10 Tips For Crewing an Ultra Marathon | Trail Running Advice

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Steven, this is SOOO helpful and as a self/non-supported runner, I found so much to learn and adopt from your crewing tips. Love the organizational tips - definitely a takeaway from my first ultra - and the 3-ring binder is awesome. You should put a "NSFW" warning on "Don't Get Grossed Out" 🤣 Want to emphasize your tip about post-race recovery plans, I took an extra day after my Yeti 100 before driving back to Connecticut and I know of runners that left the day after they finished a 100-miler.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

So glad you found it helpful! I appreciate the comment and support, Reto!

[@JonJosephKuhn]

I love that you made this. Alexis (my fiancé), has been wondering what to do as a crew member. I will be sharing this with her for sure.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome! It’s a little long, but great info I hope! Thanks!

[@JonJosephKuhn]

UltraTrailSteven it is long because you gave out a lot of import info. ❤️👊🏻

[@CorkHorde]

my additions: - configure your vehicle for good sleep or bring a cot. Bring earplugs for sleep. - an alternative to asking your runner 'how are you doing?' is to ask 'what are the biggest problems right now?' - start a timer when they roll in to aid station. It's easy to kinda want them to stay, since you haven't seen them for so long. - have supplies grouped into different bags/containers for ease of access. Groups: food, clothes, shoes (bring alternative shoes! this can be a big deal sometimes), first-aid - bring a lightweight camp chair. Your runner may want a break, and you'll certainly appreciate it while waiting

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Great additions!

[@irsurfer87]

AMAZING, I'll be crewing my first race in November, and this was a huge help!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome! Have fun!

[@literarybeard2259]

Thank you so much. I’m running my first 50 miler this fall and really appreciate this. My crew says “tell us what you need” but this is hard when I’m new to ultras. This gave me lots of ideas to guide them.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

So glad this was helpful! Goodluck in your training!

[@MovewithJenn]

Very cool to see how you and your wife work together on runs. I never really thought about having a run crew but makes so much sense for those longer races! Your run is coming up so soon!!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Running is an individual thing as far as the actual running goes, but we could not do it with out the support crew! Less than 2 days!!!!

[@laurakozel2441]

Thank you! I am trying to go longer distances and want to volunteer to support someone this year so I can learn and teach my husband to help me! Loved it!!! 👊👊

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Great; glad you liked it! Thank you for watching!

[@CLFurlong]

DUDE! You are PUMPING out the content! Loving it mate! And I think for the channel it is doing wonders! I remember crewing for my GF first 50km and it was a fun and also KEY experience. Being able to be on the other side of it and helping to keep her sane, moving and ready to rumble. It is a very exciting exp. This is such a great video and advice to share. Love the way you both gave inputs and thoughts. Great video TEAM!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks a ton! We really appreciate it! I have been the runner and crew, and both are so much fun!

[@ddot9566]

This was so helpful! My sister is getting into long distance running and I'm her crew. Our first time together was pretty good but the second one was a disaster. I've been searching for tips on how to be a better support to her and I finally found your video. Thank you for all the tips. I'm scheduling our first run meeting tomorrow.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome! I’m so glad it helped! I have a couple other crew related videos on the channel too. Pretty awesome of you to support your sister!

[@ddot9566]

@@UltraTrailSteven You have more video?! Amen!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@ddot9566 here is one, kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HYeIuMqKqppbs and if doing a last man standing type event, this will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2qUe6d9a76HrtE

[@heyjude2505]

Thank you SO much, crewing is on my bucket list. Finally, I've been asked by a friend to crew for her second Ultra event. These are great tips, we are about to have a walk/meeting soon to discuss her strategy, needs, etc. Could be the beginning of a great collaboration. Wish us luck.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad it was helpful! I hope her run goes well!

[@BenNotley]

Awesome video guys! Great tips! Finger crossed I will do a ultra next year. Keep up the good work! 😊👍🏻

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you, Ben! You can do it; just pick one and register!

[@BenNotley]

@@UltraTrailSteven the tough part is finding a race that is still taking place 🤣

[@ACIMatOne]

Thank you for this.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Hope it helps!

[@feastfriday]

This is all new to me. I never thought of how much it takes to prep for an ultra marathon. Do you know of any running documentaries that are good to watch. You've peaked my interest haha "Hey are you feeling good!?"😂

[@UltraTrailSteven]

So much goes into running an ultramarathon; even more for the race director. Yes!! Anything by Billy Yang; my favorites are "Life In A Day" and "The Why." Those films are a big part of why I got into ultrarunning.

[@feastfriday]

@@UltraTrailSteven Awesome man. Thanks! I'm looking to up my storytelling skills so I'm looking to find inspiration from the people in the community and what they've been inspired by so this is perfect.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@feastfriday as a filmmaker, Billy Yang is a huge inspiration to me!

[@KiaraHargrove]

Great tips! 💯

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you, Kiara!

[@KiaraHargrove]

@@UltraTrailSteven You’re welcome!

[@collinmorris]

Great stuff!!!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad it helped!

[@McGuiresOnTires]

Really enjoyed your video we watched earlier this week. Had to get back over and check out another one. This is a really cool video. We had no idea how crew worked. So does the crew not run the entire race? Piecing together nuggets from your tips, it sounds like they rotate in at different points in the race. Thanks for sharing!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you! No, the crew can only meet their runner at certain designated aid stations. They do not run. Sometimes a runner will have a "pacer" that runs a portion of the race, but generally not until half way through, and then broken up in 20-25 mile segments.

[@myBSlife]

I need a crew!! When I do a race Steve you are going to be my zoom crew!!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Deal!

[@Kelly_Ben]

This was awesome, thanks! My first ultra is in 3 weeks, and my non running but very supportive husband is crewing me, so I'll be sharing this with him. My quit plan is the same as yours- unless it's going to cause permanent damage, slap a bandaid on it and tell me to suck it up. If I need to take a few weeks off after to recover, so be it. And your binder made my Type A so very happy. Lol I'm making up a posterboard with each lap, number of miles, personally imposed cut off time, etc to check off. At the bottom will be some mantras. Do you or your wife have any mantras that keep you going when things get tough?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Ha awesome! Run when you can, walk if you can't, crawl if you need to. I love the idea of your poster board! Great idea! For me, I don't generally recite mantras, but I do have a piece on my RoadiD bracelet that says "Shut up legs." Thanks as always for watching and commenting!

[@thelegobackpacker]

ultrapacer.com is wicked! Thanks for the tip :)

[@UltraTrailSteven]

It really is! I love it!

[@elliig4635]

Support from me !🙌🏾🙋🏼‍♀️ Have a great day , hope to see you soon 💞 liked 👍🏾

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks!

[@valankornhaus7320]

I feel really terrible that I was fighting off yawns 🤦‍♀️. 4 kids makes you tired!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Haha yeah oh well. Still looked good 😉

[@Kelly_Ben]

Just rewatched this with my husband. 50k in 1 week!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Awesome! I’m excited for you!!!

[@fitnessfrank83]

Friggin PUMPt warriors! Thats what the fRanK sees! Keep PUMPin buFf biscuits!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thanks man!

[@ACIMatOne]

I would never crew a spouse. 🤣

[@UltraTrailSteven]

HAHA