In the Pursuit of 24: Week 7 : Insane Running

In the Pursuit of 24: Week 7

By this time, I want to start thinking about your support team (crew and pacers) as we are getting close with just seven weeks to go until showtime. You might think that both the crew and the pacer are the same, but they are not. A person could be both a crew and a pacer, but both offer different functions to the runner and perform different duties during the event.

This is part of a series of posts regarding how we prepare, plan, and train to complete the 100 miles Ultramarathon Umstead 100: In the Pursuit of 24. For all the ultrarunning series, here is In the Pursuit of 24, last week’s post, and for additional ideas, follow the link. Training for a 100 .

Assessment:

Pacers:

Pacers are individuals (Family, friends, volunteers, runners) who will accompany you during some or all the portions where the event allows/permits the use of pacers. Depending on the event, there are certain segments or stages of the race, typically during the latter stages when fatigue sets in, over the night portion of the event in which you may benefit from moral support, navigation assistance, and pacing and primarily safety reasons.
The primary role of a pacer is to keep the runner safe. But also to provide encouragement, motivation, and company to the runner during these stretches of the event. They can help keep the runner mentally focused and alert during the most challenging parts of the race.
Pacers can also assist with navigation, especially in races held on trails or in remote areas where the course might be less well-marked or where fatigue might impair the runner’s ability to make decisions. And even in well-known areas, having a pacer will allow you, the runner, not to have to spend energy thinking about navigating or the course.
Depending on the race rules, pacers may be allowed to be a mule for the runner. Carrying supplies such as food, water, or other gear for you helps to lighten the load.
Speaking of water and fuel, your pacer will help remind you and provide you with reminders to stay fueled and well-hydrated.

Crew:

The crew consists of a group of people who provide logistical and practical support throughout the entire race. But they are not running with you; they stay either at home base or travel from station to station in advance of your arrival to receive you and care for your needs at that stage of the event.
Crew members typically set up aid stations at designated points along the course, where they can provide food, water, clothing changes, medical assistance, and any other necessary supplies.
Crew members may also provide emotional support, help with gear and equipment, assist with basic medical needs like blister care or taping, and help the runner address any issues that arise during the race.

More to come in future posts on then, once you have selected your support team, what to do to improve the chances of them being more useful and also make it enjoyable for all.

Planning:

Start looking for the things you think you might need. A crew? Pacers? Or both. Start gathering a few possible names and reach out to start building your support team. These individuals, in both cases, are preferred to be individuals who know how to handle you when things are going well or great and when, at times, things are not going well. They will push you to the effort limits to get you to continue, but striking that balance to keep you safe. Sometimes, the right call is to stop and live for another day; we might need help when a situation arises that will force us, and you might not see it from a fresh brain perspective.

Think about who could be a pacer: A person who can provide that needed support while running. They should be able to help you troubleshoot any issues that you might be dealing with, in addition to providing mental and emotional support during the run.

Think about who could be a crew: Who you can count that will be able to have the time as they might be staying longer with you at a main station. Or hopping from station to station, setting things up, and packing them back to move.

How is the plan going:

This week was another solid week. The workweek mileage was decent; here are some highlights,

Monday: Easy 6

Tuesday: Easy 4 miles

Wednesday: Some stretches and rolling in the morning, followed by InsaneRunning group running 5 miles in the afternoon.

Thursday: SOme stretching in preparation for back-to-back-to-back runs.

Friday: 10 easy miles

Saturday: 22-mile long run, practicing fueling and checking how my sugars are reacting to frequency and type of fuel. Also this weekend, Bianca and Calvin completed their Hot Chocolate 15K event; they both did phenomenally and killed it on their event!!!! Both are part of my pacing and crewing support team. I can’t wait to see them both at the American Tobacco Road Half Marathon in a few weeks and, soon after that, running a loop with me at Umstead100.

Sunday: Great weather today, excellent long run. My right knee gave me issues around mile 14, and I was forced to stop; I did some walking, massaged the area, and took a salt tablet, and that seemed to do the trick. Left knee a few times, it let me know I need to take it easy.

This week’s actual numbers: