The race was set to take place offering 3 different distances, a 20 mile loop, a 100k (60 mile) loop, and the rugged 100 miler. I had previously agreed to aid Edie for the duration of the race, and as I am true to my word I was there with clothing, sleeping bag and pillow.
I arrived in Chicot at approximately 4:30 in the morning on Saturday with equipment in tow. I was able to sleep for about an hour once I arrive, and at 6:30 a.m. the race was off, at least for the 100 milers. I still had no idea what was in store for me. I will take this opportunity to congratulate my twitter friend @LSUBeerRunner Brenton Day on the 20 mile victory and my good friend and trail running colleague Nathan Shull for a graceful victory in 100k (his first time running 100k mind you).
There were 30 100 milers and at 7:06 the first 100 miler came to our aid station (we were mile 4, first aid station in the clock wise direction). Everyone stood in awe as Tetsuro Ogata aka Buford (all trail runners have weird trail names, mine is Vuijsters (pronounced Vies-Stirs), I will explain that later) approached only 46 minutes after the race start. (The first 4 miles of Chicot are the hilliest and typically our saturday group takes a little over 1 hour to overcome, he did it 46 minutes). Of course the comments start, "there is no way he can hold that pace for 100 miles..." Shortly thereafter (7 minutes) Mossie Smith aka Lion-O approaches. Now both Buford & Lion-O had smiles on their faces, no grimace of pain and when I say the most polite people I have ever met, I mean it. These guys were top notch polite, despite Buford's broken English.
Hours went by that created oblivion to our time concepts. We conversed with every runner who came through and the service we provided to them was second to none. It was an honor to serve the men and women that approached us, and my heart was graced by their efforts.
Morning turned to noon and noon turned to night and the party and festivities of the faithful remnant runners began to depart from the Geaux Run aid station leaving only the company of our thoughts and short stories. It was me, Edie, Phil & Nick, and our bonding though not intentional was inevitable.
It was the wee hours of the night that brought to me the state of mind that would eventually alter my mood. After awaking from a few hours nap, around 5:30 a.m. I awoke to find only 1 runner had come through since 3:30 that morning. It was then that I realized what I had signed up for. I was here to witness greatness, I was fated to witness the act of human heroics. The moon shined effervescently through the trees above and coyotes sang brilliant hymns as the stars danced to the harmony of the elements surrounding.
As the sun rose once more a car approached, it was Lion-O. I was a bit startled.. Perplexed by his arrival I approached him cautiously, as though approaching a lion, uncaged and untamed. He was walking (a surprise) and of course, smiling. He had come by to thank us, as he had thanked us every time we'd seen him on the course. I couldn't believe it, I began to choke up. Here was an individual who had suffered 100 miles for 18+ hours (18:49) and here he was thanking us for our service. Was he serious? I was floored, in every word escaping my lips I fought to hold back tears, had one dropped fallen, I would have come undone.
The station was torn down and Edie and I headed back to the Start/Finish line, upon our entrance we saw a runner from Boston approaching the final 100 meters, he looked over at Edie and smiled as she encouraged him along. Here it came again, damn tears. I walked in to the pavillion and saw true heroes, I saw people that story books are written about. I now realize that I witnessed what are truly unsung and untold heroes. These men and women will drive home (after running 100 miles) and people will never know the greatness that they accomplished.
In every passing visit from these runners I learned a little more and more about them. I saw people in their lowest and highest moment, and in that I learned the greatness of humanity lies in the highs and the lows of life. When I saw them at their lowest my respect grew and grew, and despite their desolate battered and beaten bodies, I glowing faces and radiant spirits. Although I may never be a 100 miler, I will forever respect and admire those that are, and given the very opportunity to support them in any way I shall.
To Edie Riedel, thank you so much for the opportunity to serve these men and women! It is an experience I will never forget.
P.S. - Tetsuro Ogata finished first and Mossie Smith finished second.
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