There’s going to be 2 distinctive elements to this article – the things you need to know as a runner who is to be crewed and the things that your crew need to know to be at their most effective when crewing you. It’s an art & a science and whilst each runners wants and needs will be different there’s some things that you might just want to consider.
What is a crew? Well, if you’re taking part in an Ultra and want to have support that isn’t provided on the course – either over & above the aid stations provided, instead of the aid station support (to cater for your specific needs) or because you’re going solo outside of an organised event then that there support is your CREW. Your crew is responsible for the things that you pre-designate to them and it’s really important that you communicate with your crew prior to the event what your expectations are. Communication really is key on this one.
How to pick a good crew? You need to have someone who knows you (really well preferably) and if they are also a runner then that’s really advantageous too. They need to be invested in what you’re doing and care about what’s going on ~ being a little “ah, whateves” won’t cut it here. You really want to have someone who can make decisions for you, whom you trust and who is quite level headed (you don’t want someone who is quick to act from a place of emotion).
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0c71c3″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]What You Need To Prep As The Runner
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]It’s your responsibility to prep your crew and to communicate REALLY CLEARLY what you want and need from them. This isn’t their race, don’t expect them to know what you require and don’t assume that it’s obvious.
We create a crew crib sheet when either me or my husband are running for the other to follow which includes all the technicals.
- Checkpoint/Meeting Location
- Nutrition/hydration required
- Any course information needed like upcoming elevation etc
- Distance to next checkpoint
- Time windows for arrival
This can then be their guidebook to the run and allow them to be organised and prepped for you. YES, you might want other things/additional things on the day but those can then be dealt with without other things being neglected.
Also consider how you are best dealt with. Do you respond better to tlc or a butt kick? Is there circumstances where one would work better than the other. YES, your crew (if they know you really well) may be able to deal with you intuitively when you’re tired and wrung out.
It’s also important that you consider their ability to question you. Seeding any negativity can leave you second guessing yourself. There’s a liklihood that you aren’t going to look at your best at certain points and talking about this can be the difference between them saying they think you should stop or not.
You will learn something from every ultra (oh, you will learn so many things). Make sure you debrief with what worked perfectly in terms of your crewing and what might need changing or tweaking for your next event.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]What You Need To Know As A Crew Member
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]We will get onto the practicals you will need to know in just a sec but let’s talk about the other stuff first;
➡️ don’t expect pleasantries from your runner, it’s all about fulfilling their needs and sending them on – they aren’t being arsey with you, they aren’t being rude.
➡️ if they need things in and out of their pack then ensure you know your way around their pack before the day (I’ve had my hands in packs for runners who I wasn’t supporting when seeing others struggle and the runner struggling to explain)
➡️ don’t put questions in their mind other than “have your eaten/drank enough”
➡️ whatever your runner looks like they are doing ace, tell them!
➡️ your job is to make decisions they aren’t capable of making – be ready to troubleshoot.
➡️ smile, they’ve probably been looking forward to seeing you for MILES!
OK, so other things to know. It’s your job to be in the right place at the right time. The last thing you want to do is miss a checkpoint. If your runner hasn’t already done it for you then make sure you have the postcodes/directions to the places that you are going to met. Calculate the time between checkpoints/meeting places so that you know how long it’s going to take you to get there.
Make sure their supplies are orderly so that you can put your hand on what you need easily.
Crewing is a responsibility but it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of your runner’s success!
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