Pacing Through Challenges: Lessons in Teamwork and Resilience at the Bigfoot 200

Imagine standing at the finish line of a 200-mile race, knowing that you have to start at the finish line and run the course backwards, starting with the last 50 miles, then repeat that same stretch of the trail THREE more times on legs that have already carried you through the first 50 miles. 

This was the reality faced by every runner at this year’s Bigfoot 200, a two hundred mile foot race and a grueling test of endurance, mental strength, and the power of a well-prepared team.

Introduction:

This year’s Bigfoot 200 was unlike any other. A devastating fire called the “Williams Mine Fire” broke out at the near Mount Adams just a few days before the race was supposed to start forced race organizers to reroute the course, transforming the point-to-point 200-mile journey into an out-and-back race that had runners covering the same brutal 50-mile section multiple times. This new course had the racers traversing the Green Tunnel and Pompey Peak not once, like they would in the original course but FOUR TIMES!

As a pacer, my role was to support my runner in navigating not just the physical terrain but the mental challenges that came with repeating those same 50 miles on tired legs. 

The experience underscored the critical importance of having what we call a  Championship Team—a group of high performing individuals united by a common goal, each bringing their unique strengths to the table.

The Calm Amidst the Chaos: Staying Focused When the Wheels Fall Off

Our team had trained and prepared for months for the original course and when the course changed, we had to adapt quickly. We could all feel the stress, after all, we had trained specifically for the original route. 

Yet, we remained confident. 

Our motto, “The race doesn’t start until the wheels fall off, and the wheels fall off for everybody,” guided us. It’s a reminder that in both running and life, things will inevitably go wrong. The real challenge lies in how you respond when they do. Staying calm and focused allowed us to adjust to the new reality, and this mindset became our greatest asset as we tackled the race’s new demands.

The Mental Battle: Repeating the Same Grueling Section

When my runner Brandon reached the 50-mile mark, (and then again at the 100 mile mark) he was exhausted—not just physically but mentally. The idea of heading back out to repeat the same 50 miles he had just completed was daunting. But our team knew that we hadn’t come all this way to stop at 50 miles or even 100 miles – we were here to finish the 200 mile race, and that meant keeping the end goal in sight, no matter how tough it got. 

When Brandon had completed the first fifty miles, turned around and ran back that same 50 mile stretch he was able to see the finish line just a few yards away yet he had to complete another complete 100 mile out-and-back before he could cross that finish line.

After letting him sleep at the aid station for a couple of hours, we resupplied Brandon’s pack, strategized our next steps, and more importantly, we worked on his mindset. 

We all knew that the physical pain of going back out there for another 100 miles and doing what it took to complete the race would be far less than facing the mental anguish of giving up and quitting after all the hard work he had put in.

Championship Team Dynamics: Trust Built Over Time

Our team’s success wasn’t just about physical endurance; it was rooted in the strong relationships we had built over time. Brandon had paced me in many previous 200-mile races, and now it was my turn to support him. This history of working together meant that we operated efficiently and cohesively. We understood the goal, we knew the strategies needed to achieve it, and we trusted each other to perform our roles. We tracked every critical metric—aid station cutoffs, heart rate, pace,calories and electrolytes which minimized potential failure and maximized our chances of success..

Keeping Motivation High: The Power of a Fresh Perspective

Running the same 50-mile section multiple times can be mentally exhausting. To keep motivation high, we rotated pacers, allowing each one to bring fresh energy and insight to the runner. This strategy not only kept the pacers fresh but also provided Brandon with different perspectives on his progress. Each pacer brought our unique abilities to the table, helping the runner navigate the physical and mental challenges of the race.

The Role of the Support Team: Taking Care of the Essentials

While running ultramarathons can look like an individual sport, more often than not, behind every successful runner is a support team handling the essentials and focusing on the details. 

Our team took care of everything from filling water bottles to replacing consumed calories and ensuring fresh socks were worn at each aid station. These routine tasks might seem minor, but they are critical to a runner’s success, especially in a race as demanding as the Bigfoot 200. By managing these details, we allowed our runner to focus entirely on the task at hand: putting one foot in front of the other.

Lessons Learned: Building the Right Team for Success

The biggest takeaway from this experience is the importance of building the right team. Success in such a challenging race—and in life—is not about having a team of people with identical skills. It’s about bringing together individuals with unique strengths and abilities, united by a common goal. Our team didn’t just follow a plan; we tracked critical metrics and adjusted our approach when necessary. We didn’t lower our goals when faced with challenges; we changed our strategies to achieve them.

Final Thoughts: Dream Bigger, Achieve More

Whether you’re running an ultramarathon, leading a business, or supporting someone else in their journey, my advice is the same: dream bigger. We often set limits on ourselves, but the truth is we can achieve far more than we think if we’re willing to commit to the goal—even when we don’t know exactly how we’ll accomplish it.

Conclusion:

This event was special for me because, as a coach, I take great joy in seeing others push past their previous limits. Pacing at the Bigfoot 200 allowed me to be a part of someone else’s incredible achievement, and I would absolutely do it again. Whether in running or business, helping others reach their goals is deeply rewarding, and it’s an experience I enjoy on a weekly basis.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Bigfoot 200. Remember, success is rarely a solo effort. Surround yourself with the right people, stay focused on your goals, and never underestimate what you can achieve with the support of your own Championship Team.

Did this story resonate with you? Share it with others who might need a reminder of the power of teamwork and resilience.