Happenings of late

Blue Hell

 I've been tired and busy lately, a lot going on for me. Started with the Pinhoti 100 (crewing and pacing John) on November 5th. Woke up about 4:30am, took John to the start, and off to aid station #1. Teri and I were the first to arrive. Then the aid station radio operators showed up. Watching them set up helped pass the time, waiting for the first group of racers to show (A home made table and uneven ground make for good comedy). Teri met some wives, and girlfriends of first time 100 mile ultra runners. They traded pleasantries, and Teri gave them a few pointers. Then the lead pack came through (John was in it) and off to aid station #2. We said goodbye to Teri's new friends and off we went. They responded with, see you at the next aid station. Teri and I thought to ourselves (no you won't,  you have no idea of the kind day and night your about to have). 
 This race was a race for second, due to the fact that Karl Meltzer came. He was here for the sole purpose of beating his course record. At the next aid station, Karl had a good gap on the field, and when John came in he had a good pace, but was behind the lead group. I told him he looked good and he was two minutes ahead of his planned pace. Then I told him to not worry about those guys, because they were chasing Karl. John gave a look, as if to say, "suckers"! Well we followed John for the rest of the day and most of the night. He looked good all day, but getting tired. 
 I started pacing him at Porters gap, about 68 miles in. He was in good spirits and we held a really good pace heading up to Pinnacle. Well as good as you can for someone who has been running for the past 13 hours! Finally got to Pinnacle and the best fried egg sandwich in the world was waiting for us. The wind on top of Horn Mt. was terrible, we were told there were 40 mph gusts. And the aid station crew looked like they had been to battle. They poured us some soup with one hand and held their canopy with the other. I think it was easier to run the race than to work that aid station. Those guys were tough. From there we just ran when we needed to and walked when it hurt too bad. 
 Helping John finish the race with a time of 20 hours and 38 min. for 4th place felt rewarding.  As a pacer you don't really do much, but from what I can understand its just being there that makes the difference. And having some cheesy stories and jokes help. 
 One more note, pacing John from mile 68 to the finish in 7hr, 38min. was my second fastest 50k, and he had already run 68 miles....Later