Fair Warning! This report is long. Very long. After careful review and many revisions, I just could not bring myself to shorten it. Too much went on that weekend. Too many experiences were had. To leave any detail out would've been denying what a truly wondrous and remarkable experience it all was.
So sit back with a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer, a glass of wine - whatever floats your boat - and (hopefully) enjoy.
Western States 100 Crewing Report
Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance
Marathon Maniac #957
I waited until my boss left for a hearing so I could savor this one, and it was well worth it! I had tears in my eyes as I looked at the photos of Kate crossing the finish line... what an adventure, what a victory!!
And the whole key incident, oh jeesh, I would have been going bonkers!!!
Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches?
A great read, Leslie - thanks!
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches? A great read, Leslie - thanks!
Glenn, and others, swear by them. I haven't had the guts to try them yet. Thanks, Holly.
LOved this! You should submit it to Marathon & Beyond, no kidding, it is so good. I love the self-deprecating you write about the key drama and your caffeine bing (opp. of "bonk"??). ANother favorite part is an aside, when Karen, who has to be exhausted at the time, finds it in herself to gove Greg just what was necessary for him to keep on to the end. Really special lady, she is.
As are you. I am delighted and moved by your total joy and pride in your friend's stunning accomplilshment. She is to be lauded. I think it's quite special that she finished (with such obstacles, I didn't look real closely at the blister shot), but I'm even more impressed with the friendship story. She's lucky to have you in her camp.
Thanks for sharing and for not editing.
grins,
A
Thanks for the report, fatozzig. What an ordeal Kate and the rest of the participants went through. They are a bunch of tough runners (heck, darn tough people). You and the rest of the support crews deserve a lot of credit for helping your runners achieve their goal. Congratulations to all.
TomS
Carolyn
What an awesome report, Leslie! And I read Kate's report, too. Simply amazing. That's a long, long, long way to run, especially in the heat! The friendship and camaraderie and caring are the best part about your report!
I got a kick out of you saying the tow truck driver smelled bad. I bet you guys didn't smell like roses, either. And if I had been trying to sleep near where you were yelling and ringing that cowbell, I would have hit you with it, not joined in the cheering!
Next time you or your friends are running a race at altitude, you're all welcome to come camp out at my house for a week. Like if Kate's gonna do the Leadville 100?
I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.
Thanks for your comments, folks. Very much appreciated.
Leadville?!? You never know with Kate!
The Dovenator
"it's just like having fun, but different"
denise
"During a marathon, I run about two-thirds of the time. That's plenty." - Margaret Davis, 85 Ed Whitlock regarding his 2:54:48 marathon at age 73, "That was a good day. It was never a struggle."
Yep, I'll let you know about NPR. If it does happen, it's going to be awhile.