Monday, April 19, 2010

DRB 50K and Tucker

This post is going to be a short and sad one....

First up is that we ran the DRB 50k yesterday. It was my 13th (out of 14 runnings) and Deb has run around 10-11, having to stay home with the granddaughters some years, but letting me come down and run it.
The trail is incredibly rocky and hilly and is a true test of endurance and strength.
We both had good runs...I ran 6:06 and finished 3rd place with two guys that I ran with all day. They were staying with me because I know the course and do not have to stop to look at the map at all. Paul Funch and Bogie were good companions throughout the day and I'm sure they're thankful for the great finish time and not needing to ever look at the map.
Deb ran with several people during the day, but finished with Rich Collins of Maine in 7:27 and was the first woman finisher overall at the tender age of 56.
The talk of the day was the overall 50 mile finisher, Josh Katzman. I held the 50k course record of 5:39 for 9 years until last year when Josh and Garry Harrington worked together to take the record down to 5:18. This year on the way in the 50, Josh ran 4:57 for the 50K and finished the 50 mile in 8:44 after getting lost in the last section.

Results and report by Josh can be found here http://www.trailanimals.com/index.php/?p=445

Deb and I both ran in LaSportiva trail shoes, I started in the Crosslites and switched to the Wildcats at 16 miles because the rocks were beating up my feet in those minimalist racing shoes.  Deb wore her Wildcats all day.
Drymax socks were between the hooves and shoes...
The biggest thing was using the First Endurance Liquid Shot for our fuel. I used 2 full flasks and part of another for about 1000 calories and it again like last year felt like rocket fuel. Every time Bogie saw me pull my flask out of it's holder and take a shot, he said "Oh no!", because he knew it meant a quicker pace was coming. Deb also used 2 flasks and never had an issue. This is great stuff!

So that's the story of this year's DRB 50K...and until the Wapack 50 in three weeks, that's it.

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Now about Tucker....while we were at the race, we had him in a kennel and due to his separation anxiety, he tore apart his cage and shredded his paws. Deb said they looked like he had run them through a meat grinder.

For several years now Tucker's vet has been telling us that due to this mental illness of his, we were not doing him any good keeping him for our companionship. He was in constant torment unless Deb was with him. He even got anxious when with me, but he was "OK". So this morning Deb brought him with his bleeding paws and most certainly in a lot of pain to the vet to discuss this with her and the vet said it was the only right thing to do. Deb said it was peaceful and he just closed his eyes and went to sleep.

So Tucker is gone, we will miss him but he is now in a better place. We had 8 years with him, some good, some very difficult...but one thing for sure is he was the best trail running companion we could ever have had.

Here is Deb's tribute to Tuck on her blog
http://debpero.blogspot.com/2010/04/not-about-painting.html

And here is a video that Deb created last night...



It's a very sad day in the Pero household....goodbye, Tuck...

Here we are with Tucker on the Summit of Mount Elbert in Colorado
Tucker loved the mountains

15 comments:

Sophie Speidel said...

Deb and Steve,

I am so sorry to read this about Tucker. He was such an awesome trail companion and friend, and I know you both are heartbroken. As hard as it was to put him to sleep, you did the right thing for him. My heart goes out to you both.

xoxoxxo

Olga said...

Very sorry about Tucker...

Dan said...

Steve and Deb, so sorry to hear to sad news about Tucker.

Paige said...

Well, great job in the run, Peros, but I'm so, so sorry to read about Tucker :(

Bob said...

Deb and Steve,
Tucker lived a full life I am certain and brought you guys many happy memories. My condolences.

kZ said...

Dearest Tucker,

All told, I barely knew ye - and yet I can say without hesitation that you were the bestest trail pooch I've ever known... a Sherpa to the last. I feel blessed to count myself among those who knew you that way.

May you rest easy, knowing the legacy you leave will long yield grand smiles and fond memories.

With love and gratitude,
Kevin Z.

ultraMongo said...

I'll never forget opening the tailgate of my truck in front of Charlie Thorn's house in Silverton, and seeing Tucker sniffing around for the dog biscuits he knew I had for him. He will be missed by all who knew him and especially those lucky enough to have spent time on the trail with him (and Steve and Deb, of course)

Johann said...

I'm sorry to hear this. Hang in there. He definitely is in a better place.

Laurel said...

I'm very sorry for your loss. I met Tucker at MMD a few times, but he was far too fit and sure-footed to run at my slow pace. Once we started, I would only get an occasional glimpse of his wagging tail down the trail. He sure had a happy and adventurous life. He was one lucky dog!

Lalaith Means Laughter said...

Steve and Deb,
For Tucker..

Near this spot
Are deposited the remains of one
Who possessed Beauty
Without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
And all the Virtues of Man
Without his Vices.
This Praise, which would be unmeaning flattery
If inscribed over Human Ashes,
Is but a just tribute to the Memory of a Dog

Lord Byron

Chris said...

Steve and Deb,

I am so saddened to hear of your loss. I am honored to have spent a few hours running with Tucker the prior weekend. I was impressed with his sweetness. He seemed completely at home on the trail, despite the porcupine quill injury.

Sadly, Chris Shanley

Paul Funch said...

Steve and Deb,
As with Chris, the week before was my only contact with Tucker, but he was clearly dedicated to you and loved being on the trails. Like most trail runners, he didn't mind being in some pain in exchange for the thrill of running in the woods! So sad to hear what happened while we were having such a good time running together in the DRB.

Steve Pero said...

Thank you, everyone, for your kinds words. It has been a long and painful week.

Steve and Deb

Catra said...

I am very sad and my heart goes out to you two. I too have a dog that I love very much. I'm sure you did the right thing.
Tucker was lucky to have you both.
He is in a better place. You made his life a beautiful one while he was here.
Catra & Rocky

Steve Pero said...

Thank you, Catra and everyone else for your wonderful words.

Tucker is irreplaceable as a dog, friend and trail companion, but we are in the process of adopting some lucky dog who will get to enjoy all those things Tucker enjoyed. Hope he likes trail running in the mountains!

Steve and Deb