Aid Station Prep

The past two Sunday’s I’ve been shopping at Costco and a few other stores. Normally the Sunday before the H.U.R.T. 100, I might spend some time getting my drop bags ready and just taking it easy. Preparing my own things for the race was always pretty easy. Especially after having done it several times before.

This year is different though. I am not preparing my own drop bags but instead I am preparing an aid station. In anticipation of close to 100 runners starting the race, I need to have food, drink, and other supplies ready for these runners, most of whom I have never met before. The other aid station leaders or captains are very experienced. They got this all down to a science after many years. Me, I am just trying to make it all happen. Fortunately, I’ve got a great partner in my wife Barbi. She has way more experience and knowledge of what actually goes on at an aid station than I do. I am relying on her a lot.

We’ve also recruited some great volunteers. I look forward to having their energy and support at the aid station and realize there is no way we could do it without them. A few weeks ago, I was not sure we could pull this off even though we had agreed to do it. Now, as the plans have come together, volunteers have stepped up, and we’ve sourced much of our supplies, I am much more confidant in the success of our aid station.

I went by Nuuanu/Jackass Ginger this afternoon. There were a few hikers out as cars were parked along the road. However the space where the tents will go up, where the drop bags will be, the stream crossing, and everything else was empty, exactly how it will be one week from right now. However starting next Saturday morning–bright and early and continuing all the way through until late Sunday afternoon, the Nuuanu/Jackass Ginger aid station will be rockin!!! We look forward to seeing all the runners as you come through our aid station and we send you on your way, back to the Nature Center.

Aloha, Bob