Feb 27, 2016
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I love my husband.
Today we got home from work, went for a run with our dog, ate burritos, and watched a movie in the tub. Tonight is wonderful.
Zion 100 miler
April 10th-11th
Let’s just start by saying I got off work and left Boise to DRIVE to this race at about 8:30pm on Thursday with Sean’s sister Megan. I drove to Clearfield, UT (about 4.5 hours away), and then woke up at 5:30am Friday and drove to Zion. Having said that...
I waited for Sean to run up the GIANT cliff side to meet me at the first aid station I was supposed to go to. Everyone looked like ants as they ran up the street to the climb, and everyone who had made it to the climb looked rough.
One of Sean’s friends ran through and we helped him get his stuff together then went back to waiting for Sean. Finally as I peaked over the cliff side I saw Sean getting close and ran to get the stuff he might need. Sean told us about how hot it was and how that climb was awful but it was the majority of all the climbing included in the race, which meant the rest of the race would be a lot easier. Sean was tired but still had a great attitude. I soaked Sean in sponges full of ice water and tried to help him cool down so he could head back out. I wasn’t too worried about Sean, he was doing pretty good and it as 3pm so the hottest part of the day was about over.
As it cooled down in the aid station I felt better about Sean being out running, I knew it would still be warm for him but if I was cooling off he’d be getting back to normal in the near future. It wasn’t until I got a text from Sean asking if I would put my running stuff on that I got concerned.
I was already in running clothes so I threw my shoes on and told Megan I was going to go find him. Unfortunately I’m awesome and went the wrong way running about 6 miles before arriving back at the aid station to Sean who was wondering where the hell I had been.
Sean asked me to run the 5 miles to the next aid station with him. He would then run 10 miles return back to me and I would run the last 5 miles of the 20 mile loop with him. Sean perked up immediately and I was sure to be super excited and overly happy. We had a pretty good time I like to think. I was feeling great running, nothing hurt and I wasn’t tired. It was probably the most fun I’ve had running, and I was so happy to be able to help him. Sean said the elevation profile was misleading and the last stretch didn’t seem down hill at all, which drained his energy. I let him talk about his frustrations, and then we just chatted. As we got closer to the aid station Sean asked if I would run the whole loop with him.
This loop was when I had planned to sleep for the night and get some dinner, so as we rolled into the aid station I was trying to make sure Sean got what he needed while still remembering that I hadn’t eaten since way earlier that day. Sean was instantly upset because the aid station we were at didn’t have any coke or even ginger ale 2 things any ultra runner will tell you are SUPER necessary for EVERY aid station. Sean was in a terrible mood after this and I wasn’t able to help him get out of it until way later in the night.
We took off for the 10 mile out and back which, giant surprise to the unexpected pacer, included climbing down a cliff. By cliff I mean boulders, on a cliff side, climbing down off a mountain. I let Sean run ahead knowing there was no way I was climbing down this safely and quickly and told him I would catch him at the bottom. To give a little bit of perspective at several points I just sat down and crab walked down the boulders. If you looked off to the side it was just pitch black. To help matters, the head lamp Sean gave me was running out of batteries, so with out him it was a struggle to see well.
I finally made it down to Sean just in time to turn around and climb back up. Sean hit an incredibly low point as we worked back up towards the aid station and we stopped several times to sit. I tried to keep reminding Sean of how far he’d come and how finishing was an accomplishment even if it wasn’t in his planned goal time. As someone who will hangs out in the middle to back of the pack, it was very hard to hear the things coming out of his mouth. He was so disappointed that he probably wouldn’t hit his goal time. I just kept trying to remind him that successful people weren’t always successful and that he’s running in a way that’s new too him and that he just needs to work to figure out what piece of the puzzle isn’t fitting.
We finally made it to the next aid station and Sean was cold and wanting a nap, but I knew as he sat next to the fire that he probably shouldn’t linger too long. I didn’t want him getting too comfortable, or becoming even colder as we left the fire. I was running in shorts a tank top and a windbreaker with no extra clothes to put on and Sean was in 3/4 tights and his red jacket with calve sleeves on. Neither of us was expecting how cold it would get or how fast it would happen. I’m always the frozen crew member, but I always saw the runners in shorts all nights, so didn’t think I would have a problem. Sean was actually more dressed than usual so I was expecting him to actually be more than ok. We were not more than okay and we most definitely did have a problem, and as we trotted out of the aid station the first of the hypothermia started to creep in.
It wasn’t long before we were hugging each other while walking trying to get warm. Sean’s speech was slurred and as we got closer to the final aid station of our journey he was having a hard time staying awake as we walked. I couldn’t feel my legs and knew I was no longer capable of running. Unfortunately I had gotten so cold I could hardly run enough to go get coats or blankets from the car. I had to just stay with Sean and try to help him get to the aid station. When we could finally see the car I took off the best I could, found out the keys were no longer on the car, then ran to Megan to get them from her. Everyone looked a little panicked as I ran in alone shivering asking for the keys then ran off. Sean walked into the aid station and they settled him next to the fire with a sleeping bag. When I got back with coats and more blankets and sleeping bags we crawled on a cot and cuddled trying to get warm. We had two sleeping bags over us and a propane heater pointed at us.
At 5:15am we were woken up and informed that Sean needed to leave in 15 minutes to make the cut off. We had been asleep for hours. The original plan was to sleep for maybe 15-20 minutes and stay just long enough to get warm, but we had slept for much longer than that and Sean was still shivering uncontrollably. He mad the decision to drop because there was no way he could run or even walk 30 more miles with how cold and hypothermic he was.
I don’t think we got warm until after 6am.
This race was probably the best experiences I have had with Sean. It was such a great privilege to be able to run with Sean. I was so happy that he wanted me with him and that I was able to help him in that way. I go to Sean’s races to support him in anyway possible and there’s nothing better than knowing I’m making a difference in his race. I love that he allows me to help him, I love that he trusts me enough to be there to take care of him. He is my rock and it’s so great to be his when he needs me to be.
-Alex
Me: I have 14 super robo monkies
Sean: wow
I wanna win
You are aware you can't win right
I wanna win
You'll win...
I really like this kid.
Bomb ass running engagements to follow.
Ew Sean don't pick at your dead toe nail.
*keeps picking*Start putting the toilet paper on the holder.
Reasons to love Sean:
(post melt down about gaining a lot of weight) "I don't know whats going on but I love you and you're beautiful."
"My face looks like a pizza" "I like pizza.."
*Meltdown about money and my bills* "Are you hungry, do you want dinner theres (option 1) ooorrr there's (option 2) ooorrr there's Basket & Robbins across the street."
"You're like a beautiful wildflower."
Today is the love of my life's birthday so I thought I'd share a few of the great things about him. When I first moved back to Boise I woke up and was going to make Sean breakfast but when I got home to my kitchen I was freezing and shortly after I had a raging migraine and fever that didn't go away for a couple days. Sean took care of me the whole time. Didn't complain once, didn't leave me once, he just laid with me and tried to get me feeling better. I had surgery August 13th and haven't really been able to do much, this wonderful man has taken care of every request I've had. Sean with out a doubt is one of the most caring individuals I have ever met. He is genuine, polite, friendly, and one of the greatest human beings you will ever meet. When I met Sean he was one of the friendliest people I've ever, he was easy to talk to and genuinely gave a shit, not just about me but he cared about his friends and his family. He's the kind of person you can rely on and who will do anything he can to help you out. Happy birthday Sean, I can't wait for April.