Frank's 100

If you have not heard the news, Frank will attempt to cover 100 miles on foot this weekend. He will begin Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. and repeat a 5-mile loop that comes by the Harris Teeter on each loop (note, Frank will start from his house on Jeramey, not at the Harris Teeter).

If anyone has time to join him for some of this it would be very appreciated. In particular Saturday afternoon/evening, and Sunday morning will be where he needs the most help. Try to make it out there twice if you can. If you are driving by on the weekend, swing by the "loop" and see how he is doing. Anything at all would be appreciated.

If you plan to help, please post a comment ASAP so Frank will know when to look for you, and he can identify gaps during his run. It also lets others know where those gaps are.

Good luck Frank!

Email from Frank:

First, and foremost, let me say "thank you" for your willingness to help me through this adventure. Without a doubt, your being there will be a big mental lift for me and without your help and the other pacers, my chances for success would be greatly diminished.

Second, let me apologize! I'm likely to NOT be in such a great mood when I see you out there. PLEASE . . . don't think for a minute I don't appreciate your being there! It's just that as the miles build up, one's mind just doesn't work all that well! It's really strange. But true. So, if I'm uncommunicative, seem distracted, rude (I hope I'm never that!), please forgive me.

Your probably wondering what you need to do to help . . . First, just being there is a huge help. You may not realize it . . . but I will! Probably I will just want communication! Just to talk! But I may be "mentally" shut-down and quiet is called for. But you can't make any mistakes here. Just do and say what you think is appropriate!

Don't expect to be getting your daily exercise! I'll be going slow . . . very, very slow. Walk / Run intervals. And as the time goes on, there will be more and more walking and less and less running!

This will likely take me 30 hours . . . or even more. Do the math . . . that is a pace of about 17 minutes per mile. I will probably be a tad faster just so I can take a short nap in the early morning hours if necessary.

My route will be a 5 mile route and will pass by Harris Teeter and my house on Jeremy Lane. I'll have a mini-aid station setup there. One thing you can do is help me get through the aid station fairly quickly. As I mentioned, my mind will turn to mush, and I'll have trouble making decisions. In the later hours I'll need more and more help! Ask me what I want. Make suggestions:

• We need to fill up your fluid. Gatorade? Water? Coke? Mt Dew?"
• You need to eat. How about PB&J? etc.
• Remind me to take electrolytes.

If I tell you I'm quitting, here is my plan: finish at least 5 more miles before I decide. Then, if I still want to quit, I'm going to take a 30-45 nap. Then, try walking again. If I still want to quit, well, I'll quit! If I do quit, I'll contact everyone left so you will know.

I have attached a map of my route. As you can imagine, I really don't have a set schedule, but I do have sort of a plan:

• 7:00 - Start
• 8:26:00 AM - Mile 5
• 9:52:00 AM - Mile 10
• 11:18:00 AM - Mile 15
• 12:44:00 PM - Mile 20
• 2:10:00 PM - Mile 25
• 3:36:00 PM - Mile 30
• 5:02:00 PM - Mile 35
• 6:28:00 PM - Mile 40
• 7:54:00 PM - Mile 45
• 9:20:00 PM - Mile 50
• 10:46:00 PM - Mile 55
• 12:12:00 AM - Mile 60
• 1:38:00 AM - Mile 65
• 3:04:00 AM - Mile 70
• 4:30:00 AM - Mile 75
• 5:56:00 AM - Mile 80
• 7:22:00 AM - Mile 85
• 8:48:00 AM - Mile 90
• 10:14:00 AM - Mile 95
• 11:40:00 AM - Mile 100

Not sure the best way to find me. I will carry my cell phone (252-904-8697) so calling me might be a good idea. Also, you might try driving the course backwards! But each lap will likely take just under 1:30!! SLOW!

Again, thank you for helping me through this. Hopefully, I'll be successful. But even if I fail to complete the full 100 miles, I will have given it my best shot.

Frank Lilley