Ultra Runner Widow: Western States With the Idiot Ultrarunner

So I finally figured out how to avoid being an ultrarunner widow! I volunteer my husband and myself to crew races. This ensures that he isn't running and must help the runner we are crewing therefore he is with me ALL weekend! Pretty brilliant, right?!

The idiot ultrarunner!

Let me back up a bit and explain. Back in February, I was working out with Bree Lambert. Well, not working out WITH her, more like training with her. We have an exchange, I give her daughter voice lessons and she puts me through the wringer at her gym. Actually, we talk a lot while I pretend to be working hard. (Don't tell her I said that, she thinks I'm getting a major workout!) During one of these lovely chat sessions I discovered that she hadn't put her crew together yet for Western States. I thought to myself, "Gee, we helped at the Duncan Canyon Aid Station last year and it wasn't too bad. We could help out Bree!".

"Bree, Duke and I could crew you. Would that work?"

"Would you really?! That would be awesome!", exclaims Bree.

And so the journey to another Western States began. Apparently I am a glutton for punishment.

After two crew meetings with the other crew whom we were to leap frog with, the plans were made and we were all geared up to help Bree. Friday we met for the pre-race meeting in Squaw Valley. Spot the Ultrarunner made her appearance with Bree as well as several other superstars. That turtle really gets around!

Spot getting kisses from our lovely Bree.

Spot with the infamous Jim Walmsley, Spot's owner Kim, and the Ultrarunner Widow

Spot seen here with Gunhild Swanson. See Spot smile? She knows she is with greatness!

Spot and Kim with last years winner the Pixie Ninja, Kaci!

That night we headed to Duncan Canyon to stay overnight so that we could help out at the aid station in the morning until Bree came through. The weather was hot that day but the night was very pleasant although I could have done without the mosquitos. Morning arrived sooner than I would have preferred but such is the luck of those camping in the back of their van in the high Sierra's. I guess Duke had it slightly worse, he slept on the ground outside the van so that our daughter and I could be inside. Did I say that we were together all weekend....??

As was predicted, Jim Walmsley came through way ahead of schedule. The next lead men came through at a more respectable time or at least a less idiot inducing pace. (Refer to Duke's blog the greateridiot.blogspot.com to get this inference.) Bree came in slightly behind schedule but still within the top 20 women. She needed to change her shoes due to the amount of mud and snow that she had come through. This was a change in the race plan but not outside of the unexpected. We got her on her way and headed to where we would see her next, Dusty Corners.

Bree coming into Duncan Canyon with a smile on her face. Thanks Tonya Perme for the picure!

We got set up at Dusty Corners and began our wait. Again we played the "Hurry Up and Wait" game. Bree's early arrival time came and went. Her late arrival time was getting closer. We began to worry a bit. But we knew she is a seasoned runner and would arrive shortly. When she did come in, she was looking a little frazzled. We got her cooled down, fueled up, and I had the honor of giving her a pep talk. Spot did her best as well, of course. You would think it would be the ultrarunner on the crew to give this pep talk. Was Duke even there?? Oh yeah, he was the one making sure everything was in order so that I could talk to Bree. Good thing there was two of us. We got her on her way and she headed out. The next time we would see her was Forest Hill. In the meantime, her other team would catch her at Michigan Bluff.

Spot makes everyone smile!

Unfortunately, things didn't get better for Bree. She was late to Michigan Bluff. We were able to get texts from the crew there and found out that due to her late arrival she would need a headlamp sooner than expected. Duke hopped in the van to get one to her, leaving me with Bree's daughter. (We had dropped our daughter off earlier at the hotel so she wouldn't have to sit in the van for the next few hours.) Hmmmmmm, Duke leaving the kids with me for another woman...

Duke managed to get the light to her in time and Bree left Michigan Bluff with darkness falling. This was NOT what we planned. Duke returned to Forest Hill (OK, so he didn't leave me for another woman) and we hunkered down to wait for Bree to arrive. By this time her daughter was so worried she kept walking up and down the main street of Forest Hill to rid herself of nervous energy. Spot did her best to keep her occupied.

Bree's daughter Summer with Spot at Forest Hill. They look like they are the best of friends!

When Bree finally arrived at Forest Hill, Summer threw herself into her arms and hugged her like she hadn't seen her in a month. I'm sure it felt that way! And I think Bree felt like she had been running for a month. Her foot was banged up from climbing up and down Devil's Thumb and her spirits were not far behind. But in the end it was her foot that was the deciding factor in pulling out of the race, not her spirits. We all were grateful that she wasn't hurt any worse and that she would recover quickly. We later found out that when going up the escarpment at the start of the race, she fell through the snow with her right leg up to the top of her thigh and that was just the start of dealing with the snow and mud!

It was difficult to watch them cut off her tag. I am so proud of her for not being an "idiot" (which Bree is by no means an idiot, ever. And again, refer to this blog greateridiot.blogspot.com) and making the smart decision to pull out.

How does that turtle keep getting in the SPOTlight? Must have something to do with her name...

Bree wasn't alone that day. Several of the projected top 10 men and women ended up DNF'ing. The conditions were atrocious between the snow, ice and mud and then the triple digit temperatures. It's amazing that anyone finished!

You know who else wasn't alone? ME! Apparently, even though I didn't sleep with Duke and he took off to meet another woman, he still was with me for 48 hours AND at an ultramarathon! I even have pictures to prove it!