First off, I really am not the one to be writing this report. I have never been crewed and I have never crewed. But, after I submitted my race report from Curley’s I remembered an important part of the race I neglected to mention. The day was made completely special by the crewing of Diana. Diana is a runner but when I see her at races see is usually crewing and supporting Elaine (Nadia, Sprinkles or whatever).
My first memory of Diana was at Breakneck last year. I don’t believe Shelly Girl and I really knew Elaine at that time, but we both have a very clear memory of completing the race and being confronted ( in a nice way) by this lady who was looking for her friend. It seems they had missed each other out on the course and this lady, Diana, was very concerned that she had let her friend (Elaine) down. After speaking with Loopy on the bite of the bluff today, I am beginning to realize that this is the attitude all crews take. They all seem to have a burning desire to help their runner meet their goal and will do whatever they can to help. Loopy was telling me how stressful crewing can be and how everyone felt this strong sense of obligation to the boys at Iroquois. After seeing Diana at Breakneck, I believe it!
At Curly’s this year I was fortunate to get a small sense of how important a crew can be to a runner. Diana was everywhere that day. I must have seen her smiling, cheering, supporting face half a dozen times during the run. In addition to helping Elaine she took stuff for the rest of us as well. Whether to grab some food add a nuun tablet to my water or just to have someone cheering for me she was always a welcome site. It was awesome.
In addition to her help, I also think about how long Diana, and everyone who crews, must be out there waiting for their runners. Crewing seems like a truly selfless act but I imagine, like all selfless acts, those who crew also get much in return. Crewing is the ultimate good deed and that always is nourishing to the soul.
So to Diana at Curley’s, all those who crewed Jerry through the slam, or the boys at Iroquois, everyone at Vermont and on and on, your runners are grateful and you represent the best of trail runners. I hope one day soon Shelly Girl and I will be able to join your ranks!
You are right on the mark Lefty. I’ve been fortunate to be crewed on numerous times at races and the prospect of coming into an aid station after several hours alone on the trails, to see friendly face makes a huge difference. It is easy though to feel some guilt to arrive, grab a drink, bottle refill, a few snacks and then leave, all within a few minutes when you know your crew has been waiting for hours for you to arrive. The weekend after Wasatch it was my turn to be on the other side to crew at Iroquois. As a crew you may not be running miles but at the end of the day you are still quite tired. However, the fun is in helping your runner and knowing what it is like does makes you appreciate being on the receiving end even more.
Lefty, thanks for this fantastic addition to your report! Diana was indeed very generous at Curly’s, to Nadia, but to you and me as well. She always asked me if there was anything I needed, and was always cheering with real spirit at every aid station. It was great to see Nadia get such strong support and it gave me a motivational boost as well. She even willingly took my sweat-drenched visor (yuck!) at one of the early aid stations. THANKS, DIANA!
It is such a joy to come out of the woods after a long uphill and find someone cheering for you!!! Dianna definately assisted my day at Curly’s and helped me make the race a success. Thanks
Lefty–I should definitely be the one writing this! Since you beat me to it, I’ll have to find another creative way to show my appreciation! Di was amazing at Curly’s (all while somehow womanhandling two dalmations) and has been incredibly supportive all season (especially since she is no fonder of early mornings than I am). She also made me a very lively dance mix playlist that really fueled those last 10 miles (and kept me alert with the questionable lyrics!) As Bimble said, it does feel both wonderful and humbling to be receving such support, when sometimes you’re too tired to even do much chatting during those few minutes. Many,
many thanks and I hope to return the favor to Di and other Bimblers.