Wild West Relay: Team Pain In The Pass

What do you get when you add 12 average runners, 2 Honda Odyssey minivans, 4 dozen bananas, 2 dozen bagels, powerade, gu, cliff bars, coffee, tarps, bungee cords, sleeping bags, reflective vests, head lamps, stop watches, wet wipes, 33 hours of misery mixed with non-stop laughing, 200 miles of running and the most gorgeous scenery on God's Green Earth? You get Team Pain in the Pass vs. The Wild West Relay from Fort Collins to Steamboat Springs, Colorado! A successful 6 month in the making venture guided with able and gentle hands by our leader and captain, Murielle Brewer.

3:45am Friday, August 7th
Brewer House: Loading up my 2000 Honda Odyssey Minivan. 6 athletes in Van #1 - Shauna, Murielle, Donna, Randy, Chad & Chris. Away we went loaded down w/ supplies, food, h20 and boundless energy.

4am: Arrived at Budweiser Tour Center and checked in - got our bibs (#71 - my birthday!) and t-shirts and prepped for my 5am run. It was dark, chilly - I wore my arm compression sleeves to stay warm. The race folks were cranking some great tunes - the energy in the air was evident.

5am: The gun went off and we started the Relay race! I think my leg was only 4.7 miles and it was easy - mostly flat on gravel roads. I handed off the Livestrong bracelet to Randy for leg #2 after my run and away he went and so on and so on...through the 6 of us. We finished by mid-morning and met up with Van #2 in Livermoore, Co. Since we had about 4 - 5 hours until our next legs we found the most gorgeous lake (Dowdy Lake) to recooperate and have lunch. By now my stomach was starting to work it's *magic* and cramp on me. Wonderful. I wondered when my intestines would start to process the excitement and stress. I can't get a break. Really pisses me off. Anyhoo, we layed out tarps and s. bags and tried to get some shuteye - but that's hard at Noon w/ the sun blazing and the black crows kaaaaing away. We left our little sanctuary a bit groggier for sure and off to Red Feather/Deadman's Road for my leg #13.

3pm: Holy lack of oxygen! I couldn't breathe on my 5.7 mile run up the rough roads of this trail. The hills seemed endless and steep. I allowed myself 1 minute walking breaks as needed to catch my breath and try to get ahead of my breathing/suffocating. I don't think I've ever had to try so hard to make it up a 4 mile stretch of uphill as I did on these roads. I was the only runner in sight - but vans did pass and encourage and my own van #1 was so supportive and kept me going. The dust wasn't too bad - it was hot, though. I had a wet bandana which helped and Donna poured cold water on me every few miles.

4pm: Finished my run and handed off to Randy. I was elated! 2 legs down, 1 to go! I was so proud of myself...but then the nausea came on again and I felt awful. I tried to eat - forcefeed myself to recover and drink water but it was hard going down. Then I started to get a little delirious - felt the effects of the altitude, I think. We all did.

By 11pm it was time to make our way to another Van Exchange out in the middle of nowhere - but the crowds/vans/athletes had grown by the hundreds and we were dealing with miserable porta potty conditions, lemme tell ya. Some of us were still quite nauseous (wonder if it was from my engine idling so much w/ us in the van?) but we set up our tarps, bags, etc. and tried to get some sleep in the freezing cold. I remember never being in so much tummy pain in my life. I felt so sick and uncomfortable. I wanted it all to be over - to be home in my cozy house and bed! I was wearing ear plugs, a winter hat, gloves, fleece pants, jacket and even eye covers to block out the full moon! I think I slept for 5 minutes at best. The rest of the night was me tossing and turning in agony. At 1:30am we got up, packed up (yet again!) and drove to Walden for my last run. We got there at 2:30am and thankfully we got to use the Walden high school restrooms. I was quite sick and unsure if I'd be able to even run my 6.6 mile final leg. I tried to mentally WILL myself better. I really hoped that once I was out and running I'd feel better. The hardest part of the whole event for me was the down time - the waiting. At 4am my friend Maud from Van #2 passed off to me and I took off with my headlamp, blinking light, reflective vest, and sheer will and determination to NOT let my team down...through downtown Walden and out onto the long rural roads in the dark. I could see the lights of the other runners ahead of me - it was surreal. It was cold but felt good. I was really really tired. Physically & Mentally. But I did it - just over an hour made it to my last exchange and was DONE with my portion of the WWR.

Next 5 legs were spent cheering on my awesome van mates - and then once we met Van #2 I was able to eat a small amount of pancake and drink some Cytomax. When we arrived in Steamboat and hit the Egg & I - I had a bit of an appetite and ordered some eggs and potatoes. Delish. But I couldn't eat too much.

Took a FANTASTIC shower at Murielle's condo - it was ravishing!!!! Changed out of my gross clothes and felt like a new (but exhausted) woman. At 2:15pm Team Pain In the Pass crossed the FINISH as a full team of 12 strong - 33 hours after we'd started at an average pace of 10:17 minute miles.

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay, Outrun, OutPotty - WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last 3 months...

Getting ready for the uber-fun 200 mile Wild West Relay in 2 days! Otherwise known as GetYourAssOverThePass - our team is called Pain in the Pass. We are 12 strong...2 vans (one of them mine) and we start our run 5am Friday with Yours Truly running legs #1, #13 and #25...I'll be wearing my headlamp for the last leg at 2:30am Sat.

This summer has been known as Booty Camp. Hollyn and I have been alternating weeks being the Trainer and we have done a lot of Mt. Biking/duathlon type workouts as well as some tennis, jump rope, yoga/core work and of course our runs. We did a great run last week up at Horsetooth Res. such a gorgeous a.m. and the trail we took was challenging and fun.

We are iffy on doing the Muddy Buddy this year but will def. explore some trail half marathons and see what it out there. Interested in more off-road duathlons as well.

Sleep. Fuel. Run.

Time to decorate my van for Friday's race! Ouch, Pain in the Pass!

COLORADO MARATHON = 4:36:06

I DID IT!!!!

Spent Friday trying to carbo-load and rest up. I picked up my packet from the Hilton hotel and started to get really excited for Sunday's race once I saw all the athletes and felt the energy at the expo Fri eve. I went to bed around 10pm and got a great night's sleep. Saturday seemed to drag on forever. The weather had been overcast and rainy for 2 days. It was dreary and cold. The weather predictions for Sunday were crap. Jon helped me pack a tarp and a blanket and I went to Goodwill and got some throwaway sweat pants. Saturday I ate cereal and pasta and bagels during the day. I drank a lot of water. I tried to take it easy. I had started 'packing' for my run and had my piles upstairs by my bed - my fuel belt, hat, sunglasses, clothes, shoes, etc. etc. Jon put my chip on my left shoe and I made sure the laces didn't bother me. I got my bib ready to pin on my shirt - number #20, I was READY! I really had a terrible night's sleep Sat. night - was worried about the weather and being cold. I was worried my alarm clock wouldn't go off (so I set 3, 2 clocks, one watch). I'd planned to wear a pair of old running shoes up to the start and change into dry socks/shoes just before the race. I was like a Boy Scout w/ the prep work, for sure.

Sunday I got up at 3:15am and got dressed in the dark. I put on sunblock just in case the weather predictions were wrong...and changed my shorts for tights and my tank top for a long sleeve shirt. I woke up Jon and we left for the bus depot at 3:45am. I ate most of a dry bagel and had some water. Took a chewable Pepto. When I got to the depot it was still dark out but runners were pouring out of the parking garages and getting dropped off. It was exciting. I got on the 3rd bus (there were about twenty or more) and after the Race Coordinator made a little speech on our bus (Good Luck! Have Fun!) we were away. I sat next to a really nice guy my age (father of 2) who was also doing his first marathon. We chatted about our training and our goals. His goal was 3:45 (I later learned that he finished just before I did - I wonder what happened and if he was hurting pretty bad?) mine was a very conservative 4:30. The drive up the canyon was about an hour and I could see stars in the sky - that meant NO CLOUDS! Could it be possible that we weren't going to have crappy weather? When we arrived at Stephen's Gulch campground it was 33 degrees outside. Our nice bus driver said we could stay on the bus until 5:30am - he was one of the only drivers to allow this - others just dumped their people and drove off! We were lucky. I chatted up front w/ a few of the runners - one guy was doing his 16th marathon. One guy his 6th. One guy had done Boston 2 weeks ago and had qualified to do it again. I announced that "This is my FIRST marathon, baby!" Everyone was excited for me. At 5:30am I got off the bus just as the light was coming up in the sky and I immediately went to the portapotty. he he. Then I got my tarp spread out on the wet ground and opened my handwarmers and tried to warm up with my blanket around me. Most people were in shorts and tanks and were obviously very cold and miserable. I felt so fortunate to be in my warm snuggly spot. A guy w/ a megaphone walked around giving us updates: 15 mins, 10 mins, 5 mins 'til start! I got my running shoes on, went to the bathroom one more time, shoved all my stuff into my duffle bag and took it to the bag drop and that's when I ran into my friend Shauna(!) and we decided to run together! The gun went off and we let out a shout and we were away! The sun was coming up the canyon - over the clifftops, it was a beautiful morning. I could see all the heads bobbing ahead of me with the misty breath coming out of people's mouths. It was a cool sight for sure. Shauna and I found our groove and the first 6 miles flew by so fast. I ditched my rain gear, my warm hat, my gloves, my fleece and was down to my tights and shirt for the duration. I took a Hammer Gel at mile 6 w/ some water. We made a pit stop in some bushes and continued on down the mountain. (This trend would repeat itself another 5 times.) The river was flowing and so pretty. The scenery was beautiful. My thighs started to hurt a little around mile 10. My stomach was aching a bit around mile 8 or so - I dreaded getting those cramps and that was honestly my greatest fear...the dreaded tummy. But I mentally focused on something else and they went away...only to return every few miles. Luckily, I was eventually fine. My legs were aching the most - I let myself walk through a few of the aid stations if I took something from them(everyone was so awesome - wearing blue wigs, blasting music, tons of encouraging words) and stretched about 5 or so times during the race to loosen my tight quads. Of course there was the token 4 stops to RETIE my shoelaces. At the halfway point I couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed - I think my split was around 2:07 which was 12 minutes slower than my fastest half - so I was pretty excited with my time and knew I'd conserved enough to do the remaining 13 as well. At mile 14 I gelled again w/ water. I was also taking some sips of Heed every other aid station which were spread out every mile to every 2.7 miles in some cases. Shauna went ahead after 14 and I just continued on "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" mantra a la Chris Bowcutt. Chatted with a few fellow runners from time to time, but mostly it was a very solitary run the remainder of the time. Just me and my thoughts. And my wonderful Love Notes put together by Jon written by my family and friends. Every few miles I'd reach into my SpiBelt and pick out a thought to read. Some were funny, some were poignant. It was wonderful encouragement. I took another Hammer Gel (my last) at mile 21 and when I reached the mile 21 marker - I knew I'd run farther than I'd ever run before and I hadn't hit The Wall. I was stoked. The last 5 miles were on a secluded bike path with some shade and fields on the right w/ horses and cows. I had to start digging at this point because my legs were really getting tired. I saw a lot of people switching from running to walking for the same reason. That 14 mile downhill at the beginning of the day was a beeyatch. Wow. It wasn't just the grade, it was the angle - my right leg would be up higher on the long turns, etc. and it was uncomfortable sometimes. There was no flat part to balance out, I felt like I was tipping over sometimes. I hadn't trained for that! Anyway, I remember thinking 8 miles left, 7 miles left, 6 miles, 5 miles, when it got to 4 miles left, I couldn't believe I was almost done. Then 3...just a 5K! Then 2 - holy crap, I'm going to DO THIS THING, SHAUNA! At 2 miles I set my timer for 5 minutes and said to myself, "If I need to, I can walk for 1 minute when this goes off." So at 5 minutes, I walked for 1 minute. But then I realized that I was so close and all I had to do was dig and get through it and I'd be done SOONER! So, I ignored my watch after that and kept steady and mentally alert. When I had 1 mile left I set my timer for 10 minutes and knew that I'd be done around the time it went off. I kept looking down at my watch every minute (felt like forever!) and when it was down to 3 minutes my heart started really going fast b/c I was so excited. You have to understand that I was almost completely alone the last 5 miles. It was such a private stretch - there were people behind me and ahead of me, sure - but this was a quiet bike path and not downtown Denver on a street. It was an awesome and unique run. When I had .2 miles left I had to WILL myself to calm down and FOCUS. I rounded the corner and SAW the FINISH LINE! I saw the crowds, the people - I heard the cheers and bells. I can't tell you the feeling that came over me when I realized I was going to cross the finish line and do it without any embarrassing tummy issues or sickness! I saw my kids by the finish line and saw Jon with the camera. I gave the crowd a few fist pumps and grabbed Natalie's hand and we crossed the Finish together! I had my timing chip cut off by a volunteer and was handed my medal. My kids all hugged me and Jon was so proud of me. My friend Murielle was there with her 2 girls - she had some beautiful flowers for me. It was such a HUGE accomplishment! Little old me - I ran 26.2 miles! I wanted to leave right away and go get a huge bagel and chocolate milk from my fave place: Gib's Bagels, so we did that. I came home, took a nice warm bath (was a bit chilled) and a little nap, some ibuprofen and we all went to Macaroni Grill for dinner and I wore my medal! I was not super hungry but had a few slices of pizza margarita (delish) and some icecream. I fell asleep no problem (Nat rubbed IcyHot on my thighs! Heaven!) and surprisingly on Monday I wasn't as horribly sore as I expected to be...and today (Wed.) I'm about 99% back to normal! So lucky. I can run 2 miles tomorrow as per my training Week Zero and walk on Friday and then try a longer run on Saturday.

I want to thank my family - my hubby Jon, the greatest supporter and encourager on the planet. Thank you for helping me set goals and for carrying me through my self-doubt to achieve them. I am nothing without you, Jon! Jonny, the best babysitter and wittiest person I know. To Nat for her warmth and gentle love. To Cricket for telling me to do my Runny Runs! All my kids for their understanding during the 18 weeks of training. My friends - for their love and cheerleading all these weeks. Jamie Bee, Hollyn - the best running partner a person could ever have, DebraSistah...You girls believed in me when I didn't. For my Ironman broski, Chris - my personal trainer via phone and email...thank you bro. You inspire me! Domeevoo - my Marathoner brother who BEAT ME BY ONE MINUTE! AHHHHHHH! How funny is that?! Thank you Dom for believing in me. Trina, my Sistah. I love you. Rachy - my Sistah, thank you for your words and support! My Mommy and Daddy! Thank you for cheering me on and for always supporting me and my wacky running endeavors. I remember Dad running in Karachi (dang, shorts in the '70s were short!) and I admired that even back then when I was 8. Mom, watching you train in NZ with Bitty Hitchcock was inspiration for me - and then you ran the Misterton Hiff and I was so proud of you!

I could NOT have done this alone. Thanks to everyone, Streetgang ("Soldier On"), TAD (Poptart fueling machine!) and my brother Mike, who makes me want to be the best I can be and achieve all my dreams and goals. You are always with me every step of the way, bro. This one's for you.

2 miles (LOL)

Day-um

2 miles through the park, 2 sets of thigh presses against the park pavillion...

<3 days 'til the RACE.

Will post Sunday...hopefully!

Colorado Marathon, here I come.

4 miles

felt great - super easy and fast. wore my skins and they kept my arms nice and warm. it's a beautiful day.

3 days.

3 miles

< 5 days...the taper is huge. Tomorrow is 4 miles...Thurs. just 2. Then Rest Rest. Then Brutal.

tick-tock tick-tock

< SIX DAYS to go...