So the title of the last Hood to Coast might have been a little misleading. I haven’t shared with you yet the grand-daddy of the legs..#33. It was by far the toughest and longest. So I thought I should get this update out so get the full picture. Ok…so..
Leg 33..For me it started somewhere around 2:30(?) I think. We were getting close to Seaside but you wouldn’t know it. Nothing of what we were seeing looked beachy. All we saw were hills and lots of them. Elizabeth, ran right before me and she might have taken a little spill so our trusty Nuun supporter and van driver Tyler jumped in and finished her leg for her. I was so worried about Elizabeth when I started my run that I didn’t even think about the soreness and pain that had set in.
The description on leg 33 had scared me just a little. I mean who wants their hardest and longest leg to be their last? Not me really but that was my fate.
When it says “Rolling Hills” they weren’t lying. My problem was I was under the impression that what goes up must come down…HA! Turns out that wasnt true on this leg. I’d tackle one hill, only to look up at another. Awesome, huh?!
Once I just let it go and started running I realized just how gorgeous my surroundings were. I settled in to a 9:30 pace which, for me, after running 12 already was good. I was really happy with that.
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| So Beautiful! |
I even got snapped by the Hood to Coast Photog. I almost had to tell the paparazzi to back off.
Finally by the last half mile, I was starting to realize this entire adventure was going to be coming to an end real soon. It was kind of sad but I wasn’t about to get all bummed out. I handed off to Amanda and just enjoyed the moment. Knowing I had not only completed my first relay but I did the longest set of legs was an amazing feeling.
The coolest part of it all…crossing the finish line as a team, both vans. It was the coolest feeling running across the sand and getting our medals.
After we crossed the finish line we got to hang out in the Nike Tent where we got to eat a hot meal and and a beer and recount stories of our runs. I had to leave that night to get back to Seattle, I had a 6:00 a.m. flight. I didn’t want to leave but reality was waiting for me. Not to mention my boys who I missed so much!
Why no more? Who cares if people get annoyed by it…most LOVE it! I know I do 🙂 I am so glad you had such a wonderful experience, and I was so impressed by how you handled being Runner #9…a trooper through and through! (and that’s a huge compliment from me)
Thanks! I knew there Was a reason I like you do much!
What an amazing experience…it really was. It was my 4th or 5th time doing Hood to Coast and I still want to go back and do it again. Always a little sad when I near the end and have to say goodbye. Hopefully I’ll get to see you again next year. Not so sure I’ll get chosen if I don’t start writing more race recaps like everyone else. 🙂 Ha! I don’t think you missed out on much with leaving early. We were all really tired and many of us just passed out soon after you left. At least I did. I have never been so exhausted …physically, emotionally, socially…all of me was drained. But no wonder…what a jam packed few days we had! fun times!
Totally! I don’t think we could’ve fit anymore into it. We’ll see each other again. I sense it.
loved reading these recaps–has me super pumped for RAGNAR napa next week 🙂
I can’t wait to read your recap! That sounds like it combined two of my favorite things!