Last week I received an email from a runner’s husband.
“I just had to take a moment to thank-you for your “Fixing Your Feet” book. I am married to a woman, whom in the last three years has transitioned into an ultrarunner. Last year she attempted and completed her first 100 mile ultra, the Farmdale 100 in central Illinois. Leading up to that event, she competed in multiple 30 Milers, 50K’s, and 50 Milers.
“I became her ‘Support Crew’ for each event and for her 100. We purchased your book in early 2016 and I devoured it like it was a text book. I applied your assessments, treatments, etc., to my wife’s feet. She completed her 100 and come through with great feet (minus one toenail). Thanks to YOU!
“Fast forward to April 2017 and the Potawatomi Trail Runs in Pekin, Illinois. My wife paced two of her friends attempting their first 100 milers. We also crewed two of her friends; one attempting his first 200 miler and the other his first 150 miler. All in all we were crewing and supporting four runners.
“The 200 milers started Thursday, April 6th, the 150 milers started Friday, April 7th, and the 100 milers started the next day. Needless to say, I was dealing with a lot of feet over the long weekend. I applied so much of the knowledge you shared in your book to keep each of their feet as healthy as possible throughout the entire event! All four were finishers! The 200 miler took 3rd overall and the 150 miler took 2nd.
“Additionally, individuals crewing other runners were seeing us tending to our runners feet and coming to us to help their runners. We kept a lot of runners on the course and were able to be a part of many amazing stories! I know each of them would like to thank-you!
“All my best, the honeybadger husband of ultrarunner Jenny Matuszewski Grow.”
I love the fact that all four of their runners finished. What really energizes me is that he spent time helping other runners as they saw what he was doing. That’s important. Here’s the line again. “… Individuals crewing other runners were seeing us tending to our runners feet and coming to us to help their runners. We kept a lot of runners on the course and were able to be a part of many amazing stories!” That’s rewarding for him.
But step back a moment and pause. Read between the lines. What that means is many of the support teams did not know how to work on their runner’s feet, “…and coming to us to help their runners.”
It is my hope that some of these support people, and their runners, will take the time to learn how to manage their feet. Then I’ll be even happier.
In the meantime, thank you honeybadger – and Jenny. You are very kind.
When you have the opportunity, share Fixing Your Feet with other runners you see at races and fun runs. I appreciate it.
