 |
| Dad & I at Leadville 2012 |
I would be remiss if I did
not express my gratitude to those that have paced, crewed or provided support
to me during my various excursions of the ultra marathon variety. Much like a
professional cyclist requires stoic domestiques in order to reach the finish
line in top form; ultramarathon runners benefit similarly from an experienced
crew and perceptive pacers. It is quite possible to finish a 50 or 100 mile
race without either, but it requires extensive planning, self discipline or
exceptional talent. More importantly, who wants to bask in the glory of finishing a race of that magnitude alone.
 |
| Dusan & I at Conway South Carolina Track Meet |
Coming from a track background where speed is everything, carrying water or food never entered my mind. For years I would run for hours without even considering much less feeling the need for provisions. If I am running less than 30 miles or rather less than four hours I still do not feel the need to bring food. I have broken down and started carrying a handheld water bottle for long runs. I have taken the minimalist mentality into running ultramarathons, but as indicated from my lackluster finishes; food and water are key. I have learned to heed the advice of Napoleon, that an army does indeed march on its stomach. The quality of forward progress during a race is proportional to intake of nutritients.
 |
| Midland Athletic League Championships 2007 Bill Mullen, Craig Genet, Myself and Chris Mendoza |
 |
| Leadville 2012 |
During Leadville in 2012,
I had the advantage of spending over a month in Leadville adventuring with my
pacers. We made the cross country trip to Leadville and lived out of Mountain
Peaks motel on the corner of 24 and Harrison street. During that time we hiked
Hope Pass, swam in Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes, hiked Mount Elbert and Massive
and we even attended Boom Days.
 |
| Colorado River in Utah (trip during the 2012 Leadville training block) |
We planned out weeks in
advance how we would coordinate race day and my dad flew into Colorado Springs
a few days before the race to assume command as crew leader. My best friend
from college, Tom Wilkin would assume the difficult task of pacing me from
Winfield to Twin Lakes. Pete Brown, a friend and former rugby player from Ohio
University would pace me from Twin Lakes to Fish Hatchery. Then Tom would
reassume duties of pacing over Sugar Loaf Pass which we practiced a few weeks
before. Finally, friend and college rival John Gogle would pace me from May
Queen back into Leadville.
The trek up Hope went well, Tom kept me motivated and I was feeling spry when I got into Twin Lakes where Pete began pacing. I was feeling great until we were half way between Elbert mini aid and Half Pipe. Then the wheels fell off; I was struggling to maintain a walk. Pete did an excellent job of keeping me moving; when we were leaving Half Pipe Pete yelled out to the crowd of spectators asking if anyone had salt. We were lucky enough to acquire some and I remember I actually had to pretty much eat it out of his palm.
 |
| At Fish Hatchery (Jay & Shaun) Leadville 2012 |
At Fish Hatchery I appeared to be finished. I passed out and my crew with the exception of my dad headed back to the hotel to pack up. However, I popped back up and hit the trail. My dad did his best to ascend power lines with me but his lack of elevation acclimation got the better of him and he turned back. At any rate this actually raised my confidence and within a few minutes I had caught up to Jay Smithberger and Shaun Pope who I met in the last aid station. Now I was without food or water at this point; so it is safe to say I would not have finished the race if it were not for Shaun’s excellent pacing.
Jay was en route to
accomplishing the impressive feat of the Grand Slam of Ultras (which he went on
to do when he completed the Wasatch Front 100 in September with an overall time
of 91:33:57). Shaun too had a very impressive ultra
marathon resume despite being only one year older than me. Both I might add
were from the great state of Ohio as well. Shaun did an excellent job of
keeping both Jay and I on pace and helping me stay fed and hydrated.
 |
| Mom & I post 5K in 2006 Tiffin, OH |
After departing May Queen we went at our own pace and parted ways. The trip around Turquoise Lake was lonely and I was elated to see my father as I hit the stretch of road, meaning that there was less than five miles of racing remaining. It was poetic to finish the Leadville 100 walking in side by side with my father on his birthday and hotel neighbor and veteran Troy Waller who waited up eight hours to watch me finish. It is a moment I will never forget. That is what pacing and crewing is all about.
Leadville 2013, was more efficient because
we knew what to expect. My father, my most trusted lieutenant in the mountains
was there once again to crew and Apryle was there to pace the two mountain
stretches. Additionally, one of my best friends from high school Craig Genet
was there to pace the flat stretches. Once again I am indebted to them all for
there support.
 |
| Leadville Crew 2013 |
It is safe to say that I would not have
made it over Hope Pass without Apryle keeping my nutrition in check. I went
from a hypoglycemic emergency to running full tilt back down the pass. When I
met up with Craig we took it conservative and walked for a while. We worked
into a jog and then at Fish Hatchery I was feeling good. Apryle and I tackled
Sugar Loaf an hour faster than the previous year. Upon reaching May Queen I
knew that I was capable running across the line this year. In the final stretch
down sixth street, we triumphantly ran together, my father, Apryle, Craig and
Catherin. Once again a moment I will never forget.
 |
| Apryle at Bridge in Nueces |
In late February of last year I got my
first experience of pacing for someone. Apryle ran her first 50 mile race in Rocksprings,
Texas. It was the Nueces 50 and in typical Joe Prusaitis
style, it was rocky and hilly. Apryle did an amazing job tackling a difficult
course. I found it very rewarding to put all of my energy into helping her run
the best race possible. Additionally, I enjoyed being the one dishing out the
pain in setting a pace for once.
 |
| Apryle Post 50 |
Although, I know she was strong
enough to run the event on her own and finish without a pacer, I am glad I was
there. It was fun running between each aid station, calculating times and
projecting times that she would hit at each checkpoint. Pacing the last lap was
interesting, I finally got to see how the course linked up and most importantly
I was able to watch Apryle throw down an incredibly fast finishing kick in the
last three miles. Watching her cross the finish is another memory that I will
never forget.
 |
| Crested Cara Caras in Austin 2014 |
Last summer, a friend that I met in
Leadville in 2012, Alan Murphy asked me to pace him at the Badwater 135 in
July. This was a great honor and I would have loved to have been even a small
part of his amazing accomplishment, but unfortunately Physical Therapy school
scheduling did not allow me the opportunity to get away. At any rate Alan went on
to finish the iconic Badwater 135 in 41:47:30.
 |
| Curious goat that Apryle photographed in PA November 2014 |
Most recently in the JFK 50; Apryle once
again did an amazing job of getting from point to point to cheer me on and
provide me with much needed water. Additionally, Kenny Janasko provided me with
valuable course information and advice. A race can be run and even won without
the assistance of a crew and pacers, but I prefer to share in the experience
with my friends and family.
It makes the process of competing in
these events that much more enjoyable when there is a positive support team.
Both my mother and my father have always been extremely supportive of my
running and racing; always providing encouragement. Apryle has always been
equally as encouraging and has been my strongest supporter in developing
workout plans and race plans. I am looking forward to the next pacing and or
racing experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment