Cedric, however, was signed up to run his first 100 at Ghost Train, and I figured that pacing him for a while would be a great way to bag a whole bunch of miles. I started out with him around 5pm at mile 45. We had a good time hitting up that 4th lap. Ced showed no signs of of the previous miles and we kept it locked in at a comfortable pace. Around 9pm things changed... for me.
About 14 miles into my pacing duties, we start heading up the one lone hill (if you can even call it that) on the entire course. We come upon a girl who just looked like hell and was clearly struggling. I ask if she was ok. She says no. I ask if she needs any fluids, GU or S-caps... No. She then proceeds to tell me she had emergency surgery on her tonsils the day before but was damned if anything was going to keep her from running her first 100 miler. She said she could feel the blood running down the back of her throat and was getting cold and really light headed as if she might pass out at any moment. I decided that sounded way too bad to have her walk on her own and let my buddy go on. I proceed to walk with her for the next half mile waiting for a passing runner to ask if there was a volunteer at the next road crossing. There was not. She was getting really cold and shaky. She hadn't taken in any fluids or food in a long time due to her throat. I give her my jacket and tell her to wait at the next road crossing. I take off sprinting for the turn around point on the course a mile further down the trail. I drive with a staff member back to the road crossing. The woman gets picked up and I head back out with Ced for the rest of my time pacing him. I dont think much more about it, but I was hoping I get my jacket back, which I eventually found at the start/finish area once I was done pacing around 2am.
When I get home I find this message on the race's FB page...
Dear guy in green who gave me a wonderful coat and ran for help, I love you...and I hope you got your coat back.
-Jellybean
After my divorce earlier in the year, I had been saying that if I kept doing the things I love, I would eventually meet someone else who shares those loves. So the short story... Within a month, this chance encounter in the woods led us to a relationship.
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The new year starts off rehabing nagging injuries, but by April, its time to start building the miles as I'm making 2015 the year of my first 100 miler. I don't particularly feel like I need to be registered for races, as I can run long on my own and for much cheaper.
The end of April saw the first, and hopefully annual, For Pete's Sake 50k. The concept of this was to get my friend Pete his first ultra distance and thus naming the run after him. It also helped to name it after him because the likely hood of him bailing on it was well over 50%.... you nancy!
The point to point course consisted of all familiar territory, and save for a few climbs, was all downhill. We started in Marlborough, NH and ended by tagging the gas pump of the gas station in Westminster, VT.
One of the many wonderful things about a lady friend who runs ultras, is that this seems like a great way to spend a Sunday. Even though Jenn was still dealing with an ankle issue, she ran the first 6 miles with us before crewing for us the rest of the way!
The start had all the bells and whistles.... A spray painted start line, lengthy RD speech, and group photos.....
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Come June, it was time to up the long run mileage again, and this time I wanted to complete a run I've had on my bucket list for a few years.
This run, which I entitled the Wheels of Steel 40 Miler, starts just over the border in Massachusetts. After running a tiring 100 feet back into New Hampshire, you pick up the old Boston & Maine RR Cheshire Branch rail bed. This trail takes you for 20 miles back into Keene, which Jenn ran with me, and from there, 20 miles out to Westminster, VT, ending at the gas station, which has become a tradition. 40 miles and 3 states LET'S HAVE AT IT!
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So next up? A couch to coast run.... A 3 day stage race..... things I haven't even thought of yet.... 100 MILES!
