Hood to Coast Update 3: First Leg and Some Downtime

So where were we...oh yes.  We've recapped the trip to Seattle and the Pre-Race Festivities.  Now we get to talk about the race...YEAH!

Being in van 2 of a 2 van team means you get to sleep in and leave a little later on Friday A.M.  That's great except when you live in the Central time zone, sleeping in on the west coast means you're up around 6:30.  Oh well.  Once the roommates got up, we headed to get some breakfast and I called my uncle in hopes that we'd be able to meet up.  Turns out we were less than half a mile from each other all weekend.  We ended up meeting in the parking lot of one of the stadiums (I forget which one).  I love T.  He's my Godfather and I'll take any opportunity I can get to see him.  I wish I could have seen my cousins and aunt but it just wasn't in the cards.


Hi Uncle!

After that, we got in the van and headed to Oregon. 

We were all so excited to get this show on the road but we had a few hours before we actually started running.  On our way to the first exchange, we caught a glimpse of what Van 1 was running.  The majestic Mt. Hood.

Mt. Hood as we head to Safeway (our first exchange)

So in case you don't know how this works, a team is made up of 12 runners (2 vans).  One van heads to the start of the race and the second heads to the place where runner #7 starts (the exchange point).  Then van 1 essentially has some time "off" until we meet up again.  We exchange 3 times. 



Chillin in my Maui Jim's



We had a lot of fun hanging out at the first exchange.  We were all sitting in the grocery store parking lot.  It looked like a runner's tailgate party.  It was awesome!

After our runner took off (7:30 pm), we loaded up and hit the road.  We hit the road, getting ahead of her so we could cheer her on.  While we waited, we couldn't help but take some pics.  This is one of my favorites.  Man, runners can jump!

At about 8:30, it was my turn.  My leg (#9) was the first of the evening.  A 6.97 mile run through some small towns of Oregon and a part gravel part paved trail.  I was almost ready to meet Elizabeth and take off when she decided to book it and get there early.  I scrambled to get ready but basically spent the first 2.5 miles messing with my gear. 

Gear: Top to Bottom: (Not Pictured: Headlamp) Sparkly Soul Head Band, RoadNoise Vest, Touch Chik Arm warmers, Adidas Shirt, Sparkle Skirt, Oiselle shorts, Balega socks, Mizuno Shoes, and Go Sport ID.

At the point I hit the trail, I still hadn't gotten my vest working right and Nike Running app seemed to refuse to work that meant I was alone with my thoughts which I knew was going to spell trouble for me. 

I find that when I'm running, I find myself talking to my dad and usually end up getting emotional because of it.  It didn't help that this weekend marked the 6 month anniversary of his death so I knew I was going to be in trouble.  (Music usually helps me keep my mind pre-occupied).

I started asking him to keep me safe while I ran.  I told him about the trip so far and how work was going.  The usual stuff.  Then I realized I was pretty cold and jokingly asked him to warm me up.  (this is where I lost it).  At that exact point, I got a warm burst of air, literally out of no where.  I can't explain it, I know it sounds batty but it happened and only I was there to feel it.  It's the closest I've felt to him since February.

After recovering from the experience, I spent the last couple miles dodging rocks on the gravel trail.  I ended the run about 9:30.  Leg 9 is not hilly, it's just long and a little isolated but not a bad run overall.

We finished our first legs at about 2:30 (I think) in the center of Portland.  Found a little bar that was open and would serve us.  The best part about this relay is the time you get to spend with other runners. (I know, not the best picture, but what do you expect).

Then it was off to the next transition to try to get some sleep before we picked back up again Saturday morning.  

  

Here's a brief clip from the run.



More updates to come but so far so good!

Related Posts:

Hood to Coast Update 1: Getting There

Hood to Coast Update 2: Pre-Race Activities

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