Mike Patton 
David Huss and Terri Lemke 
Jay Smithberger Friday Morning
I woke up to get my stuff together and made a road trip out of the weekend. I was off to Umstead 100 to help a good friend Mike Keller go get his 1st 100 mile buckle. I was lucky to have some company for the ride down as Mark Carroll said he would make the trip down with me. We were lucky to caravan with Suzanne and her girls right behind us. We all made it in town. Mark was going to pace Lindsey Brokaw on her first 100 miler.
Mark and I had made it in our minds that our jobs were to first get Mike and Lindsey to their first buckle and then help anyone else we could. Lindsey had Matt with her and Mike was on his own. So we both knew that we might have to use some serious tricks to keep them going for 100 miles. There was also going to be Jay Smith Berger and family, David Huss and Family, Zeidner, Pattons, Bowen-Miller, Wolfe, and Blackfords just to name a few.
I have had some IT band issues with my leg. I thought I may only be able to get one lap in or 12.5 miles. I still wanted to go cause I told my friend I would be there. The IT band injury required me to keep working on it for the past month. Yesterday, I finally beat him down! I decided I was going to run 50 miles with Mike. Mohican 100 is in June and it was time too see if it would work.
Saturday
I woke and went to the state park around 10:00 am. It was real nice to be around my Ultra Running Friends! We sat and watched the race until 2:30 pm. I went back to Moms for a pre run lunch. (thanks Mom!)
At 5:05 pm, I started out with Mike Keller on Lap #5. Mike was bit tired but we spent the next 30 min catching up while I took on the role of assessing the current conditions of Mike's mind and body. When you have a friend who you are pacing for the first time. You have to figure out how you will meet their needs to assist them in finishing THEIR race. I like to think as myself as a person that tries to keep them motivated, moving when they want to sit, to get what they need at aid stations, carry their supplies, and be that person for them to vent on. Might even have to trick you to keep you moving as I did one year to Michelle at Mohican. She thought she was getting a 30 min nap... :-)
Mike was fun cause quickly into my assessment he said "I wont be able to talk all the time" indicating to me that he perhaps could be difficult to handle if he wants to sit. In fact, he wanted to sit for a half hour when we were first starting at the aid station but got him out. I explained to Mike he has done a great job telling me how he feels and what his needs of me is over the next 50 miles. I asked that he would need to agree that I always have 1 trump card. That no matter how bad he feels he has to agree to follow my advice and do the opposite of what his tired mind is telling him. That kinda helped if he was feeling low at points as we knew we would get them. He even told me to shut up? LOL My assessment must have lasted too long. Ha
Mike and I ran the first loop of 12.5 miles in 3 hours. I tried to run behind him unless we were on straight sections and we chatted on and off as he felt. He did so great! Loop 6&7 we walked and put ourselves.
Mike got his buckle. I am still in NC and will be visiting Mom and going to the mountains to camp and recover my mind and body. So I will need to get back to this post later.
