Not a gecko in sight – Allstate runs the relay

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To date, this will be my longest race.  I’ll be running the relay today with Iggy.  We’re calling ourselves ‘Team Bimblettes’.  I’ve been very excited about participating and the day certainly did not disappoint.  It’s been quite the training plan…  Bites of the Bluff, multiple falls, bee stings, fun runs…  All leading up to race day.

It was a beautiful day and we could not have had better weather.  It was an early rise at 5:30am.  Rich helped me get ready, and got breakfast for me.  I put everything I could possibly need into my race bag, just in case.  I’d rather have too much than be missing the one item I really needed.

I got to the school around 7am and met up with the other half of Team Bimblettes.  This is so exciting!  There were lots of Bimblers out for the day.  Some were running and some were volunteering.   We all chatted in the brisk early morning, looking forward to what was to come.

It was a beautiful start to the race:  Jerry’s briefing, Shelly Girl and Lefty singing the National Anthem, and then the start.  Look out!  Iggy is in the lead!!!  After the last runner disappeared into the woods, I was left with an odd feeling.  Now what???  It was nice to have Sport and Ticket to cheer with.  They were also doing the second leg of the relay.  We kept each other company as we waited for our teammates.  This is my first relay race ever, and it is a strange thing to not start at the start.  I was the spectator for the first half, cheering for Iggy at each aid station.  I was both excited and anxious waiting for her at each aid station.  Many thoughts went through my head:  Is she ok?  Does she have enough to eat and drink?  Is she having fun?  The answer, of course, was that she was just fine.  Actually, she was more than fine, she was GREAT!

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I waited for her at Braemore, the half way point.  This was the place where Iggy would finish and I would begin.  Now out of my warm and cozy clothes, I was ready to run.  Here she comes!  Again, it was a strange feeling to transition from spectator to runner.  My legs were anxious to get going and start running.  But I also wanted to stay and hear all the details of her run.  I wanted to know all about it… how it was, how were the trails, how did she feel, how were the views???  The answers would have to wait.

After a quick team hug, I started across the field and then up into the trails.  It’s tough starting on an uphill (though nothing like the Bluff) and trying to get into “the zone” simultaneously.  I was looking for my pace, my groove, and it took a while to get there. Eventually I got comfortable and settled down and started to enjoy myself.

I knew all along that this might be the first time I would run alone.  I have done shorter solo runs, but nothing like this.  I was nervous about finding my way and hoped I wouldn’t get lost.  That was a non-issue as the trail was very well marked with ribbon and plates.  As many of you know, I like to talk when I’m out there running.  Who do I talk to when I’m by myself?  Well, I talked to myself.  And I responded sometimes, too.  (It’s amazing what can happen out there on the trails…)

Then I started to see people ahead of me.  I kept going and gradually I’d catch up.  I’d cheer them on and tell them that I was on fresh legs.  I felt a bit guilty passing them, but I was doing the relay, not the 50K.  It was fun to see other runners out there.

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I made it to Renee’s Way, my first aid station.  A great team of volunteers waited with everything I could want.  All sorts of snacks and drinks.  I was feeling pretty good but needed to stock up.  I knew the next section would be the longest one.  Rich and Iggy were there to cheer me on.  Great smiles and great cheers.

About an hour and a half into the run, I was on a wide straight track.  There were large mud puddles, one right after another, thanks to the rain the day before.  Don’t tell Master Po, but I was running around the puddles instead of through them.  I knew I had a distance to go and I wanted to keep my feet as dry as I could.  I ran around the puddles and through some brush.  One small branch hit my right eye and out popped my contact lens!  I knew I had no hope of finding it, so on I ran, with one contact lens.  Needless to say, it was tough to navigate.  My depth perception was off.  At times, I needed to cover my right eye and use only my good left eye to really see where I was going.  That made things clear, but then I had no peripheral vision…  I don’t know if I should have Lasik surgery or if I should consider my contact lenses to be my protective equipment!  I knew that with this race, I should expect the unexpected.  But I really never thought that this would be one of the challenges!

On I went.  I was thankful that we had so many training runs on this course.  I was familiar with the trails and what was coming up next.  I remembered the hints about where to turn and where to fly on the flats and downhills.  I remembered the section I ran most recently with Iggy – the “speed bumps,” the place where we left our jackets, the rock with the acorn face.  I just kept smiling.  Before I knew it, there were Rich and Iggy standing around the corner waiting for me just before the Rt. 80 aid station.  I was greeted by more great volunteers and great support from my friends.  I had more to eat and drink and then I was off.

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It was now less than 3 miles to the finish.  I was almost there!  This part was the most difficult for me.  I was tired and the footing wasn’t easy.  There were lots of rocks and roots to watch out for.  Everything was covered by leaves, making each step tricky.  I kept on going and before I knew it, there was Iggy.  We finished our relay running across the finish line together.  It was the best way to finish this shared but separate experience.  I knew I had a big smile on my face.  We did it.  This was GREAT!!!

I thank everyone for a wonderful race day.  Thanks to Ultra, Spuds, Forrest, Loopy, Mr. Bimble, Guthrie, Bounce, Snobody (and anyone else who I missed) who marked the course the day before, in the pouring rain, with miles and miles of red and white ribbon.  Thanks to Shelly Girl and Lefty for the beautiful National Anthem.  Thanks to all the volunteers who supported all of us out there.  Thanks to Jerry for an amazing race.  Thanks to Dan Broom for sweeping the course.  Thanks to all who took down the miles and miles of ribbon.  Thanks to Iggy for being my fantabulous relay partner.  Thanks to Rich for your support.  Thanks to all of my fellow Bimblers for all of your help and encouragement and friendship.  I love you guys!

This race was a challenge to me in many ways…  Physically, mentally, emotionally…  But I did it and I’m excited!  What’s next?  Did someone say Spring 50K???

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