The Western States 100-Mile endurance Run is the granddaddy of all 100-mile runs. It's such a popular race, there is a lottery to get in.
My buddy, Wade Repta, got into "'States" this year. He asked me to be his pacer. This is a great honor... and a heavy responsibility.
The role of the pacer is to accompany the runner over the last bit of the ultramarathon to make sure the runner doesn't don't do anything too stupid and end up getting hurt. How do you define "too stupid?" There are about a million things a tired runner can do to themselves because they are not thinking clearly. Some of the biggest no nos include: not drinking, not eating, running too fast, running too slow, not wearing the right clothes for the weather, getting hurt and running through it, etc. etc.
I got the OK from my boss to take off 4 or 5 days, and today I went out on the first run with Wade since saying, "I do" (accept your offer and will gladly pace you!)
We spent 2 1/2 hours talking about all kinds of stuff. In particular we covered the toughest question regarding the role of the pacer, "When to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."
Wader is a very experienced long distance runner and a guy with a great understanding of himself and what he can accomplish. I hope I'm not sharing anything I shouldn't here, but Wader's first objective is to finish the Western States 100-mile within the official 30 hour time limit and without hurting too much. Like most people who start the Western States 100, however, Wader really wants to finish in under 24 hours. In so doing, he will join the elite few who can wear the silver finisher buckle.
Barring illness or injury and assuming he gets to the start line, I have complete faith that Wader will complete in under 30 hours. The fun part will be to see if I can get him in under 24 hours and remain his buddy!
Over the next few months I plan to share a few perspectives about pacing and how things are progressing with Wade. Enjoy!
Comments
Pacing Wade