Potawatomi Runs and Zombies 4/5/14

 

The sun sprinkled its last waves of light through the canopy of trees while the moon prepared to take center stage in the sky above McNaughton Park in Pekin, Illinois. On the grass covered ground there were ruts and patches of worn earth. Standing among a small crowd were two good friends of mine dressed to the nines and prepared for some serious trail running. I stood near them as the Race Director was giving a last minute safety briefing about the race markings and the conditions out on the course. I took a moment to study the runners’ mood and sensed their excitement. The fidgeting of the headlamps, the adjusting of their racing bibs, and the serious look of mentally preparing their own thoughts were all too familiar to me. This was Ultrarunning at its finest. This night we were at the Potawatomi Trail Runs that hosted a 30, 50, 100, and 150 mile race. My two friends, Adam and Dave, would be running their first ultra distance in the 30 mile “fun run.” I was more than proud to see them toe the starting line. For the past few years I had been waiting for the day my friends would be converted to the “dark side” of competitive running by entering the ultra community and running on trails. 

Dave (left) and Adam before the start of their "Fun Run"

This race was unique because it started at 8pm and also wasn’t advertised as a 50K but instead labeled as a “fun run.” Naming it like this removed a bit of the prestige normally heralded by road races which tend to emphasis specific distances and tend to have paparazzi like attention along the course. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just a different world in the ultra community. There’s no waiting glitz and glamour along the course. It’s mostly nature, yourself, your thoughts, and miles of trails. I smiled at the simplicity this race embodied and felt that this atmosphere of humbleness was a perfect initiation into the ultra community. 

Adam and Dave raising their hands when asked who was running their first Ultra

Adam and Dave had been following my training advice for this race and I was eager to see how well they would do. Also here with me was my brother Marvin to help with the crewing and pacing. Since the course was a 10 mile loop that they would run three times I was planning on running half of the loop with one of them and the second half with the other. Marvin was going to post up at the start and crew them when they passed through. That was the plan, but unfortunately, things didn’t go according to it. 

The race started with a simple burst of cheering and then my brother and I immediately left to stock up on some food for the long night ahead. We predicted a 2 am finish and needed to have some food for the boys after they finish. After a pit stop at the local Arby’s where the lovely Joyce took our order, we promptly returned to the race with a sack of sandwiches and a bag full of curly fries. We had a snack and then prepared for our runners to come in. We made our way back to the start area one hour and forty-five minutes after they had started and surprisingly, there was Adam. He was already done with his first 10 miles and looking around to fill up his handheld with a calm demeanor. I quickly got into pacer mode and asked what else he needed. Once Adam was set we took off into the woods to start his second loop.

As I ran behind Adam I prodded his mind to check on his memory. Asking him what the next hill was like or if the course was muddy was a great way to keep his mind focused and also had the extra benefit of letting me know what to expect. I was impressed how quickly we were moving through some of the technical sections when we suddenly came to an abrupt halt. I hit the brakes as Adam took a rough tumble down a slick slope at a creek crossing. Adam had just told me he had fallen a few times already and seeing it happen in front of me was confirmation of that fact. I waited while he got up and self-assessed himself making sure nothing was broken. I reminded him to take it easy on the slick sections and to kick off some of the mud on his shoes to reestablish some traction on his shoes.

During the run my mind wandered as it has grown accustomed to on these long trail runs. I couldn’t help steal a glance or two into the night sky and revel in the superb running conditions we had this night. The backdrop of stars served as a reminder we can all shine brightly in our own way among the cosmos. It was a chilly night but with us moving swiftly through the trails we stayed rather warm. I wasn’t looking forward to stopping at the aid station near the midway point and cooling down while waiting to pace with Dave and run the second half a loop with him. And sure enough, just as I was thinking this thought, is was time to stay behind at the next aid station to wait for Dave. I wished Adam the best and saw him off. Now it was time to make friends with the zombie crew.

Nick was one of the volunteers working this aid station and he immediately warmed up to me. He was funny and had a total serene vibe about him. One thing Nick said that stuck with me as we discussed various topics was that he knew he wasn’t the smartest person in the world but he believed as long as he made the effort to learn something new every day, he would be alright. Again the humbleness of this sport was evident. I got to know the rest of the volunteers here and learned that this crew of six people was in charge of this aid station from early Friday evening until late Sunday morning. Alex was a 2 year veteran at this aid station and was one of the first to admit he was already in zombie mood and functioning solely on autopilot. He told me that this crew had been working this station for the last few years now and that although it really drains them, they always manage to have a good time. I listened intently to their interesting stories about working these long cold nights as I huddled around a camp fire keeping warm. Finally, Dave come strolling in looking surprisingly spent.

Dave was quick to say that he was done. I was shocked he was throwing in the towel. Usually Dave is able to muster on through tough conditions but he explained that he heard a loud pop in his ankle and that he was only capable of walking on it at this point. I was a little sad that he wouldn’t complete the entire race but completely understood his predicament. I walked with him a bit keeping him company until I reached a fork and decided (with Dave’s convincing) to go back to the aid station and wait for Adam. I reluctantly left Dave but I knew that Adam would appreciate support on the home stretch of this very demanding course. I would be there to boost his morale for the home stretch to the finish line. I went back to the zombie crew and they welcomed me back instantly. They really were such loveable zombies.

While waiting for Adam I was alternating between sitting by the fire and working the aid station handing out food and drinks. I was doing this for about an hour when I got a call from my brother telling me that Adam wanted to talk to me. I was hoping to surprise him on the course but if he was calling looking for me I had to explain where I was. I told him I was waiting for him at the aid station and told him to get moving. I could hear a distraught tone in his voice and could tell he was at a low point. Once he started listing some reasons as to why he ought to stop running I cut him off and asked if there was anything physically wrong. I asked if anything was broke or causing sharp pains. When he replied there was none I told him to start walking. I tried to encourage him to just get moving and not waste time debating whether or not to continue the race. I was relieved to hear him say okay and agree to get moving again. 

Back with the zombie crew I realized I had been bitten by them. I was infected with the zombie virus and starting to brood around like the undead. It was getting close to 2 am so I took a cup of coffee and tried to get some energy in me. Meanwhile, the runners coming into the aid station treated me like one of the seasoned aid station workers thanking me meticulously. I don’t recall how long I stayed at this aid station but it felt like I got so familiar with everyone there, including one small dog that slept most of the time. Eventually Adam came in and I was ready to start pacing again and help my friend finish his race. I said goodbye to the zombie crew and hit the trails after Adam who had started moving ahead of me.

I could see Adam’s fatigue and tried to encourage him by saying a few motivating things and playing a bit of music from my phone. It must have worked because Adam was picking up his pace and I was excited seeing him get a second wind on the last part of the race.

We came into the finish area with my cheering voice being the soundtrack for Adam’s first Ultra finish. Marvin and Dave had been waiting for us in the car and slowly made their way out to congratulate Adam. Although there wasn’t much fanfare at the finish I could see a glow of excitement in Adam’s face. He had this air of satisfaction that let me know he was indeed convinced this sport was for him. And although Dave didn’t finish the entire race, his tough resolve committed to training harder and finishing an ultra before his days are done. This is something I will hold him to.

Running for 30 miles in the woods might not sound like much fun. And I won’t lie and say the whole time is blissful. But there comes a moment out there where you can really learn about yourself and your existence in nature that no amount of reading or TV can explain. Once you get out there and feel the dirt beneath your feet, the breeze upon your face, and the expansion of your lungs working hard to carry you over vast distances that you realize running isn’t just an exercise for your body but also one for your mind. Whatever the distance is, as long as you push past your comfort zone you will test yourself and most certainly gain wisdom from it. Watching my friends compete valiantly and observing the zombie crew work diligently throughout the night made me happy for this sport and the many races that are yet to come. Like Nick had said, “You just keep learning and you’ll be alright.”

Adam's shoes that will undoubtedly see more action

*Technically this wasn’t Adam and Dave’s first Ultra since they both completed the Ragnar Relay in the summer of 2013 as an Ultra team. They had completed over 30 miles each at that event, however that event was a stage race and not a continuous run.