It’s Friday, so I’m linking up for the new Fit Friday Five. I’m doubling down and linking up with Marcia for “Runfessions,” too! Runfessions are running truths or “where runners bare their souls and soles.” This is the Hood to Coast edition because I’m out in Oregon getting ready to toe the line in a 12 person 199 mile relay race.
I runfess… I’m a bit nervous about running Hood to Coast. Why? It’s been a LONG time since I’ve done Hood to Coast or any overnight relay. How long? 2008 was the last time I ran. We had a great time, but I “retired” citing age and inability to stay awake overnight. Well… never say never! I was invited in 2019 (for 2020) by Ken (my Mountains 2 Beach partner in crime) to join a team. He was in my van in 2008 and we’ve been running and funning together ever since. He invited me coming off of a high from M2B so I said OK. Then 2020 happened. We signed up for this year and since we’re all vaccinated and tested negative for COVID, we’re running.
I runfess… I’m also nervous, because I’m still on my running streak. I hit 500 days averaging over 6.5 miles/day on July 4th. I planned to step back but haven’t really done so. Today is day 554. I keep planning to adjust the miles per day so that some days I do 1 or 2 miles as I have longer runs for marathon training. I’ve gotten into the habit and it’s hard to stop. Running 4 times in 24 hours may cure me of this habit.
I runfess… I have become quite a sissy runner. Or maybe, I’m even more of a sissy now than I used to be. Our van has an injured runner, so I volunteered to run an extra leg. That’s no sissy move, but I did reject a reassignment that was marked “Very Hard” with gravel trail and big elevation gain. I’m a total flatlander and I’m worried about gravel/trail in the dark. Would you just go with the flow or take the cautious route?
I runfess… I’m more worried about missing sleep than running 4 times in 24 hours. That’s probably foolish but my birthday 7 x 7 miles in 4 days has me reasonably confident about the running. As I get older missing a night’s sleep takes me a week to recover!
I runfess… My team is pretty lucky! We got a ton of goodies from Werner Jerky, G2G Bar, SOS Hydration and KT Tape. I also have some new gear from my friends at Arc’Teryx. It may be a long road but at least we’ll have great snacks.
Have you ever done an overnight race or relay? Do you have any Runfessions to share? Please leave them in the comments.
I’m linking up with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn and Zenaida, for Fit Five Friday. Join us!
Have a great weekend!
PS. Don’t miss my great giveaways!