Introducing our December BYU Australia profile, Gemma Gore!
Many of you will know Gemma as the wife and crewwoman of Phil Gore, Australia’s current BYU record holder.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gemma and it has been fun to get inside her head and learn some tips and tricks of what occurs on the other side when we are all out trudging loops.
Tell us a little about yourself…who you are, what your “real life” looks like.
I have four girls and I work at the local primary school as the Canteen Manager. Four years ago, Phil and I started up Shipwreck Parkrun in Perth and we are still the Co-Event Directors so you will find me there every Saturday morning usually volunteering or walking the course. Other than that, I love a good pub quiz and singing very loudly in my car.
How many times have you crewed someone in a Backyard Ultra? When, who, where?
Just Phil really, although I like to jump in and help anyone who needs it. We have done 7 Backyard Ultras together. 3 times at Birdy’s 2 times at Herdy’s, once at Hysterical Carnage in SA and just recently at the Satellite Championships in Victoria.
Have you done a Backyard Ultra yourself? Would you?
No, I haven’t. But never say never…I never thought I would sign up for a 24 hour race, however I did sign up this year and I managed 95km which was an amazing experience.
How do you prepare yourself personally in the lead up to a race?
I am honestly terrible at this. I always have these grand plans of getting lots of sleep and having a stress-free lead up to an event but it just never happens. Many times, I have driven straight from work on a Friday to an event.
Is there anything as a crew person you can’t live without during a race?
Coffee and sleep.
What is your best piece of advice to someone who is taking on crewing duties for the first time?
Don’t forget to look after yourself too. Easier said than done and this is still a work in progress for me. You will forget to eat, you will make sure your runner stays hydrated but forget you need water too!
Can you take us through the process of what you do once your runner has left for the next lap in order to be ready for their return?
1. I tidy up, put everything back in its place and try to keep everything neat and organised, this is very helpful in the later stages and makes packing up easier when you just want to sleep.
2. I see what’s on the plan for the next break and get out whatever I may need.
3. Update social media
4. Most important step – hang out with my friends
5. Be ready for when Phil comes back in with whatever he needs.
What are some key things you have learned to help Phil go further? Tips and tricks.
We don’t focus on what yard number he is on. This is just a distraction and can be a negative thing.
I remind him of past events – e.g. how he was feeling at certain times, and that he got through it so will be able to again.
It’s important to know your runner, to know what they are capable of, and also what motivates them.
Know their plan, routine, likes and dislikes.
The way you cut a piece of fruit can make or break a race.
What is it like being married to one of Australia’s best Backyard Ultra runner? What does a day look like in your household around Phil’s training?
It’s funny because people recognise me (obviously only within the running community) and will come and say hello which is really nice. This is something that people are always curious about, how do I deal with all the running that he does, does it cut into family time? It rarely does as all his runs are done really early while I’m still asleep or as a commute to or from work. We sold our second car a few years ago because Phil was running everywhere and we barely used it.
What’s the strangest request you’ve ever had as a crew member?
At the Satellite Championships, Phil asked us to remove the mud that was on a section of the dirt road just outside of camp. A very strange request and not something I was going to do. Apparently, it was annoying him each lap because he was tripping on it. I went and looked at the road expecting to see a large and obvious pile of dirt on the road and there was nothing there. Delirious runners are a strange bunch.
What do you find is the toughest part of crewing a Backyard Ultra?
The sleep, yep definitely the sleep. Before, during and after. The days leading up to a race I’m excited and I can’t sleep and then during the race it’s hard to sleep because the FOMO is real and there’s the constant noise from music and whistles and afterwards I’m exhausted but Phil’s moaning and groaning from the pain keeps me awake!
Do you have any key motivational slogans, words, phrases for Phil when times get tough?
I do but they are way too embarrassing and private to share!!
Have you ever been worried that Phil has pushed too far and hurt himself?
Not really, but then I don’t have too much sympathy for him. There needs to be a bone sticking out for me to start to worry. Oh and it has to be a bone on one of his legs.
Is there anything you won’t do as a crew member?
Nothing that I can think of…
What’s the secret sauce for Phil’s amazing performances?
Consistency in his training and his organisation.
What’s the optimal crew size for a backyard ultra?
The more crew there is, the better sleep each person can get. Probably ideally at least 3 but no more than 6.
Who’s in charge in that crew tent?
Phil is for the first 50-60 hours.
What is your greatest crewing moment to date?
Definitely the inaugural year of Herdys Frontyard Ultra in Perth. The atmosphere was electric, the crowds were phenomenal and Channel 7 even came down to film twice! It was only Phil’s second Backyard but he had put everything in to his training and I just knew he was going to do something special. The pressure was on anyway as we had filmmaker Marco Noè following our every move. That was a very special weekend.
Thank you Gemma for sharing your insight with us!
* Photography by Marco Noé
