What a week! I was getting a little too comfortable with the occasional snow day. I didn’t know what hit me when things went back to normal. No storms? I’ll take it.
The week was also busy. I had students to teach, meetings to attend, meals to cook, runs to run, and movies to watch! Yes. Going to the movies was my biggest priority. On Thursday, I joined Corey, Lizzy, and Lauren in Boston for the encore showing of Hood to Coast.
“Everyday people. Extraordinary journey.”
So true. I’m obsessed. The documentary centered around the Hood to Coast relay in Oregon – 197 miles from Mt. Hood to the coast. This race was the first of it’s kind and it’s also the largest. 12,000 runners participate each year. A face pace in the previous year or lottery luck are the only way in. Anyone who has done a relay wants in. I want in!
The film followed three teams and their runners throughout the journey, from training to the finish line and beyond. Each runner participated for a different reason. Each runner had a different history with the sport. The common thread – heart. They all had heart. They were the spirit of the relay. They represented us.
200 miles is my favorite distance. After racing distances from 5K to marathon, I can boldly state that I love the 200 mile relay the most. There are many reasons – the runners featured in the film articulate them better than me! – but I will share my thoughts.
The scenery.
200 miles is far. These relays are topographical adventures. In one race you can see mountains, countrysides, cities, and oceans. You experience nature and all of it’s greatness. Each leg of the race is a new and different experience. Each scenic mile provides a different energy and excitement.
The teammates.
Whether you join a misfit group of strangers or run with your best friends, the relay creates a family. Twelve individuals combine into one forceful unit. Your run is not your only focus. You cheer loudly for your teammates and even the other teams along the way. Everyone is in it together.
The night.
Call me an adrenaline junkie. Running at night is scary and incredible. The world around you is peaceful and quiet. You can hear your footsteps and feel your breath. Give me a headlamp and a reflective vest at 2 am. I love it!
The vans.
Forget about the running for a second. This race is also a true test of how much crazy one van can handle. How many cell phones, Garmins, iPods, and GPS’ can you plug in at one time? How many coolers can you fill? How many people can sleep, stretch, and change simultaneously? It’s a wonder!
The other teams.
They decorate their vans. They wear costumes. At each transition area, runners share war stories and laughter. The gimmicks are just too funny and bring another element of hilarious to an already nutty event.
***
The relay race is about much more than running. It’s full of adventure, passion, energy, and excitement. I will run another relay in May and I am already counting down the days. And I WILL run Hood to Coast someday…
Have you every run a relay? Would you want to?
I hope this documentary comes out on DVD soon so I can see it. After hearing you talk about your own relay experience and now reading your recap here has really peaked my curiosity. It sounds like one of those things that every runner who is looking for a new fun challenge should try.
I so wanted to see Hood to Coast but it was showing same night, same time, and only once as The Ride with Phil Keoghan from the Amazing Race. It was about his 40 day ride across america for MS. It was cool to actually get to meet him at the showing as well, another reason I saw that one
I’ve been toying with doing some extreme endurance events in the coming years and both the relay and a really really long bike ride sound exhilarating and amazingly fun. This year I’m focusing on triathlons and a half ironman to challenge myself and have fun.
I can’t waif to see if Hood to Coast comes out on iTunes or the like so I can see it though I wish I could have seen it on the big screen. It would be cool to have a blogger relay team for something like Hood to Coast. Fun to participate in and follow online.
Oh my gosh I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. This movie only fueled the madness. How the heck are we going to make it until May!?!?
I love your list! I think you summed up perfectly why the 200-mile relay race is the best race in the world! All of those things make it a crazy, unique, amazing experience that is both incredibly challenging and wonderful. It’s so funny that one race can make you feel so sick yet so alive at the same time. It’s a madness, really. A madness that I’ve completely embraced
We are going to build an ontherun relay empire. Brace yourself.
So amazing… I want in! Lately the idea of a relay is really intriguing me!
The relay was the greatest experience ever! I am super excited for my next one and am working on putting together teams for future relays. If you are ever seriously interested, let me know!
I have never run a relay but I would like to. Sounds like a ton of fun.
I want to run a relay SO badly. One day
And that movie looks like it would be awesome! I don’t think I’ve seen a bad review yet. Glad you had a week without snowstorms!
There are plenty of relays in my future! We will definitely spend a few sweaty hours in a van together someday
I’ve read about ultra-relays on some other running blogs, including a woman who did one. The van definitely gains a personality of its own as the race goes on!
I am the team captain of a Ragnar Relay team running in Southern California in April from Huntington Beach to San Diego. I’m so excited! Love hearing stories from those who have done it!
You and Lauren totally make me want to run one! I think I’m just scared, but I bet it is an amazing experience…if I’m crazy enough to train for marathons through the winter, I should be crazy enough to do a relay. I might just need a little more convincing
It was so fun to see the movie with you!! See you tomorrow Becky!
It was great to see you today! I promise, you will love the relay once you do one with us!
Relay runs totally intrigue me – and after reading your post, the part about running at night TOTALLY got me! Now I’m adding “relay run” to my list of must-do’s this year! How very cool and totally inspiring, thanks for the post, girl. Always a good one from you!
Definitely add the relay to your to-do list! So fun and exciting! We just may be putting some teams together for future races
I would LOVE to do a relay. Seriously, if you ever organize an east coast one and need an extra runner, count me in.