Day 1: Buena Vista to Buena Vista
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| Picking up luggage first thing in the morning! |
My first and foremost goal this first day of race morning was one thing: coffee. Luckily for me, there is Buena Vista roasters in town - they roast their own beans and the place smells heavenly! Not only the best Americano I've had in awhile, I also am now a proud owner of one of their travel mugs. That, along with packing up the van, checking out of the hotel, getting breakfast, and getting to the start line by 7:45am was the start to my day.
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| Racer bag transport in the morning. |
But this was a late start compared to the luggage guys who were up well before the crack of dawn driving around town to all the hotels picking up the runner's bags and luggage to be transported to the end point at Arrowhead campgrounds. I met one of these cheery fellows as I was leaving my hotel.
Our first job as "finish line catering" was to set up a table with water for the runners at the start line. Long story short, we didn't have any cups but luckily we had water.
The start/finish line crew were already at it first thing this morning setting up the start line, timing mats, sponsor banners, and everything else that goes into setting up a race start.
It was a beautiful sunny morning at 50 degrees and by 9am, the runners were OFF! 20 minutes later the start/finish crew had the entire start line torn down and were on their way to the finish line (15 miles away by car).
We had to hit the local grocery store and stock up on a few supplies, specifically: 40 two liter bottles (yes 40) of Coke/Diet/Sprite, 1,000 drinking cups, and 60lbs of ice. We pretty much bought out the store and the bag boy was nice enough to help us load the ice in the van.
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| Start line set up (and tear down 1 hr later). |
By 11:15am (just over 2 hours later), the first runners were finishing up the 20 mile run and we were ready for them. The finish line was set up (just like the start 2 hours ago), and finish line catering offered everything from watermelon, oranges, and bananas to peanut butter and jello sandwiches, chips, and gummy bears and worms.
Runners came in throughout the day - some looking fresh and perky, some looking like they had been run over by a bus. Altitude was not kind to some of the runners and it was not uncommon to hear stories of runners barfing along the way.
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| Got soda? Stocking up before the race. |
All volunteer crews kept things going throughout the day - more water? Got it! More ice? It's c oming! More bread for sandwiches? 10 loaves are coming in about an hour.
The last runners came in 7 hours later - a long day for everyone!
By 5:30pm we were heading back to Arrowhead campgrounds with a cargo van full of remaining watermelons, lots of empty water jugs, tables, tents, and a lot of other "food-related" gear. I was thankful for the layer of dirt that covered my arms and legs because I forgot to put on sunscreen. I won't forget tomorrow.
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| Volunteer quick break mid-day. |
Tomorrow? We start out in Buena Vista the runners head up over Hope Pass - 13 miles and 3200 feet of climbing overall. And the volunteer crew gets to set up and tear down just like we did today. Just another "adult playground"-- a great day enjoying the Colorado outdoors!
Oh and PS - the water up at the top of Hope Pass for tomorrow's stage was carried up by mule today.
Tomorrow's Route: shuttle from Buena Vista to start in Vicksburg, end in Twin Lakes, stay in Leadville. Kevin, one of the head directors, referred to this as "The last day of the Gong Show" and that logistics will get easier on day 3.
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| Finish Line Catering - Lots going on! |
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