
me to place myself in the proper position. Finally I found a spot a couple
of tiers back and then waited calmly for the start of the race. My
feelings and confidence level at the start of this race in comparison to the
marathon which I did a month earlier were quite different. I was very
composed and under control while at the same time confident that my goals were
reasonable and could be met.
Around 6:15 the race director, Bob Phillips, asked us
to take a moment of silence to recognize the troops stationed overseas and to
also remember those that lost their lives on the hollow ground we were about to
traverse. A few glances at his watch and then the words go from Bob's
mouth sent us on our way.
This was my third time running the
My concerns going in to the race were how well my right leg
would hold up, how well my right hamstring would hold up, how well my left foot
would hold up and whether I would have stomach issues. Yes I had a lot of
concerns but once the word go was said I only had time
for positive thoughts. That being said as I made my first stride coming
off of the start line I could feel my hamstring pull which created a slight
dull ache. It was at this time that I told myself no more pain. I put
my mind in action and gave it full control. I never once again experienced
pain in the hamstring, leg or foot the entire race. I completely
understand the power of the mind and use it to its fullest in any race I ever
do. I am not superhuman nor am I any different than anyone else. It's
a matter of recognition and desire. I could allow my body to take control
and feel every ache and pain and may be even wind up quitting or I could let my
mind take over and drive me to the finish. We all have that choice
and the amount of suffering that occurs depends on the choice that is
made. If you believe you can finish under any and all circumstances you
will.
I followed my strategy of running a quick first mile while
staying a few yards back from the leaders. The quick mile produced an
immediate separation amongst the other runners which amazingly enough held true
for most of the race. The terrain leading around the first mile consists
mainly of gravel road but as we turned left out of the makeshift parking lot we
were led back on a trail up to where we started. Like most of the
The terrain that we were now presented with would be pretty consistent
throughout the most of the entire run. The trail was single track but wide
enough for others to get around. It was soft with very few obstacles in
the form of roots or rocks and compared to past years very dry. My
description above is accurate for most of the course however there were a few
short sections where rocks were prevalent and roots littered the trail.
As I ran out the first seven miles to
I felt great early on but I never allow myself to get overconfident too
early in a race because I know that the tide can turn quickly and
often. That being said I enjoy the moments when I feel good but I conserve
enough to stave off the lethargy that will surely try to challenge me in the
later miles. Despite my intense personality I always take the time to
smell the roses. Intense and competitive I am but also very observant and
appreciative of the opportunity I've been given to run in such a beautiful area
amongst the nicest people in the world. The flowers were blooming and the
birds were chirping while in the distance I could hear the water from the river
rushing. If my goal was to push myself beyond my limits on this day I
could not have thought of a better place to do it than where I was.
I tend to look for certain places as a point of reference as
to how I'm doing and how I should pace myself. The first place I targeted
was the trail that would lead us back into civilization at
As I reached the turn that led me up to the aid station I was greeted by
Kevin Sayers who graciously volunteered his time to guide the runners in the
proper direction. I always make it a point to thank the volunteers but I
find it to be more meaningful when I know the person's name I'm
thanking. It becomes heartfelt and I believe the person understands just
how much I appreciate the sacrifice he or she is making for my benefit.
When I reached the aid station I became very aware of a
problem that could potentially develop into a major issue later in the
race. I had run over 7 miles without a sip taken from my water
bottle. The weather was cool and my thoughts were wandering outside the
scope of the race. One of my pre-race fears was coming to fruition; I was
not taking care of myself properly. Although I had not been drinking I
still felt very good as I made my way up the short incline to the aid
station. Since my bottle was full and I felt good I decided to continue
running without a pause. I followed the markings which led me around a
cone and then back down towards the area where Kevin was standing. As I
approached he directed me to the right and informed me that he would see me
again in four miles.
There was a short, steep hill that immediately met runners as they made
their way outbound from
The path that led us outbound ran very near the river making
the grounds susceptible to floods. That meant that at any time there was a
very good chance our nice dry trail could turn into a sloppy
mess. Although the thought of this remained in the back of my mind at all
times I never looked too far ahead and always appreciated the dry trail I had
at the time. The single track leading out was quite narrow but the
overgrowth surrounding the trail was not such that it would block those that
needed to get around. Not that it mattered to me at the time as I
was running well behind the person in front and had gained enough space on the
person behind. However I knew that eventually I would need to share the
space because those in the lead would be coming back towards me and when I made
the turn those coming out would then be coming towards me as well. I
looked forward to seeing the leaders and I looked forward to seeing those
behind. It was fun to encourage and to be encouraged and the interaction
eliminated the boredom.
There were a few wooden bridges on the trail leading from
The trail leading back to
After passing by Barry I went up and down the short, steep hill that would
lead me back to the aid station at
This time when I made my way up into the aid station I decided to stop and
have my bottle refilled. I still wasn't drinking a lot but aid would not
be available for another six miles and I was certain that after eleven miles of
running I would start to consume some fluids. I thanked the
volunteer for filling my bottle and then made the turn around the cone and this
time headed left out of the aid station back toward the original start
line. There would be no surprises on the return trip as I would traverse
the same grounds going back as I did going out. The only difference
would be that the ups would now be downs and the downs would now be
ups. Since I scoped the course out in entirety on the way out I had
already targeted a couple of hills in which I would most likely walk on the
return trip. Mentally this made things so much easier because the decision
was already made and there would be no disappointment if in fact I
walked. Energy is something that I have found can be conserved mentally as
much as it can be conserved physically. It was still early and the conservation
process was in full swing.
I was about a mile out of
We ran most of the way back but when we reached the climb that came into
view directly after crossing the river I decided it was time to walk. He
took a quick pit stop and I walked the steepest part but soon ran again when
the hill became more manageable. The trail led us out of the woods
and into a grassy meadow which still had an uphill pitch to it but it was only
slight and would only be a factor later when I had to travel this same exact
path to finish. The grassy meadow then led back into the woods on a short
single track into the aid station at mile 17. I moved quickly through the
aid station only allowing enough time to have my bottle filled and to grab a
cup of soda before heading back onto the same road on which we
started. Just before I was about to make the left turn out of the start
area I heard a lady's voice ask if I knew which direction I was
headed. Turned out the lady was none other than a Dianna Widdowson a very good runner from
The road I traveled led me to the right for the second time onto the
trail. It was this same trail in which I traveled upstream that led me to
Although I knew where I was at and knew where I was headed I
had no clue as to how many miles I had traveled. In fact it didn't really
matter to me because I was running for 50 miles and whatever it took to get
there is what it would take. I wasn't 100% and I wasn't in the best of
shape so time wasn't a major factor but instead it was all about finding my way
to the finish.
When I reached the soccer fields I was again in an area where I had to do
battle with my own mind. It was at this time that I first thought of how
my uncle was struggling for his life in the hospital. I told my mom that
our family never quits and that we fight until the end. I was inspired by
my own thoughts as I gained energy and fought my way through the down
period. I had hoped that the energy I generated from these thoughts would
also be shared with my uncle and that he would too be inspired.
Once through the recreational area we were led back into the
woods into a section that I knew was susceptible to floods. I was prepared
for mud but when I reached the railroad ties that were placed in the area as a
way for hikers to avoid such conditions I was pleasantly surprised. It
wasn't dry but there wasn't shoe sucking mud there either. Actually I felt
more comfortable running on the wet dirt than I did trying to hop from wooden
tie to wooden tie. I then made my way up and down the short hills along a
trail that paralleled the river until I reached the aid station at the
I wasted little time in the aid stations but in retrospect the time I
thought I would be wasting may have been better served addressing my
needs. At this point I had no symptoms but I have way too much experience
to wait for symptoms before reacting. The biggest mistake I made during
the day was not taking care of myself and I was about to feel the
effects.
The path leading out of the aid station led us down a series of steps and
toward a road devoid of traffic. Despite the fact the traffic was sparse
marshals were in place in order to make sure the runners safely
crossed. Once across the road I hopped over the guardrail and back onto a
slightly hilly trail where I would begin to feel the effects of electrolyte
imbalance. As I moved forward I became slightly dizzy and my stomach
started to give me some trouble. At first I thought I was experiencing
hunger pains and truthfully I did not recognize the real issue until I reached
the aid station at Fountainhead still many miles away. I fought off the
dizziness with thoughts of how my uncle was battling for his life. I could
easily conquer the condition I was encountering with a little fight and a lot
of determination. There could be no quit in me because if I did it could
only mean it would be okay for my uncle to quit as well. Though I never
know exactly what form it will take I always expect a down point in my
races. No matter what they are I will find a way to counter them and
ultimately triumph. The feeling of triumph in the end is satisfying but
the experience of the struggle is very hard. Struggles happen to everyone
on the course no matter how fast or how slow. The ultimate goal and the
most satisfying reward is not how fast a runner goes but how well a runner
manages his or her struggles to find the finish.
I struggled mightily running alone for a couple of miles
until Nathan Echols from New Jersey caught up to me. Somehow he remembered
me from a conversation the two of us had at the JFK 50 the previous
November. I was a little embarrassed that I had to admit that I did not
remember our talk. Anyhow he was a very nice young guy and he kept me
company for just a few minutes. I recognized how strong he was running at
the time and did not want to get caught up in his pace so I allowed him to
continue on. While I love a good conversation I understand what my limits
are and how to stay within them. The short talk was enough to help me
refocus. I truly believe most problems are worsened when a person is alone
and allowed to let their mind run rampant. I was still a little woozy but
I had enough strength to find my way into the Wolf Run Shoals aid
station. This aid station in particular is something runners look forward
to for two reasons. First of all they serve ice cream and secondly the
volunteers select a theme and dress accordingly. This year's theme was
Mash so the volunteers dressed up as nurses and doctors and one even dressed as
“Hot lips” Houlihan. I knew going in that the
station workers would be dressed up but I felt so bad that I never recognized
what the theme was until my return trip back later in the day.
Since I thought my problem was created by hunger I grabbed a
sandwich and a cookie from the table and force fed myself. The path
leading out of the aid station was smooth and runnable
so I could not justify walking at that point. I was hopeful that I would
soon feel the effects of the food and that I would once again feel
strong. In the mean time I forced myself to run and devoted my thoughts to
my uncle.
The course for the most part in the two miles leading from
Wolf Run Shoals to Fountainhead was mostly flat. It took extra
concentration on my part to overcome boredom as well as dizziness but my fight
though different than others was nothing unique amongst the other participants. We
were there fighting the same battle and looking for the same reward. If
you don't win the small battles along the way the finish line will never
appear. Like everyone else I fought and I looked for resolutions to my
problems and finally when I reached Fountainhead and saw the potatoes and salt
I knew what I needed to do. I dipped the potato in the salt, held my
breath and somehow downed the entire thing without gagging. I then asked
one of the volunteers to top off my water bottle with Gatorade. As I left
I took a banana along for the ride hoping that the potassium/salt combo would
finally be the solution to my problem.
I left Fountainhead with the knowledge that I would return after traveling
10 miles on what is advertised as the toughest part of the course. I was
first led through the White Loop before being directed toward what is known as
the anti-trail or the Do-Loop. The hills were actually a relief because
they gave me an opportunity to feel free to walk and relax. Since my main
goal was to finish safely I felt comfortable walking without worrying about the
time ticking away or who was going to pass me. I didn't walk every single
hill and I never walked any one in particular the entire way up. I
felt that if I walked too much than fatigue would set in quicker than it would
if I used a run/walk strategy. I may have been a mile from reaching the
Do-Loop when I first started seeing runners headed back in my direction. At
first I thought I was going the wrong way but then I remembered it was an out
and back so these guys were headed back and at least four miles ahead of me at
the time. The relief I felt created an energy surge which pushed me
forward up a steep hill that led into the Do-Loop aid station.
I entered in and out of the aid station very quickly without
taking more salt or drinking more Gatorade. I'm not exactly certain how I
made such a mistake over and over again but I failed to recognize my
needs. In the end the outcome was that my fight was harder but I still won
the battle.
Upon exiting the aid station one of the volunteers told me that he would see
me in three miles. I remembered from years past that this section was not
as hard as described by the accounts of others. The trail can be followed
with ease, the footing is excellent and the hills, though plenty, are not
overwhelming. In all honesty the first mile leading out of the aid station
takes runners directly downhill before the trail becomes a bit unpredictable. I
slowed but not dramatically as I adopted a method of walking up the hills and
running down. Though I was not slow it became obvious that those behind me
either walked a lot quicker than I or they did not adopt my same style of
forward progress. It was during this section of the run that I was passed
first by Keith Knipling and then Scottie Mills who by
the way went on to post a very impressive time of 7:43. I somehow
made it through the Do-Loop without anyone else passing me but lurking in the
background would be three young ladies who would soon fly by me with
ease.
The walk breaks in the Do-Loop did not reinvigorate me by
any means but the fact that I did not push hard meant that I did not experience
negative effects from the lack of salt and potassium. That being
said I felt that I had no reason to be alarmed as I left the Do-Loop aid
station. It never occurred to me that once I pushed my body again I would
suffer.
I left the aid station with the knowledge that I would be passing others as
they made their way out going in the opposite direction. I saw a lot of
friends who I recognized and some who recognized me. Feeding off of
encouragement is a good way to gain energy. The encouragement I speak of
is not just the kind words sent my way but those I express to others as
well. There is no better feeling than to see a positive reaction on
another's face as I compliment him or her on their performance. Words are
powerful and can lift a person to heights unknown to man or they can shut
someone down completely. I prefer to lift the spirit of others.
I had just made my way down the hill when the lead woman,
Amy Sprosten blazed by me with what seemed like
minimal effort. She was focused and determined and looking very
strong. Though still 15 miles from the finish I was confident she would
win.
It seemed like it had been hours since I left Fountainhead on this 10 mile
trek but I was certain the end was near. I knew I did not have to travel
the White Loop a second time but I was not sure how we would be detoured around
back into the aid station at Fountainhead. In reality it didn't matter
because as long as I moved forward I would get there eventually. That is
exactly what I did and sure enough I made it back to the cheers of some unknown
friends. Seems all day someone out there knew who I was and
enthusiastically urged me on. While I may never have an opportunity to
thank those people I certainly did appreciate the encouragement.
The salt, potatoes, bananas and Gatorade all stared me
directly in the face once again and seemingly called my name. I had been
weak and a little woozy for most of the 10 miles I had just traveled but never
once did I consider why. The mere fact that the above mentioned items
stood out reminded me of what I needed to do in order to solve my
problem. I did what I had to do and felt comfortable and even excited
knowing that I was on my return trip to the finish line.
It was now only a matter of taking the same course I traveled on the way out
only in reverse fashion. It was about maintaining composure, regaining
strength, and running consistently. My goal was aid station to aid station
to finish line. This meant two miles, five miles and five and a half
miles. No lump sum but rather once section at a time.
The two miles back to Wolf Run Shoals were kind of flat and
a little boring but I amused myself enough to stay focused on the task at hand
and I was able to stave off the dizziness. The volunteers
gracious assistance allowed me to get what I needed from the aid station and
move quickly in and out and back on to the trail toward the
I'm not going to go into much detail as to what Bethany and I chatted about
but one thing in particular that she commented on was her belief that I had
given up ultras. I actually found her question hard to respond to because
I wasn't sure exactly what my true feelings were. I love ultras but I also
know that participating in them long term will not only make me susceptible to
permanent injury but also will take focus away from what my true goals in life
are. My answer to her was that I gave up running in 100 mile races but
that I will continue running in 50's. Was that a true statement? Well
it was that day but until I make my final decision on whether I will
participate in Western States in June nothing is set in stone.
Bethany and I really kicked it into gear running the hilly
section that would lead us back into the Marina Aid station. I couldn't
help but think just how impressive it is for those of us out there to still be
running or walking forty some odd miles into a race. It's a fantasy world
that regular people could never understand but for some odd reason those of us
who participate take it for granted as something everyone can do.
In the distance I pointed out the road to
I left the aid station before
The trail along the river was mainly flat and in reality very pretty but at
the time it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. A Flat trail leading me
to the end but where was the end at. It continued
on for what seemed like forever. I was overwhelmed by boredom and forced
into a walk in an area where I had no business walking. Once walking my
body took over and reneged. I didn't feel pain but I did feel
dizzy. Negative thoughts were surrounding me and slowly but surely I was
losing the fight. I forced myself to run but walked in areas where I
should not have allowed myself to do so. As I struggled I was passed by
both C. J. Blagg and Michael Allen. I wasn't
frustrated or concerned but I sure was ready to put an end to this
thing. I didn't take care of myself early on and I was now paying the
price. No big deal, I thought. I still have some energy so I can walk/run
it in. My spirits were lifted some when I finally reached the turn which
led me up the steep hill into the meadow onto the trail and into the finish
line. I walked all of the way up the steep hill and then ran through the
meadow before stopping to walk a little. The walk gave me the last bit of
strength I needed to run the final few yards across the finish line. My time….well that's a story in itself. I was certain
that my time would be around 8:15 because I had checked my watch at the
The Bull Run Run 50 mile race has
found a place in my heart. Though I've always claimed the JFK 50 held each
November in
My goals are many yet my desires are few. I ask God for
little because He's not there to give but rather guide. On this night I do
ask God to please comfort my family and give strength to my uncle to help him
win his battle. No matter what the future may hold my race at
Dave Bursler