Sun Run 2010

The Heartland Naturists Sun Run 2010 is now in the history books. Despite the weather, the run went forward (with only a slight delay). Here's how it went down...

Four of us showed up on Saturday, July 10th to set up, mark the route, and enjoy the superb weather (and some wild blackberries if you knew where to look). Three of us camped out overnight and listened to the drumming from the Zenfest up on the ridge. One of the Sun Run participants was a participant in Zenfest and joined us on Sunday for the Sun Run.

The weather Saturday night was perfect - mid-70's and clear most of the evening. The stars were out and were amazing to look at over the wide open field where we were camping. During the night, there was at least one large owl hooting, some coyotes in the distance, and I spotted a doe and her fawn making their way along the southern edge of the field.

When I went to sleep on Saturday night, there was a 40% chance of storms listed for Sunday afternoon, but nothing that should have interfered with race time. But, Mother Nature has a way of doing Her own thing...

Sunday morning, I woke up to thunder in the distance. After consulting with Dick and his weather-savvy friend by phone, I roused David and we began tying down and/or stowing anything that needed it. We rode out an hour-long downpour of an inch to 1.5 inches of rain before it let up to scattered showers. Of course, the trails between fields that had been slightly soggy the day before were now rushing creeks. So, thanks to Greg's suggestion, and help finding the right person with authority, we got permission to run on the Ridge.

Between showers, we got everyone signed in, explained the new route, and got underway around 10:30. There were 17 runners and/or walkers that participated. While I didn't get an official time, I know that Ciro, Larry, and Kevin were the fastest and finished in a pack.

Although it rained on us during part of the run/walk, it stopped so we could get the pot luck underway. It was quite a spread. Next year we'll have to bring a second table to put all the food on. While we ate, the sun came out, a cool breeze blew, and we enjoyed being nudists outdoors.

Even with the rain, I had a great weekend and thought that overall the 2010 Sun Run was a success.

I must thank Greg for helping to coordinate with the hosting facility, measure the course, and help mark the course (and feed the worms with the corn meal we put down as markings when the rain washed it away). I also want to thank David for helping with the tents and setup/breakdown of everything.

Thank you to everyone who brought something for the pot luck. There was surely plenty to go around. Everything was very good when the sun came out and we could sit around and talk.

And finally, thanks to everyone who was flexible as we worked through the last-minute changing of the route and the logistics involved.

In total, there were 38 people who sent e-mails expressing their interest in the run. Some were last-minute e-mails and I'm sorry I couldn't respond from the campsite to get the information to you. Next year, we'll correct that. Lack of e-mail to contact last-minute registrants, along with the surprise bad weather, and inevitable personal reasons, dwindled the participants from 38 interested to 17 participants.

In light of those numbers, your participation and support of Sun Run 2010 has ensured that there will be a Sun Run 2011. George and I spoke with the caretaker of the facility before we left today and let him know that we want to have a run next year. The caretaker said that they are open to hosting it. Right now, we are planning for the same weekend next year (the weekend after the 4th of July, which is Sunday July 10, 2011), but check the HeartlandNaturists.com website early next year for a definite date once we officially book it with the facility. The actual date could vary by a week or two, but we'll shoot for the same time of year.

I've learned a lot from this year's Run, so expect next year's Sun Run to be even better!

Mark

Heartland Naturists Treasurer

Ray's write-up

At 6, this morning dawned bright and sunny and with a smile on my face. Today, I would join my fellow Heartland Naturists and others for a 5 K run at the facility. I had gotten my stuff together last evening and packed an ice chest and loaded the car. The sunrise was beautiful and matched my spirits and the temperature was cool and low humidity, an unusual feature for July. I filled up the car with gas and bought some meat for the cooler for the potluck dinner later. And began my trip to the North. As I drove the sky in the area I was headed to, was considerably darker than when I started, but I was determined to make it to the Camp before it rained.

As I drove the route Google prescribed it was a pastoral delight with rolling hills and neat homes and yards. The ominous sky darkened more and giant bold, bright bolts of lightening pierced the sky with the rumble and clap of thunder. I just wanted to make it to the gate before rain started as the map was hard enough to follow as it was.

Then, there it was, the narrow tree encased road to my newest experience. I drove through the trees and through a second gate and all the while wondering if I had found the right place. And then, an opening into a clearing, and across kind of a dry stream bed below a dam, I spotted the Phoenix House, where we were to sign in for the facility and deposit our fee for using their facility. By now the rain was pouring, so I pulled up along the door and waited. While there, I changed into a more casual set of shorts so if I got wet, I would have dry clothes for a later trip to the airport. Another HN member arrived and parked beside me and we evaluated the rain. Finally, I dashed in through the open door and he followed. We paid our fees and then decided to head on into the area. I decided, after being told the bathrooms were close to the dining pavilion, decided to avail myself of facilities, before the day began. Good choice as the rain was pouring again and met some people there from the facility group. Also, we noticed that a truck had rolled into a ditch on the road to where we were headed. When I checked it out, it turn out to be Greg, a Fellow HN member and one of the organizers for this event. There had been a road block up the way and everyone had to back out and he was first, or last in line, and did not notice the edge of the ditch. The facility staff got a tractor and pulled him out and not too much damage was done.

Once he was mobile, we followed him to where we were to convene. Beautiful serene verdant area and more people camped than I realized would be there. But it turned out they were there for a weekend event which was winding up on Sunday.

We parked in the lot and saw in the distance where Mark and David and a guy from New York had set up camp Saturday. As more people arrived we all started getting ready for this wonderful day and clothes were shed readily. We took the food and supplies we had brought, to the tent for our repast later. As all got to know each other, we all saw we had many things in common. There were people from Topeka, Wamego, and of course the KC metropolitan area.

Due to the rain, the course had to be redone as two of paths were inaccessible due to water running through them. So Mark and Greg scouted out the change and only thirty minutes late, we started what for some would be what we called a 3 K race. The runners were off and running and the rest of us strolled in the rain, feeling it on our bodies and not being bothered at all. Interestingly, when you go outside with clothes on in the rain, your mind seems to want you to get under cover or inside, but in the buff, you just get to enjoy the tactile pleasure of water on your body and heightening the senses. When we finished, we did not seem wet at all, just a glorious sense of calm and peace with the earth.

We returned to the tents where Mark, Greg and Dick and others set up the food for lunch. By then the rain had abated and chairs were being set up. And then the sun popped out, like a giant smile from the sky, but only briefly and we ate our lunch with much gusto and camardrie.

Unfortunately my time was running out, as I had to get to the airport to drop a car off and take my wife home when we met there. I dressed and left with a heavy feeling as I wanted to stay longer. Such nice people and so much fun and it sure beat the run a couple of years ago when the temp was in the 100's. It looks like Mark scored a hit and there will another one in the future.

I was given advice for a better faster route to the Airport. It started off fine and when I reached the corner to avoid downtown Leavenworth I traveled North and after more than several miles, I realized I was not getting closer but the bucolic countryside was worth the diversion, but finally I turned around and went back to the turn point and stopped, yes I ask for directions, and found out the corner I was to turn on was closed for widening and was why I missed it. They got me on my way and i got to the airport in time.

What a WONDERFUL DAY. I will treasure it forever. THANKS TO MARK AND GREG and everyone else who aided in this event, and to all who participated.

Thanks again and see you at the swim this week

Tanfully and barefully yours,

Ray

Tom's Note

I was really glad I was able to make it to the Sun Run today. It was my first time for both the Sun Run and the facility. I had a great time with great people. I think it is a wonderful place and would like to make it out there more in the future.

The facility has a nice lake and swimming area. Perhaps HN can plan an informal gathering out there sometime for swimming, hiking or camping.

Tom