Lawlor’s path come July…. yikes….
2022’s Primary Fundraiser Announced!
Lawlor’s big race, and Be The Boat’s primary fundraiser of ’22, is the Crazy Mountain Ultra. Crow lore called the range the “Crazy Woman Mountains" (AKA “The Crazies”) after a woman’s descent into madness when her family was killed in the westward settlement movement and she retreated to the mountains to live. What poetic resonance to some of us!
The race includes 100 miles of wildflower-strewn meadows, scree fields, and high mountain ridgelines, with 25,000 feet of vertical gain, a good bit of which is above 10,000 feet. Absolutely crazy. Mark and I will crew for Lawlor and are excited to be back on his race team rather than texting his buddies from afar.
With an ambitious goal of $25,000, Lawlor’s Go Fund Me account will launch on the 7th anniversary of Hunter’s death (6/7/22, click here), although donations may be made directly to Be The Boat here. We are especially grateful that this goal is jump-started by a generous $2,500 matching donation!
The “Why?” You may be wondering what compels Lawlor to do this? Two simple reasons, each of which is an homage to Hunter…
· Running equals healing…. If you’ve not already done so, take a listen to this love letter to brothers, love beyond loss and running which were shared during Lawlor’s conversation with Outside Magazine’s podcast about “Forces of Good”…
· Healing equals healing…. Our mission, to deliver transformative mental health services to youth, is bold.
With each dollar, you are catalyzing this possibility and for that, we’re most grateful. As are the at-risk children of Oak Park and North Lawndale who benefit directly from your generosity.
Won’t you join us on this life-saving mission?
POST EVENT UPDATE
As the dust settles on Lawlor’s latest 100 mile ultramarathon to benefit the Be The Boat Fund, there are a number of highlights to share, each of which speaks to Lawlor’s two goals for the event:
to finish (seriously – just to finish all 102.6 miles under his own steam)
to raise funds for the Hunter Quigley Coe Be The Boat Fund
First, I can’t believe I forgot to share a link to the event! Cell service was so spotty that we had to resort to satellite links just to keep track of Lawlor, meaning we weren’t able to communicate much IRL during the run.
Second, while it ain’t in real-time, let’s look in hindsight instead!
Thursday’s pre-race briefing provided the following cautions:
□ highs expected in the 80s and 90s
□ risk of hyponatremia (low sodium due to overconsumption of water) – drink to thirst and if overheated, lay in a stream
□ bear spray required (there will be bear… and mountain lion, antelope and elk – oh my!)
□ lightening anticipated (and protocols reviewed)
Lawlor left the meeting absolutely pumped while I left it with a great deal of pause.
Friday opened beautifully, with the start preceded by a moving drum blessing by Shane Doyle … https://www.instagram.com/p/CgvWv-jtHz1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Event record – click on this link to see the race in real-time. Extra credit is given to those who click the star next to Lawlor’s name so that you’re able to follow his “bouncing ball” on its course through the race: https://crazymountain100-2022.maprogress.com/
Video montage – Lawlor appears twice – in blue shirt/shorts midway through and in grey at the end of the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgu-svnPrr3/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Third, by the numbers. Lawlor met both of his goals, in spectacular fashion:
Of the 138 racers who started, 55% completed the race
Of those who finished, Lawlor finished 14th in 28:49:45 (including one 20-minute hammock “rest” at mile 73) – yep, just under 29 hours of continuous motion
Lawlor’s final 7 miles were run at blistering splits of 6:30 minute/mile alternated with an 8-minute/recovery mile
Funds raised to date (there’s still time – links are below): $35,500
Lawlor has found his people, and isn’t a life in community one of life’s great blessings?
What a crew and what a gift to sit in proximity to the intersection of Lawlor’s people, place, and purpose. Friends who’d never run a lap came out to cheer Lawlor on and two friends in particular – Emily and Andy – took turns running through the night alongside him. Others hit the trail, at all hours of the day and night, to capture video and stills of Lawlor in motion. Regan, a big city, Chicago kind of girl, proved her Mountain West driving cred by ferrying Emily in the middle of the night deep into the Crazy Mountains. While Jordan – the family member most likely to join any road trip – was sadly missing but there in spirit and via check-in texts. Mark and I are in awe of the deep communion of this event and are so very grateful to you for your support of Lawlor and the Be The Boat Fund.
While waiting at 2:30 AM for Lawlor’s imminent arrival, I peered into the vast night sky (and milky way), barely visible between the conifers, and asked Hunter to guide Lawlor the remaining 30 miles. While I’m not sure if he heard me, I knew in my heart that much as Hunter’s death has dislocated us, Be The Boat has moored us. And that is because you have served unconditionally as our Boat of Love. In allowing us to deliver transformational mental health services to area youth, your generosity has allowed us to rewrite our narrative to one of healing through service. We are humbled and so very appreciative.