Love this pic as we are running, talking and both smiling.
If you are following me on Twitter or Instagram and looked at your feed last week, you may have seen a lot of updates from me about @RunEMZ’s 100 mile/24-hour treadmill run. I even blogged about it here and then again about it being inspired here.
Final stats:
Distance: 108.88 miles
Time spent running of 24 hour window: 22 hours 24 minutes
Total raised: $21,000+ (donate here to reach $25k goal)
Well, I of course have to show how it was to ACTUALLY run with her, right?
That’s right. I was able to run next to her on a 2nd treadmill on Friday around 11:00 AM. At that point she was near or around 80 miles and about 15 hours in… here are my thoughts on how I approached it.
Join in at her pace.
I wasn’t sure what her pace was going to be like, but I wanted to match it as closely as possible. I definitely didn’t want to start clocking 7 minute miles while she was keeping a steady pace on zero sleep. Instead I eased in and kept pretty close to her stride. I even think someone commented on the ustream feed that we were step-by-step in sync. Yay, for that.
Talk as much or as little as she wanted.
This one was tricky. I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to be all chatter-boxy to make the time go by or if she was going to have the energy to want to talk at all. Sort of played it as I felt it and talked a bit, then ran a bit, then talked a bit. Kept it casual, ya know? I definitely didn’t want to throw off her mojo and just kind of went with what “felt right.” Sometimes having someone run next to you without speaking a word is just what you need on a long run. I just wanted to be whatever it was that she needed for that short period of time.
Don’t look too tired.
Seriously. I can’t be winded 3 miles in when she is approaching triple digits. I tried to keep my breathing normal and as relaxed as possible. If you can will yourself not to sweat, that’s what I was doing. It took me 20 or so minutes to get comfortable, as it does with most runs. I don’t think my saying “damn, I’m not feeling it today” after a couple of miles would be very helpful. Luckily, that wasn’t the case and I was having a blast.
Can I keep running with you?
Yep, that’s what I asked. I was originally slotted for about 30 minutes and asked if she minded if I kept running with her. I didn’t want to throw off her mojo in any way and if she wanted to run solo, I wasn’t going to get in the way. Being the amazing person she is, she responded something like “Are you kidding? Heck ya. Run as long as you like.” Sounded like my game plan was working. I wish I was able to run several hours with her, but it was my lunch hour and I had to get back to work. #NextTime?
Behind the scenes look. See the ipad? She was reading all the ustream comments as they came in. She felt the love.
Other awesome moments:
- Seeing @RacingDawn do her thing – girl was on it. She was playing DJ and making sure EMZ had everything she needed with frequent check-ins and making sure she was going strong.
- Hubby doing his GIANT thing. Don’t mess with EMZ or the hubs will smash you. He was a total cool dude and I got to talk to him a couple of times. He must be like 10 feet tall. Think NFL tight end and that’s dude. He kept asking me if I needed anything, which was great and very thoughtful.
- How EMZ could multi-task. She had the ipad, fuel, the US budget, a sandwich and the kitchen sink on her treadmill. It was amazing to watch her maneuver on that thing like it was her office desk.
- Watching the dance party on ustream at the 100 mile mark. Seriously? You just ran 100 miles and you have the energy to dance, then jump back on and clock another 8 miles? #Inspired.
Favorite moment:
This was about 40 or so minutes into my run and EMZ stepped back to stretch a little bit. As I kept running, I said “I’m winning!” and she started laughing, but it was a genuine laugh. If I can make someone mid 100-miler laugh, I’m taking that as a good day.
After I finished running with her, she gave me some love in front of the camera. Awesome. Truly a giving person.
I am truly inspired and honored to have been a part of her amazing journey. Hey yo, EMZ… encore next year? #ImIn
What was your favorite RunEMZ 100 mile moment?
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So awesome that you got to run with her. You could definitely feel all the love and support for her run on all social media platforms. It was pretty amazing and inspiring.
What an awesome lady! And even more awesome that you got to hang out with her.
That’s so awesome!! What a great cause!
Amazing all the way around! And a great experience to get to run with Emz.
Watching EMZ run on the beat to music between miles 90 – 100, while raising the roof at every opportunity was inspirational. Her smile and energy electrifying. For you to experience it firsthand on the treadmill beside her must have been priceless.
It’s so great that you got to run with her. I loved watching it on Ustream. Such an inspiration!
that’s so incredible! awesome that you were a part of it and able to support her :) :)
I would love to go on a run with her! She is such an amazing woman
in the words of RUNEMZ –> “freaking LOVE it!”
So cool PR! What a great experience and recap. I’d love to run a few miles with both of ya but think I’d have a hard time keeping up ;)
I love this–two of my faves together doing their thing. I had to laugh at the “can’t whine at 3 miles” comment. Yeah, guess not!
I got to meet both EMZ and Dawn a while back–awesome twosome!
She is an honestly inspiring woman who seems just so real and kind!!! What a great day!
what a fun experience! i’m in awe of what she did!
LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU BOTH!! So cool!! And I am slightly jealous I could not be there to join in the fun!
I’m so glad you went and ran with her. I’m sure it really helped to break up the time. The video feed was so much fun to watch. She’s so inspiring.
This is just so inspiring! Love that you were able to be a part of it!
“Sometimes having someone run next to you without speaking a word is just what you need on a long run.”<— yes. I completely agree.
So amazing to see two of the most inspiring, most welcoming members of the running community using their superpowers for good…you guys ROCK!
Thats so awesome you were able to run with her for a bit. You are BOTH inspiring people!
That is so awesome you got to run with her!! I LOVED the dance party! I was in my kitchen dancing along! :) She really is amazing!
She’s a total badass!
This is so awesome and inspiring! So cool that you got to run with her and it sounds like y’all had a great time!! :)
Awesome Recap. I was curious what you plan was going in…I was wondering what would I do if I had a chance to run with Emz. Great stuff.
I truly enjoyed watching two of our sports great ambassadors team up for some miles for good. #SF came through like #RockStars
Abe
Awesome! And I love your approach to feeling the situation out. Ya.. I’m with ya. who finds the energy to keep partying after 100 miles. LOL. The whole event was such an inspiration to me.
That’s so cool! What an amazing opportunity for you and endeavor for her. I was truly inspired while I watched you guys, so I ordered a tshirt! :)
FRIGGIN AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved following it!!!
If this isn’t inspiring, I don’t know WHAT is! So glad you got to be a part of it!
I’m dying.
Can’t breathe. For real. How does your heart fit in your body.
I truly have run out of ways to express my gratitude. I need new words.
Encore. Hell. Yes.
You are amazing Brian. Ahhhhmazing.
Freaking incredible. You did so much to help make this successful.
I’m so grateful.
Love this post. What a weekend. Loved your approach to the run and completely appreciated too. You might have seen Jay’s pic he got of me giving dude the crazy eye because he put his tm on 9.0. Jay and his sneaky photog skills. ;) Sincerely grateful that you were able to spend as much time as you did during the 24. I love how things like this creates and bonds people and establishes new friendships. And yes… You know with a 12 hour car ride home, planning has already begun for the next one. I know you’ll be ready. :) and thanks for the shout out… supporting Em is the easiest thing in the world. She is the best. All heart.
that’s pretty friggin sweet, I must say. I’ve always said I want to pace someone in an Ultra some day. I don’t think I’ll run my own.. but I’d love to help someone on their journey.
I LOVED watching live and I loved tweeting with others that were watching too, especially when she was eating the sandwich! :D