It is go time! I hurried and drank my concoction of ultra fuel and winrgy before the race. The hotel said there was a continental breakfast that everyone else was going to hit before running. I didn't have enough time for that. Turns out they wanted money for the continental breakfast! As I was getting ready, Jordyn saw on Instagram that our cousin Markell had posted a picture of her run. She had a caption that said something like, "I dare you to find a more beautiful run." We all started laughing. Bad day for a challenge Markell. She made our morning so fun.
It was warmer than I expected for 4:40am. I was so nervous and anxious to get started. I just wanted to get this thing going. The night before I had changed our start time from 5:30am to 5:00am. I knew we wouldn't be sleeping well and I was worried about the heat. I am so glad I changed the time!
It was so dark at the beginning! We were required to wear reflective vests, headlamps and rear lamps. I had my water bottles and gu with me. I felt great and ready to go.
We were off! Everyone took off so fast! I kept on thinking there is NO WAY they are 10 min/mile runners! Later on I found out that 1 runner even fainted during this leg. I only had 1 "kill" (passed a person). I'm guessing it was that runner prior to her fainting. I couldn't believe how much uphill I had! When I finally saw the 1 mile marker I thought, "I've only gone 1 mile?!" My garmin also showed I had gone 1.4 miles. What the? I finally figured it out though. Whoever did the mileage, started the miles at the hotel, NOT the patio. I actually ended up running 9.9 miles instead of 9.5. That .4 does make a difference!
I had my van check up on me at mile 5. I felt great. I was surprised at how much water I had already been through though. I had Zac refil my water bottles, then I met them at the exchange. The sunrise was so beautiful! I was in awe of how pretty my run was. I saw so many rabbits!
At one point during my run, I was running down one hill, about to head up another and at the bottom was a beautiful stream going and the sunrise in the background. I started laughing thinking about Markell.
Our 1st exchange. Zac started out on his 1st leg, 7 miles all UPHILL gaining almost 2000 feet of elevation. He told me during the exchange that he wanted us to meet him at mile 4.
When we started driving and saw the STEEP, STEEP hill he was running on, we stopped at mile 1. He was grateful. We gave him some more water and a cold bandana.
I am so glad we had the sprayer. It helped a lot. Zac's run was so hard.
Zac was grateful was it was done. It was starting to get really warm, and Devin began his 1st leg.
Devin did so wonderful! I was so amazed by him. The longest run he has done is 4 miles on a treadmill! On this race he had 4+ miles, 5+miles, then 4+miles. Most of it uphill in the heat! Zac and I were both impressed with him.
Devin handing off to Jordyn to begin her 1st leg.
Jordyn brought her camel bag which was so smart! All we needed to do was add more water to it. Jordyn's run was up to the summit of Boulder Mountain. Yes, more hills.
I have no idea what I'm saying to her, but I seem really excited.
Zac thought I didn't do a very good job of spraying people, so he took over. He would chase us with the sprayer.
Jordyn ending her 1st leg getting ready for the exchange to Stephanie.
Stephanie is waiting for Jordyn.
Stephanie was able to get 1 kill immediately.
Jordyn got 4 kills during her run.
Stephanie was flying down the mountain! She normally runs 12/min miles, and she ran this leg in 8:30 min/mile! She doesn't like to run holding water so I would hand her the water bottle, she would quickly drink. Zac would spray her down, then she would hand the bottle to Jordyn. It was a pretty good system.
Zac chasing Stephanie with the sprayer.
After Stephanie was Jason. He also carried his own water, so we would refill his water bottle. It was starting to get SO HOT out there!
There was little to NO SHADE.
Jason doing the first exchange to van 2. Steve is starting his 1st leg.
This is at the Summit of Boulder Mountain. So pretty! Jordyn ran to the top of it.
I think this is the 1st time Stephanie has been taller than me!
Look at that view Markell! So pretty.
I had a binder with everyone's times in it. I was diligent in making sure I recorded everyones time.
Zac was trying to take a picture of me and Stephanie. He accidently hit the camera on her phone to face him instead of us and took a self portrait.
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