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The Accidental Ultra Relay

September 26, 2013 25 Comments

Every so often, life gives us an opportunity to see what we are made of. If you’re a runner, you may go looking for these opportunities more often than others. For the runners of Team Nuun, Ragnar Napa Valley accidentally became just such an opportunity.

vanwindow Less than 2 months before the race, I got the honor of pulling together a team for Nuun Hydration – Team Nuun! This race isΒ 196.8 miles from San Francisco to wine country and I figured I’d have NO problem finding runners. I ran this 2 years ago and it was fun and HOT.

I had so much trouble finding runners. The running gods demanded sacrifice. At one point I had 10 runners. After injuries (including myself), work commitments, and even begging/bribing at least 12 internet strangers, our team dwindled to 8. On Thursday morning, it became 6. The race started Friday morning! Ultra panic. We had not prepared for this.

2013-9-26-signup

Photo taken by Onionskn – www.onionskn.com. Caption by me. πŸ˜‰

On Thursday morning I e-mailed these 6 brave souls and told them the bad news of our last minute drops (two of our strongest runners). If they wanted to go ahead and run anyway, they’d be doing it as an ultra team. I said it was up to them and they all responded with different variations of yes, ranging from “Hell yes” to “Sure, why not?”.

teamnuun No one was properly trained to run a long distance relay as an ultra team. Jackie and Shane had literally heard about and joined the team a few days prior to the race. Thank Jesus for Facebook groups! They all knew it would be a challenge, maybe even unwise, but had no idea what they were about to face out there on the road.

Van 1 Runners

runner1 Kristina had never done a relay before. She got the honor of running legs 1 & 2, so she got to start the race AND cross the Golden Gate Bridge! I am forever grateful to Running Rachel for connecting Kristina to Team Nuun.

Kristina ran a total of 32 miles for our relay, even through torrential downpours and uphill, against the mighty bay winds. She was excited every time it was her turn to run and we were so thankful for her positive energy!

runner2 Dierk is our one and only loyal and brave relay running pal. Or maybe he just likes pain.

Either way, Dierk ran The Relay with us (our first long distance relay), as well as Ragnar SoCal, twice. He hadn’t ran longer than 5 miles in the months before Ragnar Napa but he pulled out a great 29.1 miles by the end of this race.

runner3 Shane was a big, internet-stranger question mark. He e-mailed about joining 2 days before the race. I didn’t even know how he heard about it. At that point we had 7 runners and I nearly said ‘no’ because I didn’t want the hassle of trying to get a last minute registration. So glad I said yes.

Not only did Shane cover 28 miles for our team, but he was indispensable for the drive from SoCal to San Fran. We would’ve been lost without Shane!

Van 2 Runners

runner4 Jackie was another stranger-runner question mark. MAJOR thanks to my buddy Steve for posting my runner request in the DSE Facebook group. Jackie saw it and e-mailed 3 days prior to the race. We’d have to pick her up in San Fran once Van 1 had already started, but it all worked out.

Jackie turned out to be one heck of runner and team player. She tackled what could arguably be the two hardest back to back legs (the steepest hills of the course) and even ran an extra 3 miles due to getting lost. Her total mileage ended up at 30. Oh, and this was her first relay too.

runner5 Gil was our rock. I was so thankful to have a runner who LOVES to run. From the beginning he was ready to run the highest mileage and was actually happier that we became an “accidental ultra team”.

Covering a total of 38.6 miles, with 16 of those being his LAST LEG, even Gil was slowed down by this relay. Gil’s enthusiasm for covering the most miles definitely calmed the rest of the team. They all thought that Gil would run for them if they couldn’t run another leg. Fortunately, that never became necessary.

runner6 J had been nervous about this from the get-go. He had some kind of premonition that somehow he’d end up having to run much more than he was trained for. He was right. His first leg (combining legs 11 and 12) was a total of 15.6 miles and it exhausted him. J hasn’t ran that far since his last full marathon in 2009. He hasn’t even ran a half marathon in a year and a half.

He still managed a 9:36 overall pace for that first run. By the end of the relay, J covered 38.2 miles, getting our team to the finish line in 31 HOURS 39 MINUTES. My husband is one sexy beast! He may never let me sign him up for a race again….

Late Start, 2 Vans, and Rain

2013-9-26-startline

Gil is a great photographer and took some photos in between running. Check out his website: www.onionskn.com

Our start time was 11 AM, based off our original team’s average pace of 8:30. Last minute drops/swaps changed our pace to 10:05. We could have shown up and asked to start earlier, but we still had to wait to pick up Jackie at 1:30 PM in San Fran, so we were kind of stuck.

Exchanges

A little humor from Ragnar Race Command as I texted about pushing ahead.

Humor from Ragnar Race Command as I texted about pushing ahead.

Obviously this did not go well for us. A 1 minute and 30 second increase in pace over 200 miles equals about 3 more hours of running!

Not only were we in the back of the race, seeing very few other runners and coming into barren exchanges, but in the last 6 exhausting hours, we were not sure we could make the cutoff times. It was lonely and our spirits were getting low.

We talked to a race official and voluntarily decided to “push ahead”.

This means we doubled up runners on one leg and skipped the next leg. This run counted as 2 legs, and the team skipped ahead to the next exchange.

2013-9-26-doubleup So, when Dierk (runner #2) ran his last leg, Shane (runner #3) ran it with him. Then we skipped Shane’s last leg and drove ahead to Exchange 30 to hand off to Van 2. This saved us about 1 hour and 20 minutes and it was a good decision. We just wanted to finish! The thought of not finishing after all we’d gone through was soul crushing.

captain I was the only designated driver. I held out hope that we’d get more than 6 runners so I reserved 2 mini vans instead of one large van. So we were stuck with 2 vehicles for an ultra team. Both vans drove themselves for their first runs. This was hard because it meant that they had to either navigate or drive immediately after running. No one wants to do that. But they did because they are ultra humans.

When Van 1 was up for their second run at 9 PM, I drove them through it. When they handed off to Van 2 at 4 AM, I switched and drove Van 2. When Van 1 started again for their last run at 10 AM, I drove them again. I drove for 14 hours straight, covering 100 relay miles. I don’t recommend this.

Just before midnight, it started to rain on Van 1. It was off and on but got bad the next day. About 24 hours into the relay, the rain started to pour with fury in Napa. Kristina was on a 10.1 mile run with NO VAN SUPPORT because she was running along Highway 12.

The first runner done. Shane, Dierk and I were waiting in the van at the exchange as the rain pounded down so hard it sounded like thunder. We were worried Kristina would get washed off the road and not make it in! She gutted it out and came in absolutely soaked. Of course the downpour stopped once she was finished running. I think she is a rain goddess but doesn’t know it.

2013-9-26-finish

Ultra Lessons Learned

Prior to this, we had often talked about being an ultra team someday. After this weekend, and even though I didn’t run it myself, I think I’d approach an ultra team very carefully. If I were actually expecting to captain an ultra team, these are things I’d do differently from the get go:

  • Higher mileage training. Obviously. I would not let a new runner join an ultra team unless they had already done a few 10 mile runs and probably a day or two of running doubles in the double digits.
  • I’d use half marathon pace instead of 10k pace. Cumulative fatigue on the ultra relay changed people’s pace by 1 to 2 minutes per mile. Being behind an optimistic pace kills morale and leads to trouble.
  • Two van drivers. Even with one vehicle, two designated drivers to share the road load would be wise. I was up for 40 hours straight and likely shortened my life by 2 years.
  • Expect more running and less play. I advertise the long distance relay as a fun road trip. Normally I get video, photos, and there is a lot more ‘fun’ running. Expectations must change with the ultra team as there is less time and energy for that.
SO jealous of J's medal!

SO jealous of J’s medal!

Comments

ADD COMMENT
  1. Sheena says

    September 26, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Nuun letting you pull one together for SoCal? :)eehhhhh but not an ultra! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Running Hutch says

      September 26, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      They’ve already put a team together for SoCal. :-/ Most of the major events they covered but Napa is less popular. You SO want to do an ultra!

      Reply
  2. Live from La Quinta says

    September 26, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    What a great group of runners (though I expect no less!). I really would have loved to do this, though I was less ready for an ultra than most. Congrats to the team, and to you for pulling it all together in spite of the challenges! Plus it seems like they should have a special medal for van drivers who stay up for 40 hours!

    Reply
    • Running Hutch says

      September 26, 2013 at 8:41 pm

      We SO could’ve used you! Another time. [o:

      Reply
  3. Christine says

    September 26, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    Wow. What a great group of people you pulled together and what an experience! Congrats to all of you for pulling together and getting through all the ups and downs. Loved the video.

    Reply
  4. NeverEverBeenSkinny (@Alicia_Orozco) says

    September 26, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    This is amazing. That is a GREAT group of people that just pulled through!

    Reply
  5. Happy Fit Mama (@happyfitmama) says

    September 27, 2013 at 2:11 am

    Talk about stepping up to the plate! What an awesome group to take on the challenge. The video was great!

    Reply
  6. fullrunner says

    September 27, 2013 at 5:03 am

    Wow what an experience! Looks like you landed some pretty awesome runners- and it made for a fantastic story. Congrats to the runners on completing the relay as an ultra team- and to you for managing those hectic changes!

    Reply
  7. katsnf says

    September 27, 2013 at 5:12 am

    I love this post! I wish I could have run with you guys! I want to do a relay SO bad one day – one day – and hope for quick recovery times for ya girlie!

    Reply
  8. TriGirl says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Wow! What an amazing team!! I love runners πŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. fitnessmomwinecountry says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:49 am

    I live here in the Napa Valley and could not find anyone to pull a team together with!! I could not believe it. Are you doing this team next year? I want in, I want in!!! This is right in my back yard and I am here, so I will follow and let’s connect πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Running Hutch says

      September 27, 2013 at 9:14 am

      Let’s do it! There is a chance we could do it again next year, maybe not with Nuun Hydration, but I would certainly enjoy an opportunity to run there again. Have you heard of The Relay? That starts in Calistoga and is also tons of fun.

      Reply
  10. olivetorun says

    September 27, 2013 at 10:09 am

    These races always look like SO much fun. I want to do one but I want to be apart of the RIGHT team– since I think the team does make it or break it. So glad you had a great experience.

    Reply
    • Running Hutch says

      September 27, 2013 at 10:25 am

      That is very true. I’ve heard HORROR stories of terrible teams.
      A few things I’ve learned about selecting a good team (if you are the team captain and can decide who you invite) is that:

      1) Strangers can be better than friends. Weirdly we can be better with people we don’t know than with our closest friends. We assume our friends or family know what we’re saying or trying to do and at 4AM you wind up arguing over directions in weird grunts and mumbles. Sometimes you might have a better experience going with a somewhat random team than trying to pull in all your BFFs. And those stranger-friend runners tend not to take you for granted as much and pay on time.

      2) Rare circumstances aside, trying to micro-manage who is in which van, etc. is not worth it. I prefer to be in the same van as my husband but if it doesn’t work out based on what the teams needs, it just doesn’t work out. Oh well. I always want to play “match-maker” when I make leg assignments but sometimes people don’t get along they way you thought anyway. So it’s best to let the runners fall where they may.

      3) If you’re on a mixed team, mix up the genders. I’ve never been on an all-women’s team (with the exception of Nuun’s Hood To Coast which is entirely different). We’ve always been mixed and I find that having some guys and some gals in both vans keeps things…less catty, less raunchy, more clean, and more task-orientated.

      So, all that to say, the “RIGHT” team may not look like what you envision or plan for. Sometimes the best teams are pulled together from the most random connections. Keep an open mind. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Electra @ electra-fi.com says

    September 27, 2013 at 10:38 am

    I love the online fitness community, especially when it comes together in person. Way to make it happen and motivate everyone – you’re a rockstar πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Running Hutch says

      September 27, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  12. Elle says

    September 27, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    Wow – that’s quite the story! Awesome.

    Reply
  13. Ja @Ja on the RUN says

    October 2, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Love it!!! πŸ™‚ That’s an amazing experience and so much fun to be with those amazing people!:)

    Reply
  14. Ashley @ Brocblog says

    January 24, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Thats amazing! If youre ever in a jam again give me a call, I’d love to do a relay!

    Reply
  15. Jessica S. says

    July 6, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Great recap. Your team really pulled through!! thanks for sharing at the race recap link-up!

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    May 26, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    […] Ragnar Napa 2013 – The Accidental Ultra Relay with video. […]

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    July 1, 2014 at 9:02 pm

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  3. Race Recap Link-Up {2} | The Silvah Lining says:
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Coach Tiffany Henness.
I am a scattered-creative, transracial adoptee, forest dweller, organ donor, and #boymom, who writes, runs, and believes living out my faith in Christ involves seeking justice. I write about many things, but at the heart of it all is the desire to challenge and inspire us to see ourselves as God intended: whole in mind, body and soul. Contact me.

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