Subject: Vermont 100 (long and old) From: "Herman Richards" Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 12:14:31 -0400 My wife was convinced to write of her experience at this years Vermont 100 for our running clubs fall news letter. Just though it might be interesting for others here who support their running spouse. Herm 2001 VERMONT 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN A SUPPORT CREW VIEW By Jean Richards What to do while one partner is counting the miles and hours, one step at a time? LOTS! Pull out the tourist map. Vermont is a vacationer playground. Less than « hr. from where we were camped was shopping galore in White River Junction, A fantastic Gorge to hike to and swim in at Quiche. A raptor center near So. Woodstock. At least 13 covered bridges to photograph in the area, not to mention the numerous small and quaint post offices and general stores to explore. Friday's trip up went without a hitch. We left on time- did not hit any traffic, and arrived on schedule. I'm partial to the mountains and camping, but was not prepared for the weekend's accommodations - Paradise comes close. Finding the perfect spot near a porta john was our top priority. The estate we stayed at has hosted this race for the past 13 years. What gracious host we had to open their land for such a great cause (the race benefits Vermont Adaptive- an organization which fashions apparatus so that the handicap can enjoy the sports we take for granted- snow skiing, water skiing, horse back riding, etc.) This equestrian estate (Smoke Rise Farm) is nestled in the Vermont Hills down a long country lane. Our tent, halfway up their back pasture offered a magnificent view, not only of the rolling hills, but the old stone manor house, and pastures and ponds beyond. I marveled at their flower gardens surrounding a large koi pond, which featured a tiny dining island. A walk down to the barn so Herm could weight in was not without a side trip to see the collection of antique carriages and sleds on display in a grand carriage house. John, the owner of the home was entering the race and would be riding his gray « Arabian. 9 horses entered the race, which followed the same course, only started 1 hour later. Herm set, we bought some souvenir wear, then went back to set up to camp. Tents these days practically pitch themselves. Not much later was the race briefing. Do's and don'ts were discussed. Respect for the land and landowners was stressed - no littering! Trail marker, glow sticks, weight loss or gain, all discussed. Excitement escalated. Minutes tick away. Not much later was the pre-race pasta dinner. OH no! 4th in line and they run out of pasta! Wait « hour while a new batch of pasta arrives at the farm. Hungry runner and I are about to leave when delicious pasta finally arrives. Dinner conversation is varied. Met runners form Michigan, Fla., and eh! 3 from Minnesota. Ate enough- needed dessert- what else- Ben & Jerry's! Back at camp nerves are jumping- Do I hold back, give it all I've got from step one?? What will tomorrow hold? The neighborhood chitchat, past glory, present strategy, future dreams. Do they even hear the Killdeer landing in the field making a most unusual noise? Did they even see the fantastic show after dark? Mars shining bright in the South and the Milky Way shining like no NJ night could possibly match. The air mattress did its work- Herms watch alarm did not. No need to worry- the buzz outside in the dark a dead giveaway. 3:15 time to get ready! Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter greeted us in the eastern morning sky. Check in once more for Herm, coffee for me. What a fantastic touch- a professional musician, dressed in tails playing the organ by candlelight to get the blood pumping. A bit of irony playing Titanic, a hauntingly romantic tone hinting at the trials & struggle ahead- So nice of him to change his tune to Chariots of Fire as the runners get ready, set, go! 4:00 A.M. Kids once more! Yeah!!!! Have to hang around 'til 5:00 A.M. to watch the horses leave. Another cup of coffee and another early morning serenade. Ready, set, "The trail is open".. Vermonters sure know how to enjoy life. Herm's meticulous planning with 6 well prepared drop bags made it possible that I did not have to even be there, but our plan was that I meet him at 18 Miles and again at 82 for a change of sneakers if needed. After the horses took off it was back to camp- all is quiet! Don't want to miss my 1st assignment so I leave in plenty of time and get to the 1st handler station in time to see the leader whiz by. I Chitchat with volunteers, pet playful pups, and take a short walk down lane to photograph several fantastic flower gardens. Can't forget my assignment, so its back to the truck. Everything is laid out- here he comes- running his best case scenario- looks great- mix this, refill that, quick kiss, he's off again. The day is mine! Back to camp- change into my running gear. I decide to follow their trail through the woods to see what the runners were up against. Not bad with fresh legs. My plans had to change a bit when only 35 min. into my run took me into a Mirkwood Forrest, convincing myself running alone wasn't the best idea. (Wimp). I concluded my 2 hr. run on the local dirt roads. Freshen up back at camp and a quick b'fast then out on the road again. I stopped at the local general store for postcards, ice, and b'day candles. Three steps down and over to the post office for official So. Woodstock postmark. Lucky for me, the Quintessential (Stepford like) quaint New England town of Woodstock was having an art fair on Saturday. I was awestruck at one booth with the depth and feeling painted by the last artist on the lawn. These are finger paintings she says approaching me. "They are beautiful, Whatever made you try painting this way?" I ask. "I lost the ability to hold a brush"; she demonstrated taking her badly shaking hands from her smock pockets. Out of lemons she has created the sweetest lemonade one could imagine. I still have 6 hours to myself. Herm can be at the last stop anytime between 6&11 PM- some stretch. Stopped in the bakery then back on the road. On my way to mile 54 (have plenty of time), I passed "Camp 10 Bears", so I park, hang out for awhile, then decide to see if Herm had gone through. He had, missed him by 15 min. He is doing better than he thought. At the next handler station I presented the Volunteers with several slices of cake. "Not a B'day without one." I tell them. I thought Herm could use a pick-me-up around halfway least he thinks he could contemplate dropping out. No chance, he's feeling fine now, after going through a tough section around the 30-mile mark. Another quick kiss and he's off again- running well, at a good pace. Looks like I have to recalculate my arrival times. The horse handlers start showing up reminding me that the horses are out there also, though I haven't seen them yet. Herm has just been drinking his Succeed and Clip, but by now I'm in need of some solid food. I stopped at a local burger joint- can't quite match Dilly's (our local fast food stand). I also had the time so I stopped at a roadside antique shop. Prices much higher than I was hopping. It's late enough now that I figure I should just follow Herm from station to station, but while I have the time, it's back to camp to change into warmer clothing, it's going to be cool tonight. Since I broke from the chain of stations, the directions to the next stop do not apply to me. As great as the race organization was, their map and directions could have been better. They did not write for the out-of stator. Vermont is a beautiful state to get lost in /great new sights around every turn. Finally turned myself around and found Bills handler station, mile #83. Another generous landowner opens their barn and property to the cause. This is a weigh in station, and to Herms relief; his weight was within normal limits. He chooses to change to shoes with a bigger toe box although the damage to the nails has already been done. "Don't touch my socks, these are my lucky socks" O.K. Whatever it takes! We got to walk back up the hill together still reviewing his strategy. His nearest competitor just left the stop while he was changing shoes. Jenneville, the next and most elaborate Aid station, again in a farmer's field was equipped with stove for hot food, lights, and a sitting area. Too much of a temptation when the end is so near. Herms rival, still in and out within minutes of his arrival. He's on a mission now, mix some drinks and he's out of there. At a large barn in S. Woodstock, mile 96 and last aid station, was the most confusing for us handlers. The horses were now closing in on the runners, and as we were turning into the barn, we were told to turn around and park in an adjacent field. Confusion abounded, tempers were flaring. Once the horses come in parking will open up, but in the mean time, I just kept my fingers crossed. Finally I see Herm coming down the road, headlamp beaming. Down to the barn, check in his number, he gives up one water bottle. Only 4 miles to go. Still in 11th place, with 1 very nasty hill to go, although he doesn't know it. Back to Smoke Rise Farm for the finale. The Board lists the top 7 finishers so far. 15:53:34 for 1st place- unbelievable! Two Tims (running buddies from VT & NH) come in next, side by side just as I had witnessed many times already that day. One of the Tim's dad was still in his face with his video camera. This kid (42), used to the intrusion, was still remarkably respectable towards his obviously very proud dad. Waiting, waiting. We're told that the horses were very close, and that for our own safety we shouldn't be standing near the finish line, just in case there was a sprint to the finish. (This could be exciting). The glow sticks in the trees, and luminaries lighting up the last 50 yards of trail added the right touch to the much-anticipated finish line. Then- much to my surprise Herm jogs in. 10th Place! What a relief. A quick hug and kiss, and congratulations. His determination allowed him to pass Ralph somewhere on the last hill. His final and most important mission- to make top ten! My dilemma- the horses are just minutes from the finish. I really want to see them come in. Herm says that's O.K. he can surely make it back to camp by himself. The horse race was anticlimactic. The winner barely trotted over the finish line, with 2nd place just seconds behind. Back at camp, Herm looks very relaxed, very relieved, and VERY happy. We can sleep now. (Sorry this was so long- what do you want for 100 miles?)