Cruel Jewel 100 Crew Report - Taking Care

“As every runner knows running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are” - Joan Benoit Samuelson

New friend Benjamin hiking up some of the lovely BMT - early Saturday morning

Runners, in my opinion ultra and trail runners especially, are the most selfless, caring, optimistic, determined people on Earth. Not only do we toil and suffer in our own competitive spirit, but in a moment’s notice we’d do it for our friends, family and sometimes complete strangers. I got to witness the brutality of the Cruel Jewel 100 from a side I often don’t get to enjoy - pacing, crewing and spectating.

Sarah Woerner is an amazing runner; strong, fast and competent. With nothing on our schedule last weekend and the urge to camp, I asked if she was set for crew in her Cruel Jewel 100 attempt. Turns out - my girl could use a pacer for 35 miles, my specialty. Luke and I packed up the Subaru and headed out to Camp Morganton (the Mile 50 aid station and turn around point for CJ100) Friday afternoon, aiming to get there around 9-10 PM. We expected Sarah anywhere between Midnight and 1 AM, so we were able to tuck-in and get an hour or two of sleep.  

The Cruel Jewel 100 Elevation Profile - Right?

Franklin Baker rolled in around midnight, looking strong and met his crew parked a few cars down. We checked in for sweaty hugs before he proceeded to cover his undercarriage in lube and head out with Daniel “Hot Daniel” Lucas. Even though the sun was down the night was dank and muggy, I knew I would be sweating within moments of running. Franklin let us know that Sarah wasn’t moving too well when he saw her, and we noticed that she was losing a bit of time on our schedule, following the UltraSignUp Tracking. At this point we also found out that unfortunately Nathan Holland had dropped with a lot of nutrition complications from the terrible heat, it seemed no one was keeping food down.

Closer to 2 AM Sarah came in to Camp Morganton. Her feet were in a lot of pain and she wasn’t moving well, it broke our hearts knowing she might not head back out. We spent a bit of time relaxing, trying on different shoes and going for a walk before she made the right call and pulled out. The way her feet were, the last, tough 56 miles would have been an excruciating walk. Live to run another day!

At this point I was  jittery and caffeinated beyond all ultrarunner’s dreams. Without too much thought (especially to my beyond understanding and loving husband who has to put up with crazy shit all too often) - I offered my pacing services up to the 4 men still hanging in the 50 mile aid station getting ready to head out. With quick glances to each other, probably to the effect of “This chick could either be helpful or super annoying and maybe my wife will get pissed”, one gent spoke up.  

I swear he was bloodied when I met him...

Benjamin was the first bloodied person to come into the aid station and was still moving pretty well from what I could see. I think around 2:00 AM everyone is desperate for another human to share the misery with - so I headed out. I decided I go with Ben for 20 miles to the Mile 70 Aid Station. GOODNESS, was this the most fun I had had out on trail in a bit. Even though he was definitely hurting and fighting his way through the hellish climbs we had, Ben kept on chatting and laughing with me. We kept up a safe pace for climbs so he’d have plenty left for the last 30 miles and I tried to keep his nutrition and stomach issues in check - no puking (while he was with me that is !). Although my decision to disappear into the night may have been crass, I knew I made the right decision. It was absolute bliss to learn about Ben, hike like I hadn’t since GDR and see the sunrise over the Benton Mackaye Trail.

Around 8:00 AM we made it to the Mile 70 aid station, we found Luke asleep in the Subaru, and I gave Ben the biggest, sweaty hug and sent him on his way. A new member of our extended trail family.
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Luke and I headed to Vogel State Park where we were going to camp with the Bakers, Hollands and Daniel Lucas. After an hour or so I felt great and beautiful bluebird day was calling my name. I hit the Coosa backcountry trail for 7 miles. After weeks of some tough road running due to work and time issues, it felt beyond amazing to enjoy some self-care on the trails. I got another 3k of gain in that 7 miles, but felt lighter on my feet heading back to camp.  

For the rest of the afternoon we enjoyed spending time with our favorite hoard of children and the ultrawife duo Katy Holland and Jenny Baker. Of course I have no pictures with them :/ too busy wrangling husbands, children and one crazy Vizla named Forest. We tracked Franklin through UltraSignup and kept in touch with his crew. I kept track of my new friend Benjamin - hoping any momentum I might have gave him stuck around.

Finally around 6:00 PM we headed down to the finish line knowing Franklin would be coming in shortly - and boy was he coming in hot. He and his last pacer Chris were sprinting in, definitely ready to be done. It was so exciting and inspiring. He was the 6th finisher in under 31 hours! Eventually we all headed back to camp for dinner. Benjamin came running past our site to the finish line about an hour later - about to beat 32 hours and still moving like a fiend. I hopped up from the picnic table and jogged with him all the way to the finish line. I’ve never been so thrilled for someone, even a complete stranger who I’d only met a few hours ago.

Later that night, I helped Jenny cook dinner for the boys. We shared wine, laughs and cheers to the runners still coming past as the rain and thunder poured down. Finally, after being up since 5:30 Friday morning, we hit the hay (the air mattress in the back of our Subaru) around 10:00 PM. One last meal shared with the Bakers and goodbye hugs all around and we headed back to Huntsville.  

Two weeks of rough schedules and stress left me desperate for this weekend. Not for the running or the training, but for the amount of love you can just soak up at an ultramarathon. Its better than therapy. True determination and spunk come through at these races, everyone, especially those of us who race a little to often, should take the time to volunteer and crew and remember what the sport is all about.
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And on that note - I just signed up for the Pinhoti 100 Miler and I’ll be coming into one of my hardest training weekends to date. A 30-mile sandwiched by two 20 mile runs. Working with a new coach has given me a little more confidence and I’m excited for the rest of the year.