Rocky Raccoon 50/100: Behind the Running

I am sure that you have read Erik's story of pacing Greg (aka Ninja) during this 100 miler at Rocky Raccoon. Erik did a wonderful job of telling the story, it really was quite a day/night for all who were out on the trail--especially the runners and their pacers. Lots of fun and hijinks were being had in our crew area, and I thought that you might wanted to get a glimpse of life behind the running.

Erik, Corina, the pups, and I packed up the car on Friday afternoon and headed out to Huntsville so that we could meet up with Greg, his wife Fiona, and Dat and be there for the start of their race at 6:00 am on Saturday morning. The weather on the highway should have been a sign of what was to come as the rain was coming down so hard that it was hard to hold a conversation in the car without yelling. After a customary stop at Buc-ee's for gas, sandwiches, Beaver Nuggets, and beer we pulled into our super glamorous (make that adequate) hotel in Huntsville. We quickly found our friends, presented Greg with a pre-race gift, and enjoyed some good laughs before heading off to bed.


Perfect Gift for Our Ninja!

When the alarm sounded around 4:30 on Saturday morning I could hear the rain pouring down and the occasional roll of thunder. I couldn't believe our luck and wondered what we had done to anger the race weather gods (crazy that we are in a "drought" but all of our major races have been in the rain). As we drive to the park we talk about how terrible we feel for the runners and how we are glad that it isn't our day to race. However, no amount of rain could dampen the buzz of the starting line and as the "GO!" was given to the runners a huge clap of thunder sounded. I felt in awe of these runners as they began their journey. No doubt I would have been overcome with admiration on any regular race day, but to see them head off on the trails in a downpour made it even more awe inspiring.



After our runners were off Erik, Corina, Fiona, and I headed back to the hotel for a delicious breakfast of Texas shaped waffles and coffee. Then we headed over to Target (thankfully a new addition to Huntsville since my college days) to pick-up some rain boots, garbage bags, tarps, gloves and hats, and s'mores fixings. We were thinking like other members of our crew and ran into Sarah (Matt's wife), Tini, and Amy there. I think that Target must have sold a record number of rain boots that day! When we got back to the park we quickly selected a spot for our crew and put up the EZ Up cover and some chairs. Before long the runners were coming in from their 1st 20 mile loop and the crew went to work removing wet shoes, drying feet, and supplying whatever food and drink the runners requested. Among them was Lesley, who was attempting her first 50 miler. Regretfully, I missed her finish because I was out on our Inaugural Rocky Raccoon 4 Miler (more about that later), but I was lucky enough to catch her between loops.


Proper Rain Footwear Was Required!

During this time I made arrangements to meet my dear SHSU friend, Jennifer, and her husband and five (yes, FIVE) kiddos for lunch in Huntsville. Jennifer and I shared many good times in Huntsville as music majors at SHSU and Jennifer and the fam had a beautiful (and rapidly expanding) home about twenty minutes from Huntsville State Park. Erik and I headed back into town, did some shopping at Bearkat Books (need proper spirit wear, you know), and met up with our friends at the Farmhouse for lunch. We consumed some incredible home cooking (chicken fried chicken, fried pickles, and yummy breads), enjoyed our short but good visit, and then went back to the hotel so Erik could get a little bit of rest. He was pacing miles 60-80 and would be running from 7:00 until around 12:00.


Jen and Her Beautiful Kiddos

After a short nap we gathered up some gear and headed back out to the park. Our EZ Up and tarps were doing a great job protecting everyone from the rain that came in the morning and early afternoon. Fortunately most of it moved out by the afternoon and we were able to enjoy the day with a little more ease. The rest of our crew began to arrive--Michelle (Drum), Byron, Gretchen, and Jonathon and we had a great time laughing and hanging out.


Awesome Crew-Jon, Gretchen, Drum, Me,
Erik, Dat, Corina, & Fiona

The sun was starting to set and the 100 milers were now approaching the 60 mile mark--the point at which they could bring a pacer out on the trail with them. It was here that I discovered the true meaning of the term "pacer"--it isn't necessarily about running, rather the way that the pacer nervously "paces" around the start line waiting for their runner to come in. You could feel the nervous energy in the air as the pacers prepared for their task at hand. I was so excited for Greg and Erik as they took off for miles 60-80, I knew that Erik would have a great story for us all when he returned. Greg was looking so sharp and strong after the first 60.


Occupy Huntsville

I was feeling a little bit antsy myself and my feet were itching for a run--must be contagious after watching the runners come in and out all day and seeing the beautiful surroundings provided by Huntsville State Park. That is when I gathered up Gretchen and Bryon and we hit the road heading to the front of the park. There was an aide station there and I thought that maybe we could see our runners when they crossed the main road. The night was cool and their was a bright moon above us and we had a terrific two mile run up to the front of the park. While Gretchen and I were standing there waiting, Byron made himself quite handy and became a course guide helping the runners cross and directing traffic with his flashlight. It was so interesting to see the runners come through--some of them stumbling and walking and looking pretty wobbly. This is when I realized just how strong and fresh Greg was looking. Wow, what a scene! Eventually we realized that this crossing was at mile 15 and we would not be seeing our guys for another couple of hours, so we headed back to the crew area. We named this run the Inaugural Rocky Raccoon 4 Miler and we shared many laughs and jokes about how hungry it made us and how we all placed in the contest.


Nuthin' But Trouble

It felt great while we were running, but as soon as it stopped it got pretty chilly and we all huddled around the propane heater that Erik brought for our crew. All of us were anxiously watching the clock trying to predict when Greg and Erik would be back from their loop. I was starting to nod off when I heard Erik's voice announcing what Greg would be needing from the crew. I was so relieved to see them both looking so strong and happy. It was Drum's turn to take off with Greg and see him through his final 20 miles, it looked like his sub 24 hour goal was in reach. Erik and headed back into town to check on our poor pups and to get some food--it was well after midnight by now.


Drum and Me

I almost felt like I was back in my college days as we hit the Jack In The Box in the wee hours of the morning to pick up some food on our way back out to the park. We spent more time hanging out in the crew area and were lucky enough to see Fawn as she came in before her last loop. It was awesome to see her family swoop in around her and take care of her and give her the best pep talk. I had a super hard time staying awake as we huddled under blankets and kept Amy company as she waited for her runner to come in for her last loop (on which Amy paced her). We made s'mores and laughed and wondered aloud how our runners were doing out there in the dark. We also watched as runners who were not able to finish were being dropped off. I can't imagine the heartbreak and anguish that they must feel--can you imagine running 50 miles, 60 miles, 80 miles and it NOT being enough. My heart was breaking for them. I took lots of "extended blinks" as Erik called them as I had been up for 24 hours at that point. In the meantime, Greg's training buddy Melissa finished her race looking so fresh and pretty. It was quite impressive!


Wild Eyed Erik & Sleepy Eyed Me

We got an update from Fiona when Greg was 4.4 miles from the end, it looked like the coveted 24 hour buckle would be his as he was right on track for a solid finish. All of us laughed because we knew that there was no doubt he would make it with Drum as his pacer--she was made for that role! We were also following our friend Matt and knew that he would be cutting it very close to the cut off. His story was pretty phenomenal--his pacer, Jonathon (Gretchen's husband) had given him this shirt off his back when he got too cold. Amazing!

About ten minutes before Greg's estimated arrival I heard a rumble coming from the finish line and we all hurried over to see who was coming in--what a great moment when I saw Greg coming across the line with Drum right behind him. It was such an emotional moment for everyone involved, but especially for Greg, Fiona, Erik, and Drum. I felt honored to be a part of the scene and I know that it will be one of my favorite running stories--a race that I didn't run!


Matt, Jon, Drum, Greg, & Erik

After the celebration we got Greg into the crew area and made sure he got dry socks and shoes and everything else that he needed. Everyone had their ear out for Matt as we knew that sub 24 would be down to the wire. Soon enough we heard that familiar rumble from the finish line--it was Matt and he made it with a few minutes to spare!!

I can't say enough about the character and toughness shown by our runners at Rocky Raccoon. From Lesley who was taking on her first 50 miler with the added difficulty of mud, to Dat and Derek who had to make some tough decisions that could affect them for months to come, to Melissa who made it look so easy, to Fawn who showed how much the love of your family can carry you when the night is dark, to Matt who refused to to back down when it came to his race goals, to Greg who did it all with such grace. I hope that I can take a little of each of these friends and runners with me and draw upon it when I face my next big challenge. They taught all of us some big lessons during a rainy race in the piney woods of Huntsville, Texas.

(Thanks, as always, to Corina and Sarah for the awesome pictures!!)