Sunday, September 20
Boulder, Colorado
11:30am
This was a run to help friends. It's as simple as that. Life is about the connections that you make and the friendships and relationships that you build and grow. It ain't hard, unless you make it hard.
Funny to think that yesterday at this time I was wondering how on earth I was going to keep going for another three and a half hours. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
First of all, if you're reading this (and you are), then a thank you is in order. Thank you for caring enough to at least take the time to see what it was/is all about. For donating your time or your money or your prayers. Thank you. Second of all, this is long. I'd read it in chunks if I were you. I promise to get to a blow by blow for those that are interested in what it was like for 24 hours on the road, but to get to that, you have to listen to what it took before we started. Why we did it and why it doesn't end with the run.
PROLOGUE
(If you're just looking to hear about the run, scroll down to "The Run"...)
For those of you that don't know, I worked with Winston's parents, Chris and Jen, at Camp Lincoln for Boys and Camp Lake Hubert for girls in Minnesota. We were counselors for many summers together. Chris and Jen actually didn't know each other at camp. It wasn't until I was visiting Chris and forced him to go out to meet some other camp friends of mine (one of which was Jen, or "Oldham," as we all called her- her maiden name) that they met. And the next day they got married. But it wasn't a for a year or so later that they made it official.
Flash forward to this year. Jen won a reality show called "Design Star" and was all set to get her own show on HGTV. But she found out she was pregnant with Winston just a few days after she had won. The show was put on hold. During her pregnancy Chris and Jen were told that there were some abnormalities with Winston. Winston was born in February and immedately the doctors realized that his affliction wasn't exactly what they thought it was. Unfortunately it was worse. You can read more about exactly what Winston has, his challenges, etc. on the 24 For Winston blog (http://www.24forwinston.blogspot.com/). But basically Chris and Jen have had nothing but bad and worse news at every turn. Even as I write this today Jen is in NYC and Chris is on the way out there because Winston has had some complications due to treatment (They were supposed to be back home four days ago). And the HGTV show? Jen finally filmed a weeks' worth of shows called "Paint Over" that aired a few weeks ago. The show was fantastic! But the future for her in TV is unknown. Right now their life if all about Winston and trying to keep their business going.
Chris and Jen have been close friends of mine for a long time. When they called to give us the news about Winston's afflictions after he was born we (my wife Rachel and I) were saddened and concerned. Rachel was pregnant at the time with our daughter (a beautiful girl named Avery Caroline Justice, born August 1, 2009). I couldn't imagine Avery being born with the challenges that Winston has. Can't even begin to fathom. Not withstanding what Winston goes through each day, Chris and Jen's lives were and have been completely turned upside down. 24 hour-a-day care with a special needs child takes it toll financially and emotionally. Immediately I wondered what I could do to help.
I have been blessed to have a wide-ranging and expansive group of friends from all over the place (working at camp will do that to a person). I have been kind of a ring leader for many shananigans, trips, get-togethers and fun events in the past (for better or worse). Why not take those resources and try to do something to help Chris and Jen. It's one thing to set up a foundation and tell people, "Here's a good cause. Please donate." It's quite another thing to set up a foundation and say, "Here's a good cause. Here's what I'm going to do show you that it's a good cause. Now please donate." I've been running for years, having completed marathons and other races, and figured that was a good place to start. 24 hours per day care for Winston. Why not run for 24 hours? Hence, 24 For Winston (the first person I told this to said, "How can Jack Bauer help Winston?"). Sounded good in April. I talked to Chris and Jen, told them what I wanted to do and set forth with this crazy plan. I honestly didn't know what would happen; If people would donate. You never know. But the response was instantly amazing. We know a lot of great and wonderful people.
How does one prepare to run for 24 hours? Run. A bunch. Actually this run falls smack in the middle of training for a marathon that I am doing in October (my goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Need 3:20 or better). Last February I did a 34 mile race in Moab (it hurt) and I've done several 24 hour relay races. Three weeks ago I went up to Leadville to run with a friend for 20 miles who was doing the Leadville 100 trail race- The Race Across The Sky! I've always been intrigued with the ultra distance (past the 26.2 marathon mark). My dad thought I was hit in the head by a blunt object at some point in time during my youth. My wife agrees. Anyway, five months ago this sounded like a great idea. People got excited. Many sent donations. And all of a sudden it was time to actually do it. Could I maybe just do 24 miles for Winston? How about 24 minutes? Dang. Cue, the race.
THE RUN
(Boulder to Denver: Via Superior, Golden and Lakewood. A route I mapped out on Map My Run a few months ago and driven, with my wife and child, last week to make sure it worked)
I won't bore you with the pre-run prep, but just know that it takes a lot of food, water and special powdered drink mixes to get ready to head out for a multi-hour jaunt. I'll just give you the station to station on what it was like on the road for 24 hours.
My friend Luke Mangan arrived at my house around noon on Friday. He flew in from California that morning (and left right after the run) to co-captain the support vehicle for full 24 hours. Another friend, Dave Byers, who is a teacher in Lakewood, Colorado, left his classroom to the student teacher and got to Boulder around 1pm. He just took a filmmaking class over the summer and brought along his video gear to document the run. After loading the rented SUV, filming for a few minutes and kissing my wife and child goodbye, I was off at 2pm Mountain Daylight Time. Felt just like any other run I'd done from home. But I wasn't coming home. At least not yet.
Leg 1: My house to Table Mesa
The weather: perfect. Maybe a little hot. but a fabulous Colorado day. I took off and the hardest part immediately was (and I know this may sound dumb) running slow. This run is so much different than my running for marathon training, etc. I just started the run, I feel great, and I now I have to make sure that I don't kill myself in the first hour. As much as I want to run faster I have to remember that 24 hours is a long time (it is, in fact, 24 hours). Not even a mile from my house I ran into a friend who is exiting a deli. He wants to congratulate me on the birth of Avery and say hi. He asks me what I'm doing. I say "I'm 14 minutes into a 24 hour run." 14 minutes down, 23 hours and 46 minutes to go. Thanks, Rich, for the distraction!
I met up with my friend Rob on the Pearl Street Mall and he ran with me for about three miles around Boulder. He is a running partner who is doing the Chicago marathon the week before my race in Rhode Island. During this portion Rachel and Avery drove around and cheered for me at various corners. It's kind of strange doing an event like this when no one else knows what's going on. I was just another runner (wearing goofy socks) going through Boulder on a nice day. So I'd see Rachel and Avery every couple of miles but the enormity of it all had not begun to set in yet. Just another run around town. But slower. And with my wife and child cheering every so often.
Leg 2: Table Mesa to NO OUTLET
The one thing that you may not know about a run like this is that you don't run "non-stop." You have to have rest stations. In Leadville, they are every 7-13 miles apart and are fully loaded with food and drink. For this run, we needed a mobile aid station. I planned for Dave and Luke to drive ahead five to eight miles for each "leg." So instead of looking at it like I'm running for 24 hours, mentally, I broke it down to a station to station run.
Dave got his bike out and rode along with me as we exited Boulder proper and headed for the open space that separates Boulder from the rest of humanity. No shade out in the skirts of Boulder, but Dave and I had some great conversation as my mileage went into the double digits.
Leg 3: NO OUTLET to Superior
Why "NO OUTLET?" Because on the map it said that 66th street off of Marshall Road existed and cut through to McCaslin. But when you turn on 66th st, the sign says NO OUTLET. A lie. Luckly Rachel, Avery and I found this out when we previewed the course the weekend before. 66th St is a haven for mountain bikers with plenty of trail access points. But NO OUTLET shows up again a mile into it. Being Boulder, I'd bet some bikers got together and put it up to keep people out. Smart. Regardless, Dave tried to do some fancy filming of me on these dirt roads. Problem one: No battery. Call Luke to drive back with said battery. Problem two (post-battery): The Pause Button. Filming 101 says to press "record" and de-activate the pause button in order to capture images. Dave must have missed that part during his class.
I'm feeling very good at this point as I approach mile 20 or so. I think I ate a can of cold Chunky Soup with hearty potatoes. MMMM good. Donovan McNabb's mother would have been proud.
Leg 4: Superior/McCaslin to Indiana (the road, not the state)
I created the course. It took a great deal of time to fine-tune the route. And as soon as I turned right onto McCaslin I cursed the moron who decided to take this route. Major league hills ahead. I normally like hills when I run. But not now. And these are long uphill grinds, not short and steep. Regardless, it was still daylight and I felt good. As I ran up on the dirt area on the side of the road on hill #2, a woman is running down towards me with an out-of-control double baby-running stroller. Seriously. Big studded tires and off-road capabilities. Out of control. I nearly had to dive to the side to miss it.
Leg 5 Indiana (not the state) to Arvada
When Rachel and I drove the course, it didn't go down Indiana, but instead a parellel road about four miles over (Hwy 93, for you locals). That road (93) is heavily travelled and offers little shoulder room to run. I switched the course to Indiana due to this. It wasn't much better (but had less traffic). As soon as I turned onto Indiana, which seems to be out in the middle of nowhere, you are offered a wonderful view of downtown Denver, which looks very, very small. Very small. I immediately thought, "I'm running there?" Wow. Might as well be Moscow. I knew that Indiana to Arvada would be a difficult stretch. I would be passing marathon distance soon and dusk was on the horizon. Time to get serious. Or something thereof. Waylon Jennings Live From Austin, Texas helped me down most of this stretch of road.
Leg 6: Arvada to Golden
I've never liked Arvada. Don't know why, really, other than the fact that people sometimes call it ArvAda (long A). It's Arvada, like Nevada. Anyway, my friend Ashley joined me on her bike at what could have been the absolute worst stretch of road of the entire route to join in. I was on Indiana and her husband Alex and her drove by slowly and yelled at me and nearly ran me off the road! They then pulled over to let her out. It was nearing dark, there was no shoulder to run or bike and cars were wizzing by. My headlamp and reflective vest were up ahead in the truck. So, we spent a good 45 minutes moving along trying not to let it all end right there. I'd hate to die in Arvada. But, Luke and Dave realized it had gotten dark quick (doesn't it get dark at the same rate of speed each night?) and came back to give me the night time stuff I needed. It was around this time that I passed the 26.2 mile barrier. And there was much rejoicing. We made it to the checkpoint and were joined by my friend from a Big 12 conference alumni group, Jarod, who came along for the support team ride. Feeling pretty good at this point. It was night time and fully dark. Only 11 hours until first light! Dave got on his bike and we did a nice stretch of road that would take us into downtown Golden, home of Coors Brewing (Molson/Coors? I forget).
Leg 7: Golden to West Colfax- the Colorado Mills Mall
Dave and I entered downtown Golden at exactly 10:30 at night and I felt great. Waiting for us, besides Luke and Jarod, were my Boulder friends Melissa and her husband Terry as well another Big 12 alumni group friend Chris. All were ready to join me for the next leg (or four). A milestone coming into Golden was passing the 34 mile mark, which was previously the longest I had ever ran (at a race in Moab last February). I re-fueled and off we went. It was great to be done with the Boulder to Golden phase of the run as now I would be entering the metro-Denver portion. I had to get creative with the route to extend it out as far as possible for 24 hours. In order to do that, I created a virtual tour of what I like to call "My Denver:" Where I lived, worked, hung out, friend's houses, running routes I used to do, etc. With Melissa, Terry and Chris leading the way, we were off to Lakewood, my former place of employment. FYI: If you need late night, three party checks cashed or are looking for a payday loan, this road from Golden to the Mills is perfect for you. And for some reason Melissa AND Chris both suffered from bike catastropies during this leg. But fun was had by all.
Leg 8: Colorado Mills/West Colfax to Whitlock Recreation Center
After figuring out directions under I-70, we made it to the Best Buy parking lot on the east side of the Mills mall. I was still feeling pretty good and I think it was near midnight. In fact, it was at this rest stop that someone said that it was officially Saturday. I had been going for eight hours and was 1/3 of the way done. My longtime good friend and partner in crime Aimee, as well as Nate, a Denver friend, were waiting to join us. The only problems that I was having was that I couldn't really eat solid food. Marathons and long, long runs tend to do a number with my stomach. You burn so many calories and lose so much fluid that you have to replenish somehow and solid food doesn't always work. It's the biggest danger of ultra-running. At each stop I had to drink a 20 ounce concoction of what is called Perpetuem, which is billed as "extreme endurance fuel." I started to refer to it as "(Butt) Water." I would also have Luke re-fill my three 10 oz. containers on my water belt. Two with water and one with a mix of water/Cytomax (super Gatorade). My other water belt container had Hammer Gel energy goo in it. Every hour I had to take all of this in. And try to eat something. Oh, and take three electrolyte replacement tabs. I had never run this far before and didn't know how my body would respond. It seemed ok, but I kind of felt like throwing up every 20 minutes or so. Thank you Mix Master Luke.
Aimee, Nate and Chris accompanied me on the straight shot on Colfax to Whitlock Rec Center, where my office used to be when I worked for Lakewood Parks and Recreation. A highlight on the way was pointing out the Golden Hours Motel on Colfax, which was where John Hinkley, Jr. stayed the night before he flew out to try to assassinate President Reagan. Funny enough, they don't promote that at the Golden Hours. Oh, and we were convinced that police would be questioning us at any time. People running down West Colfax at 1 am are usually carrying stolen stereos or trying to get away from their pimp. God bless Winston. Someday he'll understand what we went through!
Leg 9: Whitlock Recreation Center to Sloan's Lake
I really felt above average during this leg. Feeling "great" is now out of the question. It was fun running with Aimee and Nate. I was honestly surprised at how well I felt. After each rest stop, which would last anywhere from five to twenty minutes or so, it would take me a few steps, or a mile, to get my legs working again. But once I got moving I was OK. Or at least my version of OK. Nate and Aimee really kept me going. One downside to the conversation was that we were so caught up in talking that we missed a turn and went a block too far. Not a big deal, but I planned this part of the route to run right by my friend Dave's house. He had left cold beers out on the porch for us, like Santa's cookies and milk. We missed it and didn't feel like running back. Oh well. Probably would have thrown it up, anyway. We made it to Sloan's lake, through Edgewater and we were now officially in Denver! I had run from Boulder to Denver. Dave and Luke had gone to Wal Mart (open all night in Lakewood) to buy more camera film and weren't there when we arrived. It was the middle of the night and we were at the corner of Sheridan and 25th next to Sloan's Lake. I don't recommend it.
Leg 10: Sloan's Lake to the Pepsi Center (Downtown Denver!)
I'm not sure how much Nate and Aimee had planned on running, but they were hanging in and having a fabulous time. Nate had never done more than 10 miles, I think, and he would pass that on this stage. Our route from Sloan's to downtown was via the Highlands, a part of north Denver where I used to live. In fact, we ran right by my old house on Newton as well as my good friend's Donnie and Eron (and Emma's!) house. They weren't up. As was no one else in the neighborhoods. This stage was great and not so great. It was great because we'd finally be in downtown Denver, which looked SO far away on Indiana, but not-so-great because getting to the Highlands involved a bunch of uphill. It is called the Highlands for a reason. Anyway, we made up to 32nd and to Speer and then began the long downhill jaunt into downtown. Someone today asked me what a highlight of the run was and this may have been it. It was nearing 4am, I'd been at it for 14 hours and here we were jogging into downtown Denver. No traffic. No pedestrians. Nothing. Just an empty downtown and a blinking skyline.
We made it to the designated checkpoint location and again, no Dave or Luke. It took fifteen minutes to find them. I told them to park at the parking lot across from the Pepsi Center. Funny enough, it's now a childrens play area. We found them and took a much needed break.
Leg 11: Pepsi Center to Wash Park
Remember when I said that running into downtown may have been the high point? Well, it quickly became the low point. Getting ready to take off to Wash Park (no local calls it Washington Park) at 4am after 14 hours of running took it's toll. This was the only leg that I walked. I had to. I needed a break and Nate decided he'd stick around for one final section. We waved goodbye to Aimee after her 13 miles (she's running the Denver Marathon on October 18!). Luke and Dave headed to the park and Nate and I took off walking down Speer Blvd. We arrived sometime after 5am and I had had it. This was the low point. No sun yet, brutally tired, queasy stomach and more than nine hours to go. I told Dave that I had to shut my eyes for just ten minutes or so. I couldn't have gone on without it. I sat down in the truck and took a power nap. After 10 minutes, Dave talked me into a few more minutes, and I obliged. Those minutes may have been the greatest in my life. I got out of the truck, ate a bagel PB&J, put on three layers of clothes, a hat and gloves (I was cold!) and got ready to go. And then a runner wearing nothing except for shorts and shoes ran by us. It was funny. Trust me. It was just starting to be first light and a new day was on the horizon. Nate had gone home. I was on my own again.
Leg 12: Wash Park to Cheeseman Park
It took me a long time during this leg to get my body moving again. I'm not sure that it did, but I was running. No more walking. I had to stop and use the restroom at a gas station, and in doing so, I had to leave my watch/GPS/Fancy Running Thing outside on the curb (it has to be outside to link up with satellites or something). After the bathroom break, I left the gas station rejuvinated. But I also left without my watch/GPS/Fancy Running Thing. I absolutely did not want to run four blocks back uphill to get it. In fact, I considered calling Luke and Dave to go drive over to get it. But I did go back for it. I got to Cheeseman Park and the sun was nearly up. I met up with the boys and another camp friend, Scott, had arrived as had my Boulder friend Deb. They were rested and ready to run!
Leg 13: Cheeseman Park to East Colfax (I think).
This is where it starts to get a bit hazy. It was early morning on Saturday, it was warming up, and I was not thinking very clearly. Scott, Deb and I ran through downtown (Capitol building, 16th St. Mall, LODO, Coors Field, etc.) and was joined mid-leg by Scott's wife (another camp person) Jennifer. From here on out it all seems like a blur. We talked for the entire time and I was so thankful that I had friends to keep me going. If I was alone I may have just walked it in and called it good. But I wanted to push myself and at least make the 80 miles that my route planned for. I am pretty sure that we ended this run at a 7-Eleven parking lot on Colfax. I sat down there and forced myself to eat a turkey on bagel sandwich. Thank you to 7-Eleven for providing me with free catsup. I was absolutlely done with (Butt) Water but had to drink it every hour. I continued to forget whether or not I had taken the electrolyte pills or not. In fact, I began having internal conversations about whether or not I had or had not taken them. This would go on for half a leg sometimes. But the 7-Eleven parking lot was nice, as was the Elvis Chair (furnished by Dave- we both love The King). It was here that I could see the end in sight. I don't remember what time it was, but I do know that it was getting warm and I was back to changing shirts at each stop (to stay dry). I brought a whole laundry basket with me in anticipation of this. This also marked the second of three visits to our good friends on Colfax Ave.
Leg 14 East Colfax to ? Maybe this leg is 17th to East Colfax (via City Park)? Who knows
Wait, remember when I said this was all getting hazy. I was right. And wrong. The last leg ended somewhere before City Park. But not at 7-Eleven. This is where my friends will have to chime in and help. Hey, I had been going for 20 hours. I was getting delirious. Anyway, all I know is that on this run I took off by myself and joined up with my Denver friend Brent and his Fort Collins friend Theo. Brent had his baby boy Asa with him in a running stoller. We met at the City Park Golf Course and 1/2 way around the park we were joined by another camp friend, Leigh, who kind of just jumped out of the car she was in and started running with us. And brought along a cold Coors Light. Thank you, Leigh. But we had to hide it with Asa since we were running with beer in front of a police satellite station. At this point I was running on pure fumes and had the finish in sight. I think at the end of this leg, which I am sure was on Colfax (FYI: Colfax is the longest continual road of the same name that runs through any city in America. You can learn so much from reading this story) I would have only five miles left in my pre-conceived route. But with this being a 24 hour run and not a run for distance, I would certainly be going over the 80 mile mark.
Leg 18 East Colfax to the finish (maybe)
I am sure about this leg. I think. Brent, Theo and Asa continued on their way back to the golf course and Leigh and I met up with Luke and Dave. I grabbed the very last map (I printed out 19 pages of segments from Map My Run. This was the last page) and took off with Leigh (we had finished the beer). I remember just trying to put one foot in front of the other and continuing to run. No walking. I think I did ok. Half way through this leg in front of the Denver Country Club we were joined by my Denver running buddy Colin. He was on his bike. And half way after that Leigh took off to run the rest of the way home. I had not seen Colin for awhile so it was nice to catch up and take my mind off of the painful blisters on my foot. I couldn't believe that I was about to get to the end of my route. But I also couldn't believe that I'd have over an hour before the end "time." Maybe I'd just walk around for an hour and then on to the finish. Colin and I made our way through Cherry Creek, found the guys, and called it a day. Sort of. I was so tired, hot, sweaty and just done, that I sat down and didn't know if I'd get back up. The finish (at Aimee's house- where a BBQ for Winston was taking place) was only 1/3 mile away. I was finished! But it was only 1pm. Walk for an hour and then onto the final stretch! But wait. Lauren, a former co-worker in Lakewood (and new mom!) had signed up for the last shift! I was happy to see her and catch up, but I didn't know if I could crank up a run again. She showed up all dressed and ready to run, so why not! Let's run. I'm so happy she came and got me up and going. I may have just sat there for an hour and then walked to the finish. But we ran for about 45 minutes up and back to the car and that was it. Dave had already gone to Aimee's to set the video camera up and Luke was waiting for one final Mix Master Luke concoction. This thing was just about over. What had started as a crazy idea to help friends five months earlier was down to 15 minutes.
Leg 20 The End to The Finish
After Luke left me, I had 15 minutes to get a little over 1/3 of a mile. I had to cross a major intercection, go two streets down, turn left, and that was it. But I won't lie, I walked it. I took my time to get to the corner of 3rd and Bellaire. Once there, I waited a minute and then ran around the corner and saw a large group of people cheering and waving their hands and yelling! My wife and Avery were there cheering! It was very, very exciting. And humbling. I did run it into the finish right at 2pm. I had done it. 24 hours. 85 miles. A lot of great friends and great stories. Many of the people who joined us out on the route were there. Some of Jen's friends who we had never met were there. Unfortunately, Jen and Chris and Winston were not there (as we had hoped they would be). Winston's complications in NYC kept any of them from coming out. I was able to eat three hamburgers off of the grill, drink a beer and a champagne toast. It was really, really overwhelming. The outpouring of support for this run and what it means for the Bertrands is more humbling than I could ever describe. I know it sounds hokey, but there are some really wonderful people in the world. We have raised a bunch of money (I'll final total it in a month or so) and raised awareness for the awful aflictions that Winston is suffering from. An hour later we were on the road back to Boulder and to the best night of sleep I'll ever have. Calories burned in 24 hours: 16,000. Weight lost: 11 pounds. Look for fabulous 24 For Winston Diet infomercial coming soon!
Epilogue
But it isn't over. Just because the run is finished doesn't mean that the job is done. Keep Winston in your thoughts and prayers. He has a very difficult and uncertain road ahead of him. And if you haven't donated yet, please consider doing so. The financial toll on Chris and Jen is enormous and will continue long after you've forgotten about this run. For information on how to donate, go to http://www.24forwinston.blogspot.com/
Ty Webb once said, "I'm going to give you a little advise. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball."
Be the ball.
Credits
My wife Rachel, my daughter Avery, Luke Mangan, Dave Byers, Aimee Wagstaff (and Elizabeth), James Day, Kelley McClure, Charly Clifford (Charly Bars!), Rob Schmeidler, Ashley and Alex Heilmann, Scott and Jennifer Johnson, Brent and Asa Boland, Theo Hill, Leigh Gordon, Chris Busch, Jarod Costner, Nate Day, Lauren Goodwin, Colin Miller, Terry and Melissa Pickering, Deb Belin and everyone who has donated so far!
