As an Ultra-marathon/trail runner, I get the, “You are crazy, why would you do that?” question all the time from my non running friends and family. I wish I had a profound answer for them, but I usually just go with, “Yes I’m crazy, but I just enjoy it.” and leave it at that. The truth is, it has very little to do with the running, and much more to do with the people that make up the community that I have come to love and enjoy.
This past weekend was the Kettle Moraine 100 mile run, and due to previous obligations I couldn’t participate in this race, or even volunteer or pace a friend. As the date grew near, watching my friends train and prepare for this adventure the pull to be even a small part of it was too much. After a wonderful Saturday evening with family celebrating my parents 50th anniversary (the previous obligation) and getting ready for a follow up BBQ at my house for everyone on Sunday, I set my alarm for 1AM so I could get up and surprise a friend that was going for his second 100 mile finish. All day long I was stalking social media for updates on the progress of everyone out there whether they were running 50K, 100K or 100 miles.
Trail runner’s come from all walks of life, which is probably one reason I love it so much. While there are clearly amazing athletes that complete these challenges in incredible places and times, most of us are out there to challenge themselves physically and mentally to just get the coveted belt buckle, or in this case tiny little brass tea kettle. In every ultra I’ve run, it’s the conversations with friends, both those I came into the race with and those I gain along the way that make it so fun. Every trail race I’ve run, I end up sharing time with a newly found Trail Buddy with whom I get to learn their story and make a new friend. It’s these relationships that inspire me to keep on pushing forward when my body is telling me to stop.
Saturday night, actually Sunday morning, I showed up to the Route 12 Trail-head for the Ice Age Trail which is mile 77 for the inbound runners, and 86 for the outbound runners. I arrived about an hour before Terry whom I was going to pace, would get there. It was during this time that I was reminded why I love the Ultra/Trail running community so much.
First, I just marveled at how supportive and efficient the volunteers are. Making sure to cheer and acknowledge each and every runner that came into the aid station and go out of their way to get them the support they needed to keep on moving. This is two in the morning, and these people are awake, excited and there to provide the boost the runner’s need to keep moving.
It was also amazing to watch the people that volunteer to crew for their friends. Watching these sleep deprived people dragging bins from their car to be prepared when their runner will get here. Watching them jump into action when the runner arrives, changing shoes, popping blisters, rubbing sore backs, and encouraging them with so much passion.
The pacers that come in with each runner are amazing too. Some running as much as 38 miles with friend, who does that? Every one of them comes into the Aid Station, and makes sure their runner has everything they need before they fill their own water bottle, or grab a quick bite to eat so they can keep on moving. The care and concern they have for their runner is clearly on their face, along with their sweat and fatigue.
Then there are the runner’s. Some come in and out of the Aid Station as if the race has just begun, some are hobbling in and can hardly drag themselves to find a chair to rest their weary bodies. Without exception, they thank everyone around them for helping and being out there. I witnessed several have to make the tough decision to drop out of the race, which is not an easy decision after working hard for 21 hours to achieve a goal. As a person that has more than my fair share of DNF’s, I know how difficult this can be. There are tears, frustrations, but also relief and elation that the pain they have been fighting will finally come to an end. Watching the volunteers, crew, and pacers try to encourage them to keep going, but also knowing when their friends are done, and supporting them in the decision to stop as well. I also witnessed several runners that I was sure were done when they staggered in, gather themselves enough to push out of the Aid Station with incredible resolve. So much pain and pleasure, all in the same moment.
When I finally got on the trail with Terry we came across so many friends that I got to say Hi too and encourage that the three hours I was out there went by so fast. In what other community could you disappear into the woods for three hours, at 3AM, but still be surrounded by friends the entire time. When I was done and watched Terry, my runner, and Bob, his pacer head off for the last 14 miles, Kristi his crew pack up the drop bags for at least the 10th time in the last 24 hours, and the volunteers cheering for them as they left, I just smiled. I thought to myself that later today at my BBQ I would be answering the question as to why I got up in the middle of the night to go run, “Yes I’m crazy, but I just enjoy it!”
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