Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Monday, November 4, 2013

StoneCat 50 - Support/Pacer Report

A few weeks ago, I paced Carrie through her final miles at Smuttynose Marathon.  She blew up her old PR by about 15 minutes J  Saturday, I jumped in at mile 37.5 to pace Scott at StoneCat 50 trail race.  He blew up his old PR by about 35 minutes J  Hmmmm, have I missed my calling as a “professional pacer PR achiever”?
Scott & Bella                                 Scott, Larry, and Andy
Saturday started out crisp and displaying a sky filled with gorgeous stars.  Since StoneCat starts at 6:15 a.m., the stars were joined by a sea of headlamps.  I had Bella with me as I kissed Scott and wished him a good race.  At lap 4, the plan was to join Scott for his “victory lap”.  The buzz of the runners, the sound of the bagpipes, and the distinct whine of impatient Bella told us the start of StoneCat 2013 was near!  Right on time, the runners were off, disappearing into the dark Willowdale forest.  That’s when Bella and I sprang into action!


For the next couple of hours, Bella and I leapfrogged between the aide stations.  The race staff sure got to know us and Bella loved the extra attention.  They provided hot soups, a variety of water, Gatorade, and coke, and of all things, sizzling bacon!  Bella and I cheered runners on all morning like it was our job.
Looking strong Scott!
After we saw Scott at the second aide station, I took Bella to her favorite doggie daycare.  She’d get some great play time with a bunch of her puppy friends and I’d gain some freedom to enable me to pace Scott later on.  Before I knew it, my leapfrogging and general course support was complete and my work as pacer began in earnest.  By the time Scott completed lap 3 and was ready to pick me up, the temperature had risen to well over 60 degrees.  November in New England – go figure.  Fortunately, I had packed running attire for every season.  Armed with Gatorade and Gels, I lead Scott back into the woods.  

Having run StoneCat 50 last year, I was keenly aware of the degree to which the latter miles can mess with the runners.  Hoping I wasn’t sounding like a bossy wife, I doled out advice and commands as I thought he needed.  Scott knows what to do and what not to do, but there is a certain delirium that sets in somewhere after mile 37.5….

Our lap came together nicely, neither of us fell (during that lap), and we made a great team.  I’m so glad I had my own StoneCat experience to draw from.  I think it made all the difference in the world, because…

Scott PR’d by 35 minutes!!!!!

2013:  50 miles @ 9:21 (34th place)
2010:  50 miles @ 9:54 (51st place)

A number of times on the course and afterwards, Scott thanked me.  But honestly, I was so happy to help in any way I could.  For me, what a bonus to get to support, cheer, and pace – all in the same race.

Scott had a great training cycle, was thorough in his fueling strategy, and planned for everything possible (including packing plenty of salt tablets, which were critical on this warm day).  I’m so proud of his drive, his discipline, and his strength.  And once again, as a pacer to a runner achieving a new PR, I feel like I got another small moment amongst something big for my best friend in the world.  So Scott, you did all the work…I was just there to remind you J


18 comments:

  1. you are a special person and a great one at that dave b

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    1. Aw thanks David!! :) We did miss bumping into you guys at mile 45 though!!!

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  2. Anyone who knows you, knows you're the one to have in their corner, for sure! You really ARE an amazing person.

    I love you ~ Mama

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  3. You guys make a great team! I wish I had a running partner like you.

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    1. Thanks Michelle! Anytime you're in your hubby's old neighborhood, let me know and we can run together!

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  4. I loved reading this post! I would totally love to pace an ultra someday. I love racing and I love ultras, but I am not sure I want to do a long one anytime soon. So pacing is the next best thing, right? And I am sure you make a wonderful cheerleader out there!

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    1. That's exactly how I got sucked into ultras. I supported 2 runnings of StoneCat and vowe the next year was all mine. This past June, I cheered on a friend at a 100 miler....uh oh...... :)

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  5. So very awesome - I tried a 50 earlier this fall and it wasn't great for me. I think if we started at 6 am instead of 6 pm I would like it more. And, we couldn't have pacers.
    Maybe another race, another time!!!

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    1. Totally agree - right race, right time, etc makes the world of difference. I've never run more than an hour in the dark, so can imagine that's a challenge in itself.

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    1. Thanks Maureen! You've been pretty busy doing some bad ass running yourself :)

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  7. This is really awesome!! How fun to be there to support Scott! And what a huge PR over that distance that's incredible. Delirium at mile 37...well, I think I'd have it by mile 27. Amazing job and what fun that you could be there.

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    1. I know you & your hubby have a very similar running partnership, so you know how important it is to get/give that support. I'm just so glad he had such a great day and I could be part of it :)

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  8. You make pacing sound like fun. I'm sure your help was a big part of those PR's!

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    1. It really was a lot of fun Tina. It's so cool to be part of someone else's goal and feel like you're helping in some small way.

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  9. You two are just an awesome team! Congratulations to Scott on a huge PR!!

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