Day Thirty Five - Idaho Springs Race Day - Feelin' Good

Yesterday was the four mile Idaho Springs Race run by my burro-provider and coach, Bill Lee and his wife Carol of Laughing Valley Ranch. There were 17 racers (two of them under 15 years old). 7 women. 10 men.

Nick and I arrived early to the ranch to throw hay for the horses and llamas and see how else we could help out. City folk trying to do ranch work is a little comical, I think. But we did good! And Bill, Brad and Amber were glad to see that my fiance Nick actually exists, I think.

Anyhow, we headed down the hill and prepped the burros for the race - brushed them, saddled them, bribed them with banana peels. Then we processed through town and garnered much curiosity from onlookers, and finally made our way up to the start of Oh My God Hill.

 Thumper sniffs my crotch in preparation for the race. 

These saddles weigh 30 lbs. 

Bill and I put our heads together to saddle up Thumper. 

Thumper gives me a pre-race back-rub.

Thumper helps me tie my shoe before the race.

John Vincent's miniature donkey, Buckwheat! So cute. 

Here we are in procession formation. Beau Jo's, anyone?

Who Da Ho? I-Da-Ho! A ho with a nice ass.

Of course I was nervous. Although I had run this course already twice before with Bill, Amber, and Brad, I had never been in a real racing scenario. I couldn't sleep the night before. I forgot my Camelbak for the run. I had new running shoes. And shorts. And a new running top.
 

Check out the video of the start! Can you tell who the rookie is?

The race began. Thumper was a little hesitant to go straight at first, and then he really performed. He pulled me up almost all of the uphill. He was determined to catch up with Bill and Jack - his buddies. I laughed from behind him as he pulled me up the steep grade - "Who says there are no free rides in burro racing!?"

Amber and I were neck in neck for much of the downhill - Stormy and Thumper were feeding off of each other - good for Thumper to keep him going and good for Stormy because she has a tendency to get a little out of control. We reached the steepest driveway in the world (part of the course), and again, Thumper pulled me up. He was being such a good boy.

But when it came to the downhill, he was lagging. I couldn't convince him to go much faster than my jogging pace from in front. I was tempted to run him from behind, but my scraped elbows and thighs reminded me why that was not a good idea. My frustration was mounting, and Thumper felt it. As soon as I became impatient, he started acting more like an ass - stopping, turning around, dodging my guiding hands, slowing to a painful crawl. Soon I was being passed by all of the people I had been in front of for nearly the entire race.

On the last stretch - the spot I had hoped for a photo finish with hair blowing, Bethany and Thumper in perfect harmony cantering through the finish line, Thumper would barely go straight, much less run for me. Alas. 

But I finished! I got 5th place for the women, which earned me a free lunch at Two Brothers Deli in Idaho Springs (DELICIOUS!). And it wasn't bad for my first race.

Waterfall. Cliff. American flag. Colorado flag! Sounds like burro-racin'!

Thumper deserves kisses after his race!

Award time!

Race-day Lessons Learned:

• Burros can sense your frustration. Stay calm.
• Burros are motivated by other burros. Stay with other burros.
• Have fun! You just spent an hour exercising in the sun with a beautiful animal. 

I got to meet two of the sport's most notable women: Barb Dolan and Karen Thorpe (who happens to be friends with my first grade teacher, the good-things-come-in-small-packages Sue Armijo), as well as chat with a host of other burro-racers and enthusiasts. Plus I got to meet Amber and Brad Wann's adorable daughters (including 8-yr old Bonnie, who commandeered Thumper for much of the day). And I got to spend time with my lovely tall-dark-and-handsome, Nick, who sponsored my entrance fee, acted as paparazzi, and was rewarded with lunch at Two Brothers Deli. :)

All in all, it was five-star day. And as my Uncle Bob says, it sure beats work.

Burro Love: Long Ears and the Art of Healing

Today I was saddling up burros in the sun, stroking their long ears, rubbing their hindquarters, running my fingers along their spines, tousling their manes. Colorado sun on my shoulders. The sweet smell of the burros and the pine trees and the fresh hay…

I was thinking about something fellow burro-racing rookie and sports journalist Jon Page had said. He had mentioned that through his research and interviews, he had learned that burro racing is often less about adrenaline and competition than it is about remembrance.

Indeed. Burro racing can be about lost sons. About lost brothers. About lost dreams. Burro racing can be about running to honor someone who cannot be on the trail with us. Honoring them with blood, sweat, tears, and joy. About entrusting your four-legged companion with all of your pain, love, and memories.

Later in the day, my long-eared friend, Thumper, was pulling me up a dusty red dirt road. And I realized that this is the happiest I have felt in a long time. A very long time. To be clear, I am a happy person. A very smiley, happy person. But this is the happiest I have felt – real deep-down, choked-up happy- since I lost my brother more than seven years ago.

And I have traveled the world looking for the good feelings. Chile. Boston. Corporate America. Non-profit America. I have gone out into the woods hoping for peace, solace, understanding. I have worn designer stilettos in pursuit of a glamour that I hoped would help me forget. I have buried myself in books, intellectualism, academia, searching for that clean, wholesome sense of fulfillment.

I never guessed I would find the peace I sought in such an unlikely place as this. Running with pack animals who are stubborn, stinky, and sometimes slow. Animals who often turn around and go the opposite direction than the one you want them to go in. Animals who must be occasionally dragged, pushed, and pulled.

I have been accepted into a community of pack-racers. People who love their animals. Who love to get outdoors and move their muscles. People who cheer each other on and give awards for finishing last – because you still finished. There is something about this that feels old-fashioned. Fundamental. Real. Simple. A group of people that supports one another and their animals. Unconditionally.

Later in the race, I was neck in neck with Amber and Stormy, just listening to my breathing, thinking about the course ahead of me. A light sprinkle was tickling our faces and arms – incredibly refreshing in the hot mountain sun. I glanced up in the sky and there was a small patch of blue peeping through the Rocky Mountain clouds. The blue seemed to follow me all the way into the woods, down the gulch, and through the finish line. Someone upstairs was watching me. And maybe, just maybe, those raindrops were more than just rain.

There is tranquility in bringing burros buckets of cool water after the race. There is beauty in learning how to tie a knot correctly. In giving your burro fresh straw and banana peels. In brushing the burrs out of their fur and protecting them from biting flies. But best of all, those long velveteen ears.

There is peace in stroking long ears. In kissing soft noses. In holding a burro’s head in your arms. These animals have old souls. Big, mournful eyes see straight through me. My burro knows my secrets. He knows my fears. My burro understands things about me that I could never say out loud.

Through all of the capers, stops, starts, trips and kicks, the burros are accessing something deeper than I know. They are pushing me. They are teaching me. They are healing me. They are giving me good medicine the best way they know how – through hard work, patience, and that very subtle, much-coveted, can-only-be-earned burro love.

Photos and a race run-down to follow!

Shout Out to Jon Page!

I recently did a phone interview with Jon Page, who will attempt the Idaho Springs race this Sunday. He is a competitor in unusual sports like Egg-Tossing, Hollerin', and Cheese-Rolling. Check out what he wrote about me as a "rookie" Pack-Burro Racer.

http://anyonecanenter.com/2010/07/12/five-questions-for-rookie-pack-burro-racer-bethany-buchanan/
"At the age of 16, when most kids are fixated on getting their first cars, Bethany Buchanan was dreaming of an entirely different form of transportation..."

Thanks, Jon! I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Day Thirty Two - Skinned Elbows and Big Egos

Yesterday we headed up to Buena Vista for another run with the lovely Curtis Imrie, Amber (Happy Birthday, Amber!), Brad, and Jim. We took out Big Chief (one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen), McMurphy (the most vocal burro I have ever met), Gypsy and Sabina (the wild BLM girls), and Jewel. Chief is a total ham, and doesn't realize that he weighs over 1000 lbs. He just wants to cuddle.

It was a beautiful day and I was SO happy to get out of the city heat. On Wednesday I did Apex (the trail in Golden) in 90-degree weather and it was just so sweaty and hot. So the mountain air felt nice and cool. Anyhow, yesterday's trail was through the San Isabel National Forest. It was a 2600 foot elevation gain and an 8 mile trek. This means that 75% of our run was uphill. Which for me meant I was not running the whole way. I was out of breath, struggling, huffing, wondering why I am not in better shape. I kept wondering if the entire trail was uphill. The answer? Mostly. But I got through it. I was even able to get Sabina to pull me part of the way.

The highlight of the day was crossing a stream - a big feat for these big animals, who had not encountered moving water before. The jacks (Chief and McMurphy) were tough to get across, but the girls were quite cooperative. They were trusting us. The ice-cold mountain water felt great squelching in our running shoes. Really.

Then we got to do some downhill! I couldn't quite get Sabina to move while I was in front of her, so I broke the cardinal rule of burro racing and got behind her on the downhill. Sure enough, I tripped on a rock and did a big belly slide downhill about 15 feet. I was holding onto the rope and I wasn't in danger of losing any teeth or anything, so it was actually sort of fun. The funniest part was Sabina - she didn't realize I had fallen, even though I was dangling onto the lead rope behind her. Finally she stopped and look back at me like "Oh! I lost my human!" She actually paused and waited for me and let me use her to get up. Besides some skinned elbows and a bruise on my thigh, I'm just fine (here's a pic from last night - evidence that indeed, I am fine, and just as deranged as ever).

The rest of the downhill I pulled her - with the lead around my hips she took almost all the pressure off my knees, which was ideal.

Another highlight: Sabina loves kisses. Every once in awhile she would stop and refuse to go further. I'd circle back and give her a kiss on the nose, and we'd be off again. What a sweet little girl.

SO. I have been training for over a month. And you know what? Maybe I am getting a little bit of ego. Let's call it pride. I am learning how to handle these animals. I am learning to be tougher, run longer, whine less. I am learning how to bring enough water, how to get my donkey to pull uphill, how to put a saddle on, how to tie a good knot. I wake up early to make these runs. Sometimes we don't get back until late. And I feel so damn proud of myself. This is my dream, and every day brings me closer to the finish line. I know, I know, you are getting sick of the metaphoric comparisons, but I can't help think this is good life training. That these skills are transferrable.

And you know what? I think I have earned a bit of ego in the last thirty days. Does this mean I can gloat and brag? No. But it does mean that I am proud of how far I have come and I would not give up this experience for anything.

Yep. Skinned elbows and big egos, y'all. That's burro racin'.

And it is changing the fabric of my soul.

Day Twenty Nine - PBJ's and Donkey Kisses

This morning I went up to Bill's ranch for another 9-mile loop to preview the Idaho Springs course.

My partner for the day, Thumper, was campaigning for some of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich while we prepared for our run. I gave him a few bites and he blew on my face with his donkey-breath to show his appreciation. I also gave him my banana peel (yum?). Fast friends.

Thumper was zig-zagging for much of the morning, but overall he was a very sweet, cooperative guy. He didn't pull or drag or push. He ran right at my heels. He is such a good boy. And very handsome with his white nose.

Look- Thumper and I are goin' minin'!

And at the end of the day, mile 8, when I had almost run out of gas, I got a very special treat. "I am going to drive, Thumper," I warned him. This means I get behind him and smack his butt with the lead rope to get him to go in front. The goal is to have him pull me up the hills. All of the sudden Thumper glanced back at me and broke into a trot - without even a tap on his rear. It was like the memory of the PBJ and banana peel had come flooding back to him. I had earned his loyalty. And maybe even his respect. I hooked the lead around my waist and enjoyed every moment of him pulling me up a 12% grade hill. Glorious. THIS is what burro racing should feel like! Looks like the PBJ really paid off.

Today I also had the chance to snuggle with a sweet little sheep named Coco (softest brown fleece ever), hang with the llamas (including a baby llama), and check out the reindeer with their velvet antlers. All very cool, in addition to the usual giant blockhead labs and German Shepherd/Wolf mix puppy that lounge in the shade.

Unfortunately I left my camera on a fence post up at the ranch so I can't show you how cute Thumper is (his mom's name is Bambi), but I have included some great shots from Brad Wann!

The short 6-mile race in Idaho Springs is this Sunday (July 18). The race starts at noon in downtown Idaho Springs and finishes near the Argo Mill. Come check us out if you can! It should be an excellent opportunity for me to test my skills before the Fairplay race...

 The two below shots are of burros jumping over logs and Bill and his burro, Smoky.

Day Twenty Eight - Mammoth Burros and Zebra Stripes

Another spurt of crazy-fun, jam-packed, activity-filled weekend time. My girl Vanessa's bridal shower up in my old tromping grounds, Summit Cove (near Dillon, CO). Sunshine, mimosas, even a short run to see my old house... and of course staying up too late to reminisce with the slumber-party girls.

But before that, on Friday, I was lucky enough to be part of the Happy Bottom Running and Riding Club. This is a group led by the famous Curtis Imrie - apparently a legend of sorts in the Salida/ Buena Vista/ Leadville area. www.curtisimrie.com

For starters, his burros are like nothing I have ever seen. They are called MAMMOTH burros and... OMG.... they are huge. Like 18 hands huge. Like the tips of their ears would reach the top of a standard door frame. Like 7 feet tall huge. And so freakin' cute I just wanted to cuddle with them. In the below photo, the little butt is a standard donkey. The big donkey butt is a Mammoth named Big Chief. Check out how huge this beast is. The man standing next to him in the one pic (Brad Wann) is about 6 feet tall. Curtis, his proud owner (in blue), is more like 5'9."

Okay. So Mammoth Burros. Check. And what else? WILD burros! The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) participates in a program that aims to achieve sustainability for wild burros and horses in Colorado. This means that some of the wild burros are taken out of the herd and put up for adoption. These wild burros are branded with the BLM brand and adopted by responsible owners like Curtis. Or in the BLM's words:

"The Bureau of Land Management’s top priority is to ensure the health of the public lands so that the species depending on them – including the nation’s wild horses and burros – can thrive.   To achieve that end, the BLM’s wild horse and burro program must be put on a sustainable course that benefits the animals, the land, and the American taxpayer."

BLM Director Bob Abbey

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html.

These guys look waaay different than the others. No white nose (see - the girl on the end is domestic). Dark grey color. And ZEBRA stripes on their legs!! You can't really see them in this pic, but they are definitely prehistoric-looking. I was honored to be given a wild (but now domesticated) burro on Friday. She was named Sabina (pink halter), and she was AMAZING. Her sister Gypsy was a bit spooked, but Sabina was a champ with the pack on and all.

SO. Gorgeous scenery. Snowballs. Big sigh. It was awesome. I can't even put it into words. 7.5 miles of glory.

Unfortunately Big Chief (the Mammoth Burro) had an injury in the trailer on the way out, and we stopped and got him stitches. I held his head, covered his eyes, and tried to keep him calm. His head might weigh about 60 lbs. But he is so adorable and sweet...

SO. Now I have made five training runs with several different runners, animals, and trails. And I have learned a bit. The most crucial thing I have learned is about the dynamics of the human-burro team. I don't think there is such thing as a "bad burro." Rather, what I am learning is how to communicate my wants/needs/expectations to the burro. If my donkey isn't cooperating, it's because I'm not being clear enough with him or her. 

For the first half of Friday's run, Sabina didn't seem to be cooperating. But after about the first 3 miles, I learned how to communicate with her. I learned what she needed and how to tell her what I needed. The last half of the run was so much better - so much smoother.

But more than that, these big goofy animals teach me so much about myself. They teach me about patience and persistence and, without waxing too sentimental or metaphoric, they teach me about life. About getting through the tough spots and being stubborn and going through with it anyhow... about being scared of bridges and puddles. They teach me about the encouragement necessary to go uphill.

Plus they are always good for a long hug and an ear-rub that is sure to bring your blood pressure down and leave you, not only with dirt under your fingernails, but with a smile on your face. 

And at the end of a run, what's better than using your burro as a piece of furniture?