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| 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
you are a special person and a great one at that dave b
ReplyDeleteAw thanks David!! :) We did miss bumping into you guys at mile 45 though!!!
DeleteAnyone who knows you, knows you're the one to have in their corner, for sure! You really ARE an amazing person.
ReplyDeleteI love you ~ Mama
Thanks Mama!! xo!
DeleteYou guys make a great team! I wish I had a running partner like you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Anytime you're in your hubby's old neighborhood, let me know and we can run together!
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThat'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...... :)
DeleteSo 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.
ReplyDeleteMaybe another race, another time!!!
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.
DeleteWoo! Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maureen! You've been pretty busy doing some bad ass running yourself :)
DeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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 :)
DeleteYou make pacing sound like fun. I'm sure your help was a big part of those PR's!
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
DeleteYou two are just an awesome team! Congratulations to Scott on a huge PR!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy!!
Delete