The Oasis Effect
The Oasis Effect.
It’s the main reason you’re spending more time than you want in aid stations and something I help clients plan for ahead of a race so they can perform their best.
Once you know it, you can manage it.
Here’s how it works: you want to race as efficiently as possible to stay well ahead of cutoffs. That means saving time wherever you can, especially in aid stations, where you’re not moving but the clock is still ticking.
At the same time, they’re also critical moments in a race. They’re your one chance to fix any issues, refuel, and regroup before heading out to the next section. Getting them right is crucial to finishing. You have lots of control here and need to use it to and make sure every possibility is anticipated.
To make this happen, you assemble a crew. You plan your nutrition in detail, budget time for each stop, and organize gear meticulously, whether it’s in drop bags or with your crew. You do everything you can think to solve any problem that might have come up.
The result being that coming into the aid station feels like arriving at an oasis after hours trekking through the empty Sahara desert.
People are there—your people, if you have a crew. They welcome you in. They’re focused on you, ready to help and eager to know how it’s going. You’re the star here, able to relax for a moment with someone who genuinely wants to support you. They ask, “What can I get you?” They’re there with food, drinks, and whatever you need. Sometimes wifi. If you’re craving a cheese quesadilla, they’re on it. I’ve even had volunteers help me change out of wet, muddy socks at night.
You’re no longer limited to what’s in your pack. Fresh, dry clothes? They’re there if you want them.
And at night, the aid station is also a safe oasis of light and warmth in the dark, cold woods.
It’s no wonder you don’t want to leave. It’s safe, comfortable, and welcoming. The thought of dragging your tired, stiff body out of that chair and back into the dark for a three-hour slog to the next aid station can be hard to face.
You might be tempted to rely on crews and volunteers to get you moving but they’re happy you’re there because they have something to do besides wait, so they’re not necessarily going to make you face leaving the aid station either.
This is the “Oasis Effect” - an island of comforts and choices that tempt you to linger. You’ve reached the oasis—why would you leave?
To shake off the Oasis Effect and keep moving, keep your focus on the ultimate oasis - the finish.
An aid station isn’t the real oasis - it’s a mirage. The comfort and safety you feel are only temporary. When cutoff time is up and the sweeps arrive, this oasis will pack up and disappear.
The real oasis you’re seeking is the finish line. Once you cross it, you can finally rest easy, knowing your journey is done and that comfort and security are yours to stay.
So get in to the aid station, enjoy your time there, and get out.
Enjoy them, but enjoy them ALL - all the way to the finish.
