I completed my first relay race this past weekend in North Carolina. I was invited last minute by a friend in my running group. Apparently one of the runners backed out 2 days before the race and they needed a back-up and knew who to call that's always up for a challenge, That would be Me! The race was called the Blue Ridge Relay. It starts in Grayson-Highlands, VA and ends in Asheville, NC, approximately 214 miles through the mountains. We were a 12 person team with 2 vans and a lot determination. I had 3 legs to run that would consist of a 9.5mi, 3.5mi, and 5.8mi so I ran roughly around 20 miles in the 31hours it took us to complete the course. 31 hours and 45 minutes to be precise, that's an average pace of 8:54 per mile which I believe was great considering the 11% and 13% grade hills and 4,280ft climbs that were being made in some single legs.
This race really prepared me a bit more for the North Face Endurance challenge coming up October 13th in Pine Mountain, Ga. I am running the half marathon at this race due to the Savannah Rock N Roll Marathon 3 weeks after the race and the Mad Marsh 50k 2 weeks after the marathon. I want to put these races in order instead of running a 50k (in the mountains) then 3 weeks run a marathon. I made the decision a couple of months ago while I was training for the Rock N Roll marathon. I wanted to not only finish this marathon, but to run in under 4 hours. I knew that if I had to run a 50k and 3 weeks later run the marathon, there would a very high chance of not doing well. Mainly due to the fact of not enough recovery time between races. I don't feel that my level of running has gotten to the point of running multiple long distance runs without recovery between. A couple more years of marathons and 50k races should be good enough to not just train my body, but also keep my mind sharp and know how to listen to my body, become more in tune with it.
I believe it is just another step in becoming an ultra runner. I like things to happen now, faster results, if not instant. I know that's not how it works though. It takes years of training and dedication to something to become proficient in it. By keeping the body moving and the mind working you will only progress forward in achieving what you want. Running still today is the only thing that keeps me going, the progression I have seen in the past year amazes me. When you look back to last month or last week it seems to be the same, but when you look at the last year and compare to what you have done today it can amaze you at the results you have achieved. For me atleast it has, Weight loss/gain. Fat loss, Muscle gained, pace per mile, average distance run per week, little things, but things to be proud of.
Until my next post I hope some of you look back to last year or the year before and see what you have accomplished and see where you are today, because 2-3 years from now you will be even greater!
Stay Strong, Never Stop Moving Forward...
