I really wasn't sure what to expect with this experience. Performance didn't matter except for my own expectations as my team's average pace varied from around 6:30s to 12:00+ We weren't exactly gunning for a big win so this was more about the experience of a 30 hour, 198 mile relay. And what an experience...
Mer and I started out on Thursday night at the Spaghetti Factory for some carb loading and a chance for me to meet the rest of the team. Everyone seemed super cool and I was getting geared up for the next day. Before heading home Mer and I sought out some additional carbs at a nice outdoor bar called the Rose and Thistle.
We were in Van #2, thus even though the team started at 1pm, we didn't meet until two. This gave Mer and I some time to run some last minute errands getting food and a very sexy running vest before meeting up with our van.
As we pulled into the parking lot for our first exchange, it felt like a Runners Woodstock. There were hundreds of Vans all painted with team names and runners. Runners and not-quite-runners were everywhere. It was exhilarating. I even ran into a few runner friends from SD. Small world.
Crocker dominated her first leg and did a cool down as I warmed up. By the time I was up to run it was dark so I got to rock both the reflective vest and headlamp.
Leg One: 6.43 miles - Flat - 9pm
As I shot off with only a beam of light illuminating my path on the paved bike trail, everything seemed so calm. I left behind the energy and noise from the exchange point and was alone in the dark, nothing but my steady breath in the night. I took it out slow and just watched for the next runner in my path, but it was two miles until a small reflection of light bounced back to me from the runner's vest in front of me. I began to pick up the pace and over the next four miles cut pace down from high 6's down to the a comfortable 6:30 pace. Every once in awhile I'd see the bouncing light from a runner's vest in front of me and slowly and quietly gun them down. It's called a road kill everytime you pass someone. I got 13 roadkills before gliding down to the exchange point to pass to our next runner. It was a rush. I felt so exhilerated and ready to go again.
I ate a sandwich I had bought earlier that day and attempted to get some shut-eye in the van, which was next to impossible. I think I managed maybe about two hours of on and off sleep before Crocker and I gave up and went for some coffee around 4 am. We chatted as the other van parked near us to pick up their #6 runner and our #7 got ready for her second leg in the early morning.
Leg Two: 6.81 miles - 1.5 uphill with the remainder of the leg downhill - 6:30am
It was light enough that I was able to ditch the headlamp for leg #2, though I still was required to keep on the vest. I had about 1.5 miles of paved uphill to start things out and used the slower pace that the climb dictated to shake the sleepiness out and get the exhilaration going again. As I crested the road the morning mist thickened and a thin sheen of sweat and dew clung to my arms, face and legs. The next mile was uncomfortably steep, and I'm already not a fan of steep downhills as it was. The next 5+ miles averaged around 6-6:10 pace but my effort level was minimal. Gravity did most of the work as I picked up 16 roadkills and rolled into the exchange point.
Sleep was more difficult in the afternoon. I managed about an hour in the van as we drove to the site of our last round of legs. But once we hit the open field with all the vans sleep was just not going to happen. I hadn't had anything but pretzles and peanut butter & english muffins all morning so by early afternoon was feeling a little off. Decided to trust my iron stomach and had a bowl of pasta and meat sauce even though my last leg was closing in and I knew it would be the fasted paced because it was so short. I topped it off with a triple shot of espresso and rallied for the last leg.
Crocker got the joy of running double her leg when one of our runners couldn't quite handle the lack of sleep + running and had to pull out after only a mile on her last leg. Mer, being the trooper she is, jumped out, no warm up at all, and took on the last 4 miles of that leg PLUS her own 4+ mile leg. Way to go, Crocker. ;)
Leg Three: 4.10 miles - rolling pavement - 4:15pm
I was surprised at how fresh my legs still felt despite having run two legs and not getting much sleep at this point. My biggest complaint as I jogged some warm up mileage was a stitch in my side (not all that shocking as the spaghetti was still sloshing around). Luckily I had a lot of warm up time since the leg before me was pretty long, so by the time our runner made his way to the exchange point I had worked out all the kinks and was rarin' to go. This was the only leg I really let myself let loose on. I really held back on the first two legs and never got to a point of discomfort. Like I said, I was in it for the experience not to set any personal records. But with such a short final leg I decided to push it just a bit. I averaged about 6:15s for the 4+ mile jaunt and felt strong the whole time.
This race definitely taught me that I often place to much emphasis on sleep and recovery. While getting sleep and being recovered are obviously important, there really is no reason to freak out if you can't sleep the night before a race. I learned my body is capable of a lot even when circumstances aren't ideal.
Overall, this was such an amazing experience. I was excited for each leg I ran and there was none of the associated anxiety before a race, or even a hard workout. Sharing it with Mer was best part of the whole weekend.
Now, if I could just catch up on my sleep...
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