200-Mile Run: "FSB" Holzhauer

The intent of this little blog will be to cover the progress and movements of "Formerly Smoking Bob" (FSB) Holzhauer during his 200-Mile journey from Cumberland, MD (the start) to the Navy Memorial in Washington DC (the finish). 184.5 miles of the journey will be run on the C&O Canal Towpath. The updates below will be posted as quickly as we can receive them from Bob's amazing crew. This includes vehicle crews, bikers, runners, and any other amazing soul helping Bob accomplish this great "feet". My guess is that the updates will be coming in every couple of hours or so. (Scroll to Bottom for Most Recent Updates).

1230 02 JUN 2010: We (Alex, the Bob Blogger and FSB) arrive @ the donkey. This is the northern terminus of the C&O Canal. About an hour earlier Bob talked me into eating his pre-race meal of 3 (yes three) McDonald's double cheeseburger. I opted for no cheese. I still do not know what he was thinking. We parked the car, prepped his runner bag, and went into the building to use a final "nice bathroom" before toeing off on the Towpath. The weather was Sunny and around mid to upper 80's. FSB was in great spirits to whole way up, talking up a storm, and telling me his game plan: eating, running, shoes, bikers, pit crews, pacers, missing pacers, blister mgmt, etc. Local ultrarunner Rande Brown was in attendance for the push off.

1255 02 JUN 2010: I take a couple of final pictures of FSB with the Donkey and under the big blue sign that shows the exact terminus of the C&O Canal Towpath. FSB is jacked-up for the journey. His plan is well laid out. He has the classic smile on his face; he can not contain himself. Sounder the shadows of the trees, a Sunny sky, and a swift kick in the ---, FSB is off and running. The first leg is 11.4 Miles.

1400 02 JUN 2010: I arrive to the parking area of the first aid station area. The plan is to run backwards on the trail to meet-up with him, then run with until the aid station. I meet up with Bob about 25mins later. He is looks solid like a horse coming at me on the trail. Once we start chatting, I quickly find he is in great shape, his spirits high, and has a great focus on his goal. He has been eating and drinking steadily.

1525 02 JUN 2010: FSB rolls into the first aid station. Complete 11.4 miles. He spirits are great; he is joking. Though hot on the trails, this does not or has not effected Bob. He is entertaining me on the trails. For some reason, he keep repeating "I swallowed a bug and coughed up a carcass." He is also fired up for his evening run as the heat is starting to taper a bit. He keeps talking about his favorite ultra running drink; Coke!!!

1600 02 JUN 2010: I arrive @ the second aid station: Town Creek Aqueduct Mile 22.4 The parking area is next to a local swimming hole. My plan is to wait until Denis Cook and Peter Shoemaker arrive and I'll take off and meet up with Bob and run him in.

1720 02 JUN 2010: Waiting for an hour @ the local swimming hole. I meet up with FSB after running a few miles backwards on the trail. Bob is showing great discipline in the run. He has a great walk/run plan in place.

1837 02 JUN 2010:


2012 02 JUN 2010: Bob and Denis arrive @ the Paw Paw aid station. Bob eats a weener cooked by Peter; pounds a bottle of Powerade, changes socks, and we can not differentiate his smell from the canal anymore. FSB and Denis take off about 15mins later. Bob is happy. Denis is definitely giving Bob the energy boost he needs to run into the night!

2130 02 JUN 2010: Primary crew vehicle breaks down @ Paw Paw.

0115 03 JUN 2010: (SUBMITTED by Denis Cook) Location: 15 Mile Creek Transition Point Cumulative Distance: 54.5 miles. I picked up Bob at the Town Creek Aqueduct transition point. After logging just over 10% of the run -- 22.4 miles, to be precise -- Bob looked strong, felt strong, and smelled strong. I was told he ate three cheeseburgers before the run began. But, above all, his spirits were exceptionally high.After Bob downed a few bottles of water and reloaded his pack, the two of us set out to the next transition point, Paw Paw, which was 5.8 miles away. The afternoon sun, still quite high, sat on our backs as we left Town Creek. Fortunately, we were under heavy tree cover the whole way. As we pushed forward, Bob and I swapped the usual stories of our personal and professional lives, as well as a few gems that aren't for polite conversation. "What's said on the trail stays on the trail..."At any rate, by the Paw Paw transition point, the sun was no longer an issue: For the remaining miles we ran together, Bob and I were either in the Paw Paw tunnel or under nightfall. Through it all, Bob ran consistent, maintaining 18 minute miles -- despite nightfall, a lack of Coca Cola Classic, and repeated stops to slaughter mosquitoes and spiders.It's worth noting that Bob had everything down to a science. His fluid and calorie intake was well structured, just like his sock rotation system. Suffice it to say, he had all the details worked out. Of course, we hit a couple of glitches along the way, but that's expected, at least if you ask me, when you're running 200 miles. When I left Bob at the 15 Mile Creek transition point -- I had to get back to work -- he had a 10.5 mile leg in front of him. After refueling and repacking, Bob set out solo without hesitation.
Bob's well on his way.

0530 03 JUN 2010: (Submitted by Peter Shoemaker):

1200 03 JUN 2010: (Submitted by Peter Shoemaker) "Bob finally got the Coke. Tom arrived around 8:30 [am] or so. Bob is still moving forward. Work on mile 75.

1546 03 JUN 2010: (Submitted by Peter Shoemaker): FSB is finishing up 78miles. His feet are mostly duct taped at this point. Storm clouds coming in. FSB is about two legs without coverage on the trail.

1601 03 JUN 2010: (Submitted by Peter Shoemaker): "Here Comes The Rain" .....isn't that a song or something. FSB has been at it for just over 27hours. About to start Leg #11. Lots of pain induced humor.

1651 03 JUN 2010: (Submitted by Peter Shoemaker): FSB still moving priorities are shifting.