Tales From A Poopsmith

In a classic twist of, being at the right place at the right time, I was dropped in the middle of a group of 13 strangers from around the world to run in the 21^st Annual Rainier to Pacific Relay Race.  The course consisted of a supposed 152 miles from Mt. Rainier to Ocean Shores, Washington, with team members running 3 legs ranging from 3 to 7 miles encompassing a little over 25 hours.

So equipped with some courage and apprehension I drove to Seattle to meet my team for the first time.   One by one I was introduced to “Nine Hot Guys and Two Really Lucky Women” from AGROTAIN (a vital component to putting quality food on your table every day in an environmentally sound manner), AdFarm (the ad wizards who can make fertilizer and manure look attractive) and Dave (the DCLS rep who rallies for common sense on the hill).    For most it was a reunion of friendships and putting a face to a familiar voice from a years worth of meetings over the phone until the Yellow Rose of Texas came into sight.  Dressed in nothing more then a couple see through wash cloths strolled by our group with her man (at least for a while) by her side.  It was at that moment this group became a team.  We now had a common experience and sight most of us would rather forget.

The team spent the next three days with little sleep, except Dave who had the unique ability of sleeping THROUGH ANYTHING, maneuvering through poorly marked routes, extra mileage, extreme heat, and each others individual odors.  (I was fortunate enough to have the two beautiful ladies in my van which made for “a little less ripe environment”) Highlights included: dog bites, the ER, lost runners, a little old lady shocked by the vomiting runner on the sidewalk, changing in the woods, avoiding a patient at the hospital not plagued with ED, cold 1am showers at Elma High School, a blown knee and hearing Dora sing Karaoke at the Bullpen.  Needless to say, it was a weekend full of lifelong memories.

At the end of the day my team had now become my friends.  A group filled with class, determination, righteous sense of humors, professionalism and genuine good hearts.  They did not have to bring me into the fold but they did and for that I will always be grateful.

Now we all start a new week with our own duties and to do list far away from the Yellow Rose of Texas but one thing I do know…with companies like AGROTAIN and AdFarm working for the Aggies of the world we can all sleep a little easier, kind of like Dave.