I mentioned in a previous post that some people do the Boise Trails Challenge “unsupported” or “self-supported,” which is defined as not getting aid or rides from others.
Most races are “supported,” meaning there are aid stations for refueling and other care along the way. In the Fastest Known Time (or FKT) world, there are both “supported” and “self-supported” records—they’re different categories. Good support can very much streamline an ultra!
Throughout the week that I did the BTC, I essentially lived out of my van. To others I met along the way, I looked like I was self-supported, especially if they met me while I was doing my own aid out of my van. In that regard, there were large portions of each day that I truly was self-supported, meeting my own needs and doing my own driving between runs. But if someone asked if I was doing this self-supported, I always set them straight—not really.
Sure, I was set up to do my own support for hours on end, and I was able to execute my plans pretty well from my van set up, but I was also heavily utilizing support along the way as well. Though I had many loops and routes planned that included me navigating back to my traveling aid station before driving to the next trail pursuit, I also planned routes that included a shuttle. These routes I scheduled at the beginning of each day, usually entailing a ride from my husband.
Day one of the Boise Trails Challenge was no exception to this plan.
My longest continuous route, planned for day one while I was fresh, included a shuttle service. I got up early, ate, dressed, then headed out with Patrick in separate vehicles. I parked my van at the terminus of the 36th Street Chute Trail, then hopped in his car. He drove me to the very north end of Hidden Springs, at the top of Red Tail Trail, where I started my BTC adventure. I had everything I’d need for over twenty miles (including a water filter) on my body, and a clear picture of my route for the morning. My husband dropped me off, and I began my run at 5:37 am. He began his commute back home.
This early morning shuttle is the very definition of support.
When I mapped out all of my runs before the challenge began, it was easy to see I’d need a shuttle service for the biggest efforts. Knowing that my husband was working during the days, I went ahead and put together a schedule that used him as a shuttle driver only at the very beginnings of the days—super early, so not only it wouldn’t conflict with his work schedule, but so that he’d be able to get his morning workout in too!
How considerate of me, right?!
It honestly didn’t occur to me in those moments of brilliance how incredibly early I was asking him to get up multiple days in a row. Let’s take a moment as well to notice how l-o-n-g some of the drives were: There were days that he was rising as early as 4:00 am to meet me 45 minutes away from our house.
At least I planned the remainder of each day to be self supported, right?
It depends on what we classify as support, actually. I think it’s a spectrum. I wasn’t fully supported. I didn’t have a crew rolling around the foothills doing all of my driving, restocking, and aid 24/7. Clearly, I did utilize support in the mornings.
Was the rest of my day truly self-supported?
There’s the time I mentioned in my last post that Patrick drove me mid-day from the 15th Street trail back to my van. And there are the multiple texts and calls when I was trouble shooting, processing my options, or just freaking out. There are the days when I’d ask him to bring me a resupply of fuel or more ice when he showed up for the morning shuttle. He joined me on two of the shorter runs.
And when I did come home for a reset or a sleep, he’d often spend time refreshing my cooler, helping me cycle my laundry through the wash and dryer, feed me real food, re-pack my hydration vest for my next outing, and massage my legs and feet.
Oh, and then there’s all the time (it was A LOT) that I wasn’t home at all. So all of the things that I usually do to support our home and family were not getting done by me. Both Patrick and my teens picked up that slack. My seventeen year old took over driving his sisters to their activities, my fifteen year old did the lion’s share of the dishes that I usually managed, and my thirteen year old took over all of the litter box duties that I abandoned for the week.
The closer I look at it, the further along the *supported* spectrum I seem to be falling!
It never occurred to me to attempt the challenge without help, and I honestly was a little surprised when observers asked me if, in fact, I was doing it unsupported.
In fact, I was not.
Ultra-running is not a solo sport.
I am so grateful for a household that didn’t just release me to go chase big goals for the week, but cheered me on and held me up too. More than a little credit is due to my family.
Thanks, guys.
Way to go Patrick--you've run a long way since that sweltering day in Tianjin Patrick
"needed" to get his 6 mile run in with us!