8 TUFF MILES

February 25, 2012.

The 16th annual running of the 8 Tuff Mile race. 8.38 miles from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. Over 1100 runners register, 938 finished the race. It's steady climb with more ups than downs in the first five miles result in a total elevation gain of 1,400 feet. It's one of the most exciting events on St. John. Thousands of people partake in the race as participants, volunteers and spectators. Each has a place in the success of the event, each has a reason for their involvement and each has a resounding effect on the very popular and competitive state of running as a sport on St. John. The combined efforts of the community have made this race a gem in the world of road racing and an annual event that any St. Johnian can be proud of. The fastest time for 2011 was 46:00, won by a  Cincinnati running store associate. He ousted local favorite Jeremy "The Zube" Zuber breaking his record by an astounding 4.48 minutes. It was a silence heard across the island.

Here's a link to the course:

http://www.8tuffmiles.com/topo.htm

 Who is doing all this running?  Where are they coming from? Go to:

http://www.8tuffmiles.com/where-from-2012.htm

What do you win? Not much, the most valuable prize is the red neck-ribbon with the bottle opener on it that each runner who crossed the line wears proudly all day.

• The first place overall female will win a cash prize of $300.00  

• The first place male will win a $300.00 bar tab

•  Every registered entry that completes the course on the morning of the race has a chance to win a $1,000.00 shopping spree at Mongoose Junction

• The 8 Tuff Miles College Scholarships Funds; $4,600.00 will be divided between the 3 youngest age groups

• The top five women and the top five men will win a gift certificate valued at $100.00 from a local St. John restaurant

• Every entrant gets a t shirt! 

There will be two 100lb pigs roasted at the awards ceremony. You don't get that at the Boston Marathon!  

                                                                       

Just Before the Winner

From the VI Daily News:

ST. JOHN - It's close to midnight under a full moon and Jeremy Zuber, replete with head lamp, is charging up hills.

The 31-year-old St. John resident doesn't care how late he gets off work or what his body feels like. When the front office manager at Caneel Bay Resort clocks out each night, another hilly workout is always waiting for him.

"When I run up to Annaberg and there's a full moon, I always seem to run into a pack of donkeys, and they are never willing to move," said Zuber, who has won the annual St. John 8 Tuff Miles Road Race a record six times and will take aim at a seventh title on Saturday. "It's always an interesting situation with those donkeys. By that point, I'm not sure who smells worse, me or them."

Zuber has stepped up his training in recent months because he is determined to win the popular road race on his island at least one more time. Even before his impressive win streak started in 2003, the race has attracted elite runners from across the globe. However, one group has dominated the race the last two years.

Cincinnati, Ohio, native Cris Reis, 30, won last year's race in a record time of 46 minutes flat, and he plans to defend his title. Reis trains with a group dubbed the Cincy-Tucky All-Stars, and the group will have 20 runners at the start line on Saturday.

"We're not like a real racing team or anything - it's just a clever name, and we all look forward to this race every year," Reis said by phone Wednesday from the running store he works at in Cincinnati. "We make shirts for the race and all that stuff. This year, we even have a couple coming down that will get married after the race."

Reis, a former University of Cincinnati cross-country and track runner, finished fourth overall at the Columbus Marathon last October when he clocked a personal best of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 39 seconds. He also ran two marathons on back-to-back days in January, but he said the big race circled on his calendar is this weekend's.

"We have about a dozen guys that work at the running store who are coming down, so we may be a little light on staff this weekend," Reis said. "Oh well, this trip has been planned for a while."

Zuber has been on the outside looking in for the last two years. Thomas Chorny, another member of the Ohio group, won the 2010 race in record fashion, with Reis taking second.

"I finished third last year, but it was a distant third," said Zuber, who has run about 40 miles a week on hilly terrain to prepare for Saturday. "I knew those guys were coming down again. They ran me off the course. This year has been different. I'm not making any more excuses this time."

Zuber said there is a little island pride on the line, and he knows the local community is pulling for him. He said he's more motivated than ever.

"I've sweat on every inch of this island, so this is a personal thing," Zuber said. "In the end, it's always going to be a fun day for St. John because we celebrate fitness, health and friends. But this is a race like none other, and of course, there's a competitive aspect involved. I want to defend this island."

St. Thomas resident Ruth Ann David, 38, won the women's division last year, trimming 24 seconds off her winning time in 2010. She has been the top female finisher four times - she also took home top honors in 1999 and 2008 - and finished 11th overall last year.

What is her favorite part about 8 Tuff Miles?

"Do I have to be honest?" she asked, jokingly. "My favorite part is when I'm done with the race."

David, who teaches water fitness, said she used different swimming and cycling training regiments during the last few months to prepare for the race. She is a three-time winner of the Women's Jogger Jam on St. Thomas, but she said the annual 2-mile race doesn't even compare.

"Training for this kind of terrain is crazy," she said. "It's all about using those muscles in a different way. We'll see what happens on Saturday."

Winner Derek Butler

 Today, The Zube, trying to win back the tile for STJ, came in 3rd at 51:26 . He's slowing down!  The winner, Derrick Butler, crossed the finish line with a time of 46:22. I was sure he was a Kenyan ringer but it turns out he's from the Cincinnati team.

Ruth Ann David, looking stunning, was the first female runner to finish at one hour and 10 seconds.

Ruth Ann David

 After we see the first runners cross the line we wander off to get a seat at Donkey Diner for some breakfast. The pack will be coming in and the crowd will grow. 

The winners will run another 5 miles just for fun. I saw Butler running barefoot. 

The Zube

For me, seeing the top runners is the highlight of the race. Their athleticism is moving, their determination and stamina is impressive. The runners who come in with the pack timing around 1-2 hours are even more impressive because they represent an attainable goal. As the crowd applauds them you think  "I could do this!" I admit I'm biased for The Zube and want to see him back on top, so seeing him pass by in third was the end of the race for me. He's the epitome of the race. He comes in to the line dry, cool and smiling. He stops to talk to fans, friends and reporters. He looks like he could do it again. His humble attitude and good nature is representative of what the island is all about. For the remaining crowd, just seeing their friends cross the finish line, whether it's in an hour or 4,  makes them all winners.

We Interrupt This Program

LIST for a QUIET FRIDAY

 1. Watch the sun rise, get up around 7AM, hug husband, feed the birds, have breakfast.

 2. Have tea on the porch, watch the boats go by.

 3. Check out the garden and the bees, look for crabs.

 4. Read and answer email.

 5. Go to Miss Vie's for lunch, rice and beans. Yum.

 6. Get hailed by friends Su and Tom broken down by the side of the road.

 7. Give same a ride to town to get auto part, DVD and pay their PO Box bill.

 8. Read, drink green tea, watch birds.

 9. Think about what to do tomorrow.

10. Watch the sun go down, listen to music, eat mango.

11. Finish the crossword puzzle, write blog.

12. Read, knit and watch TV.

13. Go to bed.

# 6 & 7 can be omitted. Possible substitutions include but not limited to: go to the beach, swim, take a walk.
 For a quiet week, month, year ..... repeat as needed. 

All in one of the most beautiful places in the world! 

I'M ALIVE!

There's been a crisis, but it's over. 

I was doing some garden work taming the Pencil Plants that grow out of control along a pathway. When you cut it you have to make sure the pile of trimmed branches don't touch the ground or they will root. The Pencil Plant (E. tirucallii) is a dangerous succulent that, insanely enough, is readily available on the market, even sold in grocery stores. I've seen this plant at Waterloo Gardens in Devon, PA, looking all pretty in a desert setting gift plant dish. Latex sap from this plant has been the cause of death, blindness and severe illness. The latex produces excruciating pain and severe inflammation if it gets into a cut on the skin . It could result in ulcerations if it gets into your eye, basically burning away your eyeball! Just one drop of latex on your skin can cause a rash the severity of which depends on how allergic each individual is to it. 

 Usually if I get any latex sap on me or the fumes accumulate (yes, even the fumes) the only reaction I get is a strange lip numbing like Novocaine. When George chops it (start at the bottom so it doesn't drip on you) he just gets the numb lips too, and that's about it. 


 

 But yesterday, somehow it got into my eye. I was being very careful, taking all the precautions, but who knows? A breeze, a squirt on the skin then wiping sweat away.... I suddenly felt as I imagine it would feel to have acid thrown into your face. The pain in my right eye was just as it's warned - an excruciating burn.

 Do you remember the scene in "Alien 2" where Carter Burke  looks at Ripley and says "Acid for blood!"? 

I was in my own living Alien hell. I washed the eye, pouring water into it, I showered to get any sap off, I threw all my clothes in a pile, then could only sit with a cloth pressed to my face and wait. I tried to cry by thinking of all the losses in my life, all the sad images I could summon, which isn't easy when you're essentially a happy person and not a drama queen. I actually started laughing!  I thought of cutting up an onion but that might just make things worse. Meanwhile I'm thinking I'll have to go to the hospital - might as well cut my head off now. I might be blinded - don't read the internet. What if it lasts for hours and hours - get more rum....! 

My sinuses started to swell, the right side of my face was getting thick and congested. Oh great, my eye is melting and now I'm going to suffocate!

After some web research the strategic decision was made to deal with the allergic reaction. The caustic sap was gone, now it was a matter of my body taking over because of this onslaught. Time to tell it, it's all ok. George went to Lily's Market where they thankfully and surprizingly had ...... Benedryl! Within 45 minutes the symptoms had gone and I was relieved, though I still had to keep my eye protected from light. Once the sun went down I could remove my cloth. After a second dose I was out for the count. The entire event took 3 anxious and painful hours. I was a very lucky lady. Very lucky.

In our experiences, when a crisis happens here it tends to happen suddenly and with intensity. You don't know you've been gotten until you're got and now you're dealing with damage control. There are many toxic plants, stinging insects, thorned and spiky surfaces. It's a harsh environment and everything has a defense to survive. A wound lasts for days without healing and can get infected. Antibacterial cream is a must.

Once when I was working with the National Park Trail Maintenance group I came in contact with Christmas Bush. Much like poison ivy, it has a caustic oil. Within a day my arm was being eaten by blisters that formed lines that were daily creeping upwards to my armpit, the itching was unbearable ( more rum!). Wherever a blister touched fresh skin more blisters would form. Soon my flesh was being eaten away. Another volunteer had it too, we think it was on some tools or gloves - it's that transferable. She's a nurse and got us steroids that blasted the stuff, but not before my arm looked like it had been burned in a microwave. It was months before the splotches faded. 

This is One Reason Not to Wear Flip Flops Hiking

So maybe I'll leave George to the Pencil Plants of the future and I'll stick to crab farming.

Give Thanks for the Rum Lady

This is a question I get asked often enough. I can tell you how I like to get here and give you some tips, but there are a number of ways to go depending on your ultimate plans.

I like to fly non-stop. For one there is less chance of losing your bag if you check one, for another it just takes too long otherwise. I like to get there! If you must make a change, go through Charlotte, not Puerto Rico . Believe me, you WILL lose your bag in PR or your connecting flight will be canceled. Something.

Whenever I travel, I avoid checking bags. That's just me. I'd rather do laundry.

US AIR flies direct from Philadelphia to St Thomas. As far as I know it's the only non-stop flight. Departing from all other airlines and cities you have to stop in Charlotte, Miami or PR. Remember, don't go through PR! It's a 3 hour 45 minute flight to STT from PHL. 

Bring toys, there are no movies or amenities. I hate it how airline travel has declined under the whine of poverty. Lately I heard Jet Blue flies to STT . THEY have movies and internet, but they aren't a direct flight. How much does it cost them to put in a DVD? Don't get me started on plane travel....
 As a note, US AIR only has non stop flights in the winter. In the summer you have to change planes (not in Puerto Rico!) , except sometimes they will have a direct flight on Sundays depending on the demand.

When you arrive in STT at Cyril E King airport you exit the plane down a metal flight of stairs, out into the bright light. You are directed along specific routes marked out by orange cones and uniformed agents. No picture taking and no food! Keep moving, no talking. As you walk along the outer pathway you can look inside the terminal to the "quarantine area" where the departing passengers sit. You'll be there soon enough. They are always tan and sad looking, staring out the windows at the tropical day that's now lost to them. Arriving, I can't help feeling I'm part of a process, move 'em in, move 'em out.

Just past the armed guard and through the sliding doors is the rum cart. Be sure to stop here, say "good afternoon" and get a free shot of rum from the Rum Lady. It will help if your bags didn't arrive. 

This is a letter written to the St Thomas Source Feb. 22, 2012:

The Rum Booth at the Airport

By XXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear Source:
My friends arrived with their 6 year old twins. I haven't been to the airport lately, so I told them to get a punch. They found only rum. What do you do with 2 kids who are thirsty under the circumstances? I asked for water - they didn't have any. What kind of a welcome is this? I found out the Government of the VI is paying Cruzan for this incredible marketing opportunity.
They should be donating it, or even paying us. And something should be available for kids, even if only water on our budget, which can afford to pay off what is probably the most profitable commercial enterprise in the territory. I further learned that other locals have commented on this embarrassing situation, but nothing is done.
It makes the place look like we are expecting a bunch of college kids on spring break. Can't we get Tourism to do something about this? I have already written to them and am eagerly awaiting their justification for this outrage.

Here's another opinion:

Enough of that, some people just don't get it.

If you have checked bags you have to wait for them and hope they arrive. Meanwhile all the planes from NY, NJ, Miami and PR arrive at the same time. All the bags are seemingly coming onto the same conveyor belt. Because everyone is suddenly on vacation and on a tropical island, the drinking has started. There's a food counter at the baggage claim  and soon everyone is walking around the airport with a bottle of beer. You would never do this at Philadelphia International. 
Quick, get serious, one person should get in line at the car rental desk! You do have a reservation, don't you?

Though you might have a reservation at Avis or Budget, it doesn't mean you will have a car. You'd think so.... after all, you reserved one, right? Isn't that by definition what a reservation means? Apparently not, it's a first come first served waiting game. The longest we waited for a car was 2½ hours, almost missing the ferry to St John. They kept telling us "Fifteen minute! Fifteen minute!"  

If you are staying at a resort like Caneel or the Westin, they both have lovely waiting rooms to check in, get a drink and a cold facecloth while a porter collects your bags and you're taken by private car and boat to the hotel. Not bad!

We rent from Avis or Budget because Hertz won't let you take a car to STJ. Meanies. On STJ the local car rental companies won't let you take their cars to STT.  Meanies. So plan your stay. You don't have to have a car on STJ but it helps, especially if you rented a villa. 

You can always take a taxi from the airport to the ferry dock in Charlotte Amalie, then the passenger ferry from Charlotte to Cruz Bay. One-way is $12.00/Adults. There is a charge of $2.50/piece for luggage/boxes/crates of chickens.  The bad news is they don't leave that often, 1and 5 pm. It's a 45 minute ride to STJ on the passenger ferry. 

Passenger ferries also leave from Red Hook, a shorter 20 minute ride on calmer seas, cheaper and more frequent.  You have to take a taxi from the airport to Red Hook. It's a fun trip though, winding across the length of the island, unless you get car sick from all that beer and rum at the airport.  

Only Broken Down Once!

Because we're on STJ for so long and want the flexibility of returning to STT for supplies, what works for us is to get a car at the airport and take the barge. It might even be the car we reserved. The barge is across the island in Red Hook, where there's a small sign for the CAR BARGE. Pay a $3.00 export tax to the woman in the little white gatehouse, enter the loading area and park backwards, rear to the boat. When you're signaled, BACK onto the ferry barge. The nice young folks will direct you. Wait with the car, someone will come by and take your fare, around $25-30 one way. Then you can sit in your car or wander around the barge. 

In 20 minutes, you're there in Cruz Bay! At this point the sun is starting to go down. We tend to just go out to dinner and save grocery shopping till the next day. It's been a long haul even if everything goes smoothly, which it rarely does. 

Any questions? 
Remember to KEEP LEF'!

Beachin' It at Francis Bay

I love Francis Bay. Even though Maho used to be my favorite beach - it's prettier and has more charm, - Francis is next door and just as pleasant. Francis is what Maho used to be. Poor Maho has become a wounded sister. It's like the Jersey Shore on July 4th. The Park bulldozed a parking lot and if you build it they will come. And they sure do! But Francis, right next door and down an unwelcoming  rutted road is a better bet. 

It's always calm, the water is clear, the
sand is soft. George says it's ok to have places like Maho where people are crammed in just so there can be the calm of a Francis. Maho used to be a Francis! I'm saddened by the overpopulation at Maho and worry for it's future, but as it is with things here, there is nothing to be done.
  
Look! Now you see her, now you don't! 

I didn't like this woman in the photo of the beach so I removed her using Photoshop! When you have a lot of time to do nothing, as you know, you have to DO SOMETHING. Learning how to navigate Photoshop is one something I've been meaning to do. 
I keep promising myself I'll learn Spanish with Rosetta Stone. I was starting to pick it up pretty well on our trip to Peru. 

We got a good spot in the shade when three stud muffins left.  It's around 3.30 by now, clouds have rolled in, the sun is gone. Just the die hards are here. Even though the sun has disappeared and the water doesn't take on that beautiful turquoise it normally does, the temp is perfect and the water is clear and calm. Fish are jumping out of the water, pelicans are diving.

Francis has the added feature of a boardwalk that you can take along the pond and through the mangroves. Nearby is the remains of a rum factory dated 1814, and an estate house. You can pick up a trail there at the rum storage building and circle the pond. 

If you find the house ruins, go past them to a bench that overlooks the pond. The pond is a favorite spot for bird watching. With the bench on your left find a way to go up the hill to the right. You should find a series of goat paths that will take you around some ruins, nice stonework in the walls, maybe you'll find the graves! This plaque was added recently in commemoration. Previously there has just been an above ground grave with a worn name.

Hello Hester!

Beach chickens! I had some crumbs from a lemon iced angel cake slice from Deli Ghotto. The chicks are so cute! Mom was diligent, proud, attentive. Note to self - bring bread crumbs.

We stayed till the no-see-ums came out, driving us away. Not long enough, but there are other days and other beaches. 

And Wednesday is pizza night at Donkey Diner!

Web Cam

Check it out!

http://www.stjohnspice.com/spicecam/

This Web Cam doesn't stream, it refreshes, but it changes often enough and it's a great view of the busiest spot in town - the ferry from St Thomas. It's coming from one of my favorite shops - St. John Spice - selling teas, spices, pottery and cool island stuff.