We did the Windy River Relay that was organized by Hood to Coast. It was a one day relay and most teams had six people and each person did two legs.
We had four people and each of us did three legs.
Not going to lie, I was pretty wound up about doing this relay. The reality is that I'm not even close to being in shape for something like this.
But I did it anyway.
We started at 5:00 am on Saturday morning Josh was the first to take off. It was dark and super windy. Which makes sense since the race started and finished in Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge. Famous for the high winds that make it a great spot for wind surfing. That wind was cold!
I got a bit worked up as I waited to start. I was starting after Josh and I was glad to have one leg in the cool of the day but it was almost four miles and I hadn't done anything that long in a really long time.
Now I was going to do it three times in one day!!
What was I thinking?
I was so happy to see Josh and just be able to stop thinking about it and go.
I was able to run the first mile and was pretty excited about that. The sun was coming up and I got some great views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.
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| Mt. Adams, Washington |
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| Mt. Hood, Oregon |
When I couldn't run anymore I kept up a really good face-paced walk. I ended my first leg in just over an hour with a decent pace. I was pretty happy about it.
Joe was next, followed by Wendie.
Everyone enjoyed a relatively cool run but since we were running near the mountain, we all had hills.
All day long.
Lots and lots of hills.
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| Joe on Leg #1 |
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| Waiting for Joe to finish his first leg. |
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| Joe handing off to Wendie for her first leg. |
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| Wendie crushing a hill like a rock star! |
My second leg was all uphill. Literally.
And it was getting warm.
I did a slow trot for about a half a mile.
Then it started to go up.
Then it got steeper.
I struggled.
I wanted to quit.
It was ugly.
But the view was stunning! Mt. Hood in all it's glory.
We decided to start leap frogging. During a relay it is where you start dropping additional runners on the course while other runners are still going. We still do all the legs but some of them we are doing at the same time.
So while I was trudging up the hill the team zipped up the road and got Josh started on his second leg.
Meanwhile, I was the very last person into the exchange. Not a big deal since we already had our runner going. Except that they had already broke down the exchange and there was no one there.
That's a bit disheartening.
I know I am slow and that I was struggling.
I've had this before.
It makes me feel like my effort doesn't count as far as the race people are concerned. I know that isn't their intent. It's just how it feels.
But I didn't have time to dwell on that.
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| Leg #2 done. Hard not to smile with these two goofballs supporting me. 😁 |
I got in the truck and we headed off to check on Josh. He said he was doing good so we went to the next exchange and dropped Joe off and then headed back to pick up Josh.
Got Josh, went and dropped off Wendie, checked on Joe and then drove ahead to drop me off. lol
Funny thing was that I was at the same exchange I had left from for my second leg. There was a volunteer there helping people get going who was there when I left for my second leg. We chatted a bit and he was super nice and extremely encouraging. Like I was all badass for doing three legs. lol
I began leg three. It was mostly downhill but it was hot. And my legs were just over it. I trotted some but mostly just did a fast walk. I was getting some hot spots on my foot the last mile or so. I was basically over it in a big way.
However I know my hubby and friends very well so there was no saying "I quit" because I'm pretty sure they would have locked the doors to the truck and drove away.
By this time everyone else was back in the truck and after me Joe and Wendie had the last two legs.
I got done and that was the BEST feeling! Joe took off. I got a chance to cool down, use the Porta Pot and get something to eat before we took off to check on Joe. He was good, waved us off and so we drove ahead to get ready for Wendie to finish up our day.
Joe had a huge hill on his leg. Super steep down and then super steep up. Steep down can be just as hard as up. But he crushed it as always.
We had fun hanging out at the transition and talking with other teams.
Wasn't too long and Joe was done and we were sending Wendie off to finish up. We gave Joe some time to cool down and then headed for the finish line.
The finish line was back at the marina in Hood River. Just like the morning it was WINDY!!! At least now it wasn't cold.
We took chairs and found a spot to sit and cheer for people finishing.
Jude, the volunteer who had been so awesome at my starts, saw me and came over to give me a fist bump. He told me I was awesome and that I did a good job. It really really meant a lot to me that he came over to say that. He offered to go get me a beer so I could stay sitting. I told him that I was good and that my hydroflask had an adult beverage in it. He was all "Atta Girl!" with a big smile.
I don't think he realized how much his interactions meant to me. I am pretty sure I was quite literally the largest person out there. Often times I feel overlooked or dismissed by "real" runners who are all trim, fit and fast. Jude was all about me being awesome. By coming and saying good job after the relay it really made me feel like he 100% meant it. Small thing in his day I am sure but pretty big one for me.
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| Joe making sure I'm good to go before Leg #3 |
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| Wendie had the best views of the day on her second leg! |
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| I LOVE THIS WOMAN!! |
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| Two G's and Four V's finishing together! |
