Crewing an ultramarathon is so much more than handing someone water and cheering from the sidelines. Over the past few years of crewing Kevin through multiple 100-mile races, I've learned that my role isn't just to support him. It's to help him get to the finish line. That mindset completely changed the way I approach race day. In this episode, I share the lessons I've learned, the mistakes I've made, and the systems we've developed that have made every race smoother than the last.
Kevin also shares what it's like from the runner's perspective and what actually helps when you're hours into an ultramarathon and your brain is running low on energy. We talk about everything from treating aid station stops like an F1 pit stop to having the difficult conversations before race day, creating a detailed crew plan, packing for every possible scenario, and remembering that taking care of the crew is just as important as taking care of the runner. Whether you're getting ready to crew your first ultramarathon or you're the runner sending this episode to your support team, I hope these lessons help you feel more prepared and confident.
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02:05 From Scared Wife to Crew Chief
04:08 Keys 100 Lessons Learned
09:43 What Crewing Really Means
12:52 F1 Pit Stop Mindset
16:38 Crewing With Kids
20:10 Planning Starts Early
21:01 Know the Race Rules
26:42 Pre Race Crew Conversation
37:00 Build the Crew Document
39:30 Assign Roles and Checklists
42:35 Packing and Supply Runs
43:44 Crew Community Help
45:11 Nutrition Planning Backups
46:33 Hydration Strategy Gear
47:32 Clothing Foot Care
49:39 First Aid Comfort Items
53:46 Crew Self Care Logistics
55:11 Pit Stop Checklist Setup
01:01:04 Aid Station Mistakes
01:04:30 Psychology Mood Decisions
01:08:33 DNF Medical Triage
01:14:07 Crew Chief Self Care
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