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!
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.
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!!
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. 😀
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!
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!!!
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 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.
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!
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!!
Well said, and spot-on with all of it. Seems like you’re a good person to meet at an aid station, too.
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. 😀
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
Full time writer, part time angel. 👼 Thanks for being at those aid stations! Great stories, good advice.
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.