Seneca 7 - Chafing The Dream

I never would have thought that joining a relay team back in January would have given me such an amazing experience like the one I had yesterday. Wait, let's take a step back.... First, I never thought I would ever join a relay team where I would be held responsible for running upwards to 9+ miles over the course of 12 hours. That was "something" my husband always did, but now I know why.  Yesterday I was part of a team that ran 77.7 miles around Seneca Lake. 

There were 21 legs that had a certain number of miles attached to it and 7 runners (including myself) each had 3 legs to run. I had leg #2, #9 & #16 and ran a little more than 9 miles total. The legs went in order (of course) and after your first leg, you would wait to run your next one once everyone on the team finished their first leg.
We drove around in a minivan, cheering on our teammate by honking and ringing cowbells out the window as we passed them on the road while heading to the next checkpoint. There, the next runner would be ready to receive the official (and sweaty, mind you) Seneca 7 slap bracelet, and then they were off.  We congratulated that runner who had just finished, recorded their arrival time and then hopped back in the car to do it all over again.

Rich, a good friend that James works with put together EVERYTHING for our day of fun.  This guy is pretty awesome and a great planner. (Makes me wonder why James gets along so well with him.. a brother from another mother perhaps??) He packed our food, gave us all a 
checklist of things to bring, and carted our sweaty butts all day in his own van. We had maps, water, great company and even team shirts so Chafing The Dream could all be unified!

I, could not have asked for a better team.  I was honored to run with them.  They pushed me mentally, because to me, all of them are serious, experienced runners. It was no secret that I was the "dead weight" but that term only existed in my mind. Everyone gave everyone else so much support it was truly the best. What moved me yesterday?  They did! 

I was able to share this experience with James and my sister-in-law, Jen.  Watching them complete their legs was pretty cool and inspirational.  I was so proud for both of them. Jen had a huge hill to endure and she kicked it's butt even while it tried to kick hers. James pushed himself harder than I have ever seen. He was also given some hills and heat that tested his endurance level. Everyone just did AWESOME!

We seriously could not have asked for a better day. Aside from all the race excitement, we were able to enjoy the beautiful sun, scenery and mid 60 degrees under a perfect blue sky.  The Finger Lakes region is absolutely gorgeous. Hills, Vineyards, Wineries lined our route on this caravan adventure.  

Leg #2 is DONE

As I was waiting to begin Leg #2, the excitement and nerves grew.  Everyone who was running this leg had to shuffle on a school bus and be brought to their first checkpoint to wait for their teammate running leg #1. Matt (who had started the race for Chafing The Dream) was one of the last runners to arrive, leaving me about .5 mile behind the closest runner ahead of me. That runner was one of the driving forces that kept me going.  I knew I wasn't going to catch up to her, but I also knew I didn't want to lose her in my vision.  
When I wasn't focused on her, I looked left and was able to see the lake and all the houses that bumped up to it. The sun was still sitting on the water and it was peaceful.  My overall "plan" for this race was to push hard my first two legs (since they were my shortest at 2.7 miles each) so I could coast a little at the end. When I got to the checkpoint and handed off to Alexa, I was blown away with the numbers on my watch!

The beginning of Leg #9 was the toughest point of the day for me for some reason. After running my first leg, my left foot really started to bother me. Stupid PF! I took some Advil and massaged the heck out so I could avoid as much pain as possible. The dull ache still remained while I stood there, waiting for Matt to come hand off that bracelet at the checkpoint. The plan of "pushing myself hard" so I could get another great leg pace weighed on my mind, along with other things I really had no business thinking about at that moment. My husband, my rock, could see that from across the street and came to join me as we waited for Matt together. He gave me the words I needed to hear and calmed me while a few tears fell down my face to release the tension I was holding up inside. I'll always remember that. As soon as Matt came to greet me, I was off.

The sun was higher in the sky and that lake still stood to the left in all its' beauty! When I heard those cowbells and team cheering out the window as they drove to where I'd meet them next, it was really motivating. At the end of my route I turned into Lakewood Winery, ran through the front part of their vineyards and passed on the torch to Alexa once again!

Leg #9 is DONE!

I finished only 10 seconds slower than the first leg and was still very proud of those numbers on the watch.. it's still faster than I've been currently running in training!

As the end of the day was approaching and our team was nearing their last leg, fatigue and tiredness was clearly evident. I tried to eat and hydrate enough because my last leg had the most distance.  Not only was it my longest, I started in a golf course, ran part of it on a trail, passed an insane asylum and even a prison. The rumor of this leg was "not to get lost" oh and you had to pass a snow plow and jump over logs and boulders as well.  Also,  I had to wear a reflector vest because "God forbid IF there was a prison break" they would need that vest to distinguish that I was not "a prisoner on the run that they would have to send the dogs after".  True Story!!  With all these different things to think about, for some reason I wasn't the least bit concerned. Funny, huh? All I knew was that it was my last leg and I'd be done for the day once I handed that slap bracelet to Alexa the final time. No tears, only excitement!

Leg #16 really took it's toll on me. As I was going downhill on this grassy trail, filled with rocks, divots and trees, I kept my mind focused on footing. I had a lot of momentum (~11:35 min pace).  With my downhill speed and my brain working pretty hard to "not fall" or "hurt my foot in the beginning of this leg", I got a bit lightheaded at the bottom.  My vision got a bit wonky and I needed to stop, walk and hydrate.  Luckily I had my handheld water bottle filled with Scratch Labs (sports drink with electrolytes) that helped bring my focus back. 

Leg #16 is DONE!

Man, was this leg the prettiest of them all.  I was SO close to the lake on this route, and the scenery reminded of the River at the 1000 Islands.  I had a few hills and gravel roads and saw many runners on this route.  At one point, I was about to pass (aka "kill") this woman on our first incline.  She looked really out of sorts and that "Mentor" inside of me came out. It was like I took everything Pina says to me and applied it to her.  "C'mon girl, we'll do this together.  You've got this".  I told her to just "bounce with me up this hill" and to stay strong.  

It felt so nice helping out someone who I could completely relate to.  When we got to the top, she had a tear in her eye and I said.. "no crying, only I cry".  She smiled and yelled "thank you" as I slowly passed her to continue on my way.  It was pretty cool and that helped me the next two miles until I got to that last checkpoint. Sure, I was a bit slower than I really aimed for, but I was done and so proud of everyone that did this journey with me!

At the end of the race, our Chafing The Dream team met up with Tim (who ran leg, #21) at the "Team Unification Point" . The seven of us crossed that finish line together. It was awesome, and I'll always remember that.  7 runners, (some that I had just met earlier that morning) shared an experience that could never truly be repeated... that is, until next year! Sign me up Richard, I'm all in!!! ( Oh, and I think I'll volunteer for Leg #4 so I can tackle that huge hill.  It's easy to say a year away, right?)