Jerome Bareth
Friends, I am very sorry it has taken me so long to finally share my experience about the race. I’ll try to share my knowledge and involvement which will hopefully provide you with an understanding of what I endured. In addition, there is a video being developed which will further offer details about the race and the amazing crew that helped me.
We are the Champions
I am very honored to have taken on this challenge with KC Northup. I may have been the one to receive the giant belt buckle, but it was a team effort from start to finish. She and I established a new race record of 63 hours 52 minutes. We broke the record by 3 hours.
In addition, we trimmed 8 hours off previous record held by David Goggins. Which was what lured us in to start with.
Last summer, KC discovered the race and convinced me we should “go for it”. She stated, “it would be pretty awesome to beat his time!”. She added: “… 70 hours of racing could be an easy long walk through the woods. We could enjoy nature and it would be perfect training for the Marathons des Sables. That race is a 7-day race in the Moroccan desert. Crazy us, this is the honeymoon we are planning for April.
Although I am a triathlete, the distance of this race was going to challenge me. I have only run a distance greater than a marathon twice in my life. Recently, I competed in the ULTRAMAN Florida where I ran 53 miles. Competing in that race gave me some confidence about competing in longer events.
The ULTRAMAN race was a three-day race consisting of:
Day 1 – Swim 10 Miles
Day 2 – Bike 172 Miles
Day 3 – Run 53 Miles
The Across Florida race begins near Crystal River at the Withlacoochee Bay Trail West End Overlook. The race course meanders across the state of Florida and finishes at the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier. It’s roughly 200 miles in length. Consisting of 100 miles on the Florida Trail, 20 miles on state park trails, 45 miles of dirt roads, 15 miles of the new Rails to Trails system, and only 20 miles of paved roads.
Each participant is required to finish the race non-stop.
THE START - DAY 1
And just like that on Thursday Dec 29th, after weeks of prep and planning, KC and I showed up to the start line. Joining us was our crew chiefs John Riordan and Leida V and my daughter Anaelle.
The goal was to reach the finish line before the ball drops New Year’s Eve. If we are successful, the course record was ours!
After the race began on that chilly Thursday morning, I was really excited to see the miles going by so quickly. We were averaging 10-minute miles. This was ahead of our goal of 11-minute miles for the first 30 miles. Most of these miles were on pavement, a very familiar terrain for us. The weather was perfect, temperatures remained cool, thus helping to minimize any sweat loss. We kept on running.
As planned, at mile 30, we were handed lunch by our crew chiefs John and Leida. The meal consisted of macaroni cheese and mashed potatoes, a meal that we had prepared before the race. We gobbled it down and headed on our way. Now refueled, we walked for a couple of miles to help aid with the digestion.
Switching to dirt road and trails, we also switched shoes and socks for something more comfortable for terrain change. Jogging and a fast-paced walk was now the plan for the rest of the day. The goal was to reach camp at mile 88.
We realized our pace had slowed and we were not on plan. We were walking more than we were jogging mainly because of the unfamiliar terrain. Those dirt and mountain bike trails were not friendly to our triathlete legs. Our solution was to lessen our pace.
Reaching mile marker 55, we looked at each other and in unison said, “are we there yet?” Our plan called for 14-minute miles, but we were way off the mark. Furthermore, we almost lost the extra time we had gained during our morning session.
THE UNFAMILAR TERRAIN CAUSES A CHANGE IN PLANS
Our pace slowed to a walk with some short runs when the terrain was downhill (not many in Florida).
I was trying to set a fast walk pace, but it was not fitting KC. She kept reminding me her legs are shorter than mine and couldn’t go that fast. Her knee started to cause her great discomfort. Every time she stubbed her toes on the numerous roots and rocks, she cursed. Even I twisted my right ankle several times and one was extremely painful that Kc thought I’d have to quit.
Our crew chief, John, suggested that we move camp for day one a bit closer. We agreed. They went ahead to set up camp. We ended up camping 8 miles short of where we had planned, but opted to shorten our rest time to make up the diffference.
We reached the new camp site a bit frazzled and somewhat defeated. Part of me was hoping that having reached camp, KC would find the strength to overcome her knee pain. We changed clothes and I prepared my gear for day two, I joined KC in the sleeping bag. I asked her about the future and her quick reply was she was done. The pain wasn’t something she could endure, nor would I want her to. However, I was hopeful that some rest would perhaps change the situation.
A power nap was planned. Just enough time to close my eyes before the dang phone reminded me it was time to open them.
2:35 AM the alarm sounds off.
I quickly sat up and started to assess the damage to my body, all of which I conjured up in my head. Finding nothing I turned my focus on KC. When I looked at her, I could tell that she was done. She told me she could not continue. I was torn apart. Trying to find the strength to continue and at the same time trying to find the excuses to stop.
I looked outside our tent and when I saw the tent of our crew, I was overcome with emotion. How could I tell John & Leida that I could not continue? After all, they worked extremely hard with all the race preparation. Their commitment was just as intensive as mine. In addition, our friends Madeleine Verwilt Vergauwen and Estevan Torres were also on their way to join the race as pacers for us. I reached the conclusion that I just could not give up without at least trying.
I looked at KC and told her I wanted to continue, to go on, to attempt to finish the race alone. I felt selfish, but also felt if I quit, I would be letting not only myself but everyone else down. KC agreed I should continue, and she would be there to support me.
Leida approached me and gave me words of encouragement that provided the spark I needed. “You got this Jerome! If you think you can do this, then you need to do it! We are here for you; we will support you. You got to push on as long as you can. You can do this!”
With some emotional confusion and unjustified thoughts, I was on my way. I started with a limp as my left hamstring had tightened up during the nap and the rolled ankle had started to swell.
NEW BEGININGS AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS – DAY 2
My day started with a long, lonely stretch. I remember wondering if made the right choice, should I have stopped. My feet were wet from the morning dew. The air was light and fresh. It was a bit chilly but running caused my body temperature to increase and provide the needed warmth. Soon the Calvary would arrive: Madeleine and Estevan were waiting for me at mile 90. My first stop for the day.
The sun was up by now and temperatures started climbing. I changed my socks and KC took care of my blister. I was so amazed to see everyone with a positive attitude, good mood, and lots of smiles.
My pacers were anxious to get started, both Madeleine and John were grumbling- let’s go, time to move, we got to move.
“Jeez I got it made” I said. I remember thinking; “screw the pain it’s in your head. All these people are here now just for me. Not the time to complain. Suck it up, buttercup!” All the pain went away that morning and now I was starting to enjoy the race.
We did not plan for pacers other than Madeleine and Estevan. We were hopeful that David M Robinson III and Loucarr Llebpmac might join us on day three. We believed that with the outstanding crew we had, that would be sufficient.
But a big surprise came. Anders Johansson and his daughter arrived and planned to spend the day supporting us. What an amazing friend. We trekked together for about 6 hours and he pushed to keep me on pace.
Anders’ daughter Nina set up a hammock as my resting spot for the day’s nap. That was such a great surprise. I remember thinking, “I can’t beat that. It will keep my feet up and no complaints being off the hard ground.”
KC worked on my blisters again and Anders oversaw waking me up in 35 minutes. He did not fail; oh, how I was hoping he would though.
By now it’s pitch black. I was a bit nervous as I was going to spend the entire night alone in the Ocala Forest. My fears were founded, as it did not take much more than an hour for me to get lost.
At a crossing the bike computer indicated to turn left, and half-awake I surely trusted the sign.
Now lost, it took me a little while to figure out that I was in a campsite and could not get out of it other than to retrace my route in. I called KC for some help, but I was extremely tired and was having trouble comprehending her directions. With the help of a nice camper and a course correction I was back on track.
A few miles later I got another big surprise as I see a light coming towards me.
“Hey Jerome! I’m Rosangela Romero and I am here to get you out of the forest.” What the heck? She is an Ultrarunner that offered to come to help me as a pacer. A pleasant surprise and off we went.
Approaching the end of the Ocala Forest, I remember thinking about my next nap, just 10 more miles to go. I was running somewhat half awake at this point. My mind started to play tricks on me and I started to see things. For anyone that knows the Blair Witch Project, things could become creepy when you’re in the middle of a forest. I was so exhausted that I was laughing and at the same time wondering if perhaps my imagination was reality.
I made it! I escaped the forest and reached my campsite. With the help of my pacers, Madeleine, Anders, Nina, Estevan, and Rosa, I was able to average 18-minute miles for this segment of the race.
I quickly started my next power nap, and I woke up before John’s phone rang.
THE FINISH IS WITHIN GRASP – Day 3
With only 50 miles to go, I was on target with our planned finish. My trusted crew John tracking me mile-by-mile, we just had to follow the plan to arrive before midnight.
What a long day and painful day it was. The pain I was enduring started to become an issue. Even switching shoes and socks was not making much of a difference to my aching feet. It was like walking on broken glass.
My left calf was now twice the normal size, and the leg was swollen up to my hamstring. My pitstops were now becoming longer as I needed the extra time to deal with my soreness.
With 40 miles to go and remember thinking, “now is not the time to stop. Just keep moving, put one foot in front of the other. The path is a straight shot to the end. 40 miles of straight road. I wish I could see the end. Maybe the pain is in my head.” My mood was down, I needed to be alone. I did not want to be recorded.
KC informed me that David and Caroline were on the way to help pace me to the finish. She encouraged me to press onwards, “everyone is following you. You’re doing great.”.
A lady named Tina was following us on social media and showed up with a full trunk of goodies. “We’ve never seen anyone reaching this area during the day. You are killing it!”.
30 miles to go and now I’m really grumpy. I was short tempered and even barked at my most cherished supporter, KC. I struggled to get the number of red lights correct. I wanted to blame her for my confusion. As the end of the race was approaching, I only wanted to walk with her. Even despite her own pain she walked most of day 3 with me.
As sundown approached, we crossed the last bridges into St. Augustine. The New Year’s Eve party had started. There were fireworks everywhere. The finish line was within grasps.
We picked up the pace on the last mile. John informed me we could finish the race in under 64 hours. Hearing that gave me renewed confidence and just like that, all my pain was gone.
We were at the last turn and the pier was right there. I touched it and the race was over.
LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN
I never pictured the end of the race to be this way. I felt a bit awkward having all the eyes on me. Inside I truly knew KC sacrificed her race for me. Her unselfishness was my foundation for success.
I could not have done this without our wonderful crew and friends who supported us. Their joining, calling, and sending positive vibes during this journey was inspirational and uplifting.
I did not start nor finish this race to show people that I am better than them, but rather to show myself what I can do, to raise my limitation, to try to better myself, and in a way find myself.
I am 45, French, and a father of 2 wonderful daughters Anaelle and Romane.
KC and I are normal people, and not professional athletes. We both have full time jobs and we’re vegan. Yeah, you don’t need meat to be awesome or win a race. We both believe that just like your life, you need to take care of your body. We reward ourselves with good food and enjoy a plant-based diet. We supplement our protein intake with a vegan protein powder produced by Cocoa Elite. It has the best carbohydrate to protein ratio for our recovery and tastes great.
For the last two years Resolute Tissue has supported me and other employees in fitness events. They permit us to participate in events like triathlons (IRONMAN World Championship CLASH Endurance, @lULTRAMAN ), adventure races (Argeorgia) and marathons. I am fortunate that Resolute Tissue, the company I work for, lets me embrace my journey and appreciates the example I’m setting. The company understands that there must be a work-life balance and we are working hard on inspiring co-workers and our industry. The company is hiring in Sanford, Miami, and Tennessee and I invite you to reach out to me if you want to pursue a career opportunity in the paper Industry.
Records are set to be broken. I hope that my accomplishment will inspire someone in the future. That they will take on a challenge, to show up at the start line and try. It does not matter what they are trying to accomplish- just show up and try. We did it, you can do it, too.
“Don’t limit yourself, have a goal, think big, don’t listen to the naysayers and give back”, a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rules for success. Those words ring true for me.
We all can always do better by learning from our mistakes, our successes and most importantly from others. I always try to give it my best and try to minimize my excuses and regrets.
Some of my lessons learned from Across Florida 200:
· I should have learned more about Ultra running especially running long distances
· Training specifically for this race
· wearing shoes other than my $250 Nike triathlon race shoe
· studying how to navigate alone
What’s next? Who knows. Perhaps the 125-mile Barkley Marathons. Afterall it should be easy now that I have some confidence in ultra-distance events. Will I be accepted as a participant is yet to be determined. Marathons Des Sables in Morocco should be fun as we have some knowledge how to deal with sand. Then Ironman Chattanooga 140.6 in September.
Until then, challenge yourself and show up.
Big thanks and much gratitude to my future wife KC, John, Leida, Estevan, Madeleine, Anders, Nina, David, Caroline, Tina, Alec Rukosuev and all my family and friends.
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