The Facebook post read: Pacers needed for Vermont 100 Endurance Run, July 21/22nd. I had enjoyed my volunteer duties at the North Face Endurance Challenge in May why not step it up a notch and pace a racer in Vermont. I clicked the link and tossed my name into the hat offering my services to an unknown runner still looking for a pacer. The roll of the pacer is to assist his/her runner for a portion, often the last 20 or 30 miles of, in this case, a 100 mile race. You are there to encourage and maintain forward progress, keep your runner hydrating, eating and safe in an effort to achieve the runners goal. In Vermont racers pick up there pacers at mile 70, well into their adventure.
John Bassett, the VT100 pacer/racer coordinator had me assigned to a runner in no time. However, after a number of unsuccessful attempts at making contact with her I was reassigned to the racer I would eventually run the last 30 miles, through the night, of the Vermont 100. John introduces racers to pacers via email and encourages them to reach out and test each others compatibility as soon as possible.
Ron Renaud and I played a little phone tag before we spoke but hit it off right away. Ron was running his first 100 miler, had previously run a 50 and completed an Iron Man. He had been training since January, had struggled with some injuries but ultimately was ready to get going. His goal was to finish in under 24hrs. "to Buckle". The belt buckle is a beautiful thing and coveted by those attempting such an event. A number of 100 mile endurance races started as 100 mile equestrian events hence the belt buckle. Often those participating in there first 100 do not achieve such prize, some attempt multiple events before "Buckling".
Having talked to Ron a number of times prior to race day I felt comfortable and confident in my role. This was his race all I needed to do was help him reach his goal. Running the 30 miles wasn't the hard part, making sure I could provide what Ron would require to meet his goal would be the challenge. I was nervous about this but realized I could not do anything until we started running together at mile 70 and depending on Ron's needs at the time I would react accordingly.
I arrived in Vermont on Friday and pulled into Josie's Field, cars filed into the parking area from Virginia to Quebec and all of the states in between. I set up my tent in the shade of a couple huge white pines at the edge of a freshly mowed hay field, then sat back and watched it all unfold for awhile before the scheduled meet and greet.
 |
Ron and I finally met, we had dinner together with his family/crew and discussed race strategy, expectations, planned drop bags etc. Due to the 0400 race start everyone turned in early, anticipating the long day ahead.
I was tired when I settled in for the night, and thought how odd it was being so involved in the race without all the pre-race nervousness that often consumes you. I slept well and woke to see the start with out setting an alarm.
Ten Bear is a very lively aid station music blaring, a regular party, serving racers at miles 47 and 70, an MC announces racers as they approach, the food spread is to die for. Ron arrived at 6:25pm weighed in with the medical staff, fueled up and had one of the on staff docs from UltraDocs look at his feet, the bottom of his feet where sore and the pain appeared to be working up his legs. At 7:01pm we left the warmth and energy of the aid station and headed into the last 30 miles, we had less than 9 hours to reach the finish and Ron's goal.
Ron revealed that his legs where quite sore and that they had been for some time. He was grateful to have me with him now and looking forward to being done. After leaving 10 Bear we moved pretty well in the flats and down hill sections our goal was to reach Spirit of 76' aid station (mile 78) before dark. The down hills began to impact Ron's pain the most but we discovered that he could move extremely well up hill so we focused on climbing.
At Spirit of 76' we got out the lights and Ron changed his shirt to prepare for the dropping temperature, he ate quickly and filled his fuel belt and hit the trail. We had decided to spend as little time in aid stations as possible so that we could keep moving forward and reduce the chances of getting sucked into these oasis for very long. Ron was tired, sore and ready to be finished but focused on getting to the finish line in less than 24hrs, we struck out towards Bills aid station (mile 89)
The 11 miles between Spirit of 76' and Bills was filled with highs and lows and our slowest stretch.We no longer ran the down hills, more stumbled in a wincing, grunting free fall, but we where still able to take advantage of the flats and despite the battle with leg pain we could cover a great deal of ground speed hiking the hills. The course was marked with green chem lights and we used the markers as small goals as we moved through the trails and dirt roads between aid stations. We shared the time leap frogging a number of racers and pacers until finally reaching Bills.
Ron stopped more often in the last 11 miles but kept moving. We had a few sections in this stage that Ron seemed pain free as we ran through the fields. He definitely continued to have conversations with himself about getting trough the pain, about not stopping until the finish "With A Buckle!", he would remind himself. We tried everything, counting steps, chasing chem lights, I even said "that we may have to adjust your goal if you can't keep moving". He got moving! It seemed as though we could hear cheers from the finish line forever. The hill just kept going up and up, finally the trail leveled out, it was lined with chem lights, in anticipation of finishing we picked up the pace and crossed the finish line in 23:13 and a Silver Buckle. Congratulations RON! Well Done!
