The following blogs are my active participation in Ultra Marathon's or Ultra Running. Consider the blogs to be events of luck. Based upon probability, one must create his own luck to be lucky. Simply put, participate, and luck will eventually happen.
Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I am so lucky only to live 4 hours away. I am so lucky to be able to finish this great event: Tahoe Rim Trail 100. I am ultra lucky to have had Clare Abram pace me (or in TRT's case, "safety runner me") this past weekend.
With my camera in hand during race... some pics had to be taken. Clare at 5:15am climbing up Herlan Peak (mile 86) .
Notice orange face and Clare's shadow from light rays. They really lit up the area.
We could not believe what we encountered - such amazing orange-red bars of light during sunrise.
I headed up to Lake Tahoe with Quicksilver Running Club and Ultra Racing Teammates Dan Decker and Pierre Couteau on Thursday. We hoped to be up there in order to cram-climate at Zephyr Cove before the 5am race start a few miles up the Lake on Saturday. Dan (who just sub-24'd Western States 100 a few weeks ago) was Pacing Jim Magill, while Pierre and I were competing in the 100 mile event. Fellow QRC and QURT teammates, Clare Abram, Scott Laberge, Sean Lang (Paced by Toshi Hosaka), Dr. Mark Tanaka, John Burton, Dr. Harris Goodman, and Bree Lambert were also entered in this magnificent production of "Tahoe Rim Trail 100M/50M/50K at the lake". Congrats to Bree for her 2nd TRT 100 win and 3rd 100 mile victory.
I am gonna pause to reflect a bit about TRT 2009. Ok, I reflected. Two years ago, I ran the TRT 50K. I said to myself then, the next time I returned to this event it would be with my camera while running the 100 miler. I have a feeling that the camera made my time better in the beginning because I stopped to take over 100 photos in the first 67 miles. What if I didn't take those photos? Would I have ran myself into altitude (never below 6,800 ft) doom? Did those photo/video-stops allow for a gradual ascent and accidental acclimatization? I think the camera was part of the solution. The other part was a surprise visitor 13 miles later at Diamond Peak Ski Resort and Lodge Aid Station. It's Clare!!!!!! Woop Woop!
In this world of "LOOK AT ME" (I am guilty too) through media avenues such as blogging and Facebook, there is one person that will NOT one-up, upstage, or try to outshine you - Clare Abram. As those of you close to me read this, you all ready know this. But, for the new readers, she is a very accomplished ultrarunner and a better person. Earlier, around 5pm, she had finished the 50 mile race as fifth woman just behind Jamie Frink (who she paced at WS100 a few weeks ago), Jenny Capel, Molly Zurn, and winner Elizabeth Davis. This was about 10 minutes before I finished my first 50 miles. With food on her plate, she asked while I was lamping-up if I still needed a pacer. I told her "yes, but I'm fine... you go enjoy yourself at the Diamond Peak Lodge."
Clare Passing me over Marlette Peak (mile 41)
Jenny Capel Passing me over Diamond Peak (mile 24).
Jamie Frink Passing me over Herlan Peak (mile 39).
When I arrived at Mile 80.5, Clare popped out of the Lodge, and asked "Do you still need a pacer?" Oh did I ever. What a surprise! I knew she was gonna save me. It was my fault that I didn't have one in the first place. I waited until a few weeks before the event to attempt to secure a pacer. I tried everything from emailing club members and teammates, to posting on Facebook, and Craiglist: "SWM in need of pacer. Looking for short term relationship at Tahoe Rim Trail 100M... preferably a 50 mile one night stand." No I didn't actually do that.
In previous blog postings, I mentioned my club, my teammates, overcoming personal issues, and relationships that I have fostered through ultrarunning, but this takes the ice cream and the cake. Who has cake without ice cream anyway? I hope this experience inspires someone else to make such a sacrifice. I love our "ultra community" and "ultra spirit" that is shared through experiences like this.
Below are a few videos. The first is her passing me during the first 50 miles. The second was the same spot with the incredible orange rays of light from the morning sunrise at mile 85 to 88.
Clare literally saved my run. She runs 50 hard miles at an average of 8,350 feet of altitude, then she sacrifices her relaxing night to make sure I get to the finish. We left Diamond Peak Lodge about 2:30 am and finished around 9:45am.
40-45 degree incline coming up Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Lake Tahoe and California Mtns in Background.
At Diamond Peak A/S, Clare's immediately check my mental and physical inventory. In 5 minutes we were off, but not without warning. Clare said, "I will let you get yourself up Diamond Peak (ball breaker), but after that I am gonna crack the whip, is that ok?" "Uhhhhh, yahhhhh?", I breathed.
The first thing she did on our 2 mile, 1-hour 16-minute (just noticed that Jim Magill got up this beast in 1:10) hike up to Bull Run was start with a joke... something about two dogs "shagging". For those of you haven't spoke with Clare, she is British. That was a good way to get us off and running... I mean walking, hiking, side stepping, duck walking, crossover-step-zig-zagging, and Everest step-pause-climbing.
Since I don't make a habit of my up, down, ate, drank, salted, and suffered, I am also going to limit the personal detail of the pacing. Trust me, she made me run, made me eat, made me drink, and made me run. Even, when we were gonna hit the sub-30 goal, she set a new goal of sub 29. Then when we knew we were gonna hit that she wanted a better 28 time. I begged for mercy, and with 1.7 miles from the finish I said, "We got sub-29, Clare, let's take it easy." She replied, "Now I want the lowest 28 hour time, lets move it!!!!!!!" We did. Thanks Clare! And, thanks to friend Scott Laberge for being there to greet us at the finish. It's one of those things we all cherish... a friend or family member with a big smile and hug after a long long run. Congrats on your 50M too, Scott.
Congrats to Quicksilver Running Club Ultra Racing Team for there finishes:
108 Starters - 65 Finishers
Sean Lang 5th 21:54 (paced by Toshi Hosaka)
Pierre Couteau 7th 22:53
Bree Lambert 1st/9th 23:07 (paced by Prudence and Rob Evans)
Mark Tanaka 22nd 27:22
Greg Lanctot 26th 28: 45 (paced by Clare Abram)
Harris Goodman 37th 31:38
Jim Magill DFL 34:48 (paced by Dan Decker)
50 Milers - 122 Starters - 97 Finishers
Clare Abram 5th/27th 10:45
Scott Laberge 50th 11:53
So, getting back to my point about community and ultra spirit. Don't we all need "a Clare" in our life? My family and friends are grateful for Clare and her sacrifice. It is people like her and others that I have met through running ultras that keep me coming back for more. If you need a pacer or safety runner, Clare is the one you need. Better yet, if you need a friend, she is the one you need.
We push and push, and will selfishly rely on ourselves to accomplish our crazy individual endurance goals. To all the great people I have met in our wonderful community, I thank you for helping get me to another finish. To Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Rim Trail volunteers and RD's David Cotter and George Ruiz... I will see you soon.
In good trail health,
Greg Lanctot
Below, are a few other photos from this great event. More to be posted on Facebook.
Noe and Jim
Thanks Salomon Buddy for the Salomon Gear - H20 Bottle, IV Labs Calf and Arm Sleeves.
Marlette Lake on top... Lake Tahoe below.
Boy Scouts Aid Station, Snow Valley Peak.
Clare and another moon shot.
Yes, the same visor I wear all all races (from TNFEC SF 2007 and 2008)
She scared the "QEWRGASGARGEWRQG" out of me, but she then posed for photo.
Our Clubmates, Jim Magill (Jim's wife Margaret), Sean Lang, and Dan Decker (Safety Runner.
Eric and Family at Red house loop. Whoah, you see that shot back there? It was Heaven this year!
I was ultra-lucky to be able to participate in Western States 100... as a running club member, volunteer, a fan, and as a pacer for the last 40 miles.
Quicksilver Ultra Racing Team and Club Member, Dan Decker, and I with his sub 24-hour buckle.
I am heading up to TRT 100 in the morning, so I better get this done tonight.
I started this blog the night of the finish of WS100, I was unable to complete it. I was also quite delirious. I then delayed for the fact that I needed a few permissions. And to lay down more excuses, I am just too busy with work in the summer. Sorry for the delay, but even sorrier for its length. I hope it inspires someone to be part of WS100 without racing it.
I hope to be this lucky every year. But, you say to yourself, "how can he call that luck, he didn't get in the race?" Right you are, but for "all the above to happen" you need a little luck. More importantly, you are still participating and besides, it's fun. It defines what it means to be part of the "ultra community".
Not trying to promote drinking to my young readers (my clients < 18 or to anyone else for that matter), where else can you have a beer while camping at an aid station, volunteering at an aid Station the following day, while waiting for your runner to come in to Bath Road / Forest Hill, and enjoy two beers and a shot while pacing a runner to his first ever finish of Western States?
So, before I get into the details of this great weekend, let me start with the numbers. Beers not counted.
389 - number of runners to start WS100
388 - miles put on my car round trip from San Jose
310 - finished the WS100 under 30 hours for the Bronze Buckle
125 - completed the WS100 under 24 hours for the Silver Buckle
84 - high temperature in "the canyons"
80's - the theme of Quicksilver Running Club's (my proud club) Aid Station
68 - the age of oldest finisher
66 - number of Tony Carino who I paced
42- songs I tried to sing from the 80's while MCing as "Slash"
41 - songs I tried to dance to while trying to sing (one not danced to was theme song from Top Gun)
40 - volunteers at Duncan Canyon Aid Station (mile 23.8) and Miles paced
36 - the number of times WS100 has be run since 1974
32 - age of women's winner "Ellie Greenwood"
27 - hours it took Tony to finish (27:25)
26 - number of years Quicksilver Running Club has staffed an aid station at WS100
25 - age of runner Tony Carino
23 - age of men's winner "Killian Jornet"
22 - age of youngest finisher
8 - number of times I gave out my phone number 867-5309 at DC aid station
5 - seconds between the epic finish between Kami Semick and Nikki Kimball
4 - total hours I slept Fri and Sat nights combined
3 - number of Dube family members Tony and I ran with
2 - beers at Brown's Bar Aid Station
1 - the number of mountain lions Tony and I saw just before ALT Aid Station with the Dube's
1 - only one Gordy Ainsleigh
There is also only "ONE" lottery that I will play ever year until I can't run anymore. Every first Saturday of December, The Western States Lottery occurs. And just like the previous two years, I wasn't lucky to be selected. The only other options available to be part of WS100 were to place top-two in a Montrail Cup race (or other qualifier), spectate, pace a runner, or join your running club and friends at Duncan Canyon Aid Station (Mile 23.8).
Since we know I won't be winning a Montrail Cup Race anytime soon, I would gladly participate in everything else.
Highlighting the blog:
1. This means camping and karaoking to the 80's Friday night at Duncan Canyon Aid Station
2. Volunteering for 3rd year (MC'ing as Slash) at the Quicksilver Running Clubs' Duncan Canyon A/S
3. Watching all the lead runners come through Forest Hill (Mile 62)
4. Pacing 25 year old Tony Carino from New Jersey for 40 miles to the finish.
5. Seeing Mountain Lion just before Auburn Lake Trails A/S mile 85.2
6. Recapping Quicksilver Ultra Racing Team Results
1. FRIDAY: Camping, Costume contest, reindeer games, and karaoke to the 80's Friday night at Duncan Canyon Aid Station
Friend and fellow Quicksilver Running Club member, Bree Lambert, and I drove up to Duncan Canyon Aid Station on Friday night to take part in the Friday night costume contest and reindeer games. I have come to realize how lucky I am to be associated with such a great running club. It's only been three years, but I now consider them my second family. When we arrive about 6pm, 20 people have set up camp and are now BBQing. I figured we needed to get this costume thing rolling since no one was dressed yet. I ate my burrito, jump into my Slash look, put up a tent and organize my new band...
We were ultra-lucky that it wasn't hot at Western States this year. See wigs below.
Quicksilver Running Club "80's Glam Rockers at Duncan Canyon Aid Station"
We had 40 volunteers this year most of which are members of the Quicksilver Running Club. 26 of us camped out the night before. Dorsey Moore was Aid Station Captain for the 6th consecutive year and did another amazing job. This year our entertainment committee (Jane, Faye, and Adona) decided to do an 80's theme. Hence, the costumes.
All are welcome to volunteer at any of the aid stations, but if you really want to have fun then... well check this out and you decide.
A little Karaoke the night before at the Aid Station. Your winners of the Soul Train Dance B-boy dance off- Andy and Dorsey. First runners to come through in 8 hours. Better get to sleep in a few hours. :-)
Michael - Jim Magill, Iron Maiden - Sean Lang, and Madonna - Adona Ramos
1,000 Mile Buckle brutha! -Jim
"This is how we do it" "Jump up Jump up and get down" "Put you hands up in the air.."
Captain Stubbing's Cruise Director - Jane Moore Auh
Your Camp Fire JiffyPop winner - Burger King?
2. SATURDAY: Volunteering for 3rd year (MC'ing as Slash) at the Quicksilver Running Clubs' Duncan Canyon A/S
This is Quicksilver Running Club's 26th year hosting an Aid Station at Western States. Only our friends at Stevens Creek Striders have aided more (30 years). We wake up after having one beer or one glass of wine each. :-)
Still Hungry?
Rise and Shine Ladies - Faye and Mary Anne - Gotcha!
Now we wait for the runners to come up from French Meadows Reservoir.
With the new snow route "Course C" in play this year because of record snow dumps this year, Duncan Canyon was moved off the Ridge 1/4 mile down the hill near Mosquito Ridge Road and a 3 minute climb from French Meadows Resevoir.
With this change, No Crews were allowed at our aid station. Usually a few hundred crew and race fans will come up to aid or cheer on the runners. If crew shows up, your runner will be eliminated.
We received news that Dorsey Moore will be stepping down after this year and is handing the reigns over to 1,000 mile Buckle Western States 100 Mile finisher and Quicksilver Running Club member, Kristina Irvin. But first, he must get the aid station ready for operation. With 389 runners starting at 5am 23.8 miles away, we are expecting our first runner at 8:15.
"The runners will be coming from over there... "
All hands on Deck. Nice "Members Only" Jacket, Dorsey. Oh yah it's 80's theme. Perfect!
Don Johnson - aka Scott Laberge - waiting to be called on set. This is the film crew from JB Benna's "Journey Films"
So with that said, back to the Duncan Canyon aid station... A tradition at Duncan Canyon is to guess what time the first runner will arrive. Everyone puts in a dollar and winner takes all. The funny thing is that Dorsey gave an example, "We estimate 8:15 as the arrival time for the first runner, so if you think that is the time then pick 8:15." Well, everyone picked 8:02 to 8:37, EXCEPT the one spot 8:15. Winner at 8:14 was Mike Mahon (see IRS immediately). We were also all waiting for our ultra team runners (Dan Decker, Eric Toschi, Karen Bonnett) to arrive. They came in looking strong and we sent them on their way. Sorry no photos. I was also waiting for, Ian Sharman. I needed validation for my Slash get-up from the running costume king himself. See his blog below. I was also waiting for Tony Carino, a 25 year old from New Jersey. I was going to be pacing him from Bath Road to the finish. Imagine what he thought when he met his pacer for the first time.
Someone else came through that I felt willfully obligated to take a photo of... Rick Gaston of Tamalpa Running Club and Ultra Racing. I mean how many shots does he get of us. This dude is always so positive and great for the ultra community. Thanks for being you Rick. Nice action shot!
"Everybody put your hands in the air, and waive'em like you just don't care... Everybody say oh yeah!"
On the Women's side, I was waiting for Rory Bosio, and as always, she looked hot. I (Slash) shouted my number through the microphone... 867-5309... She's gotta be thinking why does this old creepy guy at get all happy when I get to Duncan Canyon every year :-)
Rory, I am waiting for your call.
So, now Bree and I have to get our groove on out of here and get ready to pace. I have received multiple questions "recently" about whether or not Bree and I are dating because we came up to WS together. We are just friends. In fact she has been a great friend and mentor to my ultrarunning expereinces. Bree has won both Tahoe Rim Trail and Rio Del Lago 100 Mile endurance runs among other ultras the past several years.
Last photo before heading to get out pacing numbers.
3. SATURDAY 2pm: Watching all the lead runners come through Forest Hill (Mile 62)
Because of the fast times expected at the race this year, we decided to leave Duncan Canyon a bit early this year. It takes one hour to drive to Forest Hill from DC aid station and 20 to 30 minutes. We need to check into our hotel rooms, shower, dress, eat and get ready to pace. We arranged for Prudence L'heureux to pick us up. Strategizing about leaving cars at the finish is always a must. However, we were running a bit late and I wasn't able to leave my car at the finish line. So, allow plenty of time to get cleaned up and get that car to Placer High School. We went to pick up our numbers first which may have caused us to rush...my bad. I think I wanted a little more stage time in my Slash get-up.
"Pacer Central" (Forest Hill) - Here, I finally had a cigarette and signed a few autographs here.
Bree was pacing Dan Decker (Quicksilver Running Club & Ultra Racing Team). Prudence L'Heureux back pacing Kami Semick.
Guys, how many times have you been chick'd by these two?
Photo for Running Revolution in Campbell (Our Apparel sponsor)
The best part of waiting for your pacer is that you get to see all the lead runners come through. You get to hang out with a few thousand friends and family members cheering everyone on towards the finish. Here you can also get updates from the control center. Give them the number or name of runner and they told you where they last entered and exited and their projected time to get to the next aid station. If you had a smart phone on you that had reception, then you were able to get the same information.
4. SATURDAY 6pm: Pacing 25 year old Tony Carino from New Jersey for 40 miles to the finish.
While I realized that I needed to get Tony's permission to talk about our 40-mile 14-hour journey to a high school football field that he knew so well.... he is a former world champion drum corps marcher.
I met Tony online. That's sounds weird, right? Actually, I saw Tony's posting on WS100.com under the tab "Runner Prep/Finding a Pacer". I missed the beat here. Puh-leeease, someone hit me over the head with a mallet.- I, selfishly, was looking for a runner who would allow me to run, not walk, to the finish with them.
- I, greedily, was looking for a runner that would also be fun to hang out with.
- I, arrogantly, was looking for a runner that wouldn't drop.
- I, vainly, was looking for a runner that would allow me to get some sleep Sunday morning before the awards ceremony.
Tony's posting was short and to the point. He writes, "I am looking for someone that doesn't mind a few that's what she said moments or someone that gets cranky after 50 miles." I thought to myself how fun will this be. I will be running with someone from the mafia or Jersey Shore. I emailed him immediately (30 days before event) with how I want world peace, how I am the greatest human being on this planet, and that Jersey Shore is my favorite show. He responded that the posting also said he only needed a pacer from from Forest Hill (mile 62) to Greengate (mile 79.8). Oops... I missed that part. I declined. I am such an ass. Fate would have its way, as his buddy got injured and couldn't pace him. Tony emailed me and I.... uh, well, yes I did say "I can and will".
I knew nothing about this guy, except he has finished two previous 100 milers - Burning River and Vermont, and he is 25 years old. Oh, and he can't eat solid foods during ultra's. eeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrt, whuh?!?!
Fast forward to Duncan Canyon Aid Station mile 23.8. Tony arrives at 9:32 am and meets me for the first time.
"Oh Sh&#!, this is my pacer?"
It was great Tony could take time out to get a quick photo with Slash. His splits will show that he later got to Devil's Thumb (mile 47.8) in 9:47. That's pretty good (113th of 389 starters), right? But, on his way down to Eldorado Creek, he hit the wall and continued his physical and mental decline to and up Michigan Bluff. Seeing him fade on the digital updates, I decided to go to Bath Road at mile 60 instead of waiting for him to get to Forest Hill. His first words were, "I am not doing so well." I asked "why?", and he said, "I am not gu-ing, eating, or drinking." hmmmmmmmm... did he realize that together our number has 4-6's (pacers where the number of the runner).
When Tony shuffles in to Forest Hill, he is 8 pounds under weight at 160. His parents and friend were there. I could sense the stress from all of them. I am having the same exact feeling I got from meeting 27 year old Eric Lee's (who I paced) parents last year.
2010 post WS100 - That's me in weak child's pose. Eric working the Butterfly stretch. Eric's Mom chillaxin.
Parents are always gonna be your parents, as they will worry as much when you climb on the monkey bars for the first time or running Western States 100. And, just like last year I could tell that they were worried. His Dad more so. Both Eric and Tony lost all there momentum at Devils thumb. Since, I noticed Tony's Dad was a little more worried, I breifly spoke with Tony's Dad on the side while Tony was getting himself together and told him he is going to be okay. I reassured him that I would get him there safely. As we were chatting, the Dr showed up in the transition area and wasn't going to let him continue on unless he ate or drank and therefore got his weight up two lbs. This was the first sign that I might have my hands full. He didn't want to eat or drink anything with out fear of throwing it all up... which he has already done 5 miles earlier at Michigan Bluff. 35 minutes later, he reweighed and he had gained two pounds. We headed out to Auburn.
The rest of the journey is no different than others that have completed the Western States 100 mile endurance run. He wanted to stop, he wanted to quit, he was cranky as one can be. I asked him at the first two aid stations out of Forest Hill to try to eat and he refused. But, it was the next 2.3 miles from Peachstone to Ford's Bar that we had a heart to heart. I told him about Eric's situation last year and how the only thing he needed to focus on was getting to the next aid station, resting until he felt like he wanted to finish. I told him with the sub-24 hour finish out the window, it's no longer a race. With such a great 50 mile time (around 10 hours), he could do do 25 minute miles backwards and finish this thing under 30 hours.
He then told me that in high school he weighed as much as 295 pounds. And, just 5 years ago he weighed only 135 pounds. When he told me this, I knew getting him to eat food was going to be sketchy. So, I didn't try. I knew from my experiences with youth personal training clients of mine that you have to get them near the source (garden, store, fridge, restaurant, etc) and let them try it on their own. Finding out he has been battling eating disorders most of his life, I figured this was no different than my clients whom I have been dealing in my professional career. But, I have never seen the swing from "obese" to "underweight" in a span of 3 years like Tony did while in college. It made complete sense, but no one person was going to help him, only he could help himself. He then shared with me how he was part of the World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, and they marched for 10 to 12 hours per day for one month in the California heat. I told him we were gonna march this in. No running neccesary, only walking and eating a Gel every 15 minutes. He took the lead and we marched on... in fact, he wouldn't let me take the lead. :-)
At mile 71, I am no longer a pacer. I am now a trainer and motivator and friend. What does that mean? It means that I set the boundaries, goals, and show him what will work. Ultimately, it will be up to him to make it happen and to get himself there. For a split second, I had thought to myself how I didn't want to be "trainer guy" right now. That's what I do. It's who I am. It's what I love. It's what I need to do.
When we got to Ford's Bar (mile 73), he was fading fast. He sat down and I was thinking this is the end. But then, he asked me to get him a grilled cheese. "Yes!", I said. Instead of grabbing one of the cold squares, I requested a newly made one. It came off the grill hot, cheese melting, and he ate half of it. Then he wanted to try some cantaloupe and watermelon. WOOOOO! Now we are off to the Rucky Chucky river crossing. I told him that Disneyland's "Pirates of the Carribean" ride was only 5 miles ahead. He said "what?" We kept moving, and by this time he was gelling and excited to try more food. The boat ride ended up being his favorite part. When we crossed, he ate more food on the other side, and we powered up to Greengate. We then continued walking to Auburn Lake Trails.
5. Seeing Mountain Lion just before Auburn Lake Trails A/S mile 85.2
This is where it gets scary. Two miles from Greengate, Tony spotted a Mountain Lion in the area where Ultrarunner Barbara Schoener was killed by such a animal in 1994. I had just brought this up to him a mile earlier. When he saw it, he whispered "do you see that?" I turned my head to the right (down the 60 degreee grade) and my headlamp caught the beautiful beast perfectly to see the Mountain lion standing on all fours only 30 feet away. As I later learned from friend and ultrarunner Grant Sisler, because it was downhill from us it wasn't going to attack. Scwhooooo! Also walking with us was Mark Dube and his brother's (Erik Dube) wife, Tera Dube. We were all freaking out and turned into those competitive speed walkers. Every time I moved my head to look into the trees or hills along the trail, Tony would say, "...don't let them know we know the Mountain Lions are there." LOL
A bit of information here, Mark Dube was the person at the Quicksilver 50M/50K race this year that walked an injured runner 3 miles back to the start finish. See the July 2011 Ultrarunning Magazine issue with my race report and the story. Funning thing happened here as we walked up to Greengate with Erik before Tera took over the pacing duties. I told Mark that he was getting a free entry into the race from Quicksilver Running Club next year for what he did. He said that he was taking the year off of ultrarunning. Brother Erik said, "I guess your plans have changed."
Ever since that river crossing, mile 78, he was very coherent and able to gel, salt, and drink on his own. He focused on his watch and reminded me that he was suppose to eat a gel or salt. I was simply continuing on a long hike. We moved on and got to the finish in 27 hours 25 minutes.
For the future, there is know doubt that Tony has the training and legs to produce a sub-22 hour finish now. And with his discipline he can break 20 hours easy. It's gonna be about overcoming nutrition and hydration... he has everything else down. Go Tony!
I will tell you this. When we got to the track at the high school, I told him he had to run to finish line. I did apologetically raise my voice. I was not going to let him walk around that track. He turned that walk into a gallop and just like last year when I came around the final turn with Eric, it brought a few tears to my eyes. This was the only time I told him he had to do something. Otherwise he did everything else he did on his own. Selfishly, it's the moments just before the finish line that your heart skips a few beats with all the emotion that has built up over the last 40 miles.
You will have read in other blogs or facebook that I often refer to one of my ultra mentors, Jim Magill. I remember that he said it is a pacers sole job to get his runner safely to the finish line at Placer High School before the 30 hour time limit is up. Congrats Tony!
6. Recapping Quicksilver Ultra Racing Team Results
We had tons of fun and I hope all the runners enjoyed their brief stay with Quicksilver Running Club and friends.
Here are the results for Quicksilver Running Club members and Ultra Racing Team for USATF. One thing we all knew was that these three would finish no matter what. They had a little exra pressure on them as we need three finishers to count for our "Mixed Team " score for USATF. Go team!
45th Eric Toschi 20:35
104th Dan Decker 23:28
271st Karen Bonnett 29:12
For the rest of the field... well we had everyone is in position. Costumes were on and Beat Box playing 80's jams. We held on tight, as this was to be the most competitive field ever assembled for an ultra. Up, down, left, right, eat, pee, finish. Killian and Ellie Win. How is that for a race recap. I will let the runners and other bloggers and websites break down the event and order of finish.
see AJW's blog (Coached Eric Toschi... Great work Andy!)
That'll entertain you for a bit.
Thanks for making it this far. Sorry for the delay and rambling nature. Hope it gets you to WS next year regardless of whether or not you got ultra-lucky in the lottery.
