Recently I was given the privilege to crew for my friend, Charles for Run Woodstock, Hallucination 100 miler. I sort of nudged Charles to run a 100 miler: He started getting the bug after I finished Hennepin. His last 100 mile race was in 1998 where he ran Rocky Raccoon 100.
When I first agreed to crew, I hadn’t given it much thought the enormous responsibility you take on. As the race neared, I spent some time thinking just how important my crew was during my ultra events. I thought about what was helpful, things that I needed to get me through, and things that I could do without.
I started asking Charles questions. I wanted to know what would motivate him and where the limit was. It’s a fine balance when you get in the thick of an ultra race where you are testing your body and mind to the limit. You want support and encouragement. You need someone to be there to keep you tough, but not over the top because let’s face it somewhere during an ultra your mind is shot and you need a crew that can think for you and help you make smart decisions as you propel yourself forward one relentless step at a time.
Race week came and I was getting so excited for the opportunity to crew. I arrived on race day early enough to go to the race meeting and then send Charles off for the start. He showed me his drop bags and some of the supplies he would need. The race started at 4 p.m. so he would be facing a lap alone in the dark. The rule was pacers could start after 33 miles. The course is set in the woods so you can see your runner take off and come back in. So you wait and wonder and hope everything is alright during their long solo miles.
We had three pacers, Emma, Derek and me. The plan was for Emma to go first starting her lap around 1:30 a.m. So we waited while Charles completed his first lap. Each lap was about 16 ⅔ mile long. It was fun cheering him on as he came to the aid station. We supported getting him the supplies he needed and gently encouraged him to get going! He was off on lap number two that would end around 1:30 a.m. So Derek and I went home to get some rest with Emma taking the third lap. We agreed that she would contact us when there was about an hour to the aid station which would give us ample time to be back for my lap with Charles.
We arrived back at the aid station at about 6:00 a.m.anxiously awaiting his return. He came through at about 6:30 a.m. Again we helped get the supplies he needed and he grabbed some food from the aid station. One of the volunteers gently nudged Charles, “You know you aren’t getting anywhere standing here and eating. You can walk and eat.” So we were off! Now was my time to keep him going! We had a goal of getting in for this lap prior to noon. If he didn’t make the cut off then he would be moved to the 100k. We started out in darkness, but daylight came pretty quickly. As the light approached, Charles was able to pick up the pace. It is crazy how much you can learn about a person during a long run. Charles had unbelievable stamina to keep talking and I did a lot of listening as he told stories of his adventures of racing, hiking and mountain climbing. Oh, I forgot to mention it was my birthday so as we walked my phone pinged with birthday wishes. At one point my phone rang, I indicated it was my mom. Charles told me you gotta answer that. So I did and put her on speakerphone and shared that I was pacing Charles. Charles suggested they sing happy birthday. So my mom and Charles sang while we hiked along.
Near the start of our lap together, Charles was talking about gnomes and mushrooms. At this point I thought maybe the hallucination hundred was making him hallucinate. I listened and shook my head. I wasn’t quite sure what to believe. And then right along the trail I caught glimpse of a gnome and Charles pointed out mushrooms that he claims were popping up as he ran.
As we approached the first aid station, I was asking Charles what he needed. I wanted to try to be as efficient as we could at the stops to be sure to stay on pace. We were on a tight schedule. Charles grabbed some coffee and coke and a few chips. Then we moved along. At one point, I realized he was not taking in much fluid so I reminded and encouraged him to stay hydrated. I also reminded him to take in some electrolytes and GU. I noticed shortly after he picked up the pace a bit.
We came to some areas where a few races were coming together so we were able to cheer on fellow runners. This is a motivating part of a race when you actually are able to see others runners and can encourage each other. I find this more prominent in ultra races. Everyone is supporting each other to finish! During this point we hit a gravel section where we were able to pick up the pace a little and I was able to text to check our pace to be sure we were on target. I text Derek and he said it was going to be tight and told me a pace. I quickly started to panic a bit and wasn’t sure if I should tell Charles the news that it was going to be close and we might not make it, but then I started calculating in my head and thought Derek’s numbers might be off and told Charles. We laughed as he was the one that had been working for now going on 15 hours and he could calculate better than Derek or me. So I could breathe again knowing that we were on target to beat the noon cut off.
We were getting close to finishing our lap, when we came across an unmanned aid station that had fortune cookies. Charles and I both grabbed one. Mine read, “Better aim at the moon than shoot into the well.” I found it fitting.
When we neared the finish of our lap together, I told Charles he needed to pick up the pace to finish as I had a reputation to uphold. He started picking up a bit and then we heard, “Go Dr. Steele”. That was all he needed to move him forward quickly to the aid station. “Go Chargers” he shouted. He came in with 9 minutes to spare and was quickly off with his wife and beloved dog by his side. Derek joined Charles and they were off for his 5th loop.
Charles had made 100k and was shooting for 100 miles. A couple miles in, I got a call from Derek asking for me to give Charles a pep talk. He was struggling a bit and was slowing down. I chatted briefly encouraged him and they went on. At that point, I noted they were on pace to make it in before the next cut-off which was 5 p.m. Time went on as Emma and I were anxiously awaiting. I got another call. It was Charles. He was thinking about quitting. Again, the role of a crew member is not an easy one. I didn’t want him to make a hasty decision so I told them to keep moving forward and I would do some calculating. They had told me approximately where they were on the course. I came to the conclusion that Charles was correct, at the pace they were going they would not make cut off. Charles shared that he had Le Grizz 50 mile coming up which was more important and would call it a day at 76 miles. It was a difficult decision for me to make. You don’t know at what point to push or what point to call it good.
Charles put forth an amazing effort that day. He logged 76 miles which was furthest since 1998. I call that a success! Of course the next week, he was already talking about and planning to finish Hallucination 100 next year at Woodstock!
Okay so enough about Charles, let’s talk about me. Crewing is a rewarding job, but with it comes stress and a big responsibility! Not to mention tired feet, and sore muscles that I didn’t know I had (which is interesting when you go a different pace than you are used to how that impacts your body differently). I am currently training for Tunnel Hill 100 and logging around 70 ish miles a week and one lap of 16 ⅔ miles got me!
