Not me being judged at the Micky D's drive-thru by a...bunny?!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we have made the best friends through this sport. Today we went back up to Waterville Valley to hang out with them while celebrating the final finishers as they crossed the line. It was a great time filled with so many stories of adventures and so much laughter!

"I carried a watermelon."

Sometimes it doesn't matter how prepared we are, things can still go wrong. Very wrong. Ed stopped his race at the South Moat Mountain aid station, which is the turnaround point for the Jigger Johnson 100. Actually, he hadn't been "racing" for many hours, but rather just trying to survive and get there. The Whites will do that to you. There is no margin for error out there. He has no regrets about walking off the course. It was the only choice. 

When he was contemplating racing Jigger again after last year, he realized that many would see it as a questionable decision. He kept coming back to the fact that he enjoys the process and is willing to put in the work. It's a big challenge, but "Why not try?"

Looking at it from this side, the outcome is different than what we had envisioned, but I'm still so proud of him for doing it. We've adventured and learned so much together this past year. Once he's healed from these wounds - he'll use all that fitness he built to conquer another goal. I have no doubt. 

We are so grateful for everyone's help today. We couldn't have done this alone. Erin, Mindy, Jen, Greg, Bobi Jo, Jim - you all are the very best kind of humans! ❤️ We felt so much support from everyone out there. The ultra running community is incredible!

Today is the start of the Higher Johnson 100! These intrepid souls are heading out to attempt to run approximately 108 miles through the White Mountain National Forest. Good luck to all the runners, but especially Ed(of course), and Conor and Lexie, both of whom are chasing the male and female course records. It's gonna be so fun to watch them over the next couple days!

He's such a big helper!