My friend Jeremy was running the Wasatch 100 this year and I took on the crewing duty. I initially wanted to pace him during the night portion but the logistics was a bear because they would not allow us to leave our car at the aid stations. So, if I wanted to pace, I had to find someone who would be willing to give me a ride and pick me up again. I guess, if I really wanted to, I could have made it happened. Recently, I have been a much slower runner and I fear I could not have kept up with my runner if I were to pace, so crewing duty was the second best option.
Wasatch 100 is a breathtaking race to do. It is a matter of opinion of course. Another friend who ran in the Wasatch this year said, the views were just meh, unimpressive and I think it has to do with unchanging same mountain range we were on. But to me, the soaring mountains and the deep descents was what captured my heart the first time I ran it last year. The big mountains around Salt Lake lift up my heart whenever I look at them.
I wanted to be in Salt Lake City again, but to run the Wasatch a second time would be way too much work than what I was willing to made, meaning in my current physical condition, there is a small chance I would have finished. Wasatch is hard. A very hard race. Having done it once, it would be crazy to do it again. Except you know, ultra runners have a tendency to dare fate, and I was tempted to do it again. I did put my name into this year lottery and was glad I was not picked.
I flew into Salt Lake on Thursday. The run was next morning. Our accommodation was near everything, within 5 minutes from the package pickup and 15 minutes from the start and 15 min from most aid stations. Brighton, the night aid station was only 30 minutes away (compares to many other races I have been to, AS can be an hour or more from home base) and the finish line was about 50-60 mins away, which was in Midway, and we traveled past Park City, and Heber, which have the most majestic views around. And Heber or Midway is a charming town. I wished I had the time to stop and had a meal there. These were the things I missed out last year when I ran it.
I went to the package pickup first since my runner was still prepping his many drop bags at the house. I was hoping to run into some people I know. It was good to observe how other people preparing their bags and sensed the prerace jitter. Last year, I only used two drop bags, Big Mountain and Lambs Canyon, plus a roving bag I left with my friend to take from station to station (mainly Brighton and at the finish). Tek, another friend who was running in Wasatch this year seemed to used very few bags. I think because when traveling by plane, we were restricted how much one could bring along to a race. Jeremy drove to Salt Lake so he basically carried everything. He used every drop bag location, 8 total including one at the finish. I think was a very smart choice.
It is good to note the race is on a point to point course so it is good to have a drop bag at the finish too for those without a crew or or just want a change of clothes once done. Jeremy left a drop bag there.
Thursday was a short day. We grabbed a bite to eat after getting everything done and we headed back to our house. We had a chance to catch up with Terrence who was on his final race for the grand slam, something I did the previous year. He has been following my progress when I did my grand slam last year. This year, it was his turn and I in turn have been following his. We saw each other at most of our races this year except for Leadville, which I did not get in and so did not go. I was just excited as he was for his attempt and could feel his pressure and nervousness.
Crewing showed me a different aspect to the race. I love running in it and crewing too is special. In a sense, I was just as nervous as runners before the race, but there is also a calm that I won’t have if I were running in it. Also there was a sense of regret of missing out. If someone gave me a bib that day, I would have ran it.
There were other passerbys who saw the crowd at the pickup and asked us what it was all about. We explained that the runners would be running on the mountain range in the distance the next day from Kaysville to Midway and they are here today to drop off their supplies to use along the way and to pickup their bib number.
After the early meal, we retired to bed since we would be up by 3 am in the morning. The house was spacious and comfortable. I had an informal meeting with Jeremy to gauge what he wanted me to do and when we would be setting out. We had a few final things left to pack away. While our house was near to the start, I wanted to be at the startline at least an hour before the race to avoid any last minute stress. At every race or every year there will be someone pulling up late and rush to the start line. I did not need the added pressure to be that somebody. I like things being slow and easy. Jeremy joked that I dropped him off in the dark before anyone showed up. True, the timing mat people hadn’t put down their mat yet when we arrived. One hour wait at the start was not that bad. At least, we did not have to fight for parking spot. Note, runners were not allowed to leave their cars at thr start. For those without a crew to drop them off, they would need to take the shuttle from downtown.
The race started at 5. It was exciting to see running started off and they climbed the first mountain in front of them. We could see their headlamps bobbing up and down as they ascended. I stayed until they dissapeared from view. There was a few runners who started late. One was Amanda. Her crew said it was so stressful getting their runner to the start. And I laughed. I got to see her and her crew throughout the race. Many stories shared in between. Amanda struggled with sleepiness even as early as 7 pm. Eventually, she finished. Throughout the day, I tracked not only Jeremy but other runners I came across.
After the runners crossed the start line was a long wait before I get to meet Jeremy again. He was not expected to arrive at the first crew aid station before 3:45, and actually race day tracker showed he was not to reach there until 4:04. All aid stations were in remote areas so they would not allow us to get there until our runner was near. We had to wait at a nearby park (Washington Park) for our parking pass/permit before heading to the aid station. And there were so many cars there waiting, maybe 200 of them! It took me some time to find a parking spot and when I asked for a pass, they said my runner was still far away and expected to arrived at 4:04.
I so took this literally and dallied around even after I obtained a pass. Jeremy texted me to bring cold water, gatorade and ice. I had the first two items but didn’t have ice. I checked the time I should be able to get ice and back to the aid station within the hour.
However, I was not aware Jeremy was already near. I should have known since I ran this race before, toward the aid station was a ridgeline and is very runnable and then a good gentle downhill. It is where Jeremy shines. Also by the time Jeremy could text me, it should have gave me a hint he was within a mile away or less probably less than 15 minutes out. I should not have gone to get ice. Long story short by the time I was back at the aid station, Jeremy was long gone. He said it was a weird feeling coming in and not seeing me. I felt very bad too, because the whole race was to be there at the crew aid station I missed my runner coming in.
Anyway, I was incredibly upset at myself of how foolish I was to think I could get to a gas station and back. The inside scope was, what I did not know was Jeremy was still at the aid station when I got back, but because I was extremely upset with myself when I thought I had missed him, I immediately left without checking clearly for runners around the station. It was a doubly mistake. I did not realize this until later when I checked his departing time from the station.
I had to reset my mentality. I went for a good dinner then went back the house to shower and collect a few things for the night. Then I went to Washington Park to wait for my second parking permit for the second crew aid station. From previous year, my crew said she picked up my pass at 6:45 pm. Jeremy is a faster runner than I am, so I went asked for the pass at 7 pm, they denied my request and I realized they have been turning many people away too throughout the day and usually that was their auto response, they wanted us to go to them a few times.
Earlier in the morning, they gave passes to families once their runners have cleared the aid station Alexander. Jeremy has passed Alexander like a good while before I asked and I thought he should only have couple miles left, but was still denied for a pass. I told them the story that in previous my runner was 40 minutes ahead of the predicted time and he is likely will be the same and that I missed him that time. After hearing this, they gave me the pass. Through the race, Jeremy was consistently 2 miles ahead of the tracker time. The tracker of his arrival time was incorrect because Jeremy has gone extremely slow on purpose then sped up to his normal pace, doing what was likely a reverse split (I didn’t check).
Yet I was not able to get a pass until much later in the evening, at 7:30 or 7:45 pm. Earlier, the way to Big mountain was simple with only one turn, but I still screwed up because I panic. The turn directions given online were numerous and I was not a good or fast reader so I could not both read the directions and drive. I did read the direction ahead a few times but did not have it memorized and did not exactly understood (verbal language is hard for me). So I had to pull over couple times to check and reread the direction and still could not made head or tail where to go. I did get so a bit confused and lost, thus further delays. Actually, they could have said just turn right and drive for 15 miles until you see the aid station and then pull in. I am good with navigation by sight but just not good at following someone’s directions. They could have just give me the coordinates and I would be fine, instead of pages of pages of you will pass such and such golf course on your right or left or going through such and such junctions and then such and such switchback. Also my experience was by the time Jeremy arrived, there were enough spaces to park the car, and added insult, there were no volunteers checking for my pass. I could in theory arrived at the aid station without one. Yet, I did not want ny runner to be DQ with me not following the directions.
For the second aid station, they wanted crew to park in a certain side of the road at a place past the aid station. This time they did have a volunteer sitting at the entrance checking for passes. But Caroline, who was my crew told me she parked under the underpass before reaching the aid station. So that what I did. There were plenty of spaces there and no one was checking for passes (or no passes were needed). There was also a large lot before the aid station for parking too. I really did not really need to wait for a parking pass. To me, the whole parking scheme was not really needed for late (and slow) runners. It did prevent mayhem. I felt after a certain time, they should have released everyone to the aid station. Their system creates unnecessary conflict point and anxiety for crew and their runners. I did not want my runner to be disqualified because of me not bringing a parking pass. It was hard not to argue with them, that my runner was well ahead of their tracker. I know they have seen it all but to convince them my runner is different, who would believe.
I met my runner. He changed shoes and the whole time, he kept saying he got to be out soon. I believed he stayed till 9 pm, half hour longer than planned. The parking people was somewhat right on the money this time, saying he would not be there till after 9 pm.
I was hyped up at Lambs Canyon while waiting for Jeremy. I cheered and talked to many families and everyone, included one family from Connecticut. They were so glad that they ran into people who know about their race in Guildford. Then I helped as many runners as they were willing for me to help them. I stayed till after closing time to cheer saw the sweeper team went out.
My friend Tek eventually arrived at the aid station rather late. I have been tracking her too. She did pick up her pace later in the day, but it was a bit slower than what needed to get it done and too late. I think by the time she arrived it was near statistically impossible to finish. They say people have to arrive at Lambs an hour before the cutoff to have a chance of finishing. I saw many runners were on the fence at that point whether to quit or go on. Some, decided to quit, some went on. Some struggled with the decision unable to choice one or the other. It was part of crewing side, I don’t get to see when I was running, because there was no time to wait for anyone. I got her back out on the course, because she wanted to go on. She also changed shoes, so it took quite some time to do. Later on, next day, I learned she did not make through Desolation, a pretty much no drop aid station and to bail there mean a long walk to the trailhead. Same with Huy, who was the last runner to leave at Lambs. I believed they walked out there in the early morning around 5 am, instead of climbing over Francis Pass.
By midnight, I went back to the house to sleep. It was a short nap before going to the last and final crewed aid station at the Brighton ski resort. I drove there last year so I had some idea how to get there. It was not hard, but I still got a bit lost in the early morning hours. Near the resort, my GPS indicated I have arrived but it was dark and I was not at the parking lot I was supposed to be in. I think the GPS led me to one of the restaurants. However, I had no clue how to get from there to the big parking lot. After trying to make some few turns I finally arrived. I received Jeremy text that he was at Brighton. So we both arrived relatively at the same time, I then scrambled to find him and his drop bag. There were a lot of people at Brighton. It is well organized but I wished they had more signs out in the parking lot. Some runners were confused at to where to go, since crew used the parking as their setups too. I parked at the far end of the lot where runners come in. It was actually a very good spot for a crew station right out of the back of their cars. Many runners came in and called out their bib number to me, thinking I was a race official there. I should have carried a clipboard and pretended crossing off their names. I know, not to because they do have to report to real officials before continue on or drop at Brighton.
I did manage to find Jeremy and we got him in and out within couple minutes. He did not want to eat. His water was still full. I got rid of his wet clothes and he put on dry stuff. I told him day time would be hot and gave him his sunblock. Then he was off. He did not required a shoe change.
So I stayed at Brighton until closing. There I found out that Terrence did not make it in and Tek also did not. Bruce got a ride back to Brighton. He was a new friend I met, but heard of his name before during my run at the Western States 100 because he was a friend of my pacer. He was highly esteemed by my pacer. Now I finally got to meet him in person. We chatted about this and that.
Karen, who has done Wasatch a dozen times came through. Karen was the mother and son team. She ran with Jeremy a bit and we learned of her back story of how one year she was diagnosed with cancer and went on and competed the race. Her son was out their pacing her this year. She has a strong supported team who also ran Wasatch many times.
She was friend of Colleen. Though I haven’t met Colleen at the time, but I felt so welcome to be unofficially part of her crew. I was given do-negh (donut dots) and we cheered for every runners coming through. Colleen’s crew was worried that she wouldn’t make it. 7:30 am came and passed. Colleen did not arrive until 8:10. She seemed to be in good spirit and her crew would take her home. Even at 8:30 an hour after the aid station closed, a final runner arrived as I was leaving Brighton. I cheered him and drove off back to house to catch up on some sleep before heading to the finish to meet Jeremy, my runner.
11 am. I woke up, showered and then went for breakfast at Taco Bell. Jeremy was not expexted until 3-4 pm. I still had some time. I knew it would be a long day. After checking Jeremy’s progress, I figured I could get to a pacer exchange point to meet him at 8 miles from the finish called Top of the Wall. It was such a scenic drive there. I saw some big mountains and deep valleys. I wish I could stay there forever. Driving up to Top of the Wall was also amazing. Jeremy came through shortly once I arrived around 12:30-1 pm. I had to wait only 10-15 minutes and then off I went to the finish line.
I had still quite a time to kill because I did not expect Jeremy to arrive until 4 pm based on the tracker. So again I dallied with sight seeing and then hang out at the finish with a bunch of friends. Tek had drop and so was Bruce there. We chatted various things. I was excited and so were they. It is a runner thing when we discuss what races we will be doing. I ate my second lunch, a late late lunch of buffalo burger and ice cream brought onsite from a food truck. This is the best part of crewing is you get to eat and hang out. Unbeknown to me Jeremy already arrived maybe 30 minutes ahead of his projected time. He was standing in the middle of the field texting me saying he arrived. O boy. Really? I missed him? Indeed. I was not far away but I did miss the moment when he crossed the finish. It was kind of a booboo. I helped him gather his drop bags earlier and so handed those back to him at the car for him to change out his clothes.
We stayed at the finish a bit longer. There were some people who were part of our running club back home recognized me and Jeremy. Danny and his wife came over and talked to Jeremy. Phil, a grand slammer also stopped to chat. I did not know this year he struggled and seemingly did not finish the run, he said he came in but the final result showed otherwise, I did not ask why. Phil has many grand slam titles. Bundy, whom I think the oldest this year in his 60s, and I was tracking whole day came in as the last grand slammer this year. We also have one woman grand slammer this year. I was tracking her also but did not get to see her in the middle of all the commotions. I saw some got their buckles and the eagles. Amanda, a friend I met earlier came through as one of the final runners. I wished I saw her coming in as well but we were about to leave at that time and were standing in the parking lot when. Everyone was on their feet cheering as final minutes went by. We stood far away waving before headed home.
I believe the last runner made it in at the last minute.
Afterward, it was just headed home and sleep. I already ate and was still full. I know Jeremy wanted food, but he too was tired and needed clean up first. After showering, food was no longer desirable but sleep was. So we all headed to our separate room and slept.
It was a successful trip somewhat. I missed the runner couple times and it will go down in history of my goofball moments. Perhaps after this, no one will ask me to crew or pace them any more. I know things like this happens. I hate it that I goofed. The bright side was I did have a good time with all the friends I met there. I saw some amazing sights and kind of reliving what it was like to run in the Wasatch race.
I had others to crew and paced me in my races. It is a little different now I get to crew someone in turn. It humbled me of how much there is to do and that one has to be on top of everything. While the trip was successful, I wish I had done better, I like to be a bit more perfect next time around. I initally joked with my runner that my most important task was to drive him to the start and take him back home. Indeed. He said, what about the in betweens. I jinked it. Yes, what about the in between. I had fun was what.
In awe 