Big Horn – the other perspective

Wyoming is a vast countryside surrounded by beautiful mountain views. We decided to check out parts of the course by driving to a designated aid station. Our first stop was checking out the start of the race. We hiked into the trail and were struck by it’s beauty. Echos of the river bouncing off the wall of rock made it seem like the river was on both sides of us. The next day we drove to the Footbridge Aid Station which was quite an adventure in itself! We forded three streams and drove along such a narrow path to get there. Thank god that section was only two miles but still took us around a half hour to cover that distance. We had to cut our hike short due to an approaching storm but not before we got a chance to reach a meadow high up and putting our feet in a roaring stream. It was SO COLD it made our feet ache!! The following day we drove up to the third aid station ( Dry Fork) that crews were allowed. We literally got there and the cold wind was blowing something fierce so we ate our lunch in the car and drove back into town. Meanwhile, all this time we were keeping an eye out for any signs of moose or bear but no such luck! Darn!!

On friday morning, at the finish area, we gathered for the briefing then we offered three runners a ride and drove to the start. The start went off on time and now it’s time to crew. We decided not to have me go to Footbridge Aid Station due to it being such a long drive from Dry Fork (2 1/2 hrs one way). That section alone would have meant at least 10 hrs of driving back and forth two times! So off to Dry Fork which was the 13.4 mile mark. The day was sunny, dry and warm, perfect for spectating. Jerry came through in under 3:00 hrs. He looked good and was excited about the beauty of the course. After he left, I got on my running gear and went out for a run. I cheered the runners as they went by and some hollered at me saying “you’re going the wrong way”! I must have heard that at least 5 times! I told one guy that I was already heading back to the finish! So there! I ran on to a point then turned back. I caught up with an older man walking. I walked with him for a little while and we chatted. He had hurt his knee in May and was put on crutches for two weeks so his training was hampered. Once I felt that he was ok, I took off back to the car and waited for him to reach the station. I told his friends that he was okay and we gave him a big cheer as he came in. That was the end for him but he was happy to get that far. As I waited for him to come in, another runner had bailed earlier and needed a ride to Porcupine Aid station where his dad and friends were waiting. I gladly offered him a lift since there was no way to contact his crew. There was no cellular service anywhere along the course. Brian and I headed out of Dry Fork and wouldn’t you know, he spotted a moose out in the field! We stopped and I took pics. Very exciting! We continued on and got back on the highway and a couple minutes later, we spot two more moose right next to the highway! It was unbelievable! I would end up seeing 6 moose that day. Wait till I tell Jerry!

I found out Brian was a massage therapist too and had run this before. This year he had a heel injury which caused him to drop out. He recounted the story of Carl Meltzer being attacked by a moose 2 times during last years race near the turnaround point. Carl was so shook up by the incident that he had some kids run ahead to make sure the coast was clear. He still managed to win the race!

I dropped off Brian at Porcupine and drove back to Devils Canyon Rd. From there I was going to pace Jerry to Porcupine and back. It was only 2 miles so no big deal. The first runner came through alone while it was still light out. He was pretty far ahead of the next runner but some more managed to start heading back to the finish before the sun set. The dark finally set in and by then a couple more crews joined me. We noticed that the runners were going off course in the dark so the car next to me started flashing his headlights and I joined him by using my headlamp. The runner was so glad to see us. So became the ritual, we would flash our lights so each runner could be directed in the right direction. One runner seemed to go further off course even with our attempts to attract him, so I leaned out of the car and yelled “over this way!!” the runner began to head in our direction. When the runner approached our cars, it was then I realized it was Jerry, YAY! I joined him for the walk to Porcupine and suddenly realized that we were shin deep in snow! The whole way was mostly mud and patches of deep snow. We make it to Porcupine and while Jerry was refueling I told the aid station captain about the runners going off course. We head back to my car and I wished him good luck and off he went into the dark with new chem lights leading the way! I headed back to Dry Fork to get some sleep since I had about 8 hrs before I would see him again. As I was driving along the highway, I saw a huge lump in the road and I swerved at the last moment because I realized it was a large porcupine! Not sure if it was still alive, but it had it’s rear facing me with all it’s quills sticking straight up! It freaked me out! I would have some explaining to do at the car rental. Later, I spotted another moose along the dirt road leading to the aid station. Finally, I reached the aid station and settled down in the back seat to sleep. There were so many stars out it was so nice to just watch. I slept fitfully, thinking I might miss Jerry but he finally showed up @ 9:40 with a little less than 18 miles to go.

I head to the finish and meet up with John, Tammy, and Miles who all dropped out near or at the turnaround. I decided to put on my stinky clothes for the 3rd time in over 24 hours and run up the road to meet Jerry. The sun was beating down pretty hard on the runners and there was no shade. I finally meet up with him with about 4 miles to go. We walked down the road together and reach an aid station that was giving out Popsicles, YUM! We cross the highway and begin to run in to the finish. He did it!

It has become a tradition of a sort to watch Jerry take off his shoes and socks and view the agony of the feet, EEEEEEEWWWW!!!

The next day, the Rotary Club put on a great pancake breakfast for all the runners, supporters, volunteers, and families and the awards were given out. Jerry placed third in his age group and 24th overall. Great job Jerry!!!