Umstead

You are going to win!  Ok jk.  Really though I think you have it right in making sure your head is in it from the get go.  The right people in the right place can make your race a success.  I would suggest going onto the Umstead FB page and posting that you are looking for a pacer and state your goal as the ultra community is awesome and likely you will get some takers.  Best of luck to you! 

Actually..my hesitation to post was..).I haven't done an ultra (yet).... but know how much I valued support at 1st 26.2 & 1st IM..

but still, my first reaction was ..hmm..could I get to Raleigh in time?? Could I be this pacer??   

.Reading Scott Jurek's book right now..

sooo....tho wish I had "The Advice" as a seasoned ultra person...but lacking that can only offer that YOU believe..pacer or no pacer..you CAN & will do it...

Have a plan..and a contingency..perhaps grab a pacer from the list..heed your instincts to stay away from anyone potentially negative or about them...

(pm me if you want neophyte !)

And enjoy the experience...

Bit late to the party, but my fiancee Kelly (Bruno, amputee runner... you can google her.     is going to be doing the 100 without support this weekend.  I'll be with her for the first 50, after that she's on her on.  Honestly last year just coordinating willing and able (experienced runner) pacers became a drain for her, so I think you made the right choice. 

Thing is, I paced her for a lap last year and it was ALMOST unnecessary.  Given the relatively small course, there are ALWAYS people around (runners, crowds, or aid station people) for support- this isn't one of those ultras where you'll be isolated for hours on end.  Even if you end up without a pacer for one or two of those later laps, you'll almost certainly end up pairing up with another runner or two for a lot of that time.

See you out there!

Thanks a bunch! I thought i read you couldnt have anyone until after mile 50 or after 6pm or are you doing the 50 as a race? I did get a friend of a friend who moved to Raleigh message me Easter Sunday....kinda like an Easter present and he is going to go laps 6 and 7 and possibly the last one as well. Im sure I would be fine without anyone and I think maybe it just plays a little with my mind cause I wont know a single person there at all....but am sure I will meet some lifelong friends like I have at all the 50's I did last year. My cousin that I havent seen in forever is still hoping to come to cheer for me but Im not going to count on it and get disappointed just do the best I can keep a strong positive mind and visualize the finish line. Looking forward to meeting you Kelly!! Im trying to figure out what to pack in my bags too....have only done 3 50's and only needed few things but this is a different level and will get dark and colder...thought I may want my special treats incase Im just tired of their food and I know Im gonna get tired of trying to eat and drink. Im coming down Thursday and stayin at the Hampton Inn....think I may take the shuttle at 4:30 but not sure how long of a drive it is to the park or if I want a little extra sleep. Im sure I can hitch a ride back if i take the shuttle and they have one that comes back at noon....im hoping to finish between 10:30-noon so should make that shuttle for sure haha

I'm doing the 50 as a race- it's the wussy option for us folks who are 225 pounds and haven't done ultras before.  :D  Oh, and who tore our right quad in a powerlifting meet 8 days ago.  lol.

I hit you up on facebook- I'll get Kelly to shoot you a note as well if she hasn't already- she did the 100 at Umstead last year, so can definitely let you know details about aid stations, logistics, all that kind of stuff.  We're stoked- and hey, you'll definitely 'know' at least two other people out there, so make sure to give us a shout on Friday!  GREAT supportive group of ultra runners in this area, I'm sure you'll meet some awesome folks during the race itself.  

Hey Jen, I sent you a pm this morning before I read this and realized you only wanted positive advice/encouragement.

I think you have the right idea with a pacer, you need them to be there for you and you only and not have their own hangups.  You are better off alone then having to carry your pacer along.  Also, as someone said, this is a looped course.  I think a pacer is good for keeping the negative self talk from creeping in.  If you are going to be without a pacer that is not the end of the world at all.  Just be prepared for the negative thoughts (sometimes the negative thoughts feel like euphoric thoughts so be prepared for that bit too). 

You got this in you, you don't need a pacer at all.

for some reason I always expect some kind of negative thought from you   Appreciate your encouragement as well as your concerns of my suffered training....makes me want to finish even more!!   Gonna continue icing and stretching and see what my mind will do

Good luck, Jen!!

You can follow her here...live updates!

http://www.umstead100.org/page22.html

Congratulations Jenn!  Looking forward to the race report, and "updating facebook all day" whilst running a 100 miler is not normal....just sayin' 

Congrats again!