Team Jim (Jim A-shirt off and Jim B-shirt on) arrives at the Marina aid station for some food, beverage and good cheer. As in most cases we were accomodate 2 of the 3:-) Jim A was using this race as training run for VT100 which I know he, Anna B. and I will all be running (I think there might be a few more Reston Runners but am not positive) 
My friend Dan Rose hydrates and makes small talk at the aid station. He is really nice and his friend Elizabeth and Parents were so sweet. Dan was supposed to be using BRR50 as a training run...I wish my training runs were as speedy. But way to go Dan!
My friend Tammy B crewed for her friend Homer. This was Homer's first 50 miler and he did really GREAT! He finished the race and looked really strong all throughout the race. I was able to take this picture when I headed out of the aid station to walk a bit with my friend Debbie (also then I could bring her cup back to the aid station after she liesurely drank some gatorade).
My friend Ethel from kickrunners.com. I have known Ethel for several years and have crossed paths at various ultra's including the race around the lake, Umstead and VT100. She is always very nice and a super strong runner.
Dave Yeakel enjoying some time at the aid station. The last few years he volunteered at this aid station, but this year I suppose decided to kick things up a notch by running the race. Guess we now know which one of us smarter, don't we?:-) Dave is an extraordinary ultramarathoner and has run Leadville, Western States, VT100 and many others (again, the theme of who is smarter continues:-).One of the highlights of my year (including Umstead 100, JFK50 and many other races) is my yearly volunteering at Bull Run Run at the Marina Aid Station. This is my 3rd year volunteering and as usual I had a great time. Other years it has been one week after Umstead but this year I had a weekend in between. Sadly I feel as tired as ever after this 10+ hour day.
I saw many friends as they crewed for other runners, many friends on the course, many friends volunteering with me and made many more friends today. Ultra runners are a great group of people!
For volunteers today was picture perfect. Sadly for runners I imagine it was a bit toasty with temperatures topping out about 78 degrees. The marina aid station had runners dropping at both mile 21 heading out as well as a few heading back to the finish at mile 45. And volunteers were kept busy filling water bottles, making gatorade, filling cups and basically keeping runners hydrated and to a lesser extent fed.
I enjoy volunteering immensely and hope I am a great volunteer because I have all my senses tuned into the runners needs volunteering so closely to Umstead. It is the kind words, the telepathy in figuring out my needs and the encouragement that aid station volunteers that always help me through any tough times I might have in races. And they give me the strength to get to the next aid station when I can refill on food/beverage and of course most importantly on encouragement and positvie energy.
I was even lucky enough to run into a few friends from Umstead 100 who were running Bull Run Run 50 only 2 weeks after Umstead! These runners are so amazing and inspiring. I walked my friend Debbie about half a mile after my aid station to stretch my legs a little. We chatted briefly and I will look forward to seeing her at VT100 if not sooner. I also paced my friend Monica (from Richmond Marathon when we ran about 5 miles together as well as Umstead) very briefly and we chatted about life in general. Monica is so happy and enthusiastic. It is always a pleasure to meet her at various races.
I also got to see so many of my Reston Runner friends. Anna B. has a great race and was moving the first time I saw her and was picking up the pace during the last half. I know she will have no trouble at VT100 this summer. Jim B and Jim A also looked really strong. And as usual were running together, how cool is it to run nearly every race and training run with a friend? Marce was looking really strong and I know will run a great race at JFK this fall. I got glipses of Dave Y., Ed C. and many others as they scurried through my aid station.
I will write more tommorrow (because I have lots of stories). In the meantime Congratulations to all Bull Run Run 50 Miler finishers!!
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