Killian's Irish Run

Last weekend we participated in the River to River Relay. The race course is 80 miles long and spans some of the most hilly terrian in all of southern Illinois. Each runner completes approximately 10 miles of course divided into three legs (or sections). This year, our time was the best to date: 9 hours, 51 minutes. This is our 3rd year in the row to enter the race, our team name is Killian's Irish Run.

Part of the 'River to River' experience is traversing the course in one of these big white vans. To limit traffic on the course and make the race possible, race officials limit teams to one vehicle. Most teams opt for one these big white rental vans and decorate the van with there team name and other motivational sayings. Some of the vans have pretty ridiculous decorates (e.g. inflatable dinosaurs and women's underwear).






This is the famous 'Oh shit' hill. Accurately named by our teammate Jen the first year we did the race. I think the name speaks for itself. Although not the hardest hill on the course, this is one of the most intimidating. Hills like this one are typical of most legs of the race.






In this picture I am handing the baton to our teammate Sarah. You can see the exhaustion in my face from the 4.05 miles of hills I just ran. Teams must carry an official baton through the entire race and cross the finish line with it. The biggest mistake you can make it dropping the baton during an exchange. Our team has a flawless record.
Every year at the end of the race, the baton is given to the member of the team that has put forth the greatest effort. This year the baton went to Dennis for running the hardest leg of the course, leg 22, which has a nearly 2 mile long uphill climb.


Here is Amanda after finishing her last leg of the day. It is such a great feeling to be done!!! This year, Amanda was the 2nd runner to be done. I ran the final leg of the race, so I was not done until we crossed the finish line at 7pm. It was quite a feeling to cross the finish line holding the baton!

Here is our team on the banks of the Ohio River after finishing the race. This picture was taken facing east, but to the west was a beautiful sunset. Every year, we are worried that we will not make it to the finish before dark.......made it this year!

Our team (starting at left): Craig, Jen, Bridget, Dennis, Sarah, Amanda, Kevin, Ryan.

For more info on the River to River Relay visit: http://rrr.olm.net/index.html

Opening Night Softball Rout

Last night was the season opening double header for The Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (our softball team). Below is the team, poised for action just minutes before the start of the first game.

Perhaps it was too much pre-game Busch Light, too little practice, or the unseasonably cold weather conditions which lead to two giant "L"s in the loss column for The Urban Achievers. No one can say for sure, but the score of the first game was 20-0 by the 4th inning, causing the game to be called on the mercy rule.

In second game Amanda Pankau was called out of the bullpen and put on the mound. Due to her excellent pitching and an increase in base hits (from the lone base hit in the first game), The Urban Achievers were able to send this one to the 6th inning before losing by the 10-run rule, by a score of 14-4.

The Urban Achievers were highly favored losers at the start of this exhibition, playing the 3rd-year-running league champs. One player was quoted as saying,"I'm happy going home tonight knowing we at least put 4 runs on the board. There's always next week." With a winning attitude like that, these underdogs will be a force to be reckoned with by the time the league tournament starts in late July.

Pictured at right: Amanda Pankau taking the mound in game two with her work cut out for her.