Bound for Bloomsday
<p>Trevor Glander, left, and Chandler Axtell, both of Rathdrum, run to the finish line of the Hauser Lake Ice Breaker 10K on Sunday.</p>
HAUSER - The first thing Ron Ruble did after crossing the finish line of the Hauser Lake Ice Breaker 10K on Sunday was stop running.
Then, he put both hands on his knees, bent over and tried to catch his breath.
"That was a hard one," the 66-year-old said.
Ruble, fighting lung congestion and laryngitis, pushed through the pain because he's tuning up for Bloomsday. Last year, he was just over an hour on the 7.46-mile course in Spokane.
"I plan on doing it under an hour this year," Ruble said as he started walking slowly to recover.
The Spokane man underwent quadruple bypass surgery in November 2007.
"Now, I'm running," he said. "Feels good."
Ruble was one of 239 runners and walkers in the annual Ice Breaker race that is a fundraiser for the Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition and a qualifer for second seed at Bloomsday.
With cloudy skies and temperatures in the 30s, it was a little too much on the cold side for some competitors.
"I can't feel my hands or my legs," said Kim Orr of Spokane shortly after finishing.
The men's winner was Jim Rucker of Spokane in 32:15, while the women's top finisher was Karen Cobean, also of Spokane, in 42:26.
Most liked the scenic course that looped around Hauser Lake's rising water and included a few steep climbs.
"It's a great course," said John Pierce of Post Falls, who is also preparing for Bloomsday. "There's just enough hills to keep you honest."
Paula Sutherlin of Elk, Wash., also said she liked the hills as they ready her for the dreaded Doomsday Hill that she'll face May 1.
"I'm getting ready for Bloomsday," she said.
After finishing, Gena Schuette of Rathdrum cheered on Trevor Glander and Chandler Axtell, also of Rathdrum.
"I've got two troupers here who are bound and determined," she said.
As one of the Fit for Bloomsday running coaches at Garwood Elementary, she encourages students to run by running herself.
In the past month she competed in several races, including the Girl Scout cookie fun run Saturday.
"If I can inspire them, I will do anything I can," Schuette said.
Race director Duane Justus said there were about 100 more runners this year than last.
He attributed the increase to the popularity of the course, that it's ideal for Bloomsday training, the long-sleeved shirts and being sure runners are treated well before, during and after the run.
"The volunteers are what make the race," he said.