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Coaching and Pacing the Western States 100 Documentary

Coaching and Pacing the Western States 100 Documentary

Published by Patrick Durante on August 1, 2025

I have never paced someone for 38 miles—let alone at the biggest ultra in the US, the Western States Endurance Run. David Tien got into the 2025 race from being 27th on the waitlist.

Dave’s story is intertwined with mine. Nearly 20 years ago, I started working for a web hosting company in their help desk department. This is where I first met Dave, who was part of the Network Operations division. While I was a road runner back then and enjoyed biking (but not swimming), over time, we would go on lunchtime bike rides at work, and I got to know Dave better through the years. I never would have he would be the reason I would be heading to Western States in 2025.

I ended up getting promoted to junior system administrator, and that’s when I started working directly with Dave. He was heavily involved in the Philadelphia triathlon scene, and after constantly badgering him with questions about what it takes to complete a triathlon, I entered my first sprint distance event. That’s where I began progressing my endurance into longer and multisport events. If it weren’t for his assistance back in the 2008–2010 time frame, I might not have been led down the path I’m on now.

While I didn’t stick with triathlon because trail running fit my lifestyle better, Dave inspired me to go longer and push harder into areas where I was uncomfortable—learning to swim, racing on a tri bike I bought from him, and finally running the last leg of a triathlon. It was the stepping stone I needed on my journey.

When I got the news he was on the waitlist for WSER, my next question was, “Can I pace and coach you?” I didn’t even have to think about it. I am so glad I got this opportunity; it was truly magical to go on this kind of journey with someone you’ve known for so long. I had so much fear, uncertainty, and doubt about whether I would be a “good” pacer. Sitting at the Foresthill aid station, I felt equal amounts of excitement and anxiety. All of it was washed away as soon as we started running together.

In the end, it’s just running—and ultras, which I know well. There was nothing this 38-mile run could throw at me that I couldn’t handle. That’s not the real task; the task is helping someone else. I think I did that pretty well for my first big pacing duty. I still can’t believe I got to do it at the Super Bowl of 100s.

This video is the culmination of years of experience, friendship, and a commitment to helping someone who taught me so much about networking, routing, switching, Linux, and many things that have nothing to do with running. It was paying back someone in the only way I knew how. Enjoy the video. Enjoy the process of training and self improvement. Enjoy all of the people you met along your journey. You never know who you are inspiring with your actions, and how your paths may cross in the future.

Enjoy the documentary now live on YouTube. It took be awhile to edit because we went on two different family vacations. I think it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think of the video in the comments on YouTube.

Rim To River 100 – West Virginia’s Only 100-Mile Race

Rim To River 100 – West Virginia’s Only 100-Mile Race

Published by Patrick Durante on November 9, 2022

What went right?

  • Bladder vs handhelds in race vest
    • Great for tons of ice.  This allowed me to use my front pockets for food/trash/phone for taking pics.
  • Caffeine Pills
    • Great boost of energy once you are tired. Took it twice during the race and really helped get me back on my feet.
  • Fire pit to dry feet
    • Have no spare socks but near an aid station?  Use the fire pit to dry everything out!  Why did I never think of this?!?!?!  Thank you random drunk pacer that had no runner!  Put my shoes, socks, and bare feet next to the fire for 5 minutes and they were as good as new!
  • Pre-set race pace of 12:30-13:30
    • Right at the start, I tried to hold this pace but I didn’t do it enough.  It was both good and bad because I still would rather run slightly faster with someone than alone.
  • No rocks!  What was amazing was how different the trails were from PA-type trails.  That is basically all I know and most of what I have run. 
    •  I thought it was a joke when they called PA “Rocksylvania”, but it’s true!  The course had way fewer rocks than the trails in Philly. (Wissahickon)
  • Road shoes were used vs trail shoes. 
    • This race was very runnable in a road shoe.  You will kick a bunch of rocks as there will be a sea of leaves, so keep that in mind.
  • Music 
    • Used headphones on my head at the start, but didn’t have music playing 100 percent of the time.  Clicked on music to take my mind off the pain when needed.
    • They lasted THE ENTIRE RACE (25 hours) because I would pause when running with others. Great wireless headphones, highly recommend them!
  • 3 camera system

What went wrong?

  • Reusable cup lost
    • One of the aid stations would NOT give me soup/soda because I didn’t have my cup.  I told them multiple times it fell out of my pack.  I get it guys, you want to go cupless, but using one cup for a guy who lost his isn’t a big deal.  The next aid station was able to make it work and got me a replacement cup.  
  • Ran out of water during an 11-mile section.
    • I didn’t top off my water bladder before I left the aid station.  This was a HUGE mistake.  I had to drink from a stream because I was dying of thirst and it was getting really hot.
  • Didn’t close the aid bag and it got rained in it.
    • Didn’t change shoes because 3rd pair got soaked and I also forgot to carry an extra pair of socks.
  • Out and back format of this race can be annoying on the single-track sections.
  • Watch course tracking via Garmin didn’t work very well on the GPX files I had loaded. This cause me to get lost once.
  • My feet were wet for too long and I paid the price. I will never go that long with wet feet without changing socks. If it’s been more than 20+ miles and they have been wet, be prepared for some foot pain.
  • Forgot my headlamp for the race start, but was able to grab it from the aid station truck.

Feedback for race directors:

  • If I had a message for the race directors it would be that all aid station bags should be kept under a canopy.  Every other 100 I have run has done this.  I know it was my fault, but they lined them up out in the open to make it easier to find but got soaked in the process. It was 100% my fault for leaving my bag open a bit which caused it to get flooded.
    • Allows people to use non-waterproof bags.
  • Have backup cups for people that might lose them on the course.  This is also my fault, but please have some leniency.
  • I thought a drop bag was mandatory for Friday night. Some people like to give them a once-over at the hotel.  I don’t know if I missed that note, but the trucks were still there in the AM.

What I would do differently?

I was consistent with my pace, but not enough.  I was with people that pushed me slightly faster than I wanted to run.  I still would have rather run with someone than alone so this was still the right decision, but I need to try a race fully set at a target pace.  The fact I forgot my spare socks in my pack was pretty dumb.

Final Thoughts:

I gave my buckle to my dad because he joked about when was I going to give him one.  It was a tiny act of kindness I could do for someone who sacrificed everything. There are so many people that come together to make this happen.  I would give them all buckles if I could, my in-laws, my parents, my wife, aid station workers, and people who marked the course.  The list is endless, but I’m just glad there are people that make these races a reality. Check out the video below to see the course through my eyes. I hope you enjoy watching it!  I really enjoyed running it! 

Runner Shout out: 

Michael Warren, Jennifer Russo, and Brian Collins shared the most miles with me and I can’t thank them enough!