Wasatch 100-Reggie Miller Style

the finish!

I had the priviledge to accompany my good friend Stevo on his first attempt at running the 100 mile distance today as a pacer. He basically rocked the race from my standpoint. I parked my car at the Brighton Lodge about 11 pm anticipating Steve and his 2nd leg pacer Pete to roll in sometime between 1 am and 6 am. I was hoping to get a few hours of sleep prior to his arrival in the back of the Tacoma but this was not to be had. Too many cowbells, people yelling, cars driving, lights blaring, and people dry heaving(which turned out to be Pete unfortunately). Him and Izzy found me shivering in my sleeping bag about 2:30 am and steve and I took off out of Brighton. We didn't run much for the first 15 miles. There were a few steep downs that Steve flew down courtesy of his new $200 Hoka One One's. (sellout) We really didn't have any major breakdowns like he said he did at Desolation Lake with Pete, minus my headlamp burned out 4 miles into the run so I was running behind him in the dark. A few people not paying close attention just saw Steve and not me and I practically ran into them. They muttered some bad words under their breath but I just ran past. I obtained new batteries from an aid station 30 minutes before it got light, but at least now I have free new batteries!

Struggling up a hill around mile 80

Suddenly with about 10 miles left and no more major climbing Steve unleashed the finishing beast and we cranked it to the end. He passed like 50 people it seemed like. His final time was somewhere in the low 28 hours I believe, and we ran the last 25 miles together in just a little less than 7 hours. It was a fun experience, and honestly more of a motivation to try one myself someday, although I think Steve does a better job of hiding his pain than I do.

running around dawn-mile 85

Bustin out some down

Summary: Pacing is just basically running behind or ahead of a real runner. You only go as fast as they can go. There isn't much strategy IMO. I somewhat felt like garbage pickup man and the ibuprofen nurse. He would drop something and I would pick it up and give it back to him with some vitamin I. Happy to help in anyway I could.  P.S. I have never smelt such vicious smells from one man in my life.