Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. -- ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – One of the most rewarding things as a parent is watching your child succeed at something; in particular, something that they’ve poured their heart and soul into.
Seeing them overcome the long hours, grueling moments and endless doubts is a true achievement for both child and parent. And all parents know that no matter how old they get, that hope for them accomplishing their goals never goes away.
For Arnold Engineering Development Complex Technical Management Branch Chief Mike Dent, he was not only able to see his son, Tim, accomplish a tremendous goal, he was able to be alongside him for his journey and to also participate with him in it.
Currently, Tim is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force and serves as the Raven Program Manager at the Papa Air Base in Hungary where he leads a multi-national Security Force in support of the NATO mission.
Tim recently completed the ultramarathon Moab 240 in October 10-15. Spanning 240 miles across Utah’s rugged desert and mountain terrain, the five-day race challenges runners with steep climbs, unpredictable weather and relentless mileage.
The race participant selection is lottery based, and Tim was chosen as one of the race’s 252 participants. For the race, the runners are allowed to have a crew. Tim’s crew consisted of his fiancé Cariná, mother, best friend and his father, Mike. As a part of his crew, they would be able to run alongside him as a pacer during the second half of the journey.
Preparing for the challenge
Pacers are critical in ultramarathons. They offer moral support, companionship and safety. As a pacer for the race, Mike knew his role was critical. He had known for months that his son would be running the Moab 240, but it wasn’t until about four weeks before the race that he considered joining as a pacer. Mike is a frequent runner, typically running three miles two or three times a week along with other fitness activities. He stays very active.
Still, the responsibility weighed on him. Mike learned that runners must stay with their pacers; they cannot abandon them. If a pacer falters, the runner must stay with their pacer until they get to the closest checkpoint. To prepare, Tim gave his father a training profile to follow, ensuring he could handle the distance. Mike added that he was not able to train for the altitude at which he would be hiking and running during the race. Nevertheless, he moved forward with his training.
For the next few weeks, Mike said he trained in preparation to give himself the best shot at providing aid to his son during the challenging race.
The climb to Shay Mountain
Mike joined Tim at mile 114.22, at Shay Mountain, sitting at about 8,400 feet. From there, they faced a climb to the peak at 10,600 feet before descending to Monticello Lake at mile marker 126.42.
“I was the first pacer, and I joined him once he had already run 114 miles,” Mike explained. “My part was only 13 miles, 6-and-a-half miles up the mountain, and then another 6-and-a-half down. For me, that was a lot.”
Mike described the experience as both grueling and rewarding.
“Watching Tim arrive at Shay Mountain checkpoint was exhilarating,” he said. “The energy and encouragement coming from the volunteers serving food and providing first aid to the runners was inspiring. Our team had a Jeep Waggoneer that we used to provide a comfortable and warm sleeping area where Tim was able to grab a short nap. After his nap, we flagged down the medic who tended to the blisters on Tim’s feet and then re-wrapped them for the next leg. While his feet were being cared for, he inhaled a chicken Quesada freshly prepared by volunteers. Then finally it was time for Tim and me to start our leg.”
Mike continued to explain that runners had to reach the checkpoints by a certain time, or they would be disqualified.
“Tim had been racing since Friday at noon, and this was Sunday at 4:30 p.m.,” he added. “His halfway point, 120 miles, was the Shay Mountain peak. His finance, the team leader, gave me our arrival time goal for Monticello Lake. Off we ran. That first couple of miles was not what I was expecting. It was a lot of work, but Tim helped me focus. ‘One step at a time,’ he said. ‘Take in the amazing scenery.’ Those words and his encouragement were game-changing. I also learned that my poles were not just for balance. I started using them to help pull myself up the mountain. We reached the peak at dusk. The view was gorgeous, and it was a site to see.”
A test of endurance and spirit
Heading back down the mountain, they joined three other runners who they ran with for several miles. The father-son duo reached Monticello Lake aid station at about 9:30 p.m. Along the course, runners encounter about a dozen aid stations where they can rest, refuel and regroup. After a brief refueling, Tim’s fiancé Cariná then stepped in as the next pacer for a 17-mile segment.
Fast forward to 11 a.m. Tuesday with 40 miles remaining in the race. Mike said that Tim was facing some moments of doubt. At his final checkpoint, Tim had logged 199.3 miles. With the finish line in reach, he had 40 miles to go with 22 hours in which to reach it. Mike explained that if he took longer than that, he would be disqualified. Exhausted and uncertain, Mike said Tim’s resolve was starting to wane.
“I told him to try and make to at least 200 miles,” he said. “If he reached 200 and couldn’t go any further that would have been OK, but I knew he had it in him to finish.”
That motivation rallied Tim’s resolve. He completed the race in four days and 19 hours, finishing with just an hour to spare. His reward was a coveted Moab belt buckle, a symbol of grit and perseverance. It’s important to note that out of the 252 runners who signed up, 44 percent didn’t finish.
For Mike, the race was more than a physical challenge – it was an experience of a lifetime with his son.
“It was a bonding-type experience,” he explained. “We've talked about it several times since the race. It was a most memorable adventure with my son.”
Mike added that Tim has made a full recovery from the race and said that there is talk of possibly another ultramarathon in the next few years.