30 Hours of miles and memories
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UPDATE 9.6.07 : Chuck interviewed for Joe Miller’s BLOG
The last time I ran at 3am was the night before my wedding. And that run was not by choice. This time I actually volunteered…and my wife of 20+ years is cheering me on. I’ll be with a team of veteran “night runners” as we embark on the Blue Ridge Relay, one of the longest running relay races in the United States. The course takes a windy mountainous route thru the Blue Ridge as it makes the 208-mile journey from Grayson Highlands, VA to Asheville, NC. www.blueridgerelay.com
PHOTO: Leg 12 - About 45 miles into the 208 mile Blue Ridge Relay (huff, huff) just north of Blowing Rock on the BR Parkway
I scouted “Leg 12″ this past weekend. The course description labels it: “Very Hard”. It is. Yet not nearly what my friend, teammate and our team Captain Jim has assigned to himself in “Leg 32″ - “Mountain Goat Hard”. Endurance runs have a way of bringing out the best. Jim is among them. And as “Hood to Coast” veteran Tara Ruotolo says, “It takes a certain kind of person who wants to run through the night, and after 30 hours together you know who you can be lifelong friends with.” I look forward to both the miles and the memories.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Folks have been asking some good questions about this Blue Ridge Relay. Some of answers I probably should have nailed down prior to signing up. “Will you get any sleep?” is one that comes to mind. Another question concerned the gear list. Jim provided a nice list for our team and I thought I’d share that should others be considering similar events in the future. Parkway weather is sporting highs in the 80’s with the low around 60. Should be a great weekend.
September 11th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Blue Ridge Relay item list
**INDIVIDUAL**
Running shoes x 2
Socks x 6
Sandals
Shorts x 3-4
Shirts x 3-4 (include a long sleeve)
Pants
Jacket
Hat
Sunglasses
Toiletries – include sunscreen
Body Glide
“power food” – bars, drink powder, etc
$100 in cash should be enough
**TEAM**
Cooler – 1 per van
Medical kit – 1 per van including:
Ice packs
Athletic Tape
Mole skin
Scissors
Nail clippers
Band Aids
Neosporin
Alcohol or Peroxide
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Trash bags x 18 (1 per person + 3 for van)
Map of North Carolina
BRR time sheets
BRR team handbook
Music CDs
Blankets x 3
Pillows x 3-4
Reflective vest x 8
Flashing lights x 8 (each runner needs 2)
Flashlight x 4 w/batteries
Clif Shot bloks
Clif bars
Electrolyte mix
Water