Sarah! It's Brandon--the one who had "the worst reason to DNF". What an absolute pleasure it was to meet you, and at such a momentous time for me. I was so sure that I was done. And although I was having a similar conversation in my mind as we had in the aid station--I knew all the reasons why I ought to continue--I truly needed to hear it from you as well. You didn't shame me, but you also didn't gratify my self-pity. This was humbling and motivating! This provided me with a deep respect for the community aspect of running. Your engagement with the runners--and with me in particular--showcases your power to inspire. I will never forget what you did for me and I can only hope that one day I will have the opportunity and requisite words to encourage someone else out of the chair. Thankyou!
Brandon, I’m so grateful for your response. Yeah, what comes around, goes around! I’ve been helped similarly by volunteers & pacers. Hope we can share the trail again. Look me up if ever you’re in the Telluride area! Congrats on your 108-mile hard-earned finish.
Your aid station was the BEST, and the only one I passed through that offered help or hot food. Your energy was amazing! I'm so glad you were the ones we passed twice in each loop. Even the finishline food was severely lacking. Mad Moose really dropped the ball on the ultra distances with support on this one. I tried to give them feedback and asked a simple question regarding medals for finishers that dropped to a lower distance, and they responded rudely and then banned me on social media. I'm just in shock. I won't race with them again.
Thanks Sarah. A social media post from them today announces pulling the longer distances from next year, while classily blaming runners for the high DNF rate.
I checked out the post, and I feel for Denise & Justin and give them credit for saying the 100M isn't a good fit for their operations ("We do not believe that hosting the longer distances is sustainable for our small family of four"). They are stretched thin, and it is super hard to get volunteers and supplies out on that route due to the roads. Blame belongs both to the operation not being able to fuel runners with a variety of hot food (which would take more of an investment on Mad Moose's part in terms of stoves and food, and more volunteers) but also on the runners—many really were unprepared for the distance and weather!
I love this! It’s always a good reminder to appreciate what we’re able to do and the beautiful places we’re in. I’ll be running my first mad moose event (and first ultra) next spring!
Hey, you met me on my 4th lap and gave me a Caffeinated Vanilla Gu, it and you were lifesavers, thanks for the encouragement. I was on pace to finish however there was a cutoff 5 miles out that I missed by 5 minutes, one of the volunteers stopped me to tell me and when she did my lower body seized up and I just couldn't get it back!! It was all good, I finished which is what I came to do. Thanks again for your help!!
Ahh that’s great to hear but a bittersweet finish for sure! I really felt for you & others out there on your fourth tough lap--I actually was worried that my cheerfulness & fresh legs would be annoying! Your story make me think of my friend who made it 236 in the Moab 240....she timed out and physically could not go farther. Congrats on finishing no matter what the clock said.
This was a great piece, Sarah, and I’m saving it to reread before my race next week. The next time I enter a mountain 100, I want YOU as my pacer (again)! What a great story about Brandon. 😀
I want to pace you again, too! Good luck at Tunnel Hill! I have you to thank in part for this post because I've had that book on my bedside since Katie Debski gave it to me as a gift during her visit. I was on the fence about reading it—I thought it'd be too "heavy" to enjoy. But then I read your 5-star review of it on Goodreads, which made me read it. I love all these connections :-)
Brandon will never forget you!! What you did for him is so inspiring! Good on you Sarah! Your detailed writing is so descriptive that I feel all the feels when I read about your adventures. The running community is so fortunate to have your wisdom and expertise. That’s fantastic that you volunteer
This is so good, Sarah! I love how you interwove stories about the race with compelling tales of runners, with a book review and your own experience. How you experience the world is just simply beautiful.
Sarah! It's Brandon--the one who had "the worst reason to DNF". What an absolute pleasure it was to meet you, and at such a momentous time for me. I was so sure that I was done. And although I was having a similar conversation in my mind as we had in the aid station--I knew all the reasons why I ought to continue--I truly needed to hear it from you as well. You didn't shame me, but you also didn't gratify my self-pity. This was humbling and motivating! This provided me with a deep respect for the community aspect of running. Your engagement with the runners--and with me in particular--showcases your power to inspire. I will never forget what you did for me and I can only hope that one day I will have the opportunity and requisite words to encourage someone else out of the chair. Thankyou!
Brandon, I’m so grateful for your response. Yeah, what comes around, goes around! I’ve been helped similarly by volunteers & pacers. Hope we can share the trail again. Look me up if ever you’re in the Telluride area! Congrats on your 108-mile hard-earned finish.
Another wonderful piece Sarah! How great for all the runners to have your wisdom, experience and kindness. Would love to have you at my first 100!!!
Thank you Ali, I really appreciate that. Do you have a first 100M?
Your aid station was the BEST, and the only one I passed through that offered help or hot food. Your energy was amazing! I'm so glad you were the ones we passed twice in each loop. Even the finishline food was severely lacking. Mad Moose really dropped the ball on the ultra distances with support on this one. I tried to give them feedback and asked a simple question regarding medals for finishers that dropped to a lower distance, and they responded rudely and then banned me on social media. I'm just in shock. I won't race with them again.
Thanks for reading, Jeni, and sorry to hear about your experience. Hopefully they'll learn from first-year shortcomings!
Thanks Sarah. A social media post from them today announces pulling the longer distances from next year, while classily blaming runners for the high DNF rate.
I checked out the post, and I feel for Denise & Justin and give them credit for saying the 100M isn't a good fit for their operations ("We do not believe that hosting the longer distances is sustainable for our small family of four"). They are stretched thin, and it is super hard to get volunteers and supplies out on that route due to the roads. Blame belongs both to the operation not being able to fuel runners with a variety of hot food (which would take more of an investment on Mad Moose's part in terms of stoves and food, and more volunteers) but also on the runners—many really were unprepared for the distance and weather!
Thanks again for your great advice and insights. Seems you are an ultra angel as well as a bad ass runner 💪❤️
Sarah what great perspective. And congrats on helping those runners in each scenario find the right path. I really enjoyed reading this piece.
Thank you! Hope you’re healing!
Great post and some great stories. Count me as another writer who is helped in my creative life by running and by other sports as well!
I love this! It’s always a good reminder to appreciate what we’re able to do and the beautiful places we’re in. I’ll be running my first mad moose event (and first ultra) next spring!
Thanks Kayla! Which race?
Thelma and Louise 50K
Hey, you met me on my 4th lap and gave me a Caffeinated Vanilla Gu, it and you were lifesavers, thanks for the encouragement. I was on pace to finish however there was a cutoff 5 miles out that I missed by 5 minutes, one of the volunteers stopped me to tell me and when she did my lower body seized up and I just couldn't get it back!! It was all good, I finished which is what I came to do. Thanks again for your help!!
Ahh that’s great to hear but a bittersweet finish for sure! I really felt for you & others out there on your fourth tough lap--I actually was worried that my cheerfulness & fresh legs would be annoying! Your story make me think of my friend who made it 236 in the Moab 240....she timed out and physically could not go farther. Congrats on finishing no matter what the clock said.
Well said, and spot-on with all of it. Seems like you’re a good person to meet at an aid station, too.
Thanks Jeff! Thanks for your post on UTMB.
Nice work motivating Brandon out of the chair. These are all great tips for pushing past the quitting zone.
This was a great piece, Sarah, and I’m saving it to reread before my race next week. The next time I enter a mountain 100, I want YOU as my pacer (again)! What a great story about Brandon. 😀
I want to pace you again, too! Good luck at Tunnel Hill! I have you to thank in part for this post because I've had that book on my bedside since Katie Debski gave it to me as a gift during her visit. I was on the fence about reading it—I thought it'd be too "heavy" to enjoy. But then I read your 5-star review of it on Goodreads, which made me read it. I love all these connections :-)
I’m glad you liked it! I’ve bought the book for a number of people!
Brandon will never forget you!! What you did for him is so inspiring! Good on you Sarah! Your detailed writing is so descriptive that I feel all the feels when I read about your adventures. The running community is so fortunate to have your wisdom and expertise. That’s fantastic that you volunteer
Thank you Shannon, that means so much to me. I'm sorry I didn't fit in a visit with you while there. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks.
Full time writer, part time angel. 👼 Thanks for being at those aid stations! Great stories, good advice.
Thanks Scott, that is really sweet, and congrats again on your big PR at the tri at our age of 54!
This is so good, Sarah! I love how you interwove stories about the race with compelling tales of runners, with a book review and your own experience. How you experience the world is just simply beautiful.
aww thank you! I really appreciate you reading.