You’ve pledged your service to a runner embarking on the experience of a lifetime: an ultramarathon. It might be their first buckle or another to add to their collection, and the distance is likely in the 50k to 200-mile...
Tag: Crewing
One of the most rewarding roles in our sport is serving as a crew member or pacer for someone pursuing the massive goal of running an ultramarathon. Working in such a capacity has some great advantages. Crew members get...
Dear Ann,A friend has asked me to crew for a 100-mile race this summer. I’ve run shorter ultras, but I’ve never crewed for a hundred. What’s the best way to prepare and what should I expect? —AndreaDear Andrea,Congratul...
If you want to successfully pace a runner at the 100-mile distance, you need to know the right answers to a lot of questions. Should you run in front of your runner or follow her? Are you allowed to carry food and water...
In ultras we rely heavily on others to help us get to the finish. That includes volunteers and staff at races, as well as family and friends who crew or pace. Even if you prefer to run with minimal assistance, there’s a...
If you are not a runner yourself, but have crewed for an ultrarunner, you probably have no trouble remembering your first time. It is pretty unforgettable. You likely felt like a fish out of water. At the very least, you...
This year was a special treat for me. For the first time in three years my name was not chosen in the Western States lottery. I had problems dealing with this for a while but I eventually adapted. Eventually I decided to...
With the summer 100-milers rapidly approaching, it may well be appropriate to review an element of ultrarunning that is often crucial but seldom discussed: crewing. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding the...