Olga, day two and 92+ miles into the Rio del Lago 100-mile race.
For Olga's race report, click here
Made the mistake of falling asleep soon as I got home from RdL this afternoon, now I'm awake! Anyway it was a good time. Drove up there Saturday afternoon. Met up with George soon as I got there and with Olga 2.5 hours later at the 67 mile mark. At 10PM Olga and I left Cavitt Middle School, home base for the race, for the second and last part of the run - a 33 mile loop on the American River bike paths and trails. It was amazing out, not too cold, no wind and lot's of stars.
I was hungry all day and I ate tons out on the course. Since I wasn't the one racing I pretty much ate what I wanted, a good thing because the GU's that I brought with me I ended up giving up to Olga - they were the caffeinated type. Much thanks to all the aid stations, especially the one at the turnaround, they served butternut squash soup and chicken flavored crackers to go with it. Great stuff.
As for Olga, she had a fight on her hands. Everything was coming loose as she went. She's tough though and never stopped moving forward. Big congratulations to her.
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you...what would I do without you, who would I cry to?
ReplyDeleteI can't fit into any shoes including sandals. My shins and knees are swollen too.
I am so glad it was you with me! I will cherish the memories.
Likewise! That was a good time all around. You are a crybaby:) but it didn't slow you down. You kept positive and never stopped fighting. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Olga! You are amazing! --Serena
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen,
ReplyDeletePacers run with a runner. On these long races, 50-milers and up, pacers are allowed in the later part of a race. Pacers are especially helpful in 100-milers where runners have to run through the night. As a pacer I do my best to keep my runner company/entertained, keep their spirits up and support them through rough spots, remind them to eat and drink, and to keep them from getting lost by helping them spot trail markings...a tough thing at night. Races however prohibit "muling", a practice where a runner would let their pacer carry their stuff for them.
Crew follows a runner from aid station to aid station. Unlike pacers they can start doing this from the very start of the race. They are particularly useful when a runner has needs that are beyond what an aid station can provide. For example Olga likes to use a particular energy drink that is not served at aid stations. George her crew at RdL, would pre-mix the drink in two water bottles. At the aid stations he would take her empties and hand her the replenished ones. Crew can also carry medical/blister kits, extra shoes, clothes, etc. George had a blister repair kit and was quite knowleadgeable in blister repair.
Both Crew and Pacers are also a huge emotional lift for the runner. At WS I had three friends who served as my crew and pacers. I met them at mile 62. Just seeing them after a long day was an amazing lift to my race. While 2 crewed one would run with me.
A runner can complete a race without crew and pacers. In fact I've just recently started utilizing them. I finished my first two 100-milers without them.
From Olga's report you sound like a great crew guy. Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteDang Rick...
ReplyDeleteyour explanations make you sound like a book .:.puts geek shades on.:.
but it's okay...I like books =D