Jack, Lawlor and Emily at the finish
With Lawlor’s Scout Mountain Ultra (https://scoutmountainultras.com/) in the books…
I’m taking a pause to reflect on his event summary:
There are objective metrics by which one usually judges such an event, and I’ve captured some below:
Finish? Yes (just under half the 67 registered runners completed the race)
Total Distance Run? 101 miles
Course Profile? 23,800′ of elevation gain and loss (how are your quads now?)
Total Time? 31:58:02 hours
Total Funds Raised? $24,000 (and counting)
But then, there are the subjective metrics that will stick with us a lot longer.
Perseverance
Lawlor is a planner and loves to execute “the plan”. This event asked him to throw that idea out the window. Despite planning to finish in 24 hours, Lawlor persevered to complete it in 32 when mid-stream, a finish was in doubt. With temps in the 90s, the race looked like this…
- Miles 1 – 45: HOT, HOT, HOT
- Miles 45 – 60: Unable to keep food or liquids down
- Mile 60 Aid Station: Rest and recovery (God love these capable volunteers)
- Miles 60 – 80: Ran with running buddy Jack
- Miles 80 – 94: Ran with running buddy Emily
- Miles 94 – 101: The three tattered runners finished!
After a grueling 99 miles, Lawlor finished the final 2 miles at a blistering 7:00 minute per mile pace. Evidence that we are each capable of so much more than we think!
Resonance
Today is the 6th anniversary of Hunter’s death. These events weren’t planned to fit together – Scout Mountain just worked for Lawlor’s schedule – but, of course, this invites an extraordinary amount of reflection. The symmetry between having a plan, being asked to throw that plan out the window due to unseen events, and then moving forward despite the pain, well, let’s just say the echoes between life and the race resonate for us Coes.
While Lawlor’s success is writ large today, the ways that both Regan and Jordan have woven Hunter’s loss into their narrative and crafted a life of meaning is nothing short of inspiring. Mark and I are blessed to sit in proximity to each of the children and bear witness to their hard work and resilience.
Connection
Hunter Coe was all about connection. He loved his family, friends, and most days, his parents, too. He loved hard, valued loyalty, and displayed both wildly. When listening to his best angels, Hunter truly was a Boat of Love to others.
Going into the race, Lawlor casually shared that two of his running buddies (Jack and Emily – whom we’ve never met) would help pace him on the latter miles. We’ve seen pacers on other ultras, the mother in me was thrilled and Lawlor connected me with Jack and Emily to keep us each in the loop throughout the race. To watch things go South and then see how Jack and Emily stepped up to support Lawlor, well, what an example of being a Boat of Love!
It is a beautiful thing to see your child find their passion; to find it in service to others while finding their people, well, that’s just magic!
Generosity
Lawlor’s feat is incredible. And your generosity towards the Hunter Quigley Coe Be The Boat Fund is humbling.
Since its inception in 2016, Be The Boat has issued nearly $200,000 in community grants to provide needed behavioral and mental health services in the Oak Park, River Forest, and North Lawndale communities. Swim lessons, sibling camp, academic tutoring—we’ve done it all—because of you.
With each donation, you have invested in a possibility – the possibility that a needed intervention can help pivot a child’s trajectory towards greater mental health. A cause so dear to us it is almost palpable.
With each donation, you’ve ensured a future—for Be The Boat and those with whom we partner, even if Lawlor never runs another mile :--) We’re so very grateful.
In 2016, we approached what would have been Hunter’s 25th birthday adrift, with Be The Boat no closer than a distant shore. It was launched on a wing and a prayer, and you helped set its course. Like Jack and Emily, you’ve uplifted us on our journey, a gift we’ll remember in perpetuity, and we can’t thank you enough.
On behalf of Mark, Regan, Lawlor, and Jordan, thank you,
Be The Boat!