When Taylor Spike asked if I wanted to help out at an aid station for the Cascades 100 Mile Race, I didn’t hesitate. I knew it would be epic because it always is with Taylor.
My wife and I were in Montana at the time meeting with our manufacturer who produces our Epic Fuel and Epic Creatine + (exciting things brewing there). I was trying to get a game plan in my head on how to make all this work with the timing of meetings, the race, flights, etc. My options were I could either fly home, turn around the very next morning just to fly out again OR I could make it a bigger adventure, grab a rental car and hit the road. I think you know which one I chose! I dropped my wife off at the airport at 4:30 am the next morning so she could get back home to our anxiously waiting twins. I got a big cup of Epic caffeine and started my journey from Montana to Oregon.

I drove through Big Sky, West Yellowstone, and into Idaho. Talk about some amazing country. My plan was to stay at a friend’s house (who is also an Epic Athlete of ours) in Boise for the night to break up the trip. We were firefighters together in Oklahoma before he moved to Idaho. About 8 hours later I made it to his house. I got to hang out with him and his beautiful family for the afternoon. Boise was a cool spot and one I would like to explore more in the future. We called it an early night because I knew I had another 6 hour drive in the morning with the unknown weekend ahead.

I arrived in Redmond, OR just after 1:00 pm at the local airport to drop off my rental car.
Grabbed my bags and Taylor and his dad, Greg, picked me up in the sprinter van. Greg is a complete stud, he is closing in on 80 years old and still running Ultras! He was signed up and running the 50 mile race. Absolute legend. We stopped at a local burger joint in Bend, man was that delicious. If you are ever in Bend, I highly recommend Bend Burger Company.

We explored around the Bend area a bit and then off into the mountains we went. We set up camp around the Todd Lakes area with a great view of Mt. Bachelor. The next morning kicked off with a great run up to Green Lakes before heading to Sisters, OR for packet pickup and to meet up with Pam Spike, Taylors’ lovely wife who saved us with food and supplies. Without her, it would have been a mess. I had the pleasure of meeting the race directors of Alpine Running who are wonderful people and if you run one of their races you are in for a great time. While there Taylor gave a speech that set the tone for the adventure ahead.

We camped in Sisters the night before the race, and at sunrise, we were up and setting up the aid station. If you’ve never run an ultramarathon or volunteered at one, you’re missing out. The energy, the people, the sheer determination in the air it’s unforgettable. The aid station Captain Madeline, was funny and made the whole thing flow and a good time. She had made these birthday poster boards and various other goodies for the 7 runners who had birthdays that day.

Runners started rolling through around 8:30 a.m., and from that moment on, it was nonstop action: cheering, refueling, hydrating, and making sure every athlete felt supported. I think it was safe to say we had the best crew hands down. It was a warm day and I can’t tell you how many pounds of ice we went through trying to cool runners down and their drinks. As the day progressed we fired up the camp stove to make some hot food, broth, and coffee. We were supposed to have quesadillas but we happened to be missing a very important part, CHEESE! Oh well, we had a truck load of pancakes and bacon to get the runners by.

Unfortunately, a wildfire (Flat Fire) forced the race to end early. I know there was some
disappointment and frustration but safety is always a priority and as conditions deteriorated there was no other choice. The right decision was made, and everyone made it out safely. But the adventure didn’t stop there.

Around 10:30 p.m., a small crew of us ran a little over 7 miles to sweep the course, ensuring no runners were left behind. Then we turned around and ran the 7 + miles back to camp. We got in around 2:30 a.m., grabbed a couple hours of sleep, and woke up to break down the aid station. 

I had a flight to catch that day at 1:00 pm. We also had a 2-hour drive ahead to Eugene where my flight was leaving. Taylor and I jumped in the truck and had a great time visiting about life, history, past, future, and everything in between.

Taylor dropped me off at the airport, and I felt genuinely sorry for anyone seated near me on that long flight back to Oklahoma. Three days, countless memories, and one unforgettable experience.

Anytime I get the chance to be part of this running community surrounded by adventure seekers and purpose driven individuals, I’ll find a way to be there. Our brand is and will always be Supporting Life’s Pursuits. Remember, adventure isn’t something you find. It’s something you choose.