Self-Transcendence

I went out to Queens to the Self-Transcendence 10 & 6 Day Races yesterday to finally officially meet Pam Reed after several phone conversations and to help crew for her. Kevin and I were using it as a dry run to sort of get an idea of what types of things Pam likes while running so that we would be better prepared to crew and pace at Badwater.

We took the 7 Train out to Queens and then walked through Flushing Meadows Park. Walking through the park and commenting on the ridiculous amount of trash, I was fully expecting to stumble over some used hypodermic needles or maybe a crack pipe. As Kevin and I walked past the decrepit remains of the 1964 World's Fair, we discussed the possible past uses of the structures. I vowed to look them up on wikipedia, which I did. Once we crossed a larger bridge and Meadow Lake came into view, the park looked much cleaner.

I'm not really sure what I expected the course to look like, maybe a loop around the lake or a meandering paved path through the park, but I was taken aback to see a loop across a parking lot marked by orange cones and then looping around a wide path. In case you weren't aware, these 10 and 6 day runs are done completely on a 1-mile loop that is run continuously over the 10 or 6 days. Kevin and I entered the race area and took a quick look at the leader board before inquiring where Pam's stuff was set up.





Kevin and I walked through the athlete's village, which consisted of a couple of tents set up as kitchens, rows of open-sided tents along the course, and a tent village in the back where the runners (and some crew members) slept. Additionally there was a large medical tent erected. Kevin and I wandered around awhile trying to locate Pam's stuff, but she had just come through on a lap, so people were already her. Eventually her current support crew returned and we introduced ourselves. We put down our bags and started asking questions about exactly what we needed to do, but Kevin and I both felt fairly useless and even in the way. The current crew didn't really seem to want to fill us in on what was going on. Eventually, as we asked questions, they started giving us the run-down and we jumped into the mix.





Pam was just behind the women's leader Dipali Cunningham. They seemed to be on slightly different schedules, so it was really tough to see who was in the actual lead. It all depended on who was resting at what point. Both women were just under the 200 mile mark. The heat was working to slow all the runners on the repetitious course. We settled into a routine where we were meeting Pam at the leader board and handing her club soda mixed with Nuun, a cup of water, a cup of gingerale, and a bit of a Burger King hamburger. Then we'd dump ice into her hat and she would head out on another loop. This continued for a couple hours as she seemed to be operating fine with the system. When we'd ask her if she wanted to change, she would say no.

Eventually, Pam's friend Mary showed up and the earlier crew left. Kevin and I continued our system and briefed Mary on where everything was. As Pam neared the 205 mile mark, we began to prepare for her upcoming break. We quizzed her on what she wanted to eat. We changed up the food a little giving her peanut butter and honey on bread in lieu of the burger. I also got her to take an Endurolyte to try and replace the salts she was losing. When she went out for her 205th mile, I put water on to boil in the kitchen to make some macaroni and cheese.



Pam came through and went straight to the medical tent for massage. She also showed Mary where her personal tent was, which was in the sea of tents where the runners slept.



While Pam was getting a massage, Kevin and I finished preparing all the things needed for the break. Stephany showed up to lend and hand. Pam came out of the massage and we got her fed and back in good spirits, although she kept apologizing profusely to us for running so slow, which made me laugh. We discussed some remedies for a few things that were giving her issues and sent her back out on the course.

After one loop, she was still complaining of being hot. We grabbed a towel that had been soaking in ice water and toweled her off to try and cool her off. The breeze was picking up and the sun was going down, which was also helping. We continued to help for a couple more laps before Kevin and I decided to go home. We both had our own workouts we needed to get in. Pam was on her 207th mile when we parted ways and was planning on running another 23 miles before getting a few hours of sleep.

Seeing the course initially made me think every person would be completely stupid (and insane) to run this race. However, after being out there for awhile helping and talking to the runners, I didn't feel that it was quite so crazy. Still, much too crazy for me.

My favorite moment was when I was walking with Pam just outside the athlete's village and she turned to me and asked, "So, do you have any aspiration to do this one?"

I replied, "No, I think this one is a little too crazy for me."

Her reply? "I think its too crazy for me too."

We both laughed, and she ran on...