reck·on·ing [rek-uh-ning] noun
1. a statement of an amount due; bill.
2. an accounting, as for things received or done.
3. an appraisal or judgment.
ret·ri·bu·tion [re-truh-byoo-shuhn] noun
1. requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.
2. something given or inflicted in such requital.
3. Theology. the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.
So, why start a post with some definitions such as these? Because it’s what my involvement was all about in 2012 at O.T. 100 and I dare say it applies for this year’s 4th place finisher, Travis Liles, as well. I attempt to make my case for that here. This year I was crewing & pacing for Travis.
The inaugural year of O.T. 100, back in 2009, was my first crack at 100 miles. My good friend, Travis Liles, also made an attempt at the O.T. 100 in 2009. Unfortunately, 2009’s debut year of this technical and tough race dished us both a stout blow: we both DNF’d.
A day of reckoning would come…
Judgment. One of my least favorite words because of its suggestion that one thing is better than the other. As in, judging something to be “right or wrong” and “good or bad”. However, on Saturday, November 3rd the Ozark Trail would dish out 103.1 miles of single track at all takers for the O.T. 100 beginning at 6am CST. With freshly fallen oak leaves completely covering this extremely rocky and technical trail, the Ozark Mountains could prove to be judge, jury, and executioner for the underprepared.
Travis had shown very little nerves the 24 hours leading into the start, save some minor restlessness that he usually experiences the night before a big race. He’s put in over 2,000 miles of quality training already this year, so nerves were unnecessary. At the start it was LOW key. Travis geared up, greeted other SLUG friends, and I insisted (as gun-time quickly approached) that he get his ass to the front of the starting pack to ensure he didn’t get bogged down in the 80-90 runners that would have to single file down the trail, which is a truly narrow single track for the majority of the race.
Starting Line Photo:
Pictured from left: John Cash, Travis Liles, Tommy Doias, Hannah Doias, Jen Eichelberger, Kyle Gibbs
I planned to split pacing duties with Travis’ friend, Dema. Dema is a 4:38 miler and has tons of experience pacing the likes of Ryan Dexter in epic 200-mile trail races. Suffice to say that Dema would be a tremendous asset to us both, as Travis was shooting for a well under 24 hour finish time. The first opportunity to jump in and run was mile 43, Brooks Creek aid-station. The plan was that Travis would NEVER feel like he was working too hard in the first 50-60 miles of the race, and he came in to Brooks Creek looking SUPER fresh. He mowed down a gigantic piece of pumpkin pie provided by Jen Eichelberger (what a treat!) and I jumped in with Travis to climb the hill out of Brooks Creek. I would stay with him the next 25.1 miles to Hazel Creek, where Dema would pick him up.
Brooks Creek, just before the aid-station:
Travis was running super-strong, as he had all day long. We knew darkness would find us at some point past the halfway mark at Highway DD. Sure enough, Travis rolled through the 50 mile aid-station in just under 10 hours and we were on our way with plenty of daylight to spare. We donned our headlamps at about 6:15pm, a couple hours after DD aid-station and chatted the hours away as Travis power hiked the steeper hills and ran virtually effortlessly, not really even seeming tired.
A fresh dip in Hazel Creek (20 miles later) was a good wake-up, and we strategized for the remaining mile or so to the aid-station about how to make the upcoming exchange with Dema, a change of socks, and other needs a very quick event. Success! We were there only a few minutes. Travis and Dema, well fueled, were off into the darkness and on their way for 12 miles to Berryman aid-station at mile 80.7.
Retribution and requital for deeds undone…
The fact is: Travis wanted to throw down a fast time and shoot for the top 5 spots or better. Another fact is that Travis was more than capable. What Travis wasn’t? Quite as motivated to run hard as Dema insisted. To his credit, that didn’t stop him from doing it. Dema and Travis made great time and basically ran up every hill between where they left me at Hazel Creek and where I met them for my next pacing shift at Berryman – a 12 mile endeavor. These guys came in charging and it resulted in Travis’ stomach getting a bit on the twisted side. Travis had battled the barfs in many, many races in the past, but he was dialed in ALL DAY this time, and the only thing upsetting that was a hard effort, courtesy of Dema.
While it was challenging, it was just what the doctor ordered. Dema did a masterful job of pushing Travis to the red-line, but never quite allowing him over it. This actually kept Travis on or ahead of goal pace and he picked off a few spots to shift in to 6th or 7th position. Great job Dema!
Of course, we left that aid station with Travis practically cursing Dema (practically, not literally – Travis is a classy guy, even in the most horrific of circumstances). But 10 minutes after we left Berryman at mile 80.7 his stomach had calmed and we were running strong again. IT WAS AWESOME! It was getting late (early?) and Travis still had his running legs, but mentally he couldn’t put together that he was actually on a 22 hour pace. I tried explaining, but for a little while he had convinced himself that he was falling apart and if he could just scrape in under 24 hours he would be happy. Finally, after an hour of explaining how at our pace he was pushing the 22 hour mark – he realized that he would just have to suck it up and run like mad, which he did. Damn, it was impressive!
leap·frog [leep-frog, -frawg] noun, verb, leap·frogged, leap·frog·ging.
1. a game in which players take turns in leaping over anotherplayer bent over from the waist.
Travis was all about leapfrogging, and while “other players were bent over from the waist” at many of the aid stations or along the trail he took full advantage. With very little exception or seesawing, Travis kept a solid pace from miles 80.7 to 97 and was leaving the casualties in his wake. I think he realized in this cold, but not so lonely stretch that sub-23 hours was truly within striking distance. The only question: how deep under 23 hours could he go?
suc·cess [suhk-ses] noun
1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
Dema was ready at the final aid-station (Henpeck Hollow at about mile 97-ish) to pace Travis the last 6 miles. He caught another runner at Henpeck, thus positioning himself in 4th overall place. If he could hang on he would finish in less than 22.5 hours and 4th place – FANTASTIC!
He did more than hang on. Self-motivation kicked in so Dema’s prodding was unnecessary and absent. Travis charged the entire 6 or 7 final miles with virtually no walking and extending the gap on the last runner he passed by more than 30 minutes in only 6 miles!
As I waited at the finish area with Travis’ wife, Micaela, Daughter, Gianna, and Mother, Kaye – the excitement was palpable. Co-Race Director Paul Schoenlaub was there to chat excitedly about Travis’ pending finish. Sure enough, Travis and Dema popped out of the darkness and in to the finish chute for a finish time of just under 22:18 and that 4th overall I mentioned!
Travis at the finish:
Fun [fuhn] noun
1. something that provides mirth or amusement: A picnic wouldbe fun.
Gianna LOVES Doritos!
Travis: thanks for the invitation to help out at O.T. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Dema, your lovely Mom, Kaye, Gianna, and Micaela. Your family is fantastic and I’m really thrilled for you and the results you achieved. Let there be no doubt that you deserved this finish and that buckle (below). Congratulations on having put in the hard work and having it pay off. I’m looking forward to the next adventure!
Not my buckle, this baby belongs to Travis Liles!
in·spi·ra·tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn] noun
1. an inspiring or animating action or influence
Lastly, Travis – thanks for continuing to inspire me to keep track on my own training and racing, which I’ll need given the ideas I have for future endeavors. Glad to have friends like you to share these experiences with!
Link to my small collection of 2012 O.T. 100 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36923177@N07/sets/72157631935028379/
