The G Running Diary

AC100: In the Middle of Nowhere: 10/6/03

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My watch said 3:00 am. I saw the sign for the aid station, but didn't know how far away it was. Then two guys met me on the trail. They didn't want to leave me out there alone. And there was still a mile to go. I had really missed the cutoff this time. We picked up a third aid station person who was waiting for us along the way. These guys were nice and chatty and I didn't feel bad about my DNF.

At the aid station they said I had to make a decision. I probably should have studied up on the aid stations better before starting the race, because this was Newcomb Saddle, mile 67.9. There was no crew access and nobody driving out until later in the morning. My choice was to continue down to Chantry Flats where I could get a ride, or stay at the aid station and sleep on a cot. The thought of going wasn't appealing, but I felt like I should get out to... somewhere. Well, I didn't really have anywhere to go anyway. They described the trail to me and the distance, and I thought it would take me a very long time to get there, minimum 3 hours, but probably longer with my legs. Howard was at that aid station and we were hooked up with closed circuit TV. I heard him say, "3 hours??" I'm sure they would have given me a ride if I were to get there in some kind of reasonable amount of time, but it was so late. I asked to stay, and everyone there thought I should stay too. So I got a cot and a big pile of blankets and slept.