Discussion: Great experiences!

Rogaines are so long and challenging the most interesting things can happen. Helps to have the masochistic persistence to keep going. Often I go in with a dread of the discomfort, pain and exhaustion that's coming, although this time I went in feeling good and came out the same.

All certainly very memorable experiences. You've done quite a few more of these than I have, and I suspect I would not fare well now, not because of a lack of persistence, but because the body just might not hold up to it. Particularly seems unlikely that I could carry even a very small pack for that length of time. Having a compatible partner seems quite important if you are going to do well, someone with a comparable energy pattern as well as someone comfortable to be with for that long.

Congratulations to you and Phil on your fine performance!

That they're memorable is one of the attractions. All the 5k races and all the green courses on familiar maps in the northeast are starting to run together for me. Your selective recollection is very amusing. "Just put your head down and climb" is often good advice for anyone.

We've been at two of these at the same time: the 2004 World Champs east of Tuscon: you and Bob beat J-J and I by 10 points. And 2006 in Allegany State Park (in NY, not PA) that you did with J-J and I did with Jeff Saeger. Presumably you could have gotten the correct dates and places, if you had wanted to, by searching your log.

Thanks for the additional data, Phil. It is interesting which little elements stick in one's head years after.

Interesting memories Charlie. Thanks! They brought back memories of some midwest SLOC and OLOU rogaines I did with Soupbone and, unbelievably, Sari. Hard to imagine her subjecting herself to such ordeals now. But when we first met, she was 'fresh off the boat' from Finland, and enjoyed the competition and athleticism of those long run-ins to make the deadlines. Did some local Ride-n-Ties together too, using one bike instead of a horse. Fond memories!