Untitled Document

2004 MS 50 Mile Challenge Walk

My wife Janelle was successful in her effort to become the first wife to push her husband in the Colorado MS 50 Mile Challenge Walk! Here are some pictures and memories of the event, September 10-12 2004.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated, we were both touched and surprised by the number and $$$ of the donations to the MS society that were made in our name! Our pledge total the day of the Walk was $4,390! An extra special THANK YOU to Don Paul Oxygen & Pride Mobility, who teamed up to donate the use of a lightweight wheelchair for training and the Walk. Thanks to Keri Wilson from Better Bodies for Women, whose Personal Training taught Janelle the correct muscles to use, wheelchair technique on hills, and got her in shape for this Walk. Thanks to our MS mentor, Judy Leidy & Personal Power Source, Debbie Moore!

Our sponsors were: Joyce Allely, Roger Bailey, Steve & Sue Baldwin, Matt Bancroft, Sarah Barrios, Jodi Bay, Kim Bitner, Bob Bofinger, Larry & Diane Boll, Armelle Brandt, Jim & Mary Branom, Doug Brown, Mike & Gillian Christianson, Frank Dominguez, Jerry Donovan, Mike Farrell, Joyce & Mike Flatt, Chuck & Pam Foster, John & Therese Frelich, Claire Gibbons, Greg & Denise Gibbons, Mark & Pam Gibbons, Tom & Norma Gibbons, Ken Gilpin, Tom Graim, Chuck Hacala, David Haining, Richard Hamilton, Susan & Lance Hamilton, Rob Hass, Laurie Hofeldt, Pat & Sandy Kayser, Dave Kinkley, Roger & Martha Klein, Dennis Kotnour, Jerry & Theresa Kotnour, Tim Kotnour, John Kotnour, Richard Kotnour, Gene Kruska, Randy Mahaffey, Amy & Mike McGinnis, Deron McGee, Steve Miller, Laura & Allan Obert, Rebecca O'Hearne, Jennie O'Rourke, Diane Podien, Brad & Shelly Randall, Tony & Marjie Reihing, Meg & Viktor Reznicek, Joe Roberts, Eric Ross, Ken & Jean Sims, Kathy Smektala, Tom Smith, Ashley Steffl, Christy Tappy, Heather Uhland, Jena Ungs, Jean Vreeland, Dave & Sharon Wagner, Mark Whittesley, Al & Jan Wicks, Craig Wicks, Carmen Wind.

We started at 7:30 am, Friday, Sept. 10 at Red Rocks just outside of Morrison, CO & it was a very scenic start! That's me on the wheels, my wife Janelle on the left, and my sister Cindy on the right. We all had ID tags worn around our necks, mine and Janelle's are black, indicating we are doing the MS Walk for the first time, and Cindy's is red, indicating she had done it last year.

Pull! 'They' released 400 white doves at the start, and the Dove Handler assured us they would all return to his home in Denver... we wondered. It was a dramatic place to start, although it was a steep downhill grade into Morrison.

Water Stops were situated every 1.5 miles along the route, with outhouses & Rest Stops were located every 3 miles with snacks, water, outhouses & medical personnel. Here we are at the first one, along Bear Creek Trail just outside of Morrison.

Janelle and Cindy pose at a Morrison trail marker.

They didn't close this road for the event, it just looks like it! We went East out of Morrison, following Bear Creek for miles. Naturally, the 139 Walkers began to string out.

Those of you who have long suspected I have a screw loose received your confirmation right here. One of the 8 screws holding my right wheel worked free. We probably could have continued without it, but the gentleman behind my chair replaced it and ensured all the others were tight.

The rest stops all had various themes; here is Janelle posing with Superman and Catwoman at the fourth rest stop. Six miles down, only 44 to go!

On the far right is Delores, a counselor at the Northern Colorado MS Society office, whom Janelle and I have worked with.

Janelle hears Mother Nature calling at a spot inconveniently far from the Port-A-Potties...

At the 9 mile Rest Stop Janelle was given an opportunity to change her shoes & socks. Switching roughly halfway is encouraged.

Stretching & resting helps too!

No, the lunch stop wasn't Chinese take-out! It was a prepackaged sandwich, some pasta salad, fruit, and a cookie, delicious after 12 miles of trail. We always had plenty of water and Gatorade along the way.

You wouldn't know we're heading into Denver! We were blown away by the scenic beauty along the way.

Janelle and Cindy pose by the Bear Creek Trail marker.

One common MS symptom is heat sensitivity, and I started to get wiped out in the afternoons. Here's how to beat the heat: Put an ice pack on your head, one on your neck, one on each thigh, and hold a 5th to your stomach! We weren't sure if we could make it to the YMCA by 5:00 p.m.....it was 3:45 and we still had 5 miles to go. But we knew we'd regret it if we opted to get 'Sagged', the term for getting a ride up to the next rest stop. So we rested, iced down, Janelle ibuprofened & lotioned her feet & we braced for the long haul in. The Crew decided to leave the route open until 6:00 so we knew we'd have time.

The trail went from pavement to gravel, which makes pushing a chair a bit tougher!

One of my front tires popped off the wheel when we hit a groove, Janelle ran for assistance, and some of the MS Volunteer Crew guys helped us put it back on. The Support crew was amazing! 4 Miles to go! 17.5 miles in. Day 1.

When the going gets tough, I always say "Cheer up! It could be worse!". And sure enough, it gets worse! The gravel started to get a bit deep here. And uphill to boot! Here is where I found out how much grit and determination Janelle has!

Ahead of us is Bobby pushing his wife Linda. We were the only two wheelchair couples on the walk, and there were two other MSers in wheelchairs (with far less fatigue than I have!) who propelled themselves. The hills & gravel continued for 3 miles.

After 21.5 tough miles on the first day, we crashed at the Littleton YMCA. Here is Janelle, catching some Zzzzzs on the first night. There was a Pep Rally and yummy lasanga dinner that evening.

Aaaah, this is how the day should start, with a mile or two of gentle paved downhill! Day 2: 20 Miles.

One of the many nice fixer-uppers seen from the High Line Canal trail.

Day 2, approx. 27 miles into the Walk, Janelle got her first and only blister.

For every downhill, there is usually a gruelling uphill. This was a particularly tough six-block stretch! Again, Janelle proved absolutely amazing!

Halfway through day 2, and these feet look a bit worse for wear!

They belong to Lisa Coen, a former HP coworker of mine that I was both surprised and pleased to see on the MS Walk.

The Rest Stop theme here was Rock & Roll Divas & Janelle joins them in the Charlie's Angel pose. Janelle thought if she knelt down, she might not be able to get back up again!

A nice spread of wildflowers - though I suspect they had help getting here.

Who knew such a pastoral, bucholic even, setting could be found in the heart of Denver?! And to think we started up in those foothills yesterday! We were about 35 miles into the Walk at this point.

Night 2 - we crashed in the Schlessman YMCA gym in Denver. When the lights went out at 9:00 p.m. you could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet. No worries about late night parties with this group!

Janelle and I on Night 2....41.5 miles into the Walk. Chandler, the Coordinator for this year's Walk, asked Janelle to speak at the evening's Candlelight Vigil. She really worked the crowd over...they alternated between laughing and crying.

Day 3 (Sunday) with 8.5 miles scheduled. We were approaching downtown to the park where we had a BBQ lunch & organize prior to the final Last Mile March to the Denver Center for Performing Arts.

The first signs of Autumn...

Near the finish line, we had a yummy cookout lunch catered by the Breckenridge Brewery.

49 Miles complete!

Janelle is looking pretty good for pushing me 49 miles!

Mission Accomplished!!!

The finish line was at the Denver Center for Performing Arts in Downtown Denver. Pictured here are Cindy Beckey (Dave's sister) who walked with us, Jean & Ken Sims (Dave's parents), Denise Gibbons (Janelle's cousin), Katelyn Boll (our daughter), & Dave. Also at the finish to cheer us on were Alyssa, Josh Beckey, Lance & Susan Hamilton.

Sculpture Park at the Performing Arts Center, our finish line and closing ceremony.

Janelle & Dave completed the Walk totally intact! Many of you know how she pulled a muscle 2 weeks before the Walk and became best friends with her ice pack. We are happy to report she completed the Walk with only a minor foot blister. Thanks again to ALL of you for your support, prayers and encouragement! This was a phenomenal weekend and we are very blessed to have you in our lives!

	We started at 7:30 am, Friday, Sept. 10 at Red Rocks just outside of Morrison, CO & it was a very scenic start! That's me on the wheels, my wife Janelle on the left, and my sister Cindy on the right. We all had ID tags worn around our necks, mine and Janelle's are black, indicating we are doing the MS Walk for the first time, and Cindy's is red, indicating she had done it last year.
Pull! 'They' released 400 white doves at the start, and the Dove Handler assured us they would all return to his home in Denver... we wondered. It was a dramatic place to start, although it was a steep downhill grade into Morrison.
	Water Stops were situated every 1.5 miles along the route, with outhouses & Rest Stops were located every 3 miles with snacks, water, outhouses & medical personnel. Here we are at the first one, along Bear Creek Trail just outside of Morrison.
Janelle and Cindy pose at a Morrison trail marker.
	They didn't close this road for the event, it just looks like it! We went East out of Morrison, following Bear Creek for miles. Naturally, the 139 Walkers began to string out.
Those of you who have long suspected I have a screw loose received your confirmation right here. One of the 8 screws holding my right wheel worked free. We probably could have continued without it, but the gentleman behind my chair replaced it and ensured all the others were tight.
	The rest stops all had various themes; here is Janelle posing with Superman and Catwoman at the fourth rest stop. Six miles down, only 44 to go!
On the far right is Delores, a counselor at the Northern Colorado MS Society office, whom Janelle and I have worked with.
	Janelle hears Mother Nature calling at a spot inconveniently far from the Port-A-Potties...
At the 9 mile Rest Stop Janelle was given an opportunity to change her shoes & socks. Switching roughly halfway is encouraged.
	Stretching & resting helps too!
No, the lunch stop wasn't Chinese take-out! It was a prepackaged sandwich, some pasta salad, fruit, and a cookie, delicious after 12 miles of trail. We always had plenty of water and Gatorade along the way.
	You wouldn't know we're heading into Denver! We were blown away by the scenic beauty along the way.
Janelle and Cindy pose by the Bear Creek Trail marker.
	One common MS symptom is heat sensitivity, and I started to get wiped out in the afternoons. Here's how to beat the heat: Put an ice pack on your head, one on your neck, one on each thigh, and hold a 5th to your stomach! We weren't sure if we could make it to the YMCA by 5:00 p.m.....it was 3:45 and we still had 5 miles to go. But we knew we'd regret it if we opted to get 'Sagged', the term for getting a ride up to the next rest stop. So we rested, iced down, Janelle ibuprofened & lotioned her feet & we braced for the long haul in. The Crew decided to leave the route open until 6:00 so we knew we'd have time.
The trail went from pavement to gravel, which makes pushing a chair a bit tougher!
	One of my front tires popped off the wheel when we hit a groove, Janelle ran for assistance, and some of the MS Volunteer Crew guys helped us put it back on. The Support crew was amazing! 4 Miles to go! 17.5 miles in. Day 1.
When the going gets tough, I always say "Cheer up! It could be worse!". And sure enough, it gets worse! The gravel started to get a bit deep here. And uphill to boot! Here is where I found out how much grit and determination Janelle has!
	Ahead of us is Bobby pushing his wife Linda. We were the only two wheelchair couples on the walk, and there were two other MSers in wheelchairs (with far less fatigue than I have!) who propelled themselves. The hills & gravel continued for 3 miles.
After 21.5 tough miles on the first day, we crashed at the Littleton YMCA. Here is Janelle, catching some Zzzzzs on the first night. There was a Pep Rally and yummy lasanga dinner that evening.
	Aaaah, this is how the day should start, with a mile or two of gentle paved downhill! Day 2: 20 Miles.
One of the many nice fixer-uppers seen from the High Line Canal trail.
	Day 2, approx. 27 miles into the Walk, Janelle got her first and only blister.
	For every downhill, there is usually a gruelling uphill. This was a particularly tough six-block stretch! Again, Janelle proved absolutely amazing!
Halfway through day 2, and these feet look a bit worse for wear! They belong to Lisa Coen, a former HP coworker of mine that I was both surprised and pleased to see on the MS Walk.
The Rest Stop theme here was Rock & Roll Divas & Janelle joins them in the Charlie's Angel pose. Janelle thought if she knelt down, she might not be able to get back up again!
	A nice spread of wildflowers - though I suspect they had help getting here.
Who knew such a pastoral, bucholic even, setting could be found in the heart of Denver?! And to think we started up in those foothills yesterday! We were about 35 miles into the Walk at this point.
	Night 2 - we crashed in the Schlessman YMCA gym in Denver. When the lights went out at 9:00 p.m. you could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet. No worries about late night parties with this group!
Janelle and I on Night 2....41.5 miles into the Walk. Chandler, the Coordinator for this year's Walk, asked Janelle to speak at the evening's Candlelight Vigil. She really worked the crowd over...they alternated between laughing and crying.
Day 3 (Sunday) with 8.5 miles scheduled. We were approaching downtown to the park where we had a BBQ lunch & organize prior to the final Last Mile March to the Denver Center for Performing Arts.
	The first signs of Autumn...
Near the finish line, we had a yummy cookout lunch catered by the Breckenridge Brewery.
	49 Miles complete!
Janelle is looking pretty good for pushing me 49 miles!
	Mission Accomplished!!!
The finish line was at the Denver Center for Performing Arts in Downtown Denver. Pictured here are Cindy Beckey (Dave's sister) who walked with us, Jean & Ken Sims (Dave's parents), Denise Gibbons (Janelle's cousin), Katelyn Boll (our daughter), & Dave. Also at the finish to cheer us on were Alyssa, Josh Beckey, Lance & Susan Hamilton.
	Sculpture Park at the Performing Arts Center, our finish line and closing ceremony. Janelle & Dave completed the Walk totally intact! Many of you know how she pulled a muscle 2 weeks before the Walk and became best friends with her ice pack. We are happy to report she completed the Walk with only a minor foot blister. Thanks again to ALL of you for your support, prayers and encouragement! This was a phenomenal weekend and we are very blessed to have you in our lives!