Da Crew is in the House

[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Aric"][/caption]

All that stuff about drop bags and gear list?  Yeah, you can toss that out the window.  Maybe an hour after posting those lists yesterday, I received an email from Pearl Izumi-Smith’s Team Director, Aric, offering to crew me for the entire 100 miles, EVERY aid station!  What that translates into is running lighter by carrying much less, cutting SUBSTANTIAL time out of my aid stops, and, maybe most importantly, having a familiar face at each aid station, that I can look forward to seeing.  I remember how much this meant to not only Tim W at Leadville but me as well, having his wife and sister at each aid station lifting our spirits and providing a sense of familiarity among so many strangers and new settings.

So, today I get to re-do the whole gear lists!  My initial thoughts are one big duffle bag for Aric with labeled, large zip lock bags for each station with the little things (salt tabs, carb mix, etc.) so I don’t have to drag it all with me for 20-30 miles at a time.  Then I’ll have a larger bag for the substantial transition to darkness/cold, which is sweet because now I don’t have to have drop bags of similar items at different aid stops in case I reach one early or later, covering the need for lights and warmer clothes.

In other words, this is a huge help and I’m incredibly grateful to Aric for offering his crewing expertise.

Got out last night for a run with my potential pacer.   He was kind enough to bring his sub 24 hour wolverine buckle from the Bear race.  I held and stared at it for quite a while, visualizing having my own soon.  We had a good run for a bit over an hour on Mesa trail.  He wants to pace me for the full 60 miles allowed, which would be huge since he would be able to restrain me from pushing too hard until later in the race (whatever “pushing hard” means after 70 miles).

I may take today off or just get out for a 30 minute jog, then 30 mins Monday and Tuesday, travel Wednesday with Scott Jaime and Rick Hessek (both of whom I’m sure will have excellent races), 2 mile walk/jog on Thursday (mostly to shake the nerves loose).

UPDATE:  Nick P was going to pace me but (understandably) feels it's too soon after Wasatch 100 and has a tweak in his hip.  Looks like a solo run for me.  At least I have Aric to crew!