#bighorntrailrun

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Jaws Aid Station (mile 48) back to Sally’s Foot Bridge Aid Station (mile 66) . With Michael’s will to go back out in the torrential downpour, we waited it out shortly while we warmed him up. With the rainstorm back to just a trickle, I put on my rain jacket and made the return pacing trip and slowly we descended back down to an elevation worthy of supporting full sentences and multi-syllable words. The mud was worse on the way down and we used every core muscle and poles to keep us upright, but we were no match as Michael but it twice and me once. One semi-rolled ankle later, a few stops to make sure he didn’t fall asleep while walking and a projectile vomit later, we outlast the pitch black night. Eventually as with most days, the sun rose, the birds chirped and before we knew it we were back at Sally’s Foot Bridge where the pit crew awaited to tend to the bruised but not beaten runner. My pacing duties would be temporarily suspended while Chrissy took the next 18 mile pacing shift. . @musakakpindi . . #BighornMountains #WY #100MLZ #Bighorn100 #BighornTrailRun #100mile #PacingLife #CrewLife (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Sally’s Foot Bridge Aid Station (mile 30) to Jaws Aid Station (mile 48). . After the hail came and went and after we picked up our 5th crew member Dea, the rain picked up and Michael came into Sally’s Foot Bridge around 5:12pm (7:12 into the race). I pinned on my pacer bib to accompany him for the 18 miles up to Jaws and prepared for the worst trail conditions, capital M Mud. Thankfully they were shockingly decent all things considered and we made the long gradual slog up to Jaws at 9,000 feet. Michael was steady and confided that he was quietly cautiously optimistic about finishing. We of course solved all the world’s problems and at 11:10pm (13:10 into the race) we finally reached Jaws no worse for the wear but altitude had started to slowly cinch down on both Michael’s physical and mental faculties. . @musakakpindi . . #BighornMountains #WY #100MLZ #Bighorn100 #BighornTrailRun #100mile #PacerLife #CrewLife (at Bighorn Mountains)

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My great friend Michael is running his first 100 mile race here in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming! Chrissy, Steve, Kim and I are pacing/crewing him. Not sure who is more nervous and excited, Michael or us. . My other great friend, Phil Kochik @sevenhillsrunning is also running the race and I’ll try to jump in to crew him as I can. . They’re both ready to roll and look ready to go! . We’ll be posting periodic updates of his progress as we come into cell phone service. Check back here and @jenebasowa and @kim_zylstra and #100MLZ for additional updates! . . #BighornMountains #WY #100MLZ #Bighorn100 #BighornTrailRun #100miles (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Finished Bighorn 100! 31:35. 107th out of 175 finishers out of 373 people who started. Arguably the worst weather conditions in the 25 year race history, first there was mud, then there was Mud and finally there was The Mud. Temperatures ranged from 30's to high 70's. Climbed over 18,500 feet of vert and 19,000 feet of descent. Battled altitude sickness and nausea from 3,000 feet to 9,000 feet above sea level and oh, did I mention THE MUD. Spent over an hour at Jaws Trail Head aid station and my incredible crew, pacers, amazing aid station and medical volunteers brought me back from the dead. Fell asleep while walking and woke up after I stumbled and rolled my ankle. "Ran" through ankle high Mud for 40 miles. Ate only chicken broth and a few cups of hot chocolate for 12 hours. Chased cutoffs from mile 48-82 before finally building enough of a buffer to just enjoy the ride for the last 18 miles all the way down to the finish line. Special thanks to my parents Dad and @pacerto50, @katechristine213, @nccopley, @musakakpindi and @goodgolly_ms_saling for helping me finish my third 100 miler! . @bighorntrailrun . . #Bighorns #Wyoming #WY #100miles #BeltBuckle #BuckleUp #Bighorn100 #BighornTrailRun #SevenHills #TT50 #Trailto50

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Ultra-amazing crew chief and captain #100miles #bighorn100 #Bib130 #trailto50 #bighorntrailrun #TT50 post by @katechristine213 (at Dayton, Wyoming)

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And he's in!!! Unofficial time 31:36--awesome performance! #BeltBuckle #100miles #bighorn100 #Bib130 #trailto50 #bighorntrailrun #TT50 post by @katechristine213 (at Dayton, Wyoming)

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Waiting for Jay and Michael at finish line. Expecting them any minute... #100miles #bighorntrailrun #bighorn100 #Bib130 #trailto50 #trailto50 post by @katechristine213 (at Dayton, Wyoming)

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Jay and Michael heading out of Dry Fork. See ya'll at #100miles 😀#bighorntrailrun #bighorn100 #Bib130 #TT50 #trailto50 post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Jay arriving to Dry Fork Aid Station for the second time #mile83 #bighorn100 #bighorntrailrun #trailto50 #TT50 #100miles post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Michael and Nathan switched pacing legs at Jaws (mile 48). Jay was feeling the altitude, but he rallied and hit the trail ~2 AM. Trail conditions described as ankle deep pudding consistency, as modeled by @musakakpindi. Onward! #mudrun #pacerunner #100miles #TT50 #Bib130 #trailto50 #bighorntrailrun #bighorn100 post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn National Forest)

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Jaws Aid Station in the middle of the night at the half way mark and highest point on the course (8,800 ft). A storm rolled in with high winds, rain, and even snow early this morning, and the volunteers did an amazing job keeping everyone warm, fed, and safe. Thank you @bighorntrailrun volunteers! #winterinjune #100miles #TT50 #trailto50 #bighorntrailrun #bighorn100 post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Michael and Jay heading out of Sally's Foot Bridge--see ya at Jaws 👍#bighorn100 #bighorntrailrun #Bib130 #trailto50 #TT50 #100miles post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Jay looking and feeling great at mile 30! #potatochips #Watermelon #ChickenBroth #Bib130 #bighorn100 #bighorntrailrun #trailto50 #TT50 #100miles post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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Runners headed to Sally's Foot Bridge Aid Station #bighorn100 #bighorntrailrun #trailto50 #TT50 #100miles post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn National Forest)

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Jay coming in and out of Dry Fork Aid Station at mile 17 looking great! Yep, that's a bear on the sign... #100miles #TT50 #trailto50 #bighorntrailrun #bighorn100 #Bib130 post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)

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See ya'll at #dryforkstation #bighorn100 #bighorntrailrun #trailto50 #TT50 #100miles post by @katechristine213 (at Bighorn Mountains)