Hello Everyone,

I am back from a splendifferous trip that took me to Spokane, Mt. Hood, back to Spokane and home again. Almost 2000 miles driving and 102 running by the time I returned home. Ok I only ran 27 of that 102 and it was great!

I will hit a few highlights as I could take up your whole day talking about this trip. Francie and I left for Mt. Hood on Friday morning and by Friday night had her checked in, making final preparations of drop bags, meeting some of the runners and sleeping on the side of the road in her truck across from the start/finish area. I couldn't believe we were finally here and she was actually going to run 102 miles. Yikes!

4am came quickly and I had my lesson in how to tape her feet and take care of them if needed. An early morning drink for her and then off to the start for instructions. I found myself surrounded by 118 crazy people, I mean runners, and their crews and lots of excitement in the air. I will contribute the excitement to sleep deprivation. I would learn more about that later. Before I knew it we were having the 10 second countdown and they were off, and so was I, back to the truck for some sleep!

I got up at 10am and met Francie at the mile 28 aid station. She looked a little rough and discovered her medicine was making her dizzy and unsteady. Not good when you have to watch for rocks and roots with every step. She had fallen once but wasn't too worse for the wear. We refilled drinks and sent her back on the trail. It would be another 5 hrs before I saw her again.

In the meantime I assisted the Race Director with a few things like cleaning up and delivering water to obscure aid stations in the middle of nowhere. This was great cause I drove Francie's nicely washed and waxed truck on extremely rough and dusty roads and I knew she would be loving it. Not! I had fun though, except when I looked over and noticed a pool of water in the passengers seat. Yikes!! I'm talking LOTS of water spilling from the container. I was praying the two large containers in the back sloshing around with every bump on my bed were not doing the same thing as this one. In the rear view mirror they looked like children playing in one of those jump house toys and having a grand time.

The next aid station was at mile 55 and also 75. this is where I would spend the remainder of my day and night until I would head on the trail to pace Francie the last 27 miles. I had met several really nice people and so the time went quickly. Helping with the aid station as runners came in helped time pass also. Francie came into this aid station at mile 55 looking as fresh as a Daisy. After fixing a blister, re-taping her feet and providing some nourishment I sent her back on the trail and told her I would see her in another 5 or so. At this point I went to the truck and got my clothes changed, pack ready and took a little snoozer so I would be able to be rested and stay awake the remainder of the night.

Night fell and so did the temperature. I stood around a small propane heater for about 3 hours with several people waiting for their runners. Most runners were about an hour behind schedule as the 20 miles they had just come from were a challenge they weren't expecting. Finally Francie came in, not looking so good this time. Her feet were painful as she had developed a new blister or two that were really hurting her. Popping them was not one of my favorite things but had to be done. I took care of her feet while another guy helped with food and bottles. After a small rest and making sure she was dressed for cooler weather, feet re-taped, and some food we set off together into the dark night on the last stretch of this adventure.

We walked for a while as she tried to shake the nausea that had overcome her. Mostly caused by the pain of her feet. Not to mention all the gels she had eaten for nutrition. We had six hours to finish within the 24hr mark and so I pushed for that goal. Before too long though as we traveled in the total darkness of the night it became clear that I needed to just assist her in finishing in her original 26 hr goal. We were moving so slowly and at times she would pick up her feet and run. I wondered if she thought she was moving quickly because I had my choice to either jog with her or to just walk quickly. I did both. I felt her pain as she would kick a stick or rock and holler out, but my job was to keep her moving, so I did. Each aid station was a blessing because I could eat, drink a little and get warm. I had dressed to run and because we weren't I was cold. We left mile 75 at 11:15pm with the temperature being 38 degrees. I could feel the night get colder and welcomed the occasional pockets of warm air which soon became pockets of cooler and colder air. By the time we finished I was frozen. My hands were cold, face numb and nose raw from running all night. Funny, because it was the only thing running during the night!

Just as dawn was arriving my headlamp went out. It was dark but light enough to make out the trail and I was glad it lasted the night. Francie still had her light to help us along. It was amazing how the dimension of the forest around us changed and took shape as the morning light appeared and the stars and darkness began to fade. What a beautiful place we were in and so peaceful, but where was that finish line?! Time and miles seemed to move slowly as did my frozen body.

Well, 81/2 hrs later I saw the finish line and took her by the hand and started jogging so she could run across. As we approached I let go and let her cross as I took her picture. She had done it! Run 102 miles in 26hrs and 39 mins!!! I too had accomplished my goal of getting her to the finish line and that felt great, as did the fire, warm blanket that was put around me and the two cups of hot cocoa!

I could go on more but have taken much of your time at this point. Thanks for sharing some of this great adventure with me. The pictures I posted were of Mt. Hood as it over looks Lake Timothy, a shot from the aid station at 55 & 75, Francie and I in front of Mt. hood on our way home, Francie at the start and me goofing off as we drove. As I look through the photos I will post a few more of the great ones soon.

Until then, happy camping and remember to check us out at http://www.sleepingbagstaion.com
Jen





Francie just before she started her 102 miles.



Waiting for runners at aid station 55/75.




Having fun while driving!

Mt. Hood as seen across Lake timothy. Our campsite after the race was right on the shore of this beautiful lake. I look forward to going back.

Did I mention the crazy thing that happened? I decided that I am going to train and run this same course next year. I am wondering if I fell and hit my head sometime in the night and knocked myself crazy. I am actually way excited and look forward to training, not to mention what I could write about if the whole 102 mile experience were my own. :)