Editor's Note: This coming October, Jim Glasscock, P. Carroll Voss, Misael Gomez, George Karutz and a growing list of runners will attempt to break the record for Rancherias Trail at Big Bend Ranch State Park. We're told the current record for the 19 mi./30 km course is nine (9) hours.

Physical Report
P. Carroll Voss

A MSR .2 micron filter has been purchased. The pump and filter are badly needed to purify the water from the two different springs that we will be crossing during the 30K course.
Along with the filter we will have an MSR "Sweetwater" Chlorine based chemical treatment to add to all water to kill any viruses that might be present from any animals that frequent the springs as well. I will have both the Gregory Stimulus and the Platypus Big Zip ll 3L bag. This should be enough for me in an 8hr period, but the filter will help those that might not be as prepared.
Hammer Nutrition's HEED, and Endurolytes will be the technical hydration products of choice for the run.
David Long, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife , stationed at the Barton Warnock Environ Center in Lajitas is our logistical advisor and has supplied us with detailed maps he has noted by hand of all canyons, with climbs and descents, as well as flat open desert, and springs.
All runners signed up to go to Big Bend Ranch State Park are getting in their mileage and are on course to be fit for the event. We hope to get in a couple of trail runs in Government Canyon State Natural Area before we go out. to top

Jim Glasscock pauses in the Sahara Desert as he runs the 2003 Marathon des Sables.

Metaphysical Report
Jim Glasscock

25 July 2006

I bonked at 9 miles of a 12 mile run Sunday.
While walking the last three miles back to the house, I was thinking, why am I doing this again?
After back surgery last year and laying off for about 9 or 10 months, I have had a motivation problem.
This was not the case in 2003 when I ran the “Marathon Des Sables”, 2004 for the “Atacama Crossing” and the "East to West River Road" 55-mile run in 2005 [This was the run that led to the establishment of the Big Bend 50 Ultra Run. Editor].
At the beginning of San Antonio Fleet Feet’s Marathon Training Program in June, I found it hard to shake the cobwebs loose. I was running just to run, so I could squeeze into my 34’s. In 2003, my 32’s were loose.
While running one morning with George and Carroll, there was talk about going to West Texas for a trail adventure. Talk became planning and planning became buying new gear. There was a spark!
In the following days, thinking about running through another desert, my pace was a little faster.
As I was walking past a windmill in the east pasture of the family’s ranch, out of breath, dehydrated, hoping my sister and brother-in-law would be driving by so I could hitch a ride, it hit me, I like this!
I like going on adventures with good friends, drinking good wine, seeing new countries (or oceans), and winging it.
Week 10 of the training schedule started Monday and I can’t wait for my long run on Sunday.to top

My thanks to all who have dropped in and shopped or even just looked around at the Haricot Vert Commissary. The more items I see from the shop, the more I am impressed with Cafe Press' quality (and they have a money-back guarantee if you don't feel the same way).
Some folks have wondered where the money goes. I want to discourage that kind of thinking. It will not serve our relationship at all.
Seriously, the money goes to pay the rent for our stuff on the web. This spot is not free (though the maintenance, updates and etc are). The commissary (as it is currently set up) also comes with a fee.
Thanks again!
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A big Haricot Vert welcome to Moontrail™, purveyors of backcountry equipment, which has joined our site as of this update.
These folks are joining up with the Big Bend 50 Ultra Run and they get our thanks. Part of that thanks is a spot on the HV web site.
What do they do? They tell it the best on their site:

Moontrail carries a full range of backpacking gear by major manufactures and specializes in 1) international manufacturers with limited exposure in the USA and 2) unique and hard-to-find items of particular use for backpacking.

Check out their web site, they have online shopping down like champs. Please tell them where you heard about Moontrail™.

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Quick Frozen Refresher

The example above was made with blueberries and was delicious.

It's all very easy. All you need is a blender. A food processor will work, but I don't think it pulverizes quickly enough.

Put in blender and blend till smooth. Be careful, as the more you blend, the more it melts.

The low-fat cottage cheese I used made it a wee bit salty (though still very good). I suppose you could use other frozen fruit, but I would break or cut it up into smaller pieces. Try running it through an ice crusher.

Please, let us know if you try it and how you liked it.

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