Chat thread runners - how did the Blue Ridge Relay go?
same post from the Running Thread
BRR Summary
Friday 8 am we left Charlotte to meet the first van at exchange 6, ate some Taco Bell once we got up there (flirting with disaster). Met the other van and the other runners on the team (i only knew 2 others of our 10 total runners). Other team left Charlotte at 4 am.
First leg (number 9), late afternoon, hot, sunny, but a flat 5+ miler. Only trouble was a little hill at the end but nothing compared to the hills seen on the other legs. Runner 10 was our last runner, then we drove off towards the next major exchange. Before then we stopped for dinner at a China Buffett (flirting with disaster again). Got to our exchange with about 2+ hours to relax so we just chilled.
Night legs started and I was amped up. however, 2 legs before my second run we got the van stuck in a ditch so me and another runner hitched rides to the next 2 exchanges so we could keep the relay going. Ran leg 19, a net downhill, very gradual though, 4.4 miler in the dark which was an awesome sight seeing everyone in their reflective vests, headlamps, blinkys, etc. Was happy to see our captain at the exchange which meant the van was on its way and out of the ditch.
After this we headed to the next major transition and parked away in a corner so we could try and sleep. I may have slept an hour or 10 minutes, really couldn't tell. then i'd just doze but vans and runners outside kept me half awake. Barely got our legs started in time between waking up and getting ready. My last leg (29) was going to start abouyt 6 am. it was dark, cold, and i was tired. just about rock bottom is the best way to describe it. My buddy told me i'd be fine once i got going and suggested some ibuprofen. Started the leg in thick fog but half a mile up a small hill i was already feeling better. what a change from just a few minutes prior. enjoyed my last leg although my legs did not want to go as fast as my head wanted them to go.
finished my leg and we waited for our runner at the start of the mountain goat leg (31). here we ate pancakes and most of us enjoyed being done. then we headed up the legs stopping to cheer the runners in the other van until we finished it up in asheville.
after some picture taking and showers at the Y, we headed to Fuddruckers and destroyed a late lunch/early dinner. it was awesome to meet some new runners who i could see myself running this race with again in the future. also, loved meeting other runners out there and just having a blast running, driving, hanging out in the van.
