I have been writing and re-writing this follow-up blog post about the Washington Island Ultra all week. Initially, I felt a heavy burden to tell the whole story, including all of the usual pay-by-play action in a typical “Race Story” post, but then I remembered that I didn’t compete in the event at all, and the only version I can tell is from my POV as a member of the crew, and friend, and coach… So, again I was body-slammed with so much to share… Then somewhere around 5P on Thursday, I realized that I don't want to share it all. I want to keep most of the magic I lived on the island to myself. However, what I will share are highlights from each aspect of the event that I believe is what made it memorable: Heidi’s ride, Rachel’s run, the camaraderie of our Smashfest Queen (TeamSFQ) contingent, the crew experience, and my thoughts on the unique event.
That said, I am happy to answer follow up questions if anyone is intrigued to learn more.
Here we go!
Heidi ready to go moments before the clock started at 10P on Thursday night. Photo credit: Marc and Greg Luckey
Unlike my first go-around crewing for Heidi in 2020, I knew what to expect this time, the unexpected. I never lost faith that she would hit her goal of riding 500 miles, but none of us knew how long it would take? Or, how hard it would be? It must’ve been agony at times. Nevertheless, Heidi was a pleasure to crew.
Heidi taking a quick rest many hours/miles in on Friday. Screen left: Heidi, Yours Truly, Center frame, our cameraman, Ryan Dugger, and Jess. Photo credit: Phil Guba.
She never snapped at any of us, ate plenty when we asked her to (except for a handful of laps on Saturday morning when pure adrenaline fueled her instead of calories). She communicated calmly what she needed from us after completing every ten-mile lap (about every 40-50 minutes), either nutrition, rest, and/or a few minutes of sleep (she slept maybe thirty-five minutes during a single break throughout the forty-plus hours it took to complete all 500 miles), and miraculously, she laughed a lot.
Heidi’s laugh consistently hits an octave that reverberates joy, it is the perfect soundtrack for such a special person. Just like in 2020, I was grateful to both help and witness her reach her goal and felt honored that she invited me to be a part of it.
Lucky me. Repeat photo, but it's worth it. Photo Credit" Marc and Greg Luckey.
I have had the pleasure of coaching Rachel for over three years, and although she has had more than her share of “life” hiccups throughout the first half of 2022, she never let her training veer off track, and went into the 36 hour event with the goal of running 100 miles with her eyes wide open and legs ready to rumble. I was ready to jump in and run with her as a pacer any time she needed me, but since this was the first attempt at her running and me coaching an athlete running 100 miles, we did not have a set plan in place, but since the run course was a 1-mile out and back stretch on flat road, we would have plenty chances to assess her needs as the hours ticked by.
From Screen left: Jodi and Heidi leaving for another lap, and Rachel and I setting out on more laps of the run on Friday. Photo Credit: Kristin Orr Winstead.
She was an absolute beast.
And we're off running again!! Photo Credit: Marc and Greg Luckey.
In fact, Rachel only requested my pacing prowess from miles 41-50, 65-68 (I think?), and 97, and 98. Selfishly, I was hoping to string together a marathon of my own within the official 36 hours, but I was pleased and proud that I only snagged 16 miles out of her 100.
Furthermore, Rachel did request a slew of pacers to alternate the final ten laps covering her last twenty miles, which our trusty and fantastic TeamSFQ ladies stepped up to do, as well as members of our own crew (stay tuned for more words about those rock stars later). And even though she initially asked me to run miles 99 and 100 with her, I was thrilled to be sent to the bench when she said she wanted to run the last lap on her own.
A hefty crowd formed around the finish line when we saw her getting close, naturally, everyone was impressed by her feat of running 100 miles (she was the sole “runner” who took part in the 36-hour category), but what really put the button the day was that the finish date lined up with her three-year anniversary of being cancer-free.
All done.
I started coaching Rachel just a few days before she received her breast cancer diagnosis in February, 2019. She has been through it. And watching her run the last few steps of her 100-mile goal was one of the most emotional moments of my life.
I’ve never felt more rooted in exactly where I was meant to be.
Repeat photo, but it's just so good!
Obviously, Rachel has earned a heaping dose of rest of relaxation, but I am chomping at the bit to help her pursue whatever goal she sets her sights on next!
Hey, Ladeezz!!!
*Most* of the TeamSFQ ladies, From Left: Chris Fox, Shannon Gallivan Bol, Shuntae McKelvin, Maureen Sheehan, Sherri Guba, Kristin Orr Winsted, Jenn McGill, Yours Truly, Jodi Gilmour, and Deann Doohaluk.
One of the absolute treasures about this event is that it has become a popular choice for many members of the Smashfest Queen racing team, TeamSFQ.
On the ferry to Washington Island, from left: Jess, Shuntae, and a tall redhead.
Thankfully, the house (cabin) we stayed in this year was close to the race/campsite and the TeamSFQ house. It was a lot of fun, and super helpful to have these incredible women who stem from all over the US (and Canada) make the pilgrimage to the tiny and glorious island in northern Wisconsin to swim, bike, and run, in both the solo, and relay events. They all pushed their own limits by riding at night, running numerous laps, swimming circles in Lake Michigan, and donning pacing duties (as mentioned above) when called upon to help. These women are incredible athletes, wonderful human beings, and true friends who behave more like family than a gaggle of rag tag teammates.
I am constantly pinching myself that I am a part of this tightly knit and inspiring squad.
When you put two tall ladies on a small island it's always a good time!
Up next, the #Dreamteam.
When Heidi asked me last year to crew for her again, I immediately said, “YES!” Next, when she asked who else would be a good addition to the crew, I automatically suggested our friend, teammate, and accomplished Ultra-distance athlete, Jess Zaiss. Jess was a top candidate because she has crewed for many Ultraman events, and is a Scientist, and it’s always good to have a sharp brain like that when dealing with tricky nutrition equations that pop up constantly during long endurance events. Plus, she is a fantastic human-being who is kind and easy-going, both absolute “must” attributes for a crew member for a nutty event like Washington Island Ultra that demands minimal sleep and maximum effort.
After 8x legs of travel over 7 days, (no joke), Jess and I arrived safely back to SoCal.
However, lucky for us, Heidi’s crew expanded throughout the year to include her trainer, and his husband, Marc and Greg Luckey. Both Marc and Greg showed up to the island bright neon green as crew members, they had no idea what they were leaping into, but they were clutch members of the crew right from the start, and helped Jess and I support both Heidi and Rachel to reach their gigantic goals tactile skills and upbeat attitudes. Plus, Marc’s power nap ability is truly a super-power that I will marvel at for years to come.
Flashback to our training weekend in Flagstaff last June, from left: The writer, Jess, Heidi, Greg, and center frame, Marc.
I couldn’t imagine a better line-up of folks to share such a special experience with.
Craig and Maddie Braun. Photo credit: Not sure?
Finally, I want to give a nod to the husband-and-wife team that dreamt up this unparalleled event, Craig and Maddie Braun of Mammoth Endurance. They are two of the most genuine people I have ever met and are very keen stewards of human endurance.
*BONUS*
There is a documentary of The 500 Project (now in post-production) that was shot and is being produced by another husband and wife run company, Ryan and Genntte Dugger of Creative Revolver. I will follow up about how to view the finished film when it is released...
Once again, I had a memorable time on Washington Island, my heart is full, my soul is inspired, and I hope I have another chance to visit it again.
The song and video choice this week is a shout out to island time. Enjoy.:)