Who can say they were able to spend 14 hours with their mom while participating in a sport that they love? That’s just what I did during Blackbeard’s Revenge 100-miler.
Blackbeard’s Revenge, a scenic, pirate-themed race, has a 100-miler, 100k and relay distances through most of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The 100-miler starts in the historic town of Corolla and follows Highway 12 through Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills (supposedly named for the rum hidden in the dunes along the coast and so potent it could kill the devil), winding over two inlet bridges and ending on the sound side of the island in Hatteras. The 100k starts at the popular fishing spot for locals and tourists, Jennette’s Pier, and follows the same course, which is almost all road and sidewalk. However, with the Outer Banks weather, nothing is a given. This year, a constant headwind made it tough, which resulted in a 59% finisher rate for the 100-miler. Exposure to wind gusts topping 50mph on the Oregon Inlet and Jug Handle bridges had runners pushing themselves past what they thought possible.
Originally, I had planned to run this race with my dad. We started training in May, and my mom hopped in to keep him company. They made it through the heat and humidity of the summer months and trained consistently. My parents have always been active, but their longest race had been a 10k. So, we started slow. Over the winter, I was able to run the Frosty Looper with my dad and brother, Dom, in New Jersey. My dad employed a run-walk strategy and was able to get his first official marathon. As the winter progressed, my dad began to develop back pain, which we later found out was a kidney stone, and he made the tough decision to forfeit his race entry. My mom asked me what I thought about her running Blackbeard’s Revenge. She had already been training with my dad for the greater part of the year, and we had three months until the race, so we transferred the bib and worked hard.
We headed to the starting line with the crew by our side. Running 100 miles is a tall task for even an experienced runner, and there was nervous anticipation from both of us. It was a cool start to the day, and we were able to put in plenty of miles before the heat arrived. I couldn’t think of a better start to the race, even if we were some of the last people out of the block. We maintained a constant pace and the early miles flew by as we settled in. Mom was able to tick off her first official half marathon and cruised to her first marathon. We were able to see the sunrise together, run through spots that we used to visit when I was younger and take in the sound and oceanside views. All the while, meeting up with my dad and my wife (our crew chief) and kids at each of the aid stations.
Mile 45 of Blackbeard’s Revenge 100-miler. Photo courtesy author
It was unexpectedly hot as we ran towards the 50k mark, so we slowed our pace accordingly. Jennette’s Pier, which seemed so far away at our 5:30 a.m. start, was close. The sun was starting to set as the Bonner Bridged spanned before us. My mom’s goal had been to see the sunset from one of the bridges, so I pushed the pace and we witnessed a gorgeous sunset as we began to crest the highest point of the bridge. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget. The wind gusts and pushing up the highest span of the bridge had taken it out of her, and I could tell that she was in the pain cave. She never expressed it but kept on putting one foot in front of the other. The aid station at 50 miles seemed like it took an eternity to get to, but we finally made it.
This was a tough decision point for my mom. If she were to continue, we would need to keep up a slightly faster pace and go back to our run-walk intervals if we were to make the remaining cutoffs. She decided to stop at the mile 54 aid station after approximately 14 hours on the course. After giving it her all, there was nothing left to give. It was incredible to watch her push past any limits that she thought she had, and I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have spent that time with my her—talking and not talking, laughing, crying, being present and experiencing ultrarunning together. With a quick hug, I said goodbye as she told me to go get the buckle.
The rest of the race was not as memorable as the first half, except for the fact that my dad was at every aid station supporting me from mile 54 to 100. It reminded me of how he would be at every baseball, hockey and football game when I was younger. Always there with dedicated support and words of encouragement, as I weaved in and out of the typical pain, doubt and soreness that comes with a long race. I remember the final game of my final football season in high school, where I played a total of 5 minutes on the field the entire season. Regardless, my parents were at every home game as I stood on the sidelines holding my helmet. After the last game, my dad gave me a big hug with a few tears in his eyes as he told me how proud he was that I never quit. Maybe that’s why I kept moving from aid station to aid station in the middle of nowhere, knowing he was going to be there, only this time with an ice-cold Coke. I was able to keep trudging along and finish Blackbeard’s Revenge 100-miler. It was fitting that I was able to spend the first 50 miles with my mom and the second 50 with my dad and have him at the finish line. The memories from this race will carry me through many more.