Christy’s Turn
**Update- She’s finished, around 25:40 smiling, 7th woman overall.
**Update- Christy’s doing great, left Twin Lakes Aid station at 6:10 pm, 40 miles to go–ahead of schedule!!
On a late August morning back in 2002, Christy and I trudged up the road towards Leadville. After tagging along with my friend and his crew for much of the day, my friend dropped from the race, leaving me without support. Christy was quickly promoted to crew captain and lead pacer, and pulled me along three separate legs through the night, all the way to the finish. As she neared her 30th mile on the course and I approached my 100th, after we both missed a nights sleep and as the finish line came into sight, the conversation went something like this:
“You can’t do this [expletive] thing again!”
To which I replied,”I know, I know. I won’t. I promise…why would I?”
Fast forward to 2009. We’re both in Leadville, the aforementioned conversation has been all but forgotten and Christy’s registered to run. Funny how things work sometimes. I’ll be crewing and pacing with sister Jen and Kathy Fry and if it all goes according to plan then Jen will be escorting Christy for the last 20 miles to the finish sometime before dawn. If there’s any noteworthy dialogue concerning more swear offs or promises of the future, I’ll be sure to pass it along.
Good luck.
Follow the race here and then link to the runner/pacer lookup on the menu on the left. Christy’s #692
go christy go! And fell free to curse at ted at the end as much as you want. it is good practice for being married… ! d
[...] a shout out to Christy, Ted Mahon’s (wife? girlfriend? dogwalker?) who finished the Leadville 100 run this weekend [...]
Household record! Can’t wait to see what crazy races the two of you take on in 2010… maybe I can tag along on a few more- what a fun summer! Thanks for being the best crew lead EVER!!!!
True, she’s got the fastest 100 mile time in the house and will likely keep it for a while at least. I’ll have to create some award and have a formal ceremony to honor her title. Any ideas on an award?
I always give my women record breaking runners the Montbell U.L.Down Inner Parka in black! It makes a perfect household record award.
Great question Ted, Signed the U.S. Olymipic Trail Running Coach
Nice job, Christy! That’s a great time and I’m sure you’ll look wonderful in the brand new Montbell U.L. Down Inner Parka (in black of course). Ted can only dream of having one…
I was thinking more of an award that could be passed back and forth, that Christy could have until I beat her time, say next summer, and get back– like the Americas Cup.
If I go with the down coat, I suppose I could get is a size big and when I get redemption, I’ll just claim it.
And Neal, you too can be involved. Just get out and beat the time– Wasatch is in a few weeks, surely they’d grant you an entry with such legendary status as yours….