It was a few months ago, during a long run in Barrington when I was feeling good, and running well, that I got the invitation. My friend Dan Daly said he needed another guy for his Hood to Coast relay team at the end of August. For a lifelong runner like me, It's the kind of opportunity you simply can't pass up. They call it the mother of all Relays. This is an event that fills up with 1000 teams almost immediately after they open registration.
So I cleared it with the family, bought an airline ticket to Portland, and signed on. At the time I had all summer to train, and I figured it would be no problem, considering I have pretty much been racing all summer. Of course the race is now this weekend, and I'm hoping I'm really up to the task!
If you're unfamiliar with this race or other relays like it, here is a simple explanation: Each runner on a 12 person team runs three legs of about 6 miles each for a total of about 200 miles. That means at least one of your legs will be during the overnight hours, and sleep will likely be difficult to come by. Running Times magazine has done a few stories on these relays, including one with some good tips. Here's a link:
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19931
I've done a few of these over the years with some fast teams, and most recently with a fun media team in the Madison to Chicago race. I've made some good friends after spending hours in a van with them. But this time, I'm joining a really strong team, and I'm going to have my work cut out!
Team Money won the open division of the race in 1999, and finishes second the year before. That means they were the first team to finish after the elites. That means they were really fast. To put it in perspective, the team I ran with in the Madison to Chicago race won the mixed gender corporate division, and was happy to finish in under 24 hours. Team Money ran Hood to Coast in a little over 18 hours. That was averaging 6 about minutes per mile.
Fortunately for me, they are not expecting to run that fast now, ten years later. But they are hoping to be competitive in the master's division. And I am hoping to do my part. Only about a third of the original team is able to run this year, but the replacements sound like they are no slackers! No matter what, it should be beautiful country to run in, and a tremendous experience.
We arrive in Portland Thursday afternoon, and are planning to stop by Nike Headquarters to
look around at the birthplace of modern running shoes and so much more. My reading for the trip is Bowerman and the Men of Oregon, by Kenny Moore. The legendary coach of the Oregon track team is also the co-founder of Nike. That should help get me in the proper mindset for the race.
Friday we hope to sleep in and relax. We don't start until early that evening. The teams are seeded, and the fastest teams start last. We are slated to start in the second to last of about 40 waves. No pressure there!
We start on Mt. Hood, which looks incredible. The early legs are all downhill, which is pretty difficult. Most of the course is pretty scenic, and challenging. At least that's what I hear and read. I don't really know what to expect, other than to try to run as well as possible to help our team.
That is one of the most attractive aspects of this run. I will not be running for myself, but to try to help my team. Not since college Cross Country have I had that experience, and I think that is the main reason relays like this are becoming so popular around the country.
Our team name this year is Team Money Devalued, indicating our advanced years and slightly lowered expectations. I said slightly lowered.
Anyway, It should be an amazing experience, and I look forward to writing about it after we get back.
See you on the roads....
Comments