Bear 100 - I didn't actually run the race, but I made sure to be a part of it in every other way possible. The day started out running the Leatham Hollow Aid station with Captain Paul and Second Mate Joe (and a few others) (I suppose I am the second mate since I have done it more than Joe, but less than Paul, you get the idea). It was a morning of action packed chaos. We did manage to head up the trail for a bit to enjoy the morning before the madness began. (2.5 miles) We finally got to leave that aid about 1pm when the last runners became un-lost and appeared (even Captain Paul was sent out as search and rescue for a while). After a lunch visit with my family, I headed up the canyon and met up with RD Bruce Copeland for my instructions. I was to run various sections of the course checking and adding flagging so that there is less confusion at the intersections. I learned that no amount of flagging/reflectors/glowsticks are sufficient for the stupidity of runners delirious with fatigue. That and lack of prep on their part really causes major irritation to me. I heard complaints from a few people off and on all night about the course flagging. One "young buck" commented, "Its a miracle we (the pacer was speaking) even are here (an aid station) at all." I asked the next two people who came into that same aid 5 mins later how the marking is. "Its fine." "No Problems." Why the discrepency? Age? Experience? Preparation? Paying attention? Common Sense? Seriously, if you find yourself back in Logan how long does it take before you realize you have made a wrong turn? So, even after my (and many other people's) extra efforts to mark the course many take wrong turns. How do you help the 10% who are directionally challenged navigate a course at night without spending a month to mark it? Give everyone voice generated GPS devices that tell you, "In 6 feet turn left on the trail that is clearly marked Leatham Hollow." Oh, dont turn right and go down the mountain. You may not find an aid station there. You will only find cows and 4 wheelers." Anyway, I spent some wasted? time marking (actually just supplementing and verifying as the actual marking was done earlier) the course for the 90% who payed attention to it. I ran from the Gibson Basin Aid station up to the junction with Bunchgrass trail. We wanted to make sure that the junction was obvious. It was and after my additional efforts, a cow would have been smart enough to know where to go (day or night). I actually didn't hear of anyone going the wrong way there, but the sentiment applies to all further junctions I checked. I returned to the Gibson Basin. Instead of following the course for the next 8 miles, I was supposed to skip ahead to Logan River Aid station. I took the shortcut and 2 miles later, I was back marking the next 8 miles to Beaver Lodge. When the course description tells you "At 2.6 miles from the river, look right..." So you think you should pay attention and not blow past the 12 flags and 3 reflectors and a glowstick? Nah, just keep running, then blame your race failures on the RD. Ok, seriously. I am off my soapbox now. I just heard the whining all night by the same 20 somethings in their first race. I will get over it. My pace was downright lazy through all my running, but I was in no rush. Just killing time until my pacing duties began. I was having fun chatting with different groups all night. I got the see the front runners come through Beaver Lodge (mile 76). Nick P was quite fresh and went on to win. Nikki was downright amazing (and set a new course record). I chatted with El Patron Luke, Krissy, Speedgoat Karl, Fast Evan Honeyfield, and many other celebrities. Good times. "My runner" Bryce was looking good and on pace for about 25 to 26 hours or so. I would join him in his quest to beat his time from last year (26 hours) at Beaver Lodge. I would run 24 miles with him and get him to the finish. That began at midnight (see saturday). 2.5 miles in 25 mins or so (700' vert) 14 miles in 2:40 (3000' ascend 2600' descend)
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