I was honored to be part of Jill’s crew for the Leadville Silver Rush 50 miler. For those of you just joining us, Jill and I go way back. We’re blog cronies since the beginning of time and we first met in Boston 2010. She was nursing a foot injury, I was barely back from a peroneal tendon crisis, it was a match made in heaven.
Since then we’ve had race junkets in California, Chicago, and this was my third time back to Colorado. When Jill asked me to crew for Leadville, I was pumped. While I have zero interest in running a 50-miler myself, I’m all for crazy. Plus who doesn’t enjoy super-thin mountain air? So last Thursday I saddled up the mule, strapped on an oxygen tank, escaped the Amazon-like humidity that blankets Chicago and headed West.
Look who I met in the Denver airport. Lisa! One of my favorite bloggers. I mean really: what are the chances? The universe works in strange ways. Such a sweet surprise!
I met Jill and we headed up to Breckenridge, where we’d (make that I’d)acclimate to the altitude, jack around, pickup her packet, obsess and stalk the weather for a few days before the race. Other than a mild headache when I woke up Friday morning (and of course some gasping when we hiked) I managed the altitude just fine.
So what if my Wave Sayonaras aren’t meant for trails? They’re still irresistible, even when filthy and filled with rocks.
The entire Pb and Jilly Leadville posse met up in the war room on race eve for pizza and a strategy session. Truly it takes a village (and lots of ice cream) to pull off a 50-miler.
Top L to R: Ryan, me, Kathy, Terzah, Melissa. Bottom: Jill, Cynthia.
We arrived in Leadville on race day just before sunrise.
Jill was ready to get the party started. Note the monster hill in the background. The first of many.
Here’s the crazy train leaving the station.
A minute later I caught this scene just beyond the porta-potties. The sun bathed the mountains in a rosy glow. Breath taking.
The remainder of the day entailed map-reading, driving like banshees through the mountains to the next ‘spot’ charting pace, calories, fluid intake, bug spray, sunscreen, shoes, raincoats, poles, ibuprofin, you name it we tracked it. Oh and cowbell. LOTS of cowbell.
Before we knew it, (because Jill is badass fast) we were beelining for the finish line. We waited as ominous clouds gathered. Just as Jill appeared at the top of a precipitous hill (what else is new?) it began to rain.
She finished strong. Triumphantly. With a smile! Then the heavens unleashed their fury. I will let you read her race report for the details, but I will say it was an extraordinary day in so many ways. If you know Jill, you know the strength and tenacity within her. Although she often doubts herself, we never doubted her ability for one second. She did not disappoint. It was a magnificent weekend of friendship, support, crashing through limits, and delirious, crazy-ass joy. Thank you Jill for allowing me to share in this epic journey!
Good things come to those who work their asses off.
So happy for Jill! I’ve watched video of the final moments of people coming into the finish area after Leadville 100 and the cowbell was OMG! lol
First, I just think it is the coolest that you got to meet Lisa while en route to help Jill!
Love the crew you guys put together and what an amazing, incredible day for Jill. Just awesome! And a great get-away for you..who doesn’t love running in that beauty, not to mention the lower humidity!
It looks like it was an epic adventure. So beautiful and Jill did amazing. I would love to crew for someone running an ultra. It was so great to meet you, next time we must spend a weekend together, none of this 5 min stuff 😉 not complaining though, I was thrilled I saw you at all!
Usually I don’t mind living in the middle of nowhere and reading about things later, but this is one weekend I really, REALLY wanted to be in Colorado. 🙂
Sounds like an awesome weekend! I think you made the right choice and crewed for the race instead of running. That would have been my choice too.
Jill was fantastic. Her crew was awesome. Breathtaking scenery. A race to remember. What a weekend you must have had.
Looks like a beautiful course! Congrats to Jill. I personally think crewing is more fun: all the excitement, none of the running fatigue 🙂
Totally agree Karen–crewing is way more fun!
Good things come, indeed! Jill deserved this (and what a great time for us, too). Hope to see you again very soon! Oh, and gorgeous pictures!
What a great experience and such awesome views:) glad you got to be a part of it. Being part of a crew is the closest I would come to a 50-miler;)
I love that you have this relationship with Jill! That is what I love about blogging =- all the cool people I have met and neat opportunities that arise. I bet you made an awesome crew member on her 50m!
So much fun!! I love that you were there for her, support is huge in long races! Very impressive, congratulations to Jill!
That is what I am missing – ice cream! Very cool. Looks like a fun race. And hopefully I can call hail to that distance. You ladies rock.
Ah girl, you know what you mean to me!! So glad you could be there. ‘Twas a fun few days, even that 50-miler that I was so worried about finishing.
I love the pic of Terzah so intently paying attending to my barks. ;).
Thank you, sincerely!!
I’m so glad that you had such a great experience crewing – now come to KS!!!
I can’t wait to read Jill’s recap of the race!!!
What an honour to be able to help out. And it sounded like you had a blast. 100 miles next year?
Char I’d crew for 100 but I sure wouldn’t run it. 🙂
Looks like Jill had an awesome crew and very cool you got to be part of it! Loved all the pics you posted during the day too.
I was looking at the amazing Instagram pics & here too – beauty!!! Such a wonderful experience for all of you!!!!
Wow- she is so inspiring!! And how awesome that you could be there for the experience. Gorgeous photos!
yay!
That’s truly awesome. What a great time, and fabulous pictures! I’ve always wondered what high altitude would feel like, but it seems like you managed just fine.
Outstanding post. Very nice.
Jill – awesome run!
What a gorgeous course. That sunrise is amazing. Congratulations to Jill!
I loved reading Lisa’s story about how you guys found each other in the airport – that’s crazy small world stuff. Very cool!
Sounds and looks like it was an event to remember!
we’ve been in this blogging game for awhile! so fun that you got to go crew for jill! she didn’t invite me.. hmm.. what’s up with that jill?! 😉 lol way to cheer her home!