My original plan was for the Pinhoti 100 to be my first attempt at the 100 mile distance. However, due to injuries this was not to be. Fortunately my good friend Andon Briggs also had the race targeted for his first 100 and was able to train injury free, arriving at the start line in good health and ready to tackle the extreme distance. I agreed to pace and be part of his crew, which was an amazing and fun experience.
The Pinhoti 100 point-to-point course beginning in Heflin and ending in Sylacauga is difficult, with constant elevation change and technical terrain. The elevation gain/loss is comparable to Leadville, although Pinhoti’s climbs are more gradual and constant than Leadville’s steep, but less frequent climbs. Not saying that Pinhoti is harder than Leadville, just pointing out that the course is difficult and not to be dismissed solely because the race is in Alabama
My task was simple: run with Andon beginning at Bald Rock in Mt. Cheaha State Park
My focus then immediately turned to Andon’s hydration and nutritional status. I asked him what he had been eating, how often drinking, etc. in order to get him on a set intake plan heading into the night. After about 45 minutes running together the sun went down and we turned on the headlamps for a full dose of night running. The weather was perfect when we were running, but stopping at aid stations was cold with temperatures into the 30’s. There were five aid stations between Bald Rock and Porter’s Gap and each was a fun atmosphere. The volunteers working the aid stations were a huge help to us in refilling water and stocking up on supplies. In addition, Donna and Allan met us at the crew access points and took care of our every need. I continue to be impressed by the volunteers at ultras who give their time, in this case in the middle of a cold night, to help others achieve their goals. Great stuff.
The 27 miles I was with Andon seemed to fly by for me (not sure if he agreed.) I was impressed by Andon’s ability to continue running/walking at a steady pace through the night. I calculated the splits and he was always able to run on command to meet each mile split to stay on track. I was more impressed by his stomach, which processed everything we threw at it. He was able to eat when required and consume large amounts of calories while on the move. I firmly believe this was key to his success in the race, and part of the reason why he was able to stay so consistent during my pacing hours. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been able to hold down the food he consumed. My stomach would have gone crazy.
At Porter’s Gap Andon’s wife Beth took over pacing duties. At this point Andon was about an hour and 20 minutes ahead of the 30 hour cutoff pace. The stretch from Porter’s Gap at mile 68 to the Bulls Gap Aid Station at mile 85 would take Andon and Beth through the night without crew support, as there were no access points during this 17 mile stretch. This portion also featured a significant climb up “The Pinnacle” during the late night/early morning hours, so keeping the 1:20 gap on the cutoff would be a tough task. Fortunately Andon was now in better hands with Beth running alongside him.
They took off and I went ahead with Donna and Allan to the Bulls Gap AS at mile 85. We had time before Andon and Beth arrived, so I was able to sleep a couple hours in the back of Beth’s car. Woke up and went to the aid station as dawn was breaking. This was a beautiful place to wait with mountain views from the aid station, so I stood by the fire and waited for Andon and Beth to make their appearance out of the woods and into the AS. The cutoff time for 30 hour pace was 7:32 a.m. on Sunday morning at the Bulls Gap Aid Station, so I waited by the fire beginning around 6:15 ready to provide support and get them moving when they came through the station. An hour later still no sign of Andon and Beth, and I was beginning to get ridiculously nervous. In talking to the aid station workers, they had the ability to either pull a runner or allow them to proceed after the cutoff (within about 30 minutes) depending on how they looked at that point. I was tempted to bolt up the trail to meet them before the AS and tell them to smile and laugh so they would be allowed to continue. However, the fire was warm, so I stayed put.
As the cutoff drew closer and closer it was amazing to see the camaraderie among the remaining crew who were waiting for their runners. These crew members had been waiting for a few hours and desperately wanted to see their runner come through and finish the final 15 miles of the race. No one wants to see any runner drop at mile 85. Needless to say, the waiting was tense, but everyone jumped in and assisted anytime a runner appeared at the aid station. It was humbling to see everyone truly pulling for each runner and helping in any way possible.
Finally they came popping out of the woods at approximately 7:45 a.m., about 13 minutes behind the cutoff. I’m sure they were both exhausted, but we couldn’t let them stop at the aid station for fear that they might be pulled from the race. Fortunately they looked strong and were in great spirits. So, I refilled Beth’s hydration pack and we gave Andon some more supplies and sent them on their way. Easily the quickest Aid Station turnaround of the race!
It would then be four miles before we could see them at the next stop, and during this time they made up some time. Coming into the Rocky Mt. Church Aid Station at mile 89 they were just a few minutes behind the cutoff time. At the final aid station, Watershed, at mile 95, they arrived 8 minutes ahead of the cutoff. Absolutely amazing to make up that amount of time so late in the race.
Donna, Allan and I then drove ahead to the finish at the Sylacauga High School football stadium to watch Andon finish his first 100 mile race in 29:41, a full 19 minutes under the cutoff! Remarkable that he made up over 30 minutes of time in the last 15 miles!
I am truly grateful to Andon for allowing me to be part of his first 100 mile experience. I had a blast and look forward to the next one. No doubt this has me planning my first 100. Don’t know when or where, but I know I can’t wait!
