Archive for July, 2019

LAVS 2019 – FINAL UPDATE

Posted: July 21, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK WITH STEVE SMALLING IN LAVS 2019 (photo credit: Lynda Webber)

Another photo find of Westbrook with Steve Smalling. When we could not locate Westbrook for Saturday morning check-in, Steve noted on facebook where Westbrook was at the time, mile 291. Then he covered 4 additional miles to take a break at Steve’s place.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK TAKING A BREAK ON SAND MOUNTAIN, LAVS 2019

Westbrook had lost his broom stick cane but then Steve gave him this one to help him along. Here is Westbrook taking a break on Sand Mountain after sitting on the guardrail for a bit.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK AT CASTLE ROCK, THE FINISH OF LAVS 2019

HE DID IT!!!! Richard Westbrook at the finish at Castle Rock, where he couldn’t wait to be just so he could sit down. He finished 87th of 88 total screwed runners. Below you see the last finishing group. Richard’s wife, Jan Westbrook, joined him on The Rock.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK IN HIS FINISHER’S THROWN AT LAVS 2019

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RICHARD WESTBROOK WITH GRANDDAUGHTER, BRAYLEE WESTBROOK, AT THE FINISH OF LAVS 2019

Even Westbrook’s 5 year old granddaughter came out to see him finish. They have both had a long night and are ready for bed.

Thanks for following along and hanging in there with us. He appreciates all the support from everyone.

Good night, even though it is morning now.

~ Season

LAVS 2019 -228 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 20, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Just a quick update because we are headed out there now to find Richard and cheer him on to the finish. He called us earlier from a McDonald’s in Kimball. He still had to go through New Hope and cross the Blue Bridge then up Sand Mountain to Castle Rock.

His current mileage is 303 and he is in 82nd place in a field of 88 screwed runners. He also lost his walking stick, or broom stick, rather.

Oh, he just called. HE IS ON THE BLUE BRIDGE! I hope he is still managing to stay upright. Let’s see him to the finish!

~ Season

LAVS 2019 – 216 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 20, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Well, well, well, Westbrook told me a while back that he had lost his turn sheet information for the course. At first I thought, he as run this so many times surely he knows the course. I asked and he reassured me that he knew where to go. Then I considered, how the hottest July ever coupled with the lack of sleep, enduring pain, and so forth, can induce some level of delirium. What if he is completely confused at some point and gets lost along the way? What if he is walking along in a zombie like daze and walks right passed a turn and unknowingly continues on the wrong route for a good distance?

Unfortunately, he DID get lost, twice. Two other runners happened upon him and realized he was lost and confused. They took him with them to ensure he was on the right path once again. He said they talked and argued with one another and then moved ahead. Westbrook did not have cell phone service to check in so the race admin did not have him on the tracking sheet or map. Once I spoke to him I had to tell him to also check in.

Collectively, we have him at mile 291 just passed Tracy City. He is 79th out of the 89 screwed total. Sandra, from the race admin contacted me to say he is at Steve Smalling’s house and safe. Steve annually has a fantastic aid and rest area for the runners set up. Hopefully, Westbrook can rest for a bit and gather himself enough to make it to the finish without adding extra miles.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK, NUMBER 87 ON THE MAP, IN LAVS 2019

~ Season

 

 

LAVS 2019 – 204 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 20, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK, NUMBER 87 ON THE MAP, IN LAVS 2019

After a grueling 204 hours on the road, in the rain and extreme heat, Westbrook has a a heat rash on both upper thighs. His left foot and ankle are very swollen from something that bit him. Even his hands are swollen. He is using a metal broomstick he found back in Lewisburg to help hold him straight up rather than leaning to the left from pain.

With all of this happening, he has reached mile 280 in Tracy City. He sat there on the roadside and had some sweet tea and then a bit further down the road, enjoyed a few slices of pepperoni pizza.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK, JUST OUTSIDE TRACY CITY, ENJOYING SOME SWEET TEA

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RICHARD WESTBROOK DURING LAVS 2019, APPROACHING TRACY CITY

One more runner has become DNF status (did not finish) leaving 89 total screwed runners. Westbrook is 80th within this group. He is in pain, as I am sure all the runners are or have experienced, but is too determined and too close to drop out. His body may want to stop but his mind propels him forward. In a race against time and Oprah, he is still ahead.

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THE TREACHEROUS COURSE, LAVS 2019, BETWEEN TRACY CITY AND JASPER. NO SHOULDER TO RUN ON. WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH MANY BLIND CURVES WHERE IT IS TOO EASY TO NOT BE SEEN AND NOWHERE TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR

~ Season

LAVS 2019 – 192 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 19, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK, NUMBER 87, IN LAVS 2019

8 DAYS = 192 HOURS where Westbrook is passed Hillsboro at mile 260. With 2 days remaining, he has 54 miles until the finish. We heard from him twice last night and some delirium has now set in. The first phone call he talked for a while. The latter call was late and he just wanted to let us know he was going to sleep. When asked where he was  he claimed, “I have no idea.” At first he didn’t know what time it was either.

I know he continues to hurt. He is tough and hanging in there. He will make it! Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

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~ Season

 

 

LAVS 2019 – 180 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 18, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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252 Miles behind him, Westbrook is now passed Manchester. Only 22 more miles and he will be in Monteagle having to tackle Monteagle Mountain. He is 80th of 90 total screwed runners.

Below is a photo of the Finisher’s Thrown at Castle Rock, Georgia where every runner wants so desperately to be right now. Nice, isn’t it? And, if you are lucky, there might be something cold to drink in a cooler there for you.

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THE THROWN AT THE FINISH OF THE LAST ANNUAL VOL STATE ROAD RACE 2019 (photo credit: Lazarus Lake)

~ Season

LAVS 2019 – 168 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 18, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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168 HOURS INTO LAVS 2019, RICHARD WESTBROOK NUMBER 87

As of this morning at 0730 and 168 hours into the race, Westbrook is passed Wartrace at mile 239. One more screwed runner has quit the race. This places Westbrook 79th out of a total 90 screwed runners.

An article about the race was also picked up and written in the Carroll County, Tennessee newspaper. This race has become FAR more well known these days with articles and so many Road Angels providing pit stops with drinks and snacks. Screen Shot 2019-07-17 at 7.36.39 PMScreen Shot 2019-07-17 at 7.37.29 PM

A screen shot of the newspaper article above. Here is a link to the electronic edition of the paper where one can read the article: https://1983.newstogo.us/editionviewer/default.aspx?Edition=56564a16-3e13-4895-bac5-6995af9cfc05

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LAVS 2019 Richard Westbrook with Road Angel, Kimberly Garrard (photo credit: Kimberly Garrard)

Earlier in the race, a Road Angel, Kimberly Garrard, snapped a picture with Westbrook. She had this comment to make: “The past few days have been amazing as I got to meet some awesome people, with amazing stories, and determination to finish! Y’all are truly inspiring!!!” I know all the runners greatly appreciate all these people helping them in all different ways even if it is just a chair or cot to relax in/on for a bit.

Let’s all continue to pray for the runners still on the road. The heat is grueling. The humidity is stupid high. The storms are lingering. The traffic is unsafe. Soooo many reasons to call it a day but they tough it out physically and mentally every second of every day until July 21 – the 10th and final day! 10 days to cover 314 miles is craziness. But, don’t we all have a little crazy in us?

~ Season

 

LAVS 2019 – 156 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 17, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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DAY 2 IN LAVS 2019, RICHARD WESTBROOK STOPPING FOR A DRINK (photo credit: Ron Bennett)

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DAY 2 IN LAVS 2019, ON LEFT EDWARD MASUOKA, CENTER RICHARD WESTBROOK (photo credit: Ron Bennett

A couple more photos of Dad taking a water break with Ed and another guy. This was on day two. Photos are from Ron Bennett stating, “Day #2 in between McKenzie and Huntington. You guys rocked and I’ll see ya in the same spot next year!”

156 Hours = 6 1/2 days Westbrook is at mile 223 in Shelbyville. He called and said he was sitting under a Magnolia tree drinking a coke, “How much more Southern can you get?” He is now 78 out of 91 total screwed. He also let us know that he found a broomstick that he is utilizing as a cane to help straighten him out a bit and keep him going, due to his cramping and leaning to the left. He says the cane is helping. His left foot is still swollen. No idea what bit him. Nothing will deter him. He stated, “If I just keep moving I will make it.”

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Keep going, Dad. Hang tough! Pray for him, that he makes it with no more issues or ailments. “Only the strong survive.”

~ Season

 

LAVS 2019 – 144 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 17, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Not so great news today. I was reading the Last Annual Vol State Road Race facebook page to learn that somewhere in Columbia one of the runners in the race was hit by a Dodge Caravan and the driver didn’t stop. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT! Fortunately, the runner was not hurt. “The construction worker said it was safest to walk up the middle of the street” (news courtesy of Cherie Titus McCafferty).

I spoke to Dad last night. He said everything was terrible. Not only is his waist area hurting and making him lean left, but something bit his left foot causing it to be “swollen like a bullfrog.” He didn’t sound bad but was not feeling the best. Westbrook said he was somewhere between Lewisburg and Shelbyville. He actually called to check on his granddaughter, “Rainbow.” He knew she had her tonsil/adenoidectomy yesterday and wanted to see how she was feeling. Everything that is going on with him and he is concerned about her. He is such a good Paw Paw! She is doing fine, by the way.

Westbrook is maintaining 72nd in a field of 91 screwed runners. He has run 210 miles and is approaching Wheel. TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY DONE! We have not heard from him yet today. I know he is having trouble keeping his phone charged. Hopefully he found a place to recharge his phone and himself, as he wished for last night.

I will keep you informed so check back in soon.

~ Season

 

 

LAVS 2019 – 132 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 16, 2019 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Now into hour 132, Westbrook has conquered 202 miles and has passed Lewisburg. I previously mentioned his cramping causing him to lean to one side and then found pictures posted on the LAVS facebook page (photo credit goes to Carla Paul Powell).

At this point, 3 additional runners have dropped out with one of those being in the screwed category. This drops the screwed total to 91 with Westbrook at 72nd. He is SUPER tough and a little crazy so he is hanging in there. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

~ Season

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