Monday, July 14, 2008

Relay Madness Coming Up!

I finished last week out with 46 miles on Saturday morning, then went to visit Margaret in Seattle. We walked all over the place, including an almost three mile walk around the lake. The next morning we ran five miles, then walked another two, and today my legs are tired! I think it was all the walking... Hopefully, they'll be all rested up by the relay.

This year our team is Rick, Rob, Steve, Jenny, Margaret and me. I believe we are the only six-person team running this year - the field of teams is pretty small at 30. (I'm guessing due to a lack of organization at R2P, plus competition from a new relay in the state). Last year, sometime late in the night, the six of us in our van cooked up the idea of a one van race as a good challenge for us. It still seemed like a good idea the next day, so here we are a year later, ready to give it a whirl.
Eric is taking a pass on the relay - he's prepping for The Canadian Death Race (don't get me started on how a race with "death" in the title makes me feel...) (seriously, I'm sure he can handle it, as long as he doesn't meet up with a griz!) on August 2nd and doesn't want to be up all night. He'll be supporting us during daylight hours, (and sleeping during the dark hours), then he and Jamal might park at the ocean and run out to meet and run the final legs with us. It's all kind of iffy right now, we'll find out what's happening when we see them running towards us!

Plans for the week include a five mile run tomorrow, the hill run on Wednesday and then a rest break on Thursday. Friday morning will find us on the road early, for a 9:00 am start time just inside the park at Mt. Rainier.

My first three legs are 6.21, rated moderate, 6.15, rated easy and 6.94 rated hard. It'll be towards 10:00 at night (or later) by the time I get to the hard one, so I'm hoping the day will have cooled down some. My next three legs are much shorter: 3.9 moderate, 3.4, easy and 3.01, easy. I am really looking forward to the challenge of running six legs on zero sleep - it's gonna be a wild relay!

19 comments:

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Ahhh, you got it, you'll breeze through. Let's just hope it cools off by Friday into the mid-70's!
See ya in the morning!
Jenny

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to the relay. It should be lots of fun.

Sarah said...

Rest up and have a ton of fun! : )

Joe said...

Can't wait for the report...enjoy the zaniness!!!

Darrell said...

with that group, you are bound to have a blast.

wendy said...

Oh, I'm jealous! I want to walk around green lake with you and margaret too! =)

I hope you guys have the best time this weekend. It will be warm!

Anonymous said...

Hope you all have a great time.

holly said...

Relays are always so hilarious! I am sure you'll have a great time.

Thomas said...

Walking is different to running, if you're not used to it, several hours of walking would definitely leave you feeling tired.

Have a great time at the relay!

Ms Eva said...

Wild for sure and so much fun!

Jenn said...

What IS the point of a race title with "Death" in it!!!!

Wes said...

A six (wo)man team is ambitious! I love it and know that you all will do so well :-)

Sunshine said...

I envy your walk all over Seattle. I'd love that. Good memories of time spent with our son when he lived there.
Best wishes for your relay. Running as a team sport: what fun!

Steve Stenzel said...

Sounds like a fun relay! Have a GREAT time!!

Adelyn said...

I love how you always seem to be fitting in relays among all your other races :) It seems like you always have such a great time!

tryathlete said...

Enjoy the relay! It's fun to read about, I hope it's equally fun to do.

Bret said...

You are amazing! 46 miles...I am the worst at training. I never do 46 miles, except when I do a 50 mile race! Ha! I really liked the video on the previous post. Great music.

Bummed I will miss your marathon. Gail may come up and do it. Marine Corp is a good one...huge crowds though, did it with friends about 4 years ago.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to hear how R2P goes with a team of 6! Good luck. Guess I won't be seeing you there this year. Yes, the lack of organization, etc. sent our team to find another relay. We'll be running Ragnar in WA that same weekend.

Meghan said...

Ohmygosh that's a lot of relay legs you are running. And I'm sure all the ladies are going to be working that much, too. Wowow, you are out there right now running your little tootsies off. I hope you're having a fabulous time, Michelle!

Meghan