The other side of the cup.

 I was on the other side of the cup last weekend at the Bear Mountain stop of the North Face Endurance Challenge. I spent the day at Tiorati aid station, mile 34.2 of the 50 mile race.
 The TNF village had been set up under over cast skies in the shadow of Bear Mountain Lodge. The 50 mile race had left 2 hours prior to my arrival and the 50k start was eminent. Pre race anticipation hung in the air over the village. It was positive, even comforting being a silent observer, whitnessing the precious few minutes between where training and race execution meet. As a racer you don't notice what is going on around you, you are in the moment. As a non racer you have time to watch and listen and take in everything. There is a lot going on, a lot missed, a lot unappreciated.
 The first set of volunteers who had arrived at 0230 to set up tents, timing and prep for registration and the 0500 start of the 50mile race where slowly being replaced by a second phase of volunteers.You couldn't miss the banners flying high above the tent where volunteers checked in. I checked in with Karen, the volunteer coordinator for this event. Karen was positively welcoming gave me the information I needed, directions to my aid station, a t-shirt and pointed me in the direction of the coffee. Apparently the Tiorati crew chief hadn't arrived and she wanted her there for our briefing. When she arrived and we where introduced we both looked at each other as if we had met, we had at a race a year ago. It is a small world.

 When we arrived at Tiorati pop tents, tables, coolers, chairs where awaiting our attention. With the help of Jimmy from TNF we prepared a spread to rival any aid station at any race. We mixed GU Brew, NUUN, iced down water, poured Dixie cups of coke and Mt. Dew (after attempting to make it flat). We cut up bananas, oranges and potatoes (with a bowl of salt). Laid out skittles, M&M,s, crackers and multiple gel packs and built mountains of PB&J's with grape jelly. Feast for kings!

 The front runner came in a 1/2 hr off pace and 5 hours into the race but fast and focused. Having not been a front runner myself it was exciting to witness his demeanor and how he navigatied the aid station. Of course he breezed through methodical and focused; draining his bottle, filling it with GU Brew, slaming a Dixie of water and NUUN before grabing a handfull of skittles, thanking us and heading off down the trail. WOW! The next few runners came through hot on his tail breezed through as if they had just run across the street. The first woman came through an hour behind the front runner, with much more grace, equal focus and efficiency. 
 As the day progressed the coheriency and efficiency of the racers deminished accordingly. The top end of the middle of the packed grazed a little longer at the aid station, joked around, aquired of the previous runner through but seemed in no hurry. The middle of the pack stayed even longer, questioned the mere idea of such and undertaking and didn't really care who had passed through earlier. The deer in head light distant stare became evident later, these racers stumbled into the aid station just as the hard cut off approached, some took a seat, considered dropping out while feasting on remaining aid station fair and required a lot of prodding to get back on the trail. A hardy few hung it up at this point mentally unable to go on, those that  missed the hard cut off seemed.....relieved to not have to go any further. We packed up as quickly as the first runner had passed through and headed to the finish.

 The finish was a buzz of activity, marathoners, 50k and 50milers where all finishing, the MC anounced the name of everyone who crossed under the red FINISH banner. Racers lounged with food and and beer, congratulated each other and told trail stories, families mingled, kids ran all over the place. Honestly, what I appreciated the most was that the music wasn't so overwhelming that I wanted to leave, it was just part of the buzz. Getting old I guess.  I enjoyed a salad, pork sandwhich and Delta Charlie (Diet Coke) as I watched the award ceremony. Thinking it couldn't get any better, I literally ran into Dean Karnazes the "Ultramarathon Man" himself. We had a pleasent conversation before he had to join the kids race.
 I have heard it said "that if you haven't given back and worked a race that you should", well you should, it was a great experience and I'll do it again.