Here’s the story of twelve strangers runners picked to live in vans, run 189 miles, and drink coffee for 24+ hours.
It started with an email.
“Would you like to run the Cape Relay with us?”
YES! Lauren, EC, and I hoped to put a team into this race, but when our Reach the Beach teammates invited us onto their team for Cape Relay, it was an offer we could not refuse. Our RTB experience was fresh in our minds and we couldn’t wait for another overnight running adventure!
For months, our Cape Relay team exchanged excited emails and prepared for the big race. May came quickly and plans were coming together perfectly. Then, on Thursday night, less than twelve hours before the start, I received a call. “Man down! Tina just tore her quad playing softball. Do you know anyone that can run for us?”
Cue frantic emails, texts, and tweets. Would anyone be crazy enough to throw gear in a bag, chug a coffee, and show up to race in a few hours? Anyone?!
That someone responded! The angels sang. Tina – who quickly became “the new Tina” – shot me an email. “I’m in.” Our team was complete.
Chapter One: The Start
At 6 AM on Friday morning, our team congregated in Borderland State Park to begin the 189-mile adventure.
We packed.
We decorated.
And we got ready to run!
Don’t we look ready? Go time!
Chapter Two: We Run This Town
During a relay, the team is divided into two vans – Van 1 and Van 2 – with six runners per van. We filled Van 1, so we were the first runners to hit the road.
Our speediest runners – Christine and Lauren – started the race strong.
They crushed the competition and gave our team a great lead, but we quickly noticed some glitches at each exchange.
When we arrived to meet our runner, the scene was eerily quiet. The port-a-potties were locked, the signs were non-existent, and the volunteers were just arriving.
We knew something was amiss, so we contacted our teammates in Van 2, who were waiting for us at the first major exchange area. They spoke with race officials and got some interesting info:
When Van 1 arrived at the exchange area, the first runner from Van 2 could not begin running. In fact, the next runner could not hit the road until 12:30.
It was only 10:30. Oh boy!
We were definitely ahead of schedule and I was on deck to run. I took the 6th spot in our van – the final leg before handing off to Van 2. I had two hours to run 7 miles.
There’s a huge build-up before the first leg of the relay. I had been up since 4:15 and cheered for my teammates for hours. My adrenaline was pumping and I was ready to run! I knew I had plenty of time, but this was still a race. The sun was shining and it was a perfect day for running. As soon as my legs started moving, I found my groove.
7 miles – 1:07:25 – 9:38/mi
It was a hot one, but I loved it! As I made the final turn and approached the exchange, I heard the loud cheers of my team. The team is one of the greatest things about these relays. You’re never alone out there. I finished around 11:30 and the waiting began.
Let’s face it, we we’re exactly thrilled with Cape Relay and their logistics, but complaining wouldn’t change anything. It was a beautiful day, so we took advantage by stretching in the sun, iced coffee in hand.
Our team stayed together until 12:30, when we made the OFFICIAL hand-off to Van 2. Round one – DONE.
Chapter Three: The Runner Crazies
The second leg of our journey began on Friday afternoon. While the Van 2 runners ran their first legs, we recovered and prepared for our second legs.
How many bloggers does it take to devour a bucket of peanut butter pretzels?
Three. We have refueling down to a science. After all, we had more running to do.
Chapter Four: Nightmares
It was dusk when we received word that Van 2′s last runner was en route. The second exchange would happen soon.
If there’s one solemn truth about the relay, it’s this:
That's what she said.
During the down time between each leg, you ride the wave from runner’s high to runner’s fatigue. Your legs turn to lead as you camp in backseat of the van. Your port-a-potty visits reach an all-time high as you chug water and Gatorade. Your excitement turns to fear as you look at the elevation for your next run.
And you wonder why you ever agreed to do such a thing?!
The second leg of the relay began at 7:20 PM. We were running a night shift.
I kept up my relay tradition and shook in my reflective gear as I waited not-so-patiently for my turn.
You never know what to expect under the blanket of darkness! Luckily, my little panic routine ended abruptly when Tina flew through her second leg – straight over the Sagamore Bridge! – and met me at the transition area. With my head lamp shining brightly, I began a 6 mile climb.
I left the transition area alone and ran like that for part of the first mile before I spotted blinking lights in the distance. Runners! I raced towards them. My lungs burned as I ran with everything I had to catch them. I felt myself gaining on the competition. My legs were dead and I was tired, but I ran hard until I reached those two runners. When we finally met, they told me to stay with them. It was perfect. For the remaining miles, I kept them well within my sights and I tackled those hills.
5.95 miles – 56:57 – 9:34/mi
Running at night is scary, exhilarating, and totally rockstar. I charged down the final stretch and handed off to Van 2. Night shift success! Van 1 was cruisin’ to the Cape.
Chapter Five: The Home Stretch
We finished the night running by midnight and drove to the next major exchange area where we cozied up in the van for a little snooze.
Four hours in the backseat of a van never felt so good! Who cares if I had pretzel crumbs in my hair? Sleep is sleep. I woke up feeling like a new woman!
The Van 1 crew was really excited to wake up, eat Clif bars, and run!
Deep down, she's bursting with excitement.
It was another glorious day for running. Van 2 passed the baton and we set off to eat up some miles along the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Everyone really loved these miles. Even on tired legs, our team stayed strong and enjoyed the trail. You do what you have to do.
Suck it up, cupcake.
I watched as Tina came over the final incline and rolled into Exchange 29.
It was time to crank out my final leg of the Cape Relay! It was the shortest leg of the race.
1.8 miles – 16:16 – 8:08/mi
It took every ounce of strength I could muster. 1.8 miles never felt so long, but I did it. The socks definitely helped.
I was never so happy to see my team.
Van 1 DONE. Boom!
Chapter Six: We Made It!
Van 1 passed the baton to Van 2 one last time. We hopped in the van and drove to our final destination – Truro, MA – the finish!
We dug our toes into the sand and relaxed our tired muscles while we waited for the amazing Van 2 runners to bring it home.
Beers and cheers to the runners of Van 1!
We started as a random assembly of strangers and friends, but we ended as one big, happy family.
By 1:30 PM, we were reunited with our teammates in Van 2.
Unofficial Time: AWESOME! We are still awaiting our official results, but I already know we won. The stories, the experiences, and the memories that came out of this race are the most important results to all of us. Everyone ran their heart out. It was another incredible relay adventure!
Here’s to many more!
“But I already know we won” hehe Love it! Looks like quite the adventure! Thats so frustrating about the first hand off but everything else looks like a blast. Great recap : ) Someday soon I will join you. If you can help me that whole scared of the dark thing…
This kind of makes me want to do a relay. I’ve never done one (certainly not one that is 189 miles) but it seems like lots of fun.
p.s. the that’s what she said (3rd leg) thing made me laugh out loud
Wow!! What an awesome experience – I loved reading this! Makes me totally want to sign up for one of these at some point in the not-too-distant future. What an amazing thing to bond over!
What a great race; it looks like a ton of fun! 189 miles… that’s hardcore!
That looks like so much fun! I would loooove to do a relay. Just goes to show you that there is no such thing as a “lonliness of a long distance runner”
Great job! The race ran right by my work. It was cool to see runners running by my window all day. Congrats!
I really really hope to do one of those relays one day. It looks like a blast!
You guys are rock stars. This is so exciting and I have a million questions about relay running.
Question 1: When can I join your team?
I am sooooo jealous! You looked like you had an awesome time, I was suppose to do this but with moving/not moving/packing/not packing craziness i could not. congrats:)
Amazing recap, Becky!! Sounds so crazy and fun…exactly what a relay should be! Running with a headlamp in the middle of the night is definitely an accomplishment! I bet it is super intense and scary but in an awesome way. I am definitely joining you someday
Hi, new reader… love your blog. What a fun recap to read, sounds like an exciting time!
That looks so amazing!! What a great recap!! Hmm..definitely on my radar for next year.
Thanks so much for including that glamor shot of me. I must say, that’s my very best angle and I’m so glad it’s been captured on your blog for all to see.
I loved reading this (and I loved all the pictures)!! It helped me re-live the adventure all over again. As annoyed as I was by many of the logistical issues in the race, I can honestly say that I’m so glad we did it. It was a crazy adventure that will go down in {ontherun} history. Great job on your runs this weekend! Thanks for being such an awesome teammate and an even better friend!
Already so excited for our next relay!
ahhh that looks like so much fun!! I would love to do something like that someday – I’m not very adventurous but would like to be! What great memories you have now – that’s the best thing about stuff like that, yes?
Looks like a ton of fun!
you have me wanting to do a relay now! This looks like such a fun weekend!!
Looks like you guys had so much fun!! I’m so glad the weather cooperated for you guys, Saturday was torrential downpour in Boston! Your recap got me so excited for RTB!!!!!!
You officially just made me want to run a relay. Congrats to you and your team!
This is so awesome! I love that running which is traditionally a solitary sport can bring people together like this. Looks like you had a great time and bonding experience.
that looks like SO MUCH FUN! great recap!!
This looks so fun! I’ll have to get on a team for next year!
Congrats Becky! I love how excited you look in pretty much all of those pictures, even after 4 hours of sleep (and especially for including the hilarious picture of Lauren). I can’t even imagine a relay like that – but you make it look so fun and exciting.
Love the spin off the Real World
You guys give hardcore a new meaning! Looks so much fun!!
Sooo fun! Thanks for including me in your adventures!
this makes me SO excited for september! is RTB here yet?
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Relays are just insane – no other word for them! Looks like you guys had a blast as always
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