Category: life

Crewing at Old Dominion/long day/long post

My weekend has been Hustling and Bustling. First week of June usually is my volunteering weekend at the World End’s Ultra. I love the race and the people behind it. I met some cool running friends, one of my first few running friends who share the same passion of ultra trail running like I do. I’m sure everyone who runs ultra because they love it. These people really hit it off with me. Not sure if because the races there were harder or something, but we developed a bond. I don’t run hard races! To others the races I ran seem hard, but there is another level of difficulty out there. My first truly hard race I did there was the Laurel Highlands and since then I don’t dare to run it any more, but from that race I met really good friends, who introduced me to volunteering at the World End. Every year since, I try to give back to the community by volunteering there.

This year, the World End’s race was in conflict with my cousin’s wedding. So there was no way for me to drive 5 hours to Pennsylvania, literally to the End of the World to me (in the middle of nowhere), and then another 5 hours back. It did cross my mind though to try. Volunteering for the event started Friday night, with registration, or course proofing, or even sweeping the early sections or I could come back for the course clean up on Sunday.

I was thinking to get there in the middle of night and start proofing the first section, maybe.

Then I thought it is just crazy. I spend most of the time in the car. I might be late for the wedding. I know I don’t do well without sleep.

So that plan did not work. Then someone posted on the Facebook in my running club about needing a last minute crewing for Old Dominion 100. I said sweet, I could not be there for the whole time but I could do it until noon or early afternoon. The Old Dominion race is just an hour away and not 5 hours like World’s End. It was doable and the runner was fine with my half day’s help.

Friday after work, I drove to Woodstock, Va, to the fairgrounds, where the race would start and end. It was my first time there, but the trail and race is not new to me. Everyone have heard of Old Dominion (at least for trail/ultra ulrunners). Friday night was the race’s mandatory check-in day.

OD is 2nd oldest 100 mile race in America second only to the Western States 100 (in California). It also started as a horse race but in around 1979, a runner decided to enter and run with the horses. It led to the start of the running event. Back then no one thought it was possible to run a 100 miles or compete in a race for that distance. It is still a horse race today at Old Dominion, but the horse racing event would take place on a separate weekend and is run by a different organization. OD has similar background as Western States, which is the ultimate race for ultra distance runners, just like Boston Marathon for marathoners.

OD is part of the Grand Slam Series of 5 races, (Old Dominion, Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville Trail 100, and Wasatch Front 100). Old Dominion is the first race of the series and in the past, it was either Old Dominion or Vermont to make the grand slam (runners choose either one to run and run all other three races). I can’t say whether these two races are easier than the other Grand Slam races, but since it is the first, many people who are chasing the Grand Slam title would run this. Indeed, this weekend a dozen of so showed up for the grand slam title.

I was curious about the race and crewing would allow me to be up close to see the “elite” runners. I don’t ever consider myself to be competing in these races because the requirements to finish are so high. For me, I am just a baby in the 100 mile race.

Plus it is nearly impossible to get into one, I think. Most are managed by a lottery system. My chances of getting in are slim.

But anyway, crewing allows me to get close to such highly known race first hand.

There was a lot I did not know. And I glad I went. One thing was I thought all five races of the Grand Slam have a similar culture. I thought I would know everything about the Old Dominion from what I know about the Western States’s race, such as the competitiveness and how glamorous the race is. I thought OD is like that, of having camera crew following everyone around etc.

It was not like that. OD is a world apart. OD is typically a Virginia, back country lay back race. They used to not even have a website or something that was dated and it would not be updated with the current information. For many years, they would not even publish a list of runners. Friends would be guessing who would be running in it. But everything a runner needs to know is written in a small red booklet. Only a registered runner would be handed one at the race bib pickup.

It is family-run, home grown race. There was devoid of sponsorship or commercial often tied to many other bigger races. In a sense it is good. There is a lack of money and it brings out the authenticity. A race for runners by runners.

I felt I was stepping back in time, since I came from the big city marathon culture like the Rock-n-Roll Marathon. Everything was done and tracked with pen and paper. There isn’t any high tech gitzmo. At the race briefing, someone asked wheather there would be live tracking so that friends and family members could know where the runners are at, and it came across almost like a joke except no one was laughing. Tge race director was like, what do you expect. Nope there wouldn’t be one. The timer person is the same person who has been doing timing since the beginning. Though the race has improved a lot but don’t expect much is the take away. It was a low frill race on a hot day.

It is also an old tradition to run a 100 mile race under 24 hours. Many other races had made theirs easier by loosening the finishing time to draw more average runners to sign up, with say a 30 hour cut off or even 48 hour cut off. OD had relented a bit by adding 4 extra hours, but runners only received a buckle (sterling silver) if they come in under 24 hours. I think there is only a few races that still adhere to the 24 hour time.

Another thing I noticed, we do have turn by turn directions, but to me the course seemed confusing since it crosses on itself at several places (and at one places 3-4 times). Unless you are a local runner, those turn-by-turns make no sense. They were using state road numbering system, and to me turning right on 770 or left on 758 is quite gibblish (my brain just couldn’t memorize a bunch of numbers. The funny thing is I found, not all the turns have street numbers, and some don’t even have a sign. You kinda need to know where to turn. Race director explained that back then all the country roads are numbered as such and only until recently the county started naming streets like Mill Rd and so forth, so that the emergency service crew could find places. It explains why though turn-by-turn instructions are given in road numbers but the actual roads might have a road name. I had a hard time matching the road number to road name in google map and in-person! My advise is go to the mandatory race briefing (the confusing turns became clearer to me).

Fortunately for runners, at least the course was marked! But every year people do get lost and sometimes many miles. I have seen the course first hand this year and it is not too bad, besides I ran the MMT which is in the same vicinity, so I am kind of familar with the area. Runners getting lost seemed to a badge of honor for the race. One year, a runner ran an extra 19 miles and finished. It made quite a story. This year, I met the guy who ran an extra two miles. Wayne (one of my friends and runners whom I was crewing) too got lost early on. I also met a guy who got lost last year by making the wrong turn at four-point and could not finish, he redeemed himself this year. Most runners kind of accept it as a matter of fact. I got lost in my other races so I know how that feel. So did Tek (also a friend and runner, and I will write more below), who was not able to finish last year because she couldn’t her way. My conclusion is A pre-race course study is not impossible, but it is a bit tougher than any other races I ran. It just take a bit of resource to find a local map, plus a trail map, and then trace the course. Or ask a former runner while their memory os still fresh.

Second thing I was surprised was the race is 80% on country roads, mostly paved or horse trails. It should not surprise me because it used to be a horse race. Horse could not go up too steep a climb on the mountain. So the course while do have some serious elevation gain/lost, but it is doable (14000 feet). MMT, a race I recently ran has close to 18000 feet gain/lost. They said the state or county started to pave many of the roads. I think it makes the race a bit easier (or tougher, depends on the perspective). Easier, meaning faster time, but tougher because harder road surfaces hurt the knees and legs. It is a blister making place.

The time requirement was not a surprise to me. I knew it is a 24 hour race. They do have a 4 hours grace period (28 hour) but no buckle for those who came in after 24 hours. One year, they had it as 30 hour, but reverted back to 28 now.

With the 28 hour time, I might have a chance at this. I finished the Blackbeard a little over 26 hours, but that was with zero elevation. Two of my other friends ran this and they finished. I believe my face is compatible to theirs. I was also crewing them at couple stations. This makes me want to sign up in the future. I was glad I came to crew them because it inspired me to try.

Now about crewing, my guy, Greg, gave a good set of instructions before the race and basically, get the water, make sure he has his nutritions, and no blisters or sunburn. It was typical stuff. He gave me his pace chart. He was aiming for a sub 24 hour goal but doesn’t mind if he missed it and he would go for the 28 hour (just to finish).

Long story short all my three runners finished.

I was to meet Greg at the first dropbag/crew location around 8:42 and the second crew location at 11:52 (toward noon). From what he was saying, he might be later than his predicted pace. I did not check his pace chart but assumed it was set at even pacing.

Lucky though and I think he would have caught it too that the race has only one timed (well two technically if we count the finish time) cut-off that is at midnight runner must leave the mile 75 aid station. It means runners have to be going faster than their average race pace to reach there. I think we calculated around 16 min mile. He was basing a 17 min pacing for the 28 hour finish and it originally had 1 am as the time to arrive at mile 75. It was good we caught it early. It meant he would have to hustle a bit in the early miles. There is no starting slow strategy. The elites are a diffent breed of runners.

I watched the start at 4 am. Actually it was hard for me to fall asleep. I had couple hours of sleep in the back of the truck. It was fine. I was awake and saw the race off then I slept for couple hours till sunrise.

It dawned on me Greg might get their earlier than planned! Because I came across an aid station planning chart indicating that the first crew station was estimated to close by 8 am (my guy had it down that he would be there by 8:42). If the race officials think all the runners would gone by the station by 8 AM, then, my guy probably would be an hour faster too, say 7:42. So by 7:00, I was off to the first crew station. I knew I was in trouble, and might be behind schedule. They expected everyone to go out fast! Four hours to do 20 miles, technically wasn’t too fast, but that is my marathon pace! I brought some snacks before I went since I don’t know when I would be back to the city.

I think I arrived around 7:00-7:30 ish. Time is a bit hazy for me now. A few runners already came in and I could see they were elites because a few chose not to stop! In my mind that is crazy! This is the first crew area and they ran straight through! What is wrong with these people. They are too good. 20 miles and not need a break.

It was not long before my guy showed up. I helped him with his electrolytes. It seems that was the most important thing. It was my first time using a funnel and trying to get the tailwind powder into his flasks. I filled up the water first so the funnel got wet and power just would not go down through it. We wasted some minutes there. I was embarrassed as a crew, we have to snappy and here I was wasting all my time with a funnel. Finally, it seemed faster to use the zip bag which has a V-shape opening at either end and poured the powder from the V-shape end of the bag into the flask. It worked well!

My guy only relied on the tailwind powder and not the aid station food. However, I was concerned about his nutrition plan. From my own experience, you need real food to sustain a long race. However, that was his plan and we stuck with it. He did finish, so it worked for him. I was not sure if he changed his strategy mid race or not. It did make things simple for us. So mostly take care of his water and his powder and everything was smooth.

He was on pace. He was half hour ahead of his calculated pace. About midpack runner in this race. Not bad. From his history, he just ran his first 50 miler to qualify for this race and now it is his first 100. Later, I learned too there were couple others who ran this race as their first 100. I wouldn’t have done so, but again everyone who run this are on a different level.

I stayed a bit to wait until the station closed since I did not have to be at the next crew station until 11 ish, even if my guy is fast, he was not at the front of the pack, so I was not worried of him reaching the second crew station before 10:00 am. He had about 13 miles to cover. I kind of knew he would not run a sub-2-hour half marathon. I was giving him at least two hours to cover that distance.

My friend Tek came in. I did not recognize her and was not sure if she would recognize me. I knew she was in the race. We met last year at C&O when I was volunteering there. I wrote about her back then. Thinking back I did saw her at the race expo. I was not sure if it was her. She was the first person to inspire me that there is someone out there who can run a 100 mile every week. Since then I met a could more of these crazies (my friend Franando, and Wayne, and Wayne was running in the Old Dominion too). They helped me to see that I could do it too.

She did recognize me at the aid station. So I crewed her. She was not that far behind. Her strategy with her dropbags was similar to mine. I don’t remember what I did for her. She didn’t need sunblock or ice(?). I don’t remember, but everything was real simple. She was not rushing through the station. Her calmness made me slow down too. I think she spent time eating and sitting on the ground, and that what I would have done too. I sat with her on the ground. I think one of runners big no-no was to sit and my first guy refused to sit. Now thinking back, I learned for 100 mile races, sitting is ok, just don’t sit for too long. I did manage to get Tek out. She was not stressed about time. She could run fast to make it up for it (and she did).

Then I waited for the third guy. Wayne. Wayne was taking his time. I knew, since I ran with him two weeks ago at the MMT, and he almost gave me a heart attack at one of the final aid stations where we stayed over 20 minutes waiting for him to finish eating. I at the time, did not plan to spend much time since we were so close to the finish and I wanted to just get over it. We did get out the station and we finished the race. Wayne amazed me to recover enough from that race to do another 100 with only two weeks apart. Anyway, he is like Tek, running 100 miles like I would run a marathon every weekend. I was rooting for him because a 28 hour finish is tough. His last race took him 35 hours.

Neither Tek nor Wayne was aiming for sub 24. I know Tek had a better chance. I know Tek could be fast. Tek ran the race before. Wayne is fast too but Wayne has a higher risk of not finishing due to lack of rest between the two races and also I knew Wayne more, since having run with him prior.

Wayne came in near the tail end. I think after 9:00. Again, my time now recalling back the event is hazy. He was not the last guy but was like the last 10 guys. At first he felt it was not right for me to crew him because I did not check with my other runners. People can get jealous. I told him my runner(s) already passed, and I have time to crew him before getting to next station. I don’t mind helping him.

Wayne was easy to crew. I knew he wanted to stay forever at the station. My job is to hustle him out. We did fill him up with water, he ate the stuff at the station. We got him ice for him to fill up his pockets.

I also said I have to leave in the middle of the day, and won’t be back until midnight.

We got Wayne out. A few other runners came in. A race official drove by and updated the station captain who would be the last runner because I think some already were dropping out. By the way, I also know the aid station captain. I think he was one of our running club people. This year our club managed 4 aid stations. The last guy came through. I then went to my next crew area.

It was still early. I think I arrived around 10 AM, maybe even 9:30. Maybe about 10 runners had gone by. I don’t remember much. But I had to park all the way back because all other crew people already took up their spots. There was a long line of cars, we had to park as close to the edge as possible, because the road is a one way/one lane road. It was a two way road but seems can only fit one car width at that location. Thinking back, I wish I parked on Moreland Gap Road, so as to be easier to get out, but I was afraid I might get my runner disqualified to park in a place outside of what the race designated for us to park.

It did not matter to me. A little walking does not hurt me. I got to make friends with other people around. It was a waiting game.

Crewing could be so stressful. I knew when my guy would show up because I had his pace chart, but the wait was just killing me. My heart was beating fast like what if I had missed. I knew I would not have missed him. No way would I have missed him. I did not have calmness.

He arrived an hour plus ahead of schedule. He said he felt good and found some company to run along with. He arrived like at 10:45 and I got him out before 11. Roughly that time. I don’t think we took 15 mins at the station. This second time went more smoothly with the funnel and tailwind powder. He took care of all other stuff. He was good in that he worked along side me. I ran down a mental checklist of things he needed.

I warned him he might be going too fast. Here at 4-point station, runners would come through twice. I knew I wouldn’t be there the second time he comes through. He knew too. I had a wedding to attend in the afternoon so had to leave early to prepare for that. I told him he would be uncrewed next time he came through.

I remembered seeing him filled up water from the water jug I brought him, but I forgot to check with him or his pack before he left if he had enough. He later commented that the next 10 miles, mile 30-40 was his hardest miles because he ran out of water. I felt bad anyway, However, this was noon time and the first time in a race where the next aid station was 6 miles apart rather than 3 or 4 miles. Plus the next station had limited aid available, since it was in remote location on a trail, they had to use mules to haul in supplies. I think they might have ran out of water at the water station. My runner did not give the reason why he was out water. I think he might have forgotten to refill. It is on me as crew though for him to be out of water. In my own races, first thing I would do when I come in would get my bladder filled up, then I would drink my fill to quench any thirst. I think I forgot to remind him to drink up! Anyway, out he went.

I waited for Tek. The lead pack of runners came through the second time. In my mind, I could leave for the wedding, because after the lead pack came through, their crew started leaving and I could follow. I wanted to leave too (to get to the wedding) and it would not be a taboo to leave the station before everyone. I was afraid earlier if I was the first one to leave because by an implicit rule, I was to stay there for 4 hours till my runner comes through the second time and I did not want my runner(s) getting disqualified on my account. In truth, I was tempted to stay. I wanted to crew Tek and Wayne and others. I was also volunteering, helping as many other runners as I could (I noted many other crew did not help other runners). There was only a few volunteers (3 usually) at the station. Most runners help themselves.

Tek came through (her first time in). Tek was lowkey. She only needed food. I helped her changed shoes (into trail shoes) since the next section would be on trails. She was eating from a can of spagetti-O. It was like something I would do. Junk/processed food but they do give good calories. I, in fact, thought about eating that in one of my ultras. She did not bring a spoon, but luckily the station had one. I thought it was just funny choice of food. I got her out the station once she was done eating. She might have stayed in the station for 15 or more minutes. It was way too long in my opinion (as you know, I learned to carry food on the go and eat them outside the station). She was fine becasue she was still ahead of the 24 hour pace. She could run fast.

I waited for Wayne. Wayne took forever to arrive. In hindsight, I should not have waited for him, because on his account I was late for the wedding. They said there were only 3 runners left, who did not come through yet. A female and two guys. I knew one of the guys is Wayne. I felt bad of leaving without seeing Wayne. The female came in — she was also a friend of a friend because she was part of the Virginia Happy Trail Runners. I have seen her somewhere but didn’t know her name. I think it could be Amy. Many of my running friends were supporting her and other people of our club. I saw John and Charleen there. There was also Jamie. I knew Larry, who was running in the race. Larry spoke to me many times like a friend, but I kept not remembering his name, though in this race, I truly got to know him and his wife Kathy. Jamie was crewing for Larry and Larry was running with other members of our club (Scott and Sean). I saw many of my Virginia Happy Trail friends, such as Denise, Mordy and Janna. Mordy was one who recommended me my next 100 mile race — Burning River in Ohio. He might be able to find me a pacer. We reconnected because of Old Dominion.

Then after a long wait, Wayne came. I learned he was part of the Asian Montgomery Running Club and they were out there crewing for their members so they took over crewing for Wayne. I knew Wayne was in good hands and I said goodbye. I was happy Wayne came by around noon and it was not too bad timewise.

So I left the course to attend the wedding back home. You know Google said it only took 28 minutes to get to the venue. I had three hours. There should not be a chance I would be late. I ended up being late anyway due to traffic and couple stops I made (I needed to shower/and change/and buy a card). I did not waste my 3 hours but it was very stressful. Traffic was horrible in Northern Virginia and I should have known. The venue was near my former college and I knew I used to drive there every day and it took me an hour and half or something back in those days, but that was like 15-18 years ago. I was expecting weekend might be better and also we made many road improvements since. I learned traffic is still so bad even a saturday, like any major city. I pulled out all my tricks like taking the express lanes (and paying tolls). It was stressful and embarassing being late to a wedding. I did make it to the wedding. Actually at one point I was considering turning around and going back home (to catch some sleep).

People were asking me where was my mom. I shamefully said I forgot to pick her up. My mom texted me at the last minute saying I promised to drive her. It was completely out of my mind. My mom was mad at me! I wrote back, I could adjust my plan, but she said she found someone’s else. In fact though, there was no time left for me to pick her up.

Anyway, it was stressful to have two concurrent events. I could only be at one place at a time. There was no way for me to make it to the wedding and pick up my mom, while I was coming from the race, unless of course she waited at my house, but then I was not planning to stop by my house or buying a wedding card, or taking a shower or dressing up. It was formal event though. Out of respect, I had to be at least presentable.

After the wedding was the reception. It was just as stressful getting to the reception venue due to traffic. I think it took me another hour/hour and half. My runner was keeping me up to date of his progress. He was not doing so well. I only hoped for the best that he could finish.

After the wedding reception (around 10 pm), I made a drive back to the race course. I could have gotten back earlier but I promised to give a ride to a family member. I learned my lesson of having priority. Since my duty at the race was done, it did not matter if I got back to the race an hour earlier or an hour later. I knew I would still want to go back at least to see the finish. The finish would be at 4 am. Later the person said they found a ride from someone’s else, so I was relieved. If I did not have to give the ride, I could have left once the dancing started. I stayed until 9:30 pm, originally I planned to leave around 8 ish. Even then, things did work out for me.

At first, I was tempted to be a safety runner (pacer) for miles 75 to 87, hence the rush back to the race. However, as I was driving back to the race, with the whole day being out in the sun, and also the lack of sleep from previous night, fatigue finally set in. My friend Caroline called me to report about her race from Iowa and it helped kept me awake for my drive back to the course. I knew there was no way I could run that night. I would end up being more a liability to my runner than helping them.

I got back to the race around 11-ish at mile 75. Many runners were coming through the aid station at Elizabeth Furnace. It was the “golden hour” because the cut off was at midnight. They had to leave the station before then.

Tek already gone through, I believed. I did not see her. I was pretty confident Greg too had gone through. I was waiting for no one really. Amanda (my friend and runner at the MMT) was there. We waited together. I was not sure who she was crewing. I did not ask. The woman who crew Wayne showed up and I was relieved in a sense knowing he was still to come. We waited and waited. Many dropped from the race at this point as it was getting late.

Time was creeping toward midnight. I walked down the field and waited for Wayne at the gate. I saw in the distance I saw a flashlight, and Wayne was rushing up the road. I could recognize his form from a distance. I said Wayne, you have five minutes but I knew he could make it to the station in time.

He did. It was a station where they have to do a medical check. They weighed him. He was alert. The crew at the aid station just poured stuff into his two hands and sent him him back out. There was no time to stay. I felt sorry for him. He made it out with three minutes to spare. That was a close!

There were three or four more runners out still. We waited for another 15 to 30 minutes or so. They all came in. A female came in (she might be one of our club members). She seemed familiar to me. We delivered the bad news that she could not go on. I saw the courage of taking the bad news. The female had a crew, so the crew drove her and couple other runners who dropped too.

Then two other guys came. I helped Tracy (male), earlier at noon when he had bad blisters on one of his toes. He wrapped them up, but I guessed it was causing too much pain, so he paced slowed down much. My car could only take one runner, so I chose the guy who came in before Tracy (out of fairness). The race organizers had to give Tracy a ride. I felt bad leaving Tracy behind, but I could only do so much.

It was sad someone got cut. They seemed to me still pretty strong. Much stronger than me if I were to run it at mile 75. However, the rule was they must make mile 75 in 20 hours or less to go on.

The ride back to the fairground was about 45 minutes. I had some coffee at the aid station and it helped. I was alert enough for the drive. The runner I drove was very kind and polite. We did not talk much. I knew the feeling of being DNF’d. I had two myself. The running did question why but didn’t elaborate. I did not ask. I overheard at the station that he couldn’t keep his food down. I was afraid he might throw up in my car. The trip back was without incident. In fact, he helped with the navigation since I was not familiar with the area at night (I am a visual person). We had to go through Strasburg, which I had not been to previously.

Once I reached the fairgrounds, I knew I had no more energy to go back out to the other stations to see my other runners because I was spent. Greg’s wife would take up the night shift for Greg, so I didn’t have to. Wayne had his crew. Only Tek was left for me. There were at least three stations I could have gone to. I decided to sleep instead.

I managed some close eyes until maybe 5:00. Then I got up and went to the track where they finished. I was there earlier around 1 AM, and saw someone came finished. I think it was the tenth finisher or something. It was the dead of night. There was no water given out, no medals or celebration at the finish. I felt bad there was not many people cheering except for a family member or their crew. Some runners did not have a crew so the finish would be in dead silence without cheering or clapping. It was kind of surreal.

By 6 o’clock more and more people came. I was with a group of friends, same people who have been crewing the Virginia Happy Trail people. Unbeknown to me, Greg came in. We saw a fast runner in the distance. None of us know who he was, but he was hammering it. So we cheered loudly! We were outside horse track at the time, since my friends like to hang out close to their cars. I had my folding chair there, sitting and chatting.

The runner came by. I then recognized the bib number! Wait that is my guy I have been crewing earlier! He zoomed by. So I rushed onto the track chasing him. He still had to run half a mile on this big horse track. It would take some time to go around the track. He later said he was running a 10 min pace (fast for a 100 miler), so it took about 5 minutes to do a loop around. His wife later showed up. It was my first time meeting her. At first, I thought Greg was going to finish alone. I said, now his wife could take pictures for him.

My friends came along to cheer. It became a bigger group instead of me and Greg’s wife. We all got onto the track and cheered him.

I was so happy. I know he wanted a sub 24. However, I did not track him during the night. There were no live-update unless you know one of the officials. They were using pen and paper to track runners, so you would have to be physically present at an aid station to know if a runnet had come through. I thought I wouldn’t able to see Greg’s finishing.

It was satifying to see someone you helped, though I only played a small part, finished a race. I did not expect to see him for I thought he must have finished while I was sleeping!

Other runners came it. 27th hour went by. It was the golden hour now, the last hour is at hand. Many runners came it, like 5 minutes 10 minutes apart. Family came and went.

Then Tek came. I knew Tek was still out there from word of mouth from other runners who finished. The said she was sleeping/napping at one of the aid stations. I was excited that she was on her way finishing. So I waited and waited. I think Tek came in around 27:30, she was the last four or five runners. She came in front of my VHTR friends who were running in it. Tek seemed alright and made good strides. Then of course she went to change and stuff, I did not see her again. I thought she went to bed. She said she wanted to shower. I was so happy for her, yet had to hold in my excitement too.

After Tek left, I went back to the track to wait for Wayne. We knew he was on his way but was not sure if he could make it under 28 hours. We waited some more. The final minutes before 28th hour was creeping closer. Then we saw a guy in red shirt from the distance. I knew it was Wayne. He was running. Maybe just as fast as some runners I saw earlier. He was the last guy. We knew he was the last guy, because words had been passing along. He got on the track. We knew it would take sone time to go around. His crew person was so anxious for him, she ran around the track with him. I afraid he might get DQ for having a pacer! Runners were not suppose to have a pacer after mile 87. The race official was understanding and did not nitpick on the no pacer rule. Wayne had 10 minutes to spare but it was indeed very close! For ultra that is like a just a hair width.

Third thing I learned about this race was the finish ceremony. All sub 24 hour runners would stay behind for breakfast and the award ceremony. Many of the 24 to 28-hour finishers stayed as well. I sat with Larry and his friends. We had a long two hour breakfast because the timer had to finalize the finisher list. They announced each runner name and their finishing time and they went up to receive their awards. It was a torture, because I could see many crew members and their runners were about to fall asleep with the long wait, but we had to wait for the awards.

All finishers received a finisher swag (a bag and hat). They were also required to give a speech. It was interesting to hear everyone’s stories (just short 1 min speech). Sometimes, the race official would add to it with comments. The RD knows everyone, having been observing them over 24 hours. We witness a 10th year award. One runner ran it 10 times! It was the 7th time in the race history they gave out this award. The person giving out, Kimberly, and I knew her as an RD from another race (Lake Claytor/Lake Ridge Endurance run), was the daughter fo the first winner of the award, so it was very special. I did not know that bit of history before this race.

I think some runners were too tired and did not come. There were maybe 5 – 6 who did not showed up. All but 1 sub 24 hour showed up. Their crew accepted the awards on their behalf. I did not do it for mine, first because I fear public speaking, also second, I did not have the contact info (now thinking back, I did have my runner’s AirBnB address), third, my runners did not ask me. Tek later did show up to pick up her drop bags but I did not let her know she missed the finisher award! Shh. We kept that as a secret.

My ride back home was a torture! The lack of sleep really hit me hard. I slept at night too, but I guess I did not get to the REM sleep stage. I made frequent stops to catch some rest/closed eyes. Then started driving again. I slept at a walmart for couple hours around noon. Somehow even though I did not run a 100 mile over the weekend, my body was as tired as if I had run it. It was unbelievable. I got home eventually. A one hour driven became like a 4-5 hour drive. I got good some food after arriving then went straight to bed. I slept for the next 12 hours! Woke up and then slept some more until it was time to get up for work. I think 15-16 hours total. I was drop dead tired. Monday was fun. I woke up like where have my weekend gone, remembering very little of it.

Aside, Tek told me about her race in Georgia, of last year I think, or earlier this year, where she dropped out at mile 95 after spending 40 hours on the trail because she had to drive 20 hours home to make it to work on time. That was one scary woman. I don’t think I have that kind of endurance, running 40 hours and then making a 20 hour drive and then working a full day. It is insane (72 hours, at least, of being awake!) By the way, she did drive down for this race. I did not dare ask if she was planning to drive back home immediately after the race. She lives way farther than me, like 8 hours away. My one hour trip became like half day on the road, hers, I don’t know. She said Vermont is her local race! A long drive for her to get down to Virginia indeed.

It helped me see, often time my mom came with me to races, and I thought spectating should be easy, but it is not. The anxiety and responsibilities took a toll. My mom had not crew me for my longer distances, but sometimes, I kind of relied on her of offering me snacks and drinks at shorter ones (marathons), the pre-race/post race stuff. The stress does get to her. Most of the time was trying to get me to the race on time! Other time was to meet up with me again at the end of the race. I could think back how stressful it was when I did the Toronto Marathon! That trip I was stressed as well. Crewing helps me to aprreciate the other side of racing.

conclusion: I learned some new stuff with crewing. One runner has several water packs (camelbak) and the family just prefilled them with water, and the runner would come in and switch the pack. I think that is a pretty neat trick of efficiency. It might save a minute or so. Crewing is about being efficient!

I love my weekend. It was a bit jam-packed, but we had good memories that will be remembered for a long time.